Asian Military Review

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VOLUME 19/ISSUE 5 JULY/AUGUST 2011 US$15

NIGHT VISION

SOLDIERMODERNISATION

BRUNEI DEFENCE

NAVAL INTEGRATED WEAPONS

TAIWAN PROFILE

CLOSEAIR SUPPORT

MOBILE SATCOM

NIGHT VISION

SOLDIERMODERNISATION

BRUNEI DEFENCE

NAVAL INTEGRATED WEAPONS

TAIWAN PROFILE

CLOSEAIR SUPPORT

MOBILE SATCOM

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JULY/AUGUST 2011VOLUME 19 / ISSUE 5

Contents

Front Cover Photo:Beginning with the 1st InfantryRegiment, FELIN will equip 6000soldiers in the French army bythe end of the year, with 22,600equipped with FELIN systemsby 2015. The 16th Bataillon deChasseurs is tasked withdeveloping new infantrydoctrine which has to take intoaccount the new technologicaladvances © Sagem

Contents

01

BattlefieldSatcom: Mobilityand Capacity

Naval IntegratedWeaponsTom WithingtonThe fewer personnel on the deckof a warship during combat, thefewer crewmembers are placed atrisk. Placing naval gunners behindthe protective screen of a ship’ssuperstructure reduces the dangerof them being hit by projectiles orshrapnel. It is this simple maxim thatis guiding the development of navalremote controlled gun turrets

Doug RichardsonDelivering effective closesupport requires that an airforce has local air supremacy,so it is hardly surprising thatlike other conflicts in recentdecades, the Libyan campaignbegan with attacks againstLibya’s air-defences

SoldierTransformationAdam BaddeleyProgrammes to enhancedismounted soldiers’ lethality,survivability and supportability arebeginning to emerge acrossthe Asia-Pacific, providing animmediate capability against realand present internal threats,increased capability for overseasdeployments as well as providingan enhanced warfighting capabilityto keep pace with developmentselsewhere in the world

Taiwan – IslandDefenceGordon ArthurNo country in Asia, exceptfor South Korea, faces amilitary threat as dire asthat confronting Taiwan.Nowadays, a diminishingdefence budget causesmany to questionwhether Taiwan hasthe wherewithal to defenditself from its aggressiveneighbour

Night Vision:Asia PacificPerspectivesAdam BaddeleyThe most challengingimplementation for night visionis for the dismounted soldier,whether it is thermal imaging,image intensification orfusion-vision, combining imageryfrom the two sensor categoriesinto a single view

04

26

12

20

48

32

Dzirhan MahadzirIn 2004, Brunei released its

inaugural defence White Papersetting out Brunei’s policy intent

and responses to a rapidly chang-ing global environment. The WhitePaper also stated that it was to be

reviewed every two-three yearsand this was duly done in2007 although no further

updates or review has beenpublished since

42Brunei: Monarchy, ASEAN and

Defence Capabilities

l JULY/AUGUST 2011 l

Adam BaddeleyMilitaries throughout the worldare in a new era of mobilebattlefield satcom. which isproviding bandwidth at lowercost and with high data rates,enabling broadband operationsat the lowest tactical level

Close Air Support

EditorialHE PURSUIT of access to, and the securetransport of resources is always animportant component of current and futuresecurity. With an increasing proportion ofthose resources now coming from Africa,

the competition for the Continent’s mineral wealthis seen as emblematic of the tussle for powerbetween East and West.The West’s pursuit of those resources is both well documented and wellestablished. However, it is the East’s interest in the same that is prompting thegreatest interest.Much is made of Chinese companies and enterprises; typically state owned orcontrolled carving out significant chunks of the available ore and oil throughoutthe continent. Trade between the two is put at $115 billion in 2010, bilateraltrade deals have been established between China 45 of the 54 countries inAfrica with China taking 60 percent of all Sudan’s oil exports and 71 percent ofall the countries exports. After initial success however, several governments inAfrica are questioning their relationship with China and the long-term benefitsthey are gaining.Oddly, this debate has largely ignored India and the fact that it is enlarging itspresence and developing a distinct profile in Africa although India exportsroughly a tenth of the goods that China does but relies on the Continent for 20percent of its oil imports.India has more than most to offer.India has long supported African security through United Nations peacekeepingand nation building operations as well as participating in peace enforcementwhen the situation demanded. In February, India provided a Do 228 maritimepatrol aircraft and two Cheetak helicopters to the Seychelles to improve itssurveillance capabilities and has increased their patrols in the region to boostanti-piracy efforts. The effort is partly motivated by aspirations for a permanentseat on the United Nations Security Council but not entirely.India’s interests increasingly converge with those of the West and particularlythe US, notably in seeking peace and security in the Indian Ocean with a directinterest in countering Islamic extremist in the Horn of Africa.Unlike China’s mercantilist platform for engagement India, while inevitablyseeing those same resources to fuel its economic development, it hascommitted itself to supporting local development in Africa in a partnership.India represents pluralism and democracy, within a state with highly diversereligious and ethnic mix which is a lesson with obvious applications in Africa.India offers a third way, a way that others, not just in Asia should consider intheir dealings with Africa.

Adam Baddeley, Editor

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04 l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l

THE DRAGON Compact and the2km range Dragon Long Rangewere launched in 2010 by Qioptiq.The Dragon C is the described asthe world’s smallest multi-use

sight which can be used for Clip-on, standalone and hand held requirements. The Clip-On sight is attached in line with an existingday sight and can also be used as a weaponsight in its own right or a hand held surveil-lance device. In June this year, Qipotiq addedthree more sights in the Dragon family; theShort Range, Medium Range and Sniper, allusing 320x240 thermal cores with rangesbeginning with 2km man detection range forthe SR and 2.5km for the other two sights.

Qioptiq’s Kite sight have been trialed withIndia since 2009 with a potential acquisitionlater this year with demonstrations of boththe company’s TI and I2 solutions also takingplace. Qioptiq established a joint venturewith local company Rolta in 2009. The com-

pany has also undertaken trials in severalcountries including Brazil, Malaysia andSingapore and has completed delivery ofover 350 of its VIPR 2 sights for Australia’sLand 125 Phase 2 programme.

In June, the company completed anew142g clip on thermal sight designed foruse with the Thales Optronics Lucie –D gog-gle to create a fused imagery goggle. Thecompany has plans to demonstrate the com-bined solution in the Asia-Pacific later thisyear.

Qioptiq source their thermal cores fromthree main sources, FLIR Systems in the US,ULIS in France and in Israel.

Photonis has developed a range of I2tubes used by a wide variety of manufactur-ers in their surveillance devices. As with

The most challenging implementation for night vision systems is for thedismounted soldier both for thermal imaging (TI), image intensification (I2)and fusion-vision, combining the imagery from the two sensor categoriesinto a single view. By placing it on the man-platform, size, weight andpower concerns are at their most restrictive while maintaining a desirefor enhanced capability to better engage enemies at the range thatmatches the range of new weapons and provide clear identification of targets for rules of engagement reasons and force protection. There arehowever common desires in terms of requirements; the need for betterimage quality, contrast levels and optimisation of “detect, recognise andidentify” process.

bbyy Adam Baddeley

Night Vision:Perspectives

Asia-Pacific

Qioptic has completed delivery of over 350 of itsVIPR 2 sights for Australia’s Land 125 Phase 2programme © AJB

05

V I S I O NNNIIGGHHTT

The TACS-M moduleshas been trialed byover seven countriessince its launch atIDEX earlier this year© VectronicNight Vision:

other manufacturers they are currently offer-ing technologies that deal with the variablelight conditions of urban areas includinghigh light levels and the halo effect it creates.Photonis differentiate between their XR5

and the advanced tubes provided under theadvanced Omni VI contract in the US in anumber of ways. Both have a resolution of72lp/mm and a signal to noise ratio of 28. Inthe case of Omni VI, the luminousity gain is50,000 while the XR5 is 55,000 while the twotubes have a lifetime of 12,500 and 15,000

hours respectively The XR5 is offered withAutogating as standard while the Omni VItubes have that have it as an export restrictedoption. Unlike the Omni VI, there are noFigure of Merit (FOM) restrictions. The FOMis calculated on the basis of a figure of merit,a complex calculation which is the sum ofmultiplying the I2 tube’s Signal to NoiseRatio by its resolution and determines thequality of I2 technology that US companiesare able to be export.The latest 16mm tubes developed by

Photonis has been designed to meet the newsize, weight and power requirements of themodern armies: reduced size by 40 percent,reduced in weight by 35 percent and withminimum power consumption.

Photonis’ Intensified Camera Unit or ICUcombines an Image Intensifier with a CMOSCamera in a chip with 1.3m pixels offeringreal time read out and processing and digitaloutput. For Digital Night Vision Fusion,Photonis has created Griffon, weighing a littleunder 100g, power consumption is less than2.5W and supports a camera link in and out.Photonis also offers the Onyx option on

both its XD-4 and XR5 tubes which substi-tutes the usual green screen images withblack and white which provides a more nat-ural view of the world, allowing for clearerinformation about the contrast, shapes andshadows.Istec have developed the Modular In Line

Sighting Systems, a Picatinny rail grabberwhich would allow the use of the PVS-14with any day sight and mounted in linebehind the day sight using a circular collarclamp. The system is already in service inCanada with the Royal Military Police CloseProtection Unit operating with ACOG andEOTECH sights.Selex Galileo’s ASPIS is a state-of-the-art

thermal weapon sight for assault rifles whichis being offered in Canada through DRS,with potential trials later this year.Thermoteknix’s clip on solutions are the

ClipIR clip on TI and the CoViD Clip-OnVideo injection unit. The ClipIR is designedto work with PVS-7,-14 and -15 tubes provid-ing a matched 40 degree field of view.The CoViD unit uses a 384x288 thermal

core. The two images are presented to theuser in an OLED display covering the fullfield of view of the I2 view, with the userdetermining the brightness of the videobeing injected.The company’s TicAM 750 Night Vision

Binocular is designed for a range of 2750magainst man sized targets and is designed forup to eight hours of operation with a poweron time of three seconds and is described ashaving no US export restrictions.The company is working with Canadian

firm GSCI to produce a the DXQ-20I2/thermal fusion system which offers a60fps view in which great care has been putinto eliminating the ghost effects when thetwo sensor images can become disjointed.The DXQ-20 uses the Photonis XR5 tube.Thermoteknix is a user of the ULIS

Pico640 LWIR sensor operating in the 8-12micron band. The sensor weighs less than10g and has a power consumption of lessthan 0.16W.

In June, Qioptiq completed a new 142g clip onthermal sight designed for use with the ThalesOptronics Lucie–D goggle to create a fusedimagery goggle © AJB

l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l06


For more than 50 years, ITT has earned the reputation as the world leader in breakthrough night vision technology.

We are committed to supporting those on the front lines with the most reliable and highest resolution Gen 3 night

vision systems and tubes in the world. The ITT Gen 3 image intensifi er has a longer tube life and better performance

in extreme low light conditions than anything else on the market. To learn more, visit www.nightvision.com.

It’s the dawn of a new day for mission success.

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ITT, the Engineered Blocks logo, and ENGINEERED FOR LIFE are registered trademarks of ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc., and are used under license. ©2011, ITT Corporation.

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The latest thermal core offered by Frenchfirm ULIS is its Pico640E a 640x480 VGA, 17-micron uncooled infrared imaging sensor ina large format, small-form factor which canperform long-range detection up to approxi-mately 2km. The sensor was launched inApril this year.

The USMarine Corps began receiving theirELCANAN/PAS-28 Medium Range ThermalBiocular in 2010 with up to 10,000 ordered in a$180m award made in 2009. An off the shelfacquisition of the company’s PhantomIRxr,the AN/PAS-28 uses an 640x512 and weighs1.6kg and is designed to run for seven hoursusing four AA batteries and can detect indi-viduals at 2200m with a 70 percent probabili-ty. The latest development is the PhantomSWShort Wave Infrared Biocular which uses anindium gallium arsenide design rather thanvanadium oxide (Vox) as is the case of the

PhantomIRxr and its thermal core improvesslightly to become a 640x512 solutionalthough it can operate for four hours usingfour AA batteries but features a low batteryindicator. Initial sales of the PhantomIRxr inthe region include to India in 2010 for the pur-pose of small unit trials and are being offeredthroughout the Asia-Pacific.

Infrared Security Systems (ISS) has under-taken a significant amount of work in theregion over the past years. Malaysia tookdelivery of 35 Thermal Sighting Systems

(TSS) in February this year and India willtake deliveries of their first systems later thisSummer.

The sight is designed to be used with botheyes and can undertake man detection at1200m using a 384x288 ULIS detector whichhas 44 percent more resolution than a320x240 device. The TSS uses the company’sAutoCovert technology which uses a detec-tion system in the eye piece which automati-cally switches the systems on and off whenthe firer is looking through the display and

Photonis also offers the Onyxoption on both its XD-4 andXR5 tubes which substitutesthe usual green screenimages with black and white

The Sword T&D sight is an integral part ofFrance’s FELIN solution © Sagem


switches it off when the eye moves away.The company’s Thermal Imaging Viewer

(TIV) uses a 640x480 17 micron ULIS designand has, over the past three years beenacquired by India, Malaysia and Thailandand has been down selected by Singapore.The TIV is offered in three versions with theTIV HDZwhich is capable of detecting a mansized targets at 2.9kmwith all units poweringup in five seconds.

The 900m range Personal SurveillanceSight (PSS) was developed to meet aMalaysian requirement. The design wasgiven to ISS in November with the first pro-totype being completed by the end of that

month. All the 35 PSS ordered were deliv-ered by the end of February. The design usesan athermalised lens which remains in focusand automatically compensates for tempera-ture changes. Like the TSS it has a sensor onthe eye piece which switches on and off whenit detects the user’s eye to save power andreduce susceptibility to detection. Both the1200m range PSS and the more capable PSS+have a frame rate of 25Hz and do not requirean export license.

ITL was acquired by Elbit Systems in

2011. ITL’s Mini SEAS has been bought byAustralia, Thailand, Singapore and Indiaand it had been working on the latest ver-sion of the systems to reduce weight by 20percent. Also in an advanced stage of devel-opment was the Tarmir, a fused I2 and TIsolution using Photonis technology. FromITL the company inherited the Coyote 75and 100 uncooled TWS. Elbit’s newestThermal Weapon Sight is the Coral-CRwhich uses proven 3-5mm InSb detectortechnology, described by the company asthe smallest cooled FLIR on the market andcapable of identifying a human at ranges of2Km. The Coral range comes in four ver-


BAE Systems have been awarded contracts valuedat over $1billion since 2004 © BAE Systems

V I S I O NNNIIGGHHTT

sions. Pulse Inteco have sold 800 of itsRantel-2 night vision monocular devices toThailand where it equips IWI Tavor assaultrifles. Meprolight’s Noa Family ofUncooled Thermal Weapon Sights includethe NOA 4x Compact which can detecthuman targets up to 850m, operate for tenhours on standard batteries and has a spec-tral sensitivity: 8-12 microns.

FLIR Government Systems’ ThermoSight

ACTS unit can be used with existing opticalsights without the need to rebore the opticalsight and are already in service with at leastone ASEAN military. FLIR have recentlylaunched its FLIRVision M32-C, a clip-onthermal imager which is compatible with arange of night vision monoculars and has anenhanced 34 degree field of view and uses320x240 VOx microbolometer. Other clip onsights includes the MilSight TaNS andMUNS, the latter designed for snipers.

ITT are the leading provider of I2 solutionto US armed forces in solutions such as thePVS-14 and -7 Night Vision Goggles with

either complete systems or its tubes in servicewith number of nations including Australia,Japan, Singapore and Thailand. ITT wasawarded the US DoD’s enhanced nightvision goggle (ENVG) production contract in2005 leading to the fielding of the fused PSQ-20 ENVG with US units in 2008 with 2400units delivered under that contract. In a sec-ond contract, valued at $260 million made inAugust 2010, ITT are producing a further6500 devices.

In September, BAE Systems were award-ed a $123 million for its light, medium, andheavy Thermal Weapon Sights for the US

Army taking total sales for the category ofsights to in excess of $1 billion since 2004. Theaward was closely preceded by a $14mCanadian award for sights on both individ-ual and crew-served weapons.

Sagem has developed a number of riflemounted offerings from the Sword T&Dsight is an integral part of France’s FELINsolution down to the Sword Light 25 andSword Light 35 digital thermal weapon sightwhich weighs 730g and equips assault rifleswith a range of 300m and 400m respectively.

Vectronix’s Thermal Acquisition Clip-onSystem(TACS-M) designed to fit on stan-dard night vision devices including thecompany’s Tarsius I2 solution with a TIdetection range of 300m and weighs 150gincluding battery.

10 ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

FLIR have recently launchedits FLIRVision M32-C, aclip-on thermal imager whichis compatible with a rangeof night vision monoculars

Elbit’s newest Thermal Weapon Sight is theCoral-CR which uses proven 3-5mm InSbdetector technology © Elbit Systems

Fusion of imagery from thermal and imageintensified sensors combine the best of bothworlds © Vectronix


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Close Air Support:Asia-Pacificlessons from Current

Operations

Royal Air Force ground crewinstall an MBDA Dual-ModeBrimstone missile on a Tornadostrike aircraft © UK MoD

13

S U P P O R T


Close Air Support:Asia-Pacificlessons from Current

Operations

CCLLOOSSEE AAIIRR

DELIVERING effective closesupport requires that an airforce has local air supremacy,so it is hardly surprising thatlike other conflicts in recent

decades, the Libyan campaign began withattacks against the Libyan air-defences.This lesson has been noted by other air

forces. Under an unpublicised programme,the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is purchasingMectron Engenharia’s MAR-1 anti-radiationmissiles and integrating these on its DassaultMirage III and Pakistan AeronauticalComplex JF-17 Thunder fighters. The deal isreported to be for 100 missiles.‘Smart’ bombs guided either by nose-

mounted seekers or flown to known geo-graphic co-ordinates by a combination ofinertial; and GPS guidance remain a majorweapon of choice for the close-support mis-sions, and are being used in air strikesagainst Libyan military assets.Bombs of both types are in widespread

service in the Asian region. As documentedin AMR’s earlier article on precision attack,India operated or has ordered at least fourtypes of non-gliding ‘smart’ bomb (PavewayII, Matra BGL 1000, Israel AerospaceIndustries Griffin and the Region KAB-1500Kr), while Pakistan operates at leastthree (Raytheon Paveway II, RaytheonEnhanced Paveway, and Boeing Joint DirectAttack Munition). Similar weapons have alsobeen selected by Japan (TRDI GCS-1 LGBand Paveway II), South Korea (Paveway II,Paveway III, and Boeing JDAM), Singapore(JDAM and LJDAM), Taiwan (Paveway II),and Thailand (Paveway II).Normally the use of an INS-guided weapon

requires that the aircraft be fitted with a suit-able electronic interface able to pass targetingdata to the weapon. For operators of morerudimentary types of aircraft such as the A-5C`Fantan' operated by Myanmar, this poses the

need for an expensive avionics retrofit. One potential way of getting around this

problem would be to adopt the BritaniteDefence Systems SMKB family of guidedbombs. These Brazilian weapons add a strap-on GPS/INS guidance and control unit andtail fin unit to a standard Mk 80 series gener-al-purpose (GP) bomb, but rely on a wirelesssystem to handle the flow of data betweenthe aircraft and the munition.The 500 lb-class SMKB-82 has already

been cleared for use on the Embraer A-29(Super Tucano) turboprop light-attack air-craft, and should be cleared for use from theF-5 and AMX (A-1) by a trials programmedue to begin in May 2011.SAGEM’s AASM (Armement Air-Sol

Modulaire) has seen combat use over Libya.Originally fielded as an INS/GPS guidedweapon, it is now available in a imaginginfrared variant, while a version with a milli-metric-wave seeker is planned as a longer-term option.SAGEM is reported to be negotiating an

AASM contract with India to supply weaponsintended to arm the Sukhoi Su-30MKI,upgraded Mirage 2000H, Jaguar IS/Ib, andIndian Navy MiG-29K. Saudi Arabia is alsoseen as a potential export customer.Originally offered as a GPS/INS weapon to

meet the UK’s Precision Guided Bomb require-ment, the Raytheon Paveway IV now beingused over Libya by the RAF was supplied witha dual-mode guidance system that includes anose-mounted SAL seeker. The UK Ministry ofDefence (MoD) agreed to this change when theupgrade was offered by Raytheon at noincrease to the original contract price.Paveway IV is being offered to Saudi

Arabia for inclusion in that country’s TornadoTSP upgrade programme, and could beoffered to Oman for use on upgraded Jaguars.In the past, close-support missions were

seen as likely to take place over a convention-al battlefield with recognisable front linesand opponents who would probably be oper-ating different equipment. Knowing that youenemy is operating T-72 tanks while yourown forces use the M-60 will help reduce therisk of ‘blue-on-blue’ engagements, providedthat aircrew have had adequate training inAFV recognition. But in a world where bothsides operate similar equipment and may bewearing a minimal amount of uniform oreven civilian clothing, the close-support task

The NATO air campaign intended to preventattacks against civilians in Libya is using a widerange of current guided weapons developed forthe close-support role. Although NATO aircraftare not conducting close-support missionsintended to support rebel forces in Libya, thetactical conditions under which the campaign isbeing conducted are certain to be causingair arms around the world to re-evaluate theircurrent weapons and tactics.

bbyy Doug Richardson

This reconnaissance photograph shows Libyangovernment tanks operating within the city ofMistrata. Close-support attacks in this sort ofurban environment require high accuracy andthe smallest size of warhead able to achieve thedesired effect © NATO

becomes very difficult. In early April, Libyan government forces

adopted measures to blur the differencebetween themselves and rebel units by adopt-ing similar tactics to the opposition forces.Holding heavy equipment such as tanks andother armoured vehicles in second-echelonlocations, they used trucks and light vehiclesto move operational units to the front line.In early April, NATO strike aircraft

attacked tanks operating northeast of Bregaand on the road to Ajdabiya, only to learn later

that these had been crewed by rebel personnel. “The situation in the area is still very fluid,

with tanks and other vehicles moving in dif-ferent directions, making it very difficult todistinguish who may be operating them,”said Rear Admiral Russell Harding, DeputyCommander of the Combined Joint TaskForce Operation Unified Protector, followingthe incident. “Until this time we had not seenthe TNC [Transitional National Council]operating tanks.”Firepower has to be delivered with high

accuracy but with minimal destructive effectsoutside of the target area when fighting anenemy operating in an urban environment.This means using a smaller warhead thanwas common in the past.Although ‘smart’ bomb kits can be fitted to

500 lb-class munitions, combat operations in

Afghanistan and Libya have shown that lessdestructive power is often advisable. TheBoeing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb is basedon a 250 lb warhead, while the UK has madesignificant use of the even-smaller MBDADual-Mode Brimstone. Developed from theUS AGM-114 Hellfire, but stressed for carriageon a fast jet rather than a helicopter, Brimstonewas designed to carry a tandem HEAT war-head whose main charge weighs only 6.2 kg.The nearest US equivalent to Brimstone

will be the planned Joint Air-to-GroundMissile, which is intended to replace the cur-rent BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire andAGM-65 Maverick missiles. It uses a combi-nation of SAL, IIR and millimetric guidance. The 27-month technology demonstration

phase of the JAGM programme has beencompleted, but the downselect between rivalLockheed Martin and Raytheon/Boeing pro-posals slipped from 2010 to 2011. The winnerhad not been announced when this article

was finalised in early May. JAGM is due toenter service in 2016, so represents a long-term option for regional air arms.In an era when missile seekers can be

modified by changing their software, onefuture way of delivering a small warheadagainst a ground target might be to use ashort-range air-to-air missile. In September2009 Raytheon revealed that it had conduct-ed test launches of the AIM-9X in a surface-to-surface mode. A moving ground targethad been engaged by a missile fired from anF-15C during a March 2007 trial. The newsoftware had not compromised the missile’sair-to-air effectiveness, said the company, butit remains to be seen whether this new capa-bility will be adopted by the US services oroffered to export customers.There are times when even a Hellfire-class

missile has a greater destructive effect than isrequired, or may cost more than its target.The solution being developed by companiesand industrial teams around the world is tofit a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker and con-trol system to a low-cost unguided rocket.For much of the world, that means a 2.75 inch(70 mm) rocket. In most cases, the productscurrently under development take the formof kits that can be used to modify an existingunguided rocket into a precision weapon. In October 2010, the US Government

released information on proposed acquisi-tions of new military equipment requested

India and Saudi Arabia are potential customersfor SAGEM’s AASM, seen here being readiedfor an operational sortie of Libya © FrenchMinistry of Defence


The Lockheed Martin JAGM candidate is fit-tested on a US helicopter © Lockheed Martin


SAGEM is reported to benegotiating an AASMcontract with India to supplyweapons intended to arm theSukhoi Su-30MKI, upgradedMirage 2000H, Jaguar IS/Ib,and Indian Navy MiG-29K

www.mbda-systems.com

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mastering the seaslock on to mbda solutions

MARITIME SUPERIORITYby MBDA

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by Saudi Arabia. Proposed acquisitions bythe Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)included 2,000 70-mm laser-guided rocketsfor use on 10 AH-64D helicopters, while theRoyal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) planned toacquire 4,000 70 mm laser-guided rockets foruse on the 24 AH-64D.The type of guided rocket to be procured

was not identified, but US industry can offerseveral types.Lockheed Martin’s Directional Attack

Guided Rocket (DAGR) recently entered lim-

ited production to equip an unidentified cus-tomer, reported to be Iraq and for use onarmed Mi-17 helicopters.Manufacture of the first low rate initial

production batch (LRIP I) BAE SystemsInformation and Electronics AdvancedPrecision Kill Weapons System (APKWS)guidance sections was approved in July 2010,and the weapon will be integrated on the USNavy’s UH-1Y helicopters.Several programmes take the form of inter-

national ventures. The Talon laser-guidedrocket is being developed as a joint project byEmirates Advanced Investments (EAI) of the

United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Raytheon.First fully-guided tests were conducted inSeptember 2009, and the weapon is expected toenter production to arm the AH-64D ApacheLongbow fleet of the UAE Land Forces.In 2007 the United States and South Korea

signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to co-operate on development of theLow-cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR), aweapon whose development was started as aUS Navy programme in 2000, but wasdelayed by lack of funding. The concept-

demonstration phase of the LOGIR pro-gramme ended in May 2010 when aninfrared-guided round launched from anAH-1W helicopter scored a direct hit on amoving fast-attack craft target.The Ukraine’s Luch design bureau has

developed the AR-8L. Based on the S-8Soviet-era 80 mm unguided rocket, this wasfirst announced in 2004. In the followingyear, company representatives stated that a70 mm guided rocket based on AR-8L tech-nology was being developed in a joint pro-gramme with Singapore. There has been norecent news of the latter venture.The 2.75 in Guided Advanced Tactical

Rocket (GATR) is a collaborative venture byElbit Systems Ltd and Alliant Techsystems(ATK). During helicopter-launched flighttests in Israel during 2009, the weapon wasfired in lock-on-before-launch mode toengage an off-boresight target at a range ofapproximately 3 km.While much attention is focused on 70

mm ‘smart’ rockets, other calibres are notbeing neglected. Elbit’s Smart TacticalAirborne Rocket (STAR) is an all-Israeli pro-gramme. It could be offered in 70 mm calibreif required by a customer, but is currently

Like most guided-rocket schemes, LockheedMartin’s Directional Attack Guided Rocket(DAGR) fits a guidance kit to a standard 70 mmunguided rocket © Lockheed Martin


This Iraqi pilot is about to conducta training mission on the AC-208Caravan © US Air Force

Although no nation in theregion had adopted theconcept, ATK has alreadyproposed design conceptsfor heavier armed aircraft inthe class of the AirbusMilitary CN-235 or C-295

being marketed as a guidance kit for 68 mmFrench rockets or 80 mm Russian rockets.In October 2009 MBDA Inc, the US sub-

sidiary of MBDA, demonstrated a SAL guid-ance kit for the Zuni 5-inch unguided rocket.This is apparently being developed to meet aUS Marine Corps requirement.Russia’s first laser-guided rocket was the

340 mm calibre Nudelman PrecisionEngineering Design Bureau S-25L derivativeof the unguided S-25-OFM. First fielded inthe late 1980s, it has never been exported.Rather than developing an add-on kit for

existing unguided rockets, Turkey’s Roketsanopted to offer an all-new 70 mm SAL-guidedrocket. Designated Jereed (Javelin), butsometimes referred to as Cirit, this began fir-ing trials in 2006.The role of an aircraft’s internal cannon in

close-support operations should not be over-looked. In 2009 the UK Royal Air Forcedeployed its Tornado GR.4s to Afghanistanto replace the joint RAF/Royal Navy Harrierforce that had previously provided close airsupport for British ground forces. These air-craft pioneered the use of what was dubbed‘laser-strafing’, using a cue presented in thepilot’s head-up display to aim the aircraft’s27 mm cannon at a precise laser spot on theground. This new low-cost approach to pro-

viding close-air support could well become awidely-accepted tactic.As counter-insurgency assumes a grow-

ing importance, many armed forces will belooking for a long-endurance platform ableto linger over areas of tactical interest. Onesolution is to use transport aircraft rigged tooperate in the armed role. ATK has reportedsales of its Combat Caravan modification ofthe Cessna Model 208B Grand Caravan tur-boprop-powered light transport to Lebanonand Iraq. This scheme fits the aircraft withunderwing Hellfire launch rails and a sur-veillance and targeting system operated fromwithin the aircraft cabin. A crew from

Squadron 3 of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF)made the first Iraqi firing of a Hellfire fromthe Combat Caravan in late 2009.Although no nation in the region had

adopted the concept, ATK has already pro-posed design concepts for heavier armed air-craft in the class of the Airbus Military CN-235 or C-295.A family of small air-launched weapons

has been developed, largely in secret, for theUS Special Operations Command (USSO-COM). These Standoff Precision GuidedMunitions (SOPGM) include the NorthropGrumman GBU-44 Viper Strike glideweapon and the Raytheon Griffin dual-modemissile. Planned platforms include the MC-130W Combat Spear special operations trans-port aircraft and the USMC’s KC-130Jtanker/transports.


The Rocketsan Jereed/Cirit 70 mm guide rocketis being manufactured from scratch as an all-new item of ordnance © Roketsan

The UK company FerrantiTechnologies is offering theATK/Elbit GATR guided rocketto the UK Ministry of Defence

S U P P O R TCCLLOOSSEE AAIIRR

RUSSIA spares no effort to promote itsdefence-related products in armsmarketsof the Asia-Pacific Region, and unlike

most other nations, it offers both end-productsand awide range of after-sale services, repairs,upgrades, and even licensed production ofhi-tech combatmateriel.Deputy Director Generalof the Rosoboronexport Corporation and head ofthe Rosoboronexport delegation at the BRIDEX2011 International Defence Exhibition andConferenceViktor KOMARDIN expanded onprospects of defence cooperation with countriesof the Asia-Pacific Region.

Mr.Komardin, being head of theRosoboronexport delegation,would youplease tell our readers what yourexpectations of BRIDEX 2011 are?Rosoboronexport defines the importanceof an exhibition through the quality andcompetitiveness of developments of display, thelevel of delegations and their ability andauthority to settle issues of cooperation withRussia. BRIDEXmeets every suchrequirement. In a nutshell, the only thing weexpect from the show is productive meetingswith our partners from Brunei and other statesof the region.We have much to discuss, andthough we hold regular meetings, includingthose in Russia, there are always a lot of itemson the agenda.And this is good, because itmeans a constantly developing dialogue.

By theway, Russia andBrunei Darussalamestablished diplomatic relations on 1October,1991.Over almost two decades our countrieshave established friendly relations and engaged ina fruitful dialogue, including in the defence sphere.The agenda has always been varied and intense.For instance, inMay 2005Rosoboronexportexperts, invited by theBruneiMinistry of Defenceto Bandar Seri Begawan,made a comprehensive

presentation of Russian arms andmateriel, fromair defence systems, aircraft, and helicopters tohardware andweapons for theNavy, the Army,and special operations forces.

However, as early as June 2005 our countriessaw themost crucial event for their developingrelations, to wit, the first official visit to Russia ofHisMajesty SultanHaji Hassanal BolkiahMu'izzaddinWaddaulah, the Sultan andYangDi-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.His visit laid a solidgroundwork for a constant dialogue between ourstates in themilitary technical sphere.Four yearslater inOctober 2009HisMajesty the Sultan ofBrunei Darussalampaid a visit to theRosoboronexport headquarters inMoscow.Naturally, it was a very interesting, important, andcrucial meeting for us.We hope that thismutually

beneficial and constructive dialoguewill makefurther progress, and relations betweenRussiaandBrunei will effectively benefit our two nationsin the future aswell.

Therefore, BRIDEX is an excellent opportunityto further strengthen relations betweenRussia andBrunei.Although, the sameholds true for othercountries of theAsia-PacificRegion.Generally, it isanother step forward towards strengthening long-termmutually beneficial cooperationwithRussia’spartners in the region.Tremendous experience insuccessful cooperation gives us every chancewiththis end in view.Wewill demonstrate at BRIDEX2011our real achievements and advantages ofvarious projects.Weare ready to immediatelyrespond to requests of our partners and engage intransparent and constructivework.Our approachto business is highly appreciated both inAsiaand throughout theworld.

Should you divide priority and secondaryissues, discussedwith partners,what wouldsuch priority issues be?Even themost seemingly insignificantissues can turn out to be in the spotlightat anymoment.Therefore, we payattention to every detail.Generallyspeaking, negotiators will always face thefollowing two fundamental issues: the terms ofselling and procuringweapons, and the ultimateeffectiveness of suchweapon systems.

What are Rosoboronexport’s terms ofselling arms?As far as the price is concerned, it is alwayssubject to negotiations.Every customerpurchases ‘his own’set of armament, his ownconfiguration.Let me say this:we pursue awell-balanced pricing policy, taking into account avariety of factors, including economic capabilitiesof nations, procuring our arms.The value of the

BMPT

Viktor KOMARDIN, Deputy DirectorGeneral, Rosoboronexport

Igla-S

“Russia and Asia Pacific partnership based

ADVERTISEMENT

contract is also influenced by the fact thatexperience has so far demonstrated that Russianweapon systems can perfectly be adapted tomeet standards of the customers.Rosoboronexport assists its partners in skilfullyadapting hardware to existing defence structures,and ensuring smooth, quick, and reliableoperation of the entire system.This increases theefficiency of weapon systems, reduced theiroverall costs, and cuts down the cost of creatingandmaintaining a corresponding infrastructure.

Due to this policy Russia has been able toremain theworld’s second largest arms exporterand continues to strengthen its positions.Thus,enormousmarketing efforts, undertaken byus amid tough rivalry, yield results inthe form of a constantly growinginterest in Russian arms andmateriel on the part of all global

armsmarket players.We continue developing newmarkets and stepping up our sales.

As for the Asia-Pacific Region as a whole,we actively develop ties with such nations asBangladesh, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, China,Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, etc. Ourpartners are aware that Rosoboronexport’sstrategy aims to shape, strengthen, anddevelop long-term mutually beneficialrelations. I would like to emphasise long-termand mutually beneficial relations.

What else are buyers interested in, savefor the price?The quality of arms andmateriel is a separateissue. It is common knowledge that a number of

countries of the Asia-Pacific Region have facedthe problem that certain procured weaponsystems cannot survive local heat and humidity.Some systems – which naturally had not beendelivered by us –malfunctioned in the course ofoperation in the tropical climate.After realisingwhat happened, such states turned to Russia,whose hardware features high quality andreliability, simple maintenance, and endurance invarious climates, includingthe adverse climate of theAsia-Pacific Region. Itgoes without

saying that we have responded to their requestand rushed to the rescue.

At the same time prices and the high qualityare not our only advantages over the rivals.Weoffer a package of services throughout life cycleof arms andmateriel exported:we set up repairbases, service centres, and training.All thesefactors are of paramount importance tocustomers.For instance, in India we havefounded the Rosoboronservice (India) Ltd.Indo-Russian JointVenture, tasked withproviding after-sale services to naval materiel.

What will Rosoboronexport display at theexhibition in Brunei?At the present time the potential of developingmilitary technical relations between Russia and

the Asia-Pacific Region is extremely high: theAsia-Pacific Region boasts a vast market, whileRussia offers the entire scope of themostadvanced arms andmateriel.Given thetraditionally high interest in Russian weapons inthe region and Russia’s ability to export theentire range of arms to Asia, at BRIDEX 2011 wewill discuss aircraft (Yak-, Be-, and Il-familyaircraft, Mi- and Ka-family helicopters, andvarious aircraft weapons and equipment), naval

materiel, armour, air defence systems, hardwarefor special operations forces, ammunition toweapon systems exported earlier, as well asmany other things of interest to countries of theAsia-Pacific Region.Wewill exhibit combathardware for all armed services.

Moreover, we can offer weapons that aresubstantially superior to their rivals in a numberof specifications.Some of them boast uniqueengineering solutions.For instance, visitors tothe exhibition will certainly pay attention to sucha unique vehicle as the BMPT tank supportcombat vehicle.Therefore I am positive thatparticipation in BRIDEX 2011 will yield specificresults.We have a great number of verypromising projects and interesting ideas, and onthe whole, we have a lot to offer to our partnersfor years or even decades ahead.

Ka ̀-̀226T

TOR-M2E

“Russia and Asia Pacific partnership based on trust and advanced defence technologies”

Ka-52

SSOOLLDDIIEERRMODERNSIATION


SoldierTransformation:Technologiesto Boost the

Infantry

SoldierTransformation:Technologiesto Boost the

Infantry

South AsiaIndia’s F-INSAS (Futuristic Infantry SoldierAs a System) programme, led by theDirectorate General Infantry, continues on itsofficial timelines of providing a complete,integrated system by 2020 with newweapons, body armour and ISR devices to beacquired in two earlier increments.

At Aero India in February, BEL had ondisplay its Indigenous Soldier Systems solu-tion for F-INSAS which has a full range of the

subsystems. The computer,referred to as the CommanderData Terminal Signal Interface andPower Distribution Unit had dynami-cally configurable multi-port connec-tivity supporting a power capabilitythrough and in-built CPDU with inter-

Programmes to enhancedismounted soldiers’ lethality,survivability and supportabilityare beginning to emerge acrossthe Asia-Pacific to provideimmediate capability against realand present internal threats,provide an increased capability foroverseas deployment as well asdevelop an enhanced warfightingcapability to keep pace withdevelopments elsewhere in the world.

bbyy Adam Baddeley

At Aero India in February, BEL had ondisplay its Indigenous Soldier Systemssolution for F-INSAS © AJB

faces for a range of communica-tions devices and a 1.2GHz CPUand uses either a Windows CE orLinux operating system. Otheritems include two 14.5V 10aHsmart batteries, a non-GPS naviga-tion sub system with 2m accuracy,hand head dual band SDR withsimultaneous voice, data andvideo with built in securityand a MANET waveformand a physiologicalmonitoring systems thatmeasures blood pres-sure, pulse rates, bodytemperature and bloodoxygenation.The systems on show

used a number of non-BELproducts including a PowerFilm FM15-

300N thin film solar panel.The Pakistan Army does not have a for-

mal programme in the same vein as F-INSASalthough it is making plans to do so. In themeantime is it developing and acquiringsolutions that meet its requirements for con-ducting counter insurgency operation inSwat and South Waziristan in joint opera-tions using infantry, armour, artillery, avia-

tion assets and Special Forces.This has re-emphasised the importance of

small unit tactical operations, individual ini-tiative, enhanced intelligence and communi-cations with a series on ongoing procure-ments delivering improved surveillanceequipment, protective gear, small arms, andcommunication equipment.

Near term procurements have resulted inthe introduction of Motorola communica-tions sets, Automatic Grenade Launchersand Global Positioning System. Doctrinaland organisational changes had seen theOrganization of Air Control Teams at muchlower tactical levels.

Future requirements include a newassault rifle to replace the 7.62mm H&K G3manufactured by POF along with sights andnon-lethal weaponry, manportable Anti tankweapon systems, Multi-band inter/intrateam radio with ground to air capabilities to

be issued at the lowest tactical levels and a“Personal Net Digital Radio” with integratedGPS. Both radios will be integrated withPakistan’s planned higher level InfantryBattle Field Command and InformationSystem. Pakistan’s soldier night visionrequirements are considerable, coveringweapons sights, hand held image intensifica-tion scopes and Night Vision Goggles forcommanders and operators of crew servedweapons, drivers and observation capabili-ties for mortar fire controllers.

Sri Lanka is continuing its soldier mod-ernisation plans based on successful lessonsfrom its counter-insurgency campaignagainst the LTTE. A significant factor in theoutcome was the tactical innovation associat-ed with the Special Infantry Operations Team(SIOT); four to twelve man units operatingdeep within enemy territory.

The SIOT as supported by a number ofinnovations, ranging from the use of localfood and medicines to increase patrols’endurance, improved camouflages and plain

21

MODERNSIATION


SSOOLLDDIIEERR

Sri Lanka SIOT units are gaining a denserdistribution of night vision devices to allow thewhole units to manoeuvre at night while injungle © DoD

Sri Lanka is continuing itssoldier modernisation plansbased on successful lessonsfrom its counter-insurgencycampaign against the LTTE

rubber soles on combat boot that mimickedlocal footwear and limited the ability of theLTTE to track SIOT units. In terms of technol-ogy, work during the LTTE years concentrat-ed on improving communications ranges,surveillance and night operations.

Post-insurgency, Sri Lanka is seeking toimprove its operational capabilities in num-ber of areas including improved HighFrequency communications including data,individual hands free radios and satellitephones. Denser issue of night vision devicesof three or more a squad up from the currentone is designed to increase a squad’s ability

to manoeuvre at night, something hithertoimpossible to achieve in the jungle. Sri Lankaalso want to add under barrel grenadelaunchers to SIOT units, replacing dedicatedweapons, weapon sights, improved naviga-tion using GPS and newmore efficient powersources including solar panels.

AustralasiaOne of the most significant developments forAustralia’s Land 125 programme is the for-mation of Diggerworks which is designed toprovide integrated Soldier Combat Systems(SCS) while ensuring continual enhancement

within the Soldier Combat systems develop-ment cycle through adaptive acquisition.Diggerworks is an adaptive organisationbased around the Integrated Soldier SystemsDevelopment Directorate and consists of theArmy, Capability Development Group,Defence Material Organisation and DefenceScience and Technology Organisation and co-ordinates the collaboration of other agenciesin defining and delivery of SCS capabilities.

Land 125 Phase 3A has been awarded toan Elbit Systems led group providing a

New Zealand has a numberof common systems withAustralia and both countrieshave embarked uponjoint acquisition programmesin the past


Sagem’s FELIN is being deployed to Afghanistanwith the 1st Infantry Regiment later this yearand has been widely demonstrated withelements of the systems being used to developsystems in several countries including Brazil,Jordan and Russia. It is also part of theCassidian led Warrior 21 system selected bySpain and Switzerland © AJB


Dismounted BMS solution and usingHarris AN/PRC-152 and RaytheonEPLRS radios as the transport layerswhich will equip the dismounted sol-diers as part of the Land 75 pro-gramme. The Land 125 SoldierCombat Ensemble will be fieldedshortly. The most recent issuing isthe Soldier Combat Ensemble, cov-ering essential worn items whichincludes personal protection andother items such as knee and elbowpads, gloves and load carriage plat-forms, which together both carryessential equipment and provide phys-ical and environmental protection.Thales Australia has carried out con-

siderable work on enhancing the currentAusteyr assault rifle either a new archi-tectures. The F88 SA1 rifle is currently

operated with a four power day sight, whitelight torch and night aiming devices. UnderLand 125 3C the Austeyr will receive capabil-ities such as a powered rail and enhancedSTA equipment.Under Land 125 Phase 4, those capability

gaps that remain will be addressed and exist-ing capabilities enhanced.In addition to Land 125, key dismounted

soldier systems programme will include land53-1 which will see a technology refresh ofnight fighting equipment with current fireteams each receiving the PVS-14 gogglesunder the Ninox night fighting equipment.New Zealand has a number of common

systems with Australia and both countrieshave embarked upon joint acquisition pro-grammes in the past with examples being theSteyr assault rifle. New Zealand’s stated

requirements for future soldier systems arethat it be scalable, built upon base elements,developed from a wide variety of sources,satisfy Urgent Operational Requirementsand use off the shelf technologies from bothmilitary and commercial soruces. RecentSituational Awareness related procurementsinclude MINI N/SEA NVG, PEQ-15 NAD,CNVD-T2 Thermal Sight and PVS II Sights.

ASEANThe Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS)entered service in 2010 with the 5thSingapore Infantry Battalion and deploy-ment has now reached three battalions. TheACMS is also equipping the 2nd Battalion,Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR), theSingapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) firstmotorised unit which uses the Terrex

infantry carrier vehicles. The battalion isalso commanded by the former ACMSprogramme manager Lt. Col. Jimmy Toh.In designing ACMS the SAF have

worked to a limited weight limits with themedian weight of the SAF soldier being60kg, the standard limitation on soldier sys-tem weight is a third of body mass thereforesystems should ideally no increase the bur-den above 20kg. The ACMS’ capabilities arebroken up into six subcomponents; the inte-

grated helmet subsystem, the weaponsubsystem, communications sub-system, power systems, 1.5Kg sol-dier computer as well as the loadcarrying systems.The first ACMS began in 1998

followed by a much lighter systemsissued to a section for testing whenafter success was increased to 60 forrepetitive company trials. Based on a sub-sequent series of trials, a decision wasmade to begin series production in 2009.The results showed an increase in C2dissemination time by 50 percentand significant reduction in casu-alties and a four fold reduc-tion in the time taken toreact and disengagewhen in contact. ACMSis part of the SAF’s socalled 1-800-Dial-A-Bomb sensor to shooternetwork aimed at pro-

Currently in its Applied Research phase whichbegan in June 2009 and is due to complete inDecember, Korea’s Future Warrior systems placesstrong emphasis on CBRN protection © DoD

Ultralife’s new Genesisensemble is in trials with a

number of militaries in theregion © Ultralife


MODERNSIATIONSSOOLLDDIIEERR

viding low level tactical units easy access toinorganic fires to engage targets outside therange and scope of their personal weapons.

Continuing issues with ACMS are withruggedisation, weight and power require-ment which are being pursued throughR&D. For communication the ACMS using acombination of a local produced squad levellinks using 2.4Ghz combined with a SelexElsag SSR+ radio.

Malaysia’s soldier modernisation pro-gramme is currently in its concept phase with

no publicised goals for in serviced datesalthough the programme was named theSoldier Advanced Kombat TechnologyIntegrated (SAKTI) and is part of the Army 210 plus 10 strategic development plan. TheMalaysian military have identified fourmajor challenges in realising the future sol-dier vision: budget, technology, human capi-

tal and operation environment and the Armyworking closely with MOD's STRIDE(Science, Technology, Research in Defence)with earlier work including the MalaysianArmy Future Soldier Combat Uniform MK IIwhich was displayed in 2010.

The Philippines have improved their dis-mounted close combat capabilities in recentyears in a number of ways. Recent acquisi-tions in this domain includes a suite of com-munications devices, largely acquired fromHarris RF Communications, navigation sys-tems including GPS and new FN MinimiSquad Automatic Weapons. Still in the pro-curement phase are a number of itemsincluding night vision monocular, IR aim-ing device and a laser zeroing devices interms of STA and a lightweight, disposablerocket launcher.

A number of these items are being inte-grated on the soldier under the country’sBattalion of Excellence (BOE) Programme, itis pursuing a Night Fighting System to equipeach soldier in rifle platoons with a nightfighting capability that includes a LaserAiming Device and Laser Zeroing Device.

Thailand’s programme, dubbed ‘SFT 21’according to some sources remains firmly inthe concept phase although the country hasinvested in a number of modern elementsthat would be included in any future sys-tems, including the acquisition of the IWITavor in 2009.

Indonesia is currently building its capabil-ity based on the initial goal of MinimumEssential Force (MEF) although currentlysome units still lack of certain weapons intheir arsenal. The newly structured unitsare aimed at upgrading the status fromMEF to Ideal Essential Force which isdesigned for prioritised for conflictareas and border regions, with a strongfocus in a quick reaction force.

North East AsiaThe prototypes of Japan’sAdvanced Combat InfantryEquipment System (ACIES)were delivered to the Ministryof Defence for trials at the endof 2008. After nearly two years oftrials and testing the contract for the final sys-tems in mid 2010 to Hitachi. Subcontactorson the programme are reported as being aHMD built by Shimadzu, an NEC IR cameraand Brentronic for the power solutions.Delivery of the first series production ensem-bles could occur during 2011.

The prototypes of Japan’sAdvanced Combat InfantryEquipment System weredelivered to the Ministry ofDefence for trials at theend of 2008


Norway’s NORMANS programme which uses theThales developed NORMANS Light system shownhere is nearing final signature by the Ministry ofDefence before it enters production © AJB


Korea’s Future Warrior programme is in itsstudy phase with the Agency for DefenceDevelopment (ADD) with the AppliedResearch phase beginning in June 2009 and isdue to be completed in December 2011 whichis looking at technology optimisation.Conceptually, the study is dividing the eventu-al systems into their requirements represent-ing different levels of integration: IndividualEquipment, Modular-type and finally anIntegrated-type solution. Within the three cat-egories a number of equipment set variants arebeing considered based on the battlefield func-tion. These are regular Force, Irregular Forceand Special Force Warrior and Combat /

Combat support / CombatService Support Warrior.

It terms of relative technolo-gy levels that are expected fromthe FWS, the Korean DefenceUniversity puts US levels at 100,the UK at 88 and those forKorea at 78.

The ADD is looking at twobattery types to equip the sol-diers a lithium-ion solutionand a combined Hybrid Fuel

Cell combining a Fuel Cell and Lithium-Ion.An integrated head subset is planned whichwill include ballistic and blast protection;Night Vision Monocular, Ballistic Helmet,Gas Mask and AMOLED HMD which willdisplay Tactical Map and Target Informationand include a bone-conduction earphone.Each soldier will also be equipped with a

bio and environmental sensing unit monitorlocated on the system’s wearable Computer.Korea also envisages working on TechnicalCooperation with worldwide military R&Dgroups in areas that include Energy Supply,Sensor Fusion and Virtual Simulation.

25

Spain’s Comfut programme is led by Cassidianwith element of the systems relating to thecompany’s Warrior 21 offering with Sagem© AJB

The Singapore Advanced CombatMan System, shown here at IDEX 2011, is now

in service with three battalions with the SingaporeArmed Forces including its first Motorised battalionwhich is equipped with the Terrex IFV © AJB

MODERNSIATIONSSOOLLDDIIEERR


MMIILLSSAATTCCOOMMT E R M I N A L S


MobilityCapacity

BattlefieldSatcom:Mobility

Capacityandand

THESE miniaturised SatcomTerminals operating in X, Ku, Kaand Q bands and typically enableAd-hoc Internet Protocol (IP)enabled mesh networks, and are

increasingly provided via a Software DefinedRadio architecture with a parallel pursuit ofCognitive radio capabilities for greater band-width efficiencies.

The advent of higher power satellites sup-ports this greater mobility by enabling smallportable antennas. Improved technologymeans less baseband and other hardware isrequired to do this. More concentrated satel-lite spot beams are available which requiremore gateways, but smaller user terminals arenevertheless possible. There are challenges,smaller antennas naturally radiate to severaladjacent satellites simultaneously and sointerference is an issue and Satcom on theMove (SOTM) configurations must tolerateshock and vibration and must self evidentlydo this while on the move. For mobile man-pack operations, a typical requirement is toprovide a 1-2Mbps solution that one personcan carry in a backpack that is fully integrated,easy to use and requires battery operation.

The move to highly mobile terminal origi-nated with the advent of the military use ofcompact Very Small Aperture Terminal(VSAT) terminals. Initially these could onlybe supported via large hubs but through aTime Division Multiple Access (TDMA) solu-tion used to enable multiple terminals totransmit intermittently on the same frequen-cy, could be far more bandwidth efficient and

share that capability with ‘part time’ users buthad to be installed and pointed by trainedpersonnel. This evolved to see smaller anten-nae although were still relatively bulky bytoday’s standards and required considerablepower with personnel requiring only mini-mal training in their operation. Today, termi-nals use auto-acquisition to align themselves,the antennas are small and easily assembledand typically required no more than 20W fora typical link with multiple modems capableof being used, supporting both full-mesh andhub spoke networks and enabling virtually

any voice data or video applications.A number of issues still remain; auto-

acquisition remains a challenge due to anumber of factors such as the precision of thesatellite’s mechanics to accurate align itselfand inherent difficulties in determining TrueNorth although this is helped but not com-pletely alleviated by the use of GPS. Failureto align correctly can cause massive interfer-ence problems although the Global VSATForum has established certain standards orType Approval to limit this in the context ofcivil satcom and milsatcom.

There is no decisive outcome on whether

27

T E R M I N A L S


Militaries throughoutthe world are in

a new era of Mobilebattlefield satcom

which is providing morethan ever before,

enabling bandwidth atlower costs with highdata rates combiningto provide broadband

operation even down tosmall antennas thatcan be used at the

lowest tactical levels.The development is

also providing remoteportable and mobile

communicationsand low

profile SOTMantennas

with morethroughput

but at less massand less power.

bbyy Adam Baddeley

MMIILLSSAATTCCOOMM

MobilityCapacity

SOTM terminals have towithstand high levels or shockand vibration and maintaintheir link © Rockwell Collins

The move to highly mobileterminal originated with theadvent of the military useof compact Very SmallAperture Terminal) terminals

Harris RF Communication’s PRC-117 family, the latest ‘G’ modelshown where with a secondchannel mission module, is usedto support a range of UHF Tacsatmobile milsatcom links © AJB

MobilityCapacity

mobile satcom should have a mesh or starnetwork. A star network means a hub andspoke connectivity between SOTM andmobile terminals and their hubs. Star net-works simplify the connectivity matrix andaid power link budgets due to the much larg-er sized terminal possible with hubs. In amesh architecture, two forward deployedsmall terminals can be linked via single hopbetween the two terminals which is counterintuitively somewhat more complex in termsof satellite connectivity, particularly when theterminal use different slots with differentsatellites or satellite slots and this mitigatesagainst circuit switching for IP traffic. Meshedservices can however, always revert to a starnetwork via a double hop.

The transformation in mobile and deploy-able satcom capabilities by British troopsdeploying in Afghanistan in 2010 versuswhat they were equipped with in that theatrein 2002 has changed dramatically and illus-trates the increased demands for mobile anddeployable satcom both military and civilsatellite communications. In January 2002, aspart of Op Fingal in Afghanistan satcom waslimited. At the Brigade HQ and Task Forcelevel, they were equipped with a small num-

ber of secure Mentor phones, an X-bandVCS-501 with data rates of 1Mbps, supportedby secure voice and data over a 128KbpsInmarsat link and insecure Iridium link.Battlegroups could only rely upon Inmarsatlinks and further insecure Iridium links. ByAugust 2010, under Op Herrick things hadchanged significantly for both Brigade/TaskForce and Battlegroup HQs. All staff nowhad secure phones along with UHF Tacsat,PSC 506, 2Mbps Ku/X-band VSAT links, X-band Talon links at 2Mbps or new Reacherterminals capable of 2-4Mbps. Whereas in2002 Companies, Platoons and Patrol baseshad only terrestrial Combat Net Radio (CNR)links, by 2010 this has increased to MissionSecret 2Mbps links over Ku and X band atrates of 256Kbps, and PSC506 Milsatcomlinks at company level, with lower levels alsousing UHF Tacsat. The UHF Tacsat satcomterminals are the Harris PRC-117F acquired

A recent British UOR hasbeen the acquisition of theRockwell Collins/Swe-DishCCT120 deployable mobileterminal with readinesslevels of 98.7 percentachieved in Afghanistan


While able to operate while moving, OTMterminals provide greater throughput whileoperating at the halt © ViaSat


under the Skylight programme with over1800 in operation. A recent British UOR hasbeen the acquisition of the RockwellCollins/Swe-Dish CCT120 deployablemobile terminal with readiness levels of 98.7percent achieved in Afghanistan.France has already fielded an X-band

OTM capability for voice and a data usingactive antenna technology which is fullyqualified and operational and supports OTMcapabilities of 100Kbps. The Directiongénérale de l'armement is currently support-ing a research programme using differentmodems to extend that to up to 2 Mbps.Work is also ongoing to migrate to a full IPnetwork using the STANAG 4606 Ed 3 com-pliant EPM IP Modem which will offer highIPv6 data rates on demand and which alsosupport VoIP. The same basic terminals areused to support the UAE’s Yahsat satellitenetwork which has an OTM capability.France is also exploring Ka band small

active antennae for armored vehicles with ahigh data rate for the forward link with areturn link with both a lower data rate andlower spectral efficiency.Thales have a range of OTM terminals in

their Xotm range using a flat panel antenna inX-band and dish antennae in Ka bandalthough active flat panel antenna in this fre-quency is expected soon with a high transmitrange of 128Kbps to 2Mbs and either a two orthree axis stabilisation systemswhich allowshigh tracking capability in harsh envi-ronments. The systems is typicallyoffered with the company’s Modem21e-Mmodem, a high anti-jam pro-tected modem system which uses‘software modem’ technologyand has an onboard full integrat-ed management systemalthough other Doppler resistantmodels can be used.General Dynamics SATCOM

Technologies’ SmartSat technologyprovides auto acquisition with a light-weight 96cm-1.2m apertures terminalsupporting greater than 4Mbps outboundand 18Mbps inbound in Ku, Ka and X-bandband. The systems is designed for transportin ergonomically designed cases and can set

up in less than five minutes with its drivespeed of 30 degrees per second, an azimuthof 720 degrees and a continuous elevation of180 degrees. Other features include a built inspectrum analayser and M&C systems. Thecompany have also provided the SatelliteWide Area Network (SWAN) programme for

the USMC with several hundred of GeneralDynamic’s deployable self contained Tacticalauto-acquisition SATCOM terminals operat-ing on FSS Ku-Band with both both 96 cmand 1.2m terminals deployed.GD Satcom Technologies has also more

than a hundred 45-75cm aperture SOTM ter-minals for X, Ku, and Ka-Band operation cur-rently in operation with seven countriesaround the world, with most sales being tothe DoD. The company’s Model 20-24terminal has been selected as a solu-tion for the WIN-T programme usingthe MPM1000 modem.In August 2010, Australia com-

pleted its Satcom OTM Capabilityand Technology Demonstrator pro-gramme, working with EM Solutionsand BAE Systems Australia over aperiod of 18 months, designed to helpdevelop future requirements and con-

cepts of opertion for SOTM. The terminalused was a parabolic reflector withCassegrain configuration and utilized closedloop monopulse tracking using beacons andsupported rates of 8Mbps receive and 2Mbpstransmit with EM Solutions providing a 4W

Ka band solution. The demonstra-tion, in June 2010 took place usinga Bushmaster mobility vehicle.A new organisational develop-

ment in Australia is the formation in January2010 of the Directorate of SatcomCapability ofthe ADF, which brings together all single andjoint service solutions. There are six key ADF

The Rockwell Collins CCT120 uses acommon CommuniCase technology andthe deployable satcom solution achieved98.7 percent reliability in Afghanistan,where it was acquired as part of a UOR bythe British Army © Rockwell Collins

T E R M I N A L SMMIILLSSAATTCCOOMM


Thales’ Xotm SOTM product lineare in operational services withFrance and the UAE, shown here inJune in the French Army’s PhoenixII digitization experiment © AJB

programmes that have a heavy reliance on sat-com: Air 7000, Air 6000, Sea 1000 and Sea1439a but the land systems are the major focus– notably JP2072 Phase 2B, JP 2008 Phase 5B.The requirements are still being finalised

and so number are still in flux. Howeverthere are two main trends with SOTM beingseen as a specialised requirement rather thana mass implementation solution although thebig changes in the requirements are for sig-nificantly increased numbers of small tacticalterminals with “Large numbers” of MediumTransportable 1.5m Small Transportable0.5m terminals and 46cm SOTM terminalsbeing sought. Australian UHF Tacsat is sup-ported by the current AN/PRC-148 which

will be supplanted by AN/PRC-152s andAN/PRC-117Gs under Land 75/125.In Afghanistan, NATO uses two UHF

Tacsat solutions both using the AN/PRC-117F CNR solution; an On The Pause systemwith about 500 terminals deployed and anOTM solution with about 50 deployed. Fivedifferent services are available beginningwith a 600bps DAMA data capability rising toa 25kbps Single Channel Per Carrier link forvoice and data. Larger but still quickly mobile

ITT’s new Ku-band NOMADSOTM a fully systemisedsolution that sits inside theubiquitous standard SINC-GARS vehicle rack mount



CapRock’s deployable X-band terminal uses afanless deisgn to reduce weight to 14kg andproduce a virtually silent terminal © CapRock

Selex Communications nowSelex Elsag’s Dagger deployablesatcom terminal is designed tobe set up and communicating inminutes © Selex Elsag

is the B-band Suitcase Satellite terminal whichis a 1.2m auto tracking solution in X and Kuband and is designed to be deployed by twopeople in under ten minutes.

When deploying to Chad in 2009, as partof the UN’s MINURCAT II mission, non-NATO Finland used a range of commercialsatcom products such as the vehicles mount-ed as the Inmarsat based BGAN Explorer 727linked to wireless LAN for data and nodes,LEO or GEO Tracker sat phones over Iridiumand Thuraya as well as C-band VSAT linksover the Atlantic Bird 3 satellite.

ITT’s new Ku-band NOMAD SOTM afully systemised solution that sits inside theubiquitous standard SINCGARS vehicle rackmount and linked to a Raysat Stealthray lowprofile antenna with integrated 20W PA andhas been demonstrated using the LinkwayS2,Comtech OTM, Hughes and L-3 MPM1000modems. Rates of 512Kbp at 225Kmph havebeen achieved on roads with 100 percent suc-cess in retaining links in a US Army exerciseusing Command Post Of the Future secureVTC, secure VoIP and email with simultane-ous up links of 256Kbps and 512Kbps down-links while operating cross country at speedof over 50kmph or higher. Nomad isdesigned to be fitted in just 30-40 minutesusing two man teams put in place usingeither standard or epoxy bolts. ITT has alsodeveloped the Distributed TacticalCommunications System (DTCS) pro-gramme, which uses secure, Netted Iridumlinks for voice and data in a hand held termi-nal. Over 6000 handsets were delivered foruse in theatre to US forces in 2010 and it isdesigned to complement larger terminals in

the field. The DTCS and has a range of 160-320km and would be used to link patrols andplatoons over a wide area undertaking dis-tributed operations.

The Caprock Tampa Microwave TM-X850MP family uses a fanless, virtually silentdesign which uses heat pipe technology isdisperse heat. In a softcase, the entire 16W45cm X-band system weighs just over 14Kgwhile supporting T1/E1 duplex bandwidth.The systems has been successfully operatedon both Paradigm and XTAR satcom net-works using an iDirect modem. A Ku- bandversion is also being developed.

Weight is reduced in the auto alignmentsystem which removes the need for a

motorised mechanical

systems while retaining an electronic com-pass, inclinometer as well as a GPS into thebaseline systems. Instead of pushing a but-ton, the terminals software guides theuntrained operator to manually align thesystem via the screen.

Rockwell Collins manpack miSAT-X ter-minal is used by US Special Forces in smallteams of four or less personnel requiring linksin the field and supports 1.5-2Mbps and sup-ports both NIPRnet and SIPRnet connectivityand the transmission of full motion video andalso uses a manual point system to saveweight. The system replaces larger BGANsolution which also offered less throughput.

In addition to miSAT-X the company’sCCT-90 and 120 CommuniCase terminals uselarger aperture terminals and auto-acquisi-tion as the larger the terminal the harder it isto achieve exact azimuth and elevation align-ment. The CCT terminals can operate withIntelsat and Eutelsat type approval and forthe US X-band certification over WGS. Theterminals support iDirect’s Infinity and

Evolution, ViaSat’s LinkWay S2,Advantec’s Satnet DVB-S2 and NDSatcom SkyWAN modems.


ViasSat’s AN/PSC-14 is the only ruggedisedBGAN terminal with integrated Type 1encryption © ViaSat

ITT’s DTCS solution is entering widespreadservice with the US military providing Nettediridium coverage to dismounted patrols © ITT

T E R M I N A L SMMIILLSSAATTCCOOMM

THESE weapons, while placed top-side, can be controlled from thebridge or from elsewhere withinthe superstructure. The weapon’sazimuth and bearing can be adjust-

ed using a joystick, for example, while firecontrol can be exercised using electro-optics orradar. A human operatormay or, in the case ofRaytheon’s Phalanx and Thales’ GoalkeeperClose-InWeapons System (CIWS), may not berequired to control the weapon.

Naval architects have arguably never hadsuch a range of remote controlled guns to

choose from while designing their vessels,particularly in the 12.7mm-40mm calibrerange. Guns of such a size, particularly in thelittoral environment, afford both strikingpower and high precision. This is particular-ly important as the waters around a coastline

can be crammed with trawlers, pleasureboats and other civilian vessels. Naval firepower must ensure that it is the ships’intended target, and not such innocent craft,which are engaged. The need for such capa-bilities has been recognised by companieslike BAE Systems, Rafael Advanced DefenseSystems, Kongsberg, Raytheon and Nexterwhich all have naval remote controlled gunproducts available.

BAE Systems’ Lemur family of gyro-sta-bilised electro-optical combined gun sitesand remote controlled weapons stations usea modular concept allowing them to be cus-tomised according to the specificationdesired by the operator. For example, Lemurcan house a ground and air target fire controlsystem, electro-optics and target designationfor missiles, a forward observer sight, and aremote controlled weapons station, whichcan also include a countermeasures launcher.In particular, the Lemur is well-suited toaccommodating Bofors 40 and Bofors 57weapons. The Bofors 40 can dispatch up to330 rounds-per-minute (rpm), engaging tar-gets at up to 12.5-kilometres; with the Bofors57 having a slightly lower rate-of-fire ataround 220 rpm. The fire control systems

NN AA VV AA LLWEAPON SYSTEMS


The fewer personnel on the deck of a warship during combat, the fewercrewmembers are placed at risk. Placing naval gunners behind theprotective screen of a ship’s superstructure reduces the danger of thembeing hit by projectiles or shrapnel. It is this simple maxim that isguiding the development of naval remote controlled gun turrets.

bbyy Tom Withington

Naval Integrated

Weapons

Although it is seen here outfitting a vehicle, BAESystems’ Lemur family of remote controllednaval weapons systems can accommodateBofors 40 and Bofors 57 weapons, along with arange of fire control systems © BAE Systems

Naval architects havearguably never had sucha range of remote controlledguns to choose from whiledesigning their vessels

33

WEAPON SYSTEMS


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Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’Mini-Typhoon is designated as theRemote Operated Small ArmsMount (ROSAM) Mk.49 Mod.1 in USNavy service. The weapons mountcan accommodate machine guns,Gatling guns, a grenade launcherand even small missiles © US Navy

outfitting the Lemur, allow the weapons sta-tion to be integrated with a vessel’s onboardsurveillance and navigation radar.

Alongside the Lemur family, BAESystems produces a gun mount in the 35mmcalibre category; the Mk.38 Mod.2, which isbased on the Typhoon product of RafaelAdvanced Defense Systems (see below). TheMk.38 Mod.2 is built around an ATK M242Bushmaster chain gun which can fire up to180 rpm at a range of around 2.5 km;although these weapons can also performsingle shot and low-speed fire. The weaponis traversed onto its target using a joystick,and the integral electro-optical systems of the

Mk.38 Mod.2 give the weapon a useful sec-ondary capability as an observation andreconnaissance system. One particularly use-ful design feature for this gun mount is theintegral battery which contains up to twohour’s power which allows the gun to keepfunctioning, should it suffer a power failureas a result of battle damage. By 2015, the USNavy plans to have rolled these weaponsacross its surface combatant fleet; principallyits destroyers, frigates and cruisers whichwill each receive two weapons, along withamphibious support ships which will obtainup to three, and patrol vessels which will beoutfitted with a single example.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has,meanwhile, elected to fold technology devel-oped for its Overhead Weapons System-25utilised on the Israeli Army’s Achzarit, Pumaand M113A2 armoured vehicles into theTyphoon Mk.25 Naval Stabilised WeaponsStation. The Typhoon’s design allows it to be

Kongsberg intends forthe Sea Protector to outfitcomparatively small-sizedcraft, and the Sea Protectorincludes a recoil dampenerhelping to improve precision



Along with the Lemur family of naval remotecontrolled weapons mounts, BAE Systems alsoproduces the Mk.38 Mod.2 which accommodatesan ATK M242 Bushmaster chain gun. This weaponis currently equipping the US Navy © BAE Systems

OtoMelara’s ‘Modular Advanced RemoteLightweight Naval Weapon Station’ or MARLIN-WS is available in both 25mm and 30mmversions. Sales of the weapon have beenforthcoming to the Netherlands © OtoMelara

used as either as stand-alone weapon, or inte-grated into a vessel’s combat managementarchitecture. This is possible because all ofthe gun’s fire control equipment is locatedwithin the weapons mount. In addition, theweapon has a non-hull penetrating design,and can be connected to a ship’s combatmanagement system via a single cable. Easeof operation has been designed into theweapon with the employment of a Windows-based user interface. Rafael began its devel-opment of the Typhoon Mk.25 around 15years ago and, since then, has sold examplesto the navies of Australia, Greece, India, SriLanka and Singapore.

A smaller variant of the Typhoon Mk.25,known as the Mini-Typhoon is also to befound in the Rafael catalogue. This weaponcan be used to provide perimeter protectionfor large vessels, or for use as the primaryarmament on smaller craft. The weapon iscommanded from a console which can beplaced inside the vessel, with a ballistic com-puter that enables the calculation of a firingsolution once a target has been acquired. As

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One of the most famous navalweapons is Raytheon’s Phalanxclose-in weapons system.Phalanx has experienced somesignificant modificationsduring its service life includingimprovements to its fire controlsystem © Raytheon

with other products surveyed in this article,the Mini-Typhoon can be used in a stand-alone capacity or alternatively slaved to theship’s fire control system. Customers for theMini-Typhoon have already been forthcom-ing, including the US Navy, which hasacquired the weapon and designated it as theRemote Operated Small Arms Mount(ROSAM) Mk.49 Mod.1. In terms of weaponswhich the Mini-Typhoon can accommodate,they include a standard 7.62mm machinegun, a GAU-17 Gatling gun or Mk.19grenade launcher. The company adds thatcompact missiles can also be integrated.Like the Mini-Typhoon, Kongsberg

Defence Systems’ Sea Protector accommo-dates a comparatively low-calibre weapon; inthis case a Browning M2 12.7mm gun, oralternatively FN Herstal M240 7.62mm orM249 5.56mm weapons. Kongsberg intendsfor the Sea Protector to outfit comparativelysmall-sized craft, and the Sea Protectorincludes a recoil dampener helping toimprove precision.For customers requiring a slightly heavier

calibre remote controlled weapon,Rheinmetall’s Millennium gun is availablewhich can fire 35mm projectiles at a range ofup to five kilometres, with a rate of fire of1,000 rpm. The Millennium gun’s lightweightconstruction makes it ideal for vessels weigh-

ing between 30-100 tonnes. Moreover, theweapon can be slaved to the ship’s organicelectro-optical and fire-control systems.Remote controlled weapons systems of a

similar calibre are available from OtoMelara.The Koninklijke (Royal Netherlands Navy)has chosen to procure OtoMelara’s MARLIN-WS, opting to purchase the 30-mm version ofthe weapon to outfit its Holland-class patrolships. Despite taking its name from a partic-ularly delectable fish, MARLIN-WS is in factan acronym for ‘Modular Advanced RemoteLightweight Naval Weapon Station’.Available in 25mm and 30mm versions, theMARLIN-WS is slaved to a combatant’s com-bat management system, although it alsoincludes an integral laser range finder, andan infrared daylight camera for fire control.These fire control systems can either be

slaved to the muzzle of the gun or movedindependently to allow the weapon to pointin one direction, while the operator lookselsewhere. Given the weapon’s modular con-struction, the customer can choose other elec-tro-optical subsystems if preferred and, toaid accuracy, the MARLIN-WS is outfittedwith a fall-of-shot calculator and ballisticcomputer. MARLIN-WS deliveries to theNetherlands should be completed by the endof this year.In fact, the MARLIN-WS is not the only

remote controlled weapons system thatOtoMelara has in production. For customersrequiring a lower-calibre solution, the firmbuilds a 12.7mm PA (Power Assisted) gunwhich has a range of around 1.5 km. To con-trol the weapon, the 12.7-mm PA is equippedwith a console which can be positioned at aconvenient point on board the vessel. Thisconsole can relay imagery back from theweapon’s integral, co-axial fire control sys-tem. Nevertheless, the user can choose to con-nect the weapon to their combat managementsystem, enabling it to take fire control infor-mation from a ships’ radar. Along with the12.7mm gun, the customer can also outfit thegun mount with a 40mm grenade launcher.While the 12.7mm PA can provide a ship

with relatively small calibre remote controlledweapon, warships can also be furnished withheavier remote controlled OtoMelara prod-ucts alongside the firm’s MARLIN-WS (seeabove). These include the company’s 40L70gun which is designed to be used as the sec-ondary armament on board a large vessel, orthe main armament on a smaller combatant.These guns can have a devastating effect asthey are able to deliver up to 600 rounds-per-minute of fire. One of the design features ofthe 12.7mm PA is that it can be reloaded frominside a ship which has the important effect ofensuring that crew members do not need toventure out on deck to reload theweapon dur-ing combat. Although already impressive,some customers may need an even higher rateof fire than that offered by the 40L70, in whichcase they can opt for the firm’s remote con-trolled Single Fast Forty which can despatchup to 900 rpm.Raytheon produces one of the most well-

known remote controlled weapons systemsin the form of the Phalanx CIWS. Not onlyare these weapons deployed on a wide rangeof US naval vessels, but they have alsoenjoyed significant export success, since theirservice entry in 1980. At the heart of thePhalanx is a six-barrelled, 20mm Gatling gun

US Navy Phalanx guns arenow receiving upgradesto improve their overallreliability, and the Block 1Bimprovements can beprocured either as aretrofit, or as a new-buildweapons system


The United Kingdom is home to MSI Defencewhich has developed remote controlled weaponssystems in use with the Royal Navy and otherforces around the world, with weaponsintegration with a ship’s command and controlarchitecture possible © MSI Defence


which has a rate of fire in the order of 4,500rpm. Such is the robust nature of its design,that the weapon has been cycled through anumber of improvements during their career.This has included the Block 1B enhancementthat which commenced in May 2005 enablingthe gun to fire ATK’s 20mm Mk.244Enhanced Lethality Cartridge. Along withthis ability to fire new ammunition, Phalanxguns have received improvements to theirradar, and the introduction of a forward-looking infra-red electro-optical system.US Navy Phalanx guns are now receiving

upgrades to improve their overall reliability,and the Block 1B improvements can be pro-cured either as a retrofit, or as a new-buildweapons system. Raytheon’s long-term planssee the Phalanx as a receptacle which canaccept weapons according to the mission thatthe gun must perform. For example, the com-pany envisages future Phalanxes as having arobot arm which could remove the tradition-al six-barrelled gun and replace this with adifferent weapon, such as a laser for use as anon-lethal ship defence to dazzle potentialattackers. Other alternative weapons includean electro-magnetic rail gun which could out-

fit the Phalanx once this technology becomesavailable for deployment. The US Navy iscurrently conducting a number of experi-ments to develop a rail gun as a workingweapon, which would allow naval vessels todispense with housing projectile propellantsand explosive shells. A rail gun dispenseswith conventional shells and instead uses thesheer kinetic force of a high speed projectile todestroy a target. Such a plug-and-playweapon, the company expects, could enterservice in around 2015. Should this greatlyenhanced Phalanx be rolled out across the USNavy, it would provide a potent vessel selfdefence capability in concert with the Mk.38Mod.2 weapons that the service should alsohave in service by this time.Finally, Nexter of France joins Raytheon in

the remote controlled weapons business in theguise of the Naval Remote Weapon HighlyAccurate Lightweight (NARWHAL) system.Like its OtoMelara counterpart, the MARLIN-

WS, the NARWHAL acronym is sharedwith amarine creature; in this case a medium-sizedtoothless whale. The gun mount is able toaccommodate a variety of weapons includingNexter’s M761 30mm, M621 20mm gun, twinM693 20mm or M761 30mm single-barrelledguns. This is not the only remote controlledweapons system which involves a Frenchcompany. Thales constructs the 4,200 rpmGoalkeeper CIWS which has a range of 1.5km. Together with the Phalanx discussedabove. This has become a popular weapon fornavies around the world.Of course, there is another benefit inherent

in remote controlled naval guns. Removingthe crew member from the gun cupola allowsthe weapon itself to have a lower profile and,therefore, a reduced radar and visual signa-ture. This contributes to reducing the overalltopside signature of a surface combatant,helping to further enhance a ship’s surviv-ability. The companies surveyed above pro-duce a range of systems to suit a wide rangeof customer requirements. It would not besurprising if, in future, remote controlledweapons become a standard feature on theworld’s naval vessels.


Raytheon sees growth potential in its PhalanxCIWS design. This includes the wherewithal toadd weapons such as a non-lethal dazzlinglaser or a electromagnetic rail gun © US Navy

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THEIDEA of an articulated carrier is rathersimple: one needs just to join two carrierswith active drives into a single vehicle and

endow it with high cross-country capability overextremely difficult terrain.First attempts tomaterialise this seemingly simple idea weremade in the early 20th century, but to no avail.

First series-production vehicles appeared inthe 1960/1970s both in the Soviet Union and intheWest.Swedish company HägglundsVehicleAB produced the widely popular Bandvagn206 type articulated vehicles.They had atwo-tonne load-carrying capacity which was tentimes less than Soviet counterparts had.Similar vehicles were developed in Finland withequally small load carrying capacity.

Soviet designers succeeded in obtainingmore impressive characteristics, havingdeveloped articulated vehicles with 10-30tonnes load carrying capacity.Studies andexperiments conducted for many years resultedin the family of theVityaz unique all-terrainarticulated tracked carriers, nowmarketedabroad by Rosoboronexport, the Russian statetrade company.They pass by land and water inplaces where any other wheeled and trackedvehicles get hopelessly stuck. In addition, theyboast high tractive characteristics, large load-carrying capacity, and long cruising range.

TheVityaz articulated carriers aremadeaccording to a trailer schemewhere two units arecoupled with a hinge.The front unit has a crewcabin for 4-7 persons equippedwith autonomousheating and air ventilation systems, transmissionand cargo compartment.The rear unit is eithera body for transporting personnel and car-goes,or a platform for mounting various equipment.

In contrast to conventional tracked vehiclesmaking turns by braking the left or right track,articulated vehicles turn by jackknifing in thehorizontal plane.The turning point aroundwhich one unit turns about the other is in thecentre of the swivel joint.Thanks to thisarrangement both units start turningsimultaneously and symmetrically.The swiveljoint is of a unique tri-dimensional design that

UNRIVALLED

RUSSIANALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE

AMR Marketing Promotion

allows the vehicle to surpass walls more thanonemetre high and ground undulationsmerelyby circumventing them.

TheVityaz vehicle features an independenttorsion-bar suspension and a caterpillar moverwith dedicated polyurethane and rubberelements providing high riding smoothness aswell as enhanced service life and reliability of therunning gear.All four rubber fabric tracks of thearticulated carrier are actively driven.Thereforeit has no difficulties in surmounting obstacles orclimbing on shore:when tracks of the front unitlose grip of the ground for a time, the active rearunit will give it a push, and when the rear unitgets stuck, it will be pulled out by the front unit.Besides, thanks to wide tracks the vehicle, evenfully laden, develops lower ground pressure thanaman does.Thanks to this feature the carriercan travel on soils with low bearing capacity.

TheVityaz all-terrain vehiclemarketed byRosoboronexport is perfectly fit for operations onwater aswell. It has awater displacing bodywhichcan bepropelled inwater by revolving tracks.Thetracks fittedwith largemetallic crossbars providesuf-ficient speedonwater (4-5 km/h) and enableclimbing out ofwater on unequipped shores.Moving inwater by rewinding tracks offerssignificant benefitswhen the all-terrain vehicle is inthe intermediate state of sailing afloat and drivingover shallows.Most amphibians fittedwithpropellers orwaterjets prove helpless in suchenviron-ment, i.e.when thewater is too shallow forthe vehicle to float but too deep to drive.Waterpumpsare installed to fight leaks.

The lower part of the carrier body is reinforcedwith a box frame fitted with longitudinal,transverse and slant bars.This rigid structureallowsmounting load-lifting, excavating, drillingand other technological equipment.There aremodifications of theVityaz articulated carrierswith cargo platform developed for transportinglong and heavy structures.

TheVityaz all-terrain vehicles feature ahydrodynamic transmission with a sin-gle-stagehydrodynamic torque converter providingsmooth control of transferred torque in functionof the running resistance.A four-speed gearboxwith a locking differential provides selection ofthe optimal driving mode for any roadconditions.To provide for effective powertransfer each unit is equipped with twoplanetary final drives and one bevel gear speedreducer with a blocking differential.

Unique engineering solutions implemented inheavy articulated carriers and rich experiencegained during their operation have beenapplied tothe development of small articulated carrierswithload capacity ranging from two to eight tonnes.Their design in essence is not different from that ofthe “heavyweights”.However,mounting aCummins engine andanAlisson automatictransmission on the vehicles has expanded their

technical capabilities as well as application areas.Small carriers can travel at a speed of up to

60 km/h and use public roads.They also retainamphibious properties as well as the capabilityof negotiating any obstacles.

A fire-fighting and rescue system has beendeveloped on the chassis of the articulatedcarrier for units of the Russian Ministry ofEmergency Situations.The second unit carriesa fixed module with an autonomous power unitand various purpose replaceable modules (fire-fighting module, emergency rescue module,medical aid module).The modules are replacedwith a hydraulic hoist.

In particular, Rosoboronexport markets theDT-3P all-terrain vehicles which can be used totransport passengers and cargoes, as well as

to accommodate various load lifting equipment.The carrier is equipped with a comfortablecabin and provides increased ridingsmoothness thanks to the employment of anautomatic hydromechanical transmission andindependent individual suspension system.

It should be noted here that the individualtorsion-bar suspension installed on the Vityazsmall articulated carriers has substantialadvantages over suspension of Western-originarticulated vehicles which use a two stageblocked suspension system with shorterdynamic roller travel and greater rigiditybecause of its design peculiarities. Anothervulnerability of Western transporters is theirswivel joint with only two degrees of freedom.When a unit turns in relation to the other in the

vertical transverse plane, the swivel joint bodyalso functions as a damping device, whichreduces reliability of the structure.

Robustness and operational reliability of theVityaz articulated carriers marketed byRosoboronexport have been proved in practiceby enterprises of oil/gas and power industriesoperating for many years in the RussianWestern Siberia and Far North regions famousfor difficult climatic, terrain and road conditions.The Vityaz all-terrain articulated trackedvehicles helped solve complex problems ofoil/gas pro-duction, and oil/gas pipeline andelectrical power line construction on difficultterrain thanks to their high passabilitycharacteristics and capability of travelling overfluid soils of marshlands.

RREEGGIIOONNAALLM I L I T A R Y


Brunei:

AFVs of the Royal BruneiLand Forces during anexercise © Khoo Jin Kiat

Monarchy, ASEAN

and DefenceCapabilitiesIn 2004, Brunei released its inaugural defence White Paper setting outBrunei’s policy intent and responses to a rapidly changing globalenvironment. The White Paper also stated that it was to be reviewedevery two-three years and this was duly done in 2007 although nofurther updates or review has been published since.

bbyy Dzirhan Mahadzir

M I L I T A R YRREEGGIIOONNAALL

43

THE 2004 Brunei Defence WhitePaper stated that the security andprosperity of Brunei rested uponon three pillars of national policy,namely; the cohesion and stability

of the nation guided by the Malay IslamicMonarchy philosophy; a stable regional envi-ronment in which Brunei’s membership ofASEAN enables it to pursue national goalsfree from external interference; and the main-tenance of Brunei’s defence capabilitiesincluding its armed forces to preserve thenation’s sovereignty, protection of its territo-rial integrity and interests, and secure free-dom and independence. The White Paperthen went on to further state that as a result,priorities in regards to defence were; main-taining stability and cohesion within thenation; protecting national interests in adja-cent maritime areas; reinforcing the integrityof the nation’s borders; enhancing nationalcapabilities in counter terrorism; cooperationwithin ASEAN on issues of shared concernand supporting the stability of neighbours;further regional security cooperationthrough dialogue, increased transparencyand crisis management; and develop a robustand flexible defence capability able to handlethe complex set of current tasks while retain-ing the capacity to deter aggression.

The 2007 Brunei Defence White PaperUpdate stated that while new strategic dynam-ics had appeared since the 2004 White Paper

was published; there was no change to the pri-orities on defence. It noted that, in the after-math of the Indian Ocean tsunami, that theimpact of environmental and natural disastersand the appropriate responses to such was oneof two strategic dynamics which had emergedsince the 2004 White Paper. The other strategicdynamic noted was the increasingly complexintersection between broader internationalsecurity trends and regional and domestic sta-bility. Noting that the challenges of develop-

ment have increased domestic instability andraised the prospect of state failure, particularlyamong several smaller, less developed nationsin the region, the 2007 Update stressed theneed for neighbouring nations to supportnational governments in managing such pres-sures as being important to the stability andprogress of the region as a whole. It then fur-ther went on to say that as such, in addition tothe defence priorities in the 2004 White Paper,the new dynamics resulted in significant addi-tional emphasis having to be placed upon; pro-

moting a more robust regional security dia-logue to better understand and, where appro-priate, develop cooperative policies andresponses towards those shared strategic chal-lenges; developing appropriate mechanisms tofacilitate cooperation in responding to anymajor security crisis that may arise with littleor no warning; significantly enhancing thecapacity and availability of the Royal BruneiArmed Forces (RBAF) to contribute to thosecooperative regional operations as well as pri-ority national tasks; and strengtheningBrunei’s ability to make a modest yet crediblecontribution to wider United Nation’s peacesupport and humanitarian relief operations.

The 2007 Update focused upon the devel-opment of the RBAF as a flexible force, multi-roled and able to configure to generate theright capability with sufficient levels of readi-ness, mobility, interoperability and sustain-ability. The multi-role aspect included mis-sions such as humanitarian and disaster relief.It stated that the RBAF needed to be able to beflexible in the variety of tasks they can under-take across a range of transnational, naturaldisaster and peace operations; and at the sametime not only being credible in performingspecific roles but also sustainable on opera-tions for some time. It added that the RBAFhad to be potentially able to undertake severaltasks concurrently and be interoperable withregional and international security partners.

The 2007 Update then proceeded to state

Since the publication ofthe 2007 Update, theJOC has become a realitywith the award of acontract in January 2010to Northrop Grumman

that the among the keys to achieving suchwas the improvement of the RBAF’s networkcapabilities and maximizing the RBAF’scapacity to operate cooperatively with othernational assets and security partners. The2007 Update listed the need to establish aJoint Operations Center (JOC) to act as a sin-gle, integrated operations centre for theRBAF. In addition to planning and directingdeployments, it would be the focal point foroperational coordination with other nationalor foreign forces and agencies. The 2007Update also stated that the JOC would haveresponsibility for the development of jointdoctrine and procedures, oversight of theforce communications architecture, andexpanding the current joint, national andmultilateral exercise programmes.

Since the publication of the 2007 Update,the JOC has become a reality with the award ofa contract in January 2010 to NorthropGrumman Corporation United Kingdom toprovide a Joint Operations Center commandand control capability for the RBAF. The con-tract included the supply of an integratedCommand, Control, Communications,Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance andReconnaissance (C4ISR) headquarters systemand a deployable Joint Operations Centertogether with the provision of training and in-country support. The Brunei JOC usesNorthrop Grumman's International-JointOperational Command and Control System,which incorporates the company's softwareapplications Command and Control for the PC(C2PC) and Interoperable C4I Services (ICS)which are currently deployed in more than 40countries. Together, C2PC and ICS provide aseamless top-to-bottom architecture for com-mand and control, from the strategic and oper-

ational levels down to the dismounted soldier.No details have been given as to when the JOCcommand center became operational thoughgiven the time since the contract was awarded;it is likely that the system is now operational.

In regard to cooperation with foreignforces, the RBAF already carries out a num-ber of regular bilateral exercises and meet-ings with its ASEAN counterparts. It also car-ries out exercises with the United Kingdom,

Australia and New Zealand while Bruneialso forms part of the United States annualCooperation Afloat Readiness and Training(CARAT) series of bilateral exercises withcountries in the South East Asia region. Tieswith the UK are particularly strong with theUnited Kingdom. Singapore also maintains atraining center for jungle warfare in Brunei.Of note though is the field deployment ofRBAF troops on peacekeeping missions,while RBAF personnel have served on peace-keeping missions or as international moni-tors in Cambodia, Mindanao and Acheh inthe past, the recent small deployment ofRBAF personnel to Lebanon since 2008 aspart of the UNIFIL mission is interesting asthe personnel deployed were embedded aspart of the Malaysian battalion contingent.Initially starting out as a five-strong deploy-ment in October 2008, the number has since

grown with the fifth dispatch of RBAF troopsin January this year numbering 20 personnel.Brunei was asked by the United Nations ifthey could contribute a company of 120 per-sonnel for the mission but declined, appar-ently due to problems in being able to sustainsuch a commitment. While the RBAF couldmake an initial deployment of a company, itwas felt that such a commitment would put astrain on the small RBAF plus the fact thatmaking such a deployment may inadvertent-ly lead to Brunei having to maintain a contin-uous deployment of a company of troops forthe open-ended UNIFIL mission. Still, theembedding of the Brunei contingent withMalaysian troops does indicate that Brunei isensuring that a portion of its military person-nel do gain experience in carrying out inter-national missions along with indicating anincreasing closeness and cooperation withMalaysia on defence and security. MalaysianDefence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi inJanuary invited Brunei, along with Indonesiato join Malaysia’s ISAF contingent inAfghanistan. While Malaysia’s current con-tingent in Afghanistan consists of only a 40strong medical team whose mandate expires

Given such and Brunei’spopulation numbering around400,000, it is not surprisingthat the RBAF is small,particularly also as militaryservice is voluntary


Royal BruneiAir Force S-70Blackhawk ©Khoo Jin Kiat


in October 2011, the indications given is thatMalaysia is moving towards expanding themission beyond October in numbers androles which would include engineers forreconstruction work. No official word hasemerged yet though from Brunei as towhether it would participate.

Brunei’s 2007 Defence White Paper Updatealso called for the nurturing of the growth ofthe local defence industry in being able to pro-vide maintenance and support services for theRBAF and also able to eventually upgrade theRBAF’s equipment. Given the relatively smallsize of the RBAF, it is clear that movingtowards local manufacture or production isclearly impractical if not impossible. Bruneihas been strongly receptive to Malaysia’s pro-posal for ASEAN countries to cooperate joint-ly in the defence industry along with forminga regional defence industry council and movetowards defence purchases from each other’scountries though Singapore and Indonesia,with their substantial indigenous defenceindustry have been cool to the proposal.

Currently in terms of security threats,Brunei faces no external threats though thespectre of terrorism, particularly in regard to

its oilfields, exists. However of note is thatthe oilfields are protected by Brunei’sGurkha Reserve Unit, a 2,000 strong forceunder Brunei’s Ministry of Home Affairs anwhich is also responsible for the security ofBrunei’s royal family. Given fact that the

Gurkha Reserve Unit comprises ex-Britisharmy Gurkhas, their presence alone is likelyto deter many terrorists. Brunei claims part ofthe Spratly islands though it does not haveany troops or maintains any presence in theareas it claims.

Given such and Brunei’s population num-bering around 400,000, it is not surprisingthat the RBAF is small, particularly also asmilitary service is voluntary. The RoyalBrunei Land Force consist of three infantrybattalions, a support battalion containingarmor, engineers and a headquarters unit. Inaddition the RBLF has a signal squadron andAir Defence battery. One infantry battalion isa mechanised battalion using the FrenchVAB and long term plans call for the estab-lishment of a fourth infantry battalion and asecond engineer squadron. Beyond that,there is little disclosed as to the RBLF’s futureprocurement plans though it can be takenthat given Brunei’s limited manpower, someform of soldier system which would enhanceindividual soldier capabilities and protec-tions will be considered.

Development of the Royal Brunei Navy hasalways been a priority for Brunei though theseambitions took a knock with the abortedNakhoda Ragam OPV programme. Thoughthe ships were completed by BAE Systems inthe early 2000’s, Brunei refused to take deliv-ery of them, citing that the ships failed to meetthe required specifications. The matter was


The Royal Brunei Land Forcesoperates a small number ofScorpion light tanks formedinto a armored reconnaissancecompany © Khoo Jin Kiat

Royal Brunei Land Forces soldiers train under thedirection of US marines during the CARAT 2010exercise © US DoD


finally resolved in arbitration in 2007 whereGerman company Lürssen undertook to resellthe ships. Lürssen was also contracted to buildseveral vessels for the RBN. The RBN officiallyaccepted two Darussalam Class Patrol Vessels,namely KDB Darussalam and KDBDarulehsan on 7th January this year at theLürssen Shipyard in Germany. TheDarussalam class has a length of 80meters andwidth of 13 meters wide and has an enduranceof 21 days at sea. The ships are equipped withExocet surface to surface missiles and a medi-um caliber gun. Both ships started their maid-en voyage back to Brunei inMarch and expect-ed to arrive in May this year. The third and

final Darussalam ship, Darulaman will bedelivered in August this year. The Darussalamclass ships replace the Waspada class MissileGun Boats which have been in service with theRoyal Brunei Navy for more than 30 years.Two of the Waspadas, the KDB Waspada andKDB Pejuang have already been transferred to

the Indonesian navy where they will be usedas training ships. Previously, Lürssen had builta total of four 41 meter Ijhtihad class FastPatrol Boats armed with a 27mmmain gun forthe RBN, with two of the class beginning oper-ations since March 2010 followed by theremaining two vessels in August 2010. Againwith manpower constraints, it is unlikely thatBrunei will embark on any further shipbuild-ing programme although upgrades to its fleetare expected.The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) has

only a limited transport capability in the formof a CN-235 transport, 5 S-70 Blackhawks, 10Bell Jet Rangers and 5 BO-105 among its pri-mary aircraft. 3 CN-235 Maritime PatrolAircraft have been ordered from Indonesia inrecognition of the need to patrol Brunei’s mar-itime waters. Since the 1990’s, there have beentalks about adding a combat capability to theRBAFwith the BaeHawk oftenmentioned butno purchase has ever occurred. Eventuallythough it is expected that Brunei will movetowards some form of combat aircraft to sup-port its ground and sea forces.

It is unlikely that Bruneiwill embark on any furthershipbuilding programmealthough upgrades to itsfleet are expected


Royal Brunei Land Forces soldiers abseil downfrom a Royal Brunei Air Force S-70 Blackhawkduring an exercise © Khoo Jin Kiat

Brunei’s newest patrolcraft, KDB Darussalam© Lürssen


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THE ISSUE of Taiwan’s politicalstatus is extremely sensitive forChina, which views the existenceof this “renegade province” as afestering affront. China has not

renounced the use of force if the Republic ofChina (ROC) declared de jure independence.Indeed, much of China’s military build-upfocuses on weapons necessary for defeatingTaiwan. It is estimated the Second ArtilleryForce of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)has 1,500 missiles aimed at Taiwan, including

DF-11A and DF-15 short-range and DF-21Cmedium-range ballistic missiles.Taiwan’s National SecurityBureau disclosed China has alsobegun deploying the DF-16, anew 1,000km-range missile withgreater destructive power.

The Taiwan Strait, spanning130km at its narrowest point, sep-arates the two adversaries.Measuring 394km long and 144kmwide, Taiwan is characterised by

mountainous terrain, with most of its23,000,000 inhabitants living on the westerncoastal plain. Importantly, the ROC controlsthe Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and Wuchiuisland groups, some of which are very closeto the mainland coast. This means they forman early-warning defensive line.

Military balance of powerChina possesses the world’s second-largest defence budget, with 2011funding jumping 12.7 percent to

No country in Asia, except for South Korea, faces a military threat asdire as that confronting Taiwan. A brooding China maintains a militaryfooting to attack this island that formed the last bastion of resistancefor Chiang Kai-shek against the communists in 1949. Nowadays, adiminishing defence budget causes many to question whether Taiwan hasthe wherewithal to defend itself from its aggressive neighbour.

bbyy Gordon Arthur

Taiwan:Island Defence

The F-CK-1 IDF was Taiwan’s attemptat producing an independent fighter.It performs well but was hampered bya high unit price © Gordon Arthur

49

M I L I T A R Y


RREEGGIIOONNAALL

$91.5 billion. This eclipses Taiwanese spend-ing of $10.27 billion. Taiwan has no hope ofcompeting with China’s overall spending,but what is of concern is that expenditure hasdecreased for three years under President MaYing-jeou’s ruling Kuomintang party. The2008 defence budget was NT$343 billion,which decreased to NT$318.6 billion in 2009,and to NT$297.4 billion last year. The currentbudget, which excludes weapon system

R&D, represents 2.14 percent of GDP, wellbelow the three percent promised by Ma inhis presidential campaign.Clearly the balance of power has swung

decisively in the PLA’s favour, as Figure 1shows. Both opposition and governing politi-cians are debating whether the ROC Armed

Forces are financed sufficiently to defend theisland, or even to act as a credible deterrent. IfChina initiated a war, how would Taiwanfare? Defence Minister General Kao Hua-chusaid, “Should there be a first strike, we shouldbe able to resist the attack for at least twoweeks.” Elsewhere the Ministry of NationalDefence (MND) stated Taiwan would surviveat least a month. This, Taiwan hopes, wouldbe long enough for the US to intervene.The ROC Armed Forces boast some

275,000 active personnel, but this total will

The government wants the military to move toan all-professional force by 2014, although thediminishing defence budget will likely preventthis © Gordon Arthur

drop to 215,000 by 2014. At present, 18-year-old males are required to complete twelvemonths of military service, but Taiwan is seek-ing to abolish conscription and create a whol-ly professional force by 2014. However, thisplan seems destined to fail unless the defencebudget jumps significantly. As well as servingas a credible deterrent to Chinese aggression,it should be remembered that Taiwan’s mili-tary is also regularly required to perform dis-aster relief missions, for example in the after-

math of Typhoon Morakot in 2009.The Army (ROCA) is the largest branch,

with an estimated 196,000 personnel, 80 per-cent of which are positioned on the mainisland. In recent years, ROCA restructuringcreated more mobile brigades able to movequickly to defend against invasion. Threemechanised-infantry and four armouredbrigades are at the heart of the army’s combatpower. Because of a lack of strategic depth,the army is the final line of defence againstChinese invasion. An Army MissileCommand was formed on 1 January 2004 tooversee long-range surface-to-air missiles(SAM) and coastal-based anti-ship missiles.

As Taiwan moves towards an offshore

engagement strategy, the Navy (ROCN) andAir Force (ROCAF) become pivotal in keep-ing Chinese forces as far as possible fromTaiwanese shores. The Navy is tasked withdefending sea lines of communicationagainst blockade, and surveillance of sur-rounding waters. Air defence is critical, with30,000 personnel of the ROCAF operating350+ fighters. Primary combat aircraft are theF-16A/B Block 20, F-CK-1A/B IndigenousDefence Fighter (IDF) and Mirage 2000-5.After five years of integration difficulties forthe ROCAF, it was decided in January 2011 toreturn medium- and long-range SAM unitsto army oversight.


The M60A3 TTS is the most capable tank inthe army’s inventory, although the designand technology date from the late 1970s© Gordon Arthur


Political considerationsChina’s Defence White Paper issued on 31March grandiosely states, “the two sides ofthe Taiwan Strait are destined to ultimatereunification in the course of the great rejuve-nation of the Chinese nation.” Fortunately,cross-strait tensions eased after Ma Ying-jeouadhered to a policy of, “no unification, noindependence and no use of force” after hiselection in May 2008.

An important element in the Taiwan secu-rity equation is long-time ally US, eventhough the two nations have no official diplo-matic relations. The US regards Taiwan as astrategic bulwark against Chinese expansion,and it has supplied defensive weapons over

the years under Section 3 of the 1979 TaiwanRelations Act. Consequently, during the 1996Taiwan Strait Crisis the US Navy (USN) dis-patched two aircraft carriers. Taiwan mustensure it can survive a war with China longenough for the US to swing into action.American policy on this issue is not explicit,but President Bush stated in 2001 that hiscountry would do, “whatever it took” todefend Taiwan. To mitigate American navaldominance, China has begun fielding the newDF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile that couldbe described as a game-changer. The 3,000km-range missile directly threatens USN ves-sels coming to Taiwan’s aid, andmore than 50PLA Navy (PLAN) submarines could alsodelay US naval reinforcements.

New equipmentBruce Lemkin, former US Air Force deputyundersecretary for international affairs,made headlines in July 2010 when he statedTaiwan’s ability to defend its airspace haddegraded due to ageing fighters, and that thesale of new craft was urgent. Indeed, Taiwanwould like to buy 66 F-16C/D fighters, butWashington is refusing to sell them. Instead,the US is more likely to offer upgrades to F-16A/B fighters.

The US Congress was notified of a $6.46billion arms package in October 2008, whichimmediately resulted in China freezing

defence relations with the USA. The packageincludes: 30 Apache AH-64D Block III heli-copters; four upgraded E-2C Hawkeye 2000aircraft; 32 Harpoon missiles; 173 StingerSAMs; 1,000 AGM-114L Hellfire missiles;and 182 Javelin antitank missiles. A criticalweapon for Taiwan is Patriot missiles, withthree PAC-2 batteries being acquired in thelate 1990s. The Ministry of National Defence(MND) announced in January 2010 thatLockheed Martin had been awarded a con-tract for Patriot Advanced Capability-3(PAC-3) systems, with seven new batteries tobe acquired and existing ones to be upgrad-ed. From 2013 onwards, Taiwan will receive60 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to

replace elderly UH-1Hs.With only two serviceable submarines, the

ROCN is urgently seeking eight new sub-marines. However, this search is provingfruitless as the US no longer produces diesel-electric submarines and no other country iswilling to sell them. The US has also refusedto sell upper-tier equipment like Aegis-equipped destroyers, perhaps afraid the tech-nology would find its way into Chinesehands. The MND is contemplating the pur-chase of Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates orLittoral Combat Ships to replace eight Knox-class frigates transferred from the USN in the1990s. Lockheed Martin is upgrading twelveP-3C Orion aircraft that will boost Taiwan’sability at tracking Chinese submarines, withthe first entering service this year.

Taiwan has invested heavily in developinga robust command, control, communications,computers and intelligence (C4I) networkable to withstand Chinese strikes. The HengShan Military Command Centre burroweddeep inside a Taipei mountain is connected tounits all around Taiwan via landlines, fibre-optic cables and satellite and wireless net-works with built-in redundancies. Phase 1 ofthe Po Sheng (“Broad Victory”) C4ISR pro-gramme concluded in December 2009, andPhase 2 will see warships and F-16s fittedwith Link 16 terminals. The Taiwanese sys-tem is designed to plug into US networks.However, authorities realised this platformcould have been compromised when MajorGeneral Lo Hsien-che was arrested in lateJanuary for spying. This case of Chinese espi-onage was deemed the worst in nearly 50years of cross-strait tensions.

Taiwan’s 1,100-strong tank fleet is old,consisting mainly of M48Hs and M60A3s.While a new design such as the M1A2Abrams would be desirable, the budget hasnot yet allowed this. One immense hurdle forTaiwan is its political isolation and inabilityto buy arms from other countries, with mosttoo fearful of Chinese reprisals. Nevertheless,Taiwan enjoys military ties with Singapore,including the permanent hosting ofSingaporean troops and training equipment.

To overcome its reliance on US hardware,Taipei has tried hard to develop indigenoussolutions. The IDF, for example, was a directconsequence of American refusals to sell F-16sin the 1980s. The IDF was developed by theAerospace Industrial DevelopmentCorporation (AIDC), although unit costs werehigh because of limited production. AIDC isnow developing an upgraded IDF version,


Taiwan has no hopeof competing with China’soverall spending, butwhat is of concern is thatexpenditure has decreasedfor three years



and the US has approved the export of tech-nology for the aircraft’s radar. Another suc-cess has been the Hsiung Feng (HF, “BraveWind”) series of anti-ship missiles from theChung Shan Institute of Science andTechnology (CSIST). HF-2 missile launchersare being fitted on 30 locally built Kuang HuaVI missile boats, with development also con-tinuing of the HF-2E cruise missile. Tests ofthe ship-borne HF-3 are currently takingplace. A little-known fact is that Taiwan test-

ed-fired a 2,000km-range missile in early 2008,a range sufficient to reach Beijing. CSIST alsodeveloped the in-service Tien Kung (“SkyBow”) SAM, while the Wan Chien guidedstandoff glide bomb successfully completedevaluation trials in early 2010 and shouldbecome operational on the IDF in 2011-12.

It is not all plain sailing for local defenceindustries however, as the saga of the CM-32illustrates. Induction of this 8x8 armouredvehicle developed by the Ordnance Readiness

Development Centre has been persistentlydelayed. This vehicle is vital to the ROCA as itwill equip mechanised-infantry brigades andreplace tracked M113s. Low-rate initial pro-duction finally commenced in early 2011 andup to 450 vehicles could be procured.

ScenariosTaiwan remains one of the likeliest flash-points for conflict in Asia, and because Chinais wary of involving the USA, it would seekto deliver a swift fait accompli to deterAmerican intervention. Experts refer to sev-eral potential scenarios:

OOnnee:: A decapitation missile strike couldwipe out installations such as air defences,airbases and command nodes. Waves of hun-dreds of Chinese missiles could easily over-whelm Taiwanese defences. A fear of thisform of attack is one reason why Taiwankeeps many of its assets mobile and has creat-ed extensive tunnels and underground facili-ties. For example, faced with a Chinese attack,fighters from west-coast airbases would beflown to shelters in the east. The Jiashan facil-ity adjacent to Hualien Airbase is allegedlyTaiwan’s largest underground shelter.

TTwwoo:: A naval blockade of Taiwan byPLAN ships and the sowing of mines couldforce Taipei into submission through eco-nomic constriction. However, such a block-ade would not achieve control of the islanditself, which is what Beijing desires. Taiwanmaintains a sophisticated coastal surveillancesystem, and the ROCN is augmenting itsminesweeper fleet with two decommissionedUSN Osprey-class minesweepers and six

A Mirage 2000-5Di of the ROCAF takes off from a highway in Madou being used as a temporaryrunway during the Han Kuang 27 exercise © Gordon Arthur

EQUIPMENT CHINA TAIWAN

Total Within range of Taiwan

Defence budget (USD) 91.5 billion 10.27 billion

Ground forcesPersonnel 1,250,000 400,000 196,000Tanks 7,000 3,100 1,100Artillery pieces 8,000 3,400 1,600

Air forcesFighters 1,680 330 368Bombers 620 160 0Transport 450 40 20

Naval forcesDestroyers 25 15 4Frigates 49 40 22Nuclear attack submarines 6 2 0Other submarines 54 32 4

Comparison of Chinese & Taiwanese military strength


locally constructed craft beginning in 2012.TThhrreeee:: An amphibious/airborne landing,

if not on Taiwan, at least on outlying islands.Creating a lodgement on Taiwanese soilwould be a formidable challenge for China,and it would prove costly in casualties.Nevertheless, the PLAN has been expandingits amphibious-warfare capabilities. For thepast two years, Taiwan’s annual Han Kuangexercise has simulated counterattacks againstChinese landings in the Taichung area, withthis port city considered strategically critical.Lying midway down the western coast,Chinese forces could move north to Taipei or

south to Kaohsiung from Taichung.Alternatively, forces could bisect the island.If China attempted such an assault, Taiwanwould employ porcupine tactics aimed atinflicting as much damage as possible astroops retreated into the mountains and con-ducted guerrilla-style warfare.

FFoouurr:: China could use a natural disastersuch as a large-scale earthquake as raisond'être for sending paramilitary or militarypersonnel into Taiwan on the pretext ofoffering help.

However, all these scenarios come withinherent dangers to China. As the Tiananmen

Square massacre of 1989 demonstrated, theworld would not sit idly by while China con-quered Taiwan. The spectre of economicembargoes for a globalising China shouldsend shivers up the spine of China’s leader-ship. Would China be willing to gamble itsnewfound prosperity in an attack against itsneighbour? China is Taiwan’s largest exportmarket, and these economic ties may yetresult in the greatest détente. Perhaps the dis-incentive of economic fallout is the greatesttrump card Taiwan can now play.

However, Westerners should neverunderestimate the depth of emotion theTaiwan issue evokes in the Chinese psyche.Provoked by a declaration of Taiwaneseindependence, China would certainly react.Perhaps questions also need to be asked

about the importance of Taiwan to the USA.Would the USA be willing to wage waragainst China for the sake of Taiwan?Perhaps the proposal in China’s WhitePaper seems best for all concerned, “Thetwo sides should hold consultations on thebasis of upholding the one-China principleto formally end hostilities and reach a peaceagreement.”

A naval blockade of Taiwanby PLAN ships and thesowing of mines couldforce Taipei into submissionthrough economicconstriction

Recent operations have made the issue ofcomprehensive personal protective equipment astandard feature of military operations © DoD

Recent operations have made the issue ofcomprehensive personal protective equipment astandard feature of military operations © DoD



AUSTRALIABoeing completes RAAF SuperHornet trainer deliveryThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) hasreceived all six F/A-18E/F Super Hornet air-crew and maintenance trainers following thecompletion of delivery by Boeing to theRAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

The Australian government purchased theF/A-18E/F Super Hornet trainers from Boeingunder a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) with theUS government as part of a wider SuperHornet package including 24 Australian F/A-18F Block II aircraft, initial spares, supportequipment, trainers and training. They are thefirst Super Hornet training systems sold underan FMS contract by Boeing.

The aircrew devices include two TacticalOperation Flight Trainers (TOFT), built onBoeing and L-3 Link's F/A-18 simulator com-mon hardware and software baseline, and inte-grated with L-3 Link's 360-degree SimuSpherevisual display, SimuView image generator, andBoeing Training Systems & Services' missioncomputer emulation, as well as simulatedradar, electronic countermeasures, and JointHelmet Mounted Cueing System; and high-fidelity crew station controls.

Also included in the package are two LowCost Trainers (LCT), both of which run a mis-sion computer emulation and provides pilotand air combat officer training for naviga-tion, weapons, radar, and electronic counter-measures; and has been designed to be easilyreconfigured to accommodate a wide rangeof aircrew training combinations.

Along with two Integrated VisualEnvironment Maintenance Trainers (IVEMT)which feature an interactive 3-D model envi-ronment, test/support equipment and realis-tic aircraft responses for full virtual trainingacross all Super Hornet systems and subsys-tems, the entire system is designed to providea completely immersive training environmentfor both pilots and weapons sensor officers.

Completion of the F/A-18F Super Hornetdelivery by Boeing to the RAAF is expectedto be complete by the end of 2011.

BAE Systems to upgradeAustralian Army vehiclesBAE Systems Australia is to upgrade 777 mil-itary vehicles for the Australian Army follow-ing the award of a subcontract by ElbitSystems as part of the Australian Land 200Programme. Under the contract BAE Systemswill prepare the vehicles for the installation ofa Battle Group and Below Command, Controland Communications (BGC3) system.

The project includes work on Macks,Unimogs, Bushmasters and M113 ArmouredPersonnel Carriers (APCs) in the AustralianArmy inventory; and the subcontract is partof the contract awarded by the Australiangovernment to Elbit Systems for the BGC3system in March 2010.

The BGC3 system is an important aspect ofthe Australian Army’s network centric war-fare goals. The system includes aManagementSystem (BMS) for soldiers, Vehicle MountedCommanders and Headquarters/CommandPost Staff. It is designed to increase the com-mander’s situational awareness and comman-

der's battlespace awareness, automate combatmessaging and assist in the execution of oper-ations. The capability significantly reduces therisk of casualties resulting from friendly fireduring operations and brings improved pro-tection and coordination for AustralianDefence Forces personnel, allowing missionsto be carried out more efficiently, safely andeffectively.

BAE Systems will prepare the M113 APCsfor the BGC3 system at the new 7RARFacility at Edinburgh Parks in northernAdelaide; and the Mack, Unimog andBushmaster vehicle work will be performedat the Meeandah Military Facility inBrisbane. BAE Systems is scheduled to com-plete their work by January 2013.

Australia requestsAIM-120C-7 Advanced MediumRange Air-to-Air MissilesThe Australian government has requestedthe purchase of up to 100 AIM-120C-7Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-AirMissiles (AMRAAM) and associated equip-ment from the US government as part of aForeign Military Sale (FMS) at a total estimat-ed cost of $202 million.

Australia has requested the missile pack-age for the F/A-18F Australian SuperHornet programme under phase two of theAustralian Defence Force Project AIR 5349,following the successful completion of the


Australia has requested as many as a hundredAIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs from the US in a $202mFMS deal © DoD

Asia PacificProcurementUpdate

RREEGGIIOONNAALL NNEEWWSSA N D D E V E L O P M E N T S



initial phase which saw the F/A-18F aircraftpurchased. The proposed sale will also include parts,

training and logistical support. This willencompass the AMRAAM missiles them-selves 10 AIM-120C-7 Air Vehicle-Instrumented, 16 AIM-120C-7 Captive AirTraining Missiles, containers, weapon systemsupport equipment, support and test equip-ment, site survey, transportation, repair andreturn, warranties, spare and repair parts,publications and technical data, mainte-nance, personnel training and training equip-ment; as well as US Government and contrac-tor representative engineering, logistics, andtechnical support services, and other relatedelements of logistics support.If it goes ahead, the acquisition of the

AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM will give the RoyalAustralian Air Force (RAAF) a standoffweapon capability required for Bridge AirCombat Capability, and will strengtheninteroperability with the US Armed Forces. Currently in operation on the F-22,

Eurofighter, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, the GermanF-4F, Tornado, Harrier II Plus, the JAS-39Gripen, JA-37 Viggen, and the NorwegianAdvanced Surface-to-Air Missile System(NASAMS), and is currently being integratedon the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Produced byRaytheon Missile Systems, the AMRAAMfeatures multi-shot capability, and allows thepilots the ability to launch at enemy aircraftin all weather and light conditions.

General Dynamics to supportAustralian Army vehiclesGeneral Dynamics Land Systems has beenawarded a contract by the AustralianDefence Force (ADF) to support and main-tain Australian Army vehicles that are usedin Australia and Afghanistan, including theAbrams tank and light armoured vehicle(LAV) and the Hercules recovery vehicles.Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare

announced the new contract, which will be aperformance based contract, meaning thatpayment is made on how well the vehicles aremaintained by the company over the next fiveyears, and is expected to see the vehiclesmaintain high availability with a faster supplyof spare parts and quicker repairs. TheAbrams tank and LAV were originally manu-factured by General Dynamics, allowing themto leverage the full range of original equip-ment manufacturer engineering, technicalsupport network and product service centres.

Ongoing spare parts, repairs, mainte-nance and engineering tasks will be orderedas required through this integrated supportcontract. The contract also includes theimplementation of a performance manage-ment framework for the services, which con-tributes toward the Commonwealth StrategicReform Program (SRP). This provides thebasis for awarding up to 15, one-year con-tract extensions based on performance.The contract also includes a one year phase-

in period, and according to General Dynamics,will change the mechanisms and businessprocesses between the Commonwealth andGeneral Dynamics in Australia to improve effi-ciency, reduce costs and promote value.

CAE wins RAAF simulator raining contractCAE Australia has been awarded a contract bythe Australian Defence Materiel Organisation(DMO) to provide aircrew training services forthe Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) KC-30A air-to-air refuelling tanker.The contract will CAE support teams on-

site at the KC-30A training facility at RAAFAmberley to provide maintenance and sup-port to the simulator on which the aircrews ofthe KC-30A aircraft will be trained. CAEAustralia already works closely with theAustralian Defence Force (ADF) on its train-ing and simulation programmes, currentlyholding contracts for management and sup-port of 15 of the ADF’s Aerospace Simulators. The agreement will see CAE support the

KC-30A training programme between 2012and 2018. The KC-30A is the RAAF designat-ed A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport(MRTT) aircraft that were purchased by theAustralian government for air-to-air refuel-ing and personnel transport. Capable of refu-eling F/A-18 Hornets, F-111s, Airborne EarlyWarning and Control Wedgetails and JointStrike Fighters as well as transporting troopsdomestically or internationally, the KC-30Aswill be operated by No 33 Squadron locatedat RAAF Base Amberley.The first KC-30A was formally delivered to

and accepted by the DMO on 1 June. In RAAFservice, the A330 MRTT will be equipped withtwo underwing refueling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling BoomSystem (ARBS), and a Universal AerialRefuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation(UARRSI) enabling it to be refueled fromanother tanker. Australia will be the firstcountry to operate the A330 MRTT.

Delivery of Indonesia’s eight Super Tucanolight attack and advanced training turbo-props will occur in 2012 © Embraer

INDONESIA Super Tucano aircraft a stepcloser for IndonesiaThe eight Super Tucano light attackand advanced training turboprops forthe Indonesian Air Force are a stepcloser to delivery with the contractbetween Embraer and the IndonesianMinistry of Defence (MOD) cominginto effect. Indonesia will become thenewest operator of the aircraft whendelivery of the aircraft begins in 2012.The Super Tucano was selected by

the Indonesian government following acompetitive bidding process in 2010. Theaircraft was selected for its flexibility andmulti-mission capabilities, and the fleetwill carry out light attack, surveillance,air-to-air interception, and counterinsurgence. The Indonesian contractalso includes ground support stationsand an integrated logistics package.The Super Tucano is a mature and

proven aircraft, with 120,000 flighthours to its name, and is operated by awide range of armed forces world-wide, including the Brazilian Air Forcewhich operates 99 aircraft in the A-29light attack aircraft configuration. It isequipped with the most recent elec-tronic/optical/infrared and laser tech-nology, secure radios with datalinkcommunications, and advancedweaponry, and is able to perform mis-sions across a wide spectrum includ-ing operating from unpaved runways.As advanced training turboprop the

aircraft offers advanced solutions forbasic to early advanced and weaponsfamiliarisation training, such as in-flight virtual training and also pro-vides the superb operational character-istics required for successful internalsecurity, operation support and count-er-insurgency (COIN) missions.



MALAYSIA FNSS wins Malaysian armouredvehicle awardFNSS, a joint venture between BAE SystemsLand & Armaments sector and NurolHolding of Turkey, has entered into anagreement with DEFTECH of Malaysia forthe design, development and manufactureof DEFTECH AV-8 8 X 8 wheeled armouredvehicles for the Malaysian armed forces.

The agreement also includes integratedlogistics support and is worth $559 million,

and will see FNSS redesign their PARS 8 X8 armoured vehicle – already in use withthe Turkish Armed Forces - to meet cus-tomer specifications along with DEFTECHwho will also manufacture the vehicles inMalaysia. FNSS will provide technicalassistance and technology transfer toDEFTECH as part of the agreement.

The contract will see the first ever indige-nous 8X8 armoured wheeled vehicle for theMalaysian Army. A total of 257 vehicles areto be manufactured under the initial phaseof the contract, with the family to consist of

12 variants that will be known as the AV8. The indigenous development and relat-

ed infrastructure and design, developmentand production capabilities that will comeout of the programme will be a welcomeboost for the Malaysian defence industry.The Malaysian Armed Forces are currentlyinvesting in their land platforms, withFNSS and DEFTECH delivering 211ADNAN Armoured Combat Vehicles(ACV), as well as eight 120mm ACVMortar Carriers and 48 additional ADNANACVs under a separate contract.

The arrival of nine new MiG-29K carrier-borne fighter jetswill take the total number of theaircraft operated Indian Navy‘Black Panther’ squadron to 13including MiG-29KUBs © MiG

INDIAIndian government approvesC-17 purchaseIndia is to purchase ten C-17 GlobemasterIII heavy lift military aircraft following theapproval of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS)with the US government worth 18,000crore rupees ($4.1 billion). The IndianPrime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh hascleared the proposal that will be the largestdefence technology deal between the USand India to date.

When complete the acquisitionprogramme will see the Indian Air Force(IAF) become the operator of the biggest C-17 fleet outside of the US. The deal includesan offset agreement that will see $1.2 billionpumped into the Indian domesticmanufacturing industry, and overall thecontract will see US-Indian defence dealspass the $9 billion mark since the first dealwas signed between the countries less thana decade ago.

The C-17 will provide a vital heavy-liftcapability to the Indian armed forces,including rapid strategic airlift of troopsand cargo to main operating bases, and

forward-operating bases overseas. As wellas being able to perform tactical airlift,medical evacuation and airdrop missions,the aircraft can transport large payloadsand land on short, unprepared runways.

The high-wing, four-engine, T-tailedmilitary-transport aircraft is designed to flylong distances and land in remote airfieldsin rough, land-locked regions make it apremier transporter for military,humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.It is able to take off from a 7,600-ft. airfield,carry a payload of 160,000 pounds, fly 2,400nautical miles, re-fuel while in flight andland in 3,000 ft. or less on a small unpavedor paved airfield in day or night.

New fighters for IndianArmed ForcesThe Indian Armed Forces have acquirednine new Russian MiG Aircraft CorporationMiG-29K carrier-borne fighter jets fromRussia. The aircraft have been acquired forthe Indian Navy ‘Black Panther’ squadronas part of a contract between the Indian andRussian governments signed in 2004.

The contract will see Russia deliver 16jets in total, including 12 single-seater MiG-

29K fighters and four two-seater MiG-29KUB trainer combat jets. This is thesecond batch of deliveries under theagreement, with the first four MiG-29Ksand MiG-29KUBs delivered and inductedinto the Indian Navy’s (IN’s) Black Panthersquadron in February 2010.

MiG Aircraft Corporation will alsoprovide flight simulator and technicalequipment to Indian under the agreement.An additional contract was signed in March2010 for a further 29 MiG-29K Fulcrum-Dcarrier-based fighter jets with deliveries toIndia due to begin during 2012.

The MiG jets are expected to bringsignificant new capabilities to the INS.With an extended range of 3,000 kms andcapable of firing air-to-air and air-to-seamissiles, the aircraft will bring greatlyincreased aerial defence abilities over theexisting Sea Harrier jump jets.

India has purchased the MiG jets to bedeployed on the INS Vikramaditya (exGorshkov) aircraft carrier that is currentlybeing refurbished in Russia. Despitesignificant delays to the re-fit programmeRussia is expected to deliver the aircraftcarrier next year.



SINGAPOREIndigenously developed simulatorsfor Singapore Armed ForcesSt Engineering’s electronics arm, St

Electronics (Training & Simulation Systems),has been awarded a contract by the SingaporeMinistry of Defence (MINDEF) to supplyArmy Gunnery Tactical & Driving SimulationSystems. The contract, worth S$68 million, willsee a highly flexible simulation systemdeveloped for the Singapore Army for use withvarious armoured vehicles.The contract follows a previous order for an

Armoured Gunnery& Tactical Simulator(AGTS) in 2002. Thisexisting system willbe upgraded alongwith the InfantryCrew TacticalSimulator (ICTS),Armoured DrivingSimulator (ADS) andInfantry DrivingSimulator (IDS). Thenew Army GunneryTactical & DrivingSimulation Systemswill be designed formaximum costeffectiveness and toenable easy con-figuration with a

wide range of turrets and vehicles.The Army Gunnery Tactical & Driving

Simulation System allows soldiers to trainwithin a full spectrum network centricenvironment, including training with integratedcombined arms operations as well as tailoredcombat scenarios. The flexible system will meetthe developing training needs of the SingaporeArmed Forces with its ‘roll in roll out’ conceptfor both gunnery and driving simulators. St Electronics will begin work on the

programme immediately and full delivery of thesystems is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

THAILAND Saab to update Thailand frigatesThe Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has issued twocontracts to Saab for the upgrade of combatmanagement and fire control systems onboardtwo RTN Naresuan class frigates, at a total costof MSEK 454.Under the contracts Saab will equip the

frigates with the latest generation of combatmanagement systems and data-link equipmentto enable communication between the frigatesand Thailand’s Gripen and Saab 340 aircraft.The Gripen aircraft and the Saab 340 aircraftwith airborne radar surveillance system, aSaab 340 for transport and education and anintegrated Command and Control system withdata links, were delivered to the Royal Thai AirForce (RTAF) during 2010 and earlier this yearas part of a complete air defence system. The addition of the Gripen aircraft, capable

of performing an extensive range of air-to-air,air-to-surface and reconnaissance missionsemploying the latest weapons, will greatly

enhance Thailand’s aerial defence capabilities.The aircraft is the world’s most agile fighter forclose combat, with a highly developed secureand multi-frequency data link, providing totalsituational awareness for the pilot in all roles.The addition of the combat management andfire control systems, 9LV Mk4 and CEROS 200,to the Naresuan class frigates, as well as theTacticall communication systems will enablebetter interoperation between the RTN and theRTAF airborne units, and bring greater capa-bilities to communications within the maritimearena.The Saab Electronic Defence Systems busi-

ness area will supply the Sea Giraffe AMB sur-veillance radar system as well as data-linkequipment for communication with Gripenand the ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning sys-tems; while Security and Defence Solutionsbusiness area will supply of the combat man-agement and fire control systems and theTactical communication systems. Delivery isexpected to be complete by 2014, with deliver-ies beginning during 2011.

TAIWAN Taiwan signs for AH-64D Apache Block IIITaiwan has become the firstexport customer to sign onfor the US Army AH-64DApache Block III aircraft fol-lowing the inking of a dealbetween the US andTaiwanese governments on10 June. The purchase willtake the form of a ForeignMilitary Sale (FMS) betweenthe two nations, with Taiwanoriginally showing interest inthe aircraft in 2008.The Boeing Apache Block

III has been delivered to meetthe needs of the US Army,has a requirement for 690 air-craft, 51 of which have beenordered as part of a LRIP con-tract. Boeing has indicatedthat there are other countriesinterested in the aircraft,including Saudi Arabia,which has requested 36 of theaircraft from the DefenseSecurity Cooperation Agency(DCSA). The Apache Block III heli-

copter is a significant step upin capabilities for theTaiwanese Armed Forces. Itbuilds on the capabilities ofthe combat-proven AH-64DApache by delivering superi-or flight performance anddramatically increased net-worked communicationscapabilities. The aircraft fea-tures open systems architec-ture and 26 advanced tech-nology improvements,including level 4 unmannedaerial vehicle control forincreased situational aware-ness. The helicopter has theflexibility to rapidly integratetechnology changes through-out its service life.Taiwan will receive 30 air-

craft in the deal as part of alow-rate initial production(LRIP) batch and are expect-ed to be delivered during2012 - 2013. The Taiwanesedeal is worth an estimated$2.5 billion.

ST Electronics (Training & Simulation Systems) will deliver the S$68m ArmyGunnery Tactical & Driving Simulation Systems in 2014 © Singapore MoD

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