Volume 21/issue 1
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Indian Air Force Modernisation Battlefield and Border Surveillance Asia-Pacific Air Force Directory Protected Mobility Amphibious Operations Transport Helicopters Australian Defence www.asianmilitaryreview.com
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Contents
FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 21 / ISSUE 1
04 INDIAN AIR FORCE Front Cover Photo: Provided the contract is speedily inked the first 18 Rafales acquired in ‘fly away’ condition are expected to begin delivery in 2015-16; construction of the first of 108 HAL-built fighters -74 single-seat and 34 dual-seat - is so far estimated to start around 2018 (c) Dassault
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Rahul Bedi The largely tactical Indian Air Force is undergoing a $50-70 billion strategic makeover to bolster its depleting fighter squadrons and extend its power-projection potential beyond its immediate neighbourhood
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Border and Battleeld Surveillance
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Adam Baddeley Whether for border security or on a conventional battlefield, real-time, around-the-clock reconnaissance and surveillance of broad geographic areas is indispensable
Protected Mobility: Many Threats, Many Options
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Australia – A Defence Force To Be Reckoned With Gordon Arthur Australia with the world’s 13th-highest defence budget in 2012 spends a surprising amount on defence and punches above its weight with current commitments including Afghanistan, the Middle East, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands
Adam Baddeley For a relatively new class of vehicle, protected mobility platforms have increased their numbers massively, developing rapidly from a niche requirement to securing their place in mainstream future force structures
Asia-Pacic Combat Transport Helicopters David Oliver
More than half the 4,000 military helicopters in the Asia Pacific region are employed in the theatre lift role, a number set to rise in the next decade
Ship To Shore … And 50 Back Again:
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AMR Air Forces Directory 2013 Adam Baddeley Airpower budgets surge in the Asia-Pacific with new programmes, procurements and prototypes
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Thomas Withington Large amphibious support ships, and smaller landing vessels, are indispensible for any navy allowing troops, vehicles, aircraft and supplies to overcome an absence of shore facilities and ports
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Index of Advertisers AIRBUS MILITARY
COVER 4
AMR SUBSCRIPTION
49
DSEi
59
ELBIT SYSTEMS
7
ELISRA
9
EUROCOPTER
29
EXELIS
17
GSA
55
HINDUSTAN AERONAUTICS LTD
COVER 3
IAI ELTA
3
L3 WESCAM
COVER 2
NEXTER
11
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
21
RAFAEL
15
ROSOBORONEXPORT
38,39
Advertising Ofces Australia Peter Stevens, Publisher’s Internationalé Tel: (61) 8 9389 6601 Email: peter.stevens@pubintl.com.au France/Spain Stephane de Remusat, REM International Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130 E-Mail: sremusat@aol.com Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy/UK Sam Baird, Whitehill Media Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 E-Mail: sam@whitehillmedia.com India Vishal Mehta, Media Transasia India Limited Tel: (91) 124 4759625, Fax: (91) 124 4759550 E-Mail: vishal@mediatransasia.com Tarun Malviya, Media Transasia India Limited Tel: (91) 124 4759609, Fax: (91) 124 4759550 E-Mail: tarunmalviya@mtil.biz Israel Liat Heiblum, Oreet - International Media Tel: (97 2) 3 570 6527 E-Mail: liat@oreet-marcom.com ME Asia/ Turkey Zena Coupé Ph: +44 1923 852537, zena@expomedia.biz Pakistan Kamran Saeed, Solutions Inc., Tel/Fax: (92 21) 3439 5105 Mobile: (92) 300 823 8200 E-Mail: kamran.saeed@solutions-inc.info Russia Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653 Email :alla@mediatransasia.com Scandinavia/Benelux/South Africa Tony Kingham, KNM Media Tel: (44) 2081 445 934 Mobile : (44) 7827 297 465 E-Mail: tony.kingham@worldsecurity-index.com
Editorial
S
hinzo Abe, Japan’s new Prime Minister leads an LDP-led coalition with a two thirds majority in the lower house of the country’s Parliament. The LDP is back in a see-saw like shift of popularity in a ckle electorate, atypical of Japanese politics to date, from the depths of failure in 2009 - a loss attributed in part to Abe’s abrasive foreign policy and revisionist school history texts during his last period in ofce which lasted just a year. His comments during the General Election seem to clearly indicate that he has not lost any of his hawkishness when it comes to islands contested by China and Korea. In the Election, Abe said he wanted to withdraw a 1995 apology issued by the then prime minister to its neighbours for Japan’s actions in World War II and replace it with a less apologetic statement. The LDP also stated its intention to ease some of the constraints imposed by the country’s pacist constitution. To do this, he is likely to co-operate with the more nationalist Japan Restoration Party in the Parliament - its name says it all.
Across the sea, China’s new leadership from Xi Jinping down, continues to settle into their decade at the top. Arguably any transition is a period of vulnerability. With public sentiment set against compromise over the Diaoyu Islands island or any other islands that China claims, heightened if anything by the launch of the Liaoning, the rst ights from its carrier deck and broader military build up. The genie is out of the bottle with nationalism in China. Internally there are also signicant calls for reform both within the Communist Party and in the population at large. Critics of the government suggest that an Arab Spring might take place if the country’s economy fails to deliver. The strike by journalists at the Southern Weekend newspaper over a censored New Year front page editorial and the positive attention it has gained in the country will not reassure them that the Communist Party’s position is secure. Each country’s leaders are focused on their own internal position and domestic issues and this is helping to ratchet up tension, some would say sleepwalking into a stand off. It certainly isn’t Europe in August 1914 but that doesn’t mean its a reassuring state of affairs either.
South Korea Young Seoh Chinn, Jes Media Inc. Tel: (82-2) 481 3411/13 E-Mail: jesmedia@unitel.co.kr
Adam Baddeley, Editor
USA (East/South East)/Canada Margie Brown, Blessall Media LLC. Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581 Email :margiespub@rcn.com USA (West/South West)/Brazil Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc. Tel: +1 (858) 759 3557 Email: blackrockmedia@cox.net
Editor: Adam Baddeley E-mail: adam@baddeley.net Publishing Ofce: Chairman: J.S. Uberoi Media Transasia Ltd, Room No. 1205-1206, Hollywood Centre 233, Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2815 1933 Operations Ofce: President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul Sr. Manager International Marketing: Vishal Mehta Deputy Manager Marketing: Tarun Malviya Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Atul Bali Designer: Arijit Das Choudhury Production Manager: Kanda Thanakornwongskul Group Circulation Manager: Porames Chinwongs Media Transasia Thailand Ltd. 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoeynue, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1
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INDIAN AIR FORCE The largely tactical Indian Air Force (IAF) is undergoing a major strategic makeover over the next decade. In an ambitious procurement drive estimated at $50-70 billion the IAF aims by 2022 to bolster its depleting fighter squadrons and acquire platforms to augment its reach and lift capacity to deal with contingencies abroad and extend its power-projection potential beyond its immediate neighbourhood. by Rahul Bedi
“Under the 15-year modernisation programme the IAF has over the past ve years spent INR 150 billion ($ 27.27 billion) on procurement contracts. By the end of 2022, 75 percent of this modernisation will have been completed,”Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said in New Delhi on the IAFs 80th anniversary in October 2012. This
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will make it the swiftest upgrade of any country’s air force, he added Through a combination of imports, joint ventures, local manufacture and upgrading existing assets it will boost its ghter squadrons from 30 presently to 42 with a mix of 700-800 frontline light, medium and heavy platforms tted
with advanced ordnance and beyond visual range (BVR) missiles. Alongside, inducting force multipliers like additional mid-air tankers and airborne and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and signicantly increasing its medium and heavy-lift capacity, would transform the IAF into a continental rather than a ‘conned’ Sub-continental force.
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Firing tests of the Su-30MKI fitted with the BrahMos missile are likely in late 2013 following flight trials (c) AJB
Soviet MiG variants-particularly MiG21s-were slow, triggering serious domestic concern amongst Indian military planners operating in a turbulent region. They feared that the IAF was steadily losing its offensive edge over neighbouring nuclear rivals and close military and strategic allies; Pakistan and China who were rapidly upgrading their respective air forces. According to ACM Browne, by 2022 the IAF’s principal ghter assets, other than the multi-role Su-30MKIs will include upgraded Mirage 2000Hs and MiG-29s,‘up-engined’ Jaguars retrotted to Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation III (DARIN III) levels, locally designed and built MKI and MKII ‘Tejas’ light combat aircraft (LCA), 126 Dassault Rafales presently under acquisition and the Sukhoi T-50 stealth fth-generation ghter aircraft (FGFA) that India is co-developing with Russia. “Numbers may go down but capabilities will be multiplied tenfold” ACM Browne optimistically declared at a press conference in Coimbatore, southern India in December 2012.
The IAF is also acquiring basic and advanced trainers, light-utility, heavy lift and attack helicopter eets, airspace management systems and precisionguided munitions (PGMs) in addition to upgrading its outdated airelds including several long-abandoned along the precipitous Chinese frontier in northern and northeastern India. It is also overhauling its antiquated Air Defence Ground Environment System and assimilating the Integrated Air Command and Control System and its bre-optic network with AEW&C platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles to enhance NCW operations. Over the past decade the IAF’s 39.5 combat squadrons have dropped to around 30 and were steadily decreasing. Replacements for the bulk of retiring
Over the next ve years a total of 272-odd imported and licence-built ‘Flanker-H’ Su30MKIs will be the IAFs single largest ghter type Over the next ve years a total of 272-odd imported and licence-built ‘Flanker-H’ Su-30MKIs will be the IAFs single largest ghter type, their annual, production by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore increasing from 18 to 23 units. Negotiations between HAL and Su-30MKI makers Irkut Corporation are in an advanced stage to upgrade a bulk of these multirole platforms to ‘Super Sukhoi 30’ standard that will include a new cockpit, radar and varied stealth features. Firing tests of the Su-30MKI tted with the BrahMos missile are likely in late 2013 following ight trials. Congured on Russia’s 3M55 Oniks/ Yakhont system (NATO Designation: SS-
| FEBRUARY 2013 | IAF_modernisation.indd 05
N-26) BrahMos variants are series-built locally at a special facility in Hyderabad, southern India-and have been inducted into the Indian Navy and Army in large numbers. The IAFs 51 ‘Vajra’ Mirage 2000Hsincluding twin seat trainers-inducted into the IAF from the mid-1980s are currently being upgraded by manufacturer Dassault-Thales and MBDA for over $3 billion to Mirage 2000-5 levels. This includes tting the ghters with the Thales RDY-2 advanced multimode pulse doppler radar capable of identifying objects up to a distance of 70 nm. Advanced avionics, fully integrated electronic warfare suites, advanced BVR capability, mission computers and superior ordnance like 490 MBDA re-and forget interception and aerial combat MICA missiles comprises the upgrade. Four Mirage 2000H’s will be upgraded in France by mid-2014 whilst HAL would retrot the remaining 47 aircraft in as many months after creating the necessary infrastructure facilities with DassaultThales assistance in Bangalore. Upgrading 67 ‘Fulcrum’ MiG-29B/ Ss ghters-including eight MiG-29U/B trainers-by manufacturers Russian Aircraft Corporation (RSK)-MiG for $964 million is afoot with three platforms retrotted in Russia delivered in December 2012 to HALs Ozar plant in Nashik, western India. Along with the IAF’s nearby 11 base repair depot this HAL unit will jointly undertake work on the remaining 61 MiG-29s by 201415 after three more ghters retrotted in Russia arrive accompanied with the upgrade kits. After 2017, retrotted MiG-29’s will be the IAFs only MiG-series ghter in service as some 200 ageing MiG21 variants and 80 ‘Flogger’ MiG-27’s including those recently upgraded, are retired. Since 1966 some 1258 MiG variants-principally MiG-21’s-were imported and licence-built locally for the IAF, an inordinately large number of which were lost in accidents. Meanwhile, the rst IAF SEPECAT Jaguar tted with the Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation III (DARIN III) avionics suite completed its maiden ight successfully in November 2012. The upgrade for the IAF’s 125-strong
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inadequate 80-85 kilonewton (KN) thrust that compromised its weapons load and angle of attack stipulated by the IAF. The follow-on 100-105 LCA MkIIs, including twin-seat trainer models and naval variants for carrierbased operations, would be tted with the more powerful General Electric GE F414 engine with a 90-100KN thrust selected over the Eurojet EJ200 power pack.
The IOC for the ‘Tejas’ light combat aircraft has been further postponed by over 31 months to July 2013 (c) AJB
Jaguar IS/IB/IM eet by 2022-23 includes a glass cockpit autopilot, radar and radar warning receiver and precisionguided munitions and strategic weapons delivery capability. The IAF is also inducting seven squadrons of the locally designed but long-delayed ‘Tejas’ light combat aircraft (LCA) whose initial operational clearance (IOC) has been further postponed by over 31 months to July 2013. IAF ofcials estimate the single-engine LCA would eventually secure its nal operational clearance in 2015, some 32 years after the LCA project was initiated.
The IAF is also inducting seven squadrons of the locally designed but long-delayed ‘Tejas’ light combat aircraft The rst two LCA MkI squadrons of 40 ghters, likely to begin entering service 2015-16 onwards would be powered by General Electric F404-GE-IN20 afterburner engines which provided it an
However, eagerly awaited in IAF and military aviation circles is the procurement of 126 Dassault Rafale combat aircraft to meet the forces Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement. Whilst ACM Browne declared in Bangalore in September 2012 that the deal for Rafale which bested rival Euroghter’s Typhoon could be nalised by the end of the current scal year in March 2013, Ministry of Defence(MoD) sources were sceptical over an imminent outcome. Technology transfer for licensed manufacture and pricing would push the deadline beyond March. Benchmarking the cost against the platforms earlier sale price that has reportedly driven the MMRCA price to around $19-20 billion was also ‘complicating’ matters, MoD sources said. Provided the contract is speedily inked the rst 18 Rafale’s acquired in ‘y away’ condition are expected to begin
Provided the contract is speedily inked the first 18 Rafale’s acquired in ‘fly away’ condition are expected to begin arriving by 2015-16 (c) AJB
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| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW | 30/01/13 7:01 PM
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An additional six C-130Js and 10 C-17’s would complement the IAFs 104 medium-lift Russian-built Antonov-32 twin-engine turboprop models presently undergoing $400 million upgrade in Ukraine (c) AJB
arriving by 2015-16; construction of the rst of 108 HAL-built ghters-74 single-seat and 34 dual-seat versionsis so far estimated to start around 2018 and continue at the rate of six aircraft annually. Ofcials said this number will ultimately increase to 20 ghters per year with HAL aiming to achieve 85 per cent technological absorptionincluding indigenisation-by the end of the MMRCA programme. The MoD’s Contract Negotiation Committee is presently discussing the platform price of 126 MMRCA and what it would cost HAL to build the remaining 108 of which 42 would be assembled from breakdown kits and 66 constructed largely from indigenously constructed components. MoD ofcials have frequently hinted that the number of Rafale’s in the IAF inventory would eventually increase to around 190-200.
To enhance its surveillance capability, the IAF has inducted into service three A-50EI Israel Aircraft Industries Phalcon Ilyushin IL 76TD AEW&C platforms
and we are hopeful that the ghter would be ready for induction eight years later” ACM Browne declared in August 2012 following his return from Moscow after reviewing the advanced ghter programme. He said two subsequent prototypes to be own by the IAF would arrive in India in 2017 and 2019 and thereafter, based on all inputs the 30-tonne ‘swing role’ platform’s nal design would be conrmed. The MoD is expected to sign the $11 billion FGFA research and design (R&D) contract by end-2012 with
EADS was awarded the IAF’s MRTT contract in January after the tender was re-issued in September 2010 (c) EADS
Furthermore, the IAF will in 2014 receive a prototype of the advanced stealth fth-generation ghter aircraft (FGFA) which India is co-developing with Russia for testing. The IAF plans to induct 220-250 FGFA into service 2022 onwards for an estimated $35 billion, making it India’s largest single materiel acquisition. “The rst prototype of the FGFA, scheduled to arrive in India by 2014 to undergo extensive trials at Ojhar
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four Swedish Saab-2000 AEW&C since 2009 and is expected to soon begin receiving an equal number of Chinesedesigned ZDK-03 surveillance platforms. Simultaneously, India’s Rs18 billion indigenous AEW&C programme in which locally designed radar are being mounted on three Brazilian Embraer-145 jets acquired for $210 million in 2008 is underway but has been delayed by over three years to 2014-15. The rst EMB 145 aircraft was delivered to India’s DRDO in Bangalore in August 2012 to integrate the indigenous active antenna array unit radar onto it. These platforms will provide 240 degree surveillance coverage over a 250-375km range for a ve-hour period. A total of 22 Boeing Apache AH-64D ‘Longbow’ attack helicopters are being acquired for an estimated $1.2 billion with India selecting it over the rival Russian Mi 28N (c) DoD
the equity shared equally between Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation and HAL that will build the advanced ghter at Ojhar. This follows the $5.5 billion R&D bilateral contract which includes the cost of designing the FGFA, infrastructure build-up at Ojhar, prototype development and ight testing. It also entails basing Indian military scientists and IAF test pilots in Russia during the R&D period till 2019. HAL, for its part has negotiated a 25 percent share of the FGFA’s design and development work that includes software for the mission computer, cockpit displays and navigation and counter-measure dispensing systems. To enhance its surveillance capability, the IAF has inducted into service three A-50EI Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Phalcon Ilyushin IL 76TD AEW&C platforms it acquired in 2004 under the $2 billion tripartite contract and is to procure two similar systems for an estimated $800 million. The two supplementary A-50EIS, capable of detecting aircraft and incoming cruise missiles over a 400km range with 360 degree coverage in all-weather conditions would join the earlier three as part of the IAF’s 50 Squadron. The IAF is bolstering its surveillance capabilities to counter those of Pakistan which has inducted
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in Moscow in early December 2012 with HAL engineers collaborating with their Russian UAC counterparts in the $600-million project. Five prototypes of the MTA capable of ferrying 1520 tonnes or 80 paratroopers or 60 stretchers or a combination of all three
The IAF had by end2012 inducted 42 of 80 Russian Mi17V-5 weaponised helicopters acquired in December 2008 and operating from high altitude air-strips, will be built by 201718. Thereafter 205 units would be constructed-100 for the Russian Air Force, 45 for the IAF and 60 for export. The Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter bested the Russian Mi-26 following extensive field trials in the north Indian plains, Kashmir’s mountainous region and the western Rajasthan desert (c) DoD
Meanwhile, the recently inducted six Lockheed Martin C-130Js military transporters and 10 soon-to-bedelivered Globemaster III Very Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft-that will replace IAF’s eet of around 12 obsolete Russian Ilyushin IL76 `Gajraj’ transporters- will boost the force’s strategic reach and lift capability. An additional six C-130Js and 10 C-17’s would complement the IAFs 104 medium-lift Russian-built Antonov-32 twin-engine turboprop models presently undergoing $400 million upgrade in Ukraine. Additionally, the MoD’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister A K Antony recently approved the acquisition of 56 transport aircraft for Rs 120 billion to replace its obsolete eet of locally constructed Avro-HS748’s. The MoD is to shortly dispatch a global tender for these aircraft, 16 of which will be acquired in ‘y away’ condition and the reminder built in a collaborative venture with the ignored private sector rather than the ‘overburdened’ HAL, the DAC indicated.
Earlier in May 2012 the federal government cleared the IAFs longpending Rs 30 billion procurement of 75 Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II tandemseat, turbo-trainer aircraft. Capable of basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night ying, the PC-7s will replace the IAFs eet of 180-200 locally built Hindustan Piston Trainer (HPT)-32 initial trainer aircraft grounded in July 2009 following recurring accidents in which 19 pilots died. An additional
106 PC-7s- expected to increase to 145-would be licence built by HAL. In a related acquisition the IAF inked a $779 million deal in July 2010 for 40 additional BAE Systems Hawk 312 advanced jet trainers (AJTs)-along with 17 for the Navy-to be licencebuilt by HAL. This contract follows the 2003 $ 1.2 billion acquisition of 66 Hawks-following nearly two decades of negotiation- aimed principally at bringing down the IAF’s unusually high accident rate and up-rating its training standards. The DAC also approved the procurement of 20 additional Hawk132s for Rs 36 billion for the IAFs Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT). The 20 Hawks will replace the SKAT’s obsolete Hindustan Jet Trainer-16 Kiran Mk II aircraft which were commissioned into service in 1996 and recently diverted to training ghter pilots following the HPT-32 grounding. Also under acquisition as part of the IAF’s overall modernisation are six multi-role tanker transports (MRTTs) to support out-of-area operations for which EADS’ Airbus Military A330 was competing against Russia’s IL-78. Airbus announced that it was the preferred bidder for the programme in January. The MRTT tender was re-issued in September 2010 nine months after the
The IAF had by end-2012 inducted 42 of 80 Russian Mi-17V-5 weaponised helicopters acquired in December 2008 (c) IAF
Also, the Indo-Russian project to jointly design a military transport aircraft (MTA) for both countries began
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earlier one featuring the same two tankers for around $1.06 billion was terminated. This followed federal Finance Ministry objections to the ‘inordinately’ high cost of the A330’s which the IAF preferred over the IL-78. The Air Force, anxious to induct the tankers maintained that the A330’s life cycle cost which would render it competitive in the long term was not taken into consideration. The Finance Ministry, for its part declared that since the IAF already operated six IL78’s acquired in 2004 an add-on order for this cheaper platform was preferred, an alternative that the Air Force rejected. To amplify its rotary assets the India is to acquire 22 Boeing Apache AH64D ‘Longbow’ attack helicopters for an estimated $1.2 billion selecting it over the rival Russian Mil Mi 28N ‘Havoc’ model. The deal for the twin-engine Apaches, being acquired via the FMS route to replace the IAFs ageing Soviet and Russian Mi-24s and Mi-35s. The MoD will also shortly begin price negotiations for 15 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters- routed
similarly through the FMS programmeafter it bested the Russian Mi-26 following extensive eld trials in the north Indian plains, Kashmir’s mountainous region and the western Rajasthan desert. The IAF had by end-2012 inducted 42 of 80 Russian Mi-17V-5 weaponised helicopters acquired in December 2008 and a fresh contract for 59 more V5’s was likely to be signed soon, ACM Browne declared. These were in addition to around 175-180 Mi-8’s and Mi-17’s already in service, including 40 Mi-17IVs acquired in 2000. Deliveries, meanwhile of 12 AgustaWestland medium-lift AW101 helicopters to transport VIP’s like the India’s president, prime minister and other senior dignitaries agreed in March 2010 for €560 million were expected to begin in early 2013 despite allegations of corruption under investigation in Italy surrounding the deal. AgustaWestland, however, denies any wrongdoing. The AW101 also known as the EH-101 would replace Russian Mi-8 helicopters at the IAF’s VIP squadron at Palam Airport on
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the outskirts of New Delhi which were acquired in the early 1980’s for search and rescue missions before being converted for VIP transportation. But the outright $700-750 million purchase of 197 light utility helicopters (LUH)-64 for the IAF and the remainder for the army-has been repeatedly deferred. Russia’s Kamov-226 and Eurocopter’s AS 550 models which completed eld trials in 2011 are vying for the LUH tender which was cancelled in 2007 following ‘discrepancies’ in the evaluation process. And to replace its obsolete Soviet-era S-125M Pechora, OSA-AK and Igla1-M surface-to-air missile batteries the IAF is to shortly begin receiving 18 Spyder surfaceto-air Python 5 and Derby air defence missile Low-Level Quick Reaction Missile from Israel’s Rafael acquired in 2008. The MoD has also approved the acquisition of eight squadrons of the locally developed medium-range Akash surface-to-air missiles-or 1000 missiles-for the IAF being built by the State-owned Bharat Electronics Limited in southern India. AMR
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ISR
Elisra’s Foxtrack ground surveillance radar is capable of detecting a soldier at 8km and a small car at 15km (c) Elisra
BORDER AND BATTLEFIELD SURVEILLANCE Whether for border security or on a conventional battlefield, realtime, around-the-clock reconnaissance and surveillance of broad geographic areas is indispensable.
by Adam Baddeley
C
apabilities hitherto held at higher echelons are being pushed down to lower tactical levels, giving dismounted users and vehicles new capabilities while border surveillance systems have been given greater investment and additional technology.
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Dismounted Capabilities
Improving the long range surveillance capabilities placed in the hands of dismounted forces has become a key force multiplier. Vetronix’s Vector range provides a day and night capability coupled with a laser range finder, digital magnetic compass and can also
integrate GPS devices and is able to detect and geolocate at ranges of up to 20km. The company’s smaller more affordable Moskito gives lower level commanders at the squad level access to a similar capabilities but weighs less and has a range of 4km. ELCAN’s AN/PAS-28 solution for the US Marines, the PhantomIR xr is
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ISR based on an uncooled detector is able to recognise a dismounted target at 2km and can overcome dust, fog and other obscurants. In February 2012, the UK selected Sagem’s 2.8Kg JIM LR (Long Range) for its Long Range Thermal Imager Programme in a $8 million award. The hand held solution allows users to switch between cooled infrared and visible channels according to battlefield conditions and in addition to day and night channels includes range finding, laser pointer, North seeker, GPS and data transmission. Other features include stabilisation, digital zoom and it also enables photo and video recording with extraction via a USB port. The order took total JIM orders to over 5000 worldwide at that time. The JIM family is offered in three versions; JIM LR, JIM Locate, JIM Observe with the JIM LR able to detect a walking target at 5.85km, recognise at 2.08km and identify at 1.06km. Selex Galileo’s Linx hand held target acquisition is another similar system weighing 2.35Kg and operating in 8-12 um. The IR detection rate for a moving man is 1.35km while during the day the TV channel detects at 2.3Km using a wide field of view. Elbit’s Coral-CR hand held offering sees a day channel cooled 640x512 InSb focal plane array with an x4 continuous optical zoom with the targeting and designation package having a range of 10km.
AeroVironment’s RQ-11B Raven is numerically the most widely used SUAV
A recent SUAV addition to the Innocon Mini UAV family is the Spider, operated by a single operator only, with day and night operational capability and a weight of 2.5Kg. along with automatic take-off and landing control capabilities. French Engineers in Afghanistan use the Infotron IT180 mini-UAV system for convoy protection roles there. AeroVironment’s RQ-11B Raven is numerically the most widely used SUAV, benefitting from its selection by the US Army has its standard SUAV. Also selected by the US Marines and Air Force, it is widely used by NATO countries with operators in the region being Thailand and Australia. The latest version of the SUAV uses the Mantis gimballed payload family. The company also offers the Wasp MicroUAV which has seen operational service with the US Marines; the larger and more capable RQ-20A Puma AE adopted by USSOCOM and other international users as a standard SUAV and the Shrike VTOL design. The Israel Defence Force’s Sky Rider unit, part of the Artillery Corps is converting to the Elbit Systems Skylark SUAV and is also integrating a new version of software which will allow surveillance footage from the UAV to be sent through the Corps’ Tamnoon C2 software directly into
The Vectronix Moskito hand held day and night sighting system, shown here mounted on the company’s STERNA ultra-light, non-magnetic Precision Target Location Systems, is designed to provide patrols with surveillance capabilities out to 4km (c) Vetronix
the Massuah C2 system that has been delivered under the Digital Army Programme. When users see the imagery from the UAV down at the manoeuvre battalion level they will be able to see the location of the UAV on the Common Operating Picture. The unit is also developing a brigade level UAV for deployment by 2014. Deepening integration with ground systems has been demonstrated on other platforms. Australia’s
The Engager is designed to provide long range surveillance and targeting capabilities in a remote package (c) Elbit
Sensors held by the soldier, mounted on a vehicle or fixed to a tower, all have one major limitation, namely their line of sight with even the longest range radar or electrooptical device being limited by terrain both human and natural. Looking round the corner or over the hill has become vital, exposing enemies moving to enfilade or moving to infiltrate across a border. To overcome that immutable problem, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAV) equipping platoon and patrols are increasing in number.
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ISR UGS has been deployed with US forces to Iraq, as part of the DRS led Distant Sentry programme which can be deployed up to 10km from the control station linked by radio communications. Thales’ Miniature Intrusion Sensor (MIS) is designed to be rapidly deployed and carried by an individual soldier on patrols protecting a patrol base or placed along a point of ingress and egress to collect valuable intelligence. A crawling individual is able to be detected at up to 60m and the system has a typical operating life of 50 days. The company’s Local Area Control System provides an architecture in which MIS can be integrated along with other sensors. Selex Galileo’s Hydra UGS offers a range of sensor options with an acoustic sensor node able to detect a tracked vehicle at 1km.
Borders
The AVIV system has been adopted in support of perimeter and border security roles in Israel (c) ESC Baz
Insitu Pacific recently undertook an integration demonstration between the ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft System McQ iScout Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) and OmniWatch sensor technologies so that alerts based on detection of ground activity by the UGS were immediate displayed in the I-MUSE UAV display so that a potential target could continue to be observed by the SUAV once it left the UGS’ sensor range.
Fixed border surveillance and protection packages continue to be built. One of the most recent is a 230km section of fence along Israel’s border with Egypt. The fence consists of a barbed wire fence, a road along the Israeli side and a communications and sensor infrastructure along it. The wider programme has a budget of $377 million and has taken several years to construct with the nal piece near Tabah, due to be completed in May.
India has acquired two aerostat based radars dating from 2005 for border surveillance along the border with Pakistan. India is to issue a Request For Tender shortly for six new aerostat systems equipped with air surveillance radars with a range of 250km and ELINT package and will be able to operate to altitudes of 4500m. BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Thales, Israel Aerospace Industries and Rosoboronexport are reported to be pursuing the programme in deal worth a reported $400 million. India has a reported requirement for thirty aerostat systems over the next decade, including for coastal surveillance with the attraction being a calculation that one such system can cover has the same area as tens of ground based radars.
Textron’s MicroObserver UGS has been deployed with US forces to Iraq, as part of the DRS led Distant Sentry programme Thailand acquired the Sky Dragon aerostat in 2010 but their operational
Malaysia has selected the Rheinmetall Nordic Vingtaqs II long-range surveillance and reconnaissance system for its new FNSS Pars based AV8 vehicles (c) Rheinmetall
UGS provide another rich vein of intelligence that can be mined. Typically deployed by soldiers in a patrol or as part of fields of the devices in support of a border or perimeter, UGS provide a covert means of maintaining persistent coverage of an area. The US recently opted for Northrop Grumman’s Scorpion II for the roles of remote area monitoring and perimeter security and combines seismic, magnetic and passive infrared sensors. Textron’s MicroObserver
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| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |
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ISR device’s targeting capability to engage targets of opportunity using the onboard cooled 3 – 5 um detector with a Continuous x5 optical zoom and the same laser designation system as used in the company’s hand held Rattler laser designator. The system can detect individuals at 8km and identify at 4km while vehicles can be detected at 14.5km and identied at 7km. A single power pack sustains the system for up to 36 hours with additional systems added to extended coverage. The systems can be connected via a wire or wireless link with future options including image fusion and 3D map integration.
The Bundeswehr is acquiring 48 BUR AESA ground surveillance radar systems from Cassidian (c) EADS
service has been blighted with a recent launch on its rst operational mission ending early with an emergency landing being necessary as were subsequent emergency repairs. The original intent was to support counter-insurgency missions in the south of the country. Lockheed Martin’s Dragon solution for ISR is contractor based ISR-by the hour solution. As with any ISR solution there isn’t just one solution. Beginning with airborne solutions, in October it expanded that to include an aerostat or tower based package with the Dragon Sentinel although the exact payload and solution is designed to be matched to each customer’s needs and budget. To equip the Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) aerostat system, the US recently added the STARLite radar, developed by Northrop Grumman’s Land and Self Protection Systems Division. A synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator design, STARLite is able to view terrain and moving objects on its through cloud and battleeld obscurants through 360 degrees. Elbit Systems Electro-optics Elop’s Engager is design to collection long range EO/IR information covertly and remotely as well as using the
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ESC Baz’s tower mounted AVIV is in place at a number of sites across Israel since 2011, including internal sites as well as borders. AVIV consists of a CCD day camera, a thermal imager for night vision and a zoom controlled spotlight integrated on a motorised SMART pan-tilt unit. The system is integrated with sensors mounted on a fence and when triggered, it is automatically slewed to ensure the operator at a remote site can see the exact location of the activity.
ESC Baz’s tower mounted AVIV is in place at a number of sites across Israel Battleeld
Today the term ‘battleeld’ is something of misnomer with the concept of front lines and rear areas having been steadily eroded by over a decade of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the requirement for ISR in these two theatres are in turn very different for the requirements for example of the South Korean military seeking to detect and engage North Korean armoured formations or a return to conventional warfare on the IndoPakistan border. The ISR requirements for warghting, arguably a better term than battleeld are far more demanding and time sensitive with perhaps less focus of persistent coverage and more on immediate
detection and targeting either for direct or indirect res. For its next generation requirements for its FNSS Pars based AV8 vehicles which it is acquiring in a $559 deal, Malaysia has selected the Rheinmetall Nordic Vingtaqs II long-range surveillance and reconnaissance system in a $50 million deal announced in October 2011 with the vehicles due to begin delivery in 2014-18. The UK is pursuing its future reconnaissance vehicle requirement via the Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme, initially working on the Scout variant tasked with battleeld reconnaissance using combined mast and turret mounted surveillance including under-armour laser targeting and which will equip British Army Armoured Cavalry Regiments from 2018. Germany’s solution for its next generation battlefield radar is the Bodenüberwachungsradar (BÜR) or Ground Overwatch Radar, an Active Electronically Scanned Array developed by Cassidian with Germany planning to procure 48 systems and typically mounted on a Dingo 2 vehicle. The Foxtrack Portable Ground Surveillance Radar System, developed by Elisra is designed to be able to switch between security and military roles, being able to be integrated on a light vehicle or on a tripod for fixed or rapidly deployed roles lending itself for border security as well as even special forces missions. Performance wise, the radar is optimised for medium and long range surveillance and capable of detecting a soldier at 8km and a small car at 15km with processing and software able to distinguish points of interest in the scan from background clutter and identifying them by type. An airborne SAR/MTI solution is the US Army’s high-resolution UHF Tactical Reconnaissance and Counter-Concealment-Enabled Radar or TRACER, developed by Lockheed Martin and designed for foliage potential capabilities as well as rain, darkness, dust storms, or atmospheric haze and embedded in a pod to be mounted on both rotary wing and UAV platforms and has also been tested on towers. AMR
| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |
30/01/13 7:14 PM
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REGIONAL
M i l l i t a r y
AUSTRALIA – A DEFENCE FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
An F/A-18F Super Hornet participating in the multilateral Exercise Pitch Black 2012, lands at RAAF Base Darwin (c) Gordon Arthur
For a country of 22.8 million inhabitants, Australia spends a surprising amount on defence and militarily it certainly punches above its weight. In fact, this Antipodean nation had the world’s 13thhighest defence budget in 2012. by Gordon Arthur
H
owever, the Australian defence budget is taking a battering, with spending reduced A$2.1 billion to a total of A$24.2 billion for FY2013. Expenditure as a ratio of GDP is correspondingly dropping from 1.8 percent to 1.56 percent, the lowest in 70 years.
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Current Australian Defence Force (ADF) commitments include Afghanistan, the Middle East, TimorLeste and Solomon Islands. The largest commitment is Afghanistan. Some 1,550 troops are deployed in-theatre and Australia has suffered 39 deaths to date, but a pull-out should occur by year’s end.
On 21 November 2012, the government announced the successful conclusion of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Timor-Leste, ending a 6.5-year operation. Comprising 390 Australian and 70 New Zealand soldiers, the ISF had been decreasing its footprint, especially since last year’s peaceful elections. The majority of Australian
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REGIONAL M i l l i t a r y
troops departed Dili by 31 December, with nal personnel slated to leave in April. The ADF is also heavily involved in Operation Resolute, a whole-ofgovernment effort aimed at intercepting illegal immigrants arriving by boat via Indonesia.
Royal Australian Navy
The RAN is set to receive an enormous capability boost when two new ship classes are inducted. The rst involves two 27,850-tonne Canberra-class landing helicopter docks (LHD). These are crucial as the Navy’s amphibious warfare posture is in disarray after HMAS Kanimbla and Manoora were decommissioned in mid-2011. To ll the gap, Australia acquired a Bay-class dock landing ship from the UK in December 2011. Renamed Choules, this vessel suffered a catastrophic transformer failure and will not return to service until early 2013. This forced the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to acquire the commercial vessel Skandi Bergen to partner HMAS Tobruk in the interim. HMAS Canberra will be commissioned in 2014 as the Navy’s largest-ever ship. The hull was launched by Navantia in Spain before being transported to Williamstown, where BAE Systems is completing construction and integrating the combat system. Canberra-class vessels are capable of carrying 1,000 troops, 150
armoured vehicles and six helicopters, and they will be vital for the disaster relief missions regularly required in the Pacic region. Navantia is also building twelve 110-ton LCM-1E landing craft to operate in conjunction with the LHDs. The second new warship type is the Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer. However, delivery of SEA 4000’s lead destroyer, HMAS Hobart, has been pushed back two years to 2016, while Brisbane and Sydney should
Canberra will be commissioned in 2014 as the Navy’s largest-ever ship be commissioned in 2017 and 2019 respectively. There is speculation Australia could order a fourth ship. A keel-laying ceremony for Hobart occurred in Adelaide in September, with Defence Minister Stephen Smith saying the delay would be benecial since it would, “help avoid a decline in naval shipbuilding skills” before construction of new submarines. The three 6,250-tonne destroyers will sport Raytheon SM-6 missiles, and its combat system will be based on the Aegis SPY-1D(V) radar. The class’s induction will coincide with the retirement of
four Adelaide-class frigates already upgraded to re the SM-2MR and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). Eight ANZAC-class frigates are receiving an anti-ship missile defence package. HMAS Perth was the programme’s ‘guinea pig’ and its ESSM was successfully test-red in May 2011. The upgrade also features a new phased-array radar suite from CEA Technologies, this combining CEAFAR surveillance/target indication radar and CEAMOUNT illuminator systems. Australia envisions 20 modular Offshore Combatant Vessels (OCV) to replace four incumbent classes under Project SEA 1180. OCVs displacing up to 2,000 tonnes will perform border patrol, mine warfare and hydrographic roles. Producing the greatest amount of debate is the Project SEA 1000 replacement of six locally constructed Collins-class submarines. Australia has stipulated the need for twelve heavier and longer-range Future Submarines, a project that will constitute the nation’s largest ever defence acquisition. With construction due to commence in Adelaide in 2025, it will be intriguing to see whether Australia takes another high-risk pathway of indigenous design, or chooses an off-the-shelf contender like the DCNS Scorpène, Navantia S-80,
The largest aircraft in the RAAF is the C-17A Globemaster III. A sixth aircraft was inducted in November 2012 (c) Gordon Arthur
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The Navy’s eight ANZAC-class frigates are being overhauled with new combat systems. This is HMAS Toowoomba (c) Gordon Arthur”
HDW Type 212A/214 or, a long shot, the Japanese Soryu. Collins-class boats have proved unsatisfactory in terms of cost, technology and maintenance to date, although an additional A$700 million has been allocated for their sustainment. The class’s Scylla TSM 2233 active/passive bow array sonars are being upgraded by Thales.
Royal Australian Air Force
The RAAF plans to acquire 100 F-35 Lightning II ghters and it still appears committed to this sophisticated Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme, despite snowballing costs and delays. Australia
has contracted for two F-35s due in 2014-15, while a commitment to twelve further aircraft remains. However, Australia is deferring acquisition of the twelve by two years to save itself A$1.6 billion.
The Army possesses some 59 M1A1 AIM Abrams tanks. This one was seen during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 (c) Gordon Arthur
Producing the greatest amount of debate is the Project SEA 1000 replacement of six locally constructed Collins-class submarines The RAN purchased 24 US-built MH60R Seahawk helicopters in a USD2.1 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) and these should arrive from 2014-20. Australia will soon receive 200 MK 54 lightweight torpedoes for use on the MH-60R too.
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Soldiers of 8/9 RAR storm an ‘enemy’ redoubt during Exercise Hamel at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (c) Gordon Arthur
To tide the force over until the JSFs arrive, the RAAF acquired 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets tted with Raytheon APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar (AESA). Two squadrons were delivered within budget and ahead of schedule by late 2011. During Exercise Pitch Black 2012, Group Captain Mike Kitcher stated, “AESA allows you to do what you used to do much more easily. It makes a difference but we’re yet to nd out if it’s a game changer.” It was recently announced six Super Hornets would be transformed into EA-18G Growler electronic attack platforms beginning in 2015, making Australia the rst nation approved to use this technology. Another six Growlers will be converted early next decade. Twelve aircraft had already been prewired on the production line to allow precisely this type of retrofit. In the meantime, older F/A18A/B Hornets remain the backbone
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of the fighter fleet, though they may struggle to serve on until 2020 because of unexpected structural fatigue problems. Australia requested 110 Raytheon AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM missiles to provide a standoff weapon capability for the F/A-18F. Australia has endured painful birth pangs whilst fielding the Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The RAAF has six Wedgetails based on Boeing 737-700 airframes and fitted with Northrop Grumman multirole electronically scanned array (MESA) radars. The project encountered severe turbulence in integrating radar and electronic support measure systems, but the Wedgetail eventually reached initial operational capability last November. In November, the RAAF retired its C-130H Hercules eet early, with four surplus aircraft going to Indonesia. The Hercules eet is now made up of
twelve C-130Js. In 2012, the Alenia C-27J Spartan defeated the Airbus C295 for a tactical-transport aircraft requirement to replace the retired Caribou. The RAAF will procure ten C-27Js via FMS with rst delivery in 2015. Again in November, the RAAF inducted its sixth C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft. This eet works extremely hard – for example, it supports far-ung operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East, plus it conducted emergency missions in Christchurch and Japan after massive earthquakes. These workhorses are regarded as one of the RAAF’s best buys thanks to their practicality. Another new asset is the Airbus KC-30A MultiRole Tanker Transport (MRTT), with ve being obtained. Operated by No. 33 Squadron, the MRTT can perform airto-air refuelling, carry 270 passengers or 34 tonnes of cargo. They will give Australia a signicantly improved strategic reach once they become fully operational.
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REGIONAL M i l l i t a r y
A success story for Thales Australia has been the Bushmaster. Australia has ordered 1,052 Protected Mobility Vehicles (c) Gordon Arthur
The RAAF’s 18 AP-3C Orions help patrol the world’s third-largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In July 2007, the MoD announced the Boeing P-8A was the preferred platform to replace the AP-3C eet that is due to retire by 2018. A formal contract has not been signed, but Australia has registered interest in eight P-8A craft and the rst could be delivered in 2016. Australia also requires seven high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for maritime/land surveillance. Northrop Grumman thinks its MQ-4C Global Hawk destined for US Navy service is well placed. Certainly, interoperability is high on the agenda in most Australian defence procurements, although no decision has been made yet. Incidentally, the US is considering using Australia’s Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean as a base for Global Hawks, though facilities there would need to be upgraded. Another pending project is for a basic trainer to replace the PC-9. Contenders
The RAAF plans to acquire 100 F-35 Lightning II ghters and it still appears committed to this sophisticated Joint Strike Fighter include the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, Pilatus PC-21, Pacic Aerospace CT-4E, Embraer EMB 312 Tucano and Grob 120TP.
Australian Army
The 1st Division contains three brigades (1st in Darwin, 3rd in Townsville and 7th in Brisbane). Over time, these brigades will restructure under Plan Beersheba to become multirole, manoeuvre formations similar to each other in composition. Each will have its own infantry, armour, artillery, engineer, logistics and
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communications elements, and will be capable of sustained operations. In recent years the army has received new equipment. BAE Systems’ troubled M113 armoured personnel carrier upgrade nally concluded in December. It saw 431 vehicles upgraded to M113AS4 standard under Project LAND 106. Vehicles were completely overhauled with new MTU engines and ZF transmissions. The hull was stretched and received appliqué armour and spall liners. A one-man turret was also added. The M113AS4 is expected to remain in service until 2030 but 100 M113AS4s and 15 M1A1 Abrams tanks are being placed in temporary storage to reduce costs. The Thales Bushmaster is a genuine Down Under success story. Full-rate production commenced in 2004 and the 4x4 family comprises six variants. To date, the ADF has ordered 1,052 Bushmasters, with the most recent
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(ARH) inducted. However, the eet was grounded a second time in June 2012 after fumes were detected in a cockpit. The Army’s S-70A-9 Black Hawks are in the process of being supplanted by 40 Multi-Role Helicopters (MRH 90) from NHIndustries, with six more going to the RAN. The MRH 90 is being assembled by Australian Aerospace, although the programme is suffering two-year delays and has been placed on the ‘Projects of Concern’ list. The Army is awaiting the arrival of the rst of seven CH-47F Chinooks in 2014 too.
A pair of S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters from the Timor-Leste Aviation Group (TLAG) flies high over Dili (c) Gordon Arthur
contract for 214 vehicles signed in mid-2012. The 12.4-tonne ‘Bushie’ is deployed primarily in motorisedinfantry units, and some have a Raven R-400 remote weapon station. In 2006, the Netherlands ordered 25 Bushmasters for deployment to Afghanistan, and a further 61 were subsequently purchased. The UK acquired 24 in 2008. Australia tested self-propelled howitzers, shortlisting the German PzH2000 and South Korean AS9 (a K9 derivative). However, the government inexplicably cancelled this programme and instead opted to add 19 M777A2 155mm lightweight towed howitzers to the 35 it purchased earlier. The lowly infantryman has not been forgotten, with his Austeyr F88 rifle being upgraded with a Picatinny rail and modular design. An important programme is the Tactical Operational Command and Control Headquarters (TORC2H) battle management system from Elbit Systems. The 7th Brigade conducted its rst large-scale eld test during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. Elbit’s product operates on a backbone of Harris Corporation Falcon III radios and Raytheon’s EPLRS. Brigadier Paul McLachlan, the 7th Brigade commander, called it a “game changer”. “It completely revolutionises the way a commander controls his forces as he no longer needs to ght for information,” he explained.
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The Army is also gaining new tactical vehicles, with 2,146 Mercedes-Benz 4x4 and 6x6 G-Wagons trickling in to replace the venerable Land Rover Perentie Artillery batteries now employ the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). Whilst on the topic of communications, Australia has invested in the USA’s Wideband Global SATCOM programme, and WGS-6 is scheduled to launch this June. This satellite will greatly improve ADF data transmission capabilities. The Army is also gaining new tactical vehicles, with 2,146 Mercedes-Benz 4x4 and 6x6 G-Wagons trickling in to replace the venerable Land Rover Perentie. Thales has indigenously developed the 4x4 Hawkei for the Light Protected Vehicle programme and it has already been classied as preferred manufacturer for production in 2016. The futuristic-looking 7-tonne vehicle can carry six soldiers.
The Army leased Insitu ScanEagle UAVs for Iraqi and Afghan service, although the larger RQ-7B Shadow 200 has now replaced them in Afghanistan. The RAAF has operated an IAI Heron detachment in Afghanistan since 2010.
Strategic partnership
Australia is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), which promises Australian, New Zealand and UK aid in the event of aggression aimed at either Malaysia or Singapore. However, Australia’s key strategic ally is the USA, with the relationship cemented even more deeply with the rotational deployment of a US Marine Corps (USMC) detachment to Darwin. The rst 200 personnel of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin arrived by air on 3 April 2012 and they were stationed at Robertson Barracks until September. April’s upcoming second rotation will contain 250 members. Major General Michael Krause of the ADF spoke about the deployment: “This will give us a fantastic opportunity, as our two large amphibious ships come online, to effectively learn from the world’s experts.” The target is to have a 2,500-man USMC Marine AirGround Task Force (MAGTF) based in the Darwin area by 2017, although political approval for this will only be given in stages.
The last Defence White Paper highlighted China as a source of “concern”, and ofcials are carefully scrutinising tensions between China and neighbours in the South China and East China Seas. Meanwhile, Australia Army aviation is also being overhauled. has been consolidating defence relations with India, Japan, Southeast The rst phase saw 22 Eurocopter Tiger AMR Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters Asia and South Korea.
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THE AMR REGIONAL AIR FORCE DIRECTORY 2013 Prepared by Adam Baddeley
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REGIONAL AIR FORCE DIRECTORY
A
MR’s Regional Air Force Directory of the various air forces, naval air arms and army aviation assets across the Asia-Pacic Region returns in our rst issue of 2013. The cancellation and postponement of programmes that characterise Western defence budgets while not absent in the Asia-Pacic are much less prevalent with modernisation in the region if anything both accelerating and widening in scope. China continues to design new aircraft, the J-31 and Y-20 being two very different aircraft that have come into the public gaze over the last 12 months. In India, progress together with Russia via the Medium Transport Aircraft and PAK-FA has also been noted. In regards to the Joint Strike Fighter, Japan has made a decisive decision on the delayed F-35 while South Korea has pushed a decision on the FX-III into 2013 and Australia has looked at additional F/A-18F aircraft as a bridge across these delays. More modest air forces have also made a splash with the Philippines beginning a signicant modernisation programme across the board with several new Request For Proposals due in 2013 while Indonesia has racked up deals for two squadrons of F-16s and Apache Longbow attack helicopters. Even smaller countries such as Bangladesh have begun modernisation with two AS365s delivered at the end of the year. As before, the Directory has been compiled from a range of open sources from around the world, AMR’s correspondents and discussions with industry and military personnel throughout the year. AMR would like to thank those who have scratched their heads and provided answers to our questions. We would therefore like to encourage readers over the next twelve months who can add information to either contact us in person at the year’s shows and exhibitions or by e-mail.
AFGHANISTAN
!"Afghan National Army Air Force 16+4 G222/C-27A, may be cancelled in March at 16 ac due to readiness levels 20 Planned Light Air Support, $355m prog. rebid in
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Australia will consider options to double the existing fleet of F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft in 2013 (c) Commonwealth of Australia
2012, A-29 originally selected over AT-6 18 Ordered PC-12NG, $218m contact announced in Oct., delivered by July 2015 to support ANA SOF 6 C 182 Turbos 18+8 Ordered C-208B 48+12 Ordered Mi-17DV-5/Mi-17V-1, $171m deal for ten more Hinds agreed in July 7 Mi-35, due to retire in 2014, replaced by Mi-17s 9 UH-1H 6 MD530F, a further 48 on order, rst ight training ac in Dec 2011 Notes: Afghan Air Force scheduled to be independent in 2017. Funding for Light Support Aircraft programme expires at end of FY2013.
AUSTRALIA
!"Royal Australian Air Force 55/16 F/A-18A/B, in service post 2020 due to JSF
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2 Ordered
33
63 9 6 Ordered
delays, issues with 6000 hour airframe safe limit F/A-18F, 12 ac upgraded to EA-18G in $1.6b deal planned, rst ac converted by 2018 F-35A, a further 98 required, rst 2 ac delivered in 2013 for testing and training in US, 12 order ac delayed by two years saving A$1.6 billion, decision on order planned for 2014-15, second tranche of 58 ac planned Hawk 127, BAE awarded $25m contract in July to upgrade to RAF T2 conguration to support F/A-18F and F-35 training PC-9/9A King Air 200/350 737 Wedgetail
| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |
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REGIONAL AIR FORCE DIRECTORY
testing of refueling boom in 2013 unsolicited proposal for sixth ac submitted May 2012. !"Royal Australian Navy 16 S-70B-2 Seahawk, replaced by MH-60R 24 Ordered MH-60R, rst 2 ac due in Dec 2013, IOC mid-2015 5 MRH90 12 AS350BA 3 Bell 429, delivered in June, replaces AW109E !"Australian Army Aviation Corps 37 Bell 206 6 Ordered CH-47D, 7 Ordered CH-47F 22 Tiger ARH, cockpit fumes led to multiple groundings in 2012 34 S-70A-9 Blackhawk 1 AS350BA 15+31 Ordered MRH90
18
1 2 3 9 12
6
10 Ordered 5
AEW&C, last ac received in June, IOC achieved in Nov. 2012. Boeing won $55m EW support contract AP-3C, replacement by P-8A, last 2 ac returned from Op Slipper in late 2012, due to be retired in 2019 AP-3C EW 737-700BBJ Challenger CL 604 VIP C-130H, last eight ac retired at end of Nov. C-130J-30, conducted successful fuel management trials in 2012 C-17 , sixth ac ordered in June $297m deal, delivered 1st Nov. C-27J , valued at $1.4b equipped with RR AE2100 engines KC-30A, IOC achieved,
Notes: Air 9000 Phase 7 helicopter Aircrew Training Systems RFT issued in Jan 2012 replacing the OH-58 and AS350 with a single type and worth A$500m -A$1b. Deliveries of C-27J planned for early 2015 to September 2016 with IOC in late 2016. 62 of the 71 F/A-18A/B have experienced structural issues above those expected based on their ight hours. Australia funded P-8A Inc. 3 in October in a deal worth $18m although not formal order. Letter Of Request sent to US regarding the procurement of a further 24 F/A-18F as an option if the F-35A is delayed with a decision due in 2013.
BANGLADESH
!"Bangladesh Air Force 8 A-5C 23+16 F-7M/BG 8 MiG-29SE/UB 8 L-39ZA 3 An-32 4+4 Ordered C-130B/E, four exUS C130Es being acquired in $160m deal 19 Mi-17/171 16 UH-1N/Bell 212 4 Bell 206L 6 FT-6 11 T-37B !"Bangladesh Army 2 Bell 206L4 4 Cessna 152 1 Grand Caravan 2 AS365N3+, delivered in Dec. !"Bangladesh Navy 2 AW109 3 Z9 2 Ordered Do 228NG Notes: Bangladesh is planning the procurement a further 20-32 ghter aircraft by 2027.
Bangladesh operates four C-130Bs, one of which is shown here. it has requested for US surplus C-130E in a $160m deal (c) DoD
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The Bangladesh Army took delivery of two new AS365N3+ Dauphins in December
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BRUNEI
!"Royal Brunei Air Force 1 CN-235-110M 2 Bell 206B 11 Bell 212/214ST 6 BO105CB 4+12 Ordered S-70A/L/i 4 PC-7Mk II Notes: Japanese ShinMaywa sees potential requirement for Amphibian SAR ac
CAMBODIA
!"Royal Cambodian Air Force 1 AN-24RV 4 Mi-8, replaced by Z-9 4 Mi-17, replaced by Z-9 1 AS355 1 UH-1H 1 Y-12-II 2 MA60 12 Ordered Z-9, rst ac arrive in April Notes: China loaned Cambodia $195m to acquire several Zhishengji-9 (Z-9) light utility helicopters which will be used to replace its remaining Mi-8s and Mi17 aircraft.
CHINA
!"People’s Liberation Army Air Force 120 H-6, inc. 10 H-6U Tankers 380 J-7, crash in Shantou in Guangdong in Dec. 70 JH-7 100 J-8II 200 J-10 140+70 Ordered J-11A/B 76 Su 30MKK/MK2 95 Su-27SK/UBK 48 Ordered Su-35, $4 billion deal 4 JF-17 110 Q-5A, nal ac delivered in Oct. 8 Ordered IL-78 5 A-50I, KJ200 AEW suite 7 Y-8 AEW 2 737 59 Y-7/MA60 75 Y-8, inc. Recce versions, Meggitt contracted to provide navigation and display equipment for
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While the Indian Air Force’s Sarang Helicopter Display Team are impressive the Dhruv’s performance has been less so (c) DoD
four Y-8s via Chengdu CAIC 3 AN-12 25 AN-26 13+7 Ordered IL-76MD 13 Tu-154, inc 8 ELINT versions 3 Mi-6 330+52 Mi-8/17/171/172 40 Z-8 210 Z-9 10 Z-10 60 Z-11 93+57 Ordered HC-120 16 S-70 130 JJ-6 40 JJ-7 180 JL-8/K-8 !"People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force 16 H-6D 5 Y-8 MPA 5 Y-8 ELINT 8 Y-8 AEW 30 J-7D/E 35 JH-7A 48 J-8 20 J-10, 10AS and J-10SH 30 Q-5 16 JJ-6 23 Su-30MKK2/33 2+48 Ordered J-15, copy of Su-33, two J-15 have landed on the Liaoning carrier 6 SA365N 19+7 Ordered Ka-28/31
8 3 16 25 9 12 14 12 12
Mi-8 SH-5 Z-8 Z-9C Y-7 Y-8 JJ-6 JL-8 (K-8) JL-9
Notes: Chengdu J-20 IOC as early as 2018, 1st ight in Jan. 2011 second ac in May 2012. the F-22 like J-21 reported to have made rst ight in October. First pictures of Y-20 a four engine high wing strategic transport. Questionable reports that China may be developing a STOVL type aircraft.
INDIA
!"Indian Air Force 69 MiG-29S/UB/ UPG, rst 3 of 69 upgraded ac delivered in December from RAC MiG. From ac no. 6 HAL will undertake the upgrade 55 Mirage-2000H/TH, two ac crashed in FebMarch 120+152 Ordered Su-30MK/MKI, Govt. approved plans to equip MKIs with 200 air
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11 72 64 Planned
While the IL-76 remains the mainstay of Indian Air Force heavy lift the arrival of teh first of ten C-17 Globemaster aircraft from the US in 2013 will significantly increase capabilities (c) DoD
launched BrahMos missiles. Ordered a further 42 in January. Talks to upgrade 214 Planned PAK-FA/T-50, HAL/Sukhoi collaboration unit cost of $100m, certication planned for 2019 126 Planned Rafael B/C, replacing MiG-27 and MiG-21, contract deferred in Jan. budget cuts 152 MiG-21Bison/ bis/M, ac crashed in November 149+10 Ordered Jaguar IM/IS/T, 1st DARIN III upgraded ac ew in Nov. 14 MiG-23UM 80 MiG-27UPG 1+79 Ordered Tejas LCA 3 Ordered EMB-145 AEW 3+2 Planned IL-76TD/A-50EI AEW 2 Gulfstream III EW 1 1125 G100 Recce 7 IL-78 MKI ‘MARS’ 6 Planned MRTT, A330 selected in est. $1b deal, contract deferred in Jan 2013 budget cuts 105 An-32 10 C-17, $1.78b contact for partial cost nalised in Feb. 2012, deliveries in 2013-14 6+6 Ordered C-130J 40 Do-228-201 59 HS 748
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56 Planned
Light Transport, replacement for HS 748, RFP for 56 ac in Dec. est. value $2.5b-$3b 45 Planned Medium Transport Aircraft, development contract for HAL and United Aircraft signed in Oct. 17 Il-76 47+65 Ordered Dhruv ALH 25 LCH 2+10 Ordered AW101, VVIP role 150+109 Ordered Mi-8/17, latest order for Mi-17V5 in December as part of an 80 ac deal in 2008, rst Mi- 17V5 inducted in Feb. 2 Mi-17s crashed in August killing 8 3 Mi-26 15 Ordered CH-47F 20 Mi-37
SA316 Cheetah SA319 Cheetak LUH, programme deferred in 2013 budget cuts 65+60 Ordered Hawk 132 161 HJT-16 16 Ordered HJT-36 Sitara 181 Ordered PC-7 II 15 Saras !"Indian Army 45+179 Ordered Dhruv ALH 22 Ordered AH-64E, deal worth $1.2b 20+40 Ordered Rudra AH, rst 20 ac inducted in March 2013 114 LCH 27+3 Ordered SA315 133 Planned LUH !"Indian Naval Arm 17+29 Ordered MiG-29K/KUB, sea trials on Vikramaditya successful 8/3 Sea Harrier FRS51/ T4/60 8 Ordered Tejas LCA, rst ight in April 2012 8 Tu-142ME 8+12 Planned P-8I MPA, rst ac delivered to IN in December, 2 more ac due in early 2013 before y to new Tamil Nadu base 26 Do-228 MPA/ Transport 6 Planned Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft 5 IL-38 MPA 12 BN-2
Three Indian Navy P-8I aircraft will fly from Seattle to their new base Tamil Nadu in mid 2013 (c) Boeing
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AIR FORCE DIRECTORY
delivery in Sept. CN-235 110/220M F27-400M PC-6 AS332 SA330 NBO105 S-58 EC725, delivery in 2014 18 Ordered GT120B 10 EC120B 17 KT-1B 18 SF-260M/W 16 T-34C 16 Ordered T-50, ordered in 2011 !"Indonesian Army 1 BN-2A 6 C-212 1 Turbo Commander 8 Ordered AH-64E, $1.4b DCSA announcement in Oct. 2012 inc. 120 Hellďƒžre missiles 11 Bell 205A-1 36 Bell 412 7 NBO-105 7 SA316 12+6 Ordered Mi-17-V5 5 Mi-35M 2 EC-120B !"Indonesian Navy 6 NC-212-200 MPA 10+1 NC-212-200 8 Ordered NCN-235-220 MPA 29 Nomad 22/24 MPA 3 Ordered NB 412SP 1 NAS332 4 NBO-105 3 EC-120B 6 6 2 7+9 Ordered 15 7 4 6 Ordered
The Indonesian Air Force will receive four C-130H aircraft retired from Royal Australian Air Force service in November. They will join C-130B/H/H-30/L-100 variants already in service (c) Commonwealth of Australia
15 8 7 13 9 36 27 3 17 Ordered 20 9
Saras Dhruv ALH Ka-25 Ka-28 Ka-31 SA316B/319 Sea King 42 UH-3 Hawk 132 HJT-16 Amphib SAR, RFI in Jan 2011, need for up to 18 ac
Notes: Government has called for HAL to restructure to better address the production and development of more complex aircraft types. India has expressed interest in further C-17s although Ministry have said there are no plans. First PAK-FA due to arrive in India in 2014, second in 2017, third in 2019. Total cost of programme estimated at $30b.
remainder to be in service by 2014 50 Planned KF-X 6/3 F-5E/F 4+12 Ordered EMB-314 Super Tucano, 1st ac arrived in Sept., completing in 2014 2 OV-10 3 737 MPA 1+1 Ordered CN-235 MPA 1 KC-130B 1 737 16 +4 Ordered C-130B/H/H30/L-100, 4 exRAAF C130H to be transferred 10 C-212 2+7 Ordered CN-295, 1st
Notes: US DCSA announcement of potential acquisition of AGM-
Japan operates 79 F-2A/B aircaft with Lockheed Martin refurbishing those platforms damaged by the Tsunami at Matsushima AB (c) DoD
INDONESIA
!"Indonesian Air Force 7/3+24 Ordered F-16A/B, 24 surplus ac from US upgraded to Block 52 standard 25 Hawk 209, ac crashed in Oct. 13 Hawk 53/109 5 Su-27SK/SKM, based at Sultan Hasanuddin AB, South Sulawesi 5+6 Planned Su-30MK/MK2,
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Japan’s ageing F-15J fleet will need an upgrade to maintain its edge against the latest Chinese aircraft such as the J-20 and J-31 (c) DoD
65K2 for use with F-16s announced in September. Taiwan offered Indonesia a squadron of F-5s in March. ShinMaywa sees potential requirement for Amphibian SAR. Indonesia has a 20 percent stake on South Korea’s KF-X programme. Aircraft to be based in Papua at Timika.
JAPAN
!"Japan Air Self Defence Force 63/16 F-2A/B, LM continuing to work on refurbishing ac damaged by Tsunami at Matsushima AB 80 F-4EJ/EF-4EJ/RF-4EJ 153/45 F-15J/DJ, potential AESA upgrade to replace
APG-63(V1) 4+38 Ordered F-35A, est. cost of $10b, Japan has warned unit cost escalation could see programme cancellation, LoA signed in June 4 E-767 AEW 2+1 Ordered EC225, in VIP role, 3rd to be delivered in 2015 1 EC-1 13 E-2C 10 YS-11P/FC/NT/EA/ EB 4 KC-767, Boeing may offer KC-46 for additional requirements
The JASDF operates 13 E-2Cs (c) DoD
U-125/A C-1A/FTB, replaced by C-2 2+20 Ordered C-2 development completion delayed until 2014 16 C-130H/KC130H, planning on acquiring six more KC-130H ac from USMC surplus in $170m deal 5 Gulfstream IV 19 CH-47J 40+40 Ordered UH-60J 13 Beechcraft T-400 203 T/XT-4 48 T-7 !"Japanese Ground Self Defence Force 5 King Air 350/LR-2 6 MU-2 75 AH-1S 10 AH-64DJP 57 CH-47J/JA 111 MD500 33+1 Ordered OH-1 139 OH-6D/J 174 UH-1H/J, to be replaced by UH-X 30 UH-60JA 10+20 ordered TH-480B, will replace OH-6 in training role !"Japan Maritime Self Defence Force 104 EP-3C/OP-3C/UP-3C, replaced by P-1 2+10 Ordered P-1 MPA, acquiring as many as 65 P-1 7 US-1/-2, nal ShinMaywa delivered in 2011, potential requirement for another ac 3 YS-11T-A/M/M-A 4 Learjet 36 7+7 Ordered MCH/CH101, ordered four Northrop Grumman ALMDS counter mine payload in 2012 10 MH-53E 116 SH/UH-60J/K 27 King Air 90 9 OH-6D/J 43 T-5 6+9 Ordered EC135T2i Notes: The UH-X programme is lead by Kawasaki heavy Industries with development completed by 2017-
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4 Mi-171Sh 2+10 Ordered EC-725 26 S-61A-4 2 AS61N-1 25 SA316 8 MB339CM 30 PC-7 17 PC-7 Mk II 1 B737 1 A319 2 S-70 VIP !"Malaysian Army Air Corps 11 AW109H !"Royal Malaysian Navy 6 AS.555SN 6 Super Lynx 300 6 Planned ASW Helos for 20132014 Notes: RMAF working to establish joint training amongst ASEAN members. Requirement for new base in E. Sabah. The Royal Malaysian Air Force took delivery of the first two EC725 in late 2012 (c) Eurocopter
18, 1905Kg payload and room for 11 troops. Japan put $103m funding into Mitsubishi Industries led ATD-X stealth programme with 2014 for rst ight. Japan unlikely to buy more than 40 C-2s. F-35s will be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at Nagoya with rst ac built in 2017. Japan will study the acquisition of V-22 Ospreys in 2013.
LAOS
!"Lao People’s Liberation Army Air Force 25 MiG-21PFM/U 1 An-26 10 An-2 2 Ka-32 1 An-74K-100 7 Mi-8 11 Mi-17 4 UH-1H 4 Z-9
18 4 Ordered 14 6 1 1 10 1 4
Su-30MKM A400M C-130H/H-30/T/KC130 CN-235-220M Falcon 900B F28-1000 Cessna 402 Global Express BD700 King Air 200 MPA
MYANMAR
!"Myanmar Air Force 21 A-5C 1 F-6 24 F-7M 4 G4 15+13 MiG-29B/SE/UB 2 F27 2 FH-227 6 Cessna 180 2 BN2 MPA 5 PC-6A/B 12 Bell 205
The last of six Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K aircraft will receive the L-3 Communications Integrated Systems upgrade by the end of 2013 (c) Commonwealth of Australia
Notes: Declining serviceability across the board.
MALAYSIA
!"Royal Malaysian Air Force 13 F/RF-5E/F-5F 8 F/A-18D 18 Planned MRCA 13/6 Hawk 208/108 10+2 Ordered MiG-29N/UB
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10 5 11 9 6 6 12 16 10 12+48 Ordered
Mi-2 Mi-35 Mi-17V SA316B W-3/UT FT-7 K-8 PC-7 PC-9 K-8
Notes: India’s Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne visited Burma in November to discuss co-operation.
NEW ZEALAND
!"Royal New Zealand Air Force 6 P-3K MPA 2 757-200 5 C-130H 4 King Air B200 4+4 Ordered NH-90, delivered via AN-124, remainder due in 2013 13 UH-1H 5+2 Ordered AW109 13 CT-4E, leased primary trainers !"Royal New Zealand Navy 5 SH-2G(NZ), upgrade planned under new Defence Capability Plan, Notes: RNZN tested Seasprite from HMNZS Otago Offshore Patrol Vessel in May. Reports suggest may acquire some or all of the RAN’s 11 SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites as replacements. RNZAF leased four B200s for its interim advanced pilot training aircraft. In December issued an RFT for new military pilot training capability with the CT-4E and B200 leases ending in 2018. Eight RNZAF McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks and nine Aermacchi MB-339CB trainers put in storage in 2001 were sold to Draken International in August.
NORTH KOREA
!"Korean People’s Air Force 100 F-5 98 F-6 120 F-7 80 H-5 30 MiG-21 50 MiG-23 35 MiG-29/UB 18 Su-7 34 Su-25
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Ageing ROKAF F-4s will be replaced by the winner of the F-X III competition between the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-35A (c) DoD
36 60 40 20 30 135
MD500D Mi-2 Mi-8/17 Mi-24 FT-2 FT-5
Notes: Dire levels of serviceability due to a variety of reasons, suggest serviceability rates of less than 50 percent for most types.
PAKISTAN
!"Pakistan Air Force 143 F-7P/PG 63 F/16A/B/C/D, Block 52+ , last Block 52 ac received in Feb. 2012, US Block 15 upgrade also in delivery, also rst of 41 TAI led Peace Drive III upgraded A/B Block 15s in delivery due to complete in Sept. 2014 30+120 Ordered JF-17 87 Mirage IIIEL/EP/OF/ RP/BE/BL/D/DP, 86 Mirage 5EF/F/PA/ DPA, ac crashed in June 4 Saab 2000 AEW 1+3 Ordered ZDK-03 AEW, Y-8 based 1 Saab 2000
4 16 3 3
Il-78MK C-130B/E/L-100 707 Transport/VIP CN-235-220 Transport/VIP 2 Y-12 1 F27 3 Embraer Phenom 2 Falcon 20/DA-20 1 King Air 200 5 AB205 1 AB412 6 Mi-171 25 FT-5 9 FT-6 5 FT-7 38 K-8 10 SA316/319 18 T-37B/C !"Pakistan Army 35 AH-1F/S 3 Ordered AW139 19 Bell 206B 30+32 Ordered Bell 412 15 UH-1/AB-205 47 Mi-17/172, fatal crash in July kills 5 12 SA315 14 SA316 31 SA330 10+2 Ordered AS550 Fennec 2 Citation Bravo/V 2 Turbo Commander 840 2 King Air 350 4 Y-12
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The ROKAF operates 60 F-15K selected for the F-X I and II programmes (c) DoD
!"Pakistan Navy 6 P-3C Orion 7 F27 MPA 5 SA316B 6 Sea King Mk.45 6 Z-9EC Notes: Lack of a BVRAAM capability on F-16s a drawback versus IAF aircraft. In midst of reorienting priorities to deal with COIN requirements rather than purely warfighting roles.
PHILIPPINES
!"Philippines Air Force 12 OV-10A/C 12 Planned Advanced Jet Trainers/attack, Yak-130, M346 and F/A-50 in lead 12 Requested F-16C/D Block 25, not yet a formal requirement 2 Planned MPA 1-2 Planned C4ISR ac, potentially same platform as new MPAs 2 Planned Medium Airlifter, RFP in 2013 2 Planned Light Airlifter, RFP in 2013
6
COIN ac, AT-802C, EMB-314 and AT-6 see as leaders 1 F27 MPA 2 F27-200 1 F28-3000 1 Turbo Commander 3 C-130B/H, requirement for a further ac RFP in 2013 1 Nomad 22B/C 4 Ordered AS550 8 Bell 205A-1 2 Bell 212/214 25 MD-520MG 10 S-76 40 UH-1H/V, upgrades to 21 ac, first ac in service from 2014 4+4 Ordered W-3 5 SF211, only jet aircraft used to maintain training for new generation acquisitions 21 SF260TP/MP/WP 4+4 Ordered W3 Swidnik, retasked from combat utility to SAR
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2 S-70A-5 VIP !"Philippine Navy 6 BN-2 MPA 4 BO105 Notes: New AJT to enter service from 2014-15.
SINGAPORE
!"Republic of Singapore Air Force 24 Ordered F-15SG 60 F-16C/D Block 52, potential upgrade to AESA mid decade 26/9 F-5S/T 5 F50ME2 MPA, nearing end of life with Do228NG, surplus USN P-3s or P-8I considered candidates 4 F50 UTL 4 G550 AEW 4 E-2C 5 KC-130B/H 4 KC-135R, competition for replacement expected soon 5 C-130H 19 AH-64D 33 AS332M/532,
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replacement planned for 2025 16 CH-47D/SD 10 AS.550A2/C2 22 A-4SUTA-4SU 12 Ordered M346, rst two ac and mission simulators due in 2012 19 PC-21 6 EC-120 !"Republic of Singapore Navy 6 SH-60B Notes: Potential requirement for up to 100 F-35s in 2020.
SOUTH KOREA
!"Republic of Korea Air Force 85 F-4D/E/RF-4C 194 F-5E/F 60 F-15K, Boeing & Hyundai Glovis signed $300m 5 year deal in Feb. for support services, JASSM incompatible with F-15K 118/51 K/F-16C/D, BAE appoint prime in 134 ac $1.1b upgrade 11+11 Ordered TA-50 20 Ordered FA-50, $600m deal, CBU-105D/B SFW selected Planned KFX, twin engine ‘KF-16 class’ medium size design, due to enter service in 2021 4 Planned Tankers 60 F-X III, RFP issued in Jan. 2012 contenders Typhoon, F-15SE and F-35 to replace ROKAF F-4s 4 737 AEW, last ac delivered on October 24th 8 RC-800s, Tactical SIGINT 2 Ordered Falcon 2000S, deliveries by 2016 1 737 12 C-130H/H-30, Elbit wins $62m upgrade in June 4 Ordered C-130J-30 18 CN-235-100/-220 2 AS332 75 P-9 MK II, $640 million deal 6 CH-47D 3 Bell 412 12 BO105
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8 41 16 106 63
Ka-32T S-70A/V/HH-60P Hawk 67 KT/KO-1 T-50B, Black Eagles ac fatally crashed in November near Seoul 3 S-92 VIP !"Republic of Korea Army 77 AH-1JF/J 36 Planned AHX, bids submitted May 2012 deliveries expected in 2016, competition between AH-1Z Cobra, AH- 64D and T129B 12 B0105 39 CH-47D/DLR 281 MD500E, due to be sold as KAH replaces it 81 UH-1H/N 94 UH-60P 1 King Air 90 !"Republic of Korea Navy 13 P-3C/K 5 F406 24 Lynx Mk.99/A/SL100 7 SA319B 8 UH-1H 7+8 Ordered UH-60P/MH60S/S-70 8 Planned Shipborne Helo Notes: LiGNex1 and Applied Composites developing prototype
Radome for KF-X. First flight tests of aircraft as early as 2016 No buyer selected yet for government’s sale of 41.75 percent stake in KAI. AHX programme was to have announced winner in October. DCSA request for AHX put the cost of the Apache at $3.6b and the Cobra at $2.6b.
SRI LANKA
!"Sri Lankan Air Force 9 F-7/GS/BS 9 Kr C2/7/(T)C2 1 MiG-23UB 7 MiG-27D 2 King Air 1300 5 An-32 2 C-130K C.1 1 Ce421 2 Ordered MA60 1 King Air 200T MPA 4 Bell 206A/B 9 Y-12 14 Bell 212/412EP. 15+14 Ordered Mi-17/171/V-5 14 Mi-24V/P/N/-35P 5+2 Ordered K-8 1 FT-7 Notes: Discussion of acquiring xed wing air superiority capability have gone quiet.
TAIWAN
!"Republic of China Air Force 81 F-5E/F/RF-5E
All four 737 AEW, the last aircraft being delivered on October 24th operate from the Gimhae air base (c) Boeing
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REGIONAL AIR FORCE DIRECTORY
The Royal Thai Air Force operates ten C-130 H and H-30 variants (c) DoD
117/28
101/25
47/10 Oct. 2 4+2 Ordered 19 6 3 13 3
F-16A/B Block 20, $1.85b deal based around AESA by Lockheed Martin F-CK-1A/B, due to complete $ 587m MLU for rst 71 ac in late 2013 Mirage 2000-5EI/5DI, ac lost in France in
Beech 1900C E-2T/K C-130H C-27J F.50 VIP S-70C-1/1A/S-70C-6 EC225 Mk 2 Super Puma 51 AT-3A/B 38 T-34C !"Republic of China Army 61 AH-1W 45 Ordered AH-64D Block III 8 CH-47SD 38 OH-58D 84 UH-1B/H 60 Ordered UH-60M !"Republic of China Navy 21 S-2T ASW 8 MD500MD/ASW 16 S-70CM1/CM2 1+11 Ordered P-3C/T Notes: Still lobbying for 66 F-16C/Ds. F-16 upgrade on a 24 ac squadron basis beginning in 2016. 16 ac based in US for training with 73 aircraft available for operations at any one time.
THAILAND
!"Royal Thai Air Force 53 F-5A/E/B/F/T, partly replaced by Gripens 53 F-16A/B 6+6 Ordered Gripen C/D, rst ac declared operational 8th July at Wing 7 Surat Thani 2 Saab 340 AEW&C, second ac delivered in Oct. 1+1 Ordered Saab 340 2 Arava 201 8 BT-67/C-47TP 10 C-130H/H-30 6 Ordered CN-235 4 HS748-208 2 737 2 747-8I-BBJ 1 A310 1 A319 4 ATR72-500 1 King Air 90 1 Learjet 35A EW 5 DA42 1 Merlin IV 14 Nomad 22B 4 Ordered EC725, $128m deal for CSAR platforms, delivery complete in 2015 12 Bell 212ST/412HP/ SP/EP 14 ÙH-1H 3 S-92A Superhawk VIP 19 Alpha Jet 32 L-39ZA/ART
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22 PC-9M 17 AU-23A !"Royal Thai Army 7 AH-1F 18 Bell 206/B-3 54 Bell 212 3 Mi-17 6+4 Ordered S-70A/UH-60M 80 UH-1H/V 2 Ordered AW139, announced October delivery in 2014 6 CH-47D 10 U-17B 40 TH-300C 1+1 Ordered ERJ135R 2 C-212 VIP 2 Beechcraft 1900C 2 King Air 200 16 F480B, light turbine training helicopters !"Royal Thai Navy 1 F27-200ME MPA 2 F27-200/400M 1 CL-215 1 ERJ135LR 1 P-3T 3 Nomad 24 7 Do 228-212 10 Bell 212/214ST 8 S-70-B7/MH-60S, two Seahawks delivered in 4 S-76B 2 Super Lynx 110/300 Notes: RTAF will receive six more Gripens and another Saab 340 AEW in 2013.
VIETNAM
!"Vietnamese People’s Air Force 144 MiG-21L/N/UM 38 Su-22J/K 18+11 Ordered Su-30MK2V 11 Su-27SK/UBK 4 Be-12 20 An-26 1 PZL M-28 2 Ka-32S 8 W-3S/RM 90 Mi-8/17Sh/172 25 Mi-24A/D 26 L-39C ! Vietnam People’s Navy 3 Ordered DHC-6 MPA 3 Ordered DHC-6 2 EC225 7 KA-27 Notes: Renewed commitment to surveillance and sovereignty in South AMR China Sea.
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Regional
Regional
AIR FORCE Directory
AIR FORCE Directory
Ka-52
каKa-226T
WORKHORSES OF WAR Russia remains one of the few countries capable of manufacturing all types of helicopters, including military helicopters, ranging from light models to unique Mi-26T2 heavy transports. This allows Russia to have a strong lead in the international arms market. The sales of military and dual-use helicopters through Rosoboronexport, the main Russian arms exporter, alone have increased almost 7 times over the last five or six years.
Indispensable Mi-17s
Among the absolute leaders of world helicopters exports are new versions of the Russian Mi-17-series military transport helicopters. Their early versions were widely spread throughout the world, including South-East Asia. The legendary Mi-17s participated in dozens of conflicts and peacekeeping missions. All who have
flown Russian helicopters have noted incredible survivability of these “workhorses of war.” There are hundreds of cases where the helicopters successfully returned to their bases, riddled with bullets, with damaged blades, punctured tanks, broken pipelines. Damaged units were replaced in the field with new ones or repaired. The helicopters returned to operation within the shortest time. New versions of the Mi-17 have been developed drawing on a comprehensive analysis of their use in combat. While retaining the best properties of the predecessors, they have received modern avionics, can be used at any time and in adverse weather, and have effective self-defense equipment. The Mi-17-type helicopters are the real “workhorses” of troops and special services of many countries around the world. They can operate
in an environment where others are incapable, which clearly emerged, for example, in Afghanistan. The Mi-17 is superior to all its “classmates” in cargo volume. One Mi-17 can quickly transfer up to 36 fully equipped troopers who embark in less than 2 minutes owing to good design of the helicopter. The crew can support the troopers with powerful weapons: 80mm S-8 unguided rockets (up to 80 rockets in pods) or two 23mm GSh-23L aircraft cannons in gun pods. The Mi-17 is far superior to all its rivals as regards the power of full salvo. To evacuate the wounded, the Mi-17 is equipped with 12 stretcher sets and medical equipment while providing free access to each of the wounded. When humanitarian and search-and-rescue operations are conducted, special equipment can be installed. Overall, up to 4 tons can be carried by the Mi-17 inside the cabin or on an external sling.
Alligator’s fast grip
Legendary Mi-17s
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Besides the well-known Mi-17, Rosoboronexport offers its partners also new generation attack helicopters, the Ka-52 Alligator, which are an advanced version of the Ka-50. The Ka-52 differs from its predecessor in a twin-seat crew cockpit where the pilot seats are arranged sideby-side. Both pilots have full controls of the helicopter and can use weapons with no limitations. This pilot seating scheme improves the interaction in difficult combat conditions, provides the best crew visibility and helps the pilots better use the excellent capabilities of the helicopter. Owing to high flying performance of the coaxial arrangement of rotors combined with its unique maneuverability, the helicopter can quickly maneuver for position to attack. The Ka-52 is capable of moving sideways and back at high speed and can
change the direction of its movement in a few seconds. The on-board multifunctional avionics suite provides piloting, navigation and use of weapons around the clock in any weather. It is a computer-based multi-level system having large storage capacity and high speed. The observation, search and targeting systems, which comprise helmet-mounted displays, are used for round-the-clock and all-weather detection of targets and their attack using optical, TV, laser, IR and radar equipment. Weapons used by the Ka-52 are impressive as well: a starboard 2A42 gun (460 rounds), up to 12 Ataka guided missiles, 80 unguided rockets and up to 4 Igla-V air-to-air missiles suspended in various combinations from six hardpoints on the wing pylons plus a machine gun pod. As for safety, Alligator’s armored cockpit reliably protects the crew, who, by the way, can even eject in emergency – but after blades jettisoning. The vital systems and components of the Ka-52 are duplicated and well protected as well, the rotor system and transmission elements have an extra margin of safety, there is also an effective self-contained fire extinguishing system. The Ka-52 is equipped with an ECCM/ECM system. And that means one thing – the combat mission will be accomplished even in the most severe combat situation.
Here, a distinct advantage of the Russian proposal is in its “cumulative” effect: the superior Ka-226T helicopter is offered in a package with an offset program, which is attractive for India and will allow the two countries to move to full-scale industrial cooperation in the field of helicopter production. As for Ka-226T performance, the helicopter not only compares favorably with its competitors, but is really optimal for reconnaissance, cargo transportation and search-and-rescue operations in a variety of hard-to-reach regions. Thanks to its coaxial rotor system, the Ka-226T has a large thrust reserve and a high climb rate, which increases its hover ceiling. Its aerodynamic symmetry and lack of cross coupling in the control channels facilitate piloting, which is especially important when flying at low altitudes. This vehicle is more maneuverable across the entire range of speeds and, gener-
ally, is ideally suited to handle missions in mountainous terrain and at high temperatures. By the way, the excellent performance and a high level of survivability of the Ka-226T are supported also by two modern Turbomeca Arrius 2G engines. It should be noted that the multirole Ka226T has shown itself excellently during the evaluation tests conducted within the tender in India. They demonstrated once again that the Ka-266T has embodied the best Kamov design school achievements: design modularity, easy piloting technique, low vibration, high reliability, flight safety, and low maintenance. However, this has been an open secret for a long time that these qualities are inherent in most rotary-wing aircraft developed in Russia. It is a tradition originated many decades ago. So now, as before, the Russians manufacture real “workhorses of war,” whose task comes to one thing – to perform the mission and win.
Ka-226T vs Fennec: Russia expecting victory
Another notable Russian helicopter promoted by Rosoboronexport in the AsiaPacific region is the multi-purpose Ka226T. As is known, the evaluation of the tender to supply the Indian Air Force and Army with 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters is expected in the near future. Rosoboronexport hopes the Kamov Ka-226T will win over its competitor – the Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec helicopter.
Mi-171sh
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Regional
Regional
AIR FORCE Directory
AIR FORCE Directory
Ka-52
каKa-226T
WORKHORSES OF WAR Russia remains one of the few countries capable of manufacturing all types of helicopters, including military helicopters, ranging from light models to unique Mi-26T2 heavy transports. This allows Russia to have a strong lead in the international arms market. The sales of military and dual-use helicopters through Rosoboronexport, the main Russian arms exporter, alone have increased almost 7 times over the last five or six years.
Indispensable Mi-17s
Among the absolute leaders of world helicopters exports are new versions of the Russian Mi-17-series military transport helicopters. Their early versions were widely spread throughout the world, including South-East Asia. The legendary Mi-17s participated in dozens of conflicts and peacekeeping missions. All who have
flown Russian helicopters have noted incredible survivability of these “workhorses of war.” There are hundreds of cases where the helicopters successfully returned to their bases, riddled with bullets, with damaged blades, punctured tanks, broken pipelines. Damaged units were replaced in the field with new ones or repaired. The helicopters returned to operation within the shortest time. New versions of the Mi-17 have been developed drawing on a comprehensive analysis of their use in combat. While retaining the best properties of the predecessors, they have received modern avionics, can be used at any time and in adverse weather, and have effective self-defense equipment. The Mi-17-type helicopters are the real “workhorses” of troops and special services of many countries around the world. They can operate
in an environment where others are incapable, which clearly emerged, for example, in Afghanistan. The Mi-17 is superior to all its “classmates” in cargo volume. One Mi-17 can quickly transfer up to 36 fully equipped troopers who embark in less than 2 minutes owing to good design of the helicopter. The crew can support the troopers with powerful weapons: 80mm S-8 unguided rockets (up to 80 rockets in pods) or two 23mm GSh-23L aircraft cannons in gun pods. The Mi-17 is far superior to all its rivals as regards the power of full salvo. To evacuate the wounded, the Mi-17 is equipped with 12 stretcher sets and medical equipment while providing free access to each of the wounded. When humanitarian and search-and-rescue operations are conducted, special equipment can be installed. Overall, up to 4 tons can be carried by the Mi-17 inside the cabin or on an external sling.
Alligator’s fast grip
Legendary Mi-17s
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Besides the well-known Mi-17, Rosoboronexport offers its partners also new generation attack helicopters, the Ka-52 Alligator, which are an advanced version of the Ka-50. The Ka-52 differs from its predecessor in a twin-seat crew cockpit where the pilot seats are arranged sideby-side. Both pilots have full controls of the helicopter and can use weapons with no limitations. This pilot seating scheme improves the interaction in difficult combat conditions, provides the best crew visibility and helps the pilots better use the excellent capabilities of the helicopter. Owing to high flying performance of the coaxial arrangement of rotors combined with its unique maneuverability, the helicopter can quickly maneuver for position to attack. The Ka-52 is capable of moving sideways and back at high speed and can
change the direction of its movement in a few seconds. The on-board multifunctional avionics suite provides piloting, navigation and use of weapons around the clock in any weather. It is a computer-based multi-level system having large storage capacity and high speed. The observation, search and targeting systems, which comprise helmet-mounted displays, are used for round-the-clock and all-weather detection of targets and their attack using optical, TV, laser, IR and radar equipment. Weapons used by the Ka-52 are impressive as well: a starboard 2A42 gun (460 rounds), up to 12 Ataka guided missiles, 80 unguided rockets and up to 4 Igla-V air-to-air missiles suspended in various combinations from six hardpoints on the wing pylons plus a machine gun pod. As for safety, Alligator’s armored cockpit reliably protects the crew, who, by the way, can even eject in emergency – but after blades jettisoning. The vital systems and components of the Ka-52 are duplicated and well protected as well, the rotor system and transmission elements have an extra margin of safety, there is also an effective self-contained fire extinguishing system. The Ka-52 is equipped with an ECCM/ECM system. And that means one thing – the combat mission will be accomplished even in the most severe combat situation.
Here, a distinct advantage of the Russian proposal is in its “cumulative” effect: the superior Ka-226T helicopter is offered in a package with an offset program, which is attractive for India and will allow the two countries to move to full-scale industrial cooperation in the field of helicopter production. As for Ka-226T performance, the helicopter not only compares favorably with its competitors, but is really optimal for reconnaissance, cargo transportation and search-and-rescue operations in a variety of hard-to-reach regions. Thanks to its coaxial rotor system, the Ka-226T has a large thrust reserve and a high climb rate, which increases its hover ceiling. Its aerodynamic symmetry and lack of cross coupling in the control channels facilitate piloting, which is especially important when flying at low altitudes. This vehicle is more maneuverable across the entire range of speeds and, gener-
ally, is ideally suited to handle missions in mountainous terrain and at high temperatures. By the way, the excellent performance and a high level of survivability of the Ka-226T are supported also by two modern Turbomeca Arrius 2G engines. It should be noted that the multirole Ka226T has shown itself excellently during the evaluation tests conducted within the tender in India. They demonstrated once again that the Ka-266T has embodied the best Kamov design school achievements: design modularity, easy piloting technique, low vibration, high reliability, flight safety, and low maintenance. However, this has been an open secret for a long time that these qualities are inherent in most rotary-wing aircraft developed in Russia. It is a tradition originated many decades ago. So now, as before, the Russians manufacture real “workhorses of war,” whose task comes to one thing – to perform the mission and win.
Ka-226T vs Fennec: Russia expecting victory
Another notable Russian helicopter promoted by Rosoboronexport in the AsiaPacific region is the multi-purpose Ka226T. As is known, the evaluation of the tender to supply the Indian Air Force and Army with 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters is expected in the near future. Rosoboronexport hopes the Kamov Ka-226T will win over its competitor – the Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec helicopter.
Mi-171sh
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TACTICAL
V e h i c l e s
Oshkosh’s M-ATV design has secured sales of nearly 10,000 vehicles inlcuding export markets (c) Oshkosh
PROTECTED MOBILITY:
MANY THREATS, MANY OPTIONS For a relatively new class of vehicle, protected mobility platforms have increased their numbers massively, developing rapidly from a niche requirement for operations in troublespots around the world, typically supporting peacekeeping missions and similar to now become a mainstream, indispensable requirement for all militaries supporting the primary operations of today and having also secured their place in future force structures. by Adam Baddeley
F
or a relatively new class of vehicle, protected mobility platforms have increased their numbers massively, developing rapidly from a niche requirement for operations in troublespots around the world, typically supporting peacekeeping missions and similar to now become a mainstream, indispensable requirement for all militaries supporting the primary operations of today and having also secured their place in future force structures.
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Mine protected vehicles had been around for some time with ungainly, home brew vehicles appearing in Southern Africa in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to what we would now called improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mine attacks by nationalist movements. These designs were subsequently rened but still addressed only a modest market until the advent of operations in Iraq after 2003. This saw IEDs become the biggest single threat to the lives of deployed forces, prompting the rapid deployment of US Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
vehicles. Some 24,000 (MRAP) vehicles are now deployed and have been followed by continual improvements to their protection and mobility as well as the addition of new designs as they are required. In these conicts and operations, the key common characteristics of these vehicles were established. Rather than defeat cannon re and heavier battleeld threats, protected mobility platforms focus on small arms re, shell splinters, mines and IEDs. Rather than dedicated
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new chassis, these platforms are built on existing designs, typically those of trucks and other tactical vehicles. In combining the two, this has seen very high levels of protection by weight and also by design with the widespread adoption of all steel or steel and composite monocoque hulls, typically in a V shape to deect mine and IED blasts. Armour can be added or subtracted via kits to enable the vehicles to be tailored to missions and to enable easier air mobility, both tactical and strategic. Internally, blast attenuating seats are now de rigueur, with the vehicles also being equipped with a range of electronic jamming devices and situational awareness systems as well as remote weapon stations to avoid increasing the threats to the crew. Protection for the crew also has to be balanced with mobility. A vehicle limited to metalled roads means its path is eminently predictable and thus IEDs designed to penetrate even high levels of armour can be deployed. Increasingly, militaries want the same or similar levels of protection in an all terrain vehicle with designs adapting to meet these requirements with vehicles such as the Oshkosh MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) being the US vehicle of choice in Afghanistan. Nearly 10,000 M-ATVs have been ordered almost exclusively by the US Army and Marine Corps although the United Arab Emirates (UAE) military ordered 750 in July with the rst deliveries recently beginning. The vehicles owe much of their mobility to the TAK-4 independent suspension which has subsequently been adopted to improve the performance of other non-Oshkosh vehicles in the MRAP class. Powered by a Caterpillar C7 370Hp engine, it carries ve passengers and has a payload capacity of 1814kg.
4569 Level 3 with a gross weight of 11 tonnes, payload of 1000kg and can carry ten personnel plus the driver. The vehicle can reach speeds of 110kmph and with run at speeds of 50kmh. Hatehof provide a number of protective techniques in their vehicles such as double sidewalls made from ballistic steel against kinetic threats, a V-shaped bottom for the hull and a oating oor to maximise crew survivability in the event of an explosion. Vehicles designs have up to STANAG Level 5 protection with appliqué protection designs deployed on the LAV II Bison and Coyote known as BAK or Belly Armour Kit, providing protection against a 5.04Kg C4 mine blast and an illustrative IED made from an M107 155mm round. The company’s Navigator 4x4 vehicles carries 13 personnel and is proof against IEDs of 14Kg TNT. The lighter Xtream carries seven with mine protection up to STANAG Level 4b with high mobility. Critical Solutions’ Mountain Lion design, a newcomer empathises mobility in its design, able to overcome steep 42 degree angles of approach and departure when moving off road. Drakensburg’s Springbuck Six APC which carries a driver plus ten personnel can, with a
dual tank option have a range of 1000km can withstand the blasts from two TM57 landmine the equivalent of 28kg of TNT under its wheels and is proof against a single mine of this class beneath its hull. In terms of mobility it has a speed of 115kmph and has angles of approach and departure of 48 degrees. Czech rm SVOS has built the VEGA or Vehicles with Enhanced Ground performance and Armour protection in both 4x4 and 6x6 version. With a GVW of 19 tonnes and carrying ten plus a crew of two the vehicles can ford rivers at depths of 1.2m, rising to 1.5m for a prepared vehicle and can overcome a vertical step of 60cm. The Polish designed Dzik IV is powered by a 4.75l engine with power of 180hp and a torque of 508Nm and can ford water at depths of 70cm combined with ballistic protection to B6 according to the EN 1522 standard and mine protection to STANAG Level 1 for the crew of two with ten personnel. India’s Yuktirath or Mine Protected Vehicle Mk III has been developed by the Ordnance Development Centre Medak. Assuming that an IED will hit, the design has easily replaceable axles and other features for operation and support in
India has significant requirements for protected mobility platforms for domestic operations (c) AJB
Renault Trucks Higuard is an unashamedly MRAP type design based on the Sherpa 6x6 version, carrying 12 fully equipped soldiers in a 15m3 internal volume in a armoured cab and supports a roof mounted manned or unmanned weapon mount. The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 20 tonnes with a four tonne payload. Thailand’s First Win vehicle, developed by Chaiseri is built around an all steel V-shaped hull, protected up to STANAG
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can be used with the chassis using a deep V-design with the wheel well outside the envelope of the main body. In addition, the vehicle family has an adjustable ride height which can be raised to increase mine detection levels. In term of mobility, it uses independent double wishbone suspension and has low ground pressure, the 6x6 version putting 80 percent less pressure on muddy ground than a Land Rover. The vehicle has an approach angle of 52 percent and a departure angle of 50 percent. The Nimr, a 6x6 design from the UAE can reach speeds of 135kmph and can overcome gradients of 60 percent and can be protected up to STANAG 4569 Level 3. Streit’s Jaguar design emphasises off road performance and is protected to STANAG 4569 Level 3 (c) AJB
the eld. Protection is dened as a side mine blast of 14kg of explosive and 1kg of shrapnel from a distance of 5m and height of 1.5m. For land mine blasts it can take 35kg of TNT under the hull and 42kg under each tyre. Ballistic protection is sufcient to withstand Russian 7.62x54R rounds from 10m. Other Indian solutions include the Rakshak Plus from Mahindra’s Defence Land Systems India a 4x4 design with a power to weight ratio of 26 Kw/tonne and which carries six. Streit’s Spartan vehicle takes a standard 2011 Ford 550 4x4 vehicle and builds military level protection around the chassis so that it becomes unrecognisable from its civilian vehicle basis but with the same civilian automotive supply chain that it can still take advantage of. Streit use a structural integrated armoured body with a climate control system and armour sufcient to meet the B6 standard and has features such as reinforced protection and bumpers to allow obstacles to be rammed without affecting the performance of the vehicle. The company’s Jaguar design emphasises off road performance and is protected to STANAG 4569 Level 3 for the crew compartment with STANAG level 2+ in terms of anti-mine protection. The vehicle has a range of 800km, a speed of 110kmph and is powered by a six cylinder Cummins 6.7l turbocharged diesel engine, a turning circle of just 7m and an approach angle of 38 degrees.
mobility market. A 4x4 design carrying ve, it has a combat weight of 5.3 tonnes and a power to weight ratio of 22kw per tonne. No details of its mine and ballistic protection package are released but in terms of mobility, the vehicle has a turning circle of 8m and can overcome 70cm trenches and has a cruising range of 600km. Unusual in appearance, the TMV 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles successfully combine high levels of protection associated with MRAP class with the different requirements of special forces. An open top design, the vehicle is capable of being uparmoured to STANAG Level 4 via the use of ballistic and blast form steel and for lower levels, composite protection
Paramount’s Marauder series vehicles have a crew of two and can carry a further eight with a stretched variant carrying ten who are protected against threats by a double skinned hull which can defeat ballistic threats sufcient to meet STANAG Level 3 and can withstand a single 7Kg mine underneath its hull and two against any wheel. Gradients of 60 percent can be overcome with an angle of departure of 45 degrees and water fording of 90cm. To overcome barriers a dozer blade and bullbar can be attached. Turkey’s BMC has developed the Kirpi MRAP with the crew capsule being a moncoque design with suspension being a parabolic leaf spring design with telescopic shock absorbers. Rivers of 1.2m can be crossed without preparation and gradient and slide slopes of 30 percent and 60 percent are dealt with simply.
The development of the AMPV was informed by the need for protection and mobility based on experience in the field in Afghanistan (c) Rheinmetall
Norinco’s VN3 4x4 wheeled Armoured Vehicle take China into the protected
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The vehicle is designed for off road performance, rated to overcome slopes of 65 percent and gradients of 35 percent and can also turn in a 7.25m radius. The latest variant of the Bastion dubbed “Extreme Mobility” is equipped with independent suspension and a 320hp six cylinder engine in Euro 3 or 5 versions which creates a power to weight ratio of 30hp per tonne. Protection for the APC version which can carry ten personnel is provided by a V-shaped steel monocoque shell or open shell hull with ballistic protection to STANAG Levels 1 to 3 with anti-mine protection to Level 2a/2b along with Finabel run at tyres.
At Eurosatory, the Sherpa Light Scout was shown with the Israel Military Industries Bright Arrow which provides hard and soft protection in the Wave remote weapon station (c) Renault
KMW’s Dingo has a number of customers with the Dingo 2 variant with Saudi Arabia reported to want to acquire 100 in a €100 million deal.
armour hull combined with composite armour. It has a crew of four on patrol and a payload of two tonnes with speed of 110kmph and a range of 700km.
The UK has invested $550 million in the General Dynamics: Force Protection Ocelot vehicles known as the Foxhound in UK service with the latest order adding a further 51 vehicles to the inventory. Protection features includes the ability to operate in three wheels in case of an IED or mine attack and normally being able to reach a speed of nearly 130Kmph. The Foxhound is designed to be carried as an underslung load by a CH-47 as well as being transportable by C-130 and larger airlifter. It can overcome both approach and departure angles of 45 degrees and can reach 80kmph in under twenty seconds - not fast by civilian standards but highly agile for an armoured vehicle.
Acmat’s Bastion 4x4 vehicle, based on the VLRA is designed for ultra-long range - 1000km at cruising speeds and with maximum speed of 110kmph. The vehicle comes in two versions; Special force or Patsas version and the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).
To provide extra-protection as well as offensive capability, the Sherpa Light Scout has successfully integrated Israel Military Industries Bright Arrow which provides hard and soft protection in the Wave remote weapon station. The Sherpa Light Scout can have a range of ballistic and mine protection packages and it is C-130 and A400M compatible and has been adopted by a number of militaries. Iveco’s 4x3 MPV/VTMM, developed with KMW is based on the Trakker tactical vehicles chassis providing considerable internal volume - 13m3 for the MPV version, rising to 16m3 in the ambulance version. A medium weight protected mobility vehicle, it has a gross vehicle AMR weight of 18 tonnes.
Iveco’s MPV design has 16m3 of internal volume in its ambulance variant (c) AJB
Indonesia’s armoured PINDAD -RPP carries ten in a 4x4 conguration and is powered by a direct injection turbo intercooler engine with a power to weight ratio of 28.5hp per tonne. KMW and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles have developed the Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles of AMPV round feedback and experience from German troops in Afghanistan. Mobility is aided by a central tyre ination system combined with a self supporting steel
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ASIA-PACIFIC COMBAT TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
The most prolific combat transport in the Asia Pacific region remain the Russian Hip similar to this Indian Air Force Mi-17-V5 (c) David Oliver
Theatre Lift, or the transport of troops and their equipment to frontline positions, is the commonest role of military helicopters. There are more than 4,000 military helicopters in the Asia Pacific region and more than fifty percent of them are employed in the theatre lift role, and that number is set to rise in the next decade. by David Oliver
A
lthough military platforms continue to dominate the global helicopter market, this dominance is expected to reduce as platforms become more capable and ministries of defence look for commonality with existing ďƒ&#x;eets to save on maintenance
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costs and improve platform availability. Financial uncertainty and reduced defence spending is encouraging endusers to remanufacture and upgrade existing platforms, rather than acquire new helicopters. This trend will be particularly evident across Europe and North America, traditionally the largest
helicopter markets but according to a new report issued by the National Intelligence Council (NIC), by 2030 Asia’s spending power will outstrip that of the US and Europe combined. New platforms procurement programmes will be driven primarily
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fact that the most numerous combat transport helicopter in the region is the ubiquitous Mil Mi-8/17 Hip, with almost a thousand in operation in more than a dozen countries.
The most numerous combat transport helicopter in the region is the ubiquitous Mil Mi-8/17 Hip With the latest variant, the rugged Mi-17V-5 powered by two powerful TV3-117VM turboshaft engines, it is able to carry 36 fully armed troops or up to 4,000 kg (8.800 lb) of cargo including military vehicles loaded via its rear ramp. The Mi-17V-5 has an extremely good hot and high performance and the type continues to attract new customers. The country with the largest Hip eet is China with the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) operating more than 300 in various roles, and has recently ordered 50 more. The accredited production of the Mi-17 began in China in May 2008 by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC and Sichuan Lantian Helicopter Company, Sichuan when a total of 20 helicopters were built using the Russian Ulan-Ude supplied kits in 2008. by the demand for multi-capable helicopters, with reduced logistic footprints and more sustainable designs. The need for utility helicopters will intensify, as these platforms become increasingly versatile. Despite ongoing eet renewals, however, limited defence budgets will have a profound impact on the helicopter market across all end-user segments.
The second largest operator is India with the Air force, which has taken delivery of 130 Mi-8s, 93 Mi-17, and 50 Mi-17-IVs. India also ordered 80 Mi17-V5 helicopters in December 2008 as part of a $1.34bn contract, and an additional 59 Mi-17s in August 2010. Deliveries to the Indian Air Force along with spare parts and associated equipments began in 2011 and are expected to be complete by 2014. The rst batch of helicopters entered service with the IAF in February 2012 and the type has recently been deployed in support of the Indian Army and Police in their operations against Naxal guerillas in the ‘Red Corridor’ along the borders of Nepal and China. Other recent contract for the Hip include ten Mi-17Shs for the Malaysian Air Force, 12 for the Pakistan Army in addition to four donated by the US government to assist its anti-terrorist operations in June 2009. The Royal Thai Army announced a contract to buy six Mi-17s in October 2008 while the Indonesian Army have ordered six Mi-17-V5s to supplement the 12 already delivered. In July 2012, Sri Lanka placed an order with Rosoboronexport for 14 Mi-171 helicopters and others have been acquired by Bangladesh and Myanmar . The US gave four Mi-17 helicopters to Pakistan to assist its anti-terrorism
The first of 12 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk medium multipurpose helicopters for the Brunei Air Force (c) Sikorsky
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are having to focus on developing new platforms with cutting-edge improvements that support greater efciency, but at lower life-cycle costs and Asia Pacic military aviation is seeing the effect of these developments. At what at rst sight might be at odds at these requirements is the
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Boeing’s CH-47 beat Mil’s Mi-26, both seen here in Afghanistan, for the Indian Air Force’s heavyweight crown (c) Commonwealth of Australia
activity in June 2009. In December 2005, the Czech Army received 16 Mi-17SH helicopters as part of a debt settlement with Russia. These helicopters have been donated to the Army of Afghanistan. The rst three were handed over in December 2007. The US Department of Defense (DoD) delivered the rst four of 21 Mi-17s to the Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) in September 2009, later adding a further 12 Mi-17-V5 helicopters were delivered to the ANAAC by December 2010. In July 2012, The US Army placed a $171.4m contract with Rosoboronexport to supply 10 more Mil Mi-17V-5 helicopters for the AAF, although the US Congress is attempting to block this latest contract due to souring relations with Russia over its stance on Syria.
The second most popular theatre lift helicopter with Asia Pacic countries is the Sikorsky Black Hawk variants with more than 300 in the region’s inventories
Taiwan and Thailand have ordered 60 and four UH-60M Black Hawks respectively and 12 S-70is are being delivered to the Brunei Air Force with Sikorsky condent that there are more orders in the pipeline. In the heavy lift category, the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, now in its 50th year of production, is the clear winner in the region. Whether carrying up to 55 fully armed troops or a 12,500 kg (28,000 lb) underslung
Japan’s Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) use Fuji-built UH-1J Hueys for Special Forces support (c) US Navy
The second most popular theatre lift helicopter with Asia Pacific countries is the Sikorsky Black Hawk variants with more than 300 in the region’s inventories. Capable of carrying up to 14 fully armed troops, 1,200 kg (2,640 lb) internal cargo or a 3,600 kg (8,000 lb underslung load), the S-70A-9 Black Hawk serves with Australian Army, the S-70C with China’s PLA, the Kawasaki-built UH-60JA with the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF), and the UH-60P with the South Korean Army.
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NB412 while South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand operate large eets of ageing UH-1Ds which require replacing. The South Korean Army has selected the Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) Surion as a Huey replacement and in March 2012 Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced that it had received an order for a new multipurpose helicopter from the Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD), the UH-X, to replace the Huey.
The Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) Surion medium helicopter will replace the South Korean Army’s Huey fleet (c) KAI
load, the Chinook has proved to be the workhorse of choice for ISAF in Afghanistan with more than 250 in service with Asia Pacic armed forces. These include the Australian Air Force, which is replacing its CH-47D eet with seven CH-47Fs, the GSDF with more than 60 Kawasaki-built CH-47Js, the Singapore Air Force and Taiwan Army with CH-47SDs, the South Korean Army with 16 CH-47Ds and six MH-47Es and the Royal Thai Army with a eet of six CH-47Ds. It has been announced that Indian Air Force ofcials have begun negotiations for the $1 billion purchase of 15 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavylift helicopters. Boeing’s twin-rotor Chinook was chosen recently as the preferred bidder over Russia-based Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant’s Mi-26 marking a shift for India away from its traditional supplier, Russia. The IAF has operated a eet of ten Mi-26 heavy lifters since the 1980s but latest variant of the type, which is capable of carrying up to 80 fully armed troops or carrying a 20,000 kg (44,000 lb) payload, only small number have been acquired in the region, including two each by the
In the heavy lift category, the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, now in its 50th year of production, is the clear winner in the region armies of Cambodia and North Korea, and four by China’s PLAAF. The troops and Equipment transport remains the primary role of these helicopters, in response to increased versatility, secondary roles are being adopted which include, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), special forces support and reconnaissance. All of these roles have been taken on, in one form or the other, by the iconic military utility helicopter, the Huey. More than 500 Huey variants, ranging from the Bell UH-1B to the 412, carry up to 12 fully armed troops or 2.500 kg (5,500 lb) payload, are operated in the Asia Pacic region. These include the JGSDF Fuji-built UH-1J and the Indonesian Army’s Nurtanio-Bell
| FEBRUARY 2013 | Helicopters.indd 47
However, the Huey and its intended replacements, which include the PZL-Swidnik W-3 Sokol and AgustaWestland AW149, are in the light to medium-class of combat transport helicopters. Further up the scale are two new types currently entering service in the region, the Eurocopter EC 172 and NH90 TTH. Building on a solid foothold attained by its AS 332/532 Super Puma, over 80 of which are operated by Pakistan and Singapore, each with more than 30 in service, with others operated by Bangladesh, Indonesia and South Korea, Eurocopter is beginning to make headway with its EC 225/725 medium multipurpose helicopters. Building on the successful operations by French Air Force EC 725 Caracals in Afghanistan primarily fullling the CSAR role, but also undertaking troop transport and reconnaissance missions. Capable of carrying 28 fully armed troops or a 7,500 kg (10,475 lb) underslung load, the EC 725 is equipped with a FLIR turret, air-to-air refueling probe, and has been evaluated in the re-ghting role. The rst EC 725 helicopter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force were formally handed over in November 2012 and the second unit scheduled for delivery three months ahead of schedule. Malaysia is to receive a total of 12 EC725s through 2014, creating a highly capable eet of rotorcraft for CSAR and combat transport missions to replace its long-serving Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuris. In supporting the deliveries of Malaysia’s EC725s Eurocopter Malaysia subsidiary will double its capabilities by moving from its main facility in Subang to a new,
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ROTARY Wing Aviation
expanded site within the Malaysian International Aerospace Center in early 2013. Additionally, Eurocopter is including the integration of the country’s industry into its global supply chain, the creation of joint ventures with local companies to establish an in-country maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, as well as the development of a regional full-flight simulation center. The full-flight simulation centre will be used for training Royal Malaysian Air Force crews and made available for other military operators of the medium-lift EC725/ EC225 helicopter family in the Asia Pacific region. Indonesia has ordered six EC 725s and Thailand four while the Taiwan Air Force and Vietnam Navy have acquired small numbers of EC 225s dedicated to SAR missions. Eurocopter is also part of the NATO Helicopter Industries (NHI) consortium that produces the NH90 multipurpose helicopter entering the market with its Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) variant. Plagued by a protracted development and production delays, the NH90 did not make its operational debut until the end of 2012 when five Italian Army Aviation TTHs were deployed to
Eurocopter’s EC 725 is making inroads to the region’s markets following a successful French Air Force deployment to Afghanistan (c) David Oliver
The rst EC 725 helicopter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force were formally handed over in November 2012
NHI’s NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH), ordered by Australia and New Zealand, is about to win its battle spurs in Afghanistan (c) David Oliver
Herat in Afghanistan. Four German NH90s, two of which equipped with Forward Air Medical Evacuation kits, while the other two will carry out the escort role for CASEVAC missions, will follow them in early 2013 With a capacity of carrying 20 fully armed troops or the carriage of a 4,000 kg (8.820 lb) underslung load, the powerful fly-by-wire NH90 has been a slow burner in the Asia Pacific market, racking up only two contracts to date, one from the Australian Army Aviation Corps for 40 MRH-90 helicopters, and the other from the Royal New Zealand Air Force for eight NH90 TTHs to replace its UH-1H fleet. In the long term Sikorsky is confident that its heavyweight CH53K Future Stallion, being developed for the US Marine Corps, will attract customers looking to replace the CH-47, such as Japan and Singapore, while the US Army’s Joint Multi-Role (JMR) sector of its Future Vertical Lift Medium (FVL-M) programme aimed at developing next generation replacements for the UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook, will be AMR watched with interest.
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AMPHIBIOUS
O p e r a t i o n s
Navantia of Spain is building Australia’s two new ‘Canberra’ class Landing Platform Docks. These ships will also be outfitted with a ski-jump for the future operation of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning-II Joint Strike Fighters (c) Navantia
SHIP TO SHORE… AND BACK AGAIN.
AMPHIBIOUS SUPPORT SHIPS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION Large amphibious support ships, and smaller landing vessels, are indispensible for any navy. They afford two important capabilities: one is the means to deploy a large amount of space at sea which can store troops, vehicles, aircraft and supplies. by Thomas Withington
T
his space can also be used to accommodate refugees, casualties, eld hospitals and even military headquarters. Secondly, such vessels provide a platform to move personnel and equipment rapidly en masse from
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beyond the horizon to the shore. A lack of shore facilities and ports present few problems for both landing craft and amphibious support ships as they are designed to operate with austere facilities and can often disgorge their cargoes without any shore assistance.
Despite their utility, modernization efforts for these vessels are following a halting and piecemeal path in the Asia-Pacic region; several navies continuing to operate ageing vessels and have no immediate plans to perform their replacement.
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AMPHIBIOUS
O p e r a t i o n s
Australia
One exception to this rule is Australia. The country is performing an important expansion of its amphibious capabilities in the form of the two ‘Canberra’ class Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) which it is acquiring from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia. Both of these vessels will be commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) by 2015. When fully-loaded the ‘Canberra’ class ships displace 27,851 tonnes. They can achieve a top speed 20.5 knots and accommodate up to four Landing Craft Air-Cushioned (LCAC) vehicles in their dock plus up to 24 helicopters. The RAN design includes a ski-jump augmenting the flight deck to allow the operation of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning-II Joint Strike Fighter Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing combat aircraft in the future. It almost goes without saying that the acquisition of these ships represents a major improvement in the RAN’s capabilities allowing the country to not only project power a significant distance beyond its borders, but to perform a commanding role in military operations other than war; notably the provision of humanitarian assistance in the wake of natural disasters. Once underway, these ships can sustain themselves at sea for up to 50 days before they require replenishment. The space which these ships accommodate provides 830 lane metres for heavy and light vehicles and room for over 1,000 troops. The advent of the ‘Canberra’ class is occurring alongside the supply of twelve LCM-1E fast landing craft from Navantia. These vessels will replace the RAN’s existing amphibious support ships which includes one ‘Choules’ class Dock Landing Ship (LSD), six ‘Balikpapan’ class Heavy Landing Craft (LCH), and single ‘Tobruk’ class Heavy Landing Ship (LSH).
Bangladesh and China
The Bangladesh Navy’s amphibious capabilities currently comprise two ‘Shah Poran’ class Utility Landing Craft (LCUs), three ‘Yuchin’ class Tank Landing Craft (LCTs), and the same number of Personnel and Vehicle Landing Craft (LCVP). The Navy does not presently appear
The Indian Navy is one of several forces around the Asia-Pacific region which has acquired ex-US Navy vessels to augment its amphibious support fleet, most notably obtaining the ex-USS Trenton now renamed as the INS Jalashwa (c) Bharat-Rakshak.com
The advent of the ‘Canberra’ class is occurring alongside the supply of twelve LCM-1E fast landing craft from Navantia to have any plans to enhance its amphibious vessel fleet in the near future. China, on the other hand, is performing some enhancements. Currently, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operates the ‘Kunlunshan’ class LPDs, of which the PLAN is thought to possess at least three. These vessels are reportedly the largest warships in the PLAN fleet, displacing up to 20,000 tons. The ‘Kunlunshan’ class ships are reinforced with around 20 ‘Yuting’ class LSTs, 13 ex-US Navy LSTs and 28 ‘Yudao/Yulin’ class Medium Landing Ships (LSMs). As regards landing craft the PLAN operates around 150 Mechanised Landing Craft (LCM) and up to 300 Utility Landing Craft (LCUs). There can be little doubt that the size of the PLAN’s amphibious support fleet is mainly due to the importance that Chinese foreign policy places on the country’s desire
| FEBRUARY 2013 | Amphibious Operations.indd 51
to eventually incorporate Taiwan as a constituent part of China. Dokdo class (US Navy). Deliveries of these vessels commenced in 1993. They displace 4,800 tons when fully loaded and were the first amphibious support ships in the PLAN fleet to be equipped with a helicopter deck.
India
A comparatively large amphibious support fleet is operated by the Indian Navy which is experiencing an ambitious modernization. Currently, the Indian Navy possesses a single ex-US Navy LPD, the USS Trenton, renamed in Indian service as the INS Jalashwa. The balance of the fleet includes seven Russian-origin ‘Polnocny’ LSMs; three ‘Shardul’ class and two ‘Magar’ class LSTs and seven LCUs. That said plans are afoot to build up to four LPDs, and eight LCUs to replace the seven craft currently in service.
Indonesia
Perhaps unsurprisingly because of the size of its archipelago, Indonesia maintains a large amphibious support force. Large vessels in this fleet include the single Tanjung Dalpele LSD and its four ‘Makassar’ class LPDs. The LST fleet comprises six ‘Teluk Semanoka’, twelve ‘Teluk Gelimanuk’ and two ‘Teluk Sirebong’
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AMPHIBIOUS
O p e r a t i o n s
The Japanese Maritime Self Defence (JMSDF) Force has three ‘Osumi’ class LPDs. These ships displace 14,000 tonnes and can operate two Landing Craft Air Cushioned platforms. They form the mainstay of the JMSDF fleet (c) Wikimedia Commons
class ships. Finally, twelve LCUs supplement these vessels. It does not appear that the Indonesian Navy is performing any additional expansion or modernization of its amphibious support fleet either present, nor is it expected to in the near future;
Japan
Another archipelago nation with a handsome collection of amphibious assets is Japan. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) operates three ‘Osumi’ class LPDs; plus two ‘1-Go’ and ‘Yura’ class landing ships; in addition to a further 50 landing craft. The ‘Osumi’ class vessels displace 14,000 tonnes when fully loaded, can achieve a top speed of 22 knots and accommodate two LCACs. The JMSDF landing craft fleet includes six LCACs, plus eleven 25-ton and two ‘YF-2150’ class LCMs.
It does not appear that the Indonesian Navy is performing any additional expansion or modernization of its amphibious support eet
23 knots. They can carry two LCACs, up to 720 marines, six tanks and seven amphibious assault vehicles. Meanwhile up to 15 Sikorsky UH60 Black Hawk-size medium-lift utility helicopters can be operated from the flight deck. The Dokdos are the largest ships in the amphibious support fleet, which also includes a mix of ex-US Navy LSMs, LCUs and LCMs, plus four LSTs.
The Republic of Korea Navy operates two ‘Dokdo’ class Landing Platform Docks and is due to acquire an additional vessel soon. These ships can carry two Landing Craft Air Cushioned vehicles and up to 720 marines (c) US Navy
South Korea
The Republic of Korea maintains a slightly larger amphibious fleet visà-vis Japan. Presently this includes the ‘Dokdo’ class LPD, of which the Navy operates two with a third under construction. An additional ‘Dokdo’ ship may yet be added to this total. When fully loaded, these vessels displace around 18,800 tons and can reach a maximum speed of
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AMPHIBIOUS
O p e r a t i o n s
The Taiwanese Navy, along with its Indian counterparts, also operates ex-US Navy landing craft in the form of several ‘Newport News’ class vessels. However, these vessels are ageing and may soon require replacement (c) US Navy
Malaysia and Burma
The Republic of Korea Navy is not the only force in the Asia-Pacic region operating a mix of ex-US Navy landing craft. The Royal Malaysian Navy has one ex-US Navy LST which complements ve LCMs, 15 LCPs, four LCUs and 165 ‘Damen’ class assault craft. This eet may undergo an enhancement via the procurement of the Multi-Role Support Ship vessels in coming years. A modernization could also be in the ofng over the long term for the Burmese Navy, which uses four LCUs and ten ex-US Navy LCMs, particularly as the country is now emerging from prolonged international isolation following the commencement of its process of democratization.
Pakistan
Curiously, the Pakistan Navy seems to lack a meaningful amphibious support capability. Whether this is a mission that the force will embrace in the future remains to be seen. Presently it appears that the navy is mostly focused on enhancing its frigate and
The Republic of Korea maintains a slightly larger amphibious eet visà-vis Japan submarine eets, with no immediate plans to procure any additional landing craft, or amphibious support vessels.
displace 8,500 tonnes and can reach a speed in excess of 15 knots. Four landing craft can be carried on davits with the ship able to accommodate up to 18 tanks, 20 vehicles plus cargo and 500 troops. On the ight deck, helicopters of Boeing CH-47F Chinook size can be comfortably accommodated with the hangar able to house up to two medium-lift utility helicopters. The ‘Endurance’ class vessels are complemented by six LCMs and 30 LCUs.
Philippines and Singapore
Taiwan
While the Pakistan Navy may lack a major amphibious capability, the same cannot be said of Philippines Navy which has a eet of two vehicle landing ships, ve LSTs, two LCUs, the same number of LCMs and up to ten auxiliary vessels. Interestingly, despite the size of the nation, the Republic of Singapore Navy retains a formidable amphibious force. The largest combatants in this respect are the four ’Endurance’ class LPDs which are the largest surface combatants in the eet. When fully loaded, these ships
| FEBRUARY 2013 | Amphibious Operations.indd 53
Like several other navies surveyed in this article, the Taiwanese Navy’s amphibious support ships include a signicant number of ex-US Navy platforms. Two ‘Chung Ho’ class (ex ‘Newport News’ class) LSTs form the mainstay of the force and are reinforced with a single ‘Shui Hai’ (ex ‘Anchorage’) class LSD. Other American vessels in the Taiwanese Navy amphibious support eet include its four LSMs and 22 LCUs. A large number of other vessels provide additional capability in the form of
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AMPHIBIOUS
O p e r a t i o n s
Like the ex-US Navy ‘Newport News’ class landing craft, several navies in the Asia-Pacific region operate Cold War-era Russian and Polish designed and built ‘Polnocny’ class landing craft. Like the ‘Newport News’ class, these ships are also ageing and will soon need replacement (c) US Navy
six LCACs, 26 LCUs, and 150 LCVPs. The eet will receive an important enhancement to its amphibious capabilities via the addition of an LPD constructed in Singapore. Similarly, over the long term the Vietnamese Navy may choose to enhance its amphibious capabilities. The eet includes three ex-Russian ‘Polnocny’ class landing vessels, and a total of six ex-US Navy LSTs and LSMs which are reinforced with a total of 24 LCM and LCUs, also drawn from ex-US Navy stocks.
Market Developments
Apart from a few notable exceptions such as the RAN’s’s acquisition of its ‘Canberra’ class ships, the market for amphibious support vessels and landing craft in the Asia-Pacic region appears to be largely stagnant. Much of the combined eet in the region is old, and notably drawn from ex-US Navy and ex-Russian stocks. Largescale procurements are few and far between. This is surprising given the security concerns throughout much of this region, and the large-scale
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Much of the combined eet in the region is old, and notably drawn from ex-US Navy and exRussian stocks humanitarian tragedies that this part of the world has witnessed in recent years. Spanish Shipbuilder Navantia which is building the RAN’s ‘Canberra’ class ships has observed this trend noting that; “We don’t think that there is a renewed demand for amphibious vessels in Asia-Pacic” in a statement from the company supplied to the Asian Military Review. Where demand is being witnessed, the company argues that this is being driven by; “The necessity of having better resources to face humanitarian missions and also to protect national sovereignty with this type of vessel.” The company adds that there are factors which may slow or dampen amphibious vessel acquisition efforts in this region which
it cites as; “The current economical and nancial crisis,” believing that this will “probably have a big impact on future programs.” Where vessels are either being either acquired, or where requirements are being expressed, Navantia says that navies are typically looking to procure ships upwards of 10,000 tons in displacement built to an LPD conguration. Navantia expects that requirements for such a vessel could emerge in Malaysia over the medium term, with the Philippines also possibly acquiring an LPD-sized combatant in the short term. Ultimately, the company does not believe that the dynamic being experienced in the Asia-Pacic region regarding amphibious capabilities is notably different from any other region of the world: “Many countries are expecting to increase their capacities with LPDs or LHDs in the future,” it adds, “Firstly, because their existing eets are sometimes more than 20 years old. That means that they must think about replacements, while other countries may desire to AMR purchase new units.”
| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |
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REGIONAL NEWS AND
DEVELOPMENTS
ASIA PACIFIC PROCUREMENT UPDATE Rafael’s Spike is reported to have replaced the Raytheon-Lockheed Martin Javelin for India’s requirement fore 2000 launchers and 24000 missiles (c) Rafael
South Asia Defence Minister A.K. Antony has said that the Indian military is under strength by over 70,000 personnel with the Army suffering most. This has been attributed to better pay in the civilian sector and the perception of greater hardship and risk. The Indian Army has carried out a successful interception test of its Advanced Air Defense anti-ballistic missile at the Wheeler test range in the Bay of Bengal. India’s Comptroller and Auditor General has criticised a number of recent procurement by the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy giving examples of 336 Radar Warning Receivers which failed to operate effectively and test equipment bought by the Navy ahead of the completion of a test centre and which sat idle for three years. Russian Helicopters has signed an agreement with Elcom Systems Private Limited, part of the SUN Group to establish a manufacturing site for the former’s helicopters and capable of subsystems production and nal assembly in India. Dassault has opened the Dassault Aircraft Services India Private Limited company, paving the way for the 126 plane MMRCA deal for the Rafale. Afghanistan is reported by the Indian press to have begun asking for direct military assistance comprising trucks, bridge-laying equipment, engineering kit and mountain artillery. The goal is to help make up a shortfall in defence funding of approximately $1.7 billion by 2017 as NATO scales back funding. India is reported to have dropped plans to acquire the Raytheon-Lockheed Martin FGM148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile in favour of Rafael’s Spike due to technology transfer issues with the US design. The requirement is for 2,000 launchers and 24,000 missiles which will be produced locally by Bharat Dynamics with a service entry date of 2017. India’s Defence Minster has said that India currently has 7,983 Tatra trucks in service, about four percent of the
56
total but there are no plans to buy more. The trucks have been associated in recent years with allegations of graft and bribery. Tata has unveiled its design for India’s requirement for 814 truck mounted howitzer valued at Rs 8500 crore. Based on an eight wheel Tata truck and mounting a 155/52 mm gun developed by Tata Power Strategic Electronics Division, it is described as having a range of 40km and supports a six round re in under three minutes. The Indian Army is to permanently establish an Army Aviation Corps (AAC) designed to provide each of its three Strike Corps and ten Pivot Crops with an aviation brigade. The three strike Crops will each receive a squadron of 1012 AH-64D aircraft as part of its complement. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in the nal stages of preparations for Exercise Livewire in March, the largest such event in recent years in which all IAF commands will participate across the country in an integrated event which will also include a live re ‘prequel’ in the February Iron Fist event held at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. The rst three upgraded MIG-29 UPG aircraft which are equipped with a new Phazatron Zhuk-M radar have been returned to the Indian Air Force from Russia on board an AN-124 heavy-lift transport. From the sixth aircraft onwards, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will conduct the upgrades across the eet and is expected to extend the aircraft’s service life by 30 years. The $1 billion contract, signed in 2008 covers 63 planes. The first two of twelve AW101 helicopters have been delivered to the Indian Air Force’s Palam Air Base with the remaining ten due to arrive during 2013. The helicopters were ordered in a Rs 3,550 crore contract designed to provide transportation for the President of India, the Prime Minister and other high ranking ofcials but have recently been caught up in bribery allegations. India plans to add requirements for collision avoidance systems on all future aircraft,
| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |
extending their use beyond aircraft tasked with VVIP transport. Figures released in December show that 66 military personnel have died in a total of 54 accidents involving Indian Air Force aircraft over the past three years. The rst ight of an Indian Air Force Jaguar, upgraded by Hindustan Aeronautics to the Darin III standard has taken place in Bangalore. India’s Tejas has resumed its ight testing after a three-month delay after problems were found integrating the new pilot helmet with the ejection seats. An initial operating capability for the aircraft is now planned for mid 2013. India has issued an RFP for 56 new transport aircraft to replace its Hawker Siddeley 748M Avro aircraft with a requirement for 40 of the aircraft to be manufactured in India and worth $2.5-3 billion. India has asked Israel to accelerate work by Israel Aerospace Industries and India’s Defence Research and Development Organization on the Navy’s long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) programme for the Navy which has been delayed by two years and the mediumrange SAM (MR-SAM) project. Boeing has delivered its first P-8I to India at its Seattle facility. Two more P-8Is will be delivered in 2013 with the assembly of aircraft four and five now underway. Russia said India may order three more Brahmos-capable Talwar class frigates from Russia according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. Pakistan is to establish a new national counterterrorism authority designed to coordinate action amongst national and provincial agencies and establish and conduct long term counter-terrorism strategy. India and Pakistan have both asked for full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in which they are currently observers. Pakistan’s Army Strategic Force Command has conducted what is calls a, “training launch” of its Hatf-5 Ghauri 1300km range ballistic missile. Karachi Shipyard is to produce two more Chinese designed F-22P Zulquar class frigates for the Pakistan Navy. The fourth F-22P ship, the first built in Pakistan rather than Pakistan is currently in trials and will joining the eet in 2013. Turkey’s Havelsan has signed an MoU with Pakistan regarding simulation and training for a number of aircraft including the JF-17 Thunder, F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130 Hercules, Mil Mi-17 and Super Mushak. Two Eurocopter AS 365N3+ Dauphin helicopters have entered service with the Bangladesh Army.
REGIONAL NEWS AND
DEVELOPMENTS
Indonesia has requested 180 Javelin ATGWs and 25 launcher systems from the US (c) AJB
South East Asia The Philippines has finally brought into law the new 15 year Philippines Modernization Act which will see P75 billion funding for the armed forces, shared across 39 key programmes. Near term money will be used to fund the Medium-Term (2013-2017) Acquisition List which will cover 21 new UH-1H helicopters, combat aircraft, two Italian frigates, two anti-submarine helicopters as well as body amour for the military, Other projects include ten attack helicopters and three medium lift C-130 aircraft. The Philippines have taken delivery of a fth and sixth PZL-Swidnik Sokol helicopter from Poland. Four platforms were delivered in February 2012 with the remaining two to be received early in 2013. The Philippines is reported to be close to concluding an agreement establishing the size of US forces on rotation in the country, everything short of a permanent military presence there. The Philippines is establishing a new military Cyber security cell. Government sites and network have recently been attacked domestically in response to the recent Anti-Cybercrime Act of 2012 and from China over contested territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Royal Cambodian Air Force is to begin delivery of 12 Eurocopter Dauphin based Harbin Z-9 utility helicopters from
China in April and concluding in August when they will begin replacing ageing Mi-8 and Mi17 eets. The order is thought to have been made in August 2011 and was funded via a $195.5 million loan from China. China has donated mine clearance equipment to Cambodia and a training team has conducted a six week training course for fifty Cambodian troops. Malaysia has received the rst two of twelve Eurocopter EC 725 helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force and which are tasked with search-and-rescue and utility roles, at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. An MoU has been signed between Thailand and the Philippines covering co-operation in the area of defence modernisation. The Royal Thai Army have ordered a number of Starstreak VSHORAD air defence missile and launchers from Thales. The Royal Thai Navy has denied that there was any impropriety in the dropping of a Sagem designed decoy system in favour of Terma’s SKWS solution as part of Saab’s upgrade of the RTN’s two Naresuan-class frigates. The RTN said that this was decision made by Saab on the grounds of space and weight. Burma may receive donated Indian military helicopters following an
| FEBRUARY 2013 |
official visit to the country by India’s Air Marshal N.A.K. Browne, eager to balance Chinese inuence in the country. Burma has previously received maritime patrol aircraft, light artillery and grenade launchers from India. India is investigating how a Carl Gustaf M3 antitank weapon and ammunition originally by Sweden to the Indian Army came to be discarded by Burmese troops in operations again Kachin rebels in Northern Burma. Senior military gures from Vietnam has stated their openness to increased defence co-operation with the US, beginning with work in the areas of search and rescue, medical services, maritime security and ship repairs. Vietnam has signed an agreement with the Swedish Unmanned Group to co-operates on the manufacture of two 40kg 200Km range Magic Eye 1 medium-range UAVs. Singapore is reported to have been in discussions to acquire the Iron Dome missile defence system from Israel. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has announced that Indonesia has proposed the purchase of 180 Javelin Block I missiles, 25 command launch units and associated support items in a $60 million deal.
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South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration has selected Hyundai Rotem over a team of Samsung Techwin and Doosan DST to provide new 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles for a new rapid response force with the first prototypes due in 2015. South Korea’s Board of Audit has reported that the German sourced power packs for the K2 tank have not met requirements in a number of areas including fuel consumption. Overseas powerpacks were brought in after difficulties with local designs. Plans by South Korea to install the Rafael Spike NLOS missiles o n Ye o n p y e o n g I s l a n d h a v e been delayed until 2013. The country’s Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency stated that this was due to problems in the system.
South Korea’s Black Eagles suffered a fatality in a training crash (c) AJB
East Asia China’s Central Military Commission has issued a directive to the People’s Liberation Army to improve combat readiness and related training in preparation for regional conflicts. Poland’s Naval Chief visited Beijing where he met Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie.
first arrested carrier landing with the Shenyang J-15 on the Liaoning entered service in September 2012. The China State Shipbuilding Corporation has said it intends to increase its shipbuilding capabilities in order to support the construction of further aircraft carriers for the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
China conducted a major air exercise in the North Western province of Xinjiang which included J-10, J-11 and Su-30 aircraft as well as other aircraft with over 100 pilot involved in a range of scenarios. China showed its Aviation Industry Corporation of China LD-10 at Airshow China 2012 at Zhuhai and seen as the country’s dedicated first anti-radiation missile. The first export customer is reported to be Pakistan. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp has expanded into offering UAVs with the launch of its new Hiwing rotary wing design. China showed its new China Aviation Industry Corp WZ-10 Thunder Fire attack helicopter at Zhuhai for the first time.
The inaugural Seoul Defence Dialogue covering a range of topics took place over three days in November with 15 Asia-Pacific countries, the European Union and two international organisations participating. Israel and South Korea are reported to be in discussions for a deal in which Israel would acquire four ships hulls from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for naval conversion in Israel while South Korea reciprocates with the acquisition of Rafael’s Iron Dome rocket interception system. The South Korea government is planning a reorganisation of its defence acquisition process, moving some roles from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to the Ministry of Defence.
China has successfully carried out its
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Boeing has demonstrated its Boeing Unmanned Little Bird demonstrator aircraft based on the MD-500 aircraft in a 25 minute flight South Korea to illustrate how the technology could be integrated into legacy manned Republic of Korea Army MD 500 helicopters. The last of four 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft have been delivered by Boeing to the Republic of South Korea Air Force at Gimhae air force base. South Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatics team suffered a fatal crash in one of its T-50B aircraft during a training flight. The launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle was delayed at the last minute due to problems with its second stage propulsion system. Attempts to launch in 2009 and 2010 were unsuccessful. Taiwan has begun work on the Republic of China Navy’s Hsun Hai or Swift Sea new fast missile corvette at the Lung Teh Shipbuilding yard. Japan has outlined a four year $370 million programme to develop a HALE UAV tasked with watching for a ballistic missile launch with the plan for the platform to enter service in 2020. The Japan Air Self-Defence Force has successfully conducted a test firing of its Patriot air defence systems at the US McGregor Range in New Mexico. It has been noted that increased emphasis has been placed on cyber security in this year ’s Yama Sakura commandpost exercise between Japan and the US.
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REGIONAL NEWS AND
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The HMNZS Te Mana is one of two ANZAC class frigates that will receive improved radars, sensors and self defence systems (c) DoD
Australasia Australia and Denmark have agreed to buy and develop new defence equipment together as well as defence co-operation in a number of other operational areas. Australia and the US have signed an agreement to site a US C-band radar and space surveillance telescope at the Harold E Holt Naval Communications Facility in Western Australia. Australia is considering initiating defence ties with Burma which have been cut since 1988. BAE Systems and EXPAL Systems have teamed for Australia’s Domestic Munitions Manufacturing Arrangements project. The project will determine who will run two government nonguided missile armaments production centres currently operated by Thales. In addition to Thales and BAE-Expal, there are three other bidding consortia led by; ATK; Raytheon Australia and Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions. General Dynamics Mediaware has delivered two D-VEX video capture and exploitation systems used to support intelligence gathering and used in conjunction with Shadow 200 UAVs in Afghanistan. Australian Defence Chiefs met with Chinese counterparts for the 15th Strategic Defence Consultation took place in mid December. Australia has declared the ofcial end to its participation in International Stabilisation
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Force mission in East Timor, in place since 2006. The withdrawal is expected to be completed by April 2013. Supacat has delivered two prototype Special Operations VehicleDirect Action vehicles to Australia, based on its HMT Extenda vehicle. Australia has awarded Thales Australia a $22.2 million contract to update the sonar equipment on Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines as part of the $700 million allocated to the sustainment of the class over the next four years. The RAAF’s eet of six Boeing Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft have achieved Initial Operating Capability, albeit ve years late based on the original schedule. Australia is reported to be mulling the acquisition of up to 24 more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets at the expense of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF). Australia has signed contract for 14 JSF, due to enter service in 2018 with a requirement for up to 100 of the aircraft. Australia has formally retired the last two C-130H Hercules aircraft in service in a ceremony in December after 34 years of service. The ‘Hs’ have been replaced by 12 C-130Js, with the Royal Australian Air Force also bringing in six C-17 Globemaster IIIs and 10 C-27J Spartans. Of the 12 C-130H aircraft retiring, four will be transferred to Indonesia and a
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fth will remain with the RAAF as a ground training platform at Richmond air base. New Zealand and the US states have signed an Treaty-level Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement to improve cooperation in the area of defence logistics. Australia and New Zealand have agreed to enhance military co-operation in number of areas but particularly sealift and replenishment at sea following a meeting by the defence minsters of the two countries held in Perth, Australia. New Zealand has outlined its tender requirements to upgrade the Royal New Zealand Navy AZAC class frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana covering radars, sensors and a new self defence missile systems. All three of New Zealand’s’ armed services participated in the Exercise Pae Tata amphibious exercises near Auckland. Designed to test the development of the Joint Amphibious Task Force capability, there was also participation by HMAS Tobruk Landing Ship Heavy and amphibious trainers from the UK. New Zealand plans to replace its Pacic Aerospace CT-4E and Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft used for primary and advanced training respectively AMR by 2018.