UK requests remanufacture of Apaches to AH-64E standard

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
27 August 2015


The UK has requested that 50 of its older model WAH-64D Apache attack helicopters be remanufactured to the latest AH-64E standard. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen

The United Kingdom has requested from the US government the remanufacture of 50 of its AgustaWestland-Boeing WAH-64D Block I Apache Longbow AH.1 helicopters to the latest AH-64E Guardian standard.

The request, which was announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 27 August, includes refurbished AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (M-TADSs), AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (PNVSs), Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 mast-mounted fire control radars, as well as other systems and services. In addition, the WAH-64D's Rolls-Royce RTM 322 engines will be replaced by the standard US Army General Electric T-700-GE-701D powerplant.

According to the notification, the work is valued at USD3 billion. The request must first be approved by Congress before being implemented.

The British Army's fleet of 50 WAH-64D helicopters (67 were procured, but one was lost in an accident in Helmand Province and 16 were mothballed in January following the end of combat operations in Afghanistan) have increasingly suffered obsolescence issues, as many of the aircraft's transistor chips are no longer in production. To retain its attack helicopter capability out to 2040 and beyond, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) instigated an Apache Helicopter Capability Sustainment project that looked at several options, including procuring the AH-64E.

Having experienced great operational success with the Apache in both Afghanistan and Libya, the British Army made no secret of its desire to replace its older helicopters with the latest variant now in use with the US Army and others. In January 2014, the deputy commander of the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), Brigadier Neil Sexton, made this clear, saying, "The army is absolutely sold on [the Apache's] performance in Afghanistan … [and] rather hopes the AH-64E [will be procured]."

Published: Friday August 28, 2015 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Friday August 28, 2015 MYT 7:24:54 AM

Army to go ahead with buying assets

BY NATASHA JOIBI
 
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry will proceed with acquiring the armed forces’ assets under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) despite the current economic challenges.

Its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that the ministry and the armed forces (ATM) will continue giving their undivided attention to 11MP despite facing global, regional and national economic challenges.

“This is important. We can’t deny that the economic situation globally, regionally and nationally is challenging. But I am confident that with careful planning by the ministry and the ATM, we will be able to overcome these challenges,” he explained.

According to Hishammuddin, the economic situation will not harm the core of the ministry’s “business” which was to ensure national security and boost the morale of ATM personnel and its veterans.

Hishammuddin said among efforts to be taken by the ministry were the upgrading of the ‘Nuri’ Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopter, Hercules C-130, Admiral Class Corvette and the acquisition of other assets for the three wings of ATM.

He added that the acquisitions were to meet the needs of the armed forces and overcome threats to national security.

Hishammuddin confirmed that French Defence Minister Jean Yves Le Drian will be visiting the country on Tuesday and that discussions over the acquisition of the French Dassault Aviation Rafale multi-role combat aircraft might be carried out.

“If it is within our ability, I would like the acquisition to be considered. The technical aspects will be accessed by the air force.

“The economic viability and buying power is under the purview of the Finance Ministry,” he said.

According to Hishammuddin, the acquisition can only be carried out if the financial package offered fulfilled the requirements set by the Finance Ministry.

“It can be done in the near future, and with transparency. The asset is not cheap, and it must be accepted by the public.

“It must be something that we need, but at the same time we must be realistic on whether or not we can afford it,” he clarified.

Hishammuddin spoke to reporters at the Defence Ministry yesterday after presenting awards of excellence to children of the armed forces’ personnel, who performed well in the recent Form Three Assessment (PT3) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

China Nears Deal to Acquire Russia's Lethal Su-35 Fighter

Harry J. Kazianis
August 27, 2015

If reports prove accurate, Russia is set to finally close a deal many years in the making—selling China one its most advanced fighter jets.

According to a report in the WantChinaTimes citing work done by China’s GlobalTimes, Beijing will soon be in possession of twenty-four Russian Su-35 fighter jets.

“We are holding talks with our Chinese partners on agreeing a draft contract for the supply of fighter jets,” explained Ivan Goncharenko, first deputy director general of Russia's arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

A sale of the Su-35, considered by many defense officials to be one of the best fighter jets in the world, would be significant for a number of reasons.
For starters, the fighter is highly advanced and would be a strong upgrade for China’s air force.

“It’s a great airplane and very dangerous, especially if they make a lot of them,” said one senior U.S. military official to The National Interest back in December. “I think even an AESA [active electronically scanned array-radar equipped F-15C] Eagle and [Boeing F/A-18E/F] Super Hornet would both have their hands full.”

A U.S. Navy Super Hornet pilot—a graduate of that service’s elite TOPGUN school—offered his own analysis on the plane: “When taken as a singular platform, I like the Su-35’s chances against most of our platforms, with perhaps the exception of the F-22 and F-15C,” the naval aviator said.

DEFTECH | AT-4 First Win 4x4 win order from Royal Malaysian Army
 
Written by Administrator    
Thursday, 03 October 2013 09:05

Royal Malaysian Army signed the contract with Chaiseri and DEFTECH for initial 20 AV-4s First Win 4x4

7/08/2558 19.00 น. ThaiArmedForce.com - กองทัพบกมาเลเซียลงนามจัดหา First Win 4x4 หรือ AV-4 จากชัยเสรีและ DEFTECH ในล็อตแรกแล้วจำนวน 20 คัน

08/27/2558 19:00 AM. ThaiArmedForce.com - Malaysia signed a supply Army First Win 4x4 or AV-4 from Chaiseri and DEFTECH in the first lot of 20 cars already.

2013 news?

27/08/2558 19.00 น. ThaiArmedForce.com - กองทัพบกมาเลเซียลงนามจัดหา First Win 4x4 หรือ AV-4 จากชัยเสรีและ DEFTECH ในล็อตแรกแล้วจำนวน 20 คัน

08/27/2558 19:00 AM. ThaiArmedForce.com - Malaysia signed a supply Army First Win 4x4 or AV-4 from Chaiseri and DEFTECH in the first lot of 20 cars already.

Malaysia Sign the Contract Procurement of 20 AV-4 First Win 4×4

Wilfrey Morena | 03:09 | 0 comments



Malaysia has signed a contract with Chaiseri and Deftech (Thailand)  for the initial order of 20 vehicles AV-4 First Win 4×4.

Speaking at the event the Naval Research Day 2015 will take place at Navy Hall, Managing Director Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd., Mr. Hiran Koolhiran has confirmed to ThaiArmedForces.com that Malaysia has signed a contract to procure 20 armored vehicles First Win 4×4.

Orders the first phase of the vehicle which in Malaysia is named AV-4 will be manufactured with the company Deftech of Malaysia. “Six of the first vehicle to be produced in the province Phatum Thani and will be delivered to the Military Forces of Malaysia in the first quarter of 2016”, he added. To prove that the car’s performance in real operating conditions of the delivery will be done by road from the factory in Pathum Thani to Malaysia.

Needs of armored vehicles for the Malaysian army of about 200 units, First Win 4×4 has passed the test of actual practice in Malaysia last year. In particular, the partnership with a Malaysian company Deftech will cause both sides to exchange expertise in the field of technology. First Win 4×4 has operated in Thailand by 25 units by the Justice Department and the Royal Thai Army. Currently the company is actively engaged in global marketing and has received a number of customer perspectives, especially from the countries of the Middle East.

Rafale Fighters, Mistral Aircraft Carrier Not On Malaysian Purchase List

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Monday, August 31, 2015 @ 03:39 PM

Malaysian defense minister omitted mentioning big purchases like Rafale fighter jets and Mistral aircraft carrier ahead of French Defense Minister’s visit to the nation.

Malaysian defense minister, Hishammuddin Hussein said last Friday, “Malaysia will proceed with acquiring armed forces’ assets under the 11th Malaysian plan despite current economic challenges. Upgrading of the ‘Nuri’ Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopter, Hercules C-130, Admiral Class Corvette and the acquisition of other assets for the three wings of the armed forces (ATM)”.

“The economic situation will not harm the core of the ministry's "business" which was to ensure national security and boost the morale of ATM personnel and its veterans,” he said.

Hishammuddin omitted to mention big purchases highlighted in French defense news portals about the possible purchase of one of the Mistral aircraft carriers ordered by Russia which was cancelled by France citing Ukraine crisis.

The cost of buying and running just one of these Mistral warships will be cost Malaysia a minimum of RM4 billion (USD $1 billion) at the very least.

“It can be done in the near future, and with transparency. The assets are not cheap, and it must be accepted by the public. It must be something that we need, but at the same time we must be realistic on whether or not we can afford it,” Hishammuddin said.

The French defense minister is reported to be in talks with Malaysia to sell us one of these Mistral aircraft carriers, International media reported earlier last week.

Malaysia says reviewing French proposal for Rafale fighter jets

Published: 1 September 2015 6:34 PM | Updated: 1 September 2015 6:37 PM


Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein says it is too soon to comment on a proposal from France to buy Rafale fighter jets. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 1, 2015.

Malaysia is reviewing a proposal from France to buy Rafale fighter jets but any decision would depend on how affordable the aircraft are, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

Malaysia, which wants to replace its fleet of Russian MiG-29 fighters, is said to be looking at the Rafale, Boeing's F/A-18, Swedish firm Saab's Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, which builds the Rafale, is said to be in talks with Malaysia to supply 16 of the multi-role combat jets.

"It's too soon to announce anything about it," Hishammuddin told a joint news conference with French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in the Malaysian capital.

"It's part and parcel of the industry and it's a proposal we look at and I have been very transparent with the Malaysian public that it's a question of affordability," he added, when asked about Malaysia's interest in the fighter jet.

A Malaysian decision had been expected this year, but aviation industry executives have warned that fiscal troubles stemming from lower prices for oil and commodities could lead to delays in placing the order.

Hishammuddin also said he had no discussions today with his French counterpart on the procurement of Mistral helicopter carriers, which the French are trying to sell.

France last year suspended the sale of two Mistral warships to Russia, after coming under pressure from its Western allies over Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.

President Francois Hollande has said there were a number of potential buyers for the carriers. Countries said to be interested in the helicopter carrier included Malaysia, Brazil, Singapore, Canada and Egypt. – Reuters, September 1, 2015.

Malaysia is looking at the Dassault Rafale and affordability is a key issue.

"It's too soon to announce anything about it,” Hishammuddin told a joint news conference with Le Drian in Kuala Lumpur, Reuters reported. "It's part and parcel of the industry and it's a proposal we look at, and I have been very transparent with the Malaysian public that it's a question of affordability.

“We talked about the Rafale, but not the Mistral,” Hishammuddin said, Reuters reported.

The Boeing F/A-18, Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon are also under review in the Malaysian tender for 18 fighters.

A selection will likely be made in 2018 as there are financial difficulties, defense specialists said. Malaysia has been hit by lower oil prices and commodities, Reuters reported.

Indonesia could receive Russian military funding by $ 3,000 million

01.09.2015 12:34 (updated 12:35 01/09/2015)

Russia could give Indonesia a preferential credit of 3,000 million to finance the purchase of Russian weapons in the framework of military cooperation, said Tuesday the commission vice president for defense and foreign policy of the Indonesian Parliament, Tubagus Hasanuddin.

"Russia is ready to grant a loan on very favorable preferential terms (for Indonesia) to buy weapons," said the MP quoted by the Antara national agency.

He added that the Russian delegation will visit soon to discuss the issue.

According to Hasanuddin, the corresponding addition to the country's leadership ministries have already been informed about the Russian proposal.

In September 2007, within the framework of the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Jakarta, the parties signed an agreement on a Russian loan to Indonesia 1,000 billion in the framework of which his fighters and helicopters were supplied Mi- 35P and Mi-17B5.

Kemhan Akan Ganti F-5 dengan Sukhoi SU-35

Rabu, 02 September 2015 | 21:36
AAA

Jakarta - Kementerian Pertahanan telah memutuskan akan mengganti satu skuadron atau 16 unit pesawat F-5 Tiger milik TNI Angkatan Udara yang akan memasuki masa pensiunnya dengan pesawat tempur Sukhoi SU-35 dari Rusia.

"Kita sepakat (Panglima TNI dan KSAU) akan membeli satu skuadron Sukhoi SU-35 dari Rusia untuk menggantikan pesawat tempur F-5 Tiger," kata Menhan Ryamizard Ryacudu usai sidak persenjataan milik TNI Angkatan Darat di tiga kesatuan, yakni Kopassus, Yonkav 1/1 Kostrad, dan Yonif Mekanis 201 Jaya Yudha, di Jakarta, Rabu (2/9).

Pertimbangannya Kementerian Pertahanan memilih Sukhoi sebagai pengganti F-5 Tiger, kata dia, karena penerbang TNI Angkatan Udara sudah terbiasa menggunakan Sukhoi.

"Sekarang kita memiliki pesawat tempur dari Amerika (F-16), Tiongkok, dan Rusia. Kita bukan negara yang blok-blokan," katanya.

Pembelian pesawat Sukhoi itu akan dilakukan secara bertahap sesuai dengan kemampuan keuangan negara. "Kita ingin membeli satu skuadron, tetapi disesuaikan kemampuan pemerintah," kata Ryamizard.

Mantan Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Darat (KSAD) ini mengatakan bahwa pada bulan September 2015 akan ada penandatanganan pembelian Sukhoi dengan pihak Rusia.

Defense Ministry to replace F-5 tiger aircraft with Sukhoi-35 jets

Kamis, 3 September 2015 07:14 WIB | 422 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Defense Ministry has decided to replace a squadron of aging American-made F-5 E/F Tiger jet fighters with Russian-made Sukhoi SU-35 aircraft.

"We have agreed to buy a squadron of Sukhoi SU-35s from Russia to replace the F-5 Tiger jet fighters," Defense Minister, Ryamizard Ryacudu, said after conducting an impromptu inspection of weapons owned by the Army in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Ryacudu explained that the reason for purchasing the Sukhoi jets was that the Indonesian Air Force's (TNI AUs) pilots were more accustomed to operating the Russia-made jet fighters.

"Now we have jet fighters made by the United States, China and Russia," he said.

The Sukhoi jet fighters will be bought in stages, based on the states financial capacity, he added.

"We want to buy a squadron (of Sukhoi SU-35s), but the purchase will be adjusted, based on the financial capability of the government," Ryacudu stated.

He added that the purchase agreement for the Sukhoi jets will be signed later this month.

The Director General of Defense Planning at the Defense Ministry, Rear Marshal M. Syaugi, said the new Sukhoi jet fighters will be bought on a transfer of technology (ToT) basis.

"This is in line with existing rules, which specify that if we want to buy a main armament system, there must be ToT," he explained.(*)

Thursday, 03 September 2015 16:35

Indonesia officially chooses the Su-35 multirole fighter to replace ageing F-5 Tiger IIs

Indonesia has decided to acquire Russian-made fighter jet Sukhoi Su-35 to replace its F-5 Tiger II which set to be decommissioned in the near future. The decision was announced by Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu on Wednesday when he inspected the readiness of the armed forces arsenals.
    

Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft
    
"The Indonesian Military (TNI) commander and the Air Forces commander had agreed to acquire one squadron of Su-35 from Russia to replace the F-5 Tiger," Ryamizard said. Ryamizard added that the purchase on Su-35 would be conducted gradually.

"We want to buy one squadron (16 planes), but it would be adjusted with the state's financial capability," he said.

According to Ryamizard, the option of Su-35 is due to the fact that Indonesian pilots are customized to operate Sukhoi planes. Indonesian Air Forces currently operates five Su-27 and 11 Su-30 planes. They arrived from Russia in several batches of deliveries in the last few years.

Besides the Sukhois, Indonesia also received deliveries of F-16 C/D Block 52 planes from the United States and T-50 Golden Eagle from South Korea in the last few years.

Ryamizard, who was a former Indonesian Army's chief of staff, said purchase contract agreement would be signed with Sukhoi in September.

A senior official at the Defense Ministry said part of the agreement with Sukhoi would include the Transfer of Technology ( ToT) requirement.

"This is to comply with our existing regulation that requires transfer of technology in each purchase of ultimate defense system, " Defense Planning Director General at the ministry Rear Admiral M. Syauqi said.

He added that the agreement on ToT requirement would particularly be discussed further with Sukhoi as it is related to the financing scheme.

Syauqi said purchase on Su-35 would be completed with the missiles and weaponry system embedded to the multirole fighter jet.

He said the related state agencies are now calculating the funds needed to finance the purchase, thus seeking sources of the funds to do so.

"We want it in a squadron (16 planes). But it would be adjusted with the budget because it would be financed by foreign loans," he added.

Northrop F-5 E/F Tiger II light attack fighter jet has been in service with Indonesian Air Forces since 1980s, scheduled to be decommissioned by the end of the decade.

Su-35, codenamed Super Flanker, was developed from Su-27. Besides serving the origin country of Russia, the multi-role fighter jet was also marketed to Brazil, South Korea, India and Indonesia.

The decision to opt Su-35 has ended speculations on combat fighters possible to replace Indonesian Air Forces' F-5 Tiger II. Before came up with Su-35 decision, Indonesian authority has put Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab JAS 39 Gripen from Britain and Sweden into consideration to replace the F-5 Tiger II.

New tanks have no match in Asia

(China Daily)
Updated: 2015-09-04 08:46

The PLA ground force's advanced armaments have given the army an offensive capability that is unparalleled in Asia, said military observers.

During the Tian'anmen Square parade on Thursday, the PLA ground force displayed its Type-99A main battle tank, the ZBD-04A infantry fighting vehicle and the HJ-10 anti-tank missile.

Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Shanghai, said that the Type-99A is a third-generation tank with strong firepower, an advanced active protection system, cutting-edge composite armor and supreme mobility.

"What further adds to the tank's combat capability is the adoption of a high-technology data link that gives the tank access to battlefield information obtained by other combat platforms," he said.

Liu Qingshan, editor-in-chief of the Tank and Armored Vehicle magazine, said the Type-99A tank has the world's most powerful engine, adding that it also boasts a high level of automation and information capacity.

According to a ranking by Germany's Focus magazine, the Type-99A is the third-best tank in the world, only surpassed by Germany's Leopard 2 and the United States' M1A2 Abrams. The report said the Chinese tank features a 125-mm smoothbore gun capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles and a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine.

Other unique elements include an active laser self-defense weapon and laser warning receiver, both of which are top countermeasure technologies rarely used in other tanks, Russian media previously reported.

Gao said that the ZBD-04A infantry fighting vehicle has a set of lethal weapons－a 100 mm rifled gun, a 30 mm auto-cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun－strong enough to destroy any soft or hard target in its way.

Compared with its predecessor, the ZBD-04, the new model has improved fire-control equipment and additional armor. It also has an advanced information system capable of being integrated with that of the Type-99A tank, he noted.

Thailand conducts first ESSM firing from Chinese-made frigate at 'CARAT' 2015

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
04 September 2015


The Royal Thai Navy's HTMS Naresuan launching an ESSM for the first time, at 'CARAT' 2015. Source: US Navy

Key Points

* Thailand has successfully fired the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) from a Naresuan-class frigate for the first time
* The firing significantly improves the platform's anti-air capabilities

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Type 25T Naresuan-class guided-missile frigate HTMS Naresuan has successfully conducted its first live test-firing of the RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), a US Navy (USN) public affairs officer confirmed to IHS Jane's on 3 September.

HTMS Naresuan (421) conducted the test firing on 30 August in the Gulf of Thailand as part of the annual 'Co-operation Afloat Readiness and Training' ('CARAT') exercise between the USN, the US Marine Corps, and the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

"CARAT this year marks a significant milestone for bilateral co-operation and interoperability between our navies with the Royal Thai Navy firing the ESSM for the first time," said Lieutenant Arlo Abrahamson, a USN public affairs officer with the navy's Task Force 73.

"The ESSM fired from HTMS Naresuan achieved a direct hit on a BQM-74E drone missile launched from the USN amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown [LSD 42]," he told IHS Jane's .

Alongside the first launch, the live firing also marked the successful proving out of the ship's modernised combat system. Undertaken by Saab, upgrade work underpinning the use of the ESSM system introduced the company's 9LV Mk 4 combat management system, two Ceros 200 CWI fire-control systems, the Sea Giraffe AMB G-band air/surface surveillance radar, and new tactical datalinks.

The RTN's two Naresuan-class frigates, Naresuan and HTMS Taksin (422), were built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation at Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai and commissioned in December 1994 and September 1995 respectively, according to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships . The ships are armed with a 127 mm main gun and eight (two quad) launchers for the McDonnell Douglas Harpoon surface-to-surface missile. The vessels are also equipped with six (two triple) 324 mm Mk 32 Mod 5 torpedo launchers for submarine prosecution.

The United States and Thailand announced in July 2013 that BAE Systems had been awarded a contract to provide the Mk 25 Mod 0 Quad Pack canisters used to launch ESSM as part of a combat systems upgrade on the Naresuan class. The contract announcement followed a notification by the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency in August 2012 that outlined a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Thailand of nine ESSM all-up rounds and associated equipment.

'CARAT' is a series of bilateral military exercises involving the United States and the armed forces of nine partner countries in South and Southeast Asia. The Thailand phase of 'CARAT' 2015 ran for eight days up to 2 September.

Magifinient war machine, precision piece of German engineering..