PT DI Siap Kirim 10 Helikopter & 7 Pesawat Pesanan TNI

24 April 2013

Pesawat CN-235 Patmar untuk TNI AL (photo : Fahriza Alif)

Bandung - PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) menyelesaikan produksi belasan pesawat dan helikopter pesanan Kementerian Pertahanan (Kemhan) RI untuk kebutuhan alutsista tiga satuan TNI. Jumlah transportasi udara yang diracik PT DI terdiri dari 10 helikopter dan 7 pesawat.

Juru Bicara PT DI Sonny S Ibrahim mengatakan pesanan yang akan diserahkan pada 2013 ini masing-masing tiga unit pesawat CN 295 untuk TNI AU, tiga unit pesawat CN 235 PATMAR untuk TNI AL, satu unit pesawat jenis NC 212 untuk TNI AU, dan satu unit helikopter jenis Super Puma NAS 332 untuk TNI AU.

"Untuk 2013 sudah enam unit helikopter Bell 412 EP diserahkan kepada TNI AD. Satu lagi di tahun ini segera menyusul," jelas Sonny kepada wartawan di kantor PT DI, Bandung, Rabu (24/4/2013).

Helikopter Bell 412 EP untuk TNI AD (photo : Detik)

Sonny menambahkan, alat transportasi udara itu diproduksi sejak 2011-2012. Ia menegaskan, seluruh pesawat dan helikoter tersebut dilengkapi intial spare part.

"Semua pesawat yang diserahkan Kemhan untuk TNI, PT DI menjamin kelaikan terbangnya sesuai dengan persyaratan pengguna dan regulasi pemerintah untuk pesawat militer. Intinya, PT DI siap mendukung alutsista dalam negeri," tutur Sonny.

Pada 2014-2015, sambung Sonny, PT DI sudah siap menyelesaikan pesawat dan helikopter pesanan Kemhan.

Rencananya guna memenuhi kebutuhan TNI AU, 2014 diserahkan dua unit CN 295, dan dua unit pesawat sejenis diserahkan 2015. Di 2014 satu unit Super Puma NAS 332 diserahkan ke TNI AU. Sementara enam unit helikopter Cougar EC 725 dipesan TNI AU, PT DI akan menyerahkan dua unit pada 2014 dan empat unit pada 2015 mendatang.

(Detik)

Acquisition of 21 Choppers for Election Support Stalls

24 April 2013

Acquisition of 21 refurbished Huey choppers for the Philippine Air Force has been stalled, but officers insist this would not hinder PAF's ability to support the Comelec airlift of poll materials to far-flung, risky areas.(photo : Rice Aircraft)

MANILA, Philippines – Delivery of 21 refurbished Huey helicopters meant to augment the air assets of the Philippine Air Force in helping Comelec airlift materials to far-flung, risky territory has stalled, but Department of National Defense (DND) officials insist this will not hinder the PAF’s work.

A check with PAF on the status of the acquisition revealed there was no update yet about the reported acquisition of the choppers. This, even though Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin had earlier said the acquisition of the choppers can be done before the May 13 polls.

Despite the stalled acquisition, PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said there are enough choppers for the lift requirement, and the absence of the 21 choppers would not disrupt the military’s capability to support Comelec’s requirements.

Okol noted, “the term is augment,” so non-delivery of the 21 will not unduly impact operations. “Of course, if the units will come on time, this will make it easier and better for us. But we assure you that with or without the additional 21 choppers this will not impede or hold or stop our operations especially the requirements that will be needed for that activity (election).”

PAF now has 16 operational Hueys, or 51 units fewer than the ideal number of units.

Still, Okol stressed that other air assets from the 505th Search-And-Rescue (SAR) and 205th Helicopter Wing may be used in case of emergency.

PAF chief Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz earlier directed key officers and units to prepare the needed air assets to support the Comelec in ferrying election materials. According to Okol, “our air assets are being used to transport election materials especially to far-flung places where land transportation is bogged down.”

Poland-based PZL Swidnik recently completed the delivery of 8 brand-new Sokol helicopters to PAF. The choppers are also ready anytime for Comelec’s use.

‘Issues’ with Korean-made lead jets

As this developed, the Philippine and South Korean governments are still threshing out “issues” involved in Manila’s acquisition of two squadron of T50 South Korean-made lead jets, said Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo.

He said Manila is “waiting for some requirements that should be provided by South Korea,” but did not elaborate on what he called other issues that must also be resolved including the Terms of Preferences (TOR).

Manalo is confident such issues could be resolved by end-April and the contract for the acquisition could be signed in May.

(InterAksyon)

Kraz to Supply 6x6 Trucks to Thailand

24 April 2013

Kraz 5 ton 6x6 truck (photo : Militaryphotos)

“AutoKrAZ” Wins the Tender for Delivery of KrAZ Trucks after Severe Struggle

PJSC “AutoKrAZ” has won the tender for delivery of large lot of KrAZ trucks for the needs of Royal Thai Army. Trucks to be delivered will be provided with the YaMZ-238ДЕ2-33 engine rated at 330 hp (Еuro 3), the 9JS150TA-B transmission and the MFZ-430 clutch. All the trucks are right-hand drive.

At the customer’s request the trucks will be provided with hydraulic winch by leading global producer Sepson (Sweden). The contract award was preceded by tough comparative tests over a protracted period, where KrAZ participated along with other manufacturers of similar vehicles.

According to test program, the vehicles competed in the harshest climatic and environmental conditions of this country. Ukrainian truck achieved flawless victory in hard competitive struggle continuously keeping ahead of its rivals and demonstrating the best results in trial. This was a crucial factor in opting for KrAZ truck.

PJSC “AutoKrAZ” has proceeded with contract performance, with shipment set for August of this year.

(AutoKraz)

DSTO to Launch High-Tech Military Vehicle Simulator

24 April 2013

The Land Motion Platform simulates the movement of military vehicles (photo : DSTO)

Research driving a new fleet of Army vehicles

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, today joined the Member for Wakefield, Nick Champion to launch a new high-tech military vehicle simulator designed to replicate field conditions across different terrain.

The Land Motion Platform has been developed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to study the simulated movement of military vehicles.

Mr Snowdon said the primary function of the simulator would be to provide advice on how to best integrate technology with Army vehicles.

'This research represents a shift away from Army vehicles being viewed as just a means for transport and logistics – advances in technology will see our next fleet of Army vehicles operate as fully networked state-of-the-art technology hubs,' Mr Snowdon said.

The simulator will allow researchers to better understand human performance in a range of battle-like conditions, including a feature that can track the operator’s eye state.

'The DSTO research will provide answers on how our soldiers can operate effectively and safely in these unstable conditions while using sensitive electronic equipment,' Mr Snowdon added.  

Mr Champion said the technology being developed by DSTO was world-class.

'We have an outstanding range of extremely talented men and women working hard here in South Australia to make sure our deployed Defence personnel are armed with the latest in technology,' Mr Champion said.

'This is about giving our troops the best technology possible to keep them safe and support them in doing their tough jobs.'

(DSTO)

Philippine Nears Deal on Purchase of Korean Fighter Jets

23 April 2013

KAI F/A-50 Golden Eagle (photo : Militaryphotos)

MANILA - The Department of National Defense (DND) is in the last stages of procuring 12 fighter jets from South Korea worth P18 billion.

Some of the hitches that authorities saw in the transaction can be ironed out by May.

DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said the terms of reference could be finished by next month. The terms of reference contains provisions on the delivery, technical specifications, payment scheme, among others.

“It’s in the final stages of crafting, in preparation for the procurement of the jets…After that (crafting of TOR), the contract follows, the negotiations for the contract (starts)," he said.

DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel Fernando Manalo said issues will need to be clarified before a contract is pursued.

"Within the month of May, the issues may be resolved…(We're hoping) that the issues will be settled within the month of May," said Manalo.

Asked when the contract will finally be signed, he said: "We are following a process.”

The purchase of the fighter jets is part of the military's modernization program.

It is also a signal that the country will finally have a "credible external defense."

The Air Force decommissioned its F-5s in 2005, leaving the country without a legitimate fighter aircraft to address external threats, such as in the West Philippine Sea.

(ABS CBN News)

BHIC Sub-subsidiary Gets 2 Contracts Worth RM515 Million

23 April 2013

Thales SMART-S surveillance radar (photo : thales)

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd (BHIC) has announced that its sub-subsidiary, Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn Bhd (CAD), today accepted two letters of award (LOAs) from Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) in relation to the contract for the Second Generation Patrol Vessels/Littoral Combat Ships (LCS Programme).

Thales Captas variable depth sonar (photo : Navy Recognition)

BNS is an associate company of BHIC and a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd.

In a statement Monday, BHIC said the awards are to supply Thales Underwater Systems combined active/passive towed array sonar (CAPTAS) with simulators, and Thales Nederland B.V. SMART-S surveillance radar with simulators, for the LCS Programme.

Thales Captas is a Low Frequency Active and Passive Variable Depth Sonar for Large Platform   (image : Thales)

The awarded works, valued at RM287.02 million and RM227.97 million respectively, are over an implementation period of up to 10 years from the commencement date, BHIC said.

The awards are expected to have a positive impact on its earnings for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2013 and subsequent financial years, it added.

(Bernama)

Pindad Siap Luncurkan Tank Pertama Buatan RI

22 April 2013

Tank medium rancangan Pindad : mengadopsi kemampuan Leopard (image : istimewa)

Bandung - PT Pindad (Persero) akan meluncurkan kendaraan tempur roda rantai atau tank. Tank yang rencananya akan dirilis merupakan tank tempur tipe ringan atau light dan medium versi Indonesia. 

Hal disampaikan Kepala Departemen Produksi II (Divisi Kendaraan Khusus), Hery Mochtady kepada detikFinance di Kantor Pusat Pindad, Jalan Gatot Subroto, Bandung, Jawa Barat, Rabu (17/4/2013).

“Kalau light tank kita sudah punya prototype awal. Kalau medium kita masih tahapan konsep desain atau mematangkan desainnya seperti apa sih,” tutur Hery.

Untuk konsep tank versi light, Pindad mengadopsi tenologi dan desain tank jenis Scorpion buatan Inggris. Nantinya, tank ini, akan dikendalikan oleh tiga orang yakni bertindak sebagai commander, gunner dan driver.

“Kalau light tank itu skala Scorpion, kalau medium itu skala dengan Marder. Ke sana kita akan kembangkan. Kalau kelas heavy seperti Leopard sepertinya kita belum. Itu terlalu berat. Kita lebih cocok di medium tapi persenjentaan kita bisa pakai misil anti tank atau pakai 105 kaliber besar,” tambahnya.

Meskipun akan mengembangkan 2 tipe tank yakni tipe light dan medium. Kemampuan senjata, tetap bisa ditingkatkan atau mengadopsi kemampuan heavy tank seperti Leopard.

“Teknologi sudah berkembang, tank medium pun mampu membawa senjata dengan kaliber besar,” sebutnya.

Untuk komponen, Hery mengakui, pihaknya di Pindad tetap memprioritaskan komponen lokal. Namun, saat komponen tersebut tidak dijual atau dikembangkan di dalam negeri, pihaknya baru membeli dari luar negeri.

“Tapi secara realistis, kita masih terbatas untuk power pack, engine, transmisi, dan cooling. Kita belum ada yang supply. Kalau senjata kaliber besar, kita masih impor karena di dalam negeri belum ada. Tapi kita usahakan, setiap kegiatan development setiap. Kalau terpaksa dengan luar negeri, kita harus ada TOT (transfer of technology), apa yang bisa kita ambil dari sana. Minimal kita tahu, konsep desain dan kalkulisinya seperti apa,” tegasnya.

(Detik)