New pics of BAE M8 Buford MPF (Mobile Protected Firepiwer).

Challenger 3 - the British Army's new main battle tank is coming

A major upgrade of the British Army’s main battle tank featuring extra firepower and cutting-edge protection systems will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of tank design, poised to respond to future global threats and challenges.

07 May 2021 10:29

A contract with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) to deliver 148 Challenger 3 tanks will extend the platform’s out of service date to 2040. It will provide 200 skilled jobs at RBSL, including 130 engineers and 70 technicians. A further 450 jobs will be established throughout the wider supply chain across the West Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Isle of Wight.

It will offer export opportunities and will support the case for the UK participation in any future international tank programmes.

The overhaul will include:

• a new 120mm smoothbore gun which uses the most advanced globally available ammunition

• a new suite of sights providing tank commanders with enhanced day and night targeting abilities

• new modular armour

• an active protection system

• a turret that can be fitted to the tanks of allies and global partners

Latest UN arms transfer records show the Sg govt having bought 231 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany so far.

Indonesia’s New X18 Combat Boat Begins On-Water Tests

Indonesia's X18 Combat Boat program is moving towards first delivery, John Cockerill Defence (JCD), which is supplying the armament, told Naval News. A protoype has been put in the waters on April 28 in Banyuwangi Waters.

Nathan Gain  07 May 2021

Formerly known as the "Tank Boat", the Combat Boat was developed for the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and will be known locally as "Antanesa".

« The boat will undergo builder trials to check all of its functions on the water. The boat is expected to support TNI operation in swamp, river, coastal and sea as well as coast guard duties », PT Pindad said on its Facebook page.

The X18 Combat Boat  is a program launched by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. Formerly known as « Tank Boat », it is executed by a consortium in which PT Pindad is the lead integration in collaboration with PT Lundin (North Sea Boats), PT Len Industri (Persero), and PT Hariff. These boats are intended for the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and will be known locally as “Antanesa”.

This « APC » variant of the Combat Boat is primarily designed  for troop transport tasks. It will be capable of carrying up to 60 troops, 5 tons of cargo, drones and will be manned by a 5 strong crew.

« Equipped with 30mm RCWS and two 12,7mm machine guns, the boat is prepared to protect Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial waters, » PT Pindad adds.


The X18 Combat Boat has been launched on April 28 in Banyuwangi Waters (PT Pindad picture)

The vessel integrates John Cockerill Defense’s (JCD) Cockerill 3030 unmanned turret. The Belgian company also made engineering and construction improvements in regards to the marine environment and the specificity of the catamaran composite material.


The Combat Boat will deploy quadcopter drones for ISR taks.

The APC variant will have further enhancement, such as missile firing capabilities, JCD added. Drones integration, for example, is currently being tested. Provided by NORTHSEADRONES, a cooperation between Norway and Indonesia, the drone will be linked with the boat and turret and will be used for surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

Sea trials will last until the end of May. The Factory Acceptance test (FAT) step, as well as the site acceptance test (SAT) and harbor acceptance test (HAT), will all happen in May 2021. At sea live firing tests will begin next month. The delivery to the TNI-AD has not been decided yet, but could occur likely around September 2021.

Nice pics of F15Sg, F16V(?) and US Marines F35bs training over the South China Sea in Apr 2021:




RSAF combat fleet consists of F15Sg, F16V(arriving this year with F16V local upgrade project completion in 2022) and F35s (<2026 onwards).

Note: Expect more of such trainings as RSAF steps up integration of F35s into its fleet. SG will progressively buy more F35s in the coming years and these will operate with the F16Vs and F15SGs. The F16Vs will then be retired some time around 2030-35.

The F15SGs are expected to undergo a mid-life upgrade after the upgrades to the F16s are done - likely to F15EX standard. This will be a stop-gap until SG buys 6th gen planes.

Joint production of ships with Indonesia Strengthening security cooperation for the JMSDF prototype

2021.5.11 22:27
Political policy

Prime Minister's Office = Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo It was revealed on the 11th that the Japanese government is aiming to receive orders for ships from Indonesia using the "joint production" method based on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ships. Under the three principles of defense equipment transfer formulated in 2014, "export" can only be permitted for equipment used for rescue and alert surveillance, and in order to transfer a escort ship capable of killing, it must be joint production, not export. This is because it is difficult to admit. It will be the first time if joint production of ships is realized.

Japan, Italy and Turkey are competing for orders for the relocation of ships to Indonesia. If Japan receives an order, through joint production, it will be possible to strengthen security cooperation with Indonesia, which is a major power of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and is exposed to the intimidation of China in the South China Sea.

The first ship to be prototyped in joint production with Indonesia is the JMSDF's new escort ship "FFM", which is scheduled to be commissioned in March next year. In addition to anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, and naval battle, it also has anti-aircraft warfare functions.

In the three principles of defense equipment transfer that paved the way for overseas transfer of equipment, it is assumed that exports can be permitted for equipment for the purposes of (1) rescue (2) transportation (3) vigilance (4) surveillance (5) minesweeping. ing. The air defense radar contracted with the Philippines as the first domestically produced "finished product export" in August last year applies to vigilance and surveillance. For ships, rescue ships and transport ships can be allowed to be exported, but escort ships equipped with naval artillery are not allowed.