Chinese Warships Approach, Then Pull From Japan Waters

Japan’s Defense Ministry said that several Chinese ships were spotted in the area near Japanese territorial waters, moving toward the disputed Senkaku Islands, before they pulled away hours later. The two nations have been at an impasse over who owns the rocky islands in the East China Sea and tensions remain high.

Turkey going ballistic, eyes space-launched vehicle

ANKARA — Turkey has launched a project to develop a space-launched
vehicle (SLV).

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“The project would provide Turkey with the capability to become a satellite exporter and the military with the capability to build intermediate- and long-range missiles,” a source said.

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The sources said the ICBM project was quietly begun more than a year ago as a feasibility study financed by the Defense Ministry and Tubitak. The board did not announce the SLV project after its latest meeting, meant to discuss ballistic missile defense and naval corvette production.

Tubitak has also been contracted to develop an enhanced cruise missile. The agency was assigned to extend the range of Turkey’s current SOM missile from 300 to at least 1,500 kilometers.

Full article: Turkey going ballistic, eyes space-launched vehicle (World Tribune)

Argentina signs deals with China’s military

Defense minister Arturo Puricelli says cooperation agreements that he signed with Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie will strengthen ties between the Asian giant and Argentina.

He calls China an economic, political and military partner and says the two countries’ strategic positions in terms of international security are almost entirely consistent.

Argentina’s defense ministry says in a Wednesday statement that Puricelli also has visited Chinese defense contractors, viewing helicopters at one and guided weapon systems and anti-aircraft artillery at another.

Full article: Argentina signs deals with China’s military (Associated Press)

Some 40 Russian Bombers Exercise Near Japan Frontier

About 40 strategic bombers will participate in five-day drills in Russia’s Maritime Territory near the Japanese border, Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Monday.

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Japan has been concerned by Russian warplane flights near its coast.

In early February, a total of five Russian aircraft, including two Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers, two Su-24 Fencer reconnaissance planes and an A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control aircraft flew close to Japanese territory, without intruding into its airspace, however.

Full article: Some 40 Russian Bombers Exercise Near Japan Frontier (Ria Novosti)

Russian military drafts options for responding to attack on Iran

Russia has been preparing for the prospect of an Israeli or U.S. air strike on Iran in 2012.

Officials said the Kremlin has ordered the military to draft options for a Russian response to any foreign attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. They said the Defense Ministry has established a facility to monitor Teheran, an ally and trading partner of Moscow.

Full article: Russian military drafts options for responding to attack on Iran (World Tribune)

Japan Scrambles Fighters to Meet Russian Bombers

According to the ministry, a total of five Russian planes, including two Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers, two Su-24 Fencer reconnaissance planes and an A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control aircraft skirted Japanese territory on Wednesday.

“They flew over the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan off Hokkaido and the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan,” Japanese officials said, adding that it was the first time a Russian AWACS plane was spotted near Japan.

Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans in August 2007.

Full article: Japan Scrambles Fighters to Meet Russian Bombers (RIA Novosti)