Saturday, June 15, 2013

Why it is absurd to expect that the army becomes a profitable business

The defense budget will be maintained at the current level of € 31.4 billion for the next three years. Jean-Yves Le Drian announced property sales and disposals of equity holdings in companies to compensate for budget freeze.


Atlantico: The French army can it become profitable as are the companies? Its purpose is it to have a balanced budget?


Jean-Vincent Brisset:  This question may seem surprising. She is actually in a great democratic country. But be aware that there are many countries where the armed forces have a direct link with the commercial sector . It has long been the case in China, for example, where the field of military industry and that of the army were completely intertwined . Things went much further since in all regiments, military and their families, in addition to purely work related training were running small businesses, farms (sometimes very large sizes), businesses and institutions recreation and restoration.

This mix, causing much corruption that distort competition, theoretically disappeared . In many countries, including France, the armies "earn" no money, but they can perform paid services using their equipment, whether rental locations or equipment, for filming films such as transport to other departments (which are sometimes coaxing to pay their dues) or others. Without financial transfers, they can also save the state, local communities are relatively high paying men and vehicles (Vigipirate, cleaning beaches, highway operations ...) that act in place of other State officials who are not available or too expensive. It may even be of interest to individuals or associations, through loans land or equipment, for example a rave party. Sometimes the Defence put at the disposal of companies or other departments its research and experimentation. It is important not to exaggerate the importance of this phenomenon. The sums involved in loans and rent charged are low and often these services are provided free of charge, without any consideration being given to defense budget

Helisim and Eurocopter log the 100,000th hour of simulator training for international customers

Helisim today celebrated the 100,000th hour milestone for flight simulator sessions with international customers, marking a key milestone in its training of pilots on Eurocopter helicopters that directly contributes to the safety of operators worldwide.
 
The value of Helisim’s services is the highly realistic flight experience provided in its ground-based simulators, enabling pilots to encounter even the most extreme operating conditions across a full range of civil, parapublic, governmental and military missions.
 
Helisim operates two full-flight simulators with motion systems that accommodate roll-on/roll-off Level D cockpits for the following rotorcraft: the EC225, EC155, AS332 L1 and AS332 Super Puma/Cougar, along with the AS365 N2 Dauphin/Panther. It also has a full-flight simulator for the NH-90 TTH tactical transport helicopter, along with one multi-cockpit Level 3 flight training device.
 
“Our training places pilots in real-life scenarios that cover everything from routine flight to the most demanding situations – all within the safe environment of our ground-based simulators,” said Helisim Chief Executive Officer Patrick Bourreau. “The commitment of our team is fully aligned with the goals of Eurocopter to ensure the safe operations of its customers – whatever type of missions they perform.”
 
Helisim training includes courses for helicopter type ratings, instrument ratings, maintenance flight checks, glass cockpit familiarization, line-oriented flight training, multi-crew coordination and cockpit resource management, along with the qualification of simulator training operators.
 

US F-16s, missiles to stay in Jordan after drill: official

The United States will keep F-16 fighter jets and Patriot anti-missile weapons in Jordan after a joint military exercise ends this month, a US defense official said Thursday.

The US administration, which is weighing a decision to arm rebels fighting in neighboring Syria's civil war, also planned to keep a unit of US Marines on amphibious ships off the coast after consultations with Jordanian leaders, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The warplanes, anti-missile systems and warships had been sent to Jordan for a major exercise, dubbed Eager Lion, but officials decided to keep the troops and weapons in place on the request of Jordan, which is anxious about a spillover of violence and a growing influx of refugees from the conflict.

"It was decided the assets would remain in place," said the official.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit taking part in the drill consists of about 2,400 troops, which arrived in a group of three amphibious ships, including the USS Kearsarge.

Officials declined to say how many F-16 jets had been deployed.

The move came as President Barack Obama's deputies reviewed possible options to supply weapons to Syria's rebel forces, with top officials attending a White House meeting on the issue Wednesday.


Highbush: interactions of the frigate Latouche-Treville

From 5 to 12 June 2013, the crew of the anti-submarine frigate (MDTF) Latouche-Treville led periods of operational instructions for the benefit of marine Cameroon and interaction with the French Forces in Gabon (FFG).

During his stopover in Douala, Cameroon, June 5 to 9, the crew of the Latouche-Treville has made training and training for the benefit of twenty Cameroonian sailors in the areas of navigation, detection and mechanization visit. On June 9, shortly after the equipment of Latouche-Treville, Cameroon Akwayafe patrol conducted a monitoring exercise building.

June 12, off the coast of Gabon, the crew made aviation maneuvers with a Puma helicopter of FFG.
The Puma has conducted exercises winching and landing, and three sailors were then helicopter to Libreville to bring their expertise to repair self-propelled barge.

By late afternoon, the crew members have returned on board the Puma, the MDTF Latouche-Treville who then joined his patrol area in the Gulf of Guinea.

Artillery : Caesar Gets Bulletproof, Just In Case

Nexter Systems that builds the French Caesar truck mounted 155mm artillery system is developing, at its own expense, a more heavily armored cab for the vehicle. Although a Caesar vehicle has not get come under fire (in Afghanistan and Mali) troops have reported some close calls and that means there might be an urgent demand for such a heavily protected cab if some troops are wounded by enemy fire while riding in the current cab. The new cab increases the weight of Caesar 400 kg (880 pounds) and ups the price 4-5 percent. The additional armor also protects against many roadside bombs, anti-vehicle mines and 155mm shells landing as close as five meters (16 feet) away. The new armor can be added to current Caesars.  Caesar is getting quite a workout in Mali, supplying most of the artillery support for French forces and African peacekeepers. Four Caesar vehicles were flown to Mali last January.

Last year France placed a multi-year contract for Caesar ammunition. At that time Caesar was only serving in Afghanistan. The new ammo contract ensured that reserve stocks of 155mm ammo will be quickly replenished if there is a sudden surge in ammo consumption in the future, as it is currently in Mali. This recognizes that Caesar has become a key 155mm artillery system in the French army. Not bad for a weapon the army generals were not interested in at first.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Australia, Sweden Sign Agreement on Submarine Technology


Minister for Defence Stephen Smith today welcomed the agreement reached by Australia and Sweden in relation to Intellectual Property rights for submarine design and technology.

Following extensive negotiations between the Defence organisations of the two countries, I am confident that this agreement will pave the way for Swedish involvement in Australia’s Future Submarine Program and also assist Australia with the ongoing sustainment of the Collins Class fleet.

This agreement gives effect to Australia’s rights to use and disclose Swedish Intellectual Property rights for complex submarine design and technology.

Defence materiel cooperation has been a key feature of the Sweden-Australia relationship, most notably in the area of submarine technology where our collaboration over the construction and support of the Collins submarines has spanned two decades, and more recently, with the vital ‘sense and warn’ capability provided to protect our troops in Afghanistan.  This mutually beneficial relationship is expected to continue into the future.

Belarus will Supply Vietnam Unmanned Aircraft Systems


TSAMTO. Belarus plans to deliver to Vietnam unmanned aircraft systems. The Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich at a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, BelTA informs.
According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, "We very much hope associate with scientific and technical cooperation. Here and unmanned aircraft systems, the contracts for which we sign as part of your visit, and future joint projects in the field of bio-and information technologies, as well as in medicine "- BELTA.
Type procured Vietnam UAVs are not reported.
Earlier, in January this year, the agency BelTA reported on the organization of the production of UAVs by the National Academy of Sciences. The company engaged in the production of Belarusian drone was created Physical-Technical Institute of the NAS of Belarus.
Unmanned aerial vehicles planned to create custom melokoseriynymi parties. As of January of this year, according to the learned, had produced about 10 ready copies. In the future, drones planned to supply the markets of other countries.Among the potential customers has been called Vietnam.

DoD Released RfT for High Power Phased Array Radar Development


The Department of Defence today released a Request For Tender to CEA Technologies for the development of a High Power Phased Array Radar concept demonstrator.

CEA Technologies Pty Ltd is a Canberra-based company whose world leading technology CEAFAR radar is being fitted to the ANZAC Class Frigates of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as part of the ANZAC Class Anti-Ship Missile Defence Upgrade project.

“This tender is for the development of radar systems based on the CEAFAR radar which could support future naval acquisitions such as the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigates through Project SEA 5000,” Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP said.
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