Indonesia orders tracked armoured vehicles from Rheinmetall worth around €216 million



Marder 1A3 Jakarta Parade 5th October 2013

(PresseBox) (Düsseldorf, 13.11.2013) The Indonesian Ministry of Defence has contracted with the Rheinmetall Group of Düsseldorf to supply it with tracked armoured vehicles, logistical support and ammunition worth roughly €216 million. The contract, which was signed in December 2012, now comes into full force following the successful completion of all legal formalities.

Along with 103 thoroughly overhauled and modernized Leopard 2 main battle tanks, the order encompasses 42 upgraded Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles and 11 various armoured recovery and engineering vehicles, plus associated documentation, training equipment and additional logistical support. Furthermore, the order includes an initial supply of practice and service ammunition. Indonesia thus becomes the 18th Leopard 2 MBT user nation.

Delivery to the Indonesian Army will take place progressively during the 2014-2016 timeframe.

With a population of some 240 million, Indonesia is one of the world's largest democracies. It plays an increasingly important role as a regional superpower and source of stability in South East Asia. The decision to procure these vehicles reflects Indonesia's need to modernize its ability to respond to potential threats to its territorial integrity. Moreover, in order to take part in UN peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions, Indonesia requires equipment that corresponds to the military standards of its partner nations.

Rheinmetall has over forty years' experience in developing and manufacturing main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and related combat support systems. The Leopard 2 continues to set the standard for modern MBTs, with over 3,600 now in service.

The Rheinmetall Group played a decisive part in developing and producing Leopard 2 tanks ordered by the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands. Of the 2,125 A4 versions of the Leopard 2 built, Rheinmetall completely manufactured 977 of these systems in Kiel, all of which went to the German and Dutch armies.

When teamed with the Leopard 2 MBT, Rheinmetall's Büffel/Buffalo 3 armoured recovery vehicle forms a veritable "Main Battle Tank System". The Group's extensive portfolio of Leopard-based vehicles and associated armament and ammunition attests to its unsurpassed systems engineering capabilities and extreme competence in the world of combat and combat support vehicles.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Boeing Winds Down Production of Delta Apache

By Douglas Nelms

Boeing has now officially taken the AH-64D out of production as of September, being replaced by the AH-64E, initially delivered as the AH-64D Lot III. The majority of the D Model Apaches were rebuilt from the AH-64A, including 713 AH-64Ds delivered to the U.S. Army. The U.S. Army also received 68 new builds as replacement aircraft.

First delivery of the more advanced AH-64E was made in October 2011, with the 1/229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., becoming the first unit equipped with 24 aircraft.

Boeing has handed over an additional 19 AH-64Es to the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Carson, Colo. The 43 aircraft are out a total of 51 planned in the low rate initial production (LRIP), according to Col. Jeffrey Hager, AH-64E project manager. The LRIP is nearly over, with Boeing immediately beginning full rate production.

Those 43 were upgraded from AH-64Ds, with the 44th aircraft in the initial batch to be the first new fuselage ship.
 
The modernization of the AH-64 is continuing with two more capability upgrades planned – Lots VI and IV, he said. Lot VI will begin in 2015.
AH-64Ds are still being delivered. A total of 90 AH-64s will be delivered through this year, of which 39 are D models and 51 Echo models.

International customers will receive 30 through the U.S. foreign military sales (FMS) program, with the international orders being a mixture of AH-64Ds and AH-64Es. Both Boeing and the U.S. Army are anticipating that some of the international customers ordering the AH-64D will give serious consideration to upgrading to the E model for the added capabilities, as well as compatibility with allied forces that are fielding the AH-64E.

Taiwan is the first international customer for the Echo model with an order for 30 aircraft. The first six were planned for deliver in October, with all 30 delivered by next July.

Indonesia has signed a letter of acceptance for eight AH-64Es for approximately $500 million, with a total package cost of $1.42 billion.

India is considering an order for 22 E model Apaches with an additional order possible, although the specific number has not been released. The India agreement is a direct commercial sale (DCS) and FMS hybrid.

Both Qatar and Korea have notified the U.S. government that they are interested in purchasing the AH-64E through FMS, with Qatar seeking 24 aircraft with a total package worth $3 billion, and Korea asking for 36 E models with a package value of $3.6 billion.

The total packages for the FMS includes weapon systems, mission equipment packages, training and ongoing support. Hager noted that the Army has been able to reduce the cost of support contracts by 24 percent.

Egypt had ordered 12 AH-64D Apaches, but those aircraft are currently in storage awaiting word for delivery.

Hager noted that to date, the AH-64 fleet has accumulated 3.7 million flight hours, of which 5,810 hours were with the Echo model. The program is scheduled to run through 2026.

7 November 2013 | 16:59

First lot of Oplot tanks delivered to Thailand

Ukraine has handed over to Thailand the first lot of five new main battle tanks (MBTs) BM Oplot, manufactured at the State Enterprise Kharkiv Malyshev Plant (KMP), the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

According to the state-owned company "Ukrspetsexport," the Deed of Technical Acceptance was signed by the parties in Kharkiv on Nov. 5 after a full cycle of running and firing tests. The customer confirmed that the technical characteristics of the Oplots fully meet the requirements set out in the contract. In addition to the technical testing of MBTs in Ukraine, the final acceptance by the customer will take place in Thailand, says Ukrspetsexport.

The contract between the SC "Ukrspetsexport" and the Operational Control of the Royal Thai Army was signed in 2011 and provides for the supply of 49 MBTs Oplot. The total value of the contract is over 200 million USD. According to the contract, the project started at KMP in early April 2012 and is scheduled to end in 2014.

In recent years, Ukraine has been actively developing military-technical cooperation with Thailand. According to experts, the total value of contracts awarded in 2006-2011 exceeds 500 million USD. Ukraine also manufactures armored vehicles, in particular, the BTR-3E1 and BM Oplot tanks.

The MBT Oplot was created by Morozov Desian Bureau of Kharkiv at the order of the Ministry of Defense. According to its characteristics BM Oplot is one of the best tanks in the world. By most of characteristics, it surpasses Main Battle Tanks, in particular, the T-90A of the Russian Army and M1 Abrams of the U.S. Army. For example, a new generation of dynamic armor, mounted on Oplots, bests the Russian equivalent of "reactive armor" Contact-5, which is installed on the T-90A and T-72BA. In addition, the Ukrainian tanks have a powerful defense of the lateral projection which is superior to all Western and Russian war machines. Military experts claim that the reserve of technological innovations of the domestic war machine will retain its advantage in the future.

Military industry experts claim that Ukrainian weaponry is popular on international markets because of its designed reliability, lower cost compared with Western counterparts, and manufacturer’s warranty for service and repair. In this case, the domestic equipment and weapons are on par with competitors by combat characteristics.

Indonesia will receive German tanks soon

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Fri, November 15 2013, 8:06 AM

The Defense Ministry has contracted with the Rheinmetall Group of Düsseldorf to supply armored vehicles, logistical support and ammunition worth around ¤216 million (US$290.65 million), the Germany-based com-pany said.

Indonesia will receive 103 Leopard tanks, 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) and 42 upgraded Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles and 11 various armored recovery and engineering vehicles.

The contract had come into full force after all legal formalities had been completed, including the approval of the German parliament, the company said in statement released on Wednesday.

Rheinmetall Group will deliver the vehicles to the Indonesian Army between 2014 and 2016.

The purchase approval was delayed by opposition legislators that cited concerns for Indonesia’s human rights record.

Media reports suggested that the MBTs would be assigned to the 8th Cavalry Battalion on the 2nd Division of the TNI-AD’s Strategic Reserve Command (KOSTRAD), in Pasuruan, East Java.

Two Leopard 2A4s and two Marder IFVs took part in Indonesia’s Armed Forces Day celebrations on Oct 5.

Indonesia has been working toward reaching its Minimum Essential Force (MEF) in 2024, or “a force level that can guarantee the attainment of immediate strategic defense interests”.

Previously, Indonesia Military Army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Budiman said that the Army is looking to modernize its primary weapons defense system for the 2014-2018 periods with a number of acquisitions, including helicopters, aerial defense systems and tanks.

One such acquisition is the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, bought from the US Army through a Foreign Military Sales agreement in a deal worth $500 million.

“Two Apaches will arrive in 2014, and another six by 2017,” said Budiman, who only goes by one name.

Budiman said that in 2014, Indonesia will receive the first wave of Astros II (Artillery Saturation Rocket System) multiple rocket launcher system from Brazil-based Avibras in a reported $800 million deal for 36 units.

Other acquisitions include Starstreak and Mistral missiles, Bell 412 and Fennec multi-purpose helicopters, as well a line Anoa Tarantula combat vehicles, a joint Indonesia-Korea project.

The Defense budget for 2014 stands at Rp 83 trillion ($7.65 billion), making it the largest allocated by the government compared to other programs. (asw)

RSAF Falcons Does It Again – Johorean Complaints of Low Flying Fighters

Posted on November 18, 2013 by hafizuddinsulaiman

Local residents of Nusajaya especially those in Tanjung Adang and Gelang Patah has lodge complaints over noise nuisance caused by low-flying RSAF F-16 Falcon fighters overhead. The Parent Teacher’s Association of SMK Tanjung Adang calims that the fighters had crossed the airspace almost every day especially during weekend.

They overflew within minutes interval for almost 10 times daily beginning from 1000H until the evening. The PTA also complaint that the noise had caused distraction and discomfort to the 62 students currently undergoing the important Malaysian Education Certificate (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia - SPM) exams.

Similar complaint was made by Gelang patah’s UMNO Public Complaint Bureau in which a police report was lodge pertaining the incident.

DCA siad that the case is not under its jurisdiction but in fact falls under the RMAF’s responsibilities. In 2011, the then former Minister of Defence had revealed that 2,508 RSAF aircraft movements have been detected violating the Malaysian airspace since 2008.

Javelin Joint Venture awarded $176 million for Javelin Weapon System

Raytheon Company 8 hours ago

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Raytheon Company (RTN) and Lockheed Martin (LMT) Javelin Joint Venture received a $176 million contract for the production and delivery of 842 Block I Javelin missile rounds and 120 command launch units (CLUs). The contract was awarded to the Javelin Joint Venture in September.

The missiles will be provided through the U.S. government to the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and three international customers: Oman, Jordan and Indonesia. Funded with Special Defense Acquisition Funds, the CLUs will be delivered to the U.S. Army beginning October 2014.

"The Javelin Joint Venture is providing U.S. and allied warfighters with an affordable, versatile and lethal one-man-portable, anti-tank, guided missile and surveillance weapon," said Jeff Miller, Raytheon Javelin program director and Javelin Joint Venture president. "This contract is important to the Javelin program because the CLU retrofit business keeps our production line warm through mid-2015."

Javelin enhances direct-fire capability against armored vehicles, buildings and field fortifications. Using the Javelin missile system, a single infantryman can engage and defeat targets in close combat and at ranges up to two-and-a-half kilometers.

"This contract allows us to provide to our customers one of the most reliable and user-friendly systems in the world," said Barry James, Lockheed Martin Javelin program director and Javelin Joint Venture vice president. "Javelin has proven and continues to prove itself time and time again in combat."

Indonesia have Javelins??

Monday, 18 November 2013 16:55

Thales to supply mission suite for Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) PKR vessels

Thales announced the signing of a contract with the Dutch shipyard Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding for the delivery and installation of a full mission systems suite for the 2 PKR class vessels under construction for the Indonesian Navy.
    

SIGMA 10514 Guided Missile Frigate (Photo: Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding)
    
Thales will supply the latest release of the TACTICOS Combat Management System; SMART-S Mk2 surveillance radar; STIR 1.2 Mk2 EO fire control system; KINGKLIP sonar; LINK-Y datalink, as well as its naval communication and navigation systems. The first delivery is scheduled for the end of 2014. The programme is scheduled to end in 2017

Thales will also increase its existing industrial cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia, with PT LEN Industri, developing part of the Combat Management System software suite. In addition to software development, Thales will continue to involve the local industry in service support and will continue to develop its long-term partnership withthe Indonesian industry on future programmes in both the military and civil sectors.

This contract brings the number of SMART-S Mk2 radars systems up to well over 50. With the first system under contract in 2003 and operational in 2006, this radar is the world-wide market leader in naval medium to long range surveillance radars.

they want to lure out the marines so that they had the vantage point.probably had IEDs on the roads leading to their positions

if the marines had an old radio they could've talk to the taliban

the taliban have suprisingly good english 

Btw no1 like sweeden stuff bill2 and mbt law

Surveillance Equipment for Oil Rigs?

Marhalim Abas November 19, 2013 Malaysian Defence

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry is willing to consider requests from petroleum companies for the installation of surveillance equipment on oil rigs to boost security measures especially for those located off Borneo.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the government need the cooperation of all parties to ensure the security of the country, hence its willingness to work to ensure that the off-shore oil industry – one of the economic pillars of nation – were secured from all threats.

“Yes, we will be willing to talk to the oil companies from Petronas to multi-national firms to equip their oil rigs with the surveillance equipment” he told reporters after launching the Ops Fajar coffee table book today. The book which chronicled the Royal Malaysian Navy’s operations in the Gulf of Aden is published by the navy and MISC Bhd.

Hishammuddin described the installation of surveillance equipment on the oil rigs as an extension to the strategic partnership between MISC and the Armed Forces that had boosted the productivity and prosperity as well as boosting the nation’s security.

Hishammuddin was asked whether petroleum companies would be allowed to equip additional surveillance systems on its oil rigs instead of relying solely on the protection of security agencies.

Malaysian Defence was informed that petroleum companies had started discussions with the authorities for the installation of additional surveillance equipment like thermal cameras to night vision devices to protect their oil rigs from all of type of threats from wayward fishermen to pirates and armed gangs.

The matter had became more urgent since the Lahad Datu incursion earlier this year.

Currently the oil rigs are fitted with air and surface search radars for surveillance and navigational purposes.

Although oil rigs in Malaysia have never been attacked before, it was learnt that the petroleum companies were wary of the treats from pirates and now armed gangs.

Apart from this threats, the use of explosives by fishermen off Sabah was also a matter of concern to the petroleum companies.

Malaysian Defence also understand that the petroleum companies are also keen to have armed guards on its oil rigs, exploration vessels and tankers but discussions with authorities had gone no-where on the issue.

S. Korea set to decide on purchase of Lockheed F-35As

2013/11/21 10:14

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is expected to decide this week to purchase Lockheed Martin's F-35A stealth fighters without opening bidding for its new fighter jet program, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) will hold a meeting of top commanders on Friday to confirm the required operational capability (ROC), the number of jets and the delivery schedule for the acquisition program, which will be more favorable conditions for the F-35 with advanced radar-evading capabilities.

The Air Force has asked for the government to buy the combat aircraft with a lower radar cross section, one of the key stealth functions, and advanced avionic warfare capabilities.

"The Air Force has not specified the radar cross section in the ROC, but its technical requirements were aimed at selecting the F-35," a senior military official said, asking for anonymity.

The decision comes three months after the South Korean government rejected Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle -- the only bid within the 8.3 trillion won (US$7.2 billion) budget -- to get a more advanced, radar-evading jet to replace its aging fleet.

Potential bidders have paid keen attention to the upcoming decision as the military requirement is critical for the new competition as the F-35 is the only plane in the running that meets the heightened standards for stealth. Boeing's advanced F-15s and EADS's Eurofighter are considered to have relatively weak stealth capabilities.

As the F-35 is sold only through the U.S. foreign military sales (FMS) program, if it's the sole candidate, it could raise the chance for a government-to-government sale.

Although the Air Force has asked for 60 jets to be delivered between 2017 and 2021, multiple sources said there is a possibility that the total number of jets could be decreased to 40 to meet the budget or that the aircraft will be purchased through a multi-phased program.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) can extend the funding up to 120 percent of the total budget assigned for the past program, but such a decision needs approval from the finance ministry and the parliament. Assigning an increased budget for the costly fighter acquisition could also draw complaints from other military branches that are eager to upgrade their equipment.

While the FMS program could shorten the acquisition process compared to the competition, the proposed schedule could be delayed one or two years due to a protracted decision, according to military officials.

Unlike the fierce competition for the past project, industry experts say the one-way bid would give Seoul less room for negotiating other conditions such as technology transfer and industrial cooperation in connection with the program.

While Lockheed Martin is keen on the number of jets and estimated budget, Boeing and EADS have raised their sales pitch in case Seoul opts to buy a mix of jets.

Boeing has proposed a mixed purchase of F-15s and F-35s to minimize a security vacuum, while EADS has highlighted an offset deal, including the transfer of technology and industrial participation for South Korea's indigenous fighter jet project for synergies between the aircraft procurement and development program.

In case the total number of jets is reduced, Lockheed officials have hinted at scaling back its offset deal that's based on 60 aircraft, which included developing and launching a military satellite and technology transfer for Korea's indigenous fighter development program, codenamed K-FX.

Friday's JCS meeting will also include a decision on the K-FX project, which aims to build F-16 class fighter jets to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 fighter planes.

South Korea has been seeking to develop a much larger indigenous fighter jet program with the help of major defense contractors, although that has been delayed due to budget constraints and questions over its feasibility.

The state arms development agency has been working on the concept and designs of the aircraft, and has been waiting for the government's approval to start a full-scale project.

Once the JCS endorses plans for the K-FX, local institutes will be able to start the system development from next year, a senior defense ministry official said.

"While the K-FX has been included in the long-term plan, the upcoming meeting will confirm the required operational capability and the deployment schedule," the senior military official said, asking for anonymity. "The military will confirm the requirement, taking into consideration domestic development."

Previous studies by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) showed that the KF-X would cost at least $6 billion for system development alone and would bring about fewer economic benefits than expected, and total cost for production and maintenance could snowball in the future.

While the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has been working on concepts and shapes of aircrafts, some experts point out that the Air Force has not yet prepared a concrete concept for the aircraft and underestimated its total cost.

Scientists and defense contractors, however, stress the need for government-level efforts to build South Korea's own combat jets with a long-term vision for the aerospace industry.

The most important is the whole package.
Whichever provides a better deal get its.

advance sh is nice but if we have too many restriction apa gunanya.
rafale might be expensive but they would have less restriction.
gripen is much more open among all. Tak ada duit no problem lease aje. Name any missile you want they will intergrate it as long as the airframe can carry it.
ef2000 too expensive no thanks.

pakfa would be the most ideal for air superiority replacement. But kena wait the decelopment to be complete.

conclusion lease gripen as interim aircraft get pakfa when it available.

Parts row delays delivery of 6 Saab aircraft

Published: 9/06/2012 at 12:00 AM

The delivery of the six Saab 340 AEW airborne early warning aircraft was set for last Tuesday at Don Muang military air base with the ceremony to welcome them scheduled for last Wednesday at Wing 7 in Surat Thani.

But this has now been put off because an American parts supplier has refused to sell some key products to the Swedish manufacturer for reasons that are unclear, said the source.

The Saab 340 AEW is used to control the Gripen fighter fleet.

"Certain key items of the jet parts and the radar system produced by the US firm have not been granted permission to be sold to other countries," said the source. "And that has resulted in a delay in [the Swedish company's] assembling of the aircraft which I really have no idea when will be completed.

"I'm not sure if this is a game or not because the Royal Thai Air Force chose the Gripen from Sweden over the F series aircraft from the United States. The latter might not be happy with that," said the source.

Air force commander Itthaporn Subha-wong travelled to Sweden late last month to discuss the delivery with Saab but to no avail, said the source.

Previously, the air force bought a total of 12 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden along with two Saab 340 AEW aircraft and one Saab 340 transport aircraft for a total of 34 billion baht.

The first batch of aircraft of six Gripen fighter jets, one Saab 340 AEW and one Saab 340 has been delivered and commissioned at Wing 7.

The second batch of another six Gripen jets and one more Saab 340 AEW aircraft are awaiting delivery.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/news/29724...6-saab-aircraft

Seoul picks F-35 as its next-generation fighter

Published : 2013-11-22 15:14
Updated : 2013-11-22 15:46

South Korea decided to purchase 40 radar-evading warplanes for deployment from 2018-2021 for its restarted fighter procurement project on Friday, making Lockheed Martin’s F-35 warplane its sole option.

During a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Council, the military decided to buy 40 stealth aircraft first and then 20 additional warplanes later in consideration of shifts in the security environment and technological development.

“During the meeting, the required operational capabilities were revised to procure fighters with high-tech stealth and electronic warfare capabilities, which will help deter North Korean provocations,” Brigadier Gen. Shin Ik-hyun, a JCS force management, told reporters.

Analysts say that the possibility still remains that Seoul could purchase the remaining 20 aircraft from other companies such as Boeing and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company to gain technology for its separate “KFX” project to build a home-built warplane.

The JCS council also decided to turn the KFX project, which was initially a long-term project, into a mid-term project, and to quickly push to construct a basic system development plan.

Sources presumed that the KFX development would finish around 2020, with deployment to begin in 2023.

The F-35 is an all-aspect stealth fighter still under development. It has been widely expected that Seoul would seek to purchase radar-evading jets, as neighboring states such as China, Japan and Russia are seeking to procure stealth aircraft.


By Song Sang-ho

UPDATE 1-Lockheed says committed to South Korea F-35 offset offer

Fri Nov 22, 2013 3:00pm IST
0 Comments

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp on Friday welcomed South Korea's plans to buy 40 F-35 fighter jets and said it still aimed to build a military communications satellite for Seoul and provide other technology transfers, despite a cut in the number of jets to be ordered.

"We remain committed to our offset projects and I am confident we can put together an agreement with the Korean authorities that preserves the existing projects," said Randy Howard, who headed Lockheed's South Korea F-35 campaign.

Howard said Lockheed was fully committed to working with Korean industry on its KF-X project to design a new fighter aircraft, just as it did on the T-50 trainer developed as part of an offset package for an earlier F-16 purchase.

"We put a bunch of projects on the table and we're not backing away," Howard told Reuters in a telephone interview. "I'm confident we can find a way to preserve the projects that have been offered."

South Korea's military chiefs on Friday decided to buy 40 F-35 stealth fighter jets settling a drawn-out process to beef up the country's defences.

Lockheed spokesman Eric Schnaible said the company would continue to work closely with the U.S. government to meet Korea's Air Force requirements.

"Lockheed Martin is committed to meeting Korea's offset requirements including support and technology transfer for KF-X," he said.

He said the F-35's conventional takeoff and landing model, configured with the final 3F software package that gives the jet its full combat capability, was available to meet Korea's requirement for initial deliveries of the planes in 2018.

Sources familiar with Lockheed's offset package said the company would have to sit down with Korean officials to work out details as part of finalising a fighter deal.

South Korea initially planned to buy 60 fighter jets in the competition, but on Friday said it would initially buy 40 of the stealthy F-35 fighters, which are designed to be nearly invisible to enemy radar, and then open a competition for 20 more planes to other bidders.

Lockheed's offset package includes a program to build, launch and place in orbit a new military communications satellite that will be fully owned and operated by the South Korean government, as well as all necessary control equipment and technical training, said the sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly.

To help Korea develop its new KF-X fighter, Lockheed said it would provide hundreds of man hours of engineering expertise for the KF-X fighter program, as well as hundreds of thousands of pages of technical documentation from its F-16, F-35 and F-22 fighter programs.

The company also offered to build a virtual cyber warfare center to help South Korea develop its cyber training, tactics and procedures.

source

Via google translate:

German Leopards for the Polish army

Published: Thursday, 21 November 2013 , 9:55 , last edited : Thursday, 21 November 2013 , 20:13

This Friday in Poznan, Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak sign a purchase agreement for the Polish 119 Leopard 2 tanks For nearly a billion zlotys acquisition of 105 cars Leopard 2A5 and 14 Leopard 2A4 slightly older . They will join 128 Leopard 2A4 , which for a decade already serving in the Polish Land Forces.

The planned purchase of the second brigade of German tanks were the first informed when the issue was only a proposal of the Minister of National Defence at a cabinet meeting . Today it is a decision already a foregone conclusion. With the adoption of these cars on the equipment , the Polish Army would become one of the largest users of Leopard 2 tanks Not only in NATO.

With two armored brigades of the machines , we should think of them as a long service life. In contrast to other members Leopard 2A4 version , have not thought much about their adaptation to current standards . The question arose in the financial plans MON only recently .

In the first half of the year began with a technical dialogue and November 28 is the deadline for the submission of tenders for the modernization of 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks to the standard " Leopard 2GB " . This program is expected to cost up to 2 billion zł , which is twice more than Friday's purchase of "new" machines. Therefore, you should seriously consider the scope tejmodernizacji . Many experts say that you should think of a comprehensive solution , including a newly purchased cars.

- Retrofitting 2A4 to 2A5 clean version is irrational , because the market there is much more complete solutions that go far beyond the design 2A5 - hearing about the planned purchase in September said Andrzej Kinski , editor-in -chief of the New Military Technology . - The supply of the same standard 2A5 is a mistake. You have to create a common approach for the two versions , which will be adjusted to a higher standard.

S. Korea To Buy 40 F-35s; 20 More Jets Still Open

Nov. 22, 2013 - 11:05AM   |  
By JUNG SUNG-KI   |   Comments

SEOUL — South Korea decided to buy 40 F-35 conventional take-off joint strike fighters in a bid to better respond to North Korea’s increasing nuclear and missile threats, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced Friday.

The competition was initially for 60 jets. Government officials say it’s possible the remaining order of 20 jets will not be F-35s.

The JCS held a top decision-making committee presided over by JCS Chairman Adm. Choi Yoon-hee to modify the operational requirements for the F-X III fighter jet acquisition plan.

The jet contest was nullified in September when the country’s arms procurement agency voted down a bid by Boeing to supply 60 F-15 Silent Eagle aircraft, citing the “4.5-generation” jet’s lack of radar-evading stealth capability.

“The next-generation fighter is a key asset of the ‘kill chain’ system to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threat that has become a reality,” JCS spokesman Eom Hyo-shik said in a briefing.

The kill chain refers to a proactive defense system being developed by the South Korea military. It is to be used in preemptively detecting and striking North Korean main targets by using various tools, such as strike fighters and missiles, should the North show signs of attacks.

“We need fighter aircraft fitted with the state-of-the-art stealth technology and electronic warfare capability in order to secretly penetrate into the North’s airspace and strike key targets,” the spokesman said. “By securing those aircraft, we can deter North Korea’s provocation more effectively.”

The number of jets to be bought fell to 40 from the initial F-X III plan of 60 in order to meet the budget requirements as well as help fill the projected fighter jet vacuum over the next decade.

The aircraft are expected to be delivered to the South Korean Air Force from 2018 to 2021 if a contract is signed next year, officials said.

Based on the renewed requirements, the military and the budget authorities are expected to redesign the budget size, said Oh Tae-shik, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s program management bureau.

“We expect to firm up the total budget size for 40 F-35s after discussing with related government agencies,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Shin Ik-hyun, of the JCS’ strategic planning bureau said, “The remaining 20 aircraft will be bought after reviewing the required operational capability in tandem with changing security situations and aviation tech development trends.”

Asked to clarify if the remainder will also be F-35s, Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said other aircraft could be invited for the competition.

“The remaining aircraft will be purchased by 2023,” the spokesman said. “If there are changes in the security environment, we could buy either more advanced jets or aircraft with lower radar cross section.” The statement leaves the door open for Boeing and Eurofighter to make fresh bids.

Kim Dae-young, a research member of the Korea Defense & Security Forum, anticipated Boeing and Eurofighter would likely link their new bids to the indigenous KF-X fighter development project.

“I believe the chances for Boeing and Eurofighter to win the deal for 20 aircraft remain slim,” Kim said. “The fighter makers, however, would be able to connect the deal to the South Korean bid to develop its own fighter aircraft by promising more lenient technology transfer than Lockheed.”

The KF-X plan is aimed at developing an F-16 class indigenous jet with technical assistance from foreign partners after 2020 and producing at least 120 planes. The F-X III requires bidders to offer technology transfer plans for the KF-X as part of offset programs.

The JCS decided to start the KF-X development next year with preliminary research and development.

There are worries, however, Lockheed Martin would be restricted in offering technologies since the Joint Strike Fighter program is strictly controlled by the US government.

Lockheed Martin tried to brush off those concerns by Koreans.

Randy Howard, Lockheed’s F-35 campaign head in Korea, said his company remains committed to its offset projects and working with the Korean industry on the KF-X project to design a new fighter aircraft as it did on the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jet, which had been developed as part of an offset package for an earlier F-16 purchase.

Eurofighter has been the most active in the KF-X program. It offered a direct investment of $2 billion in the KF-X bid.

Boeing has also shown strong interest in the KF-X partnership.

“The KF-X is a huge business opportunity, maybe a bigger one than the F-X,” a Boeing official said. “We’ll continue to find ways of working together with the Korean government and industry.”

'Deploy attack copters' advice

Published on: Sunday, November 24, 2013

SINGAPORE: The recurrent security problems posed by the notorious Abu Sayyaf resulting in several kidnappings for ransom and early this year by the so-called Royal Sulu Army in their attempt to reclaim Sabah can be best overcome through superior aerial firepower, according to a naval attache.

Stressing that it was only his view as a defence strategist, Cdr Skivel Thomasen, a naval attachŽ from a European country based in Singapore, said what Sabah may be lacking is fast attack helicopters on duty round the clock on the east coast facing the Philippines and Indonesia.

"Sabah's security (under Esscom) can be better secured by fast combat helicopters like Singapore's Apache squadron who are on duty 24/7 in order to react to any small but fast sea borne threats that can come in minutes and disappear across the sea boundary just as fast," said Thomassen.

"I may be wrong but I believe no Royal Malaysian Air Force jets are based in Sabah, nor does the country possess any attack helicopter squadron or long range turbo-prop aircraft in daily sea surveillance like what Singapore is doing day in and day out."

He said Royal Malaysian Navy frigates of the Kedah Class patrol Sabah waters but carry Seahawk helicopters in their hangers that are meant for search and rescue.

He also said Malaysia should have considered buying the more economical South African attack helicopter - the Rooivalk - when it was displayed at a past Lima event in Langkawi, if the US or EU models were out of cost consideration or faced with too many conditions.

The Rooivalk has been designed to operate for prolonged periods without sophisticated support.

"Only constant show of force will earn the kind of respect for preparedness and readiness for the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

For instance, terrorists will think twice before attempting to strike Singapore across its sea borders given its capability and reputation for effective targeted results," Cdr Thomasen said.

When Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was Defence Minister during the PBS Chief Ministership of Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, he staged the Malaysian Rapid Reaction Strike Force paratroopers landing in Kota Kinabalu Airport that was witnessed by Pairin, with the message that Sabah is part of Malaysia and would be vigorously defended against separatism.

Since then, no paratroopers were dropped in Sabah for its security against intruders.