News Report: India Begins Deployment of Submarine in Indian Ocean Region After Long Gap

The Shishumar class attack submarine is being accompanied by two other naval vessels and two maritime patrol aircraft on a month-long mission to enhance cooperation with the countries of the Arabian Sea rim.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — India is deploying an attack submarine to the Western Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean after a long gap. The Indian submarine Shishumar entered Duqm in Oman along with naval ship INS Mumbai and two P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft on Wednesday. Meanwhile, naval ship INS Kochi is on its way to join the fleet.

"Indian Naval Ship Mumbai and submarine Shishumar entered Duqm, Oman as part of this deployment to the Western Arabian Sea, after conducting a series of exercises en-route. An Indian naval submarine is visiting a foreign port after a long gap," the Indian Navy said in a statement.

News Story: Pakistan to sell 10 Super Mushshak aircraft to Azerbaijan - officials

Super Mushshak (Image: Wiki Commons)

ISLAMABAD July 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Thursday signed an agreement with Azerbaijan for sale of 10 Super Mushshak training aircraft to Azerbaijan Air Force, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said.

The contract was signed at Azerbaijan, where Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at the town of Kamra represented Pakistan, whereas Azerbaijan was represented by Air Force Commander Azerbaijan Lieutenant General Ramiz Tahirov at the occasion.

This contract would also include operational training and technical support and assistance to Azerbaijan Air Force, said a PAF statement issued in Islamabad.

"This landmark agreement will further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries," it said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Australian hostage released after seven-month ordeal in Yemen

Yemen (Image: Wiki Commons)

CANBERRA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has praised the Sultan of Oman for his efforts to free an Australian soccer coach who was kidnapped in Yemen last October.

The Australian man, Craig McAllister, had been coaching an under-16 soccer team in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa for two years before his kidnapping.

Omani authorities reported on Wednesday an Australian citizen had been located in Yemen after negotiations with local tribes, and had been transferred to Oman.

"I deeply appreciate the efforts of officials from across government who continue to provide the family assistance and of many other parties in Australia and overseas," Bishop said in Canberra on Thursday.

"I particularly thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said, the Sultan of Oman, for Oman's work to locate and receive the Australian national into Oman."

Bishop's office said the Australian government would make no further comments on the issue.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: India to conduct joint military exercises with several countries

NEW DELHI, March 24 Xinhua) -- Indian government Friday said it was going to conduct joint military exercises with several countries including China, United Kingdom, Russia and United States this year to boost military ties and enhance bilateral defence cooperation

The information was given India's junior minister for Defense Subhash Bhamre in the parliament.

"Military exercises are to be conducted with Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States of America during the year 2017," Bhamre told parliament.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: India, Nepal joint military exercise concludes

NEW DELHI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The armies of India and Nepal had concluded joint military exercises, Defense officials said Tuesday.

The exercises were held in northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

"A regiment of Indian army and Nepalese army participated in the joint exercise named Surya Kiran - XI," a defense spokesman said.

"The exercises were aimed at training troops in counter insurgency operations and enhancing defence cooperation and military relations between the two countries."

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: India, Oman begin joint military exercise

NEW DELHI, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The armies of India and Oman are carrying out joint military exercises to acquaint themselves with each other's operating procedures to strengthen counter insurgency and counter terrorism capabilities, officials said Tuesday.

The two armies began the joint training in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on Monday.

"A fourteen days joint training exercise of the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman exercise AL NAGAH-II commenced on Monday in Himachal Pradesh," an Indian military spokesman said. "The training contingents are comprised of platoon strength troops from both the armies."

A platoon consists of around 40 to 50 soldiers.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: US Ships, Planes Challenge 22 Countries’ Claims — Not Just China’s

Image: Flickr User - Greg Bishop

By SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR.

WASHINGTON: In 2016, the Defense Department flew aircraft or steamed ships through territories claimed by Albania, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Malta, and, well, China, according to the Pentagon’s annual report released today. So should Beijing be relieved it was not the sole focus of American Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) or should it feel slighted that it wasn’t our sole focus? Of course, China’s Pacific pushiness does get pride of place, with the most extensive single entry — but the 22-nation list also includes US allies and neutral powers like tiny Malta.

Indeed, to quote the accompanying press release, the Pentagon strives — sometimes to absurd extremes — to be “comprehensive (and) even-handed… challenging excessive maritime claims based on principle rather than identity of the coastal State asserting the claim.” (Ironically, the US has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which codified in a treaty the longstanding principle of freedom of navigation. The right was first expounded in western law in 1609 by the estimable Hugo Grotius of Holland).

We have the challenge to Italy, which the US believes improperly “claimed historic bay status for the Gulf of Taranto.” Malta, for its part, improperly required “prior consent or prior notification” for foreign warships to enter its waters, which is one of the most common offenses in the report, committed in some form by 14 of the 22 countries. Japan is guilty of another common sin (committed by seven of 22), “extensive straight baselines” — that is, Tokyo claimed jurisdiction over large, squared-off areas of the ocean, rather than the irregularly curving boundaries that result from properly measuring distances off the nearest point of land.

All told, 13 of the 22 countries challenged were in East Asia or South Asia, a region of growing economies, rising nationalism, and complex island territories. Just four were in Europe, two in the Persian Gulf (Iran and Oman), two in the Americas (Brazil and Venezuela), and one in North Africa (Tunisia).

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

News Story: Despite Trump rhetoric, US pledge to the Gulf stable

By: Christopher P. Cavas and Jen Judson

WASHINGTON – Despite the churn in the U.S. capital as the new administration takes over, despite the attempted Muslim ban and despite President Trump’s “America first” proclamations, there is a sense among veteran U.S.-based Middle East observers that relations with the Gulf states are stable and might even benefit from the power changes. 

The U.S., said veteran U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker, has spent years negotiating transit and basing rights and establishing a stable military presence in the Gulf area. 

“I do not expect to see those change under a Trump administration,” said Crocker. “They are low-cost to us and they have proven their value to us over and over. They are not objects of domestic criticism in this country or the host country. It’s a pretty good architecture.” 

Owen Daniels, assistant director for the Middle East Peace and Security Initiative in the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, agreed. 

“I would not expect to see as much flux. I think the countries that are in the Gulf are kind of taking a wait and see approach to the Trump Administration,” Daniels said. “From a perspective of opportunity, they see it as an opportunity to get closer to the U.S.” 

Jim Phillips, a senior research fellow for Middle Eastern affairs at the conservative Heritage Foundation, is confident relations could improve. 

“I think Gulf Cooperation Council members will be much happier with the Trump Administration’s policies on security issues than they were with the Obama Administration,” Phillips predicted. “The new administration has staked out a harder-line policy on Iran and on fighting terrorism than its predecessor.  It is likely to quickly approve arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain that were held up by the Obama Administration and is likely to respond more strongly to Iran’s missile tests, arming of Houthi rebels in Yemen and naval harassment in the Persian Gulf.” 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

USA: Boeing Co. awarded a $207,534,768 contract for the procurement of 51 full rate production Lot 90 Harpoon weapon systems, components, and spares

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded a $207,534,768 not-to-exceed, firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 51 full rate production Lot 90 Harpoon weapon systems, components, and spares for the governments of Egypt (20); Korea (19); and Brazil (12). 

In addition, this contract provides for components and spares for the Navy; and the governments of Japan, Australia, Thailand, India, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, and Taiwan. 

Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri (71 percent); McKinney, Texas (9 percent); Burnley, United Kingdom (6 percent); Toledo, Ohio (2 percent); Middletown, Connecticut (2 percent); Elkton, Maryland (2 percent); Grove, Oklahoma (1 percent); Lititz, Pennsylvania (1 percent); Kirkwood, Missouri (1 percent); Galena, Kansas (1 percent); Huntsville, Alabama (1 percent); and various locations throughout the U.S. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. 

Fiscal 2017 weapons procurement (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $99,616,492 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 

This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($393,083; 0.19 percent); and the governments of Egypt ($93,102,086; 44.86 percent); Korea ($81,767,119; 39.40 percent); Brazil ($26,523,402; 12.78 percent); Japan ($2,683,621; 1.28 percent); Australia ($1,484,396; 0.72 percent); Thailand ($846,769; 0.41 percent); India ($590,172; 0.28 percent); United Arab Emirates ($73,851; 0.04 percent); Oman ($44,311; 0.02 percent); Kuwait ($14,770; 0.01 percent); and Taiwan ($11,188; 0.01 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program.

This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-17-C-0006).

US DoD

USA: Leidos Inc awarded contract for Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) engineering integration for multiple countries

Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a $350,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) engineering integration. 

Contractor will provide delivery of the JMPS Mission Planning Environment and JMPS Integrated Build Environments. 

Work will be primarily performed at Reston, Virginia; and Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 7, 2027. 

This contract involves foreign military sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, NATO, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. 

This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with one offer received. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 research, development, test and evaluation; operations and maintenance; procurement; and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $9,392,996 are being obligated at the time of award on the first two delivery orders. 

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-17-F-0053).

US DoD

News Story: Bahrain clarifies on construction of UK navy logistic facility

Image: Wiki Commons

MANAMA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Ministry denied reports by media outlets and news agencies on Wednesday that a new UK military base was being constructed in Bahrain.

The ministry quoted official sources who said that what was indeed being constructed was a new facility to assist the Royal Navy called HMS Juffair.

"What is being constructed is not a military base, but logistic support facilities for the British Navy under an agreement between the two friendly countries and in accordance with rules and arrangements," said the Ministry.

Britain's Prince Charles and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will visit the new British naval base, HMS Juffair, and officially inaugurate the Welfare Block next week, in order to serve personnel stationed at the base.

Read the full story at Xinhua

USA: Assistant Secretary Frank A. Rose to Travel to Middle East

Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance Frank A. Rose will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait from October 8-October 18 for meetings on missile defense cooperation and other issues of mutual interest. Assistant Secretary Rose will meet with senior officials from each country at their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense.

US State Department

News Report: How China’s Base in Djibouti Reveals an ‘Expanding Sphere of Influence’

As the Chinese military base in Djibouti is set to complete by next year, China has repeatedly expressed that it has no intention of following the US’s example in expanding its global military influence and projecting power over other countries. But what do the Chinese want to achieve in Djibouti?

China’s facilities in the small East African nation of Djibouti are meant to reinforce Chinese peace-keeping and anti-piracy missions near the Gulf of Aden and Somalia, according to the Global Times.

“They are misinterpreting China's foreign policy, believing that China intends to follow the US pattern of building military bases globally or to meddle in other countries' domestic affairs,” Li Weijian, a professor of West Asian and African Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, told the Global Times.

China has a very small number of overseas military deployments and the country largely lacks the ability to protect its citizens and interests in Africa. Other countries have an excessive amount of military bases all over the world, particularly the US which has military bases in 42 foreign countries.

News Story: India and Oman to Upgrade Defense Ties

Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India and Oman signed pacts to upgrade their defense ties during Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's May 20-22 visit to the gulf nation, which was the first country India established defense ties with in the 1970s.

The countries agreed to work together on boosting defense, crime prevention at sea, maritime issues and a flight safety information exchange.

A Ministry of Defense (MoD) official said the two countries will explore the possibility of India exporting weapons to Oman, which could also include setting up defense production facilities there.

Parrikar was accompanied by a high-powered delegation of military planners and officials, including Ashok Gupta, secretary (defence production); Dr. S. Christopher, secretary, director general of the Defence Research and Development Organization; Lt. Gen. MMS Rai, vice chief of Army Staff; Vice Adm. Sunil Lanba, Western Naval Command; and Air Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, vice chief of Air Staff.

Seldom has such a big delegation been part of a defense minister's visit overseas, the MoD official said, which he said indicates the level of defense cooperation India and Oman are hoping to achieve.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: Austal delivers first High Speed Support Vessel

One of two 72 metre High Speed Support Vessels (HSSV)
to be delivered to the Royal Navy of Oman

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce the RNOV Al Mubshir has been delivered to the Royal Navy of Oman.

The on-time and on-budget delivery of the vessel cements Austal’s reputation as a globally competitive defence prime contractor.

The RNOV Al Mubshir is the first of two 72 metre High Speed Support Vessels (HSSVs) to be delivered to the Royal Navy of Oman under a US$124.9 million design, construct and integrated logistics support contract. Austal commenced construction of the HSSVs in August 2014 at its Henderson, Western Australia shipyard, with the second HSSV scheduled to be delivered later in CY2016, in line with the contract.

The HSSV offers a range of capabilities to support naval operations, including helicopter operations, rapid deployment of military personnel and cargo, and search and rescue operations. The vessels are expected to be deployed with a similar mission to the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program. Austal manufactures the 103-metre EPF at its shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.

Industry: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull inspects Austals Western Australian shipyard

Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPBR)

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) has welcomed Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard, proudly demonstrating the facility’s proven naval shipbuilding capabilities, innovation and export success.

Following the recent awarding of the $305 million Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPBR) contract, comprising 19 vessels made from Australian steel, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to meet Austal’s highly skilled and experienced shipbuilding team that will deliver the program for the Commonwealth of Australia. Twelve Pacific Island nations will benefit from the all new 40m Pacific Patrol Boats, which will be supported from Austal’s Cairns service facilities, from 2018.

Welcoming the Prime Minister to Austal, Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said: “It was a pleasure to have the Prime Minister join us here today to see first-hand how we are gearing up for the Pacific Patrol Boats Replacement Project - and demonstrate our readiness to play a major role in the Commonwealth’s continuous naval shipbuilding program.

News Story: India defense minister to visit Oman, UAE next week

NEW DELHI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar will embark on a four-day tour of Oman and the United Arab Emirates next week, sources said on Friday.

"Parrikar will leave for Gulf countries on May 18. His first stop will be Oman. During his stay in that country, the defense minister will call on the top leadership there and hold bilateral talks with his Omanese counterpart," the sources said.

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.

Editorial: The New Threat to Islam in India

By Sunil Raman

Hardline Wahabis and Salafis are attracting new converts.

Recent months have brought several reports of Indian Muslims being arrested and deported back from the Middle East or, as in January, arrested by Syrian forces while attempting to cross into ISIS-controlled territory. One Indian Muslim has now joined ISIS in Afghanistan.

For comparison, a hundred Syrians are now reported to have overstayed their visa period and have “disappeared” inside India. Indeed, the number of Muslim men from India joining ISIS is negligible when compared even with the U.K. and other European countries. But the growing influence of radical ideas in a country with over 150 million Muslims (the third largest in the world) has long been flagged by security experts as cause for concern.

The worry is that what al-Qaeda could not achieve ISIS can: attract Indian Muslims through social media and win new supporters. Over the decades Saudis used Zakat money (Muslim aid) to build new mosques and seminaries in India that have radicalized younger Muslims and put them on an ultra-conservative path.

A growing number of mosques, madrasas and educational institutions are funded by Saudi Arabia, and the rising number of followers of Islamic sects that are more conservative and exclusivist in nature poses new challenges. Wahabis and Salafis are attracting new followers and supporters in parts of India where Islam in practice has traditionally had South Asian cultural traits. States in South India with better education indices and economic wellbeing seem to have more sympathizers among younger Muslims.

For decades Indian governments remained indifferent to Saudi funding; critics of unregulated growth of Islamic schools and presence of Wahabi teachers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Gulf countries were branded alarmists. The division of India in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan saw political debate in the country acquire a “Muslim restraint” where governments steered clear of “interfering” in activities of Muslim communities.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Industry: Expansion Cape class program

Cape Class Patrol Boat

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce it has entered into a shipbuilding contract with the National Australia Bank to construct two further Cape Class Patrol Boats.  The contract value is $63 million.

The two vessels will be delivered to the National Australia Bank in mid-CY2017 and subsequently chartered to the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) for a minimum term of three years. Austal has successfully employed a similar off balance sheet charter of defence ships through the charter of Westpac Express to the US Navy for 13 years.

The vessels will also be sustained by Austal in accordance with the in-service support offering provided to the 8 existing Cape Class Patrol Boats designed and constructed by Austal and owned by the Australian Border Force.