30 April 2011

Super Tucano dengan skema warna TNI AU - dipastikan pesawat ini akan mulai datang pada Maret 2012 (image : Angkasa)

16 Pesawat Tempur Brasil Lengkapi Alutsista TNI 2012

MALANG - Sebanyak 16 pesawat tempur jenis Super Tucano EMB - 314 buatan Brasil pada tahun 2012 akan melengkapi alutsista (alat utama sistem persenjataan) Indonesia khususnya TNI Angkatan Udara (AU).

Hal itu dikatakan Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara (KSAU) Marsekal Imam Syufaat, saat kunjungan kerja ke Pangkalan TNI AU Abdurachman Saleh, Kabupaten Malang, Jawa Timur, Jumat.Kepastian datangnya pesawat itu pada 2012, setelah pihak Markas Besar TNI AU melakukan tanda tangan Letter of Credit untuk pembelian total 16 pesawat jenis itu. "Dalam tanda tangan Letter of Credit itu, sudah termasuk masa pelatihan bagi mekanik dan penerbang kita," katanya.Ia menjelaskan, kedatangan pesawat Super Tucano akan dilakukan secara bertahap dan dimulai awal tahun 2012."Nilai kontrak pembeliannya sekitar US$ 260 juta dan saat ini tugas kita adalah mempersiapkan sarana dan prasarana, termasuk fasilitas bangunan seperti shelter, hanggar dan ruangan kantor," katanya.Pesawat itu memiliki kemampuan yang paling unggul dibandingkan dengan jenis pesawat tempur lainnya. "Amerika saja juga memilih Super Tucano untuk memperkuat kekuatan udaranya, namun saat ini masih terkendala kebijakan politik negara tersebut," katanya.Pesawat itu dipesan akibat pesawat jenis OV-10F Bronco yang dimiliki Indonesia dinyatakan grounded (masuk karantina)."Rencananya, pesawat Super Tucano akan digunakan misi operasi taktis dalam membantu pasukan di darat, sebab pesawat ini memiliki keunggulan close air support udara ke darat dari jarak dekat," katanya.Super Tucano juga memiliki mesin tunggal buatan Empresa Braziliera de Aeronautica, Brazil, dan memiliki kemampuan menembakkan asap ke darat secara cepat untuk menunjukkan posisi musuh. (gor/ant)(Investor Daily)

Defense Studies

By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS Published: 29 Apr 2011 16:41

Using money from the newly-passed 2011 defense budget, the U.S. Navy on April 28 was finally able to do something it hasn't done for 20 years - order the construction of more than one submarine in a single year.

The Virginia-class attack submarine Hawaii enters Apra Harbor, Guam, for a scheduled port visit. The U.S. Navy has ordered two submarines to be built this year, a first in 20 years. (MC2 Corwin Colbert / Navy)

About $1.2 billion was awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the yet-to-be-named SSN 787, the 14th unit of the SSN 774 Virginia class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. The money comes after earlier contracts for long-lead items for the boat, such as the nuclear reactor.

Ordering the second sub was the Navy's top priority among items threatened by the continuing resolutions that kept the government running at 2010 levels for the first six months of fiscal 2011. A defense budget that included the second submarine was finally approved by Congress in early April and signed into law April 15.

The Navy and its submarine shipbuilding team of Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries have been working for years to bring down costs on the submarines to be able to afford two subs in a single year. The two-per-year threshold of $2 billion per sub - figured in 2005 dollars - was reached beginning with the 2012 submarine, but Congress last year added a second sub to the 2011 budget.

The $2 billion figure is somewhat mythical; factored for inflation, that amount in 2005 dollars equals about $2.6 billion in current monies.

Nevertheless, prime contractor Electric Boat claims the per-unit cost of a new Virginia-class submarine has come down about 20 percent since the first boat was ordered in 1998.

"Reducing the cost of Virginia Class ships to the point where the Navy can afford to acquire two ships per year has demanded an intense process of continuous improvement," John Holmander, Electric Boat's Virginia program manager, said in a press release. "Our task now is to ensure that we demonstrate additional improvement on each ship so taxpayers get the best possible return on the nation's investment in submarines."

Construction of Virginia-class submarines is shared equally between Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls. EB builds its hull sections at Quonset Point, R.I., and assembles the submarines at Groton, Conn. HI's submarines are built and assembled at Newport News, Va. The shipbuilders alternate on completing each boat.

Newport News will complete the SSN 787, with delivery expected around 2016.

Defense News

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 29 Apr 2011 16:10

WASHINGTON - A shortage of trainers and problems plaguing the Afghan army and police could jeopardize NATO's goal to hand over security to the Kabul government by 2015, a Pentagon report said April 29.

Building up the Afghan security forces is at the heart of the NATO-led strategy to gradually withdraw foreign troops from a war that has dragged on for more than nine years.

Seeing the project as their ticket out, NATO countries are investing heavily in the effort, with the United States planning to spend $12.8 billion in 2012.

With 159,000 Afghan troops and 126,000 police trained as of March 31, the Pentagon said in a report to Congress it was satisfied at the pace of the growth of the force despite troubling rates of desertion.

For about every 10 new recruits, six soldiers quit, according to the report.

And while the number of soldiers in uniform has swelled and basic literacy courses have been launched, the capabilities of the Afghan forces remain limited.

"ANA (Afghan National Army) units are still too dependent on coalition forces for operations, and specifically logistical support," said the progress report on the Afghan war.

About three-quarters of army units are judged "effective" when backed by advisers or assistance from coalition troops, but not one army battalion or police unit is deemed able to operate independently, according to the report.

A senior administration official insisted the transfer of security duties to the Afghans was on track and that the Afghan troops were steadily making progress.

"They are more and more capable of operating and they'll need less and less support. It's a gradual process," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

"This is not something that can happen in one day."

For the Pentagon, the most serious problem facing the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is a chronic shortage of foreign trainers.

The report described "a significant shortfall of ANSF trainers and mentors, which, if not adequately addressed, poses a strategic risk to ANSF growth and an increased risk to transition."

The nearly 1,400 trainers currently on the ground represent less than half of the instructors needed. Coalition members have pledged to contribute 667 trainers, but another 740 are still lacking, the report said.

In the past two years, training focused on basic courses for the infantry but now the coalition requires more specialized instruction for medical, logistical and transport units, the official said.

Defense News

By MARCUS WEISGERBER Published: 29 Apr 2011 14:15

The United States must find new ways to engage China and India, two major stakeholders in Asian security, and build partnership capability with countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam as the continent continues to transform, according to a senior U.S. Defense Department official.

Michèle Flournoy, U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, said Asia ?sits at the crossroads of a number of emerging threats.? (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

Speaking at an event in Arlington, Va., April 28, Michèle Flournoy, U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, said Asia "sits at the crossroads of a number of emerging threats," including cybersecurity, its role in the global supply chain, climate change and terrorism.

Her comments come as China is bolstering its anti-access, area-denial systems.

"This approach threatens to undermine the basic norms that have bolstered East Asian peace and prosperity, such as open access to sea lanes for commerce and security assistance," she said.

DoD needs to strengthen its long-standing and nontraditional alliances and capacity-building efforts in Asia while deterring potential threats, Flournoy said. This includes "bolstering our capabilities to face the full range of scenarios" on the Korean Peninsula.

"We're working to modernize our alliance and to achieve a partnership this is truly global and comprehensive in nature," she said. "Through Strategic Alliance 2015, we are ensuring the interoperability of the United States and South Korean forces, and this is further proof of our lasting commitment to defend South Korea and preserve stability on the Korean Peninsula."

In addition, building partner capacity with countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam is also a focus.

The Pentagon must also adjust its force structure so that it is better aligned with the "realities of the new Asia."

"We must ensure that our regional allies and partners are confident in the continued strength of our deterrent against the full range of potential threats," she said. "Our capabilities, basing and operational concepts must be able to succeed in an environment where our access and freedom of movement may be challenged."

The United States must demonstrate it is postured to face significant threats across the region. The Pentagon has "a great deal of activity focused on planning and engineering the capabilities and concepts that will allow us to deter aggression and defend our partners and interests in Asia for a very, very long time to come," she said.

Flournoy noted the U.S. is working to strengthen the missile defense capabilities of its allies in the region, in addition to hardening facilities. The Pentagon's 2012 budget proposal calls for launching a new Air Force bomber program.

"[W]e are focusing on a variety of ways to operate more regularly and seamlessly with our allies and partners, from increased combined training opportunities, to new joint patrols and exercises, to shared activities such as medical missions and civil-engineering operations, to exercises and the like," she said.

Defense News

29 April 2011Teropong malam DNVG-PM1 buatan Paulson Internasional, Jerman (photo : Paulson)SOREANG, (PRLM).- Guna menunjang kelancaran tugas yang diemban Korpaskhas, bertempat di Gedung Simulator QW-3 Wing III Paskhas, para prajurit Korpaskhas yang berjumlah sekitar 30 orang yang berasal dari seluruh satuan jajaran, Jumat (28/4), mendapatkan pelatihan penggunaan peralatan baru dengan jenis NVG PM-1. Alat yang merupakan produksi Jerman ini baru digunakan oleh satuan khusus TNI termasuk Korpaskhas."Peralatan NVG PM-1 akan langsung dioperasikan ke seluruh satuan jajaran Paskhas dan termasuk Satuan Khusus Detasemen Bravo-90 Paskhas," kata Asisten Logistik Korpaskhas Kolonel Tek Wahyu Laksito.Alat NVG PM-1, yang lebih dikenal sebagai teropong malam ini selain praktis dan efisien juga memiliki keunggulan yang tidak merepotkan prajurit dalam penggunaannya maupun perawatannya. "Keunggulan alat ini memiliki daya jangkau sekitar 150 meter, menggunakan hanya dengan satu baterai yang tahan lama, perolehan gambar lebih jernih dan terang dibandingkan dengan alat sejenisnya," katanya.Alat lama hasil perolehan gambar berwarna kuning kehijau-hijauan, sedangkan jenis NVG PM-1 ini penglihan hasil Hitam Putih dengan hasil gambar yang tajam dan jernih.(A-71/das)(Pikiran Rakyat)

Defense Studies

29 April 2011

Among purchase planned in the 10th malaysia plan includes six ASW helicopter (photo : Militaryphotos)

Royal Malaysia Navy Continues to Shine

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- With its military spirit, loyalty to the country and undying courage, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), which celebrates its 77th anniversary tomorrow, continues to strengthen its force in ensuring the sovereignty and maximum security of the country's waters.As a branch of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the RMN remains a division that is credible and ready to face challenges for the people and country.For example, their success in saving RMN auxiliary vessel Bunga Mas 5 in Aden Bay, Somalia, opened the eyes of the world and also became a landmark in the nation's defence history.Also, June 20 was a proud moment when the Ops Fajar 8 team recovered commercial vessel MT Bunga Laurel, which had been hijacked by pirates, as seven armed pirates were arrested by the Special Protection Team after exchanging fire from air and sea.RMN chief, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, said the naval success upheld the MAF, especially the RMN, to a higher level in the international maritime arena, showing that it is on par with other countries.He added that the navy also demonstrated their capability to continuously operate in foreign waters with success."Ops Fajar is entering its ninth year, and throughout the operation not one commercial vessel owned by the MISC or country was hijacked by armed pirates."The presence of Ops Fajar also crippled two attempted pirate ships attempting attacks on Chinese commercial vessels, MV Zhenhua 4 on Dec 17, 2008 and Indian commercial vessel MT Abdul Kalam Azad on Jan 1, 2009," he told Bernama in a special interview at his office, here recently.Abdul Aziz said more of such successes would follow with a proposal for an additional escort vessel by next September, should it be approved by MISC Berhad.Currently, he said, with only one vessel operating, the task of escorting Malaysian commercial vessels through Aden Bay becomes complicated and time-consuming when there are too many ships to escort."Two successful meetings with MISC Berhad discussed the concept, design and characteristics of the second vessel...and come May 5 the development and latest status on the proposal will be discussed in more detail."If this happens, the second ship will operate independently, whereby one vessel will escort from the West to East and another from East to West...it will launch operations and movement of Malaysian commercial vessels, as well as enable high returns for MISC," he said.He added that auxiliary vessel Bunga Mas 5 made history when it became the first auxiliary vessel in the world to be used to fight pirates in Aden Bay.Ops Fajar was launched following the hijacking of two MISC vessels, Bunga Melati 2 and Bunga Melati 5, in Aden Bay in July 2008 before the Bunga Mas 5, a former MISC Berhad commercial vessel that was renovated into an RMN auxiliary vessel.It was deployed to escort and protect the country's commercial vessels from threats of pirates in Aden Bay and nearby waters.The Special Sea Unit (PASKAL), also known as KD Panglima Hitam, was the backbone of Ops Fajar's success with the assistance of the Army Special Operations Group (GGK), Special Air Service (PASKAU) and MISC Berhad crew, who were absorbed into the RMN Volunteer Reserve Team (PSSTLDM).Abdul Aziz said the RMN would also update its defence system through plans of purchasing the latest defence assets and equipment, as well as replacing old assets in line with their goal to become a more ready and efficient organisation.He said among the purchases planned in the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP)includes six Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters, a multi-purpose support ship(MSS) and disaster support ship to boost the country's maritime defence.For patrol and training purposes, the RMN has also agreed to buy two ships from a local ship building company, NGV Tech Sdn Bhd, and they will be built at the NGV Tech ship dock in Kampung Sinjangkang, Teluk Panglima Garang, with a completion target of two years."These normal patrol ships are sophisticated and will be equipped with various weapons to be used as training objects, which RMN personnel will be taught to use.Regarding the anniversary celebrations, tomorrow which has been themed "Warga Didahulukan, Kesiapsiagaan Diutamakan" (People First, Readiness Now), he said it will be a lively but moderate affair in Lumut to be attended by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, as RMN Colonel-in-chief.The navy is seen as more mature in their efforts to strengthen its structure and armada to ensure safety, but despite this heavy responsibility it cannot be denied that the RMN has a praise worthy 77-year track record.Therefore, it is appropriate that the RMN be congratulated for bravely and confidently stepping forward as an able force to dominate military operations and become a versatile armed force in this century.(Bernama)

Defense Studies

By MARCUS WEISGERBER Published: 28 Apr 2011 17:55

The Pentagon will implement a new cost estimating strategy on 14 major acquisition programs in an attempt to make the weapons' projected price tags more realistic and save money, according to a U.S. Defense Department memo.

The Air Force, Army and Navy will apply "should-cost" metrics to multibillion-dollar efforts - such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - to achieve greater savings than more traditional cost estimating.

"These programs will be used to communicate and demonstrate to other DoD offices and Congress the intent and advantages associated with managing to a should-cost estimate that is lower than the program budget," Pentagon acquisition executive Ashton Carter wrote in an April 22 memo to senior DoD officials. "The delta between Should-Cost and Will-Cost will be managed consistently with the contract type(s) being used in the program."

In addition to the F-35, the Air Force has identified the Global Hawk Block-30 and Block-40, Space Based Infrared System, Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle and Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite System as its "model" programs.

The Army has chosen the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, UH-60M Black Hawk, Ground Combat Vehicle, Paladin Product Improvement and NETT Warrior programs. The Navy has chosen the F-35, E-2D Hawkeye, VXX Presidential Helicopter, Littoral Combat Ship and SSBN(X) Ohio Submarine Replacement programs.

"It is essential that we eliminate cost overruns and begin to deliver programs below budget baselines that are set using independent Will-Cost estimates," Carter wrote. "I believe this is achievable if Program Managers continuously perform Should-Cost analysis that scrutinizes every element of government and contractor cost."

Carter has directed the services to prepare an annual report on will-cost and should-cost management, the first of which is due to him Nov. 1.

Carter's should-cost teams could help DoD prime contractors operate more efficiently, according to Nick Schwellenbach - director of investigations for the Project on Government Oversight, a nonprofit government watchdog.

"You use independent cost estimate will-cost to help plan budgets over the long run, tame unreasonable expectations at the onset, and control for the contractors' and military services' rosy expectations of technological performance, integration, and cost," Schwellenbach wrote on the organization's blog. "You use should-cost to help negotiate better contracts with a relatively uncompetitive defense industry. Ideally, you beat the will-cost expectations, but there are risks."

Defense News

28 April 2011 The upgraded Advanced Air Defence Simulator (photo : Australian Aviation)BAE Systems has announced the completion of System Acceptance Testing (SAT) for the Army?s Advanced Air Defence Simulator (AADS) Refresh project, fulfilling a $5 million contract issued by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) in 2009.The project saw BAE replace obsolete simulator dome projectors, computers and software with the latest equipment and programs to produce higher fidelity visuals and extend the facility?s life. Scheduled for completion at the end of March, BAE responded to a compressed schedule issued by the DMO and re-opened the facility on January 31.The newly upgraded AADS training facility is used by the Army?s 16th Air Defence Regiment to provide training in the use of ground-to-air missile systems. BAE Systems is responsible for maintaining and operating the AADS facility, having been originally built and delivered by the company in July 2005.?The refresh of the facility is excellent, the new display system is extremely impressive and means our ability to provide a simulated controlled tactical environment for the training of Ground Based Air Defenders is even more effective,? CO 16th Air Defence Regiment, LTCOL John McLean said.BAE Systems is also contracted to operate the facility through to July 2013 (awarded under Land 19 Phase 2B), providing the Army with 270 training days each year.(Australian Aviation)

Defense Studies

28 April 2011Roadmap industri radar Indonesia (image : Kompas)Indonesia mestinya memiliki sistem pemantauan radar yang menjangkau seluruh wilayah mengingat sebagian besar berupa laut. Namun, sarana pengintai kapal penyusup itu hanya ada beberapa sehingga kita sering kecolongan. Membangun kemandirian dalam penyediaan fasilitas strategis itu dimulai Indonesia dengan menciptakan Indera dan Isra.Wilayah Nusantara membujur sepanjang 6.000 kilometer lebih di antara Samudra Hindia dan Samudra Pasifik. Luasnya 5,18 juta km persegi dan 60 persen berupa laut. Sebagai negara maritim terluas di dunia, Indonesia tentu memerlukan radar pengawas pesisir dan kapal patroli dilengkapi radar navigasi dan penjejak.Data dari Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan menyebutkan, hanya ada 11 sistem vessel traffic service (VTS). Bila melihat lokasi VTS, sebagian besar berada di kawasan barat Indonesia, sedangkan kawasan tengah dan timur belum termonitor. Untuk menutup daerah kosong itu, Kementerian Perhubungan akan menambah 47 radar VTS dalam beberapa tahun mendatang.Penambahan itu belum mencukupi. Idealnya, menurut Hari Purwanto, Staf Ahli Menteri Riset dan Teknologi bidang Pertahanan dan Keamanan (Hankam), diperlukan ratusan radar pantai untuk tujuan hankam.Radar Isra untuk pengawasan pantai (photo : Defense Studies)Kurangnya sarana pemantau membuat Indonesia rawan dari praktik ilegal, seperti pencurian ikan, penyelundupan, dan pelanggaran batas wilayah perairan oleh kapal asing.Ruang udara kita juga rawan pelanggaran oleh pesawat asing, baik sipil maupun militer. ?Setengah ruang udara di atas Indonesia belum terpantau radar,? kata Timbul Siahaan, Staf Ahli Menteri Pertahanan bidang Teknologi dan Industri.?Perlu upaya sungguh-sungguh mengatasi dan mandiri dalam penguasaan teknologi radar hingga penerapan,? kata Hari.PrioritasSebagai teknologi yang berbasis pada teknologi telekomunikasi dan elektronika, radio detection and ranging (radar) telah lama digunakan sebagai pendeteksi dan pengukuran jarak suatu obyek dengan menggunakan gelombang elektromagnet, khususnya gelombang radio.Antena pemancar radar akan memancarkan gelombang radio, lalu pantulannya pada suatu obyek ditangkap antena penerima radar. Dengan demikian, jarak obyek dapat diketahui.Teknologi radar terus dikembangkan kapasitas jangkauan dan aplikasinya. Semula untuk keperluan militer, kemudian masuk ke sektor sipil, yaitu memantau lalu lintas kapal dan penerbangan. Selain itu, juga untuk mengamati kondisi cuaca dan pemetaan.Penelitian dan pengembangan hingga penerapan teknologi radar di Indonesia ditetapkan sebagai program prioritas bidang industri hankam. Hal ini diungkapkan Menteri Riset dan Teknologi Suharna Surapranata dalam Seminar Radar Nasional V 2011 yang diadakan Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI) di Jakarta, pekan lalu.Untuk itu akan dibentuk konsorsium yang menghimpun semua pihak, termasuk berkontribusi dalam pembiayaan. Kementerian Riset dan Teknologi tahun lalu mengalokasikan anggaran Rp 20 miliar, di antaranya penelitian dan pengembangan radar yang dilakukan LIPI.Isra dan InderaTahun lalu LIPI menghasilkan prototipe radar Isra (Indonesian Surveilance Radar) yang terpasang di Anyer, Banten, untuk memantau lalu lintas kapal di Selat Sunda. Prototipe yang dibuat PT Inti itu merupakan karya bersama LIPI dengan ITB dan International Research Centre for Telecomunication and Radar, Technological University Delft, Belanda.Selain itu, ada radar untuk navigasi kapal yang dibuat oleh swasta nasional, yaitu RCS (Radar & Communication System) Solusi 247. Radar yang disebut Indera (Indonesian Radar) ini diuji coba, Kamis (21/4), oleh TNI AL di dua KRI.Radar Indera untuk navigasi kapal (photo : Defense Studies)Menurut Andaya Lestari, Kepala Divisi RCS, dibandingkan radar maritim yang umumnya menggunakan teknologi pulsa berdaya hingga 15 kilowatt, Indera menggunakan sistem FMCW (frequency modulation-continuos wave) berkapasitas 2 watt. Karena itu, keberadaan kapal sulit terdeteksi sehingga menunjang operasi pengintaian.Bila uji coba berhasil, radar itu dapat diproduksi untuk memenuhi kebutuhan hankam dalam negeri. Paling tidak 60 kapal perang di Indonesia dapat dilengkapi dengan Indera.Menurut Ketua Asosiasi Radar Indonesia Mashuri yang juga Kepala Bidang Telekomunikasi Pusat Penelitian Elektronika dan Telekomunikasi LIPI, radar yang umum digunakan di Indonesia adalah radar yang menggunakan sinyal pulsa seperti sinyal digital. Sistem radar pulsa menggunakan satu antena untuk memancarkan dan menerima sinyal secara bergantian.Selain itu, dikembangkan pula radar gelombang kontinu (continuous wave/CW). Radar ini menggunakan dua antena untuk radar pemancar dan penerima. Ada pula radar Doppler untuk menjejak atau melacak kecepatan pergerakan obyek.Program Radar Nasional tahap pertama akan berlangsung hingga tahun 2014 untuk menghasilkan satu prototipe generasi baru, antara lain model PSR (Primary Surveillance Radar) untuk mendeteksi dini sasaran, prototipe material, dan komponen peralatan radar. Teknologi radar terus dikembangkan, antara lain untuk membuat radar senjata (radar penjejak optoelektronika) serta pemantauan lalu lintas laut dan udara.(Kompas)

Defense Studies

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 27 Apr 2011 16:57

STOCKHOLM - India has scrapped Saab's Gripen from its fighter jet shortlist, the Swedish aircraft builder said April 27.

"Today defense and security company Saab AB has received information from the Indian Ministry of Defence that Gripen has not been shortlisted for the Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program," the company said in a statement.

India is planning to replace its fleet of 26 aging MiG 21 Soviet-era jets to the tune of 11 billion euros ($16 billion).

Other than Saab, it also is considering jets from France's Dassault, Russia's MiG, America's Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Europe's EADS, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Finmeccanica as possible suppliers.

"We have received this decision, and will closely monitor the future process and provide additional information if requested by the Indian Ministry of Defence," SAAB chief executive officer Haakan Buskhe said.

He insisted the Gripen was a world class fighter, and that India was being offered a "very competitive price."

The Gripen is already in service in the air forces of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa and Thailand, the company said.

The jet was first deployed operationally in the current NATO strikes on targets aligned to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Defense News

By MICHAEL HOFFMAN Published: 27 Apr 2011 14:02

The U.S. Army must work harder to find operational efficiencies within the joint services and fix a broken acquisitions system to ensure its long-term health, said U.S. Army Undersecretary Joseph W. Westphal.

In one effort to do so, the undersecretaries of each service have met frequently to find which programs and operations the services might be able to share in order to save money, Westphal said at a April 27 breakfast hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Army has taken notice of the work U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy leaders have done with AirSea Battle, he said.

The different networks the services use in combat show a lack of sharing, Westphal said. An average citizen would be surprised to see how poorly synchronized the services are when it comes to communications networks and even email, he said.

The services might be able to save money by combining their depots, he said.

"It's not a bad idea, but we have to look at it now," he said.

Some defense analysts have suggested that finding those efficiencies could drastically reduce the amount of cuts to weapons programs and service members' benefits. Westphal wasn't as hopeful, saying major cuts will come as the Army pulls most troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I'm not optimistic it will be a big part of it that we don't have to make cuts," he said.

Like other Army leaders, Westphal ripped the service's acquisition system, describing it as "cumbersome" and saying it is not effective in the 21st-century market. Program decisions take too long and weapons don't get to soldiers fast enough, he said.

"We realize we have to make big changes," Westphal said. "At this point, we don't have a choice anymore."

When Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in his February speech at West Point that the next major conventional war will be fought in the air and sea, he "was poking his finger in the chest of the Army" to challenge the service to come up with a future strategy of its force structure, Westphal said.

He followed that up saying the U.S. Army still has a role in "high end engagements" as long as the planet still has 7 billion people.

"You simply can't do it all from the air and the oceans," Westphal said.

Westphal commended Gates for paring the Defense Department's budget and heading off potential deeper cuts by Congress.

Gates' successor, said to be CIA Director Leon Panetta, must maintain focus on controlling defense spending and keep weapons programs from spiraling out of control, he said.

Defense News

By DAN DE LUCE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 27 Apr 2011 09:57

WASHINGTON - In a major shakeup of President Barack Obama's national security team, CIA director Leon Panetta will take over as the new defense secretary this summer, a U.S. official told AFP on April 26.

CIA director Leon Panetta, left, will be named secretary of defense and Army Gen. David Petraeus is expected to be named CIA director, according to sources. (AFP, Getty Images)

As part of the overhaul, Obama also is expected to name Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, to succeed Panetta at the helm of the Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. media reported.

Panetta, 72, would replace Defense Secretary Robert Gates, an influential figure in Obama's cabinet whose tenure began under Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.

Gates, who had vowed to step down later this year, is himself a former CIA director and has spoken highly of Panetta's work at the spy agency.

If he receives Senate confirmation to the top Pentagon post, Panetta would be the first Democrat to hold the top U.S. defense job since William Perry in 1997.

ABC and NBC television reported that Petraeus, the commander leading military operations in Afghanistan, will be replaced there by Lt. Gen. John Allen, who currently is deputy head of U.S. Central Command.

On the civilian side in Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, a former U.S. diplomat who served as ambassador in Pakistan and Iraq, will reportedly replace Ambassador Karl Eikenberry in Kabul, who has had a strained relationship with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The White House on April 27 declined comment about the reports.

The reshuffling of the president's top echelon of security officials was floated weeks ago by the administration.

The overhaul will shape Obama's approach to the increasingly unpopular war in Afghanistan, the NATO-led air war in Libya and to unrest threatening Washington's influence across the Middle East.

Apart from the defense secretary job, a number of crucial national security posts are coming open in the next several months, including the military's top officer, Adm. Mike Mullen, who finishes his term in September while Petraeus was long expected to wrap up his stint in Afghanistan by year's end.

Panetta - who enjoys solid bipartisan support in Congress - emerged as a strong candidate to succeed Gates as Pentagon chief after it became clear Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was not interested in the job.

With his experience as a member of Congress and as a budget chief under former president Bill Clinton, Panetta may be well-equipped to take over at the Pentagon at a time of growing fiscal pressures and belt-tightening.

The son of Italian immigrants, Panetta in 1993 was appointed as the director of the office of management and budget under the incoming Clinton administration, and was widely credited with helping to balance the federal budget and achieve a surplus.

In July 1994, Panetta was appointed Clinton's chief of staff, serving for almost three years.

As for Petraeus, some former CIA officials and analysts have touted the general as a perfect fit for the spy agency, citing his work with intelligence operatives battling Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere, as well as his experience in Washington's policy debates.

"General Petraeus would be an exceptional choice to run the CIA," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer and fellow at the Brookings Institution, told AFP recently, as rumors swirled about the possible shuffle.

"He has unique experience at the front line in the war against Al-Qaeda and in the inter-agency process in Washington that would be invaluable" as a CIA director, he said.

Petraeus, a four-star general with a high profile and an acute intellect, has been widely credited in Washington for helping to salvage the war effort in Iraq in 2007-2008.

The 101st Airborne Division paratrooper, who rewrote the Army's manual for counter-insurgency warfare, oversaw a surge of U.S. troops in Iraq at a time of spiraling sectarian violence.

Defense News

27 April 2011Vigilare, the RAAF's ground-based air defense system (photo : Australian Aviation)Network centric command and control system participates in RAAF combat exerciseRAAF BASE WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Vigilare network centric command and control system has passed its last formal operational test. Testing took place at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown's Eastern Region Operations Centre (EROC) from March 28 to April 8.The testing established that EROC is ready for operations as it demonstrated Vigilare's full range of functionality in preparation for conditional acceptance this month, the last milestone before final system acceptance by the Commonwealth of Australia.Vigilare's second week of operational testing was incorporated into Exercise Aces South, a key combat exercise for pilots and air defense operators studying to become advanced fighter tactics instructors and controllers."Exercise Aces South provided an excellent opportunity to put the newly installed Vigilare system at EROC through its paces. We threw our best and brightest people into the exercise, and they worked the new system extremely hard through some complex and intense air battle scenarios," said Wing Commander Richard Pizzuto, Officer Temporary Commanding RAAF No. 41 Wing. "I've been impressed with how the Vigilare system performed and with the increased functionality it delivers. It's an exciting new capability for Air Force, and one which sets us up well for the future."Vigilare combines information in near real-time from a wide range of platforms, sensors, tactical data links and intelligence networks to deliver tactical and strategic surveillance operations and battlespace management in the air and joint domains. The live inputs from these sources present a unified operational picture to the user at single or multiple operational centers."Vigilare demonstrated a new level of network centric capability for the RAAF by networking a broad range of RAAF assets into the battlespace through EROC," said Lee Davis, Vigilare project manager, Boeing Defence Australia. "RAAF operators' situational awareness was enhanced by their ability to connect to Vigilare's advanced surveillance and tactical management capabilities."Platforms participating in the exercise included F/A-18 Classic Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, Hawks, a 707 Tanker and a P-3 Orion.Vigilare consists of two regional operations centers: EROC and the Northern Regional Operations Centre, which has been operational since September 2010 and is located at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.(Boeing Australia)

Defense Studies

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 26 Apr 2011 21:05

MOSCOW - The Russian military successfully test launched a Sineva ballistic missile from a submarine in the Arctic on April 26, the Interfax news agency quoted a Defense Ministry spokesman as saying.

"The launch was carried out from underwater in the Barents Sea from the Yekaterinburg nuclear submarine. At the expected hour, the payload of the Sineva missile arrived at the Kura range in Kamchatka" in Russia's Far East, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

The Sineva is an intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missile that entered service in 2007 and has a range of more than 6,800 miles (11,000 kilometers).

Defense News

By DAVE MAJUMDAR Published: 25 Apr 2011 17:47

The U.S. Air Force said April 25 that it will hold separate competitions for its Common Vertical Lift Support Platform (CVLSP) and HH-60 recapitalization programs.

The CVLSP program is designed to replace the service's geriatric fleet of Bell UH-1N Huey helicopters, which provide transportation to security forces at nuclear missile bases and help to evacuate lawmakers during emergencies. The HH-60 recapitalization program is the Air Force's effort to replace 112 increasingly decrepit HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue helicopters.

Service officials anticipate that both programs will draw industry bids based on aircraft derived from helicopters in production.

Maj. Gen. Randal D. Fullhart, the Air Force's global reach programs capability director, said that the service anticipates releasing a draft Request for Proposal in the summer, with the final RfP in the fall. The CVLSP fleet will consist of 93 aircraft spread among Air Force Global Strike Command, the Air Force District of Washington and other major commands.

"We're proceeding toward an initial operating capability for common vertical lift support platform program in 2015." Fullhart said.

For the HH-60 replacement program, Fullhart anticipates a request for proposals will be released in 2012. The Air Force did not say how many aircraft it would buy.

Industry welcomed the announcement.

"Sikorsky welcomes a competition to offer the proven H-60M Black Hawk aircraft for both the HH-60 Recap and CVLSP missions," said Tim Healy, Sikorsky's director for Air Force programs.

Healy said that the Air Force would derive significant savings from "Sikorsky's mature H-60M multi-year production line for the U.S. Army, and an established logistics support and aircrew/maintainer training effort."

If the company was selected for both missions, Sikorsky estimates a "conservative savings of $3 billion ? over the 25-year operational life of 205 HH-60 Recap/CVLSP aircraft."

AgustaWestland also plans to compete for both tenders. It plans to bid its AW-139M helicopter for the CVLSP, and the larger AW101 for the HH60 replacement program.

"We're enthusiastic and look forward to working with the Air Force as they develop their specs for the CVLSP program and HH-60 recap, and we anticipate being very competitive," AgustaWestland vice-president for strategy Dan Hill said.

"We're ready."

Said John Williamson of The Boeing Co.: "Boeing looks forward to fully supporting the recently announced acquisition strategy to recapitalize the U.S. Air Force helicopter fleet."

Defense News

26 April 2011Third Svetlyak class for Vietnam Navy (photo : Arms Expo)St. Petersburg shipbuilding company Almaz was launched on the third patrol boat project 10412, under construction for the Viet Nam Navy, according to a company press release. Currently, the ship moored at the quay wall of the plant, which will be its completion. When the new patrol will be delivered to the customer, not specified.Vietnam Navy must obtain a total of four patrol boats of the project 10412 (export version of the project 10410 "Svetlyak"). Two of the ship has already admitted to the Vietnamese Navy. Construction ofthe latter two being under a contract signed in July 2009. Previously reported that the deal is estimated at $ 60 million.Project 10412 ships have a displacement 375 tons and capable of speeds up to 30 knots. Range of the patrol is 2,2 thousand miles. Boats armed with 30-mm artillery installation AK-306, 7.56-mm AK-176M gun mount, 16 rocket launchers Igla-1M and two machine guns 14.5 mm.(Arms Expo)

Defense Studies

25 April 2011 Sukhoi Su-30 flight simulator - Indian version (photo : Trishul)BESUT, (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force now has at its Gong Kedak base the only simulation centre in Asia for training pilots of Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets.Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the centre had two sets of a system capable of carrying out training missions on line just like in real life.He said the RM258 million system built by local company HeiTech Padu Berhad at a cost of RM258 million had been in use since early November last year."The system can train pilots and weapons sensor officers and the technical crew by using aircraft flight simulation models especially for Sukhoi aircraft," he told reporters after launching the centre Monday.Also present were Air Force chief General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Rodzali Daud, HeiTech Padu Berhad executive chairman Datuk Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib and RMAF Divison 1 commander Major General Datuk Ansar Ali Majeth.Ahmad Zahid said the system had helped to reduce government expenditure as pilots of Sukhoi aircraft no longer had to be sent overseas for training.He said the centre was developed using a private fund initiative, whereby HeiTech Padu Berhad was responsible for 10 years of operations management and maintenance until 2020.Twenty-eight RMAF pilots had been trained at the centre since it was set up, Ahmad Zaid said.(Bernama)

Defense Studies

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 24 Apr 2011 11:10

SEOUL - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard pledged on April 24 to urge China to help tame North Korea and ease tension on the Korean Peninsula as part of efforts to ensure regional security.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, left, and her partner Tim Mathieson visit the U.N. Command Military Armistice Commission meeting room April 24 as North Korean soldiers look in through the window at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demi (Lee Jin-Man / AFP via Getty Images)

Gillard, on a visit to Seoul as part of her whirlwind Asian tour, said Sydney was "concerned about continuing North Korean aggression" and vowed to "bring continued pressure on the North Korea regime for change."

"My message would be that it is not in China's interest to have instability on the Korean Peninsula," she told reporters.

She will leave for China, the communist North's major ally, on April 25 for the last leg of her Asian trip that began in Japan.

"The instability here on the Korean Peninsula is concerning to our region...that's why I'm putting such a focus on it in my discussions in the region," she said, calling the North's regime a "repressive dictatorship."

The isolated North heightened regional security concerns in November by disclosing an apparently operational uranium enrichment plant, which experts said could be reconfigured to produce weapons-grade uranium.

Cross-border tension escalated in the same month following Pyongyang's shelling attack on a border island that killed four South Koreans, including two civilians and sparked a brief fear of war.

The six-party nuclear disarmament talks on the North, involving China, two Koreas, Japan, Russia and the U.S., have been on a standstill since Pyongyang stormed out in April 2008. The North staged its second nuclear test a month later.

Gillard admitted Australia was not part of the multinational disarmament efforts, but vowed to "play a role in assisting with pressure on North Korea."

"It's a hard regime to influence, but we've got to keep the pressure on, for them to show that they're genuinely prepared to change," she said.

As part of her three-day visit, Gillard also mourned on April 24 340 Australian soldiers who fell during the Korean War, in the ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of a battle at Gapyeong.

The battle, Australia's largest military action during the war, helped stop the Chinese "spring offensive" and proved crucial in preventing a Chinese breakthrough towards Seoul, Gillard said.

"That night the defining fight for the Australians in the Korean War began... this battle that stopped a breakthrough," she said, stressing Australia proved itself as "a reliable and courageous ally."

More than 17,000 Australian troops, as part of an U.N. multinational force, served during the war.

She also visited the truce village of Panmunjom straddling the tense border between the two Koreas, which have technically remained at war since the 1950-53 conflict ended with a ceasefire.

On April 25, Gillard will attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service - Australia's memorial day - at the National War Memorial in Seoul and hold a summit with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.

The two leaders will discuss a range of issues including ways to strengthen defense ties and to strike long-anticipated free trade agreement, Gillard said.

Defense News

25 April 2011 Peluru kendali (rudal) Yakhont meluncur ke udara setelah ditembakkan dari Kapal Republik Indonesia Oswald Siahaan-354 (jenis kapal perusak kawal kelas Fregat Van Speijk) di perairan Samudra Hindia, Rabu (20/4). photo : Kompas-Hendra A Setyawan)Selangkah demi selangkah upaya membangun pertahanan Republik Indonesia dibangun sejak krisis Timor Timur tahun 2000. Embargo senjata dari Amerika Serikat membuat Indonesia beralih kepada dua negara yang sempat menjadi sahabat erat pada era Soekarno, yakni Rusia dan China.Salah satu jenis persenjataan dari Rusia dan China yang memperkuat pertahanan Indonesia adalah peluru kendali. Peluru kendali paling canggih yang dimiliki adalah jenis Yakhont buatan Rusia dengan jarak jelajah (cruising range) 300 kilometer. ?Ini merupakan rudal dengan jangkauan terjauh yang saat ini kita miliki,? ujar Komandan Gugus Tempur Laut Armada RI Kawasan Timur Laksamana Pertama Soleman Banjar Nahor, dalam latihan penembakan rudal Yakhont di perairan Samudra Hindia, Rabu (20/4) pekan lalu.Keberadaan Yakhont memang strategis bagi pertahanan Indonesia. Jangkauan 300 kilometer yang dimiliki Yakhont seandainya ditempatkan di pesisir timur dan utara Sumatera dapat menjangkau Semenanjung Malaya, Thailand Selatan, serta Kepulauan Nicobar dan Andaman. Seandainya digelar di Kepulauan Natuna-Anambas, rudal tersebut dapat mencapai sasaran di sekitar Kepulauan Spratly dan Paracel, yang menurut pengamat Barat dapat menjadi potensi konflik pada masa depan karena pertentangan China-Amerika Serikat (AS) yang tentu saja akan berdampak pada ASEAN.Peluncuran rudal Yakhont dari fregat KRI Oswald Siahaan (photo : Vivanews)Seandainya digelar di wilayah timur Indonesia, di kawasan Sulawesi Utara, Maluku Utara, atau Papua, rudal Yakhont dapat menjangkau sasaran di Filipina selatan hingga Guam, yang menjadi salah satu basis militer terdepan AS. Adapun di wilayah selatan, di sekitar Kupang dan perairan Timor, rudal tersebut dapat menjangkau sasaran di Darwin dan sebagian kawasan Northern Territory Australia.Soleman menambahkan, saat ini platform penembakan rudal Yakhont baru dimiliki kapal Armada RI Kawasan Timur yang relatif lebih besar dibandingkan dengan kapal milik Armada RI Kawasan Barat. ?Ke depan Armabar juga akan mampu mengoperasikan Yakhont,? tutur dia.Seorang perwira muda di Komando Lintas Laut Militer mengatakan, Yakhont dapat ditembakkan dari beragam platform, seperti silo-penyimpanan rudal-di darat, kendaraan tempur, hingga pesawat tempur pengebom seperti Sukhoi. Penembakan melalui pesawat tempur pengebom tentu menambah jauh jangkauan serangan rudal Yakhont!Rudal dengan hulu ledak (warhead) 300 kilogram bahan peledak itu memiliki dimensi panjang 8,9 meter, diameter 72 sentimeter, dan memiliki kecepatan maksimum hingga 2,5 mach (kecepatan suara). Dalam uji tembak di Samudra Hindia di selatan Selat Sunda, rudal Yakhont menjangkau sasaran di lautan sebelah selatan Pulau Enggano yang berjarak 250 kilometer dalam enam menit saja.Lintasan rudal Yakhont buatan Rusia (photo : ARC)Kepala Pusat Penerangan Umum Mabes TNI Laksamana Muda Iskandar Sitompul mengatakan, keberadaan rudal Yakhont dalam persenjataan TNI lebih ditujukan sebagai detterent (penangkal) terhadap upaya agresi ataupun tindakan tidak bersahabat dari negara tetangga. ?Tentu saja kita mengutamakan perdamaian ASEAN. Apalagi Indonesia adalah negara yang menjadi teladan di ASEAN,? ungkapnya lagi.Rudal ChinaSelain persenjataan Rusia, rudal buatan China juga memperkuat persenjataan TNI. Soleman menceritakan adanya rudal buatan China tipe C-802A dan C-705. Rudal itu merupakan jenis ?Exocet? buatan China.?Sejumlah kapal perang kita diperlengkapi rudal itu. Sejenis dengan rudal-rudal yang memperkuat kapal perang Kerajaan Thailand yang juga dibuat China,? kata Soleman.Beberapa tahun lalu, Kompas sempat mengunjungi HTMS Taksin yang sempat singgah di Pelabuhan Tanjung Priok, Jakarta. Kapal latih Angkatan Laut Kerajaan Thailand tersebut dibuat galangan kapal di Shanghai dan memiliki rudal buatan China. Pekan lalu HTMS Taksin kembali singgah di Indonesia, tepatnya di Pelabuhan Benoa, Bali.Rudal China dengan jangkauan sekitar 70 kilometer hingga 90 kilometer itu turut memperkuat persenjataan Republik Indonesia. Tentu saja di samping persoalan embargo, produk persenjataan buatan Rusia dan China lebih murah jika dibandingkan produk sejenis buatan AS.Sebuah kapal perang baru, yang akan diluncurkan di Batam, Kepulauan Riau, Senin (25/4), juga diperkuat dengan persenjataan China, termasuk rudal C-802A. Seperti pada tahun 1960-an, persenjataan untuk menjaga wilayah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia, yang waktu itu disegani di belahan bumi selatan, kembali diperkuat arsenal produksi Blok Timur: Rusia dan China.(Iwan Santosa).(Kompas)

Defense Studies

By MICHAEL HOFFMAN Published: 23 Apr 2011 11:53

The U.S. Army issued its second request for information for the competitive Humvee recapitalization program April 21, which is meant to upgrade 60,000 vehicles for no more than $180,000 a copy.

Army officials have said they want additional armor to put the Humvee's survivability on par with the mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicle but still keep it lighter than the M-ATV.

Congress denied the Army's request to shift money from buying new Humvees toward a recap program last year forcing the service to issue a second RFI after the Army published the first one in January 2010.

The Marine Corps could join the Army on the Humvee recap program by the time the Army is ready to issue a request for proposal, Col. David Bassett, the Army's project manager for tactical vehicles, said April 19.

Marine Corps officials had already sent out an RFI to recap their Humvee fleet. As the Pentagon looks for budget savings, Bassett said it might make sense to bring the programs together.

BAE Systems, Oshkosh and AM General, which makes the Humvee, have each developed kits that could compete for the Humvee recap contract. Each featured everything from double-V hull underbodies to advanced armor to structural blast channels, which vents a blast and provides structural stiffening.

The recap program is part of the Army's Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Strategy the service released in January. The Army plans to stop buying new Humvees by 2012 and reduce its overall fleet of 260,000 trucks by 15 percent by fiscal 2017.

Defense News

By wendell minnick Published: 22 Apr 2011 14:06

TAIPEI - China may have test-flown the J-18 Red Eagle vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) fighter earlier this month, if chatter on Chinese-language military blogs is accurate.

China's defense industry is largely opaque and it is difficult to substantiate Internet chatter. However, Chinese-language military blogs reported the first test flight of the stealthy J-20 Black Eagle fighter in January, much to the surprise of the Western media.

Now there are reports emerging of a test flight of the J-18. Tests were supposedly conducted earlier this month and the fighter is similar to the Sukhoi Su-33 carrier-based fighter.

"In 2005, a Chinese aviation industry source told me the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation was considering a F-35B-like program," said Richard Fisher, vice president of the Washington-based International Assessment and Strategy Center. "Given the PLA's naval power projection ambitions, it is probable there is VSTOL or STOVL [short takeoff and vertical landing] fighter program."

There are "many alleged programs in the Chinese blogosphere," Fisher said.

These include a J-16 built by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), which is a stealthier dedicated attack version of the J-11B (Su-27) multirole fighter with active electronically scanned array radar and an internal weapons bay, which will "reportedly emerge this summer," he said.

China is expected to begin sea trials for its first aircraft carrier this summer. Analysts believe the J-15 Flying Shark, a copy of the Sukhoi Su-33, will be China's first carrier-based fighter. SAC procured an earlier prototype of the Su-33 from the Ukraine in 2001 and the J-15 reportedly conducted its first test flight in mid-2009.

There have also been questionable Chinese-language military blogs providing sketchy reporting on J-17 and J-19 fighter programs. Reportedly, the J-17 is long-range fighter-bomber based on the Russian Sukhoi Su-34 and the J-19 is a heavy multirole fighter based on the J-11B.

Defense News

By PIERRE TRAN Published: 22 Apr 2011 10:48

PARIS - About 10 French military advisers, dubbed "liaison officers," will give technical, logistical and organizational counsel to the Libyan rebels fighting the Tripoli government, the defense ministry spokesman said April 21.

Libyan rebels check a French-made anti-tank Milan rocket launcher tube April 20 at the strategic town of Ajdabiya. France and Italy joined Britain in sending military advisers to insurgent-held eastern Libya as Tripoli warned that foreign boots on th (Marwan Naamani / AFP via Getty Images)

The French deployment, announced by the foreign ministry on April 20, follows similar announcements by Britain and Italy on sending advisers to help the beleaguered rebels.

The announcement of advisers comes as government forces poured heavy mortar fire into the port town Misrata, killing civilians and British-born photographer Tim Hetherington and U.S. photojournalist Chris Hondros on April 20.

"A small number" of advisers, around 10, would give advice on technical, logistical and organizational matters, the defense ministry spokesman, Laurent Teisseire, told journalists.

"This is not an operational engagement," Teisseire said.

The advisers were not ground troops and would not act as forward air controllers to guide coalition strike aircraft to hit targets, he said.

"That is not their expertise," he said.

Rebel fighters have told France 2 television that American, British and French military advisers have been on the ground helping the resistance for about a month.

French foreign ministry spokeswoman Christine Fage said April 20 that "France has placed a small number of liaison officers alongside our special envoy to Benghazi who are carrying out a liaison mission with the TNC (Transitional National Council)," Agence France-Presse reported.

Teisseire said it was too early to set a cost on the French effort in the Libyan intervention but the expenditure was "compatible" with the 900 million euros ($1.3 billion) budgeted this year for overseas operations.

Of that amount, 630 million euros were earmarked in the annual defense budget for foreign operations, and the remainder would be come from central government funds, he said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised the head of the Libyan opposition, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, that air strikes would be stepped up.

"We are indeed going to intensify the attacks and respond to this request from the Transitional National Council," Sarkozy told Jalil after meeting April 20 with the rebel leader here, Reuters reported.

In the week to April 21, French warplanes flew 255 sorties, slightly up from the estimated 200 flown in the preceding week, said Army Col. Thierry Burkhard, a spokesman for the Joint Staff.

Of that total number, 135 were ground attack missions but not all involved use of weapons.

The ground targets hit included two SA-2 surface-to-air missile sites, a multiple rocket launcher, ammunition truck and armored vehicles, he said.

French planes flew 52 reconnaissance and 26 air defense missions during the week.

Defense News

22 April 2011Type 206A submarine from Germany (photo : Militaryphotos)The navy still wants to buy six used Type U206A submarines from Germany, because they are most suitable for its needs, navy chief Admiral Kamthorn Poomhiran said on Friday.Adm Kamthorn said the Type U206A submarine is most suitable for the Thai navy because it is small and agile, with a displacement of only 450 tonnes.Moreover, the six submarines would cost the navy only 7.7 billion baht."I can guarantee that they can be in commission for more than 10 years," he said.Adm Kamthorn said this type of submarine is far better than the Type U209 submarines which the navy earlier hoped to buy from South Korea.Korea bought the submarines, which are much bigger at more than 1,000 tonnes displacement each, from Germany and had them refurbished.Two Type U209 submarines would cost the navy 13 billion baht, which is far more expensive than the Type U206A from Germany, he said."The 7.7 billion baht to buy six Type U206A submarines from Germany is worthwhile, to protect the country's yearly marine interests of more than 900 billion baht," Adm Kamthorn said.The navy chief said a proposal to buy six submarines from Germany would be forwarded to the Defence Council meeting chaired by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon next week for approval.If approved, the proposal would be tabled for cabinet consideration.He said the navy plans to buy the submarines with its own four-year tied-over budget.Vice Admiral Taweewut Pongpipat, assistant navy chief-of-staff for tactical operations, said the navy plans to use two submarines in the Gulf of Thailand and two in the Andaman Sea, while two others would be used for rotation.He said the navy has already selected the first batch of 30 naval personnel for training in Germany for one year before the submarines were handed over.The submarines the Thai navy plans to buy are still in operation, and not decommissioned yet."If we don't buy them, Chile and Colombia would," Vice Adm Taweewut said.Malaysia now has two submarines in commission and Singapore has four, a navy official said.Vietnam already has four submarines and is reported to be negotiating to buy six more at a cost of US$4 billion from Russia, while Burma has already trained its sailors for submarine operations, the official said.(Bangkok Post)

Defense Studies

By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS Published: 21 Apr 2011 20:48

U.S. Navy investigators are continuing to re-examine the work done by contractors on the amphibious ship San Antonio (LPD 17) in hopes the ship, sidelined for more than a year of repairs, can get to sea by the end of the month for engineering trials.

While San Antonio, delivered in 2005, has a long history of problems, the new issue involves poor and improper documentation of repair work carried out in recent months.

Earl Industries, a shipyard in Norfolk, Va., was in charge of the overhaul, which included work done by diesel engine manufacture Fairbanks Morse on the ship's Colt Pielstick diesel engines.

Now, the Navy organization responsible for overseeing Earl's work, the Norfolk Ship Support Activity, has had its oversight authority suspended by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). A "senior NAVSEA officer" has been assigned to carry out technical authority oversight duties, NAVSEA said in a statement, "until confidence is restored."

At least one senior official reportedly already has been sacked, according to the Virginian-Pilot newspaper, which said Thomas J. Murphy, the command's executive director, was replaced last week.

NAVSEA would not address personnel inquiries, citing privacy concerns.

The inaccurate or incomplete reports, NAVSEA said, were generated between January and July 2010, but did not come to light until mid-April.

NAVSEA stressed that the documentation issues are not related to previous problems with the ship, including issues with engine alignment or foundation bolts.

No schedule delays have been caused by the investigation, NAVSEA said.

Defense News

By MARCUS WEISGERBER Published: 21 Apr 2011 18:17

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is looking to start with combat scenarios developed during last year's Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) to help make the budget cuts ordered by the White House for the next decade.

"I want to frame this so that options and consequences and risks are taken into account as budget decisions are made first by the president and then by the Congress," Gates said during a briefing at the Pentagon April 21.

"What I hope to do is frame this in a way that says, if you want to cut this number of dollars, here are the consequences for force structure. Here are your choices in terms of capabilities that would be reduced or investments that are not made and here are the consequences of this."

Gates called for a "process driven by analysis" when conducting the review, which he said could use war-fighting scenarios used in the 2010 QDR.

The QDR included a requirement for two simultaneous major wars, but added that all U.S. forces must be prepared for a much wider set of threats and missions.

"It will start, probably, with the QDR and in the terms of the scenarios, and then try to translate that into what are the programmatic implications as you begin to reduce the mission sets," Gates said.

But he added that the review "won't be a mini-QDR."

Last week, President Obama called for a review of missions and capabilities in an attempt to cut $400 billion in national security spending by 2023. Gates said that the Pentagon has not been informed what portion of that will come specifically from the defense budget, although he called the $400 billion figure a target.

Gates has had one meeting on the subject to discuss how to structure the review.

"The worst of all possible worlds, in my view, is to give the entire Department of Defense a haircut, it basically says: 'Everybody is going to cut X percent,' " he said. "That's the way we got the hollow military in the 1970s and in the 1990s."

Despite the pending budget cuts, he said, the Pentagon must continue to spend on several big weapon programs, specifically noting the U.S. Air Force's KC-46A tanker and replacements for warships that will reach the end of their usable lives in the next 12 years.

"The question of how many is one of the questions that has to be answered," he said. "All elements of the [nuclear] triad need to be modernized. You may have to make some choices there.

"I want to frame this so it's not a math exercise, but so people understand the strategic and national security consequences of the decisions that they're making," he said.

Defense News

By DAVE MAJUMDAR Published: 21 Apr 2011 15:25

The F-35 Lightning II's initial operational capability might slip for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy versions of the stealthy fifth-generation fighter jet, Vice Adm. David Venlet, the program's manager, told reporters on April 21.

While Venlet deferred to the service chiefs about exactly when the aircraft would be declared operational, he said that realistically, it would happen after 2016.

"Our [Technical Baseline Review] schedule now shows development test completing in '16. Realistically, I don't see it being in '16 for Air Force and Navy," he said.

Overall, however, the F-35 program is making progress, but much more needs to be done before the tri-service effort can be considered truly back on track, Venlet said.

He said that flight testing has begun to pick up as of the beginning of the year. As well, the program's ability to manufacture aircraft is beginning to stabilize.

This year and next year, the program must demonstrate that costs are under control, with the first order of business to determine the actual cost of the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Four contract aircraft, he said.

"We're probably just approaching about the early first 10 percent of LRIP-4 production, and I'm waiting to see actuals align to the baseline," Venlet said. "Then we'll be negotiating LRIP-5."

LRIP-5 will consist of 35 aircraft, he said.

Lockheed Martin, the F-35's prime contractor, is set to deliver its proposal shortly. After the government receives the contract, the program office will extensively review the proposal before negotiations begin, Venlet said. The program office also will conduct a "should cost" review.

It is important that Lockheed deliver on the LRIP-4 contract, Venlet said. Though the LRIP-4 contract is based on a fixed price, the dollar amount the government pays is allowed to rise by approximately 6.5 percent. If the price exceeds that amount, Lockheed is on the hook for that additional cost.

However, Venlet said the government cannot allow the company to be driven out of business by absorbing huge additional costs indefinitely, and as such, contracts for LRIP-5 could be adjusted to ensure the company has an acceptable margin. This, Venlet said, is why Lockheed's performance on LRIP-4 is so important. Venlet said, thus far, he is very pleased with the F-35's radar cross-section, which has undergone testing over ranges.

"We don't have any worries currently that [is] going to be a defective piece of the aircraft," he said.

However, other manufacturing issues are plaguing the program. There are parts shortages for the Navy's F-35C version, and some engines have had to be replaced due to quality problems.

Venlet also said the manufacturing timelines of certain parts need to be shorter. Currently, some parts take 29 months to build; he wants that down to 24 months.

The other big task on the plate for the F-35 program is to build a sustainment strategy for the aircraft, Venlet said.

"This is really a year to focus on sustainment," he said.

Defense News

A remote weapon station, also known as a remote weapon system, (RWS) is a weaponized for light and medium caliber weapons which can be installed on any type of vehicle or other platforms (land and sea-based). Such equipment is used on modern military vehicles, as it allows a gunner to remain in the relative protection of the vehicle. It may also be retrofitted onto existing vehicles.


Palestine Defence

The Bielik is designed as a low-cost plane for primary and advanced training of military pilots. Also, a ?B?-version is said to be suitable for general aviation purposes. This one preserved here is a model.

specifications:new concept in military pilot training

2-seat, all-composite, light jet training aircraft, planned in 2 following version:

A. primary-, and advanced military trainer, ?flying simulator?, carrier ofthe combat applications electronic simulation system

B. general aviation aircraft for primary-, and advanced training, aerobatics included;air-taxi for medium range, high-speed, ?point-to point? cruise

project targets

- technology demonstrator of the all-composite, light, turbo-jet trainer- construction of 1 airworthy flying prototype- compliance with the above item confirmed by completion of the aircraft first

flight

Palestine Defence

21 April 2011The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile, this medium-range surface-to-air missile can reach 50+km target and mach 4+ with semi-active radar homing of missile guidance system (photo : US Navy)The Royal Thai Navys two Naresuan-class (Type 25T) frigates are to receive RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) air defence missiles as part of a mid-life refit programme starting in 2012.HTMS Naresuan 421, is a modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053 frigate built by Zhonghua shipyard and comissioned in 1995, the frigates has 120.5 m length and 2,980 tonnes full load (photo : worldwarships)Raytheon has been selected to provide the medium-range semi-active radar-guided missiles for the Chinese-built frigates, a company executive told Janes at the US Navy Leagues Sea-Air-Space 2011 exhibition on 12 April.(Jane's)

Defense Studies

21 April 2011KFX - medium fighter aircraft with 4.5 generation technology (photo : hangkong)Indonesia to invest $10 million in Korea's fighter projectIndonesia has offered to pay $10 million toward a feasibility assessment of an indigenous Korean fighter jet development program, a defense official said Wednesday.?Korea?s Agency for Defense Development signed a contract with Indonesia?s state-run weapons agency, Balitbang, on the exploratory development of the KF-X project,? said Chung Jae-yoon, spokesman of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).The KF-X project refers to Korea?s multirole fighter development program that was initially announced in 2001, but then stalled for 10 years.Under the agreement, Chung said Indonesia will pay 20 percent of the initial study costs for the KF-X project in exchange for allowing 30 of its researchers to participate in the project here over the next two years.In July last year, Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea to invest in the project in return for acquiring around 50 KF-X fighters."With the formal agreement with Indonesia, our plan to jointly develop the fighters with international partners is expected to go smoothly," the official said.Korea's Air Force has been pursuing the KF-X project to help replace its aging F-4/5 fighters.DAPA plans to select a prototype by late 2012.Wednesday's deal came less than two weeks after Indonesia selected South Korea as a preferred bidder for its project to buy trainer jets.The two sides have yet to complete negotiations on price and other details. If a final deal is sealed, it will allow South Korea to export its T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jet for the first time.(Korea Times)

Defense Studies

21 April 2011Rudal Yakhont buatan Rusia tersebut memiliki jangkauan tembak 300 km, kecepatan 2 mach dengan spesifikasi panjang 8900mm, diameter 720mm, berat 3000 kg. (photo : Antara-Yudhi Mahatma)TNI AL juga meluncurkan rudal lain dengan sasaran yang samaVIVAnews - Peluru kendali (rudal) Yakhont milik TNI Angkatan Laut yang dibeli dari Rusia berhasil melaksanakan fungsinya dalam uji coba di Samudera Indonesia.Rudal yang memiliki kecepatan 2 Mach (atau setara dua kali kecepatan suara), dengan jangkauan maksimal 300 km dan daya ledak 300 kg ini berhasil menenggelamkan eks kapal perang KRI Teluk Bayur-502 buatan Amerika Serikat pada jarak 250 km."Pada hari ini TNI AL berhasil menembakkan rudal Yakhont dan dinyatakan eks kapal Teluk Bayur tenggelam," ujar Kepala Pusat Penerangan Angkatan Laut Laksamana Muda Iskandar Sitompul kepada pers di atas KRI Surabaya-591 di Samudera Hindia, Rabu 20 April 2011.Ujicoba penembakan rudal Yakhont dari KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 di perairan Samudra Hindia, Rabu (20/4). Rudal Yakhont buatan Rusia mempunyai jangkauan tembak 300 km dengan kecepatan terbang 2 mach, daya ledak 300 kg , ketinggian terbang 14000 meter serta dilengkapi dengan peralatan pendorong supersonic ramjet. (photo : Antara-Prasetyo Utomo)Rudal Yakhont ditembakkan dari KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 (jenis Perusak Kawal Rudal kelas Fregat Van Speijk) sekitar pukul 10.30 siang.Seluruh wartawan dari berbagai media yang turut dalam rombongan KRI Surabaya-591 langsung mendokumentasikan penembakan rudal Yakhont oleh KRI Oswald Siahaan-354.Peragaan diawali dengan beberapa manuver dan peragaan peringatan yang dilakukan KRI OWA-354 kepada sasaran. Kemudian, pada akhirnya rudal dilesakkan.KRI Imam Bonjol menembakkkan roket jenis RBU 6000 dengan sasaran eks-KRI Teluk Bayur-502 dengan jarak 135 mil laut (250km) di Perairan Samudera Hindia, sebelah barat Sumatera, Rabu (20/4). Latihan formasi tempur laut tersebut bertujuan meningkatkan profesionalisme dan kesiapan operasional Alutsista serta mengetahui kehandalan, tingkat akurasi perkenaan sasaran dan daya hancur. (photo : Antara-Yudhi Mahatma)Dengan kecepatan super dan suara bising yang ditimbulkan, rudal Yakhont meluncur cepat mengarah ke sasaran tembak di tengah Samudera Hindia. Hanya hitungan detik, rudal sekelebat hilang.Dengan jarak sasaran tembak yang mencapai 250 km, tidak memungkinkan media, pejabat TNI AL dan awak KRI Surabaya-591 untuk melihat langsung rudal Yakhort meluluhlantahkan KRI Teluk Bayur-502.Selain peluncuran perdana rudal Yakhont, TNI AL juga meluncurkan rudal lain dengan sasaran yang sama. Rudal itu yakni, Excocet MM 40 dan Mistral buatan Perancis yang diluncurkan KRI Sultan Hassanudin-366. Serta Sea Cat yang dilesakkan oleh KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun-356.Sebuah Rudal Sea Cat yang sudah dimodifikasi milik TNI AL, ditembakkan dari buritan KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 (KRI OWA-354), saat berlayar di Selat Sunda, Selasa (19/4). Penembakan Rudal Sea Cat buatan Inggris yang memiliki spesifikasi kecepatan tembak 228,60 m per detik, panjang 154,8 Cm dan jarak tembak maksimum 5 Km tersebut, dalam rangka Operasi Jala Perkasa. (photo : Antara-Eric Ireng)Selain tiga rudal handal yang dimiliki, TNI AL juga memperlihatkan kebolehan senjata strategis lainnya yakni, Torpedo Sut yang dilesakkan kapal selam Cakra-401 dan roket anti kapal selam RBU-6000 yang dimuntahkan KRI Cut Nyak Dien-375.Iskandar menyatakan, selain untuk mengetahui kehandalan, akurasi sasaran dan daya hancur yang ditimbulkan, uji coba kali ini juga dimaksudkan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan unsur-unsur TNI AL dalam melaksanakan operasi tempur laut.Menurutnya, sebagai negara kepulauan terbesar, Indonesia sangat rentan terhadap potensi ancaman dari negara lain melalui laut. Sehingga, sebagai salah satu alat pertahanan negara, TNI AL dituntut berperan aktif menjaga dan mempertahankan kedaulatan Indonesia."Karena itu, diperlukan adanya latihan secara bertingkat dan berjenjang untuk meningkatkan profesionalisme dan naluri tempur prajurit. Serta kesiapan operasional alutsista," tuturnya.(VIVA News)

Defense Studies