RMAF’s two new copters arrive

PETALING JAYA: DESPITE the prudent defence budget, the rejuvenation of the air force’s assets is long overdue, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Featured Photo: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi taking a closer look at the EC725 at Subang Skypark yesterday. Pic by Effendy Rashid

UP-TO-DATE: They are part of 12 Eurocopters ordered from France

Zahid was on hand yesterday to receive the first two of 12 Eurocopter EC725 tactical transport helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force at the Subang Skypark.

This marked the beginning of a new phase of new-generation helicopters for the RMAF, which would be used for combat search and rescue missions.

The two helicopters had arrived in Subang onboard an Antonov An-124 Ruslan cargo aeroplane from Marignanc, France, last Friday.

Zahid said the acquisition of the EC725 would improve the RMAF’s capabilities and ensured its helicopter inventory was modern, mission-ready and reliable.

“The deal has brought 13 comprehensive cooperation projects to strengthen Malaysia’s strategic aeronautical skills and capabilities via education at universities.”

He said the remaining 10 EC725 would be delivered in stages by 2014.

Eurocopter Malaysia has teamed up with Boustead Heavy Industry Corporation to establish a regional simulator centre for the EC225/725 in Subang, along with a maintenance, repair and overhaul centre for commercial and military aircraft.

“This facility will make Malaysia a training hub for pilots and crew of the two types of helicopters in the Asia-Pacific region.”

He also said that Eurocopter had awarded Composite Technology Research Malaysia the manufacturing of EC130 components, including the helicopter’s fenestron, and collaboration to develop helicopter system integration competencies.

Zahid added that such collaboration had resulted in a RM5 billion total investment in Malaysia’s defence industry by international and local companies.

It is learnt that the RMAF requires up to 30 EC725 as part of its fleet-modernisation programme to replace the aging 20-odd Sikorsky S-61 Nuri, the first of which was bought in 1968.

Unlike the all-weather EC725, the Nuri has limited avionics enabling it to fly only during clear weather.
The RMAF will operate the first two EC725 from its Kuantan base to train pilots and crew, pending the arrival of the 10 helicopters.

The EC725 proved its mettle with the French Air Force during Operation Baliste to evacuate war victims from Lebanon in 2006 and in supporting coalition forces in the Afghanistan war from 2007.

Malaysia is among seven countries operating or having ordered the EC725. The others are France, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand.



Source Eurocopter Malaysia

Read more »

Eurocopter delivers the first two Royal Malaysian Air Force EC725s

Eurocopter delivers the first two Royal Malaysian Air Force EC725s from an order for 12 medium-lift, twin-engine helicopters.

The initial two Eurocopter EC725 helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force were formally presented today during a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, with the first unit being delivered on time and the second unit coming three months ahead of schedule.

Malaysia is to receive a total of 12 EC725s through 2014, creating a highly capable fleet of rotorcraft for search & rescue and utility missions.

“Our EC725s will significantly improve the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s capabilities and ensure its helicopter inventory is modern, mission-ready and reliable,” said Defense Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The no. 1 EC725 was first unveiled to Malaysia in December 2011 via a live video broadcast from Eurocopter’s Marignane, France headquarters – organized just after its rollout from the production line. It was beamed to Malaysia’s Langkawi Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition, for an audience that included Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. One year later, the first helicopter arrived in Malaysia on schedule, along with Eurocopter’s handover of the second EC725 three months in advance of the contractual delivery schedule.

“This delivery milestone is the result of the collective effort and great co-operation between the teams from Royal Malaysian Air Force and Eurocopter working towards a common goal,” highlighted Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “We are committed to ensure the successful delivery of the remaining orders, and stand ready to provide for all of Malaysia’s future mission needs.”

In supporting the deliveries of Malaysia’s EC725s and enhancing Eurocopter’s in-country support and services activities, the Eurocopter Malaysia subsidiary will double its capabilities by moving from its main facility in Subang to a new, expanded site within the Malaysian International Aerospace Center in early 2013.

Additionally, Eurocopter is executing a series of strategic cooperation projects that will include the participation of local industry in ensuring full support for this important delivery and the expansion of Malaysia’s helicopter market. This includes the integration of the country’s industry into its global supply chain, the creation of joint ventures with local companies to establish an in-country MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility, as well as the development of a regional full-flight simulation center. The full-flight simulation center will be used for training Royal Malaysian Air Force crews and made available for other military and civilian operators of the medium-lift EC725/EC225 helicopter family in the Asia Pacific region.

All of these cooperative projects are aligned with Malaysia’s vision and objective in strengthening Malaysian strategic aeronautical skills and capabilities through strategic partnerships, which also include specific attention in education through the development of aeronautical training capabilities in association with Malaysian Universities.

“Meeting excellence in our delivery and industrial promises for Malaysia is a top priority for Eurocopter,” explained Pierre Rossignol, President and CEO of the Eurocopter Malaysia subsidiary. “As promised ten years ago, we continue our journey towards expansion and look forward to more decades of growth and excellence in the new facility, ensuring full support to all our Malaysian customers while creating new jobs and contributing to the local economy.”

By Rob Vogelaar Source and photo: Eurocopter Malaysia

Read more »

Britain Offers Malaysia RM10bil Arms Package

The British government has offered Malaysia an arms package which can be worth more than RM10 billion if all options are exercised. The proposed package includes new Hawk jet trainers, advanced frigates, howitzers and future soldier systems for the army, industry sources told theSun.








Separately, the British government is also backing the offer by BAE Systems to sell 18 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement.

The sources said they do not expect any deal to be signed soon as the offer needs to be studied in detail.

In 1988, the British government under the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher presented a similar package to Malaysia, resulting in the procurement of Hawk trainers and frigates worth some RM4.9 billion in 1992.

According to sources, the current offer has been made as Britain seeks to boost its defence exports amid severe cutbacks in military spending by the United States and Europe.

Furthermore, without a government-to-government deal, British companies are facing difficulties when promoting their arms to Malaysia, the sources said.

For example, due to a company-mandated anti-bribery policy, BAE Systems is not working with any local agent to market the Typhoon.

"They faced a severe handicap as their competitors, such as the French Rafale and Swedish Gripen, are being promoted by their local agents. BAE Systems has to rely on its own company officials," one source told theSun.

The source said it is therefore imperative for the British government to step in to back the Typhoon deal although separate from the arms package.

BAE Systems, one of the world's biggest defence companies, also manufactured the Hawk trainers, howitzers and frigates.

"If the Malaysian government accepts the arms package, BAE Systems will be the main beneficiary of the deal," the source added.

On Oct 29, BAE Systems chief executive Ian King and a delegation were in Malaysia to discuss the company's bid for the MRCA programme. The highlight of the visit was a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in Putrajaya.

Apart from Najib, King and the delegation also met Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Industry sources told theSun King was told the government would use the normal procurement process. King's visit came a month after theSun reported on Sept 24 that Swedish defence and aerospace company, SAAB, had offered a lease-buy option for its Gripen fighter jet for the MRCA programme.

Read more »

Malaysia Becomes DCNS’ 1st Customer for Gowind Ships

In October 2010, Malaysia’s Boustead received a letter of intent from their government for 6 “second-generation patrol vessels.” In January 2012, South Africa’s DefenceWeb reported that DCNS and its local submarine & surface ship partner, Boustead Naval Shipyard, had won a contract worth $2.8 billion to supply 6 Gowind family ships to Malaysia, which would have been the type’s 1st paid order.

To win, DCNS reportedly beat Dutch firm Damen, whose scalable SIGMA ships have been purchased by neighboring Indonesia; as well as TKMS of Germany, who supplied Malaysia’s 6 existing MEKO 100 Kedah Class OPVs and its 2 Kasturi Class light frigates. Now these Gowind ships’ exact configuration, and equipment set is more certain – but the contract isn’t.

The Gowind Family & Malaysia’s Choices

The Gowind family isn’t a single design. It’s a family of ships with some common systems and design elements, designed to scale from inshore patrol needs to heavy corvette/ light frigate designs. DCNS has been exploring partnerships with lower-cost foreign shipyards as part of its overall export strategy, and had been negotiating with Bulgaria along those lines. Memoranda now give it footholds in South Africa as well as Malaysia.

All Gowind ships are shaped for stealth. The single central mast replaces several sensor masts in other ships, and provides both improved radar cross-section signature, and a 360-degree view for radars and other sensors. The ship’s propulsion system is based on Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD), but has no gas exhaust chimney to emit infrared plumes, channeling exhaust into the water-jets instead. Those water jets also create better maneuverability in shallow waters, and contribute to high-speed performance.

Gowind Control/120 Designs like FS L’Adroit , on loan to France for 3 years as a promotional exercise, are 1,100t offshore patrol vessels, with minimal armament. L’Adroit carries only a light autocannon and non-lethal weapons, for instance. Gowind Presence inshore patrol vessels are even smaller.

On the other hand, Bulgaria’s interest in Gowind ships involved fully-armed 2,250t Gowind Combat/200 corvettes, carrying 57mm guns, vertical-launch cells, anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, and a helicopter up to the 10-ton class.

Malaysia’s Gowinds

Subsequent reports from Navy Recognition indicated that Malaysia is interested in the Gowind Combat corvettes. Provisional specifications appear to make them the size of small frigates, only slightly smaller than the USA’s Littoral Combat Ship:

Length: 107 meters
Breadth: 16 meters
Full load displacement: 2,730 tonnes
Max speed: 28 knots
Crew: 106
Range: 5,000 nm
Endurance: 21 days

The ship models shown at a recent defense exhibition show a full helicopter hangar. Malaysia’s Navy currently flies the AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 naval helicopter, and Eurocopter’s AS 350 Fennec light utility helicopter. With only 6 of each in stock, however, and other naval platforms (esp. Lekiu & Kedah Classes) that need them, Malaysia may need to buy or transfer new airframes, if they want the Gowind fleet to have their own on-board helicopters.

Key Sensors

Early indications are that DCNS’ preference for its SETIS combat system will win the day, over the Malaysian Navy’s reported preference for Thales’ Tacticos.

• Thales SMART-S Mk2 3D multibeam radar
• Rheinmetall’s TMEO Mk2 – TMX/EO Electro-optical tracking and fire control system
• Thales Captas family for hull sonar
• ASW suite with towed array sonar

Weapons Array

Pictures from DSA 2012 Defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur appear to show 12 vertical launch cells, mounted behind the main gun. These will be DCNS’ Sylver family. Sylver A35 cells are the most likely choice, given the ship’s size and expected weapon fit.

• BAE Bofors 57 mm Mk2 main gun
• MBDA VL-MICA air defense missiles and their ACL containers in the Sylver cells
• 8 of MBDA’s MM40 Exocet Block III anti-ship missiles mounted topside
• 2 of MSI’s remotely operated 30mm guns on top of the helicopter hanger

Contracts & Key Events

Oct 25/12: A report from Euronaval says the contracts remain unfinalized, though DCNS CEO Patrick Boissier tells Lignes de defense that the existing Letters of Attribution have value even so. The project is expected to take place over 10 years or so, with a number of arrangements to finalize for production in Malaysia and in France. Lignes de defense [in French].

April 20/12: Navy Recognition personnel at the DSA 2012 Defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia look at a Gowind model, and talk to an official from Boustead about the ships’ expected statistics and fit-out. See above for the ships’ expected fit-out, and see the article for pictures of the model.

The official added that, contra earlier reports, contract negotiations are still in progress. Navy Recognition | DCNS re: its exhibits.

Jan 17/12: DefenceWeb reports Malaysia’s selection of DCNS’ Gowind ships for a $2.8 billion contract. Deliveries are expected to run from 2017-2020, if all goes well.

The DefenceWeb report is very unclear concerning the exact type and fit-out for these ships, except to state that the shipbuilders wanted DCNS’ SETIS combat management system, while the Royal Malaysian Navy wants the Thales Tacticos systems already on one of Malaysia’s Kasturi Class light frigates. It did not state how this conflict was resolved.

source Defense Industry Daily

Read more »

Aircraft maker Dassault aims to sell the Rafale to the Government

PETALING JAYA: Military aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation is upping the ante in Malaysia with the hopes of supplying its combat aircraft Rafale to the Government, which considering to retire the ageing fleet of Russian made MIG-29N under the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme.

The Rafale aircraft with its crew at LIMA 2011 in Langkawi.

Dassault international executive vice president Eric Trappier said the company was already meeting with companies that were a potential for their offset programme, assuming if the Malaysian Royal Air Force opt for the Rafale.

“We have met a list of companies that have capabilities in mechanical, electronics and engines, among these are like Global Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd which is in collaboration with Safran Turbomeca, and Sapura which has ties with Thales,” he said at a media briefing on Wednesday.

He said the company was also talking with Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Airod Sdn Bhd, and Zetro Aerospace Corporation.

“We fully support the Government's offset programme, and we have initiated talks with companies in the country.

“There is a strong reach from our side to support the industry here. We feel that the country is capable with the right political wish to develop the country's aviation industry further,” he said.

Headquartered in Paris, Dassault was chosen by India in January to supply at least 126 Rafale jets valued at RM30bil, after winning against rivals Typhoon built by a consortium led by European Aeronautic,Defence & Space Co (EADS) and BAE Systems Plc.

Touted as the largest military aviation deals in the world, the India deal was done after a reportedly exhaustive technical and commercial evaluation which spread over five years.

It was also revealed that officials from the Defence Ministry, in a closed door meeting with Dassault, had expressed that it would take into consideration the Indian government's stamp of approval for Dassault to supply aircraft for its own decision on the MRCA programme. Potentially worth RM10bil to RM15bil, the MRCA programme had attracted the attention of other major companies which are offering their wares like Eurofighter Typhoon from BAE Systems UK, F/A-18F Super Hornet from Boeing USA and Gripen New Generation from Saab of Sweden.

“It is difficult to say when the deal would materialise as there will be the general election in the coming months.

“I don't expect it to be before (the general election). How much time after the general election is the question,” he said.

Following its Indian win, there have been bouts of merger and acquisition exercises, one being the planned merger of BAE Systems and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, in a bid to create a global aerospace and defence leader that would better rival US giant Boeing.

To that end, Eric said: “We are not impressed by the giants, it can be strong, but it also can be very weak when it gets too big to manage.

“For Dassault, we are trying to completely do the opposite, we are a smaller company and we will focus on technology and expertise.” According to him, with partners like Thales and Snecma, the company is not small at all. “We are not a giant, but we are number one in our expertise. And we are not chasing to be number one in terms of size,” he said, adding that the company was not trying to be bigger but trying to be better.

discounting the possibility of chasing for mergers to upscale its operations.

He said Dassault could have partnerships with the new entity in the future, but it depended on what the countries related to the merger wanted to do and collaborate.

By CHOONG EN HAN at thestar.com.my

Read more »

France to help in defence research

KUALA LUMPUR: France is enthusiastic about playing a bigger role in Malaysia's research and development in the defence industry, said its visiting Defence and War Veterans Minister Gerard Longuet.


French Defence and War Veterans Minister Gerard Longuet with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Defence Ministry yesterday. Bernama pic

"We are keen to provide French expertise and technology and work together as a global partner," he said at a joint press conference with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Defence Ministry yesterday.

Longuet also praised Malaysia for demonstrating its capabilities as a stabilising force in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia has also supported French initiatives by sending United Nations peace-keeping troops to Lebanon and medical teams to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation-led mission in Afghanistan.

He also commended Malaysia for ensuring the safe passage of its commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, by deploying naval auxiliary combat ships, to ward off Somali pirate attacks.

Zahid touched on the acquisition of assets like the EC-725 Eurocopters, Scorpene submarines and the Airbus A400M medium-lift air- craft from France.

"Although many of these products and services are French in nature, they meet our quality and specifications at the right price," said Zahid.

Malaysia is due to take delivery of 12 EC-725 helicopters from next year and the four A400M from 2015, both for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The two Scorpene submarines have been in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy the past two years.

source New Straits Times

Read more »

Denel has signed a Euro 340 million (R3.5 billion) contract with Malaysia to supply a range of turret and integrated weapon systems to be fitted onto 8X8 armoured vehicles.

Denel Signs R3.5 Billion Manufacturing Deal With Malaysia

Zwelakhe Ntshepe, the Group Executive Business Development and Corporate Affairs of Denel, says this is the largest export contract in the company’s history and will result in a significant cash injection and job creation in the local industry.

The turrets will be exported to Malaysia over a seven year period – with the first consignment ready for delivery in January 2013.

Mr Ntshepe says the final negotiations with Malaysia were concluded at the recent Defence Services Asia Exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, together with our local partners DRB-Hicom (Deftech), our partner in Malaysia.

The CEO of Denel Land Systems (DLS), Stephan Burger, says his company will be responsible for a number of strategic components that have been designed and developed at its campus in Lyttelton:

• 69 x two man turrets fitted with the South African GI30 30mm main gun.
• 54 x missile turrets equipped with the GI30 30mm gun and South African Ingwe anti-tank missile system. The order also includes the supply of 216 laser-guided Ingwe missiles manufactured by Denel Dynamics.
• 54 x Remote control weapons systems.

Mr Burger says the production of the first consignment of turrets is on schedule and will be delivered in January 2013 for trials by the Malaysian Army.

The turrets and weapon systems will be integrated on the Malaysian Army’s 8 X 8 vehicles which are based on the Pars armoured vehicle platforms from the Turkish company, FNSS.

Through the contract Denel is participating in the Malaysian Economic Enhancement programme which entails the production and assembly of the turrets in Malaysia. The agreement provides a platform to transfer weapon system integration technology to Deftech in order to create a sustainable capability in Malaysia.

Mr Burger says the contract opens the door to future industry cooperation between the two countries including on-going maintenance and future upgrades of the turrets.

Mr Ntshepe says the manufacturing of the turret systems grew out of DLS’s development of the Badger infantry combat vehicle on behalf of the South African Army. The Badger meets the requirements of a modern army involved in both high-intensity warfare and peacekeeping operations and will replace the 30-year old Ratel as the mainstay of the mechanised infantry force.

The Malaysian contract strengthens DLS’s reputation as a strategic hub of innovation and advanced manufacturing capabilities on the African continent. It will enable the company to retain skilled and highly-skilled engineers and artisans and attract a new generations of innovators.

Denel Land Systems, a company in the Denel SOC group is a defence system house for landward mobility and firepower solutions. Its primary focus is to provide products to the SANDF but it also serves international customers as a technology partner, system integrator and subsystem supplier.

DLS is best known for its development of the G5 (towed) and G6 (self-propelled) guns, the world’s leading 155 mm artillery systems. The G5 is currently in service in Malaysia.

Mr Burger says DLS “has a unique balance of technologies and engineering capabilities,” to take complex systems or products through their entire lifecycle, from conceptualisation to production.

Riaz Saloojee, the Group Chief Executive says “I am excited by this contract as it confirms Denel’s position as a global player in the defence manufacturing industry and will lead to a growing interest from the international community in the quality and range of products and services produced by us.”

source Army Guide

Read more »

Singapore to start negotiations for 4 Scorpene SSKs with France's DCNS

According to rumors (infosdefense.com), the Republic of Singapore Navy is about to start negotiations with France for the possible purchase of 4 Scorpene class SSKs. The deal could include transfer of technologies. 

Contacted by Navy Recognition however, a DCNS source refused to comment on the rumors.

Scorpene class SSK of the Chilean Navy

About Scorpene class SSKs:
Already chosen by the Chilean, Royal Malaysian, Indian and Brazilian Navies Scorpene-Family submarines represent the state-of-the-art in submarine design and construction and benefits from the latest technologies developed for nuclear-powered classes operated by the French Navy, particularly as regards acoustic discretion and combat system performance. Scorpene can be fitted with an optional MESMA AIP section. 

- The MESMA (Autonomous Submarine Energy Module) is an electrical energy production module designed specifically for conventional submarines. As well as supplying electricity to the vessel and to the propulsion system, it can also be used to recharge the batteries without the need to surface. Together with a MESMA section, a Scorpene will be able to carry out extended missions with an over 3 weeks submerged endurance.

Link to Scorpene class datasheet.

source Navy Recognition

Read more »

Navy plan to buy more submarines

Kuala Lumpur: Aside from maintaining two Scorpene submarines, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to buy more submarines to boost the national's naval defence capability, said Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

He said, however, the plan could not be implemented in the near term due to budget constraints while time was needed to train naval officers on the fundamental skills in submarine operations and gained the experience.

"The skills and experience are needed to ensure that the submarines can be operated safely and effectively," he told Bernama. The navy took delivery of two Scorpene submarines costing RM3.4 billion from France in 2009 and 2010.

Abdul Aziz said he was satisfied with the performance of both submarines after three years in operation to protect national waters from invasion and encroachment.

"I am proud to have received letters of commendation from distinguished guests, who have taken a dive on the submarines, including the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng," said Abdul Aziz.

On the 78th Royal Malaysian Navy Day celebration tomorrow, he said the theme 'Innovative Personnel engender Transformation' manifested the navy vision to be a world-class entity through a culture of innovation.

Describing the challenges faced by the navy as "software and hardware", he said: "The first challenge is to retain skilled personnel in the service due to competition, and attractive and lucrative offers awaiting them in the corporate world.

"The second challenge is to maintain the level of preparedness of naval assets, especially involving aging assets as they are getting obsolete, and technological development."
On piracy threats especially in the Straits of Melaka, he said naval boats were intensifying patrols in identified hot spots besides conducting integrated operations jointly with maritime agencies from neighbouring countries. -- Bernama

Read more: Navy plan to buy more submarines - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/navy-plan-to-buy-more-submarines-1.77968#ixzz2O8S1DjSj

Read more »

Boustead showcasing a DCNS Gowind corvette tweaked to Royal Malaysian Navy needs at DSA 2012

Navy Recognition team who was attending the DSA 2012 Defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was able to gather fresh information regarding the future Gowind corvettes of the Royal Malaysian Navy. While the negotiations are still ongoing, signature of the contract should happen soon according to an official from Boustead. The same person gave us an updated list of systems that will likely be found on those new corvettes.


Gowind model at Boustead stand during DSA 2012
(picture: Navy Recognition)

According to this source, the Gowind corvette for Royal Malaysian Navy will likely sports the following weapons:

• Bofors 57 mm Mk 2 for main gun
• MBDA Mica VL for air defense in the VLS cells
• MBDA MM40 BlkIII anti-ship missiles
• 2x 30mm guns from MSI-Defence Systems Ltd located on top of the helicopter hanger

Regarding sensors, the Malaysian Gowinds should come with:
TMEO Mk2 - TMX/EO Electro-optical tracking and fire control system by Rheinmetall
SMART-S Mk2 3D multibeam radar by Thales
Thales Captas for sonar (We could not get confirmation on the type: Nano or another model)

As expected, the combat managed system will be the SETIS by DCNS.



The generic Gowind designed by DCNS is a multi-mission corvette (100 metres, over 2,000 tonnes), A fully militarised platform, she has a comprehensive Mission Management System for full-scale multi-threat missions, including a complete ASW suite with towed array sonar and improved stealth and survivability.



Specifications of the Boustead built vessels (as of now) are as follow:

Length: 107 meters
Breadth: 16 meters
Full load displacement: 2,730 tonnes
Max speed: 28 knots
Crew: 106
Range: 5,000 nm
Endurance: 21 days

We were told however that these figures were subject to change (as well as the final hull design) depending on the final configuration picked by the Royal Malaysian Navy. First cut of the head of class is expect for early next year (2013).

source Navy Recognition

Read more »

India makes payments to French firm to upgrade Mirage fleet

NEW DELHI: India has started making payments to French defence major Dassault Aviation for upgrading its fleet of Mirage 2000 aircraft under a deal worth $2.4 billion.

The Indian government has started making payments for the deal to upgrade the Mirage aircraft, sources said.

As a result of the payments released for the deal by India, the price of dollar was impacted upon in the exchange today.

As per the proposal, French firms Dassault and Thales will upgrade the aircraft, which will add 20-25 years to the life of the Mirages, inducted by the IAF in the mid-80s.

Two different proposals, one for the upgrade of systems of the aircraft and the other for over 400 MICA missiles for the upgraded fleet, were placed before the CCS.

Under the deal, the French firms will help in upgrading the avionics, navigation systems, mission computers, electronic warfare systems and radars bringing the aircraft to the Mirage-2000-5 standards.

The French companies will have to invest over $900 million into the Indian defence sector as defence offsets.

As per the Indian defence offsets policy, foreign vendors bagging deals worth over Rs 300 crore have to invest at least 30% of the worth of the deal back into the Indian defence, civilian aerospace and homeland security sectors.

As per the agreement, India has sent two of its aircraft to France for upgrades and thereafter the rest would be upgraded at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facilities.

Source : Times of India

Read more »

India clears €950 mn deal for Mirage 2000 missiles

India cleared a €950 million deal on Wednesday to procure 500 air-to-air missiles from a French firm for IAF's Mirage 2000 aircraft fleet.

A Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today cleared the deal to procure 490 MICA missiles manufactured by French firm MBDA for Euro 950 million, Defence Ministry sources said in New Delhi.

The missiles would be deployed on the 51 Mirage 2000 aircraft, which are already undergoing upgrades at French facilities under a €1.47 billion deal signed earlier this year.

Under the deal, MBDA will have to do offsets worth 30 per cent of the deal meaning that they will have to invest 315 million Euros back in the Indian defence sector.

The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) mandates that foreign vendors bagging deals worth over Rs 300 crore have to invest back at least 30 per cent of the contract's worth into Indian defence, civil aerospace and homeland security sector.

India signed a deal with French companies Thales and Dassault Aviation, which will take ten years to carry out mid-life upgrade of IAF's 51 Mirage-2000 fighters.

Two aircraft have already been flown to France for upgrades and the remaining would be modernised in India at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities here in India.

"The cost of the contract for upgrade of the Mirage 2000 with Thales is Euro 1,470 million while the cost of the contract with HAL is Rs 2,020 crores(around 340 million) Euro.

The upgrade of the aircraft is expected to be completed by mid 2021," Defence Minister AK Antony recently informed Parliament.

Source : Indian Express

Read more »