ST Marine lays keel for Singapore's third Littoral Mission Vessel

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
24 January 2016


The RSN's first-of-class LMV, Independence, during its launch ceremony on 3 July 2015. Third vessel in the class was launched on 26 November 2015. Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat

Key Points

• Singapore has laid down its third Independence-class vessel
• Republic of Singapore Navy is on track to operate all eight platforms by 2020

Singapore shipbuilder ST Marine has laid down the third of eight Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), a company representative told IHS Jane's on 25 January.

A keel-laying ceremony for the 1,200-tonne vessel on 26 November 2015 at ST Marine's shipyard in Jurong was attended by the country's chief of defence force, Major General Perry Lim, and navy chief Rear Admiral Lai Chung Han.

ST Marine is building all eight vessels under a contract announced in January 2013 to replace the RSN's 11 Fearless-class patrol vessels that have been in service since the mid-1990s. The platform has been jointly designed by Saab Kockums AB and ST Marine.

The LMV has a length of 80 m, a beam of 12 m, and a draught of 3 m. Powered by two MTU 20V 4000 M93 engines, the 1,250-tonne platform has a top speed in excess of 27 kt and a standard range of 3,500 n miles at 15 kt. The platform can accommodate a baseline crew complement of 23 including five officers and has a mission endurance of 14 days.

The Independence-class ships will each be armed with one Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid main gun as a primary weapon, two Oto Melara Hitrole 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations (one each on the port and starboard sides), and one stern-facing Rafael 25 mm Typhoon stabilised naval gun system. The vessels will also be equipped with a 12-cell vertical launching system (VLS) in the forward section that can deploy MBDA's VL Mica anti-air missile system.

The platform can embark one medium-lift helicopter on its flight deck and two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) or the Protector unmanned surface vessel (USV) at its stern.

Indonesia reverses course, increases defence budget

Craig Caffrey, London - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
25 January 2016

Indonesia has increased its defence budget by 2.0% for 2016 to IDR99.5 trillion (USD7.2 billion) according to figures released by the Ministry of Finance. The decision reverses a proposed 1.7% reduction in military expenditure which had been included under the draft budget.

Budgetary documentation, released on 14 January, also shows that actual spending on defence in 2015 reached around IDR102.3 billion, an increase of 4.8% or IDR4.7 trillion over the revised budget allocation planned by the government. As such, despite the upward revision, the 2016 budget ostensibly represents a 2.7% reduction compared with the funding provided for the previous fiscal year.

Indonesian Defense Chief Plans April Russia Visit Eyeing Su-35 Purchase

16:45 26.01.2016 (updated 16:50 26.01.2016)

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Djauhari Oratmangun said that Indonesia’s defense minister plans to visit Russia in April to continue discussions on the procurement of Russian Su-35 Flanker-E superiority fighters.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Indonesia’s defense minister plans to visit Russia in April to continue discussions on the procurement of Russian Su-35 Flanker-E superiority fighters, Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Djauhari Oratmangun said Tuesday.

"The negotiations are ongoing. The Minister of Defense wants to visit Russia in April to continue the discussions," Oratmangun told RIA Novosti.

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu announced Jakarta’s intention to purchase the Su-35s to replace the country's aging fleet of US-made Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighters, in September.

A joint military-technical cooperation commission held discussions late in November in the Indonesian capital.

The director for international cooperation at the Indonesian Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti at the time that Indonesian law required that at least 35 percent of the procured technology be transferred to the country when entering into contracts for the purchase of foreign weaponry.

2016-01-26 16:32

Apache Guardian set to deploy on May


Apache Guardian (AH-64E) / Screen captured from Twitter

The Ministry of National Defense plans to advance the deployment of AH-64E, Apache Guardian helicopters to increase national security.

The AH-64E was formerly set to deploy in 2018 to replace the superannuated AH-1 Cobra. However, North Korea’s recent nuclear test has raised South Korean security concerns.

A Ministry of National Defense spokesman said it would deploy 36 AH-64E helicopters at the rate of at least two a month from May until February next year.

The AH-64E is widely known for its heavy armaments, which include 16 hellfire missiles, a 30mm machine gun, and its sophisticated Longbow fire control radar, which can locate up to 256 targets simultaneously within 50 kilometers.

Eighteen AH-64E helicopters make up a battalion, and it is estimated that one battalion is capable of destroying 288 tanks.

Other weapons to be deployed alongside the AH-64E include the “Chun-moo” multiple rocket launcher, which has an 80-kilometer range and can accurately target North Korea’s long-range artillery from outside the North’s range of fire; and a new Korean version of the Humvee KM-1 tactical vehicle, which will broaden operation capabilities.

One for precision detection and strike......another for low-tech brute force strafing

not a good thing.. it shifts the balance of power in the region

By 'shifting balance of power' you mean TNI potentially unseating SAF from the top dog position in ASEAN?

but of course obviously only SAF is allowed to have Apaches.

errr... msia is also one of the threat to sg.. in fact the most significant one... but relationship between both countries seem to have warmed up after butthurtz mamatir left

nope, doubt on paper sg is an US ally although sg does support a lot of us initiatives

sam? already got... f15 would be the main deterrent... also their integration is nearly non-existent
yeaps... so should allow them to stay large enough for defense n maintaining domestic peace but not enough for power projection
any threat to your country is worth mentioning... the only time you dont rant is when the threat is non existent or you dont know what's happening... the tanks are ok, apaches are ok, just hope no sophisticated jets

well, offer is one thing... buying is another... integrating and training with it is another... saudi, egypt buys a lot too, but....

MRCA? where... haih   
with their current state, nothing to be worried about... all displayed during their MOOTW...
  better to have more planes

Apache AH-64E Guardian Helicopters to Include the ViaSat Link 16 Small Tactical Terminal in Production Aircraft

PR Newswire
January 28, 2016: 08:00 AM ET

CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) has awarded ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, a contract for the production of approximately 90 Link 16 Small Tactical Terminals (STT) for the Lots 5 and 6 of the AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopter production line. 

The AH-64 Apache is the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopter and is used by the U.S. Army and a growing number of international defense forces. Specifically, this STT full-rate production contract will cover Apache helicopters for the next two years. In addition, the STT has been selected by the U.S. Government as the long-term radio solution for Link 16 and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) capability for AH-64E Apache helicopters. The commitment to the STT was made in recognition of the terminal's capability to meet the ongoing needs of today's warfighter while saving the U.S. government nearly $250M over the life of the program.

ViaSat brings real-time combat communications and network interoperability with its two-channel, software–defined STT. The low–SWaP (size, weight and power) STT enables the AH-64E Apache helicopters to maintain constant presence on the Link 16 network while simultaneously switching waveforms and network connections on the second channel on the fly; merge disparate networks; and deliver situational awareness as the mission unfolds. The terminal is packaged in an affordable, ruggedized, compact form factor that highlights both innovative design and usability.

"The AH-64E Apache award is a significant milestone for ViaSat in that it enables us to deliver critical communications capabilities for Army aviation while providing a logistically common solution for Link 16 needs across multiple applications," said Ken Peterman, senior vice president and general manager, Government Systems Division, ViaSat. "Our strategy in the defense market has been to recognize critical warfighter needs and apply our commercial model to develop inventive solutions with availability years ahead of, and at a fraction of the total cost of traditional DoD programs of record. We see this AH-64E Apache award as validation for our strategy and a key first step in laying the groundwork for future terminals that will provide key operational data to warfighters but in form factors previously considered unimaginable."

Israel rolls out Trophy protection on new Namers

Yaakov Lappin, Tel Aviv - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
28 January 2016


The Israeli MoD released the first photos of the Trophy HV fitted to a Namer on 28 January. Source: Israeli MoD

The Israeli Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) Merkava Tank Administration announced on 28 January that it has completed the installation of the first Rafael Trophy HV active protection system on a Namer armoured personnel carrier (APC).

"In recent weeks, we completed the integration and adaptation of the Trophy system for the Namer vehicles," Brigadier General Baruch Matzliach, head of the administration, said in a statement.

"We will apply the policy of the Ministry of Defense by equipping every Namer coming off the production line with the only operational active protection system in the world," he added. There are no immediate plans to install the system on existing vehicles.


The Trophy system fitted to the Namer appears to have a new drop-down cover over its hard-kill countermeasures dispenser. (Israeli MoD)

Live-fire tests of the Trophy-equipped Namer occurred throughout 2015 before the first successful operational trial was held with military personnel at the Armored Corps Training Center in southern Israel.

In the coming months, soldiers will undergo a short training course to master the system, defence officials added.

Trophy uses radar to detect and track incoming rockets and missiles and destroys them by firing multiple explosively formed projectiles.

It is already fitted to some Merkava IV tanks and played an active role during Operation 'Protective Edge' against militants in the Gaza Strip.

Russia deploys Su-35 fighters to Syria

Jan 31, 2016

Russia deploys reinforcements to to Syria. Up to four Su-35s are now believed to have joined the four Su-30SMs,  already present at Hmeemeem/Bassel al-Assad IAP, Lattakia Governorate.

As the leader of a group of fighters Su-35S acts board “05” Red RF-95815, followed by “06” Red RF-95816, “04” and the red “03” red (presumably serial numbers 02517, 02518).

NEWS // 2016/02/01

MD Helicopters to supply new MD 530G scout attack helicopters to Malaysia’s Minstry of Defense

MD Helicopters Press Release


MDHI will deliver the launch helicopters to PUTD, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016, with the full fleet to deliver by the end of Q1 2017. Dan Megna Photo

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) has announced that it succeeded in its bid to supply six MD 530G scout attack helicopters to Malaysia’s Ministry of Defense. MDHI will deliver the launch helicopters to Malaysian Army Aviation, Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD), beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016, with the full fleet to deliver by the end of Q1 2017.

With this installation, MD Helicopters becomes the only rotorcraft original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to introduce and field two new Scout Attack Helicopter Programs, each within 12-months from award.

“Our legacy is firmly rooted in service of the warfighter; delivering fast, agile, highly-capable scout attack helicopters for the protection of the United States and our partner nations,” said Lynn Tilton, chief executive officer for MD Helicopters. “Perfectly suited for Malaysia’s operational environment, we are honored that the MD 530G—our next generation light scout attack helicopter—was selected by the Malaysian prime minister, minister of defense and the chief of defense force (CDF) to be the newest addition to the Malaysian Armed Forces.”

MD 530G development
As the latest in a lineage that spans more than 50 years of industry-leading scout attack helicopter evolution, the MD 530G light scout attack helicopter made its debut flight in 2013. With a top speed in excess of 130 knots, the MD 530G is designed for agile deployment with any rotary wing unit.

The aircraft features increased capacity landing gear to support the 3,750 max gross takeoff weight; allowing increased useful load for additional range, endurance, and weapons.

Successful live-fire testing of the MD 530G took place in mid-2014. The result of considerable internal investment and strategic industry partnerships, the aircraft—configured to include advanced avionics, an integrated on-board stores management system, forward looking infrared sensor, guided and unguided rockets, and inboard .50 caliber machine guns—demonstrated extreme firepower and bold performance capabilities, reinforcing the versatility, reliability and combat utility of MD Helicopters’ scout attack helicopter offering.

The Malaysian Army’s fleet of MD 530G helicopters will include a custom weapons package, advanced communications capabilities, and state of the art EO/IR to detect, identify, and engage a wide range of threats.


It is anticipated that the MD 530G will be deployed to perform attack, ISR, and security missions in support of the Malaysian Army’s operations in the Eastern Sabah Security Command. Dan Megna Photo

Capability and sustainability
In addition to delivering the enhanced aerial fires capability and mission flexibility required by the Malaysian Army, MD Helicopters is committed to advancing indigenous capabilities regarding long-term service, support and effective operation of the fleet. MDHI will work with Bumiputra partners in all phases of the program, from defining requirements to a comprehensive CLS package that includes initial entry, transition, and combat pilot training, maintenance training for both the airframe and mission equipment, and the development of a spare parts program with dedicated and ongoing OEM support.

It is anticipated that the MD 530G will be deployed to perform attack, ISR, and security missions in support of the Malaysian Army’s operations in the Eastern Sabah Security Command.

“We are extremely proud that our innovative aircraft will play an integral role in the PUTD’s mission to be a critical force multiplier for the Malaysian Army,” said Tilton. “We are confident our record of early delivery will continue with this contract and will allow the Malaysian Army to achieve significant operational successes in early 2017.”

Indonesia makes inaugural overseas deployment of hospital ship

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
02 February 2016


The Indonesian Navy's hospital ship, Dr Soeharso (990). The vessel made its first overseas medical mission in February. Source: Michael Nitz - Naval Press Service

Key Points

• The Indonesian Navy has deployed its multipurpose hospital on an overseas mission for the first time
• Deployment reflects the country's growing confidence and ambition to establish a greater maritime presence in the region

The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) has deployed the multipurpose hospital ship KRI Dr Soeharso (990) on a week-long medical care mission to East Timor.

The ship, which arrived in the port of Dili on 29 January, is scheduled to complete its mission on 4 February. The TNI-AL's Eastern Fleet (KOARMATIM) confirmed with IHS Jane's on 2 February that the mission marks the first time that Dr Soeharso has been deployed on an overseas mission.

"Among the operations that we will be involved in are cataract removal operations, dental treatments, cleft lip surgeries, and circumcisions for children," said a representative from the KOARMATIM's office of communications. Embarked on the ship is a crew of 150 and 250 medical mission personnel from all three branches of the Indonesian armed forces, he said, adding that the service aims to treat about 2,000 patients for the entirety of its mission.

According to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships , Dr Soeharso was commissioned into the TNI-AL as the landing platform dock KRI Tanjung Dalpele with pennant number 972 in September 2003. The ship, which was built by Dae Sun Shipbuilders of South Korea in Busan, was subsequently redesignated a hospital ship in 2008.

Dr Soeharso features an overall length of 122 m, an overall beam of 22 m, and a hull draught of 4.9 m. It displaces approximately 11,500 tonnes at full load. The platform has a top speed of 15 kt and a standard range of 8,600 n miles at 12 kt. The ship can accommodate two landing craft utility vessels in its docking well and two Super Puma helicopters on its flight deck.

Royal Thai Army Interested in Mi-28 Havoc Helicopter

02 Februari 2016

There are rumors that the Royal Thai Army are interested in the attack helicopter Mil Mi-28 (NATO code Havoc) from Russia to replace AH-1F Cobra stationed in the Rotary-Wing fleet 3 Army Aviation Center which operate 7 units.

For the last several years, the Army main method of sourcing new aircraft has been to order a series of helicopters in small lots. As you can see from passed procurement : armed reconnaissance helicopter AS550 C3, helicopter transport for general purpose use UH-72A, UH-60M, AW139, H145 and Mi-17V5 all of which have not exceeded 10 units per model. 

As the army most urgent need is to procure replacement helicopters for general purpose use which are nearing the end of their useful life cycle, such as UH-1H, Bell 206A and CH-47D that requires urgent consideration for replacement in the near future. As these general purpose helicopters are more necessary than attack helicopters.

Although the Army procured the first 4 AH-1F since 1991 and another lot of 4 AH-1F by EDA in 2012 which were used. Due to budgetary reasons the Army may still need to operate the AH-1F for some time to come. The new attack helicopters whether it is from the United States, Western Europe or Russia, would still need a large amount of budget.

Such as the AH-64A Apache attack helicopter the RTA pilots expressed their personal opinion that it is more expensive than the AH-1F, but there is not much difference in it’s combat capability.  Or in the case of the AH-64E Block III Apache Guardian’s latest advanced systems such as cameras that show color images at night is very expensive. The army is unlikely to have enough funding to procure it.

As can be seen by many weapons procurement projects which has been suspended or delayed due to lack of budget. Such as the guided anti-tank missile launcher project to procure the Spike MR to replace the M47 Dragon.

But that does not mean that the Russian Mi-28 attack helicopters would be a better choice even if the price is right compared to quality and capability as the army has experienced with the Mi-17V5 of which 5 units is in operation with the General Support Aviation Division Army Aviation Center.

We must take into account that the aircraft used within the armed forces past and present such as UH-1H Huey Gunship, AH-1F Cobra and AS550 C3 use similar basic weapons system which can be shared and is NATO compatible.

This is the view that Thailand's army is not suited for combat aircraft with totally different weapons systems, this will be two camps into the army. Because of affect for overall combat readiness, as seen in many neighboring countries, ASEAN.

Malaysia named MD 530G launch customer

Gareth Jennings, London and Dzirhan Mahadzir, Kuala Lumpur - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
02 February 2016


Malaysia is to receive all six of its newly ordered MD 530G platforms by the end of the first quarter of 2017. Source: MDHI

MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) has disclosed that Malaysia is to be the launch customer of its MD 530G armed reconnaissance and light attack platform, with an order for six aircraft announced on 1 February.

The disclosure that the Malaysian Army Aviation (Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat, or PUTD) is to be the first operator to field the latest-generation 'Little Bird' comes some weeks after IHS Jane's revealed that MDHI had lined up an Association of Southeast Asian Nations customer for its single-engined light attack helicopter.

In its contract announcement, MDHI said deliveries of the six MD 530Gs will commence in the fourth quarter of 2016 and be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2017. Once operational, these helicopters will perform attack; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and security missions in support of Malaysian Army missions in the Eastern Sabah Security Command of east Malaysia.

The six helicopters will likely form a unit (883 Squadron) as per the Malaysian Army's development plan for the PUTD that called for three squadrons based on different mission types, a light observation squadron, a tactical-lift squadron, and an attack helicopter squadron.

The light observation squadron (881 Squadron) is already in service and equipped with 10 AgustaWestland A109 Power platforms (11 were originally procured, but one was involved in a non-fatal crash in 2014), while the tactical-lift squadron (882 Squadron) is in the process of being formed with Sikorsky S-61A Nuri helicopters that are being transferred from the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Four ex-Royal Brunei Air Force S-70A Blackhawks are being donated to Malaysia from Brunei as well.

The Malaysian MD 530Gs are expected to be equipped with miniguns and rocket pods as part of a custom sensor and weapons package identified by MDHI to detect, identify, and engage a wide range of threats.

As previously reported by IHS Jane's , the MD 530G is being pitched by MDHI as a 'halfway-house' between its already-fielded MD 530F and its developmental MD 540A.