Army 83rd Birthday

Marhalim Abas March 2, 2016 Malaysian Army

SHAH ALAM: The Army celebrated its 83rd birthday yesterday (March 1) and its obvious its feeling the pain of the current economic downturn though so far the plans announced earlier remained intact. However, the delivery of new assets will be “slowed” down to reflect the challenging fiscal environment.

Speaking at the anniversary celebration in Port Dickson, Army chief Jen Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said due to the current economic conditions, the delivery times of the assets would need to be adjusted.

“For example, if the asset is supposed to be supplied within two years, now we will make it three years,” he added. One of the assets llaffected by the adjustment is the Gempita 8X8. Last year only 27 Gempitas were handed over to the Army though the original plan was for 40 units.

Nonetheless, despite the difficulties, Raja Affandi announced the Army was standing up two new brigades – a Rocket Artillery Brigade and 31st Infantry Brigade – and the second Army Air Wing squadron, Rejimen 882.

The setting up of the 31st Brigade is covered here while the Rocket Artillery Brigade which controls the two Astros II regiments – Rejimen 51 and 52 and the Rejimen 62 – equipped with the Arthur weapon locating radars – is the culmination of the plan announced around six years ago. It is likely that the brigade finally got its official funding from the Public Services Department this year. It is also likely all this while the positions in the brigade were “borrowed” from other units in the Army.

The second PUTD squadron stood up – Rejimen 882 – is for the new, medium helicopter squadron, the Nuri helicopters handed over by the RMAF. According to the email Q&A for 83rd anniversary, the squadron has received three Nuri while the fourth one is undergoing flight test prior to the handing over. Two of the Nuri was received at Lima 2015.

Rejimen 882 will eventually operate up to 12 Nuri helicopters for troop transport and utility roles. Meanwhile, the Blackhawk helicopters to be handed over Brunei this year will be operated with the AW109 light helicopters already based in Semporna, Sabah as part of the combined arms ESSCOM Brigade which is still being formed up.

Apart from the Blackhawks and AW109, six MD Helicopters MD530G light scout attack helicopters are expected to join the unit in 2017.

Raja Affandi said funding for the setting up of the headquarters and other facilities of the ESSCOM brigade has been approved under RMK11. The brigade is under the operational control of the Task Force 450, which is the fore-runner of the new Fifth Division.

According to Raja Affandi, the Army will be receiving 56 Gempita in various variants in 2016. Most of the IFV variant will be sent to units in Sabah which is already operating the 27 vehicles delivered so far. Other Gempita variants to be handed over to the Army are the Armoured Fighting Vehicle with 30mm turret and AFV with the 30mm turret and ATGM. These variants will be operated by mechanised and armour units.

On the AV4, Raja Affandi said the 20 vehicles expected to be delivered this year will be operated by the Armour Squadron of the ESSCOM brigade.

On the offer of M109 A5/A6 SPH by the United States under the Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme, Raja Affandi said the Army had accepted the offer and was in the process of finalising the procurement. “If the procurement is completed, it will boost the firepower capability of the Army especially for units operating in Sabah”.

Malaysian Defence had reported on the SPH offer from the US recently. The Army is expected to field 24 M109 SPH upgraded to the latest A6 standard with another six vehicles used for spares and training.

Tanks, Choppers Discussed During Thai Def Min's Moscow Visit

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Monday, February 29, 2016 @ 08:57 AM

Thailand is expected to procure more armaments from Russia majorly tanks and Mi-17 Choppers.

Thailand also wants to buy more Mi-17 helicopters in addition to the existing four aircraft bought previously to replace UH-1H helicopters, Bangkokpost news daily reported Monday.

Thailand is expected to hold talks regarding the purchase following Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon’s scheduled visit to Moscow, the news daily quoted an unnamed army source as saying.

"Although Gen Prawit did not make any deal on military armaments during his visit, the two counties have reached an agreement on military technical and technological cooperation which could lead to Thailand buying more weapons from Russia, particularly tanks," the source said.

The Royal Thai Army has set up a committee to consider buying tanks from Russia, China and Ukraine, the source said.

On Russia's proposal to set up an arms production plant in Thailand, Gen Prawit said the issue needs further discussion and he believes Thailand would benefit in terms of military technology from the proposal.

Gen Prawit said no talks were directly held about buying armaments from Russia.

Airbus offers C-295 variant as PH’s long-range patrol aircraft

March 3, 2016 Joel Dizon

Airbus Defence and Space has confirmed that will be offering a variant of its C-295 aircraft for Department of National Defense (DND)’s long range patrol aircraft project. The bid opening for the said project is scheduled on March 14, 10:00 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee Right Wing Basement, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

This project has an approved budget for the acquisition of two long range patrol aircraft for Philippine Air Force. These aircraft will provide the Air Force with capability to monitor and patrol Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The reopening of this acquisition project is after a failed bidding mid-2015. Seven firms reportedly participated in the said failed bidding: Saab Asia Pacific, L3 Mission Integratio, IAI Elta Systems, Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Indonesian Aerospace), CASA-Airbus Defense and Space.

Airbus Defence and Space Press Manager for Military Aircraft Kieran Daly confirmed today in an email to Update.PH that they will be offering the C-295 for this project.

The said aircraft has a variant equipped with integrated surveillance systems, including the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) to effectively act as maritime patrol aircraft.

The Philippine Air Force is currently operating three C-295M aircraft as medium lift aircraft.

Best Choice: Indonesia to Ink Contract for 10 Russian Su-35 Jets in April

10:34 04.03.2016 (updated 10:42 04.03.2016)

A squadron of Russian 4++ generation supermaneuverable multirole jets will reinforce Indonesia's air force.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow and Jakarta will sign a contract in April for the deliveries of 10 Russian Su-35 Flanker multirole fighter jets to replace Indonesia’s fleet of F-5 Tigers, the Jakarta Globe reported Friday.

“We need a squadron of the jets, but for the first phase it will be 10 jets,” Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu was quoted by the Jakarta Globe as saying.

Indonesia currently has 16 F-5 fighter jets that entered service in 1980.

Four Su-35s have been deployed to Syria amid Moscow's counterterrorism campaign.

The 4++ generation Su-35 is characterized by supermaneuverability and has features of a 5-generation aircraft. The fighter has new avionics, a modern radar and advanced engines. It can accomplish incredible tricks without deceleration and can fly at a speed of 2400 kmph, outpacing all rivals in its class. The warplane is armed with 30mm guns, a huge number of missiles and rockets.

Navy’s 2 submarine hunter helicopters contract awarded soon

March 3, 2016 Ruben Santos

Aircraft manufacturer AgustaWestland was declared as the sole proponent of the Department of National Defense (DND)’s PHP5.4 billion anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter project. The government also announced that the manufacturer is undergoing post-qualification checks.

Post-qualification refers to the 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 chosen as the possible supplier for two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters of Philippine Navy before 2015 ended. The firm offered its new AW-159 “Wildcat” anti-submarine helicopter.

In late February 2016, AgustaWestland official handling external relations and communications Alessandro Capocaccia told IHS Jane’s that their company is optimistic that contract will be awarded soon.

“2016 will be an important year for the programme”, Capocaccia said.

Indonesia Plans Su-35 Squadron Buy, Will Ink Deal for 10 Aircraft Next Month

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Saturday, March 5, 2016 @ 08:49 AM



Indonesia plans to buy a squadron of 18-20 Su-35 aircraft from Russia in a bid to replace its aging F-5 Tiger squadron, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said.

"We need a squadron of the jets, but for the first phase it will be 10 jets," Indonesia's Defense Minister Ryamiard Ryacudu was quoted as saying by Jakarta Globe news daily.

"Ryamizard plans to attend the 13th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Russia senior officials meeting in Moscow on April 4th and 5th, and sought to sign the agreement in the sidelines of the meeting," the newspaper reported.

"Indonesia has increased defense spending over the past three years in an attempt to regenerate its aging military arsenal".

Indonesia’s Armed Forces currently use Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 fighters. Sukhoi Su-35 fighters will replace the U.S. F-5 Tiger, which the Indonesian Armed Forces have been exploiting since 1980.

(Anti-clockwise from left, foreground) The TNI-AL's Diponegoro-class corvette, KRI Sultan Hasanuddin; RSN's Formidable-class frigate, RSS Tenacious; TNI-AL's Diponegoro-class corvette, KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda; and RSN's Fearless-class Patrol Vessel, RSS Gallant participating in the sea phase of Exercise Eagle Indopura 2016.

RMN To Receive First Littoral Combat Ships In 2019 - Hishammuddin

LUMUT, March 8 (Bernama) -- The efficiency of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will be further increased when it received the first batch of its Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in 2019, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein said.

He said with the presence of the locally made combat ships, which also the biggest in Malaysia, the RMN would increase the combat capability of its combatant ships to 10 from four previously.

"With the twofold increase in its capability, of course more operations can be carried out quickly and more effectively, and hence improve the efficiency of our team.

"The LCS have the capability to be fully operational for offshore and deep sea patrol for a period of 21 days without having to resupply," he said at the LCS1 Keel Laying ceremony at the RMN base here today.

LCS are built, integrated and tested at the Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) here.

Hishammuddin said the full construction of the combat ships at the BNS premises had also restored public confidence in the skills and capabilities of local companies.

He said the LCS would be stationed at several vital areas, including in the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) areas.

The defence minister also gave assurance that the government would not compromise in the aspects of national security and defence despite the global economic uncertainty.

In another development, Hishammuddin said two apartment blocks for military personnel and their families at the RMN base here would be upgraded involving an allocation of RM22.5 million.

"The upgrading work is expected to begin in May and completed by year's end," he said, adding that the government would also build 300 houses at Bandar Baru Segari here, which will only be sold to members of Armed Forces Veterans Association at a price of RM100,000 each.

-- BERNAMA

Interestingly, the guard on the right is using a Surefire 60-round extended capacity magazine on his HK-416. 

PT PAL readies lead Philippine SSV for first sea trials

Ridzwan Rahmat, Surabaya - IHS Jane's Navy International
07 March 2016

Key Points

• The first of two amphibious ships on order for the Philippine Navy is being prepared for sea trials
• The ships will be delivered to the Philippine government without weapons

The first strategic sealift vessel (SSV) on order for the Philippine Navy (PN) is being prepared for its first sea trials, PT PAL executives told IHS Jane's during a tour of the company's shipyard in Surabaya on 8 March.


The first strategic sealift vessel (SSV) on order for the Philippine Navy is being prepared for its first sea trials in April 2016. (IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat)

The 123 m vessel, which will be commissioned as BRP Tarlac with pennant number 601, is the first of two landing platform dock (LPD)-like vessels procured under a contract worth USD92 million signed in June 2014 between PT PAL and the Philippine government.

In Queue for Perfection: Indonesia to Receive First Russian Su-35 in 2018

08:47 09.03.2016 (updated 10:30 09.03.2016)

Indonesia will not receive the first batch of Russian Su-35 multirole fighters earlier than in 2018 due to the overload of the aircraft's sole manufacturer with domestic and international orders, media reported Wednesday, citing a source in the Russian Defense Ministry.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in March, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu announced Moscow and Jakarta would sign in April a contract for the delivery of 10 Russian Su-35 Flanker multirole fighter jets to replace Indonesia’s fleet of F-5 Tigers.

The manufacturer had produced 14 Su-35, several Su-30МК2 aircraft for Vietnam and modernized Su-27 in 2015, the Russian Izvestia newspaper reported.

"Today, a full transition of the enterprise to the production of modern Su-35 is on the agenda. However, this will not affect the queue. The plant is due to produce 50 aircraft for Russia's Aerospace Forces within five years, and 24 for China. Indonesians could expect to receive two jets in 2018 in a best-case scenario," the source told the newspaper.

The Su-35S is a 4++ generation one-seater, an upgraded version of the Su-27 multirole fighter with features comparable to a 5-generation aircraft. It is characterized by supermaneuverability and is equipped with new avionics, a modern radar and advanced engines. It can accomplish incredible tricks without deceleration and can fly at a speed of 2400 kmph, outpacing all rivals in its class. The warplane is armed with 30mm guns, a huge number of missiles and rockets.

Indonesia orders fourth KCR-60M fast attack craft

Ridzwan Rahmat, Surabaya - IHS Jane's Navy International
08 March 2016

Key Points

* Indonesia is acquiring a fourth KCR-60M missile-armed fast attack craft
* Vessels in the class will be equipped with a Chinese-developed combat management system

The Indonesian government has placed an order for a fourth KCR-60M-class missile-armed fast attack craft, PT PAL officials told IHS Jane's during a visit to the shipyard on 8 March.


A KCR-60M-class fast attack craft seen off Langkawi during the LIMA 2015 exhibition. Indonesia is acquiring a fourth vessel in the class. (IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat)

"Although a contract for the vessel has not yet been signed, we have been given instructions to build it. A formal contract is expected very soon, most probably in the next few months," said Tjahjono Yudo, general manager of corporate strategic planning at the state-owned shipyard.

PT PAL targets September 2016 completion of submarine-building facility

Ridzwan Rahmat, Surabaya - IHS Jane's Navy International
08 March 2016

A plant for constructing submarines is being built at PT PAL's premises in Surabaya, where work on the complex is scheduled to complete by September 2016, the company's executives told IHS Jane's on 8 March during a tour of the shipyard.


The submarine-building facility under construction on PT PAL's premises in Surabaya as of March 2016. (IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat)

"Construction of the third Chang Bogo-class submarine is scheduled to begin from October 2016 at this facility," said Tjahjono Yudo, PT PAL's general manager of corporate strategic planning.

The plant's set-up has been designed to mimic Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's (DSME's) facility in South Korea, he said. He added that PT PAL personnel are currently in Okpo to understudy the construction of the first two boats.

Malaysia lays keel for first SGPV-LCS

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
08 March 2016

Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) has laid down the keel for the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN's) first Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS) at its facilities in Lumut.


A model of Malaysia's SGPV-LCS platform currently under construction in Lumut. (Dzirhan Mahadzir)

The vessel, which is the first of six 111 m platforms ordered under a MYR9 billion (USD2.2 billion) contract awarded to BNS in July 2014, was laid down on 8 March in a ceremony attended by Malaysian defence minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The 3,000-tonne platform is based on the Gowind 2500 corvette designed by French shipbuilder DCNS. The SGPV-LCS's suite of sensors includes the Thales Nederland SMART-S Mk 2 3-D multibeam radar, Rheinmetall's TMEO Mk 2 TMX/EO radar/electro-optical tracking and fire-control system, and the Thales Captas-2 low-frequency variable-depth sonar for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.

Sad news..

Pekan, 10 Mac -  Seorang pekerja DRB-HICOM Defence Tenchnologies Sdn Bhd (DEFTECH) maut setelah dihempap oleh kereta perisai di kilang terbabit dalam kejadian yang berlaku kira-kira 12 tengahhari tadi.

Laporan dari Harian Metro berkata, mangsa Abdul Razak Jabbar, 45, sedang mngajar seorang pelatih mengendalikan kenderaan terbabit ketika kejadian.

Bagaimanapun, kereta perisai yang dinaiki mereka itu dikatakan hilang kawalan sebelum terbalik menghempap mangsa.

Mangsa yang parah dikepala dan badan meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian manakal pelatih tersebut mengalami cedera ringan.

Mayat mangsa telah dihantar ke Hospital Pekan untuk tujuan bedah siasat sebelum dituntut oleh ahli keluarga mangsa.