News Report: Indian Defense Sector Opens up to Private Players; Clears $2.8 Bln of Orders

Indian private companies would have to forge a joint venture with foreign firms for the purpose of manufacturing specific products with complete transfer of technology. The foreign firms, however, would not hold a majority stake in such joint ventures.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Indian Army has selected eleven priority defense projects worth $2.8 billion to be awarded to the private sector, in what is being seen as a bid to hasten the plugging of critical shortage.

The contracts mainly comprise development and manufacturing of arms and equipment including short range unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced robotic surveillance systems, 1200-1500 HP modular engine for tank T-90 S/SK, and third generation missile for 125mm gun barrels of T-90 And T-72 Tanks. The biggest of the contracts is the manufacturing of modular engine for T-90 tanks. The project alone is pegged at $1.5 billion.

Development of short-range remotely piloted aircraft system has an indicative cost of approximately $350 million. The Indian Army wants to purchase the robotic surveillance platform for the Rashtriya Rifles battalions which primarily tracks terrorist hide-outs in urban or built up areas.

News Story: US delivers weapons for PAF amid Marawi siege

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The US military transferred rockets and munitions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines as support to its counterterrorism operations in Marawi against the ISIS-aligned groups, the US embassy said Saturday.

In a statement provided to the press, the transfer was made by the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) through the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) with the AFP.

The US embassy reported that officials from the JUSMAG delivered recently 1,040 2.75 inches rocket motors and 992 rockets to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Through the MLSA, the AFP is able to receive select munitions and equipment from US military stock in an accelerated process reserved for allies and close partners of the United States.

“These timely transfers greatly enhance the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ counterterrorism efforts,” the statement read.

"The munitions and weapons deliveries will enhance the AFP’s counterterrorism capabilities, and directly support AFP members actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines, including Marawi,” it added.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: US to donate more planes, weapons to Phl

Surveillance Cessna-208B (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Christina Mendez

MANILA, Philippines -  A day after turning over two reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft to the Philippine Air Force, the United States said it is set to donate more equipment with similar capabilities in the near future.

“In the coming months, the US will be transferring more intelligence and surveillance equipment to the Philippine Air Force,” US embassy spokesperson Molly Koscina posted on her Twitter account. The PAF on Thursday officially received two Cessna-208B planes from the US at the Villamor Air Base.

The US has also begun delivery of 200 pieces of 500-pounder bombs and almost 1,000 pieces of 2.75-inch rockets to PAF.

The Air Force is heavily involved in the raging battle to liberate Marawi from Maute militants. Continued air strikes on enemy positions have significantly depleted the PAF’s arsenal.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: India Plans Purchasing Weapons to Protect Air Force Bases Across Country

India's Defense Ministry issued a request for information (RFI) from arms manufacturers, aiming to beef up the Garud Commando Force, a special unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Suppliers will have to respond to the IAF by July 8. The RFIs suggest the IAF will recruit 8,000-10,000 more people for the Garud force to protect 54 IAF base stations. The terror attack on Pathankot air base last year forced India to provide advanced weapons and equipment to the IAF commandos.

The request points to likely acquisition of 50-60 armored vehicles along with military equipment to protect its personnel during operations. The IAF needs a 5-meter-long vehicle with a crew capacity of six for its special forces. Among other specifications, the IAF has demanded a minimum 350-kilometer operating range with a speed of 100 kmph on a level highway. The vehicles will be designed in such a way that the Garud forces would be able to mount and fire a 5.56mm light machine gun.

The IAF will also equip its commandos with 600 7.62mm rifles with sights and accessories and 200 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher compatible with it.

Garud Commando Force will also receive approximate 1,800 sub-machine guns and 2,000 9mm pistols, according to the RFI issued by the Indian Air Force.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: Thailand tightens security after weapons found

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s authorities on June 4 tightened security in the capital city of Bangkok and cities nationwide following recent bomb blasts and the discovery of weapons.

A large amount of arms, including 30 AK-47 assault rifles, some M-79 grenade launchers, and ammunition, were discovered in a pickup truck in the province of Trat, bordering Cambodia on June 3. The driver was a soldier from a military unit in Bangkok.

Previously, grenades were found inside a parcel at a Bangkok courier service, suggesting it was an attempt to smuggle army supplies for sale on the black market, according to local police. An army corporal was detained for investigation.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

New Story: Security forces foil terror bid in southwestern Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces foiled a terror bid by confiscating heavy cache of weapons in Quetta, the provincial capital of the country's southwest Balochistan Province, the military said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan army's media wing, said in a statement that the security forces raided a hidden weapons depot on Saturday and seized a huge quantity of a variety of weapons in the outskirts of Quetta.

The statement said that the weapons, including locally-made improvised explosive devices, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, hundreds of hand-grenades and other weapons and ammunitions.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: 4 NPAs killed in Masbate

By Celso Amo

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines – Four New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed yesterday morning in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Pangle in Aroroy, Masbate, the military reported.

Capt. Joas Pramis, public affairs officer of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said a platoon led by 1/Lt. April John del Rosario was conducting combat operation at about 6:30 a.m. when they clashed with communist guerrillas.

Pramis said four rebels were killed during the 20-minute firefight and the soldiers recovered two M-16 rifles, two M-14 rifles, an M-203 rifle grenade launcher, an improvised explosive device, two handheld radios, a hand grenade, assorted ammunition and magazines and communist propaganda materials.

Col. Fernando Trinidad, commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, said the bodies of the slain rebels were brought to a morgue in Aroroy town proper.

“Our troops are also verifying the complaints of poor farmers in the barangay of extortion by NPA rebels,” said Trinidad.

Read the full story at The Philippine Star

News Story: PH receives high-grade US military equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles

RQ-11 Raven UAV (Image: Wiki Commons)

Brand new military equipment were delivered to the Philippine Army and Marine Corps on January 27 by the representatives from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG).

The package included over 400 M203 grenade launchers, 85 M40A5 sniper rifles, and a RQ-11B Raven unmanned aerial vehicle system consisting of three drones for exclusive use and ownership by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Read the full story at Tankler

News Report: India Media: New Delhi Buys $3B Worth of Weapons, Ammo From Russia, Israel

India has reportedly acquired some $3 billion of weapons after quietly purchasing ammunition, tank engines, anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers from Russia and Israel.

Israel furnished a few thousand missiles and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to India, while Moscow supplied New Delhi with tank parts, a few thousand anti-tank missiles and engines for the T90 tank, Indian’s chief battle vehicle. India also received multi-barrel rocket launchers from Russia.

The exact number of weapons has not been made public, but is said to be enough to arm both the Indian Army and Navy, and includes anti-personnel grenade launchers, high-explosive bombs, and armour for troop-carrying vehicles.

Under the leadership of senior officials, two "empowered committees" were dispatched to Israel and Russia toward the end of 2016 to make quick buys, known as "off-the-shelf purchases." The committees have the ability to negotiate and can make immediate buying decisions.

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to Afghanistan for individual and crew served weapons

WASHINGTON, Aug 18, 2016 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Afghanistan for individual and crew served weapons, equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $60 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 17, 2016.

The Government of Afghanistan has requested a possible sale of:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

• Four thousand, eight hundred and ninety-one (4,891) M16A4 5.56mm Rifles
• Four hundred and eighty-five (485) M240B 7.62mm Machine Guns
• Eight hundred (800) M2 .50 caliber Machine Guns

Industry: Meggitt Training Systems wins Australian Defence Force contract for weapon simulators

EF88 Assault Rifle

Meggitt PLC (“Meggitt” or “the Group”), a leading international company specialising in high performance components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defence and energy markets announces that Meggitt Training Systems has been awarded an $18 million USD contract from the Australian Defence Force’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. Meggitt will develop, manufacture and install 460 EF88 Steyr assault rifle simulators and 115 SL40 40mm simulated grenade launchers.

“We have supplied, operated and maintained the ADF’s Weapon Training Simulation System since 1999 and this latest weapons simulator award further validates Meggitt’s long-standing strategic partnership with the Australian Defence Force,” said Chris Jordan, Managing Director, Meggitt Training Systems, Australia.

EF88 Assault Rifle with attached SL40 Grenade Launcher

Contract deliveries will take place at 18 locations throughout Australia to support Army, Navy and Air Force training requirements and are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017 and continue through May 2018.

Meggitt

AUS: LAND 40 Phase 2 removed from Projects of Concern list

MK-47 Grenade Launcher

LAND 40 Phase 2, the Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher project, has been removed from the Projects of Concern list.

Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne said the project has been on the list since December 2012, however is now well positioned to deliver an important capability to the Australian Defence Force.

“The removal of this project demonstrates that the Projects of Concern process is working,” Senator Payne said.

“The goal for all Projects of Concern is to successfully remediate the projects and return them to the usual project management framework.”

Project LAND 40 Phase 2 entered a new contract with Australian company NIOA in June 2015 to supply the next generation of the Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher.

News Story: Two Afghan Taliban weapon facilitators detained - official

KABUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Two Taliban weapon facilitators had been detained in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said on Tuesday.

"The facilitators named Mohammad Azam and Zabiullah have been captured by personnel of NDS following a special operation in surrounding areas of Kunduz province recently," NDS, the country's national spy agency, said in a statement.

The NDS forces also captured two terrorists, a Tajikistani national named Harref and a local man named Ahmad, after the above raid, according to the statement.

Read the full story at Xinhua

AUS: HMAS Darwin seizes large weapons cache

Weapons seized by HMAS Darwin from a small-arms smuggler
boarded about 170 nautical miles off the coast of Oman
(© Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence)

HMAS Darwin’s boarding team has uncovered and seized a large weapons cache, following a boarding of a fishing vessel during their deployment to the Middle East Region as part of Operation MANITOU.

Operating under Combined Task Force 150, responsible for counter-terrorism operations within the Middle East Region, Darwin intercepted the fishing vessel approximately 170 nautical miles (313 kilometres) off the coast of Oman to conduct a flag verification boarding.

After assessing the vessel to be stateless, 1989 AK-47 assault rifles, 100 rocket propelled grenade launchers, 49 PKM general purpose machine guns, 39 PKM spare barrels and 20 60mm mortar tubes were seized from the vessel that was headed towards the Somalia coast.

The weapons were seized under United Nations sanctions which authorise interdiction on the high seas of illicit weapons destined for Somalia.