South Asia
 |
| A squadron for 15 Mi-17 V5 helicopters will be based at Phalodi airbase near the Pakistan border © AJB |
Cuts to India’s Defence Budget of `10,000 crore will delay and cut
several programmes including the MMRCA project with a final contract
being delayed to at least April. Greatest concern is over the Army's
12th Five Year Plan from 2012-17, focused on the establishment of a new
Mountain Strike Corps based in West Bengal with two divisions designed
to defend against China. Other capabilities to be acquired include new
night vision gear, anti-tank missiles, helicopters and artillery. India
has begun initial work on establishing underground ammunition storage
facilities near its borders with China and Pakistan in support of the
Northern and Eastern Army commands. Although a contract for the initial
126 Rafales under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA)
programme has yet to be signed, India is reported to be considering an
option to increase numbers to 189, during a visit to Paris by Foreign
Minister Salman Khurshid.
The INS Tarkash has arrived in Mumbai where it joins the first in class INS Teg which arrived in April. The Trikand is currently in dock trials and will join the Indian Navy in 2013. A RFP is expected in February for the six Project 75-I submarines subject to defence acquisition committee approval for the estimated $10 billion programme. It is not clear if Mazagon Dock Limited will produce some or all the boats. India has asked Russia to swiftly provide new components and parts for the INS Chakra submarine which was inducted in April, following readiness issues. Formerly in Russian service the boat has been leased for a decade in a $900 million deal signed in 2004. INS Saryu, at 105m India's largest offshore patrol vessel has been commissioned into the Indian Navy. The Goa Shipyard Limited built ship is the first of class of the four strong Naval Off Shore Patrol Vessel with all due to be delivered by mid 2014. The ship will be based on the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
India’s Chief of the Air Staff NAK Browne has visited Israel to discuss continued bilateral military cooperation, notably in the area of UAVs and air defence missiles. Israel Aerospace Industries and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) India have signed an MoU for the joint development of the Barak 8/Long-Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM). India has declared the 700 km submarine - launched ballistic missile that will equip the INS Arihant ready for production after completing a pre-production test flight, its tenth flight off the coast of Visakhapatnam. The Indian Navy has conducted a sea-surface launch of a newversion of the Brahmos missile. The new design is designed to be more manoeuvrable demonstrating what Indian officials described as a, “double-manoeuvre in “S-form” before hitting the targets, 1m above the waterline. Additional features of this version include the integration of the same navigation Kh-555 (AS-15 Kent C) and Kh-101 cruise missiles adding a GLONASS based satellite navigation capability to the existing doppler-inertial system. The Indian Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) for procurement of medium range anti ship missile for use on surface vessels the requirement has a range of 120km. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) launched the first of 20 Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), Aadesh built for the Indian Coast Guard in January with all boats due to be delivered by 2017.
The first of ten Boeing C-17 aircraft has been received by the IAF in the US. The aircraft will now undergo flight testing in the US before being formally handed over in June. India has received the first 4 of 29 MiG- 29K/KUB fighters ordered in 2010 to equip the INS Vikramaditya carrier on which the aircraft with Russian pilots, completed flight testing on the ship over the Summer. Russia and India have signed an agreement to acquire a further 42 Su-30MKI worth $1.6 billion. An agreement between Rosoboronexport and India's Ministry of Defence will see a further consignment of Kazan Mi-17V-5 helicopters for the Indian Air Force and delivered to India by 2015 as part of a deal signed in 2008. At the same time the IAF announced that a squadron for 15 Mi-17 V5 helicopters inducted in January will be based at Phalodi airbase near the Pakistan border. Telephonics has been awarded a contract to supply its RDR-1600 weather avoidance search and rescue radars to Russia’s Kazan Helicopters for installation in Mi-17V-5 helicopters for delivery to the Indian Air Force.
Sri Lanka’s Defence and Urban Development Secretary has offer his country's help in offering to accept Indian military personnel on his country’s counter-insurgency and counterterrorism course as well as joint exercises. Pakistan's Army latest Doctrine 'Green Book' which states its wartime and security priorities has cited internal threats and attacks across its western border as the biggest threat to the country, supplanting India for the first time as part of chapter in the book called ‘Sub-Conventional and Warfare’. Pakistan and US officials have met in Islamabad to review progress on the PAF's F-16 upgrade programmes.
Rear Admiral Farid Habib has been appointed as the Bangladesh Navy's Chief of the Naval Staff. Bangladesh has received a $1 billion loan from Russia to acquire a number of weapon systems including BTR-80 armoured vehicles, air defence systems and Mi-171 helicopters.
South East Asia
The INS Tarkash has arrived in Mumbai where it joins the first in class INS Teg which arrived in April. The Trikand is currently in dock trials and will join the Indian Navy in 2013. A RFP is expected in February for the six Project 75-I submarines subject to defence acquisition committee approval for the estimated $10 billion programme. It is not clear if Mazagon Dock Limited will produce some or all the boats. India has asked Russia to swiftly provide new components and parts for the INS Chakra submarine which was inducted in April, following readiness issues. Formerly in Russian service the boat has been leased for a decade in a $900 million deal signed in 2004. INS Saryu, at 105m India's largest offshore patrol vessel has been commissioned into the Indian Navy. The Goa Shipyard Limited built ship is the first of class of the four strong Naval Off Shore Patrol Vessel with all due to be delivered by mid 2014. The ship will be based on the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
India’s Chief of the Air Staff NAK Browne has visited Israel to discuss continued bilateral military cooperation, notably in the area of UAVs and air defence missiles. Israel Aerospace Industries and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) India have signed an MoU for the joint development of the Barak 8/Long-Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM). India has declared the 700 km submarine - launched ballistic missile that will equip the INS Arihant ready for production after completing a pre-production test flight, its tenth flight off the coast of Visakhapatnam. The Indian Navy has conducted a sea-surface launch of a newversion of the Brahmos missile. The new design is designed to be more manoeuvrable demonstrating what Indian officials described as a, “double-manoeuvre in “S-form” before hitting the targets, 1m above the waterline. Additional features of this version include the integration of the same navigation Kh-555 (AS-15 Kent C) and Kh-101 cruise missiles adding a GLONASS based satellite navigation capability to the existing doppler-inertial system. The Indian Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) for procurement of medium range anti ship missile for use on surface vessels the requirement has a range of 120km. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) launched the first of 20 Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), Aadesh built for the Indian Coast Guard in January with all boats due to be delivered by 2017.
The first of ten Boeing C-17 aircraft has been received by the IAF in the US. The aircraft will now undergo flight testing in the US before being formally handed over in June. India has received the first 4 of 29 MiG- 29K/KUB fighters ordered in 2010 to equip the INS Vikramaditya carrier on which the aircraft with Russian pilots, completed flight testing on the ship over the Summer. Russia and India have signed an agreement to acquire a further 42 Su-30MKI worth $1.6 billion. An agreement between Rosoboronexport and India's Ministry of Defence will see a further consignment of Kazan Mi-17V-5 helicopters for the Indian Air Force and delivered to India by 2015 as part of a deal signed in 2008. At the same time the IAF announced that a squadron for 15 Mi-17 V5 helicopters inducted in January will be based at Phalodi airbase near the Pakistan border. Telephonics has been awarded a contract to supply its RDR-1600 weather avoidance search and rescue radars to Russia’s Kazan Helicopters for installation in Mi-17V-5 helicopters for delivery to the Indian Air Force.
Sri Lanka’s Defence and Urban Development Secretary has offer his country's help in offering to accept Indian military personnel on his country’s counter-insurgency and counterterrorism course as well as joint exercises. Pakistan's Army latest Doctrine 'Green Book' which states its wartime and security priorities has cited internal threats and attacks across its western border as the biggest threat to the country, supplanting India for the first time as part of chapter in the book called ‘Sub-Conventional and Warfare’. Pakistan and US officials have met in Islamabad to review progress on the PAF's F-16 upgrade programmes.
Rear Admiral Farid Habib has been appointed as the Bangladesh Navy's Chief of the Naval Staff. Bangladesh has received a $1 billion loan from Russia to acquire a number of weapon systems including BTR-80 armoured vehicles, air defence systems and Mi-171 helicopters.
South East Asia
 |
| The Royal Thai Navy has ordered nine Raytheon Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile systems © DoD |
Thailand is to upgrade the Royal Thai Air Force Defence System with new
radars as well as integration using datalinks linking the Air Force's 12
Gripens and two Saab 340 AEW early warning aircraft with HTMS Naresuan
and HTMS Taksin and HTMS Chakri Naruebet. The Army will also be linked
into the system in 2014. The Royal Thai Navy has ordered nine Raytheon
Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile systems from US which will be integrated as
part of the Naruesan upgrade being primed by Saab. They will be fired
from an MK 41 eight-cell vertical launch system using a MK 25 Quad Pack
canister. Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems GmbH have been awarded a Royal
Thai Navy (RTN) contract to support class room and virtual reality
training systems as part of submarine technology training courses.
Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has announced that it is bringing forward modernisation goals set in 2010 by five years from 2024 to 2019; achieving it over two rather than three five year military plans based on more funds being made available by government. The first plan has seen $16.7 billion allocated which has been tied to funds Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, KT 1 Wongbee trainer/light attack planes, new submarines from South Korea, 24 F-16 C/D fighter jets and AH 64 Apache helicopters for its Army. The Indonesian Navy corvette Kri Sultan Hasanuddin visited Sri Lanka while returning home from participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Indonesia and China have met in Jakarta to discuss enhanced defence co-operation, building on an original agreement signed in 2005. China has offered to build a Mandarin language training centre for Indonesia's military. Indonesia has released plans to set up a UAV squadron in 2013. The UAV will be of a local design from the National Aeronautics and Space Institute and the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology. The aircraft will be tasked with number of non -military tasks including monitoring illegal fishing and logging activities.
Singapore's second Archer class submarine has been delivered to the Changi naval base from Sweden. ST Engineering has been awarded a contract to maintain and modernise three air Royal Air Force of Oman C-130 aircraft.
The Royal Malaysian Navy has ordered twelve Rheinmetall TMX/EO Mk2 fire control radars and six TMEOMk2 electro-optical systems for use with the Malaysian Navy’s new Second Generation Patrol Vessels Littoral Combat Ships. Delivery begins in 2015. Takaso Resources Bhd has been awarded a contract to supply 300 specialist trucks for the Malaysian military including fire fighting vehicles for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Gong Kedak Airbase.
The Philippines has announced that it will take its territorial dispute with China over the Scarborough Shoal to a UN tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to which both countries are signatories. China has repeatedly said it prefers to resolve any issues through bi-lateral negotiation while asserting its claim.
An Avenger class mine countermeasures vessel, the USS Guardian (MCM-5) ran aground on a reef in the Sulu Sea. The 7th Fleet ship, based in Sasebo, Japan had recently left Subic Bay where the ship had stopped for a short rest and relaxation visit. The accident has been attributed to faulty National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency charts. Navantia is reported to be offering to meet the Philippines Navy requirement for a patrol craft and amphibious capabilities with the 90m, 1900 tonne Avante 1800 and the 8000 tone Athlas 8000 LPD design. The US Marine Corps are deploying three MV-22B Osprey aircraft to the Philippines for bilateral training.
Burma’s Defence Minster Vice-Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has visited Singapore to meet with Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Italy's defence minister Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola has visited Vietnamfor the first time to discuss defence cooperation.
East Asia
Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has announced that it is bringing forward modernisation goals set in 2010 by five years from 2024 to 2019; achieving it over two rather than three five year military plans based on more funds being made available by government. The first plan has seen $16.7 billion allocated which has been tied to funds Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, KT 1 Wongbee trainer/light attack planes, new submarines from South Korea, 24 F-16 C/D fighter jets and AH 64 Apache helicopters for its Army. The Indonesian Navy corvette Kri Sultan Hasanuddin visited Sri Lanka while returning home from participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Indonesia and China have met in Jakarta to discuss enhanced defence co-operation, building on an original agreement signed in 2005. China has offered to build a Mandarin language training centre for Indonesia's military. Indonesia has released plans to set up a UAV squadron in 2013. The UAV will be of a local design from the National Aeronautics and Space Institute and the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology. The aircraft will be tasked with number of non -military tasks including monitoring illegal fishing and logging activities.
Singapore's second Archer class submarine has been delivered to the Changi naval base from Sweden. ST Engineering has been awarded a contract to maintain and modernise three air Royal Air Force of Oman C-130 aircraft.
The Royal Malaysian Navy has ordered twelve Rheinmetall TMX/EO Mk2 fire control radars and six TMEOMk2 electro-optical systems for use with the Malaysian Navy’s new Second Generation Patrol Vessels Littoral Combat Ships. Delivery begins in 2015. Takaso Resources Bhd has been awarded a contract to supply 300 specialist trucks for the Malaysian military including fire fighting vehicles for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Gong Kedak Airbase.
The Philippines has announced that it will take its territorial dispute with China over the Scarborough Shoal to a UN tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to which both countries are signatories. China has repeatedly said it prefers to resolve any issues through bi-lateral negotiation while asserting its claim.
An Avenger class mine countermeasures vessel, the USS Guardian (MCM-5) ran aground on a reef in the Sulu Sea. The 7th Fleet ship, based in Sasebo, Japan had recently left Subic Bay where the ship had stopped for a short rest and relaxation visit. The accident has been attributed to faulty National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency charts. Navantia is reported to be offering to meet the Philippines Navy requirement for a patrol craft and amphibious capabilities with the 90m, 1900 tonne Avante 1800 and the 8000 tone Athlas 8000 LPD design. The US Marine Corps are deploying three MV-22B Osprey aircraft to the Philippines for bilateral training.
Burma’s Defence Minster Vice-Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has visited Singapore to meet with Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Italy's defence minister Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola has visited Vietnamfor the first time to discuss defence cooperation.
East Asia
 |
| Japan is seeking an upgrade to its two Atago-class destroyer with the Integrated Air Missile Defense system © DoD |
China has directed that senior military officer do not take part in
expensive and ostentatious events or stay at luxury hotels in new rules
issued by the Central Military Commission. China has provided aid to
support the training and equipping for Liberia's military engineers,
beginning in 2014. China’s Peoples Liberation Army Navy has transferred
eleven naval vessels including two destroyers, several tugs, an
icebreaker and a survey ship the Nanjing and Nanning to its maritime
surveillance fleet. China is reported to be developing a carrier borne
version of the Y-7 as a carrierbased AEW aircraft. The China’s People’s
Liberation Army has recently conducted an exercise when it 'sank' a US
carrier with the DF-21D anti-ship missile which had been mocked up in
the Gobi Desert. China has officially acknowledged that it is developing
the Y-20 large military transport aircraft.
Japan’s defence budget for the next financial year is set to increase by an additional $1.15 billion, paying for new Patriot PAC-3 aid defence systems and themodernisation of four F-15J aircraft. Japan has requested the upgrade of the Aegis systems with the Integrated Air Missile Defense system on its two Atago Class Ships with an estimated cost of $412 million. Japan is looking at the acquisition of the V-22 Osprey with studies expected to begin in 2013. One role being looked at is rapidly deploying forces to the Senkaku Islands. The US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, based in Camp Courtney in Okinawa has been designated as the command element 24 hour response Marine Air-Ground Task Force in the Asia- Pacific region. Japan is considering options to deploy F-15s currently based in Okinawa to the Sakishima islands cutting the current 420km flight the JASDF must take to reach the disputed Senkaku Islands.
Taiwan is to go ahead with an upgrade of 60 Indigenous Defence Fighters which are due to be completed by the end of 2013, The remaining 67 aircraft in the fleet will be upgraded in 2017.
Taiwan’s Navy has conducted a public anti-submarine drill in which the two US surplus mine hunters were used for the first time. Other ships included three frigates and S-2T anti-submarine aircraft. The first of 30 AH-64E Apache helicopters are to be delivered to Taiwan in October part of a $6.5 billion deal signed in 2008.
South Korea’s government has announced its intention to set up a new Office of National
Security under the incoming President Park Geun-hye which will be tasked with rapid coordination of responses to security threats. Seoul has in its latest Defence White Paper, committed to its current western maritime border with the North, known as the Northern Limit Line, a demarcation that Pyongyang doesn't recognise.
Seoul has once again requested the RQ-4 Global Hawk from the US, proposing the acquisition of four of the UAVs in a $1.2 billion deal and potentially entering service in 2015. The country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said that Korea was also considering the Boeing’s Phantom Eye and AeroVironment Global Observer. The Agusta Westland AW159 has been selected by South Korea's Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to meet its naval helicopter requirement, edging out the MH-60R Seahawk. In the $560 million deal for eight aircraft, delivery will take place in 2015-2016. The first two of a planned nine strong KSS-3 submarine class are to be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in a late 2012 contract award. The first boat is due to enter services in 2022 having been knocked back five years from the original estimate of 2017.
Australasia
Japan’s defence budget for the next financial year is set to increase by an additional $1.15 billion, paying for new Patriot PAC-3 aid defence systems and themodernisation of four F-15J aircraft. Japan has requested the upgrade of the Aegis systems with the Integrated Air Missile Defense system on its two Atago Class Ships with an estimated cost of $412 million. Japan is looking at the acquisition of the V-22 Osprey with studies expected to begin in 2013. One role being looked at is rapidly deploying forces to the Senkaku Islands. The US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, based in Camp Courtney in Okinawa has been designated as the command element 24 hour response Marine Air-Ground Task Force in the Asia- Pacific region. Japan is considering options to deploy F-15s currently based in Okinawa to the Sakishima islands cutting the current 420km flight the JASDF must take to reach the disputed Senkaku Islands.
Taiwan is to go ahead with an upgrade of 60 Indigenous Defence Fighters which are due to be completed by the end of 2013, The remaining 67 aircraft in the fleet will be upgraded in 2017.
Taiwan’s Navy has conducted a public anti-submarine drill in which the two US surplus mine hunters were used for the first time. Other ships included three frigates and S-2T anti-submarine aircraft. The first of 30 AH-64E Apache helicopters are to be delivered to Taiwan in October part of a $6.5 billion deal signed in 2008.
South Korea’s government has announced its intention to set up a new Office of National
Security under the incoming President Park Geun-hye which will be tasked with rapid coordination of responses to security threats. Seoul has in its latest Defence White Paper, committed to its current western maritime border with the North, known as the Northern Limit Line, a demarcation that Pyongyang doesn't recognise.
Seoul has once again requested the RQ-4 Global Hawk from the US, proposing the acquisition of four of the UAVs in a $1.2 billion deal and potentially entering service in 2015. The country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said that Korea was also considering the Boeing’s Phantom Eye and AeroVironment Global Observer. The Agusta Westland AW159 has been selected by South Korea's Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to meet its naval helicopter requirement, edging out the MH-60R Seahawk. In the $560 million deal for eight aircraft, delivery will take place in 2015-2016. The first two of a planned nine strong KSS-3 submarine class are to be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in a late 2012 contract award. The first boat is due to enter services in 2022 having been knocked back five years from the original estimate of 2017.
Australasia
 |
| Australia has established No. 35 Squadron to receive the first C-27Js when they arrive in 2015 © Finmeccanica |
Australia and China have agreed to holding a joint military exercise,
potentially including US forces. No timetable has been established
although action is expected in the short term. Australia and the UK have
signed a defence co-operation agreement in Perth Australia covering
cyber security, defence reform, personnel exchange, equipment and
science and technology although central amongst this is co-operation
over the new BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship which could meet the
requirements of the Royal Australian Navy for the ANZAC class
replacement.
Gen. David Hurley, Australia's Chief of the Defence Force has stated in a speech to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that defence co-operation with its neighbours needs to be increased. HMAS Anzac has arrived in Sri Lanka on a good will visit, berthing in Colombo and visiting the Western Naval Command Headquarters there.
Austal has launched the first of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats ordered for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in a design, construct and in-service support contract worth A$330 million. Delivery of the boat is due in March 2013. All ships are due to be delivered by August 2015. The first of three Navantia built sonar hull blocks for the A$8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer has arrived in Adelaide from Spain. A further two blockswill be delivered later in 2013. The Hobart classwill be equipped with an Ultra Electronics sonar suite with a Type 2150 hull mounted sonar.
Australia has established No. 35 Squadron to receive the first C-27Js when they arrive in 2015. The first C-27J of the ten ordered by Australia began its final assembly in January at the Alenia Aermacchi plant in Italy. Delivery is planned for 2014.
Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation has awarded TeleCommunication Systems a contract for Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite terminals. BAE Systems has won a contract to supply flight training services to Papua New Guinea. BAE Systems won an initial contract in 2011 to supply basic flight training based in the UK.
Gen. David Hurley, Australia's Chief of the Defence Force has stated in a speech to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that defence co-operation with its neighbours needs to be increased. HMAS Anzac has arrived in Sri Lanka on a good will visit, berthing in Colombo and visiting the Western Naval Command Headquarters there.
Austal has launched the first of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats ordered for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in a design, construct and in-service support contract worth A$330 million. Delivery of the boat is due in March 2013. All ships are due to be delivered by August 2015. The first of three Navantia built sonar hull blocks for the A$8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer has arrived in Adelaide from Spain. A further two blockswill be delivered later in 2013. The Hobart classwill be equipped with an Ultra Electronics sonar suite with a Type 2150 hull mounted sonar.
Australia has established No. 35 Squadron to receive the first C-27Js when they arrive in 2015. The first C-27J of the ten ordered by Australia began its final assembly in January at the Alenia Aermacchi plant in Italy. Delivery is planned for 2014.
Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation has awarded TeleCommunication Systems a contract for Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite terminals. BAE Systems has won a contract to supply flight training services to Papua New Guinea. BAE Systems won an initial contract in 2011 to supply basic flight training based in the UK.
● Asian Military Review
No comments:
Post a Comment