The Armies of the world

China warns US over new Asia-Pacific military strategy

2012-01-06T22:10:00.000-08:00

BEIJING: China has warned the United States over its new military strategy, which includes a shift in focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

The plan for a new, "leaner" military was unveiled Thursday by President Barack Obama at the Pentagon.

Xinhua, the Chinese government's news agency, cautioned the US military against acting "like a bull in a china shop," but said the new strategy could help China by creating a "peaceful environment" in the region.

The Xinhua editorial warned the US against "flexing its muscles":

Obama on Thursday announced a plan that will include about $450 billion in cuts to the military over the next decade, The New York Times reported.

US Central Command urged greater trust with the Pakistani military

2011-12-26T14:57:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: The head of US Central Command urged greater trust and communications with the Pakistani military on Monday amid a diplomatic crisis after US air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last month.

General James Mattis made his recommendations after his command, which oversees US military operations across a wide swath of North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, released the results of its own investigation into the November 25-26 incident.

A joint US-Nato investigation unveiled last week portrayed a disastrous spate of errors and botched communication in which both sides failed to inform the other about their operational plans or the location of troops.

"The strongest take-away from this incident is the fundamental fact that we must improve border coordination and this requires a foundational level of trust on both sides of the border," Mattis said in a statement.

The deadliest single cross-border attack of the 10-year war in Afghanistan, the strike has plunged the precarious Pakistani-US alliance to its lowest ebb in a decade with both sides in dispute about the precise sequence of events.

Islamabad rejected the earlier US inquiry after the Americans insisted their troops responded only after coming under heavy machine-gun and mortar fire.

Although the US-Nato probe acknowledged the Americans had relayed "incorrect mapping information" to a Pakistani liaison officer that gave the wrong location for Pakistani troops at border outposts, the CENTCOM report made no mention of discipline of US or Nato personnel.

But Mattis directed Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) commander General John Allen to take a number of corrective actions to improve the now-moribund relationship with Islamabad, including fostering "improved, mutual trust" between forces working in the mostly lawless border areas.

Troops should also "clarify authorities, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures" in the area as well as conduct formal exercises and drills to improve coordination and reduce chances of conflict.

Mattis also called for "full disclosure of all border area facilities and installations" on both sides of the border, with updates using a shared database and map as well as organizing coordination visits.

The comments came as The New York Times reported that US officials believe a counterterrorism alliance with Pakistan can survive only in a limited form, as a deterioration in ties complicates the ability to launch attacks against Islamic extremists and move supplies into Afghanistan.

"We've closed the chapter on the post-9/11 period," the Times quoted a senior US official as saying. "Pakistan has told us very clearly that they are re-evaluating the entire relationship."

Kayani, Allen did not discuss Nato supply: ISPR

2011-12-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

RAWALPINDI: The ISPR has issued a statement saying that during the conversation between Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISAF Commander General John Allen the issue of reopening the NATO supply route did not come under discussion.

Earlier reports had indicated that this issue was discussed during a telephonic conversation between Kayani and Allen on 12 December 2011. (Gew News Report).

Pakistan regained the control of Shamsi airbase

2011-12-12T02:11:00.000-08:00

QUETTA: Pakistan regained the control of Shamsi airbase today after last US plane left the facility 03:00 PM taking all remaining military equipment and personnel out of the country, Geo News reported.

US officials have vacated the facility on the orders of Pakistan government following the Nato strikes that killed at least 24 Pak army soldiers on November 26.

The decision on whether to hand over the airbase to UAE will be taken later on, the sources added.

Pakistan decides to shoot down US drones

2011-12-12T01:12:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will shoot down any US drone that intrudes its airspace as per new directives, a senior Pakistani official said. According to the new Pakistani defence policy, “Any object entering into our airspace, including US drones, will be treated as hostile and be shot down,” a senior Pakistani military official told NBC News. The policy change comes just weeks after a deadly NATO attack on Pakistani military checkpoints killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, prompting Pakistani officials to order all US personnel out of a remote airfield in Pakistan. The government had told the United States to vacate the Shamsi airbase by December 11. The Frontier Corps took control of the Shamsi airbase on Saturday evening after most US military personnel left, sources said. Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani had issued multiple directives since the November 26 NATO attack, which included orders to shoot down US drones, senior military officials confirmed to NBC News. It was unclear whether orders to fire upon incoming US drones were part of the initial orders. The Pakistani airbase had been used by US forces, including the CIA, to stage elements of a clandestine US counter-terrorism operation to attack militants linked to al Qaeda, the Taliban and Haqqani network, using unmanned drone aircraft armed with missiles. Since 2004, US drones have carried out more than 300 attacks inside Pakistan. inp

Iranian TV released the footage of a U.S. drone shot down by Iranian troops

2011-12-10T16:20:00.000-08:00

TEHRAN, Dec. 8 -- Iranian state TV on Thursday showed the footage of a U.S. drone shot down by Iranian troops in the eastern region four days ago. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) Aerospace Commander Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh said in the report shown by IRIB TV station that "recently, with the help of collected intelligence and with the accurate electronic monitoring, it was learned that the drone was to enter Iran's air space for spying." "After the drone infiltrated Iran's eastern space, it was trapped by the electronic systems of Iran's armed forces and was downed with the least damage possible," Hajizadeh said. Iranian media reported Sunday that the Iranian military downed a RQ-170 U.S. reconnaissance drone aircraft in the eastern part of the country after finding it had transgressed the eastern borders.

The RQ-170 drone is an unmanned aircraft which has been used for reconnaissance and surveillance by the United States in Afghanistan. Describing the hi-tech specifications of the downed aircraft, the IRGC's aerospace commander said Thursday that the military experts are well aware that the drone has very invaluable technological data.

The drone, the technology of which has been used in B2 and F35 planes too, is equipped with highly advanced surveillance technology and electronic communication and radar systems, Hajizadeh said, adding that the drone is controlled both by satellite and stations based in Afghanistan and the Untied States.

Despite the Iranian claims, U.S. officials denied that the drone was brought down by Iran, insisting that its fall was due to mechanical difficulties, the Wall Street Journal reported. The U.S. officials were quoted as saying on Wednesday that the United States had considered but finally given up a covert mission inside Iran to retrieve or destroy a stealth drone crashed last week, for fear that such actions could provoke explosive clashes with Iran.

U.S. officials are concerned that the craft's falling into Iran 's hands could lead to security breach, although they said the aircraft's technology cannot be engineered with ease. The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned Swiss Ambassador to Tehran Livia Leu Agosti to protest the "violation" of its airspace by a U.S. drone, the state IRIB TV reported. Iran's protest letter denounced the growing U.S. "provocative and secret moves" against the Islamic Republic, said the report.

"The move is in violation of all international conventions and runs counter to regional and international peace and security. Surely the responsibility for the illegal move lies with the U.S. authorities," the letter was quoted as saying. The letter added that Iran would reserve the right for following the case as deemed appropriate. The Swiss embassy in Tehran represents the U.S. interests in Iran since Tehran and Washington severed diplomatic relations in 1980.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that no options are off the table on Iran's nuclear program.

"No options off the table means I'm considering all options," the president told reporters at the White House.

In defense of his policy towards Iran, Obama said when he took office in 2009, the world was divided but Iran "was unified and moving aggressively on its own agenda."

In contrast, the Islamic Republic is isolated today while the world is unified and "applying the toughest sanctions that Iran's ever experienced," he argued, adding the sanctions are having an impact inside the country. He vowed to work with U.S. allies, including Israel, to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "If they are pursuing nuclear weapons, then I have said very clearly that is contrary to the national security interests of the United States, it is contrary to the national security interests of our allies, including Israel, and we are going to work with the world community to prevent that," he said.

He challenged Iran to act "responsibly" and foreswear the development of nuclear weapons, saying the move would still allow the country "to pursue peaceful nuclear power."Amid the rising tension between the West and Iran, and the military threats that comes from the United States and Israel against Iran, the Islamic Republic has claimed that it will react to any threat with threat.

Deputy commander of IRGC Brigadier general Hossein Salami said last week that in the face of Western military threats, the defense doctrine of the Islamic Republic would be "threat for threat."

However, Iran said that it is not in war alert with the United States or Israel. Chief of Iran's Majlis (parliament) Defense Committee rejected on Wednesday media reports that the Islamic Republic has recently gone on war alert.

"Under the existing conditions, we have no indication that we should be in a particular and new military condition, and it is not correct that Iran's armed forces are placed on a specific alert," Gholam-Reza Karami said. Karami said the country is always prepared for any military encounter, said the report.

Recently, some Western media reported that IRGC has issued a war alert "amid a series of mysterious blasts and cyber attacks" in the country. The Daily Telegraph said the IRGC had started to deploy long- range missiles and guard units to key defensive positions around the country after an order from its Chief Commander General Mohammad-Ali Jafari.

On Nov. 28, the IRGC commander Gholam-Reza Jalali dismissed media reports that a virus attack on Iran's missile program caused the two successive explosions in the garrison of IRGC which killed a senior IRGC commander and 16 of IRGC members some 35 km away from the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Some believed the intelligent services of Israel and the United States were behind the blast. While the West accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of "civilian" nuclear program, Iran insists that its nuclear program is only for "peaceful" purpose.

Pakistan has decided to deploy "Air Defense System" on Pak-Afghan border

2011-12-10T15:59:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has decided to deploy air defense weapons on its border with Afghanistan to pre-empt fresh attacks by NATO and allied forces in the wake of a cross-border air strike that killed 24 soldiers, according to a media report on Friday. The decision to deploy air defense weapons was made as the country re-evaluates its strategy for safeguarding its western borders from air raids, the Pakistan Army’s Director General of Military Operations, Maj Gen Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmed, told the federal cabinet and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Defense during briefings on Thursday. “After the November 26 NATO attack on two military check-posts in the Mohmand Agency, we fear an attack from the western border. Hence a decision has been taken to deploy air defense weapons in that region,” a participant of one of the briefings told the Dawn newspaper. Pakistan closed all NATO supply routes and asked the U.S. to vacate the Shamsi airbase by December 11 following the air strike. The DGMO said the army chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, had given troops full liberty to retaliate to any further attacks without prior approval of the top command. He said that Pakistan border posts were currently equipped with small weapons suitable for fighting insurgents and bunkers had been built. Ahmed said the coordination mechanism between Pakistani and NATO forces had been “completely violated” and there were reasons to believe that the air strike was a “planned attack, and not a mistake.” Ahmed said Pakistan had recalled 19 of its 31 officers from border coordination centers for “consultations.”

Nato attack 'pre-planned': Director General Military

2011-12-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: (Geo News)- Director General Military Operations Major General Ashfaq Nadeem Thursday termed the Nato airstrike in Mohmand Agency as a “pre-planned attack,” Geo News reported.

Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Defence which met under the chairmanship of Javed Ashraf Qazi, the DG MO said Nato officials gave wrong information to the Border Coordination Centre about the location of the operation.

"The bunkers were specifically targeted and destroyed," Maj. Gen. Ashfaq Nadeem told the Senate body.

PM tells COAS to retaliate if attacked

2011-12-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here at the Prime Minister House on Friday afternoon.

The meeting was held to discuss national security following the Nato attack.

During the meeting Prime Minister Gilani told the Army Chief that Pakistan would retaliate if attacked again.

Prime Minister Gilani further added that the democratic government would not allow any attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty.

COAS Kayani informed the Prime Minister about measure taken to increase defence capabilities on the western border and said the Pakistan Army was committed to protecting the country’s sovereignty.

Pentagon wants restoration of Pak posts on Afghan border

2011-12-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: Pentagon Tuesday expressed hope that Pakistan would restore all posts at Afghan border.

Earlier, Pakistan temporarily recalled some troops from border posts meant to coordinate activity with international forces in Afghanistan.

According to the Pentagon spokesman, this would certainly have an impact on the operations and risks the chances of incidents like the one that happened last month. He said that availability of centres would help to stop such incidents.

He said they wanted to get back a level of greater cooperation with Pakistani military.

Spokesman said that Pakistan did not recall all of its personnel, adding that they left one officer in each centres.

Obama phones Zardari; condoles Pak soldiers death

2011-12-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: US president Barrack Obama on Sunday telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari and offered condolences over the martyrdom of Pakistani soldiers in Nato air strike.

A White House statement said Obama placed a call early Sunday to Zardari expressing his regrets over the "tragic loss" and promising a "full investigation" into the incident, which has plunged the two uneasy allies into a diplomatic crisis.

Obama "made clear that this regrettable incident was not a deliberate attack on Pakistan and reiterated the United States' strong commitment to a full investigation," the statement said.

Islamabad has so far refused to take part in a US investigation into the November 26 air strikes on the Afghan border.

But the White House said Obama and Zardari nonetheless "reaffirmed their commitment to the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, which is critical to the security of both nations, and they agreed to stay in close touch."

In the wake of the strikes, Pakistan decided not to take part in the Bonn Conference on the future of Afghanistan that opens Monday -- a decision which, together with the Taliban's boycott, has cast the event's usefulness into doubt.

Pakistan has also shut down NATO's vital supply line into Afghanistan and ordered American personnel to leave Shamsi air base.

The base is widely understood to have been a hub for the covert CIA drone war on Taliban and Al-Qaeda commanders in Pakistan's troubled border areas with Afghanistan.

US officials say Pakistan leaving liaison centers

2011-12-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is pulling its troops out of at least two of the three centers meant to coordinate military activity across the Afghan border in apparent retaliation for NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, US military officials said.

A senior Pakistani military official says the force is temporarily pulling back some of its troops from centers meant to coordinate activity with international forces across the Afghan border.

The official said on Tuesday the troops are returning for several days of "consultation" to determine how to improve coordination with NATO forces in Afghanistan after coalition airstrikes last month killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Both the Pakistani and the US officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The move will hamper US efforts to liaise with Pakistani forces, increasing the risk that something could go wrong again, said the officials late Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The US and Pakistan have offered different accounts of what led to the NATO attacks against two army posts along the Afghan border before dawn on Nov. 26, but the deadly incident seems to have been caused in part by communication breakdowns.

US officials say Pakistan leaving liaison centers

2011-12-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

US given 15 days to close Shamsi Airbase

2011-12-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

The prime minister will take the Parliament into confidence on the whole range of measures regarding matters relating to Pakistan’s future cooperation with US/NATO/ISAF, in the near future.

The DCC noted that strong protests had been lodged with the United States and at NATO Headquarters in Brussels conveying in the strongest possible terms Pakistan’s condemnation of these attacks, which constituted breach of sovereignty, were violative of international law and had gravely dented the fundamental basis of Pakistan’s cooperation with NATO/ISAF against militancy and terror.

The DCC also noted that NATO/ISAF attacks were also violative of their mandate, which was confined to Afghanistan. Pakistan had clearly conveyed to US/NATO/ISAF its red lines which constituted an integral element of Pakistan’s cooperation that was based on a partnership approach.

The attack on Pakistan Army border posts is totally unacceptable and warrants an effective national response, the DCC added.

Pakistan stops NATO supplies

2011-12-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

PESHAWAR: The political administration of Khyber Agency has halted supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan after the federation’s order, Geo News reported Saturday.

According to the agency’s political administration, the government ordered to stop supplies to NATO after a Pakistani check post was attacked early Saturday morning, killing at least 20 security men including two officers.

Hundreds of containers and oil tankers are now standing at a check post in Tehsil Jamrood where the supplies were stopped after the orders.

Pakistan has developed world's smartest nuclear device

2011-12-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s nuclear programme has made some extraordinary progress by developing one of the world’s smartest nuclear tactical devices, it has been learnt.

According to a western diplomat, the former dictator and the then President General Pervez Musharraf, during one of his meetings with US officials, had deemed it proper to convey it to the Americans what Pakistan possessed and how the country’s nuclear scientists had secured the defence of Pakistan.

The diplomatic source said that New Delhi also knows what Pakistan has produced and what is really unmatched. The Indians got this source said and believed that Musharraf intentionally conveyed this to the Americans so that the country is not treated by the US like Afghanistan and Iraq Pakistan is neither a signatory to NPT nor CTBT, however, it has unilaterally decided to use its nuclear programme only as deterrence against any foreign aggression.

After becoming the target of the Western capitals particularly Washington, which have been unleashing all sorts of propaganda against Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Islamabad has developed one of the most credible and foolproof command and control systems for its nuclear programme. The US authorities have acknowledged the credibility and security of Pakistan’s nukes.

Wikipedia quotes a Washington-based science think tank as saying that Pakistan is increasing its capacity to produce plutonium at its Khushab nuclear facility. The website said that the estimated Pakistani nuclear weapons was probably in the neighbourhood of more than 200 by the end of 2009.

It, however, adds that the actual size of Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile is hard for experts to gauge owing to the extreme secrecy, which surrounds the programme. Pakistan’s nuclear programme was started by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto while the country conducted its nuclear test on May 28, 1998 during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure.

Indian BSF chopper crashes in Jharkhand, three killed

2011-11-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Ranchi : A Border Security Force (BSF) helicopter crashed in a forested area near this Jharkhand capital Wednesday, killing all three people on board, police said. The two pilots, Captain S.P. Singh and Captain A. Thomas, and crew member M. Swain were killed when the helicopter crashed near Kolad village on the Ranchi-Khuti border, about 40 km from here. The helicopter was completely burnt and parts were strewn in an area of more than 200 metres, S.N. Pradhan, inspector general of police (operations), told IANS. According to an eyewitness, there was a terrible sound before the chopper crashed, catching fire and breaking into several parts. The black box has been recovered.

A Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) team will probe the cause of the incident. Though the helicopter, regularly used for anti-Maoist operations, crashed in a Maoist-affected area, Pradhan said there was no possibility of the guerrillas being involved in the incident. The chopper was flying around 2,000 feet above the ground. The crash site indicates that the chopper crashed at high speed. It could have developed a technical snag. According to a government official, a 10-member team of the union rural development ministry was scheduled to visit the Saranda jungle, a Maoist stronghold, in West Singhbhum district. The helicopter took off at 8.40 a.m. for a recce of the area and the central team was supposed to follow.

Pakistan scrambled jet to intercept Indian chopper

2011-11-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Islamabad : Pakistan had scrambled a fighter jet after an Indian helicopter flew into its territory and the chopper was warned that it would be fired at if it attempted to escape, a media report said Monday.

Pakistan Sunday forced the Indian Army helicopter to land for violating its airspace.

Islamabad later permitted the three officers and a junior commissioned officer and the helicopter to return after interrogating them for a couple of hours, military sources told Dawn.

The Cheetah helicopter of India's Army Aviation Corps with four officers on board returned to Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir around 6 p.m., ending an inadvertent intrusion that immediately triggered urgent talks between the two foreign and military establishments. For the first time in many years, the two countries did not rachet up an incident like this.

Sources said that a Pakistan Air Force plane was scrambled immediately after spotting the helicopter and simultaneously the Air Defence, through its communication system, warned those on board that they would come under fire if they tried to escape.

The helicopter was deep inside Pakistani territory when it was intercepted and forced to land in the Olding sector near the Line of Control (LoC).

"The helicopter was some 20 kilometres inside Pakistan's territory when it was intercepted and forced to land near Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, at about 1 p.m.," an air force officer was quoted as saying.

During the questioning, the helicopter crew said the chopper strayed due to bad weather and no deliberate attempt had been made to intrude.

The media report pointed out that though Indian aircraft had violated Pakistan's airspace in the past, it was perhaps for the first time that a chopper was forced to land.

The intrusion was the first such incident after the Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's May 2 killing by US Navy Seals who flew into Abbottabad on Stealth choppers.

India had been promptly told about the incident, said sources who added that a probe was underway to see if it was a mistake or a deliberate attempt to test Pakistan's defence capabilities.

An official said the crew were freed within a few hours to give benefit of doubt because Pakistan did not want to vitiate the atmosphere and derail the composite dialogue process.

Pakistan scrambled jet to intercept Indian chopper

2011-11-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

Dhruv choppers grounded after crash

2011-11-27T11:12:00.000-08:00

Ranchi : The Dhruv helicopters, used by para military forces, have been grounded after a Border Security Force (BSF) chopper crashed on the outskirts of Ranchi Wednesday, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Inspector General of Police D.K. Pandey said Thursday. As per my information, the Dhruv choppers have been grounded in the country after a BSF chopper crashed Wednesday, Pandey told IANS.

The Dhruv chopper services will be decided after the DGCA completes its inquiry. A BSF helicopter crashed in a forested area near the Jharkhand capital Wednesday, killing all three people on board: pilot S.P. Singh, co-pilot K.B. Thomas and technician Manoj Swain. A DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) team has started its probe. Civil aviation sources do not rule out the possibility of Maoist involvement in the crash.

Normally the chopper remains in contact with ATC up to 25 nautical miles. The Dhruv chopper lost contact with ATC after 10 nautical miles. Sound was heard in the air after which the chopper crashed, a civil aviation official told IANS. The possibility of Maoist involvement could not be ruled out, he said. If the chopper developed a snag, why did the pilots not inform ATC? The Jharkhand police has, however, ruled out any such possibility. Talking to IANS after the crash, Jharkhand DGP G.S. Rath said: There is no possibility of Maoist involvement in the incident. The DGCA will probe the incident. The chopper was regularly used for anti-Maoist operation. Technical fault seems to be the reason.

Britain and Turkey signed a military cooperation agreement

2011-11-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

Turkey and Britain signed a military cooperation agreement during a three-day visit by President Abdullah Gül to London, a news report has said.

The report, which appeared in Jane’s Defence Weekly, said details of the agreement were not available but that it followed the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in Ankara by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his British counterpart, David Cameron, in July 2010. The 2010 agreement commits the two countries to strengthen their defense ties through regular talks and cooperation in defense manufacturing.

The latest agreement was signed on Nov. 23 by British Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond and Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Hulusi Akar.

“Turkey is an important ally of the UK and as NATO partners we [the UK and Turkey] are bound by a pledge of collective defense. This bilateral treaty will take our defense co-operation to a new level,” the British Ministry of Defense said after the signing of the accord.

Britain has historically been a significant supplier of military material to Turkey, accounting for 8 percent of Ankara’s military imports since 2000. Current British export efforts in relation to Turkey center on the BAE Systems-led Global Combat Ship (GCS) program, with Ankara seen as a potential partner, according to Jane’s Defence, which described Turkey as one of the world’s fastest growing defense markets.

Turkey, Britain sign military cooperation agreement

2011-11-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

Turkey and Britain signed a military cooperation agreement during a three-day visit by President Abdullah Gül to London, a news report has said.

The latest agreement was signed on Nov. 23 by British Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond and Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Hulusi Akar.

Turkish FM: Turkey-Israel relations still contingent on Israeli apology

2011-11-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said that Turkish-Israeli relations will not return to normal until Israel apologizes to Turkey for the violent boarding of aid ship the Mavi Marmara in 2010.

Davutoğlu told reporters on Friday that Israel should apologize, pay compensation to families of the Turkish citizens killed during the boarding of the aid ship and end the embargo on Gaza. Otherwise, the minister stated, relations between Turkey and Israel will not be normalized.

Eight Turkish nationals and one American citizen of Turkish descent were killed in May 2010 when Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara, the lead vessel in a six-ship Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The raid subsequently drew widespread condemnation from the international community and sent Turkish-Israeli relations to a historic low. Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel, downsizing diplomatic relations to the level of second-secretary. Turkey also cancelled all standing military agreements.

“Israel should decide to be a part of either the problem or the solution,” Davutoğlu told reporters. The minister also spoke out against other aspects of Israeli policy, criticizing Israel to for continuing its settlement policy. The minister concluded by emphasizing that Turkey would react positively if Israel pursued a less hawkish foreign policy.

Turkey to rewrite software source codes of 204 F-16 fighters

2011-11-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

The US administration agreed in principle almost two months ago for the transfer of information over software source codes of US Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighters to Turkey.

Once the agreement is completed, and if approved by the US Congress, Turkey will have the capability to automatically modify the software source codes of the fighters’ weapons systems with national software source codes, said US sources who asked not to be named.Turkey will become the first nation among 26 to have the F-16s in their inventories and have the ability to receive information on the F-16 fighters’ software source codes — primarily their weapons systems — thereby enabling it to replace them with national software source codes whenever necessary.

Once Turkey and the US complete around 50 pages of technical details over the nature of the US transfer of technology, an agreement should be signed, pending US congressional approval.

The US Congress has long prevented arms transfers to NATO member Turkey, mainly in reaction to its strained ties with Israel.

However, the US administration has as of late sought US congressional authorization for the sale of three AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters to Turkey. This indicates a softening on the part of the congress toward Turkey. Turkey has a long-standing request for Super Cobras. It has a shortage of these helicopters, required in its ongoing fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists, who have increased their violent attacks as of late.

Meanwhile, it is not clear whether the US administration will seek US congressional authorization for another long-standing Turkish request for the sale of four Predator unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and two armed Reaper UAVs.

However, some of the weapons, including Predators that the US reportedly pledged to transfer to Turkey as it withdraws from Iraq in December of this year, are said to not be subject to the approval of the US Congress. These are weapons the US used during its war in Iraq.

Missile defense link

US sources stated that Washington has agreed in principle to transfer the information mainly concerning the weapon systems of the F-16s so that Turkey can integrate by itself the national software source codes because Turkey has pursued a very persistent policy on the matter. However, Turkey’s approval to deploy a radar system of the US-supported NATO Missile Defense System on its soil is understood to have played an important role in Washington’s agreement to in principle transfer the software source codes of mainly the weapons systems of the F-16s to Turkey. Turkey agreed last month to host a powerful US-supplied radar system to act as advanced eyes for a layered shield against ballistic missiles coming from outside Europe.

The AN/TPY-2 surveillance radar in Turkey will boost the shield’s capability against Iran, which Washington alleges is seeking to build nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.“By agreeing to transfer information on F-16 weapon systems so that Turkey could automatically integrate them with national software source codes, the US sought to ease tensions with its NATO ally, which is important in safeguarding US interests in the Middle East. The US also puts strong emphasis on seeing Turkish-Israeli relations normalize,” said the US source.

50 weapons systems on each F-16

Lockheed Martin this year began supplying Turkey with 14 F-16C variants and 16 F-16Ds under a deal signed in May 2007. The total cost of 30 additional F-16s to Turkey is $1.78 billion. Under a separate agreement signed in April 2005 between Turkey and the US, 213 Turkish F-16s are being upgraded at a cost of $1.1 billion at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in Ankara. Turkey will be able to change the software source codes of the weapons systems on a total of 204 F-16s with national software source codes if a final agreement is reached with the US. There are 50 different types of weapons systems on each F-16 that are classified.

Turkey to produce engines for tanks

2011-11-27T10:50:00.000-08:00

Tank and warship engines are included in Turkey’s plans to nationalize its arms industry where possible. Planned Altay tanks are likely to test the engines.

Turkey will now manufacture engines for tanks and warships for the first time in the history of the nation’s defense industry, a top procurement official said. Undersecretary for Defense Industries Murad Bayar said the weakest component of the recently flourishing business was arguably engine-manufacturing, which the nation will now work to eliminate.

Bayar said domestically manufactured engines will be used in the serial production phase of Altay, Turkey’s first national main battle tank. Since 2007 Otokar, one of Turkey’s largest armored vehicle makers, has been designing the Altay with industrial support from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem. Under a nearly $500 million contract, four prototypes should be built by 2015, after which serial production is scheduled to begin.

The mock-up of Altay, projected to have a 120 mm gun, was introduced to the public in May at the 10th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul. “We are in touch with a number of companies that design engines but do not manufacture them,” Bayar said. “We hope to build the engines for the Altay in the serial production stage in the first batch of 250 tanks that will be manufactured domestically after 2015,” he said. “We need to obtain this engine-making capability.” Eventually Turkey plans to build up to 1,000 Altays.

Bayar said another option was to develop the tank’s engine jointly with South Korea.

“Then we need to make engines for our naval platforms, which have a good chance to be exported,” he said. Turkey has begun to produce up to 12 national corvettes, the smallest of major warships, in a program called Milgem that is worth up to $3 billion. The first corvette was delivered to the Navy this fall and a second was put to sea for tests.

Turkey has sold several of the smaller boats to countries in the Middle East and Asia. The country plans to make its own national frigate by 2020 with domestically manufactured engines. Frigates are the largest warships in the Turkish Navy.

“Ultimately, we need to make engines and related transmission systems for other land and naval platforms,” Bayar said. “Producing engines and power systems is not the most difficult thing to do in the defense industry,” said an Ankara-based defense analyst. “But to make sense, you have to make sure that manufacturing engines is economically feasible. Compared to Turkey’s capabilities in several other sectors in defense industry, Turkey already lags behind in the producing its own engines.”

Turkey is not yet looking at large-scale plans to manufacture its own aircraft engines. Its main engine maker Tusaş Engine Industries (TEI) co-produces engines for aircraft under license of large foreign companies

Britain Denies Troop Cut Claims in Leaked Memo

2011-11-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

LONDON - Britain's Ministry of Defence on Nov. 12 denied claims in a leaked memo that up to 16,500 service members - thousands more than originally proposed - faced the axe of budget cuts.

The internal memo seen by The Daily Telegraph also reportedly showed that 2,500 wounded troops, including 350 who have lost limbs, would not be spared in an ongoing string of defense cuts. The MoD dismissed the memo as the "factually incorrect" work of a junior officer and said there were no plans to change the level of cuts to the armed forces set out this year.

It also insisted there had been no change in the way it handled injured personnel, saying they were protected from the cuts until they "reached a point in their recovery where leaving the armed forces is the right decision."

The memo emerged as Defence Minister Philip Hammond flew back from his first visit to troops in Afghanistan and amid preparations for annual national ceremony in honor of the war dead on Nov. 13.

An MoD spokesman said: "The information in this leaked army memo from a junior officer is incorrect. Beyond those already announced, there are no further army reductions planned. There is absolutely no plan to change our treatment of service personnel who are wounded, injured or sick.

"Personnel injured on operations will not be included in the redundancy process while they are undergoing medical treatment. No one will leave the armed forces until they have reached a point in their recovery that is right for them."

Following a defense review last year by the Conservative-led coalition government, the British Army has been told to cut its numbers by almost a fifth to 82,000 by 2020.

In July, Army chiefs warned that an extra 5,000 soldiers faced the axe by 2015, on top of the 7,000 redundancies announced for the first phase, which has already started. The classified document quoted by The Telegraph, sent to commanders in Afghanistan, states that wounded soldiers who have been "temporarily downgraded will not be exempt" and could be dismissed in the next round of job cuts early next year.

Jim Murphy, defense spokesman for the opposition Labour party, warned that an accelerated redundancy program could have "dangerous" consequences and that axing injured troops would be "the cruelest cut of all."

In the past month, six British soldiers have undergone double amputations as a result of injuries caused by the roadside bombs used by the Taliban, which have accounted for many of the 385 British deaths in Afghanistan since 2001.

An officer serving with a unit in which a soldier suffered a triple amputation this month told The Telegraph the memo had badly damaged morale. "We now know that not only will we be left with a life-changing injury serving our country over here but we will more than likely be kicked out of the army," he said.

U.S. Says It Will Not Alter Missile Shield Plan

2011-11-27T09:32:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON - The United States will not alter its plans to deploy a NATO missile defense system in Eastern Europe, U.S. officials said Nov. 23, adding the shield was not aimed at Russia.

"The United States has been open and transparent with Russia on our plans for missile defense in Europe, which reflect a growing threat to our allies from Iran that we are committed to deterring," insisted National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor.

He added: "In multiple channels, we have explained to Russian officials that the missile defense systems planned for deployment in Europe do not and cannot threaten Russia's strategic deterrent." He was speaking after Russia warned it could deploy missiles on the EU's borders to strike against the planned missile defense facilities.

President Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow was prepared to deploy short range Iskander Missiles in the Kaliningrad enclave that borders EU members Poland and Lithuania. Romania and Poland have agreed to host part of a revamped U.S. missile shield which Washington said is aimed solely at "rogue" states like Iran but Moscow believes would also target its own capability.

NATO member Turkey has also decided to host an early warning radar at a military facility near Malatya in the southeast. Vietor said the implementation of the missile system in eastern Europe "is going well and we see no basis for threats to withdraw from it."

"We continue to believe that cooperation with Russia on missile defense can enhance the security of the United States, our allies in Europe, and Russia, and we will continue to work with Russia to define the parameters of possible cooperation," he said. "However, in pursuing this cooperation, we will not in any way limit or change our deployment plans in Europe."

A Pentagon spokesman also stressed Nov. 23 that the system was not aimed at Russia, but sought to deter any ballistic missile threat from Iran. "It's worth reiterating that the European missile defense system that we've been working very hard on with our allies and with Russia over the last few years is not aimed at Russia," said spokesman, Navy Capt. John Kirby. "It's designed to help deter and defeat the ballistic missile threat to Europe and to our allies from Iran."

German Navy Christens New High-Tech Submarines

2011-11-27T09:26:00.000-08:00

BONN - The German Navy on Nov. 15 christened its most modern submarine at the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) shipyard in Kiel. The vessel includes improved communication, sensor and combat systems.

The U35 is an updated version of the Navy's four 212A-class submarines, which were put into service between 2005 and 2007. After having bought the four boats, the German military in 2006 placed an order with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems subsidiary HDW for two additional vessels. While staying with the basic design, the U35 and U36 will benefit from recent experiences with the first batch of subs.

With an air-independent propulsion system that combines hydrogen fuel cells and diesel engines, they can remain submerged for weeks. At about 56 meters, both boats are about 1.2 meters longer than the earlier version. The two submarines have a displacement of about 1,450 tons and are operated by a crew of 27 sailors. The two new submarines feature a communications system suitable for network-centric warfare, as well as an integrated German sonar, command and weapon control system. The Callisto B submarine communication system, with its towable transmitter buoy, allows each boat to communicate while remaining deeply submerged.

The flank antenna array will be substituted with a superficial lateral antenna. One periscope will be replaced by the Carl Zeiss Optronics OMS 100 Optronic non-hull penetrating mast system. It can be remotely controlled via a multifunctional combat system console. The mast system offers various automatic functions such as sector scan or quick look-round. The sensor unit consists of a third-generation thermal camera and a high-definition TV camera, and it can be refitted with a laser rangefinder.

The improved boats also feature a special diver lock-out system integrated into the sail to deploy special forces. U35 is expected to be officially put into service in the summer of 2013. Until then, systems checks and sea trials will be conducted. U 36 is scheduled to be put into service in the winter of 2013.

Germany Backs Taliban Talks in Afghanistan

2011-11-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

BERLIN - Germany's foreign and defense ministers called for the Taliban to be included in Afghanistan peace talks, ahead of a major international conference for the war-ravaged country next month.

Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper on Nov 27, 2011 that negotiations with the Islamist militant group was the only realistic option for lasting peace.

"Reconciliation does not happen among friends but rather between erstwhile opponents," Westerwelle was quoted as saying. "That is what we need to work on instead of speculation about who might not be ready to reconcile."

Germany has the third largest contingent of foreign troops in Afghanistan but had long rejected proposals to include the Taliban in peace negotiations. Westerwelle, who will host ministers from more than 100 countries in the western city of Bonn on Dec. 5 to discuss the future of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO troops in 2014, said there was no guarantee of success. "But all agree that it must be tried," he said. The West "cannot simply say, 'You are evil, we won't negotiate with you,'" added de Maiziere.

"We cannot exclude everyone from the inner-Afghan reconciliation process who once had a sword in his hand," he said. Only when "a sufficient number of important groups" take part will the peace process have a chance of working.

Westerwelle said the war in Afghanistan could not be won militarily. "After 10 years it is obvious that in Afghanistan, there can only be apolitical solution, not a military one," he said. Taliban fighters frequently attack convoys supplying NATO troops in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, as part of a 10-year insurgency against the Western-backed Kabul government since U.S. troops toppled their regime in 2001.

This month, Afghan elders backed talks with Taliban who renounce violence, despite the assassination in September of peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani which officials blame on insurgents. De Maiziere said Berlin would keep troops in Afghanistan after the NATO pullout at the end of 2014, to focus on the training of local forces.

Iran will target NATO's missile shield if threatened

2011-11-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

TEHRAN - Iran will target NATO's missile shield in neighboring Turkey if it is threatened by military action, the commander of the aerospace division of the Revolutionary Guards said Nov 26, 2011.

"We are prepared to first target the NATO defense missile shield in Turkey if we are threatened. And then we'll move on to other targets," Amir-Ali Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency. Although Iranian officials have said several times they could retaliate with ballistic missiles against Israel if attacked, Hajizadeh's remark was the first time the Revolutionary Guards spoke of targeting Turkey.

Speculation has intensified in Israel that it was preparing air strikes on Iran to hit nuclear facilities following a Nov. 8 report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog strongly suggesting Tehran was researching atomic weapons.

Hajizadeh, whose unit is in charge of Revolutionary Guards' missile systems, told a crowd of Basij militia members in the western city of Khorramabad that Iran's stance now was to "threaten in the face of threats," in line with a decree this month by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Turkey last year agreed to host an early warning radar system in its southeast as part of NATO's shield which the United States says is aimed at thwarting missile threats from the Middle East, particularly Iran.

Hajizadeh said Nov. 21 that the Revolutionary Guards' "greatest wish" was for Israel to attack Iran, so they could retaliate and relegate the Jewish state to "the dustbin of history."

US given 15-days to close Shamsi Airbase in Pakistan

2011-11-27T04:14:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) in its emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday evening reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani people and Armed Forces to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity at all costs.

The meeting held here at the Prime Minister House was attended by federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Services Chiefs and members of the DCC.

In accordance with the resolution of the Joint Session of the Parliament of May 14, 2011, the DCC decided to close with immediate effect the NATO/ISAF logistics supply lines. The DCC also decided to ask the United States (US) to vacate the Shamsi Airbase within 15 days.

The DCC decided that the government will revisit and undertake a complete review of all programmes, activities and cooperative arrangements with US/NATO/ISAF, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence, according to a statement issued from the Prime Minister House after the DCC meeting.

The meeting strongly condemned the attack by NATO/ISAF aircraft on Pakistani border posts in the Mohmand Agency which has resulted in the loss of precious lives of officers and men of Pakistan Army and injuries to several.

The DCC expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of brave soldiers who fought valiantly and embraced Shahadat, and also prayed for the early recovery of injured.

The prime minister will take the Parliament into confidence on the whole range of measures regarding matters relating to Pakistan’s future cooperation with US/NATO/ISAF, in the near future.

The DCC noted that strong protests had been lodged with the United States and at NATO Headquarters in Brussels conveying in the strongest possible terms Pakistan’s condemnation of these attacks, which constituted breach of sovereignty, were violative of international law and had gravely dented the fundamental basis of Pakistan’s cooperation with NATO/ISAF against militancy and terror.

The DCC also noted that NATO/ISAF attacks were also violative of their mandate, which was confined to Afghanistan. Pakistan had clearly conveyed to US/NATO/ISAF its red lines which constituted an integral element of Pakistan’s cooperation that was based on a partnership approach.

The attack on Pakistan Army border posts is totally unacceptable and warrants an effective national response, the DCC added.

Pakistan Stops NATO Supplies

2011-11-27T04:07:00.000-08:00

Pak-Saudi Joint Military Excercise "Al Samsaam-IV"

2011-11-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

A three weeks long joint exercise (AL-SAMSAAM-IV-2011) between Pakistan Army and Royal Saudi Land Forces, concluded successfully today near Jhelum. It is worth mentioning here that the joint exercise aimed at familiarization and sharing of information through an inclusive training programme in real time. This also included collective training at unit and brigade level to observe drills and procedures in low intensity conflict operations.

It may be recalled that Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy close brotherly relations since their inception. This relationship has matured and strengthened further over the years and has long history of deep rooted cooperation. Such Joint Military Exercises between armies of two brotherly countries aim to enhance existing bilateral relations and to benefit from each other’s experience.

Pak-Saudi Joint Military Excercises" Al Samsaam-IV"

2011-11-27T03:57:00.000-08:00

Pakistan Troop Deaths "Tragic, Unintended": NATO Chief

2011-11-27T03:47:00.000-08:00

BRUSSELS: NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Sunday he had written to Pakistan premier Yousuf Raza Gilani to express regret over the "tragic, unintended" deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers in an airstrike.

"I have written to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to make it clear that the deaths of Pakistani personnel are as unacceptable and deplorable as the deaths of Afghan and international personnel," he said in a statement. "This was a tragic unintended incident."

Pak-China Joint Military Exercise 'Friendship-IV'

2011-11-25T02:31:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Thursday said that military cooperation between Pakistan and China was not aimed against any country, DawnNews reported.

While watch over the military exercises between Pakistan and China, General Kayani said Pakistan and China had no differences over matters of security.

He further said that Pakistan and China’s army relations were not based on aggression against a particular country. Not only do the countries have strong diplomatic ties but relations at the people-to-people level are also sound, Kayani said.

Brave Pakistan ARMY Officer Col. Tahir Interview - Must Watch

2011-11-25T02:20:00.000-08:00

Pakistan Army Wins Gold Medal In International Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2010.

2011-11-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

British Dead And Wounded in Afghanistan

2011-11-03T03:44:00.000-07:00

Member of Royal Marines 4 Troop, Bravo Company, 40 Commando at Sangin in preparation for the handover to the Americans at the end of Op Herrick. Photograph: LA(PHOT) Si Ethell/PA

The total number of British troop deaths in Afghanistan now stands at 383, nearing the 400 mark.
According to the latest figures from DASA, 30 UK service personnel have suffered amputations in 2011 so far.

2009 was previously the bloodiest year for British troops in Afghanistan. 2010 nearly caught up. But this year, with the deployment of US troops to Helmand, things have quietened down.

The number of British deaths in Afghanistan is now much higher than Iraq and even the Falklands conflict. These are the numbers of British fatalities for Afghanistan - and Iraq, too - updated as they change.

Introduction to Pakistan Army

2011-11-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

The story of the advancement of Pakistan Army is the tale of the birth of Pakistan, since its inception from the freckled nucleus of a regal legacy to its present status of an avant-garde and combat-tested field Army; it is an epoch of development which leaves behind its trials and tribulations, calamities and conflicts, as it struggled, with scarcity of possessions to embark on its shaping years. This is, conceivably, the enormous paradigm amongst few armies in history to have faced a war right at its setting up and, in the subsequent years, besides guarding the geographical precincts, it is always prepared to protect the ideological boundaries of the country.

Nations can dream of their socio-economic progress and development only when they are sure that their guardians are strong enough to ensure protection and peace. In case of Pakistan, a strong defence was all the more a stark reality to face the encounters and hostilities with unflinching courage. Our chivalrous soldiers of brave Armed Forces, apart from defending the country’s borders, always remained in the forefront of national development. Whether floods, earth-quakes and other natural calamites, maintain law and order or the UN peace efforts, the performance of our officers and men, always earned national and international acclaim from their friends and foes alike.

Army is an iridescent view, a vast canvas of vivid colours, pulsating with powerful currents of life. It has a flow and a body of its own whose velocity is sustained by noblest of traditions applied in very exacting manner. While it aims at destroying the aggressor, it requires its members to possess mettle of highest quality with sound character, most pure. The soldiers have invincible belief in the concept of Ghazi or Shaheed and it provides them great motivating force with specific element of self negation in the way of Almighty Allah, make them special breed of men.

It is the only profession in the world taken-up by the ablest bodies who vow to lay down their life willingly, in the way of Almighty Allah. It has a rhythm of its own perfected over hundreds of years of war fare, reflecting the very shades of Islamic accomplishments, soaked in local traditional history and continuity. Selfless bravery sacrifice and monumental endurance of adversity are the pillars of this splendid institution.

Retrieved from: http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=134&rnd=106

Pakistan Air Force Introduction

2011-10-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

PAF was born on 14th of August 1947, with the independence of Pakistan. The growth of PAF is a story of unusual struggle and sacrifice. A tiny auxiliary Service, with a small number of personnel and insignificant equipment, emerging as a powerful weapon of the country’s defence, was a thrilling phenomenon. The dedication of its pioneers shaped the future of a force, destined to gain respect, after proving its worth in the wars of 1965 and 1971, where it outclassed a much larger enemy, India. The story of PAF is a tale of development, despite heavy odds and limitations. It is the narration of a nation’s desire, for preserving its freedom, through the use of technology and willpower, working side by side.

PAF made a humble beginning with two fighter and one transport Squadrons, a negligible infrastructure, non-existent command structure, and almost nil maintenance facilities. All it had was the courage and determination of a handful of its personnel, who left no stone unturned, in shaping PAF into the Air Force of today.

The modernization programme taken up by PAF in 1952 paid dividends in times to come. In a phased programme, the ‘Halifax’, ‘Tempest’, ‘Attacker’, ‘Tiger Moth’, ‘Viking’, ‘Dakota’ and ‘Fury’ aircraft were progressively retired. With American, French and Chinese acquisitions, the PAF started flying F-86s, B-57s, F-104 Starfighters, F-6s and Mirages. This modernization programme started with the induction of F-86 Sabre, which changed the whole system of training, maintenance and operations. Air Power, was thus a major player in 1965 war, where the role played by both rival Air Forces, directly influenced outcome of the conflict. Particularly for the PAF, 1965 war brought out its fighting spirit, and implanted a culture of devotion and sacrifice.

Six years later, PAF once again met the call of duty for defence of the motherland. During 1971, separation of East Pakistan was a serious blow to the country. However, PAF fought valiantly on both fronts, and sacrificed blood for honour of the country.

Keenly learning from its war-experience and global developments, PAF embarked on a modernization programme for its Air Defence system. Pakistan Air Defence System known as ‘PADS’ was inducted to bolster PAF’s Air Defence Ground Environment. F-16 induction in the early 80s, brought in another era of technological resurgence for the PAF. Modern machines enabled PAF to master latest Air Power capabilities and techniques. These capabilities were put to good use during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The long period of mid and late 80s, was another test for PAF's fighting elements. Air Defence Alerts and Day / Night scrambles continued throughout the conflict, resulting in the shooting down of numerous intruding Soviet aircraft.

The post-Afghan war period for the PAF is a story of sanctions and of determination, to survive in a sanctioned environment. However, the ‘Pressler’, ‘Glenn’ and other Amendments, failed to dampen PAF’s spirit. Induction of F-7P and A-5 aircraft, was meant to offset the impact of these sanctions. Indigenization and integral strength of the organization, resulted in generating even more flying during the sanctioned period, in order to maintain operational preparedness.

Today PAF has 20 fighter Squadrons, an automated network of Air Defence Radars, complex maintenance facilities and an elaborate administration setup. In order to accomplish its mission in war, and to train for it in peacetime, PAF has evolved an adaptable and responsive organisation.

Indo - Pak 1971 War

2011-10-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

Introduction

With 1971 commenced the most tragic year of our history. Failing to resolve a political problem by political means, a Martial Law regime, manipulated by some megalomaniac politicians, resorted to military action in East Pakistan on night 25/26 March. Widespread insurgency broke out. Personnel of two infantry divisions and Civil Armed Forces with weapons were airlifted in Pakistan International Airlines planes, over-flying about 5000 miles non stop via Sri Lanka in the first week of April 1971 – the longest operational air move by Pakistan Army. By May near normalcy had been restored, thanks to the fast reaction, dedication and cool courage of our soldiers, sailors and airmen operating in a hostile environment under adverse climatic and terrain conditions, without adequate logistics and medical support. India's immoral covert armed intervention having failed, by October it had concentrated four times our strength in over 12 divisions (400,000) supported by five regiments of tanks, and about 50,000 activists trained and equipped by Indian Army. Indian Navy's one aircraft carrier, eight destroyers/frigates, two submarines and three landing crafts, against our four gunboats, eight Chinese coasters and two landing craft supported them. Eleven Indian Air Force squadrons – 4 Hunter, 1 SU-7, 3 Gnat and 3 MiG 21 – from five airfields around East Pakistan faced our one valiant Number 14 squadron of F-86F Sabres based on a single airfield around Dhaka .

On 21 November, Eid day, when our fatigued soldiers had been operating in the most hostile environment for almost ten months, including a month of fasting, the Indian army felt emboldened enough to launch a full scale invasion at over twenty fronts in the east, west and north of East Pakistan . Divisions attacked our brigade positions; brigades attacked our battalion, company and platoon positions, supported by their armour, artillery and lair force. When most of our defensive positions, rooted to the ground, could not be overrun, Indian forces after suffering heavy casualties resorted to outflanking moves. The aggressors could not capture, till the cease-fire; on 16 December, a single town except Jessore, which was not defended for strategic reasons. For the Pakistani soldiers this was their finest hour, fighting against heavy odds with their backs to the wall inflicting heavy casualties, bloodied but unbowed” when an Indian commander, through a messenger asked for our Jamalpur battalion to surrender, encircled by two brigades, the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sultan Ahmad, Sitara-i-Juraat of 31 Baloch replied in a message wrapped around a bullet which read, “I want to tell you that the fighting you have seen so far is very little; in fact the fighting has not even started. So let us stop negotiating and start the fight.” Similarly 4 Frontier Force under 205 Brigade (Brigadier Tajammul Malik) held out at Hilli for l19 days against 6 battalions, inflicting heavy casualties, till withdrawal on 11 December, after getting outflanked. Similar hard fought actions took place at Bahaduria and elsewhere by Punjab, Baloch, Frontier Force and Azad Kashmir units all arms and services, and Civil Armed Forces including West Pakistan Rangers and police units. 107 Brigades (Brigadier Mohammad Hayat, Sitara-i-Juraat) held at bay a division of 5 brigades and 2 armour regiments at Khulna inflicting heavy casualties till 17 December and ceased fighting only after repeated orders of our Eastern Command.

On the West Pakistan front, on 3 December 1971 , India attacked with the main effort against Shakargarh sector with three infantry divisions supported by three armoured brigades against our 8 Division front, operating under our 1 Corps (Commander Lieutenant General Irshad Ahmad Khan). The attack was halted in the tracks, inflicting heavy casualties. 8 (Independent) Armoured Brigade (Brigadier Mohammad Ahmed, Sitara-i-Juraat) effectively blocked and destroyed enemy penetration our minefield and saved Zafarwal from being outflanked by enemy armour. In Jammu and Kashmir , Chhamb, Lahore , Kasur, Sulemanki and Rajasthan sectors, war was carried into Indian territory , with success at some points, not so successfully at others due to inadequate forces and air support. For the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force this conflict was their finest hour. Fighting against overwhelming odds in both wings of the country raged with full fury. Before our counter offensive could be launched in West Pakistan , India asked for cease-fire in the United Nations. The Ghazis and Shaheeds proved in their supreme hour of trial all the military virtues of Faith, Honour, Valour, Fortitude, Endurance, Loyalty, Group Cohesion and Unlimited Liability, and above all, the spirit of Jehad.

On 4 December 1971 , the United States moved a draft resolution calling for cease-fire and withdrawal of Indian forces, which was vetoed by Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Thereafter, another six resolutions including one by China were introduced calling for cease-fire and withdrawal of forces, some of which were accepted by Pakistan. However, due to behind the scene political machinations by India and her allies their passage and implementation was stalled till Dhaka fell on 16 December 1971 and the cease-fire had been perfidiously converted to surrender.” I took a careful look at the documents and was aghast to see the heading – which read Instrument of ‘Surrender'……” writes Lieutenant General J.F.R.Jacob, Chief of Staff, Indian, Eastern Army. (Lieutenant General J.F.R.Jacob, “Surrender at Dacca : Birth of a Nation).

Flawed national and operational strategy proved to; be disastrous for Pakistan , both politically and militarily. Power, national and operational strategy, the methodology of crisis and conflict management, and higher direction of war in which we had been found wanting in 1971.

Retrieved from: http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/

Indo - Pak 1965 War

2011-10-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

The Indian forces intruded into Pakistani area in the Rann of Kutch in April 1965. In a sharp and short conflict, the Indian forces were ejected. Both the armies had fully mobilized, with eyeball to eyeball contact. Pakistan proposed cease-fire, India accepted. An agreement was signed: the forces disengaged. The Award by the Arbitration Tribunal vindicated Pakistan 's Position.

Past midnight on 5/6 September, without a formal declaration of war, Indian Army crossed the international border and attacked Lahore and Kasur fronts. Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force halted the attack in its tracks, inflicting heavy casualties on the aggressor. On 7 September a single Pakistan Air Force Pilot, Squadron Leader M.M. Alam, Sitara-i-Juraat, in his F-86 Sabre shot down five Indian Air Force attacking Hunter aircraft in a single sortie, an unbeaten world record “On night 6/7 September three teams of our Special Services Groups were para-dropped on Indian Air Force bases at Pathankot, Adampur and Halwara to neutralize them.

To relieve pressure on Lahore front, on night 7/8 September, after crossing two major water obstacles in a bold thrust, Pakistani armoured and mechanized formations supported by artillery and Pakistan Air Force overran area Khem Karn, 6 to 8 miles inside Indian territory. Vital Indian positions at Sulemanki and across Rajasthan and Sindh were also captured in bold, swift attacks.

On night 7/8 September, 1 Corps of Indian Army launched its main effort east of Sialkot with one armoured and three infantry divisions on our extended 15 Division front, screened only by gallant 3 Frontier Force and B Company 13 Frontier Force (Reconnaissance & Support). 24 Infantry Brigade (Brigadier A.A Malik, Hilal-i-Juraat) on the move in area Pasrur, rushed 25 Cavalry (Lieutenant Colonel Nisar Ahmad, Sitara-i-Juraat), on 8 September to delay and disrupt enemy thrusts. As soon as the presence of Indian 1 Armoured Division was confirmed, Pakistan Army rushed forward to stop the onslaught on a 30-mile front. The biggest tank battle since World War II was fought on the Chwinda front by 6 Armoured Division with under command 24 Infantry Brigade Groups and valiantly supported by 4 Corps Artillery (Brigadier A.A.K. Choudhry, Hilal-i-Juraat). The main effort of the Indian Army was blunted, inflicting heavy and troop casualties. Pakistan Air Force support helped turn the tide of the battle. Before a counter offensive by 6 Armoured Division on 22 September could be launched, Indian asked for cease-fire in the United Nations. India 's aggression against our international borders without a formal declaration of war had cost it, apart from heavy personnel, material land economic losses, 1617 sq. miles of territory as compared to 446 sq. miles of our open and undefended territory. Pakistan Army captured 20 officers, 19 Junior Commissioned Officers, and 569 Other Ranks.

Retrieved from: http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/

Kashmir War 1947 - 49

2011-10-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

By November 1947 Auchinleck, Supreme Commander based in New Delhi, being convinced that Indian Cabinet was seeking to destroy and undo Pakistan by economic and military means, was forced to resign. As the build-up of Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir continued, Pakistan Army units were being hurriedly organized and equipped without any base for manufacture of ammunition, signal stores, equipment or vehicles. Simultaneously, Pakistan National Guards were raised from ex-servicemen and other volunteers along border areas to provide a second line of defence. By February 1948 Indian build up in Jammu and Kashmir reached five brigades plus, under two full-fledged division Headquarters. Our 101 Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Akbar Khan was rushed into the critical front to forestall and halt the Indian offensive along Uri-Muzaffarabad axis. In April 1948, Commander-in-Chief Pakistan Army appreciating the threats in the north along Muzaffarabad-Kohala axis, and in the south along Bhimber-Mirpur-Poonch axis further reinforced the front with elements of 7 Division to halt the Indian offensive at Chakothi. Reinforcements were rushed overnight to Tithwal sector to defend Muzaffarabad front 9(F) Division was also moved to reinforce 7 Division in Tithwal, Uri and Bagh sectors. 7 Division was thereafter moved to the southern front. In May Pakistan informed the United Nations of these moves. By June, Pakistan had five brigades in Jammu and Kashmir together with Azad Kashmir forces and elements of the para-military Frontier Corps, holding twelve Indian brigades (with 4 to 5 battalions each) supported by armour, artillery and Indian Air Force. Indian summer offensive was decisively beaten and halted. Some months later, two brigades of 8 Division from Quetta further reinforced Muzaffarabad-Uri front.

On 14 August 1948 , the first anniversary of Pakistan , General Headquarters sent the following message to the Quaid-e-Azam, “Loyal and grateful greetings from the Army on the first anniversary of Independence Day. We serve and shall serve Pakistan with all our hearts and souls. Pakistan and its Creator, Zindabad.” The Quaid-e-Azam was at that time in Quetta , fighting his own battle for survival against a deadly affliction. In December, Pakistan Army planned to go on the offensive, ‘Operation Venus', with 7 Division to cut off the main supply route at Beri Pattan Bridge area, and isolate Indian forces in Nowshera-Jhangar-Poonch sector. On 14 December, in a pre-attack artillery bombardment the Beri Pattan bridge area containing ammunition, rations, petrol and supplies in a two-mile area was totally destroyed together with Indian divisional Headquarter, isolating the Indian forces in that sector. The Indian Army was taken by surprise. At midnight on 30 December, India asked for ceasefire with effect from 1 January 1949 . Pakistan accepted, as the fate of Jammu and Kashmir had been taken over by the United Nations. By early 1949 Pakistan Army had completed its formative stage. It halted the Indian offensive and prevented it from totally over-running Jammu and Kashmir , and closing up to Pakistan 's vital border areas, thus ended the war in Jammu and Kashmir . Pakistan Army continued its reorganization. An ordnance factory to produce small arms and ammunition was established at Wah. The threat from India was by no means over. In spring of 1950 and again between July and October 1951 the Indian Army concentrated on Pakistan‘s borders and transgressed into Azad Kashmir and West Pakistan territory forty eight times. The Indian Air Force violated Pakistan 's air space thirty times thus bringing the two countries very close to another all out war through India 's coercive diplomacy and interventionist strategy.

Retrieved from: http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/

The British Artillery

2011-10-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

Army Firepower - "shock and awe"The Royal Artillery supplies the army's firepower and is as vital on the modern battlefield as it has ever been. The Royal Regiment of Artillery, also known as The Gunners, has lots of it. We are responsible for 'shock and awe' on the battle field. We are a combat arm and work closely with tanks, infantry and attack helicopters. We serve aboard ships from the Royal Navy, we also direct attack aircraft of the Royal Air Force to engage our targets.

Royal Artillery TeamIt is important to view the Royal Artillery as a team. We find the enemy with unmanned air systems or radars. We use digital communications to transmit information and orders. Our soldiers deliver ammunition and equipment to the front line for our guns, rockets and missiles to hit the target. All are in the Gunner family.

Retrieved from: http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/artillery.aspx

Japan's Aging Air Force Plans Major Overhaul

2011-10-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Underscoring Japan's uphill battle in an increasingly heated race to control the skies over Asia, the air review came just a week after the country's entire F-15 fleet was ordered into its hangers for safety checks following a midair accident, the second such order in three months.

But in an effort to counterbalance big strides by China and Russia toward deploying new stealthy aircraft, Japan's Air Self-Defense Forces are about to get a multibillion dollar overhaul.

The F-15s the workhorse of Japan's air defenses were relegated to ground displays, either parked on the runway or allowed to taxi but not take off. Last weekend, an empty fuel tank burst and detached from a F-15 on a training flight, causing the grounding order. In July, an F-15 flying out of Okinawa crashed into the ocean. The pilot is listed as missing and presumed dead.

The accidents reinforced what military planners already knew: Japan's aging air force has seen better days. But after years of delays and budget battles, Japan is expected to announce by the end of December a new fighter deal that will likely shape Asian air security for decades to come.

"The JASDF is on the edge of becoming a major tool of power projection," said Michael Auslin, a Japan security expert with the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. "With its fighter selection process, it will signal whether it intends to be qualitatively competitive with leading air forces around the region over the next generation."

Japan with 362 fighter jets, mostly F-15s, F-4s and F-2s is already one of the top air powers in the region. But planners have long been concerned by the increasing age and expense of maintaining the fleet along with this country's ability to match the improving air capabilities of neighboring Russia and China. Japan has been using the F-15 as its centerpiece fighter since the early 1980s, though they have been updated over the years. Japan flies about 200 of the planes.

Tokyo's first choice was the United States' stealthy F-22 Raptor, which can cruise at supersonic speeds and is hailed by many aviation experts as the most advanced fighter in the skies. Japan is the only country where the F-22 is regularly deployed overseas, having done several rotations to the U.S. Kadena Air Base on the southern island of Okinawa.

Acquiring the F-22 would have been a quantum leap for Japan. Because of its sensitive technology, the U.S. Congress has opposed selling the F-22 abroad. Budget restraints in the United States have further forced Washington to drastically reduce its own orders for the pricey plane, whose future is now cloudy.

With the F-22 out of the picture, Japan has set its sights on three jets as its next mainstay fighter the Lockheed F-35, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon. The hotly contested deal for more than 40 "F-X," or next generation, planes is worth upwards of $8 billion. The first planes are expected to begin arriving in 2016. Japan is likely to go with one of the American options.

Retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japans-air-force-plans-major-overhaul-14746219

Germany Wants to Supply Battle Tanks to Saudi Arabia

2011-10-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Right in the middle of the Arab Spring, Germany plans to supply high-tech weapons to an undemocratic regime in the region. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, Saudi Arabia is interested in buying up to 200 "Leopard" battle tanks. A sale would end Germany's traditional restraint on arms sales to the country.

Germany is prepared to deliver modern "Leopard" battle tanks to Saudi Arabia in a reversal of its decades-old policy not to supply heavy weapons to the authoritarian kingdom.

According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, the German security council, in which Chancellor Angela Merkel, Defense Minster Thomas de Maizière, and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle are represented, last week approved the deal in principle. The Saudis are interested in purchasing more than 200 units of the most modern Leopard version, the Type 2A7+.

German defense companies including Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Rheinmetall and many supply firms, are hoping for a deal worth billions of dollars because the Saudis are aiming to buy brand-new tanks rather than used ones.

Riyadh had initially negotiated with Spain where the company Santa Bárbara, part of a US engineering group, makes Leopard tanks under license. But now it appears that a large number of the tanks to be purchased will be made in Germany.

In recent decades, various German governments had turned down Saudi Arabian requests to buy Leopard tanks by arguing that such deals might endanger Israel's security. But Israel's high-tech military no longer sees Saudi tank units as a threat.

Saudi Military Helped Put Down Protests in Bahrain

Nevertheless, the kingdom has not been peaceable of late. In Bahrain, Saudi forces helped to crush protests during the Arab Spring.

The "Leopard" is one of many weapons systems being exported by Germany, and the government is helping manufacturers to sell their wares around the world. India, for example, plans to buy 126 fighter jets worth €11 billion, and German ministers have been banging the drum for Eurofighters in meetings with Indian officials.

Even highly indebted Greece likes to buy weapons made in Germany, such as submarines or "Leopard" tanks. Athens has also been pondering buying Eurofighter fighter jets.

Some 80,000 people are employed in the German defense sector. The Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, has also been involved in the international arms trade through the sale of used tanks.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the main buyers of German weapons systems in the years 2006 through 2010 were:

Greece (with a share of 15 percent)

South Africa (11 percent)

Turkey (10 percent)

South Korea (nine percent)

Malaysia (seven percent)

SIPRI said that Germany advanced from fifth to third place among the biggest arms sellers between 1998 and 2009, even though a previous center-left government pledged in 2000 to pursue a "restrictive'" policy on exporting defense technology.

German exports have in fact doubled in the past 10 years and Germany's share of the world market rose to around 11 percent in the period between 2006 and 2010. Many of those deals had been approved by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's government before it was voted out of office in 2005. Only the US (30 percent) and the Russians (23 percent) export more.

Retrieved from: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,772177,00.html

German Air Force Unveils Powerful Spy Plane

2011-10-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

the German air force unveiled the latest addition to its fleet: the "Euro Hawk," a state-of-the-art spy drone. The reconnaissance aircraft can fly non-stop for 30 hours in the stratosphere without having to refuel and its on-board sensors can penetrate clouds and sandstorms.

After 10 years of planning and development, the Bundeswehr on Wednesday publicly unveiled its most recent acquisition of next-generation reconnaissance technology: a powerful new drone designed to bolster its surveillance capabilities on the battle field. The deployment in 2012 of the "Euro Hawk" is expected to launch a new era for Germany's armed forces.

The unmanned drone is similar to the spy plane introduced a decade ago in the United States military, the "Global Hawk," but with European modifications, Lieutenant Colonel Holger Neumann, a Luftwaffe spokesman, told SPIEGEL ONLINE. Both models are strictly used for surveillance purposes.

Although their plane may look like a clone of its American counterpart and includes much of the same technology, defense contractor Cassidian, a subsidiary of the European aerospace giant EADS, is equipping the aircraft with German-engineered sensors and surveillance equipment before delivering the final Euro Hawks to the Bundeswehr.

The drone will be able detect potential targets on the ground while simultaneously eavesdropping on wireless communications from cruising altitudes of up to 60,000 feet (18,288 meters) -- well above that of any commercial airliners, which generally fly at 30,000-40,000 feet. It is also designed to eavesdrop on telephone calls and text messages and to pick up radio and TV signals, among other data. That information is then transmitted in real-time to a control center on the ground in Germany. The on-board sensors are powerful enough to penetrate heavy cloud covering and sandstorms to capture signals.

A 'Vacuum Cleaner for Information'

Some have dubbed the machine a "huge vacuum cleaner for information," while others, like Rüdiger Knöpfel, the director of the German military's Euro Hawk program at the Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement, called the move a "milestone" in the history of the country's armed forces. The Euro Hawk is expected to far surpass the capabilities of Germany's existing unmanned aircraft. Reconnaissance is a core challenge for armed forces, Knöpfel said, and "currently we are deaf when it comes to electronic reconnaissance." That could change with the deployment of Euro Hawk.

The drone's technical details alone are impressive. The unmanned aircraft weighs 15 tons and is built of carbon fiber. It is 14.5 meters long and has a wing span of around 40 meters (131 feet). It can travel up to 25,000 kilometers non-stop, meaning it could fly from Berlin to Tokyo and back without having to land. But that's only one example. The drone's real future area of deployment is likely to be in war and crisis regions like Afghanistan, where the Bundeswehr is deployed.

Although the aircraft components for the first prototype were officially completed in 2009, the Euro Hawk didn't take off for its maiden journey until June 29, 2010. It was produced in California by Northrop Grumman, the American contractor that manufactures the drone and has created a joint venture with EADS to build the European version. Finally, on July 21, 2001, a prototype of the machine landed at the Luftwaffe air force base in Manching, Germany, after flying more than 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) in a 24 hour-long "hand-off" flight, during which American and German operators observed the drone's progress from ground control installations in their respective countries.

By next summer, the Luftwaffe is expected to begin operations with the drone as it carries out reconnaissance missions. Eleven German pilots have already received training in the United States. In total, the Bundeswehr plans to acquire a fleet of five Euro Hawks.

Retrieved from: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,791419,00.html

Canadian Fighter Aircrafts (Characteristics And Roles)

2011-10-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

Fighter aircraft are the watchdogs of our sovereignty. They are primarily designed to safeguard our airspace so friendly forces – both military and civilian – can freely use the area thus protected. Not only are fighters the best tool that a military force has at its disposal to accomplish this task, fighters, because of their strong ability to “act”, also represent a strong deterrent to any threat that might potentially enter the airspace – domestic or deployed. As no other weapons platform is yet available or mature enough to provide the range of capabilities that fighters provide, Canada will continue to need fighters and their pilots for at least another generation of aircraft.

“If we lose the war in the air, we lose the war and we lose it quickly." Bernard Law Montgomery

What is a fighter?

Fighter aircraft are designed primarily to ensure control of essential airspace and deny opponents the use of that airspace. They are light, manoeuverable, capable of flying for long distances, rapidly deployable, capable of reacting quickly, identifying targets and taking action, if required, against an air, sea or ground target. They are generally the fastest aircraft employed for combat operations.

Fighters are also capable of carrying out aerial reconnaissance and surveillance – again rapidly and across huge distances.They may be armed with guided and unguided bombs, air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and cannons. They are also built with high structural strength to withstand the tremendous gravitational (“G”) forces they undergo while manoeuvring abruptly during, for example, aerial combat.

Fighters are equipped with systems and sensors that permit missions to be conducted by day or by night and in good or bad weather conditions.

Fundamentally, control of airspace means denying an opponent the use of the airspace, which may culminate in destroying enemy aircraft during air-to-air combat. Fighters are the only aircraft capable of carrying out this task. However, over the years, due to their inherent flexibility, fighters have been increasingly armed with bombs and other air-to-surface armament and used as fighter-bombers. Therefore, many fighters are dual- or multi-role capable and are referred to as fighter-bombers.

The CF-18 Hornet, Canada’s current fighter, is considered a “multi-role” fighter capable of both air-to-air and air-to-surface attacks. The CF-18, which will reach the end of its lifespan by the end of this decade, was our first true multi-role fighter and is currently our only fighter. As such, it is the only aircraft we possess to carry out…

defensive air missions: denying others access to our airspace, through detecting, identifying, intercepting, and destroying or otherwise making ineffective forces that are attempting to attack or to penetrate our airspace.
offensive air missions: destroying, degrading or disrupting an opponent’s air power as close to its source as possible.
close air support missions: supporting and protecting our troops through air action against opponents that are in close proximity to our troops; the action needs to be closely coordinated with the fire and movement of our forces.
strike missions: attacking an opponent’s key targets from short or long range to destroy or damage them.

The history

As the First World War opened, aircraft were used for reconnaissance, that is, to provide situational awareness to the commander of army troops. Observers flying in aircraft could see deep behind enemy lines, thereby providing a major tactical advantage. However, aircraft use rapidly evolved as each side sought to deny its enemy the ability to conduct this aerial reconnaissance.

Observer aircraft were fitted with weapons to attack enemy scout planes and to defend themselves, leading to the birth of fighter aircraft; air-to-air combat quickly evolved, becoming the aerial “dog-fights” of history, legend and film. Whoever controlled the airspace above a particular sector could use the area below with greater effectiveness.

By the Second World War, aerial combat formed an important part of military doctrine. For example, the German Luftwaffe sought to establish air superiority over the English Channel in order to protect German landing craft during Operation Sea Lion – the planned invasion of England in late 1940. However, Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force fighters (flown by pilots from the U.K., Canada and several other countries) took to the air daily, holding back the German air forces and denying them control of the airspace during what has gone down in history as the Battle of Britain. Because the Luftwaffe could not establish air superiority over the Channel, Hitler cancelled Operation Sea Lion and the invasion of England was never again considered seriously by the Nazi régime.

By late 1944, Germany had effectively lost control of its skies with disastrous outcomes for their land forces.

Fighters were flown with great effect during the Korean War, fought under the aegis of the United Nations. Twenty-two Canadians, on exchange postings with the U.S. Air Force, were among those who flew fighter aircraft in the conflict.

It was the first true jet fighter conflict, and jet air power set the scene for other aspects of the conflict.

“We achieved absolute air superiority in Korea…. The Chinese said afterwards that they would have gone over us like a steamroller if it hadn’t been for Allied air power.”
- Squadron Leader Omer Levesque

Since Korea, Canada and our Allies have used fighters to great advantage in many conflicts, including the First Gulf War (action to counter the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1991) and Second Gulf War (the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003), the Kosovo campaign, and in Afghanistan.

In 1991 Canada sent 24 CF-18s to Qatar to participate in the American-led Gulf War to thwart the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Coalition forces flew more than 1,000 sorties a day and, as a result of the coalition’s undisputed air supremacy, the ground invasion of Kuwait and elimination of Iraqi forces in Kuwait took only 100 hours – a triumph due largely to the success of the air campaign.

Participation in NATO’s air operation in airspace over Serbia and nearby regions in 1999 (the Kosovo campaign) was one of the most significant offensive combat air campaigns undertaken by the Canadian Forces since the Second World War. Eighteen CF-18s were deployed. The primary objective of the campaign was to compel Serbia to cease military operations that had produced a humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo. Air power alone led to the desired outcome without the need for ground-based intervention.

The mission of the Canadian Forces

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces play a key role in defending Canadian sovereignty and keeping Canadians safe and secure. To this end, the Canada First Defence Strategy gives clear direction to the Canadian Forces concerning its three roles: defend Canada, be a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America, and project leadership abroad by contributing to international peace and security.

The Canadian Forces must therefore be a flexible and multi-role military, capable of responding to a broad range of threats to our security and prosperity. To deliver on this wide range of missions, the Canadian Forces employ multiple capabilities at sea, on land and in the air.

One of the most important capabilities in the air continues to be fighter aircraft.

At home and in North America, Canadian fighters operate through NORAD to ensure both sovereignty and air defence of the airspace of Canada and the United States. NORAD aircraft are prepared to respond to any potential threat to North America, every hour of every day, and they conduct approximately 200 such precautionary intercepts each year.

Canada is also committed to providing fighter aircraft in support of NATO if required. On a rotational basis, Canada commits its fighters to the NATO Response Force (NRF), a robust and credible high readiness force that can quickly deploy in support of the full spectrum of NATO missions. In the past, our fighters have deployed to contribute vital air power as part of multi-national operations, as they did during the First Gulf War and the Kosovo campaign in the 1990s.

Fighters perform several critical and unique functions that enable the Canadian Forces to defend and control the skies above Canada and elsewhere as required. These functions include the interception and engagement of targets, the capability to oppose a threat and impose our will (essentially air superiority) and deterrence. These are vital in both international (expeditionary) and national (domestic) theatres of operation.

The need for air superiority

Air superiority is ”that degree of dominance of the air battle of one force over another which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea and air forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force."
Canadian Forces Aerospace Doctrine

Fighters have evolved throughout the years, but the basic principle of their use remains the same: ensuring air superiority.

Air superiority wins wars; once a force controls the airspace, the force can operate with impunity – whether that is to conduct other air operations (e.g., airlift, transportation, observation), naval operations, land operations, conduct shipping, build up reserve forces, and so on. We saw this result in all conflicts in the latter part of the 20^th century and in the opening years of the 21^st.

Control of airspace – air superiority – saves friendly lives, and fighters are the most feasible way to ensure successful military operations. Without air superiority, a force will always be vulnerable to attack by enemy air power and will suffer enormous casualties. That is why modern military powers have fighter aircraft.

The need for deterrence

The use of fighters in war fighting to achieve air superiority is fairly self-evident. However, another key question is “why would we employ fighters within Canada?” when we are not at war inside our borders.

The key role that fighters currently undertake within our borders is deterrence.

“The Art of War teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.”

The end of the Cold War triggered unique challenges in the world and made for a more complex international security environment.

Since the tragedy of 9/11, many nations have changed and renewed the emphasis with regards to security within their own borders. Although the United States experienced the worst of the attacks committed by the al-Qaeda terrorist network, other nations are vulnerable to similar attacks.

Although relatively isolated geographically, Canada remains at risk to aggression from those who have the capability and will to inflict harm. As an ally, neighbour and trading partner of the United States, as well as a sovereign nation, Canada cannot ignore the potential threats of terrorist, criminal or otherwise malicious activity to herself or to the United States.

Although the threat from state actors has abated since the end of the Cold War, the risk posed by the proliferation of and access to high technology, as well as sales of advanced weapons systems to a wide range of organizations, will create increased risk at home and abroad.

The potential costs of not acting far outweigh the costs of doing what is necessary. Therefore, if a nation or a group of nations decide to fight a threat, they need to have the proper capabilities to carry out and win the fight.

Fighters, by their very nature, possess these capabilities and are a strong deterrence to aggression by terrorist factions or other threats to our citizens and our sovereignty. Fighters send the clear message “this is our airspace”, often simply through presence rather than combat.

“The best defence of the country is fear of the fighter."
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

The first aspect of deterrence is awareness. A nation must be aware of and alert to what’s going on inside and outside its borders to be able to react. If a nation doesn’t have situational awareness of what is happening nationally and, when necessary, internationally, there is a strong likelihood of surprise – and negative outcomes. Fighters, possessing agility, speed and a wide range of sensors, allow a sovereign nation to extend its awareness to its boundaries or other desired range.

The second aspect of deterrence is the ability to act, that is, the function of integrating manoeuvrability, firepower and information to achieve desired results, against a threat. It also includes the capability of “force projection”, the timely deployment of military forces to provide presence or influence for an operation, wherever and whenever needed.

To act, a nation must, first and foremost, possess the credible tools to thwart an attack and make the risks too high for the attacking force. A nation must have sufficient ability to react to a threat to ensure that those who might consider offensive action will reconsider their choices.

A nation must also establish a suitable degree of readiness, which requires a mix of the right people, with the right training at the right time with the right equipment. Canada’s Air Force focuses very strongly on ensuring all these aspects of readiness are in place.

Finally, a third aspect of deterrence is will – the willingness of a nation to use the resources available to take action against threats. And the will to act must be clearly evident to those who would threaten the nation.

Linked with deterrence is the concept of sovereignty.

"State sovereignty denotes the competence, independence, and legal equality of states…[It] encompass all matters in which each state is permitted by international law to decide and act without intrusions from other sovereign states [including] the choice of political, economic, social, and cultural systems
and the formulation of foreign policy."

The protection of Canadian sovereignty is the Canadian Forces’ most important mission; our national sovereignty is enhanced by our fighters’ deterrence capability – their ability to acquire, intercept and engage sea, land and air targets outside or within Canadian airspace.

We cannot rely on another nation to protect our sovereignty. Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the Canadian fighter force has been heavily committed to the protection of Canada through NORAD. Immediately following the attacks, armed CF-18s on air sovereignty alert deployed across Canada to protect Canadians from threats that might have originated within Canadian airspace or from offshore, a task that continues to this day.

More recently, fighters were employed to help ensure Canadian security and sovereignty during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Games and the 2010 G8/G20 Summits.

It’s not uncommon for fighters to intercept trans-oceanic flights that are off track, have lost communication abilities or have been identified as security risks. In some cases, these aircraft are escorted to and required to land at specific locations to reduce the threat of potential terrorist action. And in the North,
CF-18s fly sovereignty missions, clearly signalling Canadian control of our arctic region and occasionally intercepting foreign aircraft approaching our airspace.

Other options?

Some might ask “why not employ unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or surface-to-air missiles to carry out the air superiority role?”

Manned fighters are the only weapons platform in existence right now that allows a nation to exercise full control of its airspace. In the future, potentially, unmanned technology might mature to the point where this becomes an option. But this won’t be a feasible solution for several decades – at best.

Although UAVs can currently be armed with some air-to-surface capability, they cannot yet replace fighters entirely, especially in the air-to-air role. The technology, research and development of unmanned air combat air vehicles have not sufficiently matured to consider their use in the roles currently undertaken by fighters for at least another generation of manned aircraft. For now, UAVs are essentially a single mission platform, easy to attack and remove, and therefore vulnerable in a non-permissive environment. They still require air superiority (by manned fighters) to operate within the designated airspace or accept that they may be lost in the course of their missions.

Ground-based defences (e.g., surface-to-air missiles) can protect specific sites against enemy aircraft, but they are limited by their single function, their range and their mobility. They simply are not flexible enough for Canada’s vast distances and face mobility limitations for both domestic and international employment. However, when used in conjunction with fighters, they provide a significant deterrent to potential adversaries.

The future

“Canadians live in a world characterized by volatility and unpredictability… [W]e live in an uncertain world, and the security challenges facing Canada are real."
- Canada First Defence Strategy

The battle space of the future will be global in scope, and we will need to ensure we are interoperable with our Allies in order to counter these global threats. Advanced military technology, including weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, and many of the systems emerging today will proliferate widely among states and also among dangerous non-state actors.

Not only will the use of technology spread globally, it will develop and improve in ways that we may not even be able to predict at this time. The technological advances of this century will build upon the current advances in sensors, stealth (low radar signature) capabilities, precision weapons targeting, networked-enabled operations, satellite communications, more massive, rapid and complete flow of data and more. Taken individually or as a whole, these changing conditions will make any future operating environment complex, dangerous and hard to predict.

Domestically, over the foreseeable future, the Canadian Forces will be expected to exercise Canadian sovereignty and perform a wide range of tasks not readily carried out by any other organization on short notice – such as protecting Canada and performing expeditionary tasks in concert with Allies.

Within this context, fighters “help the military defend the sovereignty of Canadian airspace, remain a strong and reliable partner in the Defence of North America through NORAD, and provide Canada with an effective and modern air capability for international operations”.

A multi-role fighter capability is thus a fundamental element of the “system of systems” required to meet Canada’s requirements.

“The only security upon which sound military principles will rely is that you should be master of your own air." Sir Winston Churchill.

Retrieved from: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/page-eng.asp?id=1437

Ancient History (Indian Army)

2011-10-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

The distinguished history of Indian Army dates back more than ten thousand years. The two grand epics of ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ constitute the fundamental framework around which the edifice of Indian Army is built. The massive war ‘Mahabharata’, fought at Kurukshetra in north-central India, has left indelible imprints on the Indian psyche. Fought relentlessly for eighteen days in the quest of peace, the force level described in the Epic states 18 ‘Akshaunis’, seven with the ‘Pandavas’ and eleven with the ‘Kauravas’, amounting to nearly 400,000 assorted troops fighting on chariots, horses, elephants and foot soldiers.

Though innumerable wars have been fought thereafter, most were in quest of universal peace and ‘dharma’. Recourse to arms was only taken when peace was threatened. In fact the word 'peace' forms the very core of Indian philosophy, which can most aptly be traced to one of India's ancient scriptures known as the ‘Yajurveda’. It is stated in verse, the English translation of which reads - “May the sky be peaceful; may the atmosphere be peaceful; may the earth be peaceful; may eternal peace cometh upon us”.

The archaeological history of India dates back to more than 2500 BC, when an urbanised civilisation known as the Indus Valley Civilisation flourished along the banks of River Indus, in the alluvial north - western plains. Similar findings like the coastal cities of Lothal and Dwarka came to light more recently along the coast of Gujarat. However, the Indus Valley Civilisation’s two urban centres at Mohenjodaro and Harappa gradually declined in the second millennium BC, and almost completely disintegrated around 1500 BC due to ecological reasons like drying up of rivers and drought. The coastal cities disintegrated due to massive floods.

Due to the gradual extinction of such civilizations, the north-western invasion route through the Hindu Kush Mountains remained unguarded for centuries, and gradually many people and tribes managed to cross over for better economic prospects.?With many recent landmark findings refuting the invasion of Asian-European people, or the Aryans, into the Indian sub continent en masse, the military history of India dates back to 6th century BC, encompassing the period when some of the more belligerent forces like the Persians, Greeks, the Turks, Huns, Mongols and so on crossed over into the more fertile and alluvial plains of India from the north-western route.

Though scanty details are available of the early conflicts between the invading forces, evidence shows that some of the invaders did manage to slowly overrun western India and consolidated their hold along the Indo - Gangetic plains, and in the process subdued numerous native tribal kingdoms through pitched battles. Their advance further south was generally halted by the jungle covered Vindhya Mountains. Those apart, certain areas along the western coast and the Deccan plateau were hilly and sparse – unsuitable for the movements of considerable bodies of people. However, this vast area also lent itself favourably to resistance against invasion by loose fighting warriors, such as the Marathas who subsequently became a force to reckon with. The other major pre-condition of war in India was and continues to be the climate. Monsoon rains between June and September rendered movement of armies virtually impossible. The best season for campaigning was always October and November, when the corps were ripe, the herbage green and it was possible to live off the country.

Between foreign invasions, wars in the north became a sport of kings and noblemen, and rarely become a national struggle for existence save when a new invader from the northwest entered the fray.

The armies of the native tribes were made up mostly of foot-soldiers, later come to be known as the infantry. The bow and arrow were their principal weapons. Cavalry was non-existent as horses were scare. Around 537 BC Cyrus of Persia reached the region of modern Peshawar, and his successor Darius conquered part of north-western Punjab. Their invasions brought home to the Indians the importance and utility of cavalry, however Indian climate conditions were not conducive for the breeding of good horses, and therefore reserved for pulling the war chariots of kings and nobles. So the infantry continued to be relied upon as the decisive weapon of war. Warriors were the most honoured and leading classes of society.

Wars usually had limited objectives and were fought for the most part with far less savagery than elsewhere in the world. Rarely did the locals indulge in mass slaughter after a victory. Such chivalrous and rather ritualistic conduct of war made conquest by less punctilious invaders rather easy.

The first definitely recorded fact in Indian political history is the invasion by the Greeks under Alexander the Great during 327-6 BC. After crossing the Hindu Kush Mountains, Alexander captured the city of Taxila and defeated India’s King Porus at the battle of the Jhelum, or Hydespes as referred to by the Greeks. Chariots were still a considerable force in the army under Porus, these being made of wooden struts bound together with leather thongs, and drawn by two horses. Each chariot had a driver and a bowman. Some heavier chariots had four horses and carried upto six men, of whom two were shield-bearers, two were archers and two were drivers who also functioned as javelin throwers during the battle. The chariots at Jhelum did not fare well, getting stuck in the mud. King Porus himself had come to battle mounted on an elephant. Invaders like Alexander, who came to conquer India, appreciated and adopted local military customs, and even its civilian culture. New kingdoms and a few alliances were soon formed, but these proved to be woefully inadequate against yet more foreign invaders.

Wars were most prominent in the politics and literature of ancient India. Occasionally great kings like Chandragupta Maurya succeeded in subduing and unifying most of the people of India. Manuals of statecraft such as the ‘Arthashastra’ of Kautilya, relating to the period 300 BC to 100 AD, indicate the prominence of war as an instrument of state policy. The ‘Arthashastra’ is one of the most significant documents of military history ever to be written. It is an exhaustive treatise on the early concepts of government, law and war. Its military section cover the composition and structure of armies, the role and function of the arms and services, training concepts and methods, duties of various military functionaries, strategic and tactical concepts, defensive fortifications, leadership and management of large armies.

Under Chandragupta Maurya, Central Asian invaders like the Huns, who in their days had razed and plundered a major portion of the known civilized world, were to stand checked. Chandragupta defeated the remnants of the Macedonians and established the first great dynasty, the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta added to the extent of the empire, and he was the first to maintain a large, permanent standing army. Bindhusara expanded the empire and Ashoka brought the Mauryan Empire to the height of its power and glory. The Kalinga war proved to be the turning point of his life. It was after this, Ashoka renounced the sword and took to Buddhism, which he spread far and wide through his disciples and emissaries.

It was during this period that war elephants made an appearance on battlefields and they continued to be used by Indian warriors, right unto the seventeenth century. Although the Mauryan standing army was based on infantry, it had a force of 30,000 cavalry, 8,000 chariots and 9,000 elephants. The cavalry was well trained and was employed to attack from a flank, and for exploiting captured positions. During advance they protected the front, flanks and rear. In defence they were held in reserve and were used to harass the attacking forces and to pursue them when enemy offensive was defeated. The principal weapon used with the elephant was the bow and arrow, supplemented with javelins and spears.

After peace was restored by the Mauryan Empire, the pacifist culture accompanied the spread of Buddhism from India to Afghanistan, Tibet, Burma, China, Indo China, Japan and the Indonesian archipelago, had a greater moral bias and preached non-violence. This kind of spiritual ‘conquest’ lacked any territorial cohesion and political unity to oppose concerted invasions from the vulnerable north-west.

The ‘Golden Age’ of The Gupta Empire was restored between 320-550 AD. The most significant achievements of this period were in the fields of religion, education, mathematics, science, the arts, Vedic and Sanskrit literature and the theatre. Harshavardhana managed to restore India’s glory and North India was reunited once again. The many years of peace and prosperity began to feel the strain in 1000 AD and the Indian civilization became complacent. Thus leading to another great chapter in Indian ancient history, the arrival of Islamic invaders.

While Northern India now contended with a new chapter of foreign powers, The Cholas, in Southern India projected their regional military might between 985-1054 AD. Naval ships sailed out from the Coromandal coast, along the eastern Indian peninsula to Sri Lanka and directly to the Malayan peninsula, Jawa, Sumatra and Borneo. Thereafter Chola Kings extended their hold further eastward to Thailand and Vietnam. These conquests were more trade based, and reflected the spread of Hindu culture rather than conquest by the sword. In due course Indian arts, cultural and religious influences spread to these countries where they have survive till date.

Coming back to the north, the Turkish conquest of India developed in a definite pattern. It was a gradual process that began in the tenth century. Turks would begin by conducting raids across the frontier. These developed into invasions during which the nearest Indian King was defeated in pitched battle. The first conquest was used as a springboard for the next one. The process went on into the seventeenth century when the tribesmen of the thick Assam jungles halted the invading forces.

Retrieved from: http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=r8ScE+/D5SNyrC2M0qB2hg==&ParentID=iheGzF706hhujbFbQKWX9Q

Russian Military

2011-10-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Turkish Air Force

2011-10-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

The Turkish Air Force is one of the oldest air forces in the world and operates one of the largest combat aircraft fleets of NATO. Supported by the TuAF's in-flight refueling capability, the fighter jets of the Turkish Air Force can participate in international operations and exercises on every major continent and return back to their home bases.

The Turkish Air Force has a vivid and honorable history. The Turkish military first encountered hostile military aircraft in 1911 when Italy invaded Libya, at that time part of the Ottoman Empire. Italian aircraft performed reconnaissance and bombing missions against the Ottoman Army. Ottoman forces, however, had the honor of being the first to force down a warplane and capture the pilot.

Earlier that year, the Turkish Minister of War directed establishment of an aircraft commission in Istanbul. The first airfield was near Istanbul and is now Ataturk International Airport. Two hangars were built, and training on and purchase of French, German and British aircraft began.

The fledgling TAF saw action in the Balkan War in September 1912 to October 1913, with only 17 aircraft, which primarily flew reconnaissance. In 1914, the first U.S. aircraft, a Curtiss seaplane, was sold to Turkey. Soon, however, Europe would be embroiled in the Great War. At the beginning of the war, Turkey had only five aircraft and six pilots. With the help of German and Austrian allies, the TAF expanded to 450 aircraft, many piloted by Germans.

At the war's end, Turkey had almost 100 pilots and 17 land-based and three seaplane companies of four aircraft each. During the conflict, Turkish and German pilots had considerable success, sinking several British ships in the Aegean and destroying numerous British, French and Russian aircraft. Following the Armistice, the Ottoman Empire was dismantled, and most of the Army, including the air forces, disarmed.

Western powers moved to occupy many of the regions of Anatolia. Mustafa Kemal, later known as Ataturk, rallied forces against the invaders. In 1919, at the beginning of the national struggle, the Turks had no aircraft. In March 1920, the TAF was reestablished when pilots and others met to assemble aircraft from smuggled parts. Soon there were 17 aircraft, a mixture of Albatros, Breguet, Fiat, De Havilland and Spad models, which made limited strikes and conducted reconnaissance.

When the War of Independence ended in 1922, the Air Force had grown to a group consisting of companies at Izmir, Afyon and Bandirma. In 1928, an Air Ministry was established with three battalions raised to regiment level in 1932, and brigade level in 1939. The three main bases were Eskisehir, Diyarbakir and Izmir.

Before World War II, an aircraft factory was built to build American Curtiss Hawk fighters and Turkey purchased Polish PZL and French Morane fighter planes. The Turks also acquired a number of bombers - German Heinkels, British Blenheims and American Martins and Vultees. Turkey remained neutral until the final days of World War II. As a result, the TAF obtained aircraft from axis and allied powers. They even acquired a few American B24 bombers interned after forced landings following the Ploesti raid of 1943.

Due to expansion, the Air Force became an independent service in 1944. After the war, Turkey purchased surplus Spitfires, Mosquitoes and Beaufighters before the United States became a major supplier of modern aircraft.

In 1946, after the "Truman Doctrine" was declared, the Joint American Mission for Aid to Turkey was established in Ankara. In 1948, Turkey received P-47, B-26 and C-47 aircraft with training, supply and maintenance systems. In 1951, Turkey entered the jet age with the F-84.

In the following year, Turkey joined NATO and the first female pilot in NATO was a Turk. Other American aircraft flown by the Turkish Air Force include the T-33, F-86, F-100, F-102, F-104, F-4, F-5, F-16, KC-135R and C-130. The TAF saw very limited action in the Cyprus police operation of 1964, but was extensively involved in the Cyprus operation of 1974. Since becoming a member of NATO, the TAF has undergone many changes. It's composed of the First Air Force at Eskisehir, the Second
Air Force at Diyarbakir, the Air Training Command headquartered at Izmir and the Air Logistics Command at Ankara.

Retrieved from: http://www.incirlik.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5470

British Army Structure

2011-10-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

The British Army consists of the General Staff and the deployable Field Army and the Regional Forces that support them, as well as Joint elements that work with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The Army carries out tasks given to it by the democratically elected Government of the

United Kingdom (UK).

Its primary task is to help defend the interests of the UK, which consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This may involve service overseas as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) force or any other multi-national deployment. Soldiers may also be deployed on United Nations (UN) operations and used to help in other emergencies.

The regimental system
The increasing demands of imperial expansion together with inefficiencies highlighted during the Napoleonic Wars led to the Cardwell and Childers Reforms of the late 19th century. These gave the British Army its modern shape, and defined its regimental system. The Haldane Reforms of 1907, formally created the Territorial Force which still exists as the Army's volunteer reserve component.

Command structure
The command structure is hierarchical with divisions and brigades responsible for administering groupings of smaller units. Major Units are regiment or battalion-sized with minor units being smaller, either company sized sub-units or platoons. All units within the service are either Regular (full-time) or Territorial Army (part-time), or a combination with sub-units of each type.

Naming conventionsUnit names differ for historical reasons. An infantry regiment is an administrative and ceremonial organisation only and may include several battalions. An infantry battalion is equivalent to a cavalry regiment. For operational tasks a battle group will be formed around a combat unit, supported by units or sub-units from other areas. Such an example would be a squadron of tanks attached to an armoured infantry battle group, together with a reconnaissance troop, artillery battery and engineering support.

Territorial Army and Reserves
The Territorial Army, or TA as it is usually known, is part of Britain's reserve land forces. Together with the Regular Reserve the TA provides support to the Regular Army at home and overseas.

Retrieved from: http://www.army.mod.uk/structure/structure.aspx

Chinese Military Aircrafts

2011-10-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

	Past	Present	Future
Bomber / Attacker	Hong-5 Tu-4 Tu-2	Hong-6 JianHong-7 Qiang-5
Fighter	Jian-6 Jian-5 MiG-17 MiG-15	Su-30 Su-27 Jian-11 Jian-10 FC-1/JF-17 Jian-8II Jian-8 Jian-7	J-XX Jian-10B Jian-8T
Transport / Tanker	Tu-154M An-24/26/30 An-12	IL-76MD Hong-6U Yun-8 Yun-7 Yun-12 Yun-5 Boeing 737 CRJ-200/700 Yak-42	Large transport IL-78 Yun-9
Special Purposes	JianZhen-6 HongDian-5 HongZhen-5	KongJing-2000 Yun-8 AEW Yun-8/GaoXin 1 Yun-8/GaoXin 2 Yun-8/GaoXin 3 Yun-8/GaoXin 4 Yun-8/GaoXin 7 Boeing 737 Learjet 35 JianZhen-8 Y-8J Y-8 MPA ShuiHong-5	KJ-200/GaoXin 5 Yun-8/Gaoxin 6
Trainer		JiaoLian-8 JianJiao-7 JianJiao-6 JianJiao-5 YunJiao-7 ChuJiao-6	L-7 L-15 JiaoLian-9
Helicopter	Mi-6 Zhi-5 SA 316 Alouette III	Mi-17/171 S-70C Black Hawk Ka-28 HC-120 Zhi-11 Zhi-10 Zhi-9W/WA/WE Zhi-9C Zhi-9 AS 565 Panther Zhi-8 SA 321 Super Frelon	Zhi-15
UAV		ChangKong-1 WuZhen-5 Harpy Jian-7 Drone ASN-206/207 ASN-104/105 ASN-15 Ba-9 Ba-5 (J-5) Ba-2	Xianglong

Retrieved from: http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/aircraft.asp

Chinese Naval Forces

2011-10-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

Traditionally, China was regarded as largely a land power with only very limited naval forces. During the Cold War-era, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was mainly tasked with the defence of China’s coast against amphibious assaults from the U.S. or Soviet Union. Since the late 1980s, China has been seeking to develop a ‘blue water’ navy force capable of operating in the regions beyond its offshore waters. The modernisation of the PLAN over the past decade has been driven by two factors, the possibility of a military conflict with Taiwan over the island’s declaration of independence, and more recently, the growing needs to protect China’s sea lines of communications (SLOC) in order to secure the country’s global network of energy resources and trading activities.

The 225,000-man PLAN is organised into three fleets: North Sea, East Sea, and South Sea Fleets. Each fleet is composed of surface forces, submarine forces, naval aviation, and coastal defence forces. The South Sea Fleet also has two marine brigades, totalling some 10,000 men. In time of crisis, the PLAN can be supported by China’s merchant and fishing ship fleets. Main naval bases include Lushun, Huludao, Qingdao, Shanghai, Zhoushan, Wenzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, and Yulin.

China operates the largest submarine force among Asian countries, consisting of 8~10 nuclear-powered submarines and 50~60 diesel-electric submarines. The second-generation Type 093/Shang Class nuclear-powered attack submarine and Type 094/Jin Class nuclear-powered missile submarine have already entered service. Older Type 033/Romeo Class and Type 035/Ming Class diesel-electric submarines, which were based on the 1950s-era Soviet technology, are being gradually replaced by the newer indigenous Type 039/Song class and Russian-built Kilo Class. The even newer Yuan Class has also entered batch production.

Since 1990, the PLAN has received a total of 13 destroyers in six classes, as well as 20 brigades in four classes. Most of the Chinese-built surface combatants are equipped with the Chinese indigenous YJ-83 anti-ship cruise-missile (ASCM). Early vessels were armed with the HHQ-7 short-range air-defence missile system, while later variants are fitted with more capable medium- to long-range air-defence missile systems and vertical-launch system (VLS) modules. To complement these vessels, the PLAN is introducing the modernised Type 022/Houbei Class low-visibility missile boat to replace the ageing Houku class. Additionally, China is said to be considering building one or more aircraft carriers to further enhance its long-range power projection capability.

The amphibious warfare fleet of the PLAN has been expanding slowing since the early 1990s, with the introduction of 19 Type 072-II/Yuting and Type 072-III/Yuting-II class tank landing ships, as well as a Type 071 landing platform dock (LPD), which features a large helicopter flight deck and a floodable docking area for up to four aircraft cushion landing crafts. It was estimated that the current amphibious fleet of the PLAN is capable of transporting an army division, including its personnel and heavy equipment, to cross the Taiwan Strait. However, additional transport capacities can be achieved by employing container ships and roll-on/roll-off ships of the merchant fleet.

The PLAN has been following a three-step strategy in its modernisation process. In the first step, it aimed to develop a relatively modernised naval force that can operate within the first island chain, a series of islands that stretch from Japan to the north, to Taiwan, and Philippines to the south. In the second step, the PLAN aims to develop a regional naval force that can operate beyond the first island chain to reach the second island chain, which includes Guam, Indonesia, and Australia. In the third-stage, the PLAN will develop a global naval force by the mid twenty-first century.

Retrieved from: http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/default.asp

Chinese Air Forces

2011-10-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is in the midst of a transition between the limited, largely air defence force it used to be, and a more advanced force with modern equipment, doctrine, and capabilities. While the size of the force has shrunk considerably over the past 15 years, the same could not be said about its quality and capabilities. With the introduction of new generation aircraft, precision-guided munitions, support aircraft that serve as force multipliers, and modernised C4ISR capabilities, the PLAAF is now not only capable of carrying out traditional missions such as air defence and support for ground forces, but could also undertake offensive strikes against ground and naval targets beyond China’s borders.

Currently the PLAAF and PLA Naval Aviation operate a mixed fighter fleet consisting of both older aircraft fielded in the 1980s, and newer designs introduced in the 1990s and later. The thousands of J-6 (MiG-19 Farmer) fighters that once made up the fighter fleet have been retired. The current inventory is composed primarily of third- and fourth-generation fighters and fighter-bombers, including 800~1,000 J-7 (MiG-21 Fishbed) and J-8II fighters, 76 Russian-built Su-27 fighters, 95~116 Chinese-assembled J-11 fighters, 76 Russian Su-30MKK multirole fighters, and some 60~80 Chinese indigenous J-10 multirole fighters.

It is still not clear as whether the PLAAF intends to replace its ageing H-6 (Tu-16 Badger) intermediate-range bomber fleet with the Russian Tu-22M and Tu-95 bombers, which were offered to China in 2005. The modernisation of its ground-attack forces continued with the delivery of more JH-7 fighter-bombers. So far at least five JH-7 regiments (3 in the Naval Aviation and 2 in the Air Force) have been identified. At the same time, older aircraft are being upgraded with new systems and capabilities to extend their service life. The ageing H-6 bomber is now being used for carrying the land-attack cruise missile, while the obsolete Q-5 attackers are given the ability to deliver laser-guided munitions.

The PLAAF has been seeking to acquire more long-range transport aircraft to improve its airlift capabilities. Additional to the 14 IL-76MD transport aircraft in service since the 1990s, China ordered another 30 IL-76s plus 4 IL-78 tankers in 2005, but the delivery of these aircraft has been postponed due to a production problem in Russia. At the same time, China is developing an indigenous four-engine turboprop transport aircraft of the C-130-class to replace its Y-8 (An-12 Cub) transport. Once these aircraft are in place, China’s power projection capabilities to regions beyond its border would be greatly enhanced.

An important trend of PLAAF’s modernisation efforts in recent years is the development and deployment of support aircraft serving as force multipliers to enhance the effectiveness of its combat aircraft. These support aircraft include tankers, AEW and AWACS aircraft, electronic warfare and intelligence collection aircraft, search & rescue aircraft etc. For example, during the rescue and disaster relief mission in the aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, a PLAAF communication relay aircraft cruised over the disaster zone to provide command and control support for the rescue troops on the ground, demonstrating the sort of capabilities not possessed by the force only few years before.

Retrieved from: http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/default.asp

Chinese Ground Forces

2011-10-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Over the past two decades, the PLA ground forces saw some significant reductions and restructure of its personnel and equipment, resulting in a smaller, but more capable army with improved mobility and firepower. All of the Class-B divisions were either disbanded or transferred to the People’s Armed Police (PAP) force and reserve force, while some of the remaining divisions were downsized to brigades. At least 40% of divisions and brigades are now armoured or mechanised units . At the same time, reconnaissance, surface-to-air missile, special forces, helicopter, and electronic warfare elements have all been expanded.

In addition to infantry troops, the ground forces have seven “technical service arms”: armour, artillery, air defence, army aviation, engineering, chemical defence, and signal. On paper, the ground forces total some 1.6 million men, or about 70% of the PLA’s total strength. However, this figure includes those personnel serving with the administration, political, education, and logistics elements in military regions, military districts, and sub-districts. Therefore the size of the actual combat forces could be much smaller. In time of crisis, however, the regular ground forces can be quickly reinforced by the 800,000-man reserve force, 660,000-man PAP, as well as ten million militia.

The ground forces can be divided into two general categories: group armies and provincial military districts. The majority of the regular ground forces are organised into 18 group armies, which are which are corps-sized combined arms units with gross manpower ranging from 45,000 to 60,000 personnel. Each of the PLA’s seven military regions is assigned with 2 or 3 group armies. The rest of the regular ground forces and all of the army reserve units are under the control of one of the 30 provincial military districts, which are tasked with border defence and internal security roles.

Despite the PLA's best effort to introduce new-generation weapon systems into the service, the bulk of its holding are still obsolete in terms of technology and design. Out of its 7,500 main battle tanks, only about a third are the relatively modern Type 96 and Type 99, with the remaining being the Type 59 and Type 69 developed from the Soviet T-54. Infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery gun systems, helicopters, anti-tank guided missiles, and surface-to-air missile systems are being gradually introduced, but only in very modest numbers. While some elite units are give priority in receiving newer weapon systems, the rest of the ground forces are asked to explore ways of using their existing weapons to fight in modern warfare.

The PLA has been able to make some evident improvements in its battlefield C3I capabilities, thank to China’s booming information technology and telecommunication industry. With the introduction of satellite communication, wireless networks, and digital radios, army commanders are now able to maintain constant communications with their front-line units while on the move. The ground forces have been regularly asked to operate under severe electronic countermeasures conditions in exercises. Furthermore, the PLA is developing a network-centric warfare capability by connecting different combat, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance elements to form an integrated network.

Retrieved from: http://www.sinodefence.com/army/default.asp

Chinese Military Overview

2011-10-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) maintains the world’s largest military force, based on its manpower. The armed forces of the PRC comprises three integral elements – the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP), as well as the reserve forces and militia. The PLA, which encompasses the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force) is the regular army, totalling some 2.3 million troops. The PAP has a total strength of 660,000 troops. Additionally, there are also 800,000 men in the reserve forces and about ten million militia. The official defence budget for 2008 was RMB417.77 billion (US$59 billion), though many believed that the actual military expenditure could be 2~3 times higher.

The Chinese armed forces are given three fundamental roles: to defend the country against foreign invasions; to maintain internal security and stability; and to engage in the economic development of the country. Under the Constitution of the PRC, the armed forces are under the absolute leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Party guarantees its control over the military through a political system consisting of Party branches, political officers, and the political department implanted at every level of the armed forces. The armed forces receive order from the Central Military Commission (CMC) through the General Staff, General Political, General Logistics, and General Armament Departments.

The Chinese leadership has been trying to modernise the country’s military since the mid-1980s. The PLA has undergone three major force reduction programmes in 1984, 1997, and 2003, dropping its total strength from 4 million to the current level of 2.3 million. At the same time, older weapon systems and equipment that came into service in the 1960s and 1970s were gradually phased out and replaced by new designs. The PLA has also been reforming its organisational structure, doctrine, education and training, and personnel policies in order to fulfil its initiative of “fighting and winning a local war under the informationised condition”.

The current military modernisation process has three main focuses. First, the PLA has paid close attention to the performance of the US ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and is learning from the success of the US military in information-centric warfare, joint operations, C4ISR, hi-tech weaponry, etc. Second, the PLA is gradually building up its power projection capabilities, which will allow it to deploy forces not only within China, but also in peripheral regions. Third, the PLA is quietly developing the capability of rivalling a technologically superior military power through so-called “asymmetric warfare”, in order to deter U.S. intervention in case of war with Taiwan.

Retrieved from "http://www.sinodefence.com/overview/default.asp"

Motto of Pakistan Army

2011-10-16T16:34:00.000-07:00

Tariq's Prayer

Iman

To have faith and trust in Allah and consider oneself:-

A follower of none but Allah.
And a follower of none but his messenger.

The concept of “no deity except Allah” is always alive in the Muslim’s heart. A Muslim recognizes that Allah alone is the Creator; their He alone is the Provider and Sustainer that He is the true Reality, the source of all things of all benefits and harms. This requires that He alone be worshiped and obeyed. “No deity except Allah” also includes the question of authority as the right to govern belongs to the One Who created him.

Belief in Allah’s messenger means accepting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the last messenger sent by Him. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the spokesman for God by His authority. The duty of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not only to deliver the message which Allah revealed but also to explain it and put it into practice as an example to be followed by mankind.

Taqwa

Taqwa signifies:-

The fear of Allah.
Guarding ones tongue, hands and heart from evil.
Righteous, piety and good conduct.

Taqwa connotes the sense of protecting oneself from moral peril, preserving one’s virtue, and guarding oneself against the displeasure of Almighty. It is, thus, a kind of awareness or consciousness by means of which one protects oneself from sliding into evil.

Jihad-fi-SabilillahThe real objective of Islam is to shift the lordship of man over man to the lordship of Allah on the earth and to stake one's life and everything else to achieve this sacred purpose. The Arabic word “Jihad” means to struggle “or” to strive. In as much as “Jihad” is a struggle, it is a struggle against all that is perceived as evil in the cause of that which is perceived good, a cosmic and epic struggle spanning time and all dimensions of human thought and action, and transcending the physical universe. The Islamic Law regulates declaration of Jihad as also the limitations are imposed on its conduct. In Chapter II verse 190 of The Holy Quran the reference to the duty of the Muslims to “fight in the cause of God those who fight you and be not aggressors. God loveth not those who are aggressors”.

The Muslims when they are engaged in fighting are not to transgress the limits within which war is allowed to be waged and, in principle, they are not to be cruel or become revengeful. The general command to be just and fair is discernible from Chapter V. Verse 8:

"Oh, ye who believe
stand out firmly for God as witness
To fair dealings, And let not the hatred of other people to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.
Be just, that is next to piety. And fear God, Surely, Allah is aware of what you do"

Retrieved from: "http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/"

Weapons used by US Army

2011-10-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

M16A2 Assault Rifle

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO ball rounds Max Effective Rate of Fire: 45 rounds per minute (semi-auto) 90 rounds per minute (3-round burst) Weight: 7.78 lbs (no sling or magazine) 8.79 lbs (30-round magazine) Length: 39.63 inches Range: 3,600 meters (maximum) 550 meters (max effective point target) 800 meters (max effective area target)	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Burst (3-rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights Mission Role / Assignment: Infantry Rifleman

[edit]

M4A1 Carbine

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO ball rounds Max Effective Rate of Fire: 45 rounds per minute (semi-auto) 90 rounds per minute (3-round burst) Weight: 6.49 lbs (no sling or magazine) 7.50 lbs (30-round magazine) Length: 29.35 inches (buttstock closed) 33.0 inches (buttstock open) Range: 3,600 meters (maximum) 500 meters (max effective point target) 800 meters (max effective area target)	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights ACOG Reflex Sight M68 Aimpoint M203 40mm Grenade Launcher Suppressor Harris Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Infantry Squad Leader Infantry Fire Team Leader Ranger Rifleman Special Forces Weapon Sergeant (18B)

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M4A1 SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculuiar Modification)

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO Max Effective Rate Of Fire: 45 rounds per minute (semi-auto) 90 rounds per minute (3-round burst) 700-1000 rounds per minute (auto) Range: 274m (max) Muzzle Velocity: 924m/s Length: 29.9in with stock extended, 26.8 with stock collapsed	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights ACOG Reflex Sight M68 Aimpoint M203 40mm Grenade Launcher Suppressor Harris Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Infantry Squad Leader Infantry Fire Team Leader Ranger Rifleman Special Forces Weapon Sergeant (18C)

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M16A2 / M203 Grenade Launcher

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic, or burst fire only, grenade launcher, leaf sight Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO, and 40mm high explosive grenade Ammunition Capacity: 30 round box magazine, grenades vary Rate Of Fire: 12-15rpm (sustained), 45rpm (semi), 90rpm (burst), grenade is single shot only and must be reloaded after each shot Range: M16 component, 800m (max), 550m (effective); M203 component, 350yd (max for area target), 150yd (max for point target) Muzzle Velocity: 975m/s Length: 39.63in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Burst (3 rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights Leaf Sight (M203) M203 40mm Grenade Launcher Mission Role / Assignment:

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M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Automatic only, bipod Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 200 round belt Rate Of Fire: 725rpm (cyclic), 85rpm (sustained) Range: 1000m (max effective) Muzzle Velocity: 915m/s Length: 40.94in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 200-round Belt Special Features / Attachments: Integrated Bipod Mission Role / Assignment:

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M24 SWS

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Bolt action, bipod, 8x scope Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 5 round internal magazine Rate Of Fire: NA Range: 800m (max effective) Muzzle Velocity: 853m/s Length: 43in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 5-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: M3A Day Scope Harris Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Advanced Marksman

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M82A1 SAMR

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic, bipod, 10x scope Caliber: 12.7x99mm (.50 cal BMG) Ammunition Capacity: 10 round box magazine Rate Of Fire: NA Range: 1800m (max effective) Muzzle Velocity: 893m/s Length: 57in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 10-round box Special Features / Attachments: 10x Day Scope Integrated Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Advanced Marksman

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MK 12 MOD 0 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR)

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic only, 8x scope, bipod, detachable suppressor Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 20 round box magazine Rate Of Fire: 12-15rpm (sustained), 45rpm (semi) Range: 800m (max), 550m (effective) Muzzle Velocity: 948m/s Length: 39.63in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 20-round Box magazines Special Features / Attachments: 8x Day Scope Harris Bipod Detachable Suppressor Mission Role / Assignment: Special Forces Advanced Marksman Note : The firing rate of the SPR is slower in America’s Army compared to real life due to gameplay concerns.

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M9 Beretta Pistol

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic only Caliber: 9x19mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 15 round box magazine Rate Of Fire: NA Range: 50m Muzzle Velocity: 365m/s Length: 8.54in

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Javelin Anti-tank Missile

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Single-Shot, Fire and Forget. Command Launch Unit (CLU) Caliber: HEAT Ammunition Capacity: Single missile in disposable tube Rate Of Fire: N/A Range: 2500m Muzzle Velocity: Length: 1.76 meters

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M136 AT4 Light Anti-Tank Weapon

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Single-shot, disposable Caliber: 84mm High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) Ammunition Capacity: Single rocket in disposable tube Rate Of Fire: Single use Range: 300m Muzzle Velocity: 285m/s Length: 40in *BEWARE BACKBLAST!

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M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM)

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Single-shot, disposable, extendable tube Caliber: 83mm High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP), with follow-on fragmentation grenade Ammunition Capacity: Single rocket in disposable tube Rate Of Fire: Single use Range: 15m-500m Muzzle Velocity: NA Length: 32in (not extended), 54in (extended) *BEWARE BACKBLAST!

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M67 Fragmentation Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 4-5 seconds Filler: 6.5 oz composition B explosive Capabilities: 5m (lethal radius), 15m (casualty radius), however fragments can fly as far as 230m

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M83 White Smoke Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 4-5 seconds Filler: 11oz of Terphthalic Acid Capabilities: Generates white smoke

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AN-M14 TH3 Incendiary Hand Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 4-5 seconds Filler: 26.5 oz thermate (TH3) mixture Capabilities: Generates molten iron for incendiary effects

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M84 Stun Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 1-2 seconds Filler: 4.5g of Magnesium Mixture Capabilities: Generates blinding flash and sound effects

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AGP-DB14 Door Breaching Charge

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
This is a field-constructed charge used to breach doors. However some doorways may be too strong for this charge, and would require heavier weaponry (e.g.: BDM). The charge has a 5-6 second fuse, and requires a few seconds to place onto the door.

Retrieved from "http://manual.americasarmy.com/index.php/U.S._Army_Weapons"

WW-II Imperial Japanese Naval Aviation

2011-10-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

At the begining of World War II, the Imperial Navy had created the finest naval aviation corps in the world. Japanese aircraft were at least the equals of anything then flying in the West, and in some cases (as with the legendary Zero fighter) were substantially better. Japanese aircrews were superbly trained and had been battle tested in the conflict in China during the late 1930's. When war tore across the Pacific in December 1941, the IJNAF was more than a match for any of its opponents. It is not surprsing, then, that Japanese aviators scored victory after stunning victory during the first six months of the war, from the attack on Pearl Harbor, through the sinking of the British men-of-war Prince of Wales and Repulse, to the fearsome raids on northern Australia and the IJN's rampage through the Indian Ocean in April 1942. Only after the defeat at Coral Sea and the debacle at Midway was this force finally able to be engaged on nearly equal terms. Throughout the war, the IJNAF remained a potent weapon, though Japanese equipment was eventually outclassed by newer American models, and relentless attrition began to take its toll on pilot quality. Even in defeat, though, the IJNAF refused to wilt away, finally immolating itself in the form of the Kamikaze air corps.

Retrieved from: http://www.combinedfleet.com/ijna/ijnaf.htm

Saudi Army Weapons

2011-10-15T10:22:00.001-07:00

Canadian Air Force (F-35 Lightning-II)

2011-10-15T10:21:00.003-07:00

The F-35 Lightning II: The latest news

“The F-35 Lightning II is the right tool, at the best value, to properly do the job that Canada and Canadians want their Air Force to carry out on their behalf,” says Lieutenant-General André Deschamps, Commander of Air Command. “Given the increasingly complex and uncertain future security environment, the F-35 Lightning II will provide Canada with the greatest probability of mission success and the greatest probability that our men and women will survive and return safely from their missions.”

On July 16, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that it was exercising its option under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program memorandum of understanding to acquire the F-35 Lightning II as Canada's next generation fighter. “As commander of Air Command, I am delighted that the Canadian Forces will acquire the F-35 Lightning II, and I am fully convinced that this is the right fighter aircraft for Canada,” says LGen Deschamps.

Retrieved from: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/page-eng.asp?id=1396

France to Sell Frigates to Greece in Controversial Deal

2011-10-15T10:21:00.001-07:00

Berlin is unhappy about a weapons deal in which France plans to supply warships to highly indebted Greece free of charge for the first five years, and at a big discount when payment comes due. Firms and politicians in Germany say taxpayers may end up paying for part of the deal, and they want Chancellor Angela Merkel to intervene.

A huge arms deal is threatening to put French-German relations under strain. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, France wants to deliver two to four new frigates to the Greek navy and to allow the highly indebted nation to postpone payment of the €300 million ($412 million) purchase price per ship for the next five years.

Under the deal, Greece will have the option of paying up after five years, with a significant discount of €100 million, or returning them to the French navy. The "stealth" frigates are designed to avoid detection by enemy radar and are built by state-owned French defense company DCNS.

The deal is being criticized by German rivals that have been competing for the contract for years.

In a letter to the German government, an executive from the ThyssenKrupp group complained that the vessel purchase will in effect be co-financed by German taxpayers because Greece, reliant on aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund, may have to restructure its debts.

'The Chancellor Must Stop Her Friend Sarkozy'

A Greek debt haircut is looking increasingly likely. If this happens and Greece is rescued again with funds from the European bailout mechanisms, Thyssen's scenario would come true. German taxpayers would shoulder part of Greece's government spending and thereby be forced to pay for a portion of the frigate purchase.

"While German naval shipyards aren't getting any orders, DCNS and Greek shipyards are being subsidized and kept alive, probably with German money in the end," the ThyssenKrupp executive said.

Uwe Beckmeyer, a member of parliament from the the center-left Social Democrats, says German jobs are at stake and called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to get French President Nicolas Sarkozy to abandon the ship sale. "The Chancellor must stop her friend Sarkozy," said Beckmeyer.

According to an internal Thyssen document, the deal may also breach EU rules on subsidies and public procurement. Thyssen has declined to make an official comment on the matter.

Members of Merkel's center-right coalition government -- comprised of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, it's Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union and the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) -- are also pressuring the chancellor to intervene.

"I expect the troika but also the German government to clarify this matter at the next EU summit," said Otto Fricke, a member of parliament for the FDP.

The troika, made up of the EU, IMF and European Central Bank, organized the bailout of Greece and is monitoring the nation's adherence to budget and economic reforms required by the lenders in return for their aid.

Retrieved from: http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,792189,00.html

Inanian Army Weapons

2011-10-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

Russian Army Wepons

2011-10-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

US Army Weapons

2011-10-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

The regular U.S. Army has an arsenal of various weapons, from small arms to anti-tank weapons. During Basic Training (BCT) every Soldier must qualify with his/her standard rifle, the M16 (America's Army models the M16A2, but the Army has transitioned to the M16A3 and M16A4 models). Soldiers also train with a variety of other weapons during BCT, including the M249 Squad Assault Rifle (SAW), the M67 Fragmentary Grenade and the AT4 Anti-Armor Rocket. Depending on a Soldier's particular Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) they might also train and qualify with weapons such as the M203 Grenade, the M2 .50 cal Machine Gun and/or the Javelin Missile System. Many Infantry and Ranger units now employ the M4A1 Carbine Rifle, a more compact variant of the M16, due to its success in close-quarters and urban combat environments. Today the M4A1 is often seen outfitted with a variety of special sighting attachments such as the M68 Aimpoint or the ACOG Reflex.

However, as you have learned in U.S. Weapons training, every Soldier experiences other weapons in addition to the M16A2. As a Soldier advances in their America's Army experience, new opportunities become available allowing them to use new weapons and/or modify their weapons for specific mission objectives.

With the addition of America's Army: Special Forces, new weapons and modifications have become available. Although some of these weapons are only accessible upon completion of certain training requirements. The M9 pistol is assigned to Advanced Marksman (Snipers) as a means of secondary self-defense upon primary weapon malfunction or in the event of a close-quarters combat (CQB) situation when the primary weapon expends its current magazine and a combat reload isn't feasible.

Additionally, when playing as an Indigenous Forces Soldier, during Special Forces missions, certain foreign weapons will be assigned (such as the RPG-7 anti-tank weapon, AK-74 5.45mm assault rifle and RPK light machine gun). Once Special Forces training has been completed several additional weapons will become available, such as the M4A1 SOPMOD, which supports a variety of specialized sighting and other attachments. Additionally, as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B) the Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) is provided as a light sniper weapon.

Retrieved from "http://manual.americasarmy.com/index.php/U.S._Army_Weapons"