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Contents JULY/AUGUST 2010
VOLUME 18 / ISSUE 5
Front Cover Photo:
One of the latest wheeled SP
artillery systems in production is
Nexter Systems CAESAR
155mm/52 calibre system. The
French Army has ordered 72
systems with final deliveries
due in 2011. Thailand has taken
delivery of six CAESARs and an
undisclosed export customer,
believed to be the Saudi
Arabian National Guard has
ordered 100 systems © Nexter
04
20
Artillery evolves
to meet changing
requirements
Christopher F Foss
While there is an increasing
trend towards the fielding
of artillery rocket systems
there is still a requirement
for conventional tube artillery
be it wheeled or tracked
Asia-Pacific
Airborne
Surveillance
Martin Streetly
Asian-Pacific regions take
airborne surveillance seriously.
The nations of the region have
equipped themselves with a
range of photo reconnaissance,
ground surveillance and signals
intelligence platforms
26
Soldier
Communications
Adam Baddeley
Military transformation means
many things to many people. For
the dismounted soldier, a big part
of their transformation means
better answers to the following
questions: Where am I? Where are
my friends? Where is the enemy?
Communications deliver com-
pelling answer to those questions
l JULY/AUGUST 2010
12
New
Generation
Attack
Helicopters
Ian Kemp
Attack helicopters play a critical role supporting operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq. New and upgraded aircraft are entering the fray
and competing in a number of competitions in the region
32
38
Pakistan to Japan:
Combat Aircraft: Anti-Shipping Missile
A regional report Requirements
John Mulberry
Combat aircraft manufactures Doug Richardson
are recognising the potential A total of 14 nations in the area
within the Asia-Pacific region as from Pakistan to Japan operate
armed forces increase invest- warships armed with anti-ship mis-
ment in their defence capabili- siles equipping a combination of
ties and demand for increasingly modern vessels, supplemented by
sophisticated airborne platforms a significant number of older ships,
and weapons systems grows some of which have had or are
undergoing mid-life upgrades
44 European Defence
Aerospace
Cooperation
in Asia
Gordon Arthur
Europe is now tapping into
Asia’s appetite for defence,
making inroads into US ascen-
dancy. Europe is doing so via
aircraft sales, supporting
indigenous programmes, and
supplying engines and avionics
l 01
Index of Advertisers
AIRSHOW CHINA
ARTILLERY SYSTEMS ASIA
ATK
3rd COVER
25
4th COVER
Editorial
orth Korea must be punished or, if you
AV INC 09
BOMBARDIER 07

will, held to account for the sinking of

C-COMSAT
EUROCOPTER
FLIR
IDEF 2011
IDEX 2011
INDO DEFENCE
KAMAN
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
2nd COVER
29
17
19
51
53
02

11
N the Choenan, which sank with the loss
of 46 sailors in March. However, per-
haps the greatest long term damage
caused by the single CHT-02D torpedo is self
inflicted, namely to North Korea’s relationship
with China with recent events suggesting that China could be disentan-
SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2012 55

gling itself from its position of unstinting support for Pyongyang.

Advertising Offices
Australia The South and the US clearly do not want war over the tragedy. Equally
Charlton D'Silva, Mass Media Publicitas they have laid down markers that should a similar event happen, they will
be less forgiving. They have though cut their own financial and social ties
Tel: (61 2) 9252 3476
E-Mail: cdsilva@publicitas.com
France/Spain with the North and sought help from their neighbours is choking off inflows
Stephane de Remusat, REM International of money to the country, crippling its fragile economy and attempting to
invoke UN resolution 1695, passed in 2006.
Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130
E-Mail: sremusat@aol.com

At the three-way summit on the crisis held between China, Japan and
Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy/UK
Sam Baird, Whitehill Media
Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 South Korea at the end of May, reports suggested China was either con-
E-Mail: sam@whitehillmedia.com
sidering or had not discounted that possibility. Ultimately Wen Jiabao, the
Chinese premier did not publicly condemn the North, but things have
India
Vishal Mehta, Media Transasia India Limited
Tel: (91) 124 4759625, Fax: (91) 124 4759550 nonetheless changed.
E-Mail: vishal@mediatransasia.com
Israel/Turkey It was assumed that China would pay lip service to co-operation but would
Liat Heiblum, Oreet - International Media
reflexively veto such a move against North Korea, no matter what. To do
otherwise would ‘risk’ the collapse of the Pyongyang regime, probable war,
Tel: (97 2) 3 570 6527
E-Mail: liat@oreet-marcom.com
Russia humanitarian disaster, unification and so Beijing’s strategic calculus went,
Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd,
US forces would then be poised on its borders, irrespective of previous
indications from Washington and Seoul that such an event would prompt
Tel/Fax : (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653
Email :alla@mediatransasia.com, allbbo@online.sinor.ru
Scandinavia/Benelux/South Africa a US withdrawal.
Tony Kingham, KNM Media
Tel: (44) 2081 445 934 Mobile : (44) 7827 297 465 Whatever the reason for the attack; power politics amongst succession
factions, Kim Jong-il seeking to rally domestic support or most improba-
E-Mail: tony.kingham@worldsecurity-index.com

bly a sub captain over reaching himself, the fact that China could be even
Singapore/Malaysia/Brunei/Indonesia/China
Dr. Rosalind Lui, TSEA International
Tel: (65) 6458 7885 Mobile : (65) 9886 3762 considering sanctions against Pyongyang is a seismic shift.
E-Mail: drrosalind@tsea.com
South Korea The question of whether China sees North Korea as an asset or liability
has been raised and it won’t go away. It lies at the centre of how China
Young Seoh Chinn, Jes Media Inc.
Tel: (82-2) 481 3411/13
E-Mail: jesmedia@unitel.co.kr wishes to been seen in the world, whether as a responsible player on the
USA (East/South East)/Canada world stage with economic might or as a rigid supporter of a murderous-
ly eccentric but decaying regime.
Margie Brown, Margie Brown & Associates.
Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581
Email :margiespub@rcn.com
USA (West/South West)/Brazil

Adam Baddeley, Editor

Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc.
Tel: +1 (858) 759 3557
Email: blackrockmedia@cox.net

Editor: Adam Baddeley

E-mail: adam@baddeley.net

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l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 03
SPECIAL
MISSION AIRCRAFT

Asia-Pacific
Airborne
Survei

04 l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l

 SPECIAL
MISSION AIRCRAFT

In a region that
contains three
indigenous nuclear
powers, at least one
regional super power,
three of the world’s
economic super
powers, is bordered
by the world’s only
global super power
and is largely oceanic,
it would indeed be
surprising if the

lla nce Asian-Pacific regions

did not take airborne
surveillance seriously.
While maritime
patrol provision can
betaken as a given,
the nations of the
region have also
equipped themselves
with photo
reconnaissance,
ground surveillance
and SIGnals
INTelligence (SIGINT)
platforms and it is
with this last trio of
capabilities that this
article concerns itself.
by Martin Streetly

aking these in order, AMR identi-

fies Australia, the People’s

T Republic of China (PRC), India,

Japan, the Republic of Korea
(South Korea), Malaysia and
Pakistan as all operating land-based photo
reconnaissance aircraft. In more detail, the
Australian capability is vested in a small
number of RF-111C aircraft which will (if not
already) have been withdrawn from service
by the end of 2010. The PRC capability is
vested in the JZ-8 fast jet which is equipped
with a centreline equipment pod that proba-
bly contains cameras and/or a Side-Looking
Airborne Radar (SLAR). For its part, India’s
secretive Research and Analysis Wing
High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) unmanned

(RAW) is known to operate a Gulfstream

aerial vehicles such as the navalised Global Hawk
shown here probably represent a significant element
business jet that is equipped with a Long-
of future airborne surveillance provision within the

Range Oblique Photography (LOROP) sen-

Asia-Pacific region. To-date, Australia, Japan and

sor for stand-off reconnaissance duties.

South Korea have all shown interest in the RQ-4 for

Elsewhere, the Japanese Air Self-Defence

just such a role © Northrop Grumman

Force (JASDF) operates a mixed fleet of RF-

l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 05
SPECIAL
MISSION AIRCRAFT
4EJ and RF-4EJKai tactical reconnaissance
aircraft. Of the two, the RF-4EJKai is proba-
bly the more interesting as it is a conversion
of the standard F-4EJ fighter and is capable of
carrying a series of podded reconnaissance
systems, with the range including a LOROP
camera, the Analyseur de Signaux
TACtiques (ASTAC) SIGINT system and the
X-band (8 to 12.5 GHz) SLAR-2000 SLAR. Of
these, ASTAC and SLAR-2000 are Thales
France products, with the JASDF’s ASTAC
pods having been produced under licence by
Japanese contractor Mitsubishi. Moving
north, South Korea flies a mixture of RF-4C
and RF-5A tactical reconnaissance jets, with
the F-5 also providing Malaysia with its capa-
bility in the form of the RF-4E. Last but not
least, the Pakistan Air Force continues to
operate a number of Mirage IIIRP (and, pos-
sibly, Mirage 5DR) aircraft in the role.
Moving on to ground surveillance (which
in this context can be taken to mean Electro-
Optical (EO) or radar-based over-land sur-
veillance, with the latter dividing into
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR – imaging)
and Ground Moving Target Indicator
(GMTI) modes), the inherent EO capability of
Australia’s AP-3C maritime patrol fleet has
been used extensively in support of land
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Within
The JMSDF’s fleet of five OP-3C surveillance
aircraft are used to “image” surface vessels
and to transmit the acquired data to end users
in “near” real-time © JMSDF
06
The inherent EO capability
of Australia’s AP-3C mar-
itime patrol fleet has been
used extensively in support
of land operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan
the PRC orbit, a group of four Tu-154M/D
aircraft hold out the intriguing prospect of a
Chinese Joint Surveillance Target Attack
Radar System (Joint STARS) type capability.
All four aircraft are equipped with a canoe-
shaped radome beneath their forward fuse-
lages which is identical in configuration to
that illustrated in promotional literature for a
locally produced SAR that is known to have
definitely been installed aboard one such
platform (aircraft B-4029). As with many
things PRC, whether the described aircraft
are equipped with such a sensor, whether or
not the noted SAR is an experimental or
operational system and whether or not it
incorporates a GMTI capability remains enig-
matic.
Mention of GMTI brings the reader neatly
to a second Chinese programme that centres
on a sensor-equipped variant of the Z-8 heli-
copter. Here, a single example equipped with
a large deployable sensor head at the rear of
its main cabin has been identified. Frequently
identified as being an airborne early warning
platform, this analyst believes that the type is
more likely to be a battlefield surveillance
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
aircraft that is equipped with a GMTI radar
along the lines of the French Army’s now
retired HORIZON helicopter system.
Alongside these Australian and Chinese
applications, the Republic of Korea Air Force
(RoKAF) operates four Hawker Beechcraft
Hawker 800XP business jets that have been
modified to Hawker 800RA radar surveil-
lance configuration under the ‘Peace
Krypton’ programme. Produced by a consor-
tium of L-3 Communications Integrated
Systems (formerly E-Systems) and Lockheed
Martin, the ‘Peace Krypton’ aircraft are
equipped with a SAR that is believed to be a
variant of the Lockheed Martin Advanced
Imaging Radar System (LAIRS) and to offer
GMTI, navigation and SAR operating modes
out to ranges of 185 km. Used for border sur-
veillance between the two Koreas (and as a
means of reducing the Republic’s depend-
ence on the United States to defend itself),
AMR believes that the four Hawker 800RAs
are assigned to the RoKAF’s 39th Tactical
Reconnaissance Group based at Seongnam.
At this point, attention is turned to
Japan’s OP-3C multi-sensor ocean surveil-
lance platform which is an intelligence gath-
erer rather than a maritime patrol aircraft.
Operated by the Japanese Maritime Self-
Defence Force’s (JMSDF) 81st Kokutai (Air
Squadron) out of Iwakuni, the four OP-3Cs
have all been converted from ‘line’ P-3C
maritime patrol aircraft and are equipped
with a sensor suite that includes a SLAR, a
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SPECIAL
MISSION AIRCRAFT

The importance of the Pacific region to the US is

emphasised by the USAF’s stationing of its 82nd
Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena on Okinawa
to support RC-135 ‘Rivet Joint’ signals intelligence
aircraft operating in the region © USAF

EO/Infra-Red (IR) camera system, an IR

search and track system, a Global
Positioning System-based navigation capa-
bility and satellite communications.
Functionally, AMR understands that the OP-
3C is used to “image” surface ship targets-
of-interest, process acquired data in-flight
and transmit imagery and data in near real-
time to “command posts and friendly ships”.
While all of the foregoing represent inter-
esting capabilities, the region’s airborne SIG-
INT platforms are perhaps the most beguil-
ing not least because of their generally low
profile. Indeed, so low is that of Australia’s
supposed ‘Peace Mate’ P-3C aircraft that the
country’s government vehemently denies its
existence! Despite this, usually reliable
sources suggest that United States (US) con-
tractor E-Systems modified a single
Australian P-3C for COMmunications
INTelligence (COMINT) collection within the
3 to 300 MHz band under the ‘Peace Mate’
programme and that the capability has been
used operationally in connection with the
East Timor crisis. ‘Peace Mate’ is also sup-
posed to have included a modified C-130 that
was developed by Tenex Systems and was
equipped with predominantly US-sourced
The JMSDF’s Iwakuni-based 81st Kokutai is equipped with five examples of the EP-3 SIGINT

SIGINT equipment. As to whether or not

aircraft shown here © JMSDF

‘Peace Mate’ exists or is but a figment of
fevered journalistic imagination, AMR can
only report that the Royal Australian Air
Force does retain a single P-3C for “test and
trials” work and that the aircraft is based at
Edinburgh in New South Wales alongside
the Service’s Information Warfare Wing.
Equally enigmatic is Singapore’s reported
use of both the C-130 and the Fokker 50 in the
SIGINT role. In order, the Republic of
Singapore Air Force (RoSAF) is understood
to have acquired a single C-130 that has been
outfitted with at least a 3 to 300 MHz band
COMINT capability (probably sourced from
Israel) and is operated in concert with the ser-
vice’s Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft. In
terms of operational usage, this aircraft is
said to have flown patrols along the Thai and
Malay coasts and to have regularly moni-
tored activity in the Bay of Bengal. The
RoSAF’s use of the Fokker 50 in the SIGINT
role is far more tenuous and rests on circum-
stantial evidence that ties Fokker’s sale of a
‘Black Crow’ Fokker 50 electronic reconnais-
sance aircraft to an unidentified customer to
the RoSAF’s Fokker 50UTA transport aircraft
serial number 713. If 713 is the described
‘Black Crow’ SIGINT platform, it may have
been equipped with an ARGOSystems AR-
7000 mission suite that is capable of both
COMINT and ELectronic INTElligence
(ELINT) collection. Intriguing though the
above may seem, it must be stressed that as
with the ‘Peace Mate’ programme, the evi-
dence for such an RoSAF capability is at best
tenuous and the reader must make up their
Republic of Korea Air
Force (RoKAF) operates four
Hawker Beechcraft
Hawker 800XP business
jets that have been modified
to Hawker 800RA radar
surveillance configuration
mind as to the truth or otherwise of the fore-
going reports.
On much more solid ground is PRC con-
tractor CETC’s Shaanxi Y-8 based SIGINT
platform that was first publicised during the
2008 Defence Services Asia trade show in
Kuala Lumpur. Here, the capability was
based around the KZ800 ELINT suite which
has been described as being able to detect,
analyse, identify and locate land-based and
shipboard radars operating within the 1 to
18 GHz frequency range. Elsewhere within
the PRC orbit, the Air Force of the People’s
Liberation Army is known to operate at
least single examples of at least three other
SIGINT systems based on the Y-8 together
with at least one Tu-154M/D SIGINT plat-
form. All of the Y-8 systems have been asso-
ciated with the ‘Gaoxin’ (‘High New’) pro-
gramme and have (respectively) been
assigned the designations Y-8CB, Y-8 (DZ)
and Y-8T designations by Western sources.
Again, all three types were first identified

08 ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW

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SPECIAL
MISSION AIRCRAFT
during the 2004 to 2007 period, with the Tu-
154M/D platform believed to have entered
service during 1998.
On the other side of the Chinese coin, the
Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) is
known to operate a single C-130H transport
that has been modified for SIGINT collection
under the designation C-130HE. As such, the
platform is equipped with an Airborne
Electronic Surveillance System (AESS) and
was role modified jointly by Lockheed Martin
and Taiwan’s Chung Shan Institute of Science
and Technology. Over time, the RoCAF C-
130HE aircraft has been operated under the
umbrella of the Service’s 6th Combined Wing
and is home-based at Pingtung.
Moving north, India’s RAW organisation
includes in its inventory a Boeing 707-337C
airliner that is equipped for SIGINT collec-
tion. Here, the platform was almost certainly
fitted out by US contractor E-Systems, fea-
tures large antenna ‘cheek’ fairings on both
sides of its forward fuselage and was most
recently based at Indra Gandi/Palam
International Airport near Delhi. It is perhaps
worth noting that some or all of RAW’s An-
One of the few known pictures that shows
the Arava 201 transport aircraft in SIGINT
configuration. Thailand currently operates
two such aircraft © IAI
The Hawker 800SIG SIGINT aircraft is operated by the RoKAF’s 39th Tactical Reconnaissance Group
and is used to monitor activity along the border between the two Koreas © L-3 Communications
10
Despite its poor quality, this is one of the few photographs of a Chinese SIGINT-configured
Tu-154M/D known to exist © Chinese Internet
32 and Il-76MD transports may also have
been SIGINT modified, a proposition that
can not be currently confirmed.
Within the Japanese military, both the
JASDF and the JMSDF feature SIGINT air-
craft within their inventories. In order (and
aside from the already described RF-
4JKai/ASTAC combination), the JASDF is
reported to operate a fleet of up to four YS-
11EB (YS-11EL according to some sources)
SIGINT platforms that, at sometime in their
careers, were equipped with the J/ALR-2
mission suite. As of the period November
2009 to April 2010, all four of these aircraft
were being reported as being assigned to the
service’s Denshi Hiko Sokuteitai (Electronic
Intelligence Squadron) at Iruma. For its part,
the JMSDF’s Iwakuni-based 81st Kokutai
operates a fleet of five Kawasaki EP-3 SIG-
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
INT platforms in addition to the already
described OP-3Cs. As such, the EP-3 is
equipped with ‘low’ and ‘high’ band collec-
tion sub-systems that have been developed
by Japanese contractors NEC and Mitsubishi
respectively. Readers should note that in the
EP-3 mission suite context, the equipment
designations NH/LR-107 and NH/LR-108
have been mentioned.
Of the two remaining identified regional
SIGINT aircraft operators (South Korea and
Thailand), the RoKAF’s 39th Tactical
Reconnaissance Group operates a quartet of
Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 800SIG SIGINT
The Air Force of the
People’s Liberation Army is
known to operate at least
single examples of at least
three other SIGINT systems
based on the Y-8 together
with at least one
Tu-154M/D SIGINT platform
platforms alongside its Hawker 800RA
radar surveillance aircraft. Developed
under the ‘Paekdu/Peace Pioneer’ pro-
gramme, the Hawker 800SIG is equipped
with an E-Systems developed mission suite
that is reported to be both COMINT and
ELINT capable and as offering a frequency
coverage that has an upper limit within the
Ka-band (26.5 to 40 GHz). Last but not least,
The Royal Thai Air Force’s Takhli-based 402
Squadron operate a pair of Israel Aerospace
Industries Arava 201 transports that have
been fitted out for SIGINT collection. As
such, the pair may be equipped with the
Elta Systems EL/L-8310 ELINT sub-system
and a COMINT capability built around the
company’s EL/K-1xxx series receivers, with
the whole being packaged as a roll-on/roll-
off capability.
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ATTACK
HELICOPTERS

The Australian Army will receive the last

of 22 EC665 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance
Helicopters next year. Australia is the first
export customer in the Asia Pacific region
for Eurocopter’s first purpose built attack
helicopter © ADF

12 l
Helic
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l

Attack helicopters play
a critical role supporting US-led
coalition operations in Afghanistan
and Iraq. New and upgraded
aircraft are entering thefray
by Ian Kemp
New
Generation
Attack
opters l JULY/AUGUST 2010
ATTACK
HELICOPTERS
he Apache is a product of the Cold
War, developed in the 1970s to pro-
T vide the US Army with an attack
helicopter for high intensity opera-
tions that could be used to offset
the Soviet advantage in tanks on NATO’s
Central Front. To implement this vision the
Boeing AH-64 was developed in parallel with
the long range Lockheed Martin AGM-114
Hellfire anti-tank guide missile (ATGM).
Apaches, equipped with the 8,000 m range
Hellfire, are able to accurately engage tanks at
double the range of the TOW-armed Bell AH-
1 Cobras they replaced. The AH-64A Apache
and its successor, the AH-64D Apache, carry
an impressive weapons load: up to 16
Hellfires or four 19-round rocket pockets as
well as a belly-mounted 30mm Chain Gun
with 1,200 rounds of ammunition. During the
1991 and 2003 wars with Iraq the Apache
demonstrated its effectiveness as tank killer.
In the counterinsurgency campaigns in
Afghanistan and Iraq the Apache has demon-
strated its formidable capabilities as a preci-
sion strike weapon.
In September 2003, the US Army estab-
lished an Aviation Task Force to examine the
lessons learned from Operation Enduring
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The
need to enhance ‘synchronisation’ between
aviation elements and brigade combat teams
(BCTs) was an early finding and Brigade
Aviation Elements are being embedded in
the headquarters of each BCT to provide
commanders and staff members with avia-
tion expertise including the employment of
unmanned air vehicles. As part of its new
modular structure the US Army is organis-
ing its aviation units into multifunctional
Combat Aviation Brigades (CAB), consist-
ing of company-sized ‘building blocks’ that
can be tasked organised to support several
BCTs. For the first time attack, reconnais-
sance, utility, medium lift and medical evac-
uation helicopters will all be in the same
brigade. Each CAB will have two attack hel-
icopter battalions although an attack heli-
copter company can be equipped with either
10 OH-58D Kiowas or eights AH-64Ds.
Brigades assigned to heavy divisions will
have two battalions each with 24 Apaches, a
l
medium division with have one battalion
with 30 OH-58D and 24 Apaches while and a
light division will have two battalions
equipped with Kiowas.
Boeing’s AH-64D Apache Block III (AB3)
structures test aircraft made its first flight on
23 November 2009. According to the US
13
ATTACK
HELICOPTERS
The US Army plans to increase its Apache fleet from 709 aircraft to 747 AH-64D models in Block I, II
and III configurations by 2018. Low rate initial production of the Block III is now underway © Boeing
Army, the “AB3 will add significant combat
capability while addressing obsolescence
issues to ensure the aircraft remains a realis-
tic combat multiplier beyond 2025”. The AB3
upgrade will integrate: unmanned aircraft
system Level III - IV control capability,
improved Situational awareness, an upgrad-
ed communications suite, improved drive
and propulsion systems, improved targeting
capability, increased computer processing
capability and speed, improved navigation
systems, and improved diagnostics and
maintainability. The low rate initial produc-
14
tion programme includes 51 aircraft for oper-
ational testing, first unit equipped and field-
ing to the training base. The Army plans to
acquire 691 AB3 aircraft with fielding contin-
uing beyond Fiscal Year 2026 and for much
of this period of the Army intends to operate
747 AB2 and AB3 models.
The AH-64 has the distinction of being the
most widely exported attack helicopter in the
world. Boeing built 116 AH-64As for five
international customers and 239 AH-64Ds
have been bought by nine international cus-
tomers. The Republic of Singapore Air
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
Force’s 120 Squadron operates 17 of the 20
AH-64Ds delivered in two batches between
1999 and 2001. In March 2006 the Japanese
Ground Self-Defence Force received the first
of 55 AH-64DJPs ordered to replace its fleet
of 90 AH-1S Cobras. These helicopters are
being built under license by Fuji Heavy
Industries. In 2007, Taiwan announced its
decision to acquire 30 AH-64Ds to augment
62 AH-1Ws already in service. A contract
was expected to be signed as this issue of
AMR went to press.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition
Program Administration (DAPA) announced
in September 2009 that the Army’s plans to
replace its 60 AH-1 Cobras Ss and 130
l

The Boeing AH-64D Apache entered service
with the Republic of Singapore Air Force in
1999 © SAF
Hughes 500s from 2018 with up to 270 new
attack helicopters could be postponed as the
government sought ways to reduce defence
spending. However, Seoul’s suspicions that
North Korea was responsible for the sinking
of the South Korean corvette Cheonan on 26
March with the loss of 46 lives has given new
impetus to defence spending. “Taking into
account the peculiar situation of the world’s
only divided nation amid hostilities, we must
reshape our military’s capabilities,” South
Korean President Lee Myung-bak told a
meeting of senior military leaders on 4 May.
“We must especially check on our readiness
against asymmetric capabilities, including
special warfare.” The Ministry of National
Defence said attack helicopters would be
among the weapons fielded to counter the
threat from North Korea.
The DAPA is studying a number of
options including the local production of the
Korea Attack Helicopter (KAH) or buying
refurbished US Army Apache helicopters.
Korea Aerospace Industries has proposed
adopting a foreign design for the KAH or
producing an armed version of the Surion
Korea Utility Helicopter, which it is develop-
ing with Eurocopter.
The US Army's Apache Program Office has
given DAPA three options for the acquisition
of AH-64D:
 Block I models, at a unit price of $16 mil-
lion to $17 million, for delivery between 2012
and 2014;
 Upgraded Block II models, at a cost of $19
million to $20 million;
 And, Block III aircraft fitted with the
Longbow fire-control radar system, at a unit
cost of $32.5 million, for delivery from 2014.
The Indian Air Force is seeking 22 twin-
engine attack helicopters to replace the Mi-
24s and Mi-35s. In May 2009 the Ministry of
Defence issued a request for proposals (RfP)
for the helicopters, worth an estimated Rs28
billion, to AgustaWestland (AW129
Mangusta), Bell (AH-1Z Viper), Boeing (AH-
64D Apache), Eurocopter (EC665 Tiger) and
Mil (Mi-28N). An earlier tender, issued in
2008, which specified a 50 percent offset
requirement was withdrawn after the two US
companies refused to bid; the new tender
reduces the offset requirement to 30 per cent.
The in service date has slipped to 2012 at the
earliest; the 2008 RfP stipulated that the first
pair of helicopters should be delivered with-
in 24 months of contract signature and the
last within 36 months.
Marine snakes
The US Marine Corps is upgrading its 20-year
old AH-1W SuperCobra attack and UH-1N
utility helicopter fleets through the H-1
Program which will see Bell Helicopter con-
vert 168 AH-1Ws to the new AH-1Z Viper
configuration and build 58 new AH-1Z as
well as 113 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters.
Each of the 18 Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Squadrons operates 18 AH-1Ws and nine
UH-1Ns. Typically several helicopters of
each type are grouped with CH-46E Sea
Knight and CH-53E Super Stallion troop lift
helicopters to form the composite helicopter
squadron which is assigned to each embarked
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
On 27 September 2006 Bell delivered the
first production examples of the AH-Z and
UH-1Y. The two share 84 percent common
components including tail boom, engines,
rotor system, drive train, avionics architec-
ture, software, controls and displays; this is
expected to reduce support costs by over $3
billion over a 30 years. The new engines and
In the counterinsurgency
campaigns in Afghanistan
and Iraq the Apache has
demonstrated its formidable
capabilities as a precision
strike weapon
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 15
ATTACK
HELICOPTERS
four-bladed rotor system improves the pay-
load, maximum speed, vertical rate-of-climb
and rotor vibration level of the aircraft. A 217
percent improvement in mission payload
enables the AH-1Z to carry up to 16 Hellfires
and two AIM-9L Sidewinder AAMs or
AGM-122A Sidearm anti-radiation missiles.
There are 750 rounds of ammunition avail-
able for the nose-mounted M197 three-barrel
20 mm gun. With a 1,232 kg payload the AH-
1Z has a mission radius of 203 km. USMC
AH-1Zs are powered by two T700-GE-401
engines although export customers can spec-
ify the more powerful T700-GE-701C.
Operational evaluation of the AH-1Z
began in early 2006 although initial opera-
tional capability (IOC) has been pushed back
to Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) as the USMC is giv-
ing priority to fielding the UH-1Y to maintain
the current high operational tempo. The AH-
1Z is expected to complete its operational
evaluation in July, leading to a decision for
full-rate production later this year. USMC
Colonel Harry Hewson, H-1 program man-
ager, told reporters at the Navy League’s Sea-
Air-Space Exposition on 4 May that a number
of upgrades are planned for the AH-1Z
including the installation of a digital moving
map display from later this year, the intro-
duction of a blue-force tracking capability
2011 and 2013, the introduction of the
Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System and
the Joint Air-Ground Missile between 2012
and 2015, and, if funding is available, the
introduction of the AIM-9X Sidewinder in
2014-2016.
Hewson said the AH-1Z will be available
ATTACK
HELICOPTERS
for foreign military sales in 2012. The
Pakistan Army which now operates 25 single
engine AH-1Fs is thought to be a likely
export customer for the AH-1Z.
Tiger enters service
Since July 2009, the French Army has
deployed three EC665 Tiger HAP helicopters
from the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment
(5e RHC) in Afghanistan as part of the com-
posite French Helicopter Battalion. The
detachment logged 520 flight hours during
the first six months and achieved an avail-
ability level of 95 percent.
Later this year, the Australian Army will
receive the last of 22 Eurocopter Tiger heli-
copters bought in December 2001 for A$1.3
billion to meet its Air 87 Requirement for an
Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH)
version. The first four Tiger were built at
Eurocopter's Marignane, France plant with
the remaining aircraft assembled at the
Brisbane facility of Australian Aerospace,
Eurocopter’s local subsidiary.
Tiger is a key element of Australia’s
emerging Hardened and Networked Army.
It will equip the two flying squadrons - 161st
A US Marine Corps Bell AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter lifts off to support coalition ground forces
during Operation Moshtarak in Afghanistan in February. The AH-1W will remain in USMC service
at least until the end of the decade © USMC
16
and 162nd - of the1st Aviation Regiment
based in Darwin, Northern Territory. The
helicopters will replace the army’s obsolete,
Vietnam-era Bell UH-1H gunships and Bell
206 Kiowa reconnaissance helicopters.
The French and German armies agreed in
1984 to launch a joint combat helicopter proj-
ect and the first Tiger prototype flew in 1991.
Spending cuts by both governments follow-
ing the end of the Cold War delayed the proj-
ect and reduced the original combine
requirement from 427 to 160 helicopters,
evenly split between the two armies,
although follow on orders are expected. The
German Army changed its requirement from
a dedicated anti-tank configuration to the
UHT (Unterstutzungshubschrauber) support
helicopter configuration. A mast-mounted
TV/forward looking infrared/laser range
finder is fitted for the gunner. The UHT’s
four outboard weapon stations can be armed
with eight anti-tank missiles or two pods of
19 rockets or four Stinger air-to-air missiles
(AAMs) and two .50 calibre gun pods. The
service became the launch customer for the
PARS 3 LR (previously known as the TRI-
GAT-Long Range) missile in June 2006 when
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
it awarded MBDA a _380 million contract to
deliver 680 missiles for use on the Tiger by
2014. The German Army may install a
Rheinmetall RMK30 cannon in a chin turret
during a mid-life upgrade.
The first 40 Tigers for the French Army, of
which more than 20 have been delivered, are
in the HAP (Helicoptere d'Appui Protection
or Support and Escort Helicopter) configura-
tion with a chin-mounted Giat 30 mm gun
turret. Typical armament could consist of up
to 450 30 mm rounds, two pods each with 22
unguided 68 mm rockets and four Mistral
AAMs. There is no provision for an AT mis-
sile. The remaining 40 Tigers, scheduled for
delivery from 2008, will be in the multi-role
Helicoptere d'Appui Destruction (HAD) con-
figuration which was originally selected by
the Spanish Army. Similar to the HAP ver-
sion the HAD has uprated MTR390-E engines
which provide 14 percent more power and
incorporates better ballistic protection. It can
carry four Mistrals or four 68 mm/70 mm
rocket pods or four ATGWs. The Spanish
Army has selected the Rafael Advanced
Defense Systems Spike-Long Range ATGW to
equip it 22 Tigers. Common to the HAP and
HAD configurations is a roof-mounted sight
with TV, FLIR and laser-range finder.
The Australian Army was the first to
select the Hellfire to arm its Tigers and in late
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ATTACK
HELICOPTERS
The US Marine Corps plans to acquire 226 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 113 UH-1Y Venom
utility helicopters from Bell Helicopter. The US government will release the AH-1Z to Foreign
Military Sales customers in 2012 © Bell
2005 six missiles, four with inert warheads
and two missiles with live AGM-114M BF
warheads, were launched from Australian
aircraft to complete the Hellfire integration
process. For reconnaissance missions the
Tiger will typically carry two Hellfires and
two 19 round rocket pods.
The ARH achieved initial operational
capability in September 2009, a delay of 27
months which was primarily caused by the
protracted certification process in France.
The forecast for full operational capability
has slipped by 42 months from the original
plan until December 2012.
Major General Tony Fraser, head of the
Army’s Helicopter Systems Division, told the
parliamentary defence committee last year
that the ARH had, “reached a level of matu-
rity that I would regard as off the shelf”.
Fraser cited the successful integration of the
Hellfire missile as paving the way for the
missile’s adoption on French Army Tigers.
The Defence Capability Plan 2009 states
that the AIR 87 project is ‘likely’ to include,
“a new phase (or phases) to maintain the
effectiveness of the capability. This project is
expected to provide system upgrades to
the ARH consistent with the parent
Franco/German Tiger helicopter program.
These upgrades may include weapons,
engines, software, aircraft mission manage-
ment system and ground support system
upgrades. This is likely to be an ACAT
[Acquisition] Category III project and
18
Defence will commence work on develop-
ing this phase for Government considera-
tion after 2016.”
Contenders for Armed
Aerial Scout
US Army’s Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) pro-
gramme emerged following the termination
of the Bell ARH-70 Armed Reconnaissance
Helicopter in October 2008. At least three
manufacturers are expected to compete for
the project to replace the Army’s long-serv-
ing OH-58D Kiowa scout helicopters. Their
contenders are also touted as suitable for
forces which do not require the sophistica-
tion, or expense, of a dedicated attack heli-
copter such as the Apache or who wish to
field a ‘high/low’ mix of helicopters.
Boeing is offering the AH-6i Light
Attack/Reconnaissance helicopter, based on
the company’s AH-6 Little Bird in service
with the US Army’s 160th Special
Operations Aviation Regiment, made its
first flight on 16 September. The AH-6i’s
cockpit shares 83 percent software common-
ality with the Boeing’s AH-64D Apache
Block III and was described by Winn as “the
most advanced cockpit flying today”.
Boeing believes the aircraft will have con-
siderable appeal on the export market for
customers, including ‘several’ in the Middle
East, who do not require the sophistication,
or expense, of the Apache or who wish to
use the aircraft in a ‘high/low’ mix along
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
Since July 2009, the French
Army has deployed three
EC665 Tiger HAP helicop-
ters from the 5th Combat
Helicopter Regiment in
Afghanistan
with the Apache. Boeing plans a family of
aircraft which will also include the AH-6U
utility (which will form the basis of its AAS
proposal) and a stretched AH-6S which will
incorporate a 15 inch plug. The AH-6 is
already qualified with a variety of weapons
including laser-guided rockets, missiles and
three different .50 calibre heavy machine
guns. Jordan became the launch customer
for the AH-6i when it signed a Letter of
Intent with Boeing during the 2010 Special
Operations Forum and Exhibition (SOFEX)
in mid-May.
EADS North America is offering the
Army the Armed Scout 645, a derivative of
the UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter which
itself is based on the civil EC-135; 345 UH-
72As have been ordered for the US Army and
Army National Guard (ARNG) will a strong
contender for the Army’s scout helicopter
requirement. The Armed Scout 645 demon-
strator, displayed at AUSA 2009, has flown
‘high-hot’ tests with a simulated 2,300 pound
Mission Equipment Package (MEP).
Lockheed Martin will be responsible for MEP
integration. EADS is building three AAS-72X
demonstrators, the first of which is sched-
uled to fly before the end of the year.
The most radical proposal is Sikorsky’s
Light Tactical Helicopter (LTH) which is
based on the X2 technology demonstrator.
According to Sikorsky officials the counter-
rotating coaxial design and auxiliary propul-
sion system would offer significant improve-
ments in ‘high-hot’ performance, speed and
survivability. The X2 demonstrator is expect-
ed to achieve its target speed of 250 knots dur-
ing company-funded flight tests in mid-2010.
During the first phase of the analysis of
alternatives (AoA) for the programme AAS,
which was completed earlier this year, the
army considered whether its needs could best
be met by a manned or unmanned solution,
or a combination of the two. During the sec-
ond phase, scheduled for completion in 2011,
the Army will decide whether to develop a
new aircraft, such as the X2, or procure a hel-
icopter which is already in production such as
the Boeing and Eurocopter proposals.
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ARTILLERY
AND ROCKET SYSTEMS

Artillery
evolves to meet
Changing
While there is an
Requirements
increasing trend towards
the fielding of artillery
rocket systems (ARS) there
is still a requirement for
conventional tube artillery be it
self-propelled (SP) or tracked.
by Christopher F Foss

One of the latest wheeled SP artillery systems

to be developed and placed in production is
the French Nexter Systems CAESAR
155mm/52 calibre system based on a Renault
Trucks Defense (6x6) truck chassis © Nexter

20 l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l


n the past these fired mainly high
explosive (HE), smoke and illuminat-
I ing projectiles with the HE nature being
used for suppressive fire. Today there
is a move to provide the field artillery
with a more precision effect. For many years
the Russian Army has deployed the KBP
Instrument Design Bureau Krasnapol 152mm
semi-active laser guided projectile (LGP).
A 155mm version has been developed and
sold to India for use with its Bofors 155mm
FH-77B towed artillery systems. China has
also developed a 155mm LGP based on
Russian technology.
Raytheon of the US has developed the
Excalibur guided 155mm projectile and this
has been used successfully in Afghanistan by
Australian and US forces. There is an on going
competition between ATK and Raytheon for
the main Excalibur production run.
There have been significant developments
in charges with conventional bag type charges
giving away to modular charge systems which
are not only easier to handle but are optimised
for automatic loading systems of SP artillery.
Towed systems still deployed
When compared to their SP counterparts,
towed artillery systems are
lighter, easier to deploy and are cheaper to
operate and maintain. They are well suited
for use by expeditionary forces, especially in
rough terrain where heavier SP artillery sys-
tems cannot be deployed.
Most Western towed artillery systems are
105mm or 155mm calibre while Eastern
towed systems were normally 122mm and
152mm. In some countries, for example
China, there is a clear trend to standardise on
155mm systems.
The most widely deployed 105mm towed
systems are the French Nexter Systems 105
mm LG1 light gun and the now BAE Systems
105mm Light Gun.
The French weapon has been sold to
Belgium, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore (being
phased out) and Thailand with the latest Mk
III recently been delivered to Colombia.
The BAE Systems 105mm Light Gun is
still the benchmark with over 1,000 having
been sold and licence production undertaken
in Australia and the US. Most use the L118
version with the longer barrel with a maxi-
mum range of 17.2km.
The 155 mm/39 calibre M777 lightweight
howitzer was originally developed as a pri-
vate venture by the then Vickers Shipbuilding
and Engineering Limited (VSEL) which has
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 21
ARTILLERY
AND ROCKET SYSTEMS
now been consumed within BAE Systems.
This is now in quantity production for the
US Army and Marines and was first used in
combat by Canada in Afghanistan and so far
over 800 have been ordered with more than
600 delivered.
The M777 weighs only 4.2 tonnes which
makes it easier to transport by helicopter
when compared with 7.13 tonnes of the older
When compared to their
SP counterparts, towed
artillery systems are
lighter, easier to deploy
and are cheaper to operate
and maintain
M198 155mm howitzer.
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have
recently deployed the Singapore Technologies
Kinetics (STK) Pegasus 155mm/39 calibre
Light Weight Howitzer (LWH) which has an
auxiliary power unit and weighs 5.4 tonnes.
Tracked artillery still needed
Some armies have a mix of towed and SP
tube artillery while others have gone for an
ARTILLERY
AND ROCKET SYSTEMS
all SP artillery fleet backed up by ARS.
Tracked SP systems can operate with
mechanised forces and have good cross-
country mobility as well as protection from
small arms fire and shell splinters.
The German Army, for example deploys
the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW)
155mm/52 calibre PzH 2000 SP artillery sys-
tem with a total of 185 units delivered. This
is also in service with Greece (24), Italy (70 -
still being delivered) and the Netherlands
(57). The latter country deployed three sys-
tems to Afghanistan.
The complete 155mm/52 calibre ordnance
of the PzH 2000 is also used in the KMW
Artillery Gun Module (AGM) which is a
remote controlled turret that carries 30 x
155mm projectiles and associated charges.
For trials purposes the AGM has been
installed on a surplus Multiple Launch
Rocket System (MLRS) chassis. When fitted
to a brand new chassis, developed by
The complete 155 mm/52 calibre ordnance of
the PzH 2000 is also used in the KMW Artillery
Gun Module © KMW
22
The most widely deployed
105mm towed systems are
the French Nexter Systems
105 mm LG1 light gun and
the now BAE Systems
105mm Light Gun
General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas
the complete system is called the Thor and is
currently undergoing trials.
China North Industries Corporation
(NORINCO) is marketing the PLZ45
155mm/45 calibre SP artillery system and in
addition to being used by the Peoples
Liberation Army (PLA) has also been sold to
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
South Korea is now virtually self-sufficient
in all ground force weapons and in 1999, first
production examples of the Samsung
Techwin 155mm/52 K9 Thunder SP artillery
systems rolled off the production line.
This has a high rate of fire due to the
installation of a semi-automatic loading sys-
tem that loads the projectile with charges
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
being loaded manually.
The K9 is supported by the K10
Ammunition Resupply Vehicle on a similar
chassis and the K77 Fire Direction Center
Vehicle based on a modified M109 / M992
chassis.
The system is also manufactured in Turkey
for the Turkish Land Forces Command under
the local name of the Firtina. It is also a con-
tender for the Malaysian Army 155mm/52
calibre requirement.
As well as fielding the 155mm/39 calibre
FH-88 and 155mm/52 calibre FH-2000 towed
artillery systems and the 155mm/39 calibre
Pegasus SP, the SAF have now fielded the STK
developed Primus 155mm/39 calibre system.
This is based on a much modified M109
chassis fitted with a brand new turret armed
with a 155mm/39 calibre ordnance. This is
rapidly laid onto the target using a comput-
erised fire control system. An automatic
loader loads the 155 mm projectile with the
charges being loaded manually.
The most widely used 155mm SP artillery
system in the world is still the BAE Systems
155mm M109 series. The final version for the
 ARTILLERY
AND ROCKET SYSTEMS

US Army was the M109A6 Paladin with a

155mm/39 calibre barrel.
At least part of this fleet is expected to be
upgraded to the M109A6 Paladin Integrated
Management (PIM) standard with first proto-
types already completed.

Wheeled systems offer

strategic mobility
There has been a clear trend towards the
design, development and production of
wheeled SP artillery systems which offer the
user a number of advantages including
greater strategic mobility when compared to
their tracked counterparts.
In the late 1960s Czechoslovakia developed
a 152mm SP artillery system called Dana
based on a much modified and armoured (8 x
8) Tatra cross-country truck chassis.
This entered service with the Czech Army
in 1981 and was also sold to a number of
countries including Libya and Poland and
more recently Georgia has taken delivery of
some surplus Dana systems from Slovakia.
Further development of the Dana resulted
in the current production Zuzana based on

the more recent Tatra 815 (8 x 8) chassis with

the 155mm/45 calibre ordnance firing NATO
The BAE Systems 105mm Light Gun is still the
benchmark with over 1,000 having been sold ©
standard ammunition. Max range depends
BAE Systems

on projectile charge combination but is typi-

cally 39.6km.
The 155mm/45 calibre Zuzana was first
deployed by Slovakia but more recently
Cyprus has taken delivery of two batches
each of 12 units. As well as being installed on
an 8x8 chassis the complete turret of the
Zuzana can also be fitted onto a tracked chas-
sis such as the T-72 MBT.
Currently under development is another
version of the Zuzana which is based on a
new Tatra chassis and fitted with a new tur-
ret armed with a 155mm/52 calibre ordnance
which will enable targets to be engaged at
longer ranges.
Apart from its Olifant tanks, the South
African Army is an all wheeled force and to
provide mobile fire support developed the 47
tonne G6 155mm/45 calibre system which has
the same ballistics as the towed G5 system.
A total of 43 systems were built for the
South African Army with an improved version
being supplied to Oman (24) and the UAE (78).
Denel Land Systems has now developed
the new generation G6-52 calibre 155 mm tur-
ret system which has a number of improve-
ments including a new ammunition handling
system to increase the rate of fire. This can be
installed on tracked or wheeled chassis.
One of the latest wheeled SP artillery sys-
tems to be developed and placed in produc-
tion is the French Nexter Systems CAESAR
155mm/52 calibre system based on a Renault
Trucks Defense (6x6) truck chassis.
This was originally developed a private
venture by Nexter Systems and five pre-pro-
duction CAESAR were supplied to the
French Army for troop trials.
The French Army then placed an order for
72 systems with final deliveries due in 2011.
The Royal Thai Army has taken delivery of
six CAESAR with additional systems expect-
ed to be ordered in the future.
An undisclosed export customer, believed
to be the Saudi Arabian National Guard
(SANG) has ordered 100 systems on a
Mercedes-Benz chassis with first units
already delivered.
CAESAR has a protected four door cab at

l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 23
ARTILLERY
AND ROCKET SYSTEMS
the front with the 155mm/52 calibre ord-
nance mounted at the rear with powered ele-
vation and traverse. A flick rammer enables
projectiles to be loaded at high elevations
with the charges being loaded manually.
In March 2010 BAE Systems, Global
Combat Systems was awarded a contract for
the Archer 155mm/52 calibre system with
Norway and Sweden each to take delivery of
24 systems.
Archer is based on a Volvo (6 x 6) all ter-
rain chassis with a fully protected cab with
the weapon aimed, loaded and fired by
remote control.
Rocket systems offer more range
Most countries also deploy Artillery Rocket
Systems (ARS) as a compliment to their con-
ventional tube artillery.
In the West the most commonly deployed
system is the US Lockheed Martin Missiles
and Fire Control 227mm (12-round) MLRS
At least part of the US M109 fleet is expected to be upgraded to the M109A6 Paladin Integrated
Management standard with first prototypes already completed © DoD
24
In March 2010 BAE Systems,
Global Combat Systems
was awarded a contract for
the Archer 155mm/52
calibre system with Norway
and Sweden each to take
delivery of 24 systems
based on a tracked carrier.
When first introduced this launched the
Phase 1 unguided rockets with each rocket
carrying 644 dual purpose improved conven-
tional munitions (DP ICM) with a maximum
range of 31.2km.
The main drawback of this rocket was that
the DIP ICM was not fitted with a self-
destruct mechanism that can cause major
problems for civilians and follow up units.
As a result of the Ottawa convention
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
many countries are banning the deployment
of this type of "cluster munition" and some
countries have already phased these out of
service and destroying their stocks.
To enable targets to be engaged with a
precision effect, the US Army has fielded the
Guided MLRS (GMLRS) 227mm rocket fitted
with a HE warhead and has a maximum
range of over 65km.
This is a highly accurate weapon with a
circular error of probability of 10 m and was
first deployed by the UK and US from
upgraded MLRS launcher with a new fire
control system.
This is now being supplemented by the
Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control
227mm (6-round) High Mobility Artillery
Rocket System (HIMARS) based on the US
Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle
(FMTV) (6 x 6) cross-country chassis with a
fully protected cab.
In addition to being deployed by the US
Army it is also used by the US Marine
Corps, Singapore and the UAE. This fires
the same 227mm rockets as the MLRS but as
 ARTILLERY
AND ROCKET SYSTEMS

it is based on a wheeled platform it is easier

to deploy and can be carried inside a C-130
Hercules aircraft.
The Russian BM-21 122mm (40-round)
ARS is mounted on a 6 x 6 cross-country
chassis and this is still widely used with a
number of countries either making it under
licence or producing similar systems on a
local chassis.
The original 122mm rocket had a maxi-
mum range of just over 20 km but a number of
contractors are now marketing rockets with a
much long range and new warheads. NORIN-
CO is now marketing rockets with ranges of
30 and 40km and different warheads.
While this article concentrates on the
weapon, a number of countries are now plac-
ing increased emphasis on fielding new types
of ammunition (projectile, charge and fuze).
The German Army, for example deploys the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann 155 mm/52 calibre PzH

This includes increased emphasis on

2000 SP artillery system with a total of 185 units delivered © KMW

improving accuracy which means that less
rounds are required to neutralise the target
which in turn will lead to a significant reduc-
tion in logistics.
Increased emphasis is also being placed
on target acquisition and fire control sys-
tems. Targets can be located by a variety of
systems including aerial assets such as
unmanned aerial vehicles providing a real
time capability.
Forward observers are today provided
with day/thermal observation systems that
enable targets to be located and identified
at longer ranges and under almost all
weather conditions.
COMMUNICATIONS
T E C H N O L O G Y
Communic xtending communications down
to the individual soldier, enables
E
those questions to be answered
with a high degree of confidence.
Radios, or more properly com-
munications systems tasked with delivering
those goals cover a range of capabilities; com-
plex offerings providing simultaneous voice,
position alert reporting and data services and
other simpler solutions confining themselves
to simple voice only communications have
both found their adherents on the front-line.
Personal radios
The bedrock of the transformation of soldier
communications lies in the advent of the per-
sonal radio; a communications device suffi-
ciently light weight and low cost that they
could be issued to each soldier without
noticeable penalty. Although they have rela-
26
Soldier
tively short range, typically limited to
several hundred metres this is
sufficient to link members of
the section and squad, with
some systems having the
range to also link low level
leaders to the company
headquarters level.
Achieving those links is
typically undertaken by
point to point links,
although the advent of ad
hoc communications; rout-
ing signals through multiple
radios can overcome line of
sight and range limitations, is
overcoming some challenges,
voice latency is an issue.
The voice-only Selex
Communications 2.4GHz
Personal Role Radio (PRR)
and the company’s EZPRR,
which adds a data capability and
AES 128 encryption to the design, have sold
over 350,000 to 40 countries, a recent addition
being Finland, with the radios also equipping
many of the militaries operating in
Afghanistan today. With a range of up to
800m in clear and three floors of 300m in
urban terrain, every PRR is interoperable and
links can also be achieved with EZPPRs in
specific modes. By operating at 2.4GHz at
50mW, both radios can be switched on any-
where in the world without the need for reg-
ulation or permission.
Additional solutions, based on the PRR
have been developed to enhance system
capabilities. The Fixed Base Force Protection
System extends the range of a PRR and
Under the JTRS programme, General Dynamics
and Thales are completing development of the
AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio which will provide
MANET communications for every frontline US
combatant © AJB
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
Thales F@stnet-Twin provides simul-
taneous VHF and UHF channels with
an integrated BMS display © AJB
EZPRR from the command post
out to roughly 2.5Km via up to
four rebroadcast stations linking
the command post with forward
operating bases, helipads or nearby
patrols outside the wire.
Selex have developed the Soldier
System Radio Plus (SSR+), which is
in service with Singapore and Peru
as well as two NATO members with
over 5000 having been sold. It offers
longer range out to 2Km in clear ter-
rain and has a dual network capabili-
ty. A recent feature relevant to a num-
ber of Asian countries is a new ‘jungle’
antenna for the SSR+, which reduces
the antenna from 45cm to just 9cm with
less than five percent reduction in
range.
The launch customers for the 350-
450MHz Harris RF-7800S Secure Personal
Radio were Norway and Brunei, the former
using it as it standard radio for its soldiers in
Afghanistan. Other users include Sweden
and Malaysia’s Special Forces. As part of
Norway’s NORMANS programme, the radio
was used to validate the C4I elements of the
country’s soldier modernisation solution,
being able to operate and communicate in
densely wooded terrain akin to jungle, work-
ing elements with a Thales C4I solution. A
development of the radio, known the Leader
Radio has been developed, which hosts com-
puting power and situational awareness soft-
ware within the radio and when connected to
a display device can function as the basis for
a soldier modernisation system.
Thales has received a number of orders for
its 325-470MHz St@rmille soldier radios
including production level quantities for
frontline use. A MANET solution with a
 COMMU NICATIONS
T E C H N O L O G Y

The Harris AN/PRC-152 is a standard

frontline radio for US forces © DoD

ations
Military transformation means many
things to many people. For the dis-
mounted soldier, a big part of their
transformation means better answers
to the following questions: Where am
I? Where are my friends? Where is
the enemy?
by Adam Baddeley

l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 27
COMMUNICATIONS
T E C H N O L O G Y

The Selex Communications SSR+ is standard

issue on Singapore’s ACMS programme now
being fielded © AJB

ITT’s 1.2 - 1.4GHz Spearnet Radio

has been selected for Spain’s
Comfut programme © AJB

A Harris RF Communications RF-7800S equipping Royal Malaysian Air Force PASKAU special forces
at LIMA 2009 © AJB

range of 1000m in open terrain, a longer
range Platoon version can reach 2km linking
platoons together with data rates of 1Mbps.
Raytheon’s hand held DH500 and worn
Microlight radios are part of the expansive
EPLRS family allowing a common waveform
to be used from headquarters, up to UAVs
and down to individual soldiers. The
Microlight is mandated on the US Ground
Soldier System programme while the 225-
2,000MHz DH500 which uses commercial
encryption is designed for export markets and
is a bearer on Cobham’s Maritime Interdiction
Operations System (MIOS), which it has
recently sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Cobham’s Eagle Radio, also part of MIOS
is a mobile ad hoc networking design used
across a number of Asian militaries will add
a single rechargeable battery option in the
third quarter 2010, replacing six AA batteries.
Elbit’s lightweight PNR-500 has had num-
ber of customers including Spain, Poland
Finland and of course Israel. The next gener-
ation of the radio family known as the PNR-
1000 and offering MANET connectivity is
due to be launched this year.
ITT’s 1.2 - 1.4 GHz Speanet Radio has been
acquired in number by Spain who has

28 l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l


deployed it to Afghanistan and has been
selected as the bearer for its Comfut SMP
demonstrator. It communicates over ad-hoc
self-forming wireless networks to ranges of
up to 6km over five hops and has a sustained
data rate of 1.5Mbps.
Kongsberg’s SR600 radio, part of its
WLAN family were recent used as the basis
for interoperability between soldier systems
in a NATO test held in Belgium in April.
Five nations were involved: Canada,
Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain.
Each country brought their own SA system
and then linked into the SR600, referred to as
the ‘loan radio’. Connecting to the SA sys-
tems via standard Ethernet ports, seven stan-
dard messages were sent using the MIP stan-
dard and although interoperable voice was
not part of the concept, this feature was
proven during the test. The SR600 was
Switzerland’s’ selection for its IMESS SMP,
lead by EADS and Sagem.
Traditional ways of ensuring that troops
remain in contact with vehicle crew; a phone
in the back of the vehicle are insufficient.
COMMU NICATIONS
T E
Kongsberg’s SR600 radio,
part of its WLAN family were
recent used as the basis
for interoperability between
soldier systems in a NATO
test held in Belgium in April
Northrop Grumman offers a means of
extending data from the vehicle to dismount-
ed soldiers via its SRB at 2.4GHz and 9Ghz to
a worn radio provided by Rajant, designed to
create a low frame link over up to 10km
although in testing a tactical application for
the Australian Defence Force, ranges of 18-
20Km over desert were achieved.
VHF hand helds
While individual radios can effectively con-
nect each soldier, there are security issues
with how to link into higher level networks
and for the foreseeable future these links will
in part or in their entirety be provided by
Combat Net Radios (CNR), an area in which
C H N O L O G Y
there is considerable work going on to raise
performance while reducing size, weight and
power to better meet soldier needs.
Two of the newest hand held CNRs on the
market are the Thales F@stnet-Twin and
Selex’s SWave Multiband Multimode radios.
Both are SDRs. The French radio is based
around the PR4G F@stnet of which over
250,000 have been sold in 35 countries. The
Twin is made up of two radios; the PR4G
F@stnet VHF and St@rmille UHF soldier
radios combined in a single device providing
two independent channels, allowing simulta-
neous integration into UHF and VHF radio
nets. The twin also embeds a screen in the
upper portion of the radio on which graphi-
cal situational awareness information can be
presented. The radio has embedded GPS and
power output of up top 5W, with standard
interfaces to support BMS while weighing
less than 1Kg without battery.
In addition to narrowband communica-
tions out to 5Km, Selex’s SWave adds the
Soldier Broadband Waveform a 225-512MHz
UHF TDMA MANET waveform supporting
COMMUNICATIONS
T E C H N O L O
The Selex PRR and now EZPRR is standard issue for UK forces in Afghanistan and is in service with over
30 countries © Selex Communications
networks of up to 50 users with an over the
air data rates of 2MBbps and a range of 2km.
Using the Software Communications
Architecture, additional legacy waveform
have been added. The SWave combines both
AES256 encryption and frequency hopping
amongst its Trasnsec features.
Harris’ RF-7800V-HH, a new hand held
VHF SDR launched in February 2009 has
been adopted by a number of countries,
including in Asia. Harris believe that the per-
formance of the hand held radio which sup-
ports up to 10W of operation, embedded GPS,
beats the performance of the 20W RF5800V-
MP Falcon II manpack, achieving voice
ranges of 15km in jungle with body worn
antenna but is a fifth of the size and weight of
a manpack. In terms of waveforms it hosts
legacy solutions from the VHF capable Falcon
II, ensuring backwards interoperability.
However additional new waveforms have
also been added, including an IP Data wave-
form capable of supporting up to 192Kbps of
over the air, data in a 75Khz channel – stitch-
ing together three normal CNR channels to
do so. A fixed frequency solution, it allows 20
users to share a contention based network. A
further waveform, known as BMS is intro-
duced for high density users sending stream-
ing SA data. This waveform is a TDMA
design allowing up to 64 users to send bursts
of data every 5-6 seconds in a narrowband
frequency hopping ad-hoc network. Voice
can be added but that reduces network users
to 48. Harris’ TacChat application is also
30
G Y
embedded in the radio, allowing tactical
internet messaging via the radios front panel
in a similar to mobile phones with contact
lists, send and receive fields and text to and
from other radios and LAN users in an HQ,
eliminating cabling and the need for another
IT device which saves weight.
Elbit Systems Land and C4I – Tadiran’s
offering in the hand held world are the PRC-
710 VHF and PRC-710MB V/UHF radios, the
latter weighing less than 800g.
Thales’ AN/PRC-148 JEM and Harris’
AN/PRC-152 dominate the hand held CNR
market in the US. Both are in service with
forces in a number of countries with Australia
having operating the MBITR for some time
and recently announcing its acquisition of the
AN/PRC-152 as part of a package of commu-
nications to support dismounted C4I. The
DoD is currently limbering up to acquire up to
197,500 of these radios over the next five years
in the Consolidated Single-Channel Handheld
Radio programme, replacing an earlier, simi-
lar contract in which $2.7billion was spent on
the radios. A recent addition to Harris’ prod-
uct line is the RF-310H radio designed to be
interoperable with the AN/PRC-152 radio
through Type 1 Suite B encryption with the
RF-310H having non Crypto Controlled Item
components, allowing the radio to be issued to
a wider set of countries who don’t have access
to Type 1 radio while still maintaining com-
patibility with US forces.
ITT have recently completed work on
their proposed upgrade to the PRC-354 for
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
the Bowman programme which reduces it
weight by over 1Kg and other improved fea-
tures such as a new battery and turns it into
a more conventional hand held format.
Headsets
Headsets are the final piece of the puzzle to
connect the soldier. For data communica-
tions radios are fine. Voice communication
requires the voice of the soldier to be ‘cap-
tured’ at one end and transmitted in real
time retaining the coherence of the message
to the ears of the recipients. At the same
time, the headset must provide hearing pro-
tection against explosion and sustained gun-
fire will retaining the ability to hear what’s
going on around them.
Invisio have supplied their M3 and M3S
headsets to the militaries in Australia,
Taiwan, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The
company’s new X50 module optimised for
dismounted soldiers is now being trialled in
the region work with X5 and X6 headset.
Selex’s latest offering is the In The Ear
headset which can be directly integrated
with the PRR and EZPRR’s with negligible
power drain. With the addition of specific
modules, any radios can use the system. The
company’s CTX solution is an intelligent
radio interface system which senses which
radio and headset is attached to it and
adapts performance accordingly with up to
two radios and an intercom systems able to
be connected simultaneously.
Silynx’s C4OPS has a strong following
amongst the leading special forces in the
region and has adopted a modular golf bag
approach with the user able to mix and
match advanced features according to the
mission and features full-spectrum active
noise reduction and ear protection, multi-
platform integration as well as being immers-
ible to up to 20m.
French firm ELNO’s bone mike technolo-
gy is an integral part of the French Army’s
FELIN soldier modernisation programme.
Esterline Racal Acoustics latest offering
for the dismounted soldier are the new
Frontier series, dual sided, lightweight,
rugged, in-the-ear headsets with different
variants for specific radios such as the
Frontier1400 which is linked to the RF-7800S.
Nacre’s QuietPro and QuietPro Plus have
become a US standard being selected for the
US Marine Corps and more recently mandat-
ed as the only in-ear solution of the US
Army’s Ground Soldier Systems programme
to replace Land Warrior.
l
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A I R
SUPERIORITY
Combat
number of highly advanced
combat aircraft are currently
A
seeking footholds in the region-
al market with varying degrees
of success. While both
Australia and India undertake high-profile
aerial defence capability upgrade pro-
grammes, and countries with smaller defence
budgets focus on affordable and capable
Russian technologies, the mix of aircraft
deployed and on order across the region is
growing in diversity.
Super Hornet
Earlier this year, the Royal Australian Air
Force (RAAF) took delivery of the first of 24
Boeing F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets,
ordered in March 2007 as part of an ongoing
programme to expand and upgrade the
Australian Defence Force’s (ADF’s) combat
aircraft fleet.
The remaining fleet is scheduled to be
delivered to the RAAF by the end of 2011.
32
The multi-role F/A-18E/F marks the next
generation of air defence capabilities for the
RAAF. The aircraft is fitted with the
Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically
Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and is capable
of performing almost every mission in the
tactical spectrum, including air superiority,
day and night strike with precision guided
weapons, fighter escort, close air support,
maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air
control and tanker missions.
The acquisition of the Super Hornet fleet
is being expedited in order to achieve an ini-
tial operating capability by the end of 2010
The acquisition of the
Super Hornet fleet is being
expedited in order to
achieve an initial operating
capability by the end of
2010 for the fleet
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
The first RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet arrives in
Australia © Boeing
for the fleet. The aircraft is being purchased
under a Foreign Military Sale with the US
government, and a number of RAAF specific
upgrades are being made to the fleet to meet
capability requirements, including an avion-
ics upgrade that will incorporate enhance-
ments to improve situational awareness, and
radar and electronic warfare capabilities that
will enable air defence tasks to be performed
more effectively. Specifically, the upgrade
will include full colour displays, mov-
ing map capability, secure data
link, Helmet Mounted
Cueing system,
counter-meas-
ures dispensing
system, electronic counter-measures jammer,
and new radar warning receivers. Structural
modifications have also been made to the
fleet, including the centre barrel replacement
 A I R
SUPERIORITY

Aircraft:
A regional report
Combat aircraft manufactures are recognising
the potential within the Asia-Pacific region as
armed forces increase investment in their
defence capabilities and demand for increasingly
sophisticated platforms and weapons
systems grows. The region is quickly becoming
one of the biggest importers of military
products in the world, as well as
developing a healthy manufacturing
market as various nations
focus on establishing
themselves as suppliers.
by John Mulberry

Australian Super Hornets

ferry across the Pacific to
Australia © Boeing

l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 33
A I R
SUPERIORITY
on selected aircraft.
The Super Hornet has been acquired by
the ADF in order to replace the RAAF’s age-
ing fleet of F-111s that are being retired from
service throughout 2010. The F-111 has
served as the backbone of the RAAF’s strike
capability for the past forty years, but the
decision was taken to retire the fleet due to
their increasing maintenance and operational
costs. Originally it was hoped the F-111
would remain in service until the deploy-
ment of the Joint Strike Fighter 35 Lightning
II (F-35), however the age of the F-111 fleet
The Boeing F-15 is developing footholds in the
Asia-Pacific market © Boeing
34
and ongoing delays with the F-35 pro-
gramme required an interim replacement for
the F-111 fleet to be found; the RAAF signed
the contract for the Super Hornets in 2007 to
fulfil this role.
Joint Strike Fighter
The F-35 has come under intense scrutiny
from both the international media and
defence analysts both of whom question the
suitability of the aircraft for the RAAF’s long-
range strike requirements. Australia is one of
eight countries that have invested in the
development of the F-35, but with a number
of key milestones failing to be met on agreed
timescales, questions have been raised over
whether there are alternative off-the-shelf
aircraft that would be a better match for the
RAAF’s requirements at a more palatable
price.
Canberra looks determined to continue
with the F-35 programme, and from what has
emerged from the programme, the aircraft
looks highly capable, with prime contractor
Lockheed Martin calling the supersonic,
highly agile fifth generation fighter the
world’s most advanced multirole aircraft,
with very low observable stealth, unprece-
dented situational awareness, and
unmatched lethality and survivability. Three
variants of the aircraft are being produced,
the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing,
the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing, and
The Dassault Rafale is in contention for the IAF’s
MMRCA competition © US Navy
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l

the F-35C carrier variant.
MMRCA
While the US Navy operates over 420 of the
Super Hornet aircraft, the RAAF contract
marked the first sale of the Super Hornet out-
side the US. Boeing has its sights set on the
Asia Pacific region, with a number of coun-
tries within the area showing interest in the
aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has short-
listed the aircraft for its Medium Multi-Role
Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition,
along with the Lockheed Martin F-16IN, the
MiG-35, the Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter
Typhoon, and the Saab Gripen.
The IAF’s MMRCA competition is one of
the most prominent combat aircraft pro-
grammes underway in the Asia-Pacific
region. The programme, launched in 2001, is
being carried out in order to bring the IAF’s
squadron numbers up to target with the
acquisition of 126 aircraft, and provide a
stop-gap measure between the phasing out of
the MiG-21 squadrons, and the completion of
the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2,
being developed by the IAF in partnership
with EADS. With the delivery of the Tejas
looking increasingly unlikely before the sec-
ond half of the decade, and with the intro-
duction of the medium-heavy 4.5 generation
Su-30 MKIs being carried out gradually, the
Canberra looks determined
to continue with the
F-35 programme, and from
what has emerged from the
programme, the aircraft
looks highly capable
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 35
A I R
SUPERIORITY
The F-35 Lightning II A-Variant (CTOL) under-
goes flight testing © JSF.mil
MMRCA competition is going to source a
medium combat aircraft to ensure the
airstrike capabilities of the IAF remain at suf-
ficient levels during this period of transition
and fleet integration.
Ongoing trouble with the MMRCA com-
petition continues; over the last few weeks
India’s notoriously slow defence channels
have thrown up delays with the programme,
with vendors notified that they will need to
rebid for the contract, following delays with
flight trials and bid evaluations.
The aircraft in contention for the MMRCA
competition represent the body of combat
aircraft currently competing for contracts
within the wider Asia-Pacific. While
Dassault and Eurofighter have yet to achieve
A I R
SUPERIORITY
a sale within the region, the increasing suc-
cess of sophisticated western platforms, bar
the Russian MiG-35s, reveal the extent to
which requirements within the region are
shifting. Against a backdrop of heavy invest-
ment in aerial defence by a number of
nations, the level of technology being sought
by operators as they seek to enhance their air
strike and defence capabilities is steadily
increasing.
That said, the Russian mainstays of the
combat aircraft market remain prevalent
amongst the Air Forces of many regional
armed forces, with the Su-30 and MiG-35
increasingly replacing ageing Su-27, MiG-21,
MiG-29 and MiG-27 fleets.
The Mikoyan MiG-35 has an advantage
over other aircraft in the MMRCA competi-
tion due to its compatibility with the exist-
ing IAF fleet. The aircraft comes with
enhanced weapons payload able to deliver
up to 12,000 lbs of ordnance with high accu-
racy; and the Zhuk-AE AESA radar, able to
track up to 30 targets within a range of up to
Russian aircraft such as the MiG-35 are grow-
ing in popularity in the region © Russian
Aircraft Corporation
36
The IAF’s MMRCA
competition is one of the
most prominent combat air-
craft programmes underway
in the Asia-Pacific region
160 km. Importantly, the MiG-35 also comes
with full technology transfer – something
Western manufacturers are more reluctant
to deliver – which will inject highly desir-
able skills into the burgeoning Indian
defence industry. The other focus of Russian
technology in the region, the Sukhoi Su-30,
has been ordered by both Malaysia and
Indonesia in addition to the IAF fleet. India
is upgrading its Su-30 fleet, 40 of which will
be fitted with the Indian/Russian BrahMos
missile, and plans to field an operational
fleet of 280 units by 2015.
Gripen
Also seeing success within the region in the
Saab Gripen, which is also being offered for
the Indian MMRCA competition with a
‘freedom of choice’ full technological trans-
fer. The aircraft, fitted with General
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
Electric’s F414G engine and fully integrated
avionic mission system, offers a light, agile
multi-role combat aircraft capable of super-
cruise, enhanced range and endurance,
increased payload and weapons carriage.
The naval version of the aircraft is also
under consideration for the Indian Navy’s
(IN’s) future fighters contract, giving the
added incentive of cross-fleet commonality,
which may prove attractive to the Indian
defence force.
The new generation Gripen has also been
selected by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)
for its multi-role fighter requirement. A total
of 12 aircraft have been ordered to replace the
RTAF’s fleet of F-5 B/E aircraft, along with
two Saab Erieye Airborne Early Warning
(AEW) aircraft, associated equipment and
services. The RTAF selected the Gripen for its
true multi-role/swing capability, sophisticat-
ed avionics and weapons, and new generation
flight control and communications systems.
Boeing
Also developing a foothold in the Asia-
Pacific market is the Boeing F-15. Singapore
became the first country in the region to
order the Boeing F-15SG multi-role fighter
 A I R
SUPERIORITY

when 12 were ordered in 2005 for the

Republic of Singapore Air Force. This was
followed with a further order in 2007, bring-
ing the total to 24, with delivery scheduled to
be complete by 2011. The Singapore order
marked the F-15SG out as a continuing air-
craft of significant capability, despite grow-
ing competition from Rafale and Typhoon.
The F-15SG are fitted with Lockheed Martin
navigation and targeting suite, including
LANTRIN navigation pod with terrain fol-
lowing radar and forward-looking infrared,
and Sniper XR EO/laser targeting pod, as
well as the AAS-42 Tiger Eyes search and
track system. The aircraft also features the
Raytheon APG-63 (V) 3 AESA radar, and
Israeli mission computer and electronic war-
fare system. The weapon suite includes
AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-120C AMRAAM,
JDAM GPS-guided bombs and the AGM-154
standoff weapon.
The latest F-15 product is the F-15 Silent
Eagle, which is an upgraded and enhanced
F-15 with the addition of stealth technolo-
gies. The aircraft features Raytheon AESA
radar, digital flight control system, BAE’s
Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS),
and redesigned conformal fuel tankers
(CFTs) that allow for internal weapons car-
riage, and can be altered for optimum fuel
capacity and external weapons carriage
depending on mission specifics. Internally,
the F-15SE will be capable of carrying air-to-
air missiles such as the AIM-9 and AIM-20,
and air-to-ground weapons including the
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and
Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).

Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor is growing in
demand amongst Air Forces within the
region, due to the aircraft’s high spec and
performance sophistication. The fifth genera-
tion fighter is capable of conducting simulta-
neous air-to-air and air-to-ground combat programme, to develop an indigenous
missions with what Lockheed Martin calls stealth fighter has grown out of a frustration
The Su-30 equips several air forces in the

‘near impunity’. The aircraft is the USAF’s with US refusal to export their most
region © DoD

most prominent air-superiority multi-mis-
sion fighter with wide mission spectrum
including intelligence, reconnaissance and
electronic attack.
Within the Asia-Pacific region, a number
of governments are believed to have shown
interest in importing the F-22. Defence ana-
lysts have widely recommended the F-22 as a
far superior and cost-effective alternative to
the troubled Australian F-35 programme;
and among others, Japan’s ATD-X Shinshin
advanced technologies, following repeated
expressions of interest by Tokyo in the F-22
Raptor. Japan is now looking for foreign
engines to incorporate into its prototype
stealth fighter for the programme, and is
understood to be studying the F-35, F-15E, as
well as the Typhoon and F/A-18E/F.
The F-22 highlights the fact that US inter-
ests in the Asia-Pacific continue to be mixed.
While emerging security threats in the
region, including the build up of China, India
and North Korean military pushes the
requirement for US allies to field sophisticat-
ed and capable aerial defences, the desire to
retain a stronghold over its own technologi-
cal property remains strong. However, the
Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing
arms importer market in the world, and with
military investment in the region increasing,
Russian manufacturers, who are also willing
to undertake technology transfer contracts,
will only continue.

l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 37
MISSILE
T E C H N O L O G Y

ntil the mid-1990s, Japan between 2002 and 2004, and four planned Project 28 corvettes (four under construction,
depended on the McDonnell 19DD class destroyers. It is also in service on eight more planned). It is being retrofitted to

U Douglas (now Boeing) RGM-84

Harpoon. This serves aboard
four Kongou class destroyers
commissioned 1993-1998, 11 Hatsuyuki class
destroyers delivered during the 1980s, two
Yuubari class destroyers delivered in the
early 1980s, two Hatakaze class destroyers
delivered in the mid 1980s, the remaining
operational examples of Tachikaze class and
Takatsuki class destroyers, and six Abukuma
class frigates delivered in 1989-1993.
By the time that the nine Murasame class
destroyers commissioned in 1996-2002, the
indigenous Mitsubishi Type 90 SSM-1B
ASM was available for use, and this has
been the weapon of choice for the
Murasames and all subsequent ASM-armed
classes – five Takanami class destroyers
commissioned in 2003-2006, two Atago class
destroyers that entered service in 2007-8, six
Hayabusa class patrol craft delivered
the last operational example of the PG 01
(Sparviero) class fast attack hydrofoil.
There is no submarine-launched version
of the Type 90, so the UGM-84 Sub Harpoon
is carried by six Harushio class submarines
commissioned in the early 1990s, 11 Oyashio
class submarines, the last of which was com-
missioned in 2008, three Souryu class sub-
marines (total of five planned), and the last
operational Yuushio class submarine.
India, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand
and Taiwan have a fleet of modern vessels,
supplemented by a significant number of
older ships, some of which have had or are
undergoing mid-life upgrades.
Until recently, India has opted to operate
Russian ASMs. The Novator Alfa Klub (SS-
N-27) arms the Talwar (Project 1135.6) class
frigates (three in service and three under con-
struction), Shivalik (Project 17) class frigates
(one in service, two more planned), and
the 10 Sindhughosh (‘Kilo’) class submarines,
and is planned for the Arihant class nuclear
submarines.
The Kh-35 Uran (SS-N-25 ‘Switchblade’)
is in service on three Delhi class (Project 15)
destroyers commissioned between 1997 and
2001, four Kora class (Project 25A) frigates
commissioned between 1998 and 2004,
three Brahmaputra class (Project 16A)
frigates commissioned in 2000-2005, and
two of the Veer (Tarantul I) class corvettes
delivered in 2002.
Under an upgrade programme, the
Russian/Indian BrahMos supersonic ASM is
gradually replacing the obsolete Termit (SS-
N-2 ‘Styx’) on the five Rajput (Kashin II) class
destroyers delivered in the 1980s. BrahMos
will be installed on the planned Kolkata
(Project 15A) class destroyers.
Although the SS-N-2 ‘Styx’ is still opera-
tional on four Khukri class (Project 25)

Pakistan to Japan:
Anti-Shipping
Missile
Requirements
If we ignore Russia and China, whose fleets would probably justify a
major article, a total of 14 nations in the area from Pakistan to Japan
operate warships armed with anti-ship missiles (ASMs). But only one
of these – the Japan Naval Self-Defense Force – is in the position of
having an almost all-modern fleet from which a declining number of
older vessels and ASMs are being retired.
by Doug Richardson

38 l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l


The Chinese YJ-8 (Eagle
Strike) – also known as
the C-801 - is aboard
four Chao Phraya class
frigates delivered by China
in the early 1990s
frigates commissioned in 1989 – 1991, most
examples are in service on older ships such
as the three 1980s Godavari class (Project 16)
frigates, the sole surviving Durg (Nanuchka
II) (project 1234) class frigate, and on the 10
surviving Veer class corvettes from the orig-
inal batch that entered Indian service
between 1987 and 1995.
Harpoon Block 1C remains South Korea’s
ASM of choice. It arms three Kwanggaeto
Daewang (KDX-1) class destroyers commis-
sioned in 1998-2000, six KDX-2 class destroy-
ers commissioned in 2003-8, and the first of
three planned KDX-3 class destroyers.
MISSILE
T E C H N O L O G Y
Harpoon was also selected for use on nine
Ulsan class frigates commissioned between
The most modern ASMs in
Bangladeshi service are the
1981 and 1993. It also serves on the last three
MBDA Otomat Mk 2 on a single
operational examples from a batch of
Modified Ulsan class frigate
Gearing (FRAM I) class destroyers acquired
delivered in 2001 © MBDA
from the USA in 1977-1981.
The ASM for the 3,200 ton Future Frigate
(FFX), the first of which was laid down in
January 2009, and the planned PKM-X class
of up to 40 FAC-M has yet to be announced,
but is likely to be Harpoon.
Harpoon also arms five Pae Ku class FAC-
M that entered service in the late 1970s, and
three Gumdoksuri class FAC-M that entered
service from 2008 onwards (at least 11 are
planned).
At least four of South Korea’s 23 Po
Hang class patrol craft carry Harpoon, but
most were fitted with the Aerospatiale
(now MBDA) MM 38 Exocet.
Commissioned between 1984 and 1993, this
class originally numbered 24, but Chon An
sank after an explosion on 26 March 2010
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 39
MISSILE
T E C H N O L O G Y
whose cause is still under investigation.
Nine Chang Bogo (Type 209/1200) class
submarines commissioned in 1993-2001 are
armed with the UGM-84B Sub Harpoon.
Singapore’s six Victory class frigates com-
missioned in 1990-91 are each armed with
eight Harpoon missiles, as are the six
Formidable (Project Delta) class frigates com-
missioned between 2007 and 2009. A mid-life
update is planned for the Victory class, but it
is not known if this will involve replacing the
missiles with more modern Harpoon variants.
The Sea Wolf class FAC-M were original-
ly delivered between 1972 and 1976, and
were armed with Israel Aerospace Industries
Gabriel ASMs. A mid-life refit programme
conducted between 1988 and 1991 replaced
some of the Gabriel launchers with Harpoon
40
launchers, and these vessels normally carry
two Gabriels and four Harpoons.
Harpoon is the main ASM used by the
navy of Thailand, serving on two mid-1980s
Rattanakosin class frigates, two Knox class
frigates transferred in the 1990s, and two
Chinese-built Naresuan class (Type 25T)
frigates delivered in the mid-1990s.
However, the Chinese YJ-8 (Eagle Strike) –
also known as the C-801 - is aboard four
Chao Phraya class frigates delivered by
China in the early 1990s, MM 38 Exocet arms
three Ratcharit class FAC-M delivered in
1979-80, while three even older Prabparapak
class dating back to the mid-1970s carry the
Gabriel. There are no plans to retire the
Prabparapak class, but a reported plan to
install new missiles seems a strange invest-
The Boeing Harpoon missile family
equips vessels operating throughout the
Asia Pacific region © DoD
ment for vessels of such age.
Taiwan has traditionally armed its ships
with either the Gabriel or the indigenously-
developed Hsiung Feng series Gabriel
derivatives.
Hsiung Feng I uses radar or optical guid-
ance, and is still in service on the ageing fleet
of Hai Ou class FAC-M (which are gradually
being retired), and on some of the 12 Jin
Chiang class FAC-M. The remainder of the
Jin Chiang class use the active radar/IR hom-
ing Hsiung Feng II. The sole surviving Allen
M Sumner class (DDG) destroyer has been
stripped of its Hsiung Feng I ASMs and now
serves in secondary roles.
On larger ships, the Hsiung Feng I has
The Styx ASM remains a potent but ageing
solution in many nations’ arsenals © DoD
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l

been replaced by either the Hsiung Feng II or
the further-improved Hsiung Feng III. These
missiles are in service on eight Cheng Kung
class frigates commissioned in 1993-2004
and on the elderly Gearing (Wu Chin III con-
version) (Fram I) class destroyers (which are
likely to be paid off as the new Kidd-class
destroyers enter service).
Hsiung Feng II is installed aboard the six
Kang Ding (La Fayette) class frigates com-
missioned in 1996-98, and on the new Kwang
Hua 6 class patrol craft (a total of 30
planned). Taiwan also plans a fleet of up to
eight Kuang Hua 7 frigates to replace eight
existing Knox-class vessels transferred to
Taiwan in 1993-99, and these are expected to
be armed with Hsiung Feng II.
The Knox class frigates are armed with
Harpoon, as are the four Keelung (Kidd)
class destroyers transferred in 2005/6. The
Lung Chiang class FAC-M were due to be
armed with Harpoon, but the programme
was cut back to two Hsiung Feng I armed
vessels delivered about 30 years ago.
The two Hai Lung class submarines that
entered service in the late 1980s are expected
to receive the UGM-84L Block II version of
Sub Harpoon during mid-life upgrades
planned for 2010 and 2011 respectively. They
Under an upgrade pro-
gramme, the Russian/Indian
BrahMos supersonic ASM
is gradually replacing
the obsolete Termit
SS-N-2 ‘Styx’
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 41
MISSILE
T E C H N O L O G Y
The FASGW is one of a number of next
generation systems nearing the completion
of their development © MBDA
could also receive a torpedo-tube launched
version of the Hsiung Feng II.
Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, and
Pakistan operate older vessels that require or
are already undergoing mid-life upgrades.
The most modern ASMs in Bangladeshi
service are the MBDA Otomat Mk 2 on a sin-
gle Modified Ulsan class frigate delivered in
2001, and the C-802, which replaced the
original HY-2 (CSS-N-3 ‘Seersucker’) arma-
ment of the frigate Osman (ex-Xiangtan)
during a 2007 refit.
The older missile is still in service aboard
four of the five Durdharsha (Huangfen) class
(Type 021) FAC-M delivered around two
MISSILE
T E C H N O L O G Y
The MM 40 Block 2 is installed on Malaysia’s two mid-1980s Kasturi (Type FS 1500) class frigates,
which are currently undergoing a ship life-extension programme © MBDA
decades ago. Although five Durbar (Hegu)
class FAC-M delivered in 1983 and 1992 are
nominally armed with the SY-1 (CSS-N-1
‘Scrubbrush’), China’s first ‘Styx’ copy, in
practice these rarely carry missiles.
Myanmar’s six Houxin class FAC are
reported to be armed with YJ-8 (C-801) mis-
siles, which could eventually be replaced by
the newer C-802. The latter arms the three
Anawrahta class corvettes commissioned in
2001-2005.
C-801 armament has been reported for
42
four of the nine Myanmar class patrol craft
built between 1991 and 2007 and three local-
ly built 75 m corvettes whose delivery ended
in 2004, but this has not been confirmed.
Malaysia’s principal ASM is the Exocet.
The MM 38 armament on the four Handalan
(SPICA-M) class FAC-M commissioned in
1979 and four 1970s Perdana (La
Combattante II) class FAC-M are due to be
replaced by either the newer MM 40, or by
the Otomat Teseo.
The only Malaysian ships fitted with the
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
Otomat Teseo Mk 2 are the four Laksamana
class frigates delivered in the late 1990s. MM
40 Block 2 is installed on the two mid-1980s
Kasturi (Type FS 1500) class frigates, which
are currently undergoing a ship life-exten-
sion programme (SLEP), and on the two
Lekiu class frigates that entered service about
a decade ago.
The four Kedah (Meko 100 RMN) class
frigates that have entered service since 2006
with two more being planned are fitted for,
but not with, the MM 40 Block 2. The missiles
could be added at some future date.
Two recently-delivered Scorpene class
submarines are both equipped with the SM
39 version of Exocet.
Pakistan buys most of its ASMs from the
US and China, and a smaller number from
France. Harpoon Block 2 arms two Jurrat
class FAC-M that entered service in 2006, and
two recently delivered Kaan 33 FAC-M,
while the older Harpoon 1C is on three of the
six Tariq (Amazon) class frigates.
The two Hashmat (Agosta 70) class SSK
delivered three decades ago were modified
in 1985 to carry Sub Harpoon, which is also
operational on four ageing Hangor (Daphne)
class SSK. However the three Khalid (Agosta
90B) class delivered between 1999 and 2008
Smaller and lighter than first-generation
Russian designs such as ‘Styx’, the Raduga Kh-
35 has clocked up two sales in the region,
being in service with India and Vietnam.
(Wikimedia Commons / Allocer)
l

Developed jointly by India and Russia, the Mach 2.5+ BrahMos derivative of Russia’s 3M55
Oniks/Yakhont (SS-N-26) could prove attractive to users opting the deploy a supersonic replace-
ment for their current subsonic missiles. (Indian MoD)
use the Exocet SM 39.
The C-802 (YJ-83/CSS-N-8 Saccade) seems
to be the most recent Chinese weapon of
choice for Pakistan, and is in service on two
Jalalat class FAC-M commissioned in the late
1990s, and on two recently commissioned
Sword (F-22P) class patrol craft with two
more planned.
The ageing HY-2 is the oldest Chinese
ASM in Pakistani service and probably
serves on the final remaining mid-1980s
Huangfen class FAC-M.
Four Haibat (Hegu) class FAC-M in serv-
ice since 1981 have the SY-1.
The navies of Indonesia, North Korea, Sri
Lanka, and Vietnam have few modern war-
ships and ASMs, and face a major block-
obsolescence problem.
Four Todak (PB 57) class patrol craft
entered service with the Indonesian Navy
between 2000 and 2004, but it is not clear if
all have fitted with their planned C-802 (YJ-
82) missile armament. Three Steregushchiy
(Project 20382) class frigates are planned.
Their armament will presumably include
Kh-35 missiles.
The remaining ASM-equipped warships
face obsolescence problems. Three Fatahillah
class frigates and four Dagger class FAC-M
have been in service for the last three
decades. All are equipped with MM 38
Exocet. These missiles have reached the end
of their official service life, but demonstration
firings were conducted in 2002 to validate a
local-devised life-extension programme.
Between 1988 and 1990, six Ahmad Yani
(Van Speijk) class were transferred from the
Netherlands. These are equipped to carry
Harpoon, but the operational status of these
missiles is not known. They could be
life-expired.
North Korea’s main ASM is the SS-N-2
‘Styx’ and its Chinese-built equivalent, the
SY-1. The SS-N-2 serves aboard 12 remaining
Osa class FAC-M originally acquired in 1968
(with a second batch supplied between 1972
and 1983), on 10 Soju class FAC-M (enlarged
Osa-class craft manufactured between 1981
and 1996), and some of the 136 Kongbang
class hovercraft.
Some of the ageing 12 Komar & Sohung
The four Kedah (Meko 100
RMN) class frigates that
have entered service since
2006 with two more planned
are fitted for, but not with,
the MM 40 Block 2
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 43
MISSILE
T E C H N O L O G Y
class (Project 183) FAC-M have the SS-N-2A
Styx; others carry the SY-1. The latter missile
is fitted to some of the six Chong-Ju class
large patrol craft built between 1975 and
1989, but the operational status of two Najin
class frigates built in the early 1970s and fit-
ted with SY-1 ASMs in the mid-1980s
remains questionable.
When the first Soho-class frigate entered
service in the early 1980s, it was armed with
the CSS-N-2, but the expected five follow-on
vessels did not materialise.
Sri Lanka’s sole ASM-armed warships are
two 30 year old Saar 4 class FAC-M trans-
ferred from Israel in 2000. Both are armed
with Gabriel II.
Vietnam’s three Tarantul V class - a total of
10 are planned - are armed with the Kh-35,
and two BPS 500 (Project 12418) class frigates.
The same missile will also arm the four
planned Gepard (Project 11661) class frigates.
There has been no recent news of the plan
to build the KBO 2000 (project 2100) class
frigate, which would also carry the Kh-25.
Four Tarantul class (Project 1241RE) deliv-
ered between the mid-1990s and 2000 are
armed with the SS-N-2D ‘Styx’, but the eight
‘Styx’-armed Osa II (Project 205) class deliv-
ered in 1979-1981 are probably no longer
fully operational.
Cambodia and the Philippines have no
ASM-equipped ships and are unlikely to
operate such warships in the immediate
future.
DEFENCE
I N D U S T R Y

European
Defence Aerospace
Cooperation The Asia-Pacific defence

in aerospace sector has traditionally

been the preserve of the US,

Asia
with nations like Australia, Japan,
Singapore and South Korea being
longstanding users of American
aircraft. American dominance still
remains, especially with the Joint
Strike Fighter expected to corner
a large segment of the fighter
market in coming years.
by Gordon Arthur

44 l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l

 DEFENCE
I N D U S T R Y

uropean companies are now tap-

ping into Asia’s appetite for mili-

E tary fixed-wing and rotary-

winged aircraft, and they have
been making inroads into
American ascendancy. Europe is doing so via
aircraft sales, by supporting Asian indige-
nous programmes, and by supplying compo-
nents such as engines or avionics. This article
examines key partnerships between
European aerospace companies and Asia-
Pacific militaries.

European challenges and

advantages
The Pentagon-instigated debacle over a new
air-to-air refuelling fleet for the USAF illus-
trates the obstacles European companies
face. The US is experienced in tilting the
scales in favour of domestic giants like
Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed
Martin, and it is not easy for Europe to
break into markets traditionally monopo-
One of the first Tiger ARH craft to be delivered to the Australian Army is seen at Robertson
Barracks in Darwin © Gordon Arthur
lised by the USA. The US sells military hard-
ware worth € 5.5 billion to Europe annually, uncontested American market. mous industrial offsets and technological
but sales in the other direction amount to Advantages that European companies cooperation, factors that are important to a
just € 2.2 billion. Incidentally, Taiwan is offer are more generous transfers of technol- developing Asian country. Furthermore,
mostly “off limits” for European defence ogy (TOT) and more equitable partnerships Saab recently announced a joint venture with
companies, as few are brave enough to risk than partisan American ones. Europe’s per- Thailand’s Avia Satcom to develop national
the threat of Chinese boycotts. No European ceived non-aligned status is seen as a plus by tactical datalinks for the Gripen. Such far-
manufacturer has sold combat aircraft since some countries. For instance, Thailand opted reaching cooperation is in sharp contrast to
Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighters were pur- for Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen and 340 Erieye the US, which instead has a tendency to
chased in the 1990s. Taiwan thus remains an AEW&C aircraft that came with magnani- impose sanctions on countries that upset it.

India ordered 66 Hawk Mk.132 trainers

from BAE Systems, with 24 being
imported and the remainder to be built
in India © Andrei Chang/Gordon Arthur

l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 45
DEFENCE
I N D U S T R Y
Both Indonesia and Pakistan have suffered
political sanctions in the past, such behaviour
meaning some countries are cautious about
purchasing American hardware. Like
Thailand, Pakistan opted for the Saab 2000
Erieye AEW&C.
Europe is able to offer a broad spectrum of
high-tech aerospace upgrades, this being an
important industrial sector since military air-
craft need regular capability enhancements.
For example, India is upgrading 63 MiG-29s
with Thales TSB 2500 Identification Friend-
or-Foe (IFF) Combined Interrogator and
Transponder and cryptographic computer
systems that will permit them to interoperate
with Western military aircraft.
High-profile programmes
India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
(MMRCA) programme seeking 126 new
fighters is gaining enormous attention. The
Indian Air Force has six contenders – Boeing
F/A-18IN (USA), Dassault Rafale (France),
Eurofighter Typhoon (Europe), Lockheed
Martin F-16IN (USA), Mikoyan MiG-35
(Russia) and Saab JAS 39 Gripen NG/IN
(Sweden). All things being equal, European
manufacturers have a 50/50 chance of win-
ning the contract based solely on the number
46
of contenders! The request for proposals
(RFP) includes clauses on licensed produc-
tion, TOT and through-life support. The first
18 off-the-shelf fighters will be supplemented
by 108 assembled in India by Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The sheer scale
of the MMRCA programme means India
wields considerable negotiating power,
including 50 percent offsets that promise
unprecedented aerospace cooperation for
India. Saab’s Gripen bid guarantees open
architecture, full TOT and the ability to inte-
grate all manner of weapon systems. A Saab
spokeswoman described the Gripen as “an
independent choice via a non-aligned nation
with unrestricted TOT.” The trusting rela-
tionship would extend to Saab sharing
Gripen AESA radar source codes, something
inconceivable for US companies.
EADS, meanwhile, is dangling the carrot
of becoming a direct Eurofighter programme
partner. Eurofighter India’s In-Country
Director, Stefan Billep, stated: “The Typhoon
package is backed by four European govern-
ments and four defence industries. We will
help India become part of the technology.”
With 400 European companies involved in
the Typhoon programme, India would gain
impressive sourcing opportunities plus the
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l
Powered by Turbomeca engines, a
pair of Dhruv helicopters passes over
Delhi during the annual Republic
Day Parade © Gordon Arthur
offer of production sharing. An EADS R&D
centre is being set up in Bangalore to provide
effective TOT. Eurojet, the Typhoon’s engine-
maker, is also proffering its expertise in
developing a more powerful engine for
HAL’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. French
firm Snecma was helping improve the trou-
bled indigenous Kaveri engine, but the
Eurojet EJ200 could be a good solution.
Missile sales soared to $14.8 billion last
year, marking an 11% year-on-year increase.
MBDA holds a 25 percent share of the global
missile market (excluding China and Russia),
and India is its biggest export market. Mati
Hindrekus, Marketing Communications
Manager, revealed MBDA is hoping the
Rafale or Eurofighter gets the MMRCA nod,
as missiles like the ASRAAM, Brimstone,
Meteor, MICA or Storm Shadow/SCALP
could be integrated.
While co-operation in India looms large
in European aerospace thinking, South
Korea also possesses potential. The three-
phase Korean Fighter (KF-X) programme
will see a Korean-built fighter developed by
2020, though recent reports suggest it will
not be totally indigenous. The F-15K has
already won the first two phases. On 29 May
2009, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) con-

sulted Boeing, Eurofighter, Lockheed
Martin and Saab on joint development and
TOT possibilities, with hopes that foreign
firms could contribute up to 30 percent of
development costs. Although the KF-X pro-
gramme is not clearly defined yet, there are
openings for European companies with up
to 250 aircraft required.
EADS is proud of its A330 Multi-Role
Tanker Transport (MRTT), of which
Australia has ordered five. The MRTT is
also suited to South Korean and Indian
requirements. Malaysia is currently the
only Asian country to have signed up for
Airbus Military’s A400M transport aircraft.
The A400M programme is haemorrhaging
$150 million a month in cost overruns, and
its protracted development has granted
rival Boeing swelling C-17 sales. Didier
Verner, the Defense Capability Marketing
Director, revealed there was “continuing
Asian interest” in the A400M, especially
amongst countries operating older Hercules
aircraft. EADS already has significant
regional sales of smaller transport aircraft
like the CN-235 to Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South
Europe is able to offer
a broad spectrum of high-
tech aerospace upgrades,
this being an important
industrial sector since
military aircraft need regular
capability enhancements
Korea and Thailand. In a particularly inter-
esting joint venture, the EADS CASA CN-
235 is built by PT Dirgantara Indonesia, an
Indonesian company that also license-pro-
duces Super Puma helicopters.
Turning to Italy, Alenia Aermacchi is
hopeful of Asian sales for its M-346 advanced
jet trainer. The M-346 is facing off against
South Korea’s T-50 to meet Singapore’s
requirement, with Alenia Aermacchi teaming
up with local firm ST Aerospace for the bid.
Alenia Aeronautica’s C-27J is a serious con-
tender for Australia’s DHC-4 Caribou
replacement, and the fact that a C-27J was
exhibited at this year’s Singapore Air Show
illustrates the company’s Asian hopes. The
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 47
DEFENCE
I N D U S T R Y
United Kingdom has scored successes with
sales of BAE Systems Hawk jet trainers to
Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.
However, BAE Systems’ relationship with
India soured even before the 24th British-
built aircraft was delivered. Wrangling
between the two parties demonstrates the
pitfalls inherent in partnerships, although
HAL is still assembling another 42 Hawk
Mk.132 trainers.
Helicopter opportunities
Eurocopter, an EADS subsidiary, finished
2009 as the world’s leading helicopter manu-
facturer. Military helicopter sales accounted
for 48% of last year’s turnover. EADS is tar-
geting the South Korean market, building
upon the successful foundation of the Korean
Utility Helicopter (KUH) programme. KAI
will assemble the KUH Surion in partnership
with Eurocopter, the latter having 30 percent
and 20 percent stakes respectively in the
development and production phases. The
Surion’s maiden flight occurred on 10 March
2010, and deliveries of 245 helicopters should
commence in 2012. As well as technical assis-
tance, Eurocopter provided the Surion’s
A Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter of
the Republic of China Air Force takes
off during an exercise on the island
state © Andrei Chang/Gordon Arthur
DEFENCE
I N D U S T R Y
transmission, rotor mast and automatic flight
control system. On 18 October 2007, KAI and
Eurocopter created a 50/50 joint venture to
internationally market the KUH with the
goal of 300 export sales over 25 years.
Another potential project is the Korean
Attack Helicopter (KAH), with KAI exhibit-
ing two scale models at last year’s Seoul Air
Show. One design was a dedicated attack
helicopter utilising 60 percent of KUH com-
ponents; it reflects Eurocopter’s involvement
in that it resembles a Tiger. South Korea is
not expected to announce KAH requirements
until late 2010, but around 270 are needed to
replace elderly Cobras and MD500s. It will
take KAI and Eurocopter six to eight years to
create a working prototype.
The sheer size of Indian helicopter con-
tracts has manufacturers salivating. The com-
petition for 197 Reconnaissance and
Surveillance Helicopters (RSH) has been nar-
rowed down to the Eurocopter Fennec AS550
This KUH Surion built by KAI with Eurocopter’s
assistance was exhibited at the Seoul Air Show
in October 2009 © Gordon Arthur
48
C3, Kamov Ka-226 and AgustaWestland
AW119. A decision should be announced in
early 2011, according to Rainer Farid,
Eurocopter’s South Asia Regional Sales
Director. The RSH programme will involve
localised production and 50 percent
offsets. The subcontinent also requires up to
380 10-12-tonne Indian Multi-Role
Helicopters (IMRH) in a co-development/co-
production project.
To help meet India’s stringent 26 percent
direct foreign investment regulations,
AgustaWestland created a joint venture with
Tata Sons in February 2010 for final assembly
of AW119 helicopters in India. The first will
be delivered in 2011, with expected annual
production of 30 craft. The Indian Navy’s
search for 16 ship-based medium helicopters
is nearing the final hurdle, with competition
honed down to the European NH90 and
American Sikorsky MH-60R. Referring to
technological partnership in India, Mr. Farid
conceded, “HAL is the only real partner pos-
sibility. It’s challenging to team up with an
inexperienced company, but HAL has limit-
ed experience with helicopter production.”
This statement underscores a relevant point –
European companies require competent
Asian partners to work with, a factor that sig-
nificantly narrows the range of candidates.
Eurocopter is willing to offer India 100 per-
cent TOT, and it already has a Bangalore liai-
son office to oversee outsourcing activities
such as metallic and composite work pack-
ages. HAL, which builds Fennec airframes, is
already a tier one global supplier. Mr. Farid
stated Eurocopter could shift half its produc-
tion to India, which would be an astonishing
decision if it materialises! A recent report
concerning Malaysia’s “off again-on again”
purchase of twelve EC725 Cougars revealed
Eurocopter was negotiating pilot and ground
crew training packages. This type of training
contract offers business opportunities to
European companies too.
The prototypical Light Combat Helicopter
(LCH) is based on HAL’s Dhruv Advanced
Light Helicopter (ALH), which could yet
become a significant export success. Initial
operating capability is expected in December
2011, and like the ALH, it is powered by twin
An Indonesian-built CN-235 of the Republic of
Korea Air Force is the fruit of a joint venture
between EADS CASA and PT Dirgantara
Indonesia © Gordon Arthur
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW l

Shakti engines co-developed with Turbomeca
in France. The LCH will be armed with a
Nexter 20mm M 621 cannon mounted in a
THL 20 turret. Mati Hindrekus, MBDA
Marketing Communications Manager,
advised that Mistral 2 missiles and ATAM
system have already been delivered for inte-
gration on an armed demonstrator. HAL and
Turbomeca have long enjoyed fruitful coop-
eration, and joint development of the Shakti
engine for high-altitude operations began in
1999. Under an Indian RFP for 22 attack heli-
copters issued last year, AgustaWestland is
offering a customised T129.
Even Japan, which favours US aircraft,
has hopped on the European bandwagon.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force
(JMSDF) is using the EC135 as a training
craft, and up to 15 could be ordered.
The JMSDF also selected the
AgustaWestland AW101, which Kawasaki is
building under license.
Other important European rotary-winged
products are the NH90 and Tiger. Australia
opted for 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance
Helicopters (ARH). These, along with the
NH90 MRH, are being assembled in Brisbane
by Australian Aerospace, a wholly owned
subsidiary of EADS. Employing a workforce
of 1,100, Australian Aerospace claims it has
A Eurofighter Typhoon in India. EADS is putting much weight on winning the MMRCA competition ©
Andrei Chang/Gordon Arthur
injected A$1.7 billion into the local aerospace
industry. Australian Aerospace also prom-
ised 750 further jobs if the NH90 maritime
variant is chosen to replace the navy’s
Seahawk and Seasprite fleets. This level of
local integration reveals an important differ-
ence between European and American com-
panies, for US corporations are not prepared
to set up local operations in the fashion that
Eurocopter does, for example. New Zealand,
too, has turned to Europe to replace ageing
American helicopters like the UH-1H. New
Zealand ordered eight NH90 craft in 2006, as
well as five AgustaWestland AW109 craft.
UAVs
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are bolster-
ing aerospace sales, with demand by the US
military alone increasing six-fold since 2004.
The United Kingdom has
scored successes with sales
of BAE Systems Hawk jet
trainers to Australia, India,
Indonesia and Malaysia
l JULY/AUGUST 2010 l 49
DEFENCE
I N D U S T R Y
The demand for UAVs worldwide is expect-
ed to double from 2010-15. Israel and the US,
rather than Europe, are the main centres of
gravity for UAV technological partnership in
Asia-Pacific. However, some countries like
South Korea and India are vigorously pursu-
ing indigenous UAV programmes.
Reversing the flow?
Excluding China and Japan, the two Asian
countries emerging as significant aerospace
players are India and South Korea. Both
nations aim to boost arms exports. India is
already achieving limited exports of Dhruv
helicopters to countries like Ecuador, and it is
firmly established in Eurocopter’s global
supply chain. Meanwhile, South Korea has
developed the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced
trainer with Lockheed Martin assistance.
Interestingly, as part of growing South
Korean cooperation, Turkey selected the KT-
1 basic trainer from KAI in June 2007. This
transaction sees Asian aerospace products
now being exported from Asia to Europe! As
the Asia-Pacific aerospace sector matures,
this is something that may occur more regu-
larly in the future.
REGIONAL NEWS
A N D D E V E L O P M E N T S
Asia Pacific Procurement Update
AUSTRALIA
Upgraded Light Armoured
Vehicles for Australia
The Australian Light Armoured Vehicle
(ASLAV) upgrade has been granted second
pass approval by the government. The
upgrade, announced by the Australian
Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner,
will enhance the combat protection levels of
the ASLAVs deployed in the Middle East
Area of Operations since 2004.
The upgrade is part of LAND 112 Phase 4
– ASLAV Enhancement, and will cost an esti-
mated A$302.8 million. The plans will see the
ASLAV receive enhanced armoured protec-
tion against a wider range of threats includ-
ing Improvised Explosive Devices through
the improvement of ballistic, fragmentation
and blast protection capabilities.
113 upgraded vehicles are to be delivered
starting in April 2012, with the government
currently considering options for significant
expedition of the programme to get the
upgraded vehicles into theatre more quickly.
There are also plans to improve suspen-
sion, driveline and engine during the
upgrade to keep the ASLAV in top condi-
50
The planned ASLAV enhancement programme
focuses on force protection © Australian DoD
tion for the remainder of its service life. Pre-
modification and refurbishment work,
including the installation of upgrade kits
and the redesign and manufacturing of
mine blast belly plates will be carried out by
General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia
in South Australia.
RAN Collins Class submarines to
receive Pacific Marine Batteries
battery sets
Pacific Marine Batteries of Australia has
received a contract to provide replacement
batteries and technical support of batteries
for the RAN’s Collins Class Submarines.
Greg Combet of the Defence Materiel
Organisation (DMO) made the announce-
ment following a visit to the company’s
facilities in Adelaide. The Acquisition con-
tract, worth an approximate A$81 million,
will see the provision of five Collins
Class submarines battery sets over the next
six years.
The Standing Offer contract will see
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
Pacific Marine Batteries provide short notice
technical support over the next seven years
for the Collins Class battery sets. This will
include the ongoing provision of an
Environmental Protection Authority
approved storage facility for four battery
sets, with two in storage and two ready
for disposal.
Under the contract, Pacific Marine
Batteries will also ensure cells are kept well-
conditioned using specialist equipment in
anticipation of short-notice installation, and
will undertake the decommissioning and
disposal at the end of each battery set life.
RAAF receives first two
Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft
The first two Wedgetail Airborne Early
Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft have
been received by the Royal Australian Air
Force (RAAF) at RAAF Base Williamtown in
Newcastle by Minister for Defence Materiel
and Science, Greg Combet.
The Wedgetail aircraft delivery comes
more than a decade after the programme was
initiated, with the project suffering schedul-
ing delays, and requiring intensive effort
from the government to get the programme
back on track.
The aircraft are the first two of six units
that will be delivered under the programme,
and will bring a major boost to the ADF’s
surveillance capabilities. Each Wedgetail air-
craft is capable of covering a four million
square kilometre area on a typical 10 hour
mission, and an area of 400,000 square kilo-
metres at any one time.
The aircraft, with sophisticated mission
systems and advanced radar, will be primari-
ly tasked with air threat detection, air defence
coordination, as well as supporting naval
fleets, and carrying out search and rescue
operations and border protection missions.
Formal training and operational capabili-
ty preparation is now to be undertaken over
a 12 month period by the ADF along with
Boeing in order to bring the fleet up to full
operational readiness.
Australia seeks purchase of
Shadow UAVs
Australia has initiated the possible purchase
of two RQ-7B Shadow 200 Unmanned
REGIONAL NEWS
A N D D E V E L O P M E N T S
Aircraft Systems (UAS) under a Foreign
Military Sale (FMS) with the US government.
Along with the two UAS the Australian
government has requested communication
equipment to include 4 Ground Control
Stations, support equipment, spare and
repair parts, tools and test equipment, techni-
cal data and publications, personnel training
and training equipment, US government and
contractor engineering, technical and logis-
tics support services, and other related ele-
ments of logistics support, at a combined
estimated cost of $218 million.
If approved, the sale will greatly enhance
Australia’s ongoing ground operation capa-
bilities within Afghanistan, as well as giving
the Australian Defence Force greater
humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and
stability operation capabilities in the Asia-
Pacific region.
The proposed sale will see prime contrac-
tor AAI Corporation deliver the systems
in-country.
Australia reaches communications
project milestone
Australia’s Joint Project 2043 High Frequency
Modernisation project has reached what
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel
and Science, called a ‘milestone’, with the
final Fixed Network system being recently
formally accepted from prime contractor,
Boeing Australia.
MALAYSIA
Second Scorpene Submarine
sails home to Malaysia
The second of two Scorpene-type sub-
marines commissioned for the Royal
Malaysian Navy (RMN) has left Toulon,
France, for the two month journey home
to Malaysia. The submarine will make
several ports of call during the trip, and
will first arrive in Malaysia in the port of
Lumut, then head for its base at Kota
Kinabalu on Borneo island.
Following its arrival in Malaysia the
vessel, named KD Tun Razak, will under-
go scheduled maintenance and tropical
climate sea trials.
The first Scorpene submarine, the KD
Tunku Abdul Rahman, arrived in the
country in September 2009. The contract
for the two Scorpene submarines,
designed by DCNS and jointly developed
by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder
Navantia, was signed between the
52
The High Frequency Modernisation
(HFMOD) programme will provide
Australian armed forces with a secure com-
mand and control information exchange
capability. The system is a ‘primary surviv-
able system’, and will act as a parallel system
to satellite communications.
The Modernised High Frequency
Communications System consists of a net-
work of HF radio stations, and a central net-
work management facility located in
Canberra. When complete the project will sig-
nificantly modernise and enhance the ADF’s
high frequency communications capability,
and greater levels of automation.
Thales SATCOM equipment
selected for AWDs
Australia’s Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs)
are to be fitted with Thales satellite communi-
cation (SATCOM) equipment under a con-
tract announced by Greg Combet, Minister
for Defence Materiel and Science, worth an
approximate $9 million.
The Hobart class destroyers, the Royal
Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) newest and most
capable all-purpose war ships, are due to
enter service with the RAN in 2013, and will
provide air defences for accompanying
ships, land forces, and infrastructure in
coastal areas.
According to Combet, the Thales equip-
ment will provide ‘world-wide coverage of
The delivery of the second submarine completes Malaysia’s Scorpene acquisition © DCNS
Malaysian government and DCNS in
June 2002.
The agreement included associated
logistics and training, and the Malaysian
government signed a further contract
with DCNS earlier this year for the deliv-
ery of a training and navigation safety
and combat simulator system and
associated services as part of the Royal
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
high-speed broadband for multiple users for
both voice and data services’; giving the fleet
the necessary communications system capa-
ble of meeting ‘not only the operational needs
of a modern warship, but also allowing the
ship’s crew to keep in touch with family and
friends via email and internet services’.
The selected system will incorporate
equipment from leading SATCOM suppliers
including ViaSat, SITEP and Thrane &
Thrane. In the interests of training and main-
tenance support, some of this equipment is
already deployed on RAN warships.
Thales will undertake design and fabrica-
tion work in Sydney at its Garden Island
facility and installation will take place at
Techport Australia in Adelaide.
Australian troops to receive
new body armour
The Australian Chief of Army, Lieutenant
General Ken Gillespie, has announced that a
new light-weight combat body armour system
for soldiers will begin trials by the end of 2010
during a three day visit to Afghanistan.
The new system, called the Tiered Body
Armour System (TBAS), was demonstrated by
troops at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt. It is
lighter than the current Modular Combat
Body Armour System (MCBAS), and likely to
be issued to key elements of the next rotation
of Australian troops deployed to Afghanistan
during ‘2011’.
Malaysian Navy’s (RMN’s) Scorpene
submarine programme, enabling the
RMN to enhance their training practices
with the submarines.
Each Scorpene submarine has a dis-
placement of 1,550 tonnes and a length
overall of 67.5 metres. Each boat requires a
crew of just 31 and has a maximum
endurance of 45 days.
 InternationalDefenceExhibition&Conference ‫ﻣـﻌـــــﺮض وﻣـــــﺆﺗـﻤـﺮ اﻟـــــﺪﻓــﺎع اﻟـــــﺪوﻟــﻲ‬

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Trim size 213mm width x 286mm height
REGIONAL NEWS
A N D D E V E L O P M E N T S
INDIA
India to acquire Ultra Light
Howitzers and new AW-101
helicopters
The Indian Army is to acquire Ultra Light
Howitzers (ULHs) as per the provisions
of Defence Procurement Procedure 2008.
The Indian Defence Minister, Shri AK
Antony, announced the prospective pro-
curement that is being sought via the
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) with the US
Government. A formal request was made
to the US with a Letter of Request in
May 2009.
The Defence Minister also announced
that the Indian Ministry of Defence has
signed a contract with Agusta Westland
Limited, United Kingdom, for the pro-
curement of 12 AW-101 helicopters for
VIP transportation. No other details of the
contract were released.
Indian Army orders a further
124 MBT Arjun
The Indian Army is to order a new batch
of 124 Main Battle Tank Arjuns following
successful desert trials of the vehicle. The
order follows an initial order of 124 for the
indigenously built MBT Arjun.
The additional order will put to rest
long persisting doubts about the Arjun,
with critics suggesting the tank would not
meet the tough operational requirements
of the Indian Army. The tank is reported
to have performed ‘superbly’ during tri-
als, effectively driving cross-country over
rugged sand dunes, detecting, observing
and quickly engaging targets, accurately
hitting stationary and moving targets
with pin pointed accuracy.
The gestation of the Arjun MBT
stretches back over 35 years to 1974 when
VIETNAM
Vietnam Navy orders first ever
western-built aircraft
The Vietnam Navy is to receive its first ever
western-built aircraft following the finalisa-
tion of a purchase agreement with Canadian
company Viking Air for the purchase of six
DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft.
The contract follows a thorough pro-
curement process including an extensive
54
the government approved design
and development plans for the home-
grown vehicle, aiming to provide an
‘indigenous cutting edge’ to Indian
Mechanised Forces.
Trials are also believed to have con-
firmed the Arjun’s superior fire-power,
based on accurate and quick target acquisi-
tion capability during day and night in all
types of weather, and shortest possible
reaction time during combat engagements.
IAF’s Light Combat Helicopter
takes flight
India’s long-awaited indigenous Light
Combat Helicopter (LCH) has undertaken
its maiden flight in a display attended by
the Defence Secretary RK Singh, Vice Chief
of Air Staff, Air Marshal PK Barbora,
Chairman HAL, Ashok Nayak and senior
officials of Defence ministry and the forces
at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) airport on 23 May.
The aircraft, manufactured by HAL, is
a dedicated attack helicopter with nar-
row fuselage and tandem seating for
pilot and co-pilot, designed with low
detection characteristics including
reduced visual, aural, radar and infrared
signatures. The aircraft features hinge-
less rotors and Shakti engines for
enhanced manoeuvrability.
The aircraft also features chin mounted
canon and helmet mounted sighting sys-
tems giving greater range of target acqui-
sition, and advanced sensor suite includ-
ing CCD Camera, Forward looking
infrared imaging technology and Laser
range finder.The maiden flight of the LCH
marks India’s entry into the very few coun-
tries in the world capable of producing
attack helicopters.
evaluation and configuration phase and
several years of collaboration between the
Vietnamese Navy, the GAET Company
from the Ministry of Defence, Viking, and
its local representative, Canam Active
Enterprises Inc.
The DHC-6 Twin Otter fleet will form
the initial fixed-wing aircraft air wing of
the Vietnam Navy, and three of the aircraft
will be designated ‘Guardian 400’ mar-
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand accepts
HMNZS Wellington into Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy has for-
mally accepted the seventh and final
Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS
Wellington commissioned under Project
Protector in a ceremony in Melbourne.
The vessel was received by Chief of
Navy, Rear-Admiral Tony Parr and
Ministry of Defence Project Director
Gary Collier. The delivery marked a new
phase of the Royal New Zealand Navy,
with the full Project Protector fleet now
complete, boosting New Zealand’s off-
shore patrol capabilities including deliv-
ering the full range of operations from
combat and security missions to peace-
keeping, border patrol and humanitari-
an and disaster relief.
Along with sister ship Otago,
HMNZS Wellington will perform
Exclusive Economic Zone patrols, sur-
veillance and military operations
around New Zealand, the southern
ocean and the Pacific, with their heli-
copter capability, sea-boats and
embarked forces.
HMNZS Wellington and Otago are
OPVs capable of extending the reach of
the Navy’s Inshore Patrol Vessels, able
to go undertake missions further off-
shore, for longer duration, conducting
patrol and surveillance operations
around New Zealand’s maritime areas.
The vessels feature strengthened
hulls capable of enduring the icy condi-
tions of southern waters, and carry a
Seasprite SH2G helicopter for helicopter
operations, and Rigid Hull Inflatable
Boats for boarding operations.
HMNZS Wellington will now under-
go safety and operational preparations
in advance of her delivery voyage to
New Zealand.
itime patrol variants, equipped for
amphibious operations, carrying out
transport, resupply, maritime surveillance
and search and rescue operations through-
out Vietnam’s 3400 km coastline and
coastal regions.
With convertible interiors, the remaining
three aircraft will be configured for VIP,
commuter and utility operations. The aircraft
will be delivered between 2012 and 2014.
REGIONAL NEWS
A N D D E V E L O P M E N T S
PAKISTAN
Pakistan Air Force poised for
F-16 fleet upgrade
Pakistan is a step closer to its long-awaited
F-16 fleet upgrade, following the gradua-
tion ceremony of eight Pakistani air force
pilots from the international F-16 training
unit with the Arizona Air National Guard
in the United States.
The pilot training is a vital component of
Pakistan’s preparation for the arrival of the
first batch of four F-16 aircraft scheduled
for delivery June 26 at Shahbaz Air Base in
Pakistan.
The Block 52 versions of the multi-role
fighter will bring a much-needed upgrade
to the existing 30 year old A-model
Pakistani fleet. The new aircraft brings a
significant increase in capabilities, includ-
ing night operations and the ability to
enhance the use of precision munitions.
The existing F-16 fleet will undergo a
mid-life upgrade in 2011, following the com-
pletion of delivery of the new fleet, which
will be staggered throughout the remainder
of 2010. When upgraded the original fleet
will feature upgraded cockpit and avionics,
bringing them up to F-16C/D standards.
The Pakistani pilots have spent 10
months in upgrade training on the newer
C/D model aircraft, including two months
at the Defense Language Institute at
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and seven
months in flight training at Tucson
International Airport. As the C/D-models
used for training in Arizona are Block 25 F-
56
16s, the pilots will now undergo two weeks
of additional Block 52 instruction before
returning to Pakistan.
Pakistan Navy to acquire
USS McInerney
The Pakistan Navy is to take delivery of
USS McInerney after its planned decom-
mission from the US Navy this summer,
following a meeting between the Pakistan
and US Navies hosted by VSE Corporation,
the global engineering, industrial and logis-
tics group.
The agreement was finalised with a let-
ter of Offer and Acceptance, signed by
Pakistan Navy Captain Abdul Rehman,
Attache for Defense Procurement (Air
Force/Navy) and accepted by Naval Sea
Systems Command representative, US
Navy Captain Chris Pietras.
Under the agreement, the VSE’s Naval
Ship Transfer and Repair team will under-
take a shipyard industrial availability con-
tract to make ship repairs to upgrade and
extend the service life of USS McInerney, as
well as providing maintenance and opera-
tional training for the Pakistani crew. Initial
training will be carried out by the US Navy
until the ship is officially transferred to the
Pakistan Navy in late August.
Following the transfer, VSW Ship
Training and Assistance Team (STAT) will
conduct underway training for the crew,
and US Navy Afloat Training Group will
carry out a final evaluation of the Pakistani
crew’s ability to operate the ship and all its
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
The USS McInerney in
USN service © DoD
equipment. The crew will sail the ship back
to Karachi, Pakistan accompanied by the
VSE Transfer Assistance Team.
Pakistan Army receives Bell
412 EP Helicopters
Pakistan has taken delivery of two Bell 412
EP helicopters from the US government in
a signing ceremony at Qasim Army Air
Base near Rawalpindi, Pakistan, attended
by US Army Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata and
Indian Army Brig. Gen. Tippu Karim, 101
Army Aviation commander.
The enhanced-performance utility trans-
port helicopters will bring new power to
Pakistan’s counterinsurgency efforts. The
US will also provide associated spare parts,
special tools andother supporting equip-
ment, at a combined cost of $20 million.
The US has taken great strides in recent
years to support Pakistan’s interests, and
develop a long-term strategic partnership
with the country, to the tune of more than
$4 billion. Specifically, assistance for
national defence enhancement has includ-
ed 14 F-16 fighter aircraft, 10 Mi-17 helicop-
ters, more than 450 vehicles for Pakistan's
Frontier Corps, hundreds of night vision
goggles, day/night scopes, radios, and
thousands of protective vests and first-aid
items for Pakistan's security forces.
The US has also provided civilian and
humanitarian support to the country in the
form of medical aid, food distribution, and
vital infrastructure reconstruction and
development.
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