Australia Boost to the Development of Hypersonic Weapons Capability

26 January 2022

Advanced rocket motor technology for Hypersonic missile (photo : Thales)

World class hypersonics precinct to supercharge Australian defence research

The Morrison Government’s commitment to innovation and national security is at the forefront following the official opening of Defence’s state-of-the-art, purpose built Australian Hypersonics Research Precinct at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.

The Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP today unveiled the $14 million Precinct which provides a location for Defence, industry, universities and international partners to advance our understanding and use of hypersonic technology through flight test vehicles.

“It’s a complex technological challenge to build vehicles capable of flying at five times the speed of sound, that skim the stratosphere, to target any location on the planet,” Minister Dutton said.

“The technology that is developed here will help us to better defend against the malign use of this technology and give us the ability to strike any potential adversaries from a distance and deter aggression against Australia’s national interests.”

“It enables Defence researchers to develop and characterise sovereign hypersonic technologies and generate ‘true’ hypersonic flight conditions at large scale in a classified laboratory.”

This Precinct represents just one element of the Morrison Government’s $3 billion dollar capability investment across Defence innovation, science and technology over the next decade.

The centre accommodates over 60 staff and provides collaborative space for industry, academia and government teams to advance defence projects with a focus on high-speed and hypersonic flight research and technologies.

(Aus DoD)

Indonesia Awaits ‘Contract Activation' for Rafale Multirole Fighters

25 Januari 2022

French Navy Rafale armed with an AM39 Exocet on its centreline hardpoint (photo : MBDA)

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has moved ahead with a plan to procure Rafale multirole fighter aircraft from Dassault Aviation.

In his response to questions at the MoD's annual leaders' rally for 2022 on 20 January, Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto told reporters that negotiations for the programme have been completed, and that the “contract” is now “awaiting activation”. He did not provide further details.

However, in response to queries, Janes was informed on 25 January by a source close to the Indonesian MoD that a preamble contract worth EUR5.8 billion (USD6.56 billion) was signed with Dassault Aviation on 7 June 2021.

The contract, which stipulates a delivery of 36 airframes to the Indonesian Air Force, is not yet active given the lack of clarity over funding. Janes also understands that Indonesia is in the process of seeking a foreign lender to fund this programme.

The Indonesian MoD has outlined an ambition to procure up to 36 Rafale airframes in a programme to fulfil the gap left by the retirement of its Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II fleet. The older aircraft type was formerly operated by the Indonesian Air Force's Aviation Squadron 14.

The requirement has grown especially pertinent given that Jakarta will no longer proceed with the agreement to procure Sukhoi Su-35 ‘Flanker-E' multirole combat aircraft from Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport.

In pursuit of this ambition, Indonesian MoD officials have been in negotiations with Dassault Aviation over offset and financing arrangements since February 2021.

(Jane's)

Technology a Game-Changer for Australian Artillery

25 Januari 2022

Sergeant Marc Plant stands in front of a Shadow 200 UAS (photos : Aus DoD)

Artillery operators in the 19th century wouldn’t recognise the capability in its most modern form.

The Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), which marked its 150th year of continuous service last year, was established after the drawdown of British forces in the 1870s.

Colonial militia units were transformed into permanent forces, with the various colonial artillery units amalgamated into the RAA in July 1899.

As part of its capability, Army now uses unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, for intelligence gathering, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance to support land force operations.

The information collected on targets and the operating environment is passed to other forces, such as artillery, which can then engage those targets accurately and rapidly.

Sergeant Marc Plant, a UAS operator at 20th Regiment at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, has had a variety of experience merging this versatile asset with more traditional artillery roles. 

“I have been in the artillery for nine years and I feel proud to be part of it for its 150th anniversary,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to being part of its traditions and its future.

“One of my highlights of artillery is working the joint space with Army assets, as well as with the Navy and Air Force.

“Working with the 1 Regiment guns and Army Aviation attack helicopters to hit targets on the ground is amazing.”

In his current role as Troop Sergeant at 131 Battery, Sergeant Plant manages the training and development of his gunners.

“I take pride in providing a realistic training environment both in simulation and flying the UAS live,” he said.

“The junior bombardiers and gunners coming through are very intelligent.

“It’s rewarding to take them through extensive development and see them become more confident and skilled operators.”

Sergeant Plant said the future of artillery looked bright.

“The procurement of the new UAS platform is exciting,” he said.

“These will allow guns and other manned aviation platforms to function more smoothly together so we can hit targets further and further in the battle space.”

The future for artillery includes world-leading Australian-developed camera sensor technology that uses electro-optical, short-wave and medium-wave infrared cameras, along with laser range-finding and target designation technology, which will significantly boost artillery’s tactical UAS capabilities.

(Aus DoD)

ATM Terima Peruntukan Kewangan RM15.4bilion Tahun Ini

25 Januari 2022

Latihan Angkatan Laut Malaysia (photo : TLDM)

KUALA LUMPUR – Panglima Angkatan Tentera, Jeneral Tan Sri Affendi Buang TUDM hari ini mengesahkan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia telah menerima peruntukan kewangan sebanyak RM15.4bilion pada tahun 2022.

Beliau menyatakan perkara tersebut dalam Perutusan Tahun Baru 2022, hari ini.

“Pada tahun ini peruntukan kewangan yang disalurkan kepada ATM bagi Pertahanan Negara adalah sebanyak RM15.4bilion, iaitu peningkatan sebanyak RM0.4bilion (RM400juta) berbanding tahun sebelumnya,” katanya.

Menurut Affendi, walaupun terdapat peningkatan, ATM masih perlu berhemah dan rasional dalam melakukan perbelanjaan.

“Manfaatkan sebaik-baiknya peruntukan yang telah diberi dan cuba melihat secara holistik dalam menentukan keperluan sebenar yang kita inginkan,” ujar beliau.

Tegasnya, pengurusan peruntukan kewangan merupakan antara salah satu daripada 3 keutamaan ATM pada tahun ini.

Antara keutamaan lain adalah meneruskan 4 teras Perintah Ulung Panglima Angkatan Tentera bagi menjadikan ATM sebagai sebuah angkatan berspektrum penuh yang mampan.

4 teras yang dimaksudkan adalah Memperkasakan Kesiagaan Aset ATM, Memperkasa Warga ATM Yang Cemerlang, Mengukuhkan Keupayaan ATM dalam Domain Siber dan Menterjemahkan Kertas Putih Pertahanan.

“Teras-teras ini haruslah dijadikan sebagai panduan strategik  bagi merealisasikan hasrat menjadikan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia sebagai sebuah angkatan berspektrum penuh yang holistik dan mampan,” katanya.

Keutamaan ketiga adalah melancarkan dokumen Strategi Ketenteraan Negara 2.0 dan 4DMAF pada tahun ini.

“Saya mengakui bahawa ianya mengambil masa yang agak lama untuk menyelaraskan kedua-dua dokumen ini,

“Namun, saya yakin ianya akan memberikan suatu perspektif yang baharu buat kita semua.

“Kedua-dua dokumen ini haruslah difahami kerana ianya akan menjadi rujukan utama dalam meneruskan agenda pembangunan angkatan seperti mana yang telah dihasratkan di dalam Kertas Putih Pertahanan,” kata Panglima Angkatan Tentera. 

(Airtimes)

The Royal Thai Navy to Procure New Gun Patrol Boats and Offshore Patrol Boats in Fiscal Year 2023

25 Januari 2022

HTMS Laem Sing-561, a M58 class Gun Patrol Boat (photo : 3rd NAC)

Official online social media account of the Royal Thai Fleet, Royal Thai Navy has released a video declaring the results of operations in accordance with the policy of the Navy Commander, Admiral Suwin Jaengyodsuk, who wants to see the results in the first 100 days according to the year budget 2022 starting from 1 October 2021 until January 2022 for more than 100 days. 

The naval fleet's video that reveals the Navy's strengthening program in the annual budget naval fleet 2023, which must be submitted for approval in accordance with the procedures for the Royal Thai Navy Ministry of Defense of Thailand The Thai Cabinet and the Thai National Assembly before September 30, 2022, amounting to 3 projects, namely

1.Project to supply two gun patrol boats,

2. Project to supply 1 offshore patrol boat,

3. Project to improve the capabilities of Pattani long-distance patrol boats, 2 ships

At present, the Patrol Squadron has three sets of Patrol Gun Boats stationed: 6 Sattahip class ships are HTMS Sattahip (521), HTMS Khlong Yai (522), HTMS Tak Bai (523), HTMS Kantang (524), HTMS Thepha (525) and HTMS Thai Mueang (526).

Three HTMS Hua Hin ships, namely HTMS Hua Hin (541), HTMS Klaeng (542), and HTMS Sriracha (543), and HTMS Laem Sing 1 ship, HTMS Laem Sing (561), which the patrol boat all three sets of guns boats are built in Thailand.

HTMS Laem Sing, the M58 Gun Patrol Boat, designed by Marsun Thai Company, is the latest gun patrol boat that entered service last year 2016. It is very likely that The Royal Thai Navy will order a new gun patrol boat from a Thai company to replace old boats that have lasted a long time.

OPV-552 HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (photo : 3rd NAC)

The Gulf Patrol Squadron has two sets of OPV: Offshore Patrol Vessel stationed. 2 Pattani class, HTMS Pattani (511) and HTMS Narathiwat (512), built in the People's Republic of China and two Krabi class ships, HTMS Krabi (551) and HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (552), which are based on the 90m OPV design of BAE Systems UK, built in Thailand by Mahidol Adulyadej Royal Navy Department of Naval Dockyard, Sattahip, Chonburi.

According to the Defense Technology Institute, DTI with Bangkok Dock Company Limited and Cho Thavee Public Company Limited have cooperation in the proposal of a long-distance patrol boat to the Philippines in the past year.

Long-distance patrol boats in the Pattani series, both ships that were in service in the year 2005 to be updated according to details in the policy of the Naval Commander 2020 is to install Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles and a new 40mm machine gun.

Long-distance patrol boats, HMS Krabi, both ships that were in service in the year 2013 and 2019, respectively. It is unclear whether the demand for one new HTMS ship will be the construction of more Royal Thai Navy ships or will change the new ship design. According to the Navy's demand for 2 more ships, a total of 6 ships.

However, the information of all 3 projects mentioned above are projects of the Gulf Coast Guard Squadron. Therefore, it is unclear whether there will be a project to procure a second frigate of the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej Ship. Of the 1st Frigate Squadron (1st Frigate Squadron) in the Republic of Korea, will they transfer technology to build in Thailand as well? 

(AAG)

MSRF is Now at Full Strength

24 Januari 2022

Arrival of Protector and Bastion MSRV (all photos : RSN)

We welcome our Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessels (MSRVs) Protector and Bastion into the Maritime Security and Response Flotilla (MSRF).

The MSRVs are fitted with a bespoke complement of less lethal systems which provide the RSN with more options to deal with a full spectrum of threats posed by our evolving maritime security environment.

With the addition of Protector and Bastion, the MSRF is now at full strength, ready to undertake various maritime security operations to defend the sovereignty and ensure security of our waters!

(Republic of Singapore Navy)

TUDM Terima Dua Daripada Empat Helikopter Sewa AW139

24 Januari 2022

Helikopter Leonardo AW-139 TUDM (photos : TUDM)

(DEFENCE SECURITY) – Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) telah menerima dua daripada empat helikopter Leonardo AW139 yang disewa oleh kerajaan daripada sebuah syarikat swasta bagi menggantikan buat sementara waktu helikopter Sikorsky S-61 “Nuri”yang telah ditamatkan perkhidmatannya oleh TUDM.

TUDM telah menerima dua buah helikopter terbabit pada 4 Dis lepas dan akan menerima dua lagi helikopter terbabit pada 22 Februari dan 22 April tahun depan yang dioperasikan oleh No 3 Skuadron.

No 3 Skuadron  mengoperasikan helikopter Nuri sebelum ia ditamatkan perkhidmatan selepas berkhidmat menabur bakti kepada negara selama lebih 50 tahun.

Dalam satu posting menerusi laman sosialnya, TUDM berkata, Panglimanya Jeneral Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad telah melakukan lawatan kerja selama dua hari ke Pangkalan Udara Butterworth dan Pusat Hospitaliti Tentera Udara bermula pada 20 hingga 22 Januari lepas.

“Setelah pengoperasian Helikopter Nuri ini tidak diteruskan, No. 3 Skuadron kini telah menerima dua  buah pesawat helikopter AW 139 pada 4 Dis 21 dan dijangkakan akan menerima dua buah helikopter jenis yang sama pada Feb 22 dan Apr 22.”

“Penerimaan pesawat helikopter AW 139  secara sewaan ini adalah berkonsepkan ‘Government Operate, Company Own and Maintain’ (GOCOM) dari pihak Westar Aviation Services Sdn. Bhd,” menurut posting di dalam media sosial TUDM itu.

Kini, No. 3 Skuadron masih di dalam fasa latihan yang melibatkan lapan orang Juruterbang dan empat orang Kuartermaster Udara di PWN Excellence, Subang.

Kerajaan menyewa helikopter AW139 itu untuk tempoh diantara empat hingga lima tahun sebagai langkah jangka pendek sementara melaksanakan perolehan 24 buah helikopter baru untuk menggantikan Nuri.

TUDM dijangka melakukan perolehan 24 buah helikopter baru bermula pada Rancangan Malaysia ke-13 (RMK13) pada tahun 2026-2030 sehingga RMK-14 bermula pada tahun 2031 hingga 2035.

24 buah helikopter baru untuk menggantikan helikopter Nuri itu akan diperolehi dalam dua peringkat, dengan 12 buah pada RMK-13 manakala 12 buah selebihnya diperolehi pada RMK14.

Pada Disember tahun lepas,Ackbal dilaporkan berkata, berdasarkan kepada keperluan semasa TUDM memerlukan sebanyak 36 buah helikopter, dengan 12 buah keperluan itu telah pun dipenuhi menerusi penggunaan helikopter EC-725 pada ketika ini.

“Setakat ini kita (TUDM) ada 12 Airbus H22M (dahulu dikenali sebagai Eurocopter EC725), jadi kita perlu 24 lagi helikopter. Untuk itu, kita rancang dua strategi kepada kerajaan iaitu jangka pendek dan jangka panjang.

“Untuk jangka pendek, diluluskan oleh kerajaan iaitu penyewaan empat helikopter jenis AW139 selama empat ke lima tahun. Ia akan diperoleh TUDM dalam masa terdekat.

“Bagi pelan jangka panjang, TUDM berharap dapat memiliki 24 lagi helikopter bagi melengkapkan 36 helikopter yang diperlukan,” kata beliau.

Helikopter AW139 dikategorikan sebagai helikopter saiz sederhana itu dan memiliki berat 6.4 tan serta menggunakan enjin 2 x Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C Turboshafts with FADEC.

Dengan krew dua orang , helikopter yang boleh terbang selaju 300km sejam ini mampu membawa 15 orang penumpang dan terbang sejauh 1,061km atau lebih 5 jam.

Helikopter AW139 adalah pilihan yang popular kerana ia turut digunakan oleh pelbagai agensi keselamatan dan penguatkuasaan yang lain termasuk Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, Polis Diraja Malaysia, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat dan Agensi Penguatkuasa Maritim Malaysia.

Panglima TUDM seterusnya melawat Hornet Readiness Centre (HRC) bagi melihat sendiri keadaan pesawat F/A-18D Hornet dari No. 18 Skuadron yang sedang menjalani proses baikpulih di bawah program Local Planned Maintenance 12 Years (LPMY12).

(DefenceSecurityAsia)