Saudi Arabia has reached an agreement to purchase 84 new Boeing F-15 fighter aircraft

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney today welcomed the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that it has reached an agreement to purchase from the U.S. government 84 new Boeing F-15 fighter aircraft and to upgrade 70 of its existing F-15s.

Boeing F-15 fighter aircraft (Credit image : Boeing)

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Free Syrian Army fighters control the first city in the country Baba Amr Syria

Most of the Syrian fighters waging a guerrilla war against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad are ill equipped -- short on guns, ammunition and with no heavy weapons. Baba Amr the first city in Syria controlled by the Free Syrian Army fighters.

For now the men of the Free Syrian army smuggle fighters in and out of the neighborhood they control, evading government checkpoints.

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Type 216 / U-216 Conventional Submarine (SSK) datasheet

The German shipyard HDW has released information about a proposed convetional propulsion long-range submarine project, called Type-216. Based on the Type 214, the Type 216 is designed specifically to meet the "larger conventional submarine" needs of countries like Australia, India and Canada.

Link to HDW Type 216 SSK Datasheet & Specification

Royal Australian Navy RAN ships and equipment

The Royal Australian Navy is the maritime force of the Australian Defence Forces.

The RAN is commanded through Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in Canberra.
Beneath NHQ are two subordinate commands:
- Fleet Command led by Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT)
-Navy Strategic Command

Fleet Command is structured into four Force Commands:
- Surface Force, covering the RAN's surface combatants (generally ships of frigate size or larger)
- Submarine Force, operating the Collins class submarines
- Mine Warfare, Hydrographic and Patrol Boat Force
- Fleet Air Arm, responsible for the navy's aviation assets

The RAN has about 13,000 regular personnel and about 50 vessels of all types.

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US aircraft carrier (probably USS John C. Stennis) 'spotted' in Iran wargames zone

A US aircraft carrier entered a zone near the Strait of Hormuz being used by the Iranian navy for wargames, an Iranian official said Thursday amid rising tensions over the key oil-transit channel. "A US aircraft carrier was spotted inside the manoeuvre zone... by a navy reconnaissance aircraft," Commodore Mahmoud Mousavi, the spokesman for the Iranian exercises, told the official IRNA news agency.
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NSM (Naval Strike Missile) contract with Poland approved

The contract that KONGSBERG announced on 7 December 2010 with the Polish Ministry of Defence for additional NSMs (Naval Strike Missiles) has been approved. This contract is an extension to the basic contract, which was signed on 30 December 2008. Compared with the press release published in December 2010, the scope and value of the contract has increased and the order for MNOK 712 will be booked in Q4 2011.
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Syrian rebels multiply attacks against the regular armed forces army in Syria

Syrian rebels multiply attacks against the regular army in Syria. An amateur video that was turned yesterday by the insurgents themselves when they ambushed a convoy of Syrian armed forces in the province of Deraa.

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Israeli Navy cancels plans to buy two Littoral Combat Ships, will get extra Sa’ar 4.5 corvettes instead

Due to budgetary constraints, the Israeli Navy has scrapped plans to purchase two next-generation LCS vessels and is instead looking to increase its fleet with smaller vessels. The Israeli Navy had originally decided to purchase the US Navy’s littoral combat ship, under development by defense contractor Lockheed Martin, but backed away from the deal after the price soared.

Saar 4.5 missile boat

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Russian task force on Dec 23 passed Gibraltar Strait and entered the Mediterranean Sea.

Northern Fleet (NF) aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov on Dec 23 passed Gibraltar Strait and entered the Mediterranean Sea. Other ships of the carrier strike group passed the strait few hours earlier.

In accordance with further plans, the Russian Navy's task force consisting of NF large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko, Baltic Fleet (BF) frigate Yaroslav Mudry, and NF tanker Sergei Osipov paid a formal visit to Spanish port of Ceuta.
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Venezuela became the first largest importer of Russian land forces military equipment

Venezuela became the largest importer of Russian arms for ground forces in 2011, the Moscow based Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) said on Tuesday, December 27, 2011. Russia delivered a large consignment of arms to Venezuela under contracts signed in 2009 and 2010, CAWAT head Igor Korotchenko said without offering any figures.

The Russian made BMP-3 armoured infantry fighting vehicle was showed for the time in Venezuela during the independence day military parade 2011, celebrating the 200th year of independenceof the country.

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Russia successfully test launched an RS-18 SS-19 intercontinental ballistic missile

Russia successfully test launched an RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto) intercontinental ballistic missile from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Vadim Koval said. “The goal of the test launch is to prove the stability and basic technical characteristics of missiles of this kind,” Koval said.

A Russian intercontinental ballistic missile RS-18 was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

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Japan can now take part of arms development and production with other countries

The government's security council agreed to the relaxing of the ban to allow Japan to take part in the joint development and production of arms with other countries and to supply military equipment for humanitarian missions, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said at a news conference.

The new Japanese main battle tank Type 10

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Army of Tanzania is now equipped with a new chinese main battle tank Type 59G

A new chinese upgrade of the Type 59 main battle tank was unveiled during a military parade in Tanzania. Our initial analysis shows that this new Chinese main battle tank upgrade is based on a modified chassis of the old Type 59 with the turret of the new chinese made Type 96G main battle tank.

The Type 59G was unveiled during a military parade in Tanzania.

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Russian Navy Rejects Project 12322 Zubr Air-Cushion Landing Ships

Russian Navy command made a decision not to purchase Project 12322 Zubr small-size air-cushion landing ships, reports Izvestiya referring to a source in Navy Main HQ.
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U.S. Navy and Royal Navy future SSBNs to get Common Ballistic Missile Compartments

The U.S Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $191.3 million contract modification to continue concept studies, engineering and design of a Common Missile Compartment for the United Kingdom’s Successor ballistic-missile submarine and the U.S. Ohio replacement submarine. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.
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After the withdrawal of U.S. Army Iran is ready to boost and expand military cooperation with Iraq

Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi voiced Tehran's preparedness to expand cooperation with Iraq in the fields of defense and security. The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to establish, boost and expand all types of military, defense and security cooperation with the friendly and brotherly nation of Iraq, Firouzabadi said in two separate messages to Iraqi Chief of Staff General Babakr Zibari and Iraqi Acting Defense Ministry Saadon al-Dulaymi to felicitate the Iraqi nation on the withdrawal of the US troops from the country.

Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi

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Russia became the world's second largest exporter of armament in 2011 after United States

Russia became the world’s second largest arms exporter in 2011 after the United States, the head of the Moscow-based arms think tank Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT), Igor Korotchenko said on Friday, December 23, 2011.

Rosoboronexport is the sole state intermediary agency for Russia's exports/imports of defense-related and dual use products, technologies and services.

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K-MAX Unmanned helicopter makes first delivery for U.S. Marines in combat zone in Afghanistan

Unmanned systems have revolutionized combat aviation, providing a colossal advantage in the fight against terror with surveillance and close-air support. Recently, a detachment of Marines from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 in Afghanistan added aerial resupply to the list of UAV capabilities.

A detachment of Marines from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 in Afghanistan completed their first unmanned aerial system cargo delivery in a combat zone with the K-MAX,
December 17, 2011

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Iran to hold naval drills around Hormuz straight

Iran will launch 10 days of naval drills from Saturday around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route, media said, after a rumour earlier this month that it planned to close the waterway. "Our naval drill will begin from 24 December lasting 10 days covering east of Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden", navy commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari was quoted as saying on Thursday by the Fars news agency.

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Marine Nationale and US Navy Destroyers conduct joint training in Mediterranean

On December 14th French Navy Horizon-class Air Defense Destroyer "Forbin" (D620) and US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer "USS Ramage" (DDG 61) met in the Mediterranean sea (off Lebanon) to conduct several training maneuvers including:

Anti-ship exercises, UNREP training (underway replenishment at sea), communication through signal lamps and helicopter cross deck.
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China's refitted aircraft carrier sets sail for 3rd trial at sea

China's aircraft carrier set off for its third sea trials yesterday with experts saying they may involve the first tests of aircraft landing and taking off. The Ministry of National Defense said previously that the carrier had completed all refitting and testing work as scheduled and the following sea trials would be for scientific research and experiments.
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BAE Systems will deliver RG31 and RG32M armoured vehicles to United Arab Emirates and Sweden

ARLINGTON, Virginia – BAE Systems Land & Armaments has received two contract awards totaling more than $150 million to provide RG31 and RG32M vehicles to the United Arab Emirates and Sweden.

RG32M at the Defence Exhibition in South Africa AAD

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AgustaWestland’s New Generation AW189 Helicopter Completes Its Maiden Flight

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first prototype of the AW189 twin engine 8-tonne class helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight yesterday. The aircraft was launched at the Paris Air Show earlier this year and this first prototype made its maiden flight ahead of schedule. AgustaWestland aims to achieve civil certification for the AW189 in 2013 and to start deliveries in early 2014.

AgustaWestland’s New Generation AW189 Helicopter Completes Its Maiden Flight

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A budget of £400m for protected vehicles and military equipment against IED for British troops

A £400m package of protected vehicles and Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) technology to further improve the protection of British Forces in Afghanistan has been announced by the British Defence Secretary Philp Hammond today, December 22, 2011.

Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle undergoing extensive trials and testing at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedford, prior to acceptance into service (stock image)
[Picture: Andrew Linnett, Crown Copyright/British MOD 2011]

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Mistral for Russia: the third and fourth LHD will be built in Sevmach shipyard, Severodvinsk

The hulls of the third and fourth Mistral type French helicopter carrier, command and landing ship purchased by Russia will be built by Russian shipyard Sevmach in Severodvinsk (north), announced Wednesday the Russian Minister of Defense Serdyukov Alexander.

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A new artillery tractor truck Kamaz 6350 8x8 enters in service in the Russian army.

A new artillery tractor truck based on the Kamaz-6350 8x8 is entered in service into the Russian artillery troops of the East Military District.

The New Kamaz-6350 artillery tractor of Russian army

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Syrian army armed forces Syria military equipment missile live-fire mili...

South Korea unveils a new medium-range surface-to-air missile the Cheongung M-SAM

In December 2011, South Korea unveils its new new medium-range surface-to-air missile. The Cheongung missile will be deployed from 2013. In the second phase from next year until 2018, the ADD plans to turn the Cheongung into a ballistic interceptor missile, which would lay the groundwork for a Korean version of the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3.

South Korean Cheongung M-SAM new medium-range surface-to-air missile

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Syria's armed forces said they were ready to repulse any foreign aggression

Syrian troops assaulting a northwest town with machine gun fire and shelling have killed at least 100 people in one of the deadliest episodes of the 9-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime, activists said Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

Syrian armed forces use tanks, warplanes and helicopter to fight protesters in the street.

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Daewoo wins $1.1 bln submarine contract for Indonesian Navy

As we mentionned in October Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering signed a contract to build three submarines for the Indonesian navy on Tuesday. The contract calls for DSME to build three 1,400-ton submarines for the Indonesian navy for a total of $1.1 billion, making the contract the largest single defense contract to be awarded to a Korean firm.
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French Navy (Marine Nationale) receives 25 new MU-90 torpedoes

Operational in France since February 2008, the MU90 is intended to be deployed by aircraft and warships such as Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, Lynx helicopters, frigates and Horizon destroyers for current platforms. MU90 torpedoes will ultimately be deployed by CaÏman helicopters (NH90) and FREMM.

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Syrian Navy and Air Force Conduct Live Fire Maneuvers

According to the operational training plan for 2011, the Air Force and Air Defense on Tuesday conducted a live fire demonstration with the participation of formations of Air Force fighters, fighter bombers, fire support helicopters and the Air Defense formations. The demonstration was aimed at testing the combat capability and readiness of the Air Force and Air Defense to confront any possible aggression that might target Syria's land and airspace.


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Israeli Army tests new capabilities of remote weapon station on armoured personnel carrier

IDF Israeli Army Ground Forces continue to develop the advanced Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) enabling use of a variety of weapons via remote control or automatically, including machine guns, grenade launchers, and anti-tank missiles. An experimental drill was held testing the system's new capabilities of improved laser range measurements and in-motion shooting.

Israeli APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) Leopard / Namer equipped with remote weapon station

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Rheinmetall will supply Canadian Army with Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicle

The Rheinmetall Group of Düsseldorf, Germany, is to supply the Canadian armed forces with the state-of-the-art Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicle. Rheinmetall secured this important contract in the face of stiff competition, underscoring the Group’s leading role in the world of heavyweight combat support vehicles.

Buffalo/Büffel armoured recovery vehicle based on the chassis of main battle tank Leopard 2

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United Kingdom invests to future technology of Taranis Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle

Warton, United Kingdom: The Ministry of Defence yesterday signed a new £40 million contract with BAE Systems to ensure the UK retains a leading edge in the next generation of combat air systems. The four-year Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Focused Research contract aims to sustain and develop the UK’s critical technology and skills in this field. It will inform the MOD’s unmanned air system strategy over the coming decades to ensure that the best use is made of these new technologies.

Taranis - Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV)

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Ukraine proposes BTR-7 armoured vehicle for UAE tender to supply 600 new armoured vehicles

Ukraine's BTR-7 armored vehicle developed and produced at Mykolaiv Mechanical and Repair Plant has successfully passed the tests at the sites of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a part of the participation in the tender to supply 600 new armored personnel carriers for the UAE's army.

BTR-7 wheeled armoured vehicle developed and produced at Mykolaiv Mechanical and Repair Plant in Ukraine

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Armoured combat vehicle Mbombe from Paramount Group could be produced in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry will produce and hand over additional 60 “Matador" and "Marauder" mine-protected armoured vehicles to the Armed Forces, military sources told APA Press Agency. The new combat vehicle Mbombe could also be produced in Azerbaijan.

Mbombe armoured vehicle at IDEX 2011 defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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Indian Navy developing new trimaran stealth frigates

The Indian naval designers have been working on cutting edge ships of the future. CNN-IBN caught up with naval experts at the President's Fleet Review to find out what the Indian navy fleet will look like, 10 years from now. The Indian Navy will have a three hulled ship or the Trimaran virtually invisible to the enemy radar because of its stealth design. Its deck gun and missiles have been concealed in every respect.


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Sri Lanka increases its defense budget with 1.92 billion U.S. dollars for 2012

Sri Lanka's parliament passed the highest ever defense budget for 2012 despite the country ending a three decade war in 2009, an official said here on Monday, December 19, 2011.

Sri Lanka army soldiers during military parade in the city of Colombo

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Japanese ground self-defense force engineer soldiers will be sent to South Sudan

The Japanese government on Tuesday, December 20, 21011, endorsed a plan to deploy a Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) engineering unit to South Sudan to take part in United Nations peacekeeping activities there.

Japanese soldiers of Ground Self-Defense Force during training exercise (Archive image)

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India to Get Fifth Russian-Upgraded Project 877 EKM Kilo-class diesel electric submarine in 2012

Indian Navy's diesel electric submarine INS Sindhurakshak being modernized by Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk, Russia) will be delivered to the orderer in the second half of 2012, reports the yard's press service on Dec 19.
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DCNS mates first sections of second Barracuda, futur class of French nuclear powered submarines

DCNS today mated the first hull sections of SSN Duguay-Trouin, the second Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine ordered in June 2009 by defence procurement agency DGA for the French Navy. This is a major milestone in the construction of the second-of-type SSN’s pressure hull. Between 2017 and 2027 six Barracudas will replace the six Rubis/Améthyste-class boats currently in service.
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Japan has selected the American stealth fighter aircraft F-35 to replace its old fleet of F-4's aircraft

The Japanese government made a formal decision on Tuesday to choose the F-35 stealth jet, which is being developed by the United States and eight other countries, as the country's next-generation fighter jets. The Security Council of Japan, presided over by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, made the final decision by taking into consideration the key factors including the aircraft's performance and cost, according to government officials.

F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter aircraft Lockheed Martin

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Polish army has awarded a contract to WZM to modernize its T-72M1 and PT-91 main battle tanks

Poland's Ministry of Defense has set aside 138.6 million zloty ($42 million) for two contracts to modernize its T-72M1 and PT-91 main battle tanks, the Army's First Regional Logistics Base in Walcz said in a statement.

Polish Army PT-91 main battle tank in a military parade in Warsaw (Archive image)

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First delvery of two of 24 Mi-35M Russian made combat helicopter to Azerbaijan Army

The delivery of Mi-35M Russian made helicopter for the Azerbaijan began. The Press Agency APA reports that the delivery took place on December 12 from Rostov-on-Don airport by Volga-Dnepr’s An-124-100. According to the agreement, Russian “Rosvertol” Joint-Stock Company will send other helicopters to Azerbaijan in 2012.

Mi-35M Russian made combat helicopter at MAKS Moscow Air Show

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Raytheon Awarded $685.7 Million for New Missile Patriot Systems for Taiwan Army

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $685.7 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract for additional new fire units of the combat-proven Patriot Air and Missile Defense System for Taiwan.

Taiwanese military truck loading Patriot 2 missile in Taipei (Archive image)

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Israeli Navy completes Dolphin class submarine upgrade

Israel will boost its long-arm strategic capabilities with the reinstatement of one of its Dolphin class submarines that underwent an unprecedented structural overhaul. The submarine, one of three currently in the navy, arrived in Israel in 1999 and is the first to undergo the mid-life renovation. The Israeli submarines, which were purchased from Germany, have an expected lifespan of 30 years.
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Azerbaijan plans to promote its defence industry at the defence Exhibition Eurosatory 2012

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry is going to promote its defense products in the European region from 2012. Since several months, the defense industry of Azerbaijan has shown its willingness to increase its market presence in the defense and security by participating in several industry trade shows around the world.

During the defence Exhibition in Kuwait GDA 2011, December 2011, Azerbaijan Defence Industry presented more than 97 defence and security products.

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Iran is fully determined to still develop its missile capability and military power

A senior Iranian Armed Forces commander praised the country's high missile capability, and said Tehran is fully determined to still develop this capability in a bid to boost its defensive power. 

Since the arms embargo, Iran has developed a wide range of home made ballistic missile

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Nexter Systems proposes VBCI vehicle for Close Combat Vehicle CCV program of Canadian Army

Nexter Systems wishes to confirm it has submitted two bids in response to the Government of Canada’s Request for Proposals for the Close Combat Vehicle (CCV) program. The first solution proposed is the VBCI 25 equipped with a 25 mm one-man turret, which is based upon the vehicle currently in use by the French Army.

Nexter Systems VBCI armoured infantry combat vehicle is currently used in Afghanistan by French Army

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M240L 7.62mm Medium Machine Gun recognized as Greatest Inventions 2010 for United States Army

The United States Army recognized the M240L 7.62mm Medium Machine Gun among the 2010 Army Greatest Inventions (AGI) during an awards ceremony at the Association of the United States Army Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., Oct. 11.

M240L tested by United States army soldiers

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Police forces of Uganda has ordered new Chinese anti-riot armoured vehicles Poly Technologies

A picture take in China shows a convoy of anti-riot armoured vehicle on the way to be transfer in Africa. On the sides of the vehicles it is written "Uganda Police".

Poly Technologies anti-riot vehicle on a road in China ready to be transfer in Africa

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Last convoy of United States soldiers pulled out of Iraq this Sunday, December 18, 2011

The last convoy of United States soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, December 18, 2011, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty.

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, prepare to depart in the last convoy from Iraq, at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 17, 2011.

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U.S. satellite firm Digital Globe releases first images of Chinese aircraft carrier at sea

Photographs of what is purported to be China’s first aircraft carrier has renewed speculation about its military intentions, according to news reports. U.S. satellite imaging firm Digital Globe said Wednesday on its website that it had captured an image that appears to be the Chinese aircraft carrier Varyag during drills in the Yellow Sea.

The sea trial is the second for the aircraft carrier (as we reported last month) which roused international interest on November 29 when it left the port of Dalian in the Yellow Sea. Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at the time that the military exercises were a "routine arrangement," Xinhua reported.
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