25 Mei 2016
Vietnamese Frigates, Dinh Tien Hoang (Hq-011) (photo : Brunei MoD)
Vietnam has increased its military spending dramatically in recent years amid a series of territorial disputes with China.
And the southeast Asian nation may soon be splashing out more to upgrade its defense capabilities. President Obama on Monday announced an end to decades-old military sanctions banning U.S. arms exports to Vietnam.
How much does Vietnam spend?
Last year, Vietnam's military expenditures totaled $4.4 billion, or 8% of total government spending, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. That's a dramatic rise from 2005, when Vietnam spent roughly $1 billion -- though the numbers are a bit fuzzy because the government doesn't publicize its defense budget.
The country's defense spending will increase further to $5 billion this year, and $6.2 billion by 2020, estimates Jon Grevatt, Asia Pacific Defense Industry Analyst at IHS Jane's.
Those numbers may be rising fast but they're dwarfed by the world's big military spenders. The U.S. leads the pack, shelling out $596 billion in 2015, according to SIPRI. China is in second place with roughly $215 billion in spending last year.
Who are Vietnam's main suppliers?
In recent years, around 80% of Vietnam's military purchases have come from Russia.
Vietnam has used the purchases to modernize its capabilities -- especially its surface and submarine fleets. It has also boosted coastal defenses with the purchase of anti-ship batteries and missiles. The air force primarily operates Russian-made aircraft.
Moscow is expected to maintain its leading position, but European nations and Israel have started to move into the market.
"This gives an opportunity for the U.S. to do the same," Grevatt said.
The U.S. has sold some gear to Vietnam in the past. The arms embargo was eased twice in the past decade, and most recently in 2014. Washington is currently sending six fast patrol vessels to Vietnam to help bolster its coast guard and counter Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea.
How much business is up for grabs?
IHS estimates that Vietnam will earmark about $1.6 billion for defense purchases this year. That's estimated to rise to $2 billion by 2020 as the overall defense budget increases.
Some of the equipment Vietnam is believed to be reviewing for purchase include Lockheed Martin's (LOCKHE) P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and Raytheon (RTN) coastal radar systems, IHS said.
Vietnam is also expected to boost its maritime security with patrol aircraft, coastal radars and naval craft. But the government is likely to need some financing aid to complete the purchases.
Much of the business is expected to include some collaboration. In recent years, Vietnam has pushed for joint production or R&D to help upgrade its domestic capabilities.
(CNN)
25 Mei 2016
The first RAAF P-8A Poseidon (photo : Aus DoD)
The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon for the RAAF has made its first flight, completing the short hop from Renton, where it was built, to Boeing Field where its mission systems equipment is being installed, on May 6.
The aircraft, wearing 11 Squadron RAAF markings and the temporary US registration N940DS, took off from Renton at 1:31pm local time, landing at Boeing Field 1hr 53min later, flight tracking website Flightaware shows.
It is due to be ferried to Australia “in late 2016 following post-production checks and acceptance”, Defence said in a statement on May 24.
P-8s are built on a separate final assembly line at Boeing’s Renton facility in Washington State, where all 737s and their variants are assembled, before they are ferried to nearby Boeing Field, Seattle for mission systems fit-out.
The RAAF is acquiring up to 15 P-8As to replace, along with the unmanned MQ-4C Triton, the AP-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft.
Acquisition of an initial eight P-8As was approved in 2014, while in February the Defence White Paper’s accompanying Integrated Investment Program (IIP) revealed that, “Eight Poseidon aircraft will be introduced in the early 2020s, with seven additional aircraft to be acquired in two tranches to bring the total to 15 aircraft by the late 2020s.”
Approval of the first of those additional tranches of P-8s was subsequently announced by Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne at the RAAF’s Air Power Conference in Canberra in March.
“The first of the Poseidons is expected to be delivered late this year and 12 aircraft will be in service by 2022,” Senator Payne told the Air Power Conference.
(ADBR)
24 Mei 2016
ScanEagle UAS ready to launch for a night sortie. (photos : RAN)
Royal Australia Navy's Unmanned Aircraft System Unit achieved a significant milestone in late March, completing the first of class flight trial for the ScanEagle.
The fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system which sends video and telemetry to its control station in near real time to fulfil its primary roles of surveillance and reconnaissance. It can be configured with various sensors and propulsion modules and has an operating range of up to 200km and endurance in excess of 12 hours.
The Aviation Maintenance and Flight Trails Unit conducted the trial onboard HMAS Choules, assessing all facets of unmanned aircraft systems operation in an embarked setting.
ScanEagle Detachment Commander, Lieutenant Commander Matt Hyam said the trial validated the systems operating limits and allowed personnel to gain their maritime qualifications.
“Over the two weeks on Choules, ScanEagle conducted 26.1 hours of embarked flight operations during the trial, spread amongst eight sorties," he said.
"This allowed us to validate operating limits for Choules and gather information to inform to future acquisition projects."
The unmanned aircraft system consists of a mission control station, catapult launcher, recovery system and multiple unmanned aircraft. The standard Navy crew model is an air vehicle operator, mission commander and ground crew. In what marks a significant change in the Fleet Air Arm, the unmanned aircraft is ‘flown’ by non-commissioned crew, with airspace and mission control provided by aircrew officers.
“Small tactical unmanned aircraft systems will have a key role in the future fleet and provide products to end users such as Principal Warfare Officers that will enhance the maritime operating picture without risking high value assets and personnel in manned aircraft,” Lieutenant Commander Hyam said.
“The trial is the culmination of two years of experimentation and is a significant step forward for Navy.”
(RAN)
24 Mei 2016
Airbus DS C-295 AEW&C (photo : Airbus)
Vietnam will buy at least two early-warning aircraft C-295 AEW&C to enhance the ability to control the South China Sea airspace.
World media simultaneously reported that Vietnam will buy at least 2 aircraft early warning and control air C-295 AEW&C to enhance the ability to control airspace East Sea and provide information reconnaissance, early warning control service of the sky, ready to fight.
This is not without basis when multiple signals recently that Vietnam will likely favor buying the aircraft.
C-295 AEW&C necessary for Vietnam
Military experts said that the C-295 AEW&C is now very necessary for Vietnam.
Accordingly, Vietnam Army was initially formed diverse combat capability with modern weapons such as the Su-30MK2 aircraft, high-speed vessels Molniya rocket, rocket ship Gepard 3.9 Guardians, submarine Kilo 636, missile shore Bastion-P.
However, we still lack a means of linking the modern weapon systems as well as an extended arm to operate, it's early warning aircraft.
The delegation visiting Vietnam Army C-295 aircraft AEW&C (photo : Soha)
The early warning aircraft act in coordination with aircraft, warships help remote target detection, homing missiles, expanding the range of weapons combat. Besides early warning aircraft are also intermediate link, as well as help coordinate the activities of different weapons.
Also according to analysts, this aircraft uses the chassis of the transport aircraft C-295 should help to reduce maintenance costs as well as trained pilots, mechanics.
ELTA radar could be linked to the arms of the Russian system, which Vietnam is owned by Israel have a lot of experience in improving weapons as well as providing radar early warning aircraft to India (the country use Russian aircraft system), C-295 AEW&C is considered the optimal solution for the needs of Vietnam.
Many positive signs
In particular, local and international media also published photographs delegations visiting Vietnam Military C-295 aircraft AEW&C.
This is considered a good signal to accelerate the process of negotiation and transfer between Vietnam and the defense industrial company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel.
C-295 AEW&C (photo : Jiri Zedka)
In a statement to the media in February month 6/2014, Mr. Antonio RodrÃguez Barberan, Director of Airbus DS (subsidiary of Airbus Group European aviation) officially revealed, Ecuador and Vietnam is two of the many new customers have ordered 3 transport aircraft C-295 Airbus DS for each country.
Meanwhile, Russia's Independent newspaper, said that the modernization requires the Air Force in the near future, Vietnam will buy at least two aircraft airborne early warning, in which CASA C-295 is one of the leading candidate.
Because this will be the aircraft is equipped with the electronic system can be compatible with 6 seaplane DHC-6 Twin Otter Navy Air Force Vietnam and create a network of surveillance and early warning area for both air and sea, thereby enhancing the combat readiness capability for our Army.
(Soha)
24 Mei 2016
Penyerahan 12 meriam dan 6 truk ke Yonarhanud 12 (photos : TNI AD)
Palembang, Batalyon Arhanud 12/Satria Bhuana Prakasa Kodam II/Swj yang diresmikan pengembangannya oleh Pangdam II/Swj Mayjen TNI Purwadi Mukson S.I.P.,pada tanggal 15 Februari 2016 lalu, Senin (23/5/2016) mendapat perkuatan Alutsista berupa Meriam 57 MM S 60 TAKT (Tanpa Alat Kendali Tembak) sebanyak 12 pucuk dan Truk Reo 2 ½ Ton sebanyak 6 unit.
Penyerahan Alutsista dan Kendaraan Truk tersebut dilakukan dalam suatu upacara militer dengan Inspektur Upacara Asrendam II/Swj Kolonel Arm Dedy Jusnar Hendrawan yang mewakili Pangdam II/Swj, bertempat di Dermaga Boom Baru Palembang.
Upacara penyerahan Alutsista tersebut, ditandai dengan penadatanganan naskah serah terima dari Pangdam II/Swj yang diwakili Asrendam II/Swj kepada Komandan Yonarhanud 12/SBP Letkol Arh Ari Trisenta Nursanto S.Sos. Selain itu, dalam penyerahan Alutsista juga ditandai dengan penguntingan pita dan pemukulan kendi ke laras meriam 57 MM oleh Asrendam II/Swj.
Pangdam II/Swj Mayjen TNI Purwadi Mukson S.I.P., dalam amanat tertulis yang dibacakan Asrendam II/Swj Kolonel Arm Dedy Jusnar Hendrawan mengatakan bahwa saat ini dan kedepan, TNI AD akan terus mengembangkan kekuatannya dengan pengadaan berbagai macam Alutsista baru untuk memperkuat satuan-satuan TNI AD, termasuk satuan Yon Arhanud 12/SBP Kodam II/Swj.
Lebih lanjut dikatakan bahwa pengadaan dan pemenuhan Alutsista merupakan kebutuhan mutlak dan tuntutan objektif bagi suatu institusi militer, yang wajib dipenuhi oleh negara. Hal ini juga mengingat tantangan TNI dalam mempertahankan wilayah udara cukup berat, apalagi dengan wilayah Indonesia yang sangat luas sehingga harus didukung dengan Alutsista penangkis serangan udara yang mumpuni.
“Keberadaan Alutsista ini diharapkan semakin menambah kepercayaan diri prajurit Yonarhanud 12/SBP dalam melindungi kedaulatan udara nasional di wilayah Sumbagsel”, tandas Panglima.
Perlu diketahui bahwa Meriam 57mm S 60 Tanpa Alat Kendali Tembak, adalah Meriam Penangkis Serangan Udara (PSU) buatan Rusia, yang memiliki laras tunggal dengan jarak tembak target rendah dan menengah. Jarak tembak efektif dengan dukungan pemandu radar mencapai 6.000 meter, dan 4.000 meter dengan pembidik optik. Sedangkan, kecepatan luncur dari proyektilnya mencapai 1.000 meter per detik.
Usai upacara, selanjutnya Alutsista tersebut di geser ke Markas Yon Arhanud 12 / SBP yang berlokasi di Jln. Lintas Raya Palembang – Betung Km 18 Kab. Banyuasin.
Turut hadir pada kegiatan tersebut, para Asisten Kodam, Staf Ahli dan Staf Khusus Pangdam II/Swj, para Kabalakdam II/Swj serta para prajurit peserta upacara dari berbagai satuan Kodam II/Swj di Garnizun Palembang.
(TNI AD)
24 Mei 2016
Moscow reaches new after-sale maintenance contract with Vientiane. Laos agreed to buy 12 Mi-17s from Russia in 1997, only a fraction of which seems to remain in service. (photo : helicopter-database)
Russia has inked a new deal with Laos for the repair of military equipment
According to media reports, Russian Helicopters, which is part of the state firm Rostec, signed the contract with the Laotian defense ministry. Under the four-year deal, experts from the firm will carry out helicopter repairs. Among the equipment to be serviced are two Mil Mi-17-1B and two Mi-17 multipurpose helicopters, the latter of which will be upgraded to Mi-17-1B during repair.
Laos had initially gotten the helicopters from Russia in the 1990s, with a contract signed for 12 Mil Mi-17s in 1996 and delivered over the next few years.
Russia and Laos have been discussing the possibility of new repair arrangements for a while now. At the Dubai Airshow last year, RIA Novosti deputy general director Alexander Scherbinin had said that the possibility of repairing two Lao Mil Mi-17s at Sevastopol repair plant was under discussion.
The Mil Mi-17 helicopter made headlines in Laos last year when one of them carrying 23 people – 19 passengers and four crew members – was declared missing after losing contact with air traffic control in the capital city of Vientiane.
Russia has after-sale maintenance helicopter contracts with other countries as well. With respect to Laos’ neighbor Vietnam, for instance, Moscow and Hanoi had even undertaken a joint venture to set up helicopter company HELITECHCO which was founded in 1994. HELITECHCO has since repaired more than 80 civil helicopters belonging to government and commercial operators from several Asian countries, including Vietnam, Laos, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Earlier this year, Russian Helicopters had said at the 2016 Singapore Airshow that it was performing a scheduled technical audit to check on the possibility of conducting Mi-8/17 military helicopter repairs there. Necessary boosts for operations were said to include more training for specialists as well as additional equipment and infrastructure.
(The Diplomat)
23 Mei 2016
Leopard 2 RI (photo : ARC)
Indonesia has taken delivery of the first eight of 61 Leopard 2 RI (Republic of Indonesia) main battle tanks (MBTs) ordered in December 2012, Rheinmetall Defence executives said at the company's recent Land Forces Symposium 2016.
The tanks are part of a USD280 million contract encompassing the Leopard 2 RIs, 42 Leopard 2+ MBTs, 42 upgraded Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles, and 11 armoured recovery and engineering vehicles from surplus German Army stocks.
All 42 of the Leopard 2+ vehicles - Leopard 2A4 MBTs with the addition of a bustle-mounted air conditioning system - have now been delivered, as have the Marders and support vehicles, the executives said.
(Jane's)
