Singapore's Defence Budget to Grow 4% in 2012

18 Februari 2012

RSN's Victory class corvettes (photo : cyberpioneer)

Defence, Education & Transport ministries get bulk of budget expenditure

SINGAPORE: More money has been set aside for the Defence, Health and Transport ministries.

The Defence Ministry continues to top the expenditure estimates list with S$12.3 billion set aside, which is four per cent higher than last year's.

The Health Ministry gets S$4.7 billion - about 18 per cent higher than last year's figure.

There will be more spending to ramp up infrastructure such as hospitals and nursing homes, and more subsidies for healthcare institutions.

The Transport Ministry's expenditure will go up by 18 per cent to S$5.3 billion, for infrastructure development such as the downtown line (DTL) and new bus interchanges.

The Environment and Water Resources Ministry too, is getting a bigger budget of S$1.3 billion - up by about 16 per cent.

The bulk of the spending goes to major drainage and sewage projects.

The social sector is also getting a bump up.

The Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry will see a 15 per cent increase in its expenditure to S$2.1 billion.

This goes into areas such as parenthood programmes, grants to voluntary welfare organisations and social assistance schemes.

The Home Affairs Ministry's expenditure will go up by 10 per cent to S$3.4 billion, where it's expected to beef up on resources for frontline policing.

(ChannelNewsAsia)

ST Engineering's Land Systems Arm Secures US$46m Defence Export Contract to Supply Patented SRAMS

17 Februari 2012

ST Kinetic's 120mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar Systems/SRAMS (photo : STEngg)

Singapore - Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) today announced that its land systems arm, Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics), has secured an order to supply its 120mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar Systems (SRAMS) to an overseas customer. The contract, worth approximately US$46m (about S$58m), involves the supply of ST Kinetics' patented 120mm SRAMS and spares with delivery to be completed by 2014.

"The 120mm SRAMS offers its operators superior battle proven firepower through its high rate of loading and increased mobility made possible with its extremely low recoil force. This order is affirmation of the compelling and effective solutions we offer to our customers, which are built upon the high standard and quality we demand of our products." ~ SEW Chee Jhuen, President, ST Kinetics.

The 120mm SRAMS is the world's first 120mm patented mortar system with a recoil load of less than 26 tonnes when firing at maximum charge. This allows it to be mounted onto a wide range of light weight 4x4 vehicles for rapid shoot and scoot missions and heli-portability. The SRAMS is also equipped with a semi automatic ammo loader allowing for a high firing rate of 10 rounds per minute, thereby enabling missions to be accomplished with fewer mortar systems. Together with its own command and control, fire control system and ammunition on board the vehicle, the SRAMS offers the warfighter on the ground total direct control of its own firepower.

This contract is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engineering for the current financial year.

(ST Engg)

ACAB Appointed by LIG Nex1 to Develop KFX Fighter Radome Prototype

17 Februari 2012

ACAB is specialized in advanced radar dome technology (photo : Volvo Aero)

The Volvo Aero owned company, Applied Composites AB – ACAB – has been appointed by LIG Nex1, a LIG Group company in South Korea, for the development of a prototype stealth radome for the KFX aircraft programme.

ACAB is recognized as one of the leading European suppliers of advanced composite components for military applications. Among other things, ACAB is specialized in advanced radome technology, including the latest generation stealth and low-observable technology. ACAB has supported and supplied Saab for over half a century with radome technology for the Saab fighter programmes. ACAB is the supplier of the Gripen fighter radomes.

LIG Nex1 is South Korea’s number one company on military products. LIG Nex1 is working in close collaboration with advanced global companies. LIG Nex1 is developing state-of-the-art weapon systems, including radar and surveillance systems.

The radome (radar dome) is the streamlined structural part in the nose of the aircraft which protects the radar antenna from wind and weather. It is carefully designed to withstand the mechanical loads without compromising the radar performance. In addition, it increases the survivability of the aircraft due to its sophisticated stealth features.

The KFX aircraft is intended to replace South Korea’s aging F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Tiger II aircraft. The production numbers are estimated to exceed 250 aircraft. The contract includes exploratory development and production of prototypes for an undisclosed contract value. It is still too early to determine the number of people at ACAB that will be involved in development and production.

“We are very proud of and pleased with the contract from LIG Nex1 since it consolidates our position as world leader in radomes” says Torgny Stenholm, President of ACAB.

“In addition, the agreement is considered to be strategically important for ACAB as the company has plans to expand within the commercial and military aerospace segments”, he adds.

(Volvo Aero/ACAB)

New Helicopters Take to the Air after Long Flight

17 Februari 2012

FIRST FLIGHT: The air force's two new NH90 helicopters had their first flights on Tuesday, since being delivered to Ohakea Air Force Base in December. (photo : NZDF)

The air force's new helicopters have had their first test flight since arriving in the country, but the results are being kept under wraps.

Defence spokesman Paul Stein confirmed two NH90s were taken for flights on Tuesday with staff from Nato Helicopter Industries (NHI) "to make sure all the controls and instruments and everything were working as they should since being shipped over from France".

Mr Stein said the results of the test flights could not be released yet due to "commercial sensitivity".
Two new NH90 helicopters were delivered to Ohakea Air Force Base on December 6 on board a Russian Antonov AN124 cargo aeroplane – one of the biggest aircraft in the world.

Six more NH90s were still to be delivered, with the Ministry of Defence hoping the next two could arrive as early as next month.

They will be delivered in three more shipments of two helicopters on board the Antonov, with each trip estimated to cost about $1.6 million, but could vary depending on fuel costs.

Nine NH90s were ordered in 2006 at a cost of $771m.

They will replace the air force's Vietnam War-era Iroquois helicopters that have been in service for more than 40 years.

They will be on display to the public at next month's Royal New Zealand Air Force's 75th Anniversary Air Show, along with a number of other aircraft from six different countries.

The French Armed Forces of New Caledonia, Singapore Air Force, Royal Air Force, Australian Air Force, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps will join with the New Zealand Air Force to perform air and ground displays at Ohakea on March 31.

(Stuff)

Military Finalizing Plan to Acquire 1 Squadron of F-16 Fighter Jets

17 Februari 2012

PAF is proposing the procurement of at least one squadron or 14 to 24 F-16s (photo : planes.cz)

A RANKING military officer said the Armed Forces high command is already discussing the details on the procurement of one squadron of F-16 “Fighting Falcon” jet fighters from the US.

Maj. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for plans and programs (J-5) said although the acquisition of jet fighters was not included in the first batch of approved big-ticket items the project is now being discussed thoroughly.

“Since we decommissioned our [fighter] jets in 1995 there had been a long gap. So we need [jet] fighter capability. We’re proposing the procurement of at least one squadron. We are talking here of 14 to 24 F-16s,” Deveraturda said.

Earlier, reports said the Department of the Foreign Affairs (DFA) had already started negotiations with the US government for the acquisition of F-16.

But Deveraturda said the Armed Forces has no update yet about the ongoing process of negotiations.

Earlier, the military announced that four of the eight utility helicopters, that were bought by the previous administration under the Armed Forces Modernization Program, are already in the country. Deveraturda said four of the eight Sokol (Falcon) helicopters from Polish-Italian defense supplier Augusta PZL Swidnik have arrived at Clark Field in Pampanga and are now being assembled.

“The four utility helicopters will soon be inspected by the Air Force. These are a great addition to our capability, and we hope to use them soon,” Deveraturda said.

He said the remaining four are being expected to be delivered at the third quarter of this year.
Deveraturda said the delivery of the four helicopters set into concrete action the eight-year modernization program that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin charted for the Armed Forces.

Gazmin wants to acquire armored vehicles, radar systems, missile-guided and multi-role vessels and aircraft that include fighter jets under the program with a projected total cost of at least P70 billion.

Since the amount needed is too large, he said the acquisition will be pursued through a Congress-approved Multi-Year Obligation Agreement (MYOA), with a government to government as the procurement mode.

Deveraturda said the military is also hoping to sign the contract for the delivery of another Hamilton class cutter from the United States until March this year.

(Business Mirror)

CAE, Brunei Sign MOU for Helo Training Center

17 Februari 2012

CAE heli simulator (photo : CAE)

SINGAPORE — Canada’s CAE will set up a military and civilian helicopter training center with Brunei as part of a multipurpose training operation, CAE and the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) announced at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 15.

The groups signed a memorandum of understanding to build a facility focusing initially on local military and civilian helicopter pilots. The facility, located in Rimba, would be the region’s largest helicopter simulator training facility, a joint statement said.

The $80 million investment program will later expand to cover training in the oil and gas, public security, and crisis management sectors.

Marc Parent, CAE’s chief executive, declined to give details of timing and helicopter types for training and simulation but said talks had been going on for about a year and the project was “on a fast track.”

The training tie-up comes on the back of a decision by Brunei to expand its rotorcraft capabilities with the purchase of 12 S-70i Black Hawks to add to the air force’s fleet of Sikorsky machines. Deliveries on the new Black Hawks get underway next year.

Existing Bell helicopters, which now form part of the fleet, will be phased out.

CAE and BEDB would sign a joint venture partnership to pursue the opportunity, Parent said.

On Feb. 15, 2011, CAE and Brunei announced a deal for the creation of a National Modelling and Simulation Centre. The organization would aid military and other government agencies with tasks including force-structure options analysis and mission rehearsal exercises.

(DefenseNews)

14 KCR-40 dan KCR-60 akan Dibangun Hingga 2014

17 Februari 2012

Kapal Cepat Rudal KCR-60 (image : Palindo Marine Shipyard)

Batam (ANTARA Kepri) - Kementerian Pertahanan Republik Indonesia menargetkan pembangunan 14 Kapal Cepat Rudal di berbagai daerah untuk menunjang pengamanan perairan Indonesia yang akan selesai pada 2014.

"Hingga 2014 kami merencanakan pembangunan 14 Kapal Cepat Rudal (KCR) ukuran 40-60 meter untuk penunjang pengamanan perairan Indonesia," kata Menteri Pertahanan Republik Indonesia, Purnomo Yusgiantoro setelah meresmikan KRC Kujang di Batam, Kamis.

Menteri mengatakan upaya tersebut sebagai langkah pembangunan strategis yang nantinya tidak terbatas pada pengembangan KCR saja, namun juga pada industri strategis lainnya.

"Pembangunan kapal merupakan langkah awal, nanti pembangunan strategis di daerah juga akan mengembangkan industri untuk kekuatan udara dan darat," kata dia.

Pada dasarnya, kata Menteri, selain membangun industri dalam negeri hal tersebut juga membangun kekuatan TNI.

"Pembangunan 14 kapal tersebut baru tahap awal. Kami telah menyiapkan rencana strategis pertahanan hingga tahun 2024 dengan target 44 kapal cepat," kata Menteri.

Panglima TNI Laksamana Agus Suhartono mengatakan Indonesia setidaknya membutuhkan 44 KCR hingga 2024 untuk mengamankan seluruh wilayah laut NKRI dari gangguan-gangguan.

"Setidaknya dibutuhkan 44 kapal hingga tahun 2024 mendatang untuk keperluan penegakan hukum di laut, termasuk pengamanan terhadap pencurian terhadap kekayaan alam Indonesia, dan mencegah penyelundupan," kata dia.

Secara umum, kata dia, seluruh satuan TNI telah memiliki rencana pengembangan pertahanan masing-masing sebagai upaya peningkatan kekuatan.

"Angkatan Darat, Angkatan Laut dan Angkatan Udara telah memiliki blueprint pertahanan untuk membangun kekuatan. Pembangunan akan dilakukan bertahap," kata dia.

Ia mengatakan, salah satu rencana tersebut ialah penggantian utama sistem persenjataan (alustsista) yang sudah uzur dengan alat-alat baru yang akan dibangun, sementara alutsista yang masih bisa digunakan akan terus ditingkatkan kemampuannya.

(Antara)