Philippines receives 5th and 6th Shaldag Mk. V missile attack crafts

 

The delivery of 2 new Shaldag Mk. V attack crafts. Photo c/o Philippine Navy.

The Philippine Navy (PN) has received the delivery of the fifth and sixth Shaldag Mk. V fast attack interdiction crafts from Israel Shipyards Ltd. last 19 November 2023.

The two fast crafts arrived via a commercial cargo vessel that brought them from Israel, and are reported to be in the Philippine Navy’s naval base in Cavite for its post-delivery inspections, as well as further enhancement, testing and personnel training before they are commissioned.

The two crafts are part of a PHP10 billion (US$208.4 million) Government-to-Government deal between the Philippines Department of National Defense and Israel’s Ministry of Defense, with Israel Shipyards Ltd. assigned to undertake the project.

So far, 4 crafts have already been delivered and are in service with the Philippine Navy’ Littoral Combat Force and collectively known as the Acero-class.

Based on the photos, the two crafts are equipped with the Rafael Typhoon RCWS with 30mm chain gun, two Mini Typhoon RCWS with 12.7mm heavy machine guns, and a Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher for the Spike NLOS short-range surface-to-surface missile.

According to Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the boats are expected to be named as the BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG-906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907), and could be commissioned with the Philippine Navy before the end of the year.

Three more Shaldag Mk. V fast attack interdiction crafts are still scheduled for delivery, but are expected to be constructed locally by the Philippine Navy’s Naval Yard in Cavite City in partnership with Israel Shipyards under a technology transfer agreement as part of the procurement deal. 

The naval yard recently opened a newly upgraded facility that is capable of building the Shaldag Mk. V boats, as well as other small crafts.

[1] MaxDefense Philippines

[2] Philippine News Agency

[3] Philippine Defense Resource

Philippines receives first completed Japanese-made radar system

 

The first radar station with J/FPS-3ME AESA radar completed for the PAF. Photo c/o Japan ATLA.

Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) has confirmed in a report that the first radar station utilizing the Japanese-made J/FPS-3ME air surveillance and air defense radar system has been completed and handed over to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The new radar facility is located in Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union province, which has been utilizing Cold War-era US-made air surveillance radar prior.

The J/FPS-3ME active electronic scanned array (AESA) radar was made and delivered by Mitsubishi Electric, with the Philippine Air Force acquiring 3 such radars, as well as a single J/TPS-P14ME mobile air surveillance radar under a PHP5.26 billion (US105 million) contract as part of its modernization efforts under the Horizon 2 phase covering 2018 to 2022.

Mitsubishi Electric is expected to complete its deliveries and installation works on the radars by 2024, giving the PAF a more comprehensive air surveillance coverage especially in the northern and western parts of the country that is more exposed to security issues with its neighbours.

The export of the radars is the first ever by Japan as it relaxes its arms export policies, and is expected to use this project to boost its image in the global arms market.

[1] Japan Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency

[2] NHK World

[3] Philippine Defense Resource

Singapore to procure four new German-designed offshore patrol vessels

 

The German Bundespolizei's Potsdam-class OPV, which will be the basis for Singapore's new OPV. Photo c/o Fassmer.

The Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has announced that it has signed a contract with German shipbuilder Fr. Frassmer GmBH & Co. KG (Fassmer) for the construction and delivery of four new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).

The new ships would be replacing the current Sentinel-class Maritime Security Response Vessels (MSRVs) in service with the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security and Response Flotilla.

According to MINDEF, the ships would be based on the proven OPV design already in operation with the German Bundespolizei (Federal Police), 

German Bundespolizei operates the Fassmer 86m offshore patrol vessels, known as the Potsdam-class, which are expected to be the basis of the new Singaporean OPVs. These are steel-hulled, steel superstructure ships powered by 2 marine diesel engines and displaces at around 2,000 tonnes. It has a helicopter deck for 12T helicopters and space for five 20-foot mission containers and could be armed depending on the RSN’s requirements.

The ships will be designed with high manoeuvrability to operate in the busy waterways around Singapore. They will also have sufficient capabilities to deal with a wide range of maritime threats and emergencies in support of Singapore’s national security and law enforcement needs.

The new OPVs are scheduled for progressive delivery starting 2028, with the existing Sentinel-class MSRVs retiring in step with the operationalization of the new ships.

[1] Singapore Ministry of Defence

[2] Defense-Aerospace.com

Australia receives Tier-2 surface combatant proposals from Navantia-Austal-Civmech partnership

The scale models of the Tasman class corvette (foreground) and the ALPHA 5000 frigate (background) during Indo Pacific 2023. Photo c/o Tim Fish.

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has made its presence known at the ongoing Indo-Pacific 2023 International Maritime Defense Exposition n Sydney, Australia by presenting two options for the Royal Australian Navy’s anticipated requirement for a “Tier 2” surface combatant as part of proposals made in Australia’s Defence Strategic Review 2023.

The first proposal which Navantia named the Tasman-class corvette using the ALFA 3000 light frigate/corvette design as its base platform with a length of 109.6 meters, and beam of 15.35 meters and a displacement of 3,600 tonnes. 

The scale model presented at Indo Pacific 2023 showed the corvette to have a CEAFAR 2L phase array radar system from Australia CEA Technologies, navigation and fire control radars, an electronic warfare suite, and a hull mounted sonar system. It is also believed that it will use the Saab 9LV combat management system.

It is armed with a 57mm naval gun, two 12.7mm heavy machine guns in remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS), a Close-in Weapon System (CIWS), two 8-cell Mk. 41 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) for short/medium range surface to air missiles, four quadruple anti-ship missile launchers believed to be for Kongsberg Naval Strike missiles, two triple lightweight torpedo launchers, and two soft-kill decoy launchers.

It also has two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and a helicopter deck and hangar for one Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk medium naval helicopter.

Alternatively, Navantia also featured a larger ship called the ALPHA 5000 light frigate design, with a length of 121 meters, a beam of 16 meters and a displacement of 4,550 tonnes.

The scale model at Indo Pacific 2023 shows it equipped with a CEAFAR phased array radar system, navigation and fire control radars, and an electronic warfare suite. 

It has a 76mm naval gun, two RCWS for medium caliber guns, a CIWS, a total of four 8-cell VLS divided into two 8-cell VLS located at forward and midship, two quadruple anti-ship missile launchers, two triple lightweight torpedo launchers, and four soft kill decoy launchers.

It also has two RHIBs, and a helicopter deck and hangar for a medium naval helicopter.

Aside from these ship designs, Navantia has also partnered with Australian shipbuilder Austal and Civmec to build these ships in Henderson, Western Australia 

So far, the Royal Australian Navy has not released any information on the specifications and quantity of Tier 2 surface combatants that it intends to acquire, and these proposals may change depending on what the requirements would look like.

The Australian Defence Strategic Review 2023 proposed for the review of the fleet structure of the Royal Australian Navy, giving priority to more firepower delivery capabilities for offensive and defensive needs in light of increased threat environment in the Indo Pacific region.

[1] Naval News

[2] Naval Today

[3] Navy Recognition

New Zealand to receive Arrowhead 140 frigate formal offer from Babcock

 

The Arrowhead 140 frigate design from Babcock. Photp c/o Babcock.

(Press release from Babcock)

In response to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence’s industry engagement request to replace the current naval fleet, Babcock Australasia held a suppliers’ day for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in New Zealand aspiring to undertake work to support the delivery of company’s Arrowhead solution.

Babcock Australasia confirmed that it will formally present its proven Arrowhead platform as the future solution for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Attended by more than 65 suppliers, the event was aimed at increasing awareness of Babcock’s design, build and support offering, and engaging local SMEs so they could better understand how they can play a part in delivering this adaptable solution to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).

Babcock has a strong marine defence presence in New Zealand. The company is currently contracted to operate the country’s largest marine engineering and maintenance support facility in Devonport, Auckland.

Babcock Australasia, Managing Director Marine, Simon Spratt said: “Our local suppliers are critical to supporting the services we proudly provide the Royal New Zealand Navy, and they will be integral to supporting the country’s future naval fleet.

“Babcock’s Arrowhead offering is a capable, adaptable and cost-effective modern ship that is operationally proficient in both blue water and littoral areas and would deliver significant multi-mission capability to the Royal New Zealand Navy, meeting its requirements both now and in the future.

“Now more than ever, what we do matters: creating a safe and secure world, together.”

Babcock’s Arrowhead would provide support for a range of RNZN functions including combat, search and rescue, humanitarian and disaster relief capability.

At Rosyth, Scotland, Babcock is well underway with the design and build programme that will deliver five Type 31 Frigates for the UK Royal Navy, based on our Arrowhead 140 (AH140) platform.

In 2021, Babcock secured its first export contract for the AH140 through a licence agreement with PT PAL Indonesia, with the first keel, of the two-ship programme for the Indonesian Navy, laid this year. Babcock’s AH140 frigate has also been selected by the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium as the baseline platform design for Poland’s Miecznik frigates with steel cut on the first of three frigates for the Polish Navy in August 2023.

[1] Babcock

[2] Naval News

Papua New Guinea receives two new PAC 750 light aircraft from Australia

A PAC 750 aircraft of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Photo c/o Royal Australian Air Force.

(Press release by the Australian Department of Defence)

Australia and Papua New Guinea have marked another milestone in our strong defence partnership with the handover of two new PAC 750 light transport aircraft to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) in Port Moresby today.

Assistant Minister for Defence, The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, joined Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. John Rosso MP, to formally hand over the aircraft. In consultation with the PNGDF, the PAC 750 aircraft was selected because of its ability to take off and land from short and varied airfields, which is highly valued in PNG’s diverse terrain and geography.

The aircraft will further increase the PNGDF’s sovereign aviation capabilities and enhance the ability of the Government of Papua New Guinea to support communities and civil authorities across the country.

The new aircraft bring the PNGDF’s PAC 750 fleet to three, following the Australian Defence Force’s support to remediate the PNGDF’s first PAC 750 in 2021.

The new aircraft will enhance existing defence aviation cooperation activities already underway, including the recently announced Defence Pacific Air Program.

Australia, through the Royal Australian Air Force, the Defence Cooperation Program and the Flights of Excellence Program, will continue to work closely with the PNGDF on aviation safety, maintenance and sustainment throughout the operational life of the aircraft.

The PNGDF has qualified four pilots on the aircraft and PNGDF loadmasters and maintenance personnel have been integrated into PAC 750 activities.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have also continued to partner in support of Papua New Guinea’s security infrastructure priorities, with construction works underway to refurbish the PNGDF’s Air Transport Wing at Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby.

Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Defence, Assistant Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel, and Assistant Minister for the Republic, the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite:

“Australia is pleased to be able to partner with the PNGDF to strengthen their aviation capability and to respond to the needs of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea.

“The two aircraft will create new opportunities for our forces to work together building on our longstanding defence partnership.”




[1] Australian Department of Defence

[2] Australian Aviation