28 Chinese military aircraft violated Taiwan's air defense identification zone ADIZ over the weekend

 13 ADIZ violations 23 Jan, 15 on 24 Jan are seen as a "stress test" for the new Biden administration 

Taiwanese military analysts said Sunday (Jan. 24) the weekend’s record number of Chinese military planes flying into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) symbolize Beijing’s commitment to the “one China” principle and also serve as a test for the Joe Biden administration.According to the Ministry of National Defense, 15 Chinese military planes intruded into Taiwan’s ADIZ on Sunday. Also, 13 Chinese aircraft entered the identification zone on Saturday.

Lin Ying-yu (林穎佑), an assistant professor at the Institute of Strategic and International Affairs at National Chung Cheng University, said the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) maneuvers were in a similar vein to Taiwan’s Lunar New Year combat readiness exercises, but were primarily targeted at the U.S. Lin noted there were three major reasons behind the ADIZ incursions: diplomatic, military, and “transfer of internal pressure," CNA reported.In terms of diplomacy, Lin pointed out that Beijing wanted to convey to Washington that no matter which party is in the White House, Democrat or Republican, China’s policy toward Taiwan will never change.Militarily, the exercises were in response to the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group conducting operations in the South China Sea on Saturday. Lin speculated the strike group’s training may have included submarines, thereby explaining why Chinese H-6K bombers were seen armed with anti-ship missiles.Regarding internal pressure, Lin said that Beijing hoped to divert attention from a recent spate of COVID-19 outbreaks across China. By conducting military operations, it would demonstrate to its citizens the PLAAF has not suffered from the epidemic and is still able to fight. Lieutenant General Chang Yen-ting (張延廷), a retired Air Force deputy commander, stated the PLAAF’s incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ on Saturday and Sunday are akin to “hitting three birds with one stone.”

Chang observed that in contrast to former President Donald Trump’s unpredictable style, Biden’s approach to regional diplomacy seems easier to grasp. Therefore, China dispatched its military planes as a "stress test" to see how Biden would react.Chang also pointed out that although the H-6K bomber is a slow aircraft, it is a variant designed for offensive missions with a maximum range of up to 5,000 kilometers. The presence of such a plane proves the PLAAF has transformed from a defensive air force to an offensive one, he stated.The retired commander said that China’s ADIZ operations were “obviously targeted towards the U.S.” and were meant to “militarily intimidate Taiwan.”Chang suggested that Taiwan must avoid any incidents that could spark an all-out war. He then said that Taiwan’s fighter planes responding to ADIZ intrusions must undergo comprehensive safety and maintenance inspections to prevent any accidents.

Russia to Supply Air Defense Systems Pantsir-S1 to Myanmar

 Russia will supply to Myanmar a batch of missile and artillery air defense systems Pantsir-S1, unmanned aerial vehicles Orlan-10E and radars.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, who is in Myanmar on an official visit, and the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar’s armed forces, Min Aung Hlaing. Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin inked the agreement for Russia.

Since 2001 a legal and regulatory base has been created for effective and mutually beneficial military-technical cooperation, which makes steady progress. Russia has supplied to Myanmar 30 planes MiG-29, twelve combat training jets Yakolev-130, ten helicopters Mi-24 and Mi-35P, eight air defense missile systems Pechora-2M and also radars, armored vehicles and artillery pieces. A contract has been concluded for providing six Sukhoi-30SME planes. Some have been delivered already.Military hardware undergoes repairs and maintenance at Myanmar’s joint special center for all types of equipment, both aircraft and armored vehicles.

Bilateral cooperation saw intensive development over the past five years. Myanmar’s delegations regularly participate in the international army games and combat training activities. Last year Myanmar’s contingent took part in the Kavkaz-2020 exercise. Also, in 2018 an inter-governmental agreement was concluded on simpler procedures for Russian naval ships visiting Myanmar’s ports.The command of Myanmar’s armed forces has shown interest in other advanced weapon systems of Russian manufacture.

C-130 Aircraft For Philippine Air Force Spotted

 The first of 2 refurbished C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from United States acquired for Philippine Air Force (PAF) was spotted at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California last week.The said acquisition is funded jointly by the Philippine government and US through its Foreign Military Financing program.

Arrival of the first aircraft was scheduled last year but was affected by the ongoing pandemic.On December 8, 2020, visiting then Acting US Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller mentioned that the delivery of first aircraft is taking place December 17.Miller, at that time, turned over to National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana PHP1.38 billion ($29 million) worth of defense gears, including snipers and anti-IED equipment.“We are grateful for the support provided by the United States as we continuously work on the enhancement of the Philippines’ defense capabilities,” Lorenzana said during the turn over of defense gears.

“The modernization of the AFP will ultimately allow us to respond more effectively to both traditional and non-traditional security threats to our maritime nation. Our government expresses our deep appreciation for the US government’s assistance in protecting our borders from external threats,” he added.

IFS, Tech Mahindra to Enable $54 Million Software Project for HAL

 

Enterprise software company, IFS has signed a contract with Tech Mahindra, the prime contractor for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to enable HAL’s Project Parivartan Program, a US$ 54 million (Rs 400 crore) software project.

The ERP solution from IFS will support business-critical processes, including maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), manufacturing, supply chain management, human capital management (HCM), and finance.Conceived as a comprehensive business transformation exercise, the initiative will involve large-scale implementation of technological enhancements to establish new work processes based on industry best practice, an IFS release  said.

The comprehensive IFS solution will replace a large number of disparate business systems in HAL with a central, consolidated platform that will empower staff with easy access to accurate data. The project will also provide enhanced inventory visibility and purchasing power, powerful financial capabilities and group-level consolidation.“In order to meet the challenges of evolving business scenarios and to ensure sustaining competitiveness and customer focus, HAL has initiated ‘Project Parivartan’,” said Mr. R Madhavan, CMD, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. “Tech Mahindra will implement the new platform from IFS and help HAL meet the dynamic needs of this hyper-digitalized world using ERP. This will further enhance mission-critical processes, such as MRO, and will facilitate HAL in ushering in a new era of centralized operations based on industry best practices.”

Sujit Baksi, President Corporate Affairs and Business Head Emerging Markets, Tech Mahindra, said, “The project will transform HAL’s ERP system through the implementation of a new platform from IFS, thus enabling us to serve the Armed Forces in an efficient and effective manner.”Michael Ouissi, Chief Customer Officer, IFS, added, “The need for HAL to manage the many intricate elements of its operation cannot be underrated. Our platform is engineered to help multi-site companies in heavily regulated industries, such as aerospace and defense, digitalize and positively transform their value chains.”

UK Contracts Elbit Systems for AI-Powered Detect and Destroy Battlefield System

 

The British Army has invested $137 million (£102-million) in an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered surveillance system built by Elbit Systems which allows frontline soldiers to detect and engage enemy targets.

The contract will be performed over a five-year period.

Elbit Systems UK (ESUK) will deliver the ‘sensor to shooter’ system to the Army. Utilising thermal sight technology, the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrator (DJFI) will enhance soldiers’ ability to find and identify targets on the Battlefield. It then provides the crucial targeting information necessary to fire more quickly and accurately than ever before, the UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Using specialist software on a tablet, information gathered by the DJFI is sent digitally to an artillery system or aircraft to instantly engage the target, while the soldier operating the system remains hidden.

ESUK has also confirmed all five subcontractors will also be UK-based.DJFI will deliver six distinct Fires Integration equipment suites – each tailored to specific battlefield mission roles – to be combined with existing hardware and software. The technology is designed to be integrated and used alongside similar equipment used by allied forces, meaning the UK can play a pivotal role in joint overseas operations.The D-JFI solution is a networked, passive and active target acquisition solution that acquires, generates and communicates target information to effector systems for effective engagement of joint precision and non-precision fires. The solution is empowered by Artificial Intelligence and will interface with the radio communication systems of the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines.

The solution draws on the Company’s operational experience in providing dismounted network combat solutions. It integrates several of its technologies, including: the TORCH-X Battle Management Application; the Hattorix system for undetectable generation of high-precision targets, the CORAL Multi-Spectral electro-optical payload for enhanced target acquisition in day and night and the Rattler XR long range laser designator.

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