Myanmar to Receive First Batch of SY-400

03 April 2020

SY-400 guided artillery rocket system with range bould reach 650 km (photo : MilitaryWatch)

Myanmar to receive first batch of SY-400 short-range precision attack ballistic missile from China.

Myanmar is going to receive the very first batch of SY-400M in very soon after a series of tough negotiations for years. Myanmar will also get some kinds of technology transfer for SY-400 along with some amount of loan to cover as the result of prolonged discussions.

The SY-400 system in standard configuration has eight containers with solid fuel missiles. Missiles are factory-fitted into these containers and can be stored for years and do not require additional maintenance. Missiles are launched vertically and have a range of about 400 km. The SY-400 can use different types of warheads.

(Myanmar and AMU)

Milspec Selected by Kongsberg for NASAMS Components

02 April 2020

Project LAND 19 Phase 7B (image : Kongsberg)

Albury based Milspec Manufacturing has been selected by Kongsberg Defence Australia to supply mechanical fixtures for components for Kongsberg sub-systems to be used on Australia’s National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) Ground Based Air Defence Systems (GBADS) being delivered under Project LAND 19 Phase 7B.

According to Kongsberg, Milspec will supply mechanical fixtures for the NASAMS Fire Distribution Centres along with classroom trainers.

Kongsberg, whose parent is based in Norway, will partner with Raytheon Australia to deliver NASAMS to the Australian Army to provide a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) GBADS capability against airborne threats such as aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles under LAND 19 Phase 7B. It is centred around a static or mobile launcher unit that fires radar-guided AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

Australia confirmed First Pass approval for the NASAMs in July 2017, with confirmation of the acquisition made in March 2019. It is planned for Australian systems to be mounted on Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicles and integrated with CEA Technologies CEATAC Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for fire control and CEAOPS for long range surveillance.

With this deal, Milspec joins other Australian companies including Daronmont Technologies, Eylex and REDARC as Kongsberg’s local partners and will now become part of the prime’s global supply chain.

Kongsberg Defence Australia General Manager John Fry said Kongsberg Defence Australia is proud to support regional Australian businesses and play an integral role in developing a sovereign Australian industry capability for the NASAMS program.

“Milspec is a terrific example of a successful Australian business that Kongsberg is proud to partner with to deliver some key components for NASAMS sub systems. Kongsberg is committed to working with Australian suppliers to ensure the best quality product for the program,” Mr Fry said.

Kongsberg Defence Australia will assemble and conduct sub-system level integration of the Fire Distribution Centre and NASAMS Classroom Trainers in Adelaide using predominantly Australian supplied components. Kongsberg Defence Australia will also conduct final assembly of the Canister Launchers, and support Kongsberg and the Prime Contractor Raytheon Australia in integration activities.

(APDR)

Camo Baru F-16A/B TNI AU

02 April 2020

F-16 TNI AU dengan camo baru (photo : defence.pk)

Baru-baru ini publik dapat melihat camo baru pesawat F-16 TNI AU di beberapa media sosial. Pesawat ini adalah pesawat dengan nomor registrasi TS-1610 yang baru selesai menjalani program peningkatan kemampuan melalui program EMLU (Enhanced Mid-Life Update).

Armada F-16 TNI AU berdatangan mulai pada bulan Desember 1989 dan komplet diterima 12 pesawat pada bulan Desember 1990. Dalam perjalanan penggunaannya dua pesawat jatuh pada 1992 dan 1997 sehingga kini pesawat F-16A/B tinggal berjumlah 10.

Armada F-16 TNI AU bertambah 24 unit lagi, kali ini tipe F-16 C/D, ini merupakan program pesawat hibah yang diupgrade kemampuannya, pesawat pertama F-16C/D datang pada Agustus 2014 dan terakhir datang pada Januari 2018.

Tahun 2017 akhir program EMLU dilakukan, berjalan bersama Falcon Structural Augmentation Rodmap (Falcon STAR). Program EMLU dan Falcon Star bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan airframe, avionic, dan armament system pesawat F-16 A/B, serta memaksimalkan usia pakainya menjadi 8.000 jam terbang. Program ini dilakukan TNI AU dibantu PT Dirgantara Indonesia juga melibatkan Lockheed Martin selaku pengawas dari pabrik pesawat F-16 di AS. Program dilakukan di hanggar Skadron Teknik (Skatek) 042 Lanud Iswahjudi. Selesai menjalani program ini F-16 dapat menjalankan pertempuran BVR dan melakukan serangan presisi.

F-16 TNI AU dengan camo baru (photo : Putut Reza)

Skema warna (camo) pesawat F-16 TNI AU telah beberapa kali mengalami pergantian. Berikut ini adalah camo pesawat sesuai periodisasinya. 

Periode 1989 - 1996 (Blue Spot Delivery Scheme)

Pada periode kedatangan warna pesawat terdiri dari kamuflase biru-abu-abu tiga-nada (three-tone blue-grey).

Periode 1996 - 2000 (Elang Biru Scheme)
Pada periode ini, armada F-16 Indonesia dicat sebagai pesawat aerobatic dengan skema Elang Biru dengan warna dasar biru dan dilengkapi pita kuning.

Periode 2000 - 2020 (Dual Tone Scheme)
Pada periode ini, F-16 menggunakan skema kamuflase  abu-abu-hijau (grey-green) yang disebut juga 'skema Milenium'
Sebanyak 24 pesawat F-16C/D yang baru datang juga menggunakan skema warna ini.

Periode 2020 - Sekarang 
Periode ini menggunakan warna abu-abu (grey), belum ada nama resmi untuk camo TNI AU yang baru ini.
Camo ini baru dilakukan pada pesawat yang telah selesai menjalani EMLU, warna pesawat mengingatkan pada pesawat F-16 yang dipakai oleh USAF.  

F-16 TNI AU dengan camo baru (photo : Pocophone)

USAF dan Lockheed Martin rupanya telah punya jalan untuk memperpanjang lagi usia pakai bagi F-16 hingga 12.000 jam terbang sehingga pesawat ini dapat dioperasikan terus hingga tahun 2048. 

Upaya tersebut dapat ditempuh melalui program SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) ditambah dengan modifikasi struktural. Bila avioniknya juga mau ditingkatkan dapat mengadopsi program F-16V sehingga tidak kalah dengan pesawat Gen 4,5 lainnya. Belum tahu apakah TNI AU nantinya akan mengarah kesana.

(Defense Studies)

RTA Trains with Starstreak Missile

02 April 2020

Thai Army conduct live-fire with Starstreak missile (photo : Sompong Nondhasa)

The Army recently have fired Starstreak anti-aircraft missile weapon, and successfully destroyed the target.

STARSTREAK is an anti-aircraft missile, guided by laser. The weight of the missile is 15 kg, the missile launcher 14.70 kg. The effective range of 5 km, the maximum firing range of 7 km, the nearest firing range of 500 meters. 

The maximum speed of more than 3.5 Mach. In addition to high-speed anti-aircraft can also resist aircraft with speeds below 100 m/s such as helicopters. 

Strastreak missile system active in the Army since 2015.

(Battlefield Defense)

NUSHIP Sydney Joined in Garden Island Naval Base

01 April 2020

HMAS Sydney DDG-42 ( all photos : Aus DoD)

NUSHIP Sydney arrives in her home port

Sydney residents had a first glimpse of their city’s namesake ship with the arrival of NUSHIP Sydney at Garden Island today.

The last of the three Hobart Class Destroyers joining the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet entered Sydney Heads and made her way through the harbour.

NUSHIP Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Commander Edward Seymour, said the arrival of the warship was a proud moment for all involved.

“Sydney’s arrival into her homeport is the result of 15 months of hard work by her ship’s company and the product of years of Australian shipbuilding,” Commander Seymour said.

“The Hobart Class Destroyer is the most lethal warship operated by the Royal Australian Navy and will provide capability including air defence to task groups as well as land forces and coastal infrastructure,” he said.

The arrival of NUSHIP Sydney comes exactly 36 years to the day that the people of Sydney saw Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Sydney (IV) arrive for the first time.

This will be the fifth ship to bear the historic name ‘Sydney.’

For Petty Officer Maritime Logistics – Support Operations sailor Dion Georgopoulos, HMAS Sydney (IV) was the first Royal Australian Navy ship that he served in, and he is proud to be a commissioning crew member of Sydney (V) 19 years later.

“It is a surreal feeling knowing that this is probably the beginning of a new legacy where thousands of sailors for years to come will have the privilege of being Sydney crew.”

NUSHIP Sydney was brought into harbour under a Red Ensign and delivered under the direction of civilian contracted mariners, with the ship’s company providing the personnel to operate and maintain necessary systems for safe steaming.

On board were Defence personnel from Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, members of NUSHIP Sydney’s ship’s company, as well as contractors from Teekay and the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance.

One of the Navy personnel on board was Leading Seaman Naval Police Coxswain Sue Rochford, who has been looking forward to this moment for over 12 months.

“I’m over the moon, I’m so excited. This is the posting of my career. I’m pretty proud to be part of this historic occasion of driving the ship into Sydney for the first time,” Leading Seaman Rochford said.

The 147-metre warship sailed from Osborne, South Australia, where she was built by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance and has been undergoing sea trials before she is commissioned later this year.

(RAN)

KF-X will be Equipped with Indigenous Air-Launched Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile

01 April 2020

South Korean supersonic anti-ship missile reportedly scheduled to enter service this year, indigenous aerial platforms (FA-50/KF-X) could be equiped with this missile (image : KAI)

[Biz Korea] We are considering the introduction of a air-launched supersonic anti-ship missile capable of neutralizing aircraft carriers in neighboring countries. According to officials of the military, it was confirmed that in the early March of the March, the announcement of a prior research survey analysis was issued under the name of the 'Air-launched Missile-2'. It will begin in August of this year, and will be conducted for 4 months until December. 

In general, anti-ship missiles fly at subsonic speeds of about 0.5 to 0.7 Mach, while supersonic anti-ship missiles fly at Mach 2 to 3, making it very difficult to intercept from the defending side. It is especially known as a useful weapon for neutralizing aircraft carriers. As an example, the 'Hsiung Feng-III supersonic anti-ship missile' developed and deployed by Taiwan independently flies at a speed of Mach 2 or more and has the nickname of 'carrier killer', that is, the aircraft carrier killer.

Hsiung Feng-III supersonic anti-ship missile (photo : James Tung)

In the course of the test, missiles broke through the hull of large landing ship tanks.  Because it is faster than subsonic anti-ship missiles, it produces considerable power with pure kinetic energy alone. For this reason, China, a neighboring country, has developed and transformed various types of supersonic anti-ship missiles that can be launched from the ground, sea, and underwater and air.

Japan is also known to have developed an ASM-3 supersonic  anti-ship missiles equipped and operated by F-2 fighters. In January 2018, it was reported that development was completed in Japan, but instead of going into mass production, it is promoting improvement to extend the range. In this regard, military expert Moon Seung-beom, an issuer of monthly Defense Times Korea, said, "This movement in Japan is interpreted as being highly aware of China's aircraft carrier."

Unlike neighboring countries such as China, Japan, and Taiwan, Korea has not yet used supersonic anti-ship missiles. However, it was reported that development was in progress with the goal of actual deployment this year through media reports last year. Although no detailed information on the supersonic anti-ship missile being developed as a confidential business, that is, as a confidential business, has not been released, developments have been reviewed since 2007 and are expected to operate on land, sea and underwater.

F-2 fighter with ASM-3 supersonic anti-ship missiles (photo : Hirotoshi)

It is also a matter of how our military will introduce supersonic anti-ship missile. Prior studies have not yet been conducted, but our main importers of weapons, the United States and Europe, do not have supersonic anti-ship missiles. For this reason, plans to improve the supersonic anti-ship missiles currently being developed in Korea are considered promising.

In the case of supersonic anti-ship missile, it is planned to be installed and operated on a fighter plane. In the case of F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16 fighter jets operated by the Air Force, the U.S. government and fighter manufacturer's permission are required when integrating domestically developed weapons into U.S. fighters. And a huge budget for test evaluation. For this reason, domestic defense industry officials consider that it is highly likely to be mounted on the KF-X, a Korean fighter, considering the future business period. Particularly, in the case of KF-X, there are no restrictions on the installation of domestic armament since it is progressed by domestic development.

(BizHankook)

Vietnam's New-Found Submarine Power

01 April 2020

Six Kilo submarine of the Vietnamese Navy (photo : VietDefense)

Vietnam’s Navy is now equipped with six powerful Kilo-class submarines, the last one arriving in January from Russia.

In December 2009, Vietnam inked a deal worth $2 billion with Russia to buy six Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines to strengthen its maritime forces. The contract, one of the largest in the history of Russian exports of naval equipment, also includes training programs for Vietnamese crew in Russia.

The country established a modern submarine fleet in 2013, after the first submarine named HQ-182 Hanoi was delivered.


Kilo-class submarines are among the most popular in the world. Algeria, China, India, Iran, Poland and Romania are among the countries that are using or have ordered them.

The making of Vietnam’s Kilo-class submarines

Vietnam’s Kilo-class submarines were built at Admiralty Verfi, one of Russia’s oldest shipyards in Saint Petersburg, where more than 2,300 ships including armored and patrol vessels, and more than 300 submarines including nuclear submarines, have been built over its 313 years in operation.

Construction of the first submarine in the pack started in August 2010 and took two years to complete. The submarine has performed more than 100 successful trial journeys with 53 officers and crew members on board who trained for months in Russia.

The rest were built and launched over the next four years. They were named after Vietnam’s largest cities and important port locations Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Kilo-class 101

Kilo class submarines feature advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets. The ships displace 3,100 tons, reach speeds of 20 knots, can dive to 300 meters with a range of 9,600 kilometers, and carry crews of 52 people over 45 days.

The submarines feature 533-milimeter torpedo tubes and are armed with torpedoes, mines and Kalibr 3M-54 (NATO SS-N-27 Sizzler) cruise missiles, mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine missions in relatively shallow waters.

The Vietnamese fleet is an improved version of the Kilo class submarines, which can operate in shallow waters and can sail near the seabed more effectively than other submarines. With low noise emissions and visibility, the class has been labeled “black holes” by the U.S. Navy due to their quiet operations.

The distribution of the Vietnamese batch

December 31, 2013
HQ-182 Hanoi

The first Kilo-class submarine, HQ-182 Hanoi, arrived at Cam Ranh Port in the central province of Khanh Hoa, carried by the Dutch-registered Rolldock Sea.

March 22, 2014
HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City

The HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City was delivered to Cam Ranh. Construction of the submarine started a year after the first one. In July 2012, the submarine passed government-level inspections after two successful dives, one to 190 meters. A salvage tug and an ice breaker joined the journey which started in February 2014 and had to pass down nearly 1,000 kilometers of a frozen river.

January 31, 2015
HQ-184 Hai Phong

The HQ-184 Hai Phong arrived in Cam Ranh after a 43-day journey. The sub was launched in August 2013, delivered by the Rolldock Star.

July 2, 2015
HQ-185 Khanh Hoa

The HQ-185 Khanh Hoa arrived in Cam Ranh. Construction began in August 2013 and the sub was launched in March 2014, going through trials in the Baltic before delivery.

February 5, 2016
HQ-186 Da Nang

The HQ-186 Da Nang arrived in Cam Ranh, delivered by the Rolldock Star.

January 20, 2017
HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau

The last submarine in the batch, HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau, arrived in Cam Ranh.

The submarine base

Cam Ranh Port, one of the biggest navy bases in Vietnam, is an ideal harbor for its modern submarine fleet. As a deep-water port sheltered from the winds, Cam Ranh is an ideal place to receive large ships and those that need to take refuge during stormy weather. The port is well connected with railways, roads and international marine routes, and is close to Cam Ranh International Airport.

Cam Ranh has been hailed by international experts as one of the best and most influential military bases in the world.

The new power of Vietnam's Navy

The new Kilo-class submarines are registered under the 189 Submarine Brigade of the Navy Zone 4.

The new fleet, which marks a milestone in the development of Vietnam’s Navy, will join surface ships and guard ships to better perform patrol, surveillance and protection missions in Vietnamese waters.

On February 28, 2017, an official ceremony was held to showcase the two newest submarines HQ-186 Da Nang and HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who attended the event with other top government officials, said the modernization and development of Vietnam’s submarine and naval power is a normal process for any country with territorial waters.

The development is not a military race and is not a threat to countries in the region, but is merely here to increase the country's capability of protecting its waters and islands in any circumstances, he said.

(VNExpress)