Unknown threats in Somalia and you want your tier one force to handle it.

Unless you want Marhalim to handle the pirates.

e36.hartge

Thanks for the welcome.

wanvadder

There will always be other teams on board the ship, not just PASKAL. However PASKAL will be the main force to deal with this type of threats.

hack3line

The same avatar that I have used in Military Photos, PhotoMalaysia and other forums.

Cheers.

DPM Teo Offers Assistance in Response to the Earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted: 22 Feb 2011, 2048 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours)


Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean has conveyed Singapore's condolences and offer of assistance to the New Zealand government and people as they grapple with the devastation of the earthquake in Christchurch.

In a telephone conversation with the New Zealand Minister of Defence Dr Wayne Mapp this afternoon, Mr Teo offered the assistance of 116 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regulars and full-time national servicemen to help with rescue operations and to provide humanitarian aid to victims of the earthquake. The servicemen, from Headquarters Guards, were participating in the annual bilateral exercise in Christchurch, codenamed Exercise Lion Walk, when the earthquake happened. The exercise has since stopped, and all SAF personnel are safe and accounted for.

The New Zealand authorities have accepted Singapore's offers of assistance. Besides the SAF team in New Zealand, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be flying a 55-member Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) urban search and rescue team and a command team led by Colonel Melvyn Ong, Commander 7 Singapore Infantry Brigade, to assist in the disaster relief efforts. The Singapore contingent will depart from Paya Lebar Airbase in two RSAF C-130s and one KC-135 military aircraft early tomorrow morning.


Last updated on 22 Feb 2011

What is the timeline for the MAF FNSS PARS 8X8 ?

Looks like a 3-5 years timeframe to see the PARS 8X8 in service for the MAF.

Cheers.

I've some photos of the 2011 Avalon Airshow in my blog, USAF F22 Raptor in Australia.

http://xtemujin.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/2...show-australia/

Apr 10, 2011
KTM Train 'ambush' gives S'pore family a fright

A SINGAPOREAN family travelling home from Malaysia on a Malayan Railway (KTM) train last Thursday thought their lives were in peril when a gunman boarded the train and threatened passengers.

They found out later that the ambush was part of an army training exercise.

The New Paper reported that Mr Peter Tan, 50, his wife Yvonne Ong, 40, and their four-year-old son Chun Xiang had boarded a KTM train in Pahang state at 2.45pm after visiting relatives.

The train was approaching Gemas Railway Station in Negeri Sembilan state at around 6pm when a man wearing a blond wig and sunglasses entered the carriage the family was in.

He then pointed a gun at the roof and shouted in Malay for passengers to place their hands behind their heads. At one point, the gunman pointed his firearm at Mr Tan's head.

'I initially thought that it was a robbery and I was prepared to give him everything for the safety of my family,' Mr Tan, an electrician, told The New Paper.

'But when the gun was pointed at me, my mind went blank.

'I was trembling and afraid that he would open fire. I will never forget that moment.'

The gunman ran off the train when it stopped at the station. Mr Tan said four soldiers dressed in full protective gear entered the train minutes later and appeared to be searching for the gunman.

Mr Tan and his wife said passengers did not receive any explanation after the incident or any announcements prior to it.

A KTM spokesman confirmed with The New Paper that the Malaysian army had conducted an annual exercise during that time. He said passengers were not informed in advance so as to make the exercise as realistic as possible, and apologised for not notifying them.

A spokesman for the Malaysian Ministry of Defence said the exercise was not announced to the public because it involved special forces and commandos. He added that no one was hurt in the exercise and no official complaint was lodged.

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 10 2011, 05:48 PM

I wonder if we are able to see the Rafale, Typhoon and Gripen for LIMA 2011.

If I'm not wrong, the Airbus A400M will make an appearance for LIMA.

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Jul 27 2011, 10:03 AM

Looking forward to see the A400M at LIMA 2011.

Hopefully we'll also get to see the Eurocopter EC725 Cougar.

Cheers.

ASTROS 2020: Brazil Moves to Revive Avibras
Sep 05, 2011 20:03 EDT



BBC News graphic

At the end of August 2011, Brazil’s Ministerio da Defesa announced the beginning of a BRL 1.09 billion (about $685 million) project to update Avibras’ ASTROS (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System) multiple rocket launcher system to ASTROS 2020 configuration. It will also develop an AV-TM missile option, giving the new system a 300 km strike range that’s similar to the USA’s MLRS/ATACMS combination.

The initial BRL 45 million (about $28 million) in funding belies the importance of this contract, on 2 levels. One is industrial. The other is the future spread of advanced precision strike technologies…

On the technology front, ASTROS 2020 is a step forward for a globally competitive platform. In contrast to the 227mm American MLRS/HIMARS system, ASTROS has always allowed a range of rocket calibers. Customers could load ASTROS with a pod carrying up to 32 of the 127mm SS-300s, 16 of the 180mm SS-40s, or 4 300mm SS-60/80s with 90km range, depending on how they wanted to balance range and barrage capacity at any given time.

Recent advances in competitive systems like MLRS have changed the landscape, by adding GPS guidance to create the “GMLRS” precision attack rocket. At the same time, the option to swap 6 MLRS rockets for a 300 km, GPS-guided M-140 ATACMS ballistic missile has vastly extended those systems’ threat reach. Lockheed also continues to improve their 227mm rockets, and recently completed a 120km firing of their new GMLRS+ offering.

ASTROS rockets remain unguided so far, but the AV-TM would add a long-range, precision strike option that has been missing. Photos from Avibras appear to confirm the MdD’s description of AV-TM as a “missil de cruzeiro”, rather than a ballistic missile like the M-140. The tactical consequence is that strikes will take much longer to arrive. On the other hand, successful development is likely to be easier. With long range precision strike added, existing ASTROS customers might be more inclined to keep their existing systems, even as Brazil looks for new markets abroad.

On the industrial front, the government is trying to revive Avibras, whose ASTROS system remains one of Brazil’s most successful weapon export programs ever. During the Cold War, Brazil worked to develop a significant military-industrial complex of its own, and developed a variety of ground vehicles including tanks and APCs. Exports were very difficult in an environment dominated by the Cold War superpowers and their clients, but Avibras’ ASTROS was one of the few exceptions. It sold extremely well in the Middle East, with clients that included Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, and the gulf states of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Recent decades have been even less kind to Brazil’s military industrial base, beyond the considerable civil success of Embraer. Military ground vehicle industrial capacity must be completely rebuilt, in the wake of Engesa SA’s 1993 bankruptcy. Even Avibras applied for bankruptcy protection in July 2008. A financial restructuring took place, with help from Brazil’s Federal Government, but the ASTROS 2020 project is Avibras’ first big step back toward future viability.

It also continues a wider push to restore Brazil’s defense-industrial base, often in cooperation with foreign partners. From Cougar medium helicopters (Eurocopter) to new VBTP wheeled APCs (Iveco), to aerial missiles like A-Darter (Denel), to its own KC-390 aerial transport design, Brazil is pushing ahead on a number of fronts.

As it pushes ahead, the international landscape for defense buys changes. The sale of Mectron’s MAR-1 radar-killer missiles to Pakistan caused a bit of a kerfuffle, even as it may open new markets for Brazilian exports. Avibras’ ASTROS 2020 MLRS would add a new entrant of its own to the global market, alongside the American M270 MLRS/ M142 HIMARS family, and Russia’s popular Grad (122mm), Urugan (220mm) and SMERCH-M (300mm) systems. ASTROS 2020 Buyers would acquire a long-range, precision attack system, and as the number of available sellers for such systems expands in the global marketplace, it becomes more difficult to block disfavored countries from acquiring them. The future points to such systems as an expected presence in military planning.

The 1 billion Real question is whether even a successful ASTROS 2020 development project will enable Avibras to field a renewed export success, and capture an appreciable slice of that market.

Contracts & Key Events
Aug 26/11: Brazil’s Ministerio do Defesa announces the launch of the ASTROS 2020 project, which could rise to BRL 1.09 billion, but is beginning with a BRL 45 million (about $28 million) contract.

Brazil intends to buy 3 ASTROS 2020 batteries: a total of 18 launch vehicles, 18 ammunition resupply vehicles, 3 fire control units, 3 weather stations, 3 recovery vehicles and 3 armored command and control vehicles. The 49th vehicle will handle integrated command and control. Brazil’s MdD [in Portuguese]

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ASTROS...-Avibras-07069/

Some photos to share of the Hari Kemerdekaan.

http://xtemujin.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/2...rdeka-malaysia/

Will A400M make it to LIMA?
Greg Waldron on September 2, 2011

Southeast Asia is entering air show season. In December there is the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) and in February 2012 the Singapore Air Show.

The big question visitors will be asking is will Airbus bring the A400M. Malaysia is the first international buyer of the giant turboprop airlifter, with plans to acquire four. For my part I don't see it coming: the project is years behind schedule, and Airbus is no doubt focused on getting the first example of the aircraft to French Air Force by 2013 - likely before the 2013 Paris air show.

If the A400M is not at LIMA, then forget about it showing up at Singapore. LIMA is a source of immense pride (and dollars) for Malaysia. It would be a slap were the aircraft to appear in Singapore first.

Other types that would be cool to see at either show are the F-35 and V-22 Osprey. The F-35 isn't involved in Malaysia's current fighter competition, so don't expect it at LIMA. Lockheed Martin still probably wants to sell this aircraft to Singapore as an F-16 replacement, although Singapore may well prefer to upgrade its F-16s rather than replace them. And, of course, the F-35 has a grueling test schedule.

As for the V-22, Israel is interested in the aircraft. Since Singapore's defence doctrine more or less mirrors that of Tel Aviv, Boeing could well send one of the tilt rotors, which have started deploying to the Pacific. Aside from the V-22, which isn't really that new, don't expect much in the way of cool, new kit at either show.

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/asian-sk...it-to-lima.html

TNI buying many new stuff.

1) 24 exUSAF F16
2) Su30MK2
3) Apache
4) C295
5) Eurocopter EC725

RMAF has been requesting for AWACS/AEW&C for many years, still no news too.

PICTURES: Hornets, Typhoons join Malaysian exercise

Eurofighter Typhoons from the Royal Air Force's 6 Sqn have joined aircraft from four other nations in Malaysia for exercise "Bersama Lima 2011".

The Royal Australian Air Force sent Boeing F/A-18A fighters and a 737-based Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system aircraft to participate in the manoeuvres that are being conducted from Butterworth air base in Penang.

The UK is leading efforts to promote the Typhoon to Kuala Lumpur, which has identified a need to replace its MiG-29s that have become increasingly expensive to support.

The topic is likely to be high on the agenda at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition, which will take place in early December. Other candidates could include the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/...xercise-363986/

Kris Sakti team sets to blaze Langkawi skies
121111 (Sat)

By ADRIAN DAVID
LANGKAWI
news@nst.com.my

Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots will fly four German-made, single-engine, propellor aeroplanes as the national aerobatics team during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2011 exhibition next month.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Extra 300L monoplanes would be in action as the Kris Sakti, a joint initiative between the private sector and the government, for the Dec 6-10 event at the Langkawi International Airport here.

The Extra 300L was designed in 1987 by Walter Extra, an award-winning German aerobatic pilot and built by Extra Flugzeugbau.

In previous Lima editions, the RMAF put up aerobatic teams like the Taming Sari, comprising Pilatus PC-7 turboprops and others, involving the MiG-29N Fulcrum air superiority and Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flanker jet fighters.

Zahid said the RMAF would also showcase its Boeing F/A-18D strike fighters and the Su-30MKM this year.

Others scheduled to perform aerial displays include the BAE Systems Eurofighter Typhoon, France's Dassault Aviation's Rafale and Sweden's Saab JAS-39 Gripen.

Zahid added other prominent aerospace segment displays included the C-17 Globemaster III, the Eurocopter Tiger, Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland AW149 helicopters.

For the maritime segment, Zahid said the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) KD Tun Razak Scorpene submarine would be present, along with the United States destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur, Korea's ROKS Gang Gamchan, Singapore's RSS Supreme, Australia's HMAS Glenelg and India's INS Kora.

"We will invite all members of Parliament inside our submarine to judge for themselves if the vessel's purchase is worth it," Zahid told newsmen after chairing a Cabinet Committee Meeting on Lima 2011 at the Langkawi Development Authority headquarters in Kuah on Thursday.

Zahid said the organisers expected 38,000 trade visitors and 45,000 civilians for the event, which was expected to bring in RM150 million in tourism revenue.

A total of 403 companies, including Boeing, Airbus, DCNS, Daewoo, Blohm and Voss, Embraer, Sikorsky, Gulfstream, AgustaWestland, Fincantieri, Saab, Eurofighter Typhoon, Sukhoi and Navantia -- from 35 countries have confirmed as exhibitors, a 25 per cent increase from the previous event, two years ago.

There will also be 404 delegations from 57 countries. Zahid added that there would be 26 aircraft exhibits this year as compared with 11 for 2009.

He added that there would be 12 ship exhibits as compared with 10 for the previous event.

http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/kris-s...wi-skies-1.4595

U.S. To Transfer Upgraded F-16s to Indonesia
By DAVE MAJUMDAR
Published: 18 Nov 2011 17:23

The White House issued a statement Nov. 18 saying that it will transfer more than two dozen surplus F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters to Indonesia.

"The Government of Indonesia has chosen to improve its internal air defense capability through the upgrade and regeneration of Excess Defense Articles (EDA) USAF F-16 Block 25 aircraft provided to the Government of Indonesia via a grant approved in August 2011," the statement reads.

The deal represents the largest transfer of defense articles between the U.S. and Indonesia, according to the statement.

The White House statement called the move "a signal of the growing commitment to regional security under the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership."

Indonesia currently operates an aging fleet of 10 Block 15 F-16 A and B model jets. Indonesia wants a total of 30 fighters; 24 of those would be F-16 Block 25 aircraft that would be refurbished and modernized.

"At the conclusion of the regeneration, Indonesia will possess a fleet of 24 F-16 aircraft updated with the most advanced Modular Mission Computer (MMC) produced by Raytheon," the statement reads. "The aircraft will also have vastly improved radar, avionics, and the capability to carry and field more advanced weaponry and sensors."

An additional four Block 25 jets and two Block 15 aircraft would be transferred to use as spare parts. The grant also includes 28 Pratt & Whitney F100 afterburning turbofan engines.

Indonesia will pay to refurbish the 24 F-16s destined for operational use and will also pay for the overhaul of the 28 engines.

The U.S. Defense Department is working with the Indonesian Defense Ministry to draft the final documents and is waiting for the final congressional notification to be completed. The notification and the final Letter of Offer and Acceptance should be completed by early 2012. If all goes as planned, the first modernized aircraft will be delivered by 2014, the statement reads.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8301841&c=ASI&s=AIR

It is about the airframe hours.

TNI-AU is requesting for an upgrade package.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/...-c-295s-364007/

Tempur close shop?