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Double suicide attack kills 80 people in Afghanistan's Kabul

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
AT LEAST 80 people were killed and 230 others were wounded when at least two suicide bombers detonated their explosives among a gathering of Shia Muslim Hazara protesters in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on 23 July, Al-Jazeera reported. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through
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Effort to return Greek P-3s to service commences

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Lockheed Martin has begun work on the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of Greece's P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet, the manufacturer announced on 25 July. The launch of the effort to modernise and refurbish four of the five P-3B aircraft that are owned jointly by the Hellenic Air Force and
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Elbit negotiating the purchase of Brazilian company Mectron

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
The Israeli company Elbit Systems is close to a deal to buy Mectron from Odebrecht Defesa e Tecnologia (ODT) for a total of about USD50 million, sources told IHS Jane's . According to the Brazilian sources, the purchase could be through AEL, which is the local subsidiary of Elbit Systems. Mectron
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HAL reportedly in deal to expand helicopter MRO capacity

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace company, is reportedly close to finalising a deal to take over a company in Goa in order to expand its capacity to enable it to undertake helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The Times of India newspaper
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IED attack targets religious scholar chairman in Somalia's Mogadishu

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
AN IMPROVISED explosive device (IED), emplaced on the vehicle of the chairman of the Somali Ulema Council - identified as Sheih Yusuf Ali Aynte, detonated in the Mecca al-Mukaramah road in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on 23 July, Hiiraan reported. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the
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India deploys over 100 T-72 tanks along disputed border with China

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
The Indian Army (IA) has deployed 120 T-72M1 main battle tanks (MBTs) to the northern Himalayan region of Ladakh along a portion of the 4,057 km Line of Actual Control (LoAC): the country's disputed Himalayan border with China. China and India went to war in 1962 over this un-demarcated mountainous
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Indian defence ministry scraps MRTT tender for second time

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has said India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) terminated in late June the six-year-old USD2 billion tender for six multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), for which the company's A330 MRTT had been shortlisted. "We have been
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Indonesia commissions fourth PC-43 class patrol vessel into Western Fleet

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) has commissioned a PC-43 class patrol vessel into its Western Fleet (KOARMABAR), the service's office of public affairs confirmed with IHS Jane's on 26 July. The vessel, KRI Cakalang (852), was commissioned on 20 July in
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Islamic State militants raid residences in Syria's Deir ez Zour

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
ACCORDING to the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an unspecified number of civilians and former militants were captured when Islamic State militants raided several residences in the villages of Sabha and Dahleh in Syria's Deir ez Zour governorate on 21 July. Casualty figures
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Lockheed Martin announces university team for Sandia contract

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Lockheed Martin named three universities on 25 July to its team competing for a contract to run Sandia National Laboratories. Purdue University, New Mexico State University, and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology would work with Lockheed-owned Sandia Corporation to run the laboratory.
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North Korea building new, larger submarine pens

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
North Korea is constructing a fortified structure near the port city of Sinpo that will have what appears to be two covered docks (pens) that could shelter ballistic missile submarines (SSBs). Located 2.25 km south of the Sinpo shipyard, close to the Mayang-do Naval Base on the country's east
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OSI wins contract to integrate radar system for New Zealand's frigate upgrade

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Canadian naval systems developer OSI Maritime Systems announced on 25 July that it has received a contract to integrate the FAR-3000 radar from Japanese company Furuno with an integrated bridge system on board the Royal New Zealand Navy's ANZAC-class frigates. The contract has been awarded as part
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Russia's war of words advances military goals

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Key Points Russia is undertaking a sophisticated information warfare (IW) programme in Syria and Europe that forms a part of its strategy to assert its return to global power status. In the wake of Brexit, there is likely to be a concerted effort by Moscow to use its media outlets to focus on the
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Saudi Arabia says Apache crashed in Yemen

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Saudi Arabia has confirmed for the first time since it launched its military intervention in Yemen in March 2015 that it has lost an aircraft inside that country. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on 25 July that a Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) AH-64 Apache attack helicopter had
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Smith & Wesson to acquire Crimson Trace

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
American gun maker Smith & Wesson has agreed to purchase Crimson Trace, the company announced on 25 July. Smith & Wesson will pay USD95 million for the Oregon-based laser sighting systems maker. Crimson Trace also makes tactical lighting systems used by the military as well as consumers.
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Strategic primacy: Arctic naval presence plays key role in Russian strategy

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
Russia's resurgence around the world and the role of its navy therein is well documented. Yet while other regions feature more prominently in assessments of Russian activity, the Arctic is arguably the most important region for Russia itself. Dr Lee Willett discusses naval developments there At the
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Suicide attack kills 21 people in Iraq's Baghdad

Jane's Defense News - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 02:00
AT LEAST 21 people were killed and 35 others were wounded when a suicide bomber detonated their explosives at a checkpoint to the entrance of the predominantly Shia Muslim district of Kadhimiyya in Iraq's capital Baghdad on 24 July, Al-Jazeera reported. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for
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Israel Announces F-16 Variant Upgrades

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 01:58
F-15s: Note Kill Stickers
(click to view larger)

F-15s and F-16s make up the backbone of Israel’s potent fighter force. The IDF’s main fighter is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including aging F-16 A/B Netz (“Falcon”), plus F-16C Barak (“Lightning”) and 2-seat F-16D Brakeets (“Thunderbolt”), and now the heavily customized two-seat F-16I Block 52+ Soufa (“Storm”). The Israelis fly the largest contingent of F-16s outside the United States, alongside longer range, higher performance F-15s. F-15A-D Baz (“Eagle”) models have greatly distinguished themselves in IDF service, and the customized two-seat F-15I Ra’ahm (“Thunder”) Strike Eagle is optimized for advanced ground attack and long range interception. All of these aircraft are heavily modified from the US versions, with Israeli avionics, self-protection systems, weapons, and sometimes radars as well.

While Israel’s F-16A/B Netz inventory may well be sold on the international market, their F-16 C/D and F-15 A-D planes were expected to serve the Air Force Corps until at least 2020. Unfortunately, Israel’s new F-35As won’t even start arriving until 2016 or 2017. To keep their edge, Israel began spending money in 2006 to improve and upgrade its legacy fighter fleet…

Cheyl Ha’Avir: Upgrading the Fleet F-16C Barak, Sardinia
(click to view full)

Announced improvement for the “Barak 2020” F-16 C/Ds will include an command and control upgrades to match the systems in the newer F-16I Soufas, replacement of the screens in the cockpit with more advanced color displays and head up displays, and other undisclosed upgrades. A follow-on program is expected to add improved flight control systems, high resolution displays, and Elbit’s DASH helmet-mounted display.

Announced improvement of the F-15 A-D Eagles will include a “replacement of electronic war systems” and an “improvement in the ability to carry advanced bombs” via integration of new weapons. Israeli F-15s had already been modified to carry smart bombs, unlike their American counterparts, but new weapons require new efforts. While the release wasn’t specific, JDAM compatibility is likely to be a priority for Israeli planes. Tamir Eshel of Defense Update writes us to add that integration of RAFAEL’s “Spice”, a kit similar to JDAM but improved via a combination of electro-optical and GPS guidance, will also be included.

DASH Gen-III display
(click to view full)

This is actually the second modernization wave for the F-15 A-Ds, following close on the heels of the 1995-2001 Baz Meshopar (“Improved Eagle”) program. Israeli-Weapons.com notes that the Baz Meshopar package resembles the US Air Force (USAF) F-15 Multi-Stage Improvement Program, although it was implemented with a significant element of Israeli-built electronics and avionics integrated around the MIL-STD 1553 and MIL-STD 1760 data buses. The latter are required in order to add compatibility with GPS-guided weapons, and key elements of the F-15I Ra’am Strike Eagle variant include a modernized cockpit with Elbit multifunction displays, Elbit’s DASH (Display And Sight Helmet), a GPS-INS navigation system, AIM-120 AMRAAM and Python 4 missile capability, plus software upgrades delivered via the USAF’s Warner Robins Air Logistics Center avionics management directorate software division. The upgraded aircraft are known as Baz Meshopar (Improved Eagle) but are also referred to as the F-15 AUP (Avionics Upgrade Program).

Meanwhile, back in North America, US budget crunches and procurement cutbacks around the F-22 and F-35 JSF programs will intensify the need to keep its TacAir fleet up to acceptable strength via supplemental measures. As such, Israel’s upgrades could hold future interest as a template for upgrades that would turn the USA’s F-15C dedicated air superiority fighters into modernized multi-role aircraft at a reasonable cost.

Contracts & Key Events Israeli F-15s

July 26/16: Rafael’s SPICE 1000 EO/GPS-guided munitions are to be adopted by the Israeli Air Force as the weapon enters into its final development stage. Integration will take place on all fighter squadrons with F-16C/D “Barak” aircraft first in line. Features of Spice include being camera operated with real time maneuver and response abilities when facing fixed and mobile targets.

September 4/15: Israel announced that it is upgrading its F-16 variants to be able to handle the vaunted Russian S-300 anti-aircraft system. Iran is perennially about to receive shipments of the system.

March 6/13: F-15s. Israel Defense:

“In several months, the project for upgrading all Israeli F-15I “Ra’am”, considered to be the IAF’s strategic fighter aircraft, is meant to come to a conclusion. Lt. Col. Tzahi Alia, head of the systems and armaments field in the maintenance squadron at the Israeli Hatzerim airbase….”

Dec 26/11: The Jerusalem Post reports that Israel is looking for ways to bolster its fleet before the F-35s arrive. Phased elections in Egypt, which are beginning to hand significant power to Taliban-style Salafists and the Muslim Brotherhood, are creating a new strategic situation. Meanwhile, the possibility of slowdowns to the F-35 program or further cost increases leaves their affordability and timeliness in question.

Beyond upgrades to existing platforms, the Israelis are reportedly considering scenarios in which used planes might be available for a bargain price, as American budget cuts lead to retirement of serving F-15s and F-16s. The question after that would be whether to operate them as-is, or upgrade them to a common Israeli configuration.

Dec 12/11: Delays to the F-35 program appear to be pushing Israel toward further F-16C/D upgrades, and may even trigger new aircraft buys if the multi-national program’s delivery dates slip beyond 2017.

The Jerusalem Post reports that the IAF has now decided to extend their F-16C/D “Barak” (Lightning; oddly, also the American name for the F-35) to add flight-control system upgrades, high-resolution displays, and Elbit’s DASH helmet-mounted displays. Of the 3 upgrades mentioned, the DASH will make the biggest difference to the fighters’ long-term effectiveness. Helmet-mounted displays are quickly becoming standard equipment in modern fighters, because they allow the pilot to take full advantage of new datalinked, wide-angle seeker aerial and ground weapons.

Feb 19/11: F-15s. Flight International reports that Israel’s F-15 Eagle upgrades are expanding to add its oldest F-15 A/B aircraft. Reports vary, with estimated totals of in-service F-15 A/Bs ranging between 26-45. One prototype has already been completed.

The upgrade will give all of Israel’s F-15s some level of long-range strike capability, and reportedly includes fuselage strengthening (which may be informed by the USAF’s recent fleet grounding), MIL-STD-1760, and unelaborated “improvements to the aircraft’s radar,” among others.

Israel’s F-15A/Bs carry the APG-63 mechanically scanned radar, which was introduced in the 1970s. Its first set of 25 F-15A/Bs were reportedly early production USAF airframes, and would definitely have been delivered without the APG-63’s key 1979 upgrade: a software programmable signal processor. Note that the AN/APG-63v1 is actually a major redesign introduced in the early 1990s, which currently serves on a number of USAF aircraft, and on South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagles. The v1 does not have an AESA front end like its v2 and v3 counterparts, but is compatible with adding one later. Switching APG-63s for their APG-63v1 counterpart, or for an Israeli radar like the EL-M/2032, would be a big change.

Feb 16/11: Retired IAF Brig-Gen. Assaf Agmon of the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, says Israel is likely to re-assess the importance of its air force, in the wake of Egypt’s unrest and uncertainty surrounding the future of their peace treaty with Egypt. He sees the reassessment as broader than just the air force, but that has been Israel’s traditional bulwark against conventional threats. Agmon is suggesting additional buys of F-35A medium stealth fighters, but delivery timing and program issues could also push the IAF to focus on quickly-delivered fleet upgrades instead. Flight International.

Jan 24/11: F-16s. After the first “F-16 Barak 2020” prototypes pass initial inspections, a ceremony takes place at the IAF’s Hatzor AB. It marks the decision to start upgrading all Barak (F-16C/D) planes to Barak 2020 configuration, giving them avionics commonality with the Sufa (F-16I) fleet. Sources: IAF, “Barak 2020″ Takes Off”.

F-15 Baz Meshopar
(click to view larger)

Nov 30/10: F-16s. Flight International reports that the Israeli air force has upgraded its first F-16C/D to the “Barak 2020” configuration. Modifications are being performed at the squadron level, under the supervision of the air force’s central maintenance depot (technical unit number 22).

May 12/09: F-16s. Flightglobal reports that the Israeli air force plans to upgrade its F-16C/D aircraft to the ‘Barak 2020’ upgrade package so this portion of fleet can serve till 2020. Sources: F-16.net, “IDFAF launches F-16C/D upgrade program”.

April 20/06: USAF F-15s. David Axe of DefenseTech notes that the USAF is preparing its own modernization roadmap for its single-seat F-15C Eagle air superiority fighters, and that conversion to multi-role status is part of that roadmap. Up to 200 F-15Cs may eventually be involved, and a new AN/APG-63v3 AESA radar is the 1st step. Defense Tech, “Eagles Forever”.

Jan 25/06: The F-16C/D Barak and F-15A-I upgrade programs are announced, with few details. The IDF news release did not mention what the further-upgraded F-15s would be called. Perhaps “Baz Meshopar Me’oht” (Very Improved Eagle)? IDF | DefenseTalk copy.

Upgrades announced

Oct 1/03: F-16 ACE. IAI is still trying to convince Israel to upgrade its F-16A/B “Netz” fighters with their F-16 ACE package. ACE would swap the old APG-66 radar for IAI Elta’s ELM-2032, replace the core avionics and mission computer, and add features like a wide-angle HUD, LCD displays, GPS navigation with moving maps, electronic warfare upgrades, LITENING targeting pod capability, etc.

“There has been concern in Israeli industry that without the home air force ordering the ACE package, it will be difficult to market the upgrade to overseas air forces. IAI heads a consortium of ACE participant companies, which includes Astronautics, Elop and Elta. The upgrade is based around an open architecture mission system to allow carriage of a wide variety of weapon systems and sensors without hardware changes.”

Sources: IAI, “Military Aircraft Upgrades: F-16” (ACE) | F-16.NET, “IAI bids to upgrade Israeli F-16s”.

Additional Readings

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MNVR Panned by Pentagon Chief | Afghan Army Cashing in on Ammo Scrap | Largest Amphibious Aircraft (AG600) Rolled Out in China

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 01:51
Americas

  • The Pentagon’s chief weapons tester Michael Gilmore has blasted the Army’s Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR) just as the service prepares to make a production decision for the system. Gilmore described the MNVR, saying the radio “did not meet commanders’ operational needs for a mid-tier network solution.” and “provided no value added in mitigating the significant impacts to communications and mission execution experienced in a satellite communications (SATCOM)-denied environment.” Only time will tell if the report affects the Army’s production decision.

  • Lockheed Martin projects slow but steady growth in the international sale of its missile- and air-defense systems. Products such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) and Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) interceptor have all been garnering interest from European and Middle East governments and the company expects to win various competitions over the next few years. Missile and fire control division is responsible for about 50 percent of their international purchases.

Middle East North Africa

  • The Algerian Navy has commissioned their third C28A-class corvette after delivery from China. Featuring a displacement of 3,000 metric tons, the 360-foot-long stealth-guided missile ship can conduct offshore defense operations and long-distance combat missions. The three vessels, ordered in 2011, come as part of a wider naval modernization by Algeria which includes orders for two Meko A-200AN frigates, and two Project 636 Varshavyanka (Kilo class) diesel electric submarines from Russia, which are due in 2018.

  • Rafael’s SPICE 1000 EO/GPS-guided munitions are to be adopted by the Israeli Air Force as the weapon enters into its final development stage. Integration will take place on all fighter squadrons with F-16C/D “Barak” aircraft first in line. Features of Spice include being camera operated with real time maneuver and response abilities when facing fixed and mobile targets.

Europe

  • Thales Deutschland has been contracted to upgrade German Army training simulators. The work, due for completion in 2017, includes all small arms/handheld anti-tank weapons shooting simulator training devices in use with the German army. A total of 185 AGSHP shooting simulators are covered under the $5.5 million contract.

Asia Pacific

  • A series of human errors has been blamed for the torpedoing of a fishing vessel by the Taiwanese Navy. A draft report of the investigation seen by media sources found that the patrol vessel was loaded with live missiles, and to enable drills to be carried out, a simulator box was supposed to be installed between the missile control and launch tube. Only two of the four missiles, however, were installed with the simulators. Petty Officer 2nd Class Kao Chia-chun, unsupervised, had selected salvo fire of two missiles and one of those missiles was not connected to a simulator. As a result, the missile fired when activated.

  • Policemen and soldiers in the Afghan Army are said to be cashing in spent ammunition to scrap dealers amid corruption, poor pay and conditions experienced. With average pay at around $200 per month, a kilo of scrap can be sold for $2.55 with soldiers happy to spend 5-10 minutes firing until merchants have what they need. Other reports found troops in Helmand and Kunduz provinces firing 7,000 artillery shells in May alone. Commenting on the issue, an Afghan official said “We asked army commanders about it and said if each shell killed only one person, we should have 3,500 Taliban dead in each province….It’s very clear they fire aimlessly and collect the shell casings for copper and sell them.” $300 million worth of ammunition was given by the US to Afghan security forces last year.

  • The world’s largest amphibious aircraft has rolled off the production line in China. Developed by state aircraft maker Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the AG600 is about the same size as a Boeing 737, and plans are to use it to perform marine rescue missions and fight forest fires. The aircraft has a maximum flight range of 4,500 km and can collect 12 tons of water in 20 seconds.

Today’s Video

  • Rafael’s SPICE munitions:

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North Korea reportedly constructing new larger submarine pens

Naval Technology - Tue, 26/07/2016 - 01:00
North Korea is reportedly building two new covered docks (pens) that could be used to protect ballistic missile submarines (SSBs).
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