Archive for January, 2008
Monday, January 28th, 2008
Plans to withdraw four Army brigade combat teams and two Marine battalions by July are “on track” as the military seeks to draw down the number of troops in Iraq as quickly as ground conditions allow, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said today.
Appearing on CNN’s “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer,” Army Gen. David H. Petraeus said the scheduled withdrawal will reduce the number of troops at the height of the surge by one quarter, or roughly 42,500. Further reductions after July will be based on the state of Iraq’s security, he added.
(more…)
Posted in Military News - America | No Comments »
Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it has been awarded a contract from the Netherlands MoD for the supply of advanced Battlefield Management Systems — BMS. Elbit Systems won the contract, scheduled to be completely delivered over five years, following an international tender participated by several of the leading defense companies in the world.
Elbit Systems will supply systems to the Royal Netherlands Army’s (RNLA) Ground Forces that will include Enhanced Tactical Computers — ETCs, incorporating Tactical Communication Devices, and Data Communication Software. The systems will be installed in more then 1800 of the RNLA’s vehicles, including tanks, armoured vehicles and others. The project involves extensive cooperation with the Netherlands MoD’s C2 Support Centre.
(more…)
Posted in Defence Products Manufacturing Companies, Military News - Europe | No Comments »
Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Swedish Government approved the negotiated sale of aircraft and command and control systems to Thailand. The negotiations have been carried out between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Royal Thai Air Force.
This deal implies that Thailand will purchase six Gripen systems from the Swedish state, two of the C-version (single-seater) and four of the D-version (two-seater). The deal also covers two Saab 340 aircraft, one of will be equipped with Saab’s Erieye radar.
(more…)
Posted in Military News - Asia | No Comments »
Sunday, January 27th, 2008
On 26 January, 2008, Under gray skies providing a slight, cold drizzle, Deborah Mullen,wife of Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stepped before the massive 9,200-ton guided-missile destroyer and, with all the grit her slight frame could muster, gave it a good whack, just under the “bullnose.”
The christening signifies that the ship is seaworthy, but it is still about a year away from being operational as a destroyer. While the outside is painted and pristine, with colorful signal flags adorning the ship from bow to stern, the inside is a literal web of wires – 1.5 million feet worth – and the floors are planked with plywood. The unfinished steel walls are covered with hand-scrawled numbers and directions for placement. Computer systems and equipment are covered and protected.
(more…)
Posted in Military News - America | No Comments »
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
It was a pleasure to see Tank Ex (experimental) rolling down the Rajpath today. Many would have wondered the status of the tank and the reason why it is getting displayed on the Republic Day parade. One thought might arise, is it going to be inducted in Army? As of now, certainly not.
Tank-Ex is a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) product or idea. It’s a huge advertising opportunity to showcase it. If Indian Army is not going to induct it, then why display it? To understand it, we need to know its history.
(more…)
Posted in Opinions and Articles | 15 Comments »
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
I was around 19; a very green horn subaltern; when I first met Sam Bahadur in Khreuh; near Srinagar; way back in the summer of 1964. My battalion 4/3 Gorkha Rifles was training to do a ‘Chindits’, al la Brig Orde Wingate, & Maj Gen Joe Lentaigne, 4 GR ( later, for a very long time, Commandant of the Indian Staff College, Wellington, The Nilgiris) behind enemy lines in Tibet, in cahoots with the Tibetan rebel warrior Khampas and the ever-smiling indigenous nunus of Ladakh, in the Aksai Chin behind the PLA lines; under the veritable last word in that business, Brig ‘Kim’ Hukam Singh Yadav, ( Grenadiers) Commander 68 Independent Infantry Group.
He had commanded the Indian Army’s Jungle Warfare School in Clement Town Dehra Dun with distinction, just before taking over the brigade. Earlier he was one of the two ADCs to the last British Viceroy in India; Lord Rear Admiral Louis ‘Dickie’ Mountbatten of Burma. Hukam Singh had another matter to boast about—-he got to marry one of Dickie’s English PROs!
(more…)
Posted in Opinions and Articles | No Comments »
Friday, January 25th, 2008
The U.S.TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, two Abrams main battle tank- related contracts with a total value of $30.4 million.
The first contract, awarded Jan. 15, provides initial funding of $12.4 million for parts to upgrade 435 M1A1 Abrams tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package Version Two configuration. The “M1A2 SEP V2″ is the most technologically advanced digital tank. It includes improved displays, sights, power and a tank-infantry phone, and is compatible with the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio.
(more…)
Posted in Military News - America | No Comments »
Friday, January 25th, 2008
Four of Eielson’s expected 12 aircraft landed safely Jan. 20 on the flightline. The Aggressor aircraft are from the 8th Fighter Wing’s 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. The aircraft are part of an F-16 swap with the base, as Eielson gave the 8th FW its F-16 Block 40s in exchange for the Aggressors.
Altogether, Eielson is sending 22 F-16 Block 40 models to Kunsan, and Kunsan is sending 21 F-16 Block 30 models to Eielson with Aggressor paint schemes, the process taking approximately three weeks.
(more…)
Posted in Military News - America, Military News - Asia | No Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Sri Lanka air force fighter jets have raided the terror hub in Kilinochchi, known as “X-ray base” around 11.15, this morning (January 23). Air Force fighter jets in a low flying mission have targeted the base located East of Iranamadu Tank in the Kalmadukulama area, with the pin point accuracy, air force sources said.
According to Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Andi Wijesoriya, the air sorties were carried out on information obtained through real-time air surveillance and ground reconnaissance. Also, he said that the targeted location has been a regular visiting place of terror chief V. Prabhakaran.
(more…)
Posted in Conflicts, Military News - Asia | No Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Gen Deepak Kapoor, Chief of The Army Staff has taken over the mantle of Honorary Colonel of The Brigade of The Guards.
Lt Gen OP Nandrajog, Colonel, Brigade of the GUARDS, formally handed over the BATON of THE HONORARY COLONEL to the Chief of the Army Staff.
(more…)
Posted in Indian Army News | No Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
The combined fleet of 135 in-service Eurofighter Typhoons and seven Flight Test aircraft has accumulated over 35,000 flying hours by the end of December 2007. Since introduction into service in Spring 2004, the five customer Air Forces, including, since Summer 2007, Austria have achieved 30,650 flying hours. An amazing 50 % of this amount were flown in 2007, demonstrating the tremendous growth of the in-service fleet.
The build up of flying hours in the Nations’ Air Forces reflects the success of integrating the weapon system into their Armed Forces and, increasingly, highlights the importance of Eurofighter Typhoon for NATO air defence responsibilities. Following Italy and the United Kingdom, Germany has, from the beginning of 2008, commenced Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operations with Eurofighter Typhoon at Neuburg. Spain is to follow soon.
(more…)
Posted in Defence Products Manufacturing Companies | No Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
The Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Nikola Gruevski, visited NATO and had a meeting with the North Atlantic Council to discuss his country’s Progress Report within the Membership Action Plan.
The discussion showed that efforts to join NATO are being well noted by Allies. NATO Allies agreed that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1; has made progress in implementing political, economic and military reforms, but that more needs to be accomplished.
(more…)
Posted in Military News - Europe | No Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Rolls-Royce, has been selected as the propulsion system provider for the Canadian Air Force’s newly contracted fleet of 17 Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical lift aircraft.
Each aircraft is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 advanced turboprop engines and Rolls-Royce values the business at more than $135 million over the life of the programme. Aircraft delivery is scheduled for 2010.
The Canadian announcement follows the recent milestone production and delivery of the 1,000th AE2100 engine from Rolls-Royce. The engine was presented to Lockheed Martin and awaits installation on a C-130J military transport.
(more…)
Posted in Military News - America | No Comments »
© 2007-2008 Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion. Powered by Frontier India Technology