Mil News Asian Nations Military News

[Buster23]

Philippines receives unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel


MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force has received the first batch of medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) it ordered from Israel, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday.

“We’ve received two of our bigger drones — the Hermes 450 — and we expect more deliveries this year and next year,” he revealed in a Senate budget hearing.

The initial batch of these drones arrived in August, he said.
The defense chief was referring to the P8-billion project from Elbit Systems, which includes three units of Hermes 450 UAVs and 9 units of Hermes 900 UAVs.

Philippines receives unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force has received the first batch of medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) it ordered from Israel, Defense Secretary Delfin

globalnation.inquirer.net

 

[BravoZulu]

Japan believes China could use its global “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative to push its People’s Liberation Army into the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, a move that could shake up regional security.
Japan believes China could use its global “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative to push its People’s Liberation Army into the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, a move that could shake up regional security.
The “Defense of Japan” white paper released Friday said, “China engages in unilateral, coercive attempts to alter the status quo based on its own assertions that are incompatible with the existing international order.” Tokyo also stood firmly behind its sole military ally, the U.S.
Japan’s worries about one of the signature projects of Chinese President Xi Jinping come as other major powers, including the U.S., have raised concerns that Belt and Road port construction in places such as Djibouti and Cambodia could have a dual military use.
“It is possible that the construction of infrastructure based on the initiative will further promote the activities of the PLA in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and elsewhere,” the paper said. Japan and China, the two largest economies in Asia, have long been rivals in terms of economic and strategic influence.
Since 2013 more than 130 countries have signed deals or expressed interest in Belt and Road projects geared to spurring trade along routes reminiscent of the ancient Silk Road. The World Bank estimates some $575 billion worth of railways, roads, ports and other projects have been or are in the process of being built. Critics contend projects can be debt traps that leave host countries with white elephant infrastructure and bills they can’t repay.
Other points raised in the military paper are:

Japan sees a regular projection of force by China’s navy and air force around islands claimed by both countries known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China
It says North Korea possesses and deploys several hundred ballistic missiles capable of hitting all parts of Japan. Military assessments indicate North Korea has miniaturized nuclear weapons to fit ballistic missiles as warheads.
Japan’s military expects North Korea to work to increase the firing range of its ballistic missiles and step up its ability for a surprise attack through advancement in mobile missile launchers and submarines.
It sees Russia stepping up military activities in the Far East.
South Korea’s decision to withdraw from an intelligence-sharing pact known as GSOMIA was “extremely regrettable,” the paper said

China’s military base in Djibouti.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...and-road-could-give-cover-to-china-s-military

 

[BravoZulu]

Japan:
Northrop Grumman won a $1.4 billion contract modification for non-recurring and recurring engineering for the production and delivery of nine Japan configuration E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft under the FMS Act.
The announcement comes after Japan received the first of an initial batch of four E-2Ds at the end of March, with the other three E-2Ds expected to be delivered between the end of 2019 and the end of 2020.
The E-2Ds are expected to supplement Japan’s 13 E-2Cs ahead of the latter being eventually retired. Japan has operated the E-2C since 1983 and is the largest E-2 operator outside the US.
FMS funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

 

[Junglejim]

Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — While still busy dealing with the country’s internal security threats, the Philippine Army (PA) is also gradually shifting from internal to territorial and external defense with its programmed acquisition of Indian-Russian designed land-based BraHmos supersonic missiles.

“Talks are now ongoing for Philippine Army’s BraHmos missile acquisition project with India,” a senior military official bared, adding that BraHmos supersonic missiles are ideal for the Army’s land-based territorial defense operations.


Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/...nse-hardware-capabilities#z2TPo4sCZjP6yTAo.99

 

[BravoZulu]

Elbit Systems won a $153 million contract to supply an Army of a country in Southeast Asia with a comprehensive, multi-layered array of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
The contract will be performed over a 22-month period.
Under the deal, Elbit Systems will supply a networked multi-layered UAS solution, including more than a thousand THOR Multi-Rotor Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) mini-UAS, scores of Skylark LEX, Skylark 3 and Hermes 450 tactical UAS as well as Universal Ground Control Stations.
The THOR vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) Mini - Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is a low altitude multi-rotor platform, designed for a wide range of surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Built from the ground up, THOR features a real-time HD data link and unique control software.

 

[Junglejim]

Its the Philippines... cough cough

 

[BravoZulu]

South Korea:
South Korea plans to launch the second phase of a project to introduce next-generation fighter jets for the Air Force starting in 2021 with a budget of around 4 trillion won (US$3.34 billion), the arms procurement agency said Monday.
Codenamed the F-X, or Fighter eXperimental, South Korea has been pushing to replace its aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 fighter jets since 2012. Under the first phase of the project worth around 7.74 trillion won, the country has decided to buy 40 F-35A stealth fighters by 2021.
"The government is currently preparing for the second phase of the project, to be launched in 2021 for the five years to come, by allotting 3.99 trillion won," the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a report presented to the National Assembly for a parliamentary audit.
The defense ministry is reviewing military requirements, and based upon the results, the agency will draw up a master plan for the project and conduct a feasibility study, it added.
Some have speculated that the government is mulling the purchase of 20 more F-35As, but the agency and the military authorities have said that nothing has been decided.
As for the F-35A radar-evading fighters, South Korea has so far brought in eight units, having begun in late March, and five more are to arrive here by the end of this year, according to the DAPA.
The agency also said that it will start a process to develop a system for a 3,000-ton Chang Bo Go-III submarine in earnest next month. The 10-trillion won project, which began in 2017, calls for making the 3,000-ton indigenous submarine by 2031.
Major arms procurement projects pushed by the DAPA also include the construction of a light aircraft carrier by 2033. For its concept design and the development of key technologies, a total of 27.1 billion won was earmarked for next year, according to the agency.

An F-35A stealth fighter lands at an air base in Cheongju, about 137 kilometers south of Seoul, after a training flight on Aug. 22, 2019.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20191007009700325

 

[BravoZulu]

Philippines:
President Duterte and other senior government and military officials will soon enjoy the luxury of riding a $36.999-million twin-engine command and control jet procured from the United States.
Arsenio Andolong, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman, confirmed yesterday that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has bought two aircraft – a C295 and a G280.
He said the Gulfstream G280 is brand new and “will primarily serve as platform to carry our senior leaders and commanders in the event of, for example, crisis situation.”
“It can be used by the chief of staff, the secretary of National Defense, our major service commanders and the President,” he added.
According to the official, the status of the procurement of the C295 command and control aircraft and the G280 are already in the contract implementation phase.
“In fact, the C295 is set to be delivered within the year and the G280 will be delivered sometime next year, in about August, and both aircraft will perform the functions of command control,” Andolong explained.
He said the C295 has a longer range and is suitable for maritime patrol missions as well as for transporting supplies and troops. The G280 is a smaller aircraft that does not carry as many personnel but flies faster and can be used as an airborne command post.
Andolong said it is unfair to brand the G280 as a VIP or luxury aircraft “because the purpose of the aircraft is for command and control.”
He admitted, though, that the G280 is “a little more appointed than your average aircraft. But it will carry senior leaders so, of course, it’s designed to be a little more comfortable.”
“But like what I said a while ago, its premium is its speed, capability to land on short runways which cannot be done by our other aircraft at the moment,” he stressed.
Andolong said the C295 underwent public bidding while the G280 falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) “which is our usual mode if a platform is being purchased or acquired from the United States.”
According to the DND, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the P2-billion contract for the G280 in November 2018.

Airbus C295

Gulfstream G280

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/10/08/1958368/duterte-military-vips-have-luxury-jet

 

[Buster23]

Philippines:
President Duterte and other senior government and military officials will soon enjoy the luxury of riding a $36.999-million twin-engine command and control jet procured from the United States.
Arsenio Andolong, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman, confirmed yesterday that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has bought two aircraft – a C295 and a G280.
He said the Gulfstream G280 is brand new and “will primarily serve as platform to carry our senior leaders and commanders in the event of, for example, crisis situation.”
“It can be used by the chief of staff, the secretary of National Defense, our major service commanders and the President,” he added.
According to the official, the status of the procurement of the C295 command and control aircraft and the G280 are already in the contract implementation phase.
“In fact, the C295 is set to be delivered within the year and the G280 will be delivered sometime next year, in about August, and both aircraft will perform the functions of command control,” Andolong explained.
He said the C295 has a longer range and is suitable for maritime patrol missions as well as for transporting supplies and troops. The G280 is a smaller aircraft that does not carry as many personnel but flies faster and can be used as an airborne command post.
Andolong said it is unfair to brand the G280 as a VIP or luxury aircraft “because the purpose of the aircraft is for command and control.”
He admitted, though, that the G280 is “a little more appointed than your average aircraft. But it will carry senior leaders so, of course, it’s designed to be a little more comfortable.”
“But like what I said a while ago, its premium is its speed, capability to land on short runways which cannot be done by our other aircraft at the moment,” he stressed.
Andolong said the C295 underwent public bidding while the G280 falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) “which is our usual mode if a platform is being purchased or acquired from the United States.”
According to the DND, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the P2-billion contract for the G280 in November 2018.

Airbus C295

Gulfstream G280

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/10/08/1958368/duterte-military-vips-have-luxury-jet

They should have bought G550 instead, G280 cant reach Moscow in a single flight LOL

 

[Junglejim]

They had to hide it as Command and Control because the idiots in the country would bitch and moan everytime the topic of the presidential wing needing a new aircraft. Not knowing how old the AC of the PAW are.

 

[BravoZulu]

Philippines:
All six brand-new light attack aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be delivered by February 2020, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday.

This was bared by the DND Public Affairs Service when sought for an update on the possible delivery date of the Embraer Defense and Security A-29 "Super Tucano" close air support aircraft.

"All 'Super Tucano' units will be delivered by first quarter (of 2020) or by February," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong added.

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 turboprop aircraft is designed for light attack, counter-insurgency, close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, as well as providing pilot training.

Designed to operate in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain, the "Super Tucano" is highly maneuverable, has a low heat signature and incorporates 4th generation avionics and weapons system to deliver precision-guided munitions.

The contract for the six "Super Tucano" was issued late 2017 and is worth PHP4.968 billion.

Funds will be sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082787

 

[BravoZulu]

South Korea:
South Korea's Army said Friday (Oct 11) it will cut its force by 100,000 in the next three years in the face of a shrinking population.

Seoul, a key Washington ally, conscripts able-bodied men for two years of service to defend the country from the nuclear-armed North and its much larger army, which invaded the South in 1950 backed by communist allies China and the Soviet Union.

The war ended three years later in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the South and North technically at war and the peninsula divided along the Demilitarised Zone.

Troops will be cut down from the current level of 464,000 by 2022, the Army said in a report to MPs, according to the South's Yonhap news agency.

In line with the reductions, the number of Army corps will be down to six from the current eight by 2022 and divisions from 38 to 33 by 2025, the Army stated.

South Korea's combined force of 600,000 personnel is already much smaller than the North's nearly 1.3 million strong military (which includes 1.1 million in its army), according to Seoul's 2018 defence white paper.

Analysts estimate Pyongyang also has between 20 to 60 nuclear warheads.

To make up for the reduced manpower, the Army stressed it would develop "next-generation game changers" such as high-mobility flight vehicles and artificial intelligence systems, according to Yonhap.

The downsizing comes as the government struggles to boost the country's total fertility rate - the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime - which dropped to 0.98 in 2018, far short of the 2.1 needed to maintain population stability.

Currently 51 million, the population is projected to fall to 39 million in 2067, when the median age will be 62.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...-cut-force-by-100-000-in-three-years-11992634

 

[Musashi]

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[Buster23]

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how prophetic...or apocalyptic?

 

[Musashi]

how prophetic...or apocalyptic?

Nobody, apart from the Dear Leader, can answer your question. I wish he was more informal and competed against Putin in bare-chested horse riding.

 

[Junglejim]

Now that would be some great strides towards self sufficiency

Russia ready to put up weapons production hub in PHL, envoy says

Russia is looking into the manufacture hub for light firearms in the Philippines, its envoy said Tuesday, as Moscow seeks increased defense and security cooperation with America’s oldest Asian ally.

www.gmanetwork.com

 

[BravoZulu]

Taiwan:
Taiwan’s multimillion dollar programme to retrofit its 142-strong fleet of F-16 fighter jets to bring them up to Viper standard is expected to be completed within the next four years.
Defence Minister Yen Teh-fa told parliament on Wednesday that all problems with the upgrade programme had been solved and the air force expected to take delivery of the jets by 2023. The performance of the jets will be further bolstered by the addition of medium-range precision guided weapons and automatic ground collision avoidance systems.
Yen was responding to lawmakers’ concerns that the retrofitting timetable would be affected by the US$8 billion purchase from the US of 66 of the latest Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper fighter jets, after local military critics questioned whether the deal would force the military to axe some spending on the retrofitting programme.
Lawmakers also questioned whether Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) had sufficient manpower for the project after the company failed to deliver six refitted jets in the first quarter of this year as scheduled.
Yen refuted suggestions the delay had been the result of pressure to complete Taiwan’s first indigenous advance fighter trainer jet in September, in line with President Tsai Ing-wen’s policy for the island to develop its own military aircraft.
He said the delay had nothing to do with the purchase of the 66 new F-16V variants as the funding for the purchase and refitting was separate. “Nor does it have anything to do with the advance trainer jet because members of the trainer jet’s production team and the refitting team are two different groups of people,” Yen said.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/dip...-fighter-jet-upgrades-schedule-despite-delays

 

[BravoZulu]

Japan:
As of the end of fiscal 2017, Japan had yet to receive deliveries of about ¥34.9 billion worth of defense equipment it bought from the United States, a survey by the Board of Audit has revealed.

The board on Friday urged the Defense Ministry to negotiate with the U.S. side so that such delays will be resolved as soon as possible.

Under the foreign military sales program, the United States provides defense equipment to allied and friendly countries. In principle, Japan makes payments for U.S. military goods in advance of delivery and any overpaid amounts are refunded at settlement after delivery.

In the survey, the audit board looked at Japan’s defense equipment procurement from the United States in four fiscal years through the end of March 2018.

It found that the procurement amount soared from ¥111.7 billion in fiscal 2013 to ¥388.2 billion in fiscal 2017, with the Air Self-Defense Force’s share jumping in particular, although the threefold increase can be partly attributed to the yen’s weakening against the dollar.

The survey also revealed that 653 acquisition deals worth ¥141.7 billion had not been settled as of the end of fiscal 2017. Of those, deliveries had not been completed for 85 deals worth some ¥34.9 billion.

In procurement for the Maritime Self-Defense Force, some shipments were found to have been delayed for over six years. The delays made the MSDF unable to repair Harpoon anti-ship missiles in three cases.

At the ASDF, only 40 percent of computers to be used in F-2 fighters had been shipped. There were computers that had not been shipped for more than nine years.

Meanwhile, orders for five inspection equipment items for E-2C early warning aircraft had not been canceled, despite the U.S. side’s notification in July 2017 that they could not be shipped.

In the report, the audit board urged the ministry to study the possibility of having the U.S. side cut contract management fees, in addition to making requests for deliveries to settle the pending deals early.

A spokesman for the ministry-affiliated Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency said it takes the audit report seriously and will make efforts to improve the situation while closely cooperating with the U.S. side.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...despite-japans-ramped-purchases/#.XbJsQ5ozaUk

 

[Buster23]

Philippine Air Force's Multi-role Fighter (MRF) acquisition has been under review and evaluation for 1-1/2 decades now since the retirement of the F-5's, and until now they haven't got a choice yet (I dont know if I will laugh or cry). Might as well ditch this acquisition program and instead buy additional cheaper FA-50s (newly improved but still a LIFT aka interim MRF) and invest more on effective radar & SAM systems (Israel got a lot to choose to from).

PH Air Force to defend choices of multi-role fighter aircraft

MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is expected to present and defend before senior defense and military leaders its choices for the multi-role fighter (MRF) aircraft in December or the end of the year, its top official said on Saturday.
During the "Up-Up Pilipinas Padayon PAF" forum at the Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, PAF commander, Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez said he will meet with ranking PAF generals to discuss the MRFs before presenting it to these senior officials.
"It (MRF selection and acquisition) will be the biggest decision that will be made by the PAF because our performance to defend the airspace (depends on this acquisition)," he said in Filipino.
The MRF is part of Horizon Two of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program which is slated for 2018 to 2023 and aims to acquire more equipment for external defense.
Briguez added that 12 various MRFs are being evaluated by the PAF and said any aircraft that will be selected must be able to integrate with existing radar systems that have a range of around 250 nautical miles.
Once these MRFs are acquired, the PAF, with the help of these radar systems, can be deployed to determine whether the aircraft flying in Philippine airspace is friendly or hostile.
These proposed MRFs are expected to augment the existing fleet of 12 South Korean-made Mach 1.5 capable FA-50PH jet aircraft acquired from 2015 to 2017 by the PAF as its first supersonic aircraft after the decommissioning its Northrop F-5 "Tiger" jet fighters in 2005. (PNA)

PH Air Force to defend choices of multi-role fighter aircraft

MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is expected to present and defend before senior defense and military leaders its choices for the multi-role fighter (MRF) aircraft in December or the end of the year, its top official said on Saturday.During the "Up-Up Pilipinas Padayon...

www.pna.gov.ph

 

[Buster23]

Patrol vessel project to undergo gov't-to-gov't procurement

MANILA -- The proposed offshore patrol vessel (OPV) project, consisting of six ships worth PHP30 billion, will go through government-to-government procurement, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza said Thursday.
"Yes, it will be on a G-2-G (Government-To-Government) mode of procurement," Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency when sought for updates on the project.
Government-to-government is an advantage as it does not require a large capital outlay, has sovereign guarantee, and the equipment would be acquired easier and faster.

Patrol vessel project to undergo gov't-to-gov't procurement

MANILA -- The proposed offshore patrol vessel (OPV) project, consisting of six ships worth PHP30 billion, will go through government-to-government procurement, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza said Thursday."Yes, it will be on a G-2-G (Government-To-Government) mode of procurement,"...

www.pna.gov.ph

PACIFIC 2019: Austal Unveils Philippine Navy OPV Design - Naval News

At PACIFIC 2019, the naval defense exposition held last week in Sydney, Australia, Austal unveiled the design of the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) that the local shipbuilder is currently pitching to the Philippine Navy.

www.navalnews.com