19 Oktober 2019
HMNZS Te Kaha's new superstructure. Te Kaha, sitting beside HMNZS TeMana, was the first of the two frigates to start her Frigate System Upgrade in Canada. The new fore & aft masts boast a modern suite of electronic warfare equipment (photo : RNZN)
The Royal New Zealand Navy has shared first photos of the upgraded Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha.
The most notable change following the upgrade was the ship’s new fore & aft masts which house a suite of electronic warfare equipment necessary for the Lockheed Martin Canada-developed CMS 330 combat management system.
Lockheed Martin Canada’s CMS 330 combat management system was initially developed for Canada’s Department of National Defence and then modified for the Royal New Zealand Navy with Canada’s support.
HMNZS Te Kaha was the first of two NZ Navy frigates to undergo the extensive modernization, arriving at Seaspan’s shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia, in March 2018.
Under a contract signed between the New Zealand government and Lockheed Martin Canada in 2014, HMNZS Te Kaha was fitted with updated equipment and systems including the combat management system, radar and underwater sonar.
Te Kaha’s sister ship, HMNZS Te Mana, arrived in Canada for the same treatment in March 2019.
In addition CMS upgrades, the frigates are also receiving MBDA’s Sea Ceptor vertical launched, active Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (Maritime) – CAMM(M) which will replace the current RIM7P NATO Seasparrow missile system.
(Naval Today)
19 Oktober 2019
MMEA will have new office in Pulau Melayu, Sarawak (photo : faizal omar)
MIRI -- The construction of the second administrative complex of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Sarawak is expected to start in 2020.
Sarawak Maritime Director, First Maritime Admiral Robert Teh Geok Chuan said the tender for the construction of the administrative complex had been closed and was awaiting the decision by the Home Ministry.
"The project is expected to be completed next year involving the construction of an administrative complex and and jetty on Pulau Melayu," he told reporters after the launch of the Sarex Camar 2/2019 programme here today.
Earlier, the media had reported on the proposed construction of the administrative complex in 2015 on a two-acre plot of land on Pulau Melayu, identified as the location for strengthening Maritime operations in northern Sarawak.
MMEA Sarawak currently has only one administrative complex and quarters called the Tun Abang Salahuddin Maritime Complex (KOMTAS) at Muara Tebas, 30km from Kuching city.
On the Sarex Camar 2/2019 programme, he said it was a joint exercise with industries such as aviation, oil and gas.
"The MMEA acts as the leader of a search and rescue operation with the cooperation of Shell, Petronas and the aviation industry authority," he said.
He said the MMEA had set a one-hour response period to move assets to the scene of any maritime incident after a report was lodged.
(MMEA)
19 Oktober 2019
3 kapal baru Bakamla (photo : metrobatam)
TEMPO.CO, Batam - Badan Keamanan Laut (Bakamla) meluncurkan tiga kapal buatan Batam. Ketiga kapal ini memiliki total kontrak sebesar Rp 600 miliar.
Kepala Bakamla Laksamana Madya A. Taufiq R mengatakan, ketiga kapal terbaru milik Bakamla RI merupakan yang terbaik. "Saya sudah 34 tahun di satuan tempur Indonesia, mulai dari kapal penyerang cepat sampai dengan fregat, dan saya on board di kapal ini. Saya sangat puas dengan tampilannya, salah satu contoh stabilitas, kemampuan manuver, kecepatan sudah sangat bagus," kata Taufiq, usai meresmikan kapal tersebut, Jumat, 18 Oktober 2019.
Ketiga kapal tersebut yaitu KN Pulau Nipah-321 akan ditugaskan di Kota Batam wilayah zona barat. Nama kapal tersebut diambil dari nama sebuah pulau terluar terletak di perbatasan Indonesia-Singapura.
Kemudian KN Pulau Marore-322 akan menjaga laut Indonesia zona tengah yaitu Manado. Nama, kapal tersebut juga diambil dari nama pulau terluar Indonesia yang terletak di Laut Sulawesi yang berbatasan dengan Filipina.
3 kapal baru Bakamla (photo : batamtoday)
Terakhir adalah KN Pulau Dana-323 ditugaskan memperkuat jajaran Zona Timur, yaitu di Ambon. Sedangkan Pulau Dana terdapat di sebelah Barat Daya Pulau Rote dan berbatasan dengan negara Australia.
Masing-masing kapal tersebut memiliki panjang 80 meter, lebar 7.90 meter, tinggi 14.4 meter, dengan kecepatan mencapai 22 knot dan memiliki mesin penggerak 2 unit MAN/2862LE433.
Ke depan, kata Taufiq, kapal ini terus dikembangkan dengan dilengkapi meriam 30 mm dan remote weapon system yang dikendalikan langsung dari anjungan.
Ketiga kapal ini pun dikomandani oleh Letkol Bakamla Andris Benhard sebagai Komandan KN P. Nipah 321, Letkol Bakamla Raden Haryo Wiji sebagai Komandan KN P. Marore 322, dan Letkol Bakamla Hananto Widhi sebagai Komandan KN P. Dana 323.
Taufiq mengatakan, dengan hadirnya tiga kapal ini, juga menjadi bagian penting dalam mendukung terwujudnya negara Indonesia sebagai poros maritim dunia. "Tiga kapal ini untuk memperkuat Bakamla dalam menjaga teritorial perbatasan kelautan Indonesia dari ancaman asing," katanya.
(Tempo)
18 Oktober 2019
Delegation from Philippine at ADEX 2019 (photo : PA)
Army sends delegates to Seoul ADEX 2019
FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army sent a delegation to attend the 2019 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) in Korea that runs from Oct.14-20, 2019.
ADEX is a biannual event where the latest aerospace and defense innovation and technology is being showcased by about 400 exhibitors from at least 30 countries. The delegation is led by the Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto.
The Army is set to acquire more air assets in the future after the upgrade of its Army Aviation Battalion into the Army Aviation Regiment early this month. It aims to equip the regiment with attack helicopters, reconnaissance helicopters, and multi-purpose medium lift helicopters. Its engagement in ADEX and similar events is a step towards strengthening its aviation and air defense capabilities.
The highlights of the show are the indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Part of the indoor exhibitions are aircrafts, unmanned aerial vehicles, space material, weapon systems mock-up and full scale, simulator, weapon systems equipment, ground and naval weapons and equipment, and others related to airport facilities. While the outdoor exhibitions include new fighter, military transport aircraft, cargo aircraft, helicopter and civil aircraft, ground equipment such as self-propelled/mobile artillery, armoured fighting vehicle and unarmored vehicle.
Like other exhibitions in the defense industries, the ADEX also holds seminars, conferences, and symposiums aligned with the event.
“The Philippine Army is geared towards enhancing its aviation and air defense capability to address the fast evolving threats faced by the country as well as to put an end to insurgency,” Alberto said.
(Philippine Army)
18 Oktober 2019
Bars-8MMK mortar system (all images : ukroboronprom)
The Malaysian Army operates significant amount of 60mm and 81mm mortar systems distributed among its units. The Army also operates dedicated 81mm Mortar Carrier Vehicles in the form of Daewoo K200A1 Malaysian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (MIFV) and DEFTECH/FNSS ACV-300 Adnan Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) distributes among its mechanised infantry battalions.
Despite the recent announcement made by the Defence Minister with regard to the proposed development of 120mm mortar system, the Army continues to embark on rearming exercise of its troop through the issuance of a tender for the supply of 81 mm mortar systems.
Besides the 72 units of the weapon platform itself, the tender also specifies that contractor to provide Mobile Fire Controller (MFC), Mortar Command Post (MCP), Mortar Section and also coordinating fire with the artillery through Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS). The tender also requires the provision of mortar transporter for the 81mm mortar system.
It is likely that the mortar transporter is to be standardised with the new weapon platform vehicle or 1 tonne cargo truck that the Army is currently tendering out under a separate tender exercise as part of the multi tiered “Mobiliti” program.
During the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2018 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, a local defence company, Kembara Suci has unveils its Buraq 4×4 High Mobility Vehicle in mortar carrier configuration.
The vehicle is equipped with Alakran system, the similar system that has been equipped on Ukrainian Bars-8MMK vehicles.
The new tender highlights the evolution of the Malaysian Army infantry units which will now emphasises on motorised and/or mechanised capabilities by adding the mobility elements on its support platoons. Accuracy of the firepower and coordination between firebase are also being put into focus as part of the modernisation effort and lesson learnt from Ops Daulat in 2013.
81mm mortar systems played important role during Ops Daulat by providing the much needed firepower to suppress the enemies’ positions. An artillery barrage made up of 105mm Pack Howitzer and 81mm mortars decimated much of the enemy’s defence after the Royal malaysian Air Force (RMAF) jets wrecked havoc in the pre-dawn attack in Lahad Datu on April 3, 2013.
(MFH)
18 Oktober 2019
Six Flex Fighter will be built for Nicaragua (photo : Penguin Shipyard)
Homeland IOS orders Flex Fighters from Penguin Shipyards
Homeland Integrated Offshore Services LTD (Homeland IOS LTD), Nigeria’s leading supplier of engineering, procurement, construction and installation services to the offshore oil and gas sector, has placed an order with the Singaporean Penguin Shipyard for several Flex Fighter security / crew boats for delivery in December 2019.
The 40-metre vessels are among the first of Penguin Shipyard’s latest generation of this proven and highly capable work boat. Previous versions are already well-regarded in the offshore industry and for its security profile, this new upgraded version comes fitted with an all-round wheelhouse ballistic protection, machine gun mounts and gunner shields forward and aft. Comfortable cabins together with the amenities required for long periods at sea are provided for up to twelve security personnel.
To fulfil its role as a crew boat, the Flex Fighter also comes with reclining seats for 42 passengers and a 93m² cargo deck with knuckle boom crane for equipment and components. Additional features that make them well-suited for the arduous conditions of the Gulf of Guinea include heavy-duty/self-cleaning fuel oil purifiers, an external fire-fighting monitor and a FuelTrax Electronic Fuel Management System.
“We continue to invest in state-of-the-art vessels for our fleet so as to maintain our leadership position in servicing Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas sector,” said Dr. Louis Ekere, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited. He went further to say “We work with many of the international oil companies (IOCs) operating actively in the Gulf of Guinea and these new additions will support them in achieving their strategic global objectives. This is the first time that we have purchased vessels from Penguin Shipyard and we chose them on this occasion based on their proven record of reliability in the building and delivery of several such vessels to Nigeria and other countries. The delivery of these Flex Fighters will significantly strengthen Homeland’s fleet and create additional channels of diversification to support the ever-evolving needs of our existing and prospective clients.”
Homeland was founded in 2006 to support the international oil companies operating in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas fields by providing a wide range of services both onshore and offshore. 13 years later, it operates a sizeable number of vessels that includes fast supply intervention vessels, platform support vessels, anchor handling tug supply ships, security and patrol vessels, tugs and other craft. Homeland IOS Ltd is one of just a few indigenous Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC) in Nigeria with a valid memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Navy for the provision of security services and an award for exceptional services from the United States of America Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security Services.
(SeaNews)
18 Oktober 2019
Concept art of the new Naval Group MCM for the Belgian and Dutch Navies (images : Naval Group)
With Australia looking to acquire two new advanced mine hunters under the Project SEA 1905 Maritime Mine Countermeasures Program, Naval Group is set to pitch the same capability it is supplying to Belgium and the Netherlands,
Each of these countries is acquiring six new vessels to replace two older mine hunters, along with the mine hunting toolbox – a system of unmanned surface vessels and towed and autonomous submersibles.
Naval Group head of marketing for surface vessels Herve Boy said mines posed a real threat. “It’s not just former mines from the Second World War,” he said. “This program is based on the ECA and Naval Group experience in mine warfare and the cooperation between these two companies on this topic.”
The parent vessel is a 82-metre, 2800-tonne ship able to steam for long distances and deploy a range of capabilities including a pair of Inspector unmanned surface vessels from which can be launched autonomous underwater vessels to search for mines. Any mines detected can be destroyed by a “kamikaze” underwater vessel.
During the election campaign, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the Navy would acquire two new advanced mine hunters under SEA 1905, plus a new hydrographic vessel under the Project SEA 2400 Hydrographic Data Collection Capability program.
Mr Boy said Naval Group needed to know the actual Australian requirement. “So far there is no requirement somewhere else,” he said. “But if there is a requirement in Australia, for example, we will be ready to answer it on the basis of this program.”
Construction of the first ship for Belgium will start in France in 2021, with the first vessel delivered in 2024, with subsequent vessels delivered every six months.
Each vessel incorporates a Launch and Recovery System (LARS) for ECA Group’s INSPECTOR 125 unmanned surface vehicles which can be launched in sea conditions up to sea state four.
Embarked drones include the A18-M autonomous underwater vehicle, T18-M towed sonars and Mine Identification and Destruction Systems (MIDS) composed of SEASCAN and KSTER-C remotely operated vehicles (ROV).
All these drones can be operated autonomously from the USV INSPECTOR 125.
(ADBR)
