Pak-Saudi navies to conduct exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr X' including Electronic Warfare simulation

Naval forces from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are all set to take part in the tenth annual 'Naseem Al Bahr' maritime exercise.

This year's exercise is meant to revitalize operational preparedness of both countries' sea forces. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a historical strategic relationship especially in matters of defence and security; since long, Pakistan's armed forces have been at the fore of training their Saudi Arabian allies in all three domains (terrestrial, aerial and maritime). As a matter of fact, the current Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Dakheel-Allah bin Ahmad bin Mohammad al-Wakadani's alma mater is the prestigious Pakistan Naval Academy.

The South Asia region, in particular Asia Pacific with the inclusion of the Indian Ocean, faces increasing threats from strategic game-planners. The US and Iran are at a stand-off on one hand, piracy is rampant near and around Africa and the Gulf of Aden and on the other, Pakistan and India are building up their respective sea defences keeping in view the warming geopolitical climate.

As reported on Terminal X earlier, the Indian Navy has embarked on new frontiers by setting up naval bases in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. More recently, Indian Coast Guard commissioned Mayabunder station in North Andaman Islands.

According to renowned defence analyst Sultan M. Hali, what sets this year's upcoming naval exercises apart is the fact that for the first time, it is being launched from the Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara.

The 10-day exercise will be conducted between January 12 and 22, 2013 involving surface, aerial and sub-surface manoeuvrings. This is in light of the development by which the country's maritime forces, besides the other two arms, has considerably shifted focus from conventional tactical warfare to quite a  strategic one, with emphasis on long-term contingency plans in lieu of aggression from regional and non-regional stakeholders alike. 

However, no strategic weapons will be tested as per claims. To date, the naval variant of Babur has remained a mystery with some analysts openly saying such a make doesn't exist at all, atleast in working prototype.

Apart from joint drills involving counter-piracy measures, offence/defence practices, instructional sessions on maritime strategy and most importantly, Electronic Warfare will be simulated in real-time environment. Of late, Iran conducted EW drills in a show of defiance to Arab states and the US over the Strait of Hormuz tension.

Analyst Sultan M. Hali further mentions that besides sea-based training, both the Pakistan Marines and their Saudi counterparts will conduct a joint counter-terrorism exercise in the rugged Ormara Hills of Balochistan which overlook the Makran coastline.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Sialkot Garrison, January 8, 2013, to witness the conduct of Army Mobilization Exercise.

Press Release
No PR2/2013-ISPR Dated: January 8, 2013
Rawalpindi - January 8, 2013:
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Sialkot Garrison, today, to witness the conduct of Army Mobilization Exercise.

The Mobilization Exercise is being conducted to validate the recent changes in mobilization system of the Army. The changes aim at improving the mobilization time to enable Pakistan Army to put in practice Army's New Concept of War Fighting, which has already been evolved and validated in the Azm-e-Nau series of war games and exercises, in last four years.

The COAS emphasized the need for the Army to remain fully prepared to respond to the full spectrum of threat, be it direct or indirect and overt or covert.

Earlier, on arrival, COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain, Commander Gujranwala Corps.

Japan Maritime Self Defence Force ships arrive in Sri Lanka

Two Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, "Suzunami" and "Kirisame" arrived at the Port of Colombo on 05th January 2013 on a goodwill and supply visit. The ships were ceremonially welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy on their arrival.

Commander 03rd Escort Division, Captain Junichi Shimo and ships' Commanding Officers, Commander Toshikuni Miyata and Commander Takayuki Kaseda paid a courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area, at SLNS Rangalla in Colombo. They held cordial discussions and exchange mementos as a gesture of goodwill.

JS "Suzunami" is 151 meters in length and has a displacement of 4,650 tons. It has a complement of 180 Naval personnel onboard. JS "Kirisame" is 151 meters in length and has a displacement of 4,550 tons. It has a complement of 190 Naval personnel onboard.

The ships will stay in Sri Lanka until 06th January and the ships' crews will participate in a special programme organized by the Sri Lanka Navy during their stay in Sri Lanka. The ships are heading home upon completion of an anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.

 

Iran latest Toufan-2 helicopter

Iran has unveiled its latest combat helicopter Toufan 2 (Storm 2) during a ceremony attended by the country’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi.

Speaking during the ceremony on Wednesday, Vahidi said the chopper belongs to a new generation of combat helicopters and enjoys modern and advanced technologies, including high-precision targeting capability.

He noted that Toufan 2 employs Iran’s latest indigenous achievements in electronics, optics, laser and armament capabilities.

The Iranian minister hailed Toufan 2 as a symbol of creativity and self-sufficiency in the face of the enemies’ sanctions.

Vahidi stated that the aircraft will dramatically boost the combat power of the Iranian armed forces once its mass production begins.

Developed by the Iranian Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), Toufan 2 was unveiled on the sixth and final day of naval exercises spanning the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian Ocean.

Iran also unveiled its first domestically manufactured helicopters during the inauguration ceremony of the Sixth International Aviation Industry Exhibition on December 12, 2012.

Panha 1 and Panha 2 helicopters are designed to conduct military operations and logistic missions, and can carry 14 and 8 passengers respectively.

The Shahriar, a completely overhauled medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter with a capacity of 20 passengers, was also displayed during the 2012 ceremony on Iran’s southern Kish Island.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in the defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in essential military equipment and systems.

Indian Air Force to deploy helicopter squadron near Indo-Pak border

JODHPUR: IAF Chief Air Marshal N A K Browne will inaugurate the medium-lift helicopter complex for the new squadron of its latest Mi-17 V5 helicopters at Phalodi airbase near the Indo-Pak border here on Monday.

This may be seen as Indian Air Force strengthening its presence along the Pakistan border by deploying the squadron, comprising about 15 aircraft.

The helicopters can undertake all weather, day and night operations in any kind of terrain, defence spokesperson Col S D Goswami said.

"Mi-17 V5 falls under the armed helicopter category, with substantial and effective firepower with the latest and more powerful engines that will greatly enhance its payload carriage capability at higher altitudes," he said.

The helicopter is an upgrade of Mi-17 in the medium-lift category and is equipped with sophisticated avionics and on-board navigation systems.

"It has on-board weather radar, state-of-the art autopilot and is equipped with the latest generation night vision devices. With these, the helicopter can undertake all- weather, day-night operations in any kind of terrain," he said.

Phalodi airbase, located between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, was inaugurated in 2010 to undertake all types of air defence operations in the western sector.

Indian armed forces to get 95 drones capable of aerial surveillance and air strikes

The Indian defence ministry today announced that a total of 95 mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will be purchased in the near future, to improve the aerial surveillance capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy (IN). Sources close to the ministry said that the process for the procurement has already started, and that the bidding process is likely to be initiated by the beginning of next year.

So far the defence ministry has not revealed whether they will give preference to the local defence manufacturers during the procurement process. If local equipment manufacturers are not given the priority, then the Israeli UAVs, like the IAI Heron (Machatz-1) and the IAI Searcher are likely to be the strongest contenders to win the bid. The Heron drones are currently operated by the Armed Forces in a number of nations, including Brazil, Canada, France, Turkey, and the United States. The IAI Searcher is also used by nations such as Russia and Thailand.

The Indian officials said that they intend to procure 60 UAVs for the IAF, while the remaining 35 units are meant for use by the IN. The defence ministry have already placed certain conditions for the future UAV deal, insisting that the weight of the UAV should not be more than 5.50 lb and the entire set, including the operational kit should not weigh more than 33 lb.

The Indians hinted that they want the UAVs to be light-weight, so that a single soldier will be able to operate them. The current version of the IAI Heron weighs more than 550 lb, and it is not clear whether the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will consider manufacturing a miniature version for export to India.

The IAF is already in the possession of its own locally made UAV, the DRDO Nishant. The drone was developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a branch of the Indian defence manufacturer Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Nishant conducted its first successful test flight on 3rd February, 2011. The DRDO is currently trying to develop High Altitude Long Range combat UAVs.

Canadian military to spend $1 billion on unmanned armed drones

It appears that Canada is getting involved in the drone arms race.

According to a report in the Ottawa Citizen, the Harper government recently approved a military 'request to aerospace firms' to provide details about the types of drones now available in the marketplace.

The 'request' pointed out the need for the unmanned aircraft to operate in the Arctic. The aircraft should also be able to carry precision-guided munitions, the government said.

"This capability will allow the CF [Canadian Forces] to fill critical deficiencies," industry officials were told in the request for information sent to them July 23.

According to DND documents, the military intends to spend around $1 billion on the project.

The development and deployment of armed drones has become a sensitive subject around the world, primarily because of the way the Americans have used them for cross-border raids on Taliban and al-Qaida suspects in Pakistan. Their use has provoked concern that many civilians have been caught during these air strikes.

In a column last month  for the Financial Times, former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff argued that more drones could lead to more wars.

"Virtual technologies make it easier for democracies to wage war because they eliminate the risk of blood sacrifice that once forced democratic peoples to be prudent," Ignatieff wrote.

"Now democracies do not even have to put their pilots in harm's way. Cyberwar and drones offer Nato democracies enticing prospects of cheap, risk-free warfare — and not just democracies. A new arms race is already under way."

50 countries, including Canada, have used unarmed drones in military conflicts or for routine surveillance.

The United States was the first country to use an armed version of the unmanned aircraft during the NATO Kosovo campaign in 1999. Since then they've been used in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Pakistan.

In addition to Canada, Germany, Korea, Russia and China have also shown interest in developing an armed drone program.