Biggest US-Malaysia Arms Deal in 20 Years: Kuala Lumpur to Receive New Attack Helicopters

MD Helicopters has been awarded a contract to supply six MD 530G scout attack helicopters to Malaysia’s military.

By Franz-Stefan Gady
February 02, 2016

Malaysia’s Ministry of Defense has selected U.S.-based aircraft maker MD Helicopters to supply six MD 530G scout attack helicopters to the Army Aviation branch, Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD), of the Malaysian Army, according to a MD Helicopters press release.

Delivery of the helicopters is slated to begin at the end of this year with the full fleet scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2017, the press release states. The contract is the biggest U.S.-Malaysian arms deal since Kuala Lumpur placed an order for eight F/A-18DS fighter aircraft in June 1993.

“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,” said Lynn Tilton, chief executive officer for MD Helicopters.

The MD 530G gunship was first revealed to the Malaysian public at the March 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition. According to IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly, the helicopter is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turbine engine, has a top cruising speed of 130 knots (240 kilometers), and can carry a load of 862 kilograms (1,900 pounds) over a range of 519 kilometers (322 miles).

“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,” according to the press release. Likely weapon systems will include the Dillon Aero 134H-D mini-gun, the Talon 70 millimeter laser-guided rockets and the FN Herstal HMP400 12.7 millimeter gun pods.

While the helicopter is capable of carrying up to four Hellfire missiles, it is unlikely that the missiles will be included in the custom weapons package, since the purchase would need to be made through United States’ Foreign Military Sales Program. As of now, no Hellfire sale to Malaysia has been approved by the U.S. State Department.

The new helicopters will be deployed in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), an area that covers 1,400 kilometers of coastline in Malaysia’s easternmost state of Sabah between the towns of Kudat and Tawau, where it will perform attack, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and security missions in support of the Malaysian Army’s operations.

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.

Malaysia to upgrade armoured vehicles

Christopher F Foss, London - IHS Jane's International Defence Review
02 February 2016

Malaysia is looking at ways to upgrade elements of its fleet of armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) to extend its operational life, even though the country is currently taking delivery of 257 AV8 8x8 vehicles from local company DEFTECH, the first of which were delivered from the FNSS production line in Turkey.


Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Condor 4x4 APC used by Malaysia fitted with a Thales FVT900 one-person turret armed with a 20 mm cannon and 7.62 mm co-axial MG. (Rheinmetall)Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Condor 4x4 APC used by Malaysia fitted with a Thales FVT900 one-person turret armed with a 20 mm cannon and 7.62 mm co-axial MG. (Rheinmetall)

Speaking at the IQPC International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2016 conference held in London, in late January, Dr Yazid Ahmad, director Mechanical & Aerospace Technology Division of the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE), revealed that Malaysia is planning to upgrade some of its Alvis Vehicles Scorpion 90 light AFVs and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Condor 4x4 armoured personnel carriers (APCs).

Submarine base to accommodate Russian, South Korean vessels

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu | Archipelago | Wed, February 03 2016, 3:08 PM

The Indonesian Navy is speeding up the development of a submarine base in Palu, Central Sulawesi, aiming to have it completed by the end of the year and operational early next year to accommodate Russian and South Korean vessels.

Palu Navy naval base commander Col. Yanu Madawanto said on Tuesday that construction of the naval base was costing more than Rp 21 billion (US$1.5 million) and would accommodate two Russian and South Korean-made submarines.

“Operation of the submarine dock will coinciding with the arrival of the submarines from South Korea and Russia,” said Yanu.

According to Yanu, the submarine base in Palu will be the third of its kind in Indonesia, joining the Western Fleet Command (Koarmabar) in Jakarta and Eastern Fleet Command (Koarmatim) in Surabaya.

“The naval base in Palu will become the Central Fleet Command [Koarmateng],” said Yanu.

The submarine base project was earlier delayed for a month during the negotiation process for the procurement of the submarines. However, the deal has been made and the project has been resumed.

Dredging work is currently being carried out to build the dock. It will be completed in the near future and the second phase of construction will then commence.

Norway downselects artillery contenders

Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
04 February 2016


An upgraded version of the M109 has been offered by RUAG Defence. Pictured is the The RUAG upgraded M109 for the Swiss Army (Panzerhaubitze 88/95) with a 155 mm/47-calibre barrel. Source: RUAG Defence

Norway has downselected four contenders for its 155 mm self-propelled artillery (SPA) procurement programme, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (DMA or Forsvarsmateriell) told IHS Jane's on 4 February.

Norway currently operates 14 ageing M109A3GN tracked SPAs, which are in need of replacement by 2020 at the latest. According to the DAM, Norway is planning to buy between 18 and 24 new SPAs to replace them, although an overall budget has yet to be assigned by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The contenders to replace the M109A3GNs are the tracked Samsung Techwin K9 Thunder, the wheeled Nexter Systems Caesar, the tracked Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000), and a modernised M109 offered by RUAG.

The project is in the request for quotation (RfQ)/invitation to tender (ITT) stage following the completion of trials at Rena in Norway from 11-30 January, the DMA told IHS Jane's .The DMA is planning to make a platform selection decision and sign a contract for the successful SPA in 2017.

Russian deputy PM praises state-of-the-art Su-35 fighters in Syria

Russian Politics & Diplomacy  February 06, 7:29 updated at: February 06, 7:51 UTC+3

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov reported on February 1 on Su-35 deployment to Syria



MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin highly assessed the capabilities of Russia’s state-of-the-art Sukhoi Su-35 fighters that started fulfilling combat tasks in Syria.

"We sincerely do not advise others to compete with that bird in the Syrian skies," Rogozin wrote on his Facebook page.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov reported on February 1 on Su-35 deployment to Syria.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, which are banned in Russia, on September 30, 2015, on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The air group initially comprised over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-24M, Su-25SM and state-of-the-art Su-34 aircraft. They were deployed to the Khmeimim airbase in the province of Latakia.

On October 7, 2015, four missile ships of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants’ facilities in Syria. On October 8, the Syrian army passed to a large-scale offensive.

In mid-November 2015, Russia increased the number of aircraft taking part in the operation in Syria to 69 and involved strategic bombers in strikes at militants.

Targets of the Russian aircraft include terrorists’ gasoline tankers and oil refineries.

Russia’s aircraft have made thousands of sorties since the start of the operation in Syria.

Ukrainian firms look to upgrade business on Polish PT-91s

Charles Forrester, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
13 January 2016


Poland and Ukraine are looking to collaborate on upgrading the PT-91 Twardy. Source: Christopher F Foss

Ukraine's state-owned defence industrial holding UkrOboronProm is in negotiations on possible participation in an upgrade programme centred on Poland's PT-91 Twardy (Hard) main battle tanks.

According to a UkrOboronProm release and news agency Interfax Ukraine, the organisation will continue to hold talks through January with Poland's Polski Holding Obronny (Polish Defence Holdings - PHO). As part of the discussions, a PHO delegation is expected to visit the Lviv Armor Vehicle Factory in western Ukraine, which undertakes a range of maintenance, upgrade, and modernisation work on the T-72 tank.

The PT-91 was developed from the Russian-designed T-72M1, which was built under licence in Poland until 1994. Poland has an estimated 232 PT-91/91M main battle tanks in service. Production of the PT-91 has since been completed, with manufacturer Zaklady Mechaniczne (ZM) Bumar-Labedy (now part of PHO), undertaking the manufacturing of the modernised PT-91M on a required basis. In addition to the Polish army, the Malaysian army fields 48 PT-91Ms.

Further to the discussions on the PT-91, UkrOboronProm subsidiary Kharkov Machine Building Plant FED revealed that it would be looking to collaborate with Polish industry on aftermarket retrofitting and maintenance of the MiG-29 'Fulcrum' multirole fighter. The company produces a range of servos, thrust reversers, and hydraulic systems that are used in aircraft and aero-engines.

In Demand: Why China Purchases Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets

20:50 07.02.2016 (updated 20:53 07.02.2016)

China’s purchase of 24 new Russian Su-35 aircraft is essential for Beijing. The Chinese Air Force will not only get new jets that could affect the balance of power in the Taiwan Strait, but may also allow the Chinese military to assess the progress and development of J-11.

The purchase of 24 Russian Su-35 in the amount of about $2 billion is the second largest transaction between the Russian and Chinese militaries, the Carnegie Moscow Center wrote.

A year ago, a contract was signed for the supply of four battalions of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems totaling around 1.9 billion dollars. The negotiations had begun in 2010-2011 and by 2014 many contentious issues had been resolved.

It has been reported that the deliveries of the equipment could begin in 2016 and the transfer of the main parts of the equipment may take place in 2017-2018.

Looking at the advantages of the purchase of Russian aircraft by China, it seems that the Chinese are currently looking for additional ways of developing their combat aircraft capabilities.

As noted by the publication, between the two Chinese aircraft that are being developed at the moment, the J-20 and J-31, only the J-20 may be viewed as a fifth generation fighter.

Hence, the J-31 uses stealth technology, but its main units and components are borrowed from the 4+ generation fighters such as the J-10B, J-16 and FC-1, the Carnegie Moscow Center wrote.

As for J-20, which embodies the full potential of the Chinese aviation industry, the aircraft’s potential combat readiness is not very clear at the moment. This is supported by all the available capability of similar technologies available in the US and other countries.

The publication taking note of the Russian Su-35, however, mentioned that the new jet is a maximum advancement of the earlier fighter jet the Su-27.

Therefore, the acquisition of the Su-35 would allow the Chinese military to assess the progress and development of J-11. The acquisition may act as a guide showing the Russian approach to problem solving in stealth technology making it easier to further enhance the capabilities of the Chinese aviation.

It is probable that with the supply of 24 Su-35’s more contracts for units or various components for the new Chinese fighters, as well as technology transfer and R & D for the benefit of Chinese customers, may follow.

For Russia, the successful delivery of the fighter jets to China will further improve its position in foreign markets. It is expected that the next buyer of the Russian Su-35 may be Indonesia.

Indonesia To Buy 10 Sukhoi 35 Fighters, Contract Signing in March

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Wednesday, February 10, 2016 @ 05:50 AMViews : 316 A- A A+



Indonesia has decided to buy 10 Sukhoi 35 fighter jets from Russia as part of its plan to modernize the country's air force.

"I will go to Russia in March to sign off the contract," Defense Minister Ryamizard told reporters on the sidelines of his meeting with visiting Russian Security Council delegation in Jakarta, local media reported.

He confirmed that the purchase would be limited to 10 units, down from an earlier plan to buy 12 pieces of the front-line Russian fighters.

"If brand new technology comes to surface, we can update (the fighter jets)," the minister said.
Ryamizard added that Indonesia and Russia have agreed on the transfer of technology (TOT) terms regarding the purchase.

He said that Indonesia would send its pilots and support personnel to Russia to undergo training in the maintenance and operation of the planes.

Indonesian Air Forces Commander, Marshall Agus Supriatna hinted late last year that Indonesia would buy 12 units of Sukhoi 35 fighter jets to replace the already-decommissioned light attack warplanes F-5 E/F.

Indonesian Air Forces operates 11 Sukhoi 30 and 5 Sukhoi 27 planes, which come from the same "Flanker family" with Sukhoi 35, in its fleet at present.

This is the second export success for the Su-35 planes in less than six months with China signing up to buy 24 similar aircraft.

Su-35's 'Splendid Performance' in Syria Stirs Appetite Among Buyers

17:05 10.02.2016 (updated 17:10 10.02.2016)

The remarkable performance of Russia’s advanced, super-maneuverable Su-35S multirole fighters in Syria has gained the attention of military buyers throughout the world, according to journalist, military expert and Director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade Igor Korotchenko.

The comments come as a follow up to the recent announcement of Indonesian Defense Chief Ryamizard Ryacudu for the planned purchase of ten fighter jets.

"I will go to Russia in March to sign off the contract," Defense Minister Ryamizard told reporters on the sidelines of his meeting with visiting Russian Security Council delegation in Jakarta, according to local media reports.

He confirmed that the purchase would be limited to 10 units of the front-line Russian fighters.

Ryamizard added that Indonesia and Russia have agreed on the transfer of technology (TOT) terms regarding the purchase.

The Defense Chief also added that Indonesia would send its pilots and support personnel to Russia to undergo training in the maintenance and operation of the planes.

The announced move comes in replacement of the already-decommissioned light attack warplanes F-5 E/F.

“SU-35 is one of the best aircraft on the world market of multirole fighters. The appetite for its purchase is being stirred up by its splendid performance in the airstrike campaign of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria, and high quality display of its combat capabilities,” Korotchenko told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

He reiterated that China has already made a purchase request. Beijing signed a contract with Russia for the supply of twenty-four Su-35 fighter jets worth about two billion dollars, becoming the first foreign customer for the Su-35. The delivery of the jets will begin this year.

For Russia, the successful delivery of the fighter jets to China will further improve its position in foreign markets.

The Su-35 fighter jet (NATO reporting name Flanker-E) is an upgraded version of the Su-27 multirole fighter. It was first introduced to a foreign audience at the 2013 Paris Air Show.