While watching the news online and TV of the 'war in Georgia', the photos of the 'Russian' Army have caught my attention the most. I see a mixed bag of uniforms and personal appearance, hardly the look of a 'professional military'. They look more like a corporate sponsored mercenary force and their 'brute force' tactics have me believing that is their level of training and outlook on war.
They are heavily armed and armored, but lack the cohesion, appearance, and actions of a professionally trained and controlled military.
While they have the firepower to push the Georgian military back without much resistance, if they have to go up against a real military, they'll be the one's abandoning their vehicles and uniforms.

Australian Minister Details Future Submarine Plans

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued November 6, 2008)

Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary of Defence Procurement, tonight addressed the Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) in a speech titled – ‘The National Interest –Challenges of a Submarine Building Industry’.

“The Government is committed to retaining a viable submarine warfare capability for Australia, and Defence will now conduct studies in preparation of a submission for consideration by Government in the second half of 2009,” Mr Combet said.

“The construction of the next generation submarine will be a nation building program unrivalled in our history and it would not be an exaggeration to compare it to the construction of the Snowy Mountains scheme.”

“Submarines provide a vital military capability for Australia and we are committed to supporting Australian industry involvement.”

Mr Combet also addressed the issue of skills required for the construction of the next generation submarine. He said “without doubt the workforce required for the future submarine will probably be the most advanced workforce the defence industry has ever required, if not also the largest.”

Mr Combet said the Government recently announced a major step forward with $4.67 million in funding being approved for a program of studies in support of the acquisition of Australia’s future submarines.

“A Project Office of seventeen people is being established to manage the Future Submarine Project, designated SEA 1000 and this will expand over the coming years.”

“Some funded studies are also proposed to gain an appreciation of how companies might approach specific design problems in order to encourage risk reduction.”

“To support early decisions on critical design aspects, some DSTO and company technology studies are also proposed. These will cover areas such as battery technology and conceptual designs for weapons and payload handling and storage.”

“This is yet another demonstration that this Government is committed to ensuring that Australia’s future Defence capabilities are carefully considered and well-planned.”

“The Future Submarine is expected to enter service around 2025 when the Collins class will begin to be withdrawn from service at the end of their planned lives”

-ends-

First Flight for South African Gripen C

(Source: Gripen International; issued June 16, 2009)

The first single-seat Gripen C destined for the South African Air Force flew for the first time on Thursday 11th June.

The aircraft, number 39.2101, was flown by Saab test pilot Richard Ljungberg. It took off from Saab's facility at Linköping in Sweden at 13.00 and touched down safely back at Linköping at 14.03 in the afternoon.

The aircraft will undergo a short flight test programme ahead of delivery to South Africa in October.

South Africa has ordered 17 Gripen C and 9 dual-seat Gripen D fighters under a comprehensive military transformation and modernisation programme.

-ends-

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
Australia Cancels Seasprite Helicopter Contract

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued March 5, 2008)

..//..

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The contract, awarded in 1997, covered the supply of 11 SH-2G(A) helicopters, in fact modernized ex-US Navy SH-2Fs, with deliveries originally due to begin in 2001. None are operational. The program has already cost A$986 million, and would have cost as much as A$1.3 billion if completed, according to Australian press reports.)


Eleven years and A$1 billion later, Australia has finally scrapped the Kaman SH-2G(A) Seasprite helicopter contract. (Australian DoD photo)

...[update]...


Audit Faults Australian DoD for Super Seasprite Failure

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 17, 2009)

Greg Combet, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has released its Audit Report of the Super Seasprite Project.

The ANAO’s report stated that the objectives of the audit were to identify issues contributing to the cancellation of the project to supply the required capability and to highlight the project management lessons for current and future major Defence acquisitions.

The report was generally critical of Defence’s management of the project and made seven recommendations, all of which Defence accepts.

“The Rudd Government is committed to ensuring that we improve our defence procurement practices so we avoid the mistakes of the past,” said Mr Combet.

“We want to ensure that we deliver the capability the ADF needs – when they need it. We are also committed to ensuring that Australian taxpayers get value for money.”

Defence has implemented significant reform to its project management practises since the Seasprite project contract of 1997, particularly with the implementation of the 2003 Kinnaird Review.

These include a professionalisation program, improved contracting functions, increased risk awareness and improved governance systems.

Contract Awarded to Retrofit 26 CH53 Bundeswehr Helicopters for Personnel Recovery Missions

(Source: Eurocopter; issued June 18, 2009)

PARIS AIR SHOW --- On June 18th, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH and the German Federal Agency for Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) signed a contract at the Paris Air Show to retrofit one prototype followed by a further 25 of the German Army’s CH53 GS/GE transport helicopters with the capability to perform personnel recovery missions.

The contract is worth around 24.9 million euros, with a large part going to the medium-sized German equipment industry. The first retrofitted helicopter is scheduled for delivery in early 2010.

The contract serves the purpose of endowing the CH53 GS/GE weapon system with the capability to locate personnel in various areas of deployment, fly to them tactically and pick them up. To this end, a mission-tactical workstation will be realized in the cargo bay which can be quickly installed and removed as role equipment. The workstation is equipped with the controls for operating the additional sensor systems on the helicopter. These include a personnel locater system, a broadband radio unit, a forward-looking infrared system (FLIR) and connections to the internal and satellite communications systems. Information is provided on two workstation displays and a mobile display for the cockpit crew.

Eurocopter Deutschland has been selected as the contractor with overall responsibility for the project. The 26 helicopters covered by the contract will be modified and delivered by 2011. The retrofit work will be carried out by Eurocopter Deutschland at its Donauwörth plant or on Army bases. By taking this flexible approach, the support center for Bundeswehr helicopters at Donauwörth is once again proving its performance capability.

Eurocopter as the Bundeswehr’s CH53G partner

Eurocopter’s support center for Bundeswehr helicopters at Donauwörth has also been contracted to retrofit a total of 82 medium-heavy CH53G transport helicopters to ensure continued mission capability. This involves fixing airframe fatigue caused by use and aging to increase the helicopters’ design life from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours. In addition, the retrofit will involve replacement of the entire electrical system, which is now about 35 years old.

The Eurocopter support center for Bundeswehr helicopters has already completed various major orders for the CH53G transport helicopter, working in cooperation with the BWB. One contract was for measures to maintain airworthiness for instrument flight rules, another for the retrofit of 20 of these aircraft to give them a greater range, night low-flying capability and electronic self-protection for missions with the UN and rapid reaction forces. Last year a contract for the retrofit of 40 CH53G transport helicopters was signed, forming the core of a “midlife upgrade” for this helicopter type, to close existing gaps in operational capability and prepare the weapon system for missions it will perform jointly with the Tiger and the NH90.

The CH53G

The CH53G has been in service for over 35 years and will continue for the foreseeable future to form the backbone of the German Army’s missions abroad, where it is subjected to extreme conditions. Since entering service it has not only been the cornerstone of flexible troop and material transport by the German Army as part of its missions under Germany’s NATO defense obligations, but has also been the central pillar for all out-of-area operations by the German Army as well as for other NATO forces in conflict zones from Kosovo to Kabul since the early 1990s. It has also seen considerable service combating national and international disasters such as forest fires and floods.


Eurocopter will retrofit 26 Sikorsky CH-53GS/GE operated by the German army to perform personnel recovery missions. (Eurocopter photo)

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
Australia Cancels Seasprite Helicopter Contract

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued March 5, 2008)

..//..

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The contract, awarded in 1997, covered the supply of 11 SH-2G(A) helicopters, in fact modernized ex-US Navy SH-2Fs, with deliveries originally due to begin in 2001. None are operational. The program has already cost A$986 million, and would have cost as much as A$1.3 billion if completed, according to Australian press reports.)


Eleven years and A$1 billion later, Australia has finally scrapped the Kaman SH-2G(A) Seasprite helicopter contract. (Australian DoD photo)

...[update]...


Audit Faults Australian DoD for Super Seasprite Failure

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 17, 2009)

Greg Combet, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has released its Audit Report of the Super Seasprite Project.

The ANAO’s report stated that the objectives of the audit were to identify issues contributing to the cancellation of the project to supply the required capability and to highlight the project management lessons for current and future major Defence acquisitions.

The report was generally critical of Defence’s management of the project and made seven recommendations, all of which Defence accepts.

...

...[update]...


Kaman Touts SH-2G After Australian Audit

(Source: Kaman Helicopters; issued June 19, 2009)

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. --- Kaman Helicopters reaffirmed its strong support for its SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime multi-mission helicopter today in response to an audit report from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). The ANAO report evaluated the Australia Department of Defence management and administration of the Royal Australian Navy’s Super Seasprite procurement program, which was cancelled by the government in March 2008.

“Kaman Helicopters is fully and completely committed to the Super Seasprite,” said Sal Bordonaro, president of Kaman Aerospace Corporation’s Helicopters Division. “This outstanding helicopter has amassed a distinguished service record in the U.S. Navy, and its exceptional performance continues today in the armed forces of Egypt, Poland and New Zealand.

Furthermore, Kaman stands most strongly behind its work on the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) program.”

“I want all of our dedicated employees, our customers and the rotorcraft community to understand that Kaman worked diligently, often at our own expense, to meet or exceed every contract requirement for this program,” continued Bordonaro. “We also went well beyond those requirements to develop advanced maritime helicopter capabilities for the RAN,” Bordonaro continued. “The public has a right to the whole story, and Kaman Helicopters has a commensurate right to present the facts about our Australian program.”

Most of ANAO’s findings and recommendations apply to the Australia Department of Defence and its procurement and contract management agencies. “Some of these matters affected Kaman’s ability to meet contractual requirements, but they are beyond our purview,” added Bordonaro. “While the ANAO report was very comprehensive in some areas, there are several facets of the program, and areas of the helicopter’s performance, that were not sufficiently addressed in the main report.”

The SH-2 is a path-breaking rotorcraft, the first to be embarked aboard U.S. Navy ships, completing nearly 30 years of successful support to the fleet. The SH-2G(A) variant incorporates a host of system improvements to meet the RAN’s stringent mission requirements for surface surveillance, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and boarding party operations. As a result of the program cancellation, these capabilities are now available to international users.

Kaman independently sponsored qualification of the mission software system that provides the unique capability for this aircraft to be operated in all missions by a crew of two. Aircraft flight controls have been validated for aircrew anthropometrics at the limits of the flight envelope for Helicopters Division all loading conditions. Additionally, the Air Data Computer, which provides vital airspeed and altitude information, was modified for improved reliability, and the Automatic Flight Control System software was enhanced with additional error-checking capability to ensure safe operation of the SH-2G(A) flight control system under all conditions. These company efforts produced a safe and highly capable maritime helicopter, characteristics acknowledged by the people who operated it.

Kaman built and delivered five SH-2G(NZ) helicopters to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 2001, about the same time it worked on the RAN program. The RNZN rotorcraft have the same basic capabilities as the Australian helicopters and have performed as required since delivered, having accumulated more than 7,500 safe and reliable flight hours.

“This year, we delivered the second of ten upgraded SH-2G(E) aircraft to the Egyptian Air Force, with program completion scheduled for 2011. These aircraft were qualified by the U.S. Navy and feature a flight control system that employs the Australia configuration Flight Control Computer and Automatic Flight Control System software,” Bordonaro concluded. “We also have taken title to the 11 Super Seasprites originally produced for the RAN and completed successful testing for the Integrated Tactical Avionics System (ITAS) in these helicopters. We are proud of the Super Seasprite, proud of our program and customer support, and excited by the prospect of additional future sales to international navies.”

IAI Delivers First Batch of Kfir Fighter Jets to the Colombian Air Force

(Source: Israel Aerospace Industries; issued June 22, 2009)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is delivering the first batch of upgraded Kfir fighter jets to the Colombian Air Force in a ceremony held at IAI's facilities in Israel. In attendance at the ceremony was Juan Hurtado Cano, the Colombian Ambassador to Israel, high ranking officers from the Colombian Air Force, and executives from the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD-SIBAT), and IAI.

In late 2007 IAI was awarded a multi-year contract worth over $150 million to upgrade the existing Colombian Air Force Kfir jets, and to supply additional jets.

Mr. Itzhak Nissan, IAI's President and CEO said: "IAI's new technologies were integrated in the new Kfir jets to better their capabilities and allow longer operational service. The short delivery schedule and high quality of the aircraft were feasible thanks to IAI's integration capability, and the knowledge and experience of Lahav and other IAI divisions".

The Kfir fighter jet, manufactured at IAI's Lahav Division of the Military Aircraft Group, is a multi-role, all-weather combat jet with high carrying capabilities of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground munitions.

The additional Kfir jets, models C10-C12, have been upgraded and improved to include IAI's latest technologies and products.

Currently, Kfir jets play an advanced role in the Air Forces of Sri Lanka, Ecuador and Colombia, and they have been used in the US Navy to act as adversary aircraft in dissimilar air combat training.

Kfir jets are also used by the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), a civilian company that provides fleet tactical aircraft and services to the US military. ATAC provides airborne tactical training, threat simulation, and research & development.



IAI is upgrading all 12 Colombian air force Kfir C-1/-2 fighters under a $150M contract awarded in late 2007. (IAI photo)

...[UPDATE]...

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
Eight Patrol Vessels for Venezuela

(Source: Navantia; web-posted Dec. 16, 2005)

Navantia and the Navy of Venezuela signed on November 28th a contract for the construction of eight patrol vessels for a total amount of more than 1.2 billion euros: 4 patrols vesels for the control and protection of the exclusive economic area, and 4 patrols vessels for the control of the coast.

These ships have been designed by Navantia for defence missions of the sea around Venezuela: protection of the fishing area, protection against smuggling and drug traffic, as well as the defence of maritime traffic in general.

Besides the important work for the shipyards of Navantia until 2012, this contract means an important commercial milestone for the company, as it outlines its position in this market, with its own latest-generation project.


MAIN CHARACTERISTICS:

--Coastal Vessels:
Length: 76.10 m.
Width: 11.50 m.
Depth: 7 m.
Displacement: 1,500 t.
Speed: 22 knots
Range: 4,000 miles
Crew: 34 + 30

--Economic Area Vessels:
Length: 96.60 m.
Width: 13.60 m.
Depth: 7.20 m.
Displacement: 2,300 t.
Speed: 24 knots
Range: 3,500 miles
Crew: 60 + 32

-ends-

Two Ships For Venezuela

(Source: Navantia; dated June 24, web-posted June 29, 2009)

On 24th June, Navantia launched, at the San Fernando-Puerto Real shipyard, the first of four Economic Zone Patrol Boat (PVOZEE) and the third of four offshore patrol boats (OPV’s) that are being built for the Venezuelan Navy.

The vessels were named “Caribe” and “Naiguatá” and were christened by Dinorah Villasmil de Mata and Alma Pura Blanco de Padrón.

Attending the ceremony were, among others, the Vice-chairman of SEPI, Federico Montero, and the San Fernando-Puerto Real shipyard's General Manager, Fernando Miguélez.

The PVOZEE has a length of 98.90 meters, a displacement of 2,200 tonnes and a maximum speed of 25 knots. The missions are the control of the economic exclusive zone, search and rescue and also anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

The OPV has a length overall of 79.90 metres and the capacity to displace 1,500 tonnes and reach a maximum speed of 22 knots. These ships will be able to carry out a wide variety of missions such as coastal surveillance and protection, protection of maritime traffic, health assistance to other ships, external firefighting, the fight and control of marine pollution, transport of personnel and provisions, search and rescue operations, rapid intervention, frogmen support, surface defence and passive electronic warfare.

Their deliveries are scheduled to take place between October 2009 and July 2011.

-ends-

Singapore’s 3rd-Generation Armed Forces Taking Shape

(Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence; issued July 2, 2009)

It has been five years since the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) embarked on its 3rd Generation journey, and the key building blocks are all in place. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean shared this with the media during an interview on 26 Jun, ahead of SAF day celebrations on 1 Jul.

"You can now see the shape of this 3rd Generation SAF," he added. Highlighting the three key elements of this transformation, Mr Teo said the SAF is now a modernised, networked force, capable of carrying out a wider spectrum of operations, and manned by committed people.

Commenting on the SAF's evolution into a modernised force, he cited examples of its upgrading of second-hand equipment, such as the recently launched RSS Archer submarine, and the replacement of its E2C early warning aircraft and SW1 armoured tanks with G550 AEW aircraft and Leopard 2A4 tanks respectively.

Other recent additions to the SAF's arsenal include the Formidable-class stealth frigates, the Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) first F15SG fighters.

The SAF's edge lies in the networked capabilities of these machines, which provide more speed, precision, mobility and combat power.

"They are able to exchange information with one another and...call upon the total capabilities of the SAF," said Mr Teo, who witnessed UAVs, artillery systems, Apache helicopters and F-16s operating as one integrated force during Exercise Wallaby in Australia last year.

Complemented by such hardware, the SAF is now capable of carrying out a wider spectrum of operations, which include contributions to multinational anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

A Landing Ship Tank (LST) with two Super Pumas on board, was deployed to the Gulf of Aden in April this year, while various medical, construction and engineering teams have been sent to the Oruzgan and Bamiyan provinces in Afghanistan since 2007.

These missions have been good operational experiences for servicemen, said Mr Teo. Although such deployments are not without risks, he expressed his confidence that all SAF servicemen are well-trained to handle such situations.

To mitigate risks like rocket attacks in Afghanistan, the SAF is prepared to contribute UAVs for surveillance and a Weapon Locating Radar to provide early warning.

Re-organisation within the SAF has helped widen its scope of operations. A UAV Command, formed through the RSAF's revamp in 2007 from a geographically-based structure into five distinct commands, "reflects...the operations we expect the 3rd Generation SAF to undertake," said Mr Teo.

The SAF has also undertaken a multi-Service and multi-agency approach, with the formation of Island Defence Headquarters in 2001 and Maritime Security Task Force in January this year.

This July, the SAF will unveil a Special Operations Task Force, combining all the special operations forces in the SAF, "so that they can work together much more cohesively...and much more effectively," Mr Teo said.

As the SAF transforms, people who are committed and capable of handling the SAF's current and future capabilities and operations are needed.

The rising importance of small unit leaders, coinciding with more well-educated, able young people serving National Service, "enables us to give them more meaningful things to do, and draw upon their capabilities to build a much more capable SAF," he said.

In May, new human resource schemes were rolled out, including the extension of officers' retirement age from 45 to 50, more opportunities for personal and professional development of Warrant Officers, and the introduction of a new 3rd Warrant Officer rank.

Besides reflecting the desire of some officers to stay longer in the SAF, such initiatives also "recognise the capabilities of the type of people that we want to take in for the Warrant Officer Corps to be the backbone of the SAF," shared Mr Teo.

Also, the introduction of a Military Domain Experts Scheme in May reflects the SAF's need for competencies in specific areas of engineering, technical and intelligence. Under this scheme, regulars can experience progression and continuous learning till they are 60.

Acknowledging that the SAF still has some way to go before its transformation is complete, Mr Teo concluded: "It's not finished yet...but you can now see the shape of this 3rd Generation SAF. There's still much work to be done over several more years."

The SAF will continue to look at new technologies and new capabilities "which allow us to do things better - more effectively, more efficiently, more cost-effectively."

-ends-

Germany Awards IFV Production Contract


The German MoD has awarded a production contract for 405 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles to a joint venture between KMW and Rheinmetall. (Rheinmetall photo)

Canada Approves C$10 Billion Purchase of Chinooks, Armored Vehicles

(Source: The Ottawa Citizen; issued July 7, 2009)

OTTAWA --- The Harper government has approved a plan to purchase new armoured vehicles for the Canadian Forces and is set to announce that it has finally reached a deal on the purchase of additional Chinook helicopters.

The government is now trying to decide how best to roll out the military projects, which total almost C$10 billion, for maximum public-relations value.

The helicopter and armoured-vehicle programs are expected to be among a number of defence-related announcements to be made throughout the coming months by the government, according to defence insiders.

On Tuesday morning, Defence Minister Peter MacKay will be in Gander, N.L., to make an announcement at the search-and-rescue squadron there. The announcement will be about 9 Wing Gander, but other details are not being released at this point, according to the Defence Department. Earlier this year, Mac-Kay went across the country making a series of announcements about infrastructure improvements at various bases.

Asked about the Chinook and armoured-vehicle projects, MacKay’s press secretary Jay Paxton said: “We have nothing to announce.” He added that when a project is to be announced, the news media will be informed.

Officials with Boeing, the manufacturer of the Chinook helicopters, referred all questions about the deal to the Canadian government. But in an interview in May, Boeing business-development manager Richard Meanor said he expected a government announcement on the Chinook deal by the end of the summer.

The Harper government originally announced its intention to buy 16 Chinooks in the summer of 2006, but negotiations with Boeing have been slow because Canada wanted a variety of changes made to the aircraft. In the meantime, the Canadian Forces also purchased six used Chinook helicopters from the U.S. military for immediate use in Afghanistan.

The 16 Chinooks aren’t expected to be delivered until after 2011, the end of Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan, according to various Conservative cabinet ministers.

In the summer of 2006, the Defence Department noted that the total cost of the purchase of the 16 Chinooks would be around C$4.7 billion. That included a 20-year support package for the aircraft.

The armoured-vehicle purchases would include what is being called a close-combat vehicle that would be used to accompany the army’s Leopard 2 tanks. The acquisitions will also include a new armoured tactical patrol vehicle and an upgrade of the existing LAV-3 fleet that has been worn down by continued use in Afghanistan. Also added to the package is the purchase of a new armoured engineering vehicle.

Defence industry officials estimate the value of the armoured-vehicle purchases total around C$5 billion.

The approval by the government of the purchases now sets in motion the process for the Defence Department to officially begin the projects and receive funding from Treasury Board. The individual programs will then unfold over the next seven to 10 years. (end of excerpt)