P4

Joyeux Noel.

Le blog d'un soldat en afghanistan

merci, j'étais perdu vu qu'on a aussi European Defence Agency pour l'acronyme EDA.

tu veux dire DGA, non?

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/arng/27bct/Good27photos/080911-A-3874O-0041.jpg

British forces have suffered four times as many fatalities in Afghanistan in the past seven weeks as our American allies. Despite contributing just over 8,000 troops to the total foreign force of more than 50,000 in the country, the British have suffered 13 dead since November 1. The US has lost three soldiers from its deployment of 31,000. The statistics show that Britain is now experiencing more than a third of all casualties in Afghanistan at a time when other Nato countries have been accused of failing to "step up to the mark" in providing combat forces . They come as Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that the US will increase its troop strength in the country by between 20,000 and 30,000 additional soldiers by the middle of next year. The defence secretary John Hutton said the Government would consider "very, very carefully" any request from Barack Obama, the US President-Elect, for more troops. Mr Hutton had earlier warned that unless there is a greater contribution from Nato the alliance faces becoming obsolete. Commanders have also criticised the lack of helicopters for the British force that means more road transport vulnerable to bombs and less predictability on operations. Col Richard Kemp, who commanded all British forces in Afghanistan in 2004 said aside from the US, Britain had the highest number of troops deployed on combat operations. "Helmand is probably the most dangerous place in Afghanistan and is probably the most active Taliban area," he said. "Also the nature of British operations have since 2007 been far more offensive and aggressive. We have been less prepared to sit back instead to get out there and deal with the Taliban in their own territory. But that brings its own huge dangers and that is borne out by the fatality rate." Canada, which has a brigade stationed in Kandahar province next to Helmand, has seen six deaths in November and December as the insurgency rages in southern Afghanistan. The US, which currently has most forces in the east, has suffered three dead. At least 10,000 US troops will surge into the south next year. Col Stuart Tootal, who commanded the paratroopers of Helmand Task Force in 2006, said the most intense fighting in Afghanistan was in the south. "We need to recognise the dangerous nature of the environment but we could reduce these casualties if we had the right equipment such as helicopters and properly protected vehicles. That is a really important aspect that needs to be addressed." Patrick Mercer, a Tory MP and former infantry commander, said "The fact remains that some of our European allies need to take more of the strain in this battle and must start using their combat forces more effectively." Six British servicemen have been killed in four separate Taliban attacks in the past week, making 2008 the worst year for British fatalities with 48 fatalities this year compared to 42 last year and 39 in 2006. The recent deaths included three Royal Marines blown up by a 13 year-old suicide bomber last Friday. Nick Harvey, the Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, said Britain was bearing the brunt of the current "security deterioration". He said: "There has to be greater burden sharing among member states. The British withdrawal from Iraq must not become a blank cheque for more troops." In Iraq, a threat by the Baghdad parliament to refuse to extend permission for the presence of British and other non-US troops in the country beyond the end of December appeared to have been averted. MPs said that a compromise had been reached and would be put to a vote today/on Monday. Coalition deaths since Nov 1: Britain 13 Canada 6 US 3 Denmark 5 Spain 2 Australia 1 France 1 Netherlands 1 286 coalition deaths this year

Keep those VBCIs coming! Posted by Nicholas Fiorenza at 12/22/2008 11:06 AM CST Nexter's Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) armored infantry fighting vehicle program has received another boost. The Délégation Générale d'Armement (DGA), the French defense procurement agency, has ordered an additional 116 VCBIs, the French Ministry of Defense announced last week. This brings the total number of VBCIs ordered to 298, 41 of which have been delivered so far. Nearly a decade after withdrawing from the program to develop a modular armored vehicle with Germany and the UK, France is the only country so far to have begun production of an offshoot of the original project. The UK later pulled out of the other offshoot, the Multi-Role Armored Vehicle (MRAV), which has since become the Dutch-German Boxer, production of which is expected to begin soon. Both VBCI and Boxer lost the competition for the UK's Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) utility vehicle to General Dynamics' Piranha, but the future of that program is now in doubt. France's withdrawal from the three-nation modular armored vehicle program embittered its German and British industrial partners but the French army looks like it will come out the winner. et le commentaire d'un "Fred". FRED wrote: I don't blame the French for going it alone. It's all very well to have partners to work with, unfortunately each partner wants to put their own designs in to any new vehicle which ultimately costs more money and takes a lot longer to implement. As for us Brits we can't seem to make our minds up about anything, and when we do there's never enough money in the piggy-bank to get the job done. The DOD have just awarded three companies funding for the next test and evaluation stage for the Light armoured Tactical Vehicle but for some unknown reason the MOD doesn't want to get involved. It would be a far better bet than pursuing the F.R.E.S. and I'm sure would be a lot less expensive in the long run. The French in the meantime have gone it alone, so good for them. 12/22/2008 1:44 PM CST C'est rare.

edit: je me souviens plus si ce reportage a déja été posté. [dailymotion=425,350]x7lrl2[/dailymotion] [dailymotion=425,350]x7ls8b[/dailymotion] Les signaux de fumée, comme dans nos meilleures bd. :lol:

Et les 150 135 exemplaires que la GB compte acheter.

Afghanistan : prêt gratuit mais encombrant des Américains

China's ARJ21 faces further six-month delay in first delivery

J'attends de voir si le pseudo "infodeguerre" va les uploader sur Utube afin de les coller ici. ;)

Afghanistan : la certification de la 1ère brigade en bonne voie En 2009, la 1ère brigade du 201ème corps de l’armée afghane, à laquelle sont affectées 5 des 6 Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLT) françaises, sera autonome, c'est-à-dire en mesure de planifier et conduire ses propres opérations. L’état-major de la brigade et le 3ème kandak d’infanterie de la 1ère brigade sont d’ores et déjà certifiés CM1, le plus haut niveau de certification délivré par la structure d’Enduring Freedom, le Combined Security Transition Command (CSTC) qui assure le pilotage de la formation des forces de sécurité afghanes en coordination avec le gouvernement afghan et la FIAS. Le 2ème kandak d’infanterie devrait obtenir très prochainement le CM1. Avec 2 bataillons d’infanterie et son état-major certifiés CM1, la brigade toute entière sera à son tour certifiée CM1. Sources : EMA Droits : Ministère de la défense

18/12/08 – Afghanistan : une école qui s’agrandit en Surobi Le 13 décembre 2008, le colonel Jean-Pierre Perrin, chef de corps du BATFRA (bataillon français du RCC) a participé à une cérémonie traditionnelle marquant la pose de la première pierre de l’extension d’une école de garçon à Surobi. Ce projet, réalisé en coordination avec le ministère de l’éducation afghan, est le premier grand projet d’infrastructure initié par les troupes françaises dans ce district situé à près de 40 kilomètres à l’Est de Kaboul depuis que la France en a pris la responsabilité en Août 2008. Il a été financé par le ministère français de la défense. Cette extension, demandée par le responsable de l’éducation en SUROBI va offrir des locaux au gardien de l’école et aux 23 professeurs de l'école qui bénéficieront d’un meilleur confort de travail. Ils pourront ainsi libérer deux salles de classes qui permettront d’accueillir une centaine de nouveaux élèves dans une ville où la demande de scolarisation est forte. Ce nouveau bâtiment sera réalisé en début d’année 2009. En parallèle, des travaux de renforcement des murs d’enceinte ont permis d’accroître la sécurisation de l’école des filles. Déjà, au printemps 2007, les équipes CIMIC françaises avaient conduit à terme un projet de réhabilitation de l’école des filles de Surobi. Cette inauguration s’est déroulée en présence du sous-gouverneur du district de Surobi, de l'adjoint au directeur de l'Education Nationale en Afghanistan, du Malek de Surobi, du chef de la Police, de l’adjoint du Commandant de l'Armée Nationale Afghane, du directeur de la clinique et le directeur du département de l'agriculture. Les travaux ont été confiés à une entreprise civile afghane. Sources : EMA Droits : Ministère de la défense / Ecpad

Dassault buys $2.2b Stake in Systems Company Thales By pierre tran, PARIS Published: 19 Dec 07:27 EST (12:27 GMT) Alcatel-Lucent and Dassault Aviation said Dec. 19 they have signed a final agreement for the aircraft maker to buy Alcatel Lucent's 21 percent stake in defense systems company Thales for about 1.57 billion euros ($2.2 billion). The acquisition anchors Thales' shareholder base and signaled the government's determination to forge a national and European champion on which to develop a world class defense and technology base. In a separate Dec. 18 announcement, Dassault Aviation said Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, had resigned from Dassault's board of directors. EADS holds a 46 percent stake in Dassault and Gallois is reported to have asked unsuccessfully the government for approval to buy the Thales stake from Alcatel Lucent, a telecommunications company. The government rejected Gallois's request, Le Monde has reported. "Alcatel-Lucent and Dassault Aviation today announced that they have signed the definitive agreement regarding the acquisition by Dassault Aviation of Alcatel-Lucents's shares in Thales, namely 41,262,481 shares," the companies said in a joint statement. "This transaction will be based on a price of 38 euros per share, representing a total value of about 1.57 billion euros," the companies said. A market analyst said he could not understand why Dassault was paying such a high price for the Thales stake. Thales shares were trading at 29.39 euros in late morning, down 1.05 percent in a weaker broader market, and had been at 38 euros in September. Acquiring the Thales stake helped Dassault diversify its portfolio of economic interests, given uncertainty over future combat aircraft programs, defense economist Jean-Paul Hébert of the higher institute of learning Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales has said. Dassault also said Dec. 18 that annual sales would be 10 percent lower than those of 2007 The deal will need regulatory approval and was expected to close in the spring 2009. The Dassault purchase signaled French industrial policy to create a national champion in the defense sector. The finance ministry and Dassault said in a joint statement, "The strengthening of the partnership between Thales and Dassault will allow the creation of a French center of world standing in the domain of strategic technology, aeronautics, space, defense and security, similar to the actions in Great Britain, Italy and Sweden around their industrial actors." The government and Dassault renewed their confidence in Thales's strategy of developing in international markets and in civil and military sectors, the joint statement said. Dassault Aviation also committed to supporting prospective acquisitions by Thales to developing its business activities. "As part of a common strategic vision with the state, if the French companies in the sector and Thales developed industrial plans in optronics, inertial navigation, electrical generation and missile systems, Dassault undertakes to allow the subsequent changes in perimeter of Thales," the joint statement said. "These changes will permit a strengthening of the industrial and technological base in French and European defense," the ministry and Dassault said. Dassault also committed to back Thales's plan to increase its stake in naval systems company DCNS to 35 percent from 25. ""The state and Dassault Aviation will equally continue to support Thales in its plan to grow its stake in DCNS to 35 percent," the joint statement said. Under the deal, Dassault Aviation and the government will between them hold 53 percent of the shares and 61 percent of voting rights in Thales, which will ensure "a stable shareholder base and backed by a long term vision," the ministry and Dassault said. Dassault is buying Alcatel Lucent's 21 percent and a 5.1 percent held by the family holding company Groupe Industrial Marcel Dassault in Thales. Thales spokeswoman Sylvie Dumaine welcomed the agreement, which removed months of uncertainty on the overhang of stock held by Alcatel Lucent. "This is excellent news which stabilizes the shareholder base and renews confidence in Thales' strategy in international development and in the civil and military." ____________ Comme Gallois s'est fait sortir du comité éxecutif conseil d'administration de Dassault Aviation je me demandais quel était l'avenir d' EADS en tant qu'actionnaire de Dassault Aviation?

Sale puts atomic weapons plant in US hands By Sylvia Pfeifer and Alex Barker Published: December 19 2008 02:59 | Last updated: December 19 2008 02:59 The UK Atomic Weapons Establishment, which makes and maintains the warheads for Britain’s nuclear missiles, has come under the control of US companies after the government sold its one-third stake. Ministers were accused Thursday night of trying to conceal the change in ownership after failing to make an announcement to parliament. Jacobs, an engineering company with headquarters in Pasadena, California, announced late on Wednesday in the US that it had bought the government’s holding in AWE. The stake was put up for sale last year after ministers decided to break up BNFL, the state-owned group, which included AWE. The sale of the Aldermaston facility to Jacobs is likely to reignite controversy over the independence of the UK’s deterrent. The US already supplies the technology for the weapons but it was the recognition that the UK needed an independent nuclear deterrent after the second world war which prompted the government to develop the facility. However, there was no announcement from the government, which was accused of turning the matter into “a farce”. BNFL only put up a short statement on its website Thursday afternoon confirming the sale. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform had no official comment. Gerald Howarth, shadow defence minister, described the decision not to announce the sale to parliament as “unacceptable”. “It is consistent with the government’s unwillingness to share matters nuclear with parliament. “It is not an issue about which we can be cavalier. We need to know what the implications are of this.” Nick Harvey, Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, said: “The government appears guilty of concealing all this from parliament and the public. There has been a huge degree of suspicion over what has been going on at Aldermaston, particularly over recruitment and how this fits with our obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. “None of this has been properly explained. Why are we bothering with the fiction of being independent and separate from the US when this is clearly not the case? It sounds to me like this is turning into a farce.” AWE is jointly owned by the government, through its stake in BNFL; Serco, the British support services group; and Lockheed Martin, the US defence company. Jacobs had been competing against another US engineer, Fluor Corporation, for the stake since January. The US company did not disclose the purchase price but estimates in January valued it at £100m ($150m). Bob King, officer of the Prospect union for AWE, said Jacobs was well-known to staff and he hoped the company would provide some financial stability. But politically he admitted it was “a sad day” that Britain’s nuclear deterrent was now majority US controlled. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

British Defence Ministry Secures Warthog Deal By andrew chuter, LONDON Published: 18 Dec 10:16 EST (15:16 GMT) Singapore Technologies Kinetics has secured a 150 million pound (about $233 million) deal with Britain to supply Bronco armored all-terrain vehicles to troops deployed in Afghanistan. The contract was officially announced here by the Ministry of Defence Dec 18. The urgent operational requirement will see just over 100 vehicles delivered starting the third quarter of next year with the bulk of the Broncos delivered in 2010. Although it is effectively an off-the-shelf purchase the tracked, articulated vehicle being built for the British will include a number of modifications. These include a hull redesign to significantly increase protection against mines and roadside bombs, longer range fuel tanks, weapon modifications, the inclusion of electronic counter measures equipment and other changes. The first British-bound vehicle is due off the production line in Spring 2009 for testing prior to handing over to the customer. Thales UK will be STK's local partner responsible for final integration work and the provision of logistic support for Bronco. The vehicles, to be delivered in troop carrier, ambulance, command and repair and recovery variants, will replace BAE Systems Vikings currently deployed by British forces in Afghanistan. The Vikings will be returned to the UK for continuing service with the Royal Marines. Bronco, to be known as the Warthog in British service, will be used by the marines and the army in Afghanistan. The Singaporian developed vehicle beat out an improved version of the Viking developed by BAE Hagglunds, the Swedish armored vehicle arm of Europe's biggest defense contractor. In a statement released here STK said Bronco will "Give the UK MoD a significant increase in protection against roadside bombs and also deliver considerable increases in range, payload and internal capacity over incumbent [Viking] vehicles currently being used in Afghanistan. It's the second British defense contract win by Singapore in little more than a year. In 2007 the Ministry of Defence acquired 40mm grenades from STK in a deal valued at Singapore $42.5 million. UK MoD program manager Simon Cox said the Bronco had "exceeded our expectations in terms of quality, capability and performance. We are delighted with the product, attitude [of the company] and the progress jointly made in a very short time." This is the first export of the Bronco although several hundred of the vehicles have been in service with the Singapore military since the start of the decade.

Areva va livrer 300 tonnes d'uranium à l'Inde Areva va livrer 300 tonnes d'uranium à l'Inde dans le cadre de l'accord de coopération sur le nucléaire civil signé fin septembre entre ce pays et la France, indique le groupe français jeudi dans un communiqué.

la voila sur Utube http-~~-//fr.youtube.com/watch?v=QKiT8bX0Ixo C'est pas un complément de batterie pour les JVN à l'arrière des casques?

Quelles provinces de l'est(les frontalières du Pakistan comme celle de Kunar)? Combien d'hommes(autant que les Brits)?

C'est probablement des GCP.

ça fait plaisir, un grand jour. =) il vole(juste le moteur). http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=26625 http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=26626

Robert, si tu peux nous éxpliquer pourquoi le délai dans l'industrialisation des CVF est une bonne nouvelle parce qu'aprés le lancement en grande pompe du programme cette année avec la jv BAE/VT certains résponsables de ces entreprises rétissant à l'époque doivent faire grise mine, n'y a il pas un risque que la jv soit remise en cause en raison des délais succésifs probable à venir?

A ce rythme le petit porte avion nucleaire Français a des chances de rester le plus grand d'Europe pour encore un bon moment. ;) En plus on a des avions performants a mettre dessus. =)

C'est sur, quand on connait aussi bien que toi la capacité de l'ndustrie navale UK a tenir les couts et les délais il y a de quoi :lol: Une bonne nouvelle :lol: