No idea bro.

Photo Ops

http://www.thaiarmedforce.com/taf-gallery/...-acceptace.html

Armed and Dangerous Saudi Arabia buying South African armed drone
By Bill Gertz | 2 April 2013 Tuesday | 4:59 am

Saudi Arabia is buying an armed drone from South Africa after the Obama administration declined to sell the oil-rich kingdom U.S. Predator or Reaper missile-firing unmanned aircraft.

The state-owned South African company Denel Dynamics is working covertly with the Saudis to develop the Seeker 400 drone into an armed combat system for the Saudi military, the Paris-based newsletter Intelligence Online reported March 27.

The Seeker 400 is an advanced version of the company’s Seeker II unarmed surveillance aircraft.

The newsletter stated that the Saudi military would be the first customer to purchase the Seeker 400 armed drone and engineers from Denel are in the kingdom as part of the secret program.

If completed, the sale would allow Saudi Arabia to join the growing number of militaries that operate missile-firing drones—the most advanced weapon currently in use to launch precision strikes on terrorists.

Drone warfare has become the hallmark of the CIA, which is aggressively pursuing terrorists with drone missiles in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s frontier region, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, and elsewhere.

The new drone will be equipped with South Africa’s Mokopa air-to-ground missiles that are currently deployed on Algerian helicopters. The drone also can be outfitted with Impi laser-guided missiles with a range of 10 kilometers.

The drones are believed to be sought by the Saudis for use against the terrorist group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is currently operating in Yemen and has conducted international operations against the United States.

Riyadh has been trying to purchase missile-firing drones from the United States but so far the requests have been denied.

The United Arab Emirates is purchasing an unarmed export version of the Predator called the Predator XP, produced by General Atomics.

According to the newsletter, the Saudis have sought armed drones for several years and want the weapons to counter Iran’s unmanned combat vehicles known as the Karrar and the Shahed 129, which are fitted with Shahid-1 missiles.

“Because it could not procure drones from China, which is allied to Iran, nor from Israel, Riyadh turned to South Africa,” the newsletter stated.

However, Saudi Arabia lacks the infrastructure needed to operate drones. The systems require satellite communications that permit remote video and communications that allow drones to be piloted.

The Seeker 400 can fly for 16 hours and has a range of 250 kilometers with a 100-kilogram payload.

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Advanced Technologies Research Institute (PSATRI), a joint project of the Saudi air force and the King Fahd University, is also developing surveillance drones for use along the southern Saudi border, the newsletter stated.

Spokesmen for Denel and the Saudi Embassy could not be reached for comment.

News reports in February revealed that Saudi Arabia is hosting a U.S. attack drone base in the southern part of the country that was revealed in satellite imagery.

These satellite images show a remote airstrip deep in the desert of Saudi Arabia. It may or may not be the secret U.S. drone base revealed by reporters earlier this week.

However, the base’s hangars bear a remarkable resemblance to similar structures found on other American drone outposts. And its remote location—dozens of miles from the nearest highway, and farther still to the nearest town—suggests that this may be more than the average civilian airstrip.

The base had been kept secret for two years until disclosed in reports by the Washington Post and New York Times in February.

The base was used for the drone strike in September 2011 that killed American-born al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki.

This entry was posted in Middle East and tagged Al Qaeda, Drones, Saudi Arabia, Seeker 400, South Africa. Bookmark the permalink.

http://freebeacon.com/author/bill-gertz/

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 7 2013, 09:49 AM

Dassault wants HAL role separated, $20-bn combat aircraft jet deal hits air-pocket
By PranabDhalSamanta |5 April 2013 Friday | 08:56 hrs

The government's negotiations with Dassault on the $20-billion deal to buy 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft have come to a standstill after the French aviation firm informed authorities that it cannot be held responsible for the 108 aircraft to be produced by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd).

What started as a point of difference between the defence ministry and Dassault over the role of HAL escalated after the firm told Indian negotiators that the government will have to sign separate contracts — one with Dassault for 18 'fly-away' aircraft and another with HAL, which will produce 108 jets under licence.

Dassault said it will supply manufacturing kits and equipment to HAL on time after which the contract with HAL will take over and Dassault will play no further role.

MoD is learnt to have completely rejected this suggestion and made it clear to Dassault that it will be solely responsible for the sale and delivery of all 126 aircraft. The deal will be only with Dassault and it will be the single point of contact, sources said.

The problem has its roots in the request for proposal document, which mandated that the winning firm will supply 18 aircraft and licence manufacture 108 in India. Also, it specified HAL as the prime integrator for this purpose.

After winning the bid, Dassault sought clarity on HAL's role and said it should have the freedom to decide the degree to which it intends to involve HAL. However, MoD clarified in January that HAL was mandated as the prime integrator and would remain so.

This seems to be the cause of the trouble, sources said, as none of the bidders held any discussions with HAL before submitting bids. Therefore, HAL-related issues were possibly not factored into the bids and to now work out the terms and conditions with HAL could prove tough.

It is learnt that Dassault has been at it for a while, but time is beginning to run out with sources indicating that MoD does not want this to linger beyond this month.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dassault...ocket/1098016/0

2013 Royal Australian Navy International Fleet Review, Sydney, Australia

IFR 2013 - Schedule of Events
Note: The following program is subject to change.

22 October 2012
•International Fleet Review (IFR) media launch. Location: HMAS Parramatta, Farm Cove.

23 September to 2 October 2013
•Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.

2 October 2013
•Warships rendezvous and passage to Jervis Bay.

3 October 2013
•Warships depart for passage to Sydney.
•Tall ships entry. Location: Sydney Harbour.

4 October 2013
•Fleet entry. Location: Sydney Harbour.
•Flypast by rotary and fixed winged aircraft. Location: Sydney Harbour.
•Australian Surf Rowers League luncheon. Location: Sydney Opera House.

5 October 2013
•Dress ship. Location: Sydney Harbour.
•Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
•Ceremonial Fleet Review. Location: Sydney Harbour.
•Formation flypast by rotary and fixed winged aircraft. Location: Sydney Harbour.
•Military demonstrations.
•Dragon Boat races. Location: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour.
•Pyrotechnics and Lightshow. Location: Sydney Harbour.

6 October 2013
•Ships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
•Interfaith Religious Service. Location: St Mary's Cathedral.

7 October 2013
•Opening of Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific Maritime Trade Show (Pacific 2013). Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
•Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
•Combined Navies Band concert (to be confirmed).
•Ships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.

8 October 2013
•Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 continue. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
•Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
•Memorial Service. Location: Cenotaph, Martin Place.

9 October 2013
•Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 continue. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
•Combined Navies Parade. Location: George Street - The Rocks to Town Hall.
•Food Festival/BBQ for parade participants. Location: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour.
•Sea Power Conference 2013. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
•Twilight sailing with RAN Sailing Association. Location: Sydney Harbour.

10 October 2013
•Pacific 2013 continues. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
•Tall ships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.
•Closing of Pacific 2013. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

11 October 2013
•Warships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.


In late 2011, the Chief of Navy (CN) - Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN extended an invitation to over 50 nations to send a warship and/or tall ship to participate in an International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held in Sydney from 3 - 11 October 2013. The Review is being held to commemorate the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney. On 4 October 1913 the flagship, HMAS Australia, led the new Australian Fleet Unit comprising HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra into Sydney Harbour for the first time to be greeted by thousands of cheering citizens lining the foreshore. This was a moment of great national pride and importance, one recognised as a key indicator of Australia's progress towards national maturity.

The IFR is a high profile international event and Navy's signature commemorative event for 2013. Planned in partnership with the NSW State Government and the City of Sydney, it is anticipated that approximately 40 visiting warships and 12 tall ships will participate in this historic event. The RAN Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Congress and Exposition, are also scheduled to take place at Darling Harbour from 7 October 2013 to coincide with the IFR.

The current plan will see RAN and visiting warships rendezvousing in Jervis Bay, NSW by 2 October 2013 to conduct final preparations and briefings. The formal aspects of the IFR will commence with all tall ships entering Sydney Harbour on Thursday 3 October 2013 and all warships entering on Friday 4 October 2013 - exactly 100 years after the first RAN Fleet entry.

The Ceremonial Review will take place on Saturday 5 October 2013. The Review will include a moving line of seven RAN ships to further symbolise the 1913 entry. The day's events are also likely to feature formation fly-pasts by fixed and rotary wing aircraft, naval displays and demonstrations, naval gun salutes, dragon boat races and naval band performances, and will culminate in a spectacular evening pyrotechnics and light show on the harbour.

Other activities being planned to occur during the week long celebrations, include a combined naval march through the Sydney CBD, ships open to the public, inter-navy sporting competitions, naval memorial and religious services, and a range of community and cultural events.

The tall ships will depart on Thursday 10 October 2013 followed by the fleet departing on Friday 11 October 2013 to participate in Exercise TRITON CENTENARY in the East Australian Exercise Areas (EAXA).

Visit the Schedule of Events page for a full listing of all planned events.

The IFR is planned to be similar in scale and public impact to that experienced during the RAN 75th Anniversary in 1986 and the Bicentennial Naval Salute in 1988.

More updates regarding IFR events and participating ships will be provided via this website. Enquiries can be emailed to: ifr.info@defence.gov.au.

Royal Australian Navy warships

The following RAN vessels will participate in the International Fleet Review 2013. Attending vessels will be listed once confirmed. Due to operational requirements, changes may occur.

•HMAS Sydney (IV)
•HMAS Darwin
•HMAS Ballarat (II)
•HMAS Parramatta (IV)
•HMAS Perth (III)
•HMAS Broome (II)
•HMAS Bundaberg (II)
•HMAS Farncomb
•HMAS Success (II)
•HMAS Tobruk (II)
•HMAS Choules
•HMAS Huon (II)
•HMAS Diamantina (II)
•HMAS Yarra (IV)
•HMAS Labuan (II)
•HMAS Tarakan (II)
•HMAS Leeuwin
•HMAS Benalla (II)
•HMAS Shepparton (II)

International warships

The following countries have indicated their intention to participate in the International Fleet Review 2013. Attending vessels will be listed once confirmed. Due to operational requirements, changes may occur.

Royal Brunei Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei)

Royal Canadian Navy

French Navy (Marine nationale)

Indian Navy (Bhāratīya Nau Senā)

Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut)

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (Kaijō Jieitai)

Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia)

Royal New Zealand Navy (Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa)

Portugese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa)

Republic of Singapore Navy (Angkatan Laut Republik Singapura)

Spanish Navy (Armada Española)

•SPS Cantabria (A 15)
Republic of Korea Navy (Daehanminguk Haegun)

Royal Thai Navy (กองทัพเรือ)

Russian Navy (Voyenno-morskoy Flot Rossiyskoy Federatsii (VMF Rossii))

Turkish Navy (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri)

Royal Navy

United States Navy

http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 8 2013, 03:30 PM

Published on 11 March 2013 Monday

The elite Combat Rescue members of the U.S. Air Force, Pararescuemen, or PJs, have one mission: rescue American or Allied forces in extreme danger. Whether their targets are shot down or isolated behind enemy lines, surrounded, engaged, wounded, or captured by the enemy, PJs will do whatever necessary to bring those in peril home. For the first time in their history, the PJs allow camera crews to cover their missions in Afghanistan. Inside Combat Rescue is the story of the lives of these elite airmen.

Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=playe...&v=ubIbOk-je54#!

USS Freedom to visit the Philippines during "Araw ng Kagitingan"
By Elena L. Aben | 8 April 2013 Monday

As the nation celebrates "Araw ng Kagitingan", the United States Navy's (USN) first littoral combat ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1), will arrive in Manila Tuesday for its firs port visit in Southeast Asia.

US authorities stressed the visit is not related to the on-going PH-US Balikatan Exercise, which opened April 5.

The US embassy, nonetheless, said Freedom's visit in Manila highlights the strong historic, community, and military relations between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

It added the port visit will also give the crew of the Freedom an opportunity to refuel and receive supplies for the next period of its eight-month deployment.

For Freedom's Filipino-American crew members, their stop in Manila will be an opportunity for them to take time off with their relatives and friends. The families of Filipino-American Sailors aboard Freedom hail from Manila, Quezon, Tarlac, and Zambales.

After its brief visit in Manila, the ship will proceed to Singapore, where it is scheduled to participate in the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference. The ship is also expected to take part in select phases of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series in Southeast Asia.

Freedom left its homeport of San Diego in California March 1 to venture out to the Asia - Pacific on its maiden deployment.

Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, has said: "Freedom's maiden deployment is another clear signal of the Navy's enduring commitment to maintain security and stability in the vital Asia-Pacific region."

"Rotationally deploying our new littoral combat ships improves our warfighting capability and directly supports the Navy's rebalance strategy to the Asia-Pacific," he added.

On the other hand, Vice Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said Freedom's deployment to the region is a tremendous opportunity for the USN to bring its newest capability forward to conduct maritime security operations, port visits, and exercises with US allies, partners and friends alongside other 7th Fleet units.

The ship arrived at the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility second week of March.

The USN said that during the first LCS deployment, Freedom will demonstrate her operational capabilities and allow the Navy to evaluate crew rotation and maintenance plans.

Fast, agile, and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three separate purposes: surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare.

Since departing San Diego March 1, Freedom transited the Pacific Ocean, visited Hawaii and Guam where it made its or first 7th Fleet port visit.

Commanded by Cmdr. Timothy Wilke, Freedom is initially manned by her "Gold" crew of 91 Sailors to include mission package personnel and an aviation detachment to operate an embarked MH-60 helicopter.

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=6756&sid=1&subid=2

If this is a personal photo, you are not supposed to put the ATM logo.

Usually they are quite strict with the use of official logo with photos.

atreyuangel
wanvadder

No worries bro.

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 10 2013, 10:50 PM

Graphic: North Korea’s Conventional Arms
By Richard Johnson, Andrew Barr and Jonathon Rivait | 11 April 2013 Thursday

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/04/10/gr...ventional-arms/

Planning the unthinkable war: 'AirSea Battle' and its implications for Australia
By Dr Benjamin Schreer | 15 April 2013 Monday

The publication, written by ASPI’s senior analyst in defence strategy Benjamin Schreer, analyses the US military’s new ‘AirSea Battle’ concept. In the Asia-Pacific region, the concept is primarily designed to counter China’s growing military power. The paper says Australia does not have an interest in officially signing up to AirSea Battle at this point. In the unlikely event of a war with China the ADF could make a valuable military niche contribution independently of any public commitment to a concept that is still in its early stages. We should seek clarification from our US ally about the specifics of AirSea Battle and the role Australia could potentially play.

http://www.aspi.org.au/publications/public...=356&pubtype=-1

KMW signs Qatar MBT and artillery deal
By Claire Apthorp | 18 April 2013 Thursday | 14:40

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has announced that it has signed a contract with the Emirate of Qatar to supply the PzH 2000 artillery system and Leopard 2 main battle tank (MBT). The contract forms an important aspect of the nation’s ongoing efforts to modernise its land forces.

The contract, with a total value of €1.89 billion, will see KMW deliver 24 PzH 2000 artillery systems and 62 Leopard 2 MBTs. The agreement also includes the delivery of peripheral equipment, training installations and additional services.

Qatar’s land forces currently operate an ageing fleet of tanks and artillery that is in parts more than 40 years old. The systems delivered to Qatar by KMW will progressively replace the country’s outdated artillery and tanks of French and South African origin, which will be scrapped. These are likely to include the armed forces' AMX-30 MBT and Mk F3 self-propelled guns, as well as 12 G-5 towed howitzers.

KMW is also understood to be pursuing a similar deal with Saudi Arabia, with the potential export of the Leopard 2 MBT and Boxer armed fighting vehicle. The German government has been hesitant to grant export approval to the kingdom, but the announcement of the Qatari deal may mark a change in outlook as times continue to be tough for European defence manufacturers.

If the Saudi deal goes through it will, along with the Qatari order announced today, mark a shift in the company’s export focus toward the Middle East market as it seeks new business outside its traditional European-North American customer base.

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarf...artillery-deal/

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 19 2013, 12:42 AM

China's second aircraft carrier will be "larger"
By Mu Xuequan | 24 April 2013 Wednesday | 05:56:40

BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- A senior officer with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said on Tuesday that "China will have more than one aircraft carrier."

Song Xue, deputy chief of staff of the PLA Navy, told foreign military attaches at a ceremony to celebrate the Navy's 64th founding anniversary in Beijing, "The next aircraft carrier we need will be larger and carry more fighters."

However, Song said some foreign media reports on China's building new aircraft carriers in Shanghai were not accurate.

Currently, China operates one aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which was refitted based on a Russian-made unfinished carrier and delivered to the Navy on Sept. 25, 2012. The PLA Navy was founded on April 23, 1949.

Song, a Real Admiral of the Navy, said the Liaoning does not belong to any of the Navy's three fleets, but under direct command and management of the Navy's headquarters.

Zhang Zheng, the Liaoning's Captain, told foreign military attaches that his crew members have mastered independently operations of all the weapon systems on the carrier.

The Liaoning has a full displacement of more than 50,000 tonnes. The carrier's original design allows it to carry about 30 fixed-wing aircraft.Song Xue said the Navy hoped that the next carrier could be larger to load more aircraft.

He also revealed that the Navy is building naval aviation force for the Liaoning, and there will be at least two aviation regiments on one carrier, including fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, electronic countermeasure (ECM) planes and rotary-wing aircraft.

The Liaoning has conducted successful take-off and landing tests of its carrier-borne J-15 fighters, the main striking force of China's carrier group.

Song said the J-15 still needs a lot more trial tests before being operational on the carrier, and there will be more J-15 fighters as the Navy conducts more test flights.

The officer said China's future carrier group will be composed of carrier, destroyers, frigates, submarines and supply ship.

According to Song, more than one thousand Chinese enterprises have participated in the construction and refitting work of the Liaoning.

The officer also promised that the Navy will invite foreign military attaches to visit the Liaoning.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/20...c_124622000.htm

First A400M nears IOC
By Tim Fish | 26 April 2013 Friday | 15:15

The first production A400M is expected to be delivered to the French Air Force and achieve military initial operation capability (IOC) in the second quarter of 2013.

Known as MSN-7, the first aircraft flew on 6 March and is undergoing final testing at the Airbus Military facility in Seville.

Damien Allard, marketing development manager at Airbus Military, told Shephard that it will be delivered after it achieves military certification from France.

The first French Air Force mechanics and pilots completed their training courses in February and the first qualified A400M crew was ready in April following the initial flight.

Two more aircraft (MSN-8 and MSN-10) will be delivered to the French Air Force with a single aircraft (MSN-9) destined for the Turkish Air Force this year. Production is expected to ramp up from 2014 to achieve a rate of 2.5 aircraft per month from 2015.

Parts of the A400M aircraft are manufactured in the UK, Germany, and France and are sent to Seville for final assembly and integration. In hall H1.1 the parts are brought together to create a structurally complete aircraft, although without the engines and some inner linings and panels.

The aircraft then moves to hall H1.2 to complete ground testing and installation. This is where all the systems from hydraulics and pneumatics to electrical and flight systems are checked apart from radio and fuel systems – which have to be completed outside for safety reasons.

MSN-8, the second French aircraft, is currently on the tarmac completing the radio and fuel tests to prepare for its first flight. The first Turkish aircraft, MSN-9, and the third French aircraft, MSN-10, are in hall H1.2 and the fourth French aircraft, MSN-11, is undergoing assembly in hall H1.1.

There are eight initial customers for the A400M. France wants 50 aircraft; Turkey ten; Germany will begin to receive the first of its 53 aircraft along with the first of 22 for the UK from 2014.

Malaysia will begin to receive the first of four aircraft from 2015 and Spain will see the first of its order of 27 from 2016. Belgium has orders for seven and Luxembourg has an order for one aircraft which will enter production in 2019.

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/mil-log/...400m-nears-ioc/

PHOTOS: Latest Saudi Typhoons battle winds for Malta tech-stop
By Julian Chetcuti | 25 April 2013 Thursday

http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/photos-la...-tech-stop.html

Saudi Tornados back in action after upgrades
24 April 2013 Wednesday

The upgrading of the Royal Saudi Air Force Tornados has been completed. The final aircraft being returned being photographed at Malta on its route back to the Kingdom.

The BAE Systems end of year investor presentation confirmed that “Under the Saudi British Defence Co-operation Programme (SBDCP), orders totalling £3.4bn were awarded for support through to 2016, including the provision of manpower, logistics and training to the RSAF…. Under the TSP, the upgrade of the RSAF Tornado fleet is complete, with all of the contracted aircraft having been delivered back into the RSAF fleet. Delivery of Storm Shadow missiles to the RSAF under the TSP is progressing in line with the agreed programme schedule.“

The RSAF fleet of Tornado low-level, medium-range strike fighters will be receiving MBDA’s stealthy Storm Shadow medium range cruise missiles, and the MBDA/Boeing Brimstone anti-armour missile.

The upgrade programme is believed to give the Tornado fleet active life until at least 2020.

Two of the new Saudi Arabian Typhoons have also left Warton, near Manchester UK to join the RSAF fleet. They too are expected to make a technical stop in Malta today.

http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/saudi-tor...r-upgrades.html

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 29 2013, 05:41 PM

Feature – Exercise Joint Warrior 13-1
By Chris Wood | 30 April 2013 Tuesday

Joint Warrior is a multi-national, tri-service exercise that runs twice a year, during the Spring and Autumn. It usually takes place in areas around Scotland, but the whole of the UK can be used if required. Its aim is to provide high quality training for all the UK Armed Forces, as well as forces from allied nations, to improve interoperability amongst air, land and maritime units. Chris Wood reports for GAR.

http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/2013/...t-warrior-13-1/