Defense
5,888 news found

DefenseRussia: a new air carrier after 2010
Moscow, Russia - Russian Navy to begin the retirement of several naval units just starting in such a date
Russian Navy will start retiring several naval units from the operational service beginning in 2010, also including the aircraft carriers produced between the 70s and the 80s last century. So, the armed... more

DefenseUSA: infrastructures and external re-deployed forces downsizing to begin
Washington, USA - More than 150 bases to be closed and some 70,000 soldiers to go back to their nation from Central-Western Europe and Asia
No US Government ever dared such a measure concerning the downsizing of military activities regarding infrastructures and the locations of forces both in the homeland and abroad. Bush-led Administration... more

DefenseIndia: three new air carriers by 2011
New Dheli, India - They will be able to carry up to 30 aircraft each also including the Mig-29s and the naval version of the LCA
The preliminary project related to structure and main systems to be adopted for the new Indian air carriers has been completed. India schedules to make some three main naval units enter service by 2012... more

DefenseMartino: "Italian troops to leave from Iraq when the local security forces complete their training"
Rome, Italy - It was underlined by Italian Minister of Defence
Italian Minister of Defence, Antonio Martino, commented recently with reference to the announced Italian troops withdrawal from Iraqi territory, a withdrawal scheduled to occur by February 2006 according... more

DefenseAnti-terrorism operations: that is how Italy cooperates for the monitoring of the international activities under way
Rome, Italy - Representatives from Italian armed forces in Tampa described to AVIONEWS the supervision of the missions in the various operational settings around the Persian Gulf
AVIONEWS reached by a video-conference some representatives from the Italian armed forces operating in Tampa (Florida, USA), where a joint unit is attending to keep constantly on touch with the US Command... more

DefenseAVIONEWS interviewed Italian Col. Luigi Vinaccia in contact with Kabul
Rome, Italy - "Operational experience in Afghanistan shows that personnel is professionally growing and our means prove capable of adapting to the situation"
AVIONEWS interviewed Italian Col. Luigi Vinaccia, Commander of 8th Ground Artillery Regiment of Italian Army, in contact with Kabul. Typical operations performed during the day consist of logistics, patrolling... more

DefenseIsrael looks at China and Pakistan to export its weapon systems
Tel Aviv, Israel - However, the diplomatic pressure exerted by the USA goes on proving a major factor
Military analysts are focusing on the manner Israel is managing its defence-related commercial relations, putting into evidence that Tel Aviv is quite interested in two countries in particular, that is... more

DefenseItalian contingent withdrawal from Iraq: AVIONEWS interviewed Italian Defence Undersecretary Hon. Filippo Berselli
Rome, Italy - "Appraisals led us to think that we will be able to withdraw our troops from that country by such a date but we will not certainly stay there longer than necessary"
AVIONEWS interviewed Italian Defence Undersecretary Hon. Filippo Berselli about the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gianfranco Fini’s statement on the Italian troops’ withdrawal from Iraq by February 200... more

DefenseAnti-terrorism exercise in Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia - It involves local military forces and US Navy
US Navy and Indonesian military forces are performing, into the water around Laki island, an anti-terrorism drill which involves 51 soldiers in all. The program, aimed to develop abilities of two nations... more

DefenseFini: "Italian troops to withdraw from Iraq by February 2006"
Rome, Italy - Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined that no unilateral decision will be taken into consideration by Italian Government
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gianfranco Fini commented about the future withdrawal of Italian contingent from the Iraqi homeland. According to Fini, the forces sent to the Arab country will stay... more

DefenseGeneral Cecchi visited Italian contingent in Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon - He greeted more than 50 Italian soldiers of Army, Air Force, Navy and Carabinieri corps
Rome’s COI (Inter-service Operative Command) commander, General Filiberto Cecchi, yesterday visited Italian military contingent in Lebanon: 52 soldiers belonging to four Italian forces for Army, Navy, A... more

DefenseSouth Korea: "Pyongyang is developing a missile able to hit the US bases in our territory"
Seoul, South Korea - It would have unveiled by South Korean military sources with reference to the recent Communist regime's missile test
According to what recently revealed by South Korean military and governmental sources, the recent North Korean missile test (see for details AVIONEWS) would have dealt with a special version of the Russian-made... more

DefenseJapan's troops to leave Iraq
Tokyo, Japan - Also aviation militaries positioned in Kuwait to withdraw
Government of Tokyo confirmed the rumours and explained clearly that its soldiers will withdraw next December, when the term of its mission expires. Nippon Executive should unveil its decision to parliament... more

DefenseTajikistan's troops being trained by Iranian military personnel
Teheran, Iran - Following an agreement which also schedules logistics support, means maintenance and the provision of weapon systems
Iran and Tajikistan signed a memorandum of understanding about one month ago in order to increase their collaboration in the defence sector in a significant manner. First effects of such an agreement would... more

DefenseChina: "If Taiwan renounces to independence we will change our military plans"
Beijing, China - A deténte attempt by the Chinese People Republic
There would be some 700 Chinese surface-to-surface missiles aimed against the Taiwan island’s territory and they could even rise up to about 800 by 2006. Nevertheless, it seems that the Chinese People R... more

DefenseItalian engagement in peacekeeping mission in Sudan to start
Rome, Italy - The "Operazione Nilo" is going to begin
The Italian Chief of Army’s General Staff, General Giulio Fraticelli, declared that Italian soldiers engaged in peacekeeping mission in Sudan asked by the UN (see for details AVIONEWS), are going to d... more

Defense144th anniversary of Italian Army foundation
Rome, Italy - It has been placed a laurel crown on the memorial to the Unknown Warrior
In May 4, 1861, Italian Minister of War, Manfredo Fanti, ordained the beginning of Italian Army: yesterday, in order to celebrate the 144th anniversary, Rome has hosted a cerimony in the Stadium of Terme... more

DefenseUS special anti-terrorism units at Sigonella base? (2): Minister Martino likes the idea
Rome, Italy - It could create additional jobs in the Eastern Sicily
Italian Minister of Defence, Antonio Martino, likes idea to set up anti-terrorism military base at the airport of Sigonella (Catania), because "It could create additional jobs in the Eastern Sicily. The... more

DefenseUS special anti-terrorism units at Sigonella base?
Rome, Italy - The intent comes from the need to face threats from Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Africa
US are planning to concentrate their anti-terrorism special units above all in Southern Europe: General James Jones, Commander of US forces in Europe, unveiled it. Until now, US special units of Air Force,... more

DefenseIran does not conceal its nuclear intentions
New York, USA - The Government is determined to pursue the develop of uranium enrichment technologies
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi, during the conference on nuclear non-proliferation in progress at United Nations, made clear that Iran "Is determined" to pursue the develop of nuclear tecnologies, i... more

DefenseIraq: turnover at 6th Italian Air Force Operative Unit
Nassiriya, Iraq - Colonel D'Urso handed over to Colonel Albanese
Some 400 soldiers have attended cerimony for the change of head at 6th Italian Air Force Operative Unit in Tallil (Nassirya): Colonel Antonio Albanese took the place of Colonel Francesco D’Urso at the p... more

DefenseNorth Korea (2): an overview of the ballistic missile systems operated
Pyongyang, North Korea - From short-range systems to missiles capable of reaching their own target 6000 km far from their launchers
If trying to analyse the ballistic missile systems provided to the North Korean armed forces or under development (at least on the basis of information released by military analysts), one realizes that... more

DefenseNorth Korea: the USA prove worried due to the latest missile test
Washington, USA - It would have dealt with a short-range system and the guided rocket would have fallen in the Sea of Japan
After the warning signal called by the US intelligence representatives last week about the supposed danger represented by the North Korean nuclear technology for the American territory (see for details... more

DefenseNATO: Finmeccanica exhibits its solutions against the MANPADS
Brussels, Belgium - The Italian group faces the threat represented by the portable surface-to-air missiles
The aerospace and defence group Finmeccanica seized a chance recently to exhibit at NATO headquarter in Brussels a series of products such as helicopters, airlifters and electronic countermeasures for... more

DefensePutin: "Israel must not be afraid about the supply of Russian missiles to Syria"
Tel Aviv, Israel - But Israeli Government is meanwhile maybe thinking about Iran as well and ordered US laser-guided bombs able to destroy underground bunkers
Israel is keeping on touch both with Russia and the USA, deepening delicate matters related to defence and which directly involve the Israeli land’s security. On the one hand, Russian President Vladimir P... more

DefenseAVIONEWS interviewed senator Antonio Iovene about the bill to outlaw cluster bombs
Rome, Italy - "It represents a real humanitarian emergency"
The bill modifies a law issued in October 29 1997: such bill extends the banishment’s effects including cluster bombs which are dropped from aircraft, helicopters or artillery systems mid-air opening s... more

DefenseUS defensive shield: orbital interceptors to face the ballistic missiles?
Moscow, Russia - Some Russian experts fear that the USA intend to locate anti-missile systems in the space
Russia proves worried with reference to the development of the US anti-missile defensive system. Russian experts would think in fact that the USA are seriously thinking about the possibility of putting... more

DefenseTrishul: the Indian solution for air defence
New Dheli, India - A surface-to-air short-range missile has been tested and several versions are being scheduled for the various Indian armed forces
It seems that Indian armaments industry is aiming to develop missile systems belonging to any class and, after the designing, construction and combat readiness of tactical surface-to-surface systems, bruise... more

DefenseMartino: "April 25, 1945, the rebirth's day of new Italy"
Rome, Italy - The message of Italian Defence Minister in occasion of Liberation Day
Italian Defence Minister, Antonio Martino, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation from Fascist regime and Nazi troops, addressed to soldiers, sailors, aviators, Carabinieri and civilian... more

DefenseSL-AMRAAM: Raytheon shows its anti-cruise solution
Washington, USA - A special surface-to-air version of the well known US AIM-120 missile system
Raytheon, the well known US group competent for the production of missile systems, has recently shown the surface-to-air version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Slammer) missile named as SL-AMRAAM (Surfaced Launched).... more

DefenseGaribaldi Brigade landed at Capodichino
Naples, Italy - Folgore Brigade to perform changing of the guard at Nassirya
The first 218 of 1500 Bersaglieri of Italian Garibaldi Brigade engaged in Iraq, returned in Italy, after 4 months passed in Thi Qar region: the airplane flying from Nassirya landed on the runway at Capodichino... more

DefenseBush to select successor at Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, USA - Current vice, Peter Pace, is expected to be appointed
US President George W. Bush today is going to nominate Marine General, Peter Pace, as the new Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, in place of 63-year-old Air Force General, Richard Myers, who will retire... more

DefenseSouth Korea asks Russia for weapons in order to partially lower its debt
Seoul, South Korea - An alternative solution suggested by South Korean Government to simplify the re-payment process of loans requested by Moscow
South Korea has recently offered Russia a possibility of re-paying part of its debts by the provision of weapon systems. It deals with an important request when considering that South Korea has always... more

DefenseIsrael opposed Russian missiles sale to Syria
Jerusalem, Israel - Premier fears arms could fall into the hands of Lebanese or Palestinian terrorists
Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, unveiled that Russian plan to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Syria represents a serious danger to Israel: this worry will be stated clearly to President Vladimir Putin during... more

DefenseMEADS: Germany provides a green light for the new anti-missile system
Berlin, Germany - EADS will contribute with a 25% programme share
German Parliament’s vote on the Germany’ cooperation for the MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defence System) missile programme was awaited for long (see for details AVIONEWS) and it had a positive result. Bun... more

DefenseThe areas of action of the Italian mission in Afghanistan
Herat, Afghanistan - On March, 31 Italian militaries replaced the US ones in the control of the team of Herat
Italian mission in Afghanistan has three specific areas of work: drinkable water, education and public healthcare. The management and control of the team of Herat has been taken over by Italian militaries... more

DefenseDi Paola to confirm Italian Defence's interest into the space
Rome, Italy - The Head of General Staff of Italian Defence underlined the necessity of a synergy at the base of the spacial activities
The Head of General Staff of Italian Defence, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, confirmed yesterday while talking to Italian spaceman Roberto Vittori, the interest of Italian Defence into the space, by underlining... more

DefenseCastellaneta in Greece to develop collaboration projects on defence sector
Athens, Greece - Talks with Greek Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos
Giovanni Castellaneta, new Italian ambassador to US, diplomatic counsellor at prime ministership and Deputy-President of Finmeccanica, these days is in Athens to do talks on defence industry sector. Greece,... more

DefenseItalian General Santangelo to coordinate Nato's mission "Isaf" in Afghanistan
Rome, Italy - He will take on officially the new work in May
Italian General Giuseppe Santangelo will be the coordinator of the Nato’s mission "Isaf" in the west part of Afghanistan. Santangelo, who is already in the country in order to scour the area, besides f... more

DefenseMartino signed with Greece for Amphibious Battle Group
Athens, Greece - In order to fit the two military forces with an adequate maritime strategic transport ability
Italian Minister of Defence, Antonio Martino, yesterday has officially visited Athens in order to meet his counterpart Spilios Spiliotopoulos. With Martino, there were also Italian military attaché in... more

DefenseIran: "Ready to face any threat but only for defensive purposes"
Teheran, Iran - President Khatami's speech during the Iranian armed forces anniversary
Iranian President, Mohammed Khatami, seized recently a chance to express his own view about the modern defensive exigencies of the Iranian Islamic Republic, and he did it just on the occasion of the armed... more

DefenseCiampi to postpone Supreme Defense Committee
Rome, Italy - For indeterminate time
The President of Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, postponed for indeterminate time the Supreme Defense Committee scheduled on tomorrow, after the political crisis which invested in these days Italian... more

DefenseNorth Korea suspended Yongbyon reactor operations
Seoul, South Korea - The action may cover alarming develops
North Korea would have stopped operations of its nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, according to South Korean Foreign Ministry official: analysts believed such move could be destined to start plutonium extraction... more

DefenseCyprus: EU Military Committee President's official visit
Nicosia, Cyprus - Gen. Mosca Moschini expected to arrive in the island on next April 21
European Union Military Committee President, General Rolando Mosca Moschini, will officially visit Cyprus in April 21. General was invited by local Ministry of Defence and the isle’s Chief of National G... more

DefenseMartino: "The larger is the states' alliance against terrorism, the more effective their action turns out"
Rome, Italy - Italian Minister of Defence proves convinced of it when analysing the evolution from the traditional defence to common security against the global threat
Italian Defence Minister, Antonio Martino, seized recently a chance to explain the strictly defensive reasons of NATO and European Union’s extensions, causes which are strongly related to the evolution o... more

DefenseUSA to cut 38,000 European military troops
Washington, USA - Under a strategic reassessment of American military forces
United States are going to move their military headquarters in Germany from Heidelberg to Wiesbaden and cut European troops by some 38,000 units. The news was anticipated from the German newspaper "Stuttgarter... more

DefenseFraticelli to be conferred of the award "Legion of Merit"
Washington, Usa - It is the most important award given by Usa to a foreign citizen
The Head of Italian Army, General Giulio Fraticelli, in visit in the past days in Usa (see AVIONEWS), has been conferred of the award "Legion of Merit" as a commander. It is the most important award given... more

DefenseItalian contingent in Sudan: "Operazione Nilo"
Rome, Italy - This will be the name selected for the Italian contribution to the UN-led peacekeeping mission in the African country
Italian Government provided additional details related to the peacekeeping mission in Sudan asked by the UN and which schedules to send some 10,000 soldiers among whom there will also be about 220 Italians.... more

DefenseItalian Defence Minister Martino at "NATO's Annual General Secretary Conference"
Brussels, Belgium - To discuss Alliance’s transformation challenge
Italian Defence Minister, this afternoon is going to take part to cerimony commemorating Manlio Brosio, who was NATO’s General Secretary from 1964 to 1971. Tomorrow, Minister Martino, is expected at "... more

DefenseSwiss Federal Council approved the corrected version of armament programme 2004
Geneva, Switzerland - Alouette III choppers to retire
The new project does not provide for transport airplanes and mine clearing tanks: it has instead confirmed the integration Data Link in Florako for the fighter aircraft control, 105,000 synthetic materials... more