Russia, Indonesia to Sign Contract on Sale of 4 Be-200 Amphibious Planes

09:34 18.02.2016 (updated 09:38 18.02.2016)

According to a source in the Russian defense industry, Indonesia plans to buy four Beriev Be-200 amphibious planes from Russia.

SINGAPORE (Sputnik) – Indonesia plans to buy four Beriev Be-200 amphibious planes from Russia, a source in the Russian defense industry said Thursday, adding a contract could be sealed shortly.

"They are currently finalizing talks to agree on the terms and conditions in the contract," the source told RIA Novosti.

The Be-200 is a unique Russian amphibious aircraft that is well-suited for firefighting missions. It can land on water and scoop up thousands of gallons of water into its hull and then drop its load onto a fire. The plane can be reconfigured for search-and-rescue or passenger flying.

Indonesian Air Forces' Chief of Staff Agus Supriatna announced last November that Jakarta wanted to add Russian amphibious planes to its air fleet.

Singapore Airshow 2016: Indonesian Army acquires three Rajawali UAVs

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
16 February 2016


A mock-up of the Rajawali-330 UAV at the Singapore Airshow 2016. The Indonesian Army awarded a contract for three such platforms in December 2015. Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat

Key Points

• The Indonesian Army has signed a contract for three fixed-wing surveillance UAVs
• Acquisition is in line with the wider aspiration to leverage on unmanned systems for defence-related operations

The Indonesian Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Darat, or TNI-AD) has signed a contract for three fixed-wing surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs known as the Rajawali-330.

The platform is based on UMS SKELDAR's F-330 fixed-wing surveillance UAV and is being co-developed under licence by Indonesian defence equipment manufacturer PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada (BDP).

"The contract was awarded in December 2015", said Christeven Bong, PT BDP's executive engineer, in an interview with IHS Jane's at the Singapore Airshow 2016 on 16 February. "The contract includes three operational UAVs with associated sensors, three training UAVs, and related command-and-control components such as operator consoles," said Bong. He has however declined to reveal the value of the contract, citing confidentiality issues.

The Rajawali-330 has an overall length of 2.27 m, a height of 0.9 m, and a wingspan of 3.3 m. It has a maximum take-off weight of 21.5 kg and can carry a maximum payload of 10 kg. Powered by a single piston engine, the Rajawali-330 has a top speed of 70 kt and a cruise speed of 43 kt. At maximum payload, the UAV has endurance in excess of eight hours.

The platforms to be delivered to the TNI-AD will each carry one electro-optical/infrared camera for day and night surveillance, one hyperspectral camera, and one mapping camera with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) capabilities.

According to the company, the first platform will be delivered at the end of March 2016 with subsequent deliveries made by the end of the year.

Singapore Airshow 2016: Saab to provide weapon, battle system for Indonesia's 'tank boat'

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


A model of the X18 fire support vessel on display at IndoDefence 2014. Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat

Key Points

• The Indonesian government has ordered a prototype of the X18 fire support vessel
• Vessel will be used to evaluate platform's suitability ahead of a proper acquisition programme

Swedish defence company Saab will be providing a remote-controlled weapon system and a battle management system for a prototype of the X18 fire support vessel (FSV) being acquired by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, the company told IHS Jane's on 18 February at the Singapore Airshow 2016.

The X18 FSV, more commonly referred to as the 'tank boat', is an 18 m platform concept that has been developed by Indonesian shipbuilder PT Lundin. A model of the platform was unveiled at the IndoDefence 2014 exhibition in Jakarta.

"The prototype will be collaboration among Indonesian defence industries and some foreign suppliers", said Peter Carlqvist, Saab's vice-president and head of the company's Indonesia office. "Saab will be supplying the Trackfire remote weapon station and a variant of our company's battle system", he said, adding that the product will be similar to the company's 9LV combat management system.

The platform has an overall beam of 6.1 m, a draught of 0.9 m and a top speed of 30 kt. With a fuel capacity of 6,000 litres, the X18 has a standard range of 350 n miles at 25 kt and 900 n miles at 9 kt. The FSV's primary weapon will be a Cockerill 105 mm high-pressure gun provided by Belgian company CMI Defence.

Although a contract for the prototype has not been formalised, the Ministry of Defence has given approval for the vessel's construction to commence. "We should expect a formal contract very soon", said Carlqvist who added that the completed prototype is scheduled to be tested in about 24 months' time.

Singapore Airshow 2016: Indonesia's BAKAMLA shortlists Rajawali-350 for shipborne UAV requirement

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


UMS SKELDAR's R-350 rotor-wing UAV. The Rajawali-350 is the Indonesian variant of the R-350 that will be co-produced in-country by PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada. Source: UMS SKELDAR

Indonesian maritime security agency (Badan Keamanan Laut, or BAKAMLA) has shortlisted the Rajawali-350 rotor-wing UAV to meet its shipborne UAV requirement, Indonesian defence equipment manufacturer PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada (PT BDP) told IHS Jane's at the Singapore Airshow 2016.

The Rajawali-350 is based on UMS SKELDAR's vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) remotely piloted aircraft system known as the R-350. The system is being marketed under a partnership between PT DBP and UMS SKELDAR that was signed in December 2015.

"Should the Rajawali-350 be selected, we will be working with UMS SKELDAR to manufacture the UAV under licence at our premises in Cipinang, East Jakarta", said Christeven Bong, an executive engineer at PT DBP. BAKAMLA has indicated a requirement for three rotor-wing UAVs to bolster its maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue capabilities.

According to specifications provided by the company, the Rajawali-350 can take a maximum payload of 30 kg and features an endurance level of in excess of 4 hours. The platform is powered by a single turboshaft power plant and has a maximum level speed of 78 kt (145km/h). "The UAV can be equipped with air-droppable SAR pods, electro-optical and infra-red cameras for SAR and maritime surveillance missions", said Bong.

The BAKAMLA is expected to award a tender for the three UAVs by mid-2016.

Singapore Airshow 2016: Malaysia begins preliminary evaluations of AW159

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

Key Points

* Malaysia is said to have begun initial evaluations of the AW159 anti-submarine helicopter
* Evaluations may be part of the service's effort to consider a wider variety of platforms for the requirement

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has begun preliminary evaluations of the AgustaWestland AW159 maritime and utility aircraft for the country's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters requirement, an industry source close to the matter told IHS Jane's at Singapore Airshow 2016.

The RMN has indicated a requirement for six ASW platforms that will be operated from its new Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ships (SGPV-LCSs).

Besides the AW159, the service is also believed to be evaluating other platforms, including the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk and the Airbus Helicopters H225M, the latter being considered to leverage on commonality in training and operations with the country's air force, which is currently operating the EC 725 (an earlier version of the H225M, then manufactured by Eurocopter).

Thailand looking to buy Mi-17V-5 helicopters - report

February 19, 2016 Alexander Korablinov, RBTH

Thai officials are in talks with Rosoboronexport.

Thailand is looking at ordering a batch of Mi-17V-5 helicopters, TASS said, citing a Russian defense industry source.

“Thailand has previously bought six Mi-17V-5 helicopters manufactured by the Kazan Helicopter Plant,” the source told the news agency. “The negotiations are conducted through Rosoboronexport (Russia’s state-owed arms exporting company). We hope that the negotiations will bear fruit as early as this year.”

Thailand’s Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon will visit Russia on Feb. 23-24.

Indonesia May Soon Sign Agreement To Purchase Su-35 Fighters

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Friday, February 19, 2016 @ 11:52 AM

Indonesia is expected to sign a contract to purchase around a dozen Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets in a month's time.

These will replace its ageing Northrop F-5 fighters, and supplement a fleet of 16 Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 fighters that form the backbone of its air force, the sources were quoted as saying by Reuters at the Singapore Airshow today.

Indonesian companies will get contracts to manufacture some components for the Su-35, and the Russians are expected to set up a maintenance centre for the fighter jet in the country, added the sources.

However, the confirmation has not come from the Russian side yet.

If confirmed, this will be the second export order for Russia's newest fighter jet, with China inking a deal for 24 planes worth more than $2 billion in November 2015.

Indonesia also has around 12 early-model Lockheed Martin F-16s, and is receiving 24 refurbished F-16s from the United States as part of a 2011 government-to-government agreement.

It has also agreed to help fund South Korea's KF-X fighter jet programme, which hopes to develop a modern multi-role jet fighter in the 2020s. Jakarta expects to eventually get around 80 new fighter jets via this programme.

Buy from the Pros: Poland Adds More German Tanks
Feb 22, 2016 00:18 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staf

February 22/16: A modernization of Poland’s Leopard 24A tanks will involve collaboration external link external link between Germany’s Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Poland’s state-run defense company Bumar-Labedy SA. The $144 million contract will see Rheinmetall build a prototype upgraded tank, dubbed the Leopard 2PL, and modernize a trial batch of about a dozen units. As with all ongoing Polish defense deals, the next phase will see work domesticated after a knowledge and technology transfer to Bumar-Labedy, who will take care of the modernization of the remaining tanks. At present, the Polish Army operates 128 Leopolds after a 2002 purchase from the German Bundeswehr.

Germany is almost done selling off one of the world’s most impressive tank fleets, earning itself a solid market around the world in the process, and choking sales of competitive designs. In November 2013, Poland announced that it would buy a 2nd batch of Leopard 2 tanks from Germany, along with assorted other equipment. As usual, the package price was incredibly cheap: just EUR 180 million for 119 more tanks, plus range training fittings, machine guns, radios; and assorted armored tractors, cars, and trucks. Poland’s next question is what to do with the new gear…

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/buy-fr...n-tanks-019466/

Coming to the South China Sea: Russia's Lethal Su-35 Fighter?



Harry J. Kazianis
February 20, 2016

Once again, the South China Sea is back in the news, and once again, it’s for all the wrong reasons.

The People’s Republic of China seems to have one crystal-clear objective: to dominate this important body of water to such an extent that they will be able to enforce what they call their “nine-dash-line” claim that incorporates almost the entire sea.

What comes after that is unclear. For example, would China stop any and all foreign military vessels from transiting, by force if necessary? Would Beijing kick out all so-called foreign fishing vessels? How far do Chinese claims of so-called “indisputable sovereignty” go? Know this—if trends continue, in the next few years, we might just find out.

But in all honesty, we are getting ahead of ourselves just a wee bit. In fact, there are several important steps that Beijing will need to follow before it can dominate this important body of water—and much of it involves control of the skies above. 

Indeed, without control of the air domain, China can’t dominant the seas and islands below. And while the People’s Liberation Army Air Force has certainly made big strides over the last twenty years, patrolling such a large area would be a challenge—until possibly now.

Thanks to Beijing’s recent creation of new islands in the South China Sea, along with three new large airfields, China is developing the bases it needs to patrol the skies above to enforce its claims.

What comes next is what really matters: which planes would Beijing place on those airfields? One very distinct possibility is one of the world’s best: Russia’s Su-35 fighter. China just closed a deal to acquire twenty-four of the fighters, and while even basing all of them in the South China Sea might not be enough to enforce a likely future Air-Defense Identification Zone, the advanced Russian jet would give Beijing a big advantage in its quest to dominate the area. And with the first four being delivered this year, Washington and its allies have much to ponder.

Published: Thursday, 11 February 2016 16:06

Thailand has allocated new budget of $255 million to purchase new main battle tanks.

The Royal Thai army has allocated a new budget of about THB 9 billion ($255 million) to purchase new main battle tank in addition to the Ukrainian contract for the delivery of 49 T-84 Oplot main battle tanks. Army spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree said the army's procurement panel will consider all possible options before making a decision based on cost-effectiveness and transparency.


Thai army T-84 Oplot at military parade.
     
The budget for these main battle tank (MBT) will be spread over three fiscal years from 2016 to 2018. These new MBTs will replace old American-made M41 Walker Bulldog which are in service for over 50 years with the Thai armed forces since the Vietnam War.

According a national Thai newspaper, the first idea was to replace the M41 with the Ukrainian MBT Oplot but after additional procurement of the OPLOT tanks from Ukraine ran into problems, Thailand has taken the decision to launch a new tender.

The Thai army is planning to purchase new tanks from abroad in the near future and, is interested in the Russian T-90 tanks, declared Colonel Vinthay Suvari, spokesman for the Chief of Army Staff, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.

The Thai Ministry of Defense is forming a temporary commission for the purchase of tanks, which will consider products from various countries and report of their findings to the Government for acquisition of the armored vehicles, he added.

Three models of MBT have been short listed, the Russian T-90S, the South Korean K1A1 and the Chinese VT4 (MBT-3000).

The Royal Thai Air Force is under discussions to purchase another 12 Gripen C/D variants.

Discussions are under way with Thailand to acquire further C/D aircraft to add to the 12 they have already purchased in two batches of six.

A company officials said he was convinced there would be a third batch and the total order could eventually grow to two full squadrons of aircraft, a total of 36 machines.

22 Feb 2016

Rheinmetall to upgrade 128 Polish Leopard 2 main battle tanks

Order worth of about €220 million

Rheinmetall has booked another major modernization order for heavy tanks.

Poland has just awarded the Düsseldorf-based Group a contract for overhauling 128 Leopard 2 MBTs.

In cooperation with Poland’s Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and ZM Bumar-Łabędy S.A., Rheinmetall will serve as a strategic partner, supplying crucial key capabilities, including electronics and weapon technology. The project represents roughly €220 million in sales volume for Rheinmetall.

During the course of modernization, the 128 Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks purchased in 2002 by the Polish Army from surplus Bundeswehr stocks will be upgraded to Leopard 2 PL standard, which corresponds to the German Leopard 2 A5 and A6.

Following Canada and Indonesia, Poland is now the third Leopard user nation to turn to Rheinmetall as the technology partner of choice for a major modernization programme. Besides the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of 17 countries now have Leopard 2 tanks in their inventories.

Value added in Poland too

Rheinmetall’s willingness to share technology and operate in tandem with local industry proved decisive in prompting the Polish government to select Rheinmetall as its strategic partner. For Poland, the contract will mean the creation of highly skilled jobs as well as obtaining valuable defence technology know-how.

On 28 December 2015, the Armament Inspectorate of the Polish armed forces awarded PGZ (as general contractor) and ZM Bumar-Łabędy S.A. (as integrator) a contract to upgrade the combat effectiveness of the Leopard 2 A4. Rheinmetall played a key role in preparing the upgrade package, having already established itself as a strategic partner by this point. Just signed, the contract lays out the details of Rheinmetall’s role in the modernization package.

SINGAPORE: Airbus Helicopters targets Asian sales expansion

22 February, 2016 BY: Dominic Perry Singapore

Airbus Helicopters is eyeing military and parapublic sales opportunities across Asia which could lead to it greatly expanding its industrial presence in the region.

India and Indonesia could both take a bigger role in the manufacturer’s global supply chain or, in the case of the former, a significant amount of final assembly work for domestic and export markets.

“There are quite a number of opportunities going on in the region – almost all countries will renew and expand their fleets,” Philippe Monteux, head of the airframer’s Southeast Asia business, told Flightglobal during the Singapore air show.

By far the most lucrative prospect is India, which is seeking huge numbers of military helicopters across multiple weight classes and applications. The furthest advanced is for New Delhi’s coastguard, which has provisionally selected the H225M Caracal for its 14-aircraft requirement. Assuming the contract is finalised, deliveries would begin around 2018, says Monteux.

Although negotiations are “progressing”, they are “going at the speed of India”, he says, referring to the country’s frequently tortuous acquisition process.

More recently this has been complicated by the launch of the nation's "Make in India" initiative, which seeks considerable technology transfer and local content as an offset in all contracts.

Airbus Helicopters in July announced it would partner with Mahindra Defence “to develop the concept and create a joint venture in India capable of producing helicopters”, says Monteux.

Three different types are in the frame for separate requirements, he says, and all could be assembled locally if selected.

But in one case, Airbus Helicopters is promising significantly more: if successful in its bid for the navy’s proposed acquisition of utility helicopters, the airframer is promising to transfer all production of its candidate AS565 to India.

“If we are the winning party it will be our worldwide production [site] for the Panther – not only for India but for all countries,” says Monteux.

Other opportunities include light scout and naval multirole helicopters, for which the company is respectively bidding its H125M Fennec and the H225M.

Although the Kamov Ka-226T has already been selected for a 196-unit deal as part of the light scout requirement for the air force and army, Monteux believes India could still consider the Fennec, not least because India may need as many as 800 helicopters for the role.

The Caracal, meanwhile, is vying for the multirole tender for up to 125 aircraft. If it is selected and final assembly localised, this would be the third production line globally – after Brazil and France – for the 11t-class rotorcraft.

Elsewhere in the region, Indonesia operates a fleet of six H225Ms for combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions and could seek further examples for similar transport/CSAR operations, says Ludovic Boistot, president director of Airbus Helicopters Indonesia.

However, it will face competition from the AgustaWestland AW101 in any contest, with Daniele Romiti, head of Finmeccanica Helicopters, stating at the show Jakarta had expressed interest in the platform.

Airbus Helicopters has a strong industrial presence in Indonesia, through its long-standing relationship with national aerospace champion PTDI. This produces fuselages and tail booms for all variants of the H225 globally, and performs installation and integration of mission equipment for the nation’s armed forces.

“That’s why we really believe in this strategy,” says Boistot. "We are transferring both knowledge and content to Indonesia.”

This could play into its hands if Indonesia decides to procure presidential transport helicopters. Last year its air force indicated a plan to buy three AW101s for the role, but president Joko Widodo reportedly axed the purchase on cost grounds and a lack of local content.

“We hope that national industry will be preferred choice for the president,” says Boistot.

Other opportunities in the country come in the parapublic sector with the national police having begun, with an order for a pair of Bell Helicopter 429s, the process of replacing an elderly rotary-wing fleet, primarily composed of licence-built Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105s. In addition, existing customer Basarnas – Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency – could require “one to two helicopters per year”, he says.

Airbus Helicopters also hopes its customer in Malaysia will return with new orders. Kuala Lumpur operates 12 H225Ms, and Monteux believes it could take an additional 15, although with its economy driven by oil, he cautions budgets are in flux.

The airframer is continuing to deliver and usher into service helicopters for Thailand. So far the Royal Thai Air Force has received four of an eventual six H225Ms; the Royal Thai Army 11 Fennecs and six UH-72A Lakotas acquired from the US government, while deliveries of six Airbus Helicopters H145s are due to begin shortly. And next year the Royal Thai Navy will receive its first H145M. Initially destined for search and rescue operations, Monteux says in the long-term the customer is looking at “what kind of configuration they want”, in order to broaden the type’s versatility.

Singapore Airshow 2016: ST Kinetics unveils finalised Bronco New Generation tracked carrier design

Kelvin Wong, Singapore - IHS Jane's International Defence Review
21 February 2016


The prototype vehicle at a ST Kinetics facility, clearly showing the single-door crew entry/egress and modular rear track unit, which the company says enables its mission package loadout to be exchanged within 30 minutes. Source: ST Kinetics

Key Points

* Singapore's ST Kinetics has unveiled a nearly production ready prototype of its Bronco New Generation All-Terrain Tracked Carrier
* The new vehicle features a higher level of protection and modularity than the current Bronco platform

Singapore Technologies (ST) Kinetics, the land systems division of defence prime ST Engineering, has shown a production-ready example of its amphibious Bronco New-Generation (New-Gen) All-Terrain Tracked Carrier (ATTC) for the first time in public at the Singapore Airshow 2016.

Yeo Wee Siang, chief engineer of the Bronco ATTC programme, told IHS Jane's that the refined Bronco New-Gen was rolled out in March 2015 and has already accumulated in excess of 5,000 km in local field trials. Combined with the test mileage clocked up by the earlier prototype, the Bronco New-Gen development effort has amassed over 7,000 km in local and overseas testing.

Unlike the prototype which made its public debut in the 2012 airshow and subsequent publicity materials, the Bronco New-Gen vehicle on display has been outfitted with a complete suite of mission equipment and weapons; with the most prominent being the company's 120 mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS) weapon carried in its rear track unit. Other features include a roof-mounted Adder Light remote weapon station (RWS) armed with a 12.7-mm heavy machine gun (MG), a pair of 3-tube smoke grenade dischargers, and a satellite communications (SATCOM) receiver unit. The RWS can also be armed with a 7.62-mm general-purpose MG or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher with co-axial 7.62-mm MG.

Another distinction between the prototype and production models is the refined front unit that houses the four-personnel crew cabin and powerpack. The prototype vehicle is fitted with only one door on either side of the hull, but has now reverted to the traditional two-door design of the first-generation Bronco and UK-specific Warthog platforms that the new vehicle is based on.

Indonesia seeks to raise defense budget

Xinhua, February 23, 2016

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday said that he sought to increase the country's defense budget in an effort to support facilities at the country's military.

Joko said that Indonesian government would raise the allocation for defense and security to at least 250 trillion rupiah (about 18.717 billion U.S. dollars), or 1.5 percent of the country's GDP, in three years.

The president added that the hike could be achieved if the country's economy, which is the largest in Southeast Asia, increased 6 percent.

"Going forward, professionalized armed forces must be boosted by the development of weaponry," Joko said at the State Palace.

Indonesia's economy picked up to 5.04 percent at the final quarter of last year from 4.79 percent at the previous three months ended September amid the country's massive efforts to boost investment climate.

Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono previously said that Indonesia planned to step up its weaponry at the level which he called "the essential level," as the country had been long not to modernize weaponry.

However, President Jokowi insisted to use more domestically manufactured weaponry in part to boost the competitiveness of the country's weaponry industry.

Terrorism, transnational crime and insurgency are among the main challenges being faced by the Indonesian military.

Leopard 2PL concept for the Polish Armed Forces. Source: ZM Bumar Labedy

Submarine Sales Buoyant: SIPRI Study

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Tuesday, February 23, 2016 @ 12:17 PM

With a total of 48 submarines on order in export deals by the end of 2015 and other orders that include Australian, Indonesian and Indian submarine contracts coming up this year, submarine sales are expect to grow significantly.

The advent of submarine technology now offers underwater endurance lasting several weeks and is equipped with ling-range anti-ship missiles and torpedoes and land-attack missiles.

These capabilities increase their effectiveness as area-denial weapons and allow for stealth attacks on land targets. Between 2006 and 2015 the growing and highly competitive export market for submarines was completely dominated by China, France, Germany, Russia, South Korea and Sweden.

However, they were joined by Japan in 2015 when it submitted a bid to an Australian tender for 12 submarines. The United States and the United Kingdom currently produce only nuclear-propelled submarines, which they do not offer for export.

In 2011–15, 16 submarines were exported. Germany supplied 3 submarines to Greece, 2 each to Colombia and Israel, and 1 each to Italy and South Korea. Russia supplied 4 submarines to Viet Nam and 1 to India, while Sweden supplied 2 to Singapore, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report Monday.

Germany is to deliver 6 to Turkey, 5 to South Korea, 4 to Egypt, 2 to Singapore and 1 each to Greece, Israel.