Indonesia reaches keel laying for two new offshore patrol vessels

 

Officials during keel laying ceremony of 2 OPVs for TNI-AL. Photo c/o Indonesia MOD.

Indonesian shipbuilder PT Daya Radar Utama has reached a milestone in its contract to build offshore patrol vessels for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) with the keel laying ceremony conducted on 16 November 2022.

The ceremony was held at the shipyard’s facility in Lampung province in Sumatra, with officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD), Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and PT Daya Radar Utama present.

The ships are being constructed under two different projects, one is a 90-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel, while the second ship is called “Offshore Patrol Vessel” with no indication on the actual length but was previously believed to be around 60 meters long.

The First Steel Cutting for both ships was held on 26 August 2021, and is said to be the first attempt by an Indonesian shipyard to locally build a military offshore patrol vessel, which will fill the gap between the Indonesian Navy’s fleet of patrol boats and larger frigates and corvettes.

The 90-meter OPV is expected to follow PT Daya Radar Utama’s previous design releases, which has a length of 90 meters, a width of 13.5 meters, and is powered by four 7,280-kilowatt diesel engines capable of propelling the ship to a maximum speed of around 28 knots.

It is also expected to have a crew of 94 personnel.

Based on design photos and videos from PT Daya Radar Utama, the 90-meter OPV will be armed with a 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid naval gun, a 35mm Rheinmetall Millennium Gun close-in weapon system (CIWS), and two quadruple launchers for MBDA MM40 Exocet anti-ship missiles.

The weapons are said to be for procurement at a later date, with the OPVs being Fitted for but not with (FFBNW).

It has a helicopter deck and hangar for a naval helicopter, and has two stern ramps for Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) for Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.

No details have been made available on the design of the second OPV, but French defense news outlet Naval News mentioned that it could potentially be a 60-meter design, and has a different weapon and sensor fit-out and without a helicopter operations facility.




[1] Indonesian Ministry of Defence
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal

Thailand‘s first 2 T-6TH Texan II trainer aircraft delivered

 

T-6TH Texan II trainers bound for Thailand as seen in Quebec, Canada. Photo c/o AAG Thai Defense Page.

The first batch of two T-6TH Texan II advanced trainer aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have arrived in Thailand on 12 November 2022.

The aircraft 01 and 02 with US registration numbers N2273B and N2792B respectively, arrived at the RTAF’s Chiang Mai Air Base after flying from Amarillo, Texas and stopping at several locations including Canada, Iceland, UK,  Italy, Greece and India.

Both aircraft were formally accepted by the RTAF on 14 November 2022 and are assigned with the RTAF Flying Training School in Kamphaeng Saen in Nakhon Pathom province.

The T-6TH is the Thai variant of  the T-6C Texan II with Thai-specified features, and are slated to replace the RTAF’s fleet of 19 Pilatus PC-9 trainer aircraft which have been in service since 1991.

The RTAF ordered 12 aircraft on October 2020 under a US$162 million deal, with the rest of the 10 aircraft to be delivered to Thailand by sea and in crates, and will be assembled in Thailand by Thai Aviation Industries Co. Ltd. (TAI) under a technology transfer agreement included in the deal.

Thailand has also ordered the AT-6 Wolverine light attack aircraft, which are slated to replace the Aero Vodochody L-39ZA/ART Albatross light attack aircraft, and benefits for having commonality with the standard T-6TH training aircraft

RTAF pilots have been training in the United States since June 2022, which will also become the RTAF’s flight instructors for the type for future pilots and instructors.

Thailand is the T-6 Texan II’s first export market in Southeast Asia, and the 11th globally.




[1] AAG Thai Defense Page
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal

Indonesia signs contract for delivery of Khan ballistic missile, multi-layered air defense system

 

The Khan ballistic missile on an RMMV 8x8 platform. Photo c/o ROKETSAN.

Turkish defense company ROKETSAN has signed a contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence  for the supply of its Khan tactical ballistic missile, and another contract was also signed for the supply of what is believed to be the Hisar family of surface-to-air missile systems.

The signing of these contracts were made as part of the recently concluded Indo Defence Expo & Forum 2022 held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 02 to 05 November 2022, with Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and Turkish Defense Industry President Ismail Demir leading their delegation.

A foreign business partner of ROKETSAN was also involved, which is believed to be Excalibur Army from the Czech Republic, which is believed to be the main contractor for the project, while the Czech Eximbank is believed to be the one providing the loan to Indonesia for financing the project.

Indonesia will become the first export customer of the Khan tactical ballistic missile, which is a water-down export version of the Bora ballistic missile used by the Turkish Armed Forces.

The Khan has a maximum range of 280 kilometers, guided by GPS & GLONASS and internal navigation system providing an circular error probability of less than 10 meters, carries a warhead weighing 470 kilograms.

Not much detail was provided on the acquisition of Hisar, as ROKETSAN has not confirmed the actual model and only mentioned that it would be developing a tailor-made layered air defense system for the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD), with priority on medium and long range air defense systems, followed by a close air defense system.

Currently ROKETSAN’s air defense system offerings are the Hisar family, as well as the PorSav missile and Sungur Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS)

No timelines and quantities, as well as project costs were announced regarding the acquisition of the Khan ballistic missile and layered air defense system.




[1] Defense News
[2] Overt Defense

Australia gets proposals to acquire 3 additional air warfare destroyers

 

A Hobart-class destroyer of the RAN. Photo c/o RAN.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is said to be warming to a proposal by defense circles and strategists to procure an additional 3 new air warfare destroyers by the end of the decade, as the country faces increased tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

The proposal, estimated to be worth A$6 billion (US$4.01 billion) was made by the Defence Strategic Review team led by former Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith, and former Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston, and is said to be delivered to the Australian Government by March 2023.

The RAN was said to be supportive with the proposed construction of additional destroyers as its existing Hunter-class Future Frigate Program is facing delays over weight and design issues, and concerns on the ability to extend the lifespan of its current Anzac-class frigates that could create a potential gap in the capacity and capability of the naval forces.

Australia is currently facing pressure to increase its defense capacity as the strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region between its main ally the United States, and the region’s giant China have intensified, as well as the threat of war over China’s plans to forcefully takeover Taiwan.

The plan is for the new destroyers to be built before the first Hunter-class frigate starts construction, using the existing Hobart-class destroyer from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia as basis, reducing time and cost risks associated to development and construction of  a new warship design.

Navantia was reported to have already met Department of Defence officials to discuss the proposal, and has estimated that they could deliver all 3 ships to the RAN by 2030, depending on the option.

Three options have been forwarded: the first is to build all 3 destroyers at Navantia’s shipyard in Spain, the second is a hybrid build between Spanish and Australian shipbuilders, and the third is to build all ships in Adelaide, where the 3 original Hobart-class destroyers were built.

The third option is expected to be more expensive and would not be completed until mid-2032, but would benefit the Australian defense industry.

Rather than replacing the Hunter-class frigate program, the 3 new destroyers will instead complement them, providing additional firepower and increased capability to the RAN.




[1] The Australian
[2] Australian Financial Review

Philippines receives first 2 batteries of SPYDER-MR air defense missile system, 2nd C-295W aircraft

 

New SPYDER-MR air defense battery and C-195W transport aircraft for Philippine Air Force. Photo c/o Inquirer.net.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has formally accepted the first batch Surface-to-Air Python and Derby (SPYDER) air defense missile systems delivered by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

It also accepted the second C-295W medium tactical transport aircraft it ordered from Airbus Defence & Space.

The acquisition of the SPYDER missile system was made as part of the PAF’s Ground Based Air Defense System (GBADS) Acquisition Project, while the C-295W was acquired under the PAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft Acquisition Program. 

Both projects were programmed as part of the Horizon 2 phase of its modernization program from 2018 to 2022.

Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr led the turnover ceremonies held on 08 November 2022 at the PAF’s Base Air Base, with PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas, and other top military and defense officials present, as well as Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss.

The Philippines variant of the SPYDER-MR, called the SPYDER Philippines Air Defense System (SPADS), uses a different surveillance and fire control radar, and has 3 missile firing units per battery. 

Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines believes that the radar used could be a combination of IAI Elta’s EL/M-2138M Green Rock gallium nitride (GaN) 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array I(AESA) radars capable of use as a Counter Rocket Artillery Missile (C-RAM) radar and for air defense, and the EL/M- 2106 ATAR 3D soild-state air defense radar.

MaxDefense Philippines also noted that the SPADS uses the I-Derby-MR missile which uses a standard I-Derby medium range missile with a booster attachment to increase its range and improve launch speed from ground-based vertical launchers.

The PAF received two batteries, and is expecting another SPADS battery, probably by 2023. The SPADS are currently the Philippines’ most advanced air defense missile system to date and will be operated by the 960th Air and Missile Defense Group. 

Meanwhile, the second C-295W, which features winglets on the top of the wings that helps improve fuel efficiency, will be joining the PAF’s 220th Airlift Wing which already operates 4 older C-295M and 1 other C-295W that was delivered earlier this year.

A third C-295W aircraft is expected to be delivered by Airbus soon, as it was already spotted in Spain undergoing ground tests.




[1] MaxDefense Philippines
[2] Philippine Defense Resource
[3] Philippine Daily Inquirer

Australia receives 3rd Evolved Cape-class patrol boat

 

The 3rd Evolved Cape-class patrol boat ADV Cape Naturaliste (316). Photo c/o Austal Ltd.

Australian shipbuilder Austal Limited has confirmed that they delivered the third Evolved Cape-class patrol boat to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The patrol boat, named ADV Cape Naturaliste, was officially accepted by the Australian Government from Austal during the handover ceremony.

Austal’s Chief Operation Officer Paddy Gregg said that their shipbuilding productivity has improved, enabling them to deliver an Evolved Cape-class patrol boat after just 12 months of construction.

Austal also confirmed that the fourth ship of the class, the future ADV Cape Capricorn is already alongside and is scheduled for delivery by early next year. Asia Pacific Defense Journal a few weeks ago that the boat was launched on October 2022.

It has also confirmed that they are on track to delivery all eight Evolved Cape-class patrol boats by mid 2024.

The Evolved Cape-class patrol boats are 58 meters long and can accommodate up to 32 personnel, with improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems compared to previous designs.

The class, together with the larger Arufara-class offshore patrol vessel, will be replacing the RAN’s fleet of Armidale-class patrol boats and will be used for border and fisheries protection, maritime law enforcement, and maritime defense missions.




[1] Austal Limited
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal
[3] Naval News

Australia to replace existing C-130J fleet with new C-130J Super Hercules

 

One of the RAAF's C-130J Super Hercules. Photo c/o Western Advocate.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will be replacing its current fleet of 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft as part of efforts to improve mobility capabilities.

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced that its existing C-130J fleet will be replaced with a new fleet of C-130J Super Hercules.

No specific variants and number of aircraft, as well as cost or program schedule have not been announced yet, although based on previous statements by Lockheed Martin in 2021 indicate that the quantity may exceed the current fleet size – up to 30 aircraft and may also include aerial refuelling tanker variants.

The C-130J Super Hercules was selected to replace the older fleet after evaluating several tactical transport aircraft models, and found that staying with the C-130J assures medium air mobility capability without substantial cost, schedule and capability risks.

Prior to operating the C-130J Super Hercules, the RAAF have been operating legacy Hercules variants since 1958 including the C-130A, C-130E, and C-130H. 

The RAAF’s C-130J Super Hercules first entered service in 1999 to replace the C-130H, and has a fleet average age of around 23 years.

The DoD’s Project AIR 7404 Phase 1 Medium Air Mobility Replacement, which covers the project to replace the RAAF’s existing C-130J fleet, will be pushing forward for government approval under Fiscal Year 2023.

Lockheed Martin has welcomed the Australian DoD’s announcement, with company Chief Executive Officer for Australia Warren McDonald saying the RAAF will  get one of the most modern and advanced C-130J fleet in the world, with a proven track record of versatility and reliaibilty.

[1] Australian Department of Defence

[2] Janes

[3] Flight Global