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)

28 Januari 2012

Isuzu 2,5 ton tactical vehicle (photo : Thales)

Thailand army began using a new tactical vehicle Isuzu FTS H2E33 (4X4). These trucks have a size of 2.5 tons and easy in maintenance and repair. The vehicle can be ridden comfortably on a flat terrain and contoured.

Specification :

Dimension (L x W x H ) 7,220 x2, 490 x3, 145 mm.
The load weight is 12,200 kg.
Plane load of 5,000 kilograms.
2,500 kg load on the terrain
Towing weight of 3,000 kg of baggage
Engines : diesel engines Isuzu 6 cylinder, 7790 cc capacity.
Max torque 706 Nm (72 Kk.-m.) at 1450 rpm / min.
HP 240 and HP the (177 kW) / rpm min.
Fuel tank capacity 200 liters.
6 speed forward and one reverse speed.
The hydraulic brake system
Turning radius of 9 meters.
Operating within 800 km.
Maximum speed of 97 km / hour.
The ability to climb high slopes 60 percent

(RTA)

18 Januari 2012

APC Amphibi buatan PT. Wirajayadi Bahari (all photos : Wirajayadi Bahari)

Rapim TNI 2012 Gelar Alutsista Produk Indonesia

[JAKARTA] Rapat Pimpinan (Rapim) TNI 2012 yang berlangsung di Markas Besar (Mabes) TNI diwarnai acara gelar Static Show Alat Perlengkapan Pertahanan (Alpahan) Produksi Industri Dalam Negeri. Di dalam tenda, terdapat 38 stand yang menampilkan sejumlah peralatan dan perlengkapan militer.

Sementara di luar tenda, memamerkan berbagai kendaraan tempur serta alat berat militer. APC Amphibi merupakan kendaraan tempur untuk mengangkut pasukan pendarat marinir produksi TNI Angkatan Laut (AL) dan PT Wirajayadi Bahari.

"Hasil produksi telah diuji coba dan memenuhi standar dan keselamatan TNI AL serta ergonomis sebagai kendaraan tempur amphibi, yang memenuhi standar operasional TNI AL," kata Owner PT Wirajayadi Bahari, Bintoro, di Mabes TNI, Jakarta, Rabu (18/1).

Dia menjelaskan, proses pembangunan dilakukan di Denhar Lanmar Surabaya. APC Amphibi yang diproduksi juga dapat disejajarkan dengan produk sejenis dari negara lain. "APC Amphibi ini tidak kalah dengan negara luar," jelas Bintoro.

Dia berharap, alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) dalam negeri dapat diandalkan di kemudian hari. "Alutsista dalam negeri harus jadi andalan dan kebanggaan Indonesia," tandasnya. [CKP/L-8]

(Suara Pembaruan)

16 Desember 2011



Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicle (photo : Militaryphotos)



Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, and Commander 2nd Division, Major General Craig Williams AM, today announced major reforms for Army Reserve under Plan Beersheba at Simpson Barracks in Watsonia, Melbourne.



Senator Feeney said that Plan Beersheba, a restructure of the Australian Army, will achieve a greater integration of full and part time forces and strengthen the operational capability of our part time forces.



“In an increasingly complex strategic environment, we must make sure our forces are positioned for the full range of possible contingencies.



“Plan Beersheba positions Army to deliver capability in an effective, timely and affordable way to meet these contingencies,” Senator Feeney said.



“This Government will ensure that all Reserve Armoured Corps will receive Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to provide protected transport for our troops.



“This will be the first time in more than five years that all Army Reserve Armoured units will have armoured vehicles.



“In addition, under Beersheba we intend to create a new armoured squadron with protected vehicles in Queensland. This is a major boost to the capability of the Reserve.



“In Melbourne, the armoured unit of 4th Brigade – 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse who famously fought at Beersheba – will get Bushmasters,” said Senator Feeney.



Commander 2nd Division, Major General Craig Williams said that the Army’s Reserve Force (2nd Division) will be realigned with the Regular Army, with two Reserve Brigades linked to each Multi-role Manoeuvre Brigade.



“There will be a significant increase in the operational focus of the Reserve which will be effected through the development of habitual relationships between reserve brigades and the regular Multi-role Manoeuvre Brigades,” Major General Williams said.



“The 2nd Division will be aligned with the 36 month Force Generation Cycle and assigned preparedness levels.”



Defence Reserves Association (DRA) President, Major General Jim Barry (Retd) said:

“This is the most important structural change for the Army Reserve in decades.



“The six Army Reserve Brigades of 2 Division are now assigned specific roles and tasks and are structurally aligned with their regular counterparts. There is now a defined operational focus which the DRA has been advocating for some time,” Major General Jim Barry (Retd) said.



Plan Beersheba is the Australian Army’s plan for the next phase of the Adaptive Army Campaign. It follows the changes in Army’s command and control structure made during 2008.



Under the plan, the 1st, 3rd and 7th Brigades will form three new Multi-role Manoeuvre Brigades. These Brigades will be fundamentally alike in structure to enable sustained operations within a new 36-month Force Generation Cycle.



Force Generation is the process through which Army readies itself to respond to contingencies that may arise. Each Brigade will have the following components – infantry, armour, artillery, engineers, logistics and communications.



Australia’s Reserve Force will be more focused on stability operations and will be involved in major exercises with their partnered Multi-role Manoeuvre Brigades.



(Aus DoD)

31 Oktober 2011

US using Buffalo as mine sweeper vehicle (photo : Militaryphotos)

Australia Defence Ministry lodges $100m bid for mine-sweepers in Afghanistan

Perth: Australian Defence Ministry asked the government to approve a $100 million fleet of mine-detecting vehicles, which army experts say will all but neutralize threat of roadside bombs in Afghanistan. News of request came as Australia Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd Friday urged his Pakistan counterpart to stop illicit movement of locally made explosives material into Afghanistan, where it is used to make roadside bombs.

At a meeting on sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Rudd told Pakistan Foreign Minister Ms Hina Rabbani Khar to take “all practical efforts” to restrict the movement of bomb-making materials across the border.

It is first time the issue of Pakistan-sourced explosives material has been raised at a senior ministerial level between the two countries.

Weekend Australian newspaper understands the request by Australian Defence Ministry for fast-tracked approval for mine-detecting vehicles will go to national security committee of cabinet in December.

Of 29 Australian soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan since 2001, IEDs — improvised explosive devices — have claimed lives of 14 and responsible for wounding a further 105. The explosives issue was raised during bilateral talks on counter-terrorism co-operation between Australia and Pakistan at CHOGM, a spokeswoman for Rudd said.

(One Pakistan)

27 Oktober 2011

Mamba Mark II MRAP 4x4 buatan BAE Systems Land Systems OMC, unit bisnis BAE Systems di Afrika Selatan (all photos : ARC, Audryliahepburn)

Setelah MRAP Casspir dimiliki Kopassus, belum ada lagi kabar kendaraan sejenis yang akan diakuisisi oleh TNI. Namun pada tahun akhir tahun 2006, bersamaan dengan diselenggarakannya pameran pertahanan Indodefence 2006, muncul berita bahwa BAE System menawarkan MRAP tipe RG-31 Nyala dan RG-32 kepada TNI.

Tidak ada kabar mengenai disetujui tidaknya sodoran kendaraan MRAP tersebut, namun Majalah Commando edisi Mei 2010 memergoki satu kendaraan MRAP yang mirip RG-31 ketika sedang berkunjung ke markas Kopassus.

Beberapa hari yang lalu menjelang diadakannya Latihan Gabungan Anti Teror 2011, foto kendaraan MRAP tersebut beredar di forum-forum militer. Pada hari ini kendaraan tersebut resmi diperlihatkan kepada publik dalam Latihan Gabungan Anti Teror TNI-Polri 2011.


Menilik dari bentuk fisiknya terutama grille depan, lampu depan, dan ban cadangan di bodi sebelah kiri maka kendaraan ini dapat diidentifikasikan sebagai Mamba, dan melihat dari kaca samping bagian belakang yang hanya terdiri dari satu ruas, maka dapat dipastikan bahwa kendaraan ini adalah Mamba Mk II MRAP buatan Afrika Selatan.

Mamba dibuat oleh Reumech OMC, pabrikan dari Afrika Selatan, pabrikan ini sempat mengalami proses akuisisi beberapa kali dimulai oleh Vickers, Alvis dan terakhir oleh BAE Systems dan namanya pun berubah menjadi BAE Systems Land Systems OMC.

Mamba Mk II sebagai kendaraan ringan 4x4 ditenagai oleh mesin diesel Mercedes Benz 352N 6-cylinder sehingga kendaraan dapat dipacu hingga kecepatan 102 km/jam. Sebagai kendaraan MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected), kendaraan ini mempunyai lambung baja berbentuk V untuk melindungi penumpangnya dari ledakan ranjau anti tank.

Kendaraan ini mempunyai berat 6,8 ton, dengan bodi monocoque dan mempunyai ground clearance 41cm. Standar proteksi Mamba pada lambung baja dan kacanya dapat memberikan perlindungan terhadap tembakan senjata dengan amunisi ukuran 5,56 × 34 mm dan 7,62 × 51 mm serta perlindungan opsional terhadap amunisi tipe armour–piercing ukuran 7,62 × 51 mm standar NATO.


Memang terdapat tiga kendaraan MRAP yang mirip satu sama lain yaitu : mamba, Nyala, dan Reva. RG-31 Nyala adalah pengembangan lebih lanjut dari Mamba Mk II oleh Land Systems OMC, sedangkan Reva adalah pengembangan oleh ICP dengan mesin penggerak Merek Cummins sejak varian Mamba Mk I. Reva telah dipakai oleh Angkatan Darat Thailand dan dioperasikan di wilayah konflik Thailand Selatan.

Selain Mamba, Kopassus juga mengoperasikan kendaraan MRAP Casspir yang sama-sama buatan Afrika Selatan. Casspir diproduksi oleh TFM yang selanjutnya diakuisisi oleh Reumech OMC dan akhirnya menjadi Land Systems OMC. Casspir tergolong MRAP berukuran sedang.

Dalam mengangkut personil Mamba mampu membawa 9 personil plus 2 crew, sedangkan Casspir yang mempunyai bobot 10,88 ton dapat membawa lebih banyak lagi yaitu 12 personil plus 2 crew.

Kendaraan ini pantas digunakan oleh Sat-81 Gultor Kopassus, karena akan memberikan perlindungan maksimal pada prajurit yang telah dididik dengan biaya mahal.

(Defense Studies)

21 Oktober 2011

Vingtaqs II long-range surveillance, observation and reconnaissance system. (photo : Rheinmetall Defence)

Vingtaqs II observation system to be mounted on new all-terrain vehicles.

Rheinmetall Nordic AS of Nøtterøy, Norway, a member of the Rheinmetall Group of companies, has been awarded a contract to supply the Malaysian armed forces with the Vingtaqs II long-range surveillance, observation and reconnaissance system. Rheinmetall Nordic AS is the successor company of Simrad Optronics AS, which Rheinmetall took over in summer 2010.

With a total volume of around €36 million, this is the largest single order ever booked by Rheinmetall Nordic AS or its predecessor Simrad Optronics AS.

The customer is DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) of Malaysia. The order also encompasses training, system integration and documentation.

The Vingtaqs II systems will be integrated into newly built AV8 all-terrain vehicles made by the Turkish company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.S., which are to be delivered during the period 2014 to 2018.

“This contract demonstrates the terrific market potential of our new Vingtaqs systems. What’s more, because of our strong goal orientation and clear priorities, we were able to win this contract in less than two years”, declares Jon Asbjørn Bø, CEO of Rheinmetall Nordic AS, adding that “the order serves as a valuable reference for future sales”.

Vingtaqs II long range – surveillance, observation and reconnaissance systemThe Vingtaqs II accurately determines target coordinates at long distances from the vehicle forward observer position. A standalone system, the Vingtaqs II can be integrated at low cost into a wide variety of vehicles. The system also accommodates instrumentation for laser-designated targeting, enabling it to support forward air controller operations. Moreover, thanks to a high degree of modularity, it can be readily configured to meet individual customer requirements.

(Rheinmetall Defence)

12 Oktober 2011

The new vehicle will be designed by JSC Kurganmashzavod and will be capable to move both on land and at sea staying afloat even in strong sea disturbance. (image : Kurgan)

Russian defense ministry ordered a new tracked combat vehicle to be designed specially for the Navy but not refitted from army hardware. According toIzvestiya, new self-propelled vehicle will be capable to move both on land and at sea staying afloat even in strong sea disturbance. The new naval combat vehicle will be designed by JSC Kurganmashzavod.

New vehicle will be based on multipurpose tracked carrier which will be also used in other types of combat vehicles for the Army, Airborne Troops, and air defense mounts. Naval version will be equipped with engine-driven screw making possible to sail at speed up to 25-30 kph.

By initial estimates, naval tracked combat vehicle will be fielded in 2015-2016. The military expect new vehicle to widen the range of tasks. In particular, landing troops will reach coast in half an hour during over-the-horizon discharge. Currently used BMP-1 and BMP-2 are non-effective in sea disturbance, so are not frequently used in landing drills.

At present, landing troops are mostly delivered by navy-adapted BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, landing ships or boats. According to a source, defense ministry does not order the latter ones focusing on procurement of French Mistral-class assault landing docks capable to put afloat troops beyond the horizon.

It was reported late in 2009 that all marine units would be completely rearmed by 2015. Procurement of new hardware will be carried out under State Arms Program 2011-2020. The document provides deliveries of main battle tanks T-90, infantry combat vehicles BMP-3, armored personnel carriers BTR-82A, combat reconnaissance landing vehicles BRDM-3, 120-mm self-propelled guns 2S31 Vena, modernized small arms, grenade launchers, and antiaircraft assets.

(RusNavy)

11 Oktober 2011

New Bushmasters fitted out as ambulances (all photos : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that four Bushmaster ambulances have been delivered to the Air Force Health Services Wing at RAAF Base Amberley.

The Bushmaster ambulance is one of seven variants of the Bushmaster vehicle being built for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

63 Bushmaster ambulances are being built for the ADF worth more than $670,000 each.

25 Bushmaster ambulances have so far been delivered to the ADF including:
-19 to 7 Brigade based at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane;
-One to the School of Health at Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla;
-One to the Motorised Combat Wing, School of Artillery at Puckapunyal Barracks; and
-Four announced today to the Air Force Health Services Wing at RAAF Base Amberley.

Mr Clare said the Bushmaster ambulances were an improvement on the Sprinter ambulances currently used by the Royal Australian Air Force.

“The Bushmaster is a terrific vehicle – saving lives in Afghanistan,” Mr Clare said.

“These ambulances provide blast and ballistic protection. That means protection from bullets and artillery fired at the vehicle as well as roadside bombs.

“This gives patients, paramedics and drivers better protection in high threat environments.”

Mr Clare said the Bushmaster ambulances are fitted with the latest in medical equipment.

“The Bushmaster ambulance can transport two stretchered patients, or one stretchered and four seated patients, at the one time,” Mr Clare said.

The vehicles will be ready for operational service after personnel have completed their training and medical fit-out has been finished.

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that RAAF personnel would be trained to use the vehicle and its equipment in all conditions.

“It’s important that both drivers and paramedics can use the vehicle confidently and safely before they are used in operations,” Mr Neumann said.

(Aus DoD)

28 September 2011

BTR-82A Armored Personnel Carrier (photo : Army News)

Experts from the Arzamas Engineering Plant have unveiled their brand-new Tigr-6A armored truck and BTR-82-A armored personnel carrier.

Gaz 2330 Tigr-6A (photo : Oplatsen)

The developers say the revamped Tigr-6A armored vehicle is the largest Russian-made off-road vehicle to date. Although the Tigr-6A was designed in 2010, the Russian Army has yet to adopt it. This vehicle features double-layer special-steel armor and additional Kevlar-type protection against fragmentation munitions.

(RIA Novosti)

See Also :

BTR-82

The BTR-82 and BTR-82A are an upgraded version of the BTR-80 and BTR-80A wheeled armored vehicles. The BTR-82 wheeled armored vehicle features energy absorbing structures, a more powerful diesel engine developing 300-hp of power, crew and passengers special suspension seats, a sophisticated fire suppression system, reinforced floor protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), higher rate of firepower, improved ballistic protection, command, increased survivability by 20 percent, reliability and mobility. All in, the new wheeled armored vehicles results heavier than its predecessors. In December 2008, Russia's Military Industrial Company (MIC) was already testing the prototypes which were unveiled in December 2009. In April 2010 MIC was marketing the BTR-82 and BTR-82A as a modernization program for existing BTR-80 operators.

The BTR-82 firepower has been enhanced installing an unified fighting module with electric drive and two stabilized arms with the main gun either a 14.5mm (BTR-82) or a 2A72 30mm (BTR-82A) cannon and the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The primary gun ammo feed system has been modified replacing the 10 50-round boxes by a single 500-round box eliminating the need of switching the ammunition box once the rounds have been fired. The gunner gets a new stabilized fire control system TKN-4. In addition to the new engine, the BTR-82 is also fitted with a new transmission components and suspension allowing an increased average speed in rough terrain. The vehicle command system is equipped with advanced communications, topographic maps and a surveillance camera (TKN-AI) for the vehicle's commander. Besides, the BTR-82 can be equipped with turrets and other equipment from third party vendors following the customers requirements.

(Deagel)

19 September 2011

SQIRE battlefield radar buatan Thales Netherland (photo : Thales)

Pada pekan lalu Thales ditunjuk oleh DEFTECH (DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd) Malaysia untuk memasok sistem elektronik terintegrasi untuk 257 kendaraan lapis baja AV8.
AV8 adalah versi Malaysia dari kendaraan lapis baja 8x8 yang dikembangkan dari kendaraan Pars buatan FNSS Turki.

Malaysia merupakan pelanggan eksport pertama dari kendaraan berbobot 24 ton ini. Rencananya Malaysia akan menggunakannya bagi keperluan pembentukan batalyon infantri mekanis.

Kendaraan ini akan dikembangkan dalam 12 (Infantri & AFV, Komando, Anti-Tank, Recovery, Intai, dll). Varian intai AV8 imi akan dilengkapi dengan SQUIRE Battlefield Radar.

SQUIRE dikembangkan oleh Thales Belanda, aslinya adalah radar portabel dengan bobot 23 kg, yang dapat dibawa oleh 2 prajurit dalam ransel. Radar mampu mendeteksi pergerakan orang pada jarak 10 km dan pergeraan tank atau kendaraan militer hingga jarak 48 km. Sistem ini juga mencakup fasilitas klasifikasi target otomatis bagi orang, kendaraan beroda, kendaraan roda-rantai dan helikopter. Teknik-teknik solid state yang diterapkan menghasilkan kehandalan yang sangat tinggi dan siklus biaya yang rendah.

SQUIRE bersifat ringan, kompak, dan memiliki output daya yang sangat rendah berkat penerapan teknologi FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave). Thales mengungkapkan fitur FMCW pada SQUIRE membuat probabilitas untuk dilakukan intercept pihak lawan sangat rendah. Dengan output daya hanya 1 watt (daya puncak dan daya rata-rata berkisar antara 10 milliwatt dan maksimum 1 Watt) membuat sistem ini hampir tidak terdeteksi oleh peralatan elektronik ESM (Electronic Support Measures) maupun RWR (Radar Warning Receiver/Radar Penerima Peringatan.

(Defense Studies)

15 September 2011

Artist's impression of AV-8 armoured wheeled vehicles of the Malaysian Army (photo : Secure Malaysia)

Malaysia : Thales to supply electronic system integration for 257 armoured-wheeled vehicles

Thales has been awarded a major contract for the integration of an advanced open vehicle electronic architecture system for the 257 new 8x8 armoured-wheeled vehicles of the Malaysian Army. Thales acts as a subcontractor of DEFTECH (DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd), the local company selected by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence for the design, development and manufacturing of the vehicles.This contract confirms Thales’s position as a leading player in advanced vehicle system integration.

Today, combat vehicle platforms need to achieve greater efficiency on the battlefield and are becoming increasingly complex due to the need for integration of electronics equipment and network capabilities. Thanks to Thales’s high-level expertise in C4ISR* systems for land forces, the Group has been selected to provide an integrated and scalable vehicle electronic architecture system including a wide range of new-generation equipment (communications, vetronics, sensors, command & control, mortar, optronics, etc.) to meet the rigorous operational performance criteria of the Malaysian Army.

In order to lead this programme in close cooperation with the customer, Thales relies on its local presence through Thales Malaysia Sdn Bhd and strengthens its local footprint thanks to its Malaysian joint-venture, Sapura Thales Electronics (STE), who will supply the complete HF and VHF radio communications system for the 257 vehicles.

Thales will integrate a state-of-the-art Open Information Communication System (OICS) - branded as VSys-net – a vehicle system electronics solution designed to optimise integration and enable information exchange (voice, data and video) both within vehicles and externally. It combines a set of sub-systems and specific equipment that assist the commander during the mission (Battlefield Management System), manage the status of the vehicle components (Platform Management System), assist navigation, provide an optimised situational awareness and enhance survivability.

This solution will provide a consistent vehicle electronic architecture among the 12 variants (Infantry & Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Command, Anti-Tank, Recovery, Surveillance, etc.). This will reduce integration risks on the overall program, speed up the operation, manage all platform systems in real time and enable optimised support services.

The Malaysian Army also renews its trust in Thales’s field proven equipment such as the unique 120mm 2R2M Mortar for the mortar variant offering an unmatched range of 13km, as well as the SQUIRE ground surveillance radar as part of the surveillance variant.

“We are very proud of the renewed confidence in Thales’s solution expressed by the Malaysian Army. Thales strengthens its commitment to Malaysia and the local defence industry with know-how and technology transfer.” explains Jean-Philippe Durieux, Country Director, Thales Malaysia. “Thales’s excellence and expertise in complex systems integration make us a trusted partner, able to respond to the armed forces’ ever growing needs.

(Thales)

14 September 2011

Cadillac Gage V100 of the Vietnam Armed Forces (all photos : Army TV)

(VNA) - The military technical experts Vietnam has upgraded armored vehicles from the 60’s into a modern fighting vehicles today.

Army Television shows the Vietnam's military experts to upgrade armored vehicles V100, test it, including its amphibious capabilities.

The upgrade process was done in Mechanical Engineering Institute, the General Department of Engineering, Department of Defense, old engine was replaced by diesel engines, adding night camera, and redesigned the electrical system .


After the upgrade, V100 vehicle was "combat ready", and will be included in the staff complement of combat units.

(VTC News)

14 September 2011

ST Kinetics Spider Light Strike Vehicle (photo : Cyberpioneer)

ST Engineering today announced that its land systems arm, ST Kinetics, has won a contract worth S$68m from the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) through an international tender, to supply its new generation Spider Light Strike Vehicles (Spider LSV) and spares. Delivery is expected to take place over 2013-14.

Designed with a unique center drive configuration allowing for weapon systems to be mounted on both sides of the driver, the Spider LSV incorporates a state-of-the-art electronic controlled engine, a 4-speed automatic transmission and an enhanced suspension system capable of high cross-country manoeuverability. The Spider LSV has an increased seating capacity for a crew of six and is heli-portable.

Another varian of th Spider - LSV with 120mm SRAMS-Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (photo : XTemujin)

"We are extremely pleased that MINDEF has selected the Spider LSV. This is an excellent testimony to ST Kinetics' continued focus to innovate through smart engineering, effective solutions to meet our customers' evolving operational needs." ~ SEW Chee Jhuen, President, ST Kinetics.

This contract is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engineering for the current financial year.

(STEngg)

13 September 2011

Buffalo mine resistant ambush protected (photo : Aus DoD)

Canada will loan two Canadian systems for additional protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for Australian soldiers operating in Afghanistan.

The arrangement was announced by Minister for DefenceStephenSmith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare following their meeting with the Canadian Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay in Canberra today.

The two systems comprise of:
- two HUSKY protected mobility vehicles fitted with ground penetrating radar (GPR); and
- one BUFFALO mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle fitted with an interrogation arm
and mast mounted Gyrocam camera.

The vehicles will be used by Australian Army engineers to detect explosive hazards, including mines and IEDs, to create a safe pathway for troops as they patrol Uruzgan province in Afghanistan.

Husky protected mobility vehicle (photo : Aus DoD)

The HUSKY mounted GPR provides the ability to detect explosive hazard threats from within an armoured vehicle.

It will protect our troops by allowing them to detect IEDs that other detection equipment might not be able to find, especially devices with low or no metal content.

The interrogation arm is a safer way of confirming that an IED has been found. It allows our troops to make this confirmation remotely from a safe distance under armour from inside the BUFFALO vehicle. Currently, Sappers have to manually examine any suspected IED.

The high definition Gyrocam camera is mounted on a mast 8 to 10 metres above the vehicle to give a 360 degree view of the terrain. It has a thermal imagery capability and high quality zoom to detect IED indicators from a distance.

The vehicles will be on loan for around 12 months from 2012. In the meantime, work is underway to assess the possible aquisition of a permanent system.

The systems were used by Canada in Kandahar and will become available following the draw down of Canadian Forces, which will be completed by the end of the year.

These additional measures come on top of other initiatives put in place to protect Australian soldiers against IEDs.

Measures that have been delivered as part of the $1.6 billion package the Government committed to following the 2009 Force Protection Review include:
- Upgrading our Bushmaster vehicles to provide better protection for troops inside;
- Equipping Bushmasters with heavier calibre weapons;
- Rolled out new lighter TBAS combat body armour;
- Attaching mine rollers to the front of Bushmasters to roll ahead of the vehicle to take the impact of an IED explosion;
- Purchasing new handheld mine detectors;
- Improving counter IED training here inAustralia; and
- Delivering the Counter Rocket Mortar and Artillery early warning system.

(Aus DoD)

06 Agustus 2011

BTR3E1 6x6 armored vehicle (photo : nation multi media)

Thailand purchased 121 Ukrainian armored

"Ukrspetsexport" concluded with Thailand, a contract to supply 121 BTR-3E1, said in a statement posted on the website of the Ukrainian state company. The deal amounted to $ 140 million. This contract was added to the already concluded in 2007 an agreement for the supply of 96 armored vehicles to Thailand. Earlier it was reported that Thailand plans to buy the BTR-3E1 on the defense budget savings.

After signing a contract to supply 96 armored personnel carriers, Thailand for a long time could not get the ordered equipment. The Ukrainian side has explained the delay by the fact that Germany refused to supply parts to the Ukraine for military use, used in the BTR-3E1. For this reason, the assembly for the APC in Thailand has not been completed.Transfer the first batch of 12 armored vehicles took place in late September 2010, another batch of 12 vehicles were sent to Thailand in April 2011.

Thailand over the past year significantly increased its purchases of Ukrainian military equipment. The Ministry of Defense says it is cheap Ukrainian art. In March 2011 the command of the Army of Thailand has decided to purchase 200 (according to other sources than a hundred) of main battle tanks T-84U "stronghold" of Ukrainian origin. The sum of the potential deal is estimated at seven billion baht (231.1 million dollars). New tanks will replace the antiquated American-made M41A3.

(Lenta)

26 Juli 2011

ASLAV simulator (photo : Thales)

Vehicle simulators to help train our soldiers

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that Defence has signed a contract worth $25 million with Thales Australia to deliver nine additional vehicle training simulators for Australian Army crews operating the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV).

The Crew Procedural Trainer simulator provides troops who operate the ASLAV with realistic training across a range of environments, without the need to incur the full costs of ASLAV operations.

“These simulators are used by ASLAV crews to refine their procedures before they deploy on operations,” Mr Clare said.

“Simulation is an increasingly important method of training for Defence personnel as combat systems become more complex. It also increases the safety of our troops and reduces fuel usage.”

The simulators will be assembled at the company’s facility in Rydalmere, NSW, before being delivered to Army units throughout 2013. The nine additional simulators will take the total number ordered by Defence to 18.

(Aus DoD)

25 Juli 2011

Bushmaster Ute (photo : Avalon AirshowNews)

THE Gillard government has been accused of interfering in a Defence tender process to buy the next generation of army trucks, pushing a generous portion of the multibillion-dollar contract to the Victorian-built Bushmaster.

Defence and industry insiders have told The Saturday Age the government has tried to circumvent recommendations from the Defence Materiel Organisation, which favoured a cheaper armoured truck made by German company Rheinmetall MAN. It beat both Mercedes-Benz and the modified Bushmaster Ute, which is made in Bendigo by French company Thales, in the Defence tender.

The Bushmaster Ute not only came last in trials, but costs up to three times as much as its rivals. It is more expensive to service and rolled twice in initial testing due to a high centre of gravity.

Despite this, a source in the DMO told The Saturday Age a message came back from the government after the German company topped the tender process: ''Any option that doesn't include Thales is no option.''

Another insider said: ''The government wanted to keep Bendigo open and it would close if we didn't give them some work.'' They said the government was trying to influence the final departmental decision, worth as much as $1.7 billion.

While the DMO recommended Rheinmetall MAN, the government has yet to make a decision on the tender. The department denied being asked to include Thales as a successful tenderer. It said the final decision would rest on ''the needs of our soldiers and best value for money''.

The delayed project for 2700 medium and heavyweight trucks, some of which could be used in Afghanistan, includes 1500 vehicles with substantial armoured protection.

Thales has bid to supply 900 of its new Bushmaster Utes - worth more than $500 million - to replace the army's ageing fleet of Unimog trucks.

ADF's Unimog trucks (photo : Australian Army)

Privately, a number of parties have raised concerns about political interference in the tender.
In March, Mercedes-Benz Australian president Hans Tempel wrote to Defence Minister Stephen Smith to express concerns about ''the overall process of selecting a final tenderer … and whether undisclosed factors will play a role''.

The letter, which has been obtained by The Saturday Age, was written after Labor's Bendigo MP Steve Gibbons stated publicly that the government could reverse the DMO's final decision. The MP told the ABC that while the DMO might ''overlook Bushmaster, we may be able to overturn that … because ultimately it will be a government decision''.

Mr Gibbons has been a vocal campaigner for Bushmaster, which has cut 100 jobs in his constituency in the past year. In his reply to Mr Tempel, Mr Smith warned Mercedes-Benz ''a letter has recently been sent to all tenderers … reminding them of their obligations regarding public announcements and communications''.

The department has reminded all three tenderers of their obligation not to speak to journalists.
The Saturday Age believes there are further concerns the government intervened in a separate contract awarded to Thales in May, when 101 Bushmaster troop carriers were purchased for $130 million, despite the army needing less than half as many to replace damaged vehicles. That contract will keep the Bendigo production line open for at least another year.

Sources say the army originally requested 31 vehicles, but Defence increased its request to 61. The final purchase of 101 vehicles is seen by insiders as excessive, and they claim there are dozens of Bushmasters sitting unused in storage.

The department says ''there are no unused [deployable] Bushmasters in storage''.

However, aerial pictures taken last month show 89 Bushmasters sitting on Defence land in Brisbane (and there were 61 pictured there last year).

A DMO source said: ''This is protectionism. We are trading off the safety of soldiers and we are trading off capability for an Australian-made option.''

This week, Mr Smith said he would make no decision on the contract until after he received a recommendation from the department. Speaking at Thales's Bendigo plant he said: ''We will await Defence advice and then we'll make a judgment.''

The department makes a recommendation based on the technical merits of each manufacturer, but before a formal submission is made it must consider what is known as ''Whole of Commonwealth requirements'' for army vehicles.

Defence and contractor sources say this is ''industry policy being run out of Defence''.

''What annoys me is the man on the ground will miss out [because] the government is directly intervening,'' said a source involved with testing the trucks.

A test driver said: ''My vested interest is as a soldier on the ground who, in the end, will have to use the vehicle.''

''That vehicle [Bushmaster Ute] doesn't meet the tender specifications. You can't load it above the cab height … and there are the centre of gravity issues. Really, it's not a vehicle we can use, and the army doesn't want it.''

The new Bushmaster utility had initial testing problems, suffering from potentially fatal rollovers and unacceptable vibration in the driver's cabin. Some sources say these issues are still outstanding, while others insist they were fixed.

One source said that while all three vehicles had minor weaknesses, they met the contract requirements and all were better than the current fleet in Afghanistan.

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(The Age)

20 Juli 2011

Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle at the Thales factory, Bendigo, Vistoria, Australia (photo : Bendigoweekly)

800th Bushmaster made in Bendigo

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare were in Bendigo today to thank local workers as the 800th Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle rolled off the production line.

Bushmasters have unquestionably saved lives in Afghanistan. The vehicles have proven to be very effective, providing Australian troops with mobility and protection, particularly against Improvised Explosive Devices.

Workers at the Thales factory in Bendigo have been producing Bushmaster vehicles for the Australian Defence Force, and export orders for the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

In May, the Government announced the purchase of an additional 101 Bushmaster vehicles to support ADF operations in Afghanistan. The vehicles, together with associated support, are being purchased at a total cost of $133 million. This includes fitting Middle East Area of Operations protection kits and protected weapons stations.

It also includes funding to evaluate a range of enhancements to the Bushmaster vehicle to increase the level of protection it provides to ADF personnel. If these enhancements are viable they may be applied to the 101 vehicles.

The vehicles will be manufactured at the Bendigo factory and will be delivered over the next 18 months.

Ministers Smith and Clare paid tribute to the professionalism of the workers at the Bendigo factory, saying that their work was helping to save the lives of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Ministers also recognised that Australian workers around the country are also involved in the production of the Bushmasters. Iron ore mined from the Pilbara and coking coal from the Hunter is forged in Port Kembla and cut to size in Melbourne and delivered to Bendigo where it is welded together to produce Bushmaster vehicles.

The Bushmasters are produced in seven military variants - troop, command, mortar, assault pioneer, direct fire weapon, ambulance and air defence.

The v-shaped monocoque hull of the Bushmaster provides a high degree of protection against Improvised Explosive Devices, deflecting blast away from the vehicle and its occupants.

(Australian DoD)

19 Juli 2011

The powerful Jackals will join the SAS fleet. (photo : Gary Ramage Herald Sun)

THE SAS Regiment will finally take delivery of 31 new $80 million Nary patrol vehicles, known as Jackals, this month - more than three years later than planned.

The Nary is based on the Supacat HMT 400 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 vehicles. It can be fitted with an "optional" mine blast and ballistic protection kit, mission hampers, weapons, communications, surveillance and force protection equipment. It has two machineguns and a grenade launcher.

"Army is now considering how to use the vehicles," a well-placed source said.

The world's most expensive four-man army vehicle was named in honour of SAS Warrant Officer and vehicle specialist David Nary, who died in a training accident in Kuwait in 2005.

Built by British firm Supacat, they are known as Jackals in British forces, which have been using them since 2009.

The Australian variant has been dogged by technical problems including systems integration, payload, suspension and armour problems, and will be 42 months behind schedule when it enters service in Afghanistan later this year.

Its weight was boosted by a tonne of steel armour to almost 10 tonnes, making it too heavy to drive into Army Chinook helicopters used to carry patrol vehicles all over Afghanistan and Iraq.

In late 2006, then army chief Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said the vehicles would provide greater payload with a stronger drive-train, transmission and components, and enhanced command, control and communications equipment.

The Government will soon announce the successful bidder for a $1.5 billion contract to provide up to 1200 light protected mobility vehicles for the Army.

Victoria's Thales, builder of the effective Bushmaster vehicle, is a frontrunner.

(Herald Sun)