Singapore Army Wants Bigger Camp

Singapore neither admit or deny it has Centurion tanks. The tank is believed to be stored in Thailand (photo : Military Factory)

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwannarat and his counterpart from Singapore, Ng Eng Hen, on Friday discussed plans to look for a larger training camp for Singaporean soldiers.

ACM Sukumpol said Singapore's Defence Ministry did not want a permanent camp like Sai Yok in Kanchanaburi, where Singaporean soldiers have been training for more than 30 years.

Sources said the Singaporean army wanted to expand the scale of its excercises, for battle tanks and artillery.

The new site might be at Dan Lan Hoi village in Sukhothai, they said.

(Bangkok Post)

PM Malaysia Diselidiki Atas Kasus Suap Kapal Selam

Senin, 07 Mei 2012 08:51 wib

PM Najib Razak (Foto: Getty Images)

PARIS - Pengadilan di Paris, Prancis memulai penyelidikan atas dugaan suap pembelian dua kapal selam Prancis. PM Najib Razak diduga menerima suap hampir USD200 juta atau sekira Rp1,8 triliun (Rp9.217 per USD).

Seperti dilansir AFP, Senin (7/5/2012), selain atas kasus suap, Pengadilan Prancis juga menyelidiki kasus pembunuhan atas model asal Mongolia yang dibunuh oleh pengawal PM Najib.

Penyelidikan ini dilakukan oleh Hakim Roger Le Loire dan Serge Tournaire yang dinilai sebagai penyidik berpengalaman dalam kasus korupsi dan HAM. Kedua hakim itu akan mencari tahu apakah perusahaan pertahanan Prancis DCNS dan rekannya Thales International membayar sogokan yang seperti dituduhkan.

Sogokan itu dikeluarkan untuk mengamankan kontrak dua kapal selam kelas Scorpene untuk Angkatan Laut Malaysia pada 2002 silam. Kesepakatan tersebut disetujui ketika Najib masih menjabat sebagai Menteri Pertahanan Malaysia.

Tetapi dalam penyelidikan ini, yang menjadi fokus adalah peran yang dimaikan oleh teman dekat Najib yang juga menjadi penasihat politiknya, Abdul Razak Baginda. Pihak berwenang Prancis mencurigai adanya dua pembayaran yang dilakukan oleh para penjual senjata Prancis.

Satu pembayaran diketahui berjumlah 114 juta euro atau sekira Rp1,3 triliun (Rp12.001 per euro), kepada perusahaan Malaysia bernama Perimekar untuk alasan logistik. Perimekar saat itu dimiliki oleh perusahaan yang dikendalikan oleh Razak Baginda dan istrinya Mazalinda.

Pemeriksaan juga ditujukan pada cerita dibalik pembayaran sebesar USD46 juta atau sekira Rp425,2 miliar, kepada perusahaan bernama Terasasi. Perusahaan ini berdiri di Malaysia tetapi terdaftar di Hong Kong. Terasasi sendiri diketahui dipimpin oleh Razak Baginda dan ayahnya Abdul Malim Baginda.

Penyelidikan atas perjanjian pembelian kapal selam itu makin mengemuka pada Oktober 2006 saat jasad dari model dan penerjemah asal Mongolia Altantunya Shaariibuu, ditemukan di hutan di luar Kual Lumpur. Altantunya diketahui ditembak pada bagian kepala dan jasadnya sempat diupayakan untuk diledakan dengan bom C4.

Altantunya diketahui memiliki hubungan dengan Razak Baginda. Beberapa tahun sebelumnya ia sempat berkarir sebagai model di Prancis dan pada 2004, Altantunya menemani Razak untuk bertindak sebagai penerjemah saat kesepakatan kapal selam Scorpene tersebut.

Dalam tulisan tangan yang ditemukan setelah kematiannya, Altantunya berniat untuk mengkonfrontir Razak Baginda dan menuntut pembayaran sebesar USD500 ribu atau sekira Rp4,6 miliar, sebagai uang tutup mulut. 

Langkah pengadilan Prancis ini merupakan cara terakhir dari banyak pihak di Malaysia untuk mendapatkan keadilan, khususnya untuk keluarga Altantunya. Tetapi sepertinya fokus pertama dari penyelidikan, terkait pada kasus penyuapan bukan pembunuhan dari Altantunya.

 

sumber : OKEZONE

Astross II Gandakan Kuasa Tempur TD

07 Maret 2012

Pembelian Astross II dari Brazil merupakan sebagian dari rancangan jangka panjang sistem pertahanan Tentera Darat di Malaysia. (photo : Kosmo)

KUALA LUMPUR – Tentera Darat (TD) bakal memiliki satu lagi rejimen sistem pelancar roket berganda (SPRB) jenis Astros II buatan Brazil tidak lama lagi bagi menggandakan kuasa tempur negara.

Sebanyak 18 unit SPRB Astross II akan dibeli bagi melengkapkan kekuatan Briged Artileri Roket yang ketika ini mempunyai dua rejimen roket jenis yang sama dan sebuah rejimen artileri pengesan.

Rejimen baharu SPRB Astross II itu nanti dijangka ditempatkan di Sabah.

Difahamkan, pembelian aset terbaharu itu telah dipersetujui Tentera Darat (TD) menerusi belanjawan pertahanan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10.

Sumber memberitahu, kontrak perolehan akan dimeterai antara Kementerian Pertahanan dengan pembekalnya pada Pameran Perkhidmatan Pertahanan Asia 2012 di sini pada April ini.

“Pembelian ini adalah sebahagian daripada rancangan jangka panjang TD bagi memperkukuhkan kuasa tempur khasnya, Briged Roket.

“Ia juga merupakan strategi bagi memperkasakan sistem pertahanan darat dengan adanya dua rejimen roket di Semenanjung dan di Sabah atau Sarawak,” ujar sumber tersebut di sini semalam.

(Kosmo)

Ukraine will Deliver 49 MBT T-84 Oplot to Thailand and will be Completed in 2014

06 Januari 2012

T-84 Oplot Main Battle Tanks (photo : Militaryphotos)

Ukrainian State Company for Export and Import of Military and Special Products and Services (Ukrspetseksport), which is a part of the Ukroboronprom state concern, intends to supply 49 T-84 Oplot tanks to Thailand.

He said a statement made by Volodymyr Kuratchenko, deputy director general of Ukroboronprom, in Kharkiv that enterprise will supply close to 100 tanks to Thailand was a mistake.

Volodymyr Kuratchenko told the press in Kharkiv that the execution of the contract will begin in 2012 and will be completed in 2014.

He said the execution of the contract will allow the Kharkiv Malyshev Plant to boost production volume 10 times in 2012 over 2011.

He did not specify a sum of the contract.

Mykola Belov, acting director general of the Kharkiv Malyshev Plant, told Ukrainian News the Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 40.2 million in December to the plant for preparing the execution of this and other contracts concerning production of tanks and armored personnel carriers.

Chief Designer Volodymyr Vakulenko told the press some 40 changes will be introduced in the design on demands from the customer, including installation of air conditioners.

As Ukrainian News reported, Ukrspetseksport on September 1 signed a contract with the Defense Ministry of Thailand to deliver 49 Oplot tanks for a sum exceeding USD 200 million.

On August 5, Ukrspetseksport reached agreement with Thailand for manufacture of 121 pieces of

BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers and support vehicles based on them worth a total of more than USD 140 million.

Ukrspetseksport is part of the Ukroboronprom state-run concern, which also comprising enterprises producing military hardware, including tank-building enterprises.

(Army Recognition)

Philippines Wants to Acquire F-16 Fighter Jets from US

18 Desember 2011

F-16A at AMARC Arizona, USA (photo : F16net)

THE Philippines has reportedly asked the US for a squadron of used F-16 “Fighting Falcon” fighter jets to boost the country’s external defense.

While the request calls for the F-16s to be given to the country for free, the Philippine government is willing to pay for any upgrades or modifications that may be needed for the aircraft, sources said.

The proposed deal reportedly involves the transfer of used F-16s from the US’s excess equipment now stored at the US Air Forces’ “aircraft boneyard” in Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

The F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is one of the most versatile multi-role fighter planes in the US Air Force. It has been used since 1974.

The recent saber-rattling by China over the Spratly Islands and some other areas on the West Philippine Sea has prompted the country to seek an air superior fighter plane, sources said.

The Philippines has always relied on the US for its external defense because of the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty, thus the country has seen no need to boost its external defense in the past.

The recent events in the Spratlys, however, prompted the need to have an air superior fighter to discourage the Chinese air force from intruding into Philippine air space.

About five years ago, the Air Force mothballed its eight remaining 1960-vintage F-5 “Freedom Fighters” that were acquired from South Korean and Taiwan because they are no match for the more modern fighters now used by practically all civilized countries and are expensive to maintain.

Thus, the Air Force had to rely on trainer planes to support the government’s campaign against Moro separatists and communist rebels.

Before the Arroyo administration stepped down, it purchased 18 Italian-made SF-260 trainers that are also being used as light ground attack aircraft.

In addition, the Air Force has S-211 trainer jets that are also used as maritime patrol aircraft and ground attack planes.

As maritime patrol aircraft, however, the S-211s are not that efficient since they lack electronic equipment to “see” what they are patrolling. Thus, what the aircraft can “see” are all that the two pilot can spot with their eyes.

The Air Force has five S-211 jets.

The F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is a multi-role jet fighter aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Corp.

It is meant to be and air superiority fighter.

Indonesia recently acquired 24 F-16 fighters. It is also used by the air forces of Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore.

(Business Mirror)

Unit Boustead Dapat Kontrak Mindef Bernilai RM9 Bilion

17 Desember 2011

Malaysia memesan 6 fregat Gowind - Littoral Combat Ship yang akan diserahkan dalam 3 tahapan pembangunan lima-tahunan Malaysia : RMK-10, RMK-11, dan RMK-12 (image : DCNS)

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- Unit kepada Boustead Holdings Bhd, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd telah diberikan kontrak bernilai RM9 bilion oleh Kementerian Pertahanan.

Kontrak itu ialah untuk penghantaran enam unit generasi kedua "Patrol Vessels Littoral Combat Ships" (Frigate Class) kepada kementerian, kata syarikat dalam kenyataan kepada Bursa Malaysia Jumaat.

Niaga janji itu meliputi reka bentuk, pembinaan, peralatan, pemasangan, pelaksanaan, integrasi dan pengujian ke atas keenam-enam kapal itu, katanya.

"Kontrak itu bernilai RM9 bilion, akan dilaksanakan dalam tempoh tiga Rancangan Malaysia, 10, 11 dan 12," katanya.

Penghantaran pertama dijangka pada 2017 dan disusuli oleh yang lain setiap enam bulan selepasnya.

(Bernama)

KDB Darulaman Tiba di Pangkalan TDLB

12 Desember 2011

KDB Darulaman tiba di Brunei dari perjalanan panjang pengiriman kapal baru tersebut dari Jerman (photo : Brunei Mindef)

MUARA, - Kapal Diraja Brunei DARULAMAN tiba di Jeti Pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei, Muara. Ketibaan Kapal Diraja Brunei DARULAMAN telah disambut oleh Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan, Pegawai-Pegawai dan anggota-anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei serta keluarga.

Pada hari Jumaat 7 Oktober 2011, Kapal Diraja Brunei DARULAMAN memulakan pelayaran bersejarah yang pertamanya “The Maiden Voyage” daripada Pelabuhan Lemwerder, Jerman menuju balik ke tanah air Negara Brunei Darussalam. Kapal-kapal ini telah mengharungi Lautan Atlantik, Lautan Mediterranean, Teluk Suez, Teluk Aden, Lautan Hindi, Selat Melaka dan Laut China Selatan.

Pelayaran pertama ini telah mengambil masa kira-kira 48 hari. Tempat-tempat yang menjadi persinggahan semasa perlayaran ini adalah seperti berikut:

• Toulon (Perancis) Tiba: 16 Okt 2011 Bertolak: 19 Okt 2011

• Akzas Naval Base (Turkey) Tiba: 24 Okt 2011 Bertolak: 28 Okt 2011

• Port Said (Egypt) Tiba: 30 Okt 2011 Bertolak: 4 Okt 2011

• Muscat (Oman) Tiba: 13 Nov 2011 Bertolak: 16 Nov 2011

• Colombo (Sri Langka) Tiba: 23 Nov 2011 Bertolak: 26 Nov 2011

• Changi (Singapura) Tiba: 2 Dis 2011 Bertolak: 5 Dis 2011

Semasa dalam pelayaran, anggota-anggota kapal telah menjalankan beberapa latihan bagi meningkatkan lagi keupayaan dan profesionalisme anggota-anggota kapal seperti latihan kebakaran, latihan menembak senjata ringgan, latihan pemantauan, latihan pelancaran 'Rigid Inflatable Craft', latihan navigasi dan latihan 'Officer of the watch manuevers'.

(Brunei Mindef)

Malaysia plans to buy 18 Russian fighter jets

Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi SU-30MKM fighters
© AFP/ Tengku Bahar

02:16 15/11/2011

MOSCOW, November 15 (RIA Novosti)

The Malaysian defense ministry plans to buy 18 Russian Su-30MKM fighters fit to carry Russian-Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the Izvestia daily said on Tuesday. The paper said, citing military sources, that Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi plans on Tuesday to visit the Irkut aviation plant, producing Su-30MKI fighters for India. According to Izvestia, one such aircraft would cost Malaysia about $50 million, future maintenance included.
During the visit, the minister "may sign a contract to buy 18 Su-30MKM multirole fighters," the paper said.
The defense minister also plans to discuss installing new missiles, including BrahMos, on the 18 Su-30MKM fighters that Malaysia received in August 2009 under the $900-million contract signed in 2003.
Malaysia's mixed fighter fleet also includes Russian MiG-29N Fulcrum and the U.S.-made F/A-18D Hornet and F-5 Tiger in service.
The Su-30MKM is a multi-role Flanker version based on the Su-30MKI model and features a customized avionics package built to Malaysian specifications. Su-family fighters constitute the bulk of Russia's arms exports.
RIA NOVOSTI

Vietnam Requests Brahmos and Corvettes from India

10 November 2011
Khukri class, the 1350 ton corvettes of Indian Navy (photo : Mazumdar)
Vietnam's plea puts South Block in a predicament
Vietnam's request for military assistance from India, primarily in the naval field, has put South Block in a quandary, said official sources.
On the one hand, India would like to pay back Vietnam for its assistance in consistently bolstering its case at multilateral fora such as the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), and on the other, it would not want to irk China as the plea has come shortly after exchanges between Beijing and New Delhi over Oil & Natural Gas Commission Videsh (ONGC Videsh) prospecting for oil and gas in a portion of South China Sea claimed by both China and Vietnam.

Brahmos air-launched version (photo : Brahmos)
Vietnam President Troun Tan Sang made the request in four fields — submarine training, conversion training for its pilots to fly Sukhoi-30, modernisation of a strategic port and transfer of medium-sized warships.
In fact, the sources said, the Vietnam President overlooked protocol to meet senior Indian officials and ensured the timing of their commercial flight was revised to accommodate the unscheduled meeting. Vietnam had asked India to transfer Brahmos cruise missiles and offer its small civil nuclear plants for selection.
India and Vietnam will cooperate in the training of Su-30 pilots (photo : Militaryphotos)

India would be comfortable with providing conversion training for Sukhois as it has completed a similar exercise with Malaysia, another South-East Asian country. Meeting the other three demands needed considerable deliberation, said the sources, as India was not keen to put a spanner in ties with China with which it is shortly slated to sign an agreement to douse tensions by taking care of eye-ball-to-eyeball confrontations between military patrols in certain pockets of the line of actual control (LAC).

In particular, India will have to think hard about Vietnam's request to transfer 1,000 to 1,500 tonne vessels to sanitise Vietnam's long coast line and upgrade the Nha Trang port, located near the critical Cam Ranh Bay, especially after the alleged warning by the Chinese navy to an Indian warship that had left this port after a visit in July.

India and Vietnam will cooperate in the training of Kilo submarine (photo : China Daily)

According to the report submitted by the Navy, INS Airavat left the place quickly after a caller, identifying himself as the “Chinese Navy,” warned that “you are entering Chinese waters.” The Navy has claimed that its men on the warship did not spot any aircraft or ship from where the call had come. It also claimed not to have worked out the coordinates from where the call originated. Indian diplomats said the incident was a “non-event.”
Diplomats here said India would have to factor in two factors — though it had the right to develop ties in its near neighbourhood, it should not be done in a manner that derailed ties with China, especially at a time when the Special Representatives on the border issue were due to meet and Beijing's support wasrequired for entry into the Nuclear Suppliers' Group.
(The Hindu

S-125 Missiles to Protect the Vietnam's Airspace

07 November 2011

S-125 Pechora missile launchers system has a range of up to 35km and destroying the target at an altitude of 18,000 m (all photos : Dat Viet)

Missile Regiment 213, Division 363 are always in combat readinessposture to firmly defend the airspace of Vietnam.


As one of the main unit of the Air Defense - Air Force, in recent yearsRegiment 213, Division 363 are successfully completing the trainingmissions, combat readiness, firmly defend the airspace and sovereigntyof the sea and the sacred island of the country.


The readiness of the missile launcher system is supported by an excellent training system and the dedication of the soldiers to the country.
(BaoDatViet)

Hornets, Typhoons Join Malaysian Exercise

28 Oktober 2011

A RAF Eurofighter/Typhoon takes off in the early morning heat at RMAF Base Butterworth. (all photos : Aus DoD)

Eurofighter Typhoons from the Royal Air Force's 6 Sqn have joined aircraft from four other nations in Malaysia for exercise "Bersama Lima 2011".

A RAAF A30 Boeing 737 AEW&C returns to RMAF Base Butterworth after completing its tasking for the day.

The Royal Australian Air Force sent Boeing F/A-18A fighters and a 737-based Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system aircraft to participate in the manoeuvres that are being conducted from Butterworth air base in Penang.

Royal Malaysian Air Force involvement includes use of its F/A-18Ds and RSK-MiG-29s, while New Zealand and Singapore are also taking part.

A formation containing a Malaysian F/A-18D Hornet, a MIG 29 and an Australian F/A 18 Hornet fly over the Penang region of Malaysia, the flight was organized as a prelude flight to Bersama Lima 2011.

The UK is leading efforts to promote the Typhoon to Kuala Lumpur, which has identified a need to replace its MiG-29s that have become increasingly expensive to support.

The topic is likely to be high on the agenda at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition, which will take place in early December. Other candidates could include the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

(FlightGlobal)

Indonesia Saingan Terberat Malaysia

 

Jurnas.com | LOMBA Tembak ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) ke-21 tahun 2011 hari pertama baru saja usai hari ini, Jumat (14/10). Sebelumnya, Lomba Tembak AARM ke-21 ini resmi dibuka oleh Wakil Kepala Staf Angkatan Darat (Wakasad) Letnan Jenderal Budiman di Divisi Infantri I/Kostrad Cilodong, Jawa Barat.

Dalam lomba tembak yang diikuti oleh Angkatan Darat negara-negara Anggota ASEAN kali ini, kontingen Malaysia mengakui, kontingen Indonesia merupakan saingan terberat. Hal itu dikatakan oleh Ketua Kontingen Malaysia, Letnan Kolonel Roshasni kepada wartawan usai Lomba Tembak hari pertama.

"Saingan terberat kami adalah Indonesia. Sebab kami baru balik bulan Mei lalu itu dari ASEAN Shoothing Army Meeting (ASAM) di Australia, Indonesia menjuarai ASAM 2011. Malaysia di tempat kedua. Kami mengalahkan tim Indonesia sikit saja. Berdasarkan pada prestasi ASAM, kami di sini harapkan kejuarannya dikekalkan.

Kendati demikian, Roshasni mengharapkan, tim petembak Malaysia dapat menjuarai Lomba Tembak AARM 2011 kali ini. Roshasni juga menjelaskan, kontingen Malaysia sudah melakukan persiapan sejak bulan Mei. "Dari 80 orang yang ikut seleksi, kemudian dipilih 50. Kemudian dipilih betul-betul 31 petembak untuk ikut lomba," kata Komandan Batalion Lintas Udara Malaysia ini.

Roshasni juga berkeyakinan, setidaknya kontingen Malaysia dapat meraih posisi runner up dalam lomba tembak kali ini. "Ya, kalau itu dibandingkan prestasi tahun lalu di Malaysia, dengan prestasi tahun ini meningkat. Kalau masih kekal pada tahap yang sama, kemungkinan tempat keduanya cerah. Tempat nomor satunya, kalau tuahnya membenarkan, Insya Allah," ujarnya.

Kontingen Malaysia juga berharap, hubungan Angkatan Darat negara-negara ASEAN semakin erat dengan adanya Lomba Tembak AARM ini. "Ya, dalam ini kita satu komuniti, kita hubungan dirapatkan. Karena tiap tahun kan orangnya berbeza tim petembak yang diturunkan. Jadi kalau ada perjumpaan kaya ini, persaudaraan itu dieratkan semua, yang mana telah ada diperkukuhkan," ucapnya.

Event AARM ini dilaksanakan setiap tahun dan diikuti oleh Angkatan Darat dari negara-negara anggota ASEAN dengn tempat bergiliran. Tahun ini TNI AD bertindak sebagai tuan rumah.

Lomba tembak AARM ke-21 ini dilaksanakan di lapangan tembak Kartika Cilodong selama 14 hari, dari 14 Oktober hingga 27 Oktober dan diikuti sebanyak 470 atlet petembak Angkatan Darat dari 10 negara ASEAN.

Ada enam cabang yang dipertandingkan, yakni cabang Pistol Putra dan Putri, Senapan, Senjata Otomatis, Karaben, dan Novelty Shoot. Cabang Novelty Shoot ini khusus dilombakan antara Pimpinan Angkatan Darat negara-negara ASEAN.

Lomba tembak AARM ke-21 ini memperebutkan 117 tropi, terdiri atas 15 tropi bergilir, 47 tropi lomba, dan 55 tropi Novelty Shoot, dan memperebutkan 389 medali emas, perak, dan perunggu. Pada 2010, AARM dilaksanakan di Malaysia dan TNI AD berhasil meraih juara umum.

JURNAS

India to Sell BrahMos Missile to Vietnam

20 September 2011

Brahmos air launched version (photo : Bharat Rakshak)

The BrahMos Aerospace —the Indo-Russian joint venture that has developed the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile — is keen to sell the missile to Vietnam with which India is developing a strong strategic relationship, sources have confirmed.

However, the Indian government’s approval will have to be taken for any such acquisition. Sources also confirmed that Vietnam is already on a list of about 15 “friendly countries” — that was decided by a joint Indo-Russian supervisory council — to whom the BrahMos missile can be sold.

“Informal talks are on but no concrete proposal has been made as yet,” a source who did not want to be identified, told this newspaper. “Any acquisition of the BrahMos missile will be of immense value to Vietnam and will boost its defence preparedness,” sources said.

So far, the BrahMos missile has not been sold to any third country although a few have already evinced interest in acquiring it.

In a move that signalled the importance of strategic ties between India and Vietnam in the wake of increased Chinese military assertion in Asia, defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma had also recently begun an official visit to Vietnam. India is set to offer naval facilities for training and capacity building to Vietnam.

(Deccan Chronicle)

First HIMARS Battery Operational

HIMARS - High Mobility Artilerry Rocket System (photos : Cyberpioneer, Area51)

Pinpoint accuracy over distances as long as 70 kilometres. This is just one of the capabilities which the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) brings to the table.

On 5 Sep, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officially welcomed the HIMARS into its fold with a ceremony to mark its commissioning and the operationalisation of the first HIMARS battery at Khatib Camp.

During the ceremony, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen saw a demonstration of the deployment and operation of the HIMARS as part of a networked force that included other land platforms.

In his speech, Dr Ng said: "The successful induction of the HIMARS reflects well on the ability of the SAF to respond decisively to new challenges and changing circumstances in its operational environment."

Equipped with the Battlefield Management System (BMS), the HIMARS is fully connected to its command headquarters and Strike Observer Mission Teams on the ground. Other SAF air and land platforms, such as fighter aircraft and infantry fighting vehicles, are also connected via the BMS.

With the enhanced situational awareness and transmission of critical battlefield information provided by the BMS, the HIMARS can quickly respond to calls for fire and deliver precision fire on targets.

Deadly accurate and mobile, each HIMARS launcher can dispatch its six rockets within 45 seconds to targets 70km away with an accuracy of 10 metres. Its 6.6 litre turbo-charged diesel engine powers the almost 16-ton behemoth to a top speed of 94kmh.

"With its long range and speed, the HIMARS can stay well behind the front line. When opposing forces open fire, we are able to stay well out of its range but yet still be able to deliver accurate counter-fire." explained Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Koh, Commanding Officer, 23rd Battalion Singapore Artillery (23 SA).

While the Singapore Army's 3rd Generation transformation leverages on technology that provides superior weaponry and reduces reliance on manpower, it translates into heavier responsibilities for the three-man crew which operates each HIMARS launcher. "It is ultimately the professionalism and commitment of our people that will translate the latest weapon systems into effective capabilities," said Dr Ng.
This message was not lost on each of the crew members who work as a tightly integrated team to operate the HIMARS. "When the fire mission comes down, all three of us are very independent and we know exactly what to do," said Full-time National Serviceman 3rd Sergeant Daniel Tan, citing the comprehensive training which the Battery has undergone in the past 12 months.
The SAF took delivery of the HIMARS in July last year, and conducted its inaugural battery live firing in November 2010 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, US.

The HIMARS, which is operated by Bravo Battery of 23 SA, provides artillery forces with precision fire power, enhanced mobility and advanced networking capabilities.

(Mindef)

See Also :

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) provides artillery forces with precision fire power, enhanced responsiveness, mobility, protection, and also networks soldiers and air and land weapon platforms, thus facilitating the delivery of information, and fires in the battlefield.

The key features of the HIMARS are:

Enhanced Fire Power
The HIMARS carries a single pod of six Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) rockets and is designed to launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. The Guided MLRS M31 Unitary rockets used are 227mm surface-to-surface inertial guided and Global Positioning System-aided weapons. Each rocket contains a single 200-pound class controlled fragmentation high explosive unitary warhead capable of providing lethal and precise fires. The HIMARS is able to strike targets as far as 70 km away.

Enhanced Responsiveness
The HIMARS requires less than 20 seconds to be prepared for firing and a full launcher load of six rockets can be fired within 45 seconds.


Enhanced Mobility
The HIMARS is powered by a 6.6-litre, six-cylinder turbo-charge diesel engine that delivers 330 horsepower, providing a top speed of 94km/h. This allows for rapid withdrawal after launching of munitions, enhancing crew and equipment survivability.
Enhanced Protection
The HIMARS is equipped with the Increased Crew Protection cabin, which is designed to protect the three-man operating crew against plume gases, rocket launch debris and small arms.
Enhanced Networking Capabilities
The HIMARS is equipped with the Battlefield Management System (BMS) which enables it to connect with the Artillery Headquarters and Strike Observer Mission Teams on the ground as well as other air and land platforms, such as infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, attack helicopters and fighter aircraft. With enhanced situational awareness and transmission of key battlefield information provided by the BMS, the HIMARS can respond quickly to call-for-fires and deliver precision fires on enemy targets.

(Mindef)

Presiden Filipina Sambut Kapal Perang Terbaru

Kapal BRP Gregorio del Pilar, eks kapal Pengawal Pantai Amerika kini memperkuat armada angkatan laut FIlipina.

Foto: ASSOCIATED PRESS

BRP Gregorio del Pilar, eks kapal pengawal Pantai Amerika yang kini memperkuat Armada Angkatan Laut Filipina (23/8).

Presiden Filipina Benigno Aquino menyambut kedatangan kapal perang terbaru negara Asia Tenggara itu.

Aquino dan pejabat tingkat tinggi lain memeriksa kapal BRP Gregorio del Pilar, Selasa (23/8). Kapal perang ini adalah kapal pengawal pantai Amerika yang telah diistirahatkan dan diperoleh Angkatan Laut Filipina bulan Mei lalu.

Kapal berusia 46 tahun itu  kini menjadi kapal yang paling ampuh dalam armada Filipina, yang sebagian besar terdiri dari kapal-kapal zaman Perang Dunia Kedua.

Kapal perolehan Filipina itu adalah tanda terbaru peningkatan angkatan laut oleh beberapa negara yang mempunyai klaim yang bersaing di Laut China Selatan.

Tiongkok bulan ini mengadakan pelayaran percobaan kapal induk yang diperlengkapi kembali, sementara Vietnam minggu ini memperoleh sebuah kapal perang yang dilengkapi dengan peluru kendali buatan Rusia. Vietnam memperoleh kapal buatan Rusia serupa bulan Maret lalu.

VOA

First Archer-Class Submarine Returns to Singapore

17 Agustus 2011

RSS Archer, which arrived from Sweden today, berthed at Changi Naval Base.(photo : Mindef)

The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) first Archer-class submarine, RSS Archer, arrived at Changi Naval Base (CNB) from Sweden earlier today. Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng, and other senior naval officers were present at CNB to witness its return.

Launched in Karlskrona, Sweden on 16 Jun 2009, RSS Archer is one of two ex-Royal Swedish Navy Vaastergotland-class submarines acquired by Singapore in 2005. RSS Archer has been comprehensively upgraded, refurbished and tropicalised to ensure its suitability for operations in local conditions. Crew members of RSS Archer have also undergone extensive training in Sweden since 2007 to acquire the skillsets needed to operate and maintain the submarine.

RSS Archer will join 171 Squadron, under the RSN's Fleet Command, to enhance the RSN's capability to secure the seaward defence of Singapore and protect our vital sea lines of communication.

(Mindef)

Asian F-16s Could Get AESA Radars

16 Agustus 2011

Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea are planning to upgrade their F-16s with AESA radar (photo : Raytheon)

TAIPEI, Taiwan — At least three Asian nations are planning to upgrade their Lockheed Martin F-16s with active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, possibly following the U.S. Air Force’s lead.

Taiwan is seeking U.S. government permission for an F-16 upgrade package that includes AESA radar, targeting pods and missiles. This AESA radar competition in Taiwan—and globally—is between Northrop Grumman’s Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) and the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR).

The U.S. government has said it will decide by Oct. 1 whether to sell Taiwan 66 F-16C/Ds and approve an upgrade to the island nation’s approximately 145 F-16A/Bs to bring them to C/D standard. The consensus among U.S. industry executives interviewed by Aviation Week is that the chances of a sale of new F-16s are remote, but the U.S. is likely to approve upgrades. But the extent to which the F-16s are upgraded depends on politics. Industry executives say there is broad support within the U.S. Defense Department to sell AESA radars to Taiwan, as long as some arrangement can be made to ensure the technology is kept away from China.

The executives say the hurdle Taiwan has to overcome is winning over the U.S. State Department, which is concerned about how to maintain good relations with China, particularly considering it is a large holder of U.S. treasury bonds. The U.S. is financially vulnerable at the moment, and its economy needs more exports.

If the State Department blocks Taiwan’s purchase of AESA radar, then that leaves the country with just one more option: buy a more recently developed mechanically scanned radar, such as Northrop Grumman’s APG-68(V)9. If this scenario occurs, then Northrop Grumman is likely to try and placate the Taiwanese by highlighting that with a mechanically scanned radar, Taiwan can make repairs in-country. With AESA radar, the units would have to be sent to the U.S. Also, Taiwan may have an opportunity to produce some parts locally for the APG-68(V)9. Israel, which has one of the world’s most advanced air forces, has mechanically scanned radars because of in-country maintenance support.

Aside from Taiwan, there are others in Asia examining AESA radar for F-16s, namely South Korea and Singapore, industry executives say. One says Singapore has a plan to keep its F-16s in service for at least another 20 years.

South Korea and Singapore’s interest in AESA radar may have intensified in recent months, now that it has become apparent the U.S. Air Force may be going down this path too. The U.S. Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center issued a request for information in late June asking companies about upgrading 300-600 F-16s, starting in 2017.

In addition to the AESA radar, Taiwan also appears to be in the market for targeting pods for its F-16s. At the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, Northrop Grumman promoted its Litening II and Lockheed Martin its Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. Northrop Grumman’s pod is used by a number of F-16 operators, but Lockheed Martin is likely to highlight to the Taiwanese that its Sniper is on U.S. Air Force F-16s, in addition to those of other air forces.

About 700 Sniper systems have been sold and about 500 delivered so far, says a Lockheed Martin executive. The system is “plug and play,” so the pod recognizes the aircraft on which it is fitted and adjusts accordingly. Lockheed Martin has introduced software upgrades so the pod can be fitted to several other aircraft types such as Boeing F-15s, B-52s and AV-8B Harrier jets. This pod also is useful for reconnaissance purposes, so Lockheed Martin is working to have it capable of being fitted on transport aircraft such as its C-130.

(Aviation Week)

AL Vietnam Akan Diperkuat 6 Kapal Selam Kelas Kilo

Kapal selam kelas Kilo dalam perjalanan menuju Cina. (Foto: DID)

9 Agustus 2011, Jakarta (Berita HanKam): Angkatan Laut Vietnam akan memiliki satu brigade kapal selam terdiri dari enam kapal selam kelas Kilo 636 dalam 5-6 tahun mendatang ditegaskan Menteri Pertahanan Vietnam Phung Quang Thanh saat jumpa pers di Hanoi, Rabu (3/8) dikutip harian Tuoi Tren.

Vietnam juga membeli jet tempur, rudal serta perangkat militer lainnya guna mempertahankan kedaulatan Vietnam, tambah Menhan Thanh.

Menhan Thanh yakin pembelian ini tidak memicu perlombaan senjata di kawasan, tetapi hal yang wajar untuk suatu negara meningkatkan pertahanan guna mempertahankan kedaulatannya. Menjaga keamanan di laut dan kedaulatan merupakan salah satu tugas Angkatan Darat, Angkatan Laut, Polisi Maritim dan Penjaga Pantai Vietnam.

AB Vietnam akan melindungi para nelayan sesuai hukum dan juga membantu masalah teknis, insiden dan resiko lainnya saat bekerja di lautan.

Pesawat patroli maritim C212-400 diserahkan Airbus Military pada Vietnam awal bulan ini. (Foto: Airbus Military)

Menurut Center for Analysis of Strategic and Technologies (CAST), Vietnam menjadi pembeli senjata terbesar Rusia pada 2009. Pembelian enam kapal selam diesel-elektrik kelas Kilo 636 merupakan pembelian kedua terbesar, setelah pembelian 8 kapal selam oleh Cina.

Rusia akan mulai mengirimkan kapal selam ke Vietnam pada 2014. Rusia dan Vietnam meneken kontrak senilai 3,2 milyar dolar pada Desember 2009. Saat kunjungan kerja Perdana Menteri Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung ke Rusia.

Kapal selam akan dipersenjatai sistem rudal jelajah Club-S, diungkapkan Oleg Azizov pejabat Rosoboronexport.

Frigate kelas Gepard 3.9. (Grafis: DID)

Vietnam memesan juga dua frigate kelas Gepard 3.9 Project 1166.1 pada 2006. Frigate dirancang menghancurkan kapal permukaan, kapal selam dan sasaran udara. Dipersenjatai sistem rudal anti kapal Uran-E, tabung torpedo 533 mm, sistem artileri pertahanan udara Palma, satu pucuk meriam 76,2 mm AK-176M, dua pucuk meriam 30 mm AK-630M serta satu unit helikopter Ka-28 atau Ka-31 Helix.

AU Vietnam akan diperkuat 24 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 yang terbagi dalam dua kontrak pembelian. Pesawat dibangun di Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Polisi Maritim Vietnam telah menerima satu pesawat patroli maritim C212-400 buatan Airbus Military awal bulan ini, pesawat kedua diserahkan akhir tahun dan pesawat ketiga pada awal tahun depan.

Sumber: Tuoi Tren

House Leader Pushes Extension of 15-Year AFP Modernization Program

09 Agustus 2011

Philippine Marine Corps with V300 + cannon (photo : Timawa)

MANILA — A ranking member of the House of Representatives has asked Congress to fast track the approval of a bill providing for another 15-year modernization program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to upgrade the fighting capability of the soldiers in the field.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, said there is a need to immediately approve House Bill 4949 seeking to amend Republic Act 7898, otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act, as the current program will expire in December this year.

"The modernization program should focus on internal security to be able to address some critical areas in the country," he said.

Biazon said the proposed P428 billion for the first five years of the modernization program as provided under HB 4949, which he authored, will be utilized for the procurement of new military hardware.

Aside from firearms and ammunition, the AFP needs more helicopters which could be used for transporting arms and medical supplies and picking up the injured soldiers and ferry them to and from hospitals.

Biazon said Congress can use the Malampaya earnings estimated at P103 billion for the modernization plan.

"A part of that amount could be earmarked for the procurement of more helicopters for field operations," he said.

Data shows that in 2002, the AFP has a strength of 106,000 soldiers, with reserves of 131,000 men.

The Army, with 73,000 personnel, has eight infantry divisions and five engineer battalions. Equipment included 40 Scorpion tanks.

The Navy has a total of 24,000 personnel, including 7,500 Marines, with one frigate and 58 patrol and coastal combatants.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has the strength of 16,000, with 49 combat aircraft and 67 armed helicopters.

In previous years, the PAF was able to purchase new SF-260 trainer planes and night attack helicopters. It was also set to acquire eight primary trainer aircraft, 10 additional Huey UH-1H utility helicopters, eight brand new combat utility helicopters, eight new attack helicopters, two light lift aircrafts, and 12 trainer helicopters.

"As former AFP chief, I would know and would be able to look more closely at the way the AFP modernization plan would be more apt and beneficial, not only to the Philippine military but to the government and people," said Biazon.

"There is a need to recommend an amount that will give the AFP modernization a more realistic modernization program and effectively respond to the real needs of the country’s military arm," he said. (PNA)

(Balita)