The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday May 22, 2012 8:47:56 EDT
BEIJING — China's Defense Ministry has accused the Pentagon of hyping Chinese military power and its threat to Taiwan in a depiction that will ultimately undermine ties between the two militaries.
The annual Pentagon report to Congress on China's military always draws strenuous objections from Beijing. This year's report — which outlined a Chinese military modernization effort that is gaining momentum — comes as both Washington and Beijing are encouraging their militaries to built trust and improve communications.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said the Pentagon report exaggerates Chinese defense capabilities, falsely accuses China of launching cyber-attacks and plays up a military edge over rival Taiwan to boost U.S. weapon sales.
In remarks posted on the ministry's website on Monday, Geng said the Pentagon report is at odds with that effort.
"At the time when the relations between the two armies are on the rise, the U.S. stubbornly sticks to ways of casting doubts on and discrediting China," said Geng. He said China demands that the U.S. "stop making comments not conducive to China-U.S. relations and the mutual trust between the two armies."
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Bangladesh seeks four refurbished C-130Es from USA
By: Greg Waldron Singapore
Source:![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vcc9UPIjNaogi7Z3mIVwlbN9ulFbjoZ84xJWIvwRnxQzzsN7Dgsvw9tyDk5i_cTxSu732r8uuV9_Vfykd7vTNANCySjLOCkkSlsE8OntuIGEdKCBHH2dCVKus49Rjgzlh-NYKv-0td7Q29GA=s0-d)
Bangladesh has requested a possible $180 million purchase of four ex-US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130Es in a bid to modernise its tactical transport aircraft fleet.
Outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale would cover the "regeneration, overhaul, modification and logistics support" of the secondhand Hercules. The package would also include 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines to be provided as excess defense articles, plus training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
The prime contractor for the project will be determined through a competitive bid, the DSCA says.
"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the USA by enabling the Bangladesh air force to use its C-130 fleet to respond more capably to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs in the region and support Bangladesh's significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, and support operations to counter violent extremist organisations," the DSCA says.
Bangladesh's air force currently operates four C-130B transports, which Flightglobal's MiliCAS database records as having entered use between 1960 and 1962.
Source:
Bangladesh has requested a possible $180 million purchase of four ex-US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130Es in a bid to modernise its tactical transport aircraft fleet.
Outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale would cover the "regeneration, overhaul, modification and logistics support" of the secondhand Hercules. The package would also include 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines to be provided as excess defense articles, plus training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
The prime contractor for the project will be determined through a competitive bid, the DSCA says.
"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the USA by enabling the Bangladesh air force to use its C-130 fleet to respond more capably to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs in the region and support Bangladesh's significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, and support operations to counter violent extremist organisations," the DSCA says.
Bangladesh's air force currently operates four C-130B transports, which Flightglobal's MiliCAS database records as having entered use between 1960 and 1962.
China: Pentagon hypes Chinese military threat
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday May 22, 2012 8:47:56 EDT
BEIJING — China's Defense Ministry has accused the Pentagon of hyping Chinese military power and its threat to Taiwan in a depiction that will ultimately undermine ties between the two militaries.
The annual Pentagon report to Congress on China's military always draws strenuous objections from Beijing. This year's report — which outlined a Chinese military modernization effort that is gaining momentum — comes as both Washington and Beijing are encouraging their militaries to built trust and improve communications.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said the Pentagon report exaggerates Chinese defense capabilities, falsely accuses China of launching cyber-attacks and plays up a military edge over rival Taiwan to boost U.S. weapon sales.
In remarks posted on the ministry's website on Monday, Geng said the Pentagon report is at odds with that effort.
"At the time when the relations between the two armies are on the rise, the U.S. stubbornly sticks to ways of casting doubts on and discrediting China," said Geng. He said China demands that the U.S. "stop making comments not conducive to China-U.S. relations and the mutual trust between the two armies."
Posted : Tuesday May 22, 2012 8:47:56 EDT
BEIJING — China's Defense Ministry has accused the Pentagon of hyping Chinese military power and its threat to Taiwan in a depiction that will ultimately undermine ties between the two militaries.
The annual Pentagon report to Congress on China's military always draws strenuous objections from Beijing. This year's report — which outlined a Chinese military modernization effort that is gaining momentum — comes as both Washington and Beijing are encouraging their militaries to built trust and improve communications.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said the Pentagon report exaggerates Chinese defense capabilities, falsely accuses China of launching cyber-attacks and plays up a military edge over rival Taiwan to boost U.S. weapon sales.
In remarks posted on the ministry's website on Monday, Geng said the Pentagon report is at odds with that effort.
"At the time when the relations between the two armies are on the rise, the U.S. stubbornly sticks to ways of casting doubts on and discrediting China," said Geng. He said China demands that the U.S. "stop making comments not conducive to China-U.S. relations and the mutual trust between the two armies."
Bangladesh seeks four refurbished C-130Es from USA
By: Greg Waldron Singapore
Source:
Bangladesh has requested a possible $180 million purchase of four ex-US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130Es in a bid to modernise its tactical transport aircraft fleet.
Outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale would cover the "regeneration, overhaul, modification and logistics support" of the secondhand Hercules. The package would also include 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines to be provided as excess defense articles, plus training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
The prime contractor for the project will be determined through a competitive bid, the DSCA says.
"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the USA by enabling the Bangladesh air force to use its C-130 fleet to respond more capably to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs in the region and support Bangladesh's significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, and support operations to counter violent extremist organisations," the DSCA says.
Bangladesh's air force currently operates four C-130B transports, which Flightglobal's MiliCAS database records as having entered use between 1960 and 1962.
Source:
Bangladesh has requested a possible $180 million purchase of four ex-US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130Es in a bid to modernise its tactical transport aircraft fleet.
Outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale would cover the "regeneration, overhaul, modification and logistics support" of the secondhand Hercules. The package would also include 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines to be provided as excess defense articles, plus training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
The prime contractor for the project will be determined through a competitive bid, the DSCA says.
"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the USA by enabling the Bangladesh air force to use its C-130 fleet to respond more capably to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs in the region and support Bangladesh's significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, and support operations to counter violent extremist organisations," the DSCA says.
Bangladesh's air force currently operates four C-130B transports, which Flightglobal's MiliCAS database records as having entered use between 1960 and 1962.
Air Force One airfare: $179,750 per hour
By Bart Jansen - USA Today
Posted : Tuesday May 22, 2012 16:47:00 EDT
The next time airfare seems too expensive, consider the cost of Air Force One.
The plane that is used to carry the president, which is typically a Boeing 747, costs the Air Force $179,750 per hour to operate, according to a new Congressional Research Service report. Military planes are used for security and because of special equipment on board.
Costs for each trip are even higher when factoring in the passenger and cargo aircraft that often accompany the president’s plane, although those figures weren’t specified in the eight-page report.
Taxpayers cover the cost of trips for official business, and campaign organizations reimburse the government for whatever portion of a trip is deemed political.
“It is unclear how the White House designates travel that is not directly related to a governmental or political function because of traditional reluctance to address this matter,” the report said. Vacations count as official travel.
Information about the cost of presidential flights is scarce, according to the report. But earlier studies from Congress and the Government Accountability Office offer a glimpse of the cost of several major trips in the past.
For example, a European trip in 1989 cost the Air Force $1 million and a trip to Hawaii in 1990 cost $1.5 million, according to a 1992 report from a House committee on the civil service. The figures represented just operational costs for the aircraft – without related expenses such as food and lodging.
Extra costs add up quickly. These related costs for presidential trips in 1998 totaled $42.8 million for Africa, $10.5 million for Chile and $18.8 million for China, according to a GAO report.
Comparable information wasn’t available for more recent trips, the Congressional Research Service report says.
Posted : Tuesday May 22, 2012 16:47:00 EDT
The next time airfare seems too expensive, consider the cost of Air Force One.
The plane that is used to carry the president, which is typically a Boeing 747, costs the Air Force $179,750 per hour to operate, according to a new Congressional Research Service report. Military planes are used for security and because of special equipment on board.
Costs for each trip are even higher when factoring in the passenger and cargo aircraft that often accompany the president’s plane, although those figures weren’t specified in the eight-page report.
Taxpayers cover the cost of trips for official business, and campaign organizations reimburse the government for whatever portion of a trip is deemed political.
“It is unclear how the White House designates travel that is not directly related to a governmental or political function because of traditional reluctance to address this matter,” the report said. Vacations count as official travel.
Information about the cost of presidential flights is scarce, according to the report. But earlier studies from Congress and the Government Accountability Office offer a glimpse of the cost of several major trips in the past.
For example, a European trip in 1989 cost the Air Force $1 million and a trip to Hawaii in 1990 cost $1.5 million, according to a 1992 report from a House committee on the civil service. The figures represented just operational costs for the aircraft – without related expenses such as food and lodging.
Extra costs add up quickly. These related costs for presidential trips in 1998 totaled $42.8 million for Africa, $10.5 million for Chile and $18.8 million for China, according to a GAO report.
Comparable information wasn’t available for more recent trips, the Congressional Research Service report says.
Air Force One airfare: $179,750 per hour
By Bart Jansen - USA Today
Posted : Tuesday May 22, 2012 16:47:00 EDT
The next time airfare seems too expensive, consider the cost of Air Force One.
The plane that is used to carry the president, which is typically a Boeing 747, costs the Air Force $179,750 per hour to operate, according to a new Congressional Research Service report. Military planes are used for security and because of special equipment on board.
Costs for each trip are even higher when factoring in the passenger and cargo aircraft that often accompany the president’s plane, although those figures weren’t specified in the eight-page report.
Taxpayers cover the cost of trips for official business, and campaign organizations reimburse the government for whatever portion of a trip is deemed political.
“It is unclear how the White House designates travel that is not directly related to a governmental or political function because of traditional reluctance to address this matter,” the report said. Vacations count as official travel.
Information about the cost of presidential flights is scarce, according to the report. But earlier studies from Congress and the Government Accountability Office offer a glimpse of the cost of several major trips in the past.
For example, a European trip in 1989 cost the Air Force $1 million and a trip to Hawaii in 1990 cost $1.5 million, according to a 1992 report from a House committee on the civil service. The figures represented just operational costs for the aircraft – without related expenses such as food and lodging.
Extra costs add up quickly. These related costs for presidential trips in 1998 totaled $42.8 million for Africa, $10.5 million for Chile and $18.8 million for China, according to a GAO report.
Comparable information wasn’t available for more recent trips, the Congressional Research Service report says.
Posted : Tuesday May 22, 2012 16:47:00 EDT
The next time airfare seems too expensive, consider the cost of Air Force One.
The plane that is used to carry the president, which is typically a Boeing 747, costs the Air Force $179,750 per hour to operate, according to a new Congressional Research Service report. Military planes are used for security and because of special equipment on board.
Costs for each trip are even higher when factoring in the passenger and cargo aircraft that often accompany the president’s plane, although those figures weren’t specified in the eight-page report.
Taxpayers cover the cost of trips for official business, and campaign organizations reimburse the government for whatever portion of a trip is deemed political.
“It is unclear how the White House designates travel that is not directly related to a governmental or political function because of traditional reluctance to address this matter,” the report said. Vacations count as official travel.
Information about the cost of presidential flights is scarce, according to the report. But earlier studies from Congress and the Government Accountability Office offer a glimpse of the cost of several major trips in the past.
For example, a European trip in 1989 cost the Air Force $1 million and a trip to Hawaii in 1990 cost $1.5 million, according to a 1992 report from a House committee on the civil service. The figures represented just operational costs for the aircraft – without related expenses such as food and lodging.
Extra costs add up quickly. These related costs for presidential trips in 1998 totaled $42.8 million for Africa, $10.5 million for Chile and $18.8 million for China, according to a GAO report.
Comparable information wasn’t available for more recent trips, the Congressional Research Service report says.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Thought Of The Day
There are two way to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to accept what is true. - SOREN KIERKEGAARD
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