Operasi di Teluk Aden Dipertingkat

22 April 2011

MV Bunga Mas Lima yang dipakai sebagai kapal markas TLDM di Teluk Aden (photo : Militaryphotos)

Malaysia hantar satu lagi kapal auxillary pastikan ancaman lanun dapat dikekang

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia merancang meningkatkan operasi keselamatannya di Teluk Aden, Somalia termasuk menambah bilangan kapal auxillary dan keperluan logistik di perairan itu bagi memberi perlindungan kepada kapal dagang negara daripada serangan lanun.

Difahamkan, proses pengubahsuaian kapal itu sedang giat dilakukan dan dijadualkan siap dalam masa tiga bulan sebelum dihantar untuk operasi di Teluk Aden, September ini.

Operasi itu dilakukan dengan kerjasama Perbadanan Perkapalan Antarabangsa Malaysia (MISC) yang akan menanggung keseluruhan kos operasi khas berkenaan.

Helikopter Fennec turut dibawa bersama kapal Bunga Mas Lima (photo : Militaryphotos)

Panglima Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM), Laksamana Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, berkata kehadiran kapal auxillary kedua di perairan itu dijangka dapat membantu kapal pertama, MV Bunga Mas 5 yang digunakan Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL).

MV Bunga Mas 5 adalah projek perintis kerjasama strategik TLDM dan MISC dalam Ops Fajar di Teluk Aden.

“Bagi TLDM, kehadiran kapal kedua ini mampu memastikan operasi keselamatan kita dilaksanakan secara lebih komprehensif, malah kawasan operasi dapat diperluaskan,” katanya dalam temubual khas sempena Hari TLDM Ke-77 di sini, semalam.

PASKAL di kapal Bunga Mas Lima membawa sea raider (photo : Militaryphotos)

Beliau berkata, kapal tambahan juga membolehkan tugas mengiringi dan memberi perlindungan keselamatan bagi kapal dagang Malaysia dilakukan secara berterusan di kedua-dua laluan pelayaran di Teluk Aden.

“Sebelum ini, kita hanya ada MV Bunga Mas 5 ...mana-mana kapal dagang kita kena tunggu giliran untuk diiringi ketika melalui Teluk Aden. Jika ada dua kapal, kita boleh buat operasi timur ke barat, begitu juga sebaliknya secara serentak. Ini membantu menjimatkan masa dan kos,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun, Abdul Aziz menafikan kerajaan terpaksa menanggung beban kewangan berikutan penggunaan aset itu kerana kos penyelenggaraan dan alat ganti kedua-dua kapal, termasuk helikopter jenis Fennec yang ditempatkan di atas MV Bunga Mas 5 ditanggung sepenuhnya oleh MISC.

“TLDM hanya menyediakan anggota dan peralatan, termasuk helikopter serta persenjataan. Semua kos lain, termasuk bahan api dan alat ganti ditanggung MISC,” katanya.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata, cadangan penggabungan operasi keselamatan negara Asean di Teluk Aden perlu diperhalusi kerana dikhuatiri boleh menimbulkan beban kewangan kepada negara yang menyertai operasi itu.

(Berita Harian)

Ukrspetseksport Ships 12 Of BTR-3E1 To Thailand

22 April 2011

12 BTR-3E1 ship to Thailand (photo : Militaryphotos)

The State Company for Export and Import of Military and Special-Purpose Products and Services, Ukrspetseksport, on April 19 shipped 12 of BTR-3E1 to Thailand, reads a statement made by Ukrspetseksport.

The armored troop carriers successfully passed acceptance of the Thai side's technical supervision, they fired shoots from all types of weapons, and also fired missiles.

The machines shipped to the customer by the Kyiv Repair and Engineering Works state enterprise.

Ukrspetseksport notes, this is another batch of BTRs that are supplied to Thailand under the contract concluded in 2007.

It did not specify the exact number of machines already delivered.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Ukraine in 2007 won the tender for supplying 96 of BTR-3E1 armored troop carriers to Thailand worth USD 117 million.

The supply of Ukrainian combat vehicles was supposed to start in 2009 and end in late 2009 but execution of the contract was postponed since lingering reconciliation of the BTR powertrain.

BTR-3E1 is made on the basis of BTR-80. It weighs 16.4 tons, carries nine crewmembers.

(Ukranian News)

Thailand Selects ESSM for Frigates

21 April 2011

The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile, this medium-range surface-to-air missile can reach 50+km target and mach 4+ with semi-active radar homing of missile guidance system (photo : US Navy)

The Royal Thai Navys two Naresuan-class (Type 25T) frigates are to receive RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) air defence missiles as part of a mid-life refit programme starting in 2012.

HTMS Naresuan 421, is a modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053 frigate built by Zhonghua shipyard and comissioned in 1995, the frigates has 120.5 m length and 2,980 tonnes full load (photo : worldwarships)

Raytheon has been selected to provide the medium-range semi-active radar-guided missiles for the Chinese-built frigates, a company executive told Janes at the US Navy Leagues Sea-Air-Space 2011 exhibition on 12 April.

(Jane's)

Indonesia and South Korea Sign Definitive KFX Agreement

21 April 2011

KFX - medium fighter aircraft with 4.5 generation technology (photo : hangkong)

Indonesia to invest $10 million in Korea's fighter project

Indonesia has offered to pay $10 million toward a feasibility assessment of an indigenous Korean fighter jet development program, a defense official said Wednesday.

“Korea’s Agency for Defense Development signed a contract with Indonesia’s state-run weapons agency, Balitbang, on the exploratory development of the KF-X project,” said Chung Jae-yoon, spokesman of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The KF-X project refers to Korea’s multirole fighter development program that was initially announced in 2001, but then stalled for 10 years.

Under the agreement, Chung said Indonesia will pay 20 percent of the initial study costs for the KF-X project in exchange for allowing 30 of its researchers to participate in the project here over the next two years.

In July last year, Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea to invest in the project in return for acquiring around 50 KF-X fighters.

"With the formal agreement with Indonesia, our plan to jointly develop the fighters with international partners is expected to go smoothly," the official said.

Korea's Air Force has been pursuing the KF-X project to help replace its aging F-4/5 fighters.

DAPA plans to select a prototype by late 2012.

Wednesday's deal came less than two weeks after Indonesia selected South Korea as a preferred bidder for its project to buy trainer jets.

The two sides have yet to complete negotiations on price and other details. If a final deal is sealed, it will allow South Korea to export its T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jet for the first time.

(Korea Times)

BAE Systems Wins Hornet Usage Monitoring Contract

21 April 2011

F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet of the RAAF (photo : Australian DoD)

BAE Systems Wins Usage Monitoring Contract to Support Australia’s F/A-18 Hornet Fleet

Newcastle, Australia – BAE Systems has secured a new contract to provide vital usage monitoring services for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) F/A-18 Hornet fighters.

The three-year contract, with extension options, is valued at approximately $3 million and will support 10 jobs at Williamtown in NSW and Richmond in Victoria.

Under the contract, BAE Systems will gather, track and report fatigue-related information about the Hornet’s airframe and engines using an unique, Australian-developed Maintenance Diagnostic and Service Life Monitoring System.

BAE Systems Australia has also developed a suite of diagnostic software tools that provide the RAAF with the capability to conduct detailed investigations into generic aircraft operational characteristics, and into the causes of specific aircraft incidents.

In 2008, BAE Systems was selected to develop a similar capability for the RAAF’s new fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Aerospace Business Unit Director John Monaghan said the Hornet Usage Monitoring contract was a crucial element of ensuring that the F/A-18 Hornet fleet remains the backbone of Australia’s tactical fighter capability.

“Leveraging our unique system will give the RAAF and Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO) the data required to make informed decisions on the F/A-18 fleet to ensure it remains viable until the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into service.”

BAE Systems Australia has delivered comprehensive airframe and engine fatigue monitoring services for the RAAF’s Hornet fleet since 1983.

Since 2009, BAE Systems Australia and L-3 MAS Canada have also been providing long term maintenance and modification support for the RAAF’s Hornets.

(BAE Systems)

Rudal Yakhont Tenggelamkan KRI Buatan AS

21 April 2011

Rudal Yakhont buatan Rusia tersebut memiliki jangkauan tembak 300 km, kecepatan 2 mach dengan spesifikasi panjang 8900mm, diameter 720mm, berat 3000 kg. (photo : Antara-Yudhi Mahatma)

TNI AL juga meluncurkan rudal lain dengan sasaran yang sama

VIVAnews - Peluru kendali (rudal) Yakhont milik TNI Angkatan Laut yang dibeli dari Rusia berhasil melaksanakan fungsinya dalam uji coba di Samudera Indonesia.

Rudal yang memiliki kecepatan 2 Mach (atau setara dua kali kecepatan suara), dengan jangkauan maksimal 300 km dan daya ledak 300 kg ini berhasil menenggelamkan eks kapal perang KRI Teluk Bayur-502 buatan Amerika Serikat pada jarak 250 km.

"Pada hari ini TNI AL berhasil menembakkan rudal Yakhont dan dinyatakan eks kapal Teluk Bayur tenggelam," ujar Kepala Pusat Penerangan Angkatan Laut Laksamana Muda Iskandar Sitompul kepada pers di atas KRI Surabaya-591 di Samudera Hindia, Rabu 20 April 2011.

Ujicoba penembakan rudal Yakhont dari KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 di perairan Samudra Hindia, Rabu (20/4). Rudal Yakhont buatan Rusia mempunyai jangkauan tembak 300 km dengan kecepatan terbang 2 mach, daya ledak 300 kg , ketinggian terbang 14000 meter serta dilengkapi dengan peralatan pendorong supersonic ramjet. (photo : Antara-Prasetyo Utomo)

Rudal Yakhont ditembakkan dari KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 (jenis Perusak Kawal Rudal kelas Fregat Van Speijk) sekitar pukul 10.30 siang.

Seluruh wartawan dari berbagai media yang turut dalam rombongan KRI Surabaya-591 langsung mendokumentasikan penembakan rudal Yakhont oleh KRI Oswald Siahaan-354.

Peragaan diawali dengan beberapa manuver dan peragaan peringatan yang dilakukan KRI OWA-354 kepada sasaran. Kemudian, pada akhirnya rudal dilesakkan.

KRI Imam Bonjol menembakkkan roket jenis RBU 6000 dengan sasaran eks-KRI Teluk Bayur-502 dengan jarak 135 mil laut (250km) di Perairan Samudera Hindia, sebelah barat Sumatera, Rabu (20/4). Latihan formasi tempur laut tersebut bertujuan meningkatkan profesionalisme dan kesiapan operasional Alutsista serta mengetahui kehandalan, tingkat akurasi perkenaan sasaran dan daya hancur. (photo : Antara-Yudhi Mahatma)

Dengan kecepatan super dan suara bising yang ditimbulkan, rudal Yakhont meluncur cepat mengarah ke sasaran tembak di tengah Samudera Hindia. Hanya hitungan detik, rudal sekelebat hilang.

Dengan jarak sasaran tembak yang mencapai 250 km, tidak memungkinkan media, pejabat TNI AL dan awak KRI Surabaya-591 untuk melihat langsung rudal Yakhort meluluhlantahkan KRI Teluk Bayur-502.

Selain peluncuran perdana rudal Yakhont, TNI AL juga meluncurkan rudal lain dengan sasaran yang sama. Rudal itu yakni, Excocet MM 40 dan Mistral buatan Perancis yang diluncurkan KRI Sultan Hassanudin-366. Serta Sea Cat yang dilesakkan oleh KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun-356.

Sebuah Rudal Sea Cat yang sudah dimodifikasi milik TNI AL, ditembakkan dari buritan KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 (KRI OWA-354), saat berlayar di Selat Sunda, Selasa (19/4). Penembakan Rudal Sea Cat buatan Inggris yang memiliki spesifikasi kecepatan tembak 228,60 m per detik, panjang 154,8 Cm dan jarak tembak maksimum 5 Km tersebut, dalam rangka Operasi Jala Perkasa. (photo : Antara-Eric Ireng)

Selain tiga rudal handal yang dimiliki, TNI AL juga memperlihatkan kebolehan senjata strategis lainnya yakni, Torpedo Sut yang dilesakkan kapal selam Cakra-401 dan roket anti kapal selam RBU-6000 yang dimuntahkan KRI Cut Nyak Dien-375.

Iskandar menyatakan, selain untuk mengetahui kehandalan, akurasi sasaran dan daya hancur yang ditimbulkan, uji coba kali ini juga dimaksudkan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan unsur-unsur TNI AL dalam melaksanakan operasi tempur laut.

Menurutnya, sebagai negara kepulauan terbesar, Indonesia sangat rentan terhadap potensi ancaman dari negara lain melalui laut. Sehingga, sebagai salah satu alat pertahanan negara, TNI AL dituntut berperan aktif menjaga dan mempertahankan kedaulatan Indonesia.

"Karena itu, diperlukan adanya latihan secara bertingkat dan berjenjang untuk meningkatkan profesionalisme dan naluri tempur prajurit. Serta kesiapan operasional alutsista," tuturnya.

(VIVA News)

Govt's Skyhawks for Sale, As Is Where Is

20 April 2011

RNZAF A-4 Skyhawk (photo : Philip Rickerby)

If you fancy yourself as a budding jet fighter pilot, now is the time to dig deep.

The Ministry of Defence is putting eight Skyhawk fighter bombers up for sale by tender, along with 20 spare engines and truck loads of spares.

The Skyhawks are part of the fleet of 17 which was mothballed by the Labour Government in 2001 but which failed to sell in spite of a world-wide marketing programme. The other nine have been offered to aviation museums, mostly around New Zealand, with one going to Australia.

When the Labour Government disbanded the Air Combat Force in 2001, it also canned an earlier National Government deal to replace the Skyhawks with a fleet of F16 fighters.

The Skyhawks were on the market for nearly 10 years but in spite of one potential American purchaser signing a contract to buy them for $155 million, no money changed hands. The sale fell over and the aircraft chalked up a maintenance bill of more than $34 million.

Last year the Government abandoned plans to sell them as a going concern and earlier this month Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said eight of the fleet would be given to aviation museums and one to an air base in Australia.

Today the rest of the fleet was offered for sale by tender on an "as is, where is basis without any warranty as to fitness for purpose or air worthiness".

The Skyhawks have been in storage since early 2002, initially in a hangar but more recently outside, covered in white protective plastic.

The Skyhawk package includes five single seaters and three two seaters used for training, up to 20 spare J52 engines, an extensive inventory of ground support equipment and tooling, technical training and maintenance books.

The Ministry of Defence said while it preferred to sell all the aircraft and spares to one buyer, it might also divide the package and sell selected parts to different buyers.

It set a deadline of 4pm on May 16 to register for the tender package. The sale can not be completed until the buyer has the approval of the US State Department.

The Government bought 14 new Skyhawks in 1970 and 10 more second-hand aircraft from Australia in 1984. Several crashed over the years.

They were flown by No 75 Squadron in New Zealand but in 1991 three single seaters and three dual-seat aircraft were assigned to No 2 Squadron at the Nowra naval base in New South Wales.

They were highly regarded by the Australian Navy because they were fast, small and well flown and posed a significant challenge to the air defences on Australian warships during exercises.

The Skyhawks had a top speed of 1160kmh and a range of 3200km. They could carry a combat payload of 3700kg of rockets, bombs, missiles and cannon ammunition.

The Government is also selling its 17 Italian-made Aermacchi jet training aircraft which were taken out of commission at the same time as the Skyhawks in 2001.

They were not included in the tender package offered today but an announcement about them is expected soon.

(3News)