Philippines awards contract for two Long Range Patrol Aircraft to Israel's Elbit Systems

 

A maritime patrol aircraft based on an ATR-72 aircraft platform. Photo c/o Leonardo.

Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems has confirmed in a press release that it was won a contract worth US$114 million to supply and deliver two Long Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) to an Asia-Pacific country.

It was determined to be the Philippines, based on the country's existing requirement for two Long Range Patrol Aircraft for its air force.

According to Elbit Systems, the platform to be used will be new ATR-72-600 regional turboprop airliner aircraft which will be integrated with a mission suite that includes a Mission Management System, Electro-Optics, Radar, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Communication and more.

Elbit Systems also confirmed that the contract will be carried out over a period of five years, although it is believed that this will include the contractual obligations with regards to Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), training, and spare parts support.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has been in the market for two Long Range Patrol Aircraft, which will be used as a maritime patrol aircraft, since 2014 when it first raised the requirement through a public bidding.

Airbus Defence and Space first won the public bidding in 2015, but was disqualified in the post-tender inspection phase for failing to confirm the supply of two maritime patrol aircraft based on the CASA C-295M aircraft to have anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities due to the limited budget.

The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) has made several attempts to tender the project but failed to either get companies to fit the requirements with the budget, or failed to secure funding from the government.

According to Filipino defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the project was directly negotiated with the Israeli Ministry of Defense in 2021, with Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries being shortlisted to supply the LRPAs. Ultimately Elbit Systems was chosen due to its previous supply of Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 surveillance UAVs which are currently being used as maritime patrol platforms in the absence of a purpose-built maritime patrol aircraft.




[1] Elbit Systems
[2] Philippine Defense Resource
[3] MaxDefense Philippines

Indonesian shipbuilder launches third Dorang-class PC-60 patrol boat

 

Launching of KRI Tuna (876) last 05 July 2023. Photo c/o Antara News,

Indonesian shipbuilder PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati has launched the third PC-60 Dorang-class patrol boat for the Indonesian Navy (TNIU-AL) on 05 July 2023.

The ship, which will be named the KRI Tuna (876) once commissioned with the Indonesian Navy, was launched and named at the shipyard's facility in Batam, Riau Islands with TNI-AL Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali as guest together with other officials of the TNI and Indonesian Ministry of Defence.

The boat is considered an important manifestation of the growing self-reliance capabilities of the Indonesian defense industry and independence from the need of importing most of the country's defense requirements.

Once in service with the TNI-AL, the patrol boat will be assigned with the Armada Command I and will be used for maritime defense and law enforcement, as well as for humanitarian support and search and rescue. 

The PC-60 patrol vessels are 60 meters long, has a width of 8.50 meters, and displaces at around 440 to 520 tons.

They have a maximum speed of 24 knots, a cruising speed of 17 knots, and an economical speed of 15 knots which allows the ship to sail for 6 days with a crew of 46 active and 9 reserve personnel.

The ships are armed with a 40mm Oto Melara gun operated with a Fire Control System, as well as two manually-operated 12.7mm heavy machine guns.




[1] Kompas.com
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal

Australia orders Carl Gustaf M4 light anti-tank weapons from Sweden's Saab

 

The Carl Gustaf M4 assault and light anti-tank weapon. Photo c/o Saab.

(Saab press release dated 04 July 2023)

Saab has received an order from the Australian Department of Defence for the supply of additional Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons. The order value is SEK 400 million with deliveries during 2024-2025.

The Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons will be delivered with Saab’s new Fire Control Device, FCD 558.

“This order continues Saab’s longstanding relationship with the Australian Defence Force. We are proud to deliver modern and user-focused weapon systems that ensures the Australian armed forces’ ability to meet a wide range of challenges on the battlefield,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

Proven to deliver results on the battlefield, Carl-Gustaf provides the effectiveness soldiers need. The wide range of ammunition types for Carl-Gustaf makes it flexible and able to handle any situation, whether it is to destroy an armoured vehicle or structure, or illuminating the battlefield during night operations.

The Carl-Gustaf system is supplied to more than 40 countries around the world.

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 19,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.




[1] Saab