not from china right?

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Philippines opens tender for 2 new Landing Platform Docks


Philippine Navy Tarlac-class LPD BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2018. Photo c/o US Navy.

The Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND) released an invitation to bidders for a new tender for two (2) new Landing Platform Docks (LPD) for the Philippine Navy (PN).

The budget for the ships is Php5.56 billion (US$107.5 million), which was described to allow improved amphibious operations capability, transport and logistics, and sea basing capabilities.

Filipino defense page MaxDefense Philippines detailed the project’s technical requirements, while also explaining that the deal includes the supply of two complementing Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) and Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) for each LPD.

Each ship is expected to be at least 120 meters long, with a displacement not less than 7,200 tons, capable of operating at sea state 6, a maximum speed of at least 16 knots powered by two diesel engines, and a maximum range of at least 8,000 nautical miles. 

The ship should also have a hangar for 1 and flight deck for two 10-ton medium helicopters, accommodation for a marine battalion of 500 men and space for at least 8 amphibious assault vehicles, and can carry two existing missile-armed assault boats of the Philippine Navy.

It was expected that Indonesian state-owned shipyard PT PAL and Dutch shipbuilder Damen would be leading the tender, although offers were said to have been made from Indian and South Korean shipbuilders. PT PAL previously delivered an earlier batch of LPDs to the PN, subsequently named as the Tarlac-class.

The new LPDs are expected to replace the remaining World War II-era Landing Ship Tanks (LST) still in service with the PN, as it moves to retire all legacy ships by 2020.

SAMI Inks MoU with ST Engineering at International Paris Air Show

(Source: Saudi Arabian Military Industries; issued June 19, 2019)

PARIS --- Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ST Engineering, a global technology, defence and engineering group specializing in the aerospace, electronics, land systems, and marine sectors, to identify and explore commercial opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to collaborate in land, aviation, naval, electronics, and weapons and ammunition sectors, as well as future systems. 

Dr. Andreas Schwer, CEO of SAMI, said: “The agreement with ST Engineering represents SAMI’s commitment to establishing and strengthening industry partnerships to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s journey towards localizing half of its military spending, increasing local content, boosting exports, and attracting foreign direct investment as envisaged in the Saudi Vision 2030. We are keen on leveraging the expertise and capabilities of ST Engineering to realize our overarching goal of establishing a sustainable military industries sector in the Kingdom.” 

Vincent Chong, President & CEO of ST Engineering, said, “We are delighted to ink the MoU with SAMI, which cements the intent between the two companies to explore how we can work together to help modernize and enhance the defense capabilities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is a key market for the ST Engineering Group. 

“Given our proven technological and defense solution expertise, as well as core competencies in the aerospace, electronics and marine sectors, I am confident that we will be able to identify areas in which ST Engineering can provide strong and value-added support to the Kingdom.” 

Signed at the International Paris Air Show, the MoU will entail introducing the 8x8 Terrex 2 platform to the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF), developing a next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) for RSLF, and exploring partnership in MRO capability for commercial and military customers.

In addition, it will include building ships and naval crafts, examining scope for participation in C-130 upgrade and development of a new transport aircraft, and helping modernize the Saudi electronics manufacturing industry.

i wonder whether pinoy would be open to bid by prc... also how competitive indos will be vs prc...

CIWS location a little odd dont u think?

Strictly speaking a remotely-controlled autocannon turret is not a CIWS.

CIWS are usually autonomously operating automatic systems that only needed to be activated to do their jobs. All have their own detection and targeting systems that engages targets automatically without the need for remote control.

Russia will provide Indonesia with more than 40 combat vehicles before 2020

14:26 27.06.2019

PATRIOT PARK (Moscow suburb) (Sputnik) - Russia will supply Indonesia with 22 BMP-3F fighting vehicles and 21 BT-3F armored vehicles by the end of 2020, the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Agency (  FSMTC) information.

"The contract to deliver 22 BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles and 21 armored vehicles to transport BT-3Fs. We hope to do so before the end of 2020" - FSMTC said in the framework  Platform «Army-2019».

The amphibious transport armored vehicle BT-3F is based on the BMP-3 chassis for transporting marines units, coast guards and troops, as well as providing fire support to the fast landing force.  in combat activities.  Vehicles can transport 17 people.

It is also equipped with folding seats that absorb energy, greatly reducing shock loads when encountering landmines or moving on rough terrain.  The seats are equipped with seat belts for the crew and landing forces.  In addition, the car is equipped with an air conditioning system, which is very important in hot tropical climate conditions.

any western competitors for 'BMP-3F fighting vehicles and 21 BT-3F armored vehicles '?

28.06.2019 13:20 Text: Svetlana Tsygankova

BT-3F armored personnel carrier will receive a 30-mm cannon


Photo: Alexey Moiseev

The BT-3F armored personnel carrier will receive a 30-mm cannon.  It will replace 7.62 or 12.7 millimeter machine guns.

About this at the International military-technical forum "Army-2019" said the chief designer of the Special Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering Sergey Abdulov, writes TASS.  And, as the chief designer, the Russian Ministry of Defense is interested in BT-3F, including in terms of increasing the power of weapons.  Therefore, it is planned to install a 30 mm module on it.

The BT-3F floating armored personnel carrier is based on the BMP-3.  It is intended for the transportation of infantrymen - up to 14 people, as well as for fire support.  Its weight is more than 18 tons, the reservation provides all-round protection against a heavy machine gun.

The base version of the BT-3F is armed with a remote-controlled machine gun of 7.62 millimeter caliber, the other version has a combat module with a Kord machine gun of 12.7 millimeter caliber.

Hunt for missing Indonesian Army helicopter launched

 9 hours ago

Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Jayapura Search and Rescue office will send personnel to Oksibil, the capital of Pegunungan Bintang District, on Saturday, to look for the Indonesian Army's MI 17 helicopter that was reported missing, Friday. Ten personnel would leave by helicopter and a Cessna CN 295 of the Indonesian Air Force (TNU AU), to find the missing helicopter, Chief of the Jayapura SAR Putu Arga said here Friday evening.

The search and rescue operations will involve every existing component, he said.

Earlier, the pilot navigating the helicopter with 12 people aboard said "thank you" at 11:49 a.m. local time, before the airport lost contact with him, Oksibil Airport Chief Frits Ayomi said.

The helicopter took off from Oksibil Airport at 11:44 a.m. local time, and at 11:48 a.m. contacted the air traffic control (ATC) to report that it would ascend to 7,800 feet, 6 nautical miles toward the north.

The pilot then said "thank you" at 11:49 a.m., and since then there has been no contact between him and ATC, Ayomi told Antara, Friday evening.

The weather around Oksibil at that time was fine, but a little bit foggy. The MI 17 helicopter with registration number HA-5138 carried 12 people. They had earlier flown to Okbibab to dispatch logistics to military officers there.

Purchase of T129 ATAK Falls Through, What's Next for the Attack Helicopter project of PAF?

June 29, 2019


A scale model of the T129 during the Philippines-Turkey Defense MOU Signing last December 2018 in Manila. Photo taken from CNN Turk.

In previous MaxDefense reports made through our blog entries, and social media posts, and later corroborated by reports by local and international media and defense outlets, it was reported that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Technical Working Group (TWG) has selected the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) T129 ATAK attack helicopter for the Attack Helicopter Acquisition Project under the Horizon 2 phase Priority Projects of the RAFPMP.

The Department of National Defense (DND) through Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana also supported this decision, and was the submitted request to Malacanang for approval by the President Rodrigo Duterte. Despite Pres. Duterte's preference on Russian attack helicopters, he approved the request of the DND and PAF for implementation, allowing the DND to finalize negotiations with TAI and the Turkish Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Trade.

The Philippines' planned T129 ATAK acquisition:

While these political events are happening in Turkey, the Philippines selected the Turkish made TAI T129 ATAK attack helicopter for its own requirements.

The T129 ATAK is the result of Turkey's program to create an indigenous attack helicopter that they could manufacture and use for their armed forces, as well as for export to other countries. Technology was based mostly from the Agusta (later AgustaWestland) A129 Mangusta attack helicopter from Italy, which uses several components from the US and other allies.

The T129 ATAK is an improvement over the original A129 Mangusta, replacing minor Italian or foreign-made components with equivalent Turkish made ones while continuing the use of foreign made components that are not yet available in Turkey's own facilities. This is while also increasing performance values including the use of more powerful engines to support the new aircraft.

While Turkey is very much willing to sell the TAI T129 ATAK to the Philippines, the problem now lies on the effects of CAATSA to the ability of TAI to secure the components needed to build new T129 ATAK attack helicopters and other products, as well as providing spare parts and support once these aircraft are delivered.

Based on information gathered by MaxDefense for the last several months through sources from the DND, PAF, and friends from local and international defense industry and aviation industry, it turns out that everything looks gloomy for the DND's deal with TAI and its Turkish counterparts.

Due to TAI and the Turkish government's inability to provide assurances that US-made component including the LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft engines and many other components, it was decided by the DND and the PAF TWG and leaders to STOP the deal with TAI and the Turkish government.

It was also decided that since TAI may be unable to deliver the T129 ATAK to the Philippines, the PAF TWG was requested to re-open its evaluation and selection process for the Attack Helicopter Acquisition Project.

In short, it could be safe to say that the acquisition of TAI T129 ATAK is practically dead.

It is probably also safe to say now that the Attack Helicopter Acquisition Project is rebooted, or may even be put on-hold for now.