Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• NATO Approves Changes in Force and Command Structure Washington File 14 Jun 2003 -- Operations of the NATO Response Force, greater investments in new capabilities, and approval of a streamlined command structure were the focus of a set of meetings at NATO's Brussels headquarters on June 12, according to a background briefing by a senior U.S. defense official.

Defense Industry

• The Tiger Export Version: the New Reference for Combat Helicopters EADS 14 Jun 2003 -- Since the disappearance of the Eastern Bloc in Europe, the development of the world geostrategic situation has lead defense staffs to increasingly favor the concept of multi-functional combat helicopters and reject specialized helicopters.
• Tiger Support Helicopter for the German Armed Forces EADS 14 Jun 2003 -- This year sees the German Armed Forces taking delivery of the first four Tiger support helicopters (UHT). A delivery schedule was agreed with the customer that provides for hand-over of the first Tiger UHT helicopters in different stages of equipment configuration.
• EADS Technology enhances Aircraft Protection EADS 14 Jun 2003 -- Advanced defence technologies of EADS open up unprecedented opportunities in the field of aircraft electronic self-protection.
• Nord-Micro sensors part of successful X-31 VECTOR test program Hamilton Sundstrand 14 Jun 2003 -- Nord-Micro, Hamilton Sundstrand’s Frankfurt-Germany-based aerospace subsidiary, played a key role in the recently concluded and successful X-31 VECTOR experimental test flight program at the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.
• Israel Aircraft Industries F-21 KFIR Aircraft Returns to America to Support U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Training Programs Israel Aerospace Industries 14 Jun 2003 -- Two F-21 Kfir jet fighter aircraft, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) are now in the UnitedF-21 KFIR Taking OffStates to support special high performance training programs for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.
• I-View, IAI's Newest Addition To MALAT's UAV Family To Be Displayed At Paris Air Show Israel Aerospace Industries 14 Jun 2003 -- The I-View Close Range Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system will be displayed at the 2003 Paris AirMalat's I-View UAVShow. The I-View is the newest addition to the line of UAVs developed and manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries' MALAT Division.
• IAI Unveils the EROS B1 High-Resolution Satellite Israel Aerospace Industries 14 Jun 2003 -- Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. is publicly displaying the EROS B1 commercial, high-resolution satellite for the first time at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. The satellite is currently under production at IAI's Space Division facilities.

Other Conflicts

• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- An American delegation is on its way to the Middle East in an effort to salvage the international peace plan that has been undermined by a week of violence in which more than 60 people have been killed.
• US Delegation Heads to Middle East in Effort to Salvage 'Road Map' VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- An American delegation is on its way to the Middle East in an effort to salvage the international peace plan that has been undermined by a week of violence in which more than 60 people have been killed.
• Israel, Palestinians to Resume Security Talks VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Israeli and Palestinian security officials plan to resume talks Saturday, after 10 days of violence that has killed more than 60 people. They are expected to discuss Israel's offer to withdraw from parts of the Gaza Strip and hand over security control to the Palestinians, once the militant group Hamas halts attacks against Israelis.

• Liberia Peace Talks VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Negotiators met for a second day Friday to discuss ways to end the conflict in Liberia. The talks restarted Thursday after West African negotiators received guarantees from the warring sides that they would stop fighting.
• LIBERIA / TALKS VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Liberian rebels attending peace talks in Ghana say they will not sign a cease-fire unless President Charles Taylor steps down.
• Liberian Rebels Demand President Taylor's Resignation VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Liberian rebels attending peace talks in Ghana say they will not sign a cease-fire unless President Charles Taylor steps down.
• Liberian Rebels Will Not Sign Truce Until President Resigns VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Rebels in Liberia say they will not sign a truce until President Charles Taylor resigns. The rebels made the announcement Saturday, at peace talks in Ghana's lakeside resort of Akosombo.

• SRI LANKA / CLASH VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- In Sri Lanka, a ship belonging to Tamil Tiger rebels has been sunk after a confrontation with the navy, and the fate of 12 crew members aboard the rebel vessel is unknown. The incident comes amid a stalemate in the peace process aimed at ending the island nation's long-running ethnic violence.
• Tamil Rebel Ship Sinks After Confrontation With Sri Lankan Navy VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- In Sri Lanka, a ship belonging to Tamil Tiger rebels has been sunk after a confrontation with the navy, and the fate of 12 crew members aboard the rebel vessel is unknown. The incident comes amid a stalemate in the peace process aimed at ending the island nation's long-running ethnic violence.
• French Troops Clash With Congo Rebels VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- French peacekeeping troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo returned fire after coming under attack Saturday, by rebel militiamen. It is not clear which militia group launched the attack outside the northeastern town of Bunia.

News Reports

• ZIMBABWE/MUGABE VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Hopes by the opposition that Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe might step down have been dashed. Mr. Mugabe has appeared at political rallies in his rural strongholds, threatening to come down even harder on the opposition
• ZIMBABWE/MUGABE VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Hopes by the opposition that Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe might step down have been dashed. Peta Thornycroft reports from Harare that Mr. Mugabe has appeared at political rallies in his rural strongholds, threatening to come down even harder on the opposition
• CZECH / E-U VOTE VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Voters in the Czech Republic have overwhelmingly approved membership in the European Union. Turnout in the two-day referendum was 55 percent after the country's pro-E-U prime minister, Vladimir Spidla, appealed to Czechs to take part in the landmark ballot.
• Mugabe Threatens Zimbabwe Opposition VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Hopes by the opposition that Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe might step down have been dashed. Mr. Mugabe has appeared at political rallies in his rural strongholds, threatening to come down even harder on the opposition.
• Current Situation Makes Political Dialogue Unlikely in Burma VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Burma's foremost democracy advocate, Aung San Suu Kyi, is again in detention following an attack on her and her followers by a government-backed mob in which scores are reported to have been killed or injured. The current climate makes any effort to rekindle a dialogue between the military government and the pro-democracy opposition extremely unlikely.
• Czech Voters Approve EU Membership VOA 14 Jun 2003 -- Voters in the Czech Republic have overwhelmingly approved membership in the European Union. Turnout in the two-day referendum was 55 percent after the country's pro-EU prime minister, Vladimir Spidla, appealed to Czechs to take part in the landmark ballot.
• EADS SPACE EADS 14 Jun 2003 -- EADS SPACE is a fully owned subsidiary of EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and gathers competences of the EADS group in the fields of space transportation, orbital infrastructures and satellites. EADS SPACE employs 12 300 persons in France, Germany, United Kingdom and Spain.
• Future prospects in space transport through reusable launch systems EADS 14 Jun 2003 -- Sagging commercial satellite markets and distorted competitive conditions in the launch service and launch systems sectors clearly show that conventional, single-use launch vehicles need to be adjusted to meet the market's demand for improved profitability, efficiency and versatility in the medium term. Studies prove that Europe's position in the global market and sustained, autonomous European access to space can only be ensured by drastically lowering current transportation costs. This, however, can only be achieved by using reusable launch systems.
• Ariance 5 Launcher EADS 14 Jun 2003 -- The commercial qualification of Ariane 5 in October 1998 was a major milestone for the European space industry. The new generation launcher was developed to keep pace with trends in the commercial launch market, especially larger and heavier satellites, and to satisfy governemtal needs.
• European Columbus laboratory on its way into space EADS 14 Jun 2003 -- Assembly of the International Space Station has come to a halt after the Columbia accident early in February this year. Although there will be delays in the further development of the station in space, preparation on Earth continues according to plan.