DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Libyan War Damages Russia's Economic Interests....NSI News Source Info # 1755

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Libyan War Damages Russia's Economic Interests....NSI News Source Info # 1755

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Anatoly Miranovsky Bigness - Parvda Russia

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 29, 2011: The events in Libya are impacting the economic interests of Russia. While Russian raw materials companies working in this country may still cherish the hope to participate in some projects, the loss of Rosoboronexport's contract with the Jamahiriya will amount to over $4 billion. In the event of the victory of the Western coalition the country's weapons market will be closed for Russia.

With regard to the companies working directly on the territory of Libya, there are three most active Russian companies - Tatneft, Gazprom and the Russian Railways (RZD). Stroytransgaz has an office in the country as well.

Tatneft has been operating in the country for 6 years. The company received a concession to develop an oil block in the Ghadames (Unit 82-4) and won the rights to three oil blocks in the Sirte basin and Ghadames. The Russian company is involved in the projects under the production sharing agreement with Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC). In 2009 alone it has invested $43 million in the projects.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-defense-news-libyan-war.html

DTN News - POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE CONFLICT NEWS: Iran To Punish Saudi Arabia Brutally....NSI News Source Info # 1754

DTN News - POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE CONFLICT NEWS: Iran To Punish Saudi Arabia Brutally....NSI News Source Info # 1754

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Sergei Balmasov Pravda.Ru

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - March 29, 2011: To suppress the revolution in Bahrain, the local king called on local troops from the neighboring Saudi Arabia. The British media that has its sources in the Bahraini royal family talked about such a possibility earlier. In particular, this was reported by the authoritative publication The Guardian.

Such a request was received by Riyadh on March 14, and he responded immediately. As stated earlier by the representatives of the ruling Saudi dynasty, they are ready to assist "the ruler and the people of the friendly country of Bahrain." Fortunately, it is allowed by the existing agreements on mutual support between the two countries, members of the Council on Cooperation in the Persian Gulf.

Yet, it is difficult to say who is considered the "people" by Saudi authorities since the anti-government rallies are attended not only by the representatives of the Shiite majority (70 percent of the population of Bahrain), but rather numerous representatives of the Left (including the Communists) from among the Sunnis.

The rallies in Bahrain have been ongoing for over a month. The Shiite majority actively opposes the oppression by the ruling Sunni minority, which includes Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, who is especially zealous in insisting on foreign intervention.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-possibility-of-future-conflict.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Probe into German-Greek Arms Deals Reveals Murky Side Of Defense Sales....NSI News Source Info # 1753

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Probe into German-Greek Arms Deals Reveals Murky Side Of Defense Sales....NSI News Source Info # 1753

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Defense News

(NSI News Source Info)

ATHENS, Greece,

-

March 29, 2011:

Despite being heavily in debt, Greece keeps spending on arms. A probe into its accounts has led to an investigation into submarine deals with Germany and alleged corruption in the grey areas of the EU's defense sector.

Greek financial investigators have ascertained that more than $140 million in bribes were paid by a German submarine maker to local politicians and officials to facilitate a lucrative defense contract.

The deal focused on the purchase of four submarines, a $1.5 billion controversial contract that had drawn heated political debate.

Sources told the Greek Kathimerini newspaper that "numerous bribes were paid before the contract was signed," alleging that some of the ways in which the final bill was inflated involved requests by the Greek navy and Defense Ministry for extra equipment on the submarines.

The first submarine, named Papanikolis, was commissioned for development by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel, Germany, with the remaining three scheduled for construction at Greece's Hellenic Shipyards, west of Athens.

Shortly after the Papanikolis was built in 2001 and launched three years later, Greek navy experts determined a host of technical problems with the T-214 diesel-electric submarine. The most severe: excessive rolling in bad weather conditions when the submarine surfaced for sea keeping in high seas.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-defense-news-probe-into-german.html

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Multipurpose HELLFIRE II ‘Romeo’ Strikes Target, Completes Proof-Of-Principle Flight Tests....NSI # 1752

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Multipurpose HELLFIRE II ‘Romeo’ Strikes Target, Completes Proof-Of-Principle Flight Tests....NSI News Source Info # 1752

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info)

ORLANDO, FL, - March 28, 2011: The U.S. Army’s Joint Attack Munition Systems (JAMS) Project Office and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully fired a multipurpose AGM 114R HELLFIRE II “Romeo” missile with a live warhead and penetrated a brick-over-block target in its sixth proof-of-principle (POP) test.

The flight test, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., demonstrated the Romeo’s enhanced software capability and superior performance in a military-operations-in-urban-terrain scenario. The new Romeo’s multipurpose warhead design enables the missile, with a designator spot laser, to seek out and defeat hard, soft and enclosed targets with outstanding success. The initial fielding of the HELLFIRE II Romeo is scheduled for late 2012.

“The AGM-114R baseline design is now defined and allows us to go into system qualification,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Brown, HELLFIRE Systems product manager at JAMS. “The R model remains on cost and on schedule, and meets all performance objectives.”

Engineers ground-launched the single HELLFIRE II Romeo missile in a lock-on-after-launch mode, simulating the missile being fired from a rotary-wing platform. The short-range (2.5 kilometer) high-speed impact shot penetrated the brick-over-block target and successfully detonated with the specified fuze delay.

This was the final POP test for this next-generation precision missile. The Romeo’s advanced fuze technology and new warhead design performed flawlessly in test flights, proving reduced risk through system performance. Additionally, Lockheed Martin’s Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) incorporates the same warhead technology and fuze design that is present in the HELLFIRE II Romeo.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-lockheed-martin-news.html

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville Integrated Test Center To Provide Effective Support For Missile Defense Systems..# 1751

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville Integrated Test Center To Provide Effective Support For Missile Defense Systems....NSI News Source Info # 1751

**New Facility to Provide State-of-the-art Capabilities

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 28, 2011: Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Huntsville Integrated Test (HIT) Center in Huntsville, Ala. The Lockheed Martin HIT Center will enable cost-effective and realistic testing of full-scale missile defense systems in a laboratory environment.

“This facility demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to advancing the state-of-the-art in missile defense capabilities,” said John W. Holly, vice president of Missile Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, who led the ceremony. “It also represents our continued investment in the Huntsville community, which plays a key role in protecting our nation.”

Government and community officials participating in the ceremony included U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Charlie Kettle, chairman of the board for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. More than 100 people attended the ceremony, including Lockheed Martin employees, government and military personnel, industry partners and community members.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-defense-news-lockheed-martins.html

Asian Defense News: Navies Of Singapore, Indonesia Co-Host Multilateral Exercises....NSI News Source Info # 1750

Asian Defense News: Navies Of Singapore, Indonesia Co-Host Multilateral Exercises....NSI News Source Info # 1750

SINGAPORE - March 27, 2011: The Singapore and Indonesian navies are co-hosting the 4th Western Pacific Mine Countermeasures Exercise (MCMEX) and Diving Exercise (DIVEX).
More than 1,000 personnel and 15 ships from 16 navies will be participating in the two exercises, which will be conducted in the Singapore Strait and the waters off the Indonesian island of Pulau Bintan.

The Defence Ministry said this year's exercises will, for the first time, feature multilateral information sharing and the deployment of unmanned water vehicles.

More than 40 medical practitioners from 10 countries are also meeting to discuss the topics of military diving and hyperbaric medicine.

Dr Ng Eng Hen, Singapore's Second Defence Minister, said: "Going forward, the WPNS Navies should continue to be proactive in building platforms and capacity in information exchange and operational coordination to develop their readiness to respond collectively should the need arise."

http://asiandefensenews.blogspot.com/2011/03/asian-defense-news-navies-of-singapore.html

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: UAE Jets Arrive In Italy For Libya Operations....NSI News Source Info # 1749

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: UAE Jets Arrive In Italy For Libya Operations....NSI News Source Info # 1749

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources AFP

(NSI News Source Info)

DECIMOMANNU, Italy -

March 27, 2011:

Six F-16 fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally, landed at an Italian base on March 27 ahead of their deployment to help enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.

The six planes could be seen landing at the Decimomannu base on the island of Sardinia after a logistics plane also arrived at the base.

The UAE said March 24 it had committed six F-16 and six Mirage fighters.

"The UAE air force has committed six F-16 and six Mirage aircraft to participate in the patrols that will enforce the no-fly zone now established over Libya," Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan said then.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-no-fly-zone-uae-jets.html

DTN News - ASIAN DEFENSE NEWS: China Growing Naval Power In The Region....NSI News Source Info # 1748

DTN News - ASIAN DEFENSE NEWS: China Growing Naval Power In The Region....NSI News Source Info # 1748

** 2011 - China is increasing its military budget 12.7 percent to 601.1 billion RMB (approximately $91.5 billion). Importantly, many experts believe actual spending is significantly higher than the official figure suggests.

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Asian Defense News

(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - March 26, 2011:

That was the description given recently by Adm. Gary Roughead, the Navy’s chief of naval operations, when asked for his assessment of America’s former Cold War opponent.

“The Russian Navy still has great ambition, still has great pride,” he said.

The collapse of the Soviet Union significantly reduced the navy, Roughead noted, with most shipbuilding programs coming to a halt or dragging out.

“That has stopped in recent years,” he said. An improving Russian economy will mean “you’re going to see an increase in their capability and capacity, with new shipbuilding programs taking hold.” Roughead noted the recent move by Russia to acquire several French-designed Mistral-class amphibious ships as an indication of rising interest in increased operations.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-asian-defense-news-china.html

DTN News - BATTLE FOR LIBYA: Muammar Gaddafi's Forces Losing Ground To His Adversaries....NSI News Source Info # 1747

DTN News - BATTLE FOR LIBYA: Muammar Gaddafi's Forces Losing Ground To His Adversaries....NSI News Source Info # 1747

**Rebels take key Libyan towns, Kadhafi (Gaddafi) forces retreat

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources AFP

(NSI News Source Info)

BENGHAZI, Libya

- March 26, 2011:

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi were retreating Saturday after rebels recaptured the key eastern towns of Ajdabiya and Brega in their first significant victory since Western-led air strikes began a week ago.

US President Barack Obama said the international mission had saved countless innocents from a "bloodbath" threatened by Kadhafi, and the rebels thanked France for its role in the military blitz but said "outside forces" could now leave the country.

Ajdabiya was "100 percent in the hands of our forces," a rebel spokesman, Shamsiddin Abdulmollah, told reporters in the stronghold of Benghazi.

"Who is on the back foot are Kadhafi's forces because they no longer have air power and heavy weaponry available" after a week of bombing by coalition warplanes, he said.

Scene: In Benghazi, fierce defence of no-fly zone

Another spokesman, Ahmed Khalifa, said the rebels had captured at least 13 Kadhafi fighters who were being treated as prisoners of war.

A rebel fighter told AFP insurgents had retaken Brega also, and a journalist travelling with them confirmed seeing rebels in control of the centre of the oil town, and said government forces had completely withdrawn.

"We are in the centre of Brega," 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Ajdabiya, Abdelsalam al-Maadani told AFP by telephone. "Kadhafi's forces are on the retreat."

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-battle-for-libya-muammar.html

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: Qatar Fighter Jet On Duty Over Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1746

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: Qatar Fighter Jet On Duty Over Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1746

**Qatar fighter jet flies mission over Libya, first Arab nation to join no-fly zone against Khadafy

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources BY Larry Mcshane DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 26, 2011:

A

Qatar fighter pilot, in a strong and symbolic show of military support, became the first from any Arab nation to fly a combat mission over Libya Friday.

The Qatari Air Force Mirage 2000 was joined by a French fighter jet when heading out on its first patrol.

"Qatar has been a great ally since day one," said Mustafa Gheriani, spokesman for the opposition Benghazi city council. "It's an Arab country to be proud of."

Qatar has pledged six Mirages and two C-17s transports in the Libyan operation. Officials did not release any details of the Qatar pilot's role in his debut coalition flight.

"Having our first Arab nation join and start flying with us emphasizes that the world wants the innocent Libyan people protected from the atrocities perpetrated by the pro-regime forces," said U.S. Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-no-fly-zone-qatar.html

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: Ground Operation In Libya Could Start In April - Russian intelligence....NSI News Source Info # 1745

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: Ground Operation In Libya Could Start In April - Russian intelligence....NSI News Source Info # 1745

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

RIA Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - March 26, 2011:

The international coalition force is planning a ground operation in Libya that could start in late April, a high-ranking Russian intelligence service source said on Friday.

"Information coming via different channels shows that NATO countries, with the active participation of Britain and the United States, are developing a plan for a ground operation on Libyan territory," he said.

"From all indications, a ground operation will be launched if the alliance fails to force the Gaddafi regime to capitulate with air strikes and missile attacks."

If the events in Libya follow this scenario, the ground operation could start "in late April-early May," he added.

The UN Security Council imposed a no-fly zone over Libya on March 17, allowing "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from Muammar Gaddafi's attacks on rebel-held towns.

The operation to enforce the no-fly zone, codenamed Odyssey Dawn, is being conducted jointly by 13 states, including the United States, Britain and France.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-no-fly-zone-ground.html

TN News - ROYAL NEWS: Queen Elizabeth Greets General David Petraeus Commander Of NATO Forces....NSI News Source Info # 1744

DTN News - ROYAL NEWS: Queen Elizabeth Greets General David Petraeus Commander Of NATO Forces....NSI News Source Info # 1744

Source: DTN News - - by Roger Smith

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 22, 2011:

British Prime Minister David Cameron meets General David Petraeus, Commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US Forces Afghanistan at 10 Downing Street in central London. The United States and key allies France and Britain struggled Tuesday to hammer out a new command structure for Libyan military operations amid divisions over the role NATO should play.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth greets U.S. General David Petraeus, Commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, at Buckingham Palace, in central London March 22, 2011

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-royal-news-queen-elizabeth.html

DTN News - LIBYA ~ OPERATION ODYSSEY DAWN: French Rafale Jet Fighter Flying With NATO To Enforce No-Fly Zone Over Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1743

DTN News - LIBYA ~ OPERATION ODYSSEY DAWN: French Rafale Jet Fighter Flying With NATO To Enforce No-Fly Zone Over Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1743

Source: DTN News - - by Roger Smith

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 22, 2011:

US, European and Arab leaders began the largest international military intervention in the Arab world since the invasion of Iraq today in an effort to stop Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s war on the Libyan opposition.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-operation-odyssey-dawn_22.html

DTN News - LIBYA ~ OPERATION ODYSSEY DAWN: U.S. Forces In Military Exercise Over Skies In Italy....NSI News Source Info # 1742

DTN News - LIBYA ~ OPERATION ODYSSEY DAWN: U.S. Forces In Military Exercise Over Skies In Italy....NSI News Source Info # 1742

Source: DTN News - - by Roger Smith

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 22, 2011:

U.S. troops parachute out of a C-17 plane flying over Maniago, near the NATO airbase of Aviano, Italy, during an exercise, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. An American fighter jet crashed over North African country, both crew ejecting safely.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-operation-odyssey-dawn.html

DTN News - LIBYA UPRISING: Western Strike Hits Gaddafi Compound, Tripoli Says----NSI News Source Info # 1741

DTN News - LIBYA UPRISING: Western Strike Hits Gaddafi Compound, Tripoli Says----NSI News Source Info # 1741

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 21, 2011:

Western forces launched a second wave of air strikes on Libya overnight and officials in Tripoli said a missile intended to kill Muammar Gaddafi had destroyed a building in his fortified compound.

"It was a barbaric bombing," said government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim, showing pieces of shrapnel that he said came from the missile. "This contradicts American and Western (statements) ... that it is not their target to attack this place."

There was no comment on the strike from attacking forces.

The first air strikes on Saturday halted the advance of Gaddafi's forces on the rebel-held eastern city of Benghazi and had targeted Libya's air defences in order to let Western warplanes patrol the skies of this oil-producing north African desert state.

The second wave of Western air strikes also hit Gaddafi's troops around Ajdabiyah, a strategic town in the barren, scrub of east Libya that rebels aim to retake and where their fighters said they need more help to take the fight to the enemy.

"If we don't get more help from the West, Gaddafi's forces will eat us alive," rebel fighter Nouh Musmari told Reuters.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-uprising-western-strike.html

DTN News -LIBYA UPRISING: Western, Arab Warplanes Converge For Libya Mission....NSI News Source Info # 1740

DTN News -LIBYA UPRISING: Western, Arab Warplanes Converge For Libya Mission....NSI News Source Info # 1740

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources AFP

(NSI News Source Info)

ROME

- March 21, 2011:

Western and Arab warplanes were converging on Italy's air bases Sunday to join the international campaign to cripple the ability of Moamer Kadhafi's forces to attack Libyan civilians.

France, which on Saturday spearheaded the UN-mandated Operation "Odyssey Dawn" with air strikes on Libya, on Sunday also sent its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to join the campaign.

The French Navy's flagship set off from the southern French naval port of Toulon at about 1:10 pm (1210 GMT) and was expected to reach the Libyan coast within 48 hours.

Meanwhile aircraft from the United Arab Emirates were due to arrive on Sunday at the Decimomannu air force base on the Italian island of Sardinia, which is already hosting four Spanish F-18 fighter jets that arrived on Saturday.

The UAE, along with Jordan, Morocco and Qatar, was among Arab nations that took part in a summit in Paris on Saturday on the Libyan crisis.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-uprising-western-arab.html

DTN News - LIBYA UPRISING: Missiles And Planes Strike Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1739

DTN News - LIBYA UPRISING: Missiles And Planes Strike Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1739

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources BBC News

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 20, 2011: The UK, US and France have attacked Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the first action to enforce a UN-mandated no-fly zone.

Pentagon officials say the US and the UK have fired more than 110 missiles, while French planes struck pro-Gaddafi forces attacking rebel-held Benghazi.

Col Gaddafi has vowed retaliation and said he would open arms depots to the people to defend Libya.

Cruise missiles hit air-defence sites in the capital, Tripoli, and Misrata.

Libyan state TV broadcast footage it says showed some of the 150 people wounded in the attacks. It said 48 people had been killed. There was no independent confirmation of the deaths.

Military officials are said to be assessing the damage from the overnight raids before deciding on their next move.

At least 14 bodies were lying in and around the remains of military vehicles which littered the road leading to Benghazi after the French strikes, Reuters reports.

Rebel forces are now heading from Benghazi to the town of Ajdabiya, which has been the scene of fierce fighting in recent days, the agency says.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-uprising-missiles-and.html