RBAirF to Screen for Potential Pilots with New Simulator

22 Juni 2015

A view of the cockpit in the PC-7 flight training simulator.(photo : CAE Brunei MPTC)

THE Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) will have a faster screening and selection process to identify potential pilot cadets with the installation of the new PC-7 flight training simulator at the CAE Brunei Multi-Purpose Training Centre (MPTC) in Rimba.

In a press statement issued yesterday, CAE Brunei MPTC said that the PC-7 flight training simulator will be used to conduct selection and screening processes for RBAirF officers who are interested in becoming a military pilot following the completion of their officer’s course.

Kevin Speed, CAE Brunei MPTC’s General Manager, explained that producing a military pilot requires a long and expensive process.

He esplained that the RBAirF previously conducted its screening and selections abroad, and that the results had a low passing rate.

However, CAE Brunei MPTC will provide the RBAirF with flexibility in conducting their training programmes which can yield better results.

He added that the trainees will receive help from training instructors who had previously served the RBAirF and the Royal Australian Navy.

CAE Brunei MPTC also said that the first class of potential cadet pilots had recently completed their two-week selection course using the PC-7 flight training simulator.

Besides the PC-7 flight training simulator, CAE Brunei MPTC also offers training programmes for the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter with its full-flight simulator at the centre.

The CAE Brunei MPTC will also be receiving an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter simulator in 2016.

The CAE Brunei MPTC was established in 2012 as a joint venture between Canada-based CAE and Brunei’s Ministry of Finance.

The training facilities began operating in September last year.

(The Brunei Times)

RBN and RAN 16th Serial of Exercise PENGUIN 2015 Activated

24 April 2015

HMAS Armidale and KDB Daruttaqwa (photo : Brunei MoD)

MUARA NAVAL BASE – EX PENGUIN, a bilateral exercise conducted biennially between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), has reached its 16th serial. This year, the RBN is hosting the Ex PENGUIN 16/15 in Brunei Darussalam. The opening ceremony for the exercise took place this morning at Muara Naval base.

The exercise Task Group 632.1 was activated by Lieutenant Colonel (L) Pg Mohammad bin Pg Haji Damit, Fleet Commander of RBN, during the Opening Ceremony at the Senior Rates Mess of Muara Naval Base, and representing RAN was Wing Commander Michael Cawley, Deputy Defence Advisor to Singapore and Brunei.

The Fleet Commander of RBN highlighted in his speech that Ex PENGUIN is a testament to the existing bond between the two navies and this year, Ex PENGUIN will elevate the bilateral ties to a higher level. The Fleet Commander also emphasized on the safe conduct of the evolutions throughout the exercise whilst focusing to meet the objectives of the exercise; improving mutual doctrine, procedures and operational tactics between both navies.

HMAS Armidale (photo : Brunei MoD)

The Commanding Officer of HMAS ARMIDALE, Lieutenant Commander Philip Draper in his speech, amongst all others, "The officers and crew of HMAS ARMIDALE are delighted to be in Brunei and are very much looking forward to participating in Exercise Penguin with our Bruneian colleagues. The aim of Exercise Penguin is to strengthen and enhance the mutual cooperation and understanding between the RBN and RAN.  We very much appreciate the opportunity to operate with the RBN and sharpen our skills in maritime surveillance and interdiction"

Task Group 632.1 for the exercise led by Lieutenant Colonel (L) Khairil bin Haji Abd Rahman, Commanding Officer of KDB DARUTTAQWA as the Commander Task Group (CTG) 632.1 and Lieutenant Commander Philip Draper, Commanding Officer of HMAS ARMIDALE as the Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG) 632.1. The task group consists of HMAS ARMIDALE of RAN whereas; RBN consists of KDB DARUTTQWA and KDB SYAFAAT.

The exercise will feature both ashore and sea training activities. The harbour training will cover theoretical subjects and sharing of knowledge between experts such as Exercises Briefing and Boarding Demonstration. While the Sea Phase activities aim to develop naval coordination in executing tactical operations which includes Minefield Transit, Communication Drills, Surface Tracking and Firing, and Maritime Interdiction Operations. RBN and RAN share common values as well as traditions and looking forward to continue strengthening mutual bonds and professional relationship through the conduct of Ex PENGUIN series of exercises.

KDB-09 Daruttaqwa (photo : Agustin Alapont Castilla)

The exercise has witnessed broadening of scope and complexity through the years of its existence and this exercise codenamed “EX PENGUIN 16/15” is the latest of its continuing series.

The RAN arrived in yesterday 19 April, onboard the HMAS ARMIDALE ship led by Lieutenant Commander Philip Draper, Commanding Officer of HMAS ARMIDALE. They were ceremonially and traditionally welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel (L) Khairil bin Haji Abd Rahman, Commanding Officer of KDB DARUTTAQWA, as well as RBN personnel and the Royal Brunei Navy Band. 

The ship will take part in a 5-day exercise with KDB DARUTTAQWA and KDB SYAFAAT with the aspiration to enhance relationship and mutual understanding between the two navies.  The exercise will focus on sharing of knowledge and experience, enhancing professionalism and interoperability amongst the ships involved.

(Brunei MoD)

Impor Alutsista Kawasan Tahun 2014 (1)

22 Maret 2015

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), lembaga yang didirikan tahun 1966 dan bermarkas di Solna, Swedia untuk penelitian konflik, persenjataan, pengawasan senjata dan perlucutan senjata ini menerbitkan laporannya pada triwulan pertama tahun 2015.

Berikut ini adalah impor alutsista kawasan selama tahun 2014. Untuk tahun 2014 SIPRI tidak mencatat adanya transfer alutsista untuk Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea; Laos dan Kamboja. 

AUSTRALIA

 

 

BRUNEI

INDONESIA

 

 

MALAYSIA

 

 

MYANMAR

(SIPRI)

Peruntukan BND537,490,460 Kementerian Pertahanan Telah Diluluskan

19 Maret 2015

RBAF Pilatus PC-7 Mk II (photo : H. Afiq)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - Menteri Kewangan II (Kedua) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM), Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim berkata, anggaran perbelanjaan Kementerian Pertahanan dan jabatan-jabatan di bawahnya bagi Tahun 2015 / 2016 adalah sebanyak BND537,490,460.

Jumlah itu merupakan penurunan sebanyak 25.26 peratus daripada anggaran yang diluluskan pada Tahun Kewangan yang lalu.

Yang Berhormat menyatakan perkara tersebut semasa membacakan mukadimah mengenai peruntukan Kementerian Pertahanan bagi Tahun Kewangan 2015/2016 yang telah diperkenankan oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Menteri Pertahanan pada hari keempat berlangsung Majlis Mesyuarat Pertama dari Musim Permesyuaratan Kesebelas Majlis Mesyuarat Negara (MMN) yang berlangsung di Dewan Majlis, MMN, di sini.

Itu jelas Yang Berhormat, sebagai langkah untuk memandu jawatankuasa ini untuk menimbangkan permohonan peruntukan Kementerian Pertahanan ini secara fokus.
Di samping itu, Yang Berhormat juga menjelaskan mengenai pembahagian peruntukan yang diluluskan itu adalah bagi Pembayaran Gaji iaitu sebanyak BND336,146,330, diikuti dengan Perbelanjaan Tahunan Berulang-ulang sebanyak BND169,344,130, dan kemudian lain-lain pembayaran Perbelanjaan Khas sebanyak BND32 juta.

Tambahnya, bagi Kategori Perbelanjaan Pembayaran Gaji terdapat penambahan sebanyak BND15,276,960 berbanding tahun lepas.

Yang Berhormat menerangkan, penambahan ini berpunca daripada kenaikan Gaji Tahunan (Annual Increment) dan pengisian jawatan-jawatan kosong yang ada pada masa ini.
Kenaikan yang ketara ini terangnya, berpunca daripada penambahan jawatan baharu khusus bagi kakitangan pemeliharaan kelengkapan teknikal yang mengambil kira penambahan peralatan kelengkapan khususnya keupayaan Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei dan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei.

Yang Berhormat seterusnya menjelaskan, bagi kategori lain, bagi Perbelanjaan Tahunan Yang Berulang, ia menurun sebanyak 0.2 peratus disebabkan oleh pengurangan pengambilan kakitangan 'open vote' dan bergaji hari.

Manakala bagi kategori bayaran Perbelanjaan Khas jelasnya, menurun sebanyak 86 peratus, sejumlah besar penurunan ini disebabkan oleh peruntukan bagi Projek Peningkatan Keupayaan Pertahanan yang sebelum ini di bawah kawalan Kementerian Pertahanan telah dipindahkan ke akaun baharu di bawah Peruntukan Perbelanjaan Khas Kementerian Kewangan.

Tambahnya, sebahagian lagi Peruntukan Perbelanjaan Khas berpunca daripada penelitian semula keutamaan di atas projek-projek keupayaan tentera dan kerja-kerja bangunan bagi menyelaraskan keadaan ekonomi semasa.

Selain itu, Menteri Kewangan II (Kedua) di JPM juga menjelaskan, memandangkan usia Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) yang melebihi separuh abad, Kementerian Pertahanan sentiasa memastikan keupayaan tentera ABDB sentiasa di tahap yang tinggi.
Usaha ke arah peningkatan keupayaan tentera katanya, telah berjalan dengan baik sejak enam tahun kebelakangan ini yang meliputi alat kelengkapan tentera, mobiliti dan pengangkutan institusi-institusi latihan dan sebagainya.

Namun usaha ini jelasnya, masih perlu diteruskan memandangkan kepada perkembangan dan peranan serta tanggungjawab ABDB yang semakin mencabar baik di peringkat negara, ataupun antarabangsa.

Yang Berhormat seterusnya menjelaskan, dalam waktu yang sama, Kementerian Pertahanan juga akan mengambil peranan penting ke arah usaha mencapai Wawasan Negara 2035, iaitu membentuk satu strategi keselamatan yang 'robust' dan berkesan untuk memelihara kestabilan dan kedaulatan negara, menjamin hubungan diplomatik pertahanan dan siap siaga dalam menangani sebarang ancaman termasuk bantuan kemanusiaan dan bencana alam.

"Kementerian Pertahanan sedang membuat kajian pertahanan secara terperinci bagi memastikan keberkesanan pengurusan pertahanan yang 'cost effective' dan perancangan jangka masa panjang yang melahirkan kesan yang positif terhadap kekuatan tentera dan pertahanan negara," jelas Yang Berhormat Menteri Kewangan II (Kedua) di JPM.
"Kementerian Pertahanan akan terus mengamalkan sikap berhemah dalam berbelanja dan memastikan 'corporate governance' seperti menginstitusikan kaedah 'programme and performance budgeting' dalam pengurusan."

(Pelita Brunei)