twilight2000-digest Friday, May 30 1997 Volume 1996 : Number 047 The following topics are covered in this digest: TAIWAN GO FOR BIG BUY OF US MILITARY EQUIPMENT (fwd) Russians and Czechs Vie for Military Contract with India (fwd) U.S. firm to build helicopters in Romania (fwd) Jane's News Briefs (fwd) WEAPONS, ANYONE? (int'l edition) (fwd) (long) [BMD List] Hard.Copy (fwd) Jane's News Briefs (fwd) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 22:00:21 -0700 (PDT) From: Christopher Callahan Subject: TAIWAN GO FOR BIG BUY OF US MILITARY EQUIPMENT (fwd) From another ML... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- For personal use. TAIWAN GO FOR BIG BUY OF US MILITARY EQUIPMENT REF XQQLD XQQAS XQQPC XQQIE May 23rd, 1997 The Taiwan government's Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), based in the US, has put forward a request to purchase a range of US military equipment, costing $80 million: * 1,786 TOW 2A anti-armour guided missiles * 114 TOW launchers * 100 M1045A2, the high mobility multi-purpose wheeled truck The substantial order includes the supply of associated technical support, combat support equipment, spares, training systems, and the training of Taiwan's military personnel by US military officials. The Hughes Aircraft Co is to be the prime contractor. The US decision to supply Taiwan with an enhanced anti-armour capability is based on Taiwan's requirement to increase its military defensive posture, without affecting the basic military balance in the region. Confirmation of the order is expected soon. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 21:52:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Christopher Callahan Subject: Russians and Czechs Vie for Military Contract with India (fwd) From another ML... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- For personal use. http://www.centraleurope.com/ceo/business/news/06.html Russians and Czechs Vie for Military Contract with India PRAGUE -- Reports that the Czech Defense Ministry is secretly negotiating a large delivery of tanks to India have provoked Moscow's ire because Russia itself is trying to conclude a similar contract with India, reports a Czech newspaper. The deal involves the possible sale T-72M1 tanks, which were produced under a Russian license. According to Trade and Industry Ministry representative Bretislav Gregr, who is charged with maintaining state supervision over trade in military materials, it probably concerns modified tanks made available from Czech army stockpiles. The Czech paper, Prace, citing a report in the Russian paper Izvestiya, said the talks revolved around the sale of 500 tanks which have been in operation for five to six years. They could be sold for $650,000 each. The price is believed to be very low, supposedly because there is little interest in these tanks. The paper also expressed bewilderment over the fact that India has not made use of the Russian offer of the more modern T-72S tanks. (CTK - Czech News Agency) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 21:51:44 -0700 (PDT) From: Christopher Callahan Subject: U.S. firm to build helicopters in Romania (fwd) From another ML... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- For personal use. http://www.centraleurope.com/ceo/webnews/webnews.html Wednesday May 21 3:01 PM EDT FOCUS-U.S. firm to build helicopters in Romania By Ron Popeski BUCHAREST, May 21 (Reuter) - U.S. aircraft firm Bell Helicopter Textron Inc agreed on Wednesday to buy a big stake in a Romanian planemaker as part of a lucrative deal to inject new life into the country's uncertain bid for early NATO admission. The Defence Ministry immediately announced it was ordering 96 attack helicopters to be produced under the deal at what will become Bell's only East European manufacturing operation. A statement by Bell said it was acquiring 70 percent of state-owned Intreprinderea Aeronautica Romana (IAR), the country's most respected aircraft manufacturer in the town of Brasov, north of Bucharest. It said the aim of the deal was to co-produce AH-1RO "Dracula" attack helicopters, a Romanian version of the twin-engine AH-1W Super Cobra aircraft used by U.S. marines. "These outstanding attack helicopters...used so successfully by the U.S. Marine Corps, will play an important part in the national security of Romania," Bell chairman Webb Joiner said after the signing ceremony. "We all look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when Romania will join NATO as a full partner in the defence of Europe. In any case, the acquisition of these helicopters will guarantee that Romania is prepared to defend itself." Neither Romanian nor U.S. officials released any details of the financial arrangements. But Sorin Dimitriu, head of the State Ownership Fund, which oversees the privatisation of state companies, said the project was "worth billions of dollars." The accord implies sensitive technology transfers and is subject to approval by the U.S. State Department and the Textron board of directors. Romania is the only east European country to use Western technology in making aircraft. Acquiring advanced attack helicopters is part of Romania's moves to bring its military equipment into line with NATO standards. Romania clearly hopes the deal will also produce a change of heart in Washington, so far non-committal about its bid to overcome long odds and be included in the "first wave" of NATO expansion to be announced at a July summit in Madrid. France, Italy and Canada have backed Romania's bid, but Britain and Germany are reluctant to support Bucharest. Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic are favourites to be the first ex-communist countries to be asked to join. The accord will help revive idle defence industry plants, including Turbomecanica SA, which is to produce engines along with U.S. General Electric Co and Aerostar SA, responsible for the avionics along with Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd . Dragos Carciga, a Defence Ministry spokesman, said both weaponry and avionics used on the Cobra standard version would be upgraded on the "Dracula" model. He did not elaborate. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 22:05:19 -0700 (PDT) From: Christopher Callahan Subject: Jane's News Briefs (fwd) From one of the Jane's lists... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 13:56:33 -0400 (EDT) From: owner-jig-lib@freud.thomson.com Subject: Jane's News Briefs Dear Jane's Colleague: Examine key future defense-critical technologies FOR FREE with the Jane's US Military R&D Portfolio electronic newsletter (E-Letter). This new e-letter service will bring you bi-weekly excerpts from a forthcoming special report, Jane's US Military R&D Portfolio. Available in July 1997, this 200-page special report will detail in-depth the technologies being developed today--including microminiaturization, directed energy, and sensors and communications--and analyze their importance to tomorrow's US fighting force. Contact miltech@janes.com to receive this free new e-letter service. Below please find this week's News Brief. If you would like more information on anything featured or would like to speak to a Jane's Information Specialist, please contact us through: Phone: 1-800-243-3852 Fax: 1-800-836-0297 email: thisweek@janes.com SUBSCRIBE If you're getting this news brief forwarded to you from a colleague, but you'd rather get it directly, for free, it's easy. Just send an email to thisweek@janes.com asking to be added to the Jane's news Brief list. Be sure to include your e-mail address. To stop receiving the News Brief, send a message to thisweek@janes.com asking to be removed from the Jane's News Brief list. Thank you, Marketing Director ================================================================================ NEWS BRIEFS FROM JANE'S - 27 May 1997 - Part 2 Sent 1400 Hrs. EST \\\\\\\\ DEFENSE \\\\\\\\\ ==================== Armour and Artillery ==================== ....Egypt to get M60 engines General Dynamics Land Systems, Muskegon Operations, has been awarded a contract valued at US$5.943 million for the supply of 30 AVDS-1790 series V-12 diesel engines, for installation in M60 series MBTs used by Egypt. These will be delivered by December 1997. ....Germany gets Keiler Late in March, the German Army officially took delivery of the first series production Keiler flail type armoured mineclearing system from MaK System GmbH. The company is converting 24 old M48 MBTs for the mineclearing role. Before the official handover of the first vehicles, the two prototypes and one of production vehicles were deployed to Bosnia and Croatia. ....UAE order APCs from Turkey The United Arab Emirates has placed an order, with the Turkish company FMC-Nurol, for the supply of 136 members of the Turkish infantry fighting vehicle family of full-tracked vehicles. They Turkish Army has already ordered 1,698 vehicles in a number of configurations of which 1,053 have already been delivered. This is the first export order for this vehicle. ....US orders M113 upgrades The US Army Tank Automotive Command has awarded United Defense LP, Steel Products Division, a contract which will be worth US$21.431 million for the upgrade and conversion of 332 members of the M113 series of full-tracked vehicles. The work is to be carried out by March 1998. The vehicles covered are 254 M1064A3 mortar carriers, 51 M113A3 armoured personnel carriers and 27 M577A3 command post vehicles. \\\\\\\\\\\ GEOPOLITICS \\\\\\\\\\\ ====================================== Foreign Report No 2449 - May 29th 1997 ====================================== A seaborne suicide mission How a young man became a "martyr" and helped the enemy LEBANON'S moderate Amal movement, which is losing ground as the main representative of the country's Shia Muslims to Hizbullah, recently launched an attempt to regain prestige with an attack on one of the israeli warships which make life a misery for Lebanese fishermen off Lebanon's Mediterranean coast. We have an exclusive report. Next News Brief to be sent Tuesday, June 2, 1997. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 22:04:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Christopher Callahan Subject: WEAPONS, ANYONE? (int'l edition) (fwd) (long) From another ML... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- For personal use. Business Week, June 2, 1997 http://www.businessweek.com:80/1997/22/b3529171.htm WEAPONS, ANYONE? (int'l edition) Western arms makers covet new NATO members' business It looks like a bonanza waiting to happen. As Central European nations ink the preliminary terms for joining NATO, global defense companies are salivating over their markets. They envision scores of lucrative contracts when Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic spend billions to upgrade everything from radar to aircraft. Many are jockeying for position to cash in on the potential military buying binge. But the bonanza may not arrive anytime soon. Central European nations will be hard-pressed to pay for new weapons while trying to rev up their economies to fit in with their neighbors in the European Union. And cost estimates for NATO enlargement range from $27 billion up to $125 billion. Hungary, under pressure from international lenders to keep its budget under control, already has postponed a $1 billion deal to buy 30 of Saab's Gripen jet fighters. RESTRAINTS. Current NATO members such as Germany and France can't afford to be generous, as they must keep their budgets in line to meet the criteria for European monetary union. The U.S., soon to adopt a balanced-budget deal, has similar spending constraints. And there are policy issues, too. Some observers are already asking whether speedy arms proliferation in Central Europe is desirable. ''You must worry about the kind of arms you put there,'' says Andrew J. Pierre, professor of European studies at Johns Hopkins University. ''Once they're there, they can be used for the next 30 years.'' Some defense experts believe cash-strapped Central European countries are dangling deals before global defense companies solely to build support for their entry into NATO. After the July vote and ratification by NATO members, cynics say, little will be bought. Instead, the countries may settle for communications gear and other penny-ante stuff, to focus on economic development instead. ''The governments have not sorted out their priorities,'' says Robert H. Trice, vice-president for international business development at U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. So Lockheed Martin, for one, is hedging its bets. On May 7, it decided not to buy a stake in Aero Vodochody, the Czech Republic's biggest weapons maker, even though the ailing company would have given it entree to the Czech defense market. Instead, a joint venture including archrival McDonnell Douglas, its merger partner Boeing, and Czech Airlines agreed to buy about 40% of Aero Vodochody, for $32 million. Lockheed and McDonnell Douglas Corp. are both in the running to supply the Czechs with up to 36 jet fighters. But Lockheed decided the investment wasn't worth the risk. Instead, Lockheed is looking beyond military sales. It's bidding on a contract to link civilian and military air-control systems in five countries. And it can offer an array of civil programs, from handling space-based communications systems to environmental cleanups. ''We're looking to become an advanced technology company in a whole variety of sectors,'' says Trice. Other multinationals are doing the same, hoping that today's nonmilitary investments will lead to defense contracts down the road. For example, Sweden's Wallenberg group, which owns Saab, still hopes Hungary will eventually buy its Gripen. Wallenberg companies such as engineering giant ABB Asea Brown Boveri, phone-equipment maker L.M. Ericsson, and drugmaker Astra all have plants in Hungary. Similarly, France's Dassault Aviation is enlisting French banks and industrialists as partners and promises to help with European Union admission. And the Russians are promising to be cheapest by using debt forgiveness as payment for defense purchases. GOODWILL. Ultimately, though, the dogfight for sales in the region may be between Lockheed and McDonnell Douglas. Dassault can't offer the kind of discounts the Americans provide, and Central Europe is more likely to cement its ties with the West than buy arms from Russia, no matter how cheap. That's why Lockheed Martin's caution on the Aero Vodochody deal could be risky. Despite Prague's denials of any link between the investment and future fighter-aircraft purchases, E. Grady Jordan, Lockheed Martin's vice-president for Eastern Europe, concedes McDonnell's investment will ''probably give them some advantage over us.'' McDonnell Douglas has long had a commercial-aircraft sales presence in the area. It has won goodwill through deals dating to 1973, when it sold DC-9s to Hungary in return for buses sold in North America. Such ''offsets'' also helped Hungary buy 22 of the company's MD-500 helicopters in 1987. So Lockheed is trying to gain ground. After covering the region for years from Geneva, it has opened offices in Warsaw and Prague. In early May, it participated for the first time in the huge arms fair at Brno, the Czech Republic's second-largest city. Back in the U.S., Bruce Jackson, Lockheed's director for global development, co-founded the bipartisan U.S. Committee to Expand NATO, which will try to influence wavering senators to ratify NATO enlargement. Jackson says he is acting as a private citizen. But he is identified by his corporate title on the committee's list of directors. Clearly, Lockheed wants to boost the odds that a defense boom will eventually take place. There's no doubt it knows how to fight for its interests in Washington. The question is whether it can win the shootout with McDonnell Douglas in the skies of Central Europe. By Stan Crock in Bethesda, Md., and Karen Lowry Miller in Warsaw, with James Drake in Prague and Mia Trinephi in Paris RELATED ITEMS TABLE: Lining Up to Arm Central Europe LOCKHEED MARTIN Has sold radar systems to Romania and won maintenance contract for cargo planes. Wants to sell commercial and military products, including F-16s, to Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. McDONNELL DOUGLAS Plans to buy a stake in Czech arms maker Aero Vodochody with partners. Peddling F/A-18s to the new NATO entrants. SAAB Hopes to use Wallenberg group investments in Central Europe as launching pad for sales of its jet fighters. DASSAULT Is lobbying for Central European countries to become European Union members in a bid to sell its Mirage 2000. The company won't discount the pricey plane, however. MAPO Wants to sell new Russian fighters or upgrades of older ones. Hungary and Slovakia have taken MiG-29s in exchange for debt settlement, and Moscow is pressing Bulgaria to do the same. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 22:08:47 -0700 (PDT) From: Christopher Callahan Subject: [BMD List] Hard.Copy (fwd) From another ML... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- HARD.COPY ARTICLE CITATIONS GATHERED FROM COMMERCIALLY PUBLISHED JOURNALS AND NEWSLETTERS. Initial Optimism Fades For Finalizing Missile Defense Demarcation Pact Inside Missile Defense, Douglas Berenson, May 21, 1997, p 24 Government officials and outside observers are expressing less optimism about the success of finalizing the missile defense demarcation pact than was the case when President Clinton and Russian President Yeltsin signed a preliminary framework agreement in Helsinki in March. Nodong 'designed for terror' Jane's Defence Weekly Vol 27 No 21 28 May 1997 The development of North Korea's Nodong 1 ballistic missile points to its premature fielding and a lack of accuracy, US intelligence officials have concluded. They added that the system is a weapon of terror rather than an effective strategic strike missile. `One arrow, three stars': China's MIRV programme Part two Jane's Intelligence Review Volume 9 No 6 June 1997 Concluding the article they began last month, James Lamson and Wyn Bowen assess the background, status and strategic implications of China's programme to develop a multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) capability. 'Scuds' threaten shaky stability Jane's Pointer - June 1997 The Russian Duma Defence Committee has released an official report indicating that elements within the Russian military transferred nearly US$1 billion worth of weaponry to Armenia between 1994 and 1996, including as many as 32 'Scud B' ballistic missiles and eight associated launchers. If Armenia has indeed acquired 'Scud' missiles, it may prove to be the most destabilising development to occur in the Caucasus since the break up of the Soviet Union. Minuteman Launch To Test New Nose Tip. Aerospace Daily, May 21, 1997, p 292 A test launch of the Minuteman III ICBM is planned for May 21, 1997. The purpose of the launch is to test a Mk. The new ultra high temperature ceramic metal nose tip is believed to provide better thermal protection. More Commonality Between THAAD, Navy Upper Tier Needed: Review. Aerospace Daily, May 20, 1997, p 278 Restructuring the THAAD program to be more like the Navy Theater wide system will improve the stability of the program and lower its risk. This restructure will allow for the exploration of commonality between the interceptor missiles and kill vehicles. National Missile Defense Test Delayed. Aerospace Daily, May 22, 1997, p 298 BMDO will have to delay a planned May 30 launch of the Boeing North American Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), because of a software problem with equipment. A Minuteman III ICBM. Aerospace Daily, May 22, 1997, p 295 A Minuteman III ICBM was launched from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., yesterday in a routine program to verify the accuracy and reliability of the type. The missile flew about 4,200 miles in 30 minutes and hit its predetermined target. Washington Outlook: Slapped. Aviation Week & Space Technology. Bruce D. Nordwall, May 19, 1997, p 19 The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) is expected to cut about $2m from the troubled THAAD program in FY 98-99, and push its fielding back two years, to 2006. The review also would provide no funding beyond 1999 for the MEADS effort with Germany and Italy, leaving the program's future in limbo. Second Operational Rating Of NMD C2 Planned For June. BMD Monitor, May 16, 1997, p 167 In June the NMD Joint Program Office plans a second operational evaluation of command and control components for potential use with the National Missile Defense system. The JPO is responsible for the design, development and demonstration of an NMD system to defend the US from ballistic missile attack by 2003 - if a threat at that time exists. New US-Russian Group To Explore TMD Cooperation. BMD Monitor, May 16, 1997, p 168 SecDef Cohen and his Russian counterpart Rodionov agreed during Rodionov's visit to the Pentagon to set up new expert working groups on strategic weapons and other issues. The groups are to explore specific cooperation on TMD, including counterproliferation. NMD Flight Tests To Cost $50 Million Each, Cosumano Says. Defense Daily, Greg Ciares, May 19, 1997, p 288 According to BG Joseph Cosumano, three scheduled National Missile Defense (NMD) interceptor flight tests are estimated to cost $50m apiece. A Boeing sensor test is scheduled for May 30. Joint STARS Cut Was 'Driven By Dollars,' Fogleman Says. Defense Daily, Sheila Foote, May 23, 1997, p 327 Cost was a factor in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) decision to cut planned buys of Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar Systems from 19 to 13 aircraft. DoD plans to explore options for supplementing Joint STARS with long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles. A discussion of the need for B-2 bombers is also included. Moorman: Air Force Should Begin Space-Based Follow-On To ABL. Defense Daily, Greg Caires, May 23, 1997, pp 328-329 The Air Force is positioned to begin research on a space-based follow-on to its Airborne Laser (ABL) program. The Alpha Lamp Integration (ALI) experiment has worked on the type of chemical laser necessary for space-based applications. Another test of the ALI prototype system is scheduled for next month. Officers Propose Counter To QDR. Defense News, Jeff Erlich, May 19, 1997, pp 4, 27 A group of mid level officers and others came up with a counter proposal to the QDR. This proposal recommends the US military cut three Navy aircraft carriers, three Army divisions, and six Air Force fighter wings and use the savings to invest heavily in radical new systems. This proposal would deploy THAAD and Navy Theater Wide and deploy limited NMD. DoD To Rate Performance Of Bidders: Will Use Air Force System To Judge Defense Contractors. Defense News, Jeff Erlich, May 19, 1997, p 12 Contractors will be judged on past blunders or successes under a new system of awarding contracts. A DoD wide system could be in place by July and one of its first applications could be for the NMD program. Republicans Blast NMD Funding Plan. Defense News, Jeff Erlich, May 19, 1997, p 24 Congressional Republicans who wanted more funds added to the NMD program are scorning US defense officials plan to bolster the effort by $2b. The problems with the new funding is that it comes at the expense of THAAD, and the amount may still not be enough for deployment. Missile-Defense Money Won't Buy Time. Defense Week, John Donnelly, May 19, 1997, p 1, 14 Officials say the National Missile Defense budget will increase from $1.91b to $4.18b through 2002. However, when the president decides in 2000 whether to deploy an AMB shield, the additional funding may not buy a testing program strong enough to support that choice. The NMD program manager is not sure if time, rather than money, will allow additional tests in the next three years. House, Senate Take $40 Million From THAAD's FY96 Budget To Pay For Bosnia. Inside Missile Defense, Thomas Duffy, May 07, 1997, pp 1, 10 Pointing to a series of failed intercept tests, House and Senate appropriators last week rescinded $49m from the Army's THAAD program, money that was appropriated in FY96 to buy missiles for THAAD's early deployed system. OSD Sets FY03 Milestone II Timetable For Navy Theater-Wide Missile Defense Program. Inside Missile Defense, Thomas Duffy, May 21, 1997, pp 1, 15-17 Following a May 2 review of the Navy's Theater-Wide missile defense program, the Office of the Secretary of Defense has set a specific timetable for the Navy to move the program toward a milestone II Defense Acquisition Board review in FY03, with a pre-DAB meeting scheduled for February 1998, according to Pentagon sources and a memo outlining the review's decisions. QDR Commits DoD To 'National' Cruise Missile Defense. Inside Missile Defense, Daniel Dupont, May 21, 1997, pp 1, 8-12 According to the Quadrennial Defense Review released this week, the Defense Department has decided to increase its emphasis on "national" cruise missile defense and counterproliferation issues while continuing with theater and national missile defenses as previously planned. BMDO Scrambles For Funds To Keep Mid-Course Space Experiment Flying. Inside Missile Defense, John Liang, May 07, 1997, pp 34-35 BMDO is trying to find the funds needed to keep its mid-course space experiment (MSX) satellite running for another year, BMDO director LtGen Lyles said last week. US To Build Plant For Destroying Long-Rang Ballistic Missiles. Inside Missile Defense, John Liang, May 21, 1997, p 2 Through the Nunn-Lugar cooperative threat reduction program the US will finance the building of a plant in Russia that will destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles, SecDef Cohen and Russian Defense Minister Ropdionov announced recently. The plant "will eliminate rocket motor cases and missile canister from 410 ICBMs that are being decommissioned under the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks," Cohen said. Pentagon Acquisition Chief Says THAAD Funding Will Be Used For MEADS. Inside Missile Defense, Thomas Duffy, May 07, 1997, pp 11-12 Paul Kaminski, Pentagon's top acquisition official, said last week the Army's THAAD program will have some funding moved out of its future budgets as a result of decisions made in the ongoing QDR and that the money will likely be directed to the cash-strapped MEADS. BMDO To Funnel Future Funding Into Key High-Technology Initiatives. Inside Missile Defense, John Liang, May 07, 1997, p 13 Despite heavy congressional support for missile defense programs, BMDO finds itself lacking in certain high technology areas and plans to concentrate some of the money it gets in the coming fiscal year into seven high technology initiatives, according to Dwight Duston, BMDO's assistant deputy for technical operations Former Defense Chief Slams Administration's ABM Dealings With Russia. Inside Missile Defense, John Liang, May 21, 1997, pp 1, 22-23 While Robert Bell, special assistant to President Clinton for Defense Policy and Arms Control, defended the administration's Helsinki agreement, former SecDef Weinberger last week slammed the Clinton administration for not withdrawing from the 1972 ABM Treaty, charging that adherence to the 25-year old pact coupled with other questionable White House decisions has essentially killed all chances of the US ever developing an effective NMD system. Program Woes May Allow Republicans To Challenge Clinton NMD Plan. Inside Missile Defense, Thomas Duffy, May 21, 1997, pp 20-21 Recent revelations by senior Defense Department officials that the Clinton administration's plan to develop and deploy a NMD system is underfunded and technically shaky may open the door for Republicans in Congress to push their own NMD approach, including a sea-based system, according to Senate Republican staffers. BMDO To Study Common Navy, Army Upper-Tier Missile Interceptor. Inside Missile Defense, Thomas Duffy, May 07, 1997, p 2 Officials from BMDO are ready to begin a 60-day study of a common interceptor that could be used on both Navy and Army theater-wide missile defense systems, according to LtGen Lyles, BMDO director. New Missile Defense Study Clashes With National Intelligence Estimate. Inside Missile Defense, John Liang, May 21, 1997, pp 3-4 A recent study on future US missile defense requirements entitled, "Exploring US Missile Defense Requirements In 2010," contained views contradictory to the National Intelligence Estimate, NIE 95-19. The new study concludes that Russia stands a good chance of transferring ICBM technology to a rogue state by 2010, and export control regimes most likely will not be very effective in the future. BMDO Chief Laments Shortcomings Of '3 Plus 3' NMD Strategy. Inside Missile Defense, Thomas Duffy, May 07, 1997, pp 1, 6-7 At an industry briefing, LtGen Lyles, BMDO director, said the Pentagon's ongoing QDR will validate the "3 plus 3" national missile defense program - --three years to develop, three years to deploy if the threat warrants such action-- but he also said the program needs far more money if it is to stay on schedule. The Democratic Response to NMD Act of 1997 is included in this article. DAB Set For Navy Theater-Wide Missile Defense Program. Inside the Pentagon, May 22, 1997, p 10 After the May 2 review of the Navy's Theater Wide missile defense program, the Office of the Secretary of Defense has set a specific timetable for the Navy to move the program toward a DAB review in fiscal year 2003. Strategic Arsenal Is Secure, Russia Confirms. Jane's Defence Weekly, May 21, 1997, p 3 US Defense Secretary William Cohen said he has been assured by Russian Defense Minister Igor Rodionov, as well as senior US military officials, that the Russian strategic nuclear arsenal remains secure. Cohen and Rodionov agreed to establish working groups to consider specific areas of potential cooperation in military reform, counterproliferation, theater missile defense, post-Bosnia peacekeeping and military education. Massoud Sets Up 'Scud' Bases In Panjshir. Jane's Defence Weekly, May 21, 1997, p 12 Ahmadshah Massoud, former Afghan government commander, has established two Scud surface-to-surface missile bases in the Panjshir Valley, northeast of the capital, since his retreat from Kabul. Between 25 and 30 Scud-B missiles were subsequently transported from the missile base at Darulaman on the south-western edge of Kabul to the Panjshir. Sources differ on the number of TEL vehicles moved to Panjshir. However, it appears that either two or four of the MAZ-543 TELs are in the valley. The only other Scud base in Afghanistan is in northwestern Shiberghan. Prithvi Missile Development Is Complete. Jane's Defence Weekly. Rahul Bedi, May 21, 1997, p 5 Junior Defence Minister V M Somu told parliament that Prithvi's 150km variant with a heavier warhead was ready for introduction into the army and "subsequent activities were in progress". The minister added that developmental trials for the longer range 250km SSM, with a lighter payload for the air force were complete and user trials would begin "shortly". ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 22:05:43 -0700 (PDT) From: Christopher Callahan Subject: Jane's News Briefs (fwd) From one of the Jane's lists... - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 13:49:12 -0400 (EDT) From: owner-jig-lib@freud.thomson.com Subject: Jane's News Briefs Dear Jane's Colleague: Examine key future defense-critical technologies FOR FREE with the Jane's US Military R&D Portfolio electronic newsletter (E-Letter). This new e-letter service will bring you bi-weekly excerpts from a forthcoming special report, Jane's US Military R&D Portfolio. Available in July 1997, this 200-page special report will detail in-depth the technologies being developed today--including microminiaturization, directed energy, and sensors and communications--and analyze their importance to tomorrow's US fighting force. Contact miltech@janes.com to receive this free new e-letter service. Below please find this week's News Brief. If you would like more information on anything featured or would like to speak to a Jane's Information Specialist, please contact us through: Phone: 1-800-243-3852 Fax: 1-800-836-0297 email: thisweek@janes.com SUBSCRIBE If you're getting this news brief forwarded to you from a colleague, but you'd rather get it directly, for free, it's easy. Just send an email to thisweek@janes.com asking to be added to the Jane's news Brief list. Be sure to include your e-mail address. To stop receiving the News Brief, send a message to thisweek@janes.com asking to be removed from the Jane's News Brief list. Thank you, Marketing Director ================================================================================ NEWS BRIEFS FROM JANE'S - 27 May 1997 - Part 1 Sent 1400 Hrs. EST \\\\\\\\ DEFENSE \\\\\\\\ ===================== Jane's Defence Weekly Vol 27 No 21 28 May 1997 ===================== Chinese guns for Kuwait Kuwait is poised to order at least 18 155mm/45 calibre self-propelled guns from Chinese North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). The battalion-strength sale would reward China for supporting Kuwait during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Nodong 'designed for terror' The development of North Korea's Nodong 1 ballistic missile points to its premature fielding and a lack of accuracy, US intelligence officials have concluded. They added that the system is a weapon of terror rather than an effective strategic strike missile. RAF fury over C-130J delay The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is said to be "furious" with Lockheed Martin over delays to its C-130J programme. The first production aircraft is not expected to join an operational squadron until mid-1998, one year behind schedule. Cohen details Defense Review US Defense Secretary William Cohen has unveiled a moderate plan to reshape the US military under the Quadrennial Defense Review. Jane's Defence Weekly details his recommendations, which include extra funds for national missile defence. Eurofighter faces moment of truth German Defence Minister Volker R he is said to be unlikely to submit a procurement proposal for Eurofighter 2000 aircraft if the draft 1998 defence budget is cut by Helmut Kohl's cabinet. Cuts are expected following an estimated tax shortfall of DM50 billion ($31.25 billion) for this year and next. Israel rejects Greek upgrade Israel Aircraft Industries has turned down an approach from Greece to carry out upgrade work on its fleet of F-4 Phantom aircraft. The rejection is thought to represent an attempt to build on Israel's relationship with Turkey, its closest ally in the Middle East. Thai army requests $1.2b The Royal Thai Army will ask the government for a procurement budget of 31.3 billion Baht ($1.2 billion) for fiscal year 1998. Some 63 helicopters, 291 wheeled armoured vehicles and an unspecified number of armoured personnel carriers are included on an equipment wish-list. Yeltsin fires Rodionov Russian President Boris Yeltsin has dismissed Defence Minister Igor Rodionov and accused him of doing nothing to launch a programme of serious military reform. Viktor Samsonov also lost his job as Chief of General Staff. Challenger set for Qatar test Vickers Defence Systems of the UK is to send a Desert Challenger main battle tank (MBT) to Qatar for extensive firepower and mobility trials. Qatar wants to replace its 20-year old French-supplied fleet of 24 Giat Industries AMX-30 MBTs. UK to launch mine ban The UK government is to ban the import, export, transfer and manufacture of all forms of anti-personnel landmines. The policy follows an agreement between the UK, France and Germany and forsees the destruction of all UK stocks by 2005. Briefing: Euro shipbuilding Reduced naval budgets, overcapacity and increased competition in export markets are hitting the Western European shipbuilding industry hard. Jane's Defence Weekly reports on the prospects for the yards. ========================== Jane's Intelligence Review Volume 9 No 6 June 1997 ========================== Focus feature: What brought anarchy to Albania? As the multi-national forces of Operation `Alba' secure humanitarian aid to another weakened Balkan state, Dr Guz Xhudo examines the root causes of the crisis to explain why it was that Albania descended into anarchy. Russia's Interior Troops on the rise Russia's Interior Troops have a long, if not especially glorious, pedigree, but as a force they are currently in the ascendant. Mark Galeotti charts their recent history and organisation and looks at their future prospects. Rybkin: Yeltsin's softer option Aleksandr Lebed's successor in the Russian Security Council is a master of compromise in a country where people willing to negotiate their own positions are frequently seen as weaklings. Since his appointment in late October 1996, Ivan Rybkin has continued Lebed's line of seeking peace with the Chechen separatists and has created some havoc by suggesting that Russia should join NATO. Sven Gunnar Simonsen examines his track record. Russia's mafiyas: the new revolution When the Soviet Union fell into dissolution, the iron fist of communism that had previously kept organised crime in check disappeared. The advent of a free market economy then provided fertile ground for what is now a criminal epidemic that stretches far beyond the boundaries of the former USSR. Tom Hunter reports. New `Hip' gunship variants examined Overshadowed by their more glamorous CIS fighter compatriots at last September's Farnborough Air Show, two new company-funded ground-attack versions of the widely produced Mi-8/17 transport/utility helicopter series attracted little attention. John Fricker reviews the finer details of some ostensibly familiar airframes. Russian chemdemil: coaxing communities When Russia signed the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, Moscow committed itself to destroying the entire Soviet chemical weapon stockpile. As Dr Derek Averre and Dr Igor Khripunov reveal, however, that task looked much easier on paper. Hong Kong takeover may reveal PLA hand As Hong Kong prepares to accept its new identity as a Chinese Special Administrative Region, power struggles within Beijing may start to reveal themselves. As Richard Connaughton reports, how the former UK dependency is treated may be the litmus test for what to expect from a China whose army has increasing influence. `One arrow, three stars': China's MIRV programme Part two Concluding the article they began last month, James Lamson and Wyn Bowen assess the background, status and strategic implications of China's programme to develop a multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) capability. The White Legion: mercenaries in Zaire With the eradication of the Tutsi rebellion in mind, Zairean President Mobutu Sese Seko decided that a foreign mercenary force was the answer. As Sean Boyne reports, however, these soldiers of fortune were not to have much luck _ and displayed a certain lack of capability _ when confronted by the determined rebel advance. Khartoum suffering discord and defeat As the second and perhaps final chapter of the war in Sudan enters its 14th year, the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army looks poised to capture the southern capital of Juba. If Juba falls, a racist and religious conflict between the Islamic north and a black Christian south will be nearing its end. Jim Hooper reports. Bougainville conflict enters its ninth year The Papua New Guinea Government's attempted use of mercenaries to deal with the rebellion on Bougainville has only made things worse. Peter Lewis Young records the trials and tribulations of an administration fighting itself as much as the rebels. =================== Pointer - June 1997 =================== 'Scuds' threaten shaky stability The Russian Duma Defence Committee has released an official report indicating that elements within the Russian military transferred nearly US$1 billion worth of weaponry to Armenia between 1994 and 1996, including as many as 32 'Scud B' ballistic missiles and eight associated launchers. If Armenia has indeed acquired 'Scud' missiles, it may prove to be the most destabilising development to occur in the Caucasus since the break up of the Soviet Union. New light shed on Iran's 'Terror Web' The 10 April conviction by a German court of an Iranian agent and three Lebanese for the 1992 assassination of a Kurdish dissident leader, but more importantly the public accusation by the panel of judges that the murders were ordered at the highest level of Iran's leadership, has caused political tremors that will reverberate for some time. The court unequivocally ruled that Iranian terorism has a well-defined structure with Rafsanjani and Khamenei at its head. Africa practises peacekeeping Exercise 'Blue Hungwe', the first multinational UN peacekeeping exercise to be held in Africa, recently saw soldiers, policemen and non-governmental organisations from eight southern African nations participate in a series of planning and field exercises to show that Africa can, in future, take a leading role in peacekeeping on the continent. The exercise public relations officer, Major Angus Taverner, told Pointer that the exercise marked "an important moment in the development of political and military co-operation, harmonisation and liaison across the southern Africa region. The exercise has been a remarkable success and indicates that we have the basis for a future peacekeeping force in Africa." ======================================== Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1996-97 Volume 3 Issue 7 ======================================== F-2 and F-16: Sisters, but not under the skin Even its 25 per cent larger wing, wider wingroot strakes, mid-fuselage plug, reshaped nosecone and clipped tailplane trailing-edges cannot hide the F-16C ancestry of Mitsubishi's F-2 support fighter, the second production batch of which received budget approval earlier this year. Aeropract's new shapes Fresh information from the Russian Federation gives Jane's the opportunity to expand the coverage given to Samara-based Aeropract. Availability of general arrangement drawings has allowed a more accurate representation of the diminutive A-21M solo and add new three-views of the A-23 and A-25. Debut of the stealthy trainer After the Stealth Bomber and Stealth Fighter, it was inevitable that furtiveness would filter down to the trainer market. First flight of the AT-2000 planned for 2000. TG-X1 begins flight trials Among the new aircraft programmes revealed for the first time was the Turkish Aerospace Industries TG-X1. Accompanying photographs show the aircraft's maiden flight at Akinci on 17 February. News from NASA Forgotten by many, the two 'cranked-arrow' delta General Dynamics F-16s are continuing in useful employment with NASA, both having completed research projects last year. A 90-hour, 13-month trial was completed last November. Mustang in miniature It looks like a P-51D Mustang. It sounds like a P-51D Mustang. But the Papa 51 Thunder Mustang is a modern two-seat all-composites kitbuilt replica of the legendary Second World War fighter, to three-quarters scale. The Thunder Mustang prototype is expected to compete in the Unlimited Class at this year's US National Championships Air Races at Reno, Nevada, in September. =============================== Jane's Fighting Ships 1996-97 Volume 3 Issue 11 =============================== Thai aircraft carrier starts operational workup Having completed contractors' sea trials in early March, the new Thai aircraft carrier has moved to the Spanish main naval base at Rota to carry out full operational training. UK Navy orders new SSNs Nearly three years after first issuing an invitation to tender, an order has been placed for three new Astute class SSNs, with an option on two more to be taken up by 2002. Indian Navy fits the SS-N-25 missile It is now increasingly likely that the Russian Zvezda SS-N-25 (KH-35) surface-to-surface missile is to become the standard fit for new classes of Indian warship. Missile protection for Netherlands frigates The last of the Dutch Karel Doorman class friagates has been sighted with the Sea Sparrow missile silo covered by steel plating. Swedish submarine completes sea trials Photo of the second Gotland class submarine Uppland returning from delivery trials in March 1997. These are the first diesel submarine to be built with an Air Independent Propulsion system incorporated into the design. Second Chinese-built LSM for Sri Lanka Picture of the second Wuhu-A class LSM being transported from China to join the first which commissioned in May 1996, having transferred in December 1995. The Chinese Navy is also building this class in relatively large numbers to replace its older utility landing craft. South Africa celebrates naval anniversary A total of 38 ships from 14 different nations gathered in Cape Town earlier this month (April) to mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of the South African Navy. Chile acquires a depot ship from Sweden Purchased last November, the former Swedish minelayer Alvsborg has just arrived in Chile, having been refitted in Sweden prior to departure. The Chilean Navy intends to use her as a submarine and attack craft depot ship. New patrol craft ordered for Bahamas Halter Marine has won an order for two 60 m offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. There are also options for four 43 m coastal patrol craft. The OPVs are to be built at the Moss Point Marine shipyard at Escatawpa and should be in service in March 1999. Two new replenishment tankers for the UK The first orders for nearly 10 years have been placed for two new major auxiliary ships for the UK. Due to enter service after 2000, they will replace two large fleet tankers which by then will have been in service for some 35 years, which is 10 years more than their design life. US carrier evacuated Alameda NAS Picture of the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson evacuating the Alameda Naval Air Station in California. USS Constitution to set sail again With Jane's Fighting Ships about to publish its 100th edition, it is appropriate that the final monthly update of the 99th book should feature the only 'in commission' naval ship which is even older than Jane's. Constitution emerged from dry dock in December 1995 after repairs conducted by the Navy through the Naval Historical Center Department, Boston. ============================= Armour and Artillery 1996-97 Volume 3 Issue 3 ============================= RAFAEL Explosive Reactive Armour Package for M113 The Ordnance Systems Division of the RAFAEL Armament Development Authority has developed and placed in production a new Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) system for the M113 series of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), used in large numbers by the Israeli Army. This was first observed fitted to M113s deployed in northern Israel and southern Lebanon last year. More protection for Iranian tanks Iran has developed an Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) systems that could be fitted to new and existing armoured fighting vehicles, thereby improving their battlefield survivability against attack by Chemical Energy (CE) and Kinetic Energy (KE) projectiles over the frontal arc. SLID detailed The Autonetics and Missile Systems Division of Rockwell International Corporation, has released some more information on its Small Low-Cost Interceptor Device (SLID). This has been designed to increase the survivability of armoured fighting vehicles on the battlefield. Major boost for Crusader The US Army has awarded United Defense LP, Armament Systems Division, a contract modification for the 155 mm Crusader field artillery system. Demonstration and Validation (DEMVAL) phase worth US$804,877 million. More roles for Wiesel Between 1989 and 1992, the German Army took delivery of 345 Wiesel armoured weapon carriers in two basic configurations, 20 mm Rheinmetall cannon and Hughes ATGW. More recently the Wiesel platform has been used for a number of other roles. EuroPowerPack for M1A2 General Dynamics Land Systems of the US, has confirmed that it will soon be installing the German MTU EuroPowerPack into an M1A2 MBT. Trials for this are expected to start by the middle of this year. Reunert takes over TFM The South African company Reunert Defence and Allied (RDA) Industries, has purchased the Defence and Security Division of TFM for an undisclosed amount. ==================================== Jane's Armour and Artillery 1996-97 Volume 3 Issue 4 ==================================== LRT-20 turret unveiled The LIW Division of Denel, South Africa, has completed an engineering development model of its private venture LRT-20 (LIW Remote Turret 20 mm), which has recently been shown for the first time installed on the Alvis Vehicles Scarab (4x4) fast attack/strike vehicle. First full firing trials of the LRT-20 are expected to be carried out in the near future. GKN seeks Warrior orders Production of the 254 Desert Warriors and variants, ordered by the Kuwait Land Forces in August 1993, is scheduled to be completed at the GKN Defence facility at Telford, UK, late this year. Kuwait to get Shorland S600 The Kuwait National Guard has placed an order, with British Aerospace Australia, for the supply of 22 S600 Shorland (4x4) armoured personnel carriers and variants. Production of these vehicles will be undertaken in Australia with first deliveries due to be made early next year. Bofors Armoured Fighting Vehicle Active Protection System The Weapon Systems Division of the Swedish Bofors company has recently formed a new product unit called Armour, Protection and Demining. This product unit will be responsible for innovating or producing means that will either prevent damage to, or reduce damage to, Bofors' systems and equipment and other vital assets that come under enemy fire. 155 mm UFH wins US competition Following extensive trials between the Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering 155 mm Ultralightweight Field Howitzer and the Royal Ordnance 155 mm Light Towed Howitzer, the USA has selected the former weapon to replace its 25 year old and much heavier 155 mm M198 weapons. Canada orders LWR Hughes Danbury Optical Systems of the US is now in full-scale production of its Model 218S Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) for the Canadian Army which is the first customer. Jordan builds prototype ARRV The King Hussein Main Workshop has completed the prototype of an Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle (ARRV) based on the chassis of the obsolete US supplied M47 tank. This prototype has already been evaluated by the Jordanian Army although no decision has yet been taken to convert any additional vehicles. ------------------------------ End of twilight2000-digest V1996 #47 ************************************