PLA Navy expels US destroyer in S. China Sea

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105)

By Chen Boyuan

China.org.cn, May 26, 2017

Chinese navy missile frigates identified and expelled a U.S. destroyer entering the South China Sea on May 25, the Ministry of National Defense (MOD) confirmed the same day.

MOD spokesman Colonel Ren Guoqiang told a routine press briefing that the USS Dewey entered waters adjacent to the Meiji Reef, prompting the PLA Navy missile frigates CNS Liuzhou and CNS Luzhou to identify and warn it to leave the area.

Col. Ren's remark was in response to the request to confirm media reports claiming that the USS Dewey was "within the 12-nautical mile zone of the Meiji Reef" on a so-called "freedom of navigation" mission.

He reaffirmed that China has "indisputable sovereignty" over the Nansha Islands and waters surrounding them. "The Chinese military lodged solemn representations with the United States against such acts of flaunting its forces and boosting regional militarization."

The MOD spokesman stressed that the United States is a destabilizing factor especially when the situation in the South China Sea was being ameliorated as a result of the joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries.

He said a healthy and stable military-to-military relationship was in the common interests of China and the United States whereas "erroneous acts by the U.S. military will only prompt the Chinese military to strengthen its capacity in order to safeguard the country's sovereignty and security."

Earlier this month, the MOD accused the United States of conducting close-in reconnaissance in the airspace over the Yellow Sea. MOD spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian said such spying activities of U.S. military aircraft and vessels were the "fundamental causes" of problems in security issues between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Ren rebuffed Japanese media's allegation that China was deploying HQ-9 air defense missiles in the southern province of Hainan and was about to mark off a no-fly zone in the South China Sea.

He said that deploying weapons in Hainan was China's own business within the scope of its sovereignty.

"As for the so-called 'no-fly zone,' it is a complete fabrication by the Japanese media. I am astonished by how far the fabrication has gone."

Original post: china.org.cn

CNS Liuzhou (573): Details

CNS Luzhou (592): Details

Sikorsky bullish on export prospects for CH-53K helicopter

25 MAY, 2017 SOURCE: FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM BY: DOMINIC PERRY LONDON

Sikorsky hopes it can secure at least 200 export orders for its CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter, with Germany and Israel its clearest near-term prospects.

Both nations are seeking to replace elderly fleets of legacy CH-53s delivered in the 1970s and late 1960s, respectively.

Frank Crisafulli, sales director international, heavy-lift helicopters at Sikorsky, describes Germany as the "closest opportunity, provided it stays on schedule".

Sikorsky expects that Berlin will release a request for proposals (RFP) by mid-2018, with a contract likely to be awarded the following year.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2023 as the country begins to retire its air force's remaining fleet of 81 CH-53GA/GS rotorcraft.

Sikorsky will face competition in Germany from the Boeing CH-47 Chinook. However, although its manufacturer is developing a Block II upgrade for the US Army, recent reports suggest that it will not be sold to international customers until 2026.

"The CH-53K will have been flying with the US Marine Corps for four years [by 2023] so when it comes to a question of maturity it will be the only mature heavy-lift platform that will be offered to Germany in that timeframe," Crisafulli says.

He acknowledges that with a unit cost of about $87 million the acquisition price of the King Stallion will be higher than that of the Chinook, but stresses that lifecycle costs over the duration of its service – likely to be 30-40 years with Germany – will be "comparable… to our two-engined competitor".

He adds: "It's more expensive than the Chinook, but it's literally twice the helicopter."

Although the baseline CH-53K has a maximum take-off weight of 33,600kg (74,000lb) with an internal load – against 22,700kg for the Chinook – Crisafulli is confident of capability growth. "It could easily go to 80,000lb or 88,000lb," he says.

It also features a full glass cockpit and fly-by-wire controls, he adds.

Berlin has yet to indicate the quantity of helicopters it will require, but Crisafulli envisions a total procurement of about 60 units; the nation had previously requested pricing for 41 CH-53Ks.

Although Germany's previous CH-53s, dating from a 1972 contract, were assembled in-country, only sustainment activities will be localised on this occasion.

Sikorsky is "in discussions with multiple [potential] partners", Crisafulli says, noting that "nobody is out of consideration".

"Back in 1972 we competed against the Chinook with the -53D for the German campaign and we know how that ended up.

"We are again competing against the Chinook with a brand-new helicopter that's designed for the future and they have a patchwork of [engineering change proposals]," he says.

Sikorsky is hopeful that it will be able to display the King Stallion at next year's ILA Berlin air show.

Tel Aviv, meanwhile, is looking for deliveries to start in about 2025 as it begins the replacement of its 23-strong CH-53 "Yas'ur" fleet, with the Chinook again the other likely contender.

However, Crisafulli says Sikorsky has begun early discussions with "at least three other countries" on the CH-53K.

He hopes international sales will be "equal to or greater than" the 200 examples being procured by the USMC. "Certainly we are having talks that could indicate that it’s along that level of magnitude."

Low-rate initial production of the King Stallion will begin at Sikorsky's plant in Stratford, Connecticut in 2018, with first delivery to the USMC also due that year. Initial operational capability is expected in 2019, with full operational capability in 2029.

Original post: flightglobal.com

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Russia gets hundreds of orders for MC-21 new medium-haul airliner

Business & Economy May 25, 13:27 UTC+3

The MC-21 is the family of short-and medium-haul narrow-body airliners intended to replace Tupolev Tu-134 and Tu-154 planes, as well as their Western rivals

KRASNOARMEISK (Moscow Region), May 25. /TASS/. A package of pre-paid orders for Russia’s new medium-haul airliner MC-21 equals 185, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Thursday.

"A total of 185 firm orders before the first flight," the vice-premier said.

Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said in early May that the flight tests of the MC-21 airliner would begin in several weeks.

As of now, the book of orders for the MC-21 equals 285 airliners, including 185 planes, for which firm contracts have been concluded (with advance payments).

The Russian flagship airline has been the first customer of this plane. The airline is expected to have 50 MC-21 planes in its fleet. The delivery will be financed by the lease company Aviakapital-servis. A firm contract for the deliveries of these airliners was signed in 2011. In April this year, Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Savelyev said that the deliveries of the first three airliners were expected in 2019.

The MC-21 is the family of short-and medium-haul narrow-body airliners intended to replace Tupolev Tu-134 and Tu-154 planes and also their Western rivals.

Original post: tass.com

Irkut MC-21: Details

Denmark orders 15 mortar systems for its Piranha 5s

Remigiusz Wilk, Warsaw - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

26 May 2017

Denmark's Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) signed a USD15.3 million contract with Austrian company ESL Advanced Information Technology (ESLAIT) on 18 May for the delivery of 15 automatic floor-mounted 120 mm heavy mortar systems (with an option for an additional six systems at the contract price). The contract, which was announced on 22 May, includes a 30-year sustainment agreement.

The Royal Danish Army selected the ESLAIT A3MS (Advanced Automated Autonomous Mortar System) for installation on its Piranha 5 8x8 armour personal carriers manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag (GDELS-Mowag); 309 vehicles in six variants - including mortar carriers - were ordered in December 2015 for DKK4.5 billion (USD650 million).

Original post: janes.com

Background

The first seven pre-series vehicles, which are built in the Infantry Vehicle configuration, will now undergo a comprehensive test program, starting in the second half of 2017. The test program includes climate acceptance tests (hot and cold conditions), a verification acceptance test and will be concluded with the user acceptance test by the end of 2017. Upon successful completion of the test program, deliveries will start early in 2018.

The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistic Organization (DALO) signed the contract for the delivery of 309 PIRANHA Armored Personal Carriers in six variants (Infantry, Command, Ambulance, Engineer, Mortar and Repair), as well as a multi-year sustainment contract for the through life support of the vehicles in the future. Source gdels.com

ESLAIT A3MS (Advanced Automated Autonomous Mortar System)

The ingenious recoil absorber allows the installation onto multi-purpose-vehicles (4x4, Trucks, 6x6, armoured personnel carriers APSc).  Due to the application of most advanced electronics the A3MS is superior to conventionally operated and ground based grenade launchers in terms of velocity, mobility, accuracy and fire-power.

Weight:	less than 1000 kg
Traverse angle:	6400 mils
Elevation range:	800-1500 mils
Fire range:	up to 6000 m (60 mm) up to 7000 m (81 mm) up to 8000 m (120 mm)
Rate of fire:	16 rounds/minute

MCCS - Mortar Command Control System

MCCS is a modern fire control system which was developed especially for mobile grenade launchers.

Due to the application of very advanced communications the interoperability of mobile grenade launchers and monitoring systems is guaranteed.

The outcome is an extraordinary mobility, a quick overview and a fast mission readiness.

MCCS was developed with the assistance of military experts and it is operated successfully in many countries.

MCCS Features
Precise  target capture Fast data transmission between observer and grenade launcher vehicle Fast firing readiness, high hit rate User-friendly interface Graphical display Online change of Language Accurate ballistics calculation Navigation function

Source eslait.at

Canada quietly paid another $30 million toward development of the F-35

Liberals fork over another $30M to keep Canada at F-35 table

Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press

Published Thursday, May 25, 2017 1:02PM EDT

Last Updated Thursday, May 25, 2017 4:49PM EDT

OTTAWA -- Canada has quietly paid another $30 million toward development of the F-35 -- money that could become insurance in the trade dispute between U.S. aerospace firm Boeing and Canadian rival Bombardier.

The annual payment was made to the U.S. military at the end of April, the Department of National Defence says, and will keep Canada at the table as one of nine partners in the fighter jet project for the next year.

Canada has paid US$373 million into the program since 1997, National Defence spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande said in an email.

Staying in the program has advantages, as partners can compete for billions of dollars worth of contracts associated with the building and maintaining F-35. They also get a discount when purchasing the plane.

That latter point wasn't considered much of a benefit when Canada paid its annual installment last year, as the Liberals had promised during the 2015 election not to buy the stealth fighter.

The government instead went out of its way last July to highlight the potential benefits to Canada's aerospace industry when explaining why it had decided to stick with the program.

Those industrial benefits continue to accrue, Lamirande said, with Canadian companies having secured US$926 million in F-35-related contracts over the last 20 years -- including US$114 million in the last year alone.

But the trade dispute between Boeing, which builds Super Hornet fighter jets, the F-35's main competitor, and Montreal-based Bombardier casts the decision to stick with the stealth-fighter program in a new light.

Citing an urgent need for more fighter jets, the Liberal government announced last November plans to buy 18 "interim" Super Hornets until a competition could be held to replace Canada's entire CF-18 fleet.

But then last week, the government threatened to scrap the Super Hornet purchase after Boeing persuaded the U.S. Department of Commerce to launch an investigation against Bombardier.

Boeing alleges Bombardier sold its CSeries jets in the U.S. at an unfair discount thanks to subsidies from the Canadian government, while Bombardier says its planes never competed with Boeing.

Many defence analysts and former air force officers have questioned whether "interim" fighter jets are needed and instead want an immediate competition to replace all of the CF-18s.

But if more jets are truly needed on a short-term basis, the decision to stay at the F-35 table could be used to get a better deal on interim stealth fighters -- or even as a bargaining chip against Boeing.

"If the government is in fact serious about re-evaluating its dealings with Boeing, then this could be part of showing that," said defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.

"Because the F-35, at least in my mind, would be a possible alternative if the government remains committed to buying separate interim aircraft."

Three other alternatives exist -- the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale -- but all are made by European companies and the government has emphasized the need for a U.S. design.

Lockheed Martin, the company behind the F-35, has remained relatively quiet about the government's plan to buy interim Super Hornets, but is now chomping at the bit for a chance to fill any potential gap.

The U.S. company "would openly welcome discussions about interim fighter solutions," spokeswoman Cindy Tessier said, adding that Lockheed has partnered with Bombardier on another military project.

The government is providing little information as to what next steps it might take as the dispute between Boeing and Bombardier continues to play out.

Boeing, for its part, has emphasized its longstanding relationship with Canada, even as representatives from its defence division have scrambled to meet and smooth the edges with Canadian officials.

The U.S. International Trade Commission, which heard arguments from both aerospace companies in a hearing last week, isn't expected to issue a ruling until June 12.

The U.S. Department of Commerce would then decide whether to penalize Bombardier.

Original post: ctvnews.ca

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Bulgarian PM: Whether it is right to purchase new aircraft right now or to look at needs of the Land Forces and Navy

PM Borissov Says It Is a Matter of Calculations to Decide Whether Time Is Right Now to Purchase New Aircraft for Air Force

25 May 2017 / 11:08

Sofia, May 25 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov commended late on Wednesday that it is a matter of calculations to see whether the time is right now to purchase new fighter aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force or to consider instead the needs of the Land Forces and the Navy. Borissov was speaking at a ceremony in which TV Evropa presented him an award for pro-European policy.

Bulgaria has reached an advanced stage in a procedure for purchase of new fighter aircraft for 1.5 billion leva or more in what is to become the largest project for modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. The project funding already has parliamentary approval. Having considered three offers from potential contractors, a working group concluded in April that the Swedish-made Gripen is the favourite option, followed by the offers of the US and Portugal for used F-16 and of Italy for used Eurofighter. The then caretaker government, however, did not make the expected decision to propose to Parliament to start talks with Saab and chose to leave it to their successors in a Parliament-elected government to decide.

Borissov said on Wednesday that a nationally responsible decision needs to be made about how to spend the available resources in order to ensure the best effect. "The [Bulgarian] military aircraft are now flying with refurbished original engines and they can operational until 2028. We have to see whether it is right to purchase new aircraft right now or to look at [the needs of] the Land Forces and the Navy," the Prime Minister said expressing hope that the military experts will best calculate how the resources should be spent.

Borissov also commented the commitment for the NATO member states to set aside 2 per cent of their GDP for defence spending. "To give 2 per cent [for defence], we have to take from somewhere else. As much as we may be thinking about the Armed Forces, we have other priorities as well," he said.

Commenting the Manchester Arena bombing earlier in the week, Borissov called for caution when commenting acts of terrorism "because terrorists would hit anywhere they can be noticed and they pay careful attention to what is being said about them". "The comments should be sparing and the diplomacy very active," he said. He argued that diplomacy owes mankind a lot. "The world community and diplomacy should have ended the wars in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan long ago," he said. PK/LN/

//

Source: Sofia

Original post: bta.bg

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Trump Defense Budget Fully Reverses Plan To Sideline The A-10

JONAH BENNETT

3:05 PM 05/23/2017

President Donald Trump’s defense budget includes a proposal to fully reverse plans to retire the much-beloved A-10 aircraft, according to documents released Tuesday.

While the final budget will by no means be identical with the president’s proposed budget, the new documents Tuesday indicate the president places a strong priority on keeping A-10 aircraft in the game, which will come as good news to ground troops who often rely on the jet for close-air support.

The budget overview states that “this budget fully funds the entire fleet of 283 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. Fleet strategy and viability will be assessed as the Air Force determines a long term strategy.”

While the A-10 was supposed to slowly be sidelined beginning in fiscal year 2018 on paper, it appears the budget is proposing the exact opposite, though during the close of the Obama administration, then-Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James said in October that the service is thinking about keeping the A-10 around for a longer period of time.

The A-10 has seen extensive use in Iraq and Syria to fight against Islamic State militants, and the fighter jet has turned out to be so useful that the Air Force put out a $2 billion contract to replace the fleet’s wings.

In the past, Air Force leadership has pushed hard to mothball the A-10, in order to devote those resources to the F-35, which has seen incredible cost overruns and delays as the military’s most expensive weapons system in history.

And although Congress has thwarted this attempt multiple times, Air Force officials have still been looking to replace the A-10 with other aircraft like the A-29 Super Tucano, the AT-6 Wolverine and the AirLand Scorpion. The Air Force intends to test these three jets in July.

Follow Jonah Bennett on Twitter

Send tips to jonah@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

Original post: dailycaller.com

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