Malaysia’s Boustead posts defence sales decline

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - Jane's Defence Weekly
23 May 2019

Malaysia’s Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC) posted declines in revenues and earnings during the first quarter of 2019, the company said on 23 May.

BHIC said in a filing to the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange that its revenues in the quarter ended 31 March were MYR36.3 million (USD8.7 million), a year-on-year decline of 9%, and that it recorded pre-tax losses of MYR4 million compared with a profit of MYR5.4 million a year earlier.

BHIC is mainly involved in naval shipbuilding and naval maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) but also has capabilities in defence electronics, military aerospace, naval training, and weapons MRO.

Indonesia’s MoD Orders X18 ‘Tank Boat’ Prototype From North Sea Boats

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence recently ordered a first prototype of the so called X18 « Tank Boat », which is being designed since 2011 by a consortium composed of PT Pindad, North Sea Boats (PT Lundin) and the Belgian turret maker John Cockerill (formerly known as CMI Group).

Nathan Gain  28 May 2019

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence recently ordered a first prototype of the so called X18 « Tank Boat », which is being designed since 2011 by a consortium composed of PT Pindad, North Sea Boats (PT Lundin) and the Belgian turret maker John Cockerill (formerly known as CMI Group). 

Composed of more than 18,000 islands spread over 8 million km² of waters, the Indonesian archipelago is facing a growing threat coming from piracy and the Chinese neighbor. The continuing deterioration of the security situation in the region put forward the need for a fast, heavily weaponized multirole platform which will be capable to conduct reassurance patrolling, small-scale rescue missions, as well as fire support capabilities for amphibious infantry. 

Three years after the consortium unveiled a full scale model of the X18 « Tank Boat » concept, the program is finally moving to a demonstration phase. A single prototype has been ordered by the Indonesian MoD about two months ago under the Antanesa program, with the Indonesian Army as final customer, Naval News learned from industry sources.


The APC-60 concept being developed by North Sea Boats, PT Pindad and John Cockerill (Credit: North Sea Boats)

The consortium will provide the « light » variant of the boat equipped with the CPWS Gen 2 25/30 mm remotely controlled turret. Dubbed « APC-60 », this variant will be able to accommodate up to 60 soldiers. 

The North Sea Boats’ X18 « Tank Boat » is an innovative, fast and highly maneuverable catamaran design that provides a stable weapons platform for close-in and long range artillery support in normally inaccessible coastal and riverine environments. Fitted with two MAN 1200 HP diesel engines and a pair of MJP450 waterjets, the X18 reaches a maximum speed of 40 knots for an operational range of up to 600 nm. Its composite twin hull has excellent sea keeping properties, giving the boat the ability to execute beach and river landing and insert or extract squads of up to 20 soldiers. The X18 has a crew of 4 and will also carry a RHIB for boarding and SEAL insertion. A multi-mission aft deck will provide enough space for UAV take off landing, to fit a missile launcher or for logistics missions.

North Sea Boats should launch the Tank Boat prototype by the end of the year, along with a new trimaran prototype based on the X3K design already built and launched in August 2012 (but destroyed in a fire). Both are being built at the shipyard in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia.

Boost for Made in India Tejas: Southeast Asian country keen on buying LCA

By: Huma Siddiqui
Published: May 29, 2019 2:46:11 PM

According to the source, the Malaysian export order will open up an array of opportunities for other platforms such as SU-30 and Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) `Hawk’ which are being operated by other Southeast Asian countries.

India will get a strong foothold in South East Asia, in case of Malaysia deciding on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’ manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Speaking to Financial Express Online on condition of anonymity, a top official has said that “There are various dimensions to the export of the LCA Tejas to Malaysia. In fact, the whole LCA programme will receive the much-needed boost, and HAL will get international recognition for its design capability and validation for its product.”

The product in itself would stand out from the competition as a technically superior product, said the source cited above.

According to the source, the Malaysian export order will open up an array of opportunities for other platforms such as SU-30 and Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) `Hawk’ which are being operated by other Southeast Asian countries.

Also, the helicopter market in these countries too is largely untapped. If LCA gets foreign recognition other HAL made products too will attract the attention sending positive signals in defence manufacturing in India, he adds.

Earlier this year, HAL had sent in two fighters to participate in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2019 in Malaysia for the first time. These were ferried with the help of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and had participated in the flight displays along with Indonesia’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The South Asian country is in the process of assessing fighter aircraft from various vendors as it is planning to buy 36 light combat aircraft (LCA) in an effort to add on to its existing fleets in its air force.

Sources indicated the government of Malaysia is keen on the Indian LCA, and during the LIMA, the HAL stand had received several queries from the government of that country.

Besides India, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) which is looking for a low-cost light fighter jet has invited proposals from competitors including M-346FA Fighter Attack aircraft variant developed by Leonardo, Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft developed by United Aircraft Corporation of Russia and FA-50 light attack aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

Malaysia to buy used Kuwaiti fighter jets to expand fleet

Ainaa Aiman - May 31, 2019 7:55 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) plans to acquire used Kuwaiti fighter jets while waiting to purchase new aircraft in the next 10 to 15 years.

RMAF chief General Affendi Buang said Kuwait is planning to phase out its existing fleet of Hornet FA-18C and 18D aircraft as it waits for the delivery of the Boeing Super Hornet aircraft in 2021.

“I think we will grab some of the aircraft to add on to our current fleet, at least while waiting for the new multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) programme, so we have a slightly bigger fleet than what we have today,” he told reporters during a special press conference on the RMAF’s anniversary celebration on June 1.

However, he said talks between the two air forces had yet to start.

Affendi said that RMAF was still seeking government approval for its light-combat aircraft (LCA) programme, as stated in its Capability 55 (CAP55) blueprint.

The air force is still in the process of sending out requests for information (RFI) for feedback from the various suppliers, or original equipment manufacturers (OEM), about their aircraft.

He added that in the CAP55 blueprint, the LCA programme would pan out over three phases and that allocations for 12 LCA would be requested each time the government comes up with a new five-year development plan – the next one to be tabled next year.

“The BAE Hawk aircrafts can go at least for the next 10 years, by then we are hoping that the LCA programme will be approved.

“Once we get at least 12 LCA, we will start phasing out older planes which at that time would be almost 25 years old.

“That will be timely, although we wish we can get it earlier. But if we can get the LCA in the time period mentioned, it will not be too critical,” he said.

RMAF plans to procure new helicopters

Last update: 31/05/2019

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) plans to procure new helicopters to replace its 'Nuri' choppers in addition to its existing assets.

Without divulging further information, its chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang said RMAF was open to the procurement of all types of helicopters including EC725. 

Having said that, he added, the capability of all RMAF's existing assets and workforce would be optimised.

Indonesia expects supplies of Su-35 fighter jets to start by the end of 2019

Russian Aviaton » Monday June 3, 2019 11:46 MSK


Su-35 | Photo courtesy of the Sukhoi Company

Indonesia expects the supplies of Russian Su-35 fighter jets to start by the end of 2019, the republic’s Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu told TASS on Sunday.

"I think that the issue will be solved this year," he said.

According to the minister, "certain challenges (in finalizing the contract) are due to the fact that three departments of the republic are involved in the process." "The Defense Ministry has signed all documents, whereas the Trade Ministry and Finance Ministry are still in the process of approval," which is connected with the fact that "there will be different forms of payment," he explained, adding that though discussions are still underway "fundamentally the issue has been solved."

Earlier the minister told TASS that Jakarta "would not cancel the contract on jet supplies despite the US sanctions against Russia." The signing of the contract with Indonesia to supply 11 Su-35 fighter jets was announced at the beginning of last year.

Singapore's next-generation Hunter armoured fighting vehicle breaks cover

Kelvin Wong, Singapore - Jane's International Defence Review
11 June 2019


The Singapore Army's new Hunter armoured fighting vehicle seen performing a high-speed manoeuvre during a mobility demonstration. Source: IHS Markit/Kelvin Wong

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has revealed fresh details of its latest Hunter tracked armoured fighting vehicle (AFV), its first armoured combat platform equipped with an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) capability. The new vehicle was commissioned into service during the Singapore Army armour formation's 50th anniversary parade on 11 June.

The 29.5 tonne Hunter AFV - earlier known as the Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) prior to its commissioning - will replace the army's upgraded but ageing M113A2 Ultra armoured personnel carriers (APCs) which entered service from the 1970s and will operate alongside the in-service Bionix II infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The new vehicle has been under development by Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) in partnership with ST Engineering Land Systems since 2006.

"The [Hunter] AFV represents the predatory spirit to sense, track, and pursue its prey," said Chief Armour Officer Brigadier General Yew Chee Leung during a media briefing on 7 June, revealing that the platform family will include five variants: namely combat, command, bridge, engineer, and recovery.

"The Hunter works collectively as a pack to hunt in a networked fashion," Brig Gen Yew added. "It is also the protector and provider for the tribe, so we believe that these characteristics bode well with [its ability] to manoeuvre and overcome any potential aggressors to secure a swift and decisive victory."

According to the latest specifications supplied by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the baseline Hunter AFV is 6.9 m long, 3.4 m wide, and has an overall height of 3.4 m. It is operated by a crew of three comprising a driver seated on the front left, while the gunner and vehicle commander are seated side-by-side immediately behind the powerpack. Up to eight fully equipped dismounts can be transported in the rear troop compartment.

PARIS: Viking Air wins launch order for CL-515 water bomber

18 JUNE, 2019 SOURCE: FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM BY: DOMINIC PERRY PARIS

Viking Air has secured a launch order for its new-generation CL-515 water bomber from Indonesia, with a seven-unit deal that also includes a single modernised CL-415EAF.

Jakarta will acquire four CL-515s in a "first responder" multimission configuration, and two examples delivered in a configuration optimised for aerial firefighting missions. Deliveries are set for 2024. No value was disclosed for the transaction.

In addition, the agreement provides for the enhancement of a CL-215 to the new CL-415 Enhanced Aerial Firefighter standard.


BillyPix

Upgrade work is to be performed by Viking sister company Longview Aviation Services.

Although the agreement with Indonesia is a firm one, it still hinges on parent company Longview Aviation Capital approving the launch of production.