Defense News

Argentina Court Probes Minister on Arms Sales

2007-07-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

An Argentine judge has ordered Defense Minister Nilda Garre to be questioned over possible tax evasion in government weapons sales, in the latest corruption probe before October’s general election.
Garre said on Thursday she was not involved in any wrongdoing and called the court order politically motivated.
News of the summons came three days after Felisa Miceli was forced to resign as economy minister over an inquiry into some $60,000 found in a bag in her office.
In the arms case, a court is investigating whether a state-run company sold rifle parts to a U.S. company at prices well below the market rate. La Nacion newspaper reported the small, Connecticut-based company was owned by an Argentine.
The judge leading the probe is looking into allegations the weapons parts were undervalued to avoid customs taxes.
“I was summoned in writing to give information or evidence that I believe could help clarify the case,” Garre told reporters. “I don’t know what reasons the judge might have had, but anyone ... can see that the Defense Ministry’s potential responsibility is completely overblown.”
The investigation garnered attention on the same day that the first lady, Sen. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, was due to launch her presidential campaign.
Argentina’s election, scheduled for Oct. 28, is also for some provincial governors, legislators and other posts.
In May, President Nestor Kirchner fired two midlevel officials over alleged corruption on a government pipeline project. Another public works official resigned.
Earlier this month, Kirchner’s Cabinet chief was forced to publicly defend the environment secretary after a newspaper investigation accused her of hiring relatives and spending lavish amounts of government money.
Kirchner still enjoys high approval ratings despite the investigations and an unrelated energy crisis.
“We are in an electoral campaign, and it seems that some people believe any means can be used efficiently to sully a campaign that should be carried out with normality and respect,” Garre said.

Oboronprom Takes Control of Russia’s Mil Helicopter Plant

2007-07-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

Russian state-controlled Oboronprom, the core company in the government-led consolidation of the national helicopter industry, announced July 12 it has taken majority ownership of Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.
A subsidiary of Rosoboronexport, the state arms-trading monopoly, Oboronprom has acquired 25.07 percent of Mil from the Russian Abilis Holdings, according to an Oboronprom press release. Oboronprom already owned 36.35 percent of the Mil plant. Neither company would disclose the amount paid by Oboronprom.
The remaining shares of the Mil plant are spread among U.S. company Sikorsky International Operations (9.39 percent), Russian companies Energia (5.58 percent) and Pentapol (5.11 percent) and more than 4,600 private shareholders.
Created in 2002 and designated in a 2004 decree by President Vladimir Putin as the vehicle for consolidation of Russia’s helicopter-making industry, Oboronprom already controls the Ulan-Ude aviation plant, Vperyod Moscow machine-building plant and Stupino machine-building industrial enterprise.
By the end of 2007, Oboronprom plans to consolidate a controlling stake in two other helicopter producers:
• The Kazan aviation plant. Oboronprom now owns 29.92 percent, while Rosoboronexport has 21 percent. Russia’s TFK company, which is 50 percent-owned by the Kazan Helicopter Plant, holds 11.41 percent, with the remainder spread among more than 10,000 shareholders, including the government of Tatarstan.
• The Kamov plant. Oboronprom currently owns 49.46 percent in Kamov, while the state-owned MiG Corp. manages 49.64 percent.
By early 2008, Oboronprom plans to acquire a blocking stake in the Rostvertol helicopter plant, in which it currently owns 4.22 percent, while the governmental Federal Property Agency owns 3.44 percent. Forty-eight percent of Rostvertol’s shares are floated, and the remaining shares are owned by the company’s management.
In 2006, the enterprises that are slated to become part of the Russian helicopter-production holding rolled out 110 helicopters, earning more than $1.1 billion, according to Oboronprom.

Predator

2007-07-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

Tunguska

2007-07-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

US troubles in landing Turkish defense contracts set to continue

2007-07-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

During a March 15 hearing in Congress, a senior Pentagon official criticized Ankara's defense acquisition policies in unusually candid language, saying the present approach by the Turkish procurement agency “is hindering Turkey's military modernization, interoperability with NATO allies and U.S.-Turkey defense industry cooperation.""Onerous terms and conditions – liability, work share, technology transfer, and upfront U.S. government approval requirements in Turkey's standard contracts – have kept U.S. firms from bidding," Dan Fata, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Europe and NATO, told the hearing on U.S.-Turkish relations at the House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs.Since then, U.S. concerns voiced by Fata have remained in place, with Ankara selecting non-U.S. suppliers in three critical programs altogether worth billions of dollars over a decade. And the future does not look bright for potential American commercial sales to Turkey.To avoid misunderstandings in evaluating the current status of Turkish-U.S. defense industry relations, the relationship's foundations should be first analyzed correctly. It is a two-fold relationship: First, Turkey's government-to-government purchases from the United States, based on a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanism; and second, commercial sales in which US companies usually have to compete against rivals from other countries. It is the second category where the Americans face problems.The United States has been Turkey's closest Western partner and largest weapons supplier in modern times. Each year Turkey buys defense equipment worth more than $1 billion from the United States on the FMS scheme. FMS loans are U.S. government credits designed to enable allied nations to buy U.S. defense equipment.And such government-to-government weapons sales will continue to flourish, with Turkey set to buy new aircraft and related fighter services worth nearly $15 billion over the next 10 to 15 years.

Lucrative FMS deals:

Those deals include a Turkish plan to buy 100 next generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets worth $10.7 billion; an agreement for the sale to the Turkish Air Force of 30 F-16 Block 50 fighters worth $1.85 billion; and an ongoing modernization of older Turkish F-16s for $1.1 billion. In all these cases, U.S. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor.

In addition, Turkey continually buys various types of Air Force and naval missiles and other related services under FMS deals with the United States.Now back to commercial programs. In the 2000s, U.S. companies have managed to secure only two major direct commercial sales: First a nearly $1.6 billion contract with Boeing in 2002 for four airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft (which is faltering, bythe way, with huge delivery delays because of Boeing's bad planning); and a $580 million agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft last year for 17 S-70B Seahawk naval warfare helicopters. Sikorsky is the only major U.S. survivor in the rocky Turkish defense market in terms of commercial sales.But in major commercial deal decisions over the past few months only, the Turkish government and military opted for non-U.S. solutions for attack helicopters, training aircraft and a model for main battle tanks.Earlier this year, the Defense Industry Executive Committee, Turkey's top decision-making body on defense procurement whose members include the prime minister, the chief of the general staff and the defense minister, selected the Italian-British AgustaWestland, maker of the A-129 Mangusta International, over South African rivals. The program is estimated to cost $2.7 billion for 90 platforms.And in late June the Executive Committee opted for South Korean solutions for the tank and trainer aircraft programs.The trainer aircraft program is worth about $450 million and involves up to 54 platforms. Ankara awarded the deal to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), maker of the KT-1 Woongbi, which beat the Super Tucano from Brazil's Embraer.

US faltering in commercial sales:

On the tank program, South Korea's XK-2 platform, developed by the Agency for Defense Development, was chosen as the model on which Turkey's new main battle tank would be based.Turkish officials said that the fresh business for Korean companies may easily exceed $1 billion as the tank program would most likely involve several follow-on contracts. U.S. companies were non-players in these three competitions. Boeing, maker of the U.S. Army's AH-64D Apache Longbow, and Bell Helicopter Textron, maker of the U.S. Marine Command's AH-1Z, could not bid for the attack helicopter contract, and Raytheon failed to take part in the trainer aircraft competition, all blaming the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), Turkey's procurement agency, for drafting strict terms and conditions for program specifications, which they said were incompatible with U.S. export laws and regulations.And two years ago, U.S. General Atomics lost a major contract on Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles to the Israeli Aircraft Industries.The target of criticism by Pentagon's Fata, other officials and U.S. companies, SSM rejects the charges. SSM chief Murad Bayar says his undersecretariat has greatly softened its terms and conditions to enable U.S. participation in Turkish programs, but American officials say the changes in Turkish specifications are cosmetic and not sufficient for their participation."We have done what we can. Other countries do not have such complaints, and can easily bid for our programs," countered one SSM official.

Undeclared policy?

"The Turks are sick and tired of the United States' notorious restrictions on technology transfer and strict rules of export, which have caused so many problems for Turkey in past years," said one Turkish defense analyst. "So in a kind of undeclared policy, the Turks are now selecting non-U.S. suppliers whenever they can, to avoid hassle with the Americans.

They are effectively saying, 'OK, if I can buy this system from this or that country, why should I beg you?'"SSM is happy with the Ankara government's selections in the recent commercial sale programs, and has no plans to further soften its rules to meet U.S. demands for many future programs. That means the United States may have no chance to sell defense systems that arealso offered by companies from other countries meeting Turkish requirements, the analyst said.But there are exceptions. For future commercial sales, U.S. military helicopters appear to be items that Turkey likely will continue to buy. For example, in ongoing competition between U.S. and European companies for 32 military utility helicopters worth more than $500 million, Ankara is expected to buy versions of Sikorsky's S-70 Black Hawk, continuing its tradition for this platform.Also Turkey in the longer term plans to buy up to 10 heavy lift helicopters, and Boeing's CH-47 Chinook has emerged as the strongest candidate.

Except for the United States and Russia, no other country manufactures heavy lift helicopters, and Russian equipment is incompatible with Turkey's NATO-based systems.In another example, the Raytheon/Lockheed group, maker of the Patriot PAC-3 systems, is expected to compete with Russian rivals marketing the S-300 or S-400 systems for Turkey's $1.3 billion program for anti-missile air defense systems. For the Russian option there is a compatibility problem, but Greece, another NATO member, has been operating the S-300s.So in the foreseeable future, Turkey will continue to buy U.S. systems when it specifically needs them, but may opt for other solutions whenever it can, as seen in several recent examples.

Australia, US concerned over China's military buildup

2007-07-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Australia and a top U.S. military official expressed concern Thursday that China's rapid military buildup and use of a missile in space could

add to instability in the Asia-Pacific, and backed a greater role for Japan in regional security.

Releasing his government's first defense policy update since 2005, Prime Minister John Howard said China's economic rise was good for the world, but added a caution

that it was also a pivotal player in several tense issues in the region.

"The pace and scope of its military modernization, particularly the development of new and disruptive capabilities such as the anti-satellite missile, could create misunderstandings and instability in the region," the policy report said.

The policy brings Canberra closely into line with Washington, which has expressed similar concerns about China's military expansion. The two are already close allies, with a defense pact and Australian contributions to U.S.-led operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Separately Thursday, the commander of the United States' Japan-based naval battle group voiced Washington's concern about China rapid military expansion.

"Certainly we are a bit wary of China," Rear Adm. Rick Wren, the commander of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk's battle group, told The Associated Press. "They seem

to be fairly opaque in communicating what they intend to do with this large military buildup."

Wren, speaking aboard the carrier as it came into Sydney Harbor for a port visit, said the United States wants China to become a stabilizing force in Asia.

"Certainly we need them to be a stabilizing force in this region," he said. "But until we can actually define that, we will continue to practice our skills and be ready for

whatever the president calls on us to do."

More than 5,000 U.S. sailors were due to take shore leave in Sydney after completing the Talisman Saber exercises, a biennial event that this year pitted 20,000 U.S. troops and

7,500 Australian forces and dozens of ships and planes against fictional enemies in a variety of land and sea-based scenarios off Australia's northeastern coast.

Japan took part in the Talisman Saber exercises as an observer, and Wren said Japan would take a "much bigger" role in future exercises. He did not elaborate.

"The importance of multilateral alliance in this theater is very important," Wren said. "What we both want to do is expand that in the interest of creating a stronger and

long-lasting regional stability, and so we are bringing in many other nations."

Cooperation could include non-combat roles such as disaster relief and other humanitarian operations, he said.

The Australian policy document said cooperation between Australia, Japan and the United States would become increasingly important in maintaining stability in Asia,

and noted "Australia has no closer nor more valuable partner in the region than Japan."

"Japan's more active security posture within the U.S. alliance and multinational coalitions is in keeping with its economic and diplomatic weight," it said.

Howard said China's economic rise was good for the world, but that "U.S.-China relations, China-Japan tensions and long-standing flash points in Taiwan and the Korean

peninsula will require continuing careful management."

The report said mishandling tensions between Taiwan and China could have "disastrous consequences for the region."

The United States and Japan are stepping up efforts to build a joint missile defense system in Asia, partly as a bulwark against regional threats such as a nuclear-armed

North Korea. Australia, a steadfast U.S. ally that has about 2,000 troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, is studying whether to participate in the defense shield.

Australia and Japan signed a security agreement in March that will enable Japanese forces to train alongside Australians for disaster relief and peacekeeping missions,

and boost cooperation between the two countries in counterterrorism measures and intelligence sharing.

Jas-39 Gripen Saab

2007-07-07T05:07:00.000-07:00

Japan Makes Missile Defense Shield a Priority

2007-07-07T05:02:00.000-07:00

Japan said July 6 it aims to erect a missile defense shield as quickly as possible as North Korea develops increasingly sophisticated weaponry, including long-range rockets.
Japan’s annual defense report warned that North Korea is improving its missile system to cover all of East Asia, including Japan, and potentially reach the northern tip of Australia, as well as part of Alaska.
The report, approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet, was the first published by the defense ministry, which was upgraded from agency status in January in line with Abe’s initiative to expand the role of Japanese troops.
North Korea’s ballistic missiles “are now regarded as more practical,” the report said.
“North Korea is improving its capability of managing ballistic missiles. It is considered that North Korea is trying to further extend their firing range.
“It is necessary to finish deploying a ballistic missile defense as quickly as possible,” the annual paper said, noting the need for Tokyo to strengthen cooperation with the U.S. military.
The defense report comes after a series of North Korean missile launches that have heightened tensions in the region.
In 1998, North Korea sparked alarm in Japan by test-firing a long-range missile over the country, prompting Japan and the U.S. to start working on an advanced missile shield.
North Korea also shocked Japan with its first nuclear test last October.
Hopes are rising that a long-stalled pact on North Korea’s nuclear program will finally be realized, with the communist state hinting that it is ready to meet its promise to close a nuclear reactor.
While there is a chance that the reclusive state will take action to freeze its nuclear program, it is expected to continue developing missiles, a direct threat to South Korea and Japan, independent analysts said.
“Talks on nuclear weapons appear to move forward, but there is no progress in missiles at all,” said Masao Okonogi, professor of international politics at Keio University and an expert on the North Korean issue.
“Security in northeast Asia will remain fragile for the time being, centered on North Korea’s missile development,” Okonogi said.
Japan has set aside $1.3 billion on development and deployment of its missile defense for the current fiscal year to March 2008, up 4.4 percent from the previous fiscal year.
“While the entire defense budget has declined, we are spending our budget on what we have to spend, and the missile defense is the one,” said Mamoru Koutaki, press secretary of the defense ministry.
In March, Japan installed two Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air interceptors at the Iruma Air Self-Defence Force base in suburban Tokyo.
The U.S. installed Japan’s first anti-missile system on the southern island of Okinawa last year.
The ministry plans to deploy the U.S.-developed PAC-3s, which can cover a 12-mile radius, at a total of 11 bases in eastern and western Japan by March 2011.
Independent experts agree North Korea is also upgrading its missile technology.
“North Korea has improved the capability of missiles by receiving technology from other countries,” said Hideshi Takesada, professor at the National Institute for Defense. “Military tensions in northeast Asia are much higher than in the past. The race for development and deployment of missiles is a global trend and northeast Asia is no exception.”

2007-07-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

A no-confidence vote brought by opposition parties over the purchase of Eurofighter warplanes failed Thursday in the Austrian parliament.
The Green party and the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) joined forces against Social Democrat Defence Minister Norbert Darabos but were outgunned in the 183-seat parliament, where the ruling Social Democrat-Conservative coalition held fast with its majority of 134 votes.
“I made the best decision for Austria, saving 400 million euros [$544 million] and without risk of a lawsuit,” Darabos told the legislature.
Darabos had signed a deal in June with the European aerospace group EADS to purchase only 15 jets, down from the initial 18 ordered four years earlier.
But the new contract met opposition from the Social Democrats’ coalition partner, the conservative People’s Party, who signed the initial 2 billion euro contract with EADS in 2003.
In addition to the cuts, the new contract states that Austria will only receive so-called “Tranche 1” Eurofighters, rather than the more modern “Tranche 2” aircraft, and that the jets will be equipped specifically for air surveillance, allowing the country to save some 370 million euros.
But the conservatives complained that instead of the newest technology, Austria would now be receiving “old and used” planes and voiced doubts over how much money would really be saved as fewer planes would be used more frequently leading to higher maintenance costs.
The Social Democrats have sought for months to pull out of the initial contract, saying it was too extravagant for a small, neutral state like Austria.
But they failed to keep their campaign pledge to scrap it entirely, as legal constraints in the contract meant any attempt to cancel it outright would have been costly, according to legal specialist Helmut Koziol.
The two coalition partners have often been at loggerheads — over education, immigration and pensions — since the Socialists narrowly defeated the incumbent conservatives in elections last October. But they in the end closed ranks over the Eurofighter deal on Thursday.

Russia Threatens European Rocket Deployment

2007-07-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Russia issued a veiled threat Wednesday to deploy rockets in its Kaliningrad enclave bordering the European Union if the United States builds a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.
The two sides are locked in a standoff over the U.S. plans for a radar station in the Czech Republic and interceptor rockets in Poland. Russia says it is a threat to its security.
The threat to put missiles in Kalingrad was made by First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov only two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin again raised the missile shield dispute with U.S. President George W. Bush.
Putin has suggested to Bush that the United States use a Russian-controlled radar in ex-Soviet Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border instead of having a shield in Eastern Europe.
Putin has also offered the use of an early warning station under construction in southern Russia.
“If our offers are accepted, Russia will not consider it necessary to deploy new rocket units in the European part of the country, including Kaliningrad, to counter the threat” from the U.S. plans, Ivanov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
Ivanov, who was on a visit to Uzbekistan, said Russia had “found an asymmetrical and effective response” to the U.S. project for a European shield.
“We know what we’re doing ... If our proposals are not accepted, we will take adequate measures,” Ivanov said.
Washington insists its shield is to guard against possible attack from “rogue states” such as Iran. Moscow believes the systems are directed against Russia.
Ivanov’s comments suggested that tensions remain high despite efforts to calm the atmosphere at a meeting between Putin and Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine, this week.
Putin has already suggested that Russia could point its missiles at European targets if the U.S. plan goes ahead.
Kaliningrad, which Russia won at the end of World War II, lies on the Baltic Sea, separated from the rest of Russia by Poland and Lithuania.
Responding to Ivanov’s comments, Moscow-based defense analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said Russia in fact had no missiles of a range that could be fired from Kaliningrad and hit the proposed interceptors in Poland.
“It’s a threat aimed at the Polish people” designed to encourage them to protest against the U.S. plans, Felgenhauer said. “It’s an empty threat.”
NATO has backed the U.S. plan for a missile shield in Europe.

Thai Military Draws Fire for Post-Coup Budget Hike

2007-07-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Thailand’s army-appointed parliament on July 4 debated a 24 percent military spending hike, which has raised questions about the motives of the generals who launched last year’s coup against Thaksin Shinawatra. The 28 billion baht hike in the 2007/08 defense budget, certain to be approved, to 143 billion baht ($4.5 billion) capped a similar increase for this year — a combined 66 percent rise since the military ousted Thaksin as prime minister in September.
At the time, the generals cited “rampant corruption” under the billionaire telecommunications tycoon as the main reason for launching Thailand’s 18th coup in 75 years of on-off democracy.
Surayud Chulanont, the former army chief appointed prime minister after the coup, gave no reasons for the hike other than a passing allusion to the 3-year insurgency in the Muslim-majority far south in which 2,300 people have been killed.
The government would “raise the efficiency of intelligence and operations” and “integrate efforts of resolving security problems in border provinces in the south to boost public trust in government security enforcement,” Surayud said.
Analysts said the increases at a time of slowing economic growth could come back to haunt the army, squeezed by civilian governments since its attempt to install a general as prime minister after a 1991 coup ended in mass riots and bloodshed.
“The military was in disgrace throughout the 1990s,” said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.
“They’ve suffered as an institution financially and now they are making up for lost time.”
Abhist Vejajiva, head of the former opposition Democrat Party, said the military “should be careful because this raises suspicions.”
Others said the armed forces could even be building up a war-chest for a run at politics after elections scheduled for November or December.
SCANDALS BREWING
“The military and the government it appointed should know there is strong suspicion across the country that the generals are padding the military budget for no other reason than because they can,” the Bangkok Post said in a recent editorial.
“There are many unanswered questions about whether the military is making essential purchases or acquiring more means to cling to power.”
The budget is not the only area in which the Council for National Security (CNS), as the coup command calls itself, is coming under scrutiny.
Saprang Kalayanamitr, a CNS general appointed chairman of state-owned telephone company TOT after the coup, was roundly criticized in the Thai media for ordering the firm to pay for 800 million baht of unspecified telecoms kit wanted by the army.
When TOT president Vuthiphong Preibjrivat refused to pay the money, Saprang fired him and appointed a colonel as his successor. TOT has since approved the deal.
Anti-coup campaigners are also furious about a clause in the new constitution being drawn up by an army-appointed council that enshrines the army’s right to receive adequate “military forces, weapons, ammunition, military equipment and technology”.
Although there has been little in the way of public outrage, analysts say the combination of scandals, constitution and budget could eventually crystallize serious opposition to army rule, as happened in 1991-92.
“There’s no immediate moral outrage, but I think that it is creeping in,” Thitinan said. “This sort of thing is certainly raising the stakes for the army because long term they are generating more and more opponents.”

Indian Army Commissions BrahMos Cruise Missiles

2007-07-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

India's Army put the BrahMos joint Russian-Indian supersonic cruise missile into service Thursday at an official ceremony in the capital. The missile has been developed as a joint venture between India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia's Mashinostroyenia research-and-production center.
"BrahMos is the best example of Russian-Indian cooperation," said India's President Abdul Kalam, who is often called "the father of the Indian missile program."
BrahMos is designed to destroy surface targets flying at an altitude as low as 10 meters (30 feet) and at a speed of Mach 2.8, which is about three times faster than the U.S.-made subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile.
The missile was first tested successfully in 2004. Its sea-based version was adopted in June 2006 and deployed on Project 11356 Talvar-class (Kryvack) frigates built in Russia for the Indian Navy.
However, it took Russian and Indian experts a while longer to develop the missile so it was capable of destroying ground targets.
"We had to do some additional work on the guidance and satellite navigation systems [of the missile]," said Alexander Dergachyov, board chairman of the BrahMos joint venture.
The company is currently working on the development of an airborne version, which could be installed on the Sukhoi-30MKI air superiority fighters of the Indian Air Force.
Experts estimate that India might purchase up to 1,000 BrahMos missiles for its Armed Forces in the next decade and export 2,000 to third countries during the same period.

Turkey set to forge major S. Korea defense deals

2007-07-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Turkey has decided to start contract negotiations with South Korea's Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the production of 55 basic training aircraft (BTA) and with Rotem, another South Korean company, for the local production of main battle tanks, with both projects estimated to cost around $1 billion in total.

Turkey's Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM), the country's civilian arms procurement agency, announced via its Web site on June 20 that the SSM Executive Committee, the top decision making body on arms, had decided to start contract negotiations with KAI for BTA production.
Brazil’s Embraer was also competing in the project with Super Tucano.
The SSM Executive Committee this time did not hold a meeting, but signatures were collected from their members, i.e., Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt.

South Korean press, meanwhile, reported on June 21 that Seoul will export its next-generation tank XK-2 Heukpyo, a.k.a. Black Panther, and training plane KT-1 Ungbi to Turkey. The contract is worth more than 500 billion won ($1 = W 938), the second-largest arms export deal in Korea’s history, said Korean media reports.
Korean media quoted the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as saying on Thursday that the Turkish government had announced the launch of negotiations with KAI to purchase the training planes.
KT-1 Ungbi was developed by DAPA in 1988, and the first KT-1 went into service in November 2000 -- the Korean Air Force uses 85 of them. A DAPA official said 12 KT-1s have been exported to Indonesia. The training plane has a top speed of 574 kilometers per hour with a 950 horsepower engine.
The SSM issued a request for proposal (RfP) on Jan. 6 last year for the procurement of 36 plus 19 optional BTA that will include maximum local content. Turkey’s plans to acquire BTA date back almost six years.
The project was further delayed when a disagreement occurred between the SSM and the Turkish Air Force Command in 2005 with the former objecting to buy the aircraft sole source from US Raytheon through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) credit. But upon the SSM’s insistence the Turkish Air Force Command abandoned the sole-source purchase plan, paving the way for the acquisition of the BTAs via international competition.
South Korea beats Germany in tank project
As part of a policy of increasing local input in all projects while giving an end to joint production models, the SSM seeks a the establishment of a production line at the Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities near Ankara with maximum usage of local industry. Local defense firm ASELSAN is expected to play a leading role in the avionics suite supply. The SSM seeks a 60 percent offset and local content in the project.
Turkey has Italian Agusta-made SF-260D as well as Raytheon-made T-37C and T-38A BTA aircraft in its inventory, with all of them now close to becoming obsolete.
Meanwhile South Korea’s Rotem beat German Krauss Maffei Wegman in Turkey’s bid to locally produce four main battle tank (MBT) prototypes for an estimated cost of around $500 million.
Turkey has selected local Otokar in late March this year for the local design and development of around four MBT prototypes. Once prototypes are produced, the SSM will decide on the production of 250 tanks under a separate deal. The local FNSS-BMC partnership was also competing in the project.
Otokar, the main contractor in the project, plans to produce the first diesel fuelled tank in 2012. Rotem was competing with German Krauss Maffei Wegman as subcontractors in the project to extend technology support in tank production. The latter was offering a workshare deal in the project, while Rotem’s bid was based on technology transfer, according to a local industry source.
Korean media quoted DAPA as saying on Thursday that the technology to manufacture the Heukpyo tank will be exported to Turkey and the vehicle will be produced there. The tanks cost 8.3 billion ($9 million) won each.
The tanks will have a 120-mm gun and can protect themselves from chemical, biological and radioactive attacks. Their maximum speed is 70 kilometers per hour, courtesy of a 150-horsepower engine, and they can function under 4.1 meters of water.
DAPA and Rotem, an affiliate of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, invested 200 billion won over the past 12 years in development of the tank. It will be put into service in 2011, said the South Korean local press.
MBT production has been a long-awaited capability in Turkey; indigenous design, development and production was chosen following the cancellation of an MBT co-production project in May 2004.
Turkish-South Korean cooperation in arms projects was first launched in 2001 when the two countries signed a record $1 billion defense deal in Seoul for the procurement of Howitzers, codenamed Fırtına (storm).
South Korea’s Samsung Techwin has been supplying howitzer components to Turkey. The deal is the first part of a 10-year agreement under which the Korean firm will supply components for more than 300 howitzers.

Powerful Partnerships Ensure Gripen Future

2007-07-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

A powerful partnership between Saab and some of the world’s leading aerospace companies has been established to prepare the launch of the Gripen Demonstrator programme. At the Paris Air Show, Saab launched its plans for a new Gripen Demonstrator programme, aimed at demonstrating a range of future technologies and capabilities to ensure that Gripen remains at the leading edge of fighter aircraft performance and capability well into the future. A new flying platform The demonstrator programme will include the development of a new Gripen test flying platform, Gripen Demo, and the Gripen Avionics Rig. Gripen Demo will include new features such as a new engine with increased thrust, an AESA radar, increased range, new landing gear, increased weapons and stores capabilities and enhanced avionics structures. New leading aerospace partners The Gripen Demonstration programme involves new partnerships with some of the world’s leading aerospace companies like General Electric together with Volvo, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, APPH, Martin-Baker and Terma, which has been established for the Gripen Demonstration programme. “We are very pleased that these highly respected companies have chosen to invest in the Gripen Demonstrator programme and are looking forward to start the co-operation”, says Åke Svensson, President and CEO for Saab.
A powerful partnership between Saab and some of the world’s leading aerospace companies has been established to prepare the launch of the Gripen Demonstrator programme. At the Paris Air Show, Saab launched its plans for a new Gripen Demonstrator programme, aimed at demonstrating a range of future technologies and capabilities to ensure that Gripen remains at the leading edge of fighter aircraft performance and capability well into the future. A new flying platform The demonstrator programme will include the development of a new Gripen test flying platform, Gripen Demo, and the Gripen Avionics Rig. Gripen Demo will include new features such as a new engine with increased thrust, an AESA radar, increased range, new landing gear, increased weapons and stores capabilities and enhanced avionics structures. New leading aerospace partners The Gripen Demonstration programme involves new partnerships with some of the world’s leading aerospace companies like General Electric together with Volvo, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, APPH, Martin-Baker and Terma, which has been established for the Gripen Demonstration programme. “We are very pleased that these highly respected companies have chosen to invest in the Gripen Demonstrator programme and are looking forward to start the co-operation”, says Åke Svensson, President and CEO for Saab. Driven by future needs The programme is driven by the future needs of current and potential customers, and incorporates state-of-the-art technology. The programme complements and enhances Gripen’s ongoing technology insertion programme with the Gripen C/D version now being delivered to customers worldwide.

Saab is launching its plans for a new Gripen Demonstrator programme in partnership with some of the world’s leading aerospace companies. "This programme will keep Gripen at the leading edge well beyond 2040", says Johan Lehander, Managing Director Gripen International. A powerful partnership between Saab and some of the world’s leading aerospace companies has been established to prepare the launch of the Gripen Demonstrator programme. This new programme is aimed at demonstrating a range of future technologies and capabilities to ensure that Gripen remains at the leading edge of fighter aircraft performance and capability well beyond 2040. The demonstrator programme will include the development of a new Gripen test flying platform - Gripen Demo - and the Gripen Avionics Rig. Gripen Demo will include new features such as a new engine with increased thrust, an AESA radar, increased range, new landing gear, increased weapons and stores capabilities and enhanced avionics structures. The programme is driven by the future needs of current and potential customers, and incorporates state-of-the-art technology that will keep Gripen at the leading edge well into the future. This programme complements and enhances Gripen’s ongoing technology insertion programme with the highly successful Gripen C/D version now being delivered to customers worldwide. Investment in the programme will be made by Saab and its international industrial partners, as well as potential future customers. In April 2007, Norway signed a Letter of Agreement regarding the future development of Gripen, valued at around USD 25 million, and the Swedish government is also expected to make a decision soon. These decisions represent a significant national and international government investment and commitment to Gripen’s future. General Electric together with Volvo, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, APPH, Martin-Baker and Terma are just some of the world-leading aerospace companies that, together with Saab, will jointly invest in the Gripen Demonstrator programme. Saab is continuing its discussions with other industrial partners and suppliers regarding further investment in the programme. This combination of international corporate partnership and national and international commitment, through a jointly funded industry and government investment programme, is a very powerful testament to Gripen’s future. "The Gripen Demonstrator programme, supported by our world leading industrial partners, will strengthen our position in the international market and will keep Gripen at the leading edge throughout its lifetime, well beyond 2040", says Johan Lehander Managing Director Gripen International. -- General Electric: GE Aviation and Volvo Aero Corporation will be working collaboratively on the new F414G fighter engine for the Gripen Demonstrator programme. The F414G engine selected by Saab uses a similar architecture to the popular F414-GE-400 engine powering the F/A-18 Super Hornet, with minor changes to the alternator (for added aircraft power) and modified Full Authority Digital Electronic Control software for enhances single-engine operation. The F414 engine is capable of producing more than 22,000 pounds (96 kN) of thrust. These engines combine advanced technology with proven reliability, maintainability and operability of its successful F404 predecessor while providing 35 % more thrust, with approximately 750,000 flight-hours and 700 engines delivered, the F414 engine continues to exceed U.S. Navy reliability goals. -- Honeywell: Honeywell is providing environmental control systems, air data computers, life support systems, pressure regulators, shutoff valves and radar altimeters to enhance safety and reliability. -- Rockwell-Collins: Rockwell Collins is providing an avionics suite of state-of-the-art Flight Management Computers, including switching, data transfer units and video processing capability. Rockwell Collins is also supplying three new intelligent 6" x 8" colour Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) Head-Down displays, and is integrating enhancements to the existing Rockwell Collins Head-Up Display. This cockpit solution builds upon experience built up over many years in the market and will leverage future technology investments. -- Martin-Baker: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited, a world leader of aircrew escape systems, is to be involved with the new Gripen Demonstrator Programme. Martin-Baker will supply a first-class ejection seat for this aircraft and support Saab in future aircrew safety requirements. -- APPH: APPH Ltd, a BBA Aviation company, will be a part of the exciting new development of the Gripen. The design enhancements to the existing and already proven landing gear system will contribute towards the Gripen Demonstrator programmes future success. -- Terma: Terma is sub-contracted to supply a variety of machined metal parts for the Gripen Demonstrator programme. As the leading defence and aerospace company in Denmark, Terma has unique knowledge, capabilities and experience within design and production of advanced structural parts for military and commercial aircraft. BACKGROUND NOTES: Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers´ changing needs. Gripen is the first of the new generation, multi-role combat aircraft to enter service. Using the latest available technology it is capable of performing an extensive range of air-to-air and air-to-surface operational missions and employs the latest weapons. Gripen is designed to meet the demands of current and future threats, while at the same time meeting strict requirements for flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs. Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech Republic and Hungarian Air Forces and has also been ordered by South Africa. The UK Empire Test Pilots´ School (ETPS) is also operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

AESA Radar Successfully Conducts First In-Flight Communications Test

2007-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE, June 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and its teammates L-3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE:LLL) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) have successfully conducted the first in-flight communication's link with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar."We took our targeting radar and turned it into a 'talking' radar by enabling it to transmit and receive unprecedented amounts of information," said Teri Marconi, vice president of Northrop Grumman's combat avionics business unit. "We're revolutionizing the way that data is collected, stored and distributed on the battlefield."BALTIMORE, June 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and its teammates L-3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE:LLL) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) have successfully conducted the first in-flight communication's link with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar."We took our targeting radar and turned it into a 'talking' radar by enabling it to transmit and receive unprecedented amounts of information," said Teri Marconi, vice president of Northrop Grumman's combat avionics business unit. "We're revolutionizing the way that data is collected, stored and distributed on the battlefield."The Radar Common Data Link (R-CDL) represents the most advanced concept and approach in providing a high-speed pipeline to offload data and imagery from a tactical platform. R-CDL uses the AESA radar's fire control transmitter and antenna to perform high-data rate, two-way communications at long ranges.Synthetic aperture radar map imagery and streaming video were relayed from a Northrop Grumman BAC 1-11 test aircraft to an L-3 Communications ground station. During the mission, the team transmitted and received in full duplex at 274-megabits per second burst rate. The airborne and ground terminals used off-the-shelf, L-3 programmable modems with the addition of a new R-CDL waveform.This capability complements tactical data links and supports potential future missions conducted by the Lockheed Martin fifth-generation fighter aircraft. This will allow pilots to relay important combat information to the global information grid (GIG) in seconds.Marconi added that the flight test represents the beginning of new connectivity to the GIG and the next step in network centric warfare.

Australia to upgrade AP-3C Orions

2007-07-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

BAE Systems Australia has signed a contract worth 76.1 million Australian dollars ($63.3 million) for an upgrade to the Electronic Surveillance System installed on the Australian Defence Force’s AP-3C Orion Aircraft.
The contract requires BAE Systems to replace existing subsystems and associated ground support systems. The new contract is part of a series of up to 600 million Australian dollars of AP-3C upgrades that are anticipated over the next seven years.
Expected to enter service in 2011, the upgrade is designed to build on developments for the Boeing Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.
Australia’s AP-3C Orion aircraft, which are operated from RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, perform maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions, while retaining a strike capability.

U.S. Military Set For New Missile Defense System Test

2007-07-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

The U.S. military is set to carry out another test of its controversial missile defense system, this time seeking to shoot down a long-range test missile launched in Alaska with interceptors from California.
Pentagon officials said the test could be carried out between 1500 GMT and 1900 GMT on May 25, but foul weather at the test site in Alaska’s Kodiak Island could postpone it to May 26, or even into next week.
Rick Lehner, a spokesman for the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency, said May 24 that it will be the second time that the system will be tested with all its operational components — a complex network of radars, command centers and an interceptor missile topped with a “kill vehicle.”
If it works, the kill vehicle will collide at high speed with a mock warhead in space over the Pacific, pulverizing it.
“It’s a continuing process of testing under what we call operationally realistic conditions,” Lehner said.
“We have an operationally configured interceptor, launched from an operational site, using operational crews, with an operational kill vehicles,” he said.
A test failure would be a blow to the program at a time when the U.S. is negotiating to install missile interceptors and a radar in Poland and the Czech Republic over vehement opposition from Moscow.
The last test on this segment of the multi-layered missile defense system was carried out in September 2006, but the program’s history is one of hits, misses and technical glitches. Critics say the tests are scripted to succeed.
Lehner said the test will essentially repeat the September test, except that this time an interception is the primary objective.
“The target is launched from Kodiak, Alaska, heads down the west coast of the U.S. and then we launch the interceptor from an operational [site] at Vandenberg Air Force Base [on California’s central coast],” he said.
They include a powerful X-band targeting radar mounted on a seagoing oil drilling platform, a smaller X-band radar at Vandenberg, and an air defense radar aboard an Aegis warship in the Pacific.
The crews manning the interceptor missile will be given a “general window” for the launch but will not know when the target missile has been launched until it is picked up by an early warning satellite, Lehner said.
Critics argue that the system is incapable of distinguishing a warhead from even simple decoys in space.
“Coming in the midst of a congressional funding debate, a hit or miss is likely to be taken as a sign of the health of the program,” said David Wright, with the Union of Concerned Scientists.
“But the test will tell little or nothing about whether the system will be able to intercept attacking warheads,” he said.
Pentagon officials say the system is designed to intercept a limited nuclear attack by a rogue state, and is not intended as defense against larger, more sophisticated Russian or Chinese arsenals. -->

S-300 crisis: Revelation about a routine tension in our neighborhood

2007-07-06T10:49:00.000-07:00

Excerpts of a new forthcoming book by former president of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Klerides were published in Greek Daily To Vima last month, shedding light on behind the scenes diplomatic discussions over the Greek Cypriot purchase of an S-300 missile system in 1997 and the crisis it created in the region. The memoirs of Klerides, in office from 1993-2003, reveal that Greek Cyprus was obliged to reverse its decision after a meeting with the Greek government during which Greece put pressure on Cyprus to send the missile system to Crete fearing reaction from the United States, the European Union and the foreign diplomatic community. The crisis among Turkey, Greek Cyprus and Greece dominated the East Mediterranean after the Greek Cypriot government signed an agreement with Russia to purchase an S-300 surface-to-air theater missile defense system in 1997.
However the tension between parties only deepened in the fall of 1998 when Russia announced that they were ready to deliver the system to Greek Cyprus. The S-300 system is capable of intercepting and destroying aircraft at ranges up to 150 kilometers, and incoming missiles at ranges of up to 40 kilometers.
With this move, the Cypriot government was potentially simply trying to challenge Turkey's air force superiority while at the same time protecting its newly built military base in Paphos.
Having strongly reacted to the agreement, Turkey warned Russia not to sell this system to Cyprus, arguing that these missiles would pose a threat to its security. In response, the Greek Cypriot government argued that this was a defensive system and would pose a threat only to Turkish military aircraft that violate Cypriot airspace.
Determined not to allow Greek Cypriots to purchase these missiles, Turkey started to check the suspected ships passing through the Turkish straits. As the situation escalated, the United States stepped in and tried to cool down the tension, urging both parties to refrain from moves that could have destabilized the entire region.
After strong reactions from Washington and London, in a move to step back from their insistent policies, Greece and Greek Cyprus decided on Dec. 29, 1998 to deploy the system in Crete. The region escaped another big crisis with a compromise made by Nicosia. The following chapter from Klerides' forthcoming book gives an insider's view into how Greece and Greek Cyprus leaders made the decision to send the S-300 defense system to Crete. Klerides in his book gives a detailed account of the crucial meeting between attended by Greek and Greek Cypriot delegations headed by Glafkos Klerides and Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Northrop Grumman Awarded $104 Million Contract to Equip NATO NE-3A Aircraft

2007-07-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a $104.6 million contract to outfit 17 NATO AWACS aircraft with the company's Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems.
Under the terms of the contract with the U.S. Air Force's Electronic Systems Center on behalf of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Program Management Organization, Northrop Grumman will commence LAIRCM system deliveries in 2007, with final deliveries expected in 2009.
Integration of the LAIRCM system on the NE-3A aircraft will provide NATO with the latest generation of infrared countermeasures technology, providing warfighters and high-value AWACS aircraft protection against man portable missile threats in operational theaters.
"This contract further demonstrates Northrop Grumman's commitment to the protection of the warfighter," said Jeffrey Palombo, vice president of Infrared Countermeasures programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division. "Integrating LAIRCM on NE-3A will give NATO proven infrared countermeasures technology while providing a foundation for using LAIRCM on the remaining domestic and international AWACS fleet."
Northrop Grumman's LAIRCM system is a laser-based countermeasures system that operates automatically by detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat and activating a high-intensity infrared countermeasure system to track and defeat the threat. The only such system currently in production, Northrop Grumman's Nemesis AN/AAQ-24(V) is being installed on several hundred military aircraft including more than 27 different fixed- and rotary-wing platforms for the U.S. military and several allied countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Denmark.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Slovenian Army's New APCs: Patria's AMVs

2007-07-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

The Slovenian Ministry of Defence announced that Patria's Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV) had been selected as the preferred vehicle for the its armored vehicle program. Patria notes that the order will include 135 wheeled armored personnel carriers in 4 different versions, including one variant with Patria's new unmanned NEMO 120mm mortar turret. The deal has now been negotiated at EUR 278 million (about $367 million), with deliveries to take place from 2007-2013.

The AMV's most frequent competition comes from General Dynamics' twin subsidiaries: Steyr with its Pandur II, and MOWAG with its LAV III Piranha. The December 2006 Patria release touts their AMV's status as "...first of its kind in the world with the unique level of mine protection certified by South African authorities." Even so, each competitor has seen its share of recent wins...
AMV w. RLS IFV turret(click to view full)Patria has won some of these competitions, including a large 690-vehicle contract in Poland, plus 84 AMV orders from Finland so far that include 24 breech-loading 120mm AMOS twin-mortar variants. It has also lost competitions in Belgium (242 LAV III Piranhas for $850 million) The Czech Republic (199 Pandur IIs for $1 billion), and Portugal (260 Pandur IIs for $482 million).
The Slovenian award is a significant win for Patria in this context, and it's also significant as the first sale of their new single-barreled New Efficient MOrtar 120mm system, introduced in June 2006. Patria is better known for its twin-barreled and manned AMOS 120mm mortar turret, developed in partnership with BAE Hagglunds. Despite initial orders of 2 AMOS systems for the Finnish Army and 2 evaluation systems for Sweden, Defense Update describes AMOS as having an "inhibitive price tag." This may create a market opportunity for the single-barreled, lower rate of fire NEMO.
On June 22, 2006, Patria announced the formation of a new joint venture company for the Slovenian AMV programme with Slovenian partners The Gorenje Group and Rotis. Rotis d.o.o. was established in 1990, and sells pipes, steel, and machines. The Gorenje Group is a household appliances maker under the Gorenje, Korting, Mora and Sidex brands; they are Slovenia's largest net exporter, and recently supassed EUR 1 billion in annual sales.
The AMV vehicles will be manufactured in Finland and in Slovenia with local co-operation partners. Industrial offsets will include 30% direct offsets within the contract, and 70% other Slovenian items exported globally. Production will gradually be transferred to Slovenia in 2007 and 2008, with Rotis and Gorenje in prominent roles.
Patria Oyj is owned 25%/75% by the Finnish State and EADS, and its AMV has been in serial production since 2004.

India's Fighter Upgrades: Mirage 2000s Next?

2007-07-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

DID has covered India's accelerating round of fighter fleet upgrades before. Now India Defence reports that the Indian Air Force is "close to finalising" a EUR 1.5 billion (about $2 billion) deal to upgrade its fleet of 52 Mirage-2000 'Vajra' fighter jets. Work would be performed by a French-Indian consortium including Dassault (aircraft manufacturer), Thales (weapons systems integrator), MBDA (missiles) and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aim is to give the aircraft, inaugurated into IAF service in 1985-1988, another 20-25 years of service life; no word on whether any additional Mirage 2000s acquired from France would also come with a similar upgrade set.
Word is that the upgrade will include new radar, combat display, and electronic warfare systems; these will be tied into a joint tactical information data link system (JTIDS, usually Link 16 compatible but not always), along compatibility with helmet-mounted sights for off-bore-sight heat-seeking missiles and "long-range sensors." Those sensors may involve a long range IRST system, because the aircraft will reportedly be equipped with MBDA's Mica family of medium range missiles. As DID's AMRAAM coverage noted, while the MICA's radar-guided version has mediocre range, there is also a heat-seeking IR version that offers a potent short-medium range 'no warning' targeting option.
MBDA will probably be unamused by India Defence's description of its wares as "an advanced medium-range missile that is the French counterpart to the more capable American AMRAAM missile."

France Says Defense Budget To Stay Near 2 percent of its GDP

2007-07-06T04:40:00.000-07:00

France’s defense budget will remain at around 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), although some programs might be delayed or abandoned, defense minister Herve Morin said in a newspaper interview published Saturday.
Morin, who became defense minister last month after Nicolas Sarkozy won the presidential election, also reiterated in an interview with Le Figaro that France was still working with Britain on the building of new aircraft carriers.
With Britain looking for new ships in 2012 and 2015 and France needing one around the same time, the two sides are looking at how to combine their efforts.
Morin added France would also carry out a review of its military equipment needs.
He also confirmed that French troops would remain in Afghanistan for the time being. -->

Finmeccanica Appoints New U.K. Chairman

2007-07-06T04:36:00.000-07:00

Italian defense group Finmeccanica said July 2 it had appointed Sir Kevin Tebbit as chairman of Finmeccanica UK.
Tebbit will join Finmeccanica UK Chief Executive Alberto de Benedictis in managing the Finmeccanica group’s activities in the United Kingdom, where it employs 9,000 staff and has sales of more than 1.8 billion pounds ($3.6 billion).
Until 2005, Tebbit worked for seven years as a permanent secretary to the British Ministry of Defence, working as principal policy adviser to ministers, Finmeccanica said in a statement.
He has also held a number of positions at the Foreign and Commonwealth office, including deputy undersecretary of state overseeing foreign policy aspects of defense, security and intelligence, as well as working with NATO and the British intelligence services. He is a nonexecutive director of Smiths Group.
Tebbit is the latest of several British citizens to be hired by Finmeccanica for senior U.K. management positions.
Former BAE Systems executive Steve Mogford was hired in April to run Finmeccanica’s Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems unit.
Last September, Lord Bach, the former British defense procurement minister, was appointed nonexecutive chairman of Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems. In April 2006, Finmeccanica hired former Royal Air Force strike command chief Sir Brian Burridge as its senior strategic marketing adviser in the U.K. -->