PH military now has dozen 155mm Towed Howitzers from Israel

July 10, 2017 Ace dela Cruz Nation

A dozen of Israeli Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/39CAL Towed howitzers are now with the Philippine Army and Philippine Marines, each service having 6, according to MaxDefense Philippines who has sources from the military and defense community.

“Based on information we received, the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps are now in possession of all their ordered M-71 155mm/39 towed howtizers delivered by Soltam through Elbit C4 and Land Systems, as part of the AFP Modernization Program under the old RA 7898 of 1995, not under any of the newer Horizon phase,” MaxDefense Philippines said today in its social networking page.

The Department of National Defense (DND)-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) initiated the project to acquire twelve 155mm Towed Howitzer with 240 rounds of high explosive ammunition including an integrated logistics support package early 2015 with approved budget of PhP438.6 million.

Elbit won the bidding by submitting a bid of PHP410.84 million.

DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong revealed early last month that three of the 12 Israeli towed howitzers have arrived in April and the other nine were in transit.

Thai Air Force to get South Korean T-50TH fighter training aircraft

politics July 11, 2017 19:35

By WASAMON AUDJARINT ,
THE NATION

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a Bt8.8-billion purchase of eight T-50TH Golden Eagle fighter training aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) of South Korea, which the military said would not be too much of a burden on the national budget.

The purchase of the aircraft brings the total value of military hardware bought under the ruling junta since the coup of 2014 to a total of Bt 72.7 billion.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said the new pilot trainers will replace the retiring, out-of-date fleet of L-39ZA/ART jets from Czechoslovakia, which have been in use for more than two decades and have high maintenance costs.

The new aircraft are being bought to keep up with the modern technology of the Saab JAS-39C/D Gripen aircraft that the Air Force currently uses, Prayut said.

“It will only bring more damage if we provide insufficient training [to pilots],” Prayut said. “Also, I assure you that we are not bound by any party when it comes to hardware purchase.”

The Thai Air Force also uses an upgraded version of the F-16 A/B fighting jets from the United States.

Air Force sources said that the South Korean aircraft’s features are similar to the F-16 fighters but they are less expensive.

The purchase would be done in a government-to-government deal, according to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. “The deal will be done transparently,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

Documents and details on the Cabinet’s approval were not revealed as they were marked confidential, a usual practice when the government considers procurement of military hardware.

The new procurement constitutes the second batch of T-50THs. The Air Force signed a Bt3.7-billion contract with KAI to buy four T-50THs in September 2015, with delivery due in 2018.

M113 Arisgator TNI AD: Pertanyaannya bukan Jadi Beli Tetapi Berapa dan Kapan?

Posted on 10/07/2017 by Aryo Nugroho



Jika tahun lalu TNI AD dikabarkan akan membeli M113 Arisgator yakni M113 dengan kemampuan amfibi dan beroperasi dari kapal pendarat, informasi yang diterima Arcinc.id kali ini mengabarkan bahwaTNI AD sudah pasti akan membeli M113 buaya ini. Kabar semacam ini akan membuat sahabat ArcinC yang fanatik atas M113 seperti Weka G. Cha Bi sangat gembira.

Thales proposes Watchkeeper UAS for Indonesian Air Force's ISTAR requirements

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
11 July 2017
  
Key Points

• Thales has offered the Watchkeeper UAS for the Indonesian Air Force's requirements
• System is being considered to improve the service's surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition capabilities


The Thales Watchkeeper UAV over ParcAberporth, Wales. (Thales)

Thales UK is positioning the company's WK 450 Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the Indonesian Air Force's (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU's) intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements.

According to sources from within the service who spoke to Jane's on 11 July, a presentation on the UAS' capabilities was made by officials from Thales UK to the TNI-AU's office for planning a budget in mid-April 2017. The UAS, which has been derived from Elbit Systems' Hermes 450 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, was originally developed for the British Army.

Malaysia is scrapping plans to buy new fighter jets in order to deal with ISIS-inspired militancy

Reuters 12h 


A Rafale fighter jet in the QRA area (Air policing quick-reaction alert) at the French Air Force base in Mont-de-Marsan, southwestern France.Thomson Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia has put on hold a $2 billion plan to replace its aging fleet of combat aircraft, looking instead to upgrade its aerial surveillance capabilities to confront the growing threat of militancy inspired by the Islamic State group, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

Southeast Asia's third-largest economy has for several years been weighing the competing merits of France's Rafale jet and the Eurofighter Typhoon, built by Britain's BAE Systems, as it looks to buy up to 18 jets to replace its Russian MiG-29 fighters - nearly half of which are grounded.

The Rafale fighter - built by Dassault Aviation SA - was until recently seen as the frontrunner, with the support of key officials in Malaysia's defense ministry.

But Malaysia has shelved those plans for now as it looks to boost aerial surveillance that will be critical in its fight against militancy, a defense ministry source told Reuters.

Malaysian Prime Minister Razak Najib, left, arrives at the Manila International Airport in Pasay city, metro Manila, April 27, 2017.Thomson Reuters

The decision comes as Islamist fighters continue to battle security forces in Marawi in the southern Philippines. Malaysia and Indonesia, which share the nearby island of Borneo, are working with the Philippines to conduct air and maritime patrols along their shared borders in the Sulu Sea.

"With regards to Rafale, France is still pushing for it as evidenced during the recent air show in Paris," said the source, on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to media on the discussions.

"However, due to the current situation, Malaysia is focusing more on maritime patrol aircraft rather than multi-role combat aircraft."

Raytheon Anschütz submarine systems maneuver through acceptance tests

13. July 2017  Defense News

Navigation, steering and control technologies completed the Sea Acceptance Test onboard the newest submarine for the Indonesian Navy within a minimum of time.


Raytheon Anschütz has delivered a customized, type S55 submarine steering stand, including the newly designed three-dimensional autopilot, as well as a battery monitoring system – to Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), who are constructing the newest submarine destined for use by the Indonesian Navy.

The new system’s autopilot features a robust controller that ensures safe steering and maneuverability, with speed, precision and minimal noise. As a software-based system, the autopilot can offer an extended functional range, including smart integration of the rudder steering system with electronic sea chart or situational awareness systems for waypoint steering and tactical maneuver planning.

Raytheon Anschütz’s Gerald Baden, who leads the submarine business area, states: “Our new 3D autopilot demonstrated its full steering accuracy and our customers have expressed their overall satisfaction with the robustness and performance of the integrated steering solution. This acceptance test for the Indonesian submarine was the third successful implementation of the new autopilot in an international submarine program.”

Systems performed as designed throughout the Sea Trials, and were supported onboard with engineering and customer service specialists from Raytheon Anschütz.

Hull 7712 is the first of three 209-class submarines for the Indonesian Navy. They feature a modified design and are being built at Daewoo’s Okpo shipyard in South Korea.

Picture: TNI AL's Type 209/1200 SSK at Daewoo’s Okpo shipyard
(source: DSME – to be used only in combination with this news release)

Indonesia To Test Home-made Medium Altitude Long Endurance Military Drone In 2019

Our Bureau
05:15 AM, July 17, 2017

Indonesia has started developing a large medium altitude long endurance (MALE) military drone which it plans to test in 2019.

A consortium consisting of aircraft maker PT Dirgantara, Indonesian Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), state-owned electronic firm PT LEN, the Ministry of Defense and Security and the Bandung-based Institute of Technology is preparing to conduct a flight test for its larger Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone in 2019.

"For next drone development, we will develop larger MALE drone. It can fly for a longer distance, more loads and longer flight duration which can reach 24 hours. It will be used for border surveillance operations as part of the efforts to maintain security and defense," Antara news said quoting Wahyu Pandoe of the BPPT in Jakarta on Sunday.

Head of BPPT's Drone Program Joko Purwoto said Indonesia would have been able to conduct a flight test for its MALE drone in 2019.

Unlike the Alap-alap, the smaller drone built by the BPPT which consumes octane-98 gasoline, the larger MALE drone will use avtur aircraft fuel.

This drone is developed with a capability to fly for 24 hours at the altitude of 30,000 feet and with a load of not only cameras but also radars.

Russia Plans to Sign Deal on Malaysia’s MiG-29 Aircraft Upgrade at MAKS


© Sputnik/ Grigoriy Sisoev

Military & Intelligence
13:33 18.07.2017

Russia plans on signing a contract with Malaysia to modernize the latter’s MiG-29 fighter jets as part of the XIII International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS, the director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), Dmitry Shugaev, said Tuesday.

ZHUKOVSKIY (Russia) (Sputnik) – The International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS is held in the town of Zhukovskiy in the Moscow Region from July 18-23.

"We plan to finalize such a serious process as modernization of Royal Malaysian Air Force’s MiG-29 jets. Today, [Malaysia's] Air Force Commander is here. We hope that everything will be successful," Shugaev said.

A total of 18 Russia-made MiG-29N fighter jets became part of Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) fleet under a 1993 deal. On March 21, a representative of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak that Russia was ready to modernize Malaysia's MiG-29N fighter jets to MiG-29SM, and provide full repairs to this end.

The UAC confirmed its readiness to start supplying the Su-35 of Indonesia and the UAE

Moscow. July 20. INTERFAX.RU - The production capacities of the United Aircraft Corporation are ready to implement large export contracts for the delivery of the Su-35, UAC President Yury Slyusar told Interfax.

"The production capacity of the Su-35 is such that we are ready right now, without adjusting the contract with the Defense Ministry, to start implementing major foreign contracts," Slyusar said, responding to Interfax's question about the readiness to sell the Su-35 supplies from Indonesia and the UAE.

He stressed that the production capacity exceeds the current level of demand and covers the requirements under the State Defense Order.

Viktor Kladov, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy of the State Corporation Rostek, said earlier that the contract for the supply of Russian multi-purpose super maneuverable Su-35 fighter aircraft has already been agreed upon and will be signed in 2017.

Earlier it was reported that we are talking about the supply of Indonesia's 12 Su-35 aircraft.

The head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), Dmitry Shugaev, reported that Russia has begun pre-contract work on deliveries of the Su-35 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In April, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said that the UAE could buy several dozen Su-35 fighters from the Russian Federation.

The Su-35 fighter was developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It is a deeply modernized super maneuverable multifunctional fighter of the "4 ++" generation.

PH completes inspection of Raytheon for FA-50’s air-to-air missiles

July 18, 2017 Caleb Velasquez N

The Philippine has completed post qualification inspections for Raytheon Missile Systems Co. last week in United States for Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighter Trainer (F/SA/LIFT) Aircraft Munitions Acquisition Project Lot 1.

According to MaxDefense Philippines, Raytheon is in the running to supply AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft.

“If the results are positive, it won’t be long before a Notice of Award will be provided,” MaxDefense said.

MaxDefense added that air-to-air missiles being acquired are also for “future aircraft capable of carrying and firing the missiles.”

However, MaxDefense noted the decrease in Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) for the F/SA/LIFT Aircraft Munitions Acquisition Project Lot 1.

It noted that ABC was decreased to PHP 1.016 billion for unspecified number of AIM-9L/I-1 missiles including associated accessories and support, from PHP 2.636 billion for 312 missiles.

“Budget decrease was also made as the PAF opted to increase the budget to acquire AGM-65G Maverick missiles (Lot 2) instead, diverting almost half the original ABC for F/SAA/LIFT Munitioms Lot 1 to Lot 2,” MaxDefense said.

AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile (AGM) designed for close air support.

F/SA/LIFT Aircraft Munitions Acquisition Project is divided into several Lots. Lots 3 and 4 are for Countermeasures and 20mm Ammunition, respectively.

Vietnam confirms order of Russian T-90 tanks

Jon Grevatt - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
24 July 2017


A Russian T-90S MBT fitted with Shtora defensive aids suite. Source: Uralvagonzavod

Vietnam has ordered 64 T-90S/SK main battle tanks (MBTs) from Russia, state-run news agencies in Hanoi confirmed on 21 July.

The reports, which cited comments from Russian defence officials who were speaking at a press conference at the MAKS-2017 aerospace exhibition in Moscow, said that the acquisition will be funded by credit provided by Moscow.

Jane’s first reported in early July that Russian tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod revealed in its annual report that it had secured an order from Vietnam for the T-90S/SK MBTs. The T-90S is the basic export model, while the 'K' postfix is a reference to command versions.

The value of the T-90 deal was not disclosed but is thought to be about USD250 million. The investment represents the first major order of new MBTs that the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has secured for many years. Investment over the past decade and more has been firmly focused on modernising the Vietnamese navy and air force.

In addition to the MBTs, the reports said Vietnam is also positioned to procure from Russia four S-400 Triumf missile systems to boost surface-to-air missile capability and MiG-35 multirole combat aircraft to replace the Vietnam People’s Air Force’s (VPAF’s) MiG-21 fighters, which are now thought to have been retired.