24 Desember 2014
RAAF C-27J Spartan (photo : Aus DoD)
Royal Australian Air Force personnel have commenced training on the C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlifter in the United States after the the first two aircraft were transferred to the Australian register.
Air Force Director General Capability Planning Air Commodore Mike Kitcher said the first Spartans were expected in Australia by mid-2015.
“A total of 10 aircraft will be delivered over the next two years, operated by No. 35 Squadron initially from RAAF Base Richmond,” AIRCDRE Kitcher said.
“The C-27J will integrate seamlessly with existing Defence transports such as Army’s CH-47 Chinooks and Air Force’s C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster III.”
Commander of Air Mobility Group Air Commodore Warren McDonald said the C-27J would access airfields unsuitable for larger aircraft.
“Across the Asia Pacific region, there are numerous airfields which are too small or otherwise unsuitable for aircraft such as the C-130J,” AIRCDRE McDonald said.
“The C-27J will have the capacity to carry useful loads such as personnel or vehicles, and be capable of delivering loads on the ground or by airdrop.”
“It is a proven platform that, in service with foreign air forces, has delivered frontline airlift in theatres such as Africa, Afghanistan, and the Philippines.”
On 8 December 2014, the first four technicians from No. 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond commenced their training at Waco, Texas. The first 12 aircrew, comprising pilots and loadmasters from No. 35 Squadron, will commence their training in January 2015.
On 15 December 2014, Spartan A34-001 conducted a training flight for the first time under the Australian Flag in Waco, Texas. This training flight carried instructors from L-3 Communications, who will provide training to RAAF personnel on the Spartan.
(Aus DoD)
23 Desember 2014
The Philippine Navy is known to operate 107 to 110 naval ships in its fleet (photo : pdff)
MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) will decomission five to 10 ships once its new vessels start arriving within the next two years.
The PN is expected to receive two strategic sealift vessels by 2016 and 2017, two state-of-the-art and fully armed frigates, and missile-armed MPACs (multi-purpose assault craft by 2017 and 2018.
This was announced by Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad.
The vessels that will be decommissioned are those too old and worn-out, making repairs and upgrades very uneconomical.
He added that arrival of these new ships will make the PN more capable in protecting the country's vast maritime domains against intruders and poachers.
The PN is known to operate 107 to 110 naval ships in its fleet. Of these, 10 to 12 are classified as ocean going or capable of patrolling vast distance.
While the rest are medium to small patrol craft and logistics and service ships.
These include the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates, three Jacinto-class patrol vessels and seven other World War II escort destroyers still in service with the PN.
(PNA)
23 Desember 2014
Acceptance factory level of two corvettes M3, M4 (photo : ThanhNien)
(TNO) Corporation Bason (General Department of Defense Industry) has organized to plant or two corvettes M3, M4.
From 15 to 21 December Ba Son Corporation held trials plant or two rocket ships (12,418 design, pair of 2 - M3, M4) on the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. These are 2 of 6 rocket by the Corporation Ba Son shipbuilding contract to the Navy from 2009 on the basis of technology transfer agreements between Vietnam and Russia.
Acceptance process has checked the operation of the equipment on board in accordance with document processes, test methods aim to try and test the entire functionality of the ship Specifications.
To try and examine the possibility of attack, defense of the ship, in addition to using two newbuildings have similar features to check all the possibilities for navigation, corporations Bason also combined use of aircraft to direct fighters to perform the calibration test the ability to not.
Test results show that M3 and M4 are closed vessel with the design, quality assurance and art. The system normal operation, the specifications, tactical requirements are achieved and exceeded.
Under the plan, the pair will be 2 ships the Navy and Department of Defense organizations and acceptance of 1/2015 you will then hand over to the Navy put to use.
This is one of the key activities of the factory celebrate 70 years of establishment of the People's Army of Vietnam.
(ThanhNien)
23 Desember 2014
Myanmar installed 8 C-802 Anti Ship Missile on their first Homemade Stealth Frigate F12 - UMS Kyansittha (photo : Myanmar Navy)
The Stealth Frigate F12 - Kyansittha is also being equipped with one 76 mm Oto Melara Super rapid gun ,4 AK-630 CIWS with help from China.Myanmar Navy has a plan to instal TY-90 SAM (Surface To Air Missile) on it.It can Carry one Z-9C Anti Submarine Helicopter.
C-802 Missile has 120 km range
Myanmar Navy currently operates 5 Frigate including 2 Stealth Frigate.
(DefenceBd)
23 Desember 2014
DND set to issue notice of award for 8 AAV (photo : Militaryphotos)
MANILA (PNA) -- To improve its landing assault capabilities, the Philippine Navy is acquiring eight units of amphibious assault vehicles for the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), according to PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad.
"The vehicles will be utilized to land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from the assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives and to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support missions in subsequent operations ashore," he said.
The amphibious assault vehicles can also provide direct fire support, screen and mechanized operations for international security operations.
"Similarly for humanitarian assistance disaster relief operations for devastated areas, having the capability of beaching during ship-to-shore movement of troops and cargoes," Taccad said.
He added that the project is now waiting for the Department of National Defense (DND) to issue a notice of award.
The DND has allocated PhP2.5 billion for the project.
The money will be sourced from the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.
This includes integrated logistic support, DND Bidding and Awards Committee vice chair Efren Fernandez earlier said.
Interested bidders must have completed a similar project within the last 10 years.
Winning bidders, meanwhile, must be capable of delivering the vehicles within 910 calendar days of the opening of the letter of credit.
(PNA)
22 Desember 2014
Hawk aircraft that will be used for patrolling Sabah’s airspace. (photo : NST)
TAWAU: JET-FIGHTERS, such as the Sukhoi SU-30MKM and Boeing F/A-18, will be patrolling Sabah’s skies in the near future as part of plans to expand Labuan’s airforce base.
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) air operations commander Lieutenant-General Datuk Seri Affendi Buang said while the BAE Hawk squadron had been based in Labuan since Nov 7, other fighter squadrons would soon be attached there as well.
“There is a Hawk squadron placed here for Sabah, but in the future, aircraft like the Sukhoi and F/A-18 would be deployed to the state,” he said after a working visit to RMAF’s Tawau air operations relief centre here, yesterday.
Affendi witnessed several aircraft sorties demonstrations, including hostage rescue operations performed by the Hawk and helicopter squadrons.
The relocation of the Hawk squadron from the Butterworth base to Labuan was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during the tabling of the 2015 Budget in October. It was part of the efforts to strengthen security in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone).
Affendi said the presence of the Hawk squadron would instil public confidence in the government’s commitment to ensure the safety of Sabah.
“Placing our fighter aircraft in Labuan is a strategic move to monitor Sabah’s east coast and the South China Sea.
“The Hawk aircraft will help us to strike and intercept. At the same time, we have an air defence radar that detects air traffic. We also will improve our assets from time to time.”
On the announcement by Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri that the armed forces would acquire six attack helicopters to reinforce operations in Esszone, Affendi said this would be done as soon as possible.
“The helicopters would be equipped with Gatling guns, which should be effective in assisting the security teams on land.”
Apas assemblyman Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan who was present, expressed gratitude that security assets in Sabah were given priority.
(NewStraitsTimes)
22 Desember 2014
U.S. Marines and Philippine soldiers prepare to fire an M777 howitzer during Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 (photo : USMC)
MANILA (PNA) --- The Philippine Navy (PN) is acquiring six 155-millimeter howitzers to improve the fire support and attack capability of its Marine units.
"The project will be an additional capability for the Marines especially in the conduct of fire support for its operating forces," Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said.
Aside from the gun tubes, sufficient stocks of 155mm ammunition will be also acquired, he added.
Six 155mm gun tubes are equivalent to one heavy artillery battery.
The weapon has a maximum range of 14,600 meters. The 155mm battery will supplement the existing 105mm guns of the Marines which only has an effective range of 11,270 meters.
"The artillery system (will be) equipped with fire control computers, muzzle velocity radars, inertial navigation and target acquisition systems. It (will) provide the most responsive and accurate fire support to maneuver infantry battalions with maximum lethal effect and larger target range. As of now, the project is for re-bidding," Taccad said.
(PNA)
