Volume 27/issue 4
june/july 2019 US$15
A s i a P a c i f i c ’ s L a r g e s t C i r c u la t e d D e f e n c e M a g a Z i n e
UAV DIRECTORY PRECISION GUIDED MUNITIONS LIGHT UTILITY VEHICLES
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Contents
june/july 2019 VOLUME 27 / ISSUE 4
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Precision guided munitions have evolved to allow virtually all nations to deploy them instead of ‘dumb bombs’, says Alan Warnes.
The business end of an early Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle. This small affordable, runway-independent, long-endurance UAV has proved popular with countries in the Indo-Pacific. (US Navy)
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ASIA-PACIFIC UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE DIRECTORY 2019
BATTLEFIELD TAXIS WITH ATTITUDE
SWEEPING THE SKIES
AMR’s annual round-up of unmanned aerial vehicle ownership within the AsiaPacific region. Reaearch by JR Ng.
Stephen W Miller reviews a selection of light utility vehicles for soldiers who need small, speedy and adaptable transport.
Jon Lake takes a look at the increasing need for long-range airborne surveillance.
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OPTICS FOR THE EYE-IN-THE-SKY
VIETNAM’S CATCH UP CHALLENGE
ANALYSTS COLUMN
Michael J Gething examines sensors currently suitable for aerial surveillance aircraft described in Sweeping the Skies.
The Vietnamese armed forces are intent on modernising their 1970s era equipment. JR Ng reports.
Columnist Ben Ho takes a look at a new United Nations ruling that could impact ownership of Diego Garcia.
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Index of Advertisers
AERONAUTICS 13 COLLINS AEROSPACE
COVER 4
DIMDEX 35 DSEI 45 D & S THAILAND
COVER 3
EUROSATORY 43 IAI 5 NEXTER
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SINGAPORE AIRSHOW
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SHOW DAILY
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SUBSCRIPTION
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UTC
COVER 2
Advertising Offices France/Spain Stephane de Remusat, REM International Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130 E-Mail: sremusat@rem-intl.com Germany Sam Baird, Whitehill Media Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 E-Mail: sam@whitehillmedia.com
Editorial REMOTE ISLAND BASE STRATEGY
T
he strategic importance of military bases on remote islands has been brought sharply into focus over the last few years by China’s well documented island building programme in the South China Sea, focusing particularly on Fiery Cross Reef, Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, all located in the Spratly Islands.
China’s claim to have opened up a maritime rescue centre at the beginning of the year to “offer better support to maritime rescue operations in the southern part of the South China Sea”, was considered by most to be, at best, another thin justification for militarising the island which, according to the Washington DC-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), has even got close-in weapons systems installed. Runways are one of the key factors here, not only for resupply and maritime patrol but also for military strength and the ability to enforce the nation’s will politically as well as geographically.
The Chinese have runways on all three of their Spratly Island bases. In terms of runway length, the longest and most able to accept a wide variety of aircraft types, including fast combat jets, is the 3,125 metre runway on Fiery Cross Reef. There is also another shorter runway on Woody Island located in the Paracel Islands. China took possession of this island in 1955 which became one of its first well established bases. There have been visits from fighter aircraft and a Shenyang J-11 fighter was spotted there in March 2017.
Turkey / Eastern Europe / UK Zena Coupé Tel: +44 1923 852537, zena@expomedia.biz
The other nations tussling for island sovereignty in the South China Sea include Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan, all of which have their own runways but none have the length and capacity of the airfield at Fiery Cross or even Woody Island.
Nordic Countries/Italy/ Switzerland Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Tel: (46) 31 799 9028 E-Mail: emanuela.armada@gmail.com
Vietnam has been working on its rebuilding an airfield on Big Spratly although this is only 1,300m long. The Vietnamese have completed hanger facilities which the ATMI reports will probably house its PZL M28B maritime patrol aircraft.
Russia Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653 Email :alla@mediatransasia.com
In 2003, Malaysia modernised its 1,360m airstrip on Swallow Reef, representing the second largest runway among the islands. A third of the length of the Chinese runway, this operates mainly as a civilian airport although some types of military aircraft could use it if needed.
USA (East/South East)/Canada (East) Margie Brown, Blessall Media, LLC. Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581 Email: margiespub@rcn.com
Taiwan’s 1,200m runway on Taiping Island (also known as Itu Aba) has been bolstered by the rebuilding of port facilities. For military use only, it can operate Lockheed Martin C-130 flights and is protected by a small quantity of coastal defences.
USA (West/South West)/Brazil/Canada (West) Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc Tel : (+1 858) 759 3557 Email: blackrockmediainc@icloud.com
The Philippines has perhaps the least prepared landing strip, as it has remained rough and unpaved since its construction. Again, around 1,300m in length, it can be used by the ubiquitous C-130 military transport.
All Other Countries Jakhongir Djalmetov, Media Transasia Limited Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile: +66 81 6455654 Email: joha@mediatransasia.com Roman Durksen, Media Transasia Limited Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile +66 83 6037989 E-Mail: roman@mediatransasia.com
The real utility of China’s remote island bases, particularly those with a long runway, gives longer reach for power projection. The western Pacific (long the domain of the US Navy) and south to the Indonesian archipelago are within reach, not to mention the Gulf of Thailand and out to the Bay of Bengal for long range aircraft. Just remember what the United States benefits from having its own base in the Indian Ocean. In his analysis article at the end of this issue, Ben Ho underlines the importance of Diego Garcia to the United States and that losing it when such strategic times are upon us is not an option they would want to consider. Andrew Drwiega, Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Drwiega Tel: +44 1494 765245, E-mail: andrew@mediatransasia.com Publishing Office: Chairman: J.S. Uberoi Media Transasia Limited,1603, 16/F, Island Place Tower, 510 King’s Road, Hong Kong Operations Office: President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul Chief Financial Officer: Gaurav Kumar General Manager: Jakhongir Djalmetov International Marketing Manager: Roman Durksen Digital Manager: David Siriphonphutakun Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Wajiraprakan Punyajai Art Director: Hatsada Tirawutsakul Circulation Officer: Yupadee Seabea Media Transasia Ltd. 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1
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Audit Bureau Of Circulations Controlled circulation: 21,401 (average per issue) certified by ABC Hong Kong, for the period 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017. Subscription Information ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW can be obtained by subscription. Subscription rate for one year (8 issues) is U.S.$ 100.00 Readers should contact the following address: Subscription Department, Media Transasia Limited. 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Rd., Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2387 Email: accounts@mediatransasia.com
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AIR power
PRECISELY ON TARGET Precision guided munitions have become today’s norm,
especially to overcome averse weather and where targets are close to urban areas. by Alan Warnes
An RAF Typhoon takes off armed with an MBDA Storm Shadow missile; release trails were successfully achieved in early 2019.
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| Asian Military Review |
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Alan Warnes
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A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA Strike Eagle shows off a mixed array of newer generation munitions. The Saudi Government has been purchasing a huge numbers of these precision guided munitions (PGMs), to keep up with the war in Yemen.
S
mart weaponry shapes the way the military fight wars. Recent conflicts like Operation Allied Force (Yugoslavia), Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Unified Protector (Libya) saw precision guided munitions (PGM) take a lead role. The adversary’s integrated air defence systems as well as government buildings and its media facilities – all regarded as strategic targets were struck by a new generation of air weapons. Once air superiority had been won, which in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Libya was not difficult, the skies are controlled and PGMs can be used at will. Equally as important is the role that PGMs play in the propaganda war. The enemy will use the killing of innocent civilians as a weapon to turn the attackers support. But they have to be targeted correctly. There have been a stream of reports on the Saudi-led operations in Yemen when innocent civilians have been killing and maimed. One instance in late February, saw 40 children perish during a Saudi attack. Whether its down to poor target information, or GPS jamming which
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several leading players in the Middle East have stated is a serious issue in Yemen, such civilian casualties are acceptable. Bad weather is another reason why PGMs gives an edge. Lessons from Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and in 1999’s Operation Allied Force when poor flying conditions grounded some of the fighter-bombers, meant there was a need for even smarter PGMs. The latest thinking on PGM is that munitions technology needs a complete overhaul. In a September 2018 report, the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, stated “there is now a trend towards dynamic retargeting, when combat aircrews take off without actually knowing the kind of target they’ll be concentrating on.” It added, “there aren’t enough aircraft to re-fly sorties just because they weren’t carrying the right weapons, so it’s crucial to develop munitions whose blast effects can be adjusted before release.” The Mitchell report continues, “The US Air Force needs ‘new effects design concepts such as variable yield, adapted effects, adjustable effects, and systems of employment.” So far the USAF has not
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officially acknowledged any new PGMs to succed those currently in use.
Converting dumb bombs There is no need for free-fall bombs or barrel bombs, unless used by a regime such as the Syrian Arab Air Force when killing civilians has been acceptable and often repeated. The methods generally used are infra-guided/electro optical (IR/EO), laser, radar, satellite, laser/satellite and precision guidance kits which generally come in kit form and strapped to the ‘dumb bomb’. This was initially done with Paveway series of weapons (Pave is acronym for precision avionics vectoring equipment), which have been successful because no modifications were needed for the aircraft. In the mid-70s, 500lb (226kg) Mk82 bombs were converted into a GBU12 with a Paveway II nose-mounted laser seeker and fins for guidance, which are still in use today. The 1,000lb (453kg) Mk 83 became the GBU-16 Paveway II but the bigger 2,000lb (907kg) Mk84 GBU10 became Paveway III which housed a more sophisticated seeker and while it
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Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Lessons learnt from the 1990/91 Gulf War, showed there was a need for a ‘adverse weather precision guided munition’ leading to the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The joint USAF/US Navy programme converts 500lb (226kg) Mk82/BLU-111 warhead, 1000lb (453kg) Mk83/Blu-110 and 2,000lb (907kg) Mk84/ BLU-109 unguided bombs into smart weapons with a bolt-on inertial guidance system coupled with a GPS receiver. Before departing on the mission, the aircraft will use its own GPS system to pinpoint the targets and just prior to release will feed the JDAM’s computer with its current location and the GPS coordinates of the target. Using the GPS system, the USAF says the JDAM can hit with a circular error probable (CEP) of five metres or less, and if the GPS signal is jammed or lost, the weapon could achieve a 30-metre CEP for free flight times up to 100 seconds. Being a fire and forget weapon, the aircraft can leave the target area and move on to its next mission. The JDAM also uses an expanded launch acceptance region (LAR) that defines the region the aircraft must be within to launch and hit the target. Paveways I, II, III have
significant restrictions on the launch envelope due to the seeker field of view. This means the aircraft has to fly straight at the target when the weapon is launched. If there is a Weapon System Operator (WSO) in the rear seat, as there is in the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle and its derivatives, he or she can steer the weapon on to the target, with the aid of a data-link. The GPS based flight controls can autonomously adjust its trajectory to hit the target, meaning it can hit targets it has passed over. Now Boeing is introducing the Laser JDAM (LJDAM) – a JDAM with a low-cost Precision Laser Guidance Set (PLGS) kit that achieves outstanding accuracy and can engage both moving and stationary targets on the ground. This conversion means the 500lb (226kg) GBU 38 JDAM will be known as the GBU-54 LJDAM. JDAMs are used by the bulk of the USA’s bombers: Rockwell B-1, Northrop Grumman B-2, Boeing B-52, Boeing F-15E, Lockheed Martin F-16, F-22 and Boeing F/A-18
RAF prefers Brimstone The MBDA Brimstone was declared fully operational on the RAF Tornado GR4 in December 2005, and went onto see
Alan Warnes
is more expensive it is generally more accurate than a Paveway II. The Enhanced Paveway II series saw the dual-mode all-weather capability GPS and laser-guided kits attached to all the Paveway II GBU-10 (2,000lb), GBU12 (500lb) and GBU-16 (1,000lb) series of bombs. RAF Eurofighter Typhoons used the 1,000lb (453kg) EPW II during its first offensive operations on 12 April, 2011 when they attacked targets in Libya while RAF Panavia Tornados were also using the 250lb (113kg) INS/GPS Paveway IV. The latter received its baptism of fire with the UK’s Joint Force Harrier in 2008, and later the Tornado. Meanwhile the USAF remains committed to the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb. A Paveway kit can be attached to a variety of warheads, and consist of a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker, a computer containing guidance and control electronics, thermal battery and control augmentation system (CAS). Completing the weapon are front control canards and rear wings for stability. The weapon guides on reflected laser energy: the seeker detects the reflected light from the designating laser, and actuates the canards to guide the bomb toward the designated point.
Due to ITAR issues, many of the middle east air forces are opting for the MBDA Scalp EG or Storm Shadow as seen here with a Saudi Air Force Typhoon.
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A USAF B-2 bomber drops 80 JDAMs during trials.
service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The weapon, ideal for hitting moving targets, was about to be integrated on the BAE Systems Harrier in 2009, but the jet’s forced retirement in 2010 precluded that. In May 2008, under an urgent operational requirement (UOR), the system was upgraded with a dual mode seeker, allowing a man-in-the-loop capability to reduce collateral damage. During antiDaesh operations under Operation Shader, the Tornados operated the Brimstone DMS, which along with the Paveway IV was the RAF’s weapon of choice, because of its ability to strike small fast moving targets. The Tornado’s retirement on 31 March, saw the weapon migrate to the Typhoon, which flew its first operational Brimstone 2 sortie on 30 January this year, the day before the Tornado flew its last Shader sortie. The USA has never been interested in fielding European weapons.
Detecting and Destroying SAMs The Raytheon AGM-88E/F Heat-seeking Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is being used by F-16CMs and F/A-18 Growler/ Super Hornets. The HARM’s main role is to suppress or destroy surface to air
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missile radars and radar-directed air defence artillery systems. “The SEAD [Suppression of Enemy Air Defence] will jam the appropriate systems, while DEAD [Destruction of Enemy Air Defence] will destroy,” an F-16CM pilot of the 52nd Fighter Wing based at Spangdahlem, Germany which operates the HARM recently told this writer. Raytheon is now developing a HARM upgrade known as the HARM Control Section Modification (HCSM) which will use a GPS receiver and an improved inertial measurement unit for precision navigation. NATO relies on the US for the bulk of its SEAD/DEAD requirements but the German Air Force and Italian Air Force Tornado ECRs, are used in this role equipped with HARMs. They have been deployed to operations in Iraq, Libya and Yugoslavia, but NATO’s European and Canadian membership has aspirations to provide 50 percent of the alliance’s SEAD/ DEAD capability. Europe’s leading missile/munition company, MBDA has hinted that it has looked at developing its Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM) as a possible future anti-radiation missile (ARM). If
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so, it could potentially offer the likes of the Typhoon, Saab JAS-39C/D/E Gripen and the Dassault Rafale fighters with an ability to perform a true SEAD role.
Anti-Shipping Raytheon is working with Norwegian defence company, Kongsberg to develop the long range Joint Strike Missile in the anti-ship and land attack role. It is the only fifth-generation cruise missile that will be integrated onto the F-35 and will be available for integration on other aircraft intended for offensive anti-surface warfare applications. Initial integration tests are being completed on the F-16, with a JSM specifically designed for the F-35 A/C weapons bay internal carriage. Meanwhile, MBDA has been working on a FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon) concept phase for two years now. In mid-March, the missile giant announced the successful achievement of its key review, jointly conducted with UK’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA). MBDA said on its website, “The Key Review conclusion
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will makes it possible to select the most promising missile concepts in order to meet the requirements expressed by both nations’ armed forces. More in-depth studies will now be conducted on these concepts with the aim of identifying the solutions that will be selected at the end of the concept phase in 2020 in order to answer both nations’ requirements for long range anti-ship missions, suppression of enemy air defences and deep strike. A development and production phase should take place in the 2024 timeframe, so that current weapons systems can be replaced in accordance with required timescales.” The FC/ASW programme was born from converging requirements expressed by both France and the UK for a long range anti-ship capability, as well as the ability to neutralise the most advanced air defences, and house a deep strike capability that can penetrate defences and hit long-distance hardened targets. The FC/ASW aims to replace Storm Shadow/ SCALP air launched cruise missile in operational service in the UK
and France as well as Exocet anti-ship missile in France and Harpoon anti-ship missile in the UK.
Stand Off The introduction of the long range standoff weapon means that aircraft do not even have to cross into enemy territory to hit the targets. After the young Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot was shot down in his F-16 over Iraq, and subsequently slain in horrific fashion by Daesh, the cruise missile became a ‘must have’ by most Middle East air forces. As well as looking to avoid the loss of civilian life, air forces do not want their pilots having to eject in enemy territory. These weapons can be fired well outside of the range of an adversary’s air defence systems. MBDA has developed the Scalp EG also known as Storm Shadow (UK) and Black Shaheen (UAE), as well as the Taurus SOW with German Air Force Tornados. The Scalp EG has emerged as a popular SOW with both Egypt, India and Qatar, which will operate the Rafale and reportedly has a range of up to 162nm
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(300km). The Saudis are using Storm Shadows initially with the Tornado and now the Typhoon, as will Kuwait when they receive their Typhoons. The Scalp/ Storm Shadow has been popular with the Middle East air forces because they are largely not bound by International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). According to a UAE official at the recent IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi, “this saves us at least two years waiting to get permission to buy them.” The US Air Force and US Navy’s preferred SOW is the Raytheon AGM154 Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW). The family of JSOW air-to-surface glide 1,000lb class weapons provide standoff capabilities from 15nm (28km) at a low altitude launch up to 60nm (110km) at a high altitude launch. The JSOW can be used against a variety of land targets and operates from ranges outside enemy range. The Kuwait Air Force will use the JSOW on the new Block III F/A-18E/F Super Hornets when delivered. AMR
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Boeing
UAV DIRECTORY
Boeing and RAAF’s unveiled an experimental unmanned fighter, the Air Power Teaming System (or the less clunky ‘Loyal Wingman’), at the Avalon airshow in Australia this year. The concept has been derived through Minor Program 6014 Phase 1. It could accompany the RAAF’s F-35s or F-18s and have kinetic as well as ISR potential.
ASIA-PACIFIC UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE DIRECTORY 2019
The development and acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is picking up the pace in the Asia Pacific, with demand driven by ongoing modernisation efforts across the region.
T
he past year has been another dynamic year of expansion for regional UAV developments, particularly in terms of fielded technologies and their use in an operational environment. China has unsurprisingly taken the lead in terms of indigenous production and innovation, demonstrating its intent to dominate the region at the Airshow China 2018 exhibition in Zhuhai with hundreds of homegrown state-owned and private companies showcasing an enormous range of UAV platforms, payloads, and associated technologies in a dedicated exhibition hall. A particular theme that stood out among the spectacle was the large representation of stealthy, long-range platforms that are aimed at penetrating deep into contested or heavily defended
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by JR Ng environments – a development which highlights indigenous mastery of the advanced technologies necessary to produce and operate such platforms. Not to be outdone, at the Avalon 2019 exhibition in March 2019 Australia unveiled a next-generation combat UAV that could eventually serve as robotic ‘wingmen’ for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) combat aircraft, a joint effort between Boeing and the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) and the first known development of its kind in the region. Elsewhere, the proliferation of UAVs is indicative of the increasing maturity of such platforms and their associated technologies, as well as the growing confidence and desire of regional countries to incorporate these into their military forces.
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AUSTRALIA The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has emerged as a leading regional UAV user in recent years, with its three services simultaneously pursuing a broad range of development and acquisition programmes that are noteworthy for being diverse, from pocket-sized ‘nanocopters’ to high-end mediumaltitude long endurance (MALE) and high-altitude long endurance (HALE) systems. The Australian Army has been experimenting with UAVs as early as the 1990s before introducing some of these capabilities during overseas deployments – including Afghanistan, East Timor, and Iraq – from 2005. The service is looking into expanding its use of such systems following more than a decade of successful UAV operations, with new
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UAV DIRECTORY
capabilities expected to be introduced by the mid-2020s. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has stood up a dedicated UAV unit known as 822X Squadron, which is also the fourth operational squadron in the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm. The unit oversees the service’s fleet of Boeing ScanEagle and Schiebel S-100 Camcopter VTOL UAVs. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) formerly operated four Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron 1 MALE UAVs leased from Canadian company MDA, while an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for logistics and training support was concluded with Canadian forces deployed in Afghanistan. Following the ADF’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, two Heron 1 UAVs were retained at the Woomera test range in south Australia to ensure that RAAF personnel continued to hone their operational skills prior to the introduction of future MALE and HALE platforms. These were subsequently retired in July 2017, having trained over 200 pilots and accumulated more than 30,000
flight hours. At present, a dedicated RAAF UAV capability is absent until a new armed MALE platform is selected through Project Air 7003. Defence Minister Christopher Pyne announced in November 2018 that General Atomics had been selected as the preferred bidder for Air 7003, with candidate platforms either be the MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 variant or the MQ-9B Sky Guardian under development for the UK armed forces. A procurement decision is expected by mid-2019, with initial delivery expected between 20202021 and fully operation by 2023. In February 2019, Boeing and the DoD announced a partnership to develop a large UAV concept demonstrator that will be capable of smart teaming with existing military aircraft, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled technologies to fly independently or in support while maintaining safe separation between other aircraft.
Fielded Capabilities Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle: Initial flight trials to assess the operability of the long-
endurance ScanEagle UAV system aboard the RAN’s three Adelaide class FFG-7 frigates were completed aboard HMAS Newcastle in June 2016. The system is now in operational use aboard the Adelaideclass frigates and was deployed in June 2017 along with HMAS Newcastle as part of Operation Manitou in the Middle East, where its visual and ranging system (ViDAR) helped gather surveillance data. While on its deployment, the ScanEagle UAV was also involved in the RAN’s first operational manned/unmanned teaming (MUM-T) with the frigate’s Sikorsky MH60R helicopter in September 2017. The Australian Army also leased army leased ScanEagles and completed 45,000 flying hours while deploying the system in Afghanistan before acquiring the Shadow 200 system. Schiebel Camcopter S-100: The RAN selected the S-100 Camcopter under the Navy Minor Project 1942 tender request. Although the number of S-100 systems was not disclosed, the rotary UAV was to be used for operational training and
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Royal Australian Navy sailors launch HMAS Newcastle’s embarked Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial System from the ship’s flight deck during Exercise Kakadu 2018.
development ahead of a future phase of Joint Project 129 that aims to select one to two vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV platforms to conduct operations from the RAN’s Future Frigates and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Delivery of the first S-100 systems powered by 55hp (41kW) Diamond gasoline piston engines occurred in mid-2017, with additional systems equipped with modified Rotron 600 HFE propulsion systems delivered in December 2017. Schiebel will update two of these vehicles with the internally developed S-2 HFE system, which is expected to be delivered to the RAN in the third quarter of 2019 for acceptance testing. The Australian Army is also operating the type under lease, and in December 2018 tested Elta Systems’ ELK-7065 high frequency (HF) communications intelligence (COMINT) and direction-finding system and Overwatch Imaging’s TK-5 Firewatch smart tactical mapping payload aboard one of its leased platforms. AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems/ Textron Systems RQ-7B Shadow: The acquisition of two complete RQ-7B Shadow 200 tactical UAV systems at a cost of $133 million (AUD$175m) for the Australian Army was announced in August 2010 under Joint Project 129 Phase 2. The package comprised 18 air vehicles, four ground control systems, support
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Royal Australian Navy
UAV DIRECTORY
systems, and initial training. It also included funding to deliver the UAVs to Australian troops in Afghanistan. The two systems were delivered by April 2012 and were operated by 20 Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Regiment. By September 2013, the type had completed 10,000 flying hours in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops before returning to Australia the following month. The army is presently seeking its replacement under the Land 129 Phase 3 programme with the aim of acquiring a new capability by around 2022. AeroVironment RQ-12 Wasp AE: In June 2017 the Australian government announced a contract worth up to $36.5 million for the delivery of hand-launched AeroVironment Wasp AE UAVs to fulfil the army’s small unmanned aerial system (UAS) requirement under Project Land 129 Phase 4. The Army plans for every combat team to be equipped with the 1.2kg Wasp AE mini-UAV, which can operate for up to 50 minutes out to a range of 5km. The UAV is equipped with a pan-tilt-zoom Mantis i22 AE gimballed payload that delivers live, streaming colour and infrared IR) video. Boeing Airpower Teaming System (BATS): The 11.7m long BATS features a design range of around 3,700km and is expected to make its first flight in 2020,
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following its unveiling in mock-up form at the Australian International Airshow in March 2019. The DoD is investing $28 million in the development programme. Boeing also stated that it will build three prototypes in Australia. FLIR Systems PD-100 Black Hornet II: The Australian Army outlined plans in 2017 for each combat platoon to be equipped with FLIR PD-100 Black Hornet II ‘nano-UAVs’. Weighing approximately 18g, the hand-launched UAV features a tadpole-shaped fuselage design that is propelled by an electric motor driving a 120mm two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. It can stay airborne for up to 25 minutes on a full charge, and can operate to a maximum range of 2km from the base station. Around 160 Black Hornet systems will be deployed across every combat platoon as a reconnaissance asset with deliveries commencing in early 2018 and expected to be completed by 2019.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton: A HALE UAV capability for persistent long-range maritime patrol and other surveillance missions is being sought under Project AIR 7000 Phase 1B, with the latest Defence White Paper in 2016 stating that up to seven of these UAVs are expected to be acquired from the early 2020s. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) ultimately committed to six Tritons, with the first being contracted in June 2018 and the second in March 2019. The first air vehicle is also expected to enter service in mid-2023 and be fully operational by 2025. All six platforms are planned to be delivered by late 2025 and based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, When in service, the Triton UAVs are expected to complement the RAAF’s Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, paving the way for the retirement of the service’s ageing Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orions. The total value of the programme is expected to be worth approximately $5 billion.
BANGLADESH Although Bangladesh does not presently operate any military UAVs, the country’s procurement agency – the Directorate General Defence Purchase (DGDP) – issued a tender notice in December 2017 to procure a MALE-class UAV for the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). The DGDP said the UAV will be used for intelligence,
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surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and targeting operations under the military’s Forces Goal 2030 modernisation plan. The UAV is expected to have a maximum speed of 108 knots (200km/h) and maximum range of 1,000km, as well as a maximum ceiling of 6,000m or higher. Also desired is a ground control station, avionics systems, sensors, datalinks, electro-optical and IR payloads, and the provision to carry weapons. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that the Bangladeshi Air Force (BAF) has selected China’s Wing Loong II strikecapable reconnaissance UAV, with an initial contract covering four air vehicles, a ground control station (GCS), and associated training and logistical support. Delivery is expected to be made in midto late-2019.
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA (DPRK) The DPRK’s interest in UAVs can be traced back to the 1970s, although it was not until the late 1980s when a number of ASN-104/D-4 UAVs were acquired from China. During the 1990s a small number of Russian-made DR-3 Reys were received from Syria and Pchela-1T UAVs from Russia. By the early 2000s North Korea possessed not only a growing inventory of UAVs but had begun to manufacture a UAV based on the ASN 104, known locally as the Panghyon I. The improved Panghyon II based on the ASN-105 followed several years later. Reports also indicate that the DPRK is developing a long-endurance UAV, with Republic of Korea (RoK) officials revealing that “numerous test flights” by such prototypes have been detected since early 2016. In June 2017, a crashed 1.8m-long and 2.4m-wide UAV was discovered in the South Korean county of Inje, Gangwon province. South Korean officials subsequently revealed that the UAV had taken photographs of the deployment site of the US Army›s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Seongju prior to the crash, suggesting that the communist state has significantly improved the range of its UAVs.
Fielded Capabilities Xi’an ASN Technical Group ASN104/D-4: Development of the D-4 began in March 1980 and was originally intended to be a low-altitude, low-speed UAV for civilian applications such as aerial survey
and mapping. This was subsequently acquired by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for tactical missions such as front-line reconnaissance and electronic jamming. Panghyon I and II: Domestically manufactured versions of the X’ian ASN104 (described above) and ASN-105 UAVs. The Panghyon II is essentially the same airframe but incorporates an extended range control system. Yakovlev OKB Pchela-1T: Developed in the early 1990s to meet a tactical surveillance and electronic countermeasures requirement, the Pchela-1T adopts a pusher-propeller propulsion arrangement and carries a TV camera with zoom lens. It is believed that the DPRK acquired up to 10 of these UAVs. Taiyuan Navigation Technologies Sky09P: The Sky-09P is powered by a twoblade propeller driven by a tractor engine mounted in the nose. It is now likely that the DPRK is locally manufacturing the type, following the acquisition of several of these UAVs in the 1990s.
MALAYSIA The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) presently operates leased UAVs – the Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle and the indigenously developed Alliance Unmanned Developmental Research Aircraft (ALUDRA) Mk1 tactical UAV. The country is looking to expand its use of UAVs – particularly by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) as it seeks cost-effective measures to monitor developments in the South China Sea, Straits of Malacca, and the Sulu Sea near Sabah. Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) agreed in April 2018 to transfer technologies and expertise to the Malaysian company DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies (Deftech). This would allow it to support local coproduction of the Korean Unmanned System (KUS)-FS MALE UAV, the KUSFT tactical UAV, the KUS-VH vertical helicopter, the KUS-VT tiltrotor, and the KUS-HD hybrid multi-rotor UAV. Deftech is also partnering with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to meet an anticipated RMAF requirement for wide area surveillance with its Anka MALE UAV, also with potential technology transfers in advanced aero
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composites and control technology. In August 2018, the RMAF released its Capability 55 (CAP55) roadmap that outlines its modernisation plans up to 2055, which also highlighted the need for a MALE-class reconnaissance UAV. A request for information was issued in late December and called for responses by February 2019, indicating that the service has yet to firm up its requirements.
Fielded Capabilities Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle: Malaysian company Unmanned Systems Technology (UST), a subsidiary of Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), is contracted to provide UAV surveillance covering sections of land and sea in and around Sabah. ScanEagle UAVs have been leased by the MAF Joint Force Headquarters to operate from its Kudat base. Unmanned Systems Technology (UST) ALUDRA Mk1: Development of the ALUDRA Mk1 can be traced back to a number of earlier efforts by CTRM and SCS (SR-1 and SR-2; Nyamok) that commenced from 2003. At least 15 systems are believed to be operated under lease since 2006, with UST as main contractor. Thales España Fulmar: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) acquired six Fulmar UAVs for its latest New Generation Patrol Craft (NGPC) in 2016. The Fulmar UAV is designed to support ISR roles and can carry an 8kg payload. The MMEA-specific model will carry one high-resolution video camera with automatic target tracking capabilities. The MMEA’s Fulmar UAV is launched via a catapult launcher, situated just behind the ships’ SMASH 30mm naval gun system. The UAV is recovered using an impact-absorbing net deployed on the deck space immediately behind the bridge.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials Unmanned Systems Technology (UST) ALUDRA Mk2: The ALUDRA Mk2 is intended to be acquired by the MAF, although this requirement appears to have lapsed with the armed forces still operating the Mk1. Deftech ALUDRA Camar: Deftech and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) are jointly developing a 40kgclass surveillance UAV which is expected
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to be completed by 2019. The Camar is constructed from reinforced composites is 2.5m long with a 4m span. Deftech states that the Camar will be capable of flying for up to six hours with a control radius of approximately 80km
MYANMAR The Myanmar Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay) is believed to be operating a squadron of Chinese-manufactured UAVs based at Meiktila Air Base in north-central Myanmar. Reports of UAVs being tested by the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border surfaced in early 2015 before the outbreak of the Kokang conflict. It is also pursuing indigenously developed systems, with one example armed with small unguided bombs showcased at its 71st anniversary parade in December 2018.
Fielded Capabilities China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Cai Hong/Rainbow (CH)-3: CASC’s CH-3 UAV, developed by its China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) subsidiary, features a cranked wing design a span of 8m as well as forward canards. The UAV has a maximum takeoff weight of around 650kg. It is powered by a rear-mounted piston engine driving a three-bladed pusher propeller and can carry a payload of up to 180kg. The company has stated that it can fly for up to 12 hours with a control radius of 200km via line-of-sight (LOS) datalinks. Between 10-12 CH-3 UAVs are believed to have been acquired by Myanmar.
NEW ZEALAND The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has expressed its desire for aerial ISR UAVs in its Future Land Operating Concept 2035 paper, which outlines potential challenges for its armed forces in the next decade and beyond. A similar desire had also been highlighted by the NZDF in its latest 2016 Defence White Paper, which has proposed $14 billion (NZ$20 billion) out to around 2030 to enhance the capabilities of its various services, although both documents do not offer any specific timelines or preferred systems. The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has also indicated an interest to field a maritime UAV aboard its Otagoclass OPVs, which would greatly benefit from an organic high-speed surveillance
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capability for their extended maritime and economic exclusive zone (EEZ) patrols. However, no formal requirement has been raised to date. In November 2018, NZDF chief Air Marshal Kevin Short noted in a televised interview that the service is seeking a new UAV capability by the mid-2020s.
Fielded Capabilities Skycam UAV Kahu: The Kahu has been designed as a high performance, aerodynamically efficient mini-UAV that is equipped with an autopilot system designed by the New Zealand Defence Technology Agency. It is presently operated by the New Zealand Army and can carry a range of high performance still, motion video and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, with a flight endurance of two hours and a range of 25km.
INDIA India has been involved in UAV development for over two decades, with research and development (R&D) organisations such as the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), developing UAVs with ISR, targeting, and weapon guidance capabilities for a number of years. The country has a growing UAV requirement for its military, paramilitary, border security forces, and commercial organisations across the platform size spectrum. Indigenous efforts have thus far resulted in a number of deployable mini- to tactical-class UAVs, although local industry has been struggling to develop larger platforms in the MALE and HALE class. However, collaboration with foreign developers such as Israel’s IAI as well as technology research institutes – which are also involved in R&D or partmanufacture of more advanced platforms – could finally provide the necessary breakthroughs in the development of larger multi-role UAVs. In March 2019, US DoD acquisition head Ellen Lord revealed that the US Air Force Research Laboratory is aiming to partner with DRDO to develop a small, airlaunched UAV system that would likely be deployed via air mobility transports
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such as the Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J, which both countries operate.
Fielded Capabilities IAI Heron 1/2: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is known to operate at least 20 Heron MALE UAVs for long endurance ISR mission, with the first examples delivered in 2001. Meanwhile, the Indian Army signed a $218 million contract in February 2013 for additional Heron UAVs that were delivered from early 2014 to equip its artillery regiments situated along the disputed Sino-Indian border. The army earlier acquired 16 Heron UAVs in 2009. The Indian Navy (IN) is believed to operate at least 12 Heron UAVs, with a number of these located at its Porbandar facility on the west coast to monitor the waters off Karachi. However, a Heron UAV crashed soon after take-off in March 2018. Taken together, the total number of these air vehicles in Indian military service likely exceeds 50 units. IAI Searcher Mk II: All three services of the Indian armed forces have also been operators of the tactical-class Searcher II UAV since 2001. The MkII variant features extended-span wings and an AR 682 rotary engine that provide improved flight endurance over the earlier model. It is also configurable for tactical surveillance and communications relay and can carry multiple payloads simultaneously. IAI Harop/Harpy: Although not specifically a UAV, the IAF has procured at least 10 units of the Harop loitering munition under a $100 million deal in 2009, which were operational by 2013 to provide an all-in-one search, observe, track, and attack capability against fleeting targets of opportunity. The IAF also operates a number of the Harpy antiradar attack munitions.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials IAI Heron TP/TP-XP: In September 2015 India’s Minister of Defence approved a US$400 million purchase of 10 Heron Turboprop (TP) MALE UAVs, with deliveries within 12-18 months of contract signing. However, these air vehicles have yet to materialise – likely due to India›s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). In February 2017, IAI announced a new export-version of the Heron TP called the Heron TP-XP. This
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being the IAF’s updated Jaguar MAX (Mothership for Augmented Xploitation). The company has said it aims to complete a prototype by 2022 and have a production-ready model ready by 2029.
INDONESIA
IAI's Heron TP is under consideration by several Asian countries, with a delivery to India apparently imminent.
export variant has a reduced payload of 450kg compared to the 1,000kg capacity of the original model to enable members of the MTCR to acquire it without violating the regime’s obligations. DRDO Rustom I/II: The DRDO’s Rustom programme aims to produce an indigenously developed multirole MALE UAV to equip all three Indian military services. The platform is expected to undertake long-endurance missions, including communications relay, ISR, maritime patrol, as well as artillery fire direction and battle damage assessment (BDA). In 2012, the agency suggested that a strike capability involving the integration of the Helina missile – an air-launched variant of the Nag antitank guided missile currently under development – could be pursued at some stage. Following its maiden flight in November 2016, Rustom II has been renamed the Tactical Air-Borne Platform for Surveillance-Beyond Horizon 201 (TAPAS BH 201) and is expected to be employed primarily as an ISR platform. DRDO Nishant: Work on the catapultlaunched Nishant multirole tactical UAV began in the mid-1990s with its maiden flight in 2008. Four of these systems were acquired by the Indian Army in 2011, although a series of crashes between 2013 and 2015 prompted the service to cease acquisition of the system. A conventional take-off and landing variant with a wheeled undercarriage, designated
Panchi, was under development but this effort also appears to have ceased following the cancellation of the army’s order. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) Predator B Guardian: Up to 22 units of the Guardian, an unarmed maritime variant of the MQ-9 Reaper MALE UAV system, worth $3 billion could be acquired for the Indian Navy under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. Capable of operating at a maximum altitude of over 15,000m, the turboprop powered Guardian is fitted with a Raytheon SeaVue multimode maritime radar under its belly that provides wide-area maritime ISR coverage for 27 hours. In July 2018, the US government reportedly approved the sale of these air vehicles to India, with local media sources suggesting that the Modi administration is planning to conclude a deal within 2019, should he be re-elected. HAL Unmanned Wingman: The Unmanned Wingman programme adopts a similar configuration with the US XQ58A Valkyrie and is currently envisaged as a low-observable, multirole unmanned combat air vehicle with a flight endurance of up to 80 minutes and powered by the indigenously developed HAL PTAE 7 turbojet engine with a cruise speed of 466 knots (Mach 0.7), and a combat radius of up to 400km. The air vehicle can be directed by a combat aircraft at distances of up to 200km, with a possible candidate
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Indonesia has maintained a stated need for UAVs for several years in a bid to shore up defences across its huge territorial waters, which include around 17,000 islands. Attempts to procure and indigenously develop UAV platforms for the Indonesian armed forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI) have been hindered by a lack of industrial and technical capabilities as well as financial constraints. The country’s top defence officials have reiterated a requirement for armed MALE-class UAVs. PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Turkish Aerospace indicated an interest in joint development – based on the Anka UAV – for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara, TNI-AU) In January 2018 and again in August 2018. Officials have also outlined an interest to acquire armed UAVs from China, with an eye on technology transfer that could eventually enable PTDI to develop advanced UAV platforms and systems.
Fielded Capabilities Aeronautics Defense Systems Aerostar: The TNI-AU operates an Israeli-made tactical UAV that features a stabilised, gimbal-mounted day/night electrooptic sensor, and a CommTact datalink. It is powered by a 38hp Zanzottera piston engine with a two-blade pusher propeller, enabling it to reach a service ceiling of 5,500m and an operational radius of 200km with an endurance of 14 hours. This type is being operated by the service’s Aviation Squadron 51 based near the city of Pontianak in West Kalimantan. PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI)/Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) Wulung: The Wulung UAV programme, which began in 2004, originally sought to produce an indigenously developed UAV to perform a variety of civilian missions across the country’s extensive archipelagic territory, from illegal fishing and logging surveillance to cloud-seeding missions and supporting firefighting activities. The TNI subsequently requested an improved variant with increased endurance and range for potential intelligence,
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surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. PTDI is understood to have delivered up to 11 Wulung UAVs to the TNI-AU by end of 2015.
can perform persistent ISR and early warning missions across it vast maritime domain and airspace.
UMS Skeldar V-200: Indonesia became the first customer of UMS Skeldar to receive a heavy fuel variant of the Skeldar V-200 VTOL UAV, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) deploying the air vehicle for performance and acceptance tests in late 2016 ahead of potential acquisition and pilot training. The number of Skeldar V-200s delivered to Indonesia remains undisclosed.
Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle: The March 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami and nuclear crisis prompted the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to improve its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and ISR capabilities, awarding a contract with then Insitu Pacific to deliver a ScanEagle UAV via Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for operational testing. The system was developed and tested by Insitu Pacific in collaboration with MHI to meet Japanese spectrum requirements and was delivered by May 2013.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials UMS Skeldar Rajawali-330/F-330: The Indonesian Army (TNI-Angkatan Darat, TNI-AD) acquired three fixedwing Rajawali-330 surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs and associated equipment under a 2015 contract. The air vehicle – which is equipped with an EO/ IR camera, a hyper-spectral camera, and a mapping camera with light detection and ranging (LIDAR) capabilities – is a derivative of the F-330 and is being codeveloped under licence by Indonesian defence manufacturer PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada (BDP). Training was conducted from April 2016, with all three air vehicles believed to be delivered by mid-2016. PT Indo Pacific Communication & Defence (IPCD) Tactical UAV: The handlaunched Tactical UAV was first unveiled by IPCD at the 2014 Indo Defence exhibition in Jakarta. The air vehicle, which typically carries a high-definition camera, is backpack transportable and is operated by a two-person team. It is believed that several of these examples were trialled by the Komando Pasukan Khusus (KOPASSUS/Special Forces Command) in mid-2014.
JAPAN Although the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) is widely seen as one of the most technologically advanced defence forces in the Asia Pacific, it is interesting to note that its present UAV capabilities have been for many years comparatively modest compared to regional peers such as China and South Korea. However, since 2014 the country has outlined a series of initiatives to grow its indigenous UAV development capabilities, with the aim of introducing new and more capable air vehicles that
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Subaru FFOS: Development of a rotary UAV for the JGSDF for target acquisition, artillery fire-control, and BDA commenced in 1991. Known as the Forward-Flying Observation System (FFOS), a prototype performed its maiden flight in December 1993 and trialled for the Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) until 1997. The FFOS carries a daylight TV or FLIR sensor mounted under the fuselage and can also be equipped with a laser rangefinder. Yamaha R-MAX Mk IIG: A rotary UAV first developed as the R-50 from 1983 for commercial agriculture and entered service in 1991. The more advanced R-MAX featuring an improved engine, flight stability, and safety functions was introduced in late 1997. An evolved version, G-1, was introduced in October 2005 and certified in January 2008. This was followed by a military variant, the MkIIG, which entered service with the JGSDF and deployed for peacekeeping missions in Iraq in 2005.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk: In December 2013, the Japanese MoD confirmed plans to purchase three RQ-4 Global Hawk HALE UAVs, and announced its firm decision in January 2015. This was followed by a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announcement in November detailing the request and potential sale of three RQ-4 Block 30i (international) air vehicles to Japan at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion. In October 2017, Northrop Grumman signed a $130 million contract
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to acquire long-lead materials for three Global Hawk Block 30s, two ground control elements, as well as spares and site survey. Japan firmed up its order in November 2018, awarding a $489.9 million contract to the company for the three air vehicles. These will be equipped with the Raytheon Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) – which comprises EO/IR, synthetic aperture radar, and ground moving target indicator systems – and to be delivered by 1 September 2022. The Japanese government is also selecting a base for the UAVs, which is anticipated to be Misawa Air Base in northern Japan. Subaru IR-OPV: Subaru is developing three optionally piloted vehicles. Based on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF’s) Fuji T-5 (KM-2Kai) turboprop-driven primary trainer, the IR-OPV is an all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by an Allison 250-B17D turboprop with a threebladed constant speed propeller. Under a March 2016 government contract, Subaru integrated an EO/IR sensor and an “advanced” flight control system aboard one of the prototypes, with first flight achieved in October 2018 before delivery to the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). Future testing will be performed by the agency.
PAKISTAN Pakistan has attempted to acquire Western made UAVs since the early 2000s, but it was not until 2006 before it acquired the German-made Luna and Italian Falco UAVs. Concerted efforts to develop its indigenous UAV production capabilities have also borne fruit, with a number of domestically produced systems already in service with the Pakistan armed forces.
Fielded Capabilities Advanced Computer Engineering Services (ACES) Uqab II: The Uqab II is a tactical short-range UAV system developed from the Eagle Eye and has an operational range of 150km and a ceiling of 10,000ft. It is fitted with a pan-tilt-zoom camera and can downlink digital video in real time. The Uqab UAVs have GPSbased navigation and tracking systems that can be pre-programmed and altered during flight. They can also operate under manual control and use conventional take-off and landing. Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle: Pakistan has acquired an unspecified number of
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Under Development/Consideration/ Trials Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) ZF-1 Viper: Promotional material of the ZF-1 Viper stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) concept emerged in May 2019, depicting a blended wing design with a 18m wingspan and a 16,000kg MTOW, which is expected to achieve a maximum speed of 533kts (988km/h) and a service ceiling in excess of 30,000ft, while carrying a 300 kg payload up to a range of 500km. The concept is aimed at performing deep penetration and suppression of enemy air defences, as well as reconnaissance and electronic warfare. The effort is part of Pakistan’s ‘Project Azm’ which seeks to develop nextgeneration military aviation capabilities.
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
China’s AVIC Wing Loong/Gongju-2.
ScanEagle UAVs under a $15 million FMS contract awarded in September 2015. The contract, which emerged after nearly seven years since the country expressed its interest in the air vehicle, was handled via the US Naval Air Systems Command and is believed to cover up to 30 systems if all options were fully exercised. Deliveries of the ScanEagles commenced from the third quarter of 2016 to the Pakistan Navy. CASC CH-3: At least 20 CH-3 UAV systems are believed to have been delivered to Pakistan in 2011. See earlier entry for air vehicle details. EMT Luna: The fixed-wing Luna is a short-range battlefield reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition UAV with a flight endurance of approximately six hours and an operational radius of 100km. Potential payloads include a daylight CCD camera with zoom, a thermal imager, or a miniature single aperture radar. At least three systems have been acquired for the Pakistan Army. Leonardo Falco: Originally developed by Selex ES/Finmeccanica, the long range Falco UAV comprises a fuselage module that supports a fixed tricycle undercarriage, shoulder-mounted gull wings and a rear-mounted pusher engine. The company states that the air vehicle has an operational radius of 200km and
a 14 hour endurance, although this can be further extended via command handover between ground control stations (GCS). Deliveries of the Falco to the Pakistan Air Force is believed to have been completed in 2008 with service entry in 2009. Global Industry and Defence Solutions (GIDS) Burraq: Claimed to be a fully indigenous development by the stateowned National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), the Burraq appears to be heavily inspired by the Chinese-made CH-3 tactical UAV with its canard and swept-wing configuration and pusher-propeller propulsion arrangement. The Burraq entered service with the Pakistan Air Force in November 2013 and is equipped with two underwing hard points, which can be used to launch a variety of munitions including Barq laser-guided missiles. Global Industry and Defence Solutions (GIDS) Shahpar: Adopting a similar airframe configuration with the Burraq, the Shahpar is optimised for ISR missions and does not feature an offensive capability. It is presently equipped with a four-stroke Rotax 912 ULS engine that provides up to seven hours with an operating radius of 250km while carrying a 50kg payload, although the company is planning to upgrade the air vehicle with a new and more powerful engine.
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Chinese industry has introduced scores of unmanned systems over the past decade, mainly produced by state-owned defence primes such as the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and CASC, although the number of private firms involved in military and dual-use UAV development has also increased significantly. Indeed, the US Department of Defense (DoD) believes that the country could manufacture as many as 41,800 UAVs worth over $10 billion by 2023, with the majority of these acquired by the military. The DoD also believes that the development and acquisition of longerrange UAVs will increase the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) ability to conduct long-range reconnaissance and strike operations, with notable developments such as the Wing Loong (Pterodactyl) and Xianglong (Soaring Dragon). Although information about the capabilities of in-service systems remains shrouded in secrecy, these programmes represent major advances in Chinese technology. It is evident that Chinese developers are rapidly moving up the value chain, showcasing ambitious and sophisticated flying wing UAV designs that incorporate low-observable, large payload, and long range capabilities at the most recent Airshow China exhibition in November 2018.
Fielded Capabilities CASC CH-1: The short-range generalpurpose CH-1 entered production for the PLA’s artillery forces from around 2003. The tactical UAV carries a 20kg payload
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comprising a range of electro-optical sensors appropriate for its intended missions, which include artillery fire direction, battlefield damage assessment, as well as reconnaissance and surveillance within a radius of 100km. CASC CH-2: The CH-2 medium-range general UAV is essentially a larger and night operations-capable air vehicle based on the CH-1 design and was produced from 2005. The newer platform improves on almost every aspect of its predecessor, including an increased operating radius of 200km and an endurance of eight hours. An increased payload capacity of 30kg enables the air vehicle to take on a greater variety of roles, such as data communications relay. AVIC Wing Loong-I/Gongji-1: Developed by AVIC’s Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute (CADI) subsidiary, the Wing Loong-1 is a MALEclass UAV that has a wingspan of 14m and shares a close physical semblance to the US-made RQ-1 Predator. The air vehicle – which is identified as the Gongji-1 (GJ1) in People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) service – has a payload capacity of 200kg and can carry munitions, such as the indigenous HJ-10 anti-armour missile, CS/BBE2 50kg high-explosive bomb, and LS-6-50 small-diameter bomb. The Wing Loong I is also being actively marketed for export, and has been acquired by several countries including Egypt and Kazakhstan. AVIC Wing Loong II/Gongji-2: Unveiled in its production-ready form at the 2016 Airshow China Exhibition, the Wing Loong II has an overall length of 11m and wingspan of 20.5m. The air vehicle has a stated internal payload capacity of 200kg, with provision for up to 480kg of external stores, and can operate for up to 20 hours. It reportedly made its maiden flight on 27 February 2017, with AVIC announcing that it had secured an unidentified international customer on the same day. The type was revealed in November 2018 to be in PLAAF service with the in-service designation of Gongji-2 and is differentiated from the export variant by the absence of winglets on the main wings. It has also found export success, with international customers including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA)/ Harbin Aircraft
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Industry Group (HAIG) BZK-005: The existence of the multirole BZK-005 MALE UAV was first made known in 2006 in a promotional video. Equipped with a satellite communications (SATCOM) datalink and carrying up to 150kg of stores and equipment, the air vehicle can stay airborne for up to 40 hours and is specifically designed for longrange reconnaissance missions. The type was confirmed in November 2018 to be operational across the PLA’s air, land, and sea services for long-range COMINT, ISR, and electronic intelligence (ELINT) missions. An armed variant, designated BZK-005C, was revealed to be under trials at the same time. Guizhou Aviation Industry Group Xianglong (Soaring Dragon): The Xianglong is believed to be the primary HALE UAV operated by the PLAAF for high-end ISR missions. Often compared to the RQ-4 Global Hawk. The UAV debuted as a concept at Airshow China 2006, with prototype reportedly performing its maiden flight in 2009. Commercial satellite imagery captured in February 2018 showed at least two Xianglong UAVs deployed to the Lingshui naval airbase on Hainan Island: a strategic location for military operations in the South China Sea. It is the third known operational location for the Xianglong, which have been seen operating from Shigatse airbase, which is in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China near the disputed Doklam tri-junction, since August 2017, as well as Yishuntun airbase in northeastern China in February 2018. Xi’an ASN Technical Group ASN-206: Development of the short-range tactical ASN-206, which reportedly incorporated technical assistance from Israeli firm Tadiran Spectralink, began in December 1994 with serial production believed to have occurred from 1996. The ASN-206 has a payload capacity of 50kg and has an operational radius of 150km and flight endurance of up to eight hours. Xi’an ASN Technical Group ASN-207: The ASN-207 was revealed in 2002 and is essentially a larger and more capable version of the ASN-206, featuring a 100kg stores carrying ability, a 600km operational radius, and a 16 hour endurance. Xi’an ASN Technical Group ASN-209: The ASN-209 multirole tactical UAV,
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which appears to be derived from the earlier ASN-206/207 design, is believed to have been acquired by the PLA Navy (PLAN), with several examples reportedly sighted during a major naval exercise between Hainan and the Spratly Islands during July 2011 as a shore-based surveillance platform and communications relay.
Export-oriented systems Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology TYW-1: The export-oriented TYW-1 is a strike-capable MALE UAV derived from the in-service BZK-005 design. It reportedly features a 370kg payload capacity and is equipped with four underwing hard points, with a flight endurance of up to 40 hours. CASC CH-3: The CH-3 has found regional success with Myanmar and Pakistan acquiring a number of these systems for armed reconnaissance missions. The company has also developed civilian variants for applications such as geological survey and low-level aerial mapping. Advanced flight control technologies resulting from these efforts have also benefited its military systems. CASC CH-4: Inspired by the US-made RQ-1 Predator, development of the MALE-class CH-4 UAV commenced in 2009, with the first production-ready example rolled out in 2014. Glass fibrebased composite materials are used extensively to reduce the overall weight of the air vehicle as well as its radar crosssection (RCS). Two variants are currently offered: the CH-4A, which is configured principally for reconnaissance missions with a flight endurance of 30 hours; and the strike-oriented CH-4B, which can carry a 345kg weapons payload but has a shorter flight endurance of 14 hours. At least 30 CH-4s – valued at $700 million – have been exported worldwide since 2014. CASC CH-5: Also unveiled in its production-ready form at Airshow China 2016, the CH-5 features a lightweight allcomposite airframe that measures 11.3m long with a wingspan of 21m and bears a striking resemblance to the US MQ-9 Reaper UAV. The company claims it can carry a maximum payload of 1,200kg. The air vehicle has a stated flight endurance of over 40 hours, although a heavy fuel variant with an extended endurance of 60 hours is under development. The company has specified an operating
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will have a service ceiling of over 40,000ft. It will also be be equipped with a secure satellite communications datalink for long-range operation. Tengden Technology TB001 ‘Twin Tailed Scorpion’: A new starter in China’s UAV industry, Tengden took the opportunity at the 14th ChinaAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations Exposition in in Nanning in September 2017 to unveil its twin-engine, twin-boom TB001 armed reconnaissance UAV. The TB001 has a stated maximum range of 6,000km and an endurance of 35 hours, and is equipped with two hard points under each wing. State media reported that the prototype air vehicle performed its maiden flight just days after its public unveiling in Nanning.
China’s CASC CH-7.
radius of 250km via line-of-sight control, although this can be extended to 2,000km when a SATCOM datalink is fitted. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) WJ-600: The WJ600 is a high-speed, armed reconnaissance UAV that adopts a form factor that is comparable to that of a cruise missile and is available with a turbojet (WJ-600) or turbofan (WJ-600A) engine. It is believed to have been acquired by the PLAAF, although it has yet to be seen in operation despite multiple public appearances at defence exhibitions around the world. However, the existence of operational WJ-600s was proven when at least two examples were displayed during Turkmenistan’s Independence Day parade in October 2016.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials AVIC Wing Loong I-D: State media reported in January 2018 that AVIC is developing the Wing Loong I-D, an improved version of its Wing Loong I UAV. It will feature a wider wingspan of 17.6 m and be able to carry up to 400kg of external stores. The type completed its maiden flight in December 2018, signalling the end of its development and marking it ready for production. AVIC AV500W: Under development by
AVIC’s China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI), the AV500W is a modified version of the civilian model AV500 VTOL UAV with a more robust structure and improved performance. The AV500W is stated to have a payload capacity of 160kg. This typically comprises a chin-mounted, stabilised electro-optical infrared sensor turret as well as internally carried payloads such as a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or communications relay systems. Weapons can also be carried on its stub wings. CASC CH-4C: CASC is developing an improved variant of its widely exported CH-4 MALE UAV with an updated electronic architecture that will enable it to carry more powerful mission payloads. Designated the CH-4C, it has been seen carrying what appears to be an electronic warfare (EW) or signals intelligence (SIGINT) pod during flight trials in early 2018. CASC CH-7: The CH-7 is a turbofanpowered high-altitude UCAV with a MTOW of 13,000kg, which will be capable of carrying a range of payloads including active and passive sensors and electronic warfare systems, as well as precision airto-ground/surface missiles and guided bombs. The air vehicle can achieve a high subsonic speed of 500kts (926km/h) and
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Zhong Tian Guide Control Technology Company (ZT Guide) Feilong-1 (FL-1): The FL-1 adopts a similar configuration to that of the CH-5, with a MTOW of 3,200kg with a payload capacity of 1,400kg inclusive of fuel. Two hard points can be mounted under each wing, with each carrying up to 250kg of stores. The type performed its maiden flight in January 2019 following 18 months of R&D work by ZT Guide’s Zhong Tian Fei Long subsidiary.
PHILIPPINES Despite engaged in decades of counterinsurgency (COIN) operations, the modernisation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been hampered by a lack of funding and ineffective policy. The Department of National Defense (DND) has in recent years made significant efforts to boost AFP capability and transform it from a COIN-oriented force into one that can undertake the full spectrum of military operations, which has seen its services benefit from a number of new acquisitions. The AFP initially adapted hobby drones for tactical ISR support, but has recently taken delivery of US-made military systems.
Fielded Capabilities AeroVironment RQ-11B Raven: The Philippine Army has taken delivery of the RQ-11B Raven system comprising three UAVs as part of a United Statessupported counterterrorism support programme. According to a US embassy announcement in February 2017, the army will also receive operations and maintenance training.
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Regional UAV DIRECTORY
Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle: The Philippines was revealed to have acquired the ScanEagle UAV in a US Navy Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) solicitation published in June 2017. In September 2017, the US Department of State announced that the Philippines is to receive a ScanEagle system comprising six UAVs by 2019. This was handed over to the Philippine Air Force during a ceremony held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City in March 2018. The system is operated by 300 Air Intelligence and Security Wing (AISW) out of Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan. Philippine Army Research and Development Center (PARDC) Raptor: Publicly unveiled at an AFP open house event in Camp Aguinaldo in December 2013, the Raptor is a fixed wing drone based on the airframe of a commercially available remote-controlled aircraft. It has an endurance of around three hours and carries a video camera that provides real-time imagery and video out to an operating radius of 3km. The Raptor was first deployed during the Zamboanga City crisis in September 2013. Philippine Army Research and Development Center (PARDC) Knight Falcon: Similar to the Raptor, the Knight Falcon is a fixed wing UAV that was adapted from a commercial airframe, although it is larger and features a longer range of around 7 km.
REPUBLIC OF KOREA The Republic of Korea (RoK) is one of a handful of Asia Pacific countries that possess advanced aerospace industries and are pursuing wide ranging unmanned aircraft system development programmes. At present, the RoK’s military forces rely on a mix of indigenously developed systems – with the majority of these operating at the tactical level and below – from established international manufacturers at the MALE-class and above, such as IAI’s Heron I and Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk. Present domestic development efforts largely centre on MALE-class platforms for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) and Republic of Korea Army (RoKA), the introduction of an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) capability, as well as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and tiltrotor platforms. UAVs are also expected to be an
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important element of the so-called ‹Kill Chain› integrated surveillance and strike system for detecting and neutralising hostile missile launches from the DPRK. Beyond serving the needs of its armed forces, the country aspires to be one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of world-class UAV systems, with key government agencies and industry primes such as the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and Korean Air Aerospace Division (KALASD) spearheading efforts to advance its UAV technology base.
Fielded Capabilities KAL-ASD Korean Unmanned SystemFT (KUS-FT) /RQ-102: KAL-ASD, a unit of the South Korean national airline specialising in military systems, secured a contract from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in 2016 to manufacture the KUS-FT tactical UAV system for the RoKA. The company will deliver 16 complete systems – each comprising four UAVs – by the end of 2020. The RQ-101is designed for short take-off and landing operations, and can stay aloft for 24 hours. It is equipped with automatic target tracking capability with an effective range of up to 10 km. Daewoo/KAI RQ-101 ‘Night Intruder 300’: The RQ-101 is the RoKA’s first tactical-class UAV platform, which adopts a fixed-wing configuration and offers a 120km operating radius with line-of-sight control or up to 360km with ground relay stations. It has a payload capacity of 45kg which is dedicated to high-definition day and infrared sensors as well as a SAR device. Deliveries are understood to have been completed by the end of 2004. Elbit Systems Skylark II: Elbit’s Skylark II is a larger and more capable version of the hand-launched Skylark I with an endurance of six hours and an operational radius of approximately 59 km. The system typically comprises up to two air vehicles, associated payloads, and a truck-mounted rail launcher and GCS. Foosung Group/UCON Systems Remoeye: The RoKA signed a contract with Foosung Group for its RemoEye 002B mini-UAV in 2013, with deliveries of 120 systems – each comprising four air vehicles – commencing in the third quarter of 2015. The RemoEye 002B is
| Asian Military Review |
hand-launched and recovered with an air-bag cushion system. The electrically powered air vehicle has an range and endurance of 10km and 60 minutes, and is equipped with a nose-mounted, stabilised electro-optical infrared payload with pan and tilt scanning. IAI Heron 1: IAI announced in December 2014 that the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) selected its Heron 1 MALE UAV for the RoK armed forces’ corps-level UAV requirement. An unspecified number of these air vehicles are understood to be operated by the RoKA. At least one of these air vehicles have been reported performing reconnaissance missions over the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials KAI Next Corps Reconnaissance UAV II, Tactical UAV, and unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV): KAI is developing a range of next-generation UAV platforms positioned to meet the future requirements of the RoK armed forces. Detailed information on these developments have yet to be released. KAI Night Intruder 600 VT: KAI has launched an internally funded programme to develop a VTOL UAV to meet a possible RoKA requirement, with flight trials expected to commence in 2019. The prototype air vehicle has an overall length of 9m with a planned MTOW of 600-750 kg. KAI has incorporated patented anti-spoofing GPS systems to improve its ability to operate in contested EM environments. KAL-ASD KUS-FC: Very little is known about the stealth-optimised, turbojetpowered KUS-FC UCAV. The company has stated a wingspan of approximately 16 m and a flight endurance of 6 hours at the ADEX 2017 exhibition in Seoul, but has withheld further information. KAL-ASD KUS-FS: Previously known as the Medium-Altitude UAV, the KUSFS MALE UAV is being developed for the RoKAF and is in the same class as the US MQ-9 Reaper UAV. The multirole air vehicle is expected to perform missions such as communications relay, electronic warfare (EW), ISR, as well as signals intelligence (SIGINT). Images showing a prototype in flight reveal that it is also equipped with two hard points under
Regional
JR Ng
UAV DIRECTORY
China’s prototype NCSIST Teng Yun.
each wing, indicating a potential strike capability. Development of the air vehicle expected to be completed by end of 2018, which will then be transferred to the RoKAF for operational testing and evaluation.
will equip an RoKAF ISR unit. Delivery of the first two air vehicles was originally scheduled in late 2018, although this has since slipped to 2019 to improve its antihacking system and cyber security.
KAL-ASD KUS-VH: KAL-ASD is developing a rotary-wing unmanned platform based on the MD-500 light attack helicopter. Flight endurance is extended to four hours with the installation of a large fuel tank in place of the rear passenger seats. If successfully developed, the KUS-VH could potentially support manned/unmanned-teaming operations with the RoKA’s AH-64E Apache Guardians, which already feature the ability to command UAVs.
The Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) has been reluctant to adopt unmanned technologies, with no UAVs known to be currently in service. The country’s largest and most capable UAV, the tactical-class Chung Shyang II, is operated by the Republic of China Army (RoCA). The country’s UAV development efforts are being spearheaded by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).
KAL-ASD KUS-VT: An unmanned tiltrotor aircraft developed jointly with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and based on the TR-60 system. The KUS-VT can carry a 30 kg payload and has an operational radius of 200 km with an endurance of 6 hours. It is expected to perform autonomous VTOL and shipboard operations.
NCSIST Cardinal II: The Cardinal II is a small hand-launched UAV that is understood to be in RoCA and Republic of China Navy (RoCN) service. The air vehicle is powered by an electric motor and can stay aloft for up to 60 minutes, and is recovered via parachute-assisted landing. An electro-optic camera enables it to capture ISR imagery.
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk: The RoK has acquired four RQ-4 Block 30i Global Hawks along with two GCS systems and two spare engines under a $657 million FMS contract, which
NCSIST Chung Shyang II: Also known as the Albatross, the Chung Shyang II is a reconnaissance platform that is presently in RoCA service. Around 32 UAVs were acquired for the army under
REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)
Fielded Capabilities
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a $120 million contract inked in 2010. The package included eight complete control suites, each comprising a command post, GCS, launch and recovery system, remote video terminal, and other support equipment. Three of these air vehicles reportedly malfunctioned and were lost during routine operations and training in 2012, 2013, and 2016. Further work is underway to improve reliability and performance.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials NCSIST Teng Yun: The prototype of a new MALE-class UAV was revealed at the 2015 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE), which appears to be modelled after the US RQ-1 Predator platform with proposed mission sets including communications relay, persistent ISR operations, as well as coastal patrol and civilian research missions. In December 2017, President Tsai Ing-Wen announced that the air vehicle, now designated Teng Yun (Cloud Rider), would enter production. However, the programme was subsequently delayed to 2020 to incorporate further updates on RoCAF’s behest, including additional external stores carrying capacity.
SINGAPORE Singapore has been described by some observers as an ‘enthusiastic user’ of
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Regional
Boeing
UAV DIRECTORY
of one hour and operating radius of up to 8km. It is equipped with an automatic ‘return-home’ function and can be programmed to autonomously fly userdefined flight paths via waypoint-setting and also features three pre-determined loiter patterns. Singapore Technologies Aerospace Skyblade III: At least six Singapore Army units have been equipped with the Skyblade III mini-UAV since 2010. The Skyblade III is a 5kg, man-portable UAV can be transported in two backpacks weighing 20kg each. It can be readied for flight within 20 minutes and launched by hand, flying for up to one hour out to a range of 8km.
Boeing-Insitu’s ScanEagle is popular in the region and is in service with military forces in Australia, Malaysia, Japna, Pakistan and Singapore among others.
UAVs. The country first began unmanned aircraft operations with the armyoperated Tadiran Mastiff tactical UAV in 1979, but has since acquired newer and more capable platforms that are now operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s UAV Command, which was inaugurated in 2007 and now oversees all major military UAV operation. With a perennial shortfall in manpower, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) see technology as a critical force multiplier with the ongoing modernisation effort focusing deeply on the integration of command and control, ISR, and precision strike. In that regard, UAVs are seen as a key enabler for the SAF’s transformational initiatives.
Fielded Capabilities Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle: The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) operates the ScanEagle UAV as part of the upgrade and life extension of its six Victoryclass missile corvettes, providing these vessels with an organic airborne ISR capability. The air vehicle is launched via a pneumatic launch catapult installed on the aft deck. A Skyhook recovery system is fitted just astern of the superstructure to snare the returning vehicle in mid-air. Elbit Systems Hermes 450: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has operationalised a number of Hermes 450 tactical UAVs in March 2015, which
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Under Development/Consideration/ Trials
were first delivered in 2007. The RSAF’s Hermes 450 UAVs are operated by 116 Squadron, which is based at the western Tengah Air Base. The air vehicle carries a 150kg payload, although the service opted for a belly-mounted turret with high-definition colour daylight TV and IR cameras, as well as a laser designator. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen revealed that the type will be phased out “over the next few years” and replaced with a new platform. IAI Heron 1: The RSAF’s primary longrange UAV is the MALE-class Heron 1 UAV, which was introduced in May 2012 and replaces the ageing IAI Searcher tactical UAV. The service’s Heron 1 UAVs were declared fully operational in March 2017, and are operated by the 119 and 138 Squadrons. It has opted for a MAN 4x4 truck-based mobile GCS configuration for general UAV and mission payload operation, with two modular workstations that handle critical mission planning, control, command, and processing functions. It was also revealed in March 2019 that the Heron 1 will be replaced by another system. Singapore Technologies Aerospace Skyblade II: The Skyblade II is described as a short-range mini-UAV. The 5kg air vehicle is hand-launched and parachuterecovered and is powered by a hybrid propulsion system and has an endurance
| Asian Military Review |
DSO National Laboratories V15: The V15 is Singapore’s first locally developed fixed-wing surveillance UAV with a VTOL capability. Unveiled in November 2017, the V15 is equipped with a day/ night camera and is designed specifically for use in urban environments where conventional UAV take-off and recovery is a challenge. The V15 has a 3 hour endurance and has also demonstrated an ability to take-off and land on a moving unmanned ground vehicle. Schiebel S-100 Camcopter: The RSN has reportedly conducted shipborne trials for the rotary-wing S-100 Camcopter aboard one of its latest Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels. It is understood that the service is yet to commit to a buy, and is also exploring other similar UAVs before it selects the appropriate platform. Singapore Technologies Kinetics Stinger: The Stinger Unmanned Aerial Multi-Rotor Gunship is envisioned to be a semi-autonomous, company-level reconnaissance and fire-support platform. Although still in early development, the company is aiming for an endurance of over 30 minutes when carrying highdefinition daylight and thermal imaging cameras, a fire-control system (FCS), and a 5.56mm calibre Ultimax 100 Mk8 light machine gun.
SRI LANKA Since the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War, the country’s armed forces have been tasked with an increasing spectrum of missions, including air defence, strike, and cyber warfare, but is primarily geared
Regional
UAV DIRECTORY
towards providing tactical air support during COIN and naval interdiction operations. To this end, the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) maintains a range of UAVs that have supported the ground forces for more than a decade.
Fielded Capabilities IAI Searcher: Operated by SLAF’s 111 UAV Squadron, the long-endurance Searcher UAV is believed to have conducted 265 sorties in support of ground troops during the civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam from 1983 to 2009. EMIT Aviation Consult Ltd Blue Horizon II: An unspecified number of the long-endurance Blue Horizon II tactical UAVs – which have a flight endurance of 24 hours and an operational radius of up to 150km via a datalink – have been acquired after a 2009 request from the Sri Lanka government. These are believed to be operated by the SLAF’s 112 UAV Squadron.
THAILAND Thailand’s requirement for improved intelligence gathering has increased in recent years, with a concomitant growth in indigenous UAV research and development capability. Earlier efforts to manufacture locally made systems have largely revolved around highly affordable but technically rudimentary products from private- and military-owned firms with foreign assistance from countries such as Israel. However, increasingly sophisticated and capable UAVs are beginning to emerge in recent years, following a Ministry of Defence initiative that was introduced in 2009 to was reduce dependency on foreign UAV technologies and imports. Today, the ministry’s Defence Technology Institute (DTI) is spearheading efforts to grow its indigenous UAV production capabilities and spur innovation within the local defence industry.
Fielded Capabilities Aeronautics Defense Systems Aerostar: The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) fielded its first UAV, the tactical-class Aerostar as part of the military’s wider effort to introduce surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs into service to support its fighting forces. Local media reported that a new unit, 404 Squadron, was created at Takhli to operate the
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven: The Royal Thai Army is believed to have acquired around 12 of these hand-launched miniUAVs in 2010 for tactical ISR missions. Elbit Systems Hermes 450: The Royal Thai Army (RTA) revealed in June 2018 that it had taken delivery of four Hermes 450 UAVs, which are operated by the 21st Aviation Battalion at the Army Aviation Centre at Lopburi. These are being employed for missions including ISR, mapping, and target designation. It is understood that a deal worth around $30 million was finalised in 2017, and included a GCS and remote video terminals. IAI Searcher: The RTA’s 21st Aviation Battalion also operates four Searcher Mk II UAVs that were acquired in the late 1990s for around $12 million. RTAF Research and Development Centre for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology Tigershark II: Designed around 2015, the mediumrange Tigershark II tactical UAV is stated to have an operating range of up to 150km while carrying a 30kg payload. Ministry of Defence reportedly awarded a US$18 million contract in 2016 to procure parts for up to 17 Tigershark II UAVs. Local firm AVIA Satcom reportedly responsible for systems integration and testing, while G-Force Composites is constructing the airframe.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials R V Connex Sky Scout: A smaller tactical UAV with a similar airframe configuration is also being developed by local firm R V Connex for DTI. The Sky Scout tactical UAV has a 10 m wingspan is capable of carrying a 10kg payload with a flight endurance of up to six hours. It is said to have accumulated over 200 hours in flight testing. Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Naval Research and Development Office Tarem: Unveiled at the 2017 Thailand Defence & Security Exhibition in Bangkok, the multi-rotor Tarem tactical UAV is being developed by the Thai Naval Research and Development Office for communication and surveillance missions. It is also equipped with a stabilised mount that can accommodate a 9mm calibre automatic pistol.
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Top Engineering Group Falcon V: The Falcon V is a fixed-wing surveillance UAV with a VTOL capability that is being developed under a DTI contract. It can carry a 5kg payload.
VIETNAM There has been an observable emphasis on UAV development in line with a requirement to boost the ISR capabilities of the Vietnamese armed forces. The country is understood to have begun developing UAV technologies such as flight control and navigation systems, operating software and airframe design, since 2011. Moreover, programmes led by the state-owned Vietnam Aerospace Association (VASA) has ostensibly resulted in cooperation with Russia’s Irkut and Sweden’s Unmanned Systems Group (UMS) to develop and produce tactical UAVs based on the Irkut-200 and UMS Magic Eye 1 UAVs, although it appears that the momentum has since stalled with little known progress on development.
Fielded Capabilities Viettel Group Patrol VT: The militaryowned telecommunications firm Viettel Group publicly showcased its indigenous Patrol VT tactical UAV in 2014. The air vehicle, which is developed by the company’s Flight Instrument Centre, is stated to be capable of operating out to 50km and carries an optical infrared camera that provides real-time transmission of high-definition imagery.
Under Development/Consideration/ Trials Academy of Science and Industry/ Ministry of Public Security HS-6L: Vietnamese media have reported the existence of the HALE-class HS-6L, which has a twin-boom airframe and a wingspan of 22m. Stated performance include a range of up to 4,000km and a 35 hour flight endurance. The air vehicle is thought to be destined for military patrols over the South China Sea, where Vietnam maintains several claims. A prototype was reportedly completed by November 2015 with flight testing occurring during the second quarter of 2016. Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle: It was revealed in March 2019 that Boeing is close to sealing a deal to sell the ScanEagle to the Vietnam Coast Guard (CSBV) under a government to government sale. AMR
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land warfare
T
he military light tactical truck is the ‘do all’ vehicle filling a multitude of roles both in garrison and on the battlefield. Although armoured vehicles have gained much attention for many militaries the unprotected light truck continues to encompass the majority of their fleets. These 4x4 trucks move supplies, carry people, and provide a platform for a wide range of mission configurations. In fact, despite the recent emphasis on protected tactical vehicles especially by larger armies, there are a number of major initiatives underway, like the US Army Infantry Squad Vehicle, which will field large numbers of unprotected ‘soft skin’ light vehicles for combat use. Models in use range from those developed from ground-up for military use to commercial designs.
Electrically powered light vehicles such as the Reckless all-electric drive vehicle, privately developed by Nikola are simple, reliable, don’t require fuel and are quiet.
Nikola
Commercial Adaptions
BATTLEFIELD TAXIS WITH ATTITUDE Light transport is utilised by friend and
foe alike. Agility and utility combine, from transformed commercial vehicles to those designed for the military. by Stephen W. Miller
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For many regular militaries and definitely for irregulars and insurgent armies the commercial light vehicle is a ready solution. These are easily available, relatively inexpensive and maintained at local facilities. The Toyota are not only used by Japan’s Self Defence Forces but its Land Cruiser and Hi-Lux pickups have also been the vehicle of choice for western Special Operations Forces (SOF), United Nations (UN) and insurgent forces. The Toyota pickup can carry fighters and, when converted with an improvised machine gun mount, provides a fire support vehicle, referred to as ‘technicals’. These vehicles are popular in Africa, South America, and the Middle East. The Land Cruiser model 79 is powered by either a 4.2-litre turbocharged 170hp diesel, a 4.5-litre diesel 202hp, or 4-litre 227hp petrol engine. It has good offroad capability although reportedly later models have less so. The Land Rover, a subsidiary of India’s Tata Motors, continues to be a reliable multi-use light vehicle. The Land Rover Defender Series and Wolf models which use the 2.5l four-cylinder 300TDi engine (111hp, 83kW) have been a work horse for the United Kingdom and Commonwealth forces. The recently introduced Wolf is a beefed up design for the British Forces and Dutch Marines. It is available in 23 versions including long wheel-base, six wheel and armed models. The Mercedes G-Wagon (Geländenwagen) is another commercial design that has been adapted for military use. In fact, it actually started as a military
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land warfare
Mercedes G-wagon is a commercially derived 4x4 that has been widely fielded. It is offered in a number of versions and has a payload of up to 1,500kg. Here a Canadian Forces model on the machine gun firing range.
Purpose Built Military Designs Many militaries have clear ideas on what capabilities are required in a light tactical vehicle based on years of field experience and prefer vehicles that are designed to reflect these demands. A number of firms in the automotive industry have established reputations for developing purpose built designs that Canadian DND
their commercial available parts and service facilities reducing support costs. However, military operations can theoretically result in their shorter life requiring earlier replacement. This has a potential upside in that it provides for the regular replacement of the oldest vehicles which will have increasing maintenance demands.
Polaris
design that was translated into commercial versions. The armed forces of Denmark, Canada, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Argentina and the United States have all used the G-model. Offered in a number of versions it has a payload capacity of between 500kg and 1,500kg depending on the model. It is so versatile that it has even been utilised as a prime mover for light artillery. In 2018 a new G-Class was introduced. Initially the G550 model will have a 4-litre V8 twin turbocharged petrol engine, developing 415hp and nine speed automatic transmission. It also has improved off-road and fording. Another commercially derived military vehicle from Tata is the 4x4 Xenon pick-up which can carry up to 12 soldiers, as well as be fit for command or medical missions, or as a weapons mount. Available in single or double cab versions the latest XT have a 2.2l 140hp turbocharged diesel engine. Tata vehicles are well received within the region and were well represented in the hands of the Iraqi Army during its campaign against Daesh. A distinct advantage in utilising essentially off-the-manufacturing line vehicles is their significantly lower acquisition cost as well as
Although essentially off-the-shelf commercial designs, some companies have adapted ATVs with specific features. Polaris has developed a version of its MRZR which accommodates diesel and JP fuels preferred by the military.
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| Asian Military Review |
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Published By ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
Monday, 6th November, 2017
THAILAND SET FOR TRI-SERVICE MODERNISATION Chaiseri
By Andrew Drwiega, Editor
Thai defence company Chaiseri Metal & Rubber First Win 4x4 (FW4x4) armoured vehicle is operated by the Royal Thai Army.
I
n February the Government of Thailand released its ten-year forces. Recent modernisation decisions include an upgrade to the Thai Air ‘Modernisation Plan: Vision 2026’ built around the need to upgrade Force fleet of Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighters, and the possibility of further Thailand’s armed forces, enhance their effectiveness with better purchases of Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 Golden Eages as well capabilities and modernise the military’s structure. as new attack helicopters. The local defence industry is tied into supporting the Thai military, The Royal Thai Army has been re-equipping with modern VT-4 main although it is limited in terms of the level of sophistication of its technology, battle tanks MBTs) and VH-1 armoured personnel carriers from China. The the cost of development and production against buying on the international 1 Royal Thai Navy too has looked to China as a supplier of a small fleet of Yuan market, and the need to rationalise its acquisition policy to allow greater Class S26T submarines. cohesion within, and between, the different services. Internal security issues, border protection and the prevention of illegal It is likely that under the present government, the defence budget will be trafficking in goods and people are set to remain high on the strategic threat protected and will grow annually in order to fund the modernisation of its list in the short to medium term.
ประเทศไทยจัดทำ�แผนแม่บท เพื่อการพัฒนาขีดความสามารถด้านกลาโหม
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นเดือนกุมภาพันธ์ที่ผ่านมา รัฐบาลไทยได้ผ่านความเห็นชอบสำาหรับแผน พัฒนาขีดความสามารถกระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ. 2560-2569 โดยมีเป้าหมายเพือ่ พัฒนาประสิทธิภาพกองทัพไทย เสริมสร้างประสิทธิผลด้วยขีดความสามารถ ของกองทัพทีเ่ พิม่ มากขึน้ และปรับปรุงโครงสร้างของกองทัพให้มคี วามทันสมัย อีกทัง้ กองทัพไทยยังได้รบั ความร่วมมือจากกลุม่ อุตสาหกรรมภายในประเทศไทย ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการป้องกันประเทศด้วยเช่นกัน ถึงแม้ว่าจะมีข้อจำากัดด้านความ ซับซ้อนของเทคโนโลยี ต้นทุนการพัฒนาและการผลิตเมือ่ เทียบกับการซือ้ ในตลาด ต่างประเทศ รวมถึงความจำาเป็นในการหาเหตุผลมาอธิบายต่อนโยบายนัน้ ๆ เพือ่ ให้ เกิดความเห็นพ้องตรงกันอย่างเป็นวงกว้างทัง้ ภายในและภายนอกในภาคส่วนต่างๆ และภายใต้การนำาของรัฐบาลปัจจุบนั ดูเหมือนว่า งบประมาณของกระทรวง กลาโหมจะถูกจัดสรรโดยเฉพาะเพื่อนำามาพัฒนาขีดความสามารถของกองทัพและ งบประมาณในส่วนนีด้ จู ะเพิม่ มากขึน้ ในทุกๆ ปี ทัง้ นีผ้ ลงานล่าสุดของแผนพัฒนา
ขีดความสามารถกระทรวงกลาโหมนี้ ได้แก่ การยกระดับเครือ่ งบินขับไล่ F-5E Tiger II ของกองทัพอากาศ และการศึกษาความเป็นไปได้ในการจัดซือ้ อากาศยาน รุน่ T-50 Golden Eages จากผูผ้ ลิตสัญชาติเกาหลีใต้ Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) เพิ่มเติม รวมทั้งการจัดซื้อเฮลิคอปเตอร์แบบจู่โจมด้วยเช่นกัน ในขณะเดียวกัน ทางกองทัพบกไทยยังอยูร่ ะหว่างการจัดหารถถังหลัก VT-4 (modern VT-4 main battle tanks MBTs) และยานเกราะลำาเลียงกำาลังพล VH-1 จากประเทศจีน ขณะทีก่ องทัพเรือไทยจะมีการจัดซือ้ เรือดำาน้าำ Yuan Class S26T จากประเทศจีนเช่นเดียวกัน ทัง้ นี้ ปัญหาความมัน่ คงภายในประเทศ การปกป้องชายแดน และการป้องกัน การค้ามนุษย์และสินค้าผิดกฎหมาย ก็ยงั คงถูกจัดให้เป็นภัยคุกคามทีม่ คี วามสำาคัญ ระดับสูงในกลยุทธ์ของประเทศซึ่งต้องทำาการแก้ไขอย่างเร่งด่วนในระยะสั้นไป จนถึงระยะกลางต่อไป 1
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The US Army Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) programme seeks a wheeled, unarmoured 4x4 light vehicle to transport a nine man light infantry unit around the battlefield. The General Dynamic Flyer candidate is already fielded and proven by the Army and US SOCOM.
have successfully addressed these needs. One of these is the Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV) from IVECO Defence. The LMV, an IVECO spokesperson shared, “was intended from inception to be a design that would evolve by incorporating incremental improvements from lessons learned in the field”. The current LMV is in its fourth generation with improvements including a new 220hp engine, gearbox, electronic stability controls, 40 percent increase in payload to 1,500kg, better crew ergonomics and enhanced comfort and safety. The LMV is an ideal platform for a range of tasks with both short and long wheel base versions. It has been selected by over fourteen militaries including Indonesia and Brazil. The later awarded a contract in 2016 with a requirement for over 1,464 vehicles. Some light tactical vehicles like the French ACMAT light trucks have a reputation in their own right. ACMAT is now part of Arquus Defence, formally Renault Trucks Defence. Its latest versions, the Light Attack Vehicle and VLRA (Liaison, Reconnaissance and Support Vehicle) incorporate much from its predecessor, the VLA, proven by the French Foreign Legion. Using a baseline platform these are offered in some 80 different models which are optimised for harsh operating environments. Targeted
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to Asian and African markets they stress simplicity reliability and ruggedness. Arguus Defence’s latest development is the Sherpa 4x4 all terrain attack vehicle. It incorporates many of the latest automotive features including disc brakes, power steering, a 310 amp alternator option, central tire inflation, and a 265hp Euro 3/5 compliant engine. It is optimised for military missions with high ground clearance, angles of approach and exit and a one meter water fording. The French DGA began taking delivery of Sherpas in 2018 for use by SOF, and it is also in service in eight other countries including Mexico, Indonesia, India, Chile, Egypt and Brazil. The AM General High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) remains the most widely used light utility vehicle in the world. Since introduced in 1981 it has undergone a number of improvements and upgrades. Despite the fielding of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) by the US Army, it is evident that HMMWV will not only continue to serve but that newer versions will be acquired and fielded. The company demonstrated in it NXT360 what has been done to provide more power, increased payload, better ride and handling and enhanced survivability. The NXT360’s upgraded suspension accommodates 7,100kg
| Asian Military Review |
(15,500lb) gross vehicle weight, while a new electronically controlled 250hp V6 Turbo engine, six speed automatic transmission and cooling improvements assure performance. An AM General release announced that the company has now received two orders from the Army for modernised HMMWV’s with delivery to begin in late 2019. A stalwart in military tactical trucks throughout the Asian-Pacific are those from Kia in Korea. The company’s KM450 4x4 utility trucks that resemble the US designs of the 1960s and 70s like the M37 are common to many armies. However, in 2016 Kia introduced its own design the Kia Light Tactical Vehicle (KLTV). With a payload of up to 2,000kg, a 3.0l 225hp diesel engine, and eight speed automatic transmission it represents a new design emphasising mobility, reliability, and survivability. Offered with standard or long wheel base it can accept modules to undertake various missions. The design draws on commercial technologies and allows use of existing service facilities if desired. Currently in use by the Republic of Korea there is reported high interest by Pakistan while the Philippine Army is also conducting trials.
All-Terrain Vehicles A number of militaries have looked to
l and warfare
IVECO
IVECO’s LMV was from inception intended to be a modular design that would be adapted based on field lessons learned.
(2,000lb) payload it is compact and light enough to be carried in or by all military transport helicopters including the MH22 Osprey. In addition the electric drive is highly efficient, very responsive and quiet. Vice president Andy Christian stated that the vehicle has been demonstrated to US Marines and SOCOM who have shown interest.
Arquus
Light Trucks for Combat
Arquus has incorporated both is commercial technologies and prior military vehicle experience into its Sherpa 2 4x4 light tactical truck.
commercial All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to fill the light truck role for forward units. In many ways they have assumed the role as a relatively inexpensive ‘do all’ platform for general tasks especially in light units. As Jed Leonard vice president of Government and Defence at Polaris Industries stated, “The ATV’s proven ability to operate in severe environments particularly off-road make it an ideal candidate for providing soldier mobility and logistic transport for the small unit. Our MRZR, for example, has been configured for rapid personnel deployment, causality evacuation, and supply transport while also having the benefit of being carried inside or under military helicopters.” The 4x4 ‘two-up’ Quad carrying two to four persons plus a cargo area have
been shown to be well suited to these tasks. The Polaris MRZR has a payload of 680kg (1,500lbs) and has been adopted by the US Army, Marines, and SOF in essentially the same form as used by civilian operators. Singapore’s Army has also adopted an ATV designed by ST Engineering Land Systems which is used for reconnaissance, as a weapon platform and general utility purposes. The use of all electric powered light vehicles has distinct advantages for military applications. The Reckless allelectric drive vehicle privately developed by the small US firm Nikola. It uses an efficient direct electric drive with four redundant independent motors. The design is reliable, low maintenance, and so power efficient that is able to export power. Even as a four seater with a 907kg
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The US Army is seeking a way to make its light infantry, especially troops delivered by parachute and air landed, more flexible on the battlefield in that greater mobility will allow them to land further from an objective and then move quickly to it. To accomplish this they have released a requirement for an ultralight vehicle capable of being transported by aircraft or helicopter. This Infantry Squad Vehicle must carry a squad of nine soldiers and their personal equipment which will result in a 3,629 kg (8,000lb) class loaded vehicle. It also must operate on roads at 88.5km/h (55mph) and move cross country. A number of candidates have been previously presented to the Army. These include adaptions of light vehicles already used by other military organisations including SOF. These include the Polaris Dagor A1 which uses a turbo diesel/JP58 engine. Dagor is also already in use by the Canadian Forces. Polaris has focused on adapting its well established commercial All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) line to the specific demands of military operations. Another candidate is a variant of the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical System (GD-OTS) Flyer. The Flyer is fielded in two versions, 1.5m and 1.8m wide. The former can be transported inside the Boeing V-22 and Sikorsky CH53 helicopters while both versions can be sling loaded externally and moved in military transport aircraft. They can carry a payload nearly equal to its curb weight; 1,864kg (4100lb) and 2,585 (5,700 lb). The Flyer is already in use by both US and Italian militaries including as an interim vehicle for the US Army ISV. These initial vehicles are being used to equip the five Airborne Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs). The plan for the ISV was to release and Request for Proposal on April 18, 2019 from which three competitors will delivery vehicles for evaluation. A single contractor will then be selected by the end of March 2020 to deliver 651 ISVs over five years. A potential of 2,065 vehicles could be required. AMR
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AIR
Saab
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Saab is looking for customers for its GlobalEye SRSS with potential interest from Indonesia and Malaysia.
SWEEPING THE SKIES Guarding sovereign territory and detecting economic zone incursions requires modern long-range aerial surveillance.
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irborne surveillance and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft provide an invaluable force multiplier, improving the combat effectiveness of other assets, and thereby helping smaller air forces to meet some of the challenges posed by the numerical superiority of People’s Republic of China’s air arms. Most traditional AEW&C and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft also provide some capability to monitor the maritime environment, and can provide warning of possible enemy ballistic missile attacks, making missile defence systems more effective. Some newer AEW aircraft, like Saab’s innovative GlobalEye swing role
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by Jon Lake surveillance system (SRSS), have a more robust multi-role capability, using electrooptical (EO) sensors and a dedicated surface search radar in addition to the primary airborne surveillance radar sensor. In the case of the GlobalEye, the Erieye ER AESA radar, mounted in a ‘skibox’ radome above the fuselage, is augmented by a FLIR Systems Star Safire 380HD EO/IR turret and an underfuselage Leonardo Seaspray 7500E radar. The GlobalEye’s multiple sensors allow it to detect and track stealthy airborne targets and small maritime targets, including jetskis and rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs). With China’s claims in the South China Sea increasingly impinging on the economic interests and security of its
| Asian Military Review |
neighbours, and with increased Chinese military activity across the region, there is a growing need to monitor Chinese military operations on the surface, and particularly in the air. Chinese efforts to gain an anti-access/area denial (A2/D2) advantage make it especially important for other nations to be able to conduct surveillance at very long range. In the northern part of the region, North Korea poses a more immediate threat than China, especially through its growing ballistic missile capability. This has led to South Korea establishing an AEW aircraft fleet while Japan has reinforced and modernised its AWACS capabilities. In South Korea the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) operates four Boeing
Airbus
AIR power
In its Airborne Early Warning version, the Airbus C295 AEW aircraft carries a state-of-the-art AESA radar for 360-degree coverage.
737AEW&C Peace Eye aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered to Gimhae Air Base, Busan for acceptance testing on 1 August 2011. The remaining three aircraft were modified by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) at Sacheon, and were delivered every six months between December 2011 and October 2012. The Boeing 737 AEW&C is equipped with Northrop Grumman Multirole Active Electronically Scanned Array radar which can cover an area of 340,000 square miles, scanning at rates exceeding 30,000 square miles per second. Particular sectors of interest can be monitored with extended range and update rates while the radar maintains a 360 degree background surveillance picture. Up to ten battle space managers can be carried on board. It has been reported that South Korea may augment its Peace Eye aircraft with the smaller Gulfstream 550 MARS2, the Multi Mission Airborne Reconnaissance System, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for persistent stand-off surveillance of the ground, maritime and air domains, using an ELI-3150 system, consisting of an Elta Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with a 360-degree coverage, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR)/ground moving target indicator (GMTI) capabilities. This is augmented by an EO/IR sensor and a ‘proven’ SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) package. Japan acquired thirteen Northrop E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, which entered service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Airborne Early Warning Group (AEWG) at Misawa Air Base in January 1987, forming the 601st Squadron. The E-2C’s limited radius led the Japan Defence Agency to request funds for the procurement of the Boeing E-3 Sentry in 1991, but this was out of production. The following year, Boeing proposed a Boeing 767-based AWACS, using the
same Northrop Grumman (formerly Westinghouse Electronic Systems) AN/ APY-2 Passive electronically scanned array radar and mission systems as the Block 30/35 E-3. Japan ordered four E-767 aircraft and these were delivered from March 1998, entering service with the Airborne Early Warning Group’s 602nd Squadron at Hamamatsu Air Base in May 2000. The AN/APY-2 is a Pulse-Doppler radar providing a three-dimensional ‘picture’, measuring azimuth, range, and elevation simultaneously, with superior surveillance capability over water compared to the AN/APY-1 system used on earlier E-3 models. The radar antenna is installed back-to-back with the antenna for the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mk XII system. The rotodome rotates at around six revolutions per minute (rpm) during operation and at 0.25rpm when the radar is not being used, in order to lubricate the mechanism.
Japan's E-767 upgraded In November 2006, Boeing was awarded a $108 million contract to deliver Radar System Improvement Programme (RSIP) kits for Japan’s E-767 aircraft, bringing them to much the same standards as the USAF’s upgraded E-3s. The Republic of China (Taiwan) acquired four E-2T aircraft from the US on 22 November 1995, using these to provide wide area surveillance of the Taiwan Straits, East and South China Seas. On 15 April 2006 Taiwan ceremonially inducted two new aircraft in Hawkeye 2000 configuration (designated as the E-2K) at Pingtung, with new radars and software. In 2010-2013, the RoCAF’s four original E-2Ts were upgraded to the same E-2K standards. Several of the ‘frontline states’ with competing claims in the South China Sea do not currently have a robust AEW&C capability. Indonesia operates
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three ageing Boeing 737 Surveillers, which have a surface-only surveillance capability using the AN/APS-135 (V) high resolution Side Looking Airborne Modular Multi Mission Radar (SLAMMR) but lack any datalink or air surveillance capability. The Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (TNI–AU), or Indonesian Air Force, is known to have evaluated Saab’s GlobalEye and Boeing’s Challenger-based Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA). Malaysia has an unfunded requirement for up to four AEW aircraft, and has also been targeted by Saab as a potential customer for the GlobalEye, but the Malaysian government’s budget constraints have prevented the launch of a formal procurement process. The Vietnamese Air Force has long been expected to be the launch customer for the Airbus C295 AEW&C aircraft, which made its first flight in June 2011, and press reports suggest that two aircraft have been ordered. The C295 AEW&C is equipped with a mission system developed jointly by ELTA and Airbus based on an IAI/ELTA fourth-generation active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with integrated identification friend-or-foe (IFF) in a fast-rotating rotodome mounted on top of the fuselage. The aircraft has four operator workstations. The Republic of Singapore Air Force was an early regional operator of AEW&C aircraft, purchasing Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft in 1987. In April 2007, Singapore announced that the four E-2C Hawkeyes would be replaced by four Gulfstream G550 Nachshon Aitam early warning aircraft. These are also known as the G550EL/W-2085 CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) aircraft. The new aircraft officially took over from the Hawkeyes in 2011, re-equipping No.111 Squadron. The G550 carries semi-conformal L-band AESA radar antennae on the left and right sides on the fuselage and S-band antennae in the nose and tail. The phased array radar allows the picture to be updated every 2–4 seconds, rather than every 20–40 seconds as would be the case with a traditional mechanically steered AEW array. Thailand also enjoys an independent AEW capability, employing a pair of Swedish-supplied S100B Argus AEW aircraft, equipped with the Erieye radar, and sometimes referred to as
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US Navy
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An E-2D Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 and four F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 fly in formation during Exercise Balikatan 2019.
Erieyes. Three Saab 340s were taken from the Swedish inventory and were supplied to Thailand as a “no cost option” via Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), accompanying Thailand’s purchase of the Saab Gripen fighter. Two of the Saab 340s were equipped with the Erieye airborne early warning (AEW) radar. The first AEW platform and the transport aircraft were flown to Surat Thani Air Base in southern Thailand in December 2010, with the second arriving in mid-2012. These equipped 702 ‘Orca’ squadron. The Erieyes are operated by a crew of five, consisting of two pilots, a radar operator, a radar technician and an aircraft technician – relaying information to a ground station using the Swedishsupplied Link T system. Australia issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an AEW&C aircraft for the RAAF under Project Wedgetail, in 1996, and ordered four Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft in 1999. Australia subsequently exercised two options. The aircraft, known as the E-7 Wedgetail in Australian service, carries a Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems L-band (1-2GHz) Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, whose antenna is carried in a dorsal ‘top hat’ radome mounted above the fuselage. After a delay of around two days, Boeing delivered the first two 737 AEW&C aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force on 26 November 2009, though they initially remained Boeing owned and operated, until they were accepted into service on 5 May 2010. Deliveries continued until June 2012, when the sixth Wedgetail was delivered to No.2 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown. The squadron maintains a permanent detachment at RAAF Base Tindal. The RAAF’s Wedgetail achieved Initial Operational Capability in November 2012, and Final Operational Capability
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(FOC) on 26 May 2015. The type saw operational service during Operation Okra, flying more than 100 sorties in the fight against Daesh. Locally owned AEW&C aircraft are augmented by platforms from US and other allied forces, including carrierborne US Navy E-2D Hawkeyes, and land-based E-3 Sentries. These include the E-3s of the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, part of the USAF’s 18th Wing based at Kadena AB, Japan since 1979.
China grows AEW fleet China has made great efforts to field its own AEW aircraft, launching a series of programmes. This has resulted in the fielding of a succession of different designs, usually in small numbers. The Y-8J airborne early warning (AEW) variant of the Y-8 (Project 515) was first spotted near Shanghai in 2000, using a British Racal Skymaster surveillance radar housed in an enlarged, partially dropped nose radome. With a range of 400km and an ability to track up to 100 targets, the Y-8J also has four operator workstations. Four examples were delivered to the PLAN, and these fly missions over the East China Sea. The Y-8W (also known as the KJ200/200A Moth/High New 5) is based on the new Y-8 “Category III Platform”, like the Y-9 transport, and has a new AESA antenna in a so-called ‘balance beam’ radome mounted above the fuselage, like the Erieye’s Skibox antenna. At least five Y-8Ws have been delivered to the PLAAF and six to the PLAN. The derived ZDK-03 (Y-8P) was developed for the Pakistani Air Force with a traditional rotodome on top of its fuselage, housing a mechanically-rotating PESA radar antenna inside, scanning electronically in elevation and mechanically in azimuth. The Y-8P prototype flew to Pakistan and was evaluated by Pakistani AF in 2006, and the four production ZDK-03s were delivered from December 2011 to 2015.
| Asian Military Review |
The ‘balance beam’ antenna configuration was abandoned for China’s next AEW&C aircraft, the KJ-500 (also known as the High New 10). This is based on the Y-9 platform using some KJ-200 hardware but with a new fixed disc-like radome. This contains three AESA antennas arranged in a triangular configuration, providing full 360 degree coverage. Two KJ-500 prototypes were constructed by late 2013, and at least seven have been delivered to the PLAAF with five more going to the PLAN. As well as its turboprop-powered AEW aircraft, China has also developed two jet-powered aircraft. The first was the KJ-2000 prototype, which was produced by the conversion of four China United Airlines Il-76MD transports. Further production was impossible due to the limited quantity of available Il-76 airframes. The AEW version was based on the cancelled A-50I/Phalcon, whose prototype was salvaged from Israel via Russia in 2000. The aircraft is fitted with an indigenous AEW and C4ISR system developed by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology/14th Institute. The radar is similar to the Israeli Phalcon system and uses a fixed rotodome housing three AESA antennas in a triangular configuration. The first two KJ-2000s were handed over to PLAAF in 2005, and the design was certified in 2007. The four KJ-2000s are stationed in Jiangsu Province. A new KJ-3000 is reportedly under development, based on the indigenous Y-20 transport aircraft. China’s 603 Institute/XAC has developed a new shipborne AWACS aircraft which is similar in size and configuration to the American E-2D. The H-600 is based on experience gained in the earlier JZY-01 technology demonstrator programme. The aircraft uses a single mechanically rotating AESA antenna inside a traditional rotodome, but the status of the programme is unknown. AMR
AIR power
US Navy
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force leadera examine an MX-20 turret housed under a US Navy P-8 Poseiden MPA.
OPTICS FOR THE EYE-IN-THE-SKY A prolific range of EO/IR sensors provides intelligence
gathering capability from manned long range patrol aircraft to unmanned platforms. by Michael J. Gething
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| Asian Military Review |
AIR power
go-to system. Depending on the model, it can be equipped with up to eight sensor payloads, including two MWIR (mid-wave infrared) thermal imagers in standard definition (640x480 pixels) and high definition (1,280x1,024 pixels), a continuous zoom daylight camera (2 megapixels), a daylight spotter camera (2 megapixels), a low-light spotter, an SWIR (short-wave infrared) spotter, laser rangefinder/designator, laser ranger and laser spot tracker. First adopted for the US Navy’s P-3 Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Programme in the mid-1990s, MX-20 has been refined and, in 2008, was selected for the US Navy’s Orion successor, the Boeing P-8 Poseidon. It has also been fitted to the US Coast Guard’s HC-130H Hercules, Canada’s CP-140 Aurora, the German Navy’s P-3C, New Zealand’s P-3K, ATP-42 Surveyor of Italy’s Guardia de Finanza, the French Navy’s Atlantique 2 upgrade, and Dash 8 Q200 aircraft involved in Australia’s civil Coastwatch.
For smaller aircraft For surveillance and/or targeting on medium-to-small aircraft, helicopters and UAVs, Elbit System’s CoMPASS (Compact Multi-Purpose Advanced Stabilised System) is a typical example. This is equipped with an MWIR thermal imager (320x240 pixels), a daylight TV camera, laser rangefinder, laser illuminator and laser designator. Mounted on Elbit’s Hermes 450 UAV, operators include Botswana, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the US Navy; while helicopter
Author
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he past two decades have seen electro-optic/infrared (EO/ IR) technology evolve from a specialised sensor to an almost ubiquitous ‘must-have’ for the world of ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance). If one breaks down the ISTAR acronym, Intelligence is the prime goal, Surveillance and Reconnaissance the means of gathering that intelligence, and Target Acquisition a principle outcome. Today’s airborne EO/IR sensor unit is mounted in a gyroscopic gimbal, referred-to as a sensor ‘ball’ or turret, and can be fitted with various types of sensor payload in a variety of configurations, depending on the application. As EO/IR technology had evolved, its application has spread across virtually the whole spectrum of military aviation (as well as into Space, beyond the scope of this feature). The following selection of systems and applications does not claim to be comprehensive but can be considered as representative of what is available on the market. In the days of the Cold War, the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) was a large, long-range aircraft, typified by the P-3 Orion, and designed for antisubmarine warfare (ASW). Since then, as EO/IR sensors have become more compact, smaller types, mainly derived from transport aircraft, have been recruited into the patrol/surveillance roles, notably for anti-narcotic and illegal immigration missions. However, for the larger MPA, L3 Wescam’s MX-20 turret appears to be the
A Falco UAV equipped with an EOST-45 sensor turret from Leonardo, formerly Selex ES.
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applications include Sri Lanka’s Mi-24/ Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters and several unidentified customers. The all-digital D-CoMPASS offers a wider range of thermal imagers, both MWIR and LWIR, in various array formats; TV cameras; and associated laser products. This sensor is being produced for the UK’s Watchkeeper UAV programme. There are also smaller versions available as the Mini-CoMPASS and Micro-CoMPASS. Staying with the smaller systems, notably for smaller UAVs such as Elbit’s Skylark, Controp’s range of STAMP (STAbilised Miniature Payloads) offer variants configured with TV, low-light TV, cooled and uncooled thermal imagers at weights up to 2.8kg. From Europe, Leonardo offer several models, including the Titan 385ES-HD (Enhanced Stability-High Definition) from the UK side of the company and the EOST-45/M from the Italian end. The former is on the UK’s Chinook Boeing HC.5/6 and the German Navy’s Leonardo Super Lynx Mk 88A helicopters. This offers two thermal imagers – a cooled MWIR model and an uncooled LWIR, both with 640x480 pixels – and a low-level light CCD TV camera. The latter, offering an MWIR (384x288 pixels) thermal imager, a daylight TV camera and telescopic camera, is fitted on various platforms, including the ATP-42M, Piaggio P188 Albatross, Leonardo AW109 helicopter and Falco UAV. From the United States, FLIR Systems is a major player in the sensor turret market, having evolved its Star SAFIRE (Shipborne/Airborne Forward-looking InfraRed Equipment) range over 30 years, equipping fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and UAVs with various models. By way of example, the Star SAFIRE 380HDc (for High Definition compact) is a modified version of the 380-HD model, aimed at helicopters with insufficient ground clearance for a regular depth sensor turret. Despite the reduced volume, the 380-HDc is still able to accommodate up to seven payload items, with two prime sensors being an MWIR (1,280x720 pixel) thermal imager 720/1,080 pixel HD colour TV camera. As with all FLIR Systems products, the remaining sensors are customer specified from a list of options, including specialised cameras, laser rangefinder, illuminator and pointer. It is on Norway’s fleet of Leonardo AW101 SAR helicopters, is mandated as standard fit by Airbus Helicopters for its
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AIR
FLIR Systems’ Star SAFIRE 380-HDc sensor turret is designed for platforms with low ground clearance.
H124 P3/T3 helicopters, and has been seen mounted on an H225M Caracal. Also from the United States is Raytheon, a long-standing supplier of EO/IR turrets to the US military. Its single sensor AN/AAQ-27 uses a MWIR (640x480 pixels) thermal imager and equips Bell/Boeing V-22B Ospreys of the USMC and USAF. For the US Army, the company is currently working on the AN/AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload (CSP), intended to replace a variety of turrets across fixed-wing, rotarywing aircraft and UAVs. The payload comprises a MWIR thermal imager in either 640x480 or 1,280x720 pixel formats, daylight TV camera, NIR (near-infrared) TV camera, dual-band laser rangefinder, laser spot-tracker/designator and laser pointer. It is on order to equip General Atomics MQ-1C Grey Eagle UAVs and other unspecified platforms. On the targeting pod front, the latest product from Thales Optronique is the TALIOS (TArgeting Long-range Identification Optronic System) multifunction targeting pod in production for France and Egypt. Other major products – Lockheed Martin’s AN/AAQ-33 Sniper, Raytheon’s AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting FLIR (ATFLIR) and the Northrop Grumman/ Rafael AN/AAQ-
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Singapore’s F-15SG Eagles are equipped with a pylon-mounted AN/AAS-42 IRST (top) and (below) the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pod.
28 Litening – continue to make sales. Rafael also produces the Litening (and its recce pod derivative, Reccelite) independently. The latest iterations of both these pods – the Litening 5 and RecceLite XR feature common MWIR (1,280x1,024 pixel) detectors and colour (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) daylight TV cameras, plus a SWIR ( 640 x 512 pixel) sensor. In addition to these, the Litening 5 has a laser suite, comprising rangefinder, designator and marker (illuminator). Another recce pod from UTC Aerospace Systems is the DB-110 pod with a dual band (visible and MWIR) detector, which was initially developed for the UK’s Raptor programme (withdrawn this year with the RAF’s Tornado GR.4 fleet), continues to make sales, mainly to Lockheed Martin F-16 operators. Returning to the IRST arena, the Lockheed Martin AN/AAS-42 IRST equips Boeing F-15 Eagles operated by South Korea and Singapore, while the EuroFIRST PIRATE (Passive IR Airborne Tracking Equipment) is on Eurofighter Typhoon and the Thales OSF (Optronique Secteur Frontale) system equips the Rafale. The up-coming JAS 39E version of the Saab Gripen will be fitted with Leonardo’s Skyward-G IRST. Meanwhile in the United States,
| Asian Military Review |
Lockheed Martin is producing the AN/ ASG-34 IRST for the US Navy’s Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet, mounted on the nose of a wing-mounted fuel tank; and, using its IRST-21 thermal module, is producing the Legion pod for use on USAF F-15C Eagles. Northrop Grumman took a slightly different approach with its OpenPod system, using a common ‘back end’ based on its Litening experience and offering a choice of interchangeable ‘front end’ modules including IRST and a targeting options. To conclude this overview of EO/IR, mention must be made of the AN/AAQ37 Electro-Optic Distributed Aperture System from Northrop Grumman, equipping all models of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightening II fighter. This comprises six multi-function imaging infrared sensor heads, conformally mounted within the aircraft’s fuselage and wings, to act in the IRST and both air-to-air and surface target tracking roles, as well as a missile warner. It is also integrated with Lockheed Martin’s Electro-Optic Targeting System. Although only this was only an overview, it demonstrates that airborne EO/IR sensors can be found across all types of airborne platform in use worldwide – truly ubiquitous. AMR
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M i l i t a r i e s
The PAVN ground forces have taken delivery of T-90S main battle tanks
VIETNAM’S CATCH UP CHALLENGE
Vietnam’s legacy 1970s armed forces are gradually being updated with new equipment as defence spending increases.
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ome of the largest increases in military expenditure seen in Southeast Asia since the mid-2000s have led to a fundamental shift in the military power of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN). Its defence budget is understood to have grown almost fourfold in local currency from $1.3 billion (20.5 trillion đồng) in 2006 to approximately $4.6 billion (100 trillion đồng) in 2015. Modernisation efforts have been driven almost exclusively by the threat posed by China over Vietnam’s territorial and resource claims in the contested South China Sea, and has resulted in a
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by JR Ng focus on the Vietnamese People’s Army’s (VPA) defensive and power projection capabilities to enable it to secure the country’s maritime interests. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Vietnam’s defence expenditure in 2018 was the fourth largest in Southeast Asia at $5.5 billion, just after Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. It is expected that the figure will surpass $6 billion by 2020.
Land force modernisation Vietnam’s most recent Defence White Paper, released in 2009, defines the PAVN as ‘an army from the people and for the
| Asian Military Review |
people’ whose role is ‘aimed at firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and national security in all aspects’. Although the largest and most experienced of the three services, the army faces an uphill task in raising its professionalism and maintaining its large inventories of Chinese and Soviet-made legacy combat vehicles and equipment, particularly with the loss of foreign assistance following its conflict with the People’s Republic of China and subsequently the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The bulk of the army’s firepower had until recently resided in its 1970s era main
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M i l i t a r i e s
The PAVN is seeking to further its forces in the face of increasing regional uncertainty
Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles with the modern Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Galil 31/32 ACE assault rifles, which are also chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge. In 2014, Vietnam awarded IWI a contract reportedly worth around $100 million to establish local production of the rifles following a competitive tender which also saw participation by Chinese and Russian manufacturers. The rifles are now being indigenously produced – along with their associated optics and underbarrel grenade launcher – at Factory Z111 following technology transfer from IWI. The facility is owned by the Ministry of National Defence (MND) and based in the northern Thanh Hoa province. The locally manufactured Galil ACE 31/32 are both fed by existing Kalashnikov magazines and have side folding metal stocks. The new weapons are being issued to infantry forces, although PAVN troops are still regularly seen carrying the AK-47 and AKM rifles. It will likely take several years before the service, which is believed to maintain over 250,000 troops, can entirely replace these older weapons. The Z111 factory has also commenced started producing the Russian KBP Instrument Design Bureau OSV-96 12.7 mm self-loading anti-materiel rifle, which can engage and defeat lightly armoured vehicles at ranges of up to 1800 metres. Likewise, the Tula-based KBP has transferred the necessary tooling and design technologies to the Z111 factory for licensed-production.
| june/july 2019 |
JR Ng
battle tanks (MBTs) such as the Chinesemade Type 59 and Soviet T-54/55 and T-62. However, as these MBTs are increasingly outmatched by modern vehicles and anti-tank weaponry now in service with regional military forces as well as China, it has recently taken delivery of 64 T-90S/SKs from Russia’s state-owned UralVagonZavod (UVZ). The 46.5-tonne T-90S is the exportspecific model of the T-90 family and is operated by a crew of three. It features a powerpack comprising the Uraltrac V-92S2 diesel engine and the APP-172 automatic transmission, which offers improved acceleration as well as up to 15 percent better fuel economy compared with earlier T-90 variants, which are equipped with a manual transmission. The MBT’s turret and hull are built from rolled homogeneous steel armour with appliqué Kontakt-V explosive reactive armour (ERA) added to its glacis and turret. It is understood that the PAVN’s MBTs have also been equipped with the Shtora-1 active protection system (APS) for improved survivability. The T-90 is armed with the 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, with secondary armament including a coaxial 7.62mm 6P7K machine gun and roof-mounted 12.7mm 6P49 heavy machine gun. An undisclosed number of T-90SK command-and-control vehicles have been included in the 64-tank deal. This variant can be identified by an additional antenna located to the rear of the turret and is equipped with an enhanced communication suite believed to be derived from the R-168-100KBE high frequency radio set, which supports encrypted communication up to a range of 70km when the vehicle is stationary. The PAVN is also upgrading some of its legacy T-54/55 MBTs to the T-54M3 standard, which is characterised by additional Super Blazer ERA on the frontal arc and sides. The updated vehicle will retain the D-10T2S 100mm rifled gun, although its firepower has been enhanced with a 60mm mortar installed on the left side of the turret. It also will benefit from a new vetronics systems supplied by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, as well an improved sighting system with an infrared channel for night-time operations. The T-90S/SK order represented the first major PAVN procurement for many years. It is also replacing its vast stocks of ageing Soviet-vintage 7.62x39mm calibre
Vietnam People’s Navy Among the PAVN’s three branches, the Vietnam People’s Navy has arguably benefited the most from Hanoi’s imperative to secure its 3,300km coastline and vast maritime interests in the South China Sea, which comprise approximately an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that covers over 400,000km2. The navy has suffered from decades of neglect, with readiness among its surface fleet generally low and spare parts typically being in short supply, although support from India and Russia have in the past provided the service with a lifeline in the form of patrol vessels, new equipment, and supplies of spare parts to keep its limited fleet operational. However, the shift in focus to the maritime domain from December 2009 appears to have arrested the service’s downward trajectory with a flurry of contracts awarded for high-end surface and underwater combat platforms, including four 2,100 tonne Gepard-class guided-missile frigates (Project 11661E) constructed and customised by Russian shipbuilder, the Zelenodolsk Design Bureau. The first two frigates – Dinh Tien Hoang and Ly Thai Ho – were commissioned in March and August 2011. The vessels measure around 102 metres long and feature a stealthy superstructure and helicopter facilities, with an armament fit reportedly comprising a AK-176M 76mm main gun, a Palma close-in weapon system (CIWS), as well as two AK-630M
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guns, 533mm torpedo launchers, and the SS-N-25 ‘Uran-E’ anti-ship missile system. The sensor fit is understood to include the Bass Tilt fire-control radar and PozitivME1.2 air/surface search radar, and sonar. In contrast, the second tranche of two Gepard frigates have been optimised for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with an enhanced ASW suite and improved propulsion system. The two ASW frigates were commissioned into service in February 2018. In December 2009, Hanoi signed a deal to acquire six improved Kilo-class (Project 636.3MV) diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), providing a substantial boost to the navy’s ability to conduct patrols in the South China Sea in a deal thought to be worth approximately $2.1 billion, although this could be much higher when factoring the cost of weapons, maintenance support, and infrastructure. Displacing 2,350 tonnes when surfaced and 4,000 tonnes when submerged, the boats can achieve a maximum underwater speed of 20 knots (37km/h) and a range of up to 7500 nautical miles (13,890km). Armaments include the 533mm heavyweight TEST-71M-NK and Type-53K-65KE torpedoes, as well as the SS-N-27A anti-ship and SS-N-30A landattack missiles. All six boats – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
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Rosoboronexport
Vietnam's navy has commissioned four Russian-made Gepard multimission frigates
City, Hai Phong, Khanh Hoa Da Nang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau – were commissioned by February 2017. To support its submarine fleet, the state-owned Z189 shipyard has been commissioned to build a submarine rescue vessel. The company announced in May 2018 that the keel of the future MSSARS 9316 (multipurpose submarine search-and-rescue ship 9316) had been laid at its facility in the northern coastal city of Haiphong. The vessel is expected to be completed by early 2021 and is also expected to perform underwater surveying and seafloor mapping to enhance submarine navigation. Despite the influx of these new platforms, there are some concerns about the navy’s ability to effectively integrate these capabilities given its lack of experience with such advanced systems. It is likely to be several years before the service can fully exploit these assets. Dr Collin Koh, Research Fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told AMR that the service’s current priorities would include efforts to consolidate its newfound capabilities following the completion of the Kilo-class submarine procurement programme, which is by far its largest and most complex undertaking. Because these boats have only recently entered service, the crews would require significant
| Asian Military Review |
time to gain the basic competencies and confidence to perform prolonged underwater operations. “The integration stage would come in later after the boats and their crews gain sufficient operational experience in their own domain and become more familiar with the operating environment,” Dr Koh noted. He also emphasised that capability gaps remain despite recent modernisation efforts, particularly its ability to operate with other PAVN forces, noting that the procurement and development of network-centric capabilities have been prioritised to a degree, but improvements will nevertheless take time to materialise. “It needs to improve its maritime domain/ situational awareness capabilities especially a more capable maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft,” he noted. “To promote integrated operations, C4ISR [capabilities] will be the unifying element…hence the PAVN needs to look beyond just acquiring kinetic capabilities.”
People’s Air force According to Vietnam’s 2009 Defence White Paper, the Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF) “is the core force responsible for the control and defence of the airspace, protection of the nation’s key facilities and the people, and participates
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The VPAF is seeking to modernise its air combat arm with newer multirole aircraft
VPAF, other in-service aircraft – including a small number of Su-27s fighters and Su-22 ‘Fitter’ fighter-bomber platforms – are fast approaching the end of their operational lifespans. The MND is reportedly considering additional deals from Russia that could include either the MiG-35 or Su-35 multirole combat aircraft. To support its growing Russian combat fleet, Vietnam has turned its attention to improving indigenous maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities via technical support provided by Ukraine. The VPAF’s principal aircraft MRO facility is the A32 facility based in Da Nang on Vietnam’s east coast, which had
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in safeguarding the homeland’s seas and islands”. The VPAF is steadily modernising but continues to operate a large fleet of Soviet-vintage combat aircraft, which entered service from the late 1970s and are looking increasingly obsolescent compared to modern aircraft being acquired by other regional countries. In a bid to remedy this deficiency, the MND placed several orders for the Sukhoi Su30MK2 ‘Flanker-F’ multirole combat aircraft between 2003 and 2013, which saw around 36 of these aircraft delivered by the end of 2016. Although the Su-30MK2s provided a much-needed capability boost for the
The navy's new Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines can engage surface and land targets
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| Asian Military Review |
reported received Ukrainian assistance to improve its ability to perform extensive MRO and modernisation work to its combat aircraft platforms as well as their avionics and engines, such as the Saturn AL-31 which powers the Su-27SK and Su30MK2. The latest updates also expanded the facility’s capacity to support the newer Su-30MK2s. The VPAF’s tactical transport fleet – comprising ageing An-2 and An-26 aircraft – also suffer poor serviceability and are in dire need of replacement, although the delivery of three Airbus C295 medium transport aircraft from 2014 provided a much-needed boost for air transport operations. Additional aircraft are expected to be procured to further to cater for the possible loss or eventual retirement of the older platforms.
Rotorcraft requirement The service is also reportedly interested in expanding its utility helicopter fleet; it presently maintains several types including Mil Mi-8 ‘Hip’ and Mi-17 ‘Hip-H’, Kamov Ka-32T ‘Helix-C’ and Bell UH-1Hs. According to Russian Helicopters CEO Andrey Boginsky, over 80 Russian-made helicopters have been delivered to Vietnam, with most of these being military platforms. The company also took the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of its latest Ansat and Mi-171A2 helicopters at Hanoi’s Gia Lam Airport in November 2018. Ansat is a light multirole twinengine helicopter that can be converted into a cargo or passenger rotorcraft and can carry up to seven people. The Mi171A2 is a modification of the Mi-8/17 military transport helicopter designed for passenger and VIP transport. The VPAF’s rotary aircraft operations is also being supported by a new MRO centre in April 2019. Set up by Klimov, an engine specialist owned by Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC), the new facility is initially specialising in the support of the TV3-117 and VK-2500 turboshaft engines and is located in the southern city of Vung Tau, where the VPAF and several commercial helicopter operators maintain bases. “The centre is equipped with all necessary equipment, spare parts, and assemblies to provide repairs for engines designed by UEC-Klimov,” Russian defence industrial group Rostec. “By the end of April four more engines in use in Vietnam will go through repairs in the centre.” AMR
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THE STRATEGIC UTILITY OF DIEGO GARCIA By Ben Ho
L
ast month’s vote by the United Nations General Assembly to end Britain’s control of the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean has cast a spotlight on the key American military base on Diego Garcia. The non-binding vote was overwhelmingly in favour of the British Government, which rules the Chagos as a British Indian Ocean Territory, returning them to Mauritius. This came after a similarly non-binding International Court of Justice ruling in February that the Chagos was not legally separated from the Mauritius upon the latter’s independence from British colonial rule in 1965. Diego Garcia is the largest of the Chagos, and Britain has leased the base on it to the Americans up to 2036. The atoll has supported various major operations in the Indian Ocean region in decades past, and its role as a key US military base will continue in the face of an uncertain regional security outlook. As the old axiom goes, ‘geography is destiny’, and Diego Garcia’s location is what makes it such a crucial node in Washington’s Indian Ocean strategy. According to naval strategist Milan Vego, a professor at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, a “good… base should provide more than one line of operations,” because a “a base situated on an island or peninsula fronting the open sea usually offers multiple lines of operations.” This describes Diego Garcia
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exactly, as one can see that the northern approaches to the island, toward which friendly forces are likely to deploy, are entire open ocean and allow for greater freedom of action. Indeed, Diego Garcia is almost smack in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and is nearly equidistant between the restive ‘Arch of Crisis’ region as well as the south-east Asia littoral. Past events show that Diego Garcia is the point d’appui for multiple lines of operations. Strategic bombers from its airstrip flew northwest to partake in Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In recent years, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa littoral also originated from the atoll. And last year, B-52 Stratofortress bombers took off from Diego Garcia to conduct ostensibly freedom-of-navigation missions in the South China Sea, which is east of the island. Diego Garcia’s location is also noteworthy due to its isolation – the nearest landfall is over 1,600 kilometres away in India and it is some 3,500km away from a potential area of operations in the northern Arabian Sea. This state of affairs cuts both ways. Vego maintains that “a balance must be found between selecting a base that is close to the prospective theatre of operations and one that is further away but provides more security from enemy attack.” In this regard, Diego Garcia is safe from most enemy fires, save for long-range weaponry like intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as sea-launched cruise missiles. On the other hand, the island’s remoteness afflicts it with the ‘tyranny of distance’. Only long-range aircraft such as strategic bombers can deploy from the island towards southern Eurasia without inflight refuelling. In the same vein, any naval force deploying from Diego Garcia toward the same area would need a few days to reach their destination. Another aspect of Diego Garcia’s
| Asian Military Review |
geography is that it is the only US base in the Indian Ocean littoral where there are not as many issues pertaining to access compared to other bases. After all, it is leased from America’s staunchest ally, Britain, and its only inhabitants are military and civilian support personnel of these two nations – there are no locals whatsoever as they had been expelled in 1971. Indeed, local political sensitivities may hinder US access to their foreign bases in times of crisis. Think of Turkey’s refusal to allow US forces to deploy from its soil against Iraq in 2003. What is more, Diego Garcia is virtually immune to terrorist attacks. Going forward, while prophesying is a fool’s errand in the capricious world of international politics, it is arguably safe to say that the US presence on Diego Garcia is unlikely to be affected in the short term at least. After all, the UN vote is symbolic and non-binding. Moreover, even if Mauritius does regain control of the Chagos in the more distant future, it makes much financial sense for it to continue to lease Diego Garcia military base to an external power. The issue then is that this power could be someone other than the United States. Beijing has been active in extending its influence in the Indian Ocean in recent years through the courting of regional states such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan with this trend set to continue. It is also worth noting that Mauritius signed on with the Beltand-Road initiative last year. A Chinese foothold in the Chagos makes much strategic sense given that they flank the vital sea lines of communication between China and the oil-producing countries in the Persian Gulf, hence contributing to the security of these shipping routes.
Note: Ben Ho is an associate research fellow with the military studies programme at Singapore’s Rajaratnam School of International Studies. E-mail: iswbh@ntu.edu.sg
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