Russian MoD promised that Russian Knights or Swifts to participate for 2013 LIMA, but must be patient until final confirmation.
 
Source: scramble.nl

http://blogs.strizhi.info/

$190 million drone coming to Australia
By Asher Moses | 16 January 2013 Wednesday

An unmanned British stealth drone that can fly faster than the speed of sound and go undetected by radar will soon have its first test flight in Australia.

The £125 million ($190 million) Taranis, named after the Celtic god of thunder, can attack targets across continents, automatically dodge missiles and other efforts to bring it down and independently identify targets. It can refuel in mid-air and carry weapons including laser guided bombs and missiles.

Designed to avoid having to put human lives at risk on long and dangerous missions, the drone will be flown for the first time in a series of tests over the Australian outback early this year, Britain's Telegraph reported.

The maker of the drone, BAE Systems, conducts much of its unmanned aircraft work and research in Australia, with its engineering hub based in Melbourne. BAE did not respond to a request for comment but told the Telegraph that Taranis will "have a major impact on the future of the UK military".

With a length of 12.5 metres and a wingspan of 10 metres, Taranis is purportedly even more advanced than current US drones such as the Reaper and Predator.

Drones have become a mainstay of warfare but are shrouded in secrecy. The US, ramping up its drone program under President Barack Obama, has used them against "kill list" targets in place such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.


About 95 per cent of targeted killings since the September 11 terrorist attacks have been conducted by drones, ProPublica reported. The US drone war has been carried out remotely from the US as well as through secret bases around the world, including from Australia.

Andrew Davies, senior analyst of defence capability at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force have used surveillance drones but not armed ones.

He said he believed that for Britain's Taranis tests Australia appealed because it contains a lot of wide open spaces with next to no electromagnetic signals. He believed the tests would take place around Woomera in South Australia.

The Department of Defence in Canberra said a number of countries including Britain use Australia for tests of this type due to larger range areas with less congested airspace.

"For security reasons, details of the location and timing of specific tests or trials of this type are classified and not disclosed prior to the trials," a Defence spokesman said.

During the test flight Taranis will reportedly fly a simulated mission where it must seek out potential targets and avoid threats such as ground to air missiles. Once it identifies a target, it will only attack after given the all clear by mission command.

But Davies believes it is only a matter of time before drones are making decisions for themselves.

"I think there's certainly some things to be concerned about; if you look at what's called Moore's Law, which is something in the world of computers that says that processing power essentially doubles every 18 months or two years, [and] it's inevitable that there will be machines sooner rather than later that are able to evaluate the environment around them and make their own decisions," he said.

"When you look at that in its application to warfare that opens the possibilities of systems that you just let go and they make their own targeting decisions. I think there are both ethical and practical problems with that."

He said drones such as Taranis were designed from the start as a "weapons delivery platform" but drones currently in use "are really surveillance drones that have had weapons bolted on to them".

It is estimated about 3000 people have been killed in US drone strikes, including hundreds of civilians which has led to significant controversy. Australian academics have previously told Fairfax Media that the expanding drone program poses human rights and privacy risks and there is a very real danger they could fall into the hands of those aiming to hurt the West.

Davies said the appeal of drone technology for the military was that unlike manned aircraft they "have the ability to hang around almost indefinitely".

"Any form of air strike runs the risk of civilian casualties on the ground and it doesn't matter whether it's manned or unmanned," he said.

"Like most aspects of warfare there are upsides and downsides to it ... it has been very effective in targeting particularly the leadership of Al Qaeda but it has a downside in terms of both the incidental killing of civilians and the anger it creates in local communities."

In parallel with the military applications, civilian use of drones has been ramping up in Australia in areas such as real estate, mining, environmental surveying and emergency services. In October last year hobbyists used a drone to find a "missing" bushwalker with no human intervention as part of a CSIRO competition.

Boeing subsidiary Insitu Pacific, based in Australia, has trialled its Scan Eagle drones for use in bushfire monitoring and for tracking marine mammals around oil and gas fields in Australia, managing director Andrew Duggan told Fairfax Media.

"We're really trying to turn the focus of these systems on to replacing or supplementing manned aircraft in missions where pilots and air crew might be at risk," he said.

Duggan said he had also had interest from potential clients who want to use drones for shark spotting and for pollution monitoring on the Great Barrier Reef.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technolog...l#ixzz2IOQDuNPC

Global reach: Rheinmetall wins €280 million in new air defence orders from Asia and the Middle East
21 January 2013 Monday

The Rheinmetall Group has recently booked a number of important air defence contracts. Malaysia, Kuwait and one other Asian country have all ordered air defence hardware and/or services from the Düsseldorf, Germany-based company, with a total value of around €280 million. The orders encompass solutions for ground, air and naval units.

Rheinmetall will be equipping Malaysia with a total of twelve fire control radars (TMX/EO Mk2) and six electro-optical systems (TMEO Mk2) for six new patrol boats. This is a breakthrough order for a new generation of high-performance systems whose basic components were all developed in-house.

Together with spare parts and training, the order also includes a transfer of know-how to Malaysia, which will enable local industry to take an active part in the project. Delivery of the systems will commence in 2015 and continue through to 2020.

The Malaysian Navy’s new “Second Generation Patrol Vessels Littoral Combat Ships” (SGPV LCS), play a significant role in safeguarding regional sea lanes, where piracy poses a major threat to commercial shipping. Fire control technology from Rheinmetall will form a crucial element in the OPV’s shipboard technology, controlling the vessel’s primary and secondary armament. This important order underscores Rheinmetall’s increasing importance as a supplier of advanced technology to the world’s navies.

One other customer nation in Asia has selected the Oerlikon Skyshield to serve as a stationary air defence system for protecting its air force installations. The recently concluded framework contract encompasses six systems and the accompanying ammunitions and logistics, together with integrated MANPADS for surface-to-air missiles. The project is slated to run for three to four years, with the first delivered scheduled to take place in 2014.

Another major market breakthrough for Rheinmetall’s new generation of gun-based air defence systems, the country’s first-ever purchase of 35mm technology underscores the strategic significance of this order.

Kuwait, too, counts on Rheinmetall expertise for training and instructing its operating crews. Under the rubric of a wide-ranging Kuwaiti armed forces training project, Rheinmetall has been tasked with teaching the country’s air defence personnel to operate Rheinmetall-made air defence assets already in the Kuwaiti inventory.

For many years, Kuwait has deployed 35mm Skyguard systems from Rheinmetall Air Defence to protect critical infrastructure from aerial threats.

The contract runs for three years and also encompasses infrastructure, including the construction of training centres. It has great strategic significance for Rheinmetall, since advanced training based on Rheinmetall standards can be expected to result in the long-term use of Rheinmetall technology in Kuwait.

Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading makers of advanced short-range air defence systems. In the field of cannon- and guided missile-supported air defence, the company is the market leader and sole single-source supplier of fire control technology, automatic cannon, integrated missile launchers and Ahead ammunition.

On behalf of the German Bundeswehr, Rheinmetall has recently developed the “Mantis” air defence system, which will be fielded shortly. The most advanced system of its kind anywhere, it reliably protects military installations and forward operating bases from rocket, artillery and mortar attacks.

Moreover, when it comes to safeguarding critical civilian infrastructure from the terrorist threat, the Group’s tried-and-tested 35mm Skyshield technology sets the unsurpassed standard worldwide.

http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rhei...etails_2880.php

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Jan 22 2013, 03:49 PM

First C-130H being readied for Indonesia
By Australianaviation.com.au | 24 January 2013 Thursday | 3:50 pm

The first former RAAF C-130H is being prepared for transfer to the Indonesian air force.

Photographed by H-model fan Joshua Williams at RAAF Base Richmond, A97-006 was seen departing the base on a test flight following deep-level maintenance. With evidence of significant work having been performed on the aircraft by Qantas Defence Services, it is believed -006 was the last aircraft to go through deep level maintenance under the existing contract between Defence and QDS. The aircraft was subsequently flown to Townsville for repainting.

A Defence spokesperson told Australian Aviation: “A97-006 is expected to be the first aircraft to be transferred to Indonesia, following completion of deeper level maintenance servicing and other activities, as well as finalisation of transfer arrangements between the governments of Australian and Indonesia.”

http://australianaviation.com.au/2013/01/f...-for-indonesia/

Singapore MINDEF signs contract with ST Engineering to construct naval vessels
By S Ramesh | 30 January 2013 Wednesday | 1856 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Defence Ministry (MINDEF) has signed a contract with Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd for the design and construction of eight new naval vessels.

MINDEF said it will replace the existing Fearless-class Patrol Vessels (PVs) in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

The Patrol Vessels will reach the end of their operational lifespan in 2020 after being in service for more than 20 years.

MINDEF added that the new vessels will be equipped with enhanced combat systems and integrated communications suites that will help the Navy to undertake a wide range of maritime security operations.

This will enable it to more effectively, carry out its mission of safeguarding Singapore's vital sea lines of communication.

The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2016 and all eight vessels will be fully operational by 2020.

- CNA/fa

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1251187/1/.html

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Jan 31 2013, 11:01 PM

Anyone have any idea the dates in March for the 2013 Hari Terbuka Tentera Darat Malaysia as it will be big since it is the 80th anniversary.

Thanks.

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Feb 2 2013, 08:42 AM

Chaiseri Tiger I prototype Chaiseri 8X8
By Thaidefense News | 3 February 2013 Sunday

Chaiseri Tiger I prototype armoured car type 8X8 by Chaiseri company.



http://thaidefense-news.blogspot.sg/2013/0...ri-tiger-i.html

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Feb 6 2013, 07:12 PM

Bundeswehr fields new Gladius soldier system – €84 million order for 60 more systems placed with Rheinmetall
8 February 2013 Friday

Moves by the German Bundeswehr to equip its infantry forces with the state-of-the-art Gladius soldier system are gathering pace. In January 2013, the Düsseldorf, Germany-based Rheinmetall Group was awarded an order to supply a further sixty systems. The procurement programme began in 2012 with an initial order of thirty systems, enough to equip 300 troops.

This follow-up order is worth €84 million, and encompasses equipment for 60 infantry sections with a total of 600 soldiers.

Delivery of the new systems will take place in two lots consisting of thirty systems each, the first one in the middle of 2013, another at the end of the year. This will ensure that the next two contingents of Bundeswehr troops due to deploy to Afghanistan will receive the new equipment well in advance.



As planned, the Bundeswehr is currently taking delivery of the thirty Gladius systems it ordered in 2012. The troops will have until June 2013 to train with the new system before going to Afghanistan.

Developed by Rheinmetall and originally known as “Infanterist der Zukunft (IdZ 2)” or “Future Soldier”, Gladius is the most advanced system of its kind anywhere. Its introduction is a major step forward for the Bundeswehr, which will significantly improve the overall operational effectiveness of German infantry units while simultaneously enhancing the survivability of individual soldiers.

An expanded set of capabilities
Gladius substantially exceeds the capabilities of previous infantry systems used by the Bundeswehr, especially with regard to networkability, command and control, and combat effectiveness. Reflecting the heightened requirements profile of the user as well as incorporating knowledge gained during comprehensive testing and in the field, Gladius is essentially a new, highly advanced system.

A prominent feature of the Gladius system is the holistic design approach that takes full account of the complex operational requirements levied on modern soldier systems. Gladius is intended first and foremost to bring the 10-man infantry section and its vehicle into the network-enabled operational loop. This network, consisting of reconnaissance, command and control components, and weapons, enables rapid exchange of information as well as shared situational awareness as the basis for planning and conducting operations.

The individual soldier receives all relevant data concerning the tactical situation, the position of friendly forces, the mission, and system status. It includes a GPS and an inertial navigation system as well as a magnetic compass, facilitating reliable orientation on the ground.



Improved ergonomics and superb protection
Equally impressive are the system’s ergonomic features, especially with regard to weight reduction, miniaturization and improved integration of individual components. The modular battle dress uniform, body armour and harness system provide excellent protection from detection in the visual and infrared spectrum as well as from the weather – even in extreme climate zones – and especially from biological and chemical agents. Flame-retardant equipment and vector protection round out the system’s high level of protection. The system is integrated into an “electronic backbone” that contains the radio, core computer, batteries and GPS module.

More than just the sum of its parts, the Gladius system puts Bundeswehr infantrymen on the global cutting edge, placing them ahead of their peers in terms of networking capabilities, command and control, and operational efficiency.

http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rhei...etails_3072.php

Event: 2013 Hari Terbuka Tentera Darat Malaysia, 80th HUT
Date: 01 (Fri) - 03 (Sun) March 2013
Time: TBD
Venue: TBD

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?stor...180691381983323

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Feb 11 2013, 04:35 PM

TNI-AD should get chinook and Blackhawk.

The Chinook has longer range, higher load and underslung capacity compared to the Blackhawk.

A better mix of helicopter capability instead of just the Blackhawk.

I believe that TNI-AD saw the capabilities of the RSAF Chinook during the Sumatra earthquake in 2005.

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Feb 13 2013, 07:19 PM

Indonesia purchased an additional batch of six Su-30MK2 fighters
By Russian Aviation | 13 February 2013 Wednesday | 18:10 MSK

Indonesia purchased an additional batch of six Su-30MK2 fighters , Lenta.ru reports with reference to the CEO of Rosoboronexport, Anatoly Isaykin.

The contract also assumes delivery of additional engines and materiel. Anatoly Isaykin did not unveil other details of this contract.

It was reported in autumn 2010 that Indonesia is going to purchase another six Su fighters (the fleet of Indonesian air forces already includes 10 Sukhoi fighters). The total value of the potential contract was assessed at $470 million. The Minister of Defense of Indonesia, Purnomo Yusgiantoro , stated that Djakarta is going to purchase a total of 180 Sukhoi fighters over the next 20 years . It was planned to form 10 squadrons of Su fighters.

Rosoboronexport and Indonesian Ministry of Defense negotiated in December 2011 on delivery of additional batch of Su-30MK2 fighters. It was reported that the main parameters of the contract have already been approved by the parties and Indonesia just has to define the jet’s configuration.

However, Defense Department Secretary General Errys Heryanto declared in August 2012 that Indonesia will not purchase Russian fighters . He explained this decision by sufficient number of aircraft in the fleet of tactical aviation and shortage of funds in the defense budget, which is hardly enough for renewal of the country’s fleet of military-transport aircraft.

Vnesheconombank and Indonesian Ministry of Defense signed an agreement in December 2012 on provision of the export credit to the amount of $399,5 million for the term of 7 years to Djakarta. It was reported that Indonesia will be able to finance the contract with Rosoboronexport using these funds.

http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2013/2/13/1524/

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Feb 14 2013, 05:48 PM

From Dzirhan Mahadzir - Defence Journalist

Army Day events:

Perarakan Anggota dan Aset Tentera Darat. (Orang ramai dijemput menyaksikan acara)

(1) Tarikh : 2 Mac 13 (Sat)
(2) Masa : 0800 pagi
(3) Lokasi : Port Dickson, Bandar Tentera Darat,
Negeri Sembilan. (Bermula dari jalan utama simpang masuk ke Pusat Latihan Asas Tentera Darat (PUSASDA) sehingga ke Pasukan 2 ARMOR.

Pertunjukkan Khas Komando dan Pasukan 10 Briged Para. (Orang ramai dijemput menyaksikan acara)

(1) Tarikh : 3 Mac 13 (Sun)
(2) Masa : 0900 pagi
(3) Lokasi : Pantai Saujana, Batu 4, Port Dickson, Bandar Tentera Darat, Negeri Sembilan.

Forum Perdana (Orang ramai dijemput hadir)

(1) Tarikh : 9 Mei 13 (Thu)
(2) Masa : 9.00 malam
(3) Lokasi : Padang Kawad, Pusat Latihan Asas Tentera Darat (PUSASDA), Port Dickson, Bandar Tentera Darat.

Pertunjukkan TATTOO Tentera Darat (Orang ramai dijemput hadir)

(1) Tarikh : 9 Mei 13 (Thu)
(2) Masa : 9.00 malam
(3) Lokasi : Padang Kawad, Pusat Latihan Asas Tentera Darat (PUSASDA), Port Dickson, Bandar Tentera Darat.

International Army Run (Penyertaan terbuka kepada orang ramai dan pendaftaran dibuka pada bulan April melalui Laman Web Tentera Darat)

(1) Tarikh : 9 Mei 13 (Thu)
(2) Masa : 0800 pagi
(3) Lokasi : Sekitar Pusat Latihan Asas Tentera Darat, Port Dickson, Bandar Tentera Darat

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?stor...120482317981520

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Feb 14 2013, 10:17 PM

Problems with Russian equipments are the long delays with getting spare parts.

The Indian Armed Forces have been complaining about the lack of Russian spare parts and part of the reasons that they are now turning to US equipments.

Mafia and money.

Malaysian security forces prepared to move in to Tanduo at any time
17 February 2013 Sunday | 11:34:00 AM MYT

LAHAD DATU: Malaysian security forces are prepared to move in to the seaside village of Tanduo at any time.

Police, army and maritime security forces are waiting to deport the over 100 Filipino gunmen holed up in the village within Felda Sahabat 17.

According to Filipino media, the group is led by crown prince Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kira, brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

The gunmen have told the media that they will remain in the east coast of Sabah, claiming it is their ancestral home.

Leader Rajah Muda has also reportedly said the group will be staying put and has no intention of leaving until its demands are met.

Malaysian security forces prepared to move in to Tanduo at any time - Nation | The Star Online

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Feb 17 2013, 11:42 AM

USAF to test RAAF top fighter pilots
By Australianaviation.com.au | 19 February 2013 Tuesday | 3:20 pm

A brace of USAF F-16 fighters has arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown to participate in the RAAF’s Fighter Combat Instructors’ (FCI) course.

The aircraft, which are based at Eielson AFB in Alaska, are painted in dissimilar combat markings and its pilots are trained to mimic those tactics used by potential adversaries.

Commander Air Combat Group AIRCDRE Tony Grady said: “To be a Fighter Combat Instructor, you need to have attained the highest level of leadership as a fighter pilot to even qualify for this course, so the training is very highly regarded.”

To this end, the USAF F-16 unit also possesses some of the USAF’s best pilots.

http://australianaviation.com.au/2013/02/u...fighter-pilots/

Singapore orders two additional S-70B helicopters
By Greg Waldron | 20 February 2013 Wednesday

Singapore has signed a contract for two additional Sikorsky S-70B seaborne helicopters, with the rotocraft due for delivery in 2016.

The new aircraft will have a "different weapons kit" to the Republic of Singapore Navy's existing fleet of six S-70Bs, says an industry source, who declines to provide exact details about how they will be equipped.

Singapore's existing S-70Bs, which were inaugurated into service in January 2011, are optimised for anti-submarine warfare duties, with an L-3 long-range active sonar and torpedoes.

According to Sikorsky's website, the S-70B can be configured for several other missions, including anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue, medical evacuation and vertical replenishment.

In the ASuW role, the type can be armed with up to eight Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, as well as machine guns and cannons.

Although Singapore's S-70Bs operate from the nation's six Formidable-class frigates, they are flown and maintained by air force personnel.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/...copters-382523/

China intends to buy Russia's Sukhoi Su-35
20 February 2013 Wednesday | 11:37

ABU DHABI (UAE). Feb 20 (Interfax) - China has signed an intergovernmental agreement with Russia to purchase Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighters.

"Consistent with our understanding with China, we actually signed an intergovernmental agreement this January to supply Su-35 jets to China," Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service Deputy Director Vyacheslav Dzirkaln told Interfax-AVBN at the IDEX 2013 arms show in Abu Dhabi. He heads the Russian delegation to the show.

Consultations will start shortly to draft the Su-35 contract, he said. "This is only natural; we keep to the plan," Dzirkaln added.

He did not say when the contract might be signed and how many Su-35 jets would be delivered to China. Yet he said there would be no license and China would acquire finished products.

Asked whether there was a chance to reanimate the Su-27 licensed assembly contract suspended by China, Dzirkaln said the contract was signed in the 1990s. "More than 20 years have passed and the jet has changed, probably, the Chinese partners are no longer interested in the Su-27 jet the way it was described in the contract. I do not think the contract will be restored," Dzirkaln said.

China is the biggest foreign user of Su-27/30 aircraft. A total of 281 jets of the kind were supplied to China in different years. Besides, China started production of J-11B fighters - actual clones of Su-27.


Te

(Our editorial staff can be reached at eng.editors@interfax.ru)

http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=5&id=397152

TNI-AU receives two new SU30MK2.

http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2013/02/22..._campaign=Khlwp