Thursday, October 21, 2010

DTN News: DRDO, IAI, MBDA Products To Improve Indian Air Force Air Defence Capabilities

Defense News: DTN News: DRDO, IAI, MBDA Products To Improve Indian Air Force Air Defence Capabilities
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 21, 2010: In a recent interview, the Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik had been quoted saying that the Indian Air Force was close to having a 50 percent obsolence level in its equipment. This was largely a reference to the air defence capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

For the past few years, however, the Government has moved to address these gaps in capabilities with the following orders / upgrades planned:
  • December 2010 - President Sarkozy's Visit: Formal accord likely to be signed and joint development work to begin for the 15-km.-range Indo-French Maitri short-range SAM (SR-SAM). Workshare agreement between the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and European defense major MBDA has been concluded. An MBDA official says the SR-SAM would finish development work and the first phase of testing within three years of program go-ahead. The system is likely to be available for deployment by late 2013.
  • February 2011 - IAF will receive its first two Akash batteries in February, and is likely to deploy them in India's Northeast. The IAF decided to order six more Akash batteries worth USD $925 million -- each with 125 missiles -- in addition to the two systems already on order.
  • March 2011 - IAF receive the first of 18 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)-Rafael Spyder quick-reaction medium-range missile systems. The offshore deal became necessary in 2006 because of delays in the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) program.
  • DRDO is developing with IAI a 70-km.-range Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM). The IAF plans to raise at least two regiments that will use the MR-SAM, each with 40 launchers and support equipment. In India, the MR-SAM will progressively replace the antiquated Soviet-vintage SA-3 Pechora and SA-8 OSA-AK SAM systems.
  • Radar coverage - The IAF currently has fast-track tenders out for long-range surveillance radars, high-powered radars, three-dimensional C/D band air surveillance radars, low-level transportable radars and radars for mountain surveillance in India's northern and eastern sectors.
*THIS ARTICLE IS BEING POSTED FROM TORONTO, CANADA BY DTN NEWS ~ DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS, CONTACT:DTNNEWS@YMAIL.COM

Related:

-- DRDO, MBDA to Jointly Develop Maitri Quick Reaction Missile
-- IAI Develops Arrow 3 Interceptor for Long Range Incoming Missiles

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY October 21, 2010 - With Pakistani Visit To The U.S., A Chance To Ease Tensions

Defense News: DTN News: Pakistan TODAY October 21, 2010 - With Pakistani Visit To The U.S., A Chance To Ease Tensions
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, USA - October 21, 2010: As the Obama administration begins three days of talks with Pakistani leaders, the two sides will seek to ease tensions over the muscular new U.S. strategy in the region.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, chief of the Pakistani army, are leading the their nation's delegation for meetings with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cameron Munter, the next U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, also will join the talks.

The U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, which started Wednesday, will address all facets of the relationship between Washington and Islamabad, but counterterrorism cooperation will be a major aspect of the talks.

During the talks the Obama administration is expected to announce a security assistance package totaling as much as $2 billion over five years to help Pakistan fight extremists on its border with Afghanistan, senior U.S. officials and diplomatic sources tell CNN. The two sides also will discuss how to help Pakistan rebuild after this summer's devastating floods.

The talks come amid renewed friction between the U.S. and Pakistan after a NATO helicopter gunship in pursuit of insurgents killed Pakistani soldiers in a border region with Afghanistan, prompting Pakistan to temporarily close a supply route into Afghanistan.

It also comes on the heels of a White House report sent to Congress earlier this month that uses unusually tough language to suggest the ally is not doing nearly enough to confront the Taliban and al Qaeda, despite repeated Obama administration claims in public that Pakistan is working hard to crack down on militants

The White House assessment, obtained by CNN, is particularly tough on Pakistan's inability to make gains in North Waziristan, where many analysts believe key al Qaeda leaders have gained a safe haven to use as a base to plot terror attacks against Western targets.

"This is as much a political choice as it is a reflection of an under-resourced military prioritizing its targets," the report said.

The $2 billion security package, which is on top of a $7.5 billion aid package over five years in non-military counter-terrorism assistance approved by Congress last year, seeks to address what U.S. officials call a legitimate lack of Pakistani capacity to fight militants.

"There is an expectation with that capacity comes a greater effort," a senior official said.

But U.S. patience with Pakistan's inability to crack down on militants is wearing thin, especially among members of Congress. Administration officials say the United States will warn the Pakistani leaders that it would be hard to persuade Capitol Hill or the American public to continue supporting the country if Pakistan failed to intensify its efforts to crack down on militants in its tribal areas, or if a terrorist plot against America was traced back to terrorists being given safe haven in Pakistan.

"There will be opportunities for us to detail for the Pakistanis what more must be done," White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said about the talks.

Gibbs gave the Pakistani government credit for what he called "an unprecedented level of cooperation," but said the United States has been clear about what is expected of Pakistan.

The dialogue is designed to build trust with Pakistan, amid concerns the United States is not going to remain engaged with the region over the long term. This week the two sides will break into ten working groups to discuss issues like expansion of trade, public diplomacy and American investment in the Pakistani economy and agricultural and technology sectors. The Pakistanis also hope to convince the U.S. to engage in civil nuclear cooperation, like it does with India, and give Pakistan preferential access to U.S. markets for Pakistani goods such as textiles

At the last strategic dialogue in Islamabad in July, Clinton announced a major aid package for Pakistan -- with hundreds of millions of dollars pledged on projects to address the country's water and power shortage, and its floundering economy. Some of that aid is being redirected to flood recovery.

There are potentially divisive issues, such as NATO's role in facilitating reconciliation talks between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the Taliban. Pakistan has long maintained it wants to be involved in a political settlement involving the Taliban, but is currently not at the table.

"We'll discuss this as a dimension of our strategic dialogue this week," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Wednesday. "To the extent that Pakistan can play a role in supporting an Afghan-led process, that is something that we have discussed with Pakistan, but more importantly that's something that Pakistan has discussed with Afghanistan."

Officials from both sides stress the flare-up in tensions after the NATO border incident has subsided and that this week's talks will put the relationship back on track.

Pakistani Ambassador Husain Haqqani said in an interview that the talks help both sides focus on common strategic interests.

"We are allies but we don't always have synchronized thinking and a coincidence of understanding of interests" he said. "The talks give a long term dimension to U.S. and Pakistan relations, which help that understanding."

*THIS ARTICLE IS BEING POSTED FROM TORONTO, CANADA BY DTN NEWS ~ DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS, CONTACT:DTNNEWS@YMAIL.COM
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
WHILST EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED HEREIN, DTN NEWS ~ DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR OF THE PAGE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE CORPORATE VIEWS OF DTN NEWS ~ DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS.

DTN News: World Top Stories / Headlines - News Dated October 21, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: World Top Stories / Headlines - News Dated October 21, 2010
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 21, 2010: Comprehensive daily news related to World Top Stories for the world of TODAY.
*Comprehensive daily news related to World Top Stories for the world of TODAY.

AFP News Headlines

Iraq auctions off gas fields

IRAQ AUCTIONS OFF GAS FIELDS

AFP - Yesterday, 12:27 pm

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq awarded three gas fields at an international auction on Wednesday as it vies to become a major world player in a policy the oil minister said is key to boosting the war-ravaged economy. More »

  • Iran to open spy trial of US hikers on November 6

    IRAN TO OPEN SPY TRIAL OF US HIKERS ON NOVEMBER 6

    AFP - Yesterday, 12:06 pm

    TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran will begin trying three American hikers on espionage charges on November 6, their lawyer told AFP on Wednesday, as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said there was no basis for a trial.More »

  • Iraq auctions off three gas fields

    IRAQ AUCTIONS OFF THREE GAS FIELDS

    AFP - Yesterday, 10:34 am

    BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq awarded to a Kazakh and Korean consortium the first and largest of three gas fields up for sale at an international gas auction on Wednesday that the oil minister said was key to boosting the economy. More »

  • Iraq energy industry 'key to boosting economy'

    IRAQ ENERGY INDUSTRY 'KEY TO BOOSTING ECONOMY'

    AFP - Yesterday, 09:53 am

    BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani opened an international auction of three gas fields on Tuesday, saying the energy sector could jump-start the economy by creating jobs and providing much-needed electricity. More »

  • Somali gunmen release British hostage

    SOMALI GUNMEN RELEASE BRITISH HOSTAGE

    AFP - Yesterday, 09:52 am

    MOGADISHU, Somalia (AFP) - Somali gunmen on Wednesday freed a Briton of Zimbabwean origin working for charity group Save the Children who they seized last week in a town in the central region of the war-torn country. More »

  • Rescuers try to reach Philippines storm survivors

    RESCUERS TRY TO REACH PHILIPPINES STORM SURVIVORS

    AFP - Yesterday, 09:11 am

    CAUAYAN, Philippines (AFP) - Typhoon Megi inched away from the Philippines on Wednesday after killing 19 people, as relief workers scrambled to deliver aid to remote towns that were devastated by the storm.More »

  • For Palestinian snake charmer pythons 'part of family'

    FOR PALESTINIAN SNAKE CHARMER PYTHONS 'PART OF FAMILY'

    AFP - Yesterday, 08:29 am

    RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories (AFP) - A lot of fathers would prefer their two-year-old daughters not to ride a giant Burmese python down the street like a pony -- but not Jamal Amwasi of Ramallah. More »

  • Philippine authorities try to reach Megi survivors

    PHILIPPINE AUTHORITIES TRY TO REACH MEGI SURVIVORS

    AFP - Yesterday, 08:26 am

    CAUAYAN, Philippines (AFP) - Typhoon Megi inched away from the Philippines on Wednesday after killing 19 people, as relief workers scrambled to deliver aid to remote towns that were devastated by the storm.More »

  • Somali gunmen free Zimbabwean hostage

    SOMALI GUNMEN FREE ZIMBABWEAN HOSTAGE

    AFP - Yesterday, 07:00 am

    MOGADISHU (AFP) - Somali gunmen who last week abducted a Zimbabwean working for British charity Save the Children released him early Wednesday, the hostage told AFP. More »

  • Seongnam set sights on AFC Champions League final

    SEONGNAM SET SIGHTS ON AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

    AFP - Yesterday, 06:13 am

    SEONGNAM, South Korea (AFP) - Seongnam Ilhwa captain Sasa Ognenovski is confident the seven-time K-League champions can beat Saudi giants Al Shabab on Wednesday to book a place in next month's AFC Champions League final in Tokyo. More »

DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated October 20, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated October 20, 2010
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including latest updates Defense News, Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News & Yahoo
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 21, 2010: Comprehensive daily news related to Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY.

*Comprehensive daily news related on Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY.

Wednesday October 20, 2010

DTN News: Defense News / Latest Press Releases Dated October 21, 2010

Defense News:
DTN News: Defense News / Latest Press Releases Dated October 21, 2010
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 21, 2010: Comprehensive daily news related to Defense News / Latest Press Releases for the world of TODAY.*Comprehensive daily news related to Defense News / Latest Press Releases for the world of TODAY

*Sources - Defense News, Defense-Aerospace.com


SIKORSKY PLANS TO BUILD TWO X2 HELO PROTOTYPES

BY KATE BRANNEN

SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCED OCT. 20 THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ITS HIGH-SPEED X2 TECHNOLOGY AND BUILD TWO PROTOTYPE LIGHT TACTICAL HELICOPTERS FOR FLIGHT TESTING. ... FULL STORY
20 OCT 13:24 EDT (17:24 GMT)

EUROPE »

BAE-IVECO TEAM TO COMPETE FOR S. AFRICAN TRUCK BID

BY ANDREW CHUTER

LONDON - BAE SYSTEMS HAS JOINED FORCES WITH IVECO DEFENCE VEHICLES TO COMPETE FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE REQUIREMENT TO MODERNIZE ITS LOGISTICS CAPABILITIES WITH A NEW FLEET OF TACTICAL TRUCKS. ... FULL STORY
12 OCT 12:46 EDT (16:46 GMT)

RUSSIA TO IMPORT 'OUTDATED' ARMS: MINISTER

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

MOSCOW - RUSSIA WILL IMPORT ARMS RATHER THAN BUY OUTDATED RUSSIAN MODELS, THE DEFENSE MINISTER SAID OCT. 4, SLAMMING THE FAILURE OF THE DOMESTIC DEFENSE INDUSTRY TO MEET MODERN STANDARDS. ... FULL STORY
4 OCT 11:24 EDT (15:24 GMT)

GERMAN CONSERVATIVE PARTIES AGREE TO END CONSCRIPTION

BY ALBRECHT MÜLLER

BERLIN - THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES OF GERMANY'S CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (CDU) AND CHRISTIAN SOCIAL PARTY (CSU) AGREED TO ALLOW THE END OF MILITARY CONSCRIPTION. ... FULL STORY
29 SEP 16:22 EDT (20:22 GMT)

AMERICAS »

SIKORSKY PLANS TO BUILD TWO X2 HELO PROTOTYPES

BY KATE BRANNEN

SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCED OCT. 20 THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ITS HIGH-SPEED X2 TECHNOLOGY AND BUILD TWO PROTOTYPE LIGHT TACTICAL HELICOPTERS FOR FLIGHT TESTING. ... FULL STORY
20 OCT 13:24 EDT (17:24 GMT)

U.S. TAKES UP PAKISTAN MILITARY WISH-LIST IN TALKS

BY SHAUN TANDON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

WASHINGTON - THE UNITED STATES AND PAKISTAN MEET OCT. 20 IN A NEW BID TO SMOOTH OUT AN UNEASY PARTNERSHIP, WITH WASHINGTON READY TO OFFER FRESH MILITARY ASSISTANCE DESPITE UNEASE IN INDIA. ... FULL STORY
20 OCT 09:44 EDT (13:44 GMT)

U.S. ARMY BUYS 45 DOUBLE V-HULL STRYKERS

BY KATE BRANNEN

THE U.S. ARMY IS DIRECTING GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS (GDLS) TO USE THE DOUBLE V-HULL DESIGN IN THE PRODUCTION OF 45 MORE STRYKER TROOP-CARRYING VEHICLES, ACCORDING TO AN OCT. 13 CONTRACT ANNOUNCEMENT. ... FULL STORY
14 OCT 18:31 EDT (22:31 GMT)

ASIA & PACIFIC RIM »

PAKISTANI TALIBAN DESTROYS SOME 40 NATO VEHICLES

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN - MORE THAN 40 NATO VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED IN TWO SEPARATE TALIBAN ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN ON OCT. 6 AS THE MILITANTS STEPPED UP THEIR EFFORTS TO DISRUPT SUPPLY ROUTES INTO AFGHANISTAN. ... FULL STORY
6 OCT 14:36 EDT (18:36 GMT)

HALF OF INDIAN AIR FORCE EQUIPMENT CALLED OBSOLETE

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

NEW DELHI - HALF OF THE WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT USED BY THE INDIAN AIR FORCE ARE OBSOLETE AND NEED URGENT REPLACEMENT, A TOP INDIAN DEFENSE OFFICIAL HAS SAID. ... FULL STORY
5 OCT 12:53 EDT (16:53 GMT)

U.S., INDIAN MINISTER MEET; DEFENSE DEALS PENDING

BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

WASHINGTON - U.S. AND INDIAN DEFENSE CHIEFS MET SEPT. 28 AMID EFFORTS BY WASHINGTON TO STEP UP ARMS SALES TO NEW DELHI AND EASE RESTRICTIONS ON HI-TECH WEAPONRY. ... FULL STORY
28 SEP 17:26 EDT (21:26 GMT)

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA »

U.S. TAKES UP PAKISTAN MILITARY WISH-LIST IN TALKS

BY SHAUN TANDON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

WASHINGTON - THE UNITED STATES AND PAKISTAN MEET OCT. 20 IN A NEW BID TO SMOOTH OUT AN UNEASY PARTNERSHIP, WITH WASHINGTON READY TO OFFER FRESH MILITARY ASSISTANCE DESPITE UNEASE IN INDIA. ... FULL STORY
20 OCT 09:44 EDT (13:44 GMT)

BRITISH FORCES HAND OVER FLASHPOINT AFGHAN DISTRICT TO U.S.

BY DANNY KEMP, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

LONDON - BRITISH TROOPS TRANSFERRED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY IN THE SANGIN DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN TO U.S. FORCES SEPT. 20, LEAVING AN AREA WHERE BRITAIN SUFFERED ITS WORST LOSSES SINCE THE INVASION. ... FULL STORY
20 SEP 10:55 EDT (14:55 GMT)

IRAQ TO SPEND $13B ON U.S. ARMS, EQUIPMENT

BY JIM MICHAELS, USA TODAY

BAGHDAD - IRAQ IS PREPARING TO BUY AS MUCH AS $13 BILLION IN AMERICAN ARMS AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT, A HUGE ORDER OF TANKS, SHIPS AND HARDWARE THAT U.S. OFFICIALS SAY SHOWS IRAQI-U.S. MILITARY TIES WILL BE TIGHT FOR YEARS TO COME. ... FULL STORY
1 SEP 05:55 EDT (09:55 GMT)