RTMC's D-Tiger 4x4 Participated in the CALFEX Cobra Gold 2026

09 Februari 2026

CALFEX) involved RTMC, RTN and RTAF; USMC; and RoKMC at Naval Training Field no. 16, Ban Chanthakhlem, Chanthaburi province as parts of the exercise Cobra Gold 2026 (photos: RTMC)

The Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) of the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was held at Naval Training Ground No. 16, Ban Chanthakhelam, Khao Khitchakut District, Chanthaburi Province on March 6, 2026. 

This is part of the international joint exercise Cobra Gold 2026, held from February 24 to March 6, 2026, following the Amphibious Exercise (AMPHIBEX) at Naval Training Ground No. 15 (Haad Yao), Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, on February 26, 2026.

The CALFEX (Live-Fire Exercise) tactical training during the Cobra Gold 2026 joint exercise at Naval Training Ground No. 16, Ban Chanthakhelam, showcased the D-Tiger 4x4 multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicle, which the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand delivered to the Royal Thai Marine Corps for trial on January 29, 2026.

A tactical exercise involving live firing of a Guardian 1.5 remote weapon station (RWS) manufactured by Escribano Mechanical and Engineering (EM&E) of Spain, mounted with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, was conducted in conjunction with HMMWV 4x4 tank trucks of the Marine Tank Battalion, Marine Division, which were equipped with M2 .50 caliber heavy machine guns and M60 7.62mm machine guns.

The D-Tiger 4x4 multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicle is based on the First Win MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) 4x4 wheeled armored vehicle, a product of Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd. of Thailand, manufactured under the name of Thai Defense Industry Co., Ltd. (TDI), a joint venture between the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand and Chaiseri of Thailand.

Other Chaiseri Thailand products used by the Royal Thai Marine Corps participating in the CALFEX live-fire exercise and the Cobra Gold 2026 joint exercise include the V-150 wheeled armored vehicles of the Marine Tank Battalion and the AAV7A1 amphibious vehicles of the Marine Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion, all modernized by Chaiseri Thailand.

 

This included the M758 ATMG 155mm wheeled self-propelled artillery of the Marine Artillery Regiment, as well as participation from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), which deployed F-16A fighter jets from Squadron 103, Wing 1, Korat, dropping two 500-lb Mk82 multi-role bombs in the training area for the first time, along with forces from the US Marine Corps (USMC).

Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) brought in the KAAV amphibious vehicle, and for the first time, the K30W Cheonho 8x8 wheeled self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, for live firing exercises against air threats using simulated flying targets. Similarly, the AT-1K Raybolt anti-tank missile demonstrated the use of domestically developed weapons from both Thailand and the Republic of Korea in real-world training.

(AAG)

The Australian Army has Successfully Conducted Its Amphibious Landing Exercise

09 Maret 2026

HMAS Canberra and HMAS Choules involved during Exercise Sea WADER 26 (all photos: Aus DoD)

Exercise Sea Horizon and WADER 26 are exercises designed to hone and certify Australia’s Amphibious Forces. Exercise Sea Horizon was a Command Post Exercise designed to assure that the Headquarters can command the Amphibious Force. 

During Exercise WADER 26, over 1000 soldiers, sailors and aviators aboard HMA Ship's Canberra and Choules practiced amphibious landings of soldiers, vehicles and equipment onto Cowley Beach by boat and helicopter in North-eastern Queensland.

Exercise Sea Horizon and WADER 26 demonstrated the ADF’s preparedness to respond to security and humanitarian incidents in our region, readiness to defend Australia and its interests and the ADF’s transformation to an integrated and focused force. The two series exercise was conducted over the period 11 February – 06 March 2026.

An Australian Army CH-47F Chinook conducts a vertical replenishment with a M777 Howitzer gun on board HMAS Canberra's flight deck off the coast of Queensland during Exercise Sea WADER 2026.

Australian Army soldiers onboard a Light Landing Craft before entering the dock of HMAS Canberra during Exercise Sea WADER 26.

A Australian Army Joint Assault Bridge is transfered to HMAS Choules via a MEXEFLOTE off the coast of Queensland, during Exercise Sea WADER 2026.

A MEXEFLOTE loads a Joint Assault Bridge off the coast of Queensland, during Exercise Sea WADER 2026.

Australian Army personnel and vehicles onboard a Light Landing Craft for a beach landing during Exercise Sea WADER 26.

Australian Army personnel and Protective Mobility Vehicles onboard a Light Landing Craft for a beach landing during Exercise Sea WADER 26.

Light Landing Craft and Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo Vehicle conducts training off the coast off Queensland during Exercise Sea WADER 26.

A WFEL MEXEFLOTE off the coast Queensland, during Exercise Sea WADER 2026.

(Aus DoD)

Helikopter Bell 412EPX Kedua untuk Angkatan Udara Filipina Jalani Uji Terbang

09 Maret 2026

Subaru Bell 412 EPX kedua Angkatan Udara Filipina menjalani uji terbang (photos: Drew Tapican)

Hanya beberapa hari setelah pesawat pertama menjadi berita utama, helikopter tempur utilitas Bell 412EPX kedua dari delapan unit baru untuk Angkatan Udara Filipina kini telah menyelesaikan perakitan dan memulai uji terbang serta uji mesinnya sendiri di Filipina.

Terlihat melakukan pemeriksaan penerbangan di Lapangan Penerbangan Umum dekat Bandara Internasional Clark, pesawat ini menandai langkah maju lainnya dalam Proyek Akuisisi Helikopter Utilitas Tambahan di bawah program modernisasi Angkatan Bersenjata Filipina.

Seperti yang dilaporkan sebelumnya, delapan helikopter Bell 412EPX diperoleh melalui kesepakatan antar pemerintah senilai ₱6,39 miliar, yang ditandatangani pada akhir tahun 2023 di bawah Horizon 2 dari Revised AFP Modernization Program.

Pengiriman dimulai pada bulan Februari ini — dan dengan dua pesawat yang kini telah dirakit dan terbang, program ini jelas semakin bertambah. Enam helikopter yang tersisa diharapkan tiba sepanjang tahun 2026.

(Argos Defense)

KRI Brawijaya-320 Uji Interoperabilitas Heli Traversing System Bersama Heli Panther

08 Maret 2026

Uji Interoperabilitas Heli Traversing System (HTS) (photos: Koarmada 2)

TNI AL. Koarmada II - Dalam rangka meningkatkan kesiapan operasional unsur laut dan udara, KRI Brawijaya-320 unsur Satuan Kapal Eskorta Koarmada II, melaksanakan uji interoperabilitas Heli Traversing System (HTS) dengan Heli Panther AS565 MBe dari Skuadron Udara 100, Wing Udara 2 Puspenerbal. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan dalam rangkaian program Pembinaan Operasi dan Latihan (Binopslat) Triwulan I Tahun Anggaran 2026.

Pada kegiatan tersebut dilaksanakan uji coba pengoperasian peralatan Mantis RAM (Remote Aircraft Mover) yang merupakan bagian dari sistem Heli Traversing System (HTS) milik KRI Brawijaya-320. Sistem ini berfungsi untuk membantu proses penarikan, pemindahan, serta penempatan helikopter di area geladak kapal secara aman dan presisi, khususnya saat kondisi kapal berada di laut.

Uji interoperabilitas ini bertujuan untuk memastikan bahwa sistem peralatan yang dimiliki KRI Brawijaya-320 dapat terintegrasi secara optimal dengan unsur udara TNI Angkatan Laut, khususnya Heli Panther AS565 MBe sebagai salah satu unsur udara yang mendukung berbagai operasi maritim.

Melalui kegiatan ini, prajurit TNI AL tidak hanya menguji kesiapan peralatan, tetapi juga menyelaraskan prosedur tetap (SOP) serta meningkatkan kemampuan koordinasi antara unsur kapal perang dan helikopter. Dengan demikian, diharapkan seluruh sistem dapat bekerja secara efektif dalam mendukung pelaksanaan tugas operasi di laut.

Latihan ini merupakan implementasi perintah Pangkoarmada II Laksda TNI I G. P. Alit Jaya, S.H., M.Si., yang menekankan kepada setiap unsur KRI agar senantiasa menjaga kesiapsiagaan dan profesionalisme prajurit, khususnya dalam meningkatkan profesionalisme prajurit serta kesiapan alutsista guna mendukung tugas pokok menjaga kedaulatan dan keamanan wilayah laut Indonesia.

(Koarmada 2)

Austal Contracts Damen as Partner for Local Construction of LST 100 Vessels for the Australian Army

08 Maret 2026

Damen Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 (image: Damen)

On Friday, 20 February, Austal Defence Australia and Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract supporting the local construction of Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 vessels for the Australian Defence Force. Under the agreement, Damen will provide the design and associated licences, enabling Austal to build the vessels at its Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

The signing ceremony took place at the Australian Marine Complex Common User Facility (AMC CUF) in Henderson and was attended by representatives from industry and government, reflecting the importance of the programme for Australia’s defence and industrial capability.

The contract follows the Commonwealth of Australia’s announcement in November 2024 selecting the LST 100 as the preferred design for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) programme, following a competitive tender process.

Proven and trusted design

The LST 100 design was selected based on its proven operational credentials and successful service history. An earlier model has already been constructed and delivered, and its performance has contributed to further international adoption, including selection by NAVSEA for the United States Navy.

In recent years, defence organisations have increasingly adopted proven and in-service vessel designs as a means of reducing programme risk and accelerating delivery schedules. By building on established platforms with a demonstrated operational track record, defence organisations are able to minimise technical uncertainties, shorten development timelines, and focus on rapid capability deployment.

For Australia, the vessels will be built by Austal as part of the company’s fifteen-year Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia. A total of eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels will be delivered over a twelve-year period, with construction scheduled to commence later this year.

The vessels will be constructed in Henderson using Austal facilities and the AMC CUF, located 23 kilometres south of Perth. The complex, which already plays an important role in supporting the local economy, is undergoing major upgrades in order to be able to facilitate large-scale defence shipbuilding projects in the coming years.

Damen representatives at Henderson Shipyard, Western Australia before The Land 8710 Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) contract signing ceremony (photo: Aus DoD)

Strengthening littoral capabilities

The Landing Craft Heavy program supports the Australian Army’s contribution to the 2024 National Defence Strategy, which includes enhancing the Army’s ability to conduct agile, distributed and littoral operations as part of an integrated force. The new vessels will help enable Army to project, sustain and support land forces across Australia’s northern approaches and wider region, contributing to a more responsive and resilient national defence posture. 

Damen is proud to bring our expertise and craftsmanship to this Australian shipbuilding project, which will enhance capability, support sustainability, drive regional development, and strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s littoral capabilities. 

Wide-ranging operational role

Each vessel, measuring 100 metres by 16 metres, will be capable of transporting more than 500 tonnes of military vehicles and equipment. In addition to supporting amphibious operations, the ships will enable deployment, sustainment, logistics movements, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions.

Building a strong partnership

Damen Regional Director Oceania Rabien Bahadoer said: “It has been a pleasure to work closely with Austal throughout this process. By maintaining an open, transparent, and constructive partnership, we have been able to establish a strong basis for a programme that delivers lasting value for Western Australia and Australia’s defence capability.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Damen Area Director Asia Pacific Michiel Hendrikx added: “We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Austal and our Australian partners on this important programme. Around the world, we actively seek long-term cooperation with strong local shipbuilders and industrial partners, combining shared expertise, mutual respect, and a commitment to quality. This approach allows us to contribute to sustainable national shipbuilding ecosystems while learning from our partners and growing together. We are confident that this collaboration will support the Australian Army’s operational needs for many years to come, and we are proud to be part of Australia’s shipbuilding future.”

(Damen)

Prajurit Kapa 2 Marinir Latihan Mengangkut Meriam

08 Maret 2026

Kendaraan K-61 ketika membawa howitzer 105mm (all photos: PasMar 2)

Dispen Kormar TNI AngkatanLaut (Surabaya) -- Di tengah tengah bulan suci Ramadan, seluruh Prajurit Batalyon Kapa 2 Marinir melaksanakan Latihan Perorangan Kesenjataan (LPK) TW I Tahun 2026 materi Pelayanan Meriam Dinas Batrai (PMDB) di Daerah Latihan Kolam Rampa Kesatrian Marinir Sutedi Senaputra, Karangpilang. Jumat (27/02/26). (PasMar 2)

Kendaraan taktis KAPA K-61 (Kendaraan Amfibi Pengangkut Artileri) adalah kendaraan taktis tempur legendaris milik Korps Marinir TNI AL asal Uni Soviet. Rantis ini berfungsi utama mengangkut artileri dan personel dari LST/LPD ke daratan, beroperasi di laut/sungai, dengan kapasitas angkut 3 ton (darat) hingga 5 ton (air).

Desain kendaraan ini dirancang oleh biro desain di bawah pimpinan A.F. Kravtsev di Komite Teknis Pasukan Teknik (Engineering Forces) Uni Soviet. K-61 kemudian diproduksi oleh pabrik Kryukov Railway Car Building Works (atau dalam bahasa Rusia: Kryukovskiy Vagonostroitelniy Zavod - KVZ) yang berlokasi di Kremenchuk, Ukraina (saat itu masih bagian dari Uni Soviet).

Adapun asal usul nama K-61 jika dirunut, nama "K" identik dengan biro desain A.F. Kravtsev sedangkan angka "61" adalah nomor seri proyek atau tahun saat kendaraan tersebut mulai dikembangkan/diuji coba secara intensif hingga diadopsi secara resmi. Jika melihat klasifikasi resminya, kendaraan ini disebut sebagai GPT (Gusenichnyy Plavayushchiy Transportyer) yang artinya kendaraan pengangkut amfibi.

Di Korps Marinir TNI AL, KAPA digunakan untuk membawa meriam/howitzer tarik. Howitzer LG-1 MK II adalah meriam artileri medan ringan 105 mm andalan Resimen Artileri (Menart) Korps Marinir TNI AL, yang digunakan sejak 1994-1995. Meriam buatan Nexter (dulu GIAT) Prancis ini terkenal tangguh, ringan (1.520 kg), memiliki akurasi tinggi, serta mampu menembakkan 12 proyektil per menit dengan jangkauan 11,5 - 17,5 km. 

Pasukan Marinir TNI AL selain mengoperasikan KAPA K61 juga mengandalkan PTS-10. PTS-10 merupakan singkatan dari Plavayushchij Transportyer Sryednyj (Kendaraan Angkut Amfibi Medium). Angka "10" merujuk pada kapasitas angkutnya yang mencapai 10 ton di air. Kendaraan ini juga dirancang oleh Kravtsev dan juga dikembangkan di KVZ, namun karena kebutuhan produksi yang lebih besar, produksinya kemudian melibatkan pabrik lain yaitu Luhanskteplovoz di Ukraina.

ST Engineering Wins $372m Qatar Land Forces MRO Contract

07 Maret 2026

Qatar is now one of the most well-equipped military forces in the Middle East;  PzH 2000 155mm SPH, Leopard 2A7+ MBT, Dingo 2 HD armored vehicle and Fennek 4x4 reconnaissance armored vehicle (photo: Abdulmoiz1990)

ST Engineering Enters Qatar Defence Market with Multi-Year MRO Contract

Singapore – ST Engineering on February 27, 2026 announced its breakthrough in Qatar’s defence market through a five-year contract secured by its Land Systems business from Barzan Maintenance Shield to support the Qatar Emiri Land Forces (QELF). The €315m (about S$470m) contract covers maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for military land platforms, workshop equipment and technical experts, alongside the implementation of digitalised MRO processes and inventory management practices. Work will commence in 2Q2026 in Qatar. 

“This contract win marks ST Engineering’s breakthrough into the Qatar defence market. We are encouraged by the trust and confidence placed in us by Barzan and the Qatar Emiri Land Forces to maintain its land platforms to ensure operational readiness at all times,” said Lim Kok Ann, President of Land Systems, ST Engineering.

“We are committed to working closely with Barzan Maintenance Shield and the Qatar Emiri Land Forces to deliver dependable, long-term MRO support. We are combining our engineering expertise, digital processes and on-the-ground execution to enhance the lifecycle management of the Qatar Emiri Land Forces’ operational platforms,” he added. 

In addition to comprehensive maintenance of the QELF’s fleets of vehicles, ST Engineering will enhance MRO operations through the digitisation of maintenance workflows, anomaly detection and fleet analytics to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency. The work will also strengthen inventory management by refining processes, optimising inventory planning and applying data-driven spares provisioning. 

This win demonstrates that the Middle East, including Qatar, is a key market focus for ST Engineering, as the Group continues to secure programmes that build on its core capabilities and strengthen long-term partnerships with defence customers in the region. 

(ST Engineering)