21 Januari 2020
Hunter class frigates (image : Aus DoD)
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of long lead items, engineering development activities, and other defense services to support the Australian Surface Combatant Program for an estimated cost of $1.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on yesterday.
The Government of Australia has requested to buy long lead items, engineering development activities, and other defense services to support the Australian Surface Combatant Program, including the modernization of the three Hobart Class Destroyers, and construction of the first three (of nine total) Hunter Class Frigates which includes: three (3) Shipsets of the AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) in the MK 6 Mod 1 configuration to support the Modernization of the Hobart Class DDGs; three (3) Shipsets of the AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) in the MK 6 Mod 1 configuration to support the New Construction of the Hunter Class FFGs; three (3) shipsets of the MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) for installation on the Hunter Class Frigates; three (3) shipsets (2 mounts per ship) of the Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) for installation on the Hunter Class Frigates; two (2) Australia AEGIS Weapon System Computer Programs (one for Hobart Class, one for Hunter Class), and associated computer programs for AEGIS Combat System components for installation on both the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; six (6) shipsets of the Global Positioning System (GPS) - Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Service (GPNTS) Navigation Systems and associated Advanced Digital Antenna Production (ADAP) antennas and support equipment for installation on the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; six (6) shipsets of upgraded Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) equipment for installation on the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; six (6) shipsets of Command and Control Processor (C2P) equipment for installation on the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; and eight (8) shipsets of Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Set (MIDS JTRS) terminals for installation on the Hobart and Hunter Class ships.
Hobart class destroyer (image : Hum 3D)
Also included are: three (3) shipsets of MK 34 Gun Weapon System (GWS) modification equipment to include the Electro Optical Sight System and changes supporting Naval Fires Planner and associated TacLink Control System for installation on the Hobart Class Destroyers; three (3) shipsets of MK 34 Gun Weapon System components to include the MK 160 Gun Computing System and the MK 20 Electro Optical Sight System, and the Naval Fires Planner and associated TacLink Control System for installation on the Hunter Class Frigates; three (3) shipsets of: Mode 5/S capable Identification, Friend of Foe (IFF) Systems; Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplexing System (GEDMS); AN/WSN-7 Ring Laser Gyrocompass Inertial Navigation Systems; WSN-9 Digital Hybrid Speed Log systems; Common Data Link Management System (CDLMS); and Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M) systems for installation on the Hunter Class Frigates; six (6) shipsets of AN/SRQ-4 Hawklink and SQQ-89 Sonobuoy processing equipment for installation on the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; defense services for development and integration of a capability upgrade for the installed AEGIS Combat System on the Hobart Class Destroyer, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability and growth capability for Ballistic Missile Defense; development, integration and testing support for installation of a AEGIS Combat System for installation on the Hunter Class FFG, a Global Combat Ship Type 26 (BAE) platform, including the integration of the indigenous CEAFAR 2 Phased Array Radar (CEA Industries) with the AEGIS Combat System (including Cooperative Engagement Capability) and the primary radar sensor and illuminator; integration of selected Australian provided combat system components including Undersea Warfare and Ship Self Defense for installation on the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; integration of the MH-60R helicopter into the AEGIS Combat System for installation on the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; Procurement and delivery of installation support material, special purpose test equipment, initial logistics outfitting, spares and other ancillary equipment to support the installation and integration of AEGIS Combat System equipment in the Hunter and Hobart class ship platforms; development of technical documentation to support both programs; provision of logistics and other support services to support the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; procurement, staging, delivery and installation support for AEGIS Combat System equipment for the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; provision of training support for curriculum development, training tool development, front-end analysis, and crew training for the Hobart and Hunter Class ships; U.S. Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support for the Hobart and Hunter Class ships. The total estimated cost is $1.50 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region.
The proposed sale will enhance Australia's Surface Combatant capability by modernizing their existing three AEGIS capable Hobart Class Destroyers with the latest technology and capability, and delivering the first three (of nine) AEGIS capable Hunter Class Future Frigates. This sale enhances Australia's self-defense capability, while significantly improving interoperability with U.S. Navy AEGIS combatants in the region. By deploying a surface combatant fleet that will incorporate Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), Australia will significantly improve network-centric warfare capability for US forces operating in the region. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
(DSCA)
22 Januari 2020
LCU berdesain baru (photo : Tesco Indomaritim)
LCU berdesain baru merupakan kapal pertama yang akan segera diluncurkan di Tahun 2020. Tesco Indomaritim bangga dengan kualitas, keterampilan dan desain yang dibuat oleh tim in-house desain Tesco.
Dengan kapabilitas beaching ke tepi pantai dan fitur auto ramp yang bisa diturunkan, kapal LCU dibuat untuk sarana transportasi alat perbekalan Militer Indonesia. Diharapkan kapal tersebut akan membuat operasional TNI menjadi semakin praktis, ekonomis dan efisien.
Sebelumnya Landing Craft Utility 26M yang dibuat oleh Tesco yang dapat mencapai kecepatan 43 Knots.
(Tesco Indomaritim)
21 Januari 2020
Shortfin Barracuda submarines (image : WorldlessTech)
The French state-owned company designing Australia’s submarine fleet has already asked for a 15-month extension to deliver the design, the auditor general has found.
In February last year Naval Group asked for the extension to turn in its work in order to minimise delays down the track, which would extend the design completion date from July 2022 to September 2023.
Defence and Naval Group settled on a nine-month extension to the project, which has already been delayed. A further three-year delay would force Defence into the costly and potentially risky position of having to extend the life of the current submarine fleet, or risk a capability gap, something the parliament was warned about during estimates hearings last year.
“The program is currently experiencing a nine-month delay in the design phase against Defence’s pre-design contract estimates, and two major contracted milestones [related to design] were extended,” the auditor general found. “As a result, Defence cannot demonstrate that its expenditure of $396m on design of the future submarine has been fully effective in achieving the program’s two major design milestones to date.”
The $396m spent on design so far accounts for almost half the program’s expenditure to September last year.
Labor’s defence spokesman, Richard Marles, said it was just the latest in a long series of delays since the then prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, announced the program in 2016.
“It is deeply concerning that this program is already experiencing a nine-month delay in the design phase and that Defence cannot demonstrate that its expenditure of nearly $400m in taxpayers’ money has been fully effective in achieving two major design milestones,” Marles said.
“This comes on top of recent revelations that the future submarines will cost around $80bn to acquire and $145bn to sustain, and that construction of the first future submarine has been pushed back a year.
“On all three measures of this program – on time of delivery, on the cost of the project and on the amount of Australian content – the numbers are all going the wrong way.”
At this still early stage of the project, the auditor general had no recommendations other than to encourage a close and long-term working relationship between Defence and Naval Group, with the submarines scheduled to be delivered and begin service in the 2030s.
The auditor general’s report also confirmed “fabrication of complex hull parts” of the first submarine will be completed in France. Naval Group will construct the remaining submarine parts in Adelaide.
The $80bn program, which will deliver Australia 12 submarines, was established to replace the six ageing Collins-class submarines but has been beset with delays and frustrations almost from inception. It is the largest Defence procurement Australia has undertaken but the decision to design and build submarines rather than purchase “off the shelf” models has increased the risk associated with the program.
(The Guardian)
21 Januari 2020
KRI Alugoro 405 uji kemampuan selam (photo : BUMN)
Banyuwangi (ANTARA) - Kapal Selam Alugoro yang merupakan karya anak bangsa memasuki tahapan kemampuan selam laut (nominal diving depth/NDD) di area latihan TNI AL yang memiliki kedalaman laut memadai, yakni di Perairan Laut Utara Pulau Bali, Senin.
Dalam keterangan tertulis diterima ANTARA di Banyuwangi, Senin, tahapan kemampuan selam laut merupakan bagian dari 53 item dari tes penerimaan laut (sea acceptance rest/SAT) kapal selam Alugoro dan dalam NDD kapal selam ini dilakukan tes selam hingga kedalaman 250 meter.
"Tahapan NDD ini sangat penting, setelah tahapan uji kemampuan selam berhasil dilaksanakan, dapat disimpulkan 90 persen proses pembangunan kapal selam telah berhasil," ujar Kepala Divisi Kapal Selam PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) Satriyo Bintoro.
Menurut ia, Alugoro merupakan kapal selam ketiga dari batch pertama hasil kerja sama pembangunan kapal selam PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) bersama Daewoo Shipbuilding serta Marine Engineering (DSME).
Katanya, keberhasilan pembangunan Kapal Selam Alugoro menjadikan Indonesia satu-satunya negara di kawasan Asia Tenggara yang mampu membangun kapal selam.
KRI Alugoro 405 (graphic : solopos)
"Kapal selam tersebut sepenuhnya dibangun di fasilitas kapal selam PT PAL Indonesia (Persero)," ujarnya.
Ia mengemukakan, dalam pengerjaan joint section PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) berhasil menyelesaikan dengan predikat tidak ada kendala (zero defect).
Data diperoleh, peluncuran serta pemberian nama Kapal Selam Alugoro dilaksanakan pada 11 April 2019 di Dermaga Kapal Selam PT PAL Indonesia (Persero).
Setelah itu, Kapal Selam Alugoro menjalani berbagai proses pengujian seperti tes penerimaan pelabuhan (harbour acceptance test/HAT), SAT dan direncanakan akan diserahterimakan pada Kementerian Pertahanan untuk digunakan oleh TNI AL pada Desember 2020.
Selama pengujian Kapal Selam Alugoro, dikawal oleh KRI RE Martadinata-331, dan
Selama pelaksanaan tes penerimaan laut, Kapal Selam Alugoro menggunakan dermaga di Pelabuhan Tanjungwangi, Banyuwangi, sebagai sarana dan fasilitas berlabuh.
Kapal Selam Alugoro memiliki spesifikasi panjang 61,3 meter, kecepatan maksimal saat menyelam 21 knot dan kecepatan maksimal di permukaan 12 knot.
20 Januari 2020
16 special operations vehilces need for GGK (photo : Shephard)
The Malaysian Army has issued requests for bids from locally registered companies for the supply of vehicles for its special forces regiment.
The two tenders, which were issued on 9 January, are for 16 special operations vehicles (SOVs) and four rapid intervention vehicles (RIVs) for the service’s Grup Gerak Khas (GGK) or Special Forces Group.
According to the documents, the SOVs must enable the GGK to conduct special operations deep in enemy-held territory, and also to “manoeuvre in hostile terrain with great emphasis towards stealth, speed, and fire power”.
The vehicles will need to be delivered to the 11th Special Forces Regiment camp in Malacca: the counter-terrorism unit of the GGK.
(Jane's)
20 Januari 2020
BRP Jose Rizal class frigate (image : chosun)
The Philippine Navy is set to send some of its personnel to South Korea to undergo training so that they can man and operate the frigates that the navy has acquired, according to Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad.
In his exit interview on Wednesday night, Empedrad was asked about the status of the two-unit frigate acquisition project of the Navy. According to him, the BRP Jose Rizal has already finished its sea trials.
“Actually tapos na ‘yung sea trial ng ship at sea. Na-test na nila lahat and then okay na. There is some fine-tuning in the systems, ‘yung weapon systems," Empedrad said.
"Ang next na gagawin ng Navy is ipadala ‘yung crew to Korea this first quarter because based on our agreement with the chief of the Navy of the Republic of Korea, iti-train ‘yung crew natin, the whole crew to one of their class frigates."
Empedrad said the frigates will be delivered to Subic Bay. "Pagpunta ng frigate to Subic from Korea, hindi pa tayo ang magma-man niyan. It will be manned by selected crew of the Hyundai Heavy Industries... Pagdating sa Subic, saka lang puwedeng i-man ng ating Navy personnel."
According to the Navy, both ships are capable of engaging in the four dimensions of modern warfare that include: Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Electronic Warfare.
It added that the acquisition of these two missile frigates will further strengthen the Navy’s ability to protect the Philippine maritime territory.
The Philippine Navy is expecting that the BRP Antonio Luna will be delivered by September or October 2020 while BRP Jose Rizal may arrive in April or May of this year.
(GMA News)
20 Januari 2020
Thai Navy will own three S26T 3.600 ton diesel electric submarines (photo : sinodefence)
BANGKOK --- The Royal Thai Navy on Thursday said the first group of Thai submariners would receive their training in China, where Thailand’s first submarine fleet in nearly 70 years are being built.
Navy spokesman Prachachat Sirisawat said the navy will select a group of sailors to take training courses in China within this year. Their training would be completed just in time when the first of the three submarines is expected to be delivered to Thailand in 2023.
“Candidates must be able to communicate in English and Chinese, as well as physically and metally fit to work within the confined body of submarines,” Vice Adm. Prachachat said in an interview.
He would not say how many submariners would be trained, but said the training program would take two years to complete for each batch of crews.
The spokesman also confirmed the 22-billion baht deal to buy three brand-new submarines from China is sailing forward as planned. The acquisition was inked in 2017, or 65 years after Thai navy last had submarines under its command.
Three S26T submarines in total were commissioned at the price of two subs, according to the navy.
“The 3-for-2 deal is still on,” he added. “We proposed only two submarines under the agreement, but they gave us three in the price of two.”
See full article Khaosod
