GERMANY MOVING TO LIMIT ARMS SALES TO SAUDI ARABIA, UAE, TURKEY

Source: Al Jazeera A draft bill in Germany aims to ban weapons exports to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey for their involvement in military conflicts. The bill aims to prevent weapons exports and all other related goods and services to countries that may use them for human rights abuses. The draft,… Continue reading GERMANY MOVING TO LIMIT ARMS SALES TO SAUDI ARABIA, UAE, TURKEY

US AGAIN WARNS TURKEY ON RUSSIAN S-400 MISSILES AT NATO

Source: Shephard The United States’ new top diplomat met his Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of a NATO meeting and warned Ankara against choosing a Russian air defence system. If Turkey goes ahead and deploys the Russian S-400 system, its radars and missile batteries will not be integrated with those of its NATO allies. And… Continue reading US AGAIN WARNS TURKEY ON RUSSIAN S-400 MISSILES AT NATO

CHINA’S DEFENCE BUDGET: WHAT EVERYONE IS MISSING

(121125) -- LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER, Nov. 25, 2012 (Xinhua) -- This undated photo shows China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, sailing on the sea. China has successfully conducted flight landing on its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. After its delivery to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Sept. 25, the aircraft carrier has undergone a series of sailing and technological tests, including the flight of the carrier-borne J-15. Capabilities of the carrier platform and the J-15 have been tested, meeting all requirements and achieving good compatibility, the PLA Navy said. Designed by and made in China, the J-15 is able to carry multi-type anti-ship, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as precision-guided bombs. The J-15 has comprehensive capabilities comparable to those of the Russian Su-33 jet and the U.S. F-18, military experts estimated. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

Source: The National Interest By Nan Li The recent session of China’s National People’s Congress approved an increase of China’s defense budget by 8.1 percent, which translates into an annual spending of $175 billion for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for 2018. Chinese analysts state that the increase keeps pace with China’s annual economic growth… Continue reading CHINA’S DEFENCE BUDGET: WHAT EVERYONE IS MISSING

JAPAN EYES FRANCO-GERMAN MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENT DESPITE EXPORT SETBACKS

Sourced: Defense News By: Mike Yeo Japan is offering its Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft for a Franco-German requirement for a new aircraft. The move is part of the island nation’s efforts to secure its first major arms sale since a self-imposed ban on arms exports following World War II was lifted four years ago.… Continue reading JAPAN EYES FRANCO-GERMAN MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENT DESPITE EXPORT SETBACKS

RUSSIA BEGINS PRODUCTION OF S-400 MISSILES SOLD TO TURKEY

Sourced: Hurriyet Daily News Russia has started production of the S-400 air defense system for Turkey, manufacturing company Rosoboronexport General Director Alexandre Miheev said on April 25. “We have started to execute the contract. We are not talking about deliveries of S-400; the production of the air defense system has started,” Miheev said in the… Continue reading RUSSIA BEGINS PRODUCTION OF S-400 MISSILES SOLD TO TURKEY

TURKEY’S SNAP ELECTIONS SET TO ESCALATE TENSIONS WITH EUROPE

Sourced: Al Monitor By Semih Idiz Ankara’s already strained relations with the West are heading for heightened tensions following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call for snap presidential and parliamentary elections to be held June 24. At issue are bans in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands prohibiting Turkish politicians from canvassing expatriate Turks there and the… Continue reading TURKEY’S SNAP ELECTIONS SET TO ESCALATE TENSIONS WITH EUROPE

HAFTAR IS IN GOOD HEALTH SAYS BROTHER AS HE REMAINS OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW

Sourced: Middle East Eye By Nadine Dahan Osha Mohamed Libyan military commander Kahlifa Haftar is in “good health”, despite rumours suggesting his condition was critical, according to his younger brother. Omran Haftar told Egyptian magazine Rose Youssef on Tuesday that his brother had assured him of his good health in a phone conversation, allegedly also… Continue reading HAFTAR IS IN GOOD HEALTH SAYS BROTHER AS HE REMAINS OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW

US TO PRESS NATO ALLIES TO SPEND MORE WARN ABOUT RUSSIA

Sourced: Jerusalem Post The United States will press NATO allies, especially Germany, to increase military budgets and will underscore the heightened threat from Russia, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday before Friday’s meeting in Brussels. Asked whether US Secretary of State nominee, Mike Pompeo, would attend the meeting if he was confirmed by… Continue reading US TO PRESS NATO ALLIES TO SPEND MORE WARN ABOUT RUSSIA

INDIA FRUSTRATED AFTER FAILING TO GET MISSILE TECHNOLOGY EDGE OVER PAKISTAN

Sourced: Times of Islamabad India is desperate to buy five S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems from Russia that the country`s military sees as a game changer. The systems are touted as being able to counter the ballistic missiles and stealth aircraft that China is developing, while overwhelming the capabilities of Pakistan, India`s main adversary. India… Continue reading INDIA FRUSTRATED AFTER FAILING TO GET MISSILE TECHNOLOGY EDGE OVER PAKISTAN

DASSAULT AVIATION AND AIRBUS JOIN FORCES ON FCAS

Sourced: Dassault Aviation Dassault Aviation (stock exchange symbol: AM) and Airbus (stock exchange symbol: AIR) have decided to join forces for the development and production of Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which is slated to complement and eventually replace current generation of Eurofighter and Rafale fighter aircraft between 2035 and 2040. The partnership, sealed… Continue reading DASSAULT AVIATION AND AIRBUS JOIN FORCES ON FCAS