US Army To Ramp Up Apache MUM-T.

As the US Army begins divesting its Bell OH-58 Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopters, the service is planning to augment its Boeing AH-64 Apache Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capability to enable the attack helicopter to take the legacy fleet's place, the army's capabilities manager for aerial reconnaissance and attack said during a 28 January press briefing.

US Army To Ramp Up Apache MUM-T.

The army is developing capability that will enable Apache pilots to control the unmanned aerial vehicles' (UAV) sensors and weapons from the cockpit, said Colonel Jeff White, US Army Training and Doctrine Command capabilities manager for reconnaissance and attack.

Collision Avoidance Upgrade For UK Tornados Delayed By Developmental Problems.

The UK's plans to field a new collision warning system (CWS) for its fleet of Panavia Tornado GR.4 strike aircraft are being delayed due to development problems, it was disclosed on 28 January.

Collision Avoidance Upgrade For UK Tornados Delayed By Developmental Problems.

Answering questions in the House of Commons, Philip Dunne, parliamentary under-secretary of state for defence, said that trials of the system have shown that modifications are required to existing aircraft hardware and software in order to ensure compatibility with the Honeywell Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II.

Cameroon Takes Delivery Of Chinese Patrol Boats.

Cameroon has taken delivery of the two patrol vessels that were completed in China last year, Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery has confirmed.

Cameroon Takes Delivery Of Chinese Patrol Boats.

The imagery from 23 January shows two 64 m vessels moored in the commercial area of Duala, rather than at the existing naval base, which will struggle to accommodate the new vessels.

Taiwan's CM11 Tanks.

Recent photographs have confirmed that at least part of the Republic of China Army (RoCA) fleet of CM11 main battle banks (MBT) have been upgraded with the installation of explosive reactive armour (ERA).

Taiwan's CM11 Tanks.

The CM11 MBT is essentially a brand new US-supplied General Dynamics Land Systems M60 hull fitted with a modified turret from the older M48 MBT. The CM11 is also referred to as the M48H 'Brave Tiger'.

Yak-152 Trainer To Make Maiden Flight 'In Autumn'.

The Yakolev Yak-152 basic trainer aircraft is expected to make its maiden flight "in autumn", state media announced on 27 January.

Yak-152 Trainer To Make Maiden Flight 'In Autumn'.

The tandem twin-seat, single piston-engined trainer is currently being assembled at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant in the far east of Russia, and the first flight will take place sometime in September to October.

Iraqi Shia Militia Spotted With Abrams Tank.

A Shia militant group that emerged as a major threat to US and British forces during the 2003-11 period and has been fighting alongside the Iraqi Army against the Islamic State militant group in recent months.

Iraqi Shia Militia Spotted With Abrams Tank.

The same convoy appears to have been the same one that was seen in a photograph released by Iran's AhlulBayt News Agency on 16 January.

Indian MiG-27 Crashes On Training.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-27 'Flogger' combat aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie on 27 January, local media reported.

The single-seat aircraft came down close to Barmer city, in the northern province of Rajasthan. The pilot ejected, though there were reports of minor injuries sustained by members of the public on the ground.

The cause of the crash is not yet known and the IAF has launched an investigation.

The air force currently operates about 90 MiG-27M aircraft, which have been in service since 1985. Three squadrons of the type operate at Kalaikunda, Uttarlai, and Halwara air bases.

Estonia Completes Air Surveillance Programe.

The radar, installed at the Tõika air force facility near Otepää in the southeast of the country (around 50 km from the Russian border), is the second ordered by Estonia under a bilateral procurement programme with Finland.

Estonia Completes Air Surveillance Programe.

 The contract for the two GM400 radars was signed in 2009 and is worth some EUR28 million (USD32 million). The first radar, installed on Muhu island in the Baltic Sea, was handed over in March 2013.

Brunei Confirms Black Hawk Transfer To Malaysia.

Brunei confirmed its intention to transfer its S-70As Black Hawks to Malaysia on 28 January.

In a statement titled 'Defence Co-operation between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia', the Brunei Ministry of Defence said that the transfer of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) S-70As to Malaysia would take place in September when the RBAF's S-70i Black Hawks become operational.

The ministry did not state how many helicopters would be transferred, but the RBAF has four S-70As in service.

The statement ended by saying that the transfer would contribute to the capabilities of the Malaysian armed forces and to the efforts of the two countries in maintaining regional peace and stability.

USAF Want's To Dodge Latest Air Defences.

Maintaining the shroud of secrecy surrounding the US Air Force's (USAF's) new Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B), the general in charge of the USAF's nuclear forces would only tell reporters that advances in air defence technology drove the development of the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) cruise missile being designed to arm the US bomber fleet.

USAF Want's To Dodge Latest Air Defences.

"As we look around the world, air defences are getting more and more sophisticated as technology improves," said Lieutenant General Stephen Wilson. "We'll need a missile that can penetrate more sophisticated air defences."

Ecuador Loses Another Dhruv Helo To Crash.

The Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana: FAE) lost a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Dhruv utility helicopter to a training accident in late January, the second to be lost this month and the fourth since deliveries began in 2009.

Ecuador Loses Another Dhruv Helo To Crash.

The accident, which is reported to have occurred on 27 January (the Ministry of Defence has yet to confirm it), happened near the town of Tena in the remote interior of the country.

Malaysia Mulls Air Defences For Submarine Base.

Malaysia is looking to equip its naval base at Teluk Sepanggar with an air defence system as a pre-emptive measure against potential threats, said Defence Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein in a media statement on 26 January.

Malaysia Mulls Air Defences For Submarine Base.

The base, now known as RMN Kota Kinabalu, is currently home to the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN's) two Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarines.

M261 Rocket Launcher To Be Tested With A Digital Interface.

The US Army plans to conduct a market analysis to identify organisations capable of developing the planned Modernized Rocket Launcher Increment 1 (MRL Inc1) for the 70 mm Hydra unguided rocket. This new variant will consist of a minimally modified 19-tube M261 Hydra launcher incorporating a Hydra Launcher Electronics Assembly (HYLEA), which provides an integrated digital interface compatible with modern aircraft platforms fitted with a digital weapon interface.

A Request for Information (RFI) issued on 26 January is intended to identify potential MRL Inc1 concepts; support government analysis and trade studies; and assess industry's ability to develop and qualify the new launcher within a six-month time period.

Boeing Awarded Indonesian AH-64E Contract.

Boeing has been awarded a USD295.8 million firm-fixed-price foreign military sales contract for eight AH64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for Indonesia, the Department of Defence (DoD) disclosed on 27 January.

Boeing Awarded Indonesian AH-64E Contract.

The contract will be complete by 28 February 2018.

Russian Gorshkov Frigate Build May Slow Without Ukrainian Gas Turbines.

The build status of the Russian Navy's third- and fourth-in-class Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates may be delayed as Russia contends with sourcing an indigenous propulsion plant supplier following Ukraine's ban on military exports to Russia.

Russian Gorshkov Frigate Build May Slow Without Ukrainian Gas Turbines.

The lead vessel Admiral Gorshkov and second-in-class Admiral Kasatonov are powered by two M90FR gas turbines designed and built by Zorya-Mashproekt in Ukraine. Russia's NPO Saturn collaborated extensively with the Ukrainian turbine maker before the ban and will now build the M90FR.

PT PAL Cuts Steel On First Philippine Navy.

Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL has begun building the first of two strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) on order for the Philippine Navy (PN), a company executive confirmed on 26 January.

PT PAL Cuts Steel On First Philippine Navy.

A steel-cutting ceremony was held at the company's premises in Surabaya on 22 January. The vessel is part of a USD92 million contract for two landing platform dock (LPD)-like vessels to meet the PN's sea-based transport and logistics requirements.

Ukraine Approves ProAn-70 Production, Fielding Airlifter.

Ukraine has approved production of the Antonov An-70 transport aircraft and will introduce it into service with its armed forces, the company announced on 22 January.

Ukraine Approves An-70 Production, Fielding Airlifter.

The decision to adopt the An-70 was taken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) following a test programme that was concluded in June 2014. Serial production will now begin, although the company did not specify numbers or timelines.

Bulgaria May Switch MiG Support From Russia To Poland.

Bulgarian MiG-29 'Fulcrum' combat aircraft may in future be serviced and maintained in Poland rather than Russia, national media disclosed on 23 January.

Bulgaria May Switch MiG Support From Russia To Poland.

The Bulgarian Air Force's (BuAF's) 12 remaining MiG-29 'Fulcrum-A' fighters and three 'Fulcrum-B' operational trainers could be sustained in Poland due to the rising costs of having the work done in Russia, The Sofia Globe publication reported.

CBO Releases New Triad Upgrade Estimate.

The United States will have to spend USD348 billion on nuclear weapons modernisation over the next 10 years if it wants to maintain a triad of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarines, and bomber aircraft, according to a 22 January report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

CBO Releases New Triad Upgrade Estimate.

All three legs of the triad "are reaching the end of their service lifetimes," the CBO warned. "Over the next two decades, the Congress will need to make decisions about the extent to which essentially all of the US nuclear delivery systems and weapons will be modernised or replaced with new systems."

USMC Loses UH-1Y.

A US Marine Corps (USMC) Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter crashed during a training mission on 23 January, killing two crew members.

USMC Loses UH-1Y.

The crash, which was reported by the USMC on 25 January, involved an aircraft from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California.

According to the announcement, the helicopter was conducting "routine flight operations" at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms at the time of the incident, and that the two deceased crew members were the only personnel on-board. The crash is currently under investigation by military authorities.

USMC Prepares For Amphibious Combat Vehicle Contest.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) is assessing industry responses to the second of two draft requests for proposals (RfPs) for an eight-wheeled amphibious combat vehicle (ACV) optimised for land operations and shoreline tactical mobility.

USMC Prepares For Amphibious Combat Vehicle Contest.

Procurement officials at Marine Corps Systems Command are expected to issue a final RfP for ACV Phase 1 Increment 1 (ACV 1.1) following discussions with prospective contractors during the week beginning 26 January.

Taiwan Commissions 20,000-Tonne Combat Support Ship.

The Republic of China Navy (RoCN) took delivery on 23 January of a newly completed fast combat support ship.

Taiwan Commissions 20,000-Tonne Combat Support Ship.

Panshih was built by state-owned Kaohsiung-based shipbuilder CSBC Corporation at a cost of USD130 million. Construction began in 2011 and the ship was launched in 2013.

China launches Fourth Type 071 LPD.

The Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai launched its fourth Type 071 landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ship for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on 22 January.

China launches Fourth Type 071 LPD.

Internet bloggers have also posted pictures online of two further ships launched by the Shanghai-Hudong shipyard the same day. The 21st Type 054A 'Jiangkai II' class frigate was launched and subsequently berthed alongside another Jiangkai II frigate (hull 19), which has been fitting out since it was launched in September 2013.

China's Nanji Islands.

The imagery, captured on 13 October 2014 by Airbus Defence and Space's Pleaides satellite, shows a heliport with 10 landing pads in the centre of Nanji Island, one of a group of islands that are part of Zhejiang province.

China's Nanji Islands.

The construction at Nanji was reported on 22 December 2014 by Japan's Kyodo News, citing unidentified Chinese sources.

Obama Expected To Sign Defence Protocols On India Visit.

US president Barack Obama's three-day visit to India from 25 January is expected to see the signing of several defence protocols to boost bilateral strategic ties.

Obama Expected To Sign Defence Protocols On India Visit.

Obama, who will be the first US president to be the chief guest at the Republic Day military parade in New Delhi on 26 January, is also the only sitting president to visit India twice. He last visited in November 2010.

Airbus Sells Belgium Pant.

Selling what the company deemed a "non-core" business area, Airbus sold its electronics production facility in Oostkamp, Belgium, to Parter Capital Group, the company announced on 21 January. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In a press release Airbus Defence and Space, the group that operated the facility for Airbus, said that the facility will still produce parts for the company under a new agreement. Oostkamp makes radar components, power amplifiers, and transponders through the work of 150 local employees.

"By this strategic move, Airbus Defence and Space will consolidate its electronics production capabilities and develop further synergies," the Airbus press release said

China Commissions Type 054A Frigate In-to East Sea Fleet.

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has inducted a Type 054A Jiangkai II-class guided-missile frigate into service with its East Sea Fleet, a report carried by a PLA-backed news outlet indicated on 19 January.

China Commissions Type 054A Frigate In-to East Sea Fleet. 

The 3,500-tonne vessel has been named Huanggang (pennant number 577). Its hull was laid down at the Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou in 2013.

 It is the first ship in the class to be commissioned in 2015.

Leaked Report Indicates Islamic State Contingency's Capability To Mount Attacks In Turkey.

A leaked intelligence report by the Turkish national police raised an "urgent" alarm about potential terrorist attacks in the country linked with the Islamic State.

Leaked Report Indicates Islamic State Contingency's Capability To Mount Attacks In Turkey.

The report warned about the presence of "sleeper cells" throughout the country - particularly in the cities of Adana, Aksaray, Ankara, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Kilis, Konya, Mersin, and Sanliurfa - comprising around 3,000 people with direct links to the insurgent group. 

USAF General Defends New Bomber.

The US Air Force's (USAF's) Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) is crucial to maintaining an effective US strategic deterrent, as is the remainder of the US triad of nuclear-capable bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and submarines, a top USAF general said on 21 January.

USAF General Defends New Bomber.

"We have not modernised our nuclear stockpile for a while," Major General Garrett Harencak, the USAF's assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, said at an Air Force Association breakfast in Arlington, Virginia. "I think people realise that over the last 20-25 years, we took a procurement holiday. Other countries did not."

AgustaWestland Offers AW-139M To Slovakia.

AgustaWestland is offering the AW139M to the Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) to fulfil an urgent requirement to replace Russian-made Mil Mi-17 'Hip' medium transport helicopters.

AgustaWestland Offers AW-139M To Slovakia.

The AgustaWestland announcement comes on the heels of a US Department of Defense (DoD) proposal made on 12 January to sell the Slovak MoD nine Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk medium helicopters for EUR300 million (USD347 million) including spare parts and training via the Foreign Military Sales programme.

UAE To Donate Super Tucanos To Iraq.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to supply Iraq with a number of Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano light strike aircraft to help combat the Islamic State, a government official has reportedly disclosed.

UAE To Donate Super Tucanos To Iraq.

The UAE had recently ordered up to 24 Super Tucanos, the official told Defense News on 20 January that the emirates will transfer an undisclosed number to the Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) "before the end of the month".

UK Awards Falklands.

AAR Airlift has been awarded a GBP180 million (USD275 million) contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a 10-year rotary-winged search and rescue (SAR) service for the Falkland Islands, the company announced on 20 January.

UK Awards Falklands.

The contract, which will be supported by British International Helicopters (BIH) and Air Rescue Systems (ARS), will see AAR Airlift operate an undisclosed number of AgustaWestland AW189 SAR and Sikorsky S-61 support helicopters out of the Mount Pleasant Complex, covering the islands and surrounding maritime domain.

Brazilian Transport Fare Protests Likely To Result In Damage To Bank Branches.

New protests against transport fare increases organised by the Free Fare Movement (Movimento Passe Livre: MPL) were staged in several Brazilian cities on 16 January.

Brazilian Transport Fare Protests Likely To Result In Damage To Bank Branches.

In São Paulo, approximately 3,000 demonstrators, according to police figures, gathered at praça do Ciclista at Avenida Paulista and marched to the town hall and the state transport authority in the city centre. Demonstrators threw fireworks, stones, and glass at the police, which responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades. There were acts of vandalism against vehicles and bank branches in Xavier de Toledo, Líbero Badaró, and São João streets, as demonstrators threw stones and broke windows. Traffic at Rua da Consolação was disrupted. In Rio de Janeiro, around 500 people gathered in Candelária and held overall peaceful marches, although these did cause blockades at Avenida President Vargas in the city centre. In Belo Horizonte, around 150 demonstrators burnt tyres in front of the offices of bus companies in the east side of the city. Protests in Florianópolis and Recife disrupted transit in the city centres.

FORECAST:

Protests against transport fare rises implemented in early January are likely to continue (the MPL called for new protests on 20 January).

UK MoD Eyes BMC4I Capability For The Falklands.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is expected to imminently issue a Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (DPQQ) for the procurement of a new battle management command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (BMC4I) capability for the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), akin to the British Army's recently operational Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP) system.

UK MoD Eyes BMC4I Capability For The Falklands.

While the MoD is understood to be still determining its BMC4I requisites for the Falklands - which will include a multirole surveillance radar capability - a contract is expected to be awarded by mid-2016, with full funding already assigned.

Grumman Signs Major ICBM Support Contract.

The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract worth up to USD963.5 million for the support of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ground subsystems, the company announced on 19 January.

Grumman Signs Major ICBM Support Contract.

The five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract begins with an initial award value of approximately USD4.4 million, according to a Northrop Grumman press statement.

F-35 Weapons Certification On Track For This Year.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is expected to complete full weapons certification this year after conducting several significant milestones since September 2014, the Pentagon said in a 19 January statement.

F-35 Weapons Certification On Track For This Year.

"The weapons development programme continues to track forward on the plan laid out by the Technical Baseline Review approved in 2010," said Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, the Pentagon's programme executive officer for F-35. The certification is expected to be completed within months, according to a spokeswoman for the programme.

Elbit To Create Next Generation Israeli Ground.

Israel's Ministry of Defense awarded Elbit Systems a USD117 million contract to provide the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Ground Forces with the "next generation" of command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems, the Israeli defence company announced on 19 January.

Elbit To Create Next Generation Israeli Ground.

Under the contract, which will be carried out over the next six years, Elbit will develop future versions of the Digital Ground Army (DGA) command-and-control (C2) system, which tracks in real time all ground unit activity, and provides greater battlefield autonomy to mid-ranking field officers such as battalion and company commanders.

USAF Begins Afghan Super Tucano Training.

The US Air Force (USAF) has begun training Afghan pilots and maintainers on the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft at Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Georgia.

USAF Begins Afghan Super Tucano Training.

With the first of 20 Embraer A-29 aircraft having been delivered to the USAF by Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) at the end of September 2014, the USAF's 81st Fighter Squadron (FS) has now begun instructing Afghan Air Force (AAF) personnel on the aircraft ahead of its introduction into service later in 2015.

Russia To Offer Fighter Sales & Development to Brazil.

Russia is to offer Brazil joint development of the Sukhoi T-50 (PAK-FA) fifth-generation fighter in a bid to secure an order for its Su-35S “Flanker-E” combat aircraft.

Russia To Offer Fighter Sales & Development to Brazil.

A military delegation is expected to make the offer when it visits the South American country in the coming days, according to RIA Novosti .

Pakistan Has Its Own Drones.

Pakistan is operating its own fleet of drones. 

Air chief marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed saying the drones would be used in “live operations” this year.

Pakistan Has Its Own Drones.

SR-71 Blackbird Aircraft.

SR-71 Blackbird Aircraft.

A super secret airplane in Nevada.

A super secret airplane filmed over Area 51 in Nevada.

A super secret airplane in Nevada.

Algeria's Political Stability In 5-10 Year.

Several hundred people gathered to hold simultaneous protests in the southern Algerian cities of Ouargla, Tamanrasset, Adrar, In Salah, Aoulef, and Djelfa, on 17 January in opposition to shale gas extraction.

The protests have focused on acts of civil disobedience including the blocking of roads and access to state buildings, and are likely to remain largely peaceful. Focused mainly on environmental concerns over the impact of shale extraction on local water tables, the protests have been organised by the National Committee for the Defence of the Rights of the Unemployed (CNDDC), and include demands for increased job opportunities, and grievances over land rights.

Al-Shabaab Militants Kill Soldier In Kenya's Coast.

A SOLDIER and five suspected Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen militants were killed during clashes that broke out after militants ambushed a military vehicle in the Boni forest area of Lamu County in Kenya's Coast province on 14 January, Reuters reported.
The military vehicle was reportedly travelling to join the Kenyan contingent of AMISOM peacekeepers in Somalia. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

UK Orders Next Generation Air Defence.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered a new ground based surface-to-air missile (SAM) system from MBDA.

UK Orders Next Generation Air Defence.

Known as the Future Local Area Air Defence System (FLAADS) Land, the new SAM system will eventually replace the British Army's Rapier Field Standard C (FSC) short-range SAM systems.

Libyan Mlitia Purportedly Use Camcopter In Operation Against Strategic Air-Base.

Helicopter that crashed in western Libya suggest one of the militias obtained an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) supplied to the country's coastguard by the European Union.

Libyan Mlitia Purportedly Use Camcopter In Operation Against Strategic Air-Base.

Photographs and a video appeared on various social media sites on 15 January, clearly showing a Camcopter S-100, which is made by the Austrian company Schiebel. The aircraft was marked in English and Arabic as the property of the 'Coast Guard Administration' and had an EU flag on its tail.