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Excerpt - NAIROBI, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Rival Somali pirates arguing over what to do with a hijacked Ukrainian ship and its cargo of 33 tanks engaged in a shootout on board, killing three of their number, a maritime group said on Tuesday. ~ snip ~

Pirates who seized a Ukrainian ship off the coast of Somalia have reportedly demanded a ransom of $35m (£19m) to release the vessel and its crew.The pirates earlier warned against any attempt to rescue the crew or cargo of the MV Faina, which is carrying 33 battle tanks destined for Kenya. Pirates have seized dozens of ships near Somalia's coast in recent months. A Russian Navy vessel is heading to the region and the US says it is monitoring developments in the area. A spokesman for the pirates, who gave his name as Jalal Jama Ali, told a Somali website...

Excerpt - MOSCOW — A Russian warship on Friday rushed to intercept a Ukrainian vessel carrying 33 battle tanks and ammunition that was seized by pirates off the Horn of Africa — a bold hijacking that heightened fears about the surging piracy and high-seas terrorism. ~ snip ~

Hong Kong, China — China has recently exported T85IIM main battle tanks to Uganda, according to a military industry source. But the tanks may be more for display than for defense. “This is a very small batch, intended for a military parade only,” the source said. This would be the first instance for the Ugandan army to employ China-made tanks. The same type of main battle tank made an appearance at Sudan’s National Day military parade last year. Yet according to the source, the tanks were exported from China much earlier, possibly six or seven years ago, also in small...

The sudden war in the Caucasus brought Georgia to heel, reasserted Russia's claim as the dominant force in the region, and dealt a blow to U.S. prestige. But in this part of the world, diplomacy and war are about oil and gas as much as they are about hegemony and the tragic loss of human life. Victory in Georgia now gives Russia the edge in the struggle over access to the Caspian's 35 billion barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of gas. The probable losers: the U.S. and those Western oil companies that have bet heavily on the...

A Russian military convoy advanced to within 55 km (34 miles) of Tbilisi on Friday, a Reuters witness said, in the deepest incursion since conflict with Georgia erupted last week. The advance by some 17 armored personnel carriers (APCs) and about 200 soldiers coincided with a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to secure Georgia's signature on a French-brokered peace plan to end the fighting. (snip) The vehicles advanced unimpeded by Georgian police and army stationed along the road. A Reuters correspondent saw a military ambulance, snipers and rocket-propelled grenades. The convoy was initially shadowed by three low-flying...

"Scuba divers searching for hidden treasures at the bottom of the English Channel got more than they bargained for when they stumbled across two massive army tanks on the ocean floor." "Divers found the massive vehicles were relatively well preserved with guns still intact even after more than 64 years under sea. And by painstakingly checking minute details on the sunken vehicles against historical records, investigators managed to identify them as rare British Centaur CS IV tanks. The historic weapons were destined for battle during the D-Day landings but never arrived. Historians discovered the tanks fell overboard when a landing...

TEHRAN, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Iran has launched a production line for superior "Quick Reaction" tanks as part of the country's campaign for self-sufficiency in defense, Iran's English-language Press TV said on Monday. Iran has successfully started the production of a "Quick Reaction" tank named "Tosan", Head of the self-sufficiency unit of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) ground forces, Colonel Nasser Arab-Beigi was quoted as saying. "Military equipment needs to be upgraded in accordance with the latest developments in global technology," said Arab-Beigi, adding that the current situation calls for a significant enhancement of the country's defense capacity. The...

Every nation could be described as a manifestation of a unique trait of character and most countries furthermore nurture, give emphasize to and celebrate this national identity of theirs. Some examples of such key national characters (please DO comment if you feel inclined to); USA: Liberty Italy: Creativity France: Refinement India: Spirituality Germany: Self-discipline Finland: "Sisu" (a Finnish term meaning "To have guts") Britain: Elevatedness Denmark: "Hygge" (a Danish word meaning "Good-naturedness", of mind as well as of deed) Spain: Passion China: Cultivation Russia: Chaos - just joking, I would actually say "Heart" (in the sense of having a big...

Like pensions and insurance, defence is one of those subjects to which too many people only pay attention when things go wrong. You might think, in the light of the past decade, that this would have changed. But you would be sadly mistaken. Even today, even after Iraq, few mainstream MPs without an immediate personal or constituency interest in the subject turn up in the Commons for defence debates. Many politicians who are thoughtful about a range of domestic issues still pass by on the other side when the conversation gravitates to the military. In this they reflect the British...

Nazi tanks, half-buried for decades along Bulgaria's south-eastern border as a Cold War defence against a NATO invasion, will be auctioned next week, military officials said on Thursday. The 97 rusty World War Two relics, which have lain forgotten since communism collapsed in 1989, came into the spotlight in December when police arrested thieves who stole a rare model and reportedly smuggling it into Germany. The theft prompted a recovery operation to save the remaining machines, some of which will go to the national military history museum, while others will be sold at auction. The first auction is due on...

CAMP TAJI — Technicians are modifying M1-A2 Abrams tanks to make them more effective in the dense, urban Baghdad environment. For Multi-National Division – Baghdad tankers in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division these equipment modifications are taking place in the form of the Tank Urban Survival Kit being added to their M1-A2 Abrams tanks. In each of the Striker Brigade’s two previous deployments it operated in more rural areas of Diyala and Salah al-Din provinces. These TUSK additions include an increase to the Soldiers’ safety and the tanks’ effectiveness in operations in this area north of Baghdad....

While some Western military strategists may be predicting the demise of the tank, there is little sign that this prophecy has taken hold in the Arab World. For over a decade, countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan have worked vigorously to modernize their heavy armored fleets. They have spent billions of dollars acquiring new, state-of-the-art platforms from the foremost tank manufacturers in America and Europe and billions more upgrading their old Soviet equipment with Western technology. Corresponding improvements in training, maintenance, command and control and air-land battle tactics have given the armored forces of the Arab World a...

ATHENS, Greece: The Greek government on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the country's military to open talks on buying some 420 armored vehicles from Russia, an official said. A Defense Ministry official said senior Cabinet officials approved the start of "substantive negotiations" on the purchase, which would include talks on possible joint production of the medium-sized tanks. The official could not say how much the deal would be worth. He was speaking on customary condition of anonymity. State NET television said some €1.2 billion (US$1.8 billion) had been budgeted for the military vehicles. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is expected...

New technology that can make tanks invisible has been unveiled by the Ministry of Defence. In secret trials last week, the Army said it had made a vehicle completely disappear and predicted that an invisible tank would be ready for service by 2012...News to me...

New technology that can make tanks invisible has been unveiled by the Ministry of Defence. In secret trials last week, the Army said it had made a vehicle completely disappear and predicted that an invisible tank would be ready for service by 2012. The new technology uses cameras and projectors to beam images of the surrounding landscape onto a tank. The result is that anyone looking in the direction of the vehicle only sees what is beyond it and not the tank itself. A soldier, who was at the trials, said: "This technology is incredible. If I hadn't been present...

Army News video: Leopard 2A6M: World Class ProtectionMUNSTER, Germany - WO John Harju explains features of new Leopard 2A6M tank for Afghanistan

August 10, 2007: Crews of the latest model (M1A2) Abrams tank can't help but notice that, while their workspace is well protected, air conditioned and a smooth ride, it also resembles the inside of a space ship. The current generation of recruits grew up with video games and spectacular science fiction films. The number of gadgets inside a tank has just kept increasing over the last decade. And all the new computers, and their software, have been redesigned to make them faster and easier to use. That's handy when you are under a lot of stress, or tired from being...

Hey Minnesota Freepers! The Minnesota Military Expo is back for the first time since 9/11. This year, it looks like most events will be held at the Army Reserve base instead of the Air Force Reserve base. I've attended in the past and it has been very very interesting! Please make note of the dates and the events happening that weekend. Pass the word around to any Minnesota Freepers not on my PING list or anyone else who may be interested!

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

National Geographic channel == countdown: 15 minutes. M-1 Tank [TV-PG] Saturday, February 24, 2007, at 02P The Abrams tank is one of the most powerful land weapons systems in the world. It is also rebuilt from the ground up, rather than built new. Ultimate Factories brings you to two factories responsible for the Herculean effort of overhauling the 70 tonAbrams, to the proving grounds of Fort Bliss, Texas where the reborn tanks flex their better-than-new muscles and to the dangerous battle zones of Iraq where the tank is seeing action daily.

NEW DELHI, December 25 (RIA Novosti) - India has ordered 300 modernized T-90 main battle tanks from Russia, an Indian television channel said Monday. Under the terms of to the $950-million contract, the T-90S tanks, which are equipped with advanced fire-control systems, will be delivered to India over the next two years, an Indian military official said. The contract is part of a deal on the delivery and licensed production of T-90 tanks, signed by Russia and India in 2001. India bought 310 T-90S in 2001 for $800 million. Russia began deliveries of the first order of 124 tanks in...

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Business activity in the Chicago region slowed to its lowest level in more than three years in November, according to Chicago purchasing managers index released Thursday. The Chicago purchasing managers index fell to 49.9% in November from 53.5% in October. This is the lowest level since April 2003. The drop surprised economists, who were expecting the Chicago PMI index to rebound slightly to 54.4%. Readings below 50 indicate contraction in the region. The employment index dropped to 49.4% from 57.0%. The prices paid index fell to 60.2% from 62.5% in October. The new orders index fell to...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 28, 2006) -- "Adrenaline rush" doesn't describe what it's like to stand next to a tank as it fires. It's as if Thor, Norse god of thunder, got his Viking shorts in a bunch because someone makes a noise louder than him, so he grabs hold of the adrenal glands and squeezes for all he's worth. The ear-cracking, rib-crunching, earth-shaking "boom" of the M-1A1 Main Battle Tank's 120 mm main-gun round firing is nothing short of unnatural. It's the sound of a thousand trees snapping in half all at once, the smack of a semi truck...

10/25/2006 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Vladimir Tchekan's life almost reads like a movie script. He has dodged tanks, was a musician in a popular rock band and even helped orphans in Thailand. Sergeant Tchekan is not a movie star, but he is living the American dream - Air Force style. Born and raised in Moscow, Sergeant Tchekan spent his youth living under the thumb of the Russian Communist regime. The son of a railroad engineer and doctor, Sergeant Tchekan's dream was to study music. However, when his turn came to serve in the Russian military,...

10/10/2006 - MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) -- Normally they move people, humanitarian supplies, troop rations and equipment, but Airmen with the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron's Detachment 1 here were tasked Oct. 7 to move different equipment -- several 30-foot, 100,000 pound Canadian tanks. The C-17 Globemaster III "Spirit of McChord" and its crew made two trips to Kandahar AB, Afghanistan, in one day to transport the equipment for Canadian ground forces supporting the NATO mission. Col. Michael McLean, Canadian Defense Attaché, said the Leopard tanks will support Canadian troops by providing greater mobility on the ground and more flexible...

Merkava tank production to stop within four years. Leaders of the project decided that the benefits do not justify the cost of the product. Amnon Barzilai 28 Sep 06 16:21 The IDF has decided that the Merkava tank production line will be shut down within four years. "Globes" reports that the decision to stop production of the tank, one of the most expensive projects in the history of Israel's military industries and the pride of the army, was made shortly before the outbreak of the war in Lebanon. Leaders of the project decided that the benefits do not justify the...

Why did the safest tank in the world not withstand the second Lebanon war? Too many times during the recent war, the man in the tank was defeated. The Armored Corps is examining itself, and revealing that the failure derives from budgets cuts, but also from improper use of the tanks in enemy territory, as a result of inexperience of soldiers in the field. Fifty Israel Defense Forces tanks were damaged during the 34 day war in Lebanon , 30 soldiers and officers from the corps were killed and more than 100 were injured, including two battalion commanders. These are...

American armored vehicles took a real beating in Iraq, even if they were never hit by enemy fire. The heat, the sand, and the constant work wears these vehicles down. So the U.S. Army has come up with a $700,000 "reset" process that refurbishes and upgrades M-1 tanks to M-1A1SA models. What the crews particularly like about these SA (Situational Awareness) models is the new Blue Force Tracker (BFT) gear, which reliably shows them where all friendly (BFT equipped) vehicles are at all times, on a map display. Then there is the new and improved thermal sights, that provide better...

One of the major military surprises of the fighting in Lebanon has been the apparent vulnerability of Israeli armour to Hezbollah anti-tank rockets. --- The AT-13 Metis or Saxhorn is a modern tube-launched successor to the Sagger. Its tandem-shaped warhead can punch through armour of up to 46cm (18 inches) thick. The tandem warhead is designed to counter reactive armour as used on many Israeli vehicles. Reactive armour is essentially made up of explosive pads or bricks on the outside of the tank which explode outwards when hit by an incoming missile. This disrupts the effect of the missile warhead,...

Just saw on Fox that the IDF is monitoring unusual activity on Syrian border in the Golan Heights...tanks there, they are removing land mines at the border...not up on their website yet

Missiles neutralizing Israeli tanks By BENJAMIN HARVEY, Associated Press Writer JERUSALEM - Hezbollah's sophisticated anti-tank missiles are perhaps the guerrilla group's deadliest weapon in Lebanon fighting, with their ability to pierce Israel's most advanced tanks. Experts say this is further evidence that Israel is facing a well-equipped army in this war, not a ragtag militia. Hezbollah has fired Russian-made Metis-M anti-tank missiles and owns European-made Milan missiles, the army confirmed on Friday. In the last two days alone, these missiles have killed seven soldiers and damaged three Israeli-made Merkava tanks — mountains of steel that are vaunted as symbols of...

Foxnews Alert!

Our guys having some fun.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli tanks and troops clashed with militants in eastern Gaza early Saturday, Palestinian security officials said, as Israel moved to broaden an incursion to force the release of a captured soldier. The Israeli forces, including some 15 tanks, entered eastern Gaza near the Karni commercial crossing, moving along the border just a quarter mile from the densely populated Shajaiyeh neighborhood, according to the Palestinian witnesses. A short while later, the Israeli air force fired missiles at a group of militants gathered at the outskirts of Shajaiyeh, injuring at least two people, Palestinian security and hospital...

Israel tanks seen in Gaza advance Israeli tanks have been massing close to Gaza for days A small force of Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles has reportedly moved into northern Gaza, near a former Jewish settlement. News agencies and Palestinian witnesses reported the movement after a second rocket hit the Israeli city of Ashkelon but it was not confirmed by the army. The rocket from the Gaza Strip landed harmlessly in a green space though some people were treated for shock. Israel has been raiding Gaza since the capture of a soldier on 25 June. Before Tuesday, Ashkelon was thought...

CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq (June 28, 2006) -- Marines of Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion are supporting the grunts of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment by maintaining a constant presence with their M1-A1 Main Battle Tanks along the main highways in the battalion’s new area of operations. “We’re operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michael J. Kadlub, a tank commander for 2nd Platoon. “There’s always somebody out there.” The tanks followed Darkhorse to Habbaniyah when the battalion moved west from Fallujah at the end of May. The transition to the new battle space was eased...

A few years ago, I remember seeing on FreeRepublic an article about a British experimental light tank which had a chassis/body/armor made entirely out of ceramics. It could stop a HEAT round or a standard AT round, didn't have a very big cannon, etc. I've been trying to find this again, and can't locate it. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? P.S. NOT "Chobham armor," but an ENTIRE ceramic tank.

Belgrade daily Blic published a September 12 story on the so-called export trump cards for the Serbian military industry. The daily said that the most attractive local military products are the M84AB1 main battle tank and the NORA B. howitzer. The M84AB 1 main battle tank is a modern version of the M84/84A and M84AB. The tank is the modified Yugoslav version of the Soviet T 72. In the 1980s several hundred of the tanks were manufactured, including 150 which were sold to Kuwait. The Serbian media continue to give the tank mythical traits, citing rumors from Desert Storm. The...

THE first five of 59 Abrams battle tanks for the Australian Army rolled off a United States production line this week. Defence said the newly refurbished tanks remained on schedule for introduction to Australian service. The first are destined for army training schools in Australia later this year. They will enter operational service in Darwin by mid-2007. Defence said in a statement a ceremony marking completion of the first five vehicles was held at the Joint Services Manufacturing Centre in Lima, Ohio. It was attended by Australian Defence Organisation representatives. These tanks will go to Fort Hood, Texas, in preparation...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

12/28/2005 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- A-10 Thunderbolt IIs continue taking the fight to the enemy by providing close air support to U.S. and coalition forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. Shortly after deploying in September to this base at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains from Davis-Monthan Air Base, Ariz., the 354th Fighter Squadron “Bulldogs” began making history. “Our A-10s have provided non-stop presence and lethal firepower since we arrived,” said the squadron commander Lt. Col. Martha McSally. “From ensuring the success of Afghanistan’s first-ever provincial elections on Sept. 18 to the first seating of an...

that time of week again (actually I’m late): the IED roll-up. Before I begin, I want to mention another success story that may have gone unnoticed. iraqi army tanks I don’t watch TV, so I don’t know what kind of press coverage this is getting, but the Iraqis have recently received 77 tanks and 36 BMP (infantry fighting vehicles) that were donated by NATO nations. The vehicles were refurbished into practically brand new conditions and were paraded for all to see on Nov. 17. Again, I’ll have pictures later tonight (boy, I’m going to be busy). Iraqi NCOs have also...

The first and probably the world's only operationally deployed APS developed by the Russian KBP company was the 1030M Drozd (Thrush), a which was first installed on a T- 55AD MBT in 1983s. The automatic system is capable of defeating anti-tank guided missiles and grenades, approaching at speeds between 70 to 700 meters per second. The system employed eight 107mm anti-missile rockets, triggered by a pair of millimeter-wave radar sensors mounted on either side of the turret facing forwards. This configuration utilized the turret traverse to slew the protective devices into position. The rockets use time delay fuzing to activate...

Produced by: Electromachina JSC, Russia A typical deployment of IR jammer can be seen on the Russian T-90, which mounts the Shtora-1 Defensive Aids System (DAS) shown on picture, with Kontakt5 ERA modules (left). The system protects the tank against guided missiles, using both the semi-active command to line of sight (SACLOS) guidance, by an IR source that mimics the flare on the back of missiles, as well as laser beam riders and laser-homing weapons. It should be effective against missiles such as the TOW, HOT, AT-4, AT-5 and Sagger (Malyutka). The Russian system also has some capability to counter...

Heavy tank Weight: 50? tons Length: 6,982 m Width: 3,582 m Height: 1,80 m Armour: active mm Gun: 125 mm Crew; 3(-5?) Engine: 16/1200 hps turbo diesel Speed: 54 km/h "Tjorny Aryol" (Black Eagle) was shown for the first time at an international exhibition of armaments in Russia in 1997 (picture). This tank has a entirey new thinking where the turret don't have any crew inside. They dwell in the main hull separated from the main gun ammunition that is stored in the rear and under the turret. The fireing system has automatic loading which increases the rate of...

Iraqi Gen. Bashar, commander of the 9th Mechanized Division, drives the first tank off-loaded on the second day of deliveries. Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell Iraqi Army Takes Delivery of Tanks, Vehicles The vehicles will equip two tank battalions and one mechanized battalion of the 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) 2nd Brigade. By U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie JewellMultinational Security Transition Command-Iraq TAJI, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2005 — The largest equipment donation to the Iraqi Army to date - dozens of T-72 tanks and armored personnel carriers - arrived at Taji Military Base over...

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The T-72 main battle tanks donated to the Iraq Army could be impounded before they reach Baghdad. A U.S. company has sued the Iraqi Defense Ministry in a Kuwaiti court for lack of payment in a contract to refurbish the T-72s. The company, Defense Solutions LLC, has sought to impound the tanks when they arrive in Kuwait. Last week, the Iraq Army accepted delivery of the first T-72s. The T-72s have been donated by Hungary and shipped by NATO for the new Iraq Army Ninth Division, meant to be a motorized armor unit.

BAGHDAD, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Iraq's underequipped new army has received 77 tanks and 36 troop carriers donated by the Hungarian government and NATO, the ministry of defence said on Saturday. Disbanded after the fall of Saddam Hussein in April 2003, the army is now being rebuilt from scratch as it battles an insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives since then. Major General Salih Sirhan said the tanks and troop carriers, as well as four rescue trucks, had been delivered to Taji base south of Baghdad. All were previously used by the Hungarian army and have been refitted, he...

TAJI, Iraq Iraq's new army has gotten some hand-me-down tanks. The defense ministry says its taken delivery of 77 refurbished T-72 tanks, 36 armored personnel carries and four recovery vehicles. The military hardware comes from NATO nations including Hungary, which donated all the tanks. The 45-ton, Soviet-designed war machines can travel 35 miles-an-hour and fire eight rounds a minute. The T-72's are the same kind used by Saddam Hussein's old army. Many of the tank drivers in the new army trained on them.