Published: Wednesday, 25 November 2015 17:10

Russian-Indonesian talks for delivery of Su-35 fighter jets "proceeding well"
 
Indonesia may become the second country after China to buy Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) fighter jets, a source in the system of Russia’s military and technical cooperation with foreign countries told TASS on Wednesday. The Russian-Indonesian talks on the delivery of a batch of Su-35 fighter jets are at the stage of discussing the technical and commercial aspects of the prospective deal.
 
   
Indonesia might become the second customer of the Russian Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft
     
"The marketing efforts for promoting the S-35 fighter on the world market have evoked the interest of a whole number of countries considering the option of buying this 4++-generation aircraft. After a contract signed with China for the delivery of 24 Su-35 fighter jets, Indonesia may become the next country to purchase this aircraft," the source said.

According to the source, Venezuela, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and some other countries are potential buyers of Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets. Venezuela is planning to purchase 13 Su-35 fighter jets.

"Both the countries already operating fighter jets of the Su-27 [Flanker] and Su-30 [Flanker-C] series and the countries that planned to place an order for the aircraft of this type intend to purchase Su-35 jets," the source added.

Earlier, Indonesia’s Antara News Agency quoted Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu as saying that the Defense Ministry had selected the advanced Russian-made Su-35 fighter jet to replace the obsolete F-5E/F Tiger aircraft manufactured by the US Northrop Grumman Company.

According to the Indonesian defense minister, Indonesia will purchase Russian-made fighter jets stage-by-stage and the hardware purchase schedule will depend on the financial situation in the country.

"We are planning to purchase one squadron but these plans will be adjusted in line with the government’s financial possibilities," Ryacudu added.

CEO of the Indonesian Defense Ministry’s Defense Planning Department Muhammad Syaugi said that the delivery of Su-35 fighter jets would envisage the technology transfer.

"This complies with the existing rules, which envisage the technology transfer, if hardware is purchased. As the Indonesian Air Force’s squadron comprises 16 fighter jets, Indonesia may purchase the same number of Su-35 fighter jets," he said.

Singapore navy showcases operational variant of its stealthy, high-speed naval interceptor

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


The Type 1 model of the Specialised Marine Craft was officially unveiled in the lead-up to Singapore's National Day celebration in August 2015. This model has been employed as a testbed for technology and operating concepts. Source: IHS/Kelvin Wong

Key Points

  *  The Republic of Singapore Navy disclosed further details of its naval interceptor development programme during a media event on 25 November
  *  The Specialised Marine Craft, which is operated by the navy's Specialised Craft Group, is specially designed to undertake a range of maritime security missions

Fresh details of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) stealthy naval interceptor development programme were revealed during a media event at the service's primary facility of Changi Naval Base on 25 November.

The new interceptor, called the Specialised Marine Craft (SMC), made its public debut during the country's National Day celebration on 9 August as part of the military display aimed at showcasing the Singapore Armed Forces' latest capabilities. The SMC replaces the service's 20 tonne Fast Boat inshore patrol craft, which were delivered from 1990 and subsequently retired in 2008.

Lieutenant Colonel Tan Say Yong, head of the RSN's Specialised Craft Group (SCG) that operates the SMC and one of the key architects involved in its development, said the SMC's primary role is to perform inshore and coastal interception of threats at sea as one of the service's surface assets within its multi-layered and networked maritime security defence architecture


Design improvements informed by the development of the Specialised Marine Craft Type 1 have been incorporated into the operational Type 2 model, seen here approaching the pier after a demonstration sortie. (IHS/Kelvin Wong)

The SMC is also designed to perform base defence for the country's main naval operations facilities, force protection for other RSN assets, as well as participate in wider maritime security operations with the service's Fearless-class patrol vessels and future Littoral Mission Vessels.

The craft is operated by a lean crew complement of only four personnel - comprising a commander, coxswain, navigator, and weapons/communications specialist - as a result of extensive human-factor engineering that enables the crew to access critical information and functions from multifunction, reconfigurable consoles assigned to each personnel.


The Type 2 model is longer and wider than the original, and features an Oto Melara Hitrole G stabilised weapon mount for surface engagements. (IHS/Kelvin Wong)

IHS Jane's has learnt that the RSN currently operates two distinct variants of the aluminium-hulled craft, which are designated by the SCG as the Type 1 and Type 2 models.

Roundup: Indonesia finally confirms to purchase Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets

By Abu Hanifah

JAKARTA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's defense minister had finally signed the official document approving to acquire Russia-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets to replace the would-be decommissioned F-5 E/F Tiger II operated by Indonesian air forces.

The document had been submitted to the National Development Planning (Bappenas) for the follow up.

Indonesian Air Forces Marshall Agus Supriatna has said recently that before the signing, the air forces has submitted the characteristics of fighter jets eligible to replace the F-5 E/F Tiger II which was in service since 1980.

According to Agus, the air forces proposed two options to replace the light attack F-5 E/F Tiger II. One is Sukhoi 35, the other is F-16 Viper produced by the United States producer Lokheed Martin.

"As the final user, the Indonesian Air Forces only submitted the technical specifications of fighter jets that we desire, capable to accomplish our missions," Agus was quoted as saying by a local media on Thursday.

12 “fully equipped” SU-35s for Indonesia

BY DFNS · NOVEMBER 27, 2015

Indonesia has confirmed it will order 12 “fully equipped” SU-35s as reported by Xinhua news service.

Indonesia currently has 11 SU-30MKK/MK2 and 5 Su-27SK/SKM aircraft.

The Russian and Indoesian relationship is good. It is expected that Indoesia will do around $10B in trade by 2018. Future prospects appear to be solid.

A Russian and Indonesian Intergovernmental Commission set a goal in April to realize $5 billion in trade between the countries by the end of 2015. Russia’s trade representative to Indonesia Sergei Rossomakhov last week indicated a figure of $10 billion by 2018.

“We need to actively move in this direction, especially given the commitments our governments have made, namely the achievement of $5 billion in mutual trade turnover. There are plans to achieve this level by the end of 2015 and 2016,” Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun told RIA Novosti in an interview.

The envoy suggested that improved political relations will positively affect commerce, noting a lack of “aggressive attitude and a readiness to seize new opportunities” among companies in both nations.

Oratmangun suggested that both Russian and Indonesian business communities could take advantage of the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union and their allies over the past two years.

In the late 1990’s Air Power Australia warned that the Pacific Rim would someday be awash in modern weaponry including improved variants of the SU-27 airframes. That prediction is coming to pass.

The design goal of the SU-35 is to challenge the USAF F-22. Do that and every other current airframe type is at risk of being run down and killed. The other advantages of the aircraft’s design goals are that with all that power, it can also carry a credible variety of air-to-ground weapons.

This aircraft is a large threat.

US offers M109 SPH to Malaysia

Marhalim Abas
November 28, 2015
Malaysian Army

SHAH ALAM: UNITED States has offered Malaysia up to 30 M109A5 Self Propelled Howitzer (SPH) under the Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme. The M109s would be upgraded to the latest A5 standard before entering service with the Army, if the offer is taken up.

The upgrading could be done in the US or locally, industry sources told Malaysian Defence. It is likely around 20 SPH will be upgraded while the rest could be used as spares.

Malaysia has not been a keen EDA buyer previously as shown by the programme database, for reasons unknown. Therefore the likelihood that this offer being accepted remain low however even though bigger nations like Australia, Canada and even Singapore had used this route to get cheap spare parts for their assets.

Checks showed that the M109A5-standard uses the 39-caliber 155 mm M284 cannon in an M182 mount, which gave the variant a maximum range of 23,500 meters with unassisted projectiles and 30,000 meters with Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAP Rounds).

The A5 variant can carry 36 complete rounds of ammunition and has a 440 hp engine instead of the standard 405 hp engine. The latest variant of the M109 in service with the US Army is the Paladin, referred to previously as the A6 or A7 variant.

It is also expected that SPH delivered will have upgraded fire control and other components under the deal, according to the industry sources. The deal is inclusive of in-service support which was the main reason the offer for the Mark V SOC was not taken up.

The EDA offer marked a big boost for the Army which had been wanting an SPH unit so it could stand up its first armoured brigade. On October 2, the 11 Kor Armor DiRaja – which operates the Pendekar MBTs and support tanks – were transferred to the Army’s Third Division. The unit was previously under the purview of the Army’s Field Command although it was stationed in the Third Division’s AOR. The transfer is seen as the first step towards the setting-up of the armoured brigade.

However, as reported previously by Malaysian Defence, the long-standing requirement for the SPH -either tracked or wheeled – will not be funded in the RMK11. As funds for SPH is not approved under RMK11, the EDA offer could be taken up under the Operating Expenditure (OE) budget in 2017 and 2018.

Industry sources told Malaysian Defence that despite this, the M109s faced a stiff competition, from another excess SPH, the PzH2000s, most likely from ex-German Army stocks. The PzH2000 is a more modern design than the M109s offered by the US. It is fitted with a L52 artillery gun, with a maximum range of 30 km with the standard L15A2 round,about 35 km with base bleed rounds, and at least 40 km with assisted projectiles.

However even used PzH2000s is more expensive than the M109s. It was reported that Croatia paid 41 million Euros (RM184 million) for twelve PZh2000 – modernised and overhauled with three used for spare parts together with a simulator and training and support trucks.

In 2011, Chile procured 12 M109A5s for some US$15.8 million (RM66.7 million) under the EDA programme, which covered the procurement, overhaul and upgrading as well as training and shipping costs. The Chilean already operated another 12 M109s procured separately from this deal.

It's all good and all for the PAF, but the FA-50 is simply a light multirole aircraft like the BAe Hawk 200 RMAF has. It's certainly not a world-beater. Certainly no match for the latest generation PLA fighters like J-10 and J-11.

Asian arms race: Russia sells its Su-35 ‘Flanker’ to China, Indonesia

Jamie Seidel
News Corp Australia Network
November 30, 2015 10:23AM

ASIA’S military balance is about to be updended, with Russia agreeing to sell its most advanced Su-35 ‘Flanker’ combat jet to China and Indonesia.

Indonesia, long a regional power, has been seeking a replacement for its antique US F-5 Tiger II fighters. General Agus Supriatnahas told Indonesian media he has signed a deal to buy 12 of the new Russian air superiority fighters instead of US F-16 Fighting Falcons because “the aircraft have more modern technology”.

China has been seeking to secure the new fighter for several years. It needs its advanced capabilities to enforce control over the East and South China Seas.

Now, Russia’s United Aircraft Corp has announced a $US2 billion deal to hand over 24 of the extraordinarily manoeuvrable and technologically advanced aircraft will be signed by the end of this year.

It’s taken several years to get this far. In the past, Russia has been wary of Chinese approaches to buy small numbers of the Su-35 ‘Flanker’.

Previously China has bought handfuls of aircraft such as the Su-27, stripped them down and reverse-engineered their technology. The outcome has been large numbers of domestically produced ‘rip-offs’ such as the J-11D fighter.

Russia, feeling jilted, has been hesitating about handing over its new Su-35.

Until now.

Increasingly isolated over events in Ukraine, Crimea and Syria, Russia needs friends. And cash.

So it appears to have stepped back from its insistence that China must buy a minimum 48 of the multi-role combat jet.

It now appears ready to sellout its secrets for just 24.

AFP eyes more multi-role combat aircraft

By Cecille Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 30, 2015 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - After acquiring new FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea, the Philippine Air Force is now planning to procure more multi-role combat aircraft to boost its capability.

Spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said the air service is looking for a specific model of multirole fighters that would best suit PAF’s needs.

“The Air Force will still determine which model will be best. It depends on the budget in our modernization fund,” said Canaya. He said the PAF would be forming a technical working group to study the acquisition of additional aircraft.

Two of the 12 FA-50 lead-in fighters from the Korea Aerospace Industries arrived over the weekend. The 12 FA-50 cost P18.9 billion.

The rest of the aircraft will be delivered in batches until 2017.

Canaya said the AFP’s modernization will be completed by 2028 based on the PAF’s Flight Plan 2028, which aims to build up the Air Force’s capability to detect, identify, intercept and neutralize intrusions in the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone and the West Philippine Sea by 2022 and the entire Philippines by 2028.

The two Korean-made jets, the country’s first supersonic combat aircraft in a decade, were delivered last Saturday to strengthen the military amid an escalating territorial dispute with China.

The FA-50 jets touched down at Clark Freeport, a former US Air Force base in Pampanga, where fire trucks sprayed water as a traditional welcome salute for the aircraft. Bad weather delayed the delivery of the two jets last Friday.

The Philippines bought 12 FA-50s, which are primarily trainer jets that the military converted to also serve as multirole combat aircraft.

The weapons that include bombs and rockets for the FA-50s will be purchased later.

“We’re glad we’re finally back to the supersonic age,“ Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.

The Philippine military decommissioned its last fleet of F-5 supersonic combat jets in 2005.

President Aquino had approved the purchase of P44 billion worth of military equipment to help boost maritime security capability of the country as tensions simmer in the South China Sea, a senior defense official said on Saturday.

PH Navy to get strategic sealift vessel in 2016

By: Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
09:43 PM November 30th, 2015

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy will be getting its new strategic sealift vessel from Indonesia by 2016, an acquisition seen to boost the country’s naval defense capabilities.

The first of two SSVs, constructed by Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL (Persero), will be arriving in March 2016, according to Col. Edgard Arevalo, the Navy spokesperson.

The second SSV would be completed by 2017, the Navy official said.

The Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder won the contract to build the two vessels at a price of P3.87 billion. Construction of the two vessels began in January this year with the funding coming from the military’s modernization budget.

The vessels, classified as landing platform dock strategic sealift vessels, will be the Navy’s floating command centers as these will be used as military sealift and transport vessels, and for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The SSVs will be capable of transporting a large number of soldiers, logistics, and supplies, with each vessel able to house three helicopters.

The Navy’s Augusta Westland-109 helicopters will be on-board components of these vessels.

The acquisition of the new SSVs are seen as a major modernization effort of the Navy’s assets.

Currently, the Navy’s major assets are three frigates, which include the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar; 11 corvettes; 38 patrol crafts; 11 amphibious landing ships; and eight auxiliary ships.

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz and Gregorio del Pilar were formerly used by the United States Coast Guard as Hamilton class high endurance cutters before being turned over to the Philippines in 2011. Both have been deployed for patrol duties in the contested West Philippine Sea.  SFM

Malaysian navy chief seeks support ship acquisition

Ridzwan Rahmat, Kuala Lumpur - IHS Jane's Navy International
30 November 2015

Key Points

• The chief of the Malaysian navy has highlighted the procurement of multirole support ships as a priority
• The acquisition would bolster the navy's sealift and amphibious assault capabilities

The new chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is seeking to prioritise the service's plan to acquire two multirole support ships, despite continuing funding challenges.

"With the need for us to operate in a two-theatre environment [east and west Malaysia], we hope that these two ships can be given a special priority," said Admiral Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin in an interview with IHS Jane's at the Maritime Security and Coastal Surveillance conference in Kuala Lumpur on 1 December.