Ukrspecexport and Thailand Signed Contract for Supply of 49 Oplot MBT

03 September 2011

Oplot main battle tank (photo : krblog)

Ukraine to supply 49 Oplot tanks to Thailand

Ukraine will supply 49 Oplot main battle tanks to the Royal Thai Army, Ukraine's state arms exporter Ukrspecexport told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

Representatives of Ukrspecexport and the Royal Thai Army signed the contract for the supply of tanks late on Thursday. The contract details have not been disclosed.

The state company said that the deal was one of the largest in the defense sector. Sources in the defense sector told Interfax-Ukraine that the deal was estimated to be worth about $240 million.

Ukraine is currently providing BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers to Thailand. The total value of contracts signed in 2006 and in 2011 is estimated at $270 million.

The BM Oplot tank, which was designed by Kharkiv Morozov Engineering Design Bureau on the basis of the Ukrainian T-84 tank, is well known on the world market, and, according to experts, has good market prospects.

(Kiev Post)

Brunei Akan Beli 15 Panser Anoa Buatan Pindad

02 September 2011

Panser 6x6 produksi Pindad (photo : Kodam Jaya)

TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta - Brunei Darussalam akan membeli panser buatan PT Pindad. Penandatanganan nota kesepahaman (MoU) akan dilakukan tahun ini juga.

Kepala Pusat Penerangan Kementerian Pertahanan Brigadir Jenderal Hartind Asrin mengatakan Brunei tertarik membeli panser Anoa 6 x 6 buatan PT Pindad dan sudah melakukan uji coba terhadap kemampuan panser itu.

"Pembelian pertama satu kompi sebanyak 15 unit," katanya kepadaTempo, pekan lalu.

Hartind mengatakan ini merupakan rencana pertama dari pembelian sebanyak satu batalion atau total 35 unit panser.

Brunei sudah menguji coba ketahanan kendaraan jenis angkutan personel sedang (Armoured Personnel Carrier/APC) itu. Brunei tertarik karena penser bermesin Renault ini sudah mendapat pengakuan standardisasi dari PBB. Anoa juga digunakan TNI dalam misi perdamaian di Libanon.

"Sudah lama Brunei tertarik, tapi Sultan (Brunei) ingin uji jalan dulu. Ingin yang lebih susah. Kemarin dicoba jalan 100 kilometer untuk melihat panas nggak mesinnya," kata Hartind.

Selain panser, Brunei juga berencana membeli senapan serbu atau SS2. Senjata ini juga buatan PT Pindad.

(Tempo Interaktif)

Vertical UAV Prototype Nearing Completion

31 Agustus 2011

Prototype of vertical UAV (photo : TAF)

Royal Thai Navy, Defence Institute of Technology public organization (DTI) in cooperation with Kasama helicopter Ltd signed a joint research and development of vertical unmanned aircraft (UAV) in the current prototype design, the first prototype near completed and ready to flight test within two months.

Prototype of the unmanned aircraft will feature the no tail (Tailless) The body has two blades to help balance and stabilize the aircraft in flight. Designed in this manner will reduce the chances of the tail may be associated with the vessel so that the aircraft can operate in a limited area such as the stern. The design also made the aircraft capable of traveling both series as well.

In creating it, the body is formed with carbon fiber. Initially, the jet engine to drive, before upgraded to a 150 cc gasoline engine to reduce fuel consumption and operating the aircraft for a period of up in the air.

The project will take 2 years to develop and produce a plan, the Navy enlist for at least 10 aircraft.

(TAF)

Brazil Release Fund for Develops Astros 2020

01 September 2011

Astros AV-TM, a high precision cruise missiles with a range of 300 kilometers (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

Brazil releases funds to develop surface to surface missile system for the Army

The Brazilian government gave a clear signal Monday that is intends to advance in the consolidation of a defense industry in the country. A decree signed by President Dilma Rousseff releases 45 million Real in funds for the launching of the Astros Project 2020 to equip the Brazilian army.

The project with a total value of almost 1.1 billion Real provides for the acquisition of the most advanced surface to surface missile launch system developed in Brazil. The Astros 2020 is an evolved version of the Astros II, the best selling product manufactured by Avibras Aerospace.

Exported to many countries the Astros (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System) is considered a market-leader among the small and highly competitive group of manufacturers of such systems.

Altogether the project includes the purchase of 49 vehicles by the Brazilian army divided into three batteries: 18 launch vehicles, 18 ammo re-supply vehicles, three fire control units, three weather stations, three recovery vehicles and three armoured command and control vehicles for each battery and another final vehicle for integrated command and control.

The main advantage of the new concept is the incorporation of the AV-TM, a high precision cruise missiles with a range of 300 kilometers. Unlike the rockets, which have a ballistic trajectory, defined from the impulse they receive at launch, this missile is guided and its trajectory can be controlled. Another important advance is the in the electronics system which is entirely digital.

Astros II MLRS (photo : Militaryphotos)

The Astros II are normally grouped in artillery batteries consisting on average of about 13 vehicles: 6 of them are Astros II launchers, 6 are rocket resupply trucks and one a special radar-equipped vehicle controlling the fire control system. The launcher is capable of firing rockets of different calibers armed with a range of warheads.

The Astros II artillery system entered service with the Brazilian Army in 1983. The system is battle proven, having been used in action by the Iraqi Army in the Gulf Wars. In the 1980s, Avibrás sold an estimated sixty-six Astros II artillery systems to Iraq. Iraq also built the Sajil-60 which is a license-built version of the Brazilian SS-60. Sixty Astros II were sold to Saudi Arabia and an unspecified number sold to Bahrain and Qatar. Total sales of the Astros II between 1982 and 1987 reached one billion dollars.

This fact made the Astros II multiple rocket launcher the most profitable weapon produced by Avibrás.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Avibrás worked almost exclusively with the manufacturing of rockets and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), such as the Astros II, in addition to developing antitank and anti-ship missiles. At its peak, Avibrás employed 6,000 people; later it would be reduced to 900 people in the early 1990s as the arms industry demand fell. Even so, in the first Gulf War in 1991, the Astros II was successfully used by Saudi Arabia against Iraq. Years later, the Astros II system helped Angola to defeat the UNITA rebels.

(MercoPress)

Australia Offers Five Sea Kings for Sale

01 September 2011

RAN Sea King helicopter (photo : Redbubble)

Australia plans to sell five Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Westland Sea King helicopters, with the aircraft to be withdrawn from service in December 2011.

The package includes five complete helicopters, three airframes, a simulator as well as equipment and parts, said minister for defence materiel Jason Clare.

"They've been the workhorse of the navy, having flown in excess of 60,000h in operations in Australia and overseas," said Clare. "The latest example of their work was the disaster relief and search and rescue missions they conducted during the Queensland floods."

A sixth Sea King, Shark 07, will not be sold. It will be preserved at the navy's Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra, which lies south of Sydney on Australia's eastern seaboard.

Clare said the aircraft will be marketed globally, including defence expos in the UK and Canada in September. Tender submissions will close on 1 November.

"This is a really versatile helicopter and a proven capability. The Sea Kings could be used for a range of things like fire fighting, disaster relief, search and rescue, by another navy or commercially," said Clare.

The NH Industries MRH90 transport helicopter is replacing the RAN's Sea Kings and the army's Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks.

Australia's Sea King 50s were delivered between 1975 and 1983, as recorded in

Flightglobal's HeliCAS database.

(FlightGlobal)

Australia Approves Defence Projects Worth AUD 3 billion

31 Agustus 2011

Standart Missile on Adelaide class FFG (photo : Trimarshall)

Defence capability projects approved

The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare today announced that the Government has approved four major Defence capability projects.

The projects are:

The acquisition of over 950 new four wheel drive vehicles as well as trailers and associated equipment for training purposes (combined first and second pass approval for the acquisition of Light and Lightweight Tactical Training Vehicles under Land 121 Phase 5A);

The upgrade of Navy’s current long range Standard Missile-2 (SM2) air defence missiles for future use by the Air Warfare Destroyers (SEA 4000 Phase 3.2 combined first and second pass approval);

Funding for a collaborative international study into the upgrade of the air defence Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile fitted to the ANZAC Class frigates and Air Warfare Destroyers (SEA 1352 Phase 1A combined first and second pass approval); and

An Enhanced Military Satellite Capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including transportable land satellite communications terminals and upgrades for satellite communications on Navy platforms (Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B first pass approval).

These approvals are estimated to involve expenditure of around $550 million. When complete, the projects are estimated to involve a commitment toAustralia’s national security of expenditure of around $3 billion.

New Training Vehicles (Project Land 121 Phase 5A)

The Government has approved the acquisition of over 950 new ‘G-Wagon’ four wheel drive vehicles from Mercedes Benz Australia Pacific Pty Ltd, together with around 200 modules and 830 trailers.

The modules will be manufactured and integrated onto the vehicles by G. H. Varley Pty Ltd in NSW and the trailers will be sourced from Queensland-based Haulmark Trailers (Australia).

This approval is subject to successful negotiations with the respective companies.

This project will provide the Australian Army with a fleet of tactical vehicles and an enhanced training capability to prepare for operations in protected vehicles.

The approved value is around $425 million. The Australian industry component is worth more than $100 million.

Upgrade of the Standard Missile-2 (SEA 4000 Phase 3.2)

The Australian Defence Force’s inventory of SM2 missiles carried by the Adelaide Class frigates will be both upgraded and converted for use by the Air Warfare Destroyers.

The conversion of the missiles will allow them to be used in the Air Warfare Destroyers and provide an enhanced anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile defence capability.

The SEA 4000 Phase 3.2 project is valued at around $100 million and will be acquired under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) arrangements with theUnited States.

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Upgrade (SEA 1352 Phase 1A)

The Government has given combined first and second pass approval for a contribution to the international risk reduction study for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM).

The ESSM is currently fitted to the ANZAC Class frigates and will be fitted to the Air Warfare Destroyers. This project will upgrade the ESSM to ensure these ships can defend against aircraft and anti-ship missile threats.

This approval involves Australia contributing approximately $20 million to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Sea Sparrow Project Office to conduct the study to develop an upgraded ESSM.

The total cost of Project SEA 1352 Phase 1 is cost capped between $1 billion and $2 billion in the Public Defence Capability Plan.

Enhanced Military Satellite Capability (Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B)

The Government agreed to first pass approval for Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B – Enhanced Military Satellite Capability.

This project will deliver a comprehensive wideband satellite communications capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and will take advantage of Australia’s investment in the US Wideband Global Satellite Communications system.

Phase 5B will include the delivery of transportable land terminals to equip ADF elements, upgrades for the satellite communications fit on Royal Australian Navy platforms and the establishment of a satellite communications network management system.

Funding of $12 million has been approved for first pass to second pass work. This work includes project development and risk mitigation studies including in relation to the potential upgrade of the Geraldton ground station and a new ground station facility in Eastern Australia.

The total cost of Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B is cost capped between $300 million and $500 million in the Public Defence Capability Plan.

(Aus DoD)

Fifth RAAF C-17 Flies

30 Agustus 2011

RAAF's C17 Globemaster II (photo : busaustralia)

The fifth Boeing C-17A Globemaster III for the RAAF made its first flight from Boeing’s Long Beach, California, facility on August 25.

The aircraft, to be designated A41-210 in RAAF service, is scheduled to be handed over to the RAAF in early September, and delivered to 36SQN at RAAF Amberley later that month to join its four stable mates.

The fifth C-17 was ordered earlier this year instead of an additional two C-130J Hercules transports under Project Air 8000 Phase 1. The aircraft was already on the Long Beach production line, intended for delivery to the US Air Force.

(Australian Aviation)