Australian Army Procures Next Generation Australian-designed Military Bridging Capability

09 September 2026

Birdon next-generation Bridge Erection Boats (BEB) (photos: Birdon, US Army)

Port Macquarie, Australia – Birdon is supplying three next-generation Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) to the Australian Army, marking the evolution of a capability whose origins lie in an Australian-designed program developed for Army more than two decades ago.

The delivery represents a significant milestone in the evolution of a capability that began with Birdon’s Bridge Erection Propulsion Boat (BEPB) program for the Australian Army in 2003 and has since been adopted by military forces in the United States, Brazil and Europe.

Birdon’s original BEPB program delivered 24 vessels to the Australian Army and established the foundation for a family of military bridging boats that would ultimately support major international defence programs. The success of the Australian program enabled Birdon to expand into global markets, including the United States, where the company has since manufactured over 540 bridge erection boats and associated systems for military customers and allied nations.

The three vessels being supplied to Army have been manufactured at Birdon’s BEB manufacturing facility and represent the latest evolution of a platform that has benefited from years of operational experience, engineering refinement and continuous product development across multiple military customers and operating environments.

Birdon Chief Executive Officer Jamie Bruce said the delivery demonstrates the enduring value that can be created when Australian industry is entrusted to develop and support sovereign defence capability.

“The origins of this capability lie in Australia, where Birdon developed and delivered a solution to meet the Australian Army’s operational bridging requirements.

Over time, that capability has evolved through successive international programs, creating export opportunities, supporting manufacturing growth and strengthening our engineering expertise across Australia and the United States.

It is particularly rewarding to see the latest generation of that capability returning to Australia to support Army’s future needs.”

The latest vessels incorporate enhancements arising from years of operational feedback and design evolution, reflecting lessons learned from supporting military bridging operations across a range of environments and user requirements.

Mr Bruce said the program demonstrates how investment in Australian-owned industry can deliver benefits extending far beyond a single acquisition project.

“The original Australian Army program delivered much more than a fleet of vessels.

It enabled the development of a specialist capability that has since been exported internationally, expanded Birdon’s global footprint and strengthened our ability to support defence customers across allied nations.

This is a strong example of how Australian defence programs can generate lasting industrial capability, export success and ongoing investment in Australian skills and expertise.”

The delivery also builds on Birdon’s longstanding relationship with the Australian Army. In addition to designing and constructing the original BEPB fleet, Birdon continues to provide in-service support to Army’s bridge erection vessel capability, including maintenance, capability upgrades, obsolescence management, and spares provisioning.

This combination of design, manufacturing and through-life support experience provides Birdon with a unique understanding of the operational and sustainment requirements associated with military bridging capability.

“Our team has supported this capability throughout its lifecycle, from initial design and construction through to ongoing sustainment support,” Mr Bruce said.

“That continuity allows us to apply decades of operational and engineering knowledge while ensuring the capability continues to evolve in line with customer requirements.

We are proud to continue supporting the Australian Army with a capability that reflects Australian innovation, sovereign expertise and the strength of our global defence business.”

The project further reinforces Birdon’s position as an Australian-owned defence contractor delivering vessel design, manufacturing, sustainment and specialist maritime solutions across Australia, the United States and allied defence markets.

(Birdon)

TNI AL dan Republic of Korea Navy Gelar Latma DIVEX 2026, Perkuat Kemampuan Operasi Bawah Air

09 September 2026

Dive Exercise (DIVEX) 2026 antara TNI AL dan ROKN (photos: TNI AL)

Dalam rangka memperkuat kemampuan operasi bawah air, TNI AL dalam hal ini Komando Penyelam dan Penyelamatan Bawah Air (Koppeba) dan Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) menyelenggarakan Latihan Bersama (Latma) Dive Exercise (DIVEX) 2026 mulai 25 s.d 30 Agustus 2026. Latihan yang melibatkan Koppeba, Kopaska dan ROKN ini dilaksanakan di Jinhae Naval Base dan Pulau Jeju, Korea Selatan pada Minggu (30/08/2026).

Latma DIVEX 2026 yang dilaksanakan setahun sekali dengan penyelenggaraan bergantian antara TNI AL dan ROKN ini dirancang untuk meningkatan pengetahuan, kemampuan dan profesionalisme prajurit TNI AL dan ROKN dalam melaksanakan operasi penyelaman dan penyelamatan bawah air pada kegiatan Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) serta memperkuat hubungan bilateral dan kerjasama militer angkatan laut kedua negara dengan melibatkan 10 personel Komando Penyelam dan Penyelamatan Bawah Air (Koppeba) dan 2 personel Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) di bawah komando Dansatgas Letkol Laut (S) Mz Lerry yang berdinas sebagai Wadan Satkoppeba 3.

Materi latihan yang komprehensif mencakup beberapa aspek kritikal, diantaranya pengaplikasian prosedur Wet-Bell Diving pada operasi penyelaman dan penyelamatan bawah air; pengaplikasian prosedur Helicopter Rescue Swimming, pengoperasian peralatan ROV (pengamatan visual dan identifikasi objek); pengoperasian peralatan Side Scan 3D Sonar guna pencarian, pendeteksian dan identifikasi objek bawah air serta Field Tactical Exercise (FATEX): Simulasi misi nyata seperti pencarian dan penyelamatan (SAR) bawah air, evakuasi black box serta pengangkatan benda berat dengan lifting bag.

Dalam kesempatan tersebut Staf Khusus Kasal Laksma TNI Baroyo Eko Basuki didampingi Kolonel Laut (P) Norman Faizal turun meninjau langsung pelaksanaan Latma DIVEX 2026 yang juga turut dihadiri oleh delegasi militer dari ROK Navy.

Dalam pernyataannya, disampaikan bahwa Latma DIVEX-26 bukan hanya sekadar latihan rutin, tetapi merupakan wahana strategis untuk memperdalam hubungan bilateral. “Latihan ini merupakan platform strategis untuk berbagi pengalaman dan mengadopsi teknik penyelaman militer modern. Hal ini pada akhirnya akan meningkatkan kesiapan dan profesionalisme kedua angkatan laut dalam menjaga stabilitas keamanan maritim di kawasan.”

Dengan diselenggarakannya latihan ini, TNI AL dan ROKN menunjukkan komitmen nyata guna terus meningkatkan kemampuan operasional, membangun kepercayaan, dan memastikan kesiapan dalam menjawab setiap tantangan keamanan di domain maritim serta memperkuat hubungan bilateral di bidang operasi bawah air serta berbagi pengalaman dalam teknik penyelaman militer modern.

(TNI AL)

DOTr-PCG, Mitshubishi Shipbuilding Conduct Kick-off Meeting for Five 97-M Multi-role Response Vessels

09 September 2026

PCG will add five 97M MRRV (image: PCG)

The Department of Transportation - Philippines–Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MHIMSB) formally commenced the implementation of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) for the Philippine Coast Guard, Phase III through a kick-off meeting held at the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Shimonoseki Shipyard, from August 24 to 28, 2026.

The meeting marked the official start of the project’s implementation phase, covering the detailed design, construction, testing, and eventual delivery of five 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) for the PCG.

The DOTr-PCG delegation was headed by DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime, Villamor Ventura S Plan. “The construction and delivery of five 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels is a significant investment in the Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities.” He added that the project will strengthen the country’s ability to protect lives, promote maritime safety and security, and respond to the growing demands of the maritime domain.

Currently PCG operates two 97m vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) (photo: PCG)

Recognizing the complexity and strategic importance of the undertaking, the DOTr-PCG and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding also focused on the early identification and management of potential technical, contractual, scheduling, and operational risks to help ensure that issues are addressed before they affect major project milestones.

The five additional 97-meter MRRVs are expected to substantially strengthen the PCG’s capacity to conduct sustained and extended maritime operations across the country’s maritime domain while supporting its mandated functions, including maritime safety and security, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and other multi-role maritime operations.

Beyond increasing the number of major vessels in the Coast Guard Fleet (CG Fleet), MSCIP Phase 3 represents another significant step in the continuing modernization of the PCG and in strengthening its ability to maintain a sustained and credible presence across the country’s vast maritime domain.

With the formal commencement of MSCIP Phase 3, the DOTr-PCG and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and sustained cooperation toward the timely, quality-compliant, and successful delivery of the five MRRVs in accordance with the project’s contractual, technical, and operational requirements.

The acquisition of the five 97-meter MRRVs supports the Bagong Pilipinas initiative in continuing efforts to build a modern, capable, and mission-ready PCG that can sustain operations across the country’s maritime domain; safeguard lives and property at sea; enforce Philippine maritime laws; protect the country’s maritime interests and sovereign rights consistent with international law; and respond effectively to increasingly complex modern maritime challenges.

(PCG)

Super Garuda Shield: Joint Land Strike

08 September 2026

AH-64E Apache from TNI and US Army on Joint Land Strike during Super Garuda Shield 2026 (photos: Garuda Shield, Antara)

U.S. Army, Indonesian Air Force and Australian Terminal Attack Controllers conducted a multi-day, Joint Land Strike exercise during Super Garuda Shield 25 in Baturaja, Indonesia.

The Joint Land Strike underscores continued partnership and interoperability amongst the partner nation forces. (Garuda Shield)

TNI, US Army conduct night flight training

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Pilots from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the US Army conducted joint night flight training as part of the massive Super Garuda Shield 2026 exercises.

Operating side-by-side in Boeing AH-64 Apache combat helicopters, the TNI and US Army pilots executed complex tactical maneuvers and target engagements under cover of darkness at the Indonesian Army Training Center in Martapura, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (September 2).

According to a press statement released Friday by the TNI Headquarters Information Center, the nocturnal exercise targeted low-light combat proficiency and joint operational capability.

Military officials confirmed the flight drills were completed smoothly without incident, adhering strictly to international flight safety protocols.

The night flight training is aimed at honing individual pilot proficiencies while fostering technical cooperation and tactical knowledge exchange between the two armed forces.

The 2026 iteration of Super Garuda Shield involves 4,743 personnel from 21 participating and observing countries, aimed at testing operational readiness, strengthening defense diplomacy, and improving joint responses to regional security challenges.

Speaking earlier in Bandung, West Java, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto detailed the expanding international scope of the training program, which encompasses 12 specialized defense topics.

"Super Garuda Shield is held annually in Indonesia. This year, 21 countries participated... covering 12 topics,” Gen. Subiyanto stated.

The multi-week multinational exercise spans major strategic hubs across the archipelago, including training areas in Jakarta, Bandung, Lampung, North Kalimantan's Nunukan region, and the Baturaja combat center in South Sumatra.

Participating forces include troops and observers from Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam, and host nation Indonesia.

Super Garuda Shield 2026 is scheduled to formally conclude in Jakarta on September 11.

(AntaraNews)

PCG, Spain Explore Maritime Cooperation, Modernization, and Training Exchanges

08 September 2026

Officials from Airbus Defense and Space and the Spanish Embassy proposed C-295 maritime surveillance aircraft for the PCG (photo: PCG)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Spain, Mr. John MacDonald, with Airbus Defence and Space representatives, through a courtesy visit at the PCG National Headquarters in Port Area, Manila, on September 2, 2026. 

Mr. MacDonald’s visit focused on opportunities for cooperation in support of the PCG’s ongoing modernization program. Among those are potential capability acquisitions, technological partnerships, and the exchange of expertise in maritime capabilities and infrastructure.

Both sides explored opportunities for training and capacity-building programs, including personnel exchanges, to improve the technical skills, professional competence, and operational readiness of PCG personnel.

The meeting also discussed the possible establishment of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the PCG and its Spanish maritime counterpart. The proposed MOC would build on the existing bilateral framework between the Philippines and Spain and strengthen cooperation through knowledge-sharing, best-practice exchanges, and long-term maritime collaboration.

The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of the PCG and Spain to strengthening maritime cooperation, developing capabilities, and enhancing personnel training for a safer, more secure, and resilient maritime domain.

(PCG)

Vietnam Sedang Bernegosiasi untuk Membeli Jet Tempur Rafale dari Prancis

08 Agustus 2026

Pesawat tempur Dassault Rafale (photo: Philippe Amiel)

Setelah berpuluh-puluh tahun terutama menggunakan jet tempur buatan Uni Soviet dan Rusia, Vietnam dilaporkan sedang mempertimbangkan opsi lain: jet tempur multiperan Rafale yang diproduksi oleh perusahaan Prancis, Dassault Aviation.

Menurut majalah Prancis L'Express, pembicaraan antara Vietnam dan Prancis telah berkembang cukup jauh; salah satu indikasi pentingnya adalah laporan bahwa seorang pilot Vietnam dijadwalkan akan mendapatkan kesempatan untuk melakukan uji terbang Rafale pada Februari 2026.

Baru-baru ini, muncul pula laporan bahwa Vietnam sedang mempertimbangkan pembelian jet tempur F-16 dari Amerika Serikat, meskipun belum ada pengumuman resmi terkait hal tersebut.

Pilot Vietnam uji terbang Rafale

Menurut sumber berita Prancis, para ahli pertahanan menyatakan bahwa pemberian izin bagi pilot asing untuk melakukan uji terbang jet tempur selama proses penjualan biasanya terjadi setelah calon pembeli melewati tahap kontak awal dan memasuki tahap evaluasi teknis serta operasional.

Estimasi dari sumber terbuka menunjukkan bahwa kesepakatan ini dapat mencakup sekitar dua skuadron, atau 24 hingga 40 pesawat, dengan nilai total antara 4 hingga 6 miliar dolar AS. Pesawat pertama diperkirakan dapat dikirimkan antara tahun 2028 dan 2030.

Namun, baik pemerintah Vietnam maupun produsen pesawat asal Prancis tersebut belum memberikan konfirmasi secara terbuka mengenai kesepakatan Rafale ini.

Prancis sebelumnya pernah mengerahkan Rafale ke Vietnam sebagai bagian dari penerbangan pengerahan Angkatan Udara Prancis.

Menurut Kementerian Pertahanan Prancis, pada tahun 2018, tiga pesawat Rafale milik Angkatan Udara Prancis mendarat di Bandara Noi Bai, Hanoi, sebagai bagian dari operasi PEGASE Prancis di kawasan Asia-Pasifik.

Vietnam sedang bernegosiasi untuk 2 skuadron Rafale atau sekitar 20-40 unit (photo: Krystian Wilusz)

Migflug, sebuah perusahaan yang berbasis di Swiss dan berspesialisasi dalam uji terbang jet tempur, berkomentar bahwa hal ini bukan sekadar keputusan pembelian, melainkan juga mencerminkan arah kebijakan yang dipilih Vietnam.

Dengan demikian, pemilihan Rafale berarti Vietnam untuk pertama kalinya memasukkan jet tempur buatan Barat ke dalam kekuatan tempur utamanya (tidak termasuk pesawat rampasan dari Perang Vietnam yang kini sudah dipensiunkan), sehingga mendiversifikasi pasokan persenjataannya alih-alih terlalu bergantung pada Moskow.

Risiko ketergantungan berlebih pada persenjataan buatan Rusia - yang semakin nyata sejak pecahnya perang di Ukraina - dianggap sebagai faktor kunci yang mendorong Hanoi untuk memperkuat strategi diversifikasinya. Selain itu, tekanan geopolitik di Laut China Selatan kian meningkat.

Menurut Reuters, China tengah meningkatkan kemampuan militernya dengan pesat dan telah mengerahkan pesawat tempur serang J-16, pesawat tempur siluman J-20, pesawat pengebom H-6, pesawat angkut Y-20, serta pesawat peringatan dini KJ-500 untuk beroperasi di berbagai wilayah perairan, termasuk wilayah yang diklaim oleh Vietnam atau berada di bawah yurisdiksinya. Menurut para pengamat, hal ini segera mendorong Hanoi untuk berupaya memodernisasi angkatan udaranya.

Armada pesawat tempur Rusia yang dimiliki Vietnam kini sudah mulai menua.

Saat ini, armada pesawat tempur Vietnam sebagian besar terdiri dari model Sukhoi buatan Rusia.

Sumber data pertahanan publik menyajikan angka yang sedikit berbeda, namun secara umum menunjukkan bahwa Vietnam saat ini memiliki sekitar 35 unit Su-30MK2, serta sekitar 5-10 unit Su-27 dan 25-30 unit Su-22 yang masih beroperasi. Di antara pesawat-pesawat tersebut, Su-30MK2 merupakan pesawat tempur multiperan paling modern milik Vietnam.

Vietnam mulai menerima Su-30MK2 pada tahun 2004 dan telah membeli total 36 unit, namun satu unit jatuh dalam kecelakaan pada tahun 2016, sehingga menyisakan 35 unit. Sementara itu, Vietnam membeli Su-27 pada pertengahan tahun 1990-an.

Su-22 bahkan jauh lebih tua lagi. Pesawat ini merupakan varian yang dikembangkan dari seri Su-17, yang mulai digunakan oleh Uni Soviet pada tahun 1970-an.

Beberapa pesawat yang lebih tua telah menjalani perbaikan menyeluruh (overhaul) dalam beberapa tahun terakhir. Namun, ketergantungan yang terus-menerus pada model pesawat yang sudah tua menimbulkan kekhawatiran terkait pemeliharaan, suku cadang, serta kemampuan untuk mempertahankan efektivitas tempur dalam jangka panjang.

(BBC Vietnam)

New Fighting Vehicles Tested at Sea

07 September 2026

AS21 Redback IFV, AS9 Huntsman SPH and AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle were loaded on landing craft and HMAS Canberra (photos: Aus DoD)

Huntsman and Redback armoured vehicles took part in sea trials on and around Garden Island, Sydney Harbour, in July.

The next-generation AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle, AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer and AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle were loaded on and off HMAS Canberra and her landing craft.

Project Director for LAND 400 Phase 3 (infantry fighting vehicles), Col Marek Janiszewski, said the trials proved the deployability and interoperability of the new vehicles.

“These trials have demonstrated that the vehicles are able to undertake littoral operations,” Col Janiszewski said.

He said the testing showed the vehicles were optimised for littoral operations and were able to be projected into the region.

Introduction of the new vehicles is part of the largest recapitalisation of capability for the Army since World War II, with significant investment in littoral vessels, long-range fires and battlefield aviation.

Col Janiszewski said the Redback was one of the most lethal, modern and best-protected infantry fighting vehicles available, and a major uplift in capability for the combined arms land system.

“We are stepping forward in leaps and bounds with a new upgraded system to provide our soldiers the best ability to fight, succeed at their missions and come home safely to their families,” he said.

The first Australian-made Redbacks are expected to roll off the production line next year.

(Army News)