SINGAPORE MODERNISES COASTGUARDS AIR … · MbDA 5 nAVy leAgue 45 plAth 7 rAfAel 13 rAytheon coVer 4 ... the ‘bang’ that a hydrogen bomb blast would usually make. The bad news

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03| february 2016 |

Contentsfebruary 2016

VOLuMe 24 / ISSue 1

Front Cover Photo: Singaporean and US Air Force fighter pilots after a training sortie: The modernisation of Singapore’s armed forces falls under the spotlight of Alex Calvo’s Survival Instinct article © USAF

10

Dr. Alix Valenti takes the temperature of the Offshore Patrol Vessel market in the Asia-Pacific and finds these craft in high demand from navies and coastguards around the region.

46 38

Guarding the Coasts

Reducing a soldier’s workload and fatigue is integral to assisting their mission, and several soldier modernisation initiatives worldwide are assisting in this respect, Andrew White investigates.

Sensors Working Overtime

Thomas Withington’s regular column providing all of the latest news and analysis regarding events in the defence radio frequency domain.

06

Surface-to-Air Missiles are in high demand in the Asia-Pacific, Thomas Newdick explains, with several important ongoing programmes to this end.

Bolt to the Blue

42

The market for Internal Security Vehicles is growing in the Asia-Pacific, as nations seek vehicles capable of supporting both military and paramilitary operations, Stephen W. Miller finds out.

Security Guards

AMR’s ever-popular Air Forces Directory returns, compiled by Thomas Newdick, giving the low-down on air power developments across the Asia-Pacific.

28

Air Forces Directory

Despite its small territorial size, Singapore has one of the

most technologically-advanced militaries in the Asia-Pacific region. Alex Calvo examines

the latest developments in the country’s armed forces.

SurvivAl inStinCt

Defence budgets in some parts of the Asia-Pacific are experiencing tough times, impacting the market for military rotorcraft, Andrew Drwiega explains.

taking a Helicopter view

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04 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

EditorialIndex of AdvertisersAeronAutics 41ADAs 57Airbus Defence & spAce 21boeing p-8 33boeing V22 coVer 2DsA MAlAysiA coVer 3elbit systeMs 25euronAVAl 35eurosAtory 55generAl AtoMics AeronAuticAl 31iAi 19iDeAs pAkistAn 49inDo Defence 51 keysight technologies 9MbDA 5nAVy leAgue 45plAth 7rAfAel 13rAytheon coVer 4rosoboroneXport 27thAles 15uMeX 53

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Perhaps Kim Jong-un was feeling bored? Perhaps he was feeling unloved? Perhaps he was feeling neglected? Or perhaps all of the above? The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear showmanship is

often blamed on such factors.

A ‘back of envelope’ theory in the strategic politics of the Asia-Pacific states that whenever the DPRK’s leadership feels that the interest of the international community in its eccentric behaviour is waning, it metaphorically throws its toys out of its cot. The ‘toy’ in question on 6 January was an alleged thermonuclear weapon, more commonly known as a ‘hydrogen bomb’.

This was not the first time that the DPRK had tested weapons of mass destruction: Its most recent foray, before the early January escapades, occurred on 12 February 2013 when a nuclear device, with a recorded explosive blast of seven kilotons (equivalent to 70000 tonnes of conventional explosives), was detonated underground at the Punggye-ri Test Site in the northeast of the country. Two other similar tests, but with lower explosive yields, were recorded in May 2009 and October 2006.

Yet the 6 January test represents an ‘upping of the ante’ by Pyongyang. Attempts by the DPRK to master a hydrogen bomb signal the regime’s determination not only to enhance the size of its nuclear arsenal, but also the explosive power it can unleash. Without delving too much into the complex physics of a thermonuclear bomb’s modus operandi (admittedly beyond your editor’s intellect to comprehend), such weapons are vastly more powerful than ‘vanilla’ nuclear bombs which only use a single stage design. Hydrogen bombs use a ‘two stage’ design generating yields of 50 megatons (50 million tonnes of conventional explosives), in the case of the Soviet Union’s AN-602 Tsar Bomba (‘King of Bombs’) which was detonated over the Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya on 30 October 1961.

The good news regarding the DPRK’s alleged hydrogen bomb test, the veracity of which was disputed by White House spokesperson Josh Earnest, and members of the global scientific community, was that its recorded explosive yield was measured at circa ten kilotons; far below the ‘bang’ that a hydrogen bomb blast would usually make. The bad news is that, despite global criticism of the 6 January test, which even included strong condemnation from the DPRK’s ally, the People’s Republic of China, this is unlikely to be the last that the international community hears of the DPRK’s nuclear weapons developments.

Increasingly, the periods of relative quiet between the DPRK’s nuclear tantrums seem to illustrate little more than pauses while further research and development is performed on the country’s nuclear arsenal; a process which Mr. Kim is either unwilling or unable to stop. The current lull which has descended over the Punggye-ri Test Site may merely represent Mr. Kim’s search for more nuclear toys to eject from his cot.

Thomas Withington, Editor

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RadarAirbus’ defence and space subsidiary announced on 30 November 2015 that it had completed Factory Acceptance Tests for its TRS-4D (local des-ignation, AN/SPS-75) naval surveillance radar to equip the US Navy’s USS Indianapolis ‘Freedom’ class Littoral Combat Ship LCS. The USS Indianapolis, is currently under construction by Lockheed Martin, and the radar is expected to be delivered to that company for installation onboard the ship by the end of 2016. The TRS-4D uses Active Electroni-cally Scanned Array (AESA) architecture and is available both as a fixed-panel design and with a rotating antenna. The USS Indianapolis will re-ceive the rotating antenna variant, while the Deutsche Marine (German Navy) ‘Baden-Württemberg’ class frigates, currently under construction by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Lürssen, will receive the fixed panel design.

A total of four ‘Freedom’ class LCSs are expected to receive TRS-4D radars, including the USS St. Louis and USS Minneapolis both of which have been ordered, but are not yet under construction, and the USS Coo-perstown which is planned, although no date has been given by the US Navy for this ship’s construction. Factory Acceptance Tests for the TRS-4D radar equipping the USS St. Louis, which will follow the USS India-napolis, are planned for 2016, Airbus told Pulse. Meanwhile, four ‘Baden-Württemberg’ class frigates are under construction, and expected to be commissioned between 2016 and 2019. Airbus added that the radars for these vessels will be delivered between 2016 and 2017, with a single ra-dar delivered to equip a land installation to support radar research and development, resulting in a total of five radars being delivered to satisfy the German Navy requirement.

The TRS-4D is a C-band (25-5.925 gigahertz/GHz) radar which can scan up to 50 degrees in azimuth when the antenna is stationary, and from two degrees to 70 degrees in elevation. The radar has an instru-mented range of up to 135 nautical miles/nm (250 kilometres/km), and a minimum coverage of under 328 feet/ft (100 metres/m). Targets of under 0.01 square metres radar cross section can be detected with the TRS-4D, with around 1000 targets being tracked simultaneously. A small surface target can be detected at 7.5nm (14km) with a fighter-aircraft sized target detected at 34nm (63km) range. Beyond area surveillance, the TRS-4D can perform splash detection therefore providing fire con-

trol for ship-borne naval guns, alongside air traffic management functions for a vessel’s naval support helicopter.

Staying in the naval radar domain, on 3 December 2015 Harris announced that it had received a contract from the US Navy worth $113 million to upgrade Har-ris/Exelis AN/SPS-48E S-band (2.3-2.5/2.7-3.7GHz) naval surveillance radars. The contract covers an or-der worth $39 million, and three one-year options, as part of the US Navy’s Radar Obsolescence and Avail-ability Recovery (ROAR) programme which is being rolled out across the AN/SPS-48E radars in service with the US Navy. The ROAR programme takes the AN/SPS-48E to AN/SPS-48G status with the addition of a solid state transmitter and a life extension suffi-cient to enable the radar to continue operating until 2050. The key element of the ROAR is the installation of open architecture electronics in the radar’s back end to make it easier to upgrade with new software and

capabilities during its remaining service life. AN/SPS-48 radars have a range of circa 250nm (460km) and a ceiling

of 100,000ft (30000m). They are in service onboard the US Navy’s ‘Nimitz’ class aircraft carriers, plus its ‘Wasp’, ‘Tarawa’ and ‘San Antonio’ class amphibious assault ships. According to a statement provided by Har-ris, the contract awarded in early December 2015 covers 14 AN/SPS-48E radars, bringing the total number of AN/SPS-48E radars to receive the ROAR enhancement to 33 by the time that work is completed on this most recent contract in 2018.

Staying in the United States, Lockheed Martin has revealed to Pulse that it expects the first Long-Range Discrimination Radars (LRDRs) to be delivered to the United States Air Force to be operational from 2020. The company was awarded a contract worth $784.2 million in late October 2015 to develop, deploy and test the LRDR. The LRDR is an S-band (2.3-2.5/2.7-3.7GHz) ground-based air surveillance and early warning radar which is intended to support United States Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities. The Missile Defence Agency, the branch of the US Department of Defence tasked with coordinating the BMD efforts of the respective US armed forces, publicly revealed in a press release announc-ing the LRDR award to Lockheed Martin, that the new radar would be used to provide the detection of incoming ballistic missiles for Boeing’s Ground-Based Midcourse Defence (GBMD) BMD system. Designed to protect the Continental United States against ballistic missile attack, the GBMD architecture uses Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and radar to detect and then engage incoming ballistic missiles when they are in their so-called ‘midcourse phase’ i.e. following their launch when they are at an altitude of around 647nm (1200km). The GBI launch site is based at Fort Freely, Alaska. The ‘kill’ is performed by the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) developed by Raytheon which is carried aloft by the Orbital Sciences Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI).

Once in space, the EKV separates from the interceptor and smashes into the ballistic missile causing its destruction by brute force alone. Ra-dar detection for the GBMD architecture is provided by Raytheon AN/FPS-123 PAVE PAWS and AN/TPY-2 early warning radars. It is possi-ble that the AN/FPS-123 and AN/TPY-2 radars for the GBMD system could be supplemented by the LRDR early next decade. It has not been revealed how many LRDR radars the MDA will procure, although Lock-heed Martin has revealed that it expects these radars to remain in service for up to 60 years.

Electronic WarfareElectronic Warfare (EW) in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is set to experience a significant enhancement with the announced acquisition of two Gulfstream G550 turbofan transports which are to be configured to support Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) gathering efforts for the force. Announced in early January, the aircraft will be acquired from the United States under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) initiative as part of a deal

by Thomas Withington

Radar installations are afoot for the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships, while the Royal Australian Air Force is pouring investment into new Electronic Intelligence-gathering capabilities and the United States Special Operations Command looks ahead to new tactical radios.

Airbus continues the roll-out of its TRS-3D radars across the US Navy’s ‘Freedom’ class Littoral Combat Ships,

with the radar to equip the USS Indianapolis expected to be delivered by the end of 2016 © Airbus

07| february/march 2016 |

worth $93.6 million. While Gulfstream will supply the G550 airframe, L-3 Communications will act as the integrator for the aircraft’s mission systems. The contract is being exercised through the United States Air Force 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, based at Wright-Patterson air-base, Ohio. Little information regarding the capabilities of these new air-craft has been released either by the USAF, or L-3 Communications, with the Australian Department of Defence releasing a statement detailing that these aircraft will provide “an airborne intelligence, surveillance, re-connaissance and electronic warfare … capability,” adding that “Further details on the capability will be provided in the Integrated Investment Programme due for release this year with the Defence White Paper.” The Defence White Paper will detail the country’s strategic priorities and procurement objectives over the next circa five year period.

The RAAF is currently bereft of a specific ELINT-gathering aircraft, with open source media reports stating that the RAAF’s Lockheed Mar-tin AP-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft are equipped with an additional capability to collect ELINT as part of their overriding mission. That said the RAAF’s acquisition of twelve Boeing E/A-18G Growler EW aircraft in August 2012 for $1.5 billion arguably makes the acquisition of a dedi-cated ELINT platform all but essential. The EA-18Gs will provide the RAAF with a Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) platform able to detect hostile radar emissions, and to jam them using their Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-218(V)2 ELINT and EW system, which incorpo-rates the Exelis/Harris AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system, although both these systems could be replaced on the RAAF EA-18Gs in the future by the Raytheon Next Generation Jammer currently under development for the United States Navy. This is expected to achieve an initial operat-ing capability in the 2020 timeframe and could equip that services’ circa

85 EA-18Gs it plans to order. In addition, in June 2015,

Australia ordered 14 Raytheon AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) and 16 OrbitalATK AGM-88E Ad-vanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) for $69 mil-lion to equip its EA-18Gs. While the AN/ALQ-218(V)2 and AN/ALG-99E systems provide the EA-18Gs a means to detect and jam hostile radar and commu-nications systems, the AGM-88B/E missiles provide the air-craft with the means to attack hostile radars. The AGM-88B is an enhanced version of the base-line AGM-88A weapon, with an improved guidance section and the ability to re-programme the missile using a software-only approach, as opposed to having to replace missile hardware. The

AGM-88E, meanwhile, is a major enhancement of the AGM-88C design. It features an RF seeker which can home in on electronic warfare emitters attempting to jam the missile, along with its ability to locate and engage hostile radars. The new multi-mode guidance system of the AGM-88E im-

The US Navy’s AN/SPS-48 Radar Obsolescence and Availability Recovery programme continues to move forward, with recent contract awards which will help to ensure that the radar will remain in service until circa 2050 © Harris

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proves the Anti-Radiation Homing (ARH) seeker still further, and adds a millimetre wave sensor (MMW) to the overall seeker package which includes a Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System to en-hance missile accuracy. The MMW sensor assists the missiles’ ‘end game’ by providing very high resolution imagery of the target, thus providing a useful post-sortie analysis tool determining the accuracy of the engage-ment.

Where does the G550 fit with the EA-18G/AGM-88B/E combination? Effectively, the G550 aircraft will collect ELINT on hostile radar and com-munications systems. In the case of the former, this will enable the detec-tion of radars, their geolocation and classification. This will allow the tar-geting of these radars by the Australian EA-18Gs either through hard kill using the AGM-88B/Es or through soft kill using the aircraft’s jamming payload, or possibly using jamming equipment carried by the G550. On this latter point, very little information has been released regarding the equipment fit of the RAAF’s aircraft. It is possible that this has not yet been determined and also, given the highly secretive nature of their mis-sion, such information may be kept under wraps even when the aircraft enter service. That said some clues regarding their possible specification can be gleaned from other similar aircraft that L-3 Communications has helped to equip. For example, the RAAF joins the Royal Air Force as an operator of dedicated ELINT platforms, the latter force having recently acquired two of its three Boeing RC-135W Airseeker aircraft (based upon the USAF’s RC-135V/W Rivet Joint planes). These aircraft are thought to be able to detect and geo-locate ground tactical radio traffic in the High Frequency (three to 30 megahertz/MHz) and V/UHF (30MHz to three gigahertz) ranges using BAE Systems’ Low Band Sub System (LBSS) equipment. In addition, they may be able to detect and geo-locate hostile radars operating in the 0.2 to 40GHz range. L-3 Communications was re-sponsible for delivering the aircraft to the RAF, and it is possible that the company may install similar equipment onboard the RAAF’s new G550s.

Open source Russian media reports announced in early November 2015 that the Russian Air Force’s (RuAF) fleet of Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name ‘Fullback’) ground attack aircraft would begin to receive Kaluga Research Institute of Radio Engineering (KRIRE)/KRET L-175V Khibiny Electronic Countermeasures (ECMs) that same month. The RuAF operates 51 of the aircraft, with a planned 73 on order, and options for a further 16. Of this fleet, four Su-34s from the 47th Mixed Aviation Regiment based at Buturlinovka airbase, in south-western Russia, have been deployed to Bassel Al-Assad International Airport, close to the Syrian Mediterranean port city of Latakia where they are supporting a larger deployment of RuAF aircraft, according to Russian aviation expert and AMR contributor, Thomas Newdick. The RuAF deployed to Bassel Al-Assad International Airport in late-September 2015 to commence air strikes against the Al-Nursa Front (an Al-Qaeda franchise operating in

Syria), the Army of Conquest (a coalition of Syrian Islamist armed oppo-sition groups) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), all of which oppose the government of Moscow’s ally President Bashir al-Assad.

The L-175V Khibiny ECM is mounted in wingtip pods on the aircraft and is designed to perform jamming of radar-guided Surface-to-Air and Air-to-Air Missiles (SAMs and AAMs) once an incoming threat has been detected. There is no open source information as to whether the L-175V Khibiny performs this jamming using a spot (where specific radar fre-quencies are jammed) or a barrage (where a wide range of frequencies are jammed) approach. In October 2015, Russian news agency RIA No-vosti, reported that the Russian Ministry of Defence had ordered a ver-sion of the ECM, known as the KRET Khibiny-10V, mounting a similar capability in a ventral pod which could be installed on the belly of the Su-34’s fuselage. According to the reports, this would enable the Su-34 to act as a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft, jamming ground-based air surveillance radars, airborne early warning radars and the radars used by SAMs and AAMs. The report continued to say that the delivery of the Khibiny-10V for the aircraft would begin by the end of 2015, although there were no details regarding how many of these systems would be supplied, or when deliveries would conclude. This is also the case for the delivery of the L-175V Khibiny ECM.

However, the news that supplies of the L-175V Khibiny ECM would commence for the Su-34 have resulted in some confusion. Some pictures released of Su-34s performing air strikes over Syria show the character-istic wingtip mountings of the L-175V Khibiny ECM. Yet, this conflicts with reports from RIA Novosti that the first batch of L-175V Khibiny ECMs will be delivered in November 2015. Are the wingtip mountings seen on the Su-34s active in Syria a prototype version of the L-175V Kh-ibiny ECM, or perhaps a legacy EW system which will be replaced by the L-175V Khibiny ECM?

In the United States, meanwhile, BAE Systems and Northrop Grum-man were both awarded contracts on 4 January worth $22 million and $33 million respectively to develop a new EW suite for the Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando-II special missions aircraft and AC-130J Ghostrider gunships employed by the United States Air Force Special Operations Command. The total value of the contracts could reach up to $400 million for both companies if all eight phases of the programme are exercised. The initial phase of the contract will be completed in November 2016.

Tactical RadioThe TSM-X waveform developed by California-based tactical radio specialists TrellisWare will be included in the next generation handheld radio to equip the United States Special Operations Command (USSO-COM) which is being provided by Harris. To this end, the TSM-X Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) waveform will handle voice, data, imag-ery (still and video), plus Internet Protocol (IP) and geolocation informa-tion across a single network. In early October 2015, Harris announced that it had received a contract from USSOCOM for the provision of a new

The RAAF is receiving EA-18G EW aircraft, similar to the US Navy example in this picture, with these jets to be supplemented by new G550-based ELINT platforms © Northrop Grumman

The USAF Special Operations Command is enhancing its MC-130J Commando-II special missions aircraft (pictured) with new electronic warfare apparatus, with BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman recently awarded contracts to this effect © USAF

09| february/march 2016 |

handheld radio under the terms of a $390 indefinite delivery/indefinite supply contract across a five-year period, with the option to extend this by one year and deliveries to commence in 18 months from the reception of the contract. The radio will be developed in two versions for urban and maritime operations with the latter being water-submersible to a depth of 20m (65ft) for two hours, and will carry two channels, one for broadband and one for narrowband communications.

Finnish communications specialists Bittium announced on 7 December 2015 that it had received a contract from the Finnish Defence Forces to provide the company’s Tactical Wireless Internet Protocol Network, known by its TAC WIN acronym to the Maavoimat (Finnish Army). Deliveries of an undisclosed number of the TAC WIN systems will com-mence and conclude in 2016. The order effectively exercises a purchase option which the Finnish Defence Forces had for the TAC WIN system as a result of an earlier purchase in July 2014, and the company stated via an of-ficial press release announcing the news that the order is worth $5.5 million. The TAC WIN system effectively provides high speed Internet Protocol (IP) services across the battlefield, using a stand-alone, high-speed broadband wireless IP network.

Soldiers can use their tactical radios to link with the TAC WIN, which has a range of up to 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) and thus send and receive information across the battlefield IP network. In terms of hardware, the TAC WIN includes the TAC WIN Tactical Router which provides IP rout-ing and processing for the battlefield IP traffic. This is accompanied by the TAC WIN Radio Head-I which provides a mobile ad hoc network across Very/Ultra High Frequency (225-400MHz) communications to carry IP traffic to and from the tactical radios on the IP network. Meanwhile, the TAC WIN Radio Head-III, which uses UHF frequencies of 1.3-2.4GHz is

employed for single point or multipoint communications enabling one communications network to connect with the TAC WIN IP network. The TAC WIN Radio Head-IV completes the hardware set and can be used to create a radio link network using an integrated beam-steering antenna re-ducing the set up time for the network. The TAC Win Radio Head I/III/IV perform communications using the Bittium TAC WIN waveform which has a respective user data throughput of ten to 40 megabits-per- second, depending on the Radio Heads used. AMR

Finnish communications specialists Bittium have received recent contracts to supply its TAC WIN system to that country’s armed forces. Deliveries will commence and conclude in 2016 © Bittium

R e g i o n a lM i l i t a r i e s


From her birth as an independent nation in 1965, Singapore has

stressed a strong military as vital to national survival, prosperity

and cohesion. Although not a direct party to rising maritime and

territorial tensions in the South and East China Seas, the country is

taking no chances and hence investing in military modernisation.

by Alex Calvo

Located at the tip of the Malay-sian Peninsula, Singapore lacks strategic depth and resides in a challenging regional environ-ment. Bent on developing a

capable military as the cornerstone of her sovereignty, sustained economic growth since independence has made it possible for Singapore to deploy powerful capabilities, turning the country into a regional hegemon, while remaining engaged in defence cooperation with a wide range of nations including Australia, India, Israel and the United States. The country makes an effort to ensure that military procurement benefits domestic industry and helps to push forward the domestic high-technology sector.

Singapore is also involved in peace-keeping, Humanitarian Assistance and

Disaster Relief (HADR) and collective se-curity endeavours, having deployed some 1500 troops to support US-led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2013, and naval forces to the Gulf of Aden to fight piracy since 2009. This latter effort has included three stints commanding the multinational Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151). CTF-151 was established in 2009 as a result of several United Nations Security Council Resolutions adopted to combat piracy in this region.

In 2015, Singapore’s defence budget grew by 5.7 percent to $9.5 billion, equiva-lent to 3.3 percent of her Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Previously at 3.2 percent of GDP, this was the first rise in relative terms since 2009. Population rather than finance is the main concern for the Sin-gapore Armed Forces (SAF) as they are

heavily reliant on the two-year male draft. The pool of potential recruits is expected to contract by 30 percent over the next 15 years as the population grows older, and the number of children declines. This is one of the drivers behind Singapore's emphasis on the adoption of unmanned systems, and has also prompted the establishment of the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC), a reserve with a two-week ini-tial training period which accepts women and men not eligible for national service of up to 45 years of age. The SAFVC ac-cepted its first volunteers in 2015.

NavyLocated near a key maritime chokepoint at the southern point of the Strait of Malacca which bisects Malaysia northwest towards the Andaman Sea, Singapore’s history has

SurvivaL inStinct

The Republic of Singapore Air Force is an avid user of the F-15SG fighter, which forms an

important part of its fast jet fleet. The country joins Japan as one of the Asia-Pacific’s F-15

operators © USAF

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been tightly connected to the sea and the city is home to the region’s largest naval fair, the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX), which in May 2015 attracted navy com-manders from 24 countries, along with 20 warships from twelve nations.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) deploys six ‘Formidable’ class frigates which are armed with Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles (AShMs), MBDA Aster-15/30 Surface-to-Air Mis-siles (SAMs), EuroTorp A244S Mod.3 tor-pedoes and an OtoMelara 76mm Super Rapid Gun. These ships can also accomo-date a Sikorsky S-70B naval support heli-copter, and include a Thales Herakles na-val surveillance radar, a STING EO Mk.2 fire control radar from the same company, a Terma SCANTER 2001 navigation radar and Sagem Dagaie optronics. The ‘Formi-dable’ class ships are reinforced with six ‘Victory’ class corvettes also armed with RGM-84 AShMs, the Israel Aerospace In-dustries/Rafael Advanced Defence Sys-tems Barak SAM and a 76mm Super Rapid gun. Their sensor package includes a Saab Sea Giraffe-AMB naval surveillance radar, a Kelvin Hughes 1007 navigation radar, Elbit MSIS optronics and a Thomson-CSF/Thales Sintra TSM-2064 variable depth so-nar. The navy also contains an amphibious component in the form of four ‘Endurance’ class amphibious assault ships, plus a pa-trol fleet centred around eleven ‘Fearless’ class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), and a mine countermeasures fleet comprising four ‘Bedok’ class vessels.

In August 2015 the Republic of Singa-pore Navy (RSN) presented its new ST Marine Specialised Marine Craft (SMC) which is designed to perform a range of missions including base defence, force protection and maritime security opera-tions which are expected to enter service in circa 2020, according to media reports. The SMC replaces the RSN’s Fast Boats, withdrawn from service in 2008. The na-vy’s subsurface fleet includes two ‘Chal-lenger’ class and two ‘Archer’ class con-ventional hunter-killer (SSK) submarines procured second-hand from the Marinen (Royal Swedish Navy). The RSN, which is replacing its ‘Challenger’ class boats, two having been retired in March 2015, has purchased two new ThyssenKrupp Ma-rine Systems ‘Type 218SG’ class SSKs, the first of which is to be delivered by 2020.

Meanwhile, the RSN has started to gradually replace its ‘Fearless’ class OPVs with eight new locally-built ‘Inde-pendence’ class Littoral Mission Vessels

(LMV), the first having been launched in July 2015. The LMV has been jointly de-signed by Saab and ST Marine, and built locally by the latter, with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) acting as the overall manager and systems integrator for the programme. The LMVs sport both lethal and non-le-thal weapons such as an OtoMelara 76mm gun, two OtoMelara Hitrole 12.7mm remote-controlled heavy machine guns and a Rafael 25mm Typhoon gun system, as well as the MBDA MICA-VL (Verti-cal Launch) SAM. Non-lethal weaponry includes two water cannons and two remote-controlled Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) turrets with xenon lights. The LMVs have a flight deck able to ac-commodate a naval support helicopter and feature a Norwegian Deck Machin-ery launch-and-recovery system for two Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) or for a Rafael Protector Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).

Naval cooperation with the United States includes the basing of US Navy

‘Freedom’ and ‘Independence’ class Lit-toral Combat Ships at Changi naval base, with one already present, two planned for deployment in 2016 and four to be deployed from 2017. On 7 December 2015 the US secretary of state for defence, Ash Carter and visiting Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen issued a joint state-ment confirming that US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) would operate regularly from Singapore to “promote greater interoper-ability with regional militaries through participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises, while providing timely sup-

port for regional HADR and maritime security efforts.” According to an offi-cial statement regarding this announce-ment, William Choong, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank, told AMR that “this (the basing of P-8As in Singapore) is the ‘Lion City’ method (in signalling to the PRC), but it is always measured,” stress-ing that both countries “have framed the deployment as coming under the ambit of the 1990 Memorandum of Understand-ing (MoU) and 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement involving the United States and Singapore” and that, should the air-craft conduct Freedom of Navigation (FON) exercises, which challenge terri-torial claims to areas of oceans and air-space which are considered excessive by Washington DC, Singapore would likely pre-empt Chinese criticism by saying that

“Singapore has no claim to (territory in the South China Sea), but the Republic sup-ports the assertion of FON as a right and principle under international law.” An-other example from Dr. Choong of Singa-pore’s “incremental approach to defence relations and involvements” is Afghani-stan, where “what was a mission deliver-ing medical services went up to training the Afghan National Security Forces in the use of weapons locating radar.”

One of the big questions for the RSN is whether to acquire a Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft carrier in the future, in the form of large Joint Multi Mission Ships (JMMS) built locally, adding to the capabilities of existing ‘En-deavour’ class amphibious assault ships. The JMMS ships could accommodate the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning-II

Bilateral exercises form an important part of the RSAF’s activities. The force frequently performs exercises with other regional actors, such as the Indian Air Force, with aircraft and personnel from both the Indian and Singaporean air forces shown here © RSAF



STOVL fighter variant should Singapore decide to procure the F-35A/B/C in the future (see below). The JMMS programme seems to be going ahead, but the num-ber of ships to be procured has not been made public and may not yet have been decided. Given the limited airspace avail-able for air operations in Singapore, and the resulting vulnerability of aircraft giv-en the little room for dispersal across the country, the acquisition of an aircraft car-rier may improve the survivability of air assets during any future conflict.

Air ForceThe Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is among the most advanced in the region, equipped with modern hardware and a sophisticated command and control network. With air defence, air superiority and conventional deterrence as its core missions, the RSAF also provides a pre-emptive strike capability. Its fighter fleet comprises 30 General Dynamics/Lock-heed Martin F-16C/D Block-50/52+ Fight-ing Falcon, 15 Northrop Grumman F-5E/F Tiger-II and 24 McDonnell Douglas/Boe-ing F-15SG Eagle fast jets. Singapore is a Security Cooperative Participant (SCP) in the US F-35A/B/C programme, although she has not yet formally placed an order for the aircraft. While awaiting a decision on the F-35A/B/C procurement, Singa-pore is modernising her existing F-16C/D fleet. According to the Defence Ministry the programme’s goals include providing the aircraft with “an all-weather, ground-attack capability, enabling it to strike tar-gets with more capable precision muni-

tions such as the Boeing GBU-54B Joint Direct Attack Munition.” In December 2015 the Pentagon announced that Lock-heed Martin had been awarded a $914 mil-lion contract to upgrade the SAF’s F-16C/Ds, with work expected to be completed by mid-2023.

The RSAF relies on the Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules turboprop freighter, op-erating five, deploys four Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft and nine Fokker F-50 MPAs, which also serve as utility planes and can carry the Boeing AGM-84 Harpoon AShM and the A244S torpedo. Due to be replaced, possible con-tenders include the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, the Bombardier CL-605 MPA, the Saab 340 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft, the Saab Swordfish-MR MPA, and the Israel Aero-space Industries’ (IAI) ELTA Systems Divi-sion Q400. There is no indication at present

as to when the F-50 replacement could take place, or how many airframes could be ac-quired to this end.

With regards to tankers, the RSAF op-erates four Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers plus one KC-130H and four KC-130Bs. This fleet was augmented in 2014 with six Airbus A330-200 turbofan tanker/trans-ports, the first being delivered by Airbus from its factory in Toulouse, southwest France to Getafe in central Spain for con-version in November 2015. The company will incorporate some improvements to these six aircraft, including upgraded avi-onics and better aerodynamics.

Concerning rotary wing aircraft, the RSAF operates 32 Airbus Helicopters AS-332/532 Super Puma/Cougar medium-lift utility rotorcraft. After 30 years in service, in March 2015, Dr. Ng announced that they would be replaced within a de-cade. The Bell-Boeing CV/MV-22B Os-prey tilt-rotor was demonstrated during 2014 Singapore air show, and Rich Harris, Bell Helicopter’s vice president of inter-national military business development, told AMR that “the distinct performance envelope of the rapid-response (CV/MV-22B) can provide a pivotal advantage to countries like Singapore, with an ideal solution for when the need arises to get troops, supplies, medical evacuation, or relief to any location in the country or region immediately,” adding that “an aircraft which does not have to rely on runways or prepared terrain could pro-vide the RSAF with amazing flexibility and capability, enhancing their ability to rapidly reach any of the islands that make up their nation and provide access for any military or humanitarian requirements for their citizens.” The RSAF also has 16 Boeing CH-47SD Chinook heavy-lift he-licopters, and deployed one to Indone-

The RSS Stalwart forms part of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s ‘Formidable’ class of frigates. These vessels comprise the navy’s 185 Squadron and the class has a total strength of six vessels, all of which were procured from French shipbuilder DCNS © Thomas Withington

The ‘Victory’ class corvette forms a key part of Singapore’s navy. Like the ‘Formidable’ class frigates, seen here in the rear of this picture, the ‘Victory’ class vessels are an important important supplement to the force’s surface fleet © US Navy



were new variants of the Singapore Technologies Kinetics Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier, including one equipped with a mine-clearing line charge mod-ule, and another with a retractable com-munications antenna array. The United Kingdom bought a “modified and better protected” version (according to the Brit-ish Army’s website) of these vehicles for use during its deployment in Afghanistan which largely concluded in 2014, known as the Warthog.

ConclusionsSingapore, traditionally boasting one of the most advanced militaries in the region, faces a shrinking pool of recruits and an increasingly complex regional scenario, with a rising PRC exerting territorial and maritime claims in the nearby South Chi-na Sea and an ensuing arms race threaten-ing her relative conventional power. The city state’s reaction is to increasingly rely on automated weapons, demanding less personnel, while preparing for so-called ‘hybrid warfare’, which includes conven-tional, counter-insurgency and cyber war-fare, and fostering a wide and pragmatic range of partnerships with India, Israel, the PRC and the US, among others. It is clear in the minds of Singapore’s civilian and military leadership that the country’s continued prosperity and independence can only be guaranteed by retaining an advanced military providing not only a conventional edge over possible rivals, but a nation-building tool contributing to the cohesion of a diverse country. aMr

sia in October 2015 to assist in the fight against forest fires raging there. Its attack helicopter of choice is the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow, of which it operates 20.

Alongside its inhabited aircraft, the RSAF is a user of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles including the Elbit Systems Hermes-450, declared operational in March 2015 and able to fly for up to 14 hours, and the IAI Heron-1, which de-buted at the RSAF’s Exercise FORGING SABRE held in Arizona in December 2015. The RSAF operated the Hermes-450’s pre-decessor, the Elbit Searcher, in Afghani-stan. Among domestic UAV manufactur-ers AETOS Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek, has a range of products spanning the civilian, security and defence markets, some developed in partnership with Germany’s Multirotor.

Stephen Greene, Textron’s unmanned systems vice president of business devel-opment told AMR that “based on Singa-pore’s geography, we would expect UAVs and unmanned surface vehicles to take a greater role in surveillance and security operations” in the future, adding that his company’s “Small Unmanned Aircraft System and Common Unmanned Sur-face Vehicle” are “flexible and ideal for a variety of land and sea-based military and commercial operations.” Meanwhile, Tex-tron’s Aerosonde, which has logged over 100,000 flight hours in some difficult en-vironments, is actively supporting recon-naissance, infrastructure security and envi-ronmental missions extending 76 nautical miles (140 kilometres) across Singapore’s territory and Exclusive Economic Zone and beyond that when using the UAV’s portable ground control station. For more information on the Republic of Singapore Air Force, please see Thomas Newdick’s Air Forces Directory in this issue.

ArmyIsrael played a key role in helping Singapore establish her army, and the imprint of this early cooperation is still vis-ible, both in terms of bilateral defence re-lations and doctrine. Singapore’s army op-erates some 200 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), 2200 Armoured Fight-ing Vehicles, 50 Self-Propelled Howitzers, and 250 towed artillery pieces, as well as Mul-tiple-Launch Rocket

Systems.The 2015 National Day parade featured

two recent additions to the army’s order of battle, an engineer vehicle and an am-bulance. The former is the Rheinmetall/RUAG Leopard-2AEV (Armoured Engi-neer Vehicle) and was developed from the Krauss Maffei Wegmann Leopard-2 MBT chassis. With a three-person crew, it is equipped with a full-width mine plough and mechanical grab and can be used for assault breaching and mine clearance, as well as obstacle clearance by attaching a dozer blade or an excavator bucket. The combat ambulance is based on a custom-ised Ford 550 civilian four-wheel drive chassis, and its reconfigurable rear cabin can carry up to four stretchers or eight seated casualties.

Also on display during the parade

Singapore’s army is one of the best equipped and most sophisticated such forces in the Asia-Pacific. Sourcing equipment domestically and internationally, it has developed into a service capable of performing a wide range of operations © Singapore Army

Much as in the air domain, Singapore’s army frequently performs exercises with other armies both within and without the Asia-Pacific region, one of the most important of these being the United States Army © Singapore Army

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The story of land-based medium- to long-range Surface-to-Air Missiles

(SAMs) in the Asia-Pacific is one of considerable contrasts. For

example, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is fielding increasingly

capable ground-based air defences with other regional powers left to

play catch-up.

by Thomas Newdick

Alongside the PRC it is arguably only India that is close to developing a similarly-layered GBAD network. Other countries

including Afghanistan, Australia, Brunei-Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka maintain Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) capabilities limited to man-portable and/or short-range SAM systems, as well as anti-aircraft artillery.

Among the long-range SAMs current-ly on the market, Russia’s Almaz-Antey S-400 Triumf is perhaps the most capable: with a range of up to 215 nautical miles/nm (400 kilometres/km) and the ability to engage ballistic missiles and aircraft with a low radar cross section. In 2015 both the PRC and India reached agreements with Moscow to acquire the S-400. The PRC became the first foreign customer for the

system, as announced by Russian state arms export agency Rosoboronexport in April 2015. The $3 billion contract appar-ently includes four-to-six battalions, with deliveries to begin in 2017.

Valued at $4.5 billion, New Delhi’s S-400 deal was authorised by Indian lawmakers in December 2015, but as of January 2016 had apparently not been formalised. Prior to selecting the S-400, India had been linked with a deal for six Almaz-Antei S-300V SAM systems (see below) for Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD), but this order never materialised.

The closest Western-made counter-part to the S-400 is the Lockheed Martin/Raytheon MIM-104F Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3). In the Asia-Pacific, the MIM-104F has been acquired by Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Taiwan. With an eye on BMD developments in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

(DPRK), in March 2015 the RoK signed a letter of agreement with the US govern-ment covering an undisclosed number of MIM-104F systems to be supplied via For-eign Military Sales (FMS) channels. The RoK’s Defence Acquisition Programme Administration, which oversees the coun-try’s defence procurement, put a value of $1.1 billion on the deal, with deliveries of the MIM-104Fs due to commence in 2017 and conclude in 2019. In addition, $769.4 million will be spent on an upgrade for existing MIM-104C PAC-2 systems by Raytheon. The RoK and the US have also discussed a possible sale of the Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area De-fence (THAAD) system, which provides defence against short- to medium-range ballistic missiles.

Yet to secure orders in the Asia-Pacific is the Arrow BMD system from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). How-

Bolt to the Blue

The Almaz-Antey S-300V was developed for the Soviet Army during the Cold War as

a highly-mobile version of the Air Defence Force’s S-300P with a significant

anti-ballistic missile capability © Russian MoD

17| february 2016 |

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ever, the Arrow has been linked to a pos-sible sale to Singapore and has also been studied by the RoK as an alternative to the THAAD. Furthermore, India has ac-quired two IAI ELTA Systems EL/M-2080 Green Pine radars which usually accom-pany the Arrow SAM system, although these are apparently used with Russian-supplied SAM systems. Unconfirmed by India, it is thought that these radars either supply targeting information to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Almaz-Antey S-125 Neva/Pechora or mobile 9K37 Buk SAM systems, or are used for further development of indig-enous BMD radar technology.

ChinaUntil the arrival of the S-400 (see above), The PRC's GBAD network will be spear-headed by the Almaz-Antey S-300 family of SAM systems which has been acquired in successively more advanced versions. Eight battalions of the basic S-300PMU were delivered in the early 1990s which employed the 5V55U SAM which it-self had a range in the order of 80.9nm (150km), followed by four battalions of improved S-300PMU-1 systems delivered between 1993 and 1997, and provided with 150 5V55R missiles. Compared to its predecessor, the 5V55R had a slightly reduced range of 48.5nm (90km) using terminal semi-active radar homing, in which the S-300PMU-1’s tracking and en-gagement radar provides target position updates to the missile by datalink for the full duration of the engagement, includ-ing the end game.

Beginning in 2003, China received an-other four battalions of S-300PMU-1 sys-tems, now armed with the more capable 48N6 missile (150 examples acquired) which perform active radar homing in that the missile’s organic radar tracks its target. A typical S-300PMU-1 bat-

tery will include up to a maximum of eight t r a n s p o r t e r - e re c t o r -launchers, each with four 48N6 missiles ready to fire, with a battalion comprising six batter-ies, plus accompanying radar, command post and logistics provision. In 2008-2009 China took delivery of the defini-tive S-300PMU-2 Favorit system, under an $890 million deal that in-cluded eight battal-ions and 300 48N6E2 missiles, which have an enhanced range of 105.2nm (195km) com-pared to the 80.9nm range of the 48N6. An additional batch of 300 48N6E2 missiles has since been received. Reports indicate that an additional 15 batteries of an unidentified S-300 system were received in 2009 for deployment be-tween Beijing and Shanghai. The PRC’s S-300PMU/PMU-1 is complemented by the indigenous China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) HQ-9, which offers broadly similar capabilities. The HQ-9 reportedly entered production in 2005 and was confirmed as operational with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in October 2011. Older HQ-2B and HQ-2J systems, Chinese-made versions of the Soviet Almaz-Antey S-75 dating from the 1980s, remain in service for the defence of less critical areas of the country.

At the lower end of the range spec-trum, the LY-60, a reverse-engineered version of the Italian-designed MBDA Aspide, is reportedly also in PLA use, under the local designation HQ-64. Contro-versy surrounds the status of the China

Jianhnan Space Industry Company HQ-12. Some sources suggest around 60 examples of the truck-mounted HQ-12 are on inventory, while others indicate that any exam-ples that were inducted were used for evalua-tion or demonstration purposes only. However, the assignment of an HQ- number around 2007 supports the idea that the system may have en-tered PLA service. Final-

ly, the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) HQ-16, the Chinese equivalent of the Russian 9K37 Buk was reported to have entered Chinese service in 2011 and is being deployed as a medi-um-range ‘gap-filler’ between the HQ-9 and shorter-range systems.

IndiaIndia continues work on various indig-enous air defence missiles including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)/Bharat Electronics Limited Akash, a medium-range mobile SAM system for the IAF and army. In January 2009 the decision was made to induct the Akash into IAF service, and an order was placed with prime contractor Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for two squadrons of the system. Indian sources state that a squadron includes two fir-ing units each with four launchers. In March 2009 the Tata Group received an order from the IAF for the provision of 16 Akash launchers, while BEL was con-tracted to provide the Akash’s Rajendra tracking and engagement radars. The to-tal cost for the two squadrons was around $222.2 million. The Indian Army placed an order for the Akash in June 2010, and the system was declared operational in 2015. In early 2014 a new version of the Akash was tested, offering an improved capability against Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and remains under development. In a similar class to the Akash is the 9K37 Buk, 250 examples of which have been delivered to the Indian Army.

The MIM-104F is the most advanced long-range Western SAM currently deployed in the Asia-Pacific region, where it is in use with Japan, the RoK and Taiwan © Lockheed Martin

A THAAD interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test against a medium-range ballistic missile target. THAAD has attracted interest from the RoK and Japan © US Army

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After a February 2005 evaluation that included, among others, the MBDA VL (Vertical Launch) MICA (Missile d’Interception, de Combat et d’Autodéfense/Interception, Combat and Self-Defence Missile), India signed for the delivery of four Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Spyder SAM ensembles in September 2006, and trials of the weapon were completed in India by the end of 2007. In September 2008 a contract was signed for the deliv-ery of 16-18 Spyder systems from 2010 to 2012, which may have now been deliv-ered, although information to this effect is hard to come by. Meanwhile, the DRDO is collaborating with Rafael and IAI on a new-generation Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) project, but this has suffered from significant delays. A $2-billion contract was signed by the Indian government and IAI in March 2009, covering development of the MR-SAM, which would involve a version of the IAI Barak-II missile known as the Barak-8MR. Subsequently, it was re-vealed that development was being con-ducted along two separate lines involving the Barak-8MR with a range of 37.7nm (70km), and the Barak-8LR with a range of 80.9nm. Should the MR-SAM project reach production, this mobile system is intended to replace the Akash and the ageing S-125 Neva/Pechora SAM. In the meantime, India has upgraded a number of its 18 S-125 systems to Almaz-Antey’s Pechora-M standard, which has seen an extensive upgrade of the system’s mis-siles, including the addition of a laser and infrared target tracker to allow the missile to hunt its target without relying on up-dates from the S-125’s SNR-125 Low Blow tracking and engagement radar.

some of these are likely to be Chinese-made HQ-2B/F/J versions. A total of 32 launchers are available for the S-125 Pecho-ra-M, armed with the 5V27 missile, deliv-ered in the mid-1980s. The DPRK’s most modern GBAD equipment is represented by the 9K37 Buk which was delivered in 2006. Since this is the original version of the 9K37 Buk the delivery may well have involved second-hand systems provided by a former Soviet state.

JapanAcross the Sea of Japan, together with the Netherlands, Japan was the first interna-tional customer for the MIM-104F when Lockheed Martin received a $532-million contract for 156 missiles (including ex-amples for the US Army) in January 2005. Japan’s MIM-104F systems were deployed from 2007 and are operated by the Japan Air Self Defence Force. Licence production of the system is carried out locally by Mit-subishi Heavy Industries (MHI) as part of a package that included 20 MIM-104F sys-tems. Each system in Japanese service nor-mally has five launchers with four missiles ready to fire. A further three MIM-104F systems were delivered as a rapid expedi-ent to provide defence against the DPRK’s Rodong-1/2 and BM-25 medium-range ballistic missiles.

In addition to the MIM-104F, Japan operates the MIM-104C, the first of an eventual 47 systems being delivered in 1989, together with 980 MIM-104 missiles. Japan also employs the Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk SAM, the first examples of which were delivered in the early 1960s. Most of the systems acquired were assembled or manufactured in Japan. As well as 32 bat-teries and 1200 MIM-23A missiles, Japan

Bangladesh Elsewhere in the subcontinent, Bangla-desh has made recent efforts to advance its GBAD capability, which was previously reliant on Chinese-supplied short-range systems. In May 2010 it was reported that the 9K37 Buk-M1-2 had been ordered for the Bangladesh Air Force, although the delivery schedule remains uncertain. In 2011 reports emerged that Bangladesh had ordered the Aerospace Long March International (ALMI) LY-80 from the PRC, with deliveries to begin in 2013. The LY-80 is the export version of the PRC’s HQ-16 (see above) similar to the 9K37 Buk-M1-2 which has an engagement altitude of circa 82021 feet/ft (25000 metres/m), sug-gesting that plans to acquire the Russian system may have been shelved.

DPRKBeyond South Asia, the air defence of the DPRK is entrusted to a varied inventory of SAMs in which obso-lescent systems are complement-ed by recent deliveries of more advanced Chinese and Russian equipment. Long-range SAMs comprise the HQ-9 (or perhaps S-300), the missiles and associated radars which were first identified in October 2010. These are com-plemented by the older, fixed-site Almaz-Antey S-200 Angara, four batteries of which were delivered between 1987 and 1988. Numeri-cally the most important SAM in DPRK service is the Soviet/Russian S-75 Dvina, delivered be-tween 1966 and 1971. A reported 45 battalions remain operational, comprising 270 launchers. At least

Although the hardware used by the Raytheon MIM-23 dates back to the 1950s, successive software improvements in the I-HAWK ensure that it remains a capable medium-range SAM © US DoD

The Rafael Spyder is a short- and medium-range SAM system, with the upper end of its engagement envelope served by the same company’s Derby missile © Rafael

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SINGAPORE AIR SHOW ‘16SEE US AT

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TaiwanTaiwan’s multi-layered air defences are headed by the army-operated MIM-104F. In August 2009 the Taiwanese govern-ment agreed to the procurement of four (some reports suggest six) MIM-104F sys-tems in a deal worth $3.2 billion, which included 264 MIM-104F missiles. Mean-while, a separate $600-million contract with Raytheon covered the upgrade of three existing MIM-104C fire units to the MIM-104F standard with the upgrade commencing in 2011. Indigenous SAMs include six battalions of Chungshan In-stitute of Science and Technology (CSIST) Tien Kung-I systems, and an undisclosed number of Tien Kung-II systems, while the latest Tien Kung-III began to be de-livered in 2014. Taiwan continues to op-erate the MIM-23B, in the form of four battalions for 100 launchers delivered in 1977-1978, and a further five battalions delivered in 1981-1982. In late 2014 it was reported that this system would be retired by 2017 and replaced by the Tien Kung-III (see above), giving a BMD capability.

The investment into GBAD systems highlighted in this article in the Asia-Pacific region is unlikely to reduce in the coming years. According to Sebastian Sobolev, deputy director at Avascent, a Washington DC based consultancy, “set-ting (orders for the MIM-104 SAM family) aside investment in air and missile de-fence spending in the Asia-Pacific gener-ally amounts to roughly $4.2 billion per year, and is anticipated to grow at nearly nine percent annually through to 2020, a slightly faster rate than defence procure-ment in general, which may suggest that this is a highly prized capability.” Con-tinuing ballistic missile proliferation in the DPRK, not to mention the procure-ment, of advanced 4.5- and fifth-genera-tion fighter aircraft is likely to continue to motivate such spending patterns in the coming years. AMr

received another 32 MIM-23B I-Hawk batteries from 1978, together with over 3200 MIM-23B missiles. Earlier systems were subsequently upgraded to the MIM-23B standard.

PakistanBack in South Asia, Pakistan has been linked with a possible purchase of the CASIC FT-2000/2000A, the export ver-sion of the PRC’s HQ-9 (see above), pro-posed as a counter to India’s deployment of Agni intercontinental ballistic missiles. Some sources indicated that Pakistan began to take delivery of two regiments (36 launchers) of FT-2000s in around 2011, but this has yet to be confirmed. Should Pakistan take delivery of the system it would mark a significant advance for Pakistan’s GBAD network, which previ-ously relied upon the HQ-2 and HQ-2B for longer-range engagements. The single HQ-2 system was purchased in 1983 to-

gether with 40 missiles, and was joined by two battalions of improved HQ-2B systems (twelve launchers) delivered two years later. In 2014 it was reported that Pakistan had signed a $226-million deal for the supply of three batteries of the LY-80 system and its accompanying IBIS-150 radar. Delivery schedules have not been disclosed.

While the above systems are intended for the defence of strategic objectives and are operated by the Pakistan Air Force, the Pakistan Army may operate a medi-um-range SAM in the form of 36 LY-60 systems delivered from the PRC between 1996 and 1997. However, some confusion exists as to whether these are intended for ground-based or naval applications. In 2007 an order was placed for the MBDA Spada 2000 system, an improved version of the Spada from which the LY-60 was derived, which have now been delivered.

SingaporeLike Pakistan’s rival India, Singapore has enhanced its GBAD capabilities with Is-raeli technology. In 2008 Singapore signed a contract for the Spyder-SR system (see above) to fulfil the GBAD requirements of the Singapore Armed Forces Air Defence Group, itself part of the Republic of Sin-gapore Air Force. Deliveries of 20 systems began in 2010 and these are equipped to deploy not only the medium-range Rafael Derby missile but also the com-pany’s short-range Python-5. A total of 75 examples of each missile type were pro-cured. The Spyder-SR has been integrated with the existing medium- to high-level MIM-23B and short-range Saab RBS-70 SAM systems as part of the national air

defence network. In 2013 Singapore unveiled plans to acquire the MBDA As-ter-30 missile for the RSAF. This will extend the reach of the GBAD network and provide a BMD capability. It is not thought that these missiles have yet com-menced delivery. Mean-while, a single MIM-23B squadron of six systems was delivered in the early 1980s and was originally provided with 500 MIM-23B missiles. More infor-mation on Singaporean defence procurement can be found in Alex Calvo’s Survival Instinct article in this issue.

The MIM-104C is in operational use with Japan, the RoK and Taiwan, which have also acquired its more advanced MIM-104F sibling. (Raytheon)

The Aster-15/30 family of missiles serves both ground- and ship-based applications and has been ordered by the Republic of Singapore Air Force ©MBDA

Two versions of the MBDA Spada have been selected by customers in the Asia-Pacific region, with Thailand using the Spada and Pakistan deploying the Spada 2000 © MBDA

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Although there is a large requirement for new and/or upgraded utility

helicopters, the financial downturn in the Asia-Pacific has stalled many

decisions to commit to either. Questions now abound as to the health

of the helicopter market in this region, and where it goes from here.

by Andrew Drwiega

The military helicopter market in the Asia-Pacific region was set on a path to acquire new, modern platforms and to breathe life into legacy airframes through several

upgrade initiatives, particularly in the attack and utility helicopters domain. Earlier this century, with the price of oil soaring to highs rarely seen before, rich revenue streams were provided to nations for the acquisition of state-of-the-art military rotorcraft, typified by Indonesia’s decision in January 2015 to procure the latest variant in the McDonald Douglas/Boeing AH-64 family of attack helicopters, namely the

AH-64E Guardian, of which Indonesia committed to purchasing eight examples. Additional motivations for rotorcraft purchases include increases in the region’s existing tensions since the start of this decade, notably focused on the People’s Republic of China’s maritime and territorial claims in the South and East China Seas.

In its 2014 report entitled Southeast Asia: The next growth opportunity in defence global management consulting firm McKin-sey and Company stated that: “Southeast Asia defence forces, with the exception of certain categories in Singapore, are char-acterised by ageing fleets (of helicopters)

that were mostly acquired during the 1970s and 1980s and are now in need of replacement. Countries have recognised the urgency, and significant investments are expected through 2017.” It references the Philippine government’s decision to replace some of its old Bell UH-1H Huey light utility helicopters with eight Agus-taWestland AW-109 light utility rotorcraft, the delivery of which to the Hukbong Him-papawid ng Pilipinas (PAF/Philippines Air Force) commenced in 2014.

Since then, because of the flexibility of the new aircraft, they have been modified to increase their multi-mission useful-ness, particularly to fight the insurgency

Taking a HelicopTer View

Light and medium-lift utility helicopters are in demand in the Asia-Pacific due to their

inherent flexibility. Aircraft such as the Bell UH-1Y Venom could yet win customers in

this region © US Navy

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involving the Moro Muslim guerrilla movement active on the southern Island of Mindanao. The Hukbong Dagat ng Pili-pinas (PN/Philippines Navy) has recently taken the decision to upgrade its AW-109 naval support helicopters by adding gun pods. Three AW-109s were delivered non-weaponised in 2013 although a further two AW-109s that were commissioned in 2015 were armed. The new armament comprises two 12.7mm machine gun pods together with 70mm rocket launch-ers. These armed AW-109s will be de-ployed operationally onboard the PN’s ‘Pilar’ class frigates.

Additionally, in August 2015 the Phil-ippine Department of National Defence (DND) confirmed the receipt of eight Bell 412EP light utility helicopters from Can-ada. The purchase agreement valued at $107.9 million was conducted through the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). Deliveries began in June and concluded in August 2015. Five of the eight Bell 412s were assigned to the PAF’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing for use as utility helicop-ters and to support disaster relief opera-tions, while the remaining three were allo-cated to the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing for the transport of dignitaries.

Yet the salad days of the military he-licopter bear market in the Asia-Pacific came to an end with the oil price crash when the price of oil lost 50 percent of its value between January and December 2015 falling from circa $50 per barrel of

Brent Crude to circa $25 per barrel, which was compounded by the contraction in the mili-tary helicopter markets in Europe and North America. These two events conspired to give fewer opportunities for Asia-Pacific customers to seek large scale pro-grammes in these re-gions which they could latch onto to procure helicopters at attrac-tive prices flush with petrodollars for such purchases. Fewer production numbers of any type invari-ably leads to a corresponding rise in acquisition costs.

With many Asia-Pacific nations previ-ously on course to replace their existing fleets with fewer but more capable air-craft (following the multi-role diktat much loved by Western militaries), there is now a rethink taking place in several defence ministries throughout the region regard-ing the cost-benefit of proceeding with such a policy. This has been evident in a slowing down of new orders as well as upgrades. For example, there are many he-licopters in the region that have analogue rather than digital ‘glass cockpits’, such as the legacy UH-1H aircraft still in wide-spread use around the region, but many of the helicopters in the Asia-Pacific region

have been flown hard since their acquisi-tion and investment in new avionics and upgrades seems very short term when air-frame flight hours are so high.

In the maritime environment, the McKinsey report points out: “The grow-ing need to secure coasts and borders against asymmetric threats (such as pira-cy, drug trafficking and political violence) provides an opportunity for special-mis-sion aircraft that have capabilities in areas such as maritime patrol, anti-submarine and airborne early warning and control, and that also offer the versatility to un-dertake both military and non-military missions. Indonesia’s acquisition of the maritime patrol and surveillance version of the Airbus/IPTN CN-235 (turboprop freighter) is one such example.”

This drive towards multi-mission air-craft also applies to helicopter fleets with the maritime domain being a strong con-tender for new aircraft such as Sikorsky’s SH-60 Sea Hawk, both in its S-70B and newer MH-70R configurations, as used by the US Navy. At the end of 2014 the Indian Navy (IN) selected the S-70B vari-ant for its maritime multi-role capability. The acquisition was to include “avionics and flexible open architecture Weapons Management Systems that integrate an advanced sonar, 360 degree search radar, modern air-to-surface missiles, and tor-pedoes for the ASW role,” according to a company press release announcing the news. The IN’s S-70B helicopters will also be used for non-combat maritime roles such as search and rescue, utility, logis-tics support, reconnaissance and casualty evacuation.

Sikorsky, under the new ownership of Lockheed Martin, has started to campaign harder in the region for military and civil business. In Singapore during November 2015, Sikorsky’s regional director for Asia, Christophe Nurit, announced at a media

The Philippines has recently purchased Bell 412 aircraft from Canada, with deliveries concluding in August 2015. Norwegian

examples of the aircraft are shown in this picture © NATO

Sikorsky’s S-60 Sea Hawk family of naval support helicopters has strong prospects in the Asia-Pacific, particularly its latest S-70B version. The type was recently selected by the Indian Navy © US Navy

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briefing that the company believed there were increasing business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific market for both its mili-tary and civilian helicopters. Mr. Nurit said that the Asia-Pacific was an impor-tant region as the company ‘rebalanced’ from being US-centric. He said that sales opportunities included ongoing discus-sions with Indonesia regarding the sale of UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift util-ity helicopters although “budget chal-lenges” in Indonesia have stalled any potential decision.

One potential upgrade contract would be for the Republic of China Navy (RoCN). According to media source Focus Taiwan military officials have discussed the possibility of the RoCN updating its 18 Sikorsky S-70C naval support heli-copters. The cost would be around $25.3 million with a completion date in 2017. In terms of supporting aircraft in the region Mr. Nurit said that Sikorsky wished to in-crease its footprint with the addition of a new support centre, the location of which is not yet known, as well as expanding its infrastructure in Australia, where the company successfully sold 24 MH-60R helicopters to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as a replacement aircraft for Ka-man’s SH-2G Super Seasprite naval sup-port rotorcraft when its entry into service was cancelled in March 2008.

Australia has a relatively new fleet of military helicopters including the Airbus Helicopters EC-665ARH (Armed Recon-naissance Helicopter) gunship and the NH Industries MRH-90 medium-lift utility he-licopter. It also has recently changed its six

Indigenous DevelopmentWithout a strong industrial base there

have been few countries able to actively develop their own hardware and that have had to continue to rely on imported equipment. Nevertheless, the Repub-lic of Korea is one of the exceptions to the rule.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is one of the main driving forces for avia-tion development in the Asia-Pacific. It has already developed the KUH-1 Surian me-dium-lift utility helicopter, together with Airbus Helicopters whose 20 percent stake in the production of the aircraft will last until to 2020. The KUH-1 will replace the MD Helicopters MD-500 and UH-1H light utility helicopters in extensive use with the Republic of Korea armed forces. Be-yond the KUH-1, Airbus Helicopters and KAI have joined forces for another project; the development of two five-ton rotorcraft that will meet the RoK’s civil and military requirements through the Light Civil Heli-copter (LCH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) initiatives (see below). The KUH-1 has already entered operational service with the RoK’s army and national police force, and KAI believes that the aircraft has export potential. To this end, it is now being marketed outside the RoK by a joint company, KAI-EC, involving Airbus Heli-copters, which forecasts that it could sell around 300 export KUH-1s for military and civilian roles in the Asia-Pacific dur-ing the next decade.

The type will be joined later by the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), for which KAI currently is searching for a develop-ment partner; this means that the army’s helicopter ranks will predominantly

Boeing CH-47D heavy-lift helicopters for seven US Army specification CH-47Fs, the last of which was delivered by the third quarter of 2015. In addition, another three may be purchased following approval by the US Department of State for the For-eign Military Sales (FMS) deal to this end in December 2015. Valued at $180 million, this will increase the Australian CH-47F fleet to ten helicopters. The last of the seven CH-47Fs was delivered by Boeing in August 2015 three weeks ahead of sched-ule according to the company. The speci-fication only differs from that of the US Army by the addition of a rotor brake to allow the aircraft to be used onboard the RAN’s ‘Canberra’ class amphibious assault ships.

The KUH-1 Surion represents one of the few ‘home-grown’ medium-lift utility helicopters from the Asia-Pacific region. The aircraft was realised with assistance from Airbus Helicopters © KAI

Australia has performed a substantial modernisation of its military helicopter fleets in recent years. This has included the procurement of NH-90 medium-lift utility helicopters © Italian Army

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continues. These aircraft will also have avionics upgrades in line with the RTA’s UH-1H Plus (see above).

Spending TrendsThe McKinsey report identifies three

broadly-defined groups when it comes to the approaches of regional actors re-garding defence spending. These include

“sophisticated” markets focused on pur-chasing high-end equipment and seeking sophisticated and state-of-the-art tech-nology such as Singapore; “affordable expansion” markets that are increasing their defence budgets substantially to re-place, expand or upgrade existing equip-ment and capabilities, with Indonesia being an instructive example in this regard; and “selective investment” mar-kets that are increasing their defence bud-gets more conservatively and therefore prioritising their investments, notably Thailand. The current financial situation has particularly affected the latter two categories. Those nations which could afford to expand their rotorcraft fleets still wish to do so and seem to be “weathering the storm until the financial capability re-turns, while those with a selective invest-ment policy look to have stalled the major-ity of either (their) acquisition of upgrade plans,” the report continues. AMr

feature locally-produced helicopters along with a handful of Boeing CH-47D/DLR helicopters and recently-ordered AH-64Es. Other nations following the RoK’s move toward purchasing attack helicop-ters include Taiwan, with the first AH-64Es for that country commencing deliv-ery in 2013, alongside Indonesia’s aircraft (see above). Malaysia is also in the market for an attack helicopter, with Airbus Heli-copters hoping to break into this market with its EC-665 Tiger family following its recent success with a contract for the H-225M Super Cougar medium-lift utility helicopter to replace that country’s fleet of Sikorsky S-61 Nuri rotorcraft.

Upgrades Beyond the new acquisitions dis-

cussed above, upgrades are afoot in the region. In September 2014 Honeywell Aerospace announced that it had been selected by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to provide its fleet of 16 Boe-ing Chinook CH-47SD helicopters with a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). The RSAF also has a Honeywell HUMS fitted to its 17 AH-64D Apache at-tack helicopters: The fitting of a HUMS helps maintainers to assess each helicop-ter’s maintenance condition through data collection and analysis. This should lead

to a reduction in unscheduled mainte-nance while increasing availability.

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is also having a number of its Bell UH-1H helicopters upgraded by Transworld Aviation based in Thailand, a joint ven-ture company owned by local investor Chaimongkol Sukonthamat and Dubai’s Transworld Aviation. The first of the eight planned conversions was delivered to the army at the end of 2015. The force is look-ing to upgrade nearly half of its 20 UH-1Ns to the UH-1H Plus standard. One of the most important improvements in this regard will be to replace the old Lycom-ing T53-L-13B turboshafts with the more powerful Honeywell T53-L-703. Struc-tural improvements being rolled out onto these aircraft as part of the upgrade in-clude composite rotor blades and a new tail boom. New avionics will feature a glass cockpit, GPS (Global Positioning System), weather radar and a night vision goggle compatible cockpit. There will also be a refresh of the aircraft’s wiring. Transworld Aviation will modernise the Bell 212 naval support helicopters of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and up to four Bell 212s for the Royal Thai Police (RTP); the latter will be fitted with seat armour for use in troubled areas of southern Thai-land where an ethno-religious insurgency

Royal Thai marines guide a Bell 212 helicopter into a landing zone during a non-combatant evacuation exercise. Thailand is

an avid user of the Bell 212 © US Navy)

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Inevitably, it is fighter aircraft programmes that dominate the military aircraft procurement landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) working simultaneously on at least eight front-line fighter and attack types, and at least as many sub-variants

by Thomas Newdick

O ther major players in the region are in the midst of long-running fighter procurement programmes in an effort to keep pace with the advance of technology, and to mitigate the effects of approaching obsolescence.

Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have all selected the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning-II fifth generation fighter as they set about overhauling their fighter fleets, and both Japan and the RoK have also embarked on indigenous fighter programmes: the Mitsubishi ATD-X and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KFX, respectively. In the case of the latter, the RoK has teamed up with Indonesia, which also has a requirement to recapitalise its fighter inventory, currently dominated by older Western- and Russian-supplied equipment. The ATD-X will ultimately help shape a stealthy, highly-agile successor to the Mitsubishi F-2A/B fighter currently operated by the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) that will serve alongside the F-35A.

Other major fighter programmes are being run by India and Malaysia, and both have been subject to delay. In India, the Dassault Rafale won the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender in January 2012, only for this to be scrapped in April 2015 amid disputes over cost and technology transfer. Now, with India set to pursue a more modest initial purchase of 36 Rafales, built in France rather than on Indian production lines, the Indian Air Force, like the Royal Malaysian Air Force, is being forced to keep ageing fighters in service longer than previously planned. Exactly how India will make good its develop-ing shortfall of fighters remains unclear, especially with lo-cal concerns about the viability of the Sukhoi/Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Fifth-Generation Fighter Air-craft, a derivative of the Russian Air Force’s PAK FA fifth-generation fighter currently under development, and with

Air Forces Directory

F-16As of the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) Centennial Falcon demonstration team cavort

for the camera. The RTAF fleet of F-16A/Bs was delivered from 1988 and comprises original F-16A/B Block-15 aircraft supplemented by former USAF and

Singaporean F-16 family jets ©Lockheed Martin

the indigenous HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) at least a decade away from a possible first flight.

In the meantime, India has embarked on signifi-cant upgrade programmes for its existing fighters, and modernisation is currently under way on the Dassault Mirage-2000H/TH and Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter family fleets. In both cases, after initial upgrade work in their countries of origin, the remaining aircraft are being over-hauled to the same standard by Indian industry. Major fighter upgrades are also ongoing for the Lockheed Mar-tin F-16C/D Fighting Falcons operated by the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. The demand for F-16 family upgrades in the region has seen a heated battle between BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin; both offering packages based around new active electronically scanned array radars, either the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) or the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR). BAE Systems has estimated that 1000 F-16s worldwide, the vast majority of which are in the United States are candidates for future upgrades.

In addition to revamping their fighter fleets, a num-ber of players in the Asia-Pacific are in the process of mod-ernising their fleets of tanker and surveillance aircraft. Tanker acquisition has seen the Airbus A330-200 Multi-Role Tanker Transport selected by India, the RoK and Singapore, while Japan has opted for the Boeing KC-46A. Interest in surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft has been spurred by the PRC’s increasing power projection in the region. Leading the pack is the Boeing P-8A/I Posei-don maritime patrol aircraft, which has been purchased by Australia and India, while other countries are looking to enhance their own maritime surveillance capabilities, either through acquiring new aircraft or by upgrading existing equipment.

AfghAnistAn■ AfghAn Air force10 active+10 planned Embraer EMB-314 (A-29) Super Tucano turboprop ground attack aircraft. First four aircraft arrived in Afghanistan in January 2016.5+5 planned Antonov An-32, turboprop freighter. Operational but not in use.26 Cessna 208B Caravan turboprop transport6 Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane piston-engine trainer4 Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules turboprop freighter. Fourth and final example delivered in June 2015.32 Mil Mi-8/17 medium-lift utility helicopter8 Mil Mi-25/35 attack helicopter. Six Mi-35s operational as of April 2014, with four more slated for retirement in January 2016 and one cannibalised for spares. These are to be replaced by four Mi-25s that were donated by India in December 2015. Further aircraft may be delivered by Russia.2+1 ordered Aérospatiale/Airbus Helicopters SA-315B Cheetal light utility helicopter. Donated by India.10 Bell Helicopters UH-1H medium- lift utility helicopter16+12 ordered MD Helicopters MD-530F reconnaissance and light attack helicopter. One of the original six unarmed trainers delivered was destroyed. Twelve new MD-530Fs began to be delivered during 2015 together with weapons kits (one example was lost to an insurgent bomb). In January 2016 another twelve weaponised aircraft were ordered.3 Boeing 727-100/200C turbofan transport, being acquired from Ariana Afghan Airlines.

■ AfghAn SpeciAl MiSSion Wing10+8 ordered Pilatus PC-12NG turboprop transport30 Mil Mi-17 medium-lift utility helicopter

■ noteS: Established in 2004, the Afghan Air Force (AAF) has plans to expand its inventory to include 150 aircraft and 8000 personnel by 2016. However, expansion plans have been hampered by problems relating to acquisitions and personnel. In March 2015, AAF pilots began flying A-29 Su-per Tucano turboprop ground attack aircraft, which are as-signed to the US Air Force’s 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody airbase, Georgia, for training purposes. The first class of eight pilots graduated at Moody in December 2015. Once in country, it is planned that the A-29 will assume close air sup-port duties from the Mi-25/35, which is due for retirement. Delivery of the first six from a planned 20 armed MD-530Fs was announced in March 2015. Support from India has in-cluded the donation of Cheetal and Mi-25 helicopters and may also include the upgrade of An-32 transports. Please see the Asia-Pacific Procurement Update article in this issue for more information on the Cheetal and Mi-25 acquisitions.

AustrAliA■ royAl AuStrAliAn Air force54 McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A- 18A Hornet fighter15 McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A- 18B fighter/trainer. Both types will be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning-II fighter from 2018.24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter. Achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) in December 2012.12 planned Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. First aircraft rolled out by Boeing in July 2015.15 Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft8 planned Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. First delivery planned for 2017, with all eight

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aircraft planned to be fully oper ational by 2021.2 planned Gulfstream G550 special missions aircraft. To be modified by L-3 Communications.8 Boeing C-17A Globemaster-III strategic turbofan freighter. Eighth and final example delivered in November 2015.12 Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules turboprop freighter5+2 planned Airbus KC-30A multi-role tanker transport2 accepted+72 planned Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning- II fighter. Australia has committed to acquire 72 F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft at a cost of more than $12 billion to replace the RAAF’s ageing F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet (see above). 100 F-35As were originally planned.9 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200/300 turboprop transport. Interim capability to cover the retirement of the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou turboprop freighter.63 Pilatus PC-9/A turboprop trainer49 planned Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer. To replace the PC-9/A.2 accepted+8 planned Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan turboprop freighter. The Australian defence minister announced the purchase of ten C-27J Spartans in May 2012. The first Spartan was delivered in June 2015. Initial operating capability expected for late 2016.33 BAE Systems Hawk Mk.127 lead- in jet trainer6 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail (737-700) AEW (Airborne Early Warning)2 Boeing 737-BBJ turbofan transport3 Bombardier CL-604 turbofan transport8 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 turboprop trainer

■ AustrAliAn Army AviAtion Corps19 Bell Helicopters 206B-1 Kiowa light utility helicopter. To be partially replaced by the Airbus Helicopters EC-665ARH Tiger attack helicopter (see below).6+10 ordered Boeing CH-47D heavy-lift helicopter. Ten CH-47Fs ordered to replace the six CH-47Ds will be delivered by 2018.22 Airbus Helicopters EC-665ARH Tiger attack helicopter34 Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk medium-lift utility helicopter27+20 ordered NH Industries MRH-90 Taipan medium-lift utility helicopter. Total of 47 on order, including six for the Royal Australian Navy, to replace the retired AgustaWest land Sea King Mk.50 naval support helicopter.12 Bell Helicopters 206B-1 Kiowa training helicopter

■ royAl AustrAliAn nAvy Fleet Air Arm16 Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval support helicopter12+12 planned Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk naval support helicopter. Selected in June 2011. All 24 Australian aircraft are to be in service by 2018.12 Airbus Helicopters AS-350 Squirrel training and light utility helicopter3 Bell Helicopters 429 Global Ranger light utility helicopter

■ notes: Spearheaded by the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning-II fighter, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is in the midst of a significant phase of moderni-sation. In addition to the F-35A, the RAAF is to receive twelve Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare air-craft, which will be in addition to the 24 F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters already delivered, twelve of which were

‘pre-wired’ for conversion to the EA-18G standard: these will now remain as standard F/A-18Fs. The EA-18G is expected to achieve full operational capability by the early 2020s. Maritime capabilities are to be significantly enhanced through the arrival of the Boeing P-8A Posei-don, which will be operated in conjunction with the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aerial Ve-hicle (UAV). Replacement of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval support helicopter fleet is progressing rapidly: the twelfth from an eventual total of 24 Sikorsky MH-60R light utility helicopters was delivered by Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky ahead of schedule, in June 2015.

Bangladesh■ BAnglAdesh Air ForCe8 Mikoyan MiG-29SE/UB fighter. The Russian Aircraft Corporation announced the beginning of negotiations with the Bangladesh government for the upgrade of the current MiG-29SE/UB fleet to MiG-29SMT status in April 2013.41 Chengdu F-7 fighter. Sixteen F-7MB and eight FT-7MB aircraft delivered in 1989, of which respectively eight and five remain in service. Twelve F-7BG and four FT-7BG aircraft received in 2006. Twelve F-7BGI aircraft received in 2013 as replacement for the Nanchang A-5C ground- attack aircraft fleet.7 Aero L-39 Albatros lead-in jet trainer. Total of eight delivered, one aircraft crashed in 2012.3 Antonov An-32 turboprop freighter4+4 planned Lockheed Martin C-130B/E Hercules turboprop freighter. Bangladesh Air Force is negotiating the acquisition of four C-130Es. 2 ordered AgustaWestland AW-139 naval support helicopter. Delivered in December 2015 for maritime and SAR (Search and Rescue) roles.6 Bell Helicopters 206 light utility helicopter 14 Bell Helicopters 212 medium-lift utility helicopter27+2 planned 16 Mil Mi-17 plus 11 Mi-171 medium-lift utility helicopter. Two additional aircraft, one Mi-171Sh and one Mi-171E, on order.9 Shenyang FT-6 lead-in jet trainer6+18 planned Yakovlev Yak-130 lead-in jet trainer /light attack aircraft. The first aircraft were delivered in December 2015. The Yak-130 is expected to replace the L-39 Albatros lead-in jet trainer.4+5 planned Hongdu K-8W lead-in jet trainer. Four arrived on 27 September 2014.

■ BAnglAdesh Army1 Cessna 208 turboprop transport2 Airbus Helicopters AS-365 medium-lift utility helicopter■ BAnglAdesh nAvy2 Dornier Do-228NG maritime patrol aircraft2 AgustaWestland AW-109 Power naval support helicopter

All four aircraft operated by the Royal Australian Air Force’s Air Combat Group; the PC-9/A, Hawk Mk.127, F/A-18A Hornet and F/A-18F Super Hornet fly in formation near Williamtown airbase, New South Wales © Australian Department of Defence

2+1 planned Harbin Z-9 medium-lift utility helicopter5 planned Mi-171 medium-lift utility helicopters (ordered in April 2014)

BRUneI-daRUssalaM■ royAl Brunei Air ForCe1 Airbus CN-235 turboprop freighter1 planned Lockheed Martin C130J Hercules turboprop freighter. Aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2018.4 Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer turboprop trainer9 Bell Helicopters 212/214 medium- lift utility helicopter (being replaced by the Sikorsky S-70i (sic) medium-lift utility helicopters)6 Airbus Helicopters BO-105CB light utility helicopter16 Sikorsky S-70/70i medium-lift utility helicopter. Four older S-70A aircraft may be transferred to Malaysia. Twelve S-70i helicopters have been delivered and options exist for an additional ten.3 Bell Helicopters 206B light utility helicopter

BURMa■ Burmese Air ForCe16 planned PAC/Chengdu JF-17 Thunder fighter. Burma has been widely reported as being the launch export customer for the JF-17, although this has not been officially confirmed. 21 Nanchang A-5B ground attack aircraft4 SOKO G4 light ground attack aircraft31 Mikoyan MiG-29B/UB fighter1 Shenyang F-6 fighter24 Chengdu F-7M air superiority fighter2 Fokker F-27 turboprop transport3 Beech 1900 turboprop transport2 Fairchild Hiller FH-227 turboprop transport5 Pilatus PC-6 piston-engine transport4 Shaanxi Y-8 turboprop transport2 Harbin Y-12 turboprop transport6 Chengdu FT-7 lead-in jet trainer12+50 ordered Hongdu K-8 lead-in jet trainer / light attack aircraft16 Pilatus PC-7 turboprop trainer10 Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainer10 Grob G120TP turboprop trainer14 Bell Helicopters 205 light utility helicopter22 Mil Mi-2 light utility helicopter12 Mil Mi-8/17 medium-lift utility helicopter9 Mil Mi-35 attack helicopter13 Airbus Helicopters SA-316/ SE-3160 light utility helicopter12 PLZ W-3 Sokol attack helicopter

■ Burmese nAvy6 planned Kamov Ka-27 anti-submarine and utility helicopters. For use on board ‘Kyan Sittha’ class frigates.5 Britten Norman BN-2 maritime patrol aircraft2 ATR-42 maritime patrol aircraft

CaMBodIa■ royAl CAmBodiAn Air ForCe5 Aero L-39C Albatros lead-in jet trainer2 Xian MA-60, turboprop transport2 Harbin Y-12 turboprop transport1 Airbus A320 transport1 Britten Norman BN-2 transport3 Airbus Helicopters AS-350/355 Squirrel light utility helicopter6 Mil Mi-8/17 medium-lift utility helicopter11 Xian Z-9 medium-lift utility helicopter. Delivered in November 2013, including four assault variants and six utility variants.

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Democratic PeoPle’s rePublic of Korea■ Korean PeoPle’s air Force106 Shenyang F-5 fighter97 Shenyang F-6 fighter120 Chengdu F-7 air superiority fighter80 Harbin H-5 medium bomber26 Mikoyan MiG-21 fighter56 Mikoyan MiG-23 fighter35 Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter18 Sukhoi Su-7 ground attack aircraft34 Sukhoi Su-25 ground attack aircraft1 Antonov An-24 turboprop freighter84 MD Helicopters MD-500 light utility helicopter46 Mil (PZL) Mi-2 light utility helicopter40 Mil Mi-8 medium-lift utility helicopter8 Mil Mi-14 naval support helicopter20 Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter4 Mil Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter135 Shenyang FT-5 lead-in jet trainer30 Shenyang FT-2 lead-in jet trainer

inDia■ indian air Force161+92 ordered Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter. Production of a total of 222 Su-30MKIs is currently undertaken by HAL. 69 Mikoyan MiG-29B/UB/UPG fighter. A total of 56 MiG-29B fighters and six MiG- 29UB trainers are being upgraded to MiG-29UPG status. The first aircraft upgraded by HAL in India was flown in February 2015.54 Dassault Mirage-2000H/TH fighter. The fleet is currently being upgraded to Mirage-2000I/TI standard. The process is to be completed within a ten-year timeframe. The first upgraded Mirage-2000I/TH underwent its maiden flight in October 2013. 245 Mikoyan/HAL MiG-21bis/ Bison fighter. To be phased out by 2019. 110 upgraded MiG-21 Bisons are likely to fly until 2025.85 Mikoyan/HAL MiG-27ML ground attack aircraft36 planned Dassault Rafale-B/C fighter. Original deal worth over $12 billion, to include 18 aircraft built by Dassault and 108 aircraft licence-built by HAL in India, was effectively cancelled in April 2015. A revised package for 36 ‘fly-away’ aircraft was still to be finalised as of January 2016.144 planned Sukhoi PAK FA Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Joint development of this aircraft involves India and Russia. Delays mean requirement reduction from 220 to 130-145 aircraft. A related co-production deal between India and Russia, worth around $11 billion, had not been finalised as of January 2016. 9+111 planned HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft

■ indian naval air arm33+12 ordered Mikoyan MiG-29K/KUB fighter8 BAE Systems Sea Harrier FRS.51 fighter6 ordered+40-50 planned HAL Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighter17+6 ordered BAE Systems Hawk Mk.132 lead- in jet trainer8+4 ordered Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. Another eight examples are likely to be ordered.8 Tupolev Tu-142MK-E maritime patrol aircraft. Undergoing modernisation in Russia but will ultimately be replaced by P-8I.5 Ilyushin Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft. Undergoing upgrade in Russia to Il-38SD standard.25 Dornier Do-228 maritime patrol aircraft14 Kamov Ka-28 naval support helicopter 14 Kamov Ka-31 naval support helicopter30 Airbus Helicopters/HAL SA-316B/319 Chetak light utility helicopter20 HAL HJT-16 Kiran lead-in jet trainer27 AgustaWestland Sea King Mk. 42B/C naval support helicopter8 Britten-Norman BN-2 maritime patrol aircraft8+16 HAL Dhruv ALH light utility helicopter6 Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King naval support helicopter3 BAE Systems Harrier T4/60 combat trainer3 Mikoyan MiG-29KUB combat trainer16 ordered Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval support helicopter. Plus eight options. Will replace SH-3H.

■ notes: While it is undergoing a process of moderni-sation across the board, the major concern for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is maintaining the strength of its front-line fighter arm. Reductions in force strength through the con-tinued retirement of the MiG-21bis/Bison and MiG-27ML fighters have been compounded by the protracted effort to acquire the Dassault Rafale-B/C fighter, including the scrapping of the original Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme. Question marks also hang over the IAF’s next-generation fighter, the FGFA, which is being jointly developed with Russia. As with the Rafale-B/C procurement, the FGFA programme has been dogged by problems relating to work share agreements, costs and technology transfer. More successful have been India’s recent projects to acquire military aircraft from US manufacturers. These have seen the induction of the C-17A, C-130J and P-8I, and will see future deliveries of the AH-64E, CH-47F and S-70B (see above). India’s indigenous military aircraft projects have experienced only mixed success, with the HAL Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in particular falling short of expectations and failing to meet expected timelines. The Tejas Mk.1 is now set to be super-seded by the improved Tejas Mk.1A, while the IAF waits for the definitive, re-engined Tejas Mk.2

inDonesia■ indonesian air Force8+8 ordered Embraer A-29 Super Tucano trainer/light attack turboprop. Last four aircraft of 2010 order of eight sent from Brazil in September 2014. The Indonesian Air Force placed a second order for eight A-29s in July 2012.16 Sukhoi Su-27SK/27SKM/30MKK/ MK2V fighter. The final two of six Su-30MK2Vs ordered in 2011 were delivered in September 2013.18+15 ordered General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighter. Indonesia formally requested to buy 24 used F-16C/D Block-25 fighters from the United States in 2011 and deliveries of these began in 2014.9 Northrop Grumman F-5E/F fighter. Due to be replaced by a

(LCA). The aircraft received initial operational clearance in December 2013. As per current plans, the IAF will order 100 examples of the interim Tejas Mk.1A, sufficient to equip at least seven squadrons, once the fighter is combat ready. However, the single-engine Tejas failed to meet its planned combat ready clearance at the end of 2015.147 SEPECAT Jaguar M/S ground attack aircraft. Total also includes 30 two-seat Jaguar-T used for conversion training.17 Ilyushin Il-76 strategic turbofan freighter3+2 planned IAI A-50EI AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft7 Ilyushin Il-78MKI tanker10 Boeing C-17A Globemaster-III turbofan freighter5+7 planned Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules turboprop freighter. One aircraft added to order as attrition replacement.100 Antonov An-32 turboprop freighter. Currently being upgraded to An-32RE standard in India to prolong service life. Eventual plans call for the replacement of the An-32 fleet by the UAC/HAL Il-214 Medium Transport Aircraft (45 planned).59 BAE Systems/Hawker Siddeley HS 748-100 turboprop transport.56 planned Airbus C-295 turboprop transport. To replace HS 748-100 under a $2.4-billion programme.4 Boeing 737-200ADV and 737-700 turbofan transport8 Embraer ERJ-135/145 turbofan transport2+1 ordered Embraer ERJ-145 AEW aircraft3 Gulfstream III/IV SRA-4 special missions aircraft2 Bombardier Global 5000 special missions aircraft2 IAI Astra special missions aircraft6 planned Airbus A330-200 MRTT multi-role tanker transport40+14 ordered Dornier Do-228-201 turboprop transport90+15 ordered BAE Systems Hawk Mk.132 lead-in jet trainer22 ordered Boeing AH-64E attack helicopter15 ordered Boeing CH-47F heavy-lift helicopter81 HAL HJT-16 Kiran lead-in jet trainer75+106 planned Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II turboprop trainer7+31 ordered HAL Rudra ALH-WSI attack helicopter46+65 ordered HAL Dhruv ALH light utility helicopter65 ordered HAL LCH attack helicopter. Three prototypes have been delivered for initial operational trials.3 Mil Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter222+34 ordered Mil Mi-8/17/17V-5 medium-lift utility helicopter.20 Mil Mi-25/35 attack helicopter14 Airbus Helicopters/HAL SA-315 Cheetah/Cheetal light utility helicopter74 Airbus Helicopters/HAL SA-316B /319 Chetak light utility helicopter

■ indian army aviation73+151 ordered HAL Dhruv ALH light utility helicopter114 ordered HAL LCH attack helicopter20+40 ordered HAL Rudra ALH-WSI attack helicopter4 Airbus Helicopters/HAL SA-316/SE3160 Chetak/Chetan light utility helicopter39 Airbus Helicopters/HAL SA-315B Cheetah/Cheetal/Lancer light utility/light attack helicopter

Dassault Aviation delivered the first two upgraded Mirage 2000I/TI fighters to the Indian Air Force in March 2015. Another 47 aircraft are being upgraded by HAL in India © Dassault Aviation

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new fighter type.15 BAE Systems Hawk 209 fighter3 Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft1+2 ordered Airbus CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft18 Lockheed Martin C-130B/H and L-100 turboprop freighters (four aircraft)14+1 ordered Airbus C-295 turboprop freighter3 Fokker F-27 turboprop transport8+5 planned Airbus C-212 turboprop freighter2 Pilatus PC-6 turboprop transport1 Lockheed Martin KC-130B tanker1+5 ordered Airbus Helicopters H-225M combat search and rescue helicopter20 Airbus Helicopters AS-332/ SA-330 medium-lift utility helicopter4 Airbus Helicopters BO-105 light utility helicopter11 Airbus Helicopters EC-120 training helicopter16 Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 lead-in jet trainer. This aircraft has replaced the BAE Systems Hawk Mk.53 lead-in jet trainer previously in service.5 BAE Systems Hawk Mk.109 lead-in jet trainer18 Grob G120TP turboprop trainer. Aircraft replacing the Hawker Beechcraft T-34C Mentor turboprop trainer and FFA/ SIAI-Marchetti AS/SA 202-18A3 Bravo piston-engine transport.14+2 ordered KAI KT-1 piston-engine trainer18 Aermacchi SF-260 piston-engine trainer15 Hawker Beechcraft T-34C turboprop trainer

■ IndonesIan army6 Airbus C-212 turboprop freighter1 Britten Norman BN-2 piston-engine transport1 Aero Commander 680FL piston-engine transport8 Boeing AH-64E Guardian attack helicopter. $500 million deal in cluding pilot training, radars and maintenance.5 Mil Mi-35 attack helicopter1+11 on order Airbus Helicopters AS-355/550 light utility helicopter11 Bell Helicopters 205/UH-1D medium-lift utility helicopter41 Bell Helicopters 412 medium-lift utility helicopter20 Airbus Helicopters BO-105 light utility helicopter11+6 ordered Mil Mi-17 medium-lift utility helicopter7 Airbus Helicopters SA-316 light utility helicopter14 Schweizer S-300C light utility helicopter14 Airbus Helicopters EC-120B training helicopter

■ IndonesIan navy6 Airbus C-212 maritime patrol aircraft5 Airbus CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft8 Beech Bonanza piston-engine

aircraft5 Gulfstream IV turbofan transport13 Hawker Beechcraft 400 turbofan transport2 Nihon Aircraft YS-11 turboprop transport 16 Boeing CH-47J heavy-lift helicopter35+40 ordered Sikorsky S-70/UH-60J medium- lift utility helicopter13 Hawker 400 turbofan transport/ trainer48 Fuji T-3 piston-engine trainer201 Kawasaki T-4 lead-in jet trainer3 Nihon Aircraft YS-11 turboprop transport/trainer

■ Japan Ground self-defence force7 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 turboprop transport2 Mitsubishi MU-2 turboprop transport88 Bell Helicopters AH-1S attack helicopter13 Boeing AH-64D attack helicopter58 Boeing CH-47J/JA heavy-lift helicopter106 MD Helicopters MD-500/OH-6D reconnaissance helicopter38 (up to 112 planned) Kawasaki OH-1 reconnaissance helicopter34 Sikorsky S-70/UH-60J medium- lift utility helicopter153 Bell Helicopters UH-1H/J medium-lift utility helicopter17 ordered Bell-Boeing CV-22B tilt-rotor12+8 ordered Enstrom 480 training helicopter3 Airbus Helicopters EC-225 transport helicopter

■ Japan marItIme self-defence force4 Lockheed Martin EP-3C Orion special missions aircraft5+60 ordered Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft78 Lockheed Martin OP/P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft2 ShinMaywa US-1 search and rescue amphibian5 ShinMaywa US-2 maritime patrol amphibian. Replacing the older US-1 (see above).1+5 on order Lockheed Martin KC-130R tur boprop freighter. Former US Marine Corps aircraft.5 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 90 turboprop transport3 Lockheed Martin UP-3C/D Ori on turboprop transport3 NAMC YS-11 turboprop transport4 Learjet 35 turbofan transport7+7 ordered AgustaWestland AW-101 naval support helicopter3 Airbus Helicopters/Kawasaki BK-117 medium-lift utility helicopter 8 Sikorsky MH-53E mine counter measures helicopter114 Sikorsky S-70/SH/UH-60J/K naval support helicopter12+3 ordered Airbus Helicopters EC-135 training helicopter27 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 90 turboprop trainer5 MD Helicopters MD-500 training helicopter41 Fuji T-5 trainer

■ notes: With an increased military budget available, Japan has set about increasing the capabilities of its air arms as it seeks to counter an increasingly belligerent People's Republic of China. In early 2016 it was expected that the Mitsubishi ATD-X, a technology demonstrator that is intended to inform development of a future fifth-generation fighter for the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF), tentatively dubbed the F-3, would complete its first flight. In the meantime, the F-35A will be inducted as a replacement for the F/RF-4EJ, while other new equip-ment includes the C-2 tactical freighter and P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, the Bell-Boeing CV-22B tilt-rotor (for which Japan is the first foreign customer), and the RQ-4B Global

transport24 GAF Nomad 22/24 maritime patrol aircraft9+1 ordered Airbus C-212 turboprop freighter1 Airbus Helicopters AS-332 naval support helicopter11 ordered Airbus Helicopters AS-565MBe Panther naval support helicopter 7 Bell Helicopters 412 naval support helicopter6 Airbus Helicopters BO-105 naval support helicopter4 Airbus Helicopters EC-120 naval support and training helicopter

■ notes: The Indonesian Air Force continues to focus on the introduction of a new fighter to replace the ageing F-5E/F fleet. In January 2014 it was reported that Indone-sia was seeking 16 fighters worth an estimated $1 billion to replace the F-5E/Fs. Among the types under examination are the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale-B/C, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, Saab JAS-39C/D/E/F Gripen and the Sukhoi Su-35. In September 2014 Saab announced that it was offering a 100 percent tech-nology transfer to Jakarta, should it decide on the JAS-39C/D/E/F as its new fighter. Looking further ahead, Indonesia has secured a stake in the Republic of Korea’s KFX fighter programme. Under an agreement signed in late 2015, Indo-nesia will fund 20 percent of development costs for the KFX, worth $1.5 billion. Ultimately, Indonesia plans to buy 50 KFX aircraft once the aircraft enters production in 2026. Please see the Asia-Pacific Procurement Update article in this issue for more information on the KFX programme.

Japan■ Japan aIr self defence force68 Mitsubishi F-2A/B fighters. Total includes 16 two-seat F-2B for training.71 McDonnell Douglas F/RF-4EJ fighters39 ordered Lockheed Martin F-35A Light ning-II fighters. Initial deliveries are scheduled for 2016.199 McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15J fighters. Total includes 45 two-seat F-15DJ aircraft. Twelve aircraft upgraded in 2014.4 Boeing E-767 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft3 Hawker 800 calibration aircraft1 Kawasaki C-1 special missions aircraft13+4 ordered Northrop Grumman E-2C AEW aircraft. Four aircraft ordered in December 2015.7 Nihon Aircraft YS-11 special missions aircraft3 ordered Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)1 Lockheed Martin KC-130H tanker4+3 ordered Boeing KC-767 tanker. The three aircraft on order will be KC-46A Pegasus tankers.2 Boeing 747-400 turbofan transport 25 Kawasaki C-1A tactical turbofan freighter20 ordered Kawasaki C-2 tactical turbofan freighter15 Lockheed Martin C-130H turboprop freighter27 Hawker 800 search and rescue

The F-2 was procured to fulfil the Support Fighter role in JASDF service, and although capable of both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, it was optimised for offensive missions with a primary role of protecting Japan’s sea lanes © Lockheed Martin

Representing one of three such aircraft that are unique to Indonesia, the pictured jet is an example of the Su-27SKM, all of which were delivered in 2010. They serve alongside two Su-27SKs received in 2003, two multi-role Su-30MKKs delivered in 2003 and nine Su-30MK2s delivered in 2008-13 © Australian Department of Defence

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Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), three examples of which are on order. In direct response to Chinese mili-tary actions in the region, Japan's Ministry of Defence has launched plans to expand airborne early warning capa-bilities and to relocate fighters to critical bases.

Laos■ Lao PeoPLe’s Liberation army air Force1 Antonov An-74 tactical turbofan freighter1 Antonov An-26 turboprop transport4 Xian MA60 turboprop transport10 Antonov An-2 piston-engine transport3+21 ordered Ilyushin Il-103 piston-engine trainer6 Kamov Ka-32 medium-lift utility helicopter16 Mil Mi-8/17 medium-lift utility helicopter4 Bell Helicopters UH-1H light utility helicopter4 Harbin Z-9 light utility helicopter

MaLaysia■ royaL maLaysian air Force9 Northrop Grumman F-5E/F fighter. Total includes three F-5F trainers.8 Boeing F/A-18D fighter13 BAE Systems Hawk Mk.208 ground attack aircraft10 Mikoyan MiG-29N/NUB fighter. Russia has offered to modernise the MiG-29 fleet, which would bring them up to a standard similar to the MiG-29UPG upgrade for India (see above).18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter4 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 maritime patrol aircraft4 Lockheed Martin KC-130H tanker1+3 ordered Airbus A400M strategic turboprop freighter. The Royal Malaysian Air Force received its first A400M in 2015, after a two-year delay in delivery. 10 Lockheed Martin C-130H turboprop freighter6 Airbus CN-235 turboprop freighter12 Airbus Helicopters EC-725 medium-lift utility helicopter27 Sikorsky S-61 Nuri medium-lift utility helicopter. A proportion of the fleet is being outfitted for counter-insurgency operations for transfer to the army.2+4 planned Sikorsky S-70 medium-lift utility helicopter. An additional four aircraft expected to be donated by Brunei-Darussalam (see above).15 Airbus Helicopters SA-316 light utility helicopter6 BAE Systems Hawk Mk.108 lead-in jet trainer2 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 turboprop trainer8 Alenia Aermacchi MB-339 lead- in jet trainer/light attack aircraft49 Pilatus PC-7/PC-7 Mk.II turboprop trainer

■ royaL maLaysian army air corPs10 AgustaWestland AW-109 light utility helicopter12 Sikorsky S-61 Nuri medium-lift utility helicopter. Outfitted for

counter-insurgency operations.6 MD Helicopters MD-530G light attack helicopter

■ royaL maLaysian navy6 AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 naval support helicopter6 Airbus Helicopters AS-555 naval support helicopter

■ notes: The Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (RMAF/Royal Malaysian Air Force) has a long-standing require-ment for 18 fighters to replace its obsolete MiG-29N fleet, which was once due to be retired in 2015. This could be fulfilled by either the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale-B/C, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS-39C/D/E/F Gripen or Sukhoi Su-30. In the meantime, as well as a proposed upgrade for the MiG-29N/NUB fight-er, the RMAF has embarked on an upgrade for its F/A-18D fighters, adding new weapons and targeting pods. By March 2015 the first six aircraft had been upgraded. Further priorities for the RMAF include procurement of an airborne early warning platform and additional PC-7 Mk.II trainers.

New ZeaLaNd■ royaL new ZeaLand air Force6 Lockheed Martin P-3K2 mari time patrol aircraft2 Boeing 757-200 turbofan transport5 Lockheed Martin C-130H turboprop freighter5 AgustaWestland AW-109 light utility helicopter8 NH Industries NH-90 medium-lift utility helicopter8 Kaman SH-2G naval support helicopter. Operated on behalf of Royal New Zealand Navy. To be declared fully operational in 2016.8 Bell Helicopters UH-1H medium- lift utility helicopter4 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 turboprop trainer11 Hawker Beechcraft T-6C turboprop trainer

PakistaN■ Pakistan air Force185 Chengdu F-7P/PG fighter76 General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighter, comprising 58 F-16A/B and 18 F-16C/D.65+85 planned PAC/Chengdu JF-17 Thunder fighter. JF-17 Block-1 deliveries were completed after 50 deliveries. The next 50 JF-17s are being built to Block-2 standard. A total of 150 aircraft are currently on order. All will eventually be upgraded to Block-2 status.69 Dassault Mirage-IIIEP/OF/RP fighter. Expected to remain in service until 2017.84 Dassault Mirage-5EF/F/PA fighter. The fleet will be replaced with the Chengdu JF-17 by 2017 (see above).2 Dassault Falcon 20/200 special missions aircraft4 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 reconnaissance aircraft4 Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning (AEW)4 Shaanxi ZDK-03 AEW aircraft4 Ilyushin Il-78MK tanker16 Lockheed Martin C-130B/E and L-100 turboprop freighter4 Airbus CN-235 turboprop freighter1 Saab 2000 turboprop transport 2 Harbin Y-12 turboprop transport1 Airbus A310-300 turbofan transport 1 Boeing 707-320 turbofan transport1 Cessna Citation-V turbofan transport4 Gulfstream IV turbofan transport4 Embraer Phenom-100 turbofan transport5 Bell Helicopters 205 medium-lift utility helicopter

1 Bell Helicopters 412 medium-lift utility helicopter45 Mil Mi-171 medium-lift utility helicopter1 Airbus Helicopters SA-330 light utility helicopter10 Airbus Helicopters SE-3160 light utility helicopter17 Dassault Mirage-IIIBE/D/DP conversion trainer2 Dassault Mirage-5DPA conversion trainer25 Shenyang FT-5 combat trainer9 Shenyang FT-6 combat trainer 9 Chengdu FT-7 combat trainer 60 PAC/Hongdu K-8 Karakorum light attack/lead-in jet trainer10 Aérospatiale SA-316 training helicopter40 Cessna T-37B/C turboprop trainer149 PAC MFI-17 piston-engine trainer ■ Pakistan army aviation corPs1 Citation Bravo turbofan transport1 Citation Citation-V turbofan transport1 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 turboprop transport2 Aero Commander piston-engine transport2 Harbin Y-12 turboprop transport51 Bell Helicopters AH-1F attack helicopter15 planned Bell Helicopters AH-1Z attack helicopter3 Changhe Z-10 attack helicopter. Initial batch for evaluation, with a view to a potential order for 20 aircraft.23+4 ordered Airbus Helicopters AS-550 light utility helicopter19 Bell Helicopters 206 medium-lift utility helicopter30+2 ordered Bell Helicopters 412 medium-lift utility helicopter. A further 40 are planned for order.49 Mil Mi-17/171 medium-lift utility helicopter1 Bell Helicopters UH-1H medium- lift utility helicopter18 Airbus Helicopters SA-315 light utility helicopter14 Airbus Helicopters SA-316 light utility helicopter45 Airbus Helicopters SA-330 medium-lift utility helicopter12 Schweizer 269 training helicopter

■ Pakistan navaL air arm7 Lockheed Martin P-3C maritime patrol aircraft5 Fokker F-27 maritime patrol aircraft4 Hawker 850 maritime patrol aircraft10 Airbus Helicopters SA-316/319 naval support helicopter6 AgustaWestland Sea King Mk.45 naval support helicopter12 Harbin Z-9 naval support helicopter2 Mil Mi-14 naval support helicopter3 ATR 72 turboprop transport

■ notes: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) continues to induct the locally-built JF-17 Thunder fighter to replace older equipment. At the same time, reports indicate that the PAF hopes to induct a future new fighter as a ‘high-end’ complement to the ‘low-end’ JF-17. In late 2015 it was reported that Pakistan was in talks with Russia regard-ing an undisclosed number of Sukhoi Su-35 fighters. At the same time there were indications that Washington DC might be willing to deliver another batch of F-16C/D fighters. (Please see the Asia-Pacific Procurement Update article in this issue for more information on this acquisition). Pakistan is also currently seeking new attack helicopters, and has taken on charge a small batch of Changhe Z-10s for evaluation purposes. The Mi-35 is also to be evaluated. In August 2015 a contract was signed by the US Depart-ment of Defence for an undisclosed number of AH-1Z Vi-per attack helicopters. Previously, Pakistan expressed its intention to acquire 15 of the aircraft.

As launch customer for the Airbus A400M freighter in the Asia-Pacific region, Malaysia received the first of four examples in March 2015. The country joined the A400M programme in 2005 © Airbus

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PeoPle’s RePublic of china■ PeoPle’s liberation army air Force80 Xian H-6 strategic bomber388 Chengdu J-7 air superiority fighter208 Shenyang J-8 air superiority fighter. Also includes a number of reconnaissance variants.250 Chengdu J-10A/B/S fighter24 planned Sukhoi Su-35 fighter. Deal confirmed by Russia in December 2015306 Shenyang J-11A/B and Sukhoi Su-27SK/Su-30MKK fighter. The J-11A is a Chinese-assembled Sukhoi Su-27SK fighter, while the J-11B is an upgraded Chinese-built 4.5-generation fighter. Total also includes 70 advanced Russian-made Su-30MKK fighters.12? Shenyang J-16 fighter-bomber. The J-16 is a Chinese equivalent to the two-seat Su-30MKK fighter, optimised for the strike role. 100 Xian JH-7 ground attack aircraft118 Nanchang Q-5 ground attack aircraft5 Xian KJ-2000 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft5 Shaanxi KJ-200 AEW 1 Shaanxi KJ-500 AEW 6 Tupolev Tu-154 turbofan transport, including three passenger Tu-154M and three reconnaissance variants13 Boeing 737-300/700/800 turbofan transport. Also includes two aircraft configured for Command and Control (C2)

70 Harbin Z-9 medium-lift utility helicopter91+30 Changhe Z-10 attack helicopter105 Harbin Z-19 attack helicopter46 Changhe Z-11 light utility helicopter1 Airbus Helicopters AS-350 light utility helicopter93+57 ordered Airbus Helicopters EC-120 light utility helicopter

■ PeoPle’s liberation army naval air Force14 Xian H-6 strategic bomber18 Xian Y-7 turboprop freighter16 Shaanxi Y-8 special missions aircraft14 Shaanxi Y-8 turboprop transport16 Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance and maritime patrol aircraft30 Chengdu J-7 air superiority fighter47 Shenyang J-8 air superiority fighter16 Shenyang J-15 carrier-based air superiority fighter24 Shenyang J-11BH fighter24 Chengdu J-10 fighter120 Xian JH-7 fighter30 Nanchang Q-5 ground attack aircraft24 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter3 Harbin SH-5 SAR turboprop amphibian3 Shaanxi KJ-200 AEW1 Shaanxi KJ-500 AEW2 Yakovlev Yak-42 turbofan transport19 Kamov Ka-28 naval support helicopter9 Kamov Ka-31 naval support helicopter55 Changhe Z-8 SAR helicopter34 Harbin Z-9 medium-lift utility

duties.1 Airbus A319 turbofan transport.61 Shaanxi Y-8/Y-9 turboprop transport17 Shaanxi Y-8 special missions aircraft (electronic intelligence, electronic warfare and C2)14+7 planned Ilyushin Il-76 strategic turbofan freighter1+2 planned Ilyushin Il-78 tanker20 Xian H-6U tanker50 Xian Y-7 turboprop transport12 Antonov An-26 turboprop transport1 Antonov An-30 aerial survey aircraft10 Bombardier Challenger 800/870 turbofan transport170 Hongdu JL-8 lead-in jet trainer20+ planned Guizhou JL-9 lead-in jet trainer120 Guizhou JJ-7 lead-in jet trainer350 Nanchang CJ-6 piston-engine trainer20 Mil Mi-17V-7 medium-lift utility helicopter24 Changhe Z-8 utility/Search And Rescue (SAR) helicopter42 Harbin Z-9 medium-lift utility helicopter7 Airbus Helicopters AS-332/ EC-225 Super Puma medium-lift utility helicopter

■ PeoPle’s liberation army Ground Force7 Xian Y-7 turboprop transport3 Shaanxi Y-8 turboprop freighter242 Mil Mi-8/17/171 medium-lift utility helicopter20 Sikorsky S-70 medium-lift utility helicopter53 Changhe Z-8 heavy-lift helicopter

The world meeting of naval technologies for the future

25thEDITION

WWW.EURONAVAL.FR

OCTOBER

17th 21st 2016PARIS LE BOURGET

Jocelyn de Virel Sales manager

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A i rP o w e r


helicopter 5 Changhe Z-18 naval support helicopter5 Shenyang JJ-5 lead-in jet trainer14 Shenyang JJ-6 lead-in jet trainer12 Guizhou JL-9 lead-in jet trainer11 Hongdu JL-8 lead-in jet trainer 21 Xian Y-7 trainer/turboprop transport38 Nanchang CJ-6 piston-engine trainer8 Mil Mi-8 medium-lift utility helicopter

■ Notes: In the past two years, barely a month has passed without the appearance, typically in the form of ‘amateur’ photographs leaked on Chinese websites, of a new Chi-nese military aircraft design, or a new version of an exist-ing type. While the prototypes of the People’s Republic of China's (PRC) fifth-generation fighters, the Chengdu J-20 and the Shenyang J-31 have received the most attention, the country has meanwhile been working on modernising all aspects of its three flying branches, expanding domestic production of aircraft and associated weapons and equip-ment, while increasing capabilities in an effort to keep pace with the other leading air powers. In late December 2015 the first images appeared of what is apparently a first production, or at least low-rate production, J-20, which fol-lowed eight flying prototypes. Modernisation of the J-10 and J-11 continues, and the latest production versions of the Chinese ‘Flanker’ include the carrier-based J-15 and the J-16, a two-seat fighter analogous to the Russian Su-30MK. The appearance of the Xian Y-20 strategic turbofan freighter (five prototypes flying as of January 2016) looks set to fill a critical gap in the PRC's airlift capabilities, while the Y-9 turboprop transport will eventually displace the Y-8. Electronic warfare capabilities, once neglected by the PRC, are being addressed by new platforms including a dedicated EW version of the J-16, first sighted in December 2015. In terms of rotary-wing aircraft, the Changhe Z-10 at-tack helicopter and Harbin Z-19 scout and reconnaissance helicopter are now established in service and look set to be joined by new versions of the Changhe Z-18 medium-lift rotorcraft, as well as a Chinese equivalent of the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk medium-lift utility helicopter, the Harbin Z-20, which first flew in December 2013, and the smaller Harbin Z-15, a development of the Airbus Helicopters EC-175 that could replace the earlier Z-9 and Russian-made Mi-17 series in Chinese service.

PhiliPPines■ PhiliPPiNe Air Force2+10 ordered Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50PH fighter. Two delivered by the end of 2015, the other ten to be delivered by 2017.3 SIAI-Marchetti AS-211 Warrior light attack aircraft10 Rockwell International OV-10 light attack aircraft10 Alenia Aermacchi SF-260 light attack aircraft1 Fokker F-27-200MAR maritime patrol aircraft1 Aero Commander maritime patrol aircraft1 Cessna Centurion rainmaking aircraft3+2 ordered Lockheed Martin C-130H/B/T turboprop freighter 2 Fokker F-27-200/500F turboprop transport1 Fokker F-28 turbofan transport 3 GAF Nomad 22 turboprop transport3 ordered Airbus C-295 turboprop freighter

2 ordered Airbus C-212 turboprop freighter4 ordered Airbus Helicopters AS-550 light utility helicopter8 AgustaWestland AW-109 Power light utility helicopter8 Bell Helicopters 205 medium-lift utility helicopter25 MD Helicopters MD-520MG light attack helicopter1+5 ordered Bell Helicopters 212/214 medium-lift utility helicopter1 Sikorsky S-70A medium-lift utility helicopter10 Sikorsky S-76A/AUH-76A medium-lift utility helicopter42+1 ordered Bell Helicopters UH-1H/HP medium-lift utility helicopter19 Bell Helicopters 412/UH-1D medium-lift utility helicopter7 PLZ W-3 Sokol search and rescue helicopter3 SIAI-Marchetti S-211 lead-in jet trainer20 Alenia Aermacchi SF-260 lead-in jet trainer

■ PhiliPPiNe NAvy AviAtioN6 Britten Norman BN-2 maritime patrol aircraft4 Airbus Helicopters BO-105 light utility helicopter5 AgustaWestland AW-109 naval support helicopter4 Cessna 172 Skyhawk piston- engine trainer1 Robinson R22 training helicopter

RePublic of KoRea■ rePublic oF KoreA Air Force71 McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-4E fighter194 Northrop Grumman F-5E/F fighter. Total includes 36 two-seat F-5F aircraft.59 Boeing F-15K fighter169 Lockheed Martin F-16C fighter. Total includes 51 two-seat F-16D fighters.40 ordered Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning-II fighter. Deliveries for 40 aircraft will begin in 2018. Options exist for the purchase of 20 additional airframes.20 + 40 ordered Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50 fighter. The new FA-50s will replace the Northrop Grumman F-5E/F fleet, which will be retired by 2019.4 Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning aircraft4 ordered Dassault Falcon 2000LX/S reconnaissance aircraft8 Hawker 800 reconnaissance aircraft4 ordered Airbus A330-200 MRTT multi-role tanker transport1 Boeing 747 turbofan transport1 Boeing 737 turbofan transport12 Lockheed Martin C-130H turboprop freighter4 Lockheed Martin C-130J turboprop freighter18+6 ordered Airbus CN-235 turboprop freighter3 Airbus Helicopters AS-332 medium-lift utility helicopter3 Bell Helicopters 412 medium-lift utility helicopter5 Boeing CH-47D heavy-lift helicopter7 Kamov Ka-32 medium-lift utility helicopter25 MD Helicopters MD-500 light utility helicopter29 Sikorsky HH-60P medium-lift utility helicopter3 Sikorsky S-92 medium-lift transport helicopter20 Ilyushin Il-103 piston- engine trainer23 ordered KAI KC-100 piston-engine trainer. To replace Il-103.

106 Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1 turboprop trainer58 Korea Aerospace Industries T-50/B lead-in jet trainer22 Korea Aerospace Industries TA-50 lead-in jet trainer

■ rePublic oF KoreA Army1 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 90 transport aircraft77 Bell Helicopters AH-1J/S attack helicopter36 ordered Boeing AH-64E attack helicopter12 Airbus Helicopters BO-105 light utility helicopter23 Boeing CH-47D heavy-lift helicopter252 MD Helicopters MD-500 light utility helicopter68 Sikorsky S-70/UH-60L/P medium-lift utility helicopter48+210 planned Korea Aerospace Industries KUH-1 Surion medium-lift utility helicopter91 Bell Helicopters UH-1H medium-lift utility helicopter

■ rePublic oF KoreA NAvy16 Lockheed Martin P-3C/CK maritime patrol aircraft18 planned Lockheed Martin S-3B maritime patrol aircraft5 Reims F406 Caravan-II turboprop transport23 AgustaWestland Lynx Mk.99/99A naval support helicopter4+4 ordered AgustaWestland AW-159 naval support helicopter8 Sikorsky UH-60P naval support helicopter5 Airbus Helicopters SA-319 naval support helicopter14 Bell Helicopters UH-1H naval support helicopter30 ordered Korea Aerospace Industries KUH-1 Surion medium-lift utility helicopter

■ rePublic oF KoreA mAriNe corPs22+18 ordered Korea Aerospace Industries KUH-1 Surion medium-lift utility helicopter

■ Notes: A major milestone in the Korea Fighter Ex-perimental (KFX) programme was the issuing of a devel-opment contract to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in December 2015. This will see KAI undertake full-scale development of the twin-engined, fifth-generation fighter for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoAF) and the In-donesian Air Force (see above) between 2016 and 2026. Deliveries are also scheduled to begin in 2026. The KFX is an ambitious programme that seeks to field a fighter with a low radar cross section of approximately the same size as the Eurofighter Typhoon. In the meantime, Seoul has elected to buy 40 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning-II fifth-generation fighters under the FX-III programme. The first deliveries should occur in 2018. The RoKAF had originally intended to buy 60 fighters under FX-III to re-place the F-4E. Other important acquisition programmes for the RoKAF will see the introduction of a new tanker in the form of the Airbus A330-200 MRTT, and the Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk UAV, four of which are on order. In terms of upgrades, current plans call for 134 F-16C/Ds to be modernised at a cost of $1.2 billion. The centrepiece of this effort will be a new radar, as well as a new electronic warfare suite, updated cockpit and a Link-16 datalink.

singaPoRe■ rePublic oF siNgAPore Air Force27 Northrop Grumman F-5S fighter32+8 ordered Boeing F-15SG fighter60 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighter. Aircraft due for upgrade.5 Fokker F-50 maritime patrol aircraft4 Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft5 Lockheed Martin KC-130B/H tanker4 Boeing KC-135R tanker6 ordered Airbus A330-200 MRTT

A Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) F-16D Block-52 fighter takes off from Eielson airbase, Alaska, during the RED FLAG ALASKA air combat exercise in 2015. From an original total of 180 F-16C/Ds, the RoKAF maintains a current fleet of 169 aircraft © USAF

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In late 2007 Royal Thai Air Force signed contracts to acquire twelve Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen fighters and two Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning aircraft (pictured) plus a standard Saab 340 transport to act as a pilot trainer and utility aircraft ©Saab

AMr

multi-role tanker transport5 Lockheed Martin C-130H turboprop transport4 Fokker F-50 turboprop transport17 Boeing AH-64D attack helicopter32 Airbus Helicopters AS-332/532 medium-lift utility helicopter16 Boeing CH-47SD heavy-lift helicopter6+2 ordered Sikorsky S-70B naval support helicopter. Operated on behalf of the Republic of Singapore Navy.5 Airbus Helicopters EC-120 training helicopter9 Northrop Grumman F-5T lead-in jet trainer12 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 lead-in jet trainer19 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop transport

■ Notes: Singapore’s plan to upgrade its Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighters was approved by the US De-partment of State in May 2015. Under a $130 million programme, the aircraft will receive new weapons as well as helmet-mounted sights, identification friend or foe equipment and other upgrades to permit operation of the fleet until around 2030. Singapore is also bolstering its F-15SG fleet, from the previously reported 24 aircraft, to 40, based on Boeing’s financial statements. Looking to the future, Singapore is a candidate to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning-II fighter, with perhaps as many as 75 eventually replacing the F-5S and F-16C/D fleets. For more information regarding Singaporean defence procurement, please see Alex Calvo’s Survival Instinct article in this issue.

Sri Lanka■ sri LaNkaN air Force7 Chengdu F-7BS/GS fighter9 Israel Aerospace Industries Kfir C2/C7/TC2 fighter6 Mikoyan MiG-27M ground- attack aircraft2 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 maritime patrol aircraft5 Antonov An-32 turboprop freighter2 Lockheed Martin C-130K turboprop freighter2+2 ordered Xian MA60 turboprop transport9 Harbin Y-12 turboprop transport4 Bell Helicopters 206 medium-lift utility helicopter10 Bell Helicopters 212 medium-lift utility helicopter8 Bell Helicopters 412 medium-lift utility helicopter15 Mil Mi-17/171 medium-lift utility helicopter 9 Mil Mi-24/35 attack helicopter1 Mikoyan MiG-23UB combat trainer1 Guizhou FT-7 lead-in jet trainer5 Hongdu K-8 lead-in jet trainer/ light attack aircraft

Taiwan■ repubLic oF chiNa air Force48 Northrop Grumman F/RF-5E fighter. Total includes 25 two-seat F-5F.144 Lockheed Martin F-16A fighter. Total includes 28 two-seat F-16B. Being upgraded to F-16V standard with the AN/APG-83 radar.56 Dassault Mirage-2000-5EI fighter. Total includes nine two-seat Mirage-2000-5DI.127 Aerospace Industrial Develop- ment Corporation F-CK-1A/C fighter. Total includes 25 two-seat F-CK-1B/D.2 Beechcraft 1900 turboprop reconnaissance aircraft1 Lockheed Martin C-130H special missions aircraft6 Northrop Grumman E-2K Airborne Early Warning aircraft4 Lockheed Martin P-3C maritime patrol aircraft11 Northrop Grumman S-2T maritime patrol aircraft19 Lockheed Martin C-130H

turboprop freighter1 Boeing 737 transport1 Fokker 50 turboprop transport6 ordered Alenia Aermacchi C-27J turboprop transport3 Airbus Helicopters EC-225 medium-lift utility helicopter13 Sikorsky S-70/UH-60A medium-lift utility helicopter50 Aerospace Industrial Develop- ment Corporation AT-3A/B lead-in jet trainer37 Beechcraft T-34C turboprop trainer

■ repubLic oF chiNa army61 Bell Helicopters AH-1W attack helicopter29 Boeing AH-64E attack helicopter8 Boeing CH-47SD heavy-lift helicopter38 Bell Helicopters OH-58 reconnaissance helicopter40 Bell Helicopters UH-1H utility helicopter45+15 ordered Sikorsky UH-60M medium-lift utility helicopter12 Bell Helicopters 206 training helicopter

■ repubLic oF chiNa Navy9 MD Helicopters MD-500 naval support helicopter19 Sikorsky S-70C naval support helicopter

8 Bell Helicopters 412 medium-lift utility helicopter6 Airbus Helicopters EC-725 medium-lift utility helicopter18 Bell Helicopters UH-1H medium-lift utility helicopter5 Diamond DA42 piston- engine trainer34 Aero L-39 lead-in jet trainer4 ordered Korea Aerospace Industries T-50TH lead-in jet trainer22 Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainer

■ royaL thai army2 Airbus C-212 turboprop freighter2 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 turboprop transport7 Bell Helicopters AH-1F attack helicopter8 Airbus Helicopters AS-550 utility/light-attack helicopter2+8 ordered AgustaWestland AW-139 medium-lift utility helicopter25 Bell Helicopters 206 medium-lift utility helicopter51 Bell Helicopters 212 medium-lift utility helicopter6 Boeing CH-47D heavy-lift helicopter6 ordered Airbus Helicopters UH-72A medium-lift utility helicopter3+2 ordered+1 planned Mil Mi-17 medium-lift utility helicopter12+4 ordered Sikorsky UH-60 medium-lift utility helicopter52 Bell Helicopters UH-1H light utility helicopter16 Enstrom 480 training helicopter44 Schweizer 269 training helicopter1 Robinson R44 training helicopter

■ royaL thai Navy7 Dornier Do-228 maritime patrol aircraft5 Fokker F-27 maritime patrol aircraft1 Lockheed Martin P-3T Orion maritime patrol aircraft1 Canadair/Bombardier CL-215 fire-fighting ampihibian3 GAF Nomad 24 turboprop transport9 Bell Helicopters 212/214 naval support helicopter5 ordered Eurocopter EC-645T2 light utility helicopter. Deliveries expected in 2016.8 Sikorsky S-70B/MH-60S naval support helicopter4 Sikorsky S-76 search and rescue helicopter2 AgustaWestland Super Lynx Mk.110 naval support helicopter

VieTnam■ vietNamese peopLe’s air Force144 Mikoyan MiG-21 fighter38 Sukhoi Su-22 ground attack aircraft35+12 ordered Sukhoi Su-27SK/UBK/30MK2V fighter. Deliveries of latest batch of 12 Su-30MK2V began in 2014.1 PZL M-28 maritime patrol aircraft30 Antonov An-26 turboprop transport3 Airbus C-295 turboprop transport2 Kamov Ka-32 medium-lift utility helicopter88 Mil Mi-8/17 medium-lift utility helicopter25 Mil Mi-25 attack helicopter15 Bell Helicopters UH-1H medium-lift utility helicopter26 Aero L-39 lead-in jet trainer

■ vietNamese peopLe’s Navy6 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Guardian 400 maritime patrol aircraft2 Airbus Helicopters EC-225 medium-lift utility helicopter8 Kamov Ka-28 naval support helicopter

ThaiLand■ royaL thai air Force19 Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet light-attack aircraft33 Northrop Grumman F-5E/F fighter. Total includes four two-seat F-5F.54 General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighter. Total includes 15 two-seat F-16B.12 Saab JAS-39C/D Gripen fighter. Total includes four two-seat JAS-39D.5 Diamond DA42 reconnaissance aircraft1 Learjet 35 survey aircraft1 ordered Piaggio P180 reconnaissance aircraft2 Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning aircraft 1 Boeing 737 turbofan transport1 Airbus A319 turbofan transport2 Israel Aerospace Industries Arava 201 turboprop freighter8 Basler BT-67 turboprop freighter12 Lockheed Martin C-130H turboprop freighter5 Hawker Siddeley/BAE Systems HS 748 turboprop transport1 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 90 turboprop transport14 GAF Nomad 22 turboprop transport16 Pilatus PC-6 piston-engine transport2 Saab 340 turboprop transport3 Sikorsky S-92 medium-lift utility helicopter


l a n dF o r c e s

However, despite such efforts to optimise lethality, mobility, protection and situational awareness for dismounted and mounted

soldiers on the battlefield, concerns continue to linger regarding potentially overburdening the soldier with the addition of body armour, reconnaissance technology and weapons. Programmes in this regard include the French Direction Générale de L’armement (DGA/ General Armaments Directorate) defence procurement agency, Fantassins à Équipements et Liaisons Intégrés (FELIN/Integrated Soldier Equipment) effort; the US Special Operations Command’s Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) and the US Army’s Nett Warrior; the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Future Soldier Vision (FSV) concept; Canada’s Integrated Soldier System (ISS) project; as well as numerous other efforts across Europe.

FELIN V2The DGA’s FELIN programme, designed in collaboration with Sagem, has proven

to be one of the most successful soldier modernisation efforts globally following extensive operational use with the Ar-mée de Terre (AdT/French Army) during recent and ongoing deployments to Af-ghanistan, the Central African Republic and Mali. The first version of FELIN is due to complete delivery of close to 19000 systems to the AdT in 2019 with more than 17 regiments currently equipped and operating the technology. The DGA is already considering future-proofing the technology, and in April 2015 awarded Sagem a contract of an undisclosed value to upgrade existing FELIN systems to the Version 1.3 (V1.3) standard following op-erational feedback from the armed forces. A Sagem spokesperson explained to AMR that this work would be centred around software improvements with particular emphasis on optimising FELIN’s utility in fire support roles such as enabling the system to support indirect fire including

by Andrew White

Despite mixed operational

success over recent years

and in light of ongoing

fiscal constraints, there

remains a number of

promising modern soldier

upgrade programmes

which could significantly

enhance the capabilities

of the next generation of

warriors.

SenSorS Working overtime

mortar teams, as well as sniper teams. These improvements will be performed as part of the AdT’s next generation Scor-pion Information and Combat System (SICS) programme, which is rolling out new Command and Control (C2) capa-bilities throughout the army by 2020.

Additional work will focus on reduc-ing size and weight parameters, with Sagem claiming this could amount to as much as 40 percent in reductions to the soldier’s burden. Deliveries of upgraded FELIN systems are due to be made to the French Army throughout 2016. This ini-tiative will take existing FELIN ensembles and upgrade them to the FELIN V1.3 sta-tus. “The FELIN V1.3 version will feature a new configuration designed to optimise the system’s observation and combat func-tions. Software upgrades will provide new services for specialised sharpshooter and mortar support units. It also offers a new carrying structure, along with lighter

The French Army’s FELIN ensemble has been one of the

first Infantry Soldier Systems to have entered service. Future

enhancements of FELIN are now well underway © Sagem

The French Army’s FELIN ensemble has been one of the

first Infantry Soldier Systems to have entered service. Future

enhancements of FELIN are now well underway © Sagem

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and more modular protective gear, thus improving soldier mobility while decreas-ing their visual signature,” the company spokesperson explained to AMR.

Furthermore, the DGA and Sagem are considering options to develop a new-build FELIN Version 2 (V2) which, according to industry sources, will con-centrate on the integration of enhanced reconnaissance systems as well as optical weapon sights, Image Intensification (I2) and Thermal Imaging (TI)/Infrared (IR) systems. The French armed forces can ex-pect to begin to receive operational vari-ants of the upgraded system by circa 2020, the spokesperson added.

BENELUXElsewhere in Europe, the BENELUX (Bel-gium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) countries have joined forces to collectively enhance the capabilities available to their respective armed forces with regards to so-called ‘smart vest’ technology. Smart Vests include a soldier’s communications, torso ballistic protection, computers and accompanying battery packs in a single garment. On 2 July 2015, the countries signed a $150 million contract with Israeli company Elbit Systems for the delivery of 5500 smart vests featuring integrated re-connaissance and C2 technology includ-ing End User Devices (EUD: these can encompass anything from a smartphone, a head-up display or any electronic tool which a soldier would use to view data); batteries and a Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter; all of which can be con-nected to a vehicles’ electronics and C2 systems as and when required.

A spokesperson for Elbit explained to AMR that an initial tranche of 80 vests will be delivered to the BENELUX armed

forces for an evaluation programme expected to be initiated in 2016 and completed in 2017. The smart vest is based on Elbit’s Dominator integrated infantry combat system which is currently in service with the Israeli De-fence Force (IDF) and the Australian Army. The company spokes-person explained that

“asymmetric warfare, low-intensity conflicts and special operations have redefined the modern battlefield for the dismount-ed soldier. Complex urban and under-ground terrain, the threat of friendly fire and the brief lifespan of targets all require a superior level of situation awareness.” They added that, “in order to achieve a clear and accurate understanding of the battlefield, all systems and units must have continuous connectivity. Enhanced C2 processes promote improved real-time decision-making, minimising the time from event to reaction. The appropriate use of selected information by the vari-ous echelons, along with proper coordi-nation, significantly improves the lethal-ity, survivability and manoeuvrability of the fighting force.”

The Dominator system is designed to be used at the lowest tactical level, that of the individual soldier, and can be net-worked up to battalion headquarters for C2. It is designed to shorten the ‘sensor-to-shooter loop’ which encompasses the positive identification of a target through to the delivery of kinetic effects. The Dom-inator ensemble comprise Coral-CR TI bin-oculars, a Head-Up Display (HUD) with eyepiece, tactical computer, GPS tracking device integrated into a planning display EUD, a modular load carrying vest, and a radio designed to provide a real-time operational picture, send and receive live target and mission data as well as Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) gathered by the soldier. The HUD can be config-ured into a helmet-mounted or handheld display, providing access to modular C2 applications including high-resolution IMINT and full-motion video feeds. The Dominator’s planning unit comprises a 203.2 millimetre/mm (eight-inch) dis-play allowing the user to view battlefield maps and accompanying C2 infor-mation. The screen itself uses a glare- resistant liquid crystal display with

an anti-reflective coating for operation during daylight hours. The Domi- nator’s power pack comprises a recharge-able power source equipped with a status indicator.

The Coral-CR TI binoculars operate in the 3-5 micron medium wave IR range, which can be used for day and night operations and in tandem with target acquisition systems including laser des-ignators. These binoculars can also be networked to other Dominator systems for the automatic transmission and re-ceipt of target information and include an integrated compass, GPS transmitter and laser rangefinder. All the elements of the Dominator suite are brought to-gether using its Fighting Load Vest. “The Dominator’s modular approach allows the components to be tailored to a specific doctrine. System variants include senior commanders, team leaders, forward ob-servers, snipers, special weapons opera-tors and riflemen,” Elbit’s spokesperson explained while illustrating how the sys-tem can be integrated with legacy tactical communications, unmanned ground ve-hicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other reconnaissance platforms.

It is unclear what this decision to ac-quire Dominator ensembles for evaluation in the BENELUX countries means for the individual soldier system programmes in these nations which include Belgium’s Soldier Transformation (BEST) project, the Netherland’s Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaat Systeem (VOSS/Improved Opera-tional Soldier System) effort, and Luxem-bourg’s Cooperative Modernisation Pro-gramme of the Army for a Soldier System (COMPASS) concept.

UKElsewhere in Europe, the United King-dom’s MoD continues to drive forward its Future Soldier Vision, which aims to

The modernisation of the French Army’s FELIN soldier system forms a key component of the force’s overall Scorpion command and control enhancement that the army is planning © Sagem

The UK is performing an intensive effort to modernise the equipment used by dismounted British Army soldiers under the Vertus programme, which is rolling out new systems to this end under several ‘Pulses’ © DSTL


l a n dF o r c e s

provide a conceptual vision of how the soldier will operate on the battlefield in 2024. According to sources within the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the programme aims to “…provide a focus for research and help plan for future capability require-ments and procurement … The British Army’s recent experience in Afghanistan has demonstrated the need for the soldier to cope with a wide range of diverse and complex threats. The future soldier will require a mix of technologies and capabili-ties to address the situation they face,” an official spokesperson explained to AMR:

“While today’s threats are anticipated to re-main over the next decade, with a modu-lar system, tactical surprise can be avoided through adaptability,” they added.

The UK’s effort will feature three sub-areas called Vertus Pulse 1, 2 and 3, fea-turing development of a head sub-system, torso sub-system, wearable communica-tions, smart glasses; a personal role com-puter, and a weapons concept. Vertus Pulse 1 has already secured an order with Source Vagabond Systems of Israel for the delivery of 9000 system suites destined to equip three high readiness brigades with-in the British Army, the delivery of which was completed in late 2015. Vertus Pulse 1 will also encompass personal load car-rying equipment, an exoskeleton, maxil-lofacial (protecting the head and neck) protection and a combat helmet with an integrated night vision mount. Follow-on Pulses 2 and 3 will concentrate on protec-tion, C2 and reconnaissance technology, blue force tracking; health monitoring systems, and integration with the UK MoD’s Project Morpheus tactical commu-nications initiative which will field new tactical radios across the British Army by the mid-point of next decade.

DSTL is currently developing a Vertus Pulse Concept Capability Demonstrator and evaluating the potential of this tech-nology for integration and interoperabil-ity with the US Army’s Nett Warrior pro-gramme which will provide new soldier systems to enhance situational awareness for dismounted squad leaders. DSTL’s Vertus Pulse Concept Capability Dem-onstrator initiative will be followed by a Concept and Assessment Phase which is understood to begin in 2019, according to British Army sources.

The Vertus head sub-system aims to provide the soldier with a variety of light-weight optronics and the means to share the imagery gathered by these sensors with other soldiers to provide collaborative

targeting and engagement capabilities. DSTL is considering introducing a net-working capability into the Vertus concept to enable small UAVs to provide command-ers with situational awareness. Meanwhile, the torso sub-system will include hard body armour, integrated connectors for the supply of wearable power and data systems, a power supply, and integrated load-carrying pouches for water, medical supplies and ammunition. The wearable communications element is aimed at pro-viding the “real-time reporting of soldier health with sensors embedded in the hel-met, clothing and a smart watch to moni-tor their physical health and performance

… Wirelessly linked to the soldier process-ing system, the availability of this data will allow the commander to make informed decisions during combat,” the DSTL source explained. “If the soldier is serious-ly injured, information will enable medics to act faster during the ‘Golden Hour’ fol-lowing trauma, when a soldier’s potential for survival can be greatly improved if they reach medical treatment after expe-riencing serious trauma within one hour,” the source continued. Meanwhile, smart glasses will provide real-time data in the form of a HUD integrated into both lenses. Bone-conducting headphones, meanwhile, will provide voice communications, with an integrated camera feeding live visual information to the soldier. These same smart glasses can also be integrated into the combat helmet if required and with the Vertus Personal Role Computer, the latter of which enables a soldier to share intelli-gence and C2 information with their com-rades. Furthermore, the Vertus’ “naviga-tion systems will incorporate simultaneous localisation and mapping technology and

be capable of operating in a GPS-denied environment,” the source continued.

Finally, the Vertus weapon concept is considering lethal and non-lethal effects with an ability to provide targeting infor-mation between soldiers and fire teams. Specific ideas include an enhanced stock design comprising an integrated power pack for the operation of optronics and weapons-mounted sensors, a digital opti-cal weapon sight giving direct communi-cation to the HUD or tactical radio system, and finally, an adjustable hand grip with communication buttons and a bipod.

RussiaRussia continues to drive ahead with its Ratnik future soldier programme which includes solutions designed to enhance lethality, protection and SA. The Russian MoD had initially been considering the procurement of FELIN from the French MoD in 2012 (see above), but selected an organic development path to design, de-velop and manufacture a total of 70000 soldier systems. Industry sources sug-gested to AMR that Russian Army units began to receive the first Ratnik systems as early as 2014. The Ratnik includes body armour, a combat helmet, TI-based weapon sight, and a tablet EUD capable of providing mapping and disseminating C2 information across the battlefield in voice and data forms.

Furthermore, the MoD is already con-sidering a next-generation Ratnik-2 en-semble which could contain additional C2 and reconnaissance technology no doubt increasing the current ten kilogram (22lbs) weight of the initial version, although there is no word as to when this may en-ter service. Scope of work includes a MoD contract with Russia’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation for the devel-opment of EUDs for the Ratnik-2. Solutions include the TT-E EUD which will be issued to tactical commanders on the ground as well as fire support elements. A second AK-E EUD will be issued to soldiers at the lowest level, providing them with access to GPS and mapping with universal serial bus and Wi-Fi connections.

United StatesMeanwhile, the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) continues to de-velop its TALOS concept which has the potential to revolutionise soldier mod-ernisation and other defence programmes without the need for a designated prime contractor. Instead, the programme has more than 60 industry partners as well as

Revision Military has put forward exoskeleton systems for trials with the USSOCOM. Such equipment offers the possibility of lowering the weight burden for soldiers in the future; a serious step forward in improving tactical mobility ©Revision Military

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AMr

academic and research organisations, work-ing closely with the Tampa-based Com-mand to develop a next-generation operator suit designed to enhance lethality, protection and mobility in close quarter battle.

Details remain classified but sources have informed AMR that the programme continues to press ahead with the bless-ing of USSOCOM Commander General Joseph Votel. Current plans are scheduled to unveil a technology demonstrator in 2018. Initial variants of TALOS have in-cluded powered exoskeletons, a central power system, and body armour based around liquid armour technology with an all-encompassing motorcycle-style combat helmet with integrated C2 and reconnaissance systems including CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) and biometric sensors, target ac-quisition equipment, GPS and navigation systems, I2 and TI sights, plus countless other modular technologies which could be integrated as and when required.

One of the major areas of interest con-centrates on mobility and an ability to carry increased amounts of C2 technology, hence

the consideration of exoskeletons such as the Revision Military system put forward for trials with USSOCOM towards the end of 2014. Although not officially part of the TALOS programme, the US Defence Ad-vanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is sharing information with USSOCOM re-garding its Warrior Web programme which

“…seeks to develop the technologies re-quired to prevent and reduce musculo-skeletal injuries caused by dynamic events typically found in the (soldier’s) environ-ment”. According to Major Christopher Orlowski, US Army programme manager for the Warrior Web, the goal of the ef-fort is to design a lightweight, conformal under-suit that is transparent to the user. He explained to AMR, “The amount of equipment carried by today’s dismounted soldier can exceed 45kgs (100lbs), as troops conduct patrols for extended periods over rugged and hilly terrain.”

Maj. Orlowski continued that “(t)he added weight while bending, running, squatting, jumping and crawling in a tacti-cal environment increases the risk of mus-culoskeletal injury, particularly on vulnera-

ble areas such as ankles, knees and lumbar spine. Increased load weight also causes increase in physical fatigue, which further decreases the body’s ability to perform tasks and protect against both acute and chronic injury,” with structures designed to protect injury prone areas. Running on just 100 Watts of power, a TALOS Technol-ogy Demonstrator is expected to be tested in appropriate mission profiles under real-istic loads to evaluate performance in 2016, although there is no word as to when, if ever, TALOS will enter service.

ConclusionAfter a lull in development and opera-tional utility, it appears that the soldier modernisation market is witnessing some kind of resurgence. However, any acceptance into service will rely entirely on ergonomics when used by soldiers on the battlefield. On paper, such technology can only assist operators but should any of these solutions be cumbersome and distracting, they will be quickly rejected at the tactical end in favour of tried and tested alternatives.

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INKAS, drawing from its sedan and SUV armouring background, has developed a line of

special purpose vehicles for internal security roles. The Sentry has a chassis-based design, and is

offered with higher ballistic and blast protection levels in response to increased threats © INKAS

The provision of internal security has expanded as new concerns have

surfaced across the Asia-Pacific region, with the threat of

well-armed and organised groups intent on perpetrating domestic

political violence being just one of those challenges.

by Stephen W. Miller

Responding to civil unrest and mass demonstrations, hostage situations, armed stand-offs and drug traff-icking are all contingencies

that must be faced. For some countries the job of countering border incursions and internal separatist groups often falls to law enforcement, security and military forces. These demands along with the growing participation in international operations within and without the region make the fielding of vehicles designed for internal security a priority.

The Internal Security Vehicle (ISV) bal-ances protection and response capabilities while presenting a non-threatening or, at least, a less threatening appearance. These are being increasingly viewed as impor-tant criteria when conducting peacekeep-ing as well. Military combat vehicles are designed primarily to fight which is not a primary role in most internal security tasks. In fact, employing combat vehicles

can be seen as provocative. Increasingly the security mission is requiring protec-tion and mobility levels that can only be provided by vehicles specially designed for such roles.

ISVs can fill a number of roles with each specific requirement driving the design. Patrol vehicles tend to be smaller accommodating between two and four people, while incident response vehicles need to carry a team of ten to 14 people, plus equipment for various contingencies. Crowd control vehicles often have water cannons and need to accommodate the volume and weight of water. Attributes like protection against ‘Molotov Cock-tails’, rams and blades to push barriers out of the way, and cages over windows may also be required, particularly during riot control.

ISVs for patrol Maintaining a presence on the ground is key during internal security missions.

Regular patrolling gives a firsthand pic-ture of the local situation, and detects and deters threatening activities. Often oper-ating in isolated areas alone or in small groups, the patrol vehicle is a lucrative target for ambush or for roadside bombs. In these circumstances patrolling, once largely conducted by unarmoured ve-hicles, is increasingly being performed by armoured ISVs. Major General (retired) David Fraser, chief operating officer of INKAS Armoured Vehicles of Toronto, Canada told AMR that “demand for ar-moured patrol vehicles and the level of protection requested have risen apprecia-bly in the last ten years.”

Protecting ISVs has taken two paths; either adding armour to existing vehicles, referred to as a ‘chassis-based approach’, or developing a new vehicle with inte-grated protection. The latter often uses a monocoque design which focuses on an armoured ‘capsule’ to which the vehicle’s suspension and subsystems are fitted.

SecuRity GuaRdS

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The Japanese Ground Self Defence Force employs the Komatsu LAV for internal security and counter-insurgency operations. This indigenously designed and manufactured ISV has seen service with JGSDF contingents in Iraq and other deployed commitments © JGSDF

The chassis-based approach is less costly than the capsule approach and is effective against ballistic attack, notably gunfire. However, this chassis-based approach has proved less effective against the new weapons of choice, notably insurgent roadside bombs.

The Republic of South Africa, having dealt with mines and bombs during the Border War of 1966 to 1990 which saw South Africa fighting a number of insur-gent groups in Namibia and Angola, had perfected vehicles to survive these threats. For example, the Denel RG-32M is one of the most successful blast-protected patrol vehicles with over 800 in service with eight international users including the United Nations. It has an all-steel mono-coque hull and shallow ‘V’-hull to protect against small arms and mine blast while the portal axles provide excellent ground clearance yet still keep a stable low profile. Despite having only a 7300 kilogram/kg (16060 pounds/lb) gross weight, it can still carry a payload of over 1000kgs (2200lbs).

French industry has a long history of light armoured patrol vehicles. The Véhi-cule Blindé Léger (VBL/Light Armoured Vehicle) developed by Panhard (now part of Renault Trucks Defence) is a true pa-trol/reconnaissance vehicle. Introduced by the Armée de Terre (French Army) in the 1990s it is discrete with a height of only 1.8 metres/m (5.9 feet/ft) and is 3.8m (12.4ft) in length accommodating a crew of up to three. The VBL has proved effective in peacekeeping, internal security, and in in-terventions like France’s ongoing Opera-tion BURKHANE in Mali directed against Islamist insurgents. Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Saudi Arabia are among the twenty-two countries fielding the VBL. Since 2011, Russia has been negotiating joint production of 500 VBLs for its Border Guards but this initiative remains on hold as a result of Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine civil war.

The Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) has taken a similar ap-proach to the VBL for the design of its internal security vehicle. The Komatsu LAV (Light Armoured Vehicle) is a diesel-powered four-wheel drive vehicle with a four man crew. Initially fielded in 2002, it was deployed during the JGSDF peace-keeping mission to Iraq in 2005. The ve-hicle can carry weaponry in the form of an FN Herstal 5.56mm Minimi machine gun, General Dynamics/US Ordnance M2HB Browning 12.7mm machine gun, Kawasaki Type-01 LMAT or Kawasaki/Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Type-87

Chu-MAT anti-tank guided missiles.

Like Japan, the Ten-tara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Darat (TNI-AU/Indonesian Army) has undertaken an indigenous ISV devel-opment. The Rantis Ko-modo is a four-wheel drive tactical vehicle developed by Pundad, a local company, based on a challenge by the country’s then Presi-dent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011. It is in production for the TNI-AU and National Police with 40 reconnaissance models on order with the first delivered in late 2014. The vehicle’s rapid develop-ment was possible by drawing on the Re-nault Sherpa four-wheel drive with which it shares key subsystems. This Sherpa connection is not a surprise, as it has been a very successful patrol/internal secu-rity design. Weighing 7.7 to 8.1 tons, the Sherpa can carry up to five people plus medium calibre weapons in a roof mount due to its four-ton payload. Indonesia, In-dia, and Brazil are among its users.

To the south of Indonesia, Thales’ Aus-tralian subsidiary was awarded a $1.3 bil-lion contract in October 2015 by the Aus-tralian Ministry of Defence for its Hawkei armoured vehicle as part of its Land 121 modernisation programme, replacing the Australian Army’s Land Rover 110 vehicles. This contract provides for 1100 Protected Mobility Vehicles–Light (PMV-L), plus 1000 trailers for security, command, liaison, utility and reconnaissance. The Hawkei is a seven-tonne indigenous design that was selected in 2011 over a field of internation-al candidates. The vehicle offers protected mobility against gunfire, mines and explo-sives as well as incorporating improved situational awareness and networking technologies. A senior spokesperson for the Australian Department of Defence told AMR that “(the) Hawkei represents an en-tirely new capability for the army with a significantly improved ability to operate in high-risk areas.” Chris Jenkins, the chief executive officer of Thales’ Australia divi-sion said “the three-and-a-half year pro-duction phase will begin in mid-2017, with first deliveries expected towards the end of that year.”

North AmericaLike the Land Rover 110 mentioned above, one of the most ubiquitous four-

wheel drive vehicles in service around the world is the AM General HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle). Since its initial fielding in 1983 by the US Army, the HMMWV has been adopted by over 72 countries, and its exceptional off-road mobility and overall dependabil-ity have become legendary, as illustrated by its widespread local manufacture and replication; the People’s Republic of China alone has at least three compa-nies producing copies of the HMMWV (apparently reverse-engineered com-mercial models). The original armoured HMMWV protected against small arms, which was viewed as the threat at that time. It was only when the HMMWV found itself used in a direct combat role against Iraqi insurgents and targeted by roadside bombs and explosives that it was overmatched. It is estimated that 70 percent of US and allied casualties in Iraq were caused by such attacks.

Anticipating a HMMWV upgrade programme, a number of companies developed concepts that improved its protection and associated suspension and power. Northrop Grumman presented a solution in 2014 that offered MRAP (Mine- Resistant/Ambush-Protected) enhance-ments while recovering the mobility lost by the weight of earlier armour addi-tions. Textron offers HMMWV improve-ments in ‘kits’ ranging from new engines to a monocoque protective capsule (see above). Fitting all five of these kits results in the Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle (SCTV), in which Colombia and Ukraine have expressed an interest. The company presented its VLB-Buffalo (an upgraded SCTV), at the ExpoDefensa 2015 show in Bogota. VLB has been trialled by the Ejército Nacional de Colombia (Colombian Army). These HMMWV upgrade efforts are company-funded initiatives since the United States military has so far not budgeted nor requested such efforts.

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However, with a potential international market of over 10000 vehicles in twen-ty-five countries, including over 7000 HMMWVs in service with the Republic of China Army and the Sandataháng Lakás ng Pilipinas (Philippines Armed Forces) such upgrades have a ready clientele.

Textron’s Commando series lineage traces its roots back to the Cadillac Gage V-100 and V-150 which saw extensive service with US Military Police units in Vietnam beginning in 1963. Over the fol-lowing decades Commando family vehi-cles were fielded by 33 countries includ-ing Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam with a number of vehicles still in service. The Commando's distinctive boat-styled monocoque steel armour hull and high ground clearance are proven to provide mine blast pro-tection; characteristics which have been retained in its successor the M1117 Ar-moured Security Vehicle (ASV). Accom-modating a crew of four, the ASV was first acquired by the US Army Military Police in 1999. The US Army substantially added to its ASV inventory in response to demands for convoy escort in Iraq, even-tually fielding over 1800.

Typically the ASV is armed with a one-person turret containing a General Dynamics Mk.19 40mm AGL (Automatic Grenade Launcher) and an M2HB or FN Herstal M240 7.62mm machine gun in a shielded ring mount. The ASV (or versions thereof) has been fielded by Afghanistan, Colombia and Iraq. The Afghan Army has 634 Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) variant ASVs acquired between 2011 and 2014 which can accommodate up to ten people. Textron, meanwhile, is providing the TAPV (Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle), that is based on the ASV and MSFV, to the

emphasis on internal security, counter-ing infiltrators and the control of territory. For these missions the infantry is being equipped with the KW1 Scorpion, a new wheeled armoured vehicle developed by Hyundai Rotem under a $26 million 2012 contract from DAPA, the Republic of Ko-rea’s Defence Acquisition Programme Ad-ministration. The first vehicles will be a six-wheel drive armoured infantry carrier with a crew of two and ten dismounts. The contract covers a total of 600 to be deliv-ered by 2020 with the first fielding in 2016.

Paramount Group, another South Af-rican company, has applied its protected vehicle expertise by establishing a collab-oration with the Kazakhstan military for a new version of its Marauder. Called Arlan, it is optimized for the climate and condi-tions of Central Asia. The partnership includes establishing local manufactur-ing. The Marauder, with a total weight of 17000kgs (37400lbs), closely fills the role of a protected troop carrier with a crew of two and eight dismounts. Its large, all-around ballistic proof windows provide excellent visibility of the surroundings for all onboard, a valuable feature for an ISV and offers protection against 12.7mm ammunition and eight kilograms (17.6lbs) of explosives.

Germany’s Streit Group, meanwhile, has applied its armour experience to protected response vehicles. Primarily fo-cused on police and para-military forces its Typhoon four-wheel drive meets the demands by these users for increasing protection levels including mine blast. Two vehicles were delivered in 2014 for use by the Pasukan Operasi Khusus Malay-sia, a Malaysian Special Operations coun-ter-insurgency force. The Typhoon has a crew of two and eight dismounts.

Whereas the Typhoon, Marauder and First Win (see above) were designed from

Canadian Army. Govern- ment testing continues under the 2009 contract and, if successful, the first deliveries of the 500 units could begin this year.

Team TransportThe need to safely deploy forces in response to se-curity situations requires carrying a large number of personnel, plus their per-sonal and mission equip-ment, while being protect-ed against small arms and bomb blasts. Yet operations in urban environments can

require access to upper-storey build-ing windows or doorways during tac-tical assaults. This can be achieved by using Elevated Tactical Systems (ETS). Charles Fuqua, ETS manager at Patriot3 (sic), a leading ETS supplier, told AMR that “ETSs are remotely-operated ramps mounted on the roof of vehicles and positioned to provide a response team direct access to upper storey windows, roofs and doors, including passenger air-craft. This can be a decisive advantage.” Patriot3 has fielded fifty systems in nine Asia-Pacific countries alone.

Alongside vehicle adornments such as ETSs, local ISV development in the Asia-Pacific is growing. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) and Tentera Darat Malaysia (Malaysian Army) have cooperated in de-veloping a new infantry mobility vehicle called First Win. With a 13 tonne wheeled monocoque V-hull design, it provides protected transport against small arms, mines and roadside bombs for ten troops. Initial orders were placed with its manu-facturer Chaiseri Defense in 2012 by the RTA and the Thai Ministry of Justice. Sub-sequently, an additional 250 were purchased with a production rate of 18 yearly. Malaysia’s requirements will be produced under licence by Malaysia’s DRB-Hi-com Defence Technolo-gies (DefTech) as the AV-4. A smaller (ten-tonne) version, the First Win-E, has been undergoing trials since late 2014.

Meanwhile, a major aspect of the Republic of Korea Army’s modernisation is its increased

Chaiseri Defense developed the First Win in collaboration with the Royal Thai Army to provide a protected troop carrier for use in border security operations. It is entirely a local design. The initial model has been followed by the First Win-E shown © Chaiseri Defence

The BearCat from Lenco uses a commercial Ford F550 chassis on which the armoured shell is built. Lenco has provided tactical ISVs to over 40 countries, offering versions for the military and for law enforcement © Lenco

ground up, Lenco, a US firm, builds its BearCat ISV or ‘armoured rescue vehicle’ around a Ford F550 Super Duty commer-cial truck chassis. Their open layout and large interior lend themselves not only to transporting a response SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team but adaption for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, protected emergency medical and evacuation roles. This chassis-based de-sign is generally less costly but is fully suit-ed to urban and primarily road use. Users include law enforcement and military po-lice with vehicles found in Australia, Mex-ico, Brazil, Canada and the United States.

INKAS uses a similar approach for its Sentry and Huron vehicles employing respectively Ford and Kenworth chassis. Maj. Gen. Fraser indicated a major benefit is that “maintenance is easier even allow-ing use of local commercial workshops.” He added, an additional consideration is realising that “unlike most military ve-hicles the ISV must operate within the population which necessitates an entirely different appearance and complete reli-ance on passive solutions for protection.”

Responses to large public demonstra-tions, unruly crowds and mass unrest in urban areas present some unique chal-lenges when coupled with a desire for a vehicle to appear non-threatening, and the recognition that the vehicle and its team will spend much of its time ‘stand-ing by’ and waiting. A popular and utilitarian configuration for these urban response vehicles could be called an ar-moured ‘box’ on wheels. These are of-ten, but not exclusively, locally-adapted commercial trucks. However, a number of companies have applied their military and security vehicle design experience re-sulting in vehicles optimised for this role.

Denel’s RG-12 is representative of such a trend. The vehicle received worldwide attention during its use in the 2010 soc-cer World Cup in South Africa. It features large armoured windows, powered slid-ing side access doors (ideal for tight spaces where a hinged door could not be opened), and a large climate controlled interior that can carry up to twelve personnel or pro-vide ample storage for weapons, body armour and riot control equipment. The

RG-12 is in use with 14 countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Saudi Arabia. Paramount offers a similar vehicle with its Maverick, as does Renault with its MIDS Police Armoured Personnel Transport.

Green or Blue?Real or perceived concerns over the esca-lating threats in executing internal security missions has increasingly seen not only the wider adoption of armoured security vehicles but the demand for significantly higher levels of protection. Maj. Gen Fra-ser again reflected “as the lines between law enforcement and the military become blurred so are the differences (between) the ISV and military combat vehicles, of-ten unfortunately, disappearing.” In fact, excess and retired combat vehicles are regularly being provided for security and tactical law enforcement tasks. With great-er involvement in peacekeeping, stability and counter-insurgency operations, which focus heavily on security tasks, plus con-tinued concerns about well-armed domes-tic threats, it is clear that the ISV will con-tinue to play an important role. AMR

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S e aP o w e r


Somewhere between economic constraints and the significant

increase of non-traditional threats in littoral regions and on the high

seas, the market for Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) has found a

lucrative new sector involving Asia-Pacific navies and coastguards.

by Dr. Alix Valenti

“The motto of the coastguard at that time was, ‘You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back’,” Andy Fitzgerald told the Boston Globe newspaper during an interview in

November 2014. Mr. Fitzgerald is the last surviving member of the US Coast Guard (USCG) team that rescued 32 crew members from the SS Pendleton, an oil tanker, from 18 metre/m (60 foot/ft) waves using a wooden boat south of Cape Cod, off the Massachusetts coast in February 1952. As Disney Studios prepare to release The Finest Hours, the movie telling the

story of this incredible event, the storm of geopolitical events that has washed over the world’s oceans during the intervening sixty years has drastically changed the role and capabilities of the coastguard.

From the creation of Exclusive Eco-nomic Zones (EEZ) in 1982 via the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which stretch 200 nautical miles/nm (370.4 kilometres/km) from a nation’s coastline, to the stark increase in maritime piracy and humanitarian crises witnessed in the Asia-Pacific and elsewhere over the past two decades, coastguards around the

world now play a major role coordinating with navies to respond to an increasingly wide variety of non-traditional threats. Ac-cordingly, naval and coastguard capabili-ties have also evolved with the adoption of multi-mission vessels that “can provide the capability for every day maritime pa-trolling,” says Matthew Caris, a senior as-sociate at Avascent, a consultancy based in Washington DC. These multi-mission vessels include OPVs which are them-selves becoming rising stars, especially in the Asia-Pacific where they provide an ideal solution to the People’s Republic of

GuardinG the Coasts

This picture shows and Iraqi Navy OPV. Such vessels are increasingly required to perform a diverse array of missions,

from protecting a nation’s coast against traditional threats to counter-insurgency

operations, a trend which is mirrored in the Asia-Pacific © US Navy

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China’s (PRC) growing maritime and ter-ritorial assertions in the South and East China Seas.

Alongside the traditional missions performed by coastguards and smaller navies such as search and rescue and maritime security enforcement, these ves-sels are increasingly designed to perform a much wider spectrum of missions, says Philippe Darche, marketing manager for OPVs and corvettes at DCNS. These mis-sions include “maritime traffic control; protection of fisheries, marine environ-ments and offshore resources; humanitar-ian assistance, anti-piracy, illegal immi-gration and counter-narcotics.”

In the Asia-Pacific region the PRC’s growing military power has significantly contributed to the rising popularity of the OPV. A number of countries currently have maritime sovereignty disputes with the PRC, including Japan concerning the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East Chi-na Sea (also disputed by Taiwan), the Phil-ippines over the Scarborough Shoal (also claimed by Taiwan) in the South China Sea, and Vietnam regarding the Paracel Islands (also claimed by Taiwan) and the Spratly Islands (a dispute which involves Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam). Yet, with the possible excep-tion of Japan, few of these other nations can afford to build strong blue-water na-vies which could effectively counter the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Locked within a debate of “capacity versus avail-ability”, says Mr. Caris, “many countries choose to maintain a presence in the con-tested waters with smaller ships.” He continues that OPVs provide an ideal so-lution to this dilemma, as they are “cheap to buy and operate, are equipped with off-the-shelf systems and do not require large crews, but can still carry helicop-ters, boats and are built to accommodate further upgrades,” such as the addition of surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles and larger calibre guns compared to the 76mm weapons that usually equip these vessels from the outset.

Statistics published in 2015 in the Global Offshore Patrol Vessels Market Re-port 2015-2016 by Defence IQ, a consul-tancy and events company, highlighted the increasing demand for these vessels throughout the world and, more specifi-cally, in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2015, the total number of OPVs on order in-creased by four percent worldwide com-pared to 2014, of which the Asia-Pacific claims the largest share with 46 percent of the total vessels on order. Whilst until

recently India, Japan and the PRC were the biggest operators of OPVs the remain-der of this article demonstrates that the OPV market has a long life ahead.

AustraliaAustralia’s Force 2030 strategic defence policy, outlined in both its 2009 and 2013 Defence White Papers, intends to turn the Australian Defence Force (ADF, which in-cludes the country’s navy, army and air force) into a key player in regional and international security. Project Sea 1180, to this end, aims to “realise potential op-erational efficiencies and reduced cost of ownership of (the Royal Australian Na-vy’s) patrol boat, hydrographic and Mine Countermeasures (MCM) forces.” The White Papers envisage that this will be achieved by replacing the current 26 spe-cialist role vessels, including the ‘Armidale’ class patrol boats, the ‘Huon’ class MCM vessels, the ‘Leeuwin’ class hydrographic survey ships and the ‘Paluma’ class of hy-drographic survey launches into a reduced force of about 20 modular multi-role Off-shore Combatant Vessels (OCVs).

Originally intended to begin in 2020, the Sea 1180 OCV acquisition project has been brought forward by two years, with construction of the first OCV estimated to begin in 2018. The entire programme is expected to cost up to $5.8 billion ac-

cording to The Diplomat, an international current affairs magazine. The programme will be subject to a competitive evalua-tion programme, and although little in-formation is currently available regarding the potential competitors, Esther Benito Lopez, a Navantia spokesperson, indicat-ed that “Navantia will participate in the Australian OCV programme”. It appears that Navantia’s ‘Avante’ class OPV is cur-rently the favoured design, according to local media reports, which includes three different patrol boat designs, the Avante 3000 BAM, Avante 2000P and Avante 1400. Aside from their displacement, in-dicated in their names, the key features that differentiate these designs are their capacity and weapons. The Avante 3000 can accommodate a naval support he-licopter as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), habitability modules and anti-pollution equipment. In terms of weapons, the Avante 2000P has more additional options than the two other vessels, including a vertical launcher for Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), and two quadruple launchers for Surface-to-Surface missiles (SSM) plus two torpedo launchers. In the meantime, as the Sea 1180 OPV acquisition project accelerates, on 31 August 2015 Austal Australia deliv-ered the eighth and last ‘Cape’ Class Pa-trol Boat (CCPB). The CCPB’s main mis-

The RNZN’s HMNZS Otago is one of the two ‘Protector’ class OPVs built by BAE Systems which are tasked with a diverse mission set. These vessels also have the capability to work in the Antarctic © RNZN

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sion is security and surveillance within Australia’s EEZ, and as such the vessels are equipped with high-end surveillance and navigation technology.

IndiaMuch like its Australian counterpart, In-dia’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has been encouraging an increased maritime presence in the Asia-Pacific, a policy that has been driving up defence spending in an effort to modernise the Indian armed forces, including the Indian Navy. To this end, Goa Shipyard Limited was awarded a contract worth $274 million in May 2012 to build six OPVs for the Indian Coast Guard. The first vessel, Samarth, was commissioned on 10 November 2015. It displaces 2450 tons, and is fitted with an Ordnance Factories Medak Close Range Naval-91 30mm gun.

New ZealandIn common with its Australasian neigh-bour (see above) New Zealand has also been outlining its future defence policy and acquisition goals via its Strategic Plan 2015-2020 published in July 2015. Within this strategic plan, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) highlights the importance of New Zealand as an island nation reliant on maritime trade for eco-nomic prosperity, and the importance of maintaining a fleet that can ensure securi-ty and safe passage within sovereign wa-ters, as well as protect the country’s EEZ, which is approximately 15 times bigger than the country’s land area. Within this

TaiwanAs growing Chinese military power continues to threaten countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan is continu-ing with its 37-ship programme aimed at boosting the capabilities of the country’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA). Tai-wan has been involved in sovereignty disputes with PRC (see above). However, defence budget limitations, combined with geopolitical constraints imposed by the PRC on Taiwan’s allies regarding the procurement of defence equipment, make it difficult for the small island to build a strong blue water navy.

As such, OPVs represent an ideal alter-native for Taiwan, and form the core of the 37-ship programme for the CGA, with nine OPVs as well as 28 ‘PP 10051’ class patrol boats earmarked for construction. The programme was initiated in 2008 and expected to cost $782 million, with five OPVs having already entered service between 2013 and 2015. In June 2015, two 3000-ton OPVs, the Yilan and Kaohsiung, were commissioned, and while one will be sent to the South China Sea, to deploy from Taiwan’s Taiping island, the other will be in service in the waters north of Taiwan. According to local media sources, each vessel is armed with two 20mm and one 40mm gun.

ThailandLike its neighbours in the region, Thai-land’s economy depends significantly on maritime trade and, consequently, is also significantly affected by the rise in piracy

context, the two ‘Protector’ class OPVs built by BAE Systems for the RNZN, HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Wellington, have played a major role in undertaking patrol and surveillance, as well as supply-ing and supporting long range operations since their delivery in February and June 2010 respectively.

Designed to patrol both the Antarc-tic and Pacific Oceans, perhaps one of the most important feature of these two OPVs is their ice-strengthened hull. In addition to this key feature, these ves-sels can carry and launch their own boats, with a capacity for two Rigid-Hulled In-flatable Boats (RHIBs), two Special Forces RHIBs and six 45-person inflatable boats. They also feature a flight deck which can accommodate a RNZN Kaman SH-2G Su-per Seasprite naval support helicopter. In terms of weaponry, the ‘Protector’ class are equipped with a remotely-operated Rafael Advanced Defence Systems’ Ty-phoon 25mm naval gun, and two General Dynamics/US Ordnance M2HB Brown-ing 12.7mm machine guns.

Since their delivery, the two vessels have carried out a number of successful missions, including fishery protection for Tonga, the Cook Islands and Rarotonga. As such, in its Strategic Plan 2015-2020 the RNZN has announced that it will be pro-curing a third OPV. No details have yet been revealed as to the main contractor, although it can be assumed that it is likely to be BAE Systems. The author contacted BAE Systems for comments, but has to date received no reply.

The US Coast Guard continues to remain as a major maritime force not only in North America,

but worldwide. Its assets include the USCGC Sherman, a USCG high endurance cutter which

is based in Honolulu, Hawaii © USCG

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by the government with the intention of building a powerful Vietnam Coast Guard Force by 2020.

The increasingly extensive and unpre-dictable nature of both traditional and non-traditional threats makes it necessary for navies and coastguards in the Asia-Pa-cific to be able to work with, or instead of, one another in a variety of environments.

“As global trading increases in these parts of the world, the region also becomes vul-nerable to maritime crises,” confirms Mr. Darche, a viewpoint also shared by Mr. Caris. Consequently, “the objective here is to be able to address asymmetric threats,” Mr. Darche continues.

Lena Pellebergs, head of communica-tions for Saab in the Asia-Pacific, states that her company believes that the local OPV market could potentially follow two scenarios. Firstly, where navies’ budgets do not allow for the procurement of new vessels with frigate-style capabilities (i.e. which can support high intensity naval combat and project sea power around the world), Ms. Pellebergs argues that “more competent OPVs could be an alternative (to such vessels).” The second scenario could see demand for patrol capabilities that facilitate both littoral and open sea missions without offensive intentions:

“OPVs are possible options to meet the open sea requirement if (they have a rela-tively light equipment specification).” A closer look at OPV programmes around the region confirms this speculation, as blue water navies such as those of Austra-lia and New Zealand are increasingly also undertaking coastguard duties whilst countries with smaller navies such as Vietnam are equipping their coastguards with OPVs that are capable of carrying out some naval missions.

DCNS’ ‘L’Adroit’ class OPV of the Marine Nationale (French Navy), for in-stance, has already been used in 2015 both for anti-piracy, as part of the Euro-pean Union Naval Force’s Operation AT-LANTA in the Gulf of Aden, and rescu-ing several hundred Djiboutian citizens and foreign refugees from Yemen as that country’s civil war intensified in April 2015. Ultimately, the successful future of OPVs, Mr. Caris argues, lies in their

“designed for but not with” modular-ity that makes them appealing to navies and coastguards alike allowing them to be configured with an impressive num-ber of weapons and sensors for the size of the vessel, and also to be upgraded with relative ease throughout their service lives. AMr

that the past two decades have witnessed in the Strait of Malacca. As such, to im-prove patrolling over sovereign waters, as well as to facilitate search and rescue mis-sions and disaster relief in a region that is increasingly affected by extreme weather catastrophes, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is looking to increase its fleets’ capabili-ties. Yet budget constraints remain an im-portant issue for a country that is slowly recovering from a number of political cri-ses in recent years, and OPVs, with their modular yet cheaper design, provide a good solution for the RTN to meet these strategic objectives.

Currently, the RTN’s fleet includes sev-en OPVs, and BAE Systems announced in early November 2015 that it had entered a partnership with its Thai industrial part-ner, Bangkok Dock, for the design of a new 90 metre/m (295.2 foot/ft) OPV. This partnership is based on the transfer of de-sign knowledge, technology and skills from BAE Systems to Bangkok Docks, for the construction of a second ‘Krabi’ class OPV. The design of the first, HTMS Krabi which was commissioned in August 2013, was based on the Royal Navy’s three ‘Riv-er’ class OPVs. The ‘Krabi’ class design is armed with an OtoMelara 76mm Super Rapid gun as well as an MSI 30mm dual feed cannon, with a sensor fit which in-cludes a Thales Variant naval surveillance and Lirod Mk.2 fire control radar. Subject to availability of funding, Defence IQ’s

report cited above indicated that Thai-land is considering building another four OPVs at some undisclosed point in the future.

VietnamMuch like Taiwan, Vietnam has long been involved in maritime sovereignty dis-putes with the PRC, and since 1974 the re-lationship between the two countries has been characterised by conflicting sover-eignty claims over the Paracel and Spratly Islands (see above). Consequently, much like its neighbours, Vietnam is enhancing the power of its navy and coastguard in order to counter the PRC’s claims in these contested waters. Moreover, Vietnam has also been witnessing an increase in the number of pirate attacks in its waters, and it has become imperative for the coun-try’s economy to increase surveillance and security off its coast so as to protect commercial shipping.

To this end, local shipbuilder Song Thu Shipyard Corporation has been work-ing, with the technological support of its Dutch partner Damen, on building new ‘DN2000’ class OPVs. These vessels can displace up to 2400 tons and are 90.5m (296.9ft) in length. They can accommo-date a Kamov Ka-28 naval support heli-copter and operate in the open sea for 40 consecutive days. Coastguard vessel 8005 was launched on 30 November 2015, and is the second of six such ships ordered

DCNS’ ‘Gowind’ class of corvettes and offshore patrol vessels could increase its appeal in the future to Asia-Pacific customers beyond those vessels which have been ordered to equip the Royal Malaysian Navy © Thomas Withington

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Regional newsa n d d e v e l o p m e n t s


AsiA-PAcific Procurement uPdAte

s o u t h a s i a

by Pierre Delrieu

IndIa donates four MI-25 ‘HInd’ attack HelIcopters to andsf

In late December 2015, Afghanistan’s National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) received delivery of four refurbished Russian-made Mil Mi-25 ‘Hind’ attack helicopters, donated by India.

The refurbished Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-25s, reportedly armed with Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B 12.7mm four-barrelled machine guns, rockets and

grenade launch-ers, are the first of-fensive weapons to be supplied to Af-ghanistan by India since the signing of a Strategic Part-nership Agreement (SPA) between the two countries in Oc-tober 2011. The de-cisive shift in New

Delhi’s stance on supplying lethal materiel to Kabul came after Afghan National Securi-ty Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar’s visit to New Delhi in November 2015.

Until this delivery, India had restricted itself to solely providing training and non-lethal supplies to Afghanistan. In April 2015, India had for instance delivered logistics vehicles to the ANDSF and three unarmed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Cheetal light utility helicop-ters, itself an upgraded variant of the licence-built Aérospa-tiale/HAL Cheetah rotocraft. The Cheetals, modified to the ANDSF’s requirements, are currently operated by the Afghan Air Force (AAF) in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions, conducting casualty evacuations and reconnais-sance, transporting troops and giving logistical support to ground forces. The AAF will also be operating its newly acquired Mi-25s, which will serve as a replacement for five AAF Mil Mi-35 ‘Hind’ helicop-ters, which were withdrawn from service this January.

The delivery of the for-mer IAF platforms by India will provide much-needed air support to the ANDSF in their fight against Taliban insur-gents which Kabul has been struggling to maintain since

North Atlantic Treaty Organ-isation-led coalition forces put an end to their military opera-tions in the country in Decem-ber 2014. India, however, has continuously contributed to reconstruction efforts in Af-ghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 and has invested over $2 billion to this effect. It has also provided training for some 1000 Afghan army and security force per-sonnel annually.

India is currently retiring its fleet of Mi-25 helicopters, replacing them with newer generation McDonnell Doug-las/Boeing AH-64D Apache gunships. The $2.5 billion deal was approved in Sep-tember 2015, ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, and strengthens the status of the US as one of India’s top mili-tary suppliers.

pakIstan seekIng to acquIre More lockHeed MartIn f-16s

Pakistan is currently en-gaged in talks with the US government to secure a deal for a new purchase of General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.

Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sohail Aman, air officer com-manding-in-chief of the Paki-stani Air Force, who spoke to local media at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, the country’s largest aerospace supplier, on 28 December 2015, confirmed the information. ACM Aman said Pakistan was currently “in talks with US defence officials to get some (of the) latest F-16s but the deal may take some time.” He declined to disclose the exact number of aircraft under dis-

cussion, or the variant which Pakistan might acquire.

Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) already operates circa 45 F-16A/B/C/D fighters, in addition to around 153 Dassault Mirage-IIIEP/OF/RP and Mirage-5EF /F/PA fighters, which ACM Aman says that the air force hopes to replace by 2020. Is-lamabad has been acquiring F-16A/B/C/Ds from the US since the two governments inked a deal in the 1980s to equip the PAF with the aircraft.

According to a report pub-lished by the New York Times in October 2015, the US Con-gress was notified of a pro-posed sale for eight F-16C/D fighters to Pakistan just days ahead of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Washington DC to meet with US President Barack

Obama. There were, however, no reports of the deal being mentioned during the meeting between the two heads of state.

US lawmakers have histor-ically been critical and scepti-cal in regards of arms sales to Pakistan, arguing that such aircraft are more useful in the country’s confrontation with India than in its effort to fight Islamist insurgencies gripping the country. However, with the US Department of Defence (DoD) moving ahead with its Lockheed Martin F-35A/B/C Lightning-II fifth-generation fighter programme, which was conceived in part to re-place the F-16 family in US service and in service around the world, the F-16 pro-gramme no longer enjoys do-mestic US orders, and exports are the only way for Lockheed

Martin to justify continuing production. Also, at a time when the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is strengthening its strategic ties with Pakistan, the US might find that mov-ing ahead with a possible F-16 sale could help Washington to maintain its relationship with Pakistan, potentially dilut-ing any further deepening of the PRC’s relationship with the former. More information regarding the PAF, and other air forces in the Asia-Pacific region can be found in this is-sue’s Air Forces Directory.

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Singapore revealSnew venuS 16 uSv

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 5 November 2015 that the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) had initiated sea trials for its new and indigenously-manufactured Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV).

The Singapore Technolo-gies (ST) Electronics Venus 16 was officially presented to the public during Exercise HIGH-CREST 2015, a five-day mari-time security exercise involv-ing about 900 personnel from 15 different Singaporean agen-cies conducted from 2 to 6 November 2015. The aim of the exercise, which involved simulated insurgent speed-boats and a ‘hijacked’ mer-chant ship at the country’s

indoneSia and Kaiagree on KFX inveStment deal

On 22 November 2015, Indonesia’s government and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) inked an agreement to initiate investment and de-velopment arrangements for the manufacture of the Ko-rean Fighter Experimental (KFX) 4.5-generation fighter for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) and Tentara

Changi naval base, was to as-sess its ability to respond to simultaneous threats at sea.

In a statement following the naval exercise, the MoD stated that “our navy will be integrating more and more unmanned technology as part of the navy of the future,” add-ing that “the Venus 16 (USV) is one of the unmanned sys-tems currently being tested to support our maritime security operations.” The service also indicated that variants of the vehicle have been specifically designed to perform Mine Countermeasures (MCM) missions and coastal defence.

“The USV will be a key force multiplier,” the MoD stated,

“as it allows the (Republic of Singapore Navy) to patrol Sin-gapore’s waters with a smaller

number of manned assets, sus-taining operations over longer periods.”

The RSN’s new USV was presented as the latest model of modular and scalable USV platforms developed by ST Electronics, a subsidiary of the state-affiliated defence engi-neering group ST Engineering. According to MoD specifica-tions, the Venus 16 is capable of staying at sea for over 36 hours at a time and can also reach a cruising speed of 25 knots (46 kilometres-per-hour/km/h), with a maximum speed of 40 knots (74km/h). The 16-metre (52 feet) long, 22-tonne craft is equipped with advanced sensors and software and a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to automati-

cally correct its course and speed to avoid collisions, but is otherwise unarmed, although the initial design and photographs suggest that a remote weapons sta-tion could be installed on the craft’s foredeck.

The use of such USVs will allow the deployment of a smaller number of manned assets and for the navy to sustain operations over lon-ger periods. The MoD also indicated that the USV could be outfitted with sonar equip-ment for it to conduct un-derwater inspections and to conduct MCM operations. For more information on Singapore’s military mod-ernisation efforts, please see Alex Calvo’s Survival Instinct article in this issue.

Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU/Indonesian Air Force).

The agreement is based on an earlier accord for a $7.3 billion deal, signed in October 2014 by the governments of Indonesia and the Republic of Korea (RoK) but has been in the making for more than a decade. The initial devel-opment requirements for the KFX (known in Indonesia as the IFX) programme, outlined

by the Agency for Defence Develop-ment (ADD), the RoK’s defence technology agency, is to manufacture a single-seat and twin-engine multi-role fighter aircraft with a low radar cross section, an active electroni-cally scanned array radar and internal weapons carriage.

The agreement plans for the RoK to cover $5.8 bil-lion, or 80 percent, of the costs associ-ated with the joint

engineering and development phase of the KFX/IFX, with Indonesia paying the remain-ing 20 percent, roughly $1.5 billion, of the aircraft’s devel-opment costs.

The deal signed in Novem-ber 2015 reaffirms Indonesia’s investment in the project, and will come into full effect once the RoK’s Defence Acquisi-tion Programme Administra-tion (DAPA), the country’s defence procurement agency,

accepts the KAI contract to complete the development of the KFX aircraft. The choice of KAI as the preferred developer of the KFX was made in March 2015.

According to KAI, Indone-sia’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) will partici-pate in the design phase of the aircraft and produce as yet unidentified components. PTDI will also obtain owner-ship of the intellectual prop-erty rights of a number of patents involved in the devel-opment the KFX/IFX as well as access to one of six sched-uled prototypes.

KAI plans to start manu-facturing the KFX from 2025 and company officials have suggested that some 250 KFX/IFX fighters will be destined to replace the RoKAF’s age-ing Northrop Grumman F-5E Tiger-II and McDonnell Doug-las F-4E Phantom fighters and, eventually, its F-16C/D Fighting Falcon jets. KAI also expects to export several hundred KFX fighters to numerous countries, includ-ing Indonesia.

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Japan officially selects Boeing’s Kc-46a for tanKer requirement

The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 23 October 2015 that it had selected Boeing’s 767-200 airliner-based tanker, the KC-46A Pegasus, to supplement the nation’s KC-767J tanker fleet and meet the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s (JASDF) KCX requirement to expand the service’s air-to-air refuel-ling and transport capabilities.

The announcement came from Japanese defence minis-

ter Gen Nakatani who stated during a news conference that Japan would be looking to procure three KC-46As, with an expected delivery of the first aircraft by the end of 2020. Although Japan’s MoD has not yet published a value for the KCX deal, it is expected to be worth about $520 mil-lion, or circa $173 million per tanker.

Boeing, which submit-ted its proposal in time for the MoD’s 8 September 2015 deadline, was the lone bidder for the JASDF requirement, as Airbus, claiming that the

roK to acquire suBmarine-launchedmissiles from us

The United States’ Defence Security Cooperation Agen-cy (DSCA) on 18 November 2015 approved a $110 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to provide the Republic of Korea (RoK) with Boeing UGM-84L Harpoon Block-II submarine-launched Anti-Ship Missiles (AShMs) and associated components.

The sale covers 19 UGM-84L missiles, along with 13 Block-II upgrade kits, con-tainers, spare parts, Guidance Control Unit spares, recerti-fication and reconfiguration support, as well as tools and tool sets.

In a statement published following the announcement of the FMS, the DSCA stated that “(t)he acquisition of the

notice was rigged and clearly intended solely for the Boe-ing KC-46A, immediately declined to participate when Japan issued its request. Air-bus had stated at the time that

“it would be an inappropriate use of shareholders’ funds and company resources to bid on this contract and accord-ingly the company will not be competing.”

Refraining from comment-ing on the polemical comment, Japan’s MoD stated that the decision to choose Boeing’s aircraft over its Airbus equiva-lent, the A330-200 Multi-Role

Tanker Transport (MRTT), based on the company’s A330-200 airliner, will strengthen ties between the US and Japan and will allow for common operations and training.

Commenting on Japan’s announcement, an official statement released by Boe-ing stated that the company

“(looks) forward to working alongside the US government to help Japan expand its aer-ial refuelling capabilities with (the) KC-46 tanker.” The state-ment continued, expressing gratitude for “(the) confidence (that Japan’s MoD) has shown in Boeing as we honour our commitments … and continue our enduring partnership with Japan, which has been going strong for more than 60 years.”

The JASDF currently op-erates four Boeing KC-767J tankers and became the first foreign customer for the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-roto family aircraft after signing a $332 million contract for five examples in July 2015, for delivery by June 2018.

… missiles and support will supplement current weapon inventories and bring the RoK Navy’s anti-surface warfare performance up to existing regional baselines.” It added that “the proposed sale will provide a defensive capability while enhancing interoperabil-ity with the United States and other allied forces … The RoK is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region.”

The RoK Navy has been using UGM-84 family sub-launched AShMs since the 1990s and this latest purchase of missiles is projected to complement its current weapon inventories and increase the RoK Navy’s (RoKN) anti-sur-face warfare capabilities.

Boeing’s UGM-84L Block-II AShM is designed for all-weath-er, over-the-horizon, engage-ment of land and ship targets. These missiles are also available in air-launched (AGM-84) and surface-launched (RGM-84) versions and can be employed to support coastal defence.

e a s t a s i a

The US State Department had approved the sale of 48 UGM-84L Harpoon Block II weapons to Japan in May 2015, for an estimated $199 mil-lion. Other Asian operators of the missile include India, Ma-laysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.



a u s t r a l a s i a

AustrAliA lAys keel on third and final aWd

The construction of the third and final ’Hobart’ class de-stroyer on order for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has begun, as the keel for the vessel was laid by her manufacturer AWD Alliance, a consortium of Adelaide-based shipbuilder ASC, Raytheon’s Australian subsidiary and the country’s De-partment of Defence, it was

announced on 19 November 2015.The vessel, destined to

be named HMAS Sydney, is the last of three 6350-tonne

‘Hobart’class destroyers ordered in October 2007 as part of Aus-tralia’s Sea 4000 programme to procure a new class of air de-fence ships to replace the Royal Australian Navy’s ‘Adelaide’ class frigates and its stopgap air warfare capability with the Raytheon RIM-66 Standard

Missile-2 (SM-2) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) as part of the requirements outlined in the 2000 Australian Defence White Paper. The HMAS Sydney is scheduled to commission with the RAN by March 2020.

The first ship in the class, HMAS Hobart, which has commenced initial combat systems activation, is set to be-gin sea trials in 2016 and was launched on 23 May 2015 in

the state of South Australia. She will be delivered to the RAN by June 2017. The second vessel, HMAS Brisbane, recently completed hull consolidation and is planned for delivery by September 2018. Peter Croser, programme manager for the AWD, stated on the company’s website on 19 November 2015 that the con-sortium had “achieved a number of critical milestones (in 2015), from launching our first ship HMAS Hobart in May, to achieving 70 percent completion on our second ship, (HMAS Brisbane), and now commencing the hull consolidation phase for our third ship, (HMAS Sydney).”

The ‘Hobart’ class ships have an overall length of 146.7 metres/m (480 feet/ft), an overall beam of 18.6m (59ft), and a hull draught of 4.9m (13ft). The ships will report-edly have a speed in excess of more than 28 knots (51.8 kilo-metres-per-hour) and a range of 5000 nautical miles (9260 kilometres) at 18 knots (33 ki-lometres-per-hour). The ’Ho-bart’ class is capable of firing a variety of missiles including the RIM-66 SM-2, and Ray-theon’s RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow SAM, and will be fit-ted with Raytheon’s Phalanx close-in weapon system.

AustrAliAn DoD looking to Acquire 450 trAckeD iFVs

On 13 November 2015, Australia’s Department of Defence (DoD) released a Re-quest for Information (RFI) for 450 tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

The DoD’s RFI aims to determine the price and avail-ability of solutions that could satisfy the Australian Army’s requirements for an IFV and Manoeuvre Support Vehicle (MSV) to properly enable com-bat brigades to undertake joint land combat and meet the Aus-tralian Army’s requirements for

mounted close combat as part of its Project Land 400 initia-tive. The request covers Phase 3 of Project Land 400 and is des-tined to be the Australian Ar-my’s largest ever land systems acquisition programme, with a cost of about $7.1 billion.

Australia’s DoD is looking to acquire an IFV with levels of protection and mobility equal to the in-service Gen-eral Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank while seeking to deliver to the army “the next generation of armoured fight-ing vehicles with the firepow-er, protection and mobility to

defeat increasingly lethal and adaptive adversaries well into the future,” according to the Australian DoD.

The implementation of Phase 3 of Project Land 400 will see the ADF seeking to replace its ageing fleet of BAE Systems M113AS1 tracked Armoured Personnel Carri-ers (APC), starting 2020, with a final delivery scheduled for 2025. The M113ASI APC fam-ily have provided the Austra-lian Army with a protected mobility and armoured fight-ing capability since the mid-1960s with the introduction of the vehicle. Australia’s army

is currently equipped with the upgraded M113AS4 which has been in service since 2007.

The programme’s Phase 2 Request for Tender closed on 3 September 2015 and the evalu-ation of the offers received is presently ongoing. Under Phase 2 of the Project Land 400 initiative, the DoD is seeking replacements for the Austra-lian Army’s existing ASLAV (Australian Light Armoured Vehicle). More information regarding armoured vehicle procurements in the Asia-Pa-cific can be found in Stephen W. Miller’s Security Guards article in this issue.

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