Exercise Helang Laut 13B/12 Initiated

20 Maret 2012

‘HELANG LAUT 13B/12’ will be held in five days from 19 to 23 March 2012. (photo : Brunei MoD)

MUARA - The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) commenced their five days bilateral naval exercise codenamed ‘HELANG LAUT 13B/12’ in Brunei Darussalam commencing from 19 to 23 March 2012. The exercise is the thirteenth series conducted annually between the two navies and this year is hosted by the RBN.

The aim of the exercise is to strengthen the relationship and enhance mutual co-operation and understanding through the development of common operational doctrines, procedures and tactics.

The exercise is also aimed to provide personnel from both navies with the experience of working together. Some of the main exercises to be conducted will be Night Encounter Exercises, Surface Firing, Maritime Interdiction Training as well as sports interactions.

Two RBN ships are participating in the exercise namely KDB SYAFAAT and KDB AFIAT.

Meanwhile, two TNI-AL ships taking part in the exercise are KRI BARAKUDA and KRI LEMADANG. In addition to this year’s exercise, diving teams from both navies will also be participating. The TNI-AL ships will berth at Muara Naval Base during the period of exercise.

The opening ceremony of the exercise was officiated today by First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, Commander of Royal Brunei Navy. TNI-AL senior officer in attendance at the ceremony was Commodore Pranyoto S.Pi., Commander West Sea Security Task Force.

(Brunei Mindef)

$15.5 Million to Build More Bushmasters in Bendigo

20 Maret 2012

Bushmaster Mobility Protected Vehicle (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Federal Government would spend more than $15.5 million to manufacture components of the next tranche of Bushmaster vehicles from Thales Australia’s Bendigo factory.

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

Thales Australia is currently manufacturing Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles at its factory in Bendigo. This manufacturing capability, and the skills of the workforce, is an important national security capability.

In December 2011, the Government announced that in order to retain critical skills in Bendigo the Government would explore the purchase of additional Bushmaster vehicles.

Today’s announcement is the next step in that process.

Full approval to acquire additional Bushmasters will be dependant on Thales demonstrating an efficient, effective and innovative program to maintain core protected vehicle manufacturing skills at Bendigo and in successfully meeting technical performance, cost and schedule commitments in the development of the new Hawkei vehicle.

The $15.5 million is for components of the Bushmaster which have long lead times for manufacturing, including: Steel and hull components; Axle and suspension systems; Fire suppression systems; Wheel rims; Radiators; Gun rings; Drive shafts; Seats; Insulation;
Hydraulic system components; and Engines and ancillaries.

Further announcements about the purchase of more Bushmasters will be made in the coming months.

This announcement is in addition to the purchase of an additional 101 Bushmasters to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations in Afghanistan which was announced by the Government in May 2011.

Hawkei (LAND 121 Phase 4)

In December last year, the Federal Government announced that Thales Australia’s Hawkei vehicle had been selected as the preferred vehicle for the development and testing under Stage 2 of the Manufactured and Supported in Australia (MSA) option under LAND 121 Phase 4.

LAND 121 Phase 4 is a $1.5 billion project that seeks to provide up to 1,300 protected and unprotected light vehicles for the ADF.

Subject to successful testing of the vehicles, final Government approval of the Hawkei is expected in 2015, and production work could potentially commence in Australia as early as 2016.

(Aus DoD)

HMAS Choules Passes First Capability Test

20 Maret 2012

HMAS Choules during Squadex Ecxercise photos : Aus DoD)

The Royal Australian Navy’s new amphibious ship HMAS Choules has successfully completed its first major amphibious training tasks.

Navy and Army have come together during the last three weeks for the amphibious exercises SQUADEX and SEA LION.

Exercise SQUADEX provided practice for drivers of Army and Navy landing craft along with a variety of vehicle types as they drive on and off HMAS Choules.

HMAS Choules is significantly larger than the amphibious ships she replaced and gives the ADF new capabilities such as a floating dock.

The internal docking facility (or well dock) can be flooded to a depth of up to three metres so landing craft and the ship’s own landing barges actually drive inside the hull while the ship is at sea, taking on their cargo of vehicles and people in safe and controlled conditions.

Army Blackhawk helicopter pilots from 5 Aviation Regiment have also put the ship to the test, flying constant sorties to confirm their deck landing qualifications and practice cargo and personnel transfers.

For exercise SEA LION, HMAS Choules was joined by the New Zealand amphibious ship HMNZS Canterbury, Australian Army personnel from Townsville’s 3rd Brigade and planning staff from all three services around Australia. This exercise focused on ensuring the ADF is prepared for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief incident in our region.

HMAS Choules’ Commanding Officer, Commander John Cowan, said Choules had the capacity to conduct simultaneous landing craft and helicopter operations, day and night, to support humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

“Using Choules’ well dock to move personnel and equipment ashore allows a significant increase in the speed of transfer compared with the Navy’s previous Landing Platform Amphibious ships,” Commander Cowan said.

Choules has a crew of 158 officers and sailors, including a permanently embarked Ships Army Department of 22. The ship can accommodate two large helicopters, 150 light trucks and 350 troops.

(Aus DoD)

AFP Ordered to Boost Deployment of Rapid Reaction Forces

20 Maret 2012

The joint forces would consist of an infantry battalion capable of air mobile operations, a mechanized infantry battalion, a marine battalion capable of amphibious operations, a squadron of tactical helicopters, a squadron of close air support aircraft, a heavy airlift aircraft and a strategic sealift vessel. (photo : John K Chua)

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) ordered the military to boost its capability to deploy rapid reaction forces since the mobility of troops has been affected by aging naval and air assets.

In a planning guidance to military officials, the DND said the rapid reaction forces would be used to address contingencies and to move troops on short notice.
“Due to the aging of PN (Philippine Navy) and PAF (Philippine Air Force) lift platforms, the mobility of our forces within the theater of operations is severely affected,” the DND said.

“There is a need to acquire a capability to rapidly move our forces that form part of the national maneuver force,” it added.

Armed Forces resource managers were ordered to collaborate in building a capability to deploy two joint rapid reaction forces to be located strategically in Luzon and Mindanao.

The DND planning guidance, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, said the forces would address two major contingencies in any part of the country at the same time.

DND said each of the joint forces would consist of an infantry battalion capable of air mobile operations, a mechanized infantry battalion, a marine battalion capable of amphibious operations, a squadron of tactical helicopters, a squadron of close air support aircraft, a heavy airlift aircraft and a strategic sealift vessel.

“In order to establish this capability, joint combat maneuver and supporting forces should have the means to move (like airlift and sealift platforms) on short notice,” the planning guidance read.

The DND has directed military resource managers to acquire medium airlift capability for short haul flights and strategic sealift capability. It also ordered the military to improve its capability to move ground forces within the area of operations.

The limited state funds have hampered the military’s modernization efforts.

Only about half of the patrol ships in the Navy’s inventory are operational and with an average age of more than 30 years old. Some of these vessels are more than 60 years old.

Almost half of the Navy’s transport vessels are non-operational while the operational small crafts are of an average age of about 21 years old.

Last year, the Navy acquired its first Hamilton-class vessel from the US Coast Guard to enhance its external defense capabilities. It also inaugurated the BRP Tagbanua, a landing craft utility that is 100 percent Filipino made.

On the other hand, a 2010 report by the Commission on Audit (COA) said the Air Force “virtually has a non-existent air deterrent capability” due to aging air assets. COA said as of 2010, only 91 of the 339 aircraft in the Air Force inventory are full mission-capable, 81 are inactive and the rest are for disposal.

Early this month, the Air Force inaugurated its four brand-new combat utility helicopters acquired from Polish company PZL Swidnik SA.

Four more combat utility helicopters are scheduled to arrive in November.

(PhilStar)

Australia Confirms Purchase of Additional C17

19 Maret 2012

RAAF C-17A Globemaster III heavy-lift aircraft (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that Australia will purchase a sixth C-17A Globemaster III heavy-lift aircraft.

The aircraft will be purchased through the United States Foreign Military Sales program, at a total acquisition cost of around $280 million.

The purchase of the sixth C-17A will double the number of C-17A aircraft available for operations at any one time from two to four.

It is expected to arrive in Australia early next year.

The C‑17A aircraft can lift very large and heavy cargoes over long distances providing a significant contribution to Australia’s ability to reach and respond to events.

One C‑17A can carry up to four C-130 Hercules loads in a single lift and cover twice the distance in three-quarters of the time of a C‑130.

The additional C-17A will greatly increase Australia’s capacity to respond to natural disasters and provide humanitarian aid.

This has been made even more apparent through the Australian Defence Force response to the 2011 Victorian Floods, Cyclone Yasi and the Queensland floods, as well as the earthquake in Christchurch and the tsunami in Japan.

The existing C-17 fleet has performed key roles in responding to these disasters, including the transport of:
· First sandbags, then levees, then Navy personnel and equipment for flood relief in Victoria;
· Patients from Cairns area hospitals prior to Cyclone Yasi and to deliver groceries after the cyclone;
· Army Resupply Vehicles capable of carrying people and cargo to support Queensland flood relief; · Civilian urban search and rescue personnel, paramedics and equipment to provide assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch

Last year C-17 aircraft flew more than 1.2 million nautical miles (2,222,400 km) on approximately

141 missions, including:
· delivering more than 755 tonnes of supplies and equipment to Australian troops in Afghanistan;
· delivering more than 500 tonnes of cargo to Japan following the tsunami in 2011;
· delivering 320 tonnes of cargo, including more than 200 tonnes of food supplies to Queensland after the floods and cyclone.

A sixth C-17 will give the Government increased options to support a wider range of contingencies that might require heavy-lift aircraft and will extend the life of the C-17 fleet by reducing the use of each aircraft.

The acquisition of the fifth C-17A was announced by the Government in March 2011 at a cost of around $260 million. It arrived in Australia in September 2011.

(Aus DoD)

Australia had Agreed to Purchase of Offshore Support Vessel

19 Maret 2012

Offshore Support Vessel MSV Skandi Bergen (all photos : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government had agreed to purchase the Offshore Support Vessel MSV Skandi Bergen.

The Skandi Bergen will add to the Royal Australian Navy’s current amphibious ships, HMAS Choules and HMAS Tobruk. The 6,500 tonne ship is 105m long and 21m wide. It has accommodation for up to 100 people, more than 1000 metres of deck area, and a helipad.

The purchase of the Skandi Bergen – at a cost of less than $130 million – will ensure that Defence has the humanitarian and disaster relief capability required between now and the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships in the middle of the decade.

It will primarily be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations domestically and in the region.

The purchase of this vessel will also provide a long term capability for Customs and Border Protection.

After Defence introduces the LHDs into service, the vessel will be transferred to Customs and Border Protection.

The Skandi Bergen will be able to undertake patrols in the Southern Ocean providing surveillance, detection and apprehension of any vessels operating illegally. The vessel is able to operate in sub-Antarctic weather conditions.

The commercial off-the-shelf vessel will require minimal modifications and will enter into service in the middle of the year and will be operated under a civilian crewing arrangement.

The Skandi Bergen is the sister ship of the ACV Ocean Protector, currently operated by Customs and Border Protection.

Action taken since Cyclone Yasi:

When Cyclone Yasi hitNorth Queenslandin February early last year, Defence did not have any amphibious ships available to assist.

At that time Minister Smith and Minister Clare made no secret of their disappointment with the state of the Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious ships.

Since that time the Government has taken a number of steps to rectify the problem with the Navy’s amphibious fleet.

First, in April last year the Government purchased the RFALargs Bay from the British Government. In December it was officially commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as the HMAS Choules.
Second, work was conducted on HMAS Tobruk to return it to sea.

Third, in order to maintain the Navy’s amphibious capability, ships were leased to supplement the existing capability. Subsea Operations Vessel Windermere was leased to provide extra support during the cyclone season.

Fourth, to ensure such a gap in capability does not happen again, the Government also commissioned Mr Paul Rizzo to develop a plan to improve the maintenance and sustainment of our naval fleet. The recommendations from the Rizzo report are now being implemented.

Fifth, in December last year Minister Smith and Minister Clare announced that they would pursue the purchase of an additional ship to be used by Navy, particularly for humanitarian and disaster relief situations.

Current Amphibious capability if required:

The Royal Australian Navy currently has the following amphibious capability:
- HMAS Choules;
- HMAS Tobruk;
- Landing Craft Heavy vessels; and
- HMNZS Canterbury – under Australia’s agreement with New Zealand she could be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused Ready Response Force, subject to any operational requirements in New Zealand

(Aus DoD)

HTMS Angthong 791 Undergoes Sea Trial

19 Maret 2012

Royal Thai Navy HTMS Angthong LPD (all photos : thaifighterclub)

In November 2008, ST Marine was awarded contract by Thailand to deliver one LPD and associated landing craft. Construction of the Thai LPD started in mid-2009 and delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2012.

The new ship, named HTMS Angthong (LPD-791), was launched in March 2011 and now undergoing sea trials by ST Marine.

The following are photos while undergoing sea trials, all these pictures were taken from thaifighterclub.

76mm Oto Melara super rapid naval gun has mounted

Well dock for fast craft utility

Heli deck attempted to be landed by chinook helicopter

(Defense Studies)