TLDM Mohon Perolehan LMS Batch Kedua Disegerakan

28 April 2022

LMS batch pertama KD Badik (photo : TLDM)

LUMUT – Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) memohon kerajaan memberikan kelulusan segera perolehan batch kedua kapal misi pesisir (LMSB2) batch kedua demi memelihara kepentingan dan kedaulatan negara.

Panglima Tentera Laut, Laksamana Tan Sri Mohd. Reza Mohd. Sany berkata, LMS itu mempunyai keupayaan tempur yang lebih baik berbanding kapal LMS kelas Keris yang digunakan TLDM buat masa ini.

Menurut Mohd. Reza, peningkatan keupayaan tempur ini amat diperlukan ekoran jurang kemampuan aset sedia ada TLDM semakin melebar dan berada pada tahap kritikal.

“Saya ingin jelaskan bahawa perolehan LMSB2 adalah selari dengan rancangan transformasi TLDM 15to5 yang telah direkalibrasi.

“TLDM amat berharap kerajaan dapat memberi pertimbangan yang positif bagi memastikan perolehan ini dapat dilaksanakan dalam masa terdekat,” katanya selepas menghadiri Istiadat Perbarisan Hari TLDM ke 88 di Pangkalan TLDM Lumut di sini hari ini.

Mohd. Reza berkata bagi memastikan peroleh ini dapat disegerakan TLDM telah mengadakan perbincangan serta mendapat sokongan penuh daripada Menteri Kanan Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

(Kosmo)

Lorenzana to Endorse P30-B OPV Project to Next DND Chief

28 April 2022

HHI is offering HDP-1500 Neo OPV (image : HHI)

MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said he is inclined to endorse to the next defense chief the contract for the offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) which is worth PHP30 billion to avoid midnight deal allegations.

"Six yan (OPVs), kung maayos natin yan yung mga papeles I might also endorse it to the next Secretary of Defense para makita naman nya kung ano ang mangyari, kasi kung pirmihan ko yan baka sabihin midnight (deal) [That project consists of six (OPVs) and if we are able to complete all the documents, I might endorse it to the next Secretary of Defense, so he could have a look at it. This is to avoid midnight deal allegations]," he said when asked by reporters if he has any projects that he will endorse to the next administration at the sidelines of this year's Asian Defense and Security (ADAS) exhibition held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Lorenzana said that former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin did the same to him regarding the two missile-frigates of the Philippine Navy (PN).

He said that Gazmin did all the initial works on the project but did not sign it as his term was about to end at the time to avoid midnight deal accusations.

The DND earlier said it is now looking for new proponents for the PN's procurement of six OPVs due to pricing issues with Australian shipbuilder Austal. "Pending our approval of the contract for the purchase, they (Austal) said the cost has increased -- materials, labor and everything. They asked for additional payment. I think our budget is PHP30 billion, so they want PHP12 billion more for the six OPVs or they said we can reduce the number from six to five," Lorenzana said.

He added that he can no longer ask the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for additional funding. However, he also said reducing the number of OPVs to be acquired is not an option for the PN.

"Ang gusto nila (Navy) anim talaga dahil talagang (yun) kailangan natin, so ang ginawa nila ay nakikipag-usap sila ngayon sa mga ibang proponent (na) kayang tugunan without any increase in price or reducing the number of ships (What they really want is six because that is the number they need, so they are now talking with other proponents capable of giving that number without increasing the price or reducing the number of ships)," the DND chief earlier said.

ASFAT is offering its VARD-7 86m OPV (image : ASFAT)

Lorenzana also said that shipbuilders from France, Sweden, South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries, Japan, and India have expressed interest in the PN's OPV project.

Initially, Australian shipbuilder Austal was believed to be the frontrunner in the OPV project.

Lorenzana, in earlier statement, said tapping Austal for the project will be greatly advantageous to the country as it will provide jobs to Filipinos as the company has an existing shipyard in Balamban, Cebu which it had acquired from Aboitiz.

This is aside from the transfer of technology which will also be beneficial to the Philippines in the long run, he added. The OPV project is expected to replace the World War II surface assets decommissioned by the Navy.

The DBM already released the funds for the project last year.

As this developed, AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino, who attended this year's ADAS' opening ceremonies, called the exhibition an opportunity for the military's project evaluation teams to assess and evaluate suitable requirements for the military’s defense and security platforms, systems, and equipment.

Some 146 local and foreign companies are participating in this year's event. As the premier platform for manufacturers and distributors, ADAS seeks to showcase capabilities or solutions that address the requirements of defense and security agencies.

National disaster reduction agencies have similarly benefitted from the event where they are able to avail of the latest updates on new techniques and technologies in disaster management. Following its successful launch in 2014, ADAS reaffirmed its position as the Philippines’ Flagship Defense and Security event as it continues to attract a significant number of international exhibitors from around the world to Manila.

“By bringing the latest technologies from around the world to Manila, the exhibition has opened wider avenues for the professional training, education, and enhancement of personnel competencies and skills,” Centino said. 

(PNA) 

PH Air Force Gets First-ever Missile Simulator

27 April 2022

PAF formally accepted SPYDER simulator (photos : PAF)

MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) can now train on various surface-air missile engagement techniques after it formally accepted its first missile simulator, the SPYDER Philippines Air Defense Systems (SPAD) Simulator-Training Center.

Air Force spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano, in a statement Tuesday night, said the acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony took place at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga on April 26.

"The SPADS Simulator-Training Center is the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) first missile training center, which will serve as a training ground for future missile operators to prepare them for real-world challenges, as well as to increase personnel knowledge, skills, and develop the right attitude for air and missile defense," he said.

The SPAD Simulator-Training Center is part of the Ground Base Air Defense System (GBADS) acquisition project of the PAF, which seeks to enhance the military's defense capabilities.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was the guest-of-honor of the event, along with PAF chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, Rafael Advanced Defense System executive vice president retired Brig. Gen. Pinhas Yungman, and Air Defense Command chief Maj. Gen. Augustine Malinit.

"During the activity, Secretary Lorenzana, along with PAF senior leaders were able to witness the missile engagement simulation and the training capabilities of the center and its attendant facilities," Mariano said.

SPYDER is short for the surface-to-air PYthon and DERby mobile-air defense system developed by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries.

The Notice of Award for the GBADS acquisition project was released in 2019.

The PAF did not give the specific number of SPYDER batteries it is set to acquire. 

(PNA)

Air Defense - Air Force Organizes Shooting, Bombing, and Live Ammunition

27 April 2022

Su-22, Su-30MK2, and Mi-8 helicopters shooting and bombing at Thanh Son (all photos : PKKQ)

On April 21, the Air Defense - Air Force (PK-KQ) organized a flight to shoot, drop bombs and live ammunition at sea targets at the TB-5 Shooting Range for air units throughout the Service. 

Directly monitoring and directing the shooting wave were Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia - Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Lieutenant General Vu Van Kha - Acting Commander of the Air Defense Forces; Major General Pham Truong Son - Deputy Commander of the Air Defense Forces; Major General Bui To Viet - Deputy Political Commissar of the Air Defense Forces; heads of the Air Defense and Air Forces agencies.

In this round of shooting and bombing of sea targets, the pilots and crew practiced the contents of bombing, artillery, rocketry, simple maneuvers, complex maneuvers according to squads and maneuvers. single unit, hitting sea surface targets, on all types of aircraft on the service of the units. 

In the process of organizing the preparation and practice of shooting and throwing, the units have well performed command and control; ensure good techniques, logistics, information - radar in stages. 

The team of pilots and flight crews are carefully prepared in terms of tactical skills, bravery and psychology; successfully complete the contents of practice flying, shooting real bombs at sea, ensuring absolute safety.

With 28 successful flights using weapons, this round of shooting and dropping live bombs at sea accurately reflected the results of combat training of the units that were constantly being improved; at the same time, contribute to training and improving the qualifications, experience and combat skills of the pilots and flight crews; flight command level, ability to ensure sea flight operations of the units. 

Thereby improving the combat readiness and combat of the air force units, meeting the mission requirements in the coming time.

(PKKQ)

Marsun is Winning Four New Naval Patrol Boat project for Royal Thai Navy

27 April 2022

Marsun M10 Riverine Patrol Boat and M10 Riverine Patrol Boat MKII (photos : AAG)

The Royal Thai Navy's Central Procurement and Price Information Center has published an announcement of a project to build a speedboat to monitor the river. (Excluding weapons systems) in the amount of 4 ships by the Royal Thai Naval Dockyard (RTND: Royal Thai Naval Dockyard) amount 84,012,120 baht ($2,505,056) on January 10, 2022.

The announcement of the winner of the project published in the middle of April, 2022 is Marsun Public Company Limited, with a limit bid. 82,176,000 baht ($2,450,307) The TOR: Terms of Reference has not been published.

It is understood that Marsun PCL Thailand should be awarded a contract to construct a new rapid patrol boat based on the M10 Riverine Patrol Boat and M10 Riverine Patrol Boat MKII designs that a Thai private shipyard designed, developed and built internally  Thailand.

By the River Fleet (RS: Riverine Squadron) has provided 3 boats, boats patrol boats L.161, boat sets, boats L.161, boats. Number of 6 boats (boat L. 164, boat  L.165, boat L.166, boat L.167, boat L.168 and boat L.169)

6 boats patrol boats L.170 boat series (boat L.170, boat L.171, boat L.172, boat L.173, boat L.174 and boat L.175) and boat patrol boats. Lor 176, a total of 6 ships (boat 176, boat 177, boat 178, boat 179, boat 180 and boat 181), etc.

In addition to Marsun Thai Company, there is also Choknamchai Hitech Pressing Co., Ltd., another company that has been awarded a boat building contract. 6 speed boats patrolling the river from the Department of the Naval Dockyard 84.3 million baht ($2,513,640) in fiscal year 2020.

The Naval Fleet, Royal Thai Fleet (RTF: Royal Thai Fleet) is in the process of acquiring a new patrol speed boat to replace the 39 boat patrol boat series L 11 (Patrol Boat, River PBR Mark II) numbering 39 ships in service, coming from the year 1971-1979.

The ships on the river are organized, most of the SRT ships are in the peacekeeping unit along the Mekong River. NRK (previously NDP) and some other task force units At present, many ships of the Royal Thai Police, Lor 11 series boats have been decommissioned.

There are no details about the characteristics of the 4 new SRT ships that Marsun Thai Company has been selected. stating that "Does not include weapons systems", therefore understands that the Thai Navy will arm the ship itself, including M2 HB .50cal heavy machine gun, M240T 7.62mm machine gun and 40mm machine grenade launcher, etc.

Marsun has also been selected for the Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP: Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) Phase 3 project, 2 vessels, proposed for a budget. 30,602,000 baht ($912,484) as well, all of which promote the Thai Navy's boat-building industry in the country.

(AAG)

NZ C-130Js to Get Specialist Equipment, Advanced Sensors

26 April 2022

The five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s Super Hercules to be built for New Zealand will have advanced ISTAR and communications systems (photo : Lockheed Martin Aeronautics)

The five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s Super Hercules to be procured by New Zealand will have specialist equipment and sensors.

Janes has learned that the aircraft will be fitted with L3 WESCAM MX-20 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras and a Honeywell JetWave Ka-band wide bandwidth, high-speed satellite communications (satcom) system.

The MX-20 system is designed for high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations. It has been deployed aboard long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and GA-ASI MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Able to provide more than x400 magnification in the EO sensor and more than x75 magnification in the IR sensor, the MX-20 also uses Enhanced Local Area Processing (ELAP) to improve feature recognition.

Janes previously reported that the modular design of the system supports up to seven sensor payloads simultaneously. This comprises “a daylight CCD [charged-coupled device] camera with zoom lens, a colour [or monochrome] daylight camera with four-step spotter lens, a night camera with four-step spotter lens, a thermal imager with high magnification four-step zoom, a laser rangefinder, and two choices of laser illuminator/pointer”.

The satcom system supports up to 50 Mbps of speed via the fuselage-mounted antenna. The tail-mounted antenna is capable of speeds up to 30 Mbps.

“In addition to the above [two] specific systems, the NZ [New Zealand] variant will include the ability for video and images to be captured while the aircraft is in use,” the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Janes.

This includes “the ability to live-stream footage back to civilian agencies during humanitarian and disaster relief and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions”, the MoD added.

(Jane's)

Yonarmed 17 Selenggarakan Latihan Taktis Tingkat Seksi

26 April 2022

Latihan Taktis Tingkat Seksi Yonarmed 17/Komposit/RC dengan menggunakan meriam tarik 105mm dan 155mm (all photos : Yonarmed 17)

Yonarmed 17/Komposit/RC melaksanakan Latihan taktis tingkat seksi yang diselenggarakan pada tanggal 18 s/d 22 April 2022 dengan bertempat di rahlat (daerah latihan) kabupaten Pidie kompleks.

Latihan ini melibatkan 224 personel yang terdiri dari pelaku, penyelenggara, dan pendukung, serta melibatkan 2 jenis kaliber meriam yaitu 105 mm dan 155 mm.

Latihan bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan personel dalam hubungan tingkat seksi, sekaligus juga untuk mempersiapkan personel dalam menghadapi Uji Siap Tempur Tingkat Seksi yang akan dilaksanakan dalam waktu dekat.

Batalyon Artileri Medan 17/Rencong Cakti atau Yon Armed 17/105 Tarik/Rencong Cakti atau sekarang berubah menjadi Yon Armed 17/Komposit merupakan satuan Batalyon Artileri yang berada langsung di bawah Komando Kodam Iskandar Muda. Markas Komando Yon Armed 17/Komposit beralamat di Jl. Lintas Banda Aceh - Medan Ds.Cot Padang Nila kec. Muara Tiga Kabupaten Pidie.

(YonArmed 17)