Central/South American Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Defense Industry Daily - Brazil took long enough to modernize its future fighter fleet, and they’re waiting even longer to modernize another important air force capability. Their KC-137 Boeing 707 derivatives were built in the 1960s, and Brazil took delivery in 1986. In 2008, Brazil’s air force general staff (EMAER) launched the KC-X2 program to replace them – but the planes retired before a replacement contract was in place…

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IAI says that they beat “many international companies” for KC-X2, and their cost-effective solution is already flying with Brazil’s neighbor Colombia, in a smaller and shorter-range 767-200 aircraft.

Instead of ordering new aircraft, IAI Bedek uses its commercial conversion expertise to find suitable used 767 airframes at low cost, then performs a cargo conversion. That saves a lot of money, while upgrading the planes to become Brazil’s long-range troop and cargo airlifters. Next comes installation of the aerial refueling equipment, which can be used for fighters, or to extend the reach of aircraft like their forthcoming KC-390 jet transports.

IAI has designed and manufactured its own wing pods for hose-and-drogue refueling. They’ve also developed a new centerline flying boom, for aircraft that use dorsal refueling instead of probes.

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Mercopress - The New Delhi ambassador also revealed that he is working to arrange a visit to Argentina for the next Indian Prime Minister, following the BRICS summit in Fortaleza, Brazil scheduled for next 15 July. The Chinese foreign ministry has confirmed that president Xi Jinping will be visiting Buenos Aires on 19 July.

India is currently in the process of electing a new parliament and prime minister, which started on 7 April and will continue until 12 May, given the vastness of the country and the 815 million registered voters. On 16 May the new PM will be known and all indicates that the leading party is Bharatiya Janata, BJP, that supports Narendra Modi, but there is nothing definitive.

“With Argentina we have a tremendous potential in our relations, but both countries have much to work on”, said ambassador Khatua, confirming the interest of Brazil and South Africa that Argentina joins the BRICS club.
According to Clarin, Argentina is under pressure from other powers which want her out of the G20, but the country also has sovereign debt problems which BRICS members don't have. Nevertheless and despite those problems “there is a growing consensus to have Argentina” join the emerging economies group.

Bilateral trade in 2013 increased 30% over the 1.84 billion dollars of 2012, with a favorable balance for Argentina because of the soy-oil exports. Apparently when China cooled its purchases of soy-oil and soy-flour India moved in. India supplies mainly chemicals and auto parts.

The last visit of an Indian PM dates back to 1995, when Narashimha Rao arrived in Buenos Aires. However President Cristina Fernandez travelled to India in 2009 opening a chapter of intense reciprocal ministerial visits. Allegedly one of the Argentine 2015 presidential hopefuls, and governor of the Buenos Aires province, Daniel Sciloi and his wife Karina are scheduled to travel to India next September.

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Mercopress - Peruvian Foreign Affairs minister Jose Garcia Belaúnde said over the weekend that Chile should reduce its purchase of military equipment and finish with the so called "copper bill" to help "contribute with regional peace". "I think it would be something good that Chile annuls the copper bill because obviously the purchase of military equipment is worrisome" and continued "why does a country arm itself to that extent?" The sensible thing would be the rejection of the bill and have military procurement included in the budget as in most countries, added the Peruvian official. Under the "copper law", which dates back to the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, Chile is obliged to spend 10% of its revenues from its extensive copper mining on weapons procurement. The tripling of copper prices on world markets during the commodities boom of recent years means Chile's military spending has skyrocketed, to the unease of Peru, with which it has often tense relations. In 2005, Chile became of the top spenders on defence in Latin America, attributing 3.54% of GDP to the sector, according to the Latin American Security and Defence Network. Garcia Belaunde also recalled that the Chilean congress "a year or so was considering the issue, but suddenly the debate is no more there". "It's not acceptable for the Chilean government that the Foreign Affairs minister of a foreign country should say how Chile should legislate; it's unacceptable that a Foreign Affairs minister should say that there's no urgency to a certain draft, it's unacceptable that a Foreign Affairs minister from a foreign country should say that the renewal of military equipments by our Armed Forces is a risk to regional peace", said Vidal. Chilean Peruvian relations have been tense for the last two weeks following the release of a video on U-tube where the Peruvian Army commander is seen saying that "any Chilean who dares march into Peru will return in a coffin or a black bag". Chileans wanted the general sacked but President Alan García preferred to let him finish his five days as Army chief before retirement.

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Miragedriver said:

Chile/Peru squabble over copper bill and military spending
A call by Peru that Chile scrap a law that earmarks a percentage of copper windfalls for military equipment is “unacceptable” said Chilean government spokesperson Francisco Vidal.






I will now get back to bottling my Malbec

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Jeff Head said:

How a Peruvian Spokesmen tells the Chileans how to go about funding or not funding their military is ridiculous.

The Chileans can use the money from such things how they please and how their own legislatures vote. It should not to be influenced by another government's spokesmen.

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Miragedriver said:

After Ten years Argentina finally receives the type 209 submarine “San Juan”
Translated from Newspaper “La Nacion” Jueves 29 de Mayo de 2014

After completion of the midlife upgrade to which he was performed in the Argentine Naval Industrial Complex. This mid-life upgrade has effectively extended the life of the ship for another 30 years. Argentine Defense Minister, Agustín Rossi, led the ceremonial delivery of the submarine ARA San Juan to Argentina Navy.

During the ceremony at the shipyard Tandanor , Agustín Rossi said that " when others thought we should send our ships outside the nation for refurbishment, we were committed to working within the nation. This fact symbolizes the process of re-industrialization developed in recent years in our country." (Translators note: I would like to indicate that the overhaul of the submarine took almost ten years)

The Argentine Naval Industrial Complex (Cinar) had 374 workers assigned to the overhaul of the San Juan. A total 5000 hours of training was given for the refurbishment process.

Santiago Rodríguez, Secretary of Science, Technology and Defense Production, stressed that “the repair of the submarine has be significant towards the recovery of the metalworking industry in Argentina. The amount of complex cutting and welding developed in this project, can also be utilized in the construction of offshore platforms for oil and gas extraction."

The submarine “San Juan " will leave for the Naval Base located in the city of Mar del Plata within a few days. The vessel was lowered to the river via Syncrolift platform on 6 February with a 2.5 meter tide which assisted in the vessels departure from the shipyards. During the descent the basic checks were made, the vessel was equilibrated and was taken by two tugs to the pier, where he remained for the final checks until her departure.

As part of the mid-life repairs ARA “San Juan " it was necessary to cut the submarine in two parts. This was one of the most important tasks; The safety procedures to efficiently perform the task required two years of training and preparation work at the engineering facilities in CINAR. The shipyards have never cut a vessel in half prior to this operation.

Also, the 4 MTU diesel engines 16 cylinder V and 1200 Kw moving alternators equal amounts of 4.000 amperes, were replaced by new ones. Likewise, electric motors responsible for the movement of the propeller, received a comprehensive maintenance - which included his full disassembled, cleaned, measured, calibrated and post - installed with a replacement of resilient mounts that dampen engine vibration.

In addition the replacement each of the 960 batteries that operate the submarine, valves and other mechanisms were performed.



I will now get back to bottling my Malbec

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Equation said:

This is excellent news to Argentina Navy. Do you know if they are planning to add any more new submarines in the future?

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