31 Januari 2012

BMP3F amphibian tank (photo : Kaskus Militer)

Russia is set to sell up to 60 infantry fighting vehicles to Indonesia in a deal worth more than $100 million, the Izvestia newspaper cited an unnamed military source as saying on Tuesday.

The deal will be finalized on February 10, the source said, adding that 20 BMP-3 vehicles will be delivered before the end of the year.

The Russian army stopped purchasing the vehicles in 2010.

The state-run weapons exporter Rosoboronexport declined to comment.

The Kurganmashzavod arms plant said it would produce modified vehicles for Indonesia.

(RIA Novosti)

25 Januari 2012

Type 206A is a diesel electric submarine with 48.6m in length and displacement 498 ton (photo : denizaltici)

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat yesterday vowed to re-examine the navy's plan to buy submarines.

On his first day in office at the Defence Ministry, ACM Sukumpol said he would continue to push for the implementation of incomplete plans and projects, including the submarine purchase.

"We will look at it. The navy must explain to the public why the submarine purchase is an appropriate project," ACM Sukumpol said. The minister also told navy chief Adm Surasak Roonroengrom to clarify details of the submarine project to the cabinet and the public.

The navy had planned to buy six second-hand submarines from Germany.

However, as the cabinet has not yet approved the plan, Germany has since sold two of the submarines to Colombia. The navy now hopes to buy the remaining four subs for 5.5 billion baht.

"If the navy had submarines, the balance of military power in the region would change," a navy source said.

He warned Cambodia may well obtain submarines before Thailand as it can rely on its alliances with "superpowers".

(Bangkok Post)

20 Januari 2012

KRI Nanggala 402 (photo : DSME)

(BUSINESS WIRE) - - Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (http://www.dsme.co.kr/) has successfully completed the upgrade Indonesian Navy submarines.

Submission of KRI Nanggala by DSME attended by naval officers and 20 crew of the submarine's 1400 tonnes of Indonesia.

KRI Nanggala in length 59.5m, width 7.3m, displacement while diving of 1420 tons and 1285 tons of submerged. Maximum speed of 21.5 knots (39.8km per hour) at underwater operation, and speeds of 11 knots (about 20.4km per hour) while afloat.

For this second submarine project, a bid to be awarded to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in last April 2009. The first performance improvement project of Indonesian Navy Type 209 submarine was awarded in the 2003. after the second submarine project.

DSME in doing a second submarine upgrade work began in December 2009, takes about 25 months with an increased capability of combat systems, radar, sonar and other major equipment replaced by the new cuts, and hull-mounted equipment to disassemble, repair such a great work of improvement performance has been shown.

The successful of upgrades project, especially in two Type 209 submarines have been triggered Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering can get a high confidence of the Indonesian government, and last year led to the Republic of Korea can export submarines for the first time.

DSME first get an order to upgrade Indonesia's first submarine in 2006, followed by a second submarine upgrades. Last year, Indonesia gave the job of making the three submarines, which puts DSME of the world lay submarine positioned in the market.

(NewsWire)

17 Januari 2012

TT400TP project ship -HQ-272 (all photos : QDND/BaoDatViet)

HQ 272 ships cannon military HQ from Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company (General Department of Defense Industry) shall be delivered to the Navy to put to use. This is the first warship production by Vietnam.

The ship is very modern design, more features, when Vietnam combat at sea, equipped with weapons, modern weapons such as AK 630 guns, combination of low altitude air defense missiles, radar systems, system identify the enemy, electro optic systems, cannon ammunitions, rockets. It is able to continuously operate offshore for 30 days and nights at sustained winds of force 9-10 and waves of force 8. The ship has an operating range of 2,500 miles.

After two years of implementation, the ship HQ 272 was tested and fired live ammunition test, all parameters are guaranteed by design. Navy ships are, the design agency and the Council accepted the Ministry of Defence appreciated the technical quality, fine art, gain full technical features, strategy as approved by the General Chief of Staff of Vietnam People's Army.

Admiral Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Commander Chief of Navy, said the ship HQ 272 will contribute to increased combat power for Vietnam Navy, and most importantly, Vietnam is gradually mastering shipbuilding technology, created the initiative in ensuring the technical, equipment, facilities, weapons for national defense and security tasks.

According to Minh, the ship will make the trip patrols to protect sovereign waters, islands and continental shelf of the country.

(VNExpress)

16 Januari 2012

Nexter Caesar 155 howitzer (photo : rhcp04)

Indonesia will start modernizing its military hardware after a decade of internal reform riding on the back of an improving economy, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro told repoters Monday.

“The Indonesian Military has been involved in internal reforms, such as disengagement from political and business activities,” he told a press conference after a leadership meeting at the ministry.

“All this time, the TNI has refrained from procuring major weapons systems.”

Also attending the press conference were Defense Deputy Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono, Army chief of staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Navy chief of staff Adm. Soeparno, Air Force chief of staff Marshal Imam Sufaat, and ministry secretary general Vice Marshal Eris Heryyanto.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Suyanto attended the leadership meeting and delivered a speech to the participants.

Purnomo said most of the procurement could take a long time to realize from planning to delivery as there were various agencies involved in the process.

“Each individual service will describe their needs to the TNI headquarters, which will submit the request to the ministry,” he said.

“Once agreed, we have to talk with the National Development Planning Board [Bappenas] and the Finance Ministry to find the appropriate funding.”

He said because most procurement processes require a long time to realize, the funding usually involves a multiyear system.

The ministry’s Defense Facilities Agency chief, Maj. Gen. Ediwan Prabowo, said most of the shopping list would be sealed in the first half of this year.

“We are currently still looking for candidates for each weapons system. So we have not yet decided the model and pricing,” he told the press conference.

The shopping list includes various weapons systems for the three services including various types of helicopters, howitzers, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), various types of ships and anti-aircraft missiles.

Indonesia ended 2011 with large procurements, including six Sukhoi Su-30MKK from Russia worth US$470 million; three submarines from South Korea worth almost $1.1 billion in cooperation with state shipyard PT PAL; nine NC-295 medium transport from Spain worth $325 billion in cooperation with state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia; 16 KAI T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainers, worth $400 million, from South Korea; eight Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano counter-insurgency aircraft from Brazil; and Grob G 120TP primary trainer from Germany.

Indonesia’s shopping list in 2012

Army

1. Main battle tank (MBT)

2. Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)

3. Howitzer 155mm

4. Air defense missile

5. Assault and attack helicopters

6. Anoa armored personnel carrier

Navy
1. Searider rigid-inflatable boat (RIB)
2. Fast patrol boats
3. Guided-missile destroyer
4. Hydro-oceanography vessel
5. Barque tall ship to replace the existing KRI Dewaruci
6. Various auxiliary vessels, including fuel and landing ship tank
7. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter

Air Force
1. Anti-aircraft missile
2. EC-725 Cougar helicopter
3. 24 units of F-16, grant from the United States, to be retrofitted
4. 4 units of C-130H heavy transport aircraft, grant from Australia, to be retrofitted

(The Jakarta Post)

09 Januari 2012

The submarine will be equipped with Klub-S, anti ship/anti submarine missile with max range 300km (photo : pakdef)

According to some unofficial sources from the Russian media, from the beginning of the month 6 / 2011 the Russian side has begun work on two Kilo 636M project class submarines for the Vietnam Navy.

The first will be delivered in 2013. Expected that Russia will hand over to Vietnam annually to a submarine in 2018.

The above information has not been officially confirmed, but according to Mr. Roman Trotsenko, chairman of Admiralty Shipyard, this company is implementing all necessary work to close on time and handed over six submarines for Vietnam orders. "This contract for us not only great value financially, but also has special meaning. We will endeavor to implement 100% of the components of the project ", - Roman Trotsenko statement on the website of the Admiralty Group.

Admiralty has completed the clearance Novoadmiralteysky entire island has an area of ​​16 hectares, construction of schools and facilities for the closure of the Kilo 636M submarines for Vietnam. "We have invested in purchasing new equipment and the best to serve the building of submarines and underwater vehicles at a cost of more than 3 billion rubles," said Roman Trotsenko.

Admiralty Shipyard Group is one of the most prestigious companies in the field of Russian ship with more than 300 years of tradition.

Submarine Project 636 diesel-electric submarine is the third generation and is the modernized version of Project 877 and 877 EKM.

Project 636M (Kilo class) is considered to effectively project combat capability and is one of quiet submarines in the world. It is a combination of optimum target detection range, the inertial navigation, the most advanced information management system, automatically modern weapons with torpedoes, powerful and high speed missiles of at least 4 Club-S missiles, 18 torpedoes and 24 mines.

In addition, the ship also includes shoulder-aircraft missile and weapons of personal combat crew on ships. Submarine Project 636 is designed to destroy submarines and surface ships of the enemy, protect naval bases, ensuring communications, and reconnaissance .

(BaoDatViet)

05 Desember 2012

Type 209 submarine (photo : TKMS)

Indonesia Buying Submarines from S Korea on Technology Transfer Terms

BATAM, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia has signed a contract with a South Korean shipbuilding company on the purchase of three submarines with emphasis on technology transfer in the manufacturing process, Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoedin said.

Under the contract, South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuidling and Marine Engineering (DSME) would build two of the submarines in Korea with the participation of Indonesian personnel in the manufacturing process and the third one in Indonesia in the dockyard of PT PAL in East Java, he said.

"The purpose of the US$ 1.80 billion scheme is also transfer of technology in the building of submarines," Sjafrie said.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Ediwan Prabowo, head of the defense ministry’s defense facilities agency, said the first submarine would be entirely built in South Korea with 30 personnel of PT PAL participating in the project as interns.

The PT PAL people would be assigned to master the designing phase of the submarine building project and participate in preparations to construct the second submarine. Later, Indonesia would send up to 130 shipbuilding personnel to Korea to be involved in the process of making the second submarine.

"Eventually, we hope the third submarine can be wholly built at the dockyard of PT PAL in Indonesia so that local human resources can gain full submarine building competence," he said.

Ediwan said the government expected the first submarine to be completed in 2015, the second in 2016 and the third in 2017. "With the acquisition of the three new submarines, the Indonesian Navy’s combat and deterrent capability will be significantly enhanced."

(Kompas)

02 Januari 2012

Philipinnes will acquire shore-based mobile anti-ship missiles (photo : Mylitaryphotos)

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) has ordered the military to look into the possibility of acquiring anti-ship weapons and beef up its maritime surveillance capability.

In its planning guidance for 2013 to 2018, the DND said maritime security is challenged by traditional concerns like safeguarding the Kalayaan Island Group and non-traditional concerns like terrorism, smuggling, piracy and human and drug trafficking.

DND, however, lamented the military’s maritime surveillance capability is “low” due to the unavailability of platforms and aging equipment.

“The Program 1 Resource Manager shall study the possibility and merits of acquiring a capability for delivering anti-ship weapons up to a range of about 100 miles through shore-based mobile missile batteries in the long term,” DND said, referring to military managers.

“The Program 2 Resource Manager shall gradually develop the capability for long-range maritime air patrol and surveillance,” it added.

Developing the maritime air surveillance would entail acquiring assets for long-range maritime air patrol, accompanying base support systems and other platforms to maintain and sustain deployable and deployed assets.

Military resource managers were also ordered to “gradually develop the capability for air surface and sub-surface surveillance detection and interdiction within maritime domain.”

The DND said such endeavor would require the acquisition of assets for offshore patrol, strategic sea- lift, and accompanying base support systems and platforms.

“Likewise, the development of the National Coast Watch System shall also be given priority,” the DND guidance read.

Last September, President Aquino issued Executive Order 57, which called for the creation of the national coast watch system. The order seeks to expand the country’s naval security operations and to protect its natural resources.

The DND is also planning to acquire a squadron of surface attack aircraft in the next few years to enhance the military’s capability to secure the country’s airspace. DND said enhancing the country’s air assets would address the Philippines’ territorial defense concerns.

The DND also wants to acquire air surveillance radars and to develop the military’s air defense system.

“The Program 2 Resource Manager shall gradually develop the capability of air surveillance and interdiction by reactivating the Philippine Air Defense System and acquiring air surveillance radars and one squadron of surface attack aircraft,” DND said.

A squadron consists of 12 to 24 aircraft units. A surface attack aircraft is capable of interception and maritime patrols.

DND admitted the military’s air defense capability is “insufficient to address territorial defense concerns.” It also admitted the Philippine Air Defense Control Center and other units cannot effectively perform their required duties like air intelligence, aerial patrol and air reconnaissance.

The military, for its part, has re-supplied its forces and deployed fresh troops in Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

Aside from troop deployment which the Palawan-based Western Command (Wescom) described as routine rotation of forces, all naval units in the region, along with the newly acquired Navy frigate, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, have been placed on standby and for any disaster response and other seaborne operations during the holidays.

(PhilStar)

29 Desember 2011

HDW U-216 conventional submarines (all images : Militaryphotos)

U-boats may be on navy's shopping list

Australia's ''future submarine'' could be a super U-boat built by a German company that made many of the submarines that nearly brought Britain to its knees in World War II.

HDW has released details of a concept design, designated the Type 216, for a long-range conventional submarine.

Experts say the design, based on the successful Type 214, is specifically targeted at Sea 1000 - Defence's future submarine program.

Rex Patrick, a former submariner and the director of Acoustic Force, said yesterday the information available indicated Type 216 would meet the requirements spelt out in the 2009 Defence white paper and there was no reason the submarines could not be built in Adelaide.

''I think they [HDW] have been working on the Type 216 for some time with candidates like Australia, India and Canada in mind,'' he said.

Another HDW design, the Type 209, is the basis for three submarines Indonesia is buying from Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering.

The $1billion contract for the three, two of which will be built in South Korea and one in Indonesia, was signed on December 20.

Defence has been considering a number of European submarines, including the HDW 214, the Spanish Navantia S-80 and French DCNS Scorpene, as replacements for the trouble-plagued Collins for some time. It has confirmed ''requests for information'' are to be sent to the three manufacturers.

Defence has also signed a contract with Babcock to research a land-based submarine propulsion test facility and a ''Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan'' is being prepared.

While Defence has acknowledged the European vessels offer proven designs and shorter delivery times than an Australian-designed submarine, the concern is they are too small to meet Australia's broad needs as outlined in the 2009 white paper.

The ''supersized'' HDW Type 216 may change that. It is more than twice the size of the three submarines that have just been commissioned by Indonesia.

Designated the Type 1400, the Indonesian boats will still be very capable. The first is expected to be in use by 2015 with the second scheduled for delivery in 2018.

There is grave concern delays in the Government's decision making process means there is no longer sufficient time to design and build an ''evolved'' Collins class boat by the 2025 deadline.

Former ASC chief executive officer, Greg Tunney, is on the record as having said ''serious concept work and definition studies'' should have begun in 2010.

HDW's Type 216 concept, the subject of a special report in the current edition of Jane's International Defence Review, overcomes the shortcomings of small European submarines and would take less time - and money - to build than a ''son of Collins'' analysts claim. At almost 4000t, 89m long and with an extendable minimum range of 10,400 nautical miles (19,240km), it outclasses the existing Collins in every way.

The evolved 216 would come with air-independent propulsion giving it a nuclear submarine-like ability to linger underwater in choke points such as the Straits of Malacca for weeks on end. It would have the ability to launch cruise missiles, carry a ''swimmer delivery vehicle'' for special operations and be extremely quiet thanks to propulsion design parameters and an outer shell that absorbs sound.

(Canberra Times)

28 Desember 2011

Airborne Low Frequency Sonar for MH-60R ASW helicopters (photo : Raytheon)

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I. is being awarded an $80,830,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-11-C-0077) to provide for the procurement of 25 MH-60R AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems for the Royal Australian Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Work will be performed in Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France (68 percent), and Portsmouth, R.I. (32 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

(US DoD)

27 Desember 2011

An EC225 helicopter lands Sunday morning at Vung Tau Airport in the southern province of Ba Rai-Vung Tau. (all photos : Tuoi Tre)

The Vietnamese Navy received Sunday morning two EC225 helicopters, made by French helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, in a ceremony at Vung Tau Airport in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The EC225 is a long-range passenger transport aircraft with an integrated display system and a digital four-axis autopilot.

Commander of the Vietnamese Navy Admiral Nguyen Van Hien (2nd right) and other delegates at Sunday morning's ceremony to receive two EC225 helicopters at Vung Tau Airport in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The chopper, which is designed for offshore patrol and search and rescue missions, can fly at up to 260 kilometers per hour and reach a flying range of 900 km.

It has seating arrangements for 19 passengers, with an 11-tonne loaded weight.

Inside the cockpit of the EC225

Commander of the Vietnamese Navy Admiral Nguyen Van Hien and Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnamese People’s Army Lieutenant General Tran Quang Khue attended this morning’s event, together with many other high-ranking officers of the country’s navy and air force.

An exhibition flight carrying the delegates was conducted shortly after the ceremony.

One of the two EC225 helicopters flies over Vung Tau sky this morning in an exhibition flight.

The Navy also announced a decision to form an EC225 helicopter squadron on this occasion.

Above are four photos taken by Tuoi Tre reporters Sunday morning.

(Tuoitrenews)

23 Desember 2011

UAV launch from the submarine (image : Raytheon)

US Navy Subs to Deploy Switchblade UAV

The US Navy plans to launch AeroVironment's Switchblade small, expendable unmanned aircraft from a submerged submarine during the RIMPAC 2012 naval exercise in the Pacific.

A contract has been awarded to Raytheon, which has developed the submerged launch vehicle (SLV) that allows the UAV to be deployed via the submarine's trash disposal unit when the boat is at periscope depth. The SLV gets the UAV to the surface dry and then ejects it into flight.

The contract for five sets of SLV and UAV is a continuation of the Submarine Over-The-Horizon Organic Capabilities (SOTHOC) program, under which Raytheon in 2008 demonstrated the "over-the-side" deployment of the SLV and UAV from a surface ship.

In the SOTHOC concept, the SLV and electric-powered UAV are stored on board as an all-up round. Ejected from the submerged submarine's trash disposal unit, the SLV is weighted to descend to a safe distance from the boat, then shed the weight and inflate a float collar.

Switchblade small and expendable UAV (photo : AeroVironment)

The collar is pulsed to control the rate of ascent. As it approaches the surface, the SLV deploys a water drogue to provide stabilization and a vane to align it into the wind. The tube then pivots to a 35-degree angle and ejects the folding-wing UAV.

According to a "justifaction and approval" on fbo.gov for award of the sole-source contract to Raytheon to support RIMPAC 2012, the company has been working on SOTHOC since 2007 and deployed the Switchblade from a submerged submarine at periscope depth for the first time under a FY2008 follow-on contract.

Under an FY2010 contract, the J&A says, Raytheon upgraded the Switchblade for the SOTHOC concept, conducted land-based testing and supplied five SLVs and seven UAVs for a tactical development exercise. The latest award is being made under the same IDIQ umbrella contract.

(Aviation Week)

21 Desember 2011

HMAS Choules amphibious landing ship (photo : Aus DoD)

Navy's Capability Boosted with New Ship Arrival

The Royal Australian Navy’s newest ship HMASChoules has arrived at its homeport at Fleet Base East in Sydney after being formally commissioned into service in Fremantle on 13 December 2011.

Commander of Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore AM, CSC, RAN welcomed the ship and her crew of 158 and said she would make an exciting addition to the Navy.

“It was terrific to see her sail through Sydney Harbour flying the White Ensign for the first time,” Rear Admiral Gilmore said.

HMAS Choules has been named after the longest surviving World War One veteran, Claude Choules who passed away in April this year at age 110.

“The crew has already given the ship a strong sense of character through the hard work that has been undertaken in the lead up to HMAS Choules’ commissioning,” Rear Admiral Gilmore said.

The acquisition of this ship will help ensure that the Royal Australian Navy has the amphibious capability it needs for operations and humanitarian support in our region in the period leading up to the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock ships in 2014 and 2015.

With a cargo capacity the equivalent of HMA Ships Manoora, Kanimbla and Tobruk combined, HMASChoules is a proven capability having provided humanitarian relief when she was under Royal Navy command as RFA Largs Bay, assisting as part of the international response to the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

The 176 metre long vessel has a crew of 158 Officers and sailors, and can accommodate two large helicopters such as Sea Hawks and Black Hawks, 150 light trucks and 350 troops. HMAS Choules also carries two mexeflotes, which are landing raft, designed to move goods and vehicles between the ship and the shore.

The Royal Australian Navy now has the following amphibious capability if required to provide humanitarian and disaster relief during the current cyclone season:

• HMAS Choules;
• HMAS Tobruk;
• Windermere – leased from P&O until 31 January 2012, with the option to extend to the end of February 2012;
• HMNZS Canterbury – under Australia’s agreement with New Zealand it would be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused Ready Response Force, subject to any operational requirements in New Zealand.

(RAN)

17 Desember 2011

Type 209 submarines (photo : pakdef)

A partnership consisting of Turkey’s procurement office, German shipyard HDW and a smaller Turkish shipyard is expected to submit a joint bid next week to build two 209-class submarines for Indonesia’s Navy, a senior official said yesterday.

“Just a few formalities need to be completed with the German side and then our joint bid will be submitted,” the senior Turkish procurement official told the Hürriyet Daily News. “Our bid is good and we will wait for Indonesia’s decision.”

The bid, which is worth $1 billion, will be competing against South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, which has offered to build three 209 submarines worth $1.2 billion. One major problem for the Korean side, however, is that Daewoo is trying to sell submarines whose license belongs to HDW (Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft), which has teamed up with the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, Turkey’s procurement agency. Daewoo has the capability to produce the 209s, but it is not clear if it may do so without HDW’s license, according to analysts.

Led by Deputy Defense Minister Kemal Yardımcı, a senior Turkish defense team visited Indonesia for talks late last week and early this week. Those talks coincided with Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç’s visit to the Indonesian island of Bali.

Yardımcı and his aides had extensive defense industry talks with Indonesian authorities, the procurement official said.

“Even a road map has emerged about future defense industry cooperation between our countries,” he said. “In addition to the submarine matter, we discussed major projects that could include our [military electronics conglomerate] Aselsan, our [rocket manufacturer] Roketsan and our armored vehicle manufacturers.”

French and Russian offers fell out of the running early in the submarine tender opened last year by the Indonesian Navy, and South Korea’s Daewoo emerged as the leading candidate. Daewoo was expected to bid together with Germany’s HDW, but later decided to join the competition on its own.

HDW is also co-manufacturing with Turkey six modern U 214-type diesel submarines for the Turkish Navy. Earlier with HDW, Turkey built 14 U-209 submarines, which Indonesia now wants to buy.

(Hurriyet)

17 Desember 2011

Malaysia memesan 6 fregat Gowind - Littoral Combat Ship yang akan diserahkan dalam 3 tahapan pembangunan lima-tahunan Malaysia : RMK-10, RMK-11, dan RMK-12 (image : DCNS)

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- Unit kepada Boustead Holdings Bhd, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd telah diberikan kontrak bernilai RM9 bilion oleh Kementerian Pertahanan.

Kontrak itu ialah untuk penghantaran enam unit generasi kedua "Patrol Vessels Littoral Combat Ships" (Frigate Class) kepada kementerian, kata syarikat dalam kenyataan kepada Bursa Malaysia Jumaat.

Niaga janji itu meliputi reka bentuk, pembinaan, peralatan, pemasangan, pelaksanaan, integrasi dan pengujian ke atas keenam-enam kapal itu, katanya.

"Kontrak itu bernilai RM9 bilion, akan dilaksanakan dalam tempoh tiga Rancangan Malaysia, 10, 11 dan 12," katanya.

Penghantaran pertama dijangka pada 2017 dan disusuli oleh yang lain setiap enam bulan selepasnya.

(Bernama)

16 December 2011

RAN's Sea King helicopters (photo : Aus DoD)

The Royal Australian Navy’s Sea King helicopters and 817 Squadron have made their final flight as part of a decommissioning ceremony held at HMAS Albatross in Nowra today.

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, were on hand to welcome the final flight and thank the 817 Squadron who operated the helicopters.

“Australia’s Sea Kings are being retired after a remarkable 35 years serving in times of conflict, peacekeeping, natural disaster, search and rescue and national celebration,” Mr Snowdon said.
“In particular I’d like to thank the men and women of the 817 Squadron past and present, who have served with distinction over the past 48 years.”

“They have lived up to their motto ‘Aude Facere’ – ‘Dare To Do’, and have always served Australia with professionalism and skill.”

“They were there for the 1994 bushfires, the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the 2001 North NSW floods and just this year in the South East Queensland flood relief.”

“I also pay tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving in 817 Squadron, their service and sacrifice must never be forgotten,” he said.

The Australian Government announced in June, that Sea King shark 07 would be included in the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra, to preserve the Sea Kings’ heritage for future generations.

Commander Paul Moggach, the 817 Squadron’s Commanding Officer, led a formation leaving from the Naval Air Station at HMAS Albatross yesterday.

The formation made a flying visit up the NSW coast, arriving over Sydney for a flight up Sydney Harbour, followed by a flyover the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs described today’s ceremony as a fitting end to a remarkable career for both the personnel of 817 Squadron and the Sea King Helicopters.

“The Sea Kings are commonly known as the Mack trucks of the skies. All who have maintained and operated them feel honoured to have done so,” Vice Admiral Griggs said.

“After 35 years, it is time to look to the future with a new generation of aircraft.

“The personnel of 817 Squadron are first rate members of the Navy.

“They’ll now apply their experience, commitment and expertise in other roles throughout the Navy and ADF Aviation, and I wish them well in their new roles,” said Vice Admiral Griggs.

(Aus DoD)

14 Desember 2011

USCGS Dallas WHEC 716 (photo : USCG)

PH Navy getting another refurbished US Coast Guard vessel

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy expects to receive another refurbished US Coast Guard cutter, its second, early next year, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Tuesday.

"I was told it (cutter) will come early next year. Sigurado na â˜yun (Thatâs for sure)," Gazmin said.

The first Hamilton class cutter, renamed the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, will be commissioned on Wednesday by President Benigno Aquino III.

Gazmin described the acquisition of the Hamilton class cutter as a "hot transfer," with the Philippines to shoulder only the refurbishing of the vessel.

However, no price has been set and Gazmin said the cost of the ship will depend on its condition.

During Monday's turnover at Camp Aguinaldo for the new Armed Forces chief, President Benigno Aquino III vowed to further boost the military's capabilities both for external and internal defense.

(Interaksyon)

See Also :

DND eyes 3 more Hamilton-class ships
14 Desember 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The government is planning to acquire as much as three Hamilton-class ships to beef up the Navy’s maritime defense capabilities, officials said yesterday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said they are trying to acquire two more cutters after they received the BRP Gregorio del Pilar from the US Coast Guard early this year. The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is the Philippines’ first Hamilton-class cutter – a high speed vessel that can cut through waves – and is now its largest ship, at 380 feet long.

“We are trying to acquire three,” he said referring to the Hamilton-class cutters.

This was confirmed by Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, who revealed that two more Hamilton-class ships may be acquired from the US next year.

“The plan really is to acquire three ships,” Tonsay said in an interview.

“One may be acquired early next year. The other one (would be acquired) hopefully later next year,” he added.

Tonsay said the two ships would secure the energy projects in Malampaya off Palawan. The funding for the acquisition of the cutters would come from the Department of Energy.

“It will expand the area of sovereignty patrol conducted by the Philippine Fleet,” he said.

Tonsay said they have yet to determine the acquisition costs for the two ships. He, however, said the cost for each ship would not be far from that of BRP Gregorio del Pilar, whose transfer cost was pegged at P450 million.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be commissioned today to pave the way for its deployment to the West Philippine Sea to secure the country’s energy projects. It was acquired under the US Foreign Military Sales program using proceeds from the Malampaya project funds.

During a visit to Manila last month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton assured the Philippines that the US would provide a second war ship to the military.

The ship, named US Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, may be transferred to the Philippines by the first or second quarter of 2012. The military has sent a Navy team to the US to determine the requirements for the acquisition of the second ship.

The US Coast Guard Cutter Dallas is a weather high-endurance cutter and has features similar to that of BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

(PhilStar)

09 Desember 2011

Seafox Minehunting Drone (photo : Atlas elektronik)

Thailand Becomes the Tenth Seafox Customer

BREMEN, Germany --- Atlas Elektronik has won a new customer for SeaFox: With the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), yet another navy has decided to upgrade its minehunting capabilities with the Atlas mine neutralization drone. A respective agreement was signed recently.

Atlas will supply three mobile SeaFox systems with the corresponding number of SeaFox I units for inspection and training purposes and an initially small number of SeaFox C combat units for mine disposal. Further SeaFox C units are to follow over the next few years. The mobile SeaFox system is a completely autonomous system that allows the deployment of SeaFox vehicles with no dependence on shipboard facilities or equipment. This permits deployment of the SeaFox vehicles from various types of ships at any time, without the need to convert the vessels in any way.

The Royal Thai Navy currently operates four mine countermeasures vessels, all of which are equipped with mine warfare systems made by Atlas. The vessels to be modernized belong to two different ship classes. As the first step, the boats will be fitted with SeaFox units in the form of a mobile SeaFox system.

RTN’s decision in favour of SeaFox improves the position of Atlas for the upcoming modernization of the mine warfare systems on the four minehunters.

In total, ten navies have now decided to operate the SeaFox, making it the most successful mine disposal system in the world.

Atlas Elektronik Seafox system (photo : Naval Technology)

This fibre-optic guided, one-shot mine disposal vehicle SeaFox C is used for semi-autonomous disposal of naval mines and other ordnance found at sea. It is able to automatically relocate previously acquired positions of underwater objects within minutes with the integrated homing sonar. After relocating, these objects can be identified using the onboard CCTV camera and destroyed by the use of a built-in, large caliber shaped charge.

SeaFox I is a reusable vehicle for identification and training in the application field of mine hunting. In this vehicle the SeaFox C warhead is replaced by ballast weight. It is deployable from a wide range of carrier platforms, including dedicated MCM vessels, surface combatants, craft of opportunity, rubber boats and helicopters.

The Atlas Elektronik Group stands for maritime and naval solutions above and below the ocean surface. The company holds a leading position in all fields of maritime high technology, from command & control systems including radio & communication systems for submarines, surface combatants and mine warfare systems and ranging to heavyweight torpedoes, coastal surveillance systems and in-service support. Atlas has established a worldwide customer portfolio. The electronics specialist is a joint company of ThyssenKrupp and EADS and has a workforce of 1900 highly skilled employees.

(Atlas Elektronk/Defense Unmanned)

07 Desember 2011

A model of the Boustead Gowind Frigate displayed at Lima 2011. (photo : Malaysian Defence)

A Malaysian government-linked shipbuilder said Wednesday it expects to finalise the sale of six naval vessels developed by French navy equipment manufacturer DCNS next month.

Boustead Naval Shipyard was selected by the Malaysian navy earlier this year to build the six corvettes, which are designed for coastal patrol activities.

Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Boustead's assistant general manager, said the two companies would present final design specifications to the navy this month.

"Our expectation is to get it (the deal) signed in January," Zainal said at a maritime and aerospace show on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi.

The vessels weigh 2,400 tonnes, are 100 metres (330 feet) long and can each transport one EC275 helicopter made by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS.

Zainal said Malaysia's navy had yet to choose how to arm the vessels.

The design is still under wraps and the size of the deal has not been disclosed.

However, industry analysts say the cost of one corvette runs to more than 100 million euros.

In landing the order, state-controlled DCNS beat out bids by Germany's TKMS and Dutch firm Damen.

DCNS already had a relationship with Boustead through a joint venture in 2009 to maintain two Diesel-propelled Scorpene submarines used by the Malaysian navy.

The corvettes, which can stay at sea for three weeks, are designed to navigate coastal areas and island groups to fight piracy and patrol fisheries, according to DCNS.

DCNS has sold 11 frigates to Malaysia's neighbour Singapore, five of which were built in the city-state.

(MSN News)

07 Desember 2011

Gepard 3.9 Vietnam People Navy (PetroTimes)

Russia will sell to Vietnam two frigates "Gepard"

INTERFAX.RU - "Rosoboronexport" and Gorky Zelenodolsk plant successfully completed a contract to supply two ships to Vietnam "Gepard" and signed another contract for two such ships.

"The contract is made on time. In the Vietnamese side were no comments. The first "Gepard" was raised last year, the second - in this. We signed a contract for a second pair of these ships," - said to "Interfax-AVN" on Wednesday, Deputy Director for state defense order and Foreign Economic Affairs of Zelenodolsk plant Gorky, Sergei Rudenko.

He noted that if the first two frigates such as "Gepard" missile guided frigates ships, then the latter will be more ships with ASW-role. According to Rudenko, other countries in Southeast Asia interest in these ships exhibit.

"Yesterday, here at the show we had a meeting with Defense Minister of Cambodia. They asked a couple of ships," - said Rudenko.

(Interfax)