Secret Armour Properties of Kurganets-25

Russian Troops Training in Syria

A New Indonesia Military Boost Near the South China Sea?



Earlier this week, the Indonesian defense minister said that the country would boost its defenses near the South China Sea in anticipation of future threats.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said that Indonesia will equip the Natuna islands near the South China Sea with a port and extend its military air base runway so that it can accommodate more planes. He also added that more jet fighters would be stationed at the Ranai military air base in Natuna.

“We are not in a war situation, but the South China Sea is very close to us,” Ryamizard added. “We have to be prepared. Our weapon systems are good, but we need to add more so that we don’t need to worry all the time.”

To close observers, Ryamizard’s comments are consistent with Indonesia’s general approach to South China Sea disputes. As I have written before, while Indonesia is not a claimant, Jakarta has long been concerned that a portion of the surrounding waters of its resource-rich Natuna islands overlaps with China’s expansive nine-dash line claim (See: “Natuna is Indonesian, Not Chinese: Jokowi Adviser”).

In response, since the 1990s Indonesia has been using a mix of diplomatic, legal, and security measures to fashion a delicate approach to oppose China’s claims without officially recognizing (and thus legitimizing) them (See: “No, Indonesia’s South China Sea Approach Has Not Changed”). Within this approach, the South China Sea – and the Natunas, in particular – have been a central feature in Indonesian defense thinking. For instance, the Natunas have been included as one of the main flashpoints to watch since the 2000s as the Indonesian military (TNI) works towards achieving a Minimum Essential Force by 2024 (See: “Between Aspiration and Reality: Indonesian Foreign Policy After the 2014 Elections”).

Even before President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo took power, China’s growing assertiveness – which has included encroachments into Indonesian waters and instances of direct confrontation – has prompted Indonesian military officials to be more outspoken about the South China Sea issue and led to several announced shifts in capabilities including in the Natuna Islands. In February 2014, during a visit to China, then TNI chief General Moeldoko announced that Indonesia would station additional forces around the Natuna waters to “anticipate any instability.” In March, Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Budiman announced that Indonesia would upgrade its airbase facilities with the long-term goal of permanently deploying a squadron of Sukhoi fighter aircraft and four Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters on the Natuna Islands.

Under Jokowi, Indonesia has continued to focus on the Natunas as part of its foreign policy priorities of preserving Indonesia’s sovereignty and strengthening its maritime capabilities (See: “The Trouble With Indonesia’s Foreign Policy Priorities Under Jokowi”). To take just one example, earlier this year, the Natunas were selected as one of several potential locations for a new military base – although, as I indicated then, that development stemmed from a broader concern about threats to border areas which come not only from China, but some of Jakarta’s other neighbors too (See: “A New Indonesia Military Base Near the South China Sea?”). Just last week, Indonesia’s Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Ade Supandi said that Indonesia needed to maintain security and stability in the South China Sea in the face of rising threats.

“[We should] maintain security and stability in the South China Sea, especially with the recently increasing intensity of threats,” Supandi said.

Ryamizard’s comments suggest that these upgrades are likely to proceed as planned under Jokowi’s tenure and that Jakarta continues to see the South China Sea as one of the key security challenges it needs to be concerned about.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/a-new-indon...outh-china-sea/

New battlefield radio uses soldier's BONES to transmit messages





http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-32...-defenders.html

China developing military stealth helicopter - E & T Magazine



China is reportedly developing a new helicopter that will provide its military with stealth capabilities, a Chinese newspaper has reported.

The new aircraft, being developed by the country's leading aerospace manufacturer Aviation Industry Corp of China, should be ready for delivery to the People's Liberation Army around 2020.

Citing Lin Zuoming, the company chairman of Aviation Industry Corp of China, told China Daily on Friday that the stealth capabilities of the helicopter will ‘reshape the combat patterns’ of the country's 2.3 million-strong military forces.

"It is a trend that the ground force will become increasingly dependent on helicopters because they have better strike capability and mobility than armoured vehicles and transport supplies to frontier troops," Lin said.

Without providing any further details, Wu Ximing , the chief helicopter designer of Aviation Industry Corp of China, said the aircraft would have ‘supreme manoeuvrability in complicated environments, outstanding survivability and joint operation ability’.

The development is another step in the strategy of China’s President Xi Jinping to toughen and modernise the country's army as China pursues its interests in the South China and East China seas.

In the recent years, the country’s industry has been focusing on development of multiple high-tech weapons including stealth jets, aircraft carriers and emerging technology aimed at shooting down satellites.

http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2015/sep/chin...-helicopter.cfm

Russia India T-90MS Tank Deal Negotiations For Moscow To Supply Military Battle Vehicle Have Begun



The Russian military began discussions with India Friday over a contract to supply the South Asia country with the T-90MS battle tank, according to a report from Russian news site Sputnik. Supplying the tank, which costs around $4.5 million per unit, would be the latest defense contract signed between the two countries over the last year.

"Negotiations are underway on the possibility of signing a new contract with new conditions, to supply India with T-90MS," said a representative of Uralvagonzavod, the manufacturer of the tank. However, the number of tanks that Russia would supply to India and their value have yet to be negotiated.

India currently has a license with Russia to reproduce a similar tank known as the T-90S. Both tanks use the same type of ammunition, but the T-90MS includes additional countermeasures to significantly reduce the chances of being hit by enemy anti-tank semi-automatic guided weapons.

The T-90MS, also referred as Tagil, was first unveiled in 2011. It was proposed specifically for the Russian army and possible export markets, including India. Russia has completed the full cycle of testing on the T-90MS, a spokesperson for the defense company manufacturing the tank told Sputnik Wednesday.

Last week, the Indian Defense Acquisition Council said it would add 48 Russian-built Mi-17-V5 helicopters to its military's fleet, Russia's official news agency Tass reported. That deal adds to the $6 billion contract that India signed earlier this year to buy BrahMos cruise missiles from Russia.

Despite sanctions resulting from Russia's involvement in the east Ukraine war, Russian defense sales topped $15 billion dollars in 2014, and the country's long term defense portfolio stands at about $48 billion, said Alexander Formin, director of the Federal Service for Military-Technological Cooperation, according to the Russian government owned Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

"We planned to deliver $15.59 billion worth of products but the actual cost of deliveries was $15.3 billion. Foreign currency revenue exceeded $14 billion," said Formin.

http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-india-t-90ms...le-have-2092998

Japan’s Armed Forces: The Ultimate Military or an Out-of-Date Relic?






http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/0...t-of-date-relic

This post has been edited by BorneoAlliance: Sep 12 2015, 04:45 PM

Australia, China, U.S. joint military drill ends with enhanced survival skills, friendship for soldiers



KOWARI 15, the trilateral military exercise that includes forces from Australia, China and the United States, has come to an end for its survival phase on Friday as soldiers and marines came out of the bushes near Darwin where they had underwent survival training in the past three weeks.

This is the second time the trilateral exercise has taken place, this year involving 30 soldiers and marines working closely together in the hot and dry Northern Territory wild.

The 30 military personnel include 10 from the Australian Army, 10 from the Chinese People's Liberation Army, 5 from the U.S. Army and 5 from the U.S. Marine Corp.

Divided into three groups, each containing a mix of nationalities, the participants first received training at the North West Mobile Force (Norforce), a Regional Force Surveillance Unit of the Australian Army in Darwin, and were then deployed to an inland camp in the Daly River region, where they learned fire making, hunting, trapping, finding water and making shelter.

They were then put in the wild without food or water for survival training for five days, three in inland area and two in coastal area.

Major General Han Peng, deputy chief of staff of Guangzhou Military Area Command, said the joint military exercise helps to build cooperation, friendship and trust among the three armies.

His view was shared by Australian Major General Paul McLachlan, head of land system, and deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, Major General Todd McCaffrey, who went to the Daly River camp to welcome the returning soldiers.

Captain Pan Kongbin from the Chinese Army told the story of how they captured fishes and turtles to eat while Sergeant Emmaly Hall of the Australian Army was amazed by the craftsmanship of the Chinese soldiers in making shelters without nails or ropes.

"Language is not an obstacle. We can communication with body language or drawing. The greatest thing of this exercise is that we forge friendship and trust," Pan said.

The KOWARI trilateral joint military exercise inaugurated in 2014 with the same scale.

"Our experience last year was that the participants quickly built strong bonds of trust and friendship in their mixed teams, and coped amazingly well with conditions that are hot, dry, and very challenging," said Brigadier Damian Cantwell, commander of Exercise KOWARI 15.

"Our countries already cooperate at a number of levels through trade, regional humanitarian projects and joint naval exercises, and this is another way we can learn from each other and build friendships forged through adversity," he said.

http://www.ecns.cn/military/2015/09-12/180912.shtml

S China Sea land reclamation aimed at distracting US from Hainan



A Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarine on patrol (Photo courtesy of the PLA Navy)

China aims to prevent the US from monitoring activity on the island of Hainan by distracting the country with its land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea, according to Kanwa Defense Review, a Chinese-language military magazine based in Canada.

Hainan is currently the staging base of the People's Liberation Army Navy to project its power projection into the disputed South China Sea. China had deployed three Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines to Yalong Bay in Hainan island. From there, China can launch attacks against US military bases on Guam and in Alaska with JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Chinese missiles from Hainan could also potentially target Australia too.

The PLA has assigned operations aimed at giving China the capability to strike the continental US to the Second Artillery Corps, China's land-based strategic missile force. However, PLA activities in Yalong Bay can be monitored by US P-8A patrol aircraft if no buffer zone is created. This is why China decided to carry out land reclamation in the South China Sea, in order to distract US attention from Hainan.

The PLA Navy is also strengthening its fleet of conventionally-powered submarines by putting four Russian-built Kilo-class and four domestically-built Type 039A Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines into service to replace the obsolete Type 035 Ming-class submarines according to the Kanwa Defense Review.

As Yalong Bay is extremely close to Vietnam, it would very likely be a staging base for Beijing to launch submarine warfare against Hanoi, in the event of a conflict between the two nations.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...=20150912000006

Brazilian Peacekeepers Battle In Haiti

In July 2005, over a thousand Brazilian soldiers, acting as a United Nations stabilization force, entered a Haitian slum to capture or kill Emmanuel Wilmer, an opposition figure of the Haitian post-coup government.

Wilmer and six of his supporters were killed during the 12 hour operation. Dozens of civilians were also reportedly wounded during the high volume exchange of gunfire between the groups in the densely populated neighborhood.



https://www.funker530.com/brazilian-peaceke...attle-in-haiti/

Tank That Sees Enemy First Almost Always Wins the Fight: T-14 Vs M-1



“The T-14 is a complete departure from previous Soviet and Russian tanks”, which “were relatively simple, extremely rugged and produced in mass quantities”, according to the article in The national Interest magazine.

“In fact, the Armata comes in many versions as was envisioned for the US Army’s now-defunct Future Combat System program. There is a tank, infantry-fighting vehicle, a self-propelled artillery piece and a host of other variants. The most prominent of these is the T-14 main battle tank Armata variant.”

The Armata, it says, is now fitted with “a number of very advanced features that have never been implemented in an operational tank anywhere else in the world”.

First of all, it bet on “crew survivability”. In its attempt to find a reason for Russia's determination to put a premium on the safety of its troops, the media outlet concluded that it had something to do with Russia’s “declining demographics”.

To assure the crew survivability, the tank is equipped with an unmanned turret.

“The advantage is that the crew compartment is physically separated from the ammunition. Further, the tank is equipped with passive laminated armor combined with reactive armor and an active protection system. The Afghanit active protection system allegedly includes millimeter-wave radars to detect, track and intercept incoming rounds. Taken in aggregate, the Armata offers much-better crew survivability than any previous Russian or Soviet tank—assuming all of these features work.”

As for the Abrams, it is hailed as “a proven, reliable design that is still being upgraded."

While neglecting to assess the current US arsenal's ability to measure up to Russia's latest war machines, the outlet has high hopes for the future combat capabilities of the US ground forces, claiming "the forthcoming M1A3 Will be somewhat lighter and more mobile. The US Army also Plans to replace the 120mm M256 smoothbore gun with a lighter version.”

“New guided projectiles Might also enable the Abrams to hit targets as far away as 12,000m”, it adds, optimistically.

“But Russian tanks Are also equipped to fire anti-tank guided missiles via their main gun—it’s really a question of who sees the other first,” the outlet reassures.
The tank that sees the enemy first almost always wins the fight, it says, neglecting the irony of the fact that Russia is already able to produce next-generation main battle tanks.

“The Armata is a new design, and it will inevitably have teething problems as it matures. Further, there is the question of whether the T-14 can be produced in numbers—that’s very much a factor, given the state of Russia’s economy. Ultimately, it could prove to be a formidable weapon,” it concludes.

http://sputniknews.com/military/20150913/1...comparison.html

Syria: Intense Firefights at Abu Al-Dhuhour Military Airport. Russia Assisting Syria in Combating Terrorists





http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-intense...rorists/5475576

This post has been edited by BorneoAlliance: Sep 13 2015, 06:36 PM

UK exporting drone components worth hundreds of millions in bid to regain ground in global arms race





http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-...e-10498291.html

British engineers invent system to take control of rogue drones - Telegraph





http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbys...gue-drones.html

New Russia Super Destroyer To See Shift In Naval Power


Russia Super Destroyer
Source: Pravda

As Russia and China continue to develop militarily, it is suggested that the Russian navy may benefit with a large and powerful destroyer in the near future. Pravda reports that the primary objective of this vessel will be to create a so-called ‘umbrella’ above the sea.

Russian ‘Leader’ looms

This project is already underway, with the Russian destroyer referred to internally as the “Leader”, being produced under the secretive Project 23560. It is expected to be the most expensive Russian vessel for over two decades once it is made available to the Russian state, and will truly provide Russia with state-of-the-art naval technology.

This will be considered significant by United States government agencies, as the Washington authorities continue to monitor the build-up of Russian military power. While the US military unquestionably remains the most powerful on the planet, both Russia and China have been working expediently on improving their capabilities in this department.

In addition to the fact that both Russia and China have massively improved their technological capabilities, it is also important to note that the two Eastern nations have collaborated strongly in recent years. Although it is not quite appropriate to view their military machinery as a collective entity, at the same time there is little doubt that the two countries would cooperate in any military endeavors.

Early data related to this Russian vessel suggests that it will feature an ammunition-based around dozens of long-range anti-aircraft missiles. It is also suggested that the new flagship Russian ship will carry a combination of anti-aircraft missiles, cruise missiles and anti-submarine torpedo tubes. American analysts will already be considering the extent to which this could change the global naval paradigm.

While the United States continues to enjoy a position of military supremacy, the attempts by Russia to develop and build this super vessel indicate that the oil and gas superpower is attempting to close the gap with other nation’s fleets. The vessel is predicted to be 18,000-tonnes in weight by the time that it is constructed, and it will also certainly be nuclear-powered.

Reduced Radar Visibility

Pravda also reports that the design of the ship includes reduced radar visibility technology. This may particularly concern that the United States government, as it suggests a surprise element to the vessel that will naturally be of concern. Although precise data on the Russian destroyer is not available at the time of writing, it is known that missiles will be launched by the ship vertically, and can even turn where necessary. Information is seeping out of Russia also suggesting that the new destroyer will be equipped with gas turbine engines, suggesting that it will be powered by conventional fuel.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of this new Russian destroyer is the suggestion that its entire fuel policy has been dictated by the need to include 3D printers on board. It is predicted that 3D printing will be a common occurrence on board combat vessels in the foreseeable future, with printers utilized to produce plastic transport reconnaissance vehicles to engage in activities away from vessels. This may sound like a science-fiction future, but it is probably only a few years away. At this point in time, 3D printing remains an expensive technology, but the cost is coming down and will soon no longer be prohibitively priced.

Regardless of any gaps in information, the model of the Russian ‘Leader’ already exists and it seems certain that the new vessel will go live in the foreseeable future. The attempts of Russia to produce this incredibly hi-tech vessel suggests that the powerful country will make a huge effort to improve its military capabilities in the coming years.

This is just part of an overall rivalry between Russia, China and the United States. While military manoeuvres are an obviously tangible facet of this process, in reality this is a multifaceted conflict. Perhaps more important than the military capabilities of the nations is the economic battle that is currently taking place between two competing power blocs.

Both China and Russia form prominent aspects of the so-called BRIC nations, a relatively formal grouping of countries including India, Brazil and South Africa. This new prominent force in the world is challenging the Anglo-American consensus that has been built up over several decades, with the BRIC nations demanding a more pronounced role in international economic affairs.

In particular, the BRIC nations belief that they should be more readily represented in major global economic institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. These have been typically dominated by Western representatives in the 20th century and early years of the 21st century, as the institutions which were formed as part of the Breton Woods agreement continue to command world trade.

With the United States in particular extremely unreceptive to arguments that China and Russia should become more prominent in such institutions, the BRICS have even threatened to form their own central bank to challenge the existing economic hierarchy.

The manufacturing of this Russian destroyer is merely part of this process, as the great nations attempt to seriously rival the United States and craft a new world order that is more multi-polar in nature.

http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/09/new-russia-super-destroyer/

US to upgrade Aegis system to counter China's DF-26 missiles



The USS Halsey, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, during a drill in the Western Pacific. (Photo courtesy of US Navy)

The United States is upgrading its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to counter China's new DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile with their ability to sink medium-sized warships, Harry J Kazianis, the executive editor of National Interest magazine, writes in a piece published on Sept. 9.

At a press conference on Sept. 4, Lockheed Martin announced a new contract worth US$428 million to modernize the US Navy Aegis Combat System's hardware and software over the next 10 years. Just a day prior to the announcement, China used the military parade in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II to display its DF-26 missiles to the public for the first time.

The crowds watching the parade were informed that the DF-26 can be used to attack medium-sized warships like cruisers and destroyers as well as large military facilities in the central Pacific. The words suggested that the missiles could be used against Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in a future conflict between China and the US over the disputed East China or South China seas.

Lockheed Martin said its Ship Integration & Test program is aimed to integrate the Aegis Combat System on the US Navy's future Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. It also aims to modernize surface combat vessels including cruisers and destroyers to operate the latest iteration of the Aegis configuration known as Baseline 9, developed to simultaneously defend warships against airborne threats including aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

Kazianiss aid the time has arrived for US naval assets to prepare for anti-ship threats. With an attacking range up to 2,500 miles, the DF-26 missile is capable of complicating America's ability to project power and influence into the Western Pacific.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...=20150913000169

Chinese navy ships leave Sanya for China-Malaysia military drill



SANYA, Sept 12, 2015:

Chinese navy fleets on Saturday left a port in Sanya in south China’s Hainan Province for a military exercise to be jointly held by China and Malaysia, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.

The drill, coded “Peace and Friendship 2015,” is scheduled to be held from Sept 17 to 22 in the Malacca Strait and surrounding waters.

It will include exercises for joint escort, joint search and rescue, hijacked vessel rescue, weapons use, humanitarian rescue and disaster relief.

It will be the first joint drill between the two armed forces and the largest bilateral military exercise between China and a country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

A joint command post will be set up by the two sides to coordinate air, land and sea forces.

Armaments to be displayed by China will include a missile destroyer, a missile frigate, a hospital ship, four transportation planes and three helicopters.

“The military drill aims to deepen the China-Malaysia all-round strategic partnership, enhance bilateral military exchanges, improve ability to address security threats and jointly safeguard regional maritime security,” said Hu Weihua, who commands the Chinese navy fleets.

It does not target a third party and is not related to the regional situation, Xinhua reported Hu as saying.

http://www.therakyatpost.com/world/2015/09...military-drill/

Ladakh again: India, China in standoff over surveillance structure by PLA





http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ind...-lac-in-ladakh/

Russia's State-of-the-Art Armata Tank Performs New Stunt



The T-14 Armata tank once again demonstrates its formidable capabilities. Cruising at 40 kph, the tank smoothly rotates its turret 360 degrees.

http://sputniknews.com/videoclub/20150913/1026945195.html

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