2011-02-15 (China Military News cited from AP) -- A new "carrier killer" missile that has become a symbol of China's rising military might will not force the U.S. Navy to change the way it operates in the Pacific, a senior Navy commander told The Associated Press.Defense analysts say the Dong Feng 21D missile could upend the balance of power in Asia, where U.S. aircraft carrier battle groups have ruled the waves since the end of World War II.However, Vice Adm. Scott van Buskirk, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, told the AP in an interview that the Navy does not see the much-feared weapon as creating any insurmountable vulnerability for the U.S. carriers -- the Navy's crown jewels."It's not the Achilles heel of our aircraft...
Argentine-U.S. Tensions Simmer with Verbal Jabs
on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 15 Feb 2011 13:20
BUENOS AIRES - Argentine-U.S. tensions over items seized from a visiting U.S. military aircraft spiked higher Feb. 15 after Buenos Aires claimed its personnel "would have ended up in Guantanamo" if the situation were reversed.
"Imagine what situation Argentina would have found itself in if it had transported the same things to the United States?" asked Argentina's cabinet chief, Anibal Fernandez.
"We would have ended up in Guantanamo, in orange uniforms, in conditions I don't even want to get into," he told reporters.
"We are talking about national sovereignty."
The harsh words ratcheted up a row that started when Buenos Aires authorities seized on Feb. 10 what they said...
Huawei says won't divest U.S. tech company
on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2011-02-16 (China Military News cited from UPI) -- China's tech giant Huawei has said it won't cave in to U.S. congressional pressure to go back on a $2 million deal because of security concerns.
The Chinese firm was told by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States this week that if it didn't scrap its acquisition of U.S. computer technology, the committee would push U.S. President Barack Obama to undo the deal.
The committee, said Huawei in a statement, "asked us to withdraw from the regulatory review and sell patents but, in light of the possible further damage to the Huawei brand and reputation, we have been compelled to decline."
The acquisition, concluded in May, concerns the firm 3Leaf Systems, which...
The Gathering Storm In Northeast Asia
on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2011-02-16 (China Military News cited from defpro.com and written by Daniel Goure) -- The announcement that China has surpassed Japan as the world’s second largest economy is only one reason to pay renewed attention to the Asia-Pacific region. While not unexpected, the rise of China to superpower status economically is still a major event, one with significant implications for the balance of power in the world and China’s role in the global economy. Beijing’s newfound status is likely to only intensify its efforts to leverage economic strength into advantages in such areas as trade in high tech goods and the acquisition of intellectual property from its trading partners.
The second reason to pay greater attention to the...
Rare-earth shortage? Afghans think they can help
on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2011-02-14 (China Military News cited from businessweek.com and written by ELENA BECATOROS) -- Amid surging demand for rare-earth minerals used in everything from cell phones to gas-saving cars, Afghans are dreaming of cashing in on vast deposits they believe lie beneath their feet.The problem is that they are in one of the country's most dangerous spots, on the south bank of the Helmand River in southern Afghanistan, where fighting rages in a traditional Taliban stronghold.That Afghanistan sits on vast mineral wealth has been detailed in several surveys, the most extensive of which were conducted by the Soviets in the 1970s. Mining companies, both Afghan and foreign, already have shown interest, notably in its copper,...
Rapid Fire: 2011-02-16
on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
15-Feb-2011 21:15 UTC
Related Stories: Americas - USA, BAE, Bases & Infrastructure, Budgets, Contracts - Awards, Daily Rapid Fire, Helicopters & Rotary, Industry & Trends, Issues - Political, Mergers & Acquisitions, Robots, Russia, Scandals & Investigations, Support & Maintenance, Surface Ships - Combat, UAVs
The Russian Defense Ministry grounds its fleet of Mi-28 attack helicopters after an Mi-28N Night Hunter crashed in Stavropol, killing the pilot.I’ll be baaack: The worldwide military robotics market is expected to explode over the next 5 years, reaching $8 billion in 2016, compared with $5.8 billion in 2010, according to ABI Research.
View the original article h...
Army 'alert' to situation on borders with Pak, China
on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2011-02-15 (China Military News cited from PTI) -- The Army has taken elaborate measures to safeguard the borders with China and Pakistan and does not see any reason for worry, a senior army officer said on Tuesday. "Army is fully geared up as far as the security of the borderline with China and Pakistan is concerned. We have taken elaborate measure s," General Officer Commanding (GOC), 9 Corps, Lt Gen A K Choudhary told reporters in Yol Camp.
"There is no need to worry. We keep observing the movements and the postures of the neighbouring countries inimical to the peace of the country," he said.
Choudhary said the army was "prepared and alert" to ensure territorial integrity of the country. "We are at it. We are alert of...
Afghan War Draws in China and Russia
on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2011-02-16 (China Military News cited from rightsidenews.com) -- The U.S.-led war against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan has deteriorated into a growing open conflict with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and threatens to rapidly fall into a full-blown war with Pakistan. Signs of such an upcoming clash between Pakistan and the U.S. can already be seen. In anticipation of such a full-scale clash with America, Pakistan is seeking an enhanced role for China on its side, thereby triggering a possible superpower clash, involving the U.S., China, Russia, NATO powers, and other regional players.
According to MEMRI, a high-profile Middle Eastern think-tank, China's involvement as a...
