Perolehan Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) TLDM Ditangguh Lagi

03 Mei 2023

KD Sri Indera Sakti 1503, Multi Role Support Ship (photo : Trias Logistics)

Walaupun mengakui bahawa keperluan pemilikan Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) itu adalah amat penting, tetapi Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) terpaksa menangguhkan perolehan kapal jenis itu.

Panglima TLDM Laksamana Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob memberitahu bahawa perolehan MRSS itu terpaksa ditangguhkan untuk memberikan laluan kepada perolehan-perolehan aset lain.

“Dengan kedudukan geografi negara yang terbahagi kepada dua wilayah dan dipisahkan oleh Laut China Selatan dengan jarak terdekat sejauh 568.42 kilometer, kita memerlukan platform sebegini bagi bantuan logistik dan mengukuhkan keperluan.”

“Bagaimanapun, setakat ini perolehan MRSS terpaksa ditangguhkan dahulu bagi memberikan laluan kepada perolehan Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) dan juga penyelesaian perolehan Littoral Mission Ship (LCS) serta program peningkatan keupayaan kombatan untuk aset sedia ada.”

“Perolehan MRSS akan dirancang dalam Rancangan Malaysia ke-13 (RMK13),”kata beliau dalam temuramah dengan akhbar Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini,

RMK13 akan hanya bermula pada tahun 2026 sehingga 2030, bermakna TLDM akan hanya boleh memperolehi MRSS kira-kira tiga tahun daripada sekarang dan itu pun jika program perolehan kapal jenis itu tidak ditangguhkan lagi kepada Rancangan Malaysia yang seterusnya (seperti apa yang kerapkali berlaku).

Sementara terpaksa menunggu tiga tahun lagi, TLDM perlu menggunakan kapal MRSS sedia ada yang usianya sudah pun mencecah 40 tahun.

Pada 2022, belanjawan pertahanan Malaysia sekitar RM16 bilion berbanding RM37 bilion di Indonesia dan RM65 bilion di Singapura.

See full article DSA

U.S. Intends to Transfer 3 C-130H Transport Aircraft and 4 Patrol Vessels to the Philippines

02 Mei 2023

USAF C-130H Hercules (photo : Matthias Becker)

The White House has announced that the US Government intends to transfer three C-130H Hercules tactical transport aircraft, two Island-class and two Marine Protector-class patrol vessels to the Philippines, pending applicable Congressional notification requirements.

Island class patrol vessel (photo : Wiki)

These appear to be grants as part of US Military Assistance to the Philippines, these transfers will support the AFP modernization program by enhancing its maritime and tactical lift capabilities.

Protector class patrol vessel (photo : dvids)

The White House statement also confirmed that the two Cyclone-class patrol vessels transferred to the Philippine Navy last month are already en route to the Philippines. 

It would be remembered that the ships are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on May 2023 from the US base in Manama, Bahrain.

(Da-Real)

Australian Government Release of the Defence Strategic Review

02 Mei 2023

Australian AWD and P-8A Poseidon (photo : Aus DoD)

On April, 24 the Albanese Government has released the public version of the Defence Strategic Review (the Review), the Government’s response to the Review, and the National Defence Statement 2023.

Commissioned in the first 100 days of Government, the Review sets the agenda for ambitious, but necessary, reform to Defence’s posture and structure. 

The Government’s response to the Review sets out a blueprint for Australia’s strategic policy, defence planning and resourcing over the coming decades. 

The Albanese Government has agreed, or agreed in-principle with further work required, to the public Review recommendations, and has identified six priority areas for immediate action: 

-Acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines through AUKUS to improve our deterrence capabilities;

-Developing the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to precisely strike targets at longer-range and manufacture munitions in Australia; 

-Improving the ADF’s ability to operate from Australia’s northern bases;

-Initiatives to improve the growth and retention of a highly skilled Defence workforce;

-Lifting our capacity to rapidly translate disruptive new technologies into ADF capability, in close partnership with Australian industry; and

-Deepening of our diplomatic and defence partnerships with key partners in the Indo-Pacific. 

 Realising the ambition of the Review will require a whole-of-government effort, coupled with a significant financial commitment and major reform.

The Government is making the hard decisions necessary to cancel or reprioritise Defence projects or activities that are no longer suited to our strategic circumstances, as outlined in the Review.

The Albanese Government’s response to the Review includes specific directions to Defence with immediate effect, while establishing a methodical and comprehensive process for long-term and sustainable implementation. 

To inform this, the Government has accepted the Review’s recommendation for an inaugural National Defence Strategy in 2024, which will be updated biennially. 

The National Defence Strategy will encompass a comprehensive plan of Defence policy, planning, capabilities and resourcing, including reprioritisation of the Integrated Investment Program, in line with the recommendations of the Review.

The Albanese Government will work with industry, the community and stakeholders to implement the work and the recommendations of the Review.

We thank His Excellency Professor the Hon Stephen Smith and former Chief of the Defence Force, Sir Angus Houston for their work.

The public version of the Defence Strategic Review is available at: Defence Strategic Review.

(Aus PM)

TLDM Mahu Peroleh Helikopter Baru

02 Mei 2023

Helikopter Super Lynx Mk300 TLDM (photo : TLDM)

Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) mengoperasikan enam buah helikopter Super Lynx Mk300 sejak tahun 2003 dan pada tahun ini usia helikopter terbabit sudah pun mencecah 20 tahun.

Dalam temuramahnya dengan akhbar Utusan Malaysia yang disiarkan semalam, Panglima TLDM Laksamana Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob berkata, pada ketika ini hanya empat helikopter Super Lynx Mk300 itu masih beroperasi.

“TLDM kini mengendalikan empat daripada enam pesawat (helikopter) untuk operasi peranan maritim bagi menyokong keperluan operasi dan latihan armada.”

“Dua (buah) lagi diletakkan di bawah Penyimpanan Jangka Panjang (LTS) disebabkan tiada sokongan keperluan lojistik pesawat,” menurut Abdul Rahman di dalam temuramah terbabit.

Beliau juga berkata, helikopter Super Lynx Mk300 itu akan digantikan dan ia semestinya akan meningkatkan keupayaan unit udara TLDM bagi operasi tertentu.

Dari segi perolehan kata Panglima TLDM, terdapat kemungkinan angkatan itu mendapatkan helikopter itu menerusi kaedah sewa apabila perkhidmatan helikopter Super Lynx Mk300 yang kini menjangkau usia 20 tahun dihentikan secara berperingkat.

Antara nama-nama helikopter yang berpotensi dipilih oleh TLDM untuk menggantikan Super Lynx miliknya adalah AW159 “Wildcat” yang dibangunkan oleh syarikat Leonardo.

Helikopter AW159 Wildcat merupakan helikopter paling berkemampuan untuk dimiliki, moden dan lincah untuk digunakan bagi misi-misi peperangan anti-kapal selam dan peperangan anti-permukaan di seluruh dunia.

Selain itu, ia juga boleh melaksanakan operasi-operasi Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), pemintasan maritime dan lain-lain lagi.

Helikopter AW159 Wildcat juga telah dipilih oleh Tentera Laut Korea Selatan dan Tentera Laut Filipina.

See full article DSA

Fleet Commander Inspects the 2023 Royal Thai Navy Training

01 Mei 2023

Royal Thai Navy's CVH-911 HTMS Chakri Naruebet helicopter carrier, FFG-472 HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej guided missile frigate and AOR-871 HTMS Similan replenishment ship were formation sailing during Naval Exercise Fiscal Year 2023 (all photos : Royal Thai Navy) 

On April 4, 2023, Admiral Adung Phan-iam, commander of the Royal Thai Navy travel to inspect the Royal Thai Navy Training and give sermons to the troops participating in the training of the Navy for the year 2023.

The training focuses on the important things to prepare both the person, the object, the tactical, and the physical and mental readiness of the troops, so that the Navy is ready to support various situations appropriately.

Although in the current state of Thailand, we may not have conflicts or will have to use military force to fight and kill anyone but must be prepared and ready to deal with rapidly changing situations. Therefore, in this condition, training is given a lot of importance as the saying goes, "How to fight, train like that".

(Royal Thai Navy)

RAAF Completes Milestone Air-to-Air Refuelling With Japan

01 Mei 2023 

A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport conducting refuelling trials with a Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle (photo : Aus DoD)

Milestone in air-to-air refuelling with Japan

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed air-to-air refuelling trials with Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J and F-15DJ Eagle jets for the first time.

Conducted in Japan from March 29 to April 26, the trials involved a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) using its advanced refuelling boom to connect with the F-15s in flight.

A total of 11 flights and 325 contacts were made between the aircraft across a range of manoeuvres, and in different conditions by day and night.  

The engineering data from these trials will allow the RAAF to authorise and train its KC-30A aircrew to refuel F-15s in future.

Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, Air Commander Australia, said these latest trials would further enhance air cooperation between Australia and Japan.

“Cooperation between our air forces is dependent on overcoming great distances, and air-to-air refuelling is an essential part of how we accomplish this,” Air Vice-Marshal Goldie said.

“In 2022 we conducted similar trials with JASDF F-2A fighter aircraft, which enabled their participation in Exercise Pitch Black 22 in the Northern Territory.

“The success of these latest refuelling trials reflects our commitment to building on our deep and enduring relationship, understanding each other’s strengths, and further elevating our interoperability.”

The RAAF operates a fleet of seven KC-30A MRTTs from RAAF Base Amberley, west of Brisbane, with each aircraft able to carry more than 100 tonnes of fuel and transfer part of that load to a receiver aircraft.

Since their introduction to service in 2011, RAAF KC-30As have been used extensively in support of refuelling Australian and foreign aircraft alike.

“This cooperation and mutual understanding is an essential part of ensuring a secure, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Air Vice-Marshal Goldie said.

(Aus DoD)

Two ATMOS Units for the 3rd Infantry Division’s (3ID) Arrive in Western Visayas

01 Mei 2023

Two units ATMOS howitzer arrive in Western Visayas (photo : PA)

Two units of the Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155mm self-propelled guns arrived at the 3rd Infantry Division’s (3ID) headquarters in Jamindan, Capiz to bolster the division’s capability in neutralizing internal threats, 3ID announced on April 23, 2023.

3ID Commander Maj. Gen. Marion R. Sison said that the arrival of the ATMOS self-propelled guns will be a game-changer in the Army's focused military operations against the remaining Communist-Terrorist Group (CTG) members in the Western Visayas Region. "These assets will bolster our internal security operations and will largely contribute in the dismantling of the CTG in Western and Central Visayas," Maj. Gen. Sison said.

ATMOS 155mm self-propelled guns have a maximum range of 41 kilometers depending on the type of ammunition used and has a target precision of 10 to 50 kilometers. The Philippine Army received 12 units of the said self-propelled guns from the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems in December 2021. These were procured under the Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Plan. 

(Philippine Army)