24 Mei 2013
CN295 will make visits to Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia (photo : Guillermo Granger)
Airbus Military and PTDI promoting transport aircraft in the ASEAN region.
A CN295 military transport aircraft of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense will be making a tour around six ASEAN countries to promote the capabilities and efficiency of the transport aircraft that PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Airbus Military are producing jointly. The aircraft will make visits to Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia between 22nd and 31st of May.
The C295, denominated CN295 in the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, is a medium-sized multirole airlifter for both civic and military use. The tour, organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, PTDI and Airbus Military, and led by Vice Minister Sjafrie Sjamsuddien, will showcase the benefits of the aircraft which is optimally suited for the wide range of humanitarian and defence tasks that ASEAN Governments need to cover. These missions include military transport, emergency response and medical evacuation, search and rescue, maritime patrol, or even more complex missions such as anti-submarine warfare or electronic surveillance missions.
The visits will also allow explanations on the specific capabilities of the CN235 and the NC212i, an upgraded version of the C212 launched in November 2012 between PTDI and Airbus Military with new avionics and autopilot systems as well as an increased passenger seating, increasing its cost efficiency significantly.
The Indonesia Air Force currently has two CN295s in operation out of the nine units ordered from PTDI. By 2015, all of the nine units will be in service in Indonesia, with deliveries to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense taking place from the delivery centre and a final assembly line that Airbus Military and PTDI are setting up in Bandung, Indonesia, as a direct result of PTDI’s and Airbus Military’s Strategic Partnership signed in 2011.
In total, over 120 C295s have been ordered world-wide from Airbus Military and currently almost 100 are in operation with countries such as Algeria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and Spain.
Meanwhile, the CN235 and NC212, with sales of over 270 and 470 respectively, are operating successfully in over 30 countries in the world. The operators of CN295, CN235 and NC212 are extremely satisfied with the reliability, capability, and robustness of the aircraft, which are extremely easy to operate even in hostile and difficult environments. As a result, the aircraft currently have the clear leadership in this segment.
24 Mei 2013
Pesawat latih Grob G-120TP dengan nomor registrasi LD-1204 yang menandakannya sebagai pesawat G-120 TP nomor empat (photo : Angkasa)
Empat unit pesawat latih Grob G 120TP buatan pabrik Grob, Jerman telah siap dikirim ke Indonesia. Keempat pesawat yang telah diberi warna dan registrasi TNI AU tersebut, diluncurkan (Rolled Out) di pabrik pesawat Grob di Tussenhausen,Mattsies, Jerman, Rabu (22/5/2013), pukul 10.00 waktu setempat.
Upacara Roll Out pesawat Grob G 120TP dilaksanakan oleh CEO Grob, André Hiebeler dan disaksikan oleh rombongan delegasi Indonesia dipimpin Kabaranahan Kementerian Pertahanan RI Laksda TNI Rachmad Ir. Rachmad Lubis. Duta Besar RI untuk Republik Federasi Jerman Dr. Eddy Pratomo dan Atase Pertahanan RI Kolonel Pnb Syamsul Rizal turut menghadiri seremonial ini. Sementara dari pihak TNI AU sebagai pengguna pesawat ini diwakili oleh Asops KSAU Marsda TNI Bagus Puruhito, Aslog KSAU Marsda TNI Ida Bagus Anom Manuaba, Dankodikau Marsda TNI M. Nurullah, serta Komandan Lanud Adisutjipto Marsma TNI Agus Munandar.
Keempat pesawat Latih Dasar (LD) dengan registrasi LD-1201, LD-1202, LD-1203, dan LD-04 tersebut selanjutnya akan dikirim ke Indonesia menggunakan kapal laut dan akan tiba di Indoensia sekitar pertengahan atau akhir Juli 2013. Pesawat Grob G 120TP dibeli Pemerintah Indonesia untuk digunakan TNI AU sebagai pengganti pesawat Latih Mula (LM) AS-202 Bravo dan pesawat Latih Dasar (LD) T-34C yang telah digunakan selama lebih 30 tahun. Indonesia membeli 18 unit pesawat ini sekaligus menjadikannya sebagai launch customer. Ke-18 pesawat dijadwalkan pengirimannya akan selesai tahun depan.
Angkasa yang turut dalam rombongan sempat diberi kesempatan untuk terbang sekitar 15 menit dan mencicipi beberapa manuver menggunakan pesawat serupa milik Grob bersama Chief Test Pilot Ulrich Schell.
(Angkasa)
23 Mei 2013
AW109 Power, naval helicopter (photo : firenews)
FORT SAN FELIPE, Cavite City - The Navy is expected to receive this December three new helicopters that are seen to boost its maritime security capabilities.
Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano said the three helicopters would constitute the first batch of air assets to be delivered by the supplier AugustaWestland S.P.A.
The government is acquiring a total five AW 109 Power helicopters from the Anglo-Italian firm for P1.3 billion.
“We are looking at the acquisition of naval helicopters. The initial batch will be arriving by December this year,” Alano said on the sidelines of the Navy’s anniversary celebration here.
“The helicopters (were acquired through) the proper procurement process,” he added.
In its website, AugustaWestland described the AW 109 as “a versatile aircraft that offers the highest level of benefits for government and military markets, combining optimum performance with cost-effectiveness.”
The helicopters can be used for maritime security, search and rescue and surface surveillance, among other operations.
The government and AugustaWestland signed the contract for the acquisition of the helicopters last December.
In a recent statement, Vincenzo Alaimo, AgustaWestland’s head of regional sales for Southeast Asia, said the AW 109 would “provide the Philippine Navy with an enhanced maritime operational capability.”
Meanwhile, Alano said they are looking forward to the arrival of a warship they acquired from United States (US) this August.
Alano said the acquisition of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz would provide them with the added capability to enforce Philippine maritime laws.
Officials previously expected the ship to arrive last January but the schedule was pushed back due to the need for repairs and personnel training. The government spent more than P600 million to acquire the vessel.
BRP Alcaraz was acquired from the US Coast Guard and was largely used for law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction and search and rescue.
BRP Alcaraz can accommodate up to 180 personnel and was named after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Navy officer who commanded a patrol boat during World War II.
It is the second vessel acquired by the Philippines from the US, the first one being BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which was commissioned in December 2011.
(PhilStar)
23 Mei 2013
Hawkeye III Lite 1.2-meter Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) (photo : L-3)
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) announced today that it has been awarded a $38.5 million contract from the Commonwealth of Australia to supply 51 Hawkeye™ III Lite 1.2-meter Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), as well as training and long-term sustainment services. This program is one of a number of coordinated projects that will enable the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to deploy an integrated wideband satellite communications capability. Specifically, the contract will deliver one type of a family of transportable land terminals that will optimize the early use of Australia’s SATCOM system and provide communication services where commercial satellite resources are limited. The capability is scheduled for delivery in 2014.
“This is L-3’s first entry into the Australian SATCOM market and this immediate success recognizes the quality of our products and solutions,” said John Mega, president of L-3’s Microwave Group. “Australia is an emerging market for WGS-qualified terminals and we look forward to establishing a long-term partnership with the ADF and other local suppliers.”
This contract is a significant win for L-3 in Australia and demonstrates the cross-business synergy that exists between L-3 divisions, specifically L-3 Oceania and L-3 GCS. For this program, L-3 GCS developed and will supply the Hawkeye III systems, which will provide ARSTRAT-certified Ka- and X-Band, as well as commercial Ku-Band capability, in a very compact, fly-away package. L-3’s Australian division, L-3 Oceania, is leading the execution of the contract, which includes system deliveries over a 12-month period, followed by an initial three-year sustainment program that engages other Australian subcontractors in the process.
(L-3)
22 Mei 2013
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16) of the Philippine Navy leaves the pier at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in North Charleston, South Carolina, to undergo three days of sea trials in preparation for its departure for the Philippines next month. (photo : USCG)
The Philippines' second Hamilton cutter, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), will sail through the Panama Canal during its voyage home in the first week of June.
This was confirmed by Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Lt. Cmdr Gregory Fabic.
"She will cross the Panama Canal before making port calls in the US West Coast. After those stops, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (ex-USGC Dallas) will then proceed to Guam before resuming her journey to the Philippines," he said.
All in all, he said the voyage will take between 45 to 60 days.
The ship is presently docked at North Charleston, South Carolina.
Fabic said that BRP Ramon Alcaraz is the first ship of the PN to cross the historic waterway.
South Carolina is located on the US Atlantic seaboard making it practical for BRP Ramon Alcaraz to transit through the Panama Canal to get to the Pacific on her home to the Philippines.
The 82-kilometer Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean.
It cuts across the isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade.
Fabic also said that the ship is "fully mission capable" on her arrival.
"She will be fully capable of carrying out all functions assigned to her upon her arrival," the PN spokesperson added.
He declined to comment on what other weaponry, communications and navigation systems were fitted to BRP Ramon Alcaraz but stated that the latter is "more formidable than BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-16)."
Maritime observers said that this developments speak well of the PN efforts to modernize itself and boost its power projection capabilities.
"With the arrival of our Hamilton-class cutters, which are being converted to frigates, the PN has started its first step in developing its blue-water capability or the ability to detect or engage intruders in the high seas," they added.
At present, the PN is rated only as coastal protection naval force and nothing else.
The ex-USS Dallas was a high endurance cutter commissioned in 1967 at the Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans.
She was the sixth ship or boat to bear the name of Alexander J. Dallas, the Secretary of the Treasury under President James Madison (1814–1816).
The ship is one of 12 Hamilton class cutters built for the US Coast Guard.
It weighs 3,250 tons, has a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet.
Its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.
The ship has cruising range of 14,000 miles and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days.
It has a complement of 167 officers and men.
The ship was originally equipped with an AN/SPS-40 air-search radar Mark 92 Fire Control System and armed with one Oto Melara Mark-75 76mm gun, Two Mark K-38 25mm machine gun system, two Mark 36 SRBOC systems, One Phalanx CIWS missile defense gun, along with multiple mounted M2HB .50 caliber machine guns and M240 7.62mm machine guns.
Under PN service, all of the above-mentioned weapons and sensor systems were removed with the exception of the Oto Melara Mark-75 76-mm main gun.
(PTVNews)
22 Mei 2013
Aksi anggota tentera berjaya mendarat untuk menggempur musuh di daratan pada Eksesais Belangkas Siri 27/2013 di Kampung Telok Gong, Melaka (all photos : lowyat, utusan)
ALOR GAJAH - Tentera Darat (TD) berjaya menjalankan Eksesais Belangkas sebagai persediaan menghadapi eksesais gabungan dua hala antara Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) dengan Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat (USN) dan Kor Marin Amerika Syarikat (USMC) di Kuantan, Pahang pada 15 hingga 23 Jun depan.
Asisten Ketua Staf Operasi dan Latihan TD, Mejar Jeneral Datuk Abdul Samad Yaacub berkata, eksesais ketenteraan bersama USN dan USMC itu turut melibatkan Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) serta dibantu Tentera udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM).
Menurutnya, eksesais gabungan yang dikenali sebagai Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (EX CARAT) itu akan memberi fokus kepada operasi amfibi terhad.
"Pihak USN sering mengadakan latihan tersebut di negara ini atas faktor kebolehan tentera kita berkomunikasi dengan baik dalam bahasa Inggeris selain penggunaan terma ketenteraan kedua-dua negara yang tidak jauh berbeza," katanya.
Beliau ditemui selepas majlis Penutupan Eksesais Belangkas Siri 29/2013 di Kampung Teluk Gong, Pengkalan Balak, di sini hari ini.
Turut hadir Pengarah Eksesais yang juga Panglima 10 Briged Para, Briged Jeneral Datuk Tengku Ahmad Noor Tuan Chik; Pegawai Memerintah KD Sri Mahawangsa TLDM, Kapten Roslee Mohamad Isa dan Pegawai Staf 2 Eksesais Markas Operasi Udara TUDM, Mejar Izwan Zainal Amran dan AKS Fleet Operation Command TLDM, Laksamana Datuk Chin Yoon Chin.
Sementara itu jelas Abdul Samad, Eksesais Belangkas yang diadakan kali ini melibatkan kira-kira 860 pegawai dan anggota dari ketiga-tiga komponen tentera.
"Objektifnya adalah untuk melatih staf perancang bagi Proses Perancangan Operasi Amfibi Bersama dalam persekitaran operasi untuk mempertingkatkan sinergi sebagai sebuah operasi amfibi.
"Eksesais ini juga bertujuan untuk menguji keberkesanan sistem komunikasi Inter-Service khasnya kemampuan komunikasi kapal ke darat.
"Selain itu, ia juga mampu menguji keberkesanan teknik, taktik dan prosedur terhadap penggunaan platform amfibi yang dikenal pasti dan melatih kedua-dua komponen TD dan TLDM dalam melaksanakan operasi pendaratan amfibi," jelasnya.
Dalam eksesais itu, tambahnya, integrasi komponen ketiga-tiga perkhidmatan dapat dikoordinasi dengan baik merangkumi pengguguran Tim Gerak Gempur dengan pesawat TUDM C130, pelepasan Tim Fast Rooping dari Paskal dan Paskau menggunakan pesawat Nuri diikuti pendaratan amfibi oleh komponen TD dari Kapal KD Sri Mahawangsa.
(Utusan)
21 Mei 2013
In the bid for the Spanish carriers have also entered several Arab. The sale agreement includes that reform or adjustments shall be Spanish shipyards (photo : Jack C. Bahm)
Indonesia has ruled out the purchase of the ship after the visit that turned several representatives of his government to the arsenal of Ferrol.
The aircraft carrier 'Principe de Asturias' has several suitors since the Spanish Armada gave low fleet in February. At the moment it is docked in the arsenal of Ferrol, which is handling the liquidation proceedings and at the same time, it continues with the tasks of withdrawal of their useful material. The plans that were originally planned for that has been the jewel in the crown of the Spanish Armada was being scrapped, but the Ministry of Defence has opened out to the possibility of its sale. This option has become stronger in recent weeks, as LA VOZ announced last April, to the interest shown by the purchase of the vessel by Asian and Arab countries. The Spanish Navy has confirmed that there are potential buyers, but so far has not materialized any sales transaction.
A delegation from the Indonesian Navy moved to late March to Ferrol to visit the ship and learn about their capabilities. However, the government has ruled out the purchase. The auction is now in the hands of Philippines. If definitely take the step to purchase, enter into the select club of countries with these characteristics boats among its fleet. Only nine governments have aircraft carriers. So, the closest to Indonesia is China and Thailand. The latter state has a nearly identical aircraft carrier 'Principe de Asturias'. Ferrol was built between 1994 and 1996 and gave the Thai government in 1997.
The Spanish Navy has indicated that no further visits planned similar to that made by Indonesians, although the door is open. For sale carried out one of these nations, in the marketing agreement could include a necessary modernization that could run in the shipyards of Navantia, which would provide a significant workload for the company. Just the cost of the reform and the high maintenance costs of the aircraft carrier was prompting Defense to declare their withdrawal. In February, the ship docked in Ferrol, after leaving their base in Rota, to remove from within all elements that can be reused. If no country finally acquires the carrier, will be auctioning an end, following a public call, to be scrapped as junk.
The Defence Ministry would take economic return with the sales transaction and, at the same time would be a dignified exit for this vessel, which has been the flagship of the Navy for over two decades. Defense announced on November 22 the ship retirement after 25 years of service, but clearly did not disclose what his final destination, although in some forums they talked about scrapping. This possibility, of course, does not convince the pointing control and less traumatic options.
The carrier left the Feb. 7 based in Rota to go to Arsenal of Ferrol, which holds its termination process Fleet units. The parting of the 'Prince of Asturias' took the honors during a naval parade that was attended by Don Felipe and Defence Minister Peter Morenés. In its cover held a ceremony and a display of military aircraft have integrated their tactical equipment, helicopters and planes Harrie '.
The floor of the carrier process will take between six and nine months. The Navy LA VOZ recently confirmed that the process of demilitarization of the ship began earlier this year at the base of Rota and is now in the Arsenal of Ferrol. The same sources stressed already dismantled a series of elements, mainly historical value goods, also the equipment for aircraft operations and transmission equipment as well as ammunition and combat systems. By prior, the Navy made an inventory of the material of the ship and, at present, we study the incorporation of some of its parts to other units of the Spanish fleet. This withdrawal process is similar to that carried out in 2009 with two Baleares class frigates (F-71), which were replaced by the new F-100. The Navy has scrapped a boat in the last decade and vessels have left the service are moored.
Ship Reconstruction
The Navy insists that, once the process is completed low, the aircraft carrier will be ready for disposal, ie for sale. Clear, however, that if during the process of disarmament is a country interested in your purchase, automatically stops the removal, so that the carrier does not lose all its military capabilities. At this point, it is the pursued, will sign an agreement with the country concerned compromising the work of adaptation and remodeling industry with some Spanish.
That is, the option includes the reconstruction of the boat to the new needs of the buyer country is made in Spain. So, Navantia, the builder of the ship, has very competitive studies for the possible adaptation of the boat to the needs of third countries.
(LavozDigital)
