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Regional trade shows are increasingly vital to showcasing the rise in the Gulf defence industry, says Andrew Drwiega
he initial fanfare and celebrations (except in France) that followed the announcement on 15 September 2021 of the AUKUS trilateral pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, promised a whole new level of strategic security that would be put in place, most notably with the development and introduction into service of up to eight nuclear powered (not nuclear armed) attack submarines for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
During a trilateral press conference, then Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that “the first major initiative for AUKUS would be to deliver a nuclear powered submarine fleet for Australia.” He added that they would be built in Australia, in Adelaide, in close cooperation with the other two nations, who already own both nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines and attack submarines.
Following this, then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson emphasised that “it would be one of the most complex and technically demanding projects in the world lasting decades and requiring the most advanced technology.” He added that “only a handful of countries posses nuclear powered submarines and it is a momentous decision for any nation to acquire this formidable capability.”
Finally US President called the development of a nuclear submarine a “a strategic mission” to provide the RAN with “conventionally armed, nuclear submarines”. Biden stated that an 18 month consultation period was set “to determine every element of the programme.”
Since then however, concerns have grown regarding just how long the development and procurement process will take, with some estimates indicating that the submarines would not enter service until the 2050s. Buying modern conventional submarines would be much quicker and would reduce the need to maintain the existing, aged Collins-class submarines through an expensive life extension programme.
There have also been concerns raised in the US over the AUKUS deal detracting from the US Navy’s own nuclear submarine capability and sustainment capacities, and there are of course civil objections in Australia over the establishment of nuclear facilities of any type.
China has naturally been strongly opposed to the AUKUS collaboration, and has even appealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency to try and get the nuclear submarine project halted - which is of course ironic as China has a history of picking and choosing which rules from international bodies it abides by or ignores. One such example was the 2016 ruling by the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration rules in favour of the Philippines that China’s claims to sovereignty over the South China Sea (claimed though the ‘nine-dash line’) were illegal.
Better clarity and a way forward should come from the multi-agency Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce report due in March 2023. But it is apparent that there is also a wider vision at play. Minister for Defence Richard Marles stated at the 11th biennial Submarine Institute of Australia conference hosted in Canberra in November 2022, that there would be “enormous benefit’ derived from the programme “not only in terms of jobs and an increased workforce, but in relation to Australia’s investment in science and technology.”
Once again as often happens in defence, short term ‘make do’ is playing against much longer term economic opportunity and stronger defence capability. And there may even be a time when Australia wants its own nuclear deterrence.
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Photographic record made during the unpaved runway test campaign. C-390 MILLENNIUMAmerican, European and Russian manufacturers have long dominated the global defence market. However, Asia’s footprint has been growing, and this has been increasingly evident over the past few years.
In late 2022, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released annual figures measuring the world’s top 100 arms manufacturers, which cumulatively sold $592 billion worth of equipment. In that list, SIPRI named a record number of 21 Asia-Pacific firms.
Based on 2021 data, Hanwha Aerospace reached 50th position, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) 65th, LIG Nex1 71st and Hanwha Corporation 82nd within SIPRI’s top 100 rankings. They enjoyed combined sales of $7.2 billion in 2021, representing a 3.6 percent increase. However, last year was a standout one for South Korea, such that these conglomerates are certain to race up the ranks in the coming year.
These companies enjoyed enormous success in 2022, as South Korea challenged sales with the world’s best.
In January 2022, there was an agreement to sell KM-SAM air defence systems to the United Arab Emirates. This missile deal, reportedly worth $3.76 billion, benefits Hanwha Defense (launchers and resupply vehicles), Hanwha Systems (X-band radars) and LIG Nex1 (missiles and system integration).
This was soon followed by Hanwha Defense’s February contract for hundreds of K9A1 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH) to Egypt. However, that was just an entrée, for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spurred wary neighbours like Poland to spend heavily. What ensued in late August were contracts for 180 K2 main battle tanks (MBT) from Hyundai Rotem, 212 K9A1 SPHs and 288 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers from Hanwha Defense, and 48 FA-50 trainers/fighters from KAI.
Seoul has been industrious in fulfilling these contracts – in a little over three months after contract signature, the first 24 K9s and ten K2s were unloaded in Gdynia on 5 December 2022. Quick deliveries to Poland were possible since vehicles were diverted from the originally intended South Korean army customer. Furthermore, KAI will deliver the first dozen FA-50s this year too.
Hanwha Defense will also establish K9 production and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in Poland from 2026, and this hub will expand the firm’s European presence. Such swift deliveries – in contrast to stunningly tardy programmes like the British Army’s Ajax infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) – add to the current lustre of South Korea’s defence industry.
Indeed, the K9 SPH community now spans Australia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, India, Norway, Poland, South Korea and Turkey. In December 2021, Canberra ordered 30 AS9 Huntsman SPHs and 15 AS10 ammunition resupply vehicles from Hanwha Defense Australia. In addition, the company’s AS21 Redback is one of two shortlisted contenders for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 3 project. This programme is slated to procure 450 new IFVs, although this number is likely to diminish and a decision has been deferred till at least Q2 of 2023.
Regarding Land 400 Phase 3, Tim Pickford, director Business Development and Strategy at Hanwha Defense Australia, was only able to inform Asian Military Review“, that “we’re being as supportive of, and as understanding as we can be, of the position of the Commonwealth government…”
Hanwha Defense Australia is constructing an assembly facility near Geelong, Victoria, where AS9/AS10 and potentially AS21 Redbacks will be built. Pickford confirmed the facility is “not just for the Australian market … It’s going to be built in stages. Obviously stage one supports our current projects and opportunities which we’re pursuing.” If other contracts emerge, this will catalyse an even larger facility.
Pickford addressed the growing stature of South Korean companies such as Hanwha. “People now value some of the fundamental characteristics of Korean manufacturers and defence industry, which include reliability, robustness and easy-to-use systems that
Asian companies are rapidly populating the higher end of the world’s top 100 defence manufacturers.This photo shows the first K9 155mm self-propelled howitzers arriving at Polish docks in December 2022. This was a mere three months after a contract was signed. Hanwha Defense
are at the higher end of technology … I think it’s overall global confidence in the quality, reliability and price that you can get from a Korean product.”
Pickford added that South Korea’s large-scale manufacturing excellence and Australia’s smaller manufacturers that produce cost-effectively are “a good starting point to bring those two synergistic and complementary approaches and ways together, to create an industrial base in Australia that creates self-reliance in Australia but also, very importantly, provides strategic support and a secondary supply chain for the Korean Peninsula as well.”
The latter point is an interesting one. It benefits South Korea to diversify its manufacturing base, since major industrial sites in places like Changwon are threatened by North
Tim Pickford, director Hanwha Defense Australia
Korea. Furthermore, Hanwha Defense Australia has a “very important role to play in fostering closer defence alliances between Korea and Australia”.
Hanwha would like to gain a larger foot in the Five Eyes door, especially in the USA. In 2021, South Korea exported just $95 million worth of equipment to the US, but this is small considering that the market is worth billions.
Pickford elaborated: “For many, many years, Korea has worked very closely with us and other coalition forces regionally, and we just felt that it was a natural progression to start to develop services, products and technologies that can be offered into the Five Eyes community.”
Hanwha is aware of barriers to entry into such a tight community,
but munitions are a good example of potential cooperation. “We’re working hard in terms of 155mm systems and charge modular charge systems to ensure we can create interoperability with the US and other forces.”
What are the ingredients to success for Hanwha? Pickford highlighted rule number one, that equipment has to work right the first time. Weapons also have to be simple to operate and train on, as well as affordable. Furthermore, the South Korean government offers good support to exporters, and permits technology transfer.
As for KAI, it has done very well with the T-50 aircraft, and it has hopes for the KF-21 Boramae fighter too. Nonetheless, exporting remains hard work; despite KAI and Airbus Helicopters earlier talking up the Surion helicopter’s export potential, for example, not one export has occurred to date.
China booming
China possesses Asia’s largest military industrial complex. Returning to SIPRI’s top 100 arms companies, its 2022 list placed seven Chinese companies in the top 20 alone. Most demand comes from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), but China is very successful at selling on the open market too.
According to SIPRI, Norinco came in at number seven, AVIC at eight, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) at nine, CETC at ten, and China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (CASIC) ranked eleventh. These were followed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in 14th spot, China South Industries Group Corporation at 20, and China National Nuclear Corporation at 64. These stateowned entities achieved sales of $109 billion, up 6.3 percent compared to 2020. Incidentally, Norinco’s sales rocketed 11
“People now value some of the fundamental characteristics of Korean manufacturers and defence industry, which include reliability, robustness and easy-to-use systems that are at the higher end of technology…”KAI’s T-50 Golden Eagle has done well on the international market, with users including Indonesia, Iraq, the Philippines, Poland, South Korea and Thailand. Gordon Arthur Chinese state-owned firm Norinco makes the VT5 light tank for the export market, as well as the ZTQ15 variant for the PLA. Bangladesh was its first export client. Gordon Arthur
percent to $21.6 billion.
China is almost exclusively selfreliant, and one of its most recent achievements is mastering fighter jet engines. This is sure to encourage more future fighter exports.
SIPRI added: “Signs of consolidation have been observed in China’s arms industry since the mid-2010s, which marked a reversal of previous structural reforms aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness by breaking up sector monopolies. In 2021 the two largest shipbuilders in China, CSIC and CSSC, finalised a merger to form a new entity operating under the name CSSC…” Indeed, CSSC was the world’s largest military shipbuilder in 2021.
For China, there is deliberate synergy between naval and commercial shipbuilding, with each sector benefitting the other in a symbiotic relationship. For instance, in 2021, China produced 26.863 million gross tons of new commercial vessels, South Korea 19.687 million tons and Japan 10.726 million tons. The rest of the world produced just 3.43 million tons of commercial shipping. The rate of Chinese naval shipbuilding is astonishing, with annual output typically surpassing the entire tonnage of Southeast Asian naval fleets.
Chinese products prove popular in Asia, Africa and the Middle East in particular. Its three largest clients in the past five years have been Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand. The former purchased four Type 054A/P Tughrilclass frigates (the first two were commissioned last year), eight Type 039 Hangor-class submarines, JF-17 fighters, hundreds of VT4 MBTs and SH15 truckmounted howitzers from China.
Meanwhile, deliveries of VT5 tanks
are ongoing to Bangladesh. Chinese UAVs are also popular, including the Wing Loong and CH-4/CH-5 families. Thailand has turned increasingly to China thanks to pricing and Beijing’s acceptance of military rule there. Thailand’s army procured numerous VT4 tanks and VN1 IFVs. It is also awaiting an S26T submarine, though that is being stymied by Germany’s refusal to export a suitable engine and Bangkok’s reluctance to accept a Chinese alternative. Also due for delivery this year is a Thai Type 071E landing platform dock (LPD).
Japan looks to collaborate
In SIPRI’s top 100 listing, Mitsubishi achieved 35th place, Kawasaki 54th, Fujitsu 77th and IHI 89th. Serving almost exclusively the domestic market, these four companies saw their aggregate
arms sales drop 1.4 percent to $9 billion in 2021.
On the international market, Tokyo has been held back by its pacifist Constitution and a reluctance to export combat equipment, though it is gradually diverging from those strictures. One recent success was the 2020 sale of Mitsubishi Electric J/FPS-3ME air surveillance radars to the Philippines. Companies such as Kawasaki have been attempting to sell the C-2 transport aircraft, but major breakthroughs are hard to come by.
Japan’s tie-up with Italy and the UK for the Global Combat Air Programme fighter is a notable one, with Tokyo dumping the USA in favour of European collaboration.
India’s home focus
India’s two state-run companies –Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) at 42 on the SIPRI list, and Bharat Electronics at 63 – achieved their positions due to domestic sales. Incidentally, Indian Ordnance Factories dropped from the list because it restructured into seven smaller companies in October 2021.
India often relies more on parochial hype than it does on state-of-the-art technology. HAL, for example, has not achieved much success with its helicopters and aircraft on the export market. It has high hopes for the Tejas fighter, but it is undeniable that Indian companies underperform on the international arena. One notable exception was the 2022 sale of three
BrahMos missile batteries to the Philippines.
Involving the private sector instead of inefficient state-run entities is positive, and this is seen in such programmes as Larsen & Toubro’s assembly of K9 155mm SPHs. Such companies are perhaps the most likely to pick up export contracts.
Niche areas
ST Engineering from Singapore achieved 57th place in SIPRI’s list, while Australian-headquartered Austal squeezed in at 97. Indonesia is attempting to boost its indigenous defence base through technology transfer, though its potential remains at the nascent stage. PT PAL built two LPDs for the Philippine Navy, and last year won a contract for two more.
There are plentiful opportunities for niche manufacturers around the Asia-Pacific region, and Asian Military Review spoke to one such, Australian based Electro Optic Systems (EOS), about its range of remote weapon stations (RWS). Exports make up 80 percent of its business, explained Matt Jones, executive vice-president of EOS Defence Systems.
EOS is meeting ongoing requirements for lightweight RWS for vehicles such as special forces all-terrain vehicles, or RWS for logistics vehicles to keep occupants safe. Another area of growth is heavier RWS with weapons like Northrop Grumman’s Mk44 30mm cannon. Jones explained: “Militaries don’t want to necessarily replace a vehicle platform with a new vehicle, but they do want to bring 21st-century firepower, accuracy and authority onto a platform they’ve been operating for 10, 20, 30 years.”
This is occurring in second-hand vehicles handed over to Ukraine, for example. “It’s a way of seeing significant capability enhancement without the billion-dollar investment you require to replace an entire vehicle fleet. You can leverage existing infrastructure, training facilities and experience on vehicle platforms, and add a new highfirepower modern system, which is what we’re doing with a range of customers at the moment,” Jones elaborated.
Trends in modern warfare are creating other growth area for EOS too. These include counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) engagements, with huge benefits to be gained by using an existing RWS to hit both ground targets
and UAVs. Directed energy for C-UAS tasks is another area of investment. Right now, EOS is also delivering its first naval R400 30mm cannon RWS weapons to a Middle East customer, and it has worked with Elbit Systems to develop the T2000 unmanned turret.
Jones continued: “The other thing we’re doing is a lot of work in the UGV [unmanned ground vehicle] space. UGVs are obviously a fast-evolving capability area. Increasingly, we see the battlespace thinning out, and more UGVs or unmanned or uninhabited systems being employed in the air, ground and at sea. And as that occurs, those systems when they’re armed need to be equipped with something like a remote weapon station. So we’re working with at least five different countries at the moment in support of their individual development programmes for the development of tactics, techniques and procedures for the employment of UGVs.”
Jones said EOS is a globally focused company. “Our major delivery contracts have been into the Middle East, and we’re growing opportunities in Europe and North America. But I’ll also say that our success in those places has been built off the back of our success in the local market. We can’t go completely global and ignore the local market. We’re an Australian company; we bring Australian values and expertise and technology to the market.”
What drives EOS’ success as an exporter? Jones shared: “I think, to be completely brutally honest, the
Australian government doesn’t provide a lot of support … Really, from my point of view, it’s about our people and our engineering capability. EOS is a research house with an engineering pedigree and a passion for excellence.”
Australia’s defence procurement agencies are particularly demanding, but Jones said the silver lining is that “they really hone your project management, engineering, preparation, documentation and expertise, and then that really gives you a very strong standing when we do go into the global market”.
With Russia embroiled in war, its defence exports are likely to take a hit as supplying the Russian military takes precedence. Ethically, some countries will decide to no longer do business with Russia (one obvious example is the Philippine cancellation of an Mi171 helicopter contract), while Western countries have imposed sanctions against Russian defence contractors. This may well enhance Asia’s ability to intrude even more into Russian territory in terms of defence market share.
A combination of innovation, price and reliability is seeing Asia’s share of the international defence market steadily rising. This is exemplified by South Korea’s almost meteoric rise, although it must be remembered that this only follows deliberate investment and support from the South Korean government over many years.
Typical GBAD systems comprise guns, surface-to-air missiles (SAM) or a combination of both. They can be classified into man-portable, short-, medium- and long-range systems. In fact, the most effective air defence umbrella will consist of a network of different systems, combined with radars and other sensors, to prevent the ingress of air threats.
India has indigenous SAMs such as the Akash, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics (BDL). In development is the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), a variant of the Barak 8, in conjunction with Israel Aerospace Industries under a 2017 contract worth $1.6 billion. The army would like five regiments of the MRSAM which will have a 43 mile (70km) range. Another missile yet to be inducted is the shortrange QRSAM.
by Gordon Arthur
The importance of groundbased air defence (GBAD) has been brought into sharp relief by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At time of writing (early January), Ukraine claimed to have shot down 281 Russian aircraft, 266 helicopters, 1,680 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and 653 cruise missiles.
These figures, even if overinflated, have been achieved primarily through GBAD.
Against such threats, GBAD is a persistent and cost-effective form of defence compared to commissioning additional fighter squadrons. Air defence is even more critical given the proliferation of UAVs and loitering munitions on today’s battlefields.
Quite apart from obsolete Russianmade mobile SAM systems like the 9K33 Osa, ZSU-23-4M Shilka and 2K22 Tunguska, the Indian Army’s air defence capability is sorely lacking. The army’s plight is not helped by labyrinthine procurement processes. For example, on 7 October 2022, the army reissued a Request for Proposal (RfP) for 220 towed antiaircraft guns plus 141,576 ammunition rounds under the country’s Buy and Make (Indian) procurement category.
The new towed guns must weigh less than 7 tons and will replace geriatric Bofors L/70 and ZU-23-2B weapons dating from the 1960s that defend military installations and border areas.
In 2012, the then chief of army staff had warned that 97 percent of army air defence weapons were obsolete. Little has been done to rectify this sad state. Indeed, Hanwha Defense’s tracked K30 Biho Hybrid had seemed in pole position to win a contract for 104 systems, but India’s MoD scrapped that in September 2020 after Russia protested the defeat of Tangushka M1 and Pantsir systems in a competition.
Nonetheless, gun systems are still in favour in Asia-Pacific. Oerlikon makes the GDF 007 featuring twin 35mm cannons. Regionally, the GDF 007, or its predecessors, is in service with Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. The
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought the need for militaries to protect their forces with ground-based air defence into sharp perspectiveKongsberg/Raytheon’s NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) claims to be the world’s first operational Network Centric Short to Medium Range Ground Based Air Defence System. Australia’s long-serving RBS 70 air defence system from Saab, about to be superseded by comprehensive NASAMS batteries from Kongsberg. Gordon Arthur
Royal Thai Army ordered four Skyguard 3 fire control radars and eight GDF 007s from Rheinmetall in 2015, which were delivered to Thailand in 2018.
The Australian Army has long relied on Saab’s man-portable RBS 70 for battlefield air defence, while the country’s air force does not possess any GBAD systems whatsoever. Given the growing military threat from China, Australia is rectifying defensive gaps with capabilities such as the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
Australia announced a NASAMS acquisition contract with Raytheon Australia in July 2019. Worth $1.04 billion, Project Land 19 Phase 7B will acquire two batteries of Mk 2 canister launchers; Hawkei-based High-Mobility Launchers for four AIM-120 C-7 or AIM-9X Block II missiles; fire distribution centres; CEA Tactical (CEATAC) active electronically scanned array primary fire control radars mounted on Thales Hawkeis; long-range CEA Operational (CEAOPS) radars mounted on MAN HX77 8x8 trucks; and mast-mounted Raytheon AN/AAS-52 Multispectral Targeting System MTS-A EO sensors carried by Hawkeis.
In late 2022, Raytheon Australia received the first NASAMS fire distribution centres and Mk 2 canister launchers from Kongsberg Defence Australia, a milestone towards achieving an initial operating capability (IOC) in mid-2023. With an emphasis on sovereign capability, a level of 60 percent Australian industrial involvement will be achieved in the project.
As Australia creates an Integrated Air and Missile Defence network, it is also seeking a medium-range GBAD weapon under Project Air 6502 Phase 1. Responses to an RfP were received in 2022 and, upon further government consideration, initial elements could be delivered later this decade.
One GBAD system doing well in AsiaPacific is Rafael’s SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby). The latest recipient is the Philippines, joining existing regional customers India, Singapore and Vietnam. Manila inducted its first SPYDER Medium Range systems at Basa Air Base on 8 November 2022.
The Philippine Air Force procured three batteries for $132.8 million in 2019, with three missile firing units mounted on Tatra 815-7 8x8 trucks in each battery. The third battery is due for delivery this year. As part of the contract, a missile maintenance facility will be established in the Philippines, plus a simulator training centre was inaugurated last April.
Rafael told Asian Military Review: “The SPYDER system is now in use by several different countries around the globe, and there is considerable interest in the system throughout Asia.”
The spokesperson added: “SPYDER’s effectiveness is allowed through cutting-edge technology and open architecture that allows the system to be constantly improved without considerable structural changes. The fact that it has already been operationally proven provides not only evidence of its capabilities, but also allows the system to be better upgraded. Its various configurations and models allow a user to choose a system that best provides for its particular defence needs. The openarchitecture concept, beyond that, allows for the system to be adapted, altered and specifically tailored to the user’s needs.”
Rafael referenced the 2021 sale of SPYDER to the Czech Republic as a “monumental achievement,” since it was the first time a NATO member procured Israeli GBAD systems. Rafael also offers the Drone Dome, Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems.
European missile house MBDA offers a wide range of air defence solutions, including the Mistral MANPADS, VL MICA/VL MICA NG, CAMM, Sky Warden counter-UAS (C-UAS) and SAMP/T for theatre ballistic-missile defence.
An MBDA spokesperson told AMR, “Across Asia, many nations trust in MBDA’s systems to provide vital ground-based air defence equipment for the defence of their nation’s vital infrastructure and armed forces units. Today, our Rapier, Mistral, VL MICA and Aster missiles are all in service in the Asia-Pacific region providing groundbased air defence.” The representative added that MBDA is “seeing strong interest from many [regional] countries”.
MBDA highlighted: “Many armed forces are experiencing a rising threat from UAVs and loitering munitions and, to meet this challenge, MBDA has launched Sky Warden. This is a flexible and scalable integrated system designed for the effective defeat of small drones and loitering munitions. Based around an intelligent C2 with open architecture for easy integration of the widest range of sensors and soft-/hard-kill effectors, Sky Warden provides highly effective C-UAS and VSHORAD air defence.”
Another European company to enjoy regional success is Thales with its Starstreak missile. Customers include Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Russian GBAD platforms remain popular with traditional customers such as India,
Myanmar and Vietnam. However, the Ukraine war and other conflicts such as Libya and Syria are raising questions over the effectiveness of some Russian equipment. Both India and China procured the S-400 long-range system, the latter’s purchase perhaps surprising. Yet China’s interest in the S-400 indicated there is perhaps still Russian technology that Beijing wishes to master.
China is in the enviable position of having a glut of GBAD systems from which to choose! State-owned conglomerates offer a bewildering range of solutions, many already in People’s Liberation Army (PLA) service, like PGZ95, PGZ07 and PGL12 self-propelled antiaircraft guns; short-range HQ-6A, HQ-7B and HQ-17/17A SAMs; mediumrange HQ-12 and HQ-16 SAMs; and longer-range HQ-9 and HQ-22 SAMs.
Even more systems appeared at last November’s Zhuhai Air Show. One was an in-service HQ-9B featuring a slimmer missile than the original, thus allowing eight to be carried instead of four. While the smaller-diameter missile will have a shorter range, it will presumably improve an HQ-9 battery’s ability to defeat saturation attacks.
Also debuting at Zhuhai were the FK3000, HQ-16FE, HQ-11 and Type 625E. The FK-3000, mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis, integrates two SAM types (six FK-3000/L for larger airborne targets, and 48 smaller FK-3000/S missiles for UAVs), a 30mm cannon, 15 mile (25km) range radar and radio jammer. This combination defends against targets in the 1,000ft-12 mile (300m-12km) range, and even comes with the option of two
tracked unmanned launch vehicles.
The HQ-16FE is a fourth-generation medium-/long-range SAM mounted on a 6x6 truck. Six vertically launched missiles can intercept aircraft at claimed ranges of 100 miles (160km), compared to 50 miles (80km) for the PLA’s existing HQ-16B.
Moving to the HQ-11, it is described as a universal terminal defence system able to counter guided bombs, missiles and aircraft at low-to-medium altitudes. It was displayed by the PLA Air Force, confirming it is already operational. The HQ-11 comprises an 8x8 launcher vehicle (with eight missiles), a Type 1130 closein weapon system vehicle and command vehicle.
Another newcomer at Zhuhai was the Type 625E short-range integrated antiaircraft gun/missile system. Likely derived from the CS/SA5, its 8x8 chassis features a 25mm Gatling-type gun plus four canistered SAMs, and an EO/IR sensor and radar.
Both Taiwan and Japan use the American Raytheon MIM-401 Patriot and FIM-92A Stinger MANPADS, as well as a range of domestic GBAD types. Taiwan’s indigenous weapons include the Tien Chien family comprising TC-1 Antelope short-range and TC-2 medium-range SAMs, plus the larger Tien Kung family. The TK-II is a medium-range missile, while the longer-range TK-III adds an anti-ballistic-missile capability. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) produces an annual quota of these missiles.
Japan fields the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Type 87 self-propelled antiaircraft gun, as well as missiles like the Toshiba Type 91 MANPADS; Type 81, 93 and Type 11 short-range SAMs; and Type 03 medium-range SAM. Neither Japan nor Taiwan has ever exported their domestic GBAD systems.
The
Range
Detection ≥ 350 km - Interception ≥ 150 km
Mission-proven
Permanent protection of airspace
360° protection
Rotating radar and missile launched vertically
Mobility
Fast deployment on all kind of roads
Interoperability
Easy to integrate into all types of air defense network - Fitted for IAMD
Autonomy
Preserve sovereign employment in operation
Like China, South Korea is almost selfsufficient in air defence. The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) fields Hanwha’s K30 Biho Hybrid with twin 30mm cannons and LIG Nex1 KP-SAM Chiron missiles. Then, in 2021, the ROKA received its first Chunho Antiaircraft Gun Wheeled Vehicle System (AAGW) from Hanwha Defense, acquired under a $207.7 million contract. Based on Hyundai Rotem’s K808 chassis, the AAGW achieves a 95 percent indigenisation rate. With a range of 1.8 miles (3km), its twin 30mm cannons are paired with an electro-optic/infrared tracking system.
Hanwha Defense is also developing a 30-ton Biho II based on a Tigon 8x8 chassis. It will feature a New-Generation Air Defence System turret that can fit either a 30mm or 40mm cannon, plus eight short-range SAMs, four mediumrange missiles, and S-band and X-band radars.
Significantly, South Korea signed an memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates on 16 January 2022, covering KM-SAM Block II medium-range systems. Although
details are scant, the deal is reportedly worth $3.76 billion, encompassing Hanwha Defense for launchers and resupply vehicles, Hanwha Systems for X-band multifunction radars and LIG Nex1 for missiles and system integration. The ROK Air Force (ROKAF) has used the KM-SAM since 2016, but this was its first export sale.
Originally designed to replace ROKAF MIM-23 HAWKs, South Korea initially relied on Russian technical assistance for the KM-SAM. The 15ft (4.6m) long missile can intercept hostile aircraft and missiles at ranges below 25 miles (40km) and 65,500ft (20km) in altitude. Development of the Block II commenced in 2012, and Seoul announced in November 2020 that the first of seven ROKAF Block II batteries had entered service; production of the Block I ceased in April 2020.
C-UAS
UAVs and loitering munitions have evolved into a deadly menace for vehicles and soldiers anywhere on the battlefield. Instead of fielding expensive air defence artillery and missile systems, perhaps a more cost-effective method of dealing with them is through remotecontrolled weapon systems (RWS).
Matt Jones, executive vice president of Defence Systems at EOS, explained that his Australia-based company is working heavily in this area. By utilising its Titanis integrated C-UAS system, Jones said that EOS is already performing 3,200+ft (1+km) engagements with an R400 RWS armed with a 30mm cannon, and it is targeting a 1.2 mile (2km) range with a Mk44S cannon. “So with a system you’ve [already] deployed on a vehicle platform, you’re starting to have lethality solutions that can deal with both ground and air targets, and that’s not a capability currently offered in any other competitive systems, who don’t offer the accuracy and ranges we can achieve.”
Jones said EOS’ RWS with a C-UAS capability is “creating a lot more interest with our various markets at the moment because, obviously, the UAV threat is maturing, and loitering munitions are becoming increasingly a problem. And the last thing you want to do is introduce specialist platforms just to deal with UAVs. If you can deal with it with existing platforms with existing remote weapon stations, you actually save a lot of investment.”
Against cheap targets like small UAVs, directed energy provides many advantages too. Countries are pouring money into research and development of lasers, and EOS of Australia has been investing in directed energy for the past three years. Jones told AMR: “We’ve now fielded and successfully tested a 36 kilowatt directed-energy system that’s currently in a 20-foot container-based deployment option. It’s designed to work as part of the Titanis counter-UAS system as an effector like a cannon or a jammer. But it’s designed to engage drones up to group three.”
The 36kW system has an engagement range of 1.2 miles (2km), but that is undergoing further development with the aim of reaching 56kW and 2.4 miles (4km) range in a smaller form factor. “We’re shrinking it and making the power go up, over time.” This work is being carried on in conjunction with Singapore, and Jones said EOS has been contracted to run a number of trial and demonstration activities in Australia.
“That’s an investment in the future because, as we’re seeing in Ukraine with the proliferation of loitering munitions, drones, cruise missiles and other systems, the challenge isn’t necessarily shooting them down, the challenge is actually the supply chain getting the ammunition or missiles up to the system that engages the threats.” Therein lies the advantage of lasers, for, as long as electrical power is available, the weapon can continue engaging targets without the need for ammunition resupply.
Asked whether directed energy will be a major growth area, Jones responded, “Yes, very much. I think that we’re on the cusp of a transition in the technology. There has been a lot of promise for a number of decades, people have been promising lasers are coming. The lasers are here … So it’s definitely an emerging weapon technology that will only proliferate as it matures.”
Given that Russia invaded Ukraine less than a year ago, and that many militaries are still processing lessons learned from that conflict, AMR expects there to be a rising tide of interest in Asia-Pacific for GBAD systems in the months and years ahead. While American, Russian and European solutions are readily available, Asian countries such as China and South Korea are increasingly becoming exporters of air defence systems too.
Billed as the unglamorous role of most Air Forces, transports are the aircraft that no nation’s military can do without.
by David OliverAs tension grows in the Asia Pacific region highlighted by China’s threat to Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the focus has been on the acquisition of new fifth generation combat aircraft. There has, however, recently been a surge in replacing outdated transport aircraft fleets albeit that the numbers involved are relatively small.
The China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has for many years relied on a large fleet of the Shaanxi Y-8, a medium size, medium range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation in China, based on the Soviet-era Antonov An-12.
In 2008, the Xian Aircraft Industrial Corporation began the development of a large military transport aircraft, the Y-20, the first flight of which took place in 23 January, 2013. Powered by four 31,000lb trust Shenyang WS-20 turbofan engines, the Y-20 can carry up to 66 tons over a range of 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometres).
The first “non-warfare military operation” for the Y-20 after it was declared operational with the PLAAF in 2016 was as part of the large-scale domestic airlift to deliver medical personnel and supplies to the city of Wuhan, adjudged the epicentre of the massive coronavirus outbreak that emerged in late 2019. Six Y-20s airlifters, along with other transport aircraft such as the Ilyushin Il-76 and Y-8, arrived at Wuhan’s Tianhe International Airport in February 2019, bringing 947 personnel and 47 tons of cargo to the stricken city. With around 35 Y-20 currently in service, some of which have been adapted as aerial tankers, the YU-20s serve alongside the Russian Ilyushin Il-76 as the PLAAF’s primary heavy transports.
The YU-20s have also played an integral role part in the PLAAF’s regular and illegal incursions into Taiwan’s airspace that nearly doubled in 2022, with a surge in fighter jet and bomber sorties as Beijing intensified threats towards the island democracy. In total,
China sent 1,727 planes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in 2022, according to daily updates released by Taipei’s defence ministry.
The only other country in the region to develop an indigenous jet-powered airlifter, is Japan. The Kawasaki C-2 was developed to replace the Japan Air SelfDefence Force (JASDF) fleets of Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, announced in December 2001. After a protracted development, the first production C-2s were finally introduced into service with the JASDF in November 2017, by which time there was a requirement for only 14 aircraft. C-2 can carry a payload of 36 tons over a range of 2,800 miles (4,500km). Fourteen C-2s have been delivered to date, some which have been converted to RC-2 electronic intelligence platforms. They serve alongside the JASDF’s fleet of 14 C-130H medium transports.
Early versions of the C-130 Hercules
remain the mainstay of several other air forces transport fleets including Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand. Others, including Australia, India and New Zealand have ordered the C-130J Super Hercules.
Indian ordered six Super Hercules in 2008 followed by another six in 2011. The Indian Air Force (IAF) also has a larger fleet of obsolete HAL-built HS 748 light transport aircraft which are due to be replaced by the Airbus C295. In September 2021, the Indian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Airbus associated with TATA for the acquisition of 56 C295MW transport aircraft and related equipment. The first 16 fly-away aircraft are scheduled to be received between September 2023 and August 2025. The first 'Made in India' aircraft is expected a year later. All 56 aircraft will be fitted with indigenous electronic warfare suites of Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) from Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics.
The IAF also has a fleet of 105 Russian-built An-32 medium transports which are still in service. The entire fleet has undergoing modernisation and 35 upgraded An-32s have been delivered by the Ukrainian company Ukrspetsexport. The upgrades include modern avionics equipment, new oxygen systems and improved crew seats, but after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it is unlikely that any more will be delivered and the remaining aircraft may be upgraded in India. With their future uncertain, the plan to also replace them
with C295s may be brought forward, but with only a small number ordered to date, this will be a long process.
The IAF’s airlifter fleet of 10 Russian Il-78MDs has been supplemented by 12 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft. In June 2009, the IAF selected the C-17A for its Very Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft requirement and in January 2010, requested 10 C-17As through the United State’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The IAF and Boeing agreed terms for a $4.1 billion order of 10 aircraft in February 2011 with deliveries beginning in June 2013. However, when India exercised its option for six additional aircraft, the C-17A was no
longer in production.
In 2009 the IAF chose the Airbus A330 multi-role transport tanker (MRTT) aircraft capable of performing mid-air refuelling to supplement its fleet of six Russian Il-78s. However, an order for six aircraft was cancelled in 2010 due to the high cost.
Australia did order the Airbus A330 MRTT, designated as KC-30A in Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) service. They are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E1A3 engines and configured to carry up to 270 passengers plus 34 tons of cargo. Australia initially arranged to procure four MRTTs in 2005 with an option to obtain a fifth. It was not until June 2011 that the first was handed over to the RAAF. In July 2015, the Australian Ministry of Defence announced the order of two additional KC-30s, to be converted from A330-200s previously operated by the Australian airline Qantas to be delivered in 2018.
Singapore also placed an order for six A330 MRTTs that attained full operational capability in April 2021, and South Korea is taking delivery of four of the tanker/transport aircraft designated KC-330 Cygnus in ROKAF service.
Australia is also the only other Asia Pacific operator of the C-17A, the first of eight of which were delivered in 2008. Other RAAF transport assets include 10 Leonardo C-27J Spartan medium transports and 12 C-130J-30s. In October 2022, the US State Department approved a possible FMS to Australia of an additional 24 C-130J-30 Super Hercules
aircraft and related equipment including Rolls Royce AE-2100 turboprop engines, for an estimated cost of $6.35 billion.
This followed an announcement by the New Zealand government in June 2020 that a fleet of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules would replace the current fleet of C-130H Hercules operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The C-130J had been selected as the preferred platform in 2019 and the aircraft and a full mission flight simulator are being acquired through the US FMS process. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2024, with all five aircraft in country by mid-2025. Among other transport aircraft evaluated by the RNZAF were the Kawasaki C-2 and Embraer C-390 Millennium.
A surprise announcement was made
In the 2021 UK Defence Review to retire the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) fleet of 14 C-130J-30 C.4 Hercules medium-transport aircraft that support special forces. The aircraft would be prematurely retired in 2023 with no obvious replacement, when many other countries were ordering new fleets of Super Hercules.
Bangladesh had already ordered withdrawn surplus ‘short-bodied’ C-130Js, designated C.5s in RAF service, in two batches of two and three aircraft in 2018 and earlier in 2019, respectively
to replace its C-130B Hercules. The contracts were initially revealed via maintenance contracts announced by Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (ADG).
The first of the five aircraft was rolled out by Marshall ADG during an official ceremony in mid-July 2019. The company carried out comprehensive depth maintenance and important modifications on all the aircraft including capability enhancements such as medical evacuation, avionics upgrades,
and the provision of a passenger transport configuration. It also modified the aircraft, including designing, developing, and installing medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) capability to enable the Bangladesh Air Force to carry out tasks within the country and overseas in support of United Nations (UN) missions.
It has been reported that India is one of several countries showing interest in acquiring some of the RAF’s C.4 Hercules when they are finally withdrawn from service later this year (2023).
Indonesia’s multi-fleets
Indonesia has a large fleet of transport aircraft including 19 early variants of the C-130 Hercules. The first of five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s ordered for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) in 2019 conducted its first test flight in November 2022. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2023.
In January 2017, Indonesia had approved the acquisition of five Airbus A400M Atlas multi-role aircraft worth $2 billion, as part of plans to boost the country's military capabilities. They were to be acquired in both transport and utility configurations and be operated by the TNI-AU Aviation Squadrons 31 and 32. However, it was not until November 2021 that Airbus confirmed that the Indonesian Ministry of Defense had signed a deal with Airbus for two A400Ms configured for Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) role, with an option, in the form of a letter of intent
(LoI), for four additional aircraft. This would be the first A400M sale for more than a decade, when four aircraft entered service with the Royal Malaysian Air Force in 2015.
The TNI-AU operates eight CN235M-110 light transport aircraft while five CN235-220s are in service with the Indonesian Navy as maritime patrol aircraft. The CN235M is built by the state-owned Indonesian aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) which has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defense for the supply of two CN235-200 MPAs, worth some $48 million. This will bring the number operated by the Indonesian Navy to seven aircraft. In 2018 PT DI received an order for two CN235M-220 aircraft from the Nepalese Military for $30 million. Other CN235M operators in the region include, Brunei, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand.
A derivative of the CN235 is the Airbus C295 medium tactical transport aircraft, originally developed by the Spanish aerospace company CASA in the 1990s. The twin-turboprop C295 is capable of performing a wide variety of missions including parachute and cargo dropping, electronic signals intelligence (ELINT), MEDEVAC, and maritime patrol. It can carry 71 fully equipped troops or 9 tons of cargo.
A key country for the C295 has been Indonesia where PTDI performs the final assembly of C295s for customers within Indonesia. The TNI-AU operates nine C295Ws while another serves with the Indonesian National Police for personnel and logistics. The Bangladesh Army Aviation Group operates two C295W aircraft, as does the Royal Thai Army. The Vietnam People’s Air Force operates three C295Ms and the Philippine Air Force has two C295Ms and two C295Ws
with another on order as part of the PAF’s Medium Lift Aircraft (Phase 2) Acquisition Project. The Royal Brunei Air Force also ordered a C295 to become the eight customer in the Asia Pacific region.
Enter Embraer
Having lost out to the C-130J for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s contract to replace its Hercules fleet, in September 2022 Embraer signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various South Korean aerospace companies including ASTG, EMK and Kencoa to produce parts locally to enable its C-390 Millennium transport aircraft to meet the requirements of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) National Large Transport Aircraft (LTA II) competition. The LTA II programme, officially launched earlier involves a dozen midsize military transport aircraft to be delivered to the ROKAF starting in 2026 to replace its venerable C-130H Hercules. Bidders have until October 2025 to submit their bids. As the ROKAF already operates four C-130J Super Hercules that were delivered in 2014, Lockheed Martin as well as Airbus are expected to participate in the competition.
Embraer recently successfully completed flight testing of the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) certification campaign, which provides the C-390 Millennium with the required capability to perform firefighting missions. The C-390 Millennium and its aerial refuelling configuration, the KC-390, are being promoted to Asian Pacific countries by Embraer as the new generation of multi-mission military transport delivering mobility and cargo capacity, rapid re-configuration, high availability, enhanced comfort, as well as optimal management of reduced operational costs throughout its lifecycle, all on a single platform.
The MLG27-4.0 includes a series of technological innovations compared to previous models and is equipped with daylight cameras, infrared sensors and laser rangefinders designed to improve effectiveness against asymmetric threats.
There is a growing need to add remote weapons stations onto naval vessels to counter a range of emerging threats such as UAVs/USVs and swarming.
by Tim FishRemote weapon stations (RWS) for naval vessels offer a significant improvement in combat capabilities compared to manned weapons. One major advantage is that crew members can operate the weapon from inside the ship protected from both the weather conditions and enemy fire. Fitted with surveillance and targeting systems and available in a range of different medium calibre weapons, the RWS is cost-effective for ship selfdefence at close quarters, particularly out to 160 feet (50 metres) and beyond, as well as for maritime interdiction operations where a large main gun or missile system is not the wrong choice due to size and expense.
In the crowded littoral environment at maritime choke points or along busy shipping lanes, there are a plethora of different commercial craft around that can make the detection of an asymmetric threat much more difficult. Under these conditions the more powerful long-range weapons of large frontline warships which are designed for oceanic warfare are negated. Therefore, ships must rely on the smaller weapon systems with specialised sensors for effective engagement in these surroundings.
The utility of RWS allows them to be fitted to a wider range of ships from small boats, patrol ships and fast attack craft up to frigates, amphibious ships and logistics vessels. There are also a growing number of unmanned surface vessels
being developed that are capable of using RWS. Recent procurement activity and RWS developments highlight the growing popularity of these systems.
Israeli company Rafael announced on 7 December 2022 it had been awarded a contract for its Typhoon Mk30-C variant RWS by an undeclared Asian navy customer. The company stated that this variant is fitted with the Northrop Grumman Mk44S Bushmaster 30mm gun which, firing at a rate up to 200 rounds per minute (rpm) with 70° elevation and air- bust munitions, is better able to conduct counter-UAS (C-UAS) missions to defeat multiple small and medium size targets.
The ability to conduct C-UAS tasks is indicative of trends in the development
of RWS. The growing threat of drones against surface ships means that RWS are starting to include a more sophisticated air defence capability alongside the standard anti-surface capability against small fast boats. As well as upsizing there is the challenge of downsizing so that very small boats can be fitted with heavier weapons. Rafael’s lightweight Mini-Typhoon RWS is usually fitted with the M2 Browning .50cal (12.7mm) machine gun. It weighs about 308-375 pounds (140-170 kilogrammes) and can fire 450-575rpm to a maximum range of 5,900ft (1,800m).
A larger 25mm calibre variant of Typhoon RWS commonly using the M242 Bushmaster has been selected for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) as an interim measure after the Australian Department of Defence first decided to replace the main gun with the Leonardo OTO Marlin 40mm cannon RWS, but then in February 2022 restarted a main gun competition. Variants of Typhoon RWS are popular and used across the RAN fleet as well as by the Indian Navy, Sri Lanka Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, US Navy, Israeli Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy.
A Rafael spokesperson told AMR that the main trend in RWS development is the ability to start the engagement from a much farther distance. “Each engagement is much more efficient,
requiring less ammunition for each target, allowing for engagement with many more targets using the same amount of available ammunition. We believe this is the most effective solution for the emerging surface and Aerial swarm threats,” the spokesperson said.
Medium calibre
Medium calibre guns from 20-30mm are becoming more popular because of the
additional range and destructive impact they can offer along with options for specialist ammunition.
The French Navy is installing RWS on both its larger combat ships and smaller patrol vessels to provide additional firepower. One of the features of the French Navy's lead Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI) frigate is an asymmetric warfare centre located close to the bridge. It is designed to control
ship self-defence against swarms of UAS or fast boats and has a team of specialists that can receive information from the ship’s sensors and can control defensive systems, primarily two Narwhal 20mm RWS provided by Nexter. The first ship will be delivered in 2024.
Narhwal is also being fitted to the six new Félix Éboué-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) on order for the French Navy that will be delivered from 2023-2025. The OPVs will replace the existing P-400 patrol vessels that operate in France’s overseas territories. New Caledonia (Nouméa), French Polynesia (Papeete), and La Réunion (Pointe-desGalets) will receive two each. Narwhal is already installed on most of the French Navy’s existing warships.
In March 2022 the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) followed the French example to put RWS on its ships and awarded Anglo-Italian defence company Leonardo a contract to install the Lionfish Top RWS on several ships in its fleet. These include the four Holland-class OPVs, the landing ship dock HNLMS Johan de Witt, joint support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman and the Den Helder-class combat support ship being built by Damen Naval.
Lionfish was launched in 2020 at the Euronaval exhibition and consists of
four different variants. The Top variant is fitted with a 12.7mm machine gun showing that this calibre is still useful for close in self-defence for larger ships. Two others variants are fitted with 12.7mm machine guns – the Inner Re-Loading and the Ultralight variants – which unlike ‘Top’ are designed for small naval craft.
To meet the larger calibre market the Lionfish family has a variant fitted with a 20mm cannon that was due to complete qualification and validation in 2022. A spokesperson from Leonardo told AMR that a few environmental tests are missing to complete the qualification/validation of the Lionfish 20 but confirmed the system already has a launch customer. Leonardo also offers the 30mm Marlin RWS that is being fitted to the four Gowind OPVs that French shipbuilder Naval Group is building for the Argentine Navy.
In December 2022, Leonardo announced that it had been selected to provide Lionfish Top for the Federal German Navy’s four new Type 126 frigates that are being built for the Federal German Navy by Dutch shipbuilder Damen Naval.
“Top is able to autonomously calculate
the firing solution and engage fastmoving, manoeuvring and extremely close threats, even when installed on high-speed platforms, thanks to a high performance auto tracking system,” states company literature.
These will supplement the MLG274.0 RWS that Rheinmetall is providing for the frigates under an earlier order announced on 17 November 2022. Rheinmetall will deliver eight MLG274.0 RWS, two for each of the four ships.
There are options for fitting the system to another two F126 frigates. The Mauser BK-27M 27mm gun can be fired in single-shot mode, adjustable bursts or in sustained fire up to 1,700rpm. The first Type 126 frigate will be delivered in 2028. The MLG27 is already used on the German Navy’s Type 125 frigates with older variants fitted to the Type 122 and Type 124 frigates and the K 130 corvettes.
MLG27-4.0 is also called the SeaSnake 27 and is part of Rheinmetall’s wider Seasnake family of RWS. The SeaSnake 30 RWS variant is being fitted to the four new Tamandaré-class MEKO A-100MB multirole frigates being built for the Brazilian Navy and delivered from 2025. Available since 2020, the SeaSnake 30 RWS uses the Rheinmetall KCE30 cannon that fires 30mmx173mm rounds including air burst munition at a
On French Navy ships the Narwhal RWS is undergoing an upgrade. Dubbed V1, the modernised weapon will provide additional accuracy against non-military targets to allow warning shots to be fired. A future V2 upgrade package will further improve the man-machine interface.Nexter
rate of up to 1,100rpm and has a multitarget tracker integrated that can enable simultaneous multiple target tracking and automatic target recognition.
Despite this recent success with its RWS selected for large ships, a spokesperson from Rheinmetall told AMR as larger surface vessel combat engagements were greatly reduced nowadays, the company “envisions the world´s growing market for primary armament of smaller vessels like fast patrol boats, speed boats or RHIBS in favour of brown water operations against piracy, drug trafficking or littoral terrorism.”
Smaller ships that are receiving more RWS as a way of increasing the capabilities of those platforms for a variety of specific tasks.
In the Mediterranean in May 2022, the Hellenic Navy took delivery of Agenor, a new 17.6m-long 22t Special Operations Craft (SOC), which is reportedly the only vessel in the Hellenic fleet to operate a RWS. Agenor is fitted with the Shark lightweight 12.7mm RWS from Israeli company General Robotics. SOC are designed for the covert insertion and recovery of Special Forces (SF) troops, but the trend is for the SOC to be able to defend themselves with a larger calibre weapon than the small arms possessed by the SF.
Shark is fitted with the M2HB 12.7mm machine gun and has a base weight of just 187lb (85kg) and height of only 60cm reducing its silhouette. However, the weight will more than double with the addition of a weapon and power unit.
General Robotics stated that when firing, the AI-driven fire control runs a target prediction algorithm to “align the projectile’s path and the target’s expected location” in order to point the weapon in that direction before firing a burst. “This technique has demonstrated a hit accuracy of about 70 percent,” the company said adding that this can give Shark a C-UAS capability but using a drone jammer instead of a machine gun. A spokesperson for General Robotics told AMR that Shark has recently been ordered by a Middle Eastern customer to equip Commando boats.
Another specialist role is that performed by the Royal Swedish Navy. Since 2019 it has been taking delivery of an order or 18 new CB90 HSM combat boats that are fitted with the Trackfire RWS from Saab. Some older variants of the CB90 have also been upgraded with
Trackfire. This is part of a programme to increase the lethality of the Swedish Marines and their ability to control the littoral areas in the Baltic as tensions with Russia have increased over the past few years.
In the Gulf of Guinea, renown for its violent cases of piracy in recent years, the Nigerian Navy (NN) has purchased three new patrol boats under its Seward Defence Boats (SDB) project over the past decade. The SDBs’ main armament is a South African Suncraft 20mm RWS. The NN is also slated to receive two 76mm offshore patrol vessels from Turkish shipbuilder Dearsan that will be fitted with 25-30mm RWS. This can ensure that the NN can overmatch the small arms of the pirates and other criminal enterprises in the littorals.
The Indo-Pacific region is seeing a large increase in the number of new smaller ships being fitted with RWS and industry is developing new products to meet this demand.
At the Pacific 2022 exhibition in Sydney, Australia in May last year local company Electro-Optic Systems (EOS) launched the R400-M, a marinised version of its R400S Mk2 RWS. The R400-M is being delivered to a Middle East navy fitted with the Northrop Grumman M230LF 30mm cannon and will be used across five different ship types ranging from fast attack craft and landing craft up to corvette-sized vessels. R400-M has also been selected as the RWS for the Australian Army’s Land 8710-1 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Medium (LMV-M) project. The Army intends to buy 18 LMV-M to replace its LCM-8 craft. The LMV-M is designed to deploy the Army’s amphibious units over long distances whilst remaining undetected and the requirement is for each vessel to have two RWS equipped with 12.7mm weapons.
EOS executive vice president, Matt Jones, told AMR that there are few naval RWS on the market that can host a 30mm cannon allowing the R400-M to fill a gap in the growing market for larger-calibre marinised weapons.
“A lot of [RWS] systems on the global market have been fitted with 25mm weapons and although still useful is becoming increasingly obsolete,” Jones said. “The 30mm round brings significant benefits, it allows the introduction of new ammunition technology that you can’t fit
in a 25mm round including anti-armour, high explosive and a new proximity fuse that is useful against drones,” he added.
“Feedback from the Ukraine conflict is that .50 calibre (12.7mm) equipped systems do not offer sufficient firepower against Russian equivalents using 14.5mm machine guns that outrange the .50cal. There is more interest in lightweight 30mm calibre solutions to defeat that 14.5mm capability,” Jones said.
However, the 12.7mm machine gun capability is still useful for many navies that want a basic inexpensive level of combat capability in their maritime security craft. The Philippines is developing its own naval RWS capability and the Building a Universal Mount for Heavy-Barrel Automated Weapon Integration (BUHAWI) project. The BUHAWI is intended to host the M2 12.7mm machine gun and is likely to be used to equip smaller vessels in the Philippine Navy fleet. The Philippine Navy’s existing six MultiPurpose Assault Craft Mk 3 are fitted with the Mini-Typhoon out of the current inventory of 12. A total of 42 craft are planned. The vessels have been successful in counter-terror operations against Abu Sayyaf as well as in countersmuggling operations.
Statements made by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña in the Philippines media are that BUHAWI development costs are currently $250,000, which can be reduced to $218,000 when in mass production. This compares with imported systems slated to cost around $436,000. A prototype is ready and testing was due to have been completed in October 2022.
Also in October, Malaysian shipbuilder TH Heavy Engineering (THHE) launched the first of three large 1,800t Tun Fatimah-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). All three OPVs will be fitted with the 30mm SMASH RWS from Turkish defence company Aselsan. The vessels are due to be handed over from 2023 and the MMEA stated that they will be used for patrolling the Luconia Shoals, which are just 54 nautical miles (NM) (100km) from Malaysian Borneo but within its EEZ in the South China Sea. This region is also claimed by China and is therefore an indication of the need for increased firepower for the MMEA to protect Malaysian claims against deliberate Chinese incursion. The larger size of the Tun Fatimah-class allows the MMEA to conduct longer duration missions and host a bigger gun to enforce security in its maritime zone.
At the Indo Defence exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia in November 2022, it was announced that the Indonesian Army has ordered a new 24m-long 55t
Fast Interdiction Craft (FIC) from local shipyard PT Tesco under a contract signed in 2021. The FIC will be used by Army SF units and can be fitted with a RWS hosting a weapon up to 12.7mm calibre. Meanwhile Taiwan’s Republic of China Coast Guard is in the process of taking delivery of 12 700t Anping-class missile patrol boats that are each fitted with two XTR RWS fitted with the T-75S 20 mm cannon.
As the proliferation of RWS on all ship types gathers pace, these craft will
become more effective at conducting maritime security operations and improving their self-defence capabilities, particularly against airborne drone swarms. Using the surveillance and targeting systems and higher calibre weapons even smaller vessels will have access to ISR and firepower that is usually reserved for much larger ships. In this way, RWS will contribute towards making all platforms in a fleet more flexible and capable of undertaking a wider variety of roles.
The defence industries in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are developing wide ranges of products, not only to meet sovereign defence needs but also for export.
by Andrew DrwiegaThe oil producing states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have had a rollercoaster of a ride over the last few years. They have swung from financial surplus to deficit during the COVID period and are now looking at a return to healthier times. The Republic of Iran is still seen as the main regional threat, underlined by the ongoing proxy war in Yemen.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been most active in acquiring the widest range of defence equipment and technology. There is an ongoing drive, well underway, to modernise military equipment and systems across the GCC countries.
Increased military spending and modernisation have also led to cooperation and joint ventures between the defence manufacturers within the region and international defence companies. There has been a large focus on increasing science and technology research, in particular in unmanned systems as well as cybersecurity and information technology including artificial intelligence.
The plethora of acquisition imports
across the Gulf have particularly been aimed at the procurement of combat aircraft such as Boeing F-15 Eagles, Eurofighter Typhoons, Dassault Rafale F4s and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons. In November 2020 the US State Department also approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the UAE of up to 50 Lockheed Martin F-35As. In the near term it is unlikely that these can be developed and manufactured as indigenous products within the Gulf region.
Land systems have also been on the shopping list, including air defence systems such as the Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system
and Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD), the sale of which through FMS to the UAE was approved by the State Department in August 2022. There have been other acquisitions ranging from military vehicles of all types, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), naval vessels and small arms and ammunition. However, both the governments of the KSA and UAE have instigated strategic visions to build up their indigenous defence industries, not only to supply their own military acquisitions, but to begin exporting their home grown products to other countries.
State owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), was launched in 2017 with the ambitious target of lessening the Kingdom’s reliance on foreign defence imports by becoming one of the world’s top 25 defence companies. By August 2022 it had achieved the position of 98th, fuelled by a reported 2,898 percent increase in revenue as reported at the end of 2021. SAMI’s stated goal is to localise over 50 percent of Saudi Arabia’s military spending by 2030.
The inaugural World Defense Show (WDS) staged from 6-9 March 2022, held at a purpose built exposition centre outside Riyadh, was notable not especially for product launches, but by the feverish activity to create joint ventures and partnerships, look for science and technology opportunities, and sign up suppliers - in general, really increase momentum and capability in the national defence sector.
During the event, SAMI management signed three separate financing agreements with three Saudi banks for $1.8 billion (SAR 7 billion). Announced as the first such arrangement of its
kind, the financing was put in place to fund “future projects related to defence industries localisation, infrastructure development, acquisitions, and working capital financing.”
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has its own well established defence exhibition. IDEX & NAVDEX 2023 is fast approaching and is being staged from 2024 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Its strategic partner is the UAE’s state-owned EDGE Group which was formed in 2019 out of several existing organisationsprincipally Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG), Tawazun Holding and others.
The organisation is structured into four cluster groups: Platforms and Systems; Missiles and Weapons; Electronic Warfare and Cyber Technologies; and lastly Trading and Mission Support. Within these there are over 25 individual companies manufacturing every kind of defence equipment from armoured vehicles
(NIMR & Al JASOOR), loitering and guided munitions (ADASI), weapons and ammunition (CARACAL), to shipbuilding (ADSB) and much more. EDGE states that the intent of the Group as a whole is to build “a national defense industrial base, increasing incountry value, developing sovereign capabilities, and positioning the UAE as
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At this year’s IDEX, EDGE Group will be focusing on autonomous systems, for both defensive and offensive use. According to an EDGE statement: “The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) is also increasing the efficiency and precision of these systems.” The organisation has developed over 20 new products in either autonomous systems or smart munitions since 2019. One of these, from ADASI, is Garmoosha, a tactical rotary UAV capably that can carry a payload of over 264 pounds (120kg) over 80 nautical miles (150km).
In terms of loitering munitions, systems such as the QX family use AI
algorithms to determine their targeting capability. The QX-1, QX-2 and QX-3 are all vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) loitering munitions. The QX-4, QX-5 and QX-6 have much longer flight times (depending on payload, from 90 minutes up to between 7-16 hours (depending on payload).
EDGE also has designed the Rash family of fixed-wing precision guided munitions
that rely on GPS INS navigation and which glide to their target. They can be armed with a motor round or DesertSting 16fragmentation warhead.
Hunter-2s are armed UAVs that are tube launched and have the ability to swarm when required, again using AI for initial surveillance and then attack.
EDGE is also researching the growing need for unmanned surface vehicles and (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), as requirements grown to support military maritime missions.
Both SAMI and the EDGE Group have been signing joint venture (JV) agreements with international partners. In the Farnborough Airshow in July last year, SAMI signed a JV with Singapore’s ST Engineering. At the signing, SAMI CEO Eng. Walid Abukhaled stated: “We are proud to undertake these new ventures with ST Engineering, who has consistently stood out as a global leader in the defence sector. With these new initiatives comes a bright opportunity to
leverage supply chain capabilities and fortify our local position as the Kingdom drives towards defence sector autonomy in line with the objective of Vision 2030.”
SAMI also has JVs with several global primes such as Lockheed Martin, allowing collaborate over advanced technology solutions for the defence and security sectors, and Boeing, signed at the WDS in February 2022, under which work will be conducted a limited liability company “to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul and sustainment services for military rotary platforms currently operated in the Kingdom.”
Similarly EDGE Group companies such as Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has a JV with French defence company Naval Group to collaborate on advanced technology solutions for the naval sector
By Gordon Arthur
The Indian Navy (IN) knows what it wants in terms of diesel-electric submarines, but it does not seem to know how to get it.
Efforts are currently focused on the six-strong Kalvari class, based on Naval Group’s Scorpene, but this Project 75 programme is drawing to a conclusion. The fifth boat, INS Vagir, was commissioned on 23 January, and the final submarine built by Mazagon Dock (MDL) will enter service next year.
Emphasis was supposed to move to the follow-on Project 75I, a class of six submarines fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP).
A request for proposals (RfP) worth $5.6 billion (INR430 billion) was issued in July 2021, as India sought a foreign company willing to work with either MDL or Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under the Strategic Partnership model. Submission dates have twice been pushed back by months – the latest deadline was December 2022 – but Asian Military Review is still not aware of any company lodging a response.
A key criterion in the RfP was a ‘sea-proven’ fuel cell-based AIP for P75I submarines. Of five companies invited to respond, only ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) could fulfil this stipulation.
As the Scorpene/Kalvari programme has shown, building advanced military equipment such as submarines comes with serious risk. Naval Group signed the Scorpene contract in 2005, but the programme is running seven years behind schedule. State-backed enterprises like
Naval Group might be able to absorb risk, cost and reputational damage, but such blowouts ring alarm bells for private companies.
TKMS possesses a ‘sea-proven’ fuel cell-based AIP, now in its fourth generation, but the provenance of DSME’s fuel cell technology is not so clear. A likely origin is technology transfer when South Korea’s navy built nine Type 214-based submarines. Naval Group announced last year it would not compete in P75I; the French Navy does not use its MESMA system.
Indian MoD requirements and expectations raise several serious issues. It is common for the nation’s military to set the bar so high that nobody can jump it. Furthermore, suffocating contractual conditions usually do not sit well with potential vendors.
India is ambitious - it wants indigenous-built AIP-equipped submarines, but it wants a foreign partner to help underwrite the risk.
One option is to reissue the RfP and relax specifications relating to the AIP and burden of risk. Another is to quietly let the old RfP die, and then directly negotiate with one or more foreign OEMs.
Yet India is taking an unexpected, alternative path for, on 23 January, Naval Group announced it would perform detailed designs for integration, and certification, of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) indigenous AIP into India’s first Scorpene, INS Kalvari.
Installation by India will occur when Kalvari is due for a refit in 2025, before
– fingers crossed – returning to service in 2027. If this work proves successful, the IN will presumably outfit all its Scorpenes in this fashion.
While the DRDO insists its AIP is ready for installation in submarines, gigantic risks loom. Promises from Indian state-owned entities make everything seem easy and straightforward. However, such confidence is often misplaced, for the DRDO has a proven track record of digging holes that take years from which to extract themselves.
Technically, this will be a complex procedure. The Kalvari’s finely balanced and quietened hull will have to be extended to accommodate the DRDO’s modular marine-grade phosphoric acid fuel cell AIP. This is not a simple plugand-play exercise, as lots of redesign work will be required by Naval Group.
L&T will manufacture the AIP unit, while Indian firm Thermax will manufacture the fuel cells. Neither company has done such work before.
Yet this effort to ‘AIPise’ the Kalvari class does not solve the IN’s fundamental problem – it still needs additional conventional submarines.
The navy relies on four Type 209/ Shishumar-class, seven Kilo-class and soon six Kalvari-class boats. With the fleet well below mandated numbers, the German and Russian submarines are necessarily undergoing life extension upgrades.
Furthermore, MDL’s submarine workforce will disperse after P75 finishes, unless Delhi urgently concludes a deal for new boats. Can India really find a way out of its self-inflicted plight? The jury is out.
