Current Events in Europe

From http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120917/176013705.html [excerpt]

From Defense Aerospace United Kingdom – RC-135V/W Rivet Joint Aircraft (Source: U.S Defence Security Cooperation Agency; issued October 3, 2008) WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom to convert three United States Air Force KC-135R aircraft into RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft, as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.068 billion. The Government of the United Kingdom has requested a possible sale to convert three United States Air Force KC-135R aircraft into RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircr…

BBC News Story

From Flight Global DATE: 14/07/10 SOURCE: Flight International PICTURES: Royal Navy offered AEW-configured AW101 By Craig Hoyle AgustaWestland and Thales have stepped up their efforts to promote a development of the AW101 to replace the UK Royal Navy's venerable Sea King 7 airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) aircraft. As the incumbent suppliers of the RN's organic airborne early warning capability, the companies have joined forces to offer the AW101 Merlin equipped with Thales's Searchwater 2000 radar and Cerberus mission system. The RN's current 11 Sea King ASaC helicopters are due to be retired from use in 2016, and a new type is needed to ope…

Royal Navy Subs To Get Upgraded Spearfish Torpedo (DefenseNews)

BBC news story

From Defense Aerospace 30 Day Countdown Begins For Launch of First Astute Submarine (Source: Royal Navy; issued May 8, 2007) Four years late, and $1.8 billion over budget, the Royal Navy’s Astute-lass nuclear attack submarine will finally go afloat on June 8. The Royal Navy’s largest and most powerful attack submarine, the first-of-class Astute, is now entering the final stages of preparation for the launch which will take place at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness on 8th June, 2007. With just one month to go before the submarine emerges from the 25,000m² Devonshire Dock Hall build facility, much of the hull is still shrouded in coverings to…

New Photos of Russian Planes intercepted by Norwegian Fighter Jets Notice the picture of an armed Tu-22M, carrying a Kh-22 (NATO AS-4 'Kitchen').

From Defense Aerospace Alenia Aeronautica's C-27J Chalks Up Another Success (Source: Finmeccanica; issued Dec. 1, 2006) ROME --- Alenia Aeronautica’s C-27J has chalked up another international success and is fast establishing itself as the next-generation tactical aircraft of choice for new NATO member countries. Romania’s Ministry of Defence has invited Alenia Aeronautica to take part in exclusive final negotiations to supply the C-27J to replace its Air Force’s current fleet of medium-sized transport aircraft. The final contract is for seven aircraft, worth a total of around EUR 220 million, and is expected to be signed by the end of the year. The planes …

From Defense Aerospace Press Release (Source: Romanian Ministry of Defence; issued March 24, 2010) (Issued in Romanian only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com) National Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea presented, during the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) held on March 23, 2010, a statement on the Multirole Aircraft Program of the Romanian Air Force. Given that Romania does not have the financial resources necessary for the acquisition of new multirole aircraft, CSAT has approved the Defence Ministry’s proposal to acquire 24 used F-16 aircraft. The proposal will be submitted for discussion and approval by the Romanian Pa…

First use of US KC-135 refuelling Romanian F-16: http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article5054.html

Royal Navy 'Robots' to Hunt Down Underwater Mine Menace UK Ministry of Defence May 30, 2005, 13:10 The Royal Navy is to take delivery of a fleet of high-tech unmanned underwater 'robots' to help track down deadly sea mines. Known as REMUS - short for Remote Environmental Monitoring Units, the battery-powered vehicles will scan the seabed in water up to 100 m deep to ensure there are no underwater mines lurking to destroy ships and landing craft. Under the £2.75 million programme 10 vehicles will be bought by the Defence Procurement Agency before entering service early next year. It will be the first time the RN has had an advanced unmanned underwater ve…

From Aviation Week's Ares Blog Ships, I See No Ships Posted by Douglas Barrie at 10/26/2009 7:09 AM CDT Picture Credit Royal Navy/Crown Copyright With consummate ill-timing U.S. policy makers efforts to sustain a second-engine for the F-35 are met with claims that London is ready to ditch equipping its planned second carrier with the aircraft. The British government has been lobbying Washington to support the GE/Rolls-Royce F136 engine Britain’s “Sunday Times” claims the Royal Navy has “agreed to sacrifice” one of its two 65,000 ton aircraft carriers, instead saying the navy would use the ship only as a helicopter carrier. For good measure the story…

From Defense Aerospace Changes to Royal Navy's Surface Fleet Announced (Source: U.K Ministry of Defence; issued December 15, 2010) Changes to the Royal Navy's surface fleet, including the withdrawal from service of HMS Illustrious and the four remaining Type 22 frigates, have been announced today by Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox. The changes follow announcements regarding the Royal Navy's surface fleet in the White Paper 'Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review' published on 19 October. In a written ministerial statement to parliament today, Dr Fox said that HMS Illustrious will be withdrawn from service in 201…

BBC News link My thoughts are with the families of the two victims.

Ministry Of Defence (National) ROYAL NAVY TAKES EARLY DELIVERY OF WORLD BEATING SUBMARINE DETECTION SYSTEM The Royal Navy has taken delivery of a world class new naval sonar system five months ahead of schedule, Defence procurement Minister Lord Drayson announced today. The high tech underwater detection system, known as Sonar 2087 is a vital defence capability needed by the Royal Navy in order to detect a new generation of increasingly stealthy, and potentially deadly, submarines which often operate close to shore - making them very hard to detect. Ordered in 2001, as part of a programme worth over £300M, the system, which is one of the most advance…

Royal Navy Welcomes HMS Ambush to Fleet (Defense Aerospace)

From Ares [excerpt]

From DefenseNews Rumsfeld Criticizes Spain for Venezuela Weapons Sale By REUTERS, MIAMI Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld criticized Spain for selling military vessels and planes to Venezuela amid growing U.S. concerns about Venezuela’s intentions in the region, a U.S. newspaper reported April 6. Rumsfeld told The Miami Herald that Washington was concerned about what Venezuela plans to do with its new military hardware, which in addition to transport planes and patrol boats from Spain includes 100,000 rifles from Russia and Tucano turboprop light attack aircraft from Brazil. “I personally think that Spain is making a mistake,” Rumsfeld said in the newspap…

Russia ‘Showing Interest’ As BALTOPS Exercise Begins (USNI News) Article includes USN fact sheet with OOB info for those of you interested in putting together a scenario.