26 September 2018
Ships from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sailing in formation at Exercise Singaroo. (photo : Sing Mindef)
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) participated in the bilateral maritime exercise, Exercise Singaroo, from 14 to 25 September 2018. The closing ceremony was held earlier today at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base and was co-officiated by Deputy Commanding Officer of the RSN's Missile Corvette Squadron Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Tan and Commanding Officer of HMAS Stuart Commander Chris Leece.
This year's Exercise Singaroo is the nineteenth in the series since its inauguration in 1995. The exercise was conducted in Darwin, Australia and in the southern reaches of the South China Sea. The RSN participated with two Victory-class missile corvettes, RSS Valiant and RSS Vigour, embarked with ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The RAN deployed one Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart, supported by a replenishment oiler HMAS Sirius. During the sea phase, participating ships and air assets conducted naval surface warfare serials, anti-air gunnery firings, communication exercises and encounter exercises where the UAVs were deployed to provide constant localised surveillance and threat identification.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Commanding Officer of RSS Valiant, Lieutenant Colonel Tan Say Yong said, "Exercise Singaroo is the mainstay exercise for the RSN and RAN. The exercise allows us to build on our friendship and enhance interoperability between our two navies."
Exercise Singaroo is one of many bilateral military interactions between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force, underscoring the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Australia. In addition to bilateral and multilateral exercises, both armed forces also interact frequently through high-level visits, professional exchanges and military courses.
(Sing Mindef)
26 September 2018
ECA Group’s Airborne Drone IT180 (photos : ECA)
STERNA flies for Indonesian Navy - The first Magnetic Measurement Mission by UAV
For the first time, a drone has been used to check the magnetic signature of a vessel in order to assess its vulnerability against underwater mines and other unfriendly detectors. STERNA is the first UAV based portable aerial magnetic range used by a navy in operational conditions. The UAV based solution STERNA, has been deployed by the Indonesian Navy in July 2018.
STERNATM is based on ECA Group’s airborne drone IT180, a compact, high-performance mini-UAV VTOL (complementary to the VTOL UAVs of the higher categories) embedding a magnetometer and its digitizer. This system is a part of set-up degaussing systems in compliance with NATO standards.
Developed by ECA Group in 2016, STERNATM is a portable aerial ranging solution able to measure the magnetic signature of vessels. This solution is an innovative patented system rewarded with the innovation award by the French Minister of Defence in 2016. The first contract for this innovative ship protection system was awarded in early 2017 (see press release from 27th February 2017).
Today, ECA Group announces a first successful mission at sea for Indonesian Navy.
To perform a magnetic measurement using a drone the key points are to:
-Use the norm of the magnetic vector instead of the three axes relatives’ components
-Know how to compensate the carrier (drone) own magnetism;
-Know how to correct sensors’ errors
See full article ECA Group
ECA Group awarded a contract by an Asian MOD for degaussing & UAV IT180 based magnetic ranging system
ECA Group will supply Degaussing Systems and UAV IT180 based Magnetic Ranging Systems to an Asian Ministry of Defence through a Contract of more than 7 million euros.
ECA Group will supply Degaussing Systems and UAV IT180 based Magnetic Ranging Systems to an Asian Ministry of Defence through a Contract of more than 7 million euros.
The knowledge of the ship signature and efficiency of its Signature Reduction System is of prime importance to assess vulnerability against underwater mines and unfriendly detectors. To reduce the magnetic signature of Client’s vessels, ECA Group will provide and set-up degaussing systems in compliance with NATO standards.
To perform magnetic signature vessel’s measurement, ECA Group will deliver its patented portable magnetic ranging systems, called STERNA® based on UAV IT180 technology.
STERNA® is the best combination of an IT180 UAV and an embedded magnetometer and its digitizer. To perform the mapping in a horizontal plane of the vessel, STERNA® overflies the vessel. Data are analyzed and degaussing parameters are computed.
This ECA Group innovation was awarded by the Innovation Trophy during Euronaval tradeshow for their patent named STERNA®. This patent combines the use of an UAV (for example, the UAV IT180) and a magnetic sensor carried by the drone to measure the ship’s magnetic field.
Integrating a robust industrial design and functionalities, this innovative and cost-effective solution is adapted for Navies seeking for reliable, modular and fast-deployable operational tools in order to secure the vessel and the crew.
ECA Group estimates the market for this new technological solution up to 30 M€ for the next 5 years.
(ECA Group)
26 September 2018
Z-10ME attack helicopter (photos : ChinaMil)
New Z-10ME helicopter ready for business: analyst
Photographs of apparently modified Z-10 helicopters are trending on online military forums, prompting a Chinese analyst on Thursday to note the Z-10 is a cost-effective piece of military equipment with great potential to be sold on the global arms market.
The photos show helicopters in desert camouflage with "Z10ME001" stenciled on their tails, similar to a prototype publicized by Z-10 designer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (CAIC) in 2016.
The Z-10ME was an improved version of the Z-10 in use by ground and air forces of the People's Libration Army, according to a 2016 report published in Chinese military magazine Ordnance Industry Science Technology.
A new engine will be installed that may increase the chopper's maximum power from 935 kilowatts to 1,200 kilowatts, the magazine reported. The Z-10ME also has improved mobility, protection and firepower, the article said.
Z-10 medium attack helicopters can be adapted to the desert and the sea, military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Thursday.
The Z-10 can also adjust to different weathers, Song noted.
"Many countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America are in need of medium attack helicopters cheaper than the US-made AH-64 Apache but with sufficient firepower," Song said.
Song referred to the Z-10 as a cost-effective choice, over which China enjoys full intellectual property rights. "Therefore, we (China) can offer effective after-sales service and even accept loans and some technology transfer," Song said.
The Z-10ME might debut publicly at the Zhuhai Air Show to be held in China's Guangdong Province in November, Song believed.
The PLA has had the Z-10 for about a decade, and it was "time to explore the global market," Song said.
Potential buyers include Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, according to Song.
(Global Times)
26 September 2018
TNI AU akan menempatkan 1 flight berisi empat pesawat tempur di Batam (photo : Antara)
Batam: Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI AU) akan menempatkan satu flight di kawasan Bandara Hang Nadim Batam. Penempatan tersebut untuk menunjang pembangunan Batam sebagai kawasan ekonomi dan menjaga wilayah perbatasan dari ancaman dan gangguan keamanan.
Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Udara (KSAU) Marsekal TNI Yuyu Sutisna mengatakan satu flight tersebut diisi empat pesawat tempur.
"Hal ini juga dimaksudkan untuk mengantisipasi perkembangan yang ada. Selain itu, perkembangan ekonomi, juga dari segi geostrategis dan geopolitik. Kami memandang perlu menempatkan pesawat sebagai efek tangkal," kata Yuyu di Aula Gedung Marketing BP Batam, Selasa, 25 September 2018.
Menurutnya, TNI AU tidak bermaksud membangun pangkalan militer dan menempatkan skuadron secara permamen di Hang Nadim Batam. Pangkalan yang dibutuhkan TNI AU hanya pangkalan kecil untuk aktivitas dan lalu lintas pesawat tempur.
"Jadi sifatnya temporary. Pesawat tempur disiagakan jika sewaktu-waktu dibutuhkan," jelas Sutisna.
Sutisna mengatakan TNI AU sudah sering menyiagakan pesawat tempur di Hang Nadim, seperti jenis Sukhoi, F16, Hercules, dan lainnya.
Namun hal itu dirasa kurang efektif karena pergerakan pesawat tempur TNI AU dapat mengganggu lalu lintas pesawat komersial Bandara Hang Nadim Batam.
"Hasil diskusi bersama Kepala BP Batam, kami berharap diberi tempat (lahan) membangun pangkalan kecil supaya lebih private dan tidak mengganggu yang lain," ungkap Sutisna.
Meski telah menemukan kata sepakat dengan Kepala BP Batam Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo, Sutisna mengatakan pengajuan lahan pembangunan pangkalan TNI AU tersebut akan dibawa ke tingkat Dewan Kawasan untuk dibahas. "Pengajuan izinnya akan dibawa ke atas (pusat) untuk mendapatkan persetujuan," kata Sutisna.
Kepala BP Batam Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo menyambut baik rencana ini. Batam sebagai kawasan ekonomi strategis, menurut Lukita, perlu didukung dengan sistem keamanan yang baik.
"Kami apresiasi kedatangan KSAU yang menyampaikan langsung rencana tersebut sehingga informasinya tidak bias. Bahwa yang dibangun bukan pangkalan militer, melainkan pangkalan kecil. Prinsipnya kami sangat mendukung rencana tersebut," ujar Lukita.
Mantan Sesmenko Perekonomian ini menambahkan izin pembangunan pangkalan kecil TNI AU tersebut segera disampaikan ke Dewan Kawasan. Lukita berharap pembangunan tersebut bisa segera dilakukan dan disetujui Dewan Kawasan.
"Saya kita, bagaimana pun pembangunan ekonomi Batam harus ada dukungan security (keamanan). Bentuknya seperti apa, salah satunya tadi sudah disampaikan oleh KSAU," kata Lukita.
25 September 2018
Sea 1000 submarine (image : Naval Group)
Australia’s Defence Minister Christopher Pyne has played down reports of a deadlock in negotiations with France over the contract to supply 12 next-generation submarines to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
France’s state-owned Naval Group (formerly DCNS) was selected in April 2016 to partner Australian industry in building the submarines, with construction expected to start in the early 2020s. The value of the project – also known as Sea 1000 – is about AUD50 billion (USD36 billion) including sustainment.
Speaking to reporters on 24 September, Pyne said that while Australia and France will look to sign the submarine deal “sooner rather than later” they would not be rushed.
(Jane's)
25 September 2018
U.S. and Philippine service members inventory ammunition donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (photos : US Embassy)
Clark Air Base — The U.S. government provided more than 5 million rounds of ammunition worth Php117.4 million ($2.2 million) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for counterterrorism training.
The ammunition was funded as a grant through the U.S. Counterterrorism Train and Equip Program and will be used primarily by the Philippine Army’s Light Reaction Regiment and the AFP’s Joint Special Operations Group.
The shipments included various types of live and practice 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm rounds, 12-gauge shotgun shells, .50-caliber rounds, and stun grenades. The ammunition was delivered to Clark Air Base in two deliveries on September 7 and 21.
In addition to the ammuntion provided through the grant, the shipment included a Philippine Air Force purchase of more than 1 million rounds of ammunition through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. This brought the total to more than 6 million rounds.
The United States, as a longstanding friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, continues to provide support to the AFP through both grant assistance and expedited sales of arms and munitions to assist both long-term AFP modernization goals as well as urgent counterterrorism and humanitarian aid and disaster relief requirements.
(US Embassy)
25 September 2018
T-90S Tank in the Factory of UralVagonZavod assembled for the Vietnam People's Army (photo : NoNews)
The latest images from the UralVagonZavod tank assembly show that the first batch of T-90S / SK in the contract with Vietnam is now complete.
In June this year, the Russian television channel Nizhny Tagil broadcast a report on "young tank builders" about a boy who had very innovative ideas for future tank design. The UralVagonZavod Plant Manager must arrange a field trip for this "young engineer".
The most notable detail in the video, however, is that the T-90 main battle tanks are being assembled, painted in green, and configured differently from the original T-90S / SK batch. made for the Iraqi Army.
Currently, UralVagonZavod is contracting to produce the T-90S / SK tank version for two Iraqi and Vietnamese customers, so it is almost 100% certain that these are our T-90s.
Based on the announcement, the T-90S tanks in Vietnam are fundamentally different from the ones manufactured for Iraq that are in front of its turret, which still has the pendant of "Red Eyes - Noise Lamps OTSh-U-1-7 "is renowned for its Shtora-1 active defense system.
T-90 tanks of Vietnam were installed with OTShU-1-7 Shtora (Red eyes) anti missile system (photo : NoNews)
Thus, it can be seen that the T-90S / SK configuration of the main battle tanks of Vietnam has better missile defense capability to increase the 2nd generation better than T-90 of Iraq. It has the effect of jamming the guiding system of 2nd generation ATGM or less, causing it to fly to the sky or miss the target.
However, there is still some doubt that the suspension is actually an OTShU-1-7 interfering lamp or is supporting a reactive explosion or other weapon, until the vehicle is returned. If you do not mind, then you can be reassured.
And on the Russian military pages, the T-90 was redesigned with red eyes in front of the turret, bearing the plant code V-31, adding that this It was the T-90 of Vietnam (T-90s for Iraq marked "I").
Thanks to the OTShU-1-7 light bulb, the T-90S / SK tanks of Vietnam have been equipped with a full "Shtora-1" defense complex, including camouflage smoke detectors, Provides great peace of mind for the crew when fighting.
However, one thing remains to be seen, it is unclear whether Vietnam's T-90 tanks will be fitted with a new generation of armor-plated, For the latest T-90M Proryv-3, it's still the same as the T-90A, which is the only armor made of rubber sheets to shield the chain.
(BaoDatViet)
