Ouagadougou, le 08 août 2024 – Vista Group Holding est heureux d'annoncer la finalisation de l'acquisition de 100 % de Banco Société Générale Moçambique, élargissant ainsi sa présence en Afrique. Cette banque, qui compte actuellement huit (08) agences, sera rebaptisée Vista Bank Moçambique.
Simon Tiemtore, président de Vista Group Holding, a déclaré : « Notre acquisition de Banco Société Générale Moçambique représente une étape importante dans le parcours du groupe Vista Bank vers son objectif de devenir un groupe de services financiers panafricain de classe mondiale, avec des opérations dans 25 pays d'ici 2026. Cette nouvelle acquisition permet au Groupe d'accroître son soutien et son impact sur la croissance économique et l'inclusion financière en Afrique. Avec cette opération, nous opérons désormais dans cinq pays : le Burkina Faso, la Gambie, la République de Guinée (Conakry), le Mozambique et la Sierra Leone. »
Le groupe Vista, qui appartient à Lilium Group LLC, propose une gamme complète de produits, solutions et services bancaires innovants et accessibles à tous, y compris aux particuliers, aux petites et moyennes entreprises (PME), aux entreprises et aux gouvernements, contribuant ainsi à promouvoir l'inclusion financière, la croissance économique et la prospérité dans ses pays d'opération.
A propos de Vista
Le Groupe Vista est une société holding de services financiers dont l'objectif est de devenir un établissement financier panafricain de classe mondiale et de participer à l'inclusion économique et financière en Afrique.
Vista a établi des partenariats avec plusieurs établissements financiers internationaux afin de mettre en œuvre sa stratégie de croissance dans le secteur des M&PME (services bancaires aux PME, leasing, affacturage, mésofinance, services bancaires aux femmes, etc…), du financement du commerce et de la chaîne logistique, le corporate banking ainsi que la bancassurance.
Le Groupe Vista nourrit l'ambition de saisir toutes les opportunités sur ses marchés afin de devenir un établissement financier de tout premier choix grâce à des produits bancaires et d'assurance innovants.
Summary and Key Points: Navies initially explored hybrid battleship-aircraft carriers to integrate air power with traditional naval firepower. The Royal Navy's HMS Furious in 1918 marked the first attempt, leading to conversions like the Lexington and Amagi classes.
-Japan's WWII-era Hyuga and Ise carried aircraft but faced operational issues. The U.S. Navy also converted cruisers into Independence-class light carriers during WWII. However, these hybrid conversions often suffered from design flaws and limited success.
-Despite their shortcomings, these ships provided crucial lessons that shaped future purpose-built aircraft carriers.
The Unlikely Union: When Battleships Became Aircraft CarriersBoth aviators and sailors grasped early on that aircraft could revolutionize some aspects of naval warfare. At the very least, manned aircraft could supply the battlefleet with information about the enemy's size and disposition; at the most, these aircraft could deliver ordnance themselves. As the relationship between ships and aircraft developed, it became apparent that having some means of launching planes directly from ships offered the best chance of successfully integrating aircraft into fleet operations.
And almost as soon as navies began to contemplate the idea of aircraft-carrying warships, they started thinking about how to combine the virtues of the battleship and the aircraft carrier into a single large hull. For decades, usually with minimal success, navies would pursue the dream of a hybrid battleship-aircraft carrier.
Early ModelsThe first effort at a hybrid carrier hit the water in 1918. The Royal Navy, at a loss with what to do with the large, fast, but nearly useless HMS Furious, decided to convert her into a combination aviation warship. Initially intended to carry two 18” guns in single turrets, fore and aft, Furious was modified during construction to carry seaplanes, necessitating the removal of the forward turret. Early trials indicated some prospect for the launching and landing of conventional aircraft, although such tests often proved fatal to aviators. Eventually, the aft turret was also removed, offering a more suitable arrangement and allowing Furious, along with several conventional aircraft, to engage in precursors to the great carrier raids of World War II.
At the end of the war, the Royal Navy ditched the idea of a hybrid, but still saw considerable value in big battleship hulls. Consequently, it fully converted Furious into an aircraft carrier, followed by her two half-sisters Courageous and Glorious. The incomplete battleship Eagle received the same treatment. The Washington Naval Treaty actively encouraged similar behavior in Japan and the United States, leading to the conversion into aircraft carriers of two Lexington-class battlecruisers, one Amagi-class battlecruiser, and one Tosa-class battleship.
Even at this point, the allure of combining heavy guns with aircraft carrying capacity remained. Many of the conversions continued to carry heavy (although not battleship caliber) guns, weapons that were often removed as the vulnerabilities of carriers to gunfire became apparent. For their part, most of the battleships that survived World War I and the interwar naval treaties acquired floatplanes of their own. Of new construction, the giant Yamatos could carry seven aircraft, and most other battleships two or three. The relationship between carrier and battleship would remain unsettled, but general agreement emerged that large warships should either be (mostly) aircraft carrier or (mostly) battleship.
Success?In the late 1930s, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) built a pair of heavy cruisers, Tone and Chikuma, with the main armament forward and the aft deck dedicated to flight operations. This provided IJN task forces with a few extra scouting aircraft. In June 1942, the IJN Navy came to the conclusion that it required more flight decks. At first, it gave strong consideration to converting Hyuga and Ise, two of its older battleships into aircraft carriers. Expensive and time-consuming, this would have resulted in slow, substandard ships. Instead, IJN opted for half measures, removing the aft two turrets and replacing them with a flight deck, catapults, and other aviation equipment. Theoretically, Hyuga and Ise could now each carry thirteen aircraft of various types, while also retaining a main armament of 8 14” guns in four twin turrets.
Japanese desperation continued to grow, however. Around the same time Hyuga and Ise entered reconstruction, the IJN determined to redesign one of its new Yamato-class battleships, then under construction, into an aircraft carrier. The resultant Shinano displaced around 60,000 tons and was, for a carrier, stoutly built and well-armored. Intended as an aviation support ship, she did not carry many aircraft, but had extensive machine shops, stores, and other facilities to provide services to a carrier battle group.
Fortunately or not, the IJN never operated Hyuga and Ise in their carrier configuration. The lack of pilots and crew became more severe than the lack of flight decks, and the aviation areas of the ships were mostly used for anti-aircraft guns. Both ships almost encountered the U.S. battlefleet at Leyte Gulf, however, where they would have suffered from the lack of their rear turrets. For her part, Shinano was lost to submarine attack during her shakedown cruise, and never launched aircraft in anger.
The United States Navy (USN) also returned to the well of carrier conversions, halting construction of nine Cleveland-class light cruisers and redesigning them as the Independence-class light aircraft carriers. Although small, these ships were fast enough to support fleet carrier operations from 1943 on, and provided a key bridge between the early war carriers and the excellent Essex class ships. The USN later built the two Saipan-class light carriers on Baltimore-class heavy cruiser hulls, and used design work for the massive Montana-class battleships on the huge Midway-class carriers.
Final Shots:Few of the conversions were entirely successful. Every Japanese carrier converted from a battleship was lost during the war. Three out of the four British conversions met the same fate, as did USS Lexington and Independence-class carrier USS Princeton. Converting battleships offered a shortcut to carrier aviation, but ensured that the resultant carriers would have significant design flaws. Nevertheless, these early ships helped all of the navies develop lessons for their later, purpose-built aircraft carriers.
About the Author: Dr. Robert FarleyDr. Robert Farley, a frequent contributor to TNI, teaches at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of the Battleship Book and can be found at @drfarls.
Summary and Key Points: The U.S. Navy's Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, key components of America's nuclear deterrent, typically operate under secrecy. However, in June, the unusual location disclosure of USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) surfaced in the Norwegian Sea, alongside USS Normandy (CG-60) and strategic aircraft, signaled a calculated message.
-Such disclosures are rare, given the submarines' stealth and destructive capabilities.
-This public reveal likely responded to recent Russian naval activities, including the deployment of their guided-missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and a nuclear submarine to the Caribbean. The U.S. Navy's move underscores its deterrence strategy and readiness to counter potential threats.
Why Did the U.S. Navy Reveal the Location of a Stealthy Ohio-Class Submarine?The United States Navy's Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines remain a key component of the nation's nuclear triad and serve as a nuclear deterrent. The warships are often spoken/written about – yet rarely seen. As part of the "Silent Service," the submarines spent much of their patrols under the sea, with their locations rarely disclosed.
However, on back in June, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet posted on X – the social media platform formerly known as Twitter – to announce that USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) was operating in the Norwegian Sea, while the nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed sub was joined by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. In addition, an E-6B Mercury strategic communications plane was also reported to be flying over ahead.
The unusual disclosure--the submarine was surfaced and not under the waves operating in stealth--of the movements of any of the U.S. Navy's 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines is already highly unusual. However, the fact that an E-6B jet – one of the Navy's 16 modified Boeing 707s that serves as an airborne strategic command post and like the U.S. Air Force's E-4B is often known as a "doomsday plane" – makes it especially noteworthy.
The "boomers" as the submarines are known can disappear for months at a time. That is exactly what they were designed to do, as the boats remain the most destructive weapon system employed by the U.S. military. Given that there are just 14 in service – along with four more modified Ohio-class subs that serve as cruise missile submarines (SSGNs) – revealing the location of any isn't something taken lightly.
Yet, since 2020, the U.S. has disclosed the locations as a reminder of the Ohio class's destructive capability.
"Any decision to highlight the presence of one of these submarines, which are key components of America's nuclear deterrent arsenal and typically keep well out of sight while deployed, inherently sends a message to potential adversaries, such as Russia," TheWarZone reported.
So why did NAVEUR-NAVAF offer up the location of the SSBN-734?
The most likely answer is that it was a direct response to the Russian Navy's deployment of the guided-missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and the Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine Kazan to the Caribbean earlier in June. The Russia flotilla – which also included the replenishment tank Academic Pashi and a tug boat Nikolay Chiker – made a rare port-of-call visit to Havana, Cuba, at the time
In addition, the Russian Navy had been conducting drills in the Mediterranean, involving its missile cruiser Varyag following another port visit to the Libyan city of Tobruk. The cruiser, which also took part in joint exercises with the Egyptian Navy, is quite far from her home port, as she is the flagship of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet.
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter SuciuPeter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.
All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock.
From the Vault
Russia Freaked Out: Why the U.S. Navy 'Unretired' the Iowa-Class Battleships
Battleship vs. Battlecruiser: Iowa-Class vs. Russia's Kirov-Class (Who Wins?)
Summary and Top Line Points: The U.S. Navy's Seawolf-class submarines, developed at the end of the Cold War to outmatch Soviet capabilities, remain among the most advanced undersea warfare vessels. With only three constructed, these subs are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including Mark 48 torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Tomahawk cruise missiles. The class includes the USS Seawolf, USS Connecticut, and USS Jimmy Carter, with the latter modified for special operations.
-In recent years, the Navy has publicly surfaced these stealthy subs, particularly in the Arctic, to deter Russian aggression.
As tensions continue in Ukraine, the U.S. may use similar displays to reinforce NATO's deterrence strategy.
Why the Seawolf-Class Has to Surface SometimesDesigned at the tail end of the Cold War, the U.S. Navy’s Seawolf-class submarines were built to surpass the capabilities of their Soviet counterparts.
While budgetary constraints and the collapse of the USSR led to the cancellation of the full planned fleet of vessels, the three Seawolf ships constructed continue to wow naval experts and scare U.S. adversaries. In fact, the Navy’s Seawolf ships carry some of the most sophisticated undersea warfare technology ever developed.
Although submarines usually remain silent and stealthy, in order to demonstrate their ability to strike from any corner of the world, the Navy has intentionally surfaced them as a show of force to adversaries.
In 2020, the service made public displays of its nuclear submarines in Norway in an effort to deter Russian hostility in the region. On Aug. 21, 2020, USS Seawolf parked off the coast of Tromso to take on new crew members. The U.S. and Norway use this strategic port off the coast of Tromso to keep an eye on Moscow’s Northern Fleet. According to senior naval officials, “the U.S. and Norway have a great relationship, and our ability to use facilities in and around Tromso would provide a strategic location for our visits,” adding that “It would give us flexibility for not only the U.S. but allied countries to exercise in the High North.”
Introducing the Seawolf-ClassUSS Seawolf, like its two sister ships, was developed in the late Cold War. The Navy required a new sub class capable of countering the USSR’s Typhoon class of ballistic missile submarines. Engineers designed the Seawolf ships to be quieter and faster than their predecessors. The lead ship of the class, USS Seawolf, was ordered in 1989 from the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics. USS Connecticut was commissioned a decade later, followed by USS Jimmy Carter in 2004.
In 2021, Connecticut was severely damaged after colliding with a seamount while sailing in the South China Sea. Fortunately, no sailors were killed in the incident, but the submarine has remained out of commission since this mishap. The Navy expects to return Connecticut to service in 2025.
USS Jimmy Carter was developed with distinct modifications, making the submarine essentially a new class when compared to its two sister ships. The Navy uniquely designed Jimmy Carter for covert surveillance and special operations missions.
According to Business Insider, Jimmy Carter included “special thrusters fore and aft that allow the sub to remain stationary underwater, as well as a 100-ft hull extension known as the Multi-Mission Platform, which increased its length to 435 feet and its fully submerged displacement 12,158 tons.” Jimmy Carter can float above undersea communications cables and physically cut into them, which enables the submarine to intercept the data streams running through them.
Basic Specs and Capabilities for the Seawolf-ClassThe Navy’s Seawolf-class ships are typically armed with 533mm Mark 48 torpedoes, in addition to Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles. A Tercom-Aided Inertial Navigation System guides each missile toward its intended target. While the Tomahawk can be fitted with a nuclear warhead, these submarines rarely carry these types of munitions.
As detailed by Naval Technology, “Block III improvements include an improved propulsion system and Navstar global positioning system (GPS) guidance capability. The anti-ship Tomahawk missile is equipped with inertial guidance and an active radar and anti-radiation homing head. The range is up to 450km.”
Could the Navy Surface Its Seawolf-Class Submarines in the Future?As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on, the U.S. and its NATO allies are constantly working to deter additional hostilities in the region. Showcasing the strength and capability of the U.S. submarine fleet via surprise surfacing missions could remind the Kremlin of the consequences of extending the war further.
About the Author: Maya Carlin, Defense ExpertMaya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
All images are Creative Commons.
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La Republika Srpska ne cesse de s'endetter... Pour rembourser sa dette. Plombée par les menaces de sécession et les sanctions américaines, l'entité serbe peine à se financer et doit emprunter à des taux toujours plus élevés. Mais personne ne sait qui sont ses créanciers ni à quoi sert vraiment cet argent.
- Articles / RS sécession, Radio Slobodna Evropa, Bosnie-Herzégovine, EconomieLa Coopérative hulo (Humanitarian Logistics), en partenariat avec plusieurs ONG Internationales et Nationales notamment ACF, ACTED, AGED, ATAD, Concern, Help, IRC, NRC, Oxfam, Plan, SCI,TinTua, WeWorld, UNIJED, WHH, SI, TdH Switzerland, DRC et PUI lance un appel d'offres pour l'attribution d'un marché de VIVRES décrit ci-dessous :
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