Singapore Eyes F-35 for 2030 Timeframe

By: Aaron Mehta, October 3, 2016

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Honolulu — Singapore remains interested in the F-35 joint strike fighter, but does not expect to procure the fifth-generation jet until the 2030 timeframe, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said Sept. 30.

“The F-35s are considered form a timeframe of 2030 and beyond for our defense needs, and in that light we are not in a hurry and we are still evaluating,” Ng said here following a meeting of the ASEAN defense ministers. “It’s a good plane, but our needs aren’t so urgent at this point and time.”

Singapore has long been linked to the F-35 program, and in February 2015 Joint Program Office head Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan said he believed the country has “begun to take the next step toward making a decision.”

But since then, there has been little visible movement from Singapore towards procuring the jet. It is also unclear what variant of the jet the country might eventually seek to buy.

Ng believes his country’s crop of F-15s and F-16s will “last us well into the next one or two decades.” In December, Lockheed Martin obtained a $914 million contract to upgrade Singapore’s 60 plane F-16 fleet, with work occurring through 2023.

Asked if there was a geopolitical situation in the region that could spur the country to speed up a procurement decision on the jet, especially given the turmoil in the South China Sea, Ng replied confidently that the current plan is the right one.

“It will not be influenced by what happens in the south china sea, nor China’s military might,” he said. “We’ve acknowledged China is a military power. It is really dictated by what we feel is our needs, as well as how we can contribute to defense globally.”

suprisingly they has Ukraine Antonov
btw the old MIG look ok , old jet build tough, if new one sure damaged

oh dear...
Helikopter TUDM terhempas di Tawau
RODELIO JUNJUN TAUCAN  |  04 Oktober 2016 9:51 AM


TAWAU 4 Okt. - Sebuah helikopter milik Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) terhempas di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Balung di sini pagi ini.
Setakat ini, pihak berkuasa masih belum mengeluarkan apa-apa kenyataan mengenai kejadian itu.
Jumlah mangsa yang terlibat juga masih belum diketahui.  - UTUSAN ONLINE
- See more at: http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nahas-benc...h.Ns0jvegp.dpuf

Helicopter made an emergency landing, says TUDM

KUALA LUMPUR: A Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) carrying 14 passengers made an emergency landing near the Sekolah Menengah Balung, Tawau, Sabah at about 9.35am today.

TUDM in a statement said all those onboard are safe.

The helicopter had left the base at about 7.35 am for routine training, TUDM said.

Royal Thai Air Force places order for two additional EC725s

4 October 2016

• Acquisition is Phase III of fleet strengthening programme initiated in 2012.

• The two new helicopters will join its existing operating fleet of four EC725s (Phase I) for similar military missions, with two more (Phase II) to be delivered this year.

• Delivery is expected in 2019.

Marignane – The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has ordered two additional mission-ready twin-engine EC725 (now marketed as the H225M Caracal) multirole utility helicopters as part of the continuation of its fleet strengthening programme agreement launched in 2012. Delivery of the two additional EC725s is scheduled for 2019.

The RTAF’s EC725s are specially equipped with fast roping, cargo sling, search light and electro-optical systems (EOS) to perform combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions, search and rescue (SAR) flights, troop transport operations and other tasks. These additional helicopters will join an existing fleet of four EC725s to perform similar missions. Two EC725s that were booked in 2014 will also be delivered by the end of this year. Upon signing this latest contract, the RTAF may also consider to further expand its fleet of EC725s.

“This latest contract marks the great confidence the RTAF has placed in the EC725 and its proven capabilities to fulfil its most challenging missions,” said Philippe Monteux, Head of Southeast Asia and Pacific region. “We are honoured to be a partner of the RTAF’s fleet modernisation and strengthening efforts and we remain committed to ensure full support and comprehensive services to the RTAF.”

Airbus Helicopters’ EC725 is an 11-ton twin-engine multirole utility helicopter featuring high-performance navigation and mission systems – including a unique digital four-axis autopilot to deliver excellent flight autonomy. It is a member of the successful Super Puma / Cougar family of military helicopters, with more than 500 units delivered worldwide. It is currently operated by the armed forces of France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and was selected last month by the State of Kuwait, with an order placed for 30 helicopters.

October 4, 2016 11:30 am JST

Australian submarine program in danger of running aground

KAORI TAKAHASHI, Nikkei staff writer

SYDNEY -- Australia's next-generation submarines development project faces an uncertain future after a substantial information leak from a contractor overseas and strikes by government employees at home.

The Australian government last Friday announced it had selected major U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin for the task of integrating combat systems in the planned new submarines. With a systems integrator finally in place, the vessels' development can finally get underway. It is "an important step in the development of Australia's regionally superior future submarines," Defense Minister Marise Payne said on Friday.

But the announcement also highlighted delays that took place during negotiations, as the selection came a whole five months after Canberra had chosen French shipbuilder DCNS for their design.

The delay appears to be the result of major security concerns arising from an information leak at DCNS, who won the bid over Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and leading German defense contractor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

A local news report revealed the leak of classified data related to Scorpene class submarines DCNS designed for the Indian navy, including stealth features and underwater performance capabilities.

The Australian defense ministry subsequently asked the company to improve information security.

A source said the time taken to strike a deal was the result of having to take extra security measures after scandal.

"The Americans were reluctant to work with Germans or French in the first place," the source said, adding that the leak made them even more unwilling to accept the deal, and that led to a drawn-out process of creating an information security system that met the U.S. company's standards.

Meanwhile, in late September, work related to the safety and design of the submarines stalled as about 40 naval engineers, architects and technicians at the defense ministry staged a week-long strike "against the degradation of technical capacity in the Defence Department," according to the Professionals Australia union. The strike also targeted a "future frigate program, the offshore patrol boat program and the replacement of a vital naval refueling vessel."

The members warn that budget and payroll cuts may bring an end to the submarine program due to a skills shortage, and called on the government to improve working conditions.

Poland cancels multi-billion euro Airbus Helicopters deal

The Polish government has cancelled talks with Airbus Helicopters on a multi-billion euro deal to buy military helicopters. The decision reopens the door to the helicopter makers that failed in the original tender.

Poland's Development Ministry said late on Tuesday that the negotiating position of the two sides on the purchase of 50 Caracal helicopters for 13.5 billion zlotys (3.14 billion euros) was "so different that further talks are pointless."

The collapse of talks also shelves a major offset deal agreed under the previous Polish government.

The ministry said that offers made by Airbus Helicopters had "failed to properly secure Poland's economic and security interests." Polish officials had earlier indicated that the value of the deal should match the value of the purchase.

Offset agreements - where the seller of a product or service agrees to invest in sectors or goods on the buyer's side to compensate or enhance the value of the deal - are common in the military industry.

The decision to buy the helicopters from Airbus was made by the previous government, led by the center-right, pro-European party Civic Platform, as part of plans to modernize the military over the next 10 years, spending about 35 billion euros, and was triggered by regional tensions over Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Wednesday, 5 October 2016 | MYT 9:03 PM

Hishammuddin: Nuri helicopters should be upgraded, replaced

BY JUSTIN ZACK

PETALING JAYA: The S-61A4 Nuri helicopters should be upgraded and replaced with newer assets to prevent accidents from occurring, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

"I have reminded the top leadership in the Defence Ministry and the armed forces that there is no compromise when it comes to the safety of the personnel and preparedness of our military assets,” said Hishammuddin in a press release this Wednesday.

On Tuesday morning, a Nuri helicopter crashed at SMK Balung in Tawau, injuring approximately 10 Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) personnel and five students.

"I agree and understand the public's opinion on the fact that the Nuri helicopters have  been in service for a long time – since 1968 – and should be replaced with newer assets," said Hishammuddin.

He added that he has instructed the RMAF chief to prepare action and upgrading plans for the Nuri.

"I will be receiving a special briefing from the RMAF regarding the plans after my return from a working trip next week," said Hishammuddin.

I'm not impressed by it.
It lack of fac replacement.
It didn't show gagah samudera class even it going to be  commissioned by november and the 2nd ship by next year.

Indonesian Army deploys new KH179 howitzers near land border on Borneo

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
07 October 2016
 
The Indonesian Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Darat, or TNI-AD) has deployed an undisclosed number of South Korean made 155 mm KH179 towed howitzer artillery pieces with the service's Field Artillery Battalion 16 in Ngabang, West Kalimantan.

The battalion, which was established in 1997, is located on the island of Borneo about 60 km from the land border with Malaysia.

"The arrival of the [KH179 towed howitzers] is part of our efforts at modernising the unit," said Major Anom Wirasunu, a senior representative of the battalion in an interview with Indonesian media, on the sidelines of an event marking the Indonesian Armed Forces' 71st anniversary.

Two new systems are shown in Natuna, Chiron VSHORAD and Aerostar UAV

Manila, Moscow near deal on $12-m choppers

posted October 07, 2016 at 12:01 am
by Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

THE Philippines is set to acquire two helicopters—each worth between $12 million and $17 million—as its initial purchase under a Russian-Philippine military acquisition program. 

An insider ad Foreign Affairs Department told the Manila Standard that the Philippines is looking to purchase either two of MI17 or MI24 to improve the country’s capability against possible internal and external threats.

“We are looking of purchasing two to four MI17 or MI24. This is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s focus is more on internal security than external,” the source, who asked for anonymity, told the Manila Standard.

Although the Philippines is still window shopping, the source admitted that the Israel government is also pushing for their drones.

The heavily armored Russian helicopters are designed to withstand any kind of weather and are said to be low maintenance.

The choppers are also said to have defensive capabilities against portable surface-to-air attacks.

The source said Russia may offer a huge discounts and extended payment schemes could be arranged.

“It’s all just feelers at the moment. There are no negotiations yet,” the source said.

Recently, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said the Philippines is looking to buy military equipment and technology from Russia.

He said the officials of Federal Service for Military-technical Cooperation (FSMTC) briefed them on the different modes of financing on acquiring militaty equipment or technology.

The ambassador said Philippine defense officials have established the kind of equipment they need for internal defense and counterterrorism, and that they were now canvassing to see if the systems that Manila needs are available from Russia.

The Philippines has been unable to procure the weapons it wants “because some countries don’t believe we can use these high-tech systems properly or because of certain country-specific conditionalities,” he said.

The only country so far with the available military technology and the willingness to sell it is Russia.

“They trust that we will use these in accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said.

Aside from the military equipment and technology, Sorreta said, both countries have discussed possible cooperation on training; after-sales service and maintenance; transfer of technology; investment in domestic military production and servicing; and different modes of financing.

The talks with Russia developed after Duterte met with Russian Ambassador Khovaev in Davao City a few days after the May 9 elections.

Khovaev said he was impressed by Duterte during a “very productive” meeting where they discussed how to jump-start Philippine-Russian relations which officially started only in 1976.

Khovaev said that it was “time for Russians to discover the Philippines, and it is time for the Philippines to discover Russia,” adding that strengthened trade cooperation could begin before the end of this year.

The Russian envoy said there is much potential in the two country’s bilateral ties because “there were no disputes and no contradictions.”