DEFENSE STUDIES

26 November 2018

PAF W-3A Sokol helicopter (anonemus)

MANILA- The Philippine Air Force said Friday it has grounded all of its Sokol helicopters after a chopper carrying a lawmaker crash-landed in Tarlac.

Air Force spokesperson Major Aristides Galang said the move is only a precautionary measure while investigation is ongoing.

COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Anthony Bravo was injured Thursday after the Sokol helicopter he was riding crash-landed in Crow Valley, Tarlac.

The helicopter pilot meanwhile obtained a head injury while a crew member broke his arm.

The military assured Friday that injured persons are not in critical condition.

(ABS CBN News)

26 November 2018

Dalam Bajet 2019, anggaran pertahanan Malaysia berkurang 10% terhadap tahun 2018 (image : Anadolu)

KUALA LUMPUR – Menteri Pertahanan, Mohamad Sabu hari ini menjelaskan peruntukan kewangan untuk kementeriannya bagi tahun 2019 akan ditambah dari semasa ke semasa, tertakluk kepada keupayaan kewangan semasa kerajaan dalam memastikan tahap keselamatan negara berada pada tahap optimum.

Ketika menggulung perbahasan Belanjawan 2019 bagi kementeriannya (Mindef), Mohamad berkata, beliau telah menerima jawapan bertulis daripada Kementerian Kewangan yang menjelaskan dengan lebih lanjut berhubung peruntukan kewangan untuk tahun 2019 bagi kementeriannya.

“Dalam jawapan bertulis kepada saya, Kementerian Kewangan menjelaskan sejumlah RM1.4 bilion diperuntukkan bagi penyelenggaraan aset utama milik Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) disediakan di bawah Kementerian Kewangan dengan itu jumlah peruntukan sebenar untuk Mindef bagi 2019 ialah sebanyak RM15.3 bilion. Kaedah dan mekanisme penyaluran peruntukan penyelenggaraan tersebut akan diselaras dengan pihak Mindef dalam masa terdekat.

“Kementerian Kewangan juga menjelaskan mereka mengambil maklum terhadap keperluan tambahan peruntukan Mindef bagi tahun 2019 dan akan membuat pertimbangan sewajarnya tertakluk kepada keupayaan kewangan semasa serta prestasi belanjawan Mindef tanpa mengabaikan usaha memastikan tahap keselamatan negara berada pada tahap optimum,” katanya yang membaca jawapan bertulis yang diterimanya daripada Kementerian Kewangan itu.

Justeru, katanya, jawapan berkenaan memberi satu jaminan bahawa tidak berlaku pengurangan nyata peruntukan dalam Belanjawan 2019 bagi Kementerian Pertahanan dan beliau turut memberi jaminan kementerian itu dapat beroperasi dengan baik.

(AirTimes)

26 November 2018

Radar surveillance Arhanud TNI AD (photo : LSKK ITB)

Peningkatan interoperabilitas dan sinergitas antar korps di lingkungan TNI AD dan antar matra TNI menjadi tema yang dikedepankan pada HUT ke-72 Korps Artileri Pertahanan Udara TNI AD kali ini untuk mengembangkan dan memajukan TNI AD.

Startstreak rudal satuan Arhanud TNI AD berpemandu laser (photo : defesa)

“Dengan sinergitas internal kami ingin kembali kembangkan kecabangan ini berperan di tubuh TNI AD dan TNI secara umum, membangun sinergitas dan interoperabilitas dengan kecabangan lain dan matra lain TNI,” kata Komandan Pusat Kesenjataan Korps Artileri Pertahanan Udara TNI AD, Brigadir Jenderal TNI Toto Nugroho, sebagaimana dilansir dari laman Antara (18/ 11).

Sebagai satuan bantuan tempur, kata dia, “Karena biar bagaimana pun juga untuk mencapai tugas pokok TNI AD, kami tidak bisa berdiri sendiri.”

Mistral Atlas rudal satuan Arhanud berpemandu infra red (photo : dixie)

Selain itu, pada tataran nasional Korps Artileri Pertahanan Udara TNI AD menjadi salah satu pemangku kepentingan dalam pertahanan ruang udara nasional bersama komando utama lain di tubuh TNI.

Pada hari ini, berbagai aktivitas penunjang dilaksanakan antara lain pertemuan para perwira menengah dan perwira tinggi di lingkungan korps itu dengan para sesepuh yang pernah menjadi rekan kerja, senior, dan atasan mereka pada saat mereka berdinas aktif.

Meriam arhanud S-60 57mm TNI AD (photo : TNI AD)

Selain itu, juga dilaksanakan pameran kesenjataan yang mereka miliki sebagai salah satu bentuk kampanye menumbuhkan kecintaan Tanah Air bagi kalangan muda selain sebagai bentuk pertanggungjawaban kepada rakyat tentang pengadaan dan perawatan berbagai peralatan perang yang mereka awaki.

“Interoperabilitas yang akan dibangun adalah bagaimana membangun sinergitas, membangun kebersamaan, jejaring antar kecabangan dan matra di tubuh TNI. Di TNI AD, sebagai satuan bantuan tempur, kami mendukung satuan bergerak, mulai dari infantri, kavaleri, dan zeni. Kami harus bisa ‘nyambung’ secara lebih baik dengan mereka. Supaya saat kita melakukan operasi antar matra, semuanya bisa masuk dan tidak ada hambatan dari sisi komunikasi hingga koordinasinya,” kata dia.

Meriam arhanud Rheinmetall 20mm twin gun TNI AD (photo : Kostrad)

Sebagai korps di TNI AD dengan ranah operasi dan doktrin yang bersentuhan langsung dengan teater pertahanan udara nasional, dia menyinggung hakekat ancaman nasional dari udara. Dulu, kata dia, hakekat itu disepakati hanya berasal dari pesawat terbang. Namun kini sudah meluas, meliputi juga peluru kendali, UAV militer dan sipil, mortir atau bahan peledak lain dan wahana udara lain yang konvensional ataupun inkonvensional.

Meriam arhanud ZUR 23-2-KG twin gun 23mm TNI AD (photo : wargamehk)

“Berbicara hakekat ancaman udara, tentu di sana ada pemangku kepentingan lain, yaitu Komando Pertahanan Udara Nasional Markas Besar TNI, TNI AU, dan TNI AL. Ini yang harus dibangun sehingga menjadi satu kesatuan secara utuh agar wilayah udara nasional bisa benar-benar diamankan semaksimal mungkin,” katanya.

Korps Artileri Pertahanan Udara TNI AD bermula dari pembentukan pasukan meriam di bawah pimpinan Soegiyono, di Jawa Tengah, pada Oktober 1945, yang kemudian aktif melawan pasukan Sekutu pada 10 November 1945 (Hari Pahlawan).

Meriam arhanud Giant Bow twin gun 23mm TNI AD (photo : vidio)

Sejalan dengan perubahan TKR menjadi TRI, struktur organisasis Markas Besar TRI berubah, yang salah satunya menyentuh perubahan Markas Artileri menjadi Inspektorat Artileri pada 1 Juni 1946.

Tanggal 18 November 1965 menjadi tanggal penting bagi korps ini sejalan dengan keputusan Menteri/Panglima Angkatan Darat yang mengubah Pusat Artileri menjadi Pusat Kesenjataan Artileri.

Meriam arhanud Skyshield 35mm TNI AU (photo : Paskhas)

Di seluruh dunia, keberadaan artileri pertahanan udara alias “air defence artillery” di dalam tubuh militernya berbeda-beda.

Angkatan Bersenjata Rusia menempatkan mereka ke dalam matra khusus yang sejajar dengan angkatan udara, laut, dan darat; Angkatan Bersenjata Kerajaan Arab Saudi melakukan hal serupa, sementara Angkatan Bersenjata Kerajaan Brunei Darussalam menempatkan mereka ke dalam angkatan bersenjata mereka.

Meriam arhanud Type 90 twin gun 35mm Korps Marinir TNI AL (photo : Korps Marinir)

Hingga saat ini, terdapat 16 batalion artileri pertahanan udara, empat detasemen, dan dua baterai yang semuanya disebar ke dalam berbagai organisasi Kodam sebagai organ teritorial TNI AD.

(Antara)

26 November 2018

First Australian Supply-class AOR launched in Spain (photo : Navantia)

Navantia launches Nuship Supply for the Royal Australian Navy

Navantia has launched on November, 23 the first AOR (auxiliary oiler replenishment) ”Nuship Supply” of a series of two, for the Royal Australian Navy, according to contract signed in May 2016.

The ceremony was held at the Ferrol facilities at 4:15 pm coinciding with the high tide, and has counted with the attendance of Mrs. Jenny Barrett, as the godmother of the ship, the president of Navantia, Susana de Sarriá, the Ambassador of Australia to Spain, Julie-Ann Guivarra, and the Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy, VA MJ Noonan.

The president of Navantia was grateful to the Australian Navy for the confidence deposited in the Company that once again has demonstrated the aptitude to design and build the products and services for the most competitive markets, in time and quality. She added that launching a new ship, means that Navantia shows, once again, an enormous potential and with the upcoming Strategic Plan and the F110 frigates, will guarantee supporting these capacities in the future.

The two ships are based on the Spanish Navy ship “Cantabria” which will be tailored to fulfil specific Australian standards and requirements. The agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia also includes the sustainment of the two AOR ships for a period of five years.

This contract means a workforce of 3 million hours for this area, as well as 35,000 hours for the Cartagena shipyard derived from the engines, and 35,000 for Navantia Sistemas derived from the IPMS. That makes a total of 1,800 jobs until 2020.

Besides, this contract includes a significant amount of participation from Australian industry, with companies such as Raytheon as supplier of the Communication System, Saab Australia as supplier of the Combat System, Scientific Management Associates (SMA) as suppliers of engineering services and Baker and Provan as supplier of cranes. In relation to Support, all the sustainment activities will be performed in Australia (NSW and WA) with Navantia Australia and its subcontractors, which has been partnering with Australian companies since 2007.

(Navantia)

26 November 2018

AFV-420P dan HMV-420 adalah kendaraan lapis baja 4x4 yang dikembangkan atas biaya sendiri dari Panus Assembly Co Ltd (all photos : Battlefield Defense)

Kendaraan tempur lapis baja baru AFV-420P "Mosquito"

Panus Assembly Co Ltd menampilkan versi terbaru kendaraan lapis baja 4x4 yang didasarkan pada kendaraan HMV-420. Hasil perbaikan atas uji kinerja dan kemampuan pada bulan September lalu dan mendengarkan masukan dari militer untuk memberikan lapisan armor khusus maka munculah kendaraan baru 4x4 AFV-420P "Mosquito".

Lapisan baja dapat ditambah untuk melindungi diri terhadap serangan senjata kaliber 12,7 mm dan bom, juga untuk melindungi mesin dengan baik. Axle shaft telah diganti yang lebih besar dan juga ban diperbesar sehingga kendaraan sedikit lebih tinggi, ini untuk meningkatkan kemampuan memanjat dan menyeberangi penghalang menjadi lebih baik dari serie sebelumnya.

Untuk meningkatkan kekuatan serangan, kendaraan lapis baja 4x4 ini dapat dikombinasikan dengan tank untuk serangan bersama.

Sebuah turret otomatis kaliber 12,7 mm direncanakan untuk dilengkapi bersama dengan senapan mesin 7,62 mm dan peluncur rudal (kanon bisa berkisar dari 7,62 mm hingga 90 mm).

Platform AFV-420P juga telah digunakan untuk membuat kendaraan model lain, seperti truk infanteri, kendaraan patroli, kendaraan radar, kendaraan komando/komunikasi, mobil untuk unit tempur khusus, dll yang dapat dilakukan dalam berbagai bentuk tergantung pada kebutuhan pengguna.

AFV-420P memiliki bobot 15,84 ton dan payload 1,5 ton. Kendaraan ini memiliki panjang 6,72 m, lebar 2,86 m, tinggi 2,98 m, ground clearance adalah 0,61 m.

Kecepatan tertinggi di jalan 110 km/jam, pengendalian dari AFV 420P sangat tenang dalam mobilitas tinggi, kendaraan ini mempunyai radius putar kecil dengan kemudi 4 roda.

AFV-420P "Mosquito" telah berhasil lulus 15 uji kinerja dan kemampuan di Departemen Pelatihan dan Pengujian Transportasi Angkatan Darat di Kanchanaburi pada 20 November 2018, ini memastikan penggunaan oleh militer itu akan terjadi karena telah memenuhi Standar Angkatan Darat Thailand secara baik.

Selain itu, Panus juga ingin memproduksi dan menjual AFV-420P ke luar negeri. Di masa depan, Panus akan terus berusaha untuk menciptakan dan mengembangkan teknologi kendaraan beroda ban secara berkelanjutan.

(Battlefield Defense)

27 November 2018

Peralatan DenArhanud Rudal TNI AD (photos : TribunNews, IMF)

Den Arhanud Rudal 004 Kini Miliki Alutsista Teknologi Mutakhir

TRIBUNDUMAI.COM, DUMAI - Detasemen Pertahanan Udara (Den Arhanud) 004 Dumai kini sudah memasuki usia 28 tahun. Usia ini sudah dewasa dan semakin matang. Para prajurit juga harus semakin profesional.

Mereka mesti bisa mengoperasikan alutsista termutakhir di detasemen tersebut. Detasemen yang berbasis di Bagan Besar, Kota Dumai kini memiliki sejumlah alutsista dengan teknologi mutakhir.

Di antaranya empat unit Starstreak Multi Mission System (MMS) buatan Inggris. MMS ini terpasang di atas kendaraan taktis mobilitas tinggi produksi Spanyol, Vamtac.

Ada juga delapan unit Land Rover Defender yang memiliki Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML) juga terlihat.

Ada satu unit truk militer dari produsen truk, MAN. Truk produksi Jerman mengangkut Control Master 200, yang berperan sebagai Mobile Radar.

"Saat ini kita harus lebih profesional. Sebab kita sudah memiliki alutsista termutakhir, maka para prajurit harus bisa menguasasi pengoperasian senjata ini," terang Komandan Den Arhanud Rudal 004/Dumai, Mayor (arh) Gede Henry Widyastana dalam Peringatan HUT Arhanud dan HUT Den Arhanud Rudal 004, Sabtu (24/11/2018).

Menurutnya, keberadaan alutsista baru ini mesti jadi motivasi bagi para prajurit Den Arhanud Rudal 004. Ia mengatakan para prajurit mesti serius dalam serangkaian latihan untuk menguji kemampuan alutsista ini.

"Nantinya kita bakal melakukan uji tembak. Saya mengajak seluruh prajurit bisa optimal dalam latihan uji tembak nanti," terangnya.

(TribunNews)

27 November 2018

Ocius will develop unmanned surface vessels for intelligent command and control network (photo : Ocius)

The Australian government has awarded Sydney-based unmanned systems developer Ocius a $1.7 million contract to explore the viability of an intelligent command and control network of persistent unmanned surface vessels.

Awarded as part of the Australian Defence Innovation Hub initiative, the contract will see Ocius work on the technology which has the potential to improve maritime patrol, mine clearance, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue operations.

In an announcement on November 22, Australian defense industry minister Steven Ciobo said five Australian businesses received a total of over $12 million to further develop their innovative technologies to support the Australian Defence Force.

Established in 2016, the Defence Innovation Hub accepts proposals on innovations at all stages, from early stage concept exploration and technology demonstration through to advanced prototypes for integration, test and evaluation.

“The latest tranche of investments, funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, demonstrates the government’s commitment to invest in Australian industry, universities and research organisations to deliver leading-edge capability for defense,” defense industry minister Steven Ciobo said.

As part of this investment, Sentient Vision Systems, a small Australian computer vision technology company, has been awarded a $5.5 million contract to explore the development of a land Visual Detection and Ranging (VIDAR) system that utilities electro-optics with a new infra-red capability for low light and night time functionality.

Thomas Global has received $3.2 million contract to explore development of a next generation, high definition, color, digital biocular image control unit for use in armored vehicles.

(Naval Today)

27 November 2018

KD TAR and Fennec heli (photo : The Star)

SANDAKAN: A decade after becoming part of the nation's defences, the Scorpene submarines of the Royal Malaysian Navy have made its first appearance in the waters off Sabah's east coast

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was seen for the time in eastern Sabah waters carrying out an operation in waters off Sandakan on Monday (Nov 26).

The submarine, linked to a fresh corruption probe and murdered Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, has never been deployed on the east coast even though it had been based in Sabah's waters over a decade ago.

It was reported previously that the waters were too shallow in the east coast of the state for the submarine.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman sailed from its submarine base at Sepanggar to the Sandakan Region Two Naval base for a joint operation with other naval assets in the east coast.

“It was involved in a series of operations with KD Sri Johor to test their capabilities along the eastern Sabah sea border," said the Navy in a statement.

Fennec helicopter of the RMN (weimeng)

The operations also saw the Navy’s Fennec helicopters being tested. This was for the transfer of personnel from helicopter to submarine and vice versa.

In its statement, the Navy said that the training would allow various naval assets in the east coast of Sabah to work with each other and with submarines.

The Navy added that this will also help the Navy test its procedures on the sea, underwater and work with aerial support.

"It will also test the preparedness of crews in the event of any threats,” the Navy said.

The navy said that the operations reflected the commitment of the Navy to secure the borders of Sabah's east coast against any threats by ensuring security in the maritime operational area in the the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

The presence of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is also a message to the communities that the Navy was present and ready to deploy its assets to act against any threat.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is one of the two Scorpene submarines bought by the previous Barisan Nasional government that is currently under a fresh probe by corruption investigators.

It had also been linked to the case of murdered Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.

(The Star)

27 November 2018

Harimau tank fires demo (photos : Windu Paramarta)

Indonesia's PT Pindad recently hosted members of the Philippines Army's Technical Working Group for the Light Tank acquisition Project, which are mostly members from the Mechanized Infantry Division, as PT Pindad provided a product demonstration for it's Harimau Hitam (Kaplan MT) medium tank in Indonesia.

MaxDefense previously mentioned that PT Pindad has allocated a schedule somewhere between 19-25 November 2018 for such demonstration. Based on the photos, it appears the demo did happen on 22 November.

PT Pindad is among the frontrunners for the Light Tank project, which looks at acquiring between 30 to 44 units of tracked light or medium tanks armed with a 105mm tank gun, enough to equip a battalion. The numbers still carry due to the possibility of dividing the numbers into tracked and wheeled platforms, depending on the PA MID's final decision.

(Max Defense)

28 November 2018

Delegasi Indonesia menyaksikan sistem rudal K-300 Bastion-P. (photos : Kemhan)

Kegiatan Military Technical Cooperation MTC ke-14 RI Rusia di Moscow Rusia

Sekjen Kemhan Marsdya TNI Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja beserta Dirjen Pothan Kemhan Prof. Dr. Ir,. Bondan Tiara Sofyan, M.Si menghadiri 14th Meeting of the Indonesian-Russian Intergovermental Commission Military Technical Cooperation, di Kota Moskow, Rusia, pada tanggal 21 s.d.23 November 2018.

Kegiatan ini juga diikuti oleh Industri Pertahanan diantaranya PT. Pindad, PT. NTP, PT. Len dan PT. Bhimasena, Duta Besar Luar Biasa dan Berkuasa Penuh RI untuk Federasi Rusia dan Republik Belarusia Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi, Presiden Deputi FSMTC Rusia Mr. M. Petukhov serta undangan lainnya.

Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan untuk melanjutkan hubungan bilateral kedua negara tentang “Kerjasama militer” seperti program Helikopter Mi-17, Mi-35 dan Mi-26 . Kegiatan MTC ini diantaranya dengan Working group MTC Meeting, kunjungan ke VPK NPO Mashinostronieya, demonstrasi produk, paparan dari Industri Pertahanan Rusia dan juga dilanjutkan dengan penandatangan protocol DICM RI-Rusia ke-14. Kegiatan ini berjalan dengan tertib, aman dan lancar. (Kemhan)

Sistem rudal Bastion-P (photo : BaoDatViet)

Sistem Pertahanan Pantai K-300P Bastion-P

K-300P Bastion-P (NATO memberi nama SS-C-5 Stooge) adalah sistem rudal pertahanan pantai dari Rusia. Sistem ini dikembangkan oleh NPO Mashinostroenia bersama dengan perusahaan Belarusia Tekhnosoyuzproekt.

Peran utama Bastion-P adalah untuk melawan kapal-kapal permukaan termasuk kelompok tempur kapal induk, konvoi, dan kapal pendarat. Satu baterai umumnya terdiri dari 1-2 kendaraan komando dan kontrol dengan truk Kamaz 43101 beroda 6x6, satu kendaraan pendukung, empat kendaraan peluncur MZKT 7930 beroda 8x8, masing-masing dioperasikan oleh 3 awak dan memegang dua rudal, dan empat kendaraan loader; kendaraan peluncur dapat ditempatkan hingga 25 km (16 mil) dari kendaraan komando dan kontrol.

Setelah terhenti, rudal dapat disiapkan untuk menembak dalam waktu lima menit, dan keduanya ditembakkan dalam interval 2-5 detik. Peluncur mobile dapat tetap siaga selama jangka waktu 3-5 hari, atau hingga 30 hari bila ditemani oleh kendaraan pendukung tugas tempur.

Rudal jelajah P-800 Yakhont yang dimiliki TNI AL (photo : Sindo)

Rudal yang digunakan sistem Bastion-P adalah P-800 Oniks/Yakhont, rudal anti-kapal supersonik dengan hulu ledak 200-250 kg (440-550 lb). Rudal ini diluncurkan secara vertikal dari peluncur menggunakan booster roket bahan bakar padat untuk percepatan awal, kemudian menggunakan ramjet berbahan bakar cair untuk terus menjelajah pada Mach 2.5. Jarak maksimum Oniks/Yakhont bervariasi pada 120–300 km (75–186 mi; 65–162 nmi) menggunakan low-low atau hi-low flight trajectory

Menggunakan GLONASS pada tahap awal penerbangan dan panduan radar aktif ketika mendekati target, rudal dapat terbang hingga ketinggian 14.000 m (46.000 kaki) sebelum turun ke ketinggian 5 m di atas permukaan laut pada tahap akhir, berguna hingga kondisi sea state level 7.

"Sistem ini mampu menghancurkan target laut dan darat pada jarak 350 kilometer di laut dan hampir 450 kilometer di darat," kata Shoigu pada pertemuan Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin dengan perwakilan Kementerian Pertahanan. (Wiki)

28 November 2018

First AW-159 Wildcat of the Philippines Navy tested with UK marking (photo : Kevin Wills)

Navy's first anti-sub chopper to arrive early 2019

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy's (PN) first anti-submarine helicopter, the AgustaWestland AW-159 "Wildcat", is expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2019.

This was disclosed by Navy spokesperson, Commander Jonathan Zata, in a message to the Philippine News Agency when asked on the status of the said defense project.

"Accordingly, it will arrive within the first quarter of next year. Manufacturers trials are still being done (as of this time)," he added.

Earlier, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said that initial flight-testing is now ongoing for the two Philippine-ordered AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters.

These aircraft were acquired for PHP5.4 billion including its munition, mission essential equipment and integrated logistic support.

"As confirmed by the Commander Naval Air Group. The (first) AW-159 have just started initial test flight as part of the manufacturer's trial. It is still scheduled for a series of test flights before scheduling its handover to the Philippines. According as well to CNAG, the flight signals the completion of the first unit," Andolong earlier said.

The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.

The helicopter has been ordered for the Royal Navy and British Army. It is capable of speeds of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one and a-half hours (fours hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel).

The AW-159 can also be armed with rockets, machine guns, missiles, torpedoes and depth charges.

(PNA)

28 November 2018

Phantom 4 drone for inspection (photos : Aus DoD, ABC)

Phantom gets to work at Air Force’s No. 36 Squadron

outine servicing of the colossal C-17A Globemaster transport at RAAF Base Amberley’s No. 36 Squadron is now receiving a little help from a ‘Phantom’.

The DJI Phantom 4 is a drone that has been recently introduced by No. 36 Squadron to inspect hard-to-reach areas of the C-17A, reducing height risks to personnel, and helping to build a ‘history’ of damage to an aircraft.

Air Commodore William Kourelakos, Commander Air Mobility Group, said the genesis of the idea came from within the unit.

“This is an excellent example of bottom-led innovation from No. 36 Squadron in response to the Air Force Safety Always Program (ASAP),” Air Commodore Kourelakos said.

“Introducing this drone and these procedures goes further to reducing Workplace Health and Safety risks to so far as reasonably practicable

“Air Mobility Group is investigating its applicability across the Air Mobility fleet.”

Squadron Leader Evan Smith, Senior Engineering Officer for No. 36 Squadron, said the drone was introduced with help from Royal Australian Artillery’s 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment.

“The Army has extensive experience using this particular model, and managing the information downloaded from it,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

“We manage the drone through a standalone laptop, and have been able to adapt Army’s practices to suit our needs.”

“To use it at RAAF Base Amberley, we’ve sought approvals from 452 Squadron as the aerodrome operator, and through Defence’s Airworthiness Coordination and Policy Agency.”

The drone’s value is being demonstrated during the Home Station Check, a routine servicing conducted on each C-17A every 180 days.

Part of the check includes inspecting any paint or other surface damage on the aircraft, including the tail section – which sits nearly 17 metres above ground.

Until now, the maintenance team have used elevated platforms, or climbed through a small tunnel inside the aircraft’s vertical stabiliser to check the tail section.

Squadron Leader Smith said the drone can be used to conduct these surveys in as little as 30 minutes during a Home Station Check.

“This helps the Aircraft Surface Finishers to identify and track paint degradation on the upper surface of the C-17A, triage paint defects and plan remediation work,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

Imagery is shot in high-resolution stills and video, and can be provided to agencies including the Heavy Airlift Systems Program Office, Boeing, and the Defence Science and Technology Group.

By archiving this imagery, it can chart an airframe’s history of paint degradation or surface damage, or compare across the fleet.

“We’re bedding down the procedures for these inspections, and will investigate expanding our use of the drone to include other upper surface inspections,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

“That includes flight servicings or other general unserviceabilituies.”

36SQN is also investigating the use of multi-spectral cameras, including thermal imagery, to enhance the capability

“This would potentially allow us to detect less obvious paint defects, where non-uniform emissivity results from changes in surface roughness,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

(RAAF)

28 November 2018

Mil Mi-17A2 helicopter (photo : Russian Helicopter)

Russian Helicopters has promoted its Ansat lightweight multirole platform and the Mi-171A2, an enhanced version of its Mil Mi-17 multirole medium helicopter, to the Thai military, aiming to secure additional sales in the Southeast Asian country.

The two helicopter types were showcased at an event held at the Royal Thai Navy's (RTN's) U-Tapao Air Base in Chonburi on 26 November. The event was part of Russian Helicopter's 'South Asian Heli Tour' in which it is promoting the two platform types to civilian and military customers across Southeast Asia.

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has procured five Mil Mi-17V5 multimission helicopters since 2011 - the Thai military's first acquisition of Russian rotary-wing platforms - while in 2017 the Thailand's Ministry of Interior ordered two Russian Ka-32A11BC utility helicopters for disaster relief operations.

In a press release announcing the promotional event, Andrey Boginskiy, the director general of Russian Helicopters, said the company is "striving to reinforce business relations with commercial and state customers in Thailand". He added, "The potential operators show interest in Ansat and Mi-17 rotorcraft in various modifications, thus we believe that showcasing our helicopters here is perfectly timed."

In 2016 the RTA disclosed a requirement to procure additional Mi-17V5 helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift platforms. The requirement is understood to be at least 12 units, although these are expected to be ordered over several batches.

(Jane's)

28 November 2018

Latihan Bantuan Tembakan Terpadu 2018 (all photos : Antara)

Situbondo (beritajatim.com)--TNI terus memperkuat keahliannya di bidang tempur dalam menghadapi kemungkinan munculnya hal-hal yang dinilai dapat mengancam kedaulatan NKRI.

Setelah sebelumnya dijadikan pusat latihan antara TNI-AD dan Singapores Armed Force (SAF), kini Kabupaten Situbondo kembali dijadikan titik latihan bantuan tembakan terpadu yang melibatkan 3 matra TNI.

Panglima TNI, Marsekal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, mengungkapkan, latihan ini digelar dalam rangka olah yudha keprajuritan sekaligus mengisi diri apabila terdapat suatu ancaman dari segi manapun.

“TNI terus berlatih menggunakan peralatan tempur dalam rangka menghadapi ancaman terhadap kedaulatan NKRI,” tegas Panglima TNI. Rabu (28/11/2018).

TNI, kata Marsekal Hadi, memiliki kewajiban dan tanggung jawab dalam melindungi seluruh warga negara Indonesia dari berbagai ancaman yang suatu saat bisa timbul, dan dinilai dapat menganggu kondusifitas negara.

“TNI berkepentingan untuk melindungi warga Indonesia supaya tidak ada gangguan. Baik itu gangguan fisik ataupun non fisik,” ujarnya.

Panglima TNI menilai, sistem pelatihan yang berlangsung saat ini sudah mencapai target yang sudah diinginkan. Terlebih dalam menjangkau sistem Network Centric Warfare. Sistem itu, tambah Marsekal Hadi, saat ini sedang dikembangkan TNI dalam mewujudkan integrasi antara kekuatan darat, laut dan udara bisa menjadi satu komando.

“Jika seluruh komunikasi tidak menggunakan GPS, semuanya akan dibantu dengan menggunakan satelit. Jadi, integrasi seluruh matra TNI bisa menjadi satu Komando di manapun sasaran berada,” tegasnya.

Latihan ini berlangsung selama 2 hari di Puslatpur 5 Marinir, Kecamatan Banyu Putih, Kabupaten Situbondo, Jawa Timur. Pelaksanaan latihan bantuan tembakan tembakan terpadu itu digelar juga bertujuan meningkatkan profesionalisme, keterampilan dan kemampuan TNI dalam melaksanakan prosedur bantuan tembakan guna tercapainya tugas Komando Gabungan TNI.

Selama berlangsungnya latihan tersebut, sebanyak 1.427 prajurit TNI dikerahkan. Jumlah itu, terdiri dari 440 prajurit TNI-AD, 469 personel TNI-AL, 193 prajurit TNI-AU, 75 personel Satkomplek TNI dan 250 personel penyelenggara.

Bukan hanya mendatangkan 4 unit pesawat tempur jenis F-16, namun beberapa alutsista lainnya, juga ikut serta dilibatkan guna mendukung kemampuan prajurit TNI tersebut. Di antaranya 1 unit KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, 4 unit pesawat tempur Super Tucanno, 2 unit Helikopter Mi-35 milik Penerbad, 1 unit Mi-17, dan 1 unit Helikopter Bell-412.

KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda 367 juga dilibatkan dalam Latihan kali ini (photo : TNI AL)

Selain itu, guna mendukung pencapaian tugas latihan tersebut, TNI juga menampilkan beberapa peralatan tempur yang meliputi 6 MO-81 milik Batalyon Infantri 509/Balawara Yudha, 6 pucuk meriam Howitzer 105 milik Yon-Armed 8/Kostrad, 6 roket Astros milik Yon-Armed 1/Kostrad, 6 unit meriam Caesar 155, 3 pucuk mortar 81, 4 unit RM 70 Grad dan 8 Howitzer 105 Pasrat.

Selain Panglima TNI, berlangsungnya latihan tersebut juga dihadiri oleh KSAD, Jenderal TNI Andika Perkasa, KSAL Laksamana TNI Siswi Sukma Adji, KSAU, Marsekal TNI Yuyu Sutisna, Asintel Panglima TNI, Mayjen TNI Anjar Wiratma, Asops Panglima TNI, Mayjen TNI Ganip Warsito, Aslog Panglima TNI, Laksda TNI Dr. Ir Bambang Nariyono, Pangdam V/Brawijaya Mayjen TNI Arif Rahman, dan pejabat lainnya.

(Berita Jatim)

29 November 2018

The RTAF is looking to upgrade its fleet of 11 Gripen C/Ds to the MS20 configuration. The plan, however, does not yet appear to be a fully funded programme (photo : Jane's)

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is looking to upgrade its fleet of 11 Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D multirole combat aircraft to the MS20 configuration.

"We are planning to upgrade the Gripens to the MS20 standard. We have seen the capabilities of the current standard and it would do everything we need," Group Captain Prachya Tippayarat, deputy commander of the RTAF's Wing 7 at Surat Thani Air Base, told Jane's on 27 November. However, no details were provided as to when the upgrade would take place.

According to Saab, the move, which would involve hardware and software upgrades, is designed to enhance the Gripens' ability to engage ground targets by incorporating unguided and laser-guided bombs into the aircraft's payload inventory. The platform's air-to-air capability would also be enhanced by the introduction of new radar modes. The MS20 standard, which offers an optional ground collision avoidance system (GCAS), would additionally enable the aircraft to fire MBDA's Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).

Gripen with Meteor BVRAAM (image : Gripen)

The RTAF officially stood up its Swedish-sourced integrated air defences in July 2011, a few months after receiving its first six Gripens at Surat Thani in southern Thailand. Two years later the service received its second and final batch of Gripen aircraft. In January 2017 one aircraft was lost in a crash, which the service is now seeking to replace. However, no timeline for this has been announced.

Thailand's air-defence system consists of the Gripen fighters, two Saab 340 Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and an associated ground-based command-and-control facility. Tactical datalinks connecting these assets with others in the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) were provided by local industry in collaboration with Saab in a bid to create a network-centric air force.

(Jane's)

29 November 2018

Network Centric Warfare untuk TNI AU (photo : Defense Studies)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Panglima TNI Marsekal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto mengatakan, TNI mengembangkan sistem "Network Centric Warfare" dalam latihan operasi gabungan tiga matra, di Pos Tinjau T-12 Pusat Latihan dan Tempur (Puslatpur) Marinir-5 Baluran, Asembagus, Situbondo, Jawa Timur, Rabu.

"Dalam latihan tersebut, sistem interoperability yang utama karena merupakan bagian dari platform yang sedang dibangun oleh TNI yaitu Network Centric Warfare. Saat ini sedang dikembangkan dengan menggunakan bantuan satelit sehingga seluruh komunikasi kita tidak menggunakan BTS," kata Panglima TNI usai meninjau langsung Latihan Bantuan Tembakan Terpadu TNI Tahun 2018.

Operasi darat gabungan dalam skenario yang dijalankan disebutkan bahwa dalam rangka merebut "Center of Gravity" dan memberikan peluang gerak maju pasukan darat Infanteri maka diperlukanlah satu bantuan tembakan terpadu baik dari bantuan tembakan darat, laut maupun udara.

Menurut Marsekal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, tujuan latihan ini adalah menguji bagaimana sistem interoperability yang diawaki oleh Komunikasi dan Elektronik (Komlek) berjalan dengan baik.

Network Centric Warfare untuk TNI AL (photo : Defense Studies)

"Interoperability adalah keputusan dari komando atas sampai komando bawah dan samping, agar semuanya bisa menerima dengan satu komando yang sama," kata mantan Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Udara (KSAU) ini.

Hal itu, lanjut Hadi, tidak mudah untuk menyatukan tiga kekuatan yang karakteristiknya berbeda dalam hal bantuan tembakan baik kekuatan darat, laut dan udara.

"Saya lihat tadi semuanya dapat berjalan dengan baik," ucapnya.

Panglima TNI mengatakan bahwa latihan ini diselenggarakan sekaligus untuk menguji pengadaan persenjataan pada Renstra ke-II tahun 2015-2019, apakah sesuai dengan peruntukannya dan ternyata hasilnya sesuai dengan apa yang diinginkan termasuk di dalamnya adalah presisi ketepatan untuk menembak.

Network Centric Warfare untuk TNI AD (photo : Defense Studies)

"Untuk itu apa yang kita inginkan dalam pengadaan persenjataan di Renstra ke-II tahun 2015-2019 semuanya sudah sesuai," ucapnya.

Panglima TNI menyampaikan rasa bangga kepada seluruh prajurit TNI yang berlatih, bahwa Latihan Operasi Gabungan telah dilaksanakan pada akhir tahun 2018 bisa berjalan dengan baik serta mencapai tujuan yang ditetapkan.

"Saya bangga dengan seluruh prajurit, baik TNI AD, AL dan AU telah menunjukkan profesionalismenya. Profesionalisme TNI semuanya adalah untuk rakyat dan inilah bukti nyatanya," katanya.

Turut mendampingi Panglima TNI, diantaranya KSAL Laksamana TNI Siwi Sukma Adji, KSAU Marsekal TNI Yuyu Sutisna, dan Jenderal TNI Andika Perkasa yang baru saja dilantik menjadi KSAD menggantikan Jendral TNI Mulyono yang juga hadir dalam Latihan ini.

(Antara)

29 November 2018

TAI T-129 ATAK helicopter (photo : Roman N)

After keeping the information for sometime now, MaxDefense can finally discuss this publicly after it made public by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) itself during a major event this week.

During the founding anniversary of the PAF's 15th Strike Wing last 26 November 2018, no other than the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Lt. Gen. Galileo Kintanar, confirmed in his speech that the Technical Working Group (TWG) handling the PAF's Attack Helicopter Acquisition Project has selected their choice in the form of the Turkish-made T129 ATAK attack helicopter, manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Although there was no further mention of the status of the acquisition, MaxDefense believes that the choice by the TWG was already approved by the Senior Leaders of the Philippine Air Force, including the CGPAF himself, and was already submitted to the Department of National Defense (DND) to prepare for the negotiations and actual acquisition process with TAI and the Turkish Ministry of Defensce. It is expected that the project will be a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal between the Philippines and Turkey.

While the PAF TWG and the Senior Leaders selected TAI's T129 ATAK, may we remind our readers that selection of the helicopter only means that this would be pushed to the DND for implementation and preparation for negotiation and acquisition. THE PROJECT IS NOT YET AWARDED, NOR CONTRACT SIGNED WITH TURKISH AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES AS OF YET. Like all other acquisition projects, this would undergo several processes that would determine not only the product's compliance to specs, but also the capability of the manufacturer to deliver the project smoothly and within schedule.

See full article MaxDefense

29 November 2018

An Indonesian PT Pindad Komodo 4×4 APC is shown fitted with a mock-up of the Belgian CMI Defence CPWS Gen 2, armed with a Northrop Grumman Armament Systems 25 mm M242 dual-feed cannon and a pod of two ATGWs (photo : Jane's)

Belgium's CMI Defence expects to complete the first example of its latest Cockerill Protected Weapon Station Generation 2 (CPWS Gen 2) in the last quarter of 2019.

Export marketing for the system has begun and a full-scale mock-up was recently shown fitted to the latest Indonesian PT Pindad Komodo 4×4 armoured personnel carrier (APC).

CPWS Gen 2 will have a turret structure of all-welded ballistic aluminium armour with a single piece hatch cover that can be raised into a number of positions depending on the operation environment. These are fully closed, removed when carrying out Operations Other Than War (OOTW), partly raised for observation through 360°, and fully open to enable the gunner to rapidly exit the vehicle.

The CPWS Gen 2's mantlet was designed to be fitted with weapons ranging from a stabilised 12.7 mm machine gun (MG) up to 25 mm or 30 mm cannon, with the latter having up to 155 rounds of ready-use ammunition.

CMI Defence CPWS Gen 2 (photo : BMPD)

A 7.62 mm MG can be mounted co-axially and banks of two or four electrically operated smoke grenade launchers can be mounted either side of the turret.

As an option, a pod of two anti-tank guided weapons (ATGWs) can be installed on the right side of the turret to enable main battle tanks (MBTs) and other targets to be engaged beyond the main armament's range. Traverse is all electric through 360°, with weapon elevation from -10° to 60°.

The system has flexibility in regard to sighting systems, which can include day/thermal sights incorporating laser rangefinder or a panoramic sighting system.

With normal protected weapon stations, the operator is generally still vulnerable when aiming the weapons or when carrying out reloading operations. In the CPWS Gen 2, however, the gunner could be fully protected when carrying out these functions.

(Jane's)

30 November 2018

The Singapore Armed Forces’ Singapore Light Weight Howitzers firing off in a joint live-firing with the Indian Army at Exercise Agni Warrior 2018 (photos : Sing Mindef)

The Singapore Army and the Indian Army are conducting a bilateral artillery exercise, Exercise Agni Warrior, in Devlali, India, from 12 November to 1 December 2018. This year’s exercise, the eleventh in the series, involves 175 troops from the 23rd and 24th Battalions, Singapore Artillery, and 80 troops from the Indian Army. The exercise culminated in a joint live-firing involving the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)’s Singapore Light Weight Howitzer, Field Artillery Meteorological System and the Indian Army’s 155mm Field Howitzer 77B. Through the exercise, the two armies enhanced mutual understanding and interoperability, and built strong professional ties.

Held in India since 2004, Exercise Agni Warrior is conducted under the ambit of the Army Bilateral Agreement. The Bilateral Agreement, renewed on 20 November 2018 at the 3rd India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, enables the conduct of the Singapore Army’s artillery and armour training in India and facilitates increased interactions between both armies. The renewal of the Army Bilateral Agreement is testament to the strong and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and India. At the armed forces level, the SAF and the Indian Armed Forces share a long history of military cooperation, with regular interaction through exercises, military exchanges, visits, courses and other professional exchanges.

(Sing Mindef)

30 November 2018

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) reconnaisasance vehicle (all photos : Environics)

We have successfully concluded a FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) of another CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle, designed for our Indonesian customer.

This is the fourth CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle ready to be delivered to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, as the previous deliveries took place between 2015-2017.

CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicles include equipment for detecting, identifying and sampling CBRN agents and threats in a safe, protected working environment.

(Environics)

Environics Received Another Purchase Order for CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle
15 Maret 2018

Environics has received a new purchase order for CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle from Indonesian Ministry of Defence.

Environics has already delivered three similar CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicles to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence between 2015-2017. The fourth vehicle delivery will take place in 2018. This type of vehicle includes equipment for detecting, identifying and sampling CBRN agents and threats in a safe, protected working environment.

(Environics)

Air Force Grounds Sokol Choppers after Helicopter Crash Landing in Tarlac

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Korps Arhanud TNI AD Tingkatkan Interoperabilitas Antar Matra

Navantia Launches New Tanker Ship for the Royal Australian Navy

Thailand Lakukan Tes Kendaraan AFV-420P "Mosquito"

Alutsista Den Arhanud Rudal 004 Kini Telah Lengkap

Ocius Gets A$1.7m for Unmanned Systems Control Network Development

Scorpene Submarines Go to Sabah's East Coast after Ten Years in the State

Pindad Demonstrates Medium Tank to PHL

Delegasi Indonesia Kunjungi Sistem Pertahanan Pantai K300 Bastion-P

Confirmed, PN's First AW-159 Wildcat to Arrive Early 2019

RAAF Using Phantom Drone to Inspect C-17S

Russian Helicopters Touts Platforms to Thai Military

Latihan Bantuan Tembakan Terpadu Libatkan 3 Matra TNI

RTAF Seeks to Upgrade Gripen Combat Aircraft to MS20 Configuration

TNI Kembangkan Sistem "Network Centric Warfare" Dalam Operasi

PAF Technical Group Picks TAI's T129 ATAK as Its Future Attack Helicopter

CMI Defence to Complete CPWS Gen 2 in Late 2019

Singapore and Indian Armies Conduct Bilateral Artillery Exercise

Indonesian CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle Factory Acceptance Test