Vietnam in talks with US over potential arms supply including F-16 fighters

 

An F-16 fighter aircraft. Photo c/o Associated Press.

Vietnam is reportedly in talks with US government officials in what could be the biggest arms deal between the two countries.

This is after the upgrading of ties between two former Cold war adversaries which are now strategic parners that included closer defense and economic ties.

An arms sales package with a strctured financing scheme were said to be part of discussions, including the potential sale of a squadron of F-16 single-engine multirole fighters that could mark the start of reduced reliance on Russian military hardware.

it remains to be seen if the offer will be for new-build F-16 Vipers, older F-16s from US Excess Defense Artciles, or a combination of both.

The deal is also expected to irk Vietnam's northern neighbor China, which it has ta rocky security relationship due to disputed territorial clains and a major reason for Vietnam's military build-up and improved ties with the US.

While the deal is still in its early stages of discussion, it was a topic that was raised in previous meetings between Vietnamese and American officials.

Vietnam is traditionally reliant on Soviet and Russian-made weapon systems, but Russia's war in Ukraine as well as the associated  political and trade sanctions has made it difficult for them to supply arms to other countries like Vietnam.

Vietnam is also in the process of replacing many of its Soviet-era weapon systems which have become obsolete compared to those of its neighbors, particularly China's People's Liberatiom Army.

[1] Reuters

[2] Aviacionline

Taiwan to procure and locally produce 160 Jackal UCAVs

The Jackal UCAV from Flyby Technoligies during test-firing of Thales LMM in 2022. Photo c/o UK Government.

The Republic of China Army (RoCA) and Republic of China Marine Corps (RoCMC) is scheduled to receive a total of 160 new Jackal unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) starting 2024 as part of an agreement between Taiwanese and British companies.

As part of a pre-sale agreement signed by UK’s Flyby Technology and Taiwan’s GEOSAT Aerospace Technology at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition 2023 (TATDE 2023), a transfer of technology will be made by the former to allow the local construction of 160 of their Jackal UCAV starting in early 2024.

Taiwan will be the launch customer of the new Jackal UCAV, which was developed by Flyby Technology in collaboration with Turkey’s Fly BVLOS Technology, which will be used by the RoCA and RoCMC for combat operations including air interdiction, close air support, anti-armor, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations and other purposes.

The Jackal UCAV is a modular vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft will be equipped with two short-range air-to-ground missiles, although the exact missile model to be used is yet to be finalised.

Currently the UCAV is propelled by rotors and electric ducted fans powered by batteries, but improvements are underway to use turbogenerators to allow an increase in maximum take-off weight from 105 kilograms to 155 kilograms. This would allow a wider range of weapons and sensors to be integrated with the aircraft.

On October 2022, Flyby Technology has demonstrated the Jackal UCAV’s capability to carry and fire the Thales Light Mulitrole Missile (LMM) under commission by the UK Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, although other lightweight rockets or missiles including Taiwanese-made models could be integrated as well.




[1] Janes
[2]  Flight Global
[3] Defense Here

Philippines inducts 3rd Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan surveillance aircraft

The new C-208B Grand Caravan EX ISR aircraft of the PAF. Photo c/o Inquirer.net.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has inducted its third Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on19 September 2023.

The induction ceremony was held in Clark Air Base in Pampanga province, with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. being the guest of honor. The Joint US Military Assistance Group – Philippines (JUSMAG-P) chief Col. Edward R Evans USAF was also present and officially turned-over the aircraft to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S Brawner PA and Philippine Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen P Parreno PAF.

The aircraft was provided to the Philippines as a grant by the United States Government, which would allow the PAF to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance in support of internal security, territorial defense, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

The PAF received two Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX ISR aircraft from the United States Government in 2017, with all three aircraft to be operated by the PAF’s 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing.

It has a range of 912 nautical miles, and an endurance of more than 5 hours, and is equipped with an L3Harris Wescam MX-15D airborne electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) tracking and designating system, and an L3Harris RF-7800M Falcon III tactical communications radio system.

According to the US Government, the Philippines is the largest receiver of US military aid in the Pacific region, and this may continue as the two countries further improve their defense relations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

[1] Philippine Air Force
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] Philippine News Agency

Indonesia starts construction of new Hydro-Oceanographic ship

 

The First Steel cutting of new Survey ship for TNI-AL. Photo c/o Kepripedia.com

Indonesian shipbuilder PT Palindo Marine has started the construction of a new Hydro-Oceanographic Auxiliary ship for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), which was awarded to the shipyard by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence last December 2022.

The First Steel Cutting Ceremony for the ship construction project was held on 15 September 2023 at PT Palindo Marine’s facility in Batam City, Ministry of Defence – Defence Facilities Agency chief Brig. Gen. Heru Sudarminto and PT Palindo Marine President Director Mr. Harmanto leading the ceremony together with other officials of the Indonesian Navy and PT Palindo Marine. 

PT Palindo Marine is working in collaboration with German shipbuilder Abeking & Rasmussen, which is providing the ship’s technical design and equipment under a Transfer of Technology agreement between the two parties.

The ship is expected to be delivered to the Indonesian Navy by December 2024, and will be conducting surveying, mapping and underwater detection in support of the naval forces using its advanced surveying equipment.

The ship will have a length of 105 meters, a maximum beam of 17.4 meters, and a draft of 4.5 meters. It will have a crew of 90 officers and sailors, and have a maximum speed of 16 knots.

Asia Pacific Defense Journal reported back in July 2019 that the Indonesian Ministry of Defence is allocating an additional of IDR2.04 trillion (US$143 million in 2019) in the country’s defense budget to set aside for the acquisition of two hydrographic survey ships for the Indonesian Navy.

[1] Batam Today

[2] VOI

[3] Asia Pacific Defense Journal

Philippines commissions two ex-US Cyclone-class patrol vessels

 

Two newly commissioned ships BRP Valentin Diaz (PS-177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178). Photo c/o GMA News.

The Philippine Navy (PN) commissioned two Cyclone-class patrol vessels that were provided by the US Government as part of its Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program.

The ships, which were named BRP Valentin Diaz (PS-177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178), are formerly the USS Monsoon (PC-4) and USS Chinook (PC-9) of the US Navy, respectively, were commissioned during ceremonies held on 11 September 2023 at the Philippine Navy’s Headquarters in Manila.

Both ships were named after co-founders of the Katipunan revolutionary organization that fought in the war of independence against Spain in 1898.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. was present as guest of honor together with US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, as well as Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. and other officials from the Philippine Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Sec. Teodoro said the donation of these vessels to the Philippines was timely to improve the country’s littoral defenses and pursue a more robust position in defending its sovereign rights within its 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The ships join a sistership that was commissioned back in 2004, the BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS-38) which was the former USS Cyclone (PC-1). Collectively, the 3 ships will now be called the Alvarez-class patrol vessels and are currently the largest assets of the Philippine Navy’s Littoral Combat Force.

The newly-commissioned ships are 55 meters long and displaces at around 335 tons, with a crew of 28 personnel plus accommodation for a squad of special forces operators for shipboarding or insertion missions.

They are armed with two Mk. 38 Mod.2 remote-controlled weapon systems equipped with an M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun, three manually-operated 12.7mm M2 heavy machine guns, and two M240 7.62mm general purpose machine guns that can be interchanged with 40mm automatic grenade launchers.

[1] Inquirer.net

[2] GMA News

[3] Naval News

Thailand commissions new Dominator XP medium altitude long endurance UAVs.

 

One of the Dominator XP UAVs of the RTAF. Photo c/o AAG_TH Thai Defense Page.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) commissioned its new Dominator XP medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial system (MALE UAS) which aims to improve the service’s surveillance capabilities.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the RTAF’s Watthana Nakhon Airbase on 01 September 2023, with the 302 Squadron, Wing 4 being the recipient of the new air assets.

The RTAF has confirmed the order for 3 Dominator XP UAVs include command control and support systems under a US$27 million deal signed on August 2018, taking 4 years to deliver the system.

The Dominator XP MALE UAS were manufactured and delivered by Israeli company Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd., which used the Austrian-made Diamond DA42 Twin Star twin-engine light aircraft as its platform.

These would be the RTAF’s first MALE UAV, and will be joining other UAVs in service which includes smaller Israeli and Thai-built models.

The Dominator XP UAV would share logistical and spares supply chain with the Diamond DA42 Twin Star aircraft which is already in service with the RTAF since 2009 as surveillance and trainer aircraft.

[1] AAG_TH Thai Defense Page

Myanmar raises issue of grounded JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft to Pakistan

 

One of the Myanmar Air Force's JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft. Photo c/o The Irrawaddy.

The Myanmar Air Force’s fleet of 11 JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft supplied by Pakistan has reportedly been grounded, and has created a dent on the relations between the Myanmar and Pakistani governments, as well as on the reputation of the JF-17 in the global export market, according to Myanmar media outlets.

According to independent Myanmar media outlet The Irrawaddy, the Myanmar Air Force’s fleet of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft that have been delivered only between 2018 and 2021 have been grounded since 2022 due to “technical malfunctions”, quoting analysts and former pilots of the Myanmar Air Force monitoring the Myanmar military’s capabilities.

Another independent Myanmar-based media outlet Narinjara News reported that these problems were identified to be structural cracks and airframe damage, issues with the Weapon Mission Management Computer, and poor performance of the Chinese-made KLJ-7AI fire control radar, as well as a variety of other technical problems and malfunctions that gave the Myanmar Air Force reasons to declared the JF-17 Thunder fleet  as “technically unfit for operations”.

Technicians and engineers from the aircraft’s manufacturer Pakistan Aeronautical Complex were reportedly sent to Myanmar to fix the problems but apparently failed to bring back the aircraft to operational status.

There are also concerns that Myanmar technicians do not have the technical know-how to maintain and repair the JF-17’s weapon and avionics systems.

Latest reports have indicated that Myanmar’s Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Administration Council Gen. Min Aung Hliang has expressed his displeasure on the fighter fleet’s condition to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Armed Forces chief General Asim Munir.

The Chinese Government has also reportedly intervened in the issue, with the Chinese envoy to  Myanmar personally delivering a message from the Chinese Communist Part’s top leadership to Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Min Aung Hliang. This is due to the Chinese involvement in the JF-17 Thunder development through Chengdu Aircraft Industries Group.

Pakistan is said to be renegotiating with Myanmar by offering newer variants of the JF-17 Thunder but there is little information to confirm Myanmar’s reply or acceptance of the offer. 

The Myanmar Air Force have been using the JF-17 Thunder in its campaign against the People’s Defence Force and the exiled National Unity Government of Myanmar, which have been waging a civil war against Myanmar’s military junta. With the JF-17s grounded, the Myanmar Air Force is resorting to use its other combat aircraft including the MiG-29 Fulcrum, and other older or less capable combat aircraft. 

[1] The Irrawaddy

[2] Narinjara News

[3] Economic Times - India Times

Philippines to procure tactical UAVs with mine detection capabilities

 

An example of a multi-rotor UAV with mine detection capability. Photo c/o Mine Kafor.

The Philippine Army will be procuring new tactical UAVs equipped with magnetometers to allow for detection of mines, IEDs and metallic objects to assist in mine detection and clearing operations.

The procurement would be made as part of a package to acquire new Combat Engineer Vehicles as part of the service’s efforts to improve its combat engineering capabilities.

According to Philippine Defense Resource, the UAVs will be based on a multi-rotor tactical UAV model that is powerful enough to carry magnetometer equipment in support of combat engineers.

The UAVs would be compact enough to fit inside the tracked combat engineer vehicle that would carry the combat engineers in the battlefield, and shall be operable by UAV pilots from inside the armored vehicle.

The requirement for mine detection UAVs was added to the requirements as the public tender for the Combat Engineer Vehicles have been restarted and revised after previous bid failures. 

Aside from the UAVs, the new specifications replaced the requirement for a mine plough with a mine rollers, which according to Filipino defense page MaxDefens Philippines, will allow the vehicles to have a lighter combat weight to meet the specifications, and also reduce the overall cost of the vehicles to fit within the allowed project budget.

It is believed that the Philippine Army could be eyeing the ASCOD 2-based Pizarro VCZ Castor designed and built for the Spanish Army’s sapper units by GDELS’ Spanish subsidiary Santa Barbara Sistermas, to match Sabrah light tanks of the Philippine Army that also uses the Spanish-built ASCOD 2 platform.

[1] MaxDefense Philippines

[2] Philippine Defense Resource

Thailand inducts 3 new ATR-72-600 VIP transport aircraft

Induction of ATR-72-600 aircraft with RTAF on 31 AUgust 2023. Photo c/o Tahi Armed Force page.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has added three new ATR-72-600 passenger aircraft to its fleet as part of induction ceremonies held in Bangkok last 31 August 2023.

RTAF’s Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshall Napadej Rojanasunand led the induction ceremonies together with officials from ATR Consortium 

The three aircraft were assigned with the RTAF’s Squadron 603, Wing 6 based at Don Mueang RTAF Base in Bangkok, and will be utilized for VIP, staff and general passenger airlift, as well as for general cargo and other missions.

The new aircraft will be joining older ATR-72-500 aircraft delivered in 2009 and already in service with the squadron, and are expected to significantly boost its air transport capabilities.

The ATR-72-600 is a twin-engine turboprop passenger aircraft that is utilised mainly as a regional commercial airliner although it has been also used for a variety of military transport and special missions applications including VIP and general transport aircraft, surveillance and maritime patrol, and others.

[1] Thai Armed Force Defense Page