c-295 is the bigger version of c-235, maybe that why they get even though from the same family

anyway, pocket gunship for jordon, will be use to rain down on ISIS

is this spectral gunship? the ones we use in General command & counquer?

IAI reveals new business jet-based maritime patrol aircraft

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
08 February 2015

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has developed a new business jet-based maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), which it revealed on 9 February.

The EL/I-3360 MPA, which is based on the Bombardier Global 5000 business jet, features a number of IAI systems and sensors for a range of missions including maritime surveillance, anti-surface vessel warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and search and rescue (SAR).

Specific systems comprise the ELTA ELM-2022 maritime patrol radar, an electro-optical (EO) sensor, the ELL-8385 Electronic Support Measures (ESM)/electronic intelligence (ELINT) system, an electronic warfare (EW) and self-protection suite, as well as satellite communications.

According to IAI, the integrated multimission command-and-control (C2) suite includes multipurpose operator workstations and a weapon- and store-management system, which controls the underwing hardpoints.

IAI did not disclose when its new platform might be ready for fielding, nor if any customers have been lined up.

Indonesian Navy seeks to replace two minesweepers

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
09 February 2015

The Indonesian Navy (Tentera Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) will soon be in the market for two mine-countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) to replace its ageing coastal minesweepers.

TNI-AL chief of staff Vice Admiral Ade Supandi told reporters that the service's Pulau Rengat (Tripartite)-class minesweepers, KRI Pulau Rengat (711) and KRI Pulau Rupat (712), are nearing the end of their service lives, and that the TNI-AL is currently in the process of initiating a procurement process to deliver two new vessels.

According to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships , the TNI-AL commissioned the two Pulau Rengat-class vessels in March 1988. The 51-m boats were ordered from Dutch shipbuilder Van Der Giessen-De Noord in 1985.

Juwata Airport, Tarakan
There is plan to make Juwata Airport in Tarakan to become permanent Air Force base some construction work has begun recently. Pics credit to original captor at Juwata Airport, since yesterday there is test to look how far Flanker can work here under auspices of Operasi Jaya Sakti. Hope this project can goes on smoothly 

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Polish Leopard 2A5 Tanks Involved in a Laser-Training Firing Exercise

PUBLISHED AT: Today, 11 February, 10:50

Crews of the Polish Leopard 2A5 tanks belonging to the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade have started their field training. Its scope includes AGDUS laser-system firing training.

Within the field training, the most important, and one of the most spectacular activities,  the live-fire training involving the Leopard 2A5 tanks, is to be expected in the future, as it has not yet been carried out within the current operation. Firstly, the Polish tank crews are perfecting their skills within the scope of precise observation, target detection and fire control with the use of the AGDUS laser simulator, which makes it possible to conduct fire training, without the need of using live rounds – according to cpt. Rafał Nowak of the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade.

The exercise is conducted by firing a laser beam, which simulates the live fire. Sensors installed on the surface of the armour record the hits, and the computer systems makes it possible for the crews to find their mistakes and adjust the way they operate accordingly. The tank crews are using these devices in order to perfect their accuracy. They are able to get acquainted with their equipment, own skills and limitations. This type of simulators offers a great potential within the scope of carrying out fire and tactical trainings for the Leopard tank crews – as we are assured by cpt. Nowak.

"Capable and reliable equipment in the firing range is the basic building block. Still, my soldiers will be involved in a series of tactical and firing classes, which are going to prepare them for live-firing operations.

Commander of the 1st Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Kasperski."

After the tanks return to the base, every-day maintenance of the tanks and their armament is being carried out, before the next set of activities commences.

Asian tigers sharpen their teeth

Hamish McDonald -Feb 11, 2015

Twice in recent months, a pair of Sukhoi-30 fighters has soared from their base near the old trading port of Makassar and flown far across the Indonesian archipelago to intercept unidentified aircraft.

One, a light aircraft being ferried up from Darwin in northern Australia to its new owners in the Philippines, was chased for a long distance and eventually forced to land at Manado in the north of Sulawesi island. The other, an executive jet flying Saudi officials to Brisbane before the G20 meeting, was ordered to land at Kupang, in the Indonesia half of Timor.

Both cases were sorted out with fines and the planes were allowed to take off again. But beyond the reprimands, the incidents underline a shift in military capability among the nations of south-east Asia.

A decade ago, the Indonesian air force had little advanced combat capability, with its fighters grounded by lack of spare parts because of economic stringency and embargoes over human rights abuses.

Now it is showing its stuff. Indonesia's official defence budget has multiplied four times over that decade to $US8 billion. Spares have been found for the grounded F-16s, some newer versions ordered, eight Apache attack-helicopters bought, and a big naval expansion included in a $US13.2 billion five-year equipment modernisation program announced in August 2013. The Sukhoi-30s were bought with a $US1 billion credit line opened by Moscow in 2007.

New President Joko Widodo, who is making control over the archipelago and exploitation of marine resources a theme of his government, is already talking of a further doubling of defence spending. 

For decades the region's militaries focused on domestic insurgencies, localised border security, and, in some cases, maintaining political control. The requirement was for large land armies.

These days, governments are concerned about securing air and sea space - to exercise sovereignty over marine and seabed resources and contest overlapping claims, prevent plunder of forests and minerals, and monitor people movement. This requires more investment in naval and air forces.

With their economies moving their people up to middle-income brackets or in some cases higher, governments have more to spend on advanced military platforms and weapons. South-east Asia's defence spending grew 5 per cent to nearly $US36 billion in 2013,  just ahead of the 4.7 per cent rate of increase in east Asia (to a total $US282 billion), the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said.

Meanwhile, established defence manufacturers in recession-hit Europe, Russia, and North America are eager to sell, with lavish export credits to sweeten the deals. The east Asian industrial nations are also entering the regional arms bazaar.

The new assertiveness of China in claiming the South China Sea as sovereign territory, over counter-claims by six south-east Asian countries, has brought encouragement and help from the United States, Japan, India and Australia in hardening up regional armed forces and coast guards.

Consequently, the region is marked by large-scale acquisitions of equipment aimed at new capabilities in sea and air control, or at least the ability to contest control and make potential rivals think twice about intruding.

Navies are acquiring or expanding their fleets of quiet, conventional submarines to lurk in sea approaches. Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are buying new-generation submarines, with Malaysia and Thailand possibly following suit.

With the Shinzo Abe government lifting Japan's self-imposed restriction on military exports, Japan is discussing sale of its advanced Soryu-class submarine to Australia. South Korea is building the first of 12 German-designed Type-214 submarines for Indonesia, with follow-on boats to be built in Surabaya. Vietnam has acquired the first of six Kilo-class submarines from Russia to help its sea-denial capability against China in contested waters, with quiet financing from Japan and training from India.

Some navies are building large new "flat-top" ships that can carry swarms of anti-submarine helicopters or quickly land troops on outlying islands or oil platforms. Japan set the trend with its two Hyuga-class helicopter carriers of 18,000 tonnes, and is adding two even bigger carriers of the 27,000-tonne Izumo class, while South Korea is building the second of its 18,000-tonne Dokdo-class helicopter carriers.

In south-east Asia and Oceania, Australia has commissioned HMAS Canberra, the first of two 27,000-tonne helicopter-carrier/landing ships, while Singapore has shown off a redesign of its existing half-deck Endurance-class landing ship as a more capable marine aviation platform.

All four of these countries are development partners and/or buyers of the F-35 Lightning strike fighter in the United States. While so far they look at its fifth-generation capabilities for their air forces, the short/vertical take-off F-35B version would give the option of converting their naval helicopter platforms into carriers for a potent fixed-wing aircraft. 

While they wait for the F-35, the Australian and Singaporean forces are acquiring upgraded versions of their existing aircraft, respectively the F-18 Super Hornet and the F-15SG Eagle. The power of these latest fourth-generation fighters and strike aircraft is enhanced by "force-multipliers" like airborne surveillance and control aircraft and in-flight refuelling tankers.

New setback for the A400M, it did not refuel in flight helicopters

Michel Cabirol   |  10/02/2015, 15:20

Every day that passes, we learn a little more about the trials of the A400M , the aircraft developed military transport and manufactured by Airbus Group.

For the Delegate General for Armaments, Laurent Collet-Billon, we must now forget the refueling mission in the helicopter flight yet planned A400M in the specifications. Too dangerous for helicopters, which are by definition unstable devices he said, because of the cyclical propeller turbulence of the A400M, a copy of which will be on display next week at the Aero India show in Bangalore India.

Another disappointment for this device, which is, however, "well born" and offers excellent transport capacity, said Monday the head of the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) during the presentation of the 2014 assessment of his house. An asset that remains valuable in view of deploying French troops in Africa. Provided he also mentioned another difficulty for this device: the mission of parachute through the side doors is still not satisfactory, he said.According to "Der Spiegel" , the German army has identified "875 breaches" , including missing insulation jackets on some electric cables. In fact, it would be 1,300 breaches.

Don't know Indonesia ordered type 214. I thought they only ordered Type 209 from SOuth Korea.



http://thediplomat.com/2012/01/indonesias-submarine-play/

Polish Tanks – Core of the NATO “Spearhead” force?

PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 04 December 2014, 10:07


Photo by Artur Zakrzewski, Polish MoD.

Polish Army’s tank Battalion will be a part of the “temporary” NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, which is to reach its combat readiness as soon as next year.

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grzegorz Schetyna, in his statement quoted by the Polish Press Agency claimed that a Polish tank battalion is to be a part of the temporary NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (a. k. a. the Spearhead). This elements are to reach their combat readiness as soon as in the beginning of 2015, in order to provide a possibility to react to potential threats before the target structural elements of the spearhead become combat-ready, which is planned to happen in 2016.

Decision on forming “temporary” quick response force has been taken during the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the NATO member states on 2nd December. NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has stated that these forces will be capable to achieve combat readiness within “a few” days, and they will be composed out of elements of the German, Dutch and Norwegian Armed Forces.

NATO decided on creation of the “Spearhead” during the Newport summit, especially in the light of the threat posed by the Russian Federation. The basic assumption is that the unit consists of several thousand soldiers of the land forces, with additional support from the air forces, navies and special forces. As it has been stated, the target structural composition of the “Spearhead” is to be ready for potential involvement by 2016.

Most probably composition of the NATO quick response units will include a Polish tank battalion with the Leopard 2 tanks, due to the fact that it is the Leopards, that are the latest tanks included in the inventory of the Polish Army. Units of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, equipped with Leopard 2A4 tanks were involved in the Black Eagle exercise, along with the British Army’s battalion battle group.

France: Egypt 1st Foreign Buyer of French Rafale Fighters

PARIS — Feb 12, 2015, 5:45 PM ET
By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press
Associated Press

Egypt will become the first foreign buyer of Rafale fighter jets, French officials said Thursday, purchasing 24 of the multi-role French-made aircraft as part of a 5.2 billion-euro (US$5.93 billion) defense deal that will strengthen Cairo's military might in a tense and violent region.

The sale marks the culmination of years of French efforts to sell the Dassault Aviation-built planes. It will also confirm international recognition of an aircraft that has been used in combat missions over places like Mali, Libya and most recently Iraq, as part of both national and international operations.

"It's the first export contract for the Rafale. Up until now, only the French state bought the Rafale," French President Francois Hollande told reporters in Brussels, adding that Egypt had been seeking "aircraft quickly, due to the threats that it faces."

"I believe that, given the current context, it's very important that Egypt is able to act to uphold stability and to be in security, not only stability on its own territory, but stability in the region," Hollande said.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will be dispatched to Cairo on Monday to sign the accord, Hollande's office said in a statement.

A French Defense Ministry official, speaking only on condition that his name not be used because of ministry protocol, said the total value of the sale was 5.2 billion euros. A company spokesman and a spokesman for Egypt's Army could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Rafale has been in service for France's air force since 2006, and started flying air support in Afghanistan the following year. In Libya in 2011, the Rafale took up tasks including no-fly zone enforcement, air-to-ground strikes, reconnaissance, and overflight missions. Rafales had a key role in that NATO campaign — based solely on airpower — that helped rebel fighters topple longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

While it excelled in the skies, the Rafale had trouble finding a foreign buyer because of its high cost, complexity and design — a marked shift from the Mirage, France's previous-generation fighter. Deals for Brazil, Libya, Morocco and Switzerland all fell through, often at the last minute.

Egypt, a decades-long American ally whose army receives up to $1.3 billion in military aid from Washington each year, has been seeking to diversify its arms providers. Its military remains largely U.S. trained and equipped, but Russian news agency Interfax said this week that Moscow has $3.5 billion in new contracts with Cairo for military aircraft, air defense missiles and other weapons.

The Egyptian deal came together with unusual speed for a big-ticket defense accord. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi first discussed a possible buy of Rafales and the FREMM frigate when Le Drian visited Cairo in mid-September, according to the French defense official.

Gen. Mohammed el-Assar, a top aide to el-Sissi, led the talks for Egypt, the official said. In an unusual breach of traditional protocol, El-Sissi requested a dinner meeting with the French minister in November and specified the number of planes he wanted with the frigate. Last month, at the crowning of the new Saudi king, the Egyptian leader discussed the deal again with Hollande and Le Drian.

Boeing Offers 'Extremely Affordable' Super Hornet Deal To Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The Boeing Company has a distinct advantage over its competitors in offering its Super Hornet jet fighter deal to Malaysia as the aircraft represents an "extremely affordable" offering over the long-term.

The global aircraft manufacturer also stands ready to assist Malaysia in dealing with funding challenges in acquiring the high-endurance fighter jets, more so, due to financial constraints brought on by the global economic slowdown.

"No aircraft in this competition will come close to the affordability that the Super Hornet brings," Howard M Berry, Boeing vice-president for F/A18E/F international sales, global strike, defense, space & security told Bernama.

"When you look at the total lifecycle cost, from acquisition to support for the aircraft throughout its lifetime, including training, logistics and eventually taking the aircraft out of service, the support typically takes up 70 per cent," he said.

He said that Boeing was aware that every nation, including Malaysia, faced challenges at the moment due to falling oil prices and weaker currencies. However, he expressed optimism that "in an ever changing world, oil prices will rebound."

"We have been discussing and working with the Malaysian government. We can do a lot of things financially and deal with any funding challenges it may have in the near term. "At the end of the day, it will obviously be a political decision and we have to see how that plays out," Berry said.

Boeing has been negotiating since 2002 on the Super Hornet deal with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, which currently operates eight earlier generation Classic Hornets, the F/A-18Ds.

"We are prepared to stay engaged. This is an important sale for us. We will do everything possible to facilitate the acquisition when the government is ready to move ahead," he said.

According to Berry, the version of the Super Hornet to be sold to Malaysia is called the Block II, which went into operation in 2007, and could easily integrate into current aircraft systems as Malaysia has already been flying the Super Hornet.

Also, the Super Hornet has only been flying for about seven to eight years, making it arguably the newest aircraft in service with the US military.

Berry said so far the aircraft has 1.4 million plus flight hours, thus it is a mature aircraft and operationally relevant. Berry said the benefit that RMAF would get is that the Super Hornet is of a low-risk design.

"When you buy from my competitors, their aircraft are relatively immature and have immature key systems, most notably the radar. They are still developing the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar," he added.

He said the Super Hornet is flying the most advanced AESA radar, the APG-79 by Raytheon, which is without doubt at the forefront of AESA technology and combat-proven. Berry also noted that the Super Hornet F/A-18E/Fs is extremely well suited for its roles.

However, he said that Malaysia has some issues to deal with, such as very long coastlines, Sabah's invasion, maritime patrol as well as air superiority challenges.

"To deal with, you need to have patrol capability. Super Hornet aircraft, for an example, brings the range, the persistent. It brings the two-seat cockpit and twin engines. Twin engines are key, any pilot who spends a lot of time over water will tell you that they like having twin engines.

"The F/A18F is certainly well suited for maritime operations. The two-seat cockpit is key (and) when you are out there over water, looking to exercise sea line control and maritime surveillance, having those second pair of eyes in the jet is important," he said.

At the Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2001, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was defence minister then, flew on the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighter, making him the first defence minister to fly on the two-seater fighter jet piloted by Boeing chief test pilot Dave Desmond.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defence, space and security businesses specialising in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.

-- BERNAMA

No: CR-029-15
February 12, 2015

CONTRACTS

ARMY

Elbit Systems of America, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $13,185,756 modification (P00013) to foreign military sales contract W58RGZ-12-C-0164 (Indonesia) for 300 Apache Aviator Integrated Helmets. Fiscal 2010/2013/2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $13,185,756 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2017. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Indonesia and Boeing look for Chinook co-operation

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
12 February 2015
   
Indonesia and Boeing are exploring co-operation in relation to the company's CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stated.

Indonesian defence minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Yeong-Tae Pak, Boeing vice-president for Indonesia and Malaysia, discussed a potential Chinook programme on 12 February, said the MoD.

It added that the two sides are exploring the possibility of co-operation with a view to develop Indonesia's "land and marine fleets". The MoD did not elaborate.

Relations between Boeing's defence business and Indonesia have expanded significantly in recent years with the country's purchase of eight AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

This contract, confirmed by the US Department of Defense (DoD) in January 2015, represents the largest US sale of a new military platform to Indonesia since Washington lifted an arms embargo imposed on the Southeast Asian country from the 1990s until 2005.

Why India's 2.5-Billion-Dollar Chopper Deal With Boeing Could Shoot up in Costs

All India | Written by Vishnu Som | Updated: February 13, 2015 18:08 IST

New Delhi:  Ahead of Aero India, touted as Asia's biggest air show, aviation major Boeing has made it clear that it cannot wait indefinitely for the government to sign a deal for Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy lift choppers.

According to Pratyush Kumar, Boeing India president, "We are inching closer to a situation where our ability to hold prices will not be there." In other words, there is a possibility that India would need to re-negotiate the commercial aspects of the $2.5 billion (over rupees 15,000 crores) deal and end up paying more for helicopters that the armed forces urgently require. 

Cost negotiations with Boeing ended 18 months ago; since then the company has agreed to extend the validity of negotiated prices twice with the latest six-month extension being granted in October 2014. 

Sources in the Defence Ministry have indicated that the Cabinet Committee on Security may approve the purchase of 22 AH-64E Apache and 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters before this financial year closes, but there are still no clear indicators of when that will happen.

India operates a Russian-built fleet of ageing Mi-35 attack helicopters that urgently need to be replaced by more modern choppers with better sensors and missiles. 

The Apache, deployed widely during the first and second Gulf War, is considered by experts to be the world's premier anti-tank attack helicopter. In its flight evaluation trials, the Indian Air Force had picked the Apache ahead of the Russian Mi-28N Night Hunter. 

Similarly, the IAF had concluded that the Chinook heavy lift chopper had lower life-cycle costs than the Russian Mi-26 helicopter and was therefore the lowest bidder in the competition. 

Over the last few years, American aviation firms have won several deals in India totalling more than $8 billion. The Indian Air Force has acquired 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters, eight Boeing P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft and six Lockheed Martin C-130J transport aircraft.

the thought of buying PT91 blueprint and then built them ourselves is what I would like to agree too..but is there still a market for T-72 design? I think it's quite obsolete already..

Indonesia to ink defense agreement with Japan

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Sat, February 14 2015, 7:46 AM .

The Defense Ministry confirmed on Friday that it would soon sign a defense cooperation treaty with Japan.

“Japan and Indonesia have agreed to cooperate in the defense sector. We’re still waiting for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU],” Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Djundan Eko Bintoro told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Djundan said that the two countries had agreed to work together in several fields including humanitarian assistance, disaster prevention and mitigation and cyber defense.

In disaster prevention and mitigation, under the planned agreement Japan is expected to offer Indonesia amphibious aircraft and early warning system technology.

Djundan said that teams from both countries had almost wrapped up their work on the details of the planned agreement.

“Details from the cooperation have been agreed but it has yet to be signed. We still don’t know when it will be signed actually,” Djundan said without elaborating.

Unconfirmed reports said that the draft of the MoU between Indonesia and Japan had yet to be signed because of a Cabinet reshuffle in Japan and stormy political weather in Indonesia.

The draft itself has been ready since last year.

Last week, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Yusron Ihza Mahendra met with Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu to discuss details of the cooperation.

During the meeting, Yusron told Ryamizard that Japan had a new law that would allow for a transfer of technology from Japanese strategic industry to Indonesia under an umbrella cooperation agreement.

Yusron hinted that the signing of the agreement would be conducted during President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s upcoming visit to Japan, which is scheduled for between March and April.

“If the MoU on defense cooperation can be signed, it would be good for the development of Indonesia’s defense and economy,” said Yusron.

He also opined that the defense partnership could improve Indonesia’s diplomatic standing both in the region and at the international level.

Yusron said that under the defense cooperation agreement, Indonesia could also import armaments and defense instruments from Japan.

“This would be a huge opportunity. For instance, Indonesian plane-maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) may establish joint cooperation in research, production and capital. Cooperation in the defense sector would have a very good atmosphere,” Yusron said, as quoted by Xinhua news agency.

The Japanese government eased its stance on defense equipment transfer principles in April last year, allowing arms exports under certain circumstances.

Also have to consider tanks that compatible with Malaysian terrain, don't just buy willy-nilly buy modern tanks just bcoz they look cool. Pics of tanks bogged down in palm oil estate won't help very much with public opinion. Plus can be used by certain people for political mileage.