French jet fighters in town to woo Defense Ministry, Air Force

Nani Afrida

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | March 24 2015 | 6:08 PM

Two Dessault Rafale jet fighters from the French Air Force are in Jakarta to seduce Indonesia into purchasing the multirole jets to replace the Indonesian Air Force's ageing American-made Northrop F-5 Tiger E/F II jet fighters.

“The jets flew directly to Indonesia after attending the 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace [LIMA] exhibition in Malaysia,” Air Force chief spokesman Air Commodore Hadi Tjahjanto told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The visiting jet fighters arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma airport on Monday. On Tuesday, the jet fighters, a Rafale B double-seater and a Rafale C single-seater, performed solo demos for officials from the Defense Ministry and Air Force officers.

The two jet fighters were accompanied by an Airbus A400M heavy transport aircraft and a KC-135 tanker aircraft.

Rafale, made by French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation, came to Jakarta as the French airframer was aware that Indonesia is planning to replace its fleet of F-5 E/F.

“Rafale jets will demo their abilities for Indonesian pilots and Air Force officers until Thursday,” Hadi said.

The French jet fighter is entering a tough competition, locking horns with a stable of other contenders including the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35, American-made F-16 Block 60, Swedish-made Saab JAS-39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon, a collaboration between Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

The Air Force has repeatedly said it prefers the Su-35, the latest iteration of the Flanker family of jet fighters, although the final decision will be made by the Defense Ministry.

“Any jet fighter is ok for the Air Force, as long as the jet fighters can meet our requirement, which is that they come from the 4.5 Generation,” Hadi said. (nvn)(+++)

Fachru Zaini Isnanto (L), Commander of Indonesia's National Air Defence Sector 1, shakes hands with French pilot Sebastien Dupont De-Dinechin ® after a flight aboard a Dassault Rafale multirole fighter aircraft at the Halim airport in Jakarta on March 25, 2015. A pair of Dassault Rafale multirole fighter aircraft, made by French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation, performed flight demonstrations for Indonesian defence officials in the capital on March 25. AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY (Photo credit should read ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images)

Credit: ADEK BERRY / stringer

Exhibitors Praise LIMA Show Despite Few Contracts

by Chris Pocock - March 20, 2015, 8:29 AM

The Malaysian government announced 26 deals worth $2.5 million during the Langkawi International Marine and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) this week. Upon closer examination, however, only seven were aerospace-related, and only two of these were firm contracts. However, exhibitors polled by AIN declared themselves satisfied with the show, because a large number of senior military officers visited the event. LIMA coincided with a meeting of ASEAN defense ministers, accompanied by their military staffs. Also, two conferences at LIMA attracted the chiefs of air forces and navies from about 20 countries.

Pilatus received a contract to supply five more PC-7 Mk II turboprop trainers for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). Thales Optronics will supply more avionics and communications for the RMAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM combat aircraft. Local company Zetro Services and Thales Raytheon Systems received letters of acceptance (LoAs) for maintenance of air defense radars and an operations center, respectively. But the predicted contracts for the upgrade of the RMAF’s C-130H Hercules transports and S61A-4 Nuri helicopters failed to materialize. However, Canadian avionics house CMC-Esterline said it had been selected as the partner to Malaysian MRO Airod for the C-130H upgrade, in preference to Marshall Aerospace of the UK and Aeronautics of the U.S.

The Nuri glass-cockpit upgrade appears to be on hold and may be rebid, after a prototype conversion designed by Vector Aerospace and performed recently by Airod apparently failed to satisfy the RMAF. Malaysia still has 28 of these transport helicopters, all of them at least 45 years old. The RMAF is receiving 12 Airbus EC725s as their partial replacement, having decided to retain 16 S-61s because they have flown only 14,000 hours on average, versus 60,000 for commercial counterpart S-61s. The other 12 are being transferred to the Army, with the first pair handed over by the RMAF at LIMA.

Thales announced that all four of the RMAF’s Beechcraft King Air 200s would be fitted with the AMASCOS maritime surveillance mission system, with three already completed. An Indonesian Navy CN-235 fitted with the same system was on static display, and so was Boeing’s Challenger MSA demonstrator. Although piracy in the Malacca Straits seems to have been overcome, there are plenty of other maritime surveillance requirements in the region, including search and rescue, as demonstrated by the massive but vain search for MH370 last year.

After an unexpected armed incursion into eastern Malaysia in 2013, the government boosted military deployments there and went shopping for armed helicopters and surveillance UAVs. As an interim move, machine guns have been added to some of the Nuris and the Army’s AgustaWestland A109s. But a potential future buy of attack helicopters brought Bell Helicopters and MD Helicopters to the show with the UH-1Y and MD530G, respectively, while Boeing was briefing both the AH-6i and the AH-64. The RMAF has also stated a light attack aircraft requirement, but as with the AEW and multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirements, no funding has been allocated. That did not prevent France sending two air force Rafales from their deployed base at Abu Dhabi to LIMA, where they flew RMAF pilots in a two-seater twice daily, in addition to a flying display. U.S. Navy Super Hornets and a Thai Air Force Gripen were on static display, as well as the full-scale Eurofighter Typhoon model, all being MRCA candidates.

As for surveillance UAVs, the Malaysian military has experimented with two local projects along the coastline of the two eastern states, using Schiebel Camcopters and Boeing/Insitu Scan Eagles, without much success. At LIMA, the government signed an MoU to acquire a UAV system from oil company Petronas. AIN learned that this is another couple of Camcopters, which were originally acquired by Petronas for pipeline security patrols. Petronas recently converted a surplus oil rig for use by the armed forces as a floating platform for helicopters, UAV and small patrol boats that can be placed in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

France ready to give RI technology transfer

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Thu, March 26 2015, 7:35 AM

France asserted on Wednesday that it was willing to provide an industrial cooperation with Indonesia should the Dassault Rafale jet fighter be selected to modernize the Indonesian Air Force.

French Ambassador to Indonesia Corinne Breuzé said that France was open to all cooperation possibilities involving French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation and state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI).

“With the support of the French government, Dassault is open to any possibility of partnerships and transfer technology,” she said in a prepared statement.

Other than technology transfer, she said that being 100 percent French, the Rafale would allow its users independence. “It is designed with Safran/Snecma for the engine, Thales for the avionics and MBDA for the armament,” she said.

Breuzé was speaking at an event to introduce the French jet fighter to the Indonesian public, at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta.

She said that the decision to bring the Rafale to Jakarta, despite a high level of operational engagement especially in Iraq, was made by the French defense minister and air force following a courtesy call from Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, who met his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on March 10.

Ryamizard also visited the Rafale’s assembly line in Bordeaux-Merignac during the March visit.

Two Rafale jet fighters, a Rafale B double-seater and a Rafale C single-seater, arrived on Monday from the just-concluded 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in Malaysia.

On Tuesday, the jet fighters performed three flights for Indonesian Air Force pilots who flew on the Rafale B, taking the back seat.

There was also a solo aerobatic display performed by Capt. Benoit Blanche of the French Air Force.

The Rafale is a latecomer in the competition to replace the aging American-made F-5 E/F Tiger II operated by the Indonesian Air Force.

The French jet fighter is facing tough competition, locking horns with a stable of other contenders including the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35, American-made F-16 Block 60, Swedish-made Saab JAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon, a collaboration between Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

The Indonesian Air Force has repeatedly said it prefers the Su-35, the latest iteration of the Flanker family of jet fighters, although the final decision will be made by the Defense Ministry.

Meanwhile, Dassault Aviation executive vice president for America, Africa and Asia military sales JPHP Chabriol told The Jakarta Post that the best example of French will to transfer technology was India, which selected the Rafale.

He said that from an order of 126 units, 18 were supposed to be produced in France and the rest to be produced locally by Indian industries through progressive transfer of technology.

“From French authorities’ point of view as well as from French industry, there is no limitation to transfer technologies of the Rafale to friendly foreign countries,” he said.

“The only constraints we have are linked to the budgetary aspect, good sense and cost efficiency.”

He said Dassault and all associated French companies were quite open to discussions with Indonesian actors to set up a program that suited Indonesian requirements.

“We are not imposing anything; we are ready for discussion to define what is the optimized scheme of transfer of technology in the framework of the Rafale bid,” Chabriol said.

Other than technology transfer, Chabriol emphasized that Indonesia would get total independence if it selected the Rafale because, as it is a 100-percent French product, Indonesia would not have to deal with a third party.

Another advantage of buying the Rafale, he added, was that it could be deployed with very minimal logistical support.

GRSE negotiating for building warships for Philippines

IANS  |  Kolkata  March 23, 2015 Last Updated at 19:40 IST

After making India's first warship for export, the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) is negotiating for delivery of two light frigates to the Philippines, an official said here on Monday.

The GRSE-built offshore patrol vessel (OPV) CGS Barracuda was commissioned by the National Coast Guard of Mauritius earlier in the month at Port Louis Harbour during a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The success of Barracuda has generated a lot of interest in the GRSE among foreign countries. Right now we are doing a technical negotiation for two light frigates for Philippines," GRSE chairman and managing director Rear Admiral A.K. Verma (retd) said here.

"The price bids are being finalised. Our competitors are Europeans and (South) Korean firms, so it's a big challenge for us. But if we get it, it will be a very big achievement both for the GRSE and the country," said Verma.

Verma was speaking during the launch of a GRSE-built Landing Craft Utility (LCU) for the Indian Navy.

Verma said the defence miniratna PSU was in competition with six foreign ship yards including Navantia, Spain; STX France; and Hyundai, Daewoo, and STX from Korea.

The GRSE which delivered India's first indigenously-built stealth Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette, INS Kamorta, to the Indian Navy is working on 15 more ships.

"The INS Kamorta was the 93rd ship that we built and delivered. No other shipyard in the country has this recognition. Currently we are working on orders of 15 more ships for the navy," said Verma.

There's a kill marker

i still can't find the toilet n galley pics of that jet 

Boeing progresses Malaysian Hornet upgrade programme

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
25 March 2015

Boeing is more than halfway through a programme to upgrade the mission systems on board the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF's) fleet of eight F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft as it seeks to increase its presence in the market.

A Boeing spokesperson confirmed to IHS Jane's on 26 March that system modifications on six of the eight RMAF Hornets have so far been completed. IHS Jane's understands that the upgrade brings the software capabilities of the RMAF aircraft to a comparable standard to that of the US Navy and Marine Corps.

The programme, which is progressing as a US Foreign Military Sale, also allows the RMAF Hornets to operate the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) and the joint direct attack munition (JDAM).

MRCA: Updates, Sort Off

Marhalim Abas March 27, 2015 Airshow, Malaysia - RMAF

SHAH ALAM: YES its a week after LIMA, I am only starting to write about the MRCA programme . It is just to show there is not much really moving on the MRCA even at the country’s premier airshow. Three of the MRCA candidates were present at LIMA 2015 but only the Dassault Rafale took part in the flight displays. In the exhibition hall and corporate chalets, however, all was relatively quiet.

Well some may argue that the offer from Dassault, the same financial package to Malaysia like those for Egypt was the big news from Langkawi. And what about the offer from ATSC to upgrade the Fulcrums to the NM standard then?

And yes, the British Government offer to lease the Typhoons remained on the table. And they could also deliver the Typhoon (RAF Tranche 3 standard) within months of a contract being signed. All of this maybe news to some but to me “its Ground Hog Day” all over again.

Perhaps I am being snobbish about all of this but as the Defence Ministry and RMAF were pretty quiet about the project during the whole week was an indicator to me that it was better to wait for a sunny day.

I guess we have to wait until June to see whether or not we will be getting the MRCA. In the meantime, I am taking a break from chasing the MRCA story. If there is any significant updates, hopefully you will be the first ones to read it here.

Anyhow, I made a mistake in my preview when I posted that the both the Rafale and Super Hornet were expected to conduct flight displays at LIMA 2015. I was wrong. Only the Rafale performed at LIMA 2015, something which also surprised Dassault officials. The Typhoon was only represented by a full size replica and a booth dedicated to show the plane’s capabilities including a simulator.

And yes, the F16V is a suitor though not yet an official candidate for the MRCA.

Thailand Eyes Submarine Fleet

By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Thursday, March 26, 2015, 3:04 AM

Royal Thai Navy (RTN)'s plan to buy submarines is on again with strong backing from Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon who wants Thailand’s fleet to be on par with neighbouring countries.

Defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post on Wednesday that the country needs to equip its navy, who wants Thailand’s fleet to be on par with neighboring countries.

The Minister thinks that Thailand must develop naval equipment, fleet and its neighboring countries in order to maintain the same level.

The budget allocation for the same could be around 36 billion baht ($1.1 billion), the report said.

Thailand’s plan to acquire submarines is neither new nor surprising. Lacking a submarine capability since 1951, the country has tried since the 1990s to ink submarine deals with several countries, including most recently Germany and South Korea.

Though they eventually did not materialize, many were expecting Thailand’s submarine quest to once again become a top priority once the ruling military junta seized power in a coup in May 2014.

The navy opened an ultra-modern, 540-million-baht submarine base and training centre in Chon Buri province in July last year, even though the country doesn't own a single sub. 

The source said the Chinese-made Yuan class is favoured by the committee due to its specifications. The U-class from South Korea and Germany also pinged the sonar screen.

France offers Indonesia Rafale technology transfer

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
26 March 2015

France has pledged to transfer technologies to Indonesia to enable local involvement in the production of the Dassault Rafale multirole combat aircraft if it is selected to meet a requirement in the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).

The French ambassador to Indonesia Corinne Breuzé said in a statement on 26 March that France intends to be flexible in facilitating Rafale collaboration between manufacturer Dassault and Indonesia's state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara (PTDI).

She added, "With the support of the French government, Dassault is open to any possibility of partnerships and transfer technology." In the statement the ambassador also promoted the Rafale as a "100% French" aircraft that would provide the TNI-AU with operational independence, without the requirement for approval from a third party.

Boeing, Destini Prima To Explore Service Opportunities For AH-6i Helicopters

March 20, 2015 15:39 PM 


(From left) Destini Prima Sdn Bhd CEO Tunku Johan Tunku Mansur, Destini Prima Sdn Bhd Executive Director Kabol Surat (Rtd), Chief of Armed Forces Malaysia General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Regional Director of Southeast Asia / Vice President, International Business Development of Malaysia and Indonesia, Boeing Defense, Space & Security Yeong Tae (YT) Pak in a signing ceremony to explore potential opportunities for Destini Prima to provide services and support for Boeing's AH-6i helicopter. Pic courtesy of Boeing

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- Boeing and Destini Prima Sdn Bhd, a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) supplier for aviation safety equipment, today signed an agreement to explore potential opportunities for Destini Prima to provide services and support for Boeing's AH-6i helicopter.

Boeing's AH-6i, a light attack/reconnaissance helicopter, is currently being considered by the Malaysian government to fulfill the country's attack helicopter requirement, it said in a statement.

Under the agreement, the two companies will discuss opportunities for Destini Prima, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Destini Bhd, to expand its current expertise in aviation safety MRO to provide services and support for aircraft such as component maintenance.

"Exploring the possibilities for Destini Prima to build on its current services portfolio would not only benefit Destini Prima's business, but also is consistent with Boeing's aims to help expand opportunities throughout Malaysia's aerospace and defence industry," Jim Armington, East Asia & Pacific International Business Development Vice-President, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said.

Destini Prima Chief Executive Officer Tunku Johan Mansur said, "We are delighted to cooperate with Boeing to identify efficient and effective support solutions for the AH-6i helicopter and expand our aircraft-support capabilities."

The Destini Group is a leading Malaysian integrated engineering solutions provider, while Destini Prima specialises in maintenance, repair and overhaul of safety and survival products and spares for the aviation industry.

The group holds internationally recognised certifications from leading industrial regulatory and accreditation authorities.

-- BERNAMA

Sukhoi Company filed an application to participate in a tender issued by Indonesia

Russian Aviaton » Tuesday March 31, 2015 15:04 MSK

Sukhoi Company filed an application to participate in a tender for delivery of fighters to Indonesian air forces, Lenta.ru reports with reference to the company’s press-service.

The model of the fighter offered by Russian company was not unveiled by the press-service.

It was reported earlier that Indonesia is going to put 16 F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft delivered from USA in 1980 out of operation. And the country is looking for a replacement for these jets. According to some sources, only two out of sixteen jets of the type are operational now.

In autumn 2014 after analysis of RFI (request for information) responses, Indonesian Ministry of Defense selected three finalists: Su-35 (Russia), F-16C/D block 52+ (USA) and JAS.39 Gripen (Sweden). The latter one is the favorite, according to sources close to Indonesian Ministry of Defense. At first Indonesia was also considering US F-15 Silent Eagle and F/A-18 Super Hornet, as well as French Dassault Rafale.

Today Indonesian air forces operate four types of Sukhoi fighters. In 2003 the country purchased two Su-27SK jets, in 2010 — three upgraded Su-27SKMs. In 2003 Indonesia placed an order for two Su-30MK jets and nine more Su-30MK2s were purchased in 2008 and 2011.

Raytheon awarded $35 million Stinger contract for Republic of Korea delivery

Systems to go aboard Apache helicopters

TUCSON, Ariz., March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) signed a $35 million contract to deliver Stinger® missiles and air-to-air launchers to the Republic of Korea Army in support of their recent procurement of AH-64 Apache helicopters.

Under the previously announced foreign military sale, Raytheon will begin deliveries of the Stinger weapon systems in 2017.

"Stinger provides vital self-protection capabilities as well as defensive counter-air protection of aviation and ground forces," said Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Raytheon's Land Warfare Systems product line. "Most importantly, Stinger operates day and night, in all environmental conditions and allows for the engagement of multiple targets within seconds."

This agreement highlights a renewed global interest in air-to-air Stinger as a key component of attack and light attack helicopter mission configurations. Stinger greatly enhances the capabilities of the aircraft to successfully perform today's missions while countering existing threats.

"With the emergence of unmanned aerial vehicles in the battlespace and the key role of helicopters, the evolved technology of air-to-air Stinger is easily adapted to defeat evolving threats," said Jack Elliot, Raytheon's Stinger program director. "Stinger is an immediate- response weapon of choice against a wide range of air threats for protection of both fixed sites and maneuver forces."

About Stinger
Stinger-RMP (reprogrammable microprocessor) Blk 1, the current production version of Stinger, has maintained a greater than 90 percent success rate in reliability and training tests against advanced threat targets. The combination of supersonic speed, agility, highly accurate guidance and control system, and lethal warhead gives Stinger the operational edge against all classes of helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, and fixed-wing aircraft. In service in 19 countries, Stinger not only has a surface-to-air capability from land and sea, but also an air-to-air capability that can be integrated into most fixed- or rotary-wing platforms.

US Army prepares for AH-6i deliveries to Saudi Arabia

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
30 March 2015


Saudi Arabia is to shortly begin receiving the first of 24 Boeing AH-6i attack and reconnaissance helicopters. Source: IHS/Gareth Jennings

Saudi Arabia is shortly to begin receiving the first of 24 Boeing AH-6i Little Bird light attack and reconnaissance helicopters, it was disclosed on 30 March.

The US Army's Non-Standard Rotary-Wing Aircraft project office (NSRWA PO) has issued a sources sought notice for the transportation of an unspecified number of helicopters from the United States to the kingdom, as well as for pilot and maintainer training.

The notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website does not indicate a timeline for deliveries to commence, but does state that responses must be received no later than midday on 10 April.

A contract for manufacture of 24 AH-6i helicopters was awarded to Boeing in September 2014 (although it was actually revealed by Boeing in late 2013).

The AH-6i is based on the 1960s-era Hughes Model 369 (OH-6 Cayuse in US Army service) light scout helicopter, and features an enhanced powerplant, payload, and avionics package.

The Rolls-Royce 250-C30R/3M powerplant (combined with a six-bladed main rotor assembly with composite blades) gives it the ability to 'hover out of ground effect' at 6,000 ft and 95°F (the US Army's 6k/95 benchmark) with a typical mission weight of 1,800 kg (two crew members, full fuel, and weapons).

Its weapons fit includes the Dillon M134D 7.62 mm Gatling gun, General Dynamics GAU-19 12.7 mm Gatling gun, FN Herstal M3P 12.7 mm chain gun, Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, as well as a variety of seven-shot 'dumb' or laser-guided 70 mm rocket systems mounted on the four-station weapons planks (two on each side of the helicopter). The AH-6i is also equipped with a chin-mounted L-3 Wescam MX-15Di electro-optic/infrared sensor turret.

The AH-6i's improved avionics are based on the same software as the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter, making for improved performance and interoperability.

The Saudi deal marks the first sale of the AH-6i for Boeing, although Jordan has signed a letter of intent for 18 such helicopters with an option for a further six.

Its MRSS, Not Warships

Marhalim Abas
April 3, 2015

SHAH ALAM: It appears that the decision to delay the signing of the two China warships last year may proved to be the end game for the project.

Industry sources told Malaysian Defence at LIMA 2015 recently that in between the time of the supposed signing – last June and March this year, the China-warship project had morphed into the “China -Multi-role Support Ship (MRSS) project. The MRSS is of course a long-term requirement of the Armed Forces.

I am not purview to what had transpired which led to the change but I believed it was mainly due to the intervention of Defence Ministry’s officials.

The MRSS programme was first mooted (AFAIK) around 2000 and became a priority following the 2004 Tsunami. However instead of funding the programme during the 9th Malaysian Plan (2006-2011 ) period as it was expected, funds for the project dried up.

MRSS returned as a priority project for the 10th MP (2011-2015) following the decommissioning of KD Seri Inderapura but somehow again it fell on the wayside. It was probably a blessing in disguise as the preferred builder, NGV Tech Sdn Bhd went belly up due to financial difficulties.

This time around, industry sources told Malaysian Defence that the MRSS project will be funded as the two logistics ships of the RMN were no longer up to the task. Furthermore, the MRSS is billed as the replacement for the China warship project.

The sources also indicated the decision to opt for the China-made MRSS are also more palatable for Malaysia’s ASEAN neighbours than a frigate or two from the Asian giant.

Technical details of the MRSS remained sketchy however. A preview of what maybe the MRSS made its debut at LIMA recently. It wasn’t billed as the MRSS but as an LPD.

According to China Shipubuilding Trading Co Ltd (CSSC) Asia & Latin America Dept Project Manager Li Peng, the proposed LPD was a smaller variant of the Type 071 LPD, three of which are operated by PLA Navy with another three being built.

A CGI image of the LPD was displayed at the CSSC booth. The CGI ship is pictured carrying a Boeing Chinook helicopter. It is fitted with a 76mm gun forward and two 30mm guns amidships. To me the LPD look more like a Damen design LPD compared to the Type 071.

The LPD was only a side show at the CSSC booth as the centre piece was the C28A corvette. A model of the corvette was also displayed together with several other models including an LST. Unfortunately due to a corrupted memory card I am unable to share the pictures here.

Li was unable to provide more details about the MRSS/LPD saying that the project manager for the ship was not part of the CSSC delegation to LIMA 2015. He did say that the ship could be built according to the customer’s specifications. Among others he pointed out the hangar could be made bigger to accommodate more helicopters. Asked about plans to export either the corvette or LPD to Malaysia, Li declined to comment further saying such matters were confidential.

Industry sources told Malaysian Defence the CGI LPD was indeed the basis for the MRSS offer to Malaysia.
According to them, the MRSS may well have a displacement of around 13,000 tons with a length of around 130 metres. They declined to cite the cost for the MRSS saying most of the systems have yet to be finalised.

It is understood that the number of MRSS expected are two with another two as option. The first ship is expected to be built in China with the final outfitting to be done locally. The second ship is expected to be built locally from kits from China, similar to the arrangement with the RMN’s LCS.

As for funding, I believed it is a strong contender for the RMK11. More importantly, I believed the project is one of those that will survived a regime change.

France will acquire C-130 (Updated)

Published on 02/04/2015 at 16:45 by William Belan
In Defence, Military Aircraft


C-130 Caracal © Airbus Helicopters

Exclusive! Following the abandonment of the helicopter flight refueling capability of the A400M, the Ministry of Defence will place orders for American C-130J.

Update: Contrary to what we announced initially, it would not be half a dozen, but the French defense wishes to acquire.

This is the direct result of the setbacks of the A400M program, which will not have the in-flight refueling capability for helicopters. The Delegate General for Armaments Laurent Collet-Billon had revealed during the presentation of the results of the DGA, saying that because of the turmoil of the propellers of the A400M, the procedure is too dangerous to refuel helicopters.

As a result, a team from the DGA is currently in the United States to negotiate the acquisition of C-130J Lockheed Martin. This purchase will be done in FMS procedure (Foreign Military Sale), will seek to draw directly on the chain Super Hercules of the USAF. The order could be formalized soon, in a few weeks.

A contract should weigh several hundred million ... And the Ministry of Defence has already struggling to balance its budget, expects to get paid a lot of that acquisition Airbus! Jean-Yves Le Drian sent a letter in this sense it a few weeks ago to Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus, stating that, because of setbacks opening building the A400M, the European manufacturer would have to undergo all or part of the cost of remedial measures.

Tactical transport and helicopter air refueling capabilities are the Air Force has an important and most immediate need. Transall fleet is out of breath, the A400M delay, while the theaters of operations have increased, sometimes with impressive pulled.