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Daily News
by Gail Helmer
Jane's News Briefs
Monday, July 23, 2001Jane's Defence Weekly
Australia cancels Collins combat system tender The Australian government last week made the unexpected decision to terminate the high stakes combat system selection process for the Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class diesel-electric submarines, surprising many industry observers.
Russia reveals upgraded T-72M1 main battle tank
In an effort to capture at least part of the potential upgrade market for the widely deployed T-72M1 main battle tank (MBT), the Russian United Enterprise Uralvagnozavod has revealed that it has completed the prototype of an upgraded version for the export market. The T-72M1 is the export version of the Russian Army T-72A MBT.
Pacific testbed is key to US missile defence plans
The US Department of Defence last week detailed plans to develop a testbed in the Pacific Ocean, starting next year, with which to evaluate more realistically the ballistic missile defence technologies the Bush administration is considering deploying.
Iranian military aircraft spares shipment operation uncovered
An alleged arms acquisition middleman was arrested in Arizona, USA, earlier this month for illegally shipping components for military aircraft to Tehran. According to court records, Gunter Kohlke sent at least 10 shipments to Iran Aircraft Industries in Tehran through his Swiss company from 1996-1999.
France eyes Soyuz rocket option
France could pick Russia's Soyuz rocket to lift two French Helios 2 military surveillance satellites into orbit to save money and give a strong push to European-Russian aerospace co-operation, according to a French parliamentary report issued last week.
Singapore gets Apache go-ahead
The US Department of Defense has approved providing Singapore with 12 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters under the foreign military sales programme.
UK takes new route for Type 45 destroyer procurement
The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed a revised procurement strategy for the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer which will see BAE Systems Marine take responsibility for the assembly of all 12 projected ships of the class.
Patriot Light proposed for US Army
Raytheon of the USA has proposed upgrades for the US Army's Patriot air and missile defence system that would make system components transportable on a C-130 Hercules medium tactical transport aircraft and better meet the army's goals for improving deployability.
USN to reconfigure newer Ohio's to SSGN
The US Navy (USN) has elected to convert at least two of its Trident-armed Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) into conventionally-armed submarines (SSGNs) with long-range strike and special operations capabilities.
Jane's Defence Upgrades
Jane's Defence Upgrades Jane's Foreign Report
The Palestinians get their orders
Hand grenades, Molotov cocktails and suicide bombers vs US hi-tech WE FOLLOW up last week's exclusive story about the Israeli generals' recommendations for attacking the Palestinians with an exclusive report on the orders circulated to Palestinian commanders about fighting with the Israelis. Both stories are deeply depressing. FOREIGN REPORT has had access to the translated version of an official Palestinian document circulated last week among the Palestinian commanders in the West Bank and Gaza with precise instructions on how to cope with an Israeli assault.
Be prepared, Genoa!
TWENTY-FIVE trains have been hired to bring demonstrators against 'globalisation' to the north Italian port city of Genoa to take part in a mass demonstration this Saturday timed to coincide with the summit of the Group of Eight industrial powers (America, Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada and Russia). FOREIGN REPORT suggests a way of making these meetings peaceful and positive.
Next in Iran
IRAN'S President Muhammad Khatami begins his second presidential term in August, after another landslide victory at the polls in June. What next for Iran? It is hard to make predictions about a country that is sui generis. In no other country do you have an all-powerful 'spiritual guide' who follows hardline Islamist policies (Ayatollah Khamenei) and a president (Khatami), also a cleric, who stands for freedom and democracy. However, we believe that there will be one item at the top of Khatami's agenda.
Taiwan's secret
TAIWAN'S reputation as a producer of high-technology products, such as portable computers, monitors and mobile phones, is well established. Although it does not like to brag about it, the island's defence research establishment has also notched up some notable successes recently. FOREIGN REPORT has learnt, for example, that the island's premier defence research establishment, the Chung Shan Institute for Science and Technology (CSIST), is developing cruise missiles capable of striking targets in mainland China.
Roller-skating to victory in Minsk
BELARUS last week celebrated its 'Independence Day' with a Soviet-style military parade on the anniversary of the re-imposition of Soviet rule in 1944. There was also an 'independence day' marathon, during which one bold Minsk resident - Siarhiey Laptseu a former member of Minsk City Council - made his own declaration of independence: he threw a tomato at Belarus's eccentric president, Alexander Lukashenka. Laptseu was immediately arrested, and sentenced to seven days imprisonment - but was immediately released on the orders of Lukashenka, who said that the tomato-throwing had had "no grave consequences" and that "it [was] after all, a holiday".
Jane's Intelligence Watch Report and Jane's Terrorism Watch Report
Italy - Osama bin Laden
- Australia's Sun Herald newspaper reported on 15 July that US and European intelligence agencies are conducting an intensive manhunt for Algerian terrorists funded by Osama bin Laden and who might conduct attacks at the upcoming G8 summit in Genoa. At least 17 Algerian members of the European-based Meliani terrorist group have been arrested since December in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. A US official said, "The group remains a threat even though we have arrested some of the ringleaders." Italy has deployed 15,000 security forces for the summit, including 2,700 members of the Italian armed forces. AFP reported on 16 July that a parcel bomb exploded in Genoa, heightening security concerns. The city's police chief commented, "It's not a very good sign. Let's hope that this remains an isolated incident."
United States
- A group of security experts at a conference in Las Vegas, Nevada disclosed plans for an expanded network of computer systems known as a "honey pot" to track malicious hacker activities around the world, Reuters reported on 14 July. A honey pot, a computer designed to deceive computer intruders, collects information and monitors activity when it is breached but does not allow an intruder to get to any sensitive data or do any damage. The goal of the volunteer-run Honeynet Project is to gather information on security breaches, which corporations and governments that have been attacked by hackers are often reluctant to disclose. The project, which has been running on a limited basis for at least a year, will be expanded to run on a large number of computer systems around the world, including a US Navy network, according to Lance Spitzner, a senior security architect for Sun Microsystems Inc., one of about 30 volunteers running the project.
Afghanistan - Taliban and Northern Alliance
- Pakistan's Frontier Post on 13 July reported the defection of engineer Qarar, a prominent commander with Ahmad Shah Masood's Northern Alliance, to the Taliban, along with his subordinates and forces. Qarar brought his forces to the Taliban on the condition that they should not be disarmed, and that they would undertake offensives of their own design and execution.
India - Jammu and Kashmir - Lashkar-e Tayyaba [Army of the Pure (LeT)]
- Indian security forces killed 38 separatist rebels in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Doordarshan TV reported on 16 July. The operation took place at the Kaka Hills area of Surankot. A spokesman for the forces claimed that most of those killed were LeT members. Security forces recovered a large amount of arms and ammunition from the site. Five Indian soldiers were killed and 13 others injured in another clash at Zachaldar.
The Philippines - Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
- Military spokesman Brig.Gen. Edilberto Adan characterized the government's crackdown against ASG rebels as "draining the pond that supports the terrorist fish." The MILF and Sanlakas rebel groups warned that an increase in indiscriminate arrests would lead to more recruits for their organizations. Adan stated that recent operations had already detained more than 41 ASG suspects in Basilan and Sulu islands.
United Kingdom
- US authorities have charged Algerian national Abu Doha with conspiracy in the planned Los Angeles International Airport millennium bombing, according to the 16 July Seattle Times. Doha is already under detention in London on immigration violations. According to an FBI affidavit, Doha is also linked to a second planned bombing plot against Israeli and US tourists in Jordan.
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