China commissions new strategic nuclear-powered submarine

A Type 094 Jin-class SSBN of the PLAN. Photo c/o Wikipedia.

Chinese media outlets claimed that China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has recently commissioned a new “strategic nuclear-powered submarine”.

In their report on 22 April 2020, Chinese state-owned media Global Times did not mention the exact model of the submarine, but considering it as a strategic asset means it could be a new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which is capable of carrying numerous ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

British defense media outlet IHS Jane’s believes that it is not the next-generation Type 096 since the interval between the launching and the recent commissioning ceremonies of this new submarine is too short. 

It is possible that the submarine could be an updated version of the older Type 094A Jin-class SSBN.

China has been vocal on their intention to bring in new weapon systems as the PLAN continues to modernize and increase in size. 

[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly

Taiwan launches first Min Jiang-class fast minelayer, laid keel for 3rd and 4th ships

The first ship of the class, the Min Jiang during launching ceremonies held on March 2020. Photo c/o Military Leak.

Taiwanese shipbuilder Lung Teh Shipbuilding has launched the first Min Jiang-class fast minelayer for the Republic of China Navy (ROCN).

The ship was launched in Lung Teh Shipbuilding’s facility in Yilan County in March 2020.

Also, the shipbuilder held the keel laying ceremony for the 3rd and 4th ships of the class on 17 April 2020.

The ships are part of the ROC Ministry of Defense’s (MOD) Project Perpetual Victory worth US$24.5 million to build four new fast minelayers . These ships would be used to deny safe access of enemy amphibious and naval forces.

The fast minelayers are 41 meters long, 8.8 meters wide, and displaces at around 347 tons full load. It will have a maximum speed of 14 knots, and a range of 1,200 nautical miles.

They would be equipped with a new indigenous automatic minelaying system, with capacity to lay 100 mines.

The ships are also armed with a T-75 20mm autocannon, and two T74 7.56mm general purpose machine guns for self-defense.

Taiwan has also started development works for a new class of frigate and submarine, in addition to the construction of additional missile corvettes and amphibious assault vessel.


[1] Asian Military Review
[2] Military Leak
[3] Jane’s Defence Weekly

China launches second Type 075 Yushen-class amphibious assault ship

The 1st and 2nd Type 075 amphibious assault ships docked at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. Photo c/o Rupprecht_A's Twitter page.

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard launched the second Type 075 Yushen-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on 22 April 2020, in ceremonies held in Shanghai.

The ship’s launching coincides with the 71st anniversary of the PLAN’s establishment, and was 6 months behind the launch of the first ship of the class, which was launched on September 2019.

China plans to build four of these 35,000-ton ships by 2025, which rivals American LHD designs like the US Navy’s Wasp-class.  

The ships are capable of helicopter and amphibious assault operations, and is capable of housing up to 28 helicopters, and has a floodable well deck to allow operations of landing crafts, amphibious assault vehicles or hovercrafts.

In early April, its sistership was reported a fire incident, although it the extent of the damage was not reported.  


[1] National Interest
[2] UPI

Cambodia or Myanmar most likely first export market for Chinese FTC-2000G advanced jet trainer

The FTC-2000G advance jet trainer / light attack aircraft. Photo c/o Wikipedia.

Chinese media outlet Xinhua News Agency reported on 19 April 2020 that Guizhou Aviation Industries Corporation (GAIC) has received its first order for their FTC-2000G Mountain Eagle advanced jet trainer / light attack aircraft, which is the export designation of the JL-9 aircraft.

No specifics were provided on identifying the customer, but it was disclosed that it is a Southeast Asian country. No details were also provided regarding the quantity involved, or the contract amount. According to GAIC, the first batch expected to be delivered by 2021.

Military analysts believe that either Cambodia or Myanmar, both of which have close ties to China, may have ordered the aircraft. But there is a stronger leaning on it being Cambodia due to the Myanmar Air Force already operating the Russian Yakolov Yak-130 advanced jet trainer / light attack aircraft, which is in the same league as the FTC-2000G.

While the Royal Cambodian Air Force earlier announced of its plans to acquire additional Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatross trainer aircraft from the Czech Republic to increase its fleet size, it is possible that they are also looking for a more advanced trainer with combat capability to which graduates from the L-39 Albatross could progress in.

The GAIC FTC-2000G was designed as a low-cost advanced jet trainer with light attack capability that was developed privately and more intended for the export market. It conducted its first flight in 2018.

The FTC-2000G is 15.4 meters long, has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4, a maximum range of 1,650 kilometers on internal fuel and an endurance of 2 hours, and an operational flight ceiling of 15 kilometers.

It is equipped by a radar and fire control system, and can fit external fuel tanks and munitions on its 7 external hardopoints allowing the aircraft to have a maximum payload of 3,000 kilograms.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Military Watch Magazine

India's first batch of Dassault Rafale fighters delayed due to Covid-19 issues

One of India's first Rafale DH fighters during presentation to India's PM. 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will have to wait longer before the delivery of the first batch of four (4) Dassault Rafale fighters from France.

This is due to Covid-19 pandemic-related lockdown measures implemented in France, as the country struggles to contain its spread.

Instead of May 2020, the revised delivery schedule is now moved to end of July 2020.

India has also put on hold the deployment of 24 IAF pilots and technicians to France due to the lockdown measures, and since Dassault’s Bordeaux-Merignac fighter production facility is also closed until mid-May 2020.

With the situation still difficult to assess, it is still possible that the delays would push through beyond July 2020.

The Indian Ministry of Defence ordered 36 Rafale fighters in 2016, consisting of 28 Rafale EH single-seat and 8 Rafale DH twin-seat fighters under a €7.8 billion contract, with an option for 18 more fighters which the Indian government has not taken yet.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] BBC World

Thailand considers postponing defense acquisitions incuding additional S26T submarines

The Chinese Type 039, in which the S26T submarine for Thailand was based. Photo c/o Naval News.

The Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that it is considering the postponement of several military acquisition programs due to the economic impact of Covid-19. Thailand is the first country in the region to confirm the pandemic’s effect on their defense procurement programs.

The MoD and the Royal Thai Armed Forces are looking at the impact of these postponements, and on selecting critical projects that will be included in the plan.

According to Thai MoD spokesperson Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantravanich, they are looking at procurement plans within 2020, as well as those for 2021, as budget would be tightened and several big-ticket projects would be affected and will need to be postponed to a future date.

While the MoD has not mentioned specific projects, British defense media outlet IHS Jane’s mentioned that those included in the planned postponement are additional S26T diesel-electric submarines from China, and may also potentially include additional locally-built Krabi-class offshore patrol vessels and several air force-related projects.

Thailand has robust yearly defense acquisition programs for all branch services of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, as they unveiled several projects for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), and released a White Paper for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), just before the Covid-19 pandemic became a global issue.

[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly

Myanmar to receive SY400 short range ballistic missile system from China

The SY400 system with the BP-12A ballistic missile. Photo c/o Hunter Chen, through Popular Science.

The Armed Forces of Myanmar (Tatmadaw) is set to soon receive the first batch of SY400 short range ballistic missile system from China.

The deal, which was acquired through a financing scheme provided by the Chinese government, includes technology transfer agreement related to the SY400 system.

The SY400 system, also known as the DF-12A ballistic missile system, can fire either the PHL-03 300mm heavy rockets with a maximum range of around 120 kilometers, or the BP-12A short range ballistic missile which has a range of around 280 kilometers, which is a downgrade from the China-spec model which has a range of more than 400 kilometers.

This is to allow it for export and overcome restrictions set by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which China is a member.

While the PHL-03 rockets are unguided, the BP-12A missiles are guided to their targets via Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS). The system can fire multiple missiles aimed at multiple targets.

Standard configuration normally has a standard configuration of either eight (8) containers for PHL-03 rockets, or two (2) contianers for the BP-12A ballistic missiles, both designed to allow storage for years without the need for maintenance. 

The containers are mounted on a Wanshan 8x8 high mobility military truck, which itself has a maximum road speed of 75 kilometers per hour and a maximum range of 650 kilometers.


[1] Army Recognition
[2] Military Today

Indonesia receives ordered Banshee Whirlwind target drones

The Banshee Whirlwind aerial target drone. Photo c/o QinetiQ.

The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) has received 59 units of the Banshee Whirlwind aerial target drones from British company QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS), as confirmed by the company in a press release on 6 April 2020.

According to the same press release, the contract for the acquisition of the drones was signed in May 2019, and that the target drones will allow the TNI to “better prepare for adversary threats”.

No date was mentioned on when the TNI received the target drones although QTS confirmed that delivery and customer training has been completed.

The Banshee Whirlwind is powered by a rear-mounted rotary engine allowing flight profiles over 100 kilometers, able to reach a flight altitude of over 7,000 meters high, and sea-skimming flights as low as 5 meters above sea level with the help of radar altimeter.

It can be used to represent threats posed by UAVs, aircraft, and cruise missiles, allowing for the testing of effectiveness and operational readiness of weapon systems including air-to-air missiles, and ground based air defense gun and/or missile systems.


[1] QinetiQ 
[2] Defpost

Australia starts receiving Hawkei protected utility vehicles

The Thales Hawkei protected mobility vehicle of the Australian Army. Credits to original owner.

The Australian Army has started receiving the first batch of low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light (PMV-L), after overcoming reliability and design issues that delayed the production schedule.

The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment based in Townsville, Queensland is believed to be the first unit to receive the Hawkei PMV, after the unit confirmed on 24 March 2020 that it received at least five (5) vehicles to complement the Bushmaster Protected Military Vehicles – Medium (PMV-M) in the unit’s motorized component.

The vehicle was developed as part of the Australian Army’s LAND 121 Phase 4 project for Protected Mobility Vehicles – Light, which was intended to replace some of the service’s specialized, blast-protected Land Rover utility vehicles. 

Prime contractor for the Hawkei is Thales Australia, with Boeing Australia and Israeli armored vehicle manufacturer Plasan as part of the venture. 

The Australian Army ordered 1,100 vehicles including 1,058 accompanying trailers under a A$1.3 billion (US$975 million) contract signed in October 2015, and will be configured to meet requirements for command, liaison, utility, and reconnaissance missions.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Defence Connect

Indonesia reconsidering submarine options despite contract with South Korea’s DSME

One of the Nagapasa-class submarine delivered by DSME to the TNI-AL. Indonesia is reconsidering its options if it will proceed with the contract it signed for 3 more similar submarines from DSME. Photo c/o DSME.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) was reported to have been reconsidering their options to acquire submarines, despite already signing a contract with South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in 2019.

IHS Jane’s reported that among the options being considered was terminating the contract with DSME, including cost and legal implications of such move.

The Indonesian government and DSME already signed a contract worth KRW1.162 trillion (US$900 million) on April 2019 to build a second batch of three (3) Improved Chang Bogo-class diesel electric attack submarines, which are based on the German-designed Type 209/1400 submarine. 

The TNI-AL has acquired a first batch of three submarines from an earlier deal signed in 2011, which are now in service as the Nagapassa-class.

Early this year it was reported that the Indonesian MOD was considering an offer from the French government to supply submarines, corvettes and fighter aircraft to the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). France’s offer centered on the Naval Group’s Scorpene-class submarine.


[1] Jane’s Navy International
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal

Bangladesh receives all surplus C-130J Mk.5 Super Hercules purchased from UK

One of the C-130J Mk.5 Super Hercules of the BAF. Photo c/o Elliot L -CBG Spotter.

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has received all five (5) surplus C-130J Mk.5 Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft it acquired from the United Kingdom. This was confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to British defense media outlet IHS Jane’s.

The fifth and last C-130J Mk.5 Super Hercules was received in early February 2020, completing the order made by the Bangladesh government starting 2018. 

These aircraft were formerly with the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and were among those retired early due to the RAF’s decision to replace them with the larger Airbus A400M Atlas heavy transport aircraft. 

All 5 aircraft underwent work by Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, with deliveries starting in August 2019.

The C-130J Mk. 5 are currently the most capable transport aircraft with the BAF, as it joins other transport assets including Antonov An-32 and legacy Lockheed Martin C-130B Hercules.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] C-130.net Database


ElliotL-CBGSpotter

Australia starts construction of third Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel

Artist's impression on the Arafura-class OPV. Photo c/o Civmec Shipyard.

Australian shipbuilder Civmec Shipyard has started construction of the third Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), as announced by the Australian Department of Defence (DOD) on 27 March 2020.

The ship is the first of the twelve ships ordered to be built by the Henderson, Western Australia-based shipyard, as the first two ships of the class were built in South Australia by Osborne Naval Shipyard.

The ship is expected to be operational with the RAN by 2024.

The Arafura-class OPVs were acquired under a A$3.6 billion (US$2.5 billion) deal signed on January 2018 with German shipbuilder Lurssen, through its Australian subsidiary Lurssen Australia, under the RAN’s SEA 1180 Phase 1 program.

Lurssen offered to use their PV80 patrol vessel design, which is similar to the Darussalam-class OPVs used by the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN). It has an overall length of 80 meters, a beam of 13 meters, a hull draught of 4 meters, and a standard displacement of around 1,650 tons. 

The Arafura-class are expected to replace several existing ships in the RAN fleet including the Armidale and Cape-class patrol boats, the Huon-class minehunters, and possibly the Leeuwin and Paluma-class survey ships.

The first ship, the Arafura, started construction in November 2018 and is expected to be in service with the RAN by 2023.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Naval News