[naval] Jane's breif news

[Alex Bengtsson]

Revision to CFE Treaty reduces Euro arsenal Leaders from 30 nations signed the revised Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty last week, further reducing the number of combat aircraft, main battle tanks, artillery and other conventional weapon systems permitted in Europe. A400M could push ahead with orders for just 200 The Airbus Military Company (AMC) could be prepared to launch the manufacturing phase of its A400M transport aircraft programme with the receipt of a production order for just 200 units. Pegasus SAM to be deployed soon The Republic of Korea Army will start to deploy its first Pegasus (Chun Ma) self-propelled surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems next month, according to reports from Seoul. Chile likely to decide on used Mirages or F-16s Chile is expected to procure a limited number of used, refurbished fighter aircraft and could choose between the US Lockheed Martin F-16 and French Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000 early next year, according to Chilean defence officials. USN explores options to boost SSN numbers The US Navy is considering three options to keep the strength of its nuclear attack submarine (SSN) force at about 50, but navy leaders believe that this figure, which has cut the force by one third, is too low. BAMSE survives Swedish cuts Swedish Supreme Commander Gen Owe Wiktorin has recommended limited procurement of the Bofors Missiles RBS 23 BAMSE surface-to-air missile system despite substantial cuts to the defence budget. French will buy CAESAR artillery French Defence Minister Alain Richard has said the army will order five to 10 CAESAR (CAMion Equipé d'un Système d'Artillerie) 155mm/52-calibre 6 x 6 self-propelled artillery systems from Giat Industries. RAN takes closer look at US Kidd-class DDGs The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has confirmed that it is investigating the feasibility of acquiring four recently paid off US Navy Kidd-class guided missile destroyers (DDGs). Australian Navy LPAs hit by further delays The entry into service of the Royal Australian Navy's two amphibious transport (LPA) ships has been further delayed by about three months due to difficulties in returning to work the main and auxiliary machinery systems which have been idle for almost four years. Israel urging China to buy more AEW systems In a bid to increase defence ties with China, Israel is encouraging Beijing to exercise its option to buy another three airborne early-warning (AEW) systems in a deal that could reach $1 billion. Thomson to take fight to new BAe Thomson-CSF will consolidate its individual UK holdings into one company from year-end to take on the planned larger British Aerospace (BAe). More upgrades for Pakistani Type 59 MBTs Outside China, Pakistan is the largest user of the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) Type Main Battle Tank (MBT), with an estimated 1,200 vehicles in service. Even with the more modern NORINCO Type 69-II and Type 85 MBTs in service, a significant part of Pakistan's Type 59 MBT fleet is being upgraded in three phases by the Heavy Industries Taxila facility, the first phase having been started back in 1993. Phase III vehicle prototypes are now complete to which standard an undisclosed number of Type 59 MBTs will now be converted. AIP retrofit for two Swedish submarines Two Royal Swedish Navy Västergötland-class (Type A17) submarines - the Södermanland and the Östergötland - are to receive the latest Stirling air independent propulsion (AIP) system as part of a modernisation programme to be undertaken by Kockums. The order, worth SKr 600 million (US$73m) will enable the submarines to remain submerged for much longer periods than previously. Czech BVP-1 mod.99 The Czech Republic's defence marketing organisation, Caliber Prague, is offering to upgrade the many BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles in Czech service. The upgraded vehicle prototype, BVP-1 mod.99, is based on the upgrade of the BMP-1 (Pbv-501) for the Swedish army being undertaken by VOP-026 Sternberk. The upgrade was shown in public earlier this year and introduces passive night vision devices. Upgrade for Canada's Griffon's Canada's air force plans to upgrade its CH-146 Griffon (Bell Canada 412EP) helicopters with a new surveillance system, electronic warfare equipment, night vision goggles and an infrared suppression system. Already trials have been conducted, indicating which types of equipment in the four categories will be selected. BACKGROUND BRIEF: Re-engining for A-10A? The US Air Force (USAF) is studying the re-engining of its fleet of Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft as part of a series of upgrades intended to keep the aircraft in service until 2028. Known as the 'Warthog', the A-10A will eventually be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter. As it will remain in service after the USAF F-16 and US Marine Corps AV-8B fleets have been replaced, it is likely to be the most long-lived of current ground-attack aircraft. David C. Isby explains.   TECHNOLOGY INSERTION: More flex for Danish mine countermeasures The Royal Danish Navy is further developing the containerised mine-countermeasures capability of its Flyvefisken-class Standard Flex 300 (SF 300) multi-role surface auxiliary vessels by introducing new larger surface auxiliary trials of a remote minesweeping capability. The MCM concept developed for the SF 300 programme provides for route survey and remote minehunting operations. Richard Scott reports.