Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service At The Soccer City Stadium In Soweto, South Africa

Meet the Navy's New $150M Submarine-Destroying Jet

Boeing's P-8 Poseidon plane may look a lot like the company's 737 but it's actually a highly advanced military aircraft that's equipped to hunt submarines.

The U.S. Navy has just deployed several of the airplanes to Japan to increase U.S. military presence around the disputed Senkaku Islands, which Japan controls and China claims.

It's the first ever deployment for the aircraft, which has been in development for nearly a decade. Here's a look at the game-changing capabilities of the
P-8.

In pictures: Aircrafts of Vietnam People's Army

Vietnam People's Army (VPA) now has two air forces: Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) and Naval Air Force (VPNAF).

Fighter: SU-27UBK of VPAF

The Vietnam People's Air Force (Vietnamese: Không quân Nhân dân Việt Nam) is the air force of Vietnam. It is the successor of the former North Vietnamese Air Force and the absorbed Republic of Vietnam Air Force following the re-unification of Vietnam in 1975.

Fighter: SU-30MK2V

YouTube: The visiting to the Air Force 935 Regiment witnessing the super fighter Su-30MK2V

The Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) is one of three main branches in the Vietnam People's Army which is a part of the Ministry of Defence. The main mission of the VPAF is the defence the Vietnamese airspace and the provision of air cover for operations of the Vietnam People's Army.

Fighter: MiG-21

Attack: SU-22

Attack: SU-22

Mi-24 (attack)

More: Vietnam Airforce and Navy ready to take on the Chinese

L-39 (trainer)

Others: Ka-27, ka-25 (patrol); M-400, An-30 (Reconnaisance); Yak-52, Yak-130 (trainer); An-38, M-28, An-24, UH-1, Mi-8, Mi-17 (transport),...

Naval Air Force

CASA C-212-400

Naval Air force - The newly-established 954 Air Force- naval brigade can perform the following tasks: military transport, reconnaissance, aerial, water-surface and on-the-ground observation, search and rescue at sea, on land and rescue and flood prevention.

EC-225

Vietnam People's Navy prepared to build Naval Air Force to increase the capacity of coastal defense. On February 27, 2010, the General Staff (Vietnam People's Army) decides to build and make regular member the 954th Naval Air Force Regiment of Vietnamese Navy.

DHC-6 Twin Otter

Vietnam has purchased three CASA C-212 Aviocar aircraft Series 400 professional beach patrol and tracking. The aircraft equipped with radar MSS 6000 and Naval Air Force will use for general patrol purposes. Vietnamese Navy received two Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma to offshore patrol and search and rescue missions.

DHC-6 Twin Otter

Viking Air Company of Canada has contracted to sell to Vietnam six Seaplane DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 from 2012 to 2014. And 7 Kamov Ka-27 helicopters will be transferred to naval air force.

More pictures about VPA: http://worldmilitaryintel.blogspot.com/2013/05/vietnam-vietnam-capitalhanoi.html

Weekly News 9/12-15/12 (Updating)

East China Sea

China’s First Stealth Drone – Analysis (Eurasia Review): Is China trying to narrow down its airpower disparity with western nations? Or does it have a far bigger objective of strengthening its regional sphere of influence?

So many secrets in the East China Sea: It's been a source of endless fascination to follow the game of geopolitical Go being played since China declared an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea.

How Dangerous Is the East China Sea Airspace? :"There's always the potential for things going wrong whenever you have a volatile mix of intense sentiments, military forces, unclear rules of engagement and certain amount of unpredictability," Cheng said.

North China Sea Fleet assemble for training: North China Sea Fleet of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducts live ammunition drill.

South Korea Announces Expansion of Its Air Defense Zone (NYT): Defying both China and Japan, South Korea announced on Sunday that it was expanding its air patrol zone for the first time in 62 years to include airspace over the East China Sea that is also claimed by Beijing and Tokyo.

A solution for the East China Sea: The disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands have become too much of a potential flashpoint.

China Dismisses Japan's Opposition to S.China Sea ADIZ: "China is determined to safeguard national security. No country should make comments on this matter," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a regular press briefing.

China holds war games near Korean border: China’s military is holding large-scale military maneuvers near the North Korean border amid new signs of political instability in Pyongyang.

South China Sea

U.S. and Chinese warships nearly collide in South China Sea: A Chinese naval vessel came dangerously close to a US warship during a tense incident in the South China Sea last week, US military officials said Friday.

The USS Cowpens, a guided missile cruiser, was forced to maneuver to avoid a collision with the Chinese ship that had crossed directly in front of it and halted, according to naval officers and defense officials.

China unlikely to declare South China Sea ADIZ in short term: experts (Focus Taiwan): China is unlikely to declare an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the territory it claims in the South China Sea any time soon, experts said Tuesday, despite Beijing's unilateral announcement of an ADIZ covering disputed areas of the East China Sea.

Will Beijing Declare a Special Air Defense Zone Over the South China Sea? (RFA): Beijing may replicate the controversial special air defense zone it unilaterally declared over the East China Sea in another disputed region — the vast and disputed South China Sea — in a bid to shore up its military strategy that could escalate tensions and intensify U.S.-China rivalry, experts say.

-(PhilStar 9/12) Philippines open to talks, defense treaty with Japan amid China row: President Benigno Aquino III is open to discussing the possibility of a defense treaty with Japan as he attends the 40th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo this week. –(GMA Network 9/12) South China Sea dispute may be tackled in ASEAN-Japan Summit

-(Philippine Daily Inquirer 9/12) Japan seeks int’l action against China air zone: Japan’s defense minister called on the international community on Sunday to oppose China’s recently declared maritime air defense zone over the East China Sea and possibly over the disputed South China Sea.

-(The New York Times 8/12) South Korea Announces Expansion of Its Air Defense Zone: Defying both China and Japan, South Korea announced on Sunday that it was expanding its air patrol zone for the first time in 62 years to include airspace over the East China Sea that is also claimed by Beijing and Tokyo. –(China Post 9/12) Taiwan again calls for peaceful resolution after S. Korea move

-(The Manila Times 8/12) Here we go again: China’s new gambit: With the impending expansion of US military rotations in the archipelago, the Philippines is now a frontline state in Washington’s effort to counter Beijing’s force deployment, as West Germany was in the US.-Soviet confrontation in Europe. That can only bring more security tensions for the nation.

World news briefs (Warnewsupdates.blogspot.com)

Ukraine Opposition Office Raided As President Viktor Yanukovich Backs Talks -- CNN

Protesters in Ukraine remained defiant and continued their mass demonstration against President Viktor Yanukovich over the country's U-turn away from the European Union Monday, the same day masked men raided the headquarters of the opposition party Monday, according to opposition party leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

"Members of the special ops destroyed the entire server room," he said. "Equipment was destroyed, dragged out, across the entire premise of the Batkivshina Political Party headquarters." Police denied any involvement in the raid.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iran foreign minister says nuclear deal dead if U.S. passes new sanctions.

Iran, six powers meet on steps to carry out nuclear deal.

Israel urges tough line on Iran nuclear deal.

With US ties frayed, Saudi calls for Gulf union.

Iran, Saudi strategists spar, swap ideas, over Gulf security.

Syrian troops seize control of strategic highway. Syria retakes road needed for chemical weapons removal.

Report: Iran has executed 529 people in 2013.

At least 39 killed, 120 wounded in string of Iraq bombings.

Israeli leader predicts 'cold peace' in Mideast.

Mid-East governments sign Red Sea-to-Dead Sea water deal.

ASIA

Chinese hackers spied on Europeans before G20 meeting: researcher.

Thai protesters call for a 'people's revolution' as PM sets snap elections. Thai prime minister dissolves Parliament, calls elections.

South Korea expands air defense zone to partially overlap China's.

China expresses 'regret' over South Korean Air Defense Zone.

Kim Jong-un’s uncle dragged from political meeting, booted from party.

Singapore leader calls for restraint after riot. Indian worker's death sparks worst riots in Singapore, 27 arrested.

Chinese export growth accelerates in November.

Japan's economic growth revised down.

US war veteran Merrill Newman home after N Korea ordeal.

One month later, Philippines still struggle with typhoon’s impact.

AFRICA

Aid agencies 'paid Somalia's al-Shabab' during famine.

US military to provide air transport in CAR conflict.

French troops exchange fire with rebels in Central African Republic.

French troops cheered on arrival in CAR capital. French troops welcomed to Central African Republic.

France begins to disarm Central African Republic militias. Central African leader: I can't control fighters.


Renewed clashes at Egypt's Al-Azhar University.

Egyptian troops kill Sinai militant leader in gunbattle: army.

Oil-producing Libya needs new buyers.

Friend and foe, world leaders coming together for Mandela.

Mandela death: Daughter Makaziwe tells of final moments.

EUROPE

Ukraine police dismantle Kiev protest camps. Yanukovich backs Ukraine compromise talks as riot police take up positions.

Mass protests in Kiev: LIVE UPDATES.

Russian news agency RIA Novosti closed down. Putin dissolves state news agency, tightens grip on Russia media.

Leaked: Pussy Riot, Greenpeace activists included in draft amnesty.

German exports reach all-time high.

Bank of France ups quarterly growth forecast.

Greece sees end of recession in 2014 with new budget.

AMERICAS

Russia signs deal to forgive $29 billion of Cuba's Soviet-era debt - diplomats.

Mexico Senate panels OK energy reform; leftists oppose.

Four US Presidents to attend Mandela memorial.

Colombia's Farc announces unilateral ceasefire.

Venezuela's Socialists win majority in local polls.

Mexico men detained over Mexico radiation truck robbery.

Brazil football season ends in violence as fans brawl.

Heavy winter storm hits much of western, central US.

New York City has highest number of homeless children since Great Depression.

Brazil's child sex trade soars as 2014 World Cup nears.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. drone strike kills three in Yemen: local official.

Court weighs whether Guantanamo detainee searches are too aggressive.

Homeland Security chairman: Threat of terrorism spreading like 'wildfire' overseas.

Fight against terrorism tops Hagel's agenda in Pakistan.

Jordan to begin trial of radical Muslim preacher.

5 companies that make money by keeping Americans terrified of terror attacks.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. exits GM stake, taxpayers lose about $10 billion.

S&P 500 floats up to record close in quiet day on Wall St..

WTO reaches first-ever global trade deal.

After WTO, expectations rise for Trans-Pacific trade deal.

Nike and Adidas square off for Brazil World Cup in ongoing brand battle.

Hà Nội Submarine, The First Kilo class Project 636 Varshavyanka of Vietnam

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to visit and inspect Hanoi Kilo 636 submarine of Vietnam. Photo: VNA

Hanoi submarine, the first improved Kilo class submarine in a series of six vessels of Project 636 Varshavyanka (NATO named Kilo) that Russia built on order of Vietnam, has been transferred to the Vietnam Navy coming to Cam Ranh port scheduled in January 2014.

The contract that Russia provides for Vietnam six Kilo submarines signed in 2009 including crew training as well as providing equipment, supplies and techniques. The training crew for Vietnam began in late July of 2013 in Saint Petersburg.

Combat capability of the Project 636 submarine was significantly increased by the use of anti-ship missiles 3M-54E1 Club-S that is supported by advanced electronic systems. With the effective range reaches 290 km and carrying 450 kg warheads, Project 636 allows fast attack, remote. To increase survival, it not need to dig into the detection and attack range of enemy ships or to overcome the region where has been the trap by enemy mines or torpedoes. In addition, the ship also has a mechanism for anti-aircraft missile launcher of 8 missiles Strela-3 ( SA-N-8 Gremlin, a maximum range of 6 km ) or 8 Igla missiles ( SA-N-10 Gimlet, shot range up to 5 km ).

The original design of the Kilo 636 submarines without arming missiles to destroy targets on land (sea-to-surface/ sea-to-ground missile). But Vietnam's Russian- built Kilo 636MV submarines are equipped with 3M-14E missiles for ground attack.

The 3M-14E missile, a range of 290 km, warhead weighed 400 kg

The Vietnam's Russian built Kilo class submarines are signed to export for 7 countries including China, India, Iran, Poland, Romania, Algeria and Vietnam. Vietnam's Kilo submarines will be installed cruise missiles for land attack with 3M-14E1 latest type, has a range of 290 km. The missiles are not approved to export to China by the Russian Ministry of Defence. Only 3 countries that Russia exported this missile to are India and Algeria.

It should be noted that the weapons on the Russian Kilo-636 is equipped with the review and requirement of customers. Because of the specific requirements so the price of Vietnam's Kilo Submarines is much higher than China's ones. Thus it can be stated that 3M-14E missiles equipped for Vietnam's Kilo Submarines are the requirement of Vietnam.

The steel punch

In the disputed islands issue in the South China Sea, China falls into a disadvantage in terms of geography, they try to switch weapons facilities near the disputed islands as possible. Instances of this is that China has built a giant military bases in Sanya (Hainan Island), priority is the most modern weapons and facilities. Besides strengthening forces on Woody Island in the Paracel Islands that Chinese invasions of Vietnam, China wants to turn Sanya and Paracel Islands into the place of rallying the Air Force and Navy when conflicts occur.

In this context, Vietnam called to equip itself with the weapons that can stop the Chinese forces in Hainan Island. And the 3M-14E missile, a range of 290 km, 400 kg warhead was chosen. The vessel for carrying this missile is the Kilo 636MV submarine which can reach and launch the steel punches to paralyze the enemy bases. With the lack of support from the Air Force as well as logistics resupply techniques, Chinese forces fighting in the South China Sea will fall into difficult situations.

Then Vietnam will use Air Force aircrafts including the Su-30MK2, Su-30MK2V, Su-27,... and Navy surface ships with submarines sorties from Central Coast aided by anti-aircraft and ground-to-sea missiles (S-300, K-300P Bastion-P, 4K44B Redut, Uran E,...) Vietnam will fully control the South China Sea.

http://petrotimes.vn/news/vn/bien-dong/thoi-su-bien-dong/tau-ngam-kilo-viet-nam-la-chan-phong-thu-bien.html

http://soha.vn/quan-su/trang-bi-ten-lua-doi-dat-cho-kilo-636-canh-cao-danh-thep-cua-viet-nam-20130613160430712.htm

Japan explores 3 war scenorios with China amid ADIZ concerns

A Japanese F-15J fighter. (Photo/CNS)

Japan has responded to China's Nov. 23 announcement of its air defense indification zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea by holding a television conference to discuss the possibility of dealing with China on three fronts — Taiwan, the Miyako waterway and the disputed Diaoyutai (Senkaku or Diaoyu) islands — within the next 10-15 years, according to the Toyko-based Sankei Shimbun.

Commanders from the Japan Air Self Defense (JASDF) Northern Air Defense Force, Central Air Defense Force, Southern Air Defense Force and Southwestern Composite Air Division were called up by the Air Defense Command HQ stationed at Yokota for the television conference on Dec. 5, the paper said.

During the conference, the JASDF said that from the beginning of this year, its F-15J fighters had conducted drills to test the capability of the Chinese radar system. The JASDF concluded that Chinese radar system is able to detect the movement of aircraft in high altitude only.

Commanders attending the conference pointed out that the Japanese early warning radar system in Kyoto prefecture — based in the western part of the nation — can cover the entire airspace over the disputed Diaoyutai islands, which Japan, China and Taiwan all lay claim to (called the Senkaku Islands in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China). It can also cover the Miyako waterway, which lies between the Japanese islands of Miyako and Okinawa, and is thus an advantage in a potential conflict against China and its military aircraft.

Realizing that this advantage will be lost if the disputed islands were to fall into Chinese hands, the meeting focused on three war scenarios. The first scenario examined the possibility that China may only attack the island chain. The second explored the possibility that China may launch an attack against both the Diaoyutai islands and Miyako waterway simultaneously, while in the third scenario, the Diaoyutai islands, Miyako waterway and Taiwan were all potential targets.

The meeting concluded that tensions and the risk of conflict between the two nation's military aircraft will increase in the future as China will now send fighters to regularly patrol its new ADIZ, the Sankei Shimbun said.

Want China Times

Chinese aircraft carrier has major weaknesses: China Youth Daily

Liaoning aircraft carrier docks at a port in Sanya in China's southern island province of Hainan for supplies before it sets off to carry out experiments and military exercises in the South China Sea, Nov. 29. (Photo/CNS)

By sending its first aircraft carrier to the South China Sea, Beijing aims at more effective control over disputed islands in the region, but the vessel has five major weaknesses that make it unable to match up against US carriers, according to a Nov. 6 report in a Chinese state-run newspaper.

The China Youth Daily said that training in the South China Sea, where the Liaoning aircraft carrier headed for the first time Nov. 26, will allow it and other vessels to get more familiar with the maritime environment that is expected to become their main area of operation, but it will be some time before the Liaoning is combat-ready due to five major weaknesses, the official newspaper of the Communist Youth League of China said, listing them in order.

First, the Liaoning relies on Russian technology that limits the ship's range and usefulness in open sea; Secondly, the carrier cannot match the capabilities of US aircraft carriers, which can launch unmanned fighters with a range of up to 200 nautical miles; The electronics and weapons systems of the Liaoning and its J-15 fighter jets are far inferior to American carriers and their F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, and the US carriers also boast E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft with a flying altitude and range that outclasses the Liaoning's Kamov KA-31 helicopter; Lastly, the paper said that China does not yet have a large-size battle group centered around the Liaoning, and the ability of its warships to take part in coordinated fighting is not yet mature.