Aussie defences sunk by bad submarine buys

By  Barry Prismall
June 14, 2014, midnight

WE'RE an opulent lot. Peasants on a rock star lifestyle.

For a country with a population no bigger than Texas, don't we just love the extravagance.

Global stimulus? Ka-ching, $50billion. Welfare? Ka-ching, $146billion.

Paid parental leave, $6billion. National disability scheme, $22billion. Gonski, $14billion.

Even in Tassie, with a population smaller than the smallest mainland US state, Wyoming, we have a budget topping $5 billion.

In terms of riches, we're like Third World middle-class battlers, with First World tastes.

With this in mind, it is hard to fathom the previous federal government's decision to spend $40 billion buying 12 conventional- powered submarines, to eventually replace the six duds we have.

The Collins-class subs made too much noise, were often under- manned, cost $5 billion to build and just about every part of them, from combat systems to periscopes, failed, although near the end of their life, they are doing quite well in war games.

They rarely struck fear into the hearts of our neighbours, as a U-boat-style wolf pack.

Rarely have they all been operational.

At one stage, only two out of the six were functioning.

In 1986, Robin Gray actually fostered a bid for Tasmania to build them, but the Hawke government wanted the Bannon Labor government to survive in South Australia and so the contract headed further west.

The six duds were all finally available in 2004, but they were frequently plagued with operational problems, while costing $322 million a year to maintain.

The next dozen or so diesel- powered replacements will not be ready until 2030.

The Abbott government has not committed to this massive undertaking and is flirting with other options such as leasing, or buying replacements off the rack from overseas.

The feds wouldn't care too much about South Australia because the state is still Labor.

The question is, do you base your military spending on jobs, or strategic objectives?

Imagine the pressure from the defence brass and unions for locally built subs in South Australia.

A few years ago, I ventured into the old decommissioned sub moored near the maritime museum in Sydney's Darling Harbour.

It was so claustrophobic I got that rabbit sensation where you just want to bolt, but I couldn't double back and had to stay on the tour.

No wonder the current subs have been tied up in port due to undermanning.

Both the previous and current governments have ruled out the nuclear option which is strange, because diesel-powered subs must surely be laughed at by China.

Even Indonesia wouldn't be fussed too much by subs that have been in dry dock more times than out, and make too much noise.

If you're going to max the credit card on a new fleet, why not go nuclear and be done with it?

Why spend the equivalent of six Tasmanian budgets buying underwater canoes, that are either practically useless or highly limited in modern warfare, given the price, and, won't be available for another 14 years, or even 20 years, based on past experience?

Why not buy or lease a few second-hand nuclear "boomers" from the Americans, and really get the attention of folks up north?

Of course that's not going to happen, but it shows how dumb we are to be even considering a $40billion purchase of hardware that would be rendered useless the moment conflict broke out in our region.

If not nuclear-powered, the next batch of subs will need ballistic missile capability, which we could lease from the Americans.

If we are to even get close to wiping the grins off a few military faces in Asia, we need a little more than a grandiose employment factor in South Australia.

Otherwise, what's the point? What a waste of money.

Singapore, Indonesian navies help Malaysia foil pirate attack

Published: June 16, 4:03 AM

KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian navy on Saturday foiled a pirate attack with the aid of navies from Singapore and Indonesia after the pirates confronted a Singapore-managed tanker off Malaysia’s east coast in the South China Sea, reports yesterday said.

The Star reported yesterday that the International Maritime Bureau said the pirates fled after the navy patrol boats from Indonesia and Singapore arrived, abandoning their attempt to loot the vessel.

In a Facebook post yesterday, the Republic of Singapore Navy said its Information Fusion Centre — a network of military navies and civilian shipping companies worldwide — received an alert about the attempted attack at about 8.40pm on Saturday and coordinated an operational response with Malaysia and Indonesia.

Its patrol vessel, the RSS Gallant, was also deployed and was the first naval vessel to arrive near the scene of the attack at 12.45am yesterday morning. The vessel also provided position updates and shadowed the tanker.

Reports said the tanker’s crew and cargo were safe, but did not provide details on the condition of the tanker and the pirates.

An AFP report last week citing the United Nations said South-east Asia had become a global piracy hot spot, with attacks on ships in the region topping 150 last year after being on the rise since 2010.

In April, armed pirates raided an oil tanker off the coast of Malaysia and seized three crew members, underscoring increasing threats to shipping in the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest waterways. Agencies.

RSS Gallant at the scene of the attack. Photo: Republic of Singapore Navy Facebook page

Leopard migrates eastward (ES14E2)

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS
17 June 2014



Indonesia is taking delivery of 103 Leopard 2 MBTs from Rheinmetall, with the first two units delivered late in 2013 and additional vehicles following this year.

Of the 103 Leopard 2s, 42 are refurbished Leopard 2A4s and are referred to as Leopard 2A4+ and the remaining 61 will be upgraded to the RI standard, which includes elements of the Rheinmetall MBT Revolution. They will retain their Rheinmetall 120mm L/44 smoothbore guns but will have the capability to fire the latest Rheinmetall 120mm DM11 programmable high-explosive round.

The Leopard 2A4+ has the new all-electric gun control equipment and air-conditioning system, while the vehicles upgraded to the RI standard will have additional capability. Indonesia is also taking delivery of 10 Leopard 1 support vehicles, including armoured recovery vehicles (ARVs) and armoured engineering vehicles (AEVs).

In addition to marketing MBT Revolution, Rheinmetall is a key provider of Leopard 2 based support vehicles, including the Kodiak AEV, a joint development between Rheinmetall and RUAG Defence of Switzerland, which is based on a surplus Leopard 2 MBT hull modified for its new mission.

The Kodiak AEV has already been ordered by the Netherlands (10), Sweden (six) and Switzerland (12). Kodiak production is now under way for an undisclosed customer in Asia – understood to be Singapore – with first deliveries due in late 2014.

Rheinmetall is now the sole source for the Buffel ARV, with a batch of German vehicles being upgraded for deployment to Afghanistan. In addition to building brand new Buffels, Rheinmetall can convert older Leopard 2 hulls into the latest ARV configuration.

Singapore has taken delivery of two batches of Buffel ARVs from Rheinmetall, while Rheinmetall Canada is converting 12 surplus Leopard 2 MBT hulls into Buffel ARVs for Canada. It is upgrading 42 Leopard 2 MBTs for the training role. Canada and Indonesia have awarded contracts to Rheinmetall for Leopard Gunnery Skills Training (LGST) as well as driving simulators.

Rheinmetall has also sold 146 Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles to Chile, while Indonesia is taking delivery of a batch of 42 plus eight spare Marder 1A3s, with the first two units delivered late in 2013.

CAESAR reigns supreme (ES14E2)

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS
17 June 2014
 


Four countries have now ordered the Nexter Systems CAESAR 155mm/52 calibre wheeled self-propelled (SP) artillery system, which is now being optimised to meet specific export customer’s requirements.

The latest customer is Indonesia, which is to take delivery of 37 CAESAR plus a complete suite of 155mm ammunition, with the first systems due to be delivered from Nexter’s facility in Roanne later this year. Two battalions will each receive 18 CAESAR, with the remaining system being used for training.

A total of 72 production systems were supplied to the French Army from 2008-2011 and saw operational use in Afghanistan, Lebanon and more recently Mali. In the long term, the French Army hopes to replace its remaining 155mm TR series towed guns and 155mm AUF1-TA tracked SP guns with additional CAESAR artillery systems, which will then be the only conventional tubed artillery systems to be deployed by France.

The Royal Thai Army has taken delivery of six CAESAR, while an undisclosed Middle East customer, believed to be the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG), has taken 136 units.

While all the French, Thai and Indonesian CAESAR are based on a Renault Trucks Defense Sherpa 5 (6x6) cross-country truck chassis, those for Saudi Arabia are based on a German Mercedes-Benz Unimog (6x6).

The Thales ATLAS computerised fire control system (FCS) is installed on the French and SANG CAESAR, although other FCS can be fitted and there are a number of other options, including a protected cab. Nexter is also offering CAESAR for the Indian market integrated onto a higher payload Ashok Leyland Defence (6x6), teamed with local firm Larsen & Toubro.

It has also studied the Tatra (8x8) chassis, which would offer greater cross-country mobility and more payload for increased protection or additional ammunition.

are the Middle Eastern tank crews are bunch of noobs? or is it bcoz they have an 'incomplete tank' (tank that didn't have full/defective armour/weapon accessories, eg; like T-72 Asad Babil)?
or it coz of both?

Both. The M1A1M without DU is still a capable tank

The tank crews are inexperienced and under trained for combined arms warfare

Maybe the tank was already abandoned?

First Appearance: 2014
Country: Germany

The MBT Evolution is just another step in the line of Leopard 2A4 Evolution and MBT Revolution. While the first one demonstrated the new armour package and the second one introduced the new fire control system for the commander, MBT Evolution aims now for the practical demonstration of the armour package.

Philippines are interested in Russian BMP-3F

20.06.2014

Russia and the Philippines are discussing the possibility of delivery to the Asian country the Russian infantry fighting vehicle BMP-3F. The journalists at the International Salon of weapons "Eurosatory 2014" Deputy General Director of "Rosoboronexport" Igor Sevastyanov.

"We are working with the country on the BMP-3F. The specific results are reported later, "- he said.

Deputy director recalled that recently the Philippine government announced several rearmament programs, including for the protection of the country's coastline.

Sevastiyanov noted that BMP-3F actively offered in the countries of Southeast Asia.

Earlier this car was delivered to Indonesia. In 2010, the main naval base of the country near the Javanese city of Surabaya were delivered 17 BMP-3F, later "Rosoboronexport" Indonesia passed a batch of 37 units of these machines.BMP-3F is a version of the basic machine, designed for the Marine Corps. It can also be used coastguards and border troops. BMP-3F is used to fighting in the coastal zone, on the coast, landing at sea.

In armament includes basic machine 100mm gun, twin 30-mm gun, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), 7.62 mm machine gun. BMP-3F is served by a crew of three and can carry seven paratroopers.

TNI to Get First Delivery of Leopard Tanks

By Markus Junianto Sihaloho on 08:15 am Jun 23, 2014

Jakarta. Indonesia is preparing to receive the first batch of armored vehicles it procured from Germany — from an order of 164 units — as the archipelagic nation strives to meet its minimum essential force requirement amid rising tensions in the region.

A total of 52 combat vehicles, consisting of 26 Leopard main battle tanks and 26 medium-sized Marder infantry fighting vehicles, will be shipped from the city of Unterluss following a brief ceremony early this week, which will be attended by Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesia’s deputy defense minister, and Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, retired Army chief of staff.

Pramono said he initiated the deal to purchase the 164 German combat vehicles — inked last year — before retiring.

“We will be in Unterluss to oversee the final preparations — including technical inspections and testing — involved in shipping the Leopard tanks to Indonesia,” Pramono said in a statement on Sunday before departing for Germany.

The former general declined to give the exact expected delivery date for the first batch of combat vehicles, but mentioned they would be arrive in time to be displayed in Jakarta for the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) anniversary on Oct. 5.

The purchase is part of the government’s larger plan to modernize Indonesia’s aging military equipment and weaponry — an overhaul that was last carried out over 30 years ago.

“Indonesia has fallen behind in terms of armory, even compared to several of our Asean neighbors,” Pramono said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Indonesia is a leading member. “We have been relying on light tanks, such as Scorpions and AMX-13, which are getting on in years.”

Germany had given defense firm Rheinmetall the green light in 2012 to export 104 Leopard 2 tanks, 50 Marder 1A2 infantry fighting vehicles and 10 other military carriers — including armored recovery vehicles, mobile bridges and military engineering vehicles — to Indonesia, German news portal Spiegel Online reported.

According to Indonesian officials, the initial agreement for 130 tanks was valued at $280 million, while Rheinmentall’s press released placed the figure at 216 million euro, or $293.7 million. The deal includes training sessions, logistical support services and an initial supply of practice and service ammunition.

The deliveries are scheduled to be concluded between 2014 and 2016.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched strategic plans in 2010 to help Indonesia meet its minimum essential force (MEF) — an effort to revamp the country’s aging weaponry and military equipment. Under the program, the country’s military procurement plans are divided into three phases — the first stretching from 2010 to 2014 — until the MEF is reached, which is targeted for 2024.

The archipelago’s domestic defense industry will also be fostered to grow under the program.

The Ministry of Defense has been among the largest recipients of government funds over the past several years. In addition to the annual budget, which amounted to Rp 86 trillion ($7 billion) this year, the government has also allocated some Rp 156 trillion toward modernizing military equipment throughout 2014.

Nevertheless, Indonesia only spent 0.8 percent of its gross domestic product on defense in 2012. Though the figure adds up to a substantial amount of money in real terms, the spending still pales in comparison to those of Indonesia’s regional peers.

The ideal budget, according to Sjafrie, would be 1 percent to 2 percent of GDP, which is the amount being spent by many of the world’s developing nations.

The deputy defense minster said he hopes Indonesia is able to reach that level of spending by 2024.

After dedicating more than $15 billion to building the country’s defenses system since 2010, Indonesia has managed to reach 40 percent of its MEF — well above phase one’s goal of 30 percent, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said.

Achieving these goals, he added, are crucial for tackling security challenges of the 21st century, with the global security focus shifting from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region, where disputes over resource-rich areas have continued to escalate, involving major players such as China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Malaysia to deploy naval mothership off Sabah to stop kidnappings

Dzirhan Mahadzir, Kuala Lumpur - IHS Jane's Navy International
22 June 2014


RMN naval auxiliary Bunga Mas Lima, seen here with next-generation patrol vessel KD Perak in the Strait of Malacca, is to be deployed as a mothership off Sabah as the government tries to stop kidnappings by Philippines-based groups. Source: Royal Malaysian Navy

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is deploying the naval support ship Bunga Mas Lima (pennant number 5) off the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah to act as a sea base. The deployment is in line with an overall strategy by Malaysia to combat kidnappings by groups based in the Philippines.

Bunga Mas Lima will act as a mothership for RMN Combatboat 90 (CB 90) fast attack craft and Malaysian Army fast boats, allowing them to reduce their response and interception time in relation to any incursions into Eastern Sabah. Bunga Mas Lima will also carry an RMN AS550 Fennec helicopter to conduct patrols and interceptions.

Operations on and from the ship will occur under the aegis of RMN COMNAV II, the region's naval command based at RMN Sepanggar at Kota Kinabalu, rather than under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), the civilian lead security structure tasked with implementing security operations in Sabah. ESSCOM has come under heavy criticism from various quarters in Malaysia over its inability to prevent several kidnappings.

Bunga Mas Lima and sister ship Bunga Mas Enam (6), both belonging to the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC), had been tasked with RMN counter-piracy escort missions of MISC ships transiting the Gulf of Aden. However, with the decline of piracy in that area and MISC's preference for onboard security teams for its merchant ships, the mission - known as Operation 'Fajar' - has been concluded.

Both ships would have reverted back to MISC, but the company has agreed for the ships to continue operating with the RMN. Bunga Mas Enam is in Perth serving as a command and co-ordination centre for the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 international search effort.

Depending on the situation in question, RMN plans call for Bunga Mas Enam to also serve as a sea base either in addition to or in rotation with Bunga Mas Lima .

However, the use of the ships is only an interim solution. The Malaysian defence ministry plans to procure disused oil rigs that would then be refitted, equipped, and positioned off Eastern Sabah to serve as sea bases, although the conversion process is expected to take several months. Once the oil rigs are fully operational, the defence ministry will assess whether the naval ships will continue to serve as sea bases, be re-tasked to other missions, or revert back to MISC ownership.

What ship is this? Got millenium somemore. Doesn tseem like US or China or Brunei or Singaporean ship.

TNI Artillery Soon To Be Equipped With Caesar 155mm

- June 25, 2014 19:32 pm 


Nexter Caesar 155 mm made, Pramcis / Suryopratomo.

Roanne, Metrotvnews: Army gain strength in the main weaponry system with receive four field artillery units, Caesar 155 mm. Indonesia is the fourth country-made defense equipment users Nexter, France. 

Caesar has the advantage of being able to move themselves because the barrel is above the vehicle. Each vehicle is capable of carrying a maximum of 32 munitions are ready to fire. 

According Armament Center Commander Brig Sonhadji Field Artillery, the Army will receive a total of 37 units of Caesar until 2016. Weapons systems will be placed in Purwakarta and Ngawi Battalion. 

Caesar has been used during the French troops in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Mali. Caesar's coverage of the shot can reach 39 kilometers and even longer up to 42 kilometers. Besides French, now it is using Caesar is a Middle Eastern countries and Thailand. (Tom)

I think because its cheap? and one size fits all 

DVD 2014: Indonesian SAMs break cover, promising enhanced anti-UAV capability

Nick Brown, Editor, IDR, Millbrook Proving Ground - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
25 June 2014


Indonesia's new Starstreak-armed light SAM system will also carry LMM, affording the system a surface-to-surface and anti-UAV capability. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen

The new Land Rover-based surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems destined for Indonesia went on public display for the first time at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DV) exhibition at Millbrook Proving Ground on 25 June.

Indonesia ordered the Thales Starstreak SAMs as part of a wider ForceShield air defence package in January 2014 and is understood to have subsequently signed up to acquire Thales' Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) in mid-June. Both missiles share a similar physical footprint and are virtually identical from the warhead back, with exactly the same physical connector on their canisters to link into the pedestal mount, enabling the weapons to be carried in mixed loads.

LMM is primarily an anti-surface weapon - it has been selected for the UK's new Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (Light) requirement, for example - but it also offers a limited air-defence capability. Warrant Officer Graham Chastell, a member of the UK Defence And Security Organisation's Export Support Group, told IHS Jane's that the weapon's shaped charge/blast fragmentation warhead offers a better capability against small unmanned aerial vehicles and slow helicopters than the triple-hittile Starstreak.

Three ready-to-fire weapons are carried on a pedestal mounted on Land Rover 110 twin-cab vehicles, outfitted for the role by Hobson Industries. Modifications include building a flat loadbed with fold-out sides to increase the operator area, mechanical stabilisers to steady the platform and limited shielding on the rear of the cab. The Land Rover's traditional cargo area is retained beneath the firing platform, offering storage for six missile reloads and other spares.

Thales refused to specify any delivery dates or discuss build numbers, citing customer confidentiality. However, an Indonesian defence source told IHS Jane's earlier in the year that "the British system consists of five batteries costing USD170 million. Funds have been allocated for both, but the systems have yet to be delivered."


Indonesia's new Starstreak SAM vehicles have been outfitted by Hobson Industries and offer space for six canisterised reloads beneath the firing platform. (IHS/Patrick Allen)

Tiger for TNI-AD Will be Introduced in October



http://news.metrotvnews.com/read/2014/06/2...am-hut-tni-2014

AS 550 Fennec Light Attack Helicopters Soon Strengthen Army

February 11, 2014 11:44

A number of light attack helicopters Fennec AS 550 will strengthen the Army (AD). Of the 12 units ordered in the Army, some helicopters are manufactured Eurocpter Indonesia through PT DI will be operational in 2014.

"For 12 Fennec helicopters to be purchased in the Army, plans to arrive in 2014 and 2015," said Chief Information Office Army Brig Andika Perkasa in a written statement received Liputan6.com in Jakarta, Tuesday (02/11/2014).

However Andika not know how many orders the helicopter unit finished in 2014. What is clear, from the 12 units ordered it, 8 units will be placed in the 12th Assault Squadron Waytuba, South Sumatra, 3 units in Tanjungredep Assault Squadron-13, East Kalimantan, and 1 unit in the Army Flight Pusdik Semarang, Central Java.

To operate the assault helicopters, is currently the Army has prepared pilots and technicians. AS 550 Fennec helicopters a small body with a single engine is part of the modernization of the main tools of weapons systems (defense equipment) program according Minimum Essential Force (MEF).

"HR needs to put up 23 operational Fennec Heli pilots and 31 technicians," he added.

Meanwhile, for the Apache helicopter from the U.S. ordered will arrive in 2017. Though not yet come, the military has set up a number of personnel.

"HR needs to operations planned 24 Apache helicopter pilots and 59 technicians. Holds Apache helicopter is still yet to be determined," said Andika.

AS 550 Fennec helicopter is a military helicopter produced by Eurocopter mild group, the combined company Aerospatiale of France and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA) of Germany.

Fennec can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and other munitions. AS 550 Fennec can accommodate 6 people, the 2 crew and 4 passengers. The helicopter uses Turbomeca Arril 2B engine is capable of flying for 4 hours with a maximum speed of 287 km / hour. (Ex / Sss)

source

12 new fighter jets: PAF to see them all by 2015

June 26, 2014 10:45 pm

by William B. Depasupil

DEFENSE Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday said the initial batch of FA-50 trainer fighter jets that they had ordered from South Korea are due to arrive before the year ends.

At least two of the 12 fighter jets, according to Gazmin, will be delivered sometime in September and the rest in 2015 or a year before the Aquino administration bows out.

He said four of the best pilots of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be sent to South Korea to undergo training on how to fly fighter jets as part of the P18.9-billion contract that the Defense department signed with Korea Aerospace Industries for the supply of the 12 FA-50 trainer fighter jets.

The deal for the 12 fighter jets was sealed last March, alongside the acquisition of eight utility helicopters worth P4.8 billion from the Canadian Commercial Corp.

Earlier, Col. Miguel Okol, director for operations, Philippine Air Force-Air Defense Wing, said two test pilots and two operation pilots will be chosen from among the best in the Air Force’s pilot pool holding the rank of captain to major.

The fresh acquisition, Okol said, would draw the Air Force closer to its goal of achieving a minimum credible defense capability.

He explained that the two-seater FA-50s would only be part of a defense system that PAF is trying to come up with that includes radars and long-range patrol aircraft.

Meanwhile, Gazmin announced that four of the 21 refurbished Huey combat utility helicopters acquired to beef up the lifting capability of the Air Force are being assembled in Clark Field in Pampanga.

He said assembling the four choppers would be finished just in time for the 67th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force on July 1.

Gazmin added that three more of the 21 Huey helicopters are expected to arrive next month.