Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

[shetty]

I am all for the above with one condition, i.e every major deal, especially if the deal goes to such consortiums, should have a 50% offset and not just 30% offset, if the said technology is not a JV but rather a tech transfer.

[Katare]

I am all for the above with one condition, i.e every major deal, especially if the deal goes to such consortiums, should have a 50% offset and not just 30% offset, if the said technology is not a JV but rather a tech transfer.

When almost all of it is happening in India than where is the question of 30% or 50%?

[shetty]

I am all for the above with one condition, i.e every major deal, especially if the deal goes to such consortiums, should have a 50% offset and not just 30% offset, if the said technology is not a JV but rather a tech transfer.

When almost all of it is happening in India than where is the question of 30% or 50%?

I am still trying to figure out how the mechanism will work. What will be BAE's profit share in a 49:51 arrangement?

Lets assume that armed forces do a deal for $1 Billion with ToT from BAE. I am assuming that they have already accounted quite a substantial amount for the ToT. If its 30% offset, will they not get a share of the money through 49:51?

[Katare]

That is profit which never comes into picture for any discussion but it is shared in the ratio of their equity holdings. They might make losses too for several years? In most cases the profits are invested right back into JV as FDI. I am afraid you are on wrong track here.

[Lalmohan]

not all profits have to be 'repatriated' - BAE is a global company, it can quite happily make money in multiple geographies and the global financial markets can take care of making the most of it. its not like the old days when chests of booty had to be sent to London

[A Sharma]

Israeli army chief in Delhi to meet Indian defence officials

Israel's army chief Major General Avi Mizrahi is on a three-day visit to India beginning today to enhance the already-growing defence ties between the two countries.

General Mizrahi, the Ground Forces Chief of the Israeli Defence Forces who flew in here this morning is scheduled to meet Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor later in the day, Defence Ministry sources told PTI.

On his arrival, the General first laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate and was later given a guard of honour at the Defence Ministry headquarters in South Block here.

During General Mizrahi's three-day stay in New Delhi, he is likely to meet Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh but would miss Defence Minister A K Antony and his deputy M M Pallam Raju who are currently abroad.

He will also meet the Indian Navy chief and the Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Admiral Sureesh Mehta too during the course of his stay here.

The Israeli army chief, during his meetings with the Indian Defence Ministry and Armed Forces top brass, will discuss matters of mutual concern and interests, including joint military training and exercises between the forces of the two countries, sources said.

Of particular interest to the Indians is the Israeli offer to exercise and train in anti-insurgency and anti-terrorist operations, sources added.

India and Israel have been sharing a greater defence cooperation since diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Tel Aviv were established in 1992.

The ties have become stronger in the recent times with India emerging as the largest purchaser of Israeli arms since the beginning of the 21st Century.

India has purchased from Israel the Phalcons Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems that would be fitted onto the Indian Air Force's three IL-76 heavy lift transport aircraft.

That apart, India has already brought the Green Pine radars that warn of incoming enemy ballistic missiles. Indian Armed Forces are also users of Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles for intelligence, reconnaisance and surveillance purposes.

Indian Navy has recently bought the Barak surface-to-air missile from Israel that ran into rough weather after charges of kickbacks flew thick and fast.

Israel is also offering India the Arrow-II anti-ballistic missile for its missile defence systems in competition with the US' Patriot missile systems.

Indian Army is a major user of Israeli night vision equipment, particularly in Kashmir valley along the Line of Control with Pakistan.

[arun]

US Congress notified that India will buy the AGM-84 L Harpoon Block II.

For the Jaguar IM :

India - HARPOON Block II Missiles

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2008 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of HARPOON Block II Missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $170 million.

The Government of India has requested a possible sale of 20 AGM-84L HARPOON Block II missiles; 4 ATM-84L HARPOON Block II Exercise missiles; containers; training devices; spare and repair parts; supply/technical support; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; technical data and publications; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support The estimated cost is $170 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important partner and to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic relationship, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia.

India intends to use the HARPOON missiles to modernize its Air Force Anti-Surface Warfare mission capabilities and improve its naval operational flexibility. The missiles will assist the Indian Navy to develop and enhance standardization and operational ability with the United States. India will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be The Boeing Company of St. Louis, Missouri. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to India permanently. There may be U.S. Government or contractor personnel in country on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical and management oversight and support requirements.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

DSCA

Interesting that for 20 Missiles India is paying out USD 170 Million.

OTOH, the Pakistan got a 130 Harpoon Missiles for USD 370 Million.

Something does not add up :

Pakistan – HARPOON Block II Anti-ship Missiles

[Singha]

most probably the upfront training and support infra costs inflated our bill. future orders
would be more aligned to just the missile cost.

remember pakis have had harpoon since mid 80s and have a full infra for it.

[ranganathan]

Or India is subsidizing the next set of F-16 upgrades to MUNNA . But if DRDO uses the missiles to develop counter measures then 170 million is is nothing.
Taiwan just bought 60 for 90 million. Yes I can already see benfits of being MUNNA.

http://www.f-16.net/news_article3025.html

[arun]

Thanks for the heads up.

The Taiwanese for USD 125 Million are getting (LINK):

... 60 AGM-84L HARPOON Block II missiles, 2 HARPOON guidance control units, 30 HARPOON containers, 30 HARPOON extended air-launch lugs, 50 HARPOON upgrade kits from AGM-84G to AGM-84L ....

The South Koreans for USD 125 Million are getting LINK:

.... 42 AGM-84L (air-launched) and 16 UGM-84L (submarine-launched) HARPOON guided missiles, 22 MK 607 MOD 0 containers, 2 HARPOON Training Ballistic Air Missiles ...

India either has :

A. Some very amateurship price negotiators or,
B. Prices have been nicely padded up to accomodate kickback's or,
C. We are indeed subsidising the next set of F-16's to Pakistan as a CBM

[A Sharma]

TCS partners with SAAB to set up aerospace design and development center in India

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), (BSE: TCS.BO, NSE: TCS.NS), a leading global IT services, business solutions and outsourcing firm, today announced its partnership with Saab for the establishment of Saab’s Aeronautical Design and Development Centre (ADDC) in India. Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defense to civil security.

The partnership to establish ADDC aims at addressing the global aeronautical market. ADDC will create a single source of design and development capabilities within India, addressing domestic and the global defense and civil aeronautical applications. ADDC capabilities across the product lifecycle include: design and development of structures / systems for new platforms, performance studies and virtual prototyping, aircraft sustenance engineering, manufacturing support, production and after market support, life extension / upgrade programs, avionics and mission critical software development.

“This co-operation is not limited to any specific product but is aimed towards building a joint capability to leverage collective strengths across the globe,” says Saab CEO Ake Svensson.

Commenting on the partnership, S Ramadorai, chief executive officer and managing director, TCS, commented: “This partnership has a strong blend of Saab’s technology solutions and TCS global engineering model to address the growing opportunities in the aerospace and defense sector.”

Tata Industrial Services (TISL), which oversees and monitors contracts, was instrumental in forging this co-operation. Uma Pillai, managing director of TISL, commented: “The formation of ADDC is the first step in harnessing the potential of the two global organisations in aerospace and defense sector.”

[kit]

oh its just the american way of marketing .. just buy in bulk even if you dont need that many .. unit costs are higher if you buy less .. try any walmart .. same with lockmart

[JTull]

What does this do for Brahmos for Anti-surface combatant role?

IMHO, this order is entirely for Jags as Brahmos maybe too heavy for them. Have they even asked Brahmos Corp, if they can build mini-version with half the usual range?

This still begs the question, why IAF is considering different weapons systems for each type of aircraft and not considering fleetwide consistency. With this mindset, I don't think we'll see fewer than 5-6 aircraft types in IAF beyond 2020.

[Nitesh]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indi ... 468803.cms
US wants to be India's No.1 partner in defence

11 Sep 2008, 0128 hrs IST, Rajat Pandit,TNN

NEW DELHI: With the civil nuclear deal virtually in the bag now, the US is fast emerging as a potent challenger to Russia, Israel and France in supplying military hardware and software to India, one of the world's largest arms importer.

While there may be no direct quid pro quo between the Bush administration's role in changing the global nuclear architecture for India and defence deals, New Delhi's geo-political considerations will certainly be an important
factor in determining its arms purchases.

Even as defence minister A K Antony is currently in Washington to impart greater momentum to the already expansive Indo-US military ties, the Pentagon has notified the US Congress of a "possible" sale of Harpoon anti-ship missiles for $170 million (Rs 765 crore) to India.

This comes even as India's biggest-ever defence deal with US —the one to buy eight Boeing P-8i long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for Rs 8,500 crore —has been sent for final clearance to the Cabinet Committee on Security after finalisation of commercial negotiations.

The American Defence Security Cooperation Agency told the US Congress that India intends to use the 20 AGM-84L and four ATM-84L Harpoon Block-II missiles to "modernize its Air Force's anti-surface warfare capabilities" and "improve its naval operational flexibility".

Considering that the Harpoon-II all-weather missiles are capable of even striking land-based targets and ships in littoral waters, they will certainly give, for instance, Indian Jaguar fighters more deadly maritime strike capabilities.

But US, unlike Russia and Israel, sells to both sides of the border. Pakistan already has Harpoon missiles, which in fact forced India to go in for the Israeli Barak-I anti-ship missile defence systems during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

Since the Kargil conflict, India has spent a whopping $25 billion in defence imports, with Russia, Israel, France and UK cornering most of the contracts. Russia, of course, leads the pack with annual arms sales to India worth around $1.5 billion, followed by Israel with $1 billion.

Now, with India poised to spend another $30 billion over the coming five-six years, the US is obviously keen to grab some of the lucrative contracts. "Well, we have very intensive ties with the US across the entire military spectrum now. And armament purchases are a prominent factor in the relationship," said a top defence official.

US has already bagged the $962 million contract to supply six C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft for use by Indian special forces, after supplying amphibious warship USS Trenton (INS Jalaswa) to the Navy last year for $49 million.

But what the US is really salivating about is IAF's gigantic Rs 42,000-crore project to procure 126 multi-role combat fighters, with the Bush administration aggressively hawking F/A-18 "Super Hornets" (Boeing) and F-16 "Falcons" (Lockheed Martin).

But it will not be a complete cakewalk for the US firms, which will have to compete with Russian MiG-35 (RAC MiG), Swedish Gripen (Saab), French Rafale (Dassault) and Eurofighter Typhoon (consortium of British, German, Spanish and Italian companies) in this "mother of all defence deals".

US is also very interested in India's recently-launched hunt for 197 "light utility and observation" helicopters for around Rs 3,000 crore. Three of the six companies in the fray are American —Bell, Sikorsky and MD Helicopters. But here, too, they will have to contend with Kamov (Russia), Eurocopter (France, Germany and Spain) and Agusta Westland (Italy). Interestingly, in December last year, the UPA government had scrapped the almost-finalised deal to procure the 197 helicopters from Eurocopter, with European countries virtually blaming the US for scuttling the process. A sign of things to come?

[sunilUpa]

Israeli firms set to get another defence deal

Central vigilance panel clears Rs10,400cr joint venture for missiles

NEW DELHI: In an unusual development, the Central Vigilance Commission has given the go-ahead for a massive joint venture with two Israeli defence firms that are under investigation for kickbacks in the Barak missile scandal.

The JV that involves Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael teaming up with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force to build medium range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAMs) could be kickstarted very soon, sources said. The deal, worth Rs10,400 crore, would be India’s biggest defence JV with a foreign country.

The CVC clearance for the project — it has been on hold since June 2007 despite approval from the cabinet committee on security — has caused surprise in official circles. For, a few months ago, the law ministry had given a very ambivalent opinion on the JV when the ministry of defence (MoD) referred the matter to it.

Sources said the CVC clearance for the deal came in the last week of August and the “file is being processed”. The CVC approval is a clear departure from the government’s policy on defence scandals and middlemen. Over the past few decades, the government has blacklisted firms such as Bofors and Denel of South Africa when allegations rose of them paying middlemen, even before clear evidence was found of corruption. Official circles were, however, reticent on the latest development.
The CBI has claimed in its Barak chargesheet that it has found evidence of kickbacks in the original Barak deal of 1999-2000. That Rs1,150-crore deal for the purchase of seven Barak-1 anti-missile defence systems made by Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael had been opposed by the DRDO. The CBI has named then defence minister George Fernandes, then navy chief Admiral Susheel Kumar, and arms dealer Suresh Nanda among others in the deal.

The investigations started after Fernandes’s Samata Party’s treasurer RK Jain was caught on camera speaking about kickbacks, in a sting operation carried out by Tehelka.

The CVC clearance now reflects the unprecedented run Israel is having in the Indian defence market. Only a few days ago, the cabinet committee on security cleared the outright purchase of Spyder low-level quick reaction missiles from the same Israeli consortium of IAI and Rafael. The Israeli consortium already has a programme in collaboration with DRDO under way for developing a ship-borne next generation Barak (called Barak NG) for the Indian Navy.

However, the move to now firm up a JV with IAI-Rafael would have much more serious repercussions for the future, because of the virtual monopoly it would offer the Israelis in IAF’s MRSAM domain.

Sources said the proposed MRSAM JV would initially build two regiments, 36 numbers, for the IAF. Only the missile launcher and the command post would be made in India, the rest of the complex system including the missile itself would be made in Israel.

The proposed MRSAM will replace the old Pechora missiles of the IAF, and would have a range of about 70 km. DRDO will station at least 25 of its scientists in Israel for the project. The first prototype is planned in about two and a half years and the development would be completed in five years from its start.

Barak and Barak NG for the Navy, Spyder and MR-SAM for IAF, that covers almost whole Air defence system!

[srai]

Not to mention the Green Pine radar and subsystems for the PAD and AAD BMD AD systems.

IMO, with all the delays in AD upgrades, this JV with Israel is a way forward for the next decade. By the end of these JVs and the knowledge gained from these, India should be quite ready to go on its own if needs be. So based on where India is in developing AD systems right now, this is the right step.

[sum]

Spyder and MR-SAM for IAF

Where does the Akash fit in then?

[srai]

Israeli firms set to get another defence deal

Central vigilance panel clears Rs10,400cr joint venture for missiles

...
The Israeli consortium already has a programme in collaboration with DRDO under way for developing a ship-borne next generation Barak (called Barak NG) for the Indian Navy.

However, the move to now firm up a JV with IAI-Rafael would have much more serious repercussions for the future, because of the virtual monopoly it would offer the Israelis in IAF’s MRSAM domain.

...

The proposed MRSAM will replace the old Pechora missiles of the IAF, and would have a range of about 70 km. DRDO will station at least 25 of its scientists in Israel for the project. The first prototype is planned in about two and a half years and the development would be completed in five years from its start.

...

Since both the IN version and the IAF version are to have a range of 70km and I assume will share a lot of subsystems, I wonder what the differences are between the two other than land-based (subsystems on land platform) vs ship-based (subsystems on a ship). So is this really a single JV ... meaning IAF's version just tacking onto the ongoing IN's version?

[ranganathan]

Akash has longer range can can further be increased upto 50-55 km. The IAF Barak is supposed to have 120-150 km range and not just 70-80 like Naval BaraK-2.

[Austin]

I guess the difference would be minimal with some customised software for each service , the key difference will be as I see it , the Naval System will have a 4 Faced APAR , while the IAF version will be single face rotating system.

The IN system will be on ship with lots of pitch and roll and capability to be operation in sea state 6 and the IAF system will be on smooth running TATRA trucks

JMT

[srai]

Spyder and MR-SAM for IAF

Where does the Akash fit in then?

I am sure IAF is asking the same question too

There were reports of IAF complaining about the size of the missile vs it's range offered and about not being shown that it can shoot down low-flying objects (i.e. at tree-top heights). IMO, Akash missile design is based on a technology (SA-6) that is a bit dated in today's MR SAM standards in terms of speed, maneuverability, weight, and range.

Now IAF has many options in the pipeline (within the next 5 years) such as the Barak-MR (and its future LR variants), AAD, and PAD along with LLQRM (Spyder-SR and Maitri) with a range of 15km and which can be extended to 30km with a booster (as proposed by Spyder MR).

So it is debatable as to where Akash SAM will fit in ...

[pkudva]

Its a great thing to know that spyder deal has been signed.Secondly it is surprise thing to know that the joint venure between israel and india on the joint missile programme has been stalled to the investigations. This definately endagerous the nation's security. The programme should always go on irrespective of what ever investigations may go on.
The president if required should give the approval through the PM.
Secondly on the P-8I deal already enough time has been wasted in saying that we will be signing the deal soon and knowing that there are only 7 months left for elections we have to close enough defence deals as if they are not inked they will left pending for months which we cannot afford to happen.

[arun]

X Post.

Warship Technology, January 2008 :

Ambitious Indian programmes slow to deliver

Warship Technology, March 2008 :

Smaller Indian naval acquisition programme

[renukb]

India to spend more on defence than Britain within five years

India's military spending is set to overtake Britain's present defence budget within five years as the country transforms its armed forces to counter-balance China.

By David Blair in New Delhi and Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent
Last Updated: 12:50AM BST 14 Sep 2008

This rivalry between the world's largest rising powers lies behind an inexorable shift in global military power away from Europe and towards Asia.

India's defence spending has risen by an average of 18 per cent in each of the past three years. British military expenditure, by contrast, is planned to rise by an annual 1.4 per cent, after inflation.

If this continues, India's present defence spending of £15 billion will more than double to £35 billion in 2013. Britain's current military budget is £34 billion.

"As China and India's economies grow they will want to see their military strength improve," said Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary. "For us in the West, India could be a very useful ally in the war against terror, but you look at countries like China and Russia and you are seeing them increasing their military hardware. It shows you all the more starkly how complacent some of our Nato allies are in failing to maintain adequate defence spending."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are in the longest period of sustained real growth in the defence budget for over 20 years. What matters is the excellent capabilities we are delivering in terms of vehicles, body armour and weaponry, rather than any comparison of levels of defence expenditure."

Even taking into account future increases in Britain's defence budget, India is likely to spend more on its armed forces within less than 10 years.

Its rapid growth in spending is spurred by growing tension with its northern neighbour, China. The two nations share a bitterly disputed, 2,100 mile border and are rivals for influence in Asia.

India is buying 126 new jet fighters for around £5 billion. While the winner of this contract has not been announced, the contenders include the Eurofighter-Typhoon used by the RAF and the US F-18.

The Indian navy is seeking to become a "blue water" force, capable of operating worldwide. One aircraft carrier is under construction and another is being purchased from Russia. India is building one nuclear attack submarine and leasing another from Russia.

Cruise missiles which could be launched from submarines are also being developed. This would match a capability presently deployed only by the Royal Navy and the US Navy.

[renukb]

moved to international military thread.
this thread is for "Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments" in the Indian context only.
regards.

[A Sharma]

Just too much to tender

It's raining military tenders at South Block as India's armed forces continue their shopping spree. The past fortnight has seen the army, navy, air force and the coast guard inviting tenders for close to a dozen weapons systems and airborne platforms. Worth over Rs 20,000 crore, these tenders are equal to the GDP of several small countries.

The coast guard wants three Maritime Patrol Aircraft; both the air force and navy want Aerostat or balloon-mounted radars. The navy has floated tenders for 16 multi-role helicopters, which can carry torpedoes and missiles and operate off its warships.

It also wants eight Mine Counter Measure Vessels worth Rs 6,000 crore. The organisation has also floated tenders for anti-torpedo torpedoes, the technology for which is under development.

—Sandeep Unnithan

[sum]

Not sure if the above article should be viewed with happiness or sadness since it only indicates the neglect in building up of our indigenous capabilities for all these years due to which the chickens are coming home to roost and we end up bankrolling virtually every major weapons manufacturer worth his salt...

[Nmistry]

ISREAL PROPOSES JV WITH DRDO FOR STANDOFF PGM

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2008/09/ex ... -drdo.html

[Romeo]

Land of Gandhi asserts itself as global military power

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/22/asia/22india.php

[Katare]

Boeing to bid for $20bn defence aircraft orders

"Our market outlook for India includes bidding for $20 billion worth defence aircrafts in the next 10 years," Boeing India President Ian Thomas told PTI.

In addition to these, the company is also eyeing orders for 1001 commercial airplanes worth over $105 billion that India will require over the next 20 years.

[putnanja]

Private firms to make warships

Private firms to make warships
From Kalyan Ray, DH News Service, New Delhi:
Opening its doors, the Centre will allow private ports to manufacture five offshore patrol vessels for the Navy at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore.


The defence acquisition council, headed by Defence Minister A K Antony, approved five OPVs for the Navy last week, which will be procured through the “make” category of the defence procurement policy of 2008 and for the first time Indian Navy is looking at the private sector for meeting its requirements.

In a marked departure from the past, this time the options will not be limited to State-owned dockyards under the defence ministry. Private players are being pursued to bid for the request for proposal (RFP), which is expected in four months.

Three private ship building yards — the Pipavav Shipyard Limited, ABG Shipyard Limited and L&T Shipyard are being scrutinised for building naval vessels.

Last month, Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta inspected the facilities at Pipavav shipyard, which is in the process of registering itself with the Navy. ABG Shipyard too has built Coast Guard ships in the past.

India’s shipbuilding capability is saturated with shipyards booked to capacity. Still, there is demand for more warships and vessels from the Indian Navy, as large number of old vessels will be scrapped in the next five years. So much so, the defence ministry is also keen on shipbuilding cooperation with South Korea.

The government is left with little options as the order books of all defence ports in Kolkata, Goa, Mumbai and Kochi are full.

Though in the past, a Goa-based company Anderson Marine made a small fast attack craft for Navy and Coast Guard, this is for the first time private players are being lured to make large naval battleships fitted with weapons. To be procured during the 11th and 12th plan periods, the five OPVs are likely to replace some of the aged Sukanya class vessels.

[Vipul]

1,000 Crores for a OPV?

[neerajb]

Yes strange an offshore patrol vehicle for some 200 million USD whereas a brand new borey class, nuclear powered, strategic submarine will cost russia some 890 million USD. For 200 million USD you can buy 4 737s.

Cheers....

[Philip]

Good to see Sarko take the initiative.I mentioned earlier my suspicion that the Chinese had a hand in the piracy off Somalia vbecause of the similarities with piracy in the malacca Straits and S.China Sea.It has been loing known that many of the poirate ships originate from Chinese ports and waters.In addition,hijacked vessels often are taken to these ports secretly and stripped of their value.Somalia,the "horn of Afrcia",is a vital nation given its geo-strategic importance.It also has oil and the nation which is supporting the regime the most and "fuelling" so to speak its military campaign in Darfour are the Chinese.The coincidence to me is not an accident.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/b ... a--Sarkozy
EU gears for naval action vs pirates off Somalia--Sarkozy

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:58:00 09/23/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The European Union, under the leadership of France, is preparing for naval action against pirates off Somalia who have been hijacking ships and crewmen for ransom, according to a transcript of an interview with French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent by the French Embassy.

In a copy sent to INQUIRER.net, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said: "At France and
Spain's initiative, European Union foreign ministers decided to set up a maritime coordination unit to prevent acts of piracy and launched the preparation of a naval operation."

Since September 17, a French naval vessel has begun escorting European ships passing through the Gulf of Aden.

Sarkozy said that as most of the hostage-taking operations have taken place on the high seas outside Somali waters, Somali forces could not take on these pirates. He said that French naval and air force capabilities would be needed to effectively respond to the piracy.

"Obviously we need to do two things: establish a form of marine police force -- the whole international community has to make ships available, perhaps not to escort the convoys, but in any case to make the area safe," he said.

Sarkozy is also calling for the punishment of the pirates.

"I very much want, in addition to this preventive action, there to be punitive action. You won't mind me not being specific about the objectives," he added.

On September 15, France successfully rescued two French nationals kidnapped by Somali pirates and about to be taken to Eyl, where all the other hijacked ships had been docked.

"This operation, I'm telling you so that France's message is clearly heard, is a warning to all those who engage in this criminal activity. France can't allow crime to pay," Sarkozy said.

Noting this and another successful French operation in November 2007, when it escorted World Food Programme ships delivering humanitarian aid to Somalia, Sarkozy said that on its own, France could not take on the pirates and thus appealed for international action.

"On her own, France can't make a crucial difference throughout the area where the piracy is growing. This is why I appeal for the mobilization of the international community to help ensure the safety of the maritime traffic and protect people in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coasts," he said.

"The number of acts of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast has literally exploded since the beginning of 2008…The world can't tolerate this," he added.

Of the hijacked ships, eight has 97 Filipino seafarers, including one who died during the takeover of the ship.

"As I speak to you, pirates are holding 150 people of all nationalities and at least 15 boats in Somalia," he said in the interview.

Sarkozy said the 48,000 ships that pass through the Gulf of Aden every year were "all potential targets for these pirates who are striking further and further away from the coast."

Apart from this naval action, France has also asked the United Nations' response to this problem.

The increased piracy in the region was not only a problem of ship owners, but also of the Philippines, the world's biggest supplier of seafarers. At any given time, there is an estimated 250,000 Filipino seafarers at sea.

Somalia is a failed state with no effective government for some 20 years.

[Singha]

"I very much want, in addition to this preventive action, there to be punitive action. You won't mind me not being specific about the objectives," he added.

I would expect house calls at night by EU naval commandoes on the seaside villas of 'leaders'
and tabliqs at some point. or mysterious explosions in said villas or car garages.

atleast Sarkozy is taking the lead and showing leadership while our mice hide in delhi behind
Z++ security and want a free ride without the hard work - then expect "street cred".

I would pardon the world for laughing their guts out at the delhi ratpack.

[Lalmohan]

good for sarko, he's got problems at home with the economy and the restless suburbs of Paris (read islamofascism), and his attempt to broker peace between the Russians and Georgians has been given the Putin shrug. and then there was the recent loss in afghanistan. he needs to be seen to be doing something aggressive on the world stage - restore french pride and boost the morale of armed forces, and re-iterate french influence in africa

delhi billis looking for great power status - its not going to be handed to you from Unkil, watch and learn what Sarko is doing!

[rkhanna]

Sukhoi to invest 2 billion euros in India facility, will employ 15,000 Indians (Nagpur's MIHAN facility)

http://www.domain-b.com/aero/aero_mfg/2 ... ukhoi.html

Initially, Sukhoi expects the plant to manufacture between 25-50 civilian aircraft on an annual basis with production rates being ramped up to 100 aircraft a year, in four years. The aircraft will be the 90-130 seater Sukhoi 100 Super Jet medium-haul passenger aircraft.

The plant alone is expected to create 15,000 direct and 75,000 indirect jobs. The minister also said that Sukhoi was prepared to spend whatever it took to compensate people whose land would be acquired for the project

[Dmurphy]

Hey, will that also speed up PAK-FA in someway?
And any plans to use that expertise for NAL Saras development?