Condolences to the family. Sad to hear the news.

Indonesia approves purchase of KH-31, AIM-120 missiles

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
29 December 2015

Key Points

• Indonesia has approved USD38 million in funds to acquire air-launched missiles
• Approval includes a possible inaugural purchase of AIM-120 missiles from the United States

An Indonesian parliamentary committee that oversees the country's defence procurement budget has approved a request by the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara, or TNI-AU) to acquire air-launched missiles worth USD38 million.

A TNI-AU source told IHS Jane's on 30 December that the systems approved for acquisition are namely the Kh-31A and Kh-31P short-range air-to-surface missiles (USD24 million), the Kh-59ME powered stand-off weapon (USD18 million), and the AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) (USD6 million).

On 28 December 2015 in Radom Mechanical Plant "BUMAR-Łabędy" SA, Poland Group Armaments Inspectorate of Armaments and Defense Ministry have signed an agreement covering the modernization of 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks that are equipped Polish army. Polish foreign partner entities was the German company Rheinmetall.

http://bumar.gliwice.pl/2762/

Scorpion 2 (Thales ECM) hard to say, now new rule is ECM is ban for export, only specially approval.  we can see now Fremm frigate export to morocco and Egypt already remove  Scorpion 2 (Thales ECM)
if we can get it much better and  Scorpion 2 should get it and install in our Gowind LCS too...  so far no news on it.

SAF war machines set to debut in 2016

In 2016, the Bionix 1 infantry fighting vehicles will be almost 20 years old. Senang Diri expects that the long-awaited AMX-13 SM1 light tank replacement will finally make its public debut in 2016. Expect heavy use of defence electronics to give the fighting vehicle's small crew superior awareness compared to previous platforms. The platform is said to have successfully completed exhaustive mobility trials overseas some time ago.

The hoisting of the RSAF TCOM aerostat, which was reportedly due in 2015 but never happened due to safety issues, is likely to make the news in 2016.

On the naval front, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is expected to take delivery of the Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) this year. The second and third LMVs could also be launched this year at the Singapore Technologies Marine yard in Benoi Basin, followed by a fitting-out period before sea trials.

Published: Wednesday, 30 December 2015 09:16

Poland will start the modernization of its Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks in 2018.

The Polish Defense Ministry signed a contract to modernise 128 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks used by the Polish army. Poland’s original set of 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks were bought and transferred in the mid-2000s. Poland also purchased a total of 105 Leopard 2A5.
     
In October 2015, Poland’s Armament Inspectorate has received three offers to upgrade the country’s Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks. Turkey’s Aselsan and Germany’s Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann are the three bidders.

In total 142 MBTs will be modernized, with a prototype scheduled for production in 2018.

Rumors have Poland looking for a final configuration that’s similar to Canada’s new Leopard 2A6Ms. That would reshape and strengthen the armor structure to 2A5 levels and beyond, upgrade the sights and communications, beef up the internal climate control to handle hot environments like Afghanistan, add extra mine blast protection underneath, and provide points to fit engineering utilities like dozer blades and mine clearance rollers.

The modernisation programme will start in 2018 and will mostly be conducted by Polish companies, although one of key partners in the deal is German defence-technology company Rheinmetall.

General Adam Duda, the head of the Polish military inspectorate said that the project is of essential strategic value for the Polish army and will significantly increase the tanks’ performance as well as the safety of Polish soldiers on the battlefield.

Besides the modernisation of the tanks, cooperation between partners is being tightened to ensure full functionality of the tanks and faster repairs in the future.

The Leopard 2A4 is a German-made main battle tank designed and manufactured by the Company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the successor of the main battle tank Leopard 1.

The Leopard 2A4 is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun which has been developed by Rheinmetall and fires two types of ammunition, APFSDS-T and HEAT-MP-T. The APFSDS-T has an effective range of over 2,000 m and the HEAT-MP-T has a high degree of effectiveness against both soft and hard targets.

INTERVIEW: “MY LIFE AS A LEOPARD 2 CREWMAN” - PT.3

DEC 28TH | 2015

In the first part of the interview, ADSL explained how he became a tanker and what it was like to fire his first round in a Leopard 2 MBT and the second part covered vehicle maintenance and cleaning.

SO, HOW GOOD IS THE LEOPARD 2 IN COMPARISON TO THE M1A2?

I thought that question would come up eventually and there is an easy answer: the Leopard 2 is superior!

This is the answer you will get from any serious tanker anywhere on this planet! Nobody says “our tank is weak and the other tank is better”. This shows our pride and faith in what we drive and it is important to have this spirit. Only someone who believes in his “Iron Pig” is a good tanker.

Actually, I have never had the pleasure to drive an M1, which of course is something I would like to do even today. However, I did see some Americans training in Bergen (a NATO training area and shooting range in northern Germany) and served with a couple of senior Master Sergeants who shared their experiences. Some of them had multiple experiences with other tanks and with training events in an international environment.

The setup of the tanks is not that different; they both share the same crew layout and roles. They look a little different of course, but even here there are many similarities, commonly shared between all western tanks from the 80s and 90s. All of them use a secret amour layout, which is composed of cast steel and some composite amour layers inside. They are bulky and quite tall. The differences are more noticeable inside. The Americans favor a different layout for the gunnery station, sight systems and controls. They still use some sensors we experienced to be inaccurate, such as the wind sensor. We use a multi-fuel twin turbo diesel engine while the M1 has a gas turbine. Does it make a difference though?

Well, the Leopard 2 (including the A4 and A5 versions) is extremely agile and can accelerate fast even in extremely rough conditions. However, it takes some time to transfer the torque to the tracks, while the M1 has the torque readily available because it uses a turbine. Nevertheless, on medium to long distances, the Leopard 2 out-accelerates the Abrams. When it comes to agility, the Leopard 2 was always able to turn more tightly than the M1. Whether that makes one tank superior to the other or not… it’s hard to say.

The M1 in this case was the A1 and A2 version and it was always a little bit heavier than our A4 or A5. The A6 with its longer gun barrel brought us nearly to the same level and we lost a lot of the agility due to that. We traded that in for having a bigger punch and a somewhat better range.

The M1A1 and the following versions use the same license-produced gun we have used since the very first version of the Leopard 2. It shows that it was the correct decision to adopt the 120mm smoothbore, allowing the Leopard 2 to boast that the gun it used from the start was better than the gun used in the first versions of the M1.

There are many other differences and many similarities as well. What makes the real difference is always the crew and its training. When I was serving, we still worked with national service recruits. In those days the length of national service was first 10 months and later 9 months, with the first 2-3 months consisting of basic training. Consequently, there was not a lot of time to train them and create a team out of them. In any case, we were always able to reach our goals and were comparable to other crews.

Until the early 90s, there were some contests between different nations and their tank crews. The Canadian Army Trophy was one of the tank-exclusive ones. Before it was cancelled, Germany and other Leopard users won most of the trophies. I believe that this fact alone shows quite well that the Leopard and its crews do rightfully belong amongst the best in the world. Saying anything else would be blasphemy.

Of course, there have been things on other tanks or armies that we wanted to have as well. Many of our commanders, for example, desired the .50 caliber machinegun on the M1 commander hatch for its power, or helmets for tank crews with built-in radio, which were better when compared to our system. One thing we never wanted, however, was to trade in our “ride”, we were very proud of it and felt honored to have it.

The Americans have one advantage over us: the M1 is at least already combat-proven and known to work well, which does not apply to the Leopard 2, besides its use in Kosovo and by Canada in Afghanistan. Still, if it came to the worst, I am sure it could do its job.
For me personally and for most of my former or still active comrades, the Leopard 2 is the best tank in the world.

New Stuff for Old Boats

Marhalim Abas January 4, 2016 Malaysia -RMN

SHAH ALAM: IT appears that RMN’s nine FACs – which entered service in the 1970s – are getting new equipment which may allow them to continue service well past 2020. The nine boats are likely those of the Perdana and Jerong classes.

Malaysian Defence had reported previously that nine FACs based in Kuantan and Kota Kinabalu are getting Eletro-Optical Director Systems (EODS) but apart from that they are also getting new navigation radars and single arm knuckle boom cranes.

The tenders for these two items were published in August unlike the EODS which was issued in June. Unfortunately until today, the Defence Ministry has yet to announce the winner of the three tenders for reasons unknown.

Since these boats are armed with guns only, the new EODS should be able to handle most of the tasks during operations including fire control solutions without a dedicated Fire Control Radar (at least for the main guns as the rear ones are likely to be fired manually). It is likely the FCR that came with the boats are obsolete already.

For the Lekiu-class, RMN opted for an Eletro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) though most of the products being marketed today could handle other tasks like fire control as well. Indeed perhaps the same system were offered for both tenders.

As the Lekiu class are equipped with a dedicated FCR, perhaps an EOTS is perhaps a good enough solution. Like the FAC tenders, the winner of the EOTS tender for the Lekiu has also not been officially announced.

While the nine FACs based in Kuantan and Kota Kinabalu are to be fitted the EODS and new navigation radars, only those based in the former will be fitted with the cranes. This cranes could be used to lift anything including RHIBs and other equipment like oil skimming devices.

As mentioned before the FACs to be fitted with the new items are likely to be from the Perdana and Jerong classes. The boats of the Perdana class which entered service around 1973 are KD Perdana, KD Serang, KD Ganas and KD Ganyang. These French built boats were originally fitted with Thomson-CSF air and surface radars, Thomson- CSF Pollux FCR used together with the Vega Optical device and Kelvin Hughes I-band navigation radars.

Since entering service in 1973 until early 2000s, Perdana class main armaments were the MM38 Exocet SSMs but now like the Handalan class boats, they are only armed with guns. In their case its the 57mm and 40mm guns.

Unlike the Perdana and Handalan-class which were armed with missiles and guns, the 45 metre Jerong class were ordered with guns only, 57mm forward and 40mm aft. It was for this reason they had always been designated as gun-armed FACs only.

The Jerong class were built locally at the former Hong Leong Lurssen shipyard in Butterworth in the mid-70s even as the four-Handalan class FACs were ordered. The six-class boats were fitted with the Decca 1226 navigation radar and the Naja Optronic director used with WM28 fire control radar.

The ships of the Jerong class are KD Jerong, KD Todak, KD Paus, KD Yu, KD Baung and KD Pari. The last ship became infamous a few years ago when it sunk as it was preparing to leave its moorings due to a shaft failure. Initially it was thought that the ship will be struck off but it was repaired and returned into service a few months after the incident.

If you have continue reading until this part, you would have noticed that the RMN operates three type of FACs with different equipment since 40 years ago. Yes, even in the 70s, we had spread our arms procurement, far and wide – “the More the Merrier” policy, as shown by the diverse hulls and equipment operated by the RMN.

However two things remained constant, fortunately, the engine and guns, at least for the FAC fleet. The engine of choice for RMN was decidedly German, specifically MTU.

As for the guns, it was Bofors all the way. Both the guns, the 57mm and 40mm remained in service until today unlike the French guns we bought in the 80s (Kasturi and Marikh classes).

KD Jebat dry docking

Navy’s SSV from Indonesia to be named after key PHL city

January 4, 2016 PNA

The country’s first strategic sealift vessel (SSV), which is expected to be delivered in May, will be named after a key Philippine city, a Philippine Navy official said. PN Spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said the SSV will be named after a city like BRP Dagupan (LCC-551) and BRP Bacolod City (LCC-550), both Logistics Support Vessels.

While these vessels are named after key cities, frigates and other surface combatants are named after Filipino heroes and military personnel who have shown dedication and gallantry in serving the nation.

The Philippines has a two SSV deal with Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL (Persero) worth PHP3.87 billion.

The SSVs will be the largest ships in PN service upon delivery. The ships are estimated to weigh around 7,300 gross register tons.

Arevalo earlier said the first SSV was 87 percent complete and will be launched this month. Eighty seven percent completion means the ship’s keel, propulsion, engine and other major systems are now installed.

The second SSV, now 46 percent complete, will be delivered in 2017, Arevalo added.

Arevalo said defensive armament of the ships will be installed by the PN.

cuz that part have always been look like that even before the accident?
and the collision spot is just below the starboard 30mm gun deck, imo not that far back, also theres some black spots that caused by the usual port rubber fender

kd jebat in 2011 at darwin harbour

Poland orders 128 upgraded Leopard 2PL main battle tanks

Remigiusz Wilk, Warsaw - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
03 January 2016

Poland has signed a PLN2.415 billion (USD605.7 million) contract to upgrade its 128 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) to a new standard called Leopard 2PL.

The contract was awarded to prime contractor Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and integrator ZM Bumar-Labedy by the Polish Armament Inspectorate on 28 December. Rheinmetall Landsyteme will work with PGZ as strategic partner on the programme.

Poland bought 128 Leopard 2A4s from ex-Germany Army stocks in January 2002. They are currently operated by the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, based in Swietoszow. All 128 2A4s will be upgraded by 2020, while the option exists for the upgrade of an extra 14 Leopard 2A4s that were purchased by Poland in 2013 to equip the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, in Zagan.

Ghana to get Mi-35 helicopter

Jeremy Binnie, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
04 January 2016

The Ghanaian Air Force is in the process of acquiring one Mil Mi-35 assault helicopter, Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Michael Samson-Oje revealed in his end-of-year message.

Summing up his service's other procurement programmes, AVM Samson-Oje said the new Harbin Z-9EH helicopters were delivered on time in 2015, the acquisition of Embraer Super Tucano turboprops was "far advanced", and that an additional Airbus C295M transport was expected to be delivered in January 2016.

Ghana received four Z-9EHs in September 2015, has ordered five Super Tucanos, and already has two C295s in service.

(LEAD) KAI inks deal to jointly develop next-generation fighter with Indonesia

2016/01/07 15:32

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 2-3, 8-9; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) said Thursday that it has signed a formal deal to jointly develop its next-generation fighter plane with Indonesia.

The cost sharing agreement reached in Jakarta between KAI and Indonesia's defense ministry calls for Jakarta to foot 20 percent of the cost in the development of the Korean Fighter Experimental (KF-X) program.

The company also signed a second work assignment contract with its Indonesian counterpart, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), outlining the future division of labor.


KAI President Ha Sung-yong © signs the work assignment agreement with PTDI head Budi Santoso in Jakarta on Jan. 7, 2016. (Yonhap)

"The contract effectively means all preparation for investment and division of labor related to the plane's development is concluded," the aerospace company said.

Starting in April, Indonesia will pay for 1 percent of the program, with its contribution to rise above 2 percent from 2017 onwards, it said. Overall, the Southeast Asian country will inject some 1.6 trillion won (US$1.33 billion) into the projected 8.7 trillion-won program.

KAI said PTDI will send 100 engineers to South Korea in May so they can take part in the structural design of the new aircraft and play a part in the various stages of development. U.S.-based Lockheed Martin will also take part in the development by providing aviation-related technologies and expertise.

Once the plane is built, Indonesia will get one prototype and various technical data and information.

The KF-X planes referred to as the Indonesian Fighter Experimental by Jakarta will be a twin-engine, 4.5 generation multirole fighter aimed at replacing existing aircraft in the inventory of the two air forces. In South Korea, it will take over the role of the aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 fighters, with the country also eyeing the export market.

Seoul, which ordered 120 planes, said it wants to get the planes in service by 2025 and wants to sell some 600 units to other countries. Under the IF-X program, Indonesia wants to get 50 planes.

"Successful development of the KF-X will expand bilateral ties between South Korea and Indonesia in the areas of national defense and economic cooperation," KAI President Ha Sung-yong said.

Ever since an understanding was reached with Indonesia on systems development on Dec. 28, the company has shifted its resources to move forward with the KF-X program, he said.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) President and CEO Ha Sung-yong, third from right, poses with other participants at the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia in Jakarta, Thursday, after signing contracts with Indonesia’s defense ministry and the state-run defense firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) to jointly develop Korea’s fighter jet. Fifth from right is Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Chang Myoung-jin, sixth from left is Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and second from left is PTDI President Budi Santoso. / Courtesy of KAI

Indonesia Could Trump India as Japan’s US-2 Partner

by Neelam Mathews
January 6, 2016, 1:34 PM


The sole current operator of the US-2 amphibian is the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). (Photo: Chris Pocock)

India's aerospace industry stands to miss out on a production partnership for Japan's ShinMaywa US-2 amphibian aircraft, according to sources close to the situation. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi last month and stressed “the full potential of an India-Japan strategic and global partnership.” However, a deal proposed during their previous meeting in 2014 for final assembly in India of the US-2 remains unsigned. Indian defense industry sources speaking to AIN on condition of anonymity said that the delay might cause the Japanese to turn instead to Indonesia as a production partner.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense presented a detailed report on production arrangements for the amphibian in India last year, but Indian government paperwork for clearance of the project is yet to start. Meanwhile, though, Indonesia is increasingly concerned about Chinese expansion into the islands of the South China Sea. It also sees the potential for maritime rescue operations in Southeast Asia . Influential Indonesian politician Setya Novanto met Abe last November. “Japan cannot wait forever,” the Indian official told AIN.

The Indian Navy has an initial requirement for 12 US-2s, and the Indian Coast Guard recently requested another three. The envisioned missions include surveillance and reconnaissance, and logistics support and crew rotation to ships.