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Contents JULY/AUGUST 2010 VOLUME 18 / ISSUE 5

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New Generation Attack Helicopters

Front Cover Photo: One of the latest wheeled SP artillery systems in production is Nexter Systems CAESAR 155mm/52 calibre system. The French Army has ordered 72 systems with final deliveries due in 2011. Thailand has taken delivery of six CAESARs and an undisclosed export customer, believed to be the Saudi Arabian National Guard has ordered 100 systems Š Nexter

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Ian Kemp Attack helicopters play a critical role supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. New and upgraded aircraft are entering the fray and competing in a number of competitions in the region

Martin Streetly Asian-Pacific regions take airborne surveillance seriously.

The nations of the region have equipped themselves with a range of photo reconnaissance, ground surveillance and signals intelligence platforms

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Artillery evolves to meet changing requirements

Soldier Communications

Christopher F Foss While there is an increasing trend towards the fielding of artillery rocket systems there is still a requirement for conventional tube artillery be it wheeled or tracked

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Asia-Pacific Airborne Surveillance

38 Pakistan to Japan: Anti-Shipping Missile Requirements

Combat Aircraft: A regional report John Mulberry Combat aircraft manufactures are recognising the potential within the Asia-Pacific region as armed forces increase investment in their defence capabilities and demand for increasingly sophisticated airborne platforms and weapons systems grows

Doug Richardson A total of 14 nations in the area from Pakistan to Japan operate warships armed with anti-ship missiles equipping a combination of modern vessels, supplemented by a significant number of older ships, some of which have had or are undergoing mid-life upgrades

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Adam Baddeley Military transformation means many things to many people. For the dismounted soldier, a big part of their transformation means better answers to the following questions: Where am I? Where are my friends? Where is the enemy?

Communications deliver compelling answer to those questions

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European Defence Aerospace Cooperation in Asia Gordon Arthur Europe is now tapping into Asia’s appetite for defence, making inroads into US ascendancy. Europe is doing so via aircraft sales, supporting indigenous programmes, and supplying engines and avionics

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At the three-way summit on the crisis held between China, Japan and South Korea at the end of May, reports suggested China was either considering or had not discounted that possibility. Ultimately Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier did not publicly condemn the North, but things have nonetheless changed.

Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy/UK Sam Baird, Whitehill Media Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 E-Mail: sam@whitehillmedia.com

South Korea Young Seoh Chinn, Jes Media Inc. Tel: (82-2) 481 3411/13 E-Mail: jesmedia@unitel.co.kr

orth Korea must be punished or, if you will, held to account for the sinking of the Choenan, which sank with the loss of 46 sailors in March. However, perhaps the greatest long term damage caused by the single CHT-02D torpedo is self inflicted, namely to North Korea’s relationship with China with recent events suggesting that China could be disentangling itself from its position of unstinting support for Pyongyang.

The South and the US clearly do not want war over the tragedy. Equally they have laid down markers that should a similar event happen, they will be less forgiving. They have though cut their own financial and social ties with the North and sought help from their neighbours is choking off inflows of money to the country, crippling its fragile economy and attempting to invoke UN resolution 1695, passed in 2006.

Australia Charlton D'Silva, Mass Media Publicitas Tel: (61 2) 9252 3476 E-Mail: cdsilva@publicitas.com

Scandinavia/Benelux/South Africa Tony Kingham, KNM Media Tel: (44) 2081 445 934 Mobile : (44) 7827 297 465 E-Mail: tony.kingham@worldsecurity-index.com

Editorial

It was assumed that China would pay lip service to co-operation but would reflexively veto such a move against North Korea, no matter what. To do otherwise would ‘risk’ the collapse of the Pyongyang regime, probable war, humanitarian disaster, unification and so Beijing’s strategic calculus went, US forces would then be poised on its borders, irrespective of previous indications from Washington and Seoul that such an event would prompt a US withdrawal.

Whatever the reason for the attack; power politics amongst succession factions, Kim Jong-il seeking to rally domestic support or most improbably a sub captain over reaching himself, the fact that China could be even considering sanctions against Pyongyang is a seismic shift.

The question of whether China sees North Korea as an asset or liability has been raised and it won’t go away. It lies at the centre of how China wishes to been seen in the world, whether as a responsible player on the world stage with economic might or as a rigid supporter of a murderously eccentric but decaying regime.

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In a region that contains three indigenous nuclear powers, at least one regional super power, three of the world’s economic super powers, is bordered by the world’s only global super power and is largely oceanic, it would indeed be surprising if the Asian-Pacific regions did not take airborne surveillance seriously.

While maritime patrol provision can betaken as a given, the nations of the region have also equipped themselves with photo reconnaissance, ground surveillance and SIGnals INTelligence (SIGINT) platforms and it is with this last trio of capabilities that this article concerns itself.

by Martin Streetly

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aking these in order, AMR identifies Australia, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, Japan, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Malaysia and Pakistan as all operating land-based photo reconnaissance aircraft. In more detail, the Australian capability is vested in a small number of RF-111C aircraft which will (if not already) have been withdrawn from service by the end of 2010. The PRC capability is vested in the JZ-8 fast jet which is equipped with a centreline equipment pod that probably contains cameras and/or a Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR). For its part, India’s secretive Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is known to operate a Gulfstream business jet that is equipped with a LongRange Oblique Photography (LOROP) sensor for stand-off reconnaissance duties.

Elsewhere, the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) operates a mixed fleet of RF-

T High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles such as the navalised Global Hawk shown here probably represent a significant element of future airborne surveillance provision within the Asia-Pacific region. To-date, Australia, Japan and South Korea have all shown interest in the RQ-4 for just such a role © Northrop Grumman

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MISSION AIRCRAFT 4EJ and RF-4EJKai tactical reconnaissance aircraft. Of the two, the RF-4EJKai is probably the more interesting as it is a conversion of the standard F-4EJ fighter and is capable of carrying a series of podded reconnaissance systems, with the range including a LOROP camera, the Analyseur de Signaux TACtiques (ASTAC) SIGINT system and the X-band (8 to 12.5 GHz) SLAR-2000 SLAR. Of these, ASTAC and SLAR-2000 are Thales France products, with the JASDF’s ASTAC pods having been produced under licence by Japanese contractor Mitsubishi. Moving north, South Korea flies a mixture of RF-4C and RF-5A tactical reconnaissance jets, with the F-5 also providing Malaysia with its capability in the form of the RF-4E. Last but not least, the Pakistan Air Force continues to operate a number of Mirage IIIRP (and, possibly, Mirage 5DR) aircraft in the role.

Moving on to ground surveillance (which in this context can be taken to mean ElectroOptical (EO) or radar-based over-land surveillance, with the latter dividing into Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR – imaging) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes), the inherent EO capability of Australia’s AP-3C maritime patrol fleet has been used extensively in support of land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Within The JMSDF’s fleet of five OP-3C surveillance aircraft are used to “image” surface vessels and to transmit the acquired data to end users in “near” real-time © JMSDF

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The inherent EO capability of Australia’s AP-3C maritime patrol fleet has been used extensively in support of land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

the PRC orbit, a group of four Tu-154M/D aircraft hold out the intriguing prospect of a Chinese Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) type capability.

All four aircraft are equipped with a canoeshaped radome beneath their forward fuselages which is identical in configuration to that illustrated in promotional literature for a locally produced SAR that is known to have definitely been installed aboard one such platform (aircraft B-4029). As with many things PRC, whether the described aircraft are equipped with such a sensor, whether or not the noted SAR is an experimental or operational system and whether or not it incorporates a GMTI capability remains enigmatic.

Mention of GMTI brings the reader neatly to a second Chinese programme that centres on a sensor-equipped variant of the Z-8 helicopter. Here, a single example equipped with a large deployable sensor head at the rear of its main cabin has been identified. Frequently identified as being an airborne early warning platform, this analyst believes that the type is more likely to be a battlefield surveillance

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aircraft that is equipped with a GMTI radar along the lines of the French Army’s now retired HORIZON helicopter system.

Alongside these Australian and Chinese applications, the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) operates four Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 800XP business jets that have been modified to Hawker 800RA radar surveillance configuration under the ‘Peace Krypton’ programme. Produced by a consortium of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (formerly E-Systems) and Lockheed Martin, the ‘Peace Krypton’ aircraft are equipped with a SAR that is believed to be a variant of the Lockheed Martin Advanced Imaging Radar System (LAIRS) and to offer GMTI, navigation and SAR operating modes out to ranges of 185 km. Used for border surveillance between the two Koreas (and as a means of reducing the Republic’s dependence on the United States to defend itself), AMR believes that the four Hawker 800RAs are assigned to the RoKAF’s 39th Tactical Reconnaissance Group based at Seongnam.

At this point, attention is turned to Japan’s OP-3C multi-sensor ocean surveillance platform which is an intelligence gatherer rather than a maritime patrol aircraft.

Operated by the Japanese Maritime SelfDefence Force’s (JMSDF) 81st Kokutai (Air Squadron) out of Iwakuni, the four OP-3Cs have all been converted from ‘line’ P-3C maritime patrol aircraft and are equipped with a sensor suite that includes a SLAR, a Goodrich Reconnaissance Systems DB-110

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The importance of the Pacific region to the US is emphasised by the USAF’s stationing of its 82nd Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena on Okinawa to support RC-135 ‘Rivet Joint’ signals intelligence aircraft operating in the region © USAF

EO/Infra-Red (IR) camera system, an IR search and track system, a Global Positioning System-based navigation capability and satellite communications.

Functionally, AMR understands that the OP3C is used to “image” surface ship targetsof-interest, process acquired data in-flight and transmit imagery and data in near realtime to “command posts and friendly ships”.

While all of the foregoing represent interesting capabilities, the region’s airborne SIGINT platforms are perhaps the most beguiling not least because of their generally low profile. Indeed, so low is that of Australia’s supposed ‘Peace Mate’ P-3C aircraft that the country’s government vehemently denies its existence! Despite this, usually reliable sources suggest that United States (US) contractor E-Systems modified a single Australian P-3C for COMmunications INTelligence (COMINT) collection within the 3 to 300 MHz band under the ‘Peace Mate’ programme and that the capability has been used operationally in connection with the East Timor crisis. ‘Peace Mate’ is also supposed to have included a modified C-130 that was developed by Tenex Systems and was equipped with predominantly US-sourced SIGINT equipment. As to whether or not ‘Peace Mate’ exists or is but a figment of fevered journalistic imagination, AMR can only report that the Royal Australian Air Force does retain a single P-3C for “test and trials” work and that the aircraft is based at Edinburgh in New South Wales alongside the Service’s Information Warfare Wing.

Equally enigmatic is Singapore’s reported use of both the C-130 and the Fokker 50 in the SIGINT role. In order, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RoSAF) is understood to have acquired a single C-130 that has been outfitted with at least a 3 to 300 MHz band COMINT capability (probably sourced from Israel) and is operated in concert with the service’s Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft. In terms of operational usage, this aircraft is said to have flown patrols along the Thai and Malay coasts and to have regularly monitored activity in the Bay of Bengal. The RoSAF’s use of the Fokker 50 in the SIGINT role is far more tenuous and rests on circumstantial evidence that ties Fokker’s sale of a

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The JMSDF’s Iwakuni-based 81st Kokutai is equipped with five examples of the EP-3 SIGINT aircraft shown here © JMSDF

‘Black Crow’ Fokker 50 electronic reconnaissance aircraft to an unidentified customer to the RoSAF’s Fokker 50UTA transport aircraft serial number 713. If 713 is the described ‘Black Crow’ SIGINT platform, it may have been equipped with an ARGOSystems AR7000 mission suite that is capable of both COMINT and ELectronic INTElligence (ELINT) collection. Intriguing though the above may seem, it must be stressed that as with the ‘Peace Mate’ programme, the evidence for such an RoSAF capability is at best tenuous and the reader must make up their

Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) operates four Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 800XP business jets that have been modified to Hawker 800RA radar surveillance configuration ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

mind as to the truth or otherwise of the foregoing reports.

On much more solid ground is PRC contractor CETC’s Shaanxi Y-8 based SIGINT platform that was first publicised during the 2008 Defence Services Asia trade show in Kuala Lumpur. Here, the capability was based around the KZ800 ELINT suite which has been described as being able to detect, analyse, identify and locate land-based and shipboard radars operating within the 1 to 18 GHz frequency range. Elsewhere within the PRC orbit, the Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army is known to operate at least single examples of at least three other SIGINT systems based on the Y-8 together with at least one Tu-154M/D SIGINT platform. All of the Y-8 systems have been associated with the ‘Gaoxin’ (‘High New’) programme and have (respectively) been assigned the designations Y-8CB, Y-8 (DZ) and Y-8T designations by Western sources.

Again, all three types were first identified

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MISSION AIRCRAFT during the 2004 to 2007 period, with the Tu154M/D platform believed to have entered service during 1998.

On the other side of the Chinese coin, the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) is known to operate a single C-130H transport that has been modified for SIGINT collection under the designation C-130HE. As such, the platform is equipped with an Airborne Electronic Surveillance System (AESS) and was role modified jointly by Lockheed Martin and Taiwan’s Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology. Over time, the RoCAF C130HE aircraft has been operated under the umbrella of the Service’s 6th Combined Wing and is home-based at Pingtung.

Moving north, India’s RAW organisation includes in its inventory a Boeing 707-337C airliner that is equipped for SIGINT collection. Here, the platform was almost certainly fitted out by US contractor E-Systems, features large antenna ‘cheek’ fairings on both sides of its forward fuselage and was most recently based at Indra Gandi/Palam International Airport near Delhi. It is perhaps worth noting that some or all of RAW’s AnOne of the few known pictures that shows the Arava 201 transport aircraft in SIGINT configuration. Thailand currently operates two such aircraft © IAI

Despite its poor quality, this is one of the few photographs of a Chinese SIGINT-configured Tu-154M/D known to exist © Chinese Internet

32 and Il-76MD transports may also have been SIGINT modified, a proposition that can not be currently confirmed.

Within the Japanese military, both the JASDF and the JMSDF feature SIGINT aircraft within their inventories. In order (and aside from the already described RF4JKai/ASTAC combination), the JASDF is reported to operate a fleet of up to four YS11EB (YS-11EL according to some sources) SIGINT platforms that, at sometime in their careers, were equipped with the J/ALR-2 mission suite. As of the period November 2009 to April 2010, all four of these aircraft were being reported as being assigned to the service’s Denshi Hiko Sokuteitai (Electronic Intelligence Squadron) at Iruma. For its part, the JMSDF’s Iwakuni-based 81st Kokutai operates a fleet of five Kawasaki EP-3 SIG-

The Hawker 800SIG SIGINT aircraft is operated by the RoKAF’s 39th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and is used to monitor activity along the border between the two Koreas © L-3 Communications

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INT platforms in addition to the already described OP-3Cs. As such, the EP-3 is equipped with ‘low’ and ‘high’ band collection sub-systems that have been developed

by Japanese contractors NEC and Mitsubishi respectively. Readers should note that in the EP-3 mission suite context, the equipment designations NH/LR-107 and NH/LR-108 have been mentioned.

Of the two remaining identified regional SIGINT aircraft operators (South Korea and Thailand), the RoKAF’s 39th Tactical Reconnaissance Group operates a quartet of Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 800SIG SIGINT

The Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army is known to operate at least single examples of at least three other SIGINT systems based on the Y-8 together with at least one Tu-154M/D SIGINT platform

platforms alongside its Hawker 800RA radar surveillance aircraft. Developed under the ‘Paekdu/Peace Pioneer’ programme, the Hawker 800SIG is equipped with an E-Systems developed mission suite that is reported to be both COMINT and ELINT capable and as offering a frequency coverage that has an upper limit within the Ka-band (26.5 to 40 GHz). Last but not least, The Royal Thai Air Force’s Takhli-based 402 Squadron operate a pair of Israel Aerospace Industries Arava 201 transports that have been fitted out for SIGINT collection. As such, the pair may be equipped with the Elta Systems EL/L-8310 ELINT sub-system and a COMINT capability built around the company’s EL/K-1xxx series receivers, with the whole being packaged as a roll-on/rolloff capability.

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Helic

The Australian Army will receive the last of 22 EC665 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters next year. Australia is the first export customer in the Asia Pacific region for Eurocopter’s first purpose built attack helicopter © ADF

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ATTACK

HELICOPTERS

he Apache is a product of the Cold War, developed in the 1970s to provide the US Army with an attack helicopter for high intensity operations that could be used to offset the Soviet advantage in tanks on NATO’s Central Front. To implement this vision the Boeing AH-64 was developed in parallel with the long range Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank guide missile (ATGM).

Apaches, equipped with the 8,000 m range Hellfire, are able to accurately engage tanks at double the range of the TOW-armed Bell AH1 Cobras they replaced. The AH-64A Apache and its successor, the AH-64D Apache, carry an impressive weapons load: up to 16 Hellfires or four 19-round rocket pockets as well as a belly-mounted 30mm Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds of ammunition. During the 1991 and 2003 wars with Iraq the Apache demonstrated its effectiveness as tank killer.

In the counterinsurgency campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq the Apache has demonstrated its formidable capabilities as a precision strike weapon.

In September 2003, the US Army established an Aviation Task Force to examine the lessons learned from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The need to enhance ‘synchronisation’ between aviation elements and brigade combat teams (BCTs) was an early finding and Brigade Aviation Elements are being embedded in the headquarters of each BCT to provide commanders and staff members with aviation expertise including the employment of unmanned air vehicles. As part of its new modular structure the US Army is organising its aviation units into multifunctional Combat Aviation Brigades (CAB), consisting of company-sized ‘building blocks’ that can be tasked organised to support several BCTs. For the first time attack, reconnaissance, utility, medium lift and medical evacuation helicopters will all be in the same brigade. Each CAB will have two attack helicopter battalions although an attack helicopter company can be equipped with either 10 OH-58D Kiowas or eights AH-64Ds. Brigades assigned to heavy divisions will have two battalions each with 24 Apaches, a medium division with have one battalion with 30 OH-58D and 24 Apaches while and a light division will have two battalions equipped with Kiowas.

Boeing’s AH-64D Apache Block III (AB3) structures test aircraft made its first flight on 23 November 2009. According to the US

T Attack helicopters play a critical role supporting US-led coalition operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. New and upgraded aircraft are entering thefray

by Ian Kemp

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The US Army plans to increase its Apache fleet from 709 aircraft to 747 AH-64D models in Block I, II and III configurations by 2018. Low rate initial production of the Block III is now underway © Boeing

Army, the “AB3 will add significant combat capability while addressing obsolescence issues to ensure the aircraft remains a realistic combat multiplier beyond 2025”. The AB3 upgrade will integrate: unmanned aircraft system Level III - IV control capability, improved Situational awareness, an upgraded communications suite, improved drive and propulsion systems, improved targeting capability, increased computer processing capability and speed, improved navigation systems, and improved diagnostics and maintainability. The low rate initial produc-

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tion programme includes 51 aircraft for operational testing, first unit equipped and fielding to the training base. The Army plans to acquire 691 AB3 aircraft with fielding continuing beyond Fiscal Year 2026 and for much of this period of the Army intends to operate 747 AB2 and AB3 models.

The AH-64 has the distinction of being the most widely exported attack helicopter in the world. Boeing built 116 AH-64As for five international customers and 239 AH-64Ds have been bought by nine international customers. The Republic of Singapore Air

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Force’s 120 Squadron operates 17 of the 20 AH-64Ds delivered in two batches between 1999 and 2001. In March 2006 the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force received the first of 55 AH-64DJPs ordered to replace its fleet of 90 AH-1S Cobras. These helicopters are being built under license by Fuji Heavy Industries. In 2007, Taiwan announced its decision to acquire 30 AH-64Ds to augment 62 AH-1Ws already in service. A contract was expected to be signed as this issue of AMR went to press.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced in September 2009 that the Army’s plans to replace its 60 AH-1 Cobras Ss and 130

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The Boeing AH-64D Apache entered service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force in 1999 © SAF

Hughes 500s from 2018 with up to 270 new attack helicopters could be postponed as the government sought ways to reduce defence spending. However, Seoul’s suspicions that North Korea was responsible for the sinking of the South Korean corvette Cheonan on 26 March with the loss of 46 lives has given new impetus to defence spending. “Taking into account the peculiar situation of the world’s only divided nation amid hostilities, we must reshape our military’s capabilities,” South Korean President Lee Myung-bak told a meeting of senior military leaders on 4 May. “We must especially check on our readiness against asymmetric capabilities, including special warfare.” The Ministry of National Defence said attack helicopters would be among the weapons fielded to counter the threat from North Korea.

The DAPA is studying a number of options including the local production of the Korea Attack Helicopter (KAH) or buying refurbished US Army Apache helicopters.

Korea Aerospace Industries has proposed adopting a foreign design for the KAH or producing an armed version of the Surion Korea Utility Helicopter, which it is developing with Eurocopter.

The US Army's Apache Program Office has given DAPA three options for the acquisition of AH-64D: Block I models, at a unit price of $16 million to $17 million, for delivery between 2012 and 2014; Upgraded Block II models, at a cost of $19 million to $20 million; And, Block III aircraft fitted with the Longbow fire-control radar system, at a unit cost of $32.5 million, for delivery from 2014.

The Indian Air Force is seeking 22 twinengine attack helicopters to replace the Mi24s and Mi-35s. In May 2009 the Ministry of Defence issued a request for proposals (RfP) for the helicopters, worth an estimated Rs28 billion, to AgustaWestland (AW129 Mangusta), Bell (AH-1Z Viper), Boeing (AH64D Apache), Eurocopter (EC665 Tiger) and Mil (Mi-28N). An earlier tender, issued in 2008, which specified a 50 percent offset requirement was withdrawn after the two US companies refused to bid; the new tender reduces the offset requirement to 30 per cent.

The in service date has slipped to 2012 at the earliest; the 2008 RfP stipulated that the first

pair of helicopters should be delivered within 24 months of contract signature and the last within 36 months.

Marine snakes

The US Marine Corps is upgrading its 20-year old AH-1W SuperCobra attack and UH-1N utility helicopter fleets through the H-1 Program which will see Bell Helicopter convert 168 AH-1Ws to the new AH-1Z Viper configuration and build 58 new AH-1Z as well as 113 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters.

Each of the 18 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons operates 18 AH-1Ws and nine UH-1Ns. Typically several helicopters of each type are grouped with CH-46E Sea Knight and CH-53E Super Stallion troop lift helicopters to form the composite helicopter squadron which is assigned to each embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

On 27 September 2006 Bell delivered the first production examples of the AH-Z and UH-1Y. The two share 84 percent common components including tail boom, engines, rotor system, drive train, avionics architecture, software, controls and displays; this is expected to reduce support costs by over $3 billion over a 30 years. The new engines and

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four-bladed rotor system improves the payload, maximum speed, vertical rate-of-climb and rotor vibration level of the aircraft. A 217 percent improvement in mission payload enables the AH-1Z to carry up to 16 Hellfires and two AIM-9L Sidewinder AAMs or AGM-122A Sidearm anti-radiation missiles.

There are 750 rounds of ammunition available for the nose-mounted M197 three-barrel 20 mm gun. With a 1,232 kg payload the AH1Z has a mission radius of 203 km. USMC AH-1Zs are powered by two T700-GE-401 engines although export customers can specify the more powerful T700-GE-701C. Operational evaluation of the AH-1Z began in early 2006 although initial operational capability (IOC) has been pushed back to Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) as the USMC is giving priority to fielding the UH-1Y to maintain the current high operational tempo. The AH1Z is expected to complete its operational evaluation in July, leading to a decision for full-rate production later this year. USMC Colonel Harry Hewson, H-1 program manager, told reporters at the Navy League’s SeaAir-Space Exposition on 4 May that a number of upgrades are planned for the AH-1Z including the installation of a digital moving map display from later this year, the introduction of a blue-force tracking capability 2011 and 2013, the introduction of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System and the Joint Air-Ground Missile between 2012 and 2015, and, if funding is available, the introduction of the AIM-9X Sidewinder in 2014-2016.

Hewson said the AH-1Z will be available

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ATTACK

HELICOPTERS for foreign military sales in 2012. The Pakistan Army which now operates 25 single engine AH-1Fs is thought to be a likely export customer for the AH-1Z.

Tiger enters service

Since July 2009, the French Army has deployed three EC665 Tiger HAP helicopters from the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment (5e RHC) in Afghanistan as part of the composite French Helicopter Battalion. The detachment logged 520 flight hours during the first six months and achieved an availability level of 95 percent.

Later this year, the Australian Army will receive the last of 22 Eurocopter Tiger helicopters bought in December 2001 for A$1.3 billion to meet its Air 87 Requirement for an Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) version. The first four Tiger were built at Eurocopter's Marignane, France plant with the remaining aircraft assembled at the Brisbane facility of Australian Aerospace, Eurocopter’s local subsidiary.

Tiger is a key element of Australia’s emerging Hardened and Networked Army.

It will equip the two flying squadrons - 161st

and 162nd - of the1st Aviation Regiment based in Darwin, Northern Territory. The helicopters will replace the army’s obsolete, Vietnam-era Bell UH-1H gunships and Bell 206 Kiowa reconnaissance helicopters.

The French and German armies agreed in 1984 to launch a joint combat helicopter project and the first Tiger prototype flew in 1991.

Spending cuts by both governments following the end of the Cold War delayed the project and reduced the original combine requirement from 427 to 160 helicopters, evenly split between the two armies, although follow on orders are expected. The German Army changed its requirement from a dedicated anti-tank configuration to the UHT (Unterstutzungshubschrauber) support helicopter configuration. A mast-mounted TV/forward looking infrared/laser range finder is fitted for the gunner. The UHT’s four outboard weapon stations can be armed with eight anti-tank missiles or two pods of 19 rockets or four Stinger air-to-air missiles (AAMs) and two .50 calibre gun pods. The service became the launch customer for the PARS 3 LR (previously known as the TRIGAT-Long Range) missile in June 2006 when

A US Marine Corps Bell AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter lifts off to support coalition ground forces during Operation Moshtarak in Afghanistan in February. The AH-1W will remain in USMC service at least until the end of the decade © USMC

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it awarded MBDA a _380 million contract to deliver 680 missiles for use on the Tiger by 2014. The German Army may install a Rheinmetall RMK30 cannon in a chin turret during a mid-life upgrade.

The first 40 Tigers for the French Army, of which more than 20 have been delivered, are in the HAP (Helicoptere d'Appui Protection or Support and Escort Helicopter) configuration with a chin-mounted Giat 30 mm gun turret. Typical armament could consist of up to 450 30 mm rounds, two pods each with 22 unguided 68 mm rockets and four Mistral AAMs. There is no provision for an AT missile. The remaining 40 Tigers, scheduled for delivery from 2008, will be in the multi-role Helicoptere d'Appui Destruction (HAD) configuration which was originally selected by the Spanish Army. Similar to the HAP version the HAD has uprated MTR390-E engines which provide 14 percent more power and incorporates better ballistic protection. It can carry four Mistrals or four 68 mm/70 mm rocket pods or four ATGWs. The Spanish Army has selected the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike-Long Range ATGW to equip it 22 Tigers. Common to the HAP and HAD configurations is a roof-mounted sight with TV, FLIR and laser-range finder.

The Australian Army was the first to select the Hellfire to arm its Tigers and in late

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ATTACK

HELICOPTERS

Since July 2009, the French Army has deployed three EC665 Tiger HAP helicopters from the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment in Afghanistan

The US Marine Corps plans to acquire 226 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 113 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters from Bell Helicopter. The US government will release the AH-1Z to Foreign Military Sales customers in 2012 © Bell

2005 six missiles, four with inert warheads and two missiles with live AGM-114M BF warheads, were launched from Australian aircraft to complete the Hellfire integration process. For reconnaissance missions the Tiger will typically carry two Hellfires and two 19 round rocket pods.

The ARH achieved initial operational capability in September 2009, a delay of 27 months which was primarily caused by the protracted certification process in France.

The forecast for full operational capability has slipped by 42 months from the original plan until December 2012.

Major General Tony Fraser, head of the Army’s Helicopter Systems Division, told the parliamentary defence committee last year that the ARH had, “reached a level of maturity that I would regard as off the shelf”.

Fraser cited the successful integration of the Hellfire missile as paving the way for the missile’s adoption on French Army Tigers.

The Defence Capability Plan 2009 states that the AIR 87 project is ‘likely’ to include, “a new phase (or phases) to maintain the effectiveness of the capability. This project is expected to provide system upgrades to the ARH consistent with the parent Franco/German Tiger helicopter program.

These upgrades may include weapons, engines, software, aircraft mission management system and ground support system upgrades. This is likely to be an ACAT [Acquisition] Category III project and

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Defence will commence work on developing this phase for Government consideration after 2016.”

Contenders for Armed Aerial Scout

US Army’s Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) programme emerged following the termination of the Bell ARH-70 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter in October 2008. At least three manufacturers are expected to compete for the project to replace the Army’s long-serving OH-58D Kiowa scout helicopters. Their contenders are also touted as suitable for forces which do not require the sophistication, or expense, of a dedicated attack helicopter such as the Apache or who wish to field a ‘high/low’ mix of helicopters.

Boeing is offering the AH-6i Light Attack/Reconnaissance helicopter, based on the company’s AH-6 Little Bird in service with the US Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, made its first flight on 16 September. The AH-6i’s cockpit shares 83 percent software commonality with the Boeing’s AH-64D Apache Block III and was described by Winn as “the most advanced cockpit flying today”.

Boeing believes the aircraft will have considerable appeal on the export market for customers, including ‘several’ in the Middle East, who do not require the sophistication, or expense, of the Apache or who wish to use the aircraft in a ‘high/low’ mix along ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

with the Apache. Boeing plans a family of aircraft which will also include the AH-6U utility (which will form the basis of its AAS proposal) and a stretched AH-6S which will incorporate a 15 inch plug. The AH-6 is already qualified with a variety of weapons including laser-guided rockets, missiles and three different .50 calibre heavy machine guns. Jordan became the launch customer for the AH-6i when it signed a Letter of Intent with Boeing during the 2010 Special Operations Forum and Exhibition (SOFEX) in mid-May. EADS North America is offering the Army the Armed Scout 645, a derivative of the UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter which itself is based on the civil EC-135; 345 UH72As have been ordered for the US Army and Army National Guard (ARNG) will a strong contender for the Army’s scout helicopter requirement. The Armed Scout 645 demonstrator, displayed at AUSA 2009, has flown ‘high-hot’ tests with a simulated 2,300 pound Mission Equipment Package (MEP).

Lockheed Martin will be responsible for MEP integration. EADS is building three AAS-72X demonstrators, the first of which is scheduled to fly before the end of the year.

The most radical proposal is Sikorsky’s Light Tactical Helicopter (LTH) which is based on the X2 technology demonstrator.

According to Sikorsky officials the counterrotating coaxial design and auxiliary propulsion system would offer significant improvements in ‘high-hot’ performance, speed and survivability. The X2 demonstrator is expected to achieve its target speed of 250 knots during company-funded flight tests in mid-2010.

During the first phase of the analysis of alternatives (AoA) for the programme AAS, which was completed earlier this year, the army considered whether its needs could best be met by a manned or unmanned solution, or a combination of the two. During the second phase, scheduled for completion in 2011, the Army will decide whether to develop a new aircraft, such as the X2, or procure a helicopter which is already in production such as the Boeing and Eurocopter proposals.

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Asian Military Review: SAR/Coastguard Ad | Trim: 8.25” x 11.25” | Bleed: + .125” | Feb 2010 Issue

ARTILLERY

AND ROCKET SYSTEMS

Artillery evolves to meet Changing Requirements While there is an increasing trend towards the fielding of artillery rocket systems (ARS) there is still a requirement for conventional tube artillery be it self-propelled (SP) or tracked.

by Christopher F Foss

One of the latest wheeled SP artillery systems to be developed and placed in production is the French Nexter Systems CAESAR 155mm/52 calibre system based on a Renault Trucks Defense (6x6) truck chassis Š Nexter

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ARTILLERY

AND ROCKET SYSTEMS n the past these fired mainly high explosive (HE), smoke and illuminating projectiles with the HE nature being used for suppressive fire. Today there is a move to provide the field artillery with a more precision effect. For many years the Russian Army has deployed the KBP Instrument Design Bureau Krasnapol 152mm semi-active laser guided projectile (LGP).

A 155mm version has been developed and sold to India for use with its Bofors 155mm FH-77B towed artillery systems. China has also developed a 155mm LGP based on Russian technology.

Raytheon of the US has developed the Excalibur guided 155mm projectile and this has been used successfully in Afghanistan by Australian and US forces. There is an on going competition between ATK and Raytheon for the main Excalibur production run.

There have been significant developments in charges with conventional bag type charges giving away to modular charge systems which are not only easier to handle but are optimised for automatic loading systems of SP artillery.

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Towed systems still deployed

When compared to their SP counterparts, towed artillery systems are

lighter, easier to deploy and are cheaper to operate and maintain. They are well suited for use by expeditionary forces, especially in rough terrain where heavier SP artillery systems cannot be deployed.

Most Western towed artillery systems are 105mm or 155mm calibre while Eastern towed systems were normally 122mm and 152mm. In some countries, for example China, there is a clear trend to standardise on 155mm systems.

The most widely deployed 105mm towed systems are the French Nexter Systems 105 mm LG1 light gun and the now BAE Systems 105mm Light Gun. The French weapon has been sold to Belgium, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore (being phased out) and Thailand with the latest Mk III recently been delivered to Colombia.

The BAE Systems 105mm Light Gun is still the benchmark with over 1,000 having been sold and licence production undertaken in Australia and the US. Most use the L118 version with the longer barrel with a maximum range of 17.2km.

The 155 mm/39 calibre M777 lightweight howitzer was originally developed as a private venture by the then Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited (VSEL) which has

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now been consumed within BAE Systems.

This is now in quantity production for the US Army and Marines and was first used in combat by Canada in Afghanistan and so far over 800 have been ordered with more than 600 delivered.

The M777 weighs only 4.2 tonnes which makes it easier to transport by helicopter when compared with 7.13 tonnes of the older

When compared to their SP counterparts, towed artillery systems are lighter, easier to deploy and are cheaper to operate and maintain

M198 155mm howitzer.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have recently deployed the Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) Pegasus 155mm/39 calibre Light Weight Howitzer (LWH) which has an auxiliary power unit and weighs 5.4 tonnes.

Tracked artillery still needed

Some armies have a mix of towed and SP tube artillery while others have gone for an

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AND ROCKET SYSTEMS all SP artillery fleet backed up by ARS. Tracked SP systems can operate with mechanised forces and have good crosscountry mobility as well as protection from small arms fire and shell splinters.

The German Army, for example deploys the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) 155mm/52 calibre PzH 2000 SP artillery system with a total of 185 units delivered. This is also in service with Greece (24), Italy (70 still being delivered) and the Netherlands (57). The latter country deployed three systems to Afghanistan.

The complete 155mm/52 calibre ordnance of the PzH 2000 is also used in the KMW Artillery Gun Module (AGM) which is a remote controlled turret that carries 30 x 155mm projectiles and associated charges.

For trials purposes the AGM has been installed on a surplus Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) chassis. When fitted to a brand new chassis, developed by The complete 155 mm/52 calibre ordnance of the PzH 2000 is also used in the KMW Artillery Gun Module Š KMW

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The most widely deployed 105mm towed systems are the French Nexter Systems 105 mm LG1 light gun and the now BAE Systems 105mm Light Gun

General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas the complete system is called the Thor and is currently undergoing trials.

China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) is marketing the PLZ45 155mm/45 calibre SP artillery system and in addition to being used by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has also been sold to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

South Korea is now virtually self-sufficient in all ground force weapons and in 1999, first production examples of the Samsung Techwin 155mm/52 K9 Thunder SP artillery systems rolled off the production line.

This has a high rate of fire due to the installation of a semi-automatic loading system that loads the projectile with charges

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being loaded manually.

The K9 is supported by the K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle on a similar chassis and the K77 Fire Direction Center Vehicle based on a modified M109 / M992 chassis.

The system is also manufactured in Turkey for the Turkish Land Forces Command under the local name of the Firtina. It is also a contender for the Malaysian Army 155mm/52 calibre requirement.

As well as fielding the 155mm/39 calibre FH-88 and 155mm/52 calibre FH-2000 towed artillery systems and the 155mm/39 calibre Pegasus SP, the SAF have now fielded the STK developed Primus 155mm/39 calibre system.

This is based on a much modified M109 chassis fitted with a brand new turret armed with a 155mm/39 calibre ordnance. This is rapidly laid onto the target using a computerised fire control system. An automatic loader loads the 155 mm projectile with the charges being loaded manually.

The most widely used 155mm SP artillery system in the world is still the BAE Systems 155mm M109 series. The final version for the

ARTILLERY

AND ROCKET SYSTEMS US Army was the M109A6 Paladin with a 155mm/39 calibre barrel.

At least part of this fleet is expected to be upgraded to the M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) standard with first prototypes already completed.

Wheeled systems offer strategic mobility

There has been a clear trend towards the design, development and production of wheeled SP artillery systems which offer the user a number of advantages including greater strategic mobility when compared to their tracked counterparts.

In the late 1960s Czechoslovakia developed a 152mm SP artillery system called Dana based on a much modified and armoured (8 x 8) Tatra cross-country truck chassis.

This entered service with the Czech Army in 1981 and was also sold to a number of countries including Libya and Poland and more recently Georgia has taken delivery of some surplus Dana systems from Slovakia.

Further development of the Dana resulted in the current production Zuzana based on

the more recent Tatra 815 (8 x 8) chassis with the 155mm/45 calibre ordnance firing NATO standard ammunition. Max range depends on projectile charge combination but is typically 39.6km.

The 155mm/45 calibre Zuzana was first deployed by Slovakia but more recently Cyprus has taken delivery of two batches each of 12 units. As well as being installed on an 8x8 chassis the complete turret of the Zuzana can also be fitted onto a tracked chassis such as the T-72 MBT. Currently under development is another version of the Zuzana which is based on a new Tatra chassis and fitted with a new turret armed with a 155mm/52 calibre ordnance which will enable targets to be engaged at longer ranges.

Apart from its Olifant tanks, the South African Army is an all wheeled force and to provide mobile fire support developed the 47 tonne G6 155mm/45 calibre system which has the same ballistics as the towed G5 system.

A total of 43 systems were built for the South African Army with an improved version being supplied to Oman (24) and the UAE (78).

Denel Land Systems has now developed the new generation G6-52 calibre 155 mm tur-

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The BAE Systems 105mm Light Gun is still the benchmark with over 1,000 having been sold Š BAE Systems

ret system which has a number of improvements including a new ammunition handling system to increase the rate of fire. This can be installed on tracked or wheeled chassis.

One of the latest wheeled SP artillery systems to be developed and placed in production is the French Nexter Systems CAESAR 155mm/52 calibre system based on a Renault Trucks Defense (6x6) truck chassis.

This was originally developed a private venture by Nexter Systems and five pre-production CAESAR were supplied to the French Army for troop trials.

The French Army then placed an order for 72 systems with final deliveries due in 2011.

The Royal Thai Army has taken delivery of six CAESAR with additional systems expected to be ordered in the future.

An undisclosed export customer, believed to be the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) has ordered 100 systems on a Mercedes-Benz chassis with first units already delivered.

CAESAR has a protected four door cab at

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AND ROCKET SYSTEMS the front with the 155mm/52 calibre ordnance mounted at the rear with powered elevation and traverse. A flick rammer enables projectiles to be loaded at high elevations with the charges being loaded manually.

In March 2010 BAE Systems, Global Combat Systems was awarded a contract for the Archer 155mm/52 calibre system with Norway and Sweden each to take delivery of 24 systems.

Archer is based on a Volvo (6 x 6) all terrain chassis with a fully protected cab with the weapon aimed, loaded and fired by remote control.

Rocket systems offer more range

Most countries also deploy Artillery Rocket Systems (ARS) as a compliment to their conventional tube artillery.

In the West the most commonly deployed system is the US Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control 227mm (12-round) MLRS

In March 2010 BAE Systems, Global Combat Systems was awarded a contract for the Archer 155mm/52 calibre system with Norway and Sweden each to take delivery of 24 systems based on a tracked carrier.

When first introduced this launched the Phase 1 unguided rockets with each rocket carrying 644 dual purpose improved conventional munitions (DP ICM) with a maximum range of 31.2km.

The main drawback of this rocket was that the DIP ICM was not fitted with a selfdestruct mechanism that can cause major problems for civilians and follow up units.

As a result of the Ottawa convention

At least part of the US M109 fleet is expected to be upgraded to the M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management standard with first prototypes already completed Š DoD

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many countries are banning the deployment of this type of "cluster munition" and some countries have already phased these out of service and destroying their stocks.

To enable targets to be engaged with a precision effect, the US Army has fielded the Guided MLRS (GMLRS) 227mm rocket fitted with a HE warhead and has a maximum range of over 65km.

This is a highly accurate weapon with a circular error of probability of 10 m and was first deployed by the UK and US from upgraded MLRS launcher with a new fire control system.

This is now being supplemented by the Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control 227mm (6-round) High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) based on the US Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle (FMTV) (6 x 6) cross-country chassis with a fully protected cab.

In addition to being deployed by the US Army it is also used by the US Marine Corps, Singapore and the UAE. This fires the same 227mm rockets as the MLRS but as

ARTILLERY

AND ROCKET SYSTEMS it is based on a wheeled platform it is easier to deploy and can be carried inside a C-130 Hercules aircraft.

The Russian BM-21 122mm (40-round) ARS is mounted on a 6 x 6 cross-country chassis and this is still widely used with a number of countries either making it under licence or producing similar systems on a local chassis.

The original 122mm rocket had a maximum range of just over 20 km but a number of contractors are now marketing rockets with a much long range and new warheads. NORINCO is now marketing rockets with ranges of 30 and 40km and different warheads.

While this article concentrates on the weapon, a number of countries are now placing increased emphasis on fielding new types of ammunition (projectile, charge and fuze).

This includes increased emphasis on improving accuracy which means that less rounds are required to neutralise the target which in turn will lead to a significant reduction in logistics.

Increased emphasis is also being placed

The German Army, for example deploys the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann 155 mm/52 calibre PzH 2000 SP artillery system with a total of 185 units delivered Š KMW

on target acquisition and fire control systems. Targets can be located by a variety of systems including aerial assets such as unmanned aerial vehicles providing a real time capability.

Forward observers are today provided with day/thermal observation systems that enable targets to be located and identified at longer ranges and under almost all weather conditions.

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Communic xtending communications down to the individual soldier, enables those questions to be answered with a high degree of confidence.

Radios, or more properly communications systems tasked with delivering those goals cover a range of capabilities; complex offerings providing simultaneous voice, position alert reporting and data services and other simpler solutions confining themselves to simple voice only communications have both found their adherents on the front-line.

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Personal radios

The bedrock of the transformation of soldier communications lies in the advent of the personal radio; a communications device sufficiently light weight and low cost that they could be issued to each soldier without noticeable penalty. Although they have rela-

tively short range, typically limited to several hundred metres this is sufficient to link members of the section and squad, with some systems having the range to also link low level leaders to the company headquarters level.

Achieving those links is typically undertaken by point to point links, although the advent of ad hoc communications; routing signals through multiple radios can overcome line of sight and range limitations, is overcoming some challenges, voice latency is an issue.

The voice-only Selex Communications 2.4GHz Personal Role Radio (PRR) and the company’s EZPRR, which adds a data capability and AES 128 encryption to the design, have sold over 350,000 to 40 countries, a recent addition being Finland, with the radios also equipping many of the militaries operating in Afghanistan today. With a range of up to 800m in clear and three floors of 300m in urban terrain, every PRR is interoperable and links can also be achieved with EZPPRs in specific modes. By operating at 2.4GHz at 50mW, both radios can be switched on anywhere in the world without the need for regulation or permission.

Additional solutions, based on the PRR have been developed to enhance system capabilities. The Fixed Base Force Protection System extends the range of a PRR and Under the JTRS programme, General Dynamics and Thales are completing development of the AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio which will provide MANET communications for every frontline US combatant © AJB

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Thales F@stnet-Twin provides simultaneous VHF and UHF channels with an integrated BMS display © AJB

EZPRR from the command post out to roughly 2.5Km via up to four rebroadcast stations linking the command post with forward operating bases, helipads or nearby patrols outside the wire.

Selex have developed the Soldier System Radio Plus (SSR+), which is in service with Singapore and Peru as well as two NATO members with over 5000 having been sold. It offers longer range out to 2Km in clear terrain and has a dual network capability. A recent feature relevant to a number of Asian countries is a new ‘jungle’ antenna for the SSR+, which reduces the antenna from 45cm to just 9cm with less than five percent reduction in range.

The launch customers for the 350450MHz Harris RF-7800S Secure Personal Radio were Norway and Brunei, the former using it as it standard radio for its soldiers in Afghanistan. Other users include Sweden and Malaysia’s Special Forces. As part of Norway’s NORMANS programme, the radio was used to validate the C4I elements of the country’s soldier modernisation solution, being able to operate and communicate in densely wooded terrain akin to jungle, working elements with a Thales C4I solution. A development of the radio, known the Leader Radio has been developed, which hosts computing power and situational awareness software within the radio and when connected to a display device can function as the basis for a soldier modernisation system.

Thales has received a number of orders for its 325-470MHz St@rmille soldier radios including production level quantities for frontline use. A MANET solution with a

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The Harris AN/PRC-152 is a standard frontline radio for US forces Š DoD

ations Military transformation means many things to many people. For the dismounted soldier, a big part of their transformation means better answers to the following questions: Where am I? Where are my friends? Where is the enemy?

by Adam Baddeley

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The Selex Communications SSR+ is standard issue on Singapore’s ACMS programme now being fielded © AJB

ITT’s 1.2 - 1.4GHz Spearnet Radio has been selected for Spain’s Comfut programme © AJB

A Harris RF Communications RF-7800S equipping Royal Malaysian Air Force PASKAU special forces at LIMA 2009 © AJB

range of 1000m in open terrain, a longer range Platoon version can reach 2km linking platoons together with data rates of 1Mbps.

Raytheon’s hand held DH500 and worn Microlight radios are part of the expansive EPLRS family allowing a common waveform to be used from headquarters, up to UAVs and down to individual soldiers. The Microlight is mandated on the US Ground Soldier System programme while the 2252,000MHz DH500 which uses commercial encryption is designed for export markets and is a bearer on Cobham’s Maritime Interdiction Operations System (MIOS), which it has

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recently sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Cobham’s Eagle Radio, also part of MIOS is a mobile ad hoc networking design used across a number of Asian militaries will add a single rechargeable battery option in the third quarter 2010, replacing six AA batteries.

Elbit’s lightweight PNR-500 has had number of customers including Spain, Poland Finland and of course Israel. The next generation of the radio family known as the PNR1000 and offering MANET connectivity is due to be launched this year.

ITT’s 1.2 - 1.4 GHz Speanet Radio has been acquired in number by Spain who has

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T deployed it to Afghanistan and has been selected as the bearer for its Comfut SMP demonstrator. It communicates over ad-hoc self-forming wireless networks to ranges of up to 6km over five hops and has a sustained data rate of 1.5Mbps.

Kongsberg’s SR600 radio, part of its WLAN family were recent used as the basis for interoperability between soldier systems in a NATO test held in Belgium in April.

Five nations were involved: Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain.

Each country brought their own SA system and then linked into the SR600, referred to as the ‘loan radio’. Connecting to the SA systems via standard Ethernet ports, seven standard messages were sent using the MIP standard and although interoperable voice was not part of the concept, this feature was proven during the test. The SR600 was Switzerland’s’ selection for its IMESS SMP, lead by EADS and Sagem.

Traditional ways of ensuring that troops remain in contact with vehicle crew; a phone in the back of the vehicle are insufficient.

Kongsberg’s SR600 radio, part of its WLAN family were recent used as the basis for interoperability between soldier systems in a NATO test held in Belgium in April

Northrop Grumman offers a means of extending data from the vehicle to dismounted soldiers via its SRB at 2.4GHz and 9Ghz to a worn radio provided by Rajant, designed to create a low frame link over up to 10km although in testing a tactical application for the Australian Defence Force, ranges of 1820Km over desert were achieved.

VHF hand helds

While individual radios can effectively connect each soldier, there are security issues with how to link into higher level networks and for the foreseeable future these links will in part or in their entirety be provided by Combat Net Radios (CNR), an area in which

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there is considerable work going on to raise performance while reducing size, weight and power to better meet soldier needs.

Two of the newest hand held CNRs on the market are the Thales F@stnet-Twin and Selex’s SWave Multiband Multimode radios.

Both are SDRs. The French radio is based around the PR4G F@stnet of which over 250,000 have been sold in 35 countries. The Twin is made up of two radios; the PR4G F@stnet VHF and St@rmille UHF soldier radios combined in a single device providing two independent channels, allowing simultaneous integration into UHF and VHF radio nets. The twin also embeds a screen in the upper portion of the radio on which graphical situational awareness information can be presented. The radio has embedded GPS and power output of up top 5W, with standard interfaces to support BMS while weighing less than 1Kg without battery.

In addition to narrowband communications out to 5Km, Selex’s SWave adds the Soldier Broadband Waveform a 225-512MHz UHF TDMA MANET waveform supporting

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the Bowman programme which reduces it weight by over 1Kg and other improved features such as a new battery and turns it into a more conventional hand held format.

Headsets

The Selex PRR and now EZPRR is standard issue for UK forces in Afghanistan and is in service with over 30 countries © Selex Communications

networks of up to 50 users with an over the air data rates of 2MBbps and a range of 2km.

Using the Software Communications Architecture, additional legacy waveform have been added. The SWave combines both AES256 encryption and frequency hopping amongst its Trasnsec features.

Harris’ RF-7800V-HH, a new hand held VHF SDR launched in February 2009 has been adopted by a number of countries, including in Asia. Harris believe that the performance of the hand held radio which supports up to 10W of operation, embedded GPS, beats the performance of the 20W RF5800VMP Falcon II manpack, achieving voice ranges of 15km in jungle with body worn antenna but is a fifth of the size and weight of a manpack. In terms of waveforms it hosts legacy solutions from the VHF capable Falcon II, ensuring backwards interoperability.

However additional new waveforms have also been added, including an IP Data waveform capable of supporting up to 192Kbps of over the air, data in a 75Khz channel – stitching together three normal CNR channels to do so. A fixed frequency solution, it allows 20 users to share a contention based network. A further waveform, known as BMS is introduced for high density users sending streaming SA data. This waveform is a TDMA design allowing up to 64 users to send bursts of data every 5-6 seconds in a narrowband frequency hopping ad-hoc network. Voice can be added but that reduces network users to 48. Harris’ TacChat application is also

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embedded in the radio, allowing tactical internet messaging via the radios front panel in a similar to mobile phones with contact lists, send and receive fields and text to and from other radios and LAN users in an HQ, eliminating cabling and the need for another IT device which saves weight.

Elbit Systems Land and C4I – Tadiran’s offering in the hand held world are the PRC710 VHF and PRC-710MB V/UHF radios, the latter weighing less than 800g.

Thales’ AN/PRC-148 JEM and Harris’ AN/PRC-152 dominate the hand held CNR market in the US. Both are in service with forces in a number of countries with Australia having operating the MBITR for some time and recently announcing its acquisition of the AN/PRC-152 as part of a package of communications to support dismounted C4I. The DoD is currently limbering up to acquire up to 197,500 of these radios over the next five years in the Consolidated Single-Channel Handheld Radio programme, replacing an earlier, similar contract in which $2.7billion was spent on the radios. A recent addition to Harris’ product line is the RF-310H radio designed to be interoperable with the AN/PRC-152 radio through Type 1 Suite B encryption with the RF-310H having non Crypto Controlled Item components, allowing the radio to be issued to a wider set of countries who don’t have access to Type 1 radio while still maintaining compatibility with US forces.

ITT have recently completed work on their proposed upgrade to the PRC-354 for

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Headsets are the final piece of the puzzle to connect the soldier. For data communications radios are fine. Voice communication requires the voice of the soldier to be ‘captured’ at one end and transmitted in real time retaining the coherence of the message to the ears of the recipients. At the same time, the headset must provide hearing protection against explosion and sustained gunfire will retaining the ability to hear what’s going on around them.

Invisio have supplied their M3 and M3S headsets to the militaries in Australia, Taiwan, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The company’s new X50 module optimised for dismounted soldiers is now being trialled in the region work with X5 and X6 headset.

Selex’s latest offering is the In The Ear headset which can be directly integrated with the PRR and EZPRR’s with negligible power drain. With the addition of specific modules, any radios can use the system. The company’s CTX solution is an intelligent radio interface system which senses which radio and headset is attached to it and adapts performance accordingly with up to two radios and an intercom systems able to be connected simultaneously.

Silynx’s C4OPS has a strong following amongst the leading special forces in the region and has adopted a modular golf bag approach with the user able to mix and match advanced features according to the mission and features full-spectrum active noise reduction and ear protection, multiplatform integration as well as being immersible to up to 20m.

French firm ELNO’s bone mike technology is an integral part of the French Army’s FELIN soldier modernisation programme.

Esterline Racal Acoustics latest offering for the dismounted soldier are the new Frontier series, dual sided, lightweight, rugged, in-the-ear headsets with different variants for specific radios such as the Frontier1400 which is linked to the RF-7800S. Nacre’s QuietPro and QuietPro Plus have become a US standard being selected for the US Marine Corps and more recently mandated as the only in-ear solution of the US Army’s Ground Soldier Systems programme to replace Land Warrior.

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Combat number of highly advanced combat aircraft are currently seeking footholds in the regional market with varying degrees of success. While both Australia and India undertake high-profile aerial defence capability upgrade programmes, and countries with smaller defence budgets focus on affordable and capable Russian technologies, the mix of aircraft deployed and on order across the region is growing in diversity.

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Super Hornet

Earlier this year, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) took delivery of the first of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets, ordered in March 2007 as part of an ongoing programme to expand and upgrade the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF’s) combat aircraft fleet.

The remaining fleet is scheduled to be delivered to the RAAF by the end of 2011.

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The multi-role F/A-18E/F marks the next generation of air defence capabilities for the RAAF. The aircraft is fitted with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and is capable of performing almost every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day and night strike with precision guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.

The acquisition of the Super Hornet fleet is being expedited in order to achieve an initial operating capability by the end of 2010

The acquisition of the Super Hornet fleet is being expedited in order to achieve an initial operating capability by the end of 2010 for the fleet l

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The first RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet arrives in Australia © Boeing

for the fleet. The aircraft is being purchased under a Foreign Military Sale with the US government, and a number of RAAF specific upgrades are being made to the fleet to meet capability requirements, including an avionics upgrade that will incorporate enhancements to improve situational awareness, and radar and electronic warfare capabilities that will enable air defence tasks to be performed more effectively. Specifically, the upgrade will include full colour displays, moving map capability, secure data link, Helmet Mounted Cueing system, counter-measures dispensing system, electronic counter-measures jammer, and new radar warning receivers. Structural modifications have also been made to the fleet, including the centre barrel replacement

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Aircraft: A regional report Combat aircraft manufactures are recognising the potential within the Asia-Pacific region as armed forces increase investment in their defence capabilities and demand for increasingly sophisticated platforms and weapons systems grows. The region is quickly becoming one of the biggest importers of military products in the world, as well as developing a healthy manufacturing market as various nations focus on establishing themselves as suppliers.

by John Mulberry

Australian Super Hornets ferry across the Pacific to Australia Š Boeing

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The Super Hornet has been acquired by the ADF in order to replace the RAAF’s ageing fleet of F-111s that are being retired from service throughout 2010. The F-111 has served as the backbone of the RAAF’s strike capability for the past forty years, but the decision was taken to retire the fleet due to their increasing maintenance and operational costs. Originally it was hoped the F-111 would remain in service until the deployment of the Joint Strike Fighter 35 Lightning II (F-35), however the age of the F-111 fleet The Boeing F-15 is developing footholds in the Asia-Pacific market © Boeing

and ongoing delays with the F-35 programme required an interim replacement for the F-111 fleet to be found; the RAAF signed the contract for the Super Hornets in 2007 to fulfil this role.

Joint Strike Fighter

The F-35 has come under intense scrutiny from both the international media and defence analysts both of whom question the suitability of the aircraft for the RAAF’s longrange strike requirements. Australia is one of eight countries that have invested in the development of the F-35, but with a number of key milestones failing to be met on agreed timescales, questions have been raised over

whether there are alternative off-the-shelf aircraft that would be a better match for the RAAF’s requirements at a more palatable price.

Canberra looks determined to continue with the F-35 programme, and from what has emerged from the programme, the aircraft looks highly capable, with prime contractor Lockheed Martin calling the supersonic, highly agile fifth generation fighter the world’s most advanced multirole aircraft, with very low observable stealth, unprecedented situational awareness, and unmatched lethality and survivability. Three variants of the aircraft are being produced, the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing, the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing, and The Dassault Rafale is in contention for the IAF’s MMRCA competition © US Navy

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the F-35C carrier variant.

MMRCA

While the US Navy operates over 420 of the Super Hornet aircraft, the RAAF contract marked the first sale of the Super Hornet outside the US. Boeing has its sights set on the Asia Pacific region, with a number of countries within the area showing interest in the aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has shortlisted the aircraft for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition, along with the Lockheed Martin F-16IN, the MiG-35, the Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Saab Gripen.

The IAF’s MMRCA competition is one of the most prominent combat aircraft programmes underway in the Asia-Pacific region. The programme, launched in 2001, is being carried out in order to bring the IAF’s

squadron numbers up to target with the acquisition of 126 aircraft, and provide a stop-gap measure between the phasing out of the MiG-21 squadrons, and the completion of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2, being developed by the IAF in partnership with EADS. With the delivery of the Tejas looking increasingly unlikely before the second half of the decade, and with the introduction of the medium-heavy 4.5 generation Su-30 MKIs being carried out gradually, the

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The F-35 Lightning II A-Variant (CTOL) undergoes flight testing © JSF.mil

MMRCA competition is going to source a medium combat aircraft to ensure the airstrike capabilities of the IAF remain at sufficient levels during this period of transition and fleet integration.

Ongoing trouble with the MMRCA competition continues; over the last few weeks India’s notoriously slow defence channels have thrown up delays with the programme, with vendors notified that they will need to rebid for the contract, following delays with flight trials and bid evaluations.

The aircraft in contention for the MMRCA competition represent the body of combat aircraft currently competing for contracts within the wider Asia-Pacific.

While Dassault and Eurofighter have yet to achieve

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SUPERIORITY a sale within the region, the increasing success of sophisticated western platforms, bar the Russian MiG-35s, reveal the extent to which requirements within the region are shifting. Against a backdrop of heavy investment in aerial defence by a number of nations, the level of technology being sought by operators as they seek to enhance their air strike and defence capabilities is steadily increasing.

That said, the Russian mainstays of the combat aircraft market remain prevalent amongst the Air Forces of many regional armed forces, with the Su-30 and MiG-35 increasingly replacing ageing Su-27, MiG-21, MiG-29 and MiG-27 fleets.

The Mikoyan MiG-35 has an advantage over other aircraft in the MMRCA competition due to its compatibility with the existing IAF fleet. The aircraft comes with enhanced weapons payload able to deliver up to 12,000 lbs of ordnance with high accuracy; and the Zhuk-AE AESA radar, able to track up to 30 targets within a range of up to Russian aircraft such as the MiG-35 are growing in popularity in the region © Russian Aircraft Corporation

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The IAF’s MMRCA competition is one of the most prominent combat aircraft programmes underway in the Asia-Pacific region 160 km. Importantly, the MiG-35 also comes with full technology transfer – something Western manufacturers are more reluctant to deliver – which will inject highly desirable skills into the burgeoning Indian defence industry. The other focus of Russian technology in the region, the Sukhoi Su-30, has been ordered by both Malaysia and Indonesia in addition to the IAF fleet. India is upgrading its Su-30 fleet, 40 of which will be fitted with the Indian/Russian BrahMos missile, and plans to field an operational fleet of 280 units by 2015.

Gripen

Also seeing success within the region in the Saab Gripen, which is also being offered for the Indian MMRCA competition with a ‘freedom of choice’ full technological transfer. The aircraft, fitted with General

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Electric’s F414G engine and fully integrated avionic mission system, offers a light, agile multi-role combat aircraft capable of supercruise, enhanced range and endurance, increased payload and weapons carriage.

The naval version of the aircraft is also under consideration for the Indian Navy’s (IN’s) future fighters contract, giving the added incentive of cross-fleet commonality, which may prove attractive to the Indian defence force.

The new generation Gripen has also been selected by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for its multi-role fighter requirement. A total of 12 aircraft have been ordered to replace the RTAF’s fleet of F-5 B/E aircraft, along with two Saab Erieye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, associated equipment and services. The RTAF selected the Gripen for its true multi-role/swing capability, sophisticated avionics and weapons, and new generation flight control and communications systems.

Boeing

Also developing a foothold in the AsiaPacific market is the Boeing F-15. Singapore became the first country in the region to order the Boeing F-15SG multi-role fighter

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SUPERIORITY when 12 were ordered in 2005 for the Republic of Singapore Air Force. This was followed with a further order in 2007, bringing the total to 24, with delivery scheduled to be complete by 2011. The Singapore order marked the F-15SG out as a continuing aircraft of significant capability, despite growing competition from Rafale and Typhoon.

The F-15SG are fitted with Lockheed Martin navigation and targeting suite, including LANTRIN navigation pod with terrain following radar and forward-looking infrared, and Sniper XR EO/laser targeting pod, as well as the AAS-42 Tiger Eyes search and track system. The aircraft also features the Raytheon APG-63 (V) 3 AESA radar, and Israeli mission computer and electronic warfare system. The weapon suite includes AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-120C AMRAAM, JDAM GPS-guided bombs and the AGM-154 standoff weapon.

The latest F-15 product is the F-15 Silent Eagle, which is an upgraded and enhanced F-15 with the addition of stealth technologies. The aircraft features Raytheon AESA radar, digital flight control system, BAE’s Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS), and redesigned conformal fuel tankers (CFTs) that allow for internal weapons carriage, and can be altered for optimum fuel capacity and external weapons carriage depending on mission specifics. Internally, the F-15SE will be capable of carrying air-toair missiles such as the AIM-9 and AIM-20, and air-to-ground weapons including the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor is growing in demand amongst Air Forces within the region, due to the aircraft’s high spec and performance sophistication. The fifth generation fighter is capable of conducting simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions with what Lockheed Martin calls ‘near impunity’. The aircraft is the USAF’s most prominent air-superiority multi-mission fighter with wide mission spectrum including intelligence, reconnaissance and electronic attack.

Within the Asia-Pacific region, a number of governments are believed to have shown interest in importing the F-22. Defence analysts have widely recommended the F-22 as a far superior and cost-effective alternative to the troubled Australian F-35 programme; and among others, Japan’s ATD-X Shinshin

programme, to develop an indigenous stealth fighter has grown out of a frustration with US refusal to export their most advanced technologies, following repeated expressions of interest by Tokyo in the F-22 Raptor. Japan is now looking for foreign engines to incorporate into its prototype stealth fighter for the programme, and is understood to be studying the F-35, F-15E, as well as the Typhoon and F/A-18E/F. The F-22 highlights the fact that US interests in the Asia-Pacific continue to be mixed.

While emerging security threats in the region, including the build up of China, India

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The Su-30 equips several air forces in the region © DoD

and North Korean military pushes the requirement for US allies to field sophisticated and capable aerial defences, the desire to retain a stronghold over its own technological property remains strong. However, the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing arms importer market in the world, and with military investment in the region increasing, Russian manufacturers, who are also willing to undertake technology transfer contracts, will only continue.

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ntil the mid-1990s, Japan depended on the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) RGM-84 Harpoon. This serves aboard four Kongou class destroyers commissioned 1993-1998, 11 Hatsuyuki class destroyers delivered during the 1980s, two Yuubari class destroyers delivered in the early 1980s, two Hatakaze class destroyers delivered in the mid 1980s, the remaining operational examples of Tachikaze class and Takatsuki class destroyers, and six Abukuma class frigates delivered in 1989-1993.

By the time that the nine Murasame class destroyers commissioned in 1996-2002, the indigenous Mitsubishi Type 90 SSM-1B ASM was available for use, and this has been the weapon of choice for the Murasames and all subsequent ASM-armed classes – five Takanami class destroyers commissioned in 2003-2006, two Atago class destroyers that entered service in 2007-8, six Hayabusa class patrol craft delivered

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between 2002 and 2004, and four planned 19DD class destroyers. It is also in service on the last operational example of the PG 01 (Sparviero) class fast attack hydrofoil.

There is no submarine-launched version of the Type 90, so the UGM-84 Sub Harpoon is carried by six Harushio class submarines commissioned in the early 1990s, 11 Oyashio class submarines, the last of which was commissioned in 2008, three Souryu class submarines (total of five planned), and the last operational Yuushio class submarine.

India, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan have a fleet of modern vessels, supplemented by a significant number of older ships, some of which have had or are undergoing mid-life upgrades.

Until recently, India has opted to operate Russian ASMs. The Novator Alfa Klub (SSN-27) arms the Talwar (Project 1135.6) class frigates (three in service and three under construction), Shivalik (Project 17) class frigates (one in service, two more planned), and

Project 28 corvettes (four under construction, eight more planned). It is being retrofitted to the 10 Sindhughosh (‘Kilo’) class submarines, and is planned for the Arihant class nuclear submarines.

The Kh-35 Uran (SS-N-25 ‘Switchblade’) is in service on three Delhi class (Project 15) destroyers commissioned between 1997 and 2001, four Kora class (Project 25A) frigates commissioned between 1998 and 2004, three Brahmaputra class (Project 16A) frigates commissioned in 2000-2005, and two of the Veer (Tarantul I) class corvettes delivered in 2002.

Under an upgrade programme, the Russian/Indian BrahMos supersonic ASM is gradually replacing the obsolete Termit (SSN-2 ‘Styx’) on the five Rajput (Kashin II) class destroyers delivered in the 1980s. BrahMos will be installed on the planned Kolkata (Project 15A) class destroyers.

Although the SS-N-2 ‘Styx’ is still operational on four Khukri class (Project 25)

Pakistan to Japan:

Anti-Shipping

Missile Requirements If we ignore Russia and China, whose fleets would probably justify a major article, a total of 14 nations in the area from Pakistan to Japan operate warships armed with anti-ship missiles (ASMs). But only one of these – the Japan Naval Self-Defense Force – is in the position of having an almost all-modern fleet from which a declining number of older vessels and ASMs are being retired.

by Doug Richardson 38

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The Chinese YJ-8 (Eagle Strike) – also known as the C-801 - is aboard four Chao Phraya class frigates delivered by China in the early 1990s

frigates commissioned in 1989 – 1991, most examples are in service on older ships such as the three 1980s Godavari class (Project 16) frigates, the sole surviving Durg (Nanuchka II) (project 1234) class frigate, and on the 10 surviving Veer class corvettes from the original batch that entered Indian service between 1987 and 1995.

Harpoon Block 1C remains South Korea’s ASM of choice. It arms three Kwanggaeto Daewang (KDX-1) class destroyers commissioned in 1998-2000, six KDX-2 class destroyers commissioned in 2003-8, and the first of three planned KDX-3 class destroyers.

Harpoon was also selected for use on nine Ulsan class frigates commissioned between 1981 and 1993. It also serves on the last three operational examples from a batch of Gearing (FRAM I) class destroyers acquired from the USA in 1977-1981.

The ASM for the 3,200 ton Future Frigate (FFX), the first of which was laid down in January 2009, and the planned PKM-X class of up to 40 FAC-M has yet to be announced, but is likely to be Harpoon.

Harpoon also arms five Pae Ku class FACM that entered service in the late 1970s, and three Gumdoksuri class FAC-M that entered service from 2008 onwards (at least 11 are planned).

At least four of South Korea’s 23 Po Hang class patrol craft carry Harpoon, but most were fitted with the Aerospatiale (now MBDA) MM 38 Exocet.

Commissioned between 1984 and 1993, this class originally numbered 24, but Chon An sank after an explosion on 26 March 2010

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The most modern ASMs in Bangladeshi service are the MBDA Otomat Mk 2 on a single Modified Ulsan class frigate delivered in 2001 © MBDA

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whose cause is still under investigation.

Nine Chang Bogo (Type 209/1200) class submarines commissioned in 1993-2001 are armed with the UGM-84B Sub Harpoon.

Singapore’s six Victory class frigates commissioned in 1990-91 are each armed with eight Harpoon missiles, as are the six Formidable (Project Delta) class frigates commissioned between 2007 and 2009. A mid-life update is planned for the Victory class, but it is not known if this will involve replacing the missiles with more modern Harpoon variants.

The Sea Wolf class FAC-M were originally delivered between 1972 and 1976, and were armed with Israel Aerospace Industries Gabriel ASMs. A mid-life refit programme conducted between 1988 and 1991 replaced some of the Gabriel launchers with Harpoon

launchers, and these vessels normally carry two Gabriels and four Harpoons.

Harpoon is the main ASM used by the navy of Thailand, serving on two mid-1980s Rattanakosin class frigates, two Knox class frigates transferred in the 1990s, and two Chinese-built Naresuan class (Type 25T) frigates delivered in the mid-1990s.

However, the Chinese YJ-8 (Eagle Strike) – also known as the C-801 - is aboard four Chao Phraya class frigates delivered by China in the early 1990s, MM 38 Exocet arms three Ratcharit class FAC-M delivered in 1979-80, while three even older Prabparapak class dating back to the mid-1970s carry the Gabriel. There are no plans to retire the Prabparapak class, but a reported plan to install new missiles seems a strange investThe Boeing Harpoon missile family equips vessels operating throughout the Asia Pacific region © DoD

ment for vessels of such age.

Taiwan has traditionally armed its ships with either the Gabriel or the indigenouslydeveloped Hsiung Feng series Gabriel derivatives.

Hsiung Feng I uses radar or optical guidance, and is still in service on the ageing fleet of Hai Ou class FAC-M (which are gradually being retired), and on some of the 12 Jin Chiang class FAC-M. The remainder of the Jin Chiang class use the active radar/IR homing Hsiung Feng II. The sole surviving Allen M Sumner class (DDG) destroyer has been stripped of its Hsiung Feng I ASMs and now serves in secondary roles.

On larger ships, the Hsiung Feng I has The Styx ASM remains a potent but ageing solution in many nations’ arsenals © DoD

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been replaced by either the Hsiung Feng II or the further-improved Hsiung Feng III. These missiles are in service on eight Cheng Kung class frigates commissioned in 1993-2004 and on the elderly Gearing (Wu Chin III conversion) (Fram I) class destroyers (which are likely to be paid off as the new Kidd-class destroyers enter service).

Hsiung Feng II is installed aboard the six Kang Ding (La Fayette) class frigates commissioned in 1996-98, and on the new Kwang Hua 6 class patrol craft (a total of 30 planned). Taiwan also plans a fleet of up to eight Kuang Hua 7 frigates to replace eight existing Knox-class vessels transferred to Taiwan in 1993-99, and these are expected to be armed with Hsiung Feng II. The Knox class frigates are armed with Harpoon, as are the four Keelung (Kidd)

class destroyers transferred in 2005/6. The Lung Chiang class FAC-M were due to be armed with Harpoon, but the programme was cut back to two Hsiung Feng I armed vessels delivered about 30 years ago.

The two Hai Lung class submarines that entered service in the late 1980s are expected to receive the UGM-84L Block II version of Sub Harpoon during mid-life upgrades planned for 2010 and 2011 respectively. They

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The FASGW is one of a number of next generation systems nearing the completion of their development © MBDA

could also receive a torpedo-tube launched version of the Hsiung Feng II. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Pakistan operate older vessels that require or are already undergoing mid-life upgrades.

The most modern ASMs in Bangladeshi service are the MBDA Otomat Mk 2 on a single Modified Ulsan class frigate delivered in 2001, and the C-802, which replaced the original HY-2 (CSS-N-3 ‘Seersucker’) armament of the frigate Osman (ex-Xiangtan) during a 2007 refit.

The older missile is still in service aboard four of the five Durdharsha (Huangfen) class (Type 021) FAC-M delivered around two

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The MM 40 Block 2 is installed on Malaysia’s two mid-1980s Kasturi (Type FS 1500) class frigates, which are currently undergoing a ship life-extension programme © MBDA

decades ago. Although five Durbar (Hegu) class FAC-M delivered in 1983 and 1992 are nominally armed with the SY-1 (CSS-N-1 ‘Scrubbrush’), China’s first ‘Styx’ copy, in practice these rarely carry missiles.

Myanmar’s six Houxin class FAC are reported to be armed with YJ-8 (C-801) missiles, which could eventually be replaced by the newer C-802. The latter arms the three Anawrahta class corvettes commissioned in 2001-2005.

C-801 armament has been reported for

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four of the nine Myanmar class patrol craft built between 1991 and 2007 and three locally built 75 m corvettes whose delivery ended in 2004, but this has not been confirmed.

Malaysia’s principal ASM is the Exocet.

The MM 38 armament on the four Handalan (SPICA-M) class FAC-M commissioned in 1979 and four 1970s Perdana (La Combattante II) class FAC-M are due to be replaced by either the newer MM 40, or by the Otomat Teseo.

The only Malaysian ships fitted with the

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Otomat Teseo Mk 2 are the four Laksamana class frigates delivered in the late 1990s. MM 40 Block 2 is installed on the two mid-1980s Kasturi (Type FS 1500) class frigates, which are currently undergoing a ship life-extension programme (SLEP), and on the two Lekiu class frigates that entered service about a decade ago.

The four Kedah (Meko 100 RMN) class frigates that have entered service since 2006 with two more being planned are fitted for, but not with, the MM 40 Block 2. The missiles could be added at some future date.

Two recently-delivered Scorpene class submarines are both equipped with the SM 39 version of Exocet.

Pakistan buys most of its ASMs from the US and China, and a smaller number from France. Harpoon Block 2 arms two Jurrat class FAC-M that entered service in 2006, and two recently delivered Kaan 33 FAC-M, while the older Harpoon 1C is on three of the six Tariq (Amazon) class frigates.

The two Hashmat (Agosta 70) class SSK delivered three decades ago were modified in 1985 to carry Sub Harpoon, which is also operational on four ageing Hangor (Daphne) class SSK. However the three Khalid (Agosta 90B) class delivered between 1999 and 2008 Smaller and lighter than first-generation Russian designs such as ‘Styx’, the Raduga Kh35 has clocked up two sales in the region, being in service with India and Vietnam.

(Wikimedia Commons / Allocer)

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Developed jointly by India and Russia, the Mach 2.5+ BrahMos derivative of Russia’s 3M55 Oniks/Yakhont (SS-N-26) could prove attractive to users opting the deploy a supersonic replacement for their current subsonic missiles. (Indian MoD)

use the Exocet SM 39.

The C-802 (YJ-83/CSS-N-8 Saccade) seems to be the most recent Chinese weapon of choice for Pakistan, and is in service on two Jalalat class FAC-M commissioned in the late 1990s, and on two recently commissioned Sword (F-22P) class patrol craft with two more planned.

The ageing HY-2 is the oldest Chinese ASM in Pakistani service and probably serves on the final remaining mid-1980s Huangfen class FAC-M. Four Haibat (Hegu) class FAC-M in service since 1981 have the SY-1.

The navies of Indonesia, North Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam have few modern warships and ASMs, and face a major blockobsolescence problem.

Four Todak (PB 57) class patrol craft entered service with the Indonesian Navy between 2000 and 2004, but it is not clear if all have fitted with their planned C-802 (YJ82) missile armament. Three Steregushchiy (Project 20382) class frigates are planned.

Their armament will presumably include Kh-35 missiles.

The remaining ASM-equipped warships face obsolescence problems. Three Fatahillah class frigates and four Dagger class FAC-M have been in service for the last three

decades. All are equipped with MM 38 Exocet. These missiles have reached the end of their official service life, but demonstration firings were conducted in 2002 to validate a local-devised life-extension programme.

Between 1988 and 1990, six Ahmad Yani (Van Speijk) class were transferred from the Netherlands. These are equipped to carry Harpoon, but the operational status of these missiles is not known. They could be life-expired.

North Korea’s main ASM is the SS-N-2 ‘Styx’ and its Chinese-built equivalent, the SY-1. The SS-N-2 serves aboard 12 remaining Osa class FAC-M originally acquired in 1968 (with a second batch supplied between 1972 and 1983), on 10 Soju class FAC-M (enlarged Osa-class craft manufactured between 1981 and 1996), and some of the 136 Kongbang class hovercraft.

Some of the ageing 12 Komar & Sohung

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class (Project 183) FAC-M have the SS-N-2A Styx; others carry the SY-1. The latter missile is fitted to some of the six Chong-Ju class large patrol craft built between 1975 and 1989, but the operational status of two Najin class frigates built in the early 1970s and fitted with SY-1 ASMs in the mid-1980s remains questionable.

When the first Soho-class frigate entered service in the early 1980s, it was armed with the CSS-N-2, but the expected five follow-on vessels did not materialise.

Sri Lanka’s sole ASM-armed warships are two 30 year old Saar 4 class FAC-M transferred from Israel in 2000. Both are armed with Gabriel II. Vietnam’s three Tarantul V class - a total of 10 are planned - are armed with the Kh-35, and two BPS 500 (Project 12418) class frigates.

The same missile will also arm the four planned Gepard (Project 11661) class frigates.

There has been no recent news of the plan to build the KBO 2000 (project 2100) class frigate, which would also carry the Kh-25.

Four Tarantul class (Project 1241RE) delivered between the mid-1990s and 2000 are armed with the SS-N-2D ‘Styx’, but the eight ‘Styx’-armed Osa II (Project 205) class delivered in 1979-1981 are probably no longer fully operational.

Cambodia and the Philippines have no ASM-equipped ships and are unlikely to operate such warships in the immediate future.

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European Defence Aerospace

Cooperation in

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The Asia-Pacific defence aerospace sector has traditionally been the preserve of the US, with nations like Australia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea being longstanding users of American aircraft. American dominance still remains, especially with the Joint Strike Fighter expected to corner a large segment of the fighter market in coming years.

by Gordon Arthur

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uropean companies are now tapping into Asia’s appetite for military fixed-wing and rotarywinged aircraft, and they have been making inroads into American ascendancy. Europe is doing so via aircraft sales, by supporting Asian indigenous programmes, and by supplying components such as engines or avionics. This article examines key partnerships between European aerospace companies and AsiaPacific militaries.

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European challenges and advantages

The Pentagon-instigated debacle over a new air-to-air refuelling fleet for the USAF illustrates the obstacles European companies face. The US is experienced in tilting the scales in favour of domestic giants like Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, and it is not easy for Europe to break into markets traditionally monopolised by the USA. The US sells military hardware worth € 5.5 billion to Europe annually, but sales in the other direction amount to just € 2.2 billion. Incidentally, Taiwan is mostly “off limits” for European defence companies, as few are brave enough to risk the threat of Chinese boycotts. No European manufacturer has sold combat aircraft since Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighters were purchased in the 1990s. Taiwan thus remains an

One of the first Tiger ARH craft to be delivered to the Australian Army is seen at Robertson Barracks in Darwin © Gordon Arthur

uncontested American market.

Advantages that European companies offer are more generous transfers of technology (TOT) and more equitable partnerships than partisan American ones. Europe’s perceived non-aligned status is seen as a plus by some countries. For instance, Thailand opted for Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen and 340 Erieye AEW&C aircraft that came with magnani-

mous industrial offsets and technological cooperation, factors that are important to a developing Asian country. Furthermore, Saab recently announced a joint venture with Thailand’s Avia Satcom to develop national tactical datalinks for the Gripen. Such farreaching cooperation is in sharp contrast to the US, which instead has a tendency to impose sanctions on countries that upset it.

India ordered 66 Hawk Mk.132 trainers from BAE Systems, with 24 being imported and the remainder to be built in India © Andrei Chang/Gordon Arthur

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Powered by Turbomeca engines, a pair of Dhruv helicopters passes over Delhi during the annual Republic Day Parade © Gordon Arthur

Both Indonesia and Pakistan have suffered political sanctions in the past, such behaviour meaning some countries are cautious about purchasing American hardware. Like Thailand, Pakistan opted for the Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C. Europe is able to offer a broad spectrum of high-tech aerospace upgrades, this being an important industrial sector since military aircraft need regular capability enhancements.

For example, India is upgrading 63 MiG-29s with Thales TSB 2500 Identification Friendor-Foe (IFF) Combined Interrogator and Transponder and cryptographic computer systems that will permit them to interoperate with Western military aircraft.

High-profile programmes

India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme seeking 126 new fighters is gaining enormous attention. The Indian Air Force has six contenders – Boeing F/A-18IN (USA), Dassault Rafale (France), Eurofighter Typhoon (Europe), Lockheed Martin F-16IN (USA), Mikoyan MiG-35 (Russia) and Saab JAS 39 Gripen NG/IN (Sweden). All things being equal, European manufacturers have a 50/50 chance of winning the contract based solely on the number

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of contenders! The request for proposals (RFP) includes clauses on licensed production, TOT and through-life support. The first 18 off-the-shelf fighters will be supplemented by 108 assembled in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The sheer scale of the MMRCA programme means India wields considerable negotiating power, including 50 percent offsets that promise unprecedented aerospace cooperation for India. Saab’s Gripen bid guarantees open architecture, full TOT and the ability to integrate all manner of weapon systems. A Saab spokeswoman described the Gripen as “an independent choice via a non-aligned nation with unrestricted TOT.” The trusting relationship would extend to Saab sharing Gripen AESA radar source codes, something inconceivable for US companies.

EADS, meanwhile, is dangling the carrot of becoming a direct Eurofighter programme partner. Eurofighter India’s In-Country Director, Stefan Billep, stated: “The Typhoon package is backed by four European governments and four defence industries. We will help India become part of the technology.”

With 400 European companies involved in the Typhoon programme, India would gain impressive sourcing opportunities plus the

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offer of production sharing. An EADS R&D centre is being set up in Bangalore to provide effective TOT. Eurojet, the Typhoon’s enginemaker, is also proffering its expertise in developing a more powerful engine for HAL’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. French firm Snecma was helping improve the troubled indigenous Kaveri engine, but the Eurojet EJ200 could be a good solution.

Missile sales soared to $14.8 billion last year, marking an 11% year-on-year increase.

MBDA holds a 25 percent share of the global missile market (excluding China and Russia), and India is its biggest export market. Mati Hindrekus, Marketing Communications Manager, revealed MBDA is hoping the Rafale or Eurofighter gets the MMRCA nod, as missiles like the ASRAAM, Brimstone, Meteor, MICA or Storm Shadow/SCALP could be integrated.

While co-operation in India looms large in European aerospace thinking, South Korea also possesses potential. The threephase Korean Fighter (KF-X) programme will see a Korean-built fighter developed by 2020, though recent reports suggest it will not be totally indigenous. The F-15K has already won the first two phases. On 29 May 2009, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) con-

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sulted Boeing, Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin and Saab on joint development and TOT possibilities, with hopes that foreign firms could contribute up to 30 percent of development costs. Although the KF-X programme is not clearly defined yet, there are openings for European companies with up to 250 aircraft required.

EADS is proud of its A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), of which Australia has ordered five. The MRTT is also suited to South Korean and Indian requirements. Malaysia is currently the only Asian country to have signed up for Airbus Military’s A400M transport aircraft.

The A400M programme is haemorrhaging $150 million a month in cost overruns, and its protracted development has granted rival Boeing swelling C-17 sales. Didier Verner, the Defense Capability Marketing Director, revealed there was “continuing Asian interest” in the A400M, especially amongst countries operating older Hercules aircraft. EADS already has significant regional sales of smaller transport aircraft like the CN-235 to Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South

Europe is able to offer a broad spectrum of hightech aerospace upgrades, this being an important industrial sector since military aircraft need regular capability enhancements Korea and Thailand. In a particularly interesting joint venture, the EADS CASA CN235 is built by PT Dirgantara Indonesia, an Indonesian company that also license-produces Super Puma helicopters.

Turning to Italy, Alenia Aermacchi is hopeful of Asian sales for its M-346 advanced jet trainer. The M-346 is facing off against South Korea’s T-50 to meet Singapore’s requirement, with Alenia Aermacchi teaming up with local firm ST Aerospace for the bid.

Alenia Aeronautica’s C-27J is a serious contender for Australia’s DHC-4 Caribou replacement, and the fact that a C-27J was exhibited at this year’s Singapore Air Show illustrates the company’s Asian hopes. The

United Kingdom has scored successes with sales of BAE Systems Hawk jet trainers to Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.

However, BAE Systems’ relationship with India soured even before the 24th Britishbuilt aircraft was delivered. Wrangling between the two parties demonstrates the pitfalls inherent in partnerships, although HAL is still assembling another 42 Hawk Mk.132 trainers.

Helicopter opportunities

Eurocopter, an EADS subsidiary, finished 2009 as the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer. Military helicopter sales accounted for 48% of last year’s turnover. EADS is targeting the South Korean market, building upon the successful foundation of the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) programme. KAI will assemble the KUH Surion in partnership with Eurocopter, the latter having 30 percent and 20 percent stakes respectively in the development and production phases. The Surion’s maiden flight occurred on 10 March 2010, and deliveries of 245 helicopters should commence in 2012. As well as technical assistance, Eurocopter provided the Surion’s

A Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter of the Republic of China Air Force takes off during an exercise on the island state © Andrei Chang/Gordon Arthur

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transmission, rotor mast and automatic flight control system. On 18 October 2007, KAI and Eurocopter created a 50/50 joint venture to internationally market the KUH with the goal of 300 export sales over 25 years.

Another potential project is the Korean Attack Helicopter (KAH), with KAI exhibiting two scale models at last year’s Seoul Air Show. One design was a dedicated attack helicopter utilising 60 percent of KUH components; it reflects Eurocopter’s involvement in that it resembles a Tiger. South Korea is not expected to announce KAH requirements until late 2010, but around 270 are needed to replace elderly Cobras and MD500s. It will take KAI and Eurocopter six to eight years to create a working prototype.

The sheer size of Indian helicopter contracts has manufacturers salivating. The competition for 197 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters (RSH) has been narrowed down to the Eurocopter Fennec AS550 This KUH Surion built by KAI with Eurocopter’s assistance was exhibited at the Seoul Air Show in October 2009 © Gordon Arthur

C3, Kamov Ka-226 and AgustaWestland AW119. A decision should be announced in early 2011, according to Rainer Farid, Eurocopter’s South Asia Regional Sales Director. The RSH programme will involve localised production and 50 percent offsets. The subcontinent also requires up to 380 10-12-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopters (IMRH) in a co-development/coproduction project.

To help meet India’s stringent 26 percent direct foreign investment regulations, AgustaWestland created a joint venture with Tata Sons in February 2010 for final assembly of AW119 helicopters in India. The first will be delivered in 2011, with expected annual production of 30 craft. The Indian Navy’s search for 16 ship-based medium helicopters is nearing the final hurdle, with competition honed down to the European NH90 and American Sikorsky MH-60R. Referring to technological partnership in India, Mr. Farid conceded, “HAL is the only real partner possibility. It’s challenging to team up with an inexperienced company, but HAL has limited experience with helicopter production.”

This statement underscores a relevant point – European companies require competent Asian partners to work with, a factor that significantly narrows the range of candidates.

Eurocopter is willing to offer India 100 percent TOT, and it already has a Bangalore liaison office to oversee outsourcing activities such as metallic and composite work packages. HAL, which builds Fennec airframes, is already a tier one global supplier. Mr. Farid stated Eurocopter could shift half its production to India, which would be an astonishing decision if it materialises! A recent report concerning Malaysia’s “off again-on again” purchase of twelve EC725 Cougars revealed Eurocopter was negotiating pilot and ground crew training packages. This type of training contract offers business opportunities to European companies too.

The prototypical Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is based on HAL’s Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), which could yet become a significant export success. Initial operating capability is expected in December 2011, and like the ALH, it is powered by twin An Indonesian-built CN-235 of the Republic of Korea Air Force is the fruit of a joint venture between EADS CASA and PT Dirgantara Indonesia © Gordon Arthur

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Shakti engines co-developed with Turbomeca in France. The LCH will be armed with a Nexter 20mm M 621 cannon mounted in a THL 20 turret. Mati Hindrekus, MBDA Marketing Communications Manager, advised that Mistral 2 missiles and ATAM system have already been delivered for integration on an armed demonstrator. HAL and Turbomeca have long enjoyed fruitful cooperation, and joint development of the Shakti engine for high-altitude operations began in 1999. Under an Indian RFP for 22 attack helicopters issued last year, AgustaWestland is offering a customised T129.

Even Japan, which favours US aircraft, has hopped on the European bandwagon.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) is using the EC135 as a training craft, and up to 15 could be ordered.

The JMSDF also selected the AgustaWestland AW101, which Kawasaki is building under license.

Other important European rotary-winged products are the NH90 and Tiger. Australia opted for 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH). These, along with the NH90 MRH, are being assembled in Brisbane

by Australian Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS. Employing a workforce of 1,100, Australian Aerospace claims it has

A Eurofighter Typhoon in India. EADS is putting much weight on winning the MMRCA competition © Andrei Chang/Gordon Arthur

injected A$1.7 billion into the local aerospace industry. Australian Aerospace also promised 750 further jobs if the NH90 maritime variant is chosen to replace the navy’s Seahawk and Seasprite fleets. This level of local integration reveals an important difference between European and American companies, for US corporations are not prepared to set up local operations in the fashion that Eurocopter does, for example. New Zealand, too, has turned to Europe to replace ageing American helicopters like the UH-1H. New Zealand ordered eight NH90 craft in 2006, as well as five AgustaWestland AW109 craft.

UAVs

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are bolstering aerospace sales, with demand by the US military alone increasing six-fold since 2004.

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The demand for UAVs worldwide is expected to double from 2010-15. Israel and the US, rather than Europe, are the main centres of gravity for UAV technological partnership in Asia-Pacific. However, some countries like South Korea and India are vigorously pursuing indigenous UAV programmes.

Reversing the flow?

Excluding China and Japan, the two Asian countries emerging as significant aerospace players are India and South Korea. Both nations aim to boost arms exports. India is already achieving limited exports of Dhruv helicopters to countries like Ecuador, and it is firmly established in Eurocopter’s global supply chain. Meanwhile, South Korea has developed the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer with Lockheed Martin assistance.

Interestingly, as part of growing South Korean cooperation, Turkey selected the KT1 basic trainer from KAI in June 2007. This transaction sees Asian aerospace products now being exported from Asia to Europe! As the Asia-Pacific aerospace sector matures, this is something that may occur more regularly in the future.

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Asia Pacific Procurement Update Pacific Marine Batteries provide short notice technical support over the next seven years for the Collins Class battery sets. This will include the ongoing provision of an Environmental Protection Authority approved storage facility for four battery sets, with two in storage and two ready for disposal.

Under the contract, Pacific Marine Batteries will also ensure cells are kept wellconditioned using specialist equipment in anticipation of short-notice installation, and will undertake the decommissioning and disposal at the end of each battery set life.

RAAF receives first two Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft

AUSTRALIA Upgraded Light Armoured Vehicles for Australia

The Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) upgrade has been granted second pass approval by the government. The upgrade, announced by the Australian Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, will enhance the combat protection levels of the ASLAVs deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations since 2004.

The upgrade is part of LAND 112 Phase 4 – ASLAV Enhancement, and will cost an estimated A$302.8 million. The plans will see the ASLAV receive enhanced armoured protection against a wider range of threats including Improvised Explosive Devices through the improvement of ballistic, fragmentation and blast protection capabilities.

113 upgraded vehicles are to be delivered starting in April 2012, with the government currently considering options for significant expedition of the programme to get the upgraded vehicles into theatre more quickly.

There are also plans to improve suspension, driveline and engine during the upgrade to keep the ASLAV in top condi-

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The planned ASLAV enhancement programme focuses on force protection © Australian DoD

tion for the remainder of its service life. Premodification and refurbishment work, including the installation of upgrade kits and the redesign and manufacturing of mine blast belly plates will be carried out by General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia in South Australia.

RAN Collins Class submarines to receive Pacific Marine Batteries battery sets

Pacific Marine Batteries of Australia has received a contract to provide replacement batteries and technical support of batteries for the RAN’s Collins Class Submarines.

Greg Combet of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) made the announcement following a visit to the company’s facilities in Adelaide. The Acquisition contract, worth an approximate A$81 million, will see the provision of five Collins Class submarines battery sets over the next six years.

The Standing Offer contract will see ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

The first two Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft have been received by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at RAAF Base Williamtown in Newcastle by Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, Greg Combet.

The Wedgetail aircraft delivery comes more than a decade after the programme was initiated, with the project suffering scheduling delays, and requiring intensive effort from the government to get the programme back on track.

The aircraft are the first two of six units that will be delivered under the programme, and will bring a major boost to the ADF’s surveillance capabilities. Each Wedgetail aircraft is capable of covering a four million square kilometre area on a typical 10 hour mission, and an area of 400,000 square kilometres at any one time.

The aircraft, with sophisticated mission systems and advanced radar, will be primarily tasked with air threat detection, air defence coordination, as well as supporting naval fleets, and carrying out search and rescue operations and border protection missions.

Formal training and operational capability preparation is now to be undertaken over a 12 month period by the ADF along with Boeing in order to bring the fleet up to full operational readiness.

Australia seeks purchase of Shadow UAVs

Australia has initiated the possible purchase of two RQ-7B Shadow 200 Unmanned

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Aircraft Systems (UAS) under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) with the US government.

Along with the two UAS the Australian government has requested communication equipment to include 4 Ground Control Stations, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support, at a combined estimated cost of $218 million.

If approved, the sale will greatly enhance Australia’s ongoing ground operation capabilities within Afghanistan, as well as giving the Australian Defence Force greater humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and stability operation capabilities in the AsiaPacific region.

The proposed sale will see prime contractor AAI Corporation deliver the systems in-country.

Australia reaches communications project milestone

Australia’s Joint Project 2043 High Frequency Modernisation project has reached what Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, called a ‘milestone’, with the final Fixed Network system being recently formally accepted from prime contractor, Boeing Australia.

The High Frequency Modernisation (HFMOD) programme will provide Australian armed forces with a secure command and control information exchange capability. The system is a ‘primary survivable system’, and will act as a parallel system to satellite communications.

The Modernised High Frequency Communications System consists of a network of HF radio stations, and a central network management facility located in Canberra. When complete the project will significantly modernise and enhance the ADF’s high frequency communications capability, and greater levels of automation.

Thales SATCOM equipment selected for AWDs

Australia’s Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs) are to be fitted with Thales satellite communication (SATCOM) equipment under a contract announced by Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, worth an approximate $9 million.

The Hobart class destroyers, the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) newest and most capable all-purpose war ships, are due to enter service with the RAN in 2013, and will provide air defences for accompanying ships, land forces, and infrastructure in coastal areas.

According to Combet, the Thales equipment will provide ‘world-wide coverage of

high-speed broadband for multiple users for both voice and data services’; giving the fleet the necessary communications system capable of meeting ‘not only the operational needs of a modern warship, but also allowing the ship’s crew to keep in touch with family and friends via email and internet services’.

The selected system will incorporate equipment from leading SATCOM suppliers including ViaSat, SITEP and Thrane & Thrane. In the interests of training and maintenance support, some of this equipment is already deployed on RAN warships.

Thales will undertake design and fabrication work in Sydney at its Garden Island facility and installation will take place at Techport Australia in Adelaide.

Australian troops to receive new body armour

The Australian Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, has announced that a new light-weight combat body armour system for soldiers will begin trials by the end of 2010 during a three day visit to Afghanistan.

The new system, called the Tiered Body Armour System (TBAS), was demonstrated by troops at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt. It is lighter than the current Modular Combat Body Armour System (MCBAS), and likely to be issued to key elements of the next rotation of Australian troops deployed to Afghanistan during ‘2011’.

MALAYSIA

Second Scorpene Submarine sails home to Malaysia

The second of two Scorpene-type submarines commissioned for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has left Toulon, France, for the two month journey home to Malaysia. The submarine will make several ports of call during the trip, and will first arrive in Malaysia in the port of Lumut, then head for its base at Kota Kinabalu on Borneo island.

Following its arrival in Malaysia the vessel, named KD Tun Razak, will undergo scheduled maintenance and tropical climate sea trials.

The first Scorpene submarine, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, arrived in the country in September 2009. The contract for the two Scorpene submarines, designed by DCNS and jointly developed

by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia, was signed between the

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The delivery of the second submarine completes Malaysia’s Scorpene acquisition © DCNS

Malaysian government and DCNS in June 2002.

The agreement included associated logistics and training, and the Malaysian government signed a further contract with DCNS earlier this year for the delivery of a training and navigation safety and combat simulator system and associated services as part of the Royal

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

Malaysian Navy’s (RMN’s) Scorpene submarine programme, enabling the RMN to enhance their training practices with the submarines.

Each Scorpene submarine has a displacement of 1,550 tonnes and a length overall of 67.5 metres. Each boat requires a crew of just 31 and has a maximum endurance of 45 days.

International Defence Exhibition & Conference

‫ﻣـﻌـــــﺮض وﻣـــــﺆﺗـﻤـﺮ اﻟـــــﺪﻓــﺎع اﻟـــــﺪوﻟــﻲ‬

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)

‫ﻣﺮﻛــــﺰ أﺑـﻮﻇﺒـــﻲ اﻟﻮﻃﻨـــﻲ ﻟﻠﻤﻌـــــﺎرض‬

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of UAE & Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Attend the 10th anniversary edition of IDEX, the largest defence and security event in the Middle East and North African region.

• • • • • •

Discover the latest advances in land, air, sea technology, systems and equipment.

Engage with over 900 manufacturers and suppliers.

Network with senior government and military officials.

Gain industry insight at the Gulf Defence Conference.

Tour visiting naval vessels and view dedicated naval exhibits.

Watch live land and on-water demonstrations.

To exhibit please contact

Register for more information at

info@idexuae.ae

www.idexuae.ae/priority

Organised by:

Asian Military Review (AMR) Trim size 213mm width x 286mm height

In association with:

REGIONAL NEWS A N D

D E V E L O P M E N T S

INDIA India to acquire Ultra Light Howitzers and new AW-101 helicopters

The Indian Army is to acquire Ultra Light Howitzers (ULHs) as per the provisions of Defence Procurement Procedure 2008.

The Indian Defence Minister, Shri AK Antony, announced the prospective procurement that is being sought via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) with the US Government. A formal request was made to the US with a Letter of Request in May 2009.

The Defence Minister also announced that the Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Agusta Westland Limited, United Kingdom, for the procurement of 12 AW-101 helicopters for VIP transportation. No other details of the contract were released.

Indian Army orders a further 124 MBT Arjun

The Indian Army is to order a new batch of 124 Main Battle Tank Arjuns following successful desert trials of the vehicle. The order follows an initial order of 124 for the indigenously built MBT Arjun.

The additional order will put to rest long persisting doubts about the Arjun, with critics suggesting the tank would not meet the tough operational requirements of the Indian Army. The tank is reported to have performed ‘superbly’ during trials, effectively driving cross-country over rugged sand dunes, detecting, observing and quickly engaging targets, accurately hitting stationary and moving targets with pin pointed accuracy.

The gestation of the Arjun MBT stretches back over 35 years to 1974 when

VIETNAM Vietnam Navy orders first ever western-built aircraft

The Vietnam Navy is to receive its first ever western-built aircraft following the finalisation of a purchase agreement with Canadian company Viking Air for the purchase of six DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft.

The contract follows a thorough procurement process including an extensive

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the government approved design and development plans for the homegrown vehicle, aiming to provide an ‘indigenous cutting edge’ to Indian Mechanised Forces.

Trials are also believed to have confirmed the Arjun’s superior fire-power, based on accurate and quick target acquisition capability during day and night in all types of weather, and shortest possible reaction time during combat engagements.

IAF’s Light Combat Helicopter takes flight

India’s long-awaited indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has undertaken its maiden flight in a display attended by the Defence Secretary RK Singh, Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal PK Barbora, Chairman HAL, Ashok Nayak and senior officials of Defence ministry and the forces at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport on 23 May. The aircraft, manufactured by HAL, is a dedicated attack helicopter with narrow fuselage and tandem seating for pilot and co-pilot, designed with low detection characteristics including reduced visual, aural, radar and infrared signatures. The aircraft features hingeless rotors and Shakti engines for enhanced manoeuvrability.

The aircraft also features chin mounted canon and helmet mounted sighting systems giving greater range of target acquisition, and advanced sensor suite including CCD Camera, Forward looking infrared imaging technology and Laser range finder.The maiden flight of the LCH marks India’s entry into the very few countries in the world capable of producing attack helicopters.

evaluation and configuration phase and several years of collaboration between the Vietnamese Navy, the GAET Company from the Ministry of Defence, Viking, and its local representative, Canam Active Enterprises Inc. The DHC-6 Twin Otter fleet will form the initial fixed-wing aircraft air wing of the Vietnam Navy, and three of the aircraft will be designated ‘Guardian 400’ mar-

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

NEW ZEALAND New Zealand accepts HMNZS Wellington into Navy

The Royal New Zealand Navy has formally accepted the seventh and final Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS Wellington commissioned under Project Protector in a ceremony in Melbourne.

The vessel was received by Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Tony Parr and Ministry of Defence Project Director Gary Collier. The delivery marked a new phase of the Royal New Zealand Navy, with the full Project Protector fleet now complete, boosting New Zealand’s offshore patrol capabilities including delivering the full range of operations from combat and security missions to peacekeeping, border patrol and humanitarian and disaster relief.

Along with sister ship Otago, HMNZS Wellington will perform Exclusive Economic Zone patrols, surveillance and military operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and the Pacific, with their helicopter capability, sea-boats and embarked forces.

HMNZS Wellington and Otago are OPVs capable of extending the reach of the Navy’s Inshore Patrol Vessels, able to go undertake missions further offshore, for longer duration, conducting patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand’s maritime areas.

The vessels feature strengthened hulls capable of enduring the icy conditions of southern waters, and carry a Seasprite SH2G helicopter for helicopter operations, and Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats for boarding operations.

HMNZS Wellington will now undergo safety and operational preparations in advance of her delivery voyage to New Zealand.

itime patrol variants, equipped for amphibious operations, carrying out transport, resupply, maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations throughout Vietnam’s 3400 km coastline and coastal regions.

With convertible interiors, the remaining three aircraft will be configured for VIP, commuter and utility operations. The aircraft will be delivered between 2012 and 2014.

REGIONAL NEWS A N D

D E V E L O P M E N T S

The USS McInerney in USN service © DoD

PAKISTAN Pakistan Air Force poised for F-16 fleet upgrade

Pakistan is a step closer to its long-awaited F-16 fleet upgrade, following the graduation ceremony of eight Pakistani air force pilots from the international F-16 training unit with the Arizona Air National Guard in the United States.

The pilot training is a vital component of Pakistan’s preparation for the arrival of the first batch of four F-16 aircraft scheduled for delivery June 26 at Shahbaz Air Base in Pakistan.

The Block 52 versions of the multi-role fighter will bring a much-needed upgrade to the existing 30 year old A-model Pakistani fleet. The new aircraft brings a significant increase in capabilities, including night operations and the ability to enhance the use of precision munitions.

The existing F-16 fleet will undergo a mid-life upgrade in 2011, following the completion of delivery of the new fleet, which will be staggered throughout the remainder of 2010. When upgraded the original fleet will feature upgraded cockpit and avionics, bringing them up to F-16C/D standards.

The Pakistani pilots have spent 10 months in upgrade training on the newer C/D model aircraft, including two months at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and seven months in flight training at Tucson International Airport. As the C/D-models used for training in Arizona are Block 25 F-

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16s, the pilots will now undergo two weeks of additional Block 52 instruction before returning to Pakistan.

equipment. The crew will sail the ship back to Karachi, Pakistan accompanied by the VSE Transfer Assistance Team.

Pakistan Navy to acquire USS McInerney

Pakistan Army receives Bell 412 EP Helicopters

The Pakistan Navy is to take delivery of USS McInerney after its planned decommission from the US Navy this summer, following a meeting between the Pakistan and US Navies hosted by VSE Corporation, the global engineering, industrial and logistics group.

The agreement was finalised with a letter of Offer and Acceptance, signed by Pakistan Navy Captain Abdul Rehman, Attache for Defense Procurement (Air Force/Navy) and accepted by Naval Sea Systems Command representative, US Navy Captain Chris Pietras.

Under the agreement, the VSE’s Naval Ship Transfer and Repair team will undertake a shipyard industrial availability contract to make ship repairs to upgrade and extend the service life of USS McInerney, as well as providing maintenance and operational training for the Pakistani crew. Initial training will be carried out by the US Navy until the ship is officially transferred to the Pakistan Navy in late August.

Following the transfer, VSW Ship Training and Assistance Team (STAT) will conduct underway training for the crew, and US Navy Afloat Training Group will carry out a final evaluation of the Pakistani crew’s ability to operate the ship and all its

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

Pakistan has taken delivery of two Bell 412 EP helicopters from the US government in a signing ceremony at Qasim Army Air Base near Rawalpindi, Pakistan, attended

by US Army Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata and Indian Army Brig. Gen. Tippu Karim, 101 Army Aviation commander.

The enhanced-performance utility transport helicopters will bring new power to Pakistan’s counterinsurgency efforts. The US will also provide associated spare parts, special tools andother supporting equipment, at a combined cost of $20 million.

The US has taken great strides in recent years to support Pakistan’s interests, and develop a long-term strategic partnership with the country, to the tune of more than $4 billion. Specifically, assistance for national defence enhancement has included 14 F-16 fighter aircraft, 10 Mi-17 helicopters, more than 450 vehicles for Pakistan's Frontier Corps, hundreds of night vision goggles, day/night scopes, radios, and thousands of protective vests and first-aid items for Pakistan's security forces.

The US has also provided civilian and humanitarian support to the country in the form of medical aid, food distribution, and vital infrastructure reconstruction and development.

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