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COAST GUARDS SUBMARINES ANTI-SHIP MISSILES NIGHT VISION

INDIAN ARMED FORCES LIGHT ATTACK AIRCRAFT AIR COMMAND AND CONTROL

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CMY

K Contents march 2016 VOLUME 24 / ISSUE 2

The Tiger’s 10 Talons Sharpen Rahul Bedi takes the temperature of several leading Indian army and air force programmes, and details new procurement plans.

Front Cover Photo: The Royal Australian Navy’s ‘Collins’ class conventional hunter-killer submarines are to be replaced, as discussed in Dr. Alix Valenti’s The Silent Service article in this issue © RAN 16 34 40 46

Guarding the Dragon’s Den Train As Vision Thing! Moat Peter Donaldson casts his You Fight The international community’s eyes over some of the latest RAP-pers Delight Thomas Newdick profiles definition of a coast guard’s technological enhancements Thomas Withington examines some of the light combat duties and those of the to infantry night vision recent developments to aircraft in service around People’s Republic of China systems, and possible future improve Integrated Air Defence the Asia-Pacific for training differ significantly,Andrew developments. Systems throughout the and light ground attack Drwiega explains. Asia-Pacific area. missions. 22 28 06

When Neptune The Silent Gets Angry Asia-Pacific navies have an Service impressive range of anti-ship Renewed interest in submarines missiles and torpedoes with in the Asia-Pacific region is which to arm their aircraft, resulting in some major ships and submarines, Gerrard Thomas Withington’s regular column providing all of the latest news procurement initiatives and Cowan explains. and analysis regarding events in the defence radio frequency domain. aspirations, Dr. Alix Valenti reports.

| march 2016 | 03 Index of Advertisers AMR DIGITAL 21 AUVSI XPONENTIAL 39 Editorial DIMDEX 51 ELBIT SYSTEMS 37 EURONAVAL 45 EUROSATORY 57 FLIR COVER 4 Hey IAI 31 IDEAS PAKistAN 53 INDO DEFENcE 55 Big Spender! RAFAEL 13 rosoboronexport 27 SAGEM 25 Concern and dissatisfaction,” was the response of SOFEX 49 the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Foreign SOLDIER MODERNIsATION COVER 3 SUBSCRIpTION 43 Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, to the TEXTRON AVIATION COVER 2 publication of Australia’s long-awaited Defence White Paper on 25 February. TRIJICON 19 UKROBORoNPROM ‘SKIf’ 5 “ The PRC’s response was no great surprise, given that the white paper had earmarked Chinese maritime and territorial claims in the East and South China Seas as “points of friction” regarding

Advertising Offices the current and anticipated future strategic landscape of the Asia-Pacific. The PRC’s oft-repeated Australia defence that its activities in these regions are nothing but peaceful is reminiscent of a dentist Darayus Patva, Publisher’s Internationale Tel: +61 2 8298 9330, Fax: +61 2 9252 2022 telling you that the treatment will not hurt. Unsurprisingly many nations around the Asia-Pacific, Email: [email protected] including Australia, are not entirely trustful of Beijing’s claims. For example, on 23 November France/Spain 2013, the establishment of an Air Defence Identification Zone by the PRC over the East China Stephane de Remusat, REM International Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130 Sea encompassing the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands under Japanese sovereignty, but claimed by the E-Mail: [email protected] PRC and Taiwan, was met with alarm throughout much of the region. Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Benelux Sam Baird, Whitehill Media Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 Canberra may be prepared to give Beijing the benefit of the doubt by not militarily challenging E-Mail: [email protected] the PRC’s strategic posture in these areas, but as the publication of the white paper illustrates, it East-Central Europe/Greece/Turkey/UK Zena Coupé is prepared to spend big to ensure that its military is a deterrent to any further Chinese strategic Tel: +44 1923 852537, [email protected] expansion. Regarding facts and figures, the white paper pledges the Australian defence budget Nordic Countries/Italy Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg to increase by $26 billion over the next decade. This will take defence spending to circa two Tel: (46) 31 799 9028 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product annually. This is a highly symbolic figure as it E-Mail: [email protected] Russia is also the non-binding stipulation regarding defence expenditure levels for the North Atlantic Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) membership. Although Australia lies far away from NATO’s core Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653 Email :[email protected] membership, it enjoys close strategic relations with NATO, and particularly with the United Victoria Startseva, Media Transasia Limited States and United Kingdom, both leading members of the Alliance. Tel: +7 905 585 2956 E-Mail: [email protected] Perhaps the most graphic example of the white paper’s focus on the potential threat posed by South Korea Young Seoh Chinn, Jes Media Inc. the PRC is the plans it stipulates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The document formally Tel: (82-2) 481 3411 E-Mail: [email protected] committed the RAN to purchasing up to twelve new conventional hunter-killer submarines USA (East/South East)/Canada (East) (SSKs) to replace the service’s existing ‘Collins’ class SSKs; a programme discussed in more Margie Brown, Blessall Media, LLC. Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581 detail in Dr. Alix Valenti’s The Silent Service article in this issue. Such vessels will provide a Email: [email protected] strong means of deterring People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) sea power at range. Other USA (West/South West)/Brazil/Canada (West) additions for the navy include twelve new frigates to replace the existing ‘ANZAC’ class, the Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc Tel : (+1 858) 759 3557 same number of Offshore Patrol Vessels and the procurement of eight Boeing P-8A Poseidon Email: [email protected] maritime patrol aircraft (already on order). These naval procurements are particularly important All Other Countries Vishal Mehta, Media Transasia Limited as the PLAN’s sea power is central to its strategic posture in the East and South China Seas. Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile +66 9 8252 6243 E-Mail: [email protected] Providing that current and future Australian governments fulfil all the commitments outlined in Jakhongir Djalmetov, Media Transasia Limited Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile: +66 81 6455654 the white paper, the RAN will arguably have the most modern navy in the Asia-Pacific, alongside Email: [email protected] the United States Navy, over the next decade. Despite Beijing’s repeated reassurances, Canberra is clearly risk-averse as regards the PRC’s strategic intentions. Thomas Withington, Editor

Editor: Thomas Withington Tel: (33) 562 271 697, E-mail: [email protected] Publishing Office: Audit Bureau Of Circulations Chairman: J.S. Uberoi Media Transasia Limited,1603, 16/F, Controlled circulation: 21,204 (average per issue) Island Place Tower, 510 King’s Road, Hong Kong certified by ABC Hong Kong, Operations Office: for the period 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014. President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul Subscription Information Chief Financial Officer: Sasakorn Dumavibhat ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW can be obtained by subscription. Subscription rate for one year General Manager International Marketing: Vishal Mehta (8 issues) is U.S.$ 100.00 Readers should Marketing Manager: Jakhongir Djalmetov contact the following address: Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Wajiraprakan Punyajai Graphic Designer: Khakanaa Suwannawong Subscription Department, Production Manager: Kanda Thanakornwongskul Group Circulation Manager: Porames Chinwongs Media Transasia Limited. 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 | Untitled-1 1 2/15/16 10:29 AM by Thomas Withington

Saab announces a new incarnation of its Erieye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, with Turkey revealing important acquisitions of new electronic warfare equipment, while Elbit Systems disclose some significant enhancements for their tactical radio waveforms.

Saab’s Erieye AEW aircraft has been enhanced with the development of the firm’s GlobalEye offering, which also includes ground and maritime surveillance radars, as well as an air surveillance system © Saab

Radar contracts with Saab in November 2015 for two of these aircraft, Saab took advantage of the Singapore Air Show, held in the city with deliveries expected in circa late 2018/early 2019. state in mid-February, to launch its latest AEW product. Dubbed In other AEW news sources close to Israel Aerospace Indus- the GlobalEye, the firm’s offering joins its legacy Erieye AEW tries (IAI) have revealed to AMR that the company expects to platform. At the heart of the GlobalEye is the firm’s extended- deliver its first AEW aircraft to Italy by the end of this year. The range variant of the Erieye known as the Erieye-ER. This S-band country signed a deal with IAI in July 2012 for the supply of (2.3-2.5/2.7-3.7 Gigahertz/GHz) radar includes Ground Moving two Gulfstream G550 aircraft, equipped with IAI ELTA Systems Target Indicator and Synthetic Aperture Radar modes to allow it divisions’ EL/W-2085 radar worth $750 million. The EL/W-2085 to perform over-ground surveillance. In turn, this radar has been uses conformal longitudinal fuselage, and nose- and tail-mount- teamed with a Selex Seaspray-7500E X-band (8.5-10.68GHz) ra- ed arrays to provide 360 degree coverage around the aircraft. The dar which performs maritime surveillance. By teaming the Sea- conformal fuselage antennae transmit in L-band (1.215-1.4GHz) spray-7500E with the Erieye-ER, Saab has developed an aircraft with the nose and tail antennae transmitting in S-band. Israel which can perform air, sea and land surveillance using one plat- and Singapore are already operators of this aircraft. form, in this case a Bombardier Global-6000 turbofan transport. The United States Air Force’s (USAF) Rockwell International/ In terms of the Erieye’s enhanced performance, Micael Jo- Boeing B-1B Lancer strategic bombers are receiving a makeover hansson, head of Saab’s electronic defence systems business area, in the form of a new radar to replace their erstwhile Westing- and Erik Winberg, head of business development for the com- house/Northrop Grumman AN/APG-164 systems. This legacy pany’s airborne surveillance division, who presented the new radar will be superseded by a new variant of Northrop Grum- product, stated that the Erieye-ER has a range in excess of 300 man’s AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), known nautical miles/nm (555.6 kilometres/km), which they said was as the AN/APG-83 SABR-GS (Global Strike). Few precise details an increase of circa 70 percent compared to the ‘vanilla’ Erieye regarding the AN/APG-83 SABR-GS’ performance have been radar. In terms of customers, the United Arab Emirates signed released by either Northrop Grumman or the USAF. However,

06 | Asian Military Review | IAI is expected to deliver the first of two G550-based AEW aircraft equipped with the company’s EL/W-2085 radar to the Italian Air Force by the end of 2016. The service will join Israel and Singapore as operators of this aircraft © IAI

the company’s official literature discloses that the radar employs RF transmitted by each element on the antenna it is possible to Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) architecture, as electronically ‘steer’ the radar’s transmissions enabling the ra- does the AN/APG-83 SABR radar, upon which the AN/APG-83 dar to ‘look’ across a wide field-of-view without having to physi- SABR-GS version is based, which is equipping the General Dy- cally move the antenna. However, a phased array system has to namics/Lockheed Martin F-16A Fighting Falcon fighters of the transmit using a single frequency making it more susceptible to Republic of China Air Force which are currently being upgraded jamming should the enemy discern the frequency on which the to the F-16V configuration. radar is operating. No details have been released by Northrop Northrop Grumman’s literature continues that the AN/APG- Grumman regarding the performance of the AN/APG-83 SABR- 83 SABR-GS has been ‘scaled up’ in size by 70 percent allowing it GS, although it is thought to transmit in the X-band (8.5-10.68 to support the B-1B’s mission, which is primarily air-to-ground gigahertz/GHz), similar to the ‘vanilla’ AN/APG-83 SABR. bombardment. In particular, the new radar is thought to provide Away from the air domain, recent important developments exceptionally sharp imagery of the ground, considered vital to in the maritime radar world include the award of a contract ensure that the aircraft’s crew recognises and hits their intended worth $61.6 million to equip up to 60 Royal Navy vessels, and target. To this end, the radar provides detailed Synthetic Aper- shore installations with new navigation radars. In terms of ves- ture Radar (SAR) imagery. SAR radars use the forward motion of sels, the new radar will equip the Senior Service’s ‘Duke’ class an aircraft to create an artificially large aperture to allow the gen- frigates, its ‘Hunt’ and ‘Sandown’ class mine countermeasures eration of highly detailed radar pictures. This is because, in radar vessels, its ‘Archer’ and ‘Scimitar’ fast attack craft, its ‘Astute’, engineering, the larger a radar’s antenna, the higher the detail of ‘Trafalgar’ and ‘Vanguard’ nuclear-powered attack and ballistic a radar image. Carrying a large radar antenna on a supersonic missile submarines, and the ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. aircraft such as the B-1B is impractical therefore the AN/APG-83 These vessels will be outfitted with new Kelvin Hughes SABR-GS employs a SAR to provide detailed ground imagery. SharpEye radars. The SharpEye radar family includes X-band Moreover, the AESA architecture of the AN/APG-83 SABR- and S-band versions (both of which will be acquired by the GS enables the crew to search for ground targets, an improve- Royal Navy). In S-band, the radar has a peak output power of ment on the legacy AN/APG-164. This latter radar is a phased 200 Watts (W), and an average output power of 20W. At a range array system which generates its Radio Frequency (RF) energy at of twelve kilometres (20 nautical miles), up to 64 filters provide a single source with the RF then being fed to individual elements clutter discrimination, and the radar has optional frequency on the radar’s antenna. By altering the phase (oscillation) of the diversity. These radars will be teamed with Lockheed Martin’s

| march 2016 | 07 The USAF’s B-1B strategic bomber is to be enhanced with a new radar in the form of the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 SABR-GS. This radar is based on the company’s AN/APG-83 SABR radar developed for the F-16A/B fighter © USAF

Naval Vigilance Display Software and will be installed on all performance. That said, KORAL can probably perform jamming of these vessels between 2016 and 2020, according to a written against ground-based air surveillance radars operating in the 0.8 statement provided to AMR by Lockheed Martin. to 18 Gigahertz spectrum which will allow it to blind most of the radars which are vital to both Integrated Air Defence Sys- Electronic Warfare tems (IADS) and to surface-to-air missile batteries. The THK Turkey is to receive 21 Exelis/Harris AN/ALQ-211(V)9 Ad- commenced its deployment of the KORAL system in December vanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite pods for 2015, positioning an undisclosed number of systems in the Hat- part of the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (THK/Turkish Air Force) F- tay province of southern Turkey. The move was widely seen as 16C/D fleet. The AN/ALQ-211(V)9 has already been supplied a riposte to the decision of the Russian military to deploy the to the THK during previous contracts in 2009 and 2014. The pod Almaz-Antei S-400 Triumf medium to high altitude SAM system, is able to detect, classify, geo-locate and jam both Pulse Doppler which official Russian media sources said had been deployed to and Continuous Wave radars, while also providing infrared and Turkey in November 2015. laser threat warning. Pulse Doppler radars transmit pulses of RF The S-400 employs the KRET 91N6E ‘Big Bird’ S-band air sur- energy and then measure the time for these pulses to return after veillance radar which has a reported surveillance range of circa colliding with an object determining the change in frequency be- 323.9nm (600km), and can track up to 300 targets simultaneous- tween the transmitted pulse, and the echo returned. CW radars ly. The reported range of the KORAL is in the region of 53.9nm vary the frequency of the continuous stream of RF energy which (100km), so presumably, the KORAL would need to be in fairly they transmit to detect and locate a target. According to a state- close proximity to the 91N6E radar to be effective; however, this ment provided to AMR by Harris, deliveries of the pods are ex- may also explain the Turkish military’s decision to deploy the pected to commence from the middle of 2016, and then conclude KORAL system so close to the Turkish-Syrian border. in 2017. The company states that, to date, it has already delivered In fact the respective capabilities of the KORAL and the S-400 30 such systems to the THK. SAM system writ large have generated something of a debate In other THK EW news, on 23 February, Turkish electronics regarding their respective capabilities. In early December 2015, specialists ASELSAN announced that it had delivered its KO- KRET released a statement from Vladimir Mikheev, the adviser RAL ground-based mobile electronic warfare system to the force. to the first deputy chief executive officer of the company, which The KORAL is designed to attack radars, although little specific dismissed the effectiveness of the KORAL against the “anti-air- information has been released by its manufacturer regarding its craft missiles” such as those used by the S-400. Both the 40N6

08 | Asian Military Review | S-/X-band RLM-S. Both the RLM-D and RLM-S radars could therefore be engaged by the new version of the Harpy. It was revealed by media outlet Russia Today in February 2015 that Russia is now deploying the Nebo-M radar complex with its armed forces. Advanced fifth-generation fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor and the company’s F-35A/B/C Lighting-II are optimised to present a low radar cross section to radars operating in relatively high frequencies such as S-band, C-band (5.25-5.925GHz), X-band (8.5-10.68GHz) and Ku-bands (13.4-14/15.7-17.7GHz). It is believed that both of these aircraft Kelvin Hughes’ SharpEye radar is to be rolled out across can be detected by lower-frequency radars, although not with several Royal Navy ship classes to improve their navigation. This radar is available in both S- and X-band versions, and enough precision to provide an accurate position for engage- will be teamed with Lockheed Martin’s Naval Vigilance Display Software © Kelvin Hughes ment with surface-to-air missiles. That said, radar processing software continues to improve and it is possible that the ability of V/UHF radars to provide accurate targeting information in and 9M96/E2 SAMs used by the S-400 ensemble employ active the future could mean that such radars are able to locate these radar homing. Mr. Mikheev’s statement is somewhat enigmatic aircraft with increasing precision. as it refers to the KORAL’s effectiveness against missiles, but not In terms of existing Harpy users, confidential sources against the S-400’s 91N6E radar. Is this a tacit admission that the inform AMR that the weapon may be in service with the People’s KORAL maybe effective against the radar but not the missiles’ Republic of China (50 examples acquired between 1998 and integral radar? 1999), India (40 systems acquired between 1999 and 2000), the Speaking at the Singapore Air Show (see above), IAI officials Republic of Korea (100 systems delivered between 1998 and revealed a new version of the company’s Harpy anti-radar Un- 2000) and Turkey, which may have acquired 108 examples manned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This latest incarnation of the Har- between 2001 and 2004 for $76 million. The weapon may also py, which is believed to be in service with the Israeli Air Force, have been purchased by Chile, although there are no details and which is thought to have been used in combat by the force, regarding how many have been acquired or when deliveries has been developed further by employing the Harop airframe commenced and concluded. produced by IAI as an armed UAV. The Harop employs a larger airframe compared to the Harpy. It is believed to have been sup- Tactical Radio plied in 2005 to Turkey, and is equipped with a high-explosive During the Singapore Air Show (see above), Elbit Systems in- warhead to enable the UAV to act as a loitering munition. Re- formed AMR that the company was working on a new suite garding the new Harpy variant, IAI has taken the original anti- of waveforms for its MCTR-7200 tactical radio family. The firm radar sensor equipping the baseline Harpy, and has installed revealed that it is developing a new generation of waveforms it onboard the Harop airframe. Moreover, the radar detection which employ cognitive techniques; i.e. the software design of range of the original Harpy radar seeker has been extended from the waveforms, and the tactical radio itself, is such that the radio two to 18GHz, to 0.8 to 18GHz. This has been done to take into can decide how best to employ the waveforms, and its propaga- account new radar threats which this latest version of the Harpy tion techniques according to the environment in which it is oper- may have to address in the future. For example, the extended ating, and the challenges it faces from electromagnetic spectrum detection range of the new Harpy radar seeker will allow it to congestion and electronic warfare. Cognitive waveforms aim detect emissions from Ultra High Frequency (300 Megahertz/ to reduce the workload of the soldier when using their tactical MHz to three Gigahertz) radars. communications in the field. The past three decades has seen Russian companies in par- The company is calling this new waveform its Adaptive U/V ticular develop ground-based air surveillance radars operating at which will be capable of carrying voice, data and video traffic. It comparatively low frequencies so as to perform the detection of will be able to carry data at a rate of circa 150 kilobits-per-second. aircraft designed to have a low radar cross section. An example of The company expects the Adaptive U/V waveform to be ready in this is the Nizhny Novgorod Research Institute of Radio Engineer- around one year’s time for porting into existing MCTR-7200 fam- ing 55ZH6M Nebo-M system which includes three distinct radars: ily transceivers. Although the company declined to comment, it is the RLM-M radar transmitting VHF frequencies of 30-300MHz, expected that the Israeli Army will also obtain the new waveform the RLM-D L-band radar which falls in the UHF bracket and the to use with its existing MCTR-7200 family radios. The Adaptive U/V waveform is not the only new waveform in development by Elbit. The company is working on the Elbit Soldier Radio Wave- form (ESRW) which is used by the firm’s PNR-1000 personal role radios which comprise part of the MCTR-7200 family, to enable this waveform to be carried by other members of the MCTR-7200 fleet, namely the handheld MCTR-7200, the vehicular/ship-borne MCTR-7200HH-VH and the manpack MCTR-7200MP. This waveform is capable of carrying voice and data traffic simultaneously.

Turkey is pouring investment into electronic warfare systems, procuring AN/ALQ-211(V)9 Tests of the ESRW are currently ongoing, and the firm hopes to Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite pods for its F-16C/D fleet © begin installing the ESRW waveform into the MCTR family radios Harris by the first quarter of 2017. AMR

| march 2016 | 09 Regional Militaries

TheThe Tiger’sTiger’s TTalonsalons SSharharppenen

India has re-booted its military modernisation drive by emphasising indigenously-sourced materiel, developed and built by domestic public- and private-sector companies, in partnership with overseas Original Equipment Manufacturers. by Rahul Bedi

rime Minister Narendra ratio by 2030, and to advance this aim, ly January, defence minister Manohar Modi’s Hindu nationalist India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is Parrikar declared that the upcoming Bharatiya Janata Party restructuring its 14-year-old Defence document would include the new catego- (BJP) government, that Procurement Procedure (DPP) that ry of Indigenously Designed Developed assumed office in May regulates all military commerce and and Manufactured military equipment, 2014,P is aggressively pushing its ‘Make modernisation. which will strive to eventually source in India’ initiative which aims to Scheduled for release in circa March around 60 percent of India’s materiel reduce India’s dependence on defence 2016, the DPP-2016 will prioritise local- requirements locally. equipment imports that, for decades, ly-designed and manufactured defence Best Laid Plans has averaged around 70 percent of its equipment, reduce deadlines for issu- Under the DPP-2016, the MoD would total defence equipment procurement. ing tenders from twelve to six months fund private sector research and develop- The government aims to reverse this and mandate speedy decisions. In ear- ment at up to 90 percent of the overall cost

10 | Asian Military Review | Regional Militaries

The Indian Army is thought to operate over 2400 of designing new defence subsystems Electronics Limited/Bharat Dynamics Uralvagonzavod T-72 Ajeya and platforms in a similar fashion to the Limited Akash-2 SAM squadrons. MBTs. Around 968 of these US and other Western countries. It will Nevertheless, time-consuming clear- tanks have been upgraded legalise and monitor hitherto proscribed ances by at least ten other MoD-related locally by the Avadi Heavy defence agents or company representa- departments were required thereafter to Vehicles Factory to the T-72M1 status with proposals solicited tives and penalise, but not blacklist, ven- advance these ambitious programmes. to upgrade an additional 1000 dors for contravening procurement pro- These included the issuance of tenders, © Indian Army cedures. The forthcoming DPP-2016 will followed by technical evaluations, field also modify the ‘L1’ or lowest bidder pol- trials, contract and price negotiations and icy of procurements, which had resulted eventual approval by the Cabinet Com- in more competent weapon systems be- mittee on Security, headed by Mr. Modi, ing rejected, due to minor price variations. together with the federal finance ministry. Hereafter better equipment with a price Sundry additional clearances, grudgingly no more than ten percent higher than the provided, by corruption watchdog bodies lowest-priced offering will be preferred. and technological and related committees, Meanwhile, since May 2014, the MoD further delayed matters. has provided Acceptance of Necessity Analysts, however, questioned both (AON) approval to programmes worth the abundance and efficacy of the pro- around $40 billion, to meet long-pend- grammes approved. “These procurement ing requirements from all three services, proposals are ambitious and monetarily largely through indigenous ventures. For unsustainable, given India’s dire econom- the army these included approvals for ic state,” said Amit Cowshish, a former 155mm howitzers, light multi-role heli- MoD financial advisor for acquisitions. copters, anti-aircraft artillery and upgrad- The MoD does not appear to have taken ed, licence-built and newly developed the availability of funds into account, be- Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs), multi- fore clearing so many projects, few of ple-barrel rocket launchers, and assorted which are likely to materialise, he added. missiles and ordnance. Moreover, the In- Other military officers, frustrated by the dian Air Force has secured clearance for MoD’s continually-deferred modernisa- 36 French Dassault Rafale-B/C fighters in tion efforts, claimed that over years AON a flyaway condition, the Medium Trans- clearances had become ‘meaningless’, as port Aircraft (MTA – see below), Airborne concrete action rarely followed. “AON Early Warning planes and basic trainer approvals need to be translated into firm aircraft. The AON also agreed the import contracts, if the government is serious of Russian Almaz-Antey S-400 Triumf about modernisation and the regional Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems power projection role it wants its military and medium-lift helicopters, and the in- to play,” cautioned defence analyst Major duction of seven additional locally-devel- General (rtd.) Sheru Thapliyal. The MoD, oped Ordnance Factories Board/Bharat in turn, blamed the services, especially the army, for their inability to formulate realistic Qualitative Requirements (QRs) for Joining the Arjun/Mk.II in Indian Army service is the Uralvagonzavod T-90S/M MBT, of which the force is thought weapons. It maintained that many tenders to operate around 1250. These tanks have been constructed were withdrawn or scrapped, as the QRs both locally under licence, and in Russia © Indian Army for the equipment demanded simply did not exist. Mr. Parrikar highlighted this recently, when he declared that at times the technologies demanded in the QRs were ‘absurd’ and urged the services to be more realistic when framing them.

Indian Army Equipment shortages in the Indian Army are possibly the worst, compared to the other two services. For example, succes- sive official reports have revealed that a large proportion of the army’s Main Bat- tle Tanks (MBTs) like its Uralvagonzavod T-72Ms and Kurganmashzavod BMP-1/2 ICVs lacked night fighting capabilities. Moreover, the army lacked Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines and competent assault rifles while its ammunition reserves

| march 2016 | 11 Regional Militaries

The Indian Army is receiving the Avadi Heavy Vehicle Factory Arjun Main Battle Tank, both in its ‘vanilla’ configuration, and as the Arjun Mk.II which has a number of improvements to the basic design, including a new fire control system © Indian Army

were abysmally low, barely sufficient for Consequently, in December 2015 the Currently, the army is preparing to in- 20 days of fighting; soldiers even lacked MoD launched price negotiations with duct six of 114 Dhanush-upgraded Bofors 231,141 bullet-proof jackets, 217,388 high private defence contractors Larsen and FH-77B 155mm towed guns, developed ankle boots, 447,000 balaclavas and 65978 Toubro (L&T) for 100 modified Republic by the state-owned Ordnance Factory sleeping mats. Furthermore, the Army of Korea Samsung-Techwin K-9 Thunder Board (OFB) over the next 14 to 18 months. Aviation Corps’ (AAC’s) Aérospatiale/ 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH), These were built using FH-77B blueprints, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that had surpassed the Russian-modified transferred to India along with 410 how- Chetak and Cheetah light utility heli- Uraltransmash Msta-A gun, mounted on itzers for licensed production. However, copters, inducted into service in 1964 are a Uralvagonzavod T-72 MBT chassis, in construction did not commence until now outdated. The AAC, however, will trials in 2014. MoD officials speaking to 2012, following criminal inquiries into receive the replacement for these aircraft AMR said the contract was likely to be the import for alleged wrongdoing that in the form of the Kamov Ka-226T light signed by 2017 and the guns manufac- included charges of bribery to secure the utility helicopter from 2018, under an In- tured by L&T at its facility in Pune, west- tender. Meanwhile, desert trials for three ter Governmental Agreement (IGA) con- ern India. The contract is likely to include Soviet-era M-46 130mm guns upgraded cluded during Mr. Modi’s visit to Russia an initial order for 50 guns. to 155mm standards by two private sec- in December 2015. The state-owned HAL In November 2015 the army began tor manufacturers, Bharat Forge and Punj is to licence-build 140 Ka-226Ts at its evaluating two towed guns in the form Lloyd, together with the OFB were sched- new Tumakuru facility near Bangalore, of Nexter’s modified Trajan howitzer and uled for April and are likely to be com- and import the remaining 60 helicopters Elbit’s ATHOS-2052 gun. Army plans call pleted by the end of the year. The army in flyaway condition to meet immedi- for it to acquire 400 units of one of these plans to upgrade some 300 M46 guns ate AAC requirements. The IAF too will weapons and licence-build the remaining after one of the competing vendors has induct some Ka-226Ts, whose numbers 1180. Nexter has a JV with L&T for the ten- been shortlisted sometime around early could eventually increase beyond 200, der and Elbit with Bharat Forge based in 2017. The army aims to begin inducting MoD and industry officials toldAMR . Pune, and the shortlisted gun will be built 300 of these retrofitted guns capable of by one of them as part of the ‘Make in In- firing 155mm North Atlantic Treaty Or- A Bigger Bang dia’ initiative. Simultaneously, the MoD is ganisation-standard rounds from 2019-20. In recent months the MoD has also initiat- progressing with the import of 145 M777 Regarding army small arms for its ed efforts to try and fulfil the army’s Field LWHs (Light Weight Howitzers), via a circa 425 infantry and counterinsurgency Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) of Foreign Military Sales initiative with the battalions, the force had short-listed the acquiring, licence-building and indige- US government. On 15 February the MoD locally-designed and OFB-produced Ex- nously designing, via Joint Ventures (JVs) received the Letter Of Acceptance (LOA) calibur assault rifle, after four overseas with original equipment manufactur- from the US government approving the multi-calibre models failed to meet its ers, some circa 3000 varied 155mm how- purchase of 145 M777’s for an estimated ambitious requirements following desert itzers for some 220 artillery regiments. $700 million. and high altitude trials in 2014. The gas-

12 | Asian Military Review |

Regional Militaries

An IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter comes in to land. This aircraft could soon be supplemented by the Dassault Rafale-B/C should an order for this 4.5-generation combat aircraft finally be made by the Indian government © IAF

operated, fully-automatic Excalibur, with reach and resuscitated three years later ers in flyaway condition, during President a foldable butt and Picatinny rail is a ret- with six competitors submitting their pro- François Hollande’s three-day official visit rofitted version of the DRDO-designed posals to the MoD by the extended mid- to Delhi. Mr. Modi had announced this Indian Small Arms System 5.56x45mm as- February 2014 deadline, five of which are purchase in Paris in April 2015, displacing sault rifle, which the army had rejected in from the private sector. These include the deal for 126 Rafales under negotiation 2010, for being operationally inadequate. Mahendra Defence that is collaborating by the previous Congress Party-led gov- Army chief of staff General Dalbir Singh with BAE Systems, L&T which has forged ernment since January 2012. Under the is pushing to induct the Excalibur as it is a tie with Samsung Heavy Engineering previous agreement, 18 Rafales were to a ‘Make in India’ programme and trials and Pipavav Defence. have been acquired off-the-shelf and the featuring some 200 prototype rifles will Tata Motors is in a consortium with remaining 108 licence-built by HAL. Mean- undergo user evaluation in varied terrain Bharat Forge and General Dynamics, while, the IAF is now poised to order 106 later this year. The OFB aims to begin se- while Tata Power is working with Titagarh HAL Tejas Mk.1A Light Combat Aircraft to ries production of the Excalibur at its Isha- Wagons to develop an FICV. Two of these stem the decline of its fighter squadrons, at pur Rifle Factory in eastern India from late consortia will be shortlisted as Develop- a strength of 35, down from a sanctioned 2016 followed by the induction of around ment Agencies (DAs) alongside the OFB strength of 42. The preceding Tejas Mk.1, 232,000 units. A decision is also awaited that gets an automatic nomination for the however, is yet to secure its final operation- on a 5.56mm CQB carbine for which Be- programme. Each of the three DAs would al clearance delayed to circa mid-2016. retta’s ARX-160 and Israel Weapon Indus- build one prototype, 80 percent of which India’s Parliamentary Committee on tries' Galil-ACE models had qualified after will be financed by the MoD. One of these Defence had repeatedly warned the IAF trials in 2013. The MoD has yet to approve would be shortlisted, following user trials, that its fighter squadrons would drop the purchase as it is entangled in bureau- and its fabricator given the contract to pro- to 25 by 2022, once its MiG-21Bison/MF cratic red tape, but an outcome is expected duce 2610 FICVs to replace the BMP-1/2 and MiG-27MF fighter squadrons were by the end of 2016 as the army has been around 2024 followed by platform induc- phased out, and advised urgent measures without a CQB carbine since 2010. tions some four years later. to make up this shortfall. Accordingly, the In the army’s vehicle domain, its $6.5 IAF has opted to procure the Tejas Mk.1A, billion Future Infantry Combat Vehicle Indian Air Force even displaying it at the Bahrain Interna- (FICV) programme, to indigenously de- Like the Indian Army, the IAF is involved tional Air Show in January, in an effort to sign and build 2610 platforms, to replace in several modernisation initiatives. On try and market it globally as a competi- its fleet of ageing BMP-1/2 ICVs by 2022- 25 January India signed a Memorandum tively-priced fighter. The Tejas Mk.1A is 23, has progressed incrementally. The of Understanding, ahead of a more bind- powered, like the Tejas Mk.1, with Gen- FICV project was mooted in 2008, termi- ing Inter-Governmental Agreement with eral Electric F404-GE-IN20 engines, al- nated in 2011 due to technological over- France for 36 Dassault Rafale-B/C fight- though the Tejas Mk.1A will incorporate

14 | Asian Military Review | Regional Militaries

The IAF is retiring its MiG-21 Bison/MF fighters which had formed the mainstay of its fighter fleet for several decades. The aircraft is expected to be withdrawn from the IAF by circa 2025 © IAF

43 modifications such as an improved ra- Russia to re-negotiate HAL’s work-share Other important recent orders include dar, self-protection, beyond-visual-range in the project that had been reduced 48 Mil Mi-17V5 ‘Hip’ medium-lift utility air-to-air missiles and an air-to-air refuel- from 22 percent to around 13 percent. helicopters, deliveries of which began in ling capability. The IAF took delivery of In the rotary domain, the only major 2011 and are scheduled for completion by the first Tejas Mk.1 in January 2015, 32 defence contract signed by Mr. Modi's mid-2016, 56 Medium Transport Aircraft years after the programme was initiated. government so far has been the $3 billion (see below) to replace the IAF’s ageing fleet The IAF aims to order around 100 Tejas deal with Boeing and the US government of Avro 748 turboprop transports. Mk.1As which are scheduled to begin for 22 AH-64E Guardian gunships and 15 For the MTA programme Airbus and series production around 2021. CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Tata have formed a joint venture, known Eventually, the Tejas Mk.1A and Ra- Delivery of both platforms to the IAF is as the Indian Production Agency, to offer fale-B/C, should it ever be procured, may to begin in September 2018 and be com- the C-295 turboprop freighter, of which 16 be joined in service by the FGFA (Fifth Gen- pleted by March 2020. The deal includes would be procured in a completed form eration Fighter Aircraft) which involves the option to acquire eleven additional and the remaining 40 built by the consor- Indian and Russian developmental collab- AH-64Es and seven more CH-47Fs. The tium. Of these 40 aircraft, 24 would be im- oration. The FGFA is based on the Sukhoi AH-64E acquisition also includes the ported in kit form for local assembly and PAK-FA fifth-generation fighter expected purchase of 1354 Lockheed Martin AGM- include a 30 percent indigenous content to equip the Russian Air Force from circa 114L3/R3 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, that would double to 60 percent in the 16 2020. The MoD’s Cost Negotiation Com- 242 Raytheon FIM-92H air-to-air missiles residual platforms. Trials for the C-295 are mittee (CNC) re-opened negotiations with and twelve Longbow International AN/ awaited, following which the laborious Russia on the FGFA after bilateral discus- APG-76 fire control radars. Other IAF process of evaluation and cost negotia- sions agreed to reduce India’s share in foreign purchases include the MoD’s ap- tion will begin, taking at least five years if the platforms’ developmental cost from proval of 38 additional Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II not more to be signed, MoD officials told $5 billion to $3.7 billion. The IAF had re- turboprop trainers, following the 2012 $1 AMR. The procurements of these aircraft, duced its original FGFA requirement from billion acquisition of the initial 75, all of coupled with other IAF acquisitions and 250 platforms in 2012-13 to 130-145 and which had been delivered by November similar procurements within the Indian more recently to 65, but these numbers 2015. The additional contract for the 38 Army illustrate that the modernisation of were likely to change once the programme Pilatus trainers is yet to be signed. Else- these two services is very much on track. progressed, air force officers told AMR. where regarding the training fleet, the The challenge now will be ensuring that India had so far paid $295 million towards IAF is in advanced negotiations with timelines are maintained and commit- the FGFA's preliminary design, and af- HAL to acquire 20 BAE Systems Hawk- ments met so as to ensure that the counter nearly three years of severe haggling, 132 advanced jet trainers for its aerobatics try’s armed forces have the most modern the MoD is believed to have persuaded team in an agreement awaiting closure. equipment at their disposal. AMR

| march 2016 | 15 land Warfare

A USAF officer adjusts his NVGs during an exercise with US Army, US Air National Guard and Marine Corps comrades during a training exercise. Today’s soldiers need more from their kit than just night vision © US DoD

Vision Thing!

Focused on lightweight, robust and power-frugal devices with better performance that are easier to use, infantry night vision is evolving through refinements to existing technologies, while more revolutionary change seems to be hovering tantalisingly in the wings.

by Peter Donaldson

mong many promising light-secure situational awareness in a CMOS technology is used for chip con- developments, W. Eric Garris, head-up display in combination with struction and it offers both comparatively night vision and soldier (their) night vision.” low power consumption and a high noise systems product manager Digital imaging devices such as Com- immunity meaning that the chip has a and chief technologist for plementary Metal Oxide Silicon (CMOS) high resistance to interference. communicationsA systems at Harris, imagers are beginning to encroach onto picked out two: The first development is the territory of the inherently analogue CMOS Limitations driven by a need for smaller, lighter direct- image intensifier; a development that However, Mr. Garris cautions that CMOS- view systems, and the second is focused companies are keen to further because enabled devices have compromised low- on better situational awareness. “Soldiers digital output signals lend themselves light performance and high latency, in are wanting more utility from their night more easily to advanced functions such terms of what soldiers need regarding the vision devices than just being able to see as distribution across digital communi- screen refresh rate, and use more power in the dark,” he told AMR, “specifically cations networks and for image fusion. than the best image intensified devices. It

16 | Asian Military Review | land Warfare

Meprolight’s Mepro Hunter rifle sight incorporates a memory function so that snipers do not have to remember every click of elevation or windage they have made when they need to switch targets, saving critical seconds © Meprolight

is natural to expect digital devices to re- tion (DRI) ranges. Here, Mr. Kokia argues, (164ft) and 150m. This, he said, is accept- place their analogue counterparts, but this image intensifiers still have a signifi- able for civilian applications such as hunt- could take longer than might be expected. cant advantage over digital alternatives ing, but not for tactical applications. “If a “At the earliest it would be on a five-to-ten- such as CMOS. Where the former can company (could) provide a CMOS tech- year horizon, as digital night vision sen- achieve these goals at ranges between 150 nology with a DRI that will reach 300m or sors will require a leap in technology not metres/m (492.1 feet/ft) and 300m (984ft), 400m (1312ft) it will really be a threat, or currently on the market as well as associ- the latter are limited to between 50m at least good competition, to convention- ated technologies to address the related technology integration requirements.” Benny Kokia, vice president for sales and marketing at Israeli night vision systems manufacturer Meprolight, pointed out that image intensifier mak- ers are pushing the performance of their analogue tubes ever higher. This means that digital devices are chasing a moving target in terms of the main performance measure known as the Figure of Merit (FoM). This is derived by multiplying the resolution expressed as line-pairs per millimetre by the Signal-to-Noise Ratio, and high-performance tubes now on offer have FoM numbers typically between 1800 and 2400, he said. “I believe that the massive investments of tube manufacturers into the high-end tubes are a proper answer to the pen- etration of CMOS technology,” added Mr. Kokia. While the FoM is a recognised industry standard for measuring tube performance, the kind of numbers that means Elbit reports sustained demand for lightweight image-intensified devices, such as the handheld, weapon-mounted or head-worn XACT-NV32, a device fitted with a Photonis XD-4 tube and an more to soldiers on the battlefield are integral laser illuminator © Elbit Systems Detection, Recognition and Identifica-

| march 2016 | 17 land Warfare

manned Aerial Vehicles), infantry op- tronic systems are the most demanding in terms of minimising Size, Weight and Power (SWAP), which makes the practi- cal implementation of multi-sensor systems (where the output of several sensors is combined to build one image) a very tough nut to crack. The Harris Spiral En- hanced Night Vision Goggle is one of very few to achieve this, with an alternative thermal clip-on approach from companies such as Thermoteknix and Vectronix also proving attractive. Mr. Garris picked Harris i-Aware Tactical Mobility Night Vision Goggle (TM NVG) with its integrated camera and communications link that provides a digital import/export capability as repre- senting one of the most significant technological developments of recent years. He also cited the task of integrating two or more sensors into devices in a very rugged (non-clip-on) manner as one of the major challenges involved in creating fused image-intensified/thermal devices for infantry, particularly when seeking a long operational life with tight image fu- Night vision equipment could become smaller and lighter thanks to a move from 18mm to 16mm image intensifier tubes by Dutch manufacturer Photonis, although the larger tubes are expected sion alignment. to remain mainstream © Photonis Networked Vision He told AMR that there is military inter- al, analogue Night Vision Goggle (NVG) that everybody was going to go for ther- est in these systems, but implied that the technology, but I think we have to look mal sights for every soldier.” That did not market is still in its early stages outside very carefully at CMOS technology and happen, he said, because costs have been the United States. “They are looking again that in two, three or four years from now too high, but nevertheless, Mr. Ben Da- at the ability for a more complete system it might be a suitable alternative.” vid argues that the situation will change capability that links the fused night vi- with time. “Thermal weapon sights will sion goggle with the network battlefield.” Smaller Intensifiers become cheaper and cheaper, lower in Mr. Kokia, meanwhile, sounded a note At the same time Mr. Kokia points out weight and will grow in numbers. There is of caution regarding fusion, commenting that image intensifiers are getting smaller; no question that they are needed. The only that he has been hearing the term in the a move largely driven by Dutch company question here is volume; if you need large defence community for the last decade or Photonis which is pitching 16 millimetre/ volumes it is a matter of the pricing point.” so, but he does not regard much of what mm diameter tubes into an area of the in- This translates into sustained demand has been offered so far for infantry as true fantry market now dominated by 18mm for image-intensified devices including fusion. “There are systems that combine tubes. “I believe that it will be hard for goggles and monocular scopes and sights, NVGs with uncooled thermal (imaging). them to penetrate the 18mm market, al- he continued. Elbit’s latest product in this However, if you look for a reliable system though there are benefits to those that will line is the XACT-NV32, a “micro-com- doing real fusion of thermal and NVGs, adopt this technology,” Mr. Kokia contin- pact” night vision monocular intended you will not find many players,” he said. ued, “ ... because the 16mm tubes will to be mounted on a weapon, a helmet or “The challenge (is) to be able to create a help manufacturers to create lighter and worn on the head with appropriate adapt- very compact system that would also be smaller devices. I think that it is the early ers. Weighing less than 180 grams/g (0.3 versatile, that (can be used) on helmets adopters that will accept this technology, pounds/lbs), it features a Photonis XD-4 and mounted on rifles.” but basically the mainstream market will tube and an integral laser illuminator of- When customers approach Meprolight continue to use 18mm tubes.” fering a 40 degree field-of-view, 25mm asking about fusion, he is hesitant, he said, Oded Ben David, Elbit Systems’ Elop eye relief and a focus range of 250mm to telling them that the company is not in the division’s vice president for land electro- infinity, operating for more than 48 hours fusion business because the return would optics and thermal imaging, perceives on a single 1.5 volt (V) AA or 3.6V lithium probably not cover the investment and stability in the infantry night vision mar- battery. that currently available clip-on devices ket despite technological developments provide viable alternatives. “It will take a continuing in the background, but with a Fusion Issues few more years for the industry, and also less rapid take-up of thermal sights than With the possible exception of sensors for the end users, to understand that if initially expected. “Everybody thought used aboard mini- and micro-UAVs (Un- they are looking for fusion solutions they

18 | Asian Military Review | land Warfare

will have to pay a bit more, and when I say a bit more it is really a substantial amount, and it will take a few more years to intro- duce compact systems. I do not think that the industry is there yet.” Discussions of fusion in this context usually concentrate on thermal imaging and image intensification, but this is a difficult combination to fuse, in part because of the latter’s analogue nature, but other combinations, Mr. Kokia argued, might produce results more quickly. CMOS could be one of these, he told AMR. “It is not very expensive, it will develop into a reliable technology, I believe in two or three years, and might give some answers to those that are looking for fusion. But when we are talking about thermal and NVGs, I The Harris i-Aware Tactical Mobility Night Vision Goggle am not very optimistic about this combi- is an early example of the nation. I think that the market is not there; networked night vision device end users are not willing to pay the price.” that enables import and However, he does believe that the need export of tactical information and imagery, an important for snipers and sharpshooters and even technical development soldiers in close-quarter battle to identify © Harris/Exelis targets much more quickly might acceler- ate the development of fused systems.

| march 2016 | 19 land Warfare

Again, this is driven by tactical requirements. “This kind of requirement pres- ents quite a lot of challenges to us because, again, we need to keep it light, keep it du- rable, and we are trying all kinds of composite materials.”

Aide-Mémoire In a conservative market, thoughtful refinements to established products are likely to be more successful than the pur- suit of revolutionary change. One of Mep- rolight’s latest is a modification to the Hunter sniper sight that enables it to hold in memory all the elevation and windage click adjustments that the shooter makes, which emerged from a study the company conducted in cooperation with Israel’s Yamam special police unit. Having to remember every click away from the sight’s original zero adds to the sniper’s workload in high-pressure situations and can mean a critical loss of time to hit the target, which may be exposed only very briefly, Mr. Kokia argued. Mepro- light made this modification available in December 2015. Mr. Kokia also reports demand for black and white night vision devices that use a white rather than While most NVGs produce a green picture, interest in white phosphor is growing, particularly a green phosphor screen in the image among special forces, whose budgets tend to be able to stand the higher prices associated with lower production volumes © Harris/Exelis intensifier tube, a trend that Mr. Garris also noted and believes is likely to gain ground. “White phosphor is going to be Vital Versatility describing it as “extremely lightweight”. adopted to a much larger degree than just Mr. Kokia stressed the ongoing impor- This chimes with an ongoing research a niche,” Mr. Garris. “Albeit with no lab- tance of versatility in this sector of the and development effort at Meprolight specific information to back it up, users market, as embodied in the company’s to reduce the weight of its night vision are requesting white phosphor in larger new Minimon (L), a monocular device devices through the application of new numbers, primarily within the special with an 18mm image intensifier tube that materials without sacrificing robustness. operations community.” Due to the lower can be held in the hand, mounted on an volumes demanded, tubes using white assault rifle or worn attached to a helmet phosphor are more expensive today, he or other headgear such as a face mask. said, adding that, in the longer term, a It provides a 40-degree field-of-view shift to white from green could bring the while maintaining full peripheral vision two technologies’ prices closer together, with the unaided eye and comes with although white phosphor is still likely to an integral infrared LED (Light Emitting command a premium. Diode) illuminator. For Mr. Garris, the most important de- Developed in response to an Israeli velopments to come in the next few years tactical requirement, the combination will centre on what he called the refined of qualities desired for the Minimon integration of network-enabled NVGs as (L) took considerable effort. “It took us a deployment-ready capability, with the a year of research and development to main focus on the ability to access im- create a robust kind of a mini-monocular agery from the solider on the battlefield that can sustain the recoil of an assault by night and day. While sensor fusion is rifle,” Mr. Kokia told AMR. “The chal- a reality in applications with less severe lenge was to reduce the weight … SWAP constraints and promising steps because if you want to take it off the rifle towards it have been made in the light- Fusion in infantry night vision devices is and put it on your helmet, you cannot still mainly achieved by the image overlay est infantry equipment, true fusion might mount a system that weighs even 500g technique, and clip-on devices such as this ultimately depend on a major technologi- (1.1lbs) on a helmet.” ClipIR unit pictured on an AN/PVS-14A cal breakthrough, such as a single detec- The company has not revealed the ac- monocular are more popular than integrated tor chip sensitive to all the useful infrared systems © Thermoteknix tual weight of the Minimon (L), instead wavelengths as well as visible light. AMR

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The Republic of Korea Navy operates nine ‘Chang Bogo’ class SSKs, the Lee Sunsin being pictured here. In addition, three improved examples of these vessels have been acquired by Indonesia © US Navy

The Silent Service

As tensions continue to escalate in the South and East China Seas, the submarine race continues unabated in the Asia-Pacific region, where navies are procuring boats equipped with increasingly quieter engines and capable of long duration missions.

by Dr. Alix Valenti

n his book Silent Running, behind the proliferation of submarines submarine market in the Asia-Pacific re- published in 1995, Vice Admiral throughout the region. gion was estimated at $7.3 billion, with a James F. Calvert recounts his years A large number of Asia-Pacific na- projected average annual growth rate of spent during the Second World tions “do not have (blue-water) surface 4.2 percent over the next decade. War serving onboard the USS Jack, fleet capabilities,” says Lena Pellerberg, aI US Navy ‘Gato’ class conventional head of communications for Saab in the Australia hunter-killer submarine (SSK) known to Asia-Pacific, nor the financial means to The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) plans have sunk 15 Japanese ships by the end build such a fleet to counter the power to replace its ‘Collins’ class SSKs in the of the war. While the world’s geopolitical of the PRC’s People’s Liberation Army early 2030s, according to Australia’s landscape has changed significantly since Navy (PLAN). As such, submarines “are recently-published Defence White Pa- the Second World War, the importance of seen as one possibility to maintain some per. With the final submissions from the submarines has not. In the Asia-Pacific, balance” Ms. Pellerberg argues. Accord- three main competitors, DCNS, Thys- concerns over the People’s Republic ing to the report The Global Submarine and senKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), and of China’s (PRC’s) growing assertive MRO Market 2015-2025, produced by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industry/Kawa- military presence in the East and South London-based consultancy Strategic De- saki Shipbuilding, made by 30 Novem- China Seas is one of the key drivers fence Intelligence, in 2015 the value of the ber 2015, the Competitive Evaluation

22 | Asian Military Review | sea Power

Process (CEP) is now under way to select the design for the twelve large conventional submarines to be acquired as part of the $36.44 billion effort to replace the ‘Collins’ class boats. DCNS is offering its ‘Shortfin Barra- cuda Block-1A’ class SSK design based on the French Navy’s forthcoming ‘Bar- racuda’ class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) sans nuclear power plant. The firm is proposing, if it is selected, “to build a supply chain in Australia that will support the submarine for the next five decades,” says Xavier Mesnet, DCNS' marketing director for surface ships and submarines, “delivering the products, services and know-how to keep the submarine operational, capable and available on an enduring basis.” According to Mr. Mesnet, the results of DCNS’ ‘Shortfin Barracuda Block-1A’ class SSK is one of the designs being proposed the CPE should be announced some time for the RAN’s initiative to replace its existing mid-2016. Meanwhile, the Australian ‘Collins’ class. The design is based upon the Defence White Paper published on 25 French Navy’s ‘Barracuda’ class SSN © DCNS February outlined the government’s defence spending and procurement priorities and detailed the heightened tensions in the waters of the Asia-Pacific. India technical assistance and transfer of This could mean that the RAN will have Looking towards South Asia, India’s technology to manufacture equipment to manage, “the life of the ‘Collins’ class submarine fleet is reaching the end of its through indigenisation programmes,” submarines beyond their planned with- life and is currently limited to 16 boats: says Mr. Mesnet. Although number of drawal,” Marise Payne, Australia’s Min- ten Russian-origin ‘Kilo/Sindhugosh’ challenges, including issues with the ister for Defence, told a conference at class SSKs, four locally-built ‘Shishu- Indian procurement process, initially the Submarine Institute of Australia in mar’ class SSKs, a leased Russian ‘Akula’ slowed down the project, Mr. Mesnet now November 2015. To this end, Saab has class SSN, the INS Chakra and the INS says the programme “is progressing at submitted a proposal, for a midlife Arihant nuclear-powered ballistic missile cruising speed." The first submarine, the upgrade of the ‘Collins’ class, although submarine. In order to replace its fleet, INS Kalvari, initially scheduled for deliv- Ms. Pellerberg could not comment on the Indian government commenced the ery in December 2012, began its first sea the details of such an upgrade as “sub- ‘Project 75’ initiative in 2005 to build six trial in October 2015, and is expected to marines are considered one of the most ‘Scorpéne’ class SSKs through a partner- be commissioned in September 2016, lo- important strategic capabilities in a ship between DCNS and Mumbai-based cal sources say. The same source expects naval force and hence are subject to non- Mazagaon Docks Limited (MDL). “DCNS each of the next five submarines to be de- disclosure restrictions.” is providing its Indian partners with livered every nine months, bringing the project to completion by 2020. The French newspaper La Tribune also reported, earlier this year, that the Indian government would like to make use of the ‘repeat order’ clause included in the framework of Project 75, to procure an additional three ‘Scorpéne’ class. In parallel to Proj- ect 75, India’s navy is launching Project 75I, which seeks to build an additional six new-generation SSKs with the Indian Ministry of Defence expected to issue a Request For Proposals to this effect by the end of the year.

Pakistan India’s regional rival Pakistan has a submarine fleet comprised of three ‘Agosta- 90B’ class SSKs, which were indigenously India is a significant user of the Russian ‘Kilo’ class SSK design, as is Iran, one of the latter's retrofitted with an AIP (Air Independent boats being pictured here. The design is also being considered by Indonesia © US Navy Propulsion) system in 2011, and two

| march 2016 | 23 sea Power

Aries-S naval surveillance radar. Origi- The Royal Australian Navy is planning an upgrade to its existing nally scheduled for delivery between ‘Collins’ class SSKs (pictured), and 2015 and 2016, a commentary published their eventual replacement with new by the Rajaratnam School of Interna- conventional boats © US Navy tional Studies (RSIS) based in Singapore in December 2015 entitled Indonesia’s Submarines Procurement Plan: Spearhead- ing Jakarta’s Maritime Ambition? stated that technology transfer between Dae- woo and PT PAL proved problematic and thus delayed the programme, with The Diplomat stating in September 2015 that the first boat will now be delivered in 2017. The author contacted both Daewoo and PT PAL to confirm timeframes, but no comments had been received at the time of writing. Additionally, since 2013 the Indonesian government has been considering procuring two Russian ‘Kilo’ class submarines, and on 22 September 2015 the Jakarta Post reported that talks had resumed between the two countries; however to date a contract to this effect has yet to be signed. Finally, Mr. Mesnet indicated that, “there are currently discussions between the Indonesian and French governments … to launch a project to build a littoral submarine” to contribute ‘Agosta 70’ class SSKs which are near- Indonesia towards the TNI-AL submarine fleet. ing the end of their life. In terms of their Away from South Asia, Indonesia’s lat- AIP, the ‘Agosta-90B’ class employs an est Defence White Paper was published Singapore AIP which generates steam through the in 2008 and outlined two main defence Opposite Indonesia on the western side combustion of ethanol and compressed strategies: The Minimum Essential Force of the Strait of Malacca, the chief of the oxygen driving a steam turbine; in effect a (MEF) aims to transform the Tentara Nasi- Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Rear nuclear-style propulsion system without onal Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL/In- Admiral Lai Chung Han, chose the In- a nuclear reactor. For a country that is indonesian Navy) into a green-water navy ternational Maritime Defence Exhibition creasingly concerned by heightened ten- (capable of operating in littorals and open held in Singapore in May 2015 to reveal sions with India, and whose key defence seas surrounding littoral regions), while some details of the two new ‘Type 218SG’ strategy is deterrence, it is clear that these the Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) aims class SSKs it has ordered from TKMS. five submarines will no longer fit the bill. to shift the TNI-AL functioning within an These two new submarines will replace As such, ending the much debated discus- army-centric paradigm to a more mari- the two remaining ‘Challenger’ class sion over a potential acquisition by Paki- time-focused posture. This shift comes SSKs, the other two boats having been stan of eight Chinese submarines, in Octo- as Indonesia is increasingly concerned withdrawn from RSN service in early 2015. ber 2015 the two countries finally signed not only with the rise of Chinese military a deal. Given the strategic nature of the power but, perhaps even more impor- deal, to date there is still only specula- tantly, the rise of piracy in the region and tion of its value, which the Financial Times the need to protect the Archipelagic Sea reported in April 2015 could be worth up Lines of Communication in the Strait of to $5 billion. Malacca, and the maritime approaches to In terms of the submarine type to be the Sunda Islands archipelago and the In- procured by Pakistan, it is strongly ex- donesian island of Lombok. To reach its pected to be the ‘Yuan’ class SSK outfitted strategic defence goals the TNI-AL needs with an AIP, Tri-River Aerospace Indus- to acquire twelve new submarines to re- trial Group YJ-2 anti-ship missiles, as well place the two German-built ‘Cakra’ class as a combination of Pinyang Machinery SSKs it has been operating for over three Factory Yu-4 passive homing and Yu-3 decades. active/passive homing torpedoes. The In December 2011 Daewoo Shipbuild- The Royal Malaysian Navy operates two of latest online sources, published at the end ing was awarded a contract to build, in DCNS’ ‘Scorpéne’ class SSKs, (one of which of 2015, indicate that the PRC will build partnership with Indonesian PT PAL, is seen in the rear of this picture) which four of the submarines, while Pakistan three ‘Chang Bogo’ class SSKs. These will completed delivery in 2012. The Indian Navy will build the four remaining boats under be equipped with eight weapon tubes for will become a user of this submarine class, having ordered six examples © US Navy a technology transfer agreement. torpedoes and missiles, as well as Indra’s

24 | Asian Military Review | YOUR SIxTH SENSE ONBOARD

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region, it boasts relatively good relations with the PRC. Secondly, while the country does have a need to protect maritime trade routes, this can be done with other less expensive capabilities such as frigates. As such, it would seem that Thai- land’s desire to build a submarine fleet is more driven by the rationale “our neigh- bours have it,” as Ms. Pellerberg calls this approach, rather than an actual pressing need. Seeing that Thailand’s economy continues to struggle on the way to recov- ery, it is expected that no submarine deal will be signed any time soon.

Vietnam Contrary to its Thai neighbour, Vietnam’s relationship with the PRC, characterised by significant tensions, is one of the major drivers for Vietnam’s military modernisation. Vietnam is one of four countries, along with Brunei-Darussalam, Malaysia and the Philippines contesting Chinese claims in the Spratly and Paracel Islands, and it is clear that in this dispute submarines play their key roles of deterrence and Pakistan is strongly expected to soon receive new ‘Yuan’ class SSKs from the PRC. A Chinese example of this class is seen in this picture © US Navy defence. As such, the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) has ordered six ‘Kilo’ class SSKs in a $2 billion contract signed with Taiwan States no longer build SSKs, with nuclear- Russia’s Admiralty Shipyards in 2009. Regarding East Asia, Taiwan could eas- powered submarines being forbidden Of the six submarines, the VPN has, ily claim to be in one of the most compli- from export under international law. This as of August 2015, already received and cated geopolitical locations in the Asia- could mean that Taiwan is forced to ‘go it commissioned four. The last two will fol- Pacific region. In the South China Sea it alone,’ as regards developing its own SSK, low shortly with the Khanh Hoa having has been involved in disputes with the although this would almost certainly not completed sea trials in May 2015 and the PRC, as well as with Brunei-Darussalam, be beyond the capabilities of local engi- Ba Ria-Vung Tau expected for delivery by Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam in neers, given the country’s level of techno- the end of this year. The ‘Kilo’ class sub- relation to the Spratly and Paracels archi- logical sophistication. marines are equipped with six 533mm for- pelagos. It has also conflicting claims with ward tubes, capable of firing torpedoes or the Japan and the PRC over the Senkaku/ Thailand missiles and, according to a presentation Diaoyu Islands, alongside the continuing While Taiwan already possesses SSKs in given in November 2015 at the RSIS, the dispute with Beijing over Taiwan’s sov- the form of its two ‘Hai Lung’ class boats, submarines will reportedly be fitted with ereignty. Consequently, Taiwan has been the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is keen to new heavyweight torpedoes as well as looking at Chinese rising military power enter the submarine club. Upon request Novator Klub-S cruise missiles. In Janu- in the region with great concern, and in by the RTN, the Thai government has ary 2016, regional news sources reported December 2014 the government approved been considering, for the past couple that the first Vietnamese ‘Kilo’ class sub- the Indigenous Defence Submarine (IDS) of decades, the possibility of acquiring marine had started patrolling the waters programme, which aims to indigenously submarines, but has stopped short of an of the South China Sea. build four 1200-3000 tonne SSKs. In Au- actual procurement. The purchase of up This update on submarine pro- gust 2015, Taiwan’s Ministry of National to three ‘Yuan’ class SSKs to meet this re- grammes in the Asia-Pacific highlights Defence (MND) reportedly proposed a quirement seems the most likely choice the fact that “navies are looking for full $89 million budget to help finance the IDS, for the RTN. However, in August 2015 capabilities, from littoral to blue water and is planning to award a design contract the local Thai media reported that the missions,” as Mr. Mesnet points out, “to this year, according to The Diplomat. It re- deal was being deferred and subjected to address asymmetric threats that range mains to be seen where Taiwan will ac- further review. from piracy to protecting resources.” US quire submarines from. France, Germany, A range of factors determines Thai- President Theodore Roosevelt once said, the Republic of Korea, Spain and Sweden land’s complicated relationship with “A good navy is not a provocation of war. may all be reluctant to export submarines submarine procurement. Firstly, Thailand It is the surest guarantee of peace”. As to Taiwan for fear of upsetting the PRC. does not have any stakes in the numerous the submarine race continues unabated Russia may choose not to export SSKs disputes that are heightening tensions in amongst Asia-Pacific nations, nowhere to Taiwan in solidarity with its PRC ally, the East and South China Seas, and in does this doctrine run deeper than in while both the United Kingdom and United fact, compared to other countries in the Asia-Pacific waters. AMR

26 | Asian Military Review | P05_ROE.pdf 1 2/2/16 3:01 PM

CMY

K sea Power

The Exocet MM40 Block-3 is shown being fired from the French Navy frigate Chevalier Paul. The Exocet family is one of MBDA’s major products in the AShM domain © MBDA

When Neptune Gets Angry

Global trade depends on the safe navigation of the world’s seas, and navies have to contend with a range of rapidly-developing new threats. Modern Anti-Ship Missiles (AShMs) and torpedoes must meet these burgeoning challenges and compensate for advances in countermeasures.

by Gerrard Cowan

anufacturers of such is designed to allow the engagement of naval support helicopters. The weapon weapons are giving a traditional enemy craft such as corvettes remains in development for the United great deal of thought or Offshore Patrol Vessels, but it also is Kingdom and France. to how threats are able to select a specific aim point on the Mr. Hindrekus goes on to highlight evolving, and how target, such as the stern or the bridge. the threat from Fast Inshore Attack Craft thisM affects their market. For example: “This capability of course allows a saying these call for “very specific capa- “(piracy and insurgent) activity are new surgical approach to an operation, either bilities in a weapon.” He said MBDA was threats that have proven very difficult neutralising the bridge and hence the marketing its Brimstone missile as a so- to counter with existing anti-ship targeted vessel’s command structure, or lution to this threat. The missile “can fire weapons,” states Mati Hindrekus, head knocking out its ability to steer, in both in salvo against rapidly-moving and ma- of marketing communications at MBDA. cases leaving the vessel and its crew noeuvring targets thanks to its millimetric The European company has a number of largely unharmed,” Mr. Hindrekus said. radar seeker,” he continued. Brimstone is products that have been designed with The Sea Venom/ANL can be launched currently in use with the Royal Air Force such threats in mind, Mr. Hindrekus from a number of different rotorcraft, (RAF) as an air-launched weapon from its said. MBDA’s Sea Venom/ANL anti- such as the NH Industries’ NFH-90, Panavia Tornado GR.4/A ground attack surface, infrared guided, 10.7 nautical Airbus Helicopters’ AS-565 Panther aircraft and is being integrated onto the mile/nm (20 kilometre/km) weapon and AgustaWestland AW-159 Wildcat service’s Eurofighter Typhoon F/GR.4

28 | Asian Military Review | sea Power

fighters. The weapon has been deployed wise behaves in much the same way sans A number of companies the author in combat by the RAF both during Op- GPS guidance, said Mr. Hindrekus. There spoke to identified the ability to operate eration ELLAMY, the United Kingdom’s is also a submarine-launched version, the from longer ranges as one of the major areas contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty SM39, which he said was the same as the of evolution in the missile business, with the Organisation’s air and sea campaign to air-launched variant, “apart from the fact ability to engage targets from greater, and protect Libyan civilians from forces loyal that it is enclosed in a watertight capsule, therefore safer, distances a key challenge. to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi during enabling it to be launched via a subma- “Generally anti-ship missile technology has that country’s civil war in 2011, and more rine’s torpedo tubes.” advanced mostly in the area of boosting recently during Operation SHADER, the Beyond the Exocet family, Mr. Hin- range and improved seeker technology,” UK’s contribution to US-led efforts direct- drekus highlighted MBDA’s Otomat said Ron Jenkins, director of the precision ed against the Islamic State of Iraq and Mk.2 Block-4 ship-launched AShM which standoff strike mission area for Raytheon’s Syria insurgent organisation. has a range of over 97.1nm (180km), and missile systems business. the Marte family of anti-ship weapons, This is just one of the technological Continental Offerings which does not have the large ship le- hurdles facing the missile domain, how- One of MBDA’s major products in the thality of the Exocet family or the Oto- ever, with the countermeasures used by anti-ship domain is the Exocet family of mat Mk.2 Block-4 but “is still capable of enemy targets rapidly developing and AShMs. The current MM40 Block-3 vari- inflicting serious damage to larger ves- demanding corresponding advances in ant has a range of around 107.9 km, and sels.” The Marte family is available in the missiles themselves. “We believe a can be programmed with three differ- helicopter, fixed-wing and coastal battery fast missile will be detected further away ent waypoints to vary its ingress to its variants. Among others, both the Otomat from a ship, allowing a modern ship mul- target, so that “a ship’s defence system and Marte families are in service with the tiple opportunities to engage the incom- will not always realise that (the missile) Marina Militare (Italian Navy). ing anti-ship missile,” said Kyrre Lohne, is indeed intended for that target,” con- In the coming years, technological ca- vice president of strategic communica- tinues Mr. Hindrekus. Along with its pability will need to be advanced with the tions at Norway’s Kongsberg. “Outper- traditional radar guidance, the MM40 stringent demands of restricted budgets forming the ship’s sensors and air de- Block-3 can accept Global Positioning in mind, Mr. Hindrekus added: “Future fence weapons with modern technology System (GPS) coordinates to hit in-land technology will see greater resistance to increases the possibility to deliver the coastal targets. countermeasures, ever greater precision warhead with high precision.” The AM39 is the air-launched mem- to allow for selected effects (destruction Kongsberg has worked in the anti- ber of the Exocet family. It has a shorter or simply immobilization), greater pen- ship missile market since the 1960s, with range than the MM40 Block-3 which has a etrative power while all the time ensuring the latest variant of its Penguin anti-ship 107.9nm (200km) range as opposed to the the necessary economy to meet tight pro- cruise missile currently operated by AM39’s 37.7nm (70km) range, but other- curement budgets.” Norway and seven other countries. The

The Otomat Mk.2 Block-4, which is manufactured by MBDA, is shown here being fired. The missile has a range of over 97.1nm (180km) © MBDA

| march 2016 | 29 sea Power

The Joint Strike Missile zooms aloft: The JSM is the multi-role variant of the NSM, and is planned for use on the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning-II fighters © US Navy

radar-guided Penguin is designed for use Norwegian Efforts been designed for use by the General in the open sea and in the littorals, and The NSM has a range of over 107.9nm Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 and can be launched from various platforms, (200km), and is in use with Norway’s McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18 fight- including surface ships, fighters and ‘Nansen’ class frigates and ‘Skjold’ class er families as well. Mr. Lohne said there helicopters. The company states that Pen- corvettes. Poland uses the NSM in its truck- has been significant interest from poten- guin was developed “to meet the complex mounted coastal defence configuration, tial customers for both systems. Australia operating environment encountered in and Malaysia selected the NSM for 'Gow- announced in February 2015 that it the Norwegian littorals,” and that “many ind' class Littoral Combat Ships nations have expressed serious interest” (LCSs) in 2015. The missile was in the missile. successfully fired from the US The Naval Strike Missile being fired Mr. Lohne drew particular attention Navy ‘Independence’ class LCS from a Norwegian ‘Nansen’ class frigate. The NSM has a range of over 107.9nm to the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the USS Coronado in 2014. Raytheon (200km), and is in use with Norway’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM), both of which and Kongsberg are pitching the ‘Nansen’ class frigates and ‘Skjold’ class are being developed and marketed in NSM to the US Navy, although corvettes © Kongsberg partnership with Raytheon. He said they there is no word on when such were the only fifth-generation missiles a procurement could take place, to have a very low radar cross section in or what ships this weapon could combination with fully passive engage- equip. “Kongsberg and Raythe- ment in a lightweight composite airframe. on believe that the NSM would The passive engagement employed by the enable the US Navy to avoid missiles uses Automatic Target Recogni- substantial developmental costs tion, which enables them to distinguish while fielding modern and prov- between ships and land, as well as differ- en precision strike capabilities in ent ship classes and types. “In conclusion, anti-ship and land attack” mis- both the NSM and JSM employ new and sions, said Mr. Jenkins. recently-developed technology increas- The JSM is the multi-role ing the possibility to penetrate a modern variant of the NSM, and is warship's air defences.” As these weapons planned for use on the Royal are not employing radar, there are no Norwegian Air Force’s Lock- Radio Frequency emissions made by the heed Martin F-35A Light- missile as it hunts for its target. ning-II fighters, though it has

30 | Asian Military Review | Putting it all together for Total Air and Missile Defense

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Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158C is pictured in front of an F/A-18E, with another mounted under the wing of the aircraft. The LRASM will enter service with the USAF in 2018 and the USN in 2019 © Lockheed Martin

would cooperate with Norway’s Ministry company states in its literature. “The ac- ment of State and the Department of of Defence in developing the JSM, with curate navigation solution allows users to Defence direct us to respond.” The com- the then minister of defence Kevin discriminate target ships from islands or pany told AMR that is expects the AGM- Andrews saying that the participation other nearby land masses or ships.” 158C to enter United States Air Force would “ensure the weapon capabil- Staying in the US, a spokesperson for service on the Rockwell International/ ity is developed and integrated onto the Lockheed Martin told AMR that air- and Boeing B-1B strategic bomber, and on F-35A in the timeline required by Aus- surface-launched cruise missiles for en- the US Navy/US Marine Corps’ Boeing tralia, should the Joint Strike Missile be gaging land and maritime targets “will F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter in 2018 ultimately considered for acquisition by be a large portion of the smart weapon and 2019 respectively. the government later this decade.” future for the next couple of decades. It is Finally, Israel is also in the business Boeing is another major US player likely that weapons which are survivable of AShM provision. To this end, Israel in the anti-ship missile market, with its in anti-access and GPS-denied areas will Aerospace Industries has developed Harpoon family of AShMs in service with be the go-to choice for at-sea warfare.” the Gabriel family of weapons, with more than 30 countries. The current vari- The company highlighted its AGM-158C the Gabriel-5, launched in 2013, being ant is the AGM/RGM/UGM-84L Block-2 Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), the latest incarnation. Alongside Israel, Harpoon which incorporates guidance which is in service with the US Air Force Gabriel family missiles are operated by technologies from two other programmes: and US Navy. The AGM-158C is based on the navies of Azerbaijan, Eritrea, India, the GPS antenna and receiver from the the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand- Kenya, Mexico and Taiwan, amongst Boeing AGM-84H/K Stand-off Land At- off Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). others. This latest variant of the weapon tack Missile-Extended Response (SLAM- The first prototype captive-carry flight uses active radar homing, and has been ER) and the GPS/Inertial Navigation Sys- tests of the AGM-158C were carried out designed to operate in cluttered litto- tem from the Boeing Joint Direct Attack on a US Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ral environments. However, its range Munition family. This missile is capable fighter in December 2015. The spokes- and speed has not been revealed by its of both land-strike and anti-ship missions, person said that while “our main focus manufacturer. and has a 500-pound (227-kilogram) blast for the AGM-158C is delivering a much- warhead. “For conventional anti-ship needed capability to (the) US Air Force Torpedoes missions, such as in the open ocean or and US Navy,” the company “stands Beyond missiles, torpedoes play a key near land, the GPS/INS improves mid- ready for any future interest from our role in the naval battle, and torpedo tech- course guidance to the target area,” the strategic allies should the US Depart- nology has advanced in a number of ways

32 | Asian Military Review | sea Power

BAE Systems is upgrading the Spearfish torpedo in use with the Royal Navy, which means the weapon will remain in service until at least the mid-2030s. The UK is currently the only customer for the weapon © BAE Systems

over the last twenty years, a spokesperson tained via software updates rather than torpedo arena, with its Mk.54 operated for BAE Systems told AMR. There is more major hardware changes.” by the US Navy from surface ships, he- use of inertial measurement systems in BAE Systems expects the use of tor- licopters and fixed-wing aircraft to detect guidance, and fibre-optic links provide pedoes to increase worldwide in the and attack underwater targets. Raytheon greater tactical data bandwidth between coming years, with tactical upgrades “works directly with the US Navy to meet the weapon and the submarine. The to combat anti-torpedo torpedoes and the lightweight torpedo requirements of safety of warheads has been advanced other countermeasures. The company US and Allied fleets,” said Jon Berglind, through the use of insensitive munitions envisages changes to torpedo hull manu- Mk.54 programme manager at Raytheon. and exploding foil initiator detonators. facturing technology possibly including The torpedo has been exported to Australia, Additionally, the use of ducted propul- the use of three-dimensional printing, as India and Turkey sion systems has improved efficiency and well as the use of advanced battery and “Sophisticated processing algorithms manoeuvrability. BAE Systems received motor technologies, non-acoustic detec- allow the Mk.54 to detect, analyse and a contract from the UK Ministry of tion techniques, and greater commonali- pursue identified threats,” Mr. Berglind Defence in December 2014 to upgrade ty between heavyweight and lightweight said. “The Mk.54 is designed for both the Spearfish torpedo in use with the torpedoes, in such areas as sonar process- deep water and littoral environments, Royal Navy, which means the weapon ing and guidance. making it the only lightweight torpedo will remain in service until at least the Discussing the state of the global mar- capable of striking any underwater mid-2030s. The UK is currently the only ket, the BAE Systems' spokesperson said target in the world’s oceans, regardless customer for the weapon. that while some nations are interested in of water depth.” There have also been more qualitative acquiring a torpedo capability, this has changes in the torpedo sector, the spokes- mostly been focused on industrial collabo- Conclusion person explained, with naval tactics im- ration and technology sharing. “We would Ultimately, as the market for new ships proving. Placement of torpedoes is more interpret this as being due to the fact that grows, so does demand for anti-ship accurate, they said, and there has been an operators looking for advanced anti-sur- weapons, said Mr. Hindrekus. “In this improved response to environmental ef- face warfare and anti-submarine warfare respect we are seeing growth in all our fects, such as the challenge of operating heavyweight torpedoes tend to either accessible markets,” he explained. “With in littoral waters. The spokesperson also have some existing indigenous capability, so much of the world’s trade dependent pointed to the reduced cost of operating or are tied to certain suppliers as a result of on sea routes and so many vital resources torpedoes, which was “achieved through acquiring particular classes of submarine,” linked to various countries’ territorial wa- longer in-service life and fewer mainte- they explained. ters, the need for adequately-equipped nance periods. Capability can be main- Raytheon is also a major player in the navies has never been greater.” AMR

| march 2016 | 33 AIR POWER

Vietnam and Malaysia have blazed a trail in adopting passive radar systems in the form of the VERA-E (the VERA-NG variant of the product being depicted here). Other countries in the region may yet follow suit © ERA

RAP-RAP-ppeerrss DelightDelight Developing and operating an Integrated Air Defence System (IADS) is a fiendishly complex exercise. Such systems have two key functions; to help safeguard a nation's air sovereignty and to enable it to conduct air operations to defend its airspace.

by Thomas Withington

t its most basic level, an These assets are in turn ‘knitted togeth- RAP can be composed and viewed at Sec- IADS comprises the ground- er’ using land fibre optic communications tor Operations Centres (SOCs) where air based air surveillance radars (which are difficult to jam as they do not defence personnel have responsibility for which detect and track emit Radio Frequency/RF radiation), and controlling a section of a nations’ airspace. potentially hostile aircraft Very High Frequency (30-300 Megahertz/ Several SOCs located throughout a particu- approaching,A or violating, national MHz) and Ultra High Frequency (300MHz lar nation will send their RAP to one over- airspace; the fighters and Surface-to-Air to three Gigahertz/GHz) radio communi- all Command Centre where the national Missiles (SAMs) used to intercept hostile cations which are encrypted to reduce their RAP is formed and viewed. To an extent, aircraft and possibly Airborne Early susceptibility to jamming and eavesdrop- every IADS is different as it is tailored to Warning (AEW) planes. AEW aircraft ping. These UHF/VHF links can handle the requirements of the nation it serves, but can extend the combined surveillance voice traffic and carry data links to enable broadly speaking, all tend to share these area achievable with the IADS' integral the sharing of the Recognised Air Picture characteristics in some shape or form. radar thanks to their ability to provide (RAP). The RAP is a federated depiction of extended radar detection ranges at a nation’s airspace and approaches to that Regional Situation altitude (radar range being limited by airspace, or sections of the airspace therein, Throughout the Asia-Pacific, countries the curvature of the Earth). depicting hostile and friendly aircraft. The are investing in their IADS. Unsurprising-

34 | Asian Military Review | AIR POWER

RAT-31SL, S-743D and HADR radars illustrates that much of the radar network supporting the MADGE SOC-III is reaching the end of its life. To this end, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence has come under sustained domestic political pressure to upgrade the TUDM’s radar network following the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, aBoeing 777-200ER airliner which was lost on 8 March 2014, and which remains at large. TRS is also providing technology to Malaysia’s neighbour Indonesia. The country’s Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angka- tan Udara (TNI-AU/Indonesian Air Force) has been performing an overarching modernisation of its ground-based air defences. This has included the acquisition of four ThalesRaytheonSystems’ Sentry C2 architecture forms part of the TUDM’s MADGE SOC-III IADS. Thales Master-T S-band 240nm-range air This architecture is also used by the US/Canadian NORAD IADS’ Battle Control System pictured surveillance radars between 2006 and 2012. here © USAF In addition, the company has provided three accompanying C2 centres for these ly in East Asia, and South East Asia, this is Diraja Malaysia (TUDM/Royal Malaysian radars. These centres send their RAP to being prompted by the People’s Republic Air Force) new Malaysian Air Defence the TNI-AU air sovereignty command and of China’s (PRC’s) increasingly muscular Ground Environment Sector Operations control centre in Jakarta where the nation- strategic posture. For example, in January, Centre-III (MADGE SOC-III) IADS system al RAP is generated. The Indonesian IADS the Civil Aviation Administration of Viet- which uses the firm’s Sentry C2 (Com- is also thought to use two Plessey/BAE nam (CAAV) wrote to its Chinese counter- mand and Control) software. The Sentry Systems’ AR-327 Commander 253.7nm part, asking the country to cease what the software itself is based on that used for (470km) S-band radars. CAAV argues are violations by Chinese the Battle Control System (BCS) C2 archi- While TRS has enjoyed success in In- aircraft of parts of the Spratly Islands ar- tecture forming the core of the US-Cana- donesia and Malaysia regarding the pro- chipelago in the South China Sea, which dian North American Aerospace Defence vision of IADSs, Saab has provided its Air Hanoi considers as under Vietnamese Command (better known as NORAD) Command and Control System (ACCS: sovereignty. The sovereignty of the Sprat- IADS system. As well as forging together not to be confused with the TRS product ly Islands is disputed by Brunei-Darus- the TUDM’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM, Boeing/ using the same acronym) to the Royal salam, Malaysia, the Philippines, the PRC, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D and Thai Air Force (RTAF). The RTAF ordered Taiwan and Vietnam. The CAAV letter MiG-29N/UB air superiority fighters, the did not specify whether these violations MADGE SOC-III forms a RAP using the had been performed by Chinese military Thales GroundMaster-406 S-band 253.7nm or civil aircraft, or when they occurred. (470km) range air surveillance radar. It is Recent years have witnessed Vietnam up- thought that Malaysia only acquired a sin- grading its IADS with new radars in the gle GroundMaster-406 radar as part of the form of two Israel Aerospace Industries MADGE SOC-III initiative in 2013. (IAI) ELTA Systems division EL/M-2288 The TUDM has not publicly revealed AD-STAR S-band (2.3-2.5/2.7-3.7GHz) which radars it operates to support the 232.1-nautical mile/nm (430-kilometre/ MADGE SOC-III network. However, km) range air surveillance radars for $33 confidential sources inform AMR that million, with deliveries completed in 2013. the TUDM employs two Selex/Finmec- Interestingly, Vietnam has also purchased canica RAT-31SL S-band 250nm (134km) four ERA Vera-E 50MHz to 18 GHz pas- range air surveillance radars, acquired sive radars (two of which are thought to between 1996 and 1998, with a single have been delivered) which detect an air- RAT-31DL L-band (1.215-1.4GHz) 269nm craft’s RF emissions (from their radios or (500km) range variant acquired in 2003 their radar emissions, for example) and for $54 million. From the United King- thus locate the aircraft through a process dom, between 1992 and 1995, the TUDM of triangulation. The Vera-E may have also obtained two BAE Systems S-743D also been acquired by Malaysia (see below). Martello L-band 269nm range ground- Regarding Malaysia, in April 2008, that based air surveillance radars, and a single Thales’ GroundMaster-406 radars have been country’s Ministry of Defence awarded 240nm (444km) range S-band Hughes/ procured by Malaysia. These radars are part the Franco-American joint venture Thales- Raytheon HADR (Hughes Air Defence of the company’s GroundMaster-400 radar RaytheonSystems (TRS) a contract of an Radar) which was acquired from the family, a facility housing a French Air Force GroundMaster-400 is pictured here © Thales undisclosed value for the Tentera Udara United States in 1986. The vintage of the

| march 2016 | 35 AIR POWER

bat operations involving the JAS- reported. Vigilare replaces the legacy 39C/D and Saab 340 Erieye AEW WARDEN Air C2 system which had been fleet, and thus presumably links developed and implemented by Raythe- into the wider RTADS network. on’s Solipsys subisiary using the firm’s Multi-Source Correlator Tracker which Australia gathered together radar information, with Like its counterparts elsewhere the RAP developed using the company’s in the Asia-Pacific, the Royal Solipsys Tactical Display Framework. Australian Air Force (RAAF) has enhanced its IADS recently with South Asia the advent of its Vigilare network While much of East and South East Asia which achieved Final Operational has its attention focused on the potential Capability in March 2013. Vigilare, threat posed by the PRC’s People’s Lib- developed by Boeing’s Austra- eration Army Air Force (PLAFF), India lian defence subsidiary, federates remains highly mindful of its rivalry with information from a number of Pakistan and the potential for this to de- sources including the RAAF’s Jin- velop into full-blown war. With one of the Selex has enjoyed healthy sales of its RAT-31 air dalee Operational Radar Network largest segments of airspace in the Asia- surveillance radar families with purchases being made (JORN) which provides long-range Pacific region, the Indian Air Force relies by the TUDM of the RAT-31SL and RAT-31DL products radar surveillance (ranges up to upon its Integrated Air Command and over the past two decades © Selex 1619nm /3000km) using HF radio Control System (IACCS) to safeguard the transmissions which ‘bounce’ of country’s skies. the ACCS in 2008 as part of its larger pur- the ionosphere; a level of the atmosphere The IACCS is currently undergoing a chase of an initial six Saab JAS-39C/D at between 40.4nm to 539.9nm (75-1000km) major enhancement led by Bharat Elec- Gripen fighters and a single Saab 340 altitude to provide the radar with an over- tronics Limited (BEL) with a $1.3 billion Erieye AEW platform. Few details have the-horizon range. The RAP produced by contract awarded to the company in early emerged regarding the exact composition the JORN is federated with radar imagery October 2015 which is expected to take of the ACCS, although it is thought to use provided by the RAAF’s fleet of six Boe- up to four years to complete. The initia- the company’s proprietary Tactical Data ing E-7A Wedgetail AEW aircraft, its Boe- tive will network all civilian and military Link (TDL) possibly similar in scope and ing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft radars across the country into the IACCS capability to the North Atlantic Treaty Or- (MPA) currently undergoing delivery and thus deepening the detail of the existing ganisation’s (NATO) Link-16 TDL proto- its legacy Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orion RAP produced by the IADS. At the same col. Using UHF Link-16 handles so-called MPAs, alongside civilian and military air time, this will expand the IACCS network ‘J’ series fixed-format messages which are surveillance radars, naval surveillance ra- into eastern, central and southern India, allocated to cover particular communica- dars and the radars used by its McDonnell and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands tions categories such as weapons man- Douglas/Boeing F/A-18A/B/E/F Hornet/ in the Indian Ocean to the south-east of agement, electronic warfare and C2. In Super Hornet fighters to provide as full a the subcontinent. addition, it can handle free text commu- RAP as possible. The expansion of the IACCS will also nications and imagery. The RAAF’s Northern Region Opera- include the establishment of radar posts Enhancing the ACCS is the RTAF's tions Centre at the RAAF’s Tindal airbase near India’s border with the PRC, no overarching RTADS (Royal Thai Air De- in the Northern Territory and the Eastern doubt as a response to concerns regard- fence System). This was rolled out in three Region Operations Centre at Williamtown ing potential PLAAF air activity near the phases; all of which were completed in airbase in New South Wales both per- Indo-Chinese border. Fears regarding 2000, to provide coverage using Northrop form the overarching air surveillance and the violation of Indian airspace by the Grumman AN/FPS-130X (three exam- battle management of Australia’s skies. ples) L-band 250nm range radars, Lock- Ultimately, the fusion of such a significant heed Martin AN/FPS-117 (two examples) quantity of radar sources, which could in L-band 250nm range systems, two S-743D the future be enhanced with radar imag- radars and a single Northrop Grumman ery provided by the Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-43 S-band 242.9nm (450km) MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle, of air surveillance radar. Air-to-ground/ which the RAAF is procuring up to seven ground-to-air radio communications are for maritime patrol, will enhance the sur- performed using the HAVE QUICK UHF veillance provided via the Vigilare system radio protocol and NATO-standard TA- to sustain a RAP stretching from the Indi- DIL-A/Link-11 High Frequency (three to an Ocean to the western Pacific. 30MHz) and VHF data links. It is unclear Unsurprisingly, given the RAAF’s how the Saab ACCS architecture, itself close relationship with the United States based upon Saab’s StriC Air C2 system Air Force and the air forces of NATO, Vigi- One of the constituent parts of the Indonesian used by the Flygvapnet (Royal Swedish lare uses the Link-11 and Link-16 protocols IADS is the AR-327 Commander radar of Air Force), operates with the RTADS net- for air-to-ground/ground-to-air commu- which the Indonesian Air Force is thought to work. However, open source reports state nications, and may also use HAVE QUICK, use two, to supplement its Thales Master-T radars © BAE Systems that the ACCS is used for managing com- although this does not seem to have been

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decade potentially providing a relatively inexpensive way of tracking aircraft as opposed to ensuring that all sections of a nation’s airspace are covered by radar; a particularly expensive undertaking. In tandem with the initiative to roll out an ADS-B sensor system to provide coverage over Thitu Island, the Philip- pines Ministry of Defence plans to extend the coverage of its PADIZ (Philippines Air Defence Identification Zone) in a series of phases to ensure that 74 percent of the Philippines’ airspace is covered by the PADIZ by 2022. This will then be extended with the intention of covering the entirety of Philippines airspace by 2028. Such a plan could necessitate the purchase of new C2 software, hardware and communications to enhance the national RAP. In recent years, the Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (Philippines Air Force) has worked to enhance its ground- based air surveillance radars with the acquisition of three EL/M-2288 AD-STAR radars for $56 million which are due to The Royal Thai Air Force’s IADS is enhanced by two AN/FPS-117 radars which join a plethora of be delivered in 2017. Until these radars other systems. The AN/FPS-117 is also available as a transportable system as the AN/TPS-77 © are delivered, the country may still rely Lockheed Martin on the three Bendix AN/TPS-1 radars it acquired in 1960. PLAAF are very real. In 2014, the lower 2083 AEW radar (up to five systems are The modification of the Philippines’ house of the Indian parliament, the Lok believed to have been acquired). IADS represents a potential opportunity Sabha, was told by the country’s defence for Air C2 system suppliers, but there minister, Manohar Parrikar, that India’s Opportunities will almost certainly be other opportuni- airspace had been violated 16 times by One country which is expected to per- ties around the Asia-Pacific in the coming aircraft from the PRC and Pakistan be- form a wholesale modernisation of its years. The continuing assertive strategic tween 2012 and 2014. IADS is the Philippines. In early Febru- posture of the PRC is likely to prompt na- No timeline has been mentioned by ary it was reported that Manila was con- tions to ensure that their hostile aircraft the IAF as to when the installation of the sidering obtaining technology from the detection and reporting services are as ca- new radars could take place, how many United States to be positioned on Thitu pable as possible. Furthermore, the need will be installed in proximity to the bor- Island, one of the constituent parts of the to update legacy systems, as illustrated der or the type of radar to be used therein. Spratly Islands, under the control of the by the Philippines (see above), will encour- The first phase of the work to enhance Philippines, but also claimed by the PRC, age further spending. the IAF will include the expansion of the Vietnam and Taiwan. The equipment that Coupled to these factors is the ques- IACCS into eastern, central and southern the Civil Aviation Authority of the Phil- tion as to whether nations in the region parts of the country. BEL sources told ippines (CAAP) wishes to obtain will will be willing to network their individual AMR that existing radars located in these detect satellite transmissions ‘squawked’ IADS to provide a ‘Super-RAP’ of their lo- areas, along with any new radars to be (transmitted) from the ADS-B (Automatic cal region? This philosophy is being cur- procured, are expected to be incorporated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) tran- rently pursued by NATO vis-à-vis its Air into the expanded network. sponders carried by commercial aircraft. Command and Control System which is In terms of air surveillance radars, This equipment is to be positioned on the being rolled out across the majority of its India is known to operate circa 30 Thom- island and would be capable of receiv- Western European membership. This pro- son-CSF/Thales TRS-2215/2230 335nm ing the transmissions from an aircraft’s vides a common software and hardware (620km) S-band radars acquired between ADS-B transponder, thus enhancing cov- architecture for the membership’s national 1984 and 2000. However, the bulk of the erage of this section of its airspace. ADS-B IADS, replacing a bewilderingly-diverse IAF’s air surveillance radar fleet includes forms the core of the US Next Generation array of existing IADS, and will generate a products provided by IAI, namely the Air Transportation System which in turn ‘Super RAP’ of the entirety of NATO’s Eu- EL/M-2085 S-band 134.9nm (250km) overhauls air traffic control in the United ropean area over the next decade; a partic- range radar (23 examples delivered be- States by providing a transponder which ularly important consideration given the tween 2011 and 2015), two EL/M-2080 squawks an aircraft’s speed and location regular sorties by Russian Air Force stra- Green Pine radars L-band radars with a information via satellite. ADS-B transpon- tegic bombers occurring close to NATO 269.9nm (500km) range for ballistic mis- ders are expected to proliferate widely airspace in the Baltic, Northern European sile defence and aerostat-mounted EL/M- across commercial aircraft over the next and Scandinavian regions. AMR

38 | Asian Military Review | new XPO AMR MArch.pdf 1 3/1/16 2:56 PM

CMY

K sea POWER

Guarding the Dragon’s DEN Moat

The role of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) coastguard's expanding fleet has become blurred with that of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the role of aviation is about to enlarge in the posturing over disputed maritime zones.

by Andrew Drwiega

here are two types of coastguard, such as pollution at sea. But that is a would inevitably request the assistance or rather two types of mission somewhat restricted perspective, as of the Royal Navy. This is unlike the that they can perform: The first is there is also the coastguard that conducts United States Coast Guard (USCG) very much in the civil role where the defence of national interests; from which is equipped with vessels and lives are saved and people are fisheries protection, national maritime aircraft that are armed or can deploy Tprotected in their maritime areas at close boundary protection, and the protection of arms when called upon to do so. In the range to the coastline, hence the name the nation’s economic resources. However Asia-Pacific, the coastguard role has ‘coastguard’. Coastguards internationally the boundaries are becoming blurred. arguably more of a paramilitary focus are considered humanitarian in purpose, In the United Kingdom, the Maritime much more focused on national security. as well as enforcing sailing laws and Coastguard Agency is a civil body and China’s Coast Guard (CCG) is an agency watching for smuggling and incidents not armed. For an armed response they of the government but takes its direction

40 | Asian Military Review | sea POWER

According to a US Office of Naval 25-year initiative with the intent of The US Coast Guard is one of the largest Intelligence report, “Chinese Maritime replacing the majority of the USCG’s and most modern such services in the world. Currently, its fleet comprises a large number Law Enforcement (MLE) agencies aircraft, ships, logistics and command of cutters, and the fleet is planning the collectively operate over 200 oceangoing and control systems. induction of new vessels © USCG ships, giving the country by far the largest The latest of these cutters, the USCGC blue water ‘coast guard’ in the world.” James (WMSL-754) comes well-equipped While this growing force, which observers with a Raytheon AN/SLQ-32 electronic estimate could number up to 500 ships warfare system, BAE Systems’ SRBOC/ by 2020, is used for the usual coastguard Nulka countermeasure launchers as well type operations, the report remarks that as a main Bofors Mk.110 57mm gun. Most “dozens of others exist almost entirely for interestingly, its rear hanger can house a the purpose of advancing (PRC) claims combination of helicopters and Unmanned to waters and territories in the East and Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); either two Airbus South China Seas.” Helicopters HH-65 Dolphin maritime One of the latest of the CCG’s new support rotorcraft , four Vertical Take-off ships has been nicknamed ‘the beast’ due (VT-UAVs), or one helicopter and two to its size and armament which blurs VT-UAVs. These would have been Bell the lines between PLAN and CCG roles. Helicopter’s Eagle Eye VT-UAVs although CCG vessel 3901 will have a displacement the programme was cancelled last decade. of 12000 tons and will be armed with Since then, the USCG have run trials a 76mm rapid fire gun, several other with Boeing-Insitu’s ScanEagle, Northrop auxiliary guns, has a helicopter deck Grumman’s MQ-8B/C FireScout and and accompanying hanger. It will be the most recently the smaller AeroVironment second of the CCG’s ‘mega-cutters’ and RQ-20 Puma. But the intent is there as rivals the USCG’s biggest cutters, the the USCG’s Research and Development new Northrop Grumman ‘Legend’ class Centre keeps demonstrating. National Security Cutters (which are replacing the legacy ‘Hamilton’ class). The Unmanned Option A total of eight ‘Legend’ class are The Chinese are also exploring the planned with the first five now in service potential of basing UAVs at sea. The but at 4600 tons they are only one-third the beauty of such aircraft is that they have weight of the new CCG vessels. However, both a long-range and long endurance. they are part of the USCG’s Integrated The acquisition and positioning of these Deepwater System Programme (or UAVs to cover contested maritime areas ‘Deepwater’), which is a $24 billion would provide an enduring alternative

Vessels from the Chinese Coast Guard (foreground) and the US Coast Guard (background) steam side-by-side in a from the Communist party leadership. visual display of maritime cooperation. As such, it is used alongside the PLAN Nevertheless, despite the bonhomie, tensions between the two forces could and its role is becoming increasingly grow in the future © US Navy part of a proactive extension of the government’s ambitions.

Maritime Expansion Protecting and extending territorial and economic zones is currently one of the PRC government’s main priorities, as has been seen in the island-building programme in the South and East China Seas. The use of the CCG is inextricably linked to that goal, albeit a slightly softer manifestation. The formation of the CCG in 2013 has led to a rapid expansion of the surface fleet. It represents a collation of the following agencies (nicknamed the ‘Five Dragons’): the Anti-Smuggling Bureau, Maritime Police, China Marine Surveillance, Fisheries Law Enforcement Command, and the Maritime Safety Administration.

| march 2016 | 41 sea POWER

convenient and safe than manned ships Eyes in the Sky in many situations.” While this covered While it is undeniable that the surface all unmanned systems including surface vessel fleet is growing, the American and sub-surface he also highlighted the research institute the Jamestown value of UAVs. Foundation has identified one aspect There was also a recognition in the of weakness in the CCG and MLE report that the use of unmanned systems agencies, namely the strength of their might not be solely the preserve of the traditional aviation assets and its military. The report noted that “civilian capabilities. “Given the country’s lack use of unmanned systems is emerging as of advanced, long-range fixed-wing an equally important area, one that could aircraft, China’s constabulary forces must have important implications for China’s operate with only a fragmentary picture maritime territorial disputes, especially of the maritime domain,” the foundation given that Beijing has relied principally reports. However this has not escaped on its civilian maritime law enforcement the understanding of the Chinese apparatus to enforce its claims.” government, which is now making a The Rand report references the concerted effort to amend the situation. decision by the PRC’s State Oceanic The Foundation explains that Administration (SOA) which oversees both surface and aviation units are coastal environmental protection, national significantly used for “rights protection”. maritime rights and marine scientific This is a double-edged sword as it mixes research, in August 2012 to locate eleven the protection of the PRC’s legitimate UAV sites in coastal provinces by 2015; right to safeguard its internationally whether this has been fully completed ‘recognised’ maritime zones, but also to remains unknown. It also cites an incident robustly project a presence into disputed that occurred on 9 September 2013 over waters “to show administrative presence the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands The USCGC James is the fifth of the USCG’s in the East China Sea which ‘Legend’ class cutters to enter service. are disputed with Japan and Including the USCGC James, to date, six of the Taiwan. During this incident, ‘Legend’ class vessels have been commissioned, the Chinese deployed a Harbin with another two planned © USCG Harbin BZK-005 high-altitude long-range UAV over the to relatively expensive manned aircraft, islands which triggered a although the cost of operations should response from the Japanese not be underestimated due to the number who scrambled fighters to the of support staff required, as the US Army scene. It proved illustrative of has discovered with its plethora of UAVs how tensions can rapidly in recent years. escalate with the Japanese Maritime UAVs, particularly for CCG defence minister Itsunori vessels, would increase reconnaissance Onodera subsequently an- capabilities and allow a relatively more nouncing that Japan would rapid response to incidents than surface “consider shooting down vessels, yet they could still be incorporated (UAVs) that enter Japanese into the ‘soft power’ category. This would airspace." According to the also hand the PRC’s territorial rivals Rand report, following con- the challenge of countering this capability firmation from Japan that with their own significant maritime its Air Self Defence Force UAV development. would engage further UAV flights in its airspace, the China’s UAV Potential Chinese warned that such Last year the US Rand Corporation an action would itself be released a report entitled Emerging Trends considered “an act of war” in China’s Development of Unmanned and in turn it would take Systems. When specifically looking at the measures to strike back. role that maritime UAVs could fulfil, it This example illustrates that confirmed a link to territorial disputes. the very sensitive nature The report quoted Harbin Engineering of theseremote island University’s Professor Ma who stated: disputes canescalate into Japan boasts one of the most well-equipped coastguards in the “China shares the sea with many a hot conflict by over-flights Asia-Pacific region. Its equipment includes Sikorsky S-70 search- countries nearby. In these troubled waters, and incursions, whether and-rescue helicopters, one of which is seen here landing on a US Navy ‘Arleigh Burke’ class destroyer © US Navy unmanned vessels can be more effective, manned or unmanned.

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Japan’s coastguard may increasingly find itself rubbing shoulders with its Chinese counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region, given the existential territorial and maritime disputes between the two nations © US Navy

and impose Chinese jurisdictional maritime area: the northern Bohai and available, this has still remained relatively perogatives." This it views as pursuing the Yellow Seas, in the east to cover the low. One particular hindrance to long- ‘illegal’ foreign activities, a mission that East China Sea and finally in the south range patrolling is the limited range of is central to the CCG and MLE roles. As covering the South China Sea. the aircraft against the great distances with most aerial assets, the use of aviation Each base operates a couple of involved, particularly in the South China in peacetime is more to provide a regular Harbin Y-12 maritime patrol aircraft Sea. As the Jamestown Foundation presence over large expanses of ocean and, with a maximum range of around 700 explains, “Operating from airports on the more importantly, gather intelligence nautical miles (1300km).Their equipment mainland, the two fixed-wing aircraft of which can be fed into maritime command include Automatic Identification System CMS South simply cannot reach the eastern centres to assist in the coordination and (AIS) receivers to allow them to plot the and southern sections of the South China response, where necessary, of the overall identity, speed and course of surface Sea. The service’s cutters do sometimes surface strategy. vessels using emissions from these embark helicopters, which provide vessels’ transponders. They can also additional surveillance capabilities. But in CCG Aviation communicate images to surface ships general, China’s MLE agencies do not fly The CCG currently operates a very which can relay them via satellite to in vast sections of waters within the nine- limited number of aircraft but is command centres. But as the Jamestown dash line (the line of demarcation Beijing increasing these numbers as well as its Foundation points out, these minimal uses to represent its maritime claims in the helicopter force. It is controlled by the resources must patrol around 874,000 South China Sea).” State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and square nautical miles (three million This, of course, is one problem that the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and square kilometres) of ocean and are island-building in disputed areas such is currently represented by units within somewhat overstretched. as the Spratly Archipelago is designed China Marine Surveillance (CMS). Fixed- Although the number of flights and to overcome. Just as in the Second wing operations are conducted from three total hours climbed over the last 15 World War, where the strategy of ‘island bases, each of which covers a strategic years, due to the low numbers of aircraft hopping’ brought land-based air power

44 | Asian Military Review | sea POWER

into the theatre of operations to support Countering the CCG January Admiral Richardson participated the United States' drive across the Pacific Encountering the CCG at sea is becoming in a video teleconference with his Chinese and allowed long range Boeing B-29 a serious problem for the international counterpart, PLAN commander Admiral strategic bombers to attack Japan at ever- community, particularly as it is likely Wu Shengli to discuss the state of relations shortening ranges, so each of the PRC’s that US Navy ships will be the ones to between the two navies. According to a newly-formed islands is a new airbase to confront the ‘civil’ CCG. As a case in Reuters news agency report, during the extend its aerial presence to the edges of point, in October 2015 the USS Lassen, an conversation Admiral Wu stated, “Our the nine dash line. ‘Arleigh Burke’ class destroyer, completed necessary defensive step of building on Added to this is a new impetus to the first in a series of planned Freedom islands and reefs in the Nansha (Spratly) expand CCG and MLE aviation and of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) Islands is not militarization, but this has reconnaissance assets, through the in the South China Sea. FONOPS are been maliciously hyped up by certain acquisition of fixed-wing aircraft that can navigation exercises in which the United countries and media.” Adm. Wu then go out to 2400nm (4500km). These could States challenges air and maritime claims contradicted this by saying that “we will be in the shape of a maritime version of which it considers excessive. With a not (stop setting up) defences. How many the Xian MA-60 turboprop transport. displacement of 9700 tons this ship is defences completely depends on the level Another possibility is the newly-designed still smaller than the CCG’s newest of threat we face.” The report added AVIC AG-600 amphibian. There are also cutter, albeit better armed. However, that three commercial airliners had been advanced versions of the Y-12 that are CCG ships do not have to adhere to the landed on its newly-constructed airfield about to make an appearance, specifically Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea; a on an artificial island on Fiery Cross Reef the Y-12F which will reputedly offer multilateral 2014 agreement to reduce the “to see if the airfield was suitable for civilian greater payload potential. Finally, the likelihood of incidents at sea developing aircraft." Quite why civilian aircraft would CCG operates a limited number of into a larger confrontation. want to land there was not disclosed, but helicopters. There are several Harbin US chief of naval operations Admiral the fact that the PRC is forcefully absorbing Z-9s, a licensed variant of what was the John Richardson described the PRC’s use of the islands against all international Airbus Helicopters' AS-365 Dauphin the CCG as a “grey area’ which will require agreements ensures that tensions will naval support helicopter. The PLAN also creative thinking or further policy to continue to rise, and the CCG is being operates up to 25 of this type. avoid future aggressive encounters. On 19 positioned to play a central role. AMR

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Carrying an AIM-9 AAM and an Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation pod underwing, a Royal Thai Air Force L-39ZA/ART Albatros takes off during the multinational Exercise COBRA GOLD in 2013 © US Marine Corps

Train As You Fight

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) concept can be traced back to the 1950s. Its emergence reflected broader trends in air power, including the increasing prominence of Counter-Insurgency (COIN) operations, and technological developments in aerospace. by Thomas Newdick

OIN, which accompanied required in such conflicts. A pioneering Whereas aircraft such as the T-37A/ the retreat of European example of the aircraft that emerged as B/C were once simply two-seat trainers empires, as the result of a result of these two motivations was the outfitted with weapons pylons for ‘dumb’ deepening local indepen- Cessna A-37A/B Dragonfly, a light attack bombs and unguided rockets, a gunsight, dence movements in the derivative of one of the world’s first and military communications, the modern 1950s,C particularly in Africa, and the purpose-designed military jet trainers, LCA is much better equipped, often with corresponding proliferation of so-called the T-37A/B/C Tweet. The A-37A/B saw options for precision-guided ordnance, Cold War ‘proxy’ conflicts, saw military combat during the United States’ military targeting pods, a self-protection suite and aircraft increasingly required to operate involvement in the Vietnam War between in some cases, a multimode radar. One air- in austere theatres in Africa, the Asia- 1965 and 1975, and in Latin America, craft omitted from this article is the Hin- Pacific, Latin America and the Middle notably by the Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña dustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas East. Regarding aerospace design, the (Air Force of El Salvador) which used the Mk.1A/2 as this supersonic aircraft was turbojet- and turbofan-powered trainer aircraft during that country’s civil war developed as a single-seat fighter and is lent itself to the light attack missions between 1979 and 1992. thus in a different class to ‘true’ LCAs.

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L-39 Albatros Like the A-37A/B/C family, the Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros family of light jet trainers has a long lineage. First flown in November 1968 it entered widespread service within the Warsaw Pact and with Soviet allies. The L-39ZO armed trainer was further developed for ground attack and reconnaissance duties as the L-39ZA, and as the L-39ZA/MP (multipurpose) with a Western mission computer, avion- ics and navigation equipment. A version was ordered by Thailand as the L-39ZA/ ART, which differs in its use of Israeli avi- onics made by Elbit Systems. A total of 40 were delivered to Thailand from 1993, of which 30 remain in use. The L-39ZA/ ART has an under-fuselage gun pod con- While the basic design of the Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros dates back to the late 1960s, taining a twin-barrel 23mm cannon and considerable numbers remain in worldwide service. The manufacturer is offering the L-39NG four underwing pylons for a maximum rebuild that incorporates new technologies © Aero Vodochody stores load of 2205 pounds/lbs (1000 kilograms/kgs). The L-39ZA/ART consti- tutes the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) advanced jet trainer that is multi-engined The Philippines undertook the local Proj- primary strike capability, and is also used and that has a light air support capability, ect Falcon to improve the combat capabil- for Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT). Even- such as the Yakovlev Yak-130, the Hon- ity of the aircraft, which resulted in the tually, the RTAF L-39ZA/ART fleet is ex- gdu L-15 or the Alenia Aermacchi M-346.” AS.211 Warrior. This added the gunsight pected to be retired in favour of the Korea Beyond Bangladesh, L-39s have been em- and radios from the retired Northrop F- Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50TH Gold- ployed exclusively for training by Cam- 5A/B Freedom Fighter, and a machine en Eagle (see below). bodia, although these are likely no longer gun pod from Aerotech Industries Philip- Bangladesh is another L-39ZA opera- operational, and Vietnam (between 20 pines. It is possible that the AS.211 is also tor, receiving eight of the aircraft in Oc- and 23 survivors from an original total of compatible with Raytheon AIM-9 family tober 1995. Although primarily used for 38, delivered from 1980). Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM) and unguided operational conversion, a Bangladesh Air rockets. In its basic form, the S.211 has four Force officer confirmed to AMR, “The air- S.211 underwing pylons for a total of 1455lbs craft can be armed with a cannon, it can In terms of Western designs, the SIAI- (660kgs) of stores. The S.211 was also op- carry rocket pods, bombs and even air-to- Marchetti/Alenia Aermacchi S.211/A erated as a trainer by Singapore. A total of air missiles.” Speaking in 2012, Bangla- was exported to the Philippines, which 28 aircraft have now been replaced by the desh’s then chief of the air staff, Air Mar- originally acquired a total of 24 aircraft. Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer. Another shal SM Ziaur Rahman, said: “The L-39 Delivered from September 1989, the fleet Alenia Aermacchi product, the MB-339 probably has another twelve to 14 years has since been reduced to ten aircraft, of advanced trainer and light attack aircraft left and ideally we will replace it with an which less than half may still be active. is operated only by Malaysia within the Asia-Pacific region. The eight aircraft delivered from 2009 do not currently have a combat role, and are assigned to the Royal Malaysian Air Force College.

Hawk 200 Also operated by Malaysia is the BAE Sys- tems Hawk 200 which offers considerable punch thanks to its Northrop Grumman AN/APG-66H multimode radar. First flown as a prototype in May 1986, the Hawk Mk.208 version was ordered by the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force) which continues to operate twelve from an original total of 18 aircraft. Nearby Indonesia currently operates circa 22 Hawk Mk.209s, and both aircraft versions have four underwing py- This Malaysian BAE Systems’ Hawk Mk.108 trainer has a centreline 30mm cannon pod, lons for a total load of 7700lbs (3493kgs), underwing fuel tanks and bombs, and wingtip AIM-9 AAMs. India is known to have recently as well as wingtip launch rails for the car- considered adding a secondary combat role to its fleet of Hawk Mk.132 trainers ©BAE Systems riage of AIM-9 AAMs.

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due to the earlier availability of the Yak- 130. So far only Zambia has ordered the L-15, as an improved training version,” Andreas Rupprecht, author of the forthcoming book Flashpoint China: Chinese Air Power and the Regional Balance, told AMR.

Golden Eagle Other new Asia-Pacific entrants to the LCA market include KAI with its T-50 Golden Eagle programme, which was launched in 1992. The initial T-50 two- seat advanced trainer was followed by the TA-50 LIFT that first flew in August 2003, and the FA-50 LCA that performed its maiden flight in June 2010. The Repub- lic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) received 22 TA-50s delivered from March 2011. As of 2014, the force has a requirement for 60 FA-50 variants, and placed an initial A Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50 conducts air-to-ground weapons delivery trials, using free- contract in 2011 for 20 aircraft, followed fall ‘dumb’ bombs. The Republic of Korea has likely ordered 60 FA-50 light attack aircraft and may ultimately acquire as many as 150 © RoKAF by a second order in May 2013, reportedly covering the remaining 40 aircraft. Indonesia selected the TA-50 in April Alpha Jet bled locally using knocked-down kits. In 2011, signing a contract for 16 aircraft val- In the past, BAE System’s Hawk family late December 2012 and early January ued at $400 million, marking its first ex- has competed with the Dassault/Dornier 2013, Burmese K-8s were used in combat port order. Meanwhile, the Philippines an- Alpha Jet trainer family. The only export against insurgents from the Kachin Inde- nounced its intention to acquire the FA-50 customer in the Asia-Pacific for this - air pendence Army, one of the belligerents in in August 2012 and ordered twelve aircraft craft was Thailand, which acquired 20 that country’s ongoing internal conflict. under the FA-50PH designation in March second-hand Alpha Jet-As, with deliver- Most recently, Bangladesh received nine 2014. The first two examples were deliv- ies beginning in 2000. Of these aircraft up K-8s, delivered between 2014 and 2015. ered to the Philippines in November 2015. to 18 remain in service, and are used for The K-8 has provision for an optional Joining the Philippines, in September 2015 close support by the RTAF’s 231 Attack 23mm gun pod under the fuselage, and Thailand signed a contract for four T-50TH Squadron. The Alpha Jet-A has a jettison- four underwing pylons. aircraft (based on the TA-50 LIFT), valued able pod under the fuselage containing a In addition to the JL-8, manufacturers at $110 million. The aircraft are to be deliv- 27mm cannon, and has provision for four in the PRC have developed other LCAs ered to Thailand in 2018, and the fleet will underwing and one centreline pylon, for a such as the HAIC JL-10 advanced jet train- likely be increased in future. total load of more than 5512lbs (2500kgs). er and light attack aircraft. A supersonic According to Mike Yeo, a military LIFT version of the L-15 was first flown aviation consultant and AMR contribu- Chinese Offerings in October 2010, this being equipped with tor, based in Australia, “The T-50 has The Asia-Pacific is seeing new entrants a fire control radar. A prototype has been gained valuable momentum with recent into the LCA market in the form of Paki- sighted with wingtip AAMs, and the air- export successes in Indonesia, Iraq, the stan and the People’s Republic of China craft has seven hard (PRC) which offer the Karakorum-8 (K-8) points. The L-15 is two-seat basic jet trainer and light attack likely to be targeted aircraft jointly developed by the Hon- at potential M-346 gdu Aviation Industries Group (HAIC) and Yak-130 (see below) and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. customers in the Asia- A first flight was achieved in November Pacific. “The L-15 has 1990 and the aircraft entered service with faced some delays but the PRC as the JL-8 and with Pakistan as offers fighter-like per- the K-8. In the Asia-Pacific region the air- formance; in the case craft is employed exclusively as a trainer of the LIFT version by both countries, but there are three oth- even a supersonic er operators in the region; Sri Lanka uses capability. However, the aircraft for advanced training, while its export prospects Burma has used her aircraft in combat. are hampered by the Burma initially ordered twelve K-8s, the fact that it has not In Chinese service the K-8 is operated under the JL-8 designation. last three of which were delivered in Sep- yet entered People’s Despite a latent light attack capability, the JL-8 is used exclusively as tember 1999. In June 2010 Burma ordered Liberation Army Air a trainer. These aircraft serve with the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force Air Academy © via Chinese internet another batch of 60 aircraft, to be assem- Force service and

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Philippines and Thailand. It stands a good chance of further success in the region.” Unlike its direct competitors, the T-50 family has additional variants on offer (TA-50, FA-50). “While this should make it more marketable across different regions, it risks losing an ability to carve a market niche for itself,” Mr. Yeo argues. Both the TA-50 and FA-50 are equipped with an Israel Aero- space Industries' ELTA Systems' EL/ M-2032 multimode radar, a three-barrel General Dynamics M197 20mm cannon and seven stores stations.

Yak-130 Besides the L-39 family discussed above, the Warsaw Pact also developed the Yak- 130, the work on which commenced in the Soviet Union in 1990, with the aircraft taking its maiden flight in April 1996. Rus- sia placed its first order in 2005 and deliv- A factory-operated Yakovlev Yak-130 demonstrates the type’s impressive load-carrying capability, eries began in early 2010. After an initial with an array of external fuel tanks, air-to-ground rockets, air-to-air missiles and wingtip self- protection pods. (Irkut) foreign sale to Algeria in 2006, the first export to the Asia-Pacific region was secured in 2013, when Bangladesh ordered 130 has six underwing pylons for up to a ten percent increase in power compared 16 aircraft to be delivered by 2016. The 6614lbs (3000kgs) of stores and two more to its predecessor. first six Bangladeshi aircraft were induct- wingtip stations that can carry AAMs or ed into service in December 2015. In June decoy launchers. A 23mm cannon can Other candidates 2015 Burma placed an order for an un- be fitted below the fuselage. In February While the above aircraft are all in service known number of Yak-130s. According to 2016, video footage emerged of Belaru- with Asia-Pacific air forces, several other Russian aerospace analyst Piotr Butowski, sian Yak-130s launching Tactical Missiles LCA types are currently being marketed Russia’s Rosoboronexport and the Irkut Corporation R-73 short-range air-to-air in the region. The Aero Vodochody L-159 factory are conducting talks offering the missiles. Alenia Aermacchi developed the Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA) Yak-130 to “a dozen Asia-Pacific, African M-346 Master advanced jet trainer and was developed as an advanced succes- and Latin American countries as well as light attack aircraft as a redesigned and sor to the L-39 family (see above) and is ex-Soviet states.” In recent years, demon- Westernised version of the Yak-130. In the intended for use as a light fighter and strations of the aircraft and familiarisation Asia-Pacific, twelve of these aircraft have advanced jet trainer, in single- and two- flights have been conducted for Mongolia been acquired by the Republic of Singa- seat versions; the L-159A and L-159B re- and Vietnam, among others. The Yak- pore Air Force which bases its aircraft spectively. After 71 examples were built at Cazaux airbase in southwest France, for the Czech Republic, this country’s where they are used for training. fleet was reduced to 18 plus six reserves, The M-346’s chances of success in the and the remaining 47 aircraft were of- LCA segment are set to be enhanced by fered for sale. Of these, Iraq has taken 15 Alenia Aermacchi's ongoing efforts which and US-based civilian contractor Draken aim to challenge the TA/FA-50 family (see International has ordered 21 for training above) in the Asia-Pacific, Middle Eastern provision. and North American markets. According The LCA concept is now well estab- to Italian aerospace analyst Giovanni Col- lished in the Asia-Pacific region, and such la, the company “is close to finalising the aircraft are likely to be in increasing de- design of the improved version, which mand as air forces aim to reduce overall will be a dual-role training and combat costs by combining aircraft roles. In this type. Intended for ground attack, tacti- way, LCAs and armed LIFTs are already cal support and COIN, this variant will helping reduce the number of different have six hard points for weapons, includ- types within inventories and, for larger ing Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munition air forces, cut down the number of ex- Alenia Aermacchi is offering its M-346 Master (JDAM) family of air-to-ground ordnance, pensive training hours flown by high-end to the US Air Force to meet its T-X requirement AIM-9 AAMs, a gun pod, rockets and la- fighters. For smaller air forces, LCAs pro- for a new-generation jet trainer. On 22 ser-guided bombs, a targeting and recon- vide the requisite capabilities for COIN February, its was reported that Finmeccanica, naissance pod, and external fuel tanks.” and ground attack missions, with far low- Alena Aermacchi's parent, would team with The new version will also have a more so- er acquisition and operating costs than Raytheon and CAE to this end © Finmeccanica phisticated weapons delivery system and other modern fighters. AMR

50 | Asian Military Review |

Regional News and Developments south asia

Asia-Pacific Procurement Update by Pierre Delrieu

No Thunder but it did not meet the require- affairs at the International Indian Ocean region, espe- CONSOLATION ments of the Sri Lankan Air Assessment and Strategy cially as its relationship with Sri Lanka will not proceed Force, while also reporting Centre (IASC), based in neighbouring India remains with a $400 million deal to that India had offered to sell Alexandria, Virginia, told fraught. Pakistan “clearly procure up to twelve Cheng- Sri Lanka its Hindustan Aero- AMR, explaining that “India seeks to develop deterrent du Aircraft Corporation/Pak- nautics Limited (HAL) Tejas has many levers to pull when military relationships with istan Aeronautical Complex Mk.1/1A light fighter. it wants to defend its interests nearby states also fearful of JF-17 Thunder fighters from During the visit, Mr. Shar- in Sri Lanka” and “clearly India’s power and influence,” Pakistan. Colombo made the if and Sri Lanka’s President views JF-17 sales as a double explains Mr. Fisher, adding decision after India objected Maithripala Sirisena signed challenge, first by increasing that, “as regards the JF-17 to the initiative. eight different agreements the air power of the recipient, fighter, Islamabad has the The deal had long been covering healthcare, science and second by the subsidy advantage of being able to under discussion and many and technology, trade, money then provided to Pakistan to benefit from the PRC’s grow- expected Colombo to sign the laundering and culture. How- further improve this fighter.” ing economic, political and JF-17 acquisition agreement ever, the JF-17 procurement The JF-17 Thunder, a military influence. In coun- during Pakistani Prime was not discussed, confirmed fourth-generation fighter, is tries like Bangladesh, Burma, Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Sri currently flown only by the Egypt and Sri Lanka, their three-day state visit to Sri Lanka’s minister of defence, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), already-longstanding Lanka in early January. But when asked by the newspa- which received its first squad- military relationship with the according to the Indian per about the deal shortly ron in 2010. PRC adds great heft to the Express, New Delhi applied after Mr. Sharif’s visit. “India, This deal, which for JF-17 sales programme.” diplomatic pressure to Sri of course, has long been wary the moment could be more For more information on Lanka, weeks ahead of Mr. of Pakistan’s and the People’s accurately described as light combat aircraft, and Sharif’s visit, objecting to Republic of China’s (PRC) indefinitely postponed rather Indian defence procurement, the deal with Pakistan. The growing military influence than completely cancelled, please see Thomas Newdick newspaper reported on 10 in countries that it views as would have been an im- and Rahul Bedi’s respective January that the letter gave a within New Delhi’s sphere of portant step for Pakistan in Train as You Fight and The Ti- negative technical assessment influence,” Rick Fisher, senior further extending its defence ger’s Talons Sharpen articles in of the aircraft, claiming that fellow on Asian military co-operation footprint in the this issue.

New Amphibians the bilateral defence rela- ther from the shore, with war- share the perception of the India and Japan recently tionship, through two-way ships in the vicinity, but it has PRC as threat but, given their signed an agreement valued collaboration and technology no dedicated SAR platform.” respective economic interests at $1.6 billion to facilitate the cooperation, co-development, According to Prof. Karnad, in keeping the PRC engaged, long-pending export of twelve and co-production,” and “the ShinMaywa US-2I should neither wants to alienate ShinMaywa Industries US-2I leads the way to exploring’ fill this need, as well as many Beijing by firming up too amphibious Search-And-Res- “potential future projects others. Given the plane’s long overtly an anti-China front. So cue (SAR) aircraft to India. on defence equipment and loiter time, it will also pro- it will remain a sort of shadow The deal was signed on 12 technology cooperation such vide extended surveillance of game.” However, he added December 2015, during the as the US-2.” sea territories, especially in that “Indo-Japanese security visit of India’s Prime Minis- Speaking to AMR about the Bay of Bengal and around cooperation especially in the ter Narendra Modi to Tokyo. the deal, Bharat Karnad, chokepoints (such as) the maritime realm is set to grow. It includes the “transfer research professor in National Strait of Malacca.” Moreover, With Japan now formally up- of defence equipment and Security Studies at the Centre the US-2I will be capable of grading its naval cooperation technology” as well as the for Policy Research in New accommodating special forces … as a permanent and full par- “protection of classified mili- Delhi explained that the for expeditionary operations, ticipant in the annual MALA- tary information” according Indian Navy (IN) is currently Prof. Karnad added. BAR naval exercises involving to India’s Ministry of External deficient in SAR capabili- When asked about India (the navies of Australia, India Affairs (MEA). ties, but “has so far managed and Japan’s current defence and the United States).” For In a declaration published with Dornier Do-228-101/201 relationship, Prof. Karnad more information regarding following the signing, the maritime surveillance aircraft told AMR that both countries Indian defence procurement, MEA stated that this agree- working in conjunction with “are cautious and deliberate please see Rahul Bedi’s The ment reaffirmed Japan and In- fast boats for (littoral) opera- when initiating new strategies Tiger’s Talons Sharpen article in dia’s commitment to “deepen tions, and for incidents far- and geopolitical moves. Both this issue.

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All HALE the new UAV reporting on the story. Dat Technology Nguyen Quan new UAV shares similar Vietnamese media reports Viet also reports the likeli- stated “the aircraft has suc- specifications to the Israel published on 10 December ness that the assistance for cessfully fulfilled a trial flight Aerospace Industries’ Heron 2015 indicate that the coun- the design of the HS-6L was in the Central Highlands.” UAV. The HS-6L will report- try’s Academy of Science and provided by Belarus, not- Mr. Nguyen also confirmed edly be equipped with Industry and Ministry of Pub- ing that the unveiling of the the aircraft’s essential role optronics and radar, and lic Security have completed UAV coincided with a visit in surveying and supervis- could potentially be wea- their collaborative develop- to the UAV’s manufacturing ing maritime operations in ponised. In the meantime, ment of the HS-6L, the coun- plant of Professor Vladimir the East China Sea region, a the UAV will be capable of try’s largest indigenous High- Gusakov, chairman of the maritime area that has seen assisting fire control for the Altitude Long-Endurance Presidium of the Belarus rising tensions in recent years, Vietnam People’s Navy’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Academy of Science. Vietnam especially as the PRC has Russian-built Novator 3M-54 (UAV) yet developed. had purchased a 558 Avia- started reclaiming a number Club-S cruise missiles, The aircraft, designed to tion Repair Plant Grif-K UAV of reefs and uninhabited which can be fired from its eventually perform civil and from Belarus in late 2014; the small islands for military recently acquired ‘Kilo’ class military operations over the aircraft shares similarities purposes. conventional hunter-killer South China Sea, will start with the larger HS-6L, includ- With a Rotax 914 piston submarines. For more infor- performing flight tests in the ing a lightweight composite engine, a 22-metre (72-feet) mation on Vietnamese subma- region by the second quarter structure and a twin-boom long wingspan, 2160 nautical rine procurement, please of 2016, according to Viet- fuselage configuration. miles (4000 km) of operating see Dr. Alix Valenti’s The namese newspaper Dat Viet Speaking to Dat Viet, Viet- range and an overall endur- Silent Service article in and other local news outlets nam’s Minister of Science and ance of 35 hours, Vietnam’s this issue.

maximum of 20 days. The service report also stated that the vessels will be deployed to collect underwater topographical data, and survey and map the archipelago’s vast territorial waters. To this end, both ‘Rigel’ class are equipped with Kongs- berg’s EA-600 single-beam echo sounder and EM-2040 and EM-302 multi-beam sonar systems to enable the detection of underwater objects and determine keel clearance limits at the TNI-AL’s naval bases. The vessels will also reportedly carry one Kongs- berg Hugin-1000 Autono- mous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), capable of performing high-speed survey missions French Dressing quarters in Tanjung Priok, KOLINLAMIL in Tanjung at depths of up to 1000m The Tentara Nasional In- North Jakarta, also saw the Priok, North Jakarta. (3280ft). These ships will also donesia-Angkatan Laut (TNI- induction of the platform into Specifications on the OSV, be fitted with Ocean Modules’ AL/Indonesian Navy) held a the KOLINLAMIL service. provided by the TNI-AL in a V8 remotely-operated vehicle welcoming ceremony for the The two 60-metre/m July 2015 report published by equipped with a manipula- KRI Spica, the second of two (197-feet/ft) long ships were the service’s communications tor arm to collect underwater French-built ‘Rigel’ class hy- ordered in October 2013, office, state that the vessel can samples. In terms of weapon- drographic vessels on 21 De- when the TNI-AL signed a reach a top speed of 16 knots ry, the TNI-AL disclosed that cember 2015. The ceremony, $100 million deal with French (30 kilometers-per-hour), both vessels have been lightly presided over by Admiral shipbuilder OCEA. Indone- have a standard range of 4400 armed with each carrying a Ade Supandi, the TNI-AL’s sia’s first-of-class OSV, the nautical miles (8140 kilome- Rheinmetall 20mm cannon as chief-of-staff, at the Indone- KRI Rigel, arrived in Jakarta tres), and can accommodate their main gun and two stern- sian Military Sealift Com- in May 2015 and is currently a crew of 30, in addition to facing 12.7mm machineguns mand (KOLINLAMIL) head- based with the TNI-AL’s 16 mission personnel for a for point defence.

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Intelligence Test Australian Defence Force have to conduct maritime But “(the PRC) would also be The People’s Liberation Academy of the University of intelligence collection patrols interested in listening to facili- Army Navy (PLAN) has com- New South Wales in Canberra, just like the US Navy.” ties in the Philippines, espe- missioned three vessels into Carlyle Thayer told AMR Coupled with the develop- cially now that the Enhanced its South Sea Fleet during a that “fitted out for electronic ment of an airfield on Fiery Defence Cooperation Agree- ceremony held on 26 Decem- surveillance, including mi- Cross Reef, which lies on the ment (a 2014 agreement allow- ber 2015, including a new crowave, as well as missile western edge of the Spratly ing the United States to rotate ‘Dongdiao’ class intelligence- tracking, the ‘Dongdiao’ class Islands in the South China troops into the Philippines gathering vessel. Named will add new capacity in the Sea, the PRC’s deployment for extended stays and allows Neptune, the ship is the third South China Sea and presum- of the ‘Dongdiao’ class will the US to build and operate known ‘Dongdiao’ class vessel ably beyond,” confirming allow it “to gain intelligence facilities on Philippine bases) in service with the PLAN, and that Beijing is stepping up its on Vietnamese short facili- has been ruled constitutional,” was launched in March 2014 naval intelligence-gathering ties,” judges Prof. Thayer. He explains Prof. Thayer, add- at the Hudong Zhonghua operations. He believes that believes that in such cases, ing that the ‘Dongdiao’ class Shipbuilding Group’s yard in “(the PRC) will need the ships “(the PRC) could undermine could also be deployed “to Shanghai. The first-of-class, to acquire intelligence that the stealth capabilities of Viet- gather intelligence from other the Beijixing is currently oper- would otherwise be unavail- nam’s advanced ‘Kilo’ class littoral states such as Malaysia ated by the PLAN’s East Sea able to it such as monitoring conventional hunter-killer and Indonesia,” allowing the Fleet while Tianwangxing, the naval movements in the South submarines … monitor Viet- PLAN and other maritime PLAN’s second ‘Dongdiao’ China Sea and (collecting elec- namese military air patrols law enforcement vessels “to class ship is serving within the tronic intelligence) on shore- and (the country’s) recently- respond more quickly to any country’s South Sea Fleet. based radar … Quite simply announced deployment of Un- contingency that (the PRC) Emeritus professor and if the PLAN is to become a manned Aerial Vehicles to the perceives as threatening to regional specialist at the world class navy the PRC will South China Sea (see above).” its interests.”

and manufacture of a single- value of around $7 billion. seat, twin-engine multi-role Obtaining these technolo- fighter designed with a low gies, which are to be chan- radar cross section, outfitted nelled into the KFX devel- with an Active Electronically- opment, was crucial to the Scanned Array (AESA) launch of the project. radar, and internal weapons However, negotiations carriage. between Lockheed Martin The KFX project, which is and DAPA official are still a collaborative effort between ongoing, and may continue the DAPA, Lockheed Mar- for another two-to-three years, tin, the Indonesian Ministry so as to agree on the transfer of Defence and Indonesia’s of technology on every state-run defence firm PT possible item requested Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), by Seoul. aims to see six prototypes The RoK is planning to produced by 2021, followed spend another $7 billion in by four years of trials and a the development of the KFX, completed development by with an additional $8.2 billion 2026. The launch of the proj- to produce some 120 jets by ect follows the approval by 2032, to completely replace the US government in early the RoKAF’s ageing fleet of December 2015 for the trans- McDonnell Douglas F-4E White Heat of Experimental (KFX) 4.5-gen- fer of twenty one technologies Phantom and Northrop F-5E Technology eration fighter aircraft. used in the manufacturing Tiger-II fighters. The Republic of Korea’s The initial requirements of Lockheed Martin’s F- DAPA announced that (RoK’s) Defence Acquisition for the KFX programme were 35A/B/C Lightning-II fighter. the RoK would domestically Programme Administra- first outlined by the RoK’s The approved technologies develop around 90 parts tion (DAPA), the country’s Agency for Defence Develop- were an important part of the necessary for the aircraft, defence procurement agency, ment (ADD), one of DAPA’s deal signed to this effect in including its targeting pod announced on 21 January that two institutions, responsible September 2014, which aimed and radar, with an ultimate it had officially commenced for developing weapons to provide the Republic of aim to produce 65 percent plans to complete the devel- and dual-use technology. It Korea Air Force (RoKAF) of the components for the opment of its Korean Fighter planned the development with 40 F-35As for a total aircraft locally.

56 | Asian Military Review | DEFENCE & SECURITY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

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New Blades for (DSCA) announced on 18 Royal Australian Air Force the FMS, the DSCA stated Down Under December 2015. (RAAF) since 1995. The first that the proposed sale would The US State Depart- The three new CH-47Fs two CH-47Fs were received “improve Australia’s heavy ment has approved a Foreign will bring to ten the total by the Australian Army’s 5th lift capability” as the country Military Sale (FMS) of three number of these helicopters Aviation Regiment in May 2015. would “use the enhanced additional Boeing CH-47F in Australian Army service, as Final delivery of the first order capability to strengthen its Chinook heavy-lift helicop- Canberra already placed an of CH-47Fs is to be completed homeland defence and deter ters to Australia along with order in 2005, under Project by 2017, while the last of the regional threats.” Boeing related equipment and Air 9000 Phase-5C, for seven RAAF’s CH-47Ds should be re- declined to offer a statement support for a valued cost of CH-47Fs, in an effort to replace tired from service by mid-2016. on the deal, saying that the $180 million, the US Defence the legacy CH-47Ds which In a statement published company did not comment Security Cooperation Agency have been in service with the following the approval of on FMSs.

Getting Tooled-Up Mr. Brownlee told local LMT’s MARS-L was one same ammunition. The rifle In an effort to replace its media that “the (MARS-L) is of eight candidates under will be introduced into New army’s 28-year-old Steyr a combat-proven rifle that has consideration for the replace- Zealand navy, army and air Austeyr F88 rifles, New seen service in the most ardu- ment of the Austeyr F88 force service during 2016. Zealand’s government an- ous conditions. The new rifle weapon, which has been the The Austeyr F88 rifles nounced on 8 December has an open architecture that primary individual weapon had shown shortcomings in 2015 that it had approved allows it to mount different for all three of the country’s combat during operations in the purchase of the US-built sights and other equipment armed services since 1987. Afghanistan, and soldiers Lewis Machine and Tool depending on the operational The deal made with LMT had complained that the (LMT) Modular Assault Rifle situation.” He added that the will reportedly also include rifle’s accuracy dramatically System-Light (MARS-L). country’s “special forces will advanced optical day and failed expectations on dis- The country’s defence min- also use (this new weapon). night sights, as well as a tances beyond 200 metres ister Gerry Brownlee made the Previously, they have used detachable grenade launcher (656 feet). Earlier in 2015, announcement to the press, different rifles in the army. and additional features such New Zealand’s Ministry of stating that the New Zealand They observed the trials care- as laser sights, combat torches, Defence had also announced Defence Forces (NZDF) would fully and liked what they saw,” and sound suppressors. the replacement of its be investing $40 million for qualifying the decision as With an overall weight of defence force’s Sig Sauer the purchase of 8800 new as- “perhaps the strongest endorse- 3.3 kilograms (7.2 pounds), sidearms, in use since 1992, sault rifles, supporting equipment” of the government’s the MARS-L is lighter than the with about 1900 new Glock ment and training. confidence in its procurement. Austeyr F88 but can use the 17 pistols.

58 | Asian Military Review | Debrief:Debrief: SolDierSolDier MoDerniMoDerniSASAtiontion inin thethe ASiA-PAcificASiA-PAcific

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