ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

Sixty two percent of deck-based fighters of the US Navy are not capable to take off. The Super Hornet multirole fighter aircraft (Photo: boeing.com) Some 62 percent of deck-based fighters of the US Navy , in particular the F/A-18 Hornets and the Super Hornets, are not capable to take off, the Defense News information website reported. According to the website, 35 percent of them do not have enough spare parts, while 27 percent of the fighter jets are currently undergoing maintenance. In total, 53 percent of all types of aircraft of the US Navy, including combat and transport planes and helicopters, cannot be used. The reason of poor state of the US Naval Aviation is a lack of funds for repairs. According to US Navy leaders, “even if the budget top line is increased, the immediate need is for maintenance money, not new ship construction. Currently, the Pentagon is preparing an underlying rationale for a reconsideration of the US military budget and funding of defense programs for the

The first US and world’s Enterprise (CVN 65) nuclear aircraft carrier has been decommissioned in Newport News, Virginia. Following a decommissioning ceremony, two shipyard workers ride their bicycles by the the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017 (Photo: Kristen Zeis / The Virginian-Pilot via AP) On February 3, a ceremony of an official decommission of the Enterprise (CVN 65) nuclear aircraft carrier was held in Newport News, Virginia, the BMPD blog reported. The vessel, which is considered to be the world’s first nuclear aircraft carrier, had nearly 55-year career. USS Enterprise was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Co. The vessel was floated out on September 24, 1960, and put into service in the US Navy on November 25, 1961. During its service, the aircraft carrier overcame more than 1 million nautical miles. The ship was removed from operational status on December 1, 2012. On May 4, 2015, the Enterprise

According to the Norwegian Intelligence Service, “Russia will continue to carry out extensive intelligence activities on Norwegian targets.” Photo: Wikipedia / National Library of Australia The Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS), also known as Etterretningstjenesten, has warned that “Russia will continue to carry out extensive intelligence activities on Norwegian targets,” the Local informational website reported, citing a report of the special service. “The threats in the digital world against political, military and economic targets are increasing. We expect extensive intelligence operations in the coming year,” the report states. According to the NIS, the main threats to the country include digital threats from Russia and China , international terrorism, military buildup in Russia, and increased risk of conflict between Russia and the West over the crisis in Ukraine. The report states that the cyber threat from China is primarily concerned for industrial espionage, while Russia

      By Ali Jawad and Mohamed Walid BAGHDAD Dozens of Daesh terrorists were killed in Iraqi airstrikes in northern Iraq on Saturday, according to the country’s defense ministry. Iraqi warplanes struck Daesh positions in the predominantly Turkmen city of Tal Afar, killing 21 terrorists and destroying four vehicles, the ministry said in a statement. Another raid killed 17 Daesh terrorists and destroyed six boats in western Mosul, the ministry said. In another development, Iraqi police commander Fadel al-Mehrab said a Daesh attack had been repelled southwest of Tal Afar. “Five Daesh militants were killed and two motorbikes destroyed during the attack,” he told Anadolu Agency. The Iraqi army, backed by U.S.-led coalition warplanes, is currently engaged in a massive offensive to recapture Mosul, the country’s second largest city, from Daesh. The terrorist organization has overrun Mosul -- along vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq -- in 2014.

FSA militants are in the town of Bzaah UPD: ISIS says it took back Bzaah. If confirmed, it will be the 4th fail in a row for Turkish forces in the area. Few moments ago, the so-called “Free Syrian Army” (a coalition of pro-Turkish militant group operating in northern Syria), back once again reseized the town of Bzaah from ISIS terrorists in the Syrian province of Aleppo. This was the 4th attempt by pro-Turkish forces to seize this important town located east of the ISIS stronghold of al-Bab. Three previous attempts had failed and resulted in heavy casualties among pro-Turkish forces . Now, the Free Syrian Army and the Turkish Army are attempting to secure the area and preparing to repulse an ISIS counter-attack which is expected in coming hours.

Original by Yuriy “yurasumy” Podolyaka published at Naspravdi ; translation from Russian by J.Hawk Artillery activity has declined somewhat in recent days. Thank God there so far have been no major provocations with large numbers of casualties, so hope remains that further escalation can be avoided. But even then there is an absolute certainty that this is just a postponement of the inevitable. Current military situation A comparative calm has settled on the Donbass in recent days. On February 4 the intensity of shelling has declined by half in comparison with February 2 and 3. On February 5 there was an escalation but not comparable to the preceding days. Nevertheless, forces on both sides are occupying jump-off positions, ready to start active operations. The greatest hot-spot remains the Avdeyevka industrial zone. That’s where the most tactically-motivated shelling is going on, rather than simple “exchanges of fire.” This is evident from the losses. It is from Avdeyevka and adjace