DEFENSE NEWS: DTN News: Defense News / Latest Press Releases Dated January 11, 2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

DTN News: Defense News / Latest Press Releases Dated January 11, 2011

Defense News: DTN News: Defense News / Latest Press Releases Dated January 11, 2011

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Defense News

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 11, 2011: 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

*Source: The undermentioned Articles/News are courtesy Defense News

Latest Headlines
UPDATED: 11 Jan 2011 17:54 EST (22:54 GMT)
Patria Deals Face Investigation
Turkish RMK Launches 2nd Coast Guard Ship
EADS, Atlas Elektronik Units Create Signalis
S. Korea, Japan Discuss Pacts on Military Supplies, Secrets
France Picks CS for Maritime ISR Job
Gates: North Korea a Direct Threat To U.S.
New EDA Chief Exec Looking to Show Agency's Added Value
China Conducts First Flight Test of J-20
U.S. to Talk with Israeli, Palestinian Negotiators
Book: U.S. Tried to Protect 3 in Nuke Spy Effort
THE LIGHT COMBAT Aircraft is meant to replace the Indian air force's aging fleet of Russia-built MiG-21 jets. ( Agence France-Presse )
AT LAST, INDIA'S LCA CLEARED FOR INITIAL OPERATION
BY VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI - India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) nearly a decade behind schedule, but only with European help. ...full story

EXPECT PROGRAM CHANGES FROM U.S. ARMY MOD REVIEW
BY KATE BRANNEN
Program changes are likely to result from the U.S. Army's Jan. 12 meeting with Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter, who will help decide the fate of the Army's brigade combat team modernization program. ...full story
7 Jan 16:20 EST (21:20 GMT)
Top Land Warfare Stories
Axed Programs Let U.S. Army Keep Troops For Now
Pentagon Kills EFV, Puts F-35B on Probation
Pentagon Cuts Claim Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle: Reports
France Inks Iveco Truck Deal After Renault Protest
Taiwan Won't Deploy Rockets Near China: Report
Germany's Last Military Conscripts Report
Suspected Arms Dealer Turned Down Plea Bargain
N. Korea Boosts Special Forces, Tanks: Report
Rheinmetall Gets $155M in Canadian Work
More Land Warfare stories
Europe »
France Inks Iveco Truck Deal After Renault Protest
BY PIERRE TRAN
PARIS - The French government has signed a controversial contract worth 160 million euros ($214 million) with Iveco of Italy for a first batch of 200 heavy trucks for the French Army, an order which prompted a protest from the head of Renault Trucks, which lost in the bidding. ...full story
4 Jan 11:26 EST (16:26 GMT)
Germany's Last Military Conscripts Report
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Some 12,150 young Germans reported for compulsory military service on Jan. 3, the last contingent to do so after the government suspended conscription, a defense ministry spokesman said. ...full story
3 Jan 11:50 EST (16:50 GMT)
Suspected Arms Dealer Turned Down Plea Bargain
BY DMITRY ZAKS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
MOSCOW - A suspected Russian arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death" said in a rare interview published Jan. 2 that he rejected a U.S. plea bargain offer that would have exposed his alleged contact list. ...full story
3 Jan 11:29 EST (16:29 GMT)
Americas »
Expect Program Changes From U.S. Army Mod Review
BY KATE BRANNEN
Program changes are likely to result from the U.S. Army's Jan. 12 meeting with Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter, who will help decide the fate of the Army's brigade combat team modernization program. ...full story
7 Jan 16:20 EST (21:20 GMT)
Axed Programs Let U.S. Army Keep Troops For Now
BY KATE BRANNEN
To meet Defense Secretary Robert Gates' objectives, the U.S. Army has identified $29 billion in savings over the next five years that will allow the service to preserve its force structure in the near term, according to defense officials. ...full story
6 Jan 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT)
Pentagon Kills EFV, Puts F-35B on Probation
BY JOHN T. BENNETT
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Jan. 6 announced internal cost-cutting efforts will allow it to largely offset a $78 billion White House funding reduction - though Army and Marine Corps troop cuts will help absorb that blow. ...full story
6 Jan 17:20 EST (22:20 GMT)
Asia & Pacific Rim »
Taiwan Won't Deploy Rockets Near China: Report
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
TAIPEI - Taiwan has decided not to deploy a new powerful rocket system on outlying islands near China, deeming it unnecessary in the context of fast warming ties with Beijing, local media reported Jan. 3. ...full story
3 Jan 12:11 EST (17:11 GMT)
N. Korea Boosts Special Forces, Tanks: Report
BY JUNG SUNG-KI
SEOUL - North Korea has increased the number of its special warfare forces and battle tanks over the last two years as part of efforts to improve both conventional and asymmetrical military capabilities against South Korea, according to Seoul's latest defense white paper. ...full story
30 Dec 13:03 EST (18:03 GMT)
N. Korea Threatens To Retaliate Against Exercise
BY JUNG SUNG-KI
SEOUL - North Korea threatened Dec. 17 to retaliate with force if South Korea goes ahead with a planned live-fire exercise on an island near the disputed sea border in the western waters of the Korean Peninsula. ...full story
17 Dec 10:51 EST (15:51 GMT)
Middle East & Africa »
Israel Concerned Over France-Lebanon Missile Sale
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
JERUSALEM - Israel fears weapons sold to Lebanon's army could end up in the hands of militant group Hezbollah, an official said Dec. 19, two days after France announced it would supply anti-tank missiles to the Arab nation. ...full story
19 Dec 13:48 EST (18:48 GMT)
Iran Pledges to Support Lebanon's Army
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
TEHRAN, Iran - Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Nov. 28 told Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri that Tehran was prepared to help the Lebanese Army, state television's website reported. ...full story
28 Nov 09:12 EST (14:12 GMT)
NATO Pins Hopes On Afghan Security Force
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
WASHINGTON - The training of Afghan soldiers is designed to pave the way for the exit of NATO-led troops in 2014 but the effort faces difficulties over the quality of security forces and a high attrition rate, a Pentagon report said Nov. 22. ...full story
FRANCE PICKS CS FOR MARITIME ISR JOB
BY PIERRE TRAN
PARIS - The French Defense Ministry has appointed the Communications & Systèmes (CS) company as supplier for a maritime surveillance system for the large naval base at Toulon, southern France, the company said in a Jan. 11 statement. ... full story
11 Jan 12:12 EST (17:12 GMT)
Top Naval Warfare Stories
Korean, U.S. Forces Lower Alert Status: Report
Lockheed Wins Taiwan P-3 Avionics Contract
Pentagon Kills EFV, Puts F-35B on Probation
Casey: End Strength, Family Support, Modernization Top Priorities
U.K., French Ministers To Meet on Defense Pact
Indo-French Naval Exercises Set To Start
Chinese Missile Could Threaten U.S. Navy Ships
Pentagon Cuts Claim Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle: Reports
India Breaks Ground On Warship Research Center
More Naval Warfare stories
Europe »
France Picks CS for Maritime ISR Job
BY PIERRE TRAN
PARIS - The French Defense Ministry has appointed the Communications & Systèmes (CS) company as supplier for a maritime surveillance system for the large naval base at Toulon, southern France, the company said in a Jan. 11 statement. ... full story
11 Jan 12:12 EST (17:12 GMT)
U.K., French Ministers To Meet on Defense Pact
BY PIERRE TRAN
Paris - British Defense Minister Liam Fox is due to meet his French counterpart, Alain Juppé, Jan. 13 here to advance defense cooperation between the two countries, the French Defense Ministry said. ... full story
6 Jan 11:42 EST (16:42 GMT)
Indo-French Naval Exercises Set To Start
BY VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI - Joint naval exercises to be held Jan. 7-14 in the Arabian Sea by India and France will include the first participation by France's carrier strike group. ... full story
6 Jan 10:39 EST (15:39 GMT)
Americas »
Lockheed Wins Taiwan P-3 Avionics Contract
BY WENDELL MINNICK
TAIPEI - Lockheed Martin will supply mission system spares to outfit new avionics components for 12 P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft ordered by Taiwan under a $47.5 million contract, according to a Pentagon announcement Jan. 6. ... full story
7 Jan 10:06 EST (15:06 GMT)
Pentagon Kills EFV, Puts F-35B on Probation
BY JOHN T. BENNETT
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Jan. 6 announced internal cost-cutting efforts will allow it to largely offset a $78 billion White House funding reduction - though Army and Marine Corps troop cuts will help absorb that blow. ... full story
6 Jan 17:20 EST (22:20 GMT)
Casey: End Strength, Family Support, Modernization Top Priorities
BY KATE BRANNEN
U.S. Army chief of staff Gen. George Casey said there are three things that need to be protected in the Army's budget: the size of the force, programs that support families and the service's efforts to modernize. ... full story
6 Jan 12:09 EST (17:09 GMT)
Asia & Pacific Rim »
Korean, U.S. Forces Lower Alert Status: Report
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
SEOUL - North Korea has lowered its military alert status, prompting similar moves by Seoul and U.S. forces as tensions on the Korean peninsula showed signs of easing, a report said Jan. 7. ... full story
7 Jan 10:44 EST (15:44 GMT)
Lockheed Wins Taiwan P-3 Avionics Contract
BY WENDELL MINNICK
TAIPEI - Lockheed Martin will supply mission system spares to outfit new avionics components for 12 P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft ordered by Taiwan under a $47.5 million contract, according to a Pentagon announcement Jan. 6. ... full story
7 Jan 10:06 EST (15:06 GMT)
Indo-French Naval Exercises Set To Start
BY VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI - Joint naval exercises to be held Jan. 7-14 in the Arabian Sea by India and France will include the first participation by France's carrier strike group. ... full story
6 Jan 10:39 EST (15:39 GMT)
Middle East & Africa »
Iran Protests U.S. Navy Use Of 'Arabian Gulf'
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
TEHRAN - Iran on Dec. 1 summoned the Swiss ambassador to Tehran in protest after the U.S. Navy used the term "Arabian Gulf" instead of "Persian Gulf" in a directive, ISNA news agency reported. ... full story
1 Dec 11:04 EST (16:04 GMT)
Nigeria Seizes More Weapons, Trucks At Port
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
LAGOS - Nigeria has seized another illegal arms shipment at its main port, including pistols and military vehicles, a navy spokesman said Nov. 24, weeks after the discovery of a weapons cache sent from Iran. ... full story
24 Nov 11:09 EST (16:09 GMT)
Nigerian Illegal Arms Shipment Was Loaded In Iran
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
LAGOS - An illegal arms shipment that included rockets and grenades discovered in Nigeria this week was loaded in Iran by an Iranian trader, the firm that operates the vessel that delivered it said on Oct. 29. ... full story

LOCKHEED: ONE F-35B PROBLEM FIXED
BY DAVE MAJUMDAR
F-35B maker Lockheed Martin says it has a solution to at least one of the problems that has put the vertical-takeoff variant of the Joint Strike Fighter on a fix-it-or-die deadline. ...full story
10 Jan 17:38 EST (22:38 GMT)
Top Air Warfare Stories
Turkey Creates Helo Procurement Office
New Zealand Jets Will Not Fly Again
At Last, India's LCA Cleared for Initial Operation
NATO To Deploy Radar Planes To Afghanistan
Pentagon Kills EFV, Puts F-35B on Probation
US Downplays Concern Over Chinese Stealth Fighter
Chinese Missile Could Threaten U.S. Navy Ships
Pentagon Cuts Claim Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle: Reports
Germany, Italy Asked Gates for MEADS support
More Air Warfare stories
Europe »
Turkey Creates Helo Procurement Office
BY UMIT ENGINSOY AND BURAK EGE BEKDIL
ANKARA - Turkey's defense procurement agency, in a sign that it is attaching a greater importance to the country's military helicopter programs, has divided its aviation department into two divisions, creating for the first time a unit that will exclusively deal with copter programs. ... full story
10 Jan 17:29 EST (22:29 GMT)
Germany, Italy Asked Gates for MEADS support
BY KATE BRANNEN
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates' forthcoming budget announcement will decide the fate of the trinational Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), according to Lockheed Martin officials, who said partner nations Germany and Italy have asked the secretary for continued support. ... full story
5 Jan 15:11 EST (20:11 GMT)
3 Teams Bid for U.K. Fixed-Wing Training Deal
BY ANDREW CHUTER
LONDON - Industry teams from Britain and Israel delivered bids Jan. 4 to secure the fixed-wing aircraft service provision contract for the British armed forces as part of the Lockheed Martin/Babcock Military Flying Training System (MFTS) program. ... full story
5 Jan 13:06 EST (18:06 GMT)
Americas »
Lockheed: One F-35B Problem Fixed
BY DAVE MAJUMDAR
F-35B maker Lockheed Martin says it has a solution to at least one of the problems that has put the vertical-takeoff variant of the Joint Strike Fighter on a fix-it-or-die deadline. ...full story
10 Jan 17:38 EST (22:38 GMT)
Pentagon Kills EFV, Puts F-35B on Probation
BY JOHN T. BENNETT
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Jan. 6 announced internal cost-cutting efforts will allow it to largely offset a $78 billion White House funding reduction - though Army and Marine Corps troop cuts will help absorb that blow. ... full story
6 Jan 17:20 EST (22:20 GMT)
Chinese Missile Could Threaten U.S. Navy Ships
BY BEN IANNOTTA
U.S. officials were surprised by China's rapid development of a ballistic missile thought capable of striking ships at sea, but the jury is still out as to whether Internet images of a purported Chinese stealth fighter are evidence of a similar breakthrough in the air, the U.S. Navy's intelligence director told reporters Jan. 5. ... full story
5 Jan 17:45 EST (22:45 GMT)
Asia & Pacific Rim »
New Zealand Jets Will Not Fly Again
BY NICK LEE-FRAMPTON
WELLINGTON - New Zealand Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has admitted the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF's) fleet of 17 Aermacchi MB-339 CB trainers, retired almost a decade ago - together with the RNZAF's air combat force of 17 A-4K Skyhawks - are likely to end up in museums or dismantled for spare parts. ... full story
10 Jan 16:55 EST (21:55 GMT)
At Last, India's LCA Cleared for Initial Operation
BY VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI - India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has received Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) nearly a decade behind schedule, but only with European help. ... full story
10 Jan 14:59 EST (19:59 GMT)
US Downplays Concern Over Chinese Stealth Fighter
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
WASHINGTON - A top U.S. Navy official downplayed concerns about China's first stealth fighter on Jan. 6 but admitted America had been surprised by the pace of some of the Asian juggernaut's military development. ... full story
6 Jan 11:09 EST (16:09 GMT)
Middle East & Africa »
NATO To Deploy Radar Planes To Afghanistan
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
BRUSSELS - NATO decided Jan. 7 to deploy AWACS radar aircraft to Afghanistan to monitor the growing traffic of aerial missions against Taliban insurgents, the Western military alliance said. ... full story
7 Jan 14:49 EST (19:49 GMT)
3 Teams Bid for U.K. Fixed-Wing Training Deal
BY ANDREW CHUTER
LONDON - Industry teams from Britain and Israel delivered bids Jan. 4 to secure the fixed-wing aircraft service provision contract for the British armed forces as part of the Lockheed Martin/Babcock Military Flying Training System (MFTS) program. ... full story
5 Jan 13:06 EST (18:06 GMT)
Saudi, U.S. In Talks On 'Final Details' Of Arms Deal
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
RIYADH - Saudi Arabia and the United States are holding negotiations on the "final details" of a massive arms deal, a daily said on Jan. 5, citing the kingdom's assistant defense minister. ... full story