Medvedev Bahas Palestina di Yordania

Presiden Rusia Dmitry Medvedev tiba di Amman, sebagai bagian dari kunjungan dua hari ke Yordania untuk membahas kebuntuan antara Palestina dan rezim Zionis Israel. Upaya untuk memecahkan kebuntuan perundingan langsung antara Otorita Palestina dan Israel diharapkan menjadi titik fokus pembicaraan pada hari Rabu (19/1) ketika Medvedev bertemu Raja Abdullah II di ibukota Yordania. Demikian dilaporkan Press TV hari ini.
Palestina mengatakan bahwa perundingan langsung tidak bisa dilanjutkan sampai Israel menghentikan semua kegiatan permukiman ilegal di wilayah Palestina.
Perkembangan terkini di Lebanon dan Tunisia serta kemungkinan kehadiran perusahaan eksplorasi minyak Rusia di Yordania juga diharapkan akan dibahas dalam pertemuan itu.
Sebelumnya, Medvedev menegaskan kembali dukungan Moskow atas sebuah negara merdeka Palestina, seperti yang diakui oleh Uni Soviet pada tahun 1988.
Beberapa negara Amerika Latin telah mengakui Palestina sebagai negara merdeka selama dua bulan terakhir.
Medvedev juga menyatakan bahwa perundingan langsung, tidak bisa dilanjutkan kecuali jika Israel membuat keputusan yang rasional terkait permukiman Zionis. (IRIB/RM/AR)

IRIB

Gray Eagle UAS program expanding

Despite Defense budget constraints, the Army's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are growing, especially the Gray Eagle program.
"And with the budget movements afoot for the 2012 Fiscal Year, we will accelerate the Gray Eagle from two companies per year to three companies per year," said Tim Owens, deputy project manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Owens was among Army leaders speaking at the Association of the U.S. Army Aviation Symposium and Exposition, which brought more than 500 military, government and industry professionals together to discuss how to best sustain and acquire the required materiel to directly support the aviation warfighter and combatant commander during combat operations.
Although the theme for the Jan. 12-14 event at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, at National Harbor, Md., was "Full-Spectrum Aviation: Resilient and Adaptive for the Future Security Environment," the Unmanned Aircraft System garnered much interest with its ability to save lives on missions that are often referred to as too dull, dirty or dangerous for manned aircraft.
"We also expect to be funded to fill our needs for both video and wide-area surveillance capability," Owens said of the UAS program, adding that the Army will be asking for procurement of five additional attrition aircraft in February.
The Gray Eagle, one of the largest programs managed by UAS, will provide combatant commanders a much-improved real-time responsive capability to conduct long-dwell, wide-area reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, communications relay, and attack missions, Owens said.
The Gray Eagle addresses an ever-increasing demand for greater range, altitude, endurance and payload flexibility. At 3,200 pounds, this UAS has improved take-off and landing performance, coupled with the flexibility to operate with or without satellite communications data links. These are just some of the characteristics that make this system a combat multiplier.
"Gray Eagle is really the ultimate enabler for what we're trying to do," said Owens.
"With the Shadow class of systems at brigade, and the smaller class at battalion and below, you need to have a way to cue those systems to the targets, which we do with a variety of intel feeds," Owens said. "But the Gray Eagle will allow us to carry wide-area surveillance sensors, a wider array of payloads, and become a top-level cueing platform for us.
"It also becomes the network enabler in order for us to increase dissemination, not just from Gray Eagle, but from our other stuff because you can pass the information through Gray Eagle to the ground and things of that nature. So from that perspective, it is super important," Owens said.
"The other important breakthrough is MUSIC, which stands for Manned-Unmanned Systems Integration Capability. This will showcase complete and seamless interoperability between manned assets, unmanned assets and Soldiers on the ground," Owens said.
"So, in effect, what you're going to have is a universal operator being able to fly - whether it's a mid-range Shadow system, a larger Gray Eagle system, a Hunter system - be able to switch back and forth between those, or hand off control of that UAS to an Apache operator who can use that vehicle to 'laze' for him or something of that nature, but for the Apache operator to be able to see the image and control the aircraft from the cockpit of the Apache," Owens said.
Lt. Col. Jennifer Jensen, product manager for Common Systems Integrations, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, said a demonstration of these capabilities will occur at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, later this year.
"The Army has always been seen as a leader in making our systems as interoperable as possible. So, we're going to leverage off the one system remote video terminal that we started fielding in 2007 and expand that capability to the manned aircraft, because we put that technology into the Apache and the OH-58 and also the command and control Black Hawk," Jensen said.
"But what we're going to do on September 16th at Dugway in Utah is demonstrate these capabilities and go a little bit farther," she said.
According to Jensen, the Shadow, the Hunter and the Gray Eagle will be flown using the new universal ground control station that UAS has been fielding.
"Along with that, we're going to demonstrate the control from that One-System Remote Video Terminal - we call the OSRVT - from a couple of our platforms - their payloads. And that's the first time that we've ever done that for an audience in real life, not just in the simulation environment," Jensen said.
Also being highlighted, she said, are the Apaches, and the OH-58, doing some other operations, as well as relays with the unmanned systems and potentially even firing weapons.
"And, lastly, we're going to demonstrate our small aircraft family, the Raven and the Puma, being flown from a single controller. So we're very excited about this demonstration." Jensen said.
UAS will announce this demonstration in more detail this spring.
"This MUSIC demo is going to show all this integration, all this interoperability, and how everything is now coming to fruition. This has always been a plan for the Army and the direction we want to go to have all this seamless integration," said Col. Rob Sova, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command capabilities manager.
"Ground control becomes our center of gravity, and the systems in it will allow us to continue to operate whatever new technology comes not only from an air platform standpoint, but working with our maneuver center of excellence, from our infantry, as well. We have that capability and technology now," Sova said.

DEFENCE TALK

Military Modernization Efforts Spur Further Middle East Defense Growth

The Middle East defense spending binge is set to grow further in coming years as Gulf Arab nations embark on military modernization programs. In its annual Middle East market analysis, Forecast International expects defense investment across the region to expand by 14 percent over the next five years. The region's continuation as a leading global area for military expenditure is being spurred by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Medium-term regional defense growth will stem from not only the two core Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, but also Iraq. Faced with internal security challenges, plus the need to solidify its borders, Baghdad will invest an average of $12.5 billion annually through 2015 towards the advancing development of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). The [principal] area of Iraqi investment going forward will be in bolstering the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF). The IQAF plans to field 500 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft by 2020; its pressing needs include advanced jet trainers and combat aircraft.
The impending exodus of U.S. forces from Iraq combined with a broad range of equipment requirements means that the pace of fitting-out the ISF will have to accelerate if the central government is to capably provide security. Such progress may be hindered if Pentagon investment in the Iraqi Security Forces Fund dries up due to Washington's own budgetary pressures at home.
Since 2005 the U.S. Department of Defense has allocated about $19.1 billion to the fund. As a result of U.S. financial largesse the bulk of Iraqi equipment orders flow through the Pentagon's government-to-government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channel ensuring U.S. defense companies are the beneficiaries.
"Although the Iraqi government would like to diversify its supply chain, the U.S. remains its principal provider of military equipment," says Forecast Middle East defense analyst Dan Darling. "So long as U.S. funding towards the development of the new Iraqi Security Forces continues, this is unlikely to change. Should Washington turn off the tap, others will surely step into the void, including France, Russia and suppliers from Eastern Europe."
While Iraq provides a robust market opportunity due to the ongoing ISF rebuilding process, the scale of investment in the Gulf region is higher. Spearheaded by a $60 billion package of approved FMS agreements, Saudi Arabia aims to upgrade its air fleet with new and refurbished F-15 jet fighters and new helicopters including up to 70 Boeing AH-64D Apaches, 36 Boeing AH-6i Little Birds and 72 Sikorsky UH-60M BlackHawks. In addition there is mention of a major Royal Saudi Navy upgrade program also being pursued through Pentagon FMS channels that could be worth up to $30 billion.
Mirroring the Saudi efforts, the UAE is also undertaking a modernization of its Air Force. This modernization includes an approved FMS agreement for the purchase of 60 AH-64D Apache helicopters. The UAE is also in the process of considering successors for its fleet of Mirage 2000 jet fighters in what may ultimately prove to be a 60-unit buy worth up to $10 billion. Additional areas that the UAE may seek to upgrade include littoral protection and air defense.
Concrete defense cooperation amongst the six GCC members continues to be elusive, leaving each nation to pursue their needs independently. Thus the UAE, Kuwait and possibly Qatar are each contemplating a buy of the Dassault Rafale combat aircraft while the Saudis and Oman seek U.S.-built solutions to their jet fighter needs.
But despite the lack of progress within the GCC in terms of a common procurement approach, the one constant is that at the national level defense investment remains robust, generally representing between 10-20 percent of total state expenditure annually. For 2010 combined GCC defense/security investment was $68.3 billion. Forecast International expects that total to increase to $73.4 billion in 2011 and continue growing to $82.5 billion by 2015.
"Fearing Iran's regional strength the GCC states continue to seek a distinct qualitative military-technological edge over Tehran," Darling says. "But Iran's manpower and missile strengths camouflage some serious weaknesses, such as command-and-control shortcomings, a combat aircraft fleet falling into disrepair and an armored vehicle inventory of questionable capability. Other than its long-range missiles, Iran is limited for now in its ability to project conventional military power across the Gulf. In other words, some GCC countries may be susceptible to over-buying for a certain kind of threat that is not readily apparent."
Though it may lack the modern material seen in most Tier 1 militaries, this is not indicative of reluctance by Iran to improve and expand its weaponry or invest in defense. Tehran spends around $9.3-9.5 billion annually, a trend Forecast expects to continue in the near-term. This level of expenditure places it amongst the five highest defense spenders in the region, behind Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq and the UAE. Much of Iran's defense investment goes towards personnel costs, missile programs, upgrading existing platforms and developing indigenous hardware.
Because of the myriad threats it faces, Israel continues to place a premium on military funding. Aided by U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) of $3 billion, the country continues to invest in modern jet fighters, its multi-layered anti-missile air-defense network, unmanned aerial vehicles, the Namer heavy infantry fighting vehicle and a slew of other projects. Impending purchases include a new advanced jet trainer and two large missile corvettes.
Egypt is also a beneficiary of generous U.S. FMF allotments, receiving about $1.3 billion per year. Forecast expects Egyptian defense spending defense over the next five years to reach around $16 billion, with Israeli spending coming to over $64 billion during that same timeframe.
"The major defense markets of the Middle East continue to be dominated by the U.S.," Darling says. "Russia has footholds in Syria and Yemen and is making efforts to help equip the Lebanese Armed Forces. But its regional market share pales in comparison to that of the U.S. With President Medvedev signing a decree back in September banning the supply of a variety of Russian armaments to Iran, the other major market for which Moscow was the principal supplier is now likely to be ceded to China."
Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.

DEFENCE TALK

Israel Khawatir Rusia Akan Akui Negara Palestina

Dmitry Medvedev

Para pejabat Israel khawatir Presiden Rusia Dmitry Medvedev hari ini (18/1) akan mengakui Palestina sebagai negara independen berdasarkan perbatasan tahun 196, saat berkunjung ke Tepi Barat Sungai Jordan. Medvedev akan bertemu dengan Pemimpin Otorita Ramallah, Mahmoud Abbas. Rencana kunjungan Presiden Rusia ke itu dibatalkan menyusul aksi mogok para pegawai dan diplomat Kementerian Luar Negeri Israel.
Kekhawatiran itu dikemukakan hari ini (18/1) oleh angota Fatah, Nabil Sha'ath, kepada koran al-Hayat. Dalam kunjungan tersebut diperkirakan Medvedev akan menegaskan kembali pengakuan Uni Soviet pada 1988, bahwa Palestina merupakan negara independen.
Langkah itu sangat mengkhawatirkan Israel mengingat Rusia adalah anggota Kuartet Perdamaian Timur Tengah.
Para pejabat Kementerian Luar Negeri Israel, menyatakan mereka tidak bisa mengkonfirmasikan atau menyangkal kebenaran ucapan Sha'ath itu, karena untuk saat ini Kementerian Luar Negeri Israel tidak dapat berkomunikasi dengan baik dengan pihak Rusia akibat aksi mogok pegawai dan diplomat Kemlu Israel.
Sebelumnya, sejumlah negara Amerika Selatan mengakui Palestina sebagai negara independen berdasarkan perbatasan tahun 1967. (IRIB/MZ/SL)

IRIB

Pesan Medvedev Kepada Barat dalam Lawatannya ke Timur Tengah

Dmitry Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev, Presiden Rusia hari ini memulai lawatan dua harinya ke Timur Tengah dan akan mengunjungi Tepi Barat Sungai Jordan. Sementara Yordania akan menjadi negara kedua dan akhir dari lawatan dua harinya di Timur Tengah. Dalam agendanya, Medvedev juga akan mengunjungi Palestina pendudukan (Israel), namun pada akhirnya acara ini digagalkan. Alasan pembatalan kunjungan ini disebabkan adanya aksi mogok sebagian pegawai Departemen Luar Negeri Zionis Israel. Disebutkan juga bahwa pemerintah Benyamin Netanyahu mengumumkan ketidaksiapannya menjadi tuan rumah perundingan dengan Presiden Rusia. Akan tetapi, bila aksi mogok yang direncanakan itu tidak jadi dilakukan, para pejabat rezim Zionis Israel juga tidak bersedia untuk membantu Medvedev menyukseskan tujuan lawatannya di Timur Tengah.
Dmitry Medvedev berusaha untuk menghidupkan kembali perundingan ‘damai' yang sempat terhenti. Sementara di pihak Israel, para pejabat rezim ini bersikeras untuk melanjutkan pembangunan permukiman zionis yang membuat upaya perdamaian praktis terhambat. Rusia yang merupakan satu dari anggota Komite Segi Empat menuntut penghentian pembangunan permukiman zionis di daerah Palestina pendudukan. Sikap Rusia ini sebenarnya bukan sepihak, tapi juga merupakan sikap dari ketiga anggota Komite Segi Empat yang terdiri dari Uni Eropa, PBB dan Amerika.
Oleh karenanya, buat para pejabat Israel, berunding dengan Presiden Rusia hanya melanjutkan proses yang dapat menghentikan berlanjutnya pembangunan permukiman zionis. Selain itu, Israel juga tidak begitu suka dengan meningkatnya hubungan militer Rusia dengan sejumlah negara Arab, khususnya Suriah. Apa lagi Rusia baru-baru ini menjual sejumlah pesawat tempur, senjata anti tank dan sistem pertahanan udara kepada Suriah yang mampu meningkatkan kemampuan pertahanan Suriah menghadapi Israel.
Tapi perlu diketahui bahwa banyak yang meragukan kemampuan Rusia untuk memainkan peran penting di Timur Tengah. Bila dibandingkan dengan Uni Eropa, Rusia tidak punya banyak pengaruh di Timur Tengah, terlebih lagi di UE ada Perancis yang cukup berpengaruh di kawasan. Rusia tidak mampu memanfaatkan hubungannya dengan negara-negara Arab seperti yang dilakukan oleh Amerika.
Sekalipun demikian, negara-negara Arab dan juga Otorita Ramallah pimpinan Mahmoud Abbas, menyambut sikap pro-aktif Rusia dalam proses perdamaian Timur Tengah. Menurut mereka, eskalasi manuver Moskow di Timur Tengah bakal memprovokasi Barat yang menjadi saingannya, sehingga setidaknya mereka akan bangkit untuk mengakhiri kebuntuan perundingan damai demi mencegah pengaruh Rusia yang akan terus meningkat. Di sini, Rusia juga tidak akan berdiam diri.
Medvedev dalam lawatannya juga mengusung ide baru dan mengaktifkan Liga Arab dalam proses perdamaian ini. Untuk itu, Rusia telah menyiapkan sarananya sejak awal, termasuk lawatannya ke Yordania yang membawa usulan pembangunan instalasi reaktor nuklir pertama di negara ini. (IRIB/SL/NA)

Presiden Rusia Dukung Palestina?

Kepala Otorita Ramallah dan Presiden Rusia dalam pernyataan bersama menekankan bahwa pertemuan Komisi Segi Empat untuk Perdamaian Timur Tengah yang akan berlangsung bulan depan harus bisa melahirkan resolusi yang mengikat dan harus dilaksanakan oleh Rezim Zionis Israel. Dalam jumpa pers bersama dengan Kepala Otorira Ramallah di Jericho, Tepi Barat Sungai Jordan, Selasa (18/1), Presiden Rusia Dmitry Medvedev menekankan soal pembentukan negara Palestina merdeka dengan batas wilayah tahun 1967. Medvedev menyatakan bahwa Rusia mendukung pelaksanaan program ini.
Dalam pernyataannya, Presiden Rusia mendesak Israel untuk menghindari langkah-langkah unilateral dan komitmen dengan resolusi dan ketetapan internasional demi mewujudkan perdamaian. Medvedev mengumumkan dukungannya kepada hak bangsa Palestina untuk mendirikan negara merdeka dengan al-Quds sebagai ibukotanya.
Pada kesempatan itu, ketua Otorita Ramallah Mahmud Abbas menyatakan bahwa Rezim Zionis Israel harus menghentikan pembangunan proyek permukiman dan mentaati resolusi dan ketetapan internasional. Abbas menuduh Israel menjalankan program yang dimaksudkan untuk mengubah identitas dan demografi kependudukan Beitul Maqdis. Lebih lanjut, Mahmoud Abbas menyebut blokade atas Jalur Gaza sebagai tindakan kejam. Abbas meminta Israel untuk menghentikan blokade ini. (IRIB/AHF) 

IRIB

Pangkalan AS Diserang

Pangkalan Militer AS di provinsi Babil, Irak menjadi sasaran serangan. Kantor berita Fars melaporkan, dalam sebuah statemennya, pusat komando militer AS di Irak menyatakan, enam peluru mortir ditembakkan ke arah pangkalan militer AS di provinsi Babil, selatan Baghdad. Serangan tersebut merusak beberapa bagian pangkalan militer ini. Laporan yang sama tidak menyebut lebih lanjut mengenai kemungkinan jatuhnya korban. Data resmi yang diterbitkan Departemen Pertahanan AS, Pentagon, sejak agresi dan pendudukan Irak Maret 2003 hingga kini sebanyak 4.433 tentara AS tewas di negara ini. Namun berbagai sumber tak resmi menyebutkan angka korban di pihak militer AS yang melampaui angka 13 ribu orang. (IRIB/AHF) 

IRIB