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Russia Back Menu
New combat uniform for the russian army troops for 2013. All soldiers of the Russian Army will adopt a new uniform before 2013, announced this 30 July 2010 to the journalists the vice-minister of Defense, the general Dmitri Boulgakov. “From the autumn 2010, all the sergeants and the troops making their military service under contract or called will carry a new uniform. In this way, from here the autumn 2012, all the categories of soldiers will change uniform. We plan to complete the passage to the new uniform before 2013”, specified the general. According to the ministry for Defense, 150.000 Russian officers already obtained new a summer uniform. “This year, 100% of soldiers making their service in the areas with hot climate will be equipped in a new uniform designed for these areas”, concluded the general.
30 July 2010 | | | |
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United States (BAE Systems) Back Menu
BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman add members to ground combat vehicle team. BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman today announced additional members to their GCV team in their bid for the U.S. Army's Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) competition. "We have built a team that has extensive experience and innovation in the development and production of combat systems and subsystems," said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Ground Combat Vehicles at BAE Systems. "With this team we bring more to our customer by providing a vehicle that will meet the Army's requirements for a highly survivable platform that can adapt to a constantly evolving and changing operational environment; from humanitarian relief to a full scale battlefield." Each teammate will bring a different capability to GCV that will help to strengthen the BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman team offering. As the prime contractor, BAE Systems will provide the overall program management and systems integration for GCV and will also be responsible for providing the vehicle design, structure, logistical support as well as the readiness and sustainment of the platform. Northrop Grumman will serve as the C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) lead. QinetiQ North America will provide the electric drive propulsion system or E-X-Drive™ for Ground Combat Vehicles. The E-X-Drive is the key component of the hybrid electric drive system, which minimizes electrical demand, saves on vehicle fuel costs, improves reliability, provides higher dash speed and acceleration and increased on-board and off-board power. Saft will provide the energy storage system for the GCV. The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman GCV offering will be the first combat vehicle designed from the ground-up to operate in an IED-threat environment. The team's offering will provide survivability, mobility and versatility that will address the operational requirements of the customer. The GCV mine survivability will exceed that of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, while the enhanced mobility capabilities will allow the GCV to operate in urban and cross country environments. The team's vehicle will also have an integrated electronic network capability and embedded intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets to connect the warfighters. The open architecture electronics will also be adaptable to future network upgrades as new technologies mature. The modular armor system will allow the unit commander to rapidly apply or remove kits in the field to adjust to the tactical situation. BAE Systems is the top producer of combat vehicles in the world and provides nearly 80 percent of the vehicles in the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT). The GCV program is a development effort headed by the U.S. Army to develop the first combat vehicle designed from the ground up to operate in an IED-threat environment.
27 July 2010 | | | |
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United States (General Dynamics) Back Menu
General Tactical Vehicles (GTV) team of General Dynamics Land Systems and AM General today delivered two Right-Hand Operation (RHO) Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs). The General Tactical Vehicles (GTV) team of General Dynamics Land Systems and AM General today delivered two Right-Hand Operation (RHO) Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), one companion trailer and supporting equipment on schedule to the U.S. government for Technology Development (TD) phase testing in support of the U.S. and Australia’s Land Force Capability Modernization Project Arrangement (PA). The PA enables tactical vehicle interoperability and integration between the two countries. Delivery of the RHO JLTVs follows GTV’s previous ahead-of-schedule deliveries of armor samples, ballistic hulls, seven vehicles and four trailers and spare parts for the TD phase. Test and evaluation of the RHO JLTVs includes a five-month reliability and durability test and evaluation process at the Monegeetta Proving Ground in Monegeetta, Victoria, Australia. Test site management for GTV will be performed by General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia and supported by Australian in-country suppliers. The JLTV TD phase is intended to validate the integration of mature technologies as a complete vehicle system, rebalancing payload, protection and performance while maintaining transportability and expeditionary capabilities; give the Army, Marine Corps and the Australian Defence Force an accurate assessment of the technical and performance capabilities and risks associated with entering the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase; and establish a realistic set of requirements for the JLTV program.
21 July 2010 | | | |
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Ukraine Back Menu
The Ukrainian army could decrease its manpower by 20% per 2015. Ukraine is to downsize its Armed Forces by some 20% to 150,000-160,000 personnel in five years, the government press service said on Thursday. The cuts are envisioned under a draft concept for the organizational development of the national Armed Forces. The country presently has about 200,000 servicemen. Alongside the cuts in personnel, the draft concept states that military spending should grow at a rate of 15-20% a year through 2015. The Armed Forces are also to sell off surplus military property, which should yield $188 million to $250 million. The concept also directs the Defense Ministry to make a more effective use of its internal resources, saving an additional $2.4 billion.
20 July 2010 | | | |
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Israel Back Menu
Israeli Iron Dome air defense ready to be deployed. The Israeli Defense Ministry has reported that tests of the Iron Dome air defense system have been completed and that interceptor missiles will soon be deployed. The final tests of the Israeli air defense system designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells were successfully carried out on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. First Iron Dome interceptor missiles are expected to be deployed by November. Israel moved to develop the Iron Dome air defense system following years of fighting against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. The militants had fired thousands of short-range rockets at Israel until Operation Cast Lead in December 2008-January 2009 put an end to massive Palestinian attacks. The war claimed the lives of some 1,500 Palestinians. During a month-long war with Lebanon in the summer of 2006, militants of the Shiite armed group Hezbollah have fired some 4,000 short-range rockets at northern Israel. The cost of a single Iron Dome missile launch is estimated at tens of thousands of dollars, while a single launch of a Qassam rocket is ten times cheaper.
20 July 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Iskander SS-26 missiles had entered service with the Armed Forces in the Leningrad Military District. The deployment of Iskander missiles in Russia's northwestern military district is incomprehensible in view of Russia's current relations with NATO, Estonian Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo has said. On Saturday, the chief of Russia's Ground Forces, Col. Gen. Alexander Postnikov, said the Iskander missiles had entered service with the Armed Forces in the Leningrad Military District. "During the past two decades, NATO has been seeking benevolent mutual understanding in relations with Russia. But benevolence does not mean naivety, that is why Moscow's decision to deploy Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region did not surprise us," Aaviksoo said. "We do not comprehend such a step considering both modern security threats and current relations between Russia and NATO," he said. The United States scrapped earlier plans last September for an antimissile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland. Moscow welcomed the move, and President Dmitry Medvedev said later that Russia would drop plans to deploy Iskander-M missiles in its Kaliningrad Region, which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania. However, Washington has not given up on its European missile shield initiative. In May, the United States opened a temporary military base in northern Poland, just 80 km (50 miles) from the border of Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, in accordance with an agreement negotiated under former President George Bush in 2008 – a move which drew much criticism from Russia.
20 July 2010 | | | |
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Armenia Back Menu
Armenian defense minister heads to Iran. Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Oganyan will visit Iran on July 17-18 on an invitation from his counterpart Ahmad Vahidi, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported. "During the visit, the minister will hold talks with his Iranian counterpart," the ministry said. "Meetings with Iran's military and political leaders are also planned," it said. The sides will discuss regional and international issues, as well as topics of bilateral interest. Iran and Armenia are neighbors. They have had long-lasting relations of a strategic partnership. Bilateral ties in particular develop in energy, trade, sports, tourism and transportation. On June 9, the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing a fourth set of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo. The West suspects Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but the Islamic Republic says it needs nuclear power solely for civilian purposes.
17 July 2010 | | | Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Oganyan picture | | |
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Iran Back Menu
Russia Still Bound to S-300 Missile Contract with Iran. A top Russian military official said the S-300 defense system deal with Iran is pending the decision of President Dmitry Medvedev and has not been cancelled yet. "The contract on supplying S-300 air defense systems to Iran has not yet been cancelled," RIA Novosti quoted Sergei Chemezov, the chief of Russia's military conglomerate Rostekhnologii as saying. "The final decision on signing or dropping the contract must be made by the President." Moscow signed a contract with Tehran in 2007 to supply the powerful S-300 missiles to Iran but it has refrained from delivering the system to the county due to the US and Israeli pressures. The S-300 surface-to-air system, known as the SA-20 in the West, can track targets and fire at aircraft 120 kilometers (75 miles) away. It also features high jamming immunity and is capable of simultaneously engaging up to 100 targets. Meantime, an Iranian top military commander had announced several months ago that Tehran is able to replace the Russian-made anti-aircraft S-300 missiles with other air defense systems. "If they do not deliver S-300 defensive system to us, we have replacements and we can supply our operational requirements through innovative techniques and different designs," Deputy Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base for Coordination General Hassan Mansourian said in November.
16 July 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russia's new generation S-500 air defense system will resolve the country's missile defense problems Russia's new generation S-500 air defense system will resolve the country's missile defense problems when it enters service, Air Force Commander Colonel General Alexander Zelin said on Tuesday. "The S-500 air defense system is a system that will solve Russia's missile defense problems," Zelin said. Answering a question about the S-500's technical specifications, Zelin said: "I would not compare the S-500 with the U.S. missile defense since they have different technical characteristics". The S-500 is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km (over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets. The system will be capable of destroying hypersonic and ballistic targets. He also added that two S-400 long-range missile defense systems would be delivered to the Far East by the end of 2010. "We are planning to put two S-400s on combat duty at the Vostok strategic command," Zelin said.
13 July 2010 | | | |
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Sweden (Saab) Back Menu
Saab Receives New Order on Advanced Camouflage Solutions. Defence and security company Saab has been awarded a new large contract for multispectral camouflage products and services. The order has a total value of approximately MSEK 670. Deliveries will start during 2010 and continue for four years. At the customer's request and due to the nature of the order, no details about the contract or the customer will be made public. “We are proud to be selected and it further proves Saab’s unrivalled position as the world-leader within signature management technology. We continue to attract new and existing customers around the globe,” says Tomas Samuelsson, head for Saab’s business area Dynamics. Saab Barracuda’s advanced camouflage technology products have until now been exported to more than 50 countries. Saab Barracuda offers a unique package of camouflage systems and force protection solutions with the purpose to decrease the enemy’s ability to detect and engage. These solutions protect camps, vehicles and personnel against hostile sensors and enemy target acquisition.
13 July 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
Iranian Air Force to Deploy UAVs along Borders. The Iranian Air Force plans to deploy reconnaissance drones along the country's border, an Air Force commander announced on Sunday. Speaking in an interview with FNA, Deputy Lieutenant Commander of Army's Air Force for Operations General Majid Pirhadi underlined that Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) will cover all the country's border regions in the near future. "We are seeking to equip all the country's central (air) bases with long-range UAVs but for now equipping bases along borders sets a priority," Pirhadi stated. The commander highlighted the growing applications of UAVs in Iran's armed forces, and announced that the Air Force command headquarters plans to form a command-and-control center for UAVs. "Utilization of the UAVs plays a vital role in the strengthening of the Armed Forces' offensive and defensive capabilities. Accordingly, we seek to equip all the country's air bases with different types of drones," he noted. The commander added that all border bases in western and southern Iran will be equipped with UAVs by the end of summer (September 2010). He mentioned that these drones are currently tasked with intelligence and information gathering and reconnaissance missions and that the Iranian Army plans to use different types of drones for combat, reconnaissance, disruption and communication missions. Earlier in June, Lieutenant Commander of Iran's Air Force Mohsen Darrebaqi told FNA that the Iranian Air Force plans to form a battalion of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in all its bases across the country. Iran successfully tested a home-made radar-evading UAV with bombing capabilities last June. Also in 2008, the country's Defense Industries launched production lines of two well-known home-made fighter jets, namely Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) and Azarakhsh (Lightening). Iran had earlier started construction of a plant in the northern province of Mazandaran in 2008 to mass produce UAVs for different civilian and military missions.
06 July 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russia set to buy Mistral with transfer of French technologies. Russia will buy French Mistral class helicopter carriers with the complete set of navigational equipment and technical documentation, but equip the ships with its own weaponry and helicopters, a defense industry source said Monday. Russia is negotiating the purchase of at least one French-built Mistral class amphibious assault ship and plans to build two or three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS. "I would like to stress the point that we are buying the Mistral with all proper navigational and technological equipment, including the fire control systems," a source close to the negotiations said. "We will use our own helicopters on the Mistral, but we will have to raise the deck for that purpose," he said. According to other defense industry sources, the Russian Air Force plans to buy up to 100 Ka-class helicopters, including some 70 Ka-27Ms, to equip the Mistral ships. The Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel. "We are also planning to use this helicopter carrier in northern latitudes, in ice floe. For that we will need to reinforce the hull of the ship, but it will not seriously change its structure or technical equipment," the source said. The Russian military has said it plans to use Mistral ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets. Many Russian military and industry experts have questioned the financial and military sense of the purchase, and some believe that Russia simply wants to gain access to advanced naval technology that could be used in the future in potential conflicts with NATO and its allies. In April, the head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, Mikhail Dmitriev, said the Mistral deal would be concluded by the end of the year.
06 July 2010 | | | |
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United States (Force Protection) Back Menu
Force Protection Meets With Potential Suppliers for Australia`s $1 Bn Vehicle Contract Force Protection has completed a series of discussions with potential suppliers across four states as it refines its Australian manufacturing plans for the $1 billion protected mobility vehicle contract. The Australian Government in May announced that Force Protection was one of three Australian-based solutions to be given the opportunity to win the contract to manufacture up to 1300 next-generation protected mobility vehicles, under the 'Land 121 Phase 4' program. Force Protection has again met with potential suppliers as well as State Government ministers and industry representatives in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. Force Protection Chief Executive Officer, Michael Moody, said discussions with suppliers last year had opened up several manufacturing options for its Ocelot vehicle across the four states, and it was important to further progress these discussions now that the company had been short-listed for the Australian Government contract. "The reception we have received from both suppliers and government representatives over the past couple of weeks has been extremely positive, and confirmed our view that we can build a world class vehicle utilising the best of Australian military and automotive manufacturing expertise and know-how," Mr Moody said.
05 July 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russia to expand world's largest training ground in Siberia. World's largest Telemba military training ground located in Siberia will be expanded within the recent time so that it to host tests of S-400 long-range missile defense systems, Col. Sergei Kuryshkin, Telemba's chief said on Saturday. Telemba training ground was established in November 1960, its total area is more than 1.3 million hectares. The range is located in Siberian Buryat Republic. This military training ground is the largest one in the world. Not only Russian but also Syrian, Ukrainian and Belarusian armed forces hold drills there. "We currently coordinate transferring of additional... parcel of land to the tanning ground with Buryat Republic leadership," Kuryshkin said, adding that the length of the parcel is 160 kilometers and its width is 70 kilometers. Kurryshkin said the training ground would be used to for S-400 long-range missile defense systems tests as well as for other prospective missile defense systems.
03 July 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Ground-to-air missiles S-500 will be in advance from 15 to 20 years on knowledge of the supposed enemy. Developed in Russia, the ground-to-air missiles S-500 will be in advance from 15 to 20 years on knowledge of the supposed enemy, declared Saturday Sergueï Popov, commander of the aerospace brigades of the Russian Air force, in the program “the Council of war” to the national radio Echo of Moscow. These ground-to-air missiles S-500 are intendece ministre ned to replace S-400 Triumph able to organize the spread out defence of the sites against a massive air attack. The S-500 missiles will be able to destroy 10 targets against 6 for S-400. The Russian defence aerospace brigades will be equipped with it. Weapons able to destroy supersonic and ballistic targets, S-500 are not a modernized version of S-400. The development of the missiles of anti-aircraft defence S-500 will be completed from here 2015.
03 July 2010 | | | Russia Russian missile system S-500 will be in advance from 15 to 20 years on knowledge of the supposed enemy | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russian anti-aircraft missile troops to see almost complete rearmament by 2020. The arming of Russia's anti-aircraft missile troops will see 85% upgrade by 2020, Brigadier General Sergei Popov, chief of Russian anti-aircraft missile troops said on Saturday. "Now, the main is to implement already approved rearmament program by 2020. This program stipulates significant characters for the troops I command," Popov told Ekho Moskvy radio station on Saturday. He said the Russian armed forced would see 30% rearmament by 2010 and a 70% by 2020. "My branch will see 45% rearmament by 2015 and 85% rearmament by 2020," he added.
03 July 2010 | | | |
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United Kingdom (General Dynamics) Back Menu
British Ministry of Defence signs Scout SV contract with General Dynamics UK The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with South Wales-based General Dynamics UK to deliver the Specialist Vehicle (SV) for the British Army. The demonstration phase, which has been activated by the signature of the contract by Peter Luff MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Equipment, Support & Technology. The demonstration phase will see the development of seven prototypes for the Scout reconnaissance vehicle and supporting variants built on the ASCOD SV Common Base Platform, as well as providing associated training equipment. ASCOD SV, which is a modified military off the shelf (MMOTS) platform already proven in service with a number of NATO allies, will replace the ageing CVR(T) fleet and will introduce new vehicle roles. “The MoD chose General Dynamics UK’s ASCOD SV because it guaranteed the best protection for British troops, the best value for money for the British taxpayer, the best deal for the UK Industrial base, the best integrated solution, and the best growth potential for the British Army to combat future threats throughout the 30-year lifespan of the vehicle,” commented Dr. Sandy Wilson, president and managing director of General Dynamics UK. “I am particularly proud that this vehicle has been designed in Britain by British engineers and will provide jobs for British workers, as well as saving the lives of British military personnel wherever they may be in the world over the next 30 or so years,” continued Dr. Wilson. “My team and I at General Dynamics UK look forward to working in partnership with the MoD over the next several years to deliver the vehicle the British Army deserves and needs in order to do their difficult jobs in the safest and most effective manner possible.” The trials of the prototype vehicles are expected to begin with the Army no later than 2013. Once the demonstration phase is successfully completed, the MoD will be in a position to proceed to the Manufacture Phase and begin production of these battle-winning vehicles.
02 July 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
Iran wants to produce long-range missiles for air defense. The Iranian defense minister said Tehran intends to produce its own long-range missiles to provide air defense for the country, the Iranian Press TV news website reported on Friday. "At present, Iran is on track to design long-range missiles for passive air defense," the website quoted Ahmad Vahidi as saying. His statement comes in the wake of Russia's refusal to supply Iran with S-300 surface-to-air missile systems. Moscow said in mid-June it would freeze the delivery of S-300 air-defense systems following a new round of UN sanctions imposed on Tehran on June 9. Security Council Resolution 1929 imposed a fourth set of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo. Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta suggested earlier in the week that Russia's losses will amount to the value of the contract plus penalties for breach of contract. The S-300 contract is worth some $800 million, while Russian experts estimate the penalty for breach of contract at $400 million. Furthermore, Iran could refuse to buy any more military products from Russia, leading to an estimated loss of $300 million to $500 million a year. Russia initially said the delivery of S-300 systems to Iran would not be affected by the new UN sanctions since they are not included in the UN Register of Conventional Arms, but experts from the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation concluded that the missiles did come under the new set of sanctions. A Kremlin source echoed the view on June 11, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was up to the president to make the final decision. Moscow signed a contract on supplying Iran with at least five S-300 systems in December 2005, but none have been delivered. The United States and Israel have urged Russia not to fulfill the contract.
02 July 2010 | | | |
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Palestine Back Menu
Russia to deliver 50 armored vehicles BTR-70 to Palestinians soon. Russia will deliver 50 BTR-70 armored personnel carriers (APC) to the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank in the next few days, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Israel agreed in 2008 on the supply of Russian APC stripped of weaponry to Palestinian security forces to help them fight terrorist organizations. The 50 APCs will be delivered to Jordan in the next few days and they will later be transferred to the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank," said spokesman Andrei Nesterenko at a news briefing in Moscow. The Russian Defense Ministry earlier said that all 50 vehicles, taken from the ministry's arsenal, were ready for shipment and weapons have been removed from them. Russia is donating the APCs to the Palestinian authorities.
01 July 2010 | | | |
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Yemen Back Menu
Russia to sell $1 bln worth of arms to Yemen. Russia and Yemen could sign an arms contract worth over $1 billion, an international arms expert said on Thursday. A Yemeni delegation led by President Ali Abdullah Saleh discussed sales of Russian arms to the Arab republic on Wednesday during the leader's short visit to Moscow. Igor Korotchenko, head of a Moscow-based think tank on the international arms trade, said Yemen "is interested in a very broad range of Russian arms and military equipment," especially MiG-29 SMT jet fighters (up to 30), Mi-35 and Ka-52 helicopter gunships and Mi-17 military transport helicopters. He said Saleh's wish list also included T-72M1 tanks, Kornet E antitank complexes, Smerch multiple launch rocket systems (up to 20 units), and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles. "In addition, Yemen is interested in building an air-defense system with [Russian made] S-300MPU and S-300 PMU1 surface-to-air missile complexes," Korotchenko said. He said Yemen would also like to modernize the weaponry it bought from the Soviet Union, including BRDM-2 armored reconnaissance vehicles, whose number currently exceeds 1,000. Furthermore, he said, Yemen needs warships, in particular high-speed patrol boats, to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
01 July 2010 | | | |
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