Indonesian attack craft complete test of C-705 missile system

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
30 July 2014
   
The Indonesian Navy's (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL's) first two KCR-40-class attack craft, KRI Clurit and KRI Kujang , have completed sea acceptance tests of its C-705 surface-to-surface missiles' fire-control system.

According to a statement issued by the TNI-AL's Western Fleet Command (KOARMABAR) on 24 July, the tests, which included firing the missiles at a target, were carried out in the waters near Lingga Island, which is located about 200 km south of Singapore.

The TNI-AL has, however, stopped short of revealing further details of the fire-control system or the type of target engaged during these tests.

The C-705 is a multipurpose missile that was first displayed by China in October 2008 and bears resemblance to the C-602 (YJ-62) anti-ship missile, albeit smaller and lighter. The projectile has a maximum effective range of 140 km and is, in its basic version, guided by an 8 mm active radar during its terminal stage. The C-705 is believed to be capable of carrying a 130 kg HE semi-armour piercing (SAP) directional warhead.

The statement by KOARMABAR claims that during the tests it assessed the C-705's probability of sinking a ship to be 95.7% for vessels with a displacement of up to 1,500 tonnes. Each KCR-40-class vessel can carry up to four C-705 missiles.

IHS Jane's reported in February 2013 that the TNI-AL's KCR-40-class missile boats will be equipped with an initial batch of C-705 anti-ship missiles purchased from China, before making the transition to a version built indigenously by state-owned arms manufacturer PT Pindad. PT Indonesian Aerospace was also reported to be participating in local production of the C-705 in the future but no details of the company's progress on this are yet available.

It is believed that TNI-AL will receive between six to 12 missiles from China by the end of 2014 to equip the first two vessels of the class. Clurit (641) and Kujang (642) were commissioned in April 2011 and February 2012 respectively and were joined by two other vessels in class in 2013 - KRI Beladau (643) and KRI Alamang (644). Indonesia is expected to operate up to 24 KCR-40 missile attack craft.

Clurit and Kujang are currently under the strength of the TNI-AL's Western Fleet (KOARMABAR) and are expected to be deployed for maritime patrol duties in the Riau Archipelago once fully operational.

Indonesian Defense Budget Will Rise to 2 Percent

By: Solihin

BANDUNG, FOKUSJabar.com: Candidates for President-elect Joko Widodo has a high commitment to the development and progress of the defense of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

In fact, Indonesia's defense budget is planned up to 2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By doing so, the development of defense programs in Indonesia, the better.

This was stated by the House of Representatives Commission I member Tubagus Hasanuddin, Saturday (02/08/2014). According to him, under the leadership of Jokowi-JK later, Indonesia's defense program going forward and step into the future challenges of the times. Moreover, the vision-mission-JK Jokowi in the defense and security of the state is very clear and focused.

"The defense budget was increased 2 percent is already a long-term government program since the first, but in reality it is a new budget peak at 0.8 percent," said Hasanuddin.

Not only that, the increase in the budget will be focused through the development of domestic production of defense equipment production pliers great potential to produce it themselves.

"We have a PT Pindad, PT DI, PT PAL, Space agency, and many more companies are ready to produce defense equipment inside," he explained. By doing so, the state could make efficiency budgets, financial and even can rotate in their own country. If it were so, it will generate added value for the domestic economy.

According to him, today's modern defense equipment is needed to replace the weapons that have eaten the times. Procurement of defense equipment is also currently being conducted with the supervision and based on need.

"Now it's just how the plan materialized. Of course there are the conditions do not leak, "he said. (**)

Malaysian navy fends off pirates in South China Sea

August 3, 2014 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — Malaysia’s navy has fought off a pirate attack on a tanker off its east coast in the South China Sea, the International Maritime Bureau said today.

The Malaysian force was assisted by the Indonesian and Singaporean navies in fending off the attack late yesterday, said Noel Choong, head of the IMB’s Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Reporting Centre.

The pirates fled the Singapore-managed tanker after navy patrol boats arrived before they could loot the vessel, the international body said. “The Malaysian navy quickly dispatched a patrol boat and managed to intercept the tanker. Pirates managed to escape before the arrival of the naval boat,” the IMB said in a report.

It added that the crew and cargo were safe, but gave no further details about the tanker or the pirates.

There has been a spate of pirate attacks recently in waters off Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. 

The United Nations warned Thursday that Southeast Asia has become the world’s piracy hotspot, after an international clampdown slashed the number of hijackings off the coast of war-torn Somalia.

Attacks in Southeast Asia topped 150 last year after starting an upward trend since 2010, the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) said in a report. Piracy reports in the region had steadily dropped in previous years following stepped-up patrols and cooperation between neighbouring countries to secure waterways. — AFP

At least $20 billion

JAS 39 Gripen will meet Air Force’s multirole combat aircraft needs

by Samuel Biag  2/08/2014 | 7:57 Posted in Nation

“And after the F/A-50s, we are hoping that we will soon acquire our first modern fighter aircraft,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in earlier report.

It is also known that coming 12 FA-50 Philippine version will act as the country’s trainer and main fighter jets for the meantime, until PAF pilots have gained enough experience in flying supersonic jets and enough budget to acquire more capable and sophisticated aircraft.

Before the week ends, IHS Jane reported that SAAB, manufacturer of JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft, is positioning to meet Philippines combat aircraft requirement.

“Mikael Olsson, executive vice president, Saab Asia Pacific, told IHS Jane’s on 31 July that although the PAF has not yet formerly announced the MRCA programme, Saab is ready to meet the requirement with the Gripen aircraft and help the PAF maximise the benefits of operating the multirole fighter,” as reported by IHS Jane.

“Gripen represents the ultimate in operational efficiency capable of fulfilling a range of roles, either alone or as part of a wider defense network,” SAAB said.

Poland can into blitzkrieg

AW-159 likely to be PN’s first ASW helicopters

by Editor  5/08/2014 | 3:00 Posted in Nation

Philippine News Agency – There is a strong possibility that the AgustaWestland AW-159 “Wildcat” will be selected as the Philippine Navy’s (PN’s) first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter.

This was revealed by a military source Tuesday.

The former made this statement after noting that the AW-159 complies satisfactorily with all the requirements set by the Department of National Defense.

The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.

The AW-159 will serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue and anti-surface warfare roles.

The helicopter has been ordered for the Royal Navy and British Army.

It is to enter service with the British Army in 2014 and with the Royal Navy in 2015.

It has a crew of two, has a maximum speed of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one and a-half hours (fours hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel)

The AW-159 is fitted with forward firing CRV7 rockets and machine guns, pintel mounted machine gun, Sea Skua missiles and Sting-Ray torpedoes and depth charges.

The ASW helicopter project is worth P5.4 billion.

Some of its specifications include: Endurance of at least two hours in ASW configuration, Range of 240 nautical miles in full ASW configuration, Must provide individual crew stations for pilots and operational crew to safely operate necessary sensor/equipment during ASW and ASUW (anti-surface warfare) operations.

Shall be fitted with an automatic/main rotor blade fold system (if four bladed) and/or tail pylon fold system if longer than the ship’s helicopter hangar, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)/Selective Identification Feature (SIF), Portable downlink receiver, at least one unit brand-new unit per helicopter, must be ready to be installed in any surface ship or ground station specified by Philippine Navy (PN), and must be interoperable with the installed data link system of the ASW helicopter.

Money for the two ASW helicopters will be sourced from Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Trust Fund.

Acquisition of the two ASW helicopters is under the Medium Term Development Capability Plan for 2013 to 2017.

The contract includes munition, mission essential equipment, and integrated logistic support.

Three companies have expressed interest in the project and these are PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Airbus Helicopters and AgustaWestland.

Bid submission and opening took place last July 15.

Winning bidders must be able to deliver the aircraft within 730 calendar days.

This is part of the country’s Medium Term Defense Acquisition List for the next four years.

The ASW choppers will be assigned to the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16).

The acquisition process for these ASW helicopters is expected to go on full gear once the PN completes its five AW-109 order deal from AgustaWestland by the third quarter of 2014.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRFORCE BIDS FAREWELL TO BELL 212

RIMBA, Friday 1st August 2014 - The Royal Brunei Air Force Bell 212 made its final flight on the 1 August 2014 when three helicopters conducted a flyby past Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Training Institute Royal Brunei Armed Forces and finally Rimba Air Force Base. Joining the flight was the Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force, Brigadier General (U) Hj Wardi bin Hj Abdul Latip who was a pilot of the Bell 212 during the early stages of his flying career.

The Bell 212 started its service with the Air Wing in February 1974 where the first batch of 4 aircrafts served under the banner of No.1 Squadron. The acquisition of Bell 212 was carried out with the intention to replace the Bell 205 as the Bell 212 aircrafts featured extra power and enhanced safety measure with its twin-engine capability. One of the main roles played by the aircrafts was to ferry Flying Doctor service to rural areas in Negara Brunei Darussalam. This role was carried out by Bell 212 since the beginning of its service in 1974 until the last day of its service in 2014. The Bell 212 was a proven helicopter due to its versatility and eventually it became the workhorse of Royal Brunei Air Force. Additionally it was even able to undertake multi-tasking especially for Brunei open terrain and complex confine jungle operations.

Other tasks performed by the Bell 212 includes Search and Rescue Operation, provision of suppression fire power and logistic delivery through abseil or jungle line resupply. It also can deliver troops inside confined areas using multi-rope abseiling and fast roping for assaulting troops.  Throughout the service it has undergone various upgrades, with the latest upgrade in late 1990s enabling the Bell 212 fleet to be able to perform night operations using Night Vision Goggle (NVG).

The total remaining team to operate the Bell 212 was made up of 43 personnel which include the Aircrew and the Engineering teams. The team for the decommissioning is led by Lt Col (U) Jasmin, one of the senior pilots who still maintains operational currency on Bell 212 until today. Maj (U) Hishamuddin who used to be the Officer Commanding of No.1 Squadron and Maj (U) Hismawadi in his capacity as Officer Commanding Standard Squadron actively keeping his role as maintenance test pilot for the Bell 212.

The Royal Brunei Air Force, and in particular No.1 Squadron, is sure to miss the Bell 212 with its twin bladed roaring sound in the air.

even they don't want to use Twardy anymore
should we buy the blueprints from Bumar Labedy? DRB-Hicom or Deftech can modify it and build our own MBTs

Poland already operates 124 Leopard 2A4 MBTs, plus a large inventory of Soviet-era T-72M and PT-91 Twardy MBTs.

The new Leopards will replace the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade's two battalions of PT-91 tanks, while Poland's T-72M MBTs are planned to be phased out of service.

http://www.janes.com/article/38110/poland-...eopard-2a5-mbts

Poland’s original set of 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks were bought and transferred in the mid-1980s. They need a full overhaul, and modernization would be an excellent idea. The new Leopards include another 14 2A4s, plus 105 of the more advanced Leopard 2A5s. This will form the high-end core of Poland’s armored brigades, with capabilities and survivability far ahead of its T-72 and PT-91 Twardy (locally designed upgrade beyond T-72M1) tanks.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/buy-fr...n-tanks-019466/

Stretched RMN seeks funds for new corvettes, helicopters

Dzirhan Mahadzir, Kuala Lumpur - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
05 August 2014

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has requested funding for a number of major procurement programmes that include the acquisition of new corvettes and helicopters and upgrades to existing RMN ships.

The service will be submitting its request list for funding consideration by the Malaysian government under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-20), RMN sources have told IHS Jane's . The plan, which is scheduled to be announced in June 2015, lays out Malaysia's economic development and government spending for the second half of the decade.

However, the RMN sources stated that it was uncertain as to whether any of the programmes would be approved given the Malaysian government's past statements noting that funding was tight.

Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2014 8:54pm

Indonesia plans to set up biggest ammunition factory in ASEAN

JAKARTA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's state firm PT Pindad planned to build an ammunition factory in Malang of East Java, the biggest in Southeast Asia, top official of the firm said here Thursday.

Director of PT Pindad Sudirman Said said the firm cooperated with company from South Africa Rheinmetall Danel Munition in the construction of the factory.

"This cooperation will make the factory the biggest ammunition production facility in Southeast Asia," he said.

The director said that PT Pindad aimed at entering international market, starting with the ASEAN market. "There are not many countries in Southeast Asia that could produce ammunition like PT Pindad," he said.

Sudirman said that the factory would cover an area of 168 hectares.

The factory would be equipped with areas for the test of the products, he added.

In addition to the factory, both firms also planned to set up an academy to boost human resources capacity, said Sudirman.

"As we aim to tap ASEAN market, we will need more experts, all are being prepared," he said.

Besides producing ammunition, PT Pindad manufactures weaponry for Indonesian military.

Vietnam army to have S-400 system soon

August 8, 2014 by vovnews

(VOV) -Vietnam will soon receive the latest generation anti-aircraft weapon system S-400, or Surface-to- Air Missiles (SAM) from Russia, said a senior Russian official.

Talking to MIA Russia Today news agency on August 6,  Assistant to the Chairman of the Defense Committee of the State Duma Igor Novoselov affirmed that Vietnam’s current S-300 system will be replaced with S-400, dubbed SA-21  Glowler by NATO , in the near future.

S-400 can shoot down targets at both low and high altitudes, and cover a large area, he added.

Igor Novoselov noted that Russia is maintaining military and technical cooperation effectively with Vietnam – a  strategic partner in  Southeast Asia .

Russia has signed contracts to build two  Gepard 3.9 frigates and six Kilo-class submarines for Vietnam.

China asked SoKor to cancel Pohang-class corvette donation to PH – report

by Grace Gonzales  8/08/2014 | 10:29 Posted in World

“China has strongly protested against the [South Korean] government’s decision to donate a 1,200-ton patrol boat and a landing vessel to the Philippines, it emerged Monday,” reported August 5 by The Chosun Ilbo, one of major news providers in South Korea.

“According to the Foreign Ministry, an official at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul visited the ministry on June 10 after the decision was reported by media and asked for it to be canceled,” it added.

On Philippine side, there is no report of cancellation.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwang-jin told Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin at a meeting in Seoul last May 30 that Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) will decommission a Pohang-class corvette (PCC) by year-end and will be donated to the Philippine Navy.

Minister Kim said South Korea’s gesture is a small token compared with the great contribution of Filipino troops during the Korean War.

Pohang-class corvettes, a class of general purpose vessels operated by the Republic of Korea Navy, are equipped with 4 Harpoon missiles, 2 OTO Melara(76mm)/62 compact cannon, 2 Breda 40mm/70 cannon, 6 Mark 46 torpedoes, 12 Mark 9 depth charges. Sensors and processing systems depend on whether it is an ASW or ASUW version.

The said ship is expected to be donated with intact armament and sensors.