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

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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