Really wonder if mrca programme will be successful or end up like another one of those failed defence procurement

Vietnam acquires unmanned Orbiter 2

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv
Source: Flightglobal.com
15:15 29 Sep 2014

Vietnam has acquired the Orbiter 2 unmanned air system (UAS) for use as an aerial forward observation asset for its artillery corps.

The Orbiter 2 is manufactured by Israel's Aeronautics Defense Systems, which says using a UAS instead of a ground-based forward observation officer will provide an improved "first round on target" capability for its customer.An Orbiter 2 flying at 2,000ft can supply artillery units with the co-ordinates of "a number" of targets, it adds.

Aeronautics sources say the Orbiter 2 is also now being offered by Rafael as part of deals that include the latter's Spike air-to-surface missiles, and by Israel Military Industries along with its surface-to-surface rockets.

An upgraded version of the Aeronautics aircraft is also available, with the Orbiter 2B capable of navigating independently to complete a mission, even if GPS is jammed or communication links lost. This variant also can carry payloads to assist with intelligence gathering.

Thailand orders two Mi-17V-5s

29 September 2014 - 16:53 by Alex Mladenov in Sofia

Thailand has ordered two Mi-17V-5 tactical transport helicopters at a price of about $40 million, according to details released on 29 September by Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency.

Thai Air Force selects Piaggio Avanti II for recon role

James Hardy, London - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
29 September 2014

The Royal Thai Air Force has signed a contract to buy a Piaggio P.180 Avanti II aircraft to fulfill a requirement for a photo reconnaissance aircraft, the Italian company announced on 30 September.

The P.180 Avanti II will be "customised for territorial multifunctional surveillance, featuring customised photography systems", a company statement said, without elaborating. The cost and delivery schedule were also not released.

Sold worldwide as an executive transport aircraft, the Avanti II has a range of 1,450 n miles, four-hour endurance, maximum speed of 402 kt, and maximum altitude of 41,000 ft, according to Piaggio.

According to IHS Jane's All The World's Aircraft , as of 2012 220 Avantis were in service, with 32 in special missions configuration, including 18 in emergency medical service configuration - three with Polish air rescue service and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the rest with Italian customers - and nine for maritime surveillance.

Kraison sets 10-year target to make navy best in Asean

Published: 2 Oct 2014 at 07.00
Newspaper section: News
Writer: Wassana Nanuam

Navy commander Adm Kraison Chansuwanit vowed to transform the Royal Thai Navy into one of Asean's leading military forces during his first day in office yesterday, saying it will take him 10 years to achieve his aim.

Adm Kraison succeeded Adm Narong Pipathanasai, who was appointed education minister following his retirement on Tuesday.

Adm Kraisorn also pledged to install an effective managerial system in the navy and ensure the military unit maintains the high standards set by Adm Narong.

His predecessor personally encouraged the improvements, said Adm Kraisorn.

Asked for his views on the navy's roles in politics, Adm Kraison said the force is a state agency and must follow policies set by the government.

It is a vital part of the state mechanism which maintains peace and order in the country, he added.

The new navy chief is among senior military officers to join the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

The NCPO will work alongside Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's government.

Air force chief ACM Trithot Sonchaeng, also vowed to make the Royal Thai Air Force one of Asean's leading military powers during his inauguration ceremony at the Royal Thai Air Force Academy Wednesday.

He said he supported his predecessor ACM Prajin Juntong in his new role as the transport minister.

ACM Prajin is also a deputy chief of the NCPO.

The new air force chief said he was ready to support the politics of Gen Prayut and the NCPO.

ACM Prajin meanwhile praised the abilities of his successor.

He said he believed in ACM Trithot's capability and was confident the new chief would be able to further develop the air force.

Two surprise procurements for TNI-AD

Quad-Mistral platforms mounted on Komodo tactical vehicle


This is French version

  I was sleepy last night, no mood to think it through. Posted this, minutes before went to bed

RI, South Korea to reach deal on phase II of KFX/IFX fighter jet

Yohanna Ririhena, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Thu, October 02 2014, 9:41 PM

Indonesia and South Korea are expected to reach an agreement on the second phase of the joint development and production of the KFX/ IFX fighter jet, a step that will mark the epitome of the two countries’ strategic partnership, the South Korean envoy said.

The three phases of developing the KFX/IFX fighter jet are technology development (TD), engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) and joint production and marketing.

The TD phase was concluded in December 2012, which saw a number of engineers from state-owned airframer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) and officers from the Indonesian Air Force going to South Korea to discuss a number of development issues with their South Korean counterparts.

South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Cho Tai-young said that negotiations on the project had intensified, raising hopes that an agreement-in-principal would be reached soon.

“If the negotiation runs smoothly, it could be concluded by next month,” Cho said when asked the exact time for the agreement.

Cho, who assumed his post in July this year, noted that the two countries had developed a very close relationship in defense industry cooperation since the 1970s. Therefore, the jet fighter project marked the epitome of the Indonesian-South Korean strategic partnership as the two countries had committed to design and develop a whole new jet fighter.

“I will try hard during my term here to realize what has been planned,” Cho told The Jakarta Post during an interview ahead of South Korean’s Oct. 2 National Day.

The two countries signed a letter of intent (LoI) to develop the KFX/ IFX on March 9, 2009. The agreement was signed in 2012 by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his then South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak.

Indonesia will pay up to 20 percent of US$ 5 billion project, while the South Korean government and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will pay 60 percent and 20 percent respectively.

The KFX/IFX fighter is envisioned as a next-generation fighter aircraft for 2020, designed as a single-seat, twin-engine jet fighter with capabilities below the USmade Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, but surpassing Lockheed’s F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Beside the KFX/IFX project, the two countries will keep exchanging information about weapon systems and defense products to find future opportunities for cooperation.

Cho mentioned the Third Defense Industry Cooperation Committee meeting in Jakarta, when Indonesian and Korean defense companies presented their products and discussed future cooperation.

The South Korean government, Cho added, had a deeper understanding of the Indonesian policy on defense industry promotion.

This is the reason why Seoul would like to focus on transfer of technology and joint development programs like the KFX/IFX. After the completion of the KFX/IFX development, both countries may establish a joint venture. “There are a lot of possibilities,” he said.

South Korea has developed various weapon systems that are verified by the country’s armed forces. It has also imported weapons from advanced countries.

In this regard, South Korea could assist Indonesia on various issues, including sharing experiences in order to minimize trial-and-error with various weapon systems.

“I would like to say that the Republic of Korea is the best partner for Indonesia,” he said.

On the procurement of weapon systems, Cho said South Korea bought eight CN-235 medium transport airplanes made by PT DI for the South Korean Air Force. So far, there has been no plan to procure more from Indonesia.

“But we will continue the weaponry defense system cooperation,” he added.

The Korean Coast Guard has also received four CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from PT DI.

On the building of three Chang Bogo-class submarines, Cho said, it would be conducted in South Korea and Indonesian technicians will go there for training.

Engineers from state-owned shipyard PT PAL Indonesia are being sent to South Korea to prepare for the building of the third submarine, which is planned to be done at PT PAL in Surabaya.

» RI, S. Korea are set to reach agreement to soon start the second phase of KFX/IFX jet fighter program

» Both countries are also involved in other programs, such as building three Chang Bogo-class submarines

Indonesian Navy inducts third PC-43 patrol vessel

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
01 October 2014

Indonesian defence minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro commissioned the Indonesian Navy's (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL's) third PC-43 patrol craft on 27 September.

The 250-tonne vessel has been named KRI Sidat (pennant number 851). The ship was constructed by Indonesian shipbuilder PT Citra Shipyard in Batam, as part of a contract awarded in 2012 to build two patrol boats for the TNI-AL's Eastern Fleet (KOARMATIM).

The PC-43 class design is derived from that of the KCR-40 missile craft. It is intended to undertake fast intercept missions to support counter-piracy, counter-smuggling, and illegal fishing operations. Vessels in the class are equipped with two 12.7 mm machine guns, one 30 mm naval gun, and one rigid hull inflatable boat.

Bot tempur TLDM dilaporkan terputus hubungan di perairan Sabah 
KUALA LUMPUR: Bot tempur TLDM CB 204 dilaporkan terputus hubungan ketika dalam perjalanan ke Gugusan Semarang Peninjau.

Posisi terakhir CB 204 adalah pada 20 batu nautika Timur laut Pulau Mengalum kira-kira pukul 1.05 petang tadi.

KD PAUS telah ditugaskan untuk mengiringi CB 204 dan telah berlepas dari Pangkalan TLDM Kota Kinabalu (PTKK) pada jam 5.05 petang Ahad.

Pada jam 5.10 petang Bilik Operasi Markas Wilayah Laut 2 (MWL 2) telah menerima panggilan dari KD PAUS memaklumkan bahawa kapal dan bot tempur  itu akan berpatah balik ke PTKK kerana cuaca buruk.

Namun pada jam 5.11 petang, kapal telah gagal berkomunikasi dengan bot tersebut.

KD PAUS turut melancarkan pencarian antara Pulau Mangalum dan Pulau Gaya tetapi gagal ditemui.

Kapal APMM telah ditugaskan bagi menyertai operasi mencari dan menyelamat ini.

BERITA LANJUT MENYUSUL 

Sauce: http://www.astroawani.com/news/show/bot-te...-sabah-45389?cp

/ktard trolls ady come out and having a field day on the other tered.. like always..

What is the other site??

Visual confirmation by KD Ganas, closing in for rescue ops
[RMN Chief]

Posted : 2014-10-06 17:11
Updated : 2014-10-06 19:34

S. Korea, Indonesia signs fighter-jet deal

By Jun Ji-hye

South Korea signed an agreement with Indonesia, Monday, for joint development of Seoul's indigenous fighter jet, the KF-X, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

A signing ceremony between the DAPA and the Indonesian Defense Ministry took place in Surabaja, Indonesia.

The accord, represents the largest-ever defense program for Seoul and was first envisioned in 2001 and pushed for in earnest in 2010.

It was a follow up to a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries in 2010, and "specified details about basic principles about how to lead the project, including cost-sharing and work responsibilities," the DAPA said.

The DAPA finalized the plan on the KF-X project on Sept. 24 to develop and produce the home-built fighter jets to replace the aging F-4 and F-5 jets.

The government plans to spend 8.5 trillion won ($7.95 billion) to develop indigenous F-16 class fighter jets, which are scheduled for service from 2025.

Indonesia has joined Seoul's expensive project by vowing to meet 20 percent of the total budget required for the development.

In accordance with the agreement, the joint project will be led by two companies, one from each country. The DAPA said it will set up the "Joint Program Management Office," which brings together government officials from both nations, to effectively manage the project.

"Today's agreement paved the way for the two nations to boost co-operation in a wide range of fields from designing the warplane and developing its prototype to testing and evaluating it," the DAPA said. "It will help both nations reduce their financial burdens while promoting their aviation industries."

The two countries have given shape to the joint development plan through the joint exploratory activities conducted from June 2011 to December 2012.

The DAPA plans to select the preferred bidder in November and sign a contract on the system development the following month. Korea Aerospace Industries, the nation's sole fighter jet maker, is likely to be chosen as its developer.