Philippine Navy's Strategic Sealift Vessel

Philippine Navy's Strategic Sealift Vessel, SSV LD601 was launched as BPR Tarlac. The warship has been delivered to Philippine and now in the country, fittingly before the 118th Anniversary of the Philippine Navy on 20 May 2016.

SSV BRP Tarlac prepares to be docked in Manila on 16 May 2016, following a two-week long voyage from Indonesia. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) 

President of Philippine Office

philstar

The Strategic Partnership between the Kangaroo and the Lion: Australia and Singapore Deepen Defence Ties

Australia and Singapore has signed a joint declaration on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement. A major feature of the CSP is the expanded scope and depth of defence cooperation. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is allowed to expand existing training facilities to boost the number of troops on training from 6000 to 18000 each year. Singapore will invest about A$2.25 billion to upgrade the training facilities near the city of Townsville and at Shoalwater Bay.

Currently, the Singapore Armed Forces used Shoalwater Bay Training Area to conduct the Exercise Wallaby series. Joint tri-service exercises with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the form of Exercise Trident were also conducted when troops were deployed for Exercise Wallaby.

A  Lowy Institute paper on the defence and security aspect of the CSP argues that both countries should seek to expand defence ties further beyond the use of training space. Interestingly, the paper also acknowledged the long list of engagements between ADF and SAF.  It remains to be seen what other areas that the two advance military forces will cooperate on.

channelnewsasia.com

Straits Times

World Affairs Journal

China's People Liberation Army (PLA)'s Slick Recruitment Video

"With duty always on the mind,
Enemy always in sight,
Always shouldering responsibilities,
With a strong will.
War can break out at any time.
Are you ready?......"



The slick recruitment video includes images of China’s first aircraft carrier, latest tanks, combat aircraft and ballistic missiles.

scmp.com

Royal Malaysian Air Force Jet Trainer Crashed

17 May 2016: A RMAF MB-339CM crashed earlier today. The two pilots ejected safely. According to RMAF, the Kuantan Air Base aircraft encountered technical problem at around 12.54pm during on a training sortie. The aircraft crashed into a paddy field in Kampung Serun, Nenasi, about 50km from Pekan town.

Photo from New Straits Times

This is the second RMAF aircraft crash in three months. On 26 February, a CN-235 transport aircraft made a crash landing in the water near the coastline of Kuala Selangor. The aircraft apparently experienced engine problem and made an emergency landing. All crew and passengers were unharmed but a local villager apparently drowned while trying to reach the crashed aircraft to rescue those onboard.

Video of Crashed CN-235

nst.com

Recent Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Luat) Development

Submarine Force


On 24 March 2016, South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the first of three diesel-electric submarines ordered by Indonesia. The 61 metres long DSME 1400 design or Chang Bogo-class is a development of the Type 209/1200 licensed to DSME by Germany's HDW (now ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems). Delivery is planned for March 2017. The third submarine will be built in Indonesia by the state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL.


The facility for building submarine in Surabaya, Indonesia is currently under construction and is expected to be finished in September 2016.


Fast Attack Craft

Indonesia has ordered a KCR-60M (Kapal Cepat Rudal 60 metre) Fast Attack Craft, missile (FAC-M). This is the fourth FAC-M of this class to be acquired by the Indonesian Navy. Delivery of the first three FAC-M was completed in Sep 2014. Back then, TNI-AL had expected to procure a fleet of at least 16 KCR-60M. This programme apparently took a back seat for the last few years to the Klewang-class stealth attack craft programme. The first of the 63 metres wave-piercing trimaran was launched in 2012 but was destroyed in a fire a month later. The replacement vessel was due to be delivered in early 2016 (total order for four vessels) but the programme was indefinitely suspended last year. The original plan was for a fleet of around 20 vessels to patrol the littoral waters of Indonesia. 

Indonesia Launching Low Cost Competitor to Twin Otter

Indonesia's state-owned PT Dirgantara (PTDI) is launching the N219, a 19-seater twin propeller passenger aircraft later this year. It is attractively priced and is set to make a splash in the small passenger aircraft market segment. It's main competitor will be the popular DHC-6 Twin Otter. PTDI has produced under license many types of aircraft including the NC-212i, CN-235-220 and Super Puma helicopters. However,the N219 will be the first locally developed aircraft. Being an archipelago, the local market should provide a strong base for this type of aircraft.

CNA

PTDI

Philippines Upgrades Air Surveillance Capability Amidst Rising Tension In South China Sea

Philippines has confirmed the purchase of three IAI Elta Systems ELM-2288 air defense and air traffic control radars. The first system is expected to be delivered by Nov 2017 with the rest in May and November 2018. The radars will be operated by the Philippines Air Force. Typical fighter detection range is more than 300km for the medium range, transportable version and more than 480km for the extended range fixed installation version. The new radars will bolster Philippines' air surveillance capability of its air space and over the contested South China Sea.

Philippines lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal which is disputed by China. Other overlapping claims in the South China Sea include Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. The disputed areas also overlapped the EEZ claimed by Brunei and Indonesia. In recent weeks, both Indonesia and Vietnam have arrested Chinese fishermen and detained their vessels. On 19 Mar, the Chinese Coast Guard intervened in the Indonesia incident by ramming the detained fishing vessel. The Indonesian disembarked from the fishing vessel to defuse the tension but the fishermen were arrested. On 4 Apr, Vietnam seized a Chinese fishing boat which it claimed was illegally intruding into Vietnam territory waters.



IAI Elta

Arthur, G. (2016, March). "Manila finally confirms Israeli radars". Digital Battlespace, 8(2), 2.