Japan announces plan for 17 new Ospreys

Tokyo plans to deploy 17 Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at Saga Airport on Kyushu island during the next five years starting from fiscal year 2015, according to Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera.

Onodera's first public disclosure of the expected deployment site for the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF)-operated Ospreys came as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is preparing a budget request for FY15 that includes funds to buy five MV-22s.

Onodera said the MoD is looking into the possibility of the SDF sharing Saga Airport with civilian airlines. "Considering future maintenance and training, it will be appropriate to deploy them in one place," he told reporters on 20 July.

Onodera said Saga Airport was selected because the facility is on the coast and is located near Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, where the GSDF's Western Army Infantry Regiment will base a 3,000-strong amphibious force that is being trained to defend remote islands.

Japan plans to procure 17 Ospreys for the GSDF by FY 2018, according to the Mid-Term Defense Programme (FY 2014/18) adopted by the cabinet in December 2013.

Onodera said he had told Saga Governor Yasushi Furukawa of the deployment plan on 17 July and said Parliamentary Senior Vice Defence Minister Ryota Takeda would visit Saga Prefecture on 22 July to explain the plan and ask for local support.
janes

Nhật Bản lên kế hoạch mua 17 máy bay MV-22 Osprey của Bell-Boeing. Mặc dù MV-22 đã từng tham chiến và phục vụ tại chiến trường Afgahnistan và Iraq nhưng đây cũng là thương vụ xuất khẩu đầu tiên của loại máy bay này. Trước đó, tại căn cứ không quân của Mỹ ở đảo Okinawa Nhật Bản Mỹ cũng triển khai MV-22 để phục vụ các hoạt động thường trực.

Korea Aerospace Industries KAI to develop new Light Armed Helicopters and Light Civil Helicopters.

Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd.(KAI), is selected to develop the Light Armed Helicopters(LAH) and Light Civil Helicopters(LCH) to tow the development of the aviation industry and strengthening of self-reliant defense simultaneously with a targets exports of 600 units, putting total sales to 1,000.

 Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd.(KAI), an only and sole Korean aircraft carrier takes charge of developing the Light Armed Helicopters(LAH) and Light Civil Helicopters(LCH) which are able to tow development of Korea's domestic aviation industry and reinforcing the Korean military's aviation strength simultaneously. Both the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced on the 21st that "KAI was selected as a preferred bidder for the core technology development of the LCH project and the system development of the LAH project." With this selection, KAI will establish a LCH/LAH development plan, including selection of overseas system developers as well as local and foreign vendors and will be solely responsible for the system development of those two projects.

China Air Force will need 400 Y-20 military transport aircraft to catch up U.S. and Russian Air Forces.

The People's Liberation Army will need at least 400 Y-20 cargo planes produced by the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation in order to catch up with the force projection capabilities of the United States, Russia and India, according to a report published by the National Defense University of China cited in the party-run People's Daily.

The report said that the three-dimensional transportation network in China consisting of air, ground and maritime vehicles will play an important role in improve the force projection capability of the Chinese military. During an exercise in 2009, passenger and cargo planes from civilian airlines were mobilized to transfer 50,000 officers from China's four different military regions to participate in the exercise along with military aircraft and ground transporation.

PH planning to acquire 3 submarines, other military assets - report

MANILA - The Philippines plans to acquire three submarines and among many other military assets, Northern Luzon Command head Major Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang says in a paper cited by the state-run Philippine News Agency.

PNA quoted Catapang as noting that submarines, by their inherent stealth capabilities, may be deployed to monitor and protect the country's extensive maritime domains. The vessels being eyed are conventional-powered or diesel-electric types, and not the nuclear-powered ones.

Also supposedly being eyed is the acquisition of six frigates for anti-air warfare, 12 corvettes for anti-submarine warfare, 18 offshore patrol vessels, and three anti-mine warfare ships.

The PNA said Catapang's paper did not specify when and how much it will cost the Philippines to complete these acquisitions.

An earlier Philippine Navy (PN) study revealed that some P497 billion is needed to fully upgrade its fleet.

Once it has this money, the Navy will acquire the above-mentioned items along with four sealift vessels, 18 landing craft utility vessels, three logistics ships, 12 coastal interdiction patrol boats, 30 patrol gunboats, and 42 multi-purpose assault craft that can be equipped with torpedoes and missiles.

Also envisioned are eight amphibious maritime patrol aircraft, 18 naval helicopters, and eight multi-purpose helicopters.

"Looking at the PN's inventory of mission essential equipment, it is very discernible that the majority of our assets and vessels were acquired not necessarily because they fit into our strategy or operational requirement but because they are available as grant from the US or from our allies," the PN study said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/72226/beefing-up--ph-planning-to-acquire-3-submarines-other-military-assets

Malaysia to receive first A400M in January 2015

Malaysia plans to receive its first Airbus Military A400M transport aircraft in January 2015, with its remaining three examples to be delivered by 2016.

The type will not replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF's) Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, but serve to double the RMAF's airlift capacity, air force commander General Rodzali Daud said in a report by Malaysia national news agency Bernama.

Malaysia operates 14 C-130s, 12 C-130Hs and two C-130T tankers.

Daud made the comments at a ceremony welcoming the A400M "Grizzly 4" airlifter to Kuala Lumpur's Subang air base as part of its debut tour in Asia.

"I have had the pleasure of showing the chief of the RMAF the A400M simulator in France last year and now I look forward to showing him, and his RMAF personnel, the real aircraft flying here in Malaysia," Airbus Military chief test pilot Ed Strongman said in a statement released by the European airframer.

Brunei navy receives fourth Darussalam-class OPV

The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) accepted its fourth Darussalam (PV 80)-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), KDB Daruttaqwa , from Lürssen Shipyard in Germany on 9 May.

RBN accepted its first two Darussalam-class vessels, KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulehsan , in January 2011. The vessels are replacing the country's Waspada-class fast attack craft (FACs), which were built by Vosper Thornycroft Singapore and have been in service for more than 30 years.

According to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships , the Darussalam-class vessels have a top speed of 22 kt and a standard range of 7,500 n miles. The 80 m ships displace 1,625 tonnes and are powered by two 11,400 hp 12V diesel engines

Janes

Royal Malaysian Navy awarded Six Second-Generation Patrol Vessels to BN Shipyard

Gowind LCS (image : mer et marine)

KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BN Shipyard), a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd (BHB) and an associate company of Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC), yesterday signed a RM9 billion contract to design, build and deliver six second-generation patrol vessels with littoral combat ship capability for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

BN Shipyard was previously presented a letter of award (LOA) from the Ministry of Defense (MOD) on December 16 2011. The contract is to be implemented over Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Malaysia Plans.

BN Shipyard managing director Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor said:

“We are pleased to have formally signed this important contract 
with the Ministry of Defence and we are honoured to be entrusted with carrying out this vital national project. Work on the final design and key procurement aspects of the project is well in hand, and the formal contract allows us to recognise a greater element of our ongoing work.”

(New Straits Times)

Su-30MKI engine failures worry IAF; Russia told to fix snag

The Sukhoi-30MKI fleet of the Indian Air Force has been encountering mid-air engine failures for the past two years. India has officially flagged the matter to Russia seeking a correction.
Repeated engine failures and the newly introduced precautionary measures have affected the availability of planes for various operations. The IAF has a fleet of 200 Sukhois.
After a failure, the engine is replaced after testing before allowing the plane to fly again. The process of removing and replacing an engine usually takes four-five days, but can be extended depending upon the damage.
As a stopgap arrangement, the Russian side had suggested some measures.
The IAF has so far not arrived at a conclusion of its findings, but as a precautionary step, it has started servicing the engine after 700 hours instead of the mandated 1,000 hours of flying, adding to the non-availability of the aircraft.
Sources said the matter was taken up at the India-Russia meeting in June this year and also in February when a Russian delegation visited the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL's) Sukhoi-30MKI plant at Nashik.
The IAF had told Russians after studying each failure in detail that Sukhoi's engines - AL-31FP produced by NPO Saturn of Russia - had been functioning inconsistently for the past two years (2012 and 2013). The number of single-engine landings by planes in two years is high and not healthy. It lowers the operational ability of the fleet, besides raising questions about war readiness.
A single-engine landing is necessitated after one of the power plants fails mid-air. The Sukhoi-30MKI is a twin-engine plane and a mid-air failure of one of its engines means the second engine allows it to land. Such a situation would be unacceptable during a conflict when the pilot would need an optimum speed to attack or to withdraw after an attack. The power of both engines is required to lift eight tonne of payload - missiles and rockets.
The IAF and the Ministry and Defence have always considered the Sukhoi as a "safe and reliable" warplane. So far, only four have crashed since phased- induction in 1997. A pilot had died in the first crash in 2009 and at least one of the crashes is attributed to engine trouble.
In northern and western India, the Sukhoi-30MKI is based at Bathinda, Halwara near Ludhiana, Sirsa, Bareilly, Jodhpur and Bhuj.
tribuneindia
Miragec14

First and second Australian F-35 Lightning II aircraft rolled out

The first of 72 F-35s for the Royal Australian Air Force rolled out at Lockheed Martin’s Ft. Worth facility on Jul. 24.
The RAAF is expected to base the Joint Strike Fighter at two bases: Williamtown, in New South Wales, and Tindal, in the Northern Territory, where facilities and infrastructures to support the new fifth generation radar-evading plane will be built.

(1) theaviationist

Lockheed Martin has previewed the second F-35A for the RAAF a day ahead of a formal rollout of Australia’s first aircraft in a ceremony, which took place at the company’s Fort Worth facility on Thursday.

The second jet, AU-2, was previewed to media on Wednesday ahead of the formal rollout of aircraft AU-1, and wears the standard F-35 grey paint scheme with ‘low vis’ RAAF roundels, serial number A35-002 and tail markings for the RAAF’s 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU).

AU-1, meanwhile, was formally unveiled on Thursday in a ceremony attended by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Brown, F-35 program executive officer LtGen Chris Bogdan, US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall and Lockheed Martin’s president and CEO Marillyn Hewson.

(2) australianaviation

Australia seeks participation in Kongsberg's JSM

Australia is seeking expanded engagement in Norway's air-launched anti-ship Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile (JSM) programme.
The collaboration project is framed around both countries' participation in the Lockheed Martin F-35. The JSM has been conceived as a precision-strike missile specifically designed for the internal carriage in F-35A and F-35C variants of the aircraft.
Although Australian industry has previously participated in the JSM programme, new rounds of discussions between the two countries are focused on potentially expanding collaboration with a focus on the missile's integration onto the F-35.
janes

J-20 may begin small-scale production in 2017

The J-20, China's first fifth-generation stealth fighter, may enter production on a small scale in 2017, after the completion of the aircraft's test flights.
The development of Chinese stealth fighters has become more mature. It took a year for the second prototype of the J-20 to complete its test flight after the first one, however, it took the 2012 prototype only four months to complete this procedure after the third aircraft–bearing the serial number 2011–completed a test flight.

2 more Aegis destroyers set for FY20

The government will start building two Aegis-equipped destroyers with the latest missile defense systems starting next fiscal year, in light of the progress seen in missile development by North Korea, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

The Defense Ministry will include related expenses in its budgetary requests, informed sources said. The government will start building one destroyer in the next fiscal year and the other in fiscal 2016, aiming at reinforcing the defense system by increasing Aegis-equipped vessels from the current six to eight in fiscal 2020, sources said.

The government had unveiled its policy of introducing two more Aegis-equipped destroyers within 10 years in the National Defense Program Guidelines, adopted by the Cabinet late last year.

Earlier this year, North Korea continually test-fired what were believed to be short- and mid-range missiles.

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera recently said, “While the deployment of missiles in readiness for battle proceeds (in North Korea), the country is carrying out exercises to further improve the capability (of its missile system),” leading the government to conclude that the number of Aegis-equipped destroyers should be increased as soon as possible.

It will cost about ¥150 billion and take five years to build one Aegis-equipped destroyer.

Four of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s six Aegis-equipped destroyers are Kongo-type destroyers equipped with the missile defense system.

An Aegis-equipped destroyer carries an advanced detection and information processing system capable of striking multiple targets such as aircraft, missiles, destroyers and submarines. The government is also bringing forward reinforcement of the defense system because China has been strengthening its development and deployment of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles capable of attacking vessels.

The Japan news

Indonesia commissions first two of three Bung Tomo-class corvettes

Indonesia's Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro presided over a commissioning ceremony for the Indonesian Navy's (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) first two of three Bung Tomo-class corvettes at Barrow-in-Furness, UK, on 18 July.

The 95 m F 2000 vessels, KRI Bung Tomo and KRI John Lie , were originally built by BAE Systems for the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) under a contract signed in January 1998. However, after a protracted legal dispute, the ships were laid up and offered for sale by the Bruneian government through an affiliate company of Lürssen. The vessels were subsequently acquired by Indonesia in January 2013.

The Bung Tomo-class vessels are armed with one Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid gun, two MSI-Defence 30 mm guns, and two 324 mm triple-tube torpedo launchers. As built, the ships were also provisioned for eight MBDA MM 40 Block 2 Exocet anti-ship missiles and 16 MBDA VL Seawolf point defence missiles; however, neither weapons system was installed. It is understood that, in TNI-AL service, they will receive eight MM 40 Block 3 Exocet missiles, and 16 MBDA VL Mica point defence missiles.

The vessels' sensor suite includes a Thales 4130C1 hull-mounted sonar, a Kelvin Hughes 1007 I-band surface search radar, and a BAE Systems AWS 9 E/F-band air/surface search radar.

The corvettes can achieve a top speed of 30 kt and are designed for a range of 5,000 n miles at 12 kt.

According to the TNI-AL, Bung Tomo and John Lie are currently in transit to Indonesia, where they are scheduled to be put on display at the TNI-AL base in Surabaya as part of an Indonesian National Armed Forces Day celebration event on 5 October. Upon conclusion of the celebrations, the ships are understood by IHS Jane's to be inducted into the TNI-AL's Eastern Fleet where they are expected to assume offshore patrol duties.

The third vessel in class, KRI Usman Harun , was not commissioned at the ceremony but Indonesian media reports on 21 July quoted TNI-AL officials as saying that its personnel are currently on their way to the UK to bring the ship home. No reason was given as to why Usman Harun was not inducted together with its sister ships at the ceremony and it is unclear as to whether a separate commissioning will be held.

COMMENT
The third vessel in the class, which was not commissioned during the ceremony, caused tensions between Singapore and Indonesia in February 2014 after Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs registered concern about the ship's name.

The corvette is named after Osman (Usman) Haji Mohamed Ali and Harun Said, two members of Indonesia's then marine commandos (known today as the Korps Marinir) who were convicted of participating in the 1965 bombing of MacDonald House in Orchard Road, Singapore, which killed three people. The infiltration had been ordered by then President Sukarno, who opposed the formation of Singapore and Malaysia. Both marines were executed in Singapore in 1968.

Although both countries have agreed to maintain good bilateral ties despite the incident, Singapore has indicated that it would not allow Usman Harun into the country's territorial waters and would forbid the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) from participating in any maritime exercises in which the vessel is involved.

It is unclear if the defence minister would similarly preside over Usman Harun 's commissioning at a later date. In the case that he does not, it might signal a deliberate attempt by the Indonesians to keep the vessel's induction inconspicuous so as to not stoke further tensions between the two countries.

China Offers Missile Technology to Indonesia

(Picture: Indonesian Navy warship firing a Chinese-made C-802 Anti-ship missile).

JAKARTA, -- Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro,said that Indonesia has established a defense industry cooperation with the People's Republic of China. Purnomo said that the Chinese are ready to transfer technology in making missiles.

"The Chinese Administration supports the technology-transfer," Purnomo told the press after receiving General Fan Changlong from the Chinese Military. General Fan is a high ranking official, often considered having equal proportion as the Vice President.

Purnomo added that the technology-transfer will be conducted in several stages, given the different authorities that the two nations have. The State Administration for Science Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) from China is not under the authority of the Defense Ministry.

Indonesia, however, is highly satisfied with the performance of Chinese missiles. "The navy, particularly, is satisfied in terms of quantity, quality, and price," said Purnomo. He added that Indonesia is prioritizing the cooperation on low and medium-range missile.


#AseanMilitaryDefenseReview

India, Japan and US naval ships to start joint exercises July 2014

Tokyo: The US, India and Japan are set to kick off week-long war games in the Pacific, beefing up naval ties as they warily eye an increasingly assertive China.
Warships from the three countries are to begin the joint exercises on Friday, after an official opening ceremony at the Sasebo Naval Base in southern Japan on Thursday.
Known as the Malabar Exercise, the annual event usually involves India and the US, but Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) will take part this year, the third time since 2007.
The exercises off Japan's southern coast come on the back of rising regional tensions as Delhi and Tokyo remain embroiled in territorial spats with Beijing, which is also at loggerheads with some Southeast Asian nations over its claim to large swathes of the South China Sea.
Representational image. AFP.Representational image. AFP.
Washington has been increasingly turning its focus to Asia as it looks to counter China's growing influence and a military buildup that has unnerved some of its regional neighbours.
The manoeuvres also reflect growing ties between India and Japan, on both the military and economic fronts, with Japanese Prime Minister making an official visit to Delhi in January -- when the two nations agreed to "further strengthen" their defence cooperation and conduct regular naval exercises.
The 25-30 July exercises will include three Indian ships, a frigate, a destroyer and a supply ship, along with 700-800 personnel, Indian navy spokesman DK Sharma told AFP.
Sharma said the exercises would include anti-piracy, anti-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and helicopter drills.
"We just concluded... our naval drills with Russia, and since we have already travelled thousands of miles to that side, it's only natural that Japan will participate in the Malabar Exercise," he said.
The US Seventh Fleet, which covers the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, will take part in the war games while Japan is dispatching two escort ships, one US-2 search-and-rescue amphibious plane and one P3C patrol plane, said an MSDF spokesman.
He said several hundred Japanese personnel would take part.
"The purpose of Japan's participation is to improve the strategic capabilities of the MSDF and to strengthen the cooperation among the three militaries," he added.
China has lashed out at Abe after his cabinet formally endorsed a reinterpretation of Japan's pacifist constitution banning the use of armed force except in very narrowly-defined circumstances.
Beijing argued that it could open the door to remilitarisation of a country it considers insufficiently penitent for its actions in World War II.

AFP
http://www.firstpost.com/world/india-japan-and-us-naval-ships-to-start-joint-exercises-1632251.html

Myanmar Navy and Indonesia's PT PAL in LPD talks

PAL LPD 125 (photo : PAL)

The Myanmar Navy (MN) and Indonesian naval shipbuilder PT PAL are in talks over the MN's potential purchase of landing platform docks (LPDs) to bolster sealift and amphibious capabilities, IHS Jane's understands.

The two parties have recently entered what have been described to IHS Jane's as "preliminary discussions" about the MN's acquisition of a small number of vessels based on PT PAL's Makassar-class LPD, which in turn is based on a design by South Korea's Dae Sun Shipbuilding and Engineering.

PT PAL has delivered five Makassar-class LPDs to the Indonesian Navy and in June signed a contract to supply the Philippine Navy (PN) with two LPDs based on the same design.

(Jane's)

Details Emerge of Vietnam's C295 Purchase

Airbus Military C295 aircraft (photo : Brian Pace Malta)

The three C295 transport aircraft that Vietnam has ordered from Airbus Defence and Space (DS) are scheduled to enter service with the Vietnamese air force from 2015, IHS Jane's understands.

The purchase contract - thought to be secured in 2013 at a cost of about USD100 million - also includes the supply of spares, maintenance, and training to the air force, which is expected to take delivery of the aircraft at intervals of about six months.

It is also understood that the aircraft are being sold to Vietnam in a basic transport configuration with no additional mission systems included. Airbus DS's production of Vietnam's first C295 aircraft, which is currently under way in Seville, Spain, was revealed by IHS Jane's in June, although contract details have not previously been disclosed.

(Jane's)

US to Give C-130 Planes to Philippines

USAF C130 Hercules (photo : avioners)

MANILA, Philippines — The United States will give two Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" planes to the Philippines, newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang revealed.

In a state report, Catapang disclosed the impending donation in a visit to the 1st Air Division headquarters in Clark Field, Pampanga, citing American military officials.

"I just talked to our US counterparts [and] they told us they are making available another two C-130s to address our humanitarian assistance disaster relief concerns," Catapang said.

The United States military has deployed a humanitarian mission to the Visayas after the onslaught of deadly typhoon Yolanda, which took thousands of lives and destroyed countless homes.

Catapang said that the Americans extended the offer after learning of President Aquino's plans to acquire new cargo aircrafts for the military.

The existing C-130 planes of the Air Force figured heavily in the transport of relief goods for victims of typhoon Yolanda and equipment needed by government troops involved in the efforts last year.

In November last year, former AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista announced that the country seeks to procure two more C-130 planes to improve disaster relief operations.

"We are in the process of acquiring two more C-130s. As you very well know, we only have three C-130s. In terms of strategic lift, C-130s are very important," Bautista said.

Ideally, he said the Philippine Air Force should have at least nine C-130s.

(PhilStar)

Update Jul 24 2014 
Philippines Proposes C-130T Purchase for PAF

Jon Grevatt, Jane's Asia-Pacific Industry Reporter, Bangkok -
IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
24 July 2014

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency announced on 24 July that the Philippines has proposed to purchase, from existing US military stock, two Lockheed Martin C-130T transport aircraft at a cost of USD61 million.

A statement said the sale includes the two aircraft plus 10 Rolls-Royce Allison T56 engines, logistical sustainment and support for three years, associated equipment, spares and training.

It added that the potential Foreign Military Sale will be fulfilled through an open tender and that contractor requirements are still being researched.

The C-130Ts are operated by the US Navy Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons and were introduced into service in 1991 with deliveries continuing until 1996.

5th Generation Jet Fighter

(Wiki)A fifth-generation jet fighter is a fighter aircraft classification used in the United States and elsewhere encompassing the most advanced jet fighter generation as of 2014. Fifth-generation aircraft are designed to incorporate numerous technological advances over the fourth generation jet fighter.

Common features that a 5th generation jet fighter can be defined:

• Stealth
• High maneuverability - Which tends to include short-field capabilities.
• Advanced avionics
• Networked data fusion from sensors and avionics
• Multiple role capabilities

As of 2014 there is only one jet fighter is categorized as 5th generation, F-22 Raptor is in USAF service. There are few potential projects are under flight tests, F-35 Join Strike Fighter, Russian Sukhoi PAF FA T-50 project, Chinese PLA projects J-20 and J-31. 

Else where in the world, defence budgets are spending on research and development of fifth generation jet fighters. 

Japan 

Korea

Turkey 

Russia Offers Radar and Missiles to Philippines

Russia could consider offering to the Philippines include “supplies of radar stations and means of intercepting and destruction of violators.” (photo : Wiki)

Russia offers radars to track incursions in PH borders

Russia is currently negotiating an agreement of technical military cooperation with the Philippines amid brewing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“We fully understand the problems the Philippines has to face with its huge maritime border,” the visiting Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Konstantin Biryulin, told Manila Bulletin in an exclusive interview Friday. “We have similar problems in Russia and we know how to tackle them. That’s why we have a proposal regarding equipments which could help in controlling those areas.”

Aside from finding ways to improve economic cooperation and further develop Russian-Philippine relations, Biryulin said one of the purposes of his visit is to negotiate military technical cooperation with the Department of National Defense (DND).  Such cooperation may include, in particular, Russian sale of military hardware.

“Unfortunately our attempt has not yet brought any fruitful and desirable result,” he noted. Russia has in fact earlier bidded for the supply of fighter jets to the Philippines, a contract bagged by a Korean firm.

According to Biryulin, both sides have agreed to hold another round of consultations on military cooperation in Russia so that they could “adjust our position.”

“We need to consider the opinion of different Russian agencies because the scope of responsibilities of your DND is much wider than the Russian ministry of defense,” he pointed out. “Because here for example, you also tackle the issue of emergency response.”

“That’s why we need to seek advice of the Russian ministry of emergencies,” added Biryulin. “As soon as we get back, we will proceed with the consultations with the various agencies, in one to two months we will send our feedback to Philippines.”

He said military equipment that Russia could consider offering to the Philippines include “supplies of radar stations and means of intercepting and destruction of violators.”

With regards to technical characteristics, the Russian equipment is “in full accordance with western standards,” the Russian official said.

“Our producers are flexible in adjusting productions that can easily meet their requirements.”

(Manila Bulletin)

Onodera says Japan may buy more F-35s at right price

Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera on 8 July said Tokyo will consider buying additional Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters should the cost of the aircraft come down.

"If each country expands manufacturing capability [of F-35s] and increases production volume, this leads to the reduction of the unit cost," Onodera told reporters after visiting Lockheed Martin's fighter production plant in Fort Worth, Texas. "In such a case, it's important to think twice about the total volume."

National broadcaster NHK reported that Onodera was told by Lockheed Martin officials that the company will begin assembling the first F-35s for Japan in August.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force plans to acquire 42 F-35A conventional take-off and landing variants of the aircraft. The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin to buy six F-35As and JPY63.8 billion (USD627.2 million) was earmarked for the purchase of four F-35 jets this fiscal year.

Meanwhile, a senior MoD official has told IHS Jane's that some of the six Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and four US Navy P-3C aircraft damaged in February when a facility roof collapsed during heavy snow were unrecoverable.

A senior official at Kawasaki Heavy Industries confirmed to IHS Jane's on 9 July that some of the aircraft were severely damaged, with some wings broken off.

"We can't take out the aircraft from the broken hanger yet," the official said. "We will start that work in autumn. After that, the relevant parties will make the final judgment on which aircraft can be still recovered. Even if some aircraft are recoverable, it is another question on whether we actually restore them or not. Some of these P-3Cs may be old enough to retire."

ANALYSIS

Onodera's comments on the F-35 are a small ray of light during a bad week for the aircraft, which has been grounded following a 23 June fire aboard an F-35A at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The F-35A and the carrier variant C-model had previously been temporarily suspended from conducting flight operations over safety concerns, while it remains unclear whether F-35Bs will be able to travel to airshows in the UK as planned.

Meanwhile, on 8 July the Pentagon's Joint Program Office (JPO) overseeing the F-35 acquisition said it had "temporarily suspended" negotiations for the next lot of aircraft and engines.

"Negotiations will resume once the scope of the engine issue and downstream effects are known," JPO spokesperson Kyra Hawn told IHS Jane's . "The JPO would not close the deal with this issue outstanding and any subsequent fixes unresolved."

Despite these issues and the negative publicity arising from an F-35 no-show at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow, the aircraft's existing customers - such as Japan - appear to be happy with the programme's progress so far. One possible reason for this is that the F-35 is the only show in town and has rock solid support from the US Congress, suggesting it will not be cancelled anytime soon.

Second DN-2000 Vessel will be Launch in November

CSB 8002, the second DN-2000 vessel for Vietnamese Coast Guard (photo : Soha)

(Soha.vn) - After a period of complete superstructure, CSB 8002 vessel was brought up momentum, proceed to assemble the machinery to prepare for the ceremony to launch in November.

CSB 8002 class ships DN-2000 is closed from the start of 2012 by shipbuilder Song Thu (Autumn Song Corporation - Department of Defense) made ​​to its design Damen (Netherlands). After the dragon modules, the plant was urgently assembled the device in the cockpit.

According to Song Thu Company representative, will conduct immediate installation of electrical systems along the hull and 4 diesel electric propulsion C3516C manufactured by Caterpillar (USA) production. With four engines on the ship can reach a maximum speed of 21 knots / hour. All the equipment and technology used on ships are produced by the firm Damen, was imported under the supervision of experts Vietnam and the Netherlands.

All the basic parameters of CSB 8002 vessel similar to the "sister" CSB 8001 (marine police payroll for the 3, based in Vung Tau) are: length 90 m; 14 meters wide; stretch of water quantity 2,500 tons full load ...

According to Dutch experts, drawn from the experience of shipbuilding CSB 8001 as part of a helicopter flight deck that was short-Hong Ha shipbuilding company to additional processing parts. Therefore, the tail of the train parked CSB 8002 were made longer.

In addition, CSB 8002 vessel was painted a special coating. After launching, the ship will be staffing the Coast Guard Region 2 (closed at Ky Ha port, Nui Thanh, Quang Nam).

(Soha)

Beijing closer to Iskander‬-E ‪ ‎missile‬ system deal with Russia

‎BEIJING‬, After the Russian delegation attending the Seventh International Exhibition of Weapons and Military Equipment held in the Belarus capital of Minsk between July 9-12, the nation is ready to export the Iskander-E short-range ballistic missile and Vasily Kashin from the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies told the Voice of Russia that it's likely that the missile will be sold to China.
Kashin said that Russia is currently discussing the sale of the S-400 surface-to-air missile with China and Belarus. Russia will likely sell the Iskander-E together with the S-400 to both nations if the deals are successful. The Iskander-E was designed to replace the SS-21 Scarab-B Tochka-U tactical missile commissioned by the Soviet military back in 1989.
The Iskander-E could confer an advantage to the People's Liberation Army in the event of any potential conflict with India, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. This is firstly because the missile is very difficult to intercept, as it is capable of making 30G evasive maneuvers and can release decoys during the terminal phase, and because it can hit targets with a very high level of accuracy. Even if the enemy has air supremacy, the Iskander-E can still perform well on the battlefield.
Kashin said that several modifications will be carried out on the Iskander-E if China agrees to purchase the missile from Russia. It can be redesigned as a cruise missile with an attacking range of 2,000 kilometers, for example. As the Soviet Union signed the Treaty for the Elimination of Medium-range Missile with the United States in 1987, Russia cannot make its own version of the Iskander-E cruise missile, however, China is not a signatory.
(PHOTO) Iskander-E – mobile theater ballistic missile system export version, specially designed to meet MTCR restrictions. Range: ~280 km.

Indonesia's PT PAL Signs Contract to Supply Strategic Sealift Vessels to the Philippines

Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL has signed a contract to supply two strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) to the Philippine Navy (PN). (image : Defense Studies)

PT PAL executive Edy Andarto confirmed to IHS Jane's on 17 July that the contract - worth USD92 million - was signed with the PN in June and calls for the vessels to be supplied in 2016 and 2017.

The contract also stipulates a requirement for PT PAL to provide an integrated support package that will enable Philippine industry to undertake maintenance and support of the SSVs in partnership with the PN.

Discussions over the SSV contract had continued since January when PT PAL emerged as the sole bidder in the programme.

(Jane's)