Armed Forces to Get 3 Support Ships Worth RM 2.2bil (USD 650mio)

Galicia class (Spain)/Rotterdam class (Netherland) is offered to Malaysia for RM 800mio (photos : naval technology)

SINGAPORE: The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will be acquiring three Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS) worth RM2.2bil to provide faster humanitarian and disaster relief.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the MRSS would be a floating support system that would carry food, medical supplies, clothing supplies and utilities to areas affected by disasters.

“The vessel would also have a helicopter pad which would enable flexibility in the deployment of disaster relief supplies to affected areas.

“This way, we will be able to approach disaster stricken areas by berthing the vessel at a port or flying relief supplies to the areas from a nearby anchorage position,” he said.

He was speaking to pressmen after delivering a speech to delegates during the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit held at the Shangri-La hotel here.

Ahmad Zahid also added that, currently, five ship builders have been accepted from several countries in Europe and Asia for the building of one of the three MRSS.

“The first MRSS will be built in a foreign country while the other two will be built locally,” he said.

He added that several Malaysian experts would also be sent to the chosen country to acquire the knowledge on the construction of the ships.

“These experts will then return to Malaysia and start the building of the remaining two ships there,” he said.

He also commented that the MAF would be conducting humanitarian and disaster relief training focused on civilian protection.

“The training sessions would either be conducted at the MAF peacekeeping training centre or we may set up a dedicated centre specialising in such training,” he said.

MP, Expert Back RI-S. Korea Jet Fighter Project

KFX 101 version (photo : chosun)

Planned cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea to start a joint project on jet fighter production received strong support from a lawmaker and researcher here on Friday but they warned that it will need to undergo feasibility studies.

“The joint cooperation is good for Indonesia because it will help us revitalize our defense industry.

However it is strongly recommended both countries conduct thorough feasibility study,” Kemal Azis Stamboel, lawmaker from the House of Representatives Commission I overseeing defense and intelligence told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Kemal added that among points to be looked into in the study would be an assessment of possible future conflict between the two countries.

“This policy applies for all potential partner countries because of course we don’t want to be caught out if it occurs,” he added.

Initiated during a visit to Indonesia by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak last year, both countries are now gearing up to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the fighter production, which will be called “KFX project”.
According to secretary-general of the Defense Ministry Deputy Marshal Eris Haryanto, the MoU is likely to be signed at the end of this year. After the signing, a joint team comprising experts from both countries will be formed.

This team would be tasked with building five prototypes of the aircraft before 2020. After achieving the break even point target of 200 units, the aircraft will be ready for mass production.

Military expert from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences Jaleswari Pramodhawardani said the project offers Indonesia a rare chance to develop its defense industry.

“There is always a risk in everything but in my opinion we should take this risk,” she said.

However, she said the project would cost a huge part of the budget, meaning the Indonesian Military may have to work hard to convince lawmakers to grant funding.

Under the MoU, Indonesia will shoulder 20 percent of the initial budget of US$8 billion, which Kemal described as “reasonable”.

The joint project is widely seen as a pilot project for Indonesian military in revitalizing defense industry. The Indonesian military is now perfecting an draft paper on boosting the country’s defense industry.

Philippine Army Looking For 155mm Howitzer

Philippine Army with 105mm howitzer (photo : sulekha)

DND Shopping Around for Heavy Weapons, Trucks

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) is in the market for heavy guns as well as military trucks for the Philippine Army (PA) in line with its ongoing efforts to modernize the military.

While there was no mention of the exact amount allotted for the procurement, Defense Undersecretary Antonio Romero said they are looking forward to the purchase of 155mm howitzers for the Army.

At present, the Army is heavily dependent on 105mm howitzers, which only have a maximum range of less than 12 kilometers (air distance), for its counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and anti-lawlessness campaign, especially in Mindanao.

The 155 mm howitzers, which have a range of 15 kilometers (air distance), will boost the Army’s reach into enemy lines, considering that most areas of conflict in the country are confined to rugged terrain.

Also being programmed for acquisition by the defense department are M35 military transport trucks to facilitate the mobility of Army troops on the ground.

But Romero admitted that in so far as the Army’s armor needs is concerned, it is unlikely that the department will program the purchase of heavy tanks since this fighting vehicle is designed to do combat in deserts and plains.

“Also, the country’s road networks and bridges have been designed for light and medium military tanks. If we purchase 60-ton heavy tanks our roads and bridges will be damaged because they are designed for 20-ton vehicles,” Romero said.

The defense department has already sealed a P2.8-billion deal with Poland for the acquisition of eight brand-new combat utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Delivery of the four units is expected to happen within a year.

Palace: No AFP midnight deal

Malacañang yesterday gave its full backing to the deal with Poland, saying it was a long overdue step towards the modernization of the Armed Forces.Deputy presidential spokesman Rogelio Peyuan said the deal was “definitely above board” and there is no sufficient reason for it to be blocked.Aside from the eight brand-new helicopters, the DND is also looking at Canada or

France for the acquisition of fighter jets, which the Air Force also needs.

“For now only Canada has a funding scheme for us if we are going to purchase fighter jets from them,” Romero said.

The Philippine Navy is also procuring two MVRs (multi-role vessels), at P5 billion each.

“We fully back the position of the Secretary of National Defense. His office is open to those who have concerns (regarding the acquisition). The documents are available for the proper scrutiny of anyone who’s interested to find out the transparency of the purchase of these choppers,” Peyuan told reporters.“It (deal) is not an overnight idea. We’ve been hearing this modernization thing of the Armed Forces and the entire defense system even during the time of President Fidel Ramos,” he said.Peyuan urged Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to support the acquisition once he assumes the presidency on June 30.He said defense officials involved in the deal would be able to justify the purchase.“(The government) has already started attending to the modernization efforts of the AFP. So, I would think that the entire defense organization and the AFP will be presenting the same position to the incoming leadership in due time,” Peyuan said. – Paolo Romero

Pakistan Begins Domestic Fighter Avionics Production

JF-17 Cockpit diagram (photo : ggpht)

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said it has commenced domestic production of avionics for the Sino-Pak JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft.

The announcement came May 28 at a ceremony attended by Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, just outside Islamabad.

To date, the majority of avionics produced in Pakistan have been manufactured under license from foreign companies, most notably Selex Galileo radars for the Air Force's Mirage III and F-7P Fishbed fighters. However, this looks set to change.

During the May 28 ceremony, the PAC's chairman, Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan, outlined the JF-17 avionics, in which he stated, "four indigenously designed and developed avionics systems were also being produced," and that the "production scope would be progressively broadened to include the production of a complete JF-17 avionics suite at the complex."

Officials at PAC could not provide any details on the announcement, and Air Force officials declined to answer any queries.

It is believed, however, that at least two of the domestically designed and produced systems include a head-up display and a weapons and mission management computer.

Past indigenous avionics projects have included a radar homing system in the 1960s for the F-104 fighter jet; an IRST pod and modifications to the GEC 956 HUD (Head Up Display); and the HUDWAC (HUD Weapon Aiming Computer) for the F-7P in the 1990s.

Efforts to sustain avionics design in Pakistan have not succeeded.

Retired Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail said he believes the reason is because it has "not been a viable proposition so far."

However, large-scale indigenous production of the JF-17 and potential export sales mean such a move is now more economically viable, he said.

Tufai said the Air Force has the potential to succeed because it has "a very large pool of highly qualified avionics engineers at the bachelor's, master's and even doctorate level, both serving and retired."

If that potential does result in a focused effort, "the next decade may well see Pakistan establish itself as one of the leading Asia-Pacific producers of avionics hardware and software," he said.

Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation Exercise

An Army unimog is loaded onto HMAS Balikpapan.

As part of the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period, two Royal Australian Navy ships, HMAS Balikpapan and HMAS Betano took part in a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation exercise.

A Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) is an amphibious operation conducted to relocate threatened non-combatants to a place of safety in a foreign country.

The simulated amphibious operation involved the Australian Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment loading an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV), a General Motor Vehicle and three Unimogs onto HMA Ships Balikpapan and Betano.

Aussie C-17 Delivers the Goods in Afghanistan

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster lands on the dusty airstrip of Multinational Base Tarin Kowt.

Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft are used by Australian forces in the Middle East Area of Operations for heavy lift capability including the movement of combat vehicles in and out of theatres of operation as well as large freight items.

The C-17 has a short take-off and landing capability that is well suited to the environmental demands of Afghanistan where dirt runways such as the one at the Multinational Base in Tarin Kowt are common.

RAAF C-17 delivered two recently refurbished Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) to the 1st Mentoring Task Force based in Tarin Kowt.

A number of large freight items were also delivered on the day with the American K-Loader getting a solid workout. The K-Loader is the American version of the Australian TASLU platform.

Canada Accepts First Of 17 Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

MARIETTA, Ga., -- Canada formally accepted the first of 17 Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-130J Super Hercules aircraft today at ceremonies here and at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.

Canada finalized its CC-130J contract with Lockheed Martin in December 2007, with a subsequent agreement from the U.S. Air Force to ensure an early delivery of the first two Canadian aircraft. The balance will be delivered by the end of 2012. The CC-130Js (the Canadian designation) are the "stretched" configuration of the C-130J and are of similar specification to those already operated by the U.S. and other worldwide air forces.

"This year is the 50th anniversary of the first CC-130 Hercules aircraft accepted by Canada," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, the Canadian Minister of National Defence. "I am proud to mark this milestone by welcoming the J-model Hercules into our fleet – on budget and on schedule – ensuring the Canadian Forces have the equipment it needs to be a modern, multi-role force able to take on the challenges of the 21st century."

"Lockheed Martin is proud to again support Canada and the Canadian Forces," said Tony Frese, Lockheed Martin C-130J program director. "The C-130J Super Hercules is an operationally proven platform and the ideal aircraft to replace Canada's existing C 130 fleet. The current C-130s have been Canada's indomitable workhorse for decades and this new aircraft will now meet the demanding tactical airlift needs of the Canadian Forces."

The C-130J generates greater operational efficiency than Canada's existing E and H models, by flying further, faster, with more payload and higher reliability. The aircraft's increased performance gives it an enhanced range with a payload capability of over 4,000 nautical miles. In addition, its short-field performance allows the aircraft to engage in direct support missions for frontline forces down to the last tactical mile.

C-130Js are currently deployed in several theatres and are operating at a high tempo efficiently and reliably. C-130Js are used daily for troop and equipment re-supply via ground delivery and airdrop, for air-to-air refueling, ground refueling, humanitarian relief and search and rescue.

Lockheed Martin recently announced the team of Canadian companies that will provide maintenance and support for Canada's new CC 130J fleet. The initial in-service support (ISS) contract period is for six-and-a-half years from contract award in December 2009 to June 30, 2016.

"Through a rigorous and competitive process, we assembled a team to support Canada's CC 130J fleet that rivals any such team in the world," Frese said."This team – as well as the expertise and capabilities in Canada to fulfill our industrial benefits obligation – stands as a testament to the quality of Canada's high-technology industrial base."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.