DEFENSE STUDIES

30 April 2019

Sejumlah alutsista akan diwujudkan Pemerintah untuk memenuhi MEF tiap angkatan di TNI (photo : MKFI)

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dalam Rancangan Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara 2020, Kementerian Pertahanan tercatat memperoleh alokasi anggaran terbesar, yakni sebesar Rp 126,9 triliun.

Berdasarkan pos kementerian dan lembaga, pagu indikatif anggaran belanja untuk Kementerian Pertahanan tercatat paling besar. "Pada 2020, Kemenhan bakal memperoleh anggaran sebesar Rp 126,9 triliun," seperti dikutip dari pemaparan Kepala Badan Perencanaan dan Pembangunan Nasional atau Bappenas, Bambang Brodjonegoro, dalam acara Rapat Koordinasi Pembangunan Pusat di kantor Bappenas, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat, Selasa, 30 April 2019.

Angka itu naik bila dibandingkan dengan alokasi anggaran pada 2019 sebesar Rp 106,1 triliun. Adapun pada 2018, belanja pertahanan negara mencapai Rp 107,7 triliun. Meski demikian, anggaran Kementerian Pertahanan tetap tercatat menjadi yang paling tinggi untuk beberapa tahun terakhir.

Alokasi anggaran untuk Kementerian Pertahanan digadang-gadang dibelanjakan untuk berbagai kebutuhan yang berkaitan dengan pengadaan alat utama sistem persenjataan (alutsista) beserta perawatannya. Sedangkan lainnya dipakai untuk biaya operasional hingga sarana-prasarana di area-area remote, seperti di pangkalan militer Sorong, Papua.

Menteri Keuangan Sri Mulyani Indrawati memperkirakan pemerintah anggaran belanja kementerian dan lembaga pada 2020 sebesar Rp 854 triliun. “Kebutuhan negara sangat banyak, resource terbatas. Kita harus tetapkan yang jadi prioritas,” ujarnya.

Selanjutnya, negara menggelontorkan anggaran belanja untuk Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum dan Perumahan Rakyat sebesar Rp 103,9 triliun. Pos ini juga tergolong menduduki belanja paling besar, sama seperti dua tahun sebelumnya. Pada 2018, PUPR memperoleh anggaran Rp 107,4 triliun. Sedangkan pada 2019 mencapai Rp 102 triliun.

Pemerintah kemudian akan mengucurkan dana Rp 89,7 triliun untuk Polri pada 2020. Sedangkan dua tahun sebelumnya, berturut-turut mulai 2018, pemerintah menggelontorkan anggaran Rp 95 triliun dan Rp 76,9 triliun.

See full article Tempo

01 Mei 2019

RAN currently operates four Huon class mine hunters vessel, comisssioned in 1999-2003 (photo : RAN)

Three new warships costing up to $1 billion will be built in Western Australia under a Coalition election pledge that has taken some defence industry figures by surprise.

During a visit to the Henderson shipyard south of Perth, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that if re-elected his government would fast track the construction of two new "mine hunter" vessels, as well as a hydrographic survey ship.

The Prime Minister said his election pledge would mean more work for up to 1,000 workers in WA.

"To maintain a sovereign defence industry, that continuity of build is critical," he said during a tour of Civmec's facilities at Henderson.

The two new mine hunter vessels will see the planned de-commissioning of Navy's current Huon class vessels brought forward from the 2030s to the mid-2020s.

Defence Industry Minister Linda Reynolds said the surprise decision had been "done at the request of Defence".

RAN currently operates two Leeuwin Class hydrographic survey ship, comissioned in 2000 (photo : RAN)

"Our advice is that new technologies are available and so we have brought forward by up to a decade this $1 billion project to make sure that our men and women have the best possible mine warfare support," Senator Reynolds said.

Defence industry experts said new technologies for the mine hunters will mean Australian sailors would soon be able to use underwater drones for the dangerous work of clearing sea mines.

Civmec CEO Pat Tallon, who was on hand for the announcement, said his workforce stood ready to take on the large project.

"[We're] absolutely able to accommodate these vessels, really excited about the news, excited that some of the vessels have been brought forward," he said.

Mr Tallon did concede Civmec had not yet ever build these types of vessels, which are typically made of either aluminium or fibreglass.

"Not like these particular vessels, no. Obviously we're the largest steel fabricator in Australia, so we're very used to working with very complex steel."

(ABC)

01 Mei 2019

Kaplan MT/Harimau tank with PULAT Active Protection System (photo : FNSS)

To defend against the evolving threats in the battlefield, the KAPLAN MT medium-weight class tank, developed jointly by the Turkish manufacturer of wheeled and tracked armoured combat vehicles, as well as combat engineering vehicles, turrets and sustainability solutions, FNSS and the Indonesian company PT Pindad, is being equipped with Aselsan’s PULAT Active Protection System (APS). KAPLAN MT equipped with PULAT is displayed at IDEF 2019 for the first time.

In today’s modern battlefield, the types of threats against tanks are increasing, particularly in urban combat operations, where the use of APS is becoming a necessity due to the diversification of weapons used and application of new tactics. Enjoying the highest level of anti-mine and ballistic protection of its class, according to FNSS, KAPLAN MT is getting ready against these kind of emerging threats with Aselsan's PULAT.

The PULAT system was developed jointly by Aselsan and TÜBİTAK Sage, initially as a solution preferred by the Turkish Armed Forces for M60T tanks. PULAT consists of modules that contain a detection radar for sensing threats and a countermeasure projectile. The modules are placed around the vehicle in a way that ensures all-round protection. The power distribution unit and control panel are located inside the tank. When the system becomes activated, it functions autonomously without the need for user input. During data collection and system performance tests, PULAT was fired hundreds of times, and completed all of the tests successfully.

Emphasising KAPLAN MT’s ability to adapt and expand, K. Nail Kurt, General Manager and CEO of FNSS, said prior to IDEF: “For a land platform to stay up-to-date during its entire life cycle, it is necessary to integrate various new sub-systems over time. As we have competed so many modernisation and overhaul projects, we know very well how these integrations can be challenging. Like in all of our vehicles, we have developed KAPLAN MT in a way that is open for future modernisation and overhaul. The integration of PULAT Active Protection System has become the first concrete example of this perspective, and I can say with great pleasure that we have had a quite straightforward and successful integration process. With PULAT, KAPLAN MT has taken its survivability to even a higher level.”

(Monch)

01 Mei 2019

Two ASW helicopter of the PN (photo : Westleigh Bushell)

The Philippine Navy’s two ordered anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters from Leonardo, formerly AgustaWestland, are now for delivery from United Kingdom to Philippines via airfreight.

“Initially earmarked for delivery in March this year, the [AW-159 Lynx] Wildcats will now be delivered tomorrow, 1 May 2019, from London-Stansted, using an (as of yet unknown) Antonov An-124,” Dutch aviation society Scramble Magazine said in an article.

“Once picked up they will fly on Friday 3 May to Manilla for the official handover,” it added.

These ASW helicopters are expected to be presented during the Philippine Navy’s 121st founding anniversary celebration this month.

The AW-159 anit-submarine helicopters will be deployed aboard the Jose Rizal-class frigates currently being constructed in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries.

(Mintfo)

01 Mei 2019

Dua pesawat Sukhoi Su-30MK2 masing-masing TS-3008, TS-3009 turut serta dalam latihan ini (photo : TNI AU)

11 Pesawat Tempur Canggih, Bergerak Menyerbu Takalar

MADIUN - Kesibukan di Lanud Iswahjudi, pada Selasa (30/4/2019) dini hari, mengalami peningkatan. Para penerbang tempur telah bersiaga, di masing-masing burung besinya.

Pesawat-pesawat tempur canggih TNI AU, sudah disigakan di Skadron Udara 3, Skadron Udara 15, dan Skadron Udara 14, Lanud Iswahjudi, untuk terbang menuju sasaran pertempuran.

Tidak berselang lama, burung-burung besi yang berjumlah 11 unit, terdiri dari pesawat tempur Shukoi, T50i, dan F16 telah melesat membelah langit gelap di pagi buta.

Pasukan langit penjaga Nusantara tersebut, sedang berlatih melakukan pertempuran di malam hari hingga dini hari, sebagai rangkaian dari Latihan Sikatan Daya 2019.

Latihan tempur besar-besaran ini, melibatkan seluruh jajaran di Komando Operasi TNI AU (Koopsau) 2. Mereka menggelar rangkaian latihan, dimulai dari gladi posko, dilanjutkan manuver latihan, dan latihan komando utama.

Empat pesawat F-16C/D masing-masing TS-1637, TS-1638, TS-1639, TS-1641, TS-1642 turut serta dalam latihan ini (photo : Yandi Bagus K)

Burung-burung besi tersebut, diterbangkan menuju wilayah Kabupaten Takalar, Sulawesi Selatan. Dalam skenario latihan disebutkan, Negara Kuning yang berada di Takalar merupakan negara yang menyokong sparatis di Negara Zulu.

Sebenarnya Negara Zulu, tidak bermusuhan dengan Indonesia. Namun membiarkan separatis suku X yang didukung oleh Negara Kuning. Inilah yang memicu diserangnya Takalar oleh pesawat-pesawat tempur canggih TNI AU.

Penyerbuan itu, pertama kali dilakukan pesawat F16 Fighting Falcon yang diterbangkan oleh Letkol Pnb. Anjar; Mayor Pnb. Yudhis; Mayor Pnb. Agus Dwi; Kapten Pnb. Ferry; dan Lettu Pnb. Dio.

Setelah itu, disusul empat pesawat T50I Golden Eagle yang diterbangkan oleh Mayor Pnb. Gultom dan Mayor Pnb. Angga; Mayor Pnb. Agung dan Mayor Pnb. Luluk; Letkol Pnb. Henddra dan Lettu Pnb. Andika; serta Kapten Pnb. Febri dan Lettu Pnb. Hasnan.

Gelombang penyerbuan terakhir, dilakukan dua pesawat Sukhoi Su-30 yang diterbangkan Mayor Pnb. Andri dan Kapten Pnb. Eska; serta Mayor Pnb. Bakoro dan Lettu Pnb Fajar.

Empat pesawat T-50I Golden Eagle masing-masing TT-5001, TT-5003, TT-5004, TT-5008 turut serta dalam latihan ini (photo : TNI AU).

Setelah melakukan pengeboman di Takalar, 11 pesawat tempur tersebut akhirnya kembali ke Lanud Iswahjudi, dengan selamat. Pesawat-pesawat itu sempat landing di Lanud Hasanudin sebagai Lanud Kawan.

Pesawat dari Negara Kuning sempat memasuki wilayah Indonesia. Tetapi, dipaksa turun oleh pesawat-pesawat tempur TNI AU. Sesuai prosedur, penumpang dari maskapai bersangkutan diturunkan, dan dilaksanakan interogasi. Akhrinya demi penyelididkan pilot dan copilot pesawat Negara Kuning ditahan.

Komandan Lanud Iswahjudi, Marsekal Pertama (Marsma) TNI Widyargo Ikoputra mengatakan, keberangkatan 11 pesawat tempur ke Takalar, merupakan skenario latihan yang telah disusun saat pelaksanaan gladi posko.

"Kita juga berharap, dari latihan ini akan diperoleh hasil dan masukan demi penyempurnaan skenario latihan berikutnya," tegas marsekal bintang satu yang akrab disapa Iko ini.

(SindoNews)

02 Mei 2019

VPAF Su-30MK2 during night flight exercise (photos : QDND, KienThuc, BaoDatViet)

According to PK-KQ newspaper, 923 Regiment, the 371 Division has successfully organized a night flight on Su-30MK2 multi-purpose fighter.

The successful organization of the night flight has contributed to improving qualifications and driving techniques for pilots, responding to the requirements and tasks of being ready to fight and managing the airspace in the current situation.

Talking about the preparations for the night flight, Captain Nguyen Anh Ngoc - Deputy Head of Engineering of Regiment 923 said: "Working to prepare the board for the day which is hard and difficult, is preparing for Night cruises are much more complicated.

Therefore, we must check carefully, meticulously every detail, parts, ensuring the best technical parameters of the aircraft before performing the task ".

To successfully organize the night flight board, the preparation work includes: Understanding the weather and meteorological situation; synergistic work among components; logistics and technical assurance; information, radar, light; psychological situation, ideology of the soldiers as well as the health of the pilots participating in flight training ...

On the basis of the work of ensuring the sides of the unit and the direction of the superiors, the commanding officer will assign preliminary tasks to the components before the flight ...

But before the fighters took off at the same time, the first Su-30MK2 tasked with meteorological reconnaissance took off. After 30 minutes, meteorological reconnaissance flight landed safely. All components are present at the room assigned to fly. After regaining all the preparations, the meteorological situation, the regimental commander assigned the official flight mission.

The night flight board is carried out exactly 18:15. On the first flight time, 4 Su-30MK2 aircraft turn to the runway in turn, speeding up and soaring into the sky. The "lord of the tiger" under the control of pilots of the 923th Regiment performed maturing night flying according to the proposed plan ...

As soon as the plane Su30MK2 ended the flight, rolled to the domed area, the aeronautical engineering team quickly took over the aircraft, heard the pilot reflected on the technical situation and promptly adjusted the equipment and security. Best for the next flight.

The success of the flight board continues to affirm the ability to master technical equipment weapons of officers and soldiers of the entire Regiment; especially the capacity, qualifications of the pilot team and the results of the organization of combat training of the Regiment in recent years.

This is also the motivation for the time to come to 923 Regiment, the 371 Division continues to successfully carry out the task of training, ready to fight and firmly manage the sacred region of the Fatherland.

(BaoDatViet)

02 Mei 2019

Kaplan MT or Harimau medium tank (photo : haberlutfen)

At around 15:00 of Day 1 at IDEF, the FNSS stand saw the signature of the Long-Term Cooperation Agreement for the Serial Production of the Kaplan MT Medium-Weight Class Tank, known as Harimau in Indonesia.

The document was signed by Prof.Dr. İsmail Demir, President of the Defence Industries of Turkey, Laksamana Madya TNI Agus Setiadji, Secretary General of the Indonesian Minstry of Defence, Mr. K. Nail Kurt, General Manager and CEO of FNSS, and Abraham Mose, Chief Executive Officer of PT Pindad.

The Kaplan MT/Harimau development phase has been completed, based on the cooperation agreement signed in 2015. The agreement signed at IDEF will allow the serial production of the vehicles to be carried out jointly by the two companies. The prototypes built successfully passed the Indonesian Army qualification tests, and currentlin the Kaplan MT is the only certified tank of this class available on the market, according to FNSS, the Ankara-based company looking at further export successes. The agreement with Indonesia covers the production of 18 tanks within the next two years.

(EDR)

02 Mei 2019

Korps Marinir telah mempunyai 22 kendaraan amfibi BMP-2 eks Slovakia (photo : Marinir)

Ekspor pertahanan Rusia ke Republik Indonesia mencapai lebih dari USD 2,5 miliar sejak akhir 1992, pengekspor senjata Rusia Rosoboronexport (anak perusahaan dari perusahaan negara Rostec) mengatakan dalam sebuah pernyataan.

Mengutip dari Army Recognition (28/04) "Moskow telah bekerja sama dengan Jakarta dalam bidang militer-teknis sejak 1958, dan intensifikasi hubungan ini dimulai pada akhir 1990-an hingga awal 2000-an. Sejak November 1992, pengiriman senjata ke Indonesia telah melampaui USD 2,5 miliar," kata juru bicara Rosoboronexport.

BREM-2 serta BMP-3F Korps Marinir (photo : defence.pk)

Dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, Jakarta telah menerima BTR-80A kendaraan pengangkut personel lapis baja (APC), BMP-3F kendaraan tempur infanteri (IFV) amfibi, senapan serbu keluarga Kalashnikov AK-100, pesawat tempur Sukhoi, helikopter Mil, serta barang-barang perangkat keras militer lainnya .

Menurut laporan analisis Military Balace 2018 yang dirilis oleh International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) yang berbasis di London, militer Indonesia mengoperasikan :

-15 PT-76 tank amfibi ringan,
-34 BTR-50PK dan 100 BTR-50P APC amfibi roda rantai,
-3 BREM-2 kendaraan engineering lapis baja,
-6 Mil Mi-35P (nama NATO: Hind-D),
-17 Mil Mi-17V-5 (Hip-H) helikopter serbaguna,
-22 BMP-2 dan 54 BMP-3F IFV,
-12 BTR-80A APC, dan
-2 Sukhoi Su-27SK (Flanker),
-3 Su-27MKM (Flanker),
-2 Su-30MK (Flanker), dan
-9 Su-30MK2 pesawat tempur multirole (Flanker).

Panser amfibi BTR-80A Korps Marinir (photo : Angkasa)

Pada bulan April 2019, JSC Rosoboronexport (bagian dari Perusahaan Negara Rostec) dan Kementerian Pertahanan Republik Indonesia telah menandatangani kontrak untuk penyediaan batch baru kendaraan tempur infanteri BMP-3F dan kendraan pengangkut personel lapis baja amfibi (APC) BT-3F yang dikembangkan dan diproduksi oleh JSC Kurganmashzavod untuk kepentingan Korps Marinir Indonesia.

(ArmyRecognition)

02 Mei 2019

The RAAF received 12 Growler aircraft, but lost one after a catastrophic engine failure during exercises in the US in January 2018 (photo : CAN)

Initial operating capability (IOC) has been achieved by the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF's) 11-strong fleet of Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack (EA) aircraft, the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies, announced on 30 April.

Attaining IOC confirms the RAAF 6 Squadron's ability to conduct limited force-level airborne electronic warfare (EW) for peacetime national tasking or limited low-level conflicts in the region. In this context, force-level EW involves moving well beyond simple self-protection of the host platform to the attack or defence of major assets or formations.

An interim benchmark scheduled for mid-2021 envisages the EA-18G's capability developed so it can be taken into more contested conflicts and conduct operations at higher sortie rates in a single location, Group Captain Tim Churchill, Director of the Growler Transition Office, told Jane's . Final Operational Capability (FOC), anticipated in mid-2022, will confirm the ability to undertake the same high operational tempo simultaneously in two locations.

The first two of 12 EA-18Gs landed at RAAF Amberley in Queensland in February 2017 and the final two arrived five months later. However, one aircraft was destroyed after a catastrophic engine failure while on exercises in the US in January 2018.

Australia is the only country outside the US to operate the Growler. Along with the US Navy (USN) Growler force, the RAAF's EA-18Gs utilises the AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system. Uniquely, Australian EA-18Gs also deploy the ASQ-228 ATFLIR electro-optical targeting pod, a requirement understood to have emerged from USN experience with Growler operations over Libya in 2011.

The initial test firings by an RAAF Growler of an AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) and its successor, the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), took place in the US in mid-2017.

(Jane's)

03 Mei 2019

A single Piaggio P.180 Avanti EVO is in servce with 402 Squadron (photo : Thai Ranger)

Patrol aircraft Piaggio P.180 Avanti II EVO stationed at 402 Squadron, at Takhli airbase, which is an aerial reconnaissance aircraft that replaces the flight surveillance aircraft Learjet 35A that has been decomissioned.

There is information that the P.180 transport aircraft that are supplied from Italy will be changed to a new machine and transferred to another unit. By removing the patrol device, taking pictures from the air from the hole that penetrated the side of the secret body, which will be clear in the new mission and the aircraft to replace the original mission in the future.

It is understood that this case was due to the Italian company Piaggio Aerospace, who was manufacturing the machine, was in trouble near bankruptcy. After the United Arab Emirates canceled the provision of a P.1HH unmanned aircraft HammerHead and the Italian Ministry of Defense had no plans to recruit in the Italian army itself.

402 Squadron currently operates two type aircraft, another type is Diamond DA42M MPP (photo : Mark Rourke)

This story reminds us of the case of transportsAlenia G.222, the 6 machines that the Thai Air Force used to have in the past, which the Italian manufacturer Aeritalia (Alenia) went bankrupt, causing a shortage of spare parts for maintenance G222 until the Air Force had to decomissioned faster than it should be.

(AAG)

03 Mei 2019

Munisi buatan Pindad (photo : Pindad)

TEMPO.CO, Bandung - Direktur Utama PT Pindad, Abraham Mose mengatakan, Pindad sudah mendapat lampu hijau membangun pabrik di luar negeri. Meski demikian, Pindad masih melakukan kajian terkait izin. "Kami sudah mendapat lampu hijau, namun sebagai industri pertahanan apakah bisa atau tidak (membangun pabrik di luar negeri), itu masih dikaji," ujarnya dalam wawancara khusus dengan Tempo di kompleks PT Pindad, Bandung, Jumat, 26 April 2019.

Abraham membenarkan sedang dipertimbangkan untuk pabrik baru Pindad adalah salah satu negara di Asia Selatan. “Itu memang program kami di tahun 2019,” kata dia.

Ekspansi ke luar negeri dilakukan guna memperbesar pasar ekspor. “Rasanya sudah waktunya membesarkan kapasitas Pindad untuk merambah ke pasar ekspor. Sehingga ada beberapa tawaran kerja sama, apakah itu nanti membangun di Indonesia atau tidak tertutup kemungkinan kami membangun di luar. Ini semua dalam kajian,” ujarnya.

Kajian yang dilakukan termasuk melakukan survei pembangunan pabrik di sejumlah negara Asia. Soal lini bisnis yang digarap adalah seputar produk senjata dan amunisi.

Abraham mengatakan, kerja sama strategis yang akan dilakukan dalam waktu dekat adalah menambah kapasitas produksi amunisi. “Dalam waktu dekat kami akan menjalin kerja sama dengan perusahaan dari luar untuk membangun pabrik amunisi di Turen, Malang. Selanjutnya kami akan membangun pabrik untuk amunisi berkaliber besar," ujarnya.

Pembangunan pabrik amunisi ini ditargetkan bisa mendongkrak pendapatan. Hampir 80 persen dari pendapatan Pindad disumbang dari pasar dalam negeri dan sisanya ekspor. "Bisa dikatakan 80 persen untuk kebutuhan dalam negeri, 20 persen untuk ekspor yang bisa dikatakan cukup jumlahnya belum cukup besar dan terdistribusi di beberapa negara Asia Tenggara,” kata dia.

(Tempo)

03 Mei 2019

An artist’s rendering of the USCG Polar Security Cutter. (Image : ST Engineering)

Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engineering), announced on 24 April that its shipbuilding business in Pascagoula, MS, VT Halter Marine, has been awarded the Polar Security Cutter (PSC – formerly known as the Heavy Polar Ice Breaker) contract by the US Department of the Navy for the US Coast Guard (USCG).

VT Halter Marine has been designated prime contractor for the detail design and construction of the USCG PSC under a $746 million (€665 million) fixed-price incentive-firm contract. The multi-year programme seeks to acquire up to three multi-mission PSC to recapitalise the USCG fleet of heavy icebreakers. If all options are exercised, the value of the contract could rise to $1.94 billion (€1.73 billion). Delivery of the first 460ft, 33,000t vessel is anticipated for 2024: if the options are exercised, hulls two and three are expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2027 respectively.

VT Halter Marine has been involved in the design analysis study for the PSC since February 2017 and is currently in the production engineering studies support work, which it began in February.

(Monch)

03 Mei 2019

ZAHA Marine Assault Vehicle (photo : FNSS)

IDEF’19 will witness the unveiling of the MAV Marine Assault Vehicle, which has been greatly anticipated by the sector due to limited number of comparable vehicles in the same class, principally because of the challenging requirements and highly specialised mission definition associated with these vehicles.

ZAHA Marine Assault Vehicle (photo : ptisidiastima)

Visitors to the FNSS stand will have opportunity to see the first prototype MAV, whose main role is to support the combat capabilities of marine forces in line with the requirements of the 21st century combat environments.

ZAHA Marine Assault Vehicle (photo : Anadolu)

MAV is being developed as part of the Armoured Amphibious Assault Vehicles (Zırhlı Amfibi Hücum Araçları, ZAHA) Project being conducted by the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) to meet a need of Turkish Naval Forces Command. Within the project, FNSS will deliver a total of 27 vehicles, including 23 personnel carriers, two command and control vehicles and two recovery vehicles.

ZAHA Marine Assault Vehicle (photo : Star)

In addition to enabling the safe landing of units during amphibious operations, the armoured amphibious assault vehicles also serve as armoured personnel carriers after reaching the shore. During the amphibious assault phase of an operation, these vehicles are launched from Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) and rapidly cover the distance between the vessel and shore, allowing forces to land under protection and with minimum delay. Once on land, these vehicles can continue taking part in operations side-by-side with other armoured vehicles. As vehicles with a dual role due to their mission requirements, armoured amphibious assault vehicles need to exhibit superior performance both at sea and on land, and only a few countries around the world have such vehicles in their inventories. Among the NATO countries and allies, there is only one company other than FNSS producing vehicles of this class.

ZAHA Marine Assault Vehicle (photo : hurriyet)

Compared to similar examples, MAV is expected to be superior in the following aspects:

-Number of personnel transported by the vehicle,
-Level of ballistic and mine protection, and Performance criteria on land and in water,
-With ZAHA, FNSS takes armoured amphibious assault vehicles into the 21st century, and the project has now reached the Critical Design Review phase. Venturing outside classical approaches within the defence projects, FNSS has completed its evaluation of the vehicle’s design not only on paper, but also on the prototype, for this review. The review will be on executed on the prototype vehicle in the integration hall.

ZAHA Marine Assault Vehicle cannon (photo : EDR)

-K. Nail Kurt, General Manager and CEO of FNSS, emphasises that MAV is a very special vehicle: “MAV has to make sure that marines reach the shore in the shortest time possible, both to ensure rapid movement and to minimize their exposure to threats while at sea. Once ashore, it should be able to operate effectively as an armoured combat vehicle, while also safeguarding the troops inside with superior ballistic and mine protection. To put it briefly, until the MAV made its appearance, there was no such vehicle on the market. We are developing MAV in response to the requirements of the Turkish Naval Forces, which carried out one of the most important amphibious operations in the last 50 years with great success. We are confident that friendly and allied nations with high amphibious operational requirements, particularly island countries like Indonesia, will also look to take advantage of MAV’s superior characteristics; and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

(FNSS)

04 April 2019

D-Eyes Mk I mini UAV (all photos : DTI)

Ministry of Defense of Thailand Committee inspect for system testing of Defense Technology Institute (DTI) D-Eyes Mark I Mini UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), 5 April 2019.

Gen. Preecha Prademmuk, Director of the Faculty of Science assigned Gen. Surasak Meemani, Advisor to the Ministry of Education visited to inspect and test the standard of small unmanned aircraft systems of the Mini-UAV D-Eyes MK1 at Photharam Airport, Ratchaburi Province on 5 Apr 2019. By examination results and the standard test is satisfied.

UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) another project that has been continuously developed for by Defense Technology Institute for The Royal Thai Air Force is a small unmanned aircraft system, Mini UAV, D-Eyes Mk1.

Which the committee sets the standard of equipment, The Ministry of Defense has inspected and tested the standards that in Photharam Airport, Ratchaburi, on April 5, 2019, is one step that is likely to lead to active duty in each units of the Thai Army.

In the year 2018 DTI was awarded the D-Eyes Mark I Mini UAV prototype for the Marine Corps Command Unit. The Royal Thai Navy has tried to use it. It is a progress in self-reliance in the Thai security industry.

(AAG)

04 Mei 2019

The Dassault FALCON 7X will shortly join the RAAF’s SPA/VIP fleet (photo: RAAF)

CANBERRA, Australia – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to continue providing through-life support to the Commonwealth’s special purpose aircraft (SPA) VIP fleet operated by No. 34 Squadron in Canberra. This sole source, 18-year rolling wave contract has an initial period of six years for sustainment and maintenance valued at $84 million (AUD).

Northrop Grumman will service the SPA fleet by providing logistics, maintenance, engineering and training. The work will be supported by a dedicated program management office in Melbourne.

The SPA fleet comprises two Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) aircraft and three Challenger CL604 jets that are being replaced by three Falcon 7X business jets. The RAAF’s SPA capabilities are set to ramp up mid-year with the delivery of a KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport modified to support long-range government VIP transport needs.

“This award is a reflection of our team’s support to the RAAF and the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, especially through our work on the SPA, KC-30A and C-27J programs,” said Chris Deeble, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “As a leader in platform stewardship and global fleet management, we look forward to maintaining our 100 percent mission capable rate.”

(Northrop Grumman)

04 Mei 2019

KAAV-7A1 of the Philippines Marines Corps (all photos : Defense Times)

[Biz Korea] Hanhwa Defense delivered a Korean-type landing armored car for the Philippine Marines, which contracted for 60 billion won, to the Philippines. According to military and defense officials, four of the eight Korean-type landing armored vehicles ordered by the Philippine Army were delivered in April.

The amphibious armored car is an amphibious armored vehicle that has landed on the coast where the enemy occupies the marines in the sea and has been in use since 1951. In 1998, the AAV7-A1, which is used by the US Marine Corps, was manufactured in Korea under the technology introduction scheme and is being operated under the name of Korean-type landing armored vehicle (KAAV-7A1). In addition to the KAAV-7A1 for troop transport, command vehicles and support vehicles were also produced.

Korean marine amphibious assault armored vehicles are used not only for landing operations but also for Doha operations with the army. In November 2009, ten Korean LVT-7A1s were delivered to the Indonesian marines for free, as Korean-type landing armored vehicles were produced. Korean Marines are currently operating more than 160 AAV7-A1, the world's largest, after the US Marines.

Currently, Hanwha Defense is the only company in Korea that has production lines for AAV7-A1, except the United States, which is the original developing country. In April 2016, Korea's Korean landing armored vehicle was awarded BAE Systems' AAV7A1 in the landing assault armored car project which was promoted as a part of Philippine's plan to strengthen the book defense capacity.

At the time, the Philippine Department of Defense handed selects Hanwha Defense, which offered better conditions in terms of performance and price, in the project of introducing eight landing assault armored vehicles of 2,423 million pesos (about 60.1 billion won). In October last year, the Marines of the Philippines dispatched 20 Marines such as Bacolcol (Jean) to our marine training training team to acquire various know-how in order to operate Korean-type landing assault vehicles. In addition, various technical manuals of the Korean-type landing armored vehicles were also translated into English.

Four Korean-type landing armored vehicles delivered to the Philippine Army are likely to be released locally on the Philippine Navy Day on Thursday, defense officials said. Our army is carrying out Korean-type landing car-II project which is superior to Korean-type landing armored car currently in operation.

The Marines' next landing assault vehicle is expected to have a battle weight of 35 tons, 7.4 tons heavier than the Korean-type landing armored vehicle, and an engine output of 1500 horsepower, higher than the existing 400 horsepower. The main weapon is equipped with a 40mm cannon, which boasts a powerful firepower and will be more than doubled in protection. The maximum speed of the water is known as 20 km/h. The appearance of the next amphibious assault vehicle is known to be similar to that of an Expeditionary Combat Vehicle (EFV) that the US Marines are relinquishing at too high a price.

(BizHankook)

06 Mei 2019

Kongsberg bridge simulator (photo : RAN)

The Royal Australian Navy has awarded Kongsberg Digital a contract for the delivery of two K-Sim full mission bridge simulators at its HMAS Watson Bridge Simulator Facility in Watsons Bay, Sydney, Australia.

The Watson facility contract follows an earlier one from November 2018, under which Kongsberg was to deliver two simulators for a new training facility at HMAS Stirling in Perth.

The project is a noteworthy addition to Kongsberg’s service delivery contracts with the RAN, which includes multiple shiphandling and engine room simulators delivered at training facilities across the country.

The requirement for expansion and intensification of RAN’s training program is the result of a sustained period of growth and capability enhancement for the navy. Its shipbuilding program is currently fully occupied with the construction of new Hunter-class anti-submarine Future Frigates and Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels, while the navy is also taking delivery of two Supply-class AOR (Auxilliary Oiler Replenishment) vessels.

“Our simulator training requirements continue to grow and Kongsberg has shown the flexibility to support our requirements, even in a compressed timeframe,” said Commander Chris Doherty, Head of Command and Navigation, RAN. “This latest delivery reflects the depth of our partnership as well as the importance of high-quality simulator training to the safety and operational performance of our people and fleet.”

(Naval Today)

06 Mei 2019

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing when on a goodwill visit to Saint Petersburg of the Russian Federation (photo : Min Aung Hlaing)

Myanmar will own submarines soon, said Commodore Moe Aung, Chief of Staff (Navy) on March 18 while answering to the media after the Combined Fleet Exercise-Sea Shield 2019.

“The Senior General already explained about the possession of submarines. They can be seen at Myanmar navy soon. Submarine arm is an armed forces and its operation area is under water. There are natural disasters as well as dangers from the enemies which can attack anytime. If there will be a problem, it is difficult to save them. So we are considering about long term plan. Another thing is to train submariners. It is required to train the submariners. A skillful submariner needs at least four years training to handle the submarine and to operate it. So our marines are having trainings for a long time,” said the Commodore.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services said during September 2015 that the Tatmadaw is planning to possess submarines within over four or five-year time.

“If we buy the submarines, we can own them now. We are thinking about many ways. We bought the navy vessels before and now we are building them. If we can build them, we can build them what we like. We can build the navy vessels based on the budget. If we cannot build them, we have to think of buying them from other countries,” he said.

In the submarines, attack submarines or hunter-killer submarines are called SSK which used diesel engines and SSN Nuclear which used nuclear power. Moreover there are ballistic missile submarines, cruise submarines and nuclear submarines.

Analysts said Myanmar should possess diesel powered submarines.

On the Combined Fleet Exercise-Sea Shield 2019, the navy performed exercises to prevent danger of enemy in the territory. While the fleet was heading with Formation-5, the information about an enemy submarine is reported. Two anti-submarine war vessels conducted an exercise in which the vessels attacked and destroyed the enemy submarine using torpedo, RDC rockets and LDC submersible bombs.

(Eleven Myanmar)

06 Mei 2019

PN Wildcat with torpedo (photo : Liam Toohill)

One of the AgustaWestland AW159 Mk.220 Wildcat naval helicopter bound for the Philippine Navy was photographed last month with a training torpedo mounted in it.

Based on previous information which were also posted here at MaxDefense, the torpedo to be supplied by Leonardo will the South Korean-made LIGNex1 K745 Blue Shark lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes, a few warshot and training rounds were included in the contract between Leonardo and DND.

The helicopters are on the way to the Philippines and are expected to arrive today 06 May 2019.

(MaxDefense)

07 Mei 2019

Exercise preparation (photo : Hun Manet)

Nearly 1,600 soldiers will participate in a five-day live fire exercise called the Golden Hanuman 2019 in Kampot province this week.

According a statement by Defence Ministry spokesman General Chhum Sucheat, the Golden Hanuman will take place at a training ground in Chum Kiri district’s Trapaing Veng commune from Saturday until Wednesday.

“Golden Hanuman 2019 is designed to strengthen the capacity, knowledge and expertise of army officers and soldiers in protecting current and future territorial integrity,” Gen Sucheat said.

Lieutenant General Hun Manet, deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and commander of the army, is expected to preside over the opening ceremony on Saturday.

Exercise preparation (photo : Khmer Times)

Gen Sucheat said the exercise will include 1,595 soldiers from RCAF infantry, Bodyguard Unit, Air Defence Command, Brigade 70, Special Forces Paratrooper Brigade 911, Engineering Command and Transport Division 90.

“Heavy weapons used will include 152mm and 122mm artilleries, 23mm guns, 37mm guns, BM-21 rocket launchers, RM-70 rocket launchers, tanks, armored vehicles, fire trucks, military trucks and helicopters,” he said.

Royal Cambodian Army spokesman Brigadier General Mao Phalla yesterday said it will be RCA’s first drill under Lt Gen Manet’s command.

“It is our military habit. We have no intentions of threatening any group or country,” Brig Gen Phalla said. “We want to test our military abilities and measure the knowledge of the army and their expertise. We also want to compare to previous drills.”

Exercise preparation (photo : Khmer Times)

“We will cooperate with the Air Force Command, and most units under the jurisdiction of the RCA will also join us,” he added. “The previous drill was led by RCAF High Command, but this time it will be led by the Royal Cambodian Army.”

Brig Gen Sucheat said over the past decade, Cambodia has held three similar military drills, the first in 2010, the second in 2013 and the third last year.

Last year, the Golden Hanuman took place in Chum Kiri district, where the RCAF used 20 rocket launcher mounted vehicles and 22 artillery guns.

At the time, more than 1,000 soldiers from various divisions, headquarters and units participated in live-fire drills. The RCAF used heavy equipment such as three helicopters, 20 vehicle-mounted BM 21 rocket launchers, artillery, 32 tanks, and 68 trucks.

Exercise preparation (photo : Hun Manet)

Defence Minister General Tea Banh lauded last year’s drill because military personnel were able to accurately hit their marks.

“This is to show the capacity and technology which we attained from hard work,” Gen Banh said. “We have the ability to use live-fire if needed.”

Earlier this year, China and Cambodia held the Golden Dragon 2019, a military exercise. Both forces attended the event for 10 days in order to strengthen good cooperation.

Gen Sucheat said people living nearby the training ground should be alert and steer clear of the area.

“All the people who live around the training area in Kampot province’s Chum Kiri district, do not be alarmed by the drills,” he said. “We ask for understanding for any inconvenience.”

(KhmerTimesKH)

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