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Vietnam to Buy Third Pair of Russian Gepard-class Frigate

June 1, 2016, 8:23 am
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01 Juni 2016


Gepard class frigate (photo : Zelenodolsk)

Vietnam to buy more Russian Gepard-class warships

Vietnam and Russia are discussing the building of two more Gepard-3.9 ships for the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN), the local news website Sputnik quoted the Russian Rostex Group as saying on May 29.

The two countries are talking about the building of the fifth and sixth Gepard-3.9 frigates for the VPN in Zelenodolsk, Rostex said.

Previously on May 26, the fourth of its kind was launched at a ceremony in the Zelenodolsk shipyard.

Having a displacement of approximately 2,000 tonnes, the Gepard-3.9 is able to operate for 45 days at sea and travel up to 5,000 nautical miles (9,000km).

It can also be used for non-military purposes, such as search and rescue, fighting pirates and illegal fishing activities, and assisting vessels in distress.

(VietnamNet)

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Australia Requests Sale of SM-2 Block IIIB STANDARD Missiles

June 1, 2016, 4:44 pm
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02 Juni 2016


SM-2 Block III Standard missile (image : MDA)

WASHINGTON - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for SM-2 Block IIIB STANDARD missiles, equipment, and support. The estimated cost is $301 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 27, 2016.

The Government of Australia requested a possible sale of:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to eighty (80) STANDARD Missile, SM-2 Block IIIB Vertical Launching Tactical All-Up Rounds, RIM-66M-09
Up to fifteen (15) MK 97 SM-2 Block IIIB Guidance Sections (GSs)

This request also includes the following Non-MDE: MK 13 MOD 0 Vertical Launching System Canisters, operator manuals and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services.

The total estimated value of MDE is $216 million. The total overall estimated value is $301 million.

Australia is one of the major political and economic powers in Southeast Asia, a key democratic partner of the United States in ensuring regional peace and stability, a close coalition ally in major/lesser regional contingency operations, and a close cooperative and international exchange agreement partner. It is vital to U.S. national interests that Australia develops and maintains a strong and ready self-defense capability. This sale is consistent with U.S. regional objectives.

The SM-2 Block IIIB missiles proposed in this purchase will be used for anti-air warfare test firings during Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials for the Royal Australian Navy’s three new Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) currently under construction.  The SM-2 Block IIIB missiles, combined with the Aegis combat systems in the AWDs, will provide significantly enhanced area defense capabilities over critical South East Asian air-and-sea-lines of communication. Australia has already integrated the SM-2 Block IIIA into its Perry-class FFGs and recently upgraded its Intermediate-Level Maintenance Depot at Defense Establishment Orchard Hills with new guided missile test equipment capable of maintaining the SM-2 All-Up Round. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these new missiles.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company, Tucson, Arizona; Raytheon Company, Camden, Arkansas; and BAE of Minneapolis and Aberdeen, South Dakota. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

(DSCA)
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India Aims to Supply BrahMos Cruise Missiles to Vietnam

June 1, 2016, 7:21 pm
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02 Juni 2016


Brahmos in salvo shot (image : sauravchordia)

India aims to supply Vietnam with varied defence equipment, including BrahMos cruise missiles, according to industry officials. 

India plans to provide Vietnam with varied defence equipment, including BrahMos cruise missiles, in a bid to counter Chinese armament companies equipping several militaries in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, according to Indian defence industry officials.

To further this offer and strengthen bilateral strategic ties, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is travelling to Hanoi in early June accompanied by a 15-20 member team comprising private and public sector defence manufacturers.

"The Indian defence delegation to Vietnam will further the joint development and production of a range of military equipment such as small arms, missile and naval systems as well as assorted ammunition," an industry official told IHS Jane's .

Foremost among the proposed materiel is the joint India-Russia-developed BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile featuring a 292 km strike range that New Delhi had offered Hanoi two years ago. India had been unable to supply the missile at the time due to unresolved issues with Russia regarding export and intellectual property rights, which were only recently resolved, officials said.

Configured on Russia's 3M55 Oniks/Yakhont system (NATO designation SS-NZX-26) and named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers in India and Russia, the BrahMos is a two-stage vehicle with a solid propellant booster and a liquid propellant ram-jet system.

The radar-guided missile is 8.4 m long, weighs 3.9 tonnes and is capable of being fired from ships. Its variants can be launched from mobile land-based platforms. India is also readying the BrahMos to be fired from a submarine and a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter.

Since 2008 India has supplied Vietnam with some 5,000 spare parts for its Soviet Petya-class frigates and provided assistance in overhauling the Southeast Asian nation's MiG-21 fighters and T-55 tanks. In October 2014 India pledged to supply Vietnam with four locally built offshore patrol vessels under a USD100 million credit line.

(Jane's)
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Use Of MIG-29N Fighter Aircraft being Reduced

June 1, 2016, 8:30 pm
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02 Juni 2016


RMAF MiG-29N (photo : worldavia)

KUANTAN (Bernama) -- The use of the MIG-29N fighter aircraft will be reduced following increasing operating expenses, said Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief, Tan Sri Roslan Saad.

He said apart from that, the capabilities of the fighter aircraft were also getting more limited as the aircraft have been in service for 21 years since they were first used in 1995.

"We have been reducing the use of the aircraft since three years ago and so far there is no time frame as to when the aircraft will be completely phased out," he said.

(Bernama)
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Australia : The German Submarine was Too Noisy

June 1, 2016, 11:03 pm
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02 Juni 2016


An artistic impression of Type 216 that the German shipyard TKMS proposed to Australia. (image : TKMS)

The German submarine was not quiet enough. According to the newspaper The Australian, this is why Australia did not accept the offer of TKMS shipyard, preferring that of the French DCNS, to supply twelve conventional submarines.

The Australian,  Senior Australian national newspaper says that an Australian delegation went to Kiel, Friday, May 13, for the debriefing of the tender. According to the newspaper, she explained to representatives of the shipyard TKMS and the German Government that their offer was retoquée due to a level "unacceptable" to "radiated noise" at a certain frequency.

Thus, the Australian Navy has held that the design proposed by TKMS, the Type 216, did not offer sufficient guarantees, especially for intelligence missions near the coast. This technical parameter was not included in the tender because it is classified information, added the Australian, who declined to say if deemed excessive radiated noise came from the hull, propulsion or of the helix.

The Germans have hardly tasted this explanation. "The capabilities of the military industrial complex have easily solved a technical problem of this kind only if the Australians had been more forthcoming about it before we soumettions our offer" , has said a German source in the Australian.

Conversely, Australians have enjoyed the particularly stealthy nature of Shortfin Barracuda proposed by DCNS. He resume technical solutions used on nuclear submarine Barracuda attack for the Navy.

This is particularly the screw pump system that will give the Shortfin barracuda, according to Paris, a silent tactical speed than that of its German and Japanese competitors with conventional propellers.

The Australian says DCNS "worked hard behind the scenes last year to sow doubt in the minds of Australian officials about the noise level of the TKMS Submarine". Thus, DCNS have done modeling of radiated noise of Type 216 from the acoustic signature of its own submarine Scorpene to compare it with that type of Barracuda submarines.

An Australian delegation also went to Japan on 12 and 13 May According to The Australian, the same stealth issues have worked against the Japanese offer which was based on an evolution of soryu type submarine already in service.

(LeMarin)
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Vietnam Minat Beli CN-295 dari Indonesia

June 2, 2016, 6:34 pm
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03 Juni 2016


Vietnam telah mempunyai 3 pesawat C-295M hasil pembelian langsung ke Airbus Military, Spanyol (photo : Long Ethan)

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Wakil Presiden Jusuf Kalla mengatakan bahwa Vietnam berminat membeli pesawat jenis CN-295 yang diproduksi PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Ini adalah pesawat terbang militer yang bisa dijadikan pesawat terbang komuter sipil terbaru yang ada dalam daftar inventori PT Dirgantara Indonesia. 

TNI AU telah memiliki sebarisan CN-295 (C-295 menurut nomenklatur yang diberikan Airbus Military sebagai perusahaan pembuat asal/pemegang lisensi), yang dimasukkan ke dalam Skuadron Udara 2, yang ditempatkan di Pangkalan Udara Utama Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta. 

Pesawat terbang turboprop yang lisensi produksinya dipegang Airbus Military ini bisa dikatakan sekelas dengan A-27 Spartan buatan Alenia, Italia). 

"Tadi kami melanjutkan pembicaraan rencana pembelian CN-295," ujar Kalla, seusai bertemu bilateral dengan Wakil Perdana Menteri Vietnam, Trinh Dinh Dung, di sela World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2016, di Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kamis.

Namun Kalla tidak menjelaskan secara teknis tentang rencana pembelian pesawat tersebut, termasuk mengenai jumlah unit. Selama ini TNI AU dan TNI AL memesan sejumlah CN-235 dari PT Dirgantara Indonesia; salah satunya seturut kontrak pembelian yang ditandatangan pada penghujung dasawarsa '90-an. 

Negara-negara yang telah memesan CN-235 di antaranya Korea Selatan dan Brunei Darussalam.  

Perdagangan beras dari Vietnam ke Indonesia juga dibicarakan dalam pertemuan tersebut. 

Dalam pertemuan tersebut, Kalla juga menyampaikan pandangan Indonesia yang sama dengan Vietnam dalam sengketa wilayah perairan Laut China Selatan.

Walau pernah beberapa kali terjadi gesekan di laut antara Indonesia dan China di perairan kedaulatan Indonesia di Laut Natuna, Indonesia tidak termasuk negara yang mengklaim wilayah perairan yang disengketakan Vietnam, Malaysia, Filipina, Taiwan, dan China itu. 

Sementara itu, seusai mengikuti WEF on ASEAN di Kuala Lumpur pada 1-2 Juni 2016, Wapres dan Ibu Mufidah Jusuf Kalla beserta rpmbongan langsung bertolak menuju Tanah Air.

Sebelum melakukan pertemuan bilateral dengan Trinh, Kalla bertemu dengan petinggi Amnesty International.

(Antara)
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RMAF To Receive Third A400m Transport Aircraft by Mid-Month

June 2, 2016, 8:04 pm
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03 Juni 2016


RMAF A400M aircraft (photo : AIN)

KUANTAN (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is set to receive its third Airbus A400M aircraft by mid-month.

RMAF Chief, General Tan Sri Roslan Saad said the aircraft would utiltise the state of the art technology.

"The aircraft (A400M) is capable of fulfilling the transportation needs of the RMAF to strengthen the country's air defence system.

(Bernama)
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Japan, Thailand Eyeing Arms Deal

June 3, 2016, 9:25 am
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03 Juni 2016

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's P-1 patrol aircraft (photo : animesuki)

TOKYO -- Japan and Thailand are looking into a deal that would essentially make them limited defense partners.

Tokyo is considering a contract that would allow transfers of defense equipment to Thailand and call for technological cooperation with the country, people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

Thailand is interested in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's P-1 patrol aircraft and US-2 large amphibious rescue aircraft.

Japan wants to get between Beijing and Thailand's military government, and the cooperation deal could serve as an effective wedge.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Tuesday will meet Prawit Wongsuwan, Thailand's deputy prime minister and defense minister, in Bangkok to discuss the defense equipment deal.

The contract, a prerequisite for exports of defense equipment from Japan, would require Thailand to get Japan's nod before transferring or using any of the supplied equipment and related technologies for purposes other than those initially set forth.

Japanese companies Kawasaki Heavy Industries and NEC in November participated in an international exhibition of defense equipment held in Bangkok that Prawit attended.

The P-1, made by Kawasaki, is used to detect submarines and other vessels. It uses NEC sound detection technology and a high-performance IHI engine. IHI is a Japanese heavy machinery specialist.



The US-2, produced by ShinMaywa Industries, is known for its advanced sea-landing capacity, low-speed flight and long range. Japan is also discussing a deal to export the aircraft to India.

Japan has one defense equipment contract with a Southeast Asian nation, the Philippines. Under the contract, Japan is to lease the MSDF's TC-90 training aircraft in expectation of search and rescue missions during disasters, humanitarian assistance runs, and warning and surveillance activities.

Japan is negotiating similar pacts with Malaysia and Indonesia.

The U.S. and Europe have put Thailand at arm's length since its military staged a coup in May 2014. Japan is concerned that China is exploiting the situation and trying to increase its influence. Some Japanese defense officials say China is trying to drive wedges of its own between members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It also has territorial and jurisdictional disputes in the South China Sea with a number of ASEAN members.

Japan has yet to overcome a variety of hurdles for defense equipment exports to other countries. Earlier this spring it lost an Australian submarine order to France. "The loss revealed our lack of marketing experience," a senior official at Japan's Defense Ministry said.

In April 2014, Japan replaced its so-called "three principles," which in principle banned arms exports. It is now trying to export defense equipment and participate in international weapons development programs.

(Nikkei)
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China Media : Vietnam is Considering the Purchase of 28 T-90MS Modern Tanks from Russia

June 3, 2016, 7:10 pm
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04 Juni 2016

T-90MS main battle tanks (photo : russarmy)

Online media Sina (China) recently reported that the People's Army of Vietnam is considering the purchase and equipping of the Russian T-90MS, the original plan was to buy 28 units. According to the current demand, the armored forces Vietnam needs at least 200 new tanks.

Sina network that Vietnam Military Army for years not focused on modernization. This due to the fact that Vietnam should focus equip the navy and air force, while budget difficulties. So towards the army is not strong investment.

Therefore, the force increase - armored Vietnam until the present time mainly use the T-54/55 and T-62 is considered outdated in the world. Not only that, the Vietnam tank backward when compared to neighboring countries such as Thailand - the country has imported tanks T-84-T Oplot of Ukraine, China, it has equipped the Type 99 tank is considered the world's leading modern.

To partially offset gaps in the armored forces, Vietnam has a solution to upgrade a number of tanks T-54/55. But still can not meet the requirements of modern warfare.

In the early 2000s, Vietnam is said to have intention to buy 150 tanks T-72M1 - export version of the T-72 for the Eastern European countries, no armor ERA, downgraded fire control system. However, this plan did not succeed.

Some information says that Vietnam will equip T-90MS tanks to units stationed in the northern region.

T-90MS is the upgraded version of modernization on the basis of T-90S tanks for export. Compared to the old T-90S, T-90MS is equipped with a more powerful engine with a capacity of up to 1,130 horsepower, price controls equipped automatic weapons mounted guns UDP 7,62mm T05BV-1, equipped with reactive armor eRA explosive new type of electronic system and more modern. In particular, the ammunition in the vehicle was redesigned to increase survival for crews if blasting enemy bullet inside.

(DatViet)
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RMAF Receives Two New Pilatus PC-7 MK II Aircraft For Training

June 3, 2016, 7:20 pm
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04 Juni 2016

RMAF Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft (photo : AirTeamImages)

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Thursday received two Pilatus PC-7 Mk II aircraft to beef up its pilot training capacity, said its chief General Tan Sri Roslan Saad.

He said the two aircraft were received from Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland and are stationed at the Royal Air Force College, Alor Setar, Kedah.

Three more of the same make were expected to be received next month and stationed at the same college, he said.

(Bernama)
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Ex USCGC Boutwell being Prepared for Handover to the Philippine Navy

June 3, 2016, 11:19 pm
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04 Juni 2016

Ex USCGC BOUTWELL (photos : USCG Pacific Southwest)

Recently decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell returns to #SanFrancisco Bay area for its final voyage with a #CoastGuard crew.

After 47 years of of service, the crew will prepare the ship for a foreign military sale and transfer to the Philippine Navy.


CGC BOUTWELL is a High Endurance Cutter home-ported in San Diego, California. BOUTWELL serves the American public by conducting Law Enforcement, Military, and Humanitarian Service operations in the maritime domain focusing on Safe, Efficient, and Effective mission accomplishment.

(USCG)

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Pusat Latihan Pertempuran Marinir Teluk Ratai-Lampung Diresmikan

June 4, 2016, 2:07 am
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04 Juni 2016


Puslatpur Teluk Ratai sebagai sarana latihan lanjutan aspek laut prajurit marinir yakni renang, dayung, dan menembus gelombang. Selain itu medan belakang pantai yaitu hutan dan perbukitan, cukup ideal dijadikan latihan operasi tempur darat. (photo : Antara)

PADANGCERMIN-- Pusat Lathihan Pertempuran (Puslatpur) Marinir-8 Teluk Ratai, Piabung, diresmikan Komandan Korps Marinir, Mayjen TNI (Mar) Buyung Lalana , Jumat (3/6/2016).

Peresmisan Puslatpur Marinir-8 itu dihadiri Komandan Brigif-3 Marinir Kolonel Werijon, dan juga dihadiri mantan Komandan Brigif-3 Marinir Koloner (Mar) Suherlan dan Kolonel (Mar) Edi Juardi, serta sejumlah perwira Brigif -3.

Mayjen Buyung Lalana mengatakan, peresminan pusat latihan pertempuran Marinr di Teluk Ratai sebagai salah satu satuan pelaksana komando latih marinir (Kolatmar), pada hakikatnya merupakan realisasi dari kebijakan pemimpin TNI Angkatan Laut dalam meningkatkan profesionalitas satuan dan efektivitas pembinaan latihan pertempuran Korps Marinir. 

Buyung menjelaskan, peresmian Puslatpurmar 8 Teluk Ratai, diharapkan mampu menambah kapabilitas Kolatmar dan meningkatkan kemampuan daerah latihan Teluk Ratai dan sekitarnya sebagai kawah candra dimuka prajurit prajurit petarung Korps Marinir.

Letak geografis Teluk Ratai yang strategis berada di ujung selatan Pulau Sumatera, dan berbatasan dengan laut, sehingga cukup memadai sebagai sarana latihan lanjutan aspek laut prajurit marinir yakni renang, dayung, dan menembus gelombang. Selain itu medan belakang pantai yaitu hutan dan perbukitan, cukup ideal dijadikan latihan operasi tempur darat.

Berdasarkan analisis dan beberapa pertimbangan, maka Korps Marinir, merasa perlu segara meresmikan Puslatpur ini, dengan harapan setelah diresmikan dapat dilaksanakan program pembangunan fasilitas sarana dan prasarana serta peningkatan kemampuan Puslatpur 8 Teluk Ratai, jelasnya. 

“Komandan berharap agar segera melakukan penyesuaian diri dengan lingkungan dan tugas pokoknya, sehingga tugas yang diemban Puslatpurmar 8 Teluk Ratai ini terlaksana dengan baik,” ujar Buyung.

Usai peresmian Puslatpurmar 8 dilanjutkan dengan pelepasan Mayjen TNI (Mar) Buyung Lalana yang akan menempati pos barunya sebagai Staf Ahli Khusus TNI AL di Jakarta dalam rangka persiapan purna bakti.

(Lampung Post)
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Ukraine Tests Upgraded BTR-4 for Marine Corps of Unnamed Country

June 4, 2016, 3:53 am
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04 Juni 2016

Test the modified export version of wheeled armored personnel carriers BTR-4 named "Bucephalus” for the Marine Corps of unnamed country on Saltov reservoir in the Kharkiv region. (photos : National Academy)

The National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine issued a video of the test afloat on Saltov (Pecheniz'ke) reservoir in the Kharkov region of the modified export version of wheeled armored personnel carriers BTR-4 development and production of SOE "Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau named" (KMDB). Armored personnel carrier in the configuration proposed for the Marine one of the unnamed countries.


Apparently, this country is Indonesia. Recall that in February 2014 in Jakarta was initialed draft contract for the acquisition of five BTR-4 as trial batch for Indonesian Marines, and discussed the possibility of subsequent purchases of 50 BTR-4 for the Indonesian Marine Corps.


However, in May 2014 the Minister of Defence of Indonesia, said the refusal of the acquisition of 50 BTR-4 in view of the wars in Ukraine. Agreement for the supply of test five BTR-4, perhaps after a long pause, now to be effective.

(VPK)
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Su-27/30 : Vietnam will Repair Them at Home

June 4, 2016, 7:39 pm
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Su-30MK2 fighter in Factory A32, Da Nang  (photo : QPVN)

Defense website reported Russian VPK Vietnam will repair and upgrade the Su-27 fighters, Su-30 at the new plant in Danang.

Day 3/6, VPK website of the Russian Defence published the article titled "Su 27/30: Vietnam will repair itself in the country".

Accordingly, Vietnam is building capacity for maintenance, repair basic fighter Su-27 and Su-30, to escape from sending aircraft abroad.

To implement this program, Vietnam has recently launched a defense plant in Danang A32.

"The repair of domestic aircraft upgrades will significantly increase the operational readiness of fighters," the source said.

According VPK, as of this moment, Vietnam Air Force was equipped with 12 injection and 4 consolation Su-27 fighter Su-30MK2V. In 5/2009, a new contract for the supply of 12 new aircraft manufactured by Russia was signed.

Previously, the plant has sent tens A32 staff to overseas training. Currently, the plant has successfully yourself repair failures of modern fighters. Each workshop repairing a technical segment with over 10,000 different components requires careful, precise, meticulous very strict.

(Soha)
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Inilah Penampakan Ranpur BTR-4 Pesanan Korps Marinir TNI AL

June 4, 2016, 9:08 pm
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05 Juni 2016


Sosok gahar BTR-4M pesanan Marinir TNI AL. (all photos : National Academy)

Untuk menggantikan ranpur BTR-80A yang sedang digunakan Korps Marinir dalam misi pasukan perdamaian PBB, Kementrian Pertahanan menjatuhkan pilihan pada ranpur BTR-4 buatan Ukraina. Setelah sekian lama tak kedengaran kabar beritanya, sosok BTR-4 pesanan Indonesia tersebut akhirnya tampak jelas sudah. Walaupun sempat diterpa ketidakjelasan, toh wujudnya kini sudah mulai tampak di alam liar.



Dari sosoknya, pabrikan KMDB (Kharkiv-Morozov Design Bureau) rupa-rupanya menghadirkan kejutan. Berbeda dengan BTR-4 pesanan Irak atau untuk kebutuhan dalam negeri Ukraina, pesanan Indonesia tampil lebih berotot dan garang, dengan boks-boks buoyancy untuk menambah kemampuan apung sekaligus berfungsi sebagai perisai lapisan antipeluru tambahan. Walaupun ditambahi berbagai modul tersebut, BTR-4 tetap tampil seimbang dan garang, dengan sistem propeller asli bawaan, tidak seperti ranpur amfibi lokal yang harus menggunakan waterjet segede gaban untuk dapat mengapung dan berenang.



Informasinya, BTR-4M pesanan Korp Marinir ini tampil full spec alias mengadopsi kasta tertinggi dari keluarga BTR-4, termasuk di dalamnya mengambil seluruh opsi Marinization dan Tropicalization. Maklum saja, untuk kebutuhan Korps Marinir yang gemar main air laut, apalagi di negara beriklim tropis, BTR-4 harus dijamin lulus uji arung laut yang tentunya tidak bisa sembarangan. Oleh karena itu, pipa snorkel di sisi atas dan buoyancy kit yang terpasang menjadi pembeda paling kentara.

Dari segi desain, BTR-4 dengan sistem penggerak 8×8 merupakan desain asli Ukraina, yang merupakan penyempurna dari roh desain keluarga BTR-60/70/80. Walaupun buatan Timur, kualitas dan desainnya mengacu pada produk Barat. Jika melongok ke dalamnya, layoutnya sudah seperti ranpur buatan Barat, dengan kompartemen pengemudi dan komandan di depan, mesin di tengah, dan kompartemen pasukan di belakang. Kompartemen belakang terasa sangat lapang dan lega, bandingkan dengan keluarga BTR-80 yang duduknya saja berpunggung-punggungan sempit. Pasukan bisa keluar dari dua pintu belakang, lagi-lagi unggul dari BTR-80 yang harus keluar dari pintu samping yang sempit dan rawan tembakan dari arah depan.



Sistem penggerak untuk BTR-4 sendiri juga sudah mengandalkan mesin buatan Barat. Walaupun pabrikan sebenarnya menyiapkan dua opsi mesin, varian BTR-4M Indonesia menggunakan mesin terbaik yaitu Deutz BF6M 1015CP buatan Jerman yang sudah mengadopsi standar emisi Euro II yang saat ini berlaku di Indonesia. Mesin berdaya 490hp ini dikawinkan dengan sistem transmisi otomatis buatan Amerika Serikat Allison 4600SP dengan 6 gigi maju dan 1 gigi mundur. Paduan mesin dan transmisi ini dapat membawa BTR-4 lincah melesat sampai kecepatan 100km/ jam di jalan aspal atau 70km/ jam cross country.

Untuk kompartemen pasukan, BTR-4 dapat mengangkut sampai 8 orang yang terdiri dari 7 prajurit dan 1 orang juru tembak untuk sistem senjata pada BTR-4. Setiap prajurit mendapatkan kursi individual, yang dipasang tergantung pada atap kendaraan. Konfigurasi ini sengaja dibuat untuk mengurangi keparahan cedera fisik apabila kendaraan sampai terkena ranjau, yang gelombang kejutnya dapat meremukkan tulang. Kursi dapat dipasang berhadap-hadapan atau berpunggung-punggungan, dan dapat diubah oleh pengguna sesuka hati. Kenyamanan pasukan terjaga karena BTR-4M pesanan Indonesia sudah dipasangi sistem pendingin udara dengan daya yang cukup besar. Untuk menghadapi tren pertempuran di masa mendatang, BTR-4 pesanan Indonesia bahkan juga dilengkapi dengan filter NBC alias Nubika (Nuklir, Biologi, dan Kimia) untuk menghadapi skenario perang inkonvensional.



Sementara untuk sistem senjata, siapa yang tidak percaya pada ketangguhan sistem kubah tanpa awak buatan Ukraina? Republik Rakyat Tiongkok saja membeli kubah Skhval dari Ukraina untuk dipasang pada ranpur-ranpurnya. Untuk BTR-4M pesanan Indonesia, kubah yang dibeli adalah Parus, yang menggabungkan 4 tipe senjata sekaligus! Daftarnya mulai dari kanon otomatis 30mm ZTM-1/ 2A72 seperti yang terpasang pada BMP-2/3, yang sudah terbukti andal untuk menggasak berbagai macam sasaran.

Mengingat kanon serupa sudah digunakan pula oleh Korp Marinir, soal penggunaan dan perawatan tentu tidak jadi masalah. Untuk anti infantri, disediakan senapan mesin 7,62mm PKT dan pelontar granat 30mm AGS-17. Paduan dari dua senjata ini mampu menyediakan cakupan sasaran tunggal ataupun area pada jarak di luar jangkauan senjata ringan. Sementara untuk melawan tank, BTR-4M dibekali dengan rudal antitank Baryer (penghalang) yang dua tabungnya nangkring di sisi kanan kubah Parus. Dengan jarak efektif sampai 4.000 meter, BTR-4M memiliki kans untuk menghadapi dan melumpuhkan Main Battle Tank.



Namun sesungguhnya, fitur terbaik dari kubah Parus yang dipasang dari BTR-4M tidak cuma itu. Kubah ini dilengkapi dengan sistem hunter-killer dimana komandan dapat mengintip sasaran dari modul kamera yang dapat dinaikkan dan berputar independen dari putaran kubah. Komandan yang duduk di kursi depan dapat mengatur arah gerak dan zoom kamera ke sektor yang diinginkan. Fitur yang jamaknya hanya ada pada Main Battle Tank tersebut diadopsi pada BTR-4 untuk memaksimalkan daya gebuknya. Fungsi intai ini akan sangat berguna mengingat Korp Marinir membutuhkan fungsi intai untuk Resimen Kavalerinya.

Dengan segala fiturnya, BTR-4M yang akan tiba di Indonesia tahun ini boleh jadi merupakan ranpur terbaik di antara arsenal ranpur milik ketiga angkatan. Dengan kemampuan arung laut yang prima, ditambahkan dengan sistem senjata mulai dari senapan mesin sampai kanon tembak cepat yang dapat mencakup berbagai jarak, BTR-4M menghadirkan kombinasi letalitas dan mobilitas yang masih sukar dicari padananannya di antara ranpur-ranpur buatan Barat.

(Angkasa)
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New Zealand Defense Budget Breakdown

June 5, 2016, 5:25 pm
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06 Juni 2016


NZ Light Armoured Vehicle (photo : chosun)

Army Leads in Funding Over Navy, Air Force

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s budget for 2016/17, announced May 26, includes just over $2.20 billion for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

The total includes $501 million for the "purchase of assets" and $1.36 billion on the three armed services.

As usual, the New Zealand Army leads with $543 million, followed by the Royal New Zealand Air Force with $517 million and the Royal New Zealand Navy with $308 million.

Both the Army and the Air Force receive more than before, the Navy slightly less.

However, in terms of dollars per person, the Navy, with 2,138 sailors does significantly better than either the 4,622 strong Army or the Air Force with its 2,423 uniformed personnel.

Budget documents show that the Air Force's dollars are directed at surveillance, both over land and sea; strategic and tactical airlift and tactical mobility; and the operation of Kaman SH-2G(I) helicopters from ships.

The Navy’s budget is directed at amphibious sealift, strategic replenishment and a deployable maritime capability "prepared to conduct operations that safeguards access to and the use of harbours, inshore waters and littoral zones in New Zealand and wherever NZDF forces are required to operate."

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service’s budget increases by more than 25 percent from $34.2 million to $43 million.

The Defence White Paper (DWP) due 2015 has still not been published. Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter told Defense News on May 16 that the 2016 DWP "is expected to be finalized and published in the coming weeks."

When the 2010 DWP appeared, it was on the basis that such documents would appear every five years.

(DefenseNews)
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Vietnam Requests Formal Price on 4-6 US Navy P-3C

June 5, 2016, 8:32 pm
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06 Juni 2016


US Navy P-3C Orion (photo : Brendan Attard)

Vietnam, South Korea may buy Lockheed planes amid Chinese buildup

Vietnam and South Korea are looking seriously at buying refurbished Lockheed Martin Corp P-3 and S-3 maritime surveillance planes to counter China's military buildup and repeated North Korean missile launches, the company said.

Vietnam is expected to request formal pricing and availability data on four to six older U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft in the next few months, Clay Fearnow, a senior executive with Lockheed's aeronautics division, told Reuters at the Berlin air show last week.

The Obama administration's move to completely lift its arms embargo on Vietnam last month paved the way for such a sale, but any deal would still have to be carefully reviewed by the U.S. government, according to U.S. and Lockheed officials.

Washington's decision to permit lethal arms sales to Vietnam, its former enemy, underscored both countries' shared concerns about China's growing military clout.

Vietnam, which borders China, is also a key part of President Barack Obama's efforts to rebalance U.S. strategy toward Asia amid worries about Beijing's assertiveness and sovereignty claims to 80 percent of the South China Sea.

If the sale goes through, retired U.S. Navy P-3 turboprop planes now parked in a desert would be rebuilt with new wings, a new mission system and anti-submarine warfare equipment for Vietnam, Fearnow said.

The cost could exceed the $80 million to $90 million price tag for each of the 12 P-3s rebuilt for Taiwan several years ago, given the added equipment, Fearnow said.

Lockheed has built new wings or rebuilt aircraft for over 90 P-3 aircraft around the world, including the United States, Norway, Taiwan, Chile and Germany, since 2008, with some orders still in the works, Fearnow said.

The company is scrambling to drum up more orders and extend its wing production line in Marietta, Georgia.

Brazil and South Korea are each looking at ordering new wings for existing aircraft, but must decide by Sept. 1 to avoid a potentially costly gap in the supply chain for the wings, he said.

Boeing Co is also marketing its P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance plane, but it is significantly newer and more expensive than the P-3. Another possible competitor is Airbus Group SE's C295 plane, which is built in Spain.

The U.S. State Department said it could not comment on potential P-3 or S-3 sales until it formally notifies the U.S. Congress.

In addition to South Korea's interest in new wings for eight of its P-3s, Seoul is also looking at acquiring 12 of the U.S. Navy's S-3 aircraft, which were retired in 2009 and are now parked in a desert, Fearnow said.

He said Spain, Portugal and Argentina also had P-3 aircraft that could use new wings, but those countries all face budget pressures. Japan, which has about 100 P-3 aircraft, is replacing them with its own P-1 aircraft, and the U.S. Navy is replacing its P-3 fleet with the Boeing P-8s.

The Philippines also wants to expand its maritime surveillance capabilities, but is still defining its requirements, Fearnow said.

(Reuters)
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Coast Guard Acquires its 1st Ever Multi Role Response Vessel in Japan

June 6, 2016, 1:00 am
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06 Juni 2016


44 meter MRRV for Philippines Coast Guard (photo : PCG)

PCG Commandant Rear Admiral William M Melad together with Lieutenant Junior Grade Lalaine M Manapul represented the Philippines to the Launching and Naming Ceremony of the 1st Philippine Coast Guard Multi Role Response Vessel (MRRV) held at Japan Marine United Corporation (JMUC) Yokohama Shipyard Isogo Works 12, Shin-suguta-cho, Isogo-ku in Yokohama, Japan last May 12.

The first forty four (44) meter vessel was named "Tubbataha", one of the lighthouses in the Philippines situated in Tubbataha Marine National Park, Palawan.

Said naming ceremony was also participated by Philippine delegates headed by DOTC Secretary Honorable Joseph Emilio A Abaya and His Excellency Ambassador Manuel M Lopez of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines to Japan.

High-ranking officials from concerned agencies in Japan headed by Vice Admiral Hideyo Hanazumi JCG also graced the event.

Meanwhile, the Keel Laying Ceremony of the 2nd MRRV of the Philippine Coast Guard was held also at the Isogo Works of JMUC Yokohama Shipyard on May 13.

A Shinto Priest led the "Anzen-kigai-sai", a traditional Japanese Shinto ceremony to pray for the safe construction of the second vessel.

During the ceremony, the sacred "Sake" was offered to the altar with a prayer delivered by the Shinto for the purification of the building site. Each representative from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and Japan Marine Science (JMS) then offered the sacred branches.

Eight (8) more multi role response vessels will be built by JMUC.

The MRRVs will serve as additional fluvial assets to the PCG and will also be named after the primary lighthouses in the country to denote the importance of the lighthouse in the maritime community.

(PCG)
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DCNS and Quickstep sign Memorandum of Understanding

June 6, 2016, 6:14 pm
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07 Juni 2016


Manufacturing of Barracuda submarine (photo : DCNS)

DCNS and Quickstep have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a first step for cooperation in the field of components and assemblies for Australia’s Future submarines.

The MoU was signed in Canberra by Marie-Pierre de Bailliencourt, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, DCNS Group, and David Marino, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Quickstep Holdings Limited.

Through this MoU, Quickstep will produce representative demonstrator components to validate their technology for naval applications with DCNS.

“DCNS has commenced building a supply chain in Australia that will support the submarine capability on a sustainable basis,” said Sean Costello, CEO DCNS Australia.

“Ultimately this supply chain will comprise several hundred companies across Australia and form the Future Submarine Enterprise.”

DCNS has been selected as the Australian Government’s preferred international partner for the design of 12 Future Submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.

Quickstep is an Australian listed company at the forefront of advanced composites manufacturing and technology development. Quickstep currently partners with some of the world’s largest aerospace/defence organisations, including the US Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Airbus, Thales and BAE.

About DCNS 

DCNS is the European leader in naval defence and a major player in marine renewable energy. The Group’s success as an advanced technology company with global reach is built on meeting customer needs by deploying exceptional know-how, unique industrial resources and an ability to develop innovative strategic partnerships. DCNS designs and builds submarines and surface combatants, develops associated systems and infrastructure, and offers a full range of services to naval bases and shipyards. The Group has also expanded its focus into marine renewable energy. Aware of its corporate social responsibilities, DCNS is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. The DCNS Group generates annual revenues of €3.04 billion and employs 12,953 people (2015 data).

(DCNS Australia)
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Indonesia Launches Investigation into Kapitan Pattimura-class Corvette Accident

June 6, 2016, 8:11 pm
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07 Juni 2016


The Indonesian Navy is investigating an accident that has partially sunk one of its corvettes. No decision has been made on the fate of the stricken ex-East German Navy ship (photo : harianterbit, tempo)

The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) has launched a formal enquiry into an accident that has partially sunk one of its Kapitan Pattimura (Parchim I)-class corvettes.

The vessel, KRI Pati Unus, was sailing from the Malacca Strait towards the port of Belawan, Sumatra on 13 May 2016 when it hit an underwater object believed to be the remains of a ship that has wrecked near the port entrance. The TNI-AL only confirmed the incident in late May after images of the stricken vessel spread online.



A TNI-AL Western Fleet (KOARMABAR) source has also since confirmed with IHS Jane's that the corvette was not on an authorised route into the port and that an assessment into the vessel's damage has begun in tandem with accident investigations.

Bearing pennant number 384, Pati Unus is an ex-German Democratic Republic ship that was originally inducted into the East German Navy in July 1983. The vessel was re-commissioned into the TNI-AL in July 1995.

The TNI-AL operated a fleet of 16 ships in the class from the mid-1990s before KRI Memet Sastrawiria (380) was damaged by fire in 2008 and subsequently decommissioned. The service was however not able to comment on the extent of Pati Unus ' damage or confirm if the ship will also be retired.

(Jane's)
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