UK arms sales to Bahrain under review

Ministers say there is no evidence UK tear gas was used in the military crackdown in Bahrain

Britain's arms sales to Bahrain are under urgent review following violence there, the Foreign Office has said.

It said 250 cartridges of tear gas and other riot control equipment had been licensed for export to the Gulf state within the past nine months.
The foreign secretary said there was no evidence UK tear gas was used in the military crackdown on protesters.
Four people were killed in Bahrain on Thursday after riot police attacked anti-government demonstrators.
'Human rights abuses'
William Hague told the BBC a review requested on the issue of future export criteria to Bahrain was expected to report back on Friday. The UK had some of the strictest export criteria in the world, he added.
Asked what message he had for Bahrain's government, he said: "Dialogue with the opposition forces in Bahrain is extremely important and must be recommenced at the first opportunity.
"And that dialogue ought to lead to further reforms in the political system and respond to legitimate grievances."
Britain's arms export licences could be revoked if they are found to have breached UK and EU export criteria.
Earlier, foreign office minister Alistair Burt said: "We will not authorise any exports which, we assess, might provoke or prolong regional or internal conflicts, which might be used to facilitate internal repression, or which would in any other way be contrary to the criteria."
He said "in light of events" he was "formally reviewing recent licensing decisions for exports to Bahrain".
"We will urgently revoke licences if we judge that they are no longer in line with the criteria," he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Labour MP Denis MacShane told the Commons governments of all parties had "turned a blind eye to the repression and corruption" of autocratic regimes in the Middle East.
Mr Hague told the Commons that, in a conversation with Bahrain's foreign minister, he had stressed the need for peaceful action in dealing with the protesters.
The Foreign Office is advising British nationals to stay away from protests and avoid all but essential travel around the island.

Russia to start building new S-500 air defense missiles by 2014

Russia will start serial production of its next-generation S-500 missile system in 2014, an aerospace defense chief said on Thursday.

The S-500 air defense system will be able to track and destroy ballistic missiles with ranges of up to 3,500 kilometers.

"[The S-500] is currently in development. By 2014, it should enter into serial production," aerospace defense strategic commander Lt. Gen. Valery Ivanov said.

"This system will be able to defend territories at heights of up to 50 kilometers," he added.
Russia's aerospace defense troops currently use S-300 and S-400 systems.
New S-400 air defense missiles will be deployed at Dmitrov just outside Moscow in March, Ivanov said.

TNI Approve Grant Two Squadron F-16 A / B

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian National Army (TNI) received a grant offer of two fighter squadrons of F-16A / B "Fighting Falcon" from the United States (U.S.). 

TNI TNI Commander Rear Admiral Agus Suhartono told ANTARA here on Monday put forward, the approval process has delivered the Ministry of Defence and is now awaiting confirmation from the U.S. side. 

"The process is running, has been followed also by the Ministry of Defence and currently we are awaiting further confirmation from the U.S. about RI approval for these grants," he said. 

Agus said, the military considerations received a grant of two squadrons of F-16A / B Fighting Falcon is due to more effective and efficient to buy six new aircraft type. "The TNI has programmed procurement of six F-16 aircraft from the U.S. in 2014 new, more sophisticated. However, in terms of price is more efficient if we receive a grant of two F-16 squadron," he said. 

In terms of technology, advanced military commander, the 24th aircraft unit that grants can be "upgraded" adapted to the latest technology equivalent to the latest F-16 variants namely the F-16 C / D Block 52. "The system avioniknya we 'up-grade', including its weaponry system, the F-16 aircraft which granted it is still very 'qualified' as weapons deterrent effect," he said. 

In fact, the life of the aircraft the F-16 which granted it could still reach 20 to 25 years. "So, more effective and efficient we receive the grant, rather than buy six new aircraft type," he explained. 

Head of Information Department of the Air Force Air Marshal TNI TNI Bambang Samoedro First said it hoped to grant it, the military immediately to meet the most of its combat squadrons. 

"With these grants, the TNI Air Force may soon get an extra fighter, do not have to wait until 2014. It's good to give a deterrent effect," he said....

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) To Develop New Indigenous Modernization Kits and Mission Computers For F-16s

Turkey’s military aircraft giant Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is set to develop new indigenous modernization kits and mission computers.
Upgrades will be applicable to all the F-16 Block 40 fighters of the Peace Onyx III and Block 50 fighters of the Peace Onyx IV programs, as well as the Block 30s that were acquired earlier. TAI plans to market the upgrades for export to other countries.

Previous news about TAI and Aselsan’s joint attempts to produce indigenous mission computers have been clarified by TAI insiders. Latest reports indicate that the companies have finalized their technical consultations with the MOD and industrial suppliers as of the end of January and the project has been given green light in order to equip Turkey’s vast fleet of F-16s with newly developed indigenous sensors and weapons such as Aselpod navigation and targeting system, various missiles and high-precision munitions produced and/or currently under development in Turkey.

Project aims to upgrade all of Turkish Air Force (TurAF) F-16s with indigenous mission computers, software and avionics in order to pave the way for the installation of an Aselsan-developed AESA radar by 2015.
Hardware for the avionics upgrade will be exclusively manufactured by Aselsan, while TAI will tackle the development of millions of lines of highly specialized software. Upgrades will be performed by the same team that performed C-130 modernization and software team mostly consists of experienced engineers who have worked on the Anka UAV development program. Upgraded aircraft will look somewhat similar to existing Peace Onyx exterior configurations, except with specific EW-E/O sensor additions and pylons capable of launching ’Made in Turkey’ guided munitions.

Integration of indigenous systems on aircraft of Lockheed Martin origin is known to be a difficult undertaking. TAI and Aselsan’s take on the project and F-16s “nationalization” at the Block 50 level is expected to offer Turkey a wide window of export and ‘transfer of technology’ (TOT) opportunities thanks to the F-16s widespread popularity around the world.
Turkey will be able to sell these countries comprehensive modernization packages like the CCIP, individual sensors and weapon systems like targeting pods and missiles, as well as “nationalization” opportunities with direct TOT.
Turkey’s ‘special status’ with the F-16 comes from its existing place among the world’s top three users of the aircraft, previous manufacturing and export experience with the Falcon (to Egypt), as well as Turkey’s long-standing partnership and commitment in the F-35 JSF program.
Some Turkish defence analysts suggest that Turkey’s newfound ability to nationalize the F-16 is simply a means for compensating the country for not being given F-35 source codes, despite the longstanding NATO member’s commitment for an initial batch of over 100 F-35s.

Iran warships Suez Canal passage 'back on'

The voyage may be part of a training mission for navy cadets

Iran has asked Egypt for permission to send two warships through the Suez Canal, officials have confirmed, after a day of conflicting reports.

Egypt's defence ministry said it was considering the request, hours after reports quoted canal officials as denying any request had been made.
The move has been condemned by Israel's foreign minister as a provocation.

ran has asked Egypt for permission to send two warships through the Suez Canal, officials have confirmed, after a day of conflicting reports.

Egypt's defence ministry said it was considering the request, hours after reports quoted canal officials as denying any request had been made.
The move has been condemned by Israel's foreign minister as a provocation.
It is believed to be the first time since the 1979 revolution that Iran has requested passage through the canal.
There have been conflicting reports throughout the day as to whether the request had been turned down, withdrawn, or had even been made.
But a naval official confirmed to Iran's state-run Press TV that talks were continuing with Cairo.
And Egyptian defence ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki told the Associated Press that the request was being considered.
Canal officials deal with regular shipping requests, but naval requests are decided by the defence ministry.
Analysts say the ministry rarely turns down a request.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported in January that Iranian navy cadets were going on a year-long training mission through Suez and into the Mediterranean, according to Reuters.
But no official reason has been given for the voyage.
It is thought that the ships are heading to Syria, the main ally of Tehran in the region - and a major foe of Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that his country could not "for ever ignore these provocations".
The ships involved are the frigate Alvand and a supply vessel, the Kharg.
Analysts say the plan presents a headache for the new military leadership in Egypt.
Cairo signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, and has since had frosty ties with Tehran.

US warns of North Korea 'provocation' within months

Pictures published this week by GlobalSecurity.org suggest the new missile launch site is now complete

North Korea could launch new provocative action within months, a senior US military commander has said, warning of "serious consequences".

Last year Pyongyang was accused of sinking a South Korean warship and shelling a South Korean island.
Satellite images suggest the North may now have completed work on a new launch site for long-range missiles.
But Adm Robert Willard, head of the US Pacific Command, said there were no signs of an imminent launch.
In recent years satellites have captured images showing the slow development of a second, larger launchpad at a base near North Korea's border with China.
Pictures published this week by GlobalSecurity.org, a US defence information group, suggest the process is now complete.
Pyongyang conducted long-range missile tests as recently as 2009, the same year that it detonated a nuclear device underground.
Adm Willard would not comment in detail on the new satellite pictures, except to say that he knew of "no signs" North Korea was preparing for missile tests in the short-term.
Last month the US defence secretary voiced fears that Pyongyang could develop missiles which threatened the US within five years.
The more immediate concern, said Adm Willard, was what he called military provocations - referring to two incidents last year in which a South Korean warship was torpedoed, killing 46 on board, and a South Korean island was shelled, claiming the lives of four people including two civilians.
North Korea denies sinking the ship and says the shelling was provoked by South Korean military exercises.
'Coercive measures' The senior commander said there could be more such attacks within months after preliminary military talks between the two Koreas broke down this month.
Adm Willard warned that "South Korean tolerance for the next provocation appears to be very low".
Analysts suggest North Korea's strategy may be to burnish the military credentials of Kim Jong-il's youngest son, as he prepares to take over the communist state's leadership from his ailing father.
Adm Willard said there was a "compressed timeline" in which Kim Jong-il had to train his son in "coercive measures".
He confirmed that the US and South Korea would hold joint military exercises at the end of the month, which were designed as a "deterrent and a defensive measure to maintain readiness" of their combined forces.
The US has about 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea - a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended with a ceasefire rather than a formal peace treaty.

U.S. House Votes To Kill F-35 Alternative Engine

WASHINGTON - In a victory for President Barack Obama, the U.S. House of Representatives voted Feb. 16 to kill funding for a costly alternate engine for the F-35 fighter aircraft that the Pentagon did not want.

The second F-35 engine was to be built by General Electric and Rolls Royce as an alternative in case the primary engine built by Pratt & Whitney failed. (Roslan Rahman / AFP)

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said through his spokesman that he was "gratified" by the 223-198 vote against an amendment that would have provided $450 million for the second engine.

"He understands this afternoon's vote is but one step, although a very important one, on the path to ensuring that we stop spending limited dollars on unwanted and unneeded defense programs," said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.
The second F-35 engine was to be built by General Electric and Rolls Royce as an alternative in case the primary engine built by Pratt & Whitney failed.
The amendment was one of some 500 attached to a bill to cover U.S. spending needs over the seven remaining months of the 2011 fiscal year.
Republican majority leader Eric Cantor said debate on the spending bill would be wrapped up in the House by the evening of Feb. 17. Debate then moves to the Senate, where Democrats have the majority.
The White House had threatened to veto any bill with funding for the second engine, and Gates made the program an example of wasteful spending that members of Congress indulge in to protect jobs in their districts at the expense of other defense priorities.
The second engine was to be built in Indiana and Ohio, the home state of House speaker John Boehner.
The broader F-35 program already has been beset by cost overruns and delays, which is projected to drive the per unit price of the plane to $92 million.
Pentagon plans to buy 2,443 of the aircraft are now expected to cost 382 billion dollars.
Also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, the fighter was designed to be used by the air force, navy and marine corps as a common platform to achieve economies of scale.
Variants of the aircraft are supposed to replace the air force's F-16 and A-10 fighters, the Navy's F/A-18s and the Marine Corps fleet of Harrier aircraft.
However, the Pentagon has delayed purchases of a Marine Corps variant with a short takeoff, vertical landing capability, and threatened to cancel it altogether if performance, cost and delivery problems are not resolved.