Sabtu, 23 Mei 2009

Singapore Picks Spider Air Defense System

Spyder air defense system
Spyder air defense system

Singapore will buy the Mobile Air Defense System with short Spider, produced by Rafael, based in Israel, to replace the short-range air defense missile system of the Singapore Air Force, a source confirmed here.

It is only one of the many aerial competitions in defense in Southeast Asia, where these weapons are in increasing demand.

The spider will replace the low-level air defense system, a clear time optical system composed of a fire unit, an optical tracker, and a generator.

"We are in final negotiations with Rafael for the system," said the source.

Rafael did not respond to requests for comments. The announcement is expected imminent, sources said during the Singapore air show, which was held here from February 19 to 24.

Singapore issued the call for tenders in December 2006, seeking a mobile air defense system that could be integrated into its military network. The deadline was extended until April 2007 to maximize the options for competitors.

"It is not so much a matter of missile as the integration of new and extended capacities to respond to the concerns that everyone has for asymmetrical threats," said a source.

Sources of the show have suggested that Rafael offers Singapore the possibility of providing command and control and radar for the spider.

There was no compensation requirement, but there is a technology transfer. And the sources say that there was an "implicit industrial participation" and that "somewhere and in a way, the engineering in terms of things will have a song".

Sources have declared that Singapore does not need protection against independent forces for expeditionary missions and that the single urban environment of Singapore must be taken into account, although it is not part of the requirement.

"One of the main advantages of the spider system is that we can detect air respiratory targets, such as drones, glider bombs, and planes, without any limitation. There is no system that Can treat these types of multiple threats, "said Joseph Horowitz, commercial director, and marketing director, Air & Missile Defense Systems, Rafael.

The spider is available in short and medium-range versions. The short-range version draws both the Bvr Radar Derby air-surface missile for a short and medium beach and the infrared infrared python-5 air missile for a very short range.

The spider seems to have defeated two rivals.

The MBDA missile systems based in the United Kingdom have proposed an air defense system with a short vertical launch range, and a modular fire system mounted on a 5-ton truck.

"We offer long-term technology transfer cooperation with the Singapore authorities," said Carol Reed, head of MBDA marketing and external communications.

"Moda is looking forward to working with the Ministry of Defense and was a long-standing partner. We have provided the ASTER-15 [Air Surface Missile] for the new [formidable] frigates. Historically, we were working With the Singapore armed forces since the 1980s with the Rapière and Mistral. "

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, based in Raytheon and Norwegian, have teamed up to present the advanced air missile system launched on the surface with a Kongsberg control and control unit.

"We have a very close association relationship that dates back 30 years," said Kyrre Lohne, director, marketing, integrated air defense systems, Kongsberg.

Lohne and Stephen Ladd, principal director of Raytheon, Business Solutions - Alliances, said: "We are waiting to hear the announcement."

"From the point of view of the KDA / Raytheon, the whole region [Asia-Pacific] is an environment of rich air defense opportunity," said Ladd. 

"Asymmetrical threat is an increasing concern while the region is also concerned about the broader global security threat and what it means for internal security."

Thales Pitches Air Defense

In Southeast Asia, air defense is considered an increasing priority.

Meanwhile, the French Systems Company Thales presented its multidimensional Starstreak missile to two Asian countries that seek to buy short-range air defense systems, said Alexandre de Juniac, director-general of the air systems division.

Chinese and Polish suppliers are candidates for one of the Asian competitions.
"It's in the middle of the last stage," said Juniac during the Singapore Airshow. He refused to appoint the countries.

Regional expenses and increasing defense expenses in the Asian region are the sets of Thales' efforts to guarantee its first sale of the StarstrefreadRead Multomission.

Thales also hopes to find European buyers for the weapon, said Juniac. The company has largely paid for the development of the new version of the hypervelocity sequence with its own funds.

The multimission starstrefread is designed to be used against aircraft and armored vehicles. The main sensor is based on optronics, rather than on radar, to detect and follow the target.

The weapon mounted on the vehicle complies with the requirements for the forces deployed, said Juniac. The expeditionary forces are looking for easy-to-maintain equipment that has a common logistics chain. The company hopes to earn sales by offering a single system that protects against land and air threats with the same missile while simplifying training and support needs.

Long-time territorial jealousies have fueled security problems in the region, with close neighbors who jockey for marine and land resources.

Singapore and Malaysia challenged the property of the island of Batu Puteh, while Indonesia claimed the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan. The Philippines dispute the property of Malaysian territory Sabah.

In the region, Thailand is a prospect of a modern air defense system, but the political situation must stabilize before supply decisions can be taken, Juniac said.

India is an important market for air defense capacities, marked by a high demand for local industrial participation and technology transfer. The challenge was the long gestation time for decisions.

Thales offered the Crotale MK 3 Missile Prolonged with Shiakra radar to the countries of North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and Greece. The weapon has not been presented in Asia so far. The Crucial hypervelocity missile has an extended beach of 50 kilometers from 10 to 12 previous kilometers.

Singapore and Malaysia have bonds of arms with France. The DCNS sold two scorpene diesel-electrical patrol submarines in Kuala Lumpur, while Singapore bought six formidable class frigates from the French Naval Company. 

The Defense Science and Technology Agency integrates combat systems. A defense leader said integration seemed to be at the basic level.

RI Pertimbangkan Beli Jet Tempur F-16 dari AS

Pemerintah Republik Indonesia (RI) tengah mempertimbangkan pembelian enam jet tempur jenis F-16 Fighting Falcon varian terbaru dari Amerika Serikat (AS) untuk meningkatkan kesiapan tempur Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI AU).

"Kita sedang mempertimbangkan tawaran jet tempur F-16 dari AS sebanyak enam unit, dengan masa pembiayaan empat hingga lima tahun," kata Menteri Pertahanan (Menhan) RI, Juwono Sudarsono, usai pertemuan Menteri Pertahanan (Menhan) AS, Robert Gates, dengan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono di Istana Kepresidenan, Jakarta, Senin.

Ia mengatakan, pembelian enam unit F-16 Fighting Falcon itu untuk melengkapi sepuluh unit pesawat sejenis varian A/B milik TNI AU yang akan di-"up grade" (ditingkatkan kemampuannya).

Menhan mengemukakan, pembelian enam unit F-16 itu akan memakai mekanisme pembiayaan `multiyears` sesuai kesepakatan dengan Departemen Keuangan dan Komisi I DPR RI.

"Kami juga masih mempertimbangkan apakah pembiayaannya akan dilakukan melalui mekanisme FMF (Foreign Military Financing) dan FMS (Foreign Military Sale). Semua juga tergantung DPR karena pada tahun ini pemerintah tengah memfokuskan anggaran pada kesejahteraan rakyat," ujar Juwono.

Ia menjamin, rencana pembelian F-16 tersebut tidak akan berpengaruh terhadap komitmen RI dengan pemerintah Rusia dalam pengadaan alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) TNI.

"Masing-masing negara memiliki kelebihan dan kekurangan. Kesulitan dengan AS adalah masalah birokrasi sedangkan kesulitan dengan Rusia adalah masalah pembayaran," ujar Juwono.

Sementara itu, Komandan Komando Pemeliharaan Material TNI AU (Koharmatau) Marsekal Muda Soenaryo kepada ANTARA News mengatakan, TNI AU kini memiliki sepuluh unit F-16 Fighting Falcon, dan dari jumlah itu ada enam yang masih dinyatakan laik pakai.

"Sepuluh unit yang kita pakai merupakan jenis A/B dan akan ditingkatkan kapasitasnya mendekati varian terbaru Block 52 F-16 Fighting Falcon C/D multi role, terutama untuk sistem avioniknya," ujarnya.

Dalam pertemuan Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara (Kasau) Marsekal Madya Subandrio dengan "Under Secretary of The Air Force For International Affair" AS, Bruce S. Lemkin, di Jakarta akhir pekan silam, Pemerintah AS menawarkan Indonesia untuk membeli Block 52 F-16 Fighting Falcon C/D multi-role dan pesawat angkut berat C130-J Hercules.

Indonesia Extends Arms Wish List

R-27/AA-10 Alamo - medium range AAM (photo : Defense Update)

Newfound buying power courtesy of Russian government loans has given Indonesia’s military reason to anticipate a significant upgrade in fighting capability. 

Its wish list now includes 20 Su-30MK2 fighters, an unspecified number of Yak-130 jet trainers, four Project 636 Kilo-class and two Project Amur-1650 submarines, 10 Mi-17 military transport helicopters, five Mi-35M attack helicopters, 20 BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles, several corvettes and boats, and air defense systems worth around $3 billion.

In December, Russia supplied the Indonesian air force with weapon systems to arm two Su-27SK fighters. They included R-27 air-to-air medium-range and R-73 short-range missiles, Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, Kh-31A anti-ship missiles and aerial bombs weighing up to 1,100 pounds.

R-73/AA-11 Archer - short range AAM (photo : AusAirPower)


Indonesia bought the Su-27SKs in 2003 along with two Su-30MK fighters and
a pair of Mi-35 combat helicopters under a $192.9 million contract ($108 million of which was paid in palm oil). Later that year, under a $12 million deal, the Indonesian defense ministry received eight Mi-2 and two Mi-171 helicopters.

The military leaders of Indonesia have repeatedly stated that they are determined to make large-scale acquisitions of Russian military hardware for all of its armed services. 

However, because of financial and economic difficulties, the country could implement these plans only in stages.

Given the Indonesian government’s limited funds, in 2006 Russia offered a $1 billion loan to cover the acquisition costs. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the credit agreement during his state visit to Jakarta in September. 

The money–being made available in two tranches of $500 million each–has been loaned at an annual interest rate of 5.3 percent with repayment due within 10 years.

Indonesia does not want just to buy Russian military hardware, however. It wants the proposed deals to include technology transfer that will increase the production capability of its own industry.

Jakarta had decided that $250 to $300 million from the first tranche will go toward six new fighters (three Su-27SKMs and three Su-30MK2s). 

At the August 2007 MAKS airshow in Moscow, Russian military sales agency Rosoboronexport signed a contract for those aircraft, which Indonesia is to receive between 2008 and 2010 in addition to four used fighters (two Su-30MKs and two Su-27SKs). 

The deal is worth $335 million and is, to date, the biggest defense contract between the two countries. Russia is also hoping to sell Indonesia a dozen Ilyushin Il-76MF military transports powered by Perm’s PS-90A engines.

The Indonesian Air Force plans to form two squadrons of Russian-built aircraft (24 warplanes in total) by 2010, while in the medium term, the arms procurement program envisions increasing the Air Force’s total number of fighters to 48.

While there are no allocations anticipated for acquiring new aircraft in the near future, the country is considering offering barter deals for equipment. Indonesia also wants to establish a maintenance center to work on its Russian-built jets.

Deliveries of civil aircraft and the implementation of a number of commercial offset programs could also be tied to future Russian arms sales. 

For instance, the Southeast Asian country has revealed that it intends to acquire eight Beriev Be-103 amphibious aircraft for monitoring fishing activity in its territorial waters and for maritime surveillance roles. 

Irkut Corp., the Russian manufacturer, is also in talks to supply the Beriev Be-200 as a platform for fighting forest fires. / Nikolai Novichkov

Thailand Signs Contract for Six Saab Gripen Fighters

Thailand buy 6 Gripen and Erieye for the air force (photo : Flight Global)

Thailand signed a Baht19 billion ($577 million) contract with Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) on 11 February, clearing the way for its air force to field an initial batch of six Saab Gripen fighters in early 2011.

Revealing fresh details of the air defence deal last week, the FMV confirmed that the Royal Thai Air Force will receive four single-seat Gripen Cs and two two-seat Gripen Ds under the sale, with the new-build aircraft to replace some of its Northrop F-5 interceptors.

Intended to boost Bangkok's air surveillance capabilities, the order also covers the delivery of one Saab 340 regional airliner to be equipped with a Saab Microwave Systems Erieye airborne early warning and control radar, plus a second 340 to be used for aircrew training and transport activities.

Saab says its stake of the Thai deal is worth $310 million, with the company to also supply datalink equipment for the AEW&C aircraft and Gripens.

"This agreement strengthens our position within the area of airborne surveillance and advanced command and control systems," says Saab chief executive Ake Svensson.

The FMV says all equipment will be delivered to Thailand in the first quarter of 2011, with pilot and technician training to commence in Sweden during 2009.

Discussions on a planned second batch of six Gripen fighters - and potentially also a second AEW&C aircraft - are expected to take place with the next Thai government.

Bangkok's purchase makes it the fifth nation to order the Gripen, joining the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa and Sweden.

The Erieye AEW&C system has, meanwhile, previously been purchased by customers including Brazil, Greece, Mexico, Pakistan and Sweden.

Korsel Bakal Menghibahkan 35 Tank Amfibi LVT-7 kepada Marinir TNI-AL

Kendaraan pendarat penyerbuan marinir LVT-7 (photo : Daylife)


Sebelum tragedi Banongan 2 Februari, Komandan Korps Marinir Mayjen Mar Nono Sampono dan beberapa perwira melakukan kunjungan persahabatan ke Markas Komando Korps Marinir Korea Selatan di Kota Suwon.

Hasil pembicaraan Nono dengan Letnan Jenderal Mar Lee Sang-ro, Komandan Korps Marinir Korea Selatan, berupa rencana penghibahan 35 tank amfibi jenis LVT-7 milik Korps Marinir Korea Selatan kepada Korps Marinir Indonesia. Rencananya, Oktober nanti diserahkan 15 unit terlebih dahulu.

Tank amfibi LVT-7 (Landing Vehicle Track Personel) ini merupakan hasil modifikasi dari jenis LVT yang memiliki julukan Alligator. Tank amfibi ini pertama kali dibuat pada tahun 1935 oleh Donald Roebling, untuk kemudian dimanfaatkan jajaran Korps Marinir Amerika Serikat. LVT-7 pertama kali dikeluarkan pada tahun 1972.

KRI Hasanuddin-366 Tiba di Jakarta

KRI Hasanuddin-366, korvet kelas Sigma kedua yang dimiliki TNI-AL (photo : Ambalat-Kaskus Militer)

KRI Hasanuddin-366 merupakan salah satu dari empat kapal perang yang dipesan pemerintah Indonesia dari Belanda tiba di Tanjung Priok, Jakarta Utara, Selasa (29/01). KRI Hasanuddin-366 merupakan kapal kedua dari jenis kapal perang perusak kawal berpeluru kendali kelas Sigma milik TNI AL, nama KRI Hasanuddin diambil dari nama Sultan Hasanuddin, Raja Gowa XVI.

Kedatangan kapal perang jenis Korvet Sigma Class disambut langsung oleh Kepala Staf Komando Armada RI Kawasan Barat (Kas Armabar) Laksamana Pertama TNI Budhi Suyitno bersama, Komandan Lantamal III Laksma TNI Bambang Suwarto serta sejumlah pejabat teras Koarmabar, Lantamal III serta para Komandan Satuan dan Kapal Perang di jajaran Koarmabar.

Kedatangan KRI Hasanuddin-366 yang dikomandani Letkol Laut (P) I Gusti Kompiang Aribawa tersebut merupakan wujud pengembangan kekuatan alat utama sistem senjata TNI AL dan juga sebagai aktualisasi dari adanya penandatanganan kontrak kerja sama 7 Januari 2004 antara Pemerintah RI dengan pihak Pemerintah Belanda dari perusahaan galangan kapal Schelde Naval Shipbuilding Member of Damen Group dalam rangka pembuatan empat unit kapal perang jenis corvette sigma class.

Design bangunan kapal dirancang secara unik sesuai dengan bentuk dan model sigma sebagai singkatan dari Ship Integrated Geometrical Modularity Approach. Secara rinci data kapal yaitu KRI Hasanuddin-366, Sebagai Naval Patrol Vessel, mampu menembus segala cuaca.

Kapal ini memiliki bobot 1.600 ton, panjang geladak utama 90 meter, draft 3,46 meter, lebar 12,2 meter, tinggi 8,2 meter, kecepatan jelajah 25,2 knot, daya dorong 2 X 7.400 hp, kemampuan tempur atau persenjataan terdiri dari Anti Serangan Udara, Anti Kapal Atas Air, Anti Kapal Selam, Perang Electronika, jumlah ABK 80 orang, rute pelayaran 18 Desember 2007 pukul 11.00 dari Amsterdam Belanda - Malaga - Napoli - Port Said - Jedah - Jibouty - Goa - Belawan - Tanjung Uban - Jakarta - Surabaya.

Menhan: Pemerintah Lanjutkan Peremajaan Hercules

C-130 HerUkuran hurufcules milik TNI-Angkatan Udara (photo : Kaskus Militer)

Menteri Pertahanan (Menhan), Juwono Sudarsono, mengatakan bahwa pemerintah setuju untuk melanjutkan peremajaan (retrovit) empat pesawat angkut berat Hercules untuk Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI AU).

"Departemen Keuangan dalam Tahun Anggaran 2006 telah setuju untuk melanjutkan program peremajaan empat Hercules TNI AU," katanya, ketika dikonfirmasi ANTARA News di Jakarta, Jumat.

Ia mengatakan, peremajaan empat Hercules itu sesuai dengan program pertahanan pemerintah untuk 70 persen diprioritaskan pada alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) angkut untuk mendukung operasi militer kemanusiaan.

Pada kesempatan terpisah, Kepala Staf TNI AU (Kasau), Marsekal Madya TNI Soebandrio, mengatakan bahwa program peremajaan Hercules merupakan prioritas TNI AU untuk meningkatkan kesiapan operasionalnya.

"Kini semua tergantung pada pemerintah, apakah program bagaimana agar program itu dilanjutkan," ujarnya.

Dari empat Hercules dua unit C-130 Hercules pertama akan diremajakan di Singapura, TNI AU sekaligus mengirimkan teknisi untuk meningkatkan kemampuannya dalam pemeliharaan dan perbaikan pesawat Hercules.

Peningkatan kemampuan pesawat Hercules TNI AU yang dilakukan di Singapura mencakup perbaikan airframe (badan pesawat), modifikasi avionik dan modifikasi mesin.

Peremajaan dua pesawat Hercules terakhir akan dilakukan di Depo Pemeliharaan 30 Pangkalan Udara Abdurrahman Saleh yang mencakup peningkatan kemampuan mesin dari T56-7 ke T56-15 atau ditingkatkan dari tipe B ke tipe H.

Sementara itu, peningkatan kemampuan yang dilakukan di Depo Pemelihartaan 10 Pangkalan Udara Husein Sastranegara, Bandung, mencakup perbaikan badan pesawat dan modifikasi avionik.

Peningkatan kemampuan dua Hercules di Depo 10 dan 30 sudah dilakukan sepenuhnya oleh teknisi-teknisi TNI AU yang sebelumnya dikirim ke Singapura.