Second made in Ukraine - Zubr class LCAC for Chinese Navy - PLAN - rushed for delivery without trials following Ukrainian domestic crisis

On March 1st, 2014 in Feodosiya, Crimea, the second Zubr (project 1232.2) amphibious hovercraft for the Chinese Navy (PLAN) was rushed on its way to China ahead of schedule (before all trials were conducted). The obivous reason of this sudden move was to avoid any damage to the vessel in case the situation in Crimea deteriorated.

Taiwan and its allies are concerned that these platforms may be used as part of Chinese offensive against Taiwan. According to sources, the banner displayed at the back of the Chinese built Zubr translates into "Reuniting the Motherland".

India's Arjun MBT Mk II gears up for final leg of user trials

Defence scientists of Avadi (near Chennai) Combat Vehicle Research Development Establishment (CVRDE) are all set to take India's Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) Mk II for the concluding phases of user trials.

During the fourth phase of trial, the tank will have to be tested for obstacle crossing and medium fording (water) capabilities. "The concluding phases of the user trials will begin in May 2014.

Indian Army sources say that a few of the improvements need to be further refined. Sources said that the missile (Israeli LAHAT) firing trials need to be conducted again for further validation. DRDO says it is confident that the Arjun MBT Mk II will prove its worth in the final leg of the user trials.

Bangladesh Navy to get 2 submarines by 2015

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said two submarines would be inducted in Bangladesh Navy by 2015 to build it as a "three dimensional" force.

http://www.asiandefencenews.com/2013/12/bangladesh-finalises-2-type-035-ming.html

"A process for induction of two submarines in 2015 in the naval force has been finalised as part of the present government's firm determination and commitment to turn Bangladesh Navy into a "three-dimensional force," she said, adding the two submarines would be added to the naval fleet by 2015.Besides, she said, the work on setting up the country's biggest naval base in Ramnabad area in coastal Patuakali district has already been launched.

Earlier on her arrival at the BNS Naval Base Isa Khan, the prime minister was received by Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Commander of the Chittagong Naval Zone Rear Admiral M Akhter Habib.Sheikh Hasina said this while addressing commissioning of two new frigates in Bangladesh Navy at BNS Naval Base Isa Khan here this morning.The two new frigates---Abu Bakar and Ali Haider--- procured from China have replaced two old British frigates.

The prime minister said the government with utmost importance has started the work on increasing necessary infrastructure for the navy including air base along with raising its war fleet."The issue of construction of a submarine base is under process," she said, adding that Khulna Shipyard is building two container ships with the funding of the navy which would play an active role in the country's economy.

Is this Russia’s Skat Mockup at the Tver RCS Range?

Military modernization has been of chief importance for Russia over the last few years with at least a quarter of the defense budget allocated to ensure that Russia regains its former position. With the changing nature of warfare, one category of modernization includes the design and manufacture of more advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
The latest satellite imagery from 27APR11 acquired by DigitalGlobe appears to show Russia advancing towards that goal with a mock-up of the Skat UCAV at the Tver RCS range located northwest of Moscow.

The measurements taken from Google Earth would appear to match the dimensions released to the public. Despite the low fidelity of the imagery, measurements of the length and wingspan suggest the mock-up is around 10 and 11 meters, respectively. However, what’s also interesting to note, this mock-up does not appear to have the large air-intake on the nose of the aircraft, which may suggest this is a different UCAV. Unfortunately, due to imagery quality, it may be too early to say.

Developed by MiG, the Skat is a stealthy flying wing design, and the most advanced UCAV known to be in development in Russia. The design was first unveiled at MAKS in 2007.

The aircraft  is reportedly powered by a RD-5000B turbofan engine, which is a modified derivative of the Klimov R-33D, used on the MiG-29 Fulcrum. According to the Russian press, it is expected to have a service ceiling of 12,000 m and a range of 4000 km.

In August, MiG announced it was ready to go ahead with a R&D project for a sixth-generation UCAV based upon its Skat prototype.

U.S. Navy eyes greater presence in Arctic

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/01/us-usa-arctic-navy-idUKBREA1Q2DU20140301

DARPA Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES) project

Ukraine troop deployment approved by Russian parliament

Russia's upper house of parliament has approved President Putin's request for Russian forces to be used in Ukraine.Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, where many ethnic Russians live.

Ukraine has reacted angrily to days of military movements in Crimea, accusing Moscow of trying to provoke the new government into an armed conflict.

Ukrainian officials and some Western diplomats said that a Russian military intervention is already well underway after heavily armed gunmen in unmarked military uniforms seized control of local government buildings, airports and other strategic facilities in Crimea in recent days.

Turkish Air Force likely to order Lockheed F-35 fighters in 2015

Turkey is likely to start ordering F-35 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp from 2015 onwards and it will start with two orders initially, Turkey's undersecretary for state-run defense industries Murad Bayar said on Thursday."We will start F-35 orders either this year or the next. Right now, it is likely to be next year," Bayar told reporters. "We will initially order two. The delivery time will be, depending on the orders, probably in 2017-2018."

Turkey had already announced it plans to buy 100 F-35 jets for $16 billion. Bayar said he expected the deliveries of 100 aircraft to be completed within 10 years.