29 Agustus 2011



Pindad's SS2 riffles (photo : Detik Forum)

Forgive and forget as Dili signs Jakarta defence pact

EAST Timor's small army will be supplied with Indonesian weapons after the signing of a ground-breaking agreement between the two countries that were once deadly enemies.

Australia has 380 military personnel in the half-island state and has a close security relationship, but some in the capital, Dili, complain that Canberra can be excessively bureaucratic in its dealings on defence.

On a recent visit to Dili, Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who also serves as Defence Minister, signed a memorandum of understanding covering security co-operation, including training and military logistical support.

The deal was expected to be quickly ratified by the East Timor parliament, diplomatic and government sources in Dili told The Australian. It is understood the agreement will also cover the training of East Timorese military and police officers.

At the signing on August 8, Mr Gusmao and Mr Yusgiantoro were pictured hoisting aloft an Indonesian-made light machine gun of a type to be acquired by the East Timor Defence Force.

The weapon is a local variant of the Belgian 5.56mm FN Minimi.

The agreement will also provide for the establishment of a Timor Leste-Indonesia Defence Co-operation Joint Committee to co-ordinate broader areas of co-operation.

The agreement also covers co-operation on aviation, although no details of this have emerged. However, there have been suggestions that East Timor wants to acquire military helicopters.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said last night that the government welcomed any positive development in security co-operation between East Timor and Indonesia.

"Australia has an unwavering commitment to the long-term security and prosperity of East Timor," Mr Smith said. Australia had close defence co-operation with East Timor in areas including engineering, maritime security, logistics, financial management, communication and English-language training.

East Timor has gone to diverse sources for its military equipment and has patrol boats from Portugal, South Korea and China.

The executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, retired major general Peter Abigail, said that the new East Timorese defence link with Indonesia was a very positive move.

It made a lot of sense for Australia, Indonesia and East Timor to have a strong collective relationship and good relations with one another, Major General Abigail said.

He said that Australia would remain very deeply involved in training the East Timorese forces and advising the Dili government.

Clinton Fernandes, a lecturer at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said East Timor clearly wanted to improve relations with a powerful neighbour.

"East Timor is diversifying its contacts in the region and clearly wants good relations with them all," Dr Fernandes said.

(The Australian)

21 Juli 2011

PNGDF soldier loads his magazines before shooting competition (photo : Aus DoD)

Senator Feeney affirms strong defence relationship with PNG

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator the Hon. David Feeney will travel to Papua New Guinea (PNG) with Deputy Secretary Strategy Peter Jennings to review progress being made under Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program with PNG (21-24 July).

The PNG Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) is Australia’s largest DCP commitment, with a budget allocation of $10.5 million this financial year. Under the Defence Cooperation Program, Australia helps build the capability of PNG’s Defence Force in a number of areas, including maritime and border security, as well as conducting training, exercises and infrastructure development.

“The breadth of the DCP shows the importance of Australia’s Defence relationship with PNG” Senator Feeney said.

“We have shared a long and close relationship and I will take the opportunity throughout my visit to reiterate Australia’s commitment to helping further develop a professional and sustainable PNG Defence Force (PNGDF).

“I’m looking forward to meeting with the PNG Minister for Defence, the Hon Bob Dadae MP, and Commander of the PNGDF, Brigadier General Francis Agwi, and seeking their views on further developing the PNGDF. Australia is also assisting PNG develop its capacity to contribute to international peacekeeping operations.

“I will also be meeting with senior officials in the PNG Government to discuss our long-standing bilateral relationship and ways that we may strengthen those ties.”

Senator Feeney will also represent the Minster for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, at a presentation ceremony to honour the Papuan and New Guinean civilians who provided support to Australia during World War Two.

Senator Feeney will present commemorative medallions to 13 of the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” who cared for and assisted Australian Service men and women during WWII.

“Many Australians owe their lives to these civilians who came to be affectionately known as “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels”. I’m proud to be paying tribute to them on Sunday.” Senator Feeney said.

Senator Feeney will also attend a Remembrance Day Memorial Service on Saturday.

(Aus DoD)

04 Juni 2011

Freedom class LCS. The LCS is a fast, highly manoeuverable, networked surface combat ship. (photo : Lockheed Martin)

SINGAPORE: United States (US) Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the US plans to deploy littoral combat ships to Singapore and seek ways to work with its military.

"In Singapore, we are strengthening our bi-lateral defence relationship within the context of the Strategic Framework Agreement and pursuing more operational engagement.

Independence class LCS. In both designs, the sprint speed of 40kt to 50kt results in the body of the hull being lifted out of the water as much as possible. (photo : General Dynamics)

"Most notably, by deploying US Littoral Combat Ships to Singapore. We are examining other ways to increase opportunities for our two militaries to train and operate together," he said at the question & answer session after the First Plenary Session - Emerging Security Challenges in the Asia-Pacific at the 10th IISS Asia Security Summit The Shangri-La Dialogue here today.

Gates said the US was looking to prepositioning supplies to improve disaster response, improving command and control capabilities and expanding training opportunities.

"This is to help prepare our forces for the challenges both militaries face operating in the Pacific," he added.

(Bernama)

21 Mei 2011

DMV-30A rancangan PT DI (photo : Rangga Baswara-Angkasa)

Produksi Senjata ASEAN Mengacu Standar NATO

TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta - Produksi senjata dan alat pertahanan yang dihasilkan oleh kolaborasi negara-negara ASEAN akan mengacu pada standar senjata dan alat-alat pertahanan yang digunakanNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Menteri Pertahanan Malaysia, Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, menyampaikan hal ini dalam pertemuan dengan wartawan di Jakarta, Jum'at 20 Mei 2011.

"Kita tahu bahwa standar dalam produksi produk itu penting. Saya sarankan agar standar ASEAN menyesuaikan standar NATO agar tidak ada masalah dalam spesifikasi produk," katanya. Standar yang dimaksud tidak hanya terkait dengan spesifikasi produk, tetapi juga sistem produksi, pemilihan teknologi dan aset yang dikembangkan.

Pemerintah negara-negara ASEAN sepakat bekerjasama mengembangkan industri pertahanan untuk kawasan. Kesepakatan ini ditandatangani dalam deklarasi bersama menteri-menteri pertahanan di Jakarta kemarin. Konsep kerja sama yang disusun oleh Malaysia direncanakan untuk jangka panjang sampai 2030. Konsep ini sudah diadopsi sebagai resolusi.

Kerjasama akan dimulai oleh tiga negara, yaitu Malaysia, Thailand dan Indonesia. Alasannya, ketiga negara ini sudah memiliki dasar kerja sama pertahanan. Indonesia kebagian tugas memproduksi alat berat dan kendaraan tempur karena sudah memiliki perusahaan-perusahaan dengan keahlian ini. Malaysia akan fokus memproduksi peralatan kelas menengah dan Thailand untuk persenjataan dan alat-alat yang lebih kecil.

Dato Seri Ahmad mengatakan kerja sama ini akan menciptakan lapangan pekerjaan baru dan memperkuat ekonomi kawasan. Pada saat yang sama juga akan mengurangi aliran dana ke luar dari wilayah ASEAN ke negara-negara Amerika dan Eropa untuk pembelian senjata. Persoalannya ASEAN belum memiliki acuan standar produk pertahanan yang sama.

"Kami akan mengajukan ini dalam waktu dekat," katanya. Salah satu yang diajukan acuan adalah pengalaman Eopa menyatukan produksi persenjataan mereka. Meski masing-masing negara memproduksi senjata dengan spesifikasi berbeda, tetapi mereka bekerja sama memproduksi komponen untuk negara lain.

Karena kesepakatan kerja sama baru dilakukan di level pemerintah, rencana kerja sama akan ditindaklanjuti dengan merangkul pihak swasta dan menyusun kerjasama bussiness to bussiness. Perusahaan akan diberikan wewenang sepenuhnya untuk mengatur pemasaran sesuai kebutuhan negara-negara di ASEAN.

Dato Seri Ahmad mengatakan kerja sama ini akan menguntungkan negara-negara di kawasan ASEAN karena akan memicu tumbuhnya industri komponen pertahanan di setiap negara. Sebagai pilot project direncanakan akan diproduksi kendaraan tempur untuk kebutuhan khusus atau Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Berikutnya akan dikembangkan fasilitas untuk perawatan dan penggantian komponen pesawat tempur.

Jika fasilitas ini bisa diresmikan dan dikembangkan menjadi pusatMaintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) di kawasan ASEAN, keuntungan yang diperoleh akan sangat besar. Pasalnya, Dato Seri Ahmad mencontohkan perawatan pesawat jenis Hercules harus dilakukan di Amerika. Pengiriman pesawat saja membutuhkan biaya yang besar, belum termasuk perawatan.

(Tempo Interaktif)

10 Mei 2011

Su-27/30 of the Vietnam People's Air Force (photo : Militaryphotos)

Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee says that India will continue to assist Vietnam in the modernization of its armed forces, particularly the Navy and Air Force.

In a discussion with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, in Hanoi, Mukherjee said “India is also prepared to strengthen intelligence cooperation with Vietnam.” He met the Vietnamese Prime Minister on may 4th. Mukherjee said that the strategic partnership established between the two countries is based on implicit mutual trust, a convergence of interests including in the field of defence and security and similar approaches on global and regional issues.

“As two dynamic and fast growing economies of Asia, our effort is to add greater content, through concrete programmes and projects, to our strategic partnership, he added.

In 1994, both the countries signed a Protocol on Defence cooperation. Over the years Indo-Vietnamese Defence cooperation has grown steadily through visits by military delegations, ship visits from India and training of Vietnamese Defence personnel in India. Both countries have held a series of India Vietnam Security Dialogue.

On Dec 18, 2007 Gen Phung Quang Thanh in his remarks (to the Defence Minister , AK Antony) put forward various proposals including training of Vietnamese Defence Personnel, enhancing the exchanges of delegations, expanding training cooperation and cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries. He also suggested increase in the frequency of goodwill visits by naval ships, application of information technology in defence and e- technology and technical support to Vietnamese navy. The Vietnamese Defence Minister expressed gratitude to India for providing training to armed forces officers in various areas and said ‘they are bringing back valuable knowledge and skills to their work areas’. So far, a total of 49 officers have attended various Army and Navy Courses and 64 officers have attended English language courses.

(Frontier India)

08 April 2011

Fiji Islands (image : GoogleMaps)

Fiji’s Military Commander and Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama - has invited the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) – or Indonesia’s National Armed Forces to use jungles in Fiji for military training.

The invitation was made to the TNI Chief - Admiral Agus Suhartono – in a meeting in Jakarta yesterday.

Commodore Bainimarama noted that Fiji’s jungles have attracted military forces in the past.

About 51% of Fiji’s land mass has some sort of forest cover, 42% is native, 9% is plantations (photo : national Geographic)

He says the massive TNI - with its three separate divisions – the Army, Navy and Air Force - has a lot to offer the Fiji Army in terms of training.

Indonesia has also applauded an initiative by Fiji to send more military officers for staff college training in Indonesia.

Admiral Suhartono hopes the relationship with Fiji will further develop over the years.

(FBCL)

01 April 2011

The Defence White Paper 2007 mentioned that the enhancement of the RBLF's mobility will include the introduction of new Infantri Fighting Vehicle (IFV) to enable a higher operasional tempo. Additionally, studies are currently being conducted to increase firepower at various levels within the land component (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

The Foreign Minister stated that Ukraine can equip Brunei

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantin Grishchenko stated that Ukraine has something to offer to Brunei to strengthen its own defenses."We have a lot to offer to strengthen the defense capability of this small country. Of course, there is not a question of some sort of huge volumes of supply", - said the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry news conference today in Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), commenting on the outcome of bilateral negotiations President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah (Hassanal Bolkiah).

Gryshchenko said that a memorandum of understanding between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Sultan of cooperation in defense sphere involves training of Ukrainian specialists Brunei armed forces and creating conditions for effective implementation of supply of those types of military equipment that are interested in partners in Brunei.

"I think we have something that might be interested in just those responsible for defense of Brunei", - concluded the Minister.

The Director-General of the state concern Ukroboroneksport Dmitry Salamatin today also announced that Ukraine and Brunei have been negotiating a military-technical sphere. "We have good prospects on building relationships in the military-technical sphere," - he said at a press conference in the city of Bandar Seri Begawan.

Salamatin also expressed hope that in the near future the parties will proceed to discuss specific issues. However, while he did not mention what specific areas of cooperation will take place. "We presented the full range of options that have the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. These features are very interested in our partners. I hope that the talks will be productive," - he said.

However, Salamatin reported that the July 6-9 this year Ukrspetsexport take part in an exhibition of products of the military-industrial complex, which will be held in Brunei.

Director-General of the state concern "Ukroboroneksport Dmitry Salamatin located in the state of the Ukrainian delegation in Brunei.

As reported earlier today, Foreign Minister also said that Ukraine is studying the possibility of its participation in Brunei projects for oil and gas.

We remind the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, together with the state delegation is in Brunei for a state visit on 29-31 March. During the visit, signed an intergovernmental memorandum on cooperation in defense sphere. The document envisages joint military exercises, personnel exchanges and cooperation in the defense industry, the reform of the armed forces of both countries.The memorandum also laid the foundation of the Ukrainian-Brunei cooperation in defense and military-technical spheres, address the issues of information security and protection of intellectual property rights in both countries. The document provides for the establishment of a permanent joint committee of defense ministers of both countries.

(Korrespondent)

11 Februari 2011

HMNZS Canterbury amphibious ship (all photos : RNZN)

WELLINGTON - New Zealand Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and his Australian counterpart, Stephen Smith, held their annual meeting Feb. 10 here and announced that Australia will have access to New Zealand's amphibious ship HMNZS Canterbury through a joint forces initiative.

"Today's meeting provided both countries with the opportunity to discuss strategic defense and security priorities in the region … and to give our respective defense organizations the strategic guidance they need for our essential and growing bilateral cooperation in 2011," Smith said.

The ministers asked secretaries in their respective departments to produce a joint report by July 31, detailing preliminary proposals to improve bilateral engagement structures and strengthen strategic bilateral exchanges.

The report is expected to detail proposals to ensure cost-efficient cooperation, notably complementary military capabilities, and the efficient implementation of ANZAC policies.

The ministers noted that the Pacific-focused Ready Response Force (RRF), initiated in September 2009, will be finalized in March, with New Zealand Defence Force personnel to be placed at the Deployable Joint Forces Headquarters in Brisbane.

"We have agreed that, to maintain a robust capability to respond to regional contingencies, the Australian and New Zealand defense forces will jointly develop and exercise plans under the RRF for a common response to contingencies, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," Mapp said.

The ministers also announced the sharing of key capabilities, including HMNZS Canterbury, as part of the RRF banner, with a view to early opportunities to exercise planning functions and amphibious interoperability.

"HMNZS Canterbury's amphibious-lift capability will be particularly important in our region over the next few years [as] the Royal Australian Navy faces challenges in amphibious capability," Smith said.

"The integration of HMNZS Canterbury in this way is a practical example of ANZAC cooperation which can benefit our region, particularly in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," he said.

The ministers also highlighted the successful reinvigoration of the Australia-New Zealand Airlift Agreement, an initiative developed at the previous defense ministers meeting in Sydney in 2009.

As well, Mapp announced that New Zealand will provide a maritime surveillance adviser to the Cook Islands in support of the patrol boat given to that country by Australia.

In addition, both countries will expand their cooperation in English language training for regional militaries, starting with Vietnam, to increase the number of personnel eligible for training courses in New Zealand and Australia.

(DefenseNews)