Latest news with #BlockII
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Thar coal, renewables make Sindh energy basket of Pakistan: CM Murad
KARACHI: With one of the largest indigenous coal reserves in Thar and significant renewable energy potential, Sindh is the energy basket of Pakistan and can lead national progress through its diverse energy sources. Speaking at the Sindh Energy Diversity Conference organized by Energy Update in collaboration with the Government of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, highlighted that Thar's coal deposits are equivalent to the energy reserves of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait. Chief Minister Shah shared that the Thar coal project was initially conceived in the 1990s under the leadership of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and was eventually realized through one of the most successful public-private partnerships of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) in Thar Block II. This pioneering initiative disproved the myth that Thar coal, being lower-grade lignite, cannot be used to produce electricity. He added that Thar coal is now generating 1320MW of low-cost electricity in Block-II, powering households and industries across Pakistan. Moreover, an inclusive development approach has been followed, where almost every household in Thar Block-II is now solarized in line with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's vision that the people of Thar must benefit first from this progress. Nasir Hussain Shah, Sindh Minister for Energy and Planning & Development, pointed out that coal gasification plans are underway to expand Thar coal utilization to other key sectors, such as fertilizer and cement, which will reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Higher domestic production of fertilizers will help ensure an abundant and affordable supply of urea for farmers, ensuring greater food security for Pakistan. The Sindh government remains focused on supporting industries and delivering solar home systems to underserved communities, Minister Nasir said. Commending the Government of Sindh for its continued support, Amir Iqbal, CEO of SECMC, said that the Thar Block-II development served as a proof of concept and successfully marked six years of commercial operations on July 10 this year. He noted that 'SECMC supplies coal to three Independent Power Producers (IPPs), energizing over 3 million households and contributing to foreign exchange savings of around US$1.6 billion since inception. These plants consistently rank among the highest on the merit order, reaffirming Thar coal as the most cost-effective baseload fuel.' Amir added that Phase-III mine expansion is underway to make coal even cheaper and add another 660 MW power plant based on Thar coal. He also highlighted SECMC's community investments of providing quality education to over 5000 students with 35% female enrolment, free healthcare access to more than 350,000 patients since inception, and support for the Government of Sindh's solarization efforts covering 3,150 households in Thar Block-II. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US approves $304Mn missile deal with Turkey, Why Trump's move to sell AMRAAM to Istanbul alarms India - The Economic Times Video
The US has approved a potential $304M missile sale to Turkey, including 53 AIM-120C-8 and 60 Block II missiles. The deal still needs Congress approval. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Turkey coincides with the announcement, signaling NATO efforts to reset strained ties. RTX Corp will supply missiles and systems. India, alarmed by AMRAAM use by Pakistan, is watching closely. The sale is aimed at strengthening Turkish and US military cooperation.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan becomes Boeing's newest customer of latest Chinook helo variant
Japan has ordered 17 of the latest variant of the Boeing-manufactured CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter, the company said Thursday. The CH-47 Block II Chinook is an extended-range version of the aircraft that is used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Special Operations Command. Japan is the fourth customer for the new variant. Germany purchased 60 of the helicopters in a $4 billion deal in 2022, and the U.K. finalized its deal for 14 Chinooks in early 2024. The CH-47s will be co-produced by Boeing and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The Japanese company similarly provided elements for the CH-47 JA helicopters. The helicopters purchased for the Japan Self-Defense Forces will replace some of its CH-47 JA aircraft, which were purchased in the 1980s and delivered by the early 2000s. The helicopters have been used, for example, to respond to the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in 2011, with special lead plates attached to the floor to protect the crew from radiation exposure. The aircraft collected ocean water and dropped it over hot spots. 'This award strengthens our decades-long relationship with [Kawasaki Heavy Industries] and provides critical capability improvements that will keep the Japan Self-Defense Forces operating heavy-lift aircraft for decades to come,' Heather McBryan, vice president and program manager for Boeing cargo programs, said in a statement. 'The Block II configuration and digital flight controls will modernize and significantly improve Japan's helicopter transport capabilities by improving aircraft stability, safety, and efficiency.' The U.S. Army decided in 2019 that it would not procure the CH-47F Block II for the active fleet so it could begin making heavier investments in its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, or FLRAA, and the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, or FARA, that it wanted to field in the early 2030s. The service decided it would build 69 of the latest Chinook variant for special operations in the form of the MH-47 'G' model and stop there. But the Block II had a comeback after several years of uncertainty when the Army decided to return funding to build the variant for the active force following pressure from Congress. And as the result of the service's decision to cancel its FARA program in 2024, $465.2 million in fiscal 2025 funding became available to enable a Block II production start for the regular Army. The version incorporates a new fuel system, electrical system and stronger airframe to increase lift capability. The Block II version of the Chinook featured new rotor blades, but the Army abandoned the effort in 2022 due to excessive rotor blade vibrations that, according to the Pentagon's chief weapons tester, posed a flight risk.
