23 Jun 14. Indian Navy puts out tender for submarine batteries. The Indian Navy (IN) has invited bids by 18 July for 2,786 Type I and Type II batteries for its fleet of nine Russian ‘Kilo’-class and four German Type 209/1500 SSK submarines. The 6 June tender for seven sets of 1,737 Type I batteries for its Type EKM 877 ‘Kilo’ variants and two sets of 1,080 Type II batteries for the Type 209 submarines is aimed at making up shortages and replenishing reserves. Since 2005 IN submarine battery purchases have been stymied by bureaucratic procurement procedures and a complex and time-consuming legal system, which became involved after local powerpack suppliers resorted to litigation to press their claims.
26 Jun 14. Venezuela announces L-15 negotiations and K-8W shuffle. Venezuela is in negotiations to procure 24 Chinese Hongdu L-15 Falcon lead-in fighter trainers, the country’s new Military Aviation (AMB) Commander, General Eutimio Criollo Villalobos, announced on June 25.
Negotiations between Venezuela and China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) began in November 2013, according to comments in local media by Minister of Defence Carmen Melendez in early April 2014. According to Criollo Villalobos, who assumed command of the AMB in late May, the L-15 Falcons would be to equip Grupo Aereo de Caza No.12 (GAC-12 – Fighter Group No.12) at the Vicente Landaeta Gil airbase in Barquisimeto. GAC-12 conducts advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical training for student pilots destined for the F-16A/B and Su-30MKV. (Source: IHS Jane’s)