Malaysia increases 2015 defence budget by 10%

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok and Dzirhan Mahadzir, Kuala Lumpur - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
13 October 2014

The Malaysian government announced on 10 October a 2015 defence budget of MYR17.76 billion (USD5.4 billion), a year-on-year increase of 10%. The allocation amounts to 6.5% of projected yearly government expenditure and around 1.5% of GDP.

In presenting the budget to parliament, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak indicated that the emphasis of defence spending in 2015 will be on improving the capabilities of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) through investments in procurement and in improving welfare for personnel.

The reference to procurement is notable given the lack of major programmes to have progressed to contract stage in recent years as Malaysia's economic constraints have restricted military acquisitions.

Arms exports (1/4): Indonesia will she be the new seam of France?

Michel Cabirol | 10/14/2014, 7:03 - 2493 words

The Tribune offers a series of new industrial land conquest of French armaments. This is the case of Indonesia, which has expressed interest in the Rafale and where all industrial comeback after a long eclipse.

Indonesia is again in the strategies of all the French armament groups. It must be said that the Indonesian growth could not go unnoticed (6.2% in 2012 and 5.3% in 2013), although the pace of growth slowed in the second quarter of 2014 to its lowest level in five years, 5.12% yoy. Growth will, however, continue in the short term: 5.6% in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and, according to the OECD, the growth rate of Indonesia between 2014 and 2018 is expected to reach 6%. This would make the archipelago's most dynamic major ASEAN countries (Association of Asian Nations Southeast) economy.

"We have not seized in France the importance and potential of Indonesia", yet says one expert member countries of the G20. A wrong because in ten years, the Indonesian economy has gained 10 places in the global ranking of the most developed countries, from the 27th to 16th. In 2030, it should be in the top 10 world economies (7th), according to McKinsey. "Doing business in Indonesia is something you earn, and you have to win the confidence of Indonesians," he recalls.

A giant unknown in France

"How is it that we do not have that 150 French companies in Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, the 16th world economy, growing very fast, where we had 450 there fifteen years" asks the Senator Senator UMP du Val-de-Marne, Christian Cambon, co-author of "La France face the emergence of Southeast Asia." This is far too little. For comparison, the number of South Korean companies operating in Indonesia amounted to 1,200.

"One of our first weakness is our ignorance of Indonesia, political model, its culture, its projects and its financing channels," says the report. However, to boost diplomatic relations at a high level between the two countries, co-authors of the report Hollande pushing to make a state visit to Indonesia. Because no French president did is moved from ... François Mitterrand. In August 2013, at the headquarters of ASEAN, Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, regretted that "relations between the two countries are not yet living up to their potential." Trade relations rely heavily on purchases of Airbus or ATR.

However, the potential of seduction exercised on traffic Jarkarta groups such as Airbus Group, Dassault Aviation, Thales, Safran, DCNS, Nexter, Renault Trucks Defense and the other begins to take effect. Especially as defense budgets in Europe are in steady decline despite a global reset, particularly in Asia. These groups rely more and more on these famous growth emerging markets, including Indonesia which wants to modernize the equipment of his army. Thus, Thales has been present for nearly forty years, estimated that more than 500 million business opportunities (civilian and military) in the next five years, we are assured to La Tribune. According to our information, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has also retried in Jakarta attached arms, who arrived this summer.

Strengthen the defense a priority for Indonesia

Rebuild national defense is the first of nine high on the agenda of the new Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, strengthening national defense to ensure the territorial integrity of the archipelago and establishing itself as a regional maritime power. Hence the desire to increase the defense budget to 1.5% of GDP by 2019 to reach 20 billion (against 7 billion now). Because Indonesia has a real need to modernize its army. "They need to reform their defense industry, said it does it in Paris. Thought must be given to medium term" in this country.

The very long arms embargo of the United States in 1991 as a result of serious violence against the indépendandistes Timor, made a strong Indonesian military. For this particular embargo grounded its F-16 and A-4 Skyhawk, which constitute nearly 80% of its fleet of combat. An American military embargo ended in 2005 In addition, London also imposed an embargo on spare parts for hunters Hawk of the Indonesian Air Force. Indonesia is facing Russia, South Korea and China to procure fighter jets and training. With Seoul, Jakarta has even signed a partnership for the joint development of the KFX / IFX, a fighter of the fifth generation.

Hence today the will of Jakarta to diversify its arms purchases in Europe, Russia, China, the United States but also in countries like Brazil emergens, which sold 16 aircraft including training A -29 Super Tucano. "They have deliberately sharing policy to not be dependent on a region or a country," says a businessman who works in Indonesia.

Skills Development

As often in developing countries, Jakarta wants to reduce defense imports by developing local industrial capacity. To win contracts, says the managing director in charge of international development Thales Pascale Sourisse, "Indonesia must develop local skills with stalled partners, including in services. This is a fundamental dimension."

This is the case already Airbus Helicopters (AH), present in Indonesia since 1976 with the licensed construction of 123 BO 105 helicopters and helicopter manufacturer has signed an industrial partnership since 2008 with the national aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia / Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) to create an assembly line. It manufactures on behalf of Marignane fuselages helicopters EC725 and EC225 transportation for an amount of EUR 43 million. IAe, who works for Airbus (A380, A350) also produces military transport aircraft Airbus Group, CN-235 and C-295 under license.

Finally, on the site of Subang (Indonesia) Roxel, Eurenco and PT Dahana signed last Friday a cooperation agreement in the presence of Indonesian Defence Ministers and Industry and the French authorities. This Agreement is the establishment on this site in a production plant for the following products: loads EDB and composites for rocket motors (Roxel products) and spherical powders rounds of small and medium caliber (Eurenco products).

Tricolor groups can leverage the strategic partnership between France and Indonesia signed in 2011 the two countries pledged to promote "closer" cooperation in the field of defense and security, "for to establish a dialogue overall defense (...) including regular consultations between defense ministers, deputy ministers, heads of staff and other senior civil and military officials, strategic Cooperation long-term with an emphasis on capacity building, training and exchange of officials responsible for defense matters, defense industry and the operations of peacekeeping United Nations. "

New Eldorado or new mirage for France?

Indonesia is she a new vein for the tricolor arms industry? The market is promising for French groups. In 2013, Divine surprise she came fourth among industrial customers tricolor defense (€ 480 million) countries, certainly far from the first Saudi Arabia ($ 1.9 billion). The return of France in Indonesia is real as evidenced by the gradual rise of traffic arms exports in recent years: 2.9 million euros in 2009, 5.9 million in 2010, 96.3 million in 2011, 151.7 million in 2012.

In 2013, the missile manufacturer MBDA, which is well established in the country thanks to the Dutch shipyard Damen, notably in Jakarta sold for over 200 million euros a weapons-aircraft system at very short range, Mistral 3. Indonesia also bought last year 37 self-propelled artillery systems, Caesar Nexter for 115 million euros. Finally, the small shipyard in Les Sables d'Olonne OCEA sold for an amount of approximately € 80 million support two new buildings of 60 meters, the type of OSV 190 MKII.

And 2014?

In 2014, Thales has already sold to the Department of Defense Indonesian system integrated air defense ForceShield and Starstreak missiles for a total of over 130 million. A contract that will benefit very much the sites' e group. This year, he also won a contract with the Indonesian Navy, via the Dutch shipyard Damen. Thales will provide mission system for both ships PKR class. Either its management system Tacticos Dutch combat, surveillance radar SMART-S Mk2, the fire control system STRI 1.2 mk2 EO, sonar Kingklip, data binding Link-Y and naval communication systems and navigation. Finally, the French group won a civil contract for the construction of a satellite telecoms Telkom-3S.

Airbus Defence Space years (ADS) will in turn supply the army of the Indonesian air systems forefront to ensure identification of aircraft surveillance of the air space, the MSSR 2000 I. This system which will improve the monitoring and air traffic and air defense over the more than 15,000 islands of Indonesia.

Rafale and submarines medium to long term

According to reliable sources, Dassault Aviation has been approached by Jakarta, which has expressed interest in the Rafale. The tricolor manufacturer presented its unit in Indonesia and is now awaiting a request for information (RFI) from Indonesia, which is announced and possibly engaging an RFP (RFP). Dassault Aviation is very attentive to what is happening in Indonesia, says it internally. However, the sources contacted have expressed some reluctance to commit Dassault Aviation in Indonesia Sweden (Gripen) are very active. Anyway, Jakarta, who had bought in late 2011 six Su-30MK2 fighters to Russia would buy 16 fighter jets for the equipment of a squadron, we are assured in La Tribune, and have posted a budget of around $ 1.5 billion. But that was before the presidential election this summer.

DCNS, which opened two years ago about an office in Jakarta, continues meanwhile several projects in Indonesia trying to build a relationship with viable local partners. The maritime group aims to retrofit a submarine South Korean Type U209 in partnership with PT PAL Indonesia. But mostly he discusses with the shipyard to sign a comprehensive agreement of transfer of technology (ToT) program on the submarine Andrasta created for countries wanting to have a submarine force that specializes in coastal combat. DCNS would be willing to give Indonesia the right to export this submarine in ASEAN.

Finally, Airbus Helicopters had the intention to sign orders for a new batch of new Caracal Indonesia who has already bought six and 16 AS565 Panther in the Indonesian Navy. In the field artillery, Nexter continues to offer its equipment to Indonesia. The public group is also promoting his new 6x6 armored vehicle low-cost, Titus. For its part, Thales also proposes the Hawkei a protected 4x4 light 7 tons (Thales Australia). Finally, Indonesia wants to buy patrol.

Endemic corruption

A major French industrial reluctance to engage in Indonesia remains corruption. Particularly in public services where it is common for agents require a pot of wine to individuals to companies in exchange for services that should be provided free. "There is a real awareness of politicians, ministers went to jail, says one expert from Indonesia. Can sell without corruption." Cases of high-level corruption processed by the Commission for Corruption Eradication (KPK), involving politicians and justice are indeed high profile, while corruption at lower levels is more widespread and more difficult to counter.

KPK has announced in early September that the Energy Minister was accused of extortion and abuse of power. Jero Wacik is believed to have inflated the budget of his ministry of nearly 10 billion rupees (646,000 euros) for illegal activities. It is the third government minister involved in a corruption case. In July, the former sports minister was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of corruption in a case related to the construction of a stadium. In May, the religious affairs minister has resigned after an investigation by the KPK on suspicion of embezzling funds intended for pilgrims traveling to Mecca.

Furthermore, a female governor at the head of one of the most powerful political dynasties Indonesia was sentenced Monday to four years in prison for paying a bribe, kickbacks to the former President of the Constitutional Court in an electoral dispute. The latter he was sentenced in July to life in prison for accepting bribes, kickbacks in order to influence decisions on electoral disputes.

A new president ready to eradicate corruption

In its latest filing, the NGO Transparency International Indonesia ranked 114th most corrupt country out of 177 nations. Crowned with a victory ... confirmed by the judiciary to take office, the new president Joko Widodo aims to overhaul the first Asian Southeast economy after a meteoric rise in politics. A priority is to restore confidence in the Indonesian political system by eradicating corruption. "Indonesians are very, very cynical about politics. They think it is very corrupt. We need to restore faith" in politics, he told AFP.

An anti-corruption smartphone application offering graphics and games was launched in Indonesia to educate the public and state officials about the risks of accepting bribes, kickbacks in one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Indonesia commences propellant manufacturing at new plant

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
12 October 2014

Indonesia's PT Dahana and French partners Roxel and Eurenco have commenced the development of a propellant plant in Subang, West Java, geared to meeting the ammunition and explosives requirements of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a 10 October statement that the plant, the development of which is budgeted at about USD300 million, is the result of a government-to-government agreement signed earlier this year with France that facilitates technology transfer to Indonesia. The new plant is also expected to go towards reducing the TNI's reliance on foreign propellants.

The MoD has previously stated that the plant will produce propellants for a range of small-, medium-, and large-calibre weapons.

China-Indonesia sign remote-sensing MoU

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
13 October 2014

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the Indonesian Maritime Security Coordinating Board (IMSCB) have signed an agreement supporting the latter's efforts to enhance offshore security.

The CNSA said in a statement on 10 October that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) - signed on 6 October - features the transmission of CNSA remote sensing data to IMSCB ground stations covering the vast Indonesian archipelago.

The data is intended to improve IMSCB early-warning capabilities and support maritime law enforcement and disaster relief response. The MoU follows the signing in 2012 of a China-Indonesia maritime collaboration agreement and the establishment of a bilateral maritime co-operation committee.

More PT PAL staff head to DSME for submarine training

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

Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL is sending additional personnel to South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to undergo training in submarine construction, it was announced on 17 October.

The training is part of the industrial collaboration programme linked to Indonesia's order in late 2011 of three DSME Chang Bogo-class Type 209/1200 submarines.

This programme outlines DSME's construction of the first two submarines with gradually increased input from PT PAL personnel, leading to the Indonesian company's licenced-build of the third boat at its facilities in Surabaya.

PT PAL said in a statement that 160 personnel will travel to South Korea over the next few months and will join other PT PAL engineers and technicians already seconded to DSME.

^^
Masuk la dalam laut sikit, tgk amphibious capability dia dlm air laut camne.

Dear US Navy: The Futuristic X3K Is What Littoral Combat Ships Should Be

Tyler Rogoway
10/10/14 3:30pm

The last decade has seen some pretty awesome looking warships hit waters around the globe. On the "blue water" side of things the Star Wars looking Zumwalt Class and the minimalist art-like Lafayette Class were clearly designed with stealth in mind. Yet the "brown water" is where the most exotic vessels roam, and this is precisely where the X3K was born to fight.

An Indonesian Combat Trimaran Designed In Sweden

The X3K was built by Indonesian-based Swedish boat builder North Sea Boats, and designed in part by renowned exotic boat builder LOMOcean Design LTD. The goal was to build a very stealthy, high-speed, multi-role missile boat that could dominate the complex littorals around Indonesia while still being affordable to procure and operate.

At 63 meters in length, the X3K is no small patrol boat, but with her trimaran wave piercing hull and twin MJP 550 water jets, she can keep up with much smaller boats and even follow them into areas where there is just six feet of water. She is powered by four MAN12 diesel engines that put out 1,800hp each, that can propel her up near 40 knots during sprints. She cruises leisurely in even rough sea states at 16 knots, and has a range of over 2,000 miles.

The X3K is said to have an extremely stealthy design, with its two sets of four-tube anti-ship missiles launchers shrouded behind flat panels above and behind the bridge. Eight Chinese built C-702 anti-ship missiles can be carried for use against medium and small sized targets, or against larger targets, if fired as a salvo. Alternatively, four deadly Saab RBS-15 Mk3 advanced cruise missiles can be carried for attacking both large ships and land targets at long ranges.

The ship's rear boat launch ramp and enclosed housing can launch and recover up to an 11 meter high-speed rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with ease. A 40mm advanced Bofos cannon is fitted atop her bridge for surface and air engagements, including being the ship's primary close in weapon system (CIWS). It is rumored that torpedoes and a anti-aircraft point defense missile system can also be accommodated, all shrouded behind the ship's stealthy skin.

Her weapons are directed by the highly capable Sea Giraffe 1X 3D radar which is able to conduct air and surface surveillance. SAAB's CEROS 200 fire-control director is also mounted above the bridge, and this system is capable of directing gunfire or providing targeting solutions against marauding aircraft. This unique, elevated sensor and gun configuration provides an enhanced line-of sight for the ships sensors and a better firing angle for the ship's cannon.

All these systems are tied into Saab's 9LV Mk4 series "open architecture" combat management system, which the X3K's command crew can interface with just behind the state-of-the-art bridge, in a mini combat information center. In total this highly automated ship is crewed by about 21 sailors and officers, and another 9 persona special operations contingent can be embarked even on long duration missions.

The X3K's whole package adds up to an incredibly powerful yet elegant and futuristic design that was tailor built to dominate her unique combat environment while providing 'balanced' signature control, combat punch, and survivability against cost.

Missions for this radical ship design include counter-piracy, drug interdiction, coastal security, special operations, surface attack, counter-terrorism, surveillance, area sea control and fishing regulations enforcement. Additionally, the ship can be outfitted to carry out other missions, such as mine clearing, which her composite hull is highly adapted to.

The Short Life Of The Kri Klewang

Indonesia's first of four planned X3Ks was called the Kri Klewang, which is the Indonesian name for a traditional long sharp sword, and was officially launched in August of 2012. The X3K infused vinylester carbon fibre foam sandwich structure allowed for ease of construction, corrosion resistance, light-weight and high-strength, and it was especially useful when it came to dampening the ship's radar, thermal, magnetic and acoustic signature. All of which add up to reduced detectability and enhanced survivability, especially in the cluttered and noisy littorals.

One thing the X3K's carbon fiber construction may have been less than idea for is dealing with fire, at least when compared to more traditional steel ship designs. After just three weeks of highly successful sea trials, the Kri Klewang caught fire while in port, and rapidly burnt until she succumbed to the flames totally.

Nobody died in the fire, which was rumored to have been caused by an electrical short and compounded by the fact that fire suppression equipment was not yet fitted to the still highly experimental vessel. Some claim the speed at which the fire progressed was due to the ship's composite building materials while others say an aluminum ship would have burned quickly as well, not to mention the fire would have probably been stopped either way with the proper gear on-board.

As a result of this event, the X3K program was put on indefinite hold, but it is now back in full swing, with a major material change for the ships structure being infused into its production. This time around, Swedish defense giant Saab is running the whole program and says they will use a very advanced "nano-composite compound" for the ship's structure, which they claim is extremely fire resistant..

A Vastly Improved X3K Kri Klewang Class Rises

Four ships are still on order, which will have considerable enhancements in comparison to their doomed predecessor. These include a higher shrouded sensor mast, a stealthy gun enclosure, and additional armament, much of which remains classified. Follow-on models may even feature a lengthened rear upper deck for accommodating helicopters and unmanned aircraft, a feature that may be essential when it comes to landing export opportunities for the sleek ship.

Depending on how things go with the first four ships of this updated class, up to twenty may be ordered by Indonesia, not to mention the exportability prospects for the stealthy trimaran. In fact, I have have often suggested that the US should ditch its Littoral Combat Ship program (which is really just a very impotent and vulnerable fast frigate with a shallower draft) and procure a real littoral combat ship for forward deployed 'brown water' operations.

Sweden, a country that has seemingly become the default master of building stealthy littoral combat ships, already has the mono-hulled Visby Class Corvette, which is also a program ran by a subsidiary of Saab and uses many of the same systems as the X3K/Kri Klewang Class. In fact, the two vessels, although radically different in shape, will possess similar capabilities, although the Visby Class is a more mature design.

An enhanced version of the Visby was always at the top of my list for a partial LCS replacement. Yet the adaptability and true littoral environment design mindset behind the X3K/Klewang Class also makes it a very intriguing contender. It also seems that the Klewang Class, once developed, may be cheaper than the Visby Class which is built in its native country, Sweden, not Indonesia.

Since there are already plans for both an enhanced Visby Class and Klewang Class, both with a full flight deck and aviation facility on their stern, the US could buy two of these enhanced boats for the estimated cost of a single Littoral Combat Ship. This would allow the US Navy to procure a proper frigate instead of the majority of the LCS buy, as well as a large lot of much smaller and more rudimentary patrol vessels. Such a three tier procurement strategy would provide more hulls in the water, while also increasing our capabilities and better providing the right ship for the mission, not the right mission for the a single jack of all trades, master of none, ship.

Creatively Filling The Hole Left Behind By A Cancelled LCS

The over budget and under-capable LCS program was recently severely curtailed back to 32 ships, from 52 ships by the Pentagon, a action that many thought was long overdue. If the program was further cut to 12 ships total, six of both the Freedom and Independence classes, funds from the 40 unbuilt LCSs could be used in the plan I loosely outlined above.

If 40 of LCSs were cut, at an average cost of $500M per ship, and an additional $200M for all the troubled mission modules as well, there would be about $24B available if we factor in $100M production efficiency savings per unit to round-out our conservative estimate.

With this $24B the Navy could procure a fleet of 20 survivable, multi-role frigates that can also provide area air defense and over-the-horizon surface attacks, along with the majority of the LCS's current roles. The most logical choice at this point for this capability is Ingalls Enhanced Patrol Frigate (make sure to watch the video above) which is based on the Coast Guard's National Security Cutter that is already in service. At an estimated $800M each, this would account for $16B. Then the Navy could procure 25 "off the shelf" upgraded Klewang Class or Visby Class true littoral combat ships, (with much more punch than the LCS) all with enhanced aviation capabilities.

These smaller, true littoral combat ships, that go to sea with much smaller crews than their bloated LCS counterparts, could be operated for a fraction of the cost comparatively. At a hypothetical cost of $300M per boat, these 25 vessels would cost $7.5B total. With the remaining $500M the Navy could buy 33 highly relevant and deadly MkVI Patrol Boats for about $15M apiece.

You can plug and play with these numbers however you like, adjusting the force structure and unit costs at will, but the general picture is clear. By cancelling the LCS and purchasing much less expensive littoral ships, that retain 80% of the LCS's capabilities at half the cost or less, money can be freed up to procure true multi-role frigates and mission-focused and cost efficient patrol boats.

By procuring a true multi-role Frigate instead of the LCS, the USN get's a ship that can still operate to some degree in littoral areas, while still being very capable of striking the enemy over the horizon and protecting itself and ships under its defensive umbrella without the need of a destroyer or cruiser escort. In other words, the Navy get's more capability and more flexibility at the same price. This independence of operation is something the LCS totally lacks in anything but the lowest threat environments.

As an additional benefit of cutting the LCS program to 12 ships, the Navy can afford to purchase dozens of Mark VI Patrol Boats that can actually tangle with swarming 'brown water' threats, while also accomplishing dozens of other shorter ranged littoral oriented missions such as force protection, counter-terrorism, special operations, drug and weapons interdiction, border security and may others. Using a massive LCS to conduct many of these missions is absolutely overkill, and it totally defeats the economics of the design's original intent. Sending in a $600M warship to do the job that a $15M patrol boat can do better, and at less risk, is absurd and a total waste of tax payer money.

It is interesting to see the brown water patrol craft mission being adapted with vigor and a high degree of creativity by shipyards and navies around the globe. Specific vessels are being designed to really dominate in this unique combat environment, while also taking into account new, albeit sometimes risky, manufacturing techniques and technologies. Additionally, many shipbuilders and navies have leveraging off-the shelf, proven combat sub-systems and weaponry to control costs on these ships as they really don't require the highest end senor and weapons suites available to be effective. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has once again gone for a jack of all trades, master of none approach to a relatively straight forward mission set. As a result, their Littoral Combat Ship, of which there are two designs in production (which is even more absurd), ended up being too big and too costly to tango with swarms of boats in the murky brown water. At the same time, it also ended up being too impotent, lightly armored and insufficiently manned to fight with its 'blue water' surface combatant cousins, or do any mission alone in contested space for that matter.

For the same $24B, give or take a few billion or a few boats, that the last forty LCSs will cost the US Navy, they can procure a three tier, lower-end naval procurement strategy that grows from the harbor out to the blue water, with almost perfect mission overlap between the three platform classes discussed above. This is a rational, scalable and cost effective force made up of ships that can really own their particular mission sets and disrupt the enemy's ability to operate in key areas close to shore and beyond.

The Navy needs to cancel the LCS program immediately, and finally learn from their one size fits all costly lessons of late, and begin to build a navy with relevant "layered" capabilities. One where a fast patrol boat is built to fight fast boats, a littoral combat ship is built to dominate the littorals and nothing more, and a frigate is built to bridge the gap between the aforementioned capabilities and all those missions that do not require a multi-billion dollar Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer or Ticonderoga Class Cruiser

An upgraded Klewang Class, or its Swedish cousin the Visby Class, could be a major part of this winning equation. Now only if we can get it built with parts from 48 states and get some admirals to act like they came up with the idea first...

October 21, 2014 17:41

Trade between Russia, Indonesia to go to $5 bln, plans include SS100, new submarines - ministry

JAKARTA/MOSCOW. Oct 21 (Interfax-AVN) - Trade between Russia and Indonesia should increase by more than a half to $5 billion before 2016 thanks to joint investment projects, Russian Minister Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said during his working visit to Indonesia.

"The minister of industry and trade noted that currently the figure stands at around 3 billion, and a great deal of work is to be done to reach a new level of the trade and economic relations," according to a statement obtained by Interfax-AVN on Tuesday.

According to the minister, one of the tools of achieving the objectives is an intergovernmental commission for trade, economic and technical cooperation. Once Indonesia has formed a new Cabinet, preparations will begin for a meeting of the Commission due to be held in Tatarstan in March 2015.

The minister also expressed certainty that the constructive dialog the countries have developed over the years will continue and develop. Cooperation will be both in traditional areas and new ones recently announced by the newly elected president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.

"The Russian industry has an export potential across a whole host of high-tech and research-intensive sectors, and we are ready to develop joint Russian-Indonesian projects," Manturov said, according to his press office.

"Indonesia being the world's largest island country, we hope Indonesian partners will be keen on our developments in shipbuilding; also, joint projects are being developed on infrastructure building, civil aviation, supply of machinery and equipment," the minister said.

With regard to shipbuilding, cooperation projects are being discussed with the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), including the construction of diesel submarines in Indonesia, the Russian minister said. USC will display its products at the IndoDefense 2014 show to be held in Jakarta in early November. More than 20 largest holding companies and enterprises from Russia will take part in the exhibition. In comparison with the previous years, the Russian presence at the exhibition will be significantly larger this time.

full article

Russia offers increased collaboration to Indonesia

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
21 October 2014

Russia has extended an offer to Indonesia's newly inaugurated president, Joko Widodo, to expand military and technical co-operation between the two countries.

News agencies in both countries reported that Russia's Minister for Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, met with Widodo in Jakarta on 21 October, one day after Widodo was inaugurated as president, and that the two discussed opportunities for increasing trade and collaboration in spheres including defence.

Indonesian news agencies quoted Manturov as stating that Russia was "ready to promote and develop" defence industrial co-operation with Indonesia, while Russian information service TASS reported that a potential area of collaboration could be Project 636 Varshavyanka ('Kilo')-class diesel electric submarines.

source

US completes AH-64E Apache deliveries to Taiwanese Army

22 October 2014

The US has delivered an additional batch of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Taiwanese Army.

Comprising six Apaches, the consignment represents the fifth and final batch of a contract awarded by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence to the US in 2008.

Valued at TWD$59.31bn ($2bn), the deal covered the delivery of 30 AH-64E Apaches to help supplement the Taiwanese Army's ageing AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter fleet.

The new helicopters flew to an Army Aviation Special Forces base in Tainan, after being unloaded and assembled in the southern port city a day earlier, the Central News Agency reported.

The delivery comes nearly six months after one of the Taiwanese Apaches crashed into the top of a residential building in Taoyuan County's Longtan Township in April, damaging four homes.

However, the incident did not lead to any serious injuries, according to the news agency.

In July, the army attributed the environment and human error to the crash, and also noted that Apache training operations had resumed before the investigation report was completed.

Nicknamed Guardian, the Boeing 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.

The helicopter, which is designed to replace the existing AH-64D Longbow fleet, also features a joint tactical radio system, electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors to improve pilots' situational awareness, as well as an overseas capacity for potential strikes on smaller ships.

The helicopters are currently used by the US military and have been ordered by the Indonesian and South Korean armies.

Thailand grows EC725 order, adds EC645 T2s

By: Dominic Perry London
Source: Flightglobal.com
14 hours ago

Thailand has added to a recent planned acquisition of Airbus Helicopters UH-72A Lakotas with a separate deal for five light-utility EC645 T2s and two 11t EC725s.

To be operated by the Royal Thai Navy, the EC645 T2s are the latest version of the twin-engined type and the purchase is the first export order for the military variant. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2016.

So far only Germany has committed to the Turbomeca Arriel 2E-powered helicopter - the militarised version of the EC145 T2 - for use by its special forces.

The EC725s, meanwhile, are destined for the Royal Thai Air Force, which will utilise the Makila 2A-powered rotorcraft for search and rescue and combat search and rescue missions.

Deliveries are due to take place in 2017 and will join four other examples dating from a 2012 order which will be handed over from 2015.

Earlier this month Bangkok requested additional Lakotas – the military variant of the older EC145 – from Airbus Helicopters’ US subsidiary for its army.

Kfir For Vietnam?

Posted on 22/10/2014 by LaMarca in Military
2510417


Colombian Air Force - Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir C10

Vietnam is studying buying Israeli fighters.

The (Vietnam People's Air Force) Air Force Vietnam would be interested in acquiring up to 38 IAI Kfir Israeli warplanes Block 60. The aircraft would be used to replace the MiG-21 fighter jets, which are being retired. Interim, Su-22 fighters are being employed to address this deficiency, but it is only a stopgap solution, given the aircraft is inadequate pear this function, due to the technological limitations of the vector, especially regarding the absence of an avionics modern.

The Kfir, although equipment more than 40 years of manufacturing, were largely revitalized and refreshed. The Kfir Block 60 is equipped with fourth generation avionics, including an AESA radar EL / M-2032. The engine of the aircraft is on account of a J-79 turbine from General Electric. Each aircraft would cost around US $ 20 million including weapons.

Saab and Brazil sign contract for Gripen NG

27 October 2014

Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with the Brazilian Federal Government (Ministry of Defense through the Aeronautics Command, COMAER) covering the development and production of 36 Gripen NG fighter aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force. The total order value is approximately SEK 39.3 billion. Saab and COMAER have also signed an Industrial Co-operation contract to deliver substantial technology transfer from Saab to Brazilian industry.

On 18 December 2013 Brazil selected the Gripen NG to be its next-generation fighter aircraft, through the F-X2 evaluation programme. Since then all parties have negotiated to finalise a contract. Today’s announcement marks the successful conclusion of that process.

Saab and COMAER have signed a contract for the development and production of 36 Gripen NG fighter aircraft, plus related systems and equipment. The programme comprises 28 single-seat and eight two-seat Gripen NG. The total order value is approximately SEK 39.3 billion.

Saab and COMAER have also signed a contract for industrial co-operation projects, including technology transfer to Brazilian industry, to be performed over approximately ten years.

“We are proud to stand side-by-side with Brazil in this important programme. There is already a long and successful history of industrial co-operation between our two countries, and this historic agreement takes that partnership to a new level”, says Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of Saab’s Board of Directors.

The contract with COMAER for Gripen NG and the associated Industrial Co-operation contract will come into effect once certain conditions have been fulfilled. These include, among others, the necessary export control-related authorisations. All of these conditions are expected to be fulfilled during the first half of 2015. Gripen NG deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force will be undertaken from 2019 to 2024.

“The contract with Brazil validates Gripen as the most capable and modern fighter system on the market. It solidifies Saab’s position as a world-leading fighter aircraft producer and strengthens our platform for growth,” says Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab.

The contract with Brazil strengthens the ties between Saab and Brazilian industry. Embraer will have a leading role as the strategic partner in the F-X2 programme. As part of the technology transfer plan, Brazilian industry will have an important role in the development of, and be responsible for, the production of the two-seat Gripen NG variant for the Brazilian Air Force.

Brazil joins Sweden in becoming the launch customer for the next-generation Gripen, which shares the same smart design and innovative technology as today’s Gripen versions. Gripen aircraft are currently in operational service with the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces, and also with the UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS).

The next-generation Gripen meets the market’s demand for a sophisticated and flexible combat aircraft with sustainable costs. The aircraft provides more thrust, extended range and endurance, expanded weapons capacity, new sensors including an advanced AESA radar, highly effective electronic warfare systems and multi-function communications.

The Gripen NG for Brazil and Gripen E for Sweden share all the attributes of the next-generation Gripen design, but are also tailored to each country’s specific national requirements. The commitments by Sweden and Brazil secure Gripen’s industrial and operational future into the 2050 timeframe.

naisssss but the front area tu...is it a door?

Bangladesh Navy has ordered 18 High Speed Patrol Boat from Indonesia

This is the First Time Bangladesh is buying military items from Indonesia.These Ships may be used for Coast guard

These 18 Boats will cost $6 Million altogether.There is a possibility to get Technology Transfer.

X12 High Speed ​​Patrol Boat :

Length : 11.7 meters
Beam : 3.54 meters
Speed : 35 knots

After the Navy ordered ships in the form of advanced fast ship missiles Trimaran, this time turn the Bangladesh Navy ordered 18 coast guard as a complementary tool to the security of the country one of the shipbuilding industry in Banyuwangi, namely PT Lundin Industry Invest.

This was revealed by Commodore Syed Yahya, Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard, during a visit in Banyuwangi, on Tuesday (10/28/2014). He explained that the ship industry in Banyuwangi chosen because it is considered to have advanced technology that is not owned by many similar industries in other countries.

"Here, ships are manufactured using the fiber is strong and corrosion resistant. The producing boats using fiber so far only in Europe," said Syed. He explained that such cooperation is also used as the transfer of technology between Bangladesh and Indonesia in the field of shipping, that the company staff involved six ships of Bangladesh in the shipbuilding process.

"We also have seen a company profile, and believe that the company will be the best in the world," said Syed.

Meanwhile, Lizza Lundin, Director of PT Lundin Industry Invest, say, ordering 18 patrol boats of Bangladesh is valued at USD 75 billion. Process of ships is done by parallel systems until all orders will be completed within one year, as targeted.

"This is our new product that we originally Include in maritime exhibition in Jakarta. Apparently, his speech was very good, and Bangladesh became the first foreign country that ordered the ship of this type," says Lizza.

Meanwhile, 18 vessels were ordered by the Navy Bangladesh is a type of X12 High Speed ​​Patrol Boat monohold (single hull), with an overall length of 11.70 meters specs, bow length 9.60 meters long, 3.54 meters beam, the hull is submerged in water of 0.84 meters, a maximum speed of 35 knots, fuel capacity of 2 x 675 liters, and has two main engines.

"Before being sent to Bangladesh, will these ships going through the test tanks in Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand," says Lizza.
He explains, it has been a lot of fulfilling orders ship from various countries, such as America, Russia, Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Sweden, Hong Kong, and the Middle East.

Turnkey Not Smorgasbord

Oct 28, 2014 by Christina Mackenzie in Ares

In the competition for the most futuristic looking vessel at the Euronaval show being held this week in Paris I would put the clear front runner as the Fast Attack Craft (FAC) on the Saab stand. Designed for naval patrol, anti-piracy and surveillance missions in peace time the ship would be a missile ship to launch Saab's RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles in war time. And for added interest the vessel has a fascinating design history.

The FAC is not entirely new. Based on a design by New Zealand's LOMOcean, the KRI Klewang for the Indonesian Navy was launched on Aug. 31, 2012. And was then completely destroyed by fire four weeks later on Sept. 29.

KRI Klewang had been entirely built at the North Sea Boats shipyard at Banyuwangi, East Java. North Sea Boats is the trading name for PT. Lundin founded by John and Lizza Lundin in Indonesia 2003; John Lundin is the son of the late Allan Lundin who founded the Swedeship company that operated the Gotland and Djupvik shipyards, amongst others, in Sweden.

The idea for the KRI Klewang came to John Lundin after seeing LOMOcean's Earthrace, a 24m wave-piercing trimaran originally created to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe. He thought a militarized version could be of interest to the Indonesian government for littoral missions as the wavepiercing prow is perfectly suited to the short, high wave pattern typical of the Indonesian archipelago. The vessel became a Black Ops project equipped with a Chinese combat system.

Some time after the fire, Lundin was having lunch with Saab and talk turned to combat systems. He apparently learnt more about them in an hour than he had from the Chinese in over a year. This convinced him that the next version of the vessel should be equipped with a Swedish combat system.

So Saab, LOMOcean and North Sea Boats worked together to redesign the top part of the vessel (everything above the trimaran hulls) around Saab's 9-LV combat system.

However, building has already begun on the replacement ship using the same specifications as the first one. “But everyone from the Indonesian navy down agrees that the top part needs to be a new design,” Stefan Hedenstedt , head of naval sales at C2S Saab told Ares. And there are now four such ships in the offing. So construction will stop just above the hulls while discussions about a contract continue.

The 245-ton, 63m (207 ft) long, ship is entirely made of carbon fibre foam sandwich using fire retardant vinyl ester resin (lessons have been learnt!). The four diesel-engined ship has a beam of 16m (52 ft) but a draught of only 1.2m (4 ft) making it ideal for Indonesia's shallow littoral waters. It has a top speed of 28 knots (51 km/h) and a cruising speed of 16 knots (29.6km/h) that gives it a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704km). It has been designed to have an endurance of 10 days at sea.

The FAC is equipped not only with anti-ship missiles but also the BAe Systems Bofors 40Mk4 naval gun.

It has a crew of 23 with accommodation for an additional seven special forces.

The “right signals” are apparently being issued from Indonesia regarding the newly designed topside for the FAC so perhaps a contract will be signed at next week's Indo Defence Show in Jakarta.

Oh, and last but not least, Saab has gone counter to almost every other shipbuilder in proposing this vessel as a turnkey solution rather than allowing the customer to pick and choose what they want. “Its turnkey not smorgasbord,” is how one Saab manager put it.

Female attack helicopter pilots take part in drill

China.org.cn, October 30, 2014

China's first batch of five female attack helicopter pilots join in a drill on October 29, 2014. The average age of the pilots is 24 years old. All the five members graduated with a college diploma. [Photo/ Weibo account of PLA Daily]

Defense expo aims for arms development

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | November 01 2014 | 7:06 AM

The upcoming 2014 Indo Defence Expo and Forum, the country’s largest military equipment exhibition, was expected to be a forum to forge defense partnerships between global and local defense companies, a Defense Ministry official said.

The ministry’s defense potential director general, Timbul Siahaan, said Friday that 56 countries and 700 foreign and local defense firms were expected to join the biannual event, which is scheduled for Nov. 5 – 8 at JIExpo Kemayoran Jakarta. 

On the sidelines of the exhibition, the ministry will hold seminars to discuss opportunities and regulations on defense cooperation with Indonesian firms.

“We want to promote to the international community all sides of our defense industries, including the regulations,” Timbul said in a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters in Central Jakarta on Friday.

“The 2012 Defense Industry Law regulates Indonesian firms must control at least 51 percent of a defense joint project, and the other 49 percent can be managed by its foreign counterpart,” he added.

The regulation is part of the country’s grand strategy to fulfill its Minimum Essential Force (MEF) and to have a strong defense industry by 2024.

Since being implemented in 2010, the strategy – coupled with financial backing of Rp 100 trillion (US$8.25 billion), has helped the country reach 40 percent of its MEF this year.

Also at the event, the ministry will sign an agreement with the Turkish government on the design development of a medium-sized tank.

“The project will be carried out by Indonesia’s state-owned land-systems and weapons maker PT Pindad and Turkish defense contractor FNSS,” Timbul said.