PH plans to tap Israel for missile launchers

By Florante S. Solmerin | Posted on Jun. 15, 2013 at 12:02am

Amid rising tensions over territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea, the government is planning to buy anti-aircraft guided missiles from Israel, reliable sources told the Manila Standard Friday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the surface-to-air missiles or multiple launch rocket systems were being offered by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Israel Military Industries Ltd., both based in Israel.

“SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters,” the source said, adding that these had been suggested some time ago but had not been taken seriously because the defense establishment had no interest in investing at the time.

“Now, here comes the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, and at last they’ve opened their eyes,” the source added.

Another source said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was planning to go to Israel next week to forge an agreement with the prospective suppliers.

“If you have an agreement this would hasten the procurement process, say in three to six months you would already have the weapons. The agreement gives you the leeway to access all the information you want know about a particular weapon you want to procure,” the source said.

Manila Standard tried to reach Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo and spokesman Peter Paul Galvez for confirmation, but both did not return calls or answer text messages.

In his first year in office, President Benigno Aquino III had released P75 billion to fund the upgrading of the military’s capability through the procurement of ships and aircraft.

Gazmin then said they had some 138 big-ticket defense items that were being considered on a government-to-government procurement basis.

Part of this buildup was the recent procurement of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a rehabilitated US Coast Guard cutter introduced in the 1960s.

The refurbished cutter, procured for will be the country’s most modern warship and is expected to arrive in July or August.

But Senator Gregorio Honasan seemed unimpressed with the extent of help offered by the United States, and called for a review of the US Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty, which he described as useless.

“We are not getting anything out of it. We have many international economic, military and security arrangements with other nations but why did they not say anything while the Scarborough Shoal standoff was heating up?” said the former Army colonel.

Because of this, Honasan said the country should abrogate all treaties that do nothing to help the country.

At the same time, however, he said a joint fishing agreement with Taiwan would be beneficial because it would afford protection to fishermen from both countries.

His remarks follow the May 9 fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in the Balintang Channel that soured relations between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Also on Friday, the Foreign Affairs Department said it welcomed the filing of a resolution in the US Senate in support of a peaceful resolution to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

“We understand that the resolution has yet to undergo the necessary congressional process before it is passed by the US Senate, nonetheless, we extend our appreciation on the mere fact that some US senators have deigned it necessary to express their views on a fundamental issue that affects the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region,” the department said in a statement.

“The Philippines especially appreciates the reaffirmation of the peaceful resolution of disputes, including through arbitration; its condemnation of the use of threat or use of force; its recognition of the significance of the role of ASEAN and of the code of conduct; and its support for the ongoing and deepening efforts of the US in the region relating to ensuring freedom of navigation, maintenance of peace and stability, and respect for universally recognized principles of international law.” With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Combat Jets Drive Russian Arms Sales; India Tops Export List

by  Vladimir Karnozov
June 17, 2013, 3:45 AM

Russia won export orders for weapons exceeding $15 billion and delivered weapons worth $14 billion in 2012, compared with $13.2 billion of weapons in 2011. “Surely, Russia will continue cooperation with her traditional partners in the sphere of military-technical cooperation,” Russian president Vladimir Putin told a meeting of the government’s committee for military-technical cooperation with foreign countries in December. “But it is of not less importance to us to enter new markets, expand the nomenclature of deliveries and services.”

According to figures provided on the Russian president’s official website (www.kremlin.ru), the largest buyers of Russian weapons last year were India (27 percent), Algeria (21 percent) and Vietnam (18 percent). Russia also signed a breakthrough deal with Iraq worth $4.2 billion, which included Mi-28NE helicopters and Pantsir S1 air-defense systems.

Russia’s backlog of export orders for military equipment is estimated at $40 billion, down from the record of $50 billion in 2010. The backlog is expected to stay flat in the next three to four years and then gradually decrease.

Bangladesh Orders Yak-130s on Credit

Rosoboronexport, Russia’s arms vendor (Chalet B367 and Hall 4 Stand D187), used LIMA 2013 (in Langkawi, Malaysia, March 26 to 30) as its platform to report on its most recent achievements in military sales. For Bangladesh, which is seeking to buy 24 Yak-130 jet trainers with added precision strike and air defense capability, the Russian government recently opened a credit line of $1 billion for weapons purchases. Focus on a single type allows the Asian country to increase the number of aircraft it ordered and facilitate programs for personnel training, infrastructure, spares and weapons stores. Previously, Bangladesh considered a follow-on order for MiG-29 series fighters, but apparently found the lighter and newer Yakovlev better suited to its requirements. However, Bangladesh may place an order to modernize eight previously delivered MiG-29s into more advanced MiG-29SMTs.

Indonesia Building Fleet of Flanker Fighters

This March, Anatoly Isaikin, director general at Rosoboronexport, announced that Indonesia had placed a follow-on order for six more Sukhoi Su-30MK2 twin-seat multi-role fighters. The deal also includes an unspecified number of Saturn AL-31F engines and other equipment needed to keep the growing Indonesian Flanker fleet intact. To facilitate further sales to Jakarta, the Kremlin-controlled VEB Bank provided the Indonesian finance ministry with an export credit facility worth $399.5 million for a seven-year term.

Following the delivery of new aircraft in February, the Indonesian air force’s current Sukhoi fleet comprises 12 aircraft: two Su-27SKs, three Su-27SKMs, two Su-30MKs and five Su-30MK2s. Four more Su-30MK2s are expected by year-end. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, deputy defense minister, was quoted as saying Indonesia plans to have a full squadron of 16 Sukhoi Su-27/30 fighters by the end of this year. Earlier, his colleagues voiced Jakarta’s ultimate intent to form 10 Sukhoi fighter squadrons comprising 180 aircraft within the next 15 to 20 years.

Victor Komardin, Rosoboronexport deputy director general, told the media at LIMA 2013 that Indonesian officials have asked Russia to create a joint center for repair and maintenance of Sukhoi fighters, and Mil Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters in Indonesia. He believes the agreement could be signed before the planned rotation of the armed forces chiefs in the second half of the year. After the rotation, Russian salesmen expect resumption of negotiations on follow-on orders for the Su-30MK2, and even more advanced Su-35s, as well as other weapons on the Indonesian wish list.

China Signs for Su-35s

More weapons sales are pending to China. Russian officials confirmed during a briefing at IDEX 2013 in Abu Dhabi that preliminary documents had been signed for the Sukhoi Su-35 multi-role fighter. The new deal for 24 Sukhoi Su-35 single-seat, multi-role fighters would be worth $1.5 billion, with deliveries expected to start in 2015. China and Russia signed the intergovernmental agreement in January, according to Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy director at Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS), following decisions made during Russian defense minister Sergei Choigu’s visit to Beijing in November 2012.

Dzirkaln added that the work on a firm contract is ongoing “in a planned manner” as the sides are “detailing” delivery terms. “There will be direct shipments only, not license production,” he said. China last purchased fighters from Russia in 2004, when it added 24 Su-30MK2s, bringing the grand total of Flanker series aircraft it procured from Russia to 283.

India Is Biggest Importer

India is another enthusiastic buyer of Sukhoi jets. Today, 15 out of 32 Indian air force fighter squadrons operate Su-30MKI multi-role fighters. Alexander Fomin, director at the Federal Service for military-technical cooperation with foreign countries (FSVTS) and the head of Russian official delegation to Aero India 2013, said that Russia continues selling weapons to India on a large scale, despite losing a number of international tenders recently. He added that India’s share of Russia’s military exports is nearly 30 percent, making India the largest importer of Russian weapons.

President Putin, during his visit to New Delhi in December, witnessed the signing of several major arms deals. The largest of those calls for the shipment of 42 additional Su-30MKI kits for subsequent assembly at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). The value of that deal is estimated at U.S.$3 billion. This recent order supplements earlier signed contracts for a total of 230 such fighters.

Rheinmetall To Supply Tank Subsystems to Arab Country

Jun. 18, 2013 - 12:12PM   |  
By ALBRECHT MÜLLER   | 

BONN — Germany’s Rheinmetall has won a decisive share in a new project in the Middle East with a €475 million (US $635.6 million) order from an unnamed Arab country for subsystems and services for Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks and PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers.

Rheinmetall did not identify the customer country, but German press reports on the contract noted that German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) recently received an order from Qatar for about 62 Leopard 2 main battle tanks and 24 PzH 2000 howitzers, which are mounted on armored vehicles.

Rheinmetall will supply complete L55-type tank guns for more than 60 tanks, together with fire-control electronics and electro-optical sensors for the medium-caliber weapon station. In addition, it will manufacture the chassis and L52 main armament for more than 20 self-propelled howitzers, and supply a complete driver training vehicle.

The order includes 120mm ammunition for the Leopard and 155mm ammunition for the PzH 2000 in multiple variants, as well as MTLS modular propelling charges for the artillery system. The Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group also will be responsible for a spare parts package and special tools, plus training and documentation services.

Delivery will take place between 2015 and 2018.

Generally, KMW’s Leopard 2 is armed with Rheinmetall’s 120mm smoothbore gun and outfitted with its fire-control technology and C4I systems. The PzH 2000 is jointly produced by Rheinmetall Defence and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, with Rheinmetall responsible for roughly 50 percent.

Malaysia Invests In Sukhoi Fighter Readiness

by  Vladimir Karnozov
June 17, 2013, 4:10 AM

The events in Sabah, Malaysia, this past March, when local forces conducted Operation Daulat used combat jets to quell the resistance of the Filipino gunmen on the island of Borneo, may have prompted a spate of arms sales to that country and her closest neighbors. The armed forces do have a big wish list for weapons, but procurement processes for the most expensive and longest-lead items are likely to be launched properly only after the general elections in Malaysia later this year. In the meantime, the ministry of finance and the royal treasury–the two main watchdogs–are loosening their grips somewhat so as to give the air force the means to improve its fleet readiness.

In late March, Sukhoi won a three-year contract called “The supply of articles, services and technical assistance for Su-30MKM aircraft” worth RM300 million (more than U.S.$100 million), three times the allocation over the previous three-year period. Respective documents were signed by MOD secretary general Datuk Dr. Haji Ismail Haji Ahmad, with Sukhoi deputy general director for marketing Alexander Klementiev and director for after-sales support Vyacheslav Lozan. The increased spending is meant to boost combat readiness of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Su-30MKM fleet from the current level of 65 to 70 percent to 85 percent in the “near term” and eventually increase this to 100 percent. The RMAF’s 11th Squadron stationed at Gong Kedak has 18 heavyweight twin-engine vectored-thrust fighters received new from Irkut’s IAZ factory in 2007-2011. After the manufacturer’s guarantee period expired, most of the Russian support team departed Gong Kedak AFB, leaving only three of their number–and they then left this past January following expiration of the previous service contract.

“The notable increase in spending on our services will allow our specialists to more closely monitor the aircraft operations and shorten the reaction time to RMAF requests for spares and repair services. Importantly, the new contract calls for a permanent presence of Sukhoi advisors and technicians at Gong Kedak,” Klementiev told AIN. The contract calls for deliveries of additional aerodrome equipment, increase of spares and expendables stocks, carrying out on-site repairs of onboard equipment, consultancy and training for RMAF maintainers.

As part of the aircraft delivery contract, Russia built the Sukhoi Technical Center (STC) at Gong Kedak. It was completed and handed over to the Malaysian government, which appointed Aerospace Technology Systems Corp. (ATSC) to be the operator. To work at full capacity, STC’s warehouses need to be filled with spares, expendables and maintenance tools, as necessary, which will be done under the new contract. The facility has several workshops and will permit RMAF and ATSC to perform maintenance, except major overhaul of airframes, engines and the most complex parts of onboard systems. Sukhoi assessed ATSC staff members as “well educated” but indicated they need more training in performing manufacturer-prescribed work on Russian-made jets.

RMAF crews have mastered aerobatics and use of vectored thrust, attracting praise from the Russian air force commander Gen. Victor Bondarev, while he was attending the LIMA 2013 show. Following training of the initial group of Malaysian fighter pilots, Sukhoi and Irkut ceased such services four years ago. They hoped the customer would award them a new contract for pilot training “sometime in the future to ensure that the RMAF 11th Squadron crews are able to use the Su-30MKM capabilities to full extent,” including application of precision-guided munitions. “This would require us to send a group of highly skilled engineers and pilots there who have the complete knowledge of the type’s functional capabilities,” said Klementiev.

ATSC was founded in 1994 as a joint venture with a 70-percent stake held by National Aerospace and Defense Industries, and the rest by Russian partners, and runs the MiG Technical Center at Kuantan AFB and MiG Component Repair Center at MEC City. The company claims to have mastered checks on the Su-30MKM after each 200 flight hours and servicing procedures on the airplane’s OEPrNK optronic aiming and navigation complex system, OLS optical locator, N011M “Bars” fire control radar and fly-by-wire systems, as well as AL-31FP engine module changes.

Despite the increase in funding for RMAF, salesmen remain cautious about prospects of replacement for 18 MiG-29N/NUBs delivered in 1995. “We know about the plans of the military, but we also hear about the economy slowdown and the respective position of the ministry of finance. Cost-effective upgrade solutions may win over,” Victor Komardin, deputy head of Russia’s Rosoboronexport arms sales agency, told AIN.

Guided by this knowledge, Rosoboronexport is offering an upgrade package to the RMAF’s 18-year-old MiGs, which will boost their capability and extend their lifetime to 40 years. Should the customer decide to replace the MiGs with newer aircraft, Russia is ready to supply additional quantities of advanced Su-30MKMs or even consider a request for a fifth-generation fighter. “We are keen to take part in any competition in Malaysia that is officially opened,” Komardin said. Other candidates to replace RMAF MiG-29s are the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, EF-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen.

Thailand Requests Six UH-72 Lakota Helicopters

(Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued June 20, 2013)
 
WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress June 7 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of 6 UH-72A Lakota Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $77 million.

The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of 6 UH-72A Lakota Helicopters, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, Aviation Mission Planning Station, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $77 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States, by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in Southeast Asia.

This proposed sale will contribute to Thailand's goal to upgrade and modernize its military forces with a new light utility helicopter capable of meeting requirements for rotary-wing transportation, while further enhancing greater interoperability between Thailand the U.S., and among other allies. Thailand will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be EADS North America, in Herndon, Virginia. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Thailand for a period of five weeks for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout and new equipment training and a Contractor Furnished Service Representative (CFSR) for a period of one year.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Indonesia Negotiating Purchase of US Apache Helicopters

29 Jun 2013 20:46:45| News in English | Penulis : Supervisor

Semarang (Antara) - Defense minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said that negotiations for the purchase of some Apache helicopters from the US were still ongoing.

"It is still under process but what is important is that the US government has approved it," he said here on Saturday.

Purnomo was here to monitor distribution of cash handouts for the poor following the government's recent decision to increase the prices of subsidized fuel oils.

The minister said the idea to purchase a number of assault helicopters was connected with the preparations for the formation of an Apache Squadron as part of efforts to build a defense system to safeguard the country's sovereignty.

He said several countries in Asia such as China and Japan are currently also building their defense forces.

"Seeing the conditions we must also prepare ourselves but it is not for war but for protecting Indonesia's sovereignty," he said.

He said the Apache helicopters would also be used to secure the country's natural resources that are located in areas bordering other countries.

The minister said as part of the development of the country's defense forces the Indonesian Navy is also preparing anti-submarine helicopters that could be carried by Indonesian warships, a fleet of destroyers of ships with missiles and submarines.

"Thank God, Indonesia's economy is quite good so that some funds could be used for improving public welfare and defense power to meet future challenges," he said.

The army plans to purchase 40 Apache helicopters at a cost of US$40 million per unit. (*)

how much T-84 did Thai bought?

Ukraine presented the first production tank MBT T-84 Oplot-M for Thailand

The first production tank MBT T-84 Oplot-M for Thailand  was presented  in Kharkiv (Ukrainian) on June 26.

Ukrainian State Company for Export and Import of Military and Special Products and Services (Ukrspetseksport), which is a part of the Ukroboronprom state concern, intends to supply 49 T-84 Oplot tanks to Thailand.

As Ukrainian News reported, Ukrspetseksport on September 1 signed a contract with the Defense Ministry of Thailand to deliver 49 Oplot tanks for a sum exceeding USD 200 million.

On August 5, Ukrspetseksport reached agreement with Thailand for manufacture of 121 pieces of BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers and support vehicles based on them worth a total of more than USD 140 million.

Ukrspetseksport is part of the Ukroboronprom state-run concern, which also comprising enterprises producing military hardware, including tank-building enterprises.

source

The indonesia apche deal was not a good 1.
Too expensive.
However procuring a attack heli will give them a very good cas platform.
The sulu incident in ld shown we need attack heli support.
But theb again idon should have focus on increase their hind fleet instead.

As for leo, it was definitely a good deal.
But the question still on how are they going to utilize it to suit their environment.
If the leo were able to work well then it just a waste of fund even it were cheap.
I would love to see how are they going to transport those leos from island to island if leos service is require.
Marder tank perhaps able to shed some light in our question.

I'm still not convince with the effectiveness of the lst.
10 units dat small amount. Should build a bigger ship.
As for the apache we have to wait the whole deal conclude  if the deals is still that expensive indon would be better off going for alternatives heli.

the americans won't allow sales of weapons that can destabilize the balance-of-power in the region.
the good stuff is only sold to allies like sg and thailand, even then these allies don't get the full spec.

even singapore had to lobby hard to get their apache 64d; originally US would only sell the 64a.

Old news already , indo now looking on Apache AH-64E now.

Less than three months after U.S. Army representatives announced that the former “Apache Block III” attack helicopter would be re-designated as the AH-64 “Echo,” the service has officially tied a nickname to the alpha-numeric designation.

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories...s-now-guardian/

Iraq to get the Russian Night Hunter Helicopters
By News Desk | 30 June 2013 Sunday | 06:00

Russia will supply over 10 Mi-28NE ‘Night Hunter’ attack helicopters to Iraq under a multi-billion dollar agreement. These helicopters are the export version of the Mi-28N, produced by the Russian Helicopter Corporation. Russian news agency Novosti quoted Alexander Mikheyev, deputy general director at Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, saying the $4.3 billion arms transfer agreement signed between Moscow and Baghdad includes the transfer of attack helicopters, training of aircrews and technicians, as well as the weapons systems typically employed with these helicopters.

The $4.2 billion package will also include the transfere of additional armament systems, Mikheyev added. The Mi-28NE is the export version of the ‘Night Hunter’ currently employed with the Russian Army. This helicopter code named ‘HAVOC’ by NATO was developed in the 1980s to counter the US Boeing AH-64 Apache. The typical armament of this helicopter includes a 30mm chin mounted gun, two rocket BL13 rocket pods carrying five S13 (100mm) or 20xS8 (80mm) rockets plus and two pairs of AT-8 ATAKA anti-tank missiles pods each carrying four missiles.

Iraq will be the second international operator of the ‘Night Hunter’. In 2012 Kenya has ordered 16 of these helicopters, four have been received sofar. In recent years Rosoboronexport offered the Mi-28NE to India, Venezuela and Algeria, but failed to gain firm orders for the helicopter.

http://defense-update.com/20130630_iraq-it...elicopters.html