Feb 7, 2012 U.S._Thailand Cobra Gold 2012 Military Exercise

Cobra Gold 2012, a U.S.-led annual multinational exercise and the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, started Tuesday in east Thailand.

A total of 13,180 personnel from Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia participated in the exercise. In the ranks were some 9, 000 Americans and more than 3,600 Thais.

Australia, France, Canada, Britain, Bangladesh, Italy, India, Nepal, the Philippines and Vietnam had their observers at the military drill.

The 10-day exercise will engage the participants in such missions as anti-terrorism, humanitarian rescue, amphibious assault and peacekeeping, in a bid claimed to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding border and regional security.

In addition, the United States and Thailand also cooperated on concrete programs such as the construction of Thailand’s infrastructure and the restoration of water conservancy facilities.

The Pentagon said that this was the largest multinational military exercises in the Pacific region so far. It would become commonplace to engage multinational efforts to tackle regional emergency. The United States will cooperate with friends and alliance in strengthening action capacity.

The Cobra Gold, which was first held in 1982, now has developed into a multinational military exercise. The 2012 event marked the 31st military exercise.
sosej

Israeli defense industries have been given the green light to offer certain military systems to Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim country. Representatives from Israel’s defense industries will meet Indonesian defense establishment representatives at the international air exhibition set to take place next week in Singapore, in order to promote deals that are on the agenda.

According to foreign publications, Israel previously sold about 30 Skyhawk aircraft used by the IAF to the Indonesian air force during the 1980s after undergoing upgrades in Israel. Since then, according to foreign publications, Indonesia procured various weapon systems from Israeli companies.

Several Israeli companies have recently been given permission to offer their products to Indonesia. The products in question are UAVs, observation systems, various electronic systems, and more. It seems that Indonesia's defense budgets are quite significant, and that its military is undergoing a process of renovation, which opens up
many possibilities to the Israeli defense industries.

Any deal, or even the presentation of products before Indonesian representatives, necessitates advanced approval by the Israeli defense establishment. However, as mentioned, a number of such approvals have been recently granted. Several possible deals will be proposed during the meetings planned this week in Singapore. A source close to the issue said that at this initial stage, there’s potential for tens of millions of dollars to be made.

F-35 is a confirmed attendance in SG2012... mentioned in CNN

tumpang tanya,

tentera and polis yang nak simpan janggut kena buat surat bagi pemerintah masing - masing ka?

real plane? 

mock up!

mock up!

better than nothing.

can snap pics

What does it mean mock up? mean it cant fly?

Yep!
There is also a mock up of EF during LIMA where visitor can go inside and feel like the real thing!
and of course take picture

but the antic F22 is real though!
It's more like a model, not the real thing usually for promotion!

there weren't any mention of F22s but i do hope it'll be there.

i'd take F22 anytime than f35

maybe some flybys from the USAF in F22s

France to Help Malaysia in Defence Research

KUALA LUMPUR: France is enthusiastic about playing a bigger role in Malaysia's research and development in the defence industry, said its visiting Defence and War Veterans Minister Gerard Longuet.

"We are keen to provide French expertise and technology and work together as a global partner," he said at a joint press conference with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Defence Ministry yesterday.

Longuet also praised Malaysia for demonstrating its capabilities as a stabilising force in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia has also supported French initiatives by sending United Nations peace-keeping troops to Lebanon and medical teams to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation-led mission in Afghanistan.

He also commended Malaysia for ensuring the safe passage of its commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, by deploying naval auxiliary combat ships, to ward off Somali pirate attacks.

Zahid touched on the acquisition of assets like the EC-725 Eurocopters, Scorpene submarines and the Airbus A400M medium-lift air- craft from France.

"Although many of these products and services are French in nature, they meet our quality and specifications at the right price," said Zahid.

Malaysia is due to take delivery of 12 EC-725 helicopters from next year and the four A400M from 2015, both for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The two Scorpene submarines have been in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy the past two years.

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IN FOCUS: Southeast Asia’s helicopter market spirals upwards

One of the themes certain to run through this month's Singapore air show is the vibrancy of Southeast Asia's helicopter market. Major suppliers such as Eurocopter, AgustaWestland, Bell and Sikorsky will all have a major presence at the event.

"The Southeast Asian helicopter market is resistant to the world economic crisis," says AgustaWestland chief executive Bruno Spagnolini. "In the region's offshore, utility and commercial helicopter market the crisis does not appear to be so huge. We're continuing to enjoy strong sales of the AW139, which is very well suited to this market."

At December's LIMA air show in Langkawi, the world's helicopter heavyweights signed a raft of deals and agreements with Malaysian companies. And although top executives of major fixed-wing airframers delegated LIMA to regional colleagues, the cream of the world's helicopter executives were on hand to entertain Malaysian customers in expansive chalets.

AgustaWestland and Malaysia's Weststar Aviation produced one of the show's few hard news stories. On 7 December, the companies disclosed a $150 million contract for 10 helicopters: five AW139s configured for offshore transport, one AW139 for VIP transport, two AW169s, and two AW189s. This was the first sale of the AW169 and AW189 in Malaysia. One rationale AgustaWestland gave for the multi-type deal was the common cockpit layout and maintenance concepts.

Eurocopter also signed several deals at the show, including two EC225 sales. Malaysia's MHS Aviation ordered its sixth EC225, to be delivered in 2014, while Awan Inspirasi ordered an EC225 for offshore operations.

It was at LIMA that Eurocopter revealed plans to develop a helicopter centre at Subang in conjunction with Malaysia Airports Holdings. The centre will open in 2012 and offer maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, a heliport and a parking hanger.

The manufacturer had opened a new MRO facility in Singapore in January 2011. Located in Seletar Aerospace Park, this is designed to support operators through the region. It can house 24 helicopters, compared with 12 at the previous facility, and incorporates Eurocopter's Singapore Helicopter Training Centre.

Eurocopter also used LIMA to disclose a letter of agreement with Malaysia's BHIC Defence Technologies to develop an EC225/EC725 regional flight simulator centre. The simulators will be located at the new helicopter centre at Subang. The deal stems from the July 2011 offset plan for the 12 EC725s the Royal Malaysian Air Force is acquiring.

Finally, Eurocopter signed an agreement with Malaysian firm CTRM, which will build the fenestron (ducted tail fan) of the EC130. Under the CTRM deal, Eurocopter will help the company develop helicopter systems integration competencies.

Southeast Asia's helicopter market extends far beyond Malaysia and Singapore. Fast-growing nations such as Indonesia and Vietnam have a huge demand for new rotorcraft, as does the Philippines. In the case of Indonesia and Vietnam, a major growth segment is offshore supply and mining support. In the Philippines there is also a strong VIP transport market.

DYNAMIC MARKETS

"The Southeast Asian market is not homogenous," says Bernhard Brenner, the Singapore-based chief executive of Eurocopter Southeast Asia. "There is not a single market. We serve 15 countries from Singapore, but all are different. Many of them are very dynamic."

At LIMA, Eurocopter chief executive Lutz Bertling highlighted the company's dominant market share in several of the region's civil and parapublic helicopter markets. Eurcopter claims a 64% market share in Thailand, 82% in Malaysia, 58% in Indonesia and 58% in the Philippines. The offshore clientele includes Vietnam's Southern Service Flight Company, Indonesia Air Transport, Indonesia's Pelita Air and Malaysia's MHS Aviation.

Brenner says Eurocopter's strongest market in Southeast Asia is probably Vietnam, "the most global and complete market - and all segments are strong, [especially] the energy and military market".

Vietnam has been a particularly strong market for the EC225 Super Puma, a contender in Vietnam's MiL Mi-17 replacement market. Southern Service Flight Company already operates two EC225s and four EC155s, and has ordered a third EC225. Eurocopter also sees opportunities in Vietnam's VIP segment.

Russian Helicopters is also strong in Vietnam owing to the historic ties between Moscow and Hanoi. In December, Russian Helicopters opened a representative office in Hanoi to provide better access to the Southeast Asian and Australian markets.

"As one of the rapidly developing countries of the region and a long-term partner of Russia, Vietnam is an important aviation market for the company and a firm foothold for further development of business and the popularisation of Russian rotorcraft in Southeast Asia," says Russian Helicopters.

From its Hanoi office Russian Helicopters will support parts delivery, leasing and maintenance services in Vietnam and regionally. It says 300 Mil and Kamov helicopters are operated in Southeast Asia and Australia. Sixty are in Vietnam, where Russian helicopters comprise 50% of the civil market and 90% of the military market.

The other huge helicopter market in the region is Indonesia, with a resources sector comprising mines as well as offshore oil and gas fields. It is inefficient to take highly skilled personnel to offshore platforms by sea, and mining areas are often difficult to access by road.

Reflecting the importance of helicopters in Indonesia's economic growth, local airframer PT Dirgantara Indonesia produces both the Bell Helicopter 412-EP and Eurocopter's NAS332 Super Puma under licence. The Bell 412 has an especially strong position in Indonesia, with about 70 in operation throughout the archipelago. In early December, Bell announced five firm orders and two potential follow-on orders for Bell 412s in the country.

INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATION

"Bell Helicopter has had a long partnership with PTDI in Indonesia," says Larry Roberts, senior vice-president of Bell Helicopter's commercial business. "The sale of these helicopters is part of the framework of an ongoing industrial collaboration between our two companies. We believe our partnership will continue to grow and possibly expand in the future." Under the arrangement, PTDI transported the helicopters to Bandung, Indonesia, where it added local systems and mission equipment.

Mirroring Eurocopter and AgustaWestland's investments in the region, in June 2011 Bell and its sister company Cessna broke ground on a new service and support center at Seletar in Singapore. The location will house a range of operations, including sales, technical support, spare parts distribution and MRO.

Wealthy Indonesians are also waking up to the convenience a personal helicopter offers, particularly in Jakarta, a city blighted by standstill traffic. One helicopter sales executive says his company frequently gets enquiries from people with no helicopter background. He refers them to existing customers so that they can gain a sense of the complexity and issues involved in operating rotorcraft.

But the Philippines has a more established VIP market. "The Philippines is a strong, major and stable market in terms of VIP transport," says Eurocopter's Brenner. "People are used to flying helicopters, and the market is predictable." In 2011, Eurocopter sold several single-engined Ecureuil family helicopters in Indonesia. It is now seeing more interest in larger, medium-twin Dauphin types.

Southeast Asia's parapublic market is also strong, particularly for coastguard operations and police work. While individual orders tend to be small, Southeast Asia's parapublic operators buy sophisticated, flexible helicopters. As the region become richer, the need for helicopters can only continue to grow.

sosej

there weren't any mention of F22s but i do hope it'll be there.

i'd take F22 anytime than f35

maybe some flybys from the USAF in F22s