Land 400 Phase 2 Down Select

Australia has down selected BAE Systems and Rheinmetall as potential suppliers of the CRV (Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle) under the Land 400 Phase 2 programme. The two companies will be conducting 12 months of risk mitigation activities funded by the Defence Materiel Organisation. A down select is expected by the end of 2017 with the delivery of the first vehicles to the training units by May 2020. The first cavalry unit is expected to receive their vehicles by July 2021 and all deliveries should be completed by July 2024.

BAE Systems is competing with a variant of the Finnish Patria AMV (Armoured Modular Vehicle). The AMV was also selected for service with Croatia, Finland, Poland, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden and UAE,

The Rheinmetall's offering is the Boxer, which is in service with the German and Dutch Armies. Rheinmetall in a joint venture with MAN Truck & Bus AG is currently delivering 2536 vehicles (MAN Hx) and 3000 associated specialist modules to ADF under Project Land 121 Phase 3B (Overlander). They won the US$1.45 billion contract in 2013 over the competing vehicles Thlales Australia's Bushmaster Utility and Mercedes Benz Australia/ Pacific's Actros and Zetros vehicles.

The unsuccessful competing vehicles are the Sentinel II (a variant of the ST Kinetic Terrex) and an updated version of the LAV 6.0.

German Army Boxers at Camp Marmal in Afghanistan, 2011. By ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16209306

Defense Update

Singapore Unveil New Generation Armour Fighting Vehicle

The Singapore Army unveiled the prototype of a new generation of armour fighting vehicle (NG AFV) that will replace its M113 Armour Personnel Carrier. The 29 tonnes vehicle is much larger than the 13 tonnes M113 Ultra. The M113 Ultra is a locally upgraded version of the M113, sporting either a 25mm Bushmaster overhead weapon station or a combined 40mm AGL and 12.7mm HMG. The new AFV is also equipped with a stabilised gun for firing on the move and is connected to the SAF's Battle Management System (BMS).



mindef.gov.sg

Indonesia To Acquire Military Communication Satellite

The Indonesian House of Representatives commission on defence, intelligence, and foreign affairs has approved the defence ministry's request for funding to acquire a US$850 million military satellite from Airbus Defence and Space.

The satellite will be used for military communications on the L-Band frequency and is planned to be launched in 2019. Airbus Defence and Space will also be fully responsible for the launching of the satellite.

janes

The Three Rings: Singapore Armed Forces' Response to a Terrorist Attack

Like many countries, Singapore brace herself against possible terrorist attacks. The leadership has warned the country that a terrorist attack is just a matter of time.

The Home Team comprising of the Singapore Police and other law enforcement and security agencies is the first responder to any reported terrorist attack in the city state.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has the elite Special Tactical and Rescue (STAR) team, which is the equivalent of the American Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT). The STAR specialised in hostage rescue and tackling armed suspects. The STAR, together with the Police K-9 unit (with explosive detector dogs) and the 600 strong Police Tactical Unit (PTU) come under the umbrella of the Home Team's Special Operations Command. The SPF can also call upon troopers from the Gurkha Contingent.

When there is a large scale or multiple terrorist attacks, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will be activated to swiftly neutralise the threats and assist in restoring order.

The First Ring : Direct Action

When there is a terrorist attack, the SAF Special Operation Task Force (SOTF) is expected to swing into action to directly confront the attackers. The elites of the SAF comprising of the Special Operation Force (SOF), Singapore Commando and the Navy Diving Unit (NDU) are trained for anti-terrorism duties on both land and sea.

The SOF saw action in 1991 when a Singapore Airlines flight was hijacked and landed at Changi International Airport. The then classified unit stormed the aircraft and rescued all passengers.

The Second Ring : Containment

The Army's newly set up Army Deployment Force (ADF) will be part of the second ring response. The specially trained ADF, supported by armoured Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicles, forms a security cordon around the area under attack. It will identify and block off the exit points for the area in order to contain the attackers. The ADF is expected to neutralise any attackers that slip through the security cordon. So the Peacekeeper PRV is equipped with a heavy pack. The roof mounted remote control weapon system can be configured with either a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, a 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun or the 7.62mm Light Machine Gun.

The Third Ring : Stabilise 

In the days after the attacks, more troopers will be activated to augment the SPF in conducting patrols in areas deemed important as part of the measures to restore order and public confidence.

While the forces brought to bear on any attackers seem overwhelming, the leadership is taking no chances. Especially in the wake of terrorist attacks that had occurred in major cities in Europe and elsewhere.


todayonline.com

STAR

SQ117 Hijack

Singapore Delays Super Puma Replacement Buy After Norway Crash

Singapore has apparently delayed a decision on a $1 billion replacement programme of its AS332M Super Puma after the crash of a civilian Airbus H225 in April. The H225 is a modernised version of the Super Puma. The military version, the H225M was the frontrunner to clinch the order according to some sources. The Republic of Singapore Air Force operates a fleet of AS322M Super Pumas with an average age of 27 years. It seems that Singapore is awaiting clarity over the cause of the April 29 crash which killed 13 oil rig workers and air crew off the coast of Norway.

yahoo.com/news

Businesstimes

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Indian Shipbuilder Wins Contract for Philippine Frigates

India's state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has emerged as the winner for Philippine Navy's long-drawn light frigate modernisation programme.  GRSE is the lowest bidder in a field that started with six potential suppliers, including South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Inc., Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. and Navantia S.A. of Spain. The purchase of new frigates was authorised in 2013 after the failed negotiation for a pair of ex-Italian Navy Maestrale-class frigates.

GRSE's winning design is based on the Indian Navy's Kamorta-class anti-submarine corvette. The Philippine Navy specified a requirement for a 2,000-tonne frigate that is at least 95 meters long and can accommodate a 12-ton helicopter. The Komorta is over 3000-tonnes and hence, will have plenty of growth potential.

UPDATE: GRSE has been disqualified from the tender.  Apparently, the company was assessed to be at risk of not having the necessary financial capacity to fulfill the contract.  The next lowest bidder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). HHI's proposed design is slightly larger than GRSE's.


HHI offered a variant of its HDF 3000 class multipurpose frigate, which is already in service with the Republic of Korea Navy.  The HDF 3000 is 114 m long, 14 m wide with a draught of 4m and a displacement of about 3,200 tonnes at full load. It is capable of achieving a maximum speed of 30 kt. The maximum sailing range is 4,500 n miles at a more economical speed of 13 kt. The Philippine had specified a vessel with a minimum length of 95m and displacement of 2000 tons.

Photo of HDF3000 class frigate, Incheon.
By 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces - 20130626 대한해협 전승행사 (4), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36996908

Janes

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