Philippines gets 2 more FA-50PH jets

April 26, 2017 Caleb Velasquez

The Philippine Air Force today received two South Korea-made FA-50PH ‘Fighting Eagle’ Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighter Trainer (F/SA/LIFT) aircraft.

The two jets, with tail number 009 and 010, touched down past 11 am in Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

This arrival brings the number of Philippine Air Force’s FA-50PH to 10. 009 and 010 are yet to formally enter Air Force service.

The Philippine government, through the Department of National Defense, is on the process of procuring munitions for the said aircraft.

The Philippines also plans to procure more advanced fighter aircraft after getting enough experience in operating supersonic assets and budget allocation.

Two more aircraft will be delivered under the P18.9 billion contract with Korean Aerospace Industries.

Philippine Navy personnel stand in formation on board the Indonesian-made naval warship for the Philippine Navy BRV Davao del Sur (LD-602) during a turnover ceremony at a shipyard in Surabaya on Tuesday.  The warship, which was built by PT. PAL Indonesia, is the second vessel ordered by the Philippine Department of National Defense at a cost of 90 million USD.

Published: Wednesday, 03 May 2017 11:09

Kenya approved to purchase 12 weaponized MD 530F helicopters

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kenya for MD 530F light helicopters and weapon systems worth $253 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on May 2, 2017.

     
Two MD Helicopters MD 530F light attack and reconnaissance helicopters (Credit: MD Helicopters)
     
The Government of Kenya has requested a possible sale of 12 MD 530F weaponized helicopters to include 24 FN Herstal Heavy Machine Gun Pod (HMP) 400 systems; 24 M260 rocket launchers; 4,032 M151 rockets; 1,536 2.75-inch M274 smoke signature warhead rockets; and 400,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition. Also included are communications and navigation equipment, contractor logistics support, training, U.S. Government technical assistance, airframe and weapon system spare parts support, Contractor Field Service Representative (CFSR) support, and Special Assigned Airlift Mission (SAAM) flight delivery support. The total estimated cost is $253 million.

"This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader, undertaking critical operations against al-Shabaab, and a troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),"

This FMS will advance Kenya’s efforts to conduct scout and attack rotary wing aircraft operations in support of their AMISOM mission. The MD 530F will also replace Kenya’s aging fleet of about 40 MD 500 helicopters, which is the current reconnaissance platform supporting Kenyan ground forces.

An evolution of the well-known OH-6 Cayuse light attack and reconnaissance helicopter, MD Helicopters' MD 530F platform is powered by Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft engine. The MD 530F can fly at a maximum cruise speed of 248 km/h within a maximum range of 430 km and a service ceiling of 5,700 m.

The MD 530F has been deployed by the Afghan Air Force since 2011. The AAF fleet of 12 MD 530F helicopters was delivered through a programme managed by the US Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization.

Maybe it's ok ... if indon get them in 2025.

Wakil Asisten Perencanaan (Waasrena) KSAU, Marsma TNI Arif Mustofa, memberikan sedikit bocoran kepada Angkasa. Dikatakan, untuk pengganti Hawk 100/200 saat ini ada tiga pesawat yang sedang dikaji.

Ketiganya adalah jet tempur mesin tunggal, yakni Saab Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper, dan KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle. “Ketiga pesawat ini berpeluang, terutama Gripen dan Viper silakan bertarung,” ujar Arif di Jakarta, 1 November 2016.

Singapore's first Littoral Mission Vessel goes fully operational

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
05 May 2017
 

The Republic of Singapore Navy's first-of-class Littoral Mission Vessel, RSS Independence, at its commissioning ceremony on 5 May 2017 at Changi Naval Base. Source: Singapore MINDEF

Key Points

• Singapore has commissioned its first Littoral Mission Vessel
• Platform significantly bolsters the Republic of Singapore Navy's maritime patrol and interdiction capabilities

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has inducted its first Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) and declared the platform fully operational.

The 1,250-tonne platform, which has been named RSS Independence with pennant number 15, was inducted on 5 May at the Changi Naval Base in conjunction with the RSN's golden jubilee celebrations. It is the first of eight LMVs that are being acquired to progressively replace the RSN's fleet of 11 ageing Fearless-class patrol boats, which have been in service since the mid-1990s.

The LMV will operate with the RSN's 182 Squadron as an operational component of the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), which was established to deal swiftly with potential threats within Singapore's territorial waters and sea lines of communication (SLOCs).

Thailand Signs $1 Billion Contract For 3 Chinese Submarines, Free Missiles Thrown In

Our Bureau 11:23 AM, May 6, 2017

The Royal Thai Navy and China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) have signed a contract to supply three Yuan Class S26T submarines to Thailand worth around 36 billion baht ($1 billion) recently.

The deal specifies that 700 million baht ($20.2 million) is due to be paid within 45 days.The first submarine is expected to be delivered within six years. China also agreed to provide CM-708 missiles, which can be fired from the submarine over a range of 290 kilometres free of charge, the Bangkok Post reported Friday.

The first submarine is expected to be delivered within six years and all three over a period of 11 years. The diesel powered submarines are expected to bolster Thailand’s security in a volatile region, according to an earlier Thai government response justifying the purchase.

Thailand’s council of ministers approved the decision to acquire a 13.5 billion baht ($390 million) submarine from China and two more over the next 11 years on April 18.

With or without AIP?

A new tank was born at IDEF

The FNSS has developed a medium-weight class tank KAPLAN MT, which was developed in partnership with Indonesian PT Pindad firm, for the first time in IDEF 2017 with a prototype ready for testing.

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The prototype of a medium-weight class tank, jointly developed with FNSS's Indonesian partner, was exhibited for the first time at the 13th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2017), where many products developed recently by the defense industry are involved.

FNSS, one of the leading land systems manufacturers in the defense industry, is launching both new vehicles to the FUARD and is presenting the latest in the latest platforms.

The FNSS has developed a mid-weight class tank KAPLAN MT in partnership with the Indonesian PT Pindad firm, in preparation for testing at IDEF 2017 with a prototype ready for testing.

KAPLAN MT is preparing to be a strong player in battle with its precision direct fire capability, wide range of ammunition options, superior tactics and strategic mobility. In KAPLAN MT the power pack is located at the rear of the vehicle and provides a power / weight ratio of 20 BG / ton. The engine transfers this power to the walking system, which has a six-wheel, anti-shock suspension system built on twisting and twisting spindles with double-pinned pallets.

The car's firepower is the CMI Cockerill 3105 tower with integrated high-pressure 105 mm Cockerill ball and an advanced automatic filler. Thanks to this tower, KAPLAN MT achieves high destruction power despite its low weight.

"A very special vehicle"

FNSS General Manager Nail Kurt pointed out the vehicle's capabilities and development model in evaluating KAPLAN MT.

KAPLAN Emphasizing that MT is a very special vehicle, Kurt noted:

"In the course of the project, the effectiveness of this design will be more clearly evident when we show the performance of the vehicle, we are very pleased to develop this tool with our Indonesian partner FNSS has been successfully implementing different business model models for many years In Malaysia our business partner DEFTECH We are running a state-owned factory in Saudi Arabia, our joint venture company FNSS ME.We are implementing a different model in Indonesia and developing common products.With its own technology and experience, FNSS has a different business association with friends and allied countries Ready to work under models. "

Indonesian Navy delegation arrives in Istanbul to study acquisition of AIP submarines

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
09 May 2017

 
A computer-generated image of the Type 214 submarine, which has been offered to meet the Indonesian Navy's requirements. Source: HDW

Key Points

• An Indonesian delegation has arrived in Turkey to consider the acquisition of Type 214 submarines
• Development could see the Indonesian Navy operate its first air-independent propulsion-equipped boats

A senior delegation comprising of senior Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) officers has arrived in Istanbul to further explore the feasibility of acquiring air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped Type 214 submarines from Golcük Shipyard, sources close to the matter confirmed with Jane's on 9 May.

The delegation is led by the TNI-AL's Assistant for Logistics to the Navy Chief, Rear Admiral Mulyadi. He is accompanied by the service's Chief of Electronic and Weaponry Service, Commodore Christianto Purnawan, and Chief of Material Service, Commodore Aziz Ikhsan Bachtiar.

Among activities taking place during the visit is a tour of Golcük Shipyard's facilities near Istanbul, where work on the Type 214 platform is taking place. The shipyard has been contracted to deliver six boats of the type to the Turkish Navy, and the first-of-class is slated for launch in 2019. The officials will also visit the IDEF 2017 exhibition during their stay in Istanbul.

The delegation's visit comes in the wake of a presentation made by Golcük Shipyard and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) officials in early 2017 that took place at the TNI-AL headquarters in Cilangkap near Jakarta, as reported by Jane's on 13 April. TKMS is supporting Golcük Shipyard's bid to supply a variant of the Reis (Type 214)-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) to Indonesia.