Pakistan Navy

Pak NAVY’S contributions in orchestrating response against piracy

2011-09-29T05:34:00.001-07:00

Lieutenant Commander Amjad Ali Dogar PN, Deputy Director (Maritime Affairs) Naval Headquarters Islamabad
The World Maritime Day is an annual event celebrated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its 169 member states during the last week of September. The marking of the day is used to focus attention on safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans. The theme for this year’s maritime day is “Piracy: Orchestrating the Response”, which includes a 6-point action plan aimed at establishing a coordinated response against maritime piracy. The theme and action plan were launched in London on February 3, 2011, and encompass six overall aims:
Increase pressure at the political level to secure the release of all hostages being held by pirates.
Review and improve the IMO guidelines for administrations and seafarers, and promote compliance with industry’s best management practices and recommended preventive, evasive and defensive measures.
Promote greater levels of support from, and in coordination with, navies.
Promote anti-piracy coordination and co-operation procedures between and among states, regions, organizations and industry.
Assist states to build capacity to deter, interdict and bring to justice those who commit acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships.
Provide care, during the post-traumatic period, for those attacked or hijacked by pirates and for their families.
Piracy is an old crime, possibly the oldest concerning commercial shipping. There have been persistent outbreaks of sufficient magnitude throughout the history of piracy which is traced back to Ancient Greece some 2000 years ago. Some notable Pirates seen through the prism of history were Cilician (1st century), Illyrian & Gothic (3rd century), Timoji (7th century), Mediterranean (9th century), Woku (13th century), Maratha (18th century), Vikings & Barbary Corsair (19th century) and Somali (21st century) all threatening the commercial seafarers in one form or the other. The time between 1519 and 1780 was known as the Golden Age of Piracy. Piracy was strong in the Pacific and Indian Oceans too since 20th century. More recently, Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been a threat to international shipping since the second phase of the Somali Civil War in the early 21st century. Since 2005, many international organizations including the IMO have expressed concern over the surge in acts of piracy as it has impeded the delivery of shipments and increased shipping expenses. A veritable industry of profiteers has also risen around the piracy. Insurance companies, in particular, have profited from the pirate attacks, as insurance premiums have increased significantly.
It is believed that piracy off the coast of Somalia is caused partly due to illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste in Somali waters by foreign vessels. The so called pirates considered that they are National Coast Guards and protecting their fishing grounds to exact justice & compensation for the stolen marine resources. Piracy has become substantially more lucrative in recent years and financial gain is now the primary motive for Somali pirates. Pattern of piracy attacks around the world clearly highlights that the Gulf of Aden (GoA) and Somali Coast are piracy hotspots besides Malacca Strait, South China Sea and Western Africa. Somalia remains a hotbed of pirates and accounts for 92% of all ships being seized off the Somali coast. In 2008, pirates shifted their focus to GoA and against 119 attacks off the coast of Somalia, 92 were recorded in GoA. In 2009, GoA again remained the piracy hot spot and according to International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC), the total number of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off east-coast of Somalia in 2009 overtook the figure of 2008. In 2009, there were 49 successful hijackings from 214 attempted attacks. This indicates that the number of attacks almost doubled in 2009, however, rate of success shows considerable decline due to awareness on part of merchant vessels and passive measure being adopted by them as well as to some extent presence of counter piracy forces. In 2010, the number of ships attacked by Somali pirates was 47 and from Jan 2011 till to date the figures goes on to 188. In addition, Somali pirates are currently holding 301 hostages and 11 vessels. As of mid September 2011, 35 piracy attempts have already taken place around the GoA, Somali Basin and Indian Ocean. According to IMB, pirates murdered eight seafarers and seized a record 1181 hostages as well as 53 ships in 2010. The number of hostages and vessels captured last year was the highest recorded by IMB since it started monitoring piracy attacks in 1991.
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Australia to Buy Navantia Landing Craft

2011-09-28T10:08:00.002-07:00

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government had given Second Pass Approval for two important capability projects: the purchase of 12 new watercraft for the two Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships and the enhancement of information and technology infrastructure at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC).
Purchase of watercraft for LHD (Joint Project 2048 Phase 3)
The Government has agreed to the purchase from Navantia of 12 medium-sized fast landing craft (the LCM-1E) for the LHD through Joint Project 2048 Phase 3.
This follows a decision in February 2009 to direct source the purchase of the watercraft to Navantia.
Navantia are building the hulls for the two LHDs and the watercraft will be purpose-built for these ships.
The watercraft will enable transport of troops and equipment from the LHDs to the shore including where there are no fixed port facilities.
The delivery of the first batch of four watercraft will be co-ordinated with the delivery of the first LHD, expected in 2014.
Construction of the LHDs is underway in Spain and Australia.
The LHDs are bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier.
Each is 230 metres long and can carry a combined armed battlegroup of more than 1000 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters. Each also includes a 40-bed hospital.
Maintenance and support for the watercraft will be provided by Australian industry.
The total cost of Joint Project 2048 Phase 3 is cost capped between $300 million to $500 million in the Public Defence Capability Plan.
The final cost is subject to the satisfactory negotiation of a contract with acceptable terms and conditions.
Australian Defence Force Command and Control (Joint Project 2030 Phase
The Government has also approved enhancements to information and communications technology infrastructure at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (Bungendore) as well as software upgrades to better support military planning.
The enhanced command and control system will also allow better communication between operations staff and troops, particularly commanders and Special Forces.
Defence will purchase commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software products which will then be integrated to meet requirements.
It is expected that the capital expenditure for these enhancements will generate around 75 jobs and support around 25 on-going jobs inAustralia.
Additional hardware and software upgrades to support better military planning will be considered by Government in future elements of Joint Project 2030 Phase 8.

South Korea to build naval base near disputed island Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-to-build-naval-base-near-disputed-island-37294/#ixzz1ZGfmfvX8

2011-09-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

South Korea will build a naval base near an island claimed by both Seoul and Tokyo so that its warships can deploy faster than Japan's in case of disputes, a lawmaker said Wednesday.
Chung Mi-Kyung of the ruling Grand National Party said the government would build a $300 million naval base on Ulleung island by 2015.
Ulleung is the closest South Korean territory to the Seoul-controlled islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) which are known as Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japan.
Chung cited data from the transport ministry which would partly finance the project, saying construction would begin in 2012. The ministry confirmed the report.
The new base will feature a 300-metre (990-feet) pier big enough to accommodate Aegis destroyers and the 14,000-tonne amphibious landing ship named Dokdo, Chung said.
"It will help strengthen our territorial rights on Dokdo as our naval ships can reach the islands quickly in times of disputes with Japan," she said in a statement.
Once the base is complete, Seoul would be able to send its ship to Dokdo in an hour and a half compared to the current four hours, she said. Japan's ships would take about three hours.
South Korea has for decades deployed a small marine police force on the rocky islets.
The dispute over them flared up again in June when Korean Air mounted a test flight of its new aircraft over Dokdo. Tokyo in response ordered its public servants to boycott Korean Air for a month.
Three conservative Tokyo lawmakers who intended to visit Ulleung to reassert their country's claim to Dokdo were refused permission to enter South Korea in early August.

Pakistan military voices concern over US allegations

2011-09-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

A top Pakistani general on Sunday expressed concern over US allegations of links to insurgents, stressing that peace in the region would only be possible through mutual trust and cooperation.
General Khalid Shameem Wyne, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, conveyed his reaction to General James Mattis, commander of the US Central Command, the military said in a statement.
Their meeting followed scathing criticism by top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen that Pakistan was "exporting" terror to neighbouring Afghanistan.
"Both leaders discussed various matters of mutual interests and emerging geo-strategic situation in the region," the statement said.
General Wyne "expressed his concern about the negative statements emanating from the US," it said, adding that "he stressed upon addressing the irritants in the relationship which are a result of an extremely complex situation."
"Pakistan armed forces are committed to achieving enduring peace in the region which will only be possible through mutual trust and cooperation," the statement said.
Separately the US embassy said Mattis visited Islamabad to meet with army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and Wyne.
"The generals had candid discussions about the current challenges in the US-Pakistan relationship.
"However, General Mattis also emphasised the vital role the Pakistan military plays in international security efforts to protect the Pakistani and Afghan people and the need for persistent engagement among the militaries of the US, Pakistan and other states in the region," the embassy said in a statement.
Mattis held security talks with Kayani on Saturday when Pakistani officials said the meeting would help defuse the mounting tensions.
As ties suffered a blow over the US accusations, Kayani Sunday convened a special meeting of top military commanders to discuss the security situation, officials said, without giving details.
The two countries are key allies in the war against Islamist militants in Afghanistan, but their relationship is often troubled and plumbed new depths after the killing of Osama bin Laden in a covert US raid in Pakistan in May.
The latest row, with Washington accusing elements of the Pakistani state of supporting the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network it blames for the September 13 attack on its embassy in Kabul, has raised the tensions to an unprecedented level.
Kayani termed Mullen's statement as "very unfortunate and not based on facts."
Mullen on Thursday bluntly accused Pakistan of "exporting" violent extremism to Afghanistan through proxies and warned of possible action to protect US troops.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Saturday the US allegations would only benefit the militants, and that they "betray a confusion and policy disarray within the US establishment on the way forward in Afghanistan".
"Blame game is self-defeating... It will only benefit the enemies of peace. Only terrorists and militants will gain from any fissures and divisions."
The White House demanded Friday that Pakistan "break any link they have" with the Haqqanis, a Taliban faction founded by a CIA asset turned Al-Qaeda ally.

New attack on Pakistan navy kills five

2011-09-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

A bomb ripped through a Pakistani bus in Karachi on Thursday, killing four naval personnel and a passing motorcyclist in the third attack on navy transport this week in the country's biggest city.
A dozen people were wounded in the attack claimed by the Taliban in Pakistan's politically tense economic capital and southern port, where NATO ships supplies to the 130,000 US-led troops fighting in Afghanistan.
Two other navy buses were bombed on Tuesday, dealing a blow to the military just days after Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani claimed his forces had "broken the back" of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants.
"Now a total of four of our employees -- all sailors -- have been martyred in the attack on our bus, while seven others are injured," spokesman Commander Salman Ali told AFP. Four other navy personnel died on Tuesday.
The navy said the bomb was planted in a manhole. The explosives tore through sign boards, a fuel station and parked cars, and rescue workers were afterwards seen covering bodies with white sheets.
Five navy personnel and seven other people were also wounded, said provincial government official Sharfuddin Memon.
Passer-by Asghar Ali, being treated for injuries in hospital, said: "I was trying to cross the road a few feet away from the bus when I heard an explosion and saw the bus was hit and people inside and around crying."
The bomb exploded close to the scene of Pakistan's deadliest attack, which killed 139 people at the 2007 homecoming of the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was subsequently killed in a separate bombing two months later.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attack and called for an immediate investigation "so that further course of action can be taken".
Provincial chief minister Qaim Ali Shah said the blast appeared to be the work of the same group that was behind Tuesday's bombings, which wounded nearly 60 people and were the worst attacks on military officials in Karachi in years.
Shah said that authorities had tried to change the navy's routes after Tuesday's blasts but refused to point the finger of blame at any particular organisation.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesman for Pakistan's main Taliban faction, claimed responsibility for all the attacks on navy buses in Karachi.
"Whether it is the navy, army or air force, they are all our enemies. We want to make it clear to the military to prepare for similar attacks in the future," he told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.
Authorities on Tuesday had blamed extremist Islamist groups linked to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, such as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, which was involved in the Karachi kidnap and beheading of US journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002.
Analysts said the navy was a soft target and that attacks in Karachi, where government security officials had previously been relatively immune from bombings further north, scored propaganda hits for the militants.
"It is utter intelligence failure," said defence analyst Talat Masood.
Home to Pakistan's stock exchange and a lifeline for a depressed economy wilting under inflation and stagnating foreign investment, until this week there had been no attacks on the military in Karachi for years.
Most of the Islamist bombings dogging Pakistan, in which more than 4,240 people have died in four years, have been concentrated further north.
"By attacking the forces in Karachi, the militants prove their point that they can strike anywhere in Pakistan," said Masood.
"In Karachi it is easier for them to attack less secured buses and installations of the navy, a force which has least security available.
"It is much harder for authorities to prevent such attacks in the sprawling and most disorganised city of the country," he said.
The United States considers Pakistan's northwestern border areas with Afghanistan the global headquarters of Al-Qaeda.

Militants attack naval base in Pakistan

2011-09-13T00:34:00.001-07:00

KARACHI, Pakistan — Islamist militants stormed a naval base in the Pakistani city of Karachi late Sunday, rocking the facility with fiery explosions and battling commandos dispatched to subdue them in one of the most brazen attacks in years, security officials said.
At least two navy officers were injured and an airplane was damaged, navy spokesman Salman Ali said, but the total number of casualties was unclear. Many ambulances were being held back because of the fighting inside the base that was still going on more than 2½ hours after the attack began on Pakistani Naval Station Mehran.
The coordinated strike, reportedly involving up to 15 attackers, came three weeks after the death of Osama bin Laden in an American raid on in the northwest city of Abbottabad, an event al-Qaida allied extremists here have vowed to avenge.
The unilateral American raid triggered a strong backlash against Washington, which is trying to support Pakistan in its fight against militants, as well as rare domestic criticism against the armed forces for failing to detect or prevent the operation.
Pakistan’s army, which has received billions of dollars in U.S. aid since 2001, has launched several operations against militants in their heartland close to the border with Afghanistan over the last three years. The militants have struck back against police and army targets around the country.
Sunday’s raid appeared to be most serious against the military since October 2009, when militants attacked the army headquarters close to the capital, Islamabad. They held dozens hostage in a 22-hour standoff that left 23 people dead, including nine militants.
It began with at least three loud explosions, which were heard by people who live around the naval base, one of the largest military facilities in the country. It was unclear what caused the explosions, but they set off raging fires that could be seen from far in the distance.
An Associated Press reporting team outside the base heard at least six other explosions.
Authorities sent in several dozen navy and police commandos to battle the attackers, who responded with gunfire and grenades, said a senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. At least one airplane — a P-3C Orion, a maritime surveillance aircraft — was destroyed, another official said.
At least one media report said a team of American technicians were working on the aircraft at the time of the strike, but U.S. Embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said no Americans were on the base.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack. But the Pakistani Taliban, an al-Qaida allied network which has previously launched attacks in Karachi, has pledged to retaliate for the death of bin Laden, and has claimed responsibility for several bloody attacks since then.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attack, saying such a “cowardly act of terror could not deter the commitment of the government and people of Pakistan to fight terrorism.”
Karachi, the country’s largest city and its commercial hub, has not been spared the violence sweeping the country, despite being in the south far from the northwest where militancy is at its strongest. In April, militants bombed three buses taking navy employees to work, killing at least nine people.
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Twin suicide blasts kill 23 people in Pakistan

2011-09-13T00:31:00.000-07:00

QUETTA, Pakistan — A pair of suicide bombers attacked a top army officer in Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta on Wednesday, missing him but killing his wife. At least 22 others died, including several guards, a senior officer and two children, officials said.
Police said they were investigating whether the strike was in revenge for the recent arrests in Quetta of three top al-Qaida suspects, an operation that was assisted by the CIA.
But within hours, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and a spokesman for the group said Brig. Khurram Shahzad, the deputy head of the region’s Frontier Corps, was targeted because of an incident several months ago that left five people dead at a checkpoint in the city.
In Wednesday’s blasts, the first attacker detonated his vehicle next to a group of Frontier Corps officers close to Shahzad’s house. Hurling grenades, the second attacker than stormed the house and blew himself up inside it, police officer Naseer Ahmed Kurd said.
Police officer Hamid Shakil said at least 23 people were killed and more than 60 were injured.
Two of the dead were children traveling in a rickshaw. A colonel in the corps was also killed, he said.
Shakil said one of the suicide bomber was carrying an identity card showing him to be a 21-year-old Afghan refugee.
The bombing comes just days after Monday’s disclosure of the arrests of the three al-Qaida suspects in the city. The Pakistan army statement announcing it had stressed the level of CIA involvement — a possible sign of an upswing in cooperation between two uneasy anti-terror allies after the rancor surrounding Osama bin Laden’s killing.
American officials praised the operation, saying the detention of the most senior militant — Younis al-Mauritani — was a significant achievement. The Frontier Corps took part in the operation.
“This attack was maybe in reaction to the recent arrests, but we are investigating,” police officer Hamid Shakil said of the Wednesday blasts.
Islamist militants are seeking to topple Pakistan’s Western-allied leaders and take over the country.
Allied to the insurgents fighting U.S. forces across the border in Afghanistan, they have attacked hundreds of government, police, army and civilian targets since 2007, when the violence began in earnest. Many thousands have been killed, and Pakistani authorities have struggled to counter the threat.
Quetta is a dangerous city, and is thought to be home to al-Qaida and Taliban leaders. It lies close to the border with southern Afghanistan, the heart of the insurgency in that country. It is also wracked by separatist violence, but those rebels have tended not to deploy suicide bombers.
Pakistan didn’t say when al-Mauritani and the two other al-Qaida operatives were arrested but a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, has said the arrest took place in the past two weeks.
The unusual announcement about the cooperation between the CIA and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency appeared aimed at reversing the widespread perception that ties had been badly damaged by bin Laden’s death.
The Pakistanis accused the Americans of violating their sovereignty with the bin Laden raid, while Washington was angry the terror leader had been found in a house in a military garrison town in Pakistan.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Tuesday praised Pakistan for al-Mauritani’s arrest.
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Anti-polio vaccination elements to face legal action

2011-09-12T04:48:00.000-07:00

PESHAWAR – In a drastic measure to make an upcoming polio eradication drive a success, district authorities September 7 decided to arrest religious extremist elements who spread propaganda against polio vaccines. The decision will also apply to parents who refuse vaccinations for their children.

“We shall be arresting all those elements, even parents, under 16/3 Maintenance of Public Order who will obstruct or refuse polio vaccinations to the children,” District Co-ordination Officer of Peshawar Siraj Ahmed told Central Asia Online. Peshawar health and administrative authorities, during a joint meeting in Peshawar September 7, said no one who opposes the vaccination programme will be spared from sanctions.

“We had been convincing these religious elements to support the vaccination and would continue doing so, but those opposing still will have to face the music,” Siraj said.

Some militant and conservative religious leaders have claimed that polio inoculation is an attempt by foreigners to make Pakistani women infertile – or kill them. Similar opposition in Nigeria yielded only when a vaccine made in Indonesia, the world's most populous Islamic country, was used.

He said the punishment is necessary because polio has been detected in 32 rural union councils of Peshawar, and the main cause has been misleading propaganda by extremists that has persuaded parents to refuse to inoculate their children.

Siraj called the situation in Peshawar unsatisfactory, as 32 of the 92 union councils are at high risk of polio. The crackdown on vaccine oppositionists is part of an effort to make an upcoming three-day polio drive, which will begin September 19, a success.

Siraj Ahmad, district co-ordination officer of Peshawar, told Central Asia Online September 7 that authorities will take legal action against opponents of the polio vaccination campaign. [Zahir Shah]

“Some non-Pakistani sermon leaders in the rural belt are the main troublemakers and are unleashing a misleading propaganda on loudspeakers, but we have decided to register cases against them under 14 Foreign Act and expel them if any violation is found this time,” Siraj said.

He said the government has sought the help of ulema and religious scholars to advocate during Friday prayers for vaccination, and he called their response convincing.

“The real problem lies in religious extremist elements and the people with a militant mind-set who are propagating against the vaccination campaign, but they are not doing any service to the future generation,” said Dr. Fazl e Rabbi, In-Charge Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Peshawar.

More than 35,000 refusals, 4-5% of the children, have been registered, he said.

“The religious extremist elements are the main hurdle,” Fazl said. “(They) are instigating the innocent parents against the campaign, co-relating it with different myths and anti-West animosity toward Muslims.”

He said the message from the September 7 meeting was clear: “An advocacy and awareness drive will continue, but the extremist elements opposing the polio vaccination will be taken to task,” Fazl told Central Asia Online.

He said a special Short Interval Additional Dose (SIAD) campaign has begun in the 32 high-risk union councils of Peshawar and another will be conducted September 25-27. That will complement the larger Sub-National Immunisation Dose (SNID) that starts September 19.

Afghan refugees will be targeted in the campaign.
“The latest cases are mostly among the Afghan refugees population, and we are monitoring it minutely this time. We have communicated to the Afghan Refugee Commissionerate that the Afghan families refusing polio drops to their children must be deported,” he said. “If we want to put an end to this mess, we have to go harsh; there is no other way.”

A recently published “Global Polio Eradication Initiative” in the Pakistan Polio Journal disclosed that polio cases in Pakistan have been increasing at an alarming rate in 2011. Eighty cases have been registered as of July 2011, compared to 144 in all of 2010.
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Al-Qaeda news

2011-09-12T04:44:00.000-07:00

SLAMABAD – Recent arrests and killings of top al-Qaeda members have fractured the terrorist organisation and will ultimately weaken its capabilities to plan and launch attacks inside and outside Pakistan, defence and security analysts said.

“The arrest of Younas Al Mauritani and two other affiliates after the death of the al-Qaeda second-in-command, Atiya Abdel Rahman (in an aerial strike) is a major setback for al-Qaeda,” senior security analyst and author Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa told Central Asia Online.

Al Mauritani was considered al-Qaeda’s foreign minister. His capture and Rahman’s death on the heels of Osama bin Laden’s death May 2 have splintered al-Qaeda, she said.

The Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, in co-ordination with the Balochistan Frontier Corps, captured Al Mauritani, who was mainly responsible for planning and conducting international operations in Quetta, in August but announced the capture September 5. Authorities also captured his colleagues Abdul Ghaffar Al Shami and Messara Al Shami.
“Through this critical arrest, yet another fatal blow has been delivered to al-Qaeda,” Inter-Services Public Relations said September 5, regarding Al Mauritani’s capture.

Arrests have weakened al-Qaeda

Former secretary of defence production and senior defence analyst Lt. Gen. (ret.) Talat Masood agreed that recent events have weakened al-Qaeda’s capabilities.

“In some ways organisationally it is getting weaker because the leadership has been hit,” he said.

Senior security analyst and author Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa said, “The arrest of Younas Al Mauritani and ... the death of the al-Qaeda second-in-command, Atiya Abdel Rahman ... is a major setback for al-Qaeda." [Yasir Rehman]

Al Mauritani’s arrest signals a crushing blow to al-Qaeda’s efforts to rebuild, Masood said. With his arrest, al-Qaeda appears to have lost a figure who was key to its new approach, as he was assigned to plan international terror attacks after bin Laden died.

Recent events show that al-Qaeda is on the run, not only in Pakistan and Afghanistan but elsewhere, Masood said.

Al-Qaeda has sub-contracted its operations to other groups, indicating that it is more of a network than an organisation, Siddiqa said.

That diversification could help the militancy, she said. Since Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jaish-e-Mohammad and other groups have links to al-Qaeda, Siddiqa said, “To assume that the main Arab al-Qaeda philosophy, the ideology, the network is dead … I think it is a farfetched assumption.”

A weaker al-Qaeda could affect TTP

Al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan have worked with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members, Masood said, giving leverage to the TTP.

“Al-Qaeda doesn’t have much manpower in Pakistan, so it likes to promote its ideas and programmes quite possibly in conjunction with the TTP,” Masood said. “But the experience in Afghanistan shows that the Taliban in Afghanistan may be taking a different viewpoint even if they shelter (al-Qaeda members).”

Senior analyst and Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) Director Aamir Rana sees a decline in the number of terror attacks in Pakistan with the capture and killing of al-Qaeda leaders.
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India Pakistan Military Comparison

2011-08-22T21:42:00.001-07:00

Conventional Force Comparison
The conventional military balance is tilted far in India's favor. India has achieved numerical and qualitative superiority in many military categories, particularly in mechanized ground forces and in attack aircraft. It has a two-to-one advantage in tanks and a three-to-one advantage in modern tanks. India also has true infantry fighting vehicles, giving its mechanized infantry much more firepower and mobility than the Pakistani infantry. The two-to-one overall advantage in aircraft grows to almost a six-to-one advantage when one compares just the most modern and capable aircraft - a category in which Pakistan lost its earlier edge after over a decade of U.S.-led international sanctions.[2] This disadvantage is very significant because Pakistan has little strategic depth; that is, many of its strategic assets are close to its border with India.

Both India and Pakistan have offensively oriented conventional military doctrines. India has developed an offensive-defensive military doctrine that calls for aggressive offensive action to pre-empt or counter-attack the enemy. Currently, India is exploring the concept of limited conventional war based on the notion of strategic space between low-intensity conflicts and full-scale conventional war. This concept is fueled by political and public pressure within India to launch conventional military strikes against Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistan's alleged support of terrorism.[3] The Pakistani army also relies on an offensive-defensive strategy, which is characterized by retaining adequate reserves at successive force levels, surprise, and aggressive leadership. This strategy calls for the Pakistan army to detect the initial enemy thrust, take effective counter measures to limit penetration, and simultaneously attack the adversary to capture or threaten a strategic objective.[4]

Strategic Nuclear Balance
Each country possesses a stockpile of nuclear weapons components and could assemble and deploy several nuclear weapons within a few days to a week.[5] The size, composition, and operational status of each nuclear arsenal are closely guarded secrets, but sufficient public information exists to make general assumptions about the strategic balance in South Asia.[6]

Assuming that the Cirus and Dhruva research reactors produce 25-40 kg of bomb-grade plutonium annually, by the end of 2002 India could have stockpiled between 280-600 kg of weapon-grade plutonium.[7] Although India also has a program to produce highly enriched uranium (HEU), it is not known if the program has managed to produce weapon-grade HEU. Experts assess that India could require as little as 5 kg and as much as 7 kg of plutonium per weapon. Considering the worst- and best-case assumptions about Indian weapon design, it could possess enough fissile material for between 40 and 120 weapons, with 70 as the median estimate.

Unlike India, which relies on plutonium for its weapons, Pakistan's nuclear program is based on HEU. If Pakistan's Kahuta enrichment plant is able to produce 80-140 kg of weapon-grade uranium per year, Pakistan today could have 815-1230 kg available for weapons production. The amount required for a bomb is believed to be 12-25 kg, depending on the weapon design Pakistan employs. In addition, an unsafeguarded heavy-water research reactor recently constructed at Khushab produces plutonium that could be reprocessed to make a few nuclear weapons annually. Adding together its possible plutonium and HEU inventories, Pakistan could have enough fissile material to produce between 35 and 95 weapons, with 60 as the median estimate.

Each state has various aircraft and ballistic missiles that could be used to deliver nuclear weapons. In 2001, DOD assessed that India would most likely employ fighter-bomber aircraft for delivery because its ballistic missiles probably were not yet ready. The air force has several aircraft that could be employed for this mission, but the best suited would be the Jaguar, Mirage-2000, MiG-27, or Su-30. India has deployed short-range Prithvi 1 missiles that are capable of carrying a 1000 kg warhead (the presumed maximum size of a nuclear device), but because of Prithvi's restricted range, India will probably turn to its new solid-propellant Agni 1 missile, which has a 700-900 km range and was rushed into development after the 1999 Kargil conflict. The Agni 1 and the 2000-3000 km-range Agni 2 missile are likely to become India's preferred missile platforms when they become operational.

Pakistan has placed a high priority on acquiring ballistic missiles to offset India's conventional military advantages and to ensure reliable delivery of nuclear weapons. Although the Pakistan Air Force F-16 and Mirage 5 aircraft probably are capable of nuclear delivery, the liquid-fuel Ghauri 1 and 2 missiles developed with North Korean assistance, and the solid-fuel Shaheen 1 and 2 missiles developed with Chinese help, are more likely choices.[8]

India's draft nuclear doctrine, published in August 1999, is based on a retaliatory, no-first-use policy.[9] The doctrine casts Indian nuclear forces principally as a deterrent against a nuclear attack on India. Pakistan has not publicly announced an official nuclear doctrine, but it is concerned with deterring India from taking advantage of its conventional superiority. Pakistan appears to have adopted a nuclear first-use policy to deter India from using its conventional military superiority.[10]

Survivability at Risk
Large-scale conventional warfare between India and Pakistan has the potential to threaten the survival of Pakistan's strategic nuclear forces. However, limited Indian attacks, such as a retaliatory strike on the ground or through the air, would not serve as a real threat to Pakistan's strategic weapon systems.

The asymmetries of strategic depth and offensive military capability give India an operational advantage, and may create a situation in which India's conventional ground or air forces come into contact with Pakistan's strategic nuclear forces. Pakistan's shorter-range Hatf 3/M-11 ballistic missiles must be stationed fairly far forward to reach strategic targets in India, perhaps leaving them vulnerable to both air and ground attack. The same is true of Pakistan's forward airbases, which are within easy striking distance of the border. This is a very troubling scenario because Pakistan places great emphasis on its strategic nuclear forces to deter a large-scale conventional attack by India. The survival of Pakistan's strategic forces is critical to Pakistan, and a threat to them could place pressure on Pakistan to launch a nuclear attack while the strategic forces are still intact and capable of making a credible impression upon India.

India's greater strategic depth allows it to disperse its strategic nuclear forces to areas beyond the normal range of enemy ground and air operations. Longer-range platforms, such as the SU-30 aircraft and the Agni 2 missiles, further decrease Indian vulnerability. When combined with India's presumed retaliatory-only nuclear doctrine, this would seem to minimize the possibility of Pakistan degrading India's strategic deterrent capability so severely that India is pushed into a "use them or lose them" situation.

Command and Control Threatened
Large-scale conventional warfare between India and Pakistan also could threaten vital strategic command and control functions. This is particularly true for Pakistan since India has made a major investment in intelligence gathering and precision-strike capability.[11] There also may be a significant overlap between Pakistan's normal conventional operational command and control structures that would be subject to attack in a large-scale war and its strategic command and control structure. If Pakistan lost command and control of its strategic forces, would national command authorities consider ordering the use of remaining strategic nuclear forces while they could still affect some degree of deterrence?

Pakistan's presumed inability to identify and attack India's C4I probably precludes any appreciable loss of command and control over India's strategic force during a conventional war. This is reinforced by a several factors, including India's reliance on negative control features, and its greater strategic depth. A conventional attack on India's command and control structures probably would cause only a delay in retaliatory nuclear strikes, and not lead to the inadvertent use of nuclear weapons.

There are no indications that India has pre-delegated nuclear release authority. However, New Delhi might find that its strategic command and control functions are unable to cope with the effects of a full-scale conventional war. Under such circumstances India's senior leadership may have to cobble together a system while under pressure. There are no indications that Pakistan has pre-delegated nuclear release authority. However, it too may find that its strategic command and control functions are unable to cope with the effects of a full-scale war. Pakistan would be under tremendous pressure to create a workable system if its strategic command and control system is at risk. Pakistan's reliance on nuclear deterrence could force it to adopt pre-delegation of nuclear release authority if there were no other method to ensure delivery.

Fear of Pre-emption
Large-scale conventional warfare between India and Pakistan almost certainly would include air and ballistic missile attacks. Attacks by these inherently dual-use systems have the potential to be interpreted as pre-emptive attacks to destroy or neutralize the adversary's nuclear capability. This is especially true for Pakistan since India has invested heavily in improving its intelligence gathering and precision-strike capability. India also has made a major investment in defensive measures, including a limited ballistic missile defense.[12] Pakistan may believe that India is trying to gain the ability to launch a pre-emptive attack and deny Pakistan the ability to counter with an effective second-strike with a reduced force. Could this concern lead Pakistan to adopt a launch-on-warning or launch-under-attack posture where any Indian air- or ballistic missile attack could be interpreted as a pre-emptive strike and cause Pakistan to launch its nuclear weapons?

Pakistan's limited ability to identify and attack India's strategic nuclear assets probably precludes any appreciable loss of India's retaliatory capability even if Pakistan launched a pre-emptive attack. This condition is reinforced by India's greater strategic depth, and its superior air and ballistic missile defenses. An air- or ballistic missile attack on India probably would elicit a strong response, but probably not a nuclear response.
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French Navy Chief Meets Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Noman Bashir to discuss professional interest

2011-08-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

French Naval chief Admiral Pierre-Francois Forissier called on Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of the Naval Staff here Tuesday.
During the meeting various aspects related to area of mutual cooperation between the two navies and matters of professional interest were discussed.French Naval chief was also given a presentation on Pakistan Navy.
Admiral Pierre-Francois accompanied by his wife and personal staff officers arrived here on an official visit at the invitation of Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of the Naval Staff. Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, he was received by Admiral Noman Bashir. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy clad in ceremonial dress presented him the Gurad of Honour. Admiral Noman Bashir introduced the Chief of French Navy to the Principal Staff Officers at Naval Headquarters.
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Now Pakistan Navy to participate in Aman 11 exercise

2011-08-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Pakistan Navy has augmented its patrols in the Arabian Sea in order to strengthen the security there, because of the rising terror and piracy threats.

The Navy is scheduled to participate in a 5-day naval exercise – The “Aman 11”. 39 countries will participate in this exercise and it will be launched from the 8^th of March in the open sea. Similar exercises were held in 2007 and 2009 and the navies of very powerful countries participated in them.

The exercise in the open sea will greatly help the Pakistan Navy to assess its preparations to overcome the challenges in the region.

At the moment the security of the Arabian Sea is one of the most discussed topics in the world due to the fact that most of the world’s oil supply passes through there. The world military powers have taken the liberty to ensure the security of the Sea and the safe passing of the transporting ships.

Due to the rising threats in the region, the Pakistan Navy’s strategy was drastically change and preparations were made in order to ensure the safety of the country’s interests in the region.
The latest platforms are being indigenized and inducted in the Pakistan Navy in order to turn it into a potent force which will easily guard its sea territory. At the moment the PN is constructing frigates and missile boats, while earlier it has bought technology for Agosta class submarines.

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Pakistan to acquire six more submarines from China

2011-08-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

Pakistan has decided to acquire six Air Independent Propulsion conventional submarines from China to be fully capable to operate in a multi-threat environment under tropical conditions and launching torpedoes and missiles, reveal official documents exclusively available with Business Recorder.

For this purpose, a protocol for joint development and co-production of conventional AIP fitted submarines by Pakistan Navy (PN) and China Shipbuilding and Offshore Corporation Limited (SCOC) will be signed shortly after theapproval by the federal cabinet. AIP is a term that encompasses technologies which allow a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen.

The term usually excludes the use of nuclear power, and describes augmenting or replacing the diesel-electric propulsion system of non-nuclear vessels. TheUnited States Navy uses the hull classification symbol "SSP" to designate boats powered by AIP, while retaining "SS" for classic diesel-electric attack submarines. According to documents, Pakistan Navy is facing a critical imbalance in terms of submarines and ships vis-à-vis emerged threats.

This capability gap is widening exponentially with the passage of time. Keeping in view the PN's requirements of acquiring submarines, the issue was included in the talking points of the President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to China in 2009 and subsequently, it was discussed during the Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Pakistan in December 2010. The matter has been deliberated upon at the highest level at various fora, the documents add.

Ministry of Defence explains that in order to capitalise upon this opportunity, NHQ has pursued the acquisition of submarines with the concerned Chinese authorities. As a result, the administrator for State China has assured his firm support for the submarine project.

Technical negotiations will now start with China Shipbuilding and Offshore Corporation Limited (CSOC) on the proposed acquisition of conventional submarines Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) in order to finalise the draft protocol for further processing with the government.

NHQ has now forwarded a mutually agreed draft protocol to be signed between PN and CSOC as a first step towards joint development of conventional submarines ie AIP on JF 17 Thunder aircraft model. The proposed commercial deal between the two countries on conventional submarines, a copy of which is available with this scribe, is as follows: PN intends to acquire conventional AIP fixed submarines from CSOC as per agreed speculations, through joint development and co-production.

Under this protocol, submarines will be constructed at CSOC's yard and in Pakistan as per agreed arrangements. Co-development and production shall include joint development, training of PN/ Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) personnel, up-gradation of PN's yard and other related aspects including maintenance ie ILS as per respective responsibilities of the parties as defined in the protocol.

The parties have agreed to the following: (i) to invest jointly to develop one new type of conventional submarines with AIP. And the methodology of investment will be discussed when the project becomes reality; (2) CSOC shall appoint one institute to design conventional AIP submarines as per agreement by both sides; (3) for the purpose of establishing agreed technical requirements/ joint development, the parties shall initially work on the base line technical requirements; (4) during joint development, CSOC shall endeavour toincorporate PN requirement to establish final technical specifications for the conventional AIP submarines to be co-produced. Final design shall be certified by CSOC to fulfil pre-requisite as per Chinese military/ Navel standards for conventional AIP submarines; (5) CSOC shall ensure that these submarines shall be fully capable to operate in multi-threat environment under tropical conditions and capable of launching of torpedoes and missiles of Chinese origin; (6) CSOC shall completely construct four submarines at its yard in China; (7) remaining two submarines shall be constructed at PN yard in Pakistan as per the Chinese standards after up-gradation of PN yard by CSOC.

For this, Kit of Material(KoM) of these submarines shall be provided by CSOC; (8) CSOC shall provide lead yard services for completion and outfitting of these submarines at the PN yard in Pakistan;(9) CSOC shall carry out and be responsible for all tests and trials of all KoM, machinery and systems in harbour and at sea.
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Pakistan Navy officers suspect inside job in PNS Mehran

2011-08-21T09:54:00.001-07:00

Officials from Pakistan Navy suspect the May 22 naval airbase attack would not have been possible without inside help.

They, however, deny that the change in command at the PNS Mehran has anything to do with the attack and termed the transfer orders a ‘routine’ matter.

Inside job

When the attackers cut the barbed wire on the perimeter wall at the end of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Faisal base which is adjacent to the PNS Mehran, they had two options.

Instead of the naval base, they could have gone after the assets and personnel of the air force, but they chose not to, even though there were at least four American-made C-130 cargo planes on the PAF side.

“The attackers knew that the navy’s prized assets such as the Orion aircraft and the Chinese and American personnel were present on our base and they came specifically after them,” a senior navy officer said, admitting that no one on the outside could have known about it.

He said the attackers knew the base “inside out” and were well aware of the points where they would have “an advantage over the security forces” who would engage them.

He pointed out that three of the Special Service Group commandos, who were sent in to subdue the attackers, saying this was “no easy feat”.

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Training Of Pakistan Navy

2011-08-20T22:45:00.000-07:00

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Pakistan Navy

2011-08-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

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Pakistani Female Military officers

2011-08-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

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Indian Navy

2011-08-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. With 67,000 men and women, including 5,000 naval aviation personnel and 2,000 Marine Commandos (MARCOS), it is the world's fifth largest navy.^[35]

The Indian Navy currently operates around 170 ships, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. In recent years, India has started many ambitious projects to bolster its maritime capabilities including efforts to acquire ships from foreign countries.

In recent years, the Indian Navy has undergone extensive modernization and expansion with an intention to increase its capabilities as a recognized blue-water navy.^[36]^[37] It is fairly advanced in terms of technology and is in control of one of two Asian aircraft carriers. Two more aircraft carriers are currently being produced. The ships of the Indian Navy are of Indian and foreign origin.^[38] In addition, three ballistic missile submarine are to enter service by 2010 end. It is also only one of the six navies in the world that has nuclear capabilities. Others include US, Russia, China, France and the UK. In addition it is in command of the BrahMos which is the fastest cruise missile in the world with speeds of 2.8 Mach.

Indian Navy's marine commandos during a training exercise in the Philippine Sea.

In its maritime doctrine, the Indian Navy establishes its role in providing support to maritime neighbours during natural disasters. This was demonstrated during the Asian tsunami crisis during which the Indian Navy sent 35 ships to support relief efforts in neighbouring countries. The Indian navy has taken part in UN missions in the coast of Somalia and has provided security to an African Union summit held in Mozambique. The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a trueblue-water navy; the Indian Navy's doctrine states that this is for the collective good of nations.

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INDIA CHECKMATES CHINESE MOVES

2011-08-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

Small contentious issues in history are harbingers that tend to shape the larger power plays between nations. The naked truth in international affairs as articulated by strategist Paul Kennedy, is that India and China are two rising military and economic powers who will cooperate with each other for trade, and in competition for the same markets and influence, in the coming decades. Such countries are dubbed ‘competitive friendly enemies’. China is India’s largest trading partner, and has entered the Indian Ocean region with its PLA Navy via anti piracy patrols. It has also planted its footprint in India’s neighbourhood and Africa, with its chequebook diplomacy. Pakistan and China are proclaimed all weather friends, and China has built the deep-water port at Gwadar, and plans to transfer military supplies and nuclear plants to Pakistan.

Recent incidents at the naval encirclement of India, at Hambantota and Gwadar, and possibly Bangladesh, dubbed as China’s ‘string of pearls,’ put an end to the rapidly improving relations with India. China dismissed the theory, arguing that India built ports with ADB and World Bank loans, which some developing countries find difficult to obtain. China’s naval analyst, Zhang Ming, contends that India’s Andaman and Nicobar islands could be used as a ‘metal chain’ to block Chinese access to the Straits of Malacca, known as China’s ‘Malacca Dilemma’ and argues India is building an ‘Iron Curtain’ with its influence in the Indian Ocean islands, and ganging up with US on a defense framework. During the Second World War the Japanese built airfields in the Andaman Islands, and China worries that India could emulate this strategy, as well.

Ray Cline, a former Deputy Director of the CIA, had predicted that nations with geography and population would gain ascendancy in the 21st century. He juxtaposed it with maritime strategist Mahan’s prediction that the future may well be decided on the waters of the Indian Ocean. The first signals came when India and China clashed in Bahrain on 2 June 2010, at the monthly SHADE (Shared Awareness and De confliction) anti-piracy conference jointly chaired by the EU and US-led Combined Maritime Force. India stalled China’s bid for co-chairmanship. All 18 naval delegates, Interpol, and shipping reps around the table which have ships deployed and interests for anti piracy patrols in the Horn of Aden, supported China’s long standing bid, but the Indian delegate, Deepak Bisht, was the lone objector. He stated that before China takes the chair, the terms of the reference of chairmanship of SHADE needed to be laid down. Senior Col, Zhou Bo PLA(N), was taken aback.
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Navy commanding officer, senior enlisted firings

2011-08-20T06:35:00.001-07:00

Commanding officers

• Capt. Owen Honors, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, was fired Jan. 4 for what the Navy called a “profound lack of good judgment and professionalism” in making and showing to his crew raunchy comic videos as executive officer of the ship from 2005 through 2007.
• Capt. Rex Guinn, commanding officer of the Navy Region Japan legal service office, was fired Feb. 17 by Rear Adm. Nanette DeRenzi, commander of Navy Legal Service Command and the deputy judge advocate general, for “loss of confidence in his ability to command.”
• Cmdr. Nathan Borchers of the Norfolk, Va.-based destroyer Stout was fired March 1 for a “pervasive pattern of unprofessional behavior” among the ship’s crew.
• Rear Adm. Ron Horton was fired as commander of Logistics Group, Western Pacific, March 3 for failing to put a stop to the controversial “XO Movie Night” videos aired while he commanded the carrier Enterprise.
• Cmdr. Kevin Harms was fired March 9 as commander of Strike Fighter Squadron 137 aboard the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln by strike group commander Rear Adm. Mark Guadagnini “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command” for allegedly violating military ethics rules.
• Cmdr. Timothy Murphy was fired April 11 as commander of Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., due to “loss of confidence in his ability to command” after he was stopped by authorities on suspicion of driving drunk.
• Capt. William Mosk was fired April 18 as commander of Naval Station Rota and commander of Naval Activities Spain due to a “loss of confidence” in his ability to command and handle issues related to an ongoing criminal investigation at the base, according to an official statement.
• Cmdr. Etta Jones, commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock Ponce, was fired April 23 on deployment “due to demonstrated poor leadership, and failure to appropriately investigate, report, and hold accountable sailors found involved in hazing incidents,” a Navy announcement said. Jones also “failed to properly handle a loaded weapon” during a security alert, which the announcement said “endangered some of her crew.”
• Capt. Donald Hornbeck, commodore of San Diego-based Destroyer Squadron 1, was fired April 23 while an investigation looks into allegations of an “inappropriate relationship,” the Navy announced.
• Cmdr. Jay Wylie, CO of destroyer Momsen, was fired April 27 by Rear Adm. Mark Guadagnini, commander of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command stemming from allegations of misconduct,” according to a 3rd Fleet press release.
• Capt. Greg Thomas was removed from command of Norfolk Naval Shipyard the weekend of May 21-22 while a formal investigation into the command environment at the yard is completed, Navy officials said.
• Cmdr. Mike Varney, commanding officer of a Seawolf-class attack submarine Connecticut, was fired June 6 following an investigation into mishandling classified material and for lying to and obstructing the inquiry.
• Capt. Eric Merrill was fired July 15 as commanding officer of the submarine tender Emory S. Land after the ship hit a channel buoy June 21 while heading into Mina Salman, a port of Bahrain.
• Cmdr. Karl Pugh was fired July 19 as commander of the Whidbey Island, Wash.-based Electronic Attack Squadron 141 “following non-judicial punishment proceedings for an alcohol-related incident that occurred July 12 during a port visit to Manama,” 5th Fleet officials said in a statement.
• Cmdr. Jason Strength was fired July 20 as commanding officer of Navy Recruiting District Nashville, Tenn., after he was “found to have acted in an unprofessional manner” both while on liberty around subordinates as well as in uniform at official Navy events in Chattanooga, Tenn., in June, according to a statement from Navy Recruiting Command.
• Cmdr. Robert Brown was fired Aug. 5 as commanding officer of Beachmaster Unit 2 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek — Fort Story, Va. Brown was fired over allegations of ethics violations uncovered during an ongoing investigation into misuse of government resources, according to Naval Surface Force Atlantic.

Executive officers

• Cmdr. Andrew Crowe was fired April 1 as executive officer of Navy Region Center Singapore for creating a hostile work environment and failing to follow orders.
• Lt. Cmdr. Kurt Boenisch, executive officer of the amphibious transport dock Ponce, was fired April 23 on deployment for failing “to provide support to the command and commanding officer.”
• Capt. Robert Gamberg was fired June 6 as executive officer of the carrier during admiral’s mast in Norfolk, Va., for conduct unbecoming an officer and failure to obey a lawful order or regulation, related to an “improper relationship.”
• Cmdr. Ralph Jones was fired July 13 as executive officer of the amphibious transport dock Green Bay during deployment in the Arabian Sea after an investigation substantiated allegations of personal misconduct.

Senior enlisted leaders

• Senior Chief Yeoman (SS) Savan Patel was fired Jan. 5 after he was arrested and charged with drunken driving in Hawaii. Patel was chief of the boat for the attack submarine Louisville.
• Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Kelvin Coleman of the Stethem, a Japan-based destroyer, was fired Jan. 22 after he was arrested in connection with a drunken driving incident.
• Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Ron Burnett of the dock landing ship Ashland was fired Feb. 9 “due to loss of confidence” pending completion of the investigation into inappropriate touching of a female shipmate.
• Command Master Chief Meondra Kendley was fired as top sailor for Naval Recruiting District San Antonio on Feb. 16 for a loss of confidence in her ability to do the job.
• Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Susan Bruce-Ross of the Norfolk, Va.-based destroyer Stout was fired March 1 for a “pervasive pattern of unprofessional behavior” among the ship’s crew.
• Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Roy Mobley was fired as the top sailor at Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia on April 5 due to “loss of confidence” amid allegations he wore unearned medals and decorations.
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Navy plans to arm Fire Scout UAV with missiles

2011-08-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

The MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle may soon head to sea with a major upgrade: air-to-surface missiles.
The Navy’s drone helicopter, which recently finished its second deployment, will start carrying either Raytheon’ Griffin or BAE’s Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, two small missiles that would give an aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance a deadly capability.

Turkish air force attacks rebel targets in Iraq

2011-08-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s air force attacked 28 suspected Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, the military said Friday, in a second day of cross-border strikes in retaliation for stepped up attacks by the guerrillas.
Nearly 100 rounds of artillery also were fired as the warplanes bombed sites on Thursday in the largely mountainous areas just across the border with Iraq as well as on Mount Qandil on the Iraqi-Iranian border, the military said.
In Wednesday’s attacks, the air force targeted 60 sites in northern Iraq, which rebels of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, use as a springboard for hit-and-run attacks in Turkey.
No casualties were immediately reported, but the military released aerial images of the sites it targeted, purporting to show PKK shelters, road blocks, anti-aircraft gun sites and ammunition depots.
In Iraq, PKK spokesman Ahmed Danis said nine Turkish warplanes bombed areas around the Iraqi provinces of Sulaimaniyah, Irbil and Dahuk near Turkey’s border, and that the targets were “former rebel bases.” He said, “Our fighters left these bases a while ago and now they are in constant mobility. Therefore there were no casualties.”
Turkey has vowed to toughen its fight against the group following a spate of attacks since July that have killed nearly 40 soldiers. A statement released after a meeting of the country’s Security Council late Thursday said Turkey would lead “a more effective, determined and result-oriented” drive against the rebels.
But that didn’t stop PKK. It attacked police and military stations in simultaneous overnight rocket strikes in Siirt province in southern Turkey, killing two soldiers and wounding three civilians, including a 15-year old, NTV news channel reported.
PKK is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, and that was clear at the U.S. State Department, where spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed Turkey’s latest attacks against “PKK terrorists” in northern Iraq.
“The United States recognizes the right of Turkey to defend itself against terrorist attacks,” she told a news conference Thursday. She declined to comment on whether the U.S. would support any ground operation by Turkish forces.
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40 dead in Pakistan mosque bombing

2011-08-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A bomb exploded in a mosque in a Pakistani tribal region as hundreds were gathered for prayers Friday, killing at least 40 people and wounding 85 others in the first major attack in the country during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The attack came despite a period of relative calm in Pakistan, which has suffered numerous Taliban-led insurgent attacks in recent years. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the Taliban and other Islamist militants have previously attacked mosques.
The bomb went off in Ghundi, a village in the Khyber tribal region, a part of Pakistan's tribal belt. Khyber has long been a base for Islamist militants, and the Pakistani army has waged multiple operations aimed at pacifying the region but with limited success.
Khyber also is a key region for the U.S. and NATO, because a large portion of non-lethal supplies heading to U.S. forces in Afghanistan passes through it.
Some 300 people had gathered for prayers Friday afternoon in the Sunni mosque, and many were on their way out when the bomb exploded, local administrator Iqbal Khan said. Officials said there was some evidence a suicide attacker was involved.
Saleem Khan, 21, said people panicked after the blast, and that amid the smoke, cries and blood, several ran over him when he fell.
"Whoever did it in the holy month of Ramadan cannot be a Muslim," he said from a hospital bed in the main northwest city of Peshawar. "It is the cruelest thing any Muslim would do."
TV footage from the scene showed a heavily damaged building. Prayer caps, shoes and green prayer mats were scattered across a blood-splattered floor, while ceiling fans were twisted and walls blackened. Men comforted a young boy who wept as he held his hand to his heart.
At least 40 people were killed, and 85 wounded, local administrator Fazal Khan said.
Islamist militants such as the Pakistani Taliban have targeted mosques before, especially if they believe alleged enemies — such as army soldiers — are using the facility.
The Pakistani Taliban and affiliated groups are staging attacks in Pakistan because they oppose Islamabad's alliance with the United States.
Also Friday, two U.S. missiles struck a house in a tribal region that was once a Pakistani Taliban stronghold, killing four people, intelligence officials said.
The missile strike came as Pakistani-U.S. relations are seriously strained after the unilateral American raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in northwest Pakistan. The continued missile strikes, which Pakistan officially opposes, suggests Washington considers the tactic too valuable to give up.
Though Pakistan objects to the covert, CIA-run missile program, it is believed to have aided it in the past. The U.S. rarely acknowledges the program.
The two missiles hit a house Friday in Sheen Warsak village in the South Waziristan tribal area, according to two Pakistani intelligence officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.
The identities of the dead were not immediately clear. Although U.S. officials insist the vast majority of victims in the strikes are militants, Pakistanis and some human rights activists have said civilians are often caught up in the attacks
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Monmouth thwart copy illegally bother in the burgundy ocean

2011-08-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

Pirates flee as of a great commercial craft they attempted to commandeer in the Red Sea appreciation to the speedy rejoinder on or after HMS Monmouth in addition to her boarding teams

THIS is the moment Royal naval Commandos floorboard a commercial ship which had be attacked in the burgundy marine.
within the disappearance brightness of an August daylight, the authority boarding squad from HMS Monmouth hunt the M
THIS is the moment Royal naval Commandos floorboard a commercial ship which had be attacked in the burgundy marine.
within the disappearance brightness of an August daylight, the authority boarding squad from HMS Monmouth hunt the MV Caravos Horizon after it flashed an SOS: below harass on or after pirates.
The Devon port-based frigate was 90 miles away when the suffering identify go out and be straight away prearranged by mutual chore strength 151 – solitary of the union nautical military maintain sanctuary in the waters east of Suez – to build best rate.
Sixty miles on or after the merchantman’s last report spot, Black Knight, Monmouth’s Lynx plane, was flash up and head rancid to facilitate Caravos Horizon.
The 24 Filipino squad of the Maltese-flagged and Greek-owned craft had report to six man had storm the 63,000-tonne bulk carrier; they straight away chop back on the ‘citadel’ – an unconquerable part of the craft.
though the crew be safe, they had no plan what was episode on the take a break of the craft – which is wherever Monmouth’s Lynx come in.
“Have hear about the pain of the Caravos Horizon, we straight away launch to charge the hazard to the commercial vessel and to supply real-time in rank to Monmouth,” explained Lynx pilot Lt Chris Easter brook.
“We stood off at a detachment, relay the current condition and intriguing photograph and cassette soundtrack to aid the authoritative Officer’s decision-production method.
“We had to construct sure that we silent the state on the train fully, in order to establish what point of threat the board team may mug once embark.”
at the same time as Monmouth was imminent the scene, her ops opportunity team were functioning with the nearby American assault ship USS Bataan. The latter launched a MH-60S plane to assist and carry out a survey of the wider locale.
Analyzing each and every one the intelligence that were approaching in, there appear to be rebuff warning sign of the attackers; only a stepladder over the elevation of MV Caravos Horizon be speckled.
It be at this point that Monmouth’s boarding team – a fusion of Royal Marine Commandos from the flotilla Protection cluster, backed upbeat by the ship’s own specially-trained sailors – board the mercantile ship by line as of the Lynx and on or after the Black Duke’s sea boat.
Their occupation was to thoroughly work their way from end to end the Caravos Horizon to create in no doubt it was understandable of intruder.

Caravans Horizon after it flashed an SOS: below harass on or after pirates.
The Devon port-based frigate was 90 miles away when the suffering identify go out and be straight away prearranged by mutual chore strength 151 – solitary of the union nautical military maintain sanctuary in the waters east of Suez – to build best rate.
Sixty miles on or after the merchantman’s last report spot, Black Knight, Monmouth’s Lynx plane, was flash up and head rancid to facilitate Caravans Horizon.
The 24 Filipino squad of the Maltese-flagged and Greek-owned craft had report to six man had storm the 63,000-tonne bulk carrier; they straight away chop back on the ‘citadel’ – an unconquerable part of the craft.
though the crew be safe, they had no plan what was episode on the take a break of the craft – which is wherever Monmouth’s Lynx come in.
“Have hear about the pain of the Caravans Horizon, we straight away launch to charge the hazard to the commercial vessel and to supply real-time in rank to Monmouth,” explained Lynx pilot Lt Chris Easter brook.
“We stood off at a detachment, relay the current condition and intriguing photograph and cassette soundtrack to aid the authoritative Officer’s decision-production method.
“We had to construct sure that we silent the state on the train fully, in order to establish what point of threat the board team may mug once embark.”
at the same time as Monmouth was imminent the scene, her ops opportunity team were functioning with the nearby American assault ship USS Bataan. The latter launched a MH-60S plane to assist and carry out a survey of the wider locale.
Analyzing each and every one the intelligence that were approaching in, there appear to be rebuff warning sign of the attackers; only a stepladder over the elevation of MV Caravos Horizon be speckled.
It be at this point that Monmouth’s boarding team – a fusion of Royal Marine Commandos from the flotilla Protection cluster, backed upbeat by the ship’s own specially-trained sailors – board the mercantile ship by line as of the Lynx and on or after the Black Duke’s sea boat.
Their occupation was to thoroughly work their way from end to end the Caravans Horizon to create in no doubt it was understandable of intruder.

CG proceeds 3 coastal patrol boats to Armada

2011-08-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

He previous of the Navy’s coastal tour of duty skill are chronic after being out on finance. By the finish of September, the shore Guard will have returned three Cyclone-class coastal tours of duty boats to the armada.
Those resources the armadas will yet again include a full armada of 13 PCs.
The Zephyr, Shaman and whirlwind will be frequent to Joint Expeditionary support diminutive arroyo-Fort Story, Va., a maturity first report by the monthly Sea power. The earliest to be transfer, Zephyr, may cover been crooked under as premature as Aug. 10, follow by Shaman at the finish of the month and cyclone at the end of September, according to shoreline Guard orator Carlos Diaz.
Intended for now, the boat will be base in Little stream until a choice is complete regarding in general PC base, said Lt. Cmdr. Bill city, orator for Naval exterior Force Atlantic. With the new arrival, eight of the Navy’s 13 PCs will be home ported in Little Creek. The extra five boats are ahead-deploy to Bahrain. Crews turn, typically expenditure nine months on the ship a Little Creek-base boat; follow a six-month operation to one of the Bahrain boats. At in number present, the armada has 13 crews for its 10 boat.
“Prospect nature about the operation of PCs will depend upon a numeral of factor, as well as the necessities of personal combatant commander and economic joystick,” city writes in respond to e-mail problem. He additional that no decision has been made to vary the cycle of crew rotation or to to the fore-deploy any extra PCs.

Somerset 'well geared up' for demanding Gulf assignment

2011-08-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

stipulation YOU didn’t vicious loop HMS Somerset creation her way history Drake’s isle and out into Plymouth noise this dawn, rough chance – it’ll be February earlier than you acquire a new probability.
The warship is Gulf-bound, the most modern sort 23 frigate to hold up the Navy’s – and nation’s – long-term task in the area: security on the lofty seas, defensive worldwide trade route and deterring pressure to UK wealth.
It’s the third east of Suez use for the craft in three years, the nearly everyone current of which was done just prior to Christmas.
Because then she’s customary a new CO (Cdr Paul Bristow who’s in use over on or after his antecedent Andrew Burns), some widespread continuation in the hand of Devonport harbor expert, and some far-reaching pre-consumption schooling courteousness of Flag officeholder Sea teaching who put the frigate through its pace during two months of prepared Sea guidance.
Plus previous but not smallest amount, she flash up her Sea wolf air defense projectile and 4.5in major gun, both of which were fired to establish the major weaponry’s prepared for any challenges Somerset strength countenance.
Consequently all in all, CDR Bristow is sensibly convinced that his 180-bonus men and women and the £100m-plus part of nautical hardware they live in are at the hit the highest point of competence right now.
“My ship’s company is well ready – we leave from the UK sure that we can transport our task to a high standard, add to safety in our in commission areas and preserve the strong name of the UK and imperial armada in the area,” he additional.

Blaze and anger as HMS Liverpool deals a new waft to Gaddafi

2011-08-17T00:03:00.000-07:00

HMS Liverpool's major firearm silenced an adversary weapon series and shattered up a resupply article throughout a day of elevated play off the Libyan seashore

NEARLY 60 rounds of far above the ground volatile bullets hammered Col Gaddafi’s armed forces in a day of elevated play for HMS Liverpool, whose weapons silence the opponent up till now another time – and shattered up a martial group.
The experienced person destructive force came beneath fire from coastal battery by the harbor of Zlitan as she approved out a night-time assignment with NATO armed forces.
She’d been dispatch by a tour of duty airplane to fire celebrity bullets over a supposed pro-Government place when a shore series began lob shells at Liverpool.
Following pull back for a short time from the hazard zone, the destructive force was given in once more to resume her light mission – only to be unavailable once for a second time.
Not any of the foe shells hit home, but three high-likely to explode round left the tub of the destroyer’s 4.5in main gun at two times the speed of sound – and punctually silence the pro-Gaddafi series.
Afterward in the same day, a perambulation aircraft spy a motor vehicle group moving the length of the coastline road transport bullets and utensils for the frontage line.
once more the order, “4.5 – engage!” echoed about Liverpool’s operation room as 54 high-unstable rounds were sent loud into the editorial of vehicles, destroy some, seriously detrimental others.
In the resultant chaos on the land, Allied jets closed in and halt the development of any of the outstanding vehicle in the group.

Liverpool's operation opportunity side - exhausting anti-flash - focus on the task

Somali Skiff

2011-08-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Navy News

USS ANZIO -- USS ANZIO - U.S. Navy guided-rocket cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) aid a trapped Somali skiff and return it to coast, Aug. 13.

On Aug. 12, a SH-60B airplane from the airplane Anti-submarine regiment, glow (HSL) 46 'Grandmasters,' assign to Anzio, dotted the little skiff about 45 miles as of coast in the bay of Aden, with seven mariners waving their weapons in obvious suffering. Anzio approached and exposed that the skiff's engines were out of action The mariners said they had been drifting for two days, and requested help.

Anzio provided foodstuff and water to the mariners, and attempted to mend the vessel's engine. When mend efforts unsuccessful, the skiff was in use beneath tow by Anzio and its group brought on panel for the nighttime.

The following morning, after closing the Somali coastline, the skiff's crew returned to their boat, and were towed ashore by Anzio's rigid hulled inflatable boat.

Anzio is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, conducting counter-piracy operations to ensure safety and stability in the region.

How concerning Iranian Naval Hardware to Pakistan

2011-08-16T01:01:00.000-07:00

Iran in excess of the being has been developing its martial and now has urbanized a number of earth group marine hard ware
what do member think of Pakistan buying Iranian nautical hardware

Paksat-1R start on on 11 August

2011-08-16T00:52:00.000-07:00

Pakistani infrastructure settlement, PAKSAT-1R start is intended for ~21:00 PST (16:00 GMT) on 11 August 2011 from Xichang settlement open middle in China.

Pakistan get primary AWACS jet on or after China in Nom 2011

2011-08-16T00:42:00.000-07:00

Pakistan is receiving 4 AWACS airplane as of China and primary of it resolve be pending to Pakistan in November. On May 10th 2011 PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleiman had supposed that three China built AWACS would be deliver by the finish of 2011.

Chinese weaponry information & debate

2011-08-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

China Misslies

The Second weaponry group (SAC) is the planned missile armed forces of the People's state of China. The SAC is the part of the People's release Army that wheel China's nuclear ballistic and conservative missiles. China's whole nuclear weapon store mass is probable to be flanked by 100 and 400 nuclear artillery in entirety with regarding 180 of them aggressively deploy.

The SAC comprise about 90,000-120,000 staff and six ballistic missile brigade The six brigades are separately deploy in dissimilar military region all the way through the state.

The next weaponry Corps was recognized on 1 July 1966 and complete its first public look on 1 October 1984. The head office for operation is located at Qinghe. Second weaponry unit is below the through rule of the Chinese mid Military fee.

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