US Gifts Pakistan Two More Spy Planes

The Pakistani navy took delivery Tuesday of two state-of-the-art, US-made surveillance aircraft nine months after Islamist militants destroyed two similar planes, officials said.

Pakistan said the P3C aircraft, modified with the latest avionics, are designed to improve surveillance in the North Arabian sea, one of the world's most important shipping routes deeply troubled by Somali piracy.
"The two aircraft have been delivered to the Pakistan navy. These aircraft have been provided under the foreign military funding programme," a spokesman for the US embassy in Islamabad said.

Relations between Pakistan and the United States were severely damaged last year by a covert American raid that killed Osama bin Laden and air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, and the alliance remains tense.

The navy said the aircraft would help "maintain requisite vigil in our vital area of interest in the North Arabian Sea", which it said was "home to intense maritime activity both legal and illegal and thus warrants continuous guard".

Pakistan is to receive six P3C aircraft from the United States in three batches. The first two, received in 2010, were destroyed during a 17-hour siege of a key naval base in Karachi last May blamed on the Taliban.

The attack killed 10 personnel and deeply embarrassed the military, just three weeks after bin Laden was killed in the garrison town of Abbottabad.

Tel Aviv To Deploy Iron Dome

The Israeli military will deploy a battery of rocket interceptors from its “Iron Dome” system in the Tel Aviv region on Feb. 20, a military spokesman said Feb. 19.

“Iron Dome is being incorporated into the heart of the Israeli military. As part of this process, the system is deployed in different sites and will be in the Gush Dan region (of Tel Aviv) in the coming days,” he said in a statement that clarified the deployment would begin Feb. 20.

This deployment “is part of the annual training plan for this system”, he added.

The decision to site an Iron Dome battery at Tel Aviv comes amid heightened regional tensions and speculation about a possible Israeli attack targeting Iran’s controversial nuclear program.

Israel has denied that a decision has been taken to launch a pre-emptive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The first battery of the unique multi-million-dollar Iron Dome system was deployed last March 27 outside the southern desert city of Beersheva, after it was hit by Grad rockets fired by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. On April 4, the system was also deployed around the southern port city of Ashkelon.

The first of its kind in the world and still at the experimental stage, it is not yet able to provide complete protection, but it has successfully brought down several rockets fired from Gaza.

Designed to intercept rockets and artillery shells fired from a range of between 4 kilometers and 70 kilometers (3 miles and 45 miles), Iron Dome is part of an ambitious multi-layered defense program to protect Israeli towns and cities.

Two other systems make up the program — the Arrow long-range ballistic missile defense system and the so-called David’s Sling, or Magic Wand, system, intended to counter medium-range missiles.

The Cowards And The Heroes Of 1962

In our scriptures it is written वीर भोग्य वसुंधरा meaning the brave shall enjoy the pleasures of earth. I wonder how true that quote is ?? The following article shows the two faces of Indian Army during the 1962 war. At one end were the cowards known as "Kaul Boys" on the other were people like Shaitan Singh and Hoshiar Singh. On one end of the spectrum was fear, panic, mendacity and pure cowardice on the other end was cool calculated, pure unadulterated bravery.

The following article only just touches upon the stories of those men who died fighting for India and of those cowards who lived happily to be rich and prosperous, with their son's and daughters enjoying all the comforts of this world. Please read this article.

Rantings Of The Chinese Communist Media Blames Indian Democracy For All Evil

Beijing: Blaming India and its multi-party political system for the delay in solving the vexed Sino-India border issue, Chinese state media on Wednesday said the two sides were "far away" from reaching a "fair" agreement due to "suspicion and distrust", which is also impeding progress in bilateral ties. 

Though the 15th round of border talks were concluded last month leaving a "good trend" in the bilateral relations, some contradictions and issues are still severely disturbing the normal development of the China-India relations, a write up in the People's Daily online said today. 

"The first issue is the China-India border negotiation. China and India have held 15 meetings of special representatives for the border issue. 

"Although the meetings have made many positive achievements, it is still far away from reaching a fair, just and reasonable agreement," the write up in the opinion page said. 

The main barrier still comes from the Indian side as Indian media insist that the border line between China and India should be based on the "McMahon Line" left by British colonists, it said also India believes that the border dispute between the two countries covers not only the eastern region of 90,000 square km but also 30,000 sq km in the western region. 

"This wrong argument, which totally disregards the history, still has supporters in India," it said. 

Yet another reason that delaying the agreement was India's multi-party political system as well its society which is extremely complicated, it said. 

"Various Indian political parties have different understandings on the China-India border issue, and therefore, it is hard for them to reach an agreement on the issue," it said. 

The Daily also referred to India's concerns about China-Pakistan ties. 

"There are still misunderstandings about the China- Pakistan relations. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Indian government for the most part believes that China has adopted an "equal justice" policy in handling India-Pakistan relations, not only attaching importance to developing relations with Pakistan, but also paying attention to the bilateral relations with India," it said. 

There were concerns about Gwadar port and Chinese navy coming to India's door step and "inflow of nuclear technology from China to Pakistan", it said. 

Referring to India's concerns about Chinese troops in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), it said they were the personnel sent by China to assist Pakistan in the earthquake relief work. 

"The China threat theories like these are quite popular in India. Indian public opinion still holds that at present China is looking for a balance in relations between India and Pakistan to seek the best interest in South Asia and that once the India-Pakistan situation has changed, China will give full support to Pakistan and use Pakistan to curb and combat India," it said. 

"Through the above contradictions and problems between China and India, the information passed to the people is that China and India do not have enough mutual trust. 

"Suspicion and distrust are still the biggest obstacles to developing friendly relations between China and India," it said. 

The governments of China and India should both "stand on a higher level, and take a broader perspective, to enhance mutual trust and eliminate the problems and give full play to the wisdom and talents of the people of China and India, to creatively draw a beautiful blueprint for the final settlement of the China-Indian conflicts and problems," it said. 

Sukhoi T-50 Better Than Raptor And J-20 So Says Russia

The number of Russia's Sukhoi T-50 5th generation fighters involved in test flights will be increased to 14 from three by 2015, Russian Air Force Commander Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin told RIA Novosti on Monday.

“There are three fighters already in tests, another three are expected to be tested in the nearest future. The entire number of aircraft planned for test flights is 14,” Zelin said.

The T-50, developed under the program PAK FA (Future Aviation System for Tactical Air Force) at the Sukhoi aircraft design bureau, made its first public appearance at the MAKS-2011 air show near Moscow on August 17, 2011.

The fighter, which is being developed in partnership with India, made its maiden flight in the Russian Far East in early 2010. Zelin also said that Russia’s T-50 outstripped its U.S. and Chinese analogues.

“After a comparative analysis of the fighter’s characteristics with the U.S. F-22 Raptor and Chinese J-20 stealth aircraft, we can conclude that PAK FA exceeds the foreign analogues in maximum speed, flight range, maximum takeoff weight and the maximum overload value,” Zelin added.

Russia has been developing its fifth-generation fighter since the 1990s. The country's top military officials have said the stealth fighter jet, with a range of up to 5,500 kilomeeters, should enter service with the Air Force in 2015.

Tejas Naval Version Is An Unfortunate Necessity For India

Tejas Naval version was recently in the news for all the wrong reasons. Specially when the Navy Chief took on DRDO for failing to meet the deadlines for the Naval version. It is indeed true that in the Royal mess of the whole Tejas saga, Naval version ia a glorious chapter of missed deadlines, unfulfilled promises and general lackadaisical attitude typical of Indian Government Sector

Speaking to The Hindu at Port Blair, Admiral Verma has been quoted as saying, "They [ADA] focused largely on the Air Force programme and the LCA [Navy] did fall behind…. There have been many promises made by the ADA but they failed us... It is often said that there is only 15 per cent difference between both versions. The Navy has always maintained that it may be 15 per cent in terms of material and systems, but it is a substantial part. And they [ADA] underestimated it."

This is not the only time Tejas Naval version has come in for criticism. Even IAF officer's have been highly critical of the program and expect it to be scrapped.

The naval variant will feature

Arrestor hook

Drooped nose for better cockpit visibility

LEVCONS and fore plane to reduce landing speed

Auxiliary air-intakes

Strengthened undercarriage and fuselage and a fuel dump system.

Auto throttle function reduces pilot load by maintaining constant angle of attack during the critical phase of a flare-less carrier landing

Fuel Dump System enables safe landing by reducing weight in event of an emergency landing immediately after launch from Carrier

Maximum T/O from a carrier will be restricted to 12.5 tons, with the max external load being reduced to 3.5 tons.

LCA Naval Problems
At the roll-out of the first Naval LCA NP1 AT Bengaluru on July 6, 2010, ADA Director, Dr P.S. Subrahmanyam, said the aircraft aircraft still needs to shed 400 kg and the landing gear has to be perfected.

Former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy wrote in a newspaper column, "A naval variant of the LCA seems unlikely to ever land on a ship’s deck. It may probably need a new engine apart from lots of testing and modifications. There is little demonstrated stamina to take these risks."

Looking at this kind of pessimism many of my readers have emailed me their opinion that we should scrap the naval version of Tejas and go for modern air-crafts from western countries or Russia. The readers choice is with F-35(B/C), Grippen, Mig-29K, Naval Typhoon. While these planes are extra-ordinary in their advertised potency, unfortunately they are all "DREAM MACHINES" except for Mig-29K(outdated) none of the planes exist except on paper.

Lets take the example of F-35B. The US Navy does not want it and they are only accepting this air-craft due to the immense pressure being put by the civilian administration. It's gained weight during development, but more importantly, the Navy isn't sure that the capabilities it provides are what they want to spend more money on. It's tempting to scrap it and go with an alternative, from a company with recent carrier-jet experience. The obstacle is a headstrong Secretary of Defense who's staked his reputation on the joint program, but the signals are clear: the moment he's gone the Navy's going to bail.

On 6 January 2011, Gates said that the 2012 budget would call for a two year pause in F-35B production during which the aircraft may be redesigned, or canceled if unsuccessful. Gates stated, "If we cannot fix this variant during this time frame, and get it back on track in terms of performance, cost and schedule, then I believe it should be canceled." The probation was ended by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on 20 January 2012 because of progress made over the past year.

Problem with going in for either F-35B or F/A-18 is the binding and humiliating contract which we will have to sign. Basically it will be the US command which will give us permission to operate these machinery if it fits in their strategic view. Unfortunately that is not something which is acceptable to India thus you can forget about any American fighters coming to India in the near future.

The second problem we have forgotten is the problem with STOVL and STOBAR vs CATOBAR configuration. India does not have any operational STOBAR Aircraft Carriers but the next generation will be all STOBAR including the GORSHKOV. While the current AC in service is STOVL.

There are three main configurations of aircraft carrier in service in the world's navies, divided by the way in which aircraft take off and land:

Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) - these carriers generally carry the largest, heaviest, and most heavily armed aircraft, although smaller CATOBAR carriers may have other limitations (weight capacity of aircraft elevator, etc.). Three nations currently operate carriers of this type: the United States, France, and Brazil for a total of thirteen in service and potentially two more when the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth class is complete.

Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) - these carriers are generally limited to carrying lighter fixed-wing aircraft with more limited payloads. STOBAR carrier airwings, such as the Sukhoi Su-33 and future Mikoyan MiG-29K wings of the Admiral Kuznetsov are often geared primarily towards the air superiority and fleet defense roles rather than strike/power projection tasks which require heavier payloads (bombs, air-to-ground missiles). Currently, only Russia possesses an operational carrier of this type, with India and China each preparing a similar carrier.

Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) - limited to carrying STOVL aircraft. STOVL aircraft, such as the Harrier Jump Jet family and Yakovlev Yak-38 generally have very limited payloads, lower performance, and high fuel consumption when compared with conventional fixed wing aircraft; however, newer STOVL aircraft such as the F-35 have much improved performance. This type of aircraft carrier is operated by India, Spain, and Italy with five in active service; the UK and Thailand each have one active carrier but without any operational STOVL aircraft in inventory. Some also count the nine US Amphibious Assault ships in their secondary light carrier role boosting the overall total to sixteen.

Now we have limited options... F-35B which is still going through trials and is a bloody costly machine...comes with dog collar and leash, Mig-29K are out-dated and not in production anywhere. Or go for Rafale-M which again works on CATOBAR carrier De-Gaul.F/A-18 are too heavy for STOVL/STOBAR carriers.

So my friends you tell me if we can afford to scrap Naval Tejas when we have only one aircraft available for all our future AC's?

Coward Evil Communist Attack Again

Four BSF officers, including a Commanding Officer, were today killed in an IED blast by suspected Maoists in Malkangiri district of Odisha.

The BSF squad was targeted at around 1 PM in the Janbai area of the district, under Chitragonda police station area, 465 kms from here, and its jungles are a Naxal hotbed as it touches the borders of two other states-- Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, making it a corridor for Maoists.

According to initial reports, the officers were returning in their vehicle after attending a meeting with the district administration.

The victims have been identified as Commandant (107 battalion) G R Khaswan, his Second-in-Command Rajesh Sharan, Inspector Ashok and Assistant Sub-Inspector and radio operator of the squad Jitendra.

A Border Security Force (BSF) company is located in the area where the blast occurred.

The area witnesses a huge inter-state movement of armed Maoist cadres, a senior official said.

Interceptor Missile For India' Ballistic Missile Shield Tested Successfully

As part of its plan to deploy a two-layer ballistic missile defence system, India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile from the Integrated Test Range off Orissa coast.

A surface-to-surface target missile - a modified 'Prithvi' – was first lifted from the launch Complex-III in ITR at Chandipur, 15 km from here around 10:13 hours, defence sources said.

The missile tracking network consisting of long range and multi-function radars and other range sensors positioned at different locations detected and identified the incoming missile.

The interceptor missile at Wheeler Island, about 70 km across the sea from Chandipur, with a directional warhead was launched at about 10:16 hour and ground and on board control guided it to the target, the sources said.

The last flight of interceptor missile was conducted on March 6, 2011.

(Press Release)
DRDO AIR DEFENCE MISSILE AAD-05 HAS SUCCESSFULLY HIT BALLISTIC MISSILE AND DESTROYS THE BALLISTIC MISSILE AT A HEIGHT OF 15 KMS OFF THE COAST OF ORISSA NEAR THE WHEELERS ISLAND. A MODIFIED PRITHVI MISSILE MIMICKING THE BALLISTIC MISSILE WAS LAUNCHED AT 1010HRS TODAY FROM ITR CHANDIPUR. RADARS LOCATED AT DEFERENT LOCATIONS HAVE TRACKED INCOMING BALLISTIC MISSILE. INTERCEPTOR MISSILE WAS COMPLETELY READY TO TAKE OFF AT WHEELERS ISLAND. GUIDANCE COMPUTERS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY COMPUTED THE TRAJECTORY OF BALLISTIC MISSILE AND LAUNCHED AAD-05 INTERCEPTOR MISSILE AT A PRECISELY CALCULATED TIME. AAD-05 INTERCEPTOR MISSILE INITIALLY GUIDED BY THE INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH THE TARGET TRAJECTORY CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED BY THE RADAR, THE ON BOARD GUIDENCE COMPUTER GUIDED THE AAD-05 INTERCEPTOR MISSILE TOWARDS THE TARGET MISSILE. THE ONBOARD RADIO FREQUENCY SEEKER IDENTIFIED THE TARGET MISSILE AND GUIDED THE AAD-05 INTERCEPTOR MISSILE CLOSE TO THE TARGET MISSILE AND HIT THE TARGET MISSILE DIRECTLY AND DESTROYED IT. WARHEAD ALSO EXPLODED AND DESTROYED THE TARGET MISSILE INTO PIECES.

RADAR AND EOTS SYSTEMS HAVE TRACKED THE MISSILE AND ALSO RECORDED THE FRAGMENTS OF TARGET MISSILE FALLING INTO THE BAY OF BENGAL. IT IS ONE OF THE FINEST MISSIONS WHERE THE INTERCEPTOR HAS HIT THE INCOMING BALLISTIC MISSILE DIRECTLY AND DESTROYED AT A 15 KMS ALTITUDE. INDIA HAS JOINED A VERY FEW ADVANCED COUNTRIES, WHO HAVE THESE BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE CAPABILITIES. INDIA IS THE FIFTH NATION TO HAVE THESE CAPABILITIES IN THE WORLD. THE MISSION WAS CARRIED OUT IN THE FINAL DELIVERABLE USER CONFIGURATION MODE.

SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR TO RAKSHA MANTRI DR. V.K. SARASWAT HAS REVIEWED THE TOTAL CONFIGURATION AND MISSION AND ALSO WITNESSED THE LAUNCH. SHRI AVINASH CHANDER CHIEF CONTROLLER R&D (MSS) AND SHRI P VENUGOPALAN DIRECTOR DRDL CARRIED OUT THE FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW OF BOTH THE TARGET MISSILE AND INTERCEPTOR MISSILE.SHRI DS REDDY, PROGRAMME DIRECTOR AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM ALONGWITH HIS TEAM HAVE CARRIED OUT ALL THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE LAUNCH SUCCESSFULLY. SHRI SP DASH DIRECTOR ITR, DR SK CHAUDHURI DIRECTOR RCI AND SHRI SATISH KUMAR DIRECTOR SPIC AND OTHER TOP DRDO SCIENTISTS WERE PRESENT DURING THE MISSION. THE MISSION WAS ALSO WITNESSED BY THE SENIOR OFFICIALS OF TRI-SERVICES.

RAKSHA MANTRI SHRI AK ANTONY HAS CONGRATULATED ALL THE SCIENTISTS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION OF BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE.

Ancient F-7PG Flown By Pakistan Air Force Crashes Killing The Pilot

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilot was killed on Wednesday when his aircraft crashed in Pashin district, some 70 kilometres north of Quetta. A statement from the Air Headquarters Islamabad said the fighter jet F-7 PG was on a routine training mission when it crashed 24 nautical miles north of Quetta.

“It was a Chinese-made F-7PG training aircraft,” Air Commodore Anis Mirza told AFP.

Sources said the aircraft crashed in the mountains between Tora Shah and Band Khushdil Khan area, 10 kilometres from Pashin. They said the pilot had been identified as Tauseef Ahmed.

No loss of civilian life or property on ground had been reported, the statement said, adding that an inquiry had been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.

It was the fourth air force jet to crash in training in over three months.

Two pilots were killed in the other incidents and a helicopter crash last June killed four military personnel.

Pakistan is currently the largest non-Chinese F-7 operator, with ~120 F-7P and ~60 F-7PG. The Pakistan Air Force is to replace its entire fleet of F-7 with the JF-17 multirole fighter, all F-7P are planned to be retired and replaced with JF-17 Thunder aircraft by 2015.

Grand-Daughter And Great Grand-Daughter Of Baloch Nationalist Leader Slaughtered

In another instance of genocide against Balochistan, the grand daughter and great grand-daughter of the famous Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti were killed in Clifton Area of Karachi. This was done by the IS-Military combine to send a message to leaders of Balochistan Republican Party. Sounds like mafia, oh yes it is. This is the same government India wants to play Aman Ki Asha(Hope For Peace) with. Just imagine what the actual colors of these snakes are.



Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was once governor of Balochistan, a former interior minister, and eventually a rebel killed in a military operation in August 2006 by then president Pervez Musharraf's regime. While Jhumar (34) is Brahmadagh's daughter who was married to Balochistan member of provincial assembly Mir Bakhtiar Domki, Jaana Domki was their daughter. They were both shot dead near Gizri flyover of Karachi.

The driver of their vehicle was also killed. According to an eyewitness, a helper of the Domkis, who survived the attack, the attack took place a short distance from Jhumar's maternal uncle's home in the heavily policed Clifton area. A police unit was looking on, reported Baloch nationalist website, Balochwarna, quoting the eyewitness.

It reports that a black car intercepted Jhumar's car in Clifton around midnight. A man in black salwar kameez, wearing a black face mask, jumped out of the car and shot the driver, Barkat Baloch, as they tried to get away. The driver was killed on spot.

Then the assailant opened the rear door when two bikes accosted the car. Jhumar offered her jewellery, phone and valuables to the man thinking he was a robber. In response the killer said he didn't need her valuables; he was there to kill her and her daughter. Jhumar was then made to witness the brutal killing of her daughter, Jaana. Jhumar was then shot over a dozen times in the head, face and neck at point blank range and was left in a pool of blood.

US to support an independent Balochistan; congressional hearing convened for discussion Washington: (Wednesday, February 08, 2012) Completely disregarding the currently deteriorated state of affairs between the two countries, the United States is all set to support an independent Balochistan. According to the news, the US committee on Foreign Affairs has convened a congressional hearing today to hold an exclusive discussion on state of human rights affairs in the largest province of Pakistan.


US to support an independent Balochistan; congressional hearing convened for discussion

Russia completes trials of new Talwar class stealth frigate

The final trials of a new Talwar class stealth frigate for the Indian Navy has been completed in Russia. 

The frigate, whose testing was held at the Yantar shipyard in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, is armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Ria Novosti reported. 

Russia and India signed a USD 1.6 billion contract on construction of three modified Krivak III class (also known as Talwar class) guided missile frigates for India in 2006. 

The first frigate, the Teg, was scheduled for delivery in April 2011, but funding shortfalls have delayed the work, the report said. 

Two other Talwar class frigates, the Tarkash and the Trikand, are at various stages of construction and testing at the Yantar shipyard, and their delivery dates are unknown. 

The three frigates are each armed with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. 

They are also equipped with a 100-mm gun, a Shtil surface-to-air missile system, two Kashtan air-defence gun/missile systems, two twin 533-mm torpedo launchers, and an antisubmarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. 

Russia has previously built three Talwar class frigates for India - INS Talwar (Sword), INS Trishul (Trident), and INS Tabar (Axe). 

Marines practice amphibious war, storm US beaches

A small group of Marines trudged onto the beach sands in pitch-black night with an armada of US Navy warships sailing just off the shore. Their mission: root out insurgents that threatened to attack another American force to the south.

Military officials say the operation being conducted in Virginia and North Carolina is the largest amphibious training exercise they've attempted in at least a decade. Marines have been fighting wars in landlocked countries like Iraq and Afghanistan for years, and many have never even set foot on a Navy ship. That's of particular concern as the military shifts its strategic focus toward the coastal regions of the Middle East, such as Iran, and the Pacific, where North Korea and China are drawing increasing attention from the US.

Rickety Pakistan Air Force Gets New F-16

Islamabad: With an eye to India's increasing military power which has left a yawning gap between the two arch rivals, Pakistan on monday received the last of 18 F-16 fighter jets from the US.

The Dawn reports the primary consideration for purchasing the new aircraft was to improve the fighting capability of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) vis-à-vis the Indian Air Force.Though the stated aspect was IAF yet these F-16's were conspicuous by their absence during Kargil war when IAF carried out heavy bombing of Pakistani Army on the Line Of Control. PAF did not raise a finger to help its own men while they were being slaughtered.Some might call it cowardice but I call it excellent practical approach of PAF. Instead of having their assets destroyed they kept them safe. This strategy had two fold advantage one the general public was assured that PAF is ready and will protect them as and when needed plus kept the foolish western countries wary about nuclear strike.(Which again was a royal bluff)

The last F-16D Block 52 aircraft as well as the first two of the upgraded fighter jets have arrived in the country.

The fighter aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics suite and latest weapons with night precision attack capability.

"One F-16D Block 52 and two F-16 Block 15 MLU (Mid Life Upgrade) aircraft arrived today from the US at PAF Base Shahbaz (Jacobabad)," PAF said in a statement.

"The arrival of last F-16D Block 52 aircraft marked the completion of delivery of 18 aircraft of this category. The other two F-16 Block 15 aircraft ... were earlier sent to USA for Mid Life Upgrade," it further said.

The F-16 programme included purchase of 18 new jets, upgrade of 35 older aircraft and those purchased from the US under Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme, and procurement of munitions.

The F-16 aircraft sale to Pakistan was announced in 2005.

WikiLeaks expose of leaked US diplomatic cables show that the deal was meant to assuage Pakistan's fears of an "existential threat it perceived from India".

The diplomatic cables suggest that the purpose of the sale was to divert Pakistan's attention from "the nuclear option", and give it "time and space to employ a conventional reaction" in the event of a conflict with India.

How can a handful of old air crafts with no chance in hell of matching Indian Fighters keep PAF safe is beyond me but it seems to keep the gullible Pakistani people happy. These aircrafts can be used to bomb the living daylights out of innocent Balochistani Freedom Fighters. So I guess the F-16's will cover itself in laurel by destroying every village every herd and every village school in Balochistan.

US Congressional hearing may spell trouble for Pakistan

The United States (US) Committee on Foreign Affairs is set to convene a congressional hearing on Wednesday (February 8), for an exclusive discussion on Balochistan.

The extraordinary event has generated great interest among followers of Pakistan-US relations, as the allies’ mutual relationship seems to be deteriorating. The powerful House of Representatives committee oversees America’s foreign assistance programs and experts believe it can recommend halting US assistance to Pakistan over human rights violation in Balochistan.

Calls for ‘independence’
While Islamabad has strictly treated Balochistan as an internal matter, the debate on such a divisive topic by the powerful committee has highlighted the level of American interest in Balochistan and its support, if any, for the nationalist movement. On its part, Pakistan has kept Washington at arm’s length on the Balochistan issue, by refusing to grant it permission to open a consulate in Quetta.

Russia Will Complete Air-Launched Missiles for T-50 by 2014

Russia will complete development of advanced tactical air-launched missile systems for the Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation fighter within the next two years, the head of the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV), Boris Obnosov, said

“The development of Kh-35UE (AS-20 Kayak), Kh-38ME, Kh-58UShKE (AS-11 Kilter), and RVV-MD (AA-11 Archer) class missiles will be completed in 2012-2013,” Obnosov said, adding the missiles were currently being tested.

By the time the T-50 fighter enters service with the Russian Air Force in 2014, its missile systems will be fully operational, Obnosov said.

Some of the missiles intended for the fighters – such as Kh-31PD (AS-17 Mod 2) class missiles – have already been tested using Sukhoi Su-34 (Fullback) fourth-generation strike aircraft and put into serial production, he added.

According to KTRV, the Kh-35UE tactical anti-ship missile has a maximum range of 260 kilometers; the supersonic Kh-31PD anti-radiation missile for use against air defense systems, can fly up to 250 kilometers; the Kh-58UShKE missile, designed to destroy pulse radars, can hit targets within 245 kilometers, and the short-range RVV-MD air-to-air missile has a maximum range of 40 kilometers.

The T-50, developed under the PAK FA (Future Aviation System for Tactical Air Force) program by the Sukhoi OKB, is Russia's first new major warplane designed since the fall of the Soviet Union. The jet made its maiden flight in January 2011 and two prototypes have since been undergoing flight tests.

Indian Republic Day Videos

This video shows the might and diversity of India as showcased in the Republic Day Parade of 26th Jan, 2012. Every Indian should bookmark this video for future reference. It will be great to see how Indian military might evolves over the next 10 years or so.

This video is courtesy of Ashish Divay. Please support the original author by visiting his blog at http://ashsworldonline.blogspot.in/

Rafale The New Indian Air Force Fighter

Now that French aviation major Dassault’s fighter jet ‘Rafale’ has emerged victorious in the dog-fight for India’s multi-billion dollar contract for 126 new-generation fighter jets, here’s a closer look at the beast we have bet on.