Indonesia bolsters western fleet with four KCR-40 missile boats

Ridzwan Rahmat, Jakarta - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
19 August 2014

The Indonesian Navy's (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL's) Western Fleet Command (Komando Armada RI Kawasan Barat - KOARMABAR) will receive an additional four KCR-40 missile attack craft by the end of 2014 to strengthen its regional maritime interdiction capabilities.

Speaking to IHS Jane's on 14 August in Jakarta, KOARMABAR chief of staff Commodore Amarulla Octavian described the additional vessels, which have a top speed of 30 kt, as instrumental in strengthening the command's surveillance, patrol, and interception capabilities in its area of operations. This area includes the piracy-prone Strait of Malacca, as well as the disputed maritime regions of Tanjung Datu and the Natuna Islands.

We could've build similar facility. In fact we can easily build a mockup city for urban warfare training since we have the land to do so. Why our military planners still stuck with battle in a kampung and palm oil plantation is anyone guess.

Ciws is usually the last final defense. Even with mica, the odd of it striking is still not 100% guaranteed

Ciws is neeeded to increase that percentage.

That why i say, tat price tag and not even one proper ciws is ridiculous

Boustead signs agreement to boost Bumiputera enterprises

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
19 August 2014

Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS), a subsidiary of Malaysian conglomerate Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC), signed an agreement on 19 August with the Malaysian government to boost the development of local subcontractors.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to enhance the defence industrial capabilities of companies classified by the government as Bumiputera enterprises, or those owned by the native Malays.

Under the terms of the MoU, BNS said it would support the development of the Bumiputera network of subcontractors that supply services related to naval shipbuilding and ship repair as well as the manufacture and supply of other maritime defence products.

Indonesia and US to sign Apache MoU

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
20 August 2014
   
Indonesia and the United States are expected to sign an agreement soon to facilitate the Indonesian Army's (TNI-AD's) enhanced operation of on-order Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence said on 20 August that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) will cover the handling and security of data and communications received by the Apache during TNI operations.

The MoU is currently under review by the TNI chiefs of staffs. Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he hoped this review would be completed soon to enable ratification of the MoU so the US could deliver the Apache helicopters to Indonesia before the 69th anniversary of the TNI on 5 October.

Philippine Army to get 28 upgraded APCs by Q1 of 2015

August 21, 2014 10:04 am

The Philippine Army (PA) announced that the delivery of its 28 Israeli upgraded APCs (armored personnel carriers) is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.

This was revealed by Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato Thursday.

“Delivery of all APCs is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015,” he added.

The Department of National Defense (DND) earlier announced that the payment for the PHP 882 million upgraded armored personnel carrier (APC), bagged by Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd., will be done in three tranches.

Dr. Peter Paul Galvez, Defense spokesperson, said first payment will be pegged at P405 million, the second will be PHP 335 million and the third at PHP 142 million.

Elbit Systems Ltd., formally announced the signing of the PHP 882 million deal (roughly USD20 million) last June 22.

Upgrades include 25 mm unmanned turrets, 12.7 mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and fire control systems (FCS) for 90 mm turrets.

The APCs, 28 in all, will be supplied over a one-year period.

The contract marks a significant breakthrough for Elbit Systems, as it is the first one awarded to the company in the Philippines.

“We are very pleased to be awarded our first contract for the Philippines Armed Forces, which we hope will be followed by others. Our extensive portfolio and our vast experience enable us to offer our customers advanced solutions, answering the specific requirements of various combat vehicles, and this award further positions us as world leaders in the field of ground vehicle upgrades,” Elbit Systems’ Land and C41 general manager Udi Vered said.

The APCs are for the use of the Philippine Army.

The latter operates around 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and APCs.

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)

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

US to deliver fourth AH-64E Apache batch to Taiwan by month-end

By Editorial
13 hours ago

The Taiwanese Army is set to receive the fourth batch of Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the US later this month, according to an unnamed Taiwanese Army official quoted by the Central News Agency.

Following unloading and checking, the helicopters are scheduled to be flown to an Army Aviation Special Forces base in Tainan, Taiwan.

Around 30 AH-64E Apaches were ordered by the Taiwanese Defence Ministry under a New TWD59.31 billion (US$2 billion) deal with the US in 2008, to help supplement the national army's ageing AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter fleet.

Since November 2013, the US has delivered 18 helicopters to Taiwan, and the final batch is expected to be delivered in October.

Nicknamed 'Guardian', the AH-64E is a heavily-armed helicopter featuring powerful, fuel-efficient T700-GE-701D engines, enhanced rotor blade technology and electronics, as well as improved aircraft handling, performance and agility at higher altitudes.

In addition to Taiwan, the helicopters have also been ordered by the Indonesian and South Korean armies.

Malaysian training ships delayed by manufacturer's money troubles

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


Malaysia launched the 75.9 m-long training ship Teguh Samudera at the NGV Tech shipyard in Sijangkang on 27 February 2013. Source: Royal Malaysian Navy

The entry into service of two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) training ships, Gagah Samudera and Teguh Samudera , remains in limbo owing to financial issues surrounding the Malaysian shipbuilder NGV Tech.

RMN sources said that NGV Tech was in financial difficulties and as a result, its creditors had a call on both ships, which prevents the RMN from formally accepting and commissioning them. The sources also said that neither ships was completed, with Gagah Samudera being about 95% complete and Teguh Samudera being 80% complete.

No further work can be carried out on the ships for the time being, though the Ministry of Defence is working to resolve this impasse and at the same time is looking for a local shipbuilder to finish them. Boustead Naval Shipyard, which is currently building the Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship for the RMN, is said to be the lead contender for this contract once the dispute over the ships' ownership has been resolved.

Both ships are currently berthed at the RMN's National Hydrography Center, Port Klang, with RMN personnel overseeing the care of them.

The Samudera-class ships were being built by NGV Tech in collaboration with South Korea's DSME and were planned to replace the RMN's aging training ship KD Hang Tuah. Launched in December 2012 and February 2013 respectively from NGV Tech's shipyards at Sijangkang, near Kuala Lumpur, the two training ships were scheduled to enter service by the end of 2013.

Each ship is designed to carry 45 crew and 60 trainees. Armament consists of a single MSI Seahawk 30 mm cannon and they are fitted with a Samsung-Thales fire control system. Both are to have a helideck although no hangar is fitted.

Singapore quietly expanding F-15 fleet

James Hardy, London and Lindsay Peacock, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
22 August 2014

   
The RSAF has being quietly augmenting the size of its F-15SG fleet. Source: US Air Force

Singapore appears to have quietly boosted the size of its F-15SG fleet from 24 aircraft to 40, according to Boeing financial statements, aircraft registration filings, and US congressional reports.

Singapore originally bought 12 F-15SGs - with an option for eight more - under a contract signed in December 2005. In October 2007 the city-state modified this option by buying 12 more to give it a total of 24.

These aircraft have all been confirmed as delivered and have US-type serial numbers running from 05-0001 to 05-0024. Several remain in the United States with the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) 428th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB) in southwestern Idaho, while the remainder are active in Singapore with 149 Squadron.

Aircraft operating in Singapore use four-digit serial numbers in the 83xx sequence, starting at 8301, although these do not run consecutively.

In January 2014, several aircraft with new serial numbers - 05-0025, 05-0028, 05-0030, 05-0031, and 05-0032 - were seen at Mountain Home AFB. These had not been previously reported and suggest that Singapore has obtained another batch of eight aircraft.

Meanwhile, a 26 November 2012 letter from the US State Department to House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner under the Arms Export Control Act refers to the "sale, modification, and follow-on support of eight F-15SG aircraft to the Government of Singapore".

Figures released by Boeing show that eight F-15s were delivered to an unspecified customer in 2012.

Boeing financial data also shows that a total of 93 F-15s were delivered from 2005 to 2012. South Korea has confirmed that it received 61 and Singapore that it received 24 for a total of 85, leaving eight unaccounted for in public records.

Finally, on 5-6 August 2014, Boeing took out civil aircraft registrations for what it described as F-15SG aircraft: N361SG, N363SG, N366SG, N368SG, N373SG, N376SG, N378SG and N837SG.

Neither Boeing nor the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) would confirm whether the city-state had acquired 16 more F-15s than previously disclosed, although they also did not deny it.

A Boeing spokesman told IHS Jane's that the company was "unable to discuss" the number of F-15s it had supplied to Singapore, while a MINDEF spokesman said: "The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) bases our procurement on the assessed long-term defence needs, and the RSAF has purchased sufficient F-15SGs to meet our defence requirements."

COMMENT

Singapore's reticence on its follow-on purchases of F-15s is unsurprising: it has long demurred on outlining the extent of its defence procurement and capabilities, instead preferring to quietly build up what is widely seen as the best equipped military in Southeast Asia.

One retired armed forces officer told IHS Jane's that this was a strategic decision to keep its neighbours guessing, and also because the country's leaders did not need to use military procurement as a populist crutch.

However, this refusal to confirm acquisitions can occasionally lead to surreal conversations with military and defence industry officials, such as at the 2012 Singapore Airshow, when Israeli officials would not confirm the sale of IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles to Singapore despite the presence of one on static display at the show.

Tank Leopard dikirim dari pelabuhan Bremenhaven, Jerman. ( Miranti Hirschmann/ Jerman)

I heated on CNN that a Chinese air force jet had a hostile encounter with a US Navy jet at South China Sea. More to follow

What an ugly green

I think this is still the original West German camouflage on the Leopard 2A4.

Philippine Navy mulling best way to upgrade Del Pilar frigates

Dzirhan Mahadzir, Kuala Lumpur and James Hardy, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
21 August 2014
   
The Philippine Navy (PN) is having internal talks on how best to upgrade the weapon and electronic systems of its Del Pilar-class frigates.

The PN has two Del Pilar-class frigates, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16), which are ex-US Coast Guard Hamilton- and Hero-class cutters acquired in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The two vessels each originally mounted a Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS), which was removed when transferred to the Philippines. A sister ship, the USCGC Mellon , mounted a Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher in the 1990s.


The PN is debating the best way to upgrade weapons and sensors on its two Del Pilar-class frigates. (PA Photos)

"Our initial target is for the Del Pilar frigates to have the same capabilities as the Hamilton-class did when they were in US service, such as having the Phalanx CIWS and Harpoon anti-ship missiles," Marine Colonel Eric Nicanor, commander of the PN's Naval Communications, Electronic and Information Center and chairman of the technical working group for the Del Pilar-class frigate upgrade, told IHS Jane's at the Integrated Air and Missile Defence Asia conference in Kuala Lumpur on 20-21 August.

Helikopter Alouette III perlu diganti

ALOR SETAR 23 Ogos - Setelah lebih 50 tahun menabur bakti termasuk melahirkan ramai juruterbang berkaliber, Panglima Tentera Udara, Jeneral Tan Sri Rodzali Daud merasakan sudah tiba masanya untuk helikopter Alouette III yang masih digunakan sebagai pesawat latihan di Pusat Latihan Terbang 2 (Pulatibang 2) di sini digantikan.

Menurutnya, meskipun pesawat itu sehingga kini masih memberi perkhidmatan baik, namun atas beberapa faktor termasuk usianya sudah melepasi jangka hayat perkhidmatan, maka proses itu perlu dilakukan.

“Kami sedang dalam proses untuk memohon agar helikopter itu digantikan. Dalam keadaan sekarang, kami amat berharap agar proses itu dapat dipercepatkan.

“Setakat ini Alouette III memang memberikan kami khidmat yang baik tetapi disebabkan usianya sudah melepasi jangka hayat perkhidmatan, menyebabkan timbul sedikit sebanyak masalah buat kami," katanya tanpa memaklumkan berapa jumlah pesawat itu yang masih digunakan di pusat latihan tersebut.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang akhbar ketika menghadiri Majlis Sambutan Jubli Emas Pusat Latihan Terbang 1 (Pulatibang 1) di Kepala Batas, di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Timbalannya, Leftenan Jeneral Datuk Roslan Saad serta dua bekas pegawai memerintah terawal Pulatibang 1 iaitu Squadron Leader JF Woodard dan Marsyal Muda Udara (B) Tan Sri Sulaiman Sujak.

Bhs enough money to take over ngvtech?
Their financial are pretty tied up with sgpv.
I dun think they want to get their hand into the mess.
Also I think the tldm might not be very keen boustead having their hand ngvtech after some unpleasant thing happen in sgpv issue.

The entry into service of two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) training ships, Gagah Samudera and Teguh Samudera , remains in limbo owing to financial issues surrounding the Malaysian shipbuilder NGV Tech.

RMN sources said that NGV Tech was in financial difficulties and as a result, its creditors had a call on both ships, which prevents the RMN from formally accepting and commissioning them. The sources also said that neither ships was completed, with Gagah Samudera being about 95% complete and Teguh Samudera being 80% complete.

No further work can be carried out on the ships for the time being, though the Ministry of Defence is working to resolve this impasse and at the same time is looking for a local shipbuilder to finish them. Boustead Naval Shipyard, which is currently building the Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship for the RMN, is said to be the lead contender for this contract once the dispute over the ships' ownership has been resolved.

http://www.janes.com/article/42172/malaysi...-money-troubles