The Indian Navy is worried the issue of maritime security may be losing the priority and urgency given it after the 26/11 attacks as it would like the structure for managing maritime security and intelligence to be sorted out out as soon as possible, especially if it is expected to take over as the lead agency from the Coast Guard, as announced by the Defense Minister last week.
IAF ready to target non-state actors
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While the IAF has the abilities to deal with non-state actors, it has a long way to go in developing optimal capabilities. Reducing the sensor-shooter gap to zero where the sensor will have to be the shooter is critical. This will provide the fastest possible decision cycle.
Rafael promo riles Indian armed forces
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An Indian Air Force (IAF) officer said, “While it can be seen as funny – perhaps a humorous parody, it’s likely to hurt the sensitivities of many people. Maybe Rafael should have thought of this before producing something like this.”
StratPost in the News for Rafael video story
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The promotional video was produced by the Israeli arms company Rafael and aired at Aero India 2009 held in Bangalore last month. The video has been derided by some commentators as badly produced and virtually all consider it invariably funny. The StratPost story has made news with the New York Times, with Ronald Mackey writing about it in the blog The Lede, not to mention in other commentaries and observations on the internet.
Bangladeshi Islamists blame India for BDR mutiny
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Matiur Rahman Nizami, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, said while addressing a meeting of his party, “The killing mission was executed from Indian intelligence headquarters through close monitoring.” He also added that India pulled a masterstroke by destroying the border guards and trying to weaken Bangladesh’s army and national security.
Graft alleged in South African Gripen deal
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The fighter aircraft company has been accused of corruption in pushing forward sales to South Africa with Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu coming out strongly against the South African arms contract, which also raises common allegations against South African president-in-waiting Jacob Zuma. Other deals with Hungary and the Czech Republic have also been under the scanner for alleged kickbacks being paid for the proposed purchase of the Gripen fighter.
French Naval Rafales grounded by virus
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French newspaper Liberation reported the virus to have infected the French Navy’s databases leaving the Rafales ‘nailed to the ground’ on January 15 and 16 this year. The Dassault aircraft Rafale is one of the six contenders for the 126 MMRCA tender issued by IAF.
Rafael’s innovative video marketing for India
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Israeli arms firm Rafael displayed a Bollywood-style dance number featuring Israeli artists in full Bollywood costume singing in English about the potential for the Indo-Israeli defense trade relationship on large screen televisions at their stall at Aero India 2009 recently.
Should Swat valley surrender worry India?
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The recent capitulation by the Pakistan government in the face of Islamist elements in the Swat valley has had led to worried talk of a hardline Islamist eastward creep towards India’s western borders. StratPost finds out if India really has something to worry about.
Squeaky-clean Antony disappoints MMRCA contenders
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The Defense Minister AK Antony disappointed the contenders for the 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft contract during Aero India 2009, by declining to fly in any of the planes brought by four of the contenders. The representatives of the companies had hoped to have an interaction with the minister and try and get some hint as to where things where headed with the tender.
Gripen touted as independent of politics
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Gripen points out that all other fighters are manufactured by the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council.
Lockheed Martin confident F-16 best for MMRCA
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The Super Viper is the only single-engine aircraft with an operational AESA radar, which is why Lockheed Martin is assured about their standing in the MMRCA race.
Israel displays latest AEWC at Aero India 2009
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So how is the Gulfstream 55O platform-based aircraft different from the IL-76 platform based Phalcon system, of which three units are being purchased by India? Shalom Revivo, Joint Director at Israeli Aircraft Industries draws a whole list of distinctions.
Australia at Aero India 2009
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The Australian Trade Commission is present in strength at Aero India 2009, looking to help Australian vendors get a piece of the action as far as India’s aerospace and defense industries are concerned.
Offset concerns leave vendors uneasy
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The offset requirements raised to 50 per cent with the onset of the Defense Procurement Procedure (DPP) last August, continue to make foreign defense vendors uncomfortable. Bell helicopters had dropped out of the race to supply 197 helicopters to the Indian armed forces because of exactly this reason.
