Stop NATO News February 24, 2011
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1. 100 New U.S. Stealth Bombers For First Strike Against China
2. NATO To Increase Collaboration With Ukraine: Rasmussen
3. Rasmussen: NATO Cooperation Key To Ukraine’s ‘Euro-Integration’
4. State Department Eurasia Hands To Visit Balkans, Caucasus
5. India To Increase Military Spending By 25% In One Year
6. NATO “Monitoring” Iranian Ships In Mediterranean
7. Cambodia: U.S. To Lead Joint Naval-Marine Drills
8. Russia Rejects Escalation Of External Pressure On Mideast Events
9. 7th Fleet Chief: U.S., Allies Boost Warships, Subs In Asia-Pacific
10. US: Gates Meets Afghan Defense Minister At Pentagon, Clinton Meets Latvian Foreign Minister At State Department
11. West Africa: U.S. Warship Continues Africa Partnership Station
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1. 100 New U.S. Stealth Bombers For First Strike Against China
http://the-diplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2011/02/22/new-us-bomber-aimed-at-china/
The Diplomat
February 22, 2011
New US Bomber Aimed at China?
By David Axe
-[General Gary North, commander of the US Pacific Air Force] has hinted at one of the roles the new bombers might play in any future war with China. He said the key to defeating the new J-20 fighter would be to prevent it ever taking off from its mainland bases. Bombers might be used to attack Chinese airfields in the early hours of a conflict.
$3.7 billion. That’s how much the US Air Force proposes to spend over the next five years developing a new, stealthy, long-range, manned bomber likely specifically intended to penetrate Chinese air defences. The plan, included in the Obama administration’s 2012 budget, could lead to the production of around 100 new bombers by the mid-2020s — and could significantly tip the Pacific balance of power.
Last week’s bomber announcement marked the continued escalation of the arms race between the United States and China. Since early 2010, China has debuted a new stealth fighter prototype (the Chengdu J-20), brought ballistic anti-ship missiles into service and at least temporarily matched the US in sheer number of satellite launches (15). Meanwhile, the United States has deployed long-range spy drones to Guam, test-flown a new carrier-launched drone fighter and begun development of new supersonic anti-ship missiles—all in addition to the new bomber programme.
According to Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phillip Breedlove, the bomber will comprise the biggest part of a ‘family of systems’ that will also include a non-nuclear ballistic missile plus new munitions for the bomber and two types of stealthy drones that might be controlled from the bomber. The new missiles and planes will be ‘decades ahead’ of what other countries might possess, Breedlove claimed.
The Air Force might also add lethal lasers to the bomber at some point in the future, said Gen. William Fraser, head of Air Combat Command.
The Pentagon’s bomber development coincides with the scripting of a new battle plan aimed at preserving US military capabilities in the Pacific. This so-called AirSea Battle plan is meant to help coordinate US Navy and Air Force ships and planes to better defend Taiwan from possible Chinese attack, while also countering Beijing’s efforts to expand its influence beyond its territorial waters.
The United States’ current force of some 160 B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers, armed with guided bombs and missiles, already factors heavily into US Pacific war plans. But of these bombers, only the 20 B-2s have any ability to evade Chinese radars; the B-1s and B-52s could be vulnerable to Chinese fighters and surface-to-air missiles. The new bomber would likely displace some of the B-1s and B-52s and result in a more survivable long-range force.
The US Air Force base on Guam already hosts a rotating detachment of B-52s and B-2s. As the new bomber nears service, the Air Force might install new ‘hardened’ hangars—either buried or armoured—to protect the valuable planes from Chinese ballistic missiles, according to Gen. Gary North, commander of the US Pacific Air Force.
North has hinted at one of the roles the new bombers might play in any future war with China. He said the key to defeating the new J-20 fighter would be to prevent it ever taking off from its mainland bases. Bombers might be used to attack Chinese airfields in the early hours of a conflict.
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2. NATO To Increase Collaboration With Ukraine: Rasmussen
http://en.rian.ru/world/20110223/162727357.html
Russian Information Agency Novosti
February 23, 2011
NATO to boost cooperation with Ukraine – Rasmussen
Kiev: NATO plans to step up its cooperation with Ukraine in order to tackle common problems, alliance’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in an interview with the Ukrainian magazine Profil.
The text of the interview is available on the website of the magazine.
Ukraine sought NATO membership under President Viktor Yushchenko. His successor, Yanukovych, who came to power in February 2010, said the country does not seek alignment with any military bloc, but would maintain good strategic relations both with NATO and Russia.
Rasmussen emphasized that Ukraine participates in many of NATO’s drills and has advanced its capability to work together with the alliance. Rasmussen said he was confident that NATO and Ukraine would continue to fight against piracy, proliferation of mass destruction weapons and internet hackers.
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3. Rasmussen: NATO Cooperation Key To Ukraine’s ‘Euro-Integration’
http://un.ua/eng/article/314543.html
Ukrainian News Agency
February 23, 2011
NATO Says Ukraine’s Cooperation With Allies Facilitates Its Euro-Integration
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization says that Ukraine’s cooperation with the Allies facilitates its European integration, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has announced in an interview with Profile magazine.
“We respect Ukraine’s decision to announce European integration the top foreign-policy priority. And I believe that constructive partnership with the Allies can help Ukraine blaze a trail to Europe,” he said.
Rasmussen underlines that, in the annual national programme Ukraine worked out in the process of consultations with NATO, they pointed to a scope of spheres which the Ukrainian government wants to modernise, specifically elections, freedom of mass media and of civil society.
He notes, NATO backs individual freedom, human rights and democracy and believes these to be the priority values.
“I don’t think at all that a compromise between freedom and prosperity or democracy and stability is possible. On the contrary, these complement each other,” NATO Secretary-General remarked.
Rasmussen is sure that Ukraine will not deviate from the course of democracy development and rule of law, which are the main aspects of NATO-Ukraine relations.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will pay a visit to Ukraine on February 24 for meeting authorities.
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NATO intends to maintain cooperation with Ukraine [and is] satisfied with Ukraine’s fulfillment of the annual national cooperation programme for 2010.
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4. State Department Eurasia Hands To Visit Balkans, Caucasus
http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23174
Civil Georgia
February 23, 2011
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Visit Georgia
Tbilisi: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, James B. Steinberg, will visit Georgia on February 24 as part of his trip which also includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania and Bosnia on February 23-26.
In South Caucasus three countries, Steinberg will be accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip H. Gordon.
“They will meet with leaders to discuss bilateral issues and regional security. They will also engage civil society representatives and media in each country,” the U.S. Department of State said on Tuesday.
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5. India To Increase Military Spending By 25% In One Year
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/02/23/45734801.html
Voice of Russia
February 23, 2011
India increases military spending
The Indian government has decided to increase the country’s 2011-2012 defense budget by 25 percent.
According to the Indian Express newspaper, a major part of this sum – $12.4 billion – will be spent for developing new armaments and participating in international military hardware supply tenders.
The scope of finance of weapon modernization programs currently implemented by India’s Defense Ministry is expected to reach $200 billion by 2016.
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6. NATO “Monitoring” Iranian Ships In Mediterranean
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/NATO+monitoring+Iran+warships+Mediterranean/4331145/story.html
Agence France-Presse
February 23, 2011
NATO ‘monitoring’ Iran warships in Mediterranean
The NATO military alliance said Wednesday it was monitoring two Iranian warships that have entered the Mediterranean Sea, a presence that has unnerved Israel.
“We follow events in the region and we follow these two Iranian warships with as much interest as we do any other warships in the region,” said NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu.
“We are monitoring events,” she told reporters, refusing to elaborate.
The U.S. State Department said earlier that Washington would be “watching carefully to see where these ships go and the implications of that.”
The Iranian ships sailed through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean on Tuesday at a time of upheaval in Europe’s Arab neighbourhood.
It was the first time Iranian vessels entered the canal since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
En route for Syria, it took them past Israeli territorial waters and Israel put its navy on high alert, saying it would respond immediately to any “provocation.”
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7. Cambodia: U.S. To Lead Joint Naval-Marine Drills
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-02/23/c_13746501.htm
Xinhua News Agency
February 23, 2011
Cambodian, U.S naval forces to conduct joint drill this weekend
PHNOM PENH: A Cambodian and the U.S. maritime exercise will be held in Cambodia from Feb. 27 to March 2 to exchange experience between the two countries’ military forces in peacekeeping, said Chhum Socheat, spokesman for Cambodian Ministry of Defense, on Wednesday.
The drill will be conducted at three locations; one is at the naval base in Preah Sihanouk province, another at the tank commanding headquarters in Kampong Speu and the other at Pich Nil military base, he told reporters.
“It is to exchange experiences between the U.S. forces and our Cambodian forces, especially the process of peacekeeping,”he said, adding “some 500 Cambodian military forces and U.S. naval forces will be joined the drill.”
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8. Russia Rejects Escalation Of External Pressure On Mideast Events
http://en.rian.ru/world/20110223/162730574.html
Russian Information Agency Novosti
February 23, 2011
Russia not to accept pressure escalation on events in Middle East, North Africa – ministry
Mowcow: Russia will not accept attempts to escalate pressure on the events in the Middle East and North Africa, swept by unrest, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a telephone conversation with the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
Mass uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia brought the ruling regimes in the countries to the end. From Bahrain to Yemen, from Algeria to Libya, unrest has spread across the Muslim world in recent weeks as the “Arab street” vents its anger on entrenched and authoritarian leaders.
“The Russian Foreign Minister reaffirmed fundamental rejection of attempts to escalate an external pressure on the course of events in the region and called for constructive engagement of the international and Arab communities in the promotion of democratic transformation and to solve the most pressing issues currently raising in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa,” the Foreign Ministry’s said in a statement on its website.
The ministry said earlier in the day that Russia should consolidate its positions in the Middle East and North Africa.
“Major changes happening in the Middle East area are affecting the vital interests of Russia,” the ministry said. “Now ensuring the safety of Russian citizens living permanently or temporarily in the Middle East and North Africa has to be prioritized, first of all. More intensive work to consolidate the Russian position in the region on new terms was launched at the same time as a priority.”
The final, fourth plane carrying Russians to Moscow from Libya has taken off, a spokesman for Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said on Wednesday.
Russia has sent four airplanes to evacuate a total of 563 Russians from Libya, hit by mass anti-government protests.
Russia is also sending a passenger vessel, which can hold 1,000 people, from Montenegro on Wednesday. The ship will take on Russian, Turkish and Serbian passengers working in Libya under a contract with the Russian Railways. Once the passengers are on board, the vessel will head to Istanbul.
According to international organizations, up to 500 people have been killed and up to 4,000 wounded in clashes with government forces in Libya since protests against longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime began on February 15.
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9. 7th Fleet Chief: U.S., Allies Boost Warships, Subs In Asia-Pacific
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=58726
Navy NewsStand
February 22, 2011
‘Commitment Remains Steadfast’ in Asia-Pacific
By By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kenneth R. Hendrix, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs
-[T]he numbers of ships operating in the 7th Fleet on any given day are about 70 on average, which is about the same or more than it was a decade ago with increased capabilities aboard those ships today.
Van Buskirk cited the deployment to Japan of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) — with greater speed, range, ammunition stowage and endurance, as an example of how the fleet’s capabilities have increased.
HONG KONG: Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk told members of the Asia Society in Hong Kong on Feb. 21 that the Navy’s increased capabilities and growing maritime partnerships reflect an enduring commitment…in the region.
“The 7th Fleet has actually increased its capabilities in several significant ways. The ships and aircraft that we operate today are vastly more capable than they were just a few years ago. At the same time, we have enhanced our maritime partnerships with navies around the region, enabling us to work together cooperatively more than ever before,” Van Buskirk said.
He said the numbers of ships operating in the 7th Fleet on any given day are about 70 on average, which is about the same or more than it was a decade ago with increased capabilities aboard those ships today.
Van Buskirk cited the deployment to Japan of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) — with greater speed, range, ammunition stowage and endurance, as an example of how the fleet’s capabilities have increased.
He also cited the deployment of the Ohio-class fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), the 60-40 split of attack submarines from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the recent deployment of the Virginia-class submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776), which reflects the fleet’s growing capability under the sea.
Van Buskirk added that upgrades to surface ships, including Ballistic Missile Defense capability and enhanced sonar suites, making them “increasingly potent.”
He rejected the notion that the U.S., with its sluggish economy and military operations in Afghanistan, is lessening its commitment to the region.
“U.S. Navy and defense leadership continue to give me exactly the forces I need to do my mission,” Van Buskirk said.
Improvements in capability have been made even stronger by a deepening of our alliances and partnerships around the region, Van Buskirk commented.
“Our alliance with Japan continues to be the cornerstone of our forward presence in Asia….” Van Buskirk said.
He also expanded on the alliance with the Republic of Korea, interoperability with the Royal Australian Navy and growth of navy-to-navy relations in Southeast Asia.
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Van Buskirk reiterated that the U.S. Navy remains “committed and engaged”.
“That is the message. We remain committed to this region, we remain committed to the Pacific and actively engaging where ever we can to foster maritime partnerships,” he said.
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10. US: Gates Meets Afghan DM At Pentagon, Clinton Latvian FM At DoS
http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/02/23/gates-wardak-set-wide-ranging-talks
Pajhwok Afghan News
February 23, 2011
Gates, Wardak set for wide-ranging talks
by Lalit J Kha
WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is set to hold consultations on a wide range of bilateral security issues with visiting his Afghan counterpart Abdul Rahim Wardak on Wednesday.
“The secretary of defense hosts an honour cordon to welcome Afghanistan’s Minister of Defence Abdul Rahim Wardak to the Pentagon,” the Department of Defense said on Tuesday.
Gen. Wardak and Bismillah Mohammadi, the interior minister, arrived in Washington on Tuesday for bilateral talks with their American counterparts. The talks would continue until Feb. 25. The visiting ministers will also address number of Washington-based think tanks.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the current situation in Afghanistan with visiting Latvian Foreign Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis.
“Latvia has been a leading partner in our military and civilian engagements in Afghanistan. As I said at the Munich Security Conference this month, and as I emphasized to the foreign minister today as well, these times of economic uncertainty have done nothing to lessen our enduring commitment to Europe,” Clinton said.
At a joint press conference with Clinton, Kristovskis said: “We are looking further that we will participate together with US forces in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.”
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11. West Africa: U.S. Warship Continues Africa Partnership Station Visit
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=58749
Navy NewsStand
February 23, 2011
Robert G. Bradley Arrives in Gabon for APS West Mission
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darryl Wood, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/ Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
LIBREVILLE, Gabon: USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) arrived in Libreville, Gabon, for port visit as part of the Africa Partnership Station (APS) West mission, Feb. 23.
Building on the Chief of Naval Operations’ Maritime Strategy, APS seeks to enhance regional and maritime safety and security in Africa by developing partnering capabilities and relationships.
While the Navy has conducted training during routine deployments in West Africa for years, the focus of APS is increasing African maritime capabilities and capacity….
“Robert G. Bradley is looking forward to its second theater security cooperation engagement in Libreville, Gabon, fresh off a highly successful Togo visit,” said Cmdr. Darryl Brown, commanding officer of Robert G. Bradley.
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“Robert G. Bradley hopes to strengthen U.S. relations with Gabon,” said Brown.
APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships….
Robert G. Bradley, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is homeported out of Mayport, Fla., and is on a scheduled APS deployment to the West Coast of Africa.
