Tony Abbott to Reveal Defence Plans: $89bn in Ships, Submarines

05 Agustus 2015

New frigate will replace six Adelaide class and Anzac class FFG (all photos : Aus DoD)

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed construction of new offshore patrol vessels will start in 2018 and new frigates in 2020 under a $40 billion plan for continuous shipbuilding in Australia.

A restructured surface naval shipbuilding industry could be competitive and provide the best possible ships at the best possible price, he said.

From 2020 onwards there will be build-up to about 2500 workers employed continuously in surface naval shipbuilding and most of them will be in Adelaide, he told reporters in the South Australian capital this afternoon.

“The frigates are coming as the first prize and one way or another the subs will be coming as a further prize,” Mr Abbott had told ABC radio earlier, ahead of the formal announcement.

“You shouldn’t assume that the subs won’t happen here.”

The submarine contract is subject to a competitive evaluation process being contested by Japanese, French and German shipbuilders who will be required to outline local involvement in any tenders. The prime minister conceded Australian shipbuilders would not be able to avoid entirely the so-called “valley of death” — the gap between the end of existing contracts and the start of new ones — with jobs in the sector likely to halve from 2000 to 1000 over the next few years.

But it should rebuild to about 2500 ongoing positions by 2020. “This is the best possible outcome for service shipbuilding in Australia,” Mr Abbott said.

Independent SA senator Nick Xenophon conceded it was better to have the warships built in his state than not, but he was still critical of the announcement.

“You need critical mass in the industry and that would also need to involve building the submarines as promised,” he told ABC radio.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said there was no question both the warships and the submarines should be built in Australia. “Mr Abbott views these multi-billion dollar, multi-thousand job contracts as political prizes aimed at just saving his own job,” he told reporters outside Victorian-based shipbuilder BAE Systems today.

The Abbott government’s plans for a major defence announcement were revealed by The Australian on Monday.

Labor Premier Jay Weatherill said the commitment put South Australia in a better position to attract submarine building in the state.

“The logic associated with this particular decision can be applied to the submarine building contract,’’ he said. “Any criticisms about the way in which the submarine building project has occurred in the past, all relate to the stop start nature of the build program, not the skills and capabilities of our workers but the way in which we’ve gone about in the procurement and we believe we have a strong case in for advancing future subs being built in this state.’’

Mr Weatherill said wrong decisions were likely to have had “catastrophic consequences” for the Liberals in South Australia and people saw the common sense of a 30-year continuous build.

“I think this is a good decision and a win for South Australia. But we also have lots of things we want to speak to the Commonwealth about.”

Earlier Defence force chiefs and South Australian Liberal MPs filed into the Abbott government’s Cabinet room in Adelaide for a confidential briefing on the government’s shipbuilding plans.


Among the Defence establishment attending briefings by the Prime Minister and Defence Minister Kevin Andrews are Chief of the Defence Force Mark Binskin and Navy Chief Tim Barrett.

Speakership hopeful Andrew Southcott, Matt Williams and Simon Birmingham had also arrived at the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting. Assistant infrastructure minister Jamie Briggs is absent from the deliberations, instead attending functions in his electorate of Mayo.

Key Points in New Shipbuilding Plan

* Construction of Future Frigates will start in 2020 in Adelaide, three years earlier than scheduled under the 2012 Defence Capability Plan.

* They will replace the navy’s eight Anzac frigates, constructed in Melbourne between 1994 and 2004.

* The new vessels will be larger than the 3600-tonne Anzacs and designed with a strong emphasis on anti-submarine warfare.

* Construction of new offshore patrol vessels will start in 2018, two years earlier than scheduled.

* They will replace 14 Armidale patrol boats, mine warfare vessels, survey and hydrographic ships with a single class of about 20 ships. The government hasn’t said where they’ll be built - but likely Melbourne.

* The new patrol boats will be much larger than the 300-tonne Armidale class vessels, made of steel and able to carry a helicopter.

* Full details will be outlined in the new Defence White Paper. The government says the two projects will cost $39 billion.

* Selection of designs for both vessels will be conducted through a competitive evaluation process, not a tender, starting in October.

* Both will be produced through a process of continuous construction, turning out new vessels about every two years. * The government says starting earlier will save about 1000 shipyard jobs. When both projects are in full swing, there will be about 2500 enduring jobs.

(The Australian)

PN Plans to Purchase Submarines from South Korea or Japan over the Next Five Years

04 Agustus 2015

Korean made submarine (photo : US Navy)


Philippines to buy submarines and advanced missile systems for the first time

Manila: For the first time, the Philippines will buy electric and diesel-run submarines, including advanced missile systems, as listed in its $22.11 billion (998 billion pesos or Dh83.166 billion) modernisation plan that was approved in July, to ensure its strength against China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia which have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, sources said.

“The Philippine Navy will buy several submarines and missile systems in the next five years from private manufacturing firms either from South Korea or Japan,” a military source who requested anonymity told Gulf News.

“The ambitious purchase was scheduled after the Philippine economy grew, received good ratings from rating agencies, and allowed borrowing for expensive war materials, but the Philippines could not yet match China’s 26 submarines,” said the same source.

In 2013, the Philippine Navy bought two 1.400 tonne Incheon-class frigates (also called Future Frigate experimental or FFX), manufactured by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries and STX Offshore and Shipbuilding for $400 million (18 billion pesos or Dh1.5 billion); two strategic sealift vessels or floating command centres which can transport three helicopters per vessel, soldiers, and supplies at sea, from Indonesia’s PT PAL (Persero) for $85.7 million (3.86 billion pesos or Dh321.6 million). The new frigates and sealift vessels will arrive in the Philippines at the end of 2015 or early 2016, President Benigno Aquino announced recently.

It is widely reported that the Philippine Navy is manned by three US-made refurbished frigates: BRP Tagbanua; BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, but Japan’s defence ministry said the Philippine Navy has 80 warships; China, 892; Malaysia, 208; and Vietnam, 94.

The Philippine Coast Guard also bought 10 40-metre-long multi-purpose response vessels (MRRV) from Japan in late 2013 for $184 million (8.09 billion pesos or Dh674.6 million), in a loan forged with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2014. They will augment the Coast Guard’s 19 rescue vessels, when they arrive in the Philippines at the end of 2015, sources said.

The Coast Guard secured a $20 million (900 million pesos or Dh75 million) loan from the United States’ Defence Threat Reduction Agency (it has a maritime security project with the US’ Weapons for Mass Destruction Proliferation Prevention Programme) for three aerial surveillance radars, two surface sensors and three surveillance planes for the Philippine Coast Guard National Coast Watch Centre in northern Luzon and southwest Philippines.

Recently, the Philippine Air Force bought 12 new FA-50 fighter-trainers made by Korea Aerospace Industries. six Close Air Support Aircraft; seven of 13 AW-109 helicopters; and six of eight Bell-412 combat utility helicopters made by Korea Aerospace Industries. The two fighters will arrive in December 2015 or early 2016, and the rest in 2017.

Japan’s defence ministry said the Philippines has a total of 26 combat aircraft, compared with China’s 2,582 combat aircraft.

The Philippine government also allotted $22 million (1 billion pesos or Dh83.33 million) for the development of three new naval bases that will protect its 36,000 kilometre coastline facing the South China Sea.

In 1995, Congress approved an $8.08 billion (364 billion pesos or Dh30.3 billion) military modernisation plan for 15 years. But only 10 per cent of the approved budget was secured by a loan 15 years later, in 2010, the budget department said.

China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim the whole of the South China Sea and several parts of the oil-rich Spratly Archipelago. Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines claim their respective exclusive economic zones in the South China Sea and parts of the Spratly Archipelago.

(GulfNews)

Navy Releases Document on Why it Needs Submarines

01 Agustus 2015

Royal Thai Navy fleet group (phoro : mdc)

THE NAVY has released a nine-page document detailing what it says are the reasons why the country needs to spend Bt36 billion on buying three submarines from China.

The move came after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha suspended the procurement of the Yuan Class S26T submarines and told the Navy to explain to the public the necessity of protecting the country's marine interests and why it wanted to buy the subs.

In the document, drafted on the order of Navy chief Admiral Kraisorn Chansuwanit, the Navy stated that Thailand's maritime interests amounted to Bt24 trillion per year with an increasing value. They include marine natural resources, marine transport, downstream industries and tourism. 

The submarines would be only 0.006 per cent of the total marine interests because they could be used for at least 30 years, the Navy stated.

Almost 95 per cent of the country's imports and exports are transported by sea, it said, adding that about 15,000 cargo vessels passed through the Gulf of Thailand per year. If the gulf, which is 400 kilometres wide, were blocked, as happened during World War II, the country would be badly affected.

The Navy said although there was no war looming, maritime conflicts between countries existed and no one could guarantee that the conflicts would not descend into wars. Having the submarines would be a defensive strategy against wars and a balance of power mechanism. 

In terms of its marine capability, the country is lagging 10 years behind neighbouring countries like Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.

In response to claims the Yuan Class S26T would not be useful because it can only dive in shallow water and are easy targets for enemies, the Navy argued that the Gulf of Thailand is about 50 metres deep and some operations need to be done near the shore. Planes cannot see submarines which dive down 20 metres, it said.

The Navy said it wanted to buy the submarine because it was efficient and the most value for money. Five other countries would provide only two submarines for Bt36 billion. 

The Chinese submarine also had air-independent propulsion that enabled it to stay under water for 21 days compared with subs from other countries that had to emerge to charge batteries every four or five days.

The Chinese subs are also equipped with weapons, including torpedoes and sea mines, the Navy said, adding that their safety is on par with European submarines with a double-hull body.

China also offered eight years of parts service and a two-year guarantee on all equipment in the sub, while other countries offered only a one-year guarantee. China would also transfer knowledge on the sub maintenance, its systems and weapons. 

The Navy said the Bt36-billion fund would be paid through instalments over seven to 10 years, or around Bt3 billion to 5 billion per year depending on how much each instalment was set at. The money would not be taken from the central fund or special funds but the Navy's annual budget allocation from the government.

The document was released in response to the government's order for the Navy to explain the plan.

Former Democrat Party MP Watchara Petthong disapproved of the purchase, saying it would be unnecessary spending given the condition of the country's coffers and economy.

"I wonder if the move to push for the sub purchase has something to do with the commission fee,'' he said.

(Nation Multimedia)

Prawit Delays Sending Sub Purchase to Cabinet

16 Juli 2015

Yuan class submarine (photo : frigateRAN)

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Wednesday ordered the navy to delay sending its submarine purchase proposal to cabinet for approval, amid concern about opposition to the project. 

Gen Prawit said the plan to buy three submarines from China will not be on the cabinet's agenda until the Royal Thai Navy does a better job of raising awareness about why it needs them. 

The navy should clearly explain to the people the benefits of having submarines to protect the national interest in territorial waters, he said. 

The plan has received backing from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-ocha and from Gen Prawit, who is deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs.

But it also encountered fierce opposition, in particular criticism from the Pheu Thai Party and the People's Democratic Reform Committee, and social activists. They urged the government to use the money to help the country out of the economic slump and to recitify social problems, instead of buying new weapons. 

The prime minister on Wednesday reiterated his support for the scheme, saying the navy had made a thorough study of the need to have submarines before it propose the procurement. 

It had been planned to put the submarine project on the cabinet agenda on Tuesday. 

See full article : Bangkok Post

DCNS Names ‘Shortfin Barracuda’ as SEA 1000 Contender

16 Juli 2015

DCNS Shortfin Barracuda (image : DCNS)

DCNS has announced that it will propose what it believes would be the most advanced conventionally powered submarine in the world as its pre-concept design for the Future Submarine program’s competitive evaluation process.

Known as the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A, the submarine has been developed from the larger Barracuda nuclear-powered attack submarine, would be more than 90 metres long and would displace more than 4,000 tons when dived, the company said in a statement.

“If selected, the Shortfin Barracuda will remain in service until the 2060s, and the Block 1A platform will be updated and upgraded with new technology developed in France and Australia,” said Sean Costello, DCNS Australia chief executive officer. “The technical evolution of the submarine will be enabled by a strategic-level government-to-government agreement between France and Australia.”

The federal government announced the acquisition strategy for the Future Submarine in February, stating that France, Germany and Japan would be invited to participate in the competitive evaluation that is intended to assess their ability to partner with Australia to develop a submarine.

(ADBR)

Debarkation of 4th Vietnamese Kilo Submarine

04 Juli 2015

Debarkation of  4th Vietnamese submarine from mother ship Rolldock Storm (all photos : Baomoi)

Vietnamese 4th Kilo submarines reliable brave in Cam Ranh

At time 10h40 2/7 days, HQ-185 submarine - the 4th Vietnamese Kilo has left the mother ship at the port of Brigade 189 submarines in Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa.

Before leaving the mother ship Rolldock Storm, from the night of 1/7, part of the transport ship was sunk in order to HQ-185 ship exit.

At around 9am on 2/7, with the assistance of tugboats, Russian made 4 of 6 submarines for Vietnam have been put on submarines military port safety.

It remains unclear official ceremony handed over two of Kilo ship HQ-184 Hai Phong and HQ-185 will be held by Vietnamese Navy.

Speedboats were mobilized to ensure the safety for work of the vessels HQ-185 put into military ship port.

HQ-185 submarine was towed by tugboat to the military port.

Azimuth hybrid fleet towing 4th submarine for Vietnam.

Before entering the military port, right 7am 30/6, transports MV Rolldock Strom carrying HQ-185 Kilo submarines was advanced into Cam Ranh Bay.

HQ-185 submarine was built at the Admiralty Shipyard in Saint Petersburg (Russia). Launch date 03/28/2014, after completion of all the tests, the ship HQ-185 was set off to Vietnam.

Rolldock Storm put HQ-185 Kilo submarines for Vietnam follow along sea lanes from north to south Atlantic, around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa to advance into the Indian Ocean.

As well as ships carrying submarines Rolldock Star HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City, Rolldock Storm does not go through the Malacca Strait to Singapore, but Sunda Strait. After a short stop in Singapore, Rolldock Storm passing Singapore Straits and ran straight into the South China Sea military port of Cam Ranh.

(BaoMoi)

4th Russian-Built Submarine Arrives in Vietnam

01 Juli 2015

The submarine codenamed HQ-185 Da Nang carried by cargo ship Rolldock Storm at Cam Ranh Port in Khanh Hoa Province. (photo: Nguyen Chung)

The fourth of the six Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam has contracted to buy from Russia arrived at Cam Ranh Port in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on Tuesday morning.

The submarine codenamed HQ-185 Da Nang was transported by the Dutch-registered cargo ship Rolldock Storm.

The submarine was launched on March 28, 2014 at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg, Russia, and then had a trial run on the Baltic Sea.

On May 14 this year, it started the voyage to Vietnam.

The first three submarines, named after Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, arrived in Vietnam in 2014 and early 2015.

The fifth submarine codenamed HQ-186 Khanh Hoa underwent trial run on the Baltic Sea on June 8.

The delivery of the sixth and last one, HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau, is scheduled for next year.

The six submarines are built under a US$2-billion deal signed during a Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's visit to Russia in 2009.

Russia will deliver all by 2016, train Vietnamese crews, and supply necessary spare parts.

(ThanhNien)

TKMS Starts Construction of Singapore's Type 218SG Submarines

30 Juni 2015

TKMS Type 218SG (photos : mypaper, mdc)

Work on the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) two new Type 218SG diesel electric submarines has started, a MINDEF spokesperson confirmed to IHS Jane's on 29 June.

The spokesperson said Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Lai Chung Han witnessed the steel-cutting ceremony at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems' (TKMS') facility at Kiel on 24 June, which marked the commencement of construction for the service's future submarines, as part of an official visit to Germany.

Singapore signed a contract with TKMS for two new air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines in December 2013. Initial details of the contract were scant, although a TKMS statement said the new design has been customised to meet the country's unique requirements, and includes capacity to accommodate additional equipment to meet future operational requirements. It will also feature an advanced combat system co-developed by Singapore Technologies (ST) Electronics, a subsidiary of Singapore defence prime ST Engineering Group, and the Bremen-based Atlas Elektronik.

Fresh details of the Type 218SG submarine finally emerged during the IMDEX 2015 exhibition that was held in Singapore in May 2015. According to specifications provided by TKMS, the Type 218SG will be 70 m in length, 6.3 m in beam, and will displace approximately 2,000 tonnes.

A company source told IHS Jane's that the Type 218SG is developed from the Type 214 design, although the new submarine has been extended in length to accommodate additional mission systems as well as to support future upgradability.

IHS Jane's was also told that the new design combines the "best features" of the Type 212A-class and the Type 214-class platforms. For example, the Type 218SG features an X-rudder stern configuration similar to the Type 212A, which offers enhanced manoeuvrability in confined littoral waters, as opposed to the Type 214's cruciform rudder arrangement.

"The Type 218SG will also use the same air independent propulsion (AIP) system found the Type 214 submarine," the source said. According to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships , the Type 214-class is equipped with an AIP system based on a pair of HDW/Siemens polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell modules that generate up to 120 kW each.

Unlike the RSN's current 1,500 tonne Archer-class SSKs (ex-Type A 17 Västergötland) that were modernised and refitted to accommodate a Stirling Mk 3 AIP system, the Type 218SG will be AIP-capable in its baseline configuration.

The new submarines will replace the RSN's ageing Challenger (Type A 12 Sjöormen)-class submarines, which were first commissioned in the 1960s for the Royal Swedish Navy and acquired by Singapore in the mid-1990s.

(Jane's)

Chinese Win Bid to Supply Three Subs to Navy

26 Juni 2015

China has offered Yuan class (3.600 tonnes) diesel-electric submarine for Royal Thai Navy (photo : Navy 81)

The navy has picked Chinese submarines costing 12 billion baht each to be commissioned in the force, a source on the procurement committee says. 

The majority of the 17-strong committee voted to buy three Chinese submarines, saying it was the "best value for money". 

The rest were split between submarines from Germany and South Korea. 

The navy also received offers from Russia, Sweden and France.  

The source said China beat other competitors as it offered subs equipped with superior weaponry and technology. Its subs are also able to stay underwater longer.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon backs the submarine project, citing a growing territorial threat and an increasing number of maritime missions. He said many neighbouring countries are also deploying submarines.  

Gen Prawit said he would forward to the cabinet the navy's submarine procurement decision once it becomes available.  

Before the procurement panel made its decision, Gen Prawit was quoted by a navy source as saying that if the submarines were not bought by the current government, the navy might not have the chance to get them again. 

See full article Bangkok Post

Changbogo Class Siluman Penjaga Nusantara

05 Juni 2015

DSME Type 209-1400 (photos : Jane's, Militaryphotos)

Di dalam rencana pemenuhan alutsista yang mengacu kepada MEF, di tahun 2013 dalam
sidang KKIP Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Laut pada waktu itu telah mengungkapkan kebutuhan TNI AL, yaitu sebanyak 12 unit Kapal Selam untuk menjamin pengamanan wilayah NKRI. Dan sudah pula kita ketahui bahwa TNI Angkatan Laut kemudian memilih Kapal Selam dari Korea Selatan, yang dinamai DSME209/1400. Dalam kontrak pembelian,
disebutkan Indonesia membeli 3 unit, di mana 1 unit terakhir rencananya akan dibuat di Galangan Kapal Nasional, PT. PAL Surabaya.

DSME209/1400 yang dipesan oleh TNI AL melalui Kementrian Pertahanan tersebut dari segi fisik bangunan kapalnya, adalah merupakan pengembangan serta perkawinan desain antara jenis 209/1200 Changbogo milik Korea Selatan dengan jenis 209/1300 Cakra milik Indonesia. Nama Changbogo (창보고) sendiri yang diambil sebagai nama kapal selam Korea Selatan adalah nama seorang tokoh Jenderal Laut yang terkenal pada saat pemerintahan Silla (실라) Bersatu pada tahun 787–846 dan dikenal juga sebagai Gunbok (군복) yang diartikan sebagai tokoh bahari yang berkuasa selama beberapa dekade secara efektif mengontrol laut barat (laut kuning) dan pantai Korea antara barat daya Korea dan semenanjung Shandong (China).


Sedangkan nama Cakra yang dipilih oleh Indonesia adalah senjata andalan Batara Wisnu. Senjata itu juga dimiliki para titisannya, termasuk Prabu Kresna, raja Dwarawati. Sebagai senjata milik dewa, Cakra bukan hanya ampuh, tetapi juga mempunyai bermacam kegunaan. Kebanyakan makhluk di dunia ini tidak ada yang sanggup mengelak dan menangkal dari serangan senjata Cakra kecuali tokoh tertentu yang berpihak pada kebajikan.

Dengan pengembangan dan perkawinan dua desain 209 ini menghasilkan varian 209 dengan bobot 1400 ton dengan berbagai kelebihan dan kecanggihan komponen-komponen pendukung yang terintegrasi di dalamnya. Selain mengembangkan jenis 209 mulai 1200 s.d. 1500 ton, galangan kapal DSME juga diketahui sedang memulai mengembangkan turunan dari desain 209 dengan bobot 3000 ton.

Kapal selam ini merupakan pesanan khusus dari Korean Navy untuk memperkuat skuadron kapal selam negara Korea yang mana sekarang ini baru terdiri dari beberapa kelas Midget, U209/1200 dan U214/1800. Proyek desain kapal selam berbobot 3000 ton ini sudah dimulai awal tahun 2015 dan rencana pembangunannya akan dimulai pada tahun 2016.

Kapal selam pesanan pemerintah Indonesia, meski merupakan turunan dari tipe U-209 buatan Jerman, TNI AL meminta spesifikasi yang tinggi terhadap kapal selam DSME209. Diantaranya adalah, memiliki kesenyapan yang tinggi, mampu menghindari deteksi, mampu menyelam hingga 250 meter, memiliki teknologi yang canggih serta memiliki kecepatan yang mampu dipacu hingga 21 knot ketika menyelam.


Disebutkan juga bahwa kapal selam DSME209 harus mampu beroperasi terus menerus selama lebih kurang 50 hari. Desain Kapal Selam Baru DSME 3000 ton Pesanan ROK-Navy selama proses pembangunan kapal selam di Korea, TNI AL telah mengirimkan 7 (tujuh) orang personel yang masing-masing memiliki kemampuan dan pengetahuan khusus tentang kapal selam jenis 209 secara profesional.

Dalam satuan tugas kapal selam tersebut Komandan Satgas bertanggungjawab kepada keseluruhan proses pembangunan dengan dibantu oleh personel lainnya. Pembagian tugas secara khusus dalam satuan tugas ini terdiri dari:

1. Pengawas Platform yang mencakup bidang permesinan, badan kapal, outfitting, painting, baterai dan pendorongan serta kelistrikan kapal selam.
2. Pengawas Sewaco yang mencakup bidang sensor, navigasi, komunikasi, senjata dan sistem kendali senjata kapal selam.
3. Perwira Diklat yang bertugas mengatur serta mengendalikan kegiatan pendidikan dan pelatihan bagi awak kapal selam.
4. Perwira Administrasi dan Logistik yang bertugas mengatur dan mengendalikan proses administrasi kontrak serta sistem logistik komponen-komponen kapal selam.
5. Kesekretariatan yang bertugas mengendalikan kegiatan ketatausahaan dan administrasi personel dalam satuan tugas kapal selam.


Secara umum kapal selam DSME209/1400 memilki beberapa kelebihan dari sisi teknologinya. State of the art technology yang dimiliki oleh kapal selam ini meliputi Latest combat system, Enhanced operating system, Non-hull penetrating mast and Comfortable accommodation. Dan sebagai elemen terpenting dalam kapal selam, baterai buatan Korea digunakan sebagai sumber tenaga utamanya.


Jenis baterai kapal selam buatan Korea ini digunakan pada semua kapal selam Korea. Salah satu poin yang mengejutkan adalah mengenai Persenjataan dan Sistem kendali senjatanya. Selain dipersenjatai 8 buah tabung peluncur Torpedo untuk torpedo berukuran 533 mm Blackshark juga mampu untuk men-deploy ranjau laut, Ia juga memiliki desain yang mampu untuk meluncurkan rudal

Sistem kendali senjata MSI Mk2 buatan Kongsberg dipilih oleh TNI AL sebagai komponen yang mengendalikan dan mengatur sistem peperangan serta penembakan torpedo, ditambah lagi beberapa sensor dan peralatan elektronika yang canggih dan terkini juga ikut di dalam. Bila di kapal selam Cakra kita belum memiliki Flank Array Sonar, maka di kapal selam baru nantinya sistem ini akan dipasang dan digunakan.

Banyak sekali keunggulan serta kelebihan sistem dan peralatan yang digunakan dalam kapal selam baru ini dibanding kapal selam Indonesia yang ada sekarang. Radar serta ESM dari Indra-Spanyol, Integrated Navigation System dari SAGEM-Prancis, Optronic dan Periskop dari Cassidian-Jerman, sistem Sonar dari L3 Elac Nautic-Jerman menjadi pilihan TNI AL di dalam desain kapal selam barunya.


Prosedur keamanan dan keselamatan kapal selam dan personel juga menjadi prioritas dalam desain DSME209/1400. Dua unit Life rafts dengan kapasitas 25 personel dengan bekal darurat selama 6 hari akan terpasang di kapal selam ini. Untuk pakaian keselamatan dan pelindungan dari dekompresi selama proses evakuasi dipilih jenis MK-X buatan Inggris sebanyak 48 buah.

Yang paling berbeda dibanding dengan kapal selam Cakra adalah bentuk pintu baterai dibuat sesuai dengan aturan NAVSEA 0994-LP-013-9010 pada mulut pintunya. Dengan begitu bisa lakukan proses evakuasi menggunakan Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).

Untuk mewujudkan kemandirian industri pertahanan, di dalam kontrak pembelian ini juga termaktub tentang skenario Transfer of Tecnology (ToT) dan juga On the Job Training(OJT) di galangan kapal DSME korea. Dua kegiatan ini diperuntukkan bagi personel PT PAL untuk lebih dapat mendalami serta menyerap semua ilmu baik desain maupun proses produksi kapal selam.


Dari sisi sumber daya manusia, pada periode desain, PT PAL telah mengirimkan SDM yang mempunyai kualifikasi untuk desain kapal sebanyak 20 personel profesionalnya. Selanjutnya mengirimkan pula personel yang tergabung dalam team OJT sebanyak 186 personel yang dikirimkan secara bertahap dimulai sejak bulan November 2013 hingga bulan Februari 2017.

Menilik proses pembangunan kapal selam DSME209/1400 sampai dengan Januari 2015 ini, telah sampai dalam tahap pemotongan plat untuk kapal selam ketiga. Diharapkan pada tahun 2017, dua unit kapal selam baru DSME209/1400 sudah dapat beroperasi diperairan indonesia. Sedangkan untuk kapal selam ketiga jika dilihat dari skenario kontrak pembelian,
maka akan dapat dioperasikan sekitar awal tahun 2019. Kita harapkan kehadiran kapal selam DSME209/1400 dapat memperkuat kemampuan tempur angkatan laut kita.

(Cakrawala Magazine)

4th Russian-Built Submarine Set to Arrive in Vietnam Next Month

03 Juni 2015

Rolldock Storm with HQ-185 Da Nang submarine (photo : heavyliftnews)

The fourth of the six Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam has contracted to buy from Russia is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam next month.

The submarine codenamed HQ-185 Da Nang is currently carried by the Dutch-registered cargo ship Rolldock Storm which is on its way to Vietnam.

It is docking at a port in the Canary Islands off the southern coast of Morocco for fuel filling.
The submarine is scheduled to be delivered to Cam Ranh Port in late June.

Meanwhile, the fifth submarine codenamed HQ-186 Khanh Hoa completed a two-week trial run and returned to Svetly Shipyard (Kaliningrad) on Thursday, according to Russian media.

The first three submarines named after Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, arrived in Vietnam in 2014 and early 2015.

The delivery of the sixth and last one, HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau, is scheduled for next year.

The six submarines are built under a US$2-billion deal signed during a Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's visit to Russia in 2009.

Russia will deliver all by 2016, train Vietnamese crews, and supply necessary spare parts.

(Thanh Nien)

Plans Now Afoot to Develop Submarine Capability

29 Mei 2015

Based on studies, Philippines need between three to six diesel electric submarines (photo : militaryedge)

MANILA (PNA) -- In line with its efforts to develop its external defense capabilities, Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus Millan said that plans are now afoot to develop a submarine arm.

However, he said that developing this capability will take time as a submarine capability requires a long gestation period in order to develop support facilities and the people and technology of operating such a force.

"(Development of a submarine capability) cannot happen overnight. It will take us some time," Millan stressed.

What is being done now is learning the concept and challenges of submarine operations.

"That’s why we in the Navy have taken the initial step to establish a unit which still start learning about this discipline and eventually prepare our personnel who will be involved in the creation of such capability," the PN chief said.

Submarine warfare consists primarily of diesel and nuclear submarines using torpedoes, missiles or nuclear weapons, as well as advanced sensing equipment, to attack other submarines, ships, or land targets.

Submarines may also be used for reconnaissance and landing of special forces as well as deterrence. In some navies they may be used for task force screening.

Military studies revealed that the Philippines need between three to six diesel electric submarines to fully secure its maritime domain.

(PNA)

Type 218SG of the Republic of Singapore Navy

25 Mei 2015

IMDEX Asia 2015, TKMS revealed technical data of new type conventional submarine of the Singapore Navy. Both units will be completed in 2025. They will replace in-service nearly 50 years ex-Swedish Challenger-class submarines (photo: Michael Jarocki)

At this year's IMDEX Asia exhibition, TKMS Germany provided some technical details of new conventional submarines Type 218SG. As we know, based on a request from the Navy in 2013, Singapore has taken the decision to buy at least two units of submarines from the German shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft. The German manufacturer beat other bidders include the Swedish Kockums shipyard.

New Singapore Navy submarines built in HDW shipyard in Kiel, northern Germany. At IMDEX Asia announced that Type 218SG will have a length of 70 meters and a width of 6.3 meters. Displacement at the surface will be 2,000 tons, a total of 28 officers and sailors needed. Estimated speed and range are still unknown. The unit will be designed to carry heavy torpedoes and fired cruise missiles. Torpedo tubes will also be used for landing troops and deep sea submersible vehicles for special forces.

Type 218SG will have eight 533-mm torpedo tubes, equipped with AIP and used X-shaped tail rudder. The contract value is estimated exceed 1 billion euros (photo : Coffee and Bullets)

The main tasks will include patrolling submarines in waters controlled by Singapore and protect the economic exclusive zone. The units can also be used for the observation and analysis of the marine environment, detection and removal of sea mines, conduct reconnaissance and support activities carried out by the army in the coastal region.

The first Type 218SG submarine will be completed in 2020. To enter service two years later, after passing through the sea acceptance tests and final test, as well as the completion of the training program for the crew. Both units should be in line 2025.

New submarines will complete two Singapore Navy fleet in service : two Archer-class submarines (1,400 tonnes surfaced) the former Swedish Västergötland class submarines which nearly 30 years old, RSS Archer (ex-HMS Halsingland) and RSS Swordsman (ex-HMS Vastergotland).

(Altair)

Japan Security Council Approves Bid to Build Australian Submarines

22 Mei 2015

The Japanese proposal for the 4200-tonne Soryu would involve using contractors Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with the bid competing against TKMS’s 4000-tonne Type 216 and a conventional version of DCNS’s 5000-tonne nuclear-powered Barracuda. (photo : Nosint)

Japan is to exploit the easing of its postwar ban on arms exports by entering the race to jointly develop and build a new generation of submarines for the Australian navy.

Members of Japan’s security council this week approved the country’s participation in the bidding process, months after the Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, abandoned plans to buy Soryu-class submarines from Japan under pressure from ruling party and opposition politicians.

Instead, Japan will join non-nuclear submarine developers from Germany and France in Canberra’s “competitive evaluation process” to decide who builds the Australian navy’s next fleet of submarines.

South Australian government and defence industry representatives have gone to Europe to convince companies bidding to build Australia’s next fleet of submarines to do the work in Adelaide.

Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, confirmed that the security council had decided Japanese firms should join the process “in light of the importance of defence cooperation between Japan and Australia”.

Suga told reporters that the decision was in line with Japan’s revised rules on the transfer of arms and defence technology.

In April, Japan’s conservative prime minister, Shinzo Abe, eased the country’s self-imposed ban on arms exports as part of wider plans to increase its defence capabilities and give domestic contractors a share of the potentially lucrative overseas market.

Last week, Japan hosted its first international arms fair, showcasing hardware that included Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Soryu submarine technology.

The diesel-electric submarine is still the most likely candidate Japan will put forward for the Australian contract, Kyodo news quoted a senior defence ministry official in Tokyo as saying.

The Soryu, regarded as one of the most advanced non-nuclear class submarines, meets Australian requirements for its stealth abilities, and there are plans to extend its range.

Australian officials estimate developing up to 12 submarines to replace ageing Collins-class submarines will cost at least $50bn (US$40bn).

Abbott is believed to still favour the Japanese option; earlier this month his defence minister, Kevin Andrews, called his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani to urge Japan to take part in the evaluation process.

“We have given consideration to defence cooperation between Japan and Australia,” Nakatani told reporters this week. “Australia is a strategic partner that shares common values and security interests [with Japan].”

Reuters quoted Japanese defence officials as saying Tokyo would release classified technical data to enable Canberra to better evaluate Japan’s bid.

It would be the first time Japan has shared such sensitive information with any country other than the US.

Abbott, who has described Japan as Australia’s “closest friend in Asia” is expected to discuss closer defence cooperation with Abe during a visit to Tokyo in July.

South Australia’s defence industries minister, Martin Hamilton-Smith, is visiting bidders in France and Germany this week to outline South Australia’s naval shipbuilding capabilities.

“We have huge credentials as a centre for excellence in naval shipbuilding, underpinned by our highly skilled workers,” Hamilton-Smith said.

Hamilton-Smith said it was important the bidders understood South Australia’s capacity and commitment to deliver submarines.

“The South Australian government has created a world-class facility at Techport Australia and we are determined to see Australia’s future submarines built here,” he said. “About 120,000 man-years of jobs depend on the future submarine program alone.”

(The Guardian)

HQ 185 Da Nang Starts Journey to Vietnam

21 Mei 2015

RollDock Storm transports of Dutch carrying HQ 185 Da Nang submarine has officially hit the road to Vietnam on 5/5 (all photos : Airbase).

Verfi Admiralty Shipyards of Russia has handed over 4th Project 636.1 Kilo submarines 4th named HQ-185 Da Nang of the Vietnam Navy.

"On 13/5, the signing of technical testing was conducted. 15/5, fourth Kilo submarines were prepared for the journey back to Vietnam ", Interfax source from plants, said Monday 18/5.

Da Nang 185 is the fourth in a contract to buy six Kilo 636 submarines are worth about $ 2.1 billion, Russia and Vietnam were signed during a visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to Moscow in 2009. Three previous submarine Hanoi 182, Ho Chi Minh 183 and Hai Phong 184 of the Vietnamese Navy has been received and put into service in the fleet.

Along with the closing of the submarine, the contracts signed under the project will include the request of training support for Vietnamese crew and providing equipment.

Kilo submarines is 3rd generation of non-nuclear attack submarines with total displacement of 4,000 tons when submerged, maximum depth of 300 m, 52 person crew. Ship weapons include 6 tubes 533mm torpedoes and Klub versatile attacj cruise missiles.

(BaoDatViet)

RSN Submarines Squadron : Stealth Management

19 Mei 2015

RSN 171 Squadron (photo : Sing Mindef)

Their crews are some of the most highly trained sailors in the navy. Powerful and stealthy, the submarines of 171 Squadron (SQN) patrol the depths of the ocean and play their role quietly in maintaining the defence of Singapore's waters.

Each weighing over 1,000 tonnes and measuring over 50m in length, the Archer-class submarines of 171 SQN are well-oiled war machines that stand ready to protect Singapore's sea lines of communication.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), however, did not always have such a capable submarine force. Only in 1995 was it announced that the Navy was to acquire its first submarines from the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN). A total of four Sjoormen-class submarines - later renamed the Challenger-class - were purchased from the RSwN.

Since then, it has been a continuous process of learning and refinement by the crews to ensure that the RSN's submarines can perform to the highest standards.

Dipping their toes into submarine training

For the first batch of 12 would-be RSN submariners, the cold and windy town of Karlskrona would be their home for the next few years as they arrived in Sweden on 9 Apr 1996 for training by the RSwN.

Colonel (COL) (Ret) Cyril Lee, the very first RSN personnel to be awarded the submariner badge, said: "Initially, it was an almost 50-50 mix of experienced Swedish crew and Singaporean trainees.

"The Swedish side gradually tapered as our individual proficiency increased. In the end, we only had one Swedish Commanding Officer, one Marine Engineering Officer, and one radio operator."

RSS Challenger, the RSN's first submarine, was launched at the Kockums Shipyard in Malmo, Sweden on 26 Sep 1997.

RSN Archer class submarine RSS Swordsman (photo : Sing Mindef)

Over the two years of training, the RSN's pioneer submariners achieved a number of milestones - taking RSS Challenger for her first dive while completely manned by Singaporeans; undergoing their first live torpedo firing; and even expanding their families, with 28 children born in Sweden.

On 9 Aug 2000, at Singapore's 35th National Day Parade, a Maritime Review was held off Marina Bay in full view of guests and the public. After the last ship had sailed past, a black hull emerged from the sea.

RSS Conqueror, the first submarine to arrive home in Singapore, surfaced after her "reconnaissance" mission, surprising those present and proving the expertise of the RSN's submariners. At her conning tower were two smartly dressed Naval officers, one saluting and the other waving a Singapore flag.

Sharpening the edge

With the expertise of the pioneer batch of submariners, 171 SQN began its own submarine training programme in 2001.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Charles Teng, the first locally trained submariner, recalled the tough training, noting that it was very different from that for surface ships.

Speed is especially critical in any emergency situation during underwater operations, and the entire crew is cross-trained to take over another colleague's job if needed. "We have to know every system on board... One of our final tests was the Blind Man's Walk, where we were blindfolded and had to walk through the entire submarine, locate important equipment and operate them," said LTC Teng.

Military Expert 2 Gunaselan, the first chef on board a submarine, added that the crew had to be highly versatile and work as a team. He served on board RSS Challenger, and aside from cooking for the crew, he was trained in many other roles. "I'm responsible for certain safety systems such as putting the oxygen systems into operational settings. I also help in operational duties like torpedo loading, and conduct sound and security rounds throughout the boat."

The next wave

The model of Type 218SG (photo : milnuts)

In 2005, the RSN signed an agreement with the RSwN to acquire two Vastergotland-class submarines, which were later renamed the Archer-class submarines. The first of its class, RSS Archer was commissioned into the RSN on 2 Dec 2011.

Compared to their predecessors, the Archer-class submarines boast several improvements, such as upgraded combat and sensor suites. Their air independent propulsion system allows them to remain submerged for twice as long for greater endurance and stealth.

In 2013, Singapore signed a contract with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to acquire two Type 218SG class submarines to replace the aging Challenger-class boats, which will be progressively retired from service.

Slated to arrive in 2020, these new submarines will push the RSN's submariners to even greater levels of excellence and teamwork. As COL (Ret) Lee said: "In the submarines, there is no 'I'. Even as the Commanding Officer, I had to rely on the team. It is all collaborative. No one is above the team." 

(Sing Mindef)