quote:

September 20, 2005: After years of negotiations, India has signed a deal to buy six French Scorpene class diesel submarines. These are similar to the Agosta 90B subs (also French) that Pakistan has bought. The first of the Agosta's was built in France, but the other two were built in Pakistan. The third Pakistani Agosta is still being finished, it was delayed over a year because Islamic terrorists had killed some of the French engineers working on the project.

...[updates]...


India Signs Contract for French Submarines

(Source: DCN; issued Oct. 6, 2005)

Today, in New Delhi, DCN/Thales joint subsidiary Armaris signed a contract with the Indian government for the acquisition of six Scorpene submarines. The ceremony was attended by a large number of officials and industrial partners, not least DCN.

Following Indian Prime Minister Manoham Singh's official confirmation in Paris on 12 September of the contract for the acquisition, through a technology transfer, of six Scorpene submarines, Armaris and Indian shipbuilder Bombay Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) today signed the corresponding commercial contract.

The next major milestone, which may take place from late this year, will be the contract's entry into effect and a start on the project's operational phases.

The contract is for the acquisition of six Franco-Spanish Scorpene submarines to be wholly built in India by MDL. DCN, the Scorpene industrial prime contractor with Spanish partner Navantia, will manage the technology transfer, provide services and supply equipment as stipulated in the contract. For the DCN group, the package will be worth around EUR 900 million.

The modularity of Scorpene design means that it can readily tailored to each client navy's specific needs. Advanced built-in interoperability further enables the Scorpene to accommodate a variety of sophisticated customer-defined combat and weapon systems.

Following earlier orders from Chile and Malaysia, this contract brings total sales of the DCN-developed Scorpene to international client navies to ten.

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

India Orders Submarine-Launched Exocet

(Source: MBDA; issued Oct. 7, 2005)

The Indian Ministry of Defence today awarded international missile systems group MBDA the contract to supply its Exocet SM-39 weapon system to arm the Navy’s new Scorpène conventional attack submarines.

The contract, signed on the 6th October in New Delhi, involves the provision of the Exocet SM-39 missile for the six new generation submarines ordered from Armaris.

This latest purchase of the Exocet missile makes India the 34th customer for the world-renowned anti-ship missile system. To date, MBDA has sold more than 3,300 Exocet missiles in all configurations since the missile first entered service.

The contract cements the already strong partnership between India’s armed forces, indigenous industry and MBDA. MBDA’s long relationship with India spans over a quarter of a century with key programmes for the Indian Army and Air Force. The company’s collaboration with India’s Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) dates back more than two decades with the production under licence of the Milan anti-armour systems.

MBDA also has a long heritage of working with the Indian Air Force, equipping its Jaguar, MiG-21, MIG-23 and Mirage 2000 combat aircraft with airborne weapons.

Marwan Lahoud, MBDA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: "This contract marks another significant step in MBDA’s long-term strategy to develop and strengthen solid cooperation with its major international partners. MBDA welcomes this new building block in a relationship which has already such strong foundations and which we will continue to grow".

He added: "Determined in our pursuit of an even stronger cooperation with India and with an unmatched high-technology and skills base to share, the signature today of this very important contract confirms our shared vision".


BACKGROUND NOTES:

--With an annual turnover exceeding EUR 3 billion, a forward order book of over EUR 13 billion and over 70 customers world wide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programmes in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects. MBDA is jointly owned by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).

--MBDA’s family of Exocet missiles comprises a range of stand-off "fire and forget" stealthy missiles with skimming flight for engaging high value naval targets with the flexibility to be fired from all maritime platforms – surface ships, submarines, fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and coastal batteries.
The Exocet, in production since 1972, was the West’s first long range anti-ship missile with "fire and forget" and skimming flight capabilities.

Exocet is a complete family of all-weather heavy anti-ship missiles suitable for all types of carriers. Several versions exist:
--Surface-to-surface (MM) for ships
--Air-to-Sea (AM 39) for aircraft and helicopters
--Submarine-surface (SM 39) for submerged submarines
--Land-Sea (BC) for coastal batteries.

The Exocet SM 39 variant is launched from a submarine’s torpedo tubes, enclosed in a VSM (Véhicule Sous Marin). The VSM is a self-propelled and guided container that will manœuvre before surfacing so as not to reveal the position of the submarine. Once in the air, the Exocet missile leaves the VSM and proceeds to the target like a normal surface variant of the missile. Exocet SM 39 is in service with the French and other navies around the world.

India, Russia Hold Military Exercises In Northern India

11 October 2005 -- Indian and Russian troops today began nine days of joint military exercises at an army base in northern India to sharpen their skills in combating terrorism.

Indian Defense Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said that around 150 Russian soldiers and an equal number of Indian troops shared military strategies and weapons skills near the city of Agra, 210 kilometers east of India's capital, New Delhi.

The exercises are aimed at teaching the soldiers how to survive in inhospitable desert terrain and engage in guerrilla warfare. The soldiers will practice air dropping armored vehicles, antitank guided missiles, and artillery during simulated combat.

The exercises will shift to the western Indian city of Bikaner on 16 October when Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and India's Army Chief Gen. J. J. Singh are scheduled to witness airborne troops in the Thar Desert.

(AP)

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

quote:

India Signs Contract for French Submarines

(Source: DCN; issued Oct. 6, 2005)

Today, in New Delhi, DCN/Thales joint subsidiary Armaris signed a contract with the Indian government for the acquisition of six Scorpene submarines. The ceremony was attended by a large number of officials and industrial partners, not least DCN.

...[India Details Submarine Contracts]...


India and France Sign Contracts Worth $ 3.5 Billion for Construction of Scorpene Class Submarines For Indian Navy

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; web-posted Oct. 13, 2005)

NEW DELHI --- India and France today signed contracts for the construction of six Scorpene class submarines in India under Project-75. The project will cost around three and a half billion dollars.

According to the contracts, India will build the Scorpene class submarines at the state owned Mazagon Docks in Mumbai, under transfer of technology from France. The first submarine will be ready for induction into the service within seven years of signing the contract. The remaining five submarines will be delivered at intervals of one year each thereafter.

The thrust of Indian Navy’s 30-year Submarine Building Plan of which Project-75 is a part, is to develop national competence in submarine building. Towards this end, the indigenous component of the machinery and equipment fitted on the Scorpene is expected to go up to 60% during the implementation of the project.

The selection of Scorpene was made after detailed techno-commercial analysis of the available options that best suited the requirements of Indian Navy. Scorpene is a state-of-the-art conventional submarine, which incorporates advanced stealth characteristics that make its detection difficult. It has a high level of automation and redundancy, which contribute towards reduction in crew strength, enhanced endurance and greater survivability. The modern sonar and electronic equipment fitted on the submarine, lends the Scorpene superior capability in detection and classification of surface and underwater targets.

The submarine packs a lethal weapon outfit with anti-ship missiles and wire-guided torpedoes. It has an integrated combat system, which effectively synergises the capabilities of its sensors and weapon systems. Apart from India, Chile and Malaysia have also contracted to acquire two Scorpene submarines each. The first submarine of the Scorpene class has already been commissioned for the Chilean Navy.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash said that the contracts had received repeated scrutiny at every level, by different organs of the Government and the Parliament.

“In fact we were determined that in the interest of transparency and probity we would accept as much delay as was necessary. In this context we were particularly happy that for the first time an integrity pact has been signed today between the buyer and the sellers This provision has been included in the Defence Procurement Procedures 2005 at the request of the Navy and will soon become a standard feature which will be promulgated at the time Request for Proposals (RFPs) are issued so that subsequently there are neither doubts nor apprehension in the minds of either the buyer or the seller”, Admiral Prakash said.

Six different contracts, pacts and technical arrangements were signed in today’s ceremony.

--The technical arrangement provides unhindered supply of equipment and services for the entire duration of the programme. This was signed by Shri S Banerjee, Addl Secy, Ministry of Defence on behalf of India and Mr. Dominique Girard, the Ambassador of France on behalf of the Govt of France.

--The Integrity Pact assures avoidance of all forms of corruption by ensuring free, fair, transparent and unprejudiced dealings, prior to during and subsequent to the currency of the contract. This was signed by Dr. Thomas Mathew, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Mr. Pierre Legros, Chairman, M/s ARMARIS of France for the contract between Ministry of Defence, Govt of India and M/s ARMARIS of France.

--Another integrity pact was signed between Dr. Thomas Mathew, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Mr. Marwan Lahoud, CEO M/s MBDA of France for the contract between Ministry of Defence, Govt of India and M/s MBDA of France.

--The contract for Transfer for Technology and design for construction of Scorpene Class submarines and supply of Combat Systems was signed by Rear Admiral RM Bhatia, Chairman and Managing Director, Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and Mr. Pierre Legros, Chairman M/s ARMARIS.

--The contract for construction of six Scorpene Class Submarines at MDL, Mumbai was signed by Rear Admiral RM Bhatia, Chairman and Managing Director, MDL and Dr. Thomas Mathew, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence.

--The contract for supply of missiles for the submarines was signed by Dr. Thomas Mathew, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Mr. Marwan Lahoud, CEO, M/s MBDA.


Top officials of the Ministry of Defence including the Defence Secretary Shri Shekhar Dutta and Secretary Defence Production Shri Dhanendra Kumar were present at the ceremony.

India constructed two Type 209 submarines of German design at Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai in the mid 1980s, demonstrating our ability to build hi-tech submarines. Many of the skills and technological expertise acquired in this process got dissipated in the 15-year hiatus that followed.

However, with the signing of this contract, the Indian shipbuilding and ancillary industries will once again acquire the strategic capability to build submarines.

-ends-

pictures from exercise Malabar '05 US-India
Place:Goa




050929-N-6967M-007 Goa, India (Sept. 29, 2005) - The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SS 763) and the guided missile destroyer USS Chaffey (DDG 90) participate in Exercise Malabar 2005. Malabar is a joint Indian American exercise designed to bolster relations between our two countries and enable the two countries to work together against a common threat. This year’s exercise is the largest to date including two U.S. Destroyers, USS Nimitz and the submarine Santa Fe. The Indian Navy contributed a carrier, a submarine, a frigate and their New Delhi-class Destroyer. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Shane T. McCoy (RELEASED)

Caption:
AT SEA, INDIA: Indian aircraft carrier 'INS Viraat' (L) and US destroyer 'USS Higgins' (R) manoeuvre during the second phase of the ongoing joint Indo-US naval excercise off the Goa coast,29 September 2005.






Indian Naval tankers 'INS Aditya' 'USS Chafee' and 'INS Gomti' move in formation on the high seas



AT SEA, INDIA: US submarine 'USS Santa Fe' surfaces near Indian frigate 'INS Gomti' during the second phase of the ongoing joint Indo-US naval excercise off the Goa coast,29 September 2005.




AT SEA, INDIA: A US Sea Hawk helicopter prepares to land on board 'INS Mysore' as the Indian aircraft carrier 'INS Viraat' (R)


GOA, INDIA: Captain H.G.Thapliyal of Indian destroyer 'INS Mysore' looks at the 'USS Higgins' as she pulls out of the Marmaugoa port for the second phase of the ongoing joint Indo-US naval excercise







Indian submarine 'INS Shalki' passes US warship 'USS Chafee'


USS Nimitz (CVN 68^), at top, sails with the Indian navy ships INS Viraat (R 22) and INS Mysore (D 60) during manuervers at the start of Exercise Malabar 05.

]http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2005/september/22a.htm

Awesome post...thanks!

My humble opinion (and you know what they say about opinions) is that the US and India will form some kind of military allience (although it may be a loose one) in order to keep China at bay. India has just as many people as China does (perhaps more by now), just as good military potential (if not better), and are right next door (not to mention the relatively close proximity to the middle east AND the orient). It is a partnership that would benefit the United States and if someone as simple as I can think of it then you better believe the government thought of it years ago.

quote:

... It is a partnership that would benefit the United States and if someone as simple as I can think of it then you better believe the government thought of it years ago.

You seem to forget that India many years has for many years been a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Plus the US placed sanctions on India in 1998 over nuclear testing. So would an alliance benefit India. If so why?

Footnote:
The Non-Aligned Movement, or NAM, is an international organization of over 100 states which consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. NAM focuses on national struggles for independence, the eradication of poverty, economic development and opposing colonialism, imperialism, and neo-colonialism. They represent 55 per cent of the planet's people and nearly two-thirds of the UN's membership.

Important members include India, Egypt, South Africa and, for a time, the People's Republic of China. Brazil has never been a formal member of the movement, but the country shares many of the aims of NAM and frequently sends observers to NAM summits. While the organization was intended to be as close an alliance as NATO or the Warsaw Pact, it has little cohesion and many of its members were induced to or unable to resist aligning with one or another of the great powers. For example, Cuba was closely aligned with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War era.

The Non-Aligned Movement has struggled to find relevance since the end of the Cold War. The successor states of Yugoslavia, a founder member, have expressed little interest in the NAM since the country's break up, and in 2004, Slovenia, along with Malta and Cyprus, ceased to be a member of the NAM when it joined the European Union.

India, US Reaffirm Civilian Nuclear Deal

By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
21 October 2005

India and the United States say both countries are fully committed to implementing a landmark civilian nuclear energy cooperation deal, signed earlier in the year. The U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns is on a visit to India.

After a day of intensive discussions with Indian officials in New Delhi, U.S. Undersecretary of State, Nicholas Burns, says he is confident the U.S. Congress will approve the nuclear energy agreement signed by the two countries in July.

As part of the deal, the United States has agreed to give India access to civilian nuclear energy technology barred so far to New Delhi because it is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But it must be approved by the Congress and many members - both Republican and Democrat - have voiced concern that it could undermine global non-proliferation efforts.

Nevertheless, Mr. Burns says the Bush administration is winning support on Capitol Hill for the agreement.

"I am convinced that our Congress will support this," he said. "And I hope by the time President Bush visits India… in the early part of 2006, we will have made sufficient progress so that this agreement can be put into place. That is our hope and our expectation."

The nuclear deal was signed during a visit to Washington by Indian Prime Minister Manomohan Singh in July, amid steadily-warming ties between the two countries. If implemented, the agreement will help India meet its burgeoning energy needs.

As part of the deal, India has agreed to separate its military and civilian nuclear programs, and open its civilian reactors to international inspection to ensure that nuclear supplies are not diverted for military use.

Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran, who led the discussions on the Indian side, says New Delhi is already working on how to implement its part of the agreement.

"In terms of some of the responsibilities which India has to carry out, we have delivered on some of them…," he said. "We are already conforming to and becoming a partner in a global nonproliferation regime and we see ourselves both the United States and India - as partners in this effort."

Mr. Burns says the United States sees India emerging as a "major partner" in the coming years. He is scheduled to hold more discussions with Indian officials on Saturday.

India's growing proximity to Washington is believed to have influenced New Delhi to vote with Washington last month to threaten Iran with referral to the U.N. Security Council, for its nuclear activities.

In New Delhi, Mr. Burns called on Tehran to return to negotiations and find a diplomatic solution regarding the nuclear issue.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/india/20...dia-051021-voa01.htm

quote:

Originally posted by PzGen:
You seem to forget that India many years has for many years been a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Plus the US placed sanctions on India in 1998 over nuclear testing. So would an alliance benefit India. If so why?

Maybe NZ can start a new and improved NAM...I bet Sweden and California would join you.

October 26, 2005: India is buying a used amphibious ship from the United States. The 16,000-ton LPD (Amphibious Transport Dock), “USS Trenton” is being made available for some $42 million. The ship is 34 years old, and will require some refurbishment to meet Indian needs. The deal may fall apart if Indian critics, who want a ship of more recent design and construction, have their way. However, the price quoted is attractive, and any refurbishment can be done in India. These Austin class ships have a crew of 420, can carry six helicopters, plus smaller amphibious boats. Some 900 troops can be carried, along with their vehicles and weapons. The ship also carries, for its own protection, two 20mm Phalanx anti-missile systems, four three inch guns (in two twin mounts) and eight .50 caliber machine-guns. The ship moves at 37 kilometers an hour. The USS Trenton is still in service with the U.S. Navy.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htamph/articles/20051026.aspx

India prepares RFP for fighters

Dash to find local partners as MiG-21 replacement nears

Flight International
11-Oct-2005

India is preparing to release by year-end its highly anticipated tender for 126 new fighters to replace its fleet of MiG-21s.



Industry sources say Boeing, Dassault, Lockheed Martin, MiG and Saab have begun preparing bids and forging partnerships with local companies ahead of the release of a request for proposals (RFP). Information on potential new fighters was supplied early this year and the Indian government, which initially promised to launch quickly a formal competition, is now expected to release the RFP in November or December. Bids will be due in the second quarter of 2006.

The RFP will be issued only to manufacturers and governments that provided preliminary information deemed satisfactory. So far the Dassault Mirage 2000-5 MkII, MiG-29, Saab Gripen, Lockheed F-16 and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet have been included in the evaluation (Flight International, 14-20 February).

Sources expect New Delhi to stick with its requirement that 108 of the 126 aircraft be produced locally by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). Most of the manufacturers have surveyed HAL’s facilities in Bangalore to assess their capability and have promised the local production requirement can be met.

Boeing and Lockheed are quickly expanding their presence in New Delhi to help support their fighter bids, which will submitted by the US government.

Dassault, Saab and MiG are planning to submit commercial bids. India has not yet approved a budget for the acquisition, which could be reduced to fewer aircraft if a more expensive US or French fighter is selected.

BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE

New Delhi seeks P-3 Orions

Flight International
11-Oct-2005

India is seeking to lease two Lockheed Martin P-3 Orions from the US Navy as an interim solution to its maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) requirement.

The US government last year offered India up to 10 refurbished P-3s, but New Delhi wants to test two aircraft for three years before selecting a new MPA platform. Industry sources say the US Navy is now trying to locate an aircraft it can spare and the US government is trying to determine which mission equipment may have to be removed because of export restrictions. If finalised, the lease will be government-to-government with Lockheed and local aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) providing support.

By leasing two P-3s, the Indian navy will be able to augment its MPA capability, now limited to Dornier 228s, almost immediately instead of waiting two to three years for the delivery of new or refurbished aircraft.

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:

quote:

Originally posted by PzGen:
You seem to forget that India many years has for many years been a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Plus the US placed sanctions on India in 1998 over nuclear testing. So would an alliance benefit India. If so why?

Maybe NZ can start a new and improved NAM...I bet Sweden and California would join you.

Either dabate the issue or be quiet...Your call.

As for the 16,000-ton LPD (Amphibious Transport Dock), “USS Trenton” being made available for some $42 million. I hope it is better than the rust buckets the US sold to Australia...Nice move.

Detailed Inspection Survey

When the ships arrived in Australia during the second half of 1994 a detailed hull inspection survey was conducted which revealed more extensive corrosion requiring extra repair work. A detailed hull survey is only possible when a ship is in Dry Dock. The survey led to expenditure of a total of over $31m for repair and refit work, primarily hull, on both ships before delivery to Forgacs Dockyard in Newcastle for modification and refit.

As equipment was stripped down and or removed during initial stages of the modification and refit process considerable additional work, significantly more than anticipated, was discovered including unexpected main engine cracking. This confirmed that the repair and refit cost would be at the top end of the predicted $74m range.

Due to the large amount of unbudgeted emergent work during 1997, estimates for the repair and refit package increased beyond the upper limit of $74m previously advised. In September 1997, when Defence considered additional LPA capability modification work Navy funding was assessed as insufficient to satisfactorily complete the project. Further funding was required for repair of selected auxiliary systems, superstructure cracking, essential relagging of pipe work, further configuration changes and set to work of inactive mechanical and electrical systems which would be idle for a considerable period of time

During 1998 and early 1999, further significant and unexpected amounts of emergent work arose, particularly with hull and electrical repairs. A pattern of discovery of repair work became evident as the modification process of the 30-year old ships enabled a more accurate condition assessment to be made. Failure to rectify these defects would seriously jeopardise the reliability of the ships when they return to service. Additionally, the cost of conducting these repairs would escalate if the work was not undertaken during this refit period due mainly to the opportunity cost of equipment access. Access to the defective equipment is possible as compartments are stripped down and, in some cases, temporary structural changes are undertaken. In consideration of the cost-benefit and reliability trade-offs, Defence, in January 1999 endorsed a further $22m for the repair and refit of the ships.

. WHAT WENT WRONG AND WHY?

Risk Involved with Opportunity Acquisitions

There is inherent risk in opportunity acquisitions.

The LPA acquisition process was driven by the "window of opportunity" offered by the US Navy decommissioning the Newport Class LSTs. Although Defence reacted to achieve a favourable outcome, it is now very apparent that a more comprehensive review and consideration process was required. The risk inherent in opportunity acquisitions of second hand equipment must be recognised through the undertaking of a detailed risk assessment that meets agreed criteria.

The modification and refit of second hand ships is likely to present higher management, production, design, contract, cost and schedule risks than a new build acquisition. These risks increase with the age of the ship and depend, in part, on the adequacy of the survey, previous maintenance history and the quality of the baseline information available for inspection and transfer.

MANOORA and KANIMBLA were built in 1971 with machinery of 1950s and 60s design. As the US Navy withdraws the LST class from service, equipment will become increasingly difficult to support and local manufacture will become necessary for a wider range of spare parts.

Material Condition of the Ships

There was clearly a vast underestimation of the material condition of the ships on purchase and of the subsequent repair and refit work required to bring them to an acceptable standard for RAN operations.

Defence personnel conducted independent, but limited, inspections of both ships’ engineering systems and hull structure (as far as could be done under the circumstances in operational US Navy ships). As a result of the inspections and full power trial a recommendation for purchase was made on the basis of the apparent overall condition of the ships, their supportability and on the simple and rugged construction of the ships and their machinery. Defence was aware that the scope of repair work might increase when the ships were subject to a detailed hull inspection, however it is now readily apparent that the full extent of the repair work and associated risk was not comprehended.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:

quote:
Originally posted by PzGen:
You seem to forget that India many years has for many years been a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Plus the US placed sanctions on India in 1998 over nuclear testing. So would an alliance benefit India. If so why?


Maybe NZ can start a new and improved NAM...I bet Sweden and California would join you.


Either dabate the issue or be quiet...Your call.

Hey digger, did you notice I reinstated NZ on the "List"? ...put them on the new 50%s list.

er...The fact you used the term "digger" speaks volume and show here little you know about NZ committments overseas.

As for the list...past caring...NZ stand will it sees fit. It don't require anyone's approval...particularly by countries consumed by the notion of being loved or hated. What a naive notion.


Kiwi soldier hurt in Afghanistan blast

Kiwi soldier hurt in Afghanistan blast
29 October 2005

A New Zealand soldier was hurt in an explosion at a Coalition base in Afghanistan today.

A Defence Force spokesman said the soldier suffered lower body injuries while ordinance was being moved for disposal. An explosive device detonated during handling.

The soldier was part of a New Zealand Special Air Service deployment on operations in Afghanistan.

He was treated at the scene and evacuated to a Coalition medical facility. The soldier's injuries are not life threatening. His next of kin have been informed.

No further information was available.


New Zealand Soldiers Educate Afghanistan’s Future Generations

By U.S. Army Pfc. Cheryl Ransford
17th Public Affairs Detachment

BAMIAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan, July 9, 2004 — Sitting in a classroom in the rear part of the school, students eagerly await the arrival of the New Zealand soldiers and the start of their next English class.

Three times each week, a few Kiwis from the Bamian PRT in Bamian Province take one hour out of their day to visit Bamian School and teach the boys and girls English.

“When the program first started two months ago, we were expecting Afghan teachers to be teaching the children with us just overseeing what was going on,” said New Zealand Staff Sgt. Dawn Boxer, Bamian PRT. “Instead, we have ended up teaching the classes, which has turned out to be very rewarding.”

The school where the classes are being taught isn’t a registered school, meaning anyone can start coming to school at any time, no matter what part of the school year it is, said Boxer.

New Zealand Chaplain Brian Fennessy, Bamian PRT, helps Ghollm Riza read a paragraph in his workbook during the advanced English class at Bamian School June 21. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Cheryl Ransford

“We are constantly having new students want to learn English, so we set up two different classes,” she said. “One class is for the students who have progressed quite far, and the other is for those who are still working on understanding the basics of the language.”

Each class has workbooks that are used for the lessons, said Boxer.

“When the program was first getting started, we received several parcels in the mail from a school in the States that were full of workbooks, paper, pens and pencils, and other various school supplies,” she said. “We used those supplies to get the classes set up and have something to work from.”


The beginning class, which is taught by Boxer and New Zealand Pvt. Mandy Hall, is working on letters, numbers and colors, while the advanced class is working on the more complex areas of the English language.

“In the advanced class, we have progressed to the point that the students are now ready to move on to sentence structure and basic grammar,” said New Zealand Chaplain Brian Fennessy, Bamian PRT. “It is amazing how well the students have improved in the two months that we have been coming here to teach them.”

“Each week we have students who are coming to class for the first time and we have to get them caught up to where we are with the other students,” said Boxer. “But the children are very eager to learn and pick up on the lessons very quickly.”

At the end of each class the students are given homework to work on between classes. “The students are given simple tasks of working on what they learned during each class,” she said. “At the beginning of each class we do a review of what was taught during the previous lesson to see if the students are ready to move on, or if they need some more time to work on a particular area.”

For some of the children, this is the first time they have been given the opportunity to learn English, said Boxer.

“We are very excited to learn English,” said Ghollm Riza, Bamian School advanced class. “Without the New Zealand soldiers, we wouldn’t be able to communicate with people from other countries.”

As the students progress in the class, they are also progressing as a generation, said Boxer.

By educating the children, the Kiwis are influencing the future of a nation.

“Our hope,” said Boxer, “is to give the children a glimpse into another world that they haven’t had the opportunity to view in the past.”

Whatever, this is the India thread, try to keep it on topic...digger!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sgt_Schlappy,

Cope India 2005 next month!



by CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA
Tuesday Sept. 6, 2005, WASHINGTON: The United States is deploying its F-16 fighter jets for large scale air exercises with India to be held at the Kalaikunda Air Base outside Kolkata in November this year.
Twelve F-16 CJs and an E-3 AWACS from the Misawa and Kadena Air Base on Okinawa in Japan will be flying down for the ten-day Cope India exercises starting November 7, according to defence sources.

http://indiamonitor.com/news/readCatFullNews.jsp?ni=8558&ct=India-US
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/india/20...ia-050406-irna01.htm

Hmm...will our boys get their butts kicked by the Su-30 again, or will they bounce back and redeem themselves?

quote:

Whatever, this is the India thread, try to keep it on topic...digger!

Yawn...Inability to debate issues....noted

quote:

Originally posted by cubsrock:
Hmm...will our boys get their butts kicked by the Su-30 again, or will they bounce back and redeem themselves?

Well,this time Cope India 2005 will be more important than ever i think. The French wants to sell their Mirage 2000-5s to India,the russians with MIG29M2 and we want to sell F-18s and F-16s.