South Korea to Gift Corvette to Philippines Navy

Po Hang class corvettes (photo : Chosun)

Po Hang Retires To The Tropics

South Korea is donating one of its recently retired Po Hang class corvettes to the Philippines Navy. The Po Hangs are 1,200 ton warships that first entered service in 1984. Since then 24 have been built. Each is armed with four Harpoon anti-ship missiles, one 76mm cannon; two twin 40mm automatic cannon, six torpedo tubes and twelve depth charges. The crew of 95 also operates radar and sonar. Top speed is 59 kilometers an hour. Two Po Hangs have been retired so far, and one was sunk by a North Korean torpedo last year.

The Philippines is an island nation, with 7,100 islands to defend. Long crippled by corruption and bad government, the Philippines have never had much money to spend on the military (or anything else.) Wealthier nations have found it good diplomacy to donate military equipment to the Philippines. The Filipinos appreciate it; because donated military gear is something the thieving politicians have a hard time stealing.

Russian Marines To Get New Tracked Amphibia

The new vehicle will be designed by JSC Kurganmashzavod and will be capable to move both on land and at sea staying afloat even in strong sea disturbance. (image : Kurgan)

Russian defense ministry ordered a new tracked combat vehicle to be designed specially for the Navy but not refitted from army hardware. According toIzvestiya, new self-propelled vehicle will be capable to move both on land and at sea staying afloat even in strong sea disturbance. The new naval combat vehicle will be designed by JSC Kurganmashzavod.New vehicle will be based on multipurpose tracked carrier which will be also used in other types of combat vehicles for the Army, Airborne Troops, and air defense mounts. Naval version will be equipped with engine-driven screw making possible to sail at speed up to 25-30 kph.By initial estimates, naval tracked combat vehicle will be fielded in 2015-2016. The military expect new vehicle to widen the range of tasks. In particular, landing troops will reach coast in half an hour during over-the-horizon discharge. Currently used BMP-1 and BMP-2 are non-effective in sea disturbance, so are not frequently used in landing drills.At present, landing troops are mostly delivered by navy-adapted BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, landing ships or boats. According to a source, defense ministry does not order the latter ones focusing on procurement of French Mistral-class assault landing docks capable to put afloat troops beyond the horizon.It was reported late in 2009 that all marine units would be completely rearmed by 2015. Procurement of new hardware will be carried out under State Arms Program 2011-2020. The document provides deliveries of main battle tanks T-90, infantry combat vehicles BMP-3, armored personnel carriers BTR-82A, combat reconnaissance landing vehicles BRDM-3, 120-mm self-propelled guns 2S31 Vena, modernized small arms, grenade launchers, and antiaircraft assets.

Mobile infra-red provides secure comms on Type 45

New infra-red short-range mobile comms system has been installed on the HMS Daring, Dauntless and Diamond.

An infra-red short-range mobile communications system from Link Microtek has been installed on the first three of the UK MoD’s fleet of Type 45 Destroyers, providing officers on the bridge with a completely secure and interference-free voice communications facility.

Designed and manufactured by Link Microtek’s Azdec subsidiary, the Infra-Com system offers a versatile and effective communications solution that fully satisfied the MoD’s TEMPEST requirements.

Other than the link from headset to battery pack, the system has no wires and therefore gives operators complete freedom of movement while enabling them to speak to each other or to link into the ship’s main communications system via a central base station.

As Infra-Com does not use radio technology, no-one can listen in or target on emissions from the system.

In addition, its signals are completely immune to electromagnetic interference – even severe energy pulses.

Infra-Com is now fully operational on the bridge of HMS Daring and Dauntless and is undergoing final trials on HMS Diamond.

It will also be installed on HMS Duncan, Dragon and Defender in due course.

Providing multi-channel, full-duplex communications, Infra-Com is a robustly designed system comprising a compact base station, a number of fixed infra-red antennas, a choice of noise attenuating or ultra-lightweight headsets, operators’ belt-mounted battery packs/control units, and a central battery-charger unit.

The system’s low-level infra-red digital encoding technology poses no health hazard even though it is capable of covering areas up to 10,000 square metres.

USN to operate with nine CSGs by year's end

The US Navy (USN) will operate with nine carrier strike groups (CSGs) by the end of the year, reducing the effectiveness of the service's 11-carrier force.

The service plans to dissolve CSG Seven, previously attached to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in reaction to a short-term reduction in carrier capability following the planned decommissioning of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in 2013 and before the first next-generation Gerald Ford-class carrier (CVN 78) commissions in 2015.

According to a 1 August memo from the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, a CSG will be relocated from Naval Station Everett, Washington, to Naval Station San Diego, California, to shore up the loss when CSG Seven stands down in December. CSG Nine from Everett will replace CSG Seven. CSG Nine is currently composed of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing Two and elements of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) Nine.

Next year Abraham Lincoln will begin its mid-life refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH), which will take four years to complete and keep the carrier out of the fleet for the duration of the repairs and refuelling.

Currently USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is undergoing that process, which is expected to be completed by late 2012 or early 2013.

India to Help Vietnam Build a Submarine Fleet

Kilo submarine of the Indian Navy

In the framework of building a strategic partnership, the Indian Navy will help Vietnam develop Navy submarine fleet. Cooperation in the field of defense is a fundamental part of the framework to build a strategic partnership between India and Vietnam.

Like Vietnam, the staff of the Indian Army in general and in particular the Navy has a lot of equipment originating from the Soviet Union and Russia. India is one of the foreign country to use as soon as Kilo submarines, with rich experience. Indian Navy ready to share this with Vietnam for the Navy plans to build a submarine fleet in time to Kilo.

An official of the Indian Navy, said: "We are helping Vietnam to build their submarine fleet. Our experience in the operation of Kilo submarines will be shared with them.

" The official declined to provide information, whether the crew Vietnam has provided practical experience on the Kilo submarines in India or not.

With his rich experience of India will help Vietnam build a submarine fleet. In the photo, an Indian naval officers outside observers by Kilo submarine periscope.

Vietnam has officially announced the purchase of six diesel-electric submarines from Russia in 2009 and most recently, Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh has also spoken to confirm the construction of a submarine fleet of about 5-6 yearsto.

Currently in the Indian Navy personnel are 10 class diesel electric submarines Sindhughosh, this variant is exported to India's Kilo submarines of Project 877EKM.

Mr. Uday Bhaskar, director Institute of Oceanography Commodore stressed that Vietnam is an important strategic partner of India, we have much in common in the historical issues. "We both have a lot of weapons and equipment from Russia, so that India can bring technical assistance to Vietnam," he said.

Earlier during the visit of Indian Defense Minister AK Antony to Vietnam in 2010, the Indian side pledged to help Vietnam strengthen the modernization of the military, especially naval.

These include programs to upgrade the ships from the Soviet Union, also in the framework of the visit, the Indian Navy has transferred to Vietnam a lot of technical equipment to upgrade the fleet from Soviet Union.

Taiwan's 'Carrier Killer' Aims To Sink China's Carrier

Hsiung Feng III misille

TAIPEI - In the event of war, Taiwan plans to sink China's new aircraft carrier, the Varyag, with its new "aircraft carrier killer" missile, the ramjet-powered supersonic anti-ship cruise missile Hsiung Feng 3. The revelation was made Aug. 10 on the same day China launched the Varyag for its first sea trials.

The disclosure came during a preshow media tour of the biennial Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE). Journalists inspecting the Hsiung Feng 3 were shocked to see a large mural of the Varyag being attacked by three Hsiung Feng 3 missiles. Two of the missiles impact the carrier's starboard bow and starboard quarter, with a third missile is en route to the ship.

THIS MURAL WAS displayed at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition showing Taiwan Hsiung Feng 3 missiles attacking the new Chinese carrrier, Varyag. (photo : Wendell Minnick/DefenseNews)

The mural was reminiscent of similar displays at the 2010 Zhuhai Airshow in China, where anti-ship missiles were depicted attacking and sinking U.S. aircraft carriers.

The unveiling of the display comes at an uncomfortable time for Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou. Since coming into office in 2008, Ma has eased cross-Strait tensions and signed historic economic agreements with China.

Military officials denied that calling Hsiung Feng 3 the "aircraft carrier killer" or displaying a mural of a missile attack on the Varyag were intended to send Beijing a political message. In the past, the Taiwan military often used ambiguous phrases to describe the "enemy" without mentioning China. Therefore, the Hsiung Feng 3 display was out of synch with normal military protocol that avoids enraging China.

Hsiung Feng 3 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile powered by ramjet

The military-run Chungshun Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) produces the Hsiung Feng family of anti-ship missiles, including the Tien Kung (Sky Bow) air defense missile and the Tien Chien (Sky Sword) missile.

CSIST is working on a highly classified missile system called the Hsiung Feng 2E, which is reportedly a land-attack cruise missile capable of hitting targets on mainland China. This missile has never been displayed to the public and the military refuses to discuss its existence. Another missile program considered secret is the Tien Chien 2A, which is reportedly an anti-radiation missile designed to destroy ground-based radar systems.

A CSIST official said the Hsiung Feng 3 has been outfitted on the 1101 and 1103 Perry-class frigates for testing. "We began building the Hsiung Feng III around five years ago."

Hsiung Feng II missiles

The military might field the missile inland along the coast to fend off a Chinese invasion armada, he said. The Hsiung Feng 3 has a reported range of 130 kilometers.

Also on display at TADTE was the new Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow) air defense missile. The Tien Kung is based on the U.S.-built Patriot missile defense system. Details of its probable deployment are classified.

Vietnam to Buy More Missiles Coast

Bastion P long range coastal defense anti ship missile

NPO Mashinostroenia Group began preparing contracts to sell missile systems Bastion-P for the coast of Vietnam.

NPO Mashinostroenia Group began preparing export contracts coastal missile system Bastion-P with Vietnam not through arms export company Rosoboronoexport. Funding for this contract is taken from the Russian state credit for Vietnam.

Currently, the two sides are determined the preliminary conditions of the export contract: the exact amount of equipment purchase, the size of the Russian state credit and the transfer deadline.

A source close to the Russian Finance Ministry, Russia is negotiating with Vietnam on credit to buy Russian weapons.State credit scale has not been identified as "directly dependent on the number of weapons procurement, which it is currently being discussed." "One of the parties to the contract will be NPO Mashinostroenia. That role is defined for the NPO and the company is negotiating with Vietnam to provide a system Bastion. " This source also said the transfer of missiles to Vietnam can take place not earlier than in 2013-2014 by the Russian side to prepare and have added to the budget law to provide credit export to Vietnam.

A source close to Rosoboronoexport, 10/08 Thursday, said, "credit problems related to Vietnam to buy Russian weapons are at the stage to discuss and reach the final."

NPO Mashinostroenia has allowed himself of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to prepare the export contract, although it has not been formalized legally. This group will only be signing export contracts through Rosoboronoexport if not get this right legally.

A source in the Russian president's office revealed that President Dmitri Medvedev has been reported from January 6.2011 to plan an independent NPO arms export finished products, the person filing the report, Assistant President Sergei Prikhodko concurrently Chairman of the Board of the NPO Mashinostroenia and President Medvedev wrote up a report is "Yes", however no formal decree of the President.

A source in the field of military technical cooperation, said NPO Mashinostroenia are actually preparing themselves to the world market. By 2007, the NPO has self arms exports and understand Vietnam market, and has been President of Russia permission to continue doing it. Federal Agency for Technical Cooperation, the military announced this Rosoboronoexport.

NPO Mashinostroenia to export in 2007 was independent of some form of military products should have enough experience.In 2007, the export market Russian arms to form a clear and full military semi-finished products passed into the hands of state companies is a Rosoboronoexport act as intermediaries to supply arms.

Regulation on the subject of military technical cooperation is not empowered to export finished products, but allows to provide spare parts to foreign customers, the components, parts or service modernization and maintenance.

Currently, there are regulations on the subject of military technical cooperation is Rosoboronoexport (intermediate-owned companies), Rostechnologyy (marketing) and 21 firms to develop and produce military goods. Of these, only Rosoboronoexport may export all kinds of military, first of all finished products. The remaining firms can only export spare parts and other components and materials, as well as after-sales maintenance services for the weapons and equipment have been provided earlier.

Rosoboronoexport addition, only two companies may sell finished products to foreign countries - it is in its shipbuilding Zvezdochka Severidvinsk and Admiralteiskye Verfi in St.Petersburg. The two firms are in uniform Shipbuilding Corporation OSK. April 11.2010, Admiralteiskye Verfi announced its development strategy, which proposed to give them "the subject regulations and military technical cooperation."This Regulation will be given full independence group offers its products to world markets without the help of Rosoboronoexport.

Currently, the majority Rosoboronoexport control the export of Russian military. In 2010, Russia sold $ 10 billion of foreign weapons and equipment, including 8.6 channel Rosoboronoexport. Meanwhile, in 2009, the corresponding index is 8.8 and 7.4 billion USD. As of early 2011, the volume of orders Rosoboronoexport is 38 billion USD.

It is suggested that, if the direct sales contract Bastion for Vietnam to be signed, then this is the first pain attack on the monopoly of Rosoboronoexport, the export of military products into single products in Russia.

However, expert Konstantin Makienko, Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technology (TsAST, Russia) is that financial losses due to NPO Mashinostroenie Rosoboronoexport of independent arms exports is not large. "Many do is that contracts with the NPO may be signed, on average provide a system / year.

This system is very powerful, very expensive and very sensitive politically. In this segment, the market will undoubtedly focus on the alternative system is the Bal-E. So Rosoboronoexport possible countermeasures symmetry is to start marketing the system easier to sell than the Bal-E. In 2010, under the contracts signed earlier Rosoboronoexport, Russia, Vietnam has provided a valuable Bastion system USD 150 million.

In the opinion of the Council members under the Ministry of Social Defense, said Ruslan Pukhov, the loss is much greater loss of Rosoboronoexport image