Will the Thai Air Force Get More Gripen Jets?

30 November 2018

RTAF JAS-39 Gripen (photo : ptisidiastima)

SURAT THANI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand — The Royal Thai Air Force’s Wing 7, home to all of the country’s Saab Gripen aircraft, wants more jets. The question is whether the country’s defense budget will allow for it, one official said Tuesday.

“As operators, we know that this is a very good aircraft, and we would love to have more,” said Group Capt. Prachya Tippayarat, deputy commander of the RTAF’s Wing 7. “But it’s just that I don’t know when. The Air Force will have to think about that.”

The RTAF currently operates 11 Gripen C/D fighter jets, bought from the Swedish government and manufactured by Saab. The Air Force lost one Gripen in a 2017 crash that destroyed the jet and killed the pilot.

RTAF JAS-39 Gripen (photo : keithoys)

With 11 jets left, it is more difficult to accomplish both training and maintenance, Tippayarat said.

“So of course we are looking for the replacement for the 12th one. It’s just a matter of when. As the operator, we cannot tell when we are going to have that aircraft,” he said, adding that the service might have other budget priorities.

Thailand’s 11 Gripen aircraft are operated from Surat Thani Air Force Base, located about 328 miles south of Bangkok. Defense News visited the base Nov. 27-28 and accepted airfare and accommodations from Saab.

Surat Thani plays a key role in defending southern Thailand. Although the nation also operates Northrop Grumman F-5s and Lockheed Martin F-16s, Wing 7’s Gripens are the Royal Thai Air Force’s premier fighters, used primarily for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, and for secondary missions such as reconnaissance, Tippayarat said.

RTAF JAS-39 Gripen (photo : aamanatullah)

The Thai government is also considering an upgrade of the RTAF Gripens’ software suite, he added. The jets are currently configured to the MS19 standard, but the potential upgrade to MS20 would bring the jets into the most advanced configuration for the Gripen C/D.

The MS20 software adds capabilities that make the Gripen a more formidable jet for air-to-ground attacks, including an electro-optical pod that allows the jet to drop laser-guided weapons, the addition of Boeing’s Small Diameter Bomb and MBDA’s Meteor missile, and new radar modes.

One MS20 enhancement that the RTAF won’t need is the addition of Link 16 capability, the data link used by NATO and its partner nations. The RTAF Gripens run on the Thai military’s indigenous network, Link T. If Link 16 functionality is needed, the service can use its F-16s, but operating Link T on the Gripen allows Thailand to protect its homegrown capabilities and information, Tippayarat said.

Saab delivered the first Gripens to Thailand in 2011. Other Gripen C/D users include Sweden, Hungary, the Czech Republic and South Africa.

(DefenseNews)

TNI AL Lakukan Komisioning 2 Unit Kapal Latih Kadet

30 November 2018

Kapal Latih KAL Kadet V-06 dan Kadet V-07 (photos : SindoNews)

TNI AL Kembali Diperkuat 2 Unit Kapal Latih

BATAM - TNI Angkatan Laut (AL) menerima dua unit Kapal Angkatan Laut (KAL) baru, yakni KAL Kadet V-06 dan KAL Kadet V-07 setelah diserahkan resmi dari PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati, Batam kepada TNI AL di Dermaga PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati, Batam, Kamis (29/112018). Dua unit KAL ini akan melengkapi jumlah kekuatan unsur-unsur yang telah dimiliki TNI AL. 

Penandatangan berita acara serah terima kedua KAL tersebut disaksikan Wakil Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut (Wakasal) Laksamana Madya TNI Wuspo Lukito. Direktur PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati Jacky Sucipto menyerahkan kepada TNI AL yang diwakili Kepala Dinas Pengadaan Angkatan Laut (Kadisadal) Laksamana Pertama TNI Prasetya Nugraha. 

Selanjutnya, dari Kadisadal diserahkan kepada Asisten Logistik (Aslog) Kasal Laksamana Muda TNI Mulyadi diwakili Paban 1 renslog Kolonel Laut (T) Udyatmiko, yang kemudian diserahkan kepada Gubernur AAL Laksda TNI Muhammad Ali diwakili Wagub AAL Brigadir Jenderal (Mar) Nuri Adrianis Djatmika untuk digunakan sebagai kapal latih Taruna/Taruni AAL.

Usai pelaksanaan serah terima kedua KAL itu, kegiatan dirangkai dengan pengukuhan Komandan Kapal dalam suatu upacara dengan Inspektur Upacara (Irup) Wakasal Laksamana Madya TNI Wuspo Lukito, di mana Mayor Laut (P) Maladi Hanjayani dikukuhkan sebagai Komandan KAL Kadet V-06 dan Mayor Laut (P) Hariz Sandy Wibowo sebagai Komandan KAL Kadet V-07. 

Wuspo Lukito mengatakan, pengadaan KAL Kadet V-06 dan Kadet V-07 merupakan salah satu kegiatan yang telah diprogramkan sesuai perencanaan strategis TNI AL guna melengkapi kekuatan unsur-unsur yang telah ada, dalam rangka mengoptimalkan pembelajaran vokasi di lingkungan Akademi Angkatan Laut (AAL). 

“KAL ini terbuat dari bahan metal yang akan lebih baik dibandingkan dengan produk sebelumnya yang menggunakan bahan fibe," ujar Wakasal dalam keterangan tertulisnya. 

Wakasal berharap keberadaan 2 KAL Kadet Latih ini dapat meningkatkan kualitas latihan praktek Taruna di laut dan memberikan kontribusi langsung kepada proses belajar dan latihan di AAL dalam rangka meningkatkan porsi pembelajaran praktek pada kurikulum pendidikan.

"Diharapkan seluruh Taruna akan lulus menjadi Perwira TNI AL yang terlatih, terdidik dan diperlengkapi dengan baik," ujar dia. 

Laksamana Bintang Tiga ini menginstruksikan kepada komandan kapal untuk senantiasa memelihara dan mengoperasikan KAL ini sebaik mungkin agar dapat berfungsi optimal sesuai fungsi asasinya dan mencapai usia pakai yang diharapkan. 

KAL Latih 45 M produksi PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati merupakan KAL Khusus yang didesain dan diperuntukkan agar dapat melaksanakan tugas sebagai kapal latih Taruna dan Taruni Akademi Angkatan Laut (AAL) guna melaksanakan tugas-tugas khusus dalam mendukung Program Pelaksanaan Pendidikan (Prolakdis) AAL yaitu Pengajaran, Pelatihan dan Pengasuhan (Jarlatsuh). 

Kapal Angkatan Laut ini memiliki spesifikasi panjang 48,6 meter, lebar 7,9, tinggi 4,25 meter, kecepatan maksimum 18 knot, kemampuan berlayar selama 4 hari dan diawaki oleh 23 ABK.

(SindoNews)

Arunta’s Mast Replacement Marks Milestone in Frigate Upgrade

30 November 2018

HMAS Arunta with new mast is the first ANZAC ship to complete the AMCAP upgrade. (photo : BAE Systems)

The replacement of HMAS Arunta’s mast at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia marks another major milestone in the Anzac Class Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP).

The program, being implemented by the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA), involves the upgrade of a number of platform and warfare systems in Navy’s eight Anzac Class Frigates.

Major Projects Implementation Manager, Commander Steve Ford, said the new mast was designed to accommodate the replacement of the existing Long Range Air Search Radar as well as replace the existing Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability.

“Ships use their air search radar to scan at long ranges for potential threats, so it’s an integral part of a modern warship and extremely important for ensuring the safety of the vessel,” Commander Ford said. 
“The current radar has served the frigates well but it is important to keep pace with modern technology to maintain the robust frontline capability provided by these ships.

HMAS Arunta alongside at Henderson Shipyard with her new mast in place (photo : RAN)

“CEA Technologies is an internationally-recognised Australian company that developed the highly successful CEAFAR1 anti-ship missile defence radar system which is currently installed on the Anzac Class Frigates.

“CEAFAR2-L builds on this successful technology to deliver a generational improvement on the current long-range radar installed on the frigates.”

The new mast was designed and built by BAE Systems to support the CEAFAR2-L Phased Array Radar capability, in addition to existing capabilities.

The Anzac Class Midlife Capability Assurance Program starts the journey to remediate obsolescence issues and upgrades ship systems, positioning the Anzac Class ships for sustainment and maintenance of its warfare systems capabilities. 

WAMA is an alliance consisting of the Commonwealth, BAE Systems Australia, Saab Systems and Naval Ship Management.

(RAN)

Indonesian CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle Factory Acceptance Test

30 November 2018

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) reconnaisasance vehicle (all photos : Environics)

We have successfully concluded a FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) of another CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle, designed for our Indonesian customer.

This is the fourth CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle ready to be delivered to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, as the previous deliveries took place between 2015-2017.

CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicles include equipment for detecting, identifying and sampling CBRN agents and threats in a safe, protected working environment.

(Environics)

Environics Received Another Purchase Order for CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle
15 Maret 2018

Environics has received a new purchase order for CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle from Indonesian Ministry of Defence.

Environics has already delivered three similar CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicles to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence between 2015-2017. The fourth vehicle delivery will take place in 2018. This type of vehicle includes equipment for detecting, identifying and sampling CBRN agents and threats in a safe, protected working environment.

(Environics)

Singapore and Indian Armies Conduct Bilateral Artillery Exercise

30 November 2018

The Singapore Armed Forces’ Singapore Light Weight Howitzers firing off in a joint live-firing with the Indian Army at Exercise Agni Warrior 2018 (photos : Sing Mindef)

The Singapore Army and the Indian Army are conducting a bilateral artillery exercise, Exercise Agni Warrior, in Devlali, India, from 12 November to 1 December 2018.  This year’s exercise, the eleventh in the series, involves 175 troops from the 23rd and 24th Battalions, Singapore Artillery, and 80 troops from the Indian Army. The exercise culminated in a joint live-firing involving the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)’s Singapore Light Weight Howitzer, Field Artillery Meteorological System and the Indian Army’s 155mm Field Howitzer 77B. Through the exercise, the two armies enhanced mutual understanding and interoperability, and built strong professional ties.

Held in India since 2004, Exercise Agni Warrior is conducted under the ambit of the Army Bilateral Agreement. The Bilateral Agreement, renewed on 20 November 2018 at the 3rd India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, enables the conduct of the Singapore Army’s artillery and armour training in India and facilitates increased interactions between both armies. The renewal of the Army Bilateral Agreement is testament to the strong and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and India. At the armed forces level, the SAF and the Indian Armed Forces share a long history of military cooperation, with regular interaction through exercises, military exchanges, visits, courses and other professional exchanges.

(Sing Mindef)

CMI Defence to Complete CPWS Gen 2 in Late 2019

29 November 2018

An Indonesian PT Pindad Komodo 4×4 APC is shown fitted with a mock-up of the Belgian CMI Defence CPWS Gen 2, armed with a Northrop Grumman Armament Systems 25 mm M242 dual-feed cannon and a pod of two ATGWs (photo : GBP)

Belgium's CMI Defence expects to complete the first example of its latest Cockerill Protected Weapon Station Generation 2 (CPWS Gen 2) in the last quarter of 2019.

Export marketing for the system has begun and a full-scale mock-up was recently shown fitted to the latest Indonesian PT Pindad Komodo 4×4 armoured personnel carrier (APC).

CPWS Gen 2 will have a turret structure of all-welded ballistic aluminium armour with a single piece hatch cover that can be raised into a number of positions depending on the operation environment. These are fully closed, removed when carrying out Operations Other Than War (OOTW), partly raised for observation through 360°, and fully open to enable the gunner to rapidly exit the vehicle.

The CPWS Gen 2's mantlet was designed to be fitted with weapons ranging from a stabilised 12.7 mm machine gun (MG) up to 25 mm or 30 mm cannon, with the latter having up to 155 rounds of ready-use ammunition.

CMI Defence CPWS Gen 2 (photo : BMPD)

A 7.62 mm MG can be mounted co-axially and banks of two or four electrically operated smoke grenade launchers can be mounted either side of the turret.

As an option, a pod of two anti-tank guided weapons (ATGWs) can be installed on the right side of the turret to enable main battle tanks (MBTs) and other targets to be engaged beyond the main armament's range. Traverse is all electric through 360°, with weapon elevation from -10° to 60°.

The system has flexibility in regard to sighting systems, which can include day/thermal sights incorporating laser rangefinder or a panoramic sighting system.

With normal protected weapon stations, the operator is generally still vulnerable when aiming the weapons or when carrying out reloading operations. In the CPWS Gen 2, however, the gunner could be fully protected when carrying out these functions.

(Jane's)

PAF Technical Group Picks TAI's T129 ATAK as Its Future Attack Helicopter

29 November 2018

TAI T-129 ATAK helicopter (photo : Roman N)

After keeping the information for sometime now, MaxDefense can finally discuss this publicly after it made public by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) itself during a major event this week.

During the founding anniversary of the PAF's 15th Strike Wing last 26 November 2018, no other than the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Lt. Gen. Galileo Kintanar, confirmed in his speech that the Technical Working Group (TWG) handling the PAF's Attack Helicopter Acquisition Project has selected their choice in the form of the Turkish-made T129 ATAK attack helicopter, manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Although there was no further mention of the status of the acquisition, MaxDefense believes that the choice by the TWG was already approved by the Senior Leaders of the Philippine Air Force, including the CGPAF himself, and was already submitted to the Department of National Defense (DND) to prepare for the negotiations and actual acquisition process with TAI and the Turkish Ministry of Defensce. It is expected that the project will be a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal between the Philippines and Turkey.

While the PAF TWG and the Senior Leaders selected TAI's T129 ATAK, may we remind our readers that selection of the helicopter only means that this would be pushed to the DND for implementation and preparation for negotiation and acquisition. THE PROJECT IS NOT YET AWARDED, NOR CONTRACT SIGNED WITH TURKISH AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES AS OF YET. Like all other acquisition projects, this would undergo several processes that would determine not only the product's compliance to specs, but also the capability of the manufacturer to deliver the project smoothly and within schedule.

See full article MaxDefense

TNI Kembangkan Sistem "Network Centric Warfare" Dalam Operasi

29 November 2018

Network Centric Warfare untuk TNI AU (photo : Defense Studies)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Panglima TNI Marsekal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto mengatakan, TNI mengembangkan sistem "Network Centric Warfare" dalam latihan operasi gabungan tiga matra, di Pos Tinjau T-12 Pusat Latihan dan Tempur (Puslatpur) Marinir-5 Baluran, Asembagus, Situbondo, Jawa Timur, Rabu. 

"Dalam latihan tersebut, sistem interoperability yang utama karena merupakan bagian dari platform yang sedang dibangun oleh TNI yaitu Network Centric Warfare. Saat ini sedang dikembangkan dengan menggunakan bantuan satelit sehingga seluruh komunikasi kita tidak menggunakan BTS," kata Panglima TNI usai meninjau langsung Latihan Bantuan Tembakan Terpadu TNI Tahun 2018. 

Operasi darat gabungan dalam skenario yang dijalankan disebutkan bahwa dalam rangka merebut "Center of Gravity" dan memberikan peluang gerak maju pasukan darat Infanteri maka diperlukanlah satu bantuan tembakan terpadu baik dari bantuan tembakan darat, laut maupun udara. 

Menurut Marsekal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, tujuan latihan ini adalah menguji bagaimana sistem interoperability yang diawaki oleh Komunikasi dan Elektronik (Komlek) berjalan dengan baik.

Network Centric Warfare untuk TNI AL (photo : Defense Studies)


"Interoperability adalah keputusan dari komando atas sampai komando bawah dan samping, agar semuanya bisa menerima dengan satu komando yang sama," kata mantan Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Udara (KSAU) ini.  

Hal itu, lanjut Hadi, tidak mudah untuk menyatukan tiga kekuatan yang karakteristiknya berbeda dalam hal bantuan tembakan baik kekuatan darat, laut dan udara. 

"Saya lihat tadi semuanya dapat berjalan dengan baik," ucapnya.   

Panglima TNI mengatakan bahwa latihan ini diselenggarakan sekaligus untuk menguji pengadaan persenjataan pada Renstra ke-II tahun 2015-2019, apakah sesuai dengan peruntukannya dan ternyata hasilnya sesuai dengan apa yang diinginkan termasuk di dalamnya adalah presisi ketepatan untuk menembak.

Network Centric Warfare untuk TNI AD (photo : Defense Studies)


"Untuk itu apa yang kita inginkan dalam pengadaan persenjataan di Renstra ke-II tahun 2015-2019 semuanya sudah sesuai," ucapnya. 

Panglima TNI menyampaikan rasa bangga kepada seluruh prajurit TNI yang berlatih, bahwa Latihan Operasi Gabungan telah dilaksanakan pada akhir tahun 2018 bisa berjalan dengan baik serta mencapai tujuan yang ditetapkan. 

"Saya bangga dengan seluruh prajurit, baik TNI AD, AL dan AU telah menunjukkan profesionalismenya. Profesionalisme TNI semuanya adalah untuk rakyat dan inilah bukti nyatanya," katanya. 

Turut mendampingi Panglima TNI, diantaranya KSAL Laksamana TNI Siwi Sukma Adji, KSAU Marsekal TNI Yuyu Sutisna, dan Jenderal TNI Andika Perkasa yang baru saja dilantik menjadi KSAD menggantikan Jendral TNI Mulyono yang juga hadir dalam Latihan ini.

(Antara)

RTAF Seeks to Upgrade Gripen Combat Aircraft to MS20 Configuration

29 November 2018

The RTAF is looking to upgrade its fleet of 11 Gripen C/Ds to the MS20 configuration. The plan, however, does not yet appear to be a fully funded programme (photo : Jane's)

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is looking to upgrade its fleet of 11 Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D multirole combat aircraft to the MS20 configuration.

"We are planning to upgrade the Gripens to the MS20 standard. We have seen the capabilities of the current standard and it would do everything we need," Group Captain Prachya Tippayarat, deputy commander of the RTAF's Wing 7 at Surat Thani Air Base, told Jane's on 27 November. However, no details were provided as to when the upgrade would take place.

According to Saab, the move, which would involve hardware and software upgrades, is designed to enhance the Gripens' ability to engage ground targets by incorporating unguided and laser-guided bombs into the aircraft's payload inventory. The platform's air-to-air capability would also be enhanced by the introduction of new radar modes. The MS20 standard, which offers an optional ground collision avoidance system (GCAS), would additionally enable the aircraft to fire MBDA's Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).

Gripen with Meteor BVRAAM (image : Gripen)

The RTAF officially stood up its Swedish-sourced integrated air defences in July 2011, a few months after receiving its first six Gripens at Surat Thani in southern Thailand. Two years later the service received its second and final batch of Gripen aircraft. In January 2017 one aircraft was lost in a crash, which the service is now seeking to replace. However, no timeline for this has been announced.

Thailand's air-defence system consists of the Gripen fighters, two Saab 340 Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and an associated ground-based command-and-control facility. Tactical datalinks connecting these assets with others in the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) were provided by local industry in collaboration with Saab in a bid to create a network-centric air force.

(Jane's)

Latihan Bantuan Tembakan Terpadu Libatkan 3 Matra TNI

28 November 2018

Latihan Bantuan Tembakan Terpadu 2018 (all photos : Antara)

Situbondo (beritajatim.com)--TNI terus memperkuat keahliannya di bidang tempur dalam menghadapi kemungkinan munculnya hal-hal yang dinilai dapat mengancam kedaulatan NKRI.

Setelah sebelumnya dijadikan pusat latihan antara TNI-AD dan Singapores Armed Force (SAF), kini Kabupaten Situbondo kembali dijadikan titik latihan bantuan tembakan terpadu yang melibatkan 3 matra TNI.

Panglima TNI, Marsekal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, mengungkapkan, latihan ini digelar dalam rangka olah yudha keprajuritan sekaligus mengisi diri apabila terdapat suatu ancaman dari segi manapun.

“TNI terus berlatih menggunakan peralatan tempur dalam rangka menghadapi ancaman terhadap kedaulatan NKRI,” tegas Panglima TNI. Rabu (28/11/2018). 

TNI, kata Marsekal Hadi, memiliki kewajiban dan tanggung jawab dalam melindungi seluruh warga negara Indonesia dari berbagai ancaman yang suatu saat bisa timbul, dan dinilai dapat menganggu kondusifitas negara.

“TNI berkepentingan untuk melindungi warga Indonesia supaya tidak ada gangguan. Baik itu gangguan fisik ataupun non fisik,” ujarnya.

Panglima TNI menilai, sistem pelatihan yang berlangsung saat ini sudah mencapai target yang sudah diinginkan. Terlebih dalam menjangkau sistem Network Centric Warfare. Sistem itu, tambah Marsekal Hadi, saat ini sedang dikembangkan TNI dalam mewujudkan integrasi antara kekuatan darat, laut dan udara bisa menjadi satu komando.

“Jika seluruh komunikasi tidak menggunakan GPS, semuanya akan dibantu dengan menggunakan satelit. Jadi, integrasi seluruh matra TNI bisa menjadi satu Komando di manapun sasaran berada,” tegasnya.

Latihan ini berlangsung selama 2 hari di Puslatpur 5 Marinir, Kecamatan Banyu Putih, Kabupaten Situbondo, Jawa Timur. Pelaksanaan latihan bantuan tembakan tembakan terpadu itu digelar juga bertujuan meningkatkan profesionalisme, keterampilan dan kemampuan TNI dalam melaksanakan prosedur bantuan tembakan guna tercapainya tugas Komando Gabungan TNI.

Selama berlangsungnya latihan tersebut, sebanyak 1.427 prajurit TNI dikerahkan. Jumlah itu, terdiri dari 440 prajurit TNI-AD, 469 personel TNI-AL, 193 prajurit TNI-AU, 75 personel Satkomplek TNI dan 250 personel penyelenggara.

Bukan hanya mendatangkan 4 unit pesawat tempur jenis F-16, namun beberapa alutsista lainnya, juga ikut serta dilibatkan guna mendukung kemampuan prajurit TNI tersebut. Di antaranya 1 unit KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, 4 unit pesawat tempur Super Tucanno, 2 unit Helikopter Mi-35 milik Penerbad, 1 unit Mi-17, dan 1 unit Helikopter Bell-412.

KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda 367 juga dilibatkan dalam Latihan kali ini (photo : TNI AL)

Selain itu, guna mendukung pencapaian tugas latihan tersebut, TNI juga menampilkan beberapa peralatan tempur yang meliputi 6 MO-81 milik Batalyon Infantri 509/Balawara Yudha, 6 pucuk meriam Howitzer 105 milik Yon-Armed 8/Kostrad, 6 roket Astros milik Yon-Armed 1/Kostrad, 6 unit meriam Caesar 155, 3 pucuk mortar 81, 4 unit RM 70 Grad dan 8 Howitzer 105 Pasrat.

Selain Panglima TNI, berlangsungnya latihan tersebut juga dihadiri oleh KSAD, Jenderal TNI Andika Perkasa, KSAL Laksamana TNI Siswi Sukma Adji, KSAU, Marsekal TNI Yuyu Sutisna, Asintel Panglima TNI, Mayjen TNI Anjar Wiratma, Asops Panglima TNI, Mayjen TNI Ganip Warsito, Aslog Panglima TNI, Laksda TNI Dr. Ir Bambang Nariyono, Pangdam V/Brawijaya Mayjen TNI Arif Rahman, dan pejabat lainnya.

(Berita Jatim)

Russian Helicopters Touts Platforms to Thai Military

28 November 2018

Mil Mi-17A2 helicopter (photo : Russian Helicopter)

Russian Helicopters has promoted its Ansat lightweight multirole platform and the Mi-171A2, an enhanced version of its Mil Mi-17 multirole medium helicopter, to the Thai military, aiming to secure additional sales in the Southeast Asian country.

The two helicopter types were showcased at an event held at the Royal Thai Navy's (RTN's) U-Tapao Air Base in Chonburi on 26 November. The event was part of Russian Helicopter's 'South Asian Heli Tour' in which it is promoting the two platform types to civilian and military customers across Southeast Asia.

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has procured five Mil Mi-17V5 multimission helicopters since 2011 - the Thai military's first acquisition of Russian rotary-wing platforms - while in 2017 the Thailand's Ministry of Interior ordered two Russian Ka-32A11BC utility helicopters for disaster relief operations.

In a press release announcing the promotional event, Andrey Boginskiy, the director general of Russian Helicopters, said the company is "striving to reinforce business relations with commercial and state customers in Thailand". He added, "The potential operators show interest in Ansat and Mi-17 rotorcraft in various modifications, thus we believe that showcasing our helicopters here is perfectly timed."

In 2016 the RTA disclosed a requirement to procure additional Mi-17V5 helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift platforms. The requirement is understood to be at least 12 units, although these are expected to be ordered over several batches.

(Jane's)

RAAF Using Phantom Drone to Inspect C-17S

28 November 2018

Phantom 4 drone for inspection (photos : Aus DoD, ABC)

Phantom gets to work at Air Force’s No. 36 Squadron

outine servicing of the colossal C-17A Globemaster transport at RAAF Base Amberley’s No. 36 Squadron is now receiving a little help from a ‘Phantom’.

The DJI Phantom 4 is a drone that has been recently introduced by No. 36 Squadron to inspect hard-to-reach areas of the C-17A, reducing height risks to personnel, and helping to build a ‘history’ of damage to an aircraft.

Air Commodore William Kourelakos, Commander Air Mobility Group, said the genesis of the idea came from within the unit.

“This is an excellent example of bottom-led innovation from No. 36 Squadron in response to the Air Force Safety Always Program (ASAP),” Air Commodore Kourelakos said.

“Introducing this drone and these procedures goes further to reducing Workplace Health and Safety risks to so far as reasonably practicable

“Air Mobility Group is investigating its applicability across the Air Mobility fleet.”

Squadron Leader Evan Smith, Senior Engineering Officer for No. 36 Squadron, said the drone was introduced with help from Royal Australian Artillery’s 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment.

“The Army has extensive experience using this particular model, and managing the information downloaded from it,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

“We manage the drone through a standalone laptop, and have been able to adapt Army’s practices to suit our needs.”

“To use it at RAAF Base Amberley, we’ve sought approvals from 452 Squadron as the aerodrome operator, and through Defence’s Airworthiness Coordination and Policy Agency.”

The drone’s value is being demonstrated during the Home Station Check, a routine servicing conducted on each C-17A every 180 days.

Part of the check includes inspecting any paint or other surface damage on the aircraft, including the tail section – which sits nearly 17 metres above ground.

Until now, the maintenance team have used elevated platforms, or climbed through a small tunnel inside the aircraft’s vertical stabiliser to check the tail section.

Squadron Leader Smith said the drone can be used to conduct these surveys in as little as 30 minutes during a Home Station Check.

“This helps the Aircraft Surface Finishers to identify and track paint degradation on the upper surface of the C-17A, triage paint defects and plan remediation work,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

Imagery is shot in high-resolution stills and video, and can be provided to agencies including the Heavy Airlift Systems Program Office, Boeing, and the Defence Science and Technology Group.

By archiving this imagery, it can chart an airframe’s history of paint degradation or surface damage, or compare across the fleet.

“We’re bedding down the procedures for these inspections, and will investigate expanding our use of the drone to include other upper surface inspections,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

“That includes flight servicings or other general unserviceabilituies.”

36SQN is also investigating the use of multi-spectral cameras, including thermal imagery, to enhance the capability

“This would potentially allow us to detect less obvious paint defects, where non-uniform emissivity results from changes in surface roughness,” Squadron Leader Smith said.

(RAAF)

Confirmed, PN's First AW-159 Wildcat to Arrive Early 2019

28 November 2018

First AW-159 Wildcat of the Philippines Navy tested with UK marking (photo : Kevin Wills)

Navy's first anti-sub chopper to arrive early 2019

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy's (PN) first anti-submarine helicopter, the AgustaWestland AW-159 "Wildcat", is expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2019.

This was disclosed by Navy spokesperson, Commander Jonathan Zata, in a message to the Philippine News Agency when asked on the status of the said defense project.

"Accordingly, it will arrive within the first quarter of next year. Manufacturers trials are still being done (as of this time)," he added.

Earlier, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said that initial flight-testing is now ongoing for the two Philippine-ordered AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters.

These aircraft were acquired for PHP5.4 billion including its munition, mission essential equipment and integrated logistic support.

"As confirmed by the Commander Naval Air Group. The (first) AW-159 have just started initial test flight as part of the manufacturer's trial. It is still scheduled for a series of test flights before scheduling its handover to the Philippines. According as well to CNAG, the flight signals the completion of the first unit," Andolong earlier said.

The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.

The helicopter has been ordered for the Royal Navy and British Army. It is capable of speeds of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one and a-half hours (fours hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel).

The AW-159 can also be armed with rockets, machine guns, missiles, torpedoes and depth charges. 

(PNA)

Delegasi Indonesia Kunjungi Sistem Pertahanan Pantai K300 Bastion-P

28 November 2018

Delegasi Indonesia menyaksikan sistem rudal K-300 Bastion-P. (photos : Kemhan)

Kegiatan Military Technical Cooperation MTC ke-14 RI Rusia di Moscow Rusia

Sekjen Kemhan Marsdya TNI Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja beserta Dirjen Pothan Kemhan Prof. Dr. Ir,. Bondan Tiara Sofyan, M.Si menghadiri 14th Meeting of the Indonesian-Russian Intergovermental Commission Military Technical Cooperation, di Kota Moskow, Rusia, pada tanggal 21 s.d.23 November 2018. 

Kegiatan ini juga diikuti oleh Industri Pertahanan diantaranya PT. Pindad, PT. NTP, PT. Len dan PT. Bhimasena, Duta Besar Luar Biasa dan Berkuasa Penuh RI untuk Federasi Rusia dan Republik Belarusia Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi, Presiden Deputi FSMTC Rusia Mr. M. Petukhov serta undangan lainnya. 

Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan untuk melanjutkan hubungan bilateral kedua negara tentang “Kerjasama militer” seperti program Helikopter Mi-17, Mi-35 dan Mi-26 . Kegiatan MTC ini diantaranya dengan Working group MTC Meeting, kunjungan ke VPK NPO Mashinostronieya, demonstrasi produk, paparan dari Industri Pertahanan Rusia dan juga dilanjutkan dengan penandatangan protocol DICM RI-Rusia ke-14. Kegiatan ini berjalan dengan tertib, aman dan lancar. (Kemhan)

Sistem rudal Bastion-P (photo : BaoDatViet)

Sistem Pertahanan Pantai K-300P Bastion-P

K-300P Bastion-P (NATO memberi nama SS-C-5 Stooge) adalah sistem rudal pertahanan pantai dari Rusia. Sistem ini dikembangkan oleh NPO Mashinostroenia bersama dengan perusahaan Belarusia Tekhnosoyuzproekt.

Peran utama Bastion-P adalah untuk melawan kapal-kapal permukaan termasuk kelompok tempur kapal induk, konvoi, dan kapal pendarat. Satu baterai umumnya terdiri dari 1-2 kendaraan komando dan kontrol dengan truk Kamaz 43101 beroda 6x6, satu kendaraan pendukung, empat kendaraan peluncur MZKT 7930 beroda 8x8, masing-masing dioperasikan oleh 3 awak dan memegang dua rudal, dan empat kendaraan loader; kendaraan peluncur dapat ditempatkan hingga 25 km (16 mil) dari kendaraan komando dan kontrol. 

Setelah terhenti, rudal dapat disiapkan untuk menembak dalam waktu lima menit, dan keduanya ditembakkan dalam interval 2-5 detik. Peluncur mobile dapat tetap siaga selama jangka waktu 3-5 hari, atau hingga 30 hari bila ditemani oleh kendaraan pendukung tugas tempur.

Rudal jelajah P-800 Yakhont yang dimiliki TNI AL (photo : Sindo)


Rudal yang digunakan sistem Bastion-P adalah P-800 Oniks/Yakhont, rudal anti-kapal supersonik dengan hulu ledak 200-250 kg (440-550 lb). Rudal ini diluncurkan secara vertikal dari peluncur menggunakan booster roket bahan bakar padat untuk percepatan awal, kemudian menggunakan ramjet berbahan bakar cair untuk terus menjelajah pada Mach 2.5. Jarak maksimum Oniks/Yakhont bervariasi pada 120–300 km (75–186 mi; 65–162 nmi) menggunakan low-low atau hi-low flight trajectory

Menggunakan GLONASS pada tahap awal penerbangan dan panduan radar aktif ketika mendekati target, rudal dapat terbang hingga ketinggian 14.000 m (46.000 kaki) sebelum turun ke ketinggian 5 m di atas permukaan laut pada tahap akhir, berguna hingga kondisi sea state level 7. 

"Sistem ini mampu menghancurkan target laut dan darat pada jarak 350 kilometer di laut dan hampir 450 kilometer di darat," kata Shoigu pada pertemuan Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin dengan perwakilan Kementerian Pertahanan. (Wiki)

Pindad Demonstrates Medium Tank to PHL

27 November 2018

Harimau tank fires demo (photos : Windu Paramarta)

Indonesia's PT Pindad recently hosted members of the Philippines Army's Technical Working Group for the Light Tank acquisition Project, which are mostly members from the Mechanized Infantry Division, as PT Pindad provided a product demonstration for it's Harimau Hitam (Kaplan MT) medium tank in Indonesia.

MaxDefense previously mentioned that PT Pindad has allocated a schedule somewhere between 19-25 November 2018 for such demonstration. Based on the photos, it appears the demo did happen on 22 November.

PT Pindad is among the frontrunners for the Light Tank project, which looks at acquiring between 30 to 44 units of tracked light or medium tanks armed with a 105mm tank gun, enough to equip a battalion. The numbers still carry due to the possibility of dividing the numbers into tracked and wheeled platforms, depending on the PA MID's final decision.

(Max Defense)