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Contents MARCH/APRIL 2019
VOLUME 27 / ISSUE 2

06 Dr Tom Withington examines the

use of electronic support systems
in a maritime context.

The United Arab Emirates Air Force is

UNPICKING
operating the RQ-1E version of General
Atomics Predator XP, the version seen
here flying over southern California

THE ELECTROMAGNETIC TAPESTRY

which has been licensed by the US
Government for international customers.
(GA-ASI).

12 20 25

THE ART OF ASIAN MILITARY

IFV ARMAMENT WATCHING FROM AFAR REVIEW’S AIR FORCES
EVOLUTION Andrew Drwiega looks at new capabilities DIRECTORY: PART II
Stephen W Miller explains the growth in unmanned aerial surveillance, and how The second part of Alan Warnes’ review of
of the main armament on infantry nations can establish their own training Air Forces within Asia- Pacific.
fighting vehicles. regime.

40 46 50

CHINA’S NEXT
COMPETITIVE GENERATION UNMANNED MALAYSIA’S DEFENCE
ADVANTAGE ASSASSINS DOLDRUMS
The Royal Australian Navy regards well JR Ng reviews the progress that China has Dzirhan Mahadzir details the prospects of
trained personnel as key to winning the made with deep penetration unmanned defence acquisition in Malaysia after the
next fight as Dr Lee Willett reports. aerial vehicles. impending Defence White Paper.

| MARCH/APRIL 2019 | 03
 Index of Advertisers
ARMY MOSCOW
ARQUUS
DB CONTROL
43
13
19
Editorial
DSA 45
DSEI 53
D & S THAILAND COVER 3
EXCALIBUR 23
GENERAL ATOMICS COVER 2
HARRIS
HOUSE AD
5
49 CHINA FACES F-35
GROWTH IN ASIA
IMDEX 47
ISDEF 45
LIMA 51
MBDA 9
NEXTER 17

T
NOVATOR 27
PBS VELKA BITES 31 he Government of Singapore, never short of self-assurance and the will to be among the
ROHDE & SCHWARZ 29 leaders in defence technology, is preparing to become the fourth Asian nation to operate
ROSTVERTOL 15
the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35 if a proposal announced by the
SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 41
Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in early March is followed through. An initial
SRC 21
UAC COVER 4
four F-35As are sought potentially leading to an additional eight resulting in a fleet of 12 aircraft.
VIKING AIR 11 Although still to be approved by the US Congress, Ng said that the deal had already been sanctioned
by both the Trump administration and the Department of Defence.
Advertising Offices
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will join existing F-35 Asian operators in the region.
France/Spain
Stephane de Remusat, REM International
Australia is the only Level 3 partner to the F-35 programme in Asia. The Royal Australian Air
Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130 Force (RAAF) is looking at 72 F-35As to replace its F/A-18A/B Hornets with around 28 additional
E-Mail: [email protected] F-35As to replace the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets over a period of around 20
Germany
years, bringing the total fleet up to around 100 F-35As;
Sam Baird, Whitehill Media
Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646
E-Mail: [email protected]
On 18 December, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet approved an increase in the number
Turkey / Eastern Europe / UK
of F-35s for the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF), from the existing order for 42 F-35As up
Zena Coupé to 147 aircraft, mixing F-35As with F-35Bs which could be tasked to operate from Izumo-class
Tel: +44 1923 852537, [email protected]
helicopter carriers as well as small islands around the East China Sea. If this aspiration were to be
Nordic Countries/Italy/ Switzerland
Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg
completed, it would make Japan the second largest operator of JSFs in the world after the USA.
Tel: (46) 31 799 9028
E-Mail: [email protected]
Coming late to the F-35 party, the South Korean government only formalised its requirement for
Russia 40 F-35As in September 2014. They will be bought through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, process (following Japan’s commitment to this method of procurement). However, news reports
Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653
Email :[email protected]
have circulated that a further tranche of 20 F-35s could be added to the fleet, potentially even
USA (East/South East)/Canada (East)
F-35Bs that could be operated from the Korean Navy’s two Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships.
Margie Brown, Blessall Media, LLC.
Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581 Not including F-35s belonging to any of the forces of the United States (although the total predicted
Email: [email protected] size of the F-35 fleet across all services will be over 2,400 aircraft), this means that at a minimum
USA (West/South West)/Brazil/Canada (West) there are likely to be more than 300 F-35s operating in the Asia-Pacific region. And that is a lot of
Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc
Tel : (+1 858) 759 3557
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) power in addition to the war fighting packages
Email: [email protected] they would deliver.
All Other Countries
Jakhongir Djalmetov, Media Transasia Limited With all of these F-35 operators exercising, and to a large extent networking with US Forces, the
Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile: +66 81 6455654 Chinese government will be assessing this growing coalition of capability over time in light of its
Email: [email protected]
own robust strategic objectives, both in its own ‘back yard’ as well as further afield.
Roman Durksen, Media Transasia Limited
Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile +66 83 6037989 Andrew Drwiega, Editor
E-Mail: [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Drwiega

Tel: +44 1494 765245, E-mail: [email protected]
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Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1 Email: [email protected]

04 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

harris.com/ew #harriscorp
s e a
p o w e r

Thales
Thales has a long history of providing
EW systems to navies around the world.
Its products include the radar ESM outfitting

UNPICKING
the Royal Navy’s ‘Daring/Type-45’ class destroyers.

THE ELECTROMAGNETIC
TAPESTRY
The Latin phrase ‘scientia potentia est' (knowledge is power)
encompasses the naval need to classify and process electromagnetic
signatures in an area of operations.

by Thomas Withington

A
s 2018 was drawing to a maritime patrol aircraft. The incident 180 X-band (8.5 gigahertz/GHz to
close a diplomatic rumpus occurred in international waters in the 10.68GHz) / K-band (24.05GHz to
erupted that, as of the time east of the Sea of Japan, off the Noto 24.25GHz) fire control radar onboard the
of writing (February 2018), Peninsula on Japan’s Honshu island. ROKN warship. Japan’s government has
still simmers. The matter These are arguably the only two elements claimed that the ROKN’s actions violated
involves a Republic of Korea Navy of the incident not in contention. the Code for Unplanned Encounters
(ROKN) ‘Gwanggaeto the Great’ class Japan’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) at Sea (CUES), something which is
destroyer and a Japan Maritime Self claims that its aircraft was illuminated disputed by Seoul. The CUES comprises
Defence Force (JMSDF) Kawasaki P-1 on several occasions by a Thales STIR- 21 signatories and aims to reduce the

06 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

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Harris
chances of hostile incidents occurring
between the signatories, and to prevent
them escalating if they do, although the
agreement is not legally binding. Seoul
has disputed Tokyo’s claims by arguing
that the P-1 was repeatedly over-flying
the ship at a low altitude of 500 feet (150
metres) while the destroyer assisted the
rescue of a Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea fishing boat experiencing Harris is one of several
difficulties. Citing the CUES, Seoul companies providing
claimed that the P-1’s actions violated naval ESMs. The firm has
enjoyed strong export
this agreement. Seoul has also denied success with products
that the warship employed the STIR-180, such as the ES-3701S ESM
instead claiming that the ship’s Thales pictured here, particularly
MW-08 C-band (5.25GHz to 5.925GHz) in the Asia-Pacific.
naval surveillance radar was being used
to assist the rescue.

Radar Lock
The electromagnetic aspects of the
encounter stoked the fires on 22
December. The Japanese MOD claimed
its own analysis had confirmed that the
Radio Frequency (RF) transmissions were
from the STIR-180, presumably detected
by the P-1’s Mitsubishi HLR-109B ESM
(Electronic Support Measure). Little
public information exists regarding the
HLR-109B, although some confidential
EW practitioners informed the author that
the ESM is one of the most advanced such threatening or belligerent, have occurred radar is involved) improves situational
systems flying today. It almost certainly on several occasions in the Asia-Pacific in awareness immeasurably. On a warship
covers a waveband of 500 megahertz/ recent years. The danger of such incidents, the process of identifying whether the
MHz to 18GHz, and possibly up to 40GHz. as this latest occurrence underscores, is vessel has been detected by radar, the type
This would allow it to gather Electronic that intentions can be misinterpreted and of radar involved and determining its
Intelligence (ELINT) on a wide array tensions raised through such behaviour. location is comprehended using an ESM.
of ground-based air surveillance, fire Whatever the reality of the incident In the maritime domain the key mission
control/ground controlled interception, involving Japan and the ROK, it was of an ESM is to intercept and analyse
naval surveillance and airborne radars, important that cool heads have prevailed RF emissions from naval surveillance,
and Active Radar Homing (ARH) seekers and fire was not exchanged. Nevertheless navigation, fire control, air traffic control,
equipping missiles. The HLR-109B is in tense areas such as the East and South airborne and missile seeker radars.
reported to be a highly sensitive system China Seas, where the People’s Republic At the core of an ESM is a computer
capable of long detection ranges. It is of China (PRC) and several other nations which performs the signals processing
reasonable to assume that the HLR-109B maintain competing maritime and using a pre-loaded ‘library’ of signal
is capable of discriminating between territorial claims, the concern must be characteristics which have been collected
the MW-08 and the STIR-180: Both that a similar incident in the future may by the navy, or by a particular countries’
use different RF wavebands, and the trigger a skirmish which could quickly armed forces writ large, over a number of
waveforms used by their radars will be boil over into a regional conflict. For years. The computer will attempt to match
significantly different; not least because example, in early 2013 People’s Liberation the characteristics of the detected signal
the STIR-180’s function is to guide Army Navy (PLAN) officials admitted with those loaded in its library to identify
kinetic ordnance to its target, while the that the radar on one of its frigates locked the type of radar and the waveforms it
MW-08 performs general surface and air onto a JMSDF destroyer when the two maybe transmitting. The average ESM
surveillance. ships were around 70 nautical miles/ library can contain several thousand
For the time being both side are nm (130 kilometres/km) north of the records and can be continually updated
maintaining their respective positions. disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the with new records as and when new radar
That said the incident underlines the East China Sea. systems, or waveforms, are discovered.
importance of electromagnetic situational Similarly, unidentified transmission can
awareness in the naval domain. So-called Situational Awareness be stored in the library for later analysis.
‘radar lock’ incidents, where one party Knowing exactly what is happening in Put simply, ELINT processing comprises
has illuminated the platform of another the ether, (i.e. whether a vessel is being three steps: the collection of radar pulses
with a radar in an action perceived as illuminated by a radar and, if so, what from the electromagnetic environment,

| march/april 2019 | 07
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Rockwell Collins
Naval ESMs are also available for submarines such as Rockwell Collins’ CS-3030
product which can perform both ESM and electronic intelligence collection.

the sorting of these pulses into specific such factors can inform the crew of as it allows an AShM equipped with
‘pulse trains’ i.e. the association of one the action that they will need to take to such technology to ‘see’ its target clearly,
set of pulses with a particular radar type either avoid a radar threat, jam it using and thus discount other vessels in the
and finally using this process to identify electronic attack, or attack the platform target’s locale. This sharp definition also
the radar. Analogous to the ESM’s carrying the radar with kinetic means. At helps the radar to discriminate physical
identification techniques is its ability to the operational level the ELINT gathered countermeasures such as chaff and corner
determine a radar’s line of bearing from by the ESM can be shared to improve reflectors from the target, thus making
the ship, although this will not necessarily the overall situational awareness vis-à-vis the weapon potentially difficult to spoof.
provide range. This can usually only the electronic order-of-battle and possible Finally, MMW radars use comparatively
be determined with a minimum of two enemy intentions. Naval ESMs tend to small-sized antennae, thus deepening
separate ESMs which can all see the same cover a waveband of 0.5MHz to 18GHz their attraction to AShM designers
target and thus triangulate its position. allowing them to detect emissions from tasked with fitting radar seekers into
This is nonetheless challenging as radars the radars described above. Some will space-constrained platforms. AShMs are
transmit across a line-of-sight range and extend up to 40GHz. This will enable them arguably the major threat motivating
will need to be pointing at the ESMs for to detect higher-band radar emissions; naval ESM acquisitions in the Asia-Pacific,
this triangulation to be performed. In those typically associated with so-called more specifically, AShMs developed by
naval EW, the ESM will tend to provide Millimetre Wave (MMW) radar. MMW PRC which have proliferated throughout
details on the radar type and bearing, radars typically transmit at frequencies the region and beyond. The Stockholm
while it will be for a warship’s other upwards of 30GHz. International Peace Research Institute
sensors, such as its main surveillance has noted that, over the past decade, the
radar to determine the target’s location. Missile Mayhem PRC has exported almost 690 AShMs of
Nevertheless, the ESM forms a vital part Such radars are attractive to Anti-Ship various marques to countries around
of a ship’s self-defence, not to mention a Missile (AShM) designers as they use the region including Bangladesh, Burma,
task force’s overall situational awareness very shortwave wavelengths which can Indonesia, Pakistan and Thailand. These
at the operational level by determining show targets in a high level of detail. weapons have included China Aerospace
a radar’s type and bearing. Determining This is important in the naval domain Science and Industry Corporation C-802,

08 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

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technologically advanced maritime forces

US Navy
in the world, yet the insurgents were still
able to score a spectacular propaganda
victory against their adversary. Such
incidents underscore the importance of
ensuring that surface vessels are outfitted
with up-to-date ESMs to detect such
threats.
“They (the PRC) continually improve
their anti-ship missiles,” another senior
industry executive and former naval EW
officer, told the author during the AOC
event. Such modernisations may have
included the retrofit of low power ARHs
into these weapons. This will have the
asset of effectively ‘hiding’ the missile’s
radar transmissions within the prevailing
natural and man-made ‘noise’ in the
electromagnetic spectrum, meaning
that the sensitivity of naval ESMs have
to be especially sharp to detect such
discreet signals. Alongside such Low
Probability of Interception/Detection
(LPI/LPD) techniques these weapons’
ARHs may have received complex
transmission waveforms designed to
mask their transmissions, and electronic
counter-countermeasure enhancements
to enable the seeker to detect and
discount jamming attempts using either
physical soft-kill countermeasures such
as corner reflectors or chaff. Frequency
agility is another LPI/LPD technique
Anti-Ship Missile proliferation which can help to both mask the radar’s
continues to be a cause for transmissions and to outflank electronic
concern in the Asia-Pacific
and elsewhere: The attack
attack by jamming. The remedy to such
on the USS Stark in May challenges is the continued investment
1987 which killed 37 sailors in state-of-the-art ESM technologies,
underscoring the danger of particularly in detection and signal
which weapons. processing software to ensure that new
ARH radar transmission techniques can
be effectively detected and countered as
Chinese Aerospace Group C-704/705, such weapons pose: “China’s missiles are and when they appear.
HY-2 and CM-400AKG missiles. Details scaring…everyone in the region,” one
are scant regarding the exact specification senior EW industry executive confided. Conclusions
of the ARHs used by these weapons, The fear factor in this regard, another stated, To say that naval ESMs aid situational
although open sources strongly suspect is because the weapons’ ARH technology awareness in the maritime domain would
that they transmit in X-band (8.5GHz to is thought to have been continually be an understatement. They are quite
10.68GHz). upgraded and enhanced throughout their simply indispensable to understanding
Several of these are ‘legacy’ weapons. service lives, and further improvements what is happening in the electromagnetic
The C-802 design, for instance, has been are strongly expected. If anyone needed spectrum at the tactical level as well as
in service since earlier this century, while any illustration of the potency of the contributing to the operational level
the HY-2 can trace its lineage back to the PRC’s AShMs, one need look no further electronic order-of-battle. Knowing what is
Raduga P-15 Termit AShM family which that the attack against the Israeli Navy’s emitting, and why, enables timely decisions
first entered service with the Soviet Navy INS Hanit ‘Sa’ar-5’ class corvette on 14 to be made on when and how to deploy
in circa 1960. That should not lure naval July 2006. That day, the ship was struck soft- and hard-kill capabilities against
EW practitioners into a false sense of by a C-802 launched by the Hezbollah air or surface threats. The proliferation of
security. Speaking to the author during Shia Islamist organisation from the coast AShMs shows no signs of abating in the
the Association of Old Crows’ (AOC) of Lebanon from a reported range of Asia-Pacific, or elsewhere for that matter.
EW Asia conference held in Singapore 10nm (18.5km) which caused the deaths Naval ESMs can at the very least help
between 29-30 January, several sources of four crew. Worryingly then, as now, the navies to understand what is out there, and
spoke candidly regarding the threat that Israeli Navy represented one of the most how they may need to respond. AMr

10 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

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l a n d
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KMW
The Puma, the German Army’s
new infantry fighting vehicle, mounts
a Rheinmetall 30mm auto-cannon
with ammunition capable of addressing
both opposing combat vehicles and
soft area targets like anti-tank
guided missile teams.

IFV ARMAMENT
EVOLUTION
T
he first half-track carriers which
The concept of armoured vehicle use by appeared during World War II,
infantry has evolved as has the size and such as the German Sd.Kfz.251
Hanomag had limited ballistic
purpose of its armament. Not only has calibre protection and typically mounted
a medium machine gun. However, post
size grown but also the weapon’s purpose. war armoured combat vehicles have
been fielded with progressively larger
by Stephen W. Miller armament. In addition, the number of
infantry carried has often been reduced

12 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

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To face the growing geostrategic complexity and to better serve their customers,
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Sputnik
In 2015 a version of the BMP
with a 57mm auto-cannon
was displayed at the Russian
Arms Expo. The 57mm again
surfaced in 2018 this time
mounted in a remote operated
turret on a T-15 heavy IFV
chassis. The gun is thought to
be an improved version of the
AZP-57 anti-aircraft gun.

to accommodate these weapon systems.

Orbital ATK
These changes reflected a shift in focus
from the infantry section to the vehicle
itself and its firepower capability,
especially in those designated as infantry
fighting vehicles (IFV).
Modern infantry combat vehicles
reflect a range of armament from medium
to heavy machine guns, automatic
grenade launchers (AGL) and up to
medium calibre auto-cannon. Each reflects
a different expectation in their tactical
employment. Those with machine guns
and AGLs are generally infantry carrier
vehicles (ICVs) while those with auto-
cannon are more often classified as IFVs.
The General Dynamics US Army M1126
Stryker with its .50 Protector Remote
Weapon Station is an example of the Orbital ATK’s Programmable Airburst Munition (PABM) has a warhead that offers both multiple
detonation modes and is optimises for maximum effects on light vehicles, personnel and
former while the German Kraus-Maffei
fortifications and buildings. it also can address targets behind cover and in buildings. Here the
Wegmann/Rheinmetall Marder and coverage of the air burst setting is captured by high speed camera.
US M2 Bradley with 20mm and 25mm

14 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

L A N D
W A R F A R E

BAE Hagglunds
The BAE Hagglunds CV90
fielded by the Swedish Army
adopted the Bofors 40mm L70
auto-cannon which it continues
to use even as it has upgraded
its fleet. The 40mm caliber
size has a APFSDS and offers
sufficient payload for high
explosive and fragments which
is further improved by new
programmable fusing.

auto-cannon respectively are the later. KBA which used the use of armoured guided missiles can attack with precision
The primary role of the armament on piercing discarding Sabot particularly at long ranges. Individual shoulder
the infantry carrier has been to support the fin stabilised round (APFSDS). fired infantry weapons proliferate the
its dismounted infantry. This meant However, as threats expanded to include battlefield. In addition, airborne platforms
suppressive fires against enemy positions increasing lethal ground anti-tank guided from armed helicopters to unmanned, yet
and in particular opposing machine missiles, handheld anti-armour weapons, armed, aerial vehicles (UAS) are being
guns, and this was met with guns like armed helicopters and unmanned aerial encountered. Addressing these requires
the M-2 .50 cal. In the European Cold War systems, optimising for penetration an approach that optimises explosive
period, the emphasis of combat shifted brought drawbacks. In addition, urban force and target effect. Achieving this
to attrition, i.e. killing more of the enemy. battle environments are more prevalent favours a larger round to accommodate
Here it seemed more efficient to target than ever before. It was recognised that advanced fusing, improved target effect
and destroy the vehicles that carried effectively addressing this broader array and greater explosive power. Jarrod Krull,
the enemy, which was reflected in the of targets required new levels of gun and communications manager at Orbital
IFV’s role being defined as accompanying ammunition performance. ATK (now part of Northrop Grumman),
main battle tanks and complementing explained that “additional volume
them against opposing light armoured The Direction of IFV Armament offers more space in the projectile which
vehicles. While most western armies went to 20mm translates to permitting integration of
For many western armies from the and 25mm for their IFVs, the Swedish micro electronics. Ideally shell sizes
late 1970s, this led to adoption of the Army specified the 40mm cannon for of 30mm and above offer the most
20mm calibre followed by the 25mm its CV90 believing that it offered greater possibilities.”
auto-cannon. These emphasised the target engagement flexibility and superior Rheinmetall-Defence has responded to
need for high velocity, flat trajectory and lethality against a wider array of targets. these demands through the development
armour penetration. Examples include Today there is a move by other armies of its 30mm X 173 MK-30/ 2 ABM which
the Orbital ATK M242 25mm Bushmaster towards larger calibre cannon on IFV’s are fitted in the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
chain gun and Rheinmetall (Oerlikon) reflecting a similar recognition. Anti-tank (KMV) Puma being fielded by the German

16 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

 l a n d
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Army. In a statement the company shared, magazine will be loaded with armoured used for 24 40mm rounds, 70 rounds of
“we see more specialised munitions piercing rounds and the other with 35mm or 160 30mm can be carried. This
(which can be costly) but combined with high explosive. This means ideally new directly impacts on the number of targets
greater more accuracy, stabilisation and ammunition solutions should offer one that can be addressed. It is a trade-off that
fire computation to increase lethality and round to address all of these threats. must be considered.
reduce rounds (and cost) per kill.” A key Orbital ATK’s PABM ammunition IFV gun and ammunition developers
to the enhanced lethality and effectiveness achieves this by using an inductive fuse are offering various solutions to army
against multiple targets is Rheinmetall’s setter on the gun to provide multi-mode decision makers. Dan Lindell, platform
Air Burst Munition (ABM). It combines function of the projectile. It enables the manager at BAE Hagglunds, explained
exchanging specific engagement gunner to select the best setting to engage that “our CV90 is offered with CV90
parameters from the vehicle fire control each target with optimum result. It uses a variants which fit different larger calibre
system with a special programmable Semi-Armoured Piercing High Explosive main armament. Although the 40mm
fuse in the projectile. Each round is Incendiary (SAPHEI) warhead that can remains used by the Swedish Army other
automatically set to activate as required be set for point, point delay, or air burst armies have fielded turrets mounting
to achieve maximum effect. The projectile detonation. ATK’s Mk44 30mm/40 or Bushmaster III
itself ejects a number of sub-projectiles to 35mm/50 guns. These offer users various
further multiply the damage to the target. Ready and Stowed Ammunition solutions to meet their needs.”
This combination significantly enhances On the face it would appear that simply A Rheinmetall spokesman explained
the capability of the IFV to engage and mounting larger calibre cannon with that “both its Puma and Lynx IFVs and
neutralise many of the non-armoured bigger more powerful ammunition is the LANCE turrets use either the 30mm MK-
threats and to do so a much longer ranges. straightforward answer for IFVs. However, 30/2ABM, or 30mm, or more recently
A principle challenge for IFV the complication is that the larger the developed 35mm Wotan rounds. The
armament and ammunition developers is calibre and longer the round the less later being its electrically powered auto-
that the solution to defeating these various rounds can be provided in the magazine cannon. Each of these use of advanced
targets must accommodate gun systems ready to fire, as well as stowed onboard. APFSDS with high density penetrators
that in most designs have at most only This is illustrated by comparing the 40mm for armoured targets and the multi-
two ammunition feeds. Typically one verses the 35mm and 30mm. In the space use programmable rounds for all other

The 20mm
®
cannon
superior
firepower

CREATING REFERENCES IN DEFENSE

L A N D
W A R F A R E

The CTAS40 is specifically designed for

compactness desired in turret mounted
guns. It uses telescoped ammunition with a

CTAIntl
special feed system that provides a shorter
round length allowing more ammunition to
be carried. CTAS40 is found on the British
Ajax and Warrior, as well as, a number of the
newest French combat vehicles.

western auto-cannon. However, with

the introduction of the BMP-3 in the late
1990s the Russian army returned, at least
partly, to its original IFV concept. The
2A42 30mm was now matched with a
100mm 2A70 rifled gun/missile launcher.
This gun can fire either 3UOF HE-
Fragmentation or 3UBK10 (9M117) laser
engagements.” The goal is to obtain velocity cannon using the ammunition of beam guided anti-tank missiles from a 40
greater target effect with minimal negative the SPG-9 recoilless gun. These include round auto-loader.
impact on the weight and other aspects fin-stabilised High Explosive Anti-Tank This 30/100 mm gun combination has
of the IFV design balance. These gun and (HEAT) and HE-Fragmentation with not, however, been carried forward to
ammunition combinations, as effective as an effective battlefield range of 500-700 the newest Kurganets IFV with mounts
they are, however, have likely achieved as meters against point targets. As a result only the 2A42 30mm with Kornet missiles.
high a performance as is possible within it is more a close support weapon with On the other hand the Russian Defence
their existing design. armoured targets relegated to anti-tank Company at the 2015 Russian Arms Expo
guided missiles. The follow-on BMP 2 displayed a version of the BMP with a new
Russia’s IFV Armament replaced the 73mm with the 2A42 30mm Baikal AU-220M 57mm auto-cannon in a
The Soviet Union’s BMP-1 is viewed as auto-cannon which has also used on naval, remote operated turret. Some reports have
one of the first IFVs. Its main armament helicopter and air defence platforms since suggested the Russian Defence Ministry
reflected a different approach from the the 1980s. Its high explosive and APDS may be considering standardising the 57
western IFVs. Its 2A28 Grom 73mm is a low rounds reflected performance similar to for all IFVs.

Finnish Army

Russia’s BMP3 combines

the 30mm auto-cannon
with an auto-loaded
100 mm rifled gun that
can fire high explosive-
fragmentation and
anti-tank laser guided
projectiles. This fitting
seeks to counter both
opposing armoured
threats and infantry
anti-armour teams.

18 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

 l a n d
w a r f a r e

IFV Armament Development Generation combat Vehicle successor to are being developed with multi-target
CTA International, a venture by Nexter the M2 Bradley. Orbital ATK indicted capability, sophisticated vision systems
and BAE Systems, has developed a new that it has delivered a XM319 50mm and fire controls, higher protection levels,
auto-cannon utilising case telescoped gun to the Army Armament Research survivability enhancements and greater
ammunition. In it by using the projectile and Development Center for concept situational awareness. These fighting
is encased by the round housing. evaluation while General Dynamic systems reflect not simply a response
Thus, it’s CTA 40 cannon provides the Ordnance and Tactical Systems has to increasing threats but concurrently
propellant and warhead payload capacity provided ammunition. This 50mm is, significantly improve their inherent
of the 40mm size in a much shorter the however, in an early stage of development combat capability. It will be interesting
round length that then allows for a with neither it nor its ammunition ready to see if this results in their consideration
significantly shorter gun receiver, more for production. as a primary weapon system in its own
compact feeder and larger magazine right. Could this influence a move toward
and on-board ammunition carry. In an Bigger Guns New Tactics? actually employing IFV’s independently,
interview when the CTA40 was entering This movement toward larger cannon a shift from its traditional role? It is a
production Colin Stephenson the CTA justified by new threats finds IFV’s movement to watch for. aMr
Integration Lead shared that “CTA40 is a
complete system of a unique ammunition
configuration, Ammunition Handling
System and gun. Together they offer
not only enhanced at target performance
but also benefits in turret fitting and High-Performance
increased gun elevation and depression
due to the smaller interior space claim.”
The gun has APFSDS, General Purpose
Aircraft Need
point detonating, General Purpose Air
Burst, and A3B optimised for UAVs and
High-Performance
low speed aircraft.
Orbital-ATK has taken another MPMs
approach. Its Mk44 Chain Gun is also
available modified in an enhanced Super Meet the new dB-3756HE
40mm X 180mm version. Originally Microwave Power Module
developed under the US Army Advanced
Light Armament for Combat Vehicle • High efficiency MPM
(ALACV) program, Super 40 offers • 9 -10 GHz frequency range
even further improved lethality in
both armoured piercing and PABM • 1 kW pulsed output power
ammunition while being able to be fit into • 20% maximum duty cycle
the same space as the 30mm Mk44. They • Low power consumption
have also applied this development to
• Lightweight at 10 lbs
their 35mm. It can fire either the Oerlikon
ammunition or a 50mm Supershot round • Full 1,000 MHz of bandwidth
that uses a straight wall cartridge and • Designed for UAVs, airborne
semi-telescoped projectile that was applications and radar/SAR systems
originally a 1980’s development. The
objective of the Supershot is to achieve
40mm armour penetration performance
without the drawback of its larger round
size which significantly reduces the ready
and stowed ammunition possible. A
more recent application of the Supershot
50 reflects the concern over addressing
the growing other threats mentioned
previously. In this concept the “necked out”
straight wall cartridge is combined with
a new Extended Area Protection System
technology. EAPS is to a course corrected a HEICO company

projectile with command guidance and a Reliability by Design ®

programmable fragmentation warhead.
The promised improved target effect For specs call 510-656-2325 or visit
performance and growth potential of dBControl.com/EFFICIENT.
the 50mm calibre size has the US Army For more info about our High Efficiency
considering it as a possibility for its Next MPMs, email [email protected].
© 2018 dB Control Corp
a i r
p o w e r

Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman landed
its RQ-4 Global Hawk during the
Avalon airshow in March 2019.

THE ART OF UAS OPERATIONS

Unmanned aerial systems are increasingly capable of maritime as
well as overland ISR, but whatever the mission first rate simulation
training will yield the best operational results.

by Andrew Drwiega

H
ow did the Chinese degree field of regard (FOR) sensors base at Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK.
government manage to can cover over 2,000 nautical miles of The UAS had departed from GA-ASI’s
conduct such a rapid island sur-rounding ocean. This is achieved Flight Test and Training Centre in Grand
building campaign in the through its multifunction active sensor Forks, North Dakota, USA. The RAF
South China Sea before it active electronically steered array (MFAS is the launch customer for the MQ-9B
became too late to stop. Going against EASA) radar, electro-optical / infrared Protector, replacing the MQ-9A Predator,
international laws and ignoring the claims (EO/IR) sensor, automatic identification with the first delivery aircraft expected in
of other nations to the same real estate, the system (AIS) receiver and other electronic the early 2020s.
Chinese government rapidly developed support measures (ESM). “The new aircraft will offer greater
port facilities, runways and defence Other regional customers for Northrop range and endurance, and will be certified
capability. These bases significantly Grumman’s Global Hawk include Japan, to fly in UK airspace,” said Group Captain
bolstered China’s ability to enforce its which is acquiring three RQ-4 Block 30i Lyndon Jones, programme director for
‘nine-dash line’ territorial claim which (international) variants which will all be the RAF’s Air Intelligence, Surveillance,
encompasses most of the South China delivered by 2022. The Republic of Korea Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance
Sea. Was this a failure of diplomacy - or Air Force (ROKAF) will take delivery of programmes. He added that ‘detect and
the lack of an adequate means to conduct the first two of its four Block 30i UAS in avoid’ was a critical system for flying in
meaningful intelligence, surveillance and the first half of 2019, following delays in civilian airspace. The Reaper previously
reconnaissance gathering? delivery over cyber security concerns by only few in military airspace and during
The initial ‘land reclamation pro- the United States. operational deployments.
gramme’ carried out by the Chinese in the According to Steven Hendon, GA-ASI’s
Spratly Islands took place between 2013 Guarding Seas and Skies spokesperson, “MQ-9B is a ground-up
and 2016. Some of the reefs had been little With an increased focus by Asian countries redesign of earlier variants. This was
more than barren rocks were built up into on the need to conduct long-range, high done in order to earn certification to fly
man-made islands. The runways at 2,700- endurance maritime patrolling, General in non-segregated airspace.” He added,
3,300 feet could handle military jets. Atomics (GA-ASI) considers the right “GA-ASI expects MQ-9B to achieve
In the Pacific, long range and time to promote the maritime version of certification in the early 2020s, when
endurance counts. Australia’s acquisition its Medium Altitude Long Endurance the aircraft initially will meet NATO
of seven Northrop Grumman MQ-4C (MALE) MQ-9B SkyGuardian. STANAG-4671 airworthiness standards,
Tritons is giving the Royal Australian Air A spectacular demonstration of its and subsequently will meet commercial
Force (RAAF) a high altitude, long range long ranging capability was witnessed air-worthiness certification standards in
maritime patrol capability. Ranging out on 11 July, 2018 when an MQ-9B transited cooperation with the .S Federal Aviation
for up to 24 hours at a time at a ceiling across the Atlantic Ocean in a single flight Administration (FAA).
well over 50,000 feet (15,000m), its 360 to land at the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) air Hendon went on to explain that the

20 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

 COUNTER-UAS TECHNOLOGY
CHOSEN BY THE U.S. MILITARY

srcinc.com/silentarcher
A I R
P O W E R

For a relative newcomer to wide area

GA-ASI
persistent surveillance, the UAE has
committed to an un-specified number
of MALE GA-ASI XP/RQ-1E Predator
systems with deliveries occurring to the
end of 2017. Although believed to be
unarmed, the UAE Air Force (UAEAF)
set out to ensure that its pilots and sensor
operators were proficient and that a flow
of qualified personnel was ensured.
To that end, in 2017, CAE announced
that it had been awarded a $42 million
(C$56 million) con-tract by the General
Headquarters (GHQ) of the UAE to
deliver a training package for remotely
pi-loted aircraft (PRA) for the UAEAF
and Air Defence.
General Atomics UAEAF crewmen had been training
Predator XP flying over in the United States at AI-GSA’s Castle
southern California. Dome training site located at the US
Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona,
which is where CAE’s initial training team
aircraft’s Detect and Avoid (DAA) system GA-ASI is developing an Anti- also learned how to operate the RQ-1E.
comprises a radar, Traffic Collision Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability However, the logical next-step was to
Avoidance System (TCAS), Automatic for the MQ-9B. In 2017, the company bring that training inside the UAE to the
Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), conducted a demonstrated of remote UAEAF’s own RQ-1E operating base.
which, when combined, can alert and detection and tracking of submerged Initially agreeing a five year contract,
provide manoeuvring guidance to the contacts using an MQ-9A. Hendon CAE’s task was to provide all aspects of
pilot in the Ground Control Station (GCS). confirmed that the RPA “used sonobuoys RPA training from academic instruction,
In terms of new features, the wings of to gather acoustic data and track through to flight simulator training and
the MQ-9B have been extended by four underwater targets. The data was ultimately live flight training. This was
metres (to 24m) giving increased fuel transmitted to the MQ-9A, processed to be delivered by Abu Dhabi based CAE
capacity and greater overall lift. This has onboard, and then relayed to the aircraft’s Maritime Middle East.
allowed the addition of two extra hard GCS.” hendon added that the company is At the UAE’s biennial defence
points for a total of nine, giving a maximum working on ways for the SeaGuardian’s show, IDEX, staged in Abu Dhabi (17-
external payload of 4,750 pounds (2,155 deliver sonobuoys and “transmit the 21 February), CAE confirmed that the
kilograms). With the additional fuel the acoustic data via BLOS SATCOM.” This simulator was in operation with the
range is now 6,000 nautical miles (nm) would provide direct support to manned UAEAF and that two student groups at
with an endurance of 40 hours. maritime patrol aircraft. the Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College had
The MQ-9B operates Beyond Line already undertaken the new RPA Pilot
of Sight (BLOS) ranges at altitudes over Getting Simulation Training Right Fundamentals training course with a
40,000 feet (12,192m). its sensor systems Operate a UAS such as the MQ-9 demands third group already engaged.
include EO/IR Full Motion Video high skill levels and concentration from its “Remotely piloted aircraft have been
(FMV), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operators. The Armed Forces of the United proven as an indispensable asset in
imagery, and Ground Moving Target Arab Emirates (UAE) have come a long modern combat operations, and like
Indicator (GMTI) data. Hendon adds: way in a short time. Their participation all platforms they require skilled and
“The platform can also be equipped with in Saudi Arabia’s coalition
a multi-mode maritime search radar, an operations against Houthi
CAE

Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) opponents in the Yemeni

capability, and an Automatic Identification Civil War that has been
System (AIS) detection capability that raging since 2015 has
provides a true Maritime Wide Area Search provided them with a steep
(MWAS) and allows for the identification learning curve, not least
and interdiction of maritime targets.” in the necessity to collate
In addition to the UK and the United intelligence, surveillance
States, countries such as Italy and France and reconnaissance sources
have GA-ASI MQ-9A systems in their together to provide a real-
inventory, and the United Arab Emirates time picture of the military CAE Maritime Middle East's
operates the Predator RPA. Spain and the situation, which is always UAS RQ-1E training package
Netherlands have MQ-9 systems on order. difficult to achieve in an includes classroom facilities
Discussions are ongoing with several asymmetric war such as at Khalifa Bin Zayad Air College.
other countries. that in Yemen.

22 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

 A I R
P O W E R

proficient aircrews who are prepared for delivery of the high-fidelity RQ-1E type- used to control both Predator types are
a range of missions,” said Ian Bell, CAE's specific mission trainer “because that different: “RQ-1E uses the upgraded
vice president and general manager, simulator will enable more of the training Block 30 GCS so the simulator we are
Middle East/Asia-Pacific. tasks to be accomplished in synthetic developing reflects that while the Italian
A CAE spokesman stated that it has training, thus enhancing training delivery Air Force has a Block 15 GCS,” stated a
already delivered “desktop trainers used and operational readiness.” This will CAE spokesman.
in the classroom for basic training, and save flying hours across the RQ-1E fleet The mission trainer will use CAE’s
a generic UAS mission trainer used for which instead can be allocated for actual Medallion-6000 image generator with
familiarisation and procedural training.” missions. It will also allow a greater range Common Database (CDB) architecture,
The next stage, a high-fidelity RQ-1E of mission scenarios to be created and which was recently adopted by the
type-specific mission trainer is currently flown, perhaps simulating operational Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
in development at CAE. deployments beyond the ‘home base’ as an international standard for the
The UASAF has largely based the requirements of the Gulf region. creation of synthetic environment
timeline of its RQ-1E training programme The UAEAF is already feeding back its databases. According to CAE, “this
around the US Air Force programme. This own lessons learned through operational common software and standardisation,
means that it takes up to five months to train experiences into the training programme which are also being deployed on naval
a basic aircrew member from start to initial to modify CAE’s original courseware for and helicopter training systems that
mission combat readiness for a Predator- their own specific operational needs. CAE is currently developing for the
type MALE UAS such as the Predator. The UAEAF’s RQ-1E specific Predator UAE, will further enhance networked,
Additional qualifications such as Mission Trainer is being developed using interoperable mission training across the
Launch and Recovery, or instructor the foundation of the Italian Air Force UAE Armed Forces.”
upgrade may take another two to three programme. CAE developed a Level D Military forces that set in place an
months top of the initial mission training simulator – the highest qualification for ambitious and technologically advanced
period. A CAE spokesperson said that flight simulators - for the Italian Air Force training programme that will allow them
“training is divided roughly equally Predator mission simulator, although to maximise the benefit of owning ISR
between academic/simulator training, the UAEAF’s RQ-1E is a substantially capable UAS, whether for border security
and live flying training.” However, this is different system to the Italian MQ-9A/B. or wider military missions, will see their
expected to change significantly with the The ground control systems (GCS) investment returned with interest. AMR

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Rostvertol
A Venezuelan Air force Mi-35M;
it was the first international operator of the new Mi-35M.

MODERNISED MI-35M
REAFFIRMS REPUTATION
The newly modernised Mi-35M is winning a steady stream of military customers who appreciate
its dual role of troop carrier and attack attack helicopter.

I
n January 2019, Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić

Rostvertol
announced that Serbia would be the latest customer for
the Mi-35M, buying seven alongside three new Mil Mi-17
‘Hip’ (Mi-8M in Russia) transport helicopters. This followed
a visit by Russian president Vladimir Putin who gave
assurances regarding ‘technical cooperation’ between the two
countries.
The Nigerian Air Force also expects to receive another Mi-35M
around March/April as it continues to build on an order for 12 Mi-
35Ms that was originally made public in September 2015. Other
international customers include the Venezuelan Army, which was
the launch customer for the Mi-35M (and a long term customer
for Russian military equipment). It has currently received at least A gaggle of Brazilain Mi-25Ms.

three of the 10 Mi-35s to be upgraded. The Brazilian Air Force,

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Mali forces also operate the Mi-35M. versions of the helicopter with increased combat capability will
If a choice of one rotorcraft had to be made to symbolise be high in many countries.”
Russia’s potency for offensive action in vertical lift aviation, Upgrades to the Mi-35M assault helicopter now mean that
very few professional military observers would stray away it can be armed with the Igla-S air-to-air guided missile and the
from selecting the Mil Mi-24/35 ‘Hind’ assault helicopter, which President-S onboard defence system, which incorporates a laser
Rostvertol based at Rostov-on-don has been responsible for station to defend the helicopter against infra-red (IR) missiles
producing since 2005. launched from man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS).
Dating back to the early 1970s, from the Cold War through to Additional technology that can now be fitted to the Mi-
operations in Afghanistan and beyond, the Mi-35 (export version) 35M includes the VOR/ILS systems and a radio rangefinder for
has been bought by militaries of every hue and capability around measuring the distance between a helicopter and ground-based
the world and as a result has been engaged in combat somewhere beacons.
for most of its life to date. Labelled by Russian Air Force aircrew The Mi-35P (the export version of the Mi-24P) reflects
as the ‘flying tank’ it has a reputation for ruggedness in common a common standard for the type and incorporates an OPS-
with many legacy Russian helicopters including the Mi-8/17 and 24N-1L with a third generation long-wave matrix thermal
the giant Mi-26, which has also recently been modernised to the imager, TV camera, and laser rangefinder. The cockpit now
Mi-26T2V standard. features the improved KNEI-24E-1 flight navigation system with
With the modernised Mi-35M and Mi-35P being displayed multifunctional displays, while the PKV-8-35 digital flight system
at the Russian Army 2018 exposition (21-26 August) in Moscow increases the helicopter’s manoeuvrability and stability. The
last summer, further international interest is sure to follow from single 12.7mm nose machine gun has been replaced with a chin-
existing Hind operators and potentially new customers. mounted NPPU-23 turret with a twin-barrel GSh-23L automatic
At the time Anatoly Serdyukov, industrial director, Aviation cannon. The gunner also fires with the use of an updated PrVK-
Cluster of Rostec State Corporation (of which Russian Helicopters 24-2 targeting system, which also incorporates the use of 9M127-
is a subsidiary), stated: “We expect that the demand for new 1 Ataka-VM anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

24 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

 r e g i o n a l
AIR FORCES DIRECTORY

Pakistan Air Force J-17 Thunder.

ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW’S AIR

FORCES DIRECTORY: PART II
This section continues our review of Asian Air Forces from
Asian Military Review, Volume 27 / Issue 1, published in February 2019.

by Alan Warnes

MALAYSIA 5 lockheed Martin Kc-130H tanker.

■ Royal Malaysian aiR FoRce 3 Hawker Beechcraft King air 200 maritime
18 sukhoi su-30MKM MRca. Only four patrol aircraft.
reported active by mid-2018, with the 3 Beechcraft 350i King air light transport.
others awaiting overhaul/repair. 9 lockheed Martin c-130H turboprop
12 retired MiG-29n MRca. RMAF continues to look freighter. One made a belly landing on
at Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale-B/ November 18, 2017, extent of damage
C/M, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, was unclear.
Saab JAS-39C/D/E Gripen and Sukhoi 6/1 airbus cn-235 turboprop transport/ViP
Su-35 MRCA as replacements but unlikely aircraft.
to be a contract award for several years. 7 alenia aermacchi MB-339cM trainer/
8 Boeing F/a-18D MRca. light attack aircraft. One lost on May 17, 2016.
12 Bae systems Hawk 208 lead-in jet trainer. 33 Pilatus Pc-7 turboprop trainer.
4 airbus a400M strategic turboprop All now in store.
transport aircraft. 21 Pilatus Pc-7/Pc-7 Mk ii turboprop trainer.

| MARCH/APRIL 2019 | 25
r e g i o n a l
AIR FORCES DIRECTORY

Royal Malaysian Air Force Airbus A400M.

12 Airbus Helicopters EC-725 medium-lift royAL MALAySIAN NAVy

utility helicopter. 6 AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 maritime
10 Sikorsky S-61 Nuri medium-lift support helicopter.
utility helicopter. 6 Airbus Helicopters AS555SN
2 AS61N Sea King medium lift Fennec maritime support helicopter.
VIP helicopter.
10 MD3-160 AeroTiga training aircraft. MALAySIAN MArITIME ENForCEMENT AGENCy
Believed withdrawn. 2 Bombardier 415MP fire-fighting and
8 Airbus Helicopters SA-316 Alouette III maritime surveillance amphibious aircraft.
light utility helicopter. 3 Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin II
5? Airbus Helicopters EC120 Colibri. helicopter.
Five or six acquired second-hand from 3 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter.
December 2015 to replace Alouette IIIs in
the training role. MALAySIAN FIrE AND rESCUE
1 Bombardier Global Express VIP aircraft. UNIT (AVIATIoN DEPArTMENT)
1 Falcon 900 VIP aircraft. 1 AgustaWestland AW109E Power helicopter.
4 Extra EA-300L aerobatic display aircraft. 2 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter.
2 AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter.
■ Note: The search for a maritime patrol aircraft continues and 2 Mi-17-1V medium-lift helicopter.
despite the lessons learnt from the loss of MH370 in 2014 the 2 Mi-171 medium-lift helicopter.
Malaysian Government is still to make a decision. Both the
Royal Australian Air Force and Japanese Maritime Self Defence MALDIVES
Force have offered P-3C Orions. ■ MALDIVES NATIoNAL DEFENCE ForCE
2 HAL Dhruv helicopter.
MALAySIAN ArMy AVIATIoN Donated by Indian Government.
2 of 12 S-61A Nuri medium lift helicopter.
12 Nuris being transferred from the Royal NEPAL
Malaysian Air Force, with the first two ■ NEPAL ArMy AIr SErVICE
examples officially accepted into service 1 on order Airbus CN235 medium transport aircraft.
on March 20, 2015. All 12 being subjected Contract awarded in June 2017.
to an upgrade before delivery, to resolve 1 PZL Mielec M-28-05 Skytruck utility aircraft.
obsolescence issues, including replacement See note PZL Mielec C-145A Combat Coyote.
of old analogue instruments with a new Six requested as Excess Defense Articles
glass cockpit. Although they had been from the US. Authorisation granted on
in TUDM service since 1967, they have August 5, 2016, for the USAF to supply
only accumulated an average of 14,000 two, valued at $20 million, but status unclear.
flight hours each and the Army says that 1 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter.
they will be good for another 15 years of Delivered by in October 2018, made first
service. They are also being fitted with flight in Nepal after reassembly
door-mounted 12.7mm guns. on December 4, 2018.
10 AgustaWestland AW-109 LUH light 2 Aérospatiale AS350B2/B3
utility helicopter. Ecureuil helicopter.
4 Sikorsky S-70 medium-lift helicopter. 1 + 1 on order Airbus Helicopters H125 Ecureuil
Ex Royal Brunei Air Force. helicopter. First entered service August 2018.

26 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

 r e g i o n a l
AIR FORCES DIRECTORY

1 Bell 407GXP helicopter. Delivered on

Korean Air Force F-35 roll-out ceremony.
December 5, 2018, for VVIP transport
operations.
3 Mi-17-V5 medium-lift helicopter.
3 HAL Dhruv helicopter.
1 Britten-Norman BN-2T Turbine Islander
aircraft.

NEW ZEALAND
■ RoyAL New ZeALAND AIR FoRce
6 Lockheed Martin P-3K2 maritime patrol
aircraft. The RNZAF is planning to buy
P-8As as replacements.
2 Boeing 757-200 transport.
4 planned Boeing P-8A Poseidon.
US State Department approved this 46 Mil Mi-2 light utility helicopter.
possible sale on April 28, 2017. 40 Mil Mi-8 light utility helicopter.
The New Zealand Government announced 100? Shenyang FT-5 trainer aircraft.
on July 9, 2018, that it had agreed to buy four. 30? Nanchang cJ-6 training aircraft.
6 Agustawestland Aw-109 light Possibly larger number.
utility helicopter. 2 Tu-134B airliner.
4 Beechcraft B300 King Air 350. Delivered 3 Tu-154B airliner.
between March and November 2018 on ? Antonov An-2 and SAMc y-5.
initial seven-year leases to replace B200s. Large number still in use.
5 Lockheed Martin c-130H ? cessna 172 Skyhawk. A number of
turboprop freighter. locally-built, reverse-engineered aircraft
9 NH Industries NH-90 medium-lift began appearing in service from 2015.
utility helicopter.
8 Bell Helicopter UH-1H medium-lift PAKISTAN
utility helicopter. ■ PAKISTAN AIR FoRce
11 Hawker Beechcraft T-6c Texan II training 100 of 112 on contract chengdu JF-17 Thunder MRcA.
aircraft. One damaged in belly landing The configuration of a third batch of 50
on October 9, 2018. Block III aircraft should be defined by
mid 2019. The first 50 Block 1s being
RoyAL New ZeALAND NAVy upgraded to the same configuration of the
10 KamanSH-2Gmaritimesupporthelicopter. 50 Block 2s. An additional 12 Block 2s
The decision to buy ten ex-Australian ordered in early 2017. The first of a pair
SH-2G Super Seasprites was announced of two-seat JF-17Bs handed over to the
on 19 April 2013. Eight of the new aircraft PAF on April 17, 2018 for trials.
replace the five existing SH-2G(NZ)s, the 76 General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin
last two of which were retired on April 21, F-16A/B MRcA, comprising 58 F-16A/B
2016. Two used for spares. and 18 F-16c/D Block 52M.
50 Dassault Mirage-IIIeP/oF/RP MRcA.
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA Most now retired.
■ KoReAN PeoPLe’S ARMy AIR FoRce 50 Dassault Mirage-5eF/PA MRcA.
20+ MiG-29 MRcA. The fleet will be replaced with
56 MiG-23 MRcA. the Chengdu JF-17.
50? MiG-21 MRcA. 12 Dassault Mirage-IIIBe/D/DP MRcA.
? MiG-15bis/UTI. Small number believed 2 Dassault Mirage-5DPA MRcA.
still in service. 6 chengdu FT-7 combat/trainer aircraft.
106 Shenyang F-5 MRcA. 36 chengdu F-7P.
97 Shenyang F-6 MRcA. 37 chengdu F-7PG MRcA.
120 chengdu F-7 interceptor aircraft. 39 Hongdu K-8 Karakorum light attack/
80 Harbin H-5 medium bomber. lead-in jet trainer.
Probably fewer in service 2 Dassault Falcon 20/200 reconnaissance
36/4 Sukhoi Su-25K/UB MRcA. aircraft.
1 Antonov An-24 turboprop freighter. 3/2 + three on order Saab 2000 Aew&c aircraft, plus two
20 Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter. utility transport variants. Three more
4 Mil Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter. AEW&C version on order.
. 8 Mil Mi-14 maritime support helicopter. 4 Shaanxi y-8/ZDK-03 transport/airborne
84 MD Helicopters MD500 light early warning and control.
. utility helicopter. 4 Ilyushin Il-78 tanker.

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 Turning military
communications 
into a sovereign 
3/1 Airbus CN-235 turboprop freighter/VIP.
1 Airbus A310-304. VIP transport.
1 Bombardier CL-604 Challenger.

territory
4 Embraer Phenom 100 comms and
liaison aircraft.
1/1 Gulfstream G450/GIVSP business jet.
16 Lockheed Martin C-130B/E and
L-100 turboprop freighter.
Rohde & Schwarz capabilities 
2 Harbin Y-12 Turbo Panda transport.
6 Mil Mi-8/171 medium-lift utility helicopter.
for system design, development, 
10 Airbus Helicopters SA-316B Alouette III production and inte gration of secure 
light utility helicopter. communication architectures and 
10 +4 on order Leonardo AW139. Deliveries commenced networks are summarized under 
in mid-2017. Four on order. the SOVERON® concept. SOVERON® 
40 Cessna T-37B/C trainer aircraft. Acquired takes national interests into account 
a batch of 34 from Turkish Air Force and contributes to digital sovereignty 
in 2015.
and technological independence.
60 MFI-17 Super Mushshak primary trainer/
comms aircraft. Four upgraded with
glass cockpit. www.rohde-schwarz.com/soveron
6 Stemme S-6 motorglider. Operated by
PAF College.
24+ Leonardo Falco UAV. Initial 24 delivered
from Italy, followed by local production
by PAC.

PAkISTAN ArMY
48 Bell Helicopter AH-1F attack helicopter.
12 Bell AH-1Z. All completed in 2017-2018
but embargoed in the USA.
30 ordered TAI T129B ATAk attack helicopter.
Turkish officials announced on July 13,
2018, that Pakistan had signed a contract
and deliveries will take place in batches
over the next five years.
19 Bell Helicopter 206 medium-lift
utility helicopter.
45 Bell Helicopter 412 medium-lift
utility helicopter.
45 Mil Mi-8 and Mil-171 medium-lift A secure communications 
utility helicopter. architecture is best implemented
4 Mil Mi-35M attack helicopter. Delivered
in April 2018. An order for five more by a partner who combines the key 
announced in November 2018. components radio, cryptology and 
8 Bell Helicopter UH-1H medium-lift
utility helicopter.
routing into a coherent whole. 
14 Airbus Helicopters SA-315 light
utility helicopter.
10 Airbus Helicopters SA-316 light
utility helicopter.
31 Airbus Helicopters SA-330 medium-lift
utility helicopter.
22 Airbus Helicopters AS-550 U3
medium-lift utility helicopter.
8 AgustaWestland AW139. Six configured
for humanitarian relief, plus two
VVIP versions.
30 Schweizer 269/TH-300 training helicopter.
4 Enstrom F-280FX Shark training helicopter.
Delivered February 2018.
1/1 Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo/560
Citation V turbofan transport.
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Pakistan Air Force

Lockheed Martin F-16

1 Gulfstream G450 executive jet. The first was inducted into service on
11 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 turboprop December 12, 2018, after conversion in
transport. Most believed configured Germany, where work on the second one
for ISR. is still under way.
4 Harbin Y-12 turboprop transport. 1 Hawker 850XP vIP transport.
100 MFI-17 Mushshak training aircraft. 9 ACES UQAB-II UAv.
4 Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair. In service
from March 2017. PHILLIPINES
■ PHILIPPInE AIR FoRCE
PAKISTAn nAvY 12 FA-50PH Korean Aerospace Industries
6 Lockheed Martin P-3C maritime patrol (KAI) lead in fighter trainer/light attack
aircraft. Two new aircraft delivered in aircraft. Of 12 ordered, two delivered by
February 2012, following the attack by end of 2015, two on December 1, 2016 and
armed militants on the Mehran Naval the remaining eight in 2017.
Airbase, southern Pakistan in May 2011. 6 on order A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.
Two upgraded P-3Cs destroyed and two An order was announced on November
additional aircraft were delivered in 30, 2017 to be delivered from 2019 and
February 2012. operated by the 15th Strike Wing.
6 Fokker F27 Friendship/Troopship. 8 north American Aviation ov-10 light
Two Srs 200 VIP/passenger versions, two attack turboprop. The USAF issued a request
Srs 200MPA maritime patrol aircraft and for proposals in August 2018 for
one Srs 400M Troopship. dismantling and shipping two OV-10As
7 Airbus Helicopters SA-316B/SA319 and two OV-10G+ to the Philippines, which
Alouette III maritime support helicopter. will return them to operational service.
6 Westland Sea King 45 maritime support Delivery is planned in 2019.
helicopter. All upgraded with Selex 2 Lockheed Martin C-130H/B turboprop
Seapray 7300 radar. freighter. Two more, variant unconfirmed,
2 Westland Sea King HAR3A/HC4+. One are expected from the US in 2019.
ex-RAF HAR3A and one ex-Royal Navy 2 Lockheed Martin C-130T turboprop freighter.
HC4+ formally inducted on December 12, Ex- USMC first delivered April 5, 2016
2018, although delivered from the UK in and second, October 9, 2016.
December 2017 with another ex-RN HC4+, 3 + 1 on order Airbus C295M turboprop transport.
which was lost in a fatal crash on August Delivered in 2015. A contract for one more
31, 2018. Two others delivered from the configured for both VVIP and command
UK at the same time for spares use only. and control operations, was awarded to
6 Harbin Z-9EC medium-lift utility helicopter. Airbus on October 16, 2018.
1 ATR 72 utility aircraft. 1 Fokker F-27 turboprop transport.
1+1 on order ATR 72-212A maritime patrol aircraft. 1 Fokker F-28 Fellowship vIP transport.

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1 GAF Nomad 22 turboprop transport. and close support tasks, for which
2 PTDI NC212i transport aircraft. Ordered they are fitted with a pair of 0.50in calibre
in 2014 and delivered in June 2018. machine guns and rocket launchers. The
2 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX light value of the acquisition package, which
transport aircraft converted into ISR also includes initial training for aircrew
aircraft. In service from July 2017. and technicians, was declared at
5 Cessna R172K Hawk XP II utility aircraft. $56.4 million.
19 Cessna T-41B/D training aircraft. Total of 4 ordered Airbus Helicopters AS550 utility helicopter.
15 ex-ROKAF T-41B aircraft were delivered 5 PZL W-3 Sokol light utility helicopter.
in 2008/09. 10 MD Helicopters MD-520MG light utility
1 Rockwell Commander 690A executive helicopter. Around seven are stored.
transport in ISR configuration. 5 Sikorsky S-76A/AUH-76A medium-lift
3 SIAI-Marchetti S.211 trainer aircraft. utility helicopter.
2 due AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter. Philippine 38 Bell Helicopter UH-1H medium-lift utility
President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that helicopter. In addition, 33 are beyond
Jordan was donating two helicopters to economical repair, 25 recoverable but need
the Philippines expected to arrive in 2019. a budget for repair, 21 are operational.
6 planned TAI T129 ATAK attack helicopter. Bidding for 21 refurbished ex German
Outgoing PAF Chief Lt Gen Galileo Gerard Air Force/Army UH-1H helicopters failed
Kintanar Jr revealed on December 22, for the third time in September 2013 as
2018, that a contract for six of these it fell short of requirements. Nine were
helicopters should be signed in 2019. eventually delivered before the contract
8 AgustaWestland AW-109AH Power light was terminated. One lost on June 4, 2017.
utility helicopter. Contract signed in Four converted to Huey II standard.
November 2013 and first two officially 4 UH-1H-II Huey II.
inducted into service on August 17, 2015. 3 Bell Helicopter 205 medium-lift utility
They are being used to support of helicopter.
homeland security, in armed reconnaissance 11 Bell 412EP medium-lift utility helicopter.
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The eight ordered through a 4.8 billion PHIlIPPInE CoAST GUARd

pesos ($106 million) contract with Canadian 2 due Shorts C-23B Sherpa. In December 2014 it
Commercial Corporation on March 28, was announced that two surplus US Army
2014. The first two arrived in the examples would be delivered free of
Philippines in June 2015. Three of the charge as Excess Defense Articles. Originally
B412EPs, which are in a VIP configuration expected in 2015, Coast Guard Spokesman
and colour scheme, are being assigned Commander Armand Balilo said in
to the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing September 2016 that they would be
for VIP transport. The other five, in delivered in December of that year. As of
standard overall dark green camouflage, January 2019, they had still not arrived.
will supplement the Huey helicopters of 2 Bn-2A-21 Islander maritime patrol aircraft.
of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, 1 ordered Airbus Helicopters H145 helicopter. Airbus
undertaking medium-lift missions, Helicopters announced an order for one
plus humanitarian and disaster relief of these helicopters on September 26, 2018.
operations. No delivery date was given.
2 Bell 412HP helicopter. 2 MBB Bo-105C helicopter.
1 Sikorsky S-70A-5 Black Hawk
medium-lift helicopter. SINGAPORE
16 planned Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk. A proposed ■ REPUBlIC oF SInGAPoRE AIR FoRCE
order for 16 Black Hawks, expected to be 40 Boeing F-15SG MRCA. Declared combat-
S-70i variants, was announced by Philippine ready by Singapore Defence Minister in
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on September 2013.
December 4, 2018. 60 lockheed Martin F-16C/d MRCA. Aircraft
17 Alenia Aermacchi SF260FH trainer aircraft. due for upgrade. Lockheed Martin was
One lost. awarded a $914 million Foreign Military
6 Alenia Aermacchi SF-260TP light attack/ Sales contract by the US Air Force on
trainer aircraft. Stored. December 1, 2015, to upgrade the RSAF
6 Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack UAV. F-16s to what are referred to as the F-16V.
Delivered in March 2018. The work is expected to be completed by
13 on order Elbit Hermes UAV. Outgoing PAF Chief June 30, 2023.
Lt Gen Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr revealed 6/10 Boeing CH-47d/Sd heavy-lift helicopter.
on December 22, 2018, that these UAVs 6? Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift
would be delivered in 2019. The precise helicopter. Order announced on November
variant was not announced. 7, 2016, but no numbers disclosed.
They will replace CH-47SD.
PHIlIPPInE nAVy AVIATIon 18 Airbus Helicopters AS332M1 Super Puma
5 Britten norman Bn-2 maritime patrol medium lift/SAR helicopter.
aircraft. Will be replaced by King Airs. 14 Airbus AS532Ul medium-lift
5 Beech TC-90 King Air. In service from utility helicopter.
March 2017, final three delivered on ? Airbus H225M Caracal medium-lift utility
March 26, 2018. Donated by Japan. helicopter. Order announced on November
4 Cessna 172F/n/177B/A152. 7, 2016, but no numbers disclosed.
One of each type in service. They will replace AS332/AS532.
1 MBB Bo-105 light utility helicopter. 19 Boeing AH-64d attack helicopter.
5 AgustaWestland AW-109E 5 Airbus Helicopters H120 Colibri light
Power maritime support helicopter. utility helicopter. All are owned by ST
2 Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter. Aero, but are used for training by RSAF
2 on order AW159 Wildcat. After the Philippine under a performance based logistics
Navy selected the AW159 Lynx Wildcat support programme.
as its preferred option for two new 8 Sikorsky S-70B maritime support helicopter.
anti-submarine warfare (ASW)helicopters, Operated from Singapore Navy frigates.
on March 17, 2014, the Department Initial six supplemented by two more
of National Defence (DND) confirmed delivered in February 2018.
that 5.4 billion pesos ($120.479 million) 4 Fokker F50 Enforcer maritime
had been approved for the acquisition. patrol aircraft.
A formal contract finally signed on March, 4 Gulfstream G550 CAEW airborne early
29, 2016, with deliveries scheduled to take warning and control.
place in 2018, although as of January 2019 4 lockheed Martin C-130H
the first example still test flying at Yeovil. turboprop freighter.
4+2 lockheed Martin KC-130B/H tanker.
PHIlIPPInE ARMy AVIATIon 4 Boeing KC-135R tanker.
4/2 Cessna 172 Skyhawk/206 Stationair. 12 Alenia Aermacchi M346 lead-in jet trainer.

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integration onto the ROKAF F-15K Slam

Eagle is in the final stages. The Taurus
weapon system will provide the RoKAF
with a stand-off and deep strike capability.
The US would not export cruise missiles
when the contract was awarded and
hence a European weapon on a F-15K.
57 Korea Aerospace Industries fA-50 MRCA.
Three more to complete order for 60
aircraft probably now delivered. The new
FA-50s will replace the Northrop
Grumman F-5E/F MRCA fleet which will
be retired by 2019.
6 + 4 on order Lockheed Martin f-35A Lightning-II
MRCA. Deliveries for 10 aircraft began
Singapore Air Force Boeing F-15SG. in 2018 and by the year end six were at
Luke AFB, Arizona, for training. There is
a requirement for 40 F-35As.
Deliveries completed in September 2014 30+ McDonnell Douglas/boeing f-4E MRCA.
and 150 Squadron activated, based at 72+ Northrop Grumman K/f-5E MRCA.
Cazaux Air Base near Bordeaux, France. 44 Northrop Grumman K/f-5f MRCA.
19 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer. 90/42 Lockheed Martin K/f-16C/D MRCA.
1 + 5 on order Airbus A330MRTT multi role tanker Lockheed Martin was awarded a $1.2 billion
transport aircraft. On March 6, 2014, fixed-price-incentive-fee Foreign Military
MinDef announced that the A330 MRTT Sales contract on November 18, 2016, by
had been selected over the Boeing KC-46 the US Air Force Life Cycle Management
Pegasus. On March 7, 2014, it was officially Center to upgrade the KF-16 fleet. Work
confirmed by Airbus Military that the will be undertaken in Fort Worth, Texas,
RSAF has ordered six aircraft, to replace with contract completion expected by
the four existing KC-135R Stratotankers. November 15, 2025. The announcement by
The first aircraft, an Airbus A330-243, the US Department of Defense gave no
emerged from the conversion line at further details. However, the Defense
Getafe, near Madrid, Spain, after Security Co-operation Agency revealed
completion performing its first test flight more on the upgrade when it notified
on September 30, 2016. This aircraft is the Congress of the planned deal on July 14,
first to incorporate a number of 2015. It will involve all 134 KF-16C/D
enhancements introduced on the basic Block 52 aircraft and is valued in total at an
A330, as well as upgraded military systems estimated $2.5 billion including weapons,
as part of Airbus Defence and Space’s associated equipment and logistical support.
continuous product improvement It will include the Northrop Grumman
programme. The new standard A330 MRTT AN/APG-83 scalable agile beam radar
features structural modifications, (SABR).
aerodynamic improvements giving a 27/8 Lockheed Martin f-16C/D. Deliveries
fuel-burn reduction of up to 1%, upgraded commenced in 1986 prior to the KF-16 kits
avionics computers and enhanced military supplied to Samsung (now KAI).
systems. The first aircraft delivered on 22 Korea Aerospace Industries fTA-50
August 14, 2018. lead-in jet trainer.
12 Elbit Systems Hermes 450 UAV. 4 boeing 737 airborne early warning
In service from 2007. and control.
8+ MALAT Heron I UAV. Inducted into service 1 + 3 on order Airbus A330MRTT multi role tanker
in May 2012 and declared fully operational transport aircraft. South Korea’s Defense
in March 2017. Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)
35+ IAI Searcher UAV. announced on June 30, 2015, that the A330
MRTT had been selected to meet the
REPUBLIC OF KOREA country’s KC-X requirement for four air
■ REPUbLIC of KoREA AIR foRCE refuelling tanker aircraft. The first aircraft
59 boeing f-15K Slam Eagle MRCA. The which flew from Toulouse to Getafe for
first lot of Taurus KEPD 350K stand–off MRTT conversion in May 2017 and was
missiles was handed over to the ROKAF delivered on November 12, 2018, with the
on October 14, 2016. MBDA says that the last due before the end of 2019.
Taurus KEPD 350K programme is On November 16, 2016, the US State
progressing according to plan and its Department granted a possible Foreign

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Republic of Korea Air Force KAI T-50.

Military Sale to the Republic of Korea, 7 Boeing HH-47D heavy-lift helicopter.

for AN/AAQ- 24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared 7 Kamov Ka-32 maritime support helicopter.
Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems, 25 MD Helicopters MD500 light
equipment, training and support, at an utility helicopter.
estimated cost of $141 million. This will 29 Sikorsky S-70/HH/UH-60P medium-lift
be integrated into the A330MRTTs. utility helicopter.
2 Dassault Falcon 2000SIGINT 3 Sikorsky VH-60P VIP medium
reconnaissance aircraft. lift helicopter.
4 on order Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk 3 Sikorsky VCH-92. Used for Presidential
UAV. On November 4. 2013, the Republic and VIP transport.
of Korea’s Defence Acquisition 84 Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1 basic
Programme Administration (DAPA) trainer aircraft.
confirmed that plans ‘to adopt Global 20 Korea Aerospace Industries KA-1 light
Hawks in 2017’ had been formalised, with attack aircraft.
the signing of a contract for four air 23? Korea Aerospace Industries KT-100.
vehicles, plus associated equipment and New training aircraft to replace the
logistical support, anticipated to take Ilyushin T-103s. First aircraft flew
place during early 2014. This was duly on October 5, 2015. Unconfirmed
completed when an order was placed but all 23 on order believed delivered.
with Northrop Grumman on December16, 59 Korea Aerospace Industries T-50/B/
2014, for manufacture of the four air vehicles. TA-50 lead-in jet trainer.
4/4 Hawker-Siddeley/BAE Systems 10 Antonov An-2. Used for special operations.
125-800RA/-800SIG reconnaissance aircraft. See notes Korean Air KUS-FS medium-altitude
The four -800SIGs are configured for ISR long-endurance UAV. Flight testing since
and SIGINT tasks, under Lockheed Martin 2012 and unknown number due for delivery
‘Peace Krypton’ programme. to ROKAF. Now nearing service entry.
12 Lockheed Martin C-130H turboprop
freighter aircraft. Four are C-130H-30. REPUBLIC oF KoREA ARMy
4 Lockheed Martin C-130J turboprop 60+ Bell Helicopter AH-1F/S attack helicopter.
freighter aircraft. 36 Boeing AH-64E attack helicopter. On
12 Airbus/PTDI CN-235 turboprop transport April 17, 2013, it was officially announced,
aircraft, including four for the Coast Guard. by Korea's Defense Acquisition Program
22 KAI KC-100 T-103 piston-engine Administration (DAPA), that the AH-64E
basic trainer. Guardian had been selected to meet the
2 Airbus Helicopters AS332 medium-lift requirement for new attack helicopters,
utility helicopter. beating competition from Bell’s AH-1Z
3 Bell Helicopter 412 medium-lift Viper and TAI's T-129 ATAK. Although
utility helicopter. no details were disclosed regarding the
5 Boeing CH-47D heavy-lift helicopter. number of Guardians being acquired, the
Surplus US Army $1.790 billion deal is confirmed to account

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for 36 examples. On August 23, 2013, RePUBLIC Of KOReA MARINe CORPS

Boeing was awarded a production contract 1 + 28 ordered Korea Aerospace Industries Surion KUH/1.
for these helicopters. After being shipped The Marines contracted KAI/Airbus for
by sea, the first four were unloaded at supply of 30 KUH-1Ms in December 2016.
Busan on May 25, 2016. All have been First two delivered on January 10, 2018,
delivered. but one lost in fatal crash on July 17, 2018.
12 MBB/KAI BO-105 light utility helicopter.
35? Boeing CH-47D/SD heavy-lift helicopter. RePUBLIC Of KOReA COASt GUARD
180 MD Helicopters MD500 light 4 PtDI CN-235-220MPA maritime patrol
utility helicopter. aircraft.
60 Bell Helicopter UH-1H medium-lift 1 Bombardier CL-604 Challenger
utility helicopter. SAR aircraft
130+ Sikorsky S-70/UH-60L/P medium-lift 2 CASA C-212-400MP Aviocar maritime
utility helicopter. patrol aircraft.
70+ Korea Aerospace Industries Surion 8 Kamov Ka-32C Helix-C helicopter.
KUH/1 medium-lift utility helicopter. 5 eurocopter AS565MB Panther helicopter.
Requirement for 245. 2 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter.
214 on order Airbus Helicopters H155. Airbus Helicopters 2 Sikorsky S-92 helicopter.
signed a contract on March 16, 2015 with 1 Bell 412SP helicopter.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the
development and production of 214 ■ Notes: The RoK hopes to leap into the rank of major arms
military Light Armed Helicopters (LAH) exporters as a result of its ongoing Korea Fighter Experimental
and around 100 Light Civil Helicopters (KFX) programme which is to be led by the RoK’s largest aircraft
(LCH). Both designs will be based on manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and focuses
the Airbus Helicopters H155, the new on the development of an advanced fifth-generation multi-
designation for the EC155B1 Dauphin. role combat aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoAF)
Initial helicopters will be produced at the and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU). Facing the threat from
manufacturer’s production site in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the strategic
Marignane, France, before final assembly situation involving China and Japan, the RoK has developed its
shifts to KAI’s factory in Sacheon. A joint own initiatives to respond to the urgent need to replace obsolete
venture will also be created to tap the platforms in its fleet of MRCA.
export market for both types, for which
Airbus Helicopters estimates potential SRI LANKA
sales of up to 600. The first LAH prototype ■ SRI LANKAN AIR fORCe
unveiled by KAI on December 18, 2018,
with maiden flight expected in May 2019. 2 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 maritime
ROKA service entry anticipated in 2023. patrol aircraft.
2 Lockheed Martin C-130K Hercules C1
RePUBLIC Of KOReA NAvy turboprop freighter.
16 Lockheed Martin P-3C III+/CK maritime
patrol aircraft.
6 planned Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol
aircraft. The type was selected to replace
the P-3C Orion in June 2018. US State
Department approval for an order for six
was granted on September 13, 2018, but a
contract has yet to be signed.
5 Reims f406 Caravan II turboprop
utility transport.
23 AgustaWestland Lynx 99/99A maritime
support helicopter.
8 Sikorsky UH-60P maritime
support helicopter.
4 Bell Helicopter UH-1H maritime
support helicopter.
8 AgustaWestland AW159 maritime support
helicopter. Purchased in a $560 million
deal that saw the four AW-159s inducted
on July 29, 2016. Final four delivered in
November 2016 and commissioned
on July 5, 2017. A trio of Sri Lankan Air Force Mig-27s.

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4 Antonov An-32 turboprop freighter. 102 Aerospace Industrial Development

7/2 Harbin Y-12-II/IV Turbo Panda turboprop Corporation f-CK-1C MRCA. Upgraded
transport. from F-CK-1A aircraft.
2 Xian MA60 turboprop transport. Operated 19 Lockheed Martin C-130H
by Helitours, the commercial arm of turboprop freighter.
the SLAF. 1 Lockheed Martin C-130HE ELINT aircraft.
4 Bell Helicopter 206A/B JetRanger 12 Lockheed Martin P-3C maritime patrol
medium-lift utility helicopter. aircraft. The first of twelve refurbished
13 Bell Helicopter 212/412 medium-lift P-3C MPAs delivered in September 2013
utility helicopter. and the last delivered by end of 2015.
4 Mil Mi-17 medium-lift utility helicopter. 6 Northrop Grumman E-2K airborne early
18 Mil Mi-171 medium lift helicopter. warning and control.
Includes four civilian operated by Helitours. 3+17 requirement Airbus Helicopters H225 medium-lift
9 Mil Mi-24P/Mi-24V/35P attack helicopter. utility helicopter.
Most believed to be grounded. 16 Sikorsky S-70C/UH-60A Blue Hawk
7 Hongdu K-8 lead-in jet trainer/light medium-lift utility helicopter.
attack aircraft. 15 UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift
4 Cessna 150L utility aircraft. helicopter. Originally ordered for the
Used for primary training. Taiwanese Army, they were delivered
1 Cessna 421C Golden Eagle. instead to the ROCAF for SAR operations,
Used for survey work. the first arriving in December 2017 and all
14 Nanchang PT-6 training aircraft. Includes were due by December 2018.
six new-build aircraft which arrived 45 Aerospace Industrial Development
in October 2018. Corporation AT-3A/B trainer aircraft.
? EMIT Blue Horizon-2 UAV. An unknown - Aerospace Industrial Development
number of these reconnaissance UAVs are Corporation XAT-5. New trainer based
thought to be still in service. on F-CK-1 to replace AT-3. First of four
prototypes under construction in 2018,
TAIWAN first flight expected 2020. ROKAF plans
■ REPUBLIC of CHINA AIR foRCE to buy 66 aircraft.
114/27 Lockheed Martin f-16A/B MRCA. Taiwan 25 Aerospace Industrial Development
is the launch customer for the new F-16V Corporation f-CK-1D MRCA.
variant from Lockheed Martin. The Upgraded from F-CK-1B aircraft.
company has won a contract worth 36 Northrop Grumman f-5f lead-in
USD1.85 billion to upgrade its fleet of 144 fighter trainer.
Block 20 F-16A/Bs to the F-16V Block 36 Beechcraft T-34C-1 Turbo Mentor
70/72 status. This will include Northrop trainer aircraft.
Grumman’s Scalable Agile Beam Radar 11 Beechcraft 1900C Airliner
(SABR) as well as enhancements to mission turboprop transport.
computers, vehicle systems, aircraft 1 Boeing 737-800 VIP airliner.
structure, cockpit and electronic warfare 3 fokker 50 turboprop transport.
systems. On November 22, 2016, Lockheed
Martin was awarded a $12.3 billion REPUBLIC of CHINA ARMY
contract for developmental support 60 Bell Helicopter AH-1W attack helicopter.
equipment for the ROCAF F-16s. The 29 Boeing AH-64E attack helicopter.
contractor will provide equipment required First six helicopters received in November
for reliability, performance, and 2013, part of a 30-aircraft contract signed
sustainability for 144 Taiwan F-16s. The in June 2011.
company also will provide specialized 8 Boeing CH-47SD heavy-lift helicopter.
familiarization on the use of integrated 38 Bell Helicopter oH-58D reconnaissance
ground software to support F-16 aircraft helicopter.
maintenance and accident investigations. 50 Bell Helicopter UH-1H medium-lift
Work is expected to be complete by May utility helicopter.
31, 2022. In August 2013, Taiwan became 30 Sikorsky UH-60M medium-lift
the 20th customer of the Sniper Air utility helicopter.
Targeting Pod, which will be fitted to 29 TH-67A Creek training helicopter.
the F-16s. The first F-16A to be converted
locally to F-16V was delivered to Chiayi REPUBLIC of CHINA NAVY
Air Base on October 19, 2018. 1/7 MD Helicopters MD500MD/ASW
46 Dassault Mirage 2000-5EI MRCA. maritime support helicopter.
9 Dassault Mirage 2000-5DI MRCA. 18 Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1/S-70C(M)2
35+ Northrop Grumman f/Rf-5E MRCA. Thunderhawk maritime support helicopter.

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THAILAND 19 Dassault/Dornier alpha Jet.

■ Royal Thai aiR FoRce 7/4 Saab JaS-39c/D Gripen MRca. Initial
11 Northrop Grumman F-5T Tigris MRca. batch delivered in February 2011 and
Elbit Systems upgraded 12 RTAF F-5E the last three fighters were received in
Tiger IIs to F-5T Tigris, but one lost on September 2013. The aircraft replaced half
December 23, 2009. A further contract of Royal Thai Air Force’s existing
to upgrade seven to F-5ST Super Tigris Northrop Grumman F-5B/E MRCA fleet.
standard awarded to Elbit in October 5 Diamond Da42/MPP training/
2014. Cabinet approval for similar work reconnaissance aircraft.
on the remaining four granted 4 Diamond Da42NG Twin Star training
August 1, 2017. aircraft. In service from May 2017.
37/15 General Dynamics/lockheed Martin 2 Saab 340 aeW&c airborne early warning
F-16a/B MRca. On September 29, 2010, and control aircraft.
the DSCA notified US Congress as to the 3 Saab 340B training/transport aircraft.
possible sale to Thailand of a six-year, One more second-hand aircraft on order.
three-phase programme of upgrades to 7 Basler BT-67 turboprop transport aircraft.
18 existing F-16A/B aircraft. The MLU 12 lockheed Martin c-130h/-30
with Modular Mission Computer upgrade turboprop freighter.
will include APG-68(V)9 Radar, APX-113 1 hawker Beechcraft King air 90
Combined Interrogator and Transponder, turboprop transport.
ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management 12 Fairchild hiller aU-23a Peacemaker.
System, ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser 13 Bell helicopter 412 medium-lift
System, plus associated spares, tools, utility helicopter.
training and logistics support at an 14 Bell helicopter Uh-1h medium-lift
estimated cost of $700 million. The first utility helicopter.
aircraft to be inducted into the MLU 8 + 2 on order airbus helicopters h225M medium-lift
programme was an F-16A Block 15 that utility helicopter. Contract signed in
had been delivered new in 1995. Accepted September 2012 for initial four, with two
at Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) on more added later, all six now delivered.
November 13, 2012. The work now completed. On September 20, 2018, a contract for four

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r e g i o n a l
AIR FORCES DIRECTORY

Royal Thai Navy Embraer ERJ-135R.

more announced, two of which delivered 40 CT/4A/B/E Airtrainer trainer aircraft.

in October 2018. 7 Cessna T-41D Mescalero training aircraft.
3 Sikorsky S92 Helibus utility helicopter. 6 Thai Aviation Industry RTAF-6. Based on
One for EMS, two VIP. the Italian SF260MT. Six prototypes built,
3 Northrop Grumman F-5TF Tigris MRCA. with production of 25 aircraft beginning
Upgraded by Elbit from the RSAF’s three in 2017. The first six inducted into service
remaining F-5F Tiger IIs. A further contract on August 1, 2017.
with Elbit in October 2014 to upgrade all ? Aeronautics Dominator XP UAV.
three to F-5ST Super Tigris standard The Israeli manufacturer informed the
resulted in roll out of the first to be Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in August 2018
completed on May 23, 2018. that it is supplying an unspecified number
18 Aero L-39ZA lead-in jet trainer. of based on the twin-engine Austrian-
Ten withdrawn from use, four stored. designed Diamond DA42 Twin Star.
4 KAI T-50TH Golden Eagle. First two
delivered in January 2018 to replace RoyAL THAI ARMy
L-39ZAs. A further two followed in March 2 Airbus C-212-300 turboprop
2018 and all four commissioned into transport aircraft.
service the following month. The initial 1 Airbus C295W turboprop
batch of four ordered in 2015, followed transport aircraft.
by eight more in July 2017. Total requirement 2 Embraer ERJ-135LR.
is for 16, but this may be increased. 2 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200
21 Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainer. turboprop transport.
1 Learjet 35A special mission aircraft. 7 Bell AH-1F/G attack helicopter.
Now stored. 22 Bell 206A/B-2/3 JetRanger medium-lift
1 A319CJ VIP transport aircraft. utility helicopter.
2 B737-800 VIP transport aircraft. 47 Bell 212 medium-lift utility helicopter.
2 B737-400 transport aircraft. 2 Bell 412EP medium-lift helicopter.
1 A320-214 Prestige. On June 25, 2013, the 7 Mil Mi-17 medium-lift utility helicopter.
Thai Cabinet approved funding, to the Latest two Mi-17V-5s delivered to U-Tapao
value of $102.225 million, for the Air Base on December 15 and 17, 2018.
acquisition of a new VVIP-specification 3 Sikorsky UH-60M medium-lift utility
Airbus ACJ320 aircraft, with an additional helicopter. Three S-70A medium-lift utility
$582,000 also allocated for the cost of a helicopter (based on the UH-60L) were
new hangar in which to house it. delivered to Thailand in September 2014.
1 A340-541 Airbus VIP transport aircraft. 9/3 Sikorsky S-70A-43/UH-60L Black Hawk.
3 ATR72-212A transport aircraft. 10 AgustaWestland AW-139 medium-lift
3 Sukhoi Superjet 100 VIP transport aircraft. utility helicopter. Order announced in

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AIR FORCES DIRECTORY

October 2012 and delivered in December 5 Sikorsky S-76B search and rescue helicopter.
2013 and January 2014. Announcement 6/2 Sikorsky S-70B/MH-60S maritime
by Finmeccanica on October 7, 2015, support helicopter.
that eight more ordered. Built on the 2 AgustaWestland Super lynx 110 maritime
Philadelphia production line with support helicopter.
deliveries taking place between December 5 Eurocopter EC-635 T2 utility helicopter.
2015 and October 2016. Deliveries accepted into service in 2016.
5 AgustaWestland AW149 medium lift
helicopter. Up to 12 thought to be on order. VIETNAM
60 Bell Helicopter UH-1H medium-lift ■ VIETNAMESE AIR FoRCE
utility helicopter. 6/5 Sukhoi Su-27SK/UBK MRCA.
4+4 ordered Airbus Helicopters EC725. 35 Sukhoi 30MK2V MRCA.
First order deliveries from 2012 start in Contract announced in August 2013.
2015, second batch start in 2017. Aircraft delivered in 2014-2015 timeframe.
8 Airbus Helicopters H125M Fennec 25 Sukhoi Su-22 MRCA.
medium-lift utility helicopter. 3 Airbus C295M transport aircraft.
6 Airbus helicopters H145M. On February The first example handed-over to the
23, 2015, Airbus Helicopters announced VPAF on October 17, 2014, but retained at
that the RTA had recently signed a contract the Airbus DS facility in Seville, for
for the acquisition of 6 examples. The EC crew training, with delivery to Vietnam
145T2s will be supplied in a VIP passenger taking place in early December 2014. The
configuration, to meet theRTA’s Light second C295M departed Seville on March
Utility Helicopter Type II requirement and 5, 2015, to undertake its delivery flight to
be used primarily on official passenger Vietnam, whilst it is also thought that the
transport duties. Deliveries took place third aircraft has been delivered.
between November 2016 – April 2017. 10 Antonov An-26 turboprop transport.
5+9 required Airbus Helicopters UH-72A medium-lift 1 PZl M28MPW Skytruck maritime
utility helicopter. Formally requested by patrol aircraft.
Thailand in June 2013. Deal includes 30? Mil Mi-8/17 medium-lift utility helicopter.
communication equipment, spare and 3 Mil Mi-172 VIP/transport medium lift
repair parts, support equipment, technical utility helicopter.
documentation and training. The estimated 4 Mil Mi-171 SAR-equipped helicopter.
cost for the operation is $77 million. On 5 Bell Helicopter UH-1H medium-lift
September 26, 2014, the DSCA gave utility helicopter.
notification of a potential follow-up 15+ Aero l-39C Albatros lead-in jet trainer.
contract for a further 9 Lakotas. 10 Aerostar Iak-52. Delivered during 2009-10.
16 Enstrom 480B light utility helicopter. 6 An-2TD Colt. Supplied by PZL Mielec
18 Schweizer 269/TH-300 light in 2002.
utility helicopter. 3 on order IAI Heron UAV. Vietnam was reported to
2 Jetstream 41 VIP passenger aircraft. have signed a contract in December 2018
18 Cessna T-41B Mescalero training aircraft. along with a ground control station.
5 Cessna U-17B Skywagon. Delivery schedule unknown.
19 Maule MX-7-235 training aircraft.
2 Beech 1900C-1 VIP passenger aircraft. VIETNAMESE NAVy
4 Elbit Systems Hermes 450 UAV. 3/3 Viking Air DHC-6-400/Guardian 400 Twin
In service from June 2018. otter turboprop transport. Agreement for
six aircraft signed in May 2010.
RoyAl THAI NAVy First DHC-6 arrived in Vietnam in October
7 Dornier Do 228 maritime patrol aircraft. 2013. The three Guardian 400s are being
2 Embraer ERJ135lR. utilized for transport, resupply, maritime
4 MoD Naval Aircraft Experimental NAX. surveillance and SAR operations
A batch of 4 locally-built light, amphibious throughout Vietnam’s coastal regi
aircraft acquired, with 4 delivered by 2013. 3/1 Kamov Ka-28/32 maritime
3 Cessna T337H-SP Super Skymaster. support helicopter.
1 lockheed Martin P-3T maritime
patrol aircraft. VIETNAMESE CoAST GUARD/MARITIME PolICE
1 Fokker F-27 maritime patrol aircraft. 3 CASA 212-400 Aviocar. Two ex-Swedish
Upgraded with Selex Seapray 7000 radar. Coast Guard aircraft, and a third brand
1 Canadair/Bombardier CL-215 fire-fighting new NC 212 built by PTDI in Bandung,
amphibious aircraft. Indonesia. All fitted with the Swedish
6/3 Bell Helicopter 212/214 maritime Space Corporation (SSC) MSS6000 maritime
support helicopter. surveillance system. AMR

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A I R
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Department of Defence, Commonwealth of Australia

Adelaide – A Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
aircrewman in an MRH-90 (NHIndustries’
NH-90) multirole helicopter above the landing
helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious ship HMAS
Adelaide in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) summit in 2018. While new platforms
such as the LHDs are boosting the RAN’s
combat capability, the service sees people as
providing its competitive advantage.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
The Royal Australian Navy RAN sees people as central to winning the
next fight

by Dr Lee Willett

O
ver the last decade, several tasking and the US Navy (USN)-led in the European theatre), the resurgence
factors have converged to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) naval of state-based maritime competition has
shape the future strategic partnership. raised fears of increased conflict risk. In
purpose, direction, and The last decade, however, saw the the Indo-Pacific theatre, the growing
output of the Royal Indo-Pacific region perhaps become the presence of China’s People’s Liberation
Australian Navy (RAN). first theatre within which the stirrings of Army Navy (PLAN) has brought peer
The RAN has always possessed superpower competition at sea became competition for the USN and its allies.
capacity to project power at distance evident. This resurgence of maritime As in the European theatre, many Indo-
across both the Pacific and Indian oceans. competition occurred parallel to a major Pacific navies are now re-emphasising
In the South Pacific region, Australia is capability re-capitalisation programme and refining higher-end operational
the major military power. According to within the RAN. Today, the RAN capabilities.
Professor Eric Grove, the RAN has a long- arguably is renewing its position as a Perhaps reflecting this re-focus, the
established position as a medium regional regional naval power, with its presence RAN’s new Chief of Navy (CN) Vice
force projection navy across the entire underpinned by new, state-of-the-art Admiral Michael Noonan said – in his
Pacific region, “with a capacity to deploy platforms and capabilities such as two handover address in Canberra in July
usable and useful maritime power far landing helicopter dock amphibious ships, 2018 – that the service must “think like
into the Pacific”. As regards Indian Ocean three air warfare-capable guided-missile a fighting navy, and fight like a thinking
presence, the RAN’s maritime footprint destroyers, nine anti-submarine warfare navy”. The RAN, he continued, needs
extends from Western Australia to the frigates, 12 diesel-electric submarines, to be a “ready, agile, resilient, and lethal
Northern Indian Ocean and Gulf regions, and other core maritime capabilities such fighting force” able to contribute to
where RAN ships support several as maritime patrol aircraft and offshore maritime safety and security, support
maritime security campaigns including patrol vessels. freedom of navigation and global trade,
Australia’s national Operation ‘Manitou’ Globally (including, more recently, and “fight and win at sea”.

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training has evolved over time” too,

Commonwealth of Australia
for example with a leadership training
course now attached to each step of the
promotion path for sailors of all ranks.
Such promotion courses are now “heavily
leadership-training centric”, he said.
“The Australian Navy approach is that
you don’t get promoted without having
done the [leadership] course prior to
promotion,” the commodore continued.
“In some cases, people fulfil all other
requirements to be promoted, and have
to wait until they can get on a course in
order to be promoted.”
Such courses currently include: the
‘Leading Seamen Promotion Course’
(for Able Seamen); the ‘Petty Officer’s
Promotion Course’ (for Leading Seamen);
the ‘Chief Petty Officer’s [CPO’s]
Promotion Course’ (for Petty Officers);
and the ‘Warrant Officer’s Promotion
CPO – The RAN’s Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan (left) promotes Petty Officer Mark Course’ (for CPOs).
Smith to Chief Petty Officer at the RAN’s HMAS Cerberus training establishment, Victoria in Such is the focus on the importance
December 2018. The RAN’s ‘promotion courses’ are to be re-titled as ‘leadership courses’.
of leadership that ‘promotion courses’
are about to be renamed as ‘leadership
Winning the fight of the programme’s introduction. Vice courses’, said the commodore.
As regards winning this fight, while the Adm Noonan noted that the navy’s “The most extensive probably exists
fleet of new capabilities entering RAN growth in terms of people skills will at the Leading Seamen level,” he added.
service undoubtedly upgrades its fighting be underpinned by “an ‘NGN’ culture” This course covers: basic leadership
power significantly, the RAN’s people will designed particularly to boost personnel theory and style; the role of command;
play a more prominent role, Commodore recruitment and retention. motivation techniques; ethics in
Justin Jones, the navy’s Commodore Reflecting the enduring emphasis leadership; leadership, team concepts,
Training, told Asian Military Review. on the ‘New Generation Navy’ concept, and team effectiveness; and mentoring,
In parallel to introducing its new Jones said that Vice Admiral Noonan situational leadership, problem solving,
fleet, the RAN also has been focused on has made clear that people and culture and decision making.
strengthening its people power, including will be “his central focus in terms of the
changing how it trains personnel for human dimension”. Leadership training Leadership journey
leadership roles. is central to this personnel journey, the Developing the navy’s approach to
“The Australian Navy philosophy – or Cdre added. leadership “is a journey we’re on”, the
central concept – is that our competitive Underneath CN, Rear Admiral Mark commodore continued. “I think it’s an
advantage is people,” said Jones. “If we Hammond as deputy chief of Navy is ever-evolving thing.” As an example, he
truly expect to be able to fight and win “the single rallying point” for leadership noted that in 2017 the navy mapped the
at sea in the next conflict, then the true development “because his role is dual- leadership behaviours it is seeking at all
competitive advantage won’t necessarily hatted also as Head of Navy People ranks, from seaman to admiral, into a
come from modern ships, modern and Training”, said Jones. Under Rear leadership and management framework,
capabilities, weapons, sensors, and Adm Hammond, Commodore Tony and now is reviewing its leadership courses
equipment because, in every single part Partridge as Director General Navy to ensure they reflect this framework.
of the continuum to develop those, a People owns the leadership and culture As this leadership development
human was involved.” development programme, with Cdre journey has continued, how the service
“Ultimately, a human will operate the Jones as Commodore Training owning approaches leadership training also
equipment or set up the equipment even the leadership and promotion training has evolved. In the last 10 years, this
for its automatic responses to different programme. evolution has been built around the
threats,” the commodore continued. The two branches “work very closely ‘New Generation Navy’ initiative. This
“So we take the view that our capability … to make sure that we’re always working initiative itself “was built around the
edge comes from people,” he added. As a complimentarily to each other and in navy’s signature behaviours”, said Cdre
result, “You have to invest in people, and collaboration”, said Cdre Jones. “We Jones, with leadership development work
that comes through good leadership and design our leadership training with designed to demonstrate “the actions and
management.” reference to them, and vice versa.” behaviours that we wanted on display
The RAN’s approach to people from our people”.
development is manifested in its ‘New Leadership training The RAN’s signature behaviours
Generation Navy’ cultural reform As the RAN itself has developed, Cdre fall under three headings: people,
programme; 2019 is the 10th anniversary Jones noted that the service’s “leadership performance, and professionalism.

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outputs is challenging, Cdre Jones argued

Commonwealth of Australia
this focus has impacted demonstrably
on personnel leadership skills. “Across a
range of measures that we analyse relating
to behaviour, performance, annual
training if you like, we’ve seen steady
improvement over time, much of which
can be attributed to better leadership and
people skills,” he said.
Moreover, the navy seeks feedback
and continuous improvement in how
it monitors and develops leadership
processes. “We’re agile enough that – if,
for instance, an annual pulse survey is
turning something up or we get a bit of a
misnomer in one sort of data we’re tracking
– we can actually adjust the system,” said
Cdre Jones. Here, the navy addresses the
situation by embedding any required
change immediately into a leadership and
promotion course, he added.

WO – A Warrant Officer Marine Technician (standing) advises a Seaman during engineering Joint effect
casualty drills onboard HMAS Adelaide while the LHD is underway. Interaction and feedback The RAN argues that its leadership
across ranks sits at the heart of the RAN’s leadership culture.
focus is having demonstrable impact on
recruitment and retention.
‘People’ covers respecting the contribution Commonwealth of Australia “As it stands right now, the Australian
of every individual, promoting the Navy has the most positive retention
well-being and development of all the statistics that it’s had in five years,” said
service’s people, and communicating well Cdre Jones.
and regularly. ‘Performance’ includes The RAN’s success in re-invigorating
challenging and innovating, being cost its leadership development processes
conscious, fixing problems and taking has also generated interest from its sister
actions, and driving decision-making services. “The Australian Army has been
downwards. ‘Professionalism’ focuses quite interested in the navy approach to
on strengthening relationships across leadership training and development,
and beyond the navy, and encouraging and did embed an officer in our training
personnel to be the best they can be on authority for initial training, leadership,
behalf of their service and country. These and management in 2017 to look at what
signature behaviours have endured we do,” said Jones.
across the last 10 years or longer, but In particular, the Commander
what has changed is how the RAN uses noted the army’s interest in the RAN’s
leadership training to reinforce them. 360-degree reporting appraisal process
used for leadership development. This
Two examples illustrate this. process sees individuals gain feedback
The CPO’s Promotion Course, from subordinates, peers, supervisors,
underpinned by a team-based and superiors with the aim of generating
leadership philosophy, fosters respect Cdre Jones – The RAN’s Commodore Training a more rounded appraisal than traditional
Cdre Justin Jones (pictured foreground,
for each individual’s contribution by supervisor-subordinate reporting. The
overseeing training at the HMAS Penguin
acknowledging the benefits of a diverse fleet training facility) is responsible for the benefit lies in individuals gaining insight
workforce, and achieving synergy navy’s leadership and promotion training into ‘blind spots’ (areas for improvement
by bringing out the best in people. programme. of which the individual was unaware)
Participants learn how to optimise and ‘unexpected strengths’ (a particular
individual engagement using scenario- the RAN and, and as part of solving the strength the individual may not have
based learning to practice team-building problem, identify their own learning recognised), Jones explained. “We are
techniques and effective communication. requirements and are supported in the only service that does that for officers
The RAN also has adopted an addressing them. The approach, trialled at and senior sailors (non-commissioned
innovative problem solving-based the Lieutenant Commander level, proved officers), and we’ve been doing it for ten
approach to embed signature behaviours successful and is planned for roll-out years, and that’s unique in the Australian
in leadership training. Reflecting the across the leadership training continuum. Defence Force.” The use of 360-degree
‘train as you fight’ concept, personnel While quantifying the impact of its reporting “has been a very powerful tool,”
are presented with real problems facing evolving leadership focus on operational he concluded. AMR

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seen in flight to date, the company’s

other known low-observable UCAV
development called the Li Jian (Sharp
Sword) – which is manufactured by the
Hongdu Aircraft Industries Corporation
(HAIC) – has gained far more public
exposure. It was first seen in May 2013
conducting taxiing trials at HAIC’s
airfield in Nangchang, Jiangxi Province,
and subsequently performed its maiden
flight from the same facility.
The UCAV appears to be powered
by a non-afterburning WS-13 turbofan
Fei Long-71
engine with a serpentine inlet to mask
its signature and adopts a delta-wing
configuration – with a length and
wingspan of approximately 10m and
14m – that is comparable to the US
Navy's Northrop Grumman X-47B
technology demonstrator. It is believed

CHINA’S NEXT GENERATION to be equipped with two internal bomb

bays that holds about 4,409 pounds (2,000

UNMANNED ASSASSINS kilograms) of payload.

Chinese internet reports suggest that
an improved Sharp Sword prototype
China has been steadily pushing ahead in commenced trials in 2016, indicating that
the UCAV could enter service as early
its development of stealthy, unmanned deep
as 2020 should R&D work go smoothly.
penetration aircraft in recent years. The project team was also awarded the
country’s prestigious National Science
by JR Ng and Technology Advancement Prize in

T
2017, which suggests that development is
he People’s Republic of China Dark Sword and Sharp Sword at a mature stage and the UCAV close to
(PRC) is beginning to reap the In June 2018, an image of a full-scale operational testing and evaluation with
harvest of a decades-long invest- technology demonstrator of the secretive the PLA.
ment into its unmanned aircraft An Jian (Dark Sword) UCAV surfaced on
research and development (R&D) Chinese news portals and social media. Fei Long-2 and Fei Long-71
sector, with a host of new and emerging The undated photograph showed a large Meanwhile, Zhong Tian Guide Control
unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) UCAV featuring an elongated, gunmetal- Technology Company (ZT Guide), also a
being showcased in recent years. coloured airframe with canard surfaces Xi’an-based private firm, has announced
Indeed, Chinese unmanned aircraft and a ventral engine air intake that an ambitious programme to develop a
R&D capabilities have come a long way adopts a diverterless supersonic inlet large UCAV with a MTOW of 48,500lbs
since the late 1950s, when the People’s (DSI) design. Saw-tooth edges can be (22,000kg) called the Fei Long-2 (Flying
Liberation Army (PLA) delegated the seen on the air vehicle’s port side landing Dragon-2) Multirole High-Subsonic
development of such systems to university gear door. Unmanned Transportation Platform, which
aeronautical departments, which eventually The Dark Sword UCAV is believed to adopts a flying-wing design and features
spawned a vast industry that has gone be a project of the state-owned Aviation a proposed 13,227lbs (6,000kg) internal
from meeting domestic commercial and Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC’s) payload capacity. The company aims to
military requirements to serving a growing Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute roll out a prototype by around 2021.
customer base overseas. (SYADI) – also known as the 601 Aircraft Official specifications state that
While these have often been over- Design Institute – which aims at the FL-2 will be a turbofan-powered
shadowed by other advanced military investigating technologies relevant for air vehicle that can achieve cruise and
programmes and many of these UCAVs low-observable flying wing UAVs under maximum speeds of up to 324 knots
have yet to enter known service and the wider ‘AVIC 601-S’ programme. (600 km/h) and 421kts (780 km/h)
will likely remain as paper designs or Details of the air vehicle’s physical respectively, and can operate out a range
R&D testbeds, there is ample evidence dimensions and capabilities remain of 4,350 miles (7,000km) and altitude of
that the technologies derived from these undisclosed, but the air vehicle appears 49,000 feet (15,000m) .
efforts will go on to inform even more to be around 13-15 metres in length based ZT Guide is also investigating a
sophisticated future designs as the PLA’s on visual references. supersonic UCAV concept called the FL-71
continued transformation drives further Although the status of the Dark Sword Supersonic Unmanned Transportation
growth of advanced airborne capabilities programme remains largely shrouded in Platform, which is envisioned to be a
over the coming decade. mystery with no images of the air vehicle 6,614lbs (3,000kg) class platform that can

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fly at maximum speeds of up to 1,188kts

(2200km/h) for over an hour, with a total
range of 560 miles (900km).

Rainbow 7
The state-owned China Aerospace Science
and Technology Corporation (CASC) is
developing a turbofan-powered high-
altitude UCAV called the Cai Hong 7
(CH-7) that will have maximum take-off
weight (MTOW) of 28,660lbs (13,000kg).
The company unveiled a full-scale
mock up of the proposed CH-7 design at
the Airshow China exhibition in Zhuhai,
Guangdong Province, in November 2018.
The prototype CH-7 on was the centrepiece
display in the company’s hall and adopts
a flying wing air-frame with a 10m length
and 22m wingspan and dorsally mounted
low-observability engine intake and Tian Ying
exhaust. Other features include serrated
edges for the undercarriage and payload
bay covers to preserve the air vehicle’s design offers radar cross section (RCS) country’s leading manufacturer of missile
low-observability characteristics. performance in the range of 0.1m² for systems, is also developing the ‘fully
Company specifications indicate that greatly improved survivability at standoff autonomous’ Tian Ying (Sky Hawk)
the CH-7 will typically cruise at altitudes ranges, where it is designed to operate for technology demonstrator. The company
up to 42,650ft (13,000m) at speeds of up most of its flight envelope. unveiled the prototype to the public for the
to 400kts (740km/h) , although it can also Further design themes also include first time in late 2018 since it announced a
reach a high subsonic ‘dash’ speed of 500kts control surfaces that are built into the successful series of trials earlier in the year
(926 km/h). The air vehicle will be equipped trailing edges and upper sections of An internally funded development,
with an encrypted satellite communications the fuselage and wings. A pair of low the Tian Ying has a MTOW of 6,614lbs
datalink that will enable it to operate freely observable engine intakes are located on (3,000kg) and adopts a low-observable
across vast distances, although CASC did either side of the nose leading to similarly flying wing design comparable to
not reveal its range and endurance. configured exhaust outlets towards the Lockheed Martin’s RQ-170 Sentinel
It will be also able to carry a range rear of the fuselage. reconnaissance UAV. The Tian Ying is
of precision-guided weapons including The Star Shadow will also be equipped believed to have conducted at least three
anti-radiation, anti-ship, air-to-ground with a ventral payload bay measuring successful test flights during the four
missiles, and bombs, as well as electronic 2.5m long and 0.76m wide that can years after development commenced.
warfare payloads including active and accommodate up to 882lbs (400kg) of “Eighty percent of our UAV’s
passive sensors, and jamming systems. mission equipment or weapons. technologies are the newest and most
CASC is reportedly aiming to perform Chengdu Chinese Academy of Sciences advanced, some of which are leading the
the first flight of the CH-7 prototype by Aircraft Engine Company will supply two global UAV industry,” Ma Hongzhong,
the end of 2019, with design work on the indigenously developed TWS800 turbofan chief designer of the Tian Ying stated in
production-ready model expected to be engines, which is expected to provide an interview hosted on the company’s
finalised by 2022. Although the air vehicle cruising speeds between 216-324kts (400- official WeChat account. Ma noted that
is presently designed to be a land-based 600km/h) and a maximum speed of nearly the all advanced technologies applied
aircraft, company officials confirmed that 378kts (700km/h) while operating at in the air vehicle have been matured
it could be further developed into a naval altitudes of nearly 40,000ft (12,000m). The through extensive ground testing.
aircraft and operate from an aircraft carrier. air vehicle will also carry to 3,306lbs (1,500kg) CASIC did not disclose detailed
of fuel that will support up to 12 hours of information about the Tian Ying, but
Star Shadow endurance depending on the mission profile. it appears that the air vehicle could
Star UAV System, a private company Star UAV is reportedly readying the Star be aimed at aircraft carrier operations
specialising in UAV technologies has Shadow for its maiden flight around mid- considering its relatively compact
unveiled its twin turbofan-powered Star 2019, although the company has since taken wingspan of approximately 11m and a
Shadow UCAV concept in early 2018. The the concept out of public view, suggesting particularly robust undercarriage
Star Shadow is is expected to have a MTOW that it has either ceased development work “The Sky Hawk UAV is used to
of 8,818lbs (4,000kg) when fully constructed. or under strict non-disclosure obligations perform strategic and tactical close-in
Official specifications indicate that the to a state-linked launch customer. reconnaissance of important targets in
truncated diamond-shaped air vehicle high-threat combat environments,” the
will have an overall length of 7.3m with Tian Ying company stated. “It is capable of long-
sweptback outer wings that have a total State-owned China Aerospace Science endurance flight, and autonomous
span of 15m. Star UAV claims that its and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the wheeled take-offs and landings.’ AMr

48 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

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Malaysian Armed Forces

The Littoral Combat Ship Maharaja Lela at Boustead Naval
Shipyard dock in 2017. Delevery has been delayed.

MALAYSIA’S DEFENCE
DOLDRUMS
Despite an approaching Defence White Paper, fiscal frugality looks set
to dominate near-to mid-term defence acquisition projects.

by Dzirhan Mahadzir

D
espite a change of ruling during his time as Prime Minister, though stated that Malaysia’s finances are
party for Malaysia’s govern- both his successors as Prime Ministers constrained due to the excesses of the
ment in May 2018, there also contributed by postponing defence previous government and in fact it must
have been no significant programmes while not addressing funding cancel various undertakings agreed to by
developments in regard issues for defence. the previous government, in particular
to Malaysia’s defence or the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir is now with China, which would necessitate the
Armed Forces. To a large extent, this is not governing with a largely inexperience payment of financial compensations for
surprising considering the Prime Minister cabinet and his coalition government such cancellations. Thus the outlook for
is Mahathir Mohamad. While his first is grappling with effectively managing defence procurement is not positive and
tenure saw a number of major defence a government while addressing issues there is little indication of any significant
purchases, many of these were made on pertaining to corruption by the previous defence procurement being funded.
the basis of economic benefits, political government, including the trial of The government has announced
relations, technology transfers and offsets former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak plans for a defence White Paper that is
rather than pure defence or strategic on corruption charges. Given that, it is to be presented to the cabinet in July this
requirements and to a large extent, unlikely that Prime Minister Mahathir year and following that, to Parliament
Mahathir’s pacifist nature also meant that will push for new defence developments in September. So far, little has been
defence capabilities were never seen as a or increased defence spending as the revealed about its contents and whether
priority or essential to the nation. main priorities will focus on governance. it will actually set out procurement and
To a certain degree, a number of the There is already little extra money for development programmes to be carried
problems in Malaysia’s defence status defence. Since taking over, the Pakatan out in specific timeframes with a specific
are the result of decisions undertaken Harapan government has continually amount of funding allocated.

50 | AsiAn MilitAry review |

REGIONAL
M I L I T A R I E S

over half of the 257 vehicle order already

Dzirhan Mahadzir
delivered and in service operationally.
Prior to the change in government, at the
2018 Defence Services Asia exhibition held
in April that year in Malaysia’s capital of
Kuala Lumpur, a contract was signed for
the purchase of 18 Nexter LG1 105mm
howitzers and an agreement with the
United States government for the transfer
of 29 Excess Defence Articles M109A5
155mm Self Propelled Howitzers. The
current government has approved both
agreements and the LG1s are expected to
Over half of the Malaysian Army's
order for 257 AV8 Gempita AFVs
be delivered in 2020. The guns will replace
has been delivered. Seen here is the Oto Melera Model 56 pack howitzers
the IFV25 variant on the left with used by 1 Royal Artillery (Para) Regiment
the ATGW variant on the right. which provides artillery support for 10th
Parachute Brigade. The Model 56 pack
howitzer is also the standard 105mm for
Military Leadership Change who had been used by the BN government the rest of the Army’s artillery regiments
Since the May 2018 General Election, a as part of its election campaign strategy, and the Army has plans for these to be
number of changes have occurred to the resulted in the new Pakatan Harapan replaced though funding has not been
senior leadership of the Malaysian Armed government selecting Zulkifli as a allocated yet.
Forces (MAF). Chief of Defence Force suitable candidate. No statement has Meanwhile the M109s are in the
General Raja Affandi retired on June 2018; been made as to how long Zulkifli’s process of being refurbished with 19
his service had been extended beyond the tenure as CDF will be but sources have vehicles to be returned to service while
mandatory 60 years old retirement age stated it would likely be until mid-2020. the remaining 10 will be cannibalised
(which he reached in June 2017) by the Changes also occurred subsequently in for spare parts. Work on the M109A5s is
previous government though it was not the leadership of the Malaysian Army expected to be completed by 2022. The
known whether the extension was on an and Royal Malaysian Navy, with both Malaysian Army will likely form a new
annual basis or a set number of years. The General Zulkiple Kassim retiring in regiment for the self-propelled guns.
new government decided to dispense September 2018 and Admiral Ahmad It also has long term plans for a third
with his tenure and appointed a new Kamarulzaman in November 2018, both regiment of Multiple Rocket Launchers to
CDF in General Zulkifli Zainal Abidin reaching the mandatory retirement age. complement the two Astros II regiments
who had been scheduled to retire shortly General Hasbullah Nawawi and Admiral and bring up the MRL strength to a full
after the election. General Zulkifli had Reza Sany took over as the Chief of brigade but funding again has been
been Army Chief from 2011-2013 when he Army and Chief of Navy respectively. stagnant for this requirement.
was inexplicably transferred to command The leadership of the RMAF remained Also unresolved is the decision on
the National Defence University (NDU), unchanged with General Affendi Buang whether to upgrade the Army’s 4x4
which was responsible for producing only reaching retirement age in 2022. Condor wheeled Armoured Personnel
degree qualified cadet officers for all Carriers (APCs) that have been in service
three services of the Malaysian Armed Malaysian Army since the 1980s - over half of the original
Forces, a command position normally Of the three services, the Malaysian Army 400 vehicles are still in service. Deftech
held by a three star officer. Outwardly faces the least problems given most of of Malaysia has submitted two upgrade
the move was said to be an effort to its programmes are running smoothly. prototypes, one being its own upgrade
prevent the Education Ministry, which Deliveries of the Deftech AV-8 Gempita design while the other is a collaboration
co-administered the NDU with the is expected to be completed by 2020 with between Deftech and Thailand’s Chaiseri
Defence Ministry from gaining control
of the University via the seniority of
Dzirhan Mahadzir

the Education Ministry’s representative

at NDU. However it was likely that
Zulkifli’s transfer there was a move to
exile him as in 2013 he had been privately
critical of how the Malaysian government
handled the Lahad Datu incident (an
insurgent crisis in Sabah) of 2013. His
criticisms allegedly stated that there had
been too much micromanagement of the
event from the top level of Malaysia’s The decision to proceed with the upgrade programmes
political and security leadership. for the RMAF's BAE Hawk, Lockheed Martin C-130 and
In the end though, Zulkifli’s exile and Sikorsky S61A Nuri fleet are still to be made.
estrangement from the MAF leadership,

52 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW |

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which incorporates more improvements

Dzirhan Mahadzir
but at a higher cost.

Royal Malaysian Navy

The Royal Malaysian Navy is committed
to its 15-to-5 Transformation Plan
initiated by the previous Chief, Admiral
Kamarulzaman, which envisioned the
RMN reducing its 15 classes of ship
types in service to five classes. However,
current chief Admiral Reza has order
a review of the plan. In a speech on 8
The Malaysian
January this year, Admiral Reza stated the Army is looking to
phasing out dates for the four Laksamana replace its 105mm
class corvettes and four Mahamiru class howitzers but funding
minehunters would be revised and his has not been made
available save for a
intention was for the two ship classes small purchase of 18
to continue service for the time being. Nexter LG1 105mms.
Originally the Laksamanas were to be
phased out starting this year with the
final ship phased out in 2020 while to re-evaluate all programmes initiated reconsidered given the considerable age
the Mahamirus would also begin their by the previous government but stated of the fleet.
phasing out this year with the last ship that it could be considered in the future Since January 2019, Requests for
phased out in 2021. The decision to retain if it was a priority. Subsequently on 9 Information (RFI) have gone out to
both ship classes likely lies in the fact that August Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu Leonardo on the M346, KAI on the FA-50,
the RMN is not expected to receive any stated in Parliament that a combination HAL for Tejas and Pakistan Aeronautical
immediate funding to obtain additional of maritime surveillance aircraft and Complex for the JF-17 in regard to the LCA
ships while continued delays to the six UAVs were required for surveillance requirement. In terms of UAV requirements,
ship Maharaja Lela class Littoral Combat in Malaysian waters though he added RFIs have been sent to General Atomics
Ships under construction and expected. that this was the requirement under the for the MQ-9B Sea Guardian, AVIC for
The first of class was to have been RMAF Capability 55 Plan. the Wing Loong II and Turkish Aerospace
completed by the end of 2018 but the date Released in July 2018, the Capability Industries (TAI) for its Anka UAV with
now has been pushed back to the end of 55 plan envisages a development plan TAI already having a partnership with
2019. The delays in completion appear to for the RMAF by 2055 where the RMAF Malaysia’s Deftech in providing the Anka
lie in delayed delivery of components and would consist of two Multi-Role Combat to meet Malaysia’s requirement. However
subsystems that Malaysian contractors Aircraft (MRCA) squadrons, three Light given both the LCA and UAV programs
were supposed to provide. The RMN Combat Aircraft (LCA) squadrons, a are not budgeted for or even formally
is scheduled to receive the first of two single strategic airlift/ multirole transport approved by the government, it is more
Littoral Mission Ships built in China in tanker squadron, two tactical airlift likely the RFIs were to encourage industry
December this year with the second one squadrons, two combat search and rescue participation of the Langkawi International
in 2020. Local construction of two LMS by helicopter squadrons and a squadron each Maritime and Aerospace exhibition in
Boustead Heavy Industry Corporations, of Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), UAVs March 2019 in Malaysia.
which also builds the Maharaja Lela and Airborne Early Warning and Control
LCSs, is supposed to begin in the middle (AEW&C) aircraft. Nine radar stations and Overall Outlook
of this year. The RMN will also receive a ground based air defence regiment are Given the issues in Malaysia ranging
in late 2019 a total of six Boeing Insitu also included in this plan. However, the from the political to the fiscal, defence
Scan Eagle UAVs under the US Maritime widely acknowledged problem with this is expected to receive low priority.
Security Initiative. The RMN plans to plan is that it postulates too long a period Although a Defence White Paper will
operate the Scan Eagles from land over to achieve the end state and there has been be issued for the first time in line with
Malaysia’s portion of the South China Sea no indication so far of the government the Pakatan Harapan government’s
before expanding operational coverage of committing itself to supporting it fiscally. stated intention of reform, its impact
the Sulu Seas and conducting shipboard Even current RMAF programmes that will depend on the contents of the White
operations. are supposed to be carried, at the time Paper. A generalised document without
of writing, have yet to be given any any substance, emphasis or commitment
Royal Malaysian Air Force assurance of their completion, namely will be of little use to tackling the issues
The RMAF plan to obtain four Maritime the planned upgrades of the BAE Hawk of renewing the Malaysian Armed Forces
Patrol Aircraft received a major setback fighters, Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules along with equipping and supporting
on 7 August 2018 when the Defence transports and S61A Nuri helicopters. It it adequately. It remains to be seen whether
Ministry gave a written reply to a is possible that the Hawk upgrade could the Pakatan Harapan govern-ment is
member of Parliament stating that the be superseded by the LCA requirement serious about tackling the issue of defence
programme had been cancelled in line or even vice versa while the continued in Malaysia but the White Paper, when it
with the current government’s policy service of the Nuri helicopters may be comes out, will reveal its true intent. AMR

54 | AsiAn MilitAry review |