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Contents MARCH/APRIL 2013 VOLUME 21 / ISSUE 2

Front Cover Photo: Nexter’s CAmion Equipé d’un Système d'ARtillerie (CAESAR) 155 mm/52-calibre Self-propelled howitzer has been delivered to Thailand based on a Unimog U2450 chassis with six systems in service and deployed in the standoff against Cambodia as well as being deployed with the French army to Afghanistan and most recently to Male with the 68e Régiment d’Artillerie d’Afrique © Yves Debay/Nexter

Malaysian Defence Modernisation Dzirhan Mahadzir Developments for the Malaysian Armed Forces has been fairly limited owing to the country’s political situation. A General Election which must held by April 2013 leading to the government giving little priority to military procurement under the 10th Malaysia Plan which governs all Malaysian government spending until 2015

4.5 Generation Combat Aircraft Thomas Withington Modern Combat aircraft must perform a range of tasks including traditional Air Superiority missions, to Close Air Support, using a single airframe and switching between these missions with the minimum of fuss

40 Precision Indirect Engagement: Regional Fires and Effects Adam Baddeley Precision indirect fires are both costly and cost-efficient. Militaries have to consider trade-offs between the financial cost of deploying precision indirect fire versus the strategic cost of collateral damage

Urban Warfare Adam Baddeley Urban operations can't be avoided or ignored. Whether the force structure and equipment inventories being acquired are to support overseas peace support operations far from home or conventional warfighting on national territory, the ability to conduct effective operations in the complex terrain of towns and cities remains a challenge

CBRN In The Field Andy Oppenheimer Weapons containing a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear component are factored into military planning for force protection as they continue to be a credible, if unpredictable and unquantifiable, threat to both troops and civilians in several theatres

Adam Baddeley Monitoring the complex interplay of fishing vessels, merchant marine and other craft undergoing their legal business must also be combined with the ability to detect illegal fishing, piracy and terrorists infiltrating in skiffs

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Adam Baddeley The Airborne Kill Chain covers the gamut of military activities from Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets detecting and identifying targets, often sending that information to command structures to obtain a decision then ordering an attack on the target and then passing on the requisite targeting information to the right platform to achieve the destruction of the target

Coastal and Littoral Surveillance

Tightening The Kill Chain

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Editorial

eace can break out even in apparently intractable conflicts with recent events in South East Asia providing ample proof of that.

Peace talks between the government and Mindanao separatists in the Philippines in 2012 culminated with both sides compromising on the establishment of the Bangsamoro semi-autonomous state and socio-economic development from 2016, with the deal brokered in part by the Malaysian government. In support of this, on the penultimate day of February, the first of four annexes establishing the Bangsamoro region was signed in Kuala Lumpur.

This was achieved despite or perhaps because of decades of conflict with the Mindanao Islamic Liberation Front with tens of thousands dead and missing and many more displaced and injured. It's a model that could be transplanted to other conflicts in the region and should be examined seriously, not least in Thailand and it appears that it has been. This was illustrated by Hassan Taib representing a more moderate strand of the separatist movement and Lt-Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary general of Thailand's National Security Council signing an agreement in February, establishing a framework for talks - to begin in March. This initiative was also facilitated by Malaysia.

It's difficult to think about peace when the separatists have entered schools and executed teachers in front of their pupils, one of the more egregious examples of death and destruction wrought by the BRN-C and other Muslim separatists since their terrorist-campaign began in 2004. It seems unlikely that all the extremists could be brought into the fold but the ethnic Malay Muslim population in the four southern states that made up the former Sultanate of Pattani could feel less marginalised, both politically and culturally. In response, Thai government money is being ploughed into a Islamic schools and a university with a television channel in Malay but more substantive moves will have to be made.

Success in Mindanao bodes well for Thailand's south. Admittedly there is a block to replicating the self-rule element to the Philippines strategy, namely the Thai military who are apparently set against any compromise on Thailand's traditional unitary state. There are many lessons than can be taken from this but perhaps the two most important are that meaningful security co-operation is possible within ASEAN nations and secondly that Thailand needs further democratisation. Both aid peace. Adam Baddeley, Editor

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

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COMBAT A I R C R A F T

4.5-Generation

Combat Aircraft

oday, these aircraft must perform a wide panoply of tasks; from traditional Air Superiority missions, to Close Air Support; the Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defences; and Strategic Reconnaissance; to name just four. All of which must be undertaken using a single airframe which can interchange between these missions with the minimum of fuss. Combat aircraft in production around the world fall squarely within the MRCA category as these aircraft can ably perform an array of missions with little or no modification. Moreover, all these aircraft fall within the socalled ‘4.5 Generation’ MRCA category. What does this mean in practice? 4.5 Generation aircraft are essentially a product of the post-Cold War era. While the end of

T 04

the tense East-West standoff between the Soviet Union- and United States-led politicomilitary blocs heralded a reduction of defence spending in the optimistic hope of a more peaceful world, the consequence of this was that several procurement programmes in the offing at the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s were either postponed, scaled back or cancelled outright. Several combat aircraft programmes that were in existence at the latter stages of the Cold War; notably the Eurofighter Typhoon, were radically altered. In the case of the Typhoon, this enabled the aircraft to perform strike missions in addition to its original air defence remit. This added cost and delays to the programme, but was arguably cheaper than designing a separate strike aircraft from scratch. Similarly, other airframes which

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The Eurofighter Typhoon has won export orders from Austria, Saudi Arabia and, most recently, Oman. The aircraft is set for further modernization via the ‘Tranche-3’ initiative which will add, among other capabilities, an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar onto the aircraft © Thomas Withington

were already in production during the lateCold War such as the United States’ General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15 Eagle families had their designs overhauled during the 1990s, and the early part of this century, to utilise their airframes as baseline designs for aircraft better suited to the military realities of the post-Cold War world. Beyond the backdrop of the strategic changes which heralded the arrival of the 4.5 Generation combat aircraft, technological

COMBAT A I R C R A F T

The lexicon of air power has moved away from referring to fast jets as ‘fighter’, ‘ground attack’ or ‘reconnaissance’ planes. Instead, it has increasingly adopted the term Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) as high-performance military planes on the production line, and at the prototype stage, are no longer expected to perform such a finite number of missions.

by Thomas Withington

advances had their role to play in characterizing these platforms. Contrary to their predecessors, 4.5 Generation jets placed an increasing emphasis on technology, notably the use of software to control both aircraft and their subsystems, while taking advantage of the miniaturization of electronics which resulted in an increasing level of functionality but without a huge increase in the physical size of circuitry. While it is difficult to neatly define a 4.5 Generation combat aircraft, several attributes are shared across airframes. They include design features and capabilities intended to minimize the aircraft’s radar signature; sophisticated data and voice communications; advanced optronic sensors,the employment of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, highly maneuverable airframe designs, state-of-the-art powerplants providing the aircraft with high cruising speeds, and the wherewithal to accommodate a large and varied weapons load. This article will examine several European, American and Russian 4.5 Generation combat aircraft, providing an overview of their current status, and how these designs may develop in the future.

Eurofighter Typhoon

With its first combat deployment under its belt, following the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) participation in NATO’s Operation Unified Protector over Libya in 2011 to protect that country’s civilians against attacks by forces loyal to its ousted leader Colonel Muammar

Gaddafi, the Eurofighter Typhoon is aggressively chasing export orders. At the same time it is undergoing some important modernization initiatives. Recent Typhoon orders have been forthcoming from Oman, which has purchased twelve of the airframes with deliveries to commence in 2017. These aircraft are expected to include the Euroradar Captor-E AESA system which will be ready for use on the Typhoon by circa 2015. Oman joins Saudi Arabia and Austria as export customers for the aircraft. BAE Systems, which builds the jet for the RAF and for the Royal Saudi Air Force, will build the airframes for Oman. The company is currently in negotiations with the Saudi Arabian government regarding the purchase of an additional 72 airframes beyond the 24 Tranche-2 configuration machines which it has already sold to the Kingdom. Riyadh has asked for the final 24 examples of this 72-aircraft order to be upgradable to the Tranche-3 specification to be rolled onto new-build and legacy Typhoons in the future. Tranche-3 modifications will include the Captor-E radar discussed above, new defensive aids subsystems and also MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visualrange air-to-air missile.

JAS-39C/D Gripen

The Meteor is also scheduled to equip Saab’s JAS-39C/D Gripen MRCA, along with the Dassault Rafale-F3B/C/M (see below). In January this year the Swedish government,

Switzerland is the newest customer for Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen family of multi-role combat aircraft. The country is acquiring the latest version of the plane, dubbed the JAS-39E/F, which will also equip the Royal Swedish Air Force © Thomas Withington

MARCH/APRIL 2013

COMBAT A I R C R A F T

which is acquiring the aircraft for the Flygvapnet (RSAF/Royal Swedish Air Force), ordered 60 JAS-39E/F variants of the Gripen. Of all the European 4.5 Generation combat aircraft, the JAS-39 Gripen has arguably enjoyed the healthiest order book in terms of the number of countries it has been sold to. Deliveries of the aircraft to the RSAF are expected to commence in 2027. The JAS-39E/F was formerly known as the JAS-39NG (Next Generation). Among other improvements, this aircraft will be outfitted with a Selex Galileo Raven ES-05 AESA. Recent customers include Switzerland which is ordering 22 JAS-39E/F variants with deliveries expected to commence in 2018, and to conclude three years later, pending the signing of a contract to this end by 2014. Other modifications for the JAS39E/F include a long range and loiter time,

supercruise (the ability to sustain flight at transonic speeds), improved self-protection and a larger weapons load-out. Beyond Sweden and Switzerland, the Gripen is also chasing prospective MRCA orders in Croatia, to which it has offered eight examples.

Rafale-F3B/C/M

Both the JAS-39C/D and the Eurofighter Typhoon (see above) are the great rivals of

Away from India, the Rafale is competing against the Typhoon for an acquisition contract in the United Arab Emirates

The venerable General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 continues to remain a popular aircraft. Its manufacturer has recently touted the F-16V upgrade which would outfit newbuild and legacy aircraft with several additional capabilities. © US DoD

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Dassault’s Rafale-F3B/C/M MRCA. Also a veteran of NATO’s Libya campaign, the aircraft is furnishing the Armée de l’Air (French Air Force), and the Marine Nationale (French Navy). The Rafale spent many years in the commercial wilderness trying, and failing, to secure export orders. This hex was broken early in 2011 when the aircraft was selected by India as the preferred candidate to fulfill the country’s 126airframe Medium MRCA completion. At the time of writing (late January 2013) negotiations were continuing between Dassault and the Indian government regarding the drafting of a contract for the Rafale’s acquisition. Away from India, the Rafale is competing against the Typhoon (see above) for an acquisition contract in the United Arab Emirates. At home, modifications are

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COMBAT A I R C R A F T

February 2012, the F-16V specification will include an AESA radar and a new mission computer. The so-called ‘Viper’ upgrade package will be available to customers both as an upgrade package for existing aircraft, and for installation onboard legacy F-16s.

The MiG-29, despite being a child of the Cold War, is still being offered in a number of modern configurations, some of which enable it to use Western-designed weaponry. Recent MiG-29 customers include India, Russia and Burma © Thomas Withington

continuing for the aircraft which have included the clearance of the Thales RBE-2 AESA radar on the Rafale in October 2012.

F-15SE Silent Eagle

Boeing’s F-15SE Silent Eagle is a radical reworking of McDonnell Douglas’s original F15 Eagle combat aircraft. The F-15SE features substantial levels of low-observable technology and is designed to perform sorties in harms’ way during the first day of an air campaign when an adversary’s ground-based air defences may still be a significant threat. Development work on the F-15SE is continuing, with the aircraft undergoing wind tunnel tests of its Conformal Weapons Bay (CWB) in

June 2012. The CWB is a key part of the aircraft as it will enable weapons to be stored inside the fuselage rather than on external hardpoints to help preserve stealth. Radar-absorbent coatings also help to reduce this signature, while a digital electronic warfare system improves aircraft self-protection. The cockpit is equipped with touch screens, a helmet-mounted display and fly-by-wire avionics.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

Questions remain regarding the prospective evolutions of Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Several modifications are due to be rolled out across the Super Hornets operated by the United States Navy. This includes the addition of a new distributed targeting system which would allow the pilot to self-generate Global Positioning System satellite coordinates of potential targets. These coordinates can be derived from targets spotted by the aircraft’s radar and optronics. This capability will be retrofitted onto the service’s Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. New optronics, in the form of a pod-mounted Northrop Grumman Infra-Red Search and Track package will be installed on the aircraft. Most importantly, a new multi-sensor integration package will allow the aircraft to fuse together all of the disparate information gathered by the aircraft’s optronics, radar and electronic warfare systems to

F-16E/F Fighting Falcon

Like Boeing, Lockheed Martin is also taking its legacy designs forward, most notably touting a significant upgrade package for the company’s F-16 Fighting Falcon family of aircraft via its proposed F-16V configuration. Unveiled in

Like the F-16V upgrade initiative, a number of improvements are being touted for the United States Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft which could include the additions of capabilities to federate the information collected by the aircraft’s sensor systems © Thomas Withington

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COMBAT A I R C R A F T

This aircraft is essentially a significantly upgraded version of the MiG-29M (see above) which is available in a single- and two-seat configuration. Many modifications have are taken from this latter aircraft including its engines, AESA radar, optronics and open architecture avionics. To date around ten prototype airframes have been built which are currently undergoing flight testing.

is essentially a development of the Su-30MK, although the aircraft has a number of specific Russian Air Force systems; chiefly its identification friend or foe and communications equipment, and its ejection seats. In terms of weaponry, the Su-30SM will be able to deploy the BrahMos cruise missile which has been developed as a collaborative project involving Indian and Russian companies. The Su-30SM has been acquired by the Russian Air Force to act as a bridge to cover the gap between the obsolescence of a number of existing Russian Air Force types and the introduction of the new Sukhoi PAK-FA fifth-generation MRCA.

Sukhoi Su-30

Future Competitions

Dassault Rafale-F3B aircraft from the French Air Force are seen here on the flight line preparing to perform combat missions in support of NATO operations over Libya. The aircraft has been selected as the favourite platform to fulfill India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft requirement © Thomas Withington

present a clear tactical picture to the pilot.

MiG-29

Russian manufacturers continue to offer 4.5 Generation combat aircraft such as the MiG29. Despite its debut during the latter stages of the Cold War, the aircraft remains in demand around the world. For example, it was recently selected by India to equip its Navy’s aircraft carriers. To this end, Delhi has ordered MiG-29K single-seat and MiG29KUB two-seat MRCAs and trainers. Alongside India, the MiG-29K/KUB is equipping the Russian Navy which will receive 20 single-seat and four two-seat examples with deliveries expected to conclude in 2015. Furthermore, sales of the aircraft of the aircraft are ongoing to Burma. Beyond this carrier-capable version of the aircraft, land-based versions of the jet, in the form of the MiG29M/M2 are being offered. This latter version includes open architecture avionics, an expanded weapons load, fly-by-wire avionics, more powerful engines compared to legacy MiG-29 examples, and a new radar. Theoretically, this would enable cost-conscious customers to purchase an aircraft with a price tag comparatively lower than its Western counterparts which could at the same time accommodate Western weaponry.

MiG-35

The MiG-29’s sister aircraft is the MiG-35.

In the international market both the MiG-29 and the MiG-35 have competed directly with Sukhoi’s Su-30 family of 4.5 Generation MRCAs. In December 2012, the Russian Air Force took delivery of its first two Su-30SM variant aircraft. The Russian government formerly pledged to order 30 of the aircraft in March 2012. Deliveries of these planes are expected to conclude in 2015. The Su-30SM

The Su-30SM will be able to deploy the BrahMos cruise missile which has been developed as a collaborative project involving Indian and Russian companies l

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Several of these 4.5 Generation aircraft are competing in a number of procurement initiatives around the world. South Korea is one country on the lookout for a new MRCA, intending to purchase 60 airframes to replace its air force’s venerable McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-4E Phantoms. The country is expected to make a decision on the aircraft that it will acquire by the middle of this year. Candidate aircraft include the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche-3 variant, Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle, and Lockheed Martin F-35A/B/C Lightning-II. The world’s 4.5 Generation aircraft builders are also keenly watching Brazil. The country has a long running requirement for 36 new combat aircraft, although the country’s President Dilma Rousseff announced December 2012 that this acquisition has now been postponed indefinitely pending the improvement of Brazil’s economic situation.

URBAN OPERATIONS

Urban Warfare: Operations in Urban operations can't be avoided or ignored. Whether the force structure and equipment inventories being acquired are to support overseas peace support operations far from home or conventional warfighting on national territory, the ability to conduct effective operations in the complex terrain of towns and cities remains a challenge.

by Adam Baddeley

lmost every aspect of military equipment and operation can be adapted for this environment; adding additional capabilities specific to an urban environment such as through-wall radars or changing existing equipment to make it better suited to the role, such as the up-armouring of support vehicles.

Surveillance

The desire for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) is not reduced in urban operations. The ability to detect the direction and origin of small arms fire and how best to avoid it whether than be a dedicated sniper or a small band of insurgents with rocket-propelled grenade launchers, remains a sine qua non of urban warfare. For urban terrain, a range of Hostile Fire Indicators are available, using differing technology exploiting low infrared (IR), optical and acoustic signatures. Whatever their technology path, the common thread to all is their ability to accurately locate fires as well as distinguish shots fired from the myriad sources of noise in a busy street. Raytheon BBN Technologies’ wearable Warrior-X configuration of its Boomerang family detects more than 95 per cent of supersonic projectiles with a range of over 500m. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) EL/L8293 gunshot detection system uses a shortwave IR muzzle flash detection array as its technology of choice. QinetiQ North America’s Ears or SWATS (Shoulder-Worn Acoustic Targeting System) Gunshot location system weighs 450g with aural alert and further information presented to the users via a small wrist mounted screen. Ultra's

Rotary wing designs lend themselves to the urban requirements for perch and stare UAVs © AJB

450g Rifle Mounted Gunfire Locator is mounted on a Picatinny M1913 rail and has a nominal accuracy of plus or minus five degrees in azimuth. Metravib's PEARL or Personal Equipment Add-on for Reactive Localisation is a gun mounted system with a range of 1,500m. The company's Soldier Wearable Acoustic Gunfire Detection is able to detect both subsonic and supersonic projectiles from 5.45mm to 20mm. The US

[UGVs] can be inserted covertly and reconnoitre throughout a building, cave or sewer, even climbing stairs and rubble when required l

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Army have selected Cobham’s SWATS or Soldier Worn Acoustic Targeting Systems which weighs 183g. Cobham have recently added the PinPoint Shot Detection system to their product line. Rheinmetall Defence Electronics’ Shoulder-mounted shooter locating device has also been developed for dismounted users. The self evident ‘Sense Through The Wall’ systems, present valuable but nonetheless important information regarding the occupants in a room or those on the other side of a wall such as their range from the device and direction they are travelling, of self evident benefit in house clearance and similar operations. Israel’s Camero-Tech produce the Xaver through wall solution. The manportable Xaver 400 can penetrate a full range of mate-

URBAN OPERATIONS

Regional Cities Fixed wing SUAVs continue to play their part in urban operations ÂŠ AeroVironment

MARCH/APRIL 2013

URBAN OPERATIONS

rials including reinforced concrete with a detection range of up to 20m using a 3-10 GHz radar with a resolution of less than 5cm. The systems can easily be carried by a soldier, weighing 3.2Kg and can operate without recharge for 2.5 hours. The X400 doesn't have to be placed against a wall to operate so can be used in stand off scenarios, potentially operating covertly from a passing patrol. The company also offers the 1-D solution, a hand held version powered by two AA batteries. Remote investigation deeper within a building requires additional technology. Increasing numbers of sensors are simply The SearchStick for the Recon XT offers a simple but effective enhancement ÂŠ ReconRobotics

thrown in to transmit what they see from outside. This has seen small 'ball' sensors being thrown in such as that of ODF Optronics' EyeBall R1. These have in many ways been supplemented and replaced by ultra-small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV), often not much heavier but which can be inserted covertly and reconnoitre throughout a building, cave or sewer, even climbing stairs and rubble when required, constantly transmitting imagery and in some cases acoustic information - listening into what those inside are discussing. Perhaps the best exemplar of this is ReconRobotics with nearly 5000 of their micro-UGVs either deployed or under contract. The company is currently delivering on a 1000 UGV order in a $13.9 million contract

issued by the US Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rapid Equipping Force. The latest offering is the Throwbot XT, carried in a soldier's pocket and which can be deployed in less than five seconds, simply by pulling the UGV's pin and throwing it up to 36m. When it lands it establishes a link to the control unit and sends imagery in all conditions including total darkness via the use of an infrared optical sensor. A novel but simple feature of the design is the SearchStick - a lightweight telescopic pole over 1.8m in length on which the XT is placed to allow the operator to look in windows and over walls. Novatiq's SCORP UGV is another design that can be thrown or dropped into position but with more payload than some of the smaller solutions and can operate for two to six hours with an additional onboard battery pack. Moving at 8kmph, the SCORP can travel up to 500m from the operator and also has the ability to return to the operator if the communications link is lost. ST Electronics Info-Com Systems are offering their two wheel Tactical Throwing Sensor (TTS) and the four wheel Forward Sensor System (FSS),

AeroVironment's Shrike Vertical Take Off Landing design can fly for 45-50 minutes but once on the ground can transmit hours of video

initially linked to the Singapore Army Advanced Combat Man System. Other UGVs in this category include the ODF Eyedrive MacroUSA Armadillo V2 which has been acquired by Singapore; the iRobot 110 FirstLook which weighs just 2.4Kg and operates for six hours on a single set of batteries and the QinetiQ Dragon Runner 10 which has an operational range of 650m. Rather than simply circling or hovering overhead, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) accompanying troops in urban terrain are evolving from aircraft into highly mobile unattended ground sensors, via a 'perch and stare mode' which, as its description suggests enables them to fly to high ground, land and then communicate what they see back to the Ground Control Station (GCS). This requirement is pushing urban UAV requirements toward rotary rather than fixed wing designs. AeroVironment's Shrike Vertical Take Off Landing design can fly for 45-50 minutes but

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URBAN OPERATIONS

Nexter's AZUR (Action en Zone URbaine) protection kits for the Leclerc MBT is designed to better protect the vehicles against urban threats © AJB

once on the ground can transmit hours of video before flying off and returning home. BCB International's SQ-4 Recon weighs just 290g within which four rotors and 10 ultrasonic sensors can be fitted. The system has been optimised for penetrating and searching buildings and similar narrow spaces, generating video and still imagery

from its on board sensors. The Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies’ Indago quad rotor UAV weighs 2.3Kg and has a flight endurance of over 40 minutes. Its 180g gimballed Perceptor payload is a dual sensor 360 degree, continuous rotation electronic pantilt-zoom solution with a 640x480 long wave

infrared and other sensors combined with a 300 mW laser illuminator. The system also offers target geo-location and moving target detection linked to a full 3D Ground Control Station hosting the Kestrel 3 autopilot via an IP datalink. The IAI Malat Ghost UAV is as its name suggests designed from the outset to be stealthy with a low acoustic signature and using its two specially adopted electrically rotors to hover close to an objective, feeding information to the ground control system.

Comms

Connecting disparate forces spread across a cityscape poses particular problems for terrestrial line of sight communications with multipath distortion created by urban geography. Achieving the range is also an issue with personal radios operating in the same geography also having limited range. The Selex ES PRR for example can communicate through three storeys in a block of flats. One way forward is the adoption of mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) which, rather than link two transceivers with a single Line of Sight (LoS) which if blocked by a wall or building or is MANET networks created by radios such as the Exelis SpearNet, enable many of the radio frequency propagation challenges posed by urban geography to be overcome © AJB

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URBAN OPERATIONS

Jordanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau developed the Temsah heavy armoured personnel carrier based on the Centurion MBT, in part for urban operations ÂŠ AJB

too far away it routes the transmissions through multiple radios and around barriers it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get through to reach its destination. Thales new ST@RMille M simultaneous voice and data waveform enables three to four hops each of roughly 1km in urban terrain with the release expected by the end of the year. ITT Exelis' SpearNet radio has

demonstrated a range of 6 km with four hops with the radio able to support a usable data rate of 1.5Mbps.

Mobility, Protection and Firepower

Almost since their inception, conventional wisdom has held that tanks and armoured

vehicles cannot and should not operate in urban areas where they are both more susceptible and vulnerable to successful attack at close range. Events such as the disastrous Russian armoured assault against Grozny in 1994 only served to reinforce this view. Nonetheless, the successful use of Main Battle Tanks (MBT) in Iraq from 2003 has led this to be revaluated with manufacturers designing appliquĂŠ packages to further enhance these capabilities in this area focusing on improved mobility and protection. The US developed the Tank Urban Survival Kit or TUSK for its General Dynamics Land Systems M1A1/M1A2 Abrams MBTs with other designs having features such as high elevation Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) to engage attackers in the upper storeys of buildings. The Krauss Maffei Wegmann Leopard II Peace Support

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URBAN OPERATIONS

New training systems are enabling complex effects such as the impact of fire on buildings to be effectively modelled and instrumented during exercises © DoD

Operations (PSO) demonstrator vehicle is typical of designs being put forward with the enhancement package includes a dozer blade for mobility and road clearance, additional rounds, a RWS and a situational awareness systems around the vehicle. To date, the heavy support weapons carried by troops have typically focused on antitank capabilities with a requirement to be able to defeat MBTs but this is also changing as warheads optimised to defeat building and enemy troops within them have required new rounds and warheads. Saab’s 84mm Carl Gustav has been fielded with the MT 756, a multi-target tandem charge warhead a typical approach for urban operations, a round which is able to punch through a wall before detonating its anti-personnel warhead. For a wider range capability the 84 mm HEDP 502 (High Explosive Dual Purpose) is available which offers anti-structure capabilities as well as the ability to defeat light armour, the ASM 509 is designed to simply destroy buildings. In its disposable form, the 9kg AT4 CS Anti-Structure Munition can be fired from a confined space at targets as close as 20m, up to 200m.

Holes are currently being punched in walls and buildings by weapons designed by Dynamit Nobel Defence, notably with its RGW 90 Anti-Structure design which can blast through the adobe walls typically found in Afghanistan, penetrating a distance of 80cm before its tandem charge detonates inside. The weapon has been adopted by Germany, Israel and the UK and is deployed in Afghanistan. The company’s RGW 90 1200 variant can engage targets at 1.2km which requires an onboard fire control system to ensure accuracy at these ranges. Rafael’s Spike ATGW has the accuracy to target win-

ITT Exelis’ SpearNet radio has demonstrated a range of 6 km with four hops

dows from stand off positions and while welcome, such weapons can’t always be carried into complex terrain by infantry squads and platoons. Accordingly, the company is completing development of the Mini-Spike which like its larger sibling allows course correction during flight with a range of 1500m with its effect achieved via a pressure blast fragmentation warhead, hitting at a high angle of attack. This is achieved at roughly half the cost of a larger Spike missile. A second develASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

opment is the Spike Short Range which can be fired from an enclosed space.

Training

Training can be overlooked in a simple review of options open to militaries seeking to advance and hone their skills in urban operations. The more realistic and effective the training environment, the more effective the troops will be. Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) has developed a number of urban warfare training centres for customers, based around its Tactical Simulation software, hardware and technical support. The company is currently developing a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training site at Al Manama in the United Arab Emirates due to be ready in 2014. Rheinmetall also upgrading the Russian Army's main combat training centre covering live, virtual and constructive simulation at Mulino near Moscow which includes urban warfare training. RUAG Electronics are currently upgrading the urban warfare capabilities of Switzerland’s company level training centre with features which includes simulating the effects of direct and indirect fire on troops inside buildings as well as changing the instrumentation in order to accurately map the effects of troops shooting into buildings from outside.

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MARITIME

SURVEILLANCE

Coastal and Littoral

Surveillance The ability to monitor and understand the complex interplay of fishing vessels, merchant marine and other craft undergoing their day-to-day and legal business has never been more important for governments in the region. To do this, systems tasked with coastal and littoral surveillance have to address a multiplicity of threats and concerns within that environment including illegal fishing, piracy and the ability to detect terrorists infiltrating in skiffs. by Adam Baddeley

DCNSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Gowind class is illustrative of the increasingly capable OPV designs being adopted for patrolling EEZs ÂŠ DCNS

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

MARITIME SURVEILLANCE

The reason for inspecting a vessel at sea can be varied but relies to a large extent of ISR system’s ability to track them © DoD

his places an emphasis on flexibility, ease of use for systems often operated by police and paramilitary organisations and affordability across a range of platform and sensor types.

T Ships

Maintaining a presence at sea has been the traditional means of securing the littoral using a range of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) and smaller craft although the demands of littoral surveillance and the distances required to secure and patrol offshore resources has seen the size and complexity of vessels increase in recent years. China’s maritime claims have become very expansive of late with the country claiming great swathes of the South China Sea with a building programme in place to support those efforts. The China Marine Surveillance (CMS) agency brought two new 3000 ton patrol vessels into service in early November. The Haijian 137 is currently operating in the East China Sea with its Haijian 110 sister ship in the Yellow Sea. The largest ship built for the CMS is the 128.6m 5,418-ton Haixun01 which has an unrefueled range of 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km). Until now the only large vessels in CMS service have been only retired Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have been transferred to the CMS. One of the most recent is the demilitarised Luda Type 051 class destroyer the Nanjing (131) which retired from PLAN service in September. The CMS have 36 ocean going vessels currently under construction.

China is not the only country building up its littoral capabilities. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continues to balloon. Four of twelve Griffon Hoverworks air cushion vehicles are in service at various locations around the country including the Sunderbans tidal mangrove forest. Twenty new Fast Patrol Vessels being built at Cochin Shipyard Ltd for the ICG, are equipped with Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine VisionMaster, Total Watch systems, reflecting the complexity of India's requirements. Another class of Coast Guard vessels is the 50m, 300 tonne Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) which has a

The China Marine Surveillance agency brought two new 3000 ton patrol vessels into service in early November

1500nm range and a maximum speed of 34kts with a total of eight IPVs ordered from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. The Philippines Coast Guard currently has nine operational ships. It is acquiring a single 82m high endurance ship and four 24m patrol boats from France in a €90 million ($116 million) due to be delivered in 2014 with the shipyard thought to be CMN. The Philippines Coast Guard have indicated that they expect to also take delivery of ten 40m patrol boats from Japan in the second half of 2013. Vietnam is also building up its naval and

MARCH/APRIL 2013

MARITIME

SURVEILLANCE maritime forces with the Vietnam Marine Police Force recently launching a 2400 tonne, 90M Damen 9014 design Offshore Patrol Vessel with the ship entering sea trials ready for entry into service in early 2013. Solutions developed out side the region have often found a role there. Littoral patrol designs are regularly being developed, far more regularly than large ocean going warships. Finland recently chose Marine Alutech to develop the Watercat M18 for inshore roles for example landing troops to deal with pirates. Finland is taking delivery of twelve in a $41 million deal from 2014 to 2016. The US Coast Guard has been the lead for a number of designs. Its latest is the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) requirement designed to replace the ageing Medium Endurance Cutters with a requirement for 11 OPCs with as many as 25 ultimately required with Bath Iron Works, Bollinger, Huntingdon Ingalls, Marinette Marine,

Nassco, Vigor Shipyards and VT Halter Marine competing for the contract. France's Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) has recently begun the process to replace its P400 Large Patrol Craft built by CMN in the 1980s. The new programme or Batiment Multi Mission (B2M) will initially

The biggest coastal surveillance programme in the region is India's Coastal Surveillance Network, operated by the Indian Coast Guard

see three B2Ms deployed in around the Caribbean waters of French Guyana in around 2014 and tasked with protecting the space centre at Korou and oil fields recently discovered in the area. Next, larger B2Ms will be deployed at French territory in the Pacific

and Indian Oceans. Another French OPV with a variety of roles is the DCNS Gowind class, a design which can also support combat roles having been chosen for the six second-generation patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Sensors and networks

A platform at sea is in many ways an optimal solution but not one that provides persistent surveillance, limited by the ship's endurance and the range of its sensors that relatively small platforms can carry. Integrated coastal and littoral surveillance systems matched to command and control (C2) hubs in contrast, offer a persistent fixed presence however, these surveillance systems don't have it easy with the environment making target discrimination and detection difficult in heavy rain, high-sea state conditions and other clutter associated with the region. The biggest coastal surveillance programme in the region is India’s Coastal

Known as the HC-144A Ocean Sentry in US Coast Guard service, the fourteenth Airbus Military CN235 MPA aircraft was delivered to them in November with a total of 36 aircraft required © Airbus Military

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

MARITIME

SURVEILLANCE

USVs such as Rafael's Protector are playing a growing role in security roles in ports and close to shore © Rafael

Surveillance Network, operated by the Indian Coast Guard with 46 surveillance stations; 36 locations on the mainland coast, six locations in the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands and four in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, all based on co-located lighthouses. Each installation is designed to cover an area of 25 nautical miles around the site using radar and EO/IR sensors and focused on the area of high sensitivity and traffic denThe Do 228 built by HAL is the mainstay of the Indian Coast Guard's coastal surveillance fleet © AJB

can also enlist the support of space based assets. Astrium launched its OceanWay solution in October which combines satellitebased AIS and GO-3S for video from space via an Earth-observation satellite system generating imagery at a rate of 25 images per second. Another Astrium effort has been the launch last year of the Astrium Surrey Satellite Technology Limited exactView-1 satellite which also covers AIS and was developed and launched for customers; COM DEV International Ltd and HISDESAT Servicios Estratégicos S.A. The Brunei National Coastal Surveillance

sity. They are also able to interrogate class 'A' and 'B' Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders sourced from Saab and Elcome Marine Services in a $22 million deal signed in November 2010. These were rolled out in the first stage by Bharat Electronics Ltd in a Rs 601.75 crore programme which is due to complete in March. The next stage will see existing stations backfilled with additional surveillance equipment and a further 38 coastal surveillance radar plus eight Mobile Surveillance Systems added in a Rs 1,000 crore deal. In addition to terrestrial sensors, countries

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

MARITIME SURVEILLANCE

System (NCSS), first formed in February 2010 is also undergoing a new initiative to boost capabilities after an initial period of development which focused on integrating existing organisations and capabilities. Other AIS efforts include Northrop Grumman Information Systems who completed delivery of the USCG led Nationwide AIS contract worth $12 billion ensuring AIS coverage across the US mainland and its overseas territories. ESRI UK has supplied the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Headquarters tasked with the EU Naval Force’s Mission Network in support of Counter-Piracy operations around the Horn of Africa. The company have delivered the Recognised Maritime Picture based on its geographic information system software including ArcGIS for Server version 2.5 with a server on each ship and ArcGIS Viewer for Flex on board each ship with satcom based updates between ships. Indra has delivered a coastal surveillance Small inshore craft with an amphibious and an offensive capability are being employed in military, counter-terrorist and counter-piracy roles © Saab

system for use on Spain's coast and has also been contracted to supply a solution for Hong Kong and the islands under its administration. It is also leading the European Union's Perseus project to develop a single integrated system from multiple national surveillance systems. Kylmar's CT1600 Coastal Surveillance System is in service with Egypt, which is the system’s largest customer. The CT1600 consists of a thermal and day system with a laser range finder which can deliver an accurate position of a ship within just 5m at a range of 20km. Egypt has developed a network of these systems along its Red Sea coast. One element of the Indian coastal surveillance system is the 46 ARGC-2400 cameras electro-optic cameras sourced from Canada's Obzerv Technologies which are used to classify and identify targets. Sweden has tasked ITT Exelis with surveillance of its coastline with its SABER 2020, integrated coastal based around the LCR2020 radar with all-weather coverage of air targets with a range of electronic countercountermeasures. Indonesian firm Radar and Communications Systems have developed a new shelter and vehicle mounted 96km range, S-band LPI Portable Coastal Radar.

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Development is due to complete in 2013. Indonesia is already being protected by Kelvin Hughes S-Band SharpEye solid state radar sensors in Maluku province and Papua province, working with local firms. GEM Elettronica plan to release a new X-band three-dimensional naval surveillance radar in 2013, for navigation and general surveillance with a view for integration on offshore patrol vessels of about 500 tonnes. Raytheon have developed a number of coastal and maritime surveillance radars. It worked with Canada on the Next Generation High Frequency Surface Wave Radar (HFSWR) Technology Demonstration Programmes, designed to cover the country's 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone. The company's SeaVue eXpanded Mission Capability was ordered by Morocco in 2011 for coastal surveillance and is deployed on aircraft with users in the region including Australia, Japan, Pakistan, Taiwan and Thailand. The SPEXER 2000 radar, one of Cassidian's latest development is an Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) design with an instrumented range of 21.6 NM (40 km) coupled with high Doppler and velocity resolution. Elbit Security Systems is currently providing the surveillance systems for the port of

MARITIME

SURVEILLANCE

Navies, Coast Guards and Enforcement are Law acquiring large number of RIBs for inshore roles © Zodiac

Haifa including typical maritime traffic as well as the chemical terminal. The systems fuses information from variety of perimeter and maritime sources in a central C2 hub. In Asia, the company has announced an Asian contract for maritime surveillance for the using Micro CoMPASS and DCoMPASS for fixed, airborne and seaborne platforms in a $20 million deal. Bulgaria tapped Atlas Elektronik in 2011 to provide an integrated coastal surveillance systems covering the country's 350km of coastline and run by the Border Police. This package comprised a surface radar, signal processing, multi-sensor tracking, including AIS and CCTV, communications, system management and recording & replay based using SEATRACK. The system is comprises twelve remote sites each with radar, AIS transponders, daylight and IR-Cameras and weather stations supplemented by two mobile ground units and twelve Border Police Boats each with its own ISR package.

Airborne platforms

Maritime and land based surveillance and patrol platforms are enhanced by airborne

platforms with the requirements eschewing large highly capable platforms such as the P3 Orion and instead preferring smaller, lighter and more affordable platforms in which still highly capable sensor and mission systems can still be integrated. The first of six Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 maritime surveillance aircraft

The first of six Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 maritime surveillance aircraft have been delivered to Vietnam for coastal surveillance

have been delivered to Vietnam for coastal surveillance via Canada's Pacific Sky Aviation In Australia, Cobham is supplying Customs and Border Protection Service with the Sentinel aerial maritime surveillance programme, which has been extended to 2021. Beginning in 1995 the contract is a service contract covering 15000 flight hours ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

per year which equates to roughly 2500 mission using Bombardier Dash 8 maritime patrol aircraft. Indra’s latest airborne coastal surveillance systems is the Maritime Light Surveillance System (MLSS) launched at Farnborough. based on the P2006T MRI, a high wing light twin-engined, aircraft it has been equipped with the Selex Galileo Seaspray 5000E AESA surveillance radar and Indra’s ISIS mission system and is designed for use at up to 150nm from the coast. The HC-144A Ocean Sentry, based on the Airbus Military CN235, is the US Coast Guard solution for airborne surveillance. The fourteenth aircraft has recently been taken delivery of, with a final requirement for 36 aircraft having been established. India’s Coast Guard operates the Do-228 maritime patrol aircraft with well over 100 delivered to date. Produced by the Transport Aircraft Division of Hindustan. Aeronautics Limited, it is tasked with maritime surveillance as its primary role but can also be re-roled to troop transport, air-drop, search-and-rescue, casualty evacuation and cargo missions.

REGIONAL M I L I T A R Y

looming general election which must be held by April 2013 has generally led to the government giving little priority to military procurement under the 10th Malaysia Plan of 2011-2015 which governs all Malaysian government spending for that timeframe. It should however be noted that the Malaysian government did initiate two major procurement programmes in 2010; the development and order to Deftech of Malaysian for 257 indigenously produced AV8 8x8 AFVs and the construction of six Second Generation Patrol Vessels to be built locally by Boustead Naval Shipyards with the assistance of France’s DCNS. Since then no major procurement programme has been initiated save for the signing in December 2011 of an MYR294 million ($97.3 million) contract for the construction of two training ships for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) by Malaysia’s NGV Tech which would be built with the assistance of South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME). Other than that no major procurement has occurred since, despite an intense marketing effort by aviation companies for a

Malaysian A

Defence Modernisation In contrast to the recent force developments and procurement programmes of its neighbours, developments for the Malaysian Armed Forces has been fairly limited owing to the country’s political situation.

by Dzirhan Mahadzir

A Royal Malaysian Navy Fennec helicopter. The RMN is seeking 6-12 AntiSubmarine Warfare helicopters to enhance its capabilities © Dzirhan Mahadzir

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

REGIONAL M I L I T A R Y

requirement of 18 multi-role combat aircraft to replace the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMAF’s) MiG-29 fleet, which is scheduled to be phased out by 2015. However, the Malaysian government has yet to indicate when a decision will be made on that programme save to only say that it will be made after the General Election. The issue of Malaysian defence developments postElection is a conundrum by itself, while the ruling National Front coalition is expected to win and remain in power, there does exists the possibility that the opposition People’s Alliance could win by a slim margin. Should they do so, it is an open question as to how defence developments in Malaysia will proceed as the People’s Alliance has yet to issue any official statement as to their plans in regards to defence. Rhetorically, the People’s Alliance has made statements stating that they consider defence spending a wasteful expenditure and in one year, proposed that the existing annual defence budget be cut by 90 percent. How much they would actually do so in practice should they gain power is open to question. Even with the ruling National Front retaining power, it is also open to

question as to whether any defence programme or requirement will proceed immediately given the Malaysian government’s lack of emphasis on such. For example, the Royal Malaysian Navy has had a requirement for a multi-purpose support ship since 2008 and even the loss to a ship fire in 2009 of the RMN’s sole amphibious capability ship, the Newport class LST KD Sri Inderapura, failed to spur any priority towards this requirement by the Malaysian government. RMN Chief Admiral Tan Sri Aziz Jaafar said in December last year that he expected acquisition of the MPSS to only take place in the 11th Malaysia Plan of 20162020. Still there remains open the possibility that the government may approve some programmes post elections though this would depend on the circumstances and finances involved.

Army

The Army’s key current ongoing programme is the indigenous AV-8 AFV to be built by Malaysia’s Deftech and based upon the Turkish FNSS PARS AFV. Deftech is partnered with a number of foreign companies in this programme including Britain’s BAE,

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Turkey’s FNSS, France’s Thales and South Africa’s Denel among others. 257 vehicles in twelve variants are to be produced with the basic prototype currently under development and scheduled for a sixth month trial in Malaysia by March 2013 with full production expected to begin in 2013 and completed in 2018. The 257 vehicles are expected to be an initial batch with the Army expected to order additional vehicles down the line. Potentially down the line, the Army plans to upgrade its tactical 4x4s and its truck fleet. In the case of tactical 4x4s, though no formal tenders have been called, the Malaysian Army’s table of organisation for the Standard Infantry Battalion calls for at least 15 vehicles per battalion to act as weapons platforms/carriers for the battalion’s support weapons, with the Malaysian Army keen to have its over 30 infantry battalions to be equipped as such, a potential order of over 500 vehicles could emerge in the future should funding be approved. In regard to military trucks, while the Malaysian Army uses the Deftech supplied Handalan series of three tonne general service trucks for much of its requirements, the Army is now planning to establish a second line fleet of trucks to supplement the

REGIONAL M I L I T A R Y

light observation, tactical transport and attack role. Currently only the light observation helicopter squadron, equipped with eleven Agusta Westland A109s is in existence. The attack helicopter squadron appears to be a priority for the Army, as the lack of transport helicopters can be made up through co-operation with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Navy

The Royal Malaysian Navy’s newest training platform, the ship Gagah Samudera, during its launch ceremony in December. Two ships are being built by Malaysia’s NGV Tech in collaboration with South Korea’s DSME © Dzirhan Mahadzir

general service trucks. This fleet would be comprised of trucks capable of carrying more than three tonnes of cargo in rear echelon areas. Again funding has yet to be approved or formalised for this. Other programmes also on the Army’s development plans but not formalised or budget approved for include the requirement

for a medium range air defence capability, self propelled howitzers, a tactical transport helicopter squadron and an attack helicopter squadron. Both the attack helicopter squadron and the tactical transport helicopter squadron are part of the Army’s 2010 Plus 10 overall development plan which calls for the Army Air Corps to have a squadron each for the

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

The Royal Malaysian Navy’s key programme is the six ship Second Generation Patrol Vessel – Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS). The SGPV-LCS are to be the follow-on to the six Kedah class Next Generation Patrol Vessels (NGPV) built by Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) though the SGPV-LCS will be bigger and more heavily armed compared to the Kedah class. Despite the LCS name, the SGPV-LCS is a conventional design hull based on DCNS’ Gowind design, DCNS being selected as the foreign partner to work with BNS on the SGPV-LCS programme. The ship is to have an overall length of 107m, a full load of 2750 tons, a 106 personnel crew, maximum speed of 28 knots with a cruising speed of 16 knots, range of the ship expected to be 5000nm, with an endurance of 21 days. The weapon systems of the SGPV-LCS have been a Royal Malaysian Air Force MiG-29, seen here painted in display colours, Malaysia is currently evaluating a replacement MRCA for it © Dzirhan Mahadzir

REGIONAL M I L I T A R Y

source of continuing disagreement between the RMN and BNS with the RMN insisting that the ships be outfitted with their exact choice while BNS have pressed for systems of their choice in order to ensure that integration of the ship systems go smoothly and that costs in building the ships be kept down. At the time of writing, no decision has been made yet as to the primary weapon systems for the ship. The RMN is said to prefer the Raytheon ESSM for the surface to air missile with the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Naval Strike Missile for the surface to surface missile while BNS have been said to have recommended the Mica system for the SGPV-LCS’ SAM and the MBDA’s Exocet as its SSM. The main gun is expected to be the BAE Bofors Mk3 57mm, which BNS’s parent company, Boustead Heavy Industry Corporation has an existing joint venture partnership known as BHIC Bofors Asia. The first ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2017 with subsequent ships delivered every six months thereafter.

All will be built at the BNS facilities in Lumut. However with this ship class only to be delivered beginning from 2017, it is clear that the RMN will face a capability gap till then and likely a situation of concern giving the tensions surrounding the Spratly Islands, which Malaysia claims and where the RMN maintains a presence on five islands and reefs. There has been moves by the US to offer surplus Perry class frigates being decommissioned from the US Navy though little has emerged from this partly as any such acceptance would require funding approval from the Malaysian government, which has appeared to have put any defence

Despite the LCS name, the SGPV-LCS is a conventional design hull based on DCNS’ Gowind design l

MARCH/APRIL 2013

A Malaysian Army VAMTAC 4 x 4, Malaysian Army plans call for each infantry battalion to be equipped with 15 tactical 4 x4s 1 to act as weapons platforms/carriers for the battalion’s support weapons © Dzirhan Mahadzir

decision involving funding on hiatus until after the election. The first of the two locally manufactured training ships ordered in 2011 was launched on 14th December and RMN Chief Admiral Tan Sri Aziz Jaafar has called additional two ships to be built and outfitted as combat ships. In his speech during the launch of the 75.9m training ship ‘Gagah Samudera’, the RMN Chief urged the Malaysian government to consider the purchase of two additional hulls during the timeframe of the 11th Malaysia Plan of 2016-2020 as replacements for the current eight aging Handalan and Perdana class Fast Attack Crafts which entered service in the 1970s. The second training ship is scheduled to be launched in

REGIONAL M I L I T A R Y

A wall image at Malaysia’s Deftech's booth at the Defence Services Asia 2012 exhibition shows the AV-8 8x8 AFV that it will produce for the Malaysian Army © Dzirhan Mahadzir

January 2013 with the Gagah Samudera scheduled to be commissioned and entering service in 2013 while the second ship will enter service in July 2014. As stated earlier, the purchase of the Multi-Purpose Support Ship is unlikely to commence until the 11th Malaysia Plan of 2016-2020, possibly also likely to take place in that timeframe, though the RMN would like to have it commence as soon as possible, is the purchase of at least 6-12 anti-submarine warfare helicopters. The US has been heavily promoting the MH-60R Seahawk for this requirement.

Royal Malaysian Air Force

The much talked RMAF programme is the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft replacement for the MiG-29 fleet, though the RMAF has indicated that it would like to have the aircraft delivered by 2015 to coincide with the phasing out of the MiG-29 though such a date would now be impossible to achieved given that the manufacturers of the aircraft in con-

tention have all stated a 28-36 month delivery date after signing of contract. As such this calls into question the Malaysian government’s sense of urgency on the programme, given that the timeframe to sign the contract in order to meet the RMAF date of when they would like the aircraft to be delivered has

The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s C-130 fleet is to undergo a modernization of its avionics along with installation of self-protection systems © Dzirhan Mahadzir

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

slipped by and it is possible that contrary to expectations, that a deal for up to 18 aircraft may not be signed in 2013 following the elections. The aircraft in contention are the Boeing Superhornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon (marketed for BAE) and Saab Gripen. Long term plans for the RMAF call for the RMAF to have a force posture of six front line MRCA squadrons. Currently the RMAF has two MRCA squadrons, No. 11

REGIONAL M I L I T A R Y

with the Su-30MKMs and No. 18 with the F/A-18 Hornet though No 18 is only a half squadron with Malaysia only having eight Hornets in its inventory. The RMAF also has a number of other procurement and upgrade requirements amongst them the procurement of Airborne Early Warning and Command (AEW&C) aircraft, additional PC-7 Mk II trainers, the construction of support facilities for the A400M transports scheduled to enter service in 2015, the upgrade of the BAE Hawks currently in RMAF service, upgrades of the RMAF’s C-130 fleet and either the obtainment of additional Eurocopter EC-725 helicopters or a service life extension programme for part of the RMAF’s S-61 ‘Nuri’ helicopter fleet. However some of these programmes, notably the AEW&C aircraft, additional PC-7 trainers and upgrades to the BAE Hawks are unlikely to proceed anytime soon due to the lack of funding, particularly for the AEW&C aircraft in which Saab has been marketing its Erieye system and Northrop Grumman the E-2D Hawkeye. The RMAF is

looking at an operational requirement for eight AEW&C aircraft though the costs of such is likely to ensure that a lesser number, if any, will be purchased. Both the C-130 fleet upgrade and the S-61 helicopters SLEP have been allocated for but the government has yet to give approval for the RMAF to proceed. Some 15 S-61 helicopters are to undergo the planned SLEP while the C-130 upgrades would involve the upgrading of its avionics to meet international civil aviation standards and the installation of self-protection systems.

The RMAF is looking at an operational requirement for eight AEW&C aircraft though the costs of such is likely to ensure that a lesser number, if any, will be purchased l

MARCH/APRIL 2013

The RMAF has begun taking deliveries of 12 Eurocopter EC725s. Pictured is one of the first two helicopters delivered in December 2012 © Dzirhan Mahadzir

Two of the twelve EC725s ordered by the RMAF were delivered on 3rd December. Originally only one EC725 was to be delivered but the second one was completed ahead of schedule. A third will be delivered by March 2013 and the current delivery schedule calls for delivery of all 12 helicopters to be completed by January 2014. The RMAF would like to obtain another twelve EC725s and also obtain funding to fully equip the current twelve with self protection systems and additional specialized equipment but no indication has been given by the Malaysian government as to these requirements. The RMAF expects to take deliveries of its four A400Ms in 2015-2016 and is expected to soon issue a tender for the construction of facilities at RMAF Subang to house the A400Ms which will be stationed there.

COASTAL SURVEILLANCE WITHOUT BLACK HOLES AND BLANK SPOTS

wide and more than 200 miles from the coast. One of the key advantages of such posts is their all-round surveillance capability providing a full maritime picture within the assigned area of responsibility 24 hours a day and in any weather and season conditions. The information about all detected threatening objects, weather and marine environment is transferred to a common data base of maritime situation. This information is then finally processed in real-time mode, added by the information received from the identification and safety navigation systems, reports from the Coast Guard motorboats and ships. The information may be used by any agency concerned – Navy, Air Defence, Air Traffic Control systems, bioresources protection authorities, quarantine, environmental and other services. Any customer not having its own surveillance system may enjoy this information. The system’s capabilities to detect ships and aircraft can be significantly improved by using the Podsolnukh-E over-the-horizon surfacewave radar. The radar is capable of detecting ships and aircraft at ranges of up to 450 km, fixing their positions and tracking motion variables within the water areas of more than 25000 square miles. This radar proved not only its efficiency but also its cost-effectiveness. It Fregat

Komor-1

ach maritime state faces a task of providing a secure maritime surveillance within its littoral area. It includes a protection of sea borders, prevention of military threats, interdiction of illegal production of bioresources in the exclusive economic zone, prevention of smuggling and illicit trafficking in drugs, combat-ing piracy. Nowadays one of the most efficient and cost effective solution to provide a reliable coastal control and surveillance is to develop and employ integrated automated systems with surveillance, communication and data handling capabili-ties. The development of such systems is based on a state-of-the-art philosophy of integration and commonality. To that end, the Russia’s main special exporter of armaments ‘Rosoboron-export’ offers to its would-be customers the state-ofthe-art hardware integrated into a

comprehensive coastal surveillance, security and defence system. Such hardware comprises the surveillance means of the integrated radioelectronic posts which might be deployed along the coast and interlinked by a single network. Depending on the tasks, the posts are equipped with the specialized or multipur-pose coastal radars. Such military radars capable of operating under the adverse electronic countermeasures include the MR10M1E upgraded radar and its Mys-M1E mobile version, the Positive-ME threedimensional radar, the Fregat-M2E and the Podberezovik-ET1 radars. These high-energy radars are capable to detect enemy ships at distances of up to 250 km from the shore and enemy helicopters and aircraft at ranges of 300-400 km. The radars can be integrated into regional surveillance systems covering the water areas of more than 500 nautical miles

costs significantly less than twelve patrol motorboats, two-three reconnaissance aircraft and several helicopters as well as 50-80 UAVs capable of performing the similar tasks within the same area. According to the experts, only two Podsolnukh-E surface-wave radars can keep under full control the Strait of Malacca, one of the crucial navigation routes of the world. Ten radars can pro-vide a secure surveillance over the whole Malaysian coast stretched for more than 4.500 km. The Podsolnukh-E radar can be effectively employed both to detect surface ships at long distances, including over the horizon, and to serve as a target desig-nator for the coastal anti-ship missile systems. The Monolit-B mobile active-passive radioelectronic systems can also be used for that purposes. Their passive channel serves to search for the combat ship radars at ranges of up to 450 km;

Podberiozovik-ET1

Podsolnukh-E

the active channel – to detect surface targets at a distance of up to 50 km. If underwater threat exists, the coastal surveillance, security and defence system may be equipped with such anti-submarine surveillance means as the MGK-608E static sonar system, the Amga-ME positioning activepassive radars with radio buoys, the Komor magnetoelectric system. The combination of these assets provides for a secure detection of even low-noise submarines. The counter underwater warfare surveillance subsystem is crucial for the security of the seaports, oil-and-gas production facilities (terminals, pipelines, etc). Its centrepiece is the Komor-1 magnetic sonar system which provides for the all-round detection of fighting underwater swimmers. The system also includes the Atlantica millimetre-wave radar and the Sphera day and night CCTV system. The automated collection, processing and communication of information to the Navy and Coast Guard as well as the control over these structures at different levels are carried out from the 83t611-E and 83t170-E coastal mobile operation centres. The Ontomap intelligent

geoinformation programme system serves as an information basis for the centres. This system not only processes the information received from the surveillance systems and displays situation on the dynamic electronic maps but also allows for forecasting the actions of surface and under-water assets; timely determines threats and provides advice on rapid and accurate targeting of the naval hunter groups. The integrated system offered by ‘Rosoboronexport’ boasts such advantages as the openness of the system’s architecture, simplicity of software and hardware solutions, cost-effectiveness. The system’s capabilities and composition can be upgraded gradually by means of installing new hardware, Mys M1E modernisation of the existing equipment as well as integration with other Russian or foreign as-sets that are already in the customer’s inventory. Initially it is proposed to estab-lish local and regional situation surveillance

AMR Marketing Promotion

systems. They may be deployed in the areas of responsibility of naval bases, security areas of the oil-and-gas infra-structure facilities and along other crucial sites. Later these regional systems can be structurally and technically integrated into a nation-wide situation centre. The state-of-the-art military and civilian in-formation technologies used in the development and integration of the systems make them cost-effective and provide a significant tamper protection. In recent years Russia has experienced competition in the field of develop-ing the integrated control systems. But the hardware of some manufacturers evi-dently underperforms the Russian equipment as well as the hardware of the oth-ers with equal characteristics is much more expensive. This has already been noted by many our target customers which on their own initiative started active negotiations with ‘Rosoboronexport’ desiring to develop national surveillance and control systems on their territories. The Russia’s experience of operating the coastal integrated surveillance and control systems proves that a comprehensive approach to the information support of all maritime activities improves their effectiveness by 30 per cent. The configuration of the integrated system can be adjusted in accordance with the purpose, specific tasks and components as per the customer’s desire – be it a lo-cal security system of an oil platform or a nation-wide joint maritime surveillance and control system. Nowadays ‘Rosoboronexport’ pursues an active marketing policy based on the analysis of interests and requirements of our potential customers throughout the whole life cycle of the delivered weaponry and equipment. We improve the quality of after-sale service, level of expertise of the experts, expand export of spare parts, and create maintenance infrastructure as well as education and train-ing facilities on the territory of our importers. We introduce a flexible pricing policy well considering a financial standing of our partners and propose diverse methods of payment with due account of financial and economic capacities of the importers.

PRECISION INDIRECT

FIRE

Precision Indirect Engagement: Regional Fires and Effects Precision indirect fires are both costly and cost-efficient. The paradox lies in the fact that the unit cost of complex guidance systems whether they be inertial, GPS based or laser guided for terminal phase engagement, embedded in each shell, have to survive the high G-environment of being fired from a barrel or other launch system, are high in comparison to a standard 'dumb' round. by Adam Baddeley n contrast, while a single precision round can engage a point target while limiting the risk of damage to nearby buildings and killing or injuring noncombatants and friendly forces, the same destructive effect against the target would require many more 'dumb' rounds, requiring a greater logistics trail and increasing the chances of unintended damage to nearby structures and significantly increases the threat of civilian casualties. In this context, militaries have to consider trade-offs between the financial cost of deploying indirect fire versus the strategic cost of collateral damage. Delivering precision is not just a function of the round, new designs are improving the inherent accuracy of the gun itself with onboard navigation systems and other technologies ensuring that systems can engage at the quick halt, fire the minimum of rounds required and then rapidly move away.

I U.S. Marines fire an M982 Excalibur round from an M777 155 mm howitzer during a fire support mission at Fire Base Fiddlers Green, Helmand province, Afghanistan ÂŠ DoD

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

PRECISION INDIRECT

Mortars

The mortar has traditionally been the domain of the infantry although here to, the advent of precision engagement has also affected both dismounted systems as well as those integrated on mobile platforms. A key system in the light mortar domain is the new US M224A1 mortar which was delivered to troops in 2012 which reduces the weight of the M224 by just over 4Kg by the utilisation of steel for new alloys with further measures added to ensure improved accuracy as well as a lighter weight. The Israel Defence Force have acquired the 120mm mortar Cardom or Keshet 120mm mortar system, based on the M113 Zelda with integrated artillery systems fire control, navigation, automatic aiming and propulsion systems. US Army Stryker formations also operate the same system. The company's latest smooth bore Spear design can operate at up to 15 rounds per minute with the same

30m CEP as previous versions of Cardom and can be brought into action in under a minute after the vehicle stops and can move again after firing in the same time. Spain has acquired the Cardom in its 81mm variant in an $8.5 million deal for six systems which saw it integrated on 4x4 VAMTAC via local supplier Urovesa. The mortar was deployed with the country's I/3rd Toldeo Light Infantry Battalion in Darr-ebum in Afghanistan's Baghdis province. A conventional mortar has to be aimed by hand which can take up to three minutes. However,

Indonesia is acquiring 37 of Nexter’s CAESAR (CAmion Equipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie) 155 mm self-propelled howitzers l

MARCH/APRIL 2013

FIRE

The M224 60mm mortar has seen a reduction in weight of 4Kg to create the new M224A1 © DoD

Spanish troops reported that with Cardom it takes just fifteen seconds from the point at which the operator inputs the co-ordinates of the target, to the mortar automatically traversing to its target, aiming accurately and firing. Up to 12 rounds are able to be fired a minute with a range of 6.9km. ATK, working with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems are supplying the rifled 120mm mortar based Deliver Precision Extended Range Munition to the US Marine Corps. ATK are currently developing precision guidance fuze technology which has already been operational proven on other systems such as the Precision Guidance Kit for the US Army XM1156 155mm artillery projectiles and XM395 120mm mortar cartridges. The 120mm mortars are part of the Marine’s air mobile

PRECISION INDIRECT

FIRE

Expeditionary Fire Support System which has range of 16-20km. Saab recently received further orders for both its 81mm and MAPAM (Mortar Anti Personnel Anti Material) 60mm ER (extended range) mortar rounds.

Artillery

Artillery remain’s the dominant source of indirect fire with little if any evidence to indicate that this will change, based on military procurement priorities. To meet Indian requirements, Tata Power's Strategic Electronics Division has developed the Mounted Gun System, a 155/52 mm howitzer based on a Tata 8x8 truck with a range of 40km and is able to fire a six round burst in three minutes. India has a requirement for 814 such weapons worth Rs 8500 crore. This makes up the single BAE Systems is leading the Paladin Integrated Management upgrade following a $313 million award last year and which is due to complete in 2015 © DoD

The Iveco 155/39 mm Ultra Light Weight Self-Propelled Wheeled Howitzer which is based on the 120mm Centauro 8x8 tank destroyer © AJB

biggest acquisition of new long range artillery system in India's existing requirements for over 2200 system across five different programmes. India has also opted to upgrade further elements of its artillery notably the M-46 130mm to 155 mm/45 calibre with Tata, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Forge all reported to be in the running to be the production partners, India has a requirement to upgrade 400 of the type with Elbit Systems Soltam having undertaken a similar upgrade to 180 of the guns at the start of last decade, working with the Ordnance Factory Board. The updated FH-77B howitzers of which India acquired 410 from AB Bofors in 1987 were delivered to the test range to test its new 40km range. This is the final hurdle before delivering to the Army for final testing at the Pokharan range. Another serial upgrader of artillery is the US with its Paladin M109A6 with BAE Systems contracted on the engineering and manufacturing development of the Paladin Integrated Management upgrade following a $313 million award last year and which is due to complete in 2015. There are no changes to the gun which remains a 155/39 design but in terms of the chassis there is far greater commonality between the Bradley and the Paladin such as common Cummins V903 diesel engine. A Limited User Test of the PIM took place at the end of 2012.

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

PRECISION INDIRECT

FIRE

Australia's plans for a new self propelled gun were ditched in May as part of a response to the Australian Defence Whitepaper. Australia has already committed to fielding four batteries of M777A2s with 35 systems being acquired under a award announced in October 2009. The Australian response was to expand the acquisition adding a further 19 howitzers with an order for $51 million. Norinco has recently added the self propelled PLZ52, to its indirect fire offering, a 52 calibre solution to add to its PZL45 offering. Indonesia is acquiring 37 of Nexter's CAESAR (CAmion Equipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie) 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, equipping two regiments with local support from PT Pindad in a reported $240 million deal. Thailand acquired six of the systems in 2009. Elsewhere in the region, Nexter is offering its towed Trajan 155 mm/52 calibre towed artillery system. which can achieve a range of 52km with a rocket-assisted projectile and with rate of fire of six rounds per minute. In India, the company is teamed with Larsen & Toubro. Singapore Technologies Kinetics is currently studying going ahead with the 8x8 155 mm Advanced Mobile Gun System (AMGS) which is designed to be able to fire 30 seconds from when the vehicle halts with the crew remaining in their armoured front cab until the gun has autonomously fired its ready to use ammunition with extended The UAE's Agrab or Scorpion is integrates an STK 120mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System on a RG31 and is equipped with an advanced fire control system © AJB

range rounds able to reach 40km. A new self propelled systems due to enter the market but now in the last stages of development is the Iveco 155/39 mm Ultra Light Weight Self-Propelled Wheeled Howitzer which is based on the 120mm Centauro 8x8 tank destroyer and exploits that vehicle's tactical mobility. A concept version was shown in Eurosatory in June.

Precision Rounds

Sagem’s ULISS 30XP Position And Azimuth Determination System or PADS is competing for an Indian Army requirement for 167 systems © Sagem

In October, Raytheon released details of the testing of their new Excalibur Ib precision munition, in which the eight rounds fired had demonstrated a CEP of under 5 metres. The Ib makes a number of improvement over the Ia which has seen successful services in Afghanistan with Australia and US forces with over 600 rounds having been fired in engage-

MARCH/APRIL 2013

ments in that theatre. A decision on a Low Rate Initial Production is expected in 2013. Precision has also come to 81mm with the BAE-General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems designed 81mm Roll Control Guided Mortar which has a 7m CEP and an engagement from of one to four kilometres. The design takes a standard round but then adds a Roll-Controlled Fixed Canard (RCFC) control system to the round. The US Army plans on fielding ATK's XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit in the Summer as part of an Urgent Material Release. The budget kit aims for an achievement of a CEP of 50m and will be able to be fired from the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer and the 155 mm M777A2 towed howitzer. India is also progressing with its requirement for BAE Systems M777 towed 155

PRECISION INDIRECT

FIRE

mm/39-calibre lightweight howitzers with the Foreign Military Sales process expected to begin delivering systems by 2014 once final signature takes place in the Spring. Oto Melara states that its Vulcano Ballistic Extended Range ammunition can be fired at a maximum range 100km to provide a precision strike capability from ships using a 127/54mm ship mounted gun. The company is also working with Germany’s Diehl on a 155mm Vulcano round for land based artillery. Sagem’s Sigma 30 is a staple of both towed and self propelled artillery systems, providing precise laser based inertial positioning for artillery and is able to align in under five minutes with a far greater precision than GPS. The systems can also align while on the

The US Army plans on fielding ATK’s XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit in the Summer as part of an Urgent Material Release

move and sustain uninterrupted inertial navigation while the weapon is firing. The system can also operate indirect fire solutions; autonomy with towed systems, vibration on tracked vehicles, suspension on wheeled vehicles, corrosion associated with rocket fires and high levels of dampening supporting for mortars and light guns. The Sigma 30 has been integrated on a number of systems either developed or used in the region including the CAESAR, the FH 77 B05 upgrade led by OFB and BEL for the Indian Army, Pegasus and FH2000, Norinco's PLZ45 PLZ 52 and SH-1, India's Pinaka, GHN 45 and 105 LG1. It is also on the ULISS 30XP Position And Azimuth Determination System or PADS a high mobility artillery survey system which is competing for an Indian Army requirement for 167 systems.

vehicles which will act as prototypes for the programme. In addition the company will work to ensure much greater commonality between the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher - ordered by Thailand and in service with Singapore - and the tracked M270A2. If successful, the Army plans to upgrade all its 225 vehicles to this standard. Pakistan’s Hatf-9 Nasr surface-tosurface missile has range of 37km, seen as a nuclear capable weapon can also be used with a significant conventional warhead.

Managed Supply

Managing the supply of ammunition, indirect or not has lead to partnering relationships being formed between industry and military. One of the most recent is that between the Dutch armed forces and Rheinmetall who recently signed a contract extension for the long term supply for topquality ammunition covering a wide variety of ammunition types in many different calibres, including service and practice versions as well as propelling technology. Australia has a similar arrangement with Thales Australia for the Domestic Munitions Manufacturing Arrangements project the company being in place since the mid 1990s. This contract is currently in competition with Thales working with General Dynamics-OTS and NAMMO seeking to be reselected, against competition from teams of BAE Systems EXPAL, Alliant Techsystems Inc; Raytheon Australia joining with Chemring Australia and Poonsang Corp of South Korea; Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions, Nitrochemie and Swiss company RUAG Ammotec.

Rockets

Russia continues to be a big believer in rocket artillery, recently ordering 36 Tornado-G or Smerch multiple rocket launchers. Other non-traditional users are also eagerly adopting rocket based artillery for long range engagement which puts even greater emphasis on precision. The current thrust of the US Army has been to emphasise commonality and new precision rounds rather than new systems. Lockheed Martin is currently undertaking an upgrade of the M270A1 to increase force protection measures in seven

The Trajan 155mm/52 calibre ordnance originally developed by Nexter for CAESAR with the mounting developed in conjunction with Larsen and Toubro in India © Nexter

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AIRBORNE I

Airborne ISR, Communications and Weapon Systems: Tightening The Kill Chain The Airborne Kill Chain covers the gamut of military activities from Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets detecting and identifying targets, often sending that information to command structures to obtain a decision then ordering an attack on the target and then passing on the requisite targeting information to the right platform to achieve the destruction of the target.

by Adam Baddeley

he targets themselves pose increasing challenges to both detection and destruction, hiding in difficult natural as well as urban terrain where the potential for non-combatant casualties and collateral damage is high. This emphasises more than ever the need for both precision targeting and precision effects to exploit, not to mention a range of effectors covering long range precision strike to low cost solutions on the lowest rung of the precision ladder, meeting a requirement somewhere between an air launched Anti-Tank Guided Weapon and an unguided rocket.

Airborne ISR

Precision ISR capabilities are becoming increasingly affordable with assets once Rafael’s Litening pod is facing off against Thales’ Damocles for an Indian Air Force requirement © Rafael

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

AIRBORNE

limited to larger platforms such as the Boeing 707 based J-STAR Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) now able to be integrated on smaller aircraft and UAVs with the same also true of other sensors providing high definition imagery. A key, almost iconic enabler in the airborne kill chain are targeting pods able to operate from fast jet strike aircraft. In India, a decision in a competition between the Thales Damocles and Rafael Litening targeting pods to equip the Mirage 2000 Vajra fleet is expected later this year with over 100 systems required. A team of Northrop Grumman and Rafael have recently begun full rate production for the US Air Force with the new AN/AAQ-28(V)9 Litening Sensor Enhancement version which incorporates the latest generation of sensors. Lockheed Martin's AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pod is another option being used other air forces

with the pod being selected to operate with Iraq's F-16IQ fleet. A detection and designation capability for lighter airborne platforms is being made possible with sensors such as the L-3 WESCAM MX-15D which combines colour, IR, lowlight and SWIR with a laser targeting capability - the design can integrate up to nine sensors. The systems has most recently been deployed on the Bell Helicopter 407GT and used with BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guided rockets at ranges of up to 5km. The non-ITAR Selex ES Gabbiano T-20

The non-ITAR Selex ES Gabbiano T-20 Radar... has detected moving targets at 40 nautical miles l

MARCH/APRIL 2013

UAVs such as the Hermes 900 are now able to carry payload-types hitherto limited to large passenger aircraft ÂŠ Elbit Systems

Radar offers high resolution ground mapping in both Strip and Spot SAR modes and GMTI capabilities and in tests has detected moving targets at 40 nautical miles. It has been adopted by users for a range of platforms including ATR42 MP, Embraer KC390, Beechcraft B350, AW-139 and AW-101 helicopters together with the Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 UAVs respectively. Cassidianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SmartRadar or Scalable Modular Aerospace Radar Technology is a new Active Electronically Scanned Array, airborne ground surveillance radar being funded and assessed by the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement office and was successfully tested in June last year in Canada's Goose Bay in June. In the maritime and littoral environment,

AIRBORNE I

Australia has opted for Raytheon's 24 AAS44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting System for the Royal Australian Navy's buy of 24 Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters under Project Air 9000 Phase 8 to replace the S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, which provides an EO/IR based solution incorporating target acquisition, tracking, range-finding and laser designation solution. Other onboard sensors include the Telephonics APS-147 multimode radar. FLIR System’s Star SAFIRE II a 320x240, gimballed thermal imager and has been integrated on the UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter as part of a surveillance and targeting package focused on engaging the FARC narco-insurgents in mountainous and jungle terrain. The company’s sensors have been widely supplied to Columbia under the US “Plan Colombia” effort focused on drug interdiction. Terminal guidance is becoming increasingly important with Australia and the United Arab Emirates both recently ordering the Rockwell Collins’ FireStorm targeting system. This incorporates a laser range finder, navigation package, GPS and communications via the StrikeHawk datalink with the rugged computer also hosting the

Rosetta software. At the dismounted level, the latest generation of Sagem’s JIM LR or (Jumelle Infrarouge Multifonction) Long Range. This thermal imaging binocular is combined with an integrated Laser Range Finder, laser pointer with a range of 2.5km, digital magnetic compass and GPS, all in a low weight package. This can also be

When Rohde and Schwarz’s new SDAR radio is delivered to its launch customer in 2015 it will be equipped with the High Data Rate networking waveform family

matched with the Vectronics STERNA precision target location system or PTLS for enhanced precision in the field.

Networks

A chain is made of links, with the kill chain impossible to achieve with communication systems able to glue and interconnect diverse

Rockwell Collin’s Firestorm systems allows ground forces to provide targeting and terminal guidance for air launched and other effectors in the kill chain © Rockwell Collins

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

parts of the systems enabling information to be brought together and fused to ensure the right target is engaged. Once a target is detected, that information has to be shared either between airborne platforms in the air, or transferred to the ground to be routed to a headquarters for assessment and a response. In a number of militaries who have secure access to Satcom, a Beyond Line Of Sight solution is possible for high definition imagery but for the majority of manned platform and UAV users, Line Of Sight Solutions will continue to necessary. India's Airborne Software Defined radio (SDR) programme is in the final stages of selection with an assessment scheduled for March and will equip several aircraft including the Jaguar, one of India's most effective strike aircraft The requirement is for a two channel radio in V/UHF with both narrow and high capacity wideband links, Four teams are bidding; Bharat Electronics Ltd with the DRDO, Alpha Design offering the IAI ARC-840, Rafael and HAL offering the Netcor/Globalink and Rockwell Collins and Tata. By way of illustration, the RockwellCollins Tata team includes an airborne optimised version of the FlexNet waveform

AIRBORNE

The SDxR family supports the HDR-AJ-WB waveform allowing aircraft moving at Mach 2 to transmit information at rates of 128Kbps ÂŠ R&S

which supports a 2 Mbps link that can be used by fast movers. When Rohde and Schwarz's new SDAR radio is delivered to its launch customer in 2015 it will be equipped with the High Data Rate networking radio waveform. The high capacity HDR Wideband capability allows non-frequency hopping HDR-WB with a 1Mbps user data rate to be operated at speeds of up to 700Kmph before the doppler effect effectively ends communications. For faster aircraft, the HDR-AJ-WB can operates at up to Mach 2 and 1000 hops per second jamming protection and a user data rate of 128kbps. The HDR-AJ-WB will take over from the narrow band SECOS waveform which fulfils a similar role in the R&S portfolio. In addition to strike and Close Air Support Aircraft, attack helicopters are increasingly being brought into regional inventories. The first of 30 AH-64E Apache helicopters are to be delivered to Taiwan in October as part of a $6.5 billion deal signed in 2008. India has also selected that aircraft in a $1.4 billion deal with Indonesia requesting eight in a $1.3 billion deal. The US has recently begun its search for a new radio to support its helicopter fleets including the Apache with its Small Airborne Networking Radio (SANR) and Small Airborne Link 16 Terminal (SALT) programmes, both two channel solutions, the former equipping Apache Longbows with number of waveforms including Link 16 while the SANR

The AH-64 Apache is being acquired by a number of air forces in the regions and is likely to become a bearer for low cost precision engagement weapon systems ÂŠ DoD

MARCH/APRIL 2013

AIRBORNE I

will equip earlier Apaches Black Hawk, Chinook and Kiowa Warrior helicopters and the Gray Eagle UAV. Once the information hits the ground, imagery or full motion video from a UAV or manned platforms will required a big pipe to pass on its high bandwidth package with manufacturers providing that with a slew of new relays. Ultra Electronics new AN/GRC-245G(V) is due to be launched at the end of the year with its links able to operate across 1.4-6GHz, giving it the ability to operate in a congested frequency spectrum with both Point To Point Links (PTP) and Point To Multi-Point (PTMP) links at 200-400Mps at ranges of over 30Km. Ultra expressly see this as a key tool for ISR aggregation and cloud services with each radio also having a WiFi link to create a Local Area Network. The Harris RF Communications RF-7800W OU470 and OU500 use the MIMO feature and GPS synchronisation to enable multiple radios to transmit and receive on the same frequency effective multiplying the throughput a network can send over the same frequency which was the case with the company's RF7800W OU440 which supports throughput in PTP and PTMP of 108Mbps and 50Mbps respectively with the two new relays both supporting 216Mbps. Kongsberg's RL542A will be released later this year after certification and offers full duplex links of 100Mbps.

Effectors

Detecting a threat, generating targeting locations and then sharing that information across the network can only go far, ultimately the ability to destroy it is needed. The next generation of precision engagement weapons are accompanying the influx of advanced multi-role combat aircraft and other new light attack aircraft. But not every scenario requires an advanced precision weapon as the recent air strikes against the Royal Sulu Army in Sabah illustrates. Small fleeting targets in civilian vehicles or individuals moving on foot are arguably more relevant to a number of militaries in the region with the kill chain also having to accommodate an affordable means of achieving this. India, still to sign the final contract on the Rafael to meet its Medium Multi-Role The Rafael SPICE 1000 has a range of 100km with a datalink allowing positive identification of targets while in flight ÂŠ Rafael

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AIRBORNE

France is currently bringing into service the third variant of the AASM/Hammer ground to air munition, adapted to more effective engage fleeting targets ÂŠ Sagem

Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement, also has to select the weapon package to support the aircraft. A number of weapons are being discussed including MBDA's Dual Mode Brimstone Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB) part of UK MOD's SPEAR Capability 2 programme. The DMB is a close air support weapon able to engage a diverse range of threats from fast moving vehicles, bunkers, as well as fast in-shore attack craft with the warhead also defeating Main Battle Tanks. The guidance systems allows the user to switch between a Fire and Forget anti-armour mode; Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guidance against static targets and SAL and Millimetric Wave guidance for fast moving targets. Another candidate being discussed for the MMRCA is Sagem's fire and forget double canard-guided Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM)/HAMMER or Highly Agile Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range. Two versions of the weapon have been vali-

dated in combat in Afghanistan, Libya and Mali; the SBU-38 and SBU-64 guidance kits which are operated with standard bombs and are able to engage targets at ranges of 50km and can hit the target at angles of 90 degrees. The latest version of HAMMER is the SBU 54, now entering service with the French Air Force which uses hybrid GPS/INS and is then combined with laser guidance for the terminal stage enabling it to engage mobile targets such as fast moving vehicles. The requirements of the Philippines are

Indonesia, in the process of acquiring surplus US F-16A/Bs upgraded to the Block 32 standard has also requested the Raytheon AGM-65K2 Maverick missiles l

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more modest. A key requirement is for six light-attack turboprops with the usual contenders; Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II, Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KA-1 expected to bid. It also requires twelve jet aircraft to fulfil its requirement for the flight trainer and light-attack roles with aircraft such as the KAI T/A-50 Golden Eagle and Alenia Aermacchi M-346, Yak-130 Mitten L-159B ALCA BAE Hawk and the AMX all considered with the South Korean aircraft being selected in August 2012. An affordable precision engagement capability will be integral to both these capabilities. Indonesia, in the process of acquiring surplus US F-16A/Bs upgraded to the Block 32 standard, has also requested the Raytheon AGM-65K2 Maverick missile. Rafael Advanced Defence Systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SPICE (Smart Precise Impact and Cost Effective) family is an add-on kit which can be fitted to 2000lb and 1000lb bombs and with the latter having pop-out wings and a range of over 100km with a datalink allowing positive identification of targets while in flight. India and Singapore both operate the weapon. Another strike missile in the region is the Boeing AGM-84H SLAM Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) which has been adopted by South Korea for use on the F-15K Slam Eagle which can engage targets with the missile from 280km. A low cost guided solution is Roketsan's CIRIT laser guided rocket using semi-active laser guidance in the terminal phase with a range of 6-8km. The NATO complaint weapon is currently in production for Turkey with the UAE signing a $196 million deal to acquire the weapon in February. A similar offering is provided via the BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II, deployed to Afghanistan with the US Marines in March 2012, and qualified with the AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters and most recently the Bell 407GT. It covers a 70mm Hydra rocket, converted to add the WGU-59/B mid-body guidance unit and is able to defeat targets up to light armoured vehicles. The systems also able to be operate from fixed wing aircraft in the light support role with tests with AV-8Bs and A-10s due this year.

CBRN PROTECTION

CBRN in the Field: Prepare for the Worst During the 11-year campaign in Afghanistan and in other conflicts, the weapon of choice for insurgents continues to be the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in all its variants. However, weapons containing a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) component are also factored into military planning for force protection as they continue to be a credible, if unpredictable and unquantifiable, threat to both troops and civilians in several theatres. by Andy Oppenheimer eports from Afghanistan in February 2012 indicated that the Taliban had poisoned food with chlorine bleach at Torkham Forward Operation Base near the Pakistan border in Nangarhar province, as retaliation for the earlier burning

of copies of the Koran by US personnel. NATO announced that fruit and coffee delivered for consumption by military personnel had shown traces of chlorine, and that the Taliban had claimed responsibility. No soldiers were affected in this incident, but attacks on civilians – most notably girls’

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schools in early 2010 - and on Afghan troops and police have caused serious injuries and included the use of organophosphates, which is a precursor to nerve agents and produces similar symptoms. Serving military personnel have told the author about IEDs incorporating organophosphates and other widely

CBRN PROTECTION

available household chemicals such as insecticides and rat poison, and about food poisoning attacks through insurgent infiltration into ISAF bases. The asymmetric nature of the AfPak conflict means that, while military-grade CBRN may not currently be available to insurgents, they are inventive enough to incorporate precursor and industrial chemicals into IEDs, civilian-use radioisotopes into RDDs (radiological dispersal devices), and also launch non-explosive forms of attack using common poisons and pathogens.

insurgency, attacks involving chlorine were carried out from January to March 2007. Over 200 Iraqi civilians were inflicted with chemical injuries when tankers carrying chlorine were hijacked and blown up. Following Saddam Hussein’s massacre of Kurds at Halabja in the 1980s with true CW, the Iraqi insurgents could guarantee their attacks would cause maximum terror. Although successive UN inspection teams

Aero Sekur NBC suit made from composite materials, which has a lightweight gas alarm fitted to alert the wearer to a CBRN attack © Aero Sekur

and occupying US forces have cleared much of Iraq of CW ordnance, the sheer number of abandoned chemical shells may provide the means for ICDs (improvised chemical devices) in a still very volatile country.

From the Gulf Wars on

Operation Desert Storm was the last major military campaign where CBRN defence was a prime factor in planning and reconnaissance as - unlike the Second Gulf War - the Iraqis actually possessed chemical and biological weapons (CBW) in varying stages of development. At the height of the Iraq Republic of South Korea CBRN Defense Command are instructed by the US 22nd Chemical Battalion on CBRNE response team equipment during a capabilities exercise at Aberdeen Proving Ground's Warrior Training Center in December 2011. The CAPEX was part of a weeklong visit by 10 Korean soldiers to the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) ©US Army

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CBRN PROTECTION

Concerns also abound about possible use by government forces – or insurgents - of Syria’s substantial arsenal of CBW. But Iran is uppermost as the main threat in the region, as it is suspected of developing CBW as well as its nascent nuclear weapons and extensive missile programmes. Added to this will be the need to protect any forces operating from the air or on the ground following an attack on Iran, which it is feared could produce radioactive contamination on a potentially wide scale.

Facing up North Korea

In the Far East, the prime concern is North Korea’s growing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capabilities and its proximity to the ROK’s capital Seoul, which is within range of an airborne CBW attack. South Korean defence authorities have begun holding civil defence drills, and have distributed guidebooks to all ROK military units outlining countermeasures and symp-

Operation Desert Storm was the last major military campaign where CBRN defence was a prime factor in planning and reconnaissance

toms of 13 bioweapons, including plague, anthrax, typhoid, and – the biggest killer historically – smallpox, suspected to be in the DPRK’s BW arsenal. This year will therefore see a series of joint US/ROK CBRN training exercises, beginning in January 2012 when the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground held a capabilities exercise on detection and protection equipment and procedures for visiting soldiers from the South Korean CBRN Defence Command.

Detection – small is beautiful

Leading companies such as Smiths Detection and Bruker Daltonics have developed chip technology to enhance miniaturisation of detectors, with around 210,000 Smiths chemical agent detectors (CAD) in service with military forces worldwide. The Smiths LCD (Lightweight Chemical Detector) is a new, small and lightweight CWA detector for soldier/squad protection in the 21st century. Weighing less than 0.45kg, the LCD serves as an unobtrusive compact detector, constantly sampling the air for traces of nerve,

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blister, TICs, or blood and choking agents. The unit can be deployed on fixed or mobile platforms, including vehicles, ships, aircraft and fixed site installations and is in service with the UK and US armed forces and many other countries. Advanced systems are based on Raman spectroscopy for rapid, accurate identification of unknown chemicals directly in the field. Thermo Scientific’s FirstDefender RM uses chemometric algorithms to determine automatically the presence of mixed and contaminated chemicals, and can operate directly through sealed glass or plastic containers. Its twin handheld, the TruDefender FT, uses fluorescence to identify unknown chemicals directly in the hot zone and is suited to use by military personnel. Radiation detection is well advanced and instruments must be able to differentiate from

naturally occurring radiation from possible terrorist threats, and to measure all three types of ionising radiation – gamma (the easy one), beta, and alpha. Bruker Radiation Sentry detection systems can be carried on portable backpacks and vehicle-, aircraft- or helicopter-mounted systems. The challenge continues for readily available systems to detect alpha – which is short-range radiation – emitted by uranium oxides, plutonium, americium-241 and other radioisotopes. Biosurveillance on military operations includes obtaining information on disease patterns in local populations and at military bases, where food poisoning outbreaks, such as the one described above in Nangarhar province, are common. Intelligence gathering is a vital adjunct to the advanced biodetection suites installed on board recce vehicles, most notably the Bruker Daltonics biological

The Argon DS3 monitor detecting simulated contamination on a ‘casualty’ during NATO Exercise Clean Care, November 2011 © Argon Electronics (UK) Ltd

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In the Far East, the prime concern is North Korea’s growing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capabilities and its proximity to the ROK’s capital Seoul

suite for continuous monitoring of the external air for aerosolised particles, which is installed on the widely deployed Fuchs NBC reconnaissance vehicle. The NBC suite consists of an onboard mass spectrometer which analyses the particles and a totally sealed analysis chamber for processing and identification of samples using ELISA (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) techniques. The US equivalent, the Long Range Biological Stand-off Detection System (LR-

CBRN PROTECTION

BSDS), uses LIDAR technology to detect, track and map particles larger than 1 micron in large area aerosol clouds at a maximum range of 30 km.

Diagnostic tools

Of prime importance is shortening the time between a bio-alarm and the response, so much research is devoted to speedier sampling, analysis and diagnosis. Military operations are frequently conducted in austere environments, where laboratory facilities may be rudimentary or non-existent. To test blood samples, the microarray is an advanced diagnostic tool which can provide a picture, through gene expression or protein production in white blood cells, of what the cells are doing in response to invasion. This will thereby point to the nature of the invader. As microassays contain many thousands of genes, however, a big challenge is for them

to indicate signs of bioterrorist-related illnesses in the pre-symptomatic stages. And with all CBRN systems for force protection, they must be portable and ruggedised. Protective equipment against chemical hazards includes the ChemTox point-of-care diagnostic test produced by ProQares and Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc. and is being used in many European and Asia Pacific countries. It is designed to detect human exposure to Soman, Sarin, Tabun, and VX in the blood, as well as low-level chemical nerve agent exposure, in 10 minutes with a fingerstick blood sample. For military systems, advances in highly sensitive personal force protection devices and integrated sensing technologies have resulted in miniaturisation of testing systems. In 2011 UK company, Magna Parva with the University of Leicester launched at DSEi a man-portable ‘lab in a box’, Exolab, to

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Members of the US Army 4th CST (Civil Support Team) using a new CDC surface sampling method to collect environmental samples in order to assess contamination after a simulated BT event © US Army

enable repeatable, rapid, low-cost preparation of solid or liquid samples in military operations. Exolab is designed to integrate all sample preparation processes necessary for complex measurement – such as for DNA analysis or immunoassays that are state-ofthe-art techniques used for disease and CBW detection. Stages can be plugged in or out and samples re-routed through the system for re-agent addition, mixing, thermal cycling, centrifugation and incubation.

Suits, boots and masks

Advances in composite materials for military NBC protection have produced an integrated

CBRN PROTECTION

The Utilis COLPRO system, which can be linked to a decontamination unit so that personnel can be decontaminated before entering the tents © Utilis

range of respirators and NBC/combat suits for ground defence apparel. Aero Sekur has developed a lightweight, low-cost gas alarm incorporated into the suit to alert the wearer to an NBC attack. Another revolutionary development is technology to embed sensors into combat apparel materials. Many companies make masks for the military, such as the Avon ST53 Mask, which combines the Avon FM53 with innovative modular breathing apparatus technology to provide positive pressure SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) and PAPR (powered air-purifying) capability. The air cylinder is compact and portable on the waist. A twin exhalation valve enables the wearer to use the respirator at negative or positive pressure, which means troops can enter different threat environments without having to change equipment. The ST53 has interchangeable nose-cups for maximum comfort and fit – of considerable importance for forces operating in hot climates, as is usually the case – and it is interoperable with all field communications systems. From February 2012 Avon has supplied the Malay Police with the C50 configurable mask for its civil riot upgrade programme. For PPE (personal protection equipment), the Mark IV suit by Remploy, developed in conjunction with the UK MoD, is in service with the US Chemical Stockpile

Emergency Preparedness Program, Indonesian Special Forces, Australian Defence Force, and Thailand’s CTOC. The latest Remploy suits designed specifically for the military, the Coumil and Panmil, build on the designs of the Cougar and Panther PPE and have a lighter-weight carbon lining for greater comfort for a total weight of 2.1 kg. They offer protection

For military systems, advances in highly sensitive personal force protection devices and integrated sensing technologies have resulted in miniaturisation of testing systems

against liquid chemical splash, vapour and biological hazards and are fire retardant. The abiding means of force protection is collective. COLPRO is provided on vehicles for troops on the move entering areas where CBRN reconnaissance is necessary, or where there is an ongoing threat. It is also installed as heavy-duty, high-performance ventilation and air filtration systems for inflatable field shelters and tents in military camps, and for ship-based protected environments. A lead-

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ing COLPRO system, by Utilis working with NATO, consists of three zones: access module (CCA); an isolation airlock, and a clean zone (TFA), which can be set up as a camp, command post, hospital or as a storage enclosure for vehicles or equipment. According to US Army Brigadier (retd) General Dean R. Ertwine, who became Vice President for Army Science And Technology at Battelle, CBRN preparedness in Desert Storm was not just due to physical force protection, countermeasures, training, medical material and equipment, “National philosophy against the use of chemical weapons was ‘You don’t ever want to use chemical weapons against us because we’ll retaliate - not necessarily in kind, but in a worse way.” Coalition troops could operate effectively whether or not they had to encounter chemical warfare. However, in Gulf War II, while CBW again did not occur, troops endured exposure to chemicals from uncovering caches of legacy weapons in ammunition sites.

All-hazards approach

Preparedness is also being geared as much towards small-scale attacks as for the longpredicted mass-casualty, high-tech CBRN incident associated more with Cold-War weapons capabilities. A ‘pick-and-mix’ deployment of conventional and unconventional weapons is more likely from insurgents and terrorists. This opens up a new era of force protection - against toxic industrial chemicals (and also particulates from depleted uranium weapons) given the number of troops suffering from ‘Gulf War Syndrome’ and similar chronic illnesses and symptoms, many of them long term. Immediate decontamination of affected areas, troops and equipment may not always be possible in the fog and heat of war. Attention in biodefence is also turning increasingly to protection against indigenous diseases along with new, modified strains from laboratories, and to dealing with civilian or troop exposure to misplaced radioactive materials. On top of this, the predicted epidemic of soldiers returning with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) alone will test resources and future capability – therefore, preparedness against injurious substances, whatever the source, is paramount. This also reflects the ‘all-hazards’ approach increasingly applied to homeland CBRN defence – which may be needed in military operations as we enter a new and increasingly unstable period of conflicts.

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ASIA PACIFIC PROCUREMENT UPDATE A squadron for 15 Mi-17 V5 helicopters will be based at Phalodi airbase near the Pakistan border © AJB

South Asia

Cuts to India’s Defence Budget of `10,000 crore will delay and cut several programmes including the MMRCA project with a final contract being delayed to at least April. Greatest concern is over the Army's 12th Five Year Plan from 2012-17, focused on the establishment of a new Mountain Strike Corps based in West Bengal with two divisions designed to defend against China. Other capabilities to be acquired include new night vision gear, anti-tank missiles, helicopters and artillery. India has begun initial work on establishing underground ammunition storage facilities near its borders with China and Pakistan in support of the Northern and Eastern Army commands. Although a contract for the initial 126 Rafales under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme has yet to be signed, India is reported to be considering an option to increase numbers to 189, during a visit to Paris by Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid. The INS Tarkash has arrived in Mumbai where it joins the first in class INS Teg which arrived in April. The Trikand is currently in dock trials and will join the Indian Navy in 2013. A RFP is expected in February for the six Project 75-I submarines subject to defence acquisition committee approval for the estimated $10 billion programme. It is not clear if Mazagon Dock Limited will produce some or all the boats. India has asked Russia to swiftly provide new components and parts for the INS Chakra submarine which was inducted in

April, following readiness issues. Formerly in Russian service the boat has been leased for a decade in a $900 million deal signed in 2004. INS Saryu, at 105m India's largest offshore patrol vessel has been commissioned into the Indian Navy. The Goa Shipyard Limited built ship is the first of class of the four strong Naval Off Shore Patrol Vessel with all due to be delivered by mid 2014. The ship will be based on the Andaman and Nicobar islands. India’s Chief of the Air Staff NAK Browne has visited Israel to discuss continued bilateral military cooperation, notably in the area of UAVs and air defence missiles. Israel Aerospace Industries and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) India have signed an MoU for the joint development of the Barak 8/Long-Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM). India has declared the 700 km submarine-launched ballistic missile that will equip the INS Arihant ready for production after completing a pre-production test flight, its tenth flight off the coast of Visakhapatnam. The Indian Navy has conducted a sea-surface launch of a new version of the Brahmos missile. The new design is designed to be more manoeuvrable demonstrating what Indian officials described as a, “double-manoeuvre in “S-form” before hitting the targets, 1m above the waterline. Additional features of this version include the integration of the same navigation Kh-555 (AS-15 Kent C) and Kh-101 cruise missiles adding a GLONASS based satellite navigation capability to the existing doppler-inertial system. The Indian Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) for proASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

curement of medium range anti ship missile for use on surface vessels the requirement has a range of 120km. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) launched the first of 20 Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), Aadesh built for the Indian Coast Guard in January with all boats due to be delivered by 2017. The first of ten Boeing C-17 aircraft has been received by the IAF in the US. The aircraft will now undergo flight testing in the US before being formally handed over in June. India has received the first 4 of 29 MiG29K/KUB fighters ordered in 2010 to equip the INS Vikramaditya carrier on which the aircraft with Russian pilots, completed flight testing on the ship over the Summer. Russia and India have signed an agreement to acquire a further 42 Su-30MKI worth $1.6 billion. An agreement between Rosoboronexport and India's Ministry of Defence will see a further consignment of KazanMi-17V-5 helicopters for the Indian Air Force and delivered to India by 2015 as part of a deal signed in 2008. At the same time the IAF announced that a squadron for 15 Mi-17 V5 helicopters inducted in January will be based at Phalodi airbase near the Pakistan border. Telephonics has been awarded a contract to supply its RDR-1600 weather avoidance search and rescue radars to Russia’s Kazan Helicopters for installation in Mi-17V-5 helicopters for delivery to the Indian Air Force. Sri Lanka’s Defence and Urban Development Secretary has offer his country's help in offering to accept Indian military personnel on his country’s counter-insurgency and counterterrorism course as well as joint exercises. Pakistan's Army latest Doctrine 'Green Book' which states its wartime and security priorities has cited internal threats and attacks across its western border as the biggest threat to the country, supplanting India for the first time as part of chapter in the book called ‘Sub-Conventional and Warfare’. Pakistan and US officials have met in Islamabad to review progress on the PAF's F-16 upgrade programmes. Rear Admiral Farid Habib has been appointed as the Bangladesh Navy's Chief of the Naval Staff. Bangladesh has received a $1 billion loan from Russia to acquire a number of weapon systems including BTR-80 armoured vehicles, air defence systems and Mi-171 helicopters.

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South East Asia

Thailand is to upgrade the Royal Thai Air Force Defence System with new radars as well as integration using datalinks linking the Air Force's 12 Gripens and two Saab 340 AEW early warning aircraft with HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Taksin and HTMS Chakri Naruebet. The Army will also be linked into the system in 2014. The Royal Thai Navy has ordered nine Raytheon Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile systems from US which will be integrated as part of the Naruesan upgrade being primed by Saab. They will be fired from an MK 41 eight-cell vertical launch system using a MK 25 Quad Pack canister. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH have been awarded a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) contract to support class room and virtual reality training systems as part of submarine technology training courses. Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has announced that it is bringing forward modernisation goals set in 2010 by five years from 2024 to 2019; achieving it over two rather than three five year military plans based on more funds being made available by government. The first plan has seen $16.7 billion allocated which has been tied to funds Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, KT 1 Wongbee trainer/light attack planes, new submarines from South Korea, 24 F-16 C/D fighter jets and AH

64 Apache helicopters for its Army. The Indonesian Navy corvette Kri Sultan Hasanuddin visited Sri Lanka while returning home from participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Indonesia and China have met in Jakarta to discuss enhanced defence co-operation, building on an original agreement signed in 2005. China has offered to build a Mandarin language training centre for Indonesia's military. Indonesia has released plans to set up a UAV squadron in 2013. The UAV will be of a local design from the National Aeronautics and Space Institute and the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology. The aircraft will be tasked with number of non -military tasks including monitoring illegal fishing and logging activities. Singapore's second Archer class submarine has been delivered to the Changi naval base from Sweden. ST Engineering has been awarded a contract to maintain and modernise three air Royal Air Force of Oman C130 aircraft. The Royal Malaysian Navy has ordered twelve Rheinmetall TMX/EO Mk2 fire control radars and six TMEO Mk2 electro-optical systems for use with the Malaysian Navy’s new Second Generation Patrol Vessels Littoral Combat Ships. Delivery begins in 2015. Takaso Resources Bhd has been awarded a contract to supply 300 specialist trucks for the Malaysian military including fire

fighting vehicles for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Gong Kedak Airbase. The Philippines has announced that it will take its territorial dispute with China over the Scarborough Shoal to a UN tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to which both countries are signatories. China has repeatedly said it prefers to resolve any issues through bi-lateral negotiation while asserting its claim. An Avenger class mine countermeasures vessel, the USS Guardian (MCM-5) ran aground on a reef in the Sulu Sea. The 7th Fleet ship, based in Sasebo, Japan had recently left Subic Bay where the ship had stopped for a short rest and relaxation visit. The accident has been attributed to faulty National GeospatialIntelligence Agency charts. Navantia is reported to be offering to meet the Philippines Navy requirement for a patrol craft and amphibious capabilities with the 90m, 1900 tonne Avante 1800 and the 8000 tone Athlas 8000 LPD design. The US Marine Corps are deploying three MV-22B Osprey aircraft to the Philippines for bilateral training. Burma’s Defence Minster Vice-Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has visited Singapore to meet with Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. Italy's defence minister Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola has visited Vietnam for the first time to discuss defence cooperation.

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East Asia

China has directed that senior military officer do not take part in expensive and ostentatious events or stay at luxury hotels in new rules issued by the Central Military Commission. China has provided aid to support the training and equipping for Liberia's military engineers, beginning in 2014. China’s Peoples Liberation Army Navy has transferred eleven naval vessels including two destroyers, several tugs, an icebreaker and a survey ship the Nanjing and Nanning to its maritime surveillance fleet. China is reported to be developing a carrier borne version of the Y-7 as a carrierbased AEW aircraft. The China’s People’s Liberation Army has recently conducted an exercise when it 'sank' a US carrier with the DF-21D anti-ship missile which had been mocked up in the Gobi Desert. China has officially acknowledged that it is developing the Y-20 large military transport aircraft. Japan’s defence budget for the next financial year is set to increase by an additional $1.15 billion, paying for new Patriot PAC-3 aid defence systems and the modernisation of four F-15J aircraft. Japan has requested the upgrade of the Aegis systems with the Integrated Air Missile Defense system on its two Atago Class

Ships with an estimated cost of $412 million. Japan is looking at the acquisition of the V-22 Osprey with studies expected to begin in 2013. One role being looked at is rapidly deploying forces to the Senkaku Islands. The US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, based in Camp Courtney in Okinawa has been designated as the command element 24 hour response Marine Air-Ground Task Force in the AsiaPacific region. Japan is considering options to deploy F-15s currently based in Okinawa to the Sakishima islands cutting the current 420km flight the JASDF must take to reach the disputed Senkaku Islands. Taiwan is to go ahead with an upgrade of 60 Indigenous Defence Fighters which are due to be completed by the end of 2013, The remaining 67 aircraft in the fleet will be upgraded in 2017. Taiwan’s Navy has conducted a public anti-submarine drill in which the two USsurplus mine hunters were used for the first time. Other ships included three frigates and S-2T anti-submarine aircraft. The first of 30 AH-64E Apache helicopters are to be delivered to Taiwan in October part of a $6.5 billion deal signed in 2008. South Korea’s government has announced its intention to set up a new Office of National ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

Security under the incoming President Park Geun-hye which will be tasked with rapid coordination of responses to security threats. Seoul has in its latest Defence White Paper, committed to its current western maritime border with the North, known as the Northern Limit Line, a demarcation that Pyongyang doesn't recognise. Seoul has once again requested the RQ-4 Global Hawk from the US, proposing the acquisition of four of the UAVs in a $1.2 billion deal and potentially entering service in 2015. The country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said that Korea was also considering the Boeing’s Phantom Eye and AeroVironment Global Observer. The AgustaWestland AW159 has been selected by South Korea's Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to meet its naval helicopter requirement, edging out the MH-60R Seahawk. In the $560 million deal for eight aircraft, delivery will take place in 2015-2016. The first two of a planned nine strong KSS-3 submarine class are to be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in a late 2012 contract award. The first boat is due to enter services in 2022 having been knocked back five years from the original estimate of 2017.

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Australia has established No. 35 Squadron to receive the first C-27Js when they arrive in 2015 ÂŠ Finmeccanica

Australasia

Australia and China have agreed to holding a joint military exercise, potentially including US forces. No timetable has been established although action is expected in the short term. Australia and the UK have signed a defence co-operation agreement in Perth Australia covering cyber security, defence reform, personnel exchange, equipment and science and technology although central amongst this is co-operation over the new BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship which could meet the requirements of the Royal Australian Navy for the ANZAC class replacement. Gen. David Hurley, Australia's Chief of the Defence Force has stated in a speech to the

Australian Strategic Policy Institute that defence co-operation with its neighbours needs to be increased. HMAS Anzac has arrived in Sri Lanka on a good will visit, berthing in Colombo and visiting the Western Naval Command Headquarters there. Austal has launched the first of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats ordered for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in a design, construct and in-service support contract worth A$330 million. Delivery of the boat is due in March 2013. All ships are due to be delivered by August 2015. The first of three Navantia built sonar hull blocks for the A$8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer has arrived in Adelaide from Spain. A further two blocks will be delivered later in 2013. The Hobart class will ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

be equipped with an Ultra Electronics sonar suite with a Type 2150 hull mounted sonar. Australia has established No. 35 Squadron to receive the first C-27Js when they arrive in 2015. The first C-27J of the ten ordered by Australia began its final assembly in January at the Alenia Aermacchi plant in Italy. Delivery is planned for 2014. Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation has awarded TeleCommunication Systems a contract for Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite terminals. BAE Systems has won a contract to supply flight training services to Papua New Guinea. BAE Systems won an initial contract in 2011 to supply basic flight training based in the UK.

Superior maritime intelligence, clearly. The ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system provides persistent maritime intelligence, delivering high-quality imagery day or night. ScanEagle operates autonomously at low or mid altitudes for extended periods, dramatically enhancing situational awareness. The result is a multi-mission force multiplier for large and small vessels alike, delivering the intelligence critical for decision-making superiority.