Australia's Regional Force Surveillance Units

The approximately 640-strong NORFORCE is one of three Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSU) in Australia.  Together with the 51st Far North Queensland Regiment (51 FNQR)and the Pilbara Regiment, the NORFORCE provides an unique capability for the defense of the vast territory of Australia, particularly the Northern coasts. In peacetime, the RFSU are responsible for conducting surveillance and reconnaissance operations in support of border protection as well as community engagement programs for regional development.

The NORFORCE, like the other RFSUs is made up of locals who are familiar with the areas of operations. About 60% of NORFORCE are aboriginals who are experts in outback survival and tracking.

Besides weapon handling skill, soldiers in the unit are cross-trained in skills such as sniping, medical treatment, driving, small watercraft handling, tracking and operations from the aircraft.  These would be useful skill in wartime duties.

Also known as the North-West Mobile Force, NORFORCE is headquartered in Darwin with the responsibility for a 1.8 million square kilometres area of operations in the Northern Territory as well as the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This is arguably the largest area of responsibility of any military units in the world. The Pilara Regiment is responsible for 1.3 million square kilometres in North-western Australia. The 51 FNQR's area of operations cover 640,000 square kilometres.

An in-depth knowledge of their Area of Operations is gathered by conducting regular patrols by foot, vehicle and watercraft; manning static observation posts; and by close communication and liaison with the local authorities and landowners.

Soldiers from Australia's NORFORCE on Astell Island. Photo from ABC News

ABC News

ADF

Straits Times

Malaysia Deploys MRAP to Sabah

Chaiseri Win MRAP, also known as the AV4 will be deployed in Sabah, East Malaysia. The AV4 is developed and produced by Thailand with maintenance support provided by its Malaysian partner (DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies or Deftech). Malaysia has bought 20 units of the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Also known as First Win, the 4x4 has also been sold to the Philippine and the Thai Police.



Janes

defence-blog

Russian SA-21 (S-400) SAM Deployment in Syria

Russia has deployed the S-400 long range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system to Syria following the shooting down of a Russian Su-24 by Turkish F-16. Here is a graphic depiction of the various components of the Russian S-400 SAM system. The S-400 is also known as SA-21 Growler by NATO is a potent area air defense system. The single S-400 system deployed to Syria is enough to cover the entire country. The S-400 has a range of up 400 km with an estimated effective engagement range of 250km. In an image released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, shown that at least two 5P85SM launchers with a 92N6 Grave Stone engagement and fire control radar were deployed at Humaymim by 6 December 15. The 91N6 Big Bird acquisition and battle management radar were previously deployed without the launchers and fire control radar.

aviationist

Russia Ministry of Defence

China Issue Warning After RAAF Flights Over South China Seas

China has issued a statement warning other countries not to conduct 'freedom of navigation' exercise in the disputed South China Sea after a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) maritime patrol aircraft flew over the disputed area.

BBC reporter Rupert Wingfield-Hayes was on an aircraft near to the Mischief Reef, one of the disputed isle near the Philippines when he recorded the transmission from the RAAF AP-3C, apparently to the Chinese navy.

An Australian airman could be heard on the recording repeating "China Navy, China Navy. We are an Australian aircraft exercising international freedom of navigation rights, in international airspace in accordance with the international civil aviation convention, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Over." There was no response from the Chinese Navy in the incident which occurred on 25 November.

Australia has stated that it does not recognise China's claim in the South China Seas. The Australia Department of Defence has issued a statement in reply to queries that a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion was conducting a routine patrol as part of Operation GATEWAY.

Skynews

9 News

SBS

ibtimes

smh.com

Germany's Mountain Infantry

A close look at Germany's Mountain Infantry, Battalion 233 participating in NATO's Exercise Trident Junture 2015.

Boeing Completes Delivery of AEW Aircraft to Turkey

Boeing has completed the hand over of the last of four Boeing 737-700 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Air Force. The main sensor is the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar giving Turkey the only AEW & C capability in the region. Upon operational, the four aircraft will be a significant boost to the capability of the Turkish Air Force which is currently on high alert against Russian forces operating in Syria. The aircraft were ordered in 2007 under Project Peace Eagle. Also known as E-7 Wedgetail in Australian service, four aircraft are also on order by South Korea.

"Boeing 737-7ES Peace Eagle, Turkey - Air Force JP7135980" by Aldo Bidini - Gallery page http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7135980Photo http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/2/2/5/4/27247_1307808452.jpg. Licensed under GFDL 1.2 via Commons.

DefenseIndustry

Direct Hit: India-Israel Joint Development Naval SAM On Track For IOC

The India- Israel jointly developed Barak 8 naval Surface to Air missile successfully intercepted its target on its first sea launch. The test firing was conducted from the Israel Navy's missile corvette INS Lahav, which has its Barak I missile system upgraded with the newer and longer range Barak 8. The Barak 8 is designed for engaged of up to 70 km and is guided by an on-board active radar seeker.

Defence Update

Philippine Army Boosts Firepower With Armoured Vehicles

Philippine has received 77 M113A2 armoured personnel carriers from the United States. Another 37 will be delivered by the end of the month under the Excess Defense Article program (EDA). This is a significant boost to the Army's firepower. With these 114 M113A2 APC, the Army operates 455 armoured vehicles. The Army can also look forward to the delivery of 2253 M60 machine guns under the EDA program.

Earlier in September, the Army took delivery of 28 ex-Israeli M113A2 which are equipped with remote weapon stations.


Image from CNN

CNN

CNA

Philstar

EDA

US Deploys P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Singapore

US Navy has deployed it's most advanced maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), the P-8A Poseidon in Singapore for the first time. The P-8 MPA is a Boeing 737 modified with advanced sensors for hunting submarines. It is also capable of electronic intelligence (ELINT) gathering.

The deployment of the P-8A is significant considering that the US Navy is cautiously challenging China on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. On 26 Oct, USS Larsen made a sortie through areas around the Spratly Islands claimed by China as its territorial waters. On 12 Nov, two USAF B-52 Flying Fortresses flew near the islands again, although not within 12-miles limit claimed by China.

Comment:
China has criticized the deployment as further militarization of the South China Sea region. It is probably concerned about the ELINT activities of the United States as it seeks to strengthen its position and claim to islands in the South China sea.



Navy Times

USN's Largest Destroyer Starts Sea Trial

USS Zumbalt, the largest destroyer every built for the US Navy started sea trail on 7 Dec 2015. The 16,000 ton ship has electric propulsion and a stealthy design to reduce its radar signature. Extensive use of automation will allow the destroyer to operate with a much smaller crew size as compared to current destroyers. USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) is the first of a class of three ships. The original requirement for 32 ships was trimmed due to budget constraints.


USNI



Images from US Navy Twitter

NATO's Air Power

A peek at NATO's air power.

US Marine MPC/ ACV Programme Update

The United States has shortlisted two 8x8 armoured vehicles for the next and final phase of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 1.1 programme.  The shortlisted vehicles are based on the IVECO SuperAV or AV-8 and the ST Kinetics Terrex. The AV-8 is offered by a consortium conprising of British Aerospace Systems (BAE Systems) and IVECO.  The consortium led by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is building a vehicle based on ST Kinetics’ TERREX. Both consortiums have each been awarded a US$100m contract under the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase of the programme. This phase will last two years after which a contract may be awarded for the production of an initial batch of 200 vehicles.



Terrex at Home in the Surf. Image from SAIC Facebook.

The AV-8 has internal capacity for 13 embarked Marines plus a crew of three thus meeting the objective requirement for payload. It is powered by a 6-cylinder, 700HP power pack, which is a significant power increase over the Marine's current Assault Amphibious Vehicle.

The TERREX is in service with the Singapore Army since 2010. The updated TERREX 2 is specially designed for littoral missions. It has a "shark-nose" hydrodynamic hull that keeps the vehicle's forward section above water as it is propelled through surfs at speed of more than 6 knots; in sea state of up to Sea State 4 (where waves reach up to 2.5 metres). The V-shaped bottom provides stability in the water as well as enhanced mine protection. The TERREX is powered by a 600HP power pack and has capacity for 2 crew and 12 Marines.

BAE

The Straits Times

US Marines Corp

Philippine Air Force Goes Supersonic Again

The first two of a fleet of 12 lead-in fighter trainers have arrived in Philippine to. The Philippine Air Force took delivery of two FA-50PH Golden Eagle on 28 Nov and return to the supersonic age. The last supersonic aircraft in the PAF, the F-5 were retired in 2005. The ferry flight was delayed a day by bad weather in South Korea but there was no stopping the progress of the PAF. The FA-50PH is armed with multi-function radar, Gatling cannon and advanced air-to-air missile. It will confer on the PAF a credible local air defense capability. The acquisition of air-to-air missiles will be catered separately. Funding for air-to-air missiles for the FA-50 was approved by President Benigno S. Aquino III recently under a package which programs like the acquisition of four long range patrol aircraft and ground based air surveillance system.


Philstar