2 More PCG Gabriela Silang-class OPVs being Pushed in Congress

26 Agustus 2021

BRP Gabriela Silang 8301 (photo : PCG)

House Special Committee on Strategic Intelligence chairperson Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel has endorsed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s plan to acquire two more French-made Gabriela Silang-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) at an estimated cost of P11.2 billion.

“The PCG’s first 84-meter OPV from French shipbuilder OCEA S.A. was acquired at a cost of P5.6 billion. Commissioned only last year, the boat is now the PCG’s flagship, the BRP Gabriela Silang,” Representative Pimentel said.

“The two additional OPVs would increase to five the number of large PCG boats capable of performing continuous intercept missions for long periods, to include the two 94-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) that will be delivered next summer by Japan’s Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd,” he added.

French shipbuilder OCEA, the builder of PCG’s BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), has as already expressed its intention to establish a shipyard in the Philippines.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), OCEA pledged ₱1.5 billion in investments for a shipyard project in the Philippines that may potentially create 500-600 direct and indirect jobs.

The intent was revealed during the 9th Philippine-France Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meeting held on July 2.

“Through its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roland Joassard, OCEA, a shipbuilding company in northwest France, formally expressed in the presence of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, and French Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Franck Riester, its intent to set up a shipyard in the country,” DTI said.

(Mintfo)

S. Korea, Indonesia Hold First Working-Level '2+2 Talks'

26 Agustus 2021

KF-21 Boramae fighter (photo : news1)

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Indonesia had discussions on security ties during their inaugural working-level two-plus-two talks on Tuesday.

The dialogue, held via teleconference, brought together four director-level officials from the defense and foreign ministries of the two sides, according to Seoul's ministries.

Among agenda items were bilateral relations, regional security conditions and ways to boost security cooperation, including their joint fighter jet development program, called the KF-21 project.

"During the meeting, Seoul and Jakarta noted their recent decision to resume the joint project of developing an advanced fighter jet, and vowed to work more closely to achieve good results," the ministries said in a press release.

Indonesia agreed to partner in South Korea's initiative aimed at developing a new fighter jet by 2026. But there had been speculation that Jakarta could quit the program as it failed to make due payments. It promised to shoulder 20 percent of the total development cost of 8.8 trillion won (US$7.6 billion), but around 700 billion won is overdue.

South Korea also proposed the swift launch of a joint committee for bilateral defense cooperation, the ministries said.

During the dialogue, the two sides agreed on the need for substantial progress in efforts to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy, and Indonesia vowed continued backing for Seoul's peace drive, according to the statement.

Also on the table was the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, and South Korea voiced support for ASEAN's role to resolve the matter, it added.

"This initial 2+2 meeting served as a chance for the two nations to strengthen communication as special strategic partners," it read.

(Yonhap)

Siswa Penerbang TNI AL Latihan Terbang dengan EC-120 Colibri

25 Agustus 2021

Latihan terbang solo dengan helikopter EC-120 Colibri (photos : Puspenerbal)

Puspenerbal--- Empat siswa Penerbang TNI Angkatan Laut melakukan latihan terbang solo dengan pesawat latih EC-120 Colibri yang bermarkas di Skuadron 200 Wing Udara 2 Puspenerbal, Rabu (25/8), dimana kegiatan ini merupakan latihan dasar para siswa Penerbang TNI Angkatan Laut.

Komandan Wing Udara 2 Kolonel Laut (P) Winardi, S.H., M.H., mengatakan latihan terbang ini merupakan kelanjutan dari terbang Latih Dasar. Setelah dianggap mampu, para penerbang ini akan melaksanakan terbang solo di Lapter Juanda tanpa di dampingi Instruktur.

Menurut Danwing Udara 2, latihan ini melibatkan 3 instruktur pelatih dan 2 pesawat latih mula EC-120 Colibri dari Skuadron 200 Wing Udara 2 Puspenerbal. Sebelum terbang, mereka terlebih dahulu menempuh program persiapan di darat, manuver dasar, pattern, instrument, aero dan formasi.

Agar para siswa sekolah penerbang mampu terbang solo atau mandiri tahap pemula, sehingga diharapkan mereka mampu menguasai dan menerbangkan pesawat EC-120 Colibri yang tersedia di Skuadron 200. "Kami akan terus melatih para penerbang ini untuk memperkuat kekuatan penerbangan TNI Angkatan Laut" Kata Komandan Wing Udara 2.

(Puspenerbal)

CGPA Goes to Isolated Units of 10th Infantry Division

25 Juli 2021

Isolated units of the 10th Infantry Division (all photos : PA)

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) went to visit the isolated units of the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division (10ID) on August 16 and 17, 2020.

Since his assumption, Maj. Gen. Andres Centino has been visiting soldiers assigned in the Army’s remote units to boost their morale, deliver support, and reiterate the command’s thrusts to maximize current operational success.

“The Army is not limited in the confines of its headquarters. The Army is out there in the field. They are in the forward operating bases and patrol bases in the far-flung and conflict-affected areas,” said Maj. Gen. Centino.

The CGPA visited the Gatongon Patrol Base, 89th Infantry Battalion in Davao City; Patong CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA), 67th Infantry Battalion in Davao Oriental; Sambulongan CAA Detachment, 56th Infantry Battalion in Davao del Norte; White Kulaman Patrol Base, 72nd Infantry Battalion in Bukidnon; Advance Command Post of 1002nd Infantry Brigade on North Cotabato; and 701st Brigade in Davao Oriental.

During his talk, reminded the troops to be ahead of the game, learn how to anticipate, act decisively, adjust quickly and maintain focus while keeping in mind that the Army Headquarters has their full support.

10ID has been ensuring the peace and progress in the whole Davao Region and various parts of SOCCSKSARGEN and CARAGA by helping the government in addressing terrorism, insurgency, calamities and the current pandemic.

“As the country currently faces hurdles in our pursuit of lasting peace and progress, I urge you to sustain excellence amidst these challenges,” added the CGPA.

(PA)

Vietnamese People Army To Start Mass-Producing OPL-40M Grenade Launcher

25 Agustus 2021

OPL-40M Grenade Launcher (photo : QPVN)

he Vietnamese People’s Army (VPA) recently finalized the test of the OPL-40M – the first domestically-made under barrel grenade launcher.

In the test, the grenade launcher was seen fitted to STV assault rifles that are projected to replace the AK-series assault rifles in the VPA service.

According to sources close to the VPA, the OPL-40M prototype first publicly appeared in 2010. The development was carried out by the state-owned Z111 factory in Thanh Hoá  incorporating some design aspects from the US-made M203, Israeli GL40 and Russian GP-25 grenade launchers.

It appears that the VPA will soon begin mass production of the new launcher. The OPL-40M is also being planned to replace the US-made M79 stand-alone grenade launcher which was reverse engineered and produced in Vietnam after the Vietnam war as SPL40.

Chambered in 40 mm NATO, the OPL-40M is a side-twist loading, under barrel grenade launcher with a 375 meter maximum engagement distance. It was designed to be fitted either with the AK series rifles as well as Vietnam’s own STV assault rifle series which development was based on Israel’s IWI Galil Ace.

(GBP)

USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and the Indonesian Navy Participate In 20th SEACAT Exercise

25 Agustus 2021

SEACAT Exercise between Indonesia and US (all photos : DVIDS)

SOUTH CHINA SEA -- An Indonesian navy helicopter practices maritime tactics, techniques and procedures on a small boat from the Indonesian navy fast attack craft KRI Kujang (642), simulating a suspicious vessel of interest during Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise, as seen from Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16), Aug. 20, 2021. 

Sailors conduct watch standing duties aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16), during Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise, Aug. 20, 2021.

In its 20th year, SEACAT is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation among 21 participating Southeast Asian countries and provide mutual support and a common goal to address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

(DVIDS)

DoD Awards $158m Contract for Engineering Vehicle Upgrades

24 Agustus 2021

Ventia will upgrade the 291 current fleet of ADF engineering vehicles (photo : Aus DoD)

$158 million vehicle upgrade contract creating jobs

The Morrison Government has signed a $158 million contract with Australian infrastructure services giant Ventia, creating 23 new jobs across the country and supporting the continuing employment of another 65 Australian workers.

Ventia, which has partnered with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for more than 30 years, will upgrade the current fleet of ADF engineering vehicles, providing the ADF with a further 291 vehicles.

These will include cranes, excavators, bulldozers, loaders, telehandlers, forklifts, graders and rollers.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the acquisition and sustainment of the Engineer Support Platforms would create significant work for Australian businesses.

“I’m so proud of the positive impacts that our $270 billion investment in Australia’s defence capability is bringing to Australian industry,” Minister Price said.

“This contract is a clear example of the enormous benefits flowing through to small and medium businesses from our investments.

“Australian industry will contribute to the project management, systems engineering, modification, technical documentation, logistics and training elements of the project.

“Local networks and distributors will also be used for the supply of the vehicles.”

Minister Price said the contract would help standardise, rationalise and modernise the ADF’s current Engineer Support Platforms fleet and provide critical force enabling functions to the ADF.

“The vehicles will be used for a range of projects, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and to support amphibious operations,” Minister Price said.

“This includes construction, demolition, development of protective earthworks, route development and maintenance, airfield and port construction and repair, port operations and supply and distribution.”

(Jane's)