Armée Afghane/Afghan National Army(ANA)

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Le président Karzaï accuse les Etats-Unis d’avoir suspendu l’approvisionnement d’unités afghanes


Alors que la Loya Jirga, la grande assemblée traditionnelle afghane, a approuvé, la semaine passée, le projet de traité bilatéral de sécurité (BSA) entre Kaboul et Washington (et donc l’immunité juridique pour les militaires américains), le président afghan, Hamid Karzaï ne fait pas mine de se presser pour promulguer ce texte.
Si les Etats-Unis, pour des raisons évidentes de planification, souhaitent que ce traité soit ratifié au plus vite, le président afghan entend prendre son temps étant donné qu’il a fait savoir qu’il le signerait le 5 avril prochain, c’est à dire après l’élection présidentielle à laquelle il ne se représentera pas. Et encore, à la condition d’avoir obtenu des garanties américaines sur plusieurs points.
Pour rappel, l’enjeu est de pouvoir assurer l’après décembre 2014, soit la date de fin de mission de la Force internationale d’assistance à la sécurité (ISAF), déployée en Afghanistan sous le commandement de l’Otan.
D’où les accusations lancées le 1er décembre par la président afghane contre les forces américaines, selon lesquelles ces dernières auraient interrompu l’approvisionnement en essence, en matériels et en munitions de certaines unités de l’armée nationale afghane afin de faire pression pour accélérer la signature du BSA.
“Ces interruptions sont intervenues à deux ou trois reprises”, a fait mine de déplorer, dans un communiqué, la présidence afghane, à la suite d’un Conseil de sécurité nationale auquel a assisté le président Karzaï. “A la suite de ces interruptions, les unités concernées ont dû cesser leurs opérations”, a-t-elle ajouté, en soulignant que les Etats-Unis ne respectaient pas leurs engagements en la matière. Pour rappel, Wahington a dépensé la bagatelle de 19 milliards de dollars, entre 2002 et 2010, pour aider à la stabilisation du pays…
L’ISAF a toutefois démenti les affirmations de la présidence afghane. “Il n’y a eu aucune interruption (…). Nous restons déterminés à soutenir nos partenaires des forces de sécurité afghanes”, a-t-elle répondu dans un communiqué.

http://www.opex360.com/2013/12/02/le-president-karzai-accuse-les-etats-unis-davoir-suspendu-lapprovisionnement-dunites-afghanes/

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Home » Afghanistan » India to deliver two Cheetah helicopters to Afghanistan

India to deliver two Cheetah helicopters to Afghanistan

According to reports, India will deliver two helicopters to Afghan security forces next month, as part of its support to reconstruct the Afghan national security forces.

Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bangalore, the Cheetah choppers would be used for reconnaissance purposes, sources quoted by local media agencies said.

India is also considering to send its military trainers to the newly opened Afghan National Army Officers Academy apart from deploying technicians to run an old military hardware maintenance facility in the war-ravaged country.

Kabul envoy to New Delhi, Shaida M Abdali said Afghan Government was keen on India joining Russia to revive and run an old Soviet-era military maintenance facility in Afghanistan.

New Delhi is also studying the fresh proposal from president Haid Karzai’s administration to provide lethal weapons to Afghan security forces.

President Hami Karzai is expected to visit India within the next few days to meet with the Indian officials including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, where Karzai is expected to discuss the proposal.

“They (Karzai and Singh) will examine efforts to be undertaken by both sides to ensure the protection of our shared national security interests,” Abdali quoted by local news agency Deccan Herald said.

Abdali also added, “In the coming months and years, regardless of who leads our two countries, we should work together to outline contours of our security and defense cooperation in tangible ways for implementation.”

Currently India is providing training to 350 Afghan army officers, and around 1,400 Afghan National Army officers were trained in Indian institutions since 2003.

http://www.khaama.com

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Afghanistan Seeks Array of Military Upgrades, Support


KABUL — Afghanistan’s military seeks more aircraft and improved intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance equipment, and hopes to purchase main battle tanks for future operations.
Afghan security forces are equipped with US and former Soviet weapon systems, and although they have developed a wish list of future procurements, they still rely on financial support or donated equipment.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai traveled to India in December to request attack helicopters, artillery and main battle tanks.
In October, Afghanistan’s fledgling Air Force received two C-130 transport aircraft from the US, noted Lt. Gen. Mohammad Akram, the vice chief of the General Staff of the Afghan National Army (ANA).
“We are waiting for two others,” he said through an interpreter. “We have also promises with regard to helicopters to be provided to Afghanistan by the US.”
Akram said the Afghan military requires heavy artillery and other equipment.
“We need IED detectors,” he explained. “We need to improve intelligence [equipment].”
NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is looking at providing additional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment to the ANA over the next year. Included are 25 rapid aerostat initial deployment (RAID) towers equipped with full-motion video electro-optical/infrared sensors. Those aerostat systems would be used to monitor insurgent movements and activities around ANA bases.
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2014 budget request includes $26.1 million to build four aerostat sites for the ANA as well as acquire the 25 RAID towers.
Akram said Afghanistan’s economy is not strong enough to finance such purchases, so international support for equipment acquisitions will be needed for the foreseeable future.
Karzai traveled to India on Dec. 12 for a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an effort to drum up some of that support. Karzai acknowledged in a Dec. 13 interview with New Delhi Television that India is reluctant to supply heavy weaponry such as attack helicopters and tanks. India has concerns that such firepower could fall into the hands of insurgents.
“We will leave it up to India to see whether India can support us or not,” he said during the interview.
On Dec. 11, various news media outlets in India also reported that the government approved the delivery of two Cheetah utility helicopters to Afghanistan. The aircraft, from Hindustan Aeronautics, will be delivered by the end of January. The new aircraft will be used for reconnaissance by the Afghan Air Force and are designed to operate in high altitude and hot conditions, making it ideal for missions in mountainous areas.
The Indian military also plans to train about 1,000 Afghan personnel over the next year at various locations in India.
Karzai said he would like India to send military instructors to Afghanistan’s main training facility in Kabul. Such training is being provided by ISAF.
The Afghan government is also interested in seeking Indian and Russian help to refurbish and operate a maintenance and spare-parts facility near Kabul to support its Soviet-era tanks and helicopters.
Maj. Gen. Afzal Aman, head of operations in Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, also cited the need for further equipment for the country’s Air Force. Both rotary and fixed-wing transport aircraft are required.
“We have very good airfields in the entire country, as well as we have good pilots already under training,” he said through an interpreter.
Many of the equipment purchases have been financed or coordinated by the US government.
For instance, in 2009 work began to supply the Afghan National Army with Russian-designed D30 howitzers. Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, in conjunction with the multinational Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, was involved in the acquisition of those 122mm guns.
Some of the D30s were acquired from the Ukraine, others were donated by Bosnia-Herzegovina and still others were left in Afghanistan by former Soviet forces.
The Army is also receiving the Textron-built Commando Select vehicle for its mobile strike force units. The ANA will eventually operate more than 500 of the four-wheel-drive armored vehicles, paid for by the US.
British Army Maj. Anthony Pearce, program manager for the Mobile Strike Force in Kabul, said the Textron vehicle was selected for its mobility and ease of maintenance.
“The platform [the ANA] got is effective; it’s got firepower and it’s got great communications systems,” he said. “So we’re giving them a really impressive capability.”
Pearce said the vehicle, derived from Textron’s M1117 armored security vehicle, performed well in Iraq so, “I think it was a natural step to bring it across to here.”

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140107/DEFREG03/301070021/Afghanistan-Seeks-Array-Military-Upgrades-Support

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Armée française - opérations militaires OPEX (page officielle)

Afghanistan : manœuvre autonome de l’armée afghane (8 photos)

Le 30 avril 2014, à Pol E Charkhi, sur la zone militaire d’entraînement de l’armée afghane située à une vingtaine de kilomètres de Kaboul, l’armée nationale afghane (ANA) a réalisé pour la première fois un exercice de manœuvre militaire autonome associant les forces terrestres et les forces aériennes.


  

PHOTOS:

Crédits : EMA / ECPAD  

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Moody selected as preferred alternative for potential stateside Afghan training location


WASHINGTON (AFNS) --

Air Force officials announced June 25, Moody Air Force Base, Ga, was selected as the preferred alternative for the A-29 potential stateside Afghan training location, with Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and Shaw Air Force Base, SC, being reasonable alternatives.

The U.S. Air Force followed its formal basing process to determine the most suitable location for a contingent of 20 A-29 aircraft for use in Afghan Air Force pilot and maintenance training.

The Department of the Air Force will purchase the aircraft for the Afghan Air Force, on behalf of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, using the Department of Defense's Afghanistan Security Forces Fund appropriation.

According to DoD officials, the plan to implement this temporary stateside training option will ensure the Afghan Air Force receives the support and training necessary to safely and effectively employ a platform for conducting air interdiction and close air support operations within their country.

Moody was chosen as the preferred alternative, following site surveys conducted by the Air Force at three candidate bases. The installations were evaluated on a range of operational and infrastructure requirements and, upon completion of an environmental analysis, a final basing decision will be made.

"Moody AFB was selected as the preferred alternative because the airfield and airspace are available without disruption during the required timeframe, and suitable facilities are immediately available for the new occupants to move into," said Timothy K. Bridges, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air

Force for Installations. "Moody AFB is the lowest cost option."

The A-29 is a multi-role, fixed wing aircraft that provides the Afghan Air Force with an indigenous air interdiction, close air support capability, and aerial reconnaissance capabilities to support the country's counter insurgency operations. It is designed to operate in extremely rugged

terrain, and provides an ideal capability for this air force.

The provision of the A-29 Light Air Support program will increase the Afghan Air Force's capacity in airborne self-defense for its government and citizens.

The DoD has determined a stateside training option is the most feasible to deliver capability to the Afghan Air Force. Under current plans, the A-29 may arrive at the host base as early as September 2014 for initial cadre training, but the first Afghan trainees are expected to begin training in February 2015.

All aircraft are planned to be provided to the Afghan Air Force following this training. The initial proposed commitment for this training mission entails a limited presence at the base from 2014 into 2018.

http://www.af.mil

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L’hélicoptère du président afghan détruit par les insurgés

Posté dans Afghanistan par Laurent Lagneau Le 08-07-2014



Les forces afghanes ont peut-être réussi, à la fin du mois du juin, à arrêter une offensive lancée dans la province du Helmand par les insurgés taliban et même à mener une contre-attaque, il n’en reste pas moins que ces derniers continuent leurs actions spectaculaires et les attentats dans le cadre de leur campagne de printemps, débutée en mai dernier.

Ainsi, ce 8 juillet, 4 soldats de la Force internationale d’assistance à la sécurité (ISAF), déployée dans le pays sous l’autorité de l’Otan, ont été tués lors d’une attaque suicide commise dans la province de Parwan, dans l’est. Cet attentat a aussi été fatal à deux policiers et dix civils.

Trois jours plus tôt, dans les environs de Kaboul, les taliban sont parvenus à incendier pas moins de 200 camions citernes devant acheminer du carburant aux forces de l’Otan. Mieux encore, le 3 juillet, ils ont également tiré des roquettes en direction de l’aéroport de la capitale afghane. Coup classique… Si ce n’est qu’ils ont touché la zone ultra-sécurisée de la plateforme où sont stationnés les aéronefs des forces aériennes afghanes ainsi que ceux de l’ISAF.

Si ces roquettes n’ont pas fait de victime, en revanche, elles ont provoqué des dégâts. À commencer par l’hélicoptère Mi-17 le plus fréquemment utilisé par le président afghan, Hamid Karzaï, qui a été entièrement détruits. Trois autres appareils ont également été endommagés mais ils restent réparables. Il s’agit de l’attaque la plus efficace contre des aéronefs au sol depuis celle de Camp Bastion, en 2012, au cours de laquelle 8 avions de l’US Marine Corps avaient été touchés.

Les Mi-17 équipent le ministère afghan de l’Intérieur, qui les utilise pour des opérations spéciales et constituent l’épine dorsale des forces aériennes afghanes, qui en compteraient une cinquantaine d’exemplaires.

Ayant des capacités fortement limitées (elles n’ont pas d’avions d’attaque au sol, ni de transport), elles ont été particulièrement visées par les taliban ces derniers jours. En effet, la veille de l’attaque contre la partie militaire de l’aéroport de Kaboul, un attentat suicide contre un bus de l’Afghan Air Force circulant dans la capitale afghane avait fait 9 tués, dont 8 aviateurs afghans.

C’est dans ce contexte qu’ont été annoncés les résultats – non définitifs – de l’élection présidentielle afghane. Largement en tête au premier tour, avec près de 15 points d’avance, le tadjik Abdullah Abdullah  serait donné perdant face au pachtoun Ashraf Ghani (dont le colistier n’est autre que le général Abdul Rachid Dostom, ancien chef de l’Alliance du Nord, accusé d’avoir fait massacrer des centaines de prisonniers taliban en 2001). Que ce soit l’un ou l’autre ne changera rien pour ce qui concerne la ratification de l’accord bilatéral de sécurité conclu entre Kaboul et Washington en novembre 2013 dans la mesure où les deux concurrents y sont favorables.

Toutefois, Abdullah Abdullah ne s’avoue pas encore vaincu puisqu’il conteste les résultats non définitifs annoncés le 7 juillet, en dénonçant une « atteinte à la volonté du peuple » ainsi qu’ »une fraude massive ». Et il existe un risque d’une impasse politique et d’un regain de tension entre les Tadjiks, majoritaires dans le nord de l’Afghanistan, et les Pachtouns, qui le sont dans le reste du pays.

« Toute action qui viserait à prendre le pouvoir par des moyens extra-légaux coûterait à l’Afghanistan le soutien financier et en matière de sécurité des États-Unis et de la communauté internationale », a prévenu John Kerry. « J’ai pris note avec la plus grande préoccupation d’informations faisant état de protestations en Afghanistan (…). Les Etats-Unis attendent des institutions électorales afghanes qu’elles se livrent à un examen complet et en profondeur de toutes les allégations plausibles d’irrégularités », a-t-il ajouté.

En outre, même si les deux candidats ont promis de ratifier le BSA au plus tôt, le temps presse. Même si le Pentagone peut anticiper et préparer ainsi le maintien en Afghanistan de près de 10.000 hommes, il n’en reste pas moins que la mission de l’Otan prendra fin en décembre 2014. Une autre, appelée Resolute Support, devrait lui succéder. Mais plus tôt son cadre sera fixé, mieux ce sera.  

http://www.opex360.com/2014/07/08/lhelicoptere-du-president-afghan-detruit-par-les-insurges/

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Another batch of military-transport helicopters Mi-17V-5 delivered to Afghanistan



MOSCOW, July 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Another batch of three military-transport helicopters Mi-17V-5 has been delivered to Afghanistan, a source in the Russian military-industrial complex told ITAR-TASS.

“Another three helicopters has been delivered to the customer. Under the contract with the US Department of Defense, Russia has yet to deliver four batches of the Mi-17V-5 military-transport helicopters with three aircraft in each. We plan to transfer the next batch in July,” the source said.

The transportation of all the helicopters that are assembled at the Kazan Helicopter Plant of the Russian Helicopters holding, is made to Kabul by the Antonov An-124 Ruslan transport planes of the Volga-Dnepr company. The AN-124 delivers to Afghanistan three helicopters in one flight. The helicopters are placed in the cargo compartment of the plane with dismantled rotor blades.
At the moment, the expert said, 51 helicopters have been supplied to Afghanistan and they are used there. “During the whole period of the Russian aircraft exploitation since 2011 the Americans have not made any serious claims to the quality of the helicopters,” the defense industry representative added.

The main contract on the supply of 21 helicopters had been signed by Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport with the US government on May 26, 2011 and was fulfilled by the middle of 2012. Last year, Russian completed the supplies of 12 military-transport helicopters Mi-17V-5 under an additional agreement, concluded with the US government within an option of the main contract.

http://en.itar-tass.com

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Update: Afghan Air Force starts breaking up unwanted C-27As

Alan Warnes, London and James Hardy, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly


Work on scrapping the entire Afghan Air Force C-27A fleet has started, just five years after the first platform was delivered.
Source: Alan Warnes

The scrapping of the Afghan Air Force's (AAF) C-27A medium transport aircraft fleet has begun barely five years after the first two C-27As were delivered.

The original deal, brokered by the US Air Force, saw the AAF order 20 30-year-old former Italian Air Force G222s that had been stored at Pisa for about five years.

The US signed an initial USD287 million contract with Alenia North America on 29 September 2008 to retrieve, overhaul, and modernise 18 newly designated C-27As. The first two aircraft were delivered to Kabul on 15 November 2009 and were operated by the 373rd Fixed Wing Squadron.

A second contract worth about USD30 million added two more C-27As to the Afghan fleet; with logistical and spares support the total cost to the US taxpayer is reported to have been USD596 million.

However, the AAF was never keen on the aircraft, with officials saying they would have preferred to have kept their Antonov An-26s and An-32s, and the persistent grounding of the aircraft meant the C-27A's reputation with the leadership never improved. On 27 December 2012 the USAF announced the fleet's withdrawal "after failed attempts by the contractor to generate a sufficient number of fully mission-capable aircraft to provide an effective airlift capability for the AAF".

Alenia denied this and in January 2013 a company spokesman told IHS Jane's that on average 12 of the 16 aircraft in Afghanistan were mission-capable, with the remainder being sidelined for maintenance and other issues. The spokesman added that as the requirement was for an average of six mission-capable aircraft to cover Kabul and for eight aircraft once a squadron in Kandahar was established, the company was ahead of its contracted target at the time of cancellation.


All the C-27As and a load-trainer have been moved from the Afghan Air Force ramp to the north side of Kabul
International Airport for scrapping. (Alan Warnes)  

An Alenia spokesman reiterated this on 14 August. "The company is proud of its work on the G222," he told IHS Jane's . "In spite of many challenges, including an aggressive schedule, the G222 was on budget and exceeded requirements at the time the USAF elected not to continue the programme.

"Though disappointed, we supported the customer's decision and worked diligently with them on the close-out activities, including meeting and exceeding contractual obligations", he added.

With the support contract not being renewed after March 2013, the C-27A fleet made its last operational sortie on 21 March 2013. Four aircraft that had not been delivered from Naples, where they were being restored, were subsequently flown to Ramstein for storing in Germany during the second half of March 2013.

After complaints by senior leaders that the 16 stored aircraft were an 'eyesore', it was decided to scrap them, which started in mid-July. However, concern about the safety of the fuel tanks has meant work has been halted until a solution is found.

Following the C-27A withdrawal, the Afghan Air Force ordered four former USAF C-130Hs to fulfil its medium airlift capability gap. Two were delivered on 9 October 2013 and the second pair is due later this year.

http://www.janes.com/article/41926/update-afghan-air-force-starts-breaking-up-unwanted-c-27as

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Ajoutée le 12 sept. 2014

Afghanistan officer cadets training at the Afghan National Army Officer's Academy in Kabul earlier this year.

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Afghanistan receives another C-130 aircraft from US



The United States has delivered another C-130 aircraft to the Air Force of Afghanistan as part of the rehabilitation effort of the Afghan Air Force.

A statement released by the Air Force of Afghanistan said Afghanistan has so far received three C-130 cargo aircraft from United States.

The statement further added that the delivery of the C-130 is part of the contract with the United States for the delivery of four C-130 aircraft to Afghan Air Force.

The last delivery of the C-130 aircraft to Afghan Air Force is expected by the end of this year, the statement said.

According to the Afghan Air Force, the delivery of C-130 aircraft has helped to resolve the transportation issues and has further increased the combat capabilities of the Afghan armed forces.

The United States of America handed over two C-130 aircraft to the ministry of defense of Afghanistan late in last year.

The Afghan Air Force currently has 6,800 personnel and 102 aircraft. The C-130 is the biggest aircraft in the Afghan Air Force fleet and expands their capabilities.

http://www.khaama.com

A-29 Super Tucano arrives at Moody AFB
The first of 20 A-29 Super Tucano for the Afghan Air Force has arrived at Moody Air Force Base to kick start the Afghanistan pilot and maintenance training mission.

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Joint Task Force 633

FEMALE CADETS AT ANA OFFICER ACADEMY (7 photos)

OPERATION SLIPPER (Camp Qargha, Kabul): A FEMALE voice yells orders as women open fire with M16 rifles on the outskirts of Kabul.

This is the first female intake of cadets at the Afghan National Army (ANA) Officer Academy and they are learning squad attacks before the end of their initial term in late October.

Since starting their course in June, the women have learned first aid, tactics and weapons handling as part of their 12-month course that will see them commission as lieutenants in the ANA.

Their Afghan instructors are mentored by a team of women from Australia, UK and Denmark, including Capt Danielle Huggins from 3RAR.

“We expect the cadets will work in medical, admin or signal roles,” she said.

“Traditionally, Afghan Army women in these jobs weren’t really given much to do.

“So this course is done to make them credible officers so they can be seen as competent in their areas just like the men.”

The cadets form a ‘tolay’ or company and conduct most of their lessons in a walled-off part of the academy where they also live.

Only female staff, mentors and translators are allowed in to work with them.

After more than 10 years in the Army, Capt Huggins knows what it’s like for new women in the military.

“Just like any other girls joining the Army it's a shock to the system, then you see them slowly take shape as soldiers,” she said.

“It’s really good to see how they were at the start to how they are at the end of the first term. Plus they are getting to do something they wouldn’t usually get to do.”

Capt Huggins said many of the cadets joined the Army to try and help Afghanistan.

“Most have strong military families so they’ve received a lot of support and some families have given them a push to be here because they know it’s a good for them,” she said.

“We have some girls who don’t have the support of their families who are just here to try and make a difference.”

Capt Huggins believed the cadets viewed female coalition mentors as competent leaders.

“They might like getting taught by us but they understand we’re here to teach the Afghan instructors,” she said.

“There aren’t many women in the Afghan Army for them to look up to at the moment.

“But they can look at us and say ‘I want to be like that’, when they graduate and perhaps come back as platoon commanders so they can be role models for the next batch of female cadets.”

Working with coalition mentors helped the new cadets progress according to female ANA instructor Lt Fatima.

“They have progressed a lot in their military skills,” she said through an interpreter. They have become stronger in tactics but also the lessons they have in the classroom.

“I’m very happy to be working with the Australians; Australia has helped Afghanistan a lot.”

Lt Fatima said she hoped to follow the examples set by the mentors.

“I’m very proud to be working in the ANA both as an officer and as a woman, I’m proud that the students will serve their country in the future,” she said.

“We want to be active in the future; we want to be like our partner nations.”

PHOTOS:

l'arrivé des mi-35

quelle version on vois deja quelle n'a pas de canon dans la derniere phto

arsenik a écrit:

quelle version on vois deja quelle n'a pas de canon dans la derniere phto

il est juste pas monté!

la Russie a livré des  Mi-17VB5 à l'armée afghane.
 




pour le MI 35 'Hind' gunships, ils ont reçu 6, c'est leurs principale heleco d'assaut. l'AAF opére 50 MI,  17 joue comme une force multiplicatrice secondaire au Mi 35

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Moscou a achevé la livraison de 63 hélicoptères pour l'Afghanistan



MOSCOU, 30 octobre - RIA Novosti

La Russie a achevé la livraison de 63 hélicoptères de transport militaire Mi-17 V - 5 (version exportée du Mi - 8 ) à l'armée afghane aux termes d'un contrat russo-américain de 2011, a annoncé jeudi à Moscou le Service fédéral russe pour la coopération militaire et technique (FSVTS).

"Nous avons achevé en octobre 2014 la livraison d'hélicoptères de transport militaire Mi-17V-5 à l'armée afghane. Au total, 63 hélicoptères produits par l'usine de Kazan, membre du groupe Hélicoptères de Russie", ont été livrés en Afghanistan depuis la signature du contrat entre l'Agence russe d'exportation d'armements (Rosoboronexport) et le département américain de l'Armée en 2011", a indiqué le service dans un communiqué.

Selon le service, les hélicoptères russes permettront à l'Afghanistan de "former des forces de sécurité nationale", leur fourniture "fait partie des efforts russes et américains visant à combattre le terrorisme".

La Russie "confirme sa disposition à discuter d'autres livraisons d'hélicoptères Mil et d'assurer la maintenance des hélicoptères de fabrication russe en service", a ajouté FSVTS.

Washington a imposé de nouvelles sanctions à l'encontre d'entreprises et institutions financières russes en juillet 2014 sur fond de crise en Ukraine. Cette mesure vise plusieurs groupes militaro-industriels, mais l'agence russe d'exportation d'armements (Rosoboronexport) ne figure pas sur la liste des sociétés sanctionnées.

http://fr.ria.ru/defense/20141030/202866439.html

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Le niveau des pertes subies par les forces afghanes reste toujours aussi « insoutenable »

Posté dans Afghanistan, Otan par Laurent Lagneau Le 07-11-2014  

Les années se suivent et se ressemblent. En septembre 2013, il y a donc un peu plus d’un an, le commandant de la Force internationale d’assistance à la sécurité (ISAF), déployée en Afghanistan sous l’autorité de l’Otan, estimait que le niveau des pertes subies par les forces de sécurité afghanes face aux insurgés était « insoutenable ». Et pour cause : en une seule année, il était alors équivalent à celui enregistré par les troupes internationales en 12 ans de présence sur le sol afghan!

Treize mois plus tard, le constat est donc le même. Et les mots utilisés par le général Joseph Anderson, responsable du commandement conjoint des forces de la coalition (IJC), pour le décrire sont identiques. Ainsi, les forces de sécurité afghanes (armée et police) ont perdu, en 2014, 4.634 hommes au combat, soit 6,5% de plus par rapport à l’année précédente. Et cela alors que le nombre d’attaques menées par les insurgés a baissé de 25%.

Cela étant, le général Anderson a expliqué que ce n’était pas vraiment une surprise, étant donné que les forces afghanes sont désormais en première ligne dans l’ensemble du pays, l’ISAF assurant seulement un soutien. Ces derniers mois, les insurgés, notamment taliban, ont lancé plusieurs offensives importantes dans le sud et l’est de l’Afghanistan.

Pour autant, toujours selon le général Anderson, les forces afghanes tiennent le choc dans la mesure où elles ont mené 940 opérations et assuré la bonne tenue des dernières élections présidentielles. Cependant, il est clair, pour lui, qu’elles doivent impérativement réduire leurs pertes car leur niveau n’est pas « soutenable ».

Aussi, trois points doivent être améliorés d’après l’officier : la protection contre les engins explosifs improvisés, l’évacuation des blessés et la qualité des soins donnés à ces derniers, le taux de décès après une blessure reçue au combat étant supérieur à 50% (comme lors de la guerre de Sécession…).

Actuellement, 88% des évacuations sanitaires sont assurées par les forces afghanes, que ce soit par les airs (par hélicoptère) ou par la route.

Le mandat de l’ISAF prendra fin le 31 décembre 2014. Une nouvelle mission de l’Otan, appelée Resolute Support, prendra le relais, avec 12.500 hommes, dont 9.800 soldats américains. Il s’agira de continuer à apporter un soutien aux forces afghanes, comme l’a rappelé le secrétaire général de l’Alliance atlantique, Jens Stoltenberg, lors d’une visite en Afghanistan, le 6 novembre.

« Beaucoup de sacrifices ont été faits pendant de nombreuses années pour donner une chance à l’Afghanistan de s’en sortir », a affirmé M. Stoltenberg sur la base militaire de Camp Morehead, dans la province de Wardak.  « Nous ne pouvons pas laisser ces succès s’envoler et nous ne le ferons pas », a-t-il ajouté.

Le mois dernier, les forces britanniques ont cédé le contrôle de Campa Bastion à leurs homologues afghanes. La cérémonie a eu lieu sous la protection d’hélicoptères, déployés en cas d’attaque des taliban. Les soldats de la British Army n’ont pas seulement ramené l’Union Jack… mais aussi la plaque sur laquelle étaient inscrits les noms de 453 des leurs tués dans la province du Helmand… Tout un symbole. « Le temps dira » si ces sacrifices ont « servi à quelque chose », a commenté le général Darrell Amison. « Il est difficile de dire aujourd’hui quels seront les résultats de cette campagne », a-t-il ajouté, bien loin de l’optimisme traditionnellement affiché.

http://www.opex360.com/2014/11/07/le-niveau-des-pertes-subies-par-les-forces-afghanes-reste-toujours-aussi-insoutenable/

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More Afghan pilots to receive Raytheon training

DULLES, Va., Nov. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and its partner team have been awarded a $13.5M task order modification on the Warfighter Field Operations Customer Support (FOCUS) contract to add more Afghan pilots to the New Dawn training program. An additional 24 fixed-wing and four rotary-wing Afghan Air Force pilots will be trained.

Based in the United Arab Emirates, the New Dawn program trains Afghan Air Force Officers to a level equivalent to a commercial pilot certification. Upon graduation, the pilots return to Afghanistan for service as aviators in that nation's Air Force. So far, 102 Afghan Air Force pilots have received training in the English language, aviation theoretical knowledge, advanced mathematics and problem solving skills, in addition to commercial pilot training that includes advanced instrument flight qualification.

"This is a great example of our ability to build solid partnerships with our customers and leverage the vast, high-consequence training Raytheon is known for," said Bob Williams, Raytheon Global Training Solutions vice president. "Helping to shape the future leaders of the Afghan Air Force will also contribute to stability and security in Afghanistan."

Raytheon, which provides this training via the Warfighter FOCUS contract, leads a team of more than 150 partner companies called the Warrior Training Alliance. Raytheon and the WTA maintain more than 240,000 training aids, devices and simulators and help train U.S. Army soldiers, allied and coalition partners around the world. Click here to learn more about the Raytheon-led Warfighter FOCUS program.

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com

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Les pilotes afghans ont commencé leur formation sur A-29 Super Tucano aux Etats-Unis

14 Janvier 2015  



Au mois de Février 2013, le Pentagone a confirmé son intention de se procurer 20 A-29 Super Tucano afin de former et de constituer une véritable force aérienne pour l'Afghanistan, qui voit le départ de plusieurs milliers de militaires de l'ISAF, mois après mois, et qui va devoir assumer, tant bien que mal, la sécurité de son pays.

Le contrat, remporté face à l'AT-6 Texan de l'avionneur Beechcraft, prévoit, en plus de la livraison des appareils légers d'attaque au sol, la vente d'un simulateur, un système informatique permettant le débriefing des missions, ainsi qu'un support logistique et un certain nombre de pièces qui seront utilisées pour les réparations et la maintenance, une fois que l'Afghanistan réceptionnera officiellement les Super Tucano sur son territoire.

Mais avant que les pilotes de chasse afghans puissent utiliser ces A-29 Super Tucano contre les talibans et en appui au profit de l'armée nationale afghane, il va falloir que l'US Air Force forme les pilotes et les mécaniciens qui mettront en oeuvre l'escadron qui sera chargé de les faire voler.

Et c'est pour cela que sur la base aérienne américaine de Moody, en Géorgie, des aviateurs américains du 81st Fighter Squadron ont débuté la formation au profit des pilotes afghans. Ces premiers entraînements ont commencé au début du mois de Janvier, alors que les deux premiers A-29 Super Tucano ont été livrés au mois de Septembre 2014.

Ces 20 appareils, qui pourraient être complétés par 20 autres, devront former le futur de la Force Aérienne Afghane, aux côtés des hélicoptères d'attaque Mil Mi-24 et des hélicoptères de transport Mi-17 et UH-1H, utilisés également pour des missions de combat.

L'A-29 Super Tucano est un appareil léger d'attaque au sol, utilisé par des forces aériennes qui n'ont pas un budget conséquent, comme au Burkina-Faso, en Equateur, en Colombie, ... où ils sont régulièrement utilisés. Cependant, le Super Tucano est un aéronef qui est très bien adapté à la lutte anti-guérilla, dans des missions d'attaque au sol et en appui de troupes au sol, comme c'est notamment le cas en Afghanistan.

Bien que l'appareil n'est en rien comparable aux aéronefs de certains pays occidentaux, il emporte un armement sophistiqué et adapté à son utilisation. Le Super Tucano, qui peut atteindre une vitesse avoisinant les 600km/h grâce à un turbopropulseur, dispose en interne deux canons dans ses ailes.

En externe, il peut emporter un pod canon supplémentaire, quatre pods lance-roquettes, ainsi que des bombes air-sol guidées ou non. Par ailleurs, il peut également décoller et atterrir depuis des terrains sommaires (qui n'ont pas été "préparés" au préalable), ce qui est utile lors de certaines opérations : Les avions peuvent opérer au plus près des combats, sans devoir perdre du temps à construire et aménager une piste en béton.

Photo : (c) USAF - Un A-29 Super Tucano de la Force Aérienne Afghane au roulage sur une base aux Etats-Unis.

http://www.defens-aero.com/2015/01/les-pilotes-afghans-ont-commence-leur-formation-sur-a-29-super-tucano-aux-etats-unis.html

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Afghan air force to add armed MD 530F to helicopter fleet


The Afghan air force is to receive approximately 20 armed variants of the MD Helicopters MD530F utility helicopter, an official close to the force has confirmed.

It was previously understood that the aircraft on order would be delivered for training, to operate alongside five training variants already in service. However, the aircraft yet to be delivered will now be weaponised for close air support, the official confirmed at the International Military Helicopter conference in London.

Deliveries are expected to begin by year-end, and will be completed by the USA under American funding.

The Afghan air force lost one of its then six-strong fleet when it was destroyed by an improvised explosive device in 2013.

asset image

MD Helicopters

Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database shows that 12 MD 530Fs are on order –believed to be part of the requirement for the fleet of armed helicopters. An additional number of the type are on option.

The air force also operates Mil Mi-17 and Mi-35 rotorcraft. Four of the former are allocated to each of six Afghan national army corps across the country, and are integrated with guns and unguided rockets, according to Maj Gen Abdul Wahab Wardak, commander of the service.

The air force is also expecting a delivery of 20 Embraer A29 Super Tucano light support aircraft – currently located at Moody AFB in Georgia, USA – by the end of the year.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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Afghan Military to Receive A-29 Close Air Support Planes in December



The Afghan military will be without its own fixed-wing close air support for another fighting season this summer against the Taliban, with the first of 20 A-29 Super Tucano turboprops expected to begin arriving in December.

"This is a huge asset they're looking forward to getting inside Afghanistan," Army Gen. John Campbell told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, but "they won't have much for the next fighting season."

The U.S. Air Force's $427 million program to provide A-29s to the Afghan military has been caught up in long-running contract disputes and delays in the training of Afghan Air Force air and ground crews, leaving the Afghan military overly-reliant on the U.S. for close air support in combat. The aircraft is made by the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer S.A.

Campbell, who took over the U.S. command in Afghanistan last summer, said that the first of the 20 A-29s should begin arriving in December. A few more will arrive next year but the majority of the order won't be fielded until 2017 and 2018 under the current schedule, he said.

In the questioning from lawmakers, Campbell gave a unique glimpse of how he operates in advising Afghan commanders in contact with the enemy. He said he constantly hears the plea from his Afghan counterparts: "I need close air support, I need close air support."

The general said, "What I tell the Afghans is, ‘Don't plan your operations wholly dependent on close air support. You have the capability. The Taliban doesn't have close air support, the Taliban doesn't have up-armored Humvees, the Taliban doesn't have D-30 howitzers.' So a part of it is just leadership, again."

He added, "The first thing I always get asked for is close air support. We're building their close air support.

"So when I get a request that says, ‘Hey, I need close air support,' the first thing I ask them is, ‘Do you have a Quick Reaction Force out there? Have you fired your mortars? Have you fired your artillery? Have you taken your Mi-17 (Russian helicopters) that have forward-firing machine guns on them? You have a few Mi-35s. Have you used them?'"

The Afghans also have a few MD530 "Little Bird" helicopters which can provide some close air support, but the MD530s are also caught up in a contract dispute. Last October, the Associated Press reported that the Justice Department was investigating allegations that an Army colonel sold inside information on the contract award.

While waiting for the A-29s, "We're working MD530s, which is a "Little Bird" that has two .50-caliber machine guns on the sides," Campbell told the Committee.

He also acknowledged frustration at the delays in getting the A-29s to the Afghans. "It is a very long process," Campbell said. "In hindsight, I wish we would've started that years ago," but "we are where we are. Quite frankly, we can't get it out there quick enough for them."

Embraer won the initial bid to provide a light air support aircraft for the Afghans against Hawker Beechcraft's AT-6B Texan aircraft. Hawker Beechcraft filed suit to contest the award, but Embraer won in court and the A-29s are now being made by Embraer and the Sierra Nevada Corp. in Jacksonville, Florida.

The A-29s began arriving at Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta, Georgia, last September to start training for 30 Afghan pilots and 90 maintainers.

"This is a very unique program, it's a great opportunity and it's definitely a great day for Moody Air Force Base," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Hogan, the A-29 Light Air Support training unit commander.

"This aircraft is perfect for the mission. It's going to be a great opportunity for us to interact with the Afghans," Hogan said, according to the Air Force News Service. "We will be teaching them, but we will be learning from them as well."

"Specifically the mission that we are going to replace is the Mi-35 Helicopter, which is an attack helicopter, so they cover some of the same missions," Hogan said of the A-29s.

"But really this aircraft is a monumental leap in capabilities for the Afghan air force. It will allow us to do some overlap of those (Mi-35) missions and will do a lot better. It will also expand some other missions, which they currently cannot execute," Hogan said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com

http://www.military.com

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Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) a partagé l’album de 438th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Check out the Afghan Air Force's latest acquisition, MD-530s.

PHOTOS:

The first armed MD-530s have arrived in Afghanistan. Over the next few weeks they will be assembled and begin close air attack for the Afghan Air Force.

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Afghan special forces to receive PC-12 SIGINT aircraft

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

18 March 2015


Afghan special forces are to receive five PC-12 configured for signals intelligence work. They are due to be delivered by the end of the
year. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen

The Afghan National Army (ANA) Special Operations Forces (SOF) is to receive five Pilatus PC-12 signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft under a USD9.3 million contract modification announced on 16 October.

The contract, which was awarded to Sierra Nevada Corporation by the US Department of Defense, is a modification to a 2012 contract for 18 "uniquely modified" PC-12/47E turboprops for the ANA SOF which was valued at USD218 million.

While the contract for the initial 18 aircraft is due to be completed in July, the new contract should see the five SIGINT aircraft in Afghanistan by the end of the year.

http://www.janes.com/article/50048/afghan-special-forces-to-receive-pc-12-sigint-aircraft