27 Maret 2016
PAF C-295M (photo : Juanco Mayoral)
Manila (PNA) - The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are allocating the sum of PHP40,200,000 for the acquisition of additional integrated logistics support for the brand-new C-295M transport aircraft.
This involves the procurement of 47 line items of aircraft ground support equipment as additional integrated logistics support for the C-295M.
The country currently has three C-295M aircraft in its air fleet.
Pre-bid conference is on Friday, 10:00 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee Conference Room, Basement, Right Wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The guiding principles for this project shall be based on affordability and sustainability while conforming to the requirements of the Philippine Air Force in furtherance of accomplishing its mission.
Funding will be sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund.
Delivery period is 60 calendar days from the contract effectivity. Bidders should have completed within five years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, at least two contracts similar to the project.
(PNA)
26 April 2016
The DCNS Shortfin Barracuda submarine. (image : DCNS)
France sinks Japanese, German bids to win $40 billion Australian subs deal
France has beaten Japan and Germany to win a A$50 billion ($40 billion) deal to build a fleet of 12 submarines for Australia, one of the world's most lucrative defense contracts, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Tuesday.
The victory for state-owned naval contractor DCNS Group underscored France's strengths in developing a compelling military-industrial bid, and is a blow for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to develop defense export capabilities as part of a more muscular security agenda.
Reuters earlier reported that DCNS would be announced as the winner, citing sources with knowledge of the process.
"The recommendation of our competitive evaluation process ... was unequivocal that the French offer represented the capabilities best able to meet Australia's unique needs," Turnbull told reporters in the South Australian state capital of Adelaide where the submarines will be built.
In a statement, French President Francois Hollande said the deal "marks a decisive step in the strategic partnership between our two countries", while Prime Minister Manuel Valls said it was "cause for optimism and pride."
The French shipbuilder's share of the overall contract will amount to about 8 billion euros ($9.02 billion), according to sources with knowledge of the deal. DCNS chief Hervé Guillou said the deal would create around 4,000 French jobs, benefiting shipyards and industrial sites in Lorient, Brest, Nantes and Cherbourg.
Australia is ramping up defense spending, seeking to protect its strategic and trade interests in Asia-Pacific as the United States and its allies grapple with China's rising power.
Japan's government with its Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries boat had been seen as early frontrunners for the contract, but their inexperience in global defense deals and an initial reluctance to say they would build in Australia saw them slip behind DCNS and Germany's ThyssenKrupp AG.
Political Implications
Industry watchers had anticipated a decision to come later in the year, but Turnbull's gamble on a July 2 general election sped up the process.
The contract will have an impact on thousands of jobs in the shipbuilding industry in South Australia, where retaining votes in key electorates will be critical for the government's chances of re-election.
"The submarine project .. will see Australian workers building Australian submarines with Australian steel," said Turnbull.
DCNS, which traces its roots to 1624 and is 35 percent-owned by defense electronics giant Thales SA, proposed a diesel-electric version of its 5,000-tonne Barracuda nuclear-powered submarine. DCNS enlisted heads of industry and top government figures to convince Australia of the merits of its offering and the benefits to the broader relationship.
"This is a great opportunity for DCNS because they will work with the Australian navy for the long run as it is a series of contracts and a huge opportunity to invest more and to develop business," French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said on the sidelines of a trade fair in Hannover, Germany.
Japan had offered to build Australia a variant of its 4,000 tonne Soryu submarine, a deal that would have cemented closer strategic and defense ties with two of Washington's key Asia-Pacific allies, but risked antagonizing China, Australia's top trading partner.
Paul Burton, Defense Industry and Budgets Director at IHS Jane's said it was a surprise from a strategic standpoint that Japan didn’t win. "Japan is very keen to secure a significant piece of overseas business following the relaxation of its export legislation, and this Australian submarine deal was widely regarded as becoming a landmark trade," he said.
"The tradecraft required to convince a sophisticated domestic buyer that Japan's was superior to that offered by France was lacking."
ThyssenKrupp was proposing to scale up its 2,000-tonne Type 214 class submarine, a technical challenge that sources had previously told Reuters weighed against the German bid.
Both losing bidders said they were disappointed by the decision, but remain committed to their Australian businesses.
"Thyssenkrupp will always be willing to further contribute to Australia’s naval capabilities," said Hans Atzpodien, Chairman of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Japan's Defence Minister Gen. Nakatani said the decision was "deeply regrettable," and he would ask Australia to explain why it didn't pick Japan's design.
America's Raytheon Co, which built the system for Australia's ageing Collins-class submarines, is vying for a separate combat system contract with Lockheed Martin Corp, which supplies combat systems to the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. A decision on the weapons system is due later this year.
(Reuters)
26 April 2016
RTA seeks new 6x6 vehicle (photo : ARC)
RTA military equipment standard committee draft up the requirement for the new APC prior to the start of competition.
The requirement is at least diesel-engine 6x6 APC with all terrain capability. Capable of carrying 11 equipped troops with the minimum protection for the 7.62 mm bullet. It must have an automatic turret with remote control from inside the APC.
Radio must be a frequency-hopping FM radio compatible with the system RTA currently operated. The APC must be commissioned in the manufacturer's nation with the 15 years spare part guarantee.
It is unclear whether the DTI 8x8 BWS currently developing by DTI will be eligible to participate in the competition consider there is no exception for the APC developed in Thailand.
(TAF)
26 April 2016
Vietnam apparently acquired some Soviet ASU-85 airborne SPATGs after the 1979 war with China, which recently have been brought out of storage. (photo: Via Bao Dat Viet)
Officials from the Minotor-Service Corporation of Belarus attending the Defense Services Asia (DSA) 2016 exhibition told IHS Jane's that Vietnamese officials had expressed "strong interest" in purchasing Minotor's upgrade package for their ASU-85 airborne self-propelled anti-tank guns (SPATGs).
Minotor's upgrade package includes a new more powerful diesel engine powerpack that would increase speed from 45 to 60 km/h and range from 400 km to 450 km.
The revelation that Vietnam People's Army (VPA) had the ASU-85 in its inventory was made in the 16 March 2015 issue of the Bao Dat Viet website, showing vehicles operating in a May 2015 exercise. An informed source has told IHS Jane's that these were delivered following China's brief war with Vietnam in 1979.
The 15.5 ton ASU-85, based on the chassis of the PT-76 amphibious tank, started arming Soviet Airborne Troops in 1959. It carries 45 rounds for its fixed D-70 85 mm main gun which has a maximum range of 10 km.
The ASU-85 was transported by the large Mi-6 "Hook" helicopter that the Vietnam People's Air Force also operated until the early 1990s.
The Soviet ASU-85s were part of larger shipments of T-62/55/54 tanks, BMP-1 armored personnel carriers and artillery that allowed the VPA to convert its 304th, 308th and 320th Infantry Divisions into Mechanised Infantry Divisions, or Motorised Rifle Divisions in Soviet terminology.
It is possible that the ASU-85s were kept in storage, which would appear to be confirmed by their being in good condition. Other Vietnamese reports indicate they were brought out of storage to provide a new capability for difficult terrain.
(Jane's)
26 April 2016
Among the issues is the submarine platform that can operate in both deep and littoral waters (photo : DCNS)
Indonesian and French officials have started a working group to explore Indonesian submarine requirements.
Among issues being explored is the feasibility of operating a platform that can operate in both deep and littoral waters.
Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL has teamed up with French company DCNS in a formal working group to explore future submarine requirements of the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL), industry sources close to the matter have confirmed to IHS Jane's .
The working group, which started in March, has been formed under the ambit of a government-to-government framework between France and Indonesia and includes representatives from the private and public sectors.
(Jane's)
26 April 2016
The AIM-120D, formerly known as AIM-120C-8 is the latest model of the AMRAAM (photo : xtrememachine11)
WASHINGTON - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and associated equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.22 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 21, 2016.
The Government of Australia requested a possible sale of:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to 450 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AIM-120D)
Up to 34 AIM-120D Air Vehicles Instrumented (AAVI)
Up to 6 Instrumented Test Vehicles (ITVs)
Up to 10 spare AIM-120 Guidance Sections (GSs)
This request also includes the following Non-MDE: containers, weapon system support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey, transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training, and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The total estimated value of MDE is $1.08 billion. The total overall estimated value is $1.22 billion.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner and major contributor to political stability, security, and economic development in the Pacific region and globally.
This proposed sale is in support of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F/A-18, E/A-18G, and F-35 aircraft. This proposed sale will provide the RAAF additional air-to-air intercept capability and increase interoperability with the U.S. Air Force. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor for production is Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona. The principal contractor for integration is unknown and will be determined during contract negotiations. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. or contractor representatives to Australia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
(DSCA)
25 April 2016
Satu skadron pesawat amfibi berjumlah 12 hingga 16 unit (photo : Fyodor Borisov)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara Marsekal Agus Supriatna menyatakan matranya membutuhkan satu skadron pesawat pengawas tipe amfibi untuk memaksimalkan pengawasan Alur Laut Kepulauan Indonesia (ALKI) yang begitu luas.
Berdasarkan konvensi hukum laut internasional, ALKI merupakan alur untuk pelayaran dan penerbangan yang dapat dimanfatkan kapal atau pesawat asing. Keberadaan ALKI, kata Agus, berkaitan dengan peran TNI AU dalam mewujudkan Indonesia sebagai poros maritim dunia.
"Dengan ALKI I, II, III yang begitu luas, berarti harus ada kekuatan udara yang bisa cepat hadir di mana saja, yang bisa dobel fungsi, contohnya pesawat amfibi," kata Agus di sela Seminar Nasional Kedirgantaraan bertema ‘Meningkatkan Peran TNI Angkatan Udara dalam rangka Mewujudkan Indonesia sebagai Poros Maritim Dunia’ di Persada Executive Club Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta Timur, Senin (25/4).
ALKI I melintasi Laut China Selatan, Selat Karimata, Laut Jawa, dan Selat Sunda. ALKI II melintasi Laut Sulawesi, Selat Makassar, Laut Flores, dan Selat Lombok. Sementara ALKI III melintasi Samudra Pasifik, Laut Maluku, Laut Seram, Laut Banda, Selat Ombai, dan Laut Sawu.
Pengawasan udara di wilayah ALKI I yang juga membentang di atas Selat Malaka, kata Agus, membutuhkan minimal empat pesawat amfibi.
"Kalau berpikir ideal, kita bisa membayangkan berapa luas wilayah Indonesia. ALKI I saja sudah luas. Berarti minimum sudah butuh empat pesawat," ujar Agus.
Maka dengan wilayah Indonesia yang memiliki tiga ALKI, kata Agus, dibutuhkan setidaknya satu skadron pesawat amfibi yang berjumlah 12 hingga 16 unit.
"Itu (satu skadron) kebutuhan minimalnya," ujar Agus.
TNI AU saat ini sudah memiliki pesawat amfibi, namun tak mencukupi. Dua di antara pesawat amfibi yang dipunyai Indonesia ialah Albatross dan Catalina. Pesawat-pesawat itu biasa digunakan untuk patroli, operasi SAR, dan pemadaman kebakaran hutan.
Agus menyerahkan pengadaan alat utama sistem senjata udara yang dibutuhkan TNI AU kepada Kementerian Pertahanan. Sementara TNI AU hanya mengirimkan spesifikasi teknis sesuai kebutuhan matra mereka.
"Masalah jenis pesawatnya apa, nanti tanyakan ke Kemhan. Kalo kami urus spesifikasi. Butuh yang seperti apa," ujar Agus.
Pada kesempatan yang sama, anggota Komisi I DPR Mayjen Purnawirawan Supiadin Aries Saputra mengatakan peran TNI AU tidak mudah dalam mengamankan poros maritim dunia karena kondisi alutsista saat ini yang belum maksimal.
Pengadaan alutsista, ujar Aries, harus berdasarkan kebutuhan pengguna, bukan kepentingan pihak lain di luar TNI.
(CNN)
