GD receives £3.5bn order from UK MoD for Scout SV platforms

3 September 2014

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a £3.5bn contract to General Dynamics (GD) UK for the delivery of Scout Specialist Vehicle (SV) platforms to the national army.

Under the contract, the company will supply a total of 589 vehicles in six variants to provide essential capability to the Armoured Cavalry within Army 2020.

The variants include scout reconnaissance, equipment support repair, equipment and support recovery, command and control, protected mobility reconnaissance support (PMRS) variants and engineer reconnaissance variants.

The contract also covers the provision of initial in-service support and training and will create up to 1,300 jobs across the programme's UK supply chain, with 300 alone at the company's Oakdale facility.

Indonesia to launch TNI-AL 'leopard carrier' LST

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
02 September 2014

Indonesian shipbuilder PT Daya Radar Utama (PT DRU) will launch a 120 m indigenously produced logistics support ship for the Indonesian Navy (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) on 5 September, a company official has confirmed to IHS Jane's .

Dubbed a 'leopard carrier' landing ship tank (LST) by the TNI-AL, the vessel had previously been in danger of missing its planned October 2014 commissioning deadline, after a shipyard visit by Indonesia's Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro on 28 June revealed that the LST was still in build with its hull surrounded by scaffolding.

"Against the odds, we have been giving our best towards the construction of the ship to ensure that it will be paraded in time for the Indonesian National Armed Forces Day celebration in Surabaya on 5 October," said Edy Wiyanto, PT DRU's general manager for production, in an interview with IHS Jane's on 1 September.

RSAF inaugurates M-346 aircraft into 150 squadron

AsiaOneWednesday, Sep 03, 2014


Dr Ng Eng Hen (left) unveiling the plaque at the inauguration ceremony of the RSAF’s new Advanced Jet Trainer, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft.

SINGAPORE - The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) new Advanced Jet Trainer, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft, was inaugurated into 150 Squadron at Cazaux Air Base in France on Wednesday afternoon.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ng emphasised the significant role of the M-346 aircraft in training the RSAF's next generation of fighter aircrew efficiently and effectively.

Noting how the M-346 aircraft allows for sophisticated simulations of modern aircraft environments, Dr Ng said: "It allows our trainee pilots to be able to be exposed to air combat environments within the cockpit - they can be simulated, as in handling electronic warfare systems, multi-mode radar and Beyond Visual Range missiles, early in their training. And I think this will enhance the quality and realism of our flying training, and allow us to produce fighter aircrew that are well-equipped to operate current and future fighter platforms."

The RSAF acquired the M-346 aircraft in 2010 as part of the Advanced Jet Trainer programme to replace the A-4SU Super Skyhawk, and took delivery of the first aircraft in 2012. To date, 150 Squadron has received the full fleet of 12 M-346 aircraft.

RSAF said in a press statement that the inauguration of the M-346 aircraft into 150 Squadron "underscores the importance of the RSAF's overseas training in honing its operational readiness and professionalism, and in enhancing both professional and personal interactions with other armed forces".

Dr Ng also commended RSAF personnel for their professionalism and dedication to their training, and expressed confidence that they would continue to push the training envelope to produce the next generation of world class fighter aircrew for a first class air force.

The RSAF's training in France, which began in 1998, has also enhanced the strong and broad-based defence relationship between France and Singapore, RSAF added.

04 September 2014

MSPO 2014: TIGER Makes its Debut

During MSPO 2014 the French EC665 TIGER HAD assault helicopter made its Polish debut. The main reason for its arrival in Poland is the Polish Kruk project, which aims to procure 30-32 new assault helicopters for the Polish Army. It will replace aging Mi-24D/W helicopters. According to Poland’s Ministry of National Defence (MoND), Kruk is one of the most important modernisation projects of the Polish Armed Forces. This programme was sped up in 2014 as a result of the Ukrainian crisis and emerging threat near Polish borders. According to the initial strategy, Poland wanted to acquire a new helicopter in 2020. Now the MoND wants a new generation helicopter in service two or three years earlier.





The TIGER shown in Poland had desert camouflage and SPIKE-ER anti-tank missiles. It arrived from a factory of Airbus Helicopters in Marigne. During MSPO 2014, the TIGER HAD was presented by French personnel of 1er Régiment d’Hélicoptères de Combat. The French were the first to deploy those helicopters in combat conditions – in July 2009 three helicopters were sent to Afghanistan (until 2013). Later they were used in Libya and Mali.

As for the Kruk project, it is believed that the first tranche will cover 12 helicopters and the process of acquisition might even be launched this year, which will allow them to replace Mi-24Ds. The remaining 20 helicopters might be acquired by 2022.

Among potential contenders are: AgustaWestland AW129 MANGUSTA, TAI T129 ATAK, Bell AH-1Z COBRA, Boeing AH-64E GUARDIAN(with AH-6i) and the above-mentioned EC665 TIGER.

It was not the only helicopter presented during MSPO 2014. Visitors had an opportunity to see all three helicopters offered in a tender for 70 multi-role helicopters for the Polish Armed Forces: Airbus Helicopters EC-725 Caracal, AgustaWestland AW-149 and two Sikorsky’s BLACK HAWKs: one UH-60L BLACK HAWK of US Army and one manufactured in Poland’s Mielec S-70i International HAWK. A contract with the winner should be signed in early 2015. Deliveries should start from 2016.

hey hey....what do we have here??

AH-64 Apache appears in China? I wonder where it came from?

Posted: 03 Sep 2014, 2100 hours (GMT +8)

Singapore and Chinese Navies Conduct Bilateral Naval Exercise


RSS Intrepid (background) participating in a bilateral naval exercise with Yulin.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid and the People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)) Jiangkai II-class frigate Yulin conducted a bilateral naval exercise today. The exercise comprised naval helicopter cross-deck landings, manoeuvring drills and gunnery firings.

Prior to the exercise, RSS Intrepid conducted a port call at Ma Xie Naval Base in Zhanjiang, China, from 30 August to 3 September 2014. During the port call, RSS Intrepid hosted a reception for personnel from the PLA(N) South Sea Fleet. In addition, personnel of both navies engaged in exercise planning and ship visits.

Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han was also in China for a working visit from 1 to 3 September 2014, in conjunction with the port call. He earlier met with the PLA(N)'s Political Commissar Admiral Liu Xiaojiang and Commander of PLA(N) South Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral Jiang Weilie in Beijing and Zhanjiang respectively.

Singapore and China enjoy warm and friendly defence ties. The professional and personal interactions at the leadership and working levels have enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the RSN and the PLA(N).

Pretty convincing mock-up,notwithstanding. Wonder if they ever decide to put in a flight system & engine and fly it around east China Sea just for sh*ts and giggles.

Probably quite useful for trolling Japanese & ROC air defense systems. Some calls to the Pentagon would be made before the confusion could be cleared up.

Wouldn't surprise me though if China already have a good understanding on Apache capabilities, history shows some secret deals were made with certain countries. Notable was with Israel in the past regarding Israel selling some sensitive data including Patriot missile technology to China. I seem to recall last year Finnish authorities seized a British-flagged ship bound for Shanghai which had a hidden load of 69 Patriot missiles.

Chinese delegation in front of the IAI Lavi prototype. Fourth man from right is Song Wencong - chief designer of the J-10.

tat why turkey all joint venture

their tanks with korea, K2 Black Panther

AV8 and adnan is also join venture between turkey and FNSS

even SAM either china or russia

Work on the Altay project began in August 2008 at the Otokar factory and is projected for completion in 2016. Otokar will develop four prototypes for testing. Altay will use the technology systems developed for the South Korean K2 MBT by Hyundai Rotem. Serial production will begin after successful testing of the prototypes. Turkey will own the design and intellectual property rights.

Altay main battle tank design and features

The tank will have a conventional layout. The power pack will be in the rear, driver seating in the front and fighting compartment in the middle. The loader will be on the left side of the turret, while the commander will sit on the right side of the turret. The gunner will sit on the same side as the commander but in a more forward and lower position.

Altay will have the stronger chassis characteristics of the K2 Black Panther MBT. It will have a re-designed Turkish turret and heavier armour than the K2. It will also have seven tracked wheels and a longer hull. A decision on the suspension system and other systems has yet to be finalised.

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/altaymainbattletank/

I saying JV as in joint development and purchase. The K2 is still not fully ready yet but field initial low production to satisfy public opinion  , there still some teething issues. Part of the deals also again if i not mistaken is information sharing between turkey and SK armor development

iinm, their tank will be based on the K2 such as the hull and loader mechanism including parts of the fire control system

the turret will be indigenously designed including guns (Most likely licensed produced Rheinmetall L55 similar to the one on K2)

turkey was interested with the TYPE 10 engine pack but Japan does not want to export it. The original K2 engine pack still having transmission issues plus unreliable. Therefore, they still have to relies on germans MTU
more of what we can do defend ourself if they send their forces come here

S. Korea extends troubled K-2 combat tank project

2013/10/11 14:14

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) -- The arms procurement agency on Friday extended its project to develop indigenous battle tank K-2 by the end of next year to buy more time to fix technical problems found in its engine and transmission.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved the plan to postpone by six months the June 2014 deadline to complete development of the engine and transmission, known as the power pack.

The decision comes as the tank's main parts have repeatedly failed to meet the military's requirements due to faulty parts.

The battle tank development project worth more than 2 trillion won (US$1.84 billion) first began in 2006 after a decade of research and development to replace the earlier versions, including the K1 and aging U.S.-built M48 tanks.

But a series of technical problems have been detected in the power pack, hindering the original plan of deploying it starting in 2016.

After the Korean-made parts failed the tests three times, there were rising calls to import German power packs for the battle tank. But the South Korean government decided to extend the testing period again in apparent concern over the costly state program, sparking criticism of being too lenient on local companies.

Modeled after the German-developed MTU-890, the K2 power pack is made up of 1,500-horsepower diesel engine and transmission. Doosan Infracore and S&T Dynamics are the two main developers of the homegrown power pack, out of the more than 1,000 subcontractors in South Korea.

The new tank features an auto-loaded 120mm cannon, which reaches speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour and can cross rivers as deep as 4.1 meters using a snorkel, according to DAPA.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/full/2013/...004400315F.html

Gripen: Ideal For Indonesian Air Force



The Indonesian government is planning to replace the F-5 fighter aircrafts. The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) polices a very large area. Indonesia’s vast archipelago includes about 17,000 islands stretching over nearly 2 million square kilometres. It has a coastline of 54,716 kilometres to protect and three land borders (Timor-Leste 228 kilometres, Malaysia 1,782 kilometres, and Papua New Guinea 820 kilometres). Moreover, it sits right at Southeast Asia’s maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca.

Given this large geographical spread, effective Air Force capability requires high availability of aircraft, long time on station, short turn arounds, long ferry range and large combat radius. The country spends around 1% of its GDP on Defence so it would be looking at an aircraft that isaffordable, superior and have low operational cost. All these make the Gripen an ideal solution for Indonesia.

Gripen is the first of the new generation, multi-role fighter aircrafts to enter operational service.Using the latest technology, Gripen is capable of performing an extensive range of air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance missions employing the latest weapons.

Gripen is designed to meet the demands of existing and future threats, while simultaneously meeting strict requirements for flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs.

Gripen’s inherent design concept is its ability to operate in groups, sharing targets and friendly ship information and cooperating when launching the most modern weapons available.Designed to ensure outstanding combat agility, Gripen features a delta-canard configuration withrelaxed aerodynamic stability. The delta wing and canards, along with the digital Fly-By-Wire Flight Control System, give the fighter an optimum combination of maneuverability, acceleration, top speed and short-field performance.

Gripen is a true multirole fighter, designed as such from the very beginning. This means it can perform missions in all the three roles: air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance. It can change role while airborne, and it can even act in multiple roles simultaneously. This simultaneous capability will grow over time, as the AESA radar and other systems are further developed. This multi-role capability will help Indonesian Air Force use the same aircraft for different roles, thereby reducing the need for different aircraft to play different roles. The Gripen can replace the F-5E/F not only in its interceptor role but also play a strike fighter role.

Within the three roles, Gripen can perform a wide range of missions such as for example Offensive Counter Air, Defensive Counter Air, Air Policing, Cruise Missile Defence, Close Air Support, Air Interdiction, SEAD/DEAD, Maritime Strike, Strategic Attack, Sea Surveillance, Tactical Air Reconnaissance and Non-Traditional ISR. These missions can be performed 24/7 and in all types of weather.

Gripen C has an overall maximum ferry range of approximately 3000 km. The ferry range is reached at high altitude with maximum use of external drop tanks and no weapons attached. The ferry range for Gripen E with large drop tanks (optional) is approximately 4000 km. This is ideal for Indonesia with its very vast territory and large number of islands.

Saab is committed to working together with the Indonesian government to offer and deliver industrial cooperation programmes and social value that reaches far beyond the aircraft contract. This way, we create sustainable business and real economic growth. Industrial cooperation is achieved through the direct participation of Indonesia’sindustry in the production and development of the contracted system, or by Saab generating investments within areas of national priority. These areas can cover high-level objectives ranging from purely military strategic goals all the way up to overall contribution to the GDP.

The pilot’s fighter.Gripen is a pilot’s dream. It is easy to fly and gives the pilot full control. Gripen’s outstanding agility with high instantaneous and sustained turn rates means unrivalled performance in close combat. Its state-of-the-art HMI and digital Fly-by-wire flight control system enables the pilot to concentrate fully on the mission at hand.

Multirole is in the DNA.Gripen was built to be a true multirole fighter, and was the first fighter of its kind to enter operational service. It is also true to Saab’s tradition of developing smart, unique and extremely functional solutions for combat aircraft. In short, Gripen is a multirole fighter through and through.

Any mission.Anytime.Anywhere.Gripen can carry out air intercept, attack and reconnaissance missions – all in the same sortie if required. On top of this Gripen’s robust design allows for unrivalled simple and rapid maintenance, resulting in turnaround times that no other fighter can match. A Gripen fighter is always ready to fly.

Gripen is a truly Network Centric multirole fighter with the world’s most highly developed secure and multifrequency data link. Together with its fully integrated avionic mission system, Gripen offers total situational awareness for the pilot in all roles. In fact, it excels.

When it comes to peacetime surveillance and air policing, Gripen is the multirole fighter of choice. It will support TNI-AU in detecting and reporting activities such as illegal fishing, illegal immigration and piracy. Gripen is your eye in the sky.

From the very beginning, Gripen was developed with availability, cost and upgradability in mind. Its robust design keeps maintenance and service costs down, and its modular design allows it to be continuously upgraded in order to deal with future threat scenarios. All this boils down to the fact that when choosing Gripen, you get more time in the air. And when it comes to fighters, air time means quality time.

The Gripen paradox: Get more. For less.Every part of the Gripen concept is designed to be as smart and cost-effective as possible. Instead of simply opting for any solution, at any cost, Saab’s engineers are always looking for the smartest one. But they never compromise. Instead, they innovate.

And together with Saab’s attractive and innovative financial solutions, this means the total life time cost for a Gripen becomes very moderate in comparison with other fighters.

Industrial Cooperation (IC):  The Gripen effect. In the defence industry, IC is an essential part of doing business. For Saab, good IC means partnerships – lasting, business-driven relationships that generate long-term mutual benefits. Saab has an unrivalled proven track record of successful win-win partnerships created within Gripen packages.

The smart fighter: The combination of excellent operational performance and moderate through life costs makes Gripen unique on the world market today. It is as simple as that!

BHIC gets formal contract to service scorpene submarines

Posted on 3 September 2014 - 10:04pm
Last updated on 3 September 2014 - 11:05pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd (BHIC) announced it has received a formal contract to provide in service support (ISS) for two Royal Malaysian Navy's Prime Minister Class Scorpene submarines.

In a statement today, BHIC said its subsidiary, Boustead DCNS Naval Corporation Sdn Bhd had earlier received a letter of award (LOA) on Aug 13, 2010 from Government of Malaysia to undertake the ISS contract worth 193 million euro and RM532 million and was effective till Nov 30, 2015.

The contract included a full submarine integrated logistics support package, consisting of a comprehensive spare parts package as well as the outfitting of workshop equipment, respective yard facilities and equipment, submarine safety conditioning facilities and their corresponding upkeep and maintenance.

The contract also covered tugboat services and the operation and maintenance of the shiplift, transfer system and submarine "umbilical services".

BHIC said there was no difference between the substance of the formal contract and the LOA. – Bernama

Scorpene submarines utilised ub 4 special mission: Navy Chief Admiral

10 September 2014 @ 8:03 AM

Avila Geraldine

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia's two Scorpene submarines are being utilised in four special operations off Sabah, according to Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

The submarines, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak, however, were not dispatched for operations under the Eastern Sabah Security Command, he said.

"The submarines have their own roles. I cannot tell you what are the operations are. The navy is a silent force and that is why people do not see what we do but we are working round the clock.

"You must trust me as the Navy Chief, the navy is operating to ensure Malaysia’s waters are protected," he said after launching the 14th Asia Pacific Submarine Conference here yesterday.

Aziz said the two submarines were not suitable to be used for security operation in Sabah's east coast, taking into factor the sea depth.

However, Malaysian navy had enhanced the involvement of its other assets for air and sea surveillance within Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone).

"We have placed our highly capable ships and interceptor boats. We are also deploying our Super Lynx and Fennec helicopters focus on surveillance operations because of its wider view compared to boats.

"These choppers are able to do wide-area surveillance and have better view on boats that need to be intercepted," Aziz said.

"We had requested for the security forces to be able to shoot at suspicious boats that try to enter Sabah waters but at the same time we have standard operating procedures that need to be followed.

"The curfew has somewhat made our job easier because we can now focus. If not, the foreign boats can easily sneak in and hide."

Dusk-to-dawn curfew was enforced on July 19 following the murder of marine personnel while another was kidnapped on Mabul Island.

Curfew areas involved waters off Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Semporna, and Tawau.

Since the Mabul incident, there have been two attempts to infiltrate Sabah's waters through Semporna and Sandakan where shooting was involved.

As of this year, Sabah recorded four kidnapping cases involving tourist, businessmen and a policeman. Victims were taken away from Lahad Datu, Kunak and a resort off Semporna.

Police have also identified two suspects known as the Muktadil brothers who were responsible for several abduction cases and the murder of the policeman.

Aziz stressed Malaysian navy remained professional in carrying out its role as the first layer watchdog at waters.

Meanwhile, more than 60 navy personnel from 19 countries participated in the closed-door conference aimed at discussing issues pertaining to Submarine Escape and Rescue in the Asia Pacific.

Among the participating countries are the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Australia, Peru, Chile, Pakistan, Vietnam, Singapore, Ecuador, Indonesia, South Korea, Philippines, and Brunei.

Widodo Govt May Kick Start Indonesian Fighter Aircraft Procurement

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Wednesday, September 10, 2014 @ 12:29 PM
Views : 173 A- A A+

Muhammad Fadli Joko

Having promised to up the defence budget significantly, president-elect Jokowi Widodo may have to take a call on the procurement of fighter aircraft to replace decades-old F-5 Tigers.

Outgoing Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro had said earlier this year he wants to ensure the purchase is part of Indonesia's Strategic Plan II 2015 to 2020, Antara news agency reported quoting the minister, “we have received proposals from several jet fighter manufacturers for replacing the F-5 Tiger fighter aircraft".

Perhaps expecting the competition to intensify, Saab released a statement yesterday underlining why its Gripen fighter was the most suitable candidate for Indonesia.

Among the aircraft being evaluated are the Russian Sukhoi Su-35, the American Boeing F-15 Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the Swedish SAAB JAS 39 Gripen, said Gen. Moeldoko, Indonesia's top military commander.

The ministry is looking at buying 16 aircraft, but the type and number of aircraft "depends on Indonesia's financial position," Moeldoko said.