Latest news with #Stinger
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Oosthuizen on playing LIV Golf in SA: 'An unforgettable experience'
The tournament will be held in March 2026 at Steyn City in Johannesburg. South African golfers Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Dean Burmester of the LIV Golf Stinger team will be in action in Joburg next year in March. Picture:For the first time in many years South African golf fans will get a chance to watch some of the sport's greatest players closeup on home soil when a LIV Golf tournament is staged in Johannesburg for the first time next year. Steyn City will host the first ever LIV Golf event in Africa between 20 and 22 March next year and besides local golfing heroes Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester, who play for the Stinger team and will be in action, golf fans will get a chance to see a number of Major winners in action as well. Among the players who'll feature in the tournament are Major champions Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, and Martin Kaymer, and others including Tyrrell Hatton, Lee Westwood and Joaquin Niemann. Not since the hey days of the 'Million Dollar' at Sun City and the 2003 Presidents Cup, played in George, have South African golf fans seen worldwide stars up close and personal as they will at the LIV event. Among the players who featured in the Presidents Cup at Fancourt were Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Justin Leonard and Mickelson for the US team, while Ernie Els was supported by the likes of Vijay Singh and Adam Scott on the Presidents Cup team. 'Always special playing at home' Oosthuizen, who won the Open Championship at St Andrews in 2010 for his only Major and is still regarded one of South Africa's best players, and favourites, too, said he was thrilled to be a part of history being made. 'It's always special to compete at home, and I'm incredibly proud to bring LIV Golf to South Africa for the first time,' said Oosthuizen, who is captain of the Stinger team, at the announcement in London on Saturday. 'For Branden, Charl, Dean and I to play in front of our fans, friends, and families will be an unforgettable experience. 'South African sports fans love their golf, and I am sure they will turn out in large numbers to support Stinger. South Africa has given so much to us, and now we get to give something back.' The tournament at Steyn City will be played over three days (54 holes). Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City Properties, said they'd probably have to toughen up the course a bit by growing the rough and narrowing the fairways, but he also said, 'Everyone still wants to see guys having a go and making birdies'. Tickets and fan packages for the tournament next March are already available through the LIV Golf site.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
LIV Golf coming to South Africa: Steyn City to host event in March 2026
Fifty-four of the game's best players will feature at the first tournament in Africa next year. Louis Oosthuizen and his SA LIV Golf team, Stinger, will be in action in South Africa in March next year. Picture:LIV Golf is coming to South Africa in 2026. This was announced by the organisation in a special press conference held in London on Saturday morning. The newest golf tour has been going since June 2022. South African stars Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have been playing for the Stinger team since the inception of the tour, while Branden Grace and Dean Burmester also play on the tour. Schwartzel won the very first tournament at the Centurion Club in London. 'We have made a multi-year commitment to go to South Africa … it's incredible and amazing,' said LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil. The first tournament in South Africa will be held at Steyn City in Gauteng between March 20-22 next year. This means South African golf fans will get to see some of the game's greatest players who might ordinarily not come to South Africa to play. Here one thinks of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Tyrrell Hatton, among others. 'Massive' 'It's an incredible feeling, I have so many emotions,' said minister of sport Gayton McKenzie at the announcement on Saturday. 'I come from a great country and this would not have been possible without LIV Golf. They know they cannot be called an international competition if they skip a continent. 'After meeting Scott [and others] I have nothing but praise for them. We as Africans also deserve one of the greatest shows … I want to tell South Africans this is good for our economy and for people spreading false rumours about our country. 'We're going to have 54 of the world's greatest golfers in our country.' Oosthuizen said he was thrilled the tour was coming to South Africa. 'Very excited about having the tournament in South Africa. It's going to be massive for our country.'
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Royal Moroccan Air Force Signs Major C-130 Fleet Upgrade with L3Harris
Marrakech – The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has finalized a contract with American defense contractor L3Harris Technologies for the comprehensive modernization of multiple C-130 aircraft, enhancing Morocco's military transport capabilities. L3Harris announced the agreement on July 14, following an earlier confirmation when the Administration of National Defense formalized the strategic partnership on July 3. The US Embassy's Chargée d'Affaires, Aimee Cutrona, described the deal as 'a milestone moment in the ongoing U.S.-Morocco partnership in defense and aerospace' on her X platform account. According to the official press release, L3Harris will perform extensive modifications, including 'avionics modification, program depot maintenance, engine overhaul and other support efforts' on the Moroccan C-130 fleet. Jason Lambert, President of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at L3Harris, spoke of the importance of the agreement, stating it 'marks the beginning of a strategic, long-term partnership with the Royal Moroccan Air Force to ensure their fleet is ready for any mission.' L3Harris' aircraft maintenance and modification facility in Waco, Texas, will begin the renovation this year and continue the work through 2029. The upgraded fleet aims to improve aircraft availability for various missions, including tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance, and special operations. Rather than replacing its aging C-130 fleet with new aircraft, Morocco has opted for this intermediate approach. According to military sources, this decision aligns with broader strategic planning priorities, considering capabilities already under development and available resources while maintaining reliable air transport capacity. The C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft that was designed by American manufacturer Lockheed Martin in the 1950s. Known for its robustness and versatility, it performs a wide range of missions, including troop and equipment transport, aerial delivery, refueling, humanitarian missions, medical evacuations, and firefighting operations. The modernization program also addresses security imperatives, particularly following the Guelmim accident in 2011. According to sources, it will enhance avionics and onboard systems, potentially extending the operational lifespan of the aircraft by 15 to 20 years while strengthening Moroccan teams' expertise in managing new-generation equipment. This contract forms part of Morocco's ongoing military modernization strategy. In recent months, the Royal Armed Forces have acquired various new equipment, including up to 600 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles approved by the US in April in a potential $825-million deal. The country is also set to purchase 612 Javelin missiles and 200 launch units from the US in a deal worth approximately $260 million, according to an official notice published in the US Federal Register on May 30. In March, the RMAF also received its first batch of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing, part of a $440 million contract signed in 2020 for 24 helicopters with an option for 12 more. In February, Morocco secured Chinese-made TB-001K 'Scorpion' drones for reconnaissance and strike missions. During the same month, the country received its first delivery of Bayraktar Akinci drones from Turkey following a 2023 agreement. L3Harris Technologies already supplies smart weapons systems for Morocco's F-16 fighter jets, enabling pilots to double their aircraft's munitions capacity. The new C-130 modernization contract further solidifies the defense relationship between Rabat and Washington, bound by nearly 250 years of history, while enhancing the North African country's regional strategic capabilities. While Moroccan pilots have reportedly tested the C-390 Millennium from Brazilian company Embraer as a potential addition to their transport fleet, the current focus remains on extending the operational life of the existing C-130 aircraft through comprehensive modernization. Tags: Military modernizationThe Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF)
Malay Mail
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Air raid sirens bring Taipei to a standstill in civilian drill simulating Chinese attack
TAIPEI, July 17 — Taipei's normally busy streets will come to a brief standstill today when air raid sirens send thousands of people into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack. The annual civilian drill is being held in cities across Taiwan this week, alongside military training, to prepare the self-governed island for a potential Chinese invasion. While Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. At 1:30 pm sirens will be heard across Taipei, bringing the capital city of 2.5 million people to a halt for half an hour. Traffic will be required to stop and people will be directed into shelters, including underground car parks and subway stations. The drills will also involve simulating war-time aid distribution and a mass-casualty event. Since taking office last year, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has sought to raise public awareness of the threat posed by China. Of the drills, 25-year-old Oscar Wang said: 'I think this is necessary because tensions across the strait are so high right now.' 'So it's important to let us ordinary people become more familiar with evacuation routes,' he told AFP. 'Reality of modern warfare' Taiwan is also keen to show the world, especially its key security backer Washington, that it is serious about boosting its defence capability. Taiwanese regular troops were joined by the largest-ever mobilisation of reservists for the 10-day 'Han Kuang' military drills, which end Friday. Rather than only repelling a Chinese attack on its shores, Taiwanese troops this year have also practised fighting invading forces in city streets. 'It is as much training as acclimating the Taiwanese population to the reality of modern warfare,' said Kitsch Liao of the Atlantic Council, a US think tank. Heavily armed troops carrying US-provided anti-aircraft Stinger missiles stormed Taipei's metro system in a night-time exercise. High-tech mobile missile launchers from the United States also have been positioned around the capital and elsewhere, in full view of the public. And shoppers in a Taipei supermarket recently became participants in a drill simulating a Chinese missile strike on the city. 'I didn't know there was going to be a drill,' Yang Shu-ting, 70, told AFP. 'My heart was beating very fast and I was inevitably nervous. I think the point is to let you know where you should hide if something happens.' Troops have also simulated various scenarios including 'grey zone harassment'—tactics that fall short of an act of war—and 'long-range precision strikes', defence officials have said. Several minor collisions involving military vehicles during the exercises highlighted the challenge of manoeuvring through Taiwan's narrow streets. Defence expert Chieh Chung said such mishaps were 'difficult to avoid' in urban areas. 'In Taiwan, many roads and bridges create significant limitations for armoured vehicles when they move through,' said Chieh, a researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight in Taipei. 'So this becomes a problem and obstacle for both attacking and defending forces.' — AFP
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Taiwan's forces are training to ride the subway into war if China invades
Taiwanese troops were seen on Monday carrying Stinger missiles and grenade launchers on Taipei's subway as they trained to fight off a Chinese invasion. Footage of the drill, part of the island's annual Han Kuang war games, was published by the Military News Agency. The outlet is run by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense. Similarly, the US military also conducts combat training in tunnels and subway systems to prepare for urban warfare in megacities. However, the Taiwanese defense ministry's news branch wrote that its soldiers weren't just learning to fight on the subway, but also to "use underground facilities to transfer troops." Several clips showed dozens of heavily armed soldiers riding the subway, taking escalators, and leaving via ticket gantries before taking position away from the station. The training exercise involved soldiers of Taiwan's military police and Third Army Command, who toted anti-armor rockets and practiced tactical movement in subway cars and stations. Some soldiers were filmed driving forklifts to load ammunition and other gear onto service trains of the subway lines. Taiwan's national news agency, Central News Agency, reported that the exercise ran between the Shandao Temple Station and Longshan Temple Station. The stations are three stops apart, and the route goes through Taipei Main Station, a major interchange. Greater Taipei's urban core, home to roughly 6.5 million people, is serviced by six main subway lines and a few extensions. Han Kuang, run for over 40 years, is focused on countering a Chinese invasion and also trains Taiwan's troops for contingencies if Beijing successfully lands its forces on the island. This year's exercise is Taiwan's largest in scale so far, running for 10 days and featuring a heavier emphasis on drills with civil forces and civilians to test the entire island's war readiness. Taiwanese troops on Saturday also deployed the American High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which Taipei received last year, for the first time in the Han Kuang drills. All of this comes as Taipei's current government, known for resisting Beijing, grows increasingly concerned about emerging hostilities with mainland China. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged to reunify the island under Beijing's control, and said his country would never renounce its right to use force to reach that goal.
