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Recent News Analysis:
- The
Zaidi Shi'a in Yemen - Iran's Next Objective to Reach the Horn
of Africa?
Recent terrorist suicide attack in Yemen, the first
of its kind against Western tourists, demonstrated Al-Qaeda
ever-present threat in this impoverished nation despite, sofar
futile efforts to crush the terrorists. But there is much more
in stake than Al Qaeda's build-up in Yemen. United States intelligence
suspected that a Shi'ite 2004 rebellion in the remote mountains
of northwest Yemen has created suspicions that Iran may be attempting
to open a new anti-American front to weaken U.S. efforts in
the region.
- Former
Mossad Agent Meets Mysterious Death in London
Another mystery death occurred last Wednesday in downtown London,
when Ashraf Marwan, an Egyptian billionaire and son-in-law of
the late President Nasser, was found dead outside his flat in
the posh Carlton Terrace in Central London. According to Scotland
Yard investigating, no suicide note has sofar been discovered
and Police are thus treating his death as "unexplained".
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IMI is introducing a modernized M-113 called "Urban
Fighter" designed specifically for low-intensity operations
such as stability and sustainment in urban areas. The prototype
vehicle designated "Urban Fighter" was delivered
to the Israel Defense Forces where it will be tested to
evaluate its suitability to support operations in the west
bank area. IMI expects the IDF to decide on potential procurements
after the tests completion. The modification transforms
the M-113 (Gavin) from a troop carrier to more versatile
patrol vehicle, far better equipped to meet modern threats
including roadside improvised
explosive devices (RSIED) of the latest types, including
Explosively
Formed Projectiles (EFP) and Explosively Formed Fragments
(EFF) as well as from RPGs. Large, transparent armor windows
enable effective observation, driving and situational awareness
as well as counterfire from within the vehicle. According
to IMI, an "Urban Fighter" could be rolled out
of the upgrading line within few weeks and at tenth of the
price currently paid for less protected MRAP.
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Last week the Russian Air Force successfully tested the
new S-400 Triumpf air defense missile system. The long range
anti-aircraft / anti-missile system is capable of intercepting
targets considered 'difficult' for contemporary air defense
systems, including 'stealth' aircraft and long-range, high
flying targets such as the early warning and control (AWACS)
platforms. Unlike its predecessor (the S-300), the Triumf
is equipped with a homing warheads and therefore, can be
employed beyond the range of its guidance radar (up to 400
km). The Triumf missile is capable of intercepting medium
range (3,500km) ballistic missiles and is expected to be
fielded by 2015 defending strategic locations in Russia,
including Moscow.
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India and Israel agreed to jointly develop a new long range,
land-based air defense system to replace the aging Pechora
(SA-3 GOA) missiles currently in service with the Indian
Air Force. Covering a range of 70 km, the new missile will
almost double the range of the 60km vertically launched
Barak 8 shipborne missile
(also known as Barak NG) currently being developed for the
Indian and Israeli Navies under a US$480 million five year
program launched in early 2006. The new system is expected
to streamline with the original Barak 8 schedule, adding
about $300 million to the program development cost. In its
decision last week the Indian Government earmarked a total
funding of about Rs10,000 crore (about US$2.5 billion) for
the medium range surface-to-air missiles (MR-SAM) project.
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By the year 2025 Russia plans to increase its ocean going
fleet size to a total of 300 battleships, exceeding the
level it maintained during the 'cold war'. The Russian Navy
plans to maintain six battlegroups, each consisting of an
aircraft carrier and various combat support and auxiliary
ships. Three attack groups are to be based in the Northern
Fleet with three others in the Pacific Fleet. This expansion
will address Russia's strategic aspirations especially its
territorial demands in the melting arctic zone.
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Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems, a subsidiary
of BAE Systems' Armor Holdings Inc. will supply the US Marine
Corps 1,170 'Caiman' FMTV based Mine
Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles under a second
order worth over half a billion US$ ($518 million) firm-fixed-priced
delivery order including 1,154 4x4 Category I vehicles and
16 Category II (6x6) vehicles to be delivered by February
2008. The Caiman vehicle is based on Stewart Stevenson's
FMTV truck chasis, applied with bullet proof armor and IED
protection to fulfil the MRAP mission.
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