SpaceWar Oct 02, 2015: France tests updated submarine nuclear missileIndia commissions guided missile destroyer...

October 02, 2015

France tests updated submarine nuclear missile Paris (UPI) Oct 1, 2015 - France reports it has successfully conducted an underwater launch of a new variant of its M-51 strategic ballistic missile. The M-51 is currently carried by two of the French Navy's four nuclear submarines. The new variant is slated for all the service's nuclear missile submarines by the end of the decade. The Directorate General of Armaments, the French military procurement agen ... more

USS Ronald Reagan arrives in Japan for security support Yokosuka, Japan (UPI) Oct 1, 2015 - The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, on Thursday for security support in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is currently the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, and the fifth carrier deployed to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. The fleet is the largest of all the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed fleets, with 6 ... more

U.S. Army awards General Dynamics $358 million for tank upgrades Sterling Heights, Mich. (UPI) Sep 30, 2015 - The U.S. Army has contracted General Dynamics Land Systems for a $358 million Foreign Military Sales contract to upgrade 150 M1A1 Abrams tanks for the Kingdom of Morocco. Under the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command contract, the tanks will be completely disassembled and brought to zero-mile condition. Each tank will be upgraded to the M1A1 SA, or situational awareness, config ...more

India commissions guided missile destroyer New Delhi (UPI) Sep 30, 2015 - The Indian Navy's newest Kolkota-class guided missile destroyer, the INS Kochi, was commissioned into service on Wednesday at a shipyard in Mumbai. The ship, the second of three destroyers built under Project 15A, is 538 feet long, displaces 8,267 tons and can achieve a speed of more than 30 knots. It is fitted armed with active phased array radar and carries BrahMos surface-to-s ...more

Europe urges militaries to 'go green' Brussels (UPI) Sep 30, 2015 - The European Defence Agency is encouraging European countries and their armed forces to use more renewable energy to help transition the continent to a low-carbon economy. Calling the environmental factors increasingly "hard to overlook," the EDA says it would be better for the armed forces in Europe to adopt more sustainable practices. This includes deploying troops to low-footprint an ... more

Israeli-made Dominator UAV tested in Mexico Yavne, Israel (UPI) Oct 1, 2015 - Israeli defense contractor Aeronautics Ltd. is flight testing its Dominator XP unmanned aerial vehicle in Mexico, which has purchased the system. The Dominator XP is a medium-altitude long-endurance aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and is based on the DA-42 twin star, an Austrian commercial plane. It has a length of 28.3 feet, a maximum speed of ... more

Russia launches new strikes on foes of Syria's Assad Beirut (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - Russian warplanes unleashed a new wave of strikes against opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Thursday, as Moscow and Washington sought ways to avoid confrontation between their forces. It was the second straight day of Russian raids in Syria, where Moscow has launched its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Rus ... more

Russia hitting all of Assad's opponents: analysts Beirut (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - Syrian rebels who oppose both the regime and the Islamic State group have been hit hardest by Russian air strikes, showing Moscow's determination to defend President Bashar al-Assad against all enemies, analysts say. More than four years into Syria's devastating war, Russian warplanes began air strikes there on Wednesday, saying they were targeting IS jihadists and "other terrorist groups". ... more

Russia strikes add to chaotic mix of players and interests in Syria Paris (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - The start of Russian air strikes in Syria has added yet another dimension to a war that already featured multiple actors pulling in different directions and serving their own interests, say experts. "We've seen incredibly complicated, multi-faceted conflicts in the past," said Shashank Joshi, senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, giving the Bosnian war of ... more

Russia rejects Western criticism of Syria strikes Moscow (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - Russia on Thursday rejected accusations its air strikes in Syria targeted moderate rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad instead of Islamic State militants, as it prepared for urgent military talks with the United States to head off possible clashes. Senior US officials had expressed alarm after Russian warplanes began their first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since ... more

Pakistan kills 25 militants in northwest: military Islamabad (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - Pakistan's military said it had killed 25 militants in air strikes along its restive border with Afghanistan on Thursday as part of a major offensive to clear Taliban and Al-Qaeda strongholds that began last year. The strikes were carried out close to the Datta Khel area of the North Waziristan tribal region, the main bastion of Islamist militants who rose up against the state in 2004. " ... more

Austrian Army receiving Saab training system Linkoping, Sweden (UPI) Sep 30, 2015 - The Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense has contracted Saab of Sweden to supply the Austrian Army with a new advanced training system. The contract, valued at more than $23 million, includes Saab's next generation of soldier training systems with new add-on equipment that will extend the Saab system currently in use and also Austria's existing vehicle and anti-tank training systems. ... more

Pentagon concerned about defense industry mergers Washington (UPI) Oct 1, 2015 - The Pentagon's top weapons buyer has voiced concern that major security industry deals like Lockheed Martin's purchase of Sikorsky could hinder innovation. U.S. regulators approved Lockheed Martin's $9 billion acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft in September, finding the deal did not violate any antitrust laws. The Defense Department did not attempt to block the deal, however Under Secreta ... more

Israel PM imposes silence on UN over Iran deal United Nations, United States (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - Israel's prime minister savaged the nuclear deal with Iran, falling silent for nearly a minute at the United Nations Thursday in protest and offering to resume direct peace talks with the Palestinians. Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly as he seeks to repair ties with President Barack Obama, damaged by the Iran deal and the Israeli leader's rejection, while seeking re-election ... more

Japan seeking to build submarines in Australian shipyards Washington (UPI) Oct 1, 2015 - Japan's Ministry of Defense will submit a proposal to the Australian government to construct submarines and train engineers at local shipyards. The proposal outlines a plan supporting Australia's construction of Japan's Soryu-class submarine, a leading bid for the Royal Australian Navy's requirement for Future submarines. The Soryu class is Japan's first air-independent propulsion subma ... more

BAE Systems developing new, digital EW system for F-15s Nashua, N.H. (UPI) Oct 1, 2015 - A new, all-digital electronic warfare system for U.S. Air Force F-15s is to be developed by BAE Systems under a contract received from Boeing. BAE Systems said the system is part of a multi-billion dollar program to develop the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System, or EPAWSS, an integrated system to provide enhanced aircraft protection and improved situational awareness. ... more

Saab to support Australia's C-RAM components Adelaide, Australia (UPI) Oct 1, 2015 - Saab is providing support services for the Australian Defense Force's Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System capability under a new $18.5 million contract. The contract, which includes five one-year options, could run until 2024. Saab said the C-RAM capability components to be supported under this contact are Saab's Giraffe agile multi-beam radar, Giraffe training simulator ... more

Iran rejects claims of sending arms to Yemen in boat Tehran (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - Iran rejected as "propaganda" on Thursday claims that a seized fishing boat loaded with weapons heading to Yemen was Iranian, the official IRNA news agency reported. The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday that it had seized an Iranian fishing boat in the Arabian Sea loaded with weapons and destined for Shiite rebels it is fighting in Yemen. A coalition statement said 14 Iranians as we ... more

Fresh blast rocks Chinese town: state media Beijing (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - A fresh explosion rocked a Chinese town Thursday, a day after 17 parcel bombs killed at least seven people and wounded scores more, state media reported. No injuries were reported in the latest blast, which came hours after apartment buildings were brought down and a supermarket was shattered in a wave of bombings in southwest Guangxi. Police were quick to rule out a "terrorist act", say ...more

Israel PM calls for peace talks with Palestinians United Nations, United States (AFP) Oct 1, 2015 - Israel's prime minister went to the United Nations on Thursday to call for an immediate resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians and to savage the international community's nuclear deal with Iran. "I am prepared to immediately, immediately resume direct peace negotiations with the Palestinians without any preconditions whatsoever," Benjamin Netanyahu told the General Assembly. Add ... more

Parácuaro Autodefensa Leader Assassinated Dedos Blancos of Antrax Gunned Down in Culiacán 700 families flee death in Chihuahua...

Borderland Beat

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• Parácuaro Autodefensa Leader Assassinated
• Dedos Blancos of Antrax Gunned Down in Culiacán
• 700 families flee death in Chihuahua

Parácuaro Autodefensa Leader Assassinated Posted: 01 Oct 2015 07:14 PM PDT Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat A shootout between suspected criminals and members of the autodefensas of Tierra Caliente left two people dead in Michoacán.  The incident took place at noon in the village of Los Bancos, located in the municipality of Parácuaro. The men that died were identified as Jaime Oseguera González, “El Jamo”, who was allegedly the leader of the autodefensas of Parácuaro and his bodyguard whose name hasn't been identified yet. At the time of this report, a strong operation by the Federal Police and the Mexican Army is taking place in order to establish the whereabouts of the gunmen who killed these two men. Source: 1aplana

Dedos Blancos of Antrax Gunned Down in Culiacán Posted: 01 Oct 2015 06:02 PM PDT Lucio R. Borderland Beat posted by SiskiyouKid-Thank you to "M" for the photos-from Debate At a gym in a Culiacan commercial center on Isla Musala [near where Ivan Guzman's cars were recently seized] a man was pursued and wounded by gunfire as he drove his 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The victim appears to have been the owner of the business where the attack occurred.  At 2:15 yesterday, Ruben Jimenez Molina, 39 years old, was shot by several individuals who fired at him, he drove wounded through the streets looking for help, hitting several other cars in the process. He arrived at the IMSS public hospital in the Infonavit Humaya neighborhood and was treated for his injuries and died.  It has been reported that Jimenez Molina was known as "El de Los Dedos Blancos" and that he was a half-brother of assassinated chief of Los Antrax Francisco "Pancho" Arce.  Ruben Jimenez Molina had survived several previous attempts on his life. This included an attack in January, 2010 by men with AK-47's at an Oxxo store in the Infonavit Humaya neighborhood while he was driving a yellow 2009 Camaro. He survived, despite more than 60 shots being fired, with at least 30 hitting the glass and body of the Camaro.

700 families flee death in Chihuahua Posted: 01 Oct 2015 11:21 AM PDT Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article and image from Google Maps [ Subject Matter: Milpillas, Las Chicanas, Los Salazar, Sinaloa Cartel Recommendation: If you don't know who Los Salazar are, see link to article by Havana Pura] Click on image to enlarge, marker is the location of Milpillas Around 700 families fled Milpillas and Las Chinacas communities in Chinipas, after attacks by a new criminal group. On Sunday the 20th, armed men arrived at these villages, killed two men, burned three houses and strafed one more with gunfire, that was found to be empty. After the events, the villagers fled their houses terrified. In the crossfire, a child of nine years old was shot, and there are other injured children. There are two dead men and others disappeared, the only families that stayed are those that are burying their dead, and the families of the two young men that were kidnapped, said a farm worker. The villagers of Chinipas have been accustomed to the fear and uncertainty because of the actions of this regions resident criminal group, but on Thursday the 3rd the fear started to grow when three leaders of the group that dominate the zone "Los Salazar" were executed outside of Milpillas. They were Jesus Guellermo Vega, 50 years of age, Abel Olivas Ramos, 49 years of age and Edgar Munoz Rodriguez, 38 years of age, two of them were burnt. This event complicated things more. first the two families of the dead men fled, and a few days later they said that another 15 families had left, and the number had been increasing. The criminals started to pressure the communities and there has been several confrontations. The fear increased for the villagers, and they abandoned their villages, and so started the exodus. Some authorities recommended to the villagers to leave, because they were waiting for a major confrontation between "Los Salazar" and the new criminal group, within three hours. The resulting stampede was very difficult, very painful, because they were leaving their homes, their land, it was a drama. The road between Alamo and Navojoa (of Sonora), was a file of cars, it was very sad. But that way they managed to save lives of dozens of entire families. Since then all the schools are closed. Days after the shop that served the village was ransacked and already there is no food, the criminals emptied the village. According to the villagers, the criminals attacked people that were not part of criminal gangs, but also attacked others that were "in the business". These subjects, they said, were not part of the "Los Salazar" group, they were another that had arrived from Sinaloa to fight for the plaza after the escape of El Chapo Guzman. Others assure that they newcomers are people of Rafael Caro Quintero, who left prison on the 9th of August 2013 after spending 28 years in prison. On this occasion, its not people from Milpillas that are angry towards us, its the new people from Sinaloa, said another farm worker. According to the people living in the village, the majority of the inhabitants are seeded in this community. They are naturalized and legitimate, but with the passing of time the criminal groups took over from the citizens. The leader of "Los Salazar" has for many years operated in the areas of Urique, Guazapares and Chinipas, Alfredo Salazar, currently imprisoned at "Altiplano" Cefereso no.1, Almoloya de Juarez. The group is currently operated by an uncle of his, who must now confront the criminals from the Sinaloa Cartel that arrived to take the plaza. In Milpillas there were about 400 families of about 1500 people, and 300 families in Las Chinacas, all have fled. In a communication given yesterday, the State Attorney General (FGE) said that in the Milpillas community the inhabitants had informed the investigating authorities that armed people sacked three houses, and victimized a 73 year old man, Rodolfo Burgos Hermosillo, who used to be the Municipal policeman in this locality. In regards the three houses raided, they all had impact marks on the doors, forcing the locks to gain access to the interiors. Inside the houses the police recovered seven spent AK47 cartridge cases and three from a twelve bore shotgun. In the exterior of one of the properties a white Chevrolet pickup was discovered without circulation plates, burnt out with a dead animal inside. Later, and after carrying out some patrols, elements of the Army and Municipal Police of Chinipas went to Tecorahui, where the presence of armed subjects had been reported. Click on image to enlarge for location of Tecorahui at marker According to the FGE, when State Agents arrived they passed through the community of San Antonio, located close to the entrance, about four hours from Tecorahui, they received gun fire from armed men located in a house. The Agents returned fire and killed two criminals. One of the dead men was, Arabel Vega Lagarda, 42 years of age, with a home in Milpillas, who was in possession of rifle made by Norinco. The other man, armed with an AR15, has not been identified. Ten days after, the villagers of the community of Tecorahui, of the same Municipality of Chinipas, were not heard from, because the criminals had taken the village and were not allowing people to enter or leave. One man managed to leave, and he could relate what had happened, but up to now, he has heard nothing from anyone who lives there. No cell phone calls, and they have no means to communicate, said one person who wished to remain anonymous. Original article in Spanish at Proceso