TAI ANKA offered for Indonesian MoD UAV Tender

August 2018
POSTED ON TUESDAY, 14 AUGUST 2018 11:19
 
Turkish Aerospace, Turkey’s center of excellence in defence and aerospace industries held a workshop on August 14th, 2018 in Jakarta with an extensive participation of Indonesian Defence and Aviation Industry companies, regarding the possible cooperation on upcoming several bilateral opportunities such as Unmaned Aerial Vehicle System Tender of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence.


A TuAF Anka MALE UAV
(Credit: TAI)

With long experience in merging and integrating the capabilities of local and global companies, Turkish Aerospace is now exploring the opportunity to cooperate with Indonesian defence and aviation industry companies with unique and exclusive qualifications, in order to bring the already proven capabilities of the “ANKA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System” to new heights, through the Indonesian UAV System Tender. As indicated and underlined repeatedly, Turkish Aerospace is ready to fine tune its persistent multi-role ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) system ANKA to satisfy the specific requirements of the Indonesian end-user, through integrating distinguished Indonesian suppliers into its supply chain. 

Philippines considers Russian loan to support submarine procurement

Jon Grevatt - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
14 August 2018

  
Russia has offered the Philippines a soft loan, repayable over several years, to support its potential acquisition of Kilo-class submarines. Source: IHS Markit/Patrick Allen

Russia has newly offered the Philippines an economic package to support its potential acquisition of Kilo-class submarines, Arsenio Andolong, the chief of public affairs at the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND), told Jane’s on 14 August.

He said the offer was made to the Philippine government recently and consists of a soft loan that would be repayable over several years. He also stressed that the loan has not been agreed but is being considered by the Philippine government as it looks to boost the undersea capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN).

“This offer was made last week,” said Andolong. “Russia has said that if we require funds [for the submarine procurement] we could opt for a soft loan to be repaid over a period of time. We are considering the offer, nothing has been agreed.”

The new loan offer was made shortly after the PN confirmed that it was discussing with the Russian Navy the terms of a memorandum of understanding centred on the provision of training and support of submarines.

PN spokesman Commander Jonathan Zata also confirmed in comments to the state-run Philippine News Agency in early August that the Philippines is looking at Russia as a “possible source” of submarines and that the pending agreement would facilitate technical and operational training for the PN.

PN officials have also been invited to Russian shipyards to observe submarine construction programmes, he said.

The PN submarine procurement programme was recently accelerated by the Philippine government, and the DND is expected to decide on the acquisition within the next year. The acquisition, which is likely to feature the procurement of up to three platforms, was previously scheduled for 2023–27 under the Philippines’ ‘third horizon’ military modernisation programme but was moved forward to the 2018–22 second horizon.

Defence Ministry cancels Maritime Patrol Aircraft project

Neily Syafiqah Eusoff / theedgemarkets.com
August 13, 2018 16:12 pm

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 13): The Defence Ministry said it has scrapped the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) project, in line with the Malaysian government's decision to re-evaluate the implementation of the mega project.

"However, the project can be considered in the next rolling plan, if it is still in the priority of the ministry," the ministry said today in Parliament via a written reply dated Aug 7, 2018 to Mersing MP Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad.

Abd Latiff had earlier asked the ministry on whether the government will proceed with the procurement of large defence assets such as the MPA, Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) and Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). 

The ministry, however, said there is a need to continue the procurement of the LMS and LCS, in line with national defence operational needs.

The procured LMS and LCS are under construction as scheduled, the ministry said.

Turkey, Indonesia support UAV collaboration

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
15 August 2018


Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) is engaging with Indonesian industry in support of a potential programme to supply its Anka UAV to the Indonesian armed forces. Source: TAI

Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) has expanded its engagement with Indonesian aerospace and defence companies in a bid to support collaboration on programmes including a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project.

TAI said in a statement that it held a workshop in Jakarta on 14 August with local aerospace and defence companies “regarding possible co-operation on several upcoming bilateral opportunities such as a UAV tender for the Indonesian Ministry of Defence”.

TAI confirmed that in bidding for the UAV programme it is offering its MALE Anka UAV. TAI added that it is “ready to fine-tune” the Anka system “to satisfy the requirements of the Indonesian end-user through integrating … Indonesian suppliers into its supply chain”.

However, TAI also said that collaboration opportunities will not be limited to the Anka. “It will be a sustainable, long-term, win-win relationship,” it said, “in which all parties will find opportunities to advance their business goals in local and global markets in the medium [term].”

Earlier this year, Arie Wibowo, director of production at state-owned Indonesian aerospace company, PT Dirgantara (PTDI), told Jane’s that PTDI and TAI were close to formalising an agreement to collaborate on developing the Anka UAV to meet the requirements of the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU).

Wibowo said the project would facilitate technology transfers from Turkey to Indonesia to support joint development and localised manufacturing. He added that once the terms of the collaborative partnership had been established PTDI and TAI would build fully operational prototypes within 12 months.

Wibowo added that when the programme enters mass production other Indonesian aerospace companies would enter the supply chain, although the scope of such engagement would depend on the how many Anka systems the TNI-AU required.

Singapore joins ranks of A330 MRTT operators

15 August, 2018 SOURCE: FlightGlobal.com BY: Greg Waldron Singapore

The Singapore air force’s first Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has arrived in the country.

Images posted on social media show the aircraft landing at Changi International Airport, adjacent to the Changi West air base where the nation's Boeing KC-135R tankers are stationed.

Flight tracking sites indicate that the aircraft (S/N 1762) flew direct to Singapore from Madrid’s Getafe air base.

Neither the nation’s defence ministry nor the air force announced the tanker’s arrival. The aircraft’s livery, however, recognises the 50-year history of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, with ‘RSAF 50’ on the tail, and ‘Our Home, Above All’ on the engine cowling.

Flight Fleets Analyzer indicates that the jet is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 772B-60EP powerplants, and that its first flight was on 10 November 2016.

In addition to a hose-and-drogue refuelling pod on both wings, the aircraft is also equipped with a refuelling boom. The aircraft has 260 passenger seats, and can be used to carry cargo pallets.

Singapore has five additional A330 MRTT’s on order. These will replace the nation’s four obsolescent Boeing KC-135Rs, which have an average age of 55.9 years.

UKRAINIAN OPLOT’S TOUGH ROAD TO THAILAND


Oplot T-84 main battle tanks in Thailand. IMAGE: thaidefense-news.blogspot.com

The final six of 49 Ukrainian Oplot T-84 main battle tanks were delivered to the Royal Thai Army.

An anonymous source cited by the Bangkok post said that the final batch of the 49 tanks was handed over on July 29th. They are now in Prachin Buri, with the 2nd Infrantry Division. The source also claimed that tests would begin in early September.

The source also said that in April 2018 an army delegation inspected the final batch of battle tanks, in addition to 1st Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Kukiat Srinaka, who also did an inspection.

The Oplot T-84 main battle tanks were ordered back in 2011 by Thailand and cost $240 million.

The delivery of the battle tanks was initially supposed to be finalized by 2015. The first batch was delivered in early 2014. However, the production saw repeated delays due to an economic crisis in Ukraine after the coup in 2014 and the following civil war.

Thailand initially purchased the Oplot T-84 battle tanks to replace its US M-41s, which it bought from the US in 1957. Due to the delay in delivery, Thailand also signed a contract to buy 28 Chinese VT-4 battle tanks, seeking to boost the supplies in 2017.

On March 27th, Ukrainian state-owned defense holding Ukroboronprom announced that the contract for the supply of the T-84 battle tanks has successfully ended. The final batch was tested in the presence of Thai Military officers and were to be sent to Thailand promptly.

The T-84 is an upgrade of the Soviet T-80UD. First built in 1994, it entered into service in the Ukrainian army in 1999. It has a high-performance engine, which makes it one of the fastest main battle tanks in the world. The main weapons of the T-84 include one 125mm KBA-3 smoothbore gun fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. This is fed by an automatic loader which is similar to that installed in the T-64 in that the separate loading ammunition is stowed vertically whereas that of the T-72 and T-80 is stowed horizontally.

When the contract for the Chinese VT-4s was announced, Thailand reportedly attempted to cancel the order for the remaining T-84s. The T-84 reportedly had numerous problems.

In 2016, a Thai media publication reported that the Oplot T-84 battle tank has very limited battery life and needs frequent changes, after tests during the rainy season. The publication also claimed that the Ukrainian side is attempting to provide a higher level of service, which possibly also resulted in delays.

In early 2017, when it was announced that Thailand signed a contract for Chinese VT-4s, Sputnik News cited military analyst Vladislav Shurigin. He explained that the T-84’s technical characteristics did not match those of the actually produced tanks. According to him “the armor on the Oplot has proven to be of much poorer quality [than the design characteristics indicate]. The vehicles are not robust, and face constant breakdowns.” He also further commented that “the tactical and technical characteristics of the tanks do not coincide with the declared characteristics, because Ukraine faces a deficit in the special mechanisms used for guidance systems. Kiev simply does not have them, and is not capable of producing them today. Accordingly, [guidance] parameters are downscaled, and precise guidance to the target becomes almost impossible.” According to him the tanks amounted to little more than “useless crap.”

On June 18th, 2018, the National Interested reported the results of an annual tactical exercise in Germany’s Grafenwoehr Training Area. Since 2016, European and US countries have gathered there to test their tanks in various exercises. In the 2018 competition Ukraine’s T-84 placed in eighth, last place.

The National Interest provided information on various problems with the T-84.

Due to faulty charging mechanisms that send power to the autoloader, the T-84 autoloader did not load shells properly in all four tanks that were present, said Capt. Roman Bagaev, a company commander in the 14th Mechanized Brigade, cited by Novynarnia. Another issue is the shakiness of the 125 mm cannon due to faulty fire-control systems.

However, despite the problems according to the National Interest, the Ukrainian crews involved in the exercise liked their T-84s much more compared to the T64, which is the most numerous tanks in the Ukrainian military.

The Merkavas and Namers, etc have engines in front wherein the latter is protected by thick armour, esp.in fibua situations.  They learnt this from experience, unlike nearly 99% of armed forces in the world.  RPG and ATGM like to come from behind from thier own experience. The FNSS/Pindad mobile fiepower support IFV/APC is not network centric so it does not have 360 degrees situational awareness, it will definitely need support all round.

You have pretty much shot argument on dedicatd tank design to pieces by revealing that an IFV based on the FNSS/Pindad fire support vehicle will be introduced. It just an IFV/APC dude. Tho they started it off with a 105mm cannon version ..quite possibly for nationalistic fervour purposes from the pics I have seen in this forum.

Pindad eyes Bangladesh, Philippines for tank export

Arya Dipa
The Jakarta Post

Bandung | Sun, August 19 2018 | 01:17 am

State-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad is aiming to boost exports by targeting markets in South Asian and Southeast Asian countries including Bangladesh and the Philippines.

The company executives have asked the government to take part in the bidding process for weapons procurement in both countries. The company plans to offer modern medium weight tanks (MMWT), which it develops with Turkey...

Well. At least there is some use to the fnss designed firepower support vehicle. What do you really expect countries like Bangladesh or the Phlippines to buy?

That is right. .. an ifv designed vehicle which is of a different design compared to other ifv/apcs. But a 30 ton ifv/apc thin skinned vehicle nonetheless.

When one talks about 360 degrees situational awareness, it is a reference to a network designed linked to a battle management system which is linked to an over arching battle space management system. My car has a front and back camera too.

Comparing a namer to your light weight ifv/apc is misleading. The namer is indeed derived from a dedicated tank- the Merkava.

Certainly is. You can sell Geeltys if you want..no harm at all. A warthog apc for example is more difficult or expensive to buy and own.

So why do you need Fnss's assistance if it is so easy to build and own?
Lets see..if the phillipines was like say Australia..they would have purchased a boxer, cv 90s etc.

Rubbish..it is a dedicated ifv/apc tat was modified to carry a 105mm cannon. Which dedicated mbt has so large/high
a front tat says - please hit me. In comparison, please see how ifcs/apcs look.  At 30ton plus weightage, your dedicated tank claim design is simply rubbish and marketing gibberish.

No. I am not talking about frontal and back cameras found on modern cars. Tat said, the Mpf has i dunno..8 to 9 cameras.

Tell me more about your battlefield management system...

That is right. Pindad sought fnss's assistance. You mean selling to under developed countries..sure thing. Maybe that is the area where you should excel in. Cant imagine a south korea, japan, taiwan, etc. buying it would we?  And of course Africa!

I dont care what you call it!. But im glad you would have to agree it is a 30 ton plus ifv/apc with a 105mm gun on top. So much for a dedicated tank design. You are misleading the whole forum and i am happy to point that out.

Who cares if it has or has no rear ramp door? The ifv version has a ramp door as you have shared.

More pictures...do not visualize a bms. I see some screens. It is probable it is at an infancy stage of development which will take a long time given the diverse nature of indonesian equipment.

Indeed. St initially collaborated with Timoney way back in 1980s....you can say we bought the design. But improved upon it. That was my point. Pindad sought Fnss assistance in designing this ifv/apc. Pindad needed expertise. FNSS was happy to share.

Have you sold it to another country? Is turkey buying it?  St sold warthog apcs to the UK.

You are the one who started this rant when you could simply have agreed to disagree, even though the facts point otherwise.