VPA’s Mechanized Infantry Training Crossed The River

Amphibious BMP-1 of the VPA to swim practice crossed the river

The senior officers of Vietnam People's Army has joined the training of command, including performing amphibious tanks, shoot gun.

This is training the army command in 2011 for hundreds of senior officers, was held in April. Here, the amendments in the order the Vietnam People's Army has been introduced to the training.

During training, the senior visiting car amphibious mechanized infantry crossed the river to swim practice.

In addition, senior officers can visit the infantry shoot a gun show to go along with firepower; visit the new defense products are studied, improving the team for training and work practice training of a mechanized infantry unit.

South Korea Develops Vertical Launch for Submarine

After 2018 South Korea plans to build 3,000-ton heavy attack submarines equipped with vertical launching systems that allow a variety of weapons, including long-range cruise missiles, to be deployed. (image : DSME)

Vertical launching system for attack subs developed

Korea has developed a vertical launching system (VLS) to be installed on 3,000-ton heavy attack submarines to be deployed after 2018, according to a shipbuilding industry source, Monday.

Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering are subcontractors for the heavy attack submarines.

It is the first time that the development of a submarine VLS in Korea has been confirmed. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has already developed one used aboard the 7,600-ton KDX-III Aegis destroyer.

A VLS is a modern type of missile-firing system used aboard submarines and surface vessels of several navies around the world. When installed on an attack submarine, a VLS allows a greater number and variety of weapons to be deployed in comparison to using only torpedo tubes.

Following the development of the VLS for subs, top shipbuilders in Korea and the ADD are also on track to develop an indigenous horizontal tube to launch torpedoes, cruise missiles and mines, the source said.

“The development of a vertical launching system has already been completed, while the development of a horizontal launching system is still under way,” the source told The Korea Times, asking not to be identified. “Developing the horizontal launching tube requires more sophisticated technology than the VLS development.

Cheonryong long range cruise missile

”The VLS would be used in launching long-range cruise missiles at key targets in North Korea.

The ADD has developed the 500-kilometer-range, ship-launched Cheonryong, which is a modified variant of the surface-to-surface Hyunmoo III-A ballistic missile. The missile range could be extended up to 1,000 kilometers, according to military sources.

The Cheonryong missiles are believed to have already been modified to be installed on Type-214 subs.

South Korea has successfully developed the Hyunmoo III-C surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a maximum range of 1,500 kilometers, following the deployment of the 1,000-kilometer-range Hyunmoo III-B.

With the VLS development, Korea would have an advantage in selling its submarines overseas in the future, the source added.

Currently, the South operates nine 1,200-ton, Type-209 submarines and three 1,800-ton, Type-214 submarines. They are all diesel- and electric-powered and were all built with technical cooperation from HDW of Germany.

As Germany restricts the transfer of key submarine technology, such as launching tubes, Korea would have difficulty exporting any of those locally-built submarines.

The Navy plans to deploy at least three more Type-214 submarines in the years to come.

Beginning in 2018, Seoul plans to build 3,000-ton KSS-III submarines fitted with domestically-built submarine combat systems aimed at automating target detection, tracking, threat assessment and weapons control.

The heavy attack sub will be armed with indigenous ship-to-ground cruise missiles and be capable of underwater operations for up to 50 days with an upgraded Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system.

Royal Malaysian Navy Plans to Add Ship and ASW Helicopter in 10MP

Among purchase planned in the 10th malaysia plan includes six ASW helicopter

Royal Malaysia Navy Continues to Shine

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- With its military spirit, loyalty to the country and undying courage, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), which celebrates its 77th anniversary tomorrow, continues to strengthen its force in ensuring the sovereignty and maximum security of the country's waters.

As a branch of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the RMN remains a division that is credible and ready to face challenges for the people and country.

For example, their success in saving RMN auxiliary vessel Bunga Mas 5 in Aden Bay, Somalia, opened the eyes of the world and also became a landmark in the nation's defence history.

Also, June 20 was a proud moment when the Ops Fajar 8 team recovered commercial vessel MT Bunga Laurel, which had been hijacked by pirates, as seven armed pirates were arrested by the Special Protection Team after exchanging fire from air and sea.

RMN chief, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, said the naval success upheld the MAF, especially the RMN, to a higher level in the international maritime arena, showing that it is on par with other countries.

He added that the navy also demonstrated their capability to continuously operate in foreign waters with success.

"Ops Fajar is entering its ninth year, and throughout the operation not one commercial vessel owned by the MISC or country was hijacked by armed pirates."

The presence of Ops Fajar also crippled two attempted pirate ships attempting attacks on Chinese commercial vessels, MV Zhenhua 4 on Dec 17, 2008 and Indian commercial vessel MT Abdul Kalam Azad on Jan 1, 2009," he told Bernama in a special interview at his office, here recently.

Abdul Aziz said more of such successes would follow with a proposal for an additional escort vessel by next September, should it be approved by MISC Berhad.

Currently, he said, with only one vessel operating, the task of escorting Malaysian commercial vessels through Aden Bay becomes complicated and time-consuming when there are too many ships to escort.

"Two successful meetings with MISC Berhad discussed the concept, design and characteristics of the second vessel...and come May 5 the development and latest status on the proposal will be discussed in more detail.

"If this happens, the second ship will operate independently, whereby one vessel will escort from the West to East and another from East to West...it will launch operations and movement of Malaysian commercial vessels, as well as enable high returns for MISC," he said.

He added that auxiliary vessel Bunga Mas 5 made history when it became the first auxiliary vessel in the world to be used to fight pirates in Aden Bay.

Ops Fajar was launched following the hijacking of two MISC vessels, Bunga Melati 2 and Bunga Melati 5, in Aden Bay in July 2008 before the Bunga Mas 5, a former MISC Berhad commercial vessel that was renovated into an RMN auxiliary vessel.

It was deployed to escort and protect the country's commercial vessels from threats of pirates in Aden Bay and nearby waters.

The Special Sea Unit (PASKAL), also known as KD Panglima Hitam, was the backbone of Ops Fajar's success with the assistance of the Army Special Operations Group (GGK), Special Air Service (PASKAU) and MISC Berhad crew, who were absorbed into the RMN Volunteer Reserve Team (PSSTLDM).

Abdul Aziz said the RMN would also update its defence system through plans of purchasing the latest defence assets and equipment, as well as replacing old assets in line with their goal to become a more ready and efficient organisation.

He said among the purchases planned in the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP)includes six Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters, a multi-purpose support ship(MSS) and disaster support ship to boost the country's maritime defence.

For patrol and training purposes, the RMN has also agreed to buy two ships from a local ship building company, NGV Tech Sdn Bhd, and they will be built at the NGV Tech ship dock in Kampung Sinjangkang, Teluk Panglima Garang, with a completion target of two years.

"These normal patrol ships are sophisticated and will be equipped with various weapons to be used as training objects, which RMN personnel will be taught to use.

Regarding the anniversary celebrations, tomorrow which has been themed "Warga Didahulukan, Kesiapsiagaan Diutamakan" (People First, Readiness Now), he said it will be a lively but moderate affair in Lumut to be attended by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, as RMN Colonel-in-chief.

The navy is seen as more mature in their efforts to strengthen its structure and armada to ensure safety, but despite this heavy responsibility it cannot be denied that the RMN has a praise worthy 77-year track record.Therefore, it is appropriate that the RMN be congratulated for bravely and confidently stepping forward as an able force to dominate military operations and become a versatile armed force in this century.

Diagnostic Review of MRH-90 Multi Role Helicopter Program

MRH90 multirole helicopter

A full diagnostic review of the MRH-90 Multi Role Helicopter Program has now been completed.

The review was ordered in February by the Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare to address delays to the project.

It was chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation Mr Warren King supported by a number of independent specialists.

The review has recommended that the project should not be added to the Project of Concern list at this time.

It has recommended that Defence work with the contractor, Australian Aerospace, to implement a remediation plan to improve the availability of the helicopters by addressing engineering and reliability issues.

The project will be the subject of a further diagnostic review later this year to examine the effectiveness of the action taken and whether further action is necessary.

The diagnostic review was ordered to address delays to the project due to a series of key issues including engine failure, transmission oil cooler fan failures and the poor availability of spares.

As reported in both the Defence Annual Report and the ANAO Major Project Report released last year, the project has suffered delays of 12 months for the Navy’s helicopters and 18 months for the Army’s helicopters.

To date, 13 MRH-90 helicopters have been accepted by Defence and are currently being used for testing and initial crew training.