26 Juli 2017
S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system (photo : DailyMail)
Vietnam Confirms Order of Russian T-90 Tanks
Vietnam has ordered 64 T-90S/SK main battle tanks (MBTs) from Russia, state-run news agencies in Hanoi confirmed on 21 July.
The reports, which cited comments from Russian defence officials who were speaking at a press conference at the MAKS-2017 aerospace exhibition in Moscow, said that the acquisition will be funded by credit provided by Moscow.
Jane’s first reported in early July that Russian tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod revealed in its annual report that it had secured an order from Vietnam for the T-90S/SK MBTs. The T-90S is the basic export model, while the 'K' postfix is a reference to command versions.
The value of the T-90 deal was not disclosed but is thought to be about USD250 million. The investment represents the first major order of new MBTs that the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has secured for many years. Investment over the past decade and more has been firmly focused on modernising the Vietnamese navy and air force.
In addition to the MBTs, the reports said Vietnam is also positioned to procure from Russia four S-400 Triumf missile systems to boost surface-to-air missile capability and MiG-35 multirole combat aircraft to replace the Vietnam People’s Air Force’s (VPAF’s) MiG-21 fighters, which are now thought to have been retired.
The number of Su-35s that the VPAF is looking to procure was not revealed, although the service previously operated more than 30 MiG-21s and is known to require significant additional numbers of fighter aircraft to enhance air combat capability.
To support these purchases and others, the state news agencies in Hanoi reported that Russia’s defence industry is looking to expand its presence in Vietnam.
(Jane's)
25 Juli 2017
Talisman Saber exercise (all photos : Aus DoD)
ROCKHAMPTON, Australia — The U.S. Navy has put its up-gunned expeditionary strike group concept into practice within a realistic war-fighting scenario, with allied surface combatants joining an amphibious ready group, or ARG, and its embarked Marines for a major exercise off the coast of Australia.
The Bonhomme Richard ARG was joined by a surface action group, or SAG, made up of the U.S. destroyer Sterett and four Australian frigates at Exercise Talisman Saber 2017, which saw American and Australian forces carry out two major amphibious landings at Australia’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
According to Royal Australian Navy Capt. Guy Holthouse, sea combat commander for the Talisman Saber 2017 Combined Amphibious Force, the up-gunned ESG was pitted against a very active and capable adversary that presented a mix of surface, air and subsurface threats using real submarines, aircraft and ships throughout the exercise, which added training value to both U.S. and Australian forces.
Rear Adm. Marc Dalton, commander of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, added that Talisman Saber was used “to work on concept development (of the up-gunned ESG), especially for the cruiser/destroyer/frigate integration into the force as we build towards adding the F-35B.”
Dalton noted that the amphibious assault ship Wasp, which will replace the Bonhomme Richard as the Navy’s forward-deployed big-deck amphibious ship in Japan this fall, will start deploying the F-35B at sea in the region in early 2018 and will represent “the first opportunity to operate with the complete package of the up-gunned ESG.”
In addition, a Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter from the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan was also embarked onboard the Bonhomme Richard for a short duration during the exercise, which Amphibious Force 7th Fleet said was for “practicing the up-gunned ESG concept in providing surface/subsurface defense of the ESG.”
Dalton told Defense News that embarking the MH-60R onboard the Bonhomme Richard is one of several options being evaluated to “dynamically reconfigure the capabilities” of the amphibious forces, which he described as being very flexible; “what we’re looking for is what the right situation would be to when we want to bring that capability onto the amphibious ships and what the trade-offs are.”
(DefenseNews)
24 Juli 2017
Su-30MK2 squadron (photos : PK KQ)
The 371th Air Force Flew, Bombed, and Fired
From July 18th to July 21st, the 371st Airborne Division (PK-KQ) organized a firefighting, bombing and live-fire exercise for the 923th Regiment, 927th Regiment And 916th Regiment. This time, there were Lieutenant-General Le Huy Vinh - Member of the Central Party Committee, Commander of the PK-KQ Army; Major General Vu Van Kha - Deputy Chief of the PK-KQ; Major General Pham Thanh Liem - Standing Member of Party Committee, Political Chair of PK-KQ.
This practice of flying, bombing, and ammunition training is aimed at evaluating the combat training and combat readiness of the 371th Air Force during the past year. It contributes to improving the quality of the coordination of commanding synergies between units, enhancing the practice for pilots involved in firing, throwing ground targets.
Speaking to mobilize the troops at the conference to assign firefighting, bombing, bullets, Comrade Commander request through this shot, throw, 371 Division should promote the results achieved, Experienced the limited aspects, while paying more attention to study, research to improve professional qualifications as well as the training, physical training, making the soldiers have enough brains, health , The ability to master new equipment, ready to receive and complete all assigned tasks, contributing to firmly protect the sky of the country.
The 371th Flying Squadron, the bombing and live fire of the 371th Division was successful, achieving high results and ensuring absolute safety. Results: 100% achieved quite, excellent and excellent. The results of the firing and firing have contributed to improving the combat capability of the pilots, flight crews as well as flying skills, the ability to assure flight operations, Battles of units of the 371th Division in particular and the PK-KQ Army in general.
(PK KQ)
24 Juli 2017
The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) (photo : MaxDefense)
The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS), low-level airborne ground surveillance system that uses aerostat as radar platform, of Philippine Navy from United States government has finally arrived, MaxDefense Philippines said without giving details where the said platform is stationed and when it arrived.
The aerostats are large fabric envelopes filled with helium, and can rise up to an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,600 m) while tethered by a single cable. The largest lifts a 1000 kg payload to an operating altitude providing low-level, downward-looking radar coverage.
TARS has a Maximum Detection Range of 200 nautical miles.
This is among the military aid provided by US to boost the Philippines’ maritime surveillance capabilities amid West Philippine Sea dispute.
The TARS for Philippine Navy was first announced by US officials in April 2016.
In 2015, the US government announced its five-year Maritime Security Initiative, a commitment to help partner nations like Philippines address common challenges with an overall budget of US$425-million.
“We’ve just released the first tranche of this money, nearly 80 percent of which is going to the Philippines. There it will help modernize the technology and train staff at the Philippines National Coast Watch Center, enhance an information network to enable the sharing of classified communications between U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii and key Philippines maritime command centers, provide an aerostat reconnaissance platform (airship), and outfit Philippine navy patrol vessels with better sensors so they can see and do more in the region’s waters,” former United States Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said in April 8, 2016.
(Update)
24 Juli 2017
Jayawijaya, Papua (image : GoogleMaps)
Wamena, Papua (ANTARA News) - Komando Operasi TNI AU II siap membantu pendistribusian kebutuhan bahan pokok kepada masyarakat di pegunungan tengah Papua. TNI AU akan membangun pangkalan udara tipe C di Pegunungan Jayawijaya.
"Saya akan berusaha membantu kelancaran pembangunan atau perkembangan ekonomi di sini melalui penyediaan ataupun melengkapi, atau meningkatkan frekuensi kargo yang mengangkut kebutuhan material yang dibutuhkan," kata Panglima Komando Operasi TNI AU II, Marsekal Muda TNI Yadi Sutanandika, di Wamena, ibukota Kabupaten Jayawijaya, Jumat.
Selain membantu pendistribusian kebutuhan masyarakat, dalam waktu dekat akan dibangun juga pangkalan TNI AU untuk mendukung pelayanan itu.
"Nanti kami bangun pangkalan udara tipe C di sini. Saya dengar ada niat dari masyarakat Jayawijaya memberikan lahan kepada kami untuk mendirikan pangkalan TNI AU," katanya.
Dia memastikan, setelah ada pangkalan TNI AU di sana, frekuensi penerbangan di sana akan meningkat dan dapat membantu pembangunan di sana sebab rata-rata pendistribusian barang ke pegunungan hanya melalui pesawat.
(Antara)
24 Juli 2017
Saturn AL-31FP engine (photo : HAL)
Zhukovsky (Moscow region) - RIA Novosti. The joint engine building corporation during the MAKS-2017 airshow has signed a package of agreements on the repair of AL-31FP engines installed on the Su-30MKM Air Force fighters of Malaysia, the press service of the UEC told journalists on Wednesday.
"UEC within the framework of the International Aviation and Space Salon held in the city of Zhukovsky MAKS has concluded a number of agreements on the overhaul of the fleet of turbojet engines AL-31FP and their units installed on the Su-30MKM multi-role fighters of the Royal Air Force (RMAF) of Malaysia," - The report said.
Sukhoi Su-30MKM (photo : Sng Wei Jie)
The documents were signed by the general director of the UEC Alexander Artyukhov and the general director of the Malaysian company ATSC (Aerospace Technology Systems Corp.) Mohd Fadzar in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief of the RMAF Malaysia, Dato Sri Haji Affendi.
"For us, Malaysia is one of the key partners in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the development of cooperation with Malaysian partners, our corporation is interested in the formation of a system of comprehensive after-sales technical support of previously delivered products.
"I am confident that the agreements signed today will strengthen the foundation of our relations with Malaysian operators "- quoted in the message of the word Artyukhov.
(RIA Novosti)
23 Juli 2017
Hercules tipe J akan dipesan pada kurun 2014-2019 (photo : jewsnews)
Banyumas, ANTARA JATENG - Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Udara (KSAU) Marsekal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto mengatakan dalam rencana strategis (renstra) kedua, TNI AU segera memperkuat sistem pertahanan di sejumlah wilayah Indonesia.
"Renstra kedua, kami akan memperkuat di Natuna, kemudian di Tarakan, Morotai, Biak, Merauke, kemudian di Kupang. Dalam hal ini kami juga akan membangun pangkalan yang ada di Selaru sesuai dengan kebijakan-kebijakan Panglima TNI," katanya usai membuka kegiatan Bakti Sosial dan Karya Bakti TNI Angkatan Udara di Kabupaten Banyumas, Jawa Tengah, Minggu.
Hercules tipe J
Sementara yang sedang berjalan untuk renstra kedua 2014-2019, kata dia, TNI AU juga akan memperkuat sistem pertahanan di antaranya pengadaan pesawat tempur pengganti pesawat F5.
Selain itu, lanjut dia, penambahan pesawat Hercules tipe J, penambahan pesawat-pesawat latih termasuk pesawat helikopter, dan penambahan 12 radar.
Menurut dia, penambahan radar itu sangat penting karena bisa mengawal dan mengamati seluruh wilayah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia.
Anka UAV buatan Turki yang dikerjasamakan dengan PTDI (photo : TAI)
UAV tipe MALE
"Dan yang sangat penting lagi, rencana pesawat `drone` tanpa awak di Natuna dan Tarakan dengan kemampuan MALE (pesawat tanpa awak buatan PT Dirgantara Indonesia), terbang 24 jam sampai 36 jam dengan jarak jangkau kurang lebih 2.000 kilometer. Itu yang akan kami tempatkan dalam renstra kedua ini di Tarakan dan Natuna," katanya.
Sementara dalam renstra ketiga, kata dia, TNI AU akan menempatkan pesawat tanpa awak di Morotai dan Selaru.
Dengan demikian, lanjut dia, TNI AU dapat melihat pengamanan di hampir seluruh wilayah Indonesia mulai dari samudra hingga daratan dengan menggunakan pesawat tanpa awak.
Terkait dengan hal itu, KSAU mengatakan pihaknya telah membangun jaringan komunikasi data (network centric corporation) di TNI AU dan akan dikembangkan di Markas Besar TNI.
"Kemungkinan juga pada tingkatan yang lebih tinggi sehingga seluruh informasi di negeri kita ini bisa terpantau dari `drone` dan bisa disebarkan ke seluruh satuan-satuan yang ada di bawah dan tidak bisa dibohongi karena semua menggunakan sistem digital yang bisa dibaca, di mana ada ancaman, entah itu ancaman laut, ancaman darat, ancaman udara, itu yang sekarang sedang kita bangun," katanya.
Ia mengharapkan pada renstra ketiga, dari TNI Angkatan Laut, Angkatan Udara, dan Angkatan Darat yang ada di perbatasan sudah satu komando dalam jaringan komunikasi data atau "network centric corporation".
(Antara)
