23 Juli 2014
Kongsberg Group Joint Strike Missile (JSM) (image : devotek)
Australia is seeking expanded engagement in Norway's air-launched anti-ship Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile (JSM) programme, the Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra confirmed to IHS Jane's on 21 July.
The collaboration project is framed around both countries' participation in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter programme. The JSM has been conceived as a precision-strike missile specifically designed for the internal carriage in F-35A and F-35C variants of the aircraft.
A spokesman from the DoD said that although Australian industry has previously participated in the JSM programme, new rounds of discussions between the two countries are focused on potentially expanding collaboration with a focus on the missile's integration onto the F-35.
(Jane's)
23 Juli 2014
DND will acquire 2 RHIBs (photo : north sea boats)
The Department of National Defense (DND) said on Tuesday that it is allocating P63,159,000 to acquire two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) for the Philippine Navy.
The money will be sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Funds and the contract will include an integrated logistic support for the craft, DND said.
The RHIBs will be used by the PN for "maritime interdiction and GOPLAT takedown missions."
The craft must be able to cruise at speeds of 45 knots, withstand and still be functional at Sea State 4, and capable of carrying 14 passengers (including four crewmen).
Interested bidders must have completed a similar project within the last 10 years and must be able to deliver the RHIBs within 180 calendar days from the issuance of the notice to proceed.
Pre-bid conference is slated at 9 a.m. on July 31 at the PVAO Conference Room, Andres Bonifacio Hall, PVAO Compound, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Bid opening is set on Aug. 13, also in the same venue.
(PNA)
22 Juli 2014
AU-1, seen here being towed to the paintshop, will be officially rolled out on July 24. (photo : Lockheed Martin)
The first of up to 100 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters for the RAAF will be formally rolled out on July 24.
The aircraft – designated AU-1 – will be ceremonially handed over to RAAF and government officials at the company’s Fort Worth facility.
It will then be taken to a flight line hangar for final work before first flight, and will subsequently be delivered to the USAF’s F-35 schoolhouse at Luke AFB in Arizona where it will be pooled with other US and partner nation F-35As for training.
At present only two F-35As have been contracted by Australia, while long-lead items for a follow-on batch of 12 aircraft have also been paid for. A further 58 F-35As have been approved by government, and these will be ordered as the production lots for these aircraft are contracted by the US government.
The RAAF’s first two F-35A pilots are due to commence training on the aircraft late this year and early next year.
(Australian Aviation)
22 Juli 2014
Kapal cepat rudal KCR-40 (photos : silep-04, kaskus militer)
Kapal perang buatan Indonesia diluncurkan September mendatang
Merdeka.com - Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut (Kasal) Laksamana TNI Dr Marsetio meninjau galangan kapal PT. Palindo Marine Shipyard dan PT. Citra Shipyard Tanjung Uncang Batam, Kepulauan Riau, Kamis, yang merupakan tempat pembuatan kapal perang karya anak bangsa Indonesia.
Seperti yang diberitakan Antara, Kamis (17/7), Kasubdispenum Dinas Penerangan TNI Angkatan Laut Kolonel Laut (P) Suradi Agung Slamet, melaporkan Kasal dalam kunjungan itu diterima langsung oleh Direktur Utama PT. Palindo Marine, Harmanto, dan Dirut PT. Citra Shipyard, Frengky.
Saat ini, kedua perusahaan itu sedang membangun empat 4 unit Kapal Cepat Rudal (KCR) dan satu unit PC 43. Rinciannya, tiga unit KCR diproduksi oleh PT. Palindo Marine Shipyard, satu unit KCR dan satu unit PC 43 dibangun oleh PT. Citra Shipyard.
"Pembangunan kapal perang yang merupakan karya anak bangsa Indonesia ini siap diluncurkan pada awal September mendatang," kata Direktur Utama Palindo Marine, Harmanto.
Kapal perang yang memiliki panjang 44 meter ini dapat melaju hingga 30 knots atau kurang lebih 60 kilometer per jam.
Sebelumnya, perusahaan ini telah sukses memproduksi sejumlah kapal perang TNI Angkatan Laut, antara lain KRI Clurit 641, KRI Kujang 642, dan KRI Beladau 643.
Dalam kunjungannya, Kasal didampingi Asrena Kasal Laksda TNI Agung Pramono, Panglima Armada Barat Laksda TNI Ary Atmaja, Kadismatal Laksma TNI Ir Bambang Naryono, Dan Lantamal lV Laksma TNI Agus Heryana, Dan Lantamal V Brigjen TNI Mar Rudy Andi Hamzah, Kabagset Smin Kasal Letkol Laut (KH) Ali Ridlo, dan Kabag Bungkol Kasal Letkol Laut (E) Lilik Asmoro.
Setelah melakukan peninjauan pembangunan kapal perang karya anak bangsa, Kasal beserta rombongan langsung menuju Batalyon Infanteri 10 Korps Marinir di Setoko, Batam, untuk meresmikan Masjid Al Barkah bagi seluruh prajurit Batalyon serta masyarakat sekitar.
Sebelumnya (16/7), Panglima TNI Jenderal TNI Moeldoko yang didampingi Kasal dan Wakasal melaksanakan inspeksi pasukan Marinir yang terlibat dalam pengamanan Pemilihan Umum Presiden dan Wakil Presiden (Pilpres) 2014 di lapangan apel Kesatrian Marinir Hartono, Cilandak, Jakarta Selatan.
Kedatangan Panglima TNI beserta rombongan di Bhumi Marinir, Cilandak, disambut Komandan Korps Marinir Mayor Jenderal TNI (Mar) A. Faridz Washington dan Kepala Staf Korps Marinir Brigjen TNI (Mar) Siswoyo Hari Santoso. Pada pengamanan pilpres kali ini, Korps Marinir menerjunkan 2.901 personel dari jajaran marinir wilayah barat.
Dalam inspeksi untuk mengecek kesiapan serta kondisi prajurit Korps Marinir menjelang pengumuman hasil akhir Pilpres pada 22 Juli itu, Panglima TNI Jenderal TNI Moeldoko menekankan tiga hal yakni menjaga netralitas TNI, bersikap tegas dalam tindakan, dan profesional dalam bertugas dengan tetap dalam kendali Panglima TNI.
(Merdeka)
22 Juli 2014
HMAS Brunei, Landing Craft Heavy (photo : Aus DoD)
End of an era – the LCHs’ long goodbye
The Navy’s three remaining Landing Craft Heavy auxiliary vessels put on a proud display of thanks to the Cairns community, sailing in formation from the city’s harbour this morning.
This was the last time HMA Ships Brunei, Labuan and Tarakan will sail in-company together in the port they have called home for nearly thirty years.
Commanding Officer of Brunei, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Richardson said the formation exit marks the start of the ships’ decommissioning voyages.
“The first of the Balikpapan class ships arrived in Cairns in the mid-eighties. Since that time, they have been an enduring presence in the region.
“Today’s departure is the last time the community will see us sail as a group. The Landing Craft will decommission at a ceremony in Cairns in November,” Lieutenant Commander Richardson said.
Following the departure, the Landing Craft will conduct training and transit to Cowley Beach, for a final beach landing. The ships will then part company and visit Bundaberg, Bowen, Ballina, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Noumea and Honiara.
Reflecting on their years of service, Lieutenant Commander Richardson said the auxiliary vessels have provided essential support to the Australian community.
“Over their forty years of service, the landing craft have provided an important sea lift capability,” he said.
“They’ve been the backbone of many deployments to the Solomon Islands, Bougainville and East Timor. They were there to help Darwin after cyclone Tracy in 1974 and more recently, they assisted Queensland in the clean up after Cyclone Yasi in 2011.”
“While it will be sad to see them retired, it is an exciting time, as Navy prepares for the new Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock ships,” Lieutenant Commander Richardson said.
Until recently the Royal Australian Navy operated six Balikpapan class vessels out of Cairns and Darwin. In December 2012, HMA Ships Wewak, Balikpapan and Betano were decommissioned.
(Aus DoD)
22 Juli 2014
PAF Bell UH-1H Huey (photo : pdff)
In line with its efforts to make the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) more credible in defending the country's vast territories, the Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday announced that 14 big-ticket defense items, worth Php6.2 billion, will be completely delivered by the end of 2014.
These include the delivery of assault rifles for the Army and Marines, additional UH-1H helicopters for the Air Force, close combat optics, and explosive ordnance disposal equipment.
"We are getting closer to our desired state in terms of capability and readiness with our recent acquisitions, and those we are expecting to be delivered in the next few months," Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin said.
A total of 37 projects have already been completed under the Aquino administration, amounting to Php9.2-billion.
As of July 8, 10 projects worth another Php17.3-billion are expected to be delivered in 2015.
The major equipment to be delivered include armored vehicles for the Army, attack helicopters, combat utility helicopters, light lift and medium lift aircrafts for the Air Force and naval helicopters for the Navy.
Gazmin said that the first two units of the 12 FA-50 lead-in fighter/trainers worth Php18.9-billion from South Korea are also expected to arrive next year.
The term “minimum credible defense posture” pertains to the establishment of an effective force presence inside the Philippines and its exclusive economic zone with exhibited competence to defend the country and protect its national interests if and when the need arises.
"This includes the ability to conduct wide surveillance and monitoring of developments within the country’s territory, and have an extensive command and control as well as the capacity to provide an expedient and efficient response to untoward incidents," Gazmin said.
He emphasized that most of the equipment and assets acquired can be used in humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
The remaining projects in the modernization program are also in the advanced stages of procurement or are nearing completion.
These include the additional rifles for the Army, frigates and amphibious assault vehicle for the Navy, and air defense surveillance radar for the Air Force.
The revised AFP modernization program for 2013-2017 has a budget of Php85.3-billion which will be spread out over a five-year period.
From 2013-2017, Php8.6-billion will be allocated to the Army, P43.3-billion to the Air Force, P28.2-billion to the Navy and Php5.2 billion to AFP general headquarters.
(PNA)
21 Juli 2014
Gowind LCS (image : mer et marine)
KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BN Shipyard), a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd (BHB) and an associate company of Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC), yesterday signed a RM9 billion contract to design, build and deliver six second-generation patrol vessels with littoral combat ship capability for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
BN Shipyard was previously presented a letter of award (LOA) from the Ministry of Defense (MOD) on December 16 2011. The contract is to be implemented over Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Malaysia Plans.
BN Shipyard managing director Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor said:
“We are pleased to have formally signed this important contract
with the Ministry of Defence and we are honoured to be entrusted with carrying out this vital national project. Work on the final design and key procurement aspects of the project is well in hand, and the formal contract allows us to recognise a greater element of our ongoing work.”
(New Straits Times)
