Experts Apprehensive About Prospects of AFP 'Minimum Credible Defense Posture'

27 Juli 2015

Shore-based Missile System (photo : Nafomag)

MANILA - Can the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) attain a "minimum credible external defense posture" as promised by President Aquino before he steps down in 2016?

Aquino is set to give his fifth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) this coming Monday, and part of his report, as expected, is to update his "Bosses" on the current state of the AFP in the face of China's aggressive reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In some of his previous SONA, Aquino assured the nation of the highest level of security from the external defense establishment. But, up to now, he has not yet signed the proposed revision of the AFP Modernization for 2013-2017 with a total budget of P60.1 billion, which is also riddled with realignments, most especially the P6.5 billion worth of Shore-based Missile System (SBMS).

"[The] remaining time is too short. Big-ticket items take a long time to implement," former AFP chief of staff Alexander Yano responded when asked of his personal opinion.

Yano was chief of the military during the time of former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Reached through his mobile phone for reaction, Parañaque City Representative Roilo Golez concurred with Yano, although he said Aquino's concern for the AFP, one of the weakest in the region, is very much appreciated.

"In fairness, he (Aquino) did much better than the other presidents before him," Golez said.

But former AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu said the failure to achieve minimum credible external defense posture can also be blamed on the "weak defense leadership."

"Well, simply because the AFP Modernization got stalled in the first place," he said, adding the observation that the AFP "doesn't even seem to know its priorities" in terms of capabilities needed to attain it.

"Worse, corruption has apparently attended the procurement of major items that the AFP urgently needed. Also, personal interests over organizational needs characterized the defense decision-making process. National security and defense are in the back-burner," Mapagu said.

Golez said he believes a minimum credible defense posture is not realizable under Aquino's term.

"No shore-based missile, no flotilla of missile boats and no missile frigates and no combat-ready fighter jets with well-trained pilots, how can you say you have a minimum credible external defense posture?" Golez asked.

He pointed out that, while there are 12 FA50 fighters worth P19.8 billion on order from the Republic of Korea (ROK), these are not combat-ready.

"There are two frigates to be ordered with funds already but will be ready only after three, maybe 4 years. Then we have the two former US Coast Guard cutters, the BRPs Gregorio del Pilar and Ramon Alcaraz, better than previous Navy ships but not fit even for joint operation with the US Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force," Golez said.

He said the SBMS is big step to jump-start the territorial defense posture, but the project is in peril after then Army chief and now AFP chief Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri shelved it in favor of infantry helmets and body armors, instead.

"Iriberri is to blame for canceling the shore-based missile system. He obviously does not understand external defense and is unfit to lead the AFP when we are facing a grave external threat. I urge the Commission on Appointment not to confirm him," Golez said.

But Iriberri denied that the missile project has been shelved, because the acquisition is only deferred from the 1st Horizon (2013-2017) to the 2nd Horizon (2018-2023), which is already beyond Aquino's term.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Cesar Garcia Jr. has been repeatedly saying in public that the biggest and categorically clear and present danger to our national security is the aggression of China, which the President and the military leadership do not seem to consider.

In the last five years of the Aquino administration, the government has, so far, not acquired any military asset for addressing external threats.

Golez said the SBMS could be the only credible weapon system to thwart off potential aggression. However, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Iriberri have recommended to Aquino the realignment of the SBMS.

If Aquino approves the realignment of the SBMS and/or deferment of the project implementation beyond his term, defense and security experts said they shudder at the thought of its possible implications for the country's external defense capability.

The government also risks the diplomatic backlash from Israel, which has been a long-standing ally of the Philippines and where 30,000 undocumented Filipinos are currently staying yet enjoying favors from the Israeli government.

A military source disclosed that Israel Military Industries (IMI) is considering the filing of a diplomatic protest on the issue of the supply contract for the SBMS.

(InterAksyon)

Ukraine Confirmed that Vietnam will Buy Su-34 Ground Attack

25 Juli 2015

To replace the fleet of Su-22 fighter-old, maybe in the future Vietnamese Air Force will buy Su-34 heavyweight ground attack of Russia. (photo : AusAirPower)

The above is confirmed by the Group Ukroboronprom arms exports (Ukraine) in the report on "Vietnam military potentials". Accordingly, Vietnam may buy attack aircraft Su-34 and some other modern weapons instead of capital equipment originating from the USSR (former) and the Eastern European countries.

Reportedly this is not the first time foreign speculation about the possibility of Vietnam buy fighter Su-34, January 8/2013, Itar Tass news agency of Russia also posted this information.

Accordingly, Vietnam Air Force will definitely buy Su-34s to replace the Su-22 aircraft were obsolete. Currently, Vietnam Air Force maintains a lot of attack aircraft Soviet aid Su-22M4/UM3K and partly purchased from the 1990s.

Su-34 Fullback in the Russian Air Force's color scheme (photo : Pavel Bukanov)

This type of attack aircraft attack missions destroying all targets on the ground or at sea with these weapons control, no control. However, over the period of use, the Su-22 was old and hard to meet the requirements of modern warfare.

Not only Russia and Ukraine speculation, since 2012, Chinese media have also said the same to say that, whenever the Russian Su-34 agreed to be exported, Vietnam will be the first customer convenient.

Su-34 is rated at 4+ generation aircraft, capable of performing combat missions in all conditions of time, weather. With a maximum cruising speed of about 1.900km/h, the range of the Su-34 is estimated at 4.500km.

VPAF Su-22M4 (photo : Jetphotos)

Su-34's cockpit is equipped with very modern electronic devices, designed with two pilots sit side by side in combat facilitation. Equipped with multi-display functionality, providing information about the situation multidimensional.

The electronics are designed with open computer format, Su-34 is capable of fighting with multiple enemies at once. With very large fuel capacity, Su-34 can fly 4,500 kilometers without refueling.

Designed with the main task of ground attack, but the Su-34 still possesses a formidable aerial ability. With the ability to carry large amounts of weapons, Su-34 Russian military was nicknamed the "flying tank".

Su-34 was designed with 12 pylons and carrying weapons are up to 8,000 kg, it is also intended for the Su-34 equipped with both high precision weapons, Russia's latest Su-34 retained 30 mm cannon GSh-30-1 from the Su-27/Su-30.

(BaoDatViet)

Japan Defense Ministry Gives Details of "27DD" Destroyers, Railgun-Armed Aegis Ships

25 Juli 2015

The Japanese government has allocated the budget and formally begun the process of constructing and adding a new subclass of Aegis destroyers to its existing fleet of Kongo and Atago class Aegis ships. This new subclass is officially called the "27DD". It is widely regarded as the second but a much improved batch of the JMSDF's Atago class destroyer (which in turn is the same improvement of Kongo). The two ships of 27DD will be commissioned in 2020 and 2021. (image : Japan MoD)

According to the Japanese MoD's RfP to bidding contractors, the 27DD will incorporate a number of design changes compared to the first batch of Atagos. First, the hull of 27DD has been enlarged to an empty displacement of 8,200 tons compared to the original Atago's 7,700 tons. It is believed in the Japanese defense community that the enlargement of the hull was conceived in order to provide a necessary growth space for advanced naval weapon systems that are currently under development in Japan, and will be incrementally added to the ships' arsenal as they are developed -- such as railguns and laser point-defense systems.

 JAX high-calibre railgun for naval ships (image : Japan MoD)

And like all Japanese combatant ships now being constructed, The 27DD ships will be powered by a COGLAG propulsion system (these two, as would be explained again later, would represent a series of essential improvements to the ships' space and power management and distribution in light of the new weaponry that they will operate in the near future). On the more minor technical front, the new ships will also equip a new surface-search radar (the AN/SPQ-9B from Northrop Grumman), new anti-ship missiles, a multi-static sonar system, and an enhanced Aegis combat system that will offer better Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC).

TRDI laser CIWS (image : Japan MoD)

Eventually, the Japanese MoD envisions their new Aegis ships to be the first operating platform of an indigenous naval railgun and laser point-defense system that they are locally developing in Japan. The plan for the railgun armament was outlined in their recently published FY2015 defense budget report. (Japan MoD)


Japan agrees to Aegis tech transfer, re-export

The government of Japan agreed on 23 July to transfer to the United States software and components that will be installed on international versions of the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis combat system.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Tokyo said that the approval enables the items to be exported to a third country following their transfer to Lockheed Martin. In addition to the United States, existing operators of the Aegis combat system include Australia, Japan, Norway, South Korea, and Spain.

The MoD added that the decision was made by the National Security Council in response to a request from the US Department of Defense for Japanese industry to participate in the production programme. (Jane's)

Singapore Police Coast Guard Commissions New Patrol Boats, Interceptors

25 Juli 2015

One of the Singapore PCG's new PIB, Southern Ray (PT 69). The Singapore PCG has inducted 11 PIBs and six Second Generation PK Class interceptors into service. Singapore will have 17 new vessels by 2016 to police territorial waters, with increasingly complex seaborne threats emerging. (photo : Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs)

The Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) inducted 11 patrol interdiction boats (PIBs) and six Second Generation PK Class interceptors into the service on 21 July.

The vessels were commissioned by Singapore's Deputy prime minister and minister for Home Affairs, Teo Chee Hean. In remarks at the commissioning ceremony, he described the additions as a significant milestone in the PCG's operational capabilities against the backdrop of increasingly complex challenges such as maritime terrorism, piracy, and migration.

"Despite these challenges, in 2014, PCG arrested 46 illegal immigrants attempting to enter by sea, and successfully prevented more than 7,000 suspicious vessels - or 20 per day - from intruding into our waters", said the minister who highlighted that the distance between Singapore's shoreline and its international boundary can be as short as 500 m.

A Singapore PCG Second Generation PK Class High Speed Interceptor. (photo : Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs)

The PIBs have a length of 19 m and are equipped with a stabilised naval gun system with automatic target-tracking capabilities. The vessels feature beaching capabilities, allowing PCG officers to dismount and continue pursuit on land if required. The PIBs have top speeds in excess of 45 kt.

The 14 m PK Class interceptors will be operated by the PCG's Special Task Squadron, which deals primarily with fast-moving seaborne targets. The vessels can reach speeds in excess of 55 kt, according to specifications provided in the minister's address.

A PCG representative told IHS Jane's on 22 July that, although the commissioning ceremony was held to mark the induction of all 11 PIBs and six interceptor craft, delivery of all of the vessels will not be completed until. The boats are manufactured by Taiwanese company Lung Teh Shipbuilding.

IHS Jane's understands that the name of the two PIBs featured at the ceremony are Atlantic Ray (PT 68) and Southern Ray (PT 69), while the interceptor craft has been named White Marlin (PK 21).

(Jane's)

Danish Radars on Watch Over 17 508 Indonesian Islands

24 Juli 2015

Weibel delivers radars to more than 45 countries across the globe, and recently, Indonesia has grown to become a very important market. New agreements between the Indonesian Government and Weibel include the indispensable aid of Weibel Doppler radars in air surveillance of the nation’s many islands. Air surveillance is just one of many new Weibel projects in Indonesia, and the collaboration between the Danish and Indonesian business partners has proven proficient for both parties. (photo : Weibel)

Weibel Scientific is a specialised engineering company that develops and produces radars for the aerospace, forensicscience and defence industries all over the world.

Based in Alleroed, north of Copenhagen, Weibel is the global leader in the market for advanced Doppler radar systems. For more than 70 years, the cutting-edge radars have been protecting lives and assets on the ground, in the air and in space. Weibel is also proud to deliver the technology that plays a crucial role in securing the safety of astronauts on NASA space missions.

The company delivers radars to more than 45 countries across the globe, and recently, Indonesia has grown to become a very promising market. New agreements between the Indonesian Government and Weibel include the indispensable aid of Weibel Doppler radars in air surveillance of the nation’s 17 508 islands.

The MFSR-2100 system is the newest and most advanced radar developed by Weibel, with a performance unlike any other surveillance radar. The new radar combines a surveillance and high precision tracking radar in one system with market-leading accuracy and resolution. The MFSR-2100 is the only surveillance radar in the world with full tracking capability beyond 1000 km. The radar is based on Weibel’s proven tracking radar system technology, employing phased array technology, transmitter beam shaping and multi beam receivers. (photo : Weibel)

Island air surveillance is just one of many new Weibel projects in Indonesia, and the collaboration between the Danish and Indonesian business partners has proven extremely proficient and promising for both parties. 

“Fast decision-making is part of the Weibel DNA. We take pride in diminishing administration and bureaucracy focusing on the needs of our clients instead of focusing on our own needs,” says CEO Peder R. Pedersen. “The Weibel way of working has turned out to be a great match with the Indonesian way of doing business. Indonesian culture is much more of a gentlemen’s agreement culture than the judicial business culture we have developed and grown accustomed to in Europe,” Pedersen says.

In Indonesia, business relationships are often more deep-seated and personal. For the same reason, Weibel’s top management has accompanied their engineers to the country many times to make sure everything is just right.

VC-2100 with VT-2100 tracking airplane  (photo : Weibel)

“Our obsession with perfection is one of the reasons behind our significant growth. When we are seeking out technological solutions for our clients nothing is impossible until it has been proven otherwise – and even then, we will try again. This approach propels the development of our radars forward,” says Pedersen.

While most companies tend to outsource production processes, the opposite is the case in Weibel. Although Weibel exports all products abroad, the radar company has insourced
all core processes, from development to manufacturing, to Alleroed.

Weibel has one of the largest and most modern metal-processing facilities in the Nordics, and these advanced manufacturing facilities grant Weibel control over the entire production process. This allows the company to continuously deliver the best radar surveillance solutions – to Indonesia, to NASA, and to the rest of the world.

(PostEditions)

Philippines Seeks to Upgrade its Arms Manufacturing Capability

24 Juli 2015

The Philippines is set to develop a Defence Economic Zone that will soon house the best international weapons manufacturers, with profits going straight back into the armed forces' modernisation fund. (photo : ChannelNewsAsia)

BATAAN: The Philippines is set to develop a 370-hectare Defence Economic Zone - one that will allow international manufacturers to set up in the country to help it become self-sufficient in defence requirements.

Aside from welcoming these companies, the Philippines will also be able to benefit from enhanced manufacturing capabilities as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernisation programme.

General Arsenal, a unit under the Department of Defence which is tasked with manufacturing weapons and ammunitions, will serve as administrator of the economic zone.

All profits made from the facility will go straight back into the armed forces' modernisation fund, which will be used to develop new local manufacturing facilities and technology.

The aim, according to Jonathan Martir, director of General Arsenal, is for the country to become self-sufficient in terms of ammunition and weapons by 2017.

A number of ammunition companies from South Korea, South Africa and the United States have already expressed their interest in setting up manufacturing facilities to take advantage of the strategic location and tax breaks the zone would offer.

"Some manufactures see us as a hub,” said Martir. “We will manufacture their goods in the Philippines rather than so far away in South Africa. The Philippines is in a perfect political position, some manufacturers see that as well."

Currently, the Philippines only manufactures ammunition and some small-calibre weapons.

During his leadership, President Ferdinand Marcos launched a self-reliance defence programme, where the country manufactured its own M16s as well as jeeps and tactical radios. However, with little funding, defence technology and manufacturing capability were lost over time.

To upgrade and modernise the armed forces, President Benigno Aquino has embarked on a five-year programme totalling US$1.68 billion, equivalent to 75 billion pesos. The plan will see annual defence procurement rising from US$273 million this year to US$500 million in 2021.

The modernisation effort comes at a time when tensions continue to rise between the Philippines and China over disputed territory in the South China Sea.

According to government officials, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and the security of the West Philippine Sea will be the focus for this year's procurements, while internal security operations will take a back seat. 

(ChannelNewsAsia)

Kalbar Layak Miliki Lantamal

24 Juli 2015

Kalimantan Barat mempunyai wilayah yang berbatasan darat dan laut dengan Malaysia (photo : TNI AL)

Pontianak (ANTARA News) - Wakil Gubernur Kalimantan Barat Christiandy Sanjaya menyatakan Kalbar sudah selayaknya memiliki Pangkalan Utama TNI Angkatan Laut IV (Lantamal IV), mengingat kawasan perairannya sangat luas dan berbatasan langsung dengan negara lain.

"Apalagi Kalbar sudah memiliki Kodam XII Tanjungpura, sehingga sudah selayaknya kawasan perairan diperkuat dengan Lantamal," kata Christiandy Sanjaya di Pontianak, Kamis.

Ia menjelaskan, perbatasan Kalbar dengan negara lainnya tidak hanya dengan darat, tetapi juga memiliki perbatasan laut, sehingga sudah selayaknya diperkuat dengan Lantamal.

"Kami berharap juga kepolisian dan TNI Angkatan Udara juga ditingkatkan statusnya dalam memperkuat ketahanan NKRI (Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia)," ujarnya.

Wagub Kalbar berharap dengan akan ditingkatkannya status Pangkalan TNI Angkatan Laut (Lanal) menjadi Lantamal IV, maka kekayaan laut akan lebih terjaga. "Tentunya akan berdampak pada meningkatnya kesejahteraan para nelayan Kalbar," ujarnya.

Sebelumnya, Wakil Kepala Staf TNI AL Laksamana Madya TNI Widodo saat melakukan kunjungan kerja di Pontianak, awal Juli 2015 mengatakan, status Lanal Pontianak akan ditingkatkan menjadi Pangkalan Utama TNI Angkatan Laut IV (Lantamal IV) di tahun 2015.

"Kami mohon dukungan masyarakat Pontianak dan Kalimantan Barat umumnya agar proses peningkatan Lanal Pontianak menjadi Lantamal segera terwujud," ujarnya.

Untuk Lantamal IV awal tahun 2016 baru akan dibangun Markas Komando Lantamalnya, untuk sementara di Mako Lanal Pontianak dulu, selain itu akan dilakukan tambahan batalyon marinir untuk memperkuat Lantamal IV.

"Kemudian Lanal Pontianak akan dipindahkan ke Sambas, tepatnya di Kecamatan Paloh, tahun 2016 yang saat ini lahannya juga sudah disiapkan," ujarnya.

Wakasal menambahkan, pada dasarnya seluruh Lanal yang posisinya di perbatasan ditingkatkan statusnya menjadi Lantamal dalam memperkuat kedaulatan NKRI.

(Antara)