Asian Military Review - Oct 2012

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Contents

OCTOBER 2012 VOLUME 20 / ISSUE 6

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Front Cover Photo:

US Soldiers fast rope from an Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft in February, during exercise Emerald Warrior 2012.

Emerald Warrior is an annual two-week joint/combined tactical exercise sponsored

by U.S. Special Operations Command designed to leverage lessons learned from operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and ready forces to combatant commanders © DoD

AMR’s Naval Directory

JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Gordon Arthur If Hollywood is to be believed, Special Operations Forces are furnished with all manner of sophisticated hardware to stamp out trouble in global hotspots.The reality of special operations in the Asia-Pacific region is perhaps something different to this cinematic depiction

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Adam Baddeley Naval power remains indispensable component in the modernisation plans of militaries across the Asia Pacific Region as concerns about homeland security and more conventional threats drive navies toward full spectrum solutions

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Night Vision: The Asia-Pacific Ramps Up

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Tactical C4I In The Asia Pacific

Destroyers and Frigates: Asia’s Principle Surface Combatants

Adam Baddeley Pushing secure voice and data communications down to situational awareness and command and control applications in a tactical environment poses particular problems for C4I systems.

Despite the issues, militaries in the Asia-Pacific are rising to the challenge, seeking both domestic and overseas solutions to the problems.

Adam Baddeley Night vision has come along way since the first bulky systems were issued on a frugal basis to commander’s vehicles and a few dismounted leaders and specialists. Over time wider distribution has provided the ability to see and thus operate in all weathers and throughout the day and night to every vehicle and most recently every man in the squad

Ted Hooton The Asian market for frigates and destroyers remains buoyant but it must compete against other requirements. Malaysia and Indonesia, for example, are seeking corvettes while Thailand and Taiwan has focused on submarines, but for most of these countries once that requirement is met or for whatever reason discarded, attention is likely to return

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Tanker And Transport Aircraft Tom Withington An air force without an inflight refuelling capability effectively renders itself unable to project air power. The huge importance attached to the refuelling and airlift missions, plus the need to recapitalise ageing fleets around the world, are the motivations driving forward the tanker and freighter markets

Enabling Forces 52 To Deal With CBRN Attack

Andy Oppenheimer CBRN defence - including against widely available toxic industrial chemicals – is once again an important factor in planning for force protection, having previously been to the fore in Operation Desert Storm in 1991

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Index of Advertisers AIRBUS MILITARY AM GENERAL AMR & DSI AMR SUBSCRIPTION ATK GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS IDEX INDO DEFENCE INSITU PACIFIC ITT EXELIS KAMAN LAAD LIMA MAN DIESEL MBDA RAYTHEON SAGEM THALES TRIJICON

03 11 25 57 7 29 63 COVER 3 COVER 4 43 9 61 59 37 19 COVER 2 17 33 5

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Editorial

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ith some notable exceptions, the AsiaPacific has come late to the area of cyber-security; namely providing robust defence against phishing, networkprobing, spreading of malicious code, viruses, worms and spam to safeguard its key and critical infrastructure areas and other vital installations and government sites.

Key systems at nuclear power plants, air traffic control centres and water and energy suppliers are controlled by computer systems and for all their benefits they have also become a vulnerability. As economies rapidly grow and infrastructure is modernised and enhanced, this will only increase in importance.

Over the past months however, cyber-security in the region has come to the fore, after long being considered more of a source of cyber-threats by virtue of China and Pakistan and private hackers and hacktivists. Activities these have been perceived to be largely of concern to the US and other western nations. Now, states in the region are now considering their defence mechanisms.

Cyber-security alert levels in the Asia-Pacific are steadily rising following the death of Kim Jong Il. In July, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Command was reportedly hacked with a virus, introduced via pen drives which vacuumed up files containing key words and then sending them to IP addresses in China, potentially including details of its nuclear missile submarine, INS Arihant. Faced with a wave of recent attacks and embarrassment at its lack of preparedness, India has sought help from the US with India’s Computer Emergency Response Team’s conducting a joint two-day exercise in September.

Around the world the potential threats from all sources is growing in sophistication.

AlienVault, a Silicon Valley-based cybersecurity firm, traced the keylogger virus looking for passwords by targeting the Pentagon’s Common Access Cards back to China. The Flame intelligence-collection virus, mapped Iranian networks then Stuxnet rocked the world of Iranian centrifuges. Both viruses are assumed to have been created by the US and Israel. Everyone wants to know everyone else’s secrets.

Cyberspace is a unique theatre of operations and sooner than many think will be equal to land, sea, air or space in importance. Focus needs to shift to include the cyber domain in the development of subsequent military and defence strategies.

The Asia-Pacific can’t be left behind.

Adam Baddeley, Editor

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 Office: 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 Office: President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul Sr. Manager International Marketing: Vishal Mehta Deputy Manager Marketing: Tarun Malviya Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Atul Bali Designer: Amal Mourya 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.

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS

JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS If Hollywood is to be believed, Special Operations Forces (SOF) are furnished with all manner of sophisticated hardware to stamp out trouble in global hotspots. At least, this is according to Act of Valor, a movie released earlier this year featuring US Navy SEALs performing night-time HALO insertions from C-130s, ‘hot’ extractions via Special Operation Craft - Riverine (SOC-R), maritime interdictions with Mark V craft, and clandestine landings on foreign shores from SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDV) aboard nuclear-powered submarines! However, the reality of special operations in the Asia-Pacific region is perhaps something different to this cinematic depiction, not least in the level of equipment available to most military forces.

by Gordon Arthur A member of the elite Light Reaction Battalion of the Philippine Army trained for high-value target missions in Western Mindanao © Gordon Arthur

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS

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evertheless, ‘jointness’ is of special relevance if SOF are to maximise their capabilities.

The term ‘joint’ refers to cooperation between two or more military services, and in Asia-Pacific this is particularly important. The Pacific Ocean encompasses an area of 165.2 million km², or one-third of the earth’s surface and larger than all its land mass combined.

Furthermore, some 42 sovereign nations border this ocean. To move troops around such a vast area, cooperation between army, navy and air forces is vital to give the necessary reach and speed.

The master…

In discussing the topic of joint special operations, we may firstly examine the undisputed leader – the US. On January 5th 2012, the Obama administration outlined a strategic refocus to the Pacific and Middle East. This US “pivot” means American influence will become even stronger in the Asia-Pacific. Special forces constitute less than two percent of total US military manpower. However, they are now double their size in 2001, with their budget rising from $4.2 billion to

This operator belongs to the Philippine Navy’s NAVSOG. This naval unit contributes a specialist counterterrorism team to JSOG © Gordon Arthur

$10.48 billion in the same period. This huge expansion was due to the war on terrorism. Since 2001, more than 80 percent of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) forces have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, which meant a major thinning out in other regions.

The US does not show any sign of reducing its reliance on SOF, instead quite the opposite USSOCOM was established as a unified command in 1986. Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, its commander reports directly to the Secretary of Defence. Its four components are the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM); Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC); and Marine Corps Special

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Operations Command (MARSOC). The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is a sub-unified command, but more on this shortly.

The US does not show any sign of reducing its reliance on SOF, instead quite the opposite. Despite the pull-out from Iraq, and a drawdown in Afghanistan, this year USSOCOM requested to raise personnel levels to 66,594. Its head, Admiral William McRaven, is pushing for a more prominent and elastic role in confronting threats around the world.

His Global SOF Alliance proposal would give greater autonomy in positioning some 12,000 personnel worldwide for commando-style operations, as well as training, liaison and intelligencegathering missions. McRaven is seeking the ability to redeploy troops without having to undergo usual Joint Staff procedures, but this will likely face opposition from regional commanders and the State Department.

An important innovation is the expansion of JSOC, which reports directly to the President and controls Special Mission Units (SMU) such as Delta Force, Navy SEAL Team Six, the 75th Ranger

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An American RIB seen near Zamboanga, Mindanao, with its crew from the Naval Special Warfare Group 3. It belongs to JSOTF-P © Gordon Arthur

Regiment, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and USAF 24th Special Tactics Squadron.

Headquartered at Pope Air Force Base, JSOCs primary mission is identifying and destroying terrorists and terror cells worldwide. Operation Neptune Spear, the raid on Osama bin Laden’s

The AFP is greatly assisted by the 600-strong Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines Abbottabad hideout on 2 May 2011, is the most high-profile action for JSOC to date.

General Stanley McChrystal constructed a vast but nimble JSOC network in Iraq, combining assets and technologies in new ways. JSOC has its own intelligence division, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), dedicated satellites

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and reconnaissance aircraft. General David Petraeus backed a surge in JSOC's operational tempo when he assumed command in Afghanistan in 2010.

Presently, JSOC is reputedly conducting operations in a dozen countries and a key mandate is targeting individuals on its Joint Prioritised Effects List (i.e. hit list) through controversial night raids that critics equate to assassination. John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism stated, “Our best offence won’t always be deploying large armies abroad but delivering targeted, surgical pressure to the groups that threaten us.”

However, along with drone strikes, this “new American way of war” is not without controversy. The Washington Post determined JSOC’s success rate in accurately targeting suspects was no more than 50 percent, thus creating a serious risk of ‘blowback’ from botched raids that kill innocent civilians. It remains to be seen whether this repackaging of SOF into JSOC with such open rules of engagement contributes to the solution

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS

The Washington Post determined JSOC’s success rate in accurately targeting suspects was no more than 50 percent SOCOM commands some 5,000 troops, and at any time 90 percent of them are deployed operationally. Typical missions include unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, direct action and psychological warfare. In 2002-03, with American support, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) introduced the Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG) specifically for counterterrorism strikes. JSOG is a truly joint task force, comprising the entire LRB, Naval Special Operations Unit 8 from the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG), the 723rd Special Operations Squadron of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and Special Operations Tactical Airlift and Helicopter Flights. Plus there are K-9 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. JSOG is headquartered alongside the AFP HQ at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila.

The AFP has made strides in joint operations that incorporate air and A pair of CH-47J helicopters of the JGSDF delivers airborne soldiers and under-slung Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) © Gordon Arthur A USAF special forces member calls in an air strike from an A-10 Thunderbolt II at a live-fire range near the DMZ in South Korea © Gordon Arthur

or to the problem. The military is not a laser-precise instrument of political strategy, and much empirical evidence demonstrates that terrorist movements rarely end through the application of military force. …and the apprentice A country that would perhaps not appear at the top of any list of elite SOF units is the Philippines. In fact, the Republic has a relatively advanced SOF organisation thanks to heavy American influence, and its soldiers are some of the most combatexperienced in the world. The Philippines makes an interesting case study for joint special operations. Possessing some

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7,107 islands, the chief strategic threat emanates from the communist New People’s Army (NPA). Additionally, criminal gangs, armed organisations like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Islamic terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), all jostle for police and military attention in the southernmost provinces.

SOCOM of the Philippine Army was established on June 1st 1996, and it oversees three separate units: - Special Forces Regiment (Airborne); - First Scout Ranger Regiment; and - Light Reaction Battalion (LRB), which was activated on February 1st 2004 for counterterrorism missions.

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS

naval assets. For example, the PAF was once hesitant about employing OV-10s for close air support, but US assistance helped improve pilot accuracy to such an extent that aircraft are now regularly employed. For example, on 2 February 2012, a raid by two OV-10B Broncos of the 15th Strike Wing killed 15 ASG and JI members. They were supported by intelligence on the ground plus an American UAV. This mission was a major success as it eliminated the terrorists Dr. Abu, Marwan (Southeast Asia’s mostwanted terrorist) and Mauwiyah. Major General Tony Villarete, commander of the 3rd Air Division, told Asian Military Review his pilots, “have acquired a high level of skills” to perform such operations.

Specialist forward air controllers (FAC) are embedded with Philippine SOF platoons, even though every member is trained to call in air and artillery strikes.

The US also helped introduce night vision goggle (NVG) capabilities that allow night-time aircraft and helicopter infiltrations and medevacs.

In a visit to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) several months ago, the author met highly trained LRB members that kill or capture highvalue targets. When a suitable target is identified, the unit is immediately

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An F/A-18F Super Hornet takes off to support ground operations during Exercise Talisman Sabre in Queensland, Australia © Gordon Arthur

despatched, usually by PAF helicopter.

A typical assault stack comprises five soldiers: a team leader, assistant team leader, medic, demolition expert/breacher and team member. Capabilities have been improved with the induction of new Harris Corporation radios, Garmin GPS units and monocular NVGs. One platoon is in Cotabato and a company is in Zamboanga. JSOG falls directly under the GHQ, though taskings come from unified commands such as WESTMINCOM. US influence The AFP is greatly assisted by the 600-strong Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines (JSOTF-P), which has been based in Mindanao since its inception in July 2002. It supports the fight against terrorist groups like the ASG and JI. Most personnel come from Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), and this truly joint organisation is based at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga alongside the WESTMINCOM HQ. Under strict rules of engagement, US troops are forbidden from engaging in combat. One US Embassy representative in Manila stated it would constitute

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“mission failure if there was even a perception of Americans being involved in combat.” This advisory group is involved in AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) capacity building, plus it conducts civil military operations (CMO), information operations and intelligence support operations. JSOTF-P has three subordinate units - Task Forces Mindanao, Sulu and Archipelago. TF Mindanao is based in Cotabato while TF Sulu is on Jolo. TF Archipelago is the only group equipped with maritime assets, including Mark V Special Operations Craft (SOC) and 11m Naval Special Warfare Rigidhull Inflatable Boats (NSW RIB).

Apart from the Philippines, the US actively promotes bilateral cooperation with military forces throughout the region via such programmes as Joint/ Combined Exchange Training (JCET) from Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii.

The Pacific Command’s (PACOM) JCET programme commenced in 1992 to enhance the readiness and interoperability of US and allied-nation special forces. Training occurs in-country too, often combined with medical or engineering civic action projects.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Special forces of the PLA Navy deploy to the Gulf of Aden on anti-piracy missions. A Z-9C helicopter is in the background © Gordon Arthur

Active operations Recent combat in Iraq and Afghanistan has seen widespread employment of SOF in joint operations, particularly by the USA and UK. Asia-Pacific countries known to have deployed special forces are Australia and New Zealand. In March, New Zealand withdrew its 35-man SAS unit from Afghanistan, although Australia retains a major commitment with the 300-member Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in southern Afghanistan.

Counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden have seen frequent deployments, and occasionally operations, by naval special forces. Regional contributors include China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, which generally place SOF contingents aboard naval vessels that are patrolling pirate-infested waters. In one spectacular mission in January 2011, after shadowing a hijacked chemical carrier for several days, 30 Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) SEALs recaptured the ship.

Command structures Following the American model, some regional armed forces have special operations commands directly subordinated to national headquarters.

A prime example is Australia, which established its Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) to unify all SOF units. By 2007 it was fully operational and controlled units like the SAS Regiment, 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments, and

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Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

SOCOMD holds an equivalent status to the Maritime, Land and Air Commands.

The size of a military directly influences the command structure. NZ possesses only army special forces (SAS Regiment, Commando Regiment, EOD Squadron and Engineer Operations Troop) that report directly to the Land Component Commander. The Navy and Air force are not big enough to warrant their own SOF units, but Army personnel cooperate closely with the other services for airborne (e.g. C-130s for parachuting, UH-1H for helicopter insertions) and maritime operations.

Singapore is another country that has achieved efficient joint capabilities. In 2009 the creation of the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) for national counterterrorism was announced. This new SOTF is a command organisation rather than a unit, as it integrates the existing Special Operations Force, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Commando Formation and Naval Diving Unit (NDU). The SAF already regularly practises joint operations, with the Army reliant on the Republic of Singapore Air Force as it has no helicopter assets of its own.

In many militaries, the burden of commanding SOF units falls to the army.

Japan struggles with the concept of inter-service cooperation, but the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) established its Special Operations Group

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(SOG) in 2004. More recently, the Central Readiness Force was formed in 2007 to improve command and control. It presently boasts the SOG, 1st Airborne Brigade, 1st Helicopter Brigade, Central Readiness Regiment and Central NBC Weapon Defence Unit. It also incorporates the Tsushima Guardian Unit and Western Army Infantry Regiment (created in 2002 specifically for reconnaissance and defence of isolated western islands).

The Republic of Korea has seven SOF brigades supervised by the Army Special Warfare Command (ROKASWC).

In Taiwan the Army’s Aviation and Special Forces Command (ASFC) has two brigades of airborne troops (approximately 6,000 personnel) and three aviation brigades that serve as a rapid-reaction force. It includes the elite Airborne Special Service Company (ASSC) modelled on the American 1st Special Operational Detachment Delta. Other service units like the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Patrol, Military Police Special Services Company (Nighthawks) and Coast Guard special operations unit do not come under the ASFC command structure.

In some cases the Government is wary of giving SOF too much leeway. China has an estimated 15,000 SOF troops, and they are under the direct command of the Central Military Commission (CMC) in Beijing.

Because of fears about decentralising command within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China has no unified SOF AMR command structure.

AMR NAVAL DIRECTORY 2012

Prepared by Adam Baddeley | OCTOBER 2012 |

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REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

T

he number of ships being inducted into navies throughout the region continues to rise with additional, new capabilities being fielded for the first time. This is occurring as tensions arise throughout East Asia over disputed islands and EEZs which has seen the mighty China matched against the Philippines and Japan while in South Asia, India's naval aspirations dwarf those of neighbouring Pakistan and now instead compete with those of China.

As with all AMR Directories, this one has also 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.

AUSTRALIA

Royal Australian Navy  Destroyers 3 Ordered Hobart Air Warfare Destroyers; based on modified Navantia F-100 design estimated cost A$8 billion and due to enter service in 201619, two years late  Frigates 8 ANZAC class (Meko); ASMD Upgrade to include ESSM, CEFAR, MU90, 9LV MK3E, Vampir IRST first launch of Harpoon Block II in June 4 Adelaide (FFG-7); upgraded with SM-2 Block IIIA and ESSM in Mk 41 VLS since 2010  Submarines 6 Collins class 12 Planned Future Submarine; decision in 2016-18 estimated cost A$40 billion  Minewarfare 6 Huon class (Gaeta); commissioned from 1999-2003  Replenishment and Support 1 Success AOR (Durance class); being replaced

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The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat during an exercise with the US Navy. It is one of eight Anzac class ships to receive the ASMD upgrade © DoD

1 1 lease

 6 1 2

1

1

Amphibious

under Project 1654 Phase 3 Sirius tanker Planned Cantabria; deal signed in July 2012 for with Spanish Navy Crew from February to November 2013 Balikpapan LCH; CNIM proposed 44m L-CAT for replacement Tobruk LSH; in long term series of repairs Canberra class; Canberra hull underway to Australia, Adelaide hull launched in July 2012. Will be equipped with 12 Navantia LCM-1E LCU Choules; former HMS Largs Bay, under repair until at least December 2012 after generator failure ADV Ocean Shield; interim solution until LHDs come

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into service, to be transferred to Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in 2016

 Light Forces 14 Armidale PB; Australian Customs and Border Protection Service 8 Ordered Cape-class; Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Armidale successor first of class laid down in July 2012 Notes: The cost of replacements for the Royal Australian Navy's six Huon-class minehunters and two hydrographic ships has risen significantly under latest plans.

Cantabria may be acquired to replace HMAS Sirius and HMAS Success. All eight Anzacs will now receive the AntiShip Missile Defence (ASMD) as part of a project SEA 1448. First Pass approval for the Deployable MCM – Organic Mine Counter Measures (Project SEA 1778 Phase 1) programme in June 2012.

REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh Navy  Frigates 1 BNS Bangabandhu; upgraded with FM-90N/HQ-7 SAM equipped with AgustaWestland AW109 1 Osman (PRC Jianghu I class)  Light Forces 2 Dhaleshwari (RN Castle class) OPVs; commissioned in April 2011 6 Kapatakhaya OPV (UK Island class) 1 Mahumnati PB (ROK Sea Dragon class) 1+1 LPC; first vessel launched at Wuchang Shipyard in August 2012, missile and gun equipped 1 Nirbhoy PB (PRC Hainan class) 2 Salam/Barkat (PRC Haizhui class) 1 Karnaphuli PB (Yugo.

Krajievika class) 2 Durdharsha FAC (PRC Huangfen class) 1 Durbar Missile FAC (PRC Hegu class) 1 BN name unknown (PRC Huchuan class) 4 Shaheed FAC (PRC Shanghai II class); four vessels previously transferred to Coast Guard 4 Titas FAC (ROK Sea Dolphin class); based at Chittagong 16 Defender class PB donated by US  MCM 4 Shapla Class (UK River class); one ship also equipped for hydrographic survey 1 Sagar (PRC T43 class); equipped with Celsius Tech CMAS 36/29 mine detection sonar in 1998  Amphibious Warfare 2 Shah Poran LCU; ex-US Army 5 Darshak LCT (PRC Yuchin class) 1 LSL 3 LCVP

Notes: Requirement for AOR still not acted upon. Defence budget to grow by seven percent in 2013, naval funding expected to increase to help police internationally established EEZ with Myanmar and reportedly seeking two F-22P/Type 054 based frigates from China.

BRUNEI

Royal Brunei Navy  Light Forces 3 Darussalam OPV 3 Waspada Missile FAC; to be replaced Darussalams, with two transferred to Indonesia 3 Perwira PB 4 Ijhtihad Pbs; commissioned in March and August 2010 4 LCU Notes: Indonesia appear to be closing in on a deal to acquire three BAE Systems Nakhoda Ragam F2000 design vessels from Brunei via the Lürssen group in a $395 million Deal.

CAMBODIA

Royal Cambodian Navy  Light Forces 2 Modified Stenka class; Soviet era acquisition in 1987, new gun, engines radars in mid 1990s 2 Kaoh Class; Built by Heong Long-Lurssen Shipyard Notes: Extremely modest forces

supplemented by a mixture of Soviet and Chinese sourced patrol boats and amphibious forces.

CHINA

People's Liberation Army Navy  Aircraft Carriers 1 Liaoning; former RFS Varyag being refurbished at Dalian, completed several trials in 2012 before commissioning on 25th September 2012 2-3 ‘Indigenous Carriers’; reports of both being built at Changxingdao yard in Shanghai with delivery from 2020-22  Destroyers 2+6 Ordered Type 052D; lead ship of new Luyang II class launched in August at shipyard near Shanghai 4 Hangzhou class (Ru. Sovremenny class); AsuW focus via SS-N22 Sunburn missiles 2 Luzhou/Type 051C class; based in North Sea fleet 2 Luyang II/052C class; based with South Sea Fleet 2 Luyang I/Type 052B; incorporates stealth features 1 Shenzen/Type 051B; better known as Luhai 2 Harbin; better known as Luhu class 14 Luda class,

The Royal Brunei Navy patrol vessel KDM Darulehsan (07), foreground, leads a formation of Bruneian ships during a photo exercise as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei 2011 © DoD

| OCTOBER 2012 |

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REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

28 Yuliang Type 079 LSM 10 Yunshu LSM  Replenishment vessels 1 Nanyun clas AOR 2 Fuqing class AOR 2 Fuchi class AOR Notes: China has been invited to RIMPAC 2013. PLAN developing naval version of DH-10 cruse missile. May build a base in Seychelles.

INDIA

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) destroyer Guangzhou the first of class in the Luyang/Type 052B class. off the coast of Indonesia together with the USS Fitzgerald and USS McCampbell (c) DoD

 Frigates 8+4 Ordered 2 14

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6 Ordered

total combination of Types 051 / 051D / 051DT / 051G / 051GII / 051Z

2 14 8

Jiangkai II/Type 054A class; a potential requirement for 26 Jiangkai I/Type 054 Jiangwei I/Jiangwei II; a combination of Type 053H2G and Type 053H3 vessels Jianghu I/II/III/IV/V; several ships have been transferred to export customers, some PLAN vessels relegated to training Type 056 light frigate; 1800 tonne design 30 + requirement significant focus on export markets

 Light Forces 18 Houxin-class missile FAC; production ongoing, missile equipped Hainan class 5 Houijan-class missile FAC; production ongoing 60 Houbei-class missile FAC; production ongoing, equipped with C802/C705 missiles, entered service in 2005, catamaran stealth design 3 Haiji-class large patrol craft; leaving service 95 Hainan PB  Minewarfare 1 Wozang class MCMV 38 T43 mineweepers; over half in reserve  Amphibious forces 2 Kunlunshan/Yzhao/ Type 071-class LPD; second vessel launched November 2010 6 Planned Type 081 Helicopter carriers; built at Dalian and Wuchang yards 20 Yuting I/II class LST; construction continuing 7 Yukan Type 702 LST

 Submarines 2+3 Ordered Type 094 Jin-class SSBN 1 Type 092 Xia-class SSBN; status uncertain 2 Shang/Type 093-class SSN 3 Han/Type 091-class SSN; troubled design being replaced by Shang 13 Song Type 039 5+5 Yuan Type 41 10 Kilo Project 636/M

16

Kilo Project 877EKM Ming-class Romeo-class, training and reserve only

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

 Aircraft Carriers 1 INS Viraat (UK Hermes) 1 Ordered INS Vikramaditya (Ru Admrial Gorshkov); started trial in Barents Sea, boiler problems in trials will push scheduled hand over from December 2013 into 2014 1 Ordered Indigenous Aircraft Carrier; completion in 2015, two more planned  Destroyers 3 Delhi-class 5 Rajput-class (Ru Kashin/Kashin II) 3 Ordered Kolkata Project 15A-class; due to be delivered in 2013-14 4 Planned Imp. Kolkata/Project 15B-class; first vessel to be delivered in 2018  Frigates 3 Talwar class; deliveries to begin in 2011, 3 Imp. Talwar; costs from $1.2bil to 1.5billion Distinguished by addition of Brahmos missiles 3 Brahmaputra-class/ Project 16A 4 Godvari/Project 16 2 Nilgiri (Leander class); INS Vindhyagiri struck off after collision with MV Nordlake in January 2011 3 Shivalik/Project 17; last ship inducted in July 7 Planned Project 17A; $9 billion project contract expected by end of year, equipped with Barak-2  Corvettes 4 Khukri/Type 25; all based at Vishakapatnam 4 Kora/Type 25A

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REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

Seven of the ten Sindugosh Project 877EM in Indian Navy service have competed an upgrade in Russia © DoD

2 12 2 4 4 Ordered

Durg/Nanuchka-class Veer/Tarantul I-class; all based at Mumbai Prabal/Tarantul IV-class Abhay/Pauk II-class Kamorta/Project 28; stealth ASW frigates, first craft due to be delivered in 2012 all by 2014. A further eight planned

 Submarines 10 Sindhughosh/Kilo Project 877EM/8773; last of seven planned boats completed upgrade in July 2012 at Zvezdochka shipyard 6 Ordered P75 Scorpene SSK, 1st due to enter service in 2015, first phase valued at $11billion 6 Planned P75I; AIP equipped first two ships built overseas. The DCNS Super Scorpene, ThyssenKrupp Marine with its HDW Type 214/216, Navantia S-90 and Russian Amur 1650 are expected to bid 4 Shishumar/Type 209/1500, upgrade to operate Harpoon mooted 1+2 Planned Arihant SSBN, due to enter service in 2015 1 INS Chakra/Project 971 Akula II, leased from Russia in 2009 entered service in 2012 2 DSRV; RFI issued early 2011  Light Forces 6 Suyanka; built on Korea 4 Saryu; built by Goa Shipyard 7 Super Dvora II-class 6 Bangaram/SDB Mk5 PB 2 SDB Mk3 PB 4+3 Car Nicobar 1+5 Makar-class; catamaran

18

 8

MCM

survey vessels with secondary patrol capability

Pondichery/Ru. Natya/ Project 266M-class upgrading with Thales equipment 6 Mahe-class (Yevgenya) 2 Ordered Osprey class, ex-USN vessels 8 Planned Minesweepers in a $1.4bil programmer launched in late 2010  Amphibious Warfare 1 Jalashwa/US Austinclass LPD 5 Polnochny 2 Magar-class LST 8 LCU 8 Ordered LCU; 1st block cutting in September 2012, first delivery in October 2013  Replenishment and Support 2 Fleet carriers Jyoti and Aditya 2 Deepak class Fleet Tankers; $210m order with Fincantieri, 1st vessel INS Deepak commissioned January 2011

Notes: The Indian Navy has issued its ten year plan to acquire naval platforms under the Maritime Perspective Plan (MPP) issued in April covering nearly 100 ships with 50 currently under construction. Plans for Navy’s INS Kadamba deep water naval base in Karwar, close to Goa, known as PhaseIIA, close to being given go ahead.

INS Vikramaditya will be based there.

MoD's capital budget for 2012–13 is overwhelmingly focused on the Navy which has received a 72 percent hike in its modernisation to INR 241.51 billion.

INDONESIA

 6

Frigates

1 ordered

 3 4

Corvettes

16  2

Submarines

3 Ordered

 4

Light Forces

Ahmad Yani (Ne. Van Speijk) SIGMA 10514-class; 2400 tonne, first ship built by Damen in $220 million, delivery in 2017 and up to 19 vessels built locally Fatahillah Diponegoro/Sigma class; final ship transferred in March 2009 Pattimura/Parchim class; re-engined in 2005 Cakra/Type 209/1300; Daewoo refurbishment in ROK underway Type 209/1200; ROKN Chang Bo design, deal announced December 2011 with two boats built in Korea the third by PT Pal in Surabaya Dagger-class Missile FAC; built in Korea

Two Indonesian Navy vessels lead the USS Howard and the USS Reuban James in a gunnery exercises in the Java Sea © DoD

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

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REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

4 4 4 8 9  2 9  2 5

MCM

Amphibious

Kakap clas PB (PB57) Singa FAC (FPB57) Todak class PB57; two converted to carry C802 ASuMs Sibaru class (ex-Aus. Attack-class) KAL-40 Pulau Rengat (Tripartite) Pulau Rote (GDR Kondor II-class)

Tanjung Nusanive-class Makassar LPD; third and the first locally built vessel commissioned November 2009, the last Banda Aceh handed over in March 2011 5 Karang Pilang-class 6 Teluk Semangka 12 Teluk Gelimanuk LSM (GDR Frosch-class) 3 Kupang-class LCU  Replenishment and Support 1 Arun oiler (UK Green Rover) 1 Sorong Replenishment Tanker 1 Tanjung Dalpele; transport hospital ship Notes: Indonesia has a requirement for around 20 frigates largely based on Damen's SIGMA 10514 design and built

by PT Pal. MoD say that there are plans to field 10-12 submarines in 2024.

JAPAN

Helicopter Carrier Hyuga-class ‘DDH’; carries 3 SH-60K with option of further 7 SH60K or MCH-101  Destroyer 2 Atago 4 Kongo-class; to receive SM-3 for BMD 2 Hatakaze-class 1 Tachikaze-class 2 Shirane; to be replaced by ‘22DDH’ 1 Haruna-class; being withdrawn to be replaced by Hyuga-class 5 Takanami-class 9 Murasame-class 6 Asagiri-class 11 Hatsuyuki-class 1+5 Ordered Akizuki/19DD; to  2

20

KDX-2 destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great and USS Chafee both operating in a US 7th Fleet led exercise (c) DoD

1+1 Ordered

replace Hatsuyuki 22DDH; FoC keel laid in Jan. 2012, delivery in 2014 a 24,000 tonne design that to replace Shirane-class

 Frigates 2 Yuubari 6 Abukuma  Submarines 4+2Ordered Soryu-class; all vessels due to be completed by 2013 11 Oyashio-class; life to be extended by five years to boost submarine numbers 6 Harushio-class  MCM 2 Uraga, MCMC support ships 3 Yaeyama class minesweepers; funding for replacement class in 2013 budget 9 Uwajima minesweepers 2 Niijima-class 3 Hirashima coastal minesweepers 2 Ordered Improved Hirashima 12 Sugashima coastal minesweepers  Light Forces 6 Hayabusa PB  Amphibious and support 3 Oosumi-class LPD 2 Yusoutei-class LCU

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

2 12 2 3

Yura class LCU LCM Mashuu class AOE Towada class AOE

Notes: The two Atago and four Kongo class ships will receive the Standard Missile-3 interceptor. The country's Coast Guard has been given increased funding to acquire large patrol vessels to patrol islands contested by China.

Japan has recently bought a number of REMUS family AUV from Kongsberg to enhance MCM and survey capabilities.

AgustaWestland/Kawasaki MCH101 helicopters will be equipped with Northrop Grumman's AQS-24A.

NORTH KOREA

Korean Peoples Navy  Frigates 2 Najin-class 1 Soho; six were planned but no further activity  Submarines 23 Romeo-class; operational status in doubt 20-25 Sang-O class coastal submarines 30 Yugo midget submarines  Light Forces 10 Soju Missile FAC (Ru. I-Osa class) 12 Osa-class Misile FAC 19 SO-1 class

REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

12 Komar-class Missile FAC 6 Hainan-class 62 Chaho-class 52 Chong-Jin-class 6 Chong-Ju - class 13 Shanghai II class 12 Taechong-class 37 Sin-Hung-class 88 Ku Song 33 Sinpo  Amphibious Forces 8 Hantae-class LSMs 16 Hungnam-class LSMs 100 Nampo-class LCPs 7 Hanchon-class LCMs 130 Kongbang-class hovercraft

SOUTH KOREA

Republic of Korea Navy  Destroyers 3 Sejong Daewang (KDX3); 3rd ship the Ryu Seong-ryong, plans for three more ships cancelled in favour of KDX-2X, based on DDG-51 Flight IIA 6 Chungmugong Yi Sun Shin (KDX-2); 6 more Aegis equipped KDX2X vessels planned for 2019-26 3 King Kwanggaeto (KDX-1)  Frigates 9 Ulsan-class; to be replaced by FFX programme 5 Ordered Incheon-class FFX; being produced by Hyundai Heavy Industries and STX, commissioned from 2013-2018. A total of 20 are required.  Corvettes 20 Po Hang; Cho-An lost in 2010, to be replaced by FFX, steadily being decommissioned with the Kun San recently being transferred to Colombia 4 Dong Hae; to be replaced by FFX too  Light Forces 3+6/11 Gumdoksuri missile FAC 80 Chamsuri/’Sea Dolphin’ PB; to be replaced by Gumdoksuri

Royal Malaysian Navy frigates KD Lekir and KD Lekiu together with KD Terengganu in the South China Sea © DoD

 Submarines 3+6 Son Won Il KSS-2 (Type 214); Batch 1 production by HHI complete, two of six in next batch being built

by Daewoo with first from that yard due to be commissioned in 2014 9 Chang Bogo Type 209/1200 SSK; MLU funded in 2013 budget 2 KSS-1 Dolograe midget submarines, ADD has shown KSS 500A design as possible replacement 7 Cosmos midget submarines  MCM 3 Yangyang-AM (I-Kang Keong) MCMV 6 Ganggyeong MCMV 1 Won San; minelayer  Amphibious 1+1 Ordered Dokdo LHD; third vessel planned 3 Alligator 2 LST 10 LCM 3 Tsaplya ACV  Replenishment and Support 3 Chung Jee Notes: Studies into enhancing maritime defences against north in contested waters against the North but also in islands claimed by Japan and China. Has a requirement to repacement midget submarine with five new boats. The ROKN has requested 18 UGM-84L

| OCTOBER 2012 |

HARPOON Block II All-Up-Round Missiles worth $18 million. A a new base at Baengnyeong island, is being built.

MALAYSIA

Royal Malaysian Navy  Frigates 2 Lekiu-class  Corvettes 4 Laksamana class 6 Kedah-class (Meko 100 RMN); last Kedah commissioned on November 28th 2010 2 Katsuri (Type FS 1500); SLEP began in 2009 6 Ordered Next-Generation Patrol Vessels  Light Forces 4 Handalan Missile FAC 4 Perdana Missile FAC 6 Jerong Gun FAC 17 CB90  Submarines 2 Scorpene Class; based at Sepanggar Naval base, training and support from DCI-NAFCO  MCM 4 Mahamiru (Lerici) Minehunters  Amphibious and Support 1 TLDM Bunga Mas Lima Auxiliary 1 Gunga Mas Lima; helicopter capable support ship 2 Sri Indera Sakti Class; Combat Support Ship

21

REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) destroyer Guangzhou the first of class in the Luyang/Type 052B class. off the coast of Indonesia together with the USS Fitzgerald and USS McCampbell (c) DoD

2 Ordered

Training ships; NGV Tech and DSME, delivery in early 2013 Notes: Reports that RMN considering acquiring ex-US FFG-7 and Whidbey Island-class LSD.

MYANMAR

Myanmar Navy  Frigates 2 Jianghu II-class (Project 053H1)  Corvettes 3 Anawratha-class  Light Vessels 6 Houxin Missile FAC 9 Myanmar-class PB 2 Osprey-class OPV 9 Hainan-class 12 PGM PB 3 PB90 Notes: Building up forces to match Bangladesh.

NEW ZEALAND

Royal New Zealand Navy  Frigates 2 ANZAC class (MEKO 200); Platform Systems Upgrade on HMNZS Te Mana completed in late 2010  Light Vessels 2 Protector OPV

22

4  1 1 1

Lake-class Inshore Patrol Vessels, entered service in 2009 Replenishment and Support Canterbury MRV; part of Project Protector Endeavour Fleet Tanker; due to be replaced by 2016 Manawanui Dive Support Vessel

Notes: Navy budget dropped by four percent in 2012. US has lifted ban on naval visits to New Zealand. Increased defence budget by 9 percent for 2013.

Requirements for a new tanker and a littoral support ship. Half new Lake class inshore patrol vessels procured under Project ‘Protector’ not in service due to lack on manpower.

PAKISTAN

 4 6 1

Frigates

 3

Submarines

2 2

Zulfiquar (F-22P) Tariq (UK Type 21) Almgir (FFG-7); transferred to Pakistan Khalid (Agosta 90B); all vessels to receive MESMA AIP Hashmat (Agosta 70) MG 110 Midgetsubmarine; enlarged

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

 2

1 2 2 1  3  1 1

Light Forces

MCM

SX756 design Azmat-class FAC; missile equipped first boat built in China, second in Pakistan based on Houjianclass (Type 037/2) equipped with eight C-802A/CSS-N-8 Saccade ASuW Larkana-class Jalalat-class Jurrat-class Town-class PB

Munsif-class Replenishment and Support Moawin (Ne. Poolster) Nasr (PRC Fuqing)

Notes: Port of Singapore Authority has left Gwadar port, leaving it open for PLAN exploitation. In talks with China about a replacement of all current submarines. Reports that Pakistan may acquire a four modified F22P using systems from Type 054A with unit cost of approximately $200 million.

PHILIPPINES

Philippines Navy  Frigates 1 BRP Rajah Humabon (US Cannon); to be

REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

 4

Submarines

2  6

Light Forces

Conqueror (Ne. Sjoormen-class) Archer (Swe. Vastergotland-class) Victory-class; now operating ScanEagle UAVs Fearless-class

11  MCM 4 Bedok (Landsort)  Amphibious 4 Endurance LPDs Notes: On board ASW Helicopters key step forward for Navy.

SRI LANKA

Pakistani Navy destroyer PNS Shahjahan a former RN Type 21 Amazon class operating with the USS Mobile Bay in the Arabian Sea © AJB

2

 2 6 3

Corvettes

replaced by USCG Hamilton Ramon Alcaraz (exUSCG Hamilton Cutters); unit cost $13.8m ex-US AsuW and AAW upgrades funded in 2013 budget

Rizal (US Auk) Miguel Malvar (US PCE) Jacinto (UK Peacock); AsuW and AAW upgrades funded in 2013 budget  Light Vessels 1 Mariano Alvarez (US Cyclone) 2 Aguinaldo Class 22 Jose Andrada Class 2 PC 394 (USCG Pointclass Cutter) 10 Conrado Yap Class 8 Tomas Batillo Class (ROKN Chamsuri PKM Class) 3 Kagitingan Class

together would be capable of deploying a brigade of Marines or similar with each vessel equipped with two Multi-Purpose Helicopters. Other support forces would include 18 Landing Craft Utility, three Logistics Support/Replenishment Ships, three Ocean tugs and six other tugs. The Navy also seeking 12 Cyclone class Coast Patrol Interdiction Craft, 30 Patrol gunboats, 42 Multi-Purpose Assault Craft and 24 Rigid Hull Inflatables.

SINGAPORE

Republic of Singapore Navy  Frigates 6 Formidable-class (Fr. mod. La Fayette); now operational with S-70B Sikorsky Seahawks

Sri Lanka Navy  Light Vessels 1 Sukanya OPV 1 P621 (USCG Courageous PB) 2 Vikram class OPV 1 Jayasagara OPV 2 Nandimithra Class Saar 4 FAC 1 Ranarisi (Mod. Shanghai II) FAC 5 Weeraya (Shanghai II) 7 Ranajaya (Haizhui) 2 Prathapa (PRC Lushun Class) 4 Super Dvora Mk. I 4 Super Dvora Mk. II 3 Dvora 3 Trinity Marine class 3 ROK ‘Killer’ FAC 6 Shaldag-class FAC 5 Trinity Marine-class PB 10 Colombo FAC

Republic of Singapore Navy frigates RSS Supreme and RSS Stalwart during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011 © DoD

Notes: The Philippine Navy (PN) has published its 15 year $11.5 Billion plans for ‘Philippine Fleet Desired Force Mix’ comprising six anti-air warfare frigates each with a helicopter; 12 anti-submarine warfare corvettes also with its own helicopter; 18 Offshore Patrol Vessels, three submarines and three Mine Counter Measure Vessels. Support and deployment of ground forces by sea will be provided

by Four Strategic Sealift Vessels which

| OCTOBER 2012 |

23

REGIONAL NAVAL DIRECTORY

 2 1 1

Amphibious

Yunnan LSM Yuhai LCT M10 Hovercraft

TAIWAN

Republic of China Navy  Destroyers 4 Keelung (US Kidd-class)  Frigates 8 Cheng Kung (Mod. US Perry) 6 Kang Ding (Mod. Fr. La Fayette) 8 Chi Yang (US Knox)  Light Forces 1 Ordered Hsun Hai (Swift Sea); new catamaran corvette design to be equipped with HF-2E land attack cruise and HF-3 AsuW supersonic missiles, due to enter service in 2014.

A total fleet of 12 planned 12 Jin Chiang OPV; 7 of class to be equipped with HF-3 ASuW 47 Hai Ou (Dvora) Missile FAC 2 Lung Chiang Missile FAC 8 Ning Hai 30 Kunh Hua VI  Submarines 2 Hai Lung/Sea Dragon SSK (Mod. Ne. Zwaardvis) 2 Hai Shih (US Guppy II) training  MCM 2 Osprey Minehunters; delivered to Taiwan in August 2012 4 Yung Feng (MWV-50) minehunters 4 Yung Yang (US Aggressive) 4 Adjutant/MSC 268 minesweepers  Amphibious and Support 2 Chung Ho LST (US Newport-class) 1 Shiu Hai (US Anchorage class) LSD 1 Wu Yi AOE-530 oiler 3 Wu Kang transports Notes: All Hai Ou retired in by mid2012. Reports of plans to acquire 2-4 four Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates to replace Knox/Chi Yang-class frigates.

24

Royal Thai Navy ships HTMS Bang Rachan and HTMS Surin, and South Korean ship Hyangnobong during Exercise Cobra Gold held in February

THAILAND

Royal Thai Navy  Aircraft Carrier 1 Chakri Naruebet CVM, ship rarely goes to sea, being equipped with Saab 9LV Mk4 CMS  Frigates 2 Planned 'New Frigates'; $1billion Funding agreed by government in September 2012 2 Phutta Yofta (US Knox-class) 2 Naresuan (PRC Jianghu Type 25T); upgrade inc.

Sea Giraffe and 9LVCMS 4 Chao Phraya (PRC Jianghu 053HT/HT(H)) 1 Makut Rajakumarn; training vessel  Corvettes 2 Pattani; OPV built by Hudong Shipyard 2 Rattanakosin-class 2 Tapi (US PF103 class) 3 Khamronsin class; taken on OPV roles  Light Vessels 3 Hua Hin PB 3 Chon Buri Gun FAC 2 Ratcharit Missile FACM 3 Prabprarapak Missile FAC 6 Sat Tahip PB  MCM 2 Lat Ya (Gaeta) 2 Bang Rachan 2 Bangkeo-class (Bluebird) 1 Thalang; MCM Support Ship  Amphibious and Support Force 1 Ang Thong LPD; modified Endurance class LPD $155 million Delivered to RTN in April 2012

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

1 2

Similian (PRC Fusu AOR) Normed-class LST

Notes: Plans to acquire exBundesmarine Type 206A SSK collapsed earlier this year with funding reallocated to new frigates although reports RTN is interested in PRC Type 039s.

VIETNAM

Vietnam People's Navy  Frigates 5 Petya II Class 2 Dinh Tien Hoang; Project 11661 Gepard  Corvettes and Light Forces 4 Tarantul I 1241RE 6+4 Tarantul /Project 1241.8 Missile FAC 2 Imp. Pauk Project 12418 4+2 Svetylak PB 1041.2 8 OSA II FAC 5 Turya FAC 4 Shershen FAC 18 Zhuk/Mod. Zhuk PB 2 Poluchat PB 4 Stolkraft-class  Submarines 6 Ordered Kilo Project 636M; ordered in December 2010 worth around $2.8billion, first submarine launched in Summer 2 Yugo-class Midget submarines  Mine Warfare 2 Yurka minesweeper 2 Yevgenya minesweeper 4 Sonya Minesweepers 5 K8 Minesweepers Notes: Plans to build SS-N-25 Switchblade locally under agreement with Russia. 2012 defence budget saw a AMR leap in spending by 35 percent.

ASIAN C4I SYSTEMS

TACTICAL C4I IN THE ASIA PACIFIC

Pushing secure voice and data communications down to situational awareness and command and control (C2) applications in a tactical environment poses particular problems for C4I systems. The benefits that accrue for these systems are undeniable; enhanced awareness of the battlespace both of friendly ‘blue forces’ and an up to date picture of enemy ‘red’ activity continues to be considered the most effective force multiplier on the battlefield today.

by Adam Baddeley

H

owever, the complex terrain in which the platforms they equip fight, the necessity of tight integration of equipment on legacy platforms previously designed only for basic intercomms and Combat Net Radio (CNR) based analogue voice as well training troops with the new equipment continue to challenge even the most advanced militaries.

Combined with the more mundane but equally important issue of funding, the acquisition of large numbers of systems necessary to populate the high numbers of nodes on the tactical edge and it quickly becomes apparent that Tactical C4I is one of the biggest challenges facing militaries today.

Despite the issues, militaries in the Asia-Pacific are rising to the challenge, seeking both domestic and overseas solutions to the problems.

India With India's Tactical Communications Systems (TCS) moving on to its next phase of activity, the next big programme will be the Army's Battle Management System (BMS) programme.

The next phase is an EoI (Expressions of Interest) due to be issued in 2012 which at the time of DEFEXPO was not

26

expected to be issued before October.

Final industry partnerships will be arranged after any award however a number of firms have developed contacts in the meantime. Punj Lloyd for example have a relationship with Northrop Grumman, showing its iBMS family, BEL and others each have their own “Indigenous BMS”. Tata for example has links with Raytheon and Harris for radios but seem to have developed their own BMS software solution. Rolta has worked in the BMS field with Cobham’s BattleHawk Vehicle System and Rheinmetall’s Iniochos BMS. Under previous plans, BMS was to have delivered a Combat Group and three battalions worth of equipment in a testbed by 2012. This is now expected by 2015 at the earliest. In late 2011 the Defence Acquisition Council approved BMS as a Make India programme.

This prompted a integrated project management study which is due for completion by late 2012/early 2013. It is said that the programme cannot go ahead without this being completed.

The expected strategy is for the Ministry of Defence to downselect to one DPSU and one private company for the Request For Proposals. A response to the BMS EOI would be expected, four

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

months from that point.

If an EOI is issued in 2013 then an award of Phase 1 and delivery of a test bed might be expected by about 2016. Phase 1 is valued at Rs.35,000,000.

At DEFEXPO industry comments suggested that the pilot programme would cover between 500-1200 ‘nodes’.

This would be followed by the wider fielding of BMS from 2017-21 and then an upgrade taking place under Phase 3 in 2022-2026. Total costs for BMS begins

ASIAN C4I SYSTEMS

at Rs.2,300,000,000 and could rise to up to four times that.

At higher levels is India's higher level CIDSS (Combined Information & Decision Support System) programme, sometimes known as Project Samvahak.

Phase I Stage 1 was to have equipped a Corps HQ, one division HQ, three brigade HQs and nine battalion HQs. However the failure of TCS to appear which is its key bearer, has lead to a limited set of tests which is where

it has largely stuck. Under plans for Stage 2 a full Strike Corps was to have been equipped. Phase II would have extended fielding to non teeth arms in that Corps, integration with other Tactical C4I elements. This work is understood to be still being undertaken

by BEL but at a slow pace. When this is complete and TCS is fielded and if existing plans are anything to go by, the Army plan to equip another 13 Corps with CIDDS over a period of seven

| OCTOBER 2012 |

BMS deliver clear information and functionality at soldier’ fingertips Š AJB

years. This is referred to as Phase III. The Army level TAC C3I also have strong inter-service links. The systems comprises the CIDSS, Battlefield Surveillance system (BSS), Artillery Command, Control Communications System (ACCS), Air Defence Command and Reporting System (ADC&RS) and BMS programmes. Other programmes

27

ASIAN C4I SYSTEMS

India’s TCS, still in competition will be a key bearer for the Army’s BMS programme © AJB

covered include EW and ELINT. There is a further high level system the Army Strategic Operational Information Dissemination System (ASTEROIDS) which links Corps to Army HQ. Singapore ST Electronics Info-Software Systems had a number of their future C2

capabilities on show at the Singapore Airghow.

The capabilities were based around three key capabilities; Smart Data Management, SAINT or Smart Analytics with Insights for Tomorrow which collectively seek to pre-empt problems before they arise. ST Electronics has also shown a complete vehicle architecture and BMS

built around the Info-Comm Systems Supernet ST6800 intercomms, the Ceteon Vehicular computer 520 and 920 as well as an in-house BMS solution. The latest BMS deployment for Singapore is on its Singapore Technologies Kinetics Terrex 8x8 infantry carrier vehicle (ICV).

The on-board BMS is synchronised with the dismounted systems on the Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS) soldier system.

Malaysia Malaysia’s Sapura has just begun Phase 1A of the country’s Network Centric Operations (NCO) contract which will look at integrating existing C4I systems.

Phase 1A will complete in early 2014 with Phase 1B envisaged as being a more comprehensive programme in which new capabilities will be added such as a new BMS. Sapura have recently been awarded a Ringitt 130-150m (£25-30m) contract for Phase 1 A of the Network Centric Operations programme with the Letter of Acceptance has been signed by the time of DSA. Modest funds allocated to buy hardware in this phase with Dismounted BMS systems must be sunlight readable, lightweight and energy efficient © AJB

28

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

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ASIAN C4I SYSTEMS

Sakti, its future soldier programme will be included. Sapura Thales electronics have prepared versions of the PR4G F@ stnet and TRC-4000 with local crypto and other undisclosed changes but this is also seen as likely to be part of 1B. The Sagem BMS in the PT91 is not expected to be included with some in industry seeing this has linked to EMC issues.

There is also a similar ‘Police C4I’ programme but this is unfunded until after the election although others suggest that some funding could be brought forward for an early implementation in Malaysia's highly industrialised Klang Valley.

At a high level, Systems Consultancy Services (SCS) provide the joint C2 picture via its PX2000 system with the company developing enhancements for integration with tactical systems although these have yet to be funded.

Sapura have previously offered the MAF an unsolicited alternative to the PX2000.

Thales is providing its Open Information Communication System (OICS) vehicle electronic architecture on Malaysia future AV8 8x8 AFV project covering 257 vehicles in 12 different variants and is due to enter service in 2013. OICS is tasked with information exchange within and without the vehicle, providing a platform for BMS and other applications.

Elements of BEL’s BMS capability shown at DEFEXPO this year © AJB

the main task in this phase being to establishing a plan to develop future capabilities. It is a two year contract combining a study and limited implementation of how to integrate existing C4I programmes together.

Sapura will primarily work with the Malaysian Army's Mechanized Brigade.

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There may be a role for a foreign partner but it is assumed that Thales will be a leading contender based upon its Sapura Thales joint venture. The follow on Phase 1B is of an indeterminate length but three to five years is seen as likely. No capabilities have been set for this but is implied that a BMS and maybe

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

Brunei Northrop Grumman, won the contract to provide provided Phase I Joint Operations Centre (JOC) command and control capability for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces via a contract awarded in 2010. At the heart of this is Northrop Grumman's International-Joint Operational Command and Control System (I-JOCCS) which is in turn based on the widely used C2PC (Command and Control for the PC) and Interoperable C4I Services (ICS) applications. In addition to a static headquarters system, the current contract covers the supply of a deployable JOC. Not designed to be a BMS, the system's use of common core software which is also widely used in the region and further afield, allows interoperability with a number of key partners. Phase 2 of the programme is understood to be progressing. At DSA, those familiar with the programme expected a tactical implementation of the company’s C2PC software to comprise the BMS component. Brunei has having previously acquired Harris Falcon II

ASIAN C4I SYSTEMS

Thales is a key BMS suppliers for Malaysia’s next generation AFV fleet © AJB

VHF and HF tactical radios, which will inevitably form the basis of a network although an indoctrinator of a further extension of BMS would be an acquisition of wideband networking radio as well as higher level HCLOS communications.

Korea Work on extending Tactical C4I for the Republic of Korea will depend very much on the roll out of the $3.8 billion Tactical Information Communication Network (TICN) shared by SamsungThales, Huneed and LIG Nex1 due to begin next year. With the advent of long range high capability links across the Army and Marines with links to air and naval assets,more complex and capable C2 applications will be built and rolled out beginning with a number of new armoured fighting vehicle programmes.

A number of companies have developed their own solution in

anticipation of a decision. Rotem has also developed an upgrade package for the currently deployed K1A1 MBT that includes a networked battle management system (BMS). In support of Situational awareness today in the Korean military, 10,000 examples of

Hyundai J.Comm's Precision Reporting Equipment are in service with the South Korean military.

Pakistan Pakistan’s Global Industrial and Defence Solutions new BMS, the Pak-IBMS or Rehbar, shown at DSA and has been

BMS must have bearer systems to be effective such as this Northrop Grumman solution which brings together several different manufacturers and designed as a low cost, palletised solution that can be moved between tactical vehicles as required © AJB

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ASIAN C4I SYSTEMS

The US Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) system Joint Capabilities Release (JCR), is the latest iteration of the family cleared for fielding Š AJB

described by the compnay as optimized for armoured platforms combining a C2 systems with vehicles architecture that also enables the control of a remote weapon station, auto-tracking, drivers aids and laser based target indication.

Australia and New Zealand Elbit Systems won the competition for the Australian Army's Land 75/125 programme in 2010. This contract represents the future Battle Group and Below Command, Control and Communications (BGC3) system and is being delivered under a $300 million award. A Full Operating Capability is planned for April 2013.

Described as based on the IDF's Digital Army Programme (DAP) and uses two core software elements; the TORC2H and Tactical Intranet Graphic dissEmination in Real-time or TIGER network software. However it uses a very different transport layer relying largely on Harris radios instead of those of Elbit Systems C4I Tadiran. The BGC3 will be installed on the Bushmaster

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Protected Mobility vehicle, the M113AS4 armoured personnel carrier, G-Wagon, Unimog and Mack logistic vehicles.

The software has to work with a number of non-Elbit battlefield applications used by Australia notably Raytheon's Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) and the Northrop Grumman Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) system on board the Army's 59 Abrams MBTs. As part of its Defence Capability Plan issued in September 2011, New Zealand is acquiring the Defence Command and Control System (DC2s) system, a high level decision support and intelligence system for joint operations with delivery expected in 2015-16. The bulk of its Tactical C4I capability will be delivered under Network Enabled Army which will be first delivered and then regularly upgraded from 20132033. This capability will also require a new communications network with additional strategic links provided by

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the Strategic Bearer Network project (SBNP) which will offer global reach. In the meantime other systems have been acquired, One example is Norwegian firm Teleplan's FACNAV BMS, with licenses for the software having been acquired by New Zealand.

Taiwan As Taiwan's high level, Po Sheng C4ISR system 'lumbers' into initial service, the next stage of development, implementing a tactical extension continues to be an option but one that has yet to be funded.

Po Sheng is still based largely on a network of fibre optic cable backbones connecting bases and headquarters rather than an agile battlefield system.

The programme is still focused on the information exchange at higher level with a strong focus of air and missile defence with information also flowing to US Pacific Command. Last year a senior Taiwanese general was arrested for spying with the material involved including Po Sheng, casting a shadow AMR over the system's integity.

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B

oth destroyers and frigates feature air and surface surveillance radars, a hullmounted active sonar, a medium calibre (76-127mm) gun, surface-to-surface missiles and a helicopter deck capable of operating at least a light-weight (four tonne) aircraft.

A modern destroyer is a vessel usually displacing more 5,000-8,000 tonnes powered either purely by gas turbines or by a combined gas turbine/diesel propulsion system. Its prime function is Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) with secondary

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Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and AntiSubmarine Warfare (ASW) roles, the latter usually based upon lightweight torpedoes and hull-mounted sonars, and it tends to have an area-defence, 30-90 nautical miles (56-167 kilometres), surface-to-air missile system. A frigate may have gas turbine/diesel propulsion or just diesel engines and has a displacement of 1,500-5,000 tons and is usually a multi-role escort platform for task groups or convoys with its primary mission ASW, often augmenting the hull-mounted sonar with a variable

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

Australia has been upgrading its Anzac class frigates. A pre-upgrade ship is shown here © BAE Australia

depth or towed sonar, ASuW and limited AAW, often with a local-area, 5-7 nautical miles (9-13 kilometres) surface-to-air missile system.

Destroyers are designed to provide a shield against aerial attack for highvalue targets such as convoys and major warships like aircraft carriers. They tend to be ‘blue water’ (ocean going) ships and are usually found in navies with major mercantile interests. Frigates can

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DESTROYERS AND FRIGATES: ASIA’S PRINCIPLE SURFACE COMBATANTS

China’s still unnamed new aircraft carrier and its expanding submarine fleet could stimulate a growth in Asia’s demand for destroyers and frigates. In the past five decades the distinction between the surface combatants designated ‘destroyers’ and ‘frigates’ has become blurred. The Philippines Navy has acquired, or is acquiring, from the United States two ‘frigates’ which are actually former US Coast Guard Cutters while Pakistan’s Tariq class (formerly the British Amazon class) are referred to as ‘destroyers’ but are actually frigates while Japan officially rates the two 18,000-ton Hyungas and the 19,500 ton 22DDH as ‘destroyers’ when they are actually helicopter carriers and will be ignored in this article.

by Ted Hooton be ‘blue water’ platforms but they are more versatile and can operate in ‘green water’ (littoral) or even ‘brown water’ (coastal) environments but their technical sophistication restricts their operation to the larger Asian navies.

Japan operates the largest fleet with 43 hulls, but 34 of these have the SeaSparrow local area missile system which has a range of 8.5 nautical miles, only the Hatakaze, Kongou and Atago classes having a true Standard Missile (SM) area defence system and in the last two ships this is supported by the Aegis AAW

weapon system which is being modified to track and to intercept ballistic missiles.

Most Japanese destroyers augment hullmounted sonars with towed array sensors and for ASuW have either Harpoon or Type 90 (SSM-1B) anti-ship missiles.

China has the second largest fleet with 27 destroyers, but 10 are obsolete Luda (Type 051) without any AAW capability while seven (including four modified Ludas) have only a local area AAW missile system. The modern ships include four Russian-built Sovremennys and two Luzhous (Type 051C), the latter the most

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modern vessels in the fleet compatible with the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class with active phased array radars and a very long range vertically-launched missile similar to the two Luyangs (Type 52B/C) which are the first destroyers to incorporate signature reduction through shaping the hull, the antithesis of the Sovremennys. Most of the Chinese destroyers have the YJ-83 (also C-802) anti-ship missile (SS-N-8 ‘Saccade’) while their ASW weapons include mortars and lightweight torpedoes.

South Korea has nearly a dozen

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India, Japan and South Korea are augmenting, or plan to augment, their destroyer fleets

An artist’s impression of HMAS Hobart with Aegis combat system is typical of the new generation of AAW destroyers appearing in the Asian market © BAE Australia

ships and while the three Kwanggaeto Daewang (KDX-1) have only SeaSparrow, the Chungmugong Yi Sun-shin (KDX-2) and Sejong Daewang (KDX-3) have area defence capabilities, the last using Aegis, and are likely to augment their Harpoons with Cheon Ryong long range surfaceto-surface missiles making them closely compatible to the US Navy Burkes. Both KDX-1 and KDX-3 can detect submarines at long range through towed array sonars.

Towed arrays, or variable depth, sonars are used by many of India’s half-a-dozen ships which have anti-submarine mortars while for the ASuW role the Russo-Indian Brahmos supersonic weapon is preferred, although the Delhis have Russian subsonic Urans (SS-N-25 ‘Switchblade’).

All have Russian-made area AAW systems although three of the Delhis and two of the Russian-built Rajput (Kashin II) class augment these with Israeli-made Barak 1 local area missiles. The only other Asian destroyer operator is Taiwan which operates four Keelung, which were second hand US Navy Kidd (DDG 993) class, which were built for the old Imperial Iranian Navy who also have the SM, Harpoon and towed array sonars.

India, Japan and South Korea are augmenting, or plan to augment, their destroyer fleets. India is building three Kolkata (Project 15A) class ships with the last scheduled to join the fleet in 2013.

These 7,000-ton ships are scheduled to have the Indo-Israeli Barak 2 area defence missile, augmented by Barak 1, and will be New Delhi’s first ships with Indian and Israeli sensors. Japan is building four

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Aizuki (19DD) class destroyers which will be 5,000-ton Aegis-equipped ships the first scheduled to join the fleet this year and the last in 2014. South Korea has long-term plans for six ships described as KDX-2X which will incorporate elements of KDX-2 and KDX-3 but will probably be based upon the latter with Aegis systems. Aegis systems have also been selected by Australia for its new Hobart class destroyers but the design is based upon Spain’s Alvaro de Bazán (F100) class, and these 6,250 ton ships are scheduled to join the fleet between 2014 and 2017. Construction of new destroyers is anticipated in Chinese yards and these are likely to be developments either of the

Luyang II or the Luzhou class.

Frigates are operated by 14 Asian navies, mostly the large- and mediumsized ones, which have a total of some 160.

Some of them are venerable, including three of Bangladesh’s ships which are nearly 60-years-old and like a similar Thai ship, little more than training vessels, although these are youngsters compared with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Rajah Humabon which was commissioned, as the USS Atherton, in 1943, later transferred to Japan and then given to Manila in 1980.

She is one of 16 Asian frigates, including all of Vietnam’s Russian-built Petya (Project 159) class ships, or ten percent of the continent’s inventory built more as ASW platforms and no longer unsuitable for modern escort operations.

Second post-war generation frigates, dating from the 1970s and 1980s, include 13 Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7) class frigates acquired second hand from the United States, as with Pakistan’s PNS Alamgir, or built under licence by Australia (Adelaide class) and Taiwan (Cheng Kung class). The Perrys, and Taiwan’s eight Knox (DE 1052) class frigates two of which are also operated

by Thailand, are unusual in having an area defence AAW capability through the SM 1 MR (Standard Missile 1 Medium Range) missile with a range of 20.5 nautical miles

The Damen Schelde class corvette, selected by Indonesia, reflects the fact that many Asian navies are seeking corvettes rather than destroyers or frigates © Damen Shipbuilding

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The KD Lekiu is one of two modern frigates with the Royal Malaysian Navy. Plans for Batch 2 ships have been scrapped as the Navy opts for corvettes © BAE Shipbuilding

(38 kilometres). However, it is unclear how these missiles will be supported and they may become time-expired quite soon.

Australia is providing four of its Adelaides with a new command and weapon control system, sensors as well as a vertical launching system for Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) giving the ships a local area capability of 10 nautical miles (18.5 kilometres) augmenting their new SM-2 Block IIIA missiles. Taiwan, which has equipped its ships with Hsiung Feng antiship missiles, may follow a similar path although the priority appears to be the Kuang Hua 7 programme, for eight 2,000 ton ships to replace the Knoxes.

The cost-effective method of keeping these ships in service is to upgrade them and this has been followed by many navies. Indonesia’s former Dutch Van Speijk class ships, renamed the Ahmad Yani class in 1986 replaced their geared steam turbines between 2006 and 2008

with Caterpillar 3612 and 3616 diesels, except for KRI Oswald Siahaan which received SEMT Pielstick 12 PA6Bs. Half had earlier received LIOD Mk 2 electrooptical directors in the mid 1990s while a Simbad launcher for Mistral missiles was installed to enhance self protection but with their Harpoon missiles now time expired these ships are become ASW platforms. There are no plans to replace them, Jakarta focusing instead upon a new generation of corvettes and Malaysia, having cancelled plans in 2010 to augment its two Lekiu class frigates with two Batch 2 ships, is following the same course.

Pakistan’s Tariqs, acquired second hand from the United Kingdom, were upgraded but in a way which seems almost haphazard and piecemeal including new radars, command and control systems and local area AAW missile, the only uniform feature being the installation of MASS decoy launchers

while no attempt was made to upgrade their sonars. India’s Nilgiri’s have been upgraded with variable depth sonar but have no AAW capability, while the Godavari (Project 16) class’ localarea AAW capability has been enhanced through the replacement of a Russian system with Barak while the replacement of a Russian gun with Oto Melara 76mm has enhanced ASuW capability.

By contrast, China’s 29 Jianghu (Type 053) class have not been upgraded despite lacking any AAW capability while their ASuW potential is limited by the obsolescent HY-2 (CSS-N-3 ‘Seersucker’) anti-ship missile. Japan’s Yuubaris and more modern Abukumas also have no AAW systems but have more modern anti-ship missiles and are essentially ASW platforms but it appears Tokyo will not replace them when they pay off, preferring destroyers instead.

Destroyers are designed to provide a shield against aerial attack for high-value targets such as convoys and major warships like aircraft carriers The third post-war generation (1990 onwards) of frigates increasingly sees ship design incorporating signature reduction or ‘stealth’ features such as shaping the superstructure. China’s Jiangkai (Type 054) family reflect this while the Jiangkai II (Type 054A) extend this philosophy by introducing a vertical launching system within the hull. China is currently building up to six Jiangkai II whose 32-cell hullmounted vertical launch system is believed to house HQ-16 area defence AAW missiles. China has reportedly agreed to sell up to four Jiangkai IIs to Pakistan, reflecting Islamabad’s need for air defence against India’s larger naval air force.

Pakistan selected the Chinese-designed Sword (F 22P) class frigates as the core of its new frigate programme and these are based on the Jiangkai hulls with the fourth, and last, PNS Aslat to be commissioned by April 2013. China has supplied Thailand with six Naresuan (Type 25) and Chao Phraya class ships, two of the latter being A Formidable class frigate built for Singapore © DCNS

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scheduled for an upgrade from this year, a Jianghu I to Bangladesh (which has a requirement for two frigates) and in March China transferred two Jianghu II class frigates to Myanmar (Burma) as UMS Mahar Bandoola and Mahar Thiha Thura.

India’s Russian-built Talwar (Project 1135.6) and the domestically produced Shivalik (Project 17) class frigates all incorporate ‘stealth’ features, indeed so impressed has the Russian Navy been with the Talwars that they are planning their new class of frigates on these ships.

New Delhi is beginning work on the Improved Shivalik (Project 17A) with a requirement for seven of these 5,300-ton ships which may use Barak 2/Barak 8.

Vietnam has also turned to Russia to meet

Perhaps the ‘stealthiest’ frigate design is Singapore’s French-built Formidable class its frigate requirements and last year acquired two ‘stealthy’ Gepard (Project 11661) class ships, with a variable depth sonar system and in August ordered another two for delivery from 2015.

Perhaps the ‘stealthiest’ frigate design is Singapore’s French-built Formidable class which feature the Herakles multifunction radar and vertical-launch systems for the Aster modular AAW missile system which is available both in local area and area versions. It is believed that one, or more, of these vessels is in line to have an unmanned surface vessel (USV) handling system.

New Zealand’s Anzac class frigates are equipped with Giraffe radars © Ericsson

South Korea, which operates nine Ulsan class light frigates (and supplied a modified ship to Bangladesh) will replace them with the Future Experimental Frigate (FFX) programme. They will incorporate ‘stealth’ features and may have a land-attack role. Batch 1 will involve four to six ships, the first-of-class being built by Hyundai, and when the design has matured it will lead to up to 20 Batch 2 ships.

The keel of Australia and New Zealand’s frigate fleets remains the Anzac class and

HMAS Perth is the first of the Anzac frigates to receive the ASMD upgrade © BAE Australia

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although Canberra is considering eight new ships, twice the size of the existing ships, from 2025 (and New Zealand may join this programme) to Australian focus is to upgrade the ships. New local area AAW missiles, sonars, command systems and anti-ship missiles have already enhanced their all-round capability but a more radical Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade programme is underway. Ships will receive active phased array radars, an infra-red search and track system, together with new navigational radar and an improved communications suite.

HMAS Perth was the first ship converted, completing trials in July 2011 and in November 2011 approval was given for an upgrade programme which will cost A$650 million and is scheduled for completion in 2017. New Zealand's upgrades are more modest and focus upon improved diesel engines and self protection.

The Asian market for frigates clearly remains buoyant but it must compete against other requirements. Malaysia and Indonesia, for example, are seeking corvettes, Japan wants destroyers while Thailand (and probably Taiwan) has focused on submarines, but for most of these countries once that requirement is met or for whatever reason discarded, attention is likely to AMR return towards the frigate.

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NIGHT V I S I O N

NIGHT VISION: THE ASIA-PACIFIC RAMPS UP

Night vision has come a long way since the first bulky systems were issued on a frugal basis to commanders’ vehicles and a few dismounted leaders and specialists. Over time, as technology has eased size, weight and power limitations and costs have been driven down, wider distribution has provided the ability to see and thus operate in all weathers and throughout the day and night to every vehicle and most recently every man in the squad.

by Adam Baddeley

ITT Exelis was the sole supplier of the PSQ-20 but is competing with four potential suppliers for to supply the follow on SENVG devices Š ITT Exelis

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NIGHT V I S I O N

N

ight vision has come along way since the first bulky systems were issued on a frugal basis to commanders’ vehicles and a few dismounted leaders and specialists. Over time, as technology has eased size, weight and power limitations and costs have been driven down, wider distribution has provided the ability to see and thus operate in all weathers and throughout the day and night to every vehicle and most recently every man in the squad.

As ever, the most difficult user to equip is the soldier or marine where size, weight and power are imperative, with the large number of man platforms necessary to achieve ubiquitous deployment on the battlefield mandating a low unit cost to make this finacially feasible. In addition to overcoming this obstacle, there remains a further question to answer, namely the type of night vision with which to equip small units. Traditionally each infantryman has had a head or weapon mounted Image Intensification (I2) with support weapons such as an M240 Machine Gun or similar, receiving a thermal imager (TI) with commensurate longer range with this technology also having the ability to see through battlefield obscurants that would defeat I2 solutions. Traditionally, this has been an either/or solution with costs preventing the widespread issuing

Vectronix’s Moskito is a widely used hand held sight issued to squad and sectio leaders © Vectronix

of two devices to an individual.

Now there is a desire to combine both in a blended way, combining the imagery from the two sensor categories into a single view with the users shifting in increments between the two.

Two options present themselves, the most capable being the integration of the device within a single device or, potentially more numerous in the short to medium term and use of clip on thermal devices to existing I2 devices which appears more affordable and exploits the existing capital investment.

As ever, the most difficult user to equip is the soldier or marine where size, weight and power are imperative Regional Acquisitions Militaries in the region are steadily building up their stocks of night vision systems in a range of categories.

Psyer have sold their PNP-MS and PNP-MUNS I2 sights and their PNP-MT and PNP MUNSTI TI sights to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

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Sagem have previously sold their MATIS and OB50 TI sights to Malaysia.

Bulgarian form Optix have sold their Diana single tube NVGs to Thailand, and Exvision Thermal Camera to Singapore.

In India, Optix say that they have several projects, three of which are with the Navy including sales of the twin tube Diana variant NVG. America Technology Network (ATN) say that they have sold their THOR TI sight to Thailand and that they are in discussions to replace it with more recent THOR 320 sight. Indonesia have been sold their NVG-7 and NVM-14 NVGs in 2009-10 which now equip the country's Army. To Vietnam they have sold monocular, bi-ocular goggles and hand held sights via a series of regular small scale contracts. India bought the company's MARS 4 and 6 TI weapon sights and acquired the monocular NVM-14 in 2011 for the Army.

The Republic of Korea working through local firm Electro-Optical Systems Technology has met its night vision I2 requirement using Photonis tubes. The next generation successor systems is due to begin by late 2013 with Korea seeking what one supplier has called Gen III systems at Gen II prices.

The Philippines is expected to make a source section for night vision goggles in the Autumn of this year.

Qioptiq’s Kite sight have been

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NIGHT V I S I O N

Japan, integration of ITT Exelis' tubes is undertaken by NEC. Vehicle Systems A key feature of modern vehicle design is the vehicle architecture necessary to collect and fuse information from around the perimeter of the vehicle. Rather than extending out to several kilometers, these Local Situational Awareness Systems require a range of several tens of metres in

Psyer have sold their PNP-MS and PNP-MUNS I2 sights and their PNP-MT and PNP MUNSTI TI sights to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand

Thales Lucie range of NVG keeps on growing © AJB

trialed with India since 2009 with a potential acquisition later this year with demonstrations of the company’s TI and I2 solutions having begun. Qioptiq have also established a joint venture with Rolta in 2009 to pursue opportunities in India. The company has also supplied 350 of its VIPR 2 sights for Australia’s Land 125 Phase 2 programme. Trials elsewhere in the region include Malaysia and Singapore.

In India, the country's traditional night vision supplier BEL is understood to have partnered with Photonis after considering extending a relationship with ITT Exelis.

ITT Exelis has set up offices to pursue opportunities in the market in India with an Memorandum of Understanding being signed with Tata at 2012's Defexpo exhibition with the goal of manufacturing systems using imported US tubes by 2013.

In addition, Exelis continues to be in technical discussions with BEL, OFB and other PSUs. The US Marine Corps began receiving their AN/PAS-28 Medium Range Thermal Biocular in 2010 with up to 10,000 ordered in a $180m award

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made in 2009. Initial sales of the similar PhantomIRxr in the region include to India in 2010 for the purpose of small unit trials and is being offered throughout the Asia-Pacific.

Malaysia took delivery from Infrared Security Systems of 35 Thermal Sighting Systems in February 2011 and was followed by India. The company’s Thermal Imaging Viewer (TIV) uses a 640x480 17 micron ULIS design and has, over the past three years been acquired

by India, Malaysia and Thailand.

ITL’s Mini SEAS has been bought by Australia, Thailand, Singapore and India and it had been working on the latest version of the systems to reduce weight by 20 percent. Pulse Inteco have sold 800 of its Rantel-2 night vision monocular devices to Thailand it equips IWI Tavor assault rifles.

ITT PVS-14 and -7 Night Vision Goggles with either complete systems or its tubes in service with a number of militaries including those of Australia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. In A lack of night vision gear can prevent effective co-operation in coalition operations © DoD

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order to alert the crew to the presence of a nearby team of RPG-ists using a nearby alley to manoeuvre behind a vehicle supporting a patrol in a street. As with any platform, users want this capability to operate in all weathers and at all times of the day. A number of systems have rapidly emerged from the test-bed and are deployed to the fields with a relatively small number of vehicles but whose ranks are steadily growing.

Systems in this category include the

NIGHT V I S I O N

FLIR Systems in July announced a $11 million contract for TI systems for use by Norway in their new CV9030 combat vehicles. This order comprises FLIR's ThermoSight LIRC sighting systems and SA90 and DV55 driver vision/situational awareness (DV/SA) thermal imaging systems with the task of integration undertaken by vehicle supplier and overall prime contractor BAE Systems.

Photonis’ LYNX CMOS sensor, launched earlier this year is designed to make thermal imaging more affordable © Photonis

Road Marshall solution from Selex Galileo which has been adopted by the UK for use on their Mastiff protected mobility vehicles. The systems is designed to be scalable with Situational Awareness systems at its core, enabled by solutions such as the company's DNVS-4 longer range surveillance systems and additional sensors such as sniper detection systems.

The UK is a user of Thales' Integrated Local Situational systems or ILSA on its Foxhound fleets and its Scout SV programme. Rheinmetall's Situational Awareness System is also in production for use with the company's Lance turret providing 360 degree coverage. A key supplier in the region: Elbit Systems, offers its See Through Armour solution in a scalable package that can be matched to specific vehicle and mission requirements as well as budgets.

New Technologies Image fusion is undoubtedly the future with a number of systems now available off the shelf as replacement for existing devices or as enhancements to existing investments.

Clip on devices are gaining ground in the fusion arena. Qioptiq launched a new 142g clip on thermal sight last year designed for use with the Thales Optronics Lucie-D goggle and has since been demonstrated in the region. Another device in this category is Vectronix’s 300m range Thermal Acquisition Clipon System (TACS-M) which is NVG host agnostic although the company has naturally built in compliance with its Tarsius I2 solution.

FLIR Government Systems’ ThermoSight ACTS unit, now in service in SE Asia with an ACOG sight has the advantage if no needing to rebore when fitted. The company's FLIRVision M32-C COTI is a clip-on device designed for uses with the AN/PVS-14 MNVD and AN/PVS-15 NVG. For Digital Night Vision Fusion, Photonis has created Griffon, weighing a

FLIR has developed a range of scopes that operate in line with other optical sights for assault rifles, support weapons and sniper rifles © FLIR

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little under 100g, which uses the firm's XD-4 and XR5 tubes for the I2 element and has been used in products from ITL Optronics and Poland's PCO. In April, Photonis launched the Lynx CMOS sensor, which offers high-resolution detection across varying light conditions and provides SXGA resolution designed for variety of applications such as urban

Malaysia took delivery from Infrared Security Systems of 35 Thermal Sighting Systems in February 2011 and suburban surveillance vehicle protection systems and image fusion.

The only true combined I2/TI solution in a single device is the ITT Exelis' PSQ20 which began entering service in 2008 and has since been deployed throughout the US military albeit in relatively small numbers. The next step in the PSQ-20's development is the PSQ-20A or Spiral Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (SENVG) which combines but I2 and TI via optical overlay in a single device weighing less than 1Kg and provide a number of refinements over its predecessor based on operational experience. The biggest change however sought by the programme team is in improved manufacturing techniques using more standard components to enable more affordable mass production and thus wider distribution.

Earlier this year two contractors; L-3 Insyte and ITT Exelis were awarded roughly $50 million contracts for 3800 SENVGs each. The two companies along with Raytheon and DRS had been awarded contracts for 220 devices for qualification but the other two compnaies have not as yet been awarded production contract although this could change over time. ITT Exelis have also produced the i-Aware line of products which enable the overlay of TI/IR over an I2 feed both as a clip on middle for the AN/PVS-14 and an integrated solution known as the Tactical Mobility NVG (TMNVG) and which also allow the export of information from the system.

ITT Exelis gating technology highly protected gating technology on their I2 tubes but this has recently been made

NIGHT V I S I O N

available to the UK under a $33 million contract earlier this year.

A low cost successor to the AN/ PVS-14 is the company's new Tactical Monocular Night-Vision Goggle (TMNVG) and is also offered in a two tube biocular configuration which is designed to be significantly more affordable than the company's previous offering. The systems also allow for integration with data applications representing overlays on the screen or exporting imagery between squad

Elbit’s Coyote 20mm is a compact lightweight uncooled thermal sight designed to fit on a Picatinny-type weapon adapter © AJB

members or up the command chain.

Aselsan is a long term provider of night vision systems domestically and further afield. Its latest co-production and development of night vision systems with King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) in Jordan. The joint venture, called Aselsan Middle East was publicly launched at SOFEX with initial work on rifle and weapon sights.

Sagem have developed the Nyx fusion system, initially in a pocket scope format © AJB

| OCTOBER 2012 |

Greece's Theon has a recently established presence in Singapore and has sold night vision sights to both high-end NATO users such as France and Belgium as well a countries with a similar profile to those in the region

Clip on devices are gaining ground in the fusion arena such as Chile. Thales recently launched a clip on IR solution from ULIS for its I2 MINIE-D NVG. A key feature of image fusion will always be costs and well as size and weight so that any tactical implementations don't become too heavy. An initiative that will directly support this efforts is DARPA's low-cost thermal imaging programme, designed to make thermal imagers far more affordable, accessible and ubiquitous for military applications using technologies and approaches for the commercial sector notably the industrial inspection, automotive vision and security sectors.

Companies involved in this effort include Raytheon and Light Path. AMR

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TANKERS AND TRANSPORTS

TANKER AND TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT

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| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

TANKERS AND TRANSPORTS

An air force without an inflight refuelling capability effectively renders itself unable to project air power far beyond its borders. Similarly, an air force lacking an airlift capability cannot realistically deploy forces at speed to far-flung theatres, or resupply those forces once they are in position.

by Tom Withington he huge importance attached to the refuelling and airlift missions, plus the need to recapitalise ageing fleets around the world, are the motivations driving forward the tanker and freighter markets, both of which will be examined in this article.

Singapore In February of this year, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) announced that it would be ordering new inflight refuelling aircraft to replace its existing fleet of tankers. At present, the RSAF strategic tanker fleet encompasses four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft, plus five tactical Lockheed Martin KC-130B/H turboprop planes which can perform transport and refuelling tasks. As in common with many KC-135 operators around the world, Singapore is anxious to replace these ageing aircraft. A Request for Information (RFI) covering the provision of six new aircraft has been issued to this end. Likely candidate airframes to fulfil Singapore's requirement include Airbus's A330-MRTT (MultiRole Tanker Transport) which uses the firm's A330-200 airliner as its basis and Boeing's KC-46A aircraft based on the company's 767-2C plane.

KC-46A By far and away the biggest procurement programme for new tankers, both in Boeing’s KC-46A tanker design is based on the company’s civilian 767-2C airframe. The KC-46A programme has suffered its share of controversies, although the USAF should start receiving the aircraft in 2017 © Boeing

| OCTOBER 2012 |

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TANKERS AND TRANSPORTS

terms of cost and scope, is the United States Air Force's (USAF) acquisition of new Boeing KC-46A tankers to replace the various incarnations of its ageing circa-414 Boeing KC-135 aircraft. A second competition is expected to be held in the future to procure a new tanker to replace the USAF's 56 McDonnell Douglas/Boeing KC-10 Extender planes. In May this year the KC-46A passed its preliminary design review, considered a major milestone for the Despite losing out to Boeing’s KC-46A as the replacement aircraft for the USAF tanker fleet, Airbus’s A330-MRTT tanker has won customers in Europe, the Middle East and also Australia © EADS

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programme. That said, a report by the US spending watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) had earlier chided the KC-46A programme for already being $900 million over its $51.7 billion budget.

The USAF's initiatives to replace the KC-135 have proven deeply controversial in the past, most of all during the procurement phase which saw Boeing pitched against its archrival Airbus, the latter offering its competing KC-40 design based upon the company's A330-MRTT platform. The next major milestone for the KC-46A programme will be the Critical Design Review to be held halfway through next year which

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

A brace of USAF Boeing K-135 tankers is seen here on the tarmac. These aircraft are used by several nations around the world, many of whom are now in the process of replacing these planes © USAF

will ascertain the maturity of the design, and determine whether it is ready to enter production. The first 18 KC-46A aircraft are expected to enter service by 2017, following the commencement of deliveries one year earlier. The Air Force is then expected to receive new aircraft at a rate of around 15 examples per year, with deliveries concluding in 2028.

A330-MRTT While the A330-MRTT design lost out to the KC-46A in the United States, Airbus's offering is strongly expected to fulfil a French requirement for new tankers by 2020. Presently, the country operates 14 C/KC-135R/FR tankers, and is expected to purchase the same number of A330MRTTs in the near future. Recent combat operations, notably NATO's air campaign over Libya last year, have underscored the bottleneck which exists in the number of inflight refuelling aircraft available to the Alliance. In April, the governments

TANKERS AND TRANSPORTS

of France, Germany and the Netherlands agreed to share their refuelling aircraft with each other, and their efforts to acquire new tankers. Germany's inflight refuelling assets comprise four Airbus A310-MRTT aircraft, while the Netherlands' inventory includes two McDonnell Douglas/Boeing KDC-10 planes. How this arrangement will work in practice, particularly in wartime, remains to be seen. Germany, for example, chose not to participate in last year's NATO operations over Libya.

While France is strongly expected to purchase the A330-MRTT, the Royal Air Force has taken the plunge and acquired the first of the 14 such aircraft that it is scheduled to receive. In RAF service, these planes will replace the ten BAE Systems/Vickers VC-10K/K3/K4 and

Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster-III turbofan strategic freighter has sold well around the globe.

Deliveries have followed to Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. India is also due to acquire the plane © USAF

nine Lockheed Martin L-1011 K1/KC1/ C2 tanker and transport aircraft in service with the force. The RAF has named the aircraft 'Voyager', and the aircraft is expected to be declared fully operational by 2014. All 14 aircraft will be in RAF service by 2016. The Voyagers have been acquired by the British Government using a highly complex Private Finance Initiative (PFI) with the RAF effectively leasing the aircraft from a commercial consortium. France is known to be watching this model of procurement for its new tanker aircraft (see above) with interest to see if it would offer an attractive model vis-a-vis Paris's purchase of its future fleet of refuelling planes.

Airbus Military’s A400M design will provide an airlifter situated between the Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster-III freighter and Lockheed Martin’s C-130 cargo aircraft. A400M deliveries will commence in 2013 © Airbus Military

| OCTOBER 2012 |

Beyond the UK, France and Singapore, Airbus is looking at other prospects for its A330-MRTT aircraft. These include the possibility that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) may choose to procure a sixth A330-MRTT example to augment

In May this year the KC-46A passed its preliminary design review, considered a major milestone for the programme its existing fleet of five aircraft. Secondly, India is strongly expected to acquire the A330-MRTT. The country's Air Force currently operates six Ilyushin Il-78MK aircraft with its 78 Squadron. While Airbus may be the favourite to win the contract, it is conceivable that Ilyushin may seek to offer an updated version of the Il-78 given that India is traditionally a strong market for Russian military equipment. Saudi Arabia has also opted for the A330-MRTT. Like Singapore and France, the Kingdom operates a KC-135-based fleet. This includes eight KE-3As. These latter aircraft are effectively 'hybrid' KC-135s as they use

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TANKERS AND TRANSPORTS

Despite the age of Lockheed Martin’ C-130 design, the aircraft is still going strong with the C-130J being its latest incarnation. The company is currently contemplating ways in which it could develop the design still further © USAF

the same Boeing 707-based airframe as that company's E-3 series of Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft. In total, Saudi Arabia will acquire six A330-MRTTs to replace these KE-3As, where they will serve with Saudi Arabia's 13th Flying Wing unit.

Saudi Arabia will be followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the A330MRTT's other Middle East customer which will acquire three examples in 2013. The acquisition of these aircraft will represent a new strategic refuelling capability for the UAE. A smaller-sized purchase to the UAE's acquisition of three A330-MRTTs may follow from Poland.

Warsaw is known to be in the market for strategic tankers as this is a capability which the country's air force currently lacks. Along with the A330-MRTT, Poland has reportedly looked into the possibility of acquiring a Boeing 767-based solution.

However, should this latter prospect be pursued, it is expected that Poland would opt for a purchase of second-hand 767 airframes which could be converted into tankers, rather than new build KC-46A

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airframes from Boeing (see above).

While both the KC-46A and the A330MRTT designs can be used to carry freight, as well as passengers and fuel, air forces also need dedicated turboprop and turbofan freighter aircraft for strategic and tactical transport. Such aircraft are essential for the transport of bulky and

One programme which is being eagerly watched is Embraer’s KC-390 turbofan tactical airlifter outsize equipment, and these planes can also often operate from the austere and unprepared airstrips which maybe unsuitable for an airliner-derived tanker and transport plane.

C-17 Globemaster-III While Boeing has struggled so far to win any additional orders for its KC46A design, bar the four KC-767J tankers equipping the Japanese Air Self Defence Force, and the four KC-767A aircraft equipping Italy, this has not been the case for its C-17 Globemaster-III freighters.

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

The Seattle planemaker has won orders around the world. Most recently, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence announced that it would acquire an eighth Globemaster for the RAF. The RAAF's five-strong C-17 fleet will also be augmented with a sixth example. Other orders have followed from India, which will purchase the C-17 to replace its Ilyushin Il-76 freighters, while the UAE acquired its first Globemaster-III example in May last year, and will obtain a further five aircraft to this end.

A400M Airbus, meanwhile, is forging ahead with its A400M turboprop strategic freighter which has been designed in part to fill the 'airlift gap' existing between the C-17 Globemaster-III and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. A number of potential A400M customers are being targeted by Airbus. These include Indonesia. The Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 was a wake-up call to the country in terms of the necessity of moving large amounts of humanitarian supplies across the relatively large geographical spread of the archipelego. Similarly, Thailand is also being targeted by Airbus sales executives.

The company has already enjoyed

TANKERS AND TRANSPORTS

The Lockheed Martin/Alenia Aeronautica’s C-27J turboprop is one of several advanced tactical freighter designs which are in the market place. Such aircraft have an invaluable role to play in assisting intra-theatre lift Š Ohio Air National Guard

one export success in the Asia-Pacific region, with Malaysia choosing to procure the A400M. In fact, following the earlier pullout of South Africa from the A400M programme, Malaysia represents the only sale for the freighter beyond the original European partner nations involved in the A400M programme. Kuala Lumpur will obtain its first A400M in 2015, with a further eleven aircraft to be delivered by the end of the following year. France will obtain the first production A400M with deliveries commencing in 2013. Orders will then follow to Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom at a rate of up to 30 airframes per year by 2015.

C-295 Procurement of A400M freighters could represent a natural step for Indonesia.

The country's Air Force is already familiar with Airbus's freighter products in the form of the 34 CN-235 turboprop freighters that the country operates. This year, these aircraft will be augmented by a further two C-295s; the larger cousin of the CN-235. Indonesia is not the only country receiving the C-295. Kazakhstan has ordered eight examples of the aircraft,

allowing Airbus to gain an important foothold in the Central Asian military airlifter market; a market which has traditionally been strong for Ukrainian and Russian suppliers. Kazakhstan is expected to receive its first two C-295s in 2013.

KC-390 Besides Airbus's offerings one programme which is being eagerly watched is Embraer's KC-390 turbofan tactical airlifter. The company has decided to upset the apple cart by designing a tactical freighter which uses turbofans.

Traditionally such aircraft have tended to be powered by turboprops. So far, the largest order for this new aircraft is expected from Embraer's home country of Brazil. Nevertheless, several other countries also look like attractive prospects: These include Chile, which may purchase six airframes, along with Colombia, the Czech Republic and Portugal. Deliveries of the KC390 are expected to commence in 2015.

Alongside the 'vanilla' version of the aircraft, Embraer has mooted a 'stretched' version which could see a fuselage plug being added to lengthen it. This could be achieved, the company says, without

| OCTOBER 2012 |

needing to modify the aircraft's wings or its engines.

C-130 Of course no article on airlifters would be complete without a discussion of the C-130 Hercules. The aircraft is arguably the West's most successful military freighter in terms of numbers of examples sold, its performance and the variety of variants which remain in service around the world. Lockheed Martin is thnking about how to further develop the C-130J design. One idea that has been suggested includes the C-130XJ. This would essentially be a stripped-down version of the C-130J which would have a lower level of specification than the 'Julliet', but without suffering any degradation to its performance. Another C-130 version, known as the C-130NG has also been mooted which could include changes to the aircraft's fuselage and tail.

That the C-130 shows no sign of its evolution coming to an end is a strong reflection of the health of the overall military freighter aircraft market. Turboprop and turbofan cargo aircraft remain in strong demand, as do the strategic freighters on offer from Boeing and Airbus. Expect yet more developments in this fast-moving market AMR over the coming years.

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MILITARY CBRN

ENABLING FORCES TO DEAL WITH CBRN ATTACK

The civil war currently raging between government forces and the Free Syrian Army and other insurgent groups in Syria has renewed attention to the threat of use of chemical weapons (CW) by a nation state against intervening foreign forces or on its own civilian population. Syria is known to possess the world’s largest deployable CW stockpiles of Sarin and VX nerve agents and mustard agents, weaponised on artillery rounds, air-dropped bombs, rockets and missiles. Proliferation of CW and biological weapons – mainly Anthrax stocks - to terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and alQaeda is also of utmost concern.

by Andy Oppenheimer he US Department of Defense has estimated that 75,000 US troops would be needed to protect Syria’s CW facilities – providing they were sent in before looting, transfer to insurgents, or release. Dangers of CW release would arise from attempts by government forces to re-occupy the sites using heavy weaponry, or by aerial bombardment - as launched by Saddam Hussein on the Kurds at Halabja in 1988.

And although Iraq was cleared of large stockpiles of CW ordnance, hundreds of legacy chemical shells provide the means for ICDs (improvised chemical devices) for warring sectarian groups in both neighbouring countries.

CBRN defence in a new era CBRN defence - including against widely available TICs (toxic industrial chemicals) – has therefore once again become an important factor in planning for force protection, having previously been to the fore in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. After the 9/11 attacks military

52

CBRN defence systems were adapted for homeland security and something like the reverse is now evolving: the ‘allhazards’ approach of homeland CBRN defence is now being applied in design of military CBRN equipment in the current very unstable period of conflicts, where a CBRN attack would affect civilians and troops alike.

Intelligence gathering is a vital adjunct in hunting down CBRN in the field, including information on existing and legacy munitions and stores of precursor chemicals. Specialist UK SIBCRA (Sampling and Identification of Biological Chemical and Radiological Agent) teams, now renumbered to 26 Squadron RAF Regiment, are trained to enter CBRN caches and collect evidence.

Sensitivity of detectors to CWAs and TICs must be balanced with their ease of use, and avoidance of false alarms and false positives.

Biological weapons, which Syria is reputed to possess, pose a different challenge to an occupying force.

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

Biosurveillance on military operations; combined with vehicle reconnaissance detection, requires the acquisition of information on disease patterns in local populations and at military bases, recent examples having been attempted poisoning of NATO food supplies by the Taliban. New systems on board recce vehicles are also designed for protection against genetically modified strains from laboratories, and for dealing with troop and civilian exposure to misplaced radioactive materials, as occurred during looting by Iraqi civilians in the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

MILITARY CBRN

Detection on the move Detection of CBRN agents involves steady state monitoring and CBRN scene assessment. The problem of IED attack on unprotected vehicles means armoured CBRN recce are required. The General Dynamics Piranha 3 boasts a ground sampling system which enables sample collection with ballistic, mine, IED and RPG protection. It also includes a wheel sampling unit for ground contamination sampling, as well as the state-of-the-art CBRN recce vehicle’s usual complement of nuclear, CWA/

TIC (chemical warfare agents/toxic industrial chemicals), and biological air monitoring and measuring instruments.

The US is developing, from FY2013, the CBRN Dismounted Reconnaissance System (DRS) for reconnaissance and surveillance, post-attack hazard assessment, sensitive site assessment, and area monitoring, and the Next Generation Chemical Point Detector (NGCPD) for handheld, stationary, and on-the-move point detection, identification and quantification. The aim is to pick out and identify CWA and

| OCTOBER 2012 |

The FUCHS armoured reconnaissance system. ©Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH

TICs in limited environments - confined spaces and terrain that is inaccessible to CBRN reconnaissance vehicles. In these scenarios only dismounted CBRN reconnaissance can be carried out – mirroring the perilous foot-patrol searches for IEDs. The NGCPD is hailed as giving joint forces the combined means to interdict CBRN operations as well as for force protection.

In March 2012 the US Army awarded Battelle a contract to manufacture 140

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MILITARY CBRN

A Soldier with the 240th Quartermaster Supply Company decontaminates his hands using Reactive Skin Decontaminate Lotion (RSDL) during CBRN training at the Combined Arms Training Centre, Vilseck, Germany. ©US Army/Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

sample handling through the use of lightweight accessories such as a fully automated purge-and trap-accessory, used along with the Griffin X-Sorber handheld vapour sampler.

And applications for field smartphones are coming on stream. In March 2012 Universal Detection Technology brought out the RadSmart Device - a firstgeneration smartphone application for a radiation detector. Designed to detect radiation levels and automatically send the collected data to a smartphone, RadSmart is being developed in collaboration with Honeywell India. Its caesium iodide (CsI) scintillator can detect traces of radiation on surfaces, clothing and food.

The US Department of Defense has estimated that 75,000 US troops would be needed to protect Syria’s CW facilities

Chemical Vapor Sampling Systems, to be deployed on board the Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV). The order also includes making 840 Training Sample Canisters and 20 Training Support Packages at Battelle’s Eastern facility at Aberdeen, Maryland, with initial deliveries due by January 2013.

Also in March, US company FLIR Systems introduced a new Multi-Modal GC/MS (gas chromatograph mass spectrometer) for liquid, solid, and vapour samples which also provides continuous, direct air monitoring. Griffin products

54

have been in use with the US military for explosives detection and other chemical target detection and confirmation. The Griffin 460 is an instrument multi-modal system for field-based forensics and other mobile laboratory applications, as well as for integration into facility airhandling systems. The Griffin 460 can be programmed during continuous monitoring applications to alert at the presence of selected chemicals in interior and exterior environments for nearreal-time detection and identification of a chemical agent release. It simplifies

| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

Respiratory protection Chemical-resistant rubber is still the most flexible material for the airtight seal of the modern military mask, and current designs aim for improved fit and faster donning time. The latest masks are also combined with two-way radio communications, voice projection and head-up displays. Visual protection under all extremes is also essential with the use of toughened, scratch-resistant polycarbonate or polyurethane visors, tinted to protect the wearer against UV or laser beams. To protect against an airborne biological threat, a very fine particulate filter can remove particle sizes as small as 0.003 microns. Battlefield operations demand extreme exertion and therefore compact supplementary air supply systems are being developed.

Avon Protection’s new ST53CBRN mask and modular SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) system is available with panoramic optically correct flexible visors, clear, sunlight, laser and blublocker outserts, and voice projection

MILITARY CBRN

Detection of CBRN agents involves steady state monitoring and CBRN scene assessment units. The ST53SD is a short-duration variant of the Avon Protection’s new ST53 CBRN mask, designed to support military and Special Forces for short-term tactical operations. Boasting the world's smallest, chemically hardened positive pressure demand valve, it is specifically designed for stealth operations as it utilises nonreflective black components. Its electronic communications port enables voice projection and radio communications.

The patented twin exhalation valve enables the mask to be used as a negative or positive pressure respirator, so that the soldier can enter varying threat environments without the need to change equipment. Full respiratory protection with a 1 or 2 cylinder of 7 and 15 minute durations is provided for a fast-action CBRN response.

PPE training Use of CBRN protection kit in the field requires full training in its usage, maintenance, and servicing to ensure its efficiency and full protective qualities.

Quantitative test methods provide a scientific measurement of fit. The Portacount tester manufactured by TSi is simple to use in military field environments and provides a real-time measurement of the wearer’s fit to the mask.

Avon Protection runs CBRN training programmes for select military, police and security units for forces in Denmark, the Sultanate of Brunei, Thailand, and Singapore, designed to provide the forces with the expertise to maintain masks correctly, thereby extending the life of the equipment and improving its performance. The first operative training course includes exercises on fast and efficient donning, cleaning, maintenance and storage. The second provides for whole-life equipment maintenance and servicing, and proper sizing and fitting of the mask, instructions on its operational use, complete service and maintenance including routine checks, cleaning and storage, and the use of accessories and procedures for the removal and fitting of replacement parts.

Dual-Fluid decontamination being carried out on a Land Rover vehicle and soldiers. ©Pursuit Dynamics plc

Masks are typically tested for fit prior to actual use. After a mask is fitted, it is tested via various challenge agents.

Isoamyl acetate, a synthetic banana flavouring, and camphor are often used as innocuous challenge agents. In the military, the use of teargases such as CN, CS, and stannic chloride in a chamber may be used to give the users confidence in the standard of protection provided by the mask.

Reducing decon load Prompt and effective decontamination of troops, civilians, vehicles, air and watercraft, personal weapons, clothing and equipment and sensitive electronics is vital to ensure continued operational capability. The Afghan and Iraq campaigns required the supply of vast quantities of equipment to sustain operations, which takes precedent over ancillary systems such as CBRN decontamination.

| OCTOBER 2012 |

Reducing the size and weight of decon systems and the associated transportation burden is the current design challenge. Under development is a ‘dual fluid’ atomisation system to deliver CBRN decontaminants, using a gas to atomise a liquid, thereby producing a large dense cloud of very small droplets.

As a dual-fluid system can reach all non-line-of-sight surfaces, and has no moving parts, it can be used as a single system. The nozzles use only 20 percent of the decontaminant required by existing systems, so the new system will require minimal transportation.

Rapid decontamination for sensitive equipment from is being supplied

by First Line Technology (LLC) to the US Army. LLC will supply Joint Sensitive Equipment Wipes (JSEWs) for contaminated individual and sensitive electronic and optics equipment.

Each JSEW contains wipes made of FiberTect, an activated carbon wipe

55

MILITARY CBRN

Chemical-resistant rubber is still the most flexible material for the airtight seal of the modern military mask

US Army personnel preparing a CBRN-equipped EOD robot equipped with a surveillance camera and a multi-IMS (Ion Mobility Spectrometer) that detects toxic gases. These CBRN operations specialists assigned to the 23rd Chemical Battalion, conducted hazardous response platoon training at the Satsop nuclear power plant development in Elma, Wash. ©US Army/Sgt. Mark Miranda

for dry decontamination, a three-layer, inert, flexible composite substrate for absorbing and adsorbing CWAs, TICs, and small radiological and biological particulates. The wipes are self contained and packaged for easy use, storage, and transport. JSEWs do not adversely affect the operational life or performance of the target assets.

EOD kit for CBRN The threat of improvised CBR devices – the dreaded chimera - has propelled

the development of specifically tailored EOD (explosives ordnance disposal) equipment for specialist teams. EOD vehicles and robots use sensors made by Smiths Detection and other companies for reconnaissance and monitoring due mainly to their compact, size, weight, performance, and they have no radioactive source.

Environics has brought out a compact detection package which includes mounting on robots for EOD missions where ICDs are suspected,

Dismantling IEDs with a CBR component requires specialist skills, training and equipment, with all effort made to avoid toxic leakage or dispersal. ©MMIC EOD UK

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| ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

and for mounting flanges for vehicles.

Its ChemProDM (ChemPro Detector Module) has a multi-sensor CWA and TIC detection array with 10 sensing channels, and an open-loop Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS) sensor to provide sensitivity to CWAs below military action levels. As the package does not have its own display, if the vehicle or robot has a digital backbone, the digital output of the ChemProDM can be directly integrated into the vehicle’s displays. If a digital backbone is not available the optional Remote Alarm Unit (RAU) can be mounted away from the ChemProDM module. The RAU is designed to fully emulate the proven intuitive display of the handheld ChemPro100i, which is used on dismounting for chemical recon away from the vehicle. An optional Vehicle Radiation Detector allows the ChemProDM and RAU to simultaneously provide vapour and gamma radiation detection for CRN protection with a very compact footprint.

Problems in dealing with improvised CBR devices centre on leakage of toxic materials and of releasing the contents during the process of RSPs (rendersafe procedures), which may involve disrupting the device. The container and shielding (which in a radiological device could be very thick and heavy) may also prevent access to the contents for investigation and neutralisation. So EOD drilling and sampling equipment is specifically designed to prevent contamination. The ‘Monica’ system from MMIC EOD is designed to invasively interrogate any device without leakage into the surrounding environment. One sealed penetration gives access for sampling, disposal or visual investigation allowing sampling and disposal of CBW in all vessels without the risk of contamination. It can penetrate high-pressure targets of any shape, size or material with wall thicknesses up to 20mm. A sample can be gathered and identified in less than AMR five minutes.

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Boeing is reported to be closing in on a final contract for 22 AH-64D Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Air Force worth $1.4 billion © DoD

ASIA PACIFIC PROCUREMENT UPDATE

South Asia

General Liang, China’s Defence Minister visited Indian for five days to discuss bilateral security ties, the first time China’s defence minister has visited the country for seven years. The issue however that got the greatest coverage was his decision to tip the two Indian Air Force pilots who had flown him and his delegation from Mumbai to new Delhi Rs. 50,000 each and the diplomatic awkwardness that resulted. The Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Regina visited Kochi on its way to joining the anti-piracy Combined Task Force 150 off the Horn of Africa.

The Indian press have quoted senior Russian source saying the France and India had failed to reach terms on technology transfer and costs for the Dassault Rafale to meet its 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement and suggested that the $11 billion programme may be rebid.

Saab and Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co Ltd signed Memorandum of Understanding as the precursors to a capital investment in the Indian company with the two having previously worked closely on naval combat management system design and architectures for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

The contract for the research and development phase the T-50 fighter

by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and Sukhoi Design Bureau of Russia is reported to be close to signature. This will follow on from the Design Phase for the project due to complete later this year. The reports suggest that the first prototype will be in Indian hands by 2014 for testing at Ojhar Air Force Station in Maharashtra, Western India. Additional prototypes will be transferred in 2017 and 2019. The aircraft is planned to be completed in 2022.

India has a requirement for 250 of the

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contract which will replace the Indian Air Force’s MiG-29s and Sukhoi Su-30MKI. The first EMB-145 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has been transferred from Brazil, arriving Bengalaru at the end of August. The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems will now integrate the AEW&C mission systems with flight trails. Three aircraft are ordered with the second due to arrive in December.

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security is due to give the go ahead for funding the purchase of 216 air launched Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles for use on 42 Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft beginning with two aircraft converted for trials. India is to station six refuelling aircraft at its recently reactivated Panagarh air base in West Bengal. The move is seen as increasing the strike range of SU-30 MKIs’ based in Assam against potential targets in China.

Minister of Defence AK Antony has confirmed that all 75 PC-7 Mk II Basic Trainer Aircraft selected for the Indian Air Force will be delivered from 2013-15 and supported over the thirty year planned service life by Pilatus and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is said to be moving towards final operational service clearance, due to be completed after the aircraft’s participation in Exercise ‘Iron Feast’ exercise to be held at Pokhran, in Rajasthan, in February next year. The Indian Air Force plans to induct six LCA squadrons over the next decade with the first two squadrons or forty aircraft have been ordered from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The Indian Air Force’s Lakshya-1 target drone was a successfully test flown for 35 minutes at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. Boeing is in the final stretch of negotiations in the $1.4 billion deal for 22

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AH-64D attack helicopters for the Indian Air Force. The US helicopter beat Russia’s Mi-28N Night Hunter in the competition.

A mid air collision between two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters claimed the lives of nine personnel. The crash took place shortly after the two aircraft took off from Jamnagar Air Force base in Gujarat.

Russia and India have signed a framework document to enable the joint production facility for modern rocket and artillery munitions for the Indian Army. The Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command successfully test fired a nuclear capable, 350km range Prithvi-II missile at its Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.

Boeing has officially begun flight testing of the Indian Navy’s first P-8I Neptune long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Deliveries are on schedule for 2013.The Indian Army has kicked off its competition for 56 light utility helicopters to replace its HAL Chetak helicopters with the issuing an international request for proposal. The $1 billion programme is due to see the first aircraft fielded in 2016.

Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie and 25 staff spent five days in Sri Lanka developing ties between the two countries with the delegation visiting military sites in the North of the country amid reports of a deal for $100 million of defence aid in the near future.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), attacked the Pakistani Air Force base at Minhas near Islamabad on August 16th. The nine man group attacked at two points and conducted a gun battle for five hours before being eliminated. They killed twelve air force personnel and damaged one aircraft. All Pakistan’s Saab 2000 aircraft equipped with the the ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning system at stationed at the base.

REGIONAL NEWS AND

DEVELOPMENTS

South East Asia

The first of twelve Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers has been completed and rolled out at a ceremony in Italy. Production will continues and first deliveries will begin by the end of 20120. RSAF pilots are currently being trained on the type at the Italian Air Force’s own training centre. When complete, the aircraft will take over from the A/TA-4SU Skyhawk aircraft at Cazaux in France. The Republic of Singapore Navy ship, RSS Formidable visited the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Yokosuka Naval Base on its way back from the Rim of the Pacific 2012 exercise in Hawaii.

The Indonesian government have received backing for their plans for universal conscription into the armed forces from a parliamentary commission studying the proposal. The plan will be discussed after the the current National Security Bill completes its passage. A new regional counter-terrorism unit has been established in western Aceh province focused on radical Islamist groups.

Indonesia is seeking to acquire Raytheon’s Maverick missiles comprising

18 AGM-65K2 Maverick all-up-round missiles; 36 TGM-65K2 captive air training missiles and three TGM-65D maintenance training missiles together with training and support worth $25 million to operate with Indonesia’s ten existing F-16A/B and a further 24 F-16C/D aircraft ordered last year. Indonesia is also considering expanding its F-16 buy after being offered the aircraft during a visit by Vice Marshal Eris Herryanto to Washington.

Indonesia has received the first four of sixteen EMB-314/A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft from Embraer at ceremony in Brazil.

Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has announced his country’s intention to procure a further twelve submarines by 2024 in co-operation with South Korea in a joint-production programme. This figures includes an order for three Type 209/1400 design boats signed with Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering (DSME) in September 2011 in conjunction with PT PAL. The Indonesian Navy is to build a new base for submarines in Palu Bay in Central Sulawesi.

The Philippines is planing to acquire two

former Italian navy Maestrale-class frigates.

A contract is expected in January 2013 with delivery in November of that year. The Philippines deployed four in the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) drills taking place in the Malacca Strait, Sulu Sea and Subic Bay. The exercises covered tasks such as surveillance operations and well as boarding and search and seizure.

Thailand’s Defence Minster Sukumpol Suwanatat has called for other agencies to help the Army conduct security operations in the south of the country, saying that the Service is becoming over burdened as a result. Thailand has signalled its intent to acquire nine RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles together with associated equipment from Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE Systems with a value of $18million.

Russia’s Admiralteiskie Verfi Yard has launched the first of six Kilo-class Project 636 diesel-electric submarines ordered by Vietnam. The boat will be delivered later this year with the remainder entering Vietnam’s hands by 2016.

Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie also took time to visit Laos as the third leg of his visit across the region.

The RSS Formidable visited Japan on its way home from RIMPAC 2012 © DoD

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REGIONAL NEWS AND

DEVELOPMENTS

South Korea is reported to be considering Rafael’s Iron Dome system to protect key sites around Seoul from artillery and rocket fire from the North © Rafael

East Asia

South Korea has undertaken it biannual military exercise near the Dokdo islands, which are contested by Japan.

It follows South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s unprecedented visit to the islands on August 10th. The exercise held jointly by Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will test their ability to expel vessels entering territorial waters.

South Korea is considering acquiring the Iron Dome missile defence system from Rafael to defend key sites around Seoul which is close to the border with North and within artillery range. A test of a new South Korean antisubmarine torpedo, the Hongsangeo or Red Shark has failed to hit a target 60m below the surface when launched from a ROKN destroyer.

In development since 2000, production was approved in 2009 and the programme

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is scheduled to enter service next year.

China has sent a delegation to Pyongyang to meet Kim Jong Un led by Wang Jiarui, head of China’s International Liaison Dept.

China’s Haixun 31 maritime patrol vessel, its maritime agency’s largest ship to enter service travelled to Hawaii to undertaken a joint exercise with the US Coast Guard in the area of joint search-and-rescue. An academic study has determined that the Republic of Korea Navy Ship Cheonan was sunk not by a North Korean torpedo but by a discarded South Korea mine or mines.

China has signed an agreement with Russia to acquire 55 Mi-171E helicopters with a value of approximately $600 million.

The first of a predicted initial ten Type 052D destroyers has been launched at a China State

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Shipbuilding’s Jiangnan Changxing shipyard near Shanghai where a second hull is being completed. The Anti-air Warfare destroyers are equipped with two 32-cell vertical launch systems, a Type 346 active phased-array radar and a Type 518 L-band long-range radar.

China’s Second Artillery Corps has conducted a test fire of its new Dongfeng-41 intercontinental ballistic missile. The DF-41 has a range of 14,000km and can carry ten warheads.

Taiwan has begun work on two new sites to host Patriot PAC-3 missile batteries in the Taichung and Kaohsiung regions.

Taiwan has received the two former US Navy Osprey class minehunters USS Oriole and USS Falcon in August with a formal cermony in Kaohsiung in the South of the country.

REGIONAL NEWS AND

DEVELOPMENTS

All the RAAF’s 24 FA-18F Super Hornets were deployed for Exercise Pitch Black © Commonwealth of Australia

Australasia

‘Pitch Black”, Australia’s largest and most important air exercise has concluded.

Held in the north of the country saw a number of recent acquisitions deploy, notably the Wedgetail AEW aircraft, KC30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The event saw a number of countries participate including Indonesian Su-27SKM and Su30MK2 aircraft and Singaporean F-15SG fighters and a G550 AEW&C aircraft.

The Australian government has publicly said no to the possibility of a US aircraft carrier and its naval support being moved from the US West Coast to the HMAS Stirling base in Perth.

The plan was formed by Washington Think Tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies as part of Pentagon funded plan looking at how the US could deploy more naval power into

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the Asian Pacific region by 2020 and was submitted in June. Australia’s Defence Minister Stephen Smith has travelled to Vietnam to conduct bilateral and regional security with his counterpart Gen. Phung Quang Thanh. Indonesia has signed an agreement with Australia to increase co-operation in the area of humanitarian operations. One notable area cited by Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro was dealing with the issue of illegal immigration in the Timor Sea. Australia is to equip 12 of its 24 F/A-18F 24 Super Hornet aircraft with the US Growler electronic warfare systems worth A$1.5 Billion. In May 2009, the Government announced its decision to wire 12 of 24 Super Hornets for later conversion to the Growler configuration at a cost of $35 million.

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The hull of the Royal Australian Navy’s first Canberra class LHD has left Spain for Melbourne, being transported on a heavy lift ship. In Australia it will be fitted out and is due to enter service in 2014. The cost of repairs to HMAS Choules will be $1 million but the amphibious support ship will not return to operational service with the Royal Australian Navy until December.

Australia’s firm Forgacs’ Newcastle shipyard will deliver the first hull blocks for the Royal Australian A$8 billion Navy’s Air Warfare Destroyer project programme in September.

Following the deaths of two New Zealand servicemen in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province, the country’s Prime Minister has rejected calls to return New Zealand SAS personnel to the theatre after they were pulled out in March.

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