Poland Rejigs Leopard 2PL Upgrade Programe.

The Polish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has opted for a new contractor for the planned upgrade of 128 of its Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) to the new Leopard 2PL standard.

Poland Rejigs Leopard 2PL Upgrade Programe.

After launching a tender for the programme in October 2013, Poland has rejected the latest offer from a consortium led by Polish Defence Holding (PHO) out of "formal and technical reasons" and because of limited Polish industrial participation in the upgrade.

Three Sukhois Delivered To Houthi-Controlled Port In Yemen.

The commander of the Yemeni Air Force has clarified reports that Ansar Allah - the Zaidi Shia group, known as the Houthis - has taken control of a shipment of three Sukhoi jets.

Three Sukhois Delivered To Houthi-Controlled Port In Yemen.

Various Arabic media organisations reported on 17 February that the aircraft had arrived from either Russia or Ukraine at the port of Al-Hudaydah, which has been under Ansar Allah's control since September 2014.

Lockheed Martin Admits Challenges.

Lockheed Martin's successful sale of 12 C-130J-30 transport aircraft to India has included "challenges but not obstacles", a company told on 19 February.

Lockheed Martin Admits Challenges.

Abhay Paranjape, director of business development for Lockheed Martin, said that these challenges were "because it's a new customer," but that the India Air Force (IAF) was "very pleased with the aircraft" and had used it "in multiple humanitarian missions."

USAF Would Divest Both U-2 & Global Hawk Block 40 Under Continued Sequestration.

The US Air Force (USAF) may be forced to retire its Lockheed U-2 and Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft if sequestration is not eliminated in Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16), the USAF deputy chief of staff for ISR said on 18 February.

USAF Would Divest Both U-2 & Global Hawk Block 40 Under Continued Sequestration.

"That's going to lead to gaps in coverage," said Lieutenant General Robert Otto. "It's going to lead to difficulty, a 30% reduction in our [intelligence] collection." The general was speaking at an Air Force Association event in Arlington, Virginia.

Decision On Rafale To Be Taken By Early Next Month.

India's decision on whether to procure 126 Dassault Rafale fighters for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement will be taken by early next month, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Bangalore on 18 February.

"The outcome of the Rafale deal will be known only after the Cost Negotiation Committee [CNC], dealing with the purchase, submits its progress report to the Ministry of Defence [MoD]," Parrikar told reporters at Aero India 2015.

Astor Says UK Well Positioned For Modi's.

UK Defence minister Lord Astor has said the successful sale to India of the BAE Systems Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer shows that London is ready to embrace Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for foreign defence suppliers to turn "from sellers to strategic partners".

Speaking on 18 February at the opening ceremony of Aero India 2015 in Bangalore, Modi outlined his 'Make in India' policy, which is intended to help Delhi shed its reputation as the world's largest defence materiel importer. "This is one area where we'd not like to be No. 1," Modi said, adding that "we need [foreign companies'] technology, skills, and systems … and in turn they can use India as part of their global supply chain."

Russia Conducting Major Air Exercises Close To Europe.

Russia is staging a series of major aerial exercises near Europe as tensions with the West continue to escalate over the crisis in Ukraine, state media has announced.

Russia Conducting Major Air Exercises Close To Europe.

More than 50 combat aircraft of various types are taking part in the live-fire exercises in the western military district of Russia, the Sputnik news agency reported.

US Opens Door To Increased UAV Sales.

The Obama administration on 17 February unveiled a new policy that could facilitate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) exports to countries beyond close allies like the UK that already use advanced US-manufactured systems such as the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper.

US Opens Door To Increased UAV Sales.

An "intensive interagency process" that included the White House, the Pentagon, the Commerce Department and others led to the crafting of the new policy, a State Department official told  on the condition of anonymity. "We want to make sure that transfers are done as responsibly as possible,".

Colombian M1117 APC Destroyed In Guerrilla Attack.

A Colombian Army M1117 Pegaso 4x4 armoured security vehicle (ASV) was destroyed on 15 February by an improvised explosive device (IED).

Three Colombian soldiers were killed and two more wounded as part of the IED attack that was claimed by the National Liberation Army (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, ELN) guerrilla group in Sardinata, Norte de Santander. Two ELN fighters activated the IED charge as the M1117 Pegaso went over a culvert, according to a Colombian Army statement.

The M1117 Pegaso was part of the No.5 Mechanized Cavalry Group, which deployed to provide security for a medical assistance mission to the town of San Martin de Loba, about 30 miles from the border with Venezuela.

A-Darter Programme Nears Completion.

Denel Dynamics is close to completing the development of its A-Darter short-range air-to-air missile, the South African company has announced.

A-Darter Programme Nears Completion.

The missile is in the final stage of air-launched guided evaluation firing trials, which have seen two missiles being launched from a Saab JAS 39 Gripen at the end of 2014 against Skua high-speed targets to confirm the guidance, control, and free-flight seeker performance, including a lock-on-after-launch engagement. These firings demonstrated a high-G performance greater than required by the specification, the company said.

Egypt Officially Signs For 24 Rafales.

French Defence minister Jean Yves Le Drian was in Cairo on 16 February to sign the contract to supply Egypt with 24 Rafale fighters, a FREMM multimission frigate, and a large batch of MBDA missiles. He flew to Egypt with Eric Trappier, Hervé Guillou, and Antoine Bouvier: the CEOs of Dassault Aviation, DCNS, and MBDA respectively.

Egypt Officially Signs For 24 Rafales.

The arms package is valued at EUR5.2 billion (USD5.9 billion), with half of this financed by French bank loans - a clear sign that Paris is counting on the long-term stability of the government in Cairo.

Kabul Is Losing Control Of Afghan Countryside.

Afghanistan's Government is losing control of its territory outside major population centres to the country's insurgent groups, says the EU's asylum agency.

Kabul Is Losing Control Of Afghan Countryside.

"The overall trend is one of decreasing government control outside the larger towns and cities, escalating violence and more insurgent attacks," observed the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).

USAF To Return Mothballed B-52 Bomber.

The US Air Force (USAF) is returning to service a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft that had been mothballed in the 'boneyard' at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, the service announced on 16 February.

USAF To Return Mothballed B-52 Bomber.

The aircraft, serial number 61-0007, had been maintained by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) in '1000-type storage', meaning that it is maintained in the highest state of preservation.

Lockheed Martin Unveils Legion IRST Pod.

Lockheed Martin unveiled a new long-range infrared search and track (IRST) pod for fourth-generation aircraft at the Air Force Association's annual Air Warfare Symposium on 12 February.

The Legion Pod combines Lockheed Martin's IRST21 infrared sensor with networking and data processing technology for detection and tracking of airborne targets, company officials said. The pod can hold additional sensors within its current structure, they said.

"Legion Pod has been right-sized to accommodate future payloads based on customer requirements," Don Dolling, director of business development at Lockheed's Missiles and Fire Control, told during a 13 February interview at the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium.

Egypt Says It Has Bombed Militants In Libya.

Egypt said on 16 February that it had carried out airstrikes against Sunni Islamist militants in Libya in response to the release of a video showing Egyptian Coptic Christians being beheaded.

Egypt Says It Has Bombed Militants In Libya.

"The airstrikes hit their targets precisely and the falcons of our air forces returned safely to their bases," 

IAI Teams Up With Local Firm To Build Bird-Eye UAS In India.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed an agreement with India's Alpha Design Technologies for the production and marketing of mini unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in India. 

IAI Teams Up With Local Firm To Build Bird-Eye UAS In India.

Under this agreement, Alpha will undertake the production of IAI's Bird-Eye 400 and Bird-Eye 650 mini UAS, while the marketing will be jointly handled by both the companies.

Franco-German Tiger Helicopter Simulators To Be Upgraded.

The French and German armed forces are to have their simulation training facilities for the Airbus Helicopters EC665 Tiger attack helicopter improved under a contract awarded to Thales and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE).

Franco-German Tiger Helicopter Simulators To Be Upgraded.

Announced on 12 February, but awarded on 16 December, the contract will see 18 Tiger helicopter simulators upgraded in France and Germany. 

USAF Prepares To Unveil T-X Requirements.

The US Air Force (USAF) is poised to release requirements for its Northrop T-38C Talon combat aircraft trainer replacement programme, known as T-X, within weeks, the service's top training official said during a 12 February press roundtable at the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium.

USAF Prepares To Unveil T-X Requirements.

"We're pretty close to having it done," said Gen Robin Rand, head of the USAF's Air Education and Training Command.

Egypt Orders Rafale Fighter Aircraft.

Dassault Aviation announced the sale of 24 Rafale fighter aircraft to Egypt on 12 February. The deal marks the first completed export agreement for the aircraft, and is a major boon for its manufacturer.

Egypt Orders Rafale Fighter Aircraft.

"I would like to thank the French authorities, who … have provided the political support, without which we cannot make any military export" said Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation stated in the company announcement.

USAF Contemplates A-10.

A joint-service Pentagon review of close air support (CAS) needs will include exploration of a potential successor to the venerable Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II close-air support aircraft, according to the head of the US Air Force's Air Combat Command.

USAF Contemplates A-10.

"A follow on may be something we need to think about," Gen. Herbert Carlisle said during a 12 February press roundtable at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium. "Another weapons system programme may be something we need to consider as we look at the gaps and seams in the future and what we're doing."

France Completes First MMP Firing Trials.

France has successfully conducted the first firing of the MBDA Missile de Moyenne Portée (MMP) anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW), the company announced on 12 February.

France Completes First MMP Firing Trials.

The MMP is a next-generation ATGW developed by MBDA and currently under order from the French Army to replace its MILAN ATGWs.

New Ukraine Ceasefire Announced In Minsk.

Crisis talks to end the conflict in east Ukraine have resulted in the announcement on 12 February of a ceasefire.

New Ukraine Ceasefire Announced In Minsk.

The ceasefire is scheduled to begin at midnight on 15 February, and is understood to include the withdrawal of heavy weapons, prisoner transfers, and an agreement towards a longer-lasting settlement.

The Regional Implications Of The Houthi Takeover In Yemen.

Ansar Allah - the Zaidi Shia group popularly known as the Houthis - ostensibly took power in Yemen on 6 February when it dissolved parliament and announced the formation of a presidential council to rule the country for a two-year period.

The Regional Implications Of The Houthi Takeover In Yemen.

The move was the culmination of a dramatic expansion in the group's influence beyond its stronghold in northern Yemen in 2014. By September the group controlled the Red Sea port of Al-Hudaydah and had moved into the capital, Sanaa. Its fighters stormed the presidential palace in January, forcing the government to quit.

French Defence Exports Rose 17% In 2014.

France saw defence exports rise 17% in 2014, reaching EUR8.06 billion for the year, Laurent Collet-Billon, head of the French defence procurement agency (the DGA), stated.

Collet-Billon was presenting the DGA's annual figures, which also saw it spend EUR11.3 billion on French defence programmes in 2014 (making it the largest single public investor in the French economy). However the body will face major challenges due to budgetary restrictions in 2015.

The EUR8.06 billion export figure includes parts of the EUR3 billion package of arms for the Lebanese military signed late last year and financed by Saudi Arabia. As usual, weapon exportation remains a major contributor to France's revenues and the prerequisite for a good execution of the military planning law.

French Officials Optimistic About Rafale Sale To Egypt.

France is optimistic that it will secure a contract to sell Dassault Rafale multirole fighters to Egypt, the head of the General Directorate for Armament (DGA) said on 9 February.

French Officials Optimistic About Rafale Sale To Egypt.

"We are all smiles," Laurent Collet-Billon told journalists during the French defence procurement agency's annual press briefing. "We are optimistic even though there is still some work to be done."

China Looks To Break Into Latin American Market Via Argentina.

The 5 February communique that followed a summit meeting in Beijing between the leaders of China and Argentina may have affirmed a number of previously reported military programmes, but most have yet to produce contracts.

China Looks To Break Into Latin American Market Via Argentina.

The programmes mentioned in the communique had previously been the subject of discussions under an Argentine-Chinese Joint Committee on Cooperation in the field of Defence, Technology, and Industry. In the naval sphere, those affirmed include the construction by China of a new icebreaker, new tugboats and new offshore patrol vessels. The latter are likely to be 1,800-ton P-18N corvettes, two of which reportedly will be built in China and up to three in Argentina.

Lockheed Martin Rolls Out Crowsnest Solution.

Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems (UKIS) has revealed details of its bid for the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) Crowsnest airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) programme, claiming that its proposed radar/mission system offers a 'future-proofed' solution exploiting the capability of IAI Elta's EL/M-2052 active electronically scanned array (AESA) multimode radar.

Lockheed Martin Rolls Out Crowsnest Solution.

Intended to replace the RN's current Sea King ASaC.7 (SKASaC) from 2018, the Crowsnest programme is based on the provision of a roll-on/roll-off mission fit for the 30 RN Merlin HM.2 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters currently being delivered under the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme (MCSP). Current planning assumptions call for the acquisition of 10 Crowsnest kits; a Main Gate investment decision is planned for April 2016.

USAF Returns A-10s To Europe.

The US Air Force (USAF) is returning a detachment of Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft to Europe as part of a theatre security package (TSP) in support of Operation 'Atlantic Resolve'.

USAF Returns A-10s To Europe.

The deployment was announced by the US Air Force in Europe (USAFE) on 10 February. Twelve aircraft and approximately 300 personnel from the 355th Fighter Wing, based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, will be assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. All of the assets should be in place by the end of February.

Al-Shabaab Militants Kill Two Police Officers In Somalia's Bari.

AT LEAST two police officers were killed and five others were wounded when Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen militants launched a small-arms and grenade attack on a police checkpoint and a senior police officer's residence in the town of Boosaaso in Somalia's Bari region in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland late on 7 February, Reuters reported. One militant was also killed in the clashes. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

Nigeria Looking For More Attack Aircraft.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received a proposal from a defence company for the sale of six Puma gunship helicopters, four Sukhoi Su-25KM ground attack jets, and two upgraded Su-25UB trainers, a Nigerian Newspaper revealed on 5 February.

Nigeria Looking For More Attack Aircraft.

The Nation cited defence industry 'whistle-blowers' as saying the unidentified company had "reached an agreement with the NAF to substitute the initial order for Cobra AH-1V with alternative attack platforms". It said the NAF had recommended the deal to "the higher echelon of government within 16 days" of the proposal being submitted.

North Korean Vessel Firing New SSM.

North Korean state on 7 February showing a new type of surface-to-surface missile (SSM) being fired from a surface-effects ship (SES) from the Korean People's Navy (KPN) Eastern Fleet.

North Korean Vessel Firing New SSM.

The images, which showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in attendance, were accompanied by an article translated by the English-language website KCNA Watch. The article noted that the test-firing proved in a "scientific" way that the capabilities of the long-rumoured vessel and its weapons system had reached design and engineering specifications.

Northrop Grumman To Unveil New T-X Design This Year.

Northrop Grumman will develop a new aircraft design for the US Air Force's (USAF's) Northrop T-38C Talon combat aircraft trainer replacement programme, known as T-X, the company's programme director for T-X told on 9 February.

Northrop Grumman To Unveil New T-X Design This Year.

"Northrop Grumman is using our advanced design and prototyping expertise to build a new design for the air force T-X programme [because] the air force has evolved and matured its requirements," said Marc Lindsley.

UAE Deploys F-16s To Jordan.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had deployed F-16 fighters to Jordan, a move that appears to pave the way for Emirati aircraft to re-join the air campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria.

UAE Deploys F-16s To Jordan.

The Emirates' official WAM news agency said the deployment of a squadron of F-16s "reaffirms the UAE's unwavering and constant solidarity with Jordan" and was in support of the Jordanian Armed Forces in the multinational campaign against the Islamic State.

Russian Army Adopts New Training System.

Four new 16Yu6T unified training systems for the S-400 Triumf (SA-21 'Growler') and S-300PM2 Favorit (SA-20 'Gargoyle') air-defence missile systems have been accepted into service by the Russian armed forces. These will replace the earlier Altek-300 training system.

Also known as the Unifitsirovanniy Trenazhniy Kompleks (UTK), the 16Yu6T was developed by Golovnoye Sistemnoye Konstruktorskoye Byuro Almaz-Antey (GSKB Almaz-Antey), working under the Tenor-PVO experimental-design programme.

Although a prototype of the new training system was completed in 2010, a contract for the production and delivery of the 16Yu6T was not issued by the Russian Ministry of Defence until December 2013. 

This delay created problems for the company, given the rapid pace at which new electronic components are developed, and existing devices become obsolescent and are phased out of production.

Iran Reveals 'New' Fighter Type.

Iran has unveiled the 'second generation' of its indigenously developed Saeghe (Thunderbolt) combat aircraft, state media announced on 9 February.

Iran Reveals 'New' Fighter Type.

The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces Logistics agency announced the unveiling of the Saeghe-2 jet, and its delivery to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), the Mehr news agency reported.

IAI Reveals New Business Jet-Based Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has developed a new business jet-based maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), which it revealed on 9 February.

IAI Reveals New Business Jet-Based Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The EL/I-3360 MPA, which is based on the Bombardier Global 5000 business jet, features a number of IAI systems and sensors for a range of missions including maritime surveillance, anti-surface vessel warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and search and rescue (SAR).

KFX Stalls After Only One Bidder Meets Development Deadline.

The Korean Fighter Experimental (KFX) aircraft programme stalled on 9 February when an insufficient number of companies lodged bids to secure a contract to complete development of the aircraft.

KFX Stalls After Only One Bidder Meets Development Deadline.

A spokesman from the country's military procurement agency, The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) told that only one company had lodged a bid by the deadline.

First Chinese-Built OPV Arrives In Lagos.

The first of two Chinese-built P18N offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ordered by Nigeria arrived in Lagos on 6 Feb, automatic identification system (AIS) data shows.

First Chinese-Built OPV Arrives In Lagos.

NNS Centenary (F 91) was built by China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC) at its Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan, and sailed for Nigeria in December.

CETC Secures USD5.6 Billion In Credit For Export Sales.

The China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), one of China's leading military electronics groups, has secured credit worth CNY35 billion (USD5.6 billion) to support international sales activities, Beijing announced on 5 February.

A statement by China's State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) - the government agency that leads defence industrial policy - said that the funds would be made available to CETC through a "strategic co-operation agreement" signed earlier this month with the Export-Import Bank of China.

SASTIND said the funds would enable CETC to support export opportunities by offering its customers access to export credit, preferential loans and other financial mechanisms.

Tor-M2U To Be Given Better Anti-UAV Capability.

A new version of the Tor-M2U version of the Tor (SA-15 'Gauntlet') surface-to-air missile (SAM) system is being developed by the Joint Stock Corporation (JSC) Izhevsk Electromechnical Plant Kupol. 

The company's assistant director for military-technical co-operation and government orders, it will have a larger engagement envelope, and improved performance against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other low-radar cross-section targets.

Work on the planned naval version of the Tor-M2 system, which was announced at the 2013 IMDS naval exhibition at St Petersburg, is still in progress and the system is due to be shown at this year's IMDS.

Serbia Test Fires Morava MRL.

Serbia's Lanser Raketa Samohodni Viscevni Modularni (LRSVM) Morava multiple rocket launcher (MRL) has successfully carried out a test-firing at the Nikinci training area in Vojvodina before a VIP audience, including Serbian defence minister Bratislav Gasic.

Developed by Serbia's Military Technical Institute (VazduhoplovnoTechnikiInstitut) with 98% indigenous content, the system is expected to enter production at the 14 Oktober factory in Krusevac, Prva Petoletka in Trsenik (which produces the elevating and rotating mechanisms for the launcher) and FAP in Priboj (which produces the chassis). It is due to become operational with the Serbian army later this year.

Morava had been designed as a modular system.

Poprad SAM System Ordered By Poland.

The Polish Army plans to procure 77 indigenous Poprad surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems at a total cost of about PLN700 million (USD227 million).

Designed by the Warsaw PIT-Radwar plant of the Polish Arms Group (PGZ), Poprad will integrate the Grom launcher and SAM (and those of the upgraded Piorun system) with the 50km-range Sola mobile tactical radar and an IFF system. A four-round Telesystem-Mesko Grom launcher and an onboard fire-control computer will be installed on the AMZ Kutno Zubr P armoured vehicle.

The system is capable of automated operation, using the radar inputs to cue and direct the Grom's electro-optical/infared (EO/IR) sensor which can start tracking a target at 6-10 km range.

China To Put 125 MM ATGM In Service On Type 99 Tanks.

China's GP7 laser-guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) has successfully passed its tests and will be now taken into service. It will be fired from the 125 mm smoothbore main gun of the Chinese Type 99 main battle tank.

While not mentioned in the article, China is believed to have acquired technology for the GP7 from the Tula Machinery Design Bureau 9K118M Refleks AT-11 'Sniper' ATGM, and the Chinese weapon is reported to be identical to its Russian counterpart.

Like the latter, it is fed to the tank's 125 mm gun via the vehicle's automatic loader.

CETC Secures USD5.6 Billion In Credit For Export Sales.

The China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), one of China's leading military electronics groups, has secured credit worth CNY35 billion (USD5.6 billion) to support international sales activities, Beijing announced on 5 February.

A statement by China's State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) - the government agency that leads defence industrial policy - said that the funds would be made available to CETC through a "strategic co-operation agreement" signed earlier this month with the Export-Import Bank of China.

SASTIND said the funds would enable CETC to support export opportunities by offering its customers access to export credit, preferential loans and other financial mechanisms.

Airbus Completes EC135 Deliveries To Spain.

The last of eight Airbus EC135 helicopters ordered for the Spanish Army's air-mobile force (Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra: FAMET) in December 2013 was handed over on 5 February at the company's Albacete factory to the director general of armament and materiel, Lieutenant General Juan Manuel García Montaño.

Airbus Completes EC135 Deliveries To Spain.

The long-delayed EUR49 million (USD55.8 million) deal was eventually reformulated to include a logistics support package for the aircraft - the first helicopter of its kind to be supplied for military use.

The same model is already widely used by Spain's paramilitary and national police forces as well as regional medical services, with more than 60 being operated in total.

All the military versions are being used by FAMET for training, including tactical missions and night flying, before the pilots move on to the Airbus AS532 Cougar, Airbus Tigre (Tiger) attack helicopter, and NHIndustries NH90.

Arab Countries Co-Operate To Fight Islamic State.

On 20 January, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Federica Mogherini, held talks in New York with Nabil El Arabi, the secretary-general of the League of Arab States, to discuss co-operation on counter-terrorism.

Arab Countries Co-Operate To Fight Islamic State.

The talks followed the terrorist attacks in Paris on 7-9 January and highlighted the renewed sense of urgency in European capitals with regard to tackling the threat posed by the Islamic State and other extremist Islamist groups.

Argentina & China Agree Fighter Aircraft Working Group.

Argentina and China are to form a working group to look at the possible introduction into Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina - FAA) service of a new Chinese fighter type, it was disclosed on 5 February.

Argentina & China Agree Fighter Aircraft Working Group.

The working group, which was discussed during a visit by between Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to Beijing from 2 to 5 February, will look at the possible transfer of a range of military equipment to Buenos Aries. Chief among this equipment is either the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) FC-1/JF-17 or the CAC J-10 fighter aircraft.

India-US Strategic And Defence Co-Operation Likely To Increase.

Although the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, which set up the bilateral framework for investment in India's nuclear energy sector, was ratified by both countries in 2008, US companies have so far been hesitant to commit to any investments.

India-US Strategic And Defence Co-Operation Likely To Increase.

India's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 was intended to allay concerns about supplier liability, with US companies wanting operators to take full legal responsibility, and with it the obligation to pay compensation in case of an accident at a plant. However, in clause 17, the law also allows operators to seek financial recourse from suppliers after paying compensation for "patent or latent defects or sub-standard services". 

With supplier liability concerns persisting because of the clause, the Modi government has now agreed to establish a USD245-million India Nuclear Insurance Pool in part through state-owned companies. But more importantly, it has agreed to issue a memorandum of law - effectively an executive order approved by the attorney general - that limits operators from seeking redress under clause 17 of the 2010 act from foreign courts. In exchange, it appears that India has given concessions on monitoring of its nuclear sites to comply with US laws.