hope they dont go backwards to conventional design like msia

hurr just because mag on front= backward

even pla replace their advanced qbz97 with backward qbz 03, and the french is looking for backward design for FAMAS

bullpup design is determined by mag location? 

who say pla replace (qbz97 is export version) qbz95 with qbz03... 03 is not even a standard rifle with limited adoption

waaa... you work for french mindef ar?

MRCA: Fulcrum and Retirement

SHAH ALAM: IN my post about the RMK11, I mentioned the political considerations as one of the reasons for the retirement of RMAF Mig-29 Fulcrum fleet. Without approved funding in RMK11, the Fulcrum will simply grind out of service without any fanfare.

However as I had reported (the post is missing) during the 57th anniversary Press conference at the Kuantan air base on June 1 this year, RMAF chief Jen Tan Sri Roslan Saad refused to confirm nor deny the retirement date.

The reticence about Fulcrum exact retirement date was puzzling to say the least as the previous RMAF chief had unequivocally stated that the aircraft will be retired by the end of 2015.

The issue became more confusing when the New Straits Times the next day reported ( although the reporter stated that his story never said it) that the Government had agreed to fund the Fulcrum upgrade!

For the record the latest version of the story, available online, still contained a quote by Roslan that the Fulcrums will be upgraded. It is less sensational than the original story published on June 2, however. (My video recording of the whole Press conference clearly showed that Roslan never said such a thing).

As it was an NST report, a couple of aviation portals and even a magazine had subsequently reported that RMAF will upgrade the Fulcrums, claiming it will follow the upgrade path as proposed by Airod’s subsidiary, ATSC Sdn Bhd at LIMA 2015.


A model at ATSC stand featuring the proposed Fuclrum modernisation. Among others it will be fitted with the Flanker’s avionics.

This is the Aviation Week report on the proposal:

“The aircraft proposed by Airod’s Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation, in conjunction with Malaysia’s Sukhoi Technical Centre, would receive a new high-resolution, fire-control radar; improved cockpit ergonomics; and better avionics, while the type’s airframe life would be extended to 6,000h from the current 4,000h.”

To read the full story go here.

I did not report about the proposal as I was told bluntly by several officials at the air show that a political decision had been made on the Fulcrum. No more funding period. And then came the NST on June 2!

Well anyhow, I find out recently why the retirement of the Fulcrum is a sensitive one. Apparently, Russia is putting pressure on Malaysia to cancel the retirement plan. Instead of retiring the fighters, Russia offered to upgrade “all” surviving aircraft to the same standard as the Indian Air Force Mig-29 upgrade, the same one proposed by Airod.

The IAF Fulcrum UPG among others include the the new Zhuk-M2E radar made by Phazotron-NIIR, the OLS-UEM infrared search-and-track system (IRST) similar to the Indian Navy MiG-29Ks, thermal / TV / laser imaging made by Moscow-based NPK SPP, multi-functional full-colour LCDs in the cockpit, increased fuel capacity and more powerful RD-33 series 3 turbo-jet engines.

According to reports, the new radar range has increase to 200 nautical miles and the ability to track 60 targets simultaneously and adds terrain-following mode and ground-target acquisition.

However, there is a catch to the Russian proposal. Until we come up with the actual number of aircraft to be upgraded, the Russians cannot give an exact cost of the project. It will be cheaper than buying a new batch of MRCA of course.

Why pressure Malaysia to continue flying the Fuclrums then?. Apart from pride, the Russian apparently are miffed that Malaysia wants to retire its pride and joy halfway through its expected service life.

With MIG design bureau continue to bleed money while at the same time Rosoboronexport, the state owned arms export agency continuing to market the Fulcrum, it is imperative that they ensure one of its main users continue flying the aircraft as long as possible.

So are we going to upgrade the Fulcrum after all especially with our funding difficulties? I was told, Nyet!.

— Malaysian Defence

if its not stealth its a

big flying target

For a cruise missile carrier the H-6K is supposed to be, stealth or not don't really matter. The missiles it carries itself can already go thousands of miles on its own, far beyond the range of any interceptor or AA systems that can shoot down the bomber. Bomber only needs to get missile into max range, find target, fire missile and go home.

Nobody really uses heavy bomber planes for direct bombing anymore. Everyone who has them uses them as missile carriers, unless there is 99.9% confirmed chance the enemy has absolutely no anti-air capabilities, like when the US used the B-52 as a bomb truck in Afghanistan. But I guess that's an exception rather than the rule.

aku ni slow ke?
CARAT skang di Sandakan eh...

info dari FB
U.S. Pacific Fleet

bullpup rifle has their magazine placed at the buttstock, and yes the french is looking for Famas replacements

That means we need advanced anti missile anti air defences

The modernized Tigr features a new diesel engine, a new armored hood, an air filter installation, an increase in the number of rear passenger seats (from eight to nine) and the replacement of the bicuspid rear hatch with a large square hatch.

"In addition, the vehicle is equipped with  automatically regulated tire pressure, an automatic fire suppression system, a starting preheater and a self-recovery winch," the press service said.

Main armament includes the 7.62mm Pecheneg and 12.7mm Cord machine guns, as well the 30mm Plamya (Flame) automatic mounted grenade launcher.

Dirgantara to launch two maritime patrol aircraft

thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | August 19 2015 | 4:47 PM

State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) is set to launch two maritime patrol aircraft for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) by the end of the year.

DI president director Budi Santoso said there are currently three maritime patrol aircraft produced by DI and operated by TNI AL.

“We will add two more maritime patrol units by the end of the year,” said Budi as reported by kontan.co.id.

Budi confirmed that in February or March of next year, DI will also supply two maritime patrol aircraft for the Air Force (TNI AU). He said that each unit takes approximately 18 to 24 months to produce, depending on the type.

The maritime patrol aircraft is a modification of CN 235, the aircraft most frequently manufactured by the DI. The main modification to the maritime version is the inclusion of a large gun using 20 millimeter caliber bullets.

Price-wise, the maritime patrol aircraft is more expensive than the CN 235, which is sold for US$22 to 23 million.

“But the selling price for the three aircraft purchased by TNI AL is confidential,” said DI head of public relations Irland Budiman.

The aircraft will be used by the government to guard and monitor Indonesia's maritime resources, as illegal fishing operations continue to deplete the nation's fisheries. (nov/kes)(++++)

  hope they dont go backwards to conventional design like msia

Army’s Rifle Choice Positive Sign for Defence Procurement
Wednesday, 19 August 2015, 2:12 pm
Press Release: New Zealand First Party

Ron Mark MP

Spokesperson for Defence

Spokesperson for Veterans Affairs
19 AUGUST 2015

Army’s Rifle Choice Positive Sign for Defence Procurement

New Zealand First is pleased to see the Ministry of Defence has selected LMT’s AR15 as the preferred weapon to replace the Steyr rifle in service with the army, navy and airforce.

“Our men and women will at last have access to a widely used battle-proven rifle,” says New Zealand First Defence Spokesperson Ron Mark.

“LMT-made rifles have a fantastic reputation for quality and reliability. The reports I have received confirm our view that it will become the best individual weapon system since the L1A1 SLR.

“The AR15 is the sort of battle proven weapon, which is capable of firing thousands of rounds without cleaning or stoppage. It reflects a new generation of rifles and we will benefit from ready access to support, development and configuration options.

“This is a positive choice as preferred rifle and preferred tenderer and a positive sign the Ministry of Defence is starting to get aspects of procurement right,” says Mr Mark.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1508/S003...procurement.htm

why not? and they did

LMT AR-15

sad... 2nd country after msia..

LMT-15 no good ?

sad... 2nd country after msia..

why sad? every weapons platform have its pros and cons, and ar is cheaper
lmt selection is kinda a no-brainer as their 7.62mm marksmen rifle is from lmt too