News Report: China Tests New Terahertz Radiation Radar That Could Detect Stealth Jets

An F-35A Lightning Stealth Fighter

The China North Industries Group Corporation has tested a radar in recent weeks that generates terahertz radiation in order to better track the presence of stealth aircraft, the South China Morning Post reports.

The device has the potential to be a “game changer” for the People’s Liberation Army, scientists told the Hong-Kong based news outlet, since the radar might be able to spot the US’ F-22 Raptors and beleaguered F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

Terahertz radiation can theoretically see through the “composite materials” that help hide stealthy jets, SCMP reports. The F-22 fleet’s new $40 million paint job might be for naught after all. 

News Report: India's Defense Sector Prepares for 100% Foreign Direct Investment

FDI proposals for 100% have to be in areas where India lacks either the existing capabilities or is not even developing it.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — India is planning to further liberalize its defense sector by allowing 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in projects. The move is mainly aimed at curtailing the striking slowdown in the defense sector which has failed to attract huge investments in recent years despite the introduction of sweeping reforms in defense investment rules.

Disclosing the government's agenda, defense ministry officials said that 100 percent FDI would be allowed in cases where foreign firms would be willing for the complete transfer of technology.

"The government of India would be open to considering 100 percent FDI in defense, should the company be willing to provide full technology transfer," Ashok Kumar Gupta, India's Secretary of Defense Production was quoted as saying during his interaction with representatives of US corporate sector.

News Story: Varley selected for Australian production of SPIKE LR II missile

Spike anti tank missile (Image: Wiki Commons)

Varley Australia has announced a joint venture with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for local production and assembly of high-end technologies in support of future Defence contracts.

Varley stated that it has been selected to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Australia that will provide production and support of the SPIKE LR II missile, after Rafael conducted a comprehensive assessment of Australian manufacturing facilities and operations.

The joint venture would be the first entity to manufacture the SPIKE LR II outside of Israel.

Read the full story at ADBR

News Story: ‘Far-fetched vision’ - India’s futuristic light combat aircraft overshadowed by predecessor

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI ― The ruling National Democratic Alliance government’s Make in India policy could suffer a major blow as the Indian Air Force mulls the purchase of 105 Mark 2 versions of futuristic, homemade light-combat aircraft for $15 billion.

Service officials and analysts say the program faces uncertainty due to a lack of clarity and other immediate priorities.

As of now, the Air Force wants to place an order with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, or HAL, for only 83 Mark 1 versions of the LCA for a cost of about $7.81 billion to meet the immediate fighters requirement.

“LCA Mark 2 is a far-fetched vision. The service wants improvement on existing LCA to address all issues of looms, improvement in performance, interchange ability, improved U.S.-made GE 414 [engine], improved avionics and missiles to be fitted on it,” a senior Indian Air Force official said.

Daljit Singh, a defense analyst and retired Air Force air marshal, said that the Mark 2 effort ”was proposed by the IAF to ensure that the LCA complies with majority of the air staff requirements. However, that would involve major design change of fuselage to accommodate more powerful engine.”

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Report: India’s Home-Grown Land Mine-Plowing Trawl System Passes Blast Trials

The trawl system is capable of breaching a variety of landmines, including passive and active influence mines, and would help the Indian Army’s mechanized forces advance safely to combat zones in the event of a war.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – Marking a major breakthrough in India’s quest to develop local defense technologies, the state-owned Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully designed and developed a land trawl that plows landmines out of the way, creating a safe lane for vehicles such as advancing columns of mechanized forces to drive straight through minefields and into combat zones.

News Report: India, Japan Set to Ink Record $1.3 Billion Amphibious Aircraft Deal

ShinMayWa US-2 Amphibious Aircraft (Image: Wiki Commons)

During Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India, the countries are expected to finally seal the US-2 amphibious aircraft deal, the negotiations on which had been halted since 2010 because of its “excessive price.”

Abe arrived in Ahmedabad on Wednesday on a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review progress in the strategic partners' multifaceted cooperation.

While the main focus is going to be on the high speed railway groundbreaking ceremony, India and Japan are expected to deepen their cooperation on defense and nuclear technologies.

India is likely to finalize purchases of the US-2 amphibious aircraft ShinMayWa in what may become Japan's largest defence export deal. India plans to buy 12 of these aircraft off-the-shelf for the Navy and another 18 will be jointly manufactured in India under the Prime Minister Modi's "Make in India" programme.

News Report: India Successfully Tests 500kg Locally Developed Precision Guided HSLD Bomb

The development is significant as India continues to heavily rely on imports for air armaments. The Israel-manufactured SPICE bomb is the biggest conventional bomb that can be delivered by the Indian Air Force.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – India has successfully tested a precision guided high speed low drag (HSLD) bomb weighing 500 kg, which is the largest bomb locally developed by the country so far. During the flight trial in the western state of Rajasthan, the 500 kg general purpose bomb was released from Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su 30 MK1 aircraft. The bomb has been developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) of the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

The trial covered ground adaptation, carriage and handling, limited separation and release of the bomb. Sukhoi-30MKI released PGHSLD-500 fitted on station 05/06 from an altitude of 5 km at 900 km to verify separation performance and to estimate stability.

News Story: Aussie warship project to be delayed for two years by local companies - minister

BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship for SEA 5000

CANBERRA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A 28-billion-U.S.-dollar Australian warship project could be delayed for two years if local companies are handed the contract, a government minister has warned.

The Future Frigates project will see nine new anti-submarine warfare frigates designed and built to replace Australia's existing Anzac frigate fleet.

The Australian bid to build the ships is being led by South Australia's ASC and Western Australia's Austal but Spain's Navantina, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Fincantieri have also been shortlisted for the project.

Despite an initial promise that the ships would be built in Australia, the Defence Department has convinced the government that the Australian-built clause should be "optional" rather than "mandated."

Christopher Pyne, Australia's defence industry minister, said: "Advice from the Department of Defence is that changing the request for tender to mandate a particular shipbuilder would result in a delay of at least two years in the Future Frigates program."

Read the full story at Xinhua

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PacificSentinel: I think people need to remember three things, first of all the project was moved forward by two or three years in the first place, so a two year delay would put it back on the original time table, the second thing is the reason it was moved forward in the first place, which was to build a local shipbuilding industry, so sending the construction overseas defeats the original purpose anyway, the third thing is that the ANZAC class Frigates have just finished an upgrade that should see them more than capable of lasting for an additional 2 years.

News Story: S. Korea, Vietnam to hold defense strategy talks

SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Friday it will hold vice ministerial defense talks with Vietnam on improving bilateral cooperation on North Korea and other security issues.

South Korean Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk is scheduled to meet with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Chi Vinh later in the day for the annual Defense Strategy Dialogue, which was launched in 2012.

He's on a visit here to attend the sixth Seoul Defense Dialogue, a security forum hosted by Suh's ministry.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Report: India’s Home-Made Howitzer Creates World Record in User Trial

India's new ATAGS artillery gun during early test firing

Apart from its capability to fire ammunition at almost 48 kilometers, India’s locally developed ATAGS is the world’s only gun with a six-round “automated magazine” that fires a six-round burst in just 30 seconds.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — India’s locally manufactured advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS) has created a record in ammunition firing during a user trial conducted at Pokhran in the western state of Rajasthan. The 155-millimeter 52-calibre howitzer fired three shells out to a record distance of approximately 47.2 kilometers in comparison to 40-45 kilometer by other such systems currently operational in the world.

Defense sources told Sputnik that this is, perhaps, the longest distance covered by an artillery gun system. “The system fired three shells at more than 47 kilometers using special, long-range ammunition called high explosive base bleed in Pokhran,” defense sources told to Sputnik.

News Report: Forty Indian Helicopters to Join Combat Fleet at Eastern Border With China

HAL ALH Rudra, armed version of the LCH Dhruv

The 40 ALH manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will join the fleet that includes the recently contracted 6 Apache AH-64 E heavy attack helicopters.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — India's state-owned defense firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has bagged an order to supply 40 multi-role advanced light helicopters to the Indian Army and one to the Indian Navy. According to the $952 million contract, HAL would deliver the helicopters in a phased manner over the next five years.

"The latest order reflects the trust on HAL's capabilities and gives an impetus to make-in-India campaign. It reposes faith of Indian Defense forces in indigenous ALH which has been serving them with distinction for a long time", says Mr. T. Suvarna Raju, CMD-HAL.

News Report: Pyongyang Says It Has Developed a Hydrogen Bomb

North Korea said early Sunday that it had developed a hydrogen bomb that could be loaded into the country's new intercontinental ballistic missile.

The claim from Pyongyang came via official state media. The Korean Central News Agency said leader Kim Jong Un had inspected the device at the country's Nuclear Weapons Institute.

KCNA quoted Kim as describing the weapon as a "thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power, made by our own efforts and technology." He also was quoted as saying that all components of the hydrogen bomb were "100 percent domestically made."

The report included a picture of Kim dressed in a black uniform, posing with a metal object.

News Story: DPRK top leader inspects nuclear bomb making institute

North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un

PYONGYANG, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has inspected a nuclear bomb producing institute where a H-bomb to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile was recently produced, said official media Sunday.

"Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un guided the work for nuclear weaponization on the spot," said the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) without giving specified date of the event.

DPRK official media report news about the top leader usually one day after it takes place.

"He was greeted by senior officials of the Department of Munitions Industry of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and scientists of the Nuclear Weapons Institute before being briefed on the details of nuclear weaponization," said KCNA.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Computer system for Hawkei vehicles tested

by Richard Tomkins

A C4I integral Computing System for the Australian Army's Hawkei vehicle has been tested by the government's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, the Australian Ministry of Defense announced on Monday.

The CASG Land 121 Phase 4 project team conducted the tests at the Monegeetta Proving Ground and signed a project charter for the system with nine companies involved in the system.

CASG identified the companies as Thales Australia, Cablex, Elbit Land Systems Australia, Esterline, Harris Australia, Kongsberg, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, and Thomas Global Systems.

"Using generic vehicle architecture and a central computing concept to host various C4I systems and communications, the ICS will optimize and centralize the flow of information to the user, enabling rapid decision making and multi-tasking at levels not previously achievable on land based platforms," said Land 121 Phase 4 Project Director Col. John McLean said in a press release.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Report: India Begins Production of Missile Equipped LCH to be Deployed at Chinese Border

Light Combat Helicopter - LCH (Image: Wiki Commons)

The 5.8 ton helicopter will provide crucial air support to the armed forces deployed along the Chinese border as it has the power to carry out operational roles under extreme weather conditions at altitudes of 20,000 meters in the difficult Himalayan terrain.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — India's state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has begun production of light combat helicopters (LCH) which are equipped with a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket, air to air missile, electro optical pod and helmet pointing system.

The production formally commenced on Saturday in Bengaluru in the presence of Defense Minister Arun Jaitley. The LCH is entirely locally designed and developed by HAL.

"The LCH has demonstrated the capability to land and take off from Siachen range with considerable load, fuel, and weapons that are beyond the capacity of any other combat helicopter," HAL said in a statement.

News Story: India to announce road map for single-engine fighter program

Artists impression of an Indian F-16 Fighting Falcon

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — To accelerate the Make in India initiative under the strategic partnership model, the ruling National Democratic Alliance will formally issue a request for information next month to Lockheed Martin of the U.S. and Saab of Sweden to manufacture single-engine fighters in collaboration with a private company in the India.

The Ministry of Defence will float a request for information, or RFI, to Lockheed Martin for its F-16 Block 70 and Saab for its Gripen E next month, a senior MoD official said.

Under the new strategic partnership, or SP, model the two companies will be asked to submit offers of the single-engine fighters’ air power capabilities, the offer for India-specific technology transfer, indigenous solutions for the program and the offer for building an ecosystem for the program in the country, said a senior Indian Air force official.

“We have chosen both F-16 Block 70 and Gripen E because both single-engine fighters are fully upgraded, fully tested and are in full use,” the IAF official added.

Both Lockheed Martin and Saab will be given three months to respond to the RFI, which will then be evaluated by an IAF expert committee and the final selection will be made early next year, the IAF official added.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

AUS: Testing Completed For New Army Combat Vehicles (LAND 400)

BAE Systems (Patria) AMV35 (Wiki Info)

Testing to support the selection process for the Army’s new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) has finished on schedule.

Head Land Systems Division, Major General David Coghlan, congratulated the two shortlisted contenders, Rheinmetall and BAE Systems Australia, who have been involved in the year-long Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) to help Defence choose the supplier of the new Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability.

“The RMA incorporated a test and evaluation program, a series of schedule and contract management workshops to reduce the risk to the LAND 400 contract, and working with defence industry to increase opportunities for Australian industry involvement in the program,” Major General Coghlan said.

“The test and evaluation program assessed the candidate vehicles and their support systems across a wide range of criteria, with a particular focus on protection, lethality and mobility.

News Story: How 'Make in India' could impede India’s global hunt for anti-ship missiles

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India has launched first-ever global hunt for anti-ship missiles with a budget of $1 billion. But a requirement for those missiles, to be built by domestic companies, could be difficult to meet.

The medium-range anti-ship missiles must be capable of engaging fast-maneuvering targets within India’s exclusive economic zone in all weather conditions, and have land-attack capability.

A formal tender will be issued by mid-2018, and India hopes to negotiate a quick delivery of the product.

India’s Ministry of Defence wants the production license rights after it receives a transfer of technology for the medium-range anti-ship missiles.

Although no domestic company in India has ever manufactured an anti-ship missile, the MoD will award the contract to a local business as part of the Make in India policy; a foreign vendor will then have to tie up with the domestic company and bid for the tender, an MoD official explained.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: Cobham Wins KF-X Weapons Carriage & Release Award from KAI

A model of one of several possible KFX designs (File Photo)

Cobham has been awarded a contract in excess of £7M from Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) to provide weapons carriage and release equipment for the future KF-X next-generation indigenous multi-role fighter aircraft.

Cobham Mission Systems will deliver by the year 2020 an undisclosed number of Missile Eject Launcher (MEL) units to KAI for KF-X, which is targeted for entry into service by 2025 to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force’s current F-4 and F-5 fleet.

“Cobham’s MEL is an established market leader and continues to deliver consistently high performance and reliable service,” Ken Kota, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Cobham Mission Systems Wimborne said. “It is a highly robust, long stroke ejection system that allows the interchangeable carriage and release of either Meteor or AMRAAM air-to-air missiles without role change.”

Cobham

News Report: Indian Defense Firms Under Pressure to Develop New Age Technology for UAVs

The Indian Army had submitted a requirement for UAVs that could fly continuously for a minimum of ten hours at the height of up to 20000 feet, covering a range of two hundred kilometers from the control station. The army is in favor of locally developed systems but it would be a big challenge for private defense firms that lack the technology.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — India is planning to purchase remotely controlled aerial surveillance platforms which would provide real time inputs in the form of imagery and electronic data to fighting formations during operations. The defense ministry announced that it would be spending approximately $461 million on the purchase of forty four such aerial vehicles.

The system would be capable of carrying different kinds of surveillance payloads such as electro optic and night payload, synthetic aperture radar and electronic support measures.

"UAVs and drones are increasingly assuming importance in warfare and are used by militaries across the world for carrying out a variety of functions mainly in terms of surveillance and target acquisition, communications and now even delivery of stores in remote areas. This will considerably enhance the surveillance and reconnaissance potential of the army in the tactical battle area and beyond," Rahul Bhonsle, a retired Indian Army brigadier and defense analyst told Sputnik.