Malaysian defence budget to be used on welfare, training programmes

on: October 26, 2015In: Southeast Asia

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – The RM17.304 billion allocation for the Defence Ministry through the 2016 Budget will focus on aspects of welfare, safety, preparedness and training programme transformation.

Its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the substantial allocation was proof that the government was always concerned about national security and defence despite facing global economic slowdown.

“(Budget 2016) highlights the government’s appreciation to officers and personnel of the Malaysia Armed Forces and their families for the service, sweat, sacrifice and professionalism that they contributed to the country,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, when tabling the 2016 Budget on Friday, announced an allocation of RM17.304 billion to be provided to the ministry, involving RM13.457 billion for management and RM3.847 billion for development.

He said for the first aspect (welfare), the ministry planned to build over 4,000 units of Armed Forces Family Homes (RKAT) next year besides RKAT maintenance projects and 2,000 affordable houses by the Armed Forced Fund Board (LTAT) for eligible armed forces personnel and veterans.

Under the welfare aspect, school bus services would be provided nationwide to replace the military trucks to bring their children to school, empowerment schemes to help military veterans and assistance in schooling.

Under the second aspect, among others, focus will be given to the operation of Tun Azizan naval base and Tun Sharifah Rodziah naval base that had been operating since last May, refitting projects, Scorpene submarine, placement of 12 AV8 GEMPITA armour vehicles in Kukusan Camp, Tawau and upgrading of the Labuan air base and Lahad Datu, Sabah.

The third aspect entails strengthening the armed forces’ preparedness, among others, the acquisition of new assets including six littoral combatant ships, Very Short Range Air Defence weapon system, armour vehicles, Airbus A-400M and the latest technology.

An allocation of RM360 million for the fourth aspect will be for implementing the transformation of the national service training (PLKN) programme next year, involving new curriculum.

design macam very gooding and stealthy,

but why so much externally mounted weapon? sure makes the stealth function hilang!

Malaysia Cuts Military Budget for 2016 Amid Economic Woes

Premier announces cut of over two percent for next year.

By Prashanth Parameswaran
October 27, 2015

Malaysia has cut its defense budget by over 2% for 2016 in yet another sign that budget constraints are undermining the country’s defense spending plans, Prime Minister Najib Razak revealed in an annual speech to the nation delivered October 23.

As I have noted before, Malaysian defense officials have repeatedly called for a boost to the country’s maritime and aerial capabilities in the face of rising threats ranging from piracy to terrorism and Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, which has begun to affect the country to a greater extent in recent years (See: “Malaysia Responds to China’s South China Sea Intrusion”).

But according to Najib’s annual budget speech delivered on Friday, the amount allocated for defense was just 17.3 billion ringgit ($4 billion), a decrease of 2.25% relative to the 17.7 billion ringgit allocated for 2015. The 2015 defense budget, by contrast, had constituted a 10% increase over 2014 levels.

The decrease is not surprising. Najib’s budget speech comes amid severe concerns about Southeast Asia’s third largest economy (See: “Interview: Malaysia’s Politics Amid the 1MDB Scandal”). Economic growth, already sluggish this year due to falling commodity prices, a weak ringgit, and a state investment fund scandal implicating Najib himself, is expected to slow to just 4% – 5% in 2016. Najib’s own political survival has been questioned, with a no-confidence vote tabled by the opposition in parliament (even though it is unlikely to succeed).

To be sure, the cut is not that drastic, and Malaysia’s defense spending as a percentage of GDP continues to hover at 1.5% as it has for years. Furthermore, Najib emphasized in his speech that the government was “committed to implementing capacity-building plans for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) in stages.” His remarks confirm that existing procurement plans – including the acquisition of six littoral combat ship vessels and an air defense weapons system – would not be affected by the budget cut.

Yet concerns will continue to linger about Malaysia’s lagging capabilities in the face of the manifold threats the country faces, including piracy, smuggling, kidnapping, terrorism, illegal fishing, and encroachments by regional neighbors like Indonesia and the Philippines (See: “Malaysia’s Approach to the South China Sea: Playing it Safe”). Some new programs being mulled had already been shelved due to budgetary constraints, and the current economic environment only compounds existing problems in funding the country’s much-needed capability boosts.

Malaysia to purchase two AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters

26 October 2015
Malaysia has reportedly signed a MYR535.7m ($126.76m) contract to purchase two AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters.

As part of the development, a memorandum of understanding and letters of acceptance were signed at the General Police and Special Equipment Exhibition and Conference (GPEC) Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted by The Malaysian Insider as saying: "Eight units of AG JAWS Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) will also arrive in the country by year end."

The new development comes amidst the government's plan to cuts down on subsidies and expenditure to support the economy.

Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak postponed several projects including the National Service for a year to save MYR400m ($94.65m), the Malaysian Insider reported.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C turboshaft engines, the AW139 is a 15-seat medium sized twin-engine helicopter designed to perform in hot and high conditions with inherent multirole capability and flexibility of operation.

Having a cruise speed of 165k, the aircraft features a low acoustic signature, integrated mission avionics and a full ice protection system to accomplish missions in demanding, all-weather conditions.

In addition, the helicopter features advanced systems including a high-definition FLIR system, search / weather radar, cabin mission console, naval transponder, search light and a satellite communication system.

In addition to Malaysia, the helicopter is being operated by countries, including Italy, the UK, the US, Spain, Estonia, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

In July, AgustaWestland received an order from the Armed Forces of Malta to deliver its AW139 helicopter.

Honeywell to supply Thai T-50 avionics

26th October 2015 - 14:30 by the Shephard News Team

Honeywell Aerospace will supply avionics for the Royal Thai Air Force’s T-50 Golden Eagle fleet under a new contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

The agreement will see Honeywell supply its Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (EGI), radar altimeter, lighting and Electric Flight Instrument system for the aircraft. The new equipment will improve aircraft performance and reliability, and increase aircrew safety.

The EGI navigation system is designed to aid crew in navigation, pointing, stabilization and flight control applications.

The radar altimeter provides pilots and flight control computers with an indication of height above the nearest terrain point below the aircraft. It ensures the pilot and crew have the most accurate information about the landscape around their aircraft to maneuver and conduct missions safely and precisely.

Mark Burgess, vice president, APAC, Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace, said: ‘This contract with KAI cements our commitment to the South Korean defense market as the country strengthens its position as a defense manufacturer.

‘Honeywell is working very closely with KAI as it seeks to grow market share for the T-50 globally and build on its successes in Indonesia, Iraq and the Philippines. We will also continue to support KAI on its T-X programme for the United States Air Force.’

The T-50 Golden Eagle is a supersonic advanced trainer and multirole light fighter developed by KAI.

seems suitable to use as light MPA aircraft... 
so sad look Indo aerospace industry so much progress

What Does Malaysia’s New Defense Budget for 2016 Mean?

A look at what a budget trim for next year actually signifies.

By Prashanth Parameswaran
October 29, 2015

As I noted in an earlier piece, Malaysia looks set to cut its defense budget for next year by 2.25 percent according to figures unveiled by Prime Minister Najib Razak in an annual speech to the nation October 23.

Specifically, the amount allocated for defense was just 17.3 billion ringgit ($4 billion), a decrease of 2.25 percent relative to the 17.7 billion ringgit allocated for 2015 (See: “Malaysia Cuts Military Budget for 2016 Amid Economic Woes”).

As I pointed out before, the decrease itself is not surprising to close observers of the Southeast Asian state, particularly given severe concerns about the economy. Growth, already sluggish this year due to falling commodity prices and a state investment fund scandal implicating Najib himself, is expected to slow even further to between 4 and 5 percent next year. The Malaysian ringgit has been Asia’s worst-performing currency this year, losing more than a fifth of its value against the U.S. dollar. Spending on defense in Malaysia, which has fallen victim to politicization in the past, is even less popular at a time of economic distress.

But the defense budget cut is still likely to play into the existing narrative that budget constraints are preventing the country from meeting its growing defense needs. Numerically, as far as year-on-year increases go, a 2.25% percent decrease from 2015 to 2016 is quite a dramatic figure relative to the 10 percent increase we saw from 2014 to 2015.

Beyond the numbers, those who follow Malaysian security developments closely know that it suggests that the yawning gap between what defense officials say the country requires and what the government is willing to fund shows few signs of closing anytime soon. A series of crises over the past few years – including the invasion of Filipino militants in the eastern part of the country in 2013, the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH 370 in 2014, and growing intrusions in Malaysian waters by China – have only confirmed that the country’s weak capabilities are woefully inadequate for dealing with the challenges it currently confronts (See: “Malaysia Responds to China’s South China Sea Intrusion”).

To be sure, it is unwise to look only at a single year and a gross amount rather than as a percentage of GDP. Malaysia’s defense spending as a percentage of GDP for 2016 looks to remain roughly at 1.5 percent – around the same level that it has been over the past few years. Furthermore, defense planning is a multi-year process such that certain acquisitions can be moved further down the road rather than being canceled altogether. The 2016 defense budget is only the first under the new 11th Malaysia Plan which runs from 2016 to 2020.

Furthermore, previously announced procurements still look to be prioritized now in spite of the budget trim. As Najib himself noted in his speech, the budget level will not affect the acquisition of equipment critical to boosting the country’s aerial and maritime capabilities, including six Second Generation Patrol Vessel – Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS) vessels, Starstreak ground-based air-defense missile systems, and the Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft.

Priority is also being given to equipping the Malaysian armed forces with the latest technology, including the use of unmanned airborne system to improve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability as well as 523 million ringgit for developing an ESSCOM armed forces camp in FELDA Sahabat, Lahad Datu, Sabah. This has been a priority area since the 2013 invasion by Filipino militants in the so-called Lahad Datu incident (See: “Malaysia Eyes Submarine Base Expansion Near South China Sea”).

One technical point often missed by some observers regarding Malaysia’s defense budget process is that the 17.3 billion ringgit allocation often cited only includes the money for the Malaysian armed forces, and not the separate allocations for the Malaysian police and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) – the country’s equivalent of a coast guard. Both these agencies play a significant role in preserving the country’s security.

For example, the MMEA was allocated RM864 million, which includes funding for the acquisition of offshore patrol vessels and patrol boats. As I have stressed elsewhere, strengthening Malaysia’s coast guard capabilities well help it deal with a variety of threats it is confronts in its vast maritime space (See: “Malaysia’s Approach to the South China Sea: Playing it Safe”).

That said, concerns will likely continue to linger about the impact of the country’s economic turmoil on its defense spending. As it is, the Malaysia’s lagging capabilities have been repeatedly exposed in the face of the manifold threats the country faces, including piracy, smuggling, kidnapping, terrorism, illegal fishing, and encroachments by regional neighbors like Indonesia and the Philippines. Meanwhile, new defense programs which were mulled to help close gaps had already been shelved due to budgetary constraints. The current political and economic environment makes it even more difficult to fund much-needed capability boosts. As we move further into the new 11th Malaysia Plan, observers will be looking to see whether Malaysia’s leaders are able to continue to make the necessary investments to meet the country’s urgent defense needs.

This Fighter Might Replace Indonesia's Aging F-5 Fighters (Hint: Not the Su-35)

Sweden’s Saab recently unveiled a new bid to gain access to Indonesia’s fighter market. Can it beat the Russian favorite?

By Benjamin David Baker
October 30, 2015

Indonesia is currently in the process of updating a part of its eclectic mix of military aircraft. The three platforms which represent Jakarta’s most formidable airborne capability are the U.S. General Dynamics (GD) F-16, Russian Sukhoi-27, and Sukhoi-30MK. The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) reflects the country’s recent history international relations, operating a mixed bag of Russian, U.S., Brazilian, and European aircraft.

Since its independence in 1945, the country has fielded aircraft from both sides of the Iron Curtain, often reflecting its political alignment. In 1986s, Indonesia purchased a batch of F-16s, intended to supplement its fleet of F-5E Tigers. However, after the U.S. imposed sanctions following Jakarta’s involvement in the 1999 East Timor independence, these quickly dilapidated due to a lack of spare parts. As a result, the TNI-AU acquired Russian jets. Together with the F-16s, which were modernized after Washington lifted sanctions in 2005, these aircraft still form the mainstay of Indonesia’s aerial combat fleet.

As previously reported by the Diplomat, Indonesia has been looking to beef up its aerial combat capabilities. For its long term needs, Indonesia has signed up to South Korea’s KF-X program, an ambitious project aimed at providing Seoul and Jakarta with a “4,5 generation fighter.” This fighter is supposed to fill a role between the F-16 currently fielded by both states, and the F-35, which has been deemed a too expensive option. Indonesia currently has a 20 percent stake in the project, and is expected to deploy 80 KF-Xs by 2030. (South Korea owns the remaining 80 percent and is expected to field 120.)

An important medium-term solution is to replace the six aging F-5s with a number of fourth-generation fighters by the end of the decade. Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro previously stated ”We are in the process of evaluating which jet fighter will best suit our requirements, whether the aircraft is from Russia, USA or other countries.” This year, Indonesia’s General Moeldoko said that “the ministry is looking at buying 16 aircraft, but the type and number of aircraft depends on Indonesia’s financial position.” Two months ago, Jakarta announced that it will purchase a squadron of 16 Sukhoi-35s (Flanker E,) an upgraded version of the Su-27 currently in the TNI-AU’s service.

However, other aircraft companies are still hoping to penetrate the Indonesian market. Other contenders include GD’s upgraded Vipers (Block 52+ “V” version,) the Eurofighter Typhoon and Swedish Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen. Under Indonesian law new defense acquisitions must include a minimum 30 percent direct offset, while the selection criteria have been weighted 30 percent for aircraft/system performance, 30 percent acquisition/life-cycle costs, and 40 percent for industrial cooperation.

The Swedes seems to have stepped up its competition. According to Jane’s, Saab recently announced that it is not only seeking to sell Indonesia its Gripens, but is sweetening the deal with a “Swedish Air Power Package.” Saab said that this package consists of the “latest version” of its Gripen fighter aircraft; the company’s Erieye Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AWACS;) ground-based command and control; tactical datalinks; industrial co-operation, including transfers of technology and local production; and extensive job creation, which Saab said would reach “thousands of jobs.”

This package could be a worthwhile investment. The Gripen model on the table is probably the “E/F” model, also known as the Gripen NG (New Generation.) According to Saab, the Gripen NG is “Revolutionary because it combines advanced technology and operational effectiveness in an affordable package that no other fighter aircraft can even hope to match.” As both cost and industrial cooperation are key criteria for Jakarta, the Gripen has a fighting chance against the other contenders.

Government to buy four Russian Beriev aircraft

Jumat, 30 Oktober 2015 19:58 WIB - 0 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will buy four Russian Beriev BE-200 aircraft for its armed forces and will also be used to conduct cloud seeding to create artificial rain to extinguish forest or land fires.

"We have submitted the proposal and included it in our strategic plan to buy four aircraft. This would be sufficient," the countrys Air Force Chief of Staff, Marshal Agus Supriatna, stated after meeting Vice President Jusuf Kalla here on Friday.

He noted that the Beriev BE-200 aircraft is ideal for conducting water bombing operations in areas affected by fires.

With additional Beriev aircraft being deployed to conduct cloud seeding operations, we would also be able to complete the operations quickly, he added.

"Many sorties are needed. An aircraft needs 20 to 30 minutes to fetch water from the sea and 15 to 17 seconds to load before flying for 30 minutes to reach a location," he explained.

KF-X to Include Stealth Technology

Write : 2015-10-31 13:18:58 Update : 2015-10-31 13:33:37

The Agency for Defense Development has officially said that stealth technology is involved in South Korea’s domestic fighter jet project, dubbed the KF-X.
 
Agency President Chung Hong-yong made the remark at a plenary meeting of the National Assembly Defense Committee on Friday.
 
Asked about how advanced South Korea’s stealth technology is, Chung said he could not publicly disclose details but that stealth technology will go into the fighter jet.
 
He also said the United States rejected Seoul's request for a stealth technology transfer for the KF-X project, but South Korea has been developing the technology on its own since 1997.
 
Chung said South Korea’s stealth technology is considerably advanced in terms of design and materials, adding that discussions are under way on whether to apply what has already been developed.

Indonesia Approves US$78.6 million Investment in S.Korean KF-X Jet Project

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Saturday, October 31, 2015 @ 06:58 AM

The Indonesian parliament approved a 1.07 trillion Rupiah (US$78.6 million) budget Friday for investment in South Korea's fighter jet project called KF-X.

This amount to being the first batch of funds for joint development of a new South Korean fighter jet with stealth capabilities, Indonesian and S.Korean officials said were quoted as saying in the Korean media.

The funds approved is the first of 1.7 trillion won ($1.49 billion) the Indonesian government has agreed to invest in the 8.4 trillion won project in exchange for some of the new technologies to be developed besides sharing in the prototype development.

The South Korean government will be bearing 60 percent of the total project cost with the rest set to be raised by local firms, officials from the defense procurement office of Korea told Yonnhap News. The move by the Indonesian parliament came one day after South Korea's own parliamentary subcommittee approved a 67 billion won budget for the fighter jet development program. The South Korean budget is still subject to approval by the parliament's defense committee and the parliament itself.

Following the U.S. State Department refusal to provide at least four out of 25 key technologies considered vital to the development of a fighter jet with stealth capabilities, citing International Traffic in Arms Regulations, S.Korea vowed to develop these technologies using its own R & D expertise. S.Korea plans to build 120 combat jets by 2025 for use by its own air force as well as its new partner, Indonesia.

Indonesia Still Mulling Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets Purchase



10:29 02.11.2015 (updated 10:48 02.11.2015)

Indonesia has not yet made a final decision on the purchase of Russian Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E) jets, an Indonesian Defense Ministry official said Monday.

BANGKOK (Sputnik) — In September, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said Indonesia had decided to replace its US-made Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter jets with Russian Sukhoi Su-35s.

Jan Pieter Ate, director for international cooperation at the Indonesian defense ministry, said the country is interested in purchasing 32 advanced aircraft but a decision on the supplier had not yet been made and at the moment Indonesia is not engaged in direct negotiations with Russia on the matter.

The official told RIA Novosti that according to Indonesian law, any contract for the purchase of foreign weaponry should entail the transfer of at least 35 percent of the procured technology to the country. Ate added that such an agreement with Russia has still to be made.

Last month, the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade, citing sources, reported that Western companies had intensified their efforts to persuade Indonesia to purchase their aircraft after Jakarta announced its decision to buy Russian Su-35s.

Russia's Su-35 fighter was first introduced to a foreign audience at the 2013 Paris Air Show as a "4++ generation" heavily-upgraded derivative of the Su-27 multirole fighter.

AV4 in Digital Camo. Edited



Marhalim Abas November 1, 2015 Malaysian Defence

BANGKOK: AS expected the AV4 will be painted in the Armed Forces digital camouflage when the 20 vehicles contracted are delivered into service.

The digital camoed AV4 is making its public debut at the Chaiseri stand at the Thai Defense and Security show which starts tomorrow here in the capital of Thailand.

The vehicle is featured with a one man turret armed with a 7.62mm mini-gun with what appears to be a 1000 round ammo box at the back.

Parked next to the AV4 is its smaller PDRM AV4 version, which is armed with a RCWS armed with a 50 calibre machinegun.

It is not yet known whether or not Deftech, Chaiseri’s Malaysian partner will be able to sell this version to the police as the force had signed up for eight IAG Jaws at the recent GPEC 2015 show in Kuala Lumpur recently.

When met today (Nov 2), Army chief Jen Tan Sri Raja Affandi Raja Mohammed Nor confirmed that the AV4 displayed at the show was the configuration of the 20 vehicles being procured for ESSCOM duties.

He said not all of the AV4s will be fitted with the mini-guns, with the majority being fitted with 12.7mm HMGs and GPMGs. The AV4s will be a welcome addition to Army units operating in ESSCOM, some of which had been using KIFvs for daily patrols.

Singapore unveils Venus 16 unmanned surface vehicle

Kelvin Wong, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
01 November 2015

 
The Republic of Singapore Navy is testing a 16 m variant of the Venus unmanned surface vehicle for maritime security operations, including force protection and mine countermeasure missions. Source: IHS/Kelvin Wong

The existence of a new and never before seen unmanned surface vehicle (USV) currently undergoing sea trials with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) was revealed on the service's Facebook page on 1 November.

Specifications of the indigenously developed Venus 16 USV were not disclosed, although IHS Jane's Unmanned Maritime Vehicles indicates that the vehicle has an overall length of 16.5 m and width of 5 m, displacing 26 tons at full load. Powered by a waterjet propulsion system, the vehicle is thought to be capable of attaining a maximum speed of in excess of 35 kt.

Details of the prototype USV's payload were likewise kept under wraps, but IHS Jane's understands that this vehicle has been configured for mine countermeasure (MCM) missions. A launch and recovery cradle with what appears to be a towed side-scan sonar system can be seen on its payload bay under cover.

"Our navy will be integrating more and more unmanned technology as part of the navy of the future," the service stated in its announcement. "The Venus 16 unmanned surface vessel (USV) is one of the unmanned systems currently being tested to support our maritime security operations."

"The Venus 16 USV can be configured into various roles such as the conduct of patrols as part of our navy's layered coastal defence, or to support mine countermeasure [operations] in conducting underwater scans of the seabed, while significantly improving manpower efficiency and reducing the exposure to risk for our sailors," it added.

The vehicle is the latest model in the Venus family of modular and scalable USV platforms developed by Singapore Technologies (ST) Electronics, a subsidiary of state-affiliated defence prime ST Engineering.


The prototype Venus 16 appears to be equipped with a high resolution towed side-scan sonar array. (IHS/Kelvin Wong)

Besides the 16.5 m platform, the company has also developed the Venus 9 (9.5 m) and Venus 11 (11.5 m) variants. ST Engineering had earlier stated that the USVs can be integrated with the Oto Melara remote weapon station for the force protection role, a Thales dipping sonar for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) persecution, a Thales Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (T-SAS) for MCM, and ECA's K-ster expendable mine disposal system (EMDS) for mine identification and neutralisation missions.