Jane's News Briefs

Jane's News Briefs 14 June 2001

Bush administration seeks additional DoD funding for 2001
The Bush administration earlier this month requested $5.6 billion in
supplemental funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) for fiscal
year 2001 (FY01), less than the $8-10 billion that some senior
military officers had been calling for. The supplemental funding comes
in addition to the $296 billion already allocated to the DoD in FY01.

Canada includes C-130J as transport option
The Canadian Air Force has expanded its list of options for a
strategic air transport to include the Lockheed Martin C-130J medium
tactical transport aircraft.

More Leopards for Chile
Chile has awarded RDM Technology of the Netherlands a contract for the
supply of 11 specialised variants of the German-built Leopard 1 series
main battle tank from Royal Netherlands Army stocks.

India and Russia agree protocol on defence co-operation
India and Russia have signed a protocol on defence co-operation that
could, with the addition of existing procurement agreements, be worth
$10 billion to Russia over the next 10 years.

Funding shortfall halts Russia's plan for professional forces
Russian Deputy Defence Minister Col Gen Igor Puzanov announced last
week that shortfalls in funding for training were undermining the
Russian armed forces, particularly in Chechnya, and that the
replacement of conscription-based forces with a professional army
would consequently be ruled out for the immediate future.

South Korean frigate joins Bangladesh Navy
The first South Korean-built frigate for the Bangladesh Navy is en
route to Bangladesh following its formal transfer from Daewoo
Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.

India's Agni II to counter 'asymmetry' with China
India has begun limited series production of its locally designed Agni
II nuclear-armed intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which it
will introduce into service in 2001-02 as a key component of its
nuclear deterrent, according to Defence and Foreign Minister Jaswant
Singh.

Israel's air force declines upgrade offer
The Israel Air Force has informed a consortium of Israeli companies
that it does not intend to upgrade its fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft
for at least another two years.