Fincantieri delivers "Abu Dhabi" ASW corvette and "Ghantut" FALAJ 2 patrol vessel to UAE Navy

The delivery ceremony of two vessels for the United Arab Emirates Navy was held today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). These were an "Abu Dhabi Class" corvette, launched in February 2011, and the "Ghantut" patrol vessel, launched at the same yard in January 2012.

In the presence of Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salem Mohamed Al-Musharrakh, Head of the UAE Navy, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, Italian Navy Chief of Staff, who was represented on this occasion by Vice Admiral Alberto Gauzolino, Logistic Support and Light houses Inspector, Vice Admiral Andrea Toscano, Commander in Chief Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Department Italian Navy, Vice Admiral Ernesto Nencioni, Director for Naval Armaments and Alberto Maestrini, Fincantieri Executive Senior Vice President Naval Vessels, the ceremony began with the characteristic recitation of the Qur'an in accordance with the dictates of Islam.

Exemplifying Fincantieri's product excellence, both vessels stand out for their high level of flexibility in being able to carry out different types of mission in national and international waters (from patrol and surveillance, to defence against air and surface threats and attack against both land and sea targets), as well as for their high standards of accommodation and safety.

As evidence of the strategic importance of the Middle East market and the strong and fruitful partnership initiated with the Emirates, Fincantieri has set up the company Etihad Ship Building in Abu Dhabi as a joint venture with Al Fattan Ship Industries and Melara Middle East; the purpose of the company, which is already operational, is to design, construct and sell both civilian and military ships, as well as carry out maintenance and refitting.

In fact, now more than ever, securing foreign orders means ships being built in local shipyards. It is therefore necessary to be suitably equipped to ensure that customers obtain quality and rapid delivery.
Fincantieri will be present from 17 to 21 February at the important "Idex" defence industry exhibition in Abu Dhabi, with an exhibit on the megayacht sector. ABU DHABI CLASS CORVETTE
The "Abu Dhabi class" project has evolved from the "Cigala Fulgosi" one, which led to the construction of four "Commandante" class ships for the Italian Navy. The contract also involves supplying the UAE Navy with logistical support and crew training. The vessel is 88 metres long with a 12 metre beam, has a full load displacement of 1650 tons, can reach a speed of 25 knots with a range of more than 3000 nautical miles at 14 knots (thanks to 2 diesel engines of 7000 kW each) and can accommodate a crew of about 70. This technologically advanced ship will be primarily engaged in patrolling and surveillance activities and could be used in anti-submarine, anti-air and surface actions. It will be able to exchange tactical data in real time with other naval vessels, helicopters and land bases and will provide support and shelter to UAE Navy helicopters. In addition to highly flexible operational capabilities, the vessel also features high standards of safety and accommodation for the comfort of its crew.

Boeing, Cassidian to contest UK maritime UAS deal

London - The UK's urgent requirement to field a maritime unmanned air system capability from later this year appears to have narrowed to a fight between Boeing and EADS company Cassidian, with two other potential contractors understood to have opted against tabling bids.

Boeing Defence UK is offering the Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle for the initially two-year requirement, while Cassidian has confirmed pitching the AAI Aerosonde. Also invited to tender for the deal last November, Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems and Qinetiq both decided not to submit proposals before an 18 December deadline, says an industry source.

The Ministry of Defence has previously outlined a goal to contract a bidder for the maritime UAS deal by early February. Its requirement is for a contractor-owned and contractor-operated system to initially be launched from and recovered to Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, before also later being flown from the RN's Type 23 frigates.

An aircraft endurance of 8h is sought while carrying a surveillance payload including at least an electro-optical/infrared sensor and while operating 32nm (59km) from the launch vessel. A commercial off-the-shelf system is mandated, due to the short programme schedule.

The urgent operational requirement deal seeks an initial single "task line" capable of providing 300h of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance cover per month, with a second line to be added later. The contract will run until at least 31 May 2015.

Asia's Arms Race (Graphic)

Are British Military Forces At Risk Of A 'Fatal' Cyber-Attack

British military at risk of 'fatal' cyber-attack, MPs warn

Defence select committee says there are worrying gaps in MoD's cyber-strategy and calls for urgent ministerial intervention

Britain's armed forces are at risk of being "fatally compromised" by a sustained cyber-attack because the military is dependent on technology that has no proven back-up, MPs have warned .
The potential vulnerability must be addressed urgently, according to the Commons defence select committee, as part of a broader effort across government to face up to the threats posed from cyberspace.
In a withering critique of the government's cyber-strategy, the committee concludes: "The government needs to put in place – as it has not yet done – mechanisms, people, education, skills, thinking and policies which take into account both the opportunities and the vulnerabilities that cyber presents. It is time the government approached this subject with vigour."
In the 2010 strategic defence and security review (SDSR) the coalition made cybersecurity a tier one priority, setting aside £650m to boost the UK's defences, support online safety campaigns, and provide extra investment at GCHQ, the government's electronic eavesdropping centre. All government departments were told to put cyber-defence at the top of their agendas.
The committee's report acknowledges much has been done since 2010 and praises the work of the Ministry of Defence's new top-secret Global Operations Security Control Centre, run by Air Commodore Tim Bishop. The centre has a mix of military, civilian and private contractors, including staff seconded from Fujitsu, BT and the defence firms EADS and Babcock.

Cybersecurity Smartphones For Spies China Are Tu-22 Bomber Knock-Offs Next? Year in Review What We Learned About Cyber in 2012 Meet China's new-old killer drones

When you think of drones that will likely be used in a conflict between two advanced militaries, you usually imagine brand new, unmanned stealth jets. But China appears to be taking a different approach. It's converting its ancient Shenyang J-6 fighters -- copies of the Soviet Union's 1950s-vintage MiG-19, the world's first operational supersonic fighter -- into unmanned jets. (Yes, China is also develping brand new drones.)
Converting old fighters into remote controlled jets is nothing new. The U.S. has used retired fighters as unmanned target practice drones for decades. However, China plans to use the old fighters as ground attack jets. We've been hearing about the unmanned J-6 project for a long time now. What's caught people's attention is that China has apparently massed dozens of the jets at airbases in Fujilan province, close to, you guessed it, Taiwan.
While the fighters may not be the most advanced drones in the world and no knows how accurate their weapons would be, they would pose one more challenge to Taiwanese air defense in the event of war with the mainland. Imagine waves of the unmanned jets tying up air defenses while more advanced jets and missiles attack.  As this article from 2010 points out, the J-6 drones could be used in conjunction with the Israeli-made Harpy UAVs that are specifically designed to defeat ground-based radars to "punch holes" in the island's air defenses.

Drones Are Fueling A Global Arms Race

The success of U.S. drones in Iraq and Afghanistan has triggered a global arms race, raising concerns the remotely piloted aircraft could fall into unfriendly hands, military experts say.
The number of countries that have acquired or developed drones expanded to more than 75, up from about 40 in 2005, according to the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress. Iran and China are among the countries that have fielded their own systems.
"People have seen the successes we've had," said Lt. Gen. Larry James, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The U.S. military has used drones extensively in Afghanistan, primarily to watch over enemy targets. Armed drones have been used to target terrorist leaders with missiles that are fired from miles away.
The United States is years ahead of the world in the technology of drones. Israel is also a leader in developing the unmanned aircraft.
American drones are equipped with sophisticated sensors and linked to a global network that allows their video feeds to be monitored from anywhere. Armed drones fire the latest in precision guided missiles.
Building an unmanned aircraft is only part of what is needed for a successful drone program.
"Just because you can build a remotely piloted aircraft doesn't mean you can put all this together and do something with it," James said.
Analysts warn that even a less-sophisticated drone can be dangerous. Such drones can be equipped with chemical or biological weapons or be used to provide intelligence about the location of American forces.
The GAO reports it is likely that foreign countries have used drones to spy on U.S. military activities overseas. The report did not provide specifics. "Even the less sophisticated technologies can provide useful tactical battlefield intelligence," said Thomas Melito, a GAO official.
Israeli aircraft recently shot down an Iranian-made drone launched by Hezbollah that had penetrated Israeli airspace. Hezbollah is a U.S.-designated terror group supported by Iran that has fought wars with Israel and carried out attacks on U.S. personnel.
Pakistan is attempting to acquire an armed-drone system, apparently with help from China, according to IHS Jane's, a security research firm.

What the Brennan Nomination, Looming Sequester Cuts, and the Winding Down of the War in Afghanistan Mean for the Global UAV Market

UAVs represent a very active market within the defense industry, and recent trends are not likely to change that trajectory. The nomination of John Brennan to serve as head of the CIA represents – according to pundits – a reaffirmation of America's policy of using unmanned aerial vehicles as a cornerstone of its force projection and defense capabilities. Looming sequester cuts in military budgets do not seem likely to impact this burgeoning sector, and the overall market for UAVs and related products and services stands to grow significantly over the next decade.
Beyond the United States, UAVs are also becoming an integral component of modern military forces worldwide.  The global UAV market will also see increased spending on national UAV payload and subsystem market in major European countries as well as South American and Asia-Pacific nations.
As the premier source for military and defense research and forecasts, Global Information (GII) presents three reports below that provide valuable data for organizations seeking to capitalize on the market activity around the use and procurement of UAVs around the globe.
The Global UAV Payload Market 2012-2022
The global UAV payload market is expected to increase to $68.6 billion by 2022, representing a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. Market demand is anticipated to be driven by increased UAV procurement by several countries across the world and continuous requirement formulations in areas such as persistent surveillance, suppression/destruction of enemy air defense (SEAD/DEAD), communications relays and combat search and rescue (CSAR). Another major factor which is expected to drive the market over the forecast period is the increasing incorporation of UAVs in civilian applications such as Homeland Security, disaster management and border surveillance.
An Executive Summary for this report and free sample pages from the full document are available at http://www.giiresearch.com/report/sdi258206-global-uav-payload-market.html
The UAV Payload and Subsystems Market 2012-2022
The rise in research, procurement, and use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the past decade has seen significant advances made in the range of UAV payloads and subsystems available. UAV payloads are identified as the main focus for overall UAV development, as nations look to expand the mission capabilities of their UAVs and undertake operations which were not previously considered safe, effective, or economical for manned aircraft. This has led to new and innovative payloads being developed which are constantly being reduced in size and weight, but which offer greater capability, flexibility, and maximum mission value. As a consequence, Visiongain has determined that the value of the global UAV payload and subsystems market in 2012 will reach $2.96bn.
The strong military market has in turn led to a greater emphasis on the civilian use of UAVs, with payloads conducting operations in the fields of surveillance, imaging, detection and mapping. Visiongain expects that an easing of civilian UAV regulations in the US will result in a high level of sales potential, with the distinct possibility of less European restrictions following suit. National UAV payload and subsystem markets for the US and major European countries will remain central to the UAV payload market over the forecast period to 2022.
An Executive Summary for this report and free sample pages from the full document are available at http://www.giiresearch.com/report/kt219336-uav-payload-subsystems-market.html

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for Border Security - Global Market & Technologies Outlook - 2013-2021
The UAV expansion, which began with the US, Brazil and Israel, will create new markets and new business opportunities. That's particularly true for integrated capabilities guided by an operating concept and turnkey packages that include equipment, training, operations and maintenance. Small nations are discovering this technology. Smaller UAV types will especially benefit in these new markets where the established players have less influence and the more complex UAVs have less relevance.
UAV technologies covered in this report include: stratospheric UAVs, jet stream UAVs, high altitude UAVs, medium altitude UAVs, low altitude UAVs, micro UAVs, and aerostats.
An Executive Summary for this report and free sample pages from the full document are available at http://www.giiresearch.com/report/mig103587-uav-border-security.html

How The Military Squanders Its Management Talent

Tim Kane thinks the U.S. military produces great leaders but then paralyzes them with its bureaucracy.
A product of the military system himself, Kane graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and worked as an air force intelligence officer during two tours of duty in Asia. He also earned a Ph.D. in economics at U.C. San Diego and is now the chief economist at the conservative Hudson Institute. In his new book, Bleeding Talent: How the U.S. Military Mismanages Great Leaders and Why it’s Time for a Revolution, he argues that the military should get rid of its inefficient, lockstep promotion bureaucracy and replace it with a more entrepreneurial structure. Under the current system, some of the most talented officers resign in frustration because, he writes, “the military personnel system—every aspect of it—is nearly blind to merit.”

The root of the problem, he says, is a 1980 law called the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act, or DOPMA, which lays out exactly how leaders in all the services should be promoted. The law includes a progression track with strict rules and timetables. Compensation has nothing to do with merit, assignments have little to do with officers’ abilities and evaluations fail to give useful feedback or skills assessments. He describes officers always being promoted from second to first lieutenant and from lieutenant to captain, and often to major, no questions asked. “One would have to commit a felony or two to hinder his or her chances for promotion,” he writes.
There are also strict seniority rules for promotion to higher office like colonel or general, which require 20 years and 22 years, respectively. Then after just two years at the rank of general, an officer can retire with a full pension. The military never allows “lateral entry” from outside its forces, even among former officers who have taken time away from the service. If enlistees show extraordinary leadership potential, they must still abide by the lockstep timetable.
Kane believes this system stifles and ultimately chases away the most talented. Officially there are performance evaluations within the military, but in practice they tend to give high marks to mediocre performers, he writes. It’s also very tough to specialize within the system, since officers are matched with open positions using those empty performance evaluations, from a central human resources office in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Kane wants to chuck this entire bureaucracy and replace it with a system that is much closer to the civilian world of promotions and assignments. The military should get rid of its strict seniority rules, making it possible for talented young officers to apply for challenging senior posts. There is nothing wrong, he says, with a colonel of 31 supervising a major who is 42.
The service should also open the officer ranks to lateral hires, including enlistees who show talent and former officers who may have done a stint in the private sector. He favors greater specialization and the option to remain a captain or a major for a longer period than the lockstep system allows. Many officers leave the service because they don’t want to give up commanding troops to hold a higher rank. Commanders, instead of the military’s central HR office, should have the power and authority to fill open slots, he says. The military should also make it easier to lay off officers who are performing poorly. He wants evaluations to be more meaningful and to weed out poor performers.

Obama signals the end of military interventions

We will, of course, have to wait for Congress to ratify President Barack Obama's nominees for his new national security team (which is by no means a foregone conclusion), but the very fact that he has nominated people like John Kerry and Chuck Nagel tells you all you need to know about where American foreign policy will be heading during Mr Obama's second term at the White House.
The obvious difference between Mr Obama's nominations for his new security/foreign policy team is that these are Mr Obama's appointments, rather than those he was obliged to make, which was very much the case when he first entered the White House in 2009.
Hillary Clinton was given State because he thought that was the best way of silencing a powerful rival, while Robert Gates – the former Bush administration Defence Secretary – was retained in his post to deflect criticism that Mr Obama was vulnerable on national security issues. General David Petraeus, meanwhile, was sent off to run the CIA in order to silence his criticism of Mr Obama's cut and run policy on Afghanistan.
But having won a thumping victory in November's presidential election contest, Mr Obama now has the freedom to make his own appointments. Senator John Kerry, himself a former presidential candidate, is to be the new Secretary of State while John Brennan, who has spent most of his career on the front-line in the war on terror, is to take charge at Langley. But arguably the most controversial appointment is that of Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as America's new Defence Secretary.
Apart from the fact that Mr Hagel has spent his entire political career fighting the Democrats, he is also known for his pronounced anti-Israeli views, which is the reason his nomination will face a serious challenge when it comes before Congress.

Italy's Alenia keen for involvement in Franco-British UCAV programme

London - Alenia Aermacchi is keen to become involved in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) demonstrator programme being jointly developed by the UK and France via their aerospace champions BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation.

Giueseppe Giordo, chief executive of Alenia Aermacchi, believes the Franco-British alliance created by the Lancaster House treaty of November 2010 "is not a closed one" and the nations would be willing to "consider other partners to enter it".

However, Giordo cautions that Alenia would only be willing to join if it was given an equal billing with the two other manufacturers. "Clearly we will not enter with a secondary role. If the French and British can understand that another party can enter at the same level [as BAE Systems and Dassault] this will be a sound approach."

He says the Italian authorities are talking to their British and French counterparts, as well as other governments across Europe, to identify "which is the best alliance" for its involvement.

Giordo was speaking at an event to mark the second flight of the Dassault Neuron on 19 December in Istres in the south of France. Produced by six European nations and their aerospace representatives, including Alenia, the Neuron is a stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), designed as a technology demonstrator.

Canadian Military Would Need To Outsource F-35 Refueling

Canada will rely on either private companies or its allies for midair refueling if it decides to purchase F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to replace its CF-18 fighter aircraft.

 

But critics and analysts say the decision raises key issues about Canadian sovereignty and military capabilities.

 

Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) will not comment on the plan, but confirmation of the decision is contained in a brief passage in a government-ordered audit of Canada’s proposed F-35 buy. The 30-page audit by KMPG noted the cost of modifying the F-35s so they can be refueled in midair by Canadian aircraft is not included in the overall price tag of the fighter program because DND will not proceed with that option.

 

“With respect to air-to-air refueling requirements, DND will rely on NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command], coalition partners, or commercial refueling assets to meet operational requirements,” stated the audit, “Next Generation Fighter Capability,” released Dec. 2.

 

The Royal Canadian Air Force hopes to purchase the F-35A, which uses a boom refueling system. The service’s existing CC-150 Polaris tankers use only the probe and drogue system, which is used by the F35-B and C.

 

Alan Williams, DND’s former head of procurement who approved Canada’s participation in the F-35 program, said the department’s plan makes no sense.

 

“Are we going to spend a large amount of money on new fighters and then rely on allies to refuel aircraft over Canadian territory?” he asked. “Is Canada no longer a sovereign country?”

 

Defense analyst Martin Shadwick described the decision as a step backward for the Air Force. Canada went without strategic air-to-air refueling for a decade when it retired its older fleet of tankers in 1997, he noted. The Canadian Forces has a fleet of Hercules aircraft that can provide short-range tactical refueling to CF-18 fighters, but they are aging, Shadwick said.

 

Air Force commanders deemed the longer-range strategic air-to-air refueling capability critical, and 126 million Canadian dollars ($127.7 million) was spent modifying two Polaris aircraft for that role. Those aircraft became fully operational about three years ago but because of the decision not to modify the Canadian F-35s, the planes won’t be able to refuel those aircraft.

 

The 2nd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division prepares soldiers for Africa

Having trained thousands of U.S. troops for deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the trainers of the 162nd Infantry Brigade will prepare their comrades for another theater. The first unit to pass through the hands will be the " Dagger Brigade "( 2nd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division ) will provide AFRICOM's first deployable conventional forces in countries like Libya, Sudan, Niger, Algeria, Kenya and Uganda. Start training in March.

Click here to read my post of July 2.

Click here to read an article on the preparations for the 2nd Brigade.

These conventional troops will load missions training and assistance for the benefit of African armies and, possibly, may be engaged in combat missions in the framework of the fight against terrorism. Missions that will have the green light from the Secretary of Defense, as well as those who will implement the brigade drones.

BAE to Provide Software and Systems Engineering Support for US Army

The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) has selected BAE Systems to provide software and systems engineering services under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

BAE Systems’ global team of experts will offer systems and software engineering support for CECOM’s Software Engineering Center (SEC). The SEC provides essential lifecycle maintenance and support to ensure interoperability and function of the U.S. Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. BAE Systems has been selected as one of the prime contractors on the five year, multi-award IDIQ. The total value of all task orders that will be released under the IDIQ is estimated at $7 billion.

“Our team offers C4ISR domain expertise and the global footprint necessary to execute CECOM’s software and systems sustainment mission,” said DeEtte Gray, president of BAE Systems’ Intelligence and Security sector. “From evaluating software capabilities for enterprise cloud computing systems, to integrating mobile cybersecurity

German army Tigers arrive in Afghanistan

London - Germany has started its first combat deployment involving its army's Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters, with four of the type having arrived at Mazar-e-Sharif air base in Afghanistan late last year.

An initial two Tigers arrived at the site on 14 December aboard a Volga-Dnepr-operated Antonov An-124 transport aircraft (below), after being flown from Leipzig/Halle airport. The second pair followed around one week later.

Images of one of the aircraft performing initial flights in the country in late December (below) show it carrying unguided rocket and machine gun pods.

The German army expects to begin flying active missions with its deployed Tigers later during the first quarter of 2013, conducting missions including reconnaissance, transport helicopter escort and fire support tasks. The detachment forms part of Berlin's ongoing contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

The post-2014 Afghanistan: how many troops should leave behind?

A decision on the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan after the combat mission of NATO in 2014 she intervene at the end of next week's visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Washington? This is unlikely because U.S. officials remain divided on the personnel deployed at the end of the withdrawal.

The United States currently have  66 000 100 000 soldiers of the combat mission in Afghanistan and NATO want to keep bases and troops in the country after 2014. General John Allen, chief of military operations in Afghanistan, has proposed keeping 6,000, 10,000 or 20,000 men in the country after the NATO mission, according to military sources cited by the New York Times. These soldiers should train and support the Afghan army, and perhaps conduct operations "against terrorism.

A report by the Institute for the Study of War needs analysis and concludes that these numbers are expected to reach nearly 30,000 men. The authors have developed two scenarios, some common parameters are:

- Staffs and command structures: 920 h

- Command and control: from 1 900 to 2 150 h

- Support to the Afghan forces from 16 000 to 20 000 h (four security forces, support brigades)

- Operations: 4475 or 7650 (if a combat brigade is deployed in RC East.

FIC (International Forum Cyber) 2013: What is it?

The International Forum on Cyber ​​Security will be held on 28 & 29 January in Lille. AGS AGS will be a partner for the event. This is an opportunity to meet with General Watin-Augouard , which organizes the event.

1 / Sir, FIC 2013 is the fifth name. However, it is not exactly like the previous editions: Can you briefly recount the experience of these and explain the new axes of recovery?

The first was in 2007 FIC. At the time, Estonia was not "cyberattaquée." In 2004, I had flown under the authority of Thierry Breton , a working group on cybercrime. The European Union, our partner, wanted to develop cross-border cooperation in the fight against cybercrime. Hence the orientation given to the first four editions. Since the origins of the FIC, the predators have undergone profound changes. Now the "warrior" and "terrorist" mingle with cybercriminals. Cyber ​​covers the fight against cybercrime and cyber are nested. This is why the FIC now covers the widest field.

2 / What are the main partners of the FIC, the institutional side? industrial and commercial enterprises? the international?

Partners are increasingly numerous. During the revival of FIC, he had to go to meet them. Today, they come to us. For the organization of FIC, the police relies on the expertise of CEIS has proved its effectiveness with the "Summer University of Defense." Our main partner is the public Nord-Pas-de-Calais has the ambition to develop a digital hub. We are supported by the ministries of defense, justice, foreign affairs, transport, etc.. Obviously ANSSI occupies a central place because we want to help in this task, including contributing to the promotion of "health informatics".

Business partners are numerous. I can not mention them all. But include Sogeti, Cassidian, Thales, Alacatel, La Poste, the Imprimerie Nationale, etc., to mention only the first to joining us. Regarding international support include those of the European Union (Europol, Eurojust), NATO, the Council of Europe, OSCE.

The Canadian military satellite launch postponed again Sapphire

The launch of several major Canadian satellite has been delayed again. Originally scheduled for 12-12-12, December 12, 2012, then postponed to January 12, 2013, the launch has now been postponed to mid-February, announced the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO, responsible launch.

During a test "thermal vacuum", a problem occurred with the primary payload for this launch, the Franco-Indian satellite SARAL. Canadian satellites are part of them as a secondary payload.

The Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced on October 18 that the first Canadian military satellite would be launched in December Sapphire from India. With nearly four years behind the original schedule, the launcher Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle should be done in the C20 flight December 12, 2012, before it was postponed twice.

On board PSLV-C20 must carry four Canadian satellites: CanX-3A and-3B CanX, NEOSSat and Sapphire built by the Toronto Institute of Aerospace Research Laboratory for Space Studies. CanX-3A and-3B CanX mission will observe the biggest stars and brightest in the sky.

Built by Microsat Systems Canada Inc., Meanwhile NEOSSat be the world's first space telescope to detect and track asteroids and satellites.

Muggiano: Double Delivery for the UAE Navy

   "Abu Dhabi" ASW corvette and "Ghantut" FALAJ2 patrol vessel

The delivery ceremony of two vessels for the United Arab Emirates Navy was held today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia).

These were an "Abu Dhabi Class" corvette, launched in February 2011, and the "Ghantut" patrol vessel, launched at the same yard in January 2012.

In the presence of Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salem Mohamed Al-Musharrakh, Head of the UAE Navy, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, Italian Navy Chief of Staff, who was represented on this occasion by Vice Admiral Alberto Gauzolino, Logistic Support and Light houses Inspector, Vice Admiral Andrea Toscano, Commander in Chief Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Department Italian Navy, Vice Admiral Ernesto Nencioni, Director for Naval Armaments and Alberto Maestrini, Fincantieri Executive Senior Vice President Naval Vessels, the ceremony began with the characteristic recitation of the Qur'an in accordance with the dictates of Islam.

Exemplifying Fincantieri's product excellence, both vessels stand out for their high level of flexibility in being able to carry out different types of mission in national and international waters (from patrol and surveillance, to defence against air and surface threats and attack against both land and sea targets), as well as for their high standards of accommodation and safety.

As evidence of the strategic importance of the Middle East market and the strong and fruitful partnership initiated with the Emirates, Fincantieri has set up the company Etihad Ship Building in Abu Dhabi as a joint venture with Al Fattan Ship Industries and Melara Middle East; the purpose of the company, which is already operational, is to design, construct and sell both civilian and military ships, as well as carry out maintenance and refitting.

Thales receives sub-contract from Rheinmetall for 'Gladius' equipment

As part of the "Gladius" project, Thales has received the sub-contract from Rheinmetall Defence to manufacture and supply 310 night vision goggles of type Lucie II D and 16 IR modules for 30 combat systems of the "Infantry Soldier of the Future" (IdZ 2). In addition, Thales will supply this highly modern combat gear with 300 UHF radios of type SOLAR 400 EG-E (30 combat systems), lithium-ion batteries as the power supply for the entire electronic backbone, charging stations, antenna kits and adapters and cables. The order has a volume of roughly EUR 7.5 million, and, in addition to the logistics documentation and training, also includes the option for a second lot of 600 goggles, 192 IR modules and 600 radios.

Lucie II D, from the image amplifier family made by Thales under the same name, is configured with a modular design. As the standard night vision goggle of the Bundeswehr, Lucie is a device highly accepted by soldiers. In addition to the optical performance enhancement of the night vision component as compared to the base model, the newly developed goggle for the IdZ 2 has an integrated OLED technology based data and video display.

The modularity and the wide field of vision of 51 degrees enable highly flexible deployment with respect to mobility, observation / identification and effectiveness. Moreover, a completely new device – Lucie II DIR – is created by the simple adaptation of the IR module to the goggle. This creates an image overlay with residual light and thermal image. The modular configuration and the enhanced functionality in combination with the compact design, low weight, high reliability, high wear comfort and low power consumption (using commercially available AA batteries), unlock entirely new deployment concepts.

Poland Issues Military Modernization Plan

Technical Modernisation of Polish Armed Forces 2013-2022

The "Technical Modernisation Plan" signed on December 11 and "Program of Development of Polish Armed Forces for years 2013-2022" approved earlier launched the new phase of modernisation of Polish army.

The documents are based on an assumption that threats for Poland, especially those connected with violating its borders will be of significantly low probability. Simultaneously, rising possibilities of appearing of asymmetric threats were assumed.

The fundamental objective of technical modernisation is development of operational capabilities of Polish Armed Forces including strengthening the national combat potential for realisation of national and allied commitments according to Art. 5 of Washington Treaty.

As Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak pointed out - "What we want is modern and efficient armed forces which will always be able to defend the sovereignty of our country, support the Allies and help in crisis. The percentage of means assigned for the most modern armament and the most important operational capabilities is rising."

The defence expenses planned for period from 2013 to 2016 amount about 135.5 billion PLN from which expenses for technical modernisation will equal about 37.8 billion PLN – 27.8% of the whole budget.

The expenses planned for 2017-2022 will amount about 273.2 billion PLN with 102,1 billion for technical modernisation what gives about 10% rise of expenses for technical modernisation, that is 37.3% of the budget.

The program assumes that Polish Armed Forces will number up to 120 000 soldiers including up to 20 000 soldiers of National Reserve Forces.

During constructing the "Program of Development of PAF for years 2013-2022" it was assumed that command, reconnaissance, destruction and action support capabilities will be treated as priority. Such capabilities as mobility, survival and protection of forces as well as ability to support non-military system in crisis situation including natural and humanitarian disasters will be developed harmoniously and developed to the properly high level.