ASEAN military news

Russia to sell six Su-30 fighter jets to Indonesia
MOSCOW, December 7 (RIA Novosti)

Russia started the first day at an arms show in Malaysia with a preliminary agreement on the delivery of six Su-30MK2 fighters to Indonesia, the Kommersant business daily said on Wednesday.

Kommersant cited a Russian source at the talks with Indonesia during the LIMA-2011 arms show on the main island of Langkawi as saying that a contract on the Su-30MK2 delivery could be signed as early as by the end of 2011.

The source did not specify the price of the contract as it would depend on the array of weaponry to be installed on the aircraft according to Indonesian specifications.

However, an anonymous source in the Indonesian delegation said the contract could be worth at least $500 million.

Russia’s state-arms exporter Rosoboronexport refused to comment on the negotiations.

Russia recently completed a $300-million contract signed in 2007 on the delivery of three Su-30MK2 and three Su-27SKM fighters to Jakarta in addition to two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK fighters purchased in 2003.

Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said in October 2010 that his country needed a full-size squadron of 16 Su-family fighters. The Su-30MK2s are optimized as naval strike fighters.

Jakarta became one of Russia's main arms buyers in 1999 when the United States tightened an embargo on arms sales to the country over alleged human rights violations.

Russia to sell six Su-30 fighter jets to Indonesia

LIMA: Eurofighter, Rafale raise stakes in Malaysian fighter contest

The Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon have made debut appearances in Langkawi as the rivals pursue Malaysia's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement against the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab Gripen.

Dassault mounted a major campaign, with the head of the French air force visiting the show. The company also had a large stand and two French air force Rafales were on static display and performed flight demonstrations. The company also confirmed media reports it had opened a Kuala Lumpur office in October, establishing itself as a late entrant to replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force's RSK MiG-29 aircraft.

"The Rafale International team has brought together French and Malaysian expertise with the key objective of encouraging the Malaysian government to purchase its leading multi-role combat aircraft, the Rafale," said Dassault.

The company also discussed its willingness to work with Malaysian industry in the area of offsets. At a media briefing, Malaysian defence minister Ahmad Zahid said offsets will play a key role in the nation's decision for the 18-aircraft MRCA deal.

Boeing also mounted a major campaign. Using two Super Hornets leased from the US Navy, it conducted aerial displays and also hosted Malaysian VIPs and journalists to media flights. Company representatives said the F/A-18E/F is highly compatible with Malaysia's current eight F/A-18Ds, and its pilots could fly the newer type with little training, although they would need to master the Super Hornet's more advanced systems and sensors.

Boeing also highlighted the F/A-18E/F's ability to operate as a tactical tanker, and the aircraft's Raytheon APG-79 active electronic scanned array radar. The APG-79 is the only operational AESA in the competition, although its rivals should have the technology by the time the MRCA winner enters service in 2015-2016.

Eurofighter, meanwhile, conducted flying displays with two Royal Air Force Typhoons that remained in Malaysia after participating in the region's Bersama Lima exercise in early November. The European consortium also brought a full-sized mock-up to the show and stressed the long history of programme partners such as BAE Systems and EADS in Malaysia's aerospace industry.

Saab was represented by two Royal Thai Air Force Gripens. Bangkok has ordered 12 of the single-engined fighters and received six so far.

Irrespective of the interest shown by foreign aerospace companies, Malaysia has yet to issue a formal request for proposals for MRCA. Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Rodzali Daud told Flightglobal a decision will be made before the finalisation of the country's 11th Malaysia plan. This means a winner could be announced in 2013 - possibly at the next Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace exhibition - or in 2014.


LIMA: Eurofighter, Rafale raise stakes in Malaysian fighter contest

Royal Malaysian Navy selects DCNS' Gowind corvette for its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program

The Gowind frigate, designed by French company DCNS, has been selected for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme. However, the contract for building the six ships remains on hold due to disagreements between the builder, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS), and the end user RMN, according to people familiar with the programme.

One of the key sticking points is BNS and DCNS’s insistence that the ships adopt the SETIS combat management system (CMS) designed by the French company.

[...]

Despite the delay, BNS is displaying a model of the Gowind frigate at the Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace exhibition here. The frigate is 107m-long with a displacement of 2,750 tonnes.

It will be armed with a 57mm gun, surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes. With four diesel engines, the ship will have a top speed of 29 knots. theSun had reported on Tuesday that the widely speculated deal for six LCS would be delayed until next year.

Full article: Royal Malaysian Navy selects DCNS' Gowind corvette for its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program


DCNS Gowind range of corvettes
(picture: DCNS)


DCNS Gowind "Combat" class scale model shown during Navdex 2011
(picture: Navy Recognition)

Boustead Gowind Frigate on display right now at LIMA 2011

The model sports a Bofors MK4 57mm gun, an eight (updated) cell ESSM launcher, a Rheimental FCR front and back, two 30mm Otobreda guns and a big helo deck.

Word is that the contract for the ship WILL NOT be signed at Lima though.

–Malaysian Defence

There will be increased sales of Naval Vessels & Aircraft to some ASEAN Military Forces that have their territorial waters and air-spaces to defend, especially with increasing tensions in the South China Sea and surrounding waters. Same goes for Australia, Japan (Sea of Japan) & South Korea (East China Sea). It is really unfortunate that the "arms race" in this region is escalating because of growing belligerancy shown by some countries. Let's hope common sense & common good would prevail, otherwise the Asia-Pacific will not be an area of continued economic growth but the next area of serious conflicts and even war.

At US$300 million for a corvette, Malaysian always go for big ticket small ships.

Check the price list of various corvette below:

CORVETTES/OPVs/CUTTERS

Baynunah (UAE)-$137 million

Braunschweig K-130 (Germany)-$309 million

Clyde (Britain)-$47,000,000

Falaj 2 (UAE)-$136 million

Khareef (Oman)-$262 million

Kedah (Malaysia)-$300 million

Knud Rasmussen (Denmark)-$50 million

BAM Maritime Action Ship (Spain)-$116 million

MILGEM corvettes (Turkey)-$250 million

Otago (New Zealand)-$62.6 million

Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago)-$76 million

River (Britain)-$31,400,000

Sarah Baartman/ Damen 8313 OPV (South Africa)-$20 million

Sentinel-$47 million

Sigma (Indonesian/Moroccan)-$222 million

Visby (Sweden)-$184 million

Originally Posted by paintgun

LIMA: Eurofighter, Rafale raise stakes in Malaysian fighter contest

The Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon have made debut appearances in Langkawi as the rivals pursue Malaysia's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement against the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab Gripen.

Dassault mounted a major campaign, with the head of the French air force visiting the show. The company also had a large stand and two French air force Rafales were on static display and performed flight demonstrations. The company also confirmed media reports it had opened a Kuala Lumpur office in October, establishing itself as a late entrant to replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force's RSK MiG-29 aircraft.

"The Rafale International team has brought together French and Malaysian expertise with the key objective of encouraging the Malaysian government to purchase its leading multi-role combat aircraft, the Rafale," said Dassault.

The company also discussed its willingness to work with Malaysian industry in the area of offsets. At a media briefing, Malaysian defence minister Ahmad Zahid said offsets will play a key role in the nation's decision for the 18-aircraft MRCA deal.

Boeing also mounted a major campaign. Using two Super Hornets leased from the US Navy, it conducted aerial displays and also hosted Malaysian VIPs and journalists to media flights. Company representatives said the F/A-18E/F is highly compatible with Malaysia's current eight F/A-18Ds, and its pilots could fly the newer type with little training, although they would need to master the Super Hornet's more advanced systems and sensors.

Boeing also highlighted the F/A-18E/F's ability to operate as a tactical tanker, and the aircraft's Raytheon APG-79 active electronic scanned array radar. The APG-79 is the only operational AESA in the competition, although its rivals should have the technology by the time the MRCA winner enters service in 2015-2016.

Eurofighter, meanwhile, conducted flying displays with two Royal Air Force Typhoons that remained in Malaysia after participating in the region's Bersama Lima exercise in early November. The European consortium also brought a full-sized mock-up to the show and stressed the long history of programme partners such as BAE Systems and EADS in Malaysia's aerospace industry.

Saab was represented by two Royal Thai Air Force Gripens. Bangkok has ordered 12 of the single-engined fighters and received six so far.

Irrespective of the interest shown by foreign aerospace companies, Malaysia has yet to issue a formal request for proposals for MRCA. Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Rodzali Daud told Flightglobal a decision will be made before the finalisation of the country's 11th Malaysia plan. This means a winner could be announced in 2013 - possibly at the next Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace exhibition - or in 2014.


LIMA: Eurofighter, Rafale raise stakes in Malaysian fighter contest

FA-18E/F would be a logical choice, it is battle proven top gun and US navy's front line fighter, and little conversion costs from current FA-18D in RMAF service. There will be saving in pilot training costs, logistic and maintenance costs from saving in spares from compatible parts from FA-18D, and also saving from current weapon stocks dedicated to FA-18D.

Originally Posted by lcloo

FA-18E/F would be a logical choice, it is battle proven top gun and US navy's front line fighter, and little conversion costs from current FA-18D in RMAF service. There will be saving in pilot training costs, logistic and maintenance costs from saving in spares from compatible parts from FA-18D, and also saving from current weapon stocks dedicated to FA-18D.

But that also means Malaysia would risk the price of not staying too far from US policies (that's extremely complicated for a Muslim nation, secular or not), or facing supplies being curtailed or cut altogether...

the Malaysians are very eager to get the Typhoon

Originally Posted by paintgun

the Malaysians are very eager to get the Typhoon

source?

This is a very good thread, we have South East Asia's news circular now.

It is really unfortunate that the "arms race" in this region is escalating because of growing belligerancy shown by some countries. Let's hope common sense & common good would prevail, otherwise the Asia-Pacific will not be an area of continued economic growth but the next area of serious conflicts and even war.

We all have good wishes advill, but I remember somewhere inline with the saying:"When there is blood on the street, there is booming of business" - Arms dealer didn't exactly the kind of people wishes the ease of tensions and the understanding between states - It is the job for the politicians who sign the checks, not the service provider who promise performance.

Russia Sells Second Batch of Gepard-Class Frigates to Vietnam
Posted on Dec 8th, 2011

Vietnam tied a contract with Rosoboronexport for delivery of an additional 2-ship batch of Project Gepard 3.9 frigates, reports Interfax referring to Sergei Rudenko, deputy director for foreign economic affairs of JSC Zelenodolsk Shipyard. According to him, in contrast to the first two Vietnamese frigates armed with missile systems, the second pair will be “antisubmarine-oriented”.

Vietnam purchased first two Project Gepard 3.9 frigates in 2006; the last one was delivered in March 2011. In Vietnamese Navy, the ships obtained names of Dinh Tien Hoang and Ly Thai To. Displacement of such frigate is 2,100 tons. She is armed with antiship missile system, one 76.2-mm and two 30-mm gun mounts. Gepard-class frigate is equipped with heliport for Ka-28 or Ka-31 helicopters.

Russia Sells Second Batch of Gepard-Class Frigates to Vietnam >> Naval Today

Originally Posted by MwRYum

But that also means Malaysia would risk the price of not staying too far from US policies (that's extremely complicated for a Muslim nation, secular or not), or facing supplies being curtailed or cut altogether...

I agree on your points, but so far Malaysia and USA are on good terms, as alwasys been in the past. And most important Malaysia is unlikely to go into any war with any US-friendly countries in the neighborhood.

However, there was a complaint after an initial training firing exercise by Malaysian airforce after taking delivery of the aircrafts, they found the F-18D could not properly track marine target due to down-graded software. The problem was later solved by manufacturer. This was about 20 years ago.

Originally Posted by lcloo

I agree on your points, but so far Malaysia and USA are on good terms, as alwasys been in the past. And most important Malaysia is unlikely to go into any war with any US-friendly countries in the neighborhood.

However, there was a complaint after an initial training firing exercise by Malaysian airforce after taking delivery of the aircrafts, they found the F-18D could not properly track marine target due to down-graded software. The problem was later solved by manufacturer. This was about 20 years ago.

Indeed, thanks to a change of leadership that weighted more on realist than the older days.