US Army Tests Exoskeleton for Combat Troop

The US Army is testing the Lockheed Martin FORTIS knee-stress-release-device exoskeleton system for potential deployment for combat troop. FORTIS is designed to help soldiers move, carry heavy loads and perform a wide range of combat tasks while preventing hyperextension of the knee. Using independent actuators, motors and lightweight conformal structures, the lithium ion battery powered system allows soldiers to maneuver easily with less energy. The technology involves using uses AI to analyze and augment the walk patterns, provide additional torque, power and mobility for combat troop. It is built with a conformal upper structure that centers on a waist belt. The belt connects with several flexible hip sensors. The sensors feed a computer with data such as where the location of the soldier in space along with the speed and the movements.

Scout.com

times

Lockheed Martin

Russia A-100 AWACS

Russia's prototype A-100 Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft took flight in November.  The A-100 Premier is based on the upgraded Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) airframe.

The A-100 is expected to replace the Beriev A-50 AWACS aircraft. It is built around an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, as opposed to the mechanically scanned of the A-50. The Il-76MD-90A airframe will also reduced crew workload through better avionics and be cheaper to operate while increasing time on station.

Sputniknews

Janes

IAI Proposes Upgrade for Sri Lanka Kfirs

The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is in talks with the Sri Lankan government to upgrade and return to service its five grounded Kfir fighters.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) acquired a total of 15 Kfir C.2, C7 single-seat fighters and TC.2 twin seaters between 1995 and 2005. Five aircraft were lost over the years.

Janes

SLAF

Maiden Flight of World's Largest Amphibious Aircraft In Production

China's AG600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft in production, took off on its maiden flight on 24 Dec 17.  The aircraft flew for an hour from Zhuhai airport, Guangdong on the South China Sea coast.  This first flight delayed from earlier in the year after ground tests were conducted in April.

State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) spent almost eight years developing the aircraft, which is roughly the size of a Boeing 737. The AG 600 is designed to carry out marine rescues and battle forest fires. Powered by four turboprop engines, the AG600 can carry 50 people during maritime search-and-rescue missions, and can scoop up 12 metric tons of water within 20 seconds for fire fighting trips. It has a maximum flight range of 4,500 km (2,800 miles) and a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes. It can use conventional airports and also land and take-off from the sea.

The aircraft has received 17 orders so far from Chinese government departments and Chinese companies.

BBC

Chinaaviationdaily.com

Indonesia Receives AH-64E Apache

The first three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters of an order for eight were delivered to the Indonesia Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Darat or TNI–AD).  The advanced attack helicopter is a more modern version of the AH-64D operated by close neighbour, Singapore. The TNI AD fleet will be fully delivered by March 2018 and will include four aircraft equipped with the Longbow targeting radar. Together with TNI AD's fleet of upgraded Leopard 2 main battle tanks, the AH-64 will substantially increase the firepower of the army to meet the demand of the modern battlefield.

Janes

Kompas

Indonesia's Upgraded F-16C/D Delivered

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has received the last six of 24 refurbished Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcons. The acquisition project is code named Peace Bima Sena II and involves 19 F-16C and five F-16Ds Block 25 which are upgraded to the latest Block 52 ID standard.

The deal includes  28 F100-PW-220E engines, LAU-129A/A Launchers, ALR-69 Radar Warning Receivers, ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems, ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser Systems, Link-16 Situational Awareness Data Link and AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER or AN/AAQ-28 LITENING Targeting Systems.

AIN

Japan to Deploy New Missile Defence System by 2023

Japan approves the introduction of Aegis Ashore missile defence system amid rising threat from North Korea. The approval will allow the Defense Ministry to buy two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan’s current missile defense systems which comprises of seven batteries of land based Patriot missile systems and Aegis-equipped destroyers. The Japanese Defense Ministry is also planning to bring forward the deadline, currently set at the end of March next year, for a plan to increase the number of Aegis ships from the current four to five (through upgrading of its fleet of six Kongo and Atago-class guided missile destroyers).

Japantimes

Japan News

Japan's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

The first E-2D for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) was photographed on a test flight from Melbourne, Florida on December 11. Japan operates a fleet of 13 E-2C and four E-767. Two E-2D are on order.

Janes

AF Monthly

Philippine Navy Chief Allegedly Relieved Over Frigate Contract

The Philippines relieved its Navy Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) of duty four months ahead of his retirement. Armed forces spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo confirmed to reporters that Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado was no longer in charge of the 23,000-strong naval forces, but declined to say why.

Military sources quoted in media reports said Vice Adm. Mercado’s removal was connected to controversy over the weapon systems to be installed in the two frigates on order from South Korea. Mercado has allegedly complained about pressured into agreeing to to the contract clauses stipulating that Hyundai Heavy Industries, the frigate contractor, had the right to choose the weapons systems to be installed on the warship.

Reuter

Inquirer

Malaysia Lays Keel for Third Littoral Combat Ship

Malaysia’s Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd held a keel laying ceremony for the third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) ordered by the Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN). Six LCS are to be delivered to the RMN by 2023 at a total cost of RM9 billion. The second LCS is planned to be launched in October 2018, while the keel laying ceremony for the fourth LCS is scheduled to take place in the second quarter of 2018.

Asian Defence Technology

RMN Tweet

Boeing Unveils MQ-25 Stingray - Unmanned Carrier-Launched Tanker Prototype

Boeing released a photo of its MQ-25 Stingray prototype, an unmanned carrier-based tanker aircraft. Boeing is vying for a Navy contract to build unmanned tankers for aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy is looking for an unmanned tanker that will fly missions to extend the range of Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and F-35C Lightning II fighters.

Boeing's design features robust landing gear for carrier operations and a low-observable configuration. The prototype will undergo engine tests before conducting flight ramp and deck handling trials on an aircraft carrier early next year. After the handling demonstrations, Boeing will need to launch the MQ-25 off a carrier deck using existing catapult system for its first flight.

Lockheed Martin and General Atomics are also expected to submit a proposal for the MQ-25 contract. 

Popular Mechanics

Boeing

Philippines Crack Troops Share Marawi Lesson With Singapore Armed Forces

Two months after the end of military operations in the southern Philippines city of Marawi, soldiers from the Philippines Army held a professional exchange with the Singapore Armed Forces in Singapore. Forty members of the Philippine Army's elite Special Operations Command were sent for the two-week exchange which focuses on Urban Operation (UO).

The exchange culminated in a joint execution of a Platoon UO mission at the Murai Urban Live Firing Facility (MULFAC). Through this professional exchange, Philippine soldiers had the opportunity to further refine their UO skills while Singapore benefited from the knowledge shared about the Marawi operations.

MULFAC is a state-of-the-art live firing facility that enhances the training realism and effectiveness in a safe urban live firing environment. The facility can support collective urban live firing up to company level.

MULFAC comprises of  five UO Buildings, two Firebases (a Close and Far Firebase), a Hand Grenade House and An After Action Review  Facility.

Joint execution of Urban Operation mission by Philippines and Singapore soldiers

Nikkei Asian Review

MINDEF - Murai Factsheet

Brothers-in-arm: SAF and TNI

There can be no clearer symbol of the close ties between the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Soldiers from both armies operating together in the SAF's Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks as part of Exercise Safkar Indopura 2017.  This is 29th edition of the exercise and was conducted in Singapore from 13 to 24 November 2017. The 12-day exercise includes a series of professional exchanges, urban operations training, live-firing, a planning exercise, and the conduct of a combined battalion field exercise. What is really significant is that the SAF provided unrestricted access for the Indonesians to their main battle tanks.  The Leopard 2SG are upgraded Leopard 2A4 featuring advanced armour protection and battle management system. Indonesia also operates the upgraded Leopard 2A4, designated as Leopard 2RI (103 ordered). It is the first time that foreign soldiers are allowed to operate the Leopard 2SG in a joint exercise. Ex Safkar Indopura started as an annual Infantry bilateral exercise in 1989, hosted alternately in Singapore and Indonesia.

Straits Times

MINDEF

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

Singapore Defence Minister Praised Flight in Indian Light Combat Aircraft Tejas

Singapore's Defense Minister became the first civil foreigner to fly in IAF's Tejas fighter aircraft when he visited Kalaikunda where the Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 detachment is training with the Indian Air Force.

On his Facebook, the minister commented, "For 45 minutes, I placed my life in the hands of Air Vice Marshal AP Singh as we flew 20,000ft above the Kalaikunda skies in the IAF’s new fighter plane – Tejas. I have never met him before but my RSAF pilots who have trained regularly with IAF pilots say he is among the best, so it was an easy decision. In fact, the plane ride was so smooth despite the G-turns and manoeuvres that I managed to even take some selfies!"

Straits Times

CNA

Facebook

Japan Denies Plan for Long Range Air Launched Missiles

Separate sources claimed that Japan is planning to fund a study on its F-15 fighters could launch longer-range missiles including Lockheed Martin Corp's extended-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM-ER). Japan is also interested in the Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace's Joint Strike Missile which will arm the F-35 and the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM. The JASSM-ER can hit targets almost 1,000km away while the JSM has a range of 500km. The LRASM is based on the JASSM-ER but is expected to have a shorter range of about 500km.

However, the Defense Minister denied that there is any plan to acquire long range missile. Japan's current arsenal is restricted to less than 300km by their constitution.

CNA

FNN Video Link

China to Develop Quantum Ghost Imaging Satellite

China is developing a new type of surveillance satellite that will use quantum ghost imaging technology to detect low observable aircraft and camouflaged military assets.  The technology is expected to take a decade to operationalize.

Quantum ghost imaging sensor can detect not just the extremely low amount of light emitted by an observable aircraft, but also its interactions with other light sources in the surrounding environment to obtain accurate tracking information.

The ghost imaging satellite would have two cameras, one aiming at the targeted area of interest with a single-pixel sensor while the other camera measured variations in a wider field of light across the environment.

Traditional cameras achieve a sharp resolution by using a lens to focus the many pixels that spread across the surface of the sensor. A single-pixel imager makes use of the natural random patterned light to illuminate the scene and recording the result on just one pixel. This process is repeated many times and a high-resolution image is then constructed by computational imaging.

For the quantum ghost imager, the target could be illuminated by almost any light source such as the sun, moon or street lightings. The target can also be illuminated by laser beams generated by the satellite.  By analyzing the signals captured by the cameras with quantum physics algorithms, it is possible to construct extremely high definition images that are not impossible using conventional methods.

China has already demonstrated ghost imaging on ground-based systems in 2011, beating the US Army Research Laboratory by three years.  The race is now on to develop the first satellite-based system.

SCMP  

Japan To Develop Missile Jointly With Britain

Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters that a joint research project with Britain to develop a air-to-air missile will be advancing to the prototype stage. The prototype development project will start in the next fiscal year that begins in April 2018.

The Defense Ministry began joint research with Britain 3 years ago on air-to-air missile by combining Japanese detection and tracking sensor with British missile technology.

The project will now enter a new phase of prototype missile development in the 6-year period from fiscal 2018.

The Defense Ministry will consider the further joint development of a new opetational missile with Britain after assessing the prototype's capabilities.

NHK

Malaysia Mulled Maritime Patrol Aircraft Options

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is keen to buy four maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). It is considering various options from the high end P-8 Posideon to the cheaper CN-235, including an offer of a free transfer of Kawasaki P-1 from Japan.

Star

Japan's Concerned With MV-22 Osprey's High Accident Rate

Japan's Defense Ministry reported that the rate of serious accidents involving the US Marines' MV-22 Osprey aircraft is at a record high. It was at 3.27 per 100,000 flying hours as of September 2017.  This is the highest since the records started in 2012.

NHK

Kawasaki C-2 Debuts at Dubai Airshow

NHK Video

Japan's Kawasaki C-2 military airlift made its international debut at the Dubai Airshow in UAE. Japan is positioning the C-2 to compete in the same market as Lockheed Martin C-130, Embracer KC-390 and Airbus A400M. Several countries including New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly interested in the aircraft.

Thailand To Buy More T-50 Jets

Thailand is expected to add on to its existing order of twelve T50 advanced jet trainers from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Initially, Thailand ordered four aircraft which will be delivery beginning from January 2018 to March 2018. The advanced jet trainer, which the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) designates as T-50TH, were ordered in 2015 for about US$110 million. A second batch of eight aircraft was ordered recently, to delivered from October 2019.  Thailand is likely to order two to four more of the trainer jets.

The compact South Korean aircraft is already operated in Indonesia and Philippines with Malaysia as another potential customer.

Asian Defence Technology

Malaysia Seeks Light Combat Aircraft

Just months after shelving the plan to purchase a high end fighter as a replacement for their MiG-29 fleet, Malaysia is considering the purchase of a Light Combat Aircraft for the RMAF instead. The cost is reportedly is large factor in the decision. The South Korean FA-50 is reportedly a prime candidate. The type is already in service with neighbors Philippines and Indonesia (T-50) with orders on the way for Thailand (T-50).

Janes

CNA

KAI

KC-390 Embracer Prototype Almost Crashed

The first prototype of the Brazilian Embracer KC-390 military airlift/ tanker aircraft almost crashed during stall testing. The company has grounded the aircraft the flight test incident on Oct. 12. 

The KC-390 was performing critical pre-stall tests, that involved high Angle Of Attack and  simulated ice formation on wings. During the maneuver, an equipment used for the tests, allegedly detached from its mounting and rolled to the back of the cargo compartment causing a sudden change in the center of gravity of the aircraft. As a result, the pilots lost control of the aircraft which stalled and started to spin towards the ground. Reportedly, the pilots were able to regain control and recover the aircraft when it was only 1,000 feet (about 300 m) above the ground.

According to Embracer, the prototype suffered no damage to its “primary aircraft structure,” but requires repair to some of its access hatches and aerodynamic fairings. 

The production and delivery schedule remains on track. The first KC-390 will be delivered from the middle of next year, with flight testing having reached an advanced stage.

Aviationist

Reuter

Flight Global

Indonesia Buys Norwegian Advanced SAM System

Indonesia has placed a $77million order for the Kongsberg Norwegian advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS). The NASAMS is a medium-range HIMAD (High to Medium Air Defense) based on the Raytheon advanced medium-range, air-to-air missile (AMRAAM). Kongsberg announced on October 31 the order for one complete unit of the NASAMS, including command posts, radars, launchers, radios and integration, and training and logistics support.

The AMRAAM missiles will be acquired from the United States via a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal.

ainonline.com

Kongsberg

International Army Games 2017

In August, China hosted the International Army Games (IAG) 2017. The event was held in Korla of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.  Countries such as Angola, Russia, Iran, Venzuela and Zimbabwe took part in the Suvorov Attack games which featured obstacle course and live firing for teams using the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.

JH-7A Fighter Bomber

JH-7A fighter bombers from the PLA Northern Theater Command conduct training in preparation for their upcoming "Aviadarts" competition event of the 2017 International Army Games from 29 July to 12 August . The “Aviadarts” competition will be staged in  Jilin Province (eng.chinamil.com.cn / Photo by Yang Pan)

In Graphic: China's Type 001 Aircraft Carrier, Liaoning

Infographic on China's first aircraft carrier, the Type 001 Liaoning.

SCMP

China's Aircraft Carrier Visiting Hong Kong

China’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning aircraft is in Hong Kong for the first time. 

SCMP

Can the F-35 Survive a Dogfight?

Can the F-35 dogfight? You be the judge. Lockheed Martin's video of the F-35's debut aerial display at the 2017 Paris Air Show. It is hard to judge because of the lack of a ground reference point and the constant zoom in/out of the camera. However, the aerial display did demonstrate a few slick moves and turns. If the F-35 and its adversary are both fighting at low speed and low energy state, the Lightning II may be able to quickly point its nose in the right direction.

China Launches New Class of Destroyer - Type 055

China launched the first of new class destroyer,, the Type 055. The 10,000-tonne warship was launched at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. The new destroyer is similar in size to the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke class AEGIS destroyer and is billed as a major upgrade of Chinese sea power.

Infographic from SCMP

CNA

SCMP

Myanmar Air Force JF-17/FC-1

LAND 400 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Testing

LAND 400 Phase 2 contenders BAE Systems Australia and Rheinmetall have presented their vehicles, Patria AMV35 and Boxer CRV respectively, for testing.  The Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) were tested in an exercise at the Puckapunyal Army Base in Victoria.

LAND 400 Phase 2 is a $4-5 billion project to purchase 225 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles to replace the Australian Army's current fleet of Light Armoured Vehicles.

The two LAND 400 contenders  posing with an Australian M-1 Abram MBT and LAV.

manufacturer monthly

First F-35A Lightning II Stealth Fighter Assembled in Japan Unveiled

Japan ordered 42 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighers with 38 to be assembled by Mitsubishi Heavy in Japan.  The first four Lockheed Martin built aircraft were handed over to Japan in 2016.  They are currently based in the US for training. On 5 June, Mitsubishi Heavy unveiled the first F-35A to be assembled in Japan. This aircraft  will undergo flight-testing in Japan before being transferred to the US for further testing and pilot training. The first F-35A squadron is expected to be based in Misawa Air Base in northern Japan.

Nikkei

Vietnam Coast Guard Receives Hamilton-class Cutter

The Vietnam Coast Guard (Cnh Sát Bin Vit Nam: CSBV) has taken delivery of a ex-United States Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutter that previously saw action in the Vietnam War.   The USCG Morgenthau was in service with the United States Coast Guard for 48 years before being transferred to Vietnam on 25 May 2017. USCG Morgenthau was last deployed to Vietnam from 6 Dec 1970 - 31 July 1971.

At 115m long and displacing 3250 tonnes, the new CSB8020 is the Vietnamese Coast Guard's largest ever vessel to-date.

USNI

USCG

China Plans East China and South China Sea Underwater Surveillance Networks

China has a program to build underwater surveillance networks in the East China Sea and South China Sea.  The networks cost approximately two billion yuan with a planned construction period of five years. The networks include a number of unspecified sensors installed on the ocean floor that are connected via optical cables to a monitoring station in Shanghai. This will allow China to around-the-clock, real-time, high-definition, multiple interface, and three-dimensional underwater surveillance.

China is already able to conduct regular surveillance of the airspace and sea surface using advanced radars, unmanned aerial vehicles and Gaofen 3 satellites.

CNN

CCTV

IAF Su-30MKI Fatal Crash

Indian Air Force announced that two of its fighter pilots died in the crash of a Su-30MKI on 23 May 2017. Squadron Leader D Pankaj and Flight Lieutenant S Achudev sustained fatal injuries when the aircraft crashed approximately 60 km from Tezpur Airbase.

newindianexpress.com

World's Largest Aircraft

Stratolaunch Systems has unveiled the Stratolaunch, the world’s largest aircraft by wingspan. The wing is 385 ft long. The fuselage is 238 feet long and tail and stands 50 feet tall from the ground to the top of the vertical tail. It has 28 wheels and a staggering maximum takeoff weight of 1,300,000 lbs enabled by six Boeing 747 engines. It is designed to launch spacecraft and satellites into orbit.  Orbital ATK has already signed up as a customer, hoping to use the gigantic aircraft to launch Orbital's Pegasus rockets into orbit.




The aircraft was rolled out from a custom-designed, 103,257 sq-ft hangar in the Mojave desert. Stratolaunch is planned to perform its first launch demonstration in 2019. Stratolaunch Systems was started by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen.

Stratolaunch

Singapore Orders Two More Type 218SG Submarines

Singapore has ordered two more Type 218SG advanced diesel-electric submarines from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH.  Customized for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) equipped vessels are probably be optimized for the challenging littoral waters of South East Asia. Other design innovations cater for advanced maintenance and engineering concepts to keep operating cost sustainable.

The first two Type 218SG submarines, which were ordered in 2013, are scheduled for delivery from 2021. The latest order will be delivered in 2024 onward. The oldest Challenger-class (ex-Södermanland class) submarines are planned to be replaced by the first two Type 218SG boats. The RSN also operates two Archer-class submarines (ex-Västergötland class). These were upgraded with AIP before delivery in 2011 and 2012. The Archer class submarines will still be in service when all four Type 218SG are operational in the late 2020s. Hence, the RSN will be operating a potent fleet of six submarines.

CNA

Pakistan's Agosta 90B - Still Potent And Upgrading

Pakistan operates three Agosta 90B diesel-electric submarines ordered in September 1994. The first submarine, Khalid (S137), was commissioned in 1999. The second, Saad, assembled at Karachi Naval Dockyard, was commissioned in December 2003. The third, Hamza, was constructed and assembled in Karachi, and commissioned in September 2008. All three submarines were retrofitted with MESMA (Module d'EnergieSous-Marin Autonome) air-independent propulsion (AIP) system by 2011. The AIP allows the submarine to remain submerged three times longer than before.

In June 2016, Pakistan awarded the Turkish naval vendor Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik A.Ş.  (STM) with a $350 million contract to upgrade the Agosta 90B. The submarines will have their search and attack periscopes upgraded to the Airbus Defence and Space (DS) Optronics SERO 250 periscope and OMS 200 optronic mast. The SERO 250 is night-vision capable while  the OMS 200 has electro-optical and infrared acquisition and tracking capability.

Dawn News

Naval Technology

quwa.org

Photo

Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will be replacing its in-service AP-3C Orion with the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Systems by 2019.  12 P-8A aircraft have been ordered to be delivered by 2020. An eventual total of 15 aircraft will perform maritime patrol roles such as the detection and strike of submarine and surface threats, search and rescue support and surveillance and reconnaissance.

The aircraft has a length of 39.5m, maximum take-off weight of 85.82 tonnes, wingspan of 37.6m, with a top speed of 907kmph. An internal fuel capacity of almost 34 tonnes, allows the P-8A to remain on station conducting low level anti-submarine warfare missions at a distance of greater than 2,000 kilometres from base.

The MQ-4C Triton is based on the RQ-4B Global Hawk High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (HALE UAV). The MQ-4C Triton is adapted an optimised for maritime mission. The MQ-4C and P-8A combination will allow RAAF to maintain a persistent Intelligence , Surveillance and Reconnasisance (ISR) over a wide area. The MQ-4C Triton can provide wide area coverage while the P-8A will conduct targeted surveillance and prosecute hostile surface and sub-surface contacts.

RAAF

Is There A Naval Arm Race In South East Asia?

Southeast Asian Countries are funding the growth of their navies, coast guards and maritime enforcement agencies in recent years. Is there a naval arm race in the region? Will the increasing military strength tempt the political masters to use force to resolve political differences? Here is a commentary by Koh Swee Lean Collin, a research fellow with the Maritime Security Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

Republic of Singapore Navy's Latest Acquisition, the Littoral Mission Vessel

Read more .....

Indonesia PT Pindad/ FNSS Kaplan Medium Tank

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri has unveiled the first prototype of the Kaplan MT Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT) at the IDEF 2017 exhibition.

Kaplan MT, a medium tank jointly developed by FNSS and Indonesian state-owned PT Pindad was revealed at International Defence Industry Fair 2017 in Turkey. Development of the armor vehicle started in 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2018.


Janes

Singapore International Maritime Review

20 countries will be participating in Singapore's first-ever International Maritime Review on 15 May 2017. 29 warships from all over the world will dock at Singapore's Changi Naval Base to celebrate the Republic of Singapore Navy's fiftieth anniversary. There will be three aircraft carriers (counting Japan's helicopter Destroyer, maybe four if China deploys Liaoning), cruiser, destroyers, frigates and other capital ships and support vessels. They will join 16 ships and submarines from the Singapore Navy for the review.

The newly commissioned Littoral Mission Vessel, RSS Independence will be part of the maritime review.
Photo from mindef.gov.sg

Participating Ships:
Republic of Singapore Navy Ships:
Formidable-class Frigates: RSS Formidable, RSS Supreme, RSS Stalwart
Archer-class Submarine: RSS Swordsman
Challenger-class submarine: RSS Conqueror
Victory-class Missile Corvettes: RSS Vigilance, RSS Valiant
Endurance-class Landing Ships, Tank: RSS Endurance, RSS Persistence
Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels: RSS Independence, RSS Sovereignty
Fearless-class Patrol Vessels: RSS Fearless, RSS Daring
Bedok-class Mine Countermeasures Vessels: RSS Bedok, RSS Pungol, RSS Kallang

Singapore Police Coast Guard vessels:
Shark-class Coastal Patrol Craft: PH 58 Whitetip Shark, PH 56 Sandbar Shark

Thailand:
Aircraft Carrier: HTMS Chakri Naruebet
Naresuan-class Frigate: HTMS Taksin
Rattanakosin-class Corvette: HTMS Sukhothai

Indonesia (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut)
Sigma-class Corvette: KRI  Sultan Hasanuddin
KCR60 Fast Attack Craft Missile: KRI Halasan

Brunei:
Darussalam-class Ocean Patrol Vessel: KDB Darussalam

Australia:
ANAZC-class Frigate: HMAS Ballarat

Bangladesh:
C13B-class Ocean Patrol Vessel: BNS Shadhinota

Canada:
Halifax-class Frigate: HMCS Ottawa

France:
Floreal-class Frigate: FS Prairial

India:
Shivalik-class Frigate: INS Sahyadri
Kamorta-class Corvette: INS Karmota

Japan:
Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer: JS Izumo
Takanami-class Destroyer: JS Sazanami

Malaysia
Kasturi-class Corvette

Myanmar:
Kyan Sit Thar-class Frigate: UMS Sin Phyu Shin

New Zealand:
ANZAC-class Frigate: HMNZA Te Kaha
Tanker: HMNZS Endeavour

Pakistan:
Sword-class Frigate: PNS Zulfiquar

Philippine:
Gregorio del Pilar-class Frigate: BRP Ramon Alcaraz

Korea:
KDX-IIA Destroyer: ROKS Dae Jo Yeong,

Russia:
Slaca-class Cruiser: RFS Varyag

Sri Lanka:
Vikram-class Ocean Patrol Vessel: SLNS Sagara
Saar4-class Fast Attack Craft Missile: SLNS Nandimithra

United States:
Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer: USS Stethem

Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship: USS Coronado

Vietnam:
Gepard-class Frigate: Dinh Tien Hoang

China:
Jiang Kai II-class frigate: PLAN Huang Shan



CNA

China Prepares to Launch Indigenous Aircraft carrier

China's first domestically built aircraft carrier is ready to be launched as it marked the 68th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy ­on 23 Apr.  Online pictures emerging from Dalian, Liaoning province revealed a large aircraft carrier of 315 metres in length, 75 metres wide with a displacement of 70,000 tonnes. It is slightly larger than China’s first aircraft ­carrier, the Liaoning which was refurbished from the semi-completed Soviet carrier Varyag, which Beijing bought from a Ukrainian shipyard in 1998.

The new ship, provisionally named as Type 001A has a bigger hangar and deck space for a larger complement of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. It also features the same ski-jump ramp as the Liaoning.

SCMP Graphic

Work has already started on the third aircraft carrier, the Type 002. The Type 002 will reportedly incorporate a conventional steam launch catapult and will be launch sometime after 2020.




scmp

Autononmous Ground Vehicle and UAV Teaming

Singapore's Defence Science Organisation is working on an autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) teaming concept.

The V35 UAV is designed to be mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). It is capable of vertical take off and landing, a useful capability in close terrain whether it is the jungle or an urban environment. The UAV can fly for more than 10 hours. The new system requires two persons to assemble and deploy.

Both the UAV and UGV will also be able to navigate without the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS), reducing their vulnerability to GPS jamming. The systems use navigation techniques such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR), vision sensors on the UGV, and the UAV’s satellite maps. The UGV and UAV team can navigate accurately in both jungle and urban environments.

DSO's Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) with the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) mounted on it. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

todayonline.com

IAF Lost 7th Su30MKI In Crashes

On 15 Mar 2017, an Indian Air Force Su30 MKI fighter was lost in a crash near Pune. Two pilots ejected safely. This is the 7th crashes of the Su30 MKI for IAF. The other aircraft losses are detailed below:

30 Apr 2009. Pokhran, Rajesthan.
30 Nov 2009. Jathegaon.
13 Dec 2011. Pune.
19 Feb 2013. Pokhran.
14 Oct 2014. Pune.
19 May 2015. Tezpur.

ndtv.com

Note: Inaccurate report by NDTV stated only 6 crashes.

Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat Decommissioned

The Indian Navy has decommissioned one of her two aircraft carriers.  INS Viraat (Giant)was decommissioned on 6 Mar 2017 after 30 years of service. INS Viraat was bought from the Royal Navy which decommissioned the ship after serving 27 years as HMS Hermes. HMS Hermes saw service as the flagship of the Task force that the British sent to re-claim the Falkland Islands.

India will operate one aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, until 2020 when the indigenously built INS Vikrant will enter service.



http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/the-ins-viraat-has-begun-its-final-journey-1268077

Indonesia Strengthen Air and Sea Defense

Indonesia continues to strengthen its maritime defense capabilities in the Western region, which includes the South China Sea with the launch of two new Navy patrol boats in Batam.

The Chief of Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI AL - Indonesia Navy) Admiral Ade Supandi announced that new patrol boats - the KRI Torani 860 and KRI Lepu 861 - will be deployed with the Western Fleet to patrol the Strait of Malacca, as ordered by President Joko Widodo.
The Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait are among the world's busiest sea routes.

The TNI-AL now operates 19 patrol boats and plans to increase the number to 42 for deployment spread across its 14 naval bases.

A day earlier, the Indonesia Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara) announced plans to strengthen its aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities by expanding its fleet of maritime patrol aircraft.

Lieutenant-Colonel Akal Juang briefed news reporters in Makassar, South Sulawesi that the air force will enhance it's support for naval operations against illegal fishing, smuggling and border incursions.

The Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron currently has five military aircraft with high-resolution cameras and other equipment for air reconnaissance missions. These are Boeing 737 MPA (four) and CN 235 MP (one).

TNI AU's F-16 and Hawk on static display at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, on March 26. (Antara/Rony Muharrman)

straitstimes

thejakartapost

China's New LHD

China is building its biggest ever helicopter carrying amphibious assault ship. The new Type 075 LHD (Landing, Helicopter, Dock) amphibious assault ship is able to deploy and house up to 30 armed helicopters. Six helicopters will be able to take off from the flight deck at the same time.

SCMP 

Japan Aims At Asia For Military Aircraft Export

Japan is marketing two capable military aircraft aimed at cliche markets in Asia. The Kawasaki Heavy Industries' P-1 will be very attractive for countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand which need a very capable maritime patrol aircraft. P-1 is comparable to the ageing Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion and even the newer Boeing P-8A Poseidon but is more affordable.

New Zealand has recently requested cost and availability information from the United States for the P-8A as a possible replacement for its 6 P-3K Orion.

Another cliche capability on offer is the ShinMaywa Industries US-2 amphibious aircraft. Japan faces competition from Russia and China in this area but the US-2 should compare favorably in term of design and built quality.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries P-1

Indonesia Air Force Modernisation Starts With A400M

The Indonesian Air Force, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI AU), will modernise its airlift assets through the purchase of 5 Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft. 3 of the aircraft are expected to be assembled by the state-owned PT Dirgantara in Bandung as part the technology transfer requirement for the US$2 billion purchase. Since 2000, 5 of TNI AU's ageing C-130s have been destroyed in unfortunate air crashes. One of the destroyed aircraft was a second-hand purchase of C-130 decommissioned by the Royal Australia Air Force.



thejakartapost

IAI Heron TP XP Debuts At Aero India Show

IAI debuts the export version of the Long-Range Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MALE UAV) Heron TP at the 11th Aero India show in Bangalore, India. According to the specifications on Israel Aerospace Industries' website, the Heron TP XP's maximum payload is 450kg as compared to the Heron TP's 1,000 kg. This is ostensibly to meet the MTCR-2 (Missile Technology Control Regime) restrictions.

Heron TP-XP MALE UAV

IAI

Myanmar Seeks to Licence-build JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft

Following the purchase of 16 JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, Myanmar is now negotiating with Pakistan to licence-build the single-engine multi-role aircraft.

The first of 16 JF-17s ordered in 2015 are expected to go into service with the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) later this year.

JF-17 Thunder Assembly Line in Pakistan - Pakistan Aeronautical Complex

janes.com

Panther FE Fixed Wing UAV Demonstrates VTOL

Panther FE, a fixed wing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) jointly developed by Israel's IAI and South Korea's Hankuk Carbon successfully demonstrated its ability to take off and land vertically. The 67 kg hybrid-powered vertical take off and landing (VTOL) drone uses three electrical motors for vertical lift and an internal combustion engine for horizontal flight.

US to Develop New Columbia Class SSBN

The US Navy will be getting 12 new Columbia-class submarines which are capable of launching inter-continental ballistic missiles.  The $123 billion program will modernize the sea component of the U.S.’s sea-air-land nuclear triad. The Columbia-class nuclear submarines will replace the 14 Ohio-class Ballistic Missile Nuclear Submarine (SSBN). 18 Ohio-class submarines were built but 4 were converted to SSGN (nuclear submarine, cruise missile) under the START II agreement for reduction of nuclear armament. The first of the Ohio-class will reach end of service life in 2027 and the last in 2039. The navy hopes to commission the first Columbia SSBN in 2030.

Illustration of Columbia-class SSBN

B-1B Lancers at Guam Air Base. Part of the Air Component of US's Air-Sea-Land Nuclear Triad - Military Times

bloomberg.com

Columbia Class (Ohio Replacement) Ballistic Missile Submarine Paper to Congress

ISIS Using Small Drones To Drop Explosives

In the fight for Mosul, Iraqi security forces have encountered attacks by commercially purchased drones dropping small munitions. ISIS has been using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) or drones for some time now. They have released several videos of attacks made by dropping various type of  munitions from a hovering drone. Without a good aiming mechanism, these attacks were largely ineffectual. However, due to the increasing number of drones attack, the threat cannot be ignored. Since these are commercially available drones, it is quite easy to develop effective counter-measures such as electronic signal jamming.

In a new photo report reported released by the Islamic State, ISIS uses drones to attack an Iraqi Army convoy in Alravdi, south of Mosul.

cbrneportal.com

heavy.com