yesterday morning while having sent my car to car wash, saw those formations flying. damn they were fast. MKM, Bug and Hawk + Herc and Atlas and oso Tupai and Nuris.
'Submarines like BMWs': A closer look at the Singapore Navy’s newest, custom-made German submarine
SINGAPORE: More than 30m under the waters around Singapore, where light hardly penetrates the murky depths, noise is perhaps the last thing you would expect.
But the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) latest submarine, the Type 218SG, hears and senses a cacophony of chatter. Not of people, but of the 2,000 ships that sail through the Singapore Strait every day.
“Many of the boats in the world are not designed for such environments: Warm, shallow, noisy, crowded,” RSN’s head of naval operations Cheong Kwok Chien told Channel NewsAsia in an exclusive interview on Saturday (Jun 30).
“The operating environment makes a lot of difference to a submariner, and if you design a boat meant for this type of environment, you can make a lot of difference to whoever you’re up against.”
And so the RSN searched all over the world for a submarine that could replace its ageing Archer-class and Challenger-class predecessors. A submarine that could truly be made for Singapore from scratch.
“We’ve operated second-hands for 20 years,” Rear-Admiral (RADM) Cheong said of the retrofitted Swedish submarines. “Over 20 years, we’ve built up knowledge of what a submarine would be that’s designed for local waters.”In the end the Germans, masters of the submarine craft, “offered the best deal” in terms of technology, logistics, training and knowledge exchange. It has been reported that the contract for the first two Type 218SGs is worth more than 1 billion euros (S$1.6 billion).
The deal clincher? “The Germans were also very willing to listen to our requirements and change a lot of the original design to suit what we need in our waters,” RADM Cheong said.
The manufacturer, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), also prepared high-resolution, virtual reality goggles for Singapore officials to put on and “walk” through the submarine, allowing them to tweak even the smallest details.
“We can actually know the ergonomics,” RADM Cheong said. “For a Singaporean’s height, can I reach the top? We could also make the pathways smaller and put more equipment because we are smaller in size.”
The Defence Ministry said Singapore will get four Type 218SGs, with delivery from 2021. The programme is “progressing well”, with the first two and remaining two submarines having commenced construction and steel-cutting, respectively.
LIGHTING UP THE UNDERWATER WORLD
But perhaps the most crucial customisations are in the Type 218SG’s combat system. Its improved sonar, which listens to sounds like propeller noises and water flow, locates enemies faster and identifies them more accurately.
“That’s when digital audio recognition comes in. We will hear frequency, sound wave profiles, and compare to known sounds that we have,” RADM Cheong said. “That basically helps us light up the underwater world.”
With the waters around Singapore so shallow and congested, the Type 218SG can tell whether it’s facing a merchant ship, cruise liner or warship better than RSN’s current submarines.
“It’s like going into a disco and picking up the sweetest voice,” RADM Cheong added. “You need to be quite capable. If not you will be blasted, and in our environment everybody gets blasted.”
Once the target is locked on, then comes the torpedoes. A Type 218SG model that TKMS had displayed at an exhibition last year indicated that the submarine will be fitted with eight forward-firing torpedo tubes for heavyweight torpedoes.
The “big improvement”, however, lies in the submarine’s electronics and computers that enable fewer crew to do more with the weapons.
“If you watch the old war movies, it’s a whole bunch of people trying to hear (the enemy) then get the torpedo ready; there’s a whole lot of activity on the boat,” RADM Cheong said. “No, what we are going for now is one guy pressing a button to release the torpedo.”
Another improvement is the the Type 218SG’s air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, which RADM Cheong said is more efficient than the one in the Archer-class submarine.
The AIP allows submarines to stay underwater longer before surfacing to recharge the battery that powers its systems. The battery is charged by a diesel engine that needs air to operate.
As such, the Type 218SG can last underwater two times longer than RSN’s current submarines. “That makes the submarine even more stealthy and mysterious because it can be all over the place without coming up,” RADM Cheong said.
SHIP KILLERS
This stealth is what makes the Type 218SG so lethal, as RADM Cheong spoke in broad terms about how the submarines fit into RSN’s overall strategy.
“All over the world, submarines are what we call strategic capabilities,” he said. “Because they are stealthy, can go to a lot of places and deliver a very impactful strike. So, most navies will use the submarine to deliver these effects.”
Besides hunting ships, submarines can do surveillance, deliver special forces, unmanned underwater vehicles and high-end weapons like nuclear missiles.
“Sometimes, you have to strike at the Achilles heel of the adversary, somewhere he thinks he’s quite safe and doesn’t expect anybody to come,” RADM Cheong said, highlighting the “psychological threat” a submarine poses.
When RSN’s submariners go for exercises, they typically train some of these skills.
“It makes all the seagoers, especially people on ships, quite fearful because you don’t know where it is,” RADM Cheong added. “Surface ships dislike submarines a lot, because most egos are broken by submariners.”
In a one-on-one situation with conventional warships, RADM Cheong stated that submarines “always win”. “When the submarine hears you, with the range that it shoots, there’s not much you can do about it.”
INVISIBLE, NOT INVINCIBLE
However, submarines are not invincible. RADM Cheong pointed out that they lack speed and are prone to being spotted when they surface.
“So, these are inherent vulnerabilities,” he added. “Fast things and aircraft hunt submarines. To hunt a submarine, you must operate out of its element. If you operate in water, you must be something that it cannot or doesn’t want to kill,” for example, an unmanned underwater vessel.
Nevertheless, RADM Cheong said a good submariner can remain undetected if he knows where to position the vessel in relation to how sound waves travel underwater.
“If he exploits all these black holes underwater, nobody can hear him and he can hear everybody else,” he added. “He can be quite silent and maybe even invisible.”
For the Type 218SG, RSN’s submariners will train in simulators and abroad with their German counterparts, who RADM Cheong described as some of the best in the world. “They like to have a worthy partner to spar with,” he said. “We also take this opportunity to learn from them.”
BMW FOR SINGAPORE ROADS
RADM Cheong said the Germans were also grateful that the RSN wanted to fully customise its submarine, pointing out that they gained “a lot of interesting insights”. “They said not many customers are so forthcoming in saying that this doesn’t work.”
To that end, RADM Cheong said the Type 218SG answers a lot of challenges.
“German submarines are like BMWs, they are that class so we are very glad we decided on this class of submarine,” he added. “This new build is designed for Singapore roads, tailored to our ergonomics, size and driving range. Even the horn sounds better.”
The RSN also ensured that the internal systems, like the engine and electronics, were cost-efficient and maximised the crew’s capabilities.
“On board, every submariner you bring is a huge investment,” RADM Cheong said. “So in terms of combat fighting, you want the submarine to be able to do a lot but not by putting in a lot of people.”
In the bigger picture, RADM Cheong said this is crucial to tackle the “ever-present” threat of terrorism at sea with an increasingly constrained manpower base. The saying is that one US aircraft carrier carries more people than the number of active personnel the RSN has.
“Almost everything that we wear, eat and the energy that we consume every day comes through the sea,” he added. “So, what the Navy has done is to look at this environment and recognise that we need to defend our lifelines.”
12-man rifle squads, including a squad systems operator, commandant says
Marine Corps Commandant Robert B. Neller announced major changes to ground combat units, including the shift from a 13-man rifle squad to a 12-man squad and the addition of a squad systems operator along with transformations in the gear Marines carry.
ARLINGTON, Va. ― The Marine Corps rifle squad has lost a member but will gain a suite of capabilities in a servicewide initiative to bring powerful tools from information to precision fires to the lowest echelons of combat.
Commandant Robert B. Neller told a crowd of hundreds at the Marine Corps Association and Foundation Annual Ground Awards Dinner on Thursday that the new configuration would consist of three, three-Marine fire teams and a command element of three ― a squad leader, assistant squad leader and squad systems operator.
The systems operator will be the most tech-capable Marine in the formation, Neller said. Rather than create a new Military Occupational Specialty, the systems operator will come from the infantry ranks.
And all squad members will carry the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle.
Each squad will have a squad designated marksman, which is set to be the M38, an accurized version of the M27. The foundational formation of the infantry will also carry a common handheld tablet, multi-channel radio and replace M203 grenade launchers with the M320 grenade launcher.
But for all the accessory weight such as night vision goggles, a sound suppressor and laser sighting tools, other areas will have to be trimmed, he said.
“Everything that Marine wears is going to be changed,” Neller said.
In recent months there had been some debate on the size of the squad and the rifles they would carry.
The sizes being considered were 11-, 12-, or 14-man arrangements, and some considered having the squad systems operator carry the M4 carbine to reduce the load, as it is a smaller, lighter weapon.
But Neller said that he decided against keeping the M4 in the squad because he didn’t want the systems operator to stand out and be easily identifiable on the battlefield.
The M4 will eventually replace the M16A4 carried by most non-infantry Marines, Neller said.
While the squad loses a number in manpower, the 13-man variation will remain on paper because as with all the equipment and formation changes that Neller announced, it must be “reversible.”
Other changes included adding drone capabilities at the rifle company level, adding engineer platoons to infantry companies and shifting the engineer squad from nine Marines to 13, he said.
The company commander will also have an intelligence operations cell and a logistics cell at his or her disposal.
Javelin and 81 mm mortar formations will get their own MRZR, a two-person all-terrain vehicle now used by recon marines.
Neller said some changes would happen as quickly as in the coming months while others would take longer, such as developments to extend precision fire ranges and add Active Protection Systems to tanks and other ground vehicles.
THERE will be no budget cuts for the three branches of the armed forces despite the revision of mega-infrastructure projects.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was focused on maximising its performance.
Mohamad said the ministry was in talks with the Finance Ministry over the budget allocation for the armed forces.
“The reduction will not affect the allocation for the navy and air force, as well as the army.
“We don’t want to compromise on our security and sovereignty.”
Mohamad said the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) multi-role capability was provided by the F/A-18D Hornets and Su30MKM Flankers.
“However, there is an urgent need to replace the ageing MiG29N Fulcrum, the BAE Systems’ Hawks and Aermacchi MB339CM, as they are nearing the end of their lifespans (obsolescence, ageing platform and expensive to sustain and maintain),” he told the New Straits Times Press yesterday.
He said about 40 per cent of RMAF assets had been in service for more than 20 years.
“There is a need to upgrade or replace the assets to ensure RMAF stays at the cutting edge, befitting its role as the pillar of national sovereignty.”
“We (the government) are studying the MRCA (multi-role combat aircraft) programme because it is important for the country’s maritime safety. For example, the South China Sea is becoming an economic zone, about 200km from our mainland.
“Hence, we need suitable aircraft to maintain our security in that area.
“We are looking into it seriously.”
He said RMAF was formulating a transformation plan known as Capability Development 2055 (CAP55), which included new procurement, enhancements and upgrading of RMAF assets.
Mohamad said the focus of CAP55 was to ensure RMAF stayed relevant by shaping its warfighting capability to ensure threats were deterred and contained as far as possible from Malaysian territory.
RMAF is looking to replace its MiG29Ns, Hawk 108/208 and MB339CMs with Light Combat Aircraft (photo : fmkorea)
“The issues of affordability and sustainability remain the primary considerations in this development plan.
“It would be ideal if all facets of the armed forces are modernised in tandem and concurrently, but realistically, this is impossible due to the aforementioned considerations.”
Mohamad said the RMAF development plan must be prioritised according to prevailing geo-strategic environment, without losing view of the capacities required by RMAF, with consideration given to financial constraints.
He said CAP55 was focused on eliminating issues, such as having excessive variants and types of air assets in small quantities, system obsolescence, escalation of maintenance costs due to ageing platform and providing sufficient air power assets to respond to national needs.
“Based on the CAP55 planning, RMAF is looking to replace its MiG29Ns, Hawks and MB339CMs with light combat aircraft (LCA), which provide capabilities relative to that of a MRCA but at a lower cost so that it would be possible to acquire and maintain a large number of the platforms with similar operating expenditures.”
Mohamad said the focus of the LCA acquisition had always been low cost, balanced by acceptable combat performance, allowing for greater numbers at similar budget and operating expenditure.
“The LCA will be able to conduct lead-in-fighter training but satisfy the spectrum of operational combat duties expected of RMAF.
“This allows cost savings on training duration, human resource planning and aircrew development, which can be channelled back for future asset upgrade.”
Mohamad said the ministry, via RMAF was reviewing proposals from aircraft manufacturers, and a decision was expected to be made between 2025 to 2030.
For the time being, he said the government’s main focus was maritime patrol aircraft.
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THERE will be no budget cuts for the three branches of the armed forces despite the revision of mega-infrastructure projects.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was focused on maximising its performance.
Mohamad said the ministry was in talks with the Finance Ministry over the budget allocation for the armed forces.
“The reduction will not affect the allocation for the navy and air force, as well as the army.
“We don’t want to compromise on our security and sovereignty.”
Mohamad said the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) multi-role capability was provided by the F/A-18D Hornets and Su30MKM Flankers.
“However, there is an urgent need to replace the ageing MiG29N Fulcrum, the BAE Systems’ Hawks and Aermacchi MB339CM, as they are nearing the end of their lifespans (obsolescence, ageing platform and expensive to sustain and maintain),” he told the New Straits Times Press yesterday.
He said about 40 per cent of RMAF assets had been in service for more than 20 years.
“There is a need to upgrade or replace the assets to ensure RMAF stays at the cutting edge, befitting its role as the pillar of national sovereignty.”
“We (the government) are studying the MRCA (multi-role combat aircraft) programme because it is important for the country’s maritime safety. For example, the South China Sea is becoming an economic zone, about 200km from our mainland.
“Hence, we need suitable aircraft to maintain our security in that area.
“We are looking into it seriously.”
He said RMAF was formulating a transformation plan known as Capability Development 2055 (CAP55), which included new procurement, enhancements and upgrading of RMAF assets.
Mohamad said the focus of CAP55 was to ensure RMAF stayed relevant by shaping its warfighting capability to ensure threats were deterred and contained as far as possible from Malaysian territory.
RMAF is looking to replace its MiG29Ns, Hawk 108/208 and MB339CMs with Light Combat Aircraft (photo : fmkorea)
“The issues of affordability and sustainability remain the primary considerations in this development plan.
“It would be ideal if all facets of the armed forces are modernised in tandem and concurrently, but realistically, this is impossible due to the aforementioned considerations.”
Mohamad said the RMAF development plan must be prioritised according to prevailing geo-strategic environment, without losing view of the capacities required by RMAF, with consideration given to financial constraints.
He said CAP55 was focused on eliminating issues, such as having excessive variants and types of air assets in small quantities, system obsolescence, escalation of maintenance costs due to ageing platform and providing sufficient air power assets to respond to national needs.
“Based on the CAP55 planning, RMAF is looking to replace its MiG29Ns, Hawks and MB339CMs with light combat aircraft (LCA), which provide capabilities relative to that of a MRCA but at a lower cost so that it would be possible to acquire and maintain a large number of the platforms with similar operating expenditures.”
Mohamad said the focus of the LCA acquisition had always been low cost, balanced by acceptable combat performance, allowing for greater numbers at similar budget and operating expenditure.
“The LCA will be able to conduct lead-in-fighter training but satisfy the spectrum of operational combat duties expected of RMAF.
“This allows cost savings on training duration, human resource planning and aircrew development, which can be channelled back for future asset upgrade.”
Mohamad said the ministry, via RMAF was reviewing proposals from aircraft manufacturers, and a decision was expected to be made between 2025 to 2030.
For the time being, he said the government’s main focus was maritime patrol aircraft.
I'm kinda keen to ask, since Malaysia is covered mostly by water, wouldn't it be better to fund more towards the navy and air force. (not cutting the armys budget or anything)
I'm kinda keen to ask, since Malaysia is covered mostly by water, wouldn't it be better to fund more towards the navy and air force. (not cutting the armys budget or anything)
the grunt would always the boot on the ground
U can bomb the hell out of the jungle and naval blockage and still the insurgent will survive.. Sound similar? clue.. vietnam
It the boot on ground have to the sweep and clean up operation.
Joined: Feb 2014
From: Somewhere in the pacific, or indian ocean
Amnesty: Indonesian forces behind unlawful killings in Papua
Indonesia's police and military are responsible for at least 95 unlawful killings in the easternmost Papua region since 2010, including targeted slayings of activists, Amnesty International said Monday, condemning a near-total absence of justice for the mainly indigenous victims.
In a report based on two years of research, Amnesty said that more than half the victims were either political activists or people taking part in peaceful protests often unrelated to the Papuan independence movement. Security forces often explain their use of deadly force in Papua as a justified response to violent separatists.
It said none of the killings was the subject of independent criminal investigation. In about a third of the cases, there was not even an internal investigation. When police or military claimed to have investigated internally, they did not make the findings public. Eight deaths were compensated with money or pigs.
The killings — nearly one a month for the past eight years — are a "serious blot" on Indonesia's human rights record, said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia.
"This culture of impunity within the security forces must change, and those responsible for past deaths held to account," he said.
An independence movement and an armed insurgency have simmered in the formerly Dutch-controlled region since it was annexed by Indonesia in 1963. Indonesian rule has been frequently brutal, and indigenous Papuans, largely shut out of their region's economy, are poorer, sicker and more likely to die young than people elsewhere in Indonesia.
The army's spokesman in Papua province, Col. Muhammad Aidi, rejected Amnesty's report, describing it as "untrue and baseless."
"It is clearly slandering the government and trying to corner the army and police," he told The Associated Press.
Aidi claimed the rights group's investigations were "just based on interviews" and ignored the background to incidents. Amnesty's 66-page report, however, provides extensive detail and context and acknowledges that police and the military face a "complex environment" in the two Papuan provinces.
A majority of the killings documented by Amnesty were the result of unnecessary or excessive use of force during protests or law enforcement operations and unlawful acts by individual officers, it said.
Some occurred in circumstances related to the Papuan independence movement such as raising of the banned "Morning Star" independence flag or ceremonies marking significant dates.
Whatever the situation, victims were overwhelmingly male indigenous Papuans and the majority were 30 or younger.
The rights group said the government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, elected in 2014, had failed to end the security forces' pervasive impunity in Papua, like all Indonesian governments before it.
Despite a promise by the newly elected Jokowi to bring to justice officers responsible for killing four people when they fired into a crowd of protesters in December 2014 in Paniai district, there has been no criminal investigation even after Indonesia's Human Rights Commission found evidence of "gross human rights violations," Amnesty said.
In that case, villagers were protesting the alleged beating of Papuan children and youths by soldiers and threw stones and wood at a police and military buildings before officers opened fire. Two witnesses saw police officers beat one of the protesters and shoot him at close range after he fell to the ground, according to the Human Rights Commission.
Jokowi's spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
His administration has released long-incarcerated Papuan political prisoners but activists say prosecutions and jailings that appear politically motivated have resumed recently.
At a news conference, Hamid faulted top security minister Wiranto, a former military chief who goes by one name, for lack of government attention to human rights abuses in Papua since he was appointed to the Cabinet in July 2016.
"We all know Wiranto has been implicated in human rights violations in East Timor in 1999," he said, referring to Indonesian military atrocities after East Timorese voted for independence in a U.N.-supervised referendum.
Amnesty said there have been 10 killings of activists from the pro-independence West Papua National Committee since 2010.
I'm kinda keen to ask, since Malaysia is covered mostly by water, wouldn't it be better to fund more towards the navy and air force. (not cutting the armys budget or anything)
Anggota tentera menggadaikan nyawa mereka demi mempertahankan negara dari segala bentuk ancaman. Malaysia ialah negara yang membeli peralatan peperangan mereka dari negara luar dan rekaan tempatan jarang sekali memasuki inventori cabang-cabang ketenteraan negara. Di eksesais ketenteraan RIMPAC 2018 (Rim of The Pasific) yang berlangsung di Hawaii, satu rekaan TLDM telah menerima pengiktirafan tertinggi.
Ciptaan yang mendapat tempat pertama ini ialah Floating DC (Damage Control) Bag. Beg kawalan kerosakan ini mengandungi kesemua peralatan yang diperlukan bagi menampak kebocoran pada kapal. Berbeza dengan kit yang digunakan sebelum ini. Flaoting DC Bag terapung bagi memudahkan proses penampalan dilakukan ketika kompartmen kapal mula dipenuhi air. Terdapat jalur pantulan bagi membolehkannya dilihat di dalam keadaan gelap. Kerana ianya terapung, ia turut boleh menjadi pelampung untuk menyelamatkan nyawa.
RIMPAC ialah eksesais ketenteraan terbesar di dunia dan dilangsungkan setiap dua tahun. Tahun ini tentera laut dari 26 negara mengambil bahagian dengan Malaysia diwakili oleh KD Lekiu. Floating DC Bag ini mengalah
Military Thread V26 
Jul 2 2018, 11:11 AM, updated 7y ago
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