Friday, December 10, 2010

Asian Defense News: India's test of nuclear-capable missile fails

by Staff Writers
Bhubaneswar, India (AFP) Dec 10, 2010
India's maiden test of an upgraded version of its nuclear-capable, medium-range Agni-II ballistic missile ended in failure Friday, when the missile dropped into the Bay of Bengal.

agnimissile afp543 India’s test of nuclear capable missile fails

Capable of carrying a one-tonne conventional or nuclear warhead, Agni-II is one of a series of missiles being developed as a deterrent strategy against India's nuclear-armed neighbours China and Pakistan. — Photo by AFP

The surface-to-surface "Agni-II plus" was fired from a mobile rail launcher on Wheeler Island off the coast of the western state of Orissa.

"Shortly after initial take off, it deviated from its course and fell into the sea," an official with the Defence Research and Development Organisation said.

"The data and details are being studied to see exactly what went wrong" the official told AFP.

The missile has two stages, both fuelled by solid propellants.

Capable of carrying a one-tonne conventional or nuclear warhead, Agni-II is one of a series of missiles being developed as a deterrent strategy against India's nuclear-armed neighbours China and Pakistan.

It has a normal range of 2,000-2,500 kilometers (1,250-1,500 miles) and India has already successfully tested an Agni-III variant with a reach of up to 3,000-3,500 kilometers.

The upgraded "Agni-II plus" has an improved navigation system and is aimed at bridging the gap between the two with a range of around 2,500-3,000 kilometers.


Asian Defense News: Manila, Beijing want peace in Spratlys

By Bernice Camille V. Bauzon, Reporter

A territorial dispute in the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea should be resolved only through peaceful means, top officials of the Philippine government and Chinese military said on Thursday.


In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing said that this consensus was reaffirmed when the
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, Gen. Ricardo David Jr., met with China’s Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on December 7 and People’s Liberation Army Gen. Chen Bingde on December 8 in Beijing.

“We must maintain peace and unhampered tranquility in the South China Sea. The Philippines is committed to resolve disputes in the South China Sea in the most peaceful way together with China and Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries,” David told both Liang and Chen.

He stressed that the Philippines is deeply committed to the principles embodied in the 2002 Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The doctrine called specifically for “cooperation and peaceful negotiations” between members of the Asean and China in the disputed area.

Asean groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Code of Conduct

Liang said that China “has strictly implemented the declaration of conduct, stressing that all involved parties should guarantee peace and stability in the South China Sea and to handle [disputes] appropriately.”

“They also agreed to continue discussions to strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and China through exchange of high-level visits between defense officials and the militaries of both countries,” the statement from the Foreign Affairs department said.

David is in China as guest of the People’s Liberation Army and the Chinese government.
It is his first visit to China since becoming Armed Forces chief of staff, and his second foreign visit after South Korea.

The meeting between Manila and Beijing’s government officials came on the heels of recent reports that said China has constructed a lighthouse on Subi Reef in a disputed area in the South China Sea.

The reports said that Chinese troops are occupying the area being claimed by both the Philippines and Vietnam.

But officials of the Department of National Defense have downplayed the reports, saying that the lighthouse had been constructed even before the declaration of conduct was signed in 2002.

They added that the structure was probably old, built about eight years ago.
The Subi Reef is currently being occupied by Chinese forces, but is being claimed by the Philippines.

The 2002 declaration of conduct prohibits any claimant country from constructing any structure in the area.
Besides China and the Philippines, the other nations claiming the Spratlys in part or in whole are Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The chain of islands, islets, reefs and atolls is believed to be rich in oil and minerals.

But Malacañang on Thursday said that it is not keen on filing a diplomatic protest over the lighthouse issue, and has ordered the Foreign Affairs and National Defense departments to closely monitor the situation in the contested islands, which the Chinese call the Nansha islands.

Asian Defense News: Defense draft voices concern over China's military buildup

(Mainichi Japan) December 10, 2010
A Chinese fisheries patrol boat, below, sails through waters off the disputed Senkaku Islands while being monitored by Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels on Nov. 20. (Photo taken from a Mainichi aircraft)
A Chinese fisheries patrol boat, below, sails through waters off the disputed Senkaku Islands while being monitored by Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels on Nov. 20. (Photo taken from a Mainichi aircraft)

The draft of a new National Defense Program Outline that the government is expected to approve later this month has expressed grave concerns over China's rapid military buildup and enhanced maritime activities.

A summary of the draft obtained by the Mainichi Shimbun indicates that China has been increasing its defense spending in recent years and has been rapidly modernizing its nuclear missiles as well as its navy and air force weapons and other equipment.

The draft expresses grave concerns over China's increasing military and economic presence in the East China Sea, stating: "China is expanding its activity while strengthening its assertions regarding its sovereign rights over the sea around the nation."

The summary says that China's recent moves are a matter of concern for the East Asian region and the international community.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan's Cabinet is aiming to approve the draft sometime next week, moving a step closer to replacing the current National Defense Program Outline adopted six years ago.

The draft stops short of calling for a review of Japan's three principles relating to weapons exports, amid opposition from the Social Democratic Party, whom Prime Minister Naoto Kan has asked to form an alliance with the ruling coalition.

Still, it suggests that there's a need to consider the matter, saying, "The transfer overseas of equipment necessary for international joint development and production of weapons is common practice among advanced nations."

The draft underscores the need for dynamic defense capabilities to flexibly counter various threats in East Asia, noting that North Korea's nuclear weapons, missile programs and military provocation, among other factors, are destabilizing security in East Asia. It marks a departure from the principle of possessing minimal defense capabilities as a sovereign state with a possible invasion by the now-defunct Soviet Union in mind.

Specifically, the draft states that aerial and maritime defense capabilities, such as warning and surveillance activities, seaborne patrols and ballistic missile defense, should be upgraded to enhance the defense of southwestern Japan.

Describing island areas as a "void" in terms of Self-Defense Force presence, it urges the government to deploy minimal troops to such areas. It envisages the deployment of Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to Yonaguni and other islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

As part of efforts to decrease equipment produced with the Cold War in mind, it calls for a decrease in the number of tanks from the current 600 to less than 400, in line with the current defense program outline.

The draft of the new defense program outline also urges the government to consider relaxing its five principles on Japan's participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations. In addition, it proposes that an advisory panel to the prime minister on national security should be set up within the prime minister's office.

Asian Defense News: S. Korea, Malaysia seek bilateral FTA, closer ties on energy, defense

By Lee Chi-dong
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Malaysia agreed Friday to push for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and step up cooperation on energy and defense.

The summit deal reached at a meeting between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Putrajaya came as the two sides mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

"The two leaders agreed to explore ways and means, including a possible free trade agreement, for the further enhancement of trade and economic ties between the Republic of Korea and Malaysia," a joint statement read.

In 2007, South Korea launched an FTA with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Malaysia, but Seoul hopes for a higher-level separate FTA with the country, one of South Korea's major economic partners. Two-way trade is projected to exceed US$16 billion this year.

Lee said he and the Malaysian leader have set the goal of doubling the volume in the next five years.

South Korea, whose economy heavily depends on trade, has been aggressive in forging trade pacts with other nations, highlighted by the sealing of an FTA with the European Union in October. Earlier this month, Seoul and Washington completed protracted additional talks on their FTA.

South Korea and Malaysia are expected to promptly begin a joint study on the effectiveness of their FTA, although it remains unclear whether or when they will start full-fledged negotiations.

At a joint press conference with Lee after the summit, the Malaysian leader supported Seoul's proposal for a bilateral FTA.

"The ASEAN-Republic of Korea FTA already in place has given a strong impetus to relations between the two sides. If there is a separate bilateral FTA, it will enhance bilateral economic cooperation," he said.

The South Korean president held out expectations that South Korea and Malaysia can team up to tap into foreign markets.

"What is important among today's agreements is that the two nations have decided to work together to make inroads into third nations, taking advantage of their respective strengths," Lee said.




In their talks held at the prime minister's office in Putrajaya, an administrative city just south of Kuala Lumpur, Lee and Najib also agreed to further enhance defense cooperation between their countries, according to the joint statement. South Korea views Malaysia, along with Indonesia, as a major regional partner for weaponry development and trade.

The leaders agreed to promote both government- and civilian-level collaboration on oil and gas exploration, and production and the development of green technology, bio-technology and information and communications technology.

South Korea, the world's No. 2 liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyer after Japan, imported 25.8 million tons of LNG last year, 23 percent of which came from Malaysia, government data showed.

South Korea-Malaysia partnerships, traditionally boosted by cooperation on natural resources, are now expanding to renewable energy development, such as solar power and electric car battery production, as well as education and culture.

In addition, the leaders agreed to "further cooperate on peaceful uses of nuclear energy" as stated in a 2009 pact between their related government agencies.

Malaysia is a potential market for South Korea's nuclear power technology exports, which were spurred by its US$20 billion contract with the United Arab Emirates a year ago to construct nuclear reactors there.

On regional security, South Korea and Malaysia condemned North Korea's recent artillery attack on the South Korean border island of Yeonpyeong, which killed two soldiers and two civilians.

The leaders "shared the view that the attack constitutes an unprovoked act of hostilities in contravention of the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, as well as a serious threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula," a statement read.

The two nations signed a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and memorandums of understanding on science-technology research and collaboration in the biofuels and bioenergy industries.

Lee was to wrap up a two-day state visit here later Friday. It is Lee's first trip to the Southeast Asian nation since taking office in early 2008.

The two sides agreed that Lee's trip "was pivotal in giving a fresh impetus" to their ties, the statement said.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (R) talks with Malaysia's Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 10. (Yonhap)

Asian Defense News: Lockheed-Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be backbone of several Asian airforces

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2010

Asian Defense News: F-35 will become Asia's largest market, or sell one thousand

Core Tip: At present in the world, have a clear intention to buy F-35 developed a non-partner countries, only Japan and Israel. Both countries are Asian countries. So, after reading the Japanese to buy F-35 after the news, give our first feeling is that the next decade, Asia is likely to become the largest market for F-35.


Data Figure: U.S. F-35 fighter prototype flight test

Xinhua reported last November 12, sources said Japan is ready to buy the latest model of the U.S. F-35 fighters. Before this, there is news that the Israeli F-35 orders to buy aircraft. In this way, the Israeli F35 fighter planes to be purchased the first non-development partner.
Currently worldwide, there is a clear intention to buy F-35 F-35 developed a non-partner countries, only Japan and Israel. Both countries are Asian countries. So, after reading the Japanese to buy F-35 after the news, give our first feeling is that the next decade, Asia is likely to become the largest market for F-35.

Why Asia will become the largest market for F-35

Why Asia will become the largest market for F-35 does, the problem to two reasons.One is the United States, that is, the seller, the other Asian countries, that is, the buyer.

From the U.S. point of view, F-35 Although the United States the most advanced fifth-generation fighter, but in fact the aircraft was initially developed for export. In other words, is to be used to make money.

United States is now an economic slump in the domestic state. Obama, after defeat in the midterm elections, economic issues are so hard, even over the objections of other countries, a lot of harm to others under the "strong medicine." For example, open the printing press to print money mad.

In fact, now within the world economy is the most discussed, the United States and India $ 600,000,000,000 to the "tickets." Then this 600 billion U.S. dollars of the "tickets" will definitely lead to the rapid depreciation of the dollar, and where those dollars regardless of rushed on where the economy will be a huge shock.

As for economic issues, under such a big hearted, it can make money as a thing, F-35 fighters to become a United States should focus on the recent selling.

The United States of Israel before we sell F-35 can be seen. Israel does not want to buy the first F-35, but the U.S. training and preparation of a 600 billion Saudi arms purchase orders, Saudi Arabia has the latest model of F-15, Israel immediately sit still, so under the F-35 orders.

Japan is not going to buy before the F-35, because the F-35 for Japan, not particularly suitable. The aircraft from the design point of view, the number one mission is to conduct in-depth attack, not air intercept operations. For Japan, its first task is to homeland defense, is the air defense intercept operations, and so Japan is initially proposed to purchase F-22. Meanwhile, Japan is also developing its own Five machine "mind.

Now Japan has finally started to purchase F-35's movement, which for Japan is not a small loss.

Since the last century in Japan since the late 50s, the first production aircraft suspended their operations. Before that, Japan even though the United States used F-86, F-4, F-16, but they are in domestic production. In other words, F-86, F-4 is a patent from the United States in domestic production. F-15, the Japanese and their own in the F-16 developed based on the F-2.

If you want to buy F-35, then it means that Japan's domestic production of advanced fighter aircraft operations, there will be a suspension. For Japan, this is an absolutely unwilling to accept things, but also to show why the Japanese want to buy the last F-35's intentions?

I'm sure the United States actively selling factor. In other words, the seller (the U.S.) is actively want to sell F-35. Through the sale of F-35, to earn more profits and create more jobs, to change the status of the current downturn in the domestic economy to contribute.

Then the seller has a positive market, we go back and look at the buyer. F-35 fighter is actually the first delineation of the first buyers, mainly European countries, or the NATO allies. F-35 developed in Britain, Germany and a series of countries, which are mostly NATO countries. This joint development, joint production methods, the first should be said that the sales market set in the these countries.

After the Cold War, Europe should be said that in a "Western Front" situation. And now also in Europe's economic downturn, and even Britain and France have begun to put forward this proposal to the combined carrier. In other words, "Zan Gelia has begun to wear a pair of pants too poor together," and this time, you come up with a lot of money to Europe to buy F-35 is clearly unrealistic.

In addition to children of a rich Middle East, can now be said to be complex and that if the F-35 advanced fighters to rush forward, Israel will certainly be a strong rebound, and the chaos in the region, will be intensified.

From this perspective, Asia has become the best selling F-35 market. Now, Japan, Israel, have begun to buy F-35 specific actions, in this action, the series will definitely affect the follow-up action.

For example, if equipped with the Japanese Self-Defense Force F-35, South Korea, will also buy F-35.

India and the United States now share cooperation in the military go farther and farther, in India the so-called advanced medium-range fighter aircraft tender, Americans strongly recommended in the F-16, F-18, but India has said that the possible "European EF -2000 "fighter is more suitable for them. At the same time, some of the Indian Air Force officials also said that since the F-16 why not buy direct buy F-35 it? In other words, the Indians actually want to buy F-35, and even buy advanced European fighters in this way to pressure the United States, the United States to sell India F-35, obviously this is a big buyer.

In fact, Asia may buy F-35, or a future sale of F-35 market, but also far more than Israel, Japan, Korea and India. Among countries in Southeast Asia, many countries are the United States before the use of F-16, then when faced with these aircraft the case of updating, F-35 is clearly also a tempting choice.

Talked about Asia, we can not forget a buyer, is China's Taiwan. The desire of Taiwan to buy advanced fighter planes has been very high, and now, for the case of the two countries, out of the situation across the Taiwan Strait, or to a greater extent it is affected by pressure from mainland China, the United States with F-16 are do not dare to sell to Taiwan.

However, if the change in the situation the situation in the Taiwan Strait, if the change in the situation of Sino-US relations, or even said that if the U.S. economy continues to decline, continues to slump, the U.S. under greater economic pressure, the United States will not sell the F-35 Taiwan? I am afraid no one would definitely answer "no", more people chose "will." In so doing, F-35 in the final sales throughout Asia are likely to reach hundreds of planes, even to one thousand of the scale. This is enough to become Asia's largest F-35 export markets.

There is also need for additional reference point, why the next decade, Asia will become the largest market for F-35? What is the meaning of the next decade? Currently, F-35 have not yet entered volume production status, the real into the batch, I am afraid we have to wait 1-2 years. That is, the next decade, F-35 is the first of its foreign sales. As you know, the first batch of aircraft, "fresh" market, certainly the most expensive price to buy F-35 countries and regions in Asia is likely to get the most expensive of the first export of the F-35.

F-35 will bring to Asia?

Arms are used to fight. F-35 sold large quantities in Asia, Asia is definitely a curse not a blessing. It is very possible arms race in Asia and further said that will not cause an arms race among Asian nations it? This is what we can think directly.

In fact, F-35 sales in Asia will bring another layer to the Asian influence.

From the 70s of last century, the Asian economies can be said that wind and water, first with Japan's GDP catching up with the United States, after the Asian Tigers have, and then after China's rapid economic rise. These countries and regions, the rapid economic development, the surface of other countries in the world would agree with taking a tone, saying that the world economy contributed to the development; but to look back and everyone's thoughts on their respective different. Some top-ranking power, inevitably do not make whispered: Asia this trend continues, the future is not it will affect me in the world "leadership."

So we see that in Asia the process of rapid economic development, a series of events.First, the so-called "Market Garden Agreement", forcing the yen, the Japanese economic malaise years; then, the Asian financial crisis, the Southeast Asian country's economy fell from a peak of sudden low; Next, China's rapid economic development, but will not have such a man-made external interference and influence? This interference and influence in what ways will be adopted to happen?

We may be seeing a currency war, for example, want you to appreciate, and so a series of questions; have a trade war, trade barriers, requires you to expand the import markets. In fact, as arms sales to the impact of the Asian economy is also not underestimate the.


We could make a simple statement, 1000 F-35 mean? It means more than 100 billion dollars, get the 1000 billion U.S. dollars, for the United States may be hundreds of thousands or even millions of employment opportunities. For Asia, if Japan to buy 200 F-35, it is enough to offset the export of one million cars; if South Korea imports 100 of the F-35, it is enough to offset the export of millions of tons of ship cargo; if Taiwan to purchase 100 F-35, means a year to pay hundreds of thousands created by GDP; if India is to buy 150 F-35, the equivalent of millions of people a year in GDP.

Meanwhile, F-35 large in Asia, the United States control over the strategic situation in Asia will quickly improve. From this, F-35 once the really large quantities in the next decade in Asia, then he obviously is not a good thing for Asian countries.


DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: First C130J Aircraft To Be Delivered To India Next Week

Asian Defense News: DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: First C130J Aircraft To Be Delivered To India Next Week
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources PTI
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, USA / NEW DELHI, India - December 10, 2010: The first of the six state-of-the art C-130J military transport aircraft would be delivered to India on December 16, its manufacturer Lockheed Martin said today.

India has placed orders for six of these aircrafts.
"The first C-130J for India will be formally delivered on December 16 at a ceremony in Marietta," Lockheed Martin said in a statement.

"Two will be flown to India in early 2011, while two more will arrive in early summer and the last two will be delivered in late summer of 2011," it said.

Robert Blake, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, said on Wednesday that in conjunction with the purchase of six C-130J transport aircraft in 2008 the recent USD 4.1 billion C-17 Indian deal with Boeing will double US-India defense trade and provide the Indian Air Force a strategic airlift and humanitarian response capability that is unique to the region and emblematic of India''s ambitions to play an increasingly global role.

"Once all the aircraft have been delivered, ladies and gentlemen, India will have the second largest C-17 fleet in the world behind the US - a highly visible manifestation of the US-India defense partnership," Blake said.

Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules is the most advanced airlifter ever built.

The C-130J combines the latest in aerospace technology with a proven, rugged airframe design, resulting in an aircraft that gives an operator more capability with greater operational efficiency.

The Indian Air Force''s new Super Hercules will be the longer fuselage or "stretched" variant of the C-130J, similar to those being delivered to the US Air Force.

With this India joins the growing number of nations with C-130J fleets including the US, Australia, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom.

The C-130J carries eight 463L pallets, 97 medical litters, 24 CDS bundles, 128 combat troops and 92 paratroops.

Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set (IDS), the aircraft will be able to perform precision low-level flying, airdrops, and landing in blackout conditions. Self protection systems and other features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environments.

In addition the aircraft is equipped with air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended range operations.

Lockheed Martin will integrate this equipment and other capabilities into the Indian configuration as agreed between the governments

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

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  • DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Australian Super Hornets Ready for Duty

    Asian Defense News: DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Australian Super Hornets Ready for Duty
    Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Stephen Smith MP., Minister for Defence - Australia MINDEF visits Headquarters Joint Operations Command :
    (NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - December 10, 2010: Australia’s first squadron of F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets is operational and ready for duty following the arrival of four new aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley.

    The Super Hornets will add to the fire power of the RAAF, taking Australia’s capability to the next generation of fighter plane.

    The fleet includes the first three of Australia’s Super Hornets to be configured to accommodate the Growler electronic attack system.
    The Super Hornets will ensure Australia's air combat capability is maintained until the full introduction into service of the Joint Strike Fighter.

    The fleet of Super Hornets has reached initial operational capability on time and on budget.

    The combined efforts of the United States Navy, Boeing and the Hornet Industry team have contributed to achieving this result.

    The four newly arrived aircraft departed from the Boeing facility in St. Louis USA, and over a number of days transited to RAAF Base Amberley via Travis Air Force Base California, Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and Guam.

    Mr Shayne Neumann, Federal Member for Blair, representing the Minister for Defence, and Senator the Honourable George Brandis, representing the Opposition Spokesperson for Defence, visited RAAF Base Amberley today to review the latest aircraft to arrive and to mark the occasion of the Super Hornets achieving initial operational capability.

    © COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS