macam very low firepower only...
we need more powerfull and hightech gun, and SPH, MRL ....
155mm look too old.。。。

NSA's Stuxnet-Inspired Attack On North Korea Foiled By Pyongyang's Isolation



Even the most powerful cybersoldiers in the world can't hack a country that doesn't have the Internet. The United States learned that the hard way five years ago when the National Security Agency tried and failed to launch a computer virus against North Korea with the ultimate aim of infecting the isolated nation's nuclear weapons technology.

The NSA has long been credited with launching the Stuxnet virus against Iranian nuclear centrifuges in 2009 and 2010. By successfully exploiting a flaw in the Microsoft Windows operating system Stuxnet became what's believed to be the first computer worm that resulted in real-world damages (it destroyed 1,000 or so centrifuges and set Iranian nuclear production back by a number of years). A Reuters report revealed for the first time Friday Iran wasn't the only target, and the NSA deployed a Stuxnet variant against North Korea without achieving the same success.

That's because, unlike Iran, North Korea's population of 25 million is almost completely offline. The so-called hermit kingdom has earned its nickname, with only 1,024 official Internet protocol addresses though the New York Times reported “the actual number may be a little higher.” Such a limited number means the NSA had far fewer ways to introduce malicious software onto computer systems at North Korea's Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center.

North Korea and Iran, which share military technology, are known to have obtained its nuclear centrifuges -- pieces of equipment that enrich particles by spinning them at an accelerated speed -- from A.Q. Khan, a Pakistani scientist who developed his own country's weapons. The centrifuges were operated with data systems from Siemens, which relied on Windows. By tweaking the code used in Stuxnet, an intelligence source told Reuters, the NSA easily could have deployed malware that was activated when translated into the Korean language.

The Reuters report came almost six months after the FBI blamed North Korea for the hack on Sony, which canceled the theatrical release of “The Interview” and prompted international concern over corporate cybersecurity.

While Internet security experts have questioned whether Pyongyang was in fact responsible, the U.S. is almost certainly behind a retaliatory attack that knocked North Korea's Internet offline in December. Unlike a Stuxnet-like malware attack, though, it was a distributed denial of service hack, which involves flooding a system with an overwhelming level of Web traffic, that knocked Pyongyang offline.

http://www.ibtimes.com/nsas-stuxnet-inspir...olation-1945277

China — A Staunch Proponent of Peace and Stability in the South China Sea
By Liu Zhenmin Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2015-5-30 16:46:34

In recent weeks, some outsiders, in disregard of historical evidence, principles of international law and facts and in an attempt to ratchet up tensions in the South China Sea, have been engaging in large-scale hyping-up of the South China Sea issue, and singing in chorus with certain claimants. China is seriously concerned about this.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. Consistently upheld by successive Chinese governments, China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were established over a long course of history and have ample historical and legal basis. There is no need to have them strengthened through construction activities on relevant islands and reefs.

Beginning in the 1970s, some other countries claimed sovereignty over islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands and illegally occupied dozens of them, hence the territorial disputes. Furthermore, with the establishment of the modern law of the sea regime came the issue of overlapping maritime jurisdictions. The Chinese government firmly opposes illegal occupations of China's territory. Yet in the larger interest of peace and stability in the South China Sea, we have exercised enormous restraint and remained committed to settling territorial disputes and overlapping maritime claims through direct negotiation and consultation with the countries concerned.

A certain country made close-in maneuvers around China's Nansha islands and reefs, and claimed to conduct "joint patrols" with other countries. This can by no means be explained away as an exercise of freedom of navigation or overflight, but is rather a crude act of muscle flexing that threatens to heighten militarization of the South China Sea. This would be utterly irresponsible and dangerous. Over the years, there has never been any issue with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, nor would such an issue come up in the future. The South China Sea provides major shipping lanes for China's trade and imports of energy. To ensure the freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea is of vital importance to China. The Chinese government has been a strong advocate for safeguarding freedom of navigation by all countries in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. And China is actively engaged in regional cooperation on maritime security. Having said that, the right to freedom of navigation and overflight should not be abused or infringe on the sovereignty, rights and security of the littoral states, which are protected by international law.

China's construction activities on the Nansha islands and reefs are entirely within her sovereignty. It is lawful, justified, and reasonable. It does not affect or target any particular country. Such construction activities are aimed to strengthen the functions of some islands and reefs in providing multiple and integrated services. Besides meeting necessary defense needs, it is more geared to serve civilian purposes. Rather than affecting freedom of navigation, it will only contribute to joint responses to maritime challenges and to safety of navigation in the South China Sea. The recently started construction of two multi-functional lighthouses on Huayang Reef and Chigua Reef, for example, is for the purpose of providing effective aids for navigation for vessels from all countries passing through those waters and better ensuring navigation safety and freedom.

Meanwhile, certain countries have been questioning the pace and scale of China's construction activities. What needs to be pointed out is that China is a big country that shoulders more international responsibilities and obligations. China is conducting construction activities at a pace and with a scale as befitted her international responsibilities and obligations in the field of search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, meteorological observation, ecological conservation, navigation safety and fishery services. China should not simply be blamed for the pace and scale of her construction activities, because this might indicate that the construction activities by other countries on their illegally-occupied islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands are beyond reproach.

China and ASEAN countries have been making joint efforts to deepen friendly and cooperative relations in all areas and build a community of common destiny. We identified a "dual track" approach on the South China Sea issue, i.e. relevant disputes should be resolved through negotiation and consultation between parties directly concerned, and China and ASEAN member states should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Thanks to common efforts by China and ASEAN countries, positive progress has been made in the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). They reached agreement on "early harvest" measures, and resolve to take forward COC consultations through enhancing mutual trust and cooperation. However, relevant outsiders tried to set a timetable for the COC consultation. Yet, given the complexity of the South China Sea issue, the formulation of the COC will be a step-by-step process. Moreover, the COC is meant to be a set of rules for China and countries in this region rather than rules set by outsiders for us. The efforts made by China and ASEAN countries in this regard deserve more respect.

China's policy for the South China Sea is clear and consistent. We remain committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation. We support strengthening mechanisms and rules governing the South China Sea issue, including the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the formulation of the COC, as effective means to manage disputes. And we consistently stand for joint development and maritime cooperation as win-win arrangements pending the final resolution of the issue.

China firmly upholds her sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and is opposed to any words or actions that encroach on China's sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests or affect regional peace and stability. Countries not directly concerned on the South China Sea disputes should speak and act with caution on this issue, faithfully observe their commitment of not taking positions on sovereignty disputes, and respect the efforts by countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Going in another direction would be less than responsible.

The author is Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/924468.shtml

Av8 (rcws version) on the highway

seeing both kifv and adnan being deployed side by side is a rare sight indeed

maf planned to get another Astross 2,basically making us the biggest astross users in the world.

G-5 is one of the most advanced towed howiter in SEA. everyone is either using soltam or M114(or D-30 122mm artillery)

Moscow accuses American warship of 'acting aggressively'



Russia has scrambled military jets in response to an American navy destroyer which, it has been reported in Russian media, was acting “aggressively” in the Black Sea.

The Russian defence minister, speaking at a security summit in Singapore, said US missile ships operating near Moscow’s territorial waters “pose a danger to strategic stability” between the two countries.

State news service RIA Novosti quoted a military source as saying the USS Ross was sighted heading straight for Russian waters after leaving the Romanian port of Costanta on Saturday.

“The crew of the ship acted provocatively and aggressively, which concerned the operators of monitoring stations and ships of the Black Sea Fleet,” RIA reported.

Which countries have nuclear weapons?

“Scrambled Su-24 attack aircraft demonstrated a readiness to forcibly prevent border violations and defend the interests of the country,” the source was quoted as saying.

In a statement, the Pentagon’s spokeswoman Eileen Lainez confirmed the incident but said that the USS Ross had been “well within international waters at all times, performing routine operations”.

“The US Navy operates routinely in the Black Sea, in accordance with international law," Lainez said, adding that the ship’s deployment to the region had been publicly announced.

Sputnik News, Russia’s state service for international news, quoted a military source as suggesting the US ship had turned away following the incident, and boasting: “It seems that the Americans did not forget the April 2014 incident when one Su-24 actually shut down all equipment on the new USS Donald Cook American destroyer with anti-missile system elements.”

The clash is the latest example of military encounters between Russia and Western militaries, as tensions continue over the Ukraine crisis.

Earlier in May, both Britain and Sweden said they had scrambled fighters to intercept Russian bombers near their territory. Last month, the US said it was filing a complaint to Russia over a its “sloppy” and unsafe interception of a US reconnaissance plane in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/eu...y-10287303.html

Brazil 20 Astros II
Iraq 66 Astros II (also built under licence as the Sajil-60)
Malaysia 36 Astros II
Saudi Arabia 76 Astros II

http://tanknutdave.com/the-brazilian-astros-ii-mlrs/

that old number for malaysia, 2012 add another 12 biji

though i think malaysia should wait for astros 2020

Afaik currently Malaysia has 54 launchers

Let's not forget that the other country numbers are also not updated.

if our Arty Regiments all use G5, that would be so nice...lots of firepower there..

or maybe we could get the SPH version, the G6

India to buy only 36 French Rafale fighter jets: Minister



India will only buy 36 Rafale fighter jets as they are "way too expensive", the defence minister said on Sunday (May 31), dashing lingering French hopes of a larger deal that has been years in the making.

POSTED: 31 May 2015 23:39

French President Francois Hollande ® shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a joint statement at the Elysee palace where Prime Minister Modi had asked France to supply his air force with 36 Rafale fighter jets, after years of wrangling over the deal. (Photo: AFP/Alain Jocard)


NEW DEHLI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the previous government's plans to buy 126 of the fighter jets from French firm Dassault were "economically unviable and not required". "We are not buying the rest. We are only buying the ... 36," Parrikar told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

During a visit to France in April, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that New Delhi was ordering 36 of the "ready to fly" planes. The deal, estimated to be worth €5 billion (US$5.5 billion), followed tortuous years-long negotiations on buying the jets.

But the purchase agreement fell a long way short of previous proposals for India to buy 126. Frustrating negotiations for that deal stalled over costs and assembly guarantees.

Parrikar has since played down expectations of a larger deal, but his comments on Sunday were some of his strongest yet, saying buying more of the jets would blow the defence ministry's procurement budget.

"I also feel like having a BMW and Mercedes. But I don't because I can't afford it. First I can't afford it and second I don't need it," Parrikar told PTI.

Parrikar said a committee set up to nail down details of purchasing the 36 would complete its work in the next two to three months.

India has in recent years launched a vast defence modernisation programme worth some US$100 billion, partly to keep up with rival neighbours Pakistan and China.

Since coming to power one year ago, Modi's government has approved a string of contracts for new military hardware that had stalled under the previous left-leaning Congress party.

Modi, a hardline nationalist premier, also wants to end India's status as the world's number one defence importer and to have 70 per cent of hardware manufactured domestically by the turn of the decade.

- AFP/ec

susahlah buat bisnes dgn org nih... pusing betolz



This post has been edited by alaskanbunny: Jun 1 2015, 08:51 AM

Indonesia also bought 36 Astros II and iinm plans another batch.

Indonesian Army Astros II Mk.6 during TNI 69th Anniversary:





http://iconosquare.com/ubphotography

BAE Systems offer River-class OPV option for APMM


Royal Navy River-class OPV HMS Severn

BAE Systems is showcasing the River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) design as a suitable option for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

The move comes as the agency is looking at the expansion of its fleet. The Malaysian government told IHS Jane's in late March that it plans to increase the number of MMEA assets available for sea and air operations.

BAE Systems international business development executive Clive Marchant added that more important features for the MMEA would be the River-class design's endurance and space to accommodate additional equipment, thus improving capacity to cover Malaysia's vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The OPV can embark sea boats and a helicopter which, said Marchant, would provide the MMEA with "a better all-round capability in surveillance and search-and-rescue operations". The River-class is armed with a 30mm autocannon and multiple light machineguns. The vessel can also has a landing pad for a medium-sized helicopter up to 12 tonnes; its flight deck can accommodate up to six 20 ft containers for mission system packages and equipment and supplies.

Indonesian Navy newest locally built LST KRI Teluk Bintuni (520) by PT. Daya Radar Utama.



A tota of 3 new LST able to carry Leopard 2 tanks have been ordered. The other 2 units LST with pennant number 518 & 519 is being built by PT. Kodja Bahari.

Iraq Prime Minister: We lost 2,300 Humvees in Mosul


IS militants ride on captured Iraqi Army Humvees

Iraqi security forces lost 2,300 Humvee armoured vehicles when the Islamic State jihadist group overran the northern city of Mosul, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Sunday.

"In the collapse of Mosul, we lost a lot of weapons," Abadi said in an interview with Iraqiya state TV. "We lost 2,300 Humvees in Mosul alone."

While the exact price of the vehicles varies depending on how they are armoured and equipped, it is clearly a hugely expensive loss that has boosted IS' capabilities.

Clashes began in Mosul, Iraq's second city, late on June 9, 2014, and Iraqi forces lost it the following day to IS, which spearheaded an offensive that overran much of the country's Sunni Arab heartland.

The militants gained a heavy chache of arms, ammunition and other equipment when multiple Iraqi divisions fell apart in the country's north, abandoning gear and shedding uniforms in their haste to flee.

IS has used captured Humvees, which were provided to Iraq by the United States in subsequent fighting, sometimes rigging them with explosives for suicide bombings.

that's what we call "senjata makan tuan"

LULZ

Anyone knows what happened to Panggilan Pertiwi website? It seems that the site has been suspended.

Russia's New Armata Tank Can Be Upgraded to Robot - Official



Russia's New Armata Tank Can Be Upgraded to Robot - Official

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier on Sunday, Russian media cited an interview with a deputy general director of Uralvagonzavod, the Armata's manufacturer, who said that the tank could be fitted with remote control to become a robot.

"It was provided for from the beginning," Rogozin said via his Twitter account referring to earlier reports of possible upgrades to Russia’s new main battle tank.

Vyacheslav Khalitov also said that Armata could serve in the Russian Armed Forces until the end of the century.

The Russian Defense Ministry unveiled its new Armata tank at the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9.

The tank is operated by a crew of three, housed in an armored capsule at the front. Its main armament includes a 7.62 mm remote-control machine gun and a 125 mm smoothbore cannon.

http://sputniknews.com/military/20150531/1022788084.html

from what i see, they dont pay the hosting.. thats why suspended