PH Navy Holds Arrival Ceremony for Its Newest Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV-2), the Future BRP Rajah Lakandula

10 Mei 2026

BRP Rajah Lakandula (PS21) (photos: Philippine Navy)

The Philippine Navy marked the arrival of its Offshore Patrol Vessel 2 (OPV 2), the future BRP Rajah Lakandula (PS21) during a ceremony on May 8, 2026 at Naval Operating Base-Subic, with the Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy , Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard N Valencia PN, serving as Keynote Speaker.

Also present during the ceremony was the Flag Officer In Command, Vice Admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Q Ezpeleta PN and the Commander, Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Joe Anthony C Orbe PN.

The vessel, constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and scheduled to be formally commissioned at a later date, arrived in the country on May 4, 2026, signifies another milestone in the Navy’s ongoing capability development efforts.

“When this ship sails, the spirit of Rajah Lakandula sails with it — steadfast, wise, and unyielding. We are telling the world that we are a peace-loving nation. Our resolve to protect what is ours is as deep as the trenches of the Philippines,” Vice Admiral Valencia emphasized as he highlighted the significance of the vessel’s arrival and its namesake, Rajah Lakandula, the pre-colonial ruler of Tondo and a symbol of courage and leadership in Philippine history.

The arrival of the future BRP Rajah Lakandula underscores the Philippine Navy’s commitment to enhancing maritime security operations and maintaining a credible naval presence. 

With the addition of this asset, the Philippine Navy continues to strengthen its ability to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain and support national security objectives.

(Philippine Navy)

Raja dan Menteri Pertahanan Malaysia Saksikan Demonstrasi Udara Sukhoi Su--57E di Rusia

10 Mei 2026

Pesawat tempur generasi kelima Sukhoi Su-57E masuk kedalam nominasi pesawat tempur favorit untuk RMK-14 (2031-2035) (all photos: Sultan Ibrahim, Khaled Nordin)

KDYMM SPB Yang-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim senang pergi menyaksikan demonstrasi jet tempur multi-peran generasi kelima, Sukhoi Su-57E di Bandara Internasional Zhukovsky, Moskow hari ini (8 Mei).

Jet tempur itu diujicobakan oleh Sergei Bogdan, Uji uji coba terkenal Rusia, 64 tahun, yang juga penerima gelar "Pahlawan Rusia". 

Bogdan adalah pilot uji utama pabrik pesawat Sukhoi sejak tahun 2000 dan dikenal sebagai individu penting dalam program pengembangan pesawat tempur generasi kelima Rusia.

Demonstrasi udara hampir tujuh menit ini menunjukkan kemampuan teknologi militer modern Federasi Rusia, termasuk kecanggihan sistem radar serta kemampuan operasional multi-peran dari jet tempur tersebut.

Yang Mulia juga berkenan diberikan pengarahan tentang jet tempur selain menghabiskan waktu melihat interior Su-57E segera setelah mendarat setelah melakukan demonstrasi udara.

Menemani Yang Mulia adalah YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Menteri Pertahanan dan TYT Dato' Chung Loon Lai, Duta Besar Malaysia untuk Federasi Rusia.

Sebelumnya, kedatangan Yang Mulia disambut oleh Mikhail Petukhov, Wakil Direktur Layanan Federal untuk Kerjasama Teknik Militer Rusia (FSMTC).

Sultan Ibrahim tiba di Moskow kemarin atas undangan khusus Pemerintah Rusia sebagai tamu kehormatan menjelang perayaan Hari Kemenangan, besok (9 Mei). (Sultan Ibrahim)

Menteri Pertahanan mengiringi lawatan Sultan Ibrahim

Mengiringi KDYMM SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim sempena Lawatan Khas Baginda ke Persekutuan Rusia.

Dalam lawatan tersebut, Seri Paduka Baginda berkenan menyaksikan demonstrasi udara jet pejuang generasi kelima Sukhoi Su-57E yang dipandu oleh juruterbang ujian terkenal Rusia dan penerima gelaran “Hero of Russia”, Sergei Bogdan di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Zhukovsky, Moscow.

Seri Paduka Baginda turut berkenan dipersembahkan taklimat mengenai jet pejuang berkenaan selain meluangkan masa melihat ruangan dalaman Su-57E sebaik ia mendarat selepas selesai demonstrasi udara tersebut.

Terdahulu, Seri Paduka Baginda berangkat tiba di Moscow atas jemputan khas Kerajaan Persekutuan Rusia sebagai tetamu kehormat sempena sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Kemenangan pada 9 Mei. (Khaled Nordin)

The Royal Thai Navy Signed Contract for New Oil Tanker Ship

10 Mei 2026

HTMS Chula/Jula-class (YO-831) replenishment ship, length 67,0 meters and displacement 1,661 tonnes (photo: ThaiSeaFearer)

Admiral Pairoj Fuengchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, signed a contract with Thai International Dockyard Co., Ltd. (TINDY) for the procurement of one oil tanker to replace HTMS Chula YO-831 at the reception room of the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters, Phra Ratchawang Derm, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok, on April 28, 2026.

HTMS Chula YO-831 was commissioned on December 30, 1980, and has been in service for over 45 years. It is currently nearing the end of its service life and is planned for decommissioning in 2027. This project aligns with the Royal Thai Navy's strategic plan for 2017-2037 (revised in 2023) to maintain maritime logistics capabilities in various naval regions.

This procurement of oil tankers focuses on strengthening logistical capabilities for military missions and humanitarian assistance. The project involves contracting domestic shipyards, thereby promoting the defense industry and enhancing Thailand's technological capabilities. The new oil tankers are designed and constructed to international standards and Royal Thai Navy specifications.

On March 30, 2026, the Ministry of Defence approved the Royal Thai Navy's procurement of one oil tanker from Thai International Dockyard Co., Ltd. (TINDY) through a selection process, at a total cost of 434,634,000 baht, with delivery scheduled for 2028.

(Royal Thai Navy)

Indonesia-Airbus Perkuat Ekosistem Industri Kedirgantaraan Indonesia

09 Mei 2026

Penanda-tanganan kerjasama strategis Bappenas-Airbus (photo: Bappenas)

RI Capek Jadi Pembeli, Kini Gandeng Airbus Biar Ikut Produksi Pesawat

Jakarta - Kementerian Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional (PPN)/Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional (Bappenas) resmi menjalin kerja sama strategis untuk penguatan ekosistem dirgantara nasional dengan salah satu produsen pesawat terbesar di dunia, Airbus.

Kerja sama ini ditandai dengan penandatanganan dokumen Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) antara Menteri PPN/Kepala Bappenas Rachmat Pambudy dan Presiden Airbus Asia-Pacific Anand Stanley di Kantor Kementerian PPN/Bappenas, Jakarta Pusat, pagi ini.

Rachmat mengatakan kerja sama penguatan ekosistem dirgantara Indonesia tersebut tidak hanya mencakup aspek pengadaan pesawat, tetapi juga menyasar pengembangan industri terkait.

"Pengembangan industri kedirgantaraan Indonesia harus dilakukan secara menyeluruh, tidak hanya sebatas transaksi dan pemakaian pesawat, namun harus lebih luas lagi, yaitu mencakup rantai pasok industri pesawat terbang," ujarnya dalam acara penandatanganan JDI dengan Airbus di Kantor Bappenas, Jakarta Pusat, Rabu (6/5/2026).

Manufacturing pesawat Airbus A320 (photo: Smokeongo)

Pabrik di Kertajati

Dalam konteks ini, penguatan industri yang dimaksud mencakup pengembangan sumber daya manusia, sistem perawatan dan pemeliharaan (maintenance, repair, and overhaul/MRO), serta peningkatan kapasitas industri dalam negeri agar Indonesia tidak hanya menjadi pasar, tetapi juga pusat pertumbuhan industri dirgantara kawasan.

"Karena dalam catatan saya, satu unit pesawat A320 saja misalnya membutuhkan 4 juta komponen dari 30 negara, termasuk Indonesia. Dengan perlakuan dan perkuatan kapasitas industri kedirgantaraan Indonesia, kita tidak hanya menjadi pasar, tetapi juga bagian dari rantai pasok dan nilai global," katanya.

"Harapannya PTDI bisa menjadi tier 1 supplier bagi Airbus, yang artinya PTDI bisa mulai membuat sayap utuh A320 atau bahkan pesawat, yang nanti akan membangun pabrik di Kertajati. Untuk itu diperlukan peningkatan standarisasi, kualitas layanan, efisiensi operasional, pemanfaatan teknologi, serta tidak kalah penting penguatan sumber daya manusianya," sambung Rachmat.

Selain itu, menurutnya pengembangan industri dan ekosistem kedirgantaraan ini juga penting mengingat Indonesia merupakan negara kepulauan yang membutuhkan sektor penerbangan kuat sebagai salah satu penopang konektivitas nasional.

Sayap pesawat Airbus A320 (photo: Bloomberg)

"Untuk menjawab kebutuhan tersebut, tentunya diperlukan ekspansi kapasitas armada udara, yang saat ini jumlah armada aktif berada di kisaran 550 unit dan diproyeksikan akan meningkat lebih dari tiga kali lipat menjadi 1.900 unit pada tahun 2045," kata Rachmat.

Dalam kesempatan yang sama, Presiden Airbus Asia-Pacific Anand Stanley mengatakan kerja sama antara produsen pesawat asal Eropa tersebut dengan Indonesia telah berlangsung selama lebih dari 50 tahun sejak 1976.

Menurutnya, sejak saat itu kerja sama antara Airbus dengan Indonesia terus berkembang, termasuk pada sektor manufaktur sejumlah komponen pesawat A320, A330, A350, dan H225.

"Komponen A320, A330, A350, H225 diekspor dari Indonesia. Anda juga telah membantu kami dalam mendukung pembangunan kapital manusia selama 50 tahun. Lebih dari itu, kami juga mendukung pembangunan kapital manusia, mulai dari pilot, engineer, hingga teknisi. Salah satu bagian besar dari perkembangan yang Airbus percaya adalah di daerah MRO," ujarnya.

Melalui kerja sama strategis ini, Airbus ingin Indonesia memperkuat rantai pasok perusahaan untuk komponen produk pesawat hingga helikopter lainnya, termasuk pengembangan SDM dan teknisi pemeliharaan pesawat.

"Kami ingin berkongsi untuk membangun, bukan hanya A320 dan A330, tetapi juga produk lainnya untuk mencapai standar global," kata Stanley.

(Detik)

NZ Considers Japanese Mogami-class Frigate and the UK’s Type 31 Frigates to Replace Existing Anzac class Frigates

09 Mei 2026

Mogami-class frigate (photo: Kanagawa)

Frigate project progress key for maritime security

The Government is progressing work to replace the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ageing frigates as part of broader efforts to strengthen New Zealand’s Defence capability, Defence Minister Chris Penk has announced.

“As a remote island nation, maritime security underpins New Zealand’s economic prosperity. Our safety, international connectivity and the vast majority of our trade is dependent on the sea,” Mr Penk says.

“The New Zealand Defence Force has significant responsibilities in promoting and protecting these interests through a wide range of tasks, including monitoring activity in our waters, undertaking combat, patrol and interception operations, transporting people and equipment by sea, and supporting search and rescue efforts.

“These activities rely on a resilient Navy, yet most ships in the current fleet are expected to reach the end of their design life by the mid-2030s, including the Anzac-class frigates. Without replacement, this would have a significant impact on New Zealand’s ability to protect its maritime interests in the Pacific and beyond.

“The Government is addressing this by progressing a Maritime Fleet Renewal programme as part of the Defence Capability Plan, which will assess options for delivering a modern and combat capable fleet.

UK’s Type 31 frigates, in Indonesia they called Fregat Merah Putih (FMP) (image: UKDJ) 

“It is expected the future fleet will support a broad range of functions, including maritime combat, patrol and security, sealift, hydrography and diving operations, assistance to other government agencies, and support for humanitarian and disaster response.”

Defence has begun discussions with the Royal Australian Navy and the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy to inform the next stage for potential frigate replacement and ongoing service arrangements.

“Our decision to prioritise discussions with our partners and focus on considering the Japanese Mogami-class frigate selected by Australia and the UK’s Type 31 frigates to inform the business case reflects our need to be interoperable and leverage efficiencies,” Mr Penk says.

“Further, we are looking at mature combat capable vessel programmes which are at a stage that allows adequate analysis against New Zealand requirements. A final decision has not yet been made, and advice is expected to be provided to Cabinet before the end of 2027.

“In the interim, we are continuing to ensure the current frigates remain operational. We know this will be a significant decision for New Zealand and we are determined to work with our partners, focus on what is in our best interests and get it right.

“By planning for the replacement of our frigates and other naval vessels’ capability, this Government is ensuring our Defence Force personnel are equipped with the modern, combat capable assets they need to protect New Zealand’s interests, support our partners, and respond effectively to challenges at sea.”

(NZ Govt)

KRI Belati-622 Tiba di Katapop, Mulai Bertugas di Koarmada III

09 Mei 2026

KRI Belati-622 tiba di Katapop, dermaga Koarmada III (photos: Koarmada III)

TNI AL/Koarmada III  – Panglima Komando Armada III Laksamana Muda TNI Dato Rusman SN menyambut kedatangan KRI Belati-622 di Dermaga Koarmada III, Katapop, Selasa (5/5). Kedatangan kapal perang tersebut disambut meriah dengan pengawalan dua Sea Raider Satkopaska Koarmada III yang menampilkan manuver taktis, disertai penembakan flare gun dan gatling yang menambah semarak suasana penyambutan. Kegiatan tersebut turut dihadiri para Pejabat Utama (PJU), Komandan Satuan (Dansat), Kepala Satuan Kerja (Kasatker), Ketua Gabungan III Gabungan Jalasenastri Kormada RI (KG III) beserta pengurus, serta seluruh prajurit dan PNS Koarmada III.

KRI Belati-622 merupakan kapal perang produksi dalam negeri yang dilengkapi sistem persenjataan modern, di antaranya rudal Atmaca serta meriam kaliber 40 mm dengan daya hancur tinggi. Kehadiran kapal ini diharapkan dapat memperkuat Satuan Kapal Cepat (Satkat) Koarmada III dalam meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan, memperkuat daya gentar, serta menambah kemampuan dalam melaksanakan tugas operasi di wilayah kerja Koarmada III.

Panglima Koarmada III menegaskan bahwa penerimaan KRI Belati-622 merupakan langkah strategis dalam memperkuat postur kekuatan TNI Angkatan Laut, khususnya Koarmada III, dalam menjaga kedaulatan dan keamanan maritim di wilayah timur Indonesia. Panglima juga menekankan bahwa kekuatan sebuah kapal perang tidak hanya terletak pada kecanggihan alutsista yang dimiliki, tetapi juga pada kualitas prajurit sebagai pengawaknya. Oleh karena itu, seluruh prajurit ditekankan terus tingkatkan semangat pengabdian, profesionalisme, disiplin, loyalitas, serta menjunjung tinggi kehormatan militer sebagai prajurit Jalasena.

(Koarmada III)

Japanese Missile System 'Sinks' PH Target Vessel in Balikatan Drills

09 Mei 2026

Ex BRP Quezon PS-70 (photo: PN)

MANILA – The Japanese Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system, fired for the first time in a Balikatan exercise, sank the decommissioned patrol corvette, former BRP Quezon (PS-70), during the maritime strike (MARSTRIKE) drills conducted off Ilocos Norte Wednesday.

In an interview with reporters, Philippine Balikatan spokesperson Marine Col. Dennis Hernandez said the MARSTRIKE drills that took place off the Paoay Sand Dunes started around 10 a.m.

Firing of the Japanese Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system (photos: Stars and Stripes, JSDF, DND)

Initially, a U.S. "Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System,” which has a range of around 70 kilometers, was fired as a "probing" round and used to determine the location of the target ship around 10:15 a.m.

After this, Hernandez said a "constructive simulation" was conducted where the U.S. NMESIS anti-ship missile system and the Philippine Navy's C-Star sea-skimming surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile was fired via computer.

After this, Japan's Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system fired two rounds around 10:30 a.m. and hit the hull of the target squarely. The Japanese weapon has a range of 180 kilometers and a warhead weight of 225 kilograms.

Incidentally, this is Japan's first time to participate in Balikatan live-fire drills.

"Eventually after around 17 minutes, lumubog na siya. So hindi na nakapag-fire yun mga eroplano natin, yun FA-50 at yung (A-29) 'Super Tucano' hindi na naka-drop ng kanilang munitions (it sank, our aircraft were unable to fire, our FA-50 and 'Super Tucano' were unable to drop their munitions)," Hernandez said.

He also added that the U.S.’s "High Mobility Artillery Rocket System" fired at the spot where the ship sank.

Two Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles hit ex BRP Quezon PS-70 (photo ssv: USMC)

Hernandez said that another live-fire drill will be conducted Thursday to provide military aircraft and other participants an opportunity to fire their munitions at a stand-by target vessel. 

(PNA)