December 28, 2014, 6:51 pm
29 Desember 2014
Vietnam's Kilo-class submarines are all equipped with 3M-14E Klub-S ballistic missiles (photo : H. My)
Vietnam's Kilo-submarines to potentially blockade Spratly islands
Vietnam's six Kilo-class submarines purchased from Russia are very likely to be used to cut off the supply line of the People's Liberation Army's garrison at the disputed Spratly islands according to the Duowei News on Dec. 24.
China's nationalist tabloid the Global Times said that the People's Navy of Vietnam had already received three Kilo-class submarines from Russia. Vietnam's Kilo-class submarines are all equipped with 3M-14E Klub-S ballistic missiles. With an attacking range of 280 kilometers, the missile can reach Guangdong province's Zhanjiang, where China's South Sea Fleet headquarters is located. China's major naval facilities on Hainan island are also within reach. In addition, the Kilo-submarines can attack PLA supply ships with its GE2-01 radar-guided torpedoes.
The Global Times did say however that the PLA Navy has something up its sleeve to counter the new Vietnamese subs. Three Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines have already been sent to Hainan island just in case of a potential conflict over the Spratlys. China would also deploy its Type 093 Shang-class nuclear-powered attack submarines to the region if needed.
Despite the advantage the Vietnamese Kilos have in land attack and anti-ship capabilities, Taipei-based Asia Pacific Defense magazine said that they are not designed to fight enemy submarines.
Also, as China has already been using Russian subs for quite some time and has a strong knowledge concerning the Kilos weaknesses, the PLA Navy has a better chance of inflicting serious damage on the Vietnamese purchases should a battle take place, according to the Global Times. (WantChinaTimes)
Vietnam's ballistic missile can strike southern China: Kanwa
With an attacking range of 280 kilometers, the Vietnamese navy's 3M-14E Klub-S submarine-launched ballistic missile can be used against China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces when launched from southern Vietnam's Cam Ranh Bay, military analyst Andrei Chang, also known as Pinkov, wrote in an article for the Kanwa Defense Review, a Chinese-language military magazine based in Canada.
The purchase of 3M-14E ballistic missiles from Russia makes Vietnam's six Kilo-class 636MV submarines more powerful than their Chinese counterparts. Pinkov said the 3M-14E is only allowed to be exported to Algeria, India and Vietnam. It is not allowed to be installed aboard China's Kilo-class MV submarines yet. In a war between China and Vietnam, the Vietnamese navy is very likely to use the submarines in the vanguard against the PLA Navy.
The Vietnamese subs have also undergone a number of modifications to make them quieter. In a potential operation against China's South Sea Fleet based in Zhanjiang in Guangdong, the ballistic missile can be used in coordination with satellites. Compared to China's 3M-54E ballistic missile which has a range of only 220 kilometers, Vietnam's 3M-14E can reach 280 kilometers. This is enough for the People's Navy of Vietnam to attack critical Chinese naval targets in Hainan and Guangdong.
Russia has transferred all technologies Vietnam needs to operate the submarines. Unlike China, Vietnam does not have the tradition of reverse engineering the military hardware it acquires from Russia. Furthermore, Vietnam has India as its major ally in the region. Pinkov said India may provide more assistance to Vietnam than Russia since they operate Kilo-class submarines in waters of a similar temperature. However, a source said that both countries have to send their submarines back to Russia for overhaul.
In addition to Kilo-class submarines, the People's Air Force of Vietnam is likely to deploy its first Su-30MK2 fighters purchased from Russia to Cam Ranh Bay. By 2015, Vietnam is estimated to operate 32 Su-30MK2 in the region. Those fighters can increase Vietnam's force projection capability against China over the disputed Spratly islands.
(WantChinaTimes)
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December 28, 2014, 11:20 pm
29 Desember 2014
Philippine Navy eyes two more naval base aside from the Ulungan Bay in Palawan (photo : Timawa)
MANILA, Philippines - Aside from the Ulungan Bay naval base in Palawan, defense and military officials are eyeing construction of two more naval bases that could accommodate various types of vessels to help secure the West Philippine Sea.
The planned naval base is expected to be the home of new warships that would arrive starting next year from defense contractors abroad.
Aside from the guided missile boat Pohang Class corvette that South Korea is giving to the Philippine Navy (PN) for free, the government is also expecting delivery of two brand new frigates from the South Korean government and two strategic sealift vessels (SSV) and other vessels it procured from Indonesia.
“To avoid port congestion in the future, we are building more naval bases in Palawan,” an informed source bared, adding the military leadership is now looking to Japan to supply the Navy with patrol vessels after the country relaxed its export ban on military equipment.
At present the Navy is developing the Ulugan Bay Naval Base that would be home to its Naval Forces West (Navforwest) and transform the nearby Oyster Bay into a modern naval facility.
Ulungan Bay is directly facing the West Philippine Sea where tension has been mounting due to the massive maritime claim by China in line with its “creeping invasion” of almost the entire South China Sea.
The Philippines, with a weaker military, could only oppose China’s action through legal measures before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) that Beijing has rejected.
For security reasons, the source declined to give the location in Palawan of the planned additional Navy facilities that would soon rise.
The source said once the naval facilities become operational it would be much easier for the Navy to respond to any kind of maritime disaster and security emergencies in the region.
The Ulugan Bay naval station is near Oyster Bay, an area facing the West Philippine Sea and one of the sites that the military wants to develop.
The AFP wants to offer Oyster Bay as a possible site for the US facilities to be built under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Military officials are hopeful that the EDCA, which provides US troops greater access to Philippine bases, will facilitate the development of the site.
The government has allotted P500 million to develop the Ulugan Bay base, including P313 million to improve the pier, harbor and support facilities at Oyster Bay.
(PhilStar)
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December 29, 2014, 11:36 pm
30 Desember 2014
C-23B Sherpa (photo : pan)
The Estonian Air Force will take delivery of two light transport aircraft Sherpa C-23B+ as a gift from the United States in 2015.
The aircraft will swap out the Antonov An-2 Soviet-era airplanes, currently in use.
The Sherpa C23B+ planes were built in the United Kingdom and like the An-2s, can land on soft surfaces such as grass.
The aircraft have three crew members and can carry up to 36 passengers, flying up to 468 kilometers per hour to maximum distances of 1,900 kilometers. The Sherpa is suited for missions requiring an aircraft that is capable of faster, higher-altitude and longer-distance coverage than helicopters. It has a low operating cost due to its simple, robust construction.
The Estonian Air Forces uses light transport planes for artillery observation, practice for anti-air units, observation missions, medical evacuations, transporting parachutists and for other transport missions.
The aircraft will be delivered to Estonia in 2015, once the pilots and technicians have completed the necessary training.
The Philippines and Djibouti will also receive similar aircraft from the US.
(News.Err)
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December 30, 2014, 12:35 am
30 Desember 2014 Kapal Baruna Jaya IV (photo : jurnal3, republika)
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Kapal riset Baruna Jaya IV milik Badan Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Teknologi (BPPT) yang akan ikut mencari AirAsia QZ8501 dilengkapi lima jenis teknologi untuk pencarian obyek di bawah permukaan laut.
"Ada lima teknologi jadi yang dibawa, tapi dua diantaranya, side-scan sonar dan ultra-short baseline, harus digunakan bersamaan saat dioperasikan," kata Kepala Seksi Program Balai Teknologi Survei Kelautan BPPT M Ilyas kepada Antara, kemarin.
Pada kapal riset Baruna Jaya IV, ia mengatakan sudah dilengkapi multibeam echo sounder 150D dengan kemampuan mengukur kedalaman air hingga 3.000 meter dengan tingkat resolusi hingga lima meter. Sonar dapat menyapu tujuh kali (dengan sapuan melebar) kedalaman laut yang dilalui.
"Sapuan ke samping seperti setrika tujuh kali dari kedalaman lokasi laut. Jadi jika kedalamannya 200 meter bisa menyapu hingga 1.400 meter," terang dia.
Multibeam echo sounder ini memang melekat di kapal Baruna Jaya IV. Namun BPPT, ia mengatakan juga memiliki multibeam echo sounder portable yang bisa digunakan untuk kedalaman kurang dari 200 meter di bawah air.
"Untuk kedalaman 70 sampai 80 meter, bukan untuk laut dalam, tapi alat ini saya rasa cukup untuk digunakan di perairan Belitung Timur hingga Selat Karimata. Sapuan sonarnya sama, tujuh kali melebar dari kedalaman laut," ujar Ilyas.
Alat kedua yang dibawa Baruna Jaya IV adalah side-scan sonar yang dapat beroperasi hingga kedalaman kurang dari 2.000 meter. Alat ini hanya beroperasi baik saat digunakan dengan ultra-short baseline (USBL) atau biasa disebut sistem posisi bawah laut.
"Sapuan alat ini memang hanya 400 meter namun tampilan obyeknya lebih jelas. Ini jadi semacam GPS di bawah laut juga, sehingga hasilnya lebih presisi (tepat)," ujar dia.
Alat keempat yang dibawa adalah marine magnetometer geometric, khusus untuk mendeteksi logam dengan ukuran besar dan berfungsi membaca tanda anomali logam di bawah laut.
"Alat ini sudah sering digunakan juga oleh pihak swasta, biasa digunakan inspeksi pipa atau kabel bawah laut," ujar dia.
Lalu, teknologi kelima yang ikut di bawa adalah Sistem Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), kamera yang berjangkauan puluhan meter dengan visual baik untuk memastikan obyek yang muncul dari anomali logam yang dihasilkan marine magnetometer geometric. Selain BPPT, alat ini juga dimiliki Pusat Penelitian Geologi Kementerian ESDM.
Baruna Jaya IV bergabung melakukan pencarian AirAsia QZ8501 yang hilang kontak dengan Menara Pengawas Udarar (ATC) di Bandara Internasional Soekarno-Hatta pada Minggu pagi lalu.
Basarnas yang memimpin pencarian pesawat Airbus 320--200 tersebut telah melakukan pencarian di tujuh sektor pada Senin dengan menggunakan pesawat, helikopter, dan kapal-kapal milik TNI, Polri, Basarnas.
Tim SAR dari Malaysia, Singapura, dan Australia juga turut mencari QZ8501 yang hilang kontak dengan membawa 155 orang.
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December 30, 2014, 1:16 am
30 Desember 2014
PN 2 AW-109E Power (all photos : Fabrizio Capenti)
MANILA (PNA) -- The last two AgustaWestland AW-109E "Power" helicopters, out of the five ordered by the Philippine Navy (PN), have arrived in the country Sunday.
This was confirmed by Navy spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo in a message to the PNA Monday.
"They (AW-109 airframes) have arrived yesterday (Sunday). Being assembled today," he said.
He did not give specifics on when and how the airframes arrived.
But PN public affairs office chief Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo said that the AW-109 airframes were transported by cargo aircraft to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Pasay Sunday.
She added that the aircraft and its components are now being assembled at a facility she did not identify for security and safety reasons.
Earlier, the PN said that the two AW-109s will be tentatively delivered Monday and commissioned on Jan. 16, 2015 after testing.
The latest delivery is part of the five helicopters contracted by the Department of National Defense (DND) with AgustaWestland in 2013 worth Php1.33 billion.
The AW-109Es will be armed with machine guns, 20mm cannons and possibly, with air-to-ground rockets.
The AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a three-ton class eight-seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.
The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.
The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
(PNA)
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December 30, 2014, 4:26 am
30 Desember 2014
Kilo submarine prepare for launched (photo : DatViet)
The fifth of six Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam contracted to buy from Russia was launched at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg on Sunday, Russian news agency Interfax reported.
The submarine codenamed HQ-186 Khanh Hoa is the fifth of the six Project 636.1 diesel-electric submarines ordered by Vietnam.
The first two subs, HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City, arrived in Vietnam in early January and mid-March.
The third one, HQ-184 Hai Phong, was loaded into the Dutch-registered cargo ship Rolldock Star on December 16 and is scheduled to be delivered to Cam Ranh Port in late next month.
The fourth one, HQ-185 Da Nang, was launched on March 28 and is undergoing testing.
The sixth and last one, HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau, was built from May 28 and is scheduled to be delivered to Vietnam in 2016.
The six submarines, which are considered improvements over the older Kilo-class, feature six 533 mm tubes that can launch TEST-71 series anti-surface and anti-submarine heavyweight torpedoes.
They were built under a US$2-billion deal signed during a visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to Russia in 2009.
Under the contract, Russia will deliver all by 2016, train Vietnamese crews, and supply necessary spare parts.
(ThanhNienNews)
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December 31, 2014, 5:51 am
31 Desember 2014
The exercise will focus in disaster relief operations, and to a certain extent, on counter-hijacking in the open seas (photo : Defencetalk)
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) began their first-ever bilateral military exercise yesterday to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The five-day tabletop exercise at the Armed Forces’ Joint Warfare Centre (Pesama) saw 20 officers from Malaysia combining their expertise with PLA’s 21-men delegation to develop a common framework for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
The exercise, opened by Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, will be the start of many joint drills that is expected to culminate in a field tactical exercise next year.
“We seek to enhance cooperation between the two armed forces, especially in disaster relief operations, and to a certain extent, on counter-hijacking in the open seas,” Jen Zulkifeli told reporters.
The PLA team was led by Operations Department deputy director-general, Senior Captain (Navy) Jiang Ke.
“It (joint exercises) will develop into something that is more current. Basically it will be non-war related operations,” he said when asked if the joint exercises could evolve into offensive-type operations.
Senior Capt Jiang added that the tabletop exercise was a historic moment for both militaries as it symbolises the expansion of Malaysia and China’s defence cooperation.
“China and Malaysia share common strategic interests in this region, and a good foundation to jointly tackle major natural disasters, as well as the obligation to safeguard regional stability and security of international sea lanes.”
In September 2005, Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence cooperation with China – the first of its kind between a South-East Asian country and China.
The memorandum paved the way for the establishment of working groups under the Security Defence and Strategic Consultation in September 2012, reciprocal high-level visits involving PLA’s deputy Chief of the General Staff and Malaysia’s Defence Minister, and a Defence Working Group Meeting in March 2012.
(The Star)
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December 31, 2014, 8:15 am
31 Desember 2014
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (image : Aviation Week)
SYDNEY – Airbus and Boeing are jointly attempting to unseat Lockheed Martin from South Korea’s KF-X indigenous fighter program, offering technology from Europe that could not be supplied from U.S. sources, industry officials say.
With Korean Airlines as the local partner, the pair are likely to be proposing the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet as a base design for the KF-X.
The defense ministry’s procurement office, the Defense Acquisition Program Agency (DAPA), issued a request for proposals for KF-X development on Dec. 23.
The Boeing-Airbus KF-X proposal should be an economical alternative to a fighter design of the defense ministry’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) that Korea Aerospace Industries has been expected to build with technical assistance from Lockheed Martin.
The U.S. limits the technology that its companies can transfer abroad. South Korea lacks technology in many fields, such as active, electronically scanning radar. But Airbus, as an airframe company, is probably involved in the Boeing bid as a supplier of stealth know-how that the U.S. company is not authorized to provide.
A budget of 8.6991 trillion won ($7.9171 billion) approved by the finance ministry this month must be intended to pay for development of the ADD KF-X. But parliament has not yet authorized that spending or the launch of full-scale development, nor can it do so before it votes on the government’s 2016 budget next December. In the meantime, KAL looks likely to submit the cheaper alternative, based on the Super Hornet, to DAPA in response to its request for proposals.
Industry officials previously told Aviation Week that Boeing was proposing the Advanced Super Hornet, an update of the F/A-18E/F with a weapons pod and conformal tanks. Other industry officials said Boeing was working with Korean Airlines. Now different officials say that Airbus is also on the team.
This is not the first time that Boeing has offered non-U.S. technology to South Korea. When proposing an advanced F-15 version called the Silent Eagle for the separate F-X Phase 3 fighter program, Boeing suggested technology transfer from Israel Aerospace Industries, an industry official says. Lockheed Martin won F-X Phase 3 with the F-35 and in return is supposed to back KF-X development.
(Aviation Week)
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02 Januari 2015
PMC will distributing personal radio units to Marine contingents (photo : blackfive)
MANILA (PNA) To ensure better communications with its ground units, the Philippine Navy (PN) announced that it will be distributing personal role radio units to its Marine contingents starting first quarter of 2015.
"These will be used by Marines primarily for communication in short distances to enable section commanders to react quickly and efficiently to rapidly changing situations, including contact with the enemy, greatly increasing the effectiveness of infantry fire teams," Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said.
He added that the system is easy to use through its "simple man machine" interface.
Taccad said that the "personal role radio units" is unobtrusive and comfortable to wear yet rugged enough to sustain the harshest environment presented by active front line operations.
"The use of the 'personal role radio units' will greatly enhanced combat effectiveness by providing all informed communications to front line soldiers, replacing traditional methods based on shouting and hand signals," he stressed.
(PNA)
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02 Januari 2015
KMC Komando TNI AD (photo : Liputan6)
Korem 152 Babullah Terima Bantuan Kapal Cepat
Ternate (Antara News) Korem 152 Babullah Ternate, Maluku Utara (Malut), menerima bantuan sat unit Kapal Motor Cepat (KMC) Komando Bantuan yang digunakan untuk operasional di daerah ini.
Kapenrem Mayor Inf Anang Setyoadi mengatakan di Ternate, Jumat, bantuan ini bagian dari program pemerintah untuk menciptakan kedaulatan laut dan keamanan laut dalam rangka poros maritim.
Rupanya program ini bukan hanya isapan jempol semata, dibuktikan dengan dukungan satu unit KMC Komando yang diberikan kepada jajaran Korem 152 Babullah," ujarnya.
Kapenrem mengatakan, keberadaan KMC Komando juga untuk menjaga perairan Malut yang berbatasan langsung dengan negara luar di perairan pasifik, sebab sering terjadi illegal fishing.
KMC Komando diangkut menggunakan KRI Surabaya 591 berlabuh di pelabuhan Ahmad Yani Ternate dan diterima oleh Danrem 152 Babullah Kolonel Inf Agus Arif Fadila,SIP, didampingi Danden Bekang Letkol Cba Reza Purnama dan beberapa pejabat teras Korem 152 Babullah. Selepas serah terima KMC Komando, Danrem melakukan uji coba beberapa manuver, terlihat kapal tersebut sangat gesit bermanuver dan dinyatakan siap untuk membantu tugas pokok Korem 152 Babullah.
Menurutnya, KMC Komando merupakan salah satu master piece buatan putra-putri terbaik Indonesia hasil riset Dislitbang TNI AD dan berbagai pihak dari Universitas Indonesia, dibuat di galangan kapal dalam negeri yang dapat mengangkut 31 orang personel dan 2 ABK serta mempunyai daya jelajah 250 NM (Nautica Mile) dengan kecepatan 45 Knot dan dapat beroperasi di laut, perairan dangkal, rawa, danau dan sungai.
Selain itu, disematkan pula peralatan canggih terbaru baik marine radar, alat komunikasi maupun GPS termodern dikelasnya. KMP Komando juga dilengkapi dengan persenjataan SMB (senapan mesin berat) jenis M2HB Browning kaliber 12,7 mm dengan sistem bidik menggunakan RWCS (Remote Control Weapon System) dilengkapi Optronik Sensor yang didalamnya terdapat LRF (Laser Range Finder).
Sehingga membuat petembak tetap aman mengoperasikan senjata dari dalam kabin menggunakan layar monitor dan Joy Stick interaktif, dapat melakukan tembakan secara efektif walau dalam kegelapan malam berkat teknologi tracking dan locking target.
Kanpenrem menambahkan, KMP Komando yang diberikan kepada jajaran Korem 152 Babullah untuk membantu mobilisasi pergerakan pasukan di wilayah Maluku Utara yang terdiri dari pulau-pulau dipisahkan oleh laut.
Selain itu, KMC Komando merupakan kapal cepat serbu yang dipergunakan untuk memperkuat pertahanan dan keamanan di wilayah perairan di Maluku Utara yang berbatasan langsung dengan negara luar yang kerap terjadi illegal fishing maupun pelanggaran batas yang sering dilakukan kapal asing.
(Antara)
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03 Januari 2015
Textron AirLand Scorpion ISR/Strike/Trainer one of candidate to replace L-39 aircraft (photo : Textron AirLand)
Air force delays plan for new jet fighters
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is pushing the military to more quickly draft its spending plans for the 2016 fiscal year and submit them within the month.
Air Force commander ACM Treetod Sonjance said the Defence Ministry, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force are expected to prepare their budgets by mid-January.
He said Gen Prayut, who is also head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), wants to see how the armed forces and other military units prioritise their spending.
The Royal Thai Air Force has no plan to procure new fighter jets in the next budget year, ACM Treetod said. It will focus on upgrades and maintenance instead.
Preliminary plans call for upgrades to the air force's fleet of F-5 jets at the Nakhon Sawan-based Wing 4 division. The aircraft have been in service for over 30 years.
A Defence Ministry source said the proposed defence spending is likely to be a little higher than the amount approved in 2015. It is estimated to be around 193 billion to 200 billion baht.
According to the source, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) approved a defence budget of 192 billion baht, about 550 million baht lower than the proposed 193.49 billion baht.
Of this amount, the Office of the Defence Permanent Secretary received 7.771 billion baht, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters 14.77 billion baht, the Royal Thai Army 95.48 billion baht, the Royal Thai Navy 37.52 billion baht, and the Royal Thai Air Force 35.7 billion baht.
Defence spending for the 2014 fiscal year was estimated at 184 billion baht.
According to the source, the navy is likely to propose the procurement of two to three submarines.
The navy has been vetting submarines from various countries including South Korea, China, Russia and France. South Korea's U-209 model is said to be the least expensive at 11 billion baht apiece.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has backed the submarine purchase in principle, saying he was ready to support the navy's plan to develop its capacity if there was enough money to go around.
The source said the army is likely to propose the procurement of helicopters for general use under a budget of 2.8 billion baht. About 30 UH-1H (Huey) helicopters will be decommissioned. The US-made UH-72 (Lakota) aircraft is said to be on the army's wish list.
The army also has a plan to purchase a transporter aircraft under a budget of 1.25 billion baht. Ukraine's Antonov-30 and Spain's CN-295 are said to be at the top of the list.
Meanwhile, ACM Treetod said an air force committee is working on choosing a new fleet of training aircraft to replace the L-39 model.
The air force has allocated 3.7 billion baht in the 2015 budget to procure a new fleet of training aircraft to replace the L-39 aircraft manufactured by the Czech Republic.
There are three contenders that meet the initial specifications: T-50 aircraft from South Korea, M-346 from Italy; and the Textron Airland Scorpion from the US. The South Korean aircraft is expected to come at the top of the list.
(Bangkok Post)
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03 Januari 201549 meter FAC-M with hull number 491 and detail weapon of hull number 492 (all photos : Myanmar Navy)
Fast Attack Craft Missile 491 and 492 of Myanmar
Myanmar has completed the first two of ten new FAC-M vessels, which besides having weapon system and electronic suite from the Russian-Chinese combination, also incorporates RCS technology much like other main ASEAN naval power such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand and Malaysia.
One of the most significant development for Myanmar Navy in 2013 was the launching of new FAC (Stealth)(pennant number P 491) which is 49 meter long and armed with 4 x C 802 SSMs and a single AK 630 CIWS. A second ship of this class was completed by end of 2014.
Myanmar Navy planned to build 10 ships of this class.
Kanwa Defense Review, a magazine published by Andrei Pinkov, a military analyst from Canada, said Myanmar's stealth looked very similar to the 500-tonne fast attack craft the PLA Navy turned over to Pakistan in 2012.
The new stealth missile boat will likely carry the C-802 or C-802A like its counterpart in Pakistan, the article said. This demonstrates that China still has strong influence over Myanmar despite the end of the nation's military regime. Islamabad is also negotiating with Beijing to purchase the C-602 missile, according to Kanwa.
Myanmar Navy FAC 491 is armed with 4 C-802 Missile which has a range of 120 km, it is also armed with one Ak-630 CIWS. The Radar and sensor system is unknown.
This Fast Attack Craft (FAC) is similar to Pakistan Navy Azmat class FAC which has a displacement of 500 ton and carries 8 C-802A missile.
(DefenceBd)
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03 Januari 2015
Jokowi wants RI military to be strongest in the region (photo : indocheatvip)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo set a target on Tuesday to improve the capacity of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and defense industry not only to meet the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) targets, but also to transform it into a force to be reckoned with in the region.
In a bid to improve the country’s obsolete weapons system, the government earlier implemented a plan to realize the military’s MEF blueprint for achieving an independent defense industry by 2024.
Speaking during a meeting with Defense Industry Policy Committee (KKIP) on Tuesday at the Presidential Office, Jokowi pointed out four main priorities for the country’s defense policy, including efforts to develop the military to become a well-respected force, to reach self-sufficiency in defense equipment, to meet the country’s defensive needs and to make defense policy a part of the comprehensive approach to security.
The President said that the country should no longer depend on imported defense equipment and that efforts (such as bureaucratic reforms) needed to be taken to expedite the transfer of military technology at state-owned defense firms.
“Those [reforms] include measures related to competitiveness and productivity that are designed in such as way that we will be able to partner with such global defense industry players as South Korea, the United States and Western European countries,” Jokowi said.
Obsolete weapons systems have hampered the TNI’s ability to guard Indonesia’s territorial waters from rampant illegal fishing.
The Defense Ministry has recently pledged to spur the development and production of naval weapons by national defense companies in order to help implement Jokowi’s maritime-axis vision. The ministry has also aimed to promote joint cooperation between local and overseas defense firms to give local defense firms essential knowledge and experience that would eventually help them independently produce state-of-the-art armaments for the TNI.
In December 2011, the ministry and South Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) signed a US$1.1 billion contract to manufacture three U-209 diesel-electric submarines. PT PAL’s engineers will be given a chance to take a close look at the construction of the first two submarines at a DSME plant in South Korea before they construct the last one at the PT PAL plant in Surabaya.
In the meeting, Jokowi also wanted defense firms to start working on civilian projects.
“For example, Pindad’s [light-armored] Anoa vehicles should be used for commercial trucks, PAL’s warships can also be used as commercial ships and for fishing, while the DI’s [military transport aircraft] CN295 can also be used for civil defense,” he said.
PT Pindad’s executive director Silmy Karim said his company was ready to produce non-defense equipment, which would not only encourage the country’s defense industry but could also promote economic growth.
“The demands for defense products continue to rise, so we will boost the production of both [defense and non-defense industries],” said Silmy after Tuesday’s meeting.
Other than Anoa, Silmy added, Pindad is also looking into production for rail networks and heavy equipment utilizers.
“The meeting supported the idea that we should optimize the country’s defense production,” Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said.
(The Jakarta Post)
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05 Januari 2015
PF-15 Gregorio del Pilar (photo : Timawa)
MANILA (PNA) -- Installing a missile system aboard the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates in service will greatly boost the Philippine Navy's (PN) deterrence capability aside from boosting the country's credible defense posture.
Col. Edgard Arevalo, PN spokesperson, said that having these long range and potent weapons installed aboard BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) will act as force multipliers for the two ships.
"It will act as force multiplier for us, it will extend our patrolling reach, (the two ships) will no longer have to go there (threatened area) to thwart an aggressor, our missile systems, once in place on our capital ships, (will make intruders think twice about violating Philippine maritime territory), will aid (our) deterrence (capability) and protecting our vast and porous borders," he added.
At present, the two naval vessels are armed with a 76mm Oto Melara main gun, 25mm "Bushmaster" auto cannon at the stern, and a variety of heavy and light machine guns.
Arevalo also said that having missile armament will also provide the PN with the capability to engage aggressors at longer range compared to the reach of naval artillery, which is definitely much shorter.
Earlier, PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said that upgrades for the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates includes the installation of modern anti-ship and anti-air missiles.
"Missile armaments (for the Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates) are in the pipeline," he added.
However, Taccad did not elaborate on this plan but said that this is part of the improvements to make the two ships more capable.
The two BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) was acquired last May 2011 while its sister ship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), was bought from the Americans in May 2012.
These weapons will fully transform these vessels into more capable Navy units, Taccad added.
He declined to comment on when these upgrades will take place for security reasons.
"Both vessels are programmed for upgrades in terms of sensors and firepower to revive their original capabilities," the PN earlier said.
Both ships are members of the 11-ship Hamilton class cutters designed and built for the US Coast Guard for heavy weather patrolling during the 1960s.
These ships are the largest in the US Coast Guard service and armed with the 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon and closed-in-weapon systems.
One sister ship, the USCGC Mellon was even fitted with a Harpoon anti-ship missile system during the 1990s.
(PNA)
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05 Januari 2015
Armored vehicles of the PLA's Amphibious Mechanised Infantry Division. (photo/Xinhua)
The People's Liberation Army has doubled the size of its Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division (AMID) to boost its combat capabilities in the event of a conflict with Taiwan or in the East or South China seas, reports our Chinese-language sister paper Want Daily.
The PLA originally had two AMIDs — one in the Nanjing Military Region and another in the Guangzhou Military Region — comprising a total of 26,000-30,000 soldiers. Between 2007 and 2012, Nanjing's 31st Army Group's 86th Motorized Infantry Division and Guangzhou's 41st Army Group's 123rd Mechanized Infantry Division were both reformed into AMIDs, doubling the total personnel to 52,000-60,000.
The four AMIDs will reportedly strengthen China's combat power as they can cooperate with the 20,000 troops from the PLA Marine Corps to conduct landing assault operations. Each AMID has three battle groups and can carry up to 300 amphibious transport vehicles.
The PLA appears to be looking to diversify the capabilities of its amphibious ground forces as opposed to simply fortifying its Marine Corps as a means to strengthen its authority in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, where it is embroiled in a number of territorial disputes.
A Pentagon report on the Chinese military from 2008 noted that the PLA has been increasing the mobility of its troops in the event of a conflict with Taiwan. The idea of boosting amphibious battle capability was raised in the 2014 version of the report, which said that one of the PLA's strategy options is to quickly take over Taiwan before other countries can intervene.
However, not everyone is convinced that the doubling of AMIDs will necessarily pose a bigger concern to Taiwan. Former Republic of China Marine Corps colonel, Yi-Jia Shiah, said AMIDs are fundamentally different to marines and that the threat is not as serious as publicized, though increased cooperation between the two units will have to be closely monitored.
The PLA's AMIDs and Marine Corps have not yet established a joint command system, he said, adding that in a potential conflict with Taiwan, command of the AMID will still belong to its military region to as opposed to the PLA Navy, which controls the Marine Corps.
The AMIDs also have insufficient battle experience on the seas and cannot simply rely on their ZBD-05 amphibious assault vehicles to cut cross the Taiwan Strait, he said, adding that the PLA will still need its Navy's Type 071 Yuzhao class amphibious transport dock and Type 081 landing helicopter dock or amphibious assault ships to carry out a proper landing assault.
The AMID's development is based on "coast-to-coast" warfare such as crossing rivers, lakes and difficult terrain while still maintaining its combat power, he said, while the Marine Corps is focused on "sea-to-land" warfare, which is more concerned with how to project the military's combat power across the seas.
(WantChinaTimes)
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06 Januari 2014
M-14 sniper rifle (photo : airsoft)
Marines acquire 220 units of 7.62mm GPMGs
MANILA (PNA) -- In line with efforts to boost the fire support capabilities of its ground troops, the Philippine Navy (PN) has acquired 220 units of 7.62mm GPMGs (general purpose machine guns) for its Marine units.
PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said "these machine guns are intended to fulfill the role of either a light machine gun or medium machine gun, while being at the same time, man-portable."
The 7.62mm GPMGs are also air-cooled and capable of firing full-power rifle cartridges.
Taccad said these machine guns will primarily provide multi-role automatic fire support weapons to Marine infantry squads and fire teams, especially the Force Reconnaissance teams and Special Operations platoons.
"These GPMGs will be also utilized as vehicle-mounted automatic fire support (weapons) to maneuvering units, convoys and defensive positions," he said. (PNA)
Marines to get 7.62mm sniper rifles
MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that it will be acquiring 7.62mm sniper rifles for its Marine units.
The weapons will be fitted with the advanced M-40 platform which includes sophisticated sights and scopes, enabling Marine marksmen to detect and engage enemy targets at long ranges.
The weapon will replaced existing M-14 sniper rifles currently being used by Marine units.
PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said the 7.62mm sniper rifles will also enhanced the capability of the Marine Scout snipers to acquire, observe, precisely engage and neutralize enemy targets from 800 meters and higher.
Taccad declined to comment on how many 7.62mm sniper rifles will be acquired for security reasons.
The PN vice commander also said that the weapon is now for "amendment of letter and offer acceptance". (PNA)
Marines acquire close combat optics
MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that it has acquired 5,000 units of close combat optics which will further enhanced the targeting and aiming capabilities of its brand-new M-4 assault rifles.
The latter is a battery red dot type aiming device.
"We (have) acquired 5,000 units of this purposely to be fitted in the new assault rifles to enhance target acquisition speed of our ground troops," PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said.
The M-4s replaced the antiquated four decades old M-16 automatic rifle in the Philippine Marine Corps inventory.
Taccad said these weapons will significantly contribute to the development and transformation of the Marines into a multi-mission-oriented force, capable of effectively addressing both internal and external threats.
Some 5,000 M-4 units were distributed to the Navy and Marine outfits last November.
(PNA)
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06 Januari 2015
Japan's hi-tech Soryu class submarines (photo : news)
Australia is in talks with Japan and others on the design and production of its new submarines, the defense department said Tuesday, but it did not confirm reports the two nations will jointly build the fleet.
Australia is seeking to replace its fleet of conventionally powered submarines that date from the 1990s, but it has not yet said if it will build the vessels locally or buy them from a foreign supplier.
Under the proposal reported Monday, the Japanese Defense Ministry would cooperate with Australia in developing special steel and other materials for its new submarines, while Japanese companies would be in charge of assembling them, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.
The joint work would be meant to assuage concerns that the domestic shipbuilding industry would be fatally hurt if Australia chose to buy Soryu-class submarines off-the-shelf from Japan instead of constructing them in the country with Japanese technology.
While the Mainichi Shimbun report said Australia had taken “a positive stance” on the proposal, with a deal possibly sealed by the end of this year, Australia said “no decisions have yet been made.”
“Work is progressing to explore options for a conventionally powered Future Submarine, and Australia is discussing issues relating to submarines with a number of countries, including Japan,” a Defense Department spokeswoman said in a statement. “No decisions have yet been made on the design and build of the next generation of Australian submarines. The government’s decisions will be based on reliable data evaluated against the navy’s requirements.”
Buying submarines made in Japan would cost Australia about 25 billion Australian dollars (¥2.42 trillion), compared with $AU50 billion to $AU80 billion if they were built at home, a local report said last September.
Labor unions have expressed concerns that such an international arrangement would not just hurt Australian shipbuilders but also have a ripple effect on associated industries.
(Japan Times)
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07 Januari 2015
The rescue boats which are capable of transporting 20 persons in distress (photo : Basarnas)
MANILA (PNA) -- In line with boosting its disaster response capabilities, the Philippine Navy (PN) announced it is acquiring two 40-footer rescue boats which are capable of transporting 20 persons in distress.
This was confirmed by Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad in a briefing with reporters.
"The (two 40-footer rescue boats) will be utilized by the various disaster response and rescue units of the PN," he said.
Taccad said the project, which is worth Php20 million, is now for re-bidding by the PN Bids and Awards Committee.
Interested parties should have completed a similar project within five years.
Winning bidders are required to delivery the rescue boats within 180 calendar days within the opening of the letter of credit.
(PNA)
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07 Januari 2015AFP underway to acquire military units with manpads SAM (photo : immortal today)
MANILA (PNA) -- In line with its efforts to improve the territorial defensive capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), efforts are now underway to acquire and equip military units with shoulder-fired anti-air missiles.
This is to ensure that all units will have the capability to handle air attacks and boost the Philippine air defense network.
Aside from this, plans are also afoot to acquire mobile missile batteries with fire control radars and tracking devices.
These weapons will be placed in strategic locations in major islands of the country, a ranking defense official, who requested anonymity, said.
The missile batteries also have inter-locking fields of fire to maximize protection.
The defense official also pointed out that position of the mobile missile batteries will be shifted every once in a while to prevent possible adversaries from gaining a fix on their locations.
(PNA)
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07 Januari 2014
Beberapa kapal perang akan dilakukan MLU pada periode 2015-2019 (photo : Kaskus Militer)
Panglima TNI ungkap pembaruan kapal perang 2015 2019
VIVAnews - Panglima Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), Jenderal Moeldoko, mengungkapkan bahwa Angkatan Laut telah mencanangkan upaya pembaruan alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) yang esensial, terutama kapal perang atau KRI. Pembaruan yang disebut mid-life update dilakukan pada 2015 hingga 2019.
“Untuk menghadapi semua tantangan yang berkembang, TNI AL telah memiliki perencanaan mid-life update terhadap sistem senjata yang esensial untuk tidak memberatkan di masa mendatang,” kata Panglima di Dermaga Ujung, Komando Armada RI Kawasan Timur (Koarmatim) Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Selasa, 6 Januari 2015.
Mid-life update adalah pemeliharaan atau renovasi yang dirancang untuk memperluas kegunaan dan kemampuan alat utama sistem persenjataan militer. Biasanya hampir semua instrumen kapal perang digantikan, CMS (command management system) maupun sistem pendorong.
Biasanya dalam program mid-life update di banyak Angkatan Laut dunia, kapal yang menjalani fase itu akan mendapatkan teknologi CMS yang setara dengan kapal perang yang lebih baru. Pertimbangannya adalah agar lebih menguntungkan dari sisi logistik dalam hal pemeliharaan, juga lebih memudahkan dalam interoperabilitas.
Namun, sebagaimana dikutip dari siaran pers Pusat Penerangan TNI, Panglima menegaskan bahwa mid-life update adalah sebagian dari skenario modernisasi alutsista. “Yang bentangnya dari sekarang (tahun 2015) hingga 15 tahun mendatang,” tuturnya.
Menurut dia, awal 2015 hingga 2019 adalah babak baru keberlanjutan pembangunan kekuatan dan pengembangan kemampuan TNI. Hal itu sudah disusun dalam kerangka kebijakan Minimum Essential Force, yang ditujukan guna mengamankan kepentingan nasional.
“Implementasinya harus melalui tahapan Fiscal and Program Guidance, yang merupakan salah satu tahapan krusial dalam pembangunan kekuatan, karena merupakan penghubung antara ends dan means untuk mendapatkan available forces,” kata Panglima.
“TNI telah menetapkan Renstra (Rencana Strategis) Pemeliharaan dan Perbaikan Alutsista 2015-2019 dan Renstra Pembangunan Kesejahteraan Prajurit 2015-2019 sebagai upaya mengeliminasi potensi disparitas (kesenjangan),” Panglima menambahkan.
Panglima juga menyampaikan bahwa pemberlakuan ASEAN Political Security Community bersamaan dengan ASEAN Maritime Forum. Kondisi itu menuntut Indonesia menjadi pemain yang aktif, sebab ASEAN Maritime Forum akan lebih banyak memainkan aspek operasional yang membutuhkan penggunaan instrumen militer.
“Dalam hal ini Angkatan Laut yang kredibel dan mempunyai kemampuan penangkalan dalam rangka kerja sama menjaga stabilitas keamanan kawasan Asia Tenggara, yang kian rumit dalam tahun-tahun ke depan,” ujarnya.
(Viva)
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