TNI AD dan Kemhan Ajukan Tambahan Rp 6 Triliun untuk Pembelian Apache

29 Juni 2013

Helikopter serang AH-64D Apache (photo : military-wallpaper)

TNI AD Ajukan Rp6 Triliun Beli Helikopter Serang dari AS

Solopos.com, SEMARANG – Menteri Pertahanan Purnomo Yusgiantoro mengatakan Mabes TNI AD telah mengajukan tambahan anggaran khusus senilai Rp6 triliun untuk pembelian sejumlah helikopter serang Apache dari Amerika Serikat beserta persenjataannya.

”Pemerintah Amerika Serikat sudah menyetujui pembelian helikopter Apache. Sekarang sedang proses negosiasi harga,” ungkap di Semarang, Sabtu (29/6/2013).

Sebab harga satu unit helikopter Apache sangat mahal yakni senilai US$40 juta atau sekitar Rp388 miliar. ”Saat ini tim khusus dari Kementerian Pertahanan dan Mabes TNI AD, sedang melobi pemerintah Amerika Serikat mengenai harga helikopter Apache,” imbuhnya.

Keberadaan skadron Apache itu, kata Menhan, untuk melengkapi kekuatan militer Indonesia dalam menjaga kedaulatan negara.


”Selain TNI AD, TNI Angkatan Laut juga menyiapkan helikopter antikapal selam dan membuat armada perusak kawal rudal,” ujarnya.

(Solopos)

Lovitt Technologies Wins Order for High Technology Work on F-35 Lightning II Valued at $2.94M USD

29 Juni 2013

Australian Defence Industry participation on F-35 Lightning II (image : sldinfo)

Lovitt Technologies Australia (LTA) was notified by Lockheed Martin that they were awarded a contract for work on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter with an estimated value of $2.945M USD for the delivery of titanium keels.

LTA participated in a global competition, winning this order for more than 300 parts, guaranteeing high technology work at the company’s Montmorency, Victoria facility over the next three years.  The titanium longeron keels form part of the linkage between two structural bulkheads in the aft portion of the inner wing assembly and provide structural integrity of the aircraft wings.

“We are pleased that our offer was selected for this work on the F-35.  Being a key supplier on the most high-profile defence program in the history of the world, gives our company the opportunity to showcase Lovitt Technologies’ capabilities as a provider of high-tech, precision engineering to the aerospace and defence sectors,” said Marcus Ramsay, Managing Director, Lovitt Technologies Australia.  “We pride ourselves on having the flexibility and resourcefulness to address our customers’ unique requirements in order to deliver maximum value on the F-35 program.”

(Lockheed Martin)

Flight Training with Iak-52 Aircraft at 920 Air Regiment

29 Juni 2013

Iak-52 is Romanian version of Yak-52, a light trainer aircraft designed by the Yakovlev design bureau (all photos : QDND)

QĐND Online - In the 920 Air Force Regiment (Air Force Officers School) at the end of June, the first impression we feel is the dedication of the staff and faculty of the forging of hard training practitioners. And the sweat pouring down their paid off .... 

Lieutenant Colonel, pilot Nguyen Van Lap, and regiment commander Colonel Phan Dang Thanh, High Commissioner of 920 Regiment said: Because faculty staff actively innovation-oriented training method positively quality grasp the knowledge and technical mastery, and flying vehicles handle on the situation of students is not significantly improved. Results graduation students flying unit Iak-52 aircraft was over 86%, an increase compared to 2012, ensuring absolute safety. 

Here are some pictures of the flight training student pilots in the 920th Regiment,

To ensure a safe flight, victory, ensuring the aerospace engineering is conducted very closely, before flying seriously.

For learners, learner training in the chamber, the chamber also called flying training, will help them become familiar with all the flying Iak-52 before soaring into the sky. 

Radiant smile before takeoff. 

Students Doan Van Canh pilot controls the aircraft runway, taking off make single flight. 

Takeoff. 

Under the looming wings ultramarine sea ... 

The green ... 

Forests same message ... 

Safe landing. 

He, game drawn after each flight experience. 

(QDND)

OSI to Support of Royal Malaysian Navy’s LCS Programme

28 Juni 2013

Gowind class Littoral Combat Ship (image : DCNS)

OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) has been awarded a contract by Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) to deliver integrated navigation and tactical systems (INTS) for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Gowind-class corvettes.

OSI  integrated navigation and tactical systems (all photos : OSI)

BNS was selected by the Royal Malaysian Navy previously to build six Gowind-class corvettes under the littoral combat ship (LCS) programme.

Under the most recent contract, OSI will supply six INTS, in addition to electronic chart precise integrated system (ECPINS) warship (W) and Warship-AIS (W-ASI), which has been designed specifically for naval operations.

The INTS is a fully scalable tactical navigation solution and has been designed to meet the requirements of the most demanding military environments from vessels to large offshore ships.

NATO STANAG 4564-type approved software designed for the military user, ECPINS-W Sub will allow warships to operate in the most difficult conditions, while W-AIS provides enhanced situational awareness for the crew.

DCNS-built ocean-capable Gowind-class corvettes can be used to conduct emerging missions such as anti-piracy, sea control and denial, combat, counter-terrorism, drug interdiction and anti-smuggling operations, oil and gas platform protection, search-and-rescue, fisheries protection, environmental protection and humanitarian support.

Capable of providing sea-keeping capability, the corvettes are armed with 12.7mm remotely controlled machine guns, 20mm machine gun, 76mm naval gun on the forward gun deck, anti-ship missiles, ship self-defence system and electronic warfare suite.

The vessel provides 360° panoramic surveillance and Special Forces operations capabilities such as a quick-launch and recovery stern-launch system for two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) or unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).

Fitted with automatic decking to enable safe operation of a helicopter and USV, the ship is equipped with multi-function radar and can accommodate maximum of crew 75 and has endurance of two to three weeks on patrol missions between at-sea replenishment.

(Naval Technology)

Chemring Awarded AUD3.07m to Develop Electronic Warfare Capabilities

28 Juni 2013

Chemring Group companies are the world leaders in the design, development and manufacture, of advanced expendable countermeasure suites for protecting air, sea and land platforms against guided missile threats (photo : Chemring)

Chemring Australia awarded AUD3.07m funding by the Australian Government’s Priority Industry Capability Innovation Program to develop Electronic Warfare capabilities.

Chemring Australia has been awarded a AUD3.07m (GST exclusive) Priority Industry Capability Innovation Program Grant by the Australian Government.  The AUD3.07m in matched funding from the Australian Government will support the development of an Australian designed, manufactured and supported Electronic Attack solution for sale in the domestic and international markets.  This capability will interface with, and complement, the existing Electronic Surveillance System ‘Resolve’ developed by Chemring Technology Solutions (‘CTS’), a sister company of Chemring Australia based in the UK.  Chemring Australia will work closely with CTS to achieve these outcomes.

The funding will also support the establishment of an Australian capability to support the design, development, systems integration, manufacture and support of complex electronic systems.  This will initially be achieved by the transfer of skills and technology from CTS.

“The award of this funding is a significant step in the development of Chemring Australia’s capabilities” said Mark Hender, Managing Director of Chemring Australia. “Chemring has already demonstrated a willingness to transfer capabilities to support the Australia Defence Force with the establishment of a state-of-the-art air-launched countermeasures manufacturing facility that was commissioned in 2012.  This funding will allow us to do the same in the electronic warfare domain.”

About Priority Industry Capability Innovation Program

The Priority Industry Capability (PIC) Innovation Program is an Australian Government initiative, providing direct support in the form of repayable, matched grants, to Australian defence companies. The program particularly focuses on assisting small to medium sized enterprises to pursue innovative defence industry projects.

(Chemring)

Paskhas Gelar Latihan "Trisula Perkasa 2013"

27 Juni 2013

Kegiatan Latihan Trisula Perkasa 2013 (all photos : Korpaskhas)

Prajurit Batalyon 464/Paskhas Ikuti "Trisula Perkasa 2013"

Surabaya (Antara Jatim) - Prajurit Batalyon 464/Paskhas mengikuti Latihan Puncak Korpaskhas bersandi "Trisula Perkasa 2013" yang dipusatkan di wilayah Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur, dan Markas Lanud Eltari Kupang.

Penerangan Paskhas dari Kupang melaporkan kepada Antara bahwa latihan yang melibatkan ratusan unsur pasukan seluruh jajaran Korpaskhas itu juga melibatkan Batalyon 464 Paskhas yang bermarkas di komplek Lanud Abd. Saleh Malang.

Latihan yang dibuka Dankorpaskhas pada minggu lalu itu juga mengerahkan empat pesawat C-130 Hercules dari Skadron Udara 31 Halim PK, Skadron Udara 32 dari Bandara Abd Saleh Malang, dan satu pesawat CN-295 serta personel Lanud Eltari, Kupang, NTT.

Kegiatannya diawali dengan gladi posko yang dipusatkan di Mako Korpaskhas dan sebelumnya telah dilaksanakan penataran pelaku dan wasdal untuk bekal latihan, lalu manuver lapangan dilaksanakan pada 23-28 Juni 2013.

Dalam latihan itu, Yon 464 Paskhas melibatkan Tim Dalpur (Pengendali Tempur), Tim Dallan (Pengendali Pangkalan), Tim Jump Master, dan Tim SARPUR (SAR Tempur). Unsur Tim Pengendali Tempur dikomandani langsung oleh Danyon 464 Paskhas, Letkol Pasukan Joko Prasetyo.

Tim Dalpur melaksanakan infiltrasi melalui udara menuju sasaran terpilih yakni Pangkalan TNI AU Eltari Kupang pada malam hari dengan melakukan penerjunan "free fall" dengan metode HAHO (High Altitude High Opening).

Selanjutnya, setelah Tim Pengedali tempur menyatakan aman sasaran tersebut, maka satuan Yonbuthanlan yang diterjunkan melalui terjun statik melakukan operasi perebutan dan pertahanan pangkalan agar pangkalan tersebut siap digunakan operasi selanjutnya.

Trisula Perkasa merupakan sandi latihan puncak Korpaskhas yang digelar dalam setiap tahun dan dilaksanakan sebagai manifestasi dari hasil pembinaan yang dilakukan Korpaskhas dan juga merupakan wujud akuntabilitas publik dan pertanggungjawaban Korpaskhas di bidang pembinaan kepada TNI Angkatan Udara, dan kepada Bangsa dan rakyat Indonesia.

Latihan bersandi Trisula Perkasa Korpaskhas 2013 itu bertemakan "Satgas Paskhas Melaksanakan Operasi Perebutan dan Pengendalian Pangkalan Udara di Wilayah Indonesia Timur Dalam Rangka Mendukung Tugas Komando Tugas Udara Gabungan".

Sebelumnya (21/6), Pasmar-1 menggelar Latihan Posko-1 Aspek Laut dalam rangka program latihan triwulan III-2013 untuk mewujudkan kesiapsiagaan personel dan operasional. 

(Antara Jatim)

Malyshev Plant Presented the First Tank Made for Thailand

27 Juni 2013

T-84 Oplot Main Battle Tank (all photos : LBEconomics)

Today, the state enterprise "Malyshev Plant" presented the first production tank "Oplot", made under a contract with the army of Thailand.

The first production "Oplot" delegation visited the Royal Thai Army, led by the commander of the armored troops Bunsantinom Sansavatom, reports correspondent LB.ua.

General Director of "Ukroboronprom" Sergey Gromov said that "this tank demonstrates that" Ukroboronprom "fulfill its obligations to Thailand in the agreed time frame."

According to him, the contract will be fully implemented by the end of 2014.

Gromov also noted that the Ukrainian-Thai agreement is of fundamental importance for the country and for the GC "Ukroboronprom" because "it loads the production capacity of Ukrainian enterprises and allows Ukraine to develop as a world leading manufacturer and exporter of military equipment."

"I am confident that the Ukrainian tank will increase the combat readiness of the Royal Thai Army. Battle tank "Oplot" meets all international achievement in the military sphere, "- said in turn commander of armored troops of the Royal Thai Army, Major General Bunsantin Sansavat.

In September 2011 between the GC "Ukrspecexport" and the Royal Thai Army signed a contract for the supply of 49 units in Thailand main battle tank "Oplot." The total value of the contract - about $ 200 million.

(LBEconomics)

Digital Map Computers for RMAF's F/A-18

27 Juni 2013

Tammac Digital Map Computer (photo, image : Harris)

The TAMMAC DMC (Tactical Aircraft Moving MAp Capability Digital Map Computer) is a system-level solution that offers the highest overall performance. In addition to the feature-rich software and high-performance graphics accelerator, it bundles in mass storage and processing speed to provide the aircrew with an easily assimilated graphical presentation of the aircraft’s present position and the relative positions of targets, threats, terrain features, planned mission flight path, no fly zones, safe bases, and other objects. Its advanced map capabilities that increase mission effectiveness include presentation of contour lines, slope shading, dynamic elevation banding, threat inter-visibility, cultural features, variable scaling, and overlays. (photo : Harris)


Harris Corp., Government Communications Systems Division, Melbourne, Fla., is being awarded an $8,095,188 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-10-D-0050) for the full rate production and support of 125 digital map computers for the Navy (67); and the governments of Kuwait (43), Malaysia (10), and Finland (five).

In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 49 digital video map computers for the U.S. Navy; and 52 extension housings for the governments of Kuwait (43), and Malaysia (nine), in support of multiple aircraft platforms.

Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., and is expected to be completed in June 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($5,701,650; 70.4 percent); and, under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the governments of Kuwait ($1,776,717; 22 percent), Malaysia ($412,696; 5.1 percent), and Finland ($204,125; 2.5 percent).  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

(US DoD)

Australia Seeks Triton Superdrones for Indian Ocean Overwatch

27 Juni 2013

MQ-4C Triton UAV (photo : USNavy)

(Reuters) - Rising Indian Ocean rivalries as China seeks to safeguard key energy lifelines loom behind an Australian push for a $3 billion fleet of maritime superdrones, which will likely boost intelligence sharing with the United States.

With elections looming and pressure for budget savings, the purchase of up to seven MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft has emerged as rare point of bipartisan agreement between Australia's Labor government and conservative opponents, but both sides are reluctant to discuss their wider strategic aims.

"There's not a lot of new money in our policy, (but) we are going into Broad Area Maritime Surveillance, the Triton," said conservative defense spokesman David Johnston, who is likely to become defense minister following the September 14 elections.

The Triton, under development by Northrop Grumman, is the size of a small airliner with a 40-metre wingspan. It can cruise at 20,000 meters for up to 30 hours, sweeping a distance greater than Sydney to London with 360-degree radar and sensors including infra-red and optical cameras.

Both the government and opposition say the world's most expensive and advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will be used mainly to combat asylum seekers arriving in fishing boats from Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and which have become a hot political issue in Australia.

"But it is not about detecting leaky boats. You don't need to spend billions of dollars to do that. This is about maritime security and surveillance in the Indian Ocean," a senior Labor insider with close knowledge of defense planning said.

"This is a force multiplier. It's better to think of Triton as a mobile satellite we can steer around the Indian Ocean," said the source, who declined to be identified because of sensitivity around what will be an Asia-first military purchase.

The U.S. Navy is still testing the Triton and has plans to buy 68, with the first due in service in 2015. Several will be based at Guam, the key U.S. base in the western Pacific, as part of a repositioning of forces in the Asia-Pacific as China's strategic clout expands into the South China Sea and beyond.

Critics of the U.S. "pivot" have warned that sophisticated drone and UAV aircraft could be destabilizing as Asian militaries seek to modernize with new submarines, warships and aircraft, including Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter.

Energy Supply

The Indian Ocean has become one of the world's most vital routes for energy and raw material supply, with over 80 percent of China's oil imports transiting through the area. Japan, India and South Korea are also dependent on Indian Ocean routes.

Australia's Labor government, under pressure to make cuts in Australia's $24 billion a year defense budget, has asked the United States for information on the Triton.

But Johnston said a conservative government in Australia, traditionally a close U.S. ally, had already decided on seven to help with border patrols.

"Triton has the endurance to go from Broome (on Australia's northwest coast) or Darwin to Sri Lanka, do a couple of laps, and then come home without stopping," he said.

Both sides are reluctant to mention Chinese ships and submarines as a target of Triton surveillance, as Beijing is Australia's largest trade partner and bristles about Western efforts to contain its growing strategic clout.

Andrew Davies, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said Canberra would be using Tritons for more than just border surveillance, and would push their security envelope well into the Indian Ocean.

One Triton, when complemented by Australia's intended purchase of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, can cover almost seven million square kilometers in one mission, twice the surface area of India.

"Tritons will be contributing to the military surveillance picture, and to the extent that Chinese military expansion is one of the things that needs to be kept an eye on, they will be doing that," said Davies.

He said the Tritons would effectively become the southern arm of a broad allied network that would see Canberra exchanging intelligence with the United States, which already rotates Marines and naval ships through northern Australia.

Johnston, whose conservatives have always favored the tightest possible U.S. alliance, said Australian Tritons would neutralize thoughts in Washington of Canberra's far-flung Cocos-Keeling islands being upgraded as a base for U.S. UAVs in the eastern Indian Ocean, just south of Indonesia.

"Darwin would be much more logical," he said.

(Reuters)

Defence Wins Bt3.4bn Budget for Airbus ACJ320 Jet

26 Juni 2013

Airbus ACJ320 (photo : Airbus)

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the acquisition of Airbus ACJ320, as requested by the Defence Ministry's Royal Thai Air Force.

Of total cost approved, Bt3.18 billion is for the aircraft and the remaining Bt181 million is for the hangar. 

The Royal Thai Air Force said that the aircraft would be reserved for VIP guests. 

According to Airbus, the ACJ320 features the most spacious cabin in the corporate jet market, with the same cross section as the ACJ318 and ACJ319.

With almost 100 square metres of cabin floor area, an infinite number of cabin arrangements can be accommodated. The ACJ320 cabin can be fully customised to include separate lounges, a large master bedroom, and a dedicated area for accompanying staff.

(Nation Multimedia)

T-62 Tanks of the Vietnam People's Army

26 Juni 2013

T-62 tank of the VPA (photo : TienPhong, Baomoi)

T-54/55 is the "backbone" of the rising forces - armored, but the new T-62 is the most modern tanks.

Tank T-62 by the Department of OKB-520 design innovative design from T-54/55 tanks. 1961, T-62 was officially put on the site and soon became the standard line of tanks in the Soviet Army. During the period from 1961-1975, there were 22,700 T-62 production and provide many countries around the world, including Vietnam.

According to data of the Institute for International Peace Studies Stockholm (SIPRI), in the late 1970s Vietnam has received a small amount of aid the main battle tank T-62. At that time, this was considered the most modern tank force increased - armored Vietnam.

The T-62 weighs 40 tons, 9.34 m long, 3.30 m wide and 2.40 m high. Armor vehicle is considered T-54/55 but thicker than regular cast steel so vulnerable before anti-tank ammunition.

The most heavily armored focus in front of the turret and hull numbers 203mm and 102mm respectively. On either side of the turret around 153mm thick, 79mm thick frames, about 20mm thick chassis.

About firepower, T-62 equipped with smooth-bore cannon 2A20 115mm size capable of firing anti-tank missile control (ATGM). Fireworks on the T-62 is not loaded, the device supports automatic rate of fire but can also play at 3-5 / min.

Compared with the 100mm gun T-54/55, T-62 on a 115mm 2A20 clearly greater power. Over 2/3 of the barrel with devices to prevent smoke from the cockpit flying backwards.

However, just as T-54/55, guns only when the highest accuracy when shooting stationary vehicle. If both of the last shot, 115mm artillery fairly poor accuracy due to lack of stable systems and fire control systems.

In addition, there is a turret machine gun 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft heavy (gunner controls).

T-62 tanks equipped with V-55 diesel engine capacity of 580 hp allowing speeds on flat roads 40-50km / h. Amphibious vehicle capable of 5m deep, but need time to prepare for half an hour (seal the gap, ventilation and exhaust pipe smoke).

(TienPhong)

MMEA Receives 10 Patrol Boats To Strengthen Control In ESSCOM Area

26 Juni 2013

10 patrol boats to control Eastern Sabah (photo : Malaysia Flying Herald)

KOTA KINABALU (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has received 10 patrol boats to help intensify and strengthen national maritime security control at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base jetty here.

Its Regional Operation Director, Capt (M) Adam Aziz, received the boats on behalf of the agency in a simple ceremony on board RMN's auxiliary ship, Bunga Mas Enam, from its Commander Kuharaj Jayaraj yesterday.

MMEA in a statement said that the boats would help strengthen the security at MMEA control posts in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) area, namely in Tanjung Labian, Indarasabah, Beluran, Felda Sahabat and Kunak.

The boats have also been tested by MMEA boat experts, the statement said.

(Bernama)

Freire Shipyard Build a Sailing Tall Ship for Indonesia

25 Juni 2013

OLIVER DESIGN is developing the Architectural Design and Turnkey accommodation of the new Sailing Tall Ship for the Indonesian Navy to be built by Astilleros Freire in Vigo (photo : Oliver Design)

The Freire shipyard  from Vigo, Spain has finally awarded the construction of a navy sailing tall ship (schooner) Indonesia, with an investment of 70 million dollars (52 million euros), after submitted to a public competition in which he had been a finalist, along with Polish shipyard, as confirmed to Europa Press reported sources close to the operation.

Thus, the company is finalizing the paperwork to close the deal, and that it has completed the period for comment and no complaints were filed regarding the outcome of the contest. In any case, the sources caution that no work would begin this ship until early next year.

The construction of the training ship, awarded on a competitive bidding process of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, is workload for two years and would employ 63 workers Freire template and hundreds of industry workers Auxiliary.

This is a schooner of 110 meters in length, with rig type Bricbarca and 3350 meters square sail. It will have capacity to accommodate 200 people on board, of which 120 are cadets in training, as explained by the shipyard.

Acknowledgements

Paulino Freire Shipbuilding thanked the efforts and support of the President of the Xunta, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, and the Ministries of Defense and Industry. Also, the company has confirmed that, "soon", a delegation from China travel to the shipyard to formalize the contract.

Moreover, the shipyard, whose workers are affected by a Redundancy Temporary Employment and rotary (early March to end of August), remains "open trading several fronts" to obtain contracts with Saudi Arabia, Norway or India. The company also plans to deliver in coming days the 'Discovery', the most advanced research vessel in the world in its category, commissioned by a scientific research organization in Britain.

(EuropaPress)

BTR-3RK Successfully Shot Out

25 Juni 2013

BTR-3RK with four "Barrier" ATGM (photo : mil.ua)

June 20 Goncharovskiy landfill has passed the next phase of testing fire BTR-3RK. 

This modification of the BTR-3 is a mobile anti-tank complex, armed with four launchers ATGM "Barrier" with Ammunition stock rockets and 12.7 mm machine gun NSVT. 

When checking out the APC trial was "attacked" with inattentive driver behind the wheel - in Armor fresh paint scratched. During the tests carried launches two missiles.

Target at a distance of 3600 m impressed with the deviation of the point of impact within 0.5 m from the center of the target. Normally worked queues and machine gun NSVT. 

This machine along with the BTR-3E is prepared for delivery to Thailand.

(Kotobood)

1000th Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon Delivered to Defence

25 Juni 2013

G-Wagon under Land 121 project (all photos : ADF)

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP today announced the delivery of the 1000th Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon under Project LAND 121 Phase 3A.

The new G-Wagons, along with Australian-made trailers, are being rolled out to Army and Royal Australian Air Force units as part of LAND 121 ‘Project Overlander’, a $7.5 billion program delivering more than 7500 protected and unprotected vehicles to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over the next decade.

“The new G-Wagons will help prepare ADF personnel for operations and provide the flexibility to undertake a wide range of tasks in difficult off-road conditions, while ensuring that Australian soldiers are better prepared and equipped,” Dr Kelly said.

The new variants are used as tactical training vehicles and for a wide range of support tasks.

“G-Wagon variants include utility, ambulance, surveillance and reconnaissance, mobile command post variants, and even a canine variant to transport military working dogs and their handlers,” Dr Kelly said.

Dr Kelly congratulated Mercedes-Benz on the delivery of the first 1000 G-Wagons, adding that the G-Wagon represents a big step forward for the ADF’s tactical training capability.

“Today’s handover of the 1000th G-Wagon represents an important milestone at the Mercedes-Benz facility in Mulgrave, Victoria,” Dr Kelly said.

“At the Mulgrave facility, modules and tray bodies provided by G.H. Varley in Newcastle are integrated with the vehicles and pre-delivery work is undertaken.”

A total of 2146 G-Wagons are being rolled out to ADF units between July 2012 and June 2016.

(Aus DoD)

Army Eyes Hi-tech Mounted Artillery

25 Juni 2013

Soltam Atmos 2000 Wheeled self-propelled 155 mm howitzer (photo : Elbit)

THE Philippine Army is planning to purchase a number of self-propelled 155mm artillery to bolster the country’s territorial defense capability, defense and military sources told Manila Standard Today.

The sources did not disclose how many guns are being considered, but Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes is pushing for the acquisition of a computerized autonomous truck-mounted 155mm artillery system produced by the Israeli defense contractor Soltam Systems.

The military already has 14 Soltam M-71 155mm towed howitzers, 12 M114A1 155mm towed howitzers and hundreds of 105mm howitzers, including 12 that were recently donated by the Italian government.

One source said the delivery of 12 more 155mm howitzers of unspecified make has been delayed and Coballes wants to junk the order and replace it with advanced wheeled howitzers made by Soltam.

The system is called Autonomous Truck Mounted System (ATMOS) 2000, a long range, fast moving, truck mounted howitzer with high firepower and mobility, rapid deployment, short response time, operable in all kinds of terrain.

The system is integrated with a fully computerized system, providing an automatic control, accurate navigation and target acquisition, the system is offered with various gun calibers, but the military is interested in the 39 calibre, or 155mm.

However, the source said the ATMOS 2000 will likely need the approval of the Department of National Defense because the cost of the system may surpass the P50-million cap given to the Armed Forces chief of staff.

Moreover, the source said the project may pose a “little problem” because the prime movers, or artillery tractors, of the 12 155mm guns that the defense department ordered three years ago from an unidentified overseas supplier gas already been delivered.

“I think there are at least 12 prime movers – those big military trucks you saw during one of the presentations made by the AFP – have already been delivered,” the source said.

“If are they going to scrap the purchase and delivery of the 12 cannons, what will they do with the prime movers that are already with the AFP?” he asked.

A second source confirmed said that six of the prime movers are with the Army while the other six are with the Marines.

When aslked to confirm the planned artillery purchase, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. declined to confirm or deny the proposal.

“I am not at liberty to discuss the specifics of the AFP Modernization program much more the details and types of armaments to be acquired,” he said.

But a third source said Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez left for Istael last week along with representatives from the different armed services to shop and possibly initiate purchase agreement with suppliers.

Among the items in the agenda is the possible acquisition of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) or multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) from Israel Military Industries Ltd. or Rafael Advance Defense Systems, the source said.

(Manila Standard Today)

Sale of Decommissioned Ships Manoora and Kanimbla

25 Juni 2013

HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla (photo : AustralianAviation)

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP today announced the disposal by sale of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) decommissioned ships HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla.

Dr Kelly said the Navy vessels would be recycled by purchaser Southern Recycling LLC in the United States in a manner commensurate to the environmental standards the Commonwealth expected of such disposal activities by 2014.

“In June 2012, the Department of Defence released a Request for Tender offering the two former Australian naval vessels for sale for recycling to domestic and international markets,” Dr Kelly said.

The disposal of these vessels required US Government consent in accordance with US International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which has now been achieved.

Contract negotiations with the preferred purchaser were completed in early May 2013 and the disposal contract was signed on 20 May 2013. The contract details regarding cost are ‘Commercial in Confidence’. The ships were withdrawn from service in 2011. 

“The disposal of Manoora and Kanimbla by sale has been completed in less than two years from the date the vessels were withdrawn from service, providing the best and most competitive net disposal cost to the Commonwealth,” Dr Kelly said.

The ships were formally decommissioned with ceremonies in 2012. Memorabilia from the ships has been transferred to the Naval Heritage Collection Headquarters and the main repository at Spectacle Island, which are both located in Sydney.

HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Choules now continue to provide Navy’s core amphibious capability together with Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield, until Australia’s First Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) HMAS Canberra is commissioned in 2014.

HMAS Choules recently completed a successful period of ‘Shakedown’ training in far north Queensland which included flying operations with a Royal Australian Navy Multi-Role Helicopter (MRH90) and is currently taking part in a joint Navy and Army amphibious exercise called Exercise SEA LION from 10–24 June 2013.

(Aus DoD)

Two Subs Out of Action for Six Years

24 Juni 2013

HMAS Rankin and HMAS Collins have been out of action while undergoing maintenance in Adelaide (photo : DMO)

TWO of navy's six Collins-class submarines will be out service for more than six years under the Gillard government's new maintenance regime.

HMAS Rankin and HMAS Collins have been out of action while undergoing maintenance in Adelaide, and will be returned to the Royal Australian Navy much later than the present three-year deadlines. The Rankin is the youngest submarine in the fleet yet it has been docked since 2008. It will not be released by shipbuilder ASC until the middle of next year at the earliest. The Collins is the fleet's oldest and has been at the ASC facility in Adelaide since last August. It will not be released until 2018.

A Defence spokeswoman said no other ships in the fleet were out of the water.

Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston said the government was conducting a "smoke-and-mirrors" exercise on how the maintenance of submarines affected their availability for service.

"It really does take a forensic detective to work out which way they are moving on this," Senator Johnston said. "On their numbers, this boat (the Collins) is out of the water for six years.

"This announcement is a smoke-and-mirrors exercise that completely exposes the continued failure of this minister to get to grips with cost-effective sustainment of submarines."

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said last week that changes to the fleet's maintenance cycle, to take effect from next year, "will improve Collins-class availability" by reducing the time each submarine spends in dock. Under the changes, each submarine would be docked for two out of every 12 years, which Mr Smith said would allow three or four submarines to be ready for service at any given time. The submarines are presently scheduled for docking three years out of 11.

But Mr Smith said HMAS Collins would not be released for service until mid-2018, despite it having already spent nearly a year out of water.

Last year, Defence had said that the "full-cycle docking" -- where major maintenance work is undertaken -- would begin on the Collins in February. This was pushed back until July 1, before Mr Smith announced last week it would not start the two-year full cycle docking until 2016.

In February, Defence had told a Senate committee that the Collins was scheduled to leave ASC in May 2016. But that also has been pushed back by two years, according to Mr Smith.

A report by British specialist John Coles, commissioned by Mr Smith and delivered last year, said the submarines' poor operational record -- one of the worst in the world -- was caused by issues such as a failure to carry out sufficient and timely preventive maintenance and inefficiencies leading to shortages of spare parts.

A spokesman for ASC said the changes to the maintenance cycles announced last week would result in greater availability of the submarines to the navy, although it differed slightly from what had been recommended in a review of the fleet's use.

"It's been adopted and implemented in a different way to that which the Coles review recommended but it is a method of implementation which is supported by ASC, supported by navy and supported by Defence," the spokesman said. "So that will see, in the longer term, greater availability of our Collins-class submarines, which is welcome."

(The Australian)

DND Bidding for 2 Navy Vessels Still Open

24 Juni 2013

At least five countries have reportedly interest to supply the Philippine Navy with the  SSVs. (image : ST Marine)

MANILA, Philippines - The programmed purchase of two Navy vessels is on track, with the scheduled opening of bids next month.

Department of National Defense Bids and Award Committee (DND-BAC) chair Assistant Secretary Efren Fernandez said in a public notice the multibillion defense acquisition project is still open for interested but qualified foreign and local contractors before the holding of the pre-bid conference scheduled on July 2.

“Bid opening shall be on July 15 at 10 a.m., at the DND-BAC Conference Room. Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders’ representatives. Late bids shall not be accepted,” Fernandez said.

He added that bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract, a funding sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund, would be automatically rejected at the bid opening.

The winning bidder is required to deliver the first Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) within 730 calendar days from the opening of the Letter of Credit and the second SSV to be delivered a year later, Fernandez said.

The delivery of the first SSV is expected to take place in 2015 and the second in 2016 before the term of President Aquino ends.

At least five foreign defense contractors have reportedly expressed interest to supply the Philippine Navy with the  SSVs.

The DND has a P4-billion budget to purchase the SSVs, required to have Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) capability for the Navy.

The two SSVs will serve as the Navy’s platform in its sea- and land-based civil-military operations.

A non-combat ship, the SSV is capable of transporting large numbers of military personnel and logistics like military trucks, tanks and other supplies.

While a little smaller than the Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) the Navy earlier planned to acquire, the SSV is equipped with a mini-hospital, a helipad and watercraft that could bolster the response capabilities in times of maritime disaster.

On top of this, the Navy is awaiting the arrival of its second frigate, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, now enroute to the country from the US.

The former US Coast Guard Weather High Endurance Cutter had just sailed through the Panama Canal and is now en route to San Diego, California.

Alcaraz is expected to reach the country by the first week of August.

Once commissioned in September, Alcaraz will join her sister ship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, now serving as the Navy’s flagship in securing the country’s maritime territorial domain.

Aside from Del Pilar and Alcaraz, the Navy is also working to purchase two brand new missile firing warships from South Korea, also being eyed to supply the Philippine Air Force with a squadron of T-50 lead-in trainer supersonic fighter jets.

(PhilStar)