Silentium Secures Contract to Deliver Passive Radar Systems for Army

29 Juli 2021

The Maverick M-series passive radar system from Silentium Defence (photo: Silentium Defence)

ADELAIDE, SA – Silentium Defence has secured a (AU) $7.4 million contract from the Department of Defence to supply its MAVERICK M-series passive radar system to the Australian Army for capability development and evaluation activities.

Silentium’s MAVERICK M-series is the first high-performance, low-power, soldier-portable, covert radar system for air defence, land, and maritime surveillance. It provides critical sovereign capability for the ADF and its allies and an undeniable advantage in the air, land, and maritime domains – the ability to see without being seen.

Dr James Palmer, CEO Silentium Defence said, “the battlespace continues to evolve, and we see greater penetration of new, unmanned aerial systems alongside traditional threats that put our troops, operations, and assets in harm’s way.

“Comprehensive situational awareness with sufficient time to act has never been more critical.

“Our MAVERICK M-series passive radar system, designed in collaboration with Defence provides that awareness without compromise. This is true world class technology, developed right here in Australia.”

A complementary or replacement technology to traditional surveillance systems, MAVERICK M-series passive radars use existing energy in the environment (e.g. broadcast television signals) as their transmission source. As it does not emit, it does not highlight the user’s presence or create a radiation hazard, making it quick, safe, and easy to deploy, even in densely populated environments.

Unlike traditional active radar systems, passive radar does not require spectrum allocation to operate which makes it more cost effective to deploy in a world where spectrum is increasingly expensive and elusive to secure.

MAVERICK M-series is part of Silentium Defence’s broader passive surveillance product suite that includes other high-performance sensor systems for critical Space Domain Awareness and Air Traffic Management and addresses a combined $19bn global market opportunity.

(Silentium)

Rantis P6 ATAV V3 Raih Sertifikat Kelaikan Militer

28 Juli 2021

Kendaraan taktis P6 ATAV V3 (photo : SSE)

Penandatanganan dan Penyerahan Sertifikat Kelaikan Militer Rantis P6 ATAV V3 All Terrain Assault Vehicle Produksi PT SSE Surya Sentra Ekajaya

Penandatanganan serta penyerahan Sertifikat Kelaikan Militer Rantis P6 ATAV V3 (All Terrain Assault Vehicle) pengadaan Kemhan guna Korpaskhas TNI-AU oleh Kapuslaik Kemhan Laksma TNI Teguh Sugiono S.E., M.M kepada bapak Billy selaku perwakilan PT. Surya Sentra Ekajaya sebagai produsen Rantis P6 ATAV V3 tersebut dilaksanakan di Ruang Kerja Kapuslaik Lt 10 Gd. AH Nasution Kemhan RI. 

Penandatanganan dan penyerahan Sertifikat Kelaikan Militer dilaksanakan setelah seluruh proses kegiatan sertifikasi kelaikan yang meliputi kegiatan aplikasi, verifikasi dokumen/review documen, pemeriksaan kesesuaian/conformity inpection serta pengujian fungsi/functional test sudah sesuai dan memenuhi syarat kelaikan. Kegiatan tersebut berlangsung aman dan lancar serta mematuhi Protokol Kesehatan Covid-19.

Rantis P6 ATAV V3 produksi PT. Surya Sentra Ekajaya yang memiliki fungsi sebagai kendaraan serbu reaksi cepat, P6 V3 cocok digunakan dalam pertempuran hutan maupun perkotaan yang dilengkapi dengan perlindungan kaca maupun body tahan terhadap tembakan Level 1-Stanag dan dilengkapi RCWS serta Gunshot Detection System. Kendaraan maupun peralatan tersebut akan di gunakan oleh Satuan Bravo Korpaskhas TNI-AU dalam tugas khusus.

(Kemhan)

Vietnamese Frigates are Beautiful and Sparkling during the Military Parade in Vladivostok

28 Juli 2021

HQ-015 and HQ-016 during parade in Vladivostok (all photos : VL, KienThuc)

Two Gepard 3.9 frigates of the Vietnamese Navy were lavishly decorated to participate in the naval parade in Vladivostok, Russia.

Two frigates, Quang Trung 016 and Tran Hung Dao of the Vietnam People's Navy, were lavishly decorated when participating in the naval parade held in the Far East, Russia.

The naval parade is held annually by Russia, to celebrate the birth of the country's navy, and also an opportunity to show off its military might in the Pacific region.

This parade is often held with the participation of many foreign guests, including Vietnam. This is not the first time that Vietnamese frigates appear in this parade.

During the official ceremony yesterday, July 25 local time, Russian President Putin stated that Russia has the ability to launch destructive attacks, with any which opponent.

Putin stressed that the Russian military has enough strength to deal with threats in the air, on the water, under the water or on land, and will not tolerate any target.

Previously, two ships Quang Trung and Tran Hung Dao of the Vietnam People's Navy were present in Vladivostok on July 22, ready to participate in the parade.

Due to the complicated situation of the COVID-19 epidemic around the world, the number of warships participating in the naval parade in Russia this year was not as rich as in previous years.

Two Vietnamese frigates will also participate in the Army Games 2021 tournament in the Sea Cup category. This will also be the first time, we participate in a competition at sea.

Two frigates Tran Hung Dao and Quang Trung, we ordered from Russia in the second phase, after owning two ships Dinh Tien Hoang 011 and Ly Thai To 012 in the service.

The ship Tran Hung Dao 016 was launched from April 2016, and officially joined the force of Region 4 of Vietnam Navy in February 2018.

Meanwhile, the Quang Trung 016 ship, although launched a month later than the Tran Hung Dao ship, was also commissioned at the same time as the 015.

Compared with the original design of these two corvettes, the Vietnamese navy has creatively designed an additional aircraft compartment on the rear deck, in order to facilitate good preservation of weapons and vehicles.

Russia's Gepard 3.9 frigates are specially designed, with a hull structure that allows to minimize radar emissions, the ship has 10 completely separate watertight compartments with dual rudders, for high stability when traveling work.

In addition to Vietnam, currently the Russian Navy is also using two frigates of this type in the fleet of the Caspian Sea.

(Kien Thuc)

Thai Navy Outlines Submarine Plan but Procurement Faces Funding Hurdles

28 Juli 2021

Janes Defence Budgets forecasts that Thailand's military expenditure will grow strongly from around 2023 (infographic : Jane's)

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has reproposed a plan to procure two additional submarines from China for THB22.5 billion (USD685 million).

The plan has been shelved since April 2020 due to fiscal constraints linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, although the RTN confirmed on 18 July that it has proposed that initial funding for the procurement is sourced from Thailand's defence budget for fiscal year 2022, which starts October 2021.

However, the annual military expenditure is not yet approved, and government officials have indicated a possible move to block the submarine funding in light of Thailand's worsening Covid-19 outbreak. Janes understands that the RTN may also postpone the procurement by another year due to political pressure.

The RTN reaffirmed the procurement plan on 17 July in a press conference in Bangkok. RTN spokesperson Admiral Chettha Jaipiam said the procurement was part of a “package deal” with China, following the RTN's order of a first-in-class S26T diesel-electric submarine from the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company (CSOC) in 2017.

Admiral Chettha added that the RTN had also renegotiated with China the procurement repayment terms through which costs will reduce in the first year of the acquisition by one-third. The RTN is aiming to procure the two additional submarines over seven years, with the initial payment from fiscal year 2022.

Thailand's 2022 defence budget was announced in May at THB203.28 billion (USD6.5 billion) but has yet to be approved by the House of Representatives, which meets this month to discuss the allocation. A senior House official quoted by the official media in Thailand said that both the opposition and the government opposed the submarine procurement during the pandemic.

(Jane's)

Indonesia Continues Negotiations of RK-360MC Neptune

27 Juli 2021

RK-360MC coastal anti-ship missile (photo : UKrainian MoD)

Oleg Korostelov, the general designer of LUCH Design Bureau, told about this in an interview with Novinarny, news.depo.ua.

He noted that negotiations on the acquisition are underway at various stages. The biggest progress is now with Indonesia, which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the supply of a coastal mobile missile system RK-360MC Neptune.

"Indonesia continues negotiations, they are interested in our "Neptune". There are two more countries, but negotiations with them are still a very raw beginning, and it is too early to talk about it," Korostelov said.

Thus, Indonesia may become the first foreign buyer of the Neptune complex, which on August 23, 2020 was adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Now RK-360 MC "Neptune" - a complex of surface-to-surface cruise missiles with anti-ship missile designed to destroy warships of cruiser, destroyer, frigate, corvette, landing ships tank and vehicles, as well as coastal radio-contrast targets, in any weather conditions at any time of day and night, with active fire and electronic countermeasures of the enemy. 

(News.Depo)

RAAF C-27J Role Redefined for HADR

27 Juli 2021

An Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 (photo : Aus DoD)

Spartan to enhance response and engagements

Defence is enhancing support for humanitarian disaster relief, crisis response and regional engagements by redefining the role of the C-27J Spartan aircraft.

The Spartan’s new role will enhance Australia’s humanitarian and emergency response to natural disasters in Australia and our near region, regional engagement across the Indo-Pacific including through Pacific Step-Up, and the Australian Defence Force’s military logistics and air mobility capability.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC, said the Spartan’s capabilities were aligned with Defence’s strategic objectives to shape Australia’s strategic environment, deter actions against our interests and when required, respond with credible military force.

“The Spartan demonstrated its specific capabilities during the 2019/20 Australian bushfire crisis by safely evacuating 2,400 fire-affected community members and resupplying remote communities that were inaccessible by larger aircraft, which included moving 300,000 kilograms of cargo,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“The Spartan conducted these missions at a range that exceeded the ability of Defence helicopters because of its flexibility and the inherent operational characteristics of a light tactical fixed wing aircraft.”

Head of Air Force Capability, Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, AM, CSC, highlighted the Spartan’s contribution to ADF contingency response, and its value in providing assistance to regional neighbours.

“The use of the Spartan on exercises such as Arnhem Thunder and Talisman Sabre to deliver vital stores to expeditionary airbases, showcases its ability to reach remote and austere airbases.

“And it has also recently transported medical supplies and equipment to Port Moresby to assist PNG in the fight against COVID-19; as well as contributed to Australia’s support to regional maritime security and fisheries protection on the high seas through deployments on Operations Resolute and Solania,” Air Vice-Marshal Roberts said.

Redefining the role of the Spartan will ensure Defence delivers an airlift capability that meets Australia’s requirements, providing vital support to the nation and our near region.

The Australian Defence Force has a long and proud history of supporting our whole‑of-government regional assistance efforts, including logistics and specialist support for the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

(Aus DoD)

PCG’s 1st 94-meter Patrol Vessel Launched in Japan

27 Juli 2021

Launching of MMRVs 94 meters (all photos : Presidential Comm, PCG)

The first of two 94-meter multi-role response vessels (MMRVs) acquired by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase II (MSCIP Phase 2) has been launched at the Shimonoseki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Japan today, 26 July 2021.

The two MRRVs will be the largest vessels of the PCG’s fleet, once delivered. These MRRV’s modeled after the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Kunigami-class vessels are expected to improve the PCG’s maritime security and maritime safety capabilities.

Each of the new MRRVs measure approximately 94 meters, has a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots, and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles. The ships are capable of conducting sustained maritime patrols in the country’s maritime jurisdictions, including the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise.

In addition, the two vessels will significantly boost the capabilities of the PCG in conducting maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

Through the accelerated construction of the Japanese shipbuilder, the first 94-meter MRRV is expected to arrive in Manila by March 2022, while the second vessel will arrive two months later or by May 2022.

The addition of the two new MRRVs to the PCG’s fleet is welcomed by DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade who stressed that the acquisition of new vessels is a breakthrough towards the government’s thrust of modernizing and upgrading the country’s maritime safety and border protection.

“The modernization of Philippine Coast Guard has been going fast and quick and very meaningful. In fact, in this effort to make it quick, fast, and very meaningful, the government of Japan has contributed very much. And to which I express my appreciation for your continued support,” Secretary Tugade said.

The new vessels, according to the DOTr Secretary, will be of great help in responding to maritime incidents in the country’s waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), such as in the conduct of search and rescue operations and maritime security patrols, as well as in the enforcement of marine environmental laws, among others.

For his part, PCG Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr noted that the addition of the two MRRVs – the biggest in the fleet – is a big stride in strengthening the country’s maritime security and maritime safety capabilities.

“We are making a milestone, not just for the Department of Transportation and Philippine Coast Guard, but also for the Philippines – acquiring the first-ever biggest ship for the Coast Guard. It is a 94-meter multi-role response vessel. It is a big stride in the development of our country in the context of maritime security and maritime safety,” Admiral Ursabia expressed.

The MSCIP Phase 2 is a Japanese-assisted project funded by an Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounting to approximately JPY 16,455,000,000 (JPY 16.5 billion).

The contract between the DOTr and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for the design, construction, and delivery of the two 94-meter MRRVs amounting to JPY 14,550,000,000 (JPY 14.6 billion) was signed on 27 December 2019 and became effective on 08 May 2020. 

(PCG)