Asian Defense News: U.S. Army Task Force Launches Blimp Over FOB Andar in Afghanistan

Asian Defense News: 2010-12-01 Task Force Iron Rakkasan launched the first flight of the blimp over Forward Operating Base Andar Nov. 17. The blimp, properly known as a Precision Threat Detection System (PTDS), allows a 360-degree, all-weather, birds'-eye view of the surrounding area, with very little restrictions. The PTDS requires two people to operate it at any given time. Alfred Henderson, a PTDS crew member, specializes in the maintenance of the system's platform but, like all of the operators, is well trained on the entire system.

The system operators require an extensive background of qualifications. With few exceptions, everyone working with the PTDS has prior military service. Additionally, most of the crew has civilian knowledge working in defense programs and contracting. "(The defense contractor) ensures everyone working with the PTDS has a lot of experience and versatility," said Henderson. "Each operator is fully capable of operating this system, as well as handling the difficulties that come with living and working in a combat area."

The "eye in the sky" has proven to be a great asset to the American Soldiers in Afghanistan. The operators are able to watch the Soldiers on patrols and provide them with a view they would otherwise lack. Viewing the area from above eliminates the enemy's ability to hide behind a wall or in a ditch. The blimp has the ability to view the area using three different camera views, as well as seeing at night and during bad weather. "The camera lets us see more than the enemy wants us to see," one of the operators said.

Insurgents in Andar District seem to be quite aware of the impact the new blimp will have. Almost immediately after the blimp took flight, insurgents unsuccessfully attempted to shoot it down. PTDS system operators Michael Baumgartner and Robert McGuire both served previously in the Air Force. "This is a great way for us to continue to serve our country," Baumgartner said. "We can help the Soldiers to be more effective on the battlefield and perhaps even help to save a life. Any job that supports the troops is worth working hard for."

"We look forward to increasing the security bubble in Andar District with the help of the blimp," said Lt. Col. David Fivecoat, commander of 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry (Task Force Iron), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "The insurgents will have a hard time hiding when the PTDS is up and watching."

Asian Defense News: Iranian president proposes G6+1 group

Asian Defense News: TEHRAN, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday proposed the formation of a new group dubbed "G6+1" to expand nuclear cooperation between Iran and the six major world powers, the English language satellite Press TV reported.

The Iranian president suggested that Iran and the five permanent UN security council members plus Germany to form a new " G6+1" body. "Under the current circumstances, Iran and the G5+1 ( including Russia, China, Britain, France and the U.S. plus Germany) are ready to produce nuclear material, exchange nuclear cooperation and resolve international problems," Ahmadinejad told some university students in a meeting.

He stressed that "Iran will never compromise on the rights of its nation to nuclear fuel cycle, 20-percent uranium enrichment and nuclear power plants building," according to the report.

"The West had better cooperate with Iran on the nuclear issue," he was quoted as saying.

He added that it is necessary to build 20 nuclear power plants inside Iran to meet domestic needs, saying that "the Islamic Republic is ready for cooperation so that they (Western countries) can build the power plants in Iran," the report said.

Ahmadinejad's remarks came after the two-day talks between Iran and the six major powers on Iran's controversial nuclear program ended on Tuesday as they failed to achieve any agreement except a plan to hold another round of dialogues in January in Istanbul of Turkey.

Asian Defense News: Indian MoD Reports Steps Toward New Tank

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
Published: 6 Dec 2010 14:23

Asian Defense News: NEW DELHI - Requirements for the Indian Army's Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT) have been finalized, the Defence Ministry here announced Dec. 6, and the tank will be developed by the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by 2020.

The Army has completed its Preliminary Staff Qualitative Requirement for the tank, according to the ministry's official statement. The DRDO is carrying out FMBT feasibility studies. Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Indian parliament of these developments Dec. 6, the statement said.

Sources in the Indian Army said the proposed tank will be in the 40-metric-tons category and will be mounted with a 125mm gun. Six prototypes will be developed by 2020 before the FMBT enters bulk production.

The tank will be difficult to detect by enemy radar, according to the Army's requirements.

Other advanced features will include capability to fire kinetic weapons and missiles, an active protection system, and hybrid armor to protect the tank against improvised explosive devices. The tank will be capable of night combat operations, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strategic mobility. It will have a third-generation transmission system, integrated fire-control system with laser finders, battlefield management system and mine-detection system.

The FMBT project is a follow-up of the Indian-built Arjun main battle tank project, which started in 1973, though the tank has yet to be adopted by the Army for combat.

Asian Defense News: S. Korea Live-Fire Drill Enters Second Day Amid Tensions

By PARK CHAN-KYONG
Published: 7 Dec 2010 12:48

Asian Defense News: SEOUL - South Korea's military staged a second day of live-fire exercises Dec. 7 in the wake of a deadly North Korean attack, as Beijing rebuffed criticism it is failing to restrain its ally Pyongyang.

With tensions still high a fortnight after the North's bombardment of a South Korean border island, the chairman of the U.S .Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Admiral Mike Mullen is to visit Seoul to stress the strength of the alliance.

Mullen will meet his Seoul JCS counterpart General Han Min-Koo and other senior military officials on Dec. 8 as well as new defense minister Kim Kwan-Jin.

The two sides "plan to analyze the intention of North Korean provocations and discuss measures to deter further provocations through close cooperation", Seoul's military said in a statement.

The North's artillery attack on Yeonpyeong, one of five islands near the tense disputed Yellow Sea border, killed two civilians and two marines and destroyed almost 30 homes.

It was the first attack on a civilian-populated area in the South since the 1950-53 war and was seen as a sharp escalation from military-to-military clashes in past years.

The South has vowed to hit back harder, using air power, for any future provocations. It shrugged off the North's warnings that this week's firing drills at 29 locations around the South's coast could spark war.

However the JCS said a drill off Daecheong, one of the five frontline islands, had been delayed due to bad weather.

China, which provides the North with a fuel and food lifeline, has come under pressure to curb its long-time ally but has failed even to criticize the island attack.

It called for emergency talks among the envoys to stalled six-nation negotiations on North Korean denuclearization.

But Washington, Seoul and Tokyo baulked, instead holding their own three-way meeting of foreign ministers in the U.S. capital on Dec. 6.

"We appreciate Beijing's initiative to propose an emergency six-party gathering. However, we first need an appropriate basis for the resumption of talks," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan added: "We would like China to have a more clear stance in giving warning to North Korea and to contain these provocative actions by North Korea."

Kim said the three agreed the North would face "severe consequences" if it engages in further provocations, but the nature of these remained unclear.

Beijing in response again called for wider negotiations.

"The responsibility for safeguarding peace and stability should be shouldered by all parties in the region. We call on all parties to positively respond to our proposal for talks," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.

Jiang also slammed a Washington Post report that U.S. officials are privately accusing China of "enabling" North Korea to start a uranium enrichment program and to launch attacks on the South.

"We feel the accusation is irresponsible," the spokeswoman said. "China's efforts (to maintain peace and stability) have been witnessed by all."

Wednesday's talks between Han and Mullen are expected to consider modifying the rules of engagement in case of future attacks, a Seoul military source told Yonhap news agency.

The South currently has an agreement to consult U.S. forces before using its own jet fighters in combat. The United States stations some 28,500 troops in the country.

"The two sides are likely to discuss the issue of approving an air raid when North Korea attacks our territory," the source said.

The South has sent more artillery and troops to border islands. President Lee Myung-Bak, at a cabinet meeting, ordered measures both to fortify them and to woo residents to return.

Some 1,250 of the 1,361 civilians on Yeonpyeong, a garrison and fishing settlement, fled after the attack, as did some residents of other islands.

Unification Minister Hyun In-Taek, in charge of cross-border relations, described the shelling as an "indelible atrocity" and the "worst choice" Pyongyang had ever made.

Hyun told a seminar the attack - and the sinking of a South Korean warship in March with the loss of 46 lives - had shattered any remaining illusions about the North.

The South, citing a multinational investigation, says the warship was hit by a North Korean torpedo. Pyongyang denies the charge.

Asian Defense News: Work Begins On First Indian P-8

Asian Defense News: Work Begins On First Indian P-8

Fabrication of the first P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for India began Dec. 6 at a Boeing facility in Wichita, Kan., the company reported. The aircraft is the first of eight that will be built for the Indian Navy - the first international customer for the new plane.

India is the first foreign customer for the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft. (Boeing illustration)

Boeing is developing the P-8A Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the U.S. Navy, and the first three test and development planes are undergoing tests at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Two more test aircraft are to be delivered next year, and the Poseidon is expected to reach initial operational capability in 2013. The P-8 will eventually replace the venerable Lockheed P-3 Orion in U.S. service.

India signed its deal with Boeing for eight P-8Is on Jan. 1, 2009, and the final design review was completed in July of this year. The first aircraft is due for delivery by January 2013, with the remaining seven to come by 2015.

The P-8 is based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737 passenger jet. Construction of the P-8 fuselage begins with all other 737s on the assembly line at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita. The fuselages are then shipped to Boeing's facility in Renton, Wash., for final assembly. Aircraft quality and flight testing will take place at Boeing Field in Seattle, Wash.

Boeing has not revealed the value of the P-8 contract with India, although the Indian press has reported the figure to be around $2.1 billion. India also has not confirmed a name for the new aircraft, but some press reports have called it the Albatross.

Boeing is expanding its presence in India in both the civil aviation and defense markets. An indigenous supply chain is being established, and, according to the company, a new research and technology center has opened in Bengaluru - formerly Bangalore - to collaborate with India's technical talent for research in aero structures, materials and network systems.

S.Korean leader vows 'resolute' response to ship sinking

Asian Defense News: SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak vowed Monday a "resolute" response to the sinking of a warship last month after North Korea broke weeks of silence to angrily deny involvement in the disaster.

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak wipes his eyes as he delivers a speech about the sunken naval ship Cheonan

However, efforts to salvage the still-submerged bow of the ship hit a snag when one of the chains lifting it from the Yellow Sea snapped because of high waves and strong currents, the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korean officials say an external explosion caused the March 26 sinking of the 1,200-tonne corvette, which killed 46 sailors in the nation's deadliest peacetime naval tragedy.

"I, as president, will find out the cause of the Cheonan's sinking in full and in detail," Lee said in an emotional speech on public radio.

"I will deal with the results in an unwavering and resolute way, and make sure that such an incident will never recur."

Tearfully reciting the names of all the perished sailors, Lee said: "Your fatherland, which you loved, will never forget you."

South Korea has not directly blamed the communist North for the sinking near their tense maritime border.

But on Sunday, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-Hwan said the UN Security Council could become involved if Pyongyang is found to have played a role.

Defence Minister Kim Tae-Young has raised the possibility that a mine or torpedo may have hit the Cheonan.

But after weeks of silence, the North's official news agency KCNA said Saturday "the South's puppet military and right-wing conservative politicians are now making a foolish attempt to link the tragedy to us".

"The reason that the South's puppets are claiming the North's involvement is also linked to their foolish efforts to put pressure on us, even by stirring up international opinion in favor of sanctions," KCNA said.

Yoon Duk-Yong, co-head of the South's investigation team, said Friday that the warship appeared to have received a powerful impact on the port side, where steel plate was curved inwards.

He ruled out an onboard blast or a shipwreck.

Seoul has launched an international investigation involving US, Australian and Swedish experts in a bid to ensure the eventual findings cannot be disputed.

Navy officials said the investigators were at a naval base south of Seoul, looking into the Cheonan's recovered stern and debris for more clues.

"Up to now, no other debris -- except the warship wreckage -- have been found," Seoul's defence ministry spokesman Won Tae-Jae said Monday.

However, salvage operations were hampered when one of three chains around the bow of the ship snapped on Sunday, officials said.

"It appears the chain could not withstand the tension from high waves," naval officer Park Sung-woo said.

An expanded 12-strong US team of experts led by Rear Admiral Thomas J. Eccles were joining the investigation at the naval base in Pyeongtake, 70 kilometres (40 miles) south of Seoul, the defence ministry said.

It said the US team included three experts who had investigated the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole destroyer in Yemen.

Analysts have said the incident could harm diplomatic efforts aimed at persuading North Korea back to six-party nuclear disarmament talks that the communist state quit a year ago.

The Yellow Sea border was the scene of deadly naval clashes between the North and South in 1999 and 2002 and of a firefight last November that left a North Korean patrol boat in flames.

Thai Soldiers, Protesters Face-Off in Commercial District

Asian Defense News: In the Thai capital Bangkok hundreds of soldiers and riot police have taken up positions in a main commercial district popular with tourists. The heavy security was mobilized to prevent anti-government protesters, who have been demonstrating over a month now, from marching on the area.

Photo: AP

Thai government supporters cheer and wave flags to welcome Thai soldiers who arrived to try to secure Bangkok's central business district, Thailand, 19 Apr 2010

Soldiers armed with assault rifles and police in riot gear massed early Monday morning on Silom Road.

They spread rolls of razor wire across parts of the sidewalks and took up positions on the street and overpasses, and briefly blocked traffic.

Anti-government protesters threatened to march on the area, which the government says it will not allow.

But by mid morning only a hundred or so red-dressed protesters danced and cheered in front of barricades while traffic flowed normally and businesses were open.

Sean Boonpracong is the international spokesman for the protesters, known as the red shirts. He says they called off the march.

"There will not be a march on Silom today. But, we reserve that option to do it other when we feel like," he said. "We want to exercise our freedom of passage, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, and we feel like … but it's not need to risk anybody hurt or killed over this."

Although the march was called off, soldiers and riot police did not immediately pull back and razor wire remained in place.

The military presence raised concerns of another violent clash in Bangkok.

On April 10, 24 people were killed and hundreds injured when soldiers tried, and failed, to clear protesters from the city's historic district.

Both sides have blamed the other for the violence.

The red shirt protesters are mainly from the countryside and have been demonstrating for weeks demanding new elections. They have occupied a major commercial district, blocking traffic and forcing shopping malls and hotels to close their doors.

They say Bangkok elites overthrew their democratically elected leaders in the 2006 coup against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He lives in exile to avoid serving jail time for a corruption conviction.

Politically charged court rulings removed successive governments close to Mr. Thaksin in 2008, and parliament elected the current government.

The government offered to hold elections in nine months and says it is willing to negotiate with protesters. But, protest leaders say they are done negotiating and will continue pressuring the government to immediately step down.