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Australia selects C-27J Spartan
05 days
by Administrator
in Aircrafts
Finmeccanica was selected by the Australian Government to supply 10 newly built Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlifters. The total value of the contract, which also includes logistic support and training, is AUSD 1.4 billion. First aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2015.
“The C-27J was assessed by Defence as the aircraft which best met all the essential capability requirements and provides the best value for money,” Australia’s Department of Defence says in a statement. “It was assessed as being able to fly further, faster, higher while carrying more cargo and requiring a smaller runway than the other aircraft under consideration, the Airbus Military C-295.”
The acquisition of the aircraft will be conducted through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) arrangement with the United States and the contract will be awarded to the partnership between L-3 (as prime contractor) and Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company. The contract will also include associated support equipment, several years of initial logistic support, training for aircrew and maintenance personnel and additional capability to ensure that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) can operate, maintain and modify the aircraft throughout its planned life.
The C-27J is a twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. It provides high performances, high cost effectiveness, extreme operating flexibility and is the only aircraft of its class offering interoperability with heavier airlifters.
It has already been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco, Mexico and by the US Air Force and selected by Slovakia’s air force. The total number of aircraft ordered goes up to 89, as the best seller among aircraft of its category”.
“This achievement represents a milestone in Finmeccanica’s strategic expansion in the high-potential international markets like Australia and confirms the value of a successful program such as the C-27J”, Giuseppe Orsi, Finmeccanica’s Chairman and CEO, said. “In addition to the contract award for NATO’s Cyber Security and the selection of the M-346 trainer by Israel – both of which occurred in the first months of 2012 – this announcement proves Finmeccanica’s capability to be a major high technology global player, thus reaching the top position of the most advanced ‘Made in Italy’ brand. The investment in technology is for Italy the best way to ensure its sustainable development, thus maintaining and developing the Country’s industrial capabilities, rendering them even more competitive in the international markets”.
Australia to acquire new submarine fleet
05 days
by Administrator
in Patrol Craft
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith announced on Thursday that the Australian Labor government will allocate $214 million in its May 8 budget kick starting the design and planning phase of plans to equip the navy with up to 12 new long-range, hunter-killer submarines over the next two decades. It will be the most expensive military procurement in the country’s history, with initial cost estimates ranging from $36 billion to $40 billion.
As well as the acquisition of a new submarine fleet, the Labor government announced that a new defence strategic assessment “White Paper” would be prepared by the end of 2013—12 months earlier than had been expected.
Peter Jennings, the executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and a former senior Defence Department bureaucrat, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Lateline” program that the new White Paper was needed because of the “heating up of the strategic competition between major powers in the Asia-Pacific, particularly between China and the US.” He declared that as a result of the US “pivot” to Asia, “Australia needs to do the same thing.”
India developing Anti-Radiation Missile
05 days
by Administrator
in Missiles
The Indian Defense Research and Defelopment Laboratory (DRDL) is developing an air-launched Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) designed to equip Su—30MKI multi-mission fighters in the future. Such missile is positioned as a force multiplier in its ability to destroy the enemy’s radar warning system and radar-guided air-defense assets.
The Su-30MKI is expected to become the backbone of the Indian Air Force, with IAF ordering over 150 such fighters from Russia.
US Congress Formally Notified of Japan’s F-35 Purchase
05 days
by Administrator
in Aircrafts
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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified the United States Congress on 30 April of a potential Foreign Military Sale of Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) to Japan. The sale includes an initial order for four F-35A Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) stealth fighters with an option for the purchase of an additional 38 F-35A CTOL aircraft. The cost of the purchase is estimated to be $10 billion.
The announcement was published in a DSCA press release of 1 May. US law requires the Congress be notified of potential foreign sales and does not represent a completed contractual obligation.
Each aircraft carries an estimated cost of $238 to $240 million that includes support throughout the aircraft’s lifetime. The overall deal includes the aircraft itself, Pratt & Whitney F-135 engines (including five spare engines), electronic warfare systems, command and control computers, software development and integration, spare parts, training, logistical support, and US government and contractor technical support and services. Other equipment in the package includes intelligence capabilities, navigation systems, an autonomic global logistics support system, GPS systems, and a flight mission trainer.
Japan has wanted to add a stealth aircraft to its air fleet for a long time, but failed in its efforts to negotiate a deal to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
China Officially Hands Over the Azmat Class Stealthy FAC To Pakistan
05 days
by Administrator
in Uncategorized
China officially delivered the PNS Azmat Class Fast Attack Craft (FAC) to the Pakistani Navy at the Xingang Shipyard in Tianjin, China last week. Azmat is the first fast attack craft (missile) to be deployed with the Pakistanin Navy.
According to Pakistans’ naval chief Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila the induction of PNS Azmat will boost the Pakistan Navy’s combat capabilities “Its immense firepower coupled with stealthy features makes it a real versatile platform which would not only prove vital for ensuring effective presence in our area of operations, but would bring a new dimension of operation of stealthy platform of this tonnage,” Adm. Sandila said.
