Sunday, April 19, 2009

Singapore TODAY-Updates

Singapore TODAY-Updates
By: DTN Defense-Technology News
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - April 19, 2009: To Go with "Finance-economy-Asia-airline-lifestyle-travel, FOCUS". Travellers walk past departure schedule board at the Changi International Airport in Singapore on April 18, 2009.
Travel cutbacks by thousands of business executives as a result of the global financial crisis have dealt a fresh blow to airlines especially in the Asia-Pacific region, industry experts said. Carriers like Singapore Airlines (SIA) are seen as the most vulnerable because they have poured extensive resources into premium traffic.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton And Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez In A Friendly Chat!

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton And Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez In A Friendly Chat!
By: DTN Defense-Technology News
(NSI News Source Info) April 19, 2009: Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speak during the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Saturday April 18, 2009.

US President Barack Obama Created New Post Of Chief Technology Officer

US President Barack Obama Created New Post Of Chief Technology Officer By: DTN Defense-Technology News (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 19, 2009: This image obtained from the Virginia Secretary of Technology website, shows Secretary Aneesh Chopra, 36. US President Barack Obama on April 18, 2009 named the Harvard-educated Indian-American to the newly created post of Chief Technology Officer in an appointment much-awaited by Silicon Valley.

India Signs $210-million AWACS deal with Brazil Last Year, Contract Moving Smoothly

India Signs $210-million AWACS deal with Brazil Last Year, Contract Moving Smoothly
(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - April 19, 2009: Even as India awaits the delivery of the first of the three Israeli 'Phalcon' AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) later this year, it has signed a $210-million deal with Brazilian firm Embraer for three aircraft for its own indigenous miniature AWACS project.
The indigenous AEW-&C (airborne early warning and control) systems being developed by DRDO will be mounted on the three Brazilian Embraer-145 jets, with the delivery of the first one slated for July 2011.
India, incidentally, had earlier acquired five plush EMB 135-BT "Legacy" executive jets, under a Rs 727-crore contract with Embraer, to ferry VVIPs around the country. "The AEW&C project is worth Rs 1,800 crore.
The EMB-145 aircraft will be modified to carry DRDO's active array antenna units, which will be mounted on top of the aircraft's fuselage," said an official.
"Though not as advanced as the Phalcons, the indigenous AWACS will nevertheless be potent force-multipliers. The full-fledged Embraer-145 based AEW&C will be flight-tested for mission systems in India by DRDO and IAF in 2012," he added.
The deal signed on Thursday comes nine years after DRDO's technology demonstrator HS-748 Avro, a test platform with an airborne early warning system, crashed in Tamil Nadu, killing eight persons.
The importance of AWACS, or "eyes in the sky", can be gauged from the fact that they can detect incoming hostile cruise missiles and aircraft much before ground-based radars, apart from directing air defence fighters during combat operations with enemy jets.
A Phalcon AWACS flying over Amritsar, for instance, will be able to detect a Pakistani F-16 as soon as it takes off from Sargodha.
Under the $1.1-billion Phalcon AWACS deal signed in March 2004, three Israeli early-warning radar and communication systems are being integrated with Russian IL-76 heavy transport military aircraft to give India its first advanced AWACS.
The deliveries were to begin from November 2007 but will now take place only from September 2008 onwards due to "technical difficulties".

Canada Contracts For LAV Support

Canada Contracts For LAV Support (NSI News Source Info) April 19, 2009: Canada’s wheeled LAV armored personnel carriers have faced mixed reviews in Afghanistan. On the one hand, they’ve provided survivable firepower and mobility that has been very effective when the terrain allows, and Canada’s unique Coyote surveillance and targeting variant has been an important contributor in all environments. On the other hand, the vehicles have displayed important limitations on their movement in Afghanistan’s harsh terrain, chewing through spare parts while remaining unable to support some operations effectively. As a result, some planned LAV variants were canceled, and Canada chose to deploy tracked Leopard/Leopard 2 tanks and M113 tracked APCs in theater. Canada’s LAVs also remain in theater, however, and must be supported. To that end, the Government of Canada recently awarded General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C) a sole-source, C$ 374 million (current value $372.8 million) Phase 2 contract that will last from June 1/08 – March 31/13, ad may be extended at the government’s option. This is the second phase of a lifecycle support contract originally awarded in April 2004 and successfully completed in May 2008. Services will include fleet management, publication and technical data management, program management, spare parts, repair and overhaul services, training support, technical services, and field service representatives on the front lines. GDLS-C was awarded this contract as a sole-source buy on the grounds that “GDLS-C is the designer… and, together with its prime suppliers, owns most of the intellectual property rights or has exclusive access to all of the proprietary technical data related to this equipment.” As is customary for Canadian defense buys, GDLS-C has agreed to provide direct and indirect industrial and regional benefits equivalent to 100% of the value of the contract. In this case, that will be easy. The LAVs driven by the US Marines, and the US Army’s Stryker variant, are also assembled in London, Ontario by General Dynamics Canada. Government of Canada General Dynamics.

South Korea To Buy Turkish EWTS

South Korea To Buy Turkish EWTS
(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL - April 19, 2009: South Korea signed a deal April 16 to purchase Turkish pilot training equipment in a deal valued at about 13 billion won ($97 million), the Ministry of National Defense here said. A signing ceremony, attended by the defense ministers from both countries, was held at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) headquarters, it said in a news release. South Korea will receive electronic warfare training systems (EWTS) from Turkish defense firm Havelsan by 2011, it said. DAPA started talks on the deal with Havelsan last September as part of "reciprocal" defense cooperation between the two governments, it said. EWTS is used to train and test Air Force pilots by simulating hostile threat environments, including missile interceptors, ground-to-air guided rockets, anti-aircraft guns and others. Later in the day, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, who arrived here a day earlier for a three-day stay, held talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Sang-hee, on bilateral defense ties and expanding cooperation in the defense industry. Seoul and Istanbul have maintained strong ties on arms deals. In 2001, South Korea signed a $1 billion license deal over its K-9 self-propelled howitzer with Turkey. In 2007, South Korea's state-run Korea Aerospace Industries signed a $350 million contract with Turkey to export 55 modified KT-1 Woongbi basic trainers. Last year, the two governments inked a $400 million contract on the transfer of tank development technology. Under the deal, South Korea is to help Turkey develop a main battle tank by 2015 through the transfer of its technologies accumulated from the design and development of K1A1 and K2 tanks. South Korea will provide key technologies regarding engine, gunnery and snorkeling systems, according to DAPA officials.

Fidel. V. Ramos: Premier Wen Jiabao's 5-Point Proposal Outlines Road Map For Economy Recovery

Fidel. V. Ramos: Premier Wen Jiabao's 5-Point Proposal Outlines Road Map For Economy Recovery
(NSI News Source Info) BOAO, HAINAN - April 19, 2009: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's speech outlines a strategic vision of road map for the economy recovery, said Fidel. V. Ramos, the former president of the Philippines,on Saturday afternoon. "The five-point proposal on strengthening Asian cooperation made by Premier Wen is very enlightening, and it outlines a strategic, visionary and long-term road map for the economy recovery," said Ramos, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Boao Forum for Asia during an exclusive interview with Xinhuanet. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, right, speaks with former U.S. President George W. Bush, left, on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in Boao, China, Saturday, April 18, 2009. The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2009 with the theme "Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis" is to be held from April 17 to 19. Ramos stressed that "Wen's speech sent a very important message that confidence is better than currency and gold." "It is very helpful, which benefits all people in entire Asia- Pacific region and those in Europe and America, as well as those in Africa," added Ramos.
Fidel V. Ramos (C), the former president of the Philippines, thumbs up with journalists of Xinhuanet, to cheer for the Boao Forum for Asia 2009 in Boao, a scenic town in south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2009.
On Saturday morning, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao gave a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia 2009, during which Wen made the 5-point proposal on enhancing Asian cooperation in various fields. "Looking at our Asian neighbors, it is worth noting that most Asian economies remain in good shape," said Ramos, giving an example in China, "China's massive stimulus package is being implemented at an extraordinary speed. Local governments are already re-starting projects, so the impact of government policy is already being felt." Ramos said he looked forward to Chinese economy to "become an engine for the economy recovery not only in Asia-Pacific region, but also for that in the rest of the world, especially in our neighborhood, such as Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Central-east Asia, including the Philippines." "Do not let your neighbor collapse," which is recognized as Ramos' motto, has gained positive responses from politicians, entrepreneurs and academics who are here attending the forum. Ramos explained, "This is our culture in the Philippines. We say it in a specific way that 'Prosper Thy Neighbor,' which means if you do something favorable for your neighbor, it prospers your neighbor, and namely, it means your neighbor is capable of becoming prosperous." "The global community is a huge neighborhood. As good neighbors, we would not like to see our neighbors (economies) deteriorate or fail, because if so, we may also be affected," Ramos further explained, adding, "During this very trying time, teamwork is the answer to finding a way out." Ramos suggested that developing countries and emerging economies need to unite and come up with coordinated approach to curb "the impact of collapse of highly developed economies." He finally called for deeper cooperation and collaboration amongst Asian countries on regional investment and common security. "I believe that Asia will emerge from this crisis in good shape," said Ramos at the end of the interview.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez 'To Restore US Ambassador'

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez 'To Restore US Ambassador'
(NSI News Source Info) April 19, 2009: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he expects to send an ambassador back to Washington soon, in a move towards restoring normal ties with the US. The announcement came at a Summit of the Americas in Trinidad, where US President Barack Obama received a warm welcome from Latin American leaders. Mr Chavez expelled the US envoy to Caracas in September in "solidarity" with Bolivia. The US reciprocated. The dispute was over an alleged US plot against Bolivian President Evo Morales. Mr Chavez was a fierce critic of the United States under former President George W Bush, accusing Washington of plotting to assassinate him. Book gift But in a sign of warming ties, Mr Obama shook hands with President Chavez, and accepted a book from the Venezuelan leader. Chavez presents Obama with a gift Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) gives U.S. President Barack Obama a copy of "Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina" during a meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad April 18, 2009. Chavez presented the U.S. president with a book, "The Open Veins of Latin America," by left-wing Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano. Obama accepted the gift with a smile. Although they had already shaken hands when they met on Friday, Mr Chavez greeted him again on Saturday, this time pressing on him a book. In taking the gift, Mr Obama assumed it was a book by Mr Chavez himself, he said later. However, it was a Spanish-language copy of The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent, a book by Eduardo Galeano chronicling exploitation in the region. Asked about his first meeting with George W Bush's successor, Mr Chavez said: "I think it was a good moment... I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous US president." It was unclear whether the two presidents would have a one-to-one meeting. Addressing the summit earlier, Mr Obama had cautioned Latin American leaders not to blame all their problems on the United States. Bolivian 'conspiracy' On a sour note, Bolivian President Morales asked the US president to publicly repudiate an alleged plot to assassinate him that officials in Bolivia say they crushed this week. Analysts say Mr Morales does not believe there was US involvement in the alleged plot. But he told reporters that since Mr Obama took office he has seen no change in US hostility. "In Bolivia... one doesn't feel any change. The policy of conspiracy continues," he said. Correspondents say the dominant issue so far has been US-Cuba relations. Cuba is the only major Latin American country excluded from the summit and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said another summit without the communist country would be unacceptable. President Morales said Cuba had the support of the entire world as a result of the US trade embargo against it and it was now time to abandon that embargo. Cuba issue For his part, Mr Obama said he was ready to accept Cuban President Raul Castro's recent proposal of direct talks. The US has not maintained high-level diplomatic relations with Cuba since Fidel Castro led the island's revolution in 1960. But Washington recently eased its embargo, allowing Cuban-Americans to visit relatives in Cuba and send money home more easily. "I think we're making progress at the summit," Mr Obama told reporters after the meeting on Saturday in Port of Spain, ahead of summit plenary sessions. Summit leaders are expected to address the economic downturn and the region's energy and security needs at the talks, which end on Sunday. Aides to the US leader say he hopes to squeeze one-on-one meetings into his schedule along with the plenary sessions and group gatherings.

Africa: Burundi Ex-Rebels Start To Disarm

Africa: Burundi Ex-Rebels Start To Disarm
(NSI News Source Info) April 19, 2009: The head of the last major rebel group in Burundi has handed over his weapons at a ceremony marking the end of an armed struggle against the government. Agathon Rwasa, of the Forces for National Liberation (FNL), gave his arms to African Union troops overseeing the peace process. This handout picture relased by the Government Communication Information Service shows the leader of Burundi's last active rebel group Agathon Rwasa (L) as he arrives on May 30, 2008 at the Bujumbura international airport escorted by several AU sodiers. Rwasa said on April 18, 2009, at a demobilisation ceremony in Rubira that he has renounced his movement's "armed struggle" after more than 13 years of civil war. "This ceremony signifies that we renounce the armed struggle and that we will now focus on political struggle," said Rwasa, the head of the National Liberation Forces, the Central African nation's last active rebel group. Up to 20,000 FNL rebels are due to be disarmed next week and some will be integrated into the security forces. The FNL is expected to be registered as a political party next week. Ethnic conflict in Burundi has led to the deaths of about 300,000 people in the past decade. End of turmoil? Agathon Rwasa handed over his arms at a ceremony in Rubira, about 20km (12 miles) west of the capital Bujumbura, where more than 3,000 of the rebels were gathered. Government officials and South African mediators were also present. Mr Rwasa described the day as a landmark in the history of his movement and for Burundi. Burundi's army will absorb more than 2,000 former rebels. Other members of the FNL are due to be disarmed next Tuesday before being taken to demobilisation centres. Mediators have said that 3,500 former rebels will be integrated in Burundi's security forces - 2,100 into the army and 1,400 into the police force. Lt-Gen Derrick Mgwebi, special envoy for South African chief mediator Charles Nqakula, said on Friday that integration would happen when the government has been told by mediators that "the FNL combatants are officially disarmed". "There is a light at the end of turmoil," he added. The Burundi state and the FNL signed a peace agreement in 2006 that ended two decades of ethnic war, but tensions have remained high. The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge spoke to villagers near the assembly area and most said they were happy that the ceremony had taken place. However, some are worried that so few of the rebels are being integrated into the security forces. One villager, who was not named, said: "We wonder what will become of the rest. They all know how to shoot and have fought for the movement but we hear they are being sent away without receiving anything. We don't know how all of this will end."

Pakistan Would Have Attacked India In 1998: Gohar Ayub Khan

Pakistan Would Have Attacked India In 1998: Gohar Ayub Khan
Published by: Noor Khan Published: Sat, 18 Apr 2009
(NSI News Source Info) Islamabad- April 19, 2009: Pakistan would have launched a full-fledged air attack had India attempted to prevent its 1998 nuclear tests, maverick politician and former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan says in a new book. In the book titled "Testing Times as Foreign Minister", Khan claims that in the event of an attack by India on the nuclear test site at Chagai in Balochistan, the Pakistan Air Force would have launched attacks on pre-designated targets in India, The News reported Saturday. Pakistan had conducted its nuclear tests May 28, 1998 in retaliation to those India conducted on the 11th and 13th of the same month.
The son of former Pakistani military dictator Field Marshal Ayub Khan, Gohar Ayub Khan had created a stir in 2005 by claiming his father had bought India's war plans for the 1965 conflict from an Indian brigadier for Rs.20,000.
The new book says that since Pakistan became a nuclear weapons state, the chances of a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan seemed to be a very remote possibility. However, a localised conflict, which is maintained within a certain threshold and does not lead to an open war, could not be ruled out in future.
In such a conflict, tactical nuclear weapons could be used on an army formation that had entered Pakistan was poised to cut some vital areas, Khan writes. He also reveals he was refused permission for the Pakistan Air Force to "buzz" New Delhi in retaliation for the Indian Air Force's MiG-25 spy planes breaking the sound barrier over Islamabad while flying at a height of 72,000 feet.
"We were busy in a parliamentary party meeting in the National Assembly presided over by the prime minister when a messenger informed me that Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroze wanted to speak to me. I went to the green line telephone (phone which scrambles conversations). He informed me that his fighters were ready to take off and enter India from three directions in retaliation to the IAF MIG-25Rs flight over Islamabad breaking the sound barrier at 72,000 ft a few days ago," Khan writes.
"He wanted the prime minister's approval. Which areas of India will you fly over, I asked and found that there was no population in their flight path. I suggested we must fly over Delhi. Get me the permission, said the air marshal.
"I went back to the committee room and informed the prime minister about the air marshal's suggested flight path and my suggestions that we fly over Delhi. No need to do either, said the prime minister. I went back and informed the air marshal to stand down," Khan writes.
He also laments that the Pakistan Air Force, citing high maintenance costs and non-availability of spares, had phased out its F-104 Starfighters, the only aircraft capable of taking on the MiG-25s. "India had four MIG-25Rs for high altitude reconnaissance. These aircraft could climb up to 81,000 ft. Pakistan had no fighter interceptor to climb to such height nor any ground-to-air anti-aircraft missiles to shoot such a plane down. These MIG-25Rs had a free run over Pakistan's vital installations.
"The PAF had the F-104 Starfighter which were designed to intercept high-flying (MiG-25s). They could go up to a height of 81,000 ft. These fighters had been phased out some years ago. The PAF knew that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had the MIG-25Rs and as such should have maintained some F-104 Starfighters to be used as interceptors.
"The high-cost to maintain them should have been overruled as some could have been cannibalised for parts. In any case, spare parts for the F-104 were easily available from some friendly countries," Khan writes.