Latest news with #JSM
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
German F-35s Will Be Armed With Stealthy Joint Strike Missiles
Germany plans to buy Joint Strike Missile (JSM) cruise missiles from Norway to arm its forthcoming fleet of F-35A stealth fighters. While these jets were primarily chosen as delivery platforms for U.S.-owned nuclear gravity bombs, under a long-standing NATO agreement, Germany is increasingly viewing the F-35A as part of an expanding conventional long-range strike arsenal. Plans to arm German and Norwegian F-35As with the JSM, which is manufactured by Kongsberg, were announced today by Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik. According to a statement from the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, a contract for the missiles is expected to be signed with Germany in the first half of this year. The deal is expected to be worth around $645 million, but the total number of missiles involved was not disclosed. Germany will become the fifth country to acquire JSM, after Norway, Japan, Australia, and the United States. In the past, we have discussed the attributes of the JSM and how it differs from the related Naval Strike Missile (NSM): 'JSM is an enlarged air-launched derivative of the sea and ground-launched Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which has been steadily growing in popularity, including in the U.S. military. The JSM, which Kongsberg developed in cooperation with U.S. defense contractor Raytheon (as they also did with NSM), has a stated maximum range of around 350 miles. This is cut roughly in half when the missile is employed in its low-altitude penetration mode.' The JSM, which has a 260-pound warhead, can use GPS, INS, and terrain mapping to navigate its way to a designated target area. The terrain mapping component of the guidance suite gives the missile a valuable additional way to get where it is going, even in GPS-denied environments — something that the war in Ukraine has shown is an ever-more likely possibility in future conflicts. The agile JSM, which has reduced signature (stealthy) features, also has an imaging infrared seeker giving it very precise targeting capability in the terminal phase of flight. The seeker works passively, which also makes it immune to radiofrequency jamming and detection. A two-way datalink means JSMs can receive additional targeting information during the mid-course portion of their flight or be re-tasked entirely. Critically, the JSM is sized so that it can be accommodated internally in the F-35A's weapon bays, allowing the jets to employ these weapons while staying as stealthy as possible. In the case of the U.S. Air Force, which has also bought JSM for its F-35As, the missile was ostensibly acquired as an interim stand-off anti-ship capability until the jets get the larger AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). However, the JSMs can also engage targets on land. In the German context, the JSMs will therefore provide a powerful conventional long-range strike capability against ground targets, but they will also reintroduce an anti-shipping strike capability that was lost when the Luftwaffe retired the Kormoran missile. This Cold War-era weapon had previously armed German Tornado IDS swing-wing strike aircraft. With growing tensions with Russia, especially in the highly strategic Baltic region, maritime missions and anti-surface warfare are making something of a resurgence. In choosing the JSM, Germany is getting a missile that has already been developed, with the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) funding its integration onto the F-35A. In late April of this year, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the first JSM had been delivered to the RNoAF at Ørland Air Station. At the same time, it was announced that all 52 F-35As ordered by Norway had been delivered. With this, Norway became the first country to receive all of its planned F-35s. Under the JSM deal announced today, Norway will purchase the missiles from Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace on behalf of Germany. The Norwegian Defense Materials Agency and its German sister organization BAAINBw will serve as the contracting parties in the government sale, bringing closer strategic cooperation with Germany. The joint JSM plans announced today extend an existing bilateral Naval Defense Material Cooperation agreement between Germany and Norway. This agreement was previously used for the NSM and the forthcoming 3SM — a supersonic naval 'super missile' to arm warships belonging to both countries. It also covers joint acquisition, operation, and maintenance of the new Type 212CD submarines for both countries. In the case of Germany, there are also plans to acquire the AGM-158B JASSM-Extended Range, or JASSM-ER. This is a land attack cruise missile, but unlike the JSM, it will not fit in the internal weapons bays on the F-35, and it is not capable of engaging ships. The JASSM-ER has a publicly stated range of at least 575 miles, compared to a range of around 330 miles for the initial AGM-158A JASSM. In March 2024, Reuters reported that Germany had begun the process of acquiring 75 JASSM-ER missiles at a cost of around $8.67 billion. It's been suggested that these weapons could ultimately replace the Taurus air-launched conventional cruise missile, now used by German Tornados, and which have long been suggested could be transferred to Ukraine. That transfer hasn't happened, with Berlin so far having blocked such a move, despite Kyiv's requests for them. Regardless, the Taurus will need to be replaced in the future. So far, it seems that Germany has not signed a contract to buy JASSM-ER missiles. Last October, Germany announced plans to acquire 600 examples of a new version of the Taurus, known as the Taurus Neo. While the missile would require a significant redesign to fit in the F-35A's internal weapons bays, it may well be adopted as external armament, either in addition to the JASSM-ER or as an alternative. Germany may also decide to have the Taurus Neo arm the Eurofighter EF2000, which can only carry external stores. Either way, new standoff weapons combined with the F-35A will bring a major boost to Germany's long-range strike capabilities. This is in addition to the nuclear role for which the F-35A was chosen, in favor of different combinations of the Eurofighter, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler. Germany has said it aims to replace the Tornado with 35 examples of the F-35A by 2030. Already, Germany's decision to buy the F-35A was a significant one, demonstrating a new willingness to spend on military modernization and otherwise improve its readiness after years of decline since the end of the Cold War. The country's push to drastically expand its standoff strike capabilities has also seen it sign an agreement with the United Kingdom to develop a new 'deep precision strike' weapon with a range of over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles), as you can read about here. This is a project that reflects growing ambitions among various European NATO members to field long-range strike capabilities, faced by a growing Russian threat on the alliance's eastern flank. Now, with the JSM lined up to arm its F-35As, potentially to be joined by the JASSM-ER, Germany will have a highly flexible and survivable — albeit small — force of stealth jets that can undertake nuclear and conventional strike as well as anti-shipping. Contact the author: thomas@
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany to buy advanced cruise missiles for fighter jets from Norway
Germany plans to procure air-launched cruise missiles from Norway, the Norwegian Defence Ministry said on Thursday. Berlin is seeking to acquire Joint Strike Missiles (JSM), with a contract expected to be signed by the end of June. The German parliament approved the project on Wednesday, according to the Norwegian manufacturer Kongsberg. The contract between the two NATO allies is valued at approximately 6.5 billion Norwegian kroner ($639 million). The plan involves Norway procuring the missiles from Kongsberg on behalf of Germany. The missiles are intended for use on the 35 F-35 fighter jets that Germany is acquiring from the United States. Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik stated that the already close missile cooperation between Norway and Germany would become even more significant when F-35 jets from both countries are equipped with the cruise missiles. According to Norwegian sources, Germany will become the fifth country, alongside Norway, Japan, Australia and the United States, to acquire the Joint Strike Missiles. The new missiles are specifically developed for the F-35, capable of targeting and destroying well-defended sea and land targets over long distances with high precision.
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Protests against new canals intensify
A severe scarcity of water at Hussainabad exposes the River Indus dry bed, revealing a haunting landscape. The mighty river has been reduced to a shadow of its former glory due to shortage in release of water downstream from upper riparian barrges. PHOTO: EXPRESS The Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM), amid protests interminably continue across Sindh against the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus River, blocked the Indus and National highways at three different locations on Friday. The JSM Chairman Riaz Ali Chandio, who led a protest rally on the National Highway in Moro, Naushehro Feroze district, said they carefully chose April 4 for their protest to neutralise the propaganda being spread by Pakistan Peoples Party. "Unless the government issues the notification of cancelling all these controversial projects, the protests would continue," he warned. Chandio reiterated that the Green Pakistan Initiative, new canals and the corporate farming are all meant to rob Sindh of its water and land. "It is an economic murder of the entire population of Sindh which is dependent on agriculture." He claimed, the PPP is organising cosmetic protests in the province although it has given its consent for the construction of new canals. Dr Niaz Kalani of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) deplored that the people who participate in peaceful protests are being subjected to enforced disappearance besides being nominated in flimsy FIRs. However, he asserted, the protests are becoming stronger with each passing day despite all the pressure tactics being employed by the government. Meanwhile, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi announced that his party would start sit-in protests on the highways in the province from April 10. He said every day a different location of the highways will be selected for the sit-in. "The ongoing protests against the canals and the corporate farming have turned into a movement which won't stop." In a novel form of protest, a bride made it mandatory for the groom to affix banners rejecting canals at their wedding function in a village in Shahpur Jahania area of Noushehro Feroze district on Friday. The couple, whose marriage was later solemnized in the afternoon, belong to Unar community. Not only banners were put on walls of the wedding hall, but the place reverberated with songs and slogans of nationalists and disapproval for the canals. Rallies and demonstrations were also organised in dozens of other places in many districts of the province.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Nationalists, intellectuals reject six water canals
The court has observed that people living downstream on both sides of Indus River are dying because of toxic effluent and waste in Manchar Lake. PHOTO: APP The six water canals being constructed on the Indus River will not only destroy Sindh's agriculture but will also parch urban areas, including Karachi. In the Sindh Unity Conference organized by Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM) at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, the speakers demanded the government to allow Sindh's rightful share of the water. "It is not only for our agriculture but we won't have water to drink," JSM's Riaz Chandio said. "People in urban areas believe that construction of six canals on the river is a purely issue related to the rural areas," he explained. But, he added, people living Sindh's urban areas especially in Hyderabad and Karachi will face the consequences more than those who live in far flung areas. He appealed Karachiites to take collective action against the project. Rejection the six canals he strongly demanded the government that Sindh must receive its due share of water as per the 1991 Water Accord. The participants urged the United Nations to recognize the Indus River as a living entity, similar to the Magpie River in Canada and other protected rivers worldwide. In the resolution passed by the conference' participants, they condemned the retaliatory actions of the PPP-led government and demanded the immediate release of Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi. The conference was attended by Dr Safdar Abbasi, Sardar Abdul Rahim, Husnain Mirza, Noor-ul-Huda Shah, Dr Kaiser Bengali, Syed Khuda Dino Shah, Manzoor Mirani, Shahab Osto, Dr Ali Hassan Bhutto, Aamir Fayaz Warraich, Naeem Qureshi Advocate and others. The conference also held responsible the provincial and federal governments for rising road accidents. They also condemned the recent accidents in the city, demanding a crackdown on the dumper mafia. The participants also discussed the prevailing law and order situation in Sukkur and Larkana divisions, affecting hundreds of people.
