Artillery Dismounted Istar Infantry Training Malaysia's Armed Forces
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
VOLUME 25/ISSUE 2 APRIL 2017 US$15 ASIA PAcific’s LARGEST CIRCULATED DEFENCE MAGAZINE ARTILLERY DISMOUNTED ISTAR INFANTRY TRAINING MALAYSIA’S ARMED FORCES COASTAL SURVEILLANCE RADAR COMBAT AIRCRAFT www.asianmilitaryreview.com Use of U.S. DoD visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. DECADES OF GLOBAL EXPERIENCE. FLEETS OF COMBAT-PROVEN MXTM-SERIES SYSTEMS. Image courtesy of Austal. Here’s Why Over 3,700 L3 WESCAM MX™-Series Systems Have Been Chosen for More Than 137 Different Platforms Across 70 Countries: • Systems range in size from 10" to 25" and are engineered to meet varying cost, capability and airframe requirements • Configurations can include HD EO/IR, color HD spotter, zoom spotter, color low-light wide-angle zoom EO imager, SWIR imager, image fusion and blending, picture-in-picture, MX-GEO, and KineticTM ISR and MTI MX-15 • All systems incorporate a 4- or 5-axis design to ensure superior levels MX-20 of stabilization across all payloads • A network of 14 WESCAM Authorized Service Centers supports MX-10 MX-Series systems worldwide – 24/7 MX-10MS To learn more, visit WESCAM.com. WESCAM L3T.com Contents APRIL 2017 VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 2 06 The ‘God of War’ is enjoying a makeover, with technological improvements in artillery capabilities popular throughout the Asia-Pacific, Stephen W. Miller finds out. Front Cover Photo: Malaysia’s armed forces fall under AMR’s spotlight in Dzirhan Mahadzir’s Malaysia AASIASIA’’SS ARARTITILLERYLLERY Tightens Its Belt article in this issue. RRENNENNaissaaissaNNCCEE 20 28 36 Air Superiority 44 Intelligent Complex Malaysia The Sad Song of Intelligence While fighter procurements Tightens Its Belt MH370 Beth Stevenson explores the continue to be in strong Dzirhan Mahadzir examines Beth Stevenson discusses the latest technologies helping demand around the Asia-Pacific, the Malaysian armed forces’ search for Malaysia Airlines flight soldiers to see what is aircraft upgrades remain as an modernisation plans, and the MH370 and the lessons learned happening on the battlefield in attractive alternative, challenges these face from the from the search for the missing increasingly sharper detail. Thomas Newdick explains. country’s economic situation. airliner. 24 32 12 Stranger On The Instructing Shore Thomas Withington takes the The Infantry temperature of the coastal Claire Apthorp explores some surveillance radar market in of the latest systems which are the Asia-Pacific, where such being used for infantry training equipment remains in high Catch up on all the latest defence radio frequency news and throughout the Asia-Pacific. demand. analysis in Thomas Withington’s regular Pulse column. | APRIL 2017 | 03 Index of Advertisers AIRBUS 5 Editorial CONTROP 9 COUNTER TERROR EXPO 43 D & S THAILAND 47 IT’S A FAMILY ISDEF 49 L-3 WESCAM COVER 2 AFFAIR MADEX 41 MAST 45 very family has disagreements which can MBDA COVER 3 occasionally erupt into robust arguments. NEXTER 9 Yet in the ruling Kim dynasty which SAFRAN COVER 4 presides over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), familial TELEPHONICS 11 Econtretemps assume their own unique characteristics. THALES 13 WEBSITE AD 17 Kim Jong-un, the DPRK’s supreme leader, is known to settle family disputes using SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 39 somewhat unorthodox approaches. The macabre soap opera that surrounds the affairs of the SHOW DAILY AD 19 Kim family has witnessed some startling plot twists since Mr. Kim assumed power on 28th SUBSCRIPTION 37 December 2011, following the death of his father Kim Jong-il, popularly referred to as ‘the Dear Leader.’ Mr. Kim the younger has not been loath to spare the most extreme retribution for those that displease him, be they kith and kin or otherwise. Advertising Offices Jang Song-thaek, Mr. Kim’s uncle and alleged chair of the National Defence Commission, France/Spain Stephane de Remusat, REM International considered to be a position of power second only to that of the country’s leader, was put Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130 E-Mail: [email protected] to death on 12th December 2013 following his conviction by a special military tribunal convened by the Ministry of State Security. He was reportedly blasted to bits by six anti- Germany Sam Baird, Whitehill Media aircraft guns. Several members of Mr. Jang’s family have also reportedly been executed, Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 E-Mail: [email protected] including his grandchildren. The charges against Mr. Jang were that he was “despicable human scum … who was worse than a dog,” and that he: “perpetrated thrice-cursed acts of Turkey / Eastern Europe / UK Zena Coupé treachery in betrayal of such profound trust and warmest paternal love shown by the party Tel: +44 1923 852537, [email protected] and the leader for him,” according to an official DPRK announcement detailing his crimes. Nordic Countries/Italy/ Switzerland Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Mr. Kim’s purges against his family have not stopped with the execution of Mr. Jang. On Tel: (46) 31 799 9028 E-Mail: [email protected] 13th February, Kim Jong-nam, Mr. Kim’s half-brother, was fatally poisoned with VX nerve agent in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Malaysian authorities strongly suspect the Russia Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, DPRK regime to have masterminded the attack. Although initially expected to take the Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653 Email :[email protected] reins of power upon the death of Mr. Kim’s father, Kim Jong-nam fell from grace with his sibling. Media reports have alleged that this was because the latter was advocating USA (East/South East)/Canada (East) Margie Brown, Blessall Media, LLC. economic reforms for the DPRK, and also that Mr. Kim had issued a standing order for his Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581 Email: [email protected] half-brother to be killed. USA (West/South West)/Brazil/Canada (West) Whether Kim Jong-nam’s death is the result of this standing order or the result of some Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc Tel : (+1 858) 759 3557 new consolidation of power by Mr. Kim is unknown. As AMR was going to press, on 6th Email: [email protected] March the DPRK performed four test-launches of ballistic missiles from the Sohae Satellite All Other Countries Launching Station in the west of the country towards the Sea of Japan. The extent to which Jakhongir Djalmetov, Media Transasia Limited Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile: +66 81 6455654 these launches and Kim Jong-nam’s death are connected, possibly as part of a bid by Mr. Email: [email protected] Kim to reassert his authority remains, like much in the DPRK, shrouded in mystery. Roman Durksen, Media Transasia Limited Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile +66 9 8252 6243 E-Mail: [email protected] Thomas Withington, Editor Editor: Thomas Withington Tel: (33) 562 271 697, E-mail: [email protected] Publishing Office: Chairman: J.S. Uberoi Audit Bureau Of Circulations Media Transasia Limited,1603, 16/F, Island Place Tower, 510 King’s Road, Hong Kong Controlled circulation: 21,271 (average per issue) certified by ABC Hong Kong, Operations Office: for the period 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015. President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul Subscription Information Gaurav Kumar Chief Financial Officer: ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW can be obtained General Manager: Jakhongir Djalmetov by subscription. Subscription rate for one year International Marketing Manager: Roman Durksen (8 issues) is U.S.$ 100.00 Readers should Digital Manager: David Siriphonphutakun contact the following address: Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Wajiraprakan Punyajai Subscription Department, Graphic Designer: Khakanaa Suwannawong Media Transasia Limited. Production Manager: Kanda Thanakornwongskul Group Circulation Manager: Porames Chinwongs 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Media Transasia Ltd. 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Rd., Bangkok 10110, Thailand Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2387 Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1 Email: [email protected] 04 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW | CAN WE GO 11 HOURS WITHOUT BLINKING? THE C295 ISR – PERSISTENT AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE. With exceptional endurance, the C295 ISR sets a new standard for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR). Equipped with FITS, the market-leading system for airborne ISR and sub hunting, its excellent manoeuvrability at low level and cabin versatility offers a multi-mission aircraft which performs in the most demanding scenarios. And with the lowest lifecycle costs in its category, it’s no wonder the C295 has been the preferred solution for operators for the past decade. Find out more at airbusds.com/C295 AirbusUntitled-1 AskUs 1210x285 C295_AsianMilitaryReview.indd 1 27/02/20173/13/17 11:01 4:10 pmAM LAND WARFARE ASIA’S ARTILLERY RENNAISSANCE Artillery is experiencing a revolution in platform design, ordnance and fire control. Such advances are making artillery more deployable, enabling weapons to reach the battle easily and to move around the battlefield quickly to deliver more firepower. by Stephen W. Miller 06 | ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW | LAND WARFARE have occurred during the last decade. The servicing burden, compared to a more result of these new developments is that complex tracked SPH design, while also US Army artillery is not only being embraced by permitting their wider use on existing militaries worldwide but is taking on new roads and bridges: a key consideration roles that were previously impossible. for Asia-Pacific users. Many Asia-Pacific armies have recognised According to official figures, in terms the contribution and value of these new of striking power, the CAESAR has a 40 capabilities. kilometres/km (24.9 miles) range and a six rounds-per-minute firing rate. It Platform Innovation can stop, fire and move again in under As the CAESAR SPH has illustrated, three minutes, thus reducing exposure truck-mounted artillery is proving to counter-battery fire.