August 26, 2005: The Republic of Korea (ROK) has been a country facing a potential attack for over half a century. As a result, their military is well-trained, and is well equipped with modern weapons and other gear.

The ROK army is large (560,000 troops). In terms of personnel, this is slightly over three times as many as the United States Marines (180,000). This is organized into 49 divisions and 19 brigades – divided among 11 corps. The ROK has a large number of tanks (over 2300). Of these, 1000 are the modern Type 88 main battle tank (also known as the K1), which has a 105mm main gun. The ROK also has a large number (850) of M48A5 tanks. These are M48s that have had their 90mm main gun replaced with a 105mm gun. The Republic of Korea has ironically acquired some Russian tanks – to be precise, the T-80U. The ROK has 40 of these tanks – about battalion strength. The ROK also acquired 40 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles (again, roughly a battalion). The ROK also has a large force of armored personnel carriers. The bulk of this force uses 1700 Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicles (which have a .50-caliber machine gun and a .30-caliber machine gun). The ROK has 420 M113 armored personnel carriers and 20 BTR-80s.

The ROK Navy has been engaged in a huge modernization drive, going from 60-year-old Gearing and Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers to the KDX series of destroyers. The KDX-1 is a 3,900-ton vessel equipped with a 5-inch gun, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles. The ROK Navy has three of these vessels. The KDX-2 is a 5,000 ton vessel, and has a 5-inch gun, a 32-cell VLS for SM-2 missiles, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, a launcher for the Rolling Airframe Missile, and a Goalkeeper close-in-weapon-system. The ROK is planning to have six of these vessels. The KDX-3 is planned for introduction in 2007 or 2008, and is slated to displace 7,000-9,000 tons. It will be on par with the U.S. Arleigh Burke and Japanese Kongo-class destroyers. The ROK also has nine Ulsan-class frigates, which displace 1600 tons, and have 2 76mm guns, two twin 30mm or 40mm guns, six 12.75-inch torpedoes, and eight Harpoons. The ROK also has 24 Pohang-class corvettes, which come in two variants. The first is an anti-ship version which has two Exocet anti-ship missiles, a 76mm gun, and a twin 30mm anti-aircraft gun. The second is an ASW version , which has two 76mm guns, two triple 12.75-inch torpedo tubes, and two twin 40mm anti-aircraft guns. The ROK Navy also has a large force of diesel submarines – nine Type 209-class submarines, with three Type 214s under construction.

The ROK Air Force has long used American F-5E and F-4 fighters. The 185 F-5Es and the 130 F-4s are joined by 153 F-16s. The ROK Air Force uses all three of these fighters in both the air-defense and ground-attack roles. The ROK is also going to add 40 F-15K fighters, a variant of the multi-role F-15E – this will replace at least some of the F-4 Phantoms. The ROK Air Force is trying to develop a new-generation helicopter (the KMH) and a new airborne early-warning aircraft (the E-X).

The ROK Marine Corps is small (25,000 men), and has two divisions and a brigade. It is equipped with 60 LVTP-7 amphibious vehicles and 42 AAV-7s (a modified version of the LVTP-7). The ROK Marines also have 60 M47 tanks, equipped with a 90mm gun, a .50-caliber machine gun, and two 7.62mm machine guns. This force is officially under the ROK Navy, but usually operates under command of the ROK Army.

The Republic of Korea has a modernizing, well-trained force. It’s needed it. Its neighbor to the north has over 700,000 troops within 90 miles of the demilitarized zone, and its dictator, Kim Jong-Il, has been known to be very unpredictable, on one occasion kidnapping a South Korean director and holding him prisoner for eight years. The ROK will need to remain ready. – Harold C. Hutchison (hchutch@ix.netcom.com)

http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=htworld.htm

TYPE 052B (GUANGZHOU CLASS) MISSILE DESTROYER

Two Type 052B (Guangzhou class) multirole missile destroyers have been built by Jiangnan Shipyard of Shanghai for the PLA Navy. The Type 052B is larger than any indigenous destroyers previously built and has enhanced air defence and anti-submarine capabilities achieved by fitting it with newly developed and imported weapon and sensor systems. Both ships were commissioned in 2004.

PROGRAMME

Following the launch of the Type 051B (Shenzhen class, NATO codename: Luhai class) missile destroyer in 1998, the PLA Navy did not build more hulls of the same class as some predicted. Instead, the PLA Navy started to develop a new class of destroyer with displacement and improved weapon systems. This is largely because of the incapable air defence systems of the Type 051B. The Type 052 is fitted with enhanced air defence capability including the Russian-made 9M38 Buk-M1-2 (NATO codename: SA-N-12 Grizzly) air defence missile system and the indigenous Type 730 close-in weapon systems (CIWS), to achieve the operational requirements of the PLA Navy.

Building of the first-of-class ship, 168 Guangzhou, began in 2000. Unconfirmed reports indicated that the building of the ship was delayed because of the difficulty in acquiring the Ukraine DA/DN80 gas turbine. The ship was launched on 23 May 2002, and had been stationed at Jiangnan Shipyard sine then for weapon and radar system installations. The sea trial began in May 2003, and the ship officially entered service with the PLA Navy on 15 July 2004. The second ship 169 Wuhan was launched in January 2003 and commissioned in late 2004.

The Type 052B is thought to be comparable to the Russian Project 956E (Sovremenny class) destroyer in terms of general performance and capability. This project has set a perfect example of integrating the indigenous platform with foreign-made systems to fill the gap before similar indigenous systems become available, thus reducing the amount of time required in the whole project.

Nevertheless, the acquiring of the two Type 052B destroyers will definitely further increase the PLA Navy’s capability to combat in deep ocean. It also demonstrates China’s rapid progress in building a ‘blue water’ navy that is capable of operating far away from its homeports, a capability that the Chinese navy has been seeking for nearly two decades.

DEPLOYMENT

168 Guangzhou South 25 May 02 July 04
169 Wuhan South Oct 02 2004

DESIGN

The displacement of the ship is estimated to be 6,500 tonnes. The ship’s hull design incorporates strong radar signature reduction features such as the sloped sides and reduced external features. The hull surface is coated in radar-absorbent paint. The funnel also has cooling devices to reduce the ship’s infrared feature. The ships has a stern flight deck and a helicopter hanger to accommodate one Ka-28 ASW helicopter.

MISSILES

The ship is armed with two Russian-made 9M38 surface-to-air missile launchers, one on the front deck behind the 100mm main gun, and one on top of the helicopter hanger. The launchers can fire the 9M38 Buk-M1-2 (NATO codename: SA-N-12 Grizzly) semi-active, radar-homing, medium-range air defence missile. The missile uses the ship’s Russian-made MAE-5 Top Plate 3D circular scan radar for target tracking, and the Front Dome (two radar for each launcher, each radar with two guidance channels) indication radar for missile guidance. Up to three missiles can be aimed simultaneously. The range is up to 38km against aircraft and 20km against anti-ship cruise missile. The ship carries 48 9M38 missiles.

Four 4-cell launcher for the YJ-83 (C-803) sea-skimming, radar-homing anti-ship cruise missile system are installed behind the funnel. The YJ-83 is said to have a final approach speed of Mach 1.5 and a maximum range of 150km. It is noted that the YJ-83 onboard the Type 052B relies on a Russian-made Band Stand fire-control radar to provide target information, which would enable the YJ-83 to reach its maximum range of fire without relaying target information by the shipborne helicopter.

GUNS

This is the first PLA Navy warship to be fitted with the close-in weapon system (CIWS). Two seven-barrel 30mm Type 730 CIWS are located both sides behind the bridge. The weapon system has a maximum rate of fire of 4,600~5,800 rounds/min.

The ship has a single-barrel 100mm gun developed by 713 Institute on the basis of the French Creusot-Loire T100C design. The gun can be used against surface targets and air targets such as aircraft and low speed missile, with a maximum rate of fire of 90 rounds/min. The gun can be operated in fully automatic mode from the radar control system, from the shipborne optical sighting system, or laid manually. The turret design incorporates strong radar cross-section reduction features.

ANTI-SUBMARINE SYSTEMS

The ship is fitted with two triple 324mm Yu-7 (Mk-46 Mod 1) antisubmarine torpedo tubes and two Type 75 twelve-barrel 240mm antisubmarine rocket launchers. Range is up to 1,200m. The rocket is armed with a 34kg warhead.

Additionally, the destroyer has four 18-barrel multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) installed on the front deck. The purpose of these MRLs remains unknown but is thought to be used to launch antisubmarine rockets, ground- attack rockets and/or decoys/chaffs.

SENSORS

The air search radar is a Russian MAE-5 (NATO codename: Top Plate) 3D air search radar operating at E/H band. The radar has a maximum detect range of 230km to aircraft and 50km to sea-skimming missile. There are four (in contrast to six on Sovremenny class) Russian Front Dome fire control radar for the 9M38 air defence missile. The main gun and anti-ship missile are controlled by the Russian Band Stand radar operating at D/E/F band.

COMMAND AND CONTROL

The ZJK-5 combat system onboard the Type 052B is thought to be an improved variant of the Type 051B (Luhai class)’s ZJK-4-3A. The ZJK-5 is based on the 1553B military data bus and the 100Mbps Ethernet technology. The multi-channel defence suite is capable of engaging several targets simultaneously.

HELICOPTER

The ship’s stern hanger accommodates one Kamov Ka-28 (NATO codename: Helix) antisubmarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. Carrying various weapons including torpedoes and deep charges, the helicopter can operate in all weather conditions up to 200km from the host ship.

PROPULSIONS

The ship’s propulsion is in the form of CODOG, consisting of two Ukraine-made DA80/DN80 gas turbines rated at 48,600hp and two Shaanxi diesels (Chinese copy of the MTU 20V956TB92) rated at 8,840hp (6.5 MW).

SPECIFICATIONS

Displacement: 6,500t
Dimensions: Length 154m; Beam 17m, Draft 6m
Max Speed: 29kt
Crew: 280

Date Last Updated: 26 August 05

http://sinodefence.com/navy/surface/052b.asp

2208 CLASS STEALTHY MISSILE FAST ATTACK CRAFT

In 2004, foreign intelligence and observers began to notice that the PLA Navy was building a new class of missile fast attack craft (FAC). The mysterious vessel, fearing a unique wave-piercing catamaran hull design with evident radar cross-section reduction features, were first spotted in Qiuxin Shipyard of Shanghai. So far at least three vessels (pennant number 2208, 2210, and 2211) have been built. It is not clear whether there are more hulls to come.

The adventurous design of the vessel suggested that the PLA Navy may be testing some new concepts of technology and tactics in littoral warfare. Although similar wave-piercing catamaran designs were seen in both civil and military transport ship building, it is the first time that the concept is used on a surface combatant ship. The wave piercing form has reduced buoyancy forward, thus reducing pitching motion and improving seakeeping. In bigger waves the centre hull takes over, giving the vessel very good seaworthiness. These features provide the vessel with the excellent small wave seakeeping of a catamaran and the large wave seaworthiness of a monohull, result in a very stable and fast platform.

Another distinctive feature of the vessel is its strong stealthy designs. As well as its slab-sided hull and “clean” surface to reduce the radar reflections, all the doors and opening hatches on the boat have saw-toothed forward and trailing edges to deflect radar. These unique features, combined with the unidentified long-range, high-speed sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, make the vessel an effective and lethal system in offshore combat.

The introduction of the vessel also provides some interesting insights in the PLA Navy’s strategy. While investing heavily to build a “blue water” navy consisting of large surface combatants such as destroyers and frigates, the PLA Navy has not given up the use of small high-speed FAC. Platforms like this may play an important role in offshore waters like the Taiwan Strait. The vessel could also be used in together with sea-based, airborne, and even space-based sensors via datalink and satellite communications to form a wider networked platform and sensor grid.

No details on the weapon systems and sensors onboard boat 2208 is available. Judging from its appearance, the vessel probably carries four anti-ship missiles and one Russian AK-630 30mm close-in weapon system (CIWS).

Date Last Updated: 29 August 05

http://sinodefence.com/navy/littoral/2208.asp

August 30, 2005: There are reports that the nearly 30-year old, 3,500 ton, Bessmennyy ('Krivak-II') class ASW frigate Neukrotimyy ("Indomitable"), was struck by a mine a while rehearsing for end of World War II ceremonies. The ship was brought into a naval base and is apparently undergoing repairs. The mine may be a relic of one of the world wars, or perhaps a more recent Russian or even Swedish one that broke from its mooring line and drifted away. This sort of thing happens, but usually to merchant ships (which spend far more time at sea that warships.) Then again, the Neukrotimyy, flagship of the Baltic fleet, may have had an internal explosion. That, because of the crowded design of Russian warships, and generally poor maintenance, is rather more common. The Russians merely reported that the ship was brought in for repairs, had holes in the hull and would have to be repaired. The navy refused to give details of what caused the damage, but the ship was seen with its stern low in the water.

http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=HTSURF.HTM

South Korea Debuts New Hi-Tech Military Trainer

By VOA News
30 August 2005

South Korea has unveiled a new supersonic trainer jet.

Korea Aerospace Industries is celebrating the first T-50 Golden Eagle to roll off the production line Tuesday during a ceremony at its headquarters in Sacheon, 430 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

The T-50 is a joint project of KAI and U.S.-based defense giant Lockheed Martin. It can fly at one-and-a-half times the speed of sound (Mach 1.5), and is designed to train jet fighter pilots.

The South Korean Air Force has ordered about 50 of the supersonic jets. KAI and Lockheed Martin are also hoping to sell at least 600 T-50s on the global market.

Korean Aerospace Industries was created in 1999 through the consolidation of the aerospace businesses of South Korean conglomerates Daewoo, Samsung, and Hyundai.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/rok/2005/rok-050831-voa01.htm

...[related]...


Korea Joins 'Supersonic Club' With Homegrown Jet

Korea marked the start of its own supersonic era on Tuesday when the first in a line of T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft rolled out of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) factory in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. With that, Korea becomes the 12th nation to develop its own supersonic aircraft. The plane will be officially handed over to the Air Force in October.

The T-50 will make its domestic debut at the Seoul Air Show 2005 at Seoul Airport in October and its international debut at the 2005 Dubai Air Show with a ground display and test flight.



Development of the T-50 started in 1997, with the first prototype rolling out of the hangar in October 2001. It made its first flight in August 2002 and broke the sound barrier in February 2003. The first aircraft to come off the assembly line marks the successful completion of development.

Now KAI can mass-produce the T-50, the Air Force embarks on an age of using homemade aircraft for training. The Air Force said it would start using the T-50 in advanced flight training from 2007, once the trainers have been trained. "With the KT-1, which we are already using as our basic flight trainer, pilots will now train on Korean-made planes," it said.

It plans to establish a flight-training squadron with the First Fighter Wing in Gwangju that will operate the T-50 and is to get a total of 94 aircraft at a combined cost of about W4.4 trillion, or US$4.4 billion, between this October and 2007.

The T-50 is 13.14 m long, 9.45 m wide and 4.91 m tall. It has a maximum take-off weight of 13,454 kg and a service altitude of 14,783 m. It can also be converted into an A-50, a light attack aircraft.

link

...[additional details]...


South Korea Rolls Out First Supersonic Trainer Jet

(Source: Korea Overseas Information Service; issued Aug. 29, 2005)

South Korea began mass production of the world's first-ever supersonic trainer jets, named T-50s, on Tuesday (Aug. 30) under a 6.4-trillion-won ($6.2-billion) project aimed at promoting its military aviation industry. The project includes the development of supersonic fighter jets.

President Roh Moo-hyun visited a factory of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, which rolled out the first T-50 in the morning, to congratulate the nation for becoming the 12th country to produce supersonic aircraft.

“T-50s are one of the world's best trainer jets, whose capability and safety have been proved,” he said in a speech during a ceremony. Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung and several lawmakers also attended the event.

“The country's Air Force will acquire a state-of-the-art weaponry system when A-50 attack planes are developed and the procurement projects of next-generation fighter jets and the airborne early warning and control system are completed in the future,” Roh said.

The KAI plans to produce and deliver 94 T-50s to the Air Force by 2011, starting with two jets by the end of this year, according to officials at the state-run company.

Tuesday's production has led South Korea to become the world's first nation to develop a supersonic trainer jet and the 12th nation to develop supersonic aircraft. [*This is not accurate, the U.S. T-38 Talon is a supersonic trainer and has been in service for over 40 years.]

South Korea launched the T-50 project in 1997 in a technological partnership with U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The local content of the craft, which currently stands at about 60 percent, will be raised on a gradual basis.

The 13.13-meter-long, 9.45-meter-wide and 4.94-meter-high plane can fly at the maximum speed of Mach 1.4 as high as 14,630 meters. The T-50 is equipped with a range of advanced systems to train pilots in both current and next-generation combat jets, as well as featuring sophisticated anti-air and anti-ground weapons systems.

Citing a market study by the Teal Group, an aerospace and defense consulting firm based in Virginia, the United States, KAI officials said T-50s would dominate the world's trainer jet markets.

The report predicted South Korea can expect to sell about 800-1,200 T-50s by 2030, which account for 27-41 percent of the world's trainer jet market. Each T-50 costs $22 million to 23 million, higher than other competitive trainer jets.

September 1, 2005: The European Union is composed of 25 countries that have separate militaries. How would the military of these 25 countries combined stack up when compared to the United States, Russia, and China?

The EU’s carrier force would consist of the Charles de Gaulle and up to a half-dozen V/STOL carriers from the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy. The United Kingdom is working on a class of two new carriers in the 50,000-ton range, the Queen Elizabeth class, and France may buy one as well (due to major problems keeping the de Gaulle operational). The EU navy would also have two cruisers, 38 destroyers, 126 frigates, eight nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, 18 nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 24 ocean-going diesel-electric submarines (plus 22 coastal diesel-electric submarines).

The EU air force would feature a large number of advanced aircraft. This would include the 620 Eurofighters, 294 Rafales, and 526 Tornado GR.4/IDS aircraft. These would be supplemented by Greek F-4s, F-16s from Greece, Belgium, Norway, and the Netherlands, Mirage 2000s from France and Greece, and Harriers from the UK, Spain, and Italy. A combined EU air force would have quality and quantity.

The EU army would bring a mix of forces. The British have six brigades, the French have nine and a half, and the Germans have five regular divisions (with ten and a half brigades). Among other major countries in the EU, Spain has eight brigades, Belgium has 2 brigades, the Italians have another eight brigades, the Netherlands has four brigades, and Greece has 15 brigades. The total force is close to a million men, and features a number of advanced tanks, primarily the British Challenger 2, the French LeClerc, and the German Leopard 2 as well as infantry vehicles like the Warrior, AMX-10, and Marder. Older systems like the AMX-30, M60, Leopard 1, and M113 are also in the mix.

The mixture of quantity and quality of this EU military could easily best Russia, which has a large air force, but its best planes still fall short when compared to the Eurofighter and Rafale. The EU’s combined naval force also clearly outnumbers Russia’s Northern, Baltic, and Black Sea fleets. While the Russians have a few surface vessels that are capable of fighting it out with EU units (like the Kirov-class battlecruisers and the Slava-class cruisers), there are very few of these ships (the Northern, Black Sea, and Baltic fleet have a total of two Kirovs and two Slavas). China’s military is much more outclassed. While China is able to beat the EU in quantity, most of its aircraft are older, and even some of the older EU aircraft (like the Mirage 2000 and F-16) are almost on par with some of China’s best planes (like the Su-27) in the right circumstances.

Against the United States, though, the EU will come up short in some areas. One of these would be beyond the range of land-based air cover. The Atlantic fleet alone has six carriers, each carrying four squadrons of fighters (F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, with the F-35 to enter service soon). Beyond the range of land-based air cover, the EU’s navy will be outnumbered in terms of aircraft, and will face more powerful ships and submarines (like the Ticonderoga-class cruisers, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Los Angeles-class submarines, and Virginia-class submarines). The air force will meet its match in terms of quantity (the United States Air Force has 924 F-16Cs, 252 F-15C/D, and 132 F-15E in its primary mission aircraft inventory). The American inventory is even larger and the F-22 is entering service, which is miles ahead of other fighters.

The U.S. Army, while outnumbered, has a much simpler logistics train, due to the fact it only has to support the M1A2 Abrams tank and the M2/M3 Bradley fighting vehicles as contrasted to the EU’s hodgepodge of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (at least a half-dozen types of tanks, and a similar number of IFVs and APCs). The EU faces an incredible logistics challenge as a result of this mix.

Between the qualitative gap with the United States, the much more complicated logistical needs due to the heterogeneous number of weapon systems, and the quantitative gap in such areas as carriers, carrier-based aircraft, and nuclear attack submarines, the EU would come off second-best in a fight with the United States. That said, its second-place finish in a fight would be a very close second. – Harold C. Hutchison (hchutch@ix.netcom.com)

http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=htworld.htm

September 2, 2005: The Russian navy is apparently preparing two late model two Akula class nuclear submarines, for transfer to India. The subs will be leased, with the option to buy. The two subs are still under construction, one is 70-85 percent complete, the other is 40-60 percent complete. India will pay some $25 million a year to lease the two boats. Total costs of each boat, including crew training, is about a billion dollars. This deal has been in the works for over a decade, and has yet to be finalized and publicly announced.

http://www.strategypage.com/fyeo/qndguide/default.asp?target=RUSSIA.HTM

September 3, 2005: Turkey has been a major power in the Eastern Mediterranean sea and the Middle East for centuries, despite the destruction of the Turkish empire after World War I. Its military has, for half a century, been one of the bulwarks on NATO’s southern front. Turkey’s military is one that faces a multitude of potential operations, including counter-insurgency warfare against Kurdish separatists in southeast Turkey, conflict with Greece over Cyprus (currently divided, and a potential powder keg), and humanitarian operations (such as in the aftermath of the 1999 earthquakes).

The Turkish Army is a large force (402,000 active-duty personnel, 206,000 reservists). It is divided into four armies (the First, Second, Third, and Aegean), and consists of ten corps, 14 mechanized infantry brigades, 14 armored brigades. 12 infantry brigades, and five commando brigades. Major equipment includes 443 Leopard 1 main battle tanks, 720 M60A3, 289 M60A1 (of which 170 will be modified to the same standards as the Israeli Sabra main battle tank, which is an M60A3 with a 120mm smoothbore gun, much like the gun on the Merkava), 798 M48A5s that have been modified to M60A3 specs (with a laser range-finder, smoke grenade launchers, and the ability to fire accurately on the move), 1,789 M48A5T1 tanks (which have been upgraded to the same specs as the M60A1), and 287 M48T5s that are also upgraded to the M60A1 standard. Over 1200 M48A2 and M48A3 tanks are in reserve and provide spare parts for the tanks in service. The Turkish Army also has a large number of APCs and IFVs. Of these, 650 Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles which are M113s with a 25mm cannon, 1381 are Advanced Armored Personnel Carriers, and over 3100 M113 armored personnel carriers. Other equipment the Turkish Army uses includes 295 M110 self-propelled eight-inch howitzers, 524 M44T and M52T self-propelled 155mm howitzers (upgraded pieces from the 1950s, the latter were originally 105mm howitzers), 36 AH-1 attack helicopters, 690 towed 155mm artillery guns (M114 and M59), 830 M101 105mm howitzers, and 140 towed 203mm howitzers.

The Turkish Air Force is a force that operates a large number of aircraft. Two types are in service. First is the ubiquitous F-16 Fighting Falcon. Turkey’s force of F-16s is the second-largest (behind only the United States Air Force). There are a total of 196 F-16Cs and 44 F-16Ds available. The Turkish Air Force also operates the F-4 Phantom. There are 136 of these aircraft in service – 52 of which have been upgraded by Israeli Aircraft Industries to the “2020 Terminator” standard. The “2020 Terminator” Phantoms have enhanced maneuverability and upgraded avionics systems. Turkey is also planning on buying as many as 150 F-35s and up to 4 737-700 airliners modified into airborne early warning planes.

The Turkish Navy has a mix of new-build and second-hand ships. The surface force consists of 19 frigates. Eight Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates that retain their Mk 13 missile launchers and three Knox-class frigates have been acquired from the United States. These go along with four Yavuz-class frigates, which have 16 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles (eight rounds in a Mk 29 launcher with eight reloads), Harpoon anti-ship missiles, a five-inch gun, and three Sea Zenith (a four-barreled 25mm gun for close-in defense). Turkey also has two Barbaros-class frigates (which differ from the Yavuz-class frigates in having 16 reloads for the Mk 29 Sea Sparrow launcher as opposed to eight), and two Salihreis-class frigates (which replace the Mk 29 launcher with a Mk 41 vertical-launch system holding 16 Sea Sparrows).

Turkey also has 14 Type 209 submarines (eight Type 209/1400 and six Type 209/1200) in service. Turkey is planning to build six frigates, and also has six D’Estinne D’Orves-class corvettes that have been acquired from France. Turkey also has 23 fast missile boats (15 with the Harpoon anti-ship missile, eight with the Norwegian Penguin anti-ship missile), with four more Harpoon-equipped missile boats on order.

The Turkish military police are also a factor. The 180,000-strong Gendarmarie (with 50,000 reservists) usually operates in rural areas, often using the Russian BTR-60 armored personnel carrier and a mix of armored cars (like the Cadillac V150 and the Dragoon 300). This unit also has a small force of helicopters, 26 of which are Blackhawks, 18 of which are Mi-17 Hips from Russia.

The Turkish military has been securing NATO’s southern flank since 1952. It has had a few combat operations (such as the 1974 invasion of Cyprus, rumored aerial engagements with Greece over the Aegean Sea, and the Kurdish insurgency in the southeastern part of that country). This is a force slated to keep Turkey as a major player in the Eastern Mediterranean for the foreseeable future. – Harold C. Hutchison (hchutch@ix.netcom.com)

http://www.strategypage.com/fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=htworld.htm

September 4, 2005: India is developing an ICBM, with a range of up to 12,000 kilometers. Because of India location on the planet, this missile would not be able to reach the United States, but it would cover all of China, Europe and the Middle East. The new missile would be a scaled up version of India’s current Agni IRBM (3,000 kilometers range). Flight tests of the ICBM are expected to take place as early as 2008, and deployment (carrying three nuclear warheads) as a three stage missile, by 2015. Each missile is expected to cost about eight million dollars.

http://www.strategypage.com/fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=HTICBM.HTM

Don't forget, there is an 'India' thread.

Yeah, I know, just had a complete brain fart that day when I was posting that info.

Russia: Putin Replaces Navy Chief

By Robert Parsons

Russian President Vladimir Putin has relieved of duty Fleet Admiral Vladimir Kuroedov, who has led the Russian Navy since 1997. Putin did not say why he had made his decision to replace Admiral Kuroedov, but the Russian Navy is undergoing an acute crisis and many hold him at least partly responsible for its decline. Kuroedov was criticized for his handling of the "Kursk" submarine tragedy in 2000, Russia's worst peacetime military disaster. And just a month ago he was under fire again, when seven Russian sailors trapped in a crippled mini-submarine were only saved with help from abroad.

Prague, 5 September 2005 (RFE/RL) -- It has not been a happy decade for the rusting hulk of Russia's decaying navy. A staggering 1,000 warships were decommissioned in the 1990s and still the downsizing goes on.

Before his release from duty, Admiral Kuroedov announced that a further 20 percent of the fleet would have to be scrapped because the navy had received just 12 percent of the funds needed to keep its ships seaworthy. The far-flung ports of the Russian fleet are littered with the rotting carcasses of a navy that once vied with the United States for control of the world's sea-lanes. The truth is Russia is decommissioning its battle fleet so fast it doesn't have the means to scrap the ships.

Russian military expert Pavel Felgengauer suggests that the real situation may be even worse than the Russian admiralty admits.

"We have only just several ships that can really sail and some subs that can go out, but the really operational part of the navy is only a small fraction of the entire inventory that they have," Felgengauer said.

Last year, Kuroedev himself highlighted the deepening plight of the service when he ordered Russia's flagship nuclear battle cruiser, the "Peter the Great," back to port, saying it could explode at any moment. He said he was particularly concerned about the state of the on-board reactor and the training of the crew. According to Felgengauer, few of his fellow admirals will be sorry to see him leave.

"The Russian Navy is dominated by admirals who graduated from submarines and Kuroedov was not from the submarines; he is from the sort of coastal mosquito fleet," Felgengauer said. "And they saw him as an outsider and a person who doesn't understand much. Obviously, after a number of submarines were lost -- not only the 'Kursk' but the K-159 and, of course, there was the recent disaster with the mini-submarine in Kamchatka."

The case of the K-159 did much to accelerate an already fast declining reputation. On 30 August 2003, at a time of rock-bottom morale in the submarine fleet and just three years after 118 sailors had died in the Kursk disaster, the aging K-159 sank as it was being towed to shipyards for dismantling. It should never have put to sea -- conditions were too rough and safety procedures were not observed. When the tow rope snapped, the submarine plunged beneath the waves taking nine of its 10-man crew with it.

Kuroedov survived the criticisms of sloppiness and poor training -- just as he had survived the torrent of criticism that came his way after the "Kursk" tragedy. But he seems not to have learned from the mistakes of the past. Last month, when a Priz AS-28 mini-submersible became trapped on the ocean bed with its oxygen supplies fast running out, the navy again hid behind a smokescreen of contradictory and slowly leaked information. Kuroedov was savaged by the media.

President Putin was careful not to present Kuroedov's removal from office as a dismissal but his age -- at 61 he was due for retirement -- and a long illness presented Putin with an opportunity to get rid of a man who had increasingly become an embarrassment.

His successor is Admiral Vladimir Masorin, until now chief of naval staff and deputy commander of the fleet. He faces an unenviable task: how to redefine the role of the navy at a time of shrinking funds but lingering superpower ambitions.

Copyright (c) 2005. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. http://www.rferl.org

September 7, 2005: One of strangest commando outfits in the world, does not consider itself one. It’s the French Foreign Legion, that began as a formation of mercenary foreigners, but evolved into the elite unit, with many French troops, in the French armed forces. Founded in 1831, to use non-French troops to fight politically unpopular battles at home or abroad, the Legion did not really change to it’s current form until after World War II. In the beginning, French citizens were not accepted, as foreigners getting killed in French service was less politically explosive back home. Gradually, French citizens were allowed in, as long as they pretended they were not French (they could claim to be Belgians or French Canadians.)

The current force is about 8,500 strong, organized into six infantry, one parachute, one armored and two combat engineer battalions (called regiments.) Currently, about a third of the troops are French. Recruiting standards put an emphasis on physical and psychological fitness. Minor criminal activity in the past can be waived, but the Legion does not recruit murderers and those with serious crimes in their past. First enlistment is five years, and you can become a French citizen via that service. The Legion attracts a lot of men who have served in their foreign armed forces (usually in the infantry or commandoes), and are looking for more excitement, and something different. The Legion can provide it, because this outfit is France’s main intervention and peacekeeping force. Until the 1960s, few Legionnaires ever set foot in France. But now most Legion units are based in France, at least when they are not on duty overseas (as many are now in the Ivory Coast).

Legionaries are often given commando type training, and the Legion is seen as a good source of recruits for smaller commando and intelligence gathering type units.

The training is tough and continuous, and the Legion builds a unit spirit that makes a big difference in combat. The Legion has a reputation for being tough, and they try to maintain that image, as it goes a long way to demoralize many potential enemies. The Legion also has a reputation for being loyal to each other. For example, troops who are crippled on duty, will have a job found for them if possible (so you might encounter a supply sergeant with an arm or eye missing.) The French consider the Legion to be very loyal and reliable, if only because the Legion has proved it so many times over nearly two centuries.

Since World War II, the Legion has attracted a lot of experienced recruits from wars that have ended. When the Cold War ended, the Legion got a lot of the better commando and paratrooper veterans from the former Soviet Union (which disbanded many units in the 1990s). Currently, there are a lot of Yugoslavs in the Legion, veterans of the Balkan wars of the 1990s. The Legion is a mixture of traditions and mayhem, that will continue to attract adventurers from all over the world.

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Singapore chooses F-15 over Rafale




MINDEF Statement on Next Fighter Replacement Programme

(Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence; issued Sept. 6, 2005)

In response to media queries on the status of the Singapore Air Force’s Next Fighter Replacement Programme (NFRP), a spokesperson said that [the Ministry of Defence] is now in the process of seeking final clarifications and contract negotiation with Boeing. (ends)

--------------------------------------

Rafale Edged Out In Singapore

(Source: Dassault Aviation; issued Sept. 6, 2005)

SAINT-CLOUD, France --- At the end of a long selection and evaluation process in which the elimination of the Eurofighter Typhoon led to a face-off between Dassault Aviation's Rafale and Boeing's F-15, the American vendor prevailed in Singapore.

The Southeast Asian city-state has so far had a single source - American - for its air defense. Given the quality of the Rafale bid and its suitability to the technical and operational criteria of the call for tender, dual sourcing seemed to be a possibility. This hope failed to materialize.

There seem to be two main reasons for this decision:

- the dollar's current weakness is a definite handicap for the economic competitiveness of the French offer;

- America's power might once again bore out the old Chinese proverb: Bamboo always leans the way it's pushed the hardest

The Rafale is a technical and industrial success, as the operational commissioning of the first planes delivered to the French Armed Forces has shown. Its status of finalist at Singapore proves that it has every chance of becoming an export success.

Sore losers!

September 8, 2005: The British Army has reorganized its introduction plans for the Apache attack helicopter for the second time in four years. A force of 67 AH.1s – basically, the British version of the U.S. Army's AH-64 – won't reach full operational capability until 2010. The Army is having difficulties recruiting and training enough two-man air crews; it also had delays in getting the helicopter simulators working.

Initially, the UK had planed to have 144 air crews fully trained by February 2007, but now only 126 air crews will ready for action by 2009. The first UK Apache regiment became operational this past May, with the second planned for operations in 2007, with the third ready by October 2009. The initial working plan was to have everyone converted over by February 2007.

There's some good news. Eight Apaches have been modified to operate off of Royal Navy amphibious ships, to support amphibious operations. Modifications included anti-corrosion measures. By the end of the 2005, nine crews should be qualified to fly off of the carrier HMS Ocean, and the navy's two amphibious assault ships. More maritime-qualified crews are expected in 2006, along with certifying the Apache for operations off the Invincible-class aircraft carriers. – Doug Mohney

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September 8, 2005: China has sold 80 K-8E jet trainers to Egypt, for $4.4 million each. The price includes the transfer of manufacturing technology, so that the aircraft can be assembled in Egypt. The 4.2 ton K-8 is a joint Chinese-Pakistani design. Some of the parts are made in Pakistan, but the aircraft were assembled in China. It was expected that the Chinese air force would adopt the K-8, but the air force refused, citing the large number of aircraft parts manufactured in a foreign nation (Pakistan). First deliveries of the K-8 were made in 1996 (six each to the Chinese and Pakistani air forces.) Pakistan didn't buy the K-8 either, deciding it would be cheaper to refurb its existing T-37 trainers. China eventually bought 30, and Pakistan 8. Five other nations bought small quantities of the K-8 since then (Morocco 20, Burma 12, Namibia 4, Sri Lanka 9 and Zambia 8). The sale to Egypt is the first substantial one.

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Azerbaijan To Double Military Budget

Lenkaran, Azerbaijan; 8 September 2005 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev today said his country will double military spending next year to $600 million.
Aliyev also warned Armenia that Azerbaijan is capable of retaking by force the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, a
territory inside Azerbaijan that is currently controlled by Armenia.

He accused Armenia of maintaining an attitude that is making progress on the topic impossible. He said he hopes it
will be possible for a peaceful solution on the mainly ethnic-Armenian enclave.

In other developments, over 2,000 candidates have registered to compete for 125 seats in Azerbaijan's 6 November parliamentary elections.

The Council of Europe has called on the Azerbaijani government and opposition to ensure that the vote will be fair, saying the poll is an opportunity for the country to show it is a democratic nation.

(AFP/Interfax/ITAR-TASS)

Copyright (c) 2005. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. http://www.rferl.org

Chile to Buy ex-Royal Navy Frigates

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Sept. 7, 2005)

An agreement with the Chilean Government for the sale of three ex-RN Type 23 frigates HM Ships NORFOLK, GRAFTON, and MARLBOROUGH is to be signed later today.

The agreement, signed by Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement and Chilean Minister of Defence Ravinet, follows the sale of HMS Sheffield (now the FMG Almirante WILLIAMS) in 2003, and will pave the way for delivery of the three ships to the Chilean Navy around the end of 2008

Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement said:

"These three Type 23 frigates have become available as a consequence of the restructuring of our Armed Forces to better meet the challenges of the 21st century. The Royal Navy will continue to operate the Type 23. I am delighted that these excellent ships will now also see service in the Chilean Navy.

"This sale will continue the long tradition of naval links with Chile, who are an increasingly important partner for the UK in international peacekeeping and security operations. This agreement will appreciably enhance Chile's ability to contribute in that field."

Chile signed a Letter of Intent in December 2004, modified by an Addendum in June 05, to purchase all three ships. Following a period of contract negotiations with Chile and the UK industrial prime contractor, BAE Systems, all parties are now in a position to sign a Sales Agreement for the transfer of the ships to Chile.


BACKGROUND NOTES:

1) In July 2004 the then Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, announced a reduction in Royal Navy Destroyer and Frigate numbers from 31 to 25. This was to be achieved, in part, by the withdrawal from service of three Type 23 frigates (HM Ships NORFOLK, MARLBOROUGH and GRAFTON).

2) The value of the sale to Chile which includes the three ships, pre-sale sanitisation and maintenance, and training is £135million.

September 5, 2005: The navy says it doesn't have the money, this year, to buy two of the robotic minisubs the British used to free a trapped Russian submarine last month. The British minisub, which is basically a commercial piece of equipment, cost several million dollars each.

September 4, 2005: Despite the successful operation (using a British robotic sub) to rescue seven sailors trapped in a small submarine last month, president Putin dismissed admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov as head of the navy. No reason was given, but Putin was eager to move ahead with reforms with the navy, and Kuroyedov has been out of action for much of the last two months for health problems. Kuroyedov was in command when the submarine Kursk went down in 2000. Several other senior navy officers were dismissed as well.

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