Pembinaan Fizikal Kapal LCS Pertama Telah Siap Lebih 80 Peratus – Tok Mat


it look like the MOD leaning to resume the LCS program, questions is how much more and how many LCS will be build?

I think many military watchers just want to see the real deal and past such statements.

Do you remember the Lekiu frigates and the issues they had with some systems I think CMS?

Some pictures of the training areas being developed and financed to the tune of billions of dollars by Sg.









Source: Dr Charles Knight

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sing...%20Down%20Under.

Equipment is nothing without training.





This post has been edited by Mai189: Apr 7 2023, 08:44 PM

The above will complement the new SAFT Training facility ready in 2023:





Note: SG is building an entire mini city for training!

Plus the existing Murai Training facility which resembles a large kampung in my opinion:

they really aren't

SK uses Meteor because US doesn't yet have an equivalent (AIM-260 JATM is still developing IIRC)

there are structural reasons for SAF to get the US PCA fighter

the reasons why the SAF armament is so "diverse" is historical and capability-based:

at first SAF could only get the Igla so that is what they used
then they got access to Sidewinder
however they didn't yet get access to AMRAAM, so they bought Derby / Python instead
furthermore, the IADS they were setting up was Israeli-based, so it made sense to get Israeli weapons
hence they also bought Derby / Python SAMs for the Army which obviously is a massive upgrade over Igla
the medium-range air defence was now covered... but what about long range air defence?
at this point SG-US relations were not so well developed yet, with SG leaning European
furthermore the US was not building any ships suitable for SG use, and SG wanted naval warships
so they bought Formidable + Aster
Aster also equipped the SAF long range ground based air defence
so now the full SG IADS is complete
subsequently SG-US relations firmed and improved, and F-15 won the next fighter competition over Typhoon and Rafale, so now they had access to AMRAAMs, possibly the most capable long range air to air missile in SAF service

and that's the whole silly story

They wont replace them until their airframes are used up, F15 airframes have a lot more max flying hours capable compared to F16s, something like 3X more, it can easily last to 2050 based on SAF flying hours. They can use it as a medium bomber role which is more than enough for Sg.

This post has been edited by diffyhelman2: Apr 7 2023, 11:05 PM

They have more flying hours because they were bought later which are being expended through training and/or operations. RSAF conducts a lot of training.

Secondly, there is the issue obsolescence in regards to not just competing air frames in the region in 2040 but the need to be connected well with other sensors and shooters at that point in time which would have evolved as well.

Your story on the history a bit wonky but I'll leave it at that.

I agree with you that there are solid reasons for RSAF to get the US 6th Gen NGAD.

Like I said, I am doubtful that Sg will get clearance. Not even treaty allies. The US are not prepared to do it for the Raptors.

It is possible that there could be a less capable 6th gen platform - perhaps Super F35? We will need to see.

As things stand, the closest jet to the NGAD in which Sg is likely to use come 2040ish will be the Tempest. Unlike the Franco-German 6th gen jet, the Tempest (like the current Typhoon) would more than likely be cleared to carry US weapons like Amraams or future ones.

I would put the Meteor to be in the same category as the Amraams 120 C7/C8/Ds as opposed to the Aim 260.

The ramjets engine certainly make the meteor better but at the end of the day there are other variables like fidelity of sensors, agility etc.

The Aim 260 is more Phoenix like replacement with it's 200-km range.

There are some Euro turds messing around with range of the Meteor with some claiming to be as high as 400km?

But the manufacturers have always claimed a more modest effective range of 100+km which is about the Amraams C7 reported range and shorter than the Amraams Ds

https://www.saab.com/products/meteor

This post has been edited by Mai189: Apr 7 2023, 11:45 PM

I'm interested to know your views on that
AIM-120D+ is meant to temporarily fulfil the extended range requirement, AIM-260 being the all-new missile body, however it is not a perfect solution. Even though it has the range, it doesn't have the ramjet, so its no-escape zone and kinematic performance although extended will not be anything like Meteor's

AIM-260 should be a ramjet like Meteor

This post has been edited by KLthinker91: Apr 8 2023, 04:03 AM

It is difficult to say which is better. The 120Ds has longer range. But the Meteor has probably better kinetic performance during end game because of the ramjets engine. There are also other variables - onboard sensors, launching aircraft, etc. I can't remember the missiles size but the Ramjet intake increases the missiles RCS (+ that of the launching aircraft) and I'm not sure if it impacts agility.

However, it is is generally clear that bar any good electronic counter measure/system, the opposing aircraft will not survive once a modern BVR missile has a lock on you and within range. So it begs the question of even having a more expensive Ramjet engine in the first place.

That is why modern air combat stresses on the need to see and shoot first. That is where reduced RCS matter too or commonly referred to as stealth. That is also where better sensors and an overarching sensor network with AEW and C, and netted air, sea and ground assets matter. The whole system will see you first.

Circling back, I said Aim 260 is not in the same category as Meteor because of AIM 260s claimed newer sensors , hypersonic speed and range. Their makers also claimed better end game kinetic performance than amraams (note: it won't have Ramjet engines).

Now, the kinetic performance of modern jets has either remained the same or not improved by much. Ramjet may be a good 2 have in this connection.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Apr 8 2023, 05:28 AM

Higher velocity and bigger no escape zone over rocket motors
In all domains now, sea, air and land
Meteor has its roots in early 00s design, it's no wonder that a missile being developed right now and not yet officially in service should have improved performance

I think it's safe to say that Meteor comfortably beats earlier marks of AMRAAM and overlaps with 120D and AIM-260

Yes. I agree.

As I shared, it is a good-to-have as the final outcome is more than likely the same with conditions cateris paribus. There is no compelling need to use that engine which will be an added cost over the production efficacies and hence cost savings from earlier iterations of the amraams.

I did a cursory check on costs and the meteor costs 50% to 100% more.

From what I understand the meteor battery is currently it main limiting factors.

One goes faster (Meteor) and another goes further (120C8/D/D3) whereas the outcome will largely be similar. Note: It seems D3 can reach 200km in "effective" range.

Choose your poison. But if you are in a 5th gen aircraft, id pick the Amraams. Note: the Amraams Ds/D3s are the default missile for F35s. Meteor is supposedly undergoing integration but there would be some design changes as it big which may add to costs. SG, being a longtime Amraam user would stick with the Amraam 120Ds for her F35s until advent of the Aim-260 in the interim.

The near future armaments for the F35 will likely be a mix of the dual-use Peregrine WVR/BVR missiles (with similar or better effective range than the latest Amraams) and Aim 260 very long range BVR missile.

As things stand, all versions of the F35 can carry 8 Peregrine missiles in her internal bays. Or mix of 2 Aim 260 BVR missiles + up to 6 Peregrine missiles.

It is an amazing feat as the F35 will be able to fly totally clean in air-to-air mode. The worst situation is when the F35 is flying "nose-cold" i.e. radar switched off and guided by other sensors in for e.g. SG's battle system network such as AEW&C aircraft, AESAs on other jets such as the F15SGs and UAVs, naval ships, aerostat blimps, ground radars, etc. You wont see the F35 and the bird will have unrivalled clarity of target, and she will be shooting at you from range.



Source: https://www.iiss.org/ja-JP/online-analysis/...f-j-20-fighter/




This post has been edited by Mai189: Apr 8 2023, 02:51 PM

RSAF moves to Fort Ebbing..

Womack, Boozman visit Singapore in support of selection of Fort Smith’s Ebbing Air National Guard Base for program
by Daniel McFadin | April 6, 2023 at 7:00 a.m.

Two members of Arkansas' congressional delegation visited Singapore this week in a show of support for the recent selection of Fort Smith's Ebbing Air National Guard Base to host the Foreign Military Sales program.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack and U.S. Sen. John Boozman made the trip almost a month after the selection of Ebbing, which will eventually host General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons from Singapore's air force.

In addition to the relocation of an F-16 squadron, Ebbing will also be a used to train foreign pilots in F-35 jets.

Foreign Military Sales is a security assistance program authorized by the Arms Export Control Act. The act allows the U.S. to sell defense equipment, conduct training and provide services to a foreign country when the president deems doing so will strengthen U.S. national security and promote world peace.

Ebbing was selected in 2021 as the preferred location for a pilot training center for Singapore and other countries participating in the program. The proposal was to accommodate up to 24 foreign F-35 aircraft and move 12 F-16s from the Singapore air force, currently with the 425th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

According to a press release, during their visit to the Asian country Womack, R-Rogers, and Boozman, R-Rogers, met with the Republic of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and government leaders in trade and national security, and the chief of the Singaporean air force. They also visited U.S. military personnel deployed to the area.

"I was glad to travel to Singapore with Senator Boozman to deepen our strategic partnership and discuss ways to deter increasing threats from our adversaries," Womack said in a statement. "We got to shake the hands of our allies and thank them for trusting Fort Smith to be the home of the Foreign Military Sales mission that will bring F-35 fighter planes and Singapore's F-16 squadron to Ebbing Air National Guard Base. I look forward to welcoming the new U.S. Air Force personnel to the River Valley and continuing dialogue with our friends abroad."

In his own statement, Boozman said the goal of the visit was "to ensure our partners feel welcome in our state and trust we will support their military personnel's needs. Developing and strengthening this relationship is critical to ensuring global security. Arkansas welcomes the opportunity to give our allies the training and tools necessary to defend themselves and our shared interests while strengthening Ebbing Air National Guard Base's role in our national defense and Indo-Pacific relations."

The selection of Ebbing was announced on March 15.

During the announcement, Lt. Col. Drew "Gus" Nas, who is tasked with getting the training center at Ebbing operational, said the earliest any foreign pilots would arrive at Ebbing would be 2024.

Before any pilots from Singapore arrive, it's expected that Polish pilots would be the first users of the training center. Poland is purchasing 32 F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Lockheed Martin.

The elements of the Singaporean air force will have a long-term presence at the base, while pilots and planes from other countries will be there on a temporary basis of about two years.

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/ap...-in-support-of/



*The 12 F16Vs will be drawn down from Ebbing when RSAF retires the F16V fleet and replaced by more F35s. There should be an estimated minimum of 60+ to 70+ RSAF F35s stationed in Singapore. Of course, the overseas detachment can be recalled to Sg if needed.

RSAF also trains with the RAAF to familiarise itself with F35s:

Not like you can choose.

Only the American have 5th gen jet currently and the American intergrated amraam with it. While it is technically possible to intergrated meteor, politically speaking they ain't likely gonna do it.

Whether SG going to continue with an all American jet fleet or would she diversified like SK,JP is up for debate & an the question would only be answered by 2040.

European users of F-35 will pay for Meteor
it is key to British and Scandinavian F-35 air dominance

added cost is not because of the ramjet itself; European weapons are more expensive per unit due to lower production and higher cost of living

Peregrine and those missiles you listed are not fully developed yet, so don't count those chickens before they hatch. Recently, ARRW which you listed has been cancelled after its latest failure.

The Euros want some degree of autonomy from the US + the need to sustain their own defence industries. There is really no point in getting Meteors if you are outside of Europe unless you have no choice e.g. restrictions placed by the US and/or paying more for integration.

There is a need to fill the gap for the sometime to be defunct Amaraams (D versions and below). These missiles will complement the super long range Aim 260 and they will occupy the space from the current WVR to BVR (where the current Amraams are at). Aim 260 with its super long range will take over from that point.



It will either be based on Lockheeds Cuda or Raytheons Peregrine. And there is a massive domestic and international market for it given the expected proliferation of the F35s.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Apr 8 2023, 08:39 PM