21 November 2011

Cocos Island (image : GoogleMaps)

THE upgrading of defence ties with the US may include the development of joint military facilities on Cocos Islands.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said yesterday the first priority would be upgrading the HMAS Stirling naval base, near Perth. "In the future, there may well be some possibility or prospect of greater utilisation of Cocos Islands," he said.

Mr Smith told the Ten Network there would have to be a major upgrade of the infrastructure on Cocos Islands, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, before they were fit for joint use by the Australian and US forces.

His comments confirm that the steps announced last week, starting with 250 additional US troops visiting Darwin, mark the start of what is likely to be a much wider collaboration. Mr Smith has played down suggestions of China's displeasure with the new military arrangement between Australia and the US, saying the official response has been measured and appropriate.

But a spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liu Weimin, said the move might not be in the interests of countries in the region and questioned the expansion of military ties while global economics were still shaky.

An editorial in China's state-run People's Daily newspaper went further, saying if Australia used its military bases to help the US hurt Chinese interests, "one thing is certain . . . Australia will be caught in the crossfire".

Mr Smith said the media commentary should be divorced from China's official response.

"And the official response has quite frankly been a measured one. It hasn't been over the top."

He said China was against military alliances, but understood Australia's ties with the US.

(The Australian)

17 November 2011

Darwin, Noth Australia (image : GoogleMaps)

CANBERRA, Australia — U.S. military presence in Australia is expanding, with plans underway to deploy about 250 Marines starting next year and lay the groundwork for up to 2,500 over the next several years.

The Air Force and Navy are expected to expand there presence in the region as well.

The agreement was announced Wednesday at a joint news conference with President Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. It is widely viewed as a response to China's growing aggressiveness, although the president insisted that the U.S. does not fear Beijing.

China responded swiftly, warning that an expanded U.S. military footprint in Australia may not be appropriate and deserved greater scrutiny.

Obama called the plan "significant," and said it would build capacity and cooperation between the U.S. and Australia. U.S. officials were careful to emphasize that the pact was not an attempt to create a permanent American military presence in Australia.

The Marines will reportedly be organized as a special purpose Marine air-ground task force and be based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, an Australian military installation on the country’s northern coast. The buildup to 2,500 personnel, expected to be complete within six years, will require an expansion of the base, but no new installations, according to reports. Its not immediately clear what sort of equipment the Marine Corps will send to Australia, but reports suggest the deployments may last only six months out of the year.

In addition to the Marines, more U.S. aircraft will rotate through Australia as part of an agreement between each nation's air force.

Australian media is reporting that plans call for B-52 bombers, F/A-18 attack aircraft, C-17 transports and aerial refueling tankers to operate out of the Australian air force facility at Tindal, near the town of Katherine. That's about 200 miles southeast of Darwin.

Also, more U.S. ships will transit through the Sterling naval base, south of Perth in western Australia, according to Australian media.

Obama and Gillard said the increased air presence would allow the U.S. and Australia to more effectively respond to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises in the region.

During his news conference, the president sidestepped questions about whether the security agreement was aimed at containing China. But he said the U.S. would keep sending a clear message that China needs to accept the responsibilities that come with being a world power.

"It's important for them to play by the rules of the road," he said.

And he insisted that the U.S is not fearful of China's rise.

"I think the notion that we fear China is mistaken. The notion that we're looking to exclude China is mistaken," he said.

China was immediately leery of the prospect of an expanded U.S. military presence in Australia.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Wednesday that it was worth discussing whether the plan was in line with the common interests of the international community.

Obama national security aide Ben Rhodes said the agreement was not only appropriate, but also a response to the demand from nations in the region that have signaled they want the U.S. to be present.

The U.S. and smaller Asian nations have grown increasingly concerned about China claiming dominion over vast areas of the Pacific that the U.S. considers international waters, and reigniting old territorial disputes, including confrontations over the South China Sea. China's defense spending has increased threefold since the 1990s to about $160 billion last year, and its military has recently tested a new stealth jet fighter and launched its first aircraft carrier.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said that the goal of the new security pact is to signal that the U.S. and Australia will stick together in face of any threats.

Rhodes said the U.S. military boost would amount to a "sustained U.S. presence." He distinguished that from a permanent presence in the sense that the U.S. forces will use Australian facilities, as opposed to the United States to building its own bases, as it has in such regional places as South Korea. The U.S. has not signaled any interest in that in Australia.

The only American base currently in Australia is the secretive joint Australia-U.S. intelligence and communications complex at Pine Gap in central Australia. But there are hundreds of U.S. service personnel in Australia on exchange.

Air combat units also use the expansive live bombing ranges in Australia's sparsely populated north in training rotations of a few months and occasionally naval units train off the coast. But training exercises involving ground forces are unusual.

(MarineCorpsTimes)

30 Agustus 2011



Nomad of the PAF (photo : Reuters)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan — As part of the development program being pushed to improve the capabilities of the Armed Forces’ services in the province of Palawan, the planning team from the 570th Composite Tactical Wing (CTW) sat down with its counterpart from the Western Command (WESCOM) and the Naval Forces West (NFW) to map out the development of the air base in Palawan.

In a press release, the 6th Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines reveals that a two-day conference was held last August 18 and 19 to formulate the Master Development Plan of Antonio Bautista Air Base (ABAB).

ABAB is one of the nine air bases eyed for the priority development programs of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Maximizing the use of its land resources is the primary objective of coming up with a Master Development Plan for ABAB. The lay-outs of the land areas of both WESCOM and NFW were integrated inconceptualizing the plan since the two are adjacent to ABAB.

As the three military headquarters share some common needs, the planners aim to come up with a strategic design that would serve as a basis for deciding where to put up a facility, like a hospital for instance, that is most convenient and accessible to all.

Equally important is that conceptualizing the Master Development Plan would allow the planners todecide what project is most suited to a certain land area so as to maximize its utilization.

Experts have been consulted in formulating the conceptual plan for ABAB. For instance, with the help of an environmentalist, the effect of a certain project on the natural environment has been assessed and taken into consideration.

Should the National Headquarters approve the plan and the National Government provide the fund for its implementation right after, it would not only translate to an improved headquarters’ lay-out, but it would also mean better services for the people.

(Zamboanga Times)

14 Juli 2011

Sungai Besi airbase (photo : euveng)

KUALA LUMPUR: All flights to and from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Sungai Besi are expected to cease by year-end.

The government notified the Defence Ministry about contractor IMDB moving in and organising development works for the base and the surrounding area.RMAF chief Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said it had been notified to move its air operations out of the base, popularly known as Sempang among aviators, to the RMAF base in Subang and other facilities, pending the development of a new base in Sendayan, Negri Sembilan, next year.

Rodzali said: "We have been told to plan for the relocation as early as Nov 30.

"In fact, we have moved all our fixed-wing (airplane) operations to Subang and other bases. "The remaining rotary-wing (helicopter) operations, involving the 10 Squadron, will move to Subang."

The Department of Civil Aviation will close the airspace above the base and its surroundings, making the runway redundant.Rodzali said: "As of now, there are no more fixed-wing flights at the Sungai Besi base, except the light aircraft of the Royal Selangor Flying Club and the helicopter operations of the Royal Malaysian Police's Air Unit."He said this after presenting excellent service certificates to 224 of the 1,074 officers and men from air force facilities in the Klang Valley at the Sungai Besi base yesterday.

Police may move their operations to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang. IMDB will set up a project development centre once the runway is completely closed .It is the prime contractor of a consortium, which includes the Armed Forces Superannuation Fund, that will develop the 160ha base, surrounded by the Sungai Besi Highway, Taman Seputeh and Istana Negara, into the multi-billion ringgit upscale Bandar Malaysia project.Other facilities at the base include the RMAF's logistics headquarters and No. 1 Air Division, bunkered-air defence operations centre, an army artillery unit, an equestrian club, a shooting range, RMAF Museum, Institute of Aviation Medicine and quarters for senior officers.

(News Straits Times)

25 Juni 2011

Negros Occidental, Philippines (image : GoogleMaps)

The Philippine Air Force will soon set up its regional tactical operation group headquarters at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Negros Occidental.

The PAF in the Western Visayas presently has its Tactical Operation Group-6 headquarters in Iloilo.

The establishment of the Air Force TOG-6 headquarters at the Bacolod-Silay Airport was endorsed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who requested for approval and authority from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to sign the memorandum of agreement by and between the province of Negros Occidental and the PAF.

The TOG-6 headquarters will house PAF air assets, such as helicopter gunship, war and cargo air transport planes. The Air Force headquarters in Region 6 was proposed to be transferred from Iloilo to Negros Occidental during the stint of retired General Victor Ibrado, then commander of the AFP Central Command.

The proposed MOA stipulated that the provincial government will acquire four hectares of land within or near the vicinity of the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Brgy. Bagtic, Silay City, while the PAF will undertake the development of the area, construction and maintenance of structures, and facilities.

The MOA also states that the PAF will give Negros Occidental priority in extending assistance, or preference to the needs of the province in times of emergency, calamity and similar circumstances, when its services may be needed.

The establishment of an Air Force headquarters at the Bacolod-Silay Airport was welcomed by military officials in Negros island, who have to request for air support, either from Cebu or Iloilo in times of emergency crisis and tactical operations against lawless groups.*GPB

(The Visayan Daily Star)

20 Juni 2011

Hulugan, Palawan - West Philippines (image : Google Maps)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy is mulling the possible upgrade of its naval station in Hulugan Bay in Palawan.
(PhilStar)

Speaking on ANC's "The Rundown," Commodore Edgardo Tamayo, chief of the Naval Forces West based in Palawan said, given its strategic and practical location, the area could be made the new base for the Navy's operations.

Navy officials recently visited Hulugan Bay to assess operations on the Western front.

New naval base?

"Hulugan is on the Western front, facing the Kalayaan Island groups or Spratlys. From the Reed Bank, that's only 450 nautical miles, 200 from Pag-asa. It's within our economic zone. You can save a lot if Hulugan will be a staging point or area of operation," Tamayo said.

"That could serve as headquarters for the naval forces because of the strategic value of it. That would be good for the Navy and Palawan. On the Western front, there is a strong need for naval presence," he added.

The plan comes amid growing tension over the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Stiffer penalties for poachers

Meantime, Tamayo believes that there should be stiffer penalties for those caught poaching in Philippine waters, as penalties under the current Fisheries Code are not enough.

"There is an urgent need to amend Republic Act 8550, the Fisheries Code of 1998 to make poaching and violation of Section 87 of Republic Act (R.A.) 9147, The Wildlife Resources and Protection Act of 2001, a non-bailable offense, and to increase the fines for these violations. The penalty under the provision Section 97 of R.A. 8550 (taking or gathering of endangered species) is $100,000 to make it $500,000 to make it a deterrent."

On Thursday, Tamayo said they received an order from the provincial prosecutor to commit to jail the 122 Vietnamese who were earlier apprehended for poaching in the waters off Palawan. A medical check-up was scheduled on Friday as part of standard operating procedure.

The Vietnamese poachers were placed in the custody of the Navy immediately after apprehension. They are awaiting inquest proceedings. The fiscal's office is expected to rule Friday if there is probable cause to file a case against them.

"The 122 of them will have to face the fiscal. While waiting, we have no facility wherein these alleged poachers can be placed. They were placed in our custody on both ships."

In March this year, the Navy Forces West, together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine National Police Maritime, and the local government of Balaoac, apprehended 6 alleged Chinese poachers. The 6 were committed to jail after the filing of charges.

The Navy admitted it is making do with limited resources for their maritime operations. These include 10 floating assets, counting in 3 which, Tamayo said, are committed to Task Force Malampaya in El Nido, Palawan.

(PhilStar)

17 Juni 2011

Garden Island naval base, Sidney (photo : The Daily Telegraph)

THE Australian Navy could open its main Sydney naval base to civilian use, with cruise ships potentially able to dock at Garden Island.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare announced a review into civilian use of Garden Island by former Defence Department secretary Allan Hawke today.

The Navy will also spend more than $3 billion on 24 Seahawk "Romeo" combat helicopters, replacing 16 ageing earlier Seahawk helicopters.

In a sweeping set of announcements, the final $35 million payment on the $100 million Largs Bay amphibious craft purchased from the UK, the signing of a $133 million contract to buy 101 Bushmaster vehicles and the roll out of additional C-RAM early warning rocket systems to Australian forward operating bases in Afghanistan were all also announced.

The new Seahawk helicopters, which will be purchased off the shelf, were selected ahead of the NATO Helicopter Industries NH90 NFH which would have been built by Australian Aerospace.

Mr Smith said the Seahawk's proven capability with the US Navy had been decisive factor, as well as its interoperability with the US Navy.

"The Romeo is a proven capability currently operated by the United States Navy. The United States Navy has accepted around 100 Romeos which have accumulated 90,000 flying hours, including on operational deployments," Mr Smith said.

"Because of its proven capability it's low risk and also we very strongly believe it is value for money," he said.

Mr Clare said the helicopters would be based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra and would operate from the back of ANZAC frigates as well as the new air warfare destroyers.

"Their job is to hunt and kill submarines they also will play an important role in attacking small and fast moving water craft," he said.

"And like the our Seahawk helicopters that operate off our frigates now in the middle east and the coast of Africa they will playa very important role when it comes to anti piracy and counter-terrorist activities."

"This is a big and important decision. It's worth more than $3 billion and worth even more than that to Australia security."

On the review of civilian access to the Garden Island naval base, Mr Smith said he had appointed Mr Hawke to conduct the review following his successful review of the future use of the Woomera protected area.

"Our on-going primary obligation and capacity has to be of course for navy and military arrangements," he said.

But Mr Smith struck a note of caution on the prospect of cruise ships gaining access to the naval facility with the arrival of the Largs Bay, two landing helicopter docks that are larger than Australia largest aircraft carrier and two air warfare destroyers.

"There are considerable constraints on Garden Island but I want that independent review to be conducted," he said.

The deal with Sikorsky Lockheed Martin comes three years after then-Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon dropped Australia's $1 billion commitment to the Seasprite project and 15 months after the tender process began.

The Seahawk helicopters will begin entering service with the Navy from mid-2014 and the roll out will finish in 2020.

A review into the civilian access to air force airfields was also announced, with the civil aviation industry invited to comment on that review by the October 31.

"We want to see if it's possible to provide greater access to about a dozen or so of our airfields," Mr Smith said.

"Again, the starting point has to be that our air force airfields are of course for air force and defence purposes but we are waiting to see if greater sensible access to airfields is appropriate."

(The Australian)

30 Mei 2011

Sendayan, Negri Sembilan (image : NST)

GEMAS: The Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, will be relocated to Sendayan in Negri Sembilan.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who made the announcement yesterday, declined to elaborate but said that further details on the relocation would be given later.

Sendayan is about 15km from Seremban. There had been plans for the site to be made a Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) for AirAsia, but the plans were shelved.

Najib was speaking to reporters after launching the Community Rehabilitation Centre in Kem Syed Sirajuddin here.

Air Force chief Tan Sri Rodzali Daud had earlier said the air force was prepared to relocate if the government wanted to turn the Sungai Besi base into a commercial hub.

He said if instructed to move, all assets, including the headquarters and aircraft which were at the base, would be moved to the Subang Air Force base, or any other suitable location.

"We have no objections, but hope the relocation will provide us with better and modern infrastructure."

The Sungai Besi air force base was the first airport in the country to be given international status on Aug 1, 1956, by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, the nation's first prime minister.

Earlier in his speech, Najib said the government would enter into more "unique partnerships" in future with the aim of reducing manpower and costs, as well as maximising the use of existing assets to generate income.

He said it was time for the government to think creatively and find solutions for social, economical and political problems.

"We cannot think conventionally anymore. If in the past we wanted to reduce the crime rate, we would have immediately asked for an additional budget, increased manpower and more prisons.

"However, now under the Blue Ocean Strategy way of thinking, we need to find ways to reduce crime using the lowest budget possible. This is what we are doing today with our community rehabilitation centres being set up in army camps."

Najib said the cost of rehabilitating 300 prisoners at the camp was only RM7 million a year compared with caring for 400 prisoners in a jail which cost about RM50 million a year.

"The community rehabilitation centres are a clear example of how successful a 'unique partnership' can be. To make these centres work, the Home, Defence and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry ministries have to work together."

Najib said phase two of the programme would be extended to the rehabilitation of drug addicts and would involve the National Anti-Drug Agency.

The community rehabilitation centre at Kem Syed Sirajuddin is the second after the prime minister launched the first one at Kem Mahkota Kluang in Johor on March 26.

"During my walk around the camp, I spoke to six prisoners and their families and they were all thankful to the government for coming up with such a programme.

"Here, they are able to see their families regularly, learn new skills and even earn up to RM200 per month, compared with about RM30 per month in jail.

"He said the government would discuss with Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) on the possibility of giving these prisoners a small loan to venture into the agriculture sector on their release.

Three other community rehabilitation centres would be set up in Kem Desa Pahlawan, Kelantan; Kem Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Alor Star; and Kem Batu 10, 4th mechanised brigade, Kuantan, Pahang.

In Muar, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera and 1Malaysia Development Bhd were the developers of the new RMAF base in Sendayan.

"Once the Sendayan base is completed, the developers will turn the Sungai Besi base into a commercial hub, which will include low-cost housing for the lower-income group," Zahid told the media after officiating the Bakri Umno division meeting here yesterday. Also present was Bakri Umno chief Datuk Saipol Bahri Suib.

He said the developers would build all the facilities at the new base, which is as big as the Sungai Besi base, including the runway, control tower and hangars.

"We will only move into the new base once all the facilities and equipment are in place. The moving process is expected to take 60 months to complete," said Zahid.

Asked if the ministry had a deadline for the developers to complete the new base, he said the ministry had a timeline but declined to elaborate.

(New Straits Times)

28 Mei 2011

New airbase it is reportedly believed to be at Kota Warisan in Dengkil, near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang (photo : Airplane Pictures).

KUALA LUMPUR: The new air force base, to replace the one at Sungai Besi, will primarily served as a training establishment.

Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said the new base would house the numerous training facilities in the organisation 'under one roof' as a management and leadership centre, especially for non-commissioned officers.

"At the moment, our various training institutions, like the Air Force Specialty School in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, are scattered all over the country but soon, it will be centralised in one base.

"It will allow us to restructure our operations and relocate the air divisions and command headquarters to forward operational bases just like how the navy and army has done."

As part of the 'Air Force-Next Generation' strategy, Rodzali said the force would emphasise on courses in aero-mechanics, avionics, aerospace support equipment and information communications technology for the future generation of technically skilled personnel.

"Under our 'Engaging the Talent' mission, we want to nurture people with calibre and quality with skills in handling sophisticated equipment like digital avionics, as a way of keeping up with global challenges."

He declined to identify the exact location of the new air base, which will not have a runway, but it is reportedly believed to be at Kota Warisan in Dengkil, near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang.

"Having a runway will not be feasible as the Klang Valley already has a congested airspace," he told a press conference held in conjunction with RMAF's 53rd anniversary on Wednesday.

He said the bunkered air defence operations centre at the Sungai Besi base would be relocated, possibly to the air force commando base in Bukit Jugra in Banting, while the helicopter squadrons to Subang, home to the RMAF's VVIP jets and helicopters, Hercules C-130s, maritime patrol squadrons and a national disaster air relief centre.

The 160ha Sungai Besi air base will make way for the multi-billion ringgit upscale Bandar Malaysia, undertaken by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (IMDB) via the Armed Forces Superannuation Fund.

Meanwhile, he said the RMAF's development plan included buying the muti-role combat aircraft, radars, sensors and the airborne early warning and control system.

The shopping list also include the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets of the United States, Dassault Aviation's Rafael from France and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen from Sweden.

"We are looking at acquiring between 12 and 18 ultra-modern fighter jets per squadron, to replace the aging MiG-29N Fulcrums by 2015. Ideally, we want to operate not more than two types of fighters for ease of logistics, maintenance and the like."

Rodzali added the RMAF would take delivery of 12 Eurocopter EC-725 from next year, six Airbus A400M medium-lift aeroplanes were due for delivery from 2015."

In the meantime, at least 15 of our Nuri S-61 Sikorsky helicopters will be refurbished with upgraded avionics to complement the Eurocopters.

(New Straits Times)

04 Mei 2011

Sepanggar Naval Base - Sabah, Malaysia (photo : Google Earth)

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- TRC Synergy Bhd's wholly-owned construction arm, Trans Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd, has secured a contract from Boustead Penang Shipyard Sdn Bhd worth RM45 million for a 27-month period.

In a statement Tuesday, the company said the contract is for the design, construction, outfitting, integration, testing and commissioning of submarine safety conditioning facilities, submarine hangar and workshop facilities in relation to the Royal Malaysian Navy contract for the in-service support for two units Scorpene class submarines at Sepangar Bay, Sabah.


Its executive chairman Datuk Seri Sufri Mohd Zin said:"This RM45 million contract follows the previous main contract, which was completed in 2009. I am delighted that our client maintains the confidence in our capability and expertise."TRC specialises in building and infrastructure construction and turnkey design and building contracts.

(Bernama)

24 Januari 2011

A US Air Force C-17 plane takes off from Whenuapai Air Base. (photo : NZHerald/Martin Sykes)

The Government is to spend $24 million upgrading the Whenuapai Air Base in Auckland.

The main runway and taxiways will be upgraded, storm water drainage improved and new lighting will be installed.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says it ensures there is a runway that will last at least another 40 years.

He says the runway was built shortly before World War Two and now constantly needs repair.

Work will begin this month with the project expected to be completed in May next year.

(NZHerald)