News Story: US Vows Solid Support to Afghan Air Force

Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano Ground Attack Aircraft

By Sayed Sharif Amiri

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, the Commander of US Air Forces Central Command, on Monday said the Afghan Air Force (AAF) will play an increasingly important role in future missions. 

Recently the Pentagon signed a contract worth $1 billion USD to purchase 150 C-130 aircraft for the Afghan army, a move which was warmly welcomed by the Afghan ministry of defense. 

The AAF is considered one of the key pillars of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and it is expected that within the next four years, there will be a significant change in the structure of the air force. 

Although the US has provided $4 billion USD in assistance to the Afghan air force, the AAF still needs more time and help to stand on its own. 

“We increased our number of F-16s in Bagram from 12 to 18. So that's a first step as we do our initial analysis, but we're gonna take a longer term look at this. Importantly though, I think the other piece I'd highlight to you, is that the Afghan Air Force is gonna play a particularly important role here, and that air force is gonna triple its size over the next several years, and I'd highlight that what the Afghans have done with their A-29 and their ability to quickly get themselves into the fight and support their teams on the ground has also been an important part that we're gonna leverage going forward as part of this plan,” said Harrigian. 

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Story: Battle to free Marawi in Philippines continues, enters fifth month

MANILA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Bullets continue to fly and rocket bombs continue to explode in Marawi as the military offensive to completely retake the southern Philippine city from Islamic State (IS)-inspired extremists entered its fifth month.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the pro-IS Maute militants managed to prepare sufficient caches of bombs, high-powered firearms and ammunition to fight the government security forces even before they laid siege to Marawi on May 23.

"The Maute was really preparing for a long-haul (fight). Until now, they never run out of ordnance, explosives, ammunition, and all. I really do not know the extent now of the contamination," Duterte told reporters in his home city of Davao late Friday.

He said local politicians who are into drug trafficking funded the war in Marawi. He showed a new diagram of politicians and people who are allegedly linked to illegal drug trade.

To date, he said "hundreds" of soldiers and policemen have been killed in drug-related encounters.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: US And Russian Envoys Meet At UNGA Over Afghanistan

By Samim Faramarz

Russia’s media has reported that Russian and US representatives for Afghanistan have met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and discussed ways to cooperate over Afghanistan.

US special acting representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Alice Wells met 

with Zamir Kabulov, who reportedly told her that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US in Afghanistan if the US lifts sanctions against Russia. 

“Alice Wells said Washington is interested to cooperate with us in Afghanistan, while she knows there is little chance of this. Wells knows about the sanctions, but the sanctions were approved by the US. If you want us to work together, you should lift the sanctions,” said Kabulov.

Meanwhile the Afghan government has said it welcomes US and Russia cooperation and coordination over Afghanistan. 

Read the full story at TOLOnews

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: First Black Hawks Arrive In Kandahar For AAF

BlackHawk Helicopters (File Photo)

By Rajab Taieb

The first UH-60s Black Hawks for the Afghan Air Force (AAF) arrived in Kandahar airport on Monday, Resolute Support confirmed in a tweet Monday evening. 

Resolute Support said the new Black Hawks will increase the Afghan Air Force capability and sustainability.

“The first Afghan Air Force UH-60s arrived today in Kandahar,” read the tweet.

On Saturday the Afghan defense ministry said they expected to receive six Black Hawks this week.

Read the full story at TOLOnews

USA: US, Malaysian navies begin bilateral maritime exercise

By Lt. Clyde Shavers, Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

In this file photo, USS Coronado (LCS 4) arrives in Langkawi, Malaysia, earlier this year for the International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Amy M. Ressler) >>

LUMUT, Malaysia - The U.S. and Royal Malaysian Navy kicked off Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia at Lumut Naval Base, Sept. 18.

Nearly 300 U.S. and Malaysian Sailors aboard the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4), Kasturi-class corvette KD Lekir (F26) and Lekiu-class frigate KD Lekiu (F30) are participating in the exercise.

“The U.S. and Royal Malaysian Navy maintains a close and unique partnership that continues to grow and evolve with each bilateral and multilateral exercise,” said Capt. Matthew Jerbi, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. “MTA Malaysia is just one of many opportunities for both navies to work closely together towards cooperatively ensuring regional maritime security and stability.”

News Story: Philippine Coast Guard to beef up patrol fleet beginning 2018

Japanese made patrol boat for Philippines Coast Guard

MANILA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will beef up its patrol fleet with more brand new and modern patrol boats, a helicopter and weapons beginning next year as it plans to further strengthen its maritime patrol capability, a lawmaker said on Sunday.

Rep. Johnny Pimentel, a member of the House appropriation committee, said the government has set aside 6.7 billion pesos (130.1 million U.S. dollars) of its 3.767 trillion pesos (73.15 billion U.S. dollars) budget for 2018 to build up the PCG with a fleet of new boats, helicopters and weapons.

"The fresh funding will help pay for the acquisition of 10 newly built 44-meter patrol boats from Japan, of which five have already been delivered to the PCG," said Pimentel in a statement.

He said the PCG is also acquiring four 24-meter fast boats for delivery in 12 months, an 82-meter boat for delivery in 2019, and two 94-meter, high-endurance boats for delivery in 2020 and 2021.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: AAF To Take Delivery Next Week Of Six Black Hawks

By Samim Faramarz

The Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Saturday said six Black Hawk helicopters will be handed over to the Afghan Air Force (AAF) by next week. 

The Black Hawks will eventually replace the Russian Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters currently in use by the AAF. 

A few months ago, the United States announced that it will provide the Afghan Air Force with 150 Black Hawks and other aircraft over the next four years.

According to the MoD, the air force will take delivery of the first Black Hawks next week. 

“We need Black Hawks to overcome a number of challenges including transferring supplies, eradicating enemy strongholds, evacuating patients and wounded and also transferring supplies to  check-posts that are located in mountains,” defense ministry spokesman, Dawlat Waziri said. 

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Report: Bangladesh Protests Myanmar Airspace Violations as Tensions Mount Over Rohingya

WASHINGTON — Bangladesh is protesting a violation of its airspace by helicopters and drones from Myanmar, as tensions between the two countries escalate over a massive influx of Rohingya Muslim refugees into Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's foreign ministry summoned the charge d'affaires of Myanmar's embassy in Dhaka and warned the airspace violations could lead to “unwarranted consequences.”

This is the third time in three weeks that Bangladesh has summoned Myanmar's envoy as the refugee crisis of the Rohingya grows.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday that the number of Rohingya refugees who have fled across the border to Bangladesh has climbed to 391,000.

Rohingya refugees say Myanmar's military and members of the Buddhist majority have attacked their villages in northern Rakhine state, forcing them to flee. There are reports of villages being burned to the ground and the military deliberately targeting civilians, but access to the region is limited, so the reports can't be independently verified.

USA: HSM Wing Pacific continues Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative exercise

By Lt. Adam Arndt, HSM Weapons School Pacific Public Affairs

In this file photo, Peruvian submarine BAP Pisagua (SS 33) arrives at Naval Base Point Loma in July for phase one of DESI-EX. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Derek Harkins) >>

SAN DIEGO - Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific (CHSMWP) began phase two of the annual Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative Exercise (DESI-EX), an international exercise held annually in conjunction with South American naval forces, Sept. 8, 2017.

DESI-EX is an undersea warfare exercise that allows MH-60R aircraft from various CHSMWP and Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) commands the ability to practice their anti-submarine warfare (ASW) skills against a skilled, foreign adversary in a variety of challenging environments. The event was organized by HSM Weapons School Pacific (HSMWSP) in coordination with Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic International Programs and Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, and will take place on the Southern California Offshore Range and Tanner Bank operating area.

Phase one of the exercise took place July 15 - 20 and involved aircraft and crews from six CHSMWP and three MPRA squadrons that completed 29 sorties over the course of 147 flight hours. Participants trained alongside the Peruvian Navy submarine BAP Pisagua (SS 33), a German Type 209 diesel-electric submarine, to refine their ASW and tactical acumen.

News Report: More War Games: US and Japan Practice for Urban Warfare in North Korea

US and Japanese soldiers have begun two weeks of urban combat training as part of a bilateral exercise in the foothills surrounding Mount Fuji in central Japan. The exercise was explicitly described as a preparation for combat with North Korea, as tensions between the DPRK and the American bloc show no signs of abating.

1,200 soldiers — half from the US Army's 25th Infantry Division's 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team (stationed out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska) and half from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 34th Infantry Regiment — kicked off the Orient Shield exercise in the East Fuji Maneuver Area. 

AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Combat Aviation Brigade also provided support in the exercise. The aviators will conduct live-fire training alongside the ground troops, as well as practice with Japanese aviators flying AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.

Maj. Gen. James Pasquarette, the commander of US Army Japan, said that the purpose of the exercise was to signal the fighting readiness of the US and Japan. "The strength of the US-Japan alliance is a part of that calculus in changing [North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's] behavior," he said in a statement.

News Report: India to Provide More Assistance to Afghan Defense Forces

Anjana Pasricha

NEW DELHI — India will provide more assistance to Afghan defense forces and implement new development projects in the war-torn country.

The announcement came at the first high-level meeting held between the two countries after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new Afghan strategy in which he called on India to step up its role in Afghanistan.

A joint statement issued at the end of a day-long conference between the Afghan and Indian foreign ministers Monday in New Delhi said they have agreed to strengthen security cooperation, and India will extend assistance for the Afghan forces to fight terrorism, organized crime, trafficking of narcotics and money laundering.

Afghanistan has long pressed for greater Indian assistance in defense supplies and capacity building as it struggles to fight Taliban insurgents who have taken swathes of territory.

News Story: MD Helicopters Lands $1.4B (Afghan) Order

An earlier batch of MD-530 Helicopters for Afghanistan

by Mark Huber

MD Helicopters (MDHI) has been awarded a five-year, $1.385 billion contract to provide up to 150 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the Afghan Air Force. The foreign military sale was contracted through the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

The contract includes program management, delivery support, pilot training and maintenance. First contract deliveries will include a block of 30 MD 530Fs valued at $176.6 million to be delivered by September 2019.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: Japan MSDF says human error behind recent helicopter crash

A JMSDF SH-60J Seahawk helicopter (Image: Wiki Commons)

TOKYO, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) said on Thursday that a recent helicopter crash off northeastern Japan was caused by human error, and flights of helicopters of the same type will be resumed.

Three of the four crewmen aboard the helicopter were still missing and the MSDF is continuing searching for them.

A SH-60J patrol helicopter belonging to the MSDF lost contact during a landing and takeoff drill on a destroyer off Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan on Aug. 26.

Four people were on board the helicopter. One of them was rescued some 40 minutes after the incident, while the other three remained missing.

Part of the wreckage of the helicopter was found later around the crash area. The water at the crash site is about 2,600 meters deep.

According to the MSDF, based on data from the flight recorder and the account of a rescued crew member, the crash happened when the crew members were focusing on fixing an error with the bearing indicator and failed to notice the chopper was losing balance.

Read the full story at Xinhua

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 Story: U.S. to send more strategic assets to Korea - Pacific Fleet chief

Adm. Scott Swift (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Lee Chi-dong

SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) -- A top U.S. naval commander said Tuesday his country will keep sending formidable defense assets to the Korean Peninsula in combined deterrence and response to North Korea's "self-destructive" actions.

Adm. Scott Swift, who commands the U.S. Pacific Fleet, stressed that although South Koreans stand closest to the North's threats, they "do not face this aggressor alone."

He cited the North's continued provocations, including "ill-advised" ballistic missile launches and inflammatory warnings of nuclear war, highlighted by its sixth nuclear test Sunday.

Speaking at the International Seapower Symposium here, the admiral described the Kim Jong-un regime's choice as "irrationally self-destructive actions and behaviors that defy logic and explanation."

"We will continue to deploy carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups, AEGIS ships, the world's most capable submarine force and advanced aircraft like the F-35, P-8 and MH-60R to be prepared to respond decisively when called," he stressed. "Today, our platforms have longer reach, are more interconnected and possess greater lethality than what has ever been fielded before."

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: Airbus Helicopters PHL in talks with military for chopper purchase

H145M military helicopter

By TED CORDERO

Airbus Helicopters Philippines Inc. is in talks with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the latter's possible purchase of military choppers.

"There are ongoing talks between Airbus and the Philippine military for the purchase of helicopters," managing director Lionel de Maupeou told reporters in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Senior governmental sales manager Yves Poesy added that the company is discussing the potential chopper purchase deal with a technical working group from the armed forces.

"We have been doing some general presentations. Last October, we did a presentation of some of our helicopters and they're very interested [in] some of [them]," Poesy said.

"Nothing is signed up for now, but we have some hope," he added.

Read the full story at GMA News

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: 3 missing after MSDF helicopter crashes in Sea of Japan

A JMSDF SH-60J Seahawk (Image: Wiki Commons)

TOKYO, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter belonging to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) crashed during a drill Saturday night, leaving three crew members missing.

The SH-60J patrol helicopter lost contact at around 10:50 p.m. local time (1350 GMT) on Saturday during a landing and takeoff drill on a destroyer off Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.

Four people were on board the helicopter. One of them was rescued some 40 minutes after the incident, and the MSDF and Japan Coast Guard are still searching for the other three, according to the MSDF.

Japan's new Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters on Sunday that parts of the wreckage of the helicopter had been found around the crash area.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: India Plans to Populate Villages Along 2167-Mile Disputed Chinese Border

India wants to develop its frontier region as a tourist destination so that it can populate remote areas close to the Line of Actual Control (effective border yet to be clearly demarcated). Starting civilian flights to and from frontier areas may have a deeper significance in terms of counterbalancing Chinese aggression in the region.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — In a major strategic push to assert its presence along the 2167-mile-long disputed border with China, India has announced a major plan to attract more settlers in the difficult Himalayan landscape.

Most of the border villages in the sector have been witnessing large-scale migration owing to lack of connectivity with the mainland. The government plans to improve connectivity within the region through helicopter services.

"We have increased the viability gap funding for helicopters. The way their flight time is calculated has also been made more realistic. We expect this to lead to improved connectivity in priority areas of Jammu and Kashmir, northeast India, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep," RN Choubey, aviation secretary said on Thursday.