Friday, January 10, 2013 10:14 AM

Vietnam would like to buy Russian-made T-90 main battle tanks to increase its military power

According to the website Voice of Russia, Vietnam would like to buy Russian-made main battle tank T-90. Vietnam wants to equip its armed forces with modern main battle tanks to response about the increase of military power from its neighboring countries.
   
Vietnamese armed forces are currently equipped with old tanks delivered by Russia and China, the Russian T-55 and T-62, and the Chinese-made Type 59.

The T-90 is the latest generation of Russian-made main battle tank. It is currently the most modern tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry.

At the Defense Exhibition Russian Arms Expo 2013, the Russian Defense Company Uralvagonzavod has presented the latest upgrade of T-90 main battle tank, the T-90S also called T-90MS.

In 2001, India bought 310 T-90S tanks from Russia, of which 120 were delivered complete, 90 in semi-knocked down kits, and 100 in completely knocked down kits. The T-90 was selected because it is a direct development of the T-72 that India already employs with 60% logistics commonality with T-90 simplifying training and maintenance.

Russia has long been Vietnam’s top supplier of weapon and military equipment. In August 2013, Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang was in Russia to boost military ties, in line with the two countries’ efforts to build on a strategic partnership they signed last year.

In 2012, Vietnam signed a deal to borrow $8 billion from Russia to build its first nuclear power plant. Russian state-run utility and nuclear energy company Rosatom is expected to start the project next year, with operations ready in 2020.

In 2009 Vietnam ordered six Kilo-class, diesel-electric submarines, the first of which is scheduled to go into service this month, Mr. Hardy said. Since 2009 Vietnam has also acquired 20 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter aircraft, Svetlyak-class (Project 1041.2) fast attack craft, and Gepard frigates from Russia, he said.

Vietnam doesn’t publicize its defense budget for the recent years as it often considers military activities to be state secrets. The defense budget was last disclosed in the 2009 Defense White Paper, reaching $1.46 billion in 2008, equal to 1.8% of GDP that year.

Corvette "Nakhoda Ragam" being moved in to Milford Haven Dry Dock on the 30th of July 2013, assisted by Williams Shipping's "Wilanne" and "Lilah".

Malaysian naval chief says procurements unlikely in 2014 given fiscal climate

Dzirhan Mahadzir, Kuala Lumpur - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
09 January 2014
 
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) does not expect to undertake any significant development programmes in 2014 beyond existing commitments due to budgetary constraints, the navy chief Admiral Aziz Jaafar has said.

Speaking to reporters following his annual New Year address to the RMN at the Ministry of Defence in Kuala Lumpur, Adm Aziz said the current financial situation precluded any major programmes, including the procurement of additional ships.

That said, he added that should any opportunities to purchase secondhand ships that met the RMN's operational criteria come up, the RMN would ask the government to fund such a purchase.

"We are open to such possibilities, if it arises but it would depend on the financial situation of the government," he said, citing previous failed attempts to purchase the Bruneian Nakhoda Ragam-class OPVs because no funding was available.

Philippine Navy selects PT PAL for SSV procurement

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
09 January 2014
 
Indonesia's PT PAL has been selected to construct two strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) for the Philippine Navy (PN).

PT PAL executive Edy Andarto told IHS Jane's on 10 January that the company has received a notice of award (NoA) from the PN to build the ships, and that a contract will be signed soon.

Andarto also confirmed that PT PAL had offered the PN an SSV design based loosely on the Makassar-class landing platform docks (LPDs) that the company constructed for the Indonesian Navy. The Makassar-class platform was designed by South Korean company Daesun.

The SSV programme, which replaced and downsized a previous amphibious multirole vessel project, is worth PHP4 billion (USD90 million).

PHOTOCHOP!!
Rafale body with RMAF roundel, Airod logo..

Thursday, January 19, 2012

A new life for the Rafale M F1

A very good news from LeMamouth : The retrofit process of the 10 first Rafale M has begun at the SIAe (Industrial Aeronautic Service) facilities near Clermont- Ferrand.

The Rafale M1 to M10 were delivered between 2000 and 2002 at the early F1 standard with limited capabilities (Mica EM and, Magic 2 missiles for Air defense and buddy-buddy refueling pod)

They were put in storage in 2008 waiting for their retrofit to be funded (€300 millions agreed in 2009). The first aircraft to be upgraded will be the M10. Each retrofit is expected to last 18 months. The final integration work will take place in Bordeaux-Merignac where the airframes will directly be inserted in the Rafale assembly line.

Indonesia Purchases Air Defense System From Thales

Jan. 14, 2014 - 07:01PM   | 
By ANDREW CHUTER   |   Comments

LONDON — The Indonesian Army has turned to the British arm of Thales to plug a gap in its short-range air defenses with a deal to purchase its Forceshield integrated system of vehicle-mounted missiles and radars.

Under the deal, Thales operations in Britain and France will equip five Indonesian Army batteries with Starstreak missiles, ControlMaster200 radars and weapon coordination systems, lightweight multiple launchers and RapidRanger weapon launchers, said David Beatty, vice president for advanced weapon systems at Thales UK.

Beatty said that although there are no options in the contract for additional deliveries, “once we show we can deliver our solution and the customer likes it, we hope to develop good relations for follow-on orders from the Indonesian authorities.”

The purchase is the latest in a string of orders aimed at modernizing the Indonesian Army. The military is adding main battle tanks, 155mm artillery, infantry fighting vehicles, and other weapons to its inventory.

The Indonesians also purchased next-generation light anti-tank weapons developed by Saab for the British and Swedish armies. The missiles are built by Thales at the Northern Ireland weapon facilities that are also responsible for Starstreak work.

The air defense deal is worth more than £100 million (US $164 million), said Thales, and includes an agreement with Indonesian state-owned company PT LEN Industri to partner on integration of some of the systems involved in the contract as well as future collaboration in the military and civil sectors.

The deal being announced this week is a combination of two contracts, one going back to November 2011 with Indonesia to acquire the first of five required batteries.

No deliveries were made under the earlier arrangement and the delivery schedule being worked on by Thales combines the two contracts, Beatty said.

The Thales executive said the company hopes to get “deliveries of the man-portable elements of the weapon underway this year but that equipment with longer lead times like the ControlMaster200 medium-range air-defense radar would take longer and it would take several years to deliver the complete integrated system.”

Starstreak will provide air defense out to about 7 kilometers against ground attack aircraft, pop-up attack helicopters, drones and cruise missiles and is seen as a replacement for the longer range British Rapier missile systems previously a mainstay of Indonesian anti-air capabilities.

Operating at speeds in excess of Mach 3 and able to travel at more than a kilometer a second, Starstreak is the fastest short-range surface-to-air missile in the world. Britain, South Africa and most recently Thailand are all operators of the laser beam-riding weapon.

Thales beat Saab with its RBS-70-based air defense system, although earlier several other weapons suppliers had shown an interest in the requirement, including Poland and China.

The RapidRanger launcher and fire control system equipped with four Starstreak missile tubes will be integrated into the Spanish-designed Vamtac vehicle for the Indonesians. The vehicle is similar in appearance to the Humvee.

A version of the LandRover Defender will be used to mount a lightweight multiple launcher version of Starstreak. The lightweight launcher can also be used dismounted for firing off a man-portable tripod.

It’s the first sale of an integrated turn-key air defense solution by Thales since the company relaunched its offerings in the sector under the ForceShield banner nearly two years ago.

Navy Frigate, Commercial Vessel Brush Against Each Other In Melaka Strait

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- A patrolling Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) frigate and an unidentified commercial vessel brushed against each other in the Melaka Strait at 3 am Wednesday, said Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

No one was injured in the incident which occurred 24 nautical miles north-west of One Fathom Bank in Selangor waters during rain and rough seas, he told reporters at Wisma Pertahanan, here.

Abdul Aziz said the frigate, KD Jebat, based in Lumut, Perak, suffered slight damage but quick action by the commanding officer and the crew saved the vessel from serious damage.

He said KD Jebat was on routine patrol in the Melaka Strait when the incident happened.

"The RMN has set up a board to investigate the cause of the accident," he said, adding that efforts were being made to identify the commercial vessel.

-- BERNAMA

Thales announces order for ForceSHIELD Integrated Air Defence system and STARStreak missiles for Indonesian Ministry of Defence

Wed, 15/01/2014

Thales UK today announced that it has signed a contract worth over £100 million with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence for ForceSHIELD, Thales’s integrated Advanced Air Defence system. In addition to the supply of STARStreak short-range air defence missiles, the system comprises CONTROLMaster200 radar and weapon coordination systems, RAPIDRanger mobile weapon systems and Lightweight Multiple Launchers (LML), as well as associated communications, training and support equipment.

Victor Chavez, CEO of Thales UK, said: “Thales is the only European defence contractor with the in-depth knowledge and range of advanced technologies to deliver a leading-edge integrated air defence solution such as ForceSHIELD. This solution for the Indonesian Army marks a new approach to air defence in that it provides a complete turnkey solution comprising latest-generation ‘sensor to effects’ technologies. I would like to express my gratitude to the Prime Minister for his personal support on this project and the support of the government – it makes a huge difference to industry and our customers.”

For the realisation of this programme, Thales will increase its existing industrial cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia, and has signed an agreement with the Indonesian company PT LEN Industri. The Group will continue to develop a long-term partnership with the Indonesian industry on future programmes in both the military and civil sectors.

DSNS Cuts Steel for Indonesian Navy Frigate

MarineLink.com
Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 11:55 AM

In June 2012, the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia and Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) signed the contract for the first SIGMA 10514 Perusak Kawal Rudal (PKR) Frigate. In accordance with the agreed planning for the construction of this frigate, the Steel Cutting Ceremony took place simultaneously on 15 January 2014 at PT PAL (Persero) Shipyard in Surabaya (Indonesia) and DSNS in Vlissingen (the Netherlands).

DSNS will build two modules and subsequently ship them to the yard in Surabaya. The simultaneous construction and testing of the modules at two different locations signifies the unique modular building strategy of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding; a method unparalleled in the naval shipbuilding industry.

All modules will be assembled at the PT PAL (Persero) Shipyard under main contractor ship of DSNS followed by Harbor Acceptance Tests and Sea Acceptance Trials.

The engineering process for the second SIGMA 10514 PKR frigate proceeds as scheduled and construction is foreseen to start in approximately six months.

The acquisition of the SIGMA 10514 PKR Frigate is part of the further modernization and expansion of the Indonesian Navy, TNI-AL. The main missions and tasks of the SIGMA PKR 10514 will be in the domains of naval warfare as well as Maritime Security missions and tasks. Also, the vessel may be used for humanitarian support tasks.

Main characteristics
•    Length:        105 mtr
•    Width:        14 mtrs
•    Displacement:    approx 2400 tons
•    Propulsion:    Combined Diesel and Electric(CODOE)
•    Crew:        100 + 20 spare accommodation
•    Helicopter:        ability to carry an organic helicopter
•    Combat System:
o    Extensive Air, Surface and Sub-Surface Surveillance capabilities
o    Guided Missile Systems and gun systems for Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare
o    Torpedo systems for Anti-Submarine Warfare
o    Active and Passive Electronic Warfare Systems
o    Tacticos Combat Management System

KEADAAN kapal KD Jebat yang remuk di bawah
geladak meriam selepas bergesel dengan sebuah kapal dagang di Selat Melaka kelmarin

Spanish firm offers 3 planes to Philippine Air Force

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 01/13/2014 7:57 PM | Updated as of 01/13/2014 8:01 PM

MANILA - The Department of National Defense has named a Spanish aircraft company as the single calculated bidder that will supply three brand new medium-lift aircraft to the Philippine Air Force.

The DND Bids and Awards Committee said EADS Casa Airbus Military passed all the technical and financial specifications set by the committee.

EADS Casa Airbus Military took part in the previous bidding in November but was disqualified for failing to meet documentary requirements. The bidding was declared a failure after another firm was also disqualified.

EADS Casa Airbus Military is offering three C295 aircraft, with integrated logistics system, for P5.288 billion to the DND.

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the first aircraft should be delivered 18 months after the opening of the credit.

An Indonesian firm that took part in the bidding said it is going to file a motion for reconsideration before the DND-BAC.

The Air Force is need of dire need of medium-lift aircraft to complement its three C-130 planes, which saw action in the relief operations for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

Vietnam inducts first Russian-made submarine

Xinhua, January 15, 2014

A ceremony was held at Cam Ranh port in southern Vietnamese province of Khanh Hoa on Wednesday to induct its first Russian-made Kilo class submarine, the HQ 182- Hanoi, into service.

The newly-named submarine is the first of six diesel-powered Kilo-636 Varshavyanka attacking models that Vietnam bought from Russia to enhance its navy's capacity.

Deputy Defence Minister and Navy Commander Admiral Nguyen Van Hien said the crew of the submarine should be deeply aware of their political missions and targets.

According to Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA, Captain Nguyen Van Quan said the sailors will work very hard to make effective use of this modern submarine.

Having a displacement of 3,000-3,950 tonnes, the 73.8-meter- long submarine can operate at a maximum depth of 300 metres and at a range of 6,000-7,500 nautical miles for 45 days and nights with 52 crewmembers, said the VNA.

"It has the quietest engine in the world and is the best choice for reconnaissance and patrols," VNA said. 

£100m Indonesia missile deal firm Thales targets bigger contracts

BY CLARE WEIR – 16 January 2014

The boss of a Northern Ireland defence company which has landed a £100m missile contract with the Indonesian government has said that even bigger deals could be in the pipeline.

Thales, which has bases in Castlereagh and Crossgar, beat off tough global competition from the USA, China and Russia to supply an "integrated advanced air defence system", including missiles and launchers which are designed, developed and manufactured in Northern Ireland.

David Beatty, managing director of Thales in Northern Ireland, said that the company had been working on the deal since around 2008.

He said no new jobs are being added to the 500-strong workforce this time, but the contract could be a springboard to increasing employment at the plant.

"This contract has been in the planning for some time, we anticipated it and we tailored our staffing levels to accommodate it," he said.

"This was a two-phase project, we landed an initial contract in 2011 and we were working on it a long time before that, perhaps as far back as 2008.

"We are supplying radar, communications equipment, launchers and missiles, including the basic STARStreak missile, made in Belfast and Crossgar, and the new RAPIDRanger, which has been completely designed here, and a large part of the whole overall system will be manufactured and integrated here.

The Finnish Army acquires Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks from Holland

On January 16th 2014 the Finnish Minister of Defence approved the proposal for acquiring one hundred used Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks for the Finnish Army.

The main battle tanks acquired from Holland will be delivered to Finland between 2015 and 2019. The purchase price is 199,9 million Euro. The acquisition will secure the striking force of the Army until the 2030's.

This acquisition does not require any extra financing but is included in the budget planned for the defence administration.

Other options for this acquisition would have been to upgrade the life cycle for the Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks that the Finnish Defence Forces use today or to buy new main battle tanks. The cost for a life cycle upgrade of the Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to Leopard 2A6 level would have been approx. 5 million Euro per tank and for acquiring new Leopard main battle tanks approx. 10 million Euro per tank.

The used Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks that will now be acquired were modernized between 2000 and 2006 and their performance is considerably better than the performance of the main battle tanks now in use by the Finnish Army. The new main battle tanks have greater fire-power, better developed ballistic protection and a system for the leader to independently act in the dark as well as an inside splinter protection.

The main battle tank acquisition also includes spare parts for ten years, inside simulators, maintenance simulators, special tools and testing equipment as well as ammunition.

The Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks that the Finnish Defence Forces use today will continue to be in operative use and be used by the reserve until the end of their life cycle.  They will also be used for driver's training and as spare parts for the new main battle tanks.

Defense dep’t inks contract for 28 Israeli-made ‘armored infantry fighting vehicles

January 16, 2014 10:35 am

The Department of National Defense (DND) has formally signed the contact for the delivery of 28 “armored infantry fighting vehicles” which will boost the inventory of the Army’s light armored units.

DND Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez said that this project is worth P882 million. He said the contract was already signed last week.

He added that the contract was awarded to Israeli’s leading defense manufacturer, Elbit Systems Land and C4I.

Four of the 28 “armored infantry fighting vehicles” are recovery models which can be used to tow units damaged or incapacitated in the battlefield.

For security reasons, Velez declined to give specifics of the vehicles’ armament, speed and armor but stressed that these armored infantry fighting vehicles “are very capable.”

Full delivery of these vehicles is expected within a year or around January 2015.

The PA, which has around 10 infantry divisions, is equipped with 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles).

Capt. Anthony Bacus, Army spokesperson, said earlier that these AFVs are distributed to the various infantry units to provide them with mobility and additional firepower.

“Around 85 percent of these AFVs are on green status (fully mission capable) while another 10 percent are on yellow status (undergoing repair) and five percent are on red (beyond repair),” he added.

Some 150 of these are the United Kingdom-built GKN “Simba” with the remaining AFVs consisting of US designed V-150 and V-200 APCs, M-113 “Bradley”, Turkish made ACV-300s and British Scorpion CVRTs.

These AFVs give the PA dependable armor capability and are organized into a 14-vehicle mechanized infantry companion for deployment with regular units. PNA

Indonesia closes in on Grumman F-5 Tiger replacement

Jan. 17, 2014 at 2:01 AM  |  1 comments

JAKARTA, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Indonesia's Defense Ministry said it is looking at several jet fighters, including Russian, American and Swedish aircraft, as a replacement for its aging Grumman F-5 Tigers.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he wants to ensure the purchase is part of Indonesia's Strategic Plan II 2015 to 2020, Antara news agency reported.

The ministry has five or six options as a replacement for the Tigers that have been in service for about 30 years.

"We have received proposals from several jet fighter manufacturers for replacing the F-5 Tiger fighter aircraft," Yusgiantoro said.

"We are in the process of evaluating which jet fighter will best suit our requirements, whether the aircraft is from Russia, United States or other countries. I hope the finalized next-generation jet fighter is capable of carrying long-range missiles."

Among the aircraft being evaluated are the Russian Sukhoi Su-35, the American Boeing F-15 Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the Swedish SAAB JAS 39 Gripen, said Gen. Moeldoko, Indonesia's top military commander.

The ministry is looking at buying 16 aircraft, but the type and number of aircraft "depends on Indonesia's financial position," Moeldoko said.

Defense analyst FlightGlobal said its database shows Indonesia operates six F-5Es, as well as three F-model trainers. Its air force also has 10 F-16A/Bs and 16 Su-27/30s in active use.

The purchase of Tiger replacements would be part of a larger upgrade of military capability outlined by Air Chief Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia in October.

Indonesia is aiming to create eight new squadrons of fighter aircraft -- more than 100 aircraft -- by 2024, the Jakarta Globe newspaper reported at the time.

The Globe report also said Yusgiantoro confirmed the air force had received a squadron of 16 supersonic advanced trainer T-50 Golden Eagles -- so-called baby F-16s -- from South Korea at the Iswahyudi Military Air Base in Madiun on Java Island.

The T-50, which can be used as a light fighter, was developed by Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin and is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft.

Its maiden flight was in 2002 and it entered service with the Korean air force in 2005.

In October, Indonesia also officially received six Russian-made Sukhoi SU-30MK2 fighter aircraft -- the last of a contract for 16 Sukhoi aircraft signed in 2007 that includes pilot training.

Sukhoi sent the aircraft to Indonesia in knocked-down form accompanied by 13 technicians to oversee assembly testing before handing them over to the military.

The Sukhoi fighters are for the air force's Squadron 11 at Hasanuddin Air Base in Makassar, the Globe reported.

KD Lekir undergoing her SLEP at Boustead Naval Shipyard. On her right, is one of the Laksamana class corvettes undergoing an extensive refit.

KD Kasturi Bofors 57mm gun seen from the bridge.

KD Kasturi Exocet MM40 Block II SSM launchers.

KD Kasturi as seen from the landing pad. The lights just below the radar platform are the guide lights for landing helicopters.