07 Desember 2011

Soldiers from SAF and RBLF during Exercise Maju Bersama (photo : Cyberpioneer)

BERAKAS GARRISON – Bilateral exercise namely "Exercise MAJU BERSAMA 2011" between Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has been launched successfully this morning at the First Battalion RBLF Parade Square, in Berakas Garrison. This year’s exercise was conducted by the First Batalion RBLF as the exercise is organized in every two years.

Officiating the opening ceremony was the Guest of Honour, Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Yussof bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Commander of RBLF. Also attending the ceremony was representative from SAF, Brigadier General Lim Hock Yu, Commander of TRADOC.

The aims of the exercise are to strengthen diplomatic ties and mutual understanding between the RBLF and SAF. Also to enhance cooperation and understanding on doctrine and operational procedures between the two countries. This exercise is expected to be completed until 14 December 2011.

(Brunei Mindef)

16 November 2011

S-70i is an export version of Blackhawk helicopter (photo : PZL)

BOLKIAH GARRISON - The Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam is pleased to announce the contract award for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Support Helicopter Project to Sikorsky International Operations, Inc, United States of America.

The project is for the supply of twelve (12) BLACKHAWK S-70i helicopters to replace the current fleet of Bell 212 and BO105 helicopters and to enhance the Royal Brunei Air Force’s rotary wing capacity to meet the requirement for a single wave tactical air lift as identified in the Defence White Paper Update 2007.

The delivery of these advanced new aircrafts will also allow the RBAF to further strengthen its troop deployment capabilities in military and humanitarian operations to fulfil its national and international obligation.

In February 2011, MINDEF’s Centre of Science and Technology, Research and Development (CSTRAD) issued the Invitation to Tender for the project to four reputable vendors. Each vendor was requested to propose an innovative helicopter replacement solution suitable to meet the RBAF’s needs. In July 2011, MINDEF down-selected Sikorsky International Operations, Inc. and Eurocopter SAS following a thorough assessment of the vendors’ proposals.

The helicopters are expected to be delivered in Brunei Darussalam between 2013 to 2015.

(Brunei Mindef)

14 November 2011

SFR personnel conducting Room Clearance Procedure (photo : Brunei Mindef)

The Special Forces Regiment, Royal Brunei Armed Forces recently carried out a bilateral exercise, KILAT SAKTI 2011, with the Indonesian elite Special Forces Unit, Komando Pasukan Khusus (KOPASSUS) held in Indonesia.

A series of joint special operations training was conducted by both units which concentrated mainly on special operations tactics on Jungle and Guerilla Warfare. During the exercise, the Special Forces Regiment and KOPASSUS personnel also had the opportunity to share their skills, knowledge and exchange opinions and ideas on special operation tactics, techniques and procedures. A culmination exercise was conducted at an undisclosed location which involves a static and freefall insertion by troopers from both units and followed by a hostage rescue operation that was focused on a guerilla warfare situation.

To further increase the close relationship by both units, the Commanding Officer of the Special Forces Regiment, Colonel Dato Paduka Haji Harith bin Haji Abdul Karim had the opportunity to conduct a “Friendship Parachute Jump” with personnel from both units and was presented the Military Freefall Parachute Wing by the Commandant General of KOPASSUS, Major General TNI Wisnu Bawatenaya. The next exercise series will be held next year in Brunei Darussalam and will be hosted by the Special Forces Regiment.

(Brunei Mindef)

12 November 2011

KDB MUSTAED, a new Fast Interceptor Boat (FIB25-012) for Royal Brunei Navy (all photos : Mindef Brunei)

The Acceptance Ceremony and Flag Raising of the Fast Interceptor Boat (FIB-25)

REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE, - The Royal Brunei Armed Forces reached another significant milestone with the official acceptance of a Fast Interceptor Boat (FIB25-012), named KDB MUSTAED.

On 26th March 2010, the Government of His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, represented by the Ministry of Defence, Negara Brunei Darussalam signed an agreement with Luerssen Asia Pte.Ltd., whereby Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Defence will be supplied with one (1) unit of Fast Interceptor Boat Type FIB25-012. The start of Steel Cutting for KDB MUSTAED was initiated on 23rd December 2010 and the Launching Ceremony of the boat was inaugurated on 29th September 2011.

The acceptance of KDB MUSTAED by the Ministry of Defence, Negara Brunei Darussalam was held today, where the handing over and flag raising ceremony took place at Marinteknik Shipyard in Tuas, Republic of Singapore.

Accepting on behalf of the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was Dayang Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) of the Ministry of Defence.

The boat has successfully carried out its Harbour and Sea Acceptance Trials and the crews are at their final stage of training before KDB MUSTAED is scheduled to begin her voyage back and expected to arrive in Brunei Darussalam later this month. The boat will be fully manned by officers and men of the Royal Brunei Navy.

(Mindef Brunei)

17 Oktober 2011

SFR and 1 Commando Regt Personnel Conducting a Static Line Parachute Water Descend Jump Off Muara Beach (photo : Brunei MoD)

MUARA, - The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Special Forces Regiment has recently conducted a bilateral exercise with their counterparts from the 1st Commando Regiment, Australian Defence Force called the EXERCISE NIGHT LEOPARD 2011.

A series of joint special operations training was conducted by both regiments since they earlier this month. The exercise started with a jungle operation at one of SFR training areas in Temburong followed by an amphibious operation held at an off-shore oil rig. Following this, troopers from both regiment also participated in a combined water descend static line parachute jump in Muara Beach. The climax for the bilateral training was a culmination special operation exercise at an island off Brunei Bay.

This exercise has also given the opportunity for the Special Force Regiment to exchange valuable operational knowledge with the 1st Commando Regiment. Through this joint exercise, the Special Force regiment and 1st Commando Regiment have demonstrated high levels of professionalism and will continue to strengthen by carrying out more engagements in the future. The warm relationship has been enjoyed by both regiment dating back from 1998 and the next bilateral exercise will be conducted next year in Australia.

(Brunei MoD)

08 Oktober 2011

MalBru Setia 2011 was held in Miri, Serawak (photo : Brunei MoD)

Bandar Seri Begawan - Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) and Royal Malay Regiment military exercise dubbed MalBru Setia 2010/2011 which was held in Miri, Sarawak, since September 27 has achieved its objective in upgrading the skills, knowledge and professionalism of army personnel between the two forces and most importantly it has strengthened relationship between them.

MalBru Setia exercise had recently concluded with an official closing ceremony by the Deputy Chief of Malaysian Army, Lieutenant General Dato' Seri Panglima Ahmad Hasbullah bin Haji Mohd Nawawi, held at the enemy defence area of Kampong Sungai Nyalau, Bintulu, Sarawak.
Twenty-six officers and 437 other rank personnel comprising 134 personnel from Royal Brunei Land Force and 329 personnel from Royal Malay Regiment based in Miri took part in this exercise.
MalBru/BruMal Setia is a training exercise conducted alt a battalion-level every two years. It is held alternately between the two countries.

This year is the 10th series of the exercise.

The first exercise was conducted in 1993 in Miri, Sarawak. The next training exercise will be held in Brunei Darussalam in 2013.

(BruDirect)

12 Agustus 2011

KDB Darulaman 08 (photo : Helwin Scharn)

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Brunei Armed Forces recorded another significant milestone in its 50th anniversary yesterday with the official acceptance of the third and final Darussalam-class Patrol Vessel, which bears the name KBD Darulaman, in Germany.

Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mustappa bin Hj Sirat, the Deputy Minister of Defence, told the Bulletin, "Basically with these three new ships we are fulfilling the capability requirements for the RBAF, as our main priority will always be to protect our territorial integrity first and foremost."

In response to a question on the future roles for the Royal Brunei Navy, particularly on its ability to contribute to anti-piracy patrols in the region, the deputy minister replied: "The Darussalam-class patrol vessels will allow better flexibility for the armed forces to also address other security issues, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue and even to the extent, if there is a requirement for us to play a greater role, such as that, with the improved and increased capability that we have now with these new ships, we can now consider such a request in the future."

But he carefully pointed out that this was "a consideration at the regional level", and that by comparison to the previous fleet of ageing Waspada-class missile gunboats and Perwiraclass coastal patrol crafts, the Darussalam-class patrol vessels would "definitely afford us greater flexibility, as their range and size and capabilities are much better now".

Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa went on to emphasise though that the RBAF's main priority would always remain the "protection of our maritime sovereignty, our maritime demarcation, as well as protecting our maritime assets, such as against illegal fishing".

Darulaman is a #3 of Darussalam class OPV (photo : Martin Groothuis)



Bearing the pennant number '08', KDB Darulaman is the last of the Darussalam-class patrol vessels that was commissioned, together with its two sister ships KDB Darussalam and KBD Darulehsan, to the world-renowned German shipbuilder, Luerssen Werft Shipyard by His Majesty's Government way back on June 26, 2009, which was when the steel cutting and keel laying were first initiated for the KDB Darulaman. Meanwhile, its official launching took place on November 12, 2010, when it was first announced through a Ministry of Defence press release of the RBAF's official acceptance of the first two Darussalam-class patrol vessels.

In the press release issued yesterday by the ministry, the latest state-of-the-art warship for the Royal Brunei Navy was "accepted on behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat", with the official acceptance, handing over and flag raising ceremony for the KDB Darulaman with the white flag and ensign of the Royal Brunei Navy at the Luerssen Werft Shipyard in Germany.

The ships' officers and crew are at the final stage of their training, according to the press statement, after it had successfully carried out its Harbour and Sea Acceptance Trials.

The KDB Darulaman is expected to start its maiden voyage back to Brunei Darussalam in October and is expected to arrive home in December this year. As with its other two sister ships, the KDB Darulaman is fully manned by a full crew from the Royal Brunei Navy.

Just like its two other sister ships, KDB Darulaman is the third in the Royal Brunei Navy fleet of Darussalamclass Patrol Vessels, which is the first of its class and kind for the world-renowned German shipbuilder and the Royal Brunei Navy.

The ship has 80 m in length and equipped with 57mm main gun and MM40 anti-ship-missile (photo : Martin Groothuis)

Measuring 80 metres in length and 13 metres wide, the Darulaman is diesel powered and was designed and built for an endurance of 21-days patrolling at sea.

The ship is also equipped with the battle-proven Exocet MM40 anti-ship missile and a Bofors 57mm main gun for air-defence and surface action.

With the arrival of the KDB Darulaman back to the Sultanate's shores, it will herald the manifestation of "the commitment of His Majesty's Government in further enhancing the Royal Brunei Armed Forces capability to defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity", as stated in the ministry's 2004 Defence White Paper and subsequent Defence Update of 2007.

With the full fleet of three 80-metre Darussalam-class patrol vessels and four 41-metre Ijtihad Fast Patrol Boats, it will raise the standard further for the Royal Brunei Navy's capabilities in maintaining and defending the maritime sovereignty and territorial integrity of Brunei Darussalam, as well as support the RBAF's efforts in keeping the peace and stability in the region, at a time of increasingly complex security challenges in the form of piracy, natural disasters and fisheries and resource protection.

With a brand new fleet, the older Waspada-class missile gunboats have already been handed over to the Indonesian Navy, as a measure of goodwill in the country's first security pillar of defence diplomacy, whilst the rest of the smaller and similarly ageing Perwira-class coastal patrol crafts will also be "replaced in stages".

(BruDirect)

23 Juli 2011

Blackhawk helicopter of the RBAF (photo : Troll-Timawa)

Brunei has shortlisted the Eurocopter EC725 and Sikorksy S-70i Black Hawk for its support helicopter programme.

The defence ministry said two other candidates have been eliminated from the competition - the AgustaWestland AW139 and Bell 412.

"The support helicopter project seeks vendors to propose a solution for the Royal Brunei Air Force based on their helicopter products to meet certain capabilities and mission profiles as required," the defence ministry said.

"As such, the number of aircraft to be procured is undetermined at this stage, as it will be dependent on which helicopter vendor is awarded the contract."

EC-725 Helicopter (photo : Latinaero)

A deal is expected to be signed by the end of 2011, with first deliveries in early 2014. The defence ministry said the helicopter selected will replace the air force's Bell 212s and MBB BO105s.

"With new helicopters, the Royal Brunei Air Force will be able to increase the transport capacity of the military to deploy troops both domestically and regionally," the ministry said.

(FlightGlobal)

13 Juli 2011

RSS Stalwart (photo : Keypublishing)

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) conducted the bilateral Exercise Pelican from July 10-13 in Brunei waters.

The RSN participated with a Formidable-class stealth frigate (RSS Stalwart), while the RBN joined the exercise with a new Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel (KDB 07 Darulehsan) and two Itjihad-class corvettes (KDB 19 Syafaat and KDB 17 Itjihad).

Brunei took delivery of three new German-built Lurssen Werft Darussalam-class vessels this year. Each are armed with a Bofors 57mm in the 'A' position along with four Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles.

Brunei also took delivery of four Lurssen Werft-built Itjihad-class corvettes in 2010. They are armed with a single Rheinmetall MLG 27 Gun in the 'A' position.

KDB Darulehsan (photo : Helwin Scharn)

The RSN's anti-terrorist Accompanying Sea Security Team (ASSeT), responsible for safeguarding chemical and gas tankers, also took part in the exercise and conducted joint boarding training with personnel from RBN.

ASSeT members are trained in close quarter combat and Hapkido, a Korean marital art. In addition, both navies carried out joint discussions on naval helicopter operations and warfare tactics.

Hosted by Brunei, Exercise Pelican 2011 is the 31st in this series of bilateral exercises held since 1979. The exercise underscores the close defense ties between RSN and RBN.

The two navies also engage in a wide range of bilateral exercises and professional exchanges, which have enhanced the professionalism and strengthened ties between them.

Brunei just concluded its third Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) from July 6-9. Organized by the Royal Brunei Technical Services, BRIDEX 2011 showcased the latest regional and international defense technologies and equipment in land, sea, air and security systems.

(DefenseNews)

10 Juli 2011

Luna UAV (all photos : Drei Söhne Technologies)

German company Drei Söhne Technologies (DST) yesterday appointed Sri Sentosa Sdn Bhd, a local company, to market its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipment in the Sultanate.

DST supplies a number of small surveillance aircrafts that ranges from 1.5kg to 40kg in weight and can travel at speeds of 40km/h to 70km/h. The company's customer base includes various defence ministries from around the world.

The company's products include the Luna (photo above, right), Aladin, Fancopter and Museco.

DST's partnership with the local company was fuelled by the mission of Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Defence to obtain state-of-the-art equipment and to expand its equipment portfolio.

Through the collaboration of the two companies, the transition of going high-tech would be made much easier for the Brunei Government. Other departments will also be able to utilise the UAV equipment to combat various forms of threats including illegal logging and border patrol.

(Borneo Bulletin)

09 Juli 2011

ACV present at the second Bridex expo (photo : trmilitary)

TURKEY is among the countries bidding to supply land-based combat vehicles to Brunei, as a "fullymechanised battalion" has been envisioned by the Defence White Paper 2011 for the Royal Brunei Land Force's (RBLF) capabilities for domestic and international humanitarian efforts.

The Defence White Paper (DWP) said that the land force's capacity was "limited due to the extended operational life of its major combat assets".

"To improve its flexibility across the spectrum of conflict, including options for contributing to peace and stability operations, and the ability to protect national assets and infrastructure, the land force is to be progressively hardened and its ability to deliver precision firepower upgraded," the 45-page document launched on Wednesday said.

Given the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' resolve to increase its commitment to peacekeeping missions like in Mindanao and Lebanon, the army was looking for solutions that will further protect its soldiers deployed in these increasingly "complex and dangerous environments".

"Introducing an upgraded armoured personnel carrier capability at company level with the ability to protect personnel against the range of threats, including improvised explosive devices, currently being experienced in peace operations will enhance the nation's ability to contribute to those collective tasks."

"It will also provide the nucleus for developing the skills and doctrine for the planned mechanisation of one of the battalions.

"More "potent" short-to-medium range direct firepower at unit and squadron levels were also planned for the RBLF.

"To support system commonality, variants of the mobility armoured personnel carrier will be considered to replace the existing light tank," the DWP said.

Industry observers said the RBLF was looking at a mechanised battalion by as early as 2014.

Turkish weapons manufacturer FNSS Savunma Sistemieri AS is among the companies interested in securing a procurement deal with the Brunei military.

FNSS International Sales Manager Melih Kayaalptold The Brunei Times yesterday at the company's BRIDEX 2011 booth that they were offering an amphibious light carrier, the Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV).

The "basic version" of the tank was five wheeled and weighed in at 13 to 15 tonnes, while a larger stretch version can weigh as much as 18 tonnes, still allowing the vehicle to float and "swim" across the surface of bodies of water.

The ACV, which has been procured by countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines, has also been used in humanitarian missions in Bosnia and Turkey.

"At some point, I remember in Turkey there was some kind of flooding and our army also used it to rescue the people because it can swim (and) it can go (through) difficult terrain," Kayaalp said.

The ACV has also been demonstrated "on trials" in Brunei, the FNSS sales manager said, adding that the tank was suitable for the climate in the region as "the Malaysians are (also) using it, similar climate, no problem".

Another FNSS product is the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), which incorporate fold-out platforms that can ferry a 150-metre bridge. FNSS has designed and developed 52 of these AAVs for the Turkish army.

(The Brunei Times)

09 Juli 2011

Renault Trucks Defense booth at International Defence Exhibition BRIDEX 2011

(photo : Army Recognition)

Renault Trucks Defense presents for the first time in Asia its new generation of wheeled armoured vehicles personnel carrier, the VAB Mark II and the Sherpa APC. The army of Brunei uses at this time first generation of wheeled armoured vehicles VAB which was manufactured by the French Company Renault Trucks Defense.

Within the framework of a project of modernization of its army, Brunei could buy a new wheeled armoured vehicle meeting the new threats of the battlefield and the needs for the future.The VAB Mark 2 is a modernized version of its wheeled armoured vehicle personnel carrier VAB. With its first-generation armored vehicle VAB (Vehicle de l’Avant Blindé), Renault Trucks has demonstrated the reliability and capabilities of this type of military vehicle, with more than 5,000 units used in the French army in over 30 versions, and several thousand copies in operations in many armed forces worldwide. To meet the new needs of the armed forces, as well as new threats of the battlefield, Renault Trucks Defense has started about two years ago a study phase for upgrading and improving its standard vehicle VAB.

Renault Trucks Defense VAB Mark II during a dynamic presentation at BRIDEX 2011, Brunei. (photo : Army Recognition)

The second armored vehicle presented by Renault Trucks Defense at the BRIDEX 2011 is the Sherpa Light Scout. The Sherpa Light Scout (former Sherpa 2) is one of the six versions of the SHERPA LIGHT family of 4x4 tactical and light armoured vehicles developed by Renault Trucks Defense. Available in unarmoured or armoured variants (balistic, mine and IED kits), the Scout is ideally suited for tactical missions such as scouting, patrol, convoy escort and command and liaison. It is able to transport up to 4 or 5 soldiers or a total payload of up to 4 tonnes.

Renault Trucks Defense Sherpa Light Scout during a dynamic presentation at BRIDEX 2011, Brunei. (photo : Army Recognition)

With its Renault MD-5 diesel engine developing 215 hp and one of the highest ground clearance of the market, the Sherpa Light Scout is a high mobility vehicle able to cross any obstacle including gradients of up to 100%.

The Sherpa is in service in undisclosed NATO countries and Indonesia.

(Army Recognition)

09 Juli 2011

VAB of Brunei army equipped Selex Galileo RWS Remotely-operated Weapon Station at BRIDEX (photo : Army Recognition)

At the International Defence Exhibition BRIDEX 2011 in Brunei Darussalam, SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, will be demonstrating its latest battlefield technologies that serve to improve the situational awareness and protection of soldiers in vehicles and on the ground.

SELEX Galileo has a track record of working with Brunei, having already sold infrared sensors for the Royal Brunei Air Force’s Mistral missiles and, in conjunction with FNSS of Turkey, conducted trials of its situational awareness equipment on the ACV300 vehicle being evaluated by the Royal Brunei Army. The Company is now working to further boost its presence in the region by targeting a range of key programmes.

Show visitors will be able to see SELEX Galileo’s Road Marshall integrated vehicle situational awareness system for land vehicles. The system uses a combination of electro optics and acoustic sensors to provide 360° coverage around the vehicle. Many of the sub-systems integrated into the solution are fully combat proven and in service with UK and other Armed Forces.

RWS Selex Galileo mounted on the roof of Brunei army VAB at BRIDEX 2011 (photo : Army Recognition)

The Road Marshall system on display also features a Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) sensor capable of detecting and tracking vehicles, personnel and aircraft in both day and night, an acoustic shot detection system and a Remotely-operated Weapon Station (RWS) which can be fitted with a wide range of small and medium calibre armaments.

The RWS can be automatically aimed in the direction of any threat identified by the shot detection system and is fitted with the high performance Surveillance and Target Acquisition and Weapon aiming Sensor (STAWS) to provide 24 hour operation. The modular Road Marshall solution can be optimised for any wheeled or tracked vehicle.

The RWS Selex Galileo can be seen as part of the outdoor display fitted to a Royal Brunei Armed Forces VAB vehicle and inside on the LS & A stand.

(Army Recognition)

09 Juli 2011

Pilatus PC-7 of the Brunei Air Force/Angkatan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (photo : Scramble)

Bandar Seri Begawan - The primary fundamental responsibility for any government is to provide and ensure the security of its country and the safety of its people by putting its young men in uniform and arming them with the best weapons and machines available with which to defend and protect its sovereignty, its way of life, its culture and its values.

For only by ensuring that a stable environment can be maintained could its people prosper to pursue happiness and prosperity, and, more importantly, decisions be made without fear of external coercion.

Traditionally, the conventional concern for any military force has been to protect its borders and its interests against the possibility of attack or coercion by other foreign powers.

However, today that prospect, while still not unthinkable, is considered less likely thanks largely to the growing interdependence, transparency and interconnectedness of almost every country in the world, which has often been referred to as a global village.

But within every military thinking, there can be no room for complacency as the current and future security outlook is still wide-ranging and often opaquely complex.

Issues such as international terrorism and its links to extremist groups within the immediate region remain a serious concern.

The illegal movements of people, drugs, arms and finance challenge the integrity of national borders and the domestic stability of countries.

CN-235 of the Brunei Air Force (photo : Scramble)

Competition for, and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, present significant challenges to a country's sovereignty, whether in remote border areas or adjacent maritime zones.

The increasing reminders of the frequency and ferocity of natural disasters that always leaves behind a miserable trail of devastation and destruction continues to be a grim reminder that despite all our best efforts.

Nature does not respect national boundaries.

The double-edged sword that is the information revolution, whilst producing substantial benefits in communication and efficiency, also carries with it the shadow of information or cyber warfare by generating the ability to disrupt an entire country without firing a single shot.

Despite all these newly-emerging threats potentially lurk over all our horizons, other more traditional security considerations still prevail.

With technological advancements and increasing developmental growth, many countries have begun to introduce and add more advanced military systems to its arsenals in a bid to ensure their own security as a legitimate demand and right to self-defence.

Bell 212 of the Brunei Air Force (photo : clickandrender)

But despite the best efforts at promoting transparency by diplomatic engagement, total trust is not always completely unattainable and inherent suspicions will continue to remain.

Against the backdrop of the global economic meltdown, as some parts of the region recover and regain economic growth, some rebalancing of the roles of the major Asia-Pacific powers appears likely, and although everyone of them share a common vested interest in this shift to occur peacefully and constructively, the possibility of tensions arising over specific issues still cannot be pragmatically ruled out.

One such instance is the issue over the South China Sea.

While the strengthening of the regional security dialogue provides important opportunities for any disputes that do arise to be settled peacefully at the conference table, it is important that several outstanding issues, such as the development of the South China Sea, as well as the future of the Korean peninsula, continue to be confined within this framework.

Similarly, in everyone's shared interest of sustaining regional growth, providing secure sea lines of communication has become even more essential to both access to resources and towards maintaining robust international trade.

Given Brunei Darussalam's modest size, it has long become apparent that a constructive and collaborative approach to all these challenges is key, as has been often mentioned and repeated by the highest echelons of the government.

Brunei clearly cannot go about it alone but since it does also share many of these security concerns with its neighbours, an effective response would depend upon closer cooperation, both politically and militarily, as well as with civil enforcement agencies.

Scorpion light tank of the Brunei Army (photo : Military Vehicle)

It was thus with these principles and issues in mind that the latest Defence White Paper was created. At its very core, 'Defending The Nation's Sovereignty: Expanding Roles In Wider Horizons' reaffirmed that the essential building block for every country to have is its inalienable right and ability to provide for its own security - by ensuring its own stability, responding independently to any more immediate challenges to the integrity of its land borders and interests in adjacent maritime areas and to be willing and able to contribute further a field to crisis management, stability and peace operations.

Furthermore the new Defence White Paper improved upon the important foundations that had already been first laid out in the country's inaugural Defence White Paper in 2004 and its subsequent update in 2007.

The policies that it sets out and the actions and capabilities it proposes have two important objectives: (1) To ensure that Brunei Darussalam is not only able to provide for its own security but also to be able to make a robust contribution to promoting a stable regional environment; and, (2) To be able to maximise the operational effectiveness and flexibility of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) across the vast myriad of new security agendas.

Similarly, in the international perspective, the White Paper underscores the importance of regional security cooperation in responding to the new security challenges by strongly continuing to endorse the current efforts, already underway, to establish the Asean Political Security Community and the close professional cooperation being fostered by the Asean Defence Ministers' Meetings. It further documents the importance of the willingness of all the countries in the region to contribute to crisis response, stability and peacekeeping.

As it stands, the primary focus of the Defence White Paper is, quite rightly, on how Brunei should further develop its own capacity to protect the country and its people, as well as promote its interests, which are more often than not shared with its neighbours, in this increasingly complex world.

Four essential qualities have been identified as crucial to this development.

The first is 'knowledge'.

The Defence White Paper simply explains this as the need to promote the greatest possible transparency of developments in both the country's strategic and operational environments, which is essential to the early identification of issues, the RBAF's ability to take the initiative and, where appropriate, for a timely and measured response.

Developing the RBAF's maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities and its capacity to monitor activities in more remote border areas has been accorded the highest priority.

The need to progressively strengthen control of the national airspace has also been acknowledged.

At the more strategic level, the White Paper aims to enhance the links between policy and intelligence to support national decision-making.

The second quality is 'integration'. The 2007 Defence Update had given much priority to networking the armed forces through advanced command, control and communications and establishing the RBAF Joint Operations Centre.

KDB Darulehsan (photo : Stephane Saisssi)

Developing a common operational picture and linking deployed forces to both each other and to strategic-level command was essential to maintaining the initiative, achieving military outcomes matched to national objectives, and the most optimum use of resources.

Further strengthening the comprehensiveness of the available information and developing joint force planning and the habits of cooperation would further make integration a defining quality of the RBAF's operations and it would also facilitate closer cooperation with other national agencies and, whenever appropriate, the country's security partners, which the latest Defence White Paper had set out for the establishment of a new Joint Planning Committee to oversee these developments.

`Speed' is the third quality where the ability to deploy rapidly in response to intelligence and to be able to manoeuvre within the area of operations is essential to responding to crises, preventing or deterring possible incidents and being able to maintain the operational initiative.

The demanding operational terrain in much of the country places a premium on movement by air or water. As such, important initiatives will include the replacement of the Royal Brunei Air Force's medium lift helicopters and the Royal Brunei Navy's (RBN) landing crafts, as well as the acquisition of fast, manoeuvrable shallow water craft.

The Royal Brunei Land Forces' protection of mobility, essential in stability and peacekeeping operations, will also be upgraded; whilst the RBN's new fleet will provide a flexible response capability for the maritime environment.

The fourth and final essential quality is 'weight', which carried with it two considerations. Firstly, security operations, by their very nature, carry a significant element of risk, even in lower level theatres of hostilities, thus making it important for deployed forces to have the necessary protection and firepower to be able to accomplish their missions.

Secondly, closely matching the level of force deployed to the mission will often be important to a successful outcome, which demonstrates resolve but also the objectives being sought.

Thus, further development of the RBLF with more potent short-to-medium range direct firepower to complement its enhanced mobility protection would make it a much more flexible national instrument, making it able to contribute more effectively across a range of contemporary operations, as well as provide the basis for the protection of national assets and infrastructure should circumstances deteriorate at any point in the future.

Progressive development of the country's air defence capability is also one of the focuses of the White Paper to strengthen control over Brunei's immediate approaches.

Maximising the operational effectiveness of the RBAF along these guidelines can only be accomplished with a comprehensive and integrated approach to planning, which the White Paper also addresses.

The four most important elements are: (1) Significant strengthening of the Ministry of Defence's policy, joint operational and joint capability planning processes; (2) Providing guidance on force preparedness, the smart use of technology and personnel development; (3) Developing close coordination with civil _agencies that share responsibility for responding to the new security agenda, and; (4) A clear articulation of how the RBAF would be best able to draw upon its fundamental strengths to make an increasingly effective contribution to regional security cooperation.

As it reaches its half-century mark, the RBAF has undoubtedly come a long way since its inception as a small infantry force 50 years ago.

The new Defence White Paper is set to ensure that the RBAF continues to evolve as a modern, balanced force that is well matched to the country's security priorities, whilst armed and equipped with the flexibility to protect and promote Brunei's interests in this complex world.

(Borneo Bulletin)

See Also :

Sharpen Maritime, Land Watch
07 Juli 2011

THE Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) will cooperate with other government agencies to enhance its capability in the monitoring of national interests, particularly its natural resources, within the country's maritime and land borders.

The army's Defence White Paper (DWP) 2011, launched yesterday, stipulated developing a "comprehensive recognised Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) picture" as one of its "more immediate priorities".

"This should seek to capture the full range of external activity impacting upon the nation's control of its territory and boundaries and enhance domain awareness on land, air and maritime."

A document summarising the DWP said that aside from the "illegal" exploitation of natural resources, competition presented significant challenges to a nation's sovereignty, particularly when such activities take place in remote areas close to the borders or in adjacent maritime zones.

Increasing transparency of the operational environment would help the RBAF identify any security challenges early and issue a quicker response, the DWP said.

The procurement of the two Darussalam Class offshore patrol vessels, KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulehsan, commissioned in May, supported the navy's efforts to maintain a "continuous presence in adjacent waters".

To further develop that capacity, the military planned to acquire surface surveillance radar "to provide continuous, all-weather surveillance of movements in the more immediate maritime approaches".

More fixed-wing aircraft, equipped with enhanced sensors, were also in RBAF's procurement plans. The new aircraft "will transform the maritime surveillance capability currently provided by the (Royal Brunei) Air Force's CN-235", the DWP said.

Speaking to The Brunei Times, Defence Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) Hjh Suriyah Hj Umar said the propeller-driven CN-235 transport plane has "limited capabilities" and thus, the forces were on the lookout for new maritime patrol solutions.

"But that is something we need to study first," she said.

"With our new patrol vessels, it's (the KDB ships) been working very well. (They are) something to complement the eyes from the sky."

Hjh Suriyah noted the solutions had to be capable of Brunei's 200-nautical mile EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).

Other capabilities included fitting "modular sensor suite" on new medium-lift helicopters, that the air force will procure to replace its ageing fleet.

The sensor suite would include infra-red and thermal imaging capabilities to strengthen the capacity for helicopters, particularly those patrolling over land.

"Coverage of potentially illegal activities across the nation's land borders is made difficult by their remoteness, the difficult terrain and the jungle canopy. A consistent high level of ISR needs to be provided, closely integrated with land force patrols," the DWP said.

The activities included illegal logging and trespassing, while on water, surveillance would be stepped up to prevent poaching of fish stocks, acts of piracy and other transnational crimes.

However, the RBAF assured that the responsibility of enforcement will remain "primarily with civil agencies".

(The Brunei Times)

08 Juli 2011

Blackhawk helicopters of the RBAF (photo : Azrol Azmi)

BRUNEI will be upgrading its ageing fleet of military helicopters, with four companies invited to compete for the bid to supply the rotorcraft.

The first phase of the project, to be announced on Monday, will see the replacement of "one mission" of the Royal Brunei Air Force's (RBAirF) 10 Bell helicopters, the permanent secretary of defence (administration and finance) told The Brunei Times yesterday.

Hjh Suriyah Hj Umar said the replacement of the country's military choppers will be done systematically until the year 2020.

Hjh Suriyah said the priority will be upgrading the three-decade-old choppers first, while replacing the rest will be part of the next phase of the project.

RBAirF will be "down-selecting" the bidders to two companies on Monday, she said.

"Some of them (the Bell helicopters have) reached 30 years already, so it's about time we replace it," she said. "We are hoping it will be a project that will be signed probably by the end of the year."

The permanent secretary said the 10 choppers were used for "troop lift, search and rescue, (and) special operations".

Huey helicopter of the RBAF (photo : Azrol Azmi)

The RBAirF has about 20 helicopters, according to an unofficial source.

"Most of our helicopters are ageing. The latest helicopter procured was the Black Hawk but even that is more than 12 years (old)," Hjh Suriyah said.

Brunei has the S70a Black Hawks in the air force's squadrons, said Linda Scott, Asia regional sales manager of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the manufacturer of the renowned medium-lift helicopters.

Scott said Sikorsky was "well aware" of Brunei's intention to upgrade its helicopter fleet. It is one of the four competing in the bid.

"We have offered the S70i International Black Hawk, which is a much more modernised version of what you have today," she said in a separate interview at the Sikorsky booth at BRIDEX hall.

The S70i was also the same Black Hawk model that the US military was using, she said."

On a performance standpoint, the Black Hawk in general is clearly one of the most combat-proven helicopters of its class worldwide. The amount of countries that are procuring the aircraft shows you the popularity and what the aircraft actually does for various defence forces throughout the world.

"Although the S70i shared the same airframe as its predecessor, Scott said the newer version had "enhanced power and capability" that was suitable for Brunei's hot and humid climate, "particularly if there is enhanced oversea, maritime operations".

It was in the "all-glass" cockpit that Sikorsky was said to have made its "biggest advancement" with the avionics, or the helicopter's electronics system, which Scott said was custom-programmable.

She added that the upgrade of the helicopter fleet was part of the new Defence White Paper 2011, which was released yesterday during the opening of the BRIDEX 2011.

The Defence White Paper said that a flight of at least four medium-lift helicopters were maintained at "full preparedness".

"Apart from the ground force's fleet of wheeled vehicles, the core mobility assets are the Bell 212 and 214 medium-lift helicopters, which are capable of company group lift and the Navy's landing craft," the 45-page document said.

"Those capabilities are essential to the rapid deployment and support of forces operating in the nation's hinterland. They are now reaching operational life-of-type and early replacement is required to support operational reliability and contain maintenance costs."

(The Brunei Times)

06 Juli 2011

Bell Helicopter's presents for the first time in Asia the Bell 407AH at BRIDEX 2011 defence exhibition (photo : Army Recognition)

TAIPEI - The third Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) is quickly taking its rightful place among regional exhibitions as one of the top defense and security events in Southeast Asia.

Organized by the Royal Brunei Technical Services, BRIDEX 2011 will showcase the latest regional and international defense technologies and equipment in land, sea, air and security systems from July 6-9.

U.S. companies vying for market space include BBA Aviation, General Dynamics, Harris Corporation, Northrop Grumman, Piper Aircraft and Raytheon. European defense exhibitors include BAE Systems, Defense Conseil International, QinetiQ, Renault, Rosoboronexport and Saab. A number of competitive helicopter manufacturers will also be exhibiting, including AugustaWestland, Bell Helicopters, Eurocopter and Sikorsky.

Asia-Pacific exhibitors include Australia's Prism Defence, China's Hubei Hudiequan Plastic Products Co., Pakistan Ordnance, Singapore Technologies Engineering and Taiwan's Smart Team Technology.

BRIDEX officials said there would be land-based and waterborne demonstrations of defense and security equipment and systems. The new BRIDEX Exhibition and Convention Centre in Jerudong is located next to the waterfront.

"BRIDEX also provides an excellent platform for building vital alliances, forging partnerships and capturing new business opportunities in a fast growing South East Asian region, as well as for networking, sharing ideas and knowledge, discussing technology advancements and industry developments," said a BRIDEX press release.

Panser Anoa 6x6 from Indonesia also participates in Bridex 2011 (photo : DMC)

BRIDEX 2011 coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. This year about 300 exhibitors and 500 VIP delegates are expected to participate. In 2007, 108 exhibitors representing 16 countries participated, including more than 60 delegates from 17 countries. In 2009, the number of exhibitors jumped to 200 from 26 countries, along with 300 delegates from 40 countries.

Singapore's Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen will also attend. Ng is also visiting Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officer cadets undergoing jungle confidence and survival training in Brunei. The SAF will be displaying a F-16 fighter aircraft, a CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter, a Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle and a Formidable-class frigate, the RSS Stalwart, at BRIDEX. Ng will be accompanied by Singapore's Permanent Secretary for Defence Chiang Chie Foo, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong and Chief of Air Force Major-General Ng Chee Meng.

BRIDEX will also host a conference, "Mapping Future Security and Technological Challenges," on July 5. Presenters include Kim Taeyoung, former South Korean defense minister, now a senior adviser for the Korea Institute of Defense Analyses; Ambassador Barry Desker, dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore; and Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon, military adviser for India's National Security Council Secretariat.

In a statement issued by Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa, Deputy Minister of Defense of Brunei Darussalem, the military has gone through organizational changes since BRIDEX 2009, "most notably the merging of the Directorate of Operations with the Joint Force Headquarters to enhance Joint Operations."

The military also formed a new department in 2010, the Centre of Science and Technology Research and Development, "that will form a synergy with the Directorate of Capability Development to focus on acquiring capability solutions required by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces."

The military is awaiting the soon-to-be released 2011 Defense White Paper, which will identify key areas for future development, such as the integration of the Joint Force with the military's C4ISR system, he said.

(DefenseNews)

16 Juni 2011

USS Safeguard, designated as the COI for the participating Southeast Asian Navies (photo : navsource)

COMBINED navy forces from the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States Navy is holding a 10-day annual combined exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and share best practices.

Codenamed SEACAT 2011, the exercise is joined by the Philippine Navy (PN) units from the Naval Forces West (NFW), Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), and Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) areas of responsibility (AOR) in succession with five Southeast Asian Navies from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

They will participate together with the US Navy in a scenario-driven fleet training exercise against terrorism, transnational crimes and other maritime threats which focuses on real time information exchange, coordinated surveillance operations, tracking, and eventual conduct of Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) to the maritime Contact of Interest (COI).

“This activity will involve surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of surveillance, tracking, and boarding of the COI from the different participating navies within their respective maritime territories,” SEACAT 2011 exercise director Philippine Navy Captain Sebastian Pan said.

Three ships from the three Naval forces of the Philippine Navy will participate in this year’s SEACAT 2011 exercise, Pan added.

As practiced in the yearly SEACAT, Pan said that several ships from each participating Southeast Asian navy will join the training with the one US Navy ship--USS Safeguard--designated as the COI for the participating Southeast Asian Navies.

In the Philippines, he said one Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) scenario with boarding opportunity will be conducted at the Sulu and Mindanao Seas.

At the same time, Coast Watch stations in the different participating Naval Forces AORs will be utilized to exercise their capabilities in surveillance, tracking, communications, and operations.

Exercise SEACAT is a yearly combined exercise conducted at vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia to ensure control of vital sea lanes from terrorists, poachers, and transnational lawless elements.

Venues have been determined in advance during coordinated planning sessions and are finalized following confirmation from all participating navies.

“This exercise aims to promote regional coordination, information sharing and interoperability in a multilateral environment,” Pan said.

With this training, Pan said the Philippine Navy will be able to enhance regional coordination, information sharing, and combined inter-operability capability with participating navies in the region, tests its personnel and naval assets operational readiness and ultimately, improve the defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The combined exercise, dubbed Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) started Tuesday, June 14, and ends on Friday, June 24, is being held in Malacca Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

(SunStar)

28 Mei 2011

Majalah Asian Military Review pada bulan Mei 2011 menerbitkan hasil studinya mengenai kekuatan Angkatan Laut kawasan. Hasil studi tersebut meliputi kekuatan Angkatan Laut di kawasan Asia Pasific.

Berikut ini adalah cuplikan artikel tersebut khusus untuk kekuatan Angkatan Laut kawasan Sout East Asia dan Oceania.

Australia

Brunei

Cambodia

Indonesia

Malaysia

(Asian Military Review)