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Hmmm...do you think then that the Chilean Navy will acquire the second Foudre class vessel, the Siroco?

That would make two fairly decent, and relatively new large amphibious assault ships for Chile.

The Foudre was originally commissioned by France in 1990 and transferred to Chile in 2011 after only 21 years of service.

The Siroco was commissionedbt France in 1998, and if she transfers next year to Chile, that will only be after 18 years of service.

Jeff Head said:

Hmmm...do you think then that the Chilean Navy will acquire the second Foudre class vessel, the Siroco?

That would make two fairly decent, and relatively new large amphibious assault ships for Chile.

The Foudre was originally commissioned by France in 1990 and transferred to Chile in 2011 after only 21 years of service.

The Siroco was commissionedbt France in 1998, and if she transfers next year to Chile, that will only be after 18 years of service.

Click to expand...

If I was a betting man (which I am) I would say that it is a done deal. Chile has been negotiating seriously with France over these vessels. Argentina had a shot at them but turned them down (sometimes I just don’t know what they are think at the ministry of defense).

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The Air Force of Colombia transported in a C-40, 15 tons of humanitarian aid to Chile


(Defensa.com) The Colombian Air Force sent one of its C-40 cargo aircraft with 15 tons of humanitarian aid to victims of sudden rains in the Chilean Atacama Desert, one of the driest in the world, which have generated Copiapó river overflow, leaving behind thousands homeless. The aircraft dequeued Air Command Military Transport (CATAM) bound for the city of Cali, in southwestern Colombia, then stopped in Lima and arrival at 5:00 PM to Antofagasta in northern Chile, where he was given load.

The aid consists mainly of blankets, inflatable mattresses, hygiene kits and food. This operation was coordinated the FAC, the National Personnel Recovery Center, CNRP, and the Unit for Disaster Risk Management, UNGRD also chancery staff accompanies this mission.

This C-40, registration number 1208, is named "Atlas" and is one of two Boeing 737-400F aircraft that entered the country in 2013. The purchase and conversion of this aircraft was awarded to the US company AAR and perform work of transporting personnel and cargo throughout the country.





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Miragedriver said:

If I was a betting man (which I am) I would say that it is a done deal. Chile has been negotiating seriously with France over these vessels. Argentina had a shot at them but turned them down (sometimes I just don’t know what they are think at the ministry of defense).

Crying over spilt Grenache

Click to expand...

I think you are right.

Chile is going to have two very effective Amphibious assault ships...LPDs.

Argentina and Brazil signed a Joint Declaration for Democracy and Peace that addresses "the development of KC 390 and Brazil's invitation to participate in this year its first flight"


(Defensa.com) Defense Minister Argentina, Agustín Rossi, signed with his counterpart in Brazil, Jaques Wagner, a Joint Declaration for Democracy and Peace. During the meeting the two discussed issues of bilateral and regional agenda, Rossi said "multiple phonebook and look at common shared by the two countries on defense." Among the points initialed statement, Rossi said "the evolution of KC 390 and Brazil's invitation to participate this year its first flight."

Argentina, through the Aircraft Factory Argentina (Fade), contributes to the production of some components of this program tactical transport aircraft, and last year, on the occasion of the presentation of the KC 390, one referring joint statement was signed a Strategic Alliance in the Aviation Industry (IAEA).

During the meeting the officials also discussed the creation of the South American Defense College (Esude) seeking regional training of civilian and military from a South American identity: "It was driven by Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador initiative, which was approved after three years of work, "Rossi said and stated that" April 17 will be launched in Quito, at the headquarters of UNASUR 'Nestor Kirchner' ". Meanwhile, Wagner said his "first trip abroad was to Argentina to further strengthen the South American look" and remarked that "integration is fundamental and very important to continue it in the area of defense through, for example, Esude and formalization of the cooperation project around the KC 390 ".

The ministers also agreed to continue with the consolidation of the South Atlantic as a zone of peace, with a view to forthcoming meetings of the Forum South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (Zopacas). Thus they pledged to intensify joint work in Antarctic bases, which highlighted the initiative of Logistics Polo Argentina Ushuaia for regional operations.

Attended by the Secretary for Science, Technology and Defence Production, Santiago Rodríguez; Under Secretary of Defense for International Affairs, Roberto De Luise; Chief of Staff of the Ministry, Sergio Rossi; the Brazilian ambassador to Argentina; Everton Vieira Vargas; and the head of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces.





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The uncertain future of the framework agreement signed between Brazil and Argentina with a view to the provision of Gripen


(Defensa.com) Although the defense ministers of Brazil, Jaques Wagner, and Argentina, Agustín Rossi (this on the run as presidential candidate for the ruling party) signed a memorandum, pompously called "Declaration for Democracy and Peace" within which points to the possibility that Argentina could acquire up to 24 Gripen NG assembled in Brazilian territory, plus reiterated Argentina's "interest" in incorporating six KC 390, the chances of actual realization are doubted therefore ruling as Opponents of both countries.

The specifics of the reality show that the UK and its closest allies would not allow the Argentine government to deliver next-generation fighters in a project in which British and next to that country firms are party providers or consultants. In fact, as with Israel in the case of Kfir months offered the Air Force Argentina whose actual operation on combat aircraft today would not reach a dozen units- the UK and have indicated their dissatisfaction Brazilian for these efforts. In this regard are notorious multiple interest between the two countries, including at the level of defense and security, being of British origin many ships and helicopters of the Brazilian Navy, overlooking the program aimed at providing new frigates Brazil (Prosuper) has received offers from BAE, and has incorporated the new ocean patrol Amazonas class from the same supplier.

Instead, the virtual current strategic partners path Argentina, Kirchner continue in power, are and will be China and Russia (the President will visit Moscow on 22 and 23 April, invited by Vladimir Putin on an official tour that given after the trip made by the president to Argentina in July last year and reflects "the excellent bilateral relations"), together with some like-minded nations, whose military factories Argentina has begun to turn, while themselves known abject prostration . It is notorious for FADEA, which has been neglected in much not only mass production of new IA 63 "Pampa", but major maintenance and modernization of the A-58 Pucara, including Uruguayans, stopped by and said management lack of vital components accordingly.

Marking further that circumstance, the FAA has painted some of his Tucano air superiority gray color, like almost dismissing the Pucara and the naval situation nor is promisoria- comparatively more available in the fleet of Naval Aviation Uruguayan and further Chile than in Argentina- having never received the vaunted Super Etendart French, which, arguably it could maintain.

Regarding Gripen, and despite the leading role in the program will Embraer, SAAB aims to concentrate both future facilities in Sao Bernardo do Campo, as in its local partner level structures (Akaer) and other companies integrated project Local, as AEL on Mectron avionics and missiles, many of the components or optional JAS-39 NG Brazil, as for the character provider Fade KC-390 can weigh in favor of the Argentine Gripen.

Moreover, while negotiations continue, any ruling defeat in parliamentary elections or even a worsening of the Brazilian political crisis, would not rave to continue in this thesis changes, remembering that for much less, the US vetoed the sale of the Super Tucano to Venezuela and Marsh Aviation sanctioned by providing some type of modernization Venezuelans Bronco.




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The "Minesweeper" DOK-ING MV-4 enters service in the Sixth Division of the National Army of Colombia


(Defensa.com) The vehicle, which will be used in the south in clearance, is mobilized through the track system and can be equipped with additional accessories such as a tiller, roller, tweezers and blade for a wide operating range. It is estimated that more than half of the municipalities of Colombia has fields with mines, artifacts that have killed more than 11,000 people dead or injured in Colombia since 1990, the world's second most affected by this problem after Afghanistan.

The DOK-ING MV-4 is operated by remote control from a distance of up to two kilometers, has a shaft with chains and 34 flail hammers hitting the ground with a capacity of up to 900 rpm and induce detonation or destruction of artifacts. You can remove landmines installed at a depth of 30 centimeters, being able to withstand high power explosives, detonation without any fault will occur.

It will facilitate the work performed daily by anti-explosive technicians of the Sixth Division of the Army in Caquetá, Putumayo and Amazon. Once the vehicle bar field, the team with anti-explosive detection canine teams and make a new millimeter scan to verify that the area has been absolutely clean. So far this year, the Sixth Division of the Army has neutralized in the south 2,100 kilos of explosives, 1,650 antipersonnel mines and improvised explosive devices and 53 mined areas.




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The Armed Forces and National Police of Peru plan to continue operating their Antonov An-32B despite the arrival of Spartan


(Defensa.com) The recent addition of the first medium transport aircraft Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan-Air Force of Peru unchecked, at least immediately, the end of 12 Antonov An-32B currently used by Cline Armed Forces and National Police of Peru. The Air Force ranks even three An-32B - almost to the edge of life - that operate Air Orders No. 8 Group and are being gradually replaced by four Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan-: two acquired in November 2013 in the amount of $ 121.9 million (being delivered) and two in late 2014 (contract 119.4 million) to be delivered between 2016 and 2017.

The Navy - under the so-called Recovery Program Capabilities Air Transport - plans for 2015 call for an International Tender facing the Inspection Mayor and General Extension Technical Resources of the two An-32B of the Command Naval Aviation (COMAVINAV). The investment, which would at some 10.8 million, extend its life for another 20 years. Both ships acquired for resale in Hungary in 1994, should be subjected to a series of inspections in the main structure (to detect the presence of cracks, corrosion or defects), engines and auxiliary power plant, flight controls and landing gear as well as the electrical systems, fire, fuel and pneumohydraulic. In addition, modifications that will not only increase the payload of 7.5 tonnes but reduce operating costs per flight hour were made.


For its part, the Army Aviation Brigade operates - via Squadron Aircraft No. 811 - 3 An-32B incorporated in December 1994. Of these, one is fully operational and the other two due to the scarcity of multiple errors budget and administrative overhead (whose staff still continues in office) are good for almost two years ago pending undergo further inspection or an extension calendar. An unfortunate situation, considering that during the period 2010-2012 Aviation Brigade reached its An-32B operational rates and higher availability of the Armed Forces.

Finally, the Directorate for Police Aviation (DIRAVPOL) has 4 An-32B, one operating and 3 pending you can specify, via a new International Tender "Service Maintenance and Inspection Mayor", not yet available a budget. The above process, convened in mid-2014, was declared "desert" Following disclosure of the amount allocated 8.7 million was outstanding (the actual price of the work could exceed $ 15 million) and the bases process - they were ill-conceived technically - had included an unusual giving extra credit to the company that made available to the DIRAVPOL an aircraft of the same characteristics of the An-32B while wil repair work. Moreover, during the JSC Antonov process, which curiously was not invited to the process, informed the Ministry of the Interior (MININTER) that by 2014 it had given no authorization or certification to any company to perform work of overhaul and modernization in Peru.


The Antonov An-32B Cline is a medium transport aircraft designed and manufactured in Ukraine by Antonov JSC, which has a length of 23.78 m, a wingspan of 29.20 m. and a height of 8.75 m. It is powered by two engines Ivchenko Progress AI-20DM each of 5,112 hp that give a top speed of 530 km / h and a cruise of 470 km / h. The roof of operation is 9,500 m. and 2,500 km. Its maximum takeoff weight is 27,000 kg. It can carry 42 paratroopers, 50 troops or 24 stretcher

Argentine FMK-3 sub-machine gun in Uruguayan service (source:






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