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 help for AFP proves robust ties with Philippines

By Jaime Laude

MANILA, Philippines - The delivery by the United States of new weapons and ammunitions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is proof of the enduring military alliance between the two countries, AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año said yesterday.

At Malacañang, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippines-US alliance “remains robust to this day,” citing the turnover last week by the US of two Cessna-208B surveillance and monitoring aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

“These aircraft would bolster the capability and readiness of our Air Force to help address terrorism and support our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations,” Abella added.

President Duterte has repeatedly castigated the US for the latter’s criticizing his deadly war on drugs. He earlier announced his “separation” from the US and pivot to China and Russia.

But Año said the Philippines is grateful for the US assistance. “We appreciate the assistance and grants provided by the US government. They remain our number one ally, especially in the fight against terror,” Año said.

Read the full story at PhilStar

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: Test Imminent? Activity at North Korean Nuclear Site Has US Intelligence Worried

An unusual uptick in activity at North Korea’s underground nuclear testing facilities picked up by US foreign signals intelligence may mean another nuclear test is imminent.

According to Jerusalem Online, Washington is growing concerned that the Strategic Rocket Forces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will launch yet another test of its nuclear weapons when senior Chinese leaders arrive in Washington for meetings with US leadership on Wednesday.

Just yesterday, US President Donald Trump thanked Beijing for its efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula but noted "it has not worked out." The statement was widely seen as an attempt by Trump to embarrass Chinese President Xi Jinping, Axios reported, for "failing to change Kim Jong-un’s deranged behavior and give him one last chance to fix it… and signaling to the Chinese that they’ve run out of time." 

News Report: North Korea - What Happens if Tensions Finally Give Way to War?

Military experts share their thoughts on how events will unfold if Pyongyang turns its rhetoric into action.

The secluded state's missile tests are growing more frequent, and leader Kim Jong-un continues to threaten to hit the US mainland with a nuclear-armed ballistic missile if Washington doesn't stop putting pressure on the regime.

Most experts agree that if diplomatic and economic measures by the US and allies fail, a preemptive strike could follow, resulting in a conventional war and major loss of life, mainly due to Seoul's proximity to the North's border.

The US Military Times on Sunday published a model of how the US, South Korea and the North would act if the tense 64-year-old ceasefire on the peninsula were to end, based on interviews with current and former military officials, international experts and intelligence assessments of Pyongyang's military capabilities.

News Report: South Korea Conducts Large-Scale Artillery Exercises - Defense Ministry

South Korean MLRS

According to the Defense Ministry, South Korea held large-scale exercises on Tuesday, with the use of multiple launch rocket systems.

TOKYO (Sputnik) – South Korea held large-scale exercises on Tuesday, with the use of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), in response to provocations from North Korea, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.

"Through the current exercises, our armed forces demonstrated their fighting ability to suppress the enemy with firepower in the event of an emergency, and also confirmed their readiness to immediately destroy [the enemy] in the attempts of any provocation," the South Korean Army's statement read, as quoted by Yonhap news agency.

The ground force exercises took place in Kosong County, eastern Gangwon Province, which is split between South Korea and North Korea.

News Story: India Orders Homemade Rocket Launchers Despite Its Faulty Ammo

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered 36 homemade Pinaka Mark-1 multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL) at a cost of $490 million, despite complaints of problems related to its ammunition. 

Pinaka-1 was developed by state-run Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The additional order of two regiments (one regiment equals 18 launchers) was given last week to four different prime contractors: state-owned organizations Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), as well as private sector defense companies Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Power SED. 

Under the contract, BEML will supply a variety of vehicles for the MBRL, while L&T and Tata Power will supply the launcher systems and OFB will supply an unspecified number of rockets. 

"Serious shortcomings have been noticed in the Pinaka-1 rockets as in a recent exercise; reports of the rockets exploding midair and at the firing port have been received. This indicates that the explosive used in the rockets may have been defective. This will put a question mark on the further production and induction unless the defects are overcome," said Rahul Bhonsle, a retired Army official and defense analyst. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Rocket attack rocks Afghan capital

KABUL, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Two rockets fired by militants on Wednesday struck a diplomatic district in central Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, causing panic among the residents, a police source said.

"The initial investigations found two rockets struck areas in Shash Darak locality roughly at 7:30 p.m. local time, but leaving no casualties," the source told Xinhua anonymously.

More details would be made public later as investigation is going on, the source added.

Sirens were heard after the bangs across the district, which also gives home to dozens of residential apartment buildings.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: ‘False’ Report on Vietnam Rocket Launchers Sparked Chaos in South China Sea

Vietnam's EXTRA Missile launchers

A Reuters report citing unnamed Western officials that Vietnam had deployed rocket launchers to the Spratly Islands and pointed them toward Chinese facilities led Beijing to call on Hanoi to “remember” the 1979 War that led to 137,000 Vietnamese deaths.

On Thursday, Vietnam again refuted a Reuters report that it allegedly deployed rocket launchers to bases in the Spratly islands — allegations that led Beijing this weekend to remind Hanoi about previous wars which many view as a not-so-veiled threat to attack Vietnam.

The diplomatic row began following an August 10 Reuters report suggesting that "Vietnam has discreetly fortified several of its islands in the disputed South China Sea with new mobile rocket launchers," in recent months.

News Report: 'Terrible Mistake' Chinese Media Hints at War With Vietnam Over Rocket Launchers

Vietnam's EXTRA Missile Launchers

Tensions in the South China Sea resulting from The Hague arbitrational court’s ruling against China’s longstanding claim to the disputed area are at risk of spilling over with rhetoric and tactics escalating.

On Thursday, China’s state-run Global Times newspaper warned Vietnam against the deployment of rocket launchers targeting Chinese facilities reminding Hanoi of the devastation that ensued the last time the two countries went to war.

"If Vietnam’s latest deployment is targeting China, that would be a terrible mistake," said the editorial. "We hope Vietnam will remember and draw some lessons from history."

The statement follows a Reuters report, citing “Western officials,” that Vietnam had deployed advanced mobile rocket launchers targeting China’s runways and military installations amid a brewing regional dispute in the South China Sea that the United States has been all too willing to meddle in.

News Story: Two civilians killed, three injured as rocket fired by militants hits residential area in N. Afghanistan

PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least two civilians have been killed and three others injured as a rocket fired by Taliban militants struck a house in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of the northern Baghlan province on Saturday, a local official said.

"A rocket fired by Taliban rebels struck a house in Shahi Khil village of Baghlan-e-Markazi district today afternoon, killing two innocent civilians and injured three others," Hajji Mohammad Tawab told Xinhua.

All the victims, including women and children, belong to one family, the official asserted.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: South China Sea Ticking Time Bomb - Vietnam’s Mobile Rockets Risk Arms Race, War (Russian View)

Vietnam's Rocket Launchers

The placement by Vietnam of rocket systems capable of striking China dramatically raises the stakes over the disputed waters and territories, all but forcing an act of escalation by Beijing.

On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Vietnam had "discreetly fortified several of its islands in the disputed South China Sea with new mobile rocket launchers capable of striking China’s runways and military installations across the vital trade route," citing an unnamed Western official.

The provocation by Vietnam comes in the wake of Xi Jinping’s refusal to adhere to a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, which found that Beijing’s territorial claims to disputed waters and islands in the South China Sea are without merit.

China argued that the decision was political, and lacked both substantive and procedural merit, most notably because the Hague does not have proper jurisdiction over the case — as the treaty requires both parties to a dispute to submit to arbitration before a legal judgment can be made.

News Story: State of Art Missile Launchers from Vietnam positioned in South China Sea

Vietnam's EXTRA rocket artillery system

In a move designed to counter China’s build-up on its seven reclaimed islands in the Spratlys archipelago, Vietnam has positioned their Coastal & Island Defense Systems (CIDS) to five bases in South China Sea, Reuters reports.

Armed with state-of-art EXTRA rocket artillery system recently acquired from Israel, the launchers are capable of striking China’s runways and military installations on Subi, Fiery Cross and Mischief Reef.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Rocket barrage hits area near Baghdad airport

BAGHDAD, July 4 (Xinhua) -- A rocket barrage hit a place near Baghdad international airport on Monday, targeting a camp housing an exile Iranian opposition group, a police source said.

There were no immediate reports about casualties among the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI), it said, adding that some of the rockets missed their targets and hit a village near Ameriyah district in western Baghdad, wounding several civilians.

Around 14 rocket strikes were heard near the airport in southwestern Baghdad, where Camp Hurriya was located, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The security forces later found a truck used as the rocket launcher in Agargouf area in western Baghdad, it said.

A similar attack occurred on Oct. 29, 2015, killing at least 26 Iranian exiles when some 25 Katyusha rockets were fired on the camp.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: India Allows Private Companies to Build Rockets

Image: Wiki Commons

Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — For the first time India has broken the monopoly of state enterprise Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and will permit private defense companies to manufacture rockets for helicopters.

"Indian Air Force (IAF) wishes to buy 200,000 70mm rockets for its helicopters and the Ministry of Defense (MoD), under its new 'Make in India' policy, is now allowing private defense companies to meet the armament and weaponry requirements of the defense forces," said an MoD defense production official who requested anonymity.

"The rockets are proposed to be developed and manufactured by the Indian industry and the project would be based on proven or matured technologies where fundamental research is not required," he said.

Currently three Indian defense forces procure rockets from OFB and imports from overseas.

Read the full story at DefenseNews