French Dassault Aviation wins $10.4 billion Indian contract for Rafale multirole fighter aircraft

The Dassault Rafale fighter jet, manufactured by French Dassault Aviation, has emerged as the lowest bidder in India's mammoth contract worth $10.4 billion, say sources. The Indian Air Force plans to buy 126 aircraft over the next ten years. France's Dassault Rafale group has won a 10.4 billion U.S. dollar contract to build 126 MMRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) fighter for the Indian air force in 10 years, said Indian TV channel Times Now Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

French Dassault Aviation Rafale multirole fighter aircraft

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In 2012 Russia will create and export two new-generation of X-31 type missiles

In 2012, Russia intends to develop two new generation of air-to-ground and air-to-sea missile X-31 type for export, unique in the world, said Tuesday, January 31, 2012 the CEO of "Tactical Missiles" Boris Obnossov in an interview with the Russian Press agency RIA Novosti. The missiles X-31AD and X-31PD are high sophisticated missiles. The first is an anti-ship air-to-ground long-range supersonic missile, which is unrivaled in the world. The second, the X-31PD is an anti-radar air-to-ground guided missile with a homing device.

Russian X-31A (Kh-31AD) air-to-sea high speed antiship missile (Credit Photo Vitaly Kuzmin)

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Sea Ceptor, MBDA’s Next Generation Air Defence System Gets Go Ahead For Royal Navy Frigates

MBDA is pleased to announce the award of the FLAADS (Future Local Area Air Defence System) Demonstration Phase Contract by the Ministry of Defence. Under this £483M contract, MBDA will develop the naval air defence system, named SEA CEPTOR, to replace the Vertical Launch Seawolf currently in service on the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates. Significantly, SEA CEPTOR is also planned to be the principal air defence system on the successor Type 26 Global Combat Ship.
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Iran defence industry unveils the first home made Bassir laser-guided artillery smart munitions

The Iranian Defense Ministry unveiled the country's first home-made laser-guided smart munitions in a ceremony here in Tehran on Monday, January 30, 2012. The new type of ammunition, called Bassir, was unveiled by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi in a ceremony in Defense Industries Organization.

 Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi

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HMS Daring sets sail with world-class Thales systems

The first of the Royal Navy's (RN’s) Type 45 destroyers, HMS Daring, has set sail on operational duty fitted with Thales UK's new fully digital radar electronic support measures (RESM) system. The platform, the first of the Daring class, has been fitted with new digital antennas supplied by Thales as part of the UAT MOD 2 update programme.

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Eurocopter delivers today the first NH90 TTH helicopter in its final configuration to the French Army

During a visit by the French Defense Minister Gérard Longuet to its facilities in Marignane, Eurocopter officially delivered the first NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) qualified in its final operational configuration to the French armament procurement agency today.

First delivery of the NH90 TTH Tactical Troop Transport helicopter in Marignane, France

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United States Army Awards Northrop Grumman Counter-Rocket, Artillery - Mortar (C-RAM) Contract

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a $122 million contract to install and sustain Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems at forward operating bases (FOBs) supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the ongoing United States Mission in Iraq (USM-I). The contract includes options that, if fully exercised, would raise the potential value of the contract to $311 million.

Centurion Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems

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Indonesian military aims to modernize its weaponry to boost defence capacities of the country

Indonesian military has attempted to modernize its weaponry that will put it a par with neighboring countries and boosted skills of personal as the challenges to be faced in the future. Indonesia has had ten Sukhoi jet fighters and aimed to receive two others each year by 2014 and several F16 war planes, but many others weaponry had been aging. The government had added the task of the military to deter terrorism along with police. Besides, transnational crimes and separatism in Papua still threatened the country.

Dutch Leopard 2A6 main battle tank (Credit photo: Army Recognition)

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DCNS signs four-year Horizon destroyer support contract

DCNS has signed a four-year contract with the French Navy's Fleet Support Service (SSF) to provide through-life support for Horizon-class destroyers Forbin and Chevalier Paul.

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Thales and Safran acquire Areva's stake in Sofradir supplier of infrared detectors

Safran and Thales have acquired Areva's 20% stake in Sofradir, their jointly owned subsidiary and a world-class centre of excellence in infrared detector technology.

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Syrian army continues to fight the rebels despite the mission of the Arab League

The Syrian military entered Sunday some restive suburbs of the capital Damascus to confront what the government described as "armed terrorist groups," a witness told to the Chinese press Agency Xinhua anonymously. The Syrian army has entered restive suburbs such as Douma, Harasta, Ghouta and Kafr-batna, the source said.

Syrian army defectors stand guard in the Deir Baghlaba area in Homs province, central Syria,
on Friday, January 27, 2012.

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DCNS exhibits at PACIFIC 2012 International Maritime Exposition, Sydney, Australia

French Shipbuilder DCNS, a major player in the European and world markets for value-added naval defence systems, will be present at PACIFIC 2012 International Maritime Exposition. As a naval prime contractor, shipbuilder and systems integrator, DCNS combines resources and expertise spanning the naval defence value chain and entire system lifecycles. DCNS delivers innovative solutions from integrated warships to strategic systems, equipment, services and new energy solutions.
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U.S. Navy to refit USS Ponce (LPD 15) as Navy Seals “Mothership”

According to a media report the U.S. military plans to send a floating base for commando teams to the Middle East, where relations with Iran are tense and other nations are in the midst of political upheaval.

The Washington Post newspaper on Saturday cited unspecified U.S. Navy documents saying the service plans to convert an aging warship, the USS Ponce (LPD 15), into a staging base for the commandos, calling it a “mothership.”
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United States have developed a bomb capable to destroy fortified underground facilities in Iran

United States is stepping up efforts to make a bomb capable of destroying Iran's most heavily fortified underground facilities, the Wall Street Journal said on Saturday, January 28, 2012, referring to U.S. officials briefed on the plan.

MOP Massive Ordnance Penetrator being offloaded in preparation for its first explosive test.

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Iran will unveil new military achievements of defense, aerospace and missile in Februray

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced that the country plans to unveil several achievements in the field of defense in the next few days. Vahidi said new achievements in defense, aerospace and missile fields will be unveiled during the Ten-Day Dawn ceremonies from February 1 to 11, celebrating the victory of the Islamic Revolution back in 1979.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi at a military transfer ceremony

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Bold Alligator 2012 International Joint Naval Amphibious Exercise

Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest international naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations.
Follow all the latest Bold Alligator 2012 news, pictures and video with NavyRecognition.com
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NH90 TTH NFH multirole multi mission helicopter technical data sheet specifications description information identification pictures video

The NH90 is a European military helicopter designed against NATO requirements to meet a long term need. The NH90 meets the latest safety standards and is able to operate in harsh military environments, over land and sea, day or night. In 1985 five European nations signed a memorandum of understanding covering a NATO helicopter for the 90s, or NH 90.

NH90 Multi-mission Multirole helicopter

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Fourth Chinese Navy Type 071 LPD launched at Shanghai Shipyard

According to Chinese newspaper "Huantsyu shibao", Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai (part of the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group Corporation, a state owned corporation) held a launch for the fourth Type 071 class LPD. The launch was timed to happen on the Chinese New Year (January 23rd).
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France has decided to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2013

France will gradually pull its combat troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2013, President Nicolas Sarkozy said, speeding up the withdrawal of NATO’s fourth-largest contingent in the Asian country. France will leave a “few hundred” soldiers in Afghanistan in 2014 to help train the Afghan army, he said.

French soldiers from the 27ème bataillon de chasseurs alpins and French Task Force Tiger patrol the many valleys of Kapisa province, Afghanistan. (Archive image)

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French armed forces equipment and combat vehicles in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon

In December 2011, Army Recognition magazine reporter team was in Lebanon to cover the SMES 2011 defence Exhibition in Beyrouth. During our trip, we also visited the French Army troops which are deployed as members of the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). Analysis of Army Recognition team about the military equipment, combat systems and armoured vehicles use by the French Army troops and their role in Lebanon.

UNIFIL French army peacekeepers during a briefing before a patrol in South Lebanon.

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Eurocopter EC135 selected as the preferred platform for Australian army helicopter training

Boeing [NYSE: BA] subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) and Thales Australia today named the Eurocopter EC135 as the preferred platform for their bid on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Project AIR 9000 Phase 7 – Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS).

Eurocopter EC135 helicopter of German Air Force

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Simulator helps design Royal Navy future aircraft carriers' flight deck

Welcome to the deck of one of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, due in service by the end of the decade. Well, not quite the real carrier, which is under construction at Rosyth. This is BAE Systems' simulator at Warton, the only one in the world where the F-35 aircraft meets the future pride of the 2020 Royal Navy.

But this is not about training pilots, nor honing the skills of the personnel whose deck-based task is to guide the aircraft in safely.

This is about designing the flight deck, making sure its massive array of coloured lights and lenses, deck markings and arrestor gear make for the safest environment for recovering the aircraft.
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BAE Systems receives orders for continued work on Caiman MTV Multi Theater Vehicles

BAE Systems has received three delivery orders from the U.S. Marine Corps, totalling more than $148 million, for continued support of Caiman Multi Theater Vehicles (MTV).

Caiman MTV Multi-Theater armoured vehicle

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US Navy Squadrons Team Up For E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Evaluation

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 combined forces with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 to bring a joint detachment to Naval Air Station Jacksonville Jan. 16, to help meet its schedule for the E-2D Hawkeye Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.
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Russian firearms manufacturer Izhmash unveils new Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-12

Russia's largest firearms manufacturer, Izhmash, has unveiled a prototype of its new Kalashnikov assault rifle with improved ergonomics and tactical flexibility. The new assault rifle, dubbed AK-12, is being designed as a basic platform for the development of nearly 20 different modifications of the weapon. It could be adapted for cartridges varying from 5.45x39 mm to 7.62x51 NATO.

Kalashnikov AK-12 new assault rifle Izhmash

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French Navy training with US Navy ahead of Bold Alligator 2012 Amphibious Exercise

U.S. Navy sailors from Assault Craft Unit Four (ACU4) are working with the crew of the French amphibious vessel (LHD) Mistral (L9013) this week to certify her well deck operations ahead of Bold Alligator 2012, a multi-national amphibious exercise in the USA involving the navies of the US, UK, France and Netherlands.


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Russian Kalashnikov assault rifle manufacturer Izhmash sales up 57.4% in 2011

Izhmash, the manufacturer of Kalashnikov AK assault rifles, said its sales were up 57.4 percent last year at 5.73 billion rubles (about $190 million). Civilian weapon sales rose 25 percent and a similar increase is expected this year, Izhmash press secretary Yelena Filatova said.

Designer Mikhail Kalashnikov poses with its AK-74 assault rifle

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United States elite Special Forces soldiers of Navy SEALs have liberated two hostages in Africa

Elite soldiers U.S. Navy SEALs of United States armed forces swooped into Somalia on Wednesday and rescued two hostage aid workers after killing their nine kidnappers, a rare and daring raid in the Horn of Africa nation to free foreign captives.

Picture: Navy SEAL's soldiers during training.
The United States Navy's Sea, Air, and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.

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Thales and Steyr Mannlicher signed cooperation agreement to cooperate on defence market

Bringing together unique Australian and Austrian expertise, Thales Australia and Steyr Mannlicher have signed an agreement to cooperate on global market opportunities. Steyr Mannlicher is the original designer of the Australian Defence Force’s F88 assault rifle, which was manufactured and subsequently developed further by Thales Australia.

Australian army soldier with Steyr assault rifle

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Navistar contract for the delivery of 650 suspension kits for MaxxProp MRAP of U.S. Marine Corps

Navistar Defense, LLC received a $110 million delivery order today to provide 650 independent suspension kits for International(r) MaxxPro(r) Plus Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The U.S. Marine Corps System Command order will enhance the mobility and survivability of earlier MaxxPro vehicles with the addition of the DXM independent suspension kits.

Navistar International MaxxPro MRAP

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Carl Gustaf 81mm Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System MAAWS in U.S. Army

With the need for United States Soldiers in Afghanistan to engage the enemy at longer distances, Picatinny Arsenal has completed an initial training and fielding of a weapon for traditional Army units previously used only by special operations commands. The Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System, or MAAWS, also known as the M3 Carl Gustaf, has been in the United States Special Operations Command inventory since 1991.

A civilian instructor coaches two paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team on how to use a Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless rifle during a certification class Dec. 6, 2011, at Fort Bragg, N.C. The multi-role weapon can be used against armor, fortifications and personnel.
(Photo credit U.S. army Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod)

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Fincantieri Launches the "Ganthoot", First of Two Falaj 2 class Stealth Patol Vessel for the UAE Navy

Fincantieri shipyard at Muggiano recently launched the “Ganthoot”, the first of two stealth patrol vessels included in the “Falaj 2” program in progress for the United Arab Emirates Navy who ordered them in 2010. The ship, whose name comes from a geographical area in the Emirates in the neighbourhood of Abu Dhabi, will be delivered in the last half of 2012.
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Israeli Army believes that Hezbollah has obtained SA-8 Russian made air defence missile from Syria

Hezbollah and Iran are preparing for the “day after” Syria’s downfall with plans for how to continue supporting the Lebanon-based guerrilla group in the event that President Bashar Assad’s regime is toppled. Laste week, the Jerusalem Post revealed that Syria had recently transferred dozens of additional long-range missiles to Hezbollah as well as additional 302 mm rockets.

Russian made SA-8 Gecko 9K33 OSA mobile air defence missile system

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US Navy Completes Raytheon Laser-guided Maverick Testing

The U.S. Navy completed developmental and operational testing (DT/OT) of the newest variant of the Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) laser-guided Maverick missile. This brings U.S. Sailors and Marines one step closer to conducting airborne precision engagements of rapidly moving targets in urban environments.
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Army Recognition selected as Official Media Partner and Online Daily News for SOFEX 2012

Army Recognition Company is proud to announce that we have been selected as official Media Partner and official Online Daily News for SOFEX 2012, The Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference, which will be held from the 8 – 10 May 2012, in Amman, Jordan.

SOFEX 2012 Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference 

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France to Lay Down First Mistral LHD for Russia in February

The first Mistral class amphibious assault ship for Russia will be laid down at the start of February in a French shipyard, a military industry official told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

"The first of two Mistrals will be laid down in the first few days of February in St. Nazaire," said deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Industrial Cooperation, Alexander Fomin.

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Russian Air Force is testing a new advanced tactical air-to-air missile

The Russian Air Force is testing and will soon deploy an advanced tactical air-to-air missile that will greatly enhance its operational effectiveness, the service's commander Col Gen Alexander Zelin said on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

Russian MiG-31BM Foxhound supersonic interceptor/fighter aircraft

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Russia signed a contract with IVECO Defence Vehicles for 60 Light Multirole Vehicle Lynx LMV

Russia signed a deal with Italy in December on the semi-knocked down assembly of 60 Lynx light multirole armored vehicles (LMV) from Iveco, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said on Tuesday, January 25, 2012.

LMV Iveco Lynx Light Multirole Vehicle of Czech Army (Credit photo Army Recognition)

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free Syrian army rebels destroyed armoured vehicle of the Syrian army in the city of Homs

The Syrian army in Homs may not be in full control but soldiers are heavily present in the city’s main squares. A picture taken in the city of Homs shows a BMP-1 armoured infantry fighting vehicle of the Syrian army destroyed by the rebels.

A destroyed armoured vehicle BMP-1 belonging to the Syrian army is seen in a street in Homs January 23, 2012.

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Iran reportedly designed an Unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV)

Iranian researchers have built a "smart remote-control submarine" (or UUV unmanned underwater vehicle) with the subsurface speed of 10 meters per second, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA.
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Indra develops a light Maritime Patrol Aircraft with Tecnam, Selex Galileo, FLIR Systems...

The company collaborates with Tecnam, Selex Galileo, FLIR Systems and Airborne Technologies in this project. The objective is to offer a solution with the best operation/surveillance capacity cost ratio. It will be ready to enter service in 2012 and will have the capacity to guard maritime areas located from 50 to 200 miles offshored.

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Oman has asked more detailed proposals for Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft to BAE Systems

British arms manufacturer BAE Systems said Monday that the the Sultanate of Oman has asked for more detailed proposals for the Eurofighter Typhoon, as it edged closer towards a possible deal. Oman had stated its intention to purchase Typhoon aircraft in 2010 and on Monday it issued a "request for proposals" to BAE Systems.

Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter aircraft

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Russia will deliver 36 Yakovlev Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to Syria

Russia and Syria have signed a $550-million contract on the delivery of 36 Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer, the Kommersant daily quoted on Monday, January 23, 2012, a source close to Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport as saying.

Yakovlev Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft

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Russian armoured units in Chechnya are now equipped with the new main battle tank T-72BM

The Russian armed forces will replace the outdated T-72B1 main battle tanks by new modernized tank T-72BM for the troops deployed in Chechnya. This is a rearmament program fo the Southern Military District which started last year.

Russian T-72B1 main battle tank 

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Russian armed forces will receive 30 DT-30 tracked carrier and 100 Pantsir-S1 air defense system

The Russian Air Force will receive over 30 Vityaz and 100 Pantsir-S air defense systems by 2020, spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Monday, January 23, 2012. “We are planning to acquire by 2020 more than 100 short-range Pantsir-S and over 30 mid-range Vityaz systems to rearm air defense units,” Drik said.

Pantsir-S1 SA-22 Greyhound Air defense missile - gun system (Credit photo Vitaly Kuzmin)

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Royal Navy and French Navy Frigates join USS Abraham Lincoln carrier in Strait of Hormuz

British and French vessels joined a US CVBG in a six-strong flotilla of warships which passed through the sensitive Strait of Hormuz, Britain's Ministry of Defence said Sunday.
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CASSIDIAN and Rheinmetall pool their UAS Unmanned Aerial Systems activities

Cassidian and Rheinmetall have agreed to pursue Rheinmetall’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) activities together in a Joint Venture. It was agreed in a contract that Cassidian should hold 51 percent and Rheinmetall 49 percent of the shares in the newly established Joint Venture. The ownership interests are to be assigned to Cassidian by mid- 2012 once all the necessary authorisations and antitrust approvals have been granted. The announcement was made by the two companies in Munich and Düsseldorf on Friday, January 20, 2012.

KZO (Kleinfluggerät Zielortung) UAS Unmanned Reconnaissance System

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India the largest importer of Russian armament in 2012 for an amount of approximately $ 7.7 billion

In 2012, Russia will supply India with military equipment and weapons for an amount of approximately $ 7.7 billion, announced Friday, January 20, 2012, a press release from the Russian Centre for Global Trade Analysis of weapons (TSAMTO) .

Indian army soldiers and armoured combat vehicles during training exercises.

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Presentation of UCAV Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle nEUROn to the Government representatives Dassault Aviation

The nEUROn, European UCAV technology demonstrator, has been officially presented to the representatives of the six participating countries by Mr. Charles Edelstenne, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation. Mr. Serge Dassault, Honorary Chairman of the company, as well as the representatives of the nEUROn industrial team - Saab (Sweden), Alenia Aermacchi (Italy), EADS-CASA (Spain), HAI (Greece) and RUAG (Switzerland) - attended this ceremony.

(Credit photo © Dassault Aviation - Ph. Stroppa)

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Tuareg fighters mercenaries of the former army of Gaddafi attacked Mali military camps

At least 45 rebels and two government soldiers have died this week during fighting in nothern Mali, the country's military said. The battles ended several years of fragile peace in the country's northern desert, which borders Algeria and Mauritania, and appeared to confirm the Malian government's fear that nomadic Tuareg fighters once employed by the regime of ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had returned.

Nomadic Tuareg rebels are ready to flush out the Malian army in several northern towns.

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