An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | military media Round Up "There is intense military interest in smart materials for soldier clothing, particularly in interactive textiles that can sense and react... in useful ways such as changing colour, swelling, oscillating, conducting electricity, col- lecting and storing electricity. Envisaged applications include clothes that detect and react to weather condi- tions by altering their waterproofing... DARPA's Warrior Web programme seeks to create a soft, lightweight under-suit that would help reduce injuries and fatigue and improve soldiers' ability to efficiently perform their missions." Military Technology, Issue 4, 2014. Photo: DARPA "The Navy's next-generation strike fighter will make its first appearance in British skies this summer when it debuts at two of the world's biggest air shows. The F35 Lightning II – the punch of Britain's two future aircraft carriers – will be appearing at the Fairford and Farnborough shows in July, the first time the stealth fighter has appeared outside the USA." www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/ Photo: www.bhmpics.com "Saab's man-portable weapon system Carl-Gustaf has been chosen by the US Department of the Army to be a Program of Record within the US Army. This means that the shoulder fired weapon system, with a long service record with the US Spe- cial Operations Forces, will now become standard issue to the US Army's light infantry units." Military Technology, Issue 4, 2014. "Soldiers joined with millions of Australians to pause and remem- ber on Anzac Day. They remembered soldiers who never returned from the battlefields of Gallipoli, the Western Front and all conflicts since... In the 100th year since the start of World War One, Austra- lian Defence Force personnel across Australia and Gallipoli, France, Belgium, Kabul and the United Arab Emirates marked the 99th an- niversary of the Gallipoli landing." www.army.gov.au "A multinational group of four NATO minesweepers and a supply vessel left the German port of Kiel on 22 April 2014 to deploy to the Baltic Sea to enhance maritime security and readiness in the region. The five ships are part of the Standing NATO Mine Counter-Mea- sures Group One (SNMCMG1). "The Group's presence contributes to regional maritime security," said General Philip M. Breedlove, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). "During this period of tension, we felt it appropriate to deploy SNMCMG1 to the Baltic Sea as part of a broad package of actions by NATO's maritime, air and ground forces." www.nato.int "The Armed Forces of Malta recently deployed a three-person infantry training team consisting of members of C (Special Duties) Company to the European Union Training Mission to Somalia (EUTM Somalia) which is based in Uganda. This is the fourth successive deployment... Besides the provision of trainers, for a second time, the Armed Forces of Malta have also provided a Personal Assistant to the Irish Mission Commander of EUTM Somalia, Colonel Michael Beary." www.afm.gov.mt "In 2013, the assistance rendered to the police was limited to two operations: first, the deployment of an NBC detection squad to identify unknown substances on 31 May 2013 and, second, the provision of armoured vehicles in the area of Melk on 17 Sep- tember to ensure that the police could safely... facilitate the arrest of a suspected criminal." Truppendienst, Nr. 21, 2014 "Chinese press reports... point to the country's accelerated activity regarding ocean-floor sensors placed at strategic locations along its coast. They have found that the Chinese have been diligently studying Cold War history to guide their decisions... China's neglect of antisubmarine warfare is be- coming a thing of the past." Proceedings, April, 2014 "The Navy of Brazil (MB) is expected to receive their first nuclear submarine by 2023. The development is carried out with the collaboration of France. At the same time, the MB plans the construction of four convention- al submarines (diesel-electric)." Military Technology, Issue 4, 2014. "Canada is revisiting a decade- old decision not to join the US ballistic missile defence pro- gram. James Bezan, parliamen- tary secretary to the minister of national defense, told a defence summit in Ottawa that the issue has come up again before both Senate and House of Commons committees. Bezan said there has been some concern about the "accuracy" of missiles being developed by some rogue coun- tries that could target Canada's neighbor, the United States, and end up striking Canada, he said." www.defencetalk.com

• Cover