Mil News Asian Nations Military News

[Devil Child]

Russia Building Six Advanced Fighter Jets for Myanmar Military

Russia is assembling six Sukhoi SU-30SM fighter jets for Myanmar under a contract worth about US$204 million signed between the two nations last year, Russian news outlets reported on Wednesday.

The news was unveiled during the latest visit to Russia by Myanmar military commander-in-chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing to attend the 8th Moscow Conference on International Security this week. Some military observer websites put the market price of one of the twin-turbine engine aircraft at about US$34 million.

snip...

So far, Myanmar’s purchases of Russian military hardware include MiG-29 fighter jets, Yak-130 combat trainers, Mi-17, Mi-24 and Mi-35 combat helicopters and other weapons. The Su-30SM 4+ generation fighter jet is capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a wide variety of precision-guided munitions and it can carry about 9 tons of ammunition at one time.

Russia Building Six Advanced Fighter Jets for Myanmar Military

Experts say purchase of SU-30SM planes is aimed at establishing regional air superiority; others warn planes will be used internally

www.irrawaddy.com

Six Sukhoi SU-30SM being built for Myanmar.

 

[BravoZulu]

Indonesia:
Indonesia inked a $175.2 million deal for two types of amphibious armoured vehicles – BMP-3F IFVs and BT-3F APCs – at a ceremony in Jakarta on 22 April. Once delivered, the vehicles will be allocated to the Indonesian Marine Corps (Korps Marinir).

The deal with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms import/export agency, for 22 BMP-3Fs is worth $108 million, while that for 21 BT-3F vehicles comes to $67.2 million. Jakarta will pay for this acquisition via foreign loans, likely from Russia.

This is the third batch of BMP-3F IFVs, built by the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant (KMZ), that Jakarta has ordered for the Indonesian Marine Corps. A total of 17 BMP-3Fs and a single BREM-L recovery vehicle were ordered in 2009, and another 37 vehicles were added in a $114 million deal in 2012.

With this new batch the marines will soon have 76 BMP-3Fs at its disposal. The vehicles will be used across the three divisions of the Indonesian Marine Corps.

This acquisition also helps fulfil modernisation of the Indonesian Armed Forces under Phase 2 of the Minimum Essential Force initiative as part of the nation’s 2015-19 Strategic Plan.

There is high commonality between the BMP-3F and BT-3F, ensuring more efficient training, maintenance and better spare-parts availability.

This decision for the BT-3F sounds a death knell for the Ukrainian BTR-4M 8x8 amphibious vehicle. Indonesia received five units in 2016, but it was unhappy with the type’s seaworthiness, and a follow-on buy of 50 more BTR-4s was axed.

 

[Buster23]

Philippines:
Navy's first anti-sub choppers to arrive first week of May

Navy's first anti-sub choppers to arrive first week of May

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN)'s first two anti-submarine helicopters, the AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW-159 "Wildcat", is expected to arrive home within the first week of May."Yes, (the AW-159s), it's homeward bound and its expected to arrive here in Manila anytime first week of May,"...

www.pna.gov.ph

 

[ao_sepia]

13/10/2019
Royal Thai Army sale M1126 Stryker from US,37 cars,unit about 80 million Baht.For 11 Inf.Div Chachoengsao province.
sorry in Thai language only

ทบ.ไฟเขียว ทุ่มงบซื้อ"สไตรเกอร์" ยานเกราะสหรัฐฯ เพิ่ม37คัน

วันที่ 13 พ.ค.62 มีรายงานแจ้งว่า ทางกองทัพบก ได้มีการอนุมัติ จัดหารถเกราะล้อยาง M1126 STRYKER จาก กองทัพสหรัฐอเมริกา จำนวน 37 คัน ราคาคันละประมาณ 80 ล้านบาท เพื่อบรรจุในกองพลทหารราบที่ 11 จ.ฉะเชิงเทรา ตามแผนการเสริมสร้างศักยภาพของหน่วยทหารราบ พร้อมยังนำเข้าประจำการในหน่วยทหารหน่วยอื่นอีกด้วยนั้น

www.kengnews.co

PS.Lav25 or M1126 is better than?

 

[Chazman]

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be receiving two brand new ELM-2288ER AD-STAR Extended Range long range ground based air defense and surveillance radars very soon. This is after the delivery of both radars were delayed by several months based on the contract signed by the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) and Israeli defense technology company IAI Elta Systems Ltd.

MaxDefense received first hand information that the two radars, which were supposed to have been delivered last 2018, will be received by the Philippine Air Force in a very short time.

After all the self-inflicted delays, the transfer of a Pohang-class corvette to the Philippine Navy (PN) is indeed finally happening before the middle of 2019.

Aside from the press statement made by the Philippine Navy's Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad confirming that the Pohang-class corvette donated by the South Korean government will be delivered by March or April 2019, MaxDefense was also able to obtain similar information from several defense and naval sources.

The Pohang-class combat corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), which was transferred to the Philippine Navy and will be named BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39).

On 29 August 2018, the Philippine Navy's flagship BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15), a Del Pilar-class frigate, was steaming en route to Palawan from patrols in the West Philippine Sea when it was grounded on the shallow water surrounding Hasa-Hasa Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Group.

According to reports received by MaxDefense on the incident, among those damaged were parts of the hull, although the main problem was on the starboard side Controllable Pitch Propeller of the frigate, although the port side also incurred minor damage.

On 04 September 2018, the frigate was pulled out of the shoal, and was towed to Subic Bay for assessment and repairs. It was also noted that the US Navy, through its Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) will provide assistance as the ship is covered by the PMS 326 International Fleet Support Program wherein ships provided by the US will be provided assistance by the US government.

While the last media statement released by the Philippine Navy last October 2018 mentioned that the BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be operational soon, MaxDefense received a not-so good news on its actual status.

Based on information we received, the frigate was already out of dry dock but is just docked but is clearly non-operational. (MaxDefense would defer naming it's current location due to OPSEC reasons), and has only completed repairs on the minor damages including the hull breach.

But no considerable work has been done yet on the major damage which is on the starboard propeller. Apparently the damaged parts were only removed from the ship last November 2018, and has not been shipped to the US for inspection and assessment by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and the entire process of shipping, assessing, repair or replacement, re-shipping to the Philippines, installation, testing and commissioning, may take several months to do.

Thus, it is safe to assume that BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be out of action for most or even the entire year 2019.

http://maxdefense.blogspot.com/

Hope it's repairable.

 

[ao_sepia]

South Korean, U.S. soldiers hold annual joint winter military exercises

darkroom.baltimoresun.com

 

[Buster23]

House OKs bill on mandatory ROTC for senior high students

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20) — The House of Representatives approved Monday on third and final reading a bill requiring a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program for grades 11 and 12 students in public and private schools nationwide.

With 167 affirmative votes, four against and no abstentions, the chamber approved House Bill 8961, or the proposed act mandating the “institutionalization, development, training, organization, and administration” of basic ROTC for senior high students around the country.

Under the measure, ROTC will be a requirement for graduation for all students in both public and private high schools.

House OKs bill on mandatory ROTC for senior high students

The House of Representatives approved Monday on third and final reading a bill requiring a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program for grades 11 and 12 students in public and private schools nationwide.

cnnphilippines.com

 

[Buster23]

Hope it's repairable.

Currently being repaired and will be operational by end of this year as per this article https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058346

 

[Junglejim]

PHL eyeing to acquire US surveillance planes due to be retired from service

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday night expressed his interest in acquiring the P3C Orion surveillance planes that the US government will be retiring from service, to add to the fleet monitoring and protecting Philippine territory.

“It will be good if we acquire even one P3C Orion. Provided it has all its original equipment. Otherwise, it will just be another transport plane. We will find out if we can get one or two,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana: PHL eyeing to acquire US surveillance planes due to be retired from service

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday night expressed his interest in acquiring the P3C Orion surveillance planes that the US government will be retiring from service, to add to the fleet monitoring and protecting Philippine territory.

www.gmanetwork.com

 

[Buster23]

Philippines' first warship launched in South Korea

(Philstar.com) - May 23, 2019 - 11:57am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy's new frigate was formally launched at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipbuilding facility in Ulsan, South Korea Thursday.

Missile-armed frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) is the first combat vessel designed and purposely acquired for the Philippine Navy, according to state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Once commissioned, the new warship will be the navy's most modern and powerful ship in service, along with its sister ship, the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151).

Philippines' first warship launched in South Korea

The Philippine Navy's new frigate was formally launched at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipbuilding facility in Ulsan, South Korea Thursday.

www.philstar.com

 

[BravoZulu]

Taiwan:
Taiwan’s military has staged a joint air-sea drill as part of its annual Han Kuang exercises, held to test the combat-readiness of its forces in the face of persistent military threats from the mainland.

The live-fire drill, staged on Wednesday morning off the self-ruled island’s east coast, involved 20 warships and 22 fighter jets, simulating a raid by an enemy force at the military port of Suao in northeastern Taiwan, the defence ministry said.
It also included a scenario in which a large number of enemy planes flew towards the north of Taiwan from across the Taiwan Strait, according to the ministry.

“The warships included two Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, La Fayette-class frigates, Ching Chiang-class patrol ships, Tuo Chiang-class corvettes and Kuang Hua-class missile boats, while warplanes like F-16s, Mirage 2000s and indigenous defence fighter jets were also dispatched to take part in the joint exercise,” a ministry official said.

Anti-air missiles and anti-submarine rockets were used in Wednesday’s live-fire drill, the defence ministry says. Photo: CNA
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/pol...a-military-drill-simulates-repelling-invasion

 

[Junglejim]

BUSAN, South Korea — The Philippine Navy (PN) is planning to acquire 25 to 30 warships of various types within the next five to 10 years as part of its efforts to augment its fleet.

“We have plans to acquire 25 to 30 in the next five to 10 years. (This) includes corvettes, OPVs (offshore patrol vessels), and even submarines,” PN flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad told reporters shortly after the keel-laying ceremony for the second missile frigate, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), at Dock 4 of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea on Thursday.

PH Navy to get 25-30 more warships: Empedrad

Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency BUSAN, South Korea — The Philippine Navy (PN) is planning to acquire 25 to 30 warships of various types within the next five to 10 years as part of its efforts to augment its fleet. “We have plans to acquire 25 to 30 in the next five to 10 years. (This)...

ptvnews.ph

 

[BravoZulu]

Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is awarded $47,930,791 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F2602 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-17-G-0001) for 34 ScanEagle unmanned air vehicles for the governments of Malaysia (12); Indonesia (8); Philippines (8); and Vietnam (6).
In addition, this order provides for spare payloads, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools, training, technical services, and field service representatives.
Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington (77 percent); and multiple shore and at sea locations in Malaysia (9 percent); Philippines (5 percent); Vietnam (5 percent); and Indonesia (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2022.
Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $47,930,791 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the governments of Malaysia ($19,329,334; 40 percent); Philippines ($9,633,665; 20 percent); Vietnam ($9,770,120; 20 percent); and Indonesia ($9,197,672; 20 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1863144/

 

[Junglejim]

[B]Frances Mangosing[/B]‏Verified account @[B]FMangosingINQ[/B] 14h14 hours ago
16 Black Hawk Sikorsky S-70i helicopters will be delivered to PAF in batches starting 3rd quarter of 2020 until 2021. A rep from Lockheed Martin said the deal was signed in April and the start of delivery may be moved earlier.



[B]Frances Mangosing[/B]‏Verified account @[B]FMangosingINQ[/B] 14h14 hours ago
Embraer will deliver the first of 6 Super Tucano light attack planes earlier ordered by PAF before the year ends. The rest will be in 2020 and will be flown by Brazilian Air Force pilots.

 

[TheKiwi]

@Junglejim are those Blackhawks the replacements for the cancelled Canadian Bell 412 copters?

 

[Junglejim]

@Junglejim are those Blackhawks the replacements for the cancelled Canadian Bell 412 copters?

Yes, Sikorsky jumped in to save the deal followed by the US FMS financing. Before the Koreans or Russians got chance to jump in a 100 helo market

 

[BravoZulu]

Japan:
Remains of Japan ASDF pilot found, two months after F-35A crash off Aomori

Remains of the pilot of an Air Self-Defense Force F-35A stealth jet fighter that went missing off Aomori Prefecture on April 9 have been retrieved from the ocean, Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Friday.

The remains were found Wednesday and identified as those of Maj. Akinori Hosomi, an ASDF public relations officer in Tokyo said.

Both Iwaya and the ASDF declined to reveal further details, citing privacy and the wishes of the bereaved family.

On Monday, the Defense Ministry terminated search and rescue activities. The ministry has retrieved part of the jet’s flight recorder but its data was lost.

The ministry is now analyzing the cause of the crash by using radar data and communication records from three other F-35A fighters that were conducting a joint exercise about 135 km off Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.

The ministry plans to use a waterproof camera to search the ocean area where the remains were found, although it believes it is unlikely that anything offering clues regarding the cause of the accident will be found, Iwaya said.

“It’s truly regrettable we lost the excellent pilot who had a bright future ahead. … I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family,” Iwaya told reporters.

The advanced fighter that crashed was one of the first 13 F-35As deployed in Japan. The crash was the first involving an F-35A anywhere in the world, drawing the attention of military experts around the world.

Since the accident, the ASDF has suspended operations of the remaining 12 F-35A jets at the Misawa base, but the ASDF reportedly plans to resume flights soon.

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacifi...-months-after-f-35a-crash-off-aomori-1.585088

 

[BravoZulu]

Singapore:
At the parade marking the Golden Jubilee of Singapore's armoured forces this afternoon, defence minister Dr Ng Eng Hen commissioned the Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) as the Singapore Army's M-113 replacement, capping a 13-year project as technology finally caught up with the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) vision for a fully digitised AFV that can wield information as a weapon.

The Hunter marks a milestone for the Singapore Army. The AFV's ability to see first and see more will give the army more options for dealing with enemy combatants from beyond the line of sight once the Hunter's capabilities are fully optimised.

The five Hunter variants - Combat, Command, Bridgelayer, Recovery and Armoured Engineer - bring several first to the army's armoured regiments and have features that make this new class of AFV unique among Asian armies.

Sensors on the platform give the crew of the fully tracked, drive-by-wire AFV a 360-degree view around the vehicle. At the heart of the fully digitalised combat platform is the latest iteration of the battlefield management system. It's called ARTEMIS and was developed by the city-state's defence scientists and engineers to improve the Hunter's situational awareness day and night, in all weather and for non-line of sight (NLOS) applications.

The Hunter is a next generation drive-by-wire tracked AFV that will replace Singapore Army M-113 armoured personnel carriers. The Hunter was designed and made in Singapore by the Singapore Army weapons staff, Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and ST Engineering Land Systems.

http://kementah.blogspot.com/2019/06/defence-minister-dr-ng-eng-hen.html

 

[Buster23]

Philippines:
The Department of National Defense (DND) has issued an Invitation to Bid for two (2) new Landing Platform Dock (LPD) for the Philippine Navy.

Specifications (minimum requirement):
Length = 120 meters
Displacement = 7,200 tons
Range = 9,000 NM
Cruising Speed = 13 Knots
Endurance = 30 days

More info here >>>http://www.dnd.gov.ph/transparency/procurement/dnd-bids-and-awards-committee-1.html

 

[BravoZulu]

Philippines:
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is set to acquire more air assets and equipment in the coming months, its commanding general said Tuesday.
In his speech during PAF's 72nd founding anniversary, Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez said these aircraft are expected to support various operations of the PAF.
In the line-up for the PAF is another Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" transport aircraft, which is expected by the last quarter of this year and 16 combat utility helicopters and six additional NC212i aircraft which will start arriving by 2020.
Aside from these air mobility assets, the PAF chief said six brand-new Embraer A-29 "Super Tucanos" are expected to arrive by February 2020 and "will be a game-changing platform which will perform surface strike support to ground troops."
The "Super Tucanos" are expected to beef up the remaining North American Rockwell OV-10 "Bronco" attack aircraft being used by the PAF in strike missions.
The PAF's operational and strategic command-and-control will also be augmented by the arrival of "two command-and-control fixed-wing aircraft" which includes an EADS CASA C-295 medium transport which will arrive later this July and a Gulfstream G-280 twin-engine jet which will be delivered next year, Briguez said.
"Likewise, four unmanned aerial systems will be coming this year to support intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance for both operational and strategic functions," he added.
The PAF chief said they will also be finalizing its Integrated Command and Control, Communications and Computer Systems (IC4S) which will further enhance their capability in air operations.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073994