27 Mei 2016
The Fourth Frigate "Gepard" for the Vietnamese Navy (photos : TASS)
KAZAN /TASS/ The fourth frigate "Gepard-3.9" for the Navy of Vietnam into the water at the Zelenodolsk plant named after Gorky in Tatarstan. Told Tass the official representative of the plant Andrey Spiridonov.
"Fourth" Gepard-3.9 "launched in a ceremony attended by representatives of Vietnam and the" Rosoboronexport ", - said Spiridonov." A bottle of champagne on board the vessel broke Commissioner Vietnamese Navy Vice Admiral Dinh Nhat Over ", - he added.
As noted by the agency, until the end of summer, the frigate will be in the water area of the plant where the vessel will install the latest items of equipment. "On sea trials planned to send a frigate in September 2016", - said Spiridonov.
In 2011, the plant delivered the first two Vietnamese Navy frigate "Gepard-3.9", the third "Gepard-3.9" was launched in April 2016.
Patrol Frigates Project 11661 (code "Gepard") are constructed at the Zelenodolsk plant named after Gorky in 1990. They are designed to search and anti-submarine, surface and air targets, a patrol, conducting convoy operations, as well as protection of the marine economic zone. Ship displacement of 1.5 thousand tons, they are equipped with artillery, antiship, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weaponry.
(TASS)
26 Mei 2016
General Electric F414-GE-400 engines (photo : cc)
South Korea picks GE to supply engines for homegrown fighter jets
South Korea has picked General Electric Co (GE.N) to supply engines for its homegrown KF-X fighter jet project, preferring the U.S. giant over a European consortium in a deal that could be worth an estimated $3.5 billion.
The decision, announced on Thursday by the country's arms procurement agency marks the latest step in Seoul's multi-billion dollar plans to develop its own fighter jets to reduce its heavy reliance on the U.S. military for air defense.
The move gives GE preferred bidder status, with a contract expected to be finalised and signed in June. Financial details weren't disclosed, but South Korean media have estimated the deal could be worth about 4.08 trillion won.
Last year, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration picked Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) (047810.KS), which partners with Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), to develop the 8.7 trillion won ($7.4 billion) KF-X jet project.
North and South Korea, in a technical state of war since their 1950-1953 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, are separated by the world's most heavily militarized border.
KAI plans to develop and produce 170 twin-engined jets initially, with 50 destined for export to Indonesia, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity because the situation was confidential.
More engines are expected to be sold if KAI successfully exports the KF-X to other countries seeking a relatively cheaper replacement for their U.S.-supplied jets.
To power the aircraft, KAI has opted for F414-GE-400 engines, produced by GE Aviation, over a rival bid to supply Eurojet EJ200 engines, made by a consortium that includes Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (RR.L) and MTU Aero Engines AG (MTXGn.DE).
GE Aviation scored better results than Eurojet in all four main criteria for the contract, the DAPA said in a statement: technology, costs, localization and management.
South Korea plans to localize production of parts of the KF-X engines by 2022, according to the DAPA.
(Reuters)
26 Mei 2016
Refurbished F-16D of the TNI AU (photo : Kaskus Militer)
Vietnam May Request F-16s, P-3 Orions From US
TAIPEI, Taiwan — With the lifting of the US arms embargo to Vietnam, a US defense industry source indicates Hanoi is seeking to improve its air defense and maritime security capabilities with the procurement of F-16 fighter aircraft from the US Pentagon’s excess defense articles (EDA) program and refurbished P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, armed with torpedoes.
The source also said Vietnam could seek US-made UAVs for maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Torpedoes were banned under the embargo, but now the Vietnamese want the same P-3 program the US sold to Taiwan, the source said. On the F-16 EDA, they want the same deal the Obama administration gave Indonesia.
Defense News has also acquired an unclassified defense industry briefing prepared by the US Pacific Command. According to the report, “Socialist Republic of Vietnam — Country Security Cooperation Plan,” the US Embassy in Hanoi “possesses a robust security cooperating program operating in accordance with US policy goals and interests to promote integration and access focused on key areas within the Vietnamese security architecture.”
These include achieving air and maritime domain awareness, providing maritime security against traditional and nontraditional security threats, delivering all-hazards response and support to civil authorities, participating in regional contingency response and international peacekeeping operations, and addressing the impact of Vietnam War legacy issues on civil society.
“The SCO [Security Cooperation Organization] is manned and capable of providing in-country support and coordination for programs to expand US defense article procurement ... and assist Vietnam in developing and sustaining professional armed forces,” the report said.
According to the report, Vietnam’s strategic outlook involves the survival of the Communist Party by maintaining sovereignty and independence, achieving freedom of maneuver, and ensuring sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and unfettered access to natural resources and the global economic market.
China has been testing Vietnam’s EEZ claims with incursions by maritime patrol vessels, aggressive commercial fishing vessels and the stationing of an oil drilling test platform in 2014, dubbed the Haiyang Shiyou 981 standoff.
Vietnam’s goals, according to the report, are to enhance its presence in the South China Sea with upgrades for submarine warfare, maritime air-ground interdiction, anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime domain awareness (MDA), early warning, and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR).
In the past, Vietnam has procured defense articles from sources within the former Soviet Union and former East Bloc nations, but it has “begun reaching out to the European Union, Israel, and others.”
On radar issues, the Vietnamese are procuring a high-frequency surface wave radar from the US for $30 million, according to the report. This is part of their overall effort to improve early warning and ISR.
The report breaks down each service requirement.
For the Army, it must transition from a territorial defense structure, retain a central role as defender of national sovereignty and improve capacity to respond to natural disasters.
The Air Force must improve early warning and airborne ISR, enhance maritime interdiction, develop anti-access/area-denial capabilities, and revamp pilot training.
The Navy must improve MDA, electronic countermeasures/electronic counter-countermeasures, electronic intelligence, expand maritime law enforcement capabilities, develop a naval aviation arm, and enhance ASW and ASUW.
The US Embassy’s primary cooperation vision is to promote the United States as a “reliable partner to address complex, forward looking security issues.” It also hopes to establish military relationships outside the traditional theater support command that include defense sales, cross-servicing, voyage repairs, and science and technology cooperation.
The report said that priorities include the “establishment” of sustainable lines of effort (LOE) and “synchronize” operations, actions and activities (OAA); instill a programmatic, regularized approach to security cooperation; and focus on nontraditional security approaches and humanitarian activities.
According to Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, big-ticket sales may be a long way off: “Vietnam does not have the defense budget for that. It is fully committed to integrating six advanced Kilo-class submarines into its fleet,” and all maintenance, repair and logistics network and workforce are geared to work with Soviet/Russian technology.
Another hurdle for Vietnam is that Hanoi will continue to face the same restrictions that all other countries face when trying to procure US arms, Thayer said, including human rights issues and the authoritarian nature of the government in power.
(DefenseNews)
26 Mei 2016
Navies of Thailand and the United States are conducting anti-submarine exercises in the Andaman Sea. Drills are being conducted against the backdrop of submarine proliferation in the Southeast Asian region (photos : Jane's, RTN)
The USN Navy (USN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are carrying out a series of drills that includes the "most complex" anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise conducted between the two services to date.
The drills, which are being conducted as part of the annual bilateral naval exercise known as 'Guardian Sea', are being held in the Andaman Sea from 23 to 27 May. The exercise in 2016 involves a USN Los Angeles-class attack submarine, a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol craft and the RTN's sole aircraft carrier, the 182 m HTMS Chakri Naruebet .
Also participating from the USN is the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stethem , the RTN's two Chinese-made Naresuan-class frigates, HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Taksin , and an unspecified number of S-70B naval helicopters, according to information provided to IHS Jane's on 25 May.
"Guardian Sea provides our navies the opportunity and challenge of detecting and tracking submarines, and to practice procedures related to anti-submarine warfare," said Capt H. B. Le, commodore of the USN's destroyer, Squadron Seven , in a statement on the bilateral drills.
"This year's exercise will be the most complex to date and we look forward to working alongside the Royal Thai Navy ashore and at sea to improve our skills and enhance our interoperability," he added.
Exercise 'Guardian Sea' in 2016 will also feature a shore phase with seminars and exchanges between subject-matter experts from both navies.
(Jane's)
26 Mei 2016
AgustaWestland AW-109E prepare to landing on BRP Tarlac (image : Update)
DLQ training aboard BRP Tarlac to start after June 1
MANILA (PNA) -- Philippine Navy (PN) helicopters, mostly the newly-acquired AgustaWestland utility and attack units, will start their deck-landing qualification (DLQ) training on the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) after June 1.
This was stressed by PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Tuesday.
"DLQ (training) will start after June 1 (the scheduled commissioning date of BRP Tarlac, the country's first strategic sealift vessel)," he added.
DLQ training involves actually deck landing of the helicopters and crews to receive and maintain these aerial assets.
The PN operates three AgustaWestland AW-109E utility units and two of its attack versions.
The BRP Tarlac is capable of housing three helicopters, with two on the helideck and one on its hangar deck.
The ship can carry a payload of 2,800 tons. BRP Tarlac's gross tonnage is placed at 7,300 tons.
The PN earlier announced that the BRP Tarlac can accommodate 500 troops, two rigid-hull inflatable boats, two landing craft units and three helicopters.
The ship has an overall length of 120 meters, breadth of 21 meters, draft of five meters and carry a payload of 2,800 tons.
She has a cruising speed of 13 knots and maximum speed of 16 knots.
The BRP Tarlac was one of two SSVs acquired from PT PAL (Persero) for the sum of PHP3.8 billion.
Her sister-ship is expected to arrive by May 2017.
(PNA)
26 Mei 2016
Oplot main battle tanks (photo : andrei-bt)
As reported in the Thai social networks, 21 May 2016 iin the naval base of Sattahip naval vessel of Thailand was delivered to Ukraine next batch of ten tanks BM "MBT-T" manufactured by Kharkov state enterprise "Malyshev Plant" on the contract 2011. Thus, the total number of tanks under the contract, set in Thailand, reached 20. Unloading one of Thailand delivered in ten tanks BM "MBT-T" a third party made the Kharkov state enterprise "Malyshev Plant" contract in 2011 of the year.
The tanks were made in pursuance of a contract worth more than $ 240 million, signed by GK "Ukrspetsexport" September 1, 2011 for the supply of Thai Army 49 new tanks "MBT-T" and two armored recovery vehicles based on them, with a maturity of the contract to the the end of 2014. Thailand is actually delivered to the launch customer tanks BM "Oplot" developed by SE "Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau named after Morozov," represents a further development of the family T-80U / UD.
Agreed shipping schedule BM "Oplot-T" under the contract is as follows: December 2012 - five cars, in August 2013 - 15 cars, in December 2013 - 15 cars, in August 2014 - 14 machines. Performance of the contract "Plant named after VA .Malysheva "started in April 2012 and the company has faced considerable difficulties in resuming production of the tank, after more than ten years' break.
Under the contract, the first five tanks were to be handed over to the customer in December 2012, then for a period putting the Thai side of the first five tanks called in May 2013. In reality, the first five tanks "Oplot-T" made under the contract, have been demonstrated in Kharkov only October 15, 2013, and delivered by sea to Thailand February 4, 2014. The second batch of five tanks "Oplot-T" was made "Plant Malyshev name "to the beginning of 2015 and delivered in Thailand May 31, 2015. The third batch of ten tanks, "Oplot-T" has been completed with the production of the end of 2015 to April 2016 and reached Thailand's only now.
(BMPD)
25 Mei 2016
Leopard 2RI saat debarkasi di Tanjung Priok. (photo : Pussenkav)
Dari sosok luarnya, Leopard 2RI sudah nampak berbeda dibandingkan dengan Leopard 2A4 yang sudah terlebih dahulu datang. Jika Leopard 2A4 tampil mengotak dengan garis-garis tegas, maka Leopard 2RI tampil dinamis dengan modul-modul AMAP menghias hull dan kubah.
Jika setelah sekian lama hanya bisa menduga-duga, selubung misteri Leopard 2RI kini terbuka sudah, dari sosok penampilannya kita bisa menduga opsi kit apa saja yang akhirnya dipilih TNI AD. Tidak semua paket upgrade Leopard Revolution dipilih, hanya yang benar-benar diperlukan saja yang dipasangkan ke tubuh Leopard 2A4 untuk mengubahnya menjadi Leopard 2RI.
Inti dari perlindungan Leopard 2RI adalah lapisan blok komposit AMAP (Advanced Modular Armour Protection) buatan IBD (IngenierBüro Deisenroth)-Deisenroth. Konsepnya adalah perlindungan 360 derajat, dimana Leopard 2 Revolution harus bisa dilindungi dari segala sisi. Hal ini menyesuaikan dengan tren dimana tank digunakan dalam situasi urban, ancaman senjata seperti roket dan rudal antitank jauh lebih mengemuka. IBD Deisenroth membuat proteksi pasif alias proteksi balistik sangat canggih.
Bobot keramik nano ini saat dikonfigurasikan menurut standar proteksi NATO STANAG 4569 Level 3 atau 4/ AEP 55 Level 3. Keping AMAP dibangun dan disusun menjadi blok AMAP-B (Ballistic) yang dipasangkan ke side skirt, glacis, dan keseluruhan kubah termasuk sisi atas dan pangkal laras Leopard 2RI. Panel-panel ini didesain dengan fitur engsel untuk memudahkannya dibuka, dilepas, dan dilakukan perawatan sekaligus penggantian secara terbatas.
Leopard 2 RI (photo : Pussenkav)
Biarpun bentuk panel AMAP mengotak, sesungguhnya isinya kosong. Ruang kosong memungkinkan energi dan inti panas dari hulu ledak HEAT yang menghantam AMAP untuk menyebar dan tidak menembus kulit asli tank. Lampu sorot depan Leopard 2RI mempertahankan bentuk aslinya yang membulat dan dipasang di atas glacis, beda dengan paket Revolution yang menggunakan lampu LED dan sudah ditanam di glacis.
Di atas glacis terpasang kotak SAS (Situational Awareness System) berupa kamera dengan fitur night vision agar pengemudi dapat mengendalikan kendaraan dengan mudah, tidak lagi mengandalkan blok prisma yang terbatas kemampuannya.
Uniknya, pemasangan AMAP-B tidak diteruskan sampai ke belakang. Pada Leopard 2RI dibiarkan kosong, hanya dipasangi kit track cadangan di sebelah kiri. Paket Revolution menyediakan slat armor alias pagar untuk menangkis RPG-7, tetapi opsi ini tidak dipergoki pada Leopard 2A7. Mungkin karena sifatnya yang sederhana slat armor ini dapat dipasang kemudian oleh PT Pindad sebagai bagian dari ToT alias Transfer Teknologi, sama seperti kontrak yang diterima PT Pindad untuk memasang sistem pendingin udara pada Leopard 2A4.
Di sebelah kanan terdapat kotak yang diduga merupakan inlet dari APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) berupa mesin diesel cadangan yang dapat digunakan memutar kubah. Leopard 2RI dapat beroperasi secara senyap saat mengintai mangsa, mematikan mesin utama dan mengandalkan APU yang suaranya lebih tenang sehingga heat signature Leopard 2RI menurun drastis dan lawan tidak bisa mendengar suara Leo 2RI sampai semuanya sudah terlambat. Varian Leopard 2SG yang diugrade ke standar Evolution oleh Krauss Maffei Wagmann tidak memiliki fitur APU tersebut.
Leopard 2A4 TNI AD (photo : Merdeka)
Untuk sistem senjata, Leopard 2RI tetap mengandalkan meriam 120mm L44, yang tidak diubah. Yang dimodifikasi adalah sistem turret drive yang kini sudah sepenuhnya elektrik, menawarkan keunggulan lebih aman, lebih ajek, dan lebih senyap.
Sistem kubah remote tidak terlihat terpasang pada Leopard 2RI. Juga tidak terpasang pada Leopard 2RI adalah sistem ROSY (Rapid Obscuring System).
Pada dasarnya sistem ROSY merupakan gabungan integral antara IR Jammer/ decoy dan pelontar granat asap, yang bisa memicu pelontaran granat asap secara otomatis apabila terdeteksi adanya rudal antitank atau ancaman lain yang mendekat.
Leopard 2RI masih mengandalkan sistem pelontar granat asap konvensional yang dipasang di kiri-kanan kubah belakang. Paling penting dari sebuah tank adalah, kenyamanannya. Untuk itulah Leopard 2RI sudah dilengkapi sistem pendingin udara yang dipasang di belakang bustle, dengan inlet udara dari sisi atas yang dilindungi kawat baja.
Untuk kamera panoramik, komandan Leopard 2RI masih akan mengintip dari sistem kamera PERI R-17, dimana Leopard 2RI kelihatan tidak mengambil opsi kamera panoramik SEOSS yang ditawarkan dalam paket Revolution.
Leopard 2RI tiba di tanah air pada Senin (23/5) di dermaga Tanjung Priok. Rencananya kedelapan Leopard 2RI akan menghuni Batalion Kavaleri 1/ Tank Badak Ceta Cakti di Cijantung, menggantikan tank mini Scorpion-90.
(Angkasa)
