Some 300 Indonesians to learn jet fighter production in South Korea

Kamis, 7 Januari 2016 23:26 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Some 300 Indonesian aviation experts and technicians will leave for South Korea to learn the manufacture of KF-X/IF-X jet fighters.

"We will send 200 to 300 people to Korea," Budi Santoso, president director of state aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia, said here on Thursday.

The sending of Indonesian aviation experts and technicians to South Korea is part of a contract between the two countries for joint manufacture of KF-X/IF-X jet fighters.

Under the contract, South Korea has agreed to finance 80 percent of the total costs to manufacture the jet fighters, while Indonesia will bear 20 percent of the production costs.

The Indonesian government is expected to spend Rp18 trillion on the project.

"Although we only have a 20 percent stake in the project, we will receive 100 percent of the knowledge to develop the plane. The transfer of technology will reach 100 percent instead of 20 percent," he said.

All the technicians will study the entire program for the manufacture of KF-X/IF-X jet fighters for three to four years in South Korea.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said 20 percent of people employed in the manufacture of the first unit of the jet fighters in South Korea will come from Indonesia and 50 percent in the manufacture of the second unit of such plane.

Meanwhile, 80 percent of workers to [produce KF-X/IF-X jet fighters in Indonesia will be Indonesians.(*)

Tahun Ini, TNI AD Terima Helikopter AH64E Apache

Sabtu, 09 Januari 2016 | 08:14 WIB

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,JAKARTA -- Mabes TNI AD memesan delapan unit helikopter serang AH64E Apache ke pabrikan Boeing, Amerika Serikat (AS). Kontrak pengadaan itu disebut bernilai 295,8 juta dolar AS. Penyerahan helikopter yang akan memperkuat Pusat Penerbangan AD (Puspenerbad) tersebut akan dilakukan berhatap mulai 2016 sampai 2018.

"Helikopter Apache tahun 2016 ini sebagian datang," kata Kepala Dinas Penerangan AD (Kadispenad) Brigjen Mohamad Sabrar Fadhilah di Jakarta, kemarin. Meski begitu, ia tidak merenci berapa jumlah unit Apache yang akan datang.

Apache yang dipesan TNI AD sempat dipamerkan dalam HUT TNI pada 5 Oktober 2014 di Surabaya. Dua helikopter serang itu juga melakukan atraksi dan manuver penyerangan di depan presiden RI ke-6 Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

Menurut mantan ajudan wakil presiden Boediono tersebut, TNI AD terus berupaya meremajakan alutsista. Hal itu seiring dengan peningkatan anggaran belanja yang dialokasikan untuk TNI AD.

Navy seeing one of world’s best submarine hunter helicopters in service

January 10, 2016 Caleb Velasquez

The Philippine Navy is seeing the AgustaWestland AW159 ‘Wildcat’ helicopter as its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters after the Department of National Defense announced that AgustaWestland is now undergoing post-qualification checks after being selected as the sole proponent in the government’s PhP5.4 billion ASW helicopter project.

The government is now conducting background check to determine the capability of the manufacturer to deliver the equipment on time and comply with the specifications requested by the contracting party. AgustaWestland was selected by the DND as the possible supplier of its two ASW helicopters late in 2015.

Wildcat, an improved version of Super Lynx, is an advanced multi-role, maritime and utility helicopter. It was designed to be housed in a frigate, offshore patrol vessel or corvette. Its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities are significantly upgraded.

According to a defense market analysts, AW159’s SELEX Galileo Seaspray 7000E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, sonar system, electro-optical device, ESM and countermeasure systems make it one of the best ASW helicopter in the world.

The ASW helicopter project is one of the seven military modernization projects which President Benigno S. Aquino III has given DND the green-light to go into a “multi-year contract” last November. Granting of the “multi-year contract” will allow to pursue the military modernization program beyond Aquino’s term, he added. with PNA

EOTS and Others for Lekiu and Jebat

Marhalim Abas January 11, 2016 Malaysia -RMN

SHAH ALAM: AS we wait for the revisions to the 2016 budget, we can pass the time to reflect on the results of the tenders for the RMN’s 23rd Frigate Squadron. The ships of squadron are of course, KD Lekiu and KD Jebat. Previously I had reported on the award of new navigation radar for both ships. For that report go here.

Anyhow, the Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS) tender was awarded to Qiblatin Synergy Sdn Bhd. However, as the usual practice, the type of EOTS was not named. According to the industry sources however, the EOTS selected was from Chess Dynamics, a UK company based in Sussex.

The Chase Dynamics EOTS is the Sea Eagle FCEO, which according to its manufacturer ” is an electro optical fire control system optimised for the control of naval guns against air, surface and shore targets. Capable of controlling any ‘in-service’ naval gun, the system provides 24 hour, detection, acquisition, tracking, identification and engagement of air and surface targets through its thermal and TV sensors with target range provided by a high repetition laser rangefinder.”

Checks showed that the same system is fitted on board the Irish navy Samuel Beckett class OPV as shown from the picture below.

Checks on the tender website also revealed that Qiblatin Synergy also won the tenders for the procurement and supply of 57mm and 40mm HE rounds for the navy. No numbers were revealed however but it must be significant as both remained the mainstay of RMN ships. It is likely that Qiblatin will sourced both rounds from SMEO Sdn Bhd as the company manufacture these rounds under license.

Meanwhile, the Ship Data Distribution System (SSDS) and the Degaussing System tenders were awarded to ME & O Fleet Support Sdn Bhd and Karisma International Sdn Bhd, respectively. I have no idea what systems were selected as even my usual reliable industrial sources do not have contacts with either.

With the announcement of these two awards, the only tender left unannounced for the Lekiu-class mid-life updates (its not a SLEP someone told me!) is the ESM. I guess we have to wait for another few weeks to get the results.

And another thing, I was told that a survey of the ship’s weapons were conducted recently. I have no idea the results however, though it is likely that proposals for new ordnance will come out of it. Funding is not likely in the near future, however.

Royal Thai Army orders Rheinmetall air defense systems

By Ryan Maass  |  Jan. 11, 2016 at 4:02 PM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- The Royal Thai Army ordered four Oerlikon Skyguard 3 fire control systems, marking their first purchase of air defense technology from Rheinmetall.

The order includes four fire control systems and up to eight 35mm Oerlikon GDF 007 twin guns. In addition to the equipment, the order also includes the company's Ahead airburst ammunition and additional services.

The Oerlikon Skyguard 3 is part of Rheinmetall's third generation of air defense products, and is designed to provide protection of vital assets and inner tier defense. The equipment includes the Skyguard 3 fire control unit, which connects with up to 4 effectors.

The system's armament includes Oerlikon twin gun GDF 007, VSHORAD missile launchers, and an Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk2 Towed.

james bonb my foot.....Mad max la

France Offers Indonesian Navy’s Diesel-Electric Sub New Combat System

French shipbuilder DCNS is offering a new combat system also used on board French nuclear submarines.

By Franz-Stefan Gady
January 12, 2016

The French defense contractor DCNS is offering Indonesia a new submarine combat management system in use aboard French nuclear submarines for one of the Indonesian Navy’s German-made Type 209/1300 diesel-electric attack submarines (known as Cakra-class in Indonesia), IHS Jane’s Navy International reports.

The new combat system has been specifically designed for the Indonesian Navy’s needs by DCNS subsidiary Underwater Defense System. According to IHS Jane’s:

Sources close to the TNI-AL [Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, the Indonesian Navy] told IHS Jane’s that the CMS, known as Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS), is being offered as part of DCNS’s proposal to carry out maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work on KRI Cakra (401). The TNI-AL is looking to extend the life of the 59.5 m German-built vessel to 2024 with the MRO.

The last time the Indonesian Navy received new submarines was in the 1980s with the delivery of two German-made Type 209/1300 diesel-electric Cakra-class attack submarines, the Cakra and its sister ship the Nanggala. Both vessels underwent several major refits modernizing the subs’ propulsion systems and detection and navigation systems, and adding new fire control and combat systems by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) and South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), which is building Type 209 variants under license.

The new French-made combat system for the Cakra-class “was designed to be integrated with a Thales sonar suite and Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei’s (WASS’) torpedoes and fire control system. However, the CMS features an open architecture and interface design that allows options from other manufacturers as well,” according to IHS Jane’s Navy International.

The move by DCNS could be part of an overall sales strategy to convince Indonesian defense officials to procure French-built Scorpene-class 1000 diesel-electric attack submarines for the Indonesian Navy.

As I reported previously (See: “Will Indonesia Buy French Stealth Submarines?”), Indonesian-French government-to-government talks over the procurement of diesel-electric attack submarines took place at last year’s Pacific International Maritime Exhibition. According to naval analysts,  Indonesia will need at least six submarines to secure its key maritime straits (Malacca, Sunda and Lombok).

DCNS officials have been lobbying hard to convince Jakarta that the Scorpene-class 1000 diesel-electric attack submarine, with its ability to operate in shallow waters, is the ideal solution for Indonesia, given the country’s archipelagic geography.

Back in October, I also reported that the Indonesian government appears to be also interested in procuring a number of Russian-made Kilo-class attack submarines and is expecting a license-built variant of the German Type 209/1,300 sub:

In December 2011, DSME was awarded a contract for the construction of three 1,400-ton Chang Bogo-class (a license-built variant of the 209) diesel-electric attack submarines. The boats are expected to be delivered between 2015 and 2016 with a commissioning date set for the first half of 2018.

The Indonesian Navy has not made a decision on either of the French offers yet.

MD530G Contract Confirmed

Marhalim Abas
January 13, 2016
Malaysia - RMAF

SHAH ALAM: DEFENCE Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed today that the contract for the Light Scout Attack Helicopter was signed recently. “We have put in a new order for Light Scout Attack Helicopter, the contract has been signed,” he told reporters at the Subang airbase. He did not elaborate however.

Malaysian Defence had previously reported that the contract for six MD530G LSAH was signed in late November.

Apart from the confirmation of the MD530G contract, Hishammuddin also said that procurement of assets under the 2016 budget are expected to survive the review expected soon following the deteriorating world economic conditions.

The minister was speaking to reporters after the welcoming ceremony for the second RMAF A400M airlifter – M54-02 at the airbase. Hishammuddin also officially opened the two hangars of 22nd Squadron built to house the four A400Ms. The hangars were completed in mid 2015 and the 22nd Squadron officially moved in on Dec 29.

The second A400M – M54-02 – arrived at Subang airbase on Dec 29. It was closed door affair – though two Fulcrums accompanied the A400M for a flypast over the airbase.

Pictures of the A400M flying in a close formation with the two Mig-29Ns are available at the Malaysian Wings website. Scroll down the page for the pictures.

RMAF officials I spoke to on the subdued homecoming would only say that the Fulcrums were conducting training flights when they accompanied M54-02 into Subang. As it is, low speed intercepts with a fast jet require plenty of training. Like many other skills it needs lots of practice to do it correctly and more importantly safely.

The third and fourth A400Ms are expected in April and November, respectively.

but still much better than our BNS.

good, so fast. While i dont know what the latest status in regards to RMN sgpv

I am willing to report on the LCS/SGPV but no one else seemed to be interested. I have been told that’s its slow moving. As whether or not it’s on schedule I have no idea at the moment. That said I have always been unoptimistic that it will be delivered on schedule and under budget based on previous ship building projects especially the NGPV.

RMAF To Take Delivery Of Two More Airbus A400M This Year

PETALING JAYA, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will be taking delivery of two more Airbus A400M transport aircraft this year, in April and November.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said RMAF now was already in possession of two Airbus A400M.

"Today RMAF took delivery of the second A400M to meet the country's defence needs.

"RMAF took delivery of the first during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition last year (LIMA '15) in Langkawi. The other two are due to arrive in April and November," he said at the reception ceremony to welcome the second Airbus A400M and the opening of the A400M Hangar at the Subang air base near here today.

Also present were his deputy Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, Malaysian Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and RMAF chief Jen Tan Sri Roslan Saad.

Hishammuddin said the aircraft would also be used for Medical Evacuation (Medevac) and Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

He also congratulated the Defence Ministry for completing construction of the A400M Hangar six months ahead of schedule. ` -- BERNAMA