ASIAN DEFENCE

According to Jung News, Russian Media reports that Pakistan wants to buy 12 MI-35 Helicopters from Russia and Russian FM confirms that the deal of four MI-35 Helicopters is expendable. According to the news Pakistan told Russia that we have the capacity to buy 10 to 12 MI-35 Helicopters. MI-35 Helicopters from Russia

The Sevastopol (left) and the Vladivostok warships, two Mistral-class landing helicopter dock amphibious vessels ordered by Russia from STX France before the order was canceled, are seen in Saint-Nazaire, France, Dec. 20, 2014. Malaysia has emerged as a potential buyer of one of the warships. Jean-Sebastien Evrard/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The French defense minister is in talks with Malaysia to sell the Southeast Asian nation one of the Mistral warship aircraft carriers that was initially intended for Russia, a source close to the talkstold Reuters Tuesday. Several countries, especially in emerging nations in Southeast Asia and South America, have been interested in the purchase of the ships, with reports confirming that one of the ships would be sold to Malaysia. Defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was set to travel Sunday to Malaysia, reportedly to discuss the sale of one of the warships. Le Drian would also travel to India on the same trip to discuss selling rafale fig...

The Pentagon's research and development agency wants to design a fleet of drones that could self-launch from a larger plane before swarming enemy aircraft and returning to their mothership after a mission. These "gremlins," as the researchers at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have dubbed them, would be cheaper than standard drones and have a lifespan of about 20 flights. DARPA envisions the gremlins as a middle ground between missile-like weapons, which can be used just once, and platforms like piloted aircraft, which are expensive, complex and long-lasting. DARPA's Next Generation Drone "We wouldn't be discarding the entire airframe, engine, avionics and payload with every mission, as is done with missiles, but we also wouldn't have to carry the maintainability and operational cost burdens of today's reusable systems, which are meant to stay in service for decades," the agency said in a statement. To launch ...

Israel and Russia have started creating two aircraft for Airborne Early Warning and Control for India. Work has already started in Taganrog, where they are installing Israeli radar on an IL-76. The Military Gazette wrote that Israel and Russia have started creating two aircraft for Airborne Early Warning and Control for India. This is the joint project called Falcon – an airborne early warning radar system created by Elta, installed on the IL-76 aircraft manufactured by the Ilyushin Company. Indian Il-76 AWACS Back in 2004, India signed a contract for the delivery of three of these aircraft, which were delivered in 2009-2011. Work on the creation of another two new aircraft is being carried out under an option provided for in this contract. As the publication noted, Israel purchased two IL-76 airframes from Uzbekistan. Russia, for its part, acquired two mostly completed IL-76 platforms from the Chkalov Aviation Production Association (now the Tashkent Mechanical Plant) in Tash...

Future aircraft could be powered by lasers and nuclear explosions if Boeing has its way. The aerospace firm claims a new-type of engine could produce energy-efficient thrust by firing lasers at radioactive material, such as deuterium and tritium. The technology could mean that planes and spaceships will require only a fraction of the power to operate, according to a recent patent filed by the company. The engine outlined in the patent would work by using high-powered lasers to vaporize the radioactive material producing a fusion reaction. 'At least one laser is positioned to vaporizer the propellant with at least one laser-beam into a thrust producing flow,' the company wrote in the document. The by-products of the process would be hydrogen or helium, which would leave the back-end of the plane creating thrust. Meanwhile, the inside wall of the engine's thrust-er chamber will react with the neutrons created by the nuclear reaction. Boeing Nuclear Laser Engine ...

Pakistan could be showing an interest in the Yak-130 trainer of Russia after concluding a deal to purchase four Mi-35 Hind helicopters. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) does not have a modern combat trainer though it operates advanced aircraft such as the American F-16, and the Pakistani-Chinese JF-17. Pakistan Air Force officials have been talking to executives from Rosoboronexport and Irkut, the maker of the Yak-130 in various arms trade shows, though no definite intention to buy has been received. The PAF does not have an advanced jet trainer to train its fighter pilots. It has a basic trainer, the propeller-driven Super Mushshak, which is a product of a Pakistani-Chinese partnership. For intermediate jet training it has the K-8 Karakorum and the Cessna T-17. Together with its Chinese partners, it manufactures the Super Mushak which is used as a basic trainer. Yak-130 The sources said that the PAF was interested in the Yak-120 for it unique feature of mimicking the flying c...

An agreement was signed between Pakistan and Russian authorities in Rawalpindi for the purchase of four MI-35 helicopters,” said a senior military official on Wednesday. The official, however, did not provide any further details about the deal, or shed any light on the configuration of the helicopters which Pakistan will receive. No timeline for delivery of the helicopters was revealed. The agreement is believed to have been finalised during Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif’s visit to Russia in June earlier this year. Russia’s move is a major shift in it’s policy in the wake of strategic partnership between US and India. Moscow has for long ignored Islamabad in a bit to please its long term ally New Delhi. But as a result of India’s growing tilt towards the US, Russia has now begun to expand its cooperation with Pakistan. For its part, Islamabad is eager to improve its ties with Moscow to diversify its options in the event of any stalemate in ties with Washington. ...

China's strategic missile force, the Second Artillery Forces (SAC) will display seven types of missiles in the military parade on Sept. 3, Xinhua learned from military sources. Organized into six armament formations, the weaponry includes long-range, intermediate-range, and short-range missiles as well as conventional and nuclear missiles, said the source. The source did not reveal the specific types of missiles, but said "the scale and number of the missiles will surpass any previous outing." "Our missile weaponry has seen great advances, in terms of firing range, strike methods, accuracy and mobility," said the source. A senior military official said Friday that 84 percent of armaments to be displayed in the military parade have never been viewed by the public before. The SAC made its first public appearance on Oct. 1, 1984, when the new China celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. After that, it has been a popular section of every military...

Most often, the recent advances in technology and innovation make the achievements of previous years a delightful comic to read on a Sunday afternoon. However there do exist an elite league of legendary accomplishments which stand their ground even to this day even after decades have passed into oblivion. The moon Landings by USA for example, which to this day remains nothing short of a spectacular benchmark in space technology has remained unchallenged. In the year 1981, an aircraft which was more of a manned ballistic missile on steroids entered service in the Indian Air Force changing the course of history as it is. Its induction in the IAF brought in an entirely new performance envelope for its fighter pilots and it became necessary to wear special pressure suits to survive at its service ceiling from where in the curvature of the Earth was visible from the very edge of space. To the NATO it was known as the “Foxbat” and the IAF christened it the name “Garuda” , the large myth...

The Syrian government has received six MiG-31 'Foxhound' interceptor aircraft from Russia under a deal that was said to have been signed in 2007, a regional media source has reported. Syria was reported to have ordered eight MiG-31 combat aircraft as part of a wider defence deal with Russia in 2007. Although this deal was confirmed at the time by the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Alexei Fyodorov, it was later denied by Anatoly Isaykin, director of state arms export bureau Rosoboronexport, who in 2010 described the sale as "a journalistic hoax". Neither the Russian nor the Syrian authorities have so far commented publicly on the reported deliveries. The MiG-31 first entered Soviet service in the early 1980s as a long-range, high-altitude, and high-speed interceptor. Although relatively old, it is still a highly capable platform that features some of the latest sensor and weapons fits. Mikoyan MiG-31 Fighter In particular, the MiG-31...

The Divine Eagle has a single engine nestled between its tailfins, with a diameter of over 1 meter. This makes the engine likely to be a medium non-afterburning turbofan producing 3 to 5 tons of thrust, which in turn is usually enough to power a UAV of 12-18 tons in maximum takeoff weight. In comparison, the largest American UAV in open service, the RQ-4 Global Hawk, uses a F-137-RR-100 turbofan engine with 3.4 tons of thrust. The Divine Eagle has a five wheel landing gear layout. The double bodied layout was chosen in order to provide the surface area for carrying large radars, while minimizing internal volume and weight. China's Divine Eagle Drone By using the single deck bus in the background (probably 3.2 meters tall, like most buses of its type) as a very crude visual yardstick, a very rough comparison suggests that the Divine Eagle is 6 meters tall, and 15 meters long (since most high altitude large UAVs have a wingspan to body length ratio of 2.5:1 to 3:1, the ...

Russian air defense is getting ready to deploy S-350 Vityaz mobile SAMs to replace outgoing versions of S-300 anti-aircraft systems. The core of the new system features missiles with state-of-the-art active radar-homing warheads. Everything is ready for the production of Russia’s brand-new medium to short range mobile S-350 Vityaz anti-aircraft missile complex. The system will replace S-300ps SAMs, which are armed with outdated V55R missiles due for decommissioning by the end of the year. “The next generation S-350 systems will be operational in the nearest possible future,” General-Major Sergey Babakov, the Commander of Russia’s anti-aircraft missile troops, told journalists in early July. “Deployment is expected to comply with the schedule, no failures on delivery are expected,” the general added. The S-350 Vityaz system consists of a launcher vehicle, all-aspect radar for scanning airspace and a command vehicle. The maximum number of launchers operating with one radar and comm...

HQ-17  has important differences with Tor-M1 including a new IFF array on top of an electronically scanned radar; those modern electronics make it well suited for 21st air defense against cruise missiles and close air support attack aircraft.   HQ-17 Surface to Air Missile The HQ-17 a copy Russia classic Tor-M1 may have a short range, but manufacturer claims for its Tor-M1 relative claim that it has a 90% probably of destroying cruise missiles. The Tor M1 “SA-15 Gauntlet” is a 12km ranged Russian air defense missile specifically designed to attack enemy fighters, helicopters, smart bombs and cruise missile. China has bought at least 25 vehicles. Its Chinese license production is designated HQ-17 with key differences including an indigenous all terrain tracked launcher, a new Identify Friend Foe (IFF) antenna on top the search radar, electronically scanned radars for better performance against enemy jamming, and ability to datalink with other systems.

After the Global Strike Command of the United States Air Force deployed three B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, China's state-run Global Times said that China has already adopted countermeasures against the US strategic bomber on Aug. 12. With the ability to launch a nuclear strike, the B-2 poses a serious threat to the national security of China, according to the paper. The paper stated, however, that the B-2 bombers being sent to Guam are likely more to present a psychological threat to China and will be unlikely to carry out an actual aerial strike. It said that the United States aims to force China into devoting more resources to strengthening the PLA's air defense capabilities through this deployment. B-2 bomber If China spends too much of its limited resources on the development of new air defense systems to counter the stealth bombers, the nation will not be able to continue its expansion in the ...

The manufacturing tests of Russia’s newest Armata tank will be completed in 2016, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, Col.-Gen. Oleg Salyukov, said on Friday. "Armata will undergo manufacturing tests. After that, a decision on operational trials and entry into service will be made," Salyukov said. T-14 Armata "The manufacturing tests will be completed in 2016," he added.Armata is a heavy unified platform created for tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The new-generation tank boasts an unmanned turret, fully digitalized control and an isolated armored capsule accommodating the crew. Armata’s main weapon is a 125 mm gun. In principle, the vehicle can be armed with a 152 mm gun, too

The Israeli company Elbit Systems Ltd. announced on August 16, 2015, that it was awarded an approximately $27 million contract for the supply of command and control systems and ATMOS long-range artillery systems to an Asia-Pacific country. This contract is a follow-on contract for this customer and will be performed over a three-year period. The contract calls for the supply of a complete solution for an artillery unit, including self- propelled artillery, command stations, forward observation stations and target acquisition systems, as well as command and control systems, in an integrative solution to connect all systems. The solution, mounted on various wheeled - platforms, enhances mission flexibility, reaction speed and survivability of both the crew and the system. Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land and C4I Division, commented: "The customer's decision to order additional quantities under this follow-on contract further enhances Elbit Systems...

According to The Indian Express, the United States has extended an offer to India to jointly produce a line of fighter jets to both enhance military ties as well as provide for India’s frontline fighter fleet shortage. This comes right after the Indian government announced that the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) deal, originally signed with France’s Dassault Aviation, was, for all intents and purposes, over. Bumps, missteps and poor communication contributed to the downfall of the contract which would have seen a set of Rafales built in France to Indian specifications, while the remaining number of jets to be procured in the deal would be built under license in India. So that means India will soon be back on the market, looking for another multi-role fighter to fulfill its needs for another fifteen to twenty years while it works on developing its own indigenous stealth fighter program and makes the best of the mess that is the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA, the joint Russian-Indian deriv...

Russia is being expanded international military competition, he came "Rashomon." Earlier domestic media quoted Russian media reported that held in August 11 "air defense combat experts" competition, the Chinese team fired anti-aircraft missiles all off-target. According to observers from the network to understand at the front of the Xinhua News Agency correspondent, the Chinese team's "avant-2" missiles completed hit, but was in Russia "and the goal difference of 100 meters," all of it is determined by off-target. Earlier, according to the Russian arms network August 12 reported that held August 11 in Yeisk "air defense combat experts" competition in the face of an a "hovering helicopter" target and two news aerial targets only Russian team successfully hit all three airborne targets, Belarus hit two air targets other teams each hit a target, the Chinese team did not hit an airborne target, all off-target. And that ...

China is believed to be developing a new DF-5B liquid-fuel missile that will be able to strike any target on the planet, reports our Chinese-language sister paper Want Daily. The People’s Liberation Army’s current or in-development arsenal of long-range strategic intercontinental missiles (ICBMs) are led by the DF-31A, the DF-41 and the JL-2, all of which feature solid-fuel rockets. The DF-31A, with a range of 10,000 kilometers, can reach the west coast of the United States. The DF-41 has a longer operational range of 12,000-15,000 kilometers and can carry three or more warheads, though the missile is still in the testing phase. The JL-2, which has an estimated operation of up to 8,000 km, can only be fired from a submarine at sea. US and Japanese media report that China may have recently tested two ICMBs, the DF-41 and and the DF-5A. Military commentator Gao Feng believes that the firing of the DF-41 was part of regular testing, though the DF-5A test was likely part of basic re...

The China-made J-10 multi-role fighter jet is a suitable choice for Iran if the Middle East power decides to upgrade its aging military aircraft fleet, Chinese aviation experts said. "Once the sanctions against Iran are completely lifted, the country will definitely renovate its civilian and military aircraft fleets. The J-10 is a good option for the Iranians because it can fulfill all operations they want to conduct," said Wang Ya'nan, deputy editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine. "In addition to air combat, our J-10 is also capable of performing air-to-surface strikes and anti-ship operations," he added. "Moreover, the Iranians must have known that China, among other major weapon exporters, is the most reliable supplier when it comes to arms deals. China is also very flexible in payment issues." Furthermore, with the development of China's next-generation fighter jet progressing well, it is highly possible that the Chinese aviati...

The new electronic variant of the JH-7 fighter/bomber is able to shoot down stealth aircraft at medium range. The new JH-7 uses technology similar to the USEA-18G and is able to shoot down the US F-22 stealth fighter jet. China has developed electronic equipment similar to that used on the US EA-18G. As JH-7 can carry a heavy load, it is precisely the right warplane to carry such equipment. Te report says that the JH-7 has a similar combat radius and speed to the J-10 and the J-11. JH-7 fighter bomber Some JH-7s and J-10s or J-11s can form a comprehensive combat group with JH-7 electronic fighters providing electronic interference. That will enable J-10s or J-11s to avoid being attacked by stealth fighters. In addition, due to the JH-7’s large loading capacity, The JH-7 can carry, in addition to the heavy electronic equipment, some anti-radiation and medium-range air-to-air missiles to shoot down stealth fighters it has detects.

The ongoing negotiations with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets has hit an air-pocket with the French negotiators refusing to accept changed technical specifications from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for integrating the indigenous Astra missile to the French platform. The IAF wants certain changes in the platform configuration to integrate the DRDO-made air-to-air, beyond-visual-range Astra missile, which was successfully test-fired from a Su-30 MKI aircraft. The missile was tested twice on consecutive days in March. Following the success, IAF wants modification and reconfiguration of some of the avionics and weapon systems to keep an window open for integration of Astra at a later date. The French side objected to the idea because a change in the configuration means going through the aircraft certification process once again, which would lead to an increase in cost. Instead, Paris wants to supply its own air-to-air missiles, which New Delhi will have to purchase additionally. ...

The Tulpar-S multi-purpose, tracked armoured combat vehicle was unveiled at the IDEF 2015 International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, Turkey, in May 2015. It is an enhanced version of the Tulpar infantry fighting vehicle that was introduced in May 2013 for the Turkish Armed Forces. The new-generation vehicle features amphibious characteristics and a high payload capability. It can be integrated with different mission systems to meet the future operational and mission needs of the land forces. Its mission variants include troop transport, combat infantry, tank, support, maintenance, troubleshooting and ambulance. The Tulpar family of tracked armoured vehicles was developed by Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi (Otokar), a light armoured tactical vehicle designer and manufacturer based in Turkey. Design and features of Tulpar-S armoured combat vehicle "The armoured vehicle offers enhanced protection against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incid...

Russia’s air defense forces will get a new boost this fall with the arrival of the third generation of the legendary Buk antiaircraft missile system. The Buk-M3 medium-range surface-to-air missile system, a modernized version of the Buk-M2 system, features advanced electronic components and a deadly new missile and could be regarded as a completely new system. Developed by the Tikhomirov Design Bureau outside Moscow, the Buk-M3 is widely viewed as the world’s best means of intercepting low-flying cruise missiles. The system will be made operational before the end of this year and will enter active service in 2016. The previous modification — Buk-M2, is currently regarded as one of the most efficient in its class. Buk-3M The Buk-M3 system boasts a new digital computer, high-speed data exchange system and a telethermal imaging target designator instead of the teleoptical trackers used in previous models. The Buk-3M’s target-destruction probability has reached 0.9999 and...

China's devaluation of the yuan could negatively affect the United States. This move by China’s authorities has caused uncertainty among US policymakers who have frequently blamed China for manipulating its national currency for a trade advantage. A weaker yuan will increase the competitiveness of Chinese exports and might cause complaints among US manufacturers, media wrote. China is seeking to establish its currency as an alternative currency to the US dollar in the international trade. In the future, its exports and imports are expected to be carried out not in dollars, but in the national currency. According to DWN, China’s move is a clear sign that the country will ruthlessly enforce the interests of its export industries. It is an explicit warning to the US that it can no longer be responsible for pursuing a monetary policy independent from other states and should take into account their interests. Currency War The US central bank has long been preparing to raise...

If ever India loses its patience after repeated terror attacks and decides to retaliate against the terrorist camps, Pakistan may term that a conventional military attack and invoke the nuclear option.' 'This is a way to continue with terrorism without retaliation.' Top nuclear scientist Dr R Rajaraman, emeritus professor of theoretical physics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, believes Pakistan's growing nuclear arsenal is a matter of great concern to India with the Nasr missile being of special concern. The co-chair of the International Panel on Fissile Materials and a member of the world scientists permanent panel on Mitigation of Terrorists Acts, Dr Rajaraman, below, left, tells Rediff.com contributor Rashme Sehgal why an alarming nuclear story is unfolding in the sub-continent. Pakistan has the fastest growing nuclear programme in the world. By 2020, it is expected to get 200 nuclear devices most of which are targeted at India. While countries around t...

HAL has aimed a serious blow at the Tejas Mark II Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) , with a letter telling the Indian Air Force (IAF) that it does not have the manpower to work on developing an improved version of the current Tejas Mark I . The Bengaluru-based public sector aviation monolith says its engineers are already stretched with existing projects, including the Tejas production line , design and prototype manufacture of a basic trainer aircraft , the Hindustan Turbo Trainer - 40 (HTT-40) ; and the testing and production of the Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) . HAL has suggested that, instead of waiting for the Tejas Mark II the IAF should buy 80 Tejas Mark I-A , an interim fighter that would be more capable then the Mark I , but less than the Mark II will be. Business Standard has learned of a heated debate under way between the user of the Tejas, the IAF; its designer, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA); and its manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL...

Looking to cut costs and prune military imports, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has halved its demand for Russian-built fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA).It now wants just three squadrons of the fighter jets which are to be inducted into the Russian Air Force in 2016. Sources say the IAF has scaled down its needs and now indicated that just three squadrons (around 18 planes in each), besides a few more for training of the pilots, will be enough for now. This works out to be 65 planes, almost half from the earlier projection of 127 FGFAs to be jointly designed and produced by India and Russia.The T-50 has been built for the Russians under the PAK-FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) programme for the fifth generation fighter aircraft. A plane will cost $100 million (Rs 650 crore). Three squadrons are the projection of an off-the-shelf deal India is pressing its military ally for immediate delivery of the planes.New Delhi has suggested to Moscow that the T-50 f...