Philippines receives second batch of Sabrah Light Tanks from Israel

 

Sabrah light tanks being unloaded at Subic Bay Freeport. Photo c/o MaxDefense Philippines.

The Philippine Army (PA) has taken delivery of a second batch of Sabrah light tanks manufactured and delivered by Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.

Undated photos circulating in Philippine defense social media pages, said to be taken within the last 3 days of at least 9 vehicles, based on the GDELS ASCOD 2 tracked armored vehicle, being unloaded from a commercial cargo vessel in Subic Bay Freeport and being transported by road to an undisclosed location.

Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines noted in a video it posted that at least 8 vehicles can be confirmed as ASCOD 2 Sabrah light tanks, while one did not have a tank turret and could either be an armored recovery vehicle, or a command vehicle variant.

As part of Elbit Systems’s PHP9.49 billion (US$185 million) contract with the Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND) signed in 2021, 30 ASCOD 2-based vehcles, 28 of which are Sabrah light tanks equipped with Elbit Systems’ 105mm tank gun and turret system, one command vehicle, and one armored recovery vehicle variant.

The deal also includes the delivery of Pandur 2-based 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles, all of which are also equipped with the Sabrah light tank system. Elbit Systems also committed to provide 2 additional wheeled armored vehicles of unknown configuration.

At least 1 ASCOD 2 Sabrah light tank has been delivered in December 2022 for in-country testing and training of tank crews.

Elbit Systems is expected to deliver all tanks and associated packages by 2024, with the Philippine Army’s Armor Division receiving these new assets.

[1] MaxDefense Philippines

[2] Philippine Defense Resource

Thailand backs down from submarine deal with China, to procure new frigate instead

 

A scale model of a S26 Yuan-class submarine. Photo c/o AFP.

The Thai Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it will not continue its procurement of a Chinese-made S26T Yuan-class attack submarine for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), and will change the order to a new frigate instead.

In a surpassing announcement, Thai Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced the change of plan was due to China’s inability to provide the submarine with a German-made MTU diesel engine after the German government rejected the export of the engine for use on Chinese-made military hardware.

China tried to persuade Thailand  to use the Chinese-made CHD620 diesel engines instead, with the Royal Thai Navy agreeing to the changes. But the Thai government insisted on sticking to German-made MTU396 diesel engines, rejecting the RTN’s agreement on China’s proposal.

Instead, the RTN was asked to propose other option, which includes the procurement of a new frigate for anti-submarine warfare operations worth THB 17 billion (US$465 million), or new offshore patrol vessels.

Ultimately the Thai Government accepted the proposal for a new ASW frigate, which is actually slightly more expensive than the original submarine acquisition which was worth THB 13.5 billion (US$379 million). 

New Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin already discussed the revised option last week to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang, with the Chinese side agreeing to the changes based on Thailand’s proposal despite the S26T submarine ordered by Thailand already partially built by its shipbuilder China Shipbuilding & Offshore International.

Min. Sutin said that the submarine project is not scrapped, but will be shelved for a period and the country is ready to proceed. No timeline has been announced though on how long will it take to bringing back the submarine acquisition.

[1] Bangkok Post

[2] Thai PBS World

Indonesia receives updated Scorpene submarine offer with Lithium Ion batteries, more range

 

Artist i.pression of the Scorpene submarine with the F21 heavyweight torpedoes. Photo c/o Naval Group through Naval News.

French shipbuilder Naval Group has updated its submarine proposal to Indonesia using the Scorpene submarine design.

Dubbed the “Scorpene Evolved”, the latest variant of the proven submarine design utilises Lithium Ion battery technology, allowing it to have greater underwater endurance compared to earlier variants of the Scorpene submarine designs.

According to a report by Naval News, the Scorpene Evolved’s lithium-ion battery configuration allows the submarine a total endurance of 80 days of which 78 days are submerged), an operational range of more than 8,000 nautical miles. These can be achieved while also maintaining the submarine’s top speed longer, and with lower indiscretion rate compared to using Lead Acid batteries. 

Naval Group also explained that using full lithium ion battery configuration has advantages over lithium ion + AIP configuration in terms of weight and space, increased cruising range and mission duration.

The use of Lithium Ion batteries also allow for lower costs and ease of maintenance compared to using AIP technology which requires the construction of supporting offshore facilities to resupply the system.  And compared to lead acid batteries, lithium ion batteries require less maintenance and provide up to 40% longer service life.

Since Naval Group has previously proposed to assist Indonesia in establishing an Energy Research Laboratory focused on developing future submarine energy technologies, the use of Lihium Ion battery technology will be among the technologies that could be included that would allow Indonesia to produce lithium ion battery technology for future submarines and other related military and commercial applications.

Aside from the lithium ion batteries, Naval Group has offered the Scorpene Evolved with their own F21 heavyweight torpedo, as well as the MBDA SM39 Exocet submarine-launched anti-ship missile.

[1] Naval News

Brunei receives second Fearless-class patrol vessel, signs MRO contract

 

The KDB Al Faruq upon arrival at Muara Naval Base. Photo c/o Brunei MOD.

The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) has formally received a second refurbished Fearless-class patrol vessel from Singapore on 02 October 2023.

The handover ceremony was held at the RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base in Singapore, with Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Chief of Navy Rear Adm. Sean Wat and Royal Brunei Navy Acting Commander Capt. Haji Mohamad Sarif Pudin bin Matserudin jointly officiating the event.

The ship, formerly the RSS Gallant (97), was granted to Brunei and renamed as the KDB Al Faruq (99), with Rear Adm. Wat looking forward for the ship to continue to service the Royal Brunei Navy after protecting Singapore’s maritime interests in the last 25 years. 

The RBN’s ship then sailed home to Brunei with its new crew led by LCdr. Pengiran Khairul Anwar bin Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, arriving at Muara Naval Base in  04 October 2023 and welcomed by the RBN Acting Commander and the RBN Executive Board officers ratings and families of the crew.

In addition to the ship’s transfer, Singaporean company ST Engineering announced that it has signed a naval maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) in-service support contract for the two Fearless-class patrol boats in service with the Royal Brunei Navy. 

The contract is for a period of 18 months and involves Muara Maritime Services Sdn Bhd based in Muara, Brunei Darussalam.

The Fearless-class of the Republic of Singapore Navy was a class of 12 patrol vessels that were built by Singapore Shipbuilding and Engineering, now known as ST Engineering Marine, and have been in service from October 1996 to December 2020 when they were replaced by the new and larger Independence-class littoral missions vessels.

[1] Brunei Ministry of Defence

[2] Republic of Singapore Navy

[3]ST Engineering

Philippines proceeds order for three new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft

 

A C-130J-30 stretched Super Hercules, this example with the US Air Force. Photo c/o US Air Force.

The Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND) has confirmed that it has proceeded with its order with American defense giant Lockheed Martin for three new C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft.

The DND confirmed that it has released the Notice to Proceed (NTP) in favor of Lockheed Martin, which gives the signal to start the contract to deliver the new aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The PAF will be getting the C-130J-30, which is the stretched version of the versatile Super Hercules aircraft, which is 15 feet longer than the standard model and allows for 2 additional pallet to be loaded.

The DND confirmed that the first aircraft will be delivered by July 2026, the second by October 2026, and the third by January 2027.

According to Philippine Defense Resource, the acquisition of new C-130J Super Hercules have been planned since 2019 and five aircraft was supposed to be funded under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program in FY 2021, but was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The procurement was restarted in FY 2022 but only covers 3 aircraft, with more aircraft as options. The funding was released on June 2022, and the project awarded to Lockheed Martin on December 2022.

According to Philippine defense page Pitz Defense Analysis, the Contract between the DND and Lockheed Martin was signed on 09 February 2023, and the Notice to Proceed was actually released last 05 June 2023.

The Philippines will become the second country to purchase the C-130J Super Hercules after Indonesia, as the PAF modernizes its air fleet including its airlift capabilities. Currently it has 4 legacy C-130H/T Hercules and has a pending delivery of one more C-130H procured from US excess defense articles (EDA). The US Government has also made a commitment to transfer more C-130H from US EDA as part of its military assistance to the Philippines.

According to Lockheed Martin, the C-130J-30 Super Hercules has a maximum allowable payload of 19,958 kilograms, a maximum range with normal payload of 2,100 nautical miles, and a maximum range with 40,000 pounds of payload at 2,390 nautical miles. It can carry 9 pallets of 97 litters, or 24 CDS bundles or 128 combat troops or 92 paratroopers, or a combination of men and cargo up to the compartment capacity or maximum allowable weight.

[1] Philippine Defense Resource

[2] Pitz Defense Analysis

[3] Lockheed Martin

Australia receives 6th Evolved Cape-class patrol boat

The 6th Evolved Cape-class patrol boat ADV Cape Pillar (319). Photo c/o Austal Ltd.

The Australian Government has officially accepted the sixth of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat being built by Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd. for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The vessel, named ADV Cape Pillar (319), was turned over to the Royal Australian Navy during ceremonies at Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia on 13 October 2023, with Austal Ltd Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg saying that collaboration between the shipbuilder and the Australian Department of Defence and the RAN demonstrates delivering sovereign capabilities for Australia..

The ADV Cape Pillar is the third ship of the class delivered by Austal to the Royal Australian Navy within 2023, which Austal described as an “enviable track record of Australian shipbuilding efficiency and productivity”.

Two more ships of the class are under construction in Austal’s Henderson shipyard and is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Australian Navy by 2024.

The acquisition of the Evolved Cape-class patrol boats was started under the SEA 1445-1 project in May 2020, with the first ship, ADV Cape Otway delivered in March 2022. Four other ships were delivered to the Royal Australian Navy within an 18-month period.

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 Australia Ltd

[2] Naval News 

Taiwan launches first indigenous Hai Kun-class diesel-electric attack submarine

The lead ship of the Hai Lun-class submarine. Photo c/o ROCN.

Taiwan launched its first indigenously designed and built diesel-electric attack submarine, which is aimed to improve the country’s naval warfare capabilities amidst lingering threats of a forceful reunification by China.

The first of class submarine, named Hai Kun (SS-711) or Narwhal in the Chinese language, was launched by its shipbuilder CBSC Corporation in its shipyard in Kaohsiung on 28 September 2023, with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen personally leading the unveiling.

According to local estimates, the Hai Kun-class is around 70 meters long, and will displace at around 2,500 tonnes. It was also noted during the launch that the submarine has a X-rudder configuration, and additional small horizontal fins which is suitable for shallow-water operations.

Pres. Tsai is said to have initiated the plan to start an indigenous submarine program back in 2016 as part of strengthening Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare capabilities, and to replace the four ageing submarines operated by the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) composed of two World War 2-era Hai Shih-class (former USN Tench-class) and two 1980s-era Dutch-made Hai Lung-class (Improved Zwaardvis-class).

Taiwan did not have prior experience nor technology to build submarines, and has failed to acquire submarines from foreign countries in fear of Chinese response. But a breakthrough was made, with the country gaining assistance from friendly countries.

This includes submarine combat management system, digital sonar systems, combat systems, periscope, Mast Raising Equipment, integrated communications system, and auxiliary equipment from the United States, technology and submarine parts from the United Kingdom, as well as technical assistance from retired Japanese naval and submarine engineers and technicians previously working with Japanese submarine builders Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

It will also be armed with US-made Mark 48 Mod.6  heavyweight torpedoes, with Taiwan reported to have procured 18 torpedoes in 2020.

Taiwan was also reported to have recruited different submarine technicians and submariners from several countries including the US, UK, South Korea, Australia, and some European countries to provide technical assistance to the ROCN and CSBC Corporation.

The Hai Kun is still expected to undergo harbour trials starting October 2023. It was reported that the Mast Raising Equipment made by L3 Harris will only be delivered and installed by early 2024 due to production issues, and that sea trials are scheduled by April 2024. It is expected to be delivered to the ROCN by the end of 2024, but may only be commissioned and become fully operational by 2025.




[1] Reuters
[2] Defense News
[3] Naval News