11 Maret 2014
Hi-tech ... the Hobart Class Air Warfare destroyer. (image: News Corp Australia)
AN $8.5 billion taxpayer-funded “alliance’’ to build three hi-tech navy warships was a multi-tiered debacle, government auditors have found.
The Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance is running two years late, is $302 million over budget and is bleeding money at the rate of $1 million a week, according to well placed sources.
The auditors also revealed that the original premium for building the three ships in Australia rather than purchasing “off-the-shelf’’ overseas was $1 billion.
That is a 30 per cent taxpayer subsidy to the ship builders.
“The cost increase is likely to be significantly greater (than $302 million),’’ the document said.
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report could spell the end for government ownership of the ASC shipyard in Adelaide and, according to government sources, it draws a line in the sand for the whole Australian naval shipbuilding industry.
“Defence and its industry advisers underestimated the risks associated with incorporating the design changes to Navantia’s F-104 design, exporting that design to Australia ... built at shipyards that lacked recent experience in warship building,’’ the audit report said.
The 320-page document slams the government’s defence purchasing agency, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), and its management of an alliance that includes the government-owned Adelaide shipbuilder ASC and American defence giant Raytheon.
Under the alliance the DMO is both buyer and supplier.
“It was costing ASC, the lead ship builder, $1.60 to produce work that was originally estimated to cost $1,’’ the report said.
“It was not until 2013 that the Alliance put in place extensive key performance measures.’’
The Adelaide-based alliance began in 2007 and was the brainchild of the head of DMO Warren King.
The first ship, HMAS Hobart, was due for delivery to the navy this year but has been delayed until at least 2016.
The ships’ designer and hull-maker Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, the Melbourne-based block builder BAE Systems and the Newcastle-based Forgacs shipyard are all strongly criticised for a long list of failings, including dodgy block build practices and poor drawings.
The substandard drawings meant that many already installed watertight doors had to be moved 150mm so they could meet Australian safety standards.
One of the most damaging findings of the report appears on page 232 where the auditors reveal that 570 of 2,000 Chinese-made pipes were removed from the first ship, HMAS Hobart, because they were substandard and potentially dangerous.
“A supply chain failure led to the installation of defective pipes into the ship,’’ the report said.
The pipes were purchased by ASC — the company that wants to build the navy’s next generation submarine for more than $30 billion.
“They (ASC) haven’t done themselves any favours in justifying why they should build the new submarine,’’ a high-level source said.
The key lesson from the report is that Australian industry did not have the capability to undertake such a complex project.
This raises serious questions about whether or not governments should continue to prop-up Australian naval shipbuilders at high taxpayer premiums or buy off-the-shelf from more efficient overseas yards.
It is understood that the Abbott Government favours an Australian naval shipbuilding industry — but not at any cost.
The report was welcomed by Defence Minister David Johnston who agreed with its three recommendations to appoint a high-level project overseer and implement a new design review process and better performance monitoring.
KEY POINTS
* Air Warfare Destroyer two years late and $300 million over budget
* $1 billion premium for Australian build
* Risks under estimated
* ASC likely to be sold
* Naval shipbuilding under a cloud
(News)
11 Maret 2014
TNI AU membutuhkan pesawat dengan kemampuan AEW&C (photo : Saab)
Perang udara akan semakin kompleks melibatkan seluruh kekuatan teknologi maju dan penguasaan informasi. Konsep early warning dan first look, first kill menjadi dua hal yang amat penting untuk bisa menguasai medan pertempuran dan sekaligus memenangkannya.
Perkembangan teknologi yang amat pesat telah membawa suatu perubahan yang besar menyebabkan taktik dalam peperangan modern terus bergeser secara fundamental pada penguasaan informasi terlebih dahulu sebelum pelaksanaan ekseskusi. Merupakan suatu keniscayaan bahwa salah dalam mengambil keputusan/tindakan akan menyebabkan kegagalan yang fatal.
Medan pertempuran yang makin kompleks membuat kewaspadaan terhadap berbagai ancaman serangan musuh makin meningkat pula. Kemampuan suatu individu dalam berperang akan menjadi sia-sia manakala tidak dipadukan secara integratif dengan kemampuan pendukungnya. Dengan kata lain, sistem dari suatu sistem harus dibangun secara terpadu, menyeluruh dan, dan terkoordinasi. Disinilah konsep ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaisance) memainkan peran yang sangat vital, sehingga tindakan/eksekusi sebagai suatu keputusan akhir dari analisis informasi akan membawa pada suatu keberhasilan penyerangan dan meminimalisir kerugian.
Permasalahannya, bagaimana mengumpulkan informasi situasi medan perang sebanyak dan selengkap mungkin. Konsep ini kemudian dirumuskan, sehingga informasi yang didapat bersifat menyeluruh dan dapat disistribusikan kepada sistem-sistem perangkat perang secara real time.
Salah satu elemen yang mendukung pada tercapainya keunggulan ISTAR tidak lain adalah penggunaan pesawat Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C). Pesawat inilah yang bila dianalogikan akan berperan sebagai menara kontrol untuk pengaturan semua perangkat perang, khususnya pesawat dan alutsista udara lainnya. Pesawat AEW&C memberikan informasi sebanyak-banyaknya mengenai medan pertempuran.
Radar terbang memiliki keunggulan dari radar yang ditanam secara fixed di darat karena sifat pergerakannya yang sangat mobile. Sedangkan radar fixed bila poisisinya sudah diketahui oleh musuh akan menjadi sasaran yang dengan segala cara akan dimusnahkan terlebih dahulu.
TNI AU juga berencana membeli beberapa pesawat tanker jet (photo : Airbus)
Program TNI AU
Indonesia merupakan salah satu negra yang saat ini tengah menjajaki pembelian pesawat AEW&C. Dirjen Perencanaan Pertahanan Kementerian Pertahanan RI Marsda TNI E.H.B Soelistyo mengatakan hal itu kepada Angkasa di sela-sela pelaksanaan Rapim TNI AU Januari lalu di jakarta.
Disamping itu Indonesia juga berencana membeli jet tanker untuk memenuhi kebutuhan kekuatan pokok minimum. "Ya, Kemenhan sedang menjajaki dua jenis pesawat ini," ujarnya.
Angkasa Magazine No 6 Maret 2014 Tahun XXIV
11 Maret 2014
Endurance series LST and LHD (all image : Stengg)
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is examining the possibility of acquiring larger multipurpose amphibious landing platform dock ships (LPDMs) for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen disclosed in parliament on 6 March.
The Republic of Singapore Navy currently operates a fleet of four Endurance-class LPDMs (Singapore Armed Forces).
Ng praised the performance of the city-state's current LPDM fleet in supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions in recent years.
"The SAF has also found the multirole landing ship tank [LST] to be an effective workhorse in our relief efforts, so whether it was to the Indian Ocean tsunami or the Northern Arabian Gulf, or whether it was to relief efforts elsewhere, they were found to be effective", Ng said during a parliamentary debate on Singapore's 2014 defence.
"We are therefore studying carefully the need for larger LSTs that can carry more helicopters as well as more cargo", he said. Ng also indicated that the RSN will acquire two more Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters.
The RSN currently operates a fleet of four Endurance-class multipurpose LPDMs which were commissioned between 2000 and 2001. Each of the 8,636-tonne full-load displacement vessels can accommodate two Super Puma helicopters on deck and carry up to 18 main battle tanks (MBTs).
The vessels were built by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine.
(Jane’s)
10 Maret 2014
Mobile 3D search radar ST68UM (36D6-M) for the S-300PMU of Vietnam shipped in the port of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City (photos : Giaoduc, Militaryphotos)
(GDVN) - Mobile 3D search radar ST68UM (36D6-M) for the S-300PMU of Vietnam shipped at the port of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.
Recent Chinese media repeatedly reported on the construction of modernization of Vietnam Army, while providing much appreciated, commentary, communication, confirmed that Vietnam is focusing on customs modernization, Air Force for the South China Sea. Here is some new information Chinese media propaganda:
Sheet "Hoan Cau" China February 28 posts that Vietnam Defense Force purchased a 3D search radar ST68UM cell types (36D6-M) of Ukraine for surface to air missiles S-300PMU, recently dismantled in the port of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.
Also, according to Chinese media, and particularly interested in the relationship between Vietnam and the major countries, including Vietnam-Russia relations, Vietnamese-American, Vietnamese-Japanese, Vietnamese-Indian ... Because This relationship involves many factors both political, military, security, and economic strategy ...
The Chinese press has expressed concern to the visit of the American leaders, Russia, Japan ... to Vietnam, including Cam Ranh Bay visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense (June 3, 2012) and Defense Minister of Japan (September 17, 2013), and focus attention on the Cam Ranh military port in Vietnam.
(Giaoduc)
10 Maret 2014
SIGMA 30 Pointing Systems for CAESAR Gun (photo : Defesa Global)
Sagem (Safran) has won a new order from Nexter Systems to supply 37 SIGMA 30 navigation and pointing systems for CAESAR guns, to be delivered to an Asian customer.
Sagem’s SIGMA 30 system gives long-range artillery system immediate, high-precision firing capability, since they do not need GPS.
Drawing on Sagem’s proven expertise in navigation systems and inertial sensors, the SIGMA 30 features large digital ring laser gyro technology. Its performance characteristics make it a perfect solution for today’s artillery. Enabling deployment in distributed configurations, the Sigma 30 system enhances the mobility and protection of support forces. It is mounted on the cannon, and offers totally independent operation, protected from enemy countermeasures.
The SIGMA 30 system contributes to the excellent operational results of CAESAR guns deployed by the French army in today’s most demanding theaters, including Afghanistan and, most recently, Mali, for Operation Serval.
The contract announced today consolidates Sagem’s partnership with Nexter Systems for the CAESAR gun, by bringing the advantages of latest-generation inertial systems to the company’s entire range of combat vehicles, whether in production or under development. All CAESAR artillery systems now in service, more than 250 units, are equipped with the SIGMA 30 navigation and pointing system. They are produced at Sagem’s Montluçon plant.
In addition to CAESAR guns, Sagem’s SIGMA 30 system outfits 40 other artillery systems, including: PzH2000 (Krauss Maffei Wegmann), MLRS M270 (Airbus Defense), Nora (SDPR), Archer (BAE), and the 2R2M mobile mortar (Thales).
Sagem has developed proven expertise in all inertial technologies (mechanical, laser, fiber-optic, vibrating), with more than 60 years of experience on both civil and military navigation systems operating in all environments around the world.
(Sagem)
08 Maret 2014
Radar LCR-2020 (photo : ITT Exelis)
Presentasi Radar Portable
Panglima Kohanudnas Marsda TNI Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja dan Kas Kohanudnas Marsma TNI Bonar Hutagaol saat mengikuti presentasi Radar Portable LCR-2020 Medium Range dan S-3D Long Range yang merupakan produk USA di ruang rapat Makohanudnas Halim Perdanakusuma Jakarta, Kamis (6/3).
Presentasi tersebut diikuti oleh Pangkosekhanudnas I Marsma TNI Tri Budi Satrio dan para pejabat Kohanudnas dan Kosekhanudnas I.
(Kohanudnas)
08 Maret 2014
Naval Facility in Ulugan Bay would be used as homeport of large vessels like the Hamilton-class cutters BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, and other upcoming strategic sealift vessels of the Navy (photo : Durzen)
THE Department of National Defense (DND) has alloted P.5 billion for the development of a second naval facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, home of the Naval Forces West (NFW), which oversees and protects the country’s interest in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic on Thursday said the development of Ulugan Bay is in line with the capability upgrade of the NFW, and once completed would be used as homeport of large vessels like the Hamilton-class cutters BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, and other upcoming strategic sealift vessels of the Navy.
Fabic explained that the Navy has no big port of its own nor does it have the facilities to accommodate its bigger ships so when said vessels are in Manila they are anchored at the North Harbor and when up north are docked at the Subic Freeport.
”So it is being developed so that the Navy will have its own [port] that will house the big vessels of the Navy,” he added.
Ulugan Bay is some 50 kilometers or an hour’s drive from Puerto Princesa City facing the disputed Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea.
The bay is strategically located and is usually used as a safe zone or shelter by yachts and other sea vessels during stormy weather in the disputed sea.
Fabic stressed though that the planned improvements in Ulugan has nothing to do with the territorial dispute between the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan over the mineral-rich Spratly group of islands.
“It won’t be misinterpreted [by China as a form of agitation] because in the first place, we have an existing facility there, the headquarters of the NFW, and a P500-million fund has been programmed for its development,” he added.
Fabic also disclosed that the upcoming anniversary of the Navy would be held in Ulugan Bay with President Aquino as guest of honor.
Besides Ulugan, the DND is developing Oyster Bay, also in Palawan into a major naval facility.
A P300-million budget has been allotted by the defense department for the construction of a pier, a harbor and support facilities which, the Navy leadership said, were necessary to improve the Armed Forces’ response capability.
Earlier, Naval Forces West commander, Commodore Natalio Abinuman, said the facility would boost the Navy’s capability in responding to any scenario in the West Philippine Sea even as he stressed that development of Oyster Bay is not directed against China but generally intended to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“This will improve our support system for our ships that are being [deployed] in the western portion of our seas,” he said.
Oyster Bay is about 160 km or 100 miles away from the disputed Spratlys.
(Manila Times)
