Asian Military Review - September/October 2011 by Asian Military Review

VOLUME 19/ISSUE 6

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Contents SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME 19 / ISSUE 6

South Korea: Capability Expansion Gordon Arthur In recent months North Korea has repeatedly performed the unthinkable, underscoring its unpredictability. As Kim Jong-un prepares to succeed his despotic father, South Korea has little choice but to increase defence spending and expand its military capabilities

Front Cover Photo: France stood up its second Dassault Rafale-M squadron this Summer and the first to operate the multi-role F3 variant, which will operate from the Charles de Gaulle. In the Asia-Pacific the Rafale is competing for India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition, Koreas next-generation fighter or FX programme as well as Malaysia’s multi-role combat aircraft requirement © Dassault

Light Armoured Vehicles: A Dominant Force in the Region Adam Baddeley Most if not all armed forces intend to or have already added Light Armoured Vehicles to their inventories, willing to accept for the most part, lower levels of armoured protection and firepower compared to the tracked vehicles they replace or supplement

14 20 Asian-Pacific: Tactical Airborne ISR Martin Streetly Many of the region’s nations have pressing overland Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance requirements that are as important as their maritime reconnaissance needs and in view of the local terrain, frequently best met by airborne capabilities

Future Air Power in the Asia-Pacific John Mulberry The coming decade will see great changes taking shape in the combat aircraft fleets fielded by armed forces within the Asia-Pacific region. There is a distinct shift toward platforms with multi-role capabilities as governments seek the best possible value

Frigate and Destroyers: The Asia-Pacific’s Principal Surface Combatants

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Naval Weapon Systems: Asia-Pacific Requirements and Solutions Ted Hooton Naval gunnery, missiles, mines and torpedoes are each contributing to the capabilities of naval vessels demonstrating yet again the versatility of warships and the variety of weapons they can deploy

AMR Regional UAV Directory Adam Baddeley The Asia-Pacific’s UAV ranks are swelling thanks to a combination of international acquisitions are well as an increasing vigorous and innovative domestic production and development base

Tom Withington Frigates and destroyers represent self-contained fighting units that can play an important part in enhancing the maritime power of a nation with the lines which classify both vessels becoming increasingly blurred

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ere we go again. North Korea has said that it is eager to recommence six-party talks on its nuclear programme, “at an early date” and “without preconditions”. These talks, which were intended to exchange energy and economic aid for an end to the country’s nuclear programme, originally collapsed after Pyongyang stormed out in 2009. Just to reinforce the strange world that Pyongyang inhabits, when the talks ended, North Korea decided that was the time to carry out a second nuclear test. Bizarrely or perhaps as expected for North Korea, in a recent statement it ambiguously stated that its desire for the talks to restart remains, “unchanged”.

To be fair it has been wooing key members of the talks, meeting US officials in New York and taking the opportunity of a security summit in Indonesia to meet with South Korean counterparts. Just to reinforce how committed North Korea is to peace, let us review the past few months. In March last year the Cheonan was sunk with the loss of 46 lives, in November of that year the North announced that it had a functioning facility to provide weapons grade enriched uranium and in January, in a move no doubt designed to further open the way for rapprochement, it bombarded Yeonpyeong Island inflicting another four dead.

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Editorial

North Korea’s openness to talks has been described as a new “go phase” – but going where exactly? Seoul had said that things can’t progress until all activities at North Korea’s nuclear complexes are ended and this is verified by on site UN inspections. Doesn’t sound likely does it? Would Pyongyang really give up its nuclear card simply in return for economic aid and diplomatic normality? How much room for economic and security concessions to a communist regime does Barack Obama have with an election next year against an unusually hawkish Republican opponent? Does China really want to change the status quo?

It is with some irony that the news came out on the same day as North Korea’s Arirang show took place. This extravaganza consists of hundreds of young North Koreans in displays of synchronised dance and acrobatics taking place over extended periods of time. Pyongyang is resuming its often deft, often murderously violent dance with the outside world and despite past experience it seems to have no lack of partners for this latest soiree.

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Editor: Adam Baddeley E-mail: adam@baddeley.net

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ARMO UR ED FIGHTING VEHICLES

Light

Armoured Vehicles Most if not all armed forces intend to or have already added wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) or Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) to their inventories. They are also taking up an ever larger proportion of countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; total AFV holdings, the Netherlands for example mothballed its two remaining Leopard 2 battalions in May, a total of eighty tanks, in favour of freeing up funds for rapidly deployable forces.

by Adam Baddeley

ILITARIES are taking advantage of the greater strategic mobility and reduced operating and support costs these vehicles provide, while willing to accept for the most part, lower levels of armoured protection and firepower compared to the tracked vehicles they replace or supplement. Despite any differences between wheeled and tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), the core capability the two offer remains very similar, each carrying a section of infantry to the forward edge of the battle and protecting them from blast, shell splinters, small arms and cannon fire as well as engaging and destroying the sources of

M A new offering this year has been the Mbombe 6x6 vehicle developed jointly between the Paramount Group and the International Golden Group ÂŠ Paramount

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ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES

The Spike LR is integrated on the Pandur IFVs operted by the Czech Republic Army © Rafael

many of those threats with their main armament, continuing to support their infantry after they debus. As well as providing kinetic and mobility support, the vehicles will also access key battlefield information via a force wide battle management system and host and provide access to more powerful communications equipment than can be carried by their infantry section as well as operating powerful ISR devices and capabilities which enhance battlefield effectiveness.

Recent Developments

Sweden is the latest country to announce the selection of the Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) for its military, in this case

for the Armoured Wheeled Vehicles (AWV) programme covering 113 vehicles due to be delivered by 2014 in a $360m contract. One recent issue has been the 135 AMVs ordered by Slovenia in 2006 for $395 million, the order for which was cancelled by the government in March of this year following investigations over improprieties in the bid-

The US recently fielded the newly designed Stryker Double-V Hull vehicle to Afghanistan, designed to provide MRAP equivalent protection l

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

ding process. The AMV is also being bid for Spain’s Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) contract with Patria teamed with Lockheed Martin. Germany’s 292 Jagerbattalion was in March the first unit to receive its ARTEC Boxer AFVs ready for deployment to Afghanistan in August. The Boxer is equipped with a Remote Weapon Station and able to carry seven fully equipped infantry. The Netherlands is the second operator of the vehicle. The first 26 BTR4s from the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau to reach Iraq began arriving in April following an award for 420 vehicles made in 2009. The first order comprised 20 armored personnel carriers, four

ARMO UR ED FIGHTING VEHICLES

Sweden has ordered 113 Patria AMVs for its Armoured Wheeled Vehicles programme to be delivered by 2014 in a $360m contract © AMV

command and two medical evacuation vehicles. A further 62 vehicles will be sent by the end of the year. Utilising a ‘Western’ configuration, the driver and commander are in a compartment at the front of the hull with the engine and transmission compartment in the middle with the troop compartment at the rear. The design is seen as being more reconfigurable for mission packages with variants of the vehicle including a 30mm cannon equipped turret up to the MOP-4K fire support vehicle armed with a 120mm gun. In April, Textron Systems also announced a $64m order for 37 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV) and 51 M1200 Armored Knight vehicles to be delivered to the US. In the past five and a half years, Textron has delivered a total of 2,777 ASVs and 314

Armored Knight vehicles to the US Army. One of the biggest international orders in 2011 has been the June announcement that Afghanistan is to acquire 440 vehicles from Textron Marine & Land Systems’ Medium Armored Security Vehicles family across nine variants. The first 240 vehicles are planned to arrive by June 2012. The value of the contract is $543 million. Iveco’s Guarani 6x6 APC, known as the Viatura Blindada de Transporte de Tropas Média sobre Rodas (VBTP-MR) or Wheeled Medium APC (Basic Platform), developed

The existing mainstay of France’s wheeled fleet is the VAB which will continue to be used under the French Army’s Scorpion programme until 2025 l

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for the Brazilian Armed forces to replace the EE-9 Cascavel and EE-11 Urutu was publicly unveiled at LAAD 2011. The first sixteen vehicles of the $3.3 billion contract for 2,044 which was signed in 2010, are now being built with the prototype undergoing testing at the Army’s centre at Marambaia. Like the VBCI, the VBTP-MR will operate as the Army’s primary IFV working with the Leopard 1A5 MBT. Elbit is providing their UT30 BR 30mm Unmanned Turrets for the vehicle under a $260m deal announced in January 2010. Brazil’s Marine Corps is also a customer for the General Dynamics European Land Systems Piranha IIIC 8x8 vehicles with 18 ordered, comprising 14 personnel carriers, two command post vehicles, one recovery vehicle and one ambulance variant. Additional orders are being discussed. The latest Piranha version is the Piranha V, an 8x8 design with an internal volume of 14.5

ARMO UR ED FIGHTING VEHICLES

m3 (by example the VBCI’s internal volume of 13m3 and that of the Boxer is 14m3 ) protected by all-welded steel armour with appliqué composite armour and hydro pneumatic suspension with subsystems interconnected within the vehicle via an advanced electronic architecture. An amphibious version of the

Malaysia has opted to work with the BAE Systems Land & Armaments / Nurol joint venture FNSS for the design, development & manufacture of the DEFTECH AV-8

Piranha V is currently being trialed. The most numerous Piranha is the US Army’s Stryker variant with the baseline, Piranha III derived M1126 Stryker ICV being the most fielded version. The US recently fielded the newly designed Stryker Double-V Hull (SDVH) vehicle to Afghanistan, designed to provide MRAP

equivalent protection and which adds over 2000Kg to the design. The vehicles will be used to assess the utility of the design against IED threats and understand the implications of the added weight to feed into plans to improve the Stryker fleet. New LAVs are being acquired by the USMC with in August last year contracts for 24 8x8 Light Armored Vehicles (LAV-A2) for use in mixture of roles and configurations were let with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and will be delivered in April next year. The order took total LAV-A2 vehicles ordered by the Corps since 2007 to 207. The Marines are continuing to improve the survivability of the original LAVs with 403 vehicles reviewing new and protected selfsealing fuel tanks and to be delivered early next year by General Dynamics Land Systems. In May, BAE Systems announced the launch of their new 4x4 Patrol Vehicle the RG-35 reconnaissance, patrol and utility (RPU) vehicle which is being used as the basis for the company’s bid for the Canadian Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle programme.

Afghanistan is acquiring 440 vehicles from Textron’s Medium Armored Security Vehicles family, similar to the US Army’s M1117 in a $543 million contract © DoD

ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES

The platforms can also be fitted with light and medium turrets. Another new offering this year has been the Mbombe 6x6 vehicle developed jointly between the Paramount Group and the International Golden Group which combines NATO STANAG protection Level 4a/b versus mines and Level 4 versus kinetic rounds to the side. The prototype was equipped with a one man 30mm turret developed in South Africa by Comenious. France ordered 630 of the all-welded aluminium VBCI to accompany their Leclerc MBTs on the battlefield and replacing the tracked AMX-10P in a €2.86 billion deal. Of the total, 520 will be IFVs, equipped with 25mm cannon, the reminder being the Command Post Vehicle. All the vehicles which are produced by Nexter Systems in association with Renault Trucks Defense which are due to be delivered by 2015. The 35th Régiment d’infanterie was the first combat unit equipped with this new armoured vehicle and they deployed two battlegroups of VBCIs to Afghanistan in 2010 where they

ARMO UR ED FIGHTING VEHICLES

France deployed two VBCI equipped battlegroups to Afghanistan in 2010 © Nexter

indigenous wheeled IFV programme the 8x8 Transportor Blindat Pentru Trupe. It has a 22-tonne gross weight and protected to STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic and Level 3a/3b mine protection protected with work contracted to local manufacturer Uzina Automecanica. Tracked vehicles need not necessarily be heavy. Brazil is currently seeking an update for roughly 150 vehicles with the improvement to its new engines, upgraded transmis-

sion, new electronic architecture, better armor protection, the solution required being equivalent to the US’ M113 A2 Mk1 which is what one competitor, the original manufacturer BAE Systems are offering via the US Foreign Military Sales programme. Germany’s KMW are working with fellow countrymen Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) are offering their own upgrade with the latter company providing the benefit of significant expertise in other M113 upgrade work.

were equipped with QinetiQ’s RPGnet. The existing mainstay of France wheeled fleet is the VAB which will continue to be used under the French Army’s Scorpion programme until 2025. In March, Renault Trucks announced that they are supplying the French Army with 80 VAB TOP vehicles with the PILARw Gun Shot Detection System for use in Afghanistan. Produced by the 01Db-Metravib Iveco’s Guarani 6x6 APC developed for Brazil’s VBTP-MR programme will Company, the PILARw will be be equipped with Elbit’s UT30 BR 30mm Unmanned Turret © Elbit Systems synchronized with the Kongsberg Protector remote weapon system and delivered by the end of the year. For those countries considering a domestic solution but deterred by the cost and risk of developing a complete system, Mercedes-Benz launched their FGA-27 chassis at IDEX in February a 6x6 design with a GVW of 27 tonnes and powered by a 428 HP engine. Romania is one of a number of countries to launch and

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Regional developments and solutions

Malaysia has opted to work with the BAE Systems Land & Armaments/Nurol joint venture FNSS for the design, development and manufacture of the DEFTECH AV-8 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle in a $559 million deal. The design is based on the in-service PARS 8x8 armoured vehicle, operated by Turkey. Malaysia has initially ordered 257 vehicles in 12 variants. The principle two vehicle variants will be equipped with a FNSS Sharpshooter turret with an ATK

ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES

M242 25 mm dual-feed cannon and turreted stabilised 30 mm GI-30 cannon respectively. FNSS are also supplying Malaysia’s tracked requirements too with 267 ADNAN Armoured Combat Vehicles. Taiwan’s 8x8 CM-32 Cloud Leopard,

developed by the Ordnance Readiness Development Centre to replace the replace ageing M113 and V-150 armoured vehicles in mechanised and other brigades has been delayed multiple times although production began earlier this year with as many as 450

In May, Singapore Technologies Kinetics’ Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle , equipped the country’s first motorised infantry battalion © Singapore MinDef

vehicles required. In May, Singapore Technologies Kinetics’ Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), equipped the country’s first motorised infantry battalion, which has also been used in an urban operations exercise by the unit at the Murai Urban Training Facility. The battalion had taken delivery of the Terrex in

Australia’s Land 400 will replace the Army’s current 350 M113AS3/4s, 257 ASLAVs and around 300 Bushmasters

July 2010 with 135 ICVs required under the initial contract. Brunei operates a single mechanised battalion acquiring 26 VABs for the purpose, with mid-term plans for their replacement. The long serving Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) will continue to see service following a June 2010 announce-

ARMO UR ED FIGHTING VEHICLES

The US recently fielded the newly designed Stryker Double-V Hull (SDVH) vehicle to Afghanistan, designed to provide MRAP equivalent protection © DoD

ment of an upgrade to the fleet under Land 112 Phase 4 to address higher protection and improved armament. The last batch of vehicles was an order for 144 ASLAVs made in 2000 taking total numbers to 257. Australia’s Land 400 will replace the Army’s current 350 M113AS3/4s, 257 ASLAVs

and around 300 Bushmasters under Phases 2 and 3 of the programme when they are due to leave service in roughly 2020, replacing both combat, combat support and some combat service support platforms with a value of as much as A$1.5b. BAE Systems Australia has linked its CV90 MkIII Armadillo and

ATGWs are both boon and bane to LAVs While the missiles are able to defeat the relatively modest protection on this class of vehicle, the same missile, this time integrated on the LAVs themselves, are able to defeat even the heaviest MBTs with advanced warheads also capable of engaging additional threats such as dismounted tank killer groups. The Israel Defence Force has recently disclosed that the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike Non Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) electro-optical (EO) missile, known as the Tamuz has been used operationally since 2006, operated by the elite Meitar unit from M113A2 armoured personnel carriers. The missile has a range of 25km and can be operated in either direct attack mode or mid-course navigation based on target coordinates only using PBF, PBF/F, HEAT and fragmentation warheads. The Spike NLOS made its first public showing of the missile at Singapore Airshow in 2010. Other typically vehicle mounted Spike variants include the Spike-LR with a range of 4,000m and the 10km range Spike-ER. Germany has opted to use a two-missile Spike LR pod on its Puma IFV turrets. The LR has also been selected for the Italian Army’s Freccia and Dardo IFVs, Poland is integrating the LR on its Rosomak and future Anders vehicles. Other Spike LR users including Czech Pandurs and the Romanian MLI-84.

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wheeled RG41 vehicles to the requirement.

Is ‘Light Armoured’ enough?

Though designed for the tracked Warrior vehicles, the recent fielding of the 70 Warrior Theatre Entry Standard (Herrick) (TES (H)) for the British Army in Afghanistan illustrates the requirements of these and any vehicles in the theatre, light or otherwise. The $64mUrgent Operational Requirement (UOR) covered thirty changes including a flexible modular armour system, enhanced seating design and cushioning to further improve mine protection and comfort, improved driver vision system adding two periscopes for a wider field of vision and a night vision capability. Other features include increased lowspeed mobility and climbing performance enabling the vehicle to overcome difficult terrain, carbon-fibre brakes, reducing the required stopping distance, improved air conditioning and wire cutters to protect the driver, commander and equipment. Wheeled LAVs have many of the answers, but not all. Tracked AFVs are also here to stay, the US for example opting for a tracked requirement for Ground Combat Vehicle and fielded from 2018. Balance is everything.

INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE

Asian-Pacific: Tactical

Airborne In an area dominated by two of the world’s great oceans, it is easy to forget that the Asia-Pacific region is home to areas of dense jungle, inhospitable mountain ranges and flash points such as the border between the two Koreas, Islamic insurgency, the ongoing instability between India and Pakistan and disputed sovereignty over areas such as the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. As such, many of the region’s nations have pressing overland Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) requirements that are as important as their maritime reconnaissance needs and in view of the local terrain, frequently best met by airborne capabilities. by Martin Streetly

ISR

N NO particular order, the border between North and South Korea has remained a flash point ever since the 27 July 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War. In the face of ongoing North Korean belligerence, both the United States (US) and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have maintained constant surveillance of the border with the Democratic People’s Republic. A key part of such surveillance is the use of airborne platforms, with (most recently) the South Koreans attempting to bolster their own capability in the knowledge that the US military presence on the peninsula will not be in perpetuity. Accordingly, the RoK Air Force (RoKAF) operates a quartet of Hawker Beechcraft ‘Peace Krypton’ Hawker 800RA radar surveillance aircraft with which to monitor activity on the northern side of the border. Believed to be assigned to the RoKAF’s 39th Tactical Reconnaissance Group at Seongnam Air Base, the Hawker 800RA (known locally as the RC-800) entered service circa 2003/4 and is equipped with a variant of the Lockheed Martin Advanced Imaging

The RTA has procured a single example of the Aeros 40D Sky Dragon airship for internal ISR duties © Aeros

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INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE

Rafael's 'Litening' combat-proven multi-spectral airborne targeting and navigation pod, presents pilots with real-time, Forward Looking Infra-Red and Charge Coupled Device tactical imagery at all times of the day and in all weathers. Users can swap between this and the company's RecceLite multi-sensor tactical reconnaissance system, developed with Zeiss, which comprises a pod and ground exploitation station. The system allows the aircraft to manoeuvre as required while continuously collecting hi-resolution undistorted imagery © Rafael

Radar System (LAIRS). Here, LAIRS is quoted as offering swath (<19 to 185 km slant range), fixed/moving target indication surveillance (<37 to 185 km slant range) and navigation (<19 to 185 km slant range) modes and a real-time imagery display processing capability. Elsewhere, June 2011 saw Anglo-Italian contractor Selex Galileo announce that it was supplying the RoK Army with its X-band (8 to 12.5 GHz) Seaspray 7500E Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for use in a tethered ground surveillance aerostat system. In an accompanying release, Selex noted that the particular application would provide a long-range, ground moving target indicator, border surveillance capability, with the radar's AESA technology allowing it to remain potentially deployed, “for many weeks at a time”. For its part, the RoK Army aerostat architecture has been supplied by US contractor the Worldwide Aeros Corporation whose product range includes the 21 m long Aeros 21M, the 38 m long Aeros 100 and the 25 m long Aeros 1170 aerostats. Of these, both the Aeros 100 and Aeros 1170

are capable of carrying surveillance radars, with the two being capable of continuous seven to eight day operation in wind speeds of up to 25 m/s and 20 m/s respectively. Looking to the future, the RoK is also reported to be interested in acquiring the Global Hawk High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV); a potential procurement that may run into A close-up of the EO and communications intelligence payload installed aboard the prototype Akashdeep ISR aerostat © DRDO

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

problems with US export restrictions. Surveillance aerostats also form part of India’s and the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) ISR armouries. In the first instance, India is reported to have acquired two 71 m long Model 71M aerostats for border surveillance during the period 2004-5. Here (and by October 2009), these platforms had been equipped with Israeli contractor Elta Systems’ EL/M-2083 Aerostat Programmable Radar (APR) which is derived from the company’s L-band (1 to 2 GHz) EL/L-2080 ‘Green Pine’ ground-based radar. For its part, ‘Green Pine’ is billed as being capable of detecting cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and microlights being used by special forces or terrorists. According to TCOM, the Model 71M aerostat has an operating altitude with maximum payload of 4,600m and can stay aloft for up to 30 days at a time. Again as of October 2009, TCOM was expecting India to exercise options on a further four Model 71Ms, “at some point in the future”, with Indian sources suggesting that the country has a total requirement of up to 13 such aerostats with which to

INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE

India’s ADRDE undertook flight trials of its Akashdeep ISR aerostat during December 2010 © DRDO

monitor activity along its borders with Pakistan and (possibly) China. Alongside this bought-in capability, the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) element of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the indigenous Akashdeep surveillance aerostat for use by the country’s military and civil authorities. The Akashdeep Air Vehicle (AV) takes the form of a 9.8 m long envelope that is capable of lifting a multi-sensor payload to an altitude of 1,000 m (3,281 ft). Proposed payloads include Electro-Optical (EO) and communications and electronic intelligence sensors together with a surveillance radar. In terms of programmatics, the Akashdeep system is known to have been flight trialled during December 2010 at which time, delivery of an operational application was said to be imminent. Looking to the future, ADRDE is understood to be planning to field a followon system that will be capable of operating at an altitude of 5,000m and delivering a sensor range of up to 250 km. For its part, the PRC is understood to have

acquired at least one Augur/RosAeroSystems Au-21 Puma aerostat with which to monitor activity along the coast of Fujian province in south-eastern China. Here, it has been suggested that the capability was installed during 2003 and that the architecture comprises the Au-21 aerostat, a mooring platform, a ground station and an X-band NIIS/Leninets search radar that is capable of air and surface search, target tracking and Synthetic Aperture and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR/ISAR) imaging. As applied to the Au-21 AV, this radar is installed in a pressurised housing beneath the aerostat’s main envelope that also accommodates stabilisation system and communications relay equipment. The Au-21 is billed as being able to operate at altitudes of between 2,000 and 5,000 m (6,562 to 16,404 ft) for up to 25 days at a time. Elsewhere within the lighter-than-air domain, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) is known to have acquired an ISR airship in a somewhat fraught deal with US provider Aria International. Based on the 46.6 m long Aeros 40D Sky Dragon AV, this capability is reported to have been equipped with a mis-

sion suite that incorporates “cameras, recording equipment, communications equipment and long-range data transmission systems”, with specific sub-systems being identified as including the Axsys Technologies V14 MSII multi-sensor imaging system and a downlink communications package based on Troll Systems SkyLink technology. Alongside the airship and its equipment, Aria has also supplied the RTA with an associated ground mobile command and control vehicle that is based on the Grizzly armoured vehicle chassis and is reputedly improvised explosive device proof. Thailand’s Aeros 40D programme (which also includes four sensors for helicopter applications, infrastructure construction and the updating of existing Thai communications links) was launched during April 2009, with the airship being “demonstrated” to the RTA during March 2010. Thereafter, September 2010 saw the Thai press reporting that the airship had been returned to its manufacturer for repair or replacement following the discovery of “significant” leaks in its envelope. At this time, the RTA airship is understood to have com-

The Japanese Air Self-Defence Force’s 501 Squadron is equipped with a mixture of RF-4E (shown) and RF-4EJ fast-jet tactical reconnaissance aircraft © JASDF

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INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE

The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s No 128 Squadron is equipped with the Searcher unmanned aerial vehicle © Singapore MoD

pleted its third round of flight trials with the RTA’s 15th Infantry Division in the Nong Chik district of Thailand’s Pattani Province during which, it had been found to be vulnerable to ground fire at its operational altitude of 945 m (3,100 ft). Accordingly, the

vehicle’s gondola had been armoured to protect its four-man crew and at the time of the reports, the Thai Parliament was said to be investigating the programme’s cost which was being estimated at between $1.66 million to $10.8 million.

Turning back to Asian-Pacific heavier-thanair tactical ISR provision, Japan, Malayasia, Pakistan and the PRC all operate single- or twoseat fast jet aerial reconnaissance assets. In order, the Japanese capability is vested in a fleet of 12 RF-4EJ and 14 RF-4EJ Kai aircraft, with the latter being a conversion of the F-4EJ multi-role fighter. Both types are operated by the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force’s 501 Squadron based at Hyakuri. For its part, the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s No 12 Squadron at Butterworth is reported to incorporate the service’s pair of RF-5E Tigereye reconnaissance jets, while the Pakistan Air Force’s No 5 Squadron at Rafique is believed to operate a mixed inventory of 10 Mirage IIIRP and two Mirage 5DR aircraft in the tactical reconnaissance role. Last but not least, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s 2nd and 3rd Reconnaissance Air Regiments (RAR) are understood to fly approximately 10 JZ-8 and up to 30 JZ-6 reconnaissance aircraft respectively. Of the two, the 2nd RAR is based at Taihe, with the 3rd RAR being stationed at Suzhou. Alongside the described platforms, the

INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE

India’s Navy operates the multiSensor Heron unmanned aerial vehicle, a US-operated example of which is shown here © SOUTHCOM

Asia-Pacific nations are showing considerable interest in ISR UAVs, with India, Malaysia, Pakistan, the PRC, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand all currently operating such AVs. In order, India’s Army and Navy are understood to have acquired possibly as many as 70 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Searcher I and II UAVs, with the latter service also operating IAI’s Heron UAV in two mixed units alongside its Searcher AVs. Both types can be equipped with multiple sensors (with the range including EO imagers (such as Tamam’s MOSP system), SIGnal INTelligence (SIGINT) equipment (such as Elta Systems’ EL/K-7071 and EL/L-8385 equipments) and search radars such as Elta’s EL/M-2022U and EL/M2055 sensors) and India has embarked on a number of indigenous ISR UAV programmes including the Aeronautical Development Establishment’s Nishant and Ruston designs. Of these, the Nishant is a short-range tactical system that is equipped with an Israeli EO imager and is in the process of being delivered to the Indian Army. For its part, the Ruston Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) AV is designed for tri-service and civil applications and is able to carry a multiple sensor payload including EO imagers, radars and SIGINT sensors. The Malaysian ISR UAV capability is based on three leased CTRM Alliance Unmanned Developmental Research Aircraft (ALDURA)

Mk 1 systems. Locally developed, the ALDURA Mk 1 is designed for battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, can be programmed for autonomous flight, is capable of transmitting real-time video imagery and is controlled from a ground-based tactical control station. In Malay service, the ALDURA Mk 1 is operated as a border surveillance asset from (it is assumed) the naval base at Semporna on the east coast of Sabah in Borneo. Pakistan’s UAV inventory is made up of four or five Selex Galileo Falco systems, with the AVs being equipped with at least an EO imager and operated by the Pakistan Air Force. Looking east (and like India), the PRC is developing a wide range of ISR UAVs with the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ BZK-005, Chengdu Aircraft Industry’s Yilong and the Nanjing Research Institute on Simulation Technique’s W-30/W-50 series being examples. Thought to have been in limited service since 2009, the BZK-005 MALE AV features an

Asia-Pacific nations are showing considerable interest in ISR UAVs, with India, Malaysia, Pakistan, the PRC, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand all currently operating such UAVs l

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EO imager and real-time data transmission, while the Yilong MALE UAV is thought to have either completed its development or entered initial production during 2010. As well as being equipped with an EO imager and laser designator, Yilong may be capable of weaponisation in the same was as the US Predator and Reaper designs have been. For its part, the camera-equipped W-30/W-50 series is understood to have entered service with the People’s Liberation Army during 2005. Moving on, both Singapore and Sri Lanka fly the IAI Searcher UAV, with the former operating the Mk I configuration and the latter, the Mks II and III variants. Singapore’s capability is vested in the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s No 128 Squadron who fly Searcher AVs from Tengah. Elsewhere, Singapore is also understood to have ordered an unquantified number of Elbit Hermes 450 surveillance UAVs during 2007, while Sri Lanka’s Searcher inventory is vested in the Sri Lankan Air Forces No 111 Air Surveillance Squadron based at Anuradhapura. Last but not least, Thailand is reported to have acquired a Searcher Mk I and a Searcher Mk II system, with a ‘system’ comprising four AVs, a ground-control station, launch and recovery equipment, a ground data terminal and a remote video terminal. According to IAI, both systems were in service as of November 2010.

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Frigate & Dest The Asia-Pacific’s

Surface Comb B OTH TYPES of vessel offer a platform by which a multitude of missions can be performed. These include anti-submarine warfare (ASW), facilitated by advanced sonar and torpedoes; air defence, enabled by three-dimensional radar and surface-to-air (SAM) missiles; plus surface and land attack which can be performed by gun armament and Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSMs). In short, frigates and destroyers represent self-contained fighting units that can play an important part in enhancing the maritime power of a nation. The utility of such vessels has not been lost on Australia. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will replace its Adelaide class frigates from 2013. On 29th June, the Sydney Morning Herald announced that the remaining Adelaide class frigates (HMAS Darwin, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Sydney) would be sold. HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide were both scuttled in 2009 and 2011 respectively. The Adelaide ships will now be replaced by the

three Hobart class destroyers being acquired by the force. These vessels, which are based on the F100 destroyer design from Spain’s Navantia shipbuilders, will carry Lockheed Martin’s AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar and the company’s AEGIS combat system. The first example, HMAS Hobart, is expected to be delivered in late 2014, to be followed by HMAS Brisbane in 2016 and the final example, HMAS Sydney, towards the end of 2017. There is the possibility that a fourth example may be ordered although, as yet, there is no formal acquisition programme to this end. In addition, the RAN also operates eight ANZAC class frigates. Commissioned between 1996 and 2006, these ships are being upgraded via the Anti-Ship Missile Defence initiative. This adds CEA Technologies CEAFAR and CEAMOUNT phased array radar; plus new an infrared search and track system; updated navigation radar, Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon SSMs; and Raytheon RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow SAMs. Eventually, these ships will be replaced by eight new ASW frigates that the force plans to acquire. In addi-

The JDS Kurama is one of the members of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Shirane class of destroyers, and will succeed the country’s Haruna class of destroyers. The Shirane vessels were the first ships in the JMSDF to receive threedimensional surveillance radar © US Navy

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tion to Australia, the Royal New Zealand Navy also operates two ANZAC class frigates; HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana. Australia is not the only nation around the Asia-Pacific region in the market for new frigates. Bangladesh’s navy has a requirement for new ships to replace three of its vessels procured form the Royal Navy, notably the BNS Umar Farooq, BNS Abu Bakar and BNS Ali Haider. The replacement of these ships had been mooted as being via a procurement of the same number of Chinesedesigned Zulfiquar class frigates which are also being acquired by the Pakistan Navy (see below). However, the current status of this acquisition remains unclear. China itself maintains a large fleet of destroyers in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) spread across the Taizhoi, Hangzhou, Shenyang, Lanzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzen, Harbin and Zuhai classes; comprising a total of circa 30 vessels. This collection of ships was reinforced with a new destroyer which was launched in December 2010. It is not clear what type of vessel this is, although

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royers: Principal

atants

Robust definitions of surface vessels are difficult to find at the best of times. The United States Department of Defense Dictionary of Military Terms defines a frigate as, “A warship designed to operate independently, or with strike, anti-submarine warfare, or amphibious forces against submarine, air, and surface threats.” A destroyer, meanwhile, is; “a high-speed warship designed to operate offensively with strike forces, with hunter-killer groups and in support of amphibious assault operations.” The publication adds that, “Destroyers also operate defensively to screen support forces and convoys against submarine, air and surface threats.” Later entries for the guided missile-equipped variants of these ships state that they can, in terms of armament, include missiles, guns, and torpedoes; and can embark helicopters and advanced sensors such as sonar. Thus, according to the dictionary, there are no firm classifications for either ship type in terms of displacement, and it seems that the lines of what classifies a destroyer and frigate are becoming increasingly blurred.

by Tom Withington

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

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The Republic of Korea is performing a wide-ranging modernisation of its frigate and destroyer fleet. Included in this effort is the introduction of the Sejong the Great destroyers. The lead ship in this class, the ROKS Sejong the Great, is seen here © US Navy

it is thought that it could be either a ‘vanilla’, or a modified, Lanzhou class ship. The PLAN’s frigate fleet is similarly large, including circa six Zhousan, two Maanshan, twelve Jiangwei-I/-II and around 15 Jianghu-I/-II/III class ships. The Zhousan class is expected to expand, and may eventually comprise up to 26 examples. New frigates are also in the offing for the Indian Navy. Three Talwar class vessels are being constructed at the Yantar shipyard in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast. Deliveries of these ships are expected to commence by the end of 2012. Along with the

Talwar class, the Indian Navy is due to acquire a pair of Shivalik class frigates which are currently under construction. However, the force’s Nilgiri class frigates suffered a blow on 15th February this year when the INS Vindhyagiri hit the MV Nord Lake merchant vessel in Mumbai Harbour, and subsequently sank after a fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the vessel is being re-floated. In terms of destroyers, the Indian Navy is gaining three Kolkata class examples, which are modified versions of the force’s Delhi class destroyers, with the eponymous lead ship in the class expected to be commissioned in 2012. The

China itself maintains a large fleet of destroyers in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) spread across the Taizhoi, Hangzhou, Shenyang, Lanzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzen, Harbin and Zuhai classes

SSMs, which will provide a longer reach compared to the 300km BrahMos. Like India, Japan is pouring investment into its destroyer assets. The country’s maritime self defence force is a notably ‘destroyer heavy’ service operating the Kongo, Hatakaze, Tachikaze, Shirane, Haruna, Takanami, Murasame, Asagiri and Hatsuyuki class of destroyers which comprises a total of 42 ships. This number could rise further as

The INS Brahmaputra is the lead ship in the Indian Navy’s Brahamputra class of frigates. These ships are modified versions of the Indian Navy’s Godavari class of frigate © US Navy

Kolkata class’s equipment fit includes IAI/Elta EL/M-2248 active electronically-scanned array radar, along with Indo-Russian BrahMos SSMs and Barak-II SAMs; the latter of which have been jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Indian Navy and the country’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These ships will be supplemented by four ‘Project 15B’ destroyers which will use the same hull as the Kolkata class, but will be outfitted with stealth and low-observation modifications. In addition, the Project 15B ships will accommodate the DRDO’s Nirbhay 1,000km range subsonic

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The Pakistan Navy operates a total of six Tariq class frigates. One example, the PNS Khaibar, is seen here to the right of this picture. The Tariq class are ex-Royal Navy Amazon class Type-21 frigates © US Navy

Japan’s National Defence Policy Guidelines, published in December 2004, calls for the force to retain a total of 48 destroyers. The destroyer fleet is currently in a state of transition. The two Haruna class helicopter destroyers (DDH) are being replaced by the same number of Hyuga-class helicopter carriers. Moreover, a new ship, referred to as the ‘19,000t’ class destroyer will replace the two Shirane class DDHs. These vessels will support fourteen helicopters, 50 trucks and accommodate 4,000 troops. Traditionally, the design of these vessels would seem closer to that of flat-top amphibious support ships such as the Royal Navy’s HMS Ocean, or the Mistral-class platforms of France and Russia, although the DDHs remain classified as destroyers by Japan. Other new destroyer acquisitions for the maritime self defence force include a pair of 19DD class ships to commence the replacement of the force’s eleven Hatsuyuki class vessels. Currently, two 19DD class ships are being built, with construction of another pair to follow. The first replacement vessel is expected to enter service next year. South Korea is slightly ahead of Japan in terms of its destroyer revitalisation initiatives. In 2012, the country’s navy expects to receive its last Sejong the Great (KDX-3) class destroyer. Two ships, the ROKS Sejong the Great and the ROKS Yulgok Vi I, have already been commissioned into the Republic of Korea Navy. They will be followed by this third and final vessel, the ROKS Seoae Yu Seong-ryong, next year. The Navy had expected to acquire a further three vessels in the KDX-3 class, however these plans have been abandoned. Instead the force will receive six upgraded KDX-2A class ships equipped with the AEGIS combat system.

France’s DCNS shipbuilder is optimistic regarding the health of the Asia-Pacific frigate and destroyer market. The company is touting its FREMM design of multi-mission frigate as a possible answer to the requirements for new vessels which exist in the region © DCNS

These are expected to enter service by 2026. Alongside the eleven destroyers that the Republic of Korea Navy operates across the Sejong the Great, Choongmugong Yi Sun Shin and King Kwang-Gaeto classes, the force also has nine Ulsan class frigates. These ships are now being replaced by six 2,500tonne displacement frigates as part of the FFX programme, which is inducting the ROKS Inchon class frigate into Korean service. To date one ship, ROKS Inchon, has been launched as of 29th April this year. Up to 30 examples may follow, as the Inchon class also

Pakistan’s flotilla of frigates represents its only largescale surface combatants, as the force does not operate any destroyers l

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replaces the navy’s 23 Pohang class corvettes. These new ships carry Thales Smart-S Mk.2 surveillance radar, plus SSM-700K Hae Sung1 domestically-developed anti-ship missiles and Hyunmoo-3 SSMs. Pakistan’s navy has a similar sized fleet, as regards frigates, operating ten ships spread across the Tariq class (six ships), Alamgir class (one example) and the Zulfiquar class (three vessels). A fourth example of this latter class, the PNS Saif, is currently under construction in Karachi on Pakistan’s Indian Ocean coast and scheduled for delivery in 2013. The Zulfiquar class design is based on the Jiangwei-II class frigates operated by the PLAN (see above). Meanwhile, the force took delivery of a single Alamgir class ship in 2010 (formerly the USS McInerney Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate of the US Navy). Additional frigates may follow by the end of

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Some of the Republic of Korea Navy’s legacy frigates remain in service. These include the ROKS Ulsan which was commissioned into the fleet in 1981, and eight of her sisters in the Ulsan class. These ships are being replaced by the Inchon class vessels © US Navy

2012, with the Pakistan Navy expected to acquire a further three vessels. The potential origin of these vessels remains unknown, although further acquisitions of Oliver Hazard Perry class ships have been mooted, alongside the possible acquisition of Chinese Jianghai class, or German MEKO class,

frigates. Pakistan’s flotilla of frigates represents its only large-scale surface combatants, as the force does not operate any destroyers. In a similar fashion to Pakistan, Taiwan operates frigates and destroyers acquired from US Navy stocks. For example, the country’s maritime forces comprises four Chi Teh

(ex-US Navy Kidd class) destroyers, plus eight Cheng Kung class ex-Oliver Hazard Perry ships, and the same number of ex-US Navy Knox class frigates. These are reinforced by the six Kang Ting class frigates, based on France’s La Fayette design. This surface combatant fleet may yet benefit from

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The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Adelaide comprises part of the country’s Adelaide class of frigates. Two of the examples in this six-ship strong class of vessels have left service and they will be replaced by the force’s new Hobart class destroyers © US DoD

a modest increase in size, with the acquisition of a further two Oliver Hazard Perry ships expected from the US Navy. Although it has a similarly small frigate force to Taiwan, the Vietnamese Navy is performing some modernisation in this regard. The force currently operates a pair of Gepard 3.9 class and five Petya-II class frigates; both of which were constructed in Russian shipyards. The first two Gepard 3.9 vessels were delivered in 2010. An acquisition of additional Gepard units is expected although, as yet, there is no news on when these ships may be delivered, or how many vessels may be included in the order. Clearly, a strong market remains in the Asia-Pacific region for new frigates and destroyers. Vietnam joins Australia, Bangladesh and Pakistan as countries strong-

ly expected to acquire such surface combatants both in the short and long term. Giles Langlois, Business Development Director at DCNS Naval Surface Systems, says that, as far as the Asia-Pacific market for frigates and destroyers is concerned, “The figures show the Asian market as one of the most dynamic in terms of growth, and we are very confident with this market.” One of the reasons for this confidence, he believes, is the need to protect Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). As discussed above, both frigates and destroyers are true ‘multipurpose’ vessels as they can perform a number of missions; one of which is securing SLOCs. It is no secret that several economies around the Asia-Pacific region; including those of India, China and South Korea; are growing at an impressive rate. Yet these economies have a vociferous appetite for oil and raw materials. It is therefore arguably no coincidence that, in recent years, all three nations have poured investment into their frigate and destroyer fleets. Mr. Langlois believes that another factor may be stimulating this market, namely the The Republic of Singapore Navy operates some of the most modern frigates in the Asia-Pacific region, in the form of its Formidable class ships. Singapore operates six of these vessels which were commissioned between 2007 and 2009 © US Navy

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ever-present, and growing, submarine threat, “Within the next ten years, more than a hundred submarines will be built. When you want to defend your national waters, and your SLOCs, you need a platform for antisubmarine warfare.” He also cites concerns regarding the proliferation of ballistic missiles and several of the new frigate and destroyer designs on the market, including those of DCNS, have the wherewithal to intercept and destroy such weapons. Thus both the frigate and destroyer, in today’s incarnation, offers a platform which can safeguard SLOCs, defend against submarines and counter the ballistic missile threat; all using a single vessel. Hein Van Ameijden, Managing Director of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in The Netherlands also sees demand for frigates and destroyers in the Asia-Pacific region, although he cautions that the export market for surface combatants from European shipyards to nonshipbuilding customers in the Asia-Pacific region will tend to focus on; “corvettes and light frigates.” He does not believe that the export market for larger destroyers and frigates from Europe to the region will necessarily be that strong. This is because increasingly the demand for such vessels in this part of the world is being satisfied by local yards. Notably India, Japan, China and South Korea can all indigenously design and build destroyer-and frigate-sized vessels. Moreover, many of the programmes discussed in the article above have been focused on acquisitions to replace existing vessels, rather than countries deciding to purchase frigates and destroyers to afford them a capability not previously used by their navies. The question must be asked as to whether the traditional definitions of frigates and destroyers will continue to be relevant in the future, or whether instead naval design will move towards a multipurpose vessel concept with a single hull which can perform the functions of both the destroyer and the frigate?

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South Korea: Capability

Expansion In recent months North Korea has repeatedly performed the unthinkable. A South Korean corvette was torpedoed on 26 March 2010 with the loss of 46 lives. In November 2010 the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) revealed a modern uranium enrichment plant capable of supplying nuclear-bomb material. Still not finished, North Korea then unleashed an artillery barrage on Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), an extension of the Military Demarcation Line that bisects the peninsular. This 27 January attack that killed four, marked the worst case of warmongering since a shaky truce was called on 27 July 1953. The chain of events again underscored North Korea’s unpredictability. As Kim Jong-un prepares to succeed his despotic father, South Korea has little choice but to increase defence spending and expand its military capabilities.

by Gordon Arthur Military reforms

These DPRK actions stunned the Republic of Korea (ROK) military hierarchy and exposed weaknesses in tri-service coordination. In addition to sacking the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) chairman in June 2010, the president initiated a radical military-wide shake-up culminating in the “Defence Reformation Plan 307” released in March 2011. Essentially this plan will restructure a unified military command under The F-15K is the most capable combat aircraft in the ROKAF fleet. It has already been acquired under the KF Phase I and II programmes © Gordon Arthur

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The K1A1 MBT such as that shown here is a capable tank, but it will be supplemented by the newer K2 in coming years © Gordon Arthur

South Korea embarked some time ago on an armed forces modernisation programme, and the government pledged to spend $150 billion over a twelve-year period, with special attention paid to warships, fighters, armoured vehicles and C4I systems. The “Defence Reform 2020” document was released in 2005, but weaknesses appeared as early as 2008 when the government was unable to sustain funding under austere economic conditions. The plan was revised in 2009 with a reduced budget, and major acquisitions such as submarines, next-generation fighters and attack helicopters were delayed. Fuelled by these DPRK attacks, South

the JCS and add sophisticated weaponry. The Yeonpyeong attack precipitated the defence minister’s resignation, but it also hardened resolve. The ROK government issued new rules of engagement, and incoming Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin promised his country would retaliate with airstrikes if necessary, a significant departure from the existing policy of proportionate response. He told troops, “Don’t ask your commanders whether to fire back or not. Take actions first and then report afterwards.” However, the military was further embarrassed when jittery Marines fired at an Asiana airliner near the NLL on 17 June.

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Korea’s FY2011 defence budget of KRW31.403 trillion ($27.3 billion) surged 6.2 percent. It dwarfs the 2 percent increase a year earlier (the smallest increase in the past decade), and represents 2.53 percent of GDP. Of this amount, 30.9 percent will be spent on new equipment. In the wake of cyber-attacks, the nation’s cyber-warfare centre is being bolstered too. The ROK Armed Forces currently total 655,000 personnel plus 719,000 reserves. Numbers will drop to 517,000 by 2020, and the standard 24-month national service term will decrease by six months from 2014. Despite conscription having adverse effects on overall

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ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH-976) is a destroyer displacing 4,500 tonnes. Six vessels in this KD-II class have been commissioned © Gordon Arthur/Andrei Chang

professionalism, the armed forces are dependent upon it for manpower. The military has many contingencies to contend with - for example, a nuclear-device detonating in Seoul would result in an estimated 200,000 deaths. It must also consider a political collapse in the DPRK, where, according to a US Council on Foreign Relations study, 460,000 troops would be required to stabilise the North.

Air force takes off

The 65,000-man ROK Air Force (ROKAF) is seeking 40-60 fighters for its FX Phase III pro-

gramme to replace elderly F-4s and F-5s. The Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) will select a platform by October 2012, and the first fighters are to be inducted by 2016 with the most likely contender being the F-15 Silent Eagle. In anticipation, Boeing has obtained an export license to sell the F-15SE. The ROKAF had already ordered 61 F-15K Slam Eagles under Phases I and II. F-15Ks armed with newly ordered GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) could target DPRK nuclear installations, and KF-16C/D aircraft

are also to be armed with JDAMs according to a February announcement. The Ministry of National Defence (MND) has announced plans to purchase stealthy next-generation KF-X fighters in response to the North’s growing military capability. It will not prove cost effective to develop such a twin-engine aircraft indigenously, so military off-the-shelf solutions include the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, F-15SE and Eurofighter Typhoon, with the preferred option believed to be the F-35. The T-50 Golden Eagle manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is in service, with 50 T-50 and 22 AT-50 lead-in trainer aircraft on order. Flight tests of the F/A-50 light combat variant, fitted with EL/M-2032 radar and Link 16 MIDS Low-Volume Terminal (LVT), began in mid-2011. There are also requirements for electronic attack (EA-50) and reconnaissance (RA-50) variants. Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin announced on 8 March plans to acquire RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to provide better intelligence-gathering capabilities. The procurement of four Boeing E-737 The T-50 Golden Eagle won its first export contract to Indonesia. These T-50B examples belong to the Black Eagles aerobatic team © Gordon Arthur

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Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft will contribute to improved C4ISR capabilities too. One E-737 is already in service, and all are to be delivered by 2012 under the Peace Eye programme. The extensive locally developed Tactical Information Communication Network (TICN) is expected to begin operating in 2013. The ROKAF also selected the C-130J Super Hercules to augment older in-service C-130s. Four aircraft have been ordered thus far for delivery in 2014, though the procurement of dedicated aerial-refuelling aircraft will be deferred until 2014.

Navy pride scuttled

Under “Defence Reform 2020”, the 68,000man ROK Navy (ROKN) has been gaining an enhanced blue-water capability thanks to the commissioning of new vessels to safeguard maritime interests as distant as the Indian Ocean. The Navy’s most advanced warship, ROKS Sejong the Great, tested its combat system “flawlessly” in recent trials near Hawaii, which included firing SM-2 missiles. Two of these 8,500-ton, Aegis-equipped KD-III destroyers with SPY-1D(v) radar are already in service, and the third vessel was launched by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on 24 March. These destroyers will play a pivotal ballistic-missile defence (BMD) role, with an option held for three more vessels. There are plans to introduce six 5,600-ton KDX-IIA destroyers also fitted with the Aegis combat system from 2019 onwards. These will strengthen six serving 4,500-ton KD-II destroyers. Eight MH-60S ship-borne helicopters are on order to supplement the current fleet of Lynx Mk99s, and further orders are expected. Eight P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft are being joined by eight ex-US craft upgraded to P-3CK configuration. The ROKN was left smarting by the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan, but it will be reinforced by up to 24 Inchon-class frigates built to replace older Ulsan-class and Pohang-class vessels. The first 2,300-ton stealth frigate was launched in March 2011, and in late 2010 HHI was selected to construct the second and third ships. Induction of the first frigates will occur in 2014, and six will be finished by 2015. The Navy’s power projection capability comes in the shape of the 14,000-ton Dokdoclass LPH commissioned in 2007. Three further vessels will be built, with the second currently under construction. Hanjin Heavy Industries is also manufacturing four 4,500-

South Korea embarked some time ago on an armed forces modernisation programme, and the government pledged to spend $150 billion over a twelve-year period

ton LSTs for commissioning in 2014-17. In other naval news, a third 1,860-ton Type 214 submarine (KSS-II) was commissioned on 1 December 2009. DAPA subsequently ordered six Type 214 submarines fitted with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), and the first will be assembled by Daewoo

Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME). The Siemens PEM fuel cells provide a two-week underwater endurance. Simultaneously, South Korea is pursuing a next-generation KSS-III submarine in the 3,500-ton class, though development has been pushed back with the first of nine deliveries now not expected until 2020.

Army up-armoured

The ROK Army (ROKA) defends the most heavily fortified border in the world, ready to repel an invasion by North Korea’s 1.1 million active-duty and 4.7 million reservist soldiers. In many respects the Army’s function differs little from that in 1953, but the

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armoured vehicle inventory is being beefed up. The requirement for artillery pieces and rocket launchers has grown, but this is at the cost of procuring more 55-ton K2 main battle tanks (MBT) from Rotem Hyundai. Series production of the state-of-the-art K2 is scheduled to commence this year. So far, 532 K9 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH) have been acquired, and a further order has already been lodged. Fielding of K21 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) commenced in November 2009, and 466 are being procured from Doosan DST under an initial order. Doosan DST is also developing an improved version of the K30 Biho twin 30mm self-propelled antiaircraft vehicle under a contract signed in July 2010. The updated vehicle will incorporate Shingung surface-to-air missiles (SAM) manufactured by LIG Nex1, with 142 additional vehicles to be acquired. LIG Nex1 is also responsible for developing the Medium-Range Infantry Missile (MRIM), a system that will reportedly rival the Javelin

The 65,000-man ROK Air Force (ROKAF) is seeking 40-60 fighters for its FX Phase III programme to replace elderly F-4s and F-5s

and Spike. The new S&T Daewoo K11 personal weapon, which combines a 5.56mm carbine with a 20mm airburst grenade launcher, entered service in mid-2010. South Korea is making advances in other missile technologies too. The turbofan-powered Hyunmu-3A cruise missile has a 500km range and the Hyunmu-3B a range of 1,000km. These strategic assets are controlled by the Army’s new Missile Command. It is believed the MND has commenced fielding a Hyunmu-3C cruise missile with 1,500km range, meaning all of North Korea, plus parts of China and Russia, come within range. The Hyunmu-3C, similar in capability to the Tomahawk, allows the ROK to accurately target North Korean facilities with its 450kg warhead. The Hyunmu-3C will eventually arm KD-III destroyers and KSS-III submarines too. The ROKAF also has 48 Patriot PAC-2 GEM/T fire units purchased from Germany, and these are integral to a national BMD system. There is a requirement for 245 Korean Utility Helicopters (KUH) to replace geriatric UH-1Hs, with deliveries expected to begin

The K21 IFV, armed with a 40mm cannon, is an indigenously designed and built armoured vehicle from Doosan DST © Gordon Arthur

next year. The 8-tonne Surion had its maiden flight in March 2010, and the manufacturer is also targeting export sales. Since 2007, DAPA has been considering a requirement for 270 locally built attack helicopters to replace 30year-old 500MD and AH-1S craft. KAI had been working on an attack version of the KUH, but the new government decided this avenue was not economically feasible. The army wants the Korea Attack Helicopter (KAH) to be a lighter 5-tonne platform developed in conjunction with a foreign partner to reduce costs, and DAPA will reissue operational requirements. If a lighter KAH design is selected, the MND will consider acquiring 35 heavy attack helicopters to fortify the fleet from 2013 onwards, with the AH-64D Apache being the logical candidate.

Industrial expansion

South Korea’s defence sector continues to expand as the country pursues self-reliance, with the market forecast to grow from $22.4 billion to $32.5 billion from 2011-15. DAPA is examining methods to encourage greater foreign direct investment (FDI), after an updated 2009 policy allowed overseas prime contractors to fulfil 40 percent offset obligations by investing in Korean defence companies. To improve transparency and reduce procurement costs, DAPA introduced rules last year preventing defence industry agents from taking more than 5 percent commission. Such steps are important because President Lee recently admitted corruption was “rampant” in society, and that the military was not immune. South Korea has invested heavily in export sales, and it is now reaping rewards. A series of collaboration agreements were drafted with Indonesia in mid-2010, but the biggest news is Indonesia’s decision in May to procure 16 T-50 advanced jet trainers (AJT), this being the product’s first export success. KAI also believes the T-50 is a strong candidate for the US Air Force’s 350-craft AJT requirement, despite earlier losing out to the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 in both Singapore and the UAE. Also in May, KAI was given approval for an initial public offer (IPO) on the stock exchange. South Korea built Indonesia’s first two Makassar-class LPDs, and is assisting local shipbuilders to construct another two. Indonesia also ordered 22 Black Fox 6x6 IFVs. South Korea has inked defence industrial

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

The Surion KUH will deliver a new helicopter to an army that still relies heavily on the elderly UH-1H for battlefield transport functions © Gordon Arthur

partnerships with countries as diverse as Colombia, India, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Samsung Techwin hopes to sell K9 SPHs to both Malaysia and Australia. DSME has talked to the Brazilian Navy about meeting its frigate, offshore patrol vessel and logisticsupport ship requirements. Turkey is anoth-

R EGIO NA L P

Conscription remains the bedrock of South Korean defensive strategy. It is conscripts such as these that would have to ward off DPRK attacks ÂŠ Gordon Arthur

er key export market, with K9 SPHs and Altay MBTs being cooperative ventures.

Home and away

Despite the enormous threat on its own doorstep, South Korea has still been able to consider regional and global issues too. Naval ships have been stationed in the Gulf of Aden with the international counter-piracy task force since 2009, and in January 2011 commandos stormed a hijacked chemical tanker and rescued the crew. A destroyer

was also diverted to Libyan waters to rescue nationals in March. South Korea redeployed 250 troops to Afghanistan to serve with ISAF in late 2010, plus personnel are serving in UN missions in Lebanon and Haiti. For a long time the ROK military was a largely static force dependent on the US. While it has made impressive strides militarily, it still derives comfort from the 1953 Mutual Defence Treaty with the US. Another serious impact in the wake of the Cheonan sinking was a delay in the transfer of wartime operational control

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(OPCON) of forces from US to ROK hands. President Obama agreed to a Korean request to delay OPCON transfer from the Combined Forces Command (CFC) till at least December 2015. Originally the transfer was to occur in April 2012. The USA maintains 28,500 troops in South Korea, although they are gradually consolidating within two hubs further south of Seoul. While the US will be happy to take on a reduced role in South Korea, the delay allows the US to maintain a presence in an area confronted by rising Chinese ambition.

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Future

Air Power in the

Asia-Pacific The coming decade will see great changes taking shape in the combat aircraft fleets fielded by armed forces within the Asia-Pacific region. As many nations seek to upgrade and enhance their air power assets, there is also a distinct shift toward platforms with multi-rolecapabilities as governments seek air defence solutions that can serve multiple services and bring the best possible value.

by John Mulberry

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

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POWER s defence budgets feel the strain of the global financial crises, governments will be looking beyond the obvious when it comes to developing their aerial defence capabilities, focusing much more strongly on assets that are capable of performing within a highly networked and digitised battlefield against increasingly asymmetrical warfare threats. The operational envelope of combat jet operations will also widen significantly as single platforms are developed to perform missions across the spectrum, and technology will drive forward current trends towards stealth and electronic warfare that are beginning to become more prominent in the current late-

generation fighters in development today.

Defence solution packages

Air power dominance is no longer simply a matter of brute strength. As well as fielding fleets capable of performing deep strike, interception and defence, fighter jet squadrons must be plugged into a wider intelligence network that draws from and disseminates data around the battlespace. This growing requirement for the upper hand in intelligence is driving a healthy market for total package solutions; one that Saab is meeting with their air defence system. In a government to government contract between Thailand and Sweden, Saab has delivered a Saab 340B ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, a Saab 340 transport aircraft, the Saab Command and Control System and the Communication system in 2010, along with six multi-role Gripen fighter aircraft and logistics support, training and spare parts in early 2011.

Of the six Gripen aircraft, four were twoseater and two were single-seater. The aircraft will replace the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF’s) F-5 aircraft which are nearing the end of their service life, and fulfil an intercept role with true multi-role/swing-role capability, new generation flight control systems, communications systems, avionics systems and a weapons system. Thailand has since placed a follow-on order for six single-seater Gripens in November 2010 along with an additional Saab 340 ERIEYE AEW aircraft. Together, the Saab package provides the RTAF with a complete surveillance, command and control (C2) and communications solution. Being capable of joint operations and tactical data-linking with allied ground,

Australia is the only country in the region to have signed on for the JSF F-35 Lightning II © Lockheed Martin

maritime and air forces, the Gripen aircraft are the first step in the RTAF’s development of network centric technologies. By encompassing combat platforms, sensors, C2 and communications the system will bring Thailand a highly capable and sophisticated air defence unit from the RTAF Wing 7 in Surat Thani that will be the first intercept jet squadron in southern Thailand. The system has the ability to integrate current as well as future platforms and infrastructures with

exceptional growth potential to meet the evolving challenges of supporting national security from the air.

Multiple service solutions

As well as demanding a more complete picture of the battlespace, customers are also looking for the most capable fighter jet available to fulfil their requirements. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is to receive the F-35 Lightning II as part of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme being led by the US Department of Defence (DOD) and Lockheed Martin. The JSF programme will currently see the F-35 delivered to a total of nine USallied nations, with the aim to bring a new level of lethality to its users at an affordable

price. Although the programme has suffered extensive budget expansions, the US remains confident that the aircraft will be highly survivable and supportable from austere environments while meeting the needs of multiple services. The single-seat, single-engine aircraft is being developed in three variants, including a conventional-takeoff-and-landing (CTOL) variant for the US Air Force (USAF) also known as the F-35A; a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) version for the US Marine

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Corps (USMC) and until recently the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) also known as the F-35B; and an aircraft-carrier version (CV) for the US Navy (USN) also known as the F-35C which the UK will now also acquire. As a 5th generation fighter, the F-35 will be one of the most capable and deadly assets in the sky if the programme is able to deliver on its objectives. As a multirole, supersonic stealth fighter with superior 9-g manoeuvrability, acceleration and agility the aircraft is designed to be a vital net-enabling node within a wider system of systems that is able to gather and transmit information with very high processing power, open architecture, powerful sensors and flexible communication links, all of which are vital when considering the challenges of joint/coalition combat operations. Also key to the design is that the F-35A aircraft is reconfigurable, with an internal weapons bay for air-to-ground or air-to-air ordnance, or a blend of both. When stealth is not required during missions the aircraft’s external pylons can be loaded with ordnance, giving the aircraft a total weapons payload of more than 18,000 pounds. The Super Hornet will fill a capability gap for the RAAF © Boeing

The first five Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Super Hornets fly over their new home at RAAF Base Amberley on March 26, 2010 © Boeing

Moving on up

The RAAF will replace their ageing F/A-18 fleet with 100 F-35As when deliveries begin in 2014. The RAAF is currently taking delivery of Boeing’s F/A-18F Super Hornet in order to fill a capability gap caused by the retirement of the F-111 last year. The first Super Hornet squadron achieved initial operating capability (IOC) in early 2011 with the delivery of fifteen aircraft ahead of schedule. In total the RAAF will receive 24 of the Block II versions of the Super Hornet, all equipped with the Raytheon APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar; twelve of which will be pre-wired during production for potential conversion to electronic attack capability, bringing greater depth of capability to the fleet once the F-35 fleet is fully operational. As a multi-role aircraft the Super Hornet is able to perform virtually every mission

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POWER

across the operational spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defences, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. The aircraft is fitted with 11 weapon stations, able to support a full complement of smart weapons including laser-guided bombs, and carries

the full spectrum mix of air-to-air and air-toground ordnance. Powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines, the Super Hornet remains highly departure resistant through its operational flight envelope, with unlimited angle of attack and a reconfigurable digital flight-control system for detecting and correcting battle damage. Australia has requested an Advanced

The Silent Eagle features improvements in stealth technologies on the F-15 including coatings and treatments that reduce signature from forward aspects

Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) package and associated equipment from the US government for their F/A18F aircraft under the foreign military sales (FMS) route. If it goes ahead the agreement will see the RAAF equip their fleet with the AIM-120C-7 which will give the aircraft a standoff weapon capability required for Bridge Air Combat Capability, and will also strengthen interoperability with the US Armed Forces. The weapon is also currently being integrated into the JSF which is an added incentive for add the system to the Super Hornet at this stage.

Affordability

JSF is proving to be a very expensive programme, and for nations that cannot commit to the budgetary demands there are some good alternatives at lower price points. One such aircraft is Boeingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upgrade of the F15E, the F-15SE Silent Eagle. This 5th generation fighter is specifically designed to meet the future needs of international customers for cost-effective stealth technologies and large, diverse weapons payloads. The Silent Eagle features improvements in stealth technologies on the F-15 including coatings and treatments that reduce signature from forward aspects, and is also fitted with redesigned conformal fuel tanks

The F-15SE is equipped with two internal bays with one on each side ÂŠ Boeing

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The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered the Saab Gripen to replace its ageing F-5 aircraft © Saab

(CFTs) that can be used for optimal fuel capacity in concert with external weapons carriage, or can be used for internal weapons carriage. Boeing has revealed that the standard F-15 weapons load will be used when the traditional CFTs are installed; alternatively internal weapons carriage can include air-to-air missiles such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). Boeing has also improved the aircraft’s aerodynamic efficiency with the addition of canted vertical tails that provide lift and reduce airframe weight, and a digital flight control system will improve reliability and also reduce airframe weight. Survivability enhancements include the BAE Systems Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS) working in concert with the Raytheon Advanced Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) radar. The introduction of the new DEWS

The implications of the PLAAF becoming the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region to field a stealth fighter are considerable hardware onto the F-15 weapon system will provide world-class performance and capability while improving reliability, maintainability and operational availability by increasing crew situational awareness, selfprotections and electronic countermeasure capabilities, and comes with reduced logistics requirements and life-cycle cost savings for the customer. The aircraft’s conformal weapons bay (CWB) is also designed to minimize the F15SE's radar signature and significantly increase its tactical options. The F-15SE is

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

equipped with two internal bays with one on each side, which are designed for multiple carriage configurations, including advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions. As an optional extra for potential customers the CWB can be installed on new or retrofitted into existing F-15 aircraft, and in November 2010 Boeing signed an agreement with Korean Airspace Industries (KAI) for the design, development and manufacture of the CWB for the F-15 Silent Eagle. The Boeing-KAI agreement is believed to be a nod to Boeing’s hopes that the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) will be the launch customer for the F-15 Silent Eagle. The Republic of Korea (ROK) is set to officially kick off the search for its new stealth fighter jet in 2012 and the F-15 Silent Eagle could be a good match for the country’s aerial defence requirements, having high commonality with the ROKAF’s existing F-15 fleet. As

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well as promising lower operating and logistical costs that bringing in a new aircraft such as the F-35, Boeing also believes the stealth capabilities of the aircraft are a good match for the ROK’s operational requirements in the face of their increasingly aggressive northern neighbour.

Indigenous stealth

Chinese stealth jet fighter development is also understood to be continuing following the emergence of an aircraft believed to be designated the J-20 in January this year. The results of a secret development programme, the J-20 was photographed during high speed taxi testing at the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute airfield. It is a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft that outsizes both the Sukhoi T-50 and the F-22 and local news sources in 2009 reported that the aircraft would be operational between 2017 and

2019 with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). With a delta airframe shape and two canted vertical stabilisers and smaller ventral fins the aircraft bears resemblance to the F-22 in its stealth body shaping and frameless canopy, and is understood to have an overall length of around 75 ft and wingspan of around 45 ft. Takeoff weight is believed to be in the region of around 75,000 lbs. The implications of the PLAAF becoming the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region to field a stealth fighter are considerable. Although Australia will already be operating the F-35 Strike Fighter by then – all things going to plan – China is already posing the biggest threat to regional stability with its ongoing military build-up and a stealth fighter would be a significant game-changer in terms of the country’s perceived threat to its nearest neighbours.

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The F-15SE has been designed to appeal to customers looking for advanced capabilities at a lower price point © Boeing

China’s apparent rapid progress on this programme is also an indicator of the PLAAF’s plans for its future aerial combat fleet, that is likely to have a focus on aggressive rather than defensive platforms. How far China has already moved down the development process is also a matter of significance for those with an interest in the region’s political stability, in particular for countries feeling the effects of the US technology export restrictions that still create a market vacuum for this type of aerial combat asset. For these reasons the J-20 could have far reaching repercussions for not just the capabilities of future combat aerial platforms, but for the landscape of technology imports into and within the Asia-Pacific region.

N A V A L

WEAPON SYSTEMS

Naval Weapon Systems:

Asia-Pacific Requirements and

Solutions Naval Gunfire Support engagements and the use of the Tomahawk land attack missiles have characterised recent operations off Libya in support of United Nations Resolution 1973, demonstrating yet again the versatility of warships and the variety of weapons they can deploy. by Ted Hooton AVAL FIRE Support and shore bombardment have been a traditional feature of naval operations since the 17th Century but the demands are changing and are driving a new generation of tools. Navies have always been able to influence operations near the coast but have not been able to strike much deeper than some 35km, the ultimate range of the 16 inch (406mm) guns used by the last battleships in Kuwait in 1990. But navies in the post Cold War era have been given a littoral role requiring them to support land forces often operating close to shore although carriers in the Indian Ocean support Afghanistan operations. Gunfire support means firing shells much deeper inland, indeed since 1994 the US requirement is for guns with a range of between 76-117km. Sadly, naval gunnery has fallen behind that of the ground forces, which have largely focused upon 155mm calibre weapons with munitions displaying improved range and precision. By contrast navies are largely confined to 76mm (3 inch) and 127mm (5 inch)

weapons firing ‘dumb’ rounds, the former with a range of 16-20km and the latter with 23-37km with the greatest ranges achieved by extended range ammunition. The larger mounting, notably the BAE Systems’ Mk 45 but also the Oto Melara one, is used by six Asian navies while the latter, including the Russian AK-176, is used by a dozen. To improve the performance of 5 inch guns Oto Melara are working on an extended-range munition called Vulcano which uses a sub-calibre projectile, either unguided or terminally guided in Phase I, to achieve ranges of 70km. The more ambitious Phase II seeks a projectile with inertial navigation/Global Positioning System guidance and imaging infra-red seeker and would have a range of 120km. The United States has attempted to produce an even longer-ranged shell in the same calibre, the Extended Range Guided Munition (ERGM) with a range of 76 km. This programme failed but attempts continue to produce an Extended Range Munition (ERM), although this will be suitable only for the improved US 62 calibre gun rather than the

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more common 54 calibre tube. The medium-calibre gun in most warships, and one which is almost obligatory for fast attack craft as well as larger surface combatants, is the 76mm weapon especially the ubiquitous Oto Melara Compact mounting used by nine Asian navies. The popularity of this mounting reflects the fact it is a relatively light weight (7.5 tonnes), compromise weapon system capable of a wide variety of roles although at relatively limited range (20km); it can be used for shore bombardment, for anti-ship operations (including policing) and even for air defence with a firing rate of 85-120 rds/min enhanced by the new Davide/Strales guided munition system. Worthy of mention is the BAE Systems’ Bofors 57mm mounting used by Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, usually in fast attack craft as well as being selected for the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship. Like the 76mm this is a compromise gun mounting which attempts to compensate for its lack of size and range through a high rate-of-fire (200220 rounds/minute) and sophisticated High

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Capacity munitions. The naval gun is now mostly used for selfprotection, especially against the much feared, and probably grossly over-rated, fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) with manually and remotely operated 20-40mm weapons also used in smaller surface combatants such as mine counter-measure vessels and patrol boats, as the prime weapon. Originally manually-operated, such weapons form the prime armament of patrol boats, but increasingly are remotely-operated with electro-

One of the most common anti-ship missiles is the Boeing Harpoon which may be launched from surface ships (as here), submarines or aircraft © Boeing

optical sighting and often a stabilised mounting ensuring greater accuracy, especially in rough weather. Many of these weapons, especially of 20mm and 40mm calibre date from the 1950s but new mountings do appear such as the Indian Navy’s CRN-91 Sarath, a 30mm

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weapon based upon a tank-mounted system. The Typhoon G/Mk 98 system, used by Australia, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United States features a 25mm Bushmaster gun while twin 30mm weapons are extensively used by Japan’s Maritime Safety Agency (Oto Melara), Sri Lanka (BAE Systems) and South Korea (SEI). The electrically-operated Gatling gun, with its prodigious rates of fire of up to 4,500 rounds/minute is also found in many Asian navies. Both Japan and South Korea make

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extensive use of Sea Vulcan mountings, with a 20mm gun the Korean mountings being produced by Daewoo. They are also extensively employed as close-in weapon systems supported by radar or electro-optical sensors to defeat in-coming anti-ship missiles in most major warships and auxiliaries. The most common is the Phalanx, with 20mm Gatling and integral radar/electro-optic sensor, while Russian-built or designed ships used by China, India and Vietnam feature similar AK 630s with 30mm guns and off-mount sensors while South Korean ships sometimes have the

The naval gun is now mostly used for self-protection, especially against the much feared, and probably grossly over-rated, fast inshore attack craft

30mm gun of the Thales Goalkeeper system. Since the mid 1950s the missile has replaced the gun. Initially this was in the air defence role with surface-to-air missiles allowing ships to engage high speed fixedwing targets at ranges which reduced the threat from air-launched air-to-surface missiles. With the Raytheon Standard Missile 2 (SM 2) this can be 170-240km and these area defence weapons can engage not only manned launch platforms but also the missile itself. The ultimate in this capability, deployed in US Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces’ Kongou class destroyers

is the SM 3 which has been proven to engage ballistic missiles at ranges of 1,200km, while the US Navy’s SM 2 Block IV air defence missile also has a limited ballistic missile engagement capability. The local area defence missile, such as the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) or the MBDA Aster 15, provides a similar although inevitably more restricted air defence capability to 18-30km. Their relatively small size makes them suitable for smaller surface combatants, although the ESSM is the prime anti-air warfare weapon system of the Australian and New Zealand Anzac class frigates and Japan’s Takanami class destroyers while Aster is used by Singapore’s Formidable class frigates. These kinds of missiles are extremely agile, making them valuable weapons against even supersonic anti-ship missiles. At the bottom of the spectrum are the point-defence missiles such as the MBDA Mistral, usually derived from man-portable systems and often in remotely-operated mountings although occasionally manportable. The Mistral is used by Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand mostly in smaller surface combatants, such as fast attack craft and mine counter-measures vessels as well as major amphibious warfare ships. They are primarily to prevent stand-off attacks by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft at ranges up to six kilometres and while MBDA have claimed that Mistral has the ability to engage anti-ship missiles its short range does not really give it the reaction time needed for this role.

The Barak surface-to-air missile is used by India which is developing a longer-ranged version with Israel © Rafael

One of the most common naval point defence surface-to-air missiles is the MBDA Mistral © MBDA

Aster 15 is a modern, agile, surface-to-air missile used by Singapore © MBDA

The missile is the prime surface-to-surface weapon, although this was not really appreciated until October 21 1967 when Egyptian ‘Styx’ sank the Israeli destroyer Eilat. The shock of that event led Western navies to reassess the threat and rush to seek similar systems of which the most common are the subsonic Boeing Harpoon and MBDA Exocet, both using radar seekers to establish the largest radar cross-section point of their target. Both approach the target at medium altitude adopting a sea-skimming approach for the terminal phase.

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Harpoon is used by eight Asian navies and is a turbo-jet powered weapon with a range of about 125 km which permits the preprogramming of indirect approaches and gives a re-attack capability if radar lock-on is lost. The original Exocet, used by six Asian navies, was a rocket-powered weapon with a range of 75 Km which limited capabilities but the latest, Block III, version also has turbo-jet propulsion extending the range to 180 Km. Similar systems have been developed by China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea for their own navies. Supersonic missiles have also been developed, the Russian SS-N-22 ‘Sunburn’ (3M80 Moskit) is used by China, Russia has codeveloped the BrahMos with India while Taiwan has developed the Hsiung Feng III. Supersonic missiles have the advantage of halving defensive system reaction times and making interception extremely difficult but their very speed means they have a very limited re-attack capability leaving their sensor/processing systems less time to react to ‘soft’ counter-measures. The role of anti-ship

One of the most common naval gun mounts is the Oto Melara 76 Compact. This version has the shaped turret to reduce radar cross section © Oto Melara

missiles is more to disable rather than sink targets and there is a growing body of evidence which suggests that even this limited objective may not be feasible in the face of improved ship design. Both Exocet and Harpoon may be launched from aircraft, surface combatants or even submarines (being launched in capsules from torpedo tubes) with Sub Exocet currently used only by Pakistan and Malaysia while Sub-Harpoon is used by Australia, Japan and

South Korea. This is especially important because anti-ship missiles are receiving an added capability, to attack land targets and submarine deployment provides covert approach to targets. This is a spin-off of software and processing improvements in the post Cold War world designed to enhance littoral performance by allowing these weapons to attack ships close to coasts or actually in harbours and it has been extended to the ability to strike targets in proximity to

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the coast. It is worth noting that South Korea’s ‘150 kilometre’ Haesong (SSM-700K) missile is also reported to have a dual role. Compared with the famed Tomahawk which can also be launched from surface combatants and submarines to strike targets at ranges of up to 2,500 Km, this is a very limited capability. Tomahawk was also originally a dual-role weapon but has reverted to landattack being programmed to navigate through a combination of Global Positioning System and a terrain matching sensors. It is currently deployed only in US warships, although Australia is reported interested in buying the weapon for its Hobart class destroyers. That the trend is such that now South Korea has developed its Cheon Ryong missile for the land-attack role with a reported range of 1,500km and is reportedly deploying them in Sejong Daewang (KDX 3) class destroyers. It should never be forgotten that the first naval missile, developed 145 years ago, was the torpedo and two types are marketed; the heavyweight and light weight. The former is the descendent of the original weapon usually being about 53 centimetres (21 inches) in diameter and fired by a submarine, indeed it was a North Korean weapon which reportedly sank the Korean corvette Chon An in March 2010. However, some Russian major surface combatants such as the Sovremenny class destroyers used by China, also carry these weapons. Typical of modern weapons are the DCN/Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS) Black Shark and the Atlas DM2A4/Sea Hake 4 both driven by sea-water batteries and with permanent magnet motors. These weapons are semi-autonomous with a range of up to 50km guided to the vicinity of their targets through copper or glass-fibre wires by the submarine combat system exploiting the boat’s sensors. They are capable of speeds up to 55 knots, which may be varied during the run in some weapons, and when it

is in the target’s vicinity it severs direct contact with the submarine using on-board sensors to attack or even re-acquire and attack the target. The traditional role of the heavyweight torpedo has been to sink surface vessels, and indeed this role helped to shape modern Asia by annihilating Japan’s merchant fleet, but nowadays they are regarded more as an antisubmarine weapon. Yet they remain formidable against surface vessels, being designed to use influence (magnetic, acoustic or combinations) fuzes rather than contact ones to detonate under a ship’s keel breaking its back. Some Russian weapons are designed to home in on a ship’s wake then zig-zag and homing on the propeller system to cripple the target. China, India, South Korea and Japan have all developed, or attempted to develop, heavyweight torpedoes with the Chinese Yu (Fish) family believed to be based upon Russian technology. The Indian weapon does not appear to have entered service while litAlthough VEMS is a training device, it has all the characteristics of the modern ground mine © BAE Systems

A Exocet SM 39 emerges from the sea. With anti-ship missiles increasingly used for land attack this demonstrates the growing threat from the depths © MBDA

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

The MU90 Impact lightweight torpedo has been selected by Australia, New Zealand and Singapore © Eurotorp

tle reliable information is available about Japanese torpedo programmes, although the Type 89 is in service, while South Korea has developed the White Shark which is now believed to have entered service. Lightweight torpedoes are usually 324mm in diameter and electrically powered to give speeds up to 50 knots and ranges up to 25 km. They are used only for anti-submarine operations, usually deployed by surface combatants, their associate helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. The most common, used by eight Asian navies, is Raytheon’s Mk 46 with mono-propellant fuel although the Eurotorp MU 90 Impact is used by Australia and New Zealand while BAE Systems’ Sting Ray is used by Thailand. There are also 40cm diameter weapons which have been produced by Russia as the Type 40 and by Sweden as the Tp 43. The former are used in small numbers by North Korea and Indonesia while the latter are used by Singapore’s submarines and some of Pakistan’s Amazon class frigates use the Swedish Tp 43. Few of these weapons have been developed locally. China is believed to have produced a version of the Whitehead A244 and also the Mk 46, the latter as the Yu 2, while South Korea is reported to have produced the Cheong Sangeo (Blue Shark) for its Sejong Daewang (KDX-3) class destroyers, having produced the obsolete US Mark 44 under licence as the KT-44. The last, and most secret, naval weapon is the mine, which was first developed by the Chinese during the 14th Century and used by them in the 16th Century. The mine usually consists of an explosive charge (up to one tonne) with a fuze, which may be influence or contact, and it can be used for both offensive and defensive missions. They may be deployed overtly or covertly and are sophisticated enough to select specific sized targets or to wait until a specified number of ships have passed before becoming active.

AMR UAV DIRECTORY

2011

Prepared by Adam Baddeley l

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

REGIONAL

UAV

DIRECTORY

ith Asia-Pacific’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ranks swelling, thanks to a combination of international acquisitions as well as an increasingly vigorous and innovative domestic production and development base, it is the right time to begin AMR’s first annual Directory of UAV activity in the region. It addresses both in service systems, ongoing procurement programmes and research and development efforts. Some countries have not yet begun to deploy UAVs whereas others, notably China is sponsoring the development of a myriad of different and competing designs although few are yet to see large scale service while other still notably Singapore have plans developed over time that are being steadily and coherently implemented. The UAV Directory has been researched using a range of resources notably AMR correspondents, industry experts and serving military personnel throughout the region as well as open sources.

AUSTRALIA FIELDED

Hero n, IAI; Project Nankeen lease via MacDonald Dettwiler extended to end 2012, supporting Army and RAAF units from Kandahar which began in Jan 2010 Scan Eagle, Isitu/Boeing; Interim Tier 2 type requirement until Shadow 200 fielded. Deployed Iraq 2006-8 and in Afghanistan since 2007 where it has logged over 25,000 operational flight hours by July 2011. Skylark I, Elbit Systems; Eight systems ordered in Nov 2005 onwards with 20 STA Reg. deployed to E Timor and Iraq, further orders subsequently Aerosonde III, AAI; Four Aerosondes sent to the Solomon Islands on Operation Anode with Army’s 131 STA Battery Avatar, Condarra; 18 UAVs acquired since 2001 deployed to E. Timor with ADF SF in 2003, status unknown TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

I-View 250, IAI; Original JP129 Phase 2 A$145m contract in 2006 awarded to Boeing Australia as prime with IAI I-View 250 UAV cancelled in Sept 2008 Maritime Ranges Sensor Delivery System, Mincham Aviation; Able to deploy sonobuoys 15nm in trials with RAN as of late 2010

AAI’s RQ-7B/Shadow 200 has been selected for Australia’s JP129 Phase 2 UAV programme and is an increasingly unlikely option for Pakistan despite being offered by the US under its military aid programme © AJB

Heron 1, IAI; Six week, A$5.5m trial with Border Protection Command May-June 2008 with 80 hours flying in maritime surveillance trial equipped with ELTA 2022 multimode radar Aqua Puma, AeroVironment; Naval trials in early 2007 RQ-7B Shadow 200, AAI; TUAV in US service selected under JP129 Phase 2 and requested from US DCSA in May 2011, with Australian decision in second half of 2011 RQ -8A Fire Sco ut, Northrop Grumman; Company believes it has interest RQ-4 Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman; Flew non-stop to Australia in 2001 and took past in joint exercise Tandem Thrust. Planned to acquire the UAV as part of its participation in BAMS project but dropped out in 2009 although options remain for maritime and littoral surveillance from 2016 NOTES: TUAV requirement in JP129 Phase 4 with IOC in 2013-15. Unmanned aspect of Air 7000, known as 1B for a HALE maritime

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

UAV deferred and involvement in US BAMS programme cancelled in March 2009 and will receive government consideration again in 2016. In June, Northrop Grumman and Australia’s DoD signed a Global Supply Chain agreement to aid Australian companies becoming supply partners.

CHINA

FIELDED

BZK-005, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; MALE UAV thought to have been in limited service since 2009 Pterodactyl 1/Yilong, AVIC; Predator-like MALE with 400km range first seen in 2008 with initial development completed in 2009 and production beginning during 2010 and can be equipped with AR-1 missiles W-30/W-50 ser ies, NRIST; Sometimes called PW-1 and entered service with the People’s Liberation Army during 2005, radius of 100km. Later PW-2 version has longer range ASN206/7, Xian ASN Technology; In serv-

REGIONAL UAV

TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

ice with PLA RMAX, Yamaha Motor Company; Nine systems procured in 2001 for paramilitary use ASN-15, Xian ASN Technology; Hand launched UAV in 2000 largely used for test and proof of concept ASN-104/5B , Xian ASN Technology; In service with PLA ASN-206/ 207, Xian ASN Technology; Developed from mid 1990s, range of 150km, ASN-207 first seen publicly in 2002, in limited service ASN-209, Xian ASN Technologies; Twinboom pusher design called Silver Eagle in PLAN service, reported to be tested by PLA as comms relay in June 2011 I-Z, Z-3, Z-2, NRIST; Rotary wing design some military and paramilitary use from early 2000s Harpy, IAI; Sold to China in 1994, When China returned the Harpy for maintenance, US concerns over possibility of upgrade to Harop standard, saw Israel return the UAV in 2005

CH-3, CASIC; MALE 12 hour endurance, canard design 108nm radius in advanced development, first seen in public in 2008, reported to be fitted with FT-5 small PGMs. Links to requirements in Brunei and Cambodia WJ-600, CASIC; Global Hawk-like design for maritime surveillance, turbo-jet powered, options for air to surface engagement, in early development Long Haul Eagle, AVIC; Another Global Hawk like design, status unknown ASN-229A, Xian ASN Technology; 20hr endurance, armed UAV, in testing phase could enter service in 2011 ASN-213, Xian ASN Technology; 5Kg design with in-flight morphing design first seen in 2008 Night Eagle, AVIC; Hand launched, similar to Aerosonde Whirlwind Scout, AVIC; Compact VTOL ducted fan design U8E, AVIC; Lightweight VTOL design shown at Singapore Airshow 2010 SL-200, CASC; Armed HALE, described as a stealthy design CH-802, CASIC; Hand launched similar to Pointer V750, Qingdao Haili Helicopter Manufacturing Co; Rotary wing UAV Tian Yi-3, LOEC; High speed HALE Warrior E agle, AVIC; Only sketches seen publicly and may utilise a morphing

DIRECTORY

wing design Soarhawk, Sunward; Described as similar to piston engined ADCOM SAT-400, status unknown DUF-2, BUAA; Hand launched SUAV Wing Long, AVIC; Completed flight testing in Oct 2008, 20 hour endurance Anjian/Darksword, Shenyang Aircraft Co.; UCAV in early development

NOTES: Images of Global-Hawk type design seen a runway in Google Earth pics at Chendghu Aircraft Corporation No.132 factory. Chinese Naval UAV, possibly ASN209 Silver Eagle filmed by Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft surveilling a 11 ship strong PLAN fleet in eastern Philippine Sea while it was returning from a gunnery exercise in June 2011

INDIA

FIELDED

Searcher I & II, IAI; Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army and Navy are understood to have acquired 18 and possibly as many as 50-70 UAVs Lakshya, DRDO/ADE & HAL; High speed reusable drone with 100 now in service. Israel pulled out of Lakshya buy in 2005 Heron I/II, IAI; IAF order in 2002 for four UAVs. Navy ordered 12 in 2005 and operates the UAVs in two mixed units alongside its Searcher UAVs. Potential requirement for 50 UAVs Harpy, IAI; 30 in service delivered from 2005

The Nishant TUAV has been developed by the DRDO and ARDE since 1990 with 12 of the UAVs being ordered in 2005. Four have been delivered so far with two of them crashing in April 2010 ÂŠ AJB

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

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Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C BAMS UAV was reported to have been submitted in response to an Indian Navy RFI for a maritime HALE UAV issued in October 2010 © Northrop Grumman

Harop/Harpy II, IAI; 10 UAV/Loitering Munition ordered by IAF in 2009 in $100m deal with video datalink system. Deliveries start in 2011 TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

Rustom 1, DRDO/ARDE; First successful test flight in Oct. 2010 after prototype crashed in November 2009, 12-15hour endurance, airframe built by Zephyr Aerospace. Due to begin series production in 2012-13 Rustom HALE, DRDO/ARDE; MALE UAV in development for tri-service customers, also precursor for UCAV development prototype in 2014-15, 12-15 hour endurance and 45kg payload Nish an t, DRDO/ARDE; Development began in 1990 trial completed in Feb. 2011. 12 Nishants ordered in 2005 with four delivered so far and two crashing in April 2010. The balance due in 2013-14 Kapothaka, DRDO/ARDE; Mini-UAV to test ISR as well as launch and recovery concepts Pawan, DRDO/ARDE; SUAV in development Gagan, DRDO/ARDE; TUAV in development Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman; Listed India as a potential customer at Paris Air show 2011 in maritime and overland role UCAV, N/A; IAF issued RFI in mid 2010 R Q-16B T-Hawk, Honeywell Aerospace; Demonstrated at the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College at Kanker in Chattisgarh in 2010 ‘HALE’ UAV, N/A; IN HALE RFI issued October 2010. NG reported to have responded with its MQ-4C BAMS which could operate with P-8I Poseidon

from various sources. AAI reported to have recently demonstrated T-Hawk UAV to Ministry of Homeland Affairs at IGI airport. Four Searcher Mk II UAVs deployed to Tezpur and Chabua. Army Aviation bases in Assam.

INDONESIA FIELDED

IFox AT1, CAC/EADS; Four UAVs with a fixed wing design fielded with Armed Forces Strategic Intelligence Agency and Air Force in Bandung in early 2000s. Contract valued at $10m and issues over non-delivery of rotary wing UAVs. UAVs withdrawn from service in 2006 SS-5, PT Wesco Aerospace; one or more systems reported to be deployed to Aceh in 2005 Aerosonde, AAI; Deployed with paramilitary and Police forces TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

Sriti, Agency for the Assessment and

NOTES: Pesawat Udara Nir-Awak or PUNA is the Bahasa Indonesia acronym for UAV. Indonesia has been carrying out a programme headed by the government's Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology to develop indigenous UAVs since March 2007. Military announced TUAV programme last October to be acquired “from 2011” with the UAVs themHoneywell’s RQ-16B is in service in Asia in Afghanistan with US and British forces and has been used to monitor radiation levels at Fukushima in Japan and has been demonstrated to Indian counter-terrorism units © US DoD

NOTES: Focus expanded in past two years to explore procurement of Mini- and Small UAVS with an Army global RFI issued in early 2011 with 80-100 required. Army has a requirement for 1500-1800 UAVs of all types

Application of Technology; 10km range tactical UAV using a flying wing design AL AP, Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology; 25kg, 50km range UAV ‘TUAV’, Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology; 120kg UAV with a range of 120km. Three design shape prototypes; the BPPT-01A “Wulung” with Hi rectangular-wing, Low Boom T-tail, the BPPT-01B “Gagak” with Lo rectangularwing, Low Boom V-Tail and the BPPT-02A “Wulung” with a Hi rectangular-wing, Hi Boom Inverted V-Tail design

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

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selves to be manufactured locally by PT Dirgantara. Reported to be seeking UAVs from Israel but these efforts now ended in recent years.

JAPAN

FIELDED

Forward Flying Observation System, Fuji Heavy Industries; Development of rotary wing design began in 1991 with three systems equipping Army artillery units from

2004. Civil version is the RPH-2 RMAX, Yamaha Motor Company; Deployed with Japan’s Iraq contingent in 2005 TAyoutoK(C)Ogata Mujinki (TACOM), Fuji Heavy Industries; Trans. ‘Multi-role small UAV’. Japan’s Technical Research and Development Institute have been working on the concept since 1995. Evaluation flight test in 2001. In 2011 Japan released film of two turbo jet powered drones carried by an F-15J. TACOM launched while aloft and

Australia has deployed Elbit’s Skylark since the first order in 2005, deploying to E Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Other users in the region include South Korea who ordered the Skylark II in late 2007 © Elbit Systems

returns to base using a retractable undercarriage. A prototype launched from a Mitsubishi/Lockheed Martin F-2 was lost at sea in 2010 J/AQM-1, Fuji Heavy Industries; Air force target drone, entered services 1987, indigenous design BQM-34AJ, Fuji Heavy Industries; Navy target drone, licensed development of Firebee TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

R Q-8A Fire Scout, Northrop Grumman; Company believes it has interest from the military B Type Machine II, Fuji IMVAC, Used to monitor Fukushima Ball Shaped UAV; Development or SUAV for Urban ops for Army R Q-16B T-Hawk, Honeywell Aerospace; Used to monitor Fukushima Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman; listed Japan as a potential customer at Paris Airshow 2011 in maritime and overland role. Thought to be as part of 2011-2015 MidTerm Defence Programme with three of the UAVs potentially required probably working in conjunction with P-3C Orion. Japanese interests first noted in 2004. Improved Satellite surveillance the main alternative NOTES: There are a large number of UAV companies in Japan including Fuji Heavy Industries, Yamaha Motor, Yanmar Agricultural Equipment, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Sky Remote, Hirobo, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Hitachi, NEC Corporation, GH Craft, Fuji Imvac and Nippi Corporation.

NORTH KOREA FIELDED

P chela, Yakovlev OKB; Unconfirmed reports that North Korea acquired the Russian UAV in 1995 NO TES: Also reports that it operates Tupolev DR-3/M-141 jet-powered tactical reconnaissance UAVs.

SOUTH KOREA FIELDED

Harpy, IAI; 100 systems valued at $45m fielded from 1999 Night Intruder 300, KAI; Began development in 1991 with MND funding with the Army receiving five systems 2001-2004,

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

REGIONAL UAV

DIRECTORY

Malaysia's Sapura continues to market its CyberEye UAV, pictured here is the latest CyberEye II UAV. The company successfully sold three systems to Thailand in 2009 © Dzirhan Mahadzir

Navy also acquired the system Shadow 400, AAI; One system in service with Navy for evaluation from 2006 Skylark II, Elbit Systems; Announced selection in Dec 2007, equipped with the Micro-CoMPASS E/O payload with first delivery in 2008 TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

Night Intruder NI-11N, KAI; Development began in 2006 with focus on maritime surveillance Korean - Combat Unmanned Vehicle, KAI; K-CUAV shown only in sketch form Urban Star, Kyung An Cable Company; VTOL UAV in development Remoeye 002, Ucon Systems; In development hand launched UAV Remoeye 006, Ucon Systems; SUAV development complete in June 2005 Remoeye 015, Ucon Systems; Development complete in June 2005, 15Kg TUAV endurance 4hrs plus Remo H-120, Ucon Systems; In development rotary wing design endurance of two hours RQ -8A Fire Scou t, Northrop Grumman; Company believes it has interest Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman; Listed South Korea as a potential customer at Paris Airshow 2011 in maritime and overland role with Korea allocating $40m for partial pay-

ment in 2011 budget Smart UA V, KARI; Tilt rotor design launched in 2002 with significant government funding, unveiled in 2005 was to begin flight testing in 2011

NOTES: South Korea’s MALE requirement which could go to Israel Aerospace Industries Heron and Elbit Systems Hermes 450 UAS is being reported as dependent on whether Israel selects the T-50 jet for its training requirement.

MALAYSIA FIELDED

Eagle 150B, CTRM; Conversion of CTRM’s Eagle 150 trainer aircraft into an aircraft which could function either as manned aircraft or a UAV, three aircraft and a GCS entered service in 2002 and withdrawn in Feb 2006 Aludra Mk1, CTRM; Trials from October 2008 to late 2010, Mk2 version in development TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

‘TUAV’, N/A; Requirement for six UAVs announced at DSA 2010, expected to go to Aludra MK2 with improved payload and greater endurance Cyb er E ye , Sapura; demonstrated to

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

Malaysian Military Cyber Shark, Sapura; demonstrated to Malaysian Military

NOTES: Malaysia still has limited interest in UAVs.

NEW ZEALAND

TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

Kah u/ Hawk, SKYCAM UAV NZ; New Zealand is exploring SUAV concepts

NOTES: New Zealand troops benefiting from UAV coverage in Afghanistan.

PAKISTAN FIELDED

Uqab-II, ACES; First squadron inducted into Pakistan Navy in July 2011 and tasked with Maritime Interdiction Operation. The timing coincided with the crash of an Uqab-II Navy UAV near an oil refinery. Developed from Eagle Eye system Uqab , Integrated Dynamics; Flight tests completed in March 2008, developed with Turkish help similar to the US Army RQ-7B Shadow 200 Bu rraq, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex; Based on Falco-Selex Galileo technology and is believed to be intended as Pakistan's main equivalent to the American Predator

REGIONAL

UAV

DIRECTORY

to be equipped with NESCom designed laser designator and laser-guided missiles. Falco, Selex Galileo; Pakistan bought 4-5 unarmed reconnaissance drones from Italy. First Italian produced aircraft operational in early 2009 after delivery 2006-8. Some produced locally by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex with local production beginning in August 2009 Br avo +/J as oos II , AWC; In use of the Pakistan Air Force since 2004 and supports Operations and Training Programme CH-3, CASC; 20 UAVs reported to be on order from China for delivery in 2011 and equipped with FT-5 PGM Luna, EMT; Acquired for Pakistani Army in 2006 TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

S-100C, Scheibel; VTOL UAV tested on PN Type 21 frigate in March 2008 in a four

hour mission RQ-7 Shadow 200, AAI; 12 UAVs in three systems requested, confirmed in Jan 2010 by Sec Def. Gates. Now in limbo with an estimated cost of $150m from the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund budget ‘UQAB III’, ACES; presumed designation for HALE/’Strategic’ version with radius of operation of over 300km K1, AWC; Trial by Army in 1997

Pr edator A, General Atomics; Two of the UAVs were reported to be registered with the Office of the National Security Advisor Hun ter R Q -5, Northrop Grumman/IAI; Reported to be from the US Army and operated by the Philippines Air Force.

in UAV development include Integrated Dynamics Surveillance & Target Unmanned Aircraft, East West Infiniti, Air Weapons Complex National Development Complex (NDC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. Tusas Aerospace Industries signed an MoU in May 2007 with local firm Air Weapons Complex working on a MALE solution.

NOTES: Some domestic work on TUAVs but considerable access to US UAV ISR data. The $934m five year modernisation and security plan did not include UAVs.

NOTES: Pakistan aviation firms involved

The Falco is in service with Pakistani forces operating platforms manufactured in Italy and produced domestically by The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex © Selex Galileo

PHILIPPINES FIELDED

TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

B lu e H orizon, UVision Air; Reportedly obtained for trails and operational testing in 2001

SINGAPORE FIELDED

Searcher I, IAI; Fielded with No. 119 and No. 128 Sqns RSAF operates at least ten systems Hermes H-450, Elbit Systems; No. 116 Sqn operates the UAV with 12 platforms fielded since 2007 Skyblade III, ST Aerospace; Planned to be fielded late 2011, equipping size units at battalion and brigade level developed by Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the DSO National Laboratories, ST Aerospace and the Defence Science and Technology Agency Skyblade II, ST Aerospace; delivered to SAF in mid 2005, 5kg range of 8km Skylark, Elbit Systems; Fielded by RSAF from 2006 TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

B lu e Hor izon , Singapore Technologies Dynamics, MALE ordered in 1998 acquired in 1999 Scan E agle, Boeing/Insitu; Republic of Singapore Navy successfully trialed the Scan Eagle in March 2009, the trials involving the successful operation of the Scan Eagle from a RSN frigate and LST ST Skyblade IV, ST Aerospace, 54nm range Schiebel Camcopter ’s S-100 rotary wing design has been widely tested in the region for naval applications including by Pakistan on a Type 21 frigate in March 2008 in a four hour mission. It is shown here equipped with two Thales Lightweight Multi-role Missiles © AJB

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

UAV unveiled 2006 Global Hawk; Northrop Grumman; Listed Singapore as a potential customer at Paris Airshow 2011, possibly to meet Singapore’s requirements dating from early 2000s FanTail, ST Aerospace, VTOL SUAV MAV -1, ST Aerospace; Low-observable developmental UAV RQ -8A Fire Scout, Northrop Grumman; Company believes it has interest from the military

NOTES: In May 2007, responsibility for UAV development, training and operations were placed under the RSAF’s UAV Command. Local company Stratech Systems & Aeronautics formed UAV focused Stratech Aeronautics at Singapore Airshow in 2010.

SRI LANKA FIELDED

Searcher, IAI; Mks II and III variants equip No 111 Air Surveillance Squadron based at Anuradhapura with one or two systems in service

NOTES: No public plans for new UAVs.

Flew 92km in 52 minutes over water in 2009

TAIWAN

FIELDED

Ch ung Sh yang II, CSIST; Initiated programme in 2002 unveiled in 2005 “Zhongxiang III UAV”, CSIST; Prototype crashed and found by fishermen in June 2010, reported counter-radar role TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

AI Rider, Gang Yu Corp; Indigenous sixrotor 1.5Kg design launched at Secutech, in Taipei in April used by Taiwan’s military and academic institutions for surveillance and geographic surveying Kestrel II, CSIST; Early development nonoperational Cardinal, CSIST; Hand launched Mini-UAV, 1.5 hour endurance military interest reported Blue Magpie, CSIST; Hand launched MiniUAV, no military interest reported AL-4, Aeroland UAV Inc; Hand launched UAV ordered by non-Military customer in Taiwan ‘Gray-faced Buzzard’, National Cheng Kung University; Fuel-cell/lithium battery powered 22kg UAV first flew in 2010 Spoonbill, National Cheng Kung University;

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

NOTES: Air Force reported to be interested in a HALE UAV but not Global Hawk in 2010.

THAILAND FIELDED

Cyber Eye, Sapura; Three systems acquired from Malaysia in 2009 Aer ostar; Aeronautics Defence Systems design; One system, ordered in early 2011 R aven , AeroVironment; Successive contracts since 2008 Searcher I&II, IAI; One system comprising four UAVs, GCS and RVT, since retired TRIALS AND DEVELOPMENT

Fir escout RQ -8, Northrop Grumman; Company believes there is interest

NOT ES: Thai Air Force is leading efforts on UAV strategy with plans outlined in 2009 to equip a squadron and calling for a three systems with 15km, 30km and 100km ranges aimed at acquiring capability and building a domestic research and production base. Burma denounced unidentified UAV flights on Thai-Burma border in January 2011.

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Australia has operated the BAE Systems Hawk aircraft since 2000 with the RAAF recently extending its support contract with the company for a further two years in a A$150 million deal © BAE Systems

Asia-Pacific Procurement Update AUSTRALIA Australia orders Thales trainers

The Australian government has signed a contract with Thales Australia for the delivery of nine vehicle training simulators for the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV). The simulators will be used to train Australian Army crews operating the ASLAV across a range of environments to refine procedures before they deploy on operations, helping to mitigate risk and keep crew training costs as low as possible. The use of heavy vehicle simulators also ensures crews are fully prepared before deployment for the full range of high-risk situations they may encounter. The use of realistic synthetic environments that recreate all kinds of road and mission conditions deliver a complete sensory experience; during training the driving actions are linked electronically to the visual images and vehicle instruments and the interactivity is real-time, with simulated braking and acceleration movement, including cornering motion, all with relevant syn-

thesized sound effects, such as engine and gear-change noise and airbrake hiss. The nine simulators will bring the total number ordered by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to 18. Following assembly at Thales Australia’s Rydalmere facilities, delivery is expected to take place throughout 2013.

New Super Hornets delivered to RAAF

Three new F/A-18F Super Hornets have been delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base Amberley in Queensland, bringing the total number of Super Hornets delivered to eighteen aircraft. The F/A-18F Super Hornets are being acquired by the Australian government to fulfil an advanced strike capability role in the RAAF, and fill an air combat capability gap between the retirement of the F-111 fleet in late 2010 and the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter later in the decade. The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 of the advanced Block II versions of the Super ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

Hornet, all of which are equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Fifteen aircraft have already become operational in the RAAF after their induction to service in December last year. The Super Hornet will give the RAAF the capability to provide air-to-air combat, land and sea strike, as well as reconnaissance and enemy air defence suppression. With a suite of fully integrated and networked systems the aircraft provides enhanced interoperability, total force support for the combatant commander and for the troops on the ground. Boeing has developed the 5th generation fighter to be capable of virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including day/night strike with precision guided weapons, anti-air warfare, fighter escort, close air support, maritime strike, and forward air control among other capabilities; and has eleven weapon stations that support a full complement of smart weapons including laser-guided bombs, and a full spectrum of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance. Twelve of the RAAF Super Hornets have also been pre-wired for potential electronic attack capability conversion during production to ensure that electronic attack options can be pursued if the decision is taken to do so. This will reduce the cost of upgrading to electronic attack capability as opposed to the expensive retrofit route at a later date. Deliveries of the aircraft are due for completion by the end of 2011.

BAE Continues RAAF Hawk support

The Australian government has extended the contract of BAE Systems Australia for the provision of support to the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) Lead-In-Fighter Hawk aircraft at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW and Base Pearce in Western Australia. BAE Systems Australia has been supporting the RAAF’s Hawk aircraft since they came into service in 2000, in a training capacity for the RAAF’s future Hornet and Joint Strike Fighter pilots. The contract extension is worth A$150 million. The new contract extension will see BAE Systems Australia continue their support for the next two years. The contract includes maintenance, engineering and logistic support services to the Lead-In-Fighter Hawk aircraft, two training simulators as well as a computer-based instruction system.

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According to the Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, by working together, BAE Systems Australia and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have delivered savings in excess of ten percent over the two year extension period through the Strategic Reform Program, by revising maintenance strategy and improving the overhaul aircraft programme. Australia operates 33 Lead-In-Fighter Hawk Mk 127 aircraft from Bases Williamtown and Pearce. The aircraft provides support and advanced fast jet training and prepares aircrew for operational conversion to the F/A-18 Hornet fighter. The Hawk Lead-In Fighter is the latest variant of the highly successful Hawk family, and the RAAF aircraft have been specifically adapted to deliver advanced flying and weapons systems training and support roles for the ADF.

ADF extends MDA UAV contract

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has signed a extension contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) for the provision of its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) services in Afghanistan. MDA has been supporting Australian forces in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force since 2010 when the initial one year contract was signed. The new deal will see MDA provide the Heron UAV service for the third year running. The Heron medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV forms a central aspect of the Australian Army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in Afghanistan, with operations taking place from the Kandahar Airfield. The UAV missions provide crucially important data directly to ground commanders in real time, increasing battlefield situational awareness and shortening decision making cycles. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) utilises a number of modular radar, sensor and electronic packages on the Heron, including the Sentient Kestrel Moving Target Indicator (MTI) software, that enables changes within areas of interest to be automatically detected without the need for operator input, reducing the chance of human error from fatigue and distraction as well as when the changes are too small to be seen by the human eye. The latest MDA contract extension will see the provision of ADF Herons in Afghanistan through to the end of December 2012.

INDIA India’s Mirage 2000 fleet to be upgraded

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) Mirage 2000 fleet is to get a $2.4 billion upgrade following the signing of a contract by French companies; Thales and Dassault Aviation. The upgrade will The $2.4 billion upgrade will see aircraft equivalent to the Dassault integrate a number of Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 standard operate over India, similar to the latest generation UAE Mirage 2000-9 shown here © DoD equipment and systems in order to enhance the technical- Indian Air Force (IAF) at all times. The IAF’s modernisation programme operational capabilities of the fleet. It will bring a significant step up in capabilities has seen a number of new advanced aircraft acquired and developed, including to the Mirage 2000 fleet. The contract marks 50 years of coopera- fighter jet and military transport aircraft tion between India and French military that require modern air traffic manageaviation, and consolidates a further period ment, navigation and landing systems as of long-term strategic partnership between well as meteorological and communications facilities at air fields. the two countries. Under the new contract, issued by the The IAF has operated the Dassault Mirage 2000 since the 1980s when it Tata Power Company Limited, Strategic acquired the fighter from Dassault, and Electronics Division (Tata Power SED) as has since purchased an additional batch of part of phase one of the MAFI project, Mirage 2000H aircraft with improved Northrop Grumman will provide navigational equipment, including 30 NORavionics and upgraded RDM 7 radar. The Thales-Dassault upgrade is expect- MARC 7000 Instrument Landing Systems ed to bring the IAF Mirage 2000 fleet up to (ILS) and 31 NORMARC Doppler VHF the Dassault 2000-5 Mk2 standard, includ- Omni-directional Range (DVOR) systems. Northrop Grumman’s NORMARC ILS ing increased fuel capacity and fire power. Advanced operational capabilities in the comprises Localiser, Glidepath and upgrade include high-altitude intercep- Marker Beacon systems, Far Field Monitor tion, and additional external load configu- systems and portable Field Test Sets. ration with air-to-air missiles fitted on the NORMARC 7000 ILS systems are available in a wide range of configurations, all meetside fuselage hardpoints. When complete the aircraft will fulfil ing the most stringent ICAO Level 4 an advanced multi-role requirement for requirements and designed to be costthe IAF, and the fleet will be an important effective, easy to install and operate, and enhancement to the country’s self-defence dependable. NOMARC DVOR is a stateof-the-art flight safety product featuring capabilities. colour touch panel for local control and India to modernise Airfields extensive built-in test equipment technolowith help from Northrop gy for fault isolation. The equipment also Grumman utilises the latest digital design for India has awarded contracts to Northrop increased stability and accuracy of operaGrumman’s Europe-based air traffic man- tions and performs to the highest stanagement subsidiary, Northrop Grumman dards under automatic continuous moniPark Air Systems, under the Modernisation tor integrity testing. Further options exist in the contract for of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI) India project. The project will see air fields operat- another 30 Indian Armed Force airfields ed by the Indian Armed Forces modernised that also require modernisation. Deliveries and upgraded to ensure they are capable of by Northrop Grumman are due for comhandling all types of aircraft operated by the pletion in 42 months.

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

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BANGLADESH Bangladesh Navy purchases Do 228NG aircraft

The Bangladesh Navy has acquired two modern Do 228 New Generation (Do 228NG) turboprop aircraft from RUAG Aviation. The aircraft will be used in a maritime patrol capacity, and the purchase is the first fixed wing aircraft for the Bangladesh Navy to be used for this purpose. The Do 228NGs are both equipped with special equipment for maritime air patrol

PAKISTAN Pakistan to receive L-3 Communications ATS

The Pakistan Air Force is to receive an aircrew training system (ATS) from L-3 Communications, Link Simulation and Training to support air force pilot training. The acquisition is taking place under a contract between Pakistan and the US government as a firmfixed-price contract worth $20,563,657. The ATS consists of two F-16 Block 52 aircrew training devices, and a mission support system with 18 panel ‘SimuSphere’, which gives pilots a high-definition 300° horizontal x 130° vertical field-of-view visual display for both out-the-window and cockpit sensor display imagery that immerses pilots in a virtual training environment equivalent to real-world flying missions. The ATS also includes a new F-16A Block 15/52 ATS and F-16C Block 52 ATS; common ATS Block 15 and Block 52 software load; high fidelity cockpit; 360 horizontal X250; version MMC 7000 hardware and software; geo-specific database with high resolution inputs; full APG68 version nine radar with digital radar land mass simulation; full weapons simulation; Maverick missile; targeting pod; joint helmet mounted cueing system; threat environment AG and spot jamming; emergency procedures and malfunctions; and an instructor-operator station. Also included in the package is a total of 21 months contractor logistics support. The purchase by Pakistan forms part of a larger programme to upgrade the F-16s that currently fulfil a fighter aircraft role for the Pakistan Air Force. Under the programme new F-16 block 50/52s are being acquired and weapon and engine upgrades and modifications are being carried out on the existing fleet. The programme is being undertaken via the Foreign Military Sales route with the US.

operations including radio and navigation aid and other selected systems and rescue equipment. RUAG Aviation has seen success with the Do 228NG due to its flexibility and costeffectiveness compared to other aircraft in its class. The aircraft combines advanced technology and versatility with long-rage mission and high payload capabilities. As a maritime patrol aircraft the Do 228NG has a wide manoeuvring speed of 67 to 234 knots, and the high wing model allows unobstructed views to the ground. Advanced systems include four HD dis-

plays on all new glass cockpits, and a flight management system with 200 missions stored. Sensor information can be displayed in the cockpit on each of the multi function displays, and all aircraft data is digital enabling the use of data buses to link sensors with the aircraft systems. The contract with RUAG Aviation also includes pilot and aircraft maintenance training for the Navy’s ground crew on location. Delivery of both aircraft is scheduled for summer 2013 following final assembly and integration of customer-specific equipment in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.

SOUTH KOREA Cassidian MILDS for Korean Surion helicopters

Cassidian is to supply the Republic of Korea Army’s (ROKA’s) Surion utility helicopters with their Missile Launch Detection System (MILDS) under a multimillion Euro deal between EADS and the Korean Aircraft Industries (KAI). The Surion helicopter, jointly developed by KAI and Eurocopter will be equipped with the MILDS system, with the first batch of 24 systems to be delivered by 2013. Cassidian has already been involved in the development of the helicopter’s electronic warfare systems and delivered 36 of the sensors in the early development phase of the programme. One hundred sensors will be delivered in total. MILDS is a passive imaging sensor that works by detecting the UV radiation signature of approaching missiles. It is the standard missile warning system in use with helicopters and wide-body aircraft, with over 7,000 systems in service worldwide on aircraft ranging from Tiger, NH90, CH-53, CH-47, MI-17 to the Lockheed Martin C-130. A specific fighter version – MILDS F – is in service with the Royal Danish Air Force and Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 fighters. Rapid processing and the extremely high resolution of MILDS enables very reliable threat identification with a very low false alarm rate. Optimised coverage and rapid reaction are provided with the use of 4 to 5 sensors. Around 250 Surion helicopters are being procured for the ROKA. The helicopter was developed in order to replace the existing utility helicopters in service including the UH-1H and MD500. They will carry out a troop assault, tactical lift, medical evacuation and search and rescue ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

missions within the ROKA. The first deliveries are expected in 2013, and the aircraft is also being marketed for the export market as an alternative to the AW149 and UH-60M.

South Korea’s first E-737 arrives in country

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has taken delivery of its first E-737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft at the ROKAF base in Gimhae. Delivered by Boeing, the E-737 is based on the Boeing 737 aircraft, a state-of-the-art system providing airborne surveillance, control and battle management. The aircraft features a multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar system that can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously, an integrated identification friend or foe (IFF) function that shares the primary radar arrays to reduce weight, improve reliability, and simplify target correlation; and an advanced open-system architecture with standards-based design for cost-effective integration and add-on flexibility. Boeing has supplied the E-737 as part of a package that will see a further three 737 aircraft that will be modified by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Korea; as well as ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. During the acquisition and initial support phases Boeing will provide support, as well as initial training of the ROKAF and KAI personnel who will then take over in-service product support activities. Boeing’s role in the programme will end in 2013. Boeing Defence Australia has been subcontracted by Boeing to design the E737 support facility in Busan Korea where the ground support segments for the aircraft will be installed. The facility will be constructed by the ROKAF.

REGIONAL NEWS A N D

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

TAIWAN Sikorsky to build Black Hawks for Taiwan

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp has been awarded a contract by the US government to supply four ‘green’ Black Hawk UH-60 helicopters and equipment for Taiwan. The contract will help fulfil a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement between the US and Taiwanese governments. The US government is to provide 60 Black Hawk UH-60 aircraft in total to Taiwan under the FMS announced in January 2010 at a total estimated cost of US $3.1 billion. Also requested by Taiwan as part of the package are 120 T-700-GE-701D engines, 18 spare T-700-GE-701D engines, 69 AN/APR-39A(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers, 69 AN/ALQ-144A(V)1 Infrared Countermeasure Sets, 69 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, 69 AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets, 120 GAU-19/A .50 cal Machine Gun Systems; 310 AN/AVS-9 Aviator Night Vision Goggles; as well as communication and data link systems, ammunition, spare parts, personnel training and equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services.

Taiwan requested the FMS as part of their continuing efforts to modernise their armed forces, and in particular to enhance the defensive capabilities in the face of increasing military unrest in the AsiaPacific region caused by China’s ongoing military build-up. The Black Hawk aircraft

will fulfil a personnel transport, cargo lift and aero-medical evacuation role, as well as providing aerial defence of vital installations and close air support for ground troops. Sikorsky was the only bidder in the contract issued by the US Army Contracting Command, which is worth US$48,607,275 in total. The work is expected to be completed by May 30, 2013.

request that will also include associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support if it goes ahead. In full the package will include the three UH-60M helicopter aircraft, eight T700-GE-701D Engines (six installed and two spares), Dual MXF-4027 VHF/UHF-AM/FM communication radios, AN/ARC-201E Export SINCGARS Airborne Radio, AN/AXP-117 CXP (Common Digital IFF Transponder), government furnished

equipment, engineering change proposals, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, Aviation Mission Planning Station, Transportable Blackhawk Operations Simulator (TBOS), US Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, aircraft warranty, Air Worthiness Release Support, Repair and Return Support, and other related elements of logistics support. The Royal Thai Army already operates the UH-60L, and the additional UH-60M units will bring an updated multi-role capability to the fleet. The UH-60M is the latest version of the Black Hawk helicopter family, providing additional payload and range, advanced digital avionics, improved handling qualities and situational awareness, active vibration control, and improved survivability compared with the predecessor UH-60L model. As well as updating the Royal Thai Army’s capability the potential sale will enable greater interoperability with the US and other allies. The prime contractor on the deal will be the Sikorsky Aircraft Company and the General Electric Aircraft Company.

THAILAND Thailand requests UH-60M Black Hawks

Thailand has requested the purchase of three UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters from the US government as part of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $235 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified US Congress of the

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