so I assume that is a good thing since the procurement can be more flexible now..ATM wont be tie down with the budget from RMK for 5 years..

No it not something like the armed forces will get a separate budget from RMK

It still under the same budget. In example, they are allocated this certain amount and now they have more flexibility on how to spend it and on what procurement

we are not that rich to get a separate budget from RMK specially for defence spending

yeah..that is what i mean..maybe i put it wrongly..what I mean is that they can procure what they need and not what the RMK had decided for the next 5 years..   

true but no entirely true

the bean counter is still the Ministry of Finance.. that have the final say eventually to release the fund or not

Did Beijing concede to US by calling off S China Sea land reclamation?



An aerial view of Woody Island, the largest of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, May 20. (Photo/Xinhua)

China's foreign ministry suddenly announced this week that it is suspending land reclamation efforts on islands and reefs in the disputed South China Sea.

The official media line on the suspension is that it is because the projects are "complete," however other media outlets have framed the decision as a compromise reached between Beijing and Washington, according to Duowei News, a media outlet run by overseas Chinese.
......

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...=20150620000095

new RSN stealth boat?or maybe a mock up?   
credit to original uploader : Source

With MRCA Project Stalled, Royal Malaysian Air Force Plans MiG-29 Upgrade

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Forecast International
by Dan Darling, International Military Markets Analyst, Forecast International.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force plans to hold on to its fleet of MiG-29N Fulcrums a bit longer.

The MiG-29s form part of the RMAF’s mixed combat aircraft fleet, which also includes Boeing F/A-18D Hornets and Sukhoi Su-30MKMs. The Fulcrums are the oldest of the RMAF’s jet fighters, having been delivered in 1995 (the Hornets mostly arrived in 1997, while the Su-30s were delivered between 2006 and 2010).

The RMAF had outlined the replacement of the MiG-29s as a cornerstone project as far back as 2002, when plans were formulated to acquire two types of aircraft to meet the service’s need for an eventual frontline fighter force of some 36 aircraft. A purchase of 18 Su-30MKMs a year later fulfilled half of that goal.

Under the RMAF’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program, the replacement of the MiG-29Ns with 18 new fighters had emerged as the core requirement. An initial Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in March 2011 calling for 18 new fighters, plus an option for a further 18-unit batch. The Boeing F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen were all offered up as potential contenders to fill the RMAF requirement, with a further buy of Su-30MKMs ruled out by the service.

But as time passed, the Malaysian government began to get cold feet about such an expensive procurement, and reports coming out of Kuala Lumpur in April 2014 indicated a gathering consensus that a lease – or even a lease-to-buy – would be preferential to an outright purchase.

As the RMAF awaits the precise breakdown of the government’s latest five-year spending plan (the 11th Development Plan 2016-2020) presented to Parliament on May 21, it must determine whether to go forward with MRCA or instead shift its focus to MiG-29 retention. It appears the latter option is likely to win out.

RMAF chief Gen. Datuk Seri Roslan Saad noted to local media on June 1 that initial plans to phase out the MiG-29Ns – first by 2010, then by 2015 – have been tabled (for now), and instead the fleet will be put through an upgrade that will extend their service lives. This would likely push their serviceability out to around 2020 with the hope that the fighter procurement might be in motion by the time the next Development Plan is presented.

US updates cruise missile defense

According to reports, the plan in question involves purchasing radars which would enable National Guard F-16 fighter jets to spot and shoot down fast and low-flying cruise missiles. Top personnel in the United States military reportedly intend to network radars with a collection of sensor-laden aerostat balloons, which would then be stationed over major United States cities.

The final piece in this particular defense jigsaw would be a raft of coastal warships, which would be equipped with sensors and interceptor missiles. The overall picture is one of a sophisticated and innovative missile shield, intended to both protect the United States against any incoming missiles from Russia, as well as providing an obvious deterrent to any such action.

Russia develops cruise missile threat

It seems that the internal concern at the Pentagon is based on Russia's recent development of the Kh-101; an air-launched cruise missile with a reported range of more than 1,200 miles. William Evans Gortney, the United States Navy admiral who currently serves as the sixth commander of U.S. Northern Command and the 23rd commander of NORAD, claimed at a March 19 House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing that Russia is the only country on the planet with an effective cruise missile capability.

Gortney stated that it is possible for Russia to fire cruise missiles from both ships and submarines. It is also reported by Pentagon intelligence that Moscow has the capabilities to fire cruise missiles from developed containers within a cargo ship, indicating that it would not require a trained military in order to strike American shores with the technology.

Another consideration which is motivating this new cruise missile system is the fact that shooting missiles down is rather costly. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, both American and Kuwaiti Patriot missiles intercepted a number of Iraqi ballistic missiles. But this process is reportedly extremely expensive, and this has motivated the US military to develop this new, affordable delivery platform as a defense shield.

2015 Combined Rehearsal 1 mobile column, National Day Parade, Singapore.

If our tanks or armoured vehicles need to move from base to another part of the country they will use the highway?

the tanks just go out on it at full speed? or use trailer
Like MBT/ AV8 go on highway

I don't see why people here doesn't rate Mig-29. With proper upgrade it can be a very potent platform.

Among the proposed upgrades(which is being done by both Airod and Sukhoi)
-New Radar
-MFD cockpit
-30 percent more range via CFT
-New, updated engines
-land strike capability

Besides when the new MRCA is being acquired, the Migs will fill F-5 role as secondary fighter.