Iran says France, Germany help kill its nuclear scientists

 Iran (AP) — Iran’s spy chief is accusing French and German intelligence services of cooperating with the CIA to kill Iranian nuclear scientists. Heidar Moslehi said Friday that intelligence services in the region have also taken part in the campaign. He did not name other countries. In the past, Iran has blamed the US, Britain and Israel over the killing of five nuclear scientists. The last assassination was in January. The US. and Britain have denied involvement. Israel has not commented. Moslehi said Western intelligence agencies share sources and information in their operations against Iran. The West suspects Iran is aiming to produce nuclear weapons and demands limits on Iran’s program. Iran insists its nuclear development is aimed at peaceful purposes like power generation.

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Indonesia To Buy German Tanks, Cancels Dutch Deal

Indonesia today announced its decision to buy 100 battle tanks from Germany after pulling out of a deal that was earlier awarded to Netherlands. The decision to cancel the $280 million contract comes after spending several months awaiting approval from the Dutch parliament.

"We are disappointed because we were serious in wanting to buy the Dutch tanks," defence ministry spokesman Hartind Asrin was quoted as saying. "We had gone to the warehouse to look at them and they were good. The price was also right, at around US$280 million".

"The Dutch government was agreeable to the deal, but the Dutch parliament kept us waiting. There was still no approval after eight to nine months of waiting, so last week we called off the deal," he said.

Asrin also added that 14 units are expected to arrive from Germany by the end of this year.

Indonesia has earmarked 99 trillion rupiah (S$13 billion) from 2010 to 2014 to modernise its defense systems, according to local media reports quoting National Development Planning Minister Armida Alisjahbana. One third of the budget has been set aside for maintenance with the remaining two thirds for purchasing defense systems and weapons, she was quoted as saying.
Source :http://www.defenseworld.net

Rheinmetall to supply the Bundeswehr with cutting-edge “Gladius” infantry soldier equipment

The German Bundeswehr has placed an order with the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group to supply it with state-of-the-art infantry equipment. A contract to this effect has now been signed at the Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) in Koblenz.

Under the initial order, a total of 900 soldiers (90 infantry sections or squads) will be outfitted with the new equipment. Specially developed by Rheinmetall on behalf of the Bundeswehr, it is the most advanced system of its kind anywhere. Units due to deploy to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014 will be the first to be equipped with Gladius. This forward-looking system is an important step in the process of providing German infantry troops with significantly improved capabilities in current and future deployments. Back in 2009, Rheinmetall was awarded a contract to develop a pre-series demonstrator version of the Gladius system for the Bundeswehr. It supplemented the basic Future Soldier (IdZ) system which Germany ordered in 2005 as an interim response to an urgent operational requirement. Now ready for fielding, Gladius is intended to expand and improve the capabilities of the existing system, particularly with regard to networking, command and control, and combat effectiveness. Responding to heightened requirements on the part of the Bundeswehr and building on the results of extensive trials and operational experience, Gladius is a far-reaching, highly advanced new development.

Rheinmetall Gladius infantry equipment at Eurosatory 2012

A prominent feature of the Gladius system is a holistic design approach that takes full account of the complex operational requirements levied on modern soldier systems. Gladius is intended first and foremost to bring the 10-man infantry section and its vehicle into the network-enabled operational loop. This network, consisting of reconnaissance, command and control components, and weapons, enables rapid exchange of information as well as shared situational awareness as the basis for planning and conducting operations. The individual soldier receives all relevant data concerning the tactical situation, the position of friendly forces, the mission, and system status. It includes a GPS and an inertial navigation system as well as a magnetic compass, facilitating reliable orientation on the ground. Equally impressive are the system’s ergonomic features, especially with regard to weight reduction, miniaturization and improved integration of individual components. The modular battle dress uniform, body armour and harness system provide excellent protection from detection in the visual and infrared spectrum as well as from the weather – even in extreme climate zones – and especially from biological and chemical agents. Flame-retardant equipment and vector protection round out the system’s high level of protection. The system is integrated into an “electronic backbone” that contains the radio, core computer, batteries and GPS module. More than just the sum of its parts, the Gladius system puts Bundeswehr infantrymen on the global cutting edge, placing them ahead of their peers in terms of networking capabilities, command and control, and operational efficiency.

Source :http://www.armyrecognition.com

Rheinmetall to supply the Bundeswehr with cutting-edge “Gladius” infantry soldier equipment

The German Bundeswehr has placed an order with the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group to supply it with state-of-the-art infantry equipment. A contract to this effect has now been signed at the Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) in Koblenz.

Under the initial order, a total of 900 soldiers (90 infantry sections or squads) will be outfitted with the new equipment. Specially developed by Rheinmetall on behalf of the Bundeswehr, it is the most advanced system of its kind anywhere. Units due to deploy to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014 will be the first to be equipped with Gladius. This forward-looking system is an important step in the process of providing German infantry troops with significantly improved capabilities in current and future deployments. Back in 2009, Rheinmetall was awarded a contract to develop a pre-series demonstrator version of the Gladius system for the Bundeswehr. It supplemented the basic Future Soldier (IdZ) system which Germany ordered in 2005 as an interim response to an urgent operational requirement. Now ready for fielding, Gladius is intended to expand and improve the capabilities of the existing system, particularly with regard to networking, command and control, and combat effectiveness. Responding to heightened requirements on the part of the Bundeswehr and building on the results of extensive trials and operational experience, Gladius is a far-reaching, highly advanced new development.

Rheinmetall Gladius infantry equipment at Eurosatory 2012

A prominent feature of the Gladius system is a holistic design approach that takes full account of the complex operational requirements levied on modern soldier systems. Gladius is intended first and foremost to bring the 10-man infantry section and its vehicle into the network-enabled operational loop. This network, consisting of reconnaissance, command and control components, and weapons, enables rapid exchange of information as well as shared situational awareness as the basis for planning and conducting operations. The individual soldier receives all relevant data concerning the tactical situation, the position of friendly forces, the mission, and system status. It includes a GPS and an inertial navigation system as well as a magnetic compass, facilitating reliable orientation on the ground. Equally impressive are the system’s ergonomic features, especially with regard to weight reduction, miniaturization and improved integration of individual components. The modular battle dress uniform, body armour and harness system provide excellent protection from detection in the visual and infrared spectrum as well as from the weather – even in extreme climate zones – and especially from biological and chemical agents. Flame-retardant equipment and vector protection round out the system’s high level of protection. The system is integrated into an “electronic backbone” that contains the radio, core computer, batteries and GPS module. More than just the sum of its parts, the Gladius system puts Bundeswehr infantrymen on the global cutting edge, placing them ahead of their peers in terms of networking capabilities, command and control, and operational efficiency.

Source :http://www.armyrecognition.com

Saudi Arabia seeks to boost arsenal with 600-800 German tanks

Deal sparks controversy in Germany FRANKFURT - Saudi Arabia wants to buy 600-800 Leopard battle tanks from Germany, more than twice as many as originally envisaged, the Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported, quoting government sources. Thus far, reports had said the Saudis wanted to purchase around 300 Leopard-2 tanks, Germany's main battle tank which is also produced under licence in Spain. With up to 800 tanks, the deal would be worth 10 billion euros ($12.6 billion), and one of the biggest-ever for the German defence industry, Bild am Sonntag reported. While there is opposition to the deal in the Chancellery and the Foreign and Defence ministries, there was support for it within the Economy Ministry, it said. A deal for a first tranche of 300 tanks is ready for signing and the Saudis want to the whole deal wrapped up by July 20, when the festival of Ramadan begins, the newspaper said. Spanish firm General Dynamic/Santa Barbara would produce the tanks under licence by the German firms, the newspaper said. Arms exports are a sensitive issue in Germany given its Nazi past as well as the role arms makers like Krupp played in feeding 19th and 20th century wars with exports to both sides of conflicts. Germany has refrained from exporting heavy weapons to Gulf states in the past, given its close relationship with Israel and more recently because of the so-called Arab Spring. Source : Middle East Online

Saudi Arabia seeks to boost arsenal with 600-800 German tanks

Deal sparks controversy in Germany FRANKFURT - Saudi Arabia wants to buy 600-800 Leopard battle tanks from Germany, more than twice as many as originally envisaged, the Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported, quoting government sources. Thus far, reports had said the Saudis wanted to purchase around 300 Leopard-2 tanks, Germany's main battle tank which is also produced under licence in Spain. With up to 800 tanks, the deal would be worth 10 billion euros ($12.6 billion), and one of the biggest-ever for the German defence industry, Bild am Sonntag reported. While there is opposition to the deal in the Chancellery and the Foreign and Defence ministries, there was support for it within the Economy Ministry, it said. A deal for a first tranche of 300 tanks is ready for signing and the Saudis want to the whole deal wrapped up by July 20, when the festival of Ramadan begins, the newspaper said. Spanish firm General Dynamic/Santa Barbara would produce the tanks under licence by the German firms, the newspaper said. Arms exports are a sensitive issue in Germany given its Nazi past as well as the role arms makers like Krupp played in feeding 19th and 20th century wars with exports to both sides of conflicts. Germany has refrained from exporting heavy weapons to Gulf states in the past, given its close relationship with Israel and more recently because of the so-called Arab Spring. Source : Middle East Online

Italy, Germany Warn U.S. Against MEADS Cancellation

Italy's defense minister and a German legislator have sent letters to top U.S. officials, urging the U.S. to continue funding the Medium Extended Air Defense System. (LOCKHEED MARTIN)

ROME — Italian and German officials have warned U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee that a U.S. plan to kill off development of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) would seriously damage trans-Atlantic ties.

The U.S. has already decided not to purchase the theater-based missile defense system it developed with Germany and Italy. But it had agreed to fund the program through the “Proof of Concept” phase in 2014, which would allow technologies to be harvested, even if the system were not purchased.

Plans changed, however, when the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 required the termination of MEADS before then, with no funding for 2013.

Three congressional committees have turned down the Obama administration’s request for $400 million to complete testing, although the Senate Appropriations Committee is yet to vote on the measure.

In a letter to Panetta seen by Defense News, Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo di Paola said the U.S. decision is “causing great concern” in Italy and Germany.

“Three committees have zeroed the expected U.S. financial contribution for the year 2013, and this virtually means the termination of the program even before the conclusion of the internationally agreed Design and Development phase,” he wrote.

The defense minister urges Panetta to intercede with the Senate Appropriations Committee to restore the funding, warning that the design and development results would be “fundamental” to Italy’s contribution to NATO missile defense work. The MEADS program continues to have “an incredibly relevant political aspect” as regards trans-Atlantic cooperation, he added.

A second letter, dated June 13, sent by German Bundestag member Ernst-Reinhard Beck to the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., contains more forceful language.

Beck asks how the U.S. can demand Europe contribute to missile defense efforts while it bails out of a “prime example” of trans-Atlantic cooperation.

“This is critically important to the U.S. relationship with Germany, Italy and its NATO alliance as a whole,” states the letter, which has been seen by Defense News.

If the U.S., as planned, scraps its 2013 funding for MEADS, thus “breaking our transatlantic agreement,” writes Beck, it “will probably cause significant financial and national security relationship challenges between trusted partners in the future.

“The U.S. Congress must be very aware that a pull-out on its final MEADS commitment has broad implications, and it will have long-term impacts on other multinational cooperative projects,” Beck writes.

Designed to replace the Patriot anti-missile system, the air-transportable MEADS is 58 percent funded by the U.S., with Germany and Italy funding 25 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Lockheed Martin leads an industrial team that includes the Italian and German units of European missile house MBDA.

Since the news last year that the U.S. would not buy MEADS, Germany and Italy have begun to plan how they can derive benefits from the technologies contained in the system’s radar, battle management system and launcher.

Source : http://www.defensenews.com

Italy, Germany Warn U.S. Against MEADS Cancellation

Italy's defense minister and a German legislator have sent letters to top U.S. officials, urging the U.S. to continue funding the Medium Extended Air Defense System. (LOCKHEED MARTIN)

ROME — Italian and German officials have warned U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee that a U.S. plan to kill off development of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) would seriously damage trans-Atlantic ties.

The U.S. has already decided not to purchase the theater-based missile defense system it developed with Germany and Italy. But it had agreed to fund the program through the “Proof of Concept” phase in 2014, which would allow technologies to be harvested, even if the system were not purchased.

Plans changed, however, when the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 required the termination of MEADS before then, with no funding for 2013.

Three congressional committees have turned down the Obama administration’s request for $400 million to complete testing, although the Senate Appropriations Committee is yet to vote on the measure.

In a letter to Panetta seen by Defense News, Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo di Paola said the U.S. decision is “causing great concern” in Italy and Germany.

“Three committees have zeroed the expected U.S. financial contribution for the year 2013, and this virtually means the termination of the program even before the conclusion of the internationally agreed Design and Development phase,” he wrote.

The defense minister urges Panetta to intercede with the Senate Appropriations Committee to restore the funding, warning that the design and development results would be “fundamental” to Italy’s contribution to NATO missile defense work. The MEADS program continues to have “an incredibly relevant political aspect” as regards trans-Atlantic cooperation, he added.

A second letter, dated June 13, sent by German Bundestag member Ernst-Reinhard Beck to the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., contains more forceful language.

Beck asks how the U.S. can demand Europe contribute to missile defense efforts while it bails out of a “prime example” of trans-Atlantic cooperation.

“This is critically important to the U.S. relationship with Germany, Italy and its NATO alliance as a whole,” states the letter, which has been seen by Defense News.

If the U.S., as planned, scraps its 2013 funding for MEADS, thus “breaking our transatlantic agreement,” writes Beck, it “will probably cause significant financial and national security relationship challenges between trusted partners in the future.

“The U.S. Congress must be very aware that a pull-out on its final MEADS commitment has broad implications, and it will have long-term impacts on other multinational cooperative projects,” Beck writes.

Designed to replace the Patriot anti-missile system, the air-transportable MEADS is 58 percent funded by the U.S., with Germany and Italy funding 25 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Lockheed Martin leads an industrial team that includes the Italian and German units of European missile house MBDA.

Since the news last year that the U.S. would not buy MEADS, Germany and Italy have begun to plan how they can derive benefits from the technologies contained in the system’s radar, battle management system and launcher.

Source : http://www.defensenews.com

France and Germany to lock up their borders

Western European countries are preparing the ground for the revision of the Schengen border control and recovery. France and Germany are primarily interested in taking such measures aimed at ensuring the EU's internal borders. The new French president Francois Hollande, as well as his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, is in favor of strengthening the fight against illegal migration. Enhancement of border controls, especially in the south of France, can significantly reduce the flow of migrants, the Ministry of Internal Affairs believes.

The German government also supports the retention of the right to restore borders in the EU. German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich repeatedly spoke in favor of the partial revision of the Schengen Agreement. Without denying the importance of maintaining the Schengen area, Frederick, however, insists that the internal security of each country is a priority.

The German politician expressed particular concern over the problems of uncontrolled illegal immigration, which "is a direct threat to the stability and security of the entire Old World," information portal Newsru.com quoted Hans-Peter Friedrich.

The debate around the issue of open borders has been ongoing for years. When Europe has supported democratic change in the Middle East and Africa, no one imagined that soon the "Arab spring" could ripple to the European continent. Refugees from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya flooded into Greece and Italy. Thanks to the Schengen area hundreds of migrants could later move to France, Austria and Germany.

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Nicolas Sarkozy was one of the first to express his discontent by the transparency of the European borders. Then France unequivocally declared that it refused to respect the Schengen agreements if control over the external borders of the EU is not enhanced. In 2011, the French managed to get permission from the European Committee for inspection of trains from Italy to stop the flow of illegals.

European officials did not hide their frustration with the fact that the majority of African migrants penetrated the continent via Greece unable to control the border with Turkey. The Greeks, who were considered the main culprits of the crisis in the euro area, again had to make excuses and hurriedly strengthen measures against mass migration. In March of 2012 Europe once again was talking about the introduction of internal border controls.

Finally, on June 7 at the Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg, a decision was made that may influence the further development of the entire European Union. Henceforth, the government of the united Europe has the right to temporary reintroduce border controls for six months. Special approvals are no longer required. To restore the border it will be sufficient to inform the neighboring states of the decision. In addition, in emergency situation border closure is now permitted for two years, which would constitute a serious precedent for the entire European Union.

However, some countries in the united Europe have resorted to exceptional measures in matters relating to border security. The special position of the Schengen Agreement, which allows in exceptional cases up to 30 days to recover control of the borders was used several times: in 1995 after the terrorist attacks in Paris, in 2001 during a summit of the "G8" in Genoa where there were major clashes between the authorities and anti-globalists, and in 2009 during a NATO summit in the French city of Strasbourg, the French International Radio (RFI) reported referring to Figaro newspaper.

However, the current decision in Luxembourg led to an extremely negative reaction of the European Committee. These amendments to the Schengen agreement could undermine the foundations of the EU in its entirety, Brussels believes. Recently, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Cecilia Malmström said that the move "undermines the achievements of the European integration." "I am deeply disappointed by the lack of European ambitions of the participants of the meeting," quoted Malmström Newsru.com.

It is not clear how far the Europeans are ready to go to tighten the measures against mass migration from Africa and the Middle East. However, initial steps have already been taken.

Another question is how the new strategy in Germany, France and Italy will reflect on the state of affairs in the European Union that is going through hard times. Today, diplomats, analysts and chief executives are talking about the failure of multiculturalism policy increasingly more. However, the debate about the degree of openness of European borders is not finished yet. In this regard it is worth noting that the present decision of the heads of the EU Interior Ministry announced on June 7 could not be considered definitive. Now, the amendment to the Schengen Agreement that has already caused a backlash of MPs must be approved in the EU institutions.

Source : http://english.pravda.ru

France and Germany to lock up their borders

Western European countries are preparing the ground for the revision of the Schengen border control and recovery. France and Germany are primarily interested in taking such measures aimed at ensuring the EU's internal borders. The new French president Francois Hollande, as well as his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, is in favor of strengthening the fight against illegal migration. Enhancement of border controls, especially in the south of France, can significantly reduce the flow of migrants, the Ministry of Internal Affairs believes.

The German government also supports the retention of the right to restore borders in the EU. German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich repeatedly spoke in favor of the partial revision of the Schengen Agreement. Without denying the importance of maintaining the Schengen area, Frederick, however, insists that the internal security of each country is a priority.

The German politician expressed particular concern over the problems of uncontrolled illegal immigration, which "is a direct threat to the stability and security of the entire Old World," information portal Newsru.com quoted Hans-Peter Friedrich.

The debate around the issue of open borders has been ongoing for years. When Europe has supported democratic change in the Middle East and Africa, no one imagined that soon the "Arab spring" could ripple to the European continent. Refugees from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya flooded into Greece and Italy. Thanks to the Schengen area hundreds of migrants could later move to France, Austria and Germany.

• Print version
• Font Size
• Send to friend

Nicolas Sarkozy was one of the first to express his discontent by the transparency of the European borders. Then France unequivocally declared that it refused to respect the Schengen agreements if control over the external borders of the EU is not enhanced. In 2011, the French managed to get permission from the European Committee for inspection of trains from Italy to stop the flow of illegals.

European officials did not hide their frustration with the fact that the majority of African migrants penetrated the continent via Greece unable to control the border with Turkey. The Greeks, who were considered the main culprits of the crisis in the euro area, again had to make excuses and hurriedly strengthen measures against mass migration. In March of 2012 Europe once again was talking about the introduction of internal border controls.

Finally, on June 7 at the Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg, a decision was made that may influence the further development of the entire European Union. Henceforth, the government of the united Europe has the right to temporary reintroduce border controls for six months. Special approvals are no longer required. To restore the border it will be sufficient to inform the neighboring states of the decision. In addition, in emergency situation border closure is now permitted for two years, which would constitute a serious precedent for the entire European Union.

However, some countries in the united Europe have resorted to exceptional measures in matters relating to border security. The special position of the Schengen Agreement, which allows in exceptional cases up to 30 days to recover control of the borders was used several times: in 1995 after the terrorist attacks in Paris, in 2001 during a summit of the "G8" in Genoa where there were major clashes between the authorities and anti-globalists, and in 2009 during a NATO summit in the French city of Strasbourg, the French International Radio (RFI) reported referring to Figaro newspaper.

However, the current decision in Luxembourg led to an extremely negative reaction of the European Committee. These amendments to the Schengen agreement could undermine the foundations of the EU in its entirety, Brussels believes. Recently, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Cecilia Malmström said that the move "undermines the achievements of the European integration." "I am deeply disappointed by the lack of European ambitions of the participants of the meeting," quoted Malmström Newsru.com.

It is not clear how far the Europeans are ready to go to tighten the measures against mass migration from Africa and the Middle East. However, initial steps have already been taken.

Another question is how the new strategy in Germany, France and Italy will reflect on the state of affairs in the European Union that is going through hard times. Today, diplomats, analysts and chief executives are talking about the failure of multiculturalism policy increasingly more. However, the debate about the degree of openness of European borders is not finished yet. In this regard it is worth noting that the present decision of the heads of the EU Interior Ministry announced on June 7 could not be considered definitive. Now, the amendment to the Schengen Agreement that has already caused a backlash of MPs must be approved in the EU institutions.

Source : http://english.pravda.ru