Defense
5,882 news found
DefenseEuropean Defence Agency achieves its first Director
Brussels, Belgium - Appointments start operative activities for an important authority to increase EU's political and industrial integration in defence sector
Triennial appointments related to the new European Defence Agency's board were unveiled on last Friday (AVIONEWS had already put into evidence the importance of such agency aimed to encourage EU's integration... more
DefenseItaly to have a Force of "professionials"
Rome, Italy - Italian Parliament cancels compulsory military service in the country
The compulsory military service has finally definitively ended in Italy. The Chamber of Deputies has approved the 4233-B bill which was suggested by Government, by Defence Minister, Antonio Martino. A... more
DefenseChina threatens Taiwan: "If you change your Constitution you will be attacked"
Beijing, China - Taipei could change national Constitution by 2008 and China fears the independence principle could be formalized
New hard threats by Beijing's Government against Taiwan have been released. Formosa's President would be firmly thinking to encourage significant constitutional reform, which could be completed by 2008.... more
DefenseArrow missile: the first test proves successful
Los Angeles, Usa - The new ballistic missile devoted to defend Israel against ballistic guided munitions' threat destroyed a Scud
The first test of the Arrow Israeli-made surface-to-air missile has been successfully completed, and this guided rocket is devoted to represent in the future the major warranty of the defence of national... more
DefenseMBDA-IAI agreement for the surface-to-air missiles sector
London, UK - The two companies are going to support to one another in order to better face future ballistic threat environments
An important agreement has recently been achieved between the European group MBDA and the major Israeli aerospace company, IAI, with reference to new possible programmes for surface-to-air missile systems.... more
DefenseOlympic Games: aircraft and Patriot missiles in order to protect Athens
Athens, Greece - It is likely to be the more expensive edition in history regarding security
Athens' Olympic Games starting on next August 13, have already achieved a record even before being opened. The latest edition, this year, appears in fact to be the more expensive in the history of such... more
DefenseNorth Korea tested lethal gas on human beings
Rome, Italy - The aim of such experiment was to understand the necessary amount aimed to kill all Seoul's citizens
A North Korean scientist would have maintained it after leaving from his country, during an interview broadcasted by BBC. In his opinion, Pyongyang's Government ordered him to test it on human beings as... more
DefenseBenelux and Great Britain to be overflown by Russian reconnaissance aircraft on the basis of "Open Skies" Treaty
Moscow, Russia - The implementation of agreements aimed to favour higher security within states' relations goes on
Reconnaissance aircraft belonging to Russian Air Force are going to perform today some overflights over territories of several European countries, such as Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Great Britain,... more
DefenseIsrael: Iran to achieve atomic weapons in 2008
Tel Aviv, Israel - It would have been unveiled by a recent intelligence report
Tel Aviv's intelligence service has recently unveiled some details regarding Iranian authorities's research activities dealing with nuclear energy. According to Israeli analysts, Iran would be able to... more
DefenseMEADS: the new missile programme risked cancellation
Rome, Italy - Nevertheless, the EUR 540m necessary to carry on its development are still available
The MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defence System) surface-to-air missile, whose development involves Italy as well, in order to satisfy its national territory defence exigencies, risked to be cancelled due... more
DefenseEADS and Northrop Grumman: agreement on anti-missile defence
Amsterdam, Holland - An important memorandum of understanding has been signed so reinforcing the cooperation between the two companies
After the collaboration for the Eurohawk and TIPS programmes related to a new airborne integrated electronic surveillance system for NATO (see for details AVIONEWS), EADS and Northrop Grumman have decided... more
DefenseLithuania begins to take delivery of the EADS TRML-3D radars
Vilnius, Lithuania - A significant step forward in order to strengthen the surface-to-air defensive system of the Baltic Republic
Lithuania, as a new NATO's partner, begins to take delivery of the new TRML-3D surveillance and target acquisition radars, produced by EADS. This system has been designed in particular in order to monitor... more
DefenseTaiwan to go on receiving US-made weapon systems
Washington, USA - American Government does not appear to give in after China's threat for possible diplomatic crisis
The United States will carry on the provision of weapon systems devoted to Taiwan. It is what American Government has recently announced, despite the threats by Beijing's government, which would have tried... more
DefenseGreat Britain increases defence spending
London, UK - It would have recently been announced by Minister of Defence, so giving the lie to press' different opinion
Despite British press had recently often underlined Ministry of Defence's intention to lower spending regarding personnel and vehicles related to national armed forces, most of all with reference to soldiers,... more
DefenseConte di Cavour air carrier: the official show to occur on next July 20
Genoa, Italy - It will be the new Italian Navy's admiral ship
The official show opf the NUM (New Major Unit) of Italian Navy is going to occur on next July 20 at Riva Trigoso, nearby Genoa. The Conte di Cavour air carrier will be admired by Italian Republic President... more
DefenseThe modernization process of Serbia and Montenegro's armed forces
Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro - Several weapon systems belonging to Navy, Army and Air Force are being liquidated
Serbia and Montenegro's Government intends to start a relevant modernization process of its general defence system and, for such purpose, it would have decided to liquidate several weapon systems regarding... more
DefenseAustralia: additional soldiers in Iraq
Sidney, Australia - Government would have opted for such solution aiming to warrant higher protection for diplomatic and technical personnel
Australian Government would have decided to increase its own military presence, even if moderately, in Iraq. This decision would have been considered due to some analyses regarding the need for higher... more
DefenseStandard missile in service by early 2005
Washington, USA - Tests for this new weapon system devoted to increase USA's defence against ballistic missiles are almost concluded
Boeing has completed tests related to the warhead of the new Standard surface-to-air missile system, with its SM-3 version. The purpose is to succeed in providing this weapon system for US armed forces... more
DefenseAsia-Pacific defence meeting on next week
Singapore - Aimed to appraise regional geopolitical condition, the situation of fight against terrorism and that against weapons proliferation
The third meeting among Defence Ministries of Asia-Pacific Area is going to occur on next June 4-6, in Singapore. This meeting appears particularly relevant with reference to scheduled matters, political-institutional... more
DefenseSwiss Government suggests to strenghten national military capabilites abroad
Berne, Switzerland - Two new airlifters have been scheduled in the Defence Programme 2004
Even if the country tried during the last years to restrict military spending, Government would have decided this year to change its policy and set a programme devoted to a general reinforcement of the... more
DefenseA massive Russian military exercise to occur in June
Moscow, Russia - Military and civil personnel to be jointly involved in the most relevant training operation since Soviet Union era
Russian Defence Ministry has unveiled that from 21 to 25 June a massive exercise will occur in Far East by involving some 800 soldiers. The fulcrum of such operation, as Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov... more
DefenseDefence Minister Martino is visiting Italian troops in Iraq
Nassiriya, Iraq – A telemedicine centre has been opened in Nassiriya
Italian Defence Minister, Antonio Martino, is visiting Italian troops operating in Iraq and deployed in Nassiriya. After arriving landing at Tallil Base, Minister seized a chance to visit the city where... more
DefenseNext Generation aircraft carrier contract awarded
Washington, USA - Northrop Grumman is now one of the leading firms in naval engineering
The US Navy and Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) have successfully negotiated the construction preparation (CP) contract for CVN 21, the next generation aircraft carrier. CVN 21 will be the centerpiece... more
DefenseSurface-to-air missiles market is increasing
Washington, USA – According to a recent survey by Forecast International
A recent research carried out by Forecast International related to surface-to-air missiles market, would have pointed out how, during the next ten years, orders regarding the so called SAM (Surface-to-Air... more
DefenseRussian-American exercise in Moscow region
Moscow, Russia - It is devoted to an operative cooperation between these two countries in fighting against terrorism and for peacekeeping missions
Though diplomatic problems have occurred after the new extension of NATO towards Eastern Europe (see for details AVIONEWS), Russia and the United States succeed anyway in carrying on their common effort... more
DefenseBrain drain for defence sector related to information technology experts studying in the USA
Washington, USA - It is what some american military analysts are complaining, regarding increasing importance of Network Enabled environment
Recent surveys carried out in the United States would reveal a situation, according to some armed forces' analysts, which appear serious regarding the development of personal and professional background... more
DefenseTurkey aims to a strong national defence industry
Ankara, Turkey - Three international competitions regarding helicopters, UAVs and tanks have been cancelled
Turkish Government under the leading of Premier Erdogan has decided to produce a watershed in national aerospace sector, by resorting to significant investment in defence to be devoted to Turkish companies... more
DefenseUS to deploy patriot missiles in South Korea
Washington, Usa - These decisions depending from Iraqi conflict
The United States has announced on Tuesday its decision to deploy a number of Patriot anti-aircraft missiles in South Korea for the coming year following the redeployment of the United States Forces in... more
DefenseBaghdad: surprise visit by Rumsfeld
Baghdad, Iraq - He has landed today after 15 hours flying at Iraqi capital's airport
A visit by American Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, had not been scheduled, but he was there together with Joint Forces Chief of General Staff, Richard Myers, in Baghdad. During his flight, Secretary... more
DefenseRoyal Australian Air Force will buy 2 Boeing 737 early warning aircraft
Canberra, Australia - Defence Ministry is going to spend CND 16.35 bn
The RAAF will buy two new Boeing 737 airborne early warning aircraft worth CND 326m as the centrepiece of defence spending in the Budget. Now the RAAF would now be able to field a fleet of six of the advanced... more
DefenseBaghdad Al-Sadr's office has been razed to the ground by heavy artillery and air attacks
Baghdad, Iraq - The USA go on searching for the radical leader while he orders to fight against American soldiers anywhere in the country
After ordering to resort to the entire available forces in the country in order to fight against American soldiers anywhere in the Iraqi territory, Shiite leader Moqtada Al-Sadr is forced to face a hard... more
DefenseNearly to be completed Italian military satellite constellation Sicral
Rome, Italy - The communication system is part of the Nato Satcom post 2000 program
Within Nato Program Satcom post 2000 (see AVIONEWS article) Italy will be responsible of the 100% of the communication Nato services in UHF band, through Sicral-1 launched in 2001 and Sicral-1B in developing... more
DefenseNorth Korea set to test new missile engines
Seoul, North-Korea - Resumption of missile development aims to increase its negotiating leverage with the United States
North Korea as the Stalinist country is set to test engines for a ballistic missile capable of hitting US territory. North Korea has restored facilities for missile engine testing destroyed by an explosion... more
DefenseRussian military unit wakefulness in Georgia
Moscow, Russia - In the meantime, Duma is ready to vote an important reform to involve national General Staff
Just these days Georgia is experiencing a difficult period as a risk for a real civil war and a territory secession exists, and Russian armed forces which are in the country would have been threatened.... more
DefenseLockheed Martin completes major milestone on next-generation military communications satellite program
Sunnyvale, USA - The system is the successor to the Milstar system
Lockheed Martin announced today that it has successfully completed on-schedule the critical design review phase of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program and is beginning production of the... more
DefenseLockheed Martin to produce the JCM
Washington, USA - A contract for USD 5m in order to provide such missile for US armed forces' airplanes and helicopters
Lockheed Martin has achieved the contract related to the designing of the new air-to-surface missile of the JCM (Joint Common Missile) programme. Even if the relevance of Lockheed’s proposal had already b... more
DefenseFrance, Italy, UK win Nato satcom deal
Brussels, Belgium - The proposal for the new capability has been awarded to a French-Italian-British
The Nato command and control Agency has now completed the source selection for new satellite capability in the SHF (Super High Frequency band 3-30 Ghz)and UHF (Ultra High Frequency band 300-3000 Mhz) frequency... more
DefenseNicaragua destroys cold war anti-aircraft missiles
Managua, Nicaragua - Remains to be seen whether Nicaragua will destroy all of the shoulder-fired missiles
Nicaragua on Tuesday destroyed 333 surface-to-air missiles it obtained from the Soviet Union in the 1980s, partially bowing to US demands to scrap its missile stockpile, defense officials said. A similar... more
DefenseThe new Italian Navy's admiral ship will be called "Conte di Cavour"
Riva Trigoso, Italy - It has been decided together with President Ciampi
The new Italian Navy's naval air-carrier will be called Conte di Cavour. It has been recently made know by Navy Chief of General Staff, Adm. Sergio Biraghi. Such decision has been considered together with... more
DefenseGermany lowers its own military effort abroad
Berlin, Germany - A rationalization attempt for defence spending by German Government
German Government has decided to lower management costs for its own armed forces concerning missions abroad. This decision has been considered as a consequence of recent analyses regarding the massive... more
DefenseAnti missile defense shield on alert by September
Washington, USA – Even if tests fails it might be put on alert anyway
The Pentagon is likely to deploy its multi-billion dollar national missile defense system in Alaska in September even if it fails its flight tests this summer. Two flight tests are scheduled for June and... more
DefenseEuropean defence industry overtakes the US one
Stockholm, Sweden - It would be revealed by a survey carried out by Stockholm Institute for Peace Studies
According to a recent survey carried out by Stockholm Institute for Peace Studies, armaments international market would be involved during the last years in a significant success of European military industry... more
DefenseTopol-M testing is going to be concluded
Moscow, Russia - This ballistic missile to be ready soon if next week test has a good result
Russia wants to conclude during next week tests regarding the new Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile. This weapon system represents the most modern one this country has produced in the last years... more
DefenseThe US Air Force is in the process of consolidating its operations in Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq – An operational transfer to Balad base has been foreseen
Operations at Baghdad international airport and Tallil air base will ultimately be transferred to Balad, northwest of Baghdad. When complete, Balad will be the primary location for air force activities... more
DefenseIntegrated testing of first airborne ray gun completed
Sunnyvale, Usa – The system will be housed in a rotating 1.5 meter telescope
Lockheed Martin has completed factory testing of the optical benches for the airborne laser’s beam control/fire control system. The airborne laser (ABL) is the first megawatt-class laser weapon system t... more
DefenseThe USA fear the growth of Chinese funds for defence
Washington, USA - Such investments increase tension with Taiwan's Government
The United States appear quite worried with reference to China-Taiwan relations. Pentagon has recently shown a report which would reveal that, though the unveiled granting devoted to defence for 2004 by... more
DefenseRussia and China for strategical stability in Asia
Beijing, China - A collaboration in the defence sector in order to contain the danger of nuclear proliferation in such continent
While visiting China, Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Ivanov, has put into evidence the importance of strenghtening Russian-Chinese cooperation for the defence sector. Next December, Russia and China... more
DefenseRussia aims to become the first worldwide weapon systems exporting country
Moscow, Russia - Several reasons for such optimism
Russian Government is trying to increase its national made weapon systems' export towards the largest traditional markets which particularly involve Asia. In March, President Vladimir Putin stated Russia... more
DefenseMoscow analyzes risks for Nato's evolution even if it aims to speeches
Moscow, Russia - A political structure or a military alliance? Russian defence representatives' doubts
Russian military representatives are carefully analyzing Nato’evolution when considering recent further extension towards east (see for details AVIONEWS). In particular, what Russian armed forces want t... more
DefenseIllegal weapon traffic between Romania and USA
Gioia Tauro, Italy – Battle weapons ready to be mounted on planes found at Gioia Tauro Port
Eight thousand Kalashnikov full equipped with bullet magazines, bayonets, cleaning kits, 11 heavy machine-guns with an electric shooting command that make them able for mounting on airplanes. A real arsenal... more