Defence`s Feeds

Russia's Ministry of Defence (MoD) deployment of Iskander-M (SS-26 'Stone') short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) to its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, which lies between Poland and Lithuania, has prompted widespread concern in the region. The deployment of the Iskander-M, which has a range of 500

South Korea has received its first lot of Taurus KEPD 350K cruise missiles during a ceremony at the headquarters of Taurus Systems in Schrobenhausen, Germany, it was announced on 14 October. An undisclosed number of missiles were formally handed over to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF)

Italy's ALA Corporation is beginning to grow its capabilities in the component distribution and supply chain logistics sector and is targeting growth in the North American market following a recent acquisition in the United Kingdom. The company has begun to look at expanding its international

ANALYSIS It is still unclear what missiles and target acquisition systems the Yemeni rebels are using. AFP cited an unidentified senior defence official as saying they are believed to have a type of the Chinese-made C-802 anti-ship missiles. That could be interpreted as a reference to Iran's Noor

Armenian defence minister Vigen Sargsyan agreed to pursue greater defence industrial co-operation with Russia on 13 October, during a meeting with the Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Alexander Fomin. The countries signed a commitment to develop joint

US-based military simulation and support provider Cubic Corporation released the preliminary results of its 2016 financial year on 13 October. The company revealed that its sales are expected to be between USD1.435 billion and USD1.455 billion, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,

The Egyptian Armed Forces displayed a new mobile electronic warfare (EW) system for the first time during a parade marking the October 1973 war with Israel. The system was labelled as the GSY2210 and the announcer for the television coverage of the parade said it was a radio communications

Key Points RFA Tidespring expected to arrive in UK in early 2017 All four tankers are expected in service before the end of 2018 Technical issues and associated acceptance delays mean the first of the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary's (RFA's) four new South Korean-built Tide-class Military Afloat Reach

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is evaluating three foreign fighter aircraft for indigenous licensed manufacturing to meet the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) long-standing demand for a medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA). The IAF aims to induct an MMRCA to replace around 11 squadrons

EVENT On 13 October 2016, in the Talakivka-Shyrokyne area, about 20 km east from central Mariupol, Donetsk city, a Ukrainian army spokesperson reported that separatist militias of the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) had placed army positions under very heavy shelling, opening fire more

Russia has completed the delivery of S-300 long-range air defence systems to Iran, the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Alexander Fomin, the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, as saying on 13 October. "All divisions have been supplied," Fomin said. Russian

Japan is to lease a plot of land alongside its existing military base in the east African country of Djibouti from 2017 to "enhance the operational security of our anti-piracy operations facility", a source in Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) told IHS Jane's on 14 October. The official

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has unveiled details of its bid for the British Army Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) Life Extension Programme (LEP). One of the key members of their Challenger 2 LEP team is Pearson Engineering, which now owns the former Vickers Defence Systems (subsequently BAE

Russian Helicopters' modernised Mi-28NM attack helicopter made its full maiden flight on 12 October in Tomilino near Moscow during a visit by deputy defence minister Yuri Borisov, the company announced. The Russian Helicopters holding (a subsidiary of Rostec) said the experience of designing the

Key Points Peru is awaiting the launch of its first new LPD later this year Following harbour and sea trials in 2017, it is planned that the ship will be ready for operations by early 2018 The Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú: MGP) is anticipating the launch of the first of two new

Key Points Poland has decided to buy S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from PZL-Mielec Only 20 will be ordered, leaving much of Poland's 70-strong helicopter requirement unfulfilled Poland still plans to buy 50-70 new multirole helicopters, Polish defence minister Antoni Macierewicz has stated,

Americas

• Pressure has continued from US lawmakers opposed to continued arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Rep. Ted Lieu of California urged the Pentagon to suspend cooperation with a Saudi-led coalition conducting airstrikes in Yemen, saying in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry released on Wednesday that civilian casualties from the strikes “appear to be the result of war crimes.” A funeral struck by Saudi missiles last weekend killed 140 mourners and Lieu is requesting that US arms sales to Riyadh be suspended until a White House review is completed.

• The Peruvian Ministry of Defense has received a number of R-312AT helicopter radio systems from JSC Rosoboronexport, subsidiary of Russia’s Rostec State Corporation. Delivery of the systems comes as part of an offset deal in connection with 24 Mi-171Sh helicopters and is expected to save Lima over $12.5 million. Rosboronexport have also promised to allocate $1 million for the building of a helicopter training center for Peru if eight offset projects agreed to are implemented.

Middle East & North Africa

• In response to missile attacks on US and allied vessels off the coast of Yemen, the Pentagon has ordered the US Navy to launch missile attacks at targets operated by Houthi rebels. On October 13, the USS Nitze fired three BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles at radar sites in Yemen which were believed to have been active during previous attacks and attempted attacks on vessels. A defense official said the radar sites were in remote areas where there was little risk of civilian casualties. The Houthis meanwhile, reiterated their denial that they were responsible for the attack on US warship the USS Mason.

Europe

• As a way of saying sorry for the ditched Caracel military helicopter deal, Poland is to offer France alternative investment projects, according to the Polish Prime Minister. The previous Polish administration had agreed to buy 50 Airbus utility helicopters in April 2015 for $3.5 billion as part of efforts to modernize their military forces at a time of tensions with neighbor Russia. Beata Szydlo told Polish media that the French foreign minister will be presented with “cooperation proposals, when it comes to investment of another type, or a purchase of other equipment” when they make a visit to Warsaw, which is planned for the near future.

• Proposals for new tanks and aircraft have been submitted by the Italian armed forces for parliamentary approval. On October 11, the defense commission of the lower house of the Italian parliament began debating plans by the Italian military to buy the Centauro II tank and an updated version of its A-129 Mangusta helicopter. While once nothing more than a rubber stamp for military acquisitions, the parliament’s defense commission was given greater influence over defense spending due to legislation passed in 2012. They have until November 8 to offer an opinion on the purchases.

Asia Pacific

• In order to curry favor with the Indian government, Saab will share their Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology with India they if they select the Gripen fighter. The list of sweeteners also includes the previous offer of co-developing India’s indigenously manufactured fighter aircraft Tejas MK1A by setting up a production line in India under the “Make in India” scheme. Company officials said that both the LCA and the Gripen are of similar class and also share the same General Electric engine citing commonality in maintenance and operation.

• Boeing has revealed some of the potential upgrades offered to Japan’s F-15Js. The company’s defense head in Japan announced that AESA radars, a new mission computer, a new electronic warfare suite, conformal fuel tanks, and additional missiles would all be included as part of any deal. A model on display at Boeing’s stand at this week’s Japan Aerospace show depicts an F-15 loaded with 16 Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles: double the load now available.

• Kawasaki Heavy Industries are confident that they can poach customers away from Boeing’s P-8 Poseidon aircraft in favor of their own P-1. The company said that customers looking to move away from their older P-1 Orions see a number of advantages in the Japanese anti-submarine warfare plane over its American counterpart. One advantage touted over the P-8A is the P-1’s four turbofan engines, as a single engine failure will not result in the termination of the mission and allows the plane to operate at lower altitudes.

Today’s Video

USS Nitze Targeting Yemeni Radar Sites with Tomahawks:

The US Government is investing in foreign object debris (FOD) detection and clearing equipment for use in the US Navy and US Marines air stations.

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration has secured a $618.34m-worth contract for full-rate production lots 5 to 7 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rockets.

Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) has launched the third Independence-class littoral mission vessel (LMV), Unity, for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).