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Korea Back Menu
South Korea and North Korea will hold military talks. South Korea and North Korea will hold military talks on Thursday, the first in about two years, the Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday. North Korea has sent a message to Seoul, in which is agreed to hold the working-level military meeting at the village of Panmunjom at the inter-Korean border on the date proposed by the South, the news agency said, quoting a source in the North Korean Defense Ministry. The talks will take place amid tensions over the sinking of a South Korean warship in the Yellow Sea which Seoul has blamed on the North. "The talks will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow and issues raised by both sides will be discussed," Yonhap quoted its source as saying. South Korea reportedly proposed to discuss North Korea's responsibility for the sinking of the Cheonan corvette and how to ease tensions at the disputed sea border between the countries. Seoul and Pyongyang remain technically at war, since no peace treaty was signed following the Korean War in 1953. The so-called Demilitarized Zone between the countries is the most heavily armed border in the world. Strained ties between Seoul and Pyongyang soured even more after Seoul accused Pyongyang of sinking the 1,200-ton Cheonan corvette. The vessel sank near the disputed Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea on March 26 causing the loss of 46 lives. The North Korean leadership has denied the accusations, demanding apologies from Seoul. In recent weeks, North Korea has made some peace overtures toward Seoul, releasing a South Korean fishing boat seized at a disputed sea border and offering to reunion families separated across the border since the 1950-53 war, Yonhap said.
29 September 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russia to build new radars to counter possible new threats. The Defense Ministry plans to put the Voronezh-DM radar station in south Russia’s Armavir into a state of operational readiness, as well as build several new radars to counter possible threats, the Space Forces commander said Tuesday. Lt. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko also told journalists that new radar stations will be built “to replace the current radar means and maintain continuous radar control of all missile threats.” The Armavir radar will be the second facility, after the Lekhtusi complex in the Leningrad Region, to close a gap in radar coverage on Russia's western borders after the closure of radar sites in Skrunda (Latvia) in late 1998 and recently in Mukachevo and Sevastopol in Ukraine. With an effective range of 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) the Voronezh class radar has capabilities similar to its predecessors, the Dnepr and Daryal, but uses less energy and is more environmentally friendly.
29 September 2010 | | | |
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United States (Navistar) Back Menu
Navistar Defense launches high-mobility medium tactical vehicle based on proven truck platform. Navistar Defense, LLC unveiled its new high-mobility medium tactical vehicle (MTV) at the Modern Day Marine Exposition in Quantico, Virginia. Based on the proven International® 7000-MV platform, the vehicle incorporates the DXM™ independent suspension and can also accommodate a variety of survivability and armoring solutions derived from the International® MaxxPro® Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. “Since receiving our first contract in 2005 to support security and rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan, we have provided more than 21,000 medium tactical vehicles based on the 7000-MV platform in 13 different variants,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “Now, we’ve enhanced this family of vehicles by incorporating survivability and independent suspension technologies that are in the field on our MaxxPro MRAP vehicles.” The company recently completed building 1,130 MaxxPro Dash vehicles with its DXM independent suspension for fielding in Afghanistan. An additional 1,222 Dash units already in operation will also soon be retrofitted with the DXM suspension solution.
Capable of climbing a 60 percent gradient and maneuvering 40 percent side slopes, Navistar’s high-mobility MTV also incorporates automatic traction control, anti-lock brakes, self-diagnostics and advanced electronics systems. Additional options include MaxxForce® D 9.3L and 13L powertrain offerings as well as a central tire inflation system (CTIS). Navistar medium tactical vehicles are currently in operation in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Canada, Israel, Jordan and Taiwan.
28 September 2010 | | | |
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Afghanistan Back Menu
Military operation "Strike Dragon" by NATO troops in the South of Afghanistan. In the South of Afghanistan, an area held by the Talibans, the NATO forces and the Afghan army, as of many Afghan police officers carry out an important operation, baptized “Strike Dragon”, against resistance of Talibans. The goal of this operation is the conquest of several districts, located around the city of Kandahar and to eliminate any resistance on behalf of the Taliban’s in this area by the end of November. The Taliban’s continue to kidnap foreign people, in order to maintain a pressure on the foreign troops deployed in Afghanistan. A British and his three guides were kidnapped this Sunday, September 26, 2010, close to the border with Pakistan, and more precisely in the province of Kumar. Police officers already started research in the area. This kidnapping would be allotted to the Taliban’s, but who already contradicted any implication in this action.
27 September 2010 | | | |
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United Kingdom ( Supacat ) Back Menu
Supacat to continue SPV400 wheeled protected vehicle development. Supacat is continuing development of its all-new, all British Supacat SPV400 light protected patrol vehicle to meet international demand for this new class of vehicle in military and non-military markets. The SPV400 is one of only two vehicles from an original field of 30 vehicle designs, which succeeded in being taken forward to the invitation to tender stage to meet the UK Ministry of Defence's demanding requirements for its new Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV), despite not being selected as preferred bidder. "We are very disappointed by the decision. The SPV400 is a world class vehicle. Its development in such a short period of time is a huge achievement for the team", said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat. "In addition to the interest from other armed forces, we perceive that NGOs and other civilian organisations operating in dangerous areas would benefit from the high levels of armour protection and off road mobility offered by the SPV400. Therefore we will be continuing to pursue international commercial opportunities for this world-leading vehicle technology".
26 September 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
The Russian president, Dmitri Medvedev prohibits the delivery of the anti-aircraft missiles S-300 in Iran. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree banning the delivery of S-300 missile systems, armored vehicles, warplanes, helicopters and ships to Iran, the Kremlin said Wednesday. The decree is part of measures Russia is taking to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1929 of June 9, 2010. Russia will not deliver S-300 air defense missiles to Iran as planned because such transfers are prohibited under UN sanctions, the chief of the Russian general staff said Wednesday. "The decision has been made not to deliver S-300s to Iran," General Nikolai Makarov told journalists at an aircraft equipment production plant in the Moscow Region's town of Ramenskoye. "They are of course covered by the sanctions," he said, adding: "The leadership decided to suspend the delivery process. We are carrying this decision out." Answering the question whether a relevant contract with Iran will be cancelled, Makarov said "we will see - it will depend on Iran's behavior." The sanctions include a ban on supplies on conventional arms to the Islamic Republic. According to the document, "states are prohibited from selling or in any way transferring to Iran eight broad categories of heavy weapons (battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems).
22 September 2010 | | | |
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Belarus Back Menu
The sixth international armaments and military equipment exhibition MILEX 2011 will be held in Minsk from 24th to 27th of May 2011. The sixth international armaments and military equipment exhibition MILEX 2011 will be held in Minsk from 24th to 27th of May 2011, announced Friday to RIA Novosti the official spokesman of the military-industrial committee of Belarus Vladimir Lavreniouk. "According to an ordinance of the Prime Minister of the republic Sergei Sidorsky, the sixth exhibition MILEX be held in Minsk from 24th to 27th of May 2011," said Lavreniouk. The exhibition is organized every two years and aims to "showcase the latest products developed in the field of armaments and military equipment of the Belarusian defense sector."
The Fifth International Scientific Conference on the technical military and security, defense and integration of dual-purpose is also being held in the lounge.
17 September 2010 | | | |
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Germany (Rheinmetall) Back Menu
Rheinmetall books follow-up orders for Fuchs/Fox 1A8 vehicles and Heron aviation systems for the German army. By 2012, Rheinmetall will have modernized 65 of the Bundeswehr’s Fuchs/Fox armoured transport vehicles, significantly improving their level of protection. The net value of this order comes to roughly €33 million. Compared with its predecessors, the 1A8 version offers substantially improved protection against mines and roadside bombs, both of which constitute widespread threats in Afghanistan. The upgrade just ordered by the Bundeswehr will significantly expand the operational spectrum of all these Fuchs/Fox vehicles, which come in many variants and have proved indispensable in multiple military missions. Specifically, 43 Fuchs/Fox armoured vehicles, including APC, command and medevac variants, will be upgraded to 1A8 standard, with the emphasis on improved protection from mines and IEDs. A further 22 vehicles will be reconfigured for new roles such as fire fighting, bomb disposal and mine clearing. The Bundeswehr currently has a total requirement of 134 Fuchs/Fox 1A8 armoured transport vehicles. Of these, 21 vehicles were already ordered in 2008 in response to an immediate operational requirement (contract value: €13.3 million), while a contract worth €36.6 million was issued in 2009 for retrofitting forty more vehicles. Furthermore, eight Fuchs/Fox armoured NBC reconnaissance vehicles are to be upgraded at a later date. In the same time, Rheinmetall has been awarded a follow-up contract to make the state-of the-art Heron 1 unmanned aircraft available to the Bundeswehr for a further two years. The volume of the follow-up order comes to a substantial eight-figure euro amount, and covers the period 23 October 2010 to 22 October 2012. At the German base in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, the German Air Force operates two different unmanned aerial vehicles, including three Heron 1 aircraft and two ground control stations, which Rheinmetall makes available as part of an operator solution. The system, whose German acronym SAATEG stands for “system for imagery reconnaissance deep in the area of operations”, is used for realtime aerial surveillance and reconnaissance throughout the entire area of operations of the German ISAF contingent; it went into operation on 17 March 2010.
17 September 2010 | | | |
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United States (Textron Marine & Land Systems) Back Menu
Textron Marine & Land Systems and MDT Armor announced a teaming agreement to market, design and manufacture the Tiger light protected vehicle. Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc.) company, and MDT Armor Corporation, a division of Arotech Corporation, today announced a teaming agreement to market, design and manufacture the Tiger light protected vehicle. Based on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Dodge® RAM® 5500 platform, the Tiger is a cost effective, light protected class all terrain vehicle with proven, highly reliable armor for a crew of six to nine. The Tiger is ballistic and mine blast protected, with various add-on armor options, and is designed with a spacious, versatile cabin and large payload capacity allows the Tiger to be tailored to many missions. "The Tiger is a high quality, off-road vehicle in the light armor segment that meets the needs of a wide variety of potential customers. With our lean manufacturing expertise and the low lifecycle cost of the Tiger we feel like this is an excellent teaming opportunity," said Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley. "Textron Marine & Land Systems has a proven track record in successfully taking prototype products to full-rate production at optimum cost and reliability with on-time delivery," said MDT Armor Corporation Executive Vice President Jonathan Whartman. "The Tiger is a versatile light protected armored vehicle and we're looking forward to working together with Textron Marine & Land Systems to bring it to market."
16 September 2010 | | | |
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France Back Menu
Firing test for EC635 helicopter equipped with heavy machine gun FN Herstal HMP-400 and Nexter gun NC-621. Eurocopter and ATE have begun flight test firing a new Stand Alone Weapons System (SAWS) for light and medium helicopters. Eurocopter and its partner Advanced Technologies & Engineering (ATE) have begun flight test firing a new Stand Alone Weapons System (SAWS) for light and medium helicopters. The EC635 will participate to the flight test program is equipped with a heavy FN Herstal Machine gun HMP-400 cal. 12.7 mm and with the French canon Nexter NC-621 cal. 20 mm. The initial EC635 SAWS configuration for International Customers will also feature Denel's Ingwe Anti-Tank Missile. Integration of the missile is currently in its design and development phase at ATE's stateof the art facilities in Midrand. Future weapons to be integrated on these helicopters include missiles and guided rockets of various international suppliers. "Eurocopter's partnership with ATE on SAWS is a joint response to an increasing market demand for helicopters equipped with a suitably credible weapon system able to counter evolving threats and both current and future conflict mission scenarios. While we have proven capabilities producing multirole military helicopters, ATE is unrivalled in weapon system development and subsystems integration on fixed and rotary wing aircraft. This venture and our partnership make perfect sense," explained Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter's Senior Vice President Sales & Customers Relations.
15 September 2010 | | | |
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Dagestan Back Menu
Security forces have killed 11 militants during operations in the Republic of Dagestan. Security forces have killed 11 militants in two separate operations in the North Caucascus Republic of Dagestan. An interior ministry spokesman said officers shot eight extremists dead on Monday in the capital of Makhachkala after they had refused to surrender. Shootings and bomb attacks have been increasing in Dagestan, where militants want to establish an Islamic republic. On Sunday evening officers killed another three insurgents after clashes broke out in the village of Komsomolskoye. Earlier that day a federal anti-terrorist official was shot dead in his car as he drove to work. Poverty and corruption have created a fertile ground for the violence, analysts say, helping anti-government fighters recruit people to their cause.
13 September 2010 | | | |
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United States (Oshkosh Defense) Back Menu
Oshkosh Deefense will suplly more than 2,000 Familiy of Medium Tactical Vehicles trucks FMTV. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), will supply more than 2,000 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles FMTV trucks and trailers to the U.S. Army under a new order from the Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC). The vehicles will be used to enhance Army unit mobility, transport soldiers and haul equipment weighing up to 5 tons in support of a wide range of tactical operations. "Military testing of the Oshkosh-produced FMTVs is going well and provides confidence in our product quality," said Mike Ivy, vice president and general manager of Army Programs for Oshkosh Defense. "Our successful work for the FMTV program is a testament to our unyielding commitment to supplying reliable, world-class systems without sacrificing the timely delivery our customer has come to expect from us." The FMTV is a series of 17 models ranging from 2.5-ton to 10-ton payloads. Vehicles feature a parts commonality of more than 80 percent, resulting in streamlined maintenance, training, sustainment and overall cost efficiency for the U.S. Army. FMTV trucks and trailers are vital to U.S. military operations both domestically and internationally, supporting combat operations, relief efforts, unit resupply and other functions. The award, valued at more than $259 million, extends truck and trailer production deliveries until June 2012. The order includes more than 1,300 trucks, including eight different variants, and nearly 700 trailers. The five-year FMTV contract awarded to Oshkosh Defense is for the production of up to 23,000 trucks and trailers, as well as support services and training through fiscal 2014.
13 September 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
Iran unveils 3rd generation of home-made Cobra helicopter simulators. The Iranian Army started using the third generation of home-made Cobra Chopper simulators in an airborne base in central Iran on Sunday. The simulators were officially unveiled in the Army's 4th Airborne Base in Iran's central city of Isfahan in a ceremony attended by Iranian Army commanders and officials. Elaborating on the manufacturing trend of the simulator, Iranian Army Airborne Commander General Kiomarth Ahadi said that the chopper simulator was built in a two-year period. According to the commander, decrease in expenses and improvement in pilot training courses are among the main features and most important advantages of the Iran-made chopper simulators, adding that the training device can also simulate tactical and invasive flights. Ahadi also reiterated that the price of the new simulators is one-tenth of their foreign rivals. Iran's airborne units had earlier built simulators for chopper 206 in 2007, the first home-made mobile helicopter simulator which is still in use for training operations. Ahadi had said in February that all the airborne bases of the Iranian army were equipped with flight simulators.
13 September 2010 | | | |
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Saudi Arabia Back Menu
The United States could make an important contract of armament with Saudi Arabia. The Obama administration will subject soon to the Congress the biggest contract of armament ever presented, up to 60 billion dollars of planes and of helicopters for Saudi Arabia, information from the Wall Street Journal, 13 September 2010. According to the daily newspaper, the American administration is also in discussion with the Saudi kingdom on supplies of anti-missile and ships for the value of several tens of billion dollars. For the administration of President Barack Obama, these contracts fall under a general policy of reinforcement of its Arab allies against Iran, according to the newspaper. The 60 billion dollars represent the high fork of a contract of purchase of fighter plans and helicopters required by the Saudis’, even if the latter could, initially, to acquire only half of this amount.
13 September 2010 | | | |
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Ukraine Back Menu
Possible delivery of Ukrainian made engine for Russia's unmanned aerial vehicles UAV. Russia's Vega and Ukraine's Motor Sich are discussing the possible delivery of Ukrainian-made engines for Russia's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Vega CEO Vladimir Verba said on Saturday. "We lagging behind on such vehicles," Verba said. "First of all, there is a shortfall in engines." Motor Sich CEO Vyacheslav Boguslayev confirmed the companies are in talks. "We are discussing issues regarding this topic," he said. Motor Sich delivers engines to 11 countries around the world, Boguslayev said, adding that "we have nothing against Russia being the twelfth country." The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is "happy" with the quality of home-made UAVs, Verba said on Friday, while not ruling out that the Defense Ministry may buy UAVs abroad. He said Vega's UAVs would be able to compete with those produced abroad by 2013. According to various estimates, the Russian military needs up to 100 UAVs and at least 10 guidance and control systems to ensure effective battlefield reconnaissance. Russia has reportedly signed two UAV contracts with Israel. Under the first contract, signed in April 2009, Israel delivered two Bird Eye 400 systems (worth $4 million), eight I View MK150 tactical UAVs ($37 million) and two Searcher Mk II multi-mission UAVs ($12 million). The second contract was for the purchase of 36 UAVs, worth a total of $100 million, to be delivered later this year. Russia and Israel are currently negotiating the establishment of a joint $300-million venture to produce UAVs. Russian Defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov has said that alongside Israel, France could become one of Russia's partners in making UAVs.
12 September 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russia will be able to produce advanced unmanned aerial vehicles UAV for 2013. Russia will be able to produce advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) able to compete with those produced abroad by 2013, the head of a major UAV production company said on Friday. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin said in April that Russia had spent about 5 billion rubles ($172 million) on the development of indigenous drones, which eventually failed their tests. Russian Air Force head Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said last November that Russian UAVs do not satisfy the requirements for speed, altitude and other specifications. "In the next two or three years, there will be a breakthrough in the Russian UAV market," Vladimir Verba, the director general of the Vega company, pledged during an international exhibition on hydro-aviation in Russia's Black Sea resort town of Gelendzhik. Following a request by Russia's governmental military-industrial commission, Vega has drawn up a complex program intended to improve the country's UAV production starting from 2025, he added. The Russian military stressed the need to provide the Armed Forces with advanced reconnaissance systems in the wake of a brief military conflict with Georgia in August 2008, when the effectiveness of Russian military operations was severely hampered by the lack of reliable intelligence. According to various estimates, the Russian military needs up to 100 UAVs and at least 10 guidance and control systems to ensure effective battlefield reconnaissance. Russia has reportedly signed two UAV contracts with Israel. Under the first contract, signed in April 2009, Israel delivered two Bird Eye 400 systems (worth $4 million), eight I View MK150 tactical UAVs ($37 million) and two Searcher Mk II multi-mission UAVs ($12 million). The second contract was for the purchase of 36 UAVs, worth a total of $100 million, to be delivered later this year. Russia and Israel are currently negotiating the establishment of a joint $300-million venture to produce UAVs. Russian Defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov has said that alongside Israel, France could become one of Russia's partners in making UAVs.
11 September 2010 | | | |
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Kazakhstan Back Menu
Shanghai Cooperation Organization will begin a joint ani-terrorist exercises, Peace Mission-2010. The six member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will begin the Peace Mission-2010 joint anti-terror exercises on Thursday at the Matybulak training ground in Kazakhstan. Established in 2001 as a non-military alliance, the regional mutual security group SCO initially aimed to deal with Islamic extremism and other security threats in Central Asia, but has since expanded its scope to include cooperation in disaster relief and trade. In all, 5,000 troops from SCO member states (Russia, China , Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan) will take part. Each of the member states will contribute at least one operational-tactical group. Russia will send over 1,000 troops, some 130 armored vehicles (tanks, self-propelled artillery systems and infantry fighting vehicles), more than 100 trucks, and over 10 aircraft (including Su-24 Fencer tactical bombers, Su-25 Frogfoot close-support aircraft and Mi-8 transport helicopters). The drills will test the interoperability of the SCO armed forces in rendering assistance to a member state involved in an internal armed conflict or subjected to a mass terrorist attack. The active phase of the 17-day exercises will be held on September 24.
09 September 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
Iran plans to unveil the upgraded version of Zolfaqar battle tanks in the near future. A senior Iranian Army commander announced here on Monday that Iran plans to unveil the upgraded version of Zolfaqar battle tanks in the near future. "The upgraded version of Zolfaqar tanks are currently passing field tests and have, thus far, been successful (in these tests) in general, and they will be unveiled in the near future," Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan told FNA on Monday. Commenting on the details of the tank's upgrading process, Pourdastan stated, "Zolfaqar had problems in some parts of its fire control system, and these problems have been resolved in the upgraded version." In addition to updating the fire control system, laser systems have also been mounted on the tank in the new version, he added. Pourdastan further stated that the new systems have promoted the operational capabilities of the tank. Zolfaqar is a second generation of Iran's main battle tank (MBT). The test prototypes of the tank were evaluated in 1993. Six semi-industrial prototypes of the tank were produced and tested in 1997. The tank has a distinctive box-shaped, steel-welded turret of local design. Zolfaqar combat weight is reported to be 36 tons and has a 780 hp diesel engine; the tank has a 21.7 hp per ton ratio. The Zolfaqar is operated by a crew of three personnel. The automatic loader is believed to be the same one from the T-72 tank. The tank is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun 2A46, which is fitted with a fume extractor. Its secondary armament consists of a 7.62 mm coaxial and a 12.7 mm machine gun. For the Zolfaqar fleet, the Ammunition Group of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization mass produces a standard high explosive 23 kilograms (51 lb) propellant charge which fires the 3 kg warhead at a muzzle velocity of 850 meters per second (2,800 ft/s). The Zolfaqar-1 uses a fire control system which enjoys a 'fire-on-the-move' technology. The Zolfaqar mounts a laser-warning pod on the turret. Its design enables the tank to use an Iranian-made package of reactive armor. Zolfaqar-2 is a prototype tank used as a test bed. The Zolfaqar-3 also features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun, with a 125mm autoloader. The Zolfaqar-3 is believed to be available for export by 2010.
07 September 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Real shootings of Russian ground-to-air missiles S-300 in Barents Sea. Real shootings of Russian ground-to-air missiles S-300 will be proceeded at Barents Sea on 07 September 2010 within the framework of exercises of ballistic missile troops of Kopla , announced this 06 September 2010 in Moscow, the spokesperson of the Russian ministry of Defence Vladimir Drik. “On September 7th, our units will firing from S-300 missiles from their base on the Kildin island (Barents Sea) against various air targets launched by ships of the North fleet”, announced lieutenant-colonel Drik. The exercises will be held under the command of Colonel Andreï Demin, chief of the Kola grouping, specified the spokesperson.
06 September 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
Iran to produce long-range air defense missile systems soon. A senior Iranian military commander announced on Sunday that the country has taken wide strides in developing long-range air defense systems and will start production of this kind of missile shields in the near future. "God willing, we will produce such systems in the near future," Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Ahmad Miqani told FNA. Miqani reiterated that Iranian experts have adopted "good measures in developing long, mid and short-range missile defense systems", adding that different plans are being implemented in this regard. Referring to Iran's capabilities and potentials in technical and scientific fields and the country's progresses in different arenas, he said, "We are now able to design and manufacture our defensive needs at home." Miqani underlined Iran's capabilities and potentials in developing and producing all types of military tools, weapons and equipment, and reiterated that Tehran will no more wait for the delivery of military products from abroad. His remarks alluded to a contract on the delivery of Russia's sophisticated anti-aircraft S-300 missile system to Iran. Moscow has long delayed implementation of the contract terms under different pretexts and it is yet to deliver the system to Tehran.
06 September 2010 | | | |
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Mongolia Back Menu
Russia / Mongolia military exercises begin in South Siberia Joint Russian-Mongolian antiterrorism exercises have begun in the southern Siberian Republic of Buryatia, the Siberian Military District's press service said on Friday. "About 200 Mongolian servicemen arrived to the camp. Slightly more than 60 people, mostly drivers, are still on their way," the press service said in a statement. The drills, called Darkhan-3, will involve up to 1,000 Russian and Mongolian servicemen and 200 items of hardware. They will be held in three stages, with the active stage to begin on Sunday.
03 September 2010 | | | |
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United States (BAE Systems) Back Menu
BAE Systems Receives $629 Million Contract to Upgrade Caiman MRAP armoured vehicle. HOUSTON, Texas-BAE Systems has been awarded a $629 million contract from the U.S. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Joint Program Office (JPO) to upgrade 1,700 Caiman MRAP vehicles. This award demonstrates how BAE Systems' Readiness and Sustainment capabilities are supporting the customer's current and future requirements by rapidly improving product performance to protect troops during combat missions. The upgraded vehicle, called the Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicle (MTV), integrates a refurbished and improved armored capsule from an existing Caiman with a new high-power automotive power train, chassis and independent suspension. These enhancements will provide greater levels of mobility and survivability necessary for challenging and varied environments and enemy threats. "The Caiman MTV meets the urgent and enduring needs of our troops for greater mobility and survivability," said Dennis Morris, president, BAE Systems Global Tactical Systems. "The Caiman MTV is a very adaptable configuration that can be customized to meet a variety of missions, and we look forward to getting these to the field." BAE Systems introduced the Caiman MTV earlier this year following a rapid design and development program to respond to user needs. Caiman MTV provides an effective combination of interior capacity, tactical mobility, operator comfort and survivability.
02 September 2010 | | | |
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Finland (Patria) Back Menu
Patria’s Nemo Mortar System Selected for LAV II Vehicles. Patria Nemo 120 mm mortar system has been selected as weaponry for LAV II vehicles delivered by General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada as an FMS project by the US Government. Patria and Mecar S.A. from Belgium have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an undisclosed number of Patria Nemo systems. Patria is the global market leader in turreted mortar systems. Patria Nemo is a 120 mm remote controlled mortar turret, offering excellent signature management and ballistic protection as well as providing both direct and indirect fire support. Patria Nemo system has been earlier selected by the Slovenian Armed Forces and the United Arab Emirates Navy. Patria is a defence, security and aerospace group with international operations delivering its customers competitive solutions based on own specialist know-how and partnerships. Patria is owned by the State of Finland and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V.
02 September 2010 | | | |
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Israel (Elbit Systems) Back Menu
Elbit Systems Signs Agreement to Acquire Mikal's Holdings in Soltam, Saymar and ITL Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT) ("Elbit Systems") announced today, further to its announcements of June 15, 2009 and September 14, 2009, that it signed an agreement to acquire all the shares of Soltam Systems Ltd. ("Soltam"), Saymar Ltd. ("Saymar") and ITL Optronics Ltd. ("ITL"), that are currently held by Mikal Ltd. ("Mikal") and its subsidiaries. The signed agreement provides for the acquisition of Mikal's interests in the above mentioned Mikal subsidiaries, which are synergetic to Elbit Systems, rather than the acquistion of Mikal itself, as was contemplated in Elbit Systems' prior announcements. Upon completion of the acquisition, Elbit Systems will hold, a 100% interest in Soltam and Saymar, and a 87.85% interest in ITL. The balance of ITL's shares, which are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, is held by the public. Simultaneously, Elbit Systems willl sell its existing holdings in Mikal (approximately 19%) to the other Mikal shareholders. The consideration to be paid by Elbit Systems for the acquisition will be approximately $87 million. The consideration to be paid to Elbit Systems for its 19% holding in of Mikal's shares will be $18 million. In addition, the agreement contains a provision for possible future payments to Mikal subject to the acquired subsidiaries achieving certain business goals. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain approvals that the parties expect to obtain in the near future.
02 September 2010 | | | |
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Azerbaijan Back Menu
Five soldiers killed during clash between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense indicated this September 1st, 2010, Armenia to have attacked its positions close to Nagorny Karabakh, separatist territory supported by Erevan, a clash which cost the life of three Armenian soldiers and two Azerbaijani soldiers. “The Azerbaijani soldiers pushed back the attack. Three Armenian soldiers and two Azerbaijani soldiers were killed”, it added. The ministry for the Defense of this area for its part showed Azerbaïdjan to have launched the attack, indicating that one of its soldiers had been wounded and seven Azerbaijani soldiers either wounded or had been killed.
01 September 2010 | | | |
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