Australia’s Tiger attack helicopters ‘unsafe’

Rory Callinan
The Australian 10:56AM August 13, 2017
   
The maker of Australia’s problematic Tiger attack helicopters has issued a safety warning describing all versions of the aircraft as being in an “unsafe condition”.

The Airbus bulletin about the choppers which have cost Australia $1.5 billion to buy, was issued after a German operated variant crashed in Africa last month.

Blades falling of the German helicopter mid flight have since been blamed as the possible cause of the crash that saw the aircraft plunge into the desert from a height of about 500m killing the two crew.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) which operates 22 of the Tigers last week said they had not imposed any restrictions on their fleet after the crash.

But the new bulletin from Airbus released on Friday may raise concerns about continuing to fly the two seater choppers on operations.

The ADF is yet to respond to questions from The Australian asked on Saturday evening about whether any restrictions had come into force since the bulletin was issued.

The bulletin said “despite the missing information and considering a sudden failure, Airbus Helicopters (AH) declares a unsafe condition for all Tiger versions”.

“AH can neither identity the part, the failure of which would lead to the accident, nor the origin of the failure (design, manufacturing, maintenance). “Consequently AH is not in a position to propose a protective measure.”

Simulation System Inaugurated

Marhalim Abas August 15, 2017 Malaysian Army

SHAH ALAM: Army Chief General Zulkiple Mohd Kassim officially launched the service’s new simulator system on Monday (Aug. 14). The Small Arms and Leadership Immersive Virtual Training Simulator (VIRTSIM) is now fully operational at the Army Simulator Centre at Kem Sirajuddin in Gemas.

Due to a conflict in schedule, I was unable to travel to Gemas for the ceremony on Aug. 14 so we have to rely on the release from the Army. Malaysian Defence had reported on the acquistion of the VIRTSIM previously.

A demonstration of the capability of the VIRTSIM was displayed at the opening ceremony at the simulator centre.

A release from Berita Tentera Darat stated that Zulkiple during the media conference says Malaysia was the third user of VIRTSIM after the US and UAE.

“This is the latest technology which will allow the Army soldier to upgrade their combat skills either individually or in groups, in all manner of condition.

“A soldier typically needs 10 sessions of training to master the skills needed for combat which are relatively costly but with the new simulator, we can reduce the cost as they may need only to conduct two sessions of field training after undergoing eight virtual sessions,” he added.

DND plans to acquire medium tanks

Written by  PNA Thursday, 17 August 2017 00:00 

Instead of heavily-armored and gunned main battle tanks, the Department of National Defense (DND) is looking at the possibility of acquiring some medium tanks for its armored units.

This was emphasized by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when asked Wednesday on whether the ongoing conflict in densely-packed Marawi City, where Maute Group terrorists converted concrete houses and buildings into fortified fighting positions, necessitates the acquisition of a main battle tank fleet.

“Not really. We do not expect a lot Marawi-type conflict in the future. Therefore a couple of medium tanks would do: for contingency in urban warfare and for training,” he added.

Lorenzana also defined main battle tanks as vehicles weighing 40 tons or more and carrying a large-caliber gun while medium tanks are those weighing 20 tons or less and equipped with a medium-caliber but powerful cannon but capable of breaching reinforced concrete walls.

i think they mean IFV

Turkey, Indonesia team up in defense, enhance military ties

YUNUS PAKSOY @yunuspaksoy ANKARA
Published 15 hours ago


Kulac, a bathymetry sonar developed by ASELSAN to be used in Turkish submarines, was sold to Indonesia last year and became Turkey's first export of the underwater acoustical system.

As part of its defense strategy, Ankara is enhancing cooperation with Jakarta to boost bilateral projects in defense industries and the sharing of military experience

Collaboration between Turkey and Indonesia in the defense industry and the military is increasing as the two countries are engaged in joint production of tanks, drones, submarines, weapons and radar systems.

High-level diplomatic sources in Ankara told Daily Sabah that Ankara and Jakarta have recently intensified efforts to jointly develop defense industry mechanisms and share military experience.

In this respect, a prototype for the Turkish-Indonesian tank has already been created and is set to partake in an official military parade in Jakarta in October. The sources did not provide the number of tanks that would be produced, but demand will be a determining factor.

Defense industry experts said the tank will weigh around 35 tons, and will have a 700-horsepower engine. There will be two tanks in the first leg of production, one for Turkey and one for Indonesia. The development cost for the medium-weight tank is estimated at $11.5 million. The FNSS, a subsidiary of Nurol Holding, which operates in the industry, eyes the production of 40 tanks, while that number could go up to 200 if Indonesia is satisfied.

The KAPLAN MT tank is expected to make a powerful contribution due to its firepower and large ammunition options as well as its superior agility. A CMI Cockerill 3105 tower, equipped to fire high-pressured 105mm shells, provides the tank's firepower.

One of the striking points in the joint venture is the production of submarines. The senior sources stressed that Indonesia wants to gain know-how and the deal is near completion. Experts said that the Turkish defense industry is producing six submarines in Turkey's Gölcük shipyard under the license of ThyssenKrupp. The first submarine is set to be delivered in 2021.

An Indonesian delegation has already paid a visit to Turkey to inspect the production process. There are only a small number of issues to be resolved before the two sides ink the deal, sources said. The first two submarines will be built in Turkey and the rest are planned to be jointly produced by an Indonesian company, experts said.

The sources said a Turkish delegation, including company representatives, will be in Indonesia next week to discuss the latest details regarding the submarine deal and other projects. An Indonesian delegation will be in Turkey in early September.

Ankara and Jakarta have set their sights high, as the two countries are also engaged in projects to produce Turkish-Indonesian drones. Experts said Indonesia is willing to work on a model like the domestic drone produced in Turkey.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has also recently reached a framework agreement with Indonesia's PT Dirgantara Indonesia aerospace company to design a 50-seat aircraft.

What does 'medium tank' refers to nowadays anyway?

Tanks are often referred to by weight-based classifications such as 'light', 'medium' or 'heavy', and by extension the role that this size of tank was suitable for. There were many names given to different tank types, and similar names did not assure similar design goals. Some light tanks were relatively slow, and some were fast. Some heavy tanks had large-calibre, low-velocity, anti-infantry bunker-busters, and some had high-velocity anti-tank guns. Furthermore, expected weights for a given tank type vary over time; a medium tank of 1939 could weigh less than a light tank of 1945.

While originally based on weight, the light, medium, and heavy classifications expanded based on tactical use. They now have other meanings than just weight, including relation to gun size, the amount of armour, and, most importantly, tactical role.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_classification

Indonesia eyes Black Shark torpedoes for Type 209/1400 submarines

Ridzwan Rahmat - IHS Jane's Navy International
17 August 2017
 
Key Points

• Indonesia is looking to acquire the Black Shark torpedo for its Type 209/1400 submarines from South Korea
• Move will equip the new submarines with the same capability as regional submarine operators


A model of the Black Shark torpedo (IHS Markit/Patrick Allan)

Indonesia will acquire the Black Shark fibre optic wire-guided heavyweight torpedo for its fleet of three new Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), a senior official from the country’s Ministry of Defence has told a local media.

Comments on the possible acquisition were made by Vice Admiral Widodo, General Secretariat at the defence ministry, during a one-day exhibition on 13 August to showcase the products of indigenous defence companies in Jakarta. The exhibition is being done in conjunction with celebrations to mark Indonesia’s 52nd year of independence, which takes place on 17 August.

“There is a possibility that we will have [the Black Shark torpedo] by the end of this year,” said Vice Adm Widodo, as quoted in a news report on the website of Indonesian 24-hour news channel Metro TV. There was, however, no further elaboration on the weapon’s procurement process, or if a contract has materialised. Vice Adm Widodo was previously deputy chief-of-staff at the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia- Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) from 2015 to 2016.

Published: Thursday, 17 August 2017 18:07

Damen Lays Keel of SIGMA 10514 Long Range Patrol Vessel for Mexican Navy
 
On Thursday 17th August, the Secretary of the Mexican Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz, took part in a symbolic coin ceremony at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) at Vlissingen in the Netherlands. He was accompanied by the Secretary of National Defense, General Salvador Cienfuegos. The Coin Ceremony is an event which takes place at the keel laying, in the early stages of a ship's construction. In it, the shipbuilders place one or two coins under the keelblock of the new ship to bless the ship and as a symbol of good fortune. On this occasion, the vessel is a Damen Sigma 10514 Long Range Patrol Vessel.

looks like Thailand will gonna have 2 types of new MBT inside their inventory, Oplot & VT-4