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ESTONIA AND NATO - SIIL EXERCISE / STEADFAST JAVELIN.

Between 4 and 15 May took place in Estonia joint multinational exercise Siil / Steadfast Javelin. Its importance was that it were not only the maneuvers of greater magnitude NATO so far this year but also represented a major challenge for the Estonian armed forces, which mobilized large numbers of men and means, including reservists .

Alongside local forces soldiers from Germany, Belgium, United States, Britain, the Netherlands, Latvia and Poland they were exercised. In all, some 20,000 men with their tanks, VCTPs, VCBRs, artillery and fighter-bombers were mobilized for maneuvers.

The objective of the exercise Siil / Steadfast Javelin is staging test, not only of permanent readiness of the troops but also the response of the reserve forces. The maneuvers also aim to get mobilized personnel, foreign forces from the QRF and exercise the operational and tactical capabilities of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian defense forces, which used the occasion for all of its media. It is recalled that the Estonian Defense Forces, which have two decades of existence, received 3,500 recruits a year and have a significant number of reservists (over 60,000).

Siil / Steadfast Javelin was conducted in training camps and Estonian forces around them, having to operate participants land where civilians were present, performing their daily life as it would in a real conflict.


M-1A2 Abrams tanks take position around the town Oandu, Estonia before their advance. The exercise also included Siil operations in populated areas. Image: US Army - Sgt 1st Class Joshua S. Brandenburg.

Participating nations and means deployed to Siil / Steadfast Javelin included:

- Germany: 80 soldiers FlaRakGrp (Flugabwehrraketengruppe) 61 of the Luftwaffe based in Panker / Todendorf. They brought with them defense systems of low altitude Ozelot / Wiesel 2 being deployed at the airbase of Ämari.

- Belgium: 60 soldiers of the 43rd Battery of the 14th Regiment Anti-AircraftArtillery (14A) based enLombardsijde, which participated with Mistral missiles.

- US: Soldiers belonging to the 91st Cavalry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Grafenwohr, Germany and soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart. They were deployed together with M-1A2 Abrams tanks HMMVWs and different vegetables. The USAF bring a TSP (Theatre Security Package) A-10C Thunderbolt II.

- Estonia: More than 12,000 men, including members of the Defence Force and reservists. The 1st Infantry Brigade mobilized VCBRs, support vehicles, artillery and engineers. The air force brought helicopters R-44.

-Great Britain: 4 Eurofighter Typhoon belonging to the 121st Expeditionary Air Wing 6 (F) Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth, deployed from the air base of Amari, Estonia. The Typhoon, who are conducting the mission of Baltic Air Police, would be reinforced Hawk trainers.

- The Netherlands and Latvia: infantry units.

- Poland: 4 Su-22 from the 21st Regiment Tactical with air defense unit equipped with SA-8. Both SDAs with their pilots, operators and support staff were based at the airbase of Ämari.

As mentioned previously, they acted ground units across several training camps Estonians and surrounding populations. The operations included actions armored, infantry, artillery and engineers.

Air units provided close support to ground forces as well as simulated attacks Ämari airbase in order to test the air defense units present. They also performed launch of ammunition on the firing cap.

The commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Riho Terras said that during his magazine to the troops involved pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of the same, concluding that "... (exercise) demonstrated the will of the reserve forces in Regarding the defense of his nation as well as the correct operation of reservists. " It also would emphasize integration with NATO forces.

Siil / Steadfast Javelin is one of the many answers from NATO to the Russian activity, with the overall objective to further unify the allied nations and in particular to strengthen the position of the Alliance in the nations of Eastern Europe.


Estonian soldiers seen as a column of HMMWVs 173rd Airborne Brigade of advances by Siil position during exercise. Image - US Army Sgt 1st Class Joshua Brandenburg.


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FDF explains features of ITO15 (Stinger) missile. Includes footage of target drones being shot down.

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Naval Today said:

During recent counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, Operation Atalanta warships ESPS Galicia and ESPS Infanta Cristina conducted a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with French Navy ship, FS Var, which is currently deployed as part of the Combined Maritime Forces in the region.

During the RAS, which is a highly specialized manoeuvre that requires ships to sail very close to each other to enable fuel to be passed across via hoses, other stores were also transferred to the warships by helicopter.

The RAS highlights the close cooperation that exists between EU Naval Force warships and the other Task Forces operating in the region.

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The Spanish have two of the Galicia class LPDs. They are quite nice vessels, displacing 14,000 tons.

was commissioned in 1998 and in 2000. Galicia and Castilla are based at the in Spain.

The vessels were the result of a joint project between and the for developing a common LPD. This resulted in the Spanish Galicia-class and the Netherlands .

Nice ships.

France Sends Battle Tanks to Poland

As NATO continues to beef up its presence in Eastern Europe, France has deployed a squad of Leclerc battle tanks into Poland for . It’s the latest example of the West accusing Russia of military aggression while it, in fact, takes steps toward establishing a stronger NATO.

On Monday, 15 Leclerc main battle tanks (MBTs) left France en route for Poland. Part of the 12ème Régiment de Cuirassiers, France has also deployed a platoon from the 16ème Bataillon de Chasseurs which includes four infantry fighting vehicles, and a platoon from the 13ème Régiment du Génie.

Only in service in 1992, the Leclerc’s aren’t exactly battle-hardened. Seeing minimal action in Kosovo and Lebanon, the tanks have never been used directly in a high-intensity conflict.

Earlier on Tuesday, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski also indicated that he would negotiate with the United States to purchase medium-range Patriot defense missiles. This decision was in response to a vague, unspecified "threat from the east," mentioned by President Komorowski last year.

Some experts have suggested that the missile purchase could be a political move for the upcoming Polish elections in May.

"At a time of an armed conflict in Ukraine Bronislaw Komorowski wants to present himself as a strong commander-in-chief," political marketing specialist Wieslaw Galazka told Wirtualna Polska news.
Staff operate at the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) technical center, at NATO's military headquarters SHAPE in Mons, southwestern Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013. The NCIRC protects NATO systems and information from any form of attack and from deliberate or accidental exposure.

The Western military alliance has also been increasing its presence in Baltic nations. Latvia has expressed its desire to host a permanent battalion of NATO troops.

"At the present moment, we are looking for an air defense system," Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Vejonis told Sputnik on Tuesday. "Of course, we will discuss possible permanent NATO presence in the region – it is a key question for us."

NATO is also launching a series of cyber war exercises in Estonia. Though these are not officially in response to a perceived Russian threat, Rob Pritchard, a cybersecurity expert at the in London, indicated a likely connection.

"Russia is currently looming large on the NATO radar, and the exercise is likely to simulate attacks similar to those used by the Russian state, and state-backed actors," Pritchard was quoted by the Associated Press.

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Airbus confirms power failure in 3 engines on the A400M accident


(Defensa.com) Airbus Defence and Space has sent a Transmission Information Accident (Accident Information Transmission - AIT), updating the News Alert (Alert Transmission Operator - AOT) sent on 19 May to all operators in the A400M. This AIT reports that DFDR readings (data recorder) and VSC (voice recorder) have been satisfactorily completed and preliminary analysis conducted by the CITAAM with technical advice from representatives of Airbus DS, confirm that engines 1, 2 and 3 experienced a freeze on power after takeoff A400M and did not respond to attempts by the crew to control the power level in the usual way, while the motor 4 responded to the demands of acceleration.

When power levels established in "flight idle" (idle position flight), in an attempt to reduce the power, power is reduced but then remained in "flight idle" in all three engines affected for the remainder of flight, despite attempts by the crew to regain power. The statement, reported by the manufacturer is consistent with all three engines affected by the problem identified in the AOT May 19. Airbus Defence and Space did then issued a press release in which he reported a statement warning issued on May 19 operators transport plane A400M informing specific checks that had to be made to the fleet.

"To avoid potential risks in any future flight, Airbus Defence and Space has informed the operators on the necessary actions to take. Also, these results have been shared immediately with the official investigation team. The AOT requires operators to make unique and specific checks Electronic Control Units (ECU) in each of the plane's engines before their next flight and detailed additional checks to be carried out in the case of any subsequent change of engine or ECU "stated the release.


This AOT, which became "independent of the official investigation underway", as reported by the company, is the result of an internal analysis by the company and reported as part of the aircraft maintenance activity. The Electronic Control Unit and redundant digital control system FADEC (Full Authority Digital Controls) of the TP400-D6 engines are supplied by the company Hispano Suiza, the French group Safran. The ECU is responsible for reviews of the engines as the fuel supply system, the FADEC, the variable geometry of the engine, propeller or box accessory drive (AGB) functions. Hispano Suiza selected in 2005 by British manufacturer BAE Systems to develop the engine FADEC.

Preliminary analyzes have shown that all other aircraft systems behaved normally and have not identified any other abnormality during flight. Consequently, Airbus Defence and Space advises that it has no additional to those identified in the AOT May 19 recommendation. The investigation continues and the manufacturer will provide further updates in the event of material new information.

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US Navy 6th Fleet said:

Seventeen NATO and partner nations will participate in the 43rd iteration of the multinational maritime exercise BALTOPS 2015 in Poland, Sweden, Germany, and throughout the Baltic Sea, June 5-20.

BALTOPS is an annually reoccurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region.

"This exercise represents an important opportunity for our forces, as allies and partners, to enhance our ability to work together and strengthen capabilities required to maintain regional security. This exercise will be conducted in a truly joint environment, and I look forward to working with and learning from so many different nations and services." - Vice Adm. James Foggo III, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO

Approximately 5,600 ground, maritime and air forces from participating nations will conduct air defense, maritime interdiction, anti-subsurface warfare, and amphibious operations in a joint environment.

While BALTOPS remains a U.S.-led exercise, Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) is responsible for executing this year's exercise.

BALTOPS is an exercise that brings together both NATO and non-NATO countries to increase interoperability in the spirit of the Partnership for Peace program.

A total of 49 ships, 61 aircraft, one submarine, and a combined landing force of 700 Swedish, Finnish, and U.S. troops are scheduled to participate.

Participants in #BALTOPS2015 include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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Futur FFG TF-2000, first named Istanbul powerful but definitive design ?

Wow...PARs, 112 VLS cells? 8 x ASM. RAM and Phalanx. Lots of capability. A DDG in reality and a very capable one. I wonder of 7,000 tons is full load?

Seems much anyway look like 055 also no joking in fact sceptical...

Jeff Head said:

Wow...PARs, 112 VLS cells? 8 x ASM. RAM and Phalanx. Lots of capability. A DDG in reality and a very capable one. O wonder of 7,000 tons is full load?

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recently in
Turkey Military News Thread
I asked a new member
Turk
this:

Jura said:

so, Turk, why don't you tell us how is the TF-2000 project going ... is it still in a design stage? the recent article I found a moment ago using google is dated and is vague:

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and the response was:

Turk said:

Anybody dont know how is going TF-2000 project because of it s a secret... But we know that TF-2000 will have so advanced indigeneus radar called ÇAFRAD. So we are waiting to finish ÇAFRAD. When we get ÇAFRAD, TF-2000 will design.
Absolutely I can say only that TF-2000 will be the most advanced Frigate. But I cant say which air defence missile or other weapons will use at this time ( Laser weapon will use ). Because The tecnology is getting advanced everyday and the standards are changing..
I present an official data:

As a follow-on of MİLGEM concept, in addition to performing regional air defense function, TF-2000 project will carry Turkish Naval Forces to the new generation frigate.

The decision was taken in September 2013 by Defense Executive Committee for the realization of the Project in three phase; namely “design”, “prototype ship construction” and “serial production”.

Acquisition of this type of ship, first of all, is aimed to enhance our anti air warfare capabilities as well as other warfare capabilities with the contribution of national defense industry. Evolved command/control, communication (C3), sensor and weapon systems are expected to increase the depth of defense of our homeland starting from long distances and survivability of our task groups at sea.

Great effort was put for indigenous production of the most important sensor, the Multi-Purpose Phased Array Radar (ÇAFRAD), for anti-air warfare. As a result of this effort the contract was signed between Undersecretariat of Defense Industry (SSM) and ASELSAN in September 2013. The above mentioned phased array radar will have the capability to detect the surface and air tracks from a long distance and provide data to engage if required with in the longest possible range of weapons which will create a layered air defense.

Within the context of the regional air defense architecture, weapons selection process is ongoing.

Nationally developed indigenous GENESİS Combat Management System (CMS) for MİLGEM project will be upgraded and used also in TF-2000 project.

As it is one of our highest priorities, capabilities which will be gained through TF-2000 project is going to be interoperable with our allies’ systems.

Currently, preparations of “Design Phase” of the regional air defense frigate is underway. It is expected to commence the project as of mid-2015.

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hope this helps