Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion

Sri Lankan AF pounds LTTE strategic location at Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force supersonic fighter jets pounded on LTTE strategic location in the Kilinochchi area this noon, December 28. Air sorties have launched around 12 noon and the target was the LTTE’s coordinating centre for international activities located at Vishvamadu in Kilinochchi, a well identified LTTE strategic location through the series of ground and air surveillances conducted for long period, Air forces sources said.

Meanwhile, the intelligence sources said that the details of the targets have been obtained on real-time ground information received through reliable sources. The targeted location was identified as a key LTTE location where most of the LTTE top leaders used to visit regularly to discuss international activities of the outfit, sources added.
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NASA Awards Contract for Space Shuttle Robotics Support

NASA has awarded a potential five-year, $75.8 million contract to Canadian Commercial Corporation of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for support of hardware and software associated with the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System robotic arm, inspection boom assembly and robotic work station.

The cost plus no fee contract will provide support for activities related to both the Space Shuttle Program and International Space Station Program. The contract includes a base period from Jan. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30, 2010, followed by two one-year extension options.
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Elder Automotive buys Jaguar of Novi

Irma Elder, founder and CEO of the Elder Automotive Group, today announced the purchase of Jaguar of Novi located at 24295 Haggerty Road at the corner of 10 Mile and Haggerty in Novi, Michigan. The store was purchased from Nate Conyers, who newly built the facility in 2002 and who was also one of Michigan’s Metro Detroit Ford Dealers prior to owning Jaguar of Novi.

When the agreement was finalized, it brought Elder’s Jaguar dealership holdings to three in Michigan and one in Florida. With the purchase of Jaguar of Novi, the Elder Automotive Group has 11 dealerships collectively representing Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Lincoln Mercury, Jeep and Saab. There are eight locations in Michigan and three in the greater Tampa, Florida area.
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US President to veto National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

US President Bush intends to veto the National Defense Authorization Act for FY08 (NDAA) because particular provisions included in the bill risk imposing financially devastating hardship on Iraq that will unacceptably interfere with the political and economic progress everyone agrees is critically important to bringing our troops home. Section 1083 of the NDAA amends the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which establishes rules on how foreign countries may be sued under U.S. law. The amendments would dramatically change these rules and potentially invite foreign governments to take reciprocal action allowing suits to proceed against the United States even for legitimate government activities.

Among other things, Section 1083 would allow plaintiffs’ lawyers pursuing Iraq for Saddam-era acts of terrorism to freeze Iraq’s assets in the amount of damages claimed in their lawsuits, and would permit the relitigation of billions of dollars of lawsuits against Iraq that have already been dismissed by our courts. At the same time, by subjecting the democratically elected Government of Iraq to this liability, the provision would imperil billions of dollars of Iraqi assets at a crucial juncture in that Nation’s reconstruction efforts and undermine the foreign policy and commercial interests of the United States.
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Russia denies selling S-300 missile systems to Iran

The Russian government service for cooperation in military production said that it is not considering the delivery of S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran. It was Iranian defense minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najar who said Thursday that Russia would supply his country with S-300 surface-to-air missile systems.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that the US plans for the deployment of anti-missile defenses in Eastern Europe are aimed at Russia’s curtailment and not protection from Iran’s possible strikes. In the field of anti-missile defenses, Russia has suggested joint use of the radar in Azerbaijan which can raise bilateral relations to the level of those of allies in strategic stability matters.

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TU-204-300 touches down at a North Korean airport

A TU-204-300 has touched down at a North Korean airport in what became Russia’s first successful deal to supply its most advanced long-range jet abroad. With its 500-8500 flying range, the plane is capable of swiftly transforming its fuselage on the ground. The plane has already been making shuttle non-stop flights inside and outside Russia. North Korean flag Carrier Air Koryo has ordered the TU-204-300.

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Energia project for manned mission to Mars

Russian Energia Space Corporation aims tosend a manned mission to the orbit of Mars in 2020-2022. The first phase of the project might be realized in the next 12-14 years. The crew will not land on the planet but will study it using automatic probes, which will be controlled from the orbit. Russia’s scientific and technical potential in manned and automatic flights will be widely used in the future projects.

Meanwhile, A Russian logistics spacecraft Progress M-62, after three days in free flight, docked with the International Space Station (ISS).
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US DoD’s Enhanced Health Information Sharing Supports Care of Wounded Warriors

The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced the organization-wide release of enhancements that allow DoD to share electronic health information with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through the Bidirectional Health Information Exchange (BHIE) and the Clinical Data Repository/Health Data Repository (CHDR) interfaces.

“These enhancements demonstrate the unprecedented level of interoperabilty that DoD and VA have been able to achieve with our electronic health record systems, and they contribute significantly to patient safety and continuity of care,” said Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs.
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2007 year end review of Indian internal security

The overall internal security situation in the country remained largely under control during 2007. The situation in Jammu & Kashmir showed perceptible improvement. In the North East, the situation in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland were the main areas of concern. On the Naxal front, the number of incidents and casualties showed a marginal decline. The communal situation remained under control during 2007. Some terrorist incidents took place in the hinterland, but security forces also succeeded in busting a large number of terrorist modules. A number of important initiatives were taken to strengthen the security apparatus in the country. Border Management continued to receive focused attention. Timely assistance was extended to the States, affected by natural disasters. Some of the important activities, initiatives and achievements of the Ministry of Home Affairs are mentioned below.
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2007 Year end review of Indian Armed Forces

The successful launch of Interceptor Missile (AAD) towards developing a ballistic missile defence system, test flight of Agni-III (A3-02), user trial of Akash Missile by Army and Air Force, Handing over of first batch of land version of BrahMos missile systems to Army and successful conduct of 4th Military World Games were some of the significant events in the Ministry of Defence during the current year. The issue of Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft for Indian Air Force, the arrival of first batch of two Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers from UK, Signing of the Agreement with Russia on the Joint Development of 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft, First meeting of Indo-German High Defence Committee, Meeting of the Indo-French High Committee Meeting and approval of Parliament to the Armed Forces Tribunal Bill were some other major events during the year.
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The Moorings 41.3 Honored Boat of the Year Winner Cruising World

The Moorings new Beneteau 40 operated as a Moorings 41.3 in its world wide charter fleets won Best Midsize Cruiser in Cruising Worlds 2008 Boat of the Year Contest. The yacht was described by Cruising World “as comfortable and stylish below decks and well organized topsides.” It was praised for having good light-air performance and showed it was designed to
handle equally well in stiffer winds. The 41.3 is one of The Moorings newest midsize monohulls that are based upon the Beneteau Oceanis line of yachts built for comfort as well as performance.

The Moorings version of the yacht is available as a three cabin and two head model offering a forward cabin with ensuite head/shower and two aft cabins with a spacious head and separate shower arrangement. The modern interior features rich mahogany woodwork accented by off-white upholstery and panels throughout the saloon, creating a very warm and comfortable
setting. The saloon provides comfortable seating for 6 to 8 people and numerous ports and hatches for light and ventilation. For added comfort The Moorings 41.3 is equipped with shore power air conditioning, electric windlass and a flat screen TV/DVD combination.
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Cessna to acquire assets of Columbia Aircraft

In a move to further broaden its single engine product portfolio, Textron Inc.’s Cessna Aircraft Company today announced it was the successful bidder for select assets of Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Company, a Bend, Oregon-based producer of high-performance, single-engine aircraft. The bid of $26.4 million was the high bid in United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon this afternoon. “This is a significant day as it brings together two top aircraft design and production companies to offer the global general aviation community the widest range of propeller aircraft, along with world-class product support, all under the Cessna brand – one of the most trusted names in aviation,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack. J. Pelton. “I would like to thank the 400-plus Columbia employees for their continued hard work and dedication during the bankruptcy process. We look forward to welcoming them to the Cessna family.”
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Sri Lankan navy Fast Attack Craft sinks

Sri Lanka navy sources today (December 27) stated that the Ceylon Dockyard built Fast Attack Craft (FAC) P413 sank whilst being towed to Kankasanthurai Harbour. The craft was seriously damaged during the sea battle erupted in the South of Delft sea yesterday (December 26). Navy’s diving and salvage unit is now being engaged in a salvage attempt, sources added.

P413 crew commanded by Lieutenant Commander Lalith Ekanayake yesterday demonstrated the sheer determination and gallantry possessed by the sea warriors of Navy’s Fourth Fast Attack Craft Flotilla by destroying two explosive laden suicide craft of LTTE. Having detected the terrorist’s sea move P413 along with other FACs valiantly engaged the terrorist boats despite being heavily out numbered by the enemy. Lieutenant Commander Ekanayke made the ultimate sacrifice for the motherland while eleven of his men have gone missing in action.
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