Pak arab? Indon?

Boeing, US government sign US$3.4 billion deal for AH-64E Apache helicopters

Singapore's Heron 1 UAV reaches full operational capability

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
16 March 2017


The Republic of Singapore Air Force's Heron 1 UAV, at the ceremony marking full operational capability. Source: IHS Markit/Ridzwan Rahmat

Key Points

* The Republic of Singapore Air Force has declared full operational capability on the Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle
* Platform enhances Singapore intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, including in non-conventional operations

The Republic of Singapore Air Force has declared full operational capability on the Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle

Platform enhances Singapore intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, including in non-conventional operations

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has attained full operational capability (FOC) on its fleet of IAI Heron 1 medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

A ceremony to mark the milestone, officiated by the country's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, was held on 15 March at the service's UAV Command in Murai Camp. The aircraft are operated across the RSAF's 119 and 128 squadrons, and was first inaugurated by the service in May 2012 to progressively replace the service's fleet of Searcher UAVs that entered service in the mid-1990s.

"The Heron 1 can be deployed with fighters and attack helicopters, amplifying the SAF's precision strike capabilities," said Ng, during his speech at the ceremony to mark the FOC. "Apart from these conventional operations, it can also be deployed against terrorist threats, because its persistence enables it to cover a wide area of surveillance," he added.

The Heron 1 features an overall length of 8.8 m, a wingspan of 16.6 m, a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1,100 kg, and a payload capacity of 250 kg. With an endurance of more than 24 hours, the platform can attain a maximum operating range of about 200 km, and achieve cruise speeds of between 60 and 70 kt.

According to the RSAF, its Heron 1s have each been equipped with electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) turret and a laser designator to assist with target acquisitions, including when operating in tandem with the RSAF's fighter aircraft and attack helicopters.

Four French Caesar SPHs involved in the battle of #Mosul against ISIS 22 destruction missions last week.

Malaysian defense: Budget hinders military asset procurement

By: Mike Yeo, March 15, 2017

MELBOURNE, Australia — Malaysia’s military continues to struggle to implement plans to recapitalize its assets, as the government’s budget is battered by slow economic growth mainly due to falling oil revenues.

As a result, major procurement programs for the Malaysian Armed Forces have mostly been put on hold even as existing platforms rapidly approach obsolescence. For the Royal Malaysian Air Force, this means that badly needed fighters, trainers, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft will unlikely be acquired in the short to medium term.

Situated alongside the vital maritime trade routes and the hotly disputed islands of the South China Sea of which it partly claims, Malaysia faces a unique geographical challenge, as its territory is split by the South China Sea into two separate landmasses 365 miles apart at its narrowest point.

This has had the effect of spreading the RMAF thinner, with the service recently moving a squadron of BAE Hawk 108/208 light attack aircraft to eastern Malaysia in response to continuing unrest and lawlessness in neighboring southern Philippines. This has spilled over into Malaysia on a number of occasions in the form of kidnappings and even an armed insurrection in 2013 that necessitated a military operation, including airstrikes by RMAF aircraft, to it put down.

Malaysia’s $3.6 billion 2017 defense budget represented a 13 percent drop from 2016’s budget. And it represents 1.2 percent of gross domestic product, taking defense spending in real terms down to 2002 levels.

The budget includes $104 million to the RMAF for procurement, but as Malaysian defense analyst Dzirhan Mahadzir told Defense News, this will be used to pay for ongoing programs rather than new acquisitions.

TNI AL Perbarui Alutsita, Ada Apa?

Penulis Aan Imam Marzuki - 16 Maret 2017



MALANGTODAY.NET– TNI Angkatan Laut terus berbenah dengan mendatangkan berbagai alat utama sistem pertahanan (alutsita). Hal tersebut dilakukan untuk menjadikan Korps Marinir berkelas dunia.

KepaIa Staf TNI Angkatan Laut (KSAL) Laksamana TNI, Ade Supandi, mengatakan TNI AL akan terus memodernisasi alat utama sistem persenjataan melalui kebijakan minimum essential force (MEF).

“Untuk melengkapi Korps Marinir agar memiliki postur sebagai marinir yang betul-betul kelas dunia, maka pengadaan kendaraan tempur akan terus ditambah,” jawabnya.

Ia menyebutkan, ada beberapa alutsista yang akan diperbarui di antaranya, mengganti kendaraan tempur tank PT76 buatan 1960 yang sudah tua dengan BMP-3F. Dikutip dari Antara, Ade menyatakan tahun ini BMP-3F akan masuk sekitar 30 unit.

“Kami juga akan lengkapi dengan kapal pengangkut kendaraan artileri BTR. Karena BTR kita sebagian di Lebanon, dari 11 unit baru datang empat unit yang datang,” ujarnya.

ST KINETICS OFFERS NEW PLATFORM FOR MPF

At 2017 AUSA Global Force, ST Kinetics is offering its Next Gen Armored Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) to the US Army for the service's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF). In concept, the MPF is seen as a highly mobile vehicle that is able to accompany and support Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, and aid reconnaissance-in-force missions. The MPF will be a fully tracked armored vehicle light and small enough to negotiate urban areas, and traverse poor roads and bridges in underdeveloped regions of the globe.

Although still in the early stages, the US Army hopes to field an MPF vehicle by the mid-2020s.

The NGAFV has been developed by ST Kinetics and its demonstrator includes the company's HMX3000 fully automatic transmission and CMI's COCKERILL 3000 series turret.

Fully digitised and with the option of drive by wire, the NGAFV is to replace the Singapore Armed Forces' M113A ULTRAs. 


ST Kinetics' Next Gen Armored Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) offering for the US Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) in model form.US Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) Programme

Published: 15 March 2017

Malaysian naval power suffers budget woes

By: Mike Yeo, March 17, 2017

MELBOURNE, Australia — Malaysia’s centerpiece plan for the restructure and recapitalization of its Navy has also been adversely affected by the country’s budget woes, leaving most of it underfunded or unfunded altogether.

The so-called 15-to-5 plan, unveiled in 2015, calls for a reduction of the Royal Malaysian Navy order of battle from 15 to five classes of ships and submarines, which it hopes will trim sustainment costs by retiring older ships and reducing the number of ship classes operated by the RMN by 2030.

The five ship classes will ideally consist of 12 French-designed littoral combat ships, 18 Kedah-class offshore patrol vessels, 18 Chinese-designed littoral mission ships, three multirole support ships of an as-yet undetermined design and four submarines.

Of these, only six lightly-armed Kedah-class offshore patrol vessels are already in service together with two French Scorpene diesel-electric submarines. Malaysia has also ordered six littoral combat ships based on the French Gowind 2500 design under a $2 billion contract signed in 2011, with two ships in various stages of construction at Malaysia’s Boustead Naval Shipyard.

Lel. FMT quoting Dzirhan. Dzirhan said don't read FMT.

Dzirhan Mahadzir‏ @DzirhanDefence

Folks, don't read the Free Malaysia Today articles citing the Defense News reports on Msia, read the orginals, lots of ad-libbing by FMT

4:25 AM - 19 Mar 2017
2 replies 12 retweets 10 likes

izwan hazman‏ @izwan_maman 16h16 hours ago

@DzirhanDefence original source Dari mana bang

1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
Dzirhan Mahadzir‏ @DzirhanDefence 16h16 hours ago

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/malays...ers-budget-woes … @izwan_maman
0 replies 3 retweets 2 likes

More F-16 aircraft from US arrive in Indonesia

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Mon, March 20, 2017 | 11:43 am

Five F-16 jet fighters granted from the United States government will arrive at the Iswahjudi Air Force Base in Magetan, East Java, on Monday.

"Five F-16 fighter aircraft type F-16C/D from the US government will arrive today at Iswahjudi Air Force Base, Magetan," Head of public information at the Iswahjudi Air Force Base, Magetan, Mayor Tamsir, said on Monday as quoted on kompas.com.

The five jet fighters are a portion of the 24 aircraft the US government granted to Indonesia. Indonesia has received 14 aircraft until now.

"So there are still five more to come. According to schedule, they will arrive by the end of the year," said Tamsir.

Tamsir said one pilot from Iswahjudi would be one of the five pilots who flew the aircraft from the US to Indonesia.

Tamsir added that the five aircraft would received directly by Danlanud Iswahjudi, Marsma TNI Andyawan MP at the main base.

It was earlier reported that five F-16s from the US Air Force had arrived at Iswahjudi on Wednesday. The aircraft have been upgraded so that their ability is equivalent to a new plane.

The five aircraft are expected to strengthen Indonesia’s main weaponry system. (dis/wit)

Air Force’s 7th, 8th FA-50PHs arriving March 29

March 18, 2017 Ruben Santos Nation

The Philippine Air Force is set to receive its 7th and 8th FA-50PH ‘Fighting Eagle’ Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighters Trainer Aircraft (F/SA/LIFTA), 007 and 008, on March 29. The scheduled delivery will bring Air Force’s Fighting Eagles to 8.

“This is the fourth batch of planes to arrive, with tail numbers 007 and 008,” Air Force spokesman Colonel Antonio Francisco as quoted by Philippine Star.

005 and 006 arrived February 22 this year. First two units of the FA-50PH arrived November 28, 2015 followed by the second two units last December 8, 2016.

Remaining 4 of 12 ordered units are expected to be delivered within this year.

The FA-50PH is a multi role fighter variant of KAI’s T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer. It is capable of carrying short range air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles with countermeasures such as chaffs and Infrared Flares. PAF’s acquisition of the 12 FA-50PH F/SA/LIFTA is under the AFP Modernization Program contracted with the Korean Aerospace Industries, Ltd (KAI) to enhance the country’s territorial defense capabilities.

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 1445 hours (GMT+8)

Singapore Navy Launches Fourth Littoral Mission Vessel

Senior Minister for State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman officiated at the launching ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s fourth Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), Justice, at the Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine)'s Benoi shipyard today. The LMV was launched by Mdm Sadiah Shahal, wife of Dr Maliki.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Maliki highlighted that given the increasingly volatile maritime domain, the LMVs aptly illustrate how the RSN is "looking ahead to the next 50 years to make sure it stays relevant and ready for the challenges ahead." He added, "the RSN has designed the LMV to conduct a wider range of operations in a more complex environment. It will give the RSN greater mission flexibility and sustainability."

The launch of Justice is another significant milestone in the RSN's continued transformation to keep Singapore's seas safe. The LMVs are faster, more versatile, and equipped with sharper capabilities to further strengthen the RSN's effectiveness in seaward defence. The LMVs can be quickly configured with mission modules to take on a wide spectrum of operations, allowing the crew to deliver calibrated responses using lethal and non-lethal options to deal with a range of maritime threats.

The LMV project is progressing well, with LMV Justice expected to be fully operational by 2018, and all eight LMVs by 2020. The first three LMVs, Independence, Sovereignty and Unity, are presently undergoing sea trials and LMV Independence will be commissioned during the RSN's Golden Jubilee on 5 May 2017.

Also present at the ceremony were Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han and senior officials from the RSN.

looks like the frame is busted
this is a loss me thinks

Jumat 17 Mar 2017, 20:18 WIB

Pesawat F16 yang Tergelincir Masih Bisa Diperbaiki

Chaidir Anwar Tanjung - detikNews

Jakarta - Pesawat F16 yang tergelincir di Bandara Sultan Syarif Kasim (SSK) II Pekanbaru dipastikan masih bisa diperbaiki. Hal ini diketahui setelah dilakukan cek fisik oleh tim Bantuan Pemeliharaan Lapangan (Banharlap) dari TNI AU.

Komandan Lanud Roesmin Nurjadin Pekanbaru, Marsma Henri Alfiandi mengatakan dari pengecekan diketahui pesawat tempur F16 mengalami tiga titik kerusakan saat tergelincir. Kerusakan itu terdapat pada bagian hidung pesawat, sayap dan bagian ekor dengan tingkat kerusakan antara 20 sampai 25 persen.

"Hasil penilaian tim Banharlap, pesawat F16 yang mengalami insiden masih laik terbang. Tapi tentunya bukan langsung diterbangkan, tapi masih perlu perbaikan," kata Henri.

Perbaikan pesawat tersebut, kata Henri, akan dilakukan di Lanud Iswahyudi. Namun yang terpenting adalah, bahwa pesawat yang sempat terbalik tersebut nantinya masih bisa difungsikan.

"Nantinya pesawat F16 akan dibawa ke Lanud Iswahyudi untuk dilakukan perbaikan serta di upgrade ulang," kata Henri.

Boustead secures RM1.17 billion contract from Ministry of Defence

By Bernama - March 20, 2017 @ 7:36pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Holdings Bhd's unit, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS), has bagged a RM1.17 billion contract from Malaysia's Ministry of Defence for the supply of four Littoral Mission Ships.

The contract, a collaboration between the governments of Malaysia and China, was awarded to BNS under direct negotiation, for collaboration with a partner shipyard in China.

It is to be implemented over four years, effective from the date of signing of the Letter of Acceptance by BNS, Boustead in a filing to Bursa Malaysia said today.

It said the Littoral Mission Ships will be designed by the partner shipyard and the first two vessels will be built and delivered in China in 2019 and 2020. The remaining two will be delivered in Malaysia in 2021.

The contract will have a positive effect on the earnings of the group for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2017, and will contribute positively to its future earnings. -- BERNAMA

PT PAL to finish submarine construction: Chief minister

Senin, 20 Maret 2017 22:30 WIB

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - Chief Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan expressed his confidence here on Monday that state-owned shipyard PT PAL Indonesia would be able to finish assembling the submarine ordered by the ministry of defense.

"Seeing the current process so far I am convinced PT PAL Indonesia will be able to build a submarine by itself later," he said after inspecting the submarine workshop at PT PAL Indonesia shipyard.

Luhut also praised and believed that the domestic shipyard is not inferior compared to those abroad as it has been proven it is able to export warships.

After inspecting the submarine workshop Luhut and entourage inspected the construction of a strategic sealift vessel (ssv) ordered by the Philippine ministry of defense which will soon be delivered.

"The construction is good. I should admit it," he said.

The development of a submarine workshop is aimed at meeting the orders of the ministry of defense.

PT PAL Indonesia has been cooperating with South Korea with regard to construction of three submarines through training of Indonesian human resources in South Korea.

Of the three submarines ordered, one is totally assembled by the Indonesian workers while the fourth and following orders will be done fully by Indonesian workers.