Aug 2007 - Defence Review Asia
Transcription
Aug 2007 - Defence Review Asia
SEPTEMBER 2007 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 6 MICA (P) 150/03/2007 FOR S ALE GERMAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY NETWORK CENTRIC WARFARE LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES REVIEW FRIGATES & CORVETTES REGIONAL REPORT ). $ 5 34 2 ) 4HISNAVALSYSTEMMEANSMOREJOBS 4HEADVENTOFTHELATESTGENERATIONOFOURNAVALCOMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM THE ,6 -+ NOT ONLY REPRESENTS A TECHNOLOGICALREVOLUTIONBUTALSOHERALDSACOMPLETELYNEW WAYOFCONDUCTINGBUSINESS "ASEDONOPENARCHITECTURE PREFERREDSTANDARDSAND A MODULAR DESIGN OUR NEW SYSTEM GIVES YOU THE ADVAN TAGEOFASOLUTIONTHATISBOTHmEXIBLEANDFULLYADAPTABLE TOYOURSPECIlCNEEDSANDDEMANDS &ORYOURNAVALFORCES THISMEANSIMPROVEDCAPABILITIESANDENHANCEDPREPARATION FORTHEFUTURE 3!!"3934%-3 WWWSAABGROUPCOM &ORYOUOURNEWSYSTEMCOULDMEANMUCHMOREINCLUDING INDUSTRIALGROWTHLONGTERMPARTNERSHIPSTECHNOLOGYTRANS FERAGREEMENTSANDREALJOBS 4HEINCLUSIONOF3AABSINDUSTRIALCOOPERATIONCONCEPT IN OUR OFFER ENSURES WE CAN ALWAYS CUSTOMIZE A SOLUTION TOSUITYOURREQUIREMENTSnTECHNOLOGICALORNAVALINDIVIDUAL ORNATIONAL !SOLUTIONTHATPUTSCONTROLATYOURCOMMAND CONTENTS EDITORIAL 03 Comments & Questions ASIAN NEWS & FOCUS HEADLINES FEATURES 6 German Defence Industry 10 Network Centric Warfare ASIAN OUTLOOK 34 News Update 14 Light Armoured Vehicles Review 30 Carat Exercise 2007 36 Indonesian Watch 20 Frigates and Corvettes Regional Report 32 Indonesian and USA Mil-to-Mil Progress 37 China Watch SEPTEMBER 2007 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 6 MICA (P) 150/03/2007 Editor Ross Butler Advertising Offices & Representation Australia & Asia Contributors Dzirhan Mahadzir Keith Jacobs Jean-Michel Guhl ([email protected]) Miroslav Gyürösi James C. O’Halloran Nicholas Merrett Robert Brooks S.K. Park Simon Watson Asian Press Group Pte Ltd PO Box 88, Miranda, NSW 1490 Australia Phone: + 61 2 9526 7188 Fax: + 61 2 9526 1779 Email: [email protected] Graphic Designer Olga Rouesnel Publisher Asian Press Group Pte Ltd Europe Diana Scogna 31 rue de Tlemcen 75020 Paris, France Phone: + 33 1 4315 9829 Fax: + 33 1 4033 9930 Email: [email protected] Israel Asa Talbar Talbar Media PO Box 57136 Tel Aviv, Israel 61570 Phone: + 972 3 562 9565 Fax: + 972 3 562 9567 Email: [email protected] Italy GAME Srl Via Caffaro 13/10 16125 Genoa, Italy Phone: + 39 010 589752 Fax: + 39 010 562193 Email: [email protected] Russia & CIS Olga Korobkova VK Co. Giliarovskogo str., 1, app.8 Moscow 129090, Russia Email: [email protected] Printer Sunrise Printing & Supplies Pte Ltd Defence Review Asia An Asian Press Group Pte Ltd Publication Printed & Published in Singapore Asian Press Group Pte Ltd Head Office: Block 729 #04-4280 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 Singapore 560729 Registration: 200611219N MICA (P) 150/03/2007 ISSN 1834-6928 Singapore Advertising Materials Raymond Boey Asian Press Group Block 729 #04-4280 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 Singapore 560729 Phone: + 65 6457 2340 Fax: + 65 6456 2700 Email: [email protected] DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 3 FLY YOUR FLAG at The Pacific 2008 International Maritime and Naval Exposition will be a unique marketing, promotional and networking forum. Pacific 2008 will be a comprehensive showcase of the latest developments in naval, underwater and commercial maritime technology. Pacific 2008 will also feature a number of timely and highly informative industry conferences and seminars. NAVAL DEFENCE Pacific 2008 will be the most comprehensive industry event of its type ever staged in the Asia Pacific region and will provide a focused and informed business environment. Contact Bob Wouda Head of Sales Pacific 2008 Telephone: +61 (0)3 5282 0500 Email: [email protected] www.pacific2008.com.au NAVIGATION SYSTEMS WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY EDITORIAL Mystified intentions reveal China’s true foreign policy strategy SEPTEMBER 2007 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 6 MICA (P) 150/03/2007 FOR S ALE GERMAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY One of the principles of Sun Tzu’s Art of War is that The result is that it is difficult to determine whether both friends and opponents should be mystified as to China is an aggressive or benign power globally, which the true nature of a general’s intention. Therefore, it is is perhaps the intention of the Chinese government. not surprising that the Chinese government has taken For as long as China’s position is unpredictable this principle to heart, given recent events. and since no other country can fathom its goals or On the one hand, China has announced its intention to resume reporting to the United Nations its intentions, Beijing will be able to gain its strategic objectives more readily. NETWORK CENTRIC WARFARE LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES REVIEW FRIGATES & CORVETTES REGIONAL REPORT region that the United States is neglecting the region by not having the President or Secretary of State Rice attending ASEAN’s major meetings this year. Given the situation in Iraq, one can hardly blame military expenditure and the sales of its conventional President Bush has appeared to take the view weapons to other countries – after withdrawing from that China is a benign power, remarking that he was doing such in 1996, in response to United States’ not concerned about China’s military unless China sales of military equipment to Taiwan. Such a move is becomes hostile. clearly in line with the image of China being a benign China is hardly likely to initiate any aggressive moves and responsible world-power, and also keeping in line regionally, particularly towards Taiwan. Although one might note that with calls for China’s military to be more transparent. With the Beijing Olympic Games taking place in However, it should be noted that such reporting is 2008, China is unlikely to do anything that would very much dependant upon what China chooses to detract from its hosting of the Games, thus President disclose, and it appears doubtful that any arms sales Bush can afford to be sanguine on the issue of to countries under the current international spotlight China’s military. Notwithstanding, should China later (such as Iran and Sudan) will be disclosed. become hostile, any concern is likely to fall upon On the other hand are the recent disclosures of his successor. This does not mean that the United China hacking into the computers of the US and States is being cavalier as to concerns about China’s German governments, plus China’s continued support military, but the Pentagon has been carrying out a of the Sudanese government over the Darfur issue two-pronged strategy, building ties and confidence – all of which paints a picture of China behaving less with the Chinese military. than benign or globally responsible. Notwithstanding, ties with its regional powers – particularly India – to it should be noted that hacking into and monitoring counterbalance China should it become a threat. the President or Secretary of State for skipping ASEAN’s functions this year when the South-East Asian region does not face a situation as grave as Iraq. However, President Bush will be in Australia for the APEC summit, showing that the United States is committed to the region, although much of the agenda will largely focus on trade and climate change rather than security – save for the issue of North Korea and its nuclear program. How that particular issue will be resolved depends to some extent as to how much China (as the country with the most influence with North Korea) will be willing to use its leverage to persuade the North Koreans to cooperate, which goes back to the start of this editorial – what China chooses to do, remains an enigma. Q Further, also building another government’s IT infrastructure is probably Whilst China’s growing soft-power in the Asia- a practice carried out not only by China, but also Pacific region is much talked about, United by other major powers, although the Chinese have States’ engagement with nations in the region is had the misfortune of being discovered doing so. often overlooked, particularly in regard to military Likewise, given that China imports oil from Sudan, cooperation and engagement, which have been the Chinese government could excuse itself on not stepped up in recent years. Thus, it is somewhat doing much in regards to the Darfur issue, for fear of difficult to understand the general perception in the jeopardising its strategic energy interests there. Association of South East Asian Nations [ASEAN] Dzirhan Mahadzir DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 5 GERMAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY By Jean-Michel Guhl LOOKING EAST AND EVERYWHERE The German defence industry today Long gone are the days when the German defence industry (including that of West-Germany, 19491990) produced mainly hardware “under license” from the USA for its own national use and those of NATO partners – ammunition, missiles or aircraft, with the famous (or infamous) Lockheed F-104G Starfighter looming high above others. Germany’s capacity to produce its own arms and military equipment grew simultaneously with the development of the Bundeswehr (West-German Army). But things have changed rapidly since the mid-1970s, and even more since the end of the Cold War in Europe. The ensuing German reunification brought back an intense sense of national identity and the necessity to make the old Teutonic nation a model for the entire continent, both in terms of democracy and economic efficiency for all. Alongside the plush Mercedes vehicles and the trendy Porsche coupés (which are seen to be as world-acclaimed examples of German savoir faire), the largest European country has also been boosting its trade balance to high peaks on account of its sizeable arms exports. “Being almost a mirror image of what exists on the other side of the Rhine, in France, the German defence industry with its high-tech capacities in the air, sea and land military systems, also sees itself more than before as the mainstay of German foreign and security policy,” notes Franck-Emmanuel Caillaud, a Paris-based defence analyst working for Risk & Co, a specialised industry consultant. At least thanks to one world-known company – European Aeronautic Defence & Space [EADS], a consortium shared with France and Spain – Germany is today regarded by the average European citizen as a strong global player, capable at fending off any competitor worldwide on a very large gamut. But there is more to it. Small Arms Success Besides the successful consolidated European jewel represented by EADS in the aerospace business (with its reputed Eurocopter subsidiary, today the number one rotorcraft manufacturer in the world), Germany also solidly exists by itself notably within the naval and land defence industries – where leading the way are names like ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems [TKMS] for ships and submarines or Rheinmetall and 6 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA KMW for armoured fighting vehicles. This is not to mention the modern gun producers like Heckler & Koch, whose MP-5 submachine gun is as famous and in as widespread use nowadays as the Russian AK-47 assault rifle. Just two years ago, during Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s tenure, the German government released its annual report documenting the number of Germanmade arms exported abroad. The report confirmed an upward trend, with foreign sales reaching an all time high of €1.3 billion in 2003 (compared to €318 million in 2002 and €367 million in 2001), and firmly establishing Germany as the world’s fourth largest arms producer. In December 2005, the Gemeinsame Konferenz Kirche und Entwicklung [GKKE] – an ecumenical body of German churches and a keen observer of Germany’s well- and wrong-doings in the arms export business – presented its latest findings on weapons exports, revealing that Germany is second only to France when it comes to arms exports from the European Union. It accounts for some 5 percent of the international world arms market today, and latest export data show deliveries to all of Egypt, Israel, South Korea, India and Indonesia. JEAN-M ICHEL GUHL Eurofighter at Le Bourget, Paris Airshow 2007 In 2002, the German government approved weapon exports worth some €3.2 billion – a bright result somehow in contradiction with the industry’s authorised vocal: “Combining core competencies and state-of-the-art technology, which make intraEuropean and transatlantic cooperation’s significant to full extent, the German defence industry is of strategic importance. Its main role is to fulfil its responsibility to the Bundeswehr and the Bundeswehr’s allies, for whom the German defence industry produces high-tech products, which are held in high regard worldwide,” says Friedrich Lürssen, Chairman of the German Defence Industry Committee (or Ausschuss Verteidigungswirtschaft [AWV]). The industry is responsible for equipping the Bundeswehr (united German Army) with the best possible devices currently available on the market, and not least in providing the best levels of protection and ensuring maximum security for German soldiers – who are now more and more deployed overseas for peace-making missions under the EU, NATO or UN flags. Undeniably, in Germany today, the need to maintain adequate defence capacities reflecting the ‘new’ military importance of the country (and its obligations towards its European partners and NATO allies) are eminently related to security, as well as related to the GERMAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY economy and technology, insofar as the export of defence hardware significantly reduces the amount which each of the 80 million Germans have to pay for their national defence. “Acknowledging the country’s leading economic role in Europe and in the world, the preservation of adequate national development and production capacities is regarded as an essential prerequisite for providing the German Armed Forces with suitable equipment to fulfil their missions, and to be able to maintain the international dialogue and cooperation” adds one member of the AVW – which remains heavily dependent on governmental decisions and orders. Notwithstanding, it is also a sector of strategic importance whereby the State plays a dual role, having a monopoly on defence procurement, at the same time as being the key mechanism which controls all exports. Unlike the UK, France or Italy, Germany maintains draconian rules on arms exports, forbidding sales to areas of tension. However, this has not stopped German defence companies delivering handguns, tanks and warships worldwide. Not to mention the fact that whenever France succeeds in supporting the sale of an EADS-tagged weapon anywhere on the export market today, Germany remains an indirect but large benefactor of such a deal. Whilst the AWV was founded in 2000, it already existed as a low-key working task group since 1987. For nearly a decade now, the AWV has been representing the defence industry to politicians, the public and industrial interest groups – both at national and European levels. The AWV’s activities focus on drawing together and defining what are the industry’s policies and interests in defence and armaments. In addition, the AWV functions as a contact partner for politics and media, giving the defence industry a more identifiable face and voice – something quite new in a country where the souvenir of the steel barons’ ties with the past are more than a vivid scar. Slowly and nearly unnoticed, over the two past decades the German defence industry has become one of the country’s main exporters. In fact, in the last ten years, German arms exports have tripled. Amazingly enough, the German defence industry has overcome numerous setbacks, including during the first half of the 1990s, the future of the aerospace and defence industry in Germany (and the rest of Europe) was overshadowed by reduction in defence budgets, an intensification of competition in export markets and the creation of industrial giants across the Atlantic. Observers were generally pessimistic about the future of the European defence industry, highly fragmented and doomed by overcapacity. Its consolidation and rationalisation appeared likely to be extremely difficult to implement owing to its unique nature and sensitivity, although all unanimously agreed same as being essential. But backing the commercial sector to the defence sector – and vice versa – has created a new “dual” capacity for the larger groups which made export more likely. Today, the industry appears in better condition than the gloomy forecast observers might have been led to believe. European defence companies (including German companies) made genuine and strenuous efforts to adapt between 1990 and 1995 – a key period, especially in terms of workforce. And they still do make efforts to adapt, although against strong social reluctance, as shown with the Airbus Power 8 reduction plan launched in mid-2007 by EADS. Future Prospects With the new millennium, the industry entered into a phase of progressive stabilisation due to a rise in export levels, favourable conditions in the commercial aircraft market and also due to a situation wherein defence budgets were approaching stability. Under these conditions, turnover recovered to its earlier levels, and most of the major defence companies reported good financial results. However, for the future, no matter how satisfactory the state of the export order books are, the situation will remain relatively unfavourable in the short term if no rise occurs in the defence budget. Consolidation Companies operating in the German defence sector are organised on a private enterprise ownership basis and are firmly rooted in the market economy system. Accordingly, the decision to operate within the defence sector is strictly a business one made by the management of each company. Like in all other European countries with a strong defence industry, Germany has overcome the bottleneck of the 20th century ending by consolidating both at the national and European levels. Prestigious German names like Dornier, Messerschmitt-BölkowBlohm (and others) do not exist any longer. Along with France’s nationalised aviation companies of the 1980s (as well as with CASA of Spain), they all continue to live, but under the high-flying banner of EADS, today a tri-national firm which is the number one defence company in Europe and the number two company in the world. Recently on the German scene, the merger of six different shipbuilding companies, located in three different European countries, under the “roof” of TKMS has brought together shipyards – most in operation for more than one hundred years. Together, these six shipyards have delivered more than 3,000 merchant and naval ships and for the past 45 years, more than 160 submarines. Essentially, the group comprises Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft and HDW-Gaarden in Kiel, Nobiskrug in Rendsburg, Blohm & Voss and Blohm & Voss Repair in Hamburg, Nordseewerke in Emden, as well as Kockums in Sweden and Hellenic Shipyards in Greece. As the 75 percent stockholder, ThyssenKrupp has assumed industrial management of TKMS, with One Equity Partners [OEP] owning the remaining 25 percent stake. The German defence industry can be divided up into the following relevant sectors:- Aerospace construction; - Naval shipbuilding; - Land systems; - Weapons and ammunition; - Electrical engineering and electronics; - Precision engineering, optics and optronics; - Commercial vehicles. Very much like in neighbouring France, and much less like in Italy and the UK, a considerable amount of overlapping is to be found in the German defence industry, with regard to its systems and business activities. Thus, the products of the weapons and ammunition industry, electrical engineering and DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 7 GERMAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY also being offered for sale to other Asian countries, as well as Israel, India and Pakistan. In the wake of Franz-Josef Jung, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, recent visit in Islamabad (Pakistan), provoked much commotion in the ranks of the German SPD and Green party opposition. All in all, the shipyard alliance represents a sales volume of around €2.2 billion and presently employs a workforce of approximately 8,000 people. TKMS perceives itself as a systems supplier commanding a strong position in the market for naval vessels and is boldly calling for the creation of a “naval Airbus company,” with DCNS and Thales Naval, of which it could be the exaltor and leading body. Besides EADS (who controls the Eurocopter Group and Eurofighter GmbH and a few other entities in Germany) and the massive TKMS ship builders (who leads the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft concern), the main German defence actors today are: Atlas Elektronik GmbH A naval/marine electronics and systems business, previously a subsidiary of BAE Systems until December 2005 when it was sold to ThyssenKrupp and EADS. The Eurocopter EC 135 (as well as the closely related EC 145) model is built in Germany by Eurocopter-Deutschland with components supplied by Kawasaki in Japan. electronics can also be found to a great degree in the land systems industry, as well as in aerospace and in naval shipbuilding. This phenomenon should disappear over the next few years through more intuitive consolidations, judged to be mandatory to render the European firms more competitive on the export market. The broad range of defence products, their marketing success at home and internationally (despite considerable export restrictions) and the prominent role played in international joint ventures illustrate the operative capability of the German defence industry. In particular, three German companies –Daimlerchrysler Aerospace AG [DASA] (which is now part of EADS), Diehl Stiftung and Rheinmetall Delec – were all instrumental in pressing forward and shaping the restructuring, consolidation and international orientation of the defence industry in Germany in the last decade. Malaysian success in shipping Ranking first with EADS is certainly the shipbuilding industry – frigates and submarines. The Meko A combat ships (designed by Blohm and Voss) evolved from the Meko family of ships, which have been in operation with many navies around the world since the 1980s. The Meko A family includes the 1,650t Meko A-100 multi-purpose corvette and the 3,500t Meko A-200 frigate. Improvements include increased payload share of ship displacement, stealthy design, advanced propulsion system and combat systems with modular open architecture. After a successful 8 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA sale of four Meko A-200s to the South African Navy, the Malaysian Navy has ordered six Kedah Class (Meko A-100) corvettes, with the first two (KD Kedah and KD Penang) having been built in Germany and assembled in Malaysia. These were delivered to the PSC Naval Dockyard, Malaysia for final outfitting and Forming the KSS-2 Class, the submarines are The new Milan ER (Extended Response) now being manufactured by MBDA has been very recently ordered in large batches by India and Libya. TDW (Gesellschaft fur verteidigungstechnische Wirksysteme) The European leader in the development and manufacture of warheads for guided weapons. Among the products developed by TDW are the Mephisto tandem penetrator for the Taurus KEPD 350, the tandem shaped charge warheads which equip the MILAN, HOT, and PARS 3 LR (formerly GERMAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY TRIGAT LR) anti-tank weapon systems, the fragmentation warheads for ESSM, ASRAAM, Sidewinder, RAM, and Meteor, the blast/ fragmentation warheads for NSM, the warhead for ALARM and the PAC-3 “lethality enhancer.” TDW is now part of the European guided weapon company, MBDA, following the integration of LFK GmbH. Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co KG An arms manufacturer founded in 2004 as result of the merger of Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik GmbH and Diehl Munitions Systeme GmbH & Co. KG and produces mainly missiles and ammunition. Diehl recently developed a progressive new seeker for a new type of short-range air-to-air missile – the IRIS-T. The Luftwaffe and other European air forces are currently adopting this missile, which reportedly has a far better combat performance than the latest version of the Sidewinder (AIM-9X). Diehl plans to deliver 4,000 IRIS-T missiles by 2011. The IRIS-T short-range IR-guided air-to-air missile is the only multinational missile development programme to be currently underway with Germany as the lead nation. Diehl BGT Defence also is the parent company behind the PARS 3 LR missile due to equip the German Tiger helicopters. LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH Now part of MBDA as MBDA-Deutschland and produces the air-surface-cruise missile Taurus KEPD 350, the Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Milan, the new medium range air defence System MEADS, the US air defence system MIM-104 Patriot PAC3, the Lenkflugkörper Neue Generation (LFK NG), the Anti Tank Missile Trigat-LR (PARS 3 LR) in cooperation with Diehl, and the US Close-inWeapon-System RIM-116 RAM for ships. hunter and Kılıç class fast attack missile corvette specially buily for the Turkish Navy. Krauss-Maffei Wegemann [KMW] One of the world’s main armoured fighting vehicle designer and producer, including the Leopard 1 and 2 tanks; the PzH 2000 howitzer; the Gepard antiaircraft artillery; the Dingo 1 & 2 armoured trucks; the Panzerschnellbrücke 2, the new Grizzly 6x6 based on an IVECO chassis), the GTK Boxer (made with the Netherlands), the MARS (or M270 MLRS built under license from Vought); the new Mungo ESK armoured truck (made with Rheinmetall); the new Puma IFV and the Fennek (also made with the Netherlands). Rheinmetall AG A huge automotive and defence company with a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces, providing special high-quality components for small arms, in addition to its heavy weapon production. In 1993, Rheinmetall acquired the Mauser AG, and in 1996 and 1999 acquired the majority shareholdings of STN Atlas and Oerlikon Contraves, all of which are major European defence companies with significant interest and customers in Asia. Many of the armoured fighting vehicles sold under the KMW brand are actually produced with Rheinmetall as main partner. With the start of the new millennium, as one of the world’s main designers of high-tech weapons, the historic eastward enlargement of NATO and the EU has meant that the amount of work for the German defence industry has grown in volume and importance. Today, many new members of the Atlantic Alliance are acquiring German-made equipment. In parallel, previous export successes in the Asian area have made German military hardware very attractive to many developing Third World nations with booming GNP. India today and China tomorrow constitute a major sales target for the German defence industry, as well as South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. With India’s current plan to replace some 200 veteran Alouette III/Chetaks by acquiring EC 145 class helicopters for its Army, it could become a first for Eurocopter-Deutschland. As also with South Korea, with South Korea’s KHP/KUH medium helicopter joint-venture programme which is destined to replace all of the Bell UH-1s in the Korean Armed Forces during the next decade. EADS is also teaming with BAE to promote the sale of the Eurofighter to India, while New Delhi could be soon be allowed to participate in the financing and development of the Galileo European GPS programme led by EADS Astrium. The German defence industry’s eyes today are turned toward the East, in the direction of the rising sun, eager to catch the first rays of gold. Q Air Defence Anti-Tank System (ADATS) turret. Rheinmetall Canada (previously Oerlikon Contraves) is the prime supplier of ground-based air defence systems to Canada’s land force. Heckler and Koch [H&K] A weapons manufacturer famous for various series of small firearms, notably the MP5 submachine gun, the MP7 personal defence weapon, USP series of handguns, high-precision PSG1 sniper rifle, and the famous G3 and G36 assault rifles. Many Special Forces and security organisations in the region use H&K because of their extreme precision, durability, reliability and accuracy of its firearms. Lürssen Werft Shipbuilder, designer and yacht builder, naval ships and special vessels, including six RMN ships of the Jerong class built by Hong Leong-Lurssen, in Butterworth in1976, Jaguar class fast attack craft; Seeadler class fast attack craft; Zobel class fast attack craft; Tiger class fast attack craft found in many foreign navies; Frankenthal class mine DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 9 NETWORK CENTRIC WARFARE By Robert Brooks TAKING ON THE NETWORK or over a decade the buzzword for those involved in analysing armed forces trends and transformation has been network centric warfare (NCW). The phrase can trace its roots to 1996 when the US Joint Chiefs of Staff released ‘Joint Vision 2010’, which outlined how American forces would fight in the 21st Century and called for ‘full spectrum dominance’. In 1998 NCW was used as a distinct term in understanding how to achieve that dominance by Vice Admiral Arthur Cebrowski and John Gartska in a paper given to the US Naval Institute and quickly gained currency within military circles. In essence NCW is about developing a ‘system of systems’ that allows the warfighter to dominate the battlespace and his opponent. To achieve this, the commander and his subordinates need to have access to more timely and accurate intelligence. The belief is that by leveraging information technologies (IT) developed in the commercial world and tailoring them to military needs forces can pursue information dominance and get inside the decision making cycle of the enemy. As a result, the network is placed at the centre of the transformational change because without it the soldier cannot access the information and build the operational picture that allows the commander to dominate the battlespace and react swiftly to the situation. NCW is, therefore, not just about technology but also about organisation and the dissemination of information. Readers should not see it as only about technological superiority, but about the application of technology to enable critical effects. Despite this, technology is the key enabler of NCW and as such is integral to its implementation, especially in one of the homes of technology worship. F A developing doctrine Since the late 1990s the US armed forces have unerringly followed this doctrine and taken it into their various conflicts allowing it to shape the structure of the armed forces, their equipment and how they operate. All major US procurement projects now hinge on how systems will develop and inform the network. Indeed, without the network some projects, such as the US Army’s Future Combat System, would be unfeasible. In terms of conventional forces most analysts argue that the US military’s mastery of NCW and its general technological superiority has left it without a near peer. Despite the difficulties faced in the US’ Global War on Terror there is a continued belief within the US that NCW and high-tech solutions will also be able to master asymmetric threats. The rapid invasion and overrun of Iraq showed how the US is beginning to use its information superiority to its advantage to take on and overcome an opponent. It is clear that any modern armed forces aspiring to success in modern high-tempo conventional operations must take the doctrine of NCW as developed by the US seriously. In fact, either seen from the point of view of an ally or a potential opponent, an understanding of the central tenets of NCW and their integration 10 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA Future Combat Systems Class I UAV. All of the systems in FCS are expected to be part of the US military network. NETWORK CENTRIC WARFARE into existing force structures is must. For those wanting to work alongside the US this will become increasingly difficult if they cannot integrate into the US network. For those that may potentially come up against the US then an understanding of NCW and potentially an emulation of the doctrine will be necessary if contingency plans call for going head to head with US forces. Taking NCW beyond the US “ As might be expected the US armed forces are furthest ahead in procuring the technology to fully develop the NCW doctrine. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has mandated that the Global Information Grid (GIG) will be the primary technical framework for supporting NCW. The GIG is an all-encompassing communications network. It is defined as the globally interconnected, end-toend set of information capabilities, associated processes, and personnel for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on For those that may come up against the US an understanding of NCW and potentially an emulation of the doctrine will be necessary. Making NCW a reality Unlike other doctrinal shifts that are either organisationally or training driven NCW is heavily reliant on the IT to implement the vision. In effect, NCW is the armed forces attempt to harness the technologies of the computer and communications revolution that is now moulding modern society and creating, at least in the West, the ‘information society’. Just as computers and the Internet have revolutionised how businesses communicate and exchange information, the armed forces, and in particular the US military, is hoping to revolutionise how commanders and individual soldiers communicate, cooperate, and go about the business of war. The premise of NCW is dependant on the armed forces having the capability to develop a network comparable to those used by business. Yet, at the same time the military has a number of requirements that make building that infrastructure more difficult. It needs to be more mobile, more secure, more easily used, and more robust than civilian infrastructure. At the same time the slow pace of change in military systems means that it must readily integrate with legacy systems and is likely to be in place for far longer than comparable systems in civilian, consumer society. “ RAYTHEON However, NCW is not in itself a universal solution and the doctrine as practised by the US is not necessarily the solution for other nations. The resources that the US can bring to bear are formidable and a network by itself is not a war winner without the right sensors and effectors to make a commander’s plan a reality. Despite this, the central tenets of NCW, such as superior situational awareness and high operational tempo, have been melded by other nations to more comfortably fit national institutional cultures and resources. In the UK NCW has become Network Enabled Capability and in France officials have coined the term, ‘La bulle opérationnelle aéroterrestre’ (BOA). In the local region the US NCW doctrine is being most strongly emulated by its closest allies. Australia has a number of projects underway to develop its own network. It is upgrading communications capabilities and Joint Project 2030 is seeking to address the need for a support environment including situational awareness tools and operational planning systems. The Republic of Korea is also keen to take advantage of what NCW can offer as it progressively takes on more of the burden of its defence from the US. Seoul is in the process of a major restructuring of its forces that will see numbers fall at the same time as it takes on more of its defence. The aim is to build more agile forces that with the help of networked capabilities will be able to deliver precision effect. Singapore is also looking at how to restructure its forces and learn from the US. The city state is in the process of developing a joint command structure and installing new communications technologies. India is also investigating how it can restructure its forces and take advantage of NCW. New Delhi is keen to implement a number of large communications projects that would give the country the backbone infrastructure to implement NCW systems. However, the notoriously slow bureaucracy may make it difficult for the country to really take advantage of NCW. India’s one big advantage will be its skills base with the largest density of computer programmers outside of Silicon Valley being in the country. The US Air Force’s Distributed Integration Backbone was developed as part of its Distributed Common Ground System 10.2 upgrade Program, modernising distributed ISR systems, creating a worldwide, real-time sharing information network for all REVIEW their ASIA 12 DEFENCE of the US military’s services. demand to warfighters, policymakers, and support personnel. As a result, it will include all owned and leased communications and computing systems and services, software, system data, security services, and other associated services that the DoD deems necessary to achieve information superiority for the US armed forces. Below this high-level infrastructure all future programmes are being developed with oneeye towards NCW. Command and control (C2) systems will be integral to enabling the warfighter to understand and process the information available through the GIG. The US Navy has been, in effect, running a small experiment of a full NCW armed force through its Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) project. The aim of CEC is to revolutionise naval air and missile defence, not by adding new layers of sensors and weapon systems, but by distributing sensor and weapons data from existing systems in a new way. CEC fuses high quality tracking data from participating sensors and distributes it to all other participants in a filtered and combined state, using identical algorithms to create a single, common air defence tactical display. Another important programme is the already mentioned FCS, which is the centrepiece of the US Army’s new medium-weight force. The important point is that the army expects FCS to ‘punch above its weight’ being able to take on numerically superior adversaries and some heavy forces because all the systems in FCS are expected to be part of the network and, similarly to CEC all sensor information will be shared giving FCS a common battle picture and allow cooperative engagement of targets. As result, proponents expect FCS to be able to cooperatively engage targets and exchange information, which will be completely dependent on the network. NETWORK CENTRIC WARFARE Modest development Beyond the US, progress has been more modest with efforts targeted at improving communications and C2 systems. However, even here modest improvements can have a major effect. The UK is finding this with its new Bowman tactical communications system. Bowman offers secure communications and data transmission. Data transmission in particular is important because it gives forces the capability to share far more information than was previously possible, which is combined to offer a shared operational picture. For countries in Asia seeking to gain advantage from the NCW doctrine better communications infrastructure will be one of the main starting points. A number of countries in the region are in the process of purchasing more advanced communications systems that are available from domestic sources as well as major manufacturing hubs such as the US, Europe and Israel. The main ambition is to develop secure voice and data communications that will be the carrier for the C2 systems that will transform armed forces into networked forces. “ What China currently lacks is some of the data transfer systems to really take advantage of NCW. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps, meet with Lt. Gen. Zhang Qinsheng, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the PLA, China, in Singapore. “ China implements US lessons One military that has taken the lessons of NCW and recent US victories to heart is China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is in the process of a major NCW transformation according to local reports. Beijing is devoting enormous energy and resources to pursuing the development of a modern command, control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) infrastructure. Chinese military theorists see the US as the major challenge to the country and therefore efforts are being made to understand NCW as practiced by the US and to adapt it to the PLA’s advantage. In an effort at decentralising command functions the PLA is rolling out a command infrastructure that will share more information across command levels via a digital network. Analysts believe that the PLA is making major strides towards achieving its vision with higher and regional commands all likely to have modern digital command facilities in place. However, pushing that infrastructure down to component and unit commands will prove a major challenge for the PLA. What China currently lacks is some of the data transfer systems to really take advantage of NCW. Last year, Beijing published a defence White Paper that showed the level of interest it is taking in NCW. The paper stated that ‘military competition based on ‘informationalization’ is intensifying.’ Alongside the push on decentralised networks the PLA is also looking at the other end of the chain by developing integrated precision strike weapons and better sensors, such as its own airborne early warning aircraft. At the same time, the PLA is also looking at ways that it can disrupt any potential opponent’s network. As well as its own efforts to digitise, the PLA is also putting resources into developing advanced electronic warfare capabilities. Fragile networks The disruption of the network, as highlighted by the PLA, is the major weak spot of NCW. China’s destruction of one of its own satellites using a missile earlier this year was seen as a message to the US to take the country seriously. Much of the US NCW strategy hinges on the availability of communications, especially satellite communications. If an opponent can disrupt the network of an armed force it could potentially cripple the organisation. Similarly, breaking into an opponent’s network could do untold damage – think Britain’s breaking of German codes during World War Two, then multiplied. As a result, as well as developing the networks countries are also looking at ways to best protect them. Research is being conducted into self-healing and self-organising networks. Security is also seen as a major issue and encryption technologies are rapidly developing. These measures will need to continue to get better if they are to overcome worries about the viability of NCW in a communications poor or denied environment. Looking in to the future There is no doubt that the NCW doctrine has led to a revolution in how the military conducts its business. The US armed forces lightning campaign against Iraq in 2003 demonstrated what could be achieved given the right resources and has resonated across the globe. At no point during the short-lived conventional period of the conflict were Iraqi forces able to gain a significant victory given the ‘full-spectrum dominance’ of their opponents, a lesson that has been learned by both the county’s allies and its opponents. What is of concern in current operations is whether NCW is continuing to give the US an advantage. There are doubts over whether NCW can have as important impact in low intensity conflicts as it does in full spectrum operations. The US much vaunted intelligence has not allowed it to easily quell the insurgencies in Afghanistan and Iraq. As a result, Asian armed forces seeking to gain from the NCW doctrine must also look beyond its strengths and explore its weaknesses. Q DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 13 LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES by Keith Jacobs LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES FOR ASIA The market for light armoured vehicles [LAV] in Asia will number just over one thousand over the coming decade to replace current vehicles, presuming that no major internal pre existing security threats present themselves. Many of the Fifties and Sixties designed 4x4 vehicles are reaching the end of their engine and chassis lifespan and will need to be replaced. While the more robust market is in heavier vehicles, light vehicles will continue to play a major role in reconnaissance, convoy and internal security functions. Renault IFV with Milan mounted 14 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES ceramic composite appliqué (for all-round protection against 7.62mm rounds). Its top speed is 105km/ h, but restricted to a more modest speed when in convoy. Some commands have successfully returned to the US without loosing a single vehicle on convoys from Kuwait to Baghdad (and other cities). Fully capable of off-road operations, BTR-3U of the UAE Marines. the M1117 is fulfilling the original role of the famous V-100/150/200 series deployed during the Vietnam War. In late 2005, TMLS New Orleans plant increased production to 36 vehicles per month and in mid 2005, it received a US$500 million supplemental order for a further 724 vehicles. The Iraqi Civil Intervention Force was scheduled to receive 43 vehicles capable of carrying ten personnel with an extended chassis, APC variant (and some command variants) under a US Project Contracting Organisation effort. TMLS entered the Guardian ASV in the US Marine Corps [USMC] portion of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected [MRAP] programme, but has since been informed it is no longer part of same. JEAN-MICHEL GUHL The War in Iraq is highlighting the need for more modern, generally larger and better-protected wheeled armoured vehicles. Most of the new vehicles under development (or recently developed) fit the 21-29,000kg category of “medium” armoured vehicles. Notwithstanding, several hundred LAVs will need replacement in the Asian and Middle East Armies, including many original manufacturers’ names, such as the Panhard AML and VBL-series, Renault VAB 4x4, Oto Melara Type 6614 and 6616, Sandok-Austral Beperk Eland-series, Russia’s BRDM-1 and -2 series and BTR-60 and -70 series, Daimler Ferret and Saladin (both in TNI service and rebuilt), Shorland S-55/56 series, Cadillac Gage V-100/150 and Commando Scout (in the Philippine, Indonesian and other Armies), Chaimat V-200 (Philippines), SIBMAS (Malaysia), Thyssen Condor and UR416, and Panhard M3 and VCR-series. This is an overview and does not include the first-generation Chinese vehicles exported to Thailand, Myanmar and the like. In Iraq, the US Army Military Police [MP] has begun using new Textron Marine and Land Systems [TMLS] M1117 Guardian armoured security vehicles [ASV] – some 475 currently inservice. The M1117’s general appearance is similar to the early 1980s Arrowpointe Dragoon 300, has a crew of four, weighs 13,498kg and is generally armed with a 40mm Mk19 automatic grenade launcher or a 12.7mm M2 MG armour modular Alongside the M1117 is the newly ordered M107 Armoured Knight configuration to fulfil the Combat Observation and Lasing Teams [COLT] requirement, fitted with M2 MG and spotting laserdesignation and thermal imager system atop its unique observation turret (from DRS Technologies). The Army Tank-Automotive Command [TACOM] developed vehicle has been awarded a production contract to TMLS, with 64 vehicles ordered under a 345-vehicle requirement. Developed for reconnaissance platoons as a scout vehicle, the M1114 Up-Armoured Hummer [UAH] vehicle became widely adopted by MP and other infantry units. By late 2005, of 170,000 Hummer vehicles produced, only 3,500 were M1114 vehicles. Ogara-Hess (of US) had offered the UAH for several years, with production now reaching over 500 per month. Most Iraq-bound vehicles are standard production, refitted with factory-produced armour kits or improvised at depot-level, and some modified by local troops Germany’s Offerings Kraus-Maffei Wegmann [KMW] has developed a new 4x4 to fulfil the Bundeswehr BWB requirement for protective missions – a mix of peace enforcement [PE] and peacekeeping [PK] roles for German forces deployed overseas. The Dingo 2 GFF 4x4 stretched variant of the original 6trooping Dingo 1 is based on the Mercedes-Benz U-1550L Unimog chassis. Modifications led to using the Unimog U-5000 series chassis, offering a larger wheelbase and greater payload (3.86t vs 3.25t), allowing for an increase of personnel to eight. With a top speed of more than 90km/ hour, mine-resistant underside protection and a range of 1,000km, the vehicle is well-designed for extended operations in remote and rugged areas. The vehicle can also be airlifted by C-130 Hercules or comparable aircraft. The German Army ATF Dingo 2 produced by KMW can sustain an IED explosion and withstand land mines, rifle fire, and artillery schrapnel. DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 15 With its v-hull capsule, plus composite blast pan design (a v-hulled capsule and a blast pan underneath – more of a shallow bowl shape than a “v”), Dingo 2 is a case in point. However, at 12.5t/30,000lbs gross vehicle weight [GVW], the Dingo is lighter than most of the US MRAP competition’s Class II JERRV squad vehicles. Whilst the Dingo has been exported, TMLS chose to offer its own M1117 ICV vehicle for the US MRAP program.The manufacturer is aiming the vehicle at a German Army requirement of up to 1,500 vehicles to replace M113 command vehicles, to serve in the forward observation role alongside 175 Mowag-built Eagle III vehicles. Belgium ordered 220 vehicles under a 170 million contract in December 2004 (with options on a further 132 vehicles), becoming the first Dingo 2 export customer. Early design studies by KMW for alternative versions (including ambulance, observation, command and radar-carrying versions) paid off for Belgium’s order, which involves a number of variants. An Austrian order for 20 vehicles ensued, with follow-on orders anticipated. Under a Foreign Military Sales programme, a notification to US Congress has been filed to provide 103 vehicles to Israel, under US$99 million Grant Aid provisions. KMW’s Kassel plant has taken over the contract for 612 SP Aerospace &Vehicle Systems vehicle, under the former Dutch-German cooperative plan for the Fennek 4x4 reconnaissance LAV. Under the revised MIROSLAV GYUROS LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES Patria AMV 8x8 APC with Kongsberg Protector RCWS. contracts, 46 percent of the work would be allocated within the Netherlands, with production extending into late 2008. Germany’s 202 vehicles will be augmented by 168 specialised artillery observation vehicle variants. KMW has also offered licenseproduction to Turkey’s FNSS to meet an armoured reconnaissance vehicle requirement. Turkish FNSS Pars II (Leopard) 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle on display at DSA 2006. 16 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA South Africa BAE Systems OMC RG-32M The South Africa Army has a long history of operating in isolated bush country, with many Casspir mine-resistant vehicles [MHPV] in-service. The Mamba is of similar heritage with capacity for a driver plus eleven troopers, whilst the Mk3 version is an upgraded and more widely produced version – both predecessors to the newer RG-31 and RG32 series. The RG-12 4x4 is more of an armoured truck cum APC, used mostly by police forces and sold to Dubai, UAE and Kuwait. In the past year, BAE Systems has won two major export contracts for 267 vehicles, worth more than R630 million. The US Army has ordered 169 South African RG31 Mk5 mine-protected vehicles, worth US$63 million. These are additional to an operational fleet of 242 vehicles which were ordered through General Dynamics Land Systems [GDLS], Canada. Sweden’s defence procurement agency, Fö rsvarets Materielverk [FMV] has placed a further order for 98 RG32M mine-hardened patrol vehicles, worth 21 million (R196 million). BAE Systems Land Systems OMC (Benoni, Gauteng) is anticipating a contract from Sweden for 200 plus RG-32M 4x4 MHPV, with a combat weight of 7,000kg and crew of five, and primarily for use in PK/PE missions. They come with an allwelded steel hull, and have armour to resist light weapons fire. The MHPV would be fulfilling much the same roles as the M1117 and can be fitted with a single-arm ATGM (TOW, MILAN) launcher on the rooftop, and configurations for range of LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES missions. The RG-32M was developed from the RG-32 Scout and has the general appearance of the RG-31, but has a 7,500kg GVW and 110km/ hour road maximum speed, carrying the same weapon options. At least 370 vehicles have been built for numerous countries, mostly those fulfilling UN PK/PE missions worldwide. The basic version accommodates five crew – nine in the extended chassis version, having protective armour against 7.62mm rounds, with 6kg mine blast protection. Following a 2005 contract from the US Army for 148 RG31 Mk3 vehicles (under the US$78 million oversight contract with vehicles provided by BAE Systems OMC), TACOM Life Cycle Management Command ordered another 60 upgraded Mk5 vehicles for delivery early 2007, and has now exercised its option for a further 34 vehicles, all via GDLS Canada. By mid 2007, the two year total of RG31 vehicles delivered includes:- South Africa – 413; US – 242; Canada – 75; UAE – 76; and Africa – 20. UAE also placed an US$11 million contract for an undisclosed number of RG-31 Mk3A. At 10,220kg, the RG-31 is twice the GVW of the smaller RG-32M, with its all-steel, welded armour monocoque hull protecting the crew of ten against small arms fire and anti-tank mine detonations. The air-conditioned RG-31 has a maximum 105km/hr road speed, carries a single 7.62mm in both Mk3 and Mk5 versions, and is mine resistance equivalent to 14kg (TM-57 antivehicle mines). Modified VBL Offerings MOWAG Eagle-Series The quite successful Panhard Vehicle Blinde Another entry in the lightweight 4x4 contenders Leger [VBL] 4x4 (also known as ULTRAV-M11) is the Mowag Eagle IV, developed from the Duro was developed to fulfil a French Army require- II 4x4 chassis – raising payload to 2,400kg. ment for anti-tank (MILAN) and reconnaissance Presented in late 2003 and designed to fulfil a missions – 1,000 were ordered for the former Swiss Army requirement for a reconnaissance LAV, and 2,000 for the latter. Optional kits include an Eagle IV’s weight is 7,600kg and it has all-around NBC protective package and an amphibious kit. protection against 7.62mm rounds and 6kg mine Most exports went to African or Greek Armies, blast protection. with Greece ordering more than 240 – believed to have increased this against a 400-vehicle requirement in recent years. Plasan Sasa’s “SandCat” The base vehicle has a combat weight of Israeli company, Plasan Sasa develops compos- 3,550kg, a 100km/hr road speed and a 750km ite armoured protection solutions for lightweight road range. With extensive commercial off-the- military vehicles, tactical trucks, wheeled and shelf engine block and equipment, VBL has long tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers, commer- been considered highly economical. The vehicle cial vehicles, fixed and rotary wing aircraft and re-emerged at Eurosatory 2004, fitted with a personal protection armour. It recently entered the Russian KBP Instrument Design Bureau “Kvartet” armoured patrol vehicle US MRAP (Mine Resis- turret and four Komet ATGM launchers. The French DGA’s Action en Zone URbaine tant Ambush Protected) competition, having also technology demonstration programme includes developed its own light protected vehicle called not only the Leclerc MBT, but also the Azur – the SandCat, an advanced armoured technol- based on the familiar VBL Scout. Also included ogy demonstrator that has been examined by the are new sensors with 360-degree surveillance, a USMC for a different role. non-lethal grenade launcher, smoke dischargers, International Truck and Engine Corporation (the enhanced bumper system, new air intakes, and principal operating company of Navistar Inter- manually operated searchlight. national Corporation) chose Plasan Sasa as its PLASAN SASA partner with the aim of developing an armoured MRAP-candidate vehicle based around IMG’s (International Military and Government, a subsidiary of International) WorkStar 7000 truck chassis, having the load capacity required to handle the weight of additional armour without wearing out early. Its final design positions the v-shaped crew compartment on top of the chassis, using its armour and shape to dissipate blasts around the area and minimise damage. Extensive use of components from International’s trucks would ensure that it was both producible in large numbers and maintainable in the field. Plasan Sasa’s SandCat which is based on a COTS Ford shortened heavy duty F350 chassis uses light belly armour as part of its survivability package with tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground now having silenced doubts concerning IMG/ Plasan Sasa’s design. Plasan Sasa also maintains strategic partnerships to produce specialised solutions for customers SandCat is a COTS heavy duty F350 Ford commercial chassis throughout the Asian region. DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 17 LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES Australia’s Bushmaster IMV Thales Australia’s Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicle 4x4 is another chassis considered ideal for remote operations, and was designed for the Australian Army as a vehicle between the tracked M113 and soft-skin vehicles. Bushmaster is the outcome of Australia’s “Project Bushranger”, developing a light mine-resistant APC and is being procured under Army requirement Land 116. The Bushmaster is available in a number of variants, including as patrol/APV (1+ 4 troops) or troop carrier (1+ 1- troops), and has a usable payload of 1,600kg. The Caterpillar 3126B 330hp turbo diesel (Detroit Diesel) engine provides 120km/ hr maximum road speed. Whilst the hull form is that of South Africa’s Casspir (a v-shaped weldedsteel monocoque), the Bushmaster’s design was begun by Ireland’s Timoney Technologies. Vehicle variants include mine clearing engineer, logistics, combat engineer and weapons carrier flatbed, with weapon options normally including a 7.62mm and 5.56mm MG. Troop comforts in Bushmaster includes air conditioning. Australia has ordered 443 Bushmasters, with a recent announcement of an additional 250, worth more than A$300m. on belly panel was fitted, giving greater protection. Protection Concepts Canadian Field Experience On 26 September 2006, a suicide bomber attacked a Canadian convoy in Afghanistan, wherein an explosives-laden minivan was detonated whilst trying to ram a RG-31 Nyala APV. Instead of charred wreckage, the blast-resistant Nyala limped home with little damage and no one inside injured. However, in this convoy (immediately behind the Nyala APV) was a G-wagon light utility vehicle, which if it had been attacked, the outcome might have been quite different. Commentary on Canadian forces vehicles in Afghanistan has tended to focus on the weight of armour and size of vehicle. Whilst both have some bearing – thicker armour offers greater protection and larger vehicles can carry heavier plating – missing from this equation is the form of the armour. For its weight, a LAV III offers reasonable protection from IEDs, but its thin armour has been shaped primarily to deflect shells. Like most modern armoured vehicles, the belly armour of the LAV is nearly flat. Belly armour was tested by Defence Research and as a result, a second bolt18 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA Notwithstanding, a landmine or IED generates socalled ‘blast waves’or blast overpressure and like a liquid wave, the blast will curve around a corner, finding its way into seams and openings. Irregular shapes found in conventional frames and firewalls become ‘gas traps’, focusing blast energy and precisely what the designers of MPHVs have tried to avoid – gas traps with lightweight armour is a recipe for disaster. Whilst the undersides of a LAV might be flat, it is also relatively smooth and free from projections, unlike a ‘soft-skinned’ vehicle like a G-wagon with its add-on armour. Vehicles like the Nyala APV have hulls carefully shaped to deflect blasts from below, usually meaning a v-shaped bottom with minimum angles or excrescences, allowing the blast to ‘flow’ unimpeded. The parts of a vehicle likely to be in the path of a blast – wheels and axles – are easily blown off but just as readily re-attached. It is such as the Nyala APV which can be defined as ‘blast-resistant,’ specialising in deflecting blast and fragments from below. This mine-resistant hull is not a new idea, but it has taken considerable time for same to be accepted by Western armies. [Source: Canadian American Strategic Review, 2007] Final Thought Evident from this review, armies are placing new demands on the LAV designs. Increasingly, this is transforming traditional designs used for internal security and light patrol duties into more sophisticated and heavier vehicles. This has led most 6x6 vehicles to be pushed upwards into the medium category of vehicles. Against increasingly heavier IEDs used as urban or roadside weapons, the unarmoured Hummer (and similar vehicles worldwide) were insufficiently protected, leading to the M1117 as an interim measure, with a new generation of APV or MRAP (RG-31/-32, Dingo 2 and the like) increasingly being demanded. Conventional warfare LAVs are increasingly being pushed into support operations for main battle forces, including use as artillery observation and fire direction vehicles. The high-speed and low profiles work to its advantage in these roles, but armies are finding they cannot survive in the new world of urban warfare and IEDs. As such, there is no such thing as an invulnerable armoured vehicle, insofar as same are being increasingly pushed into specialised roles and missions to meet the demands being placed on them in today’s world of various conflict environments. Q TAIWAN CALLS FOR A STRONG AND MODERATE TAIWAN Thomas J.Christensen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, addressing broad security issues concerning Taiwan on 11 September at the US-Taiwan Business Council’s Defense Industry Conference in Annapolis, Maryland, spoke on how Taiwan’s leaders should navigate the often-difficult circumstances in relations with China and praised Taiwan’s leaders for pursuing “smarter priorities and defensive strategies”. This included allocating more money to “hardening and sustainment, embracing modern warfighting doctrine and taking advantage of Taiwan’s greatest practical asset, its geography.” Christensen also expressed special concern about the Chen administration’s support for a proposed referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan. “Without moderation, Taiwan’s security will be compromised, no matter how much money Taipei spends on defence and no matter how wisely those defence dollars have been allocated,” he said. “The fact that Taiwan is an independent country must not be ignored simply because of China’s opposition,” President Chen Shuibian told a Washington think tank audience by videoconference on 6 September, adding it was the right of the people of Taiwan to ask for proper representation in the United Nations. “An abiding US concern is that Taiwan as yet has still not had the sort of sustained, general debate on security that we think it deserves,” said Christensen. “We hope that, in the coming election season, the people of Taiwan will demand of their political candidates an intelligent and productive discussion of this profoundly important subject.” Taiwan’s cabinet has said it plans to increase the country’s defence spending by 16.4 percent in 2008 to T$341.1 billion (US$10.4 billion), accounting for 20.1 percent of total government spending next year. Taiwan’s military spending is still only a quarter of China’s official military spending in 2007 (of $45 billion) a 17.8 percent increase from 2006. The current number of ballistic missiles deployed along China’s southeastern coast targeting Taiwan stands at nearly 1,000, and is increasing by 120 to 150 per year. Chan says that China’s People’s Liberation Army has formulated a three-stage military plan for possible war with Taiwan: establishing combat capabilities for a comprehensive contingency response by the end of 2007, for large-scale military operations by 2010, and for complete victory by 2015. Chen has called for the US to sell Taiwan advanced F-16 C/D jet fighters as early as possible to help upgrade its defence capability against China’s growing military threat. Taiwan’s legislature has now approved the budget for the F16 C/Ds procurement plan hoping the US will start price negotiations for the deal in October. But the Bush administration may wait until after Taiwan’s new president assumes office May 20, 2008 to approve the deal. Taiwan’s constitution does not Chen cannot seek a third term. Q DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 19 FRIGATES & CORVETTES By Keith Jacobs REGIONAL FRIGATE AND CORVETTE PROGRAMMES The Asian region is arguably the world’s most robust region for ongoing and future frigate and corvette programmes with acquisitions underway in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and Pakistan involving some two dozen ships now being built or on-order. The Indian Navy’s Brahmaputra 20 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA FRIGATES & CORVETTES including Malaysia (with its delayed MEKO 100 RMN programme), Bangladesh (with a requirement and plan in place to acquire new frigate or corvettes), or Indonesia (already anxious to expand its frigate forces and with past experience with the British Tribal class), or an outside contender might be Vietnam (less likely due to funding issues). Several navies in South America and the Middle East might also be interested. SOUTH KOREA The current ROK Navy inventory includes twelve frigates and twentyeight corvettes (24 Pohang and four Daehae class). The Defence Reform 2020 (White Paper) was the result of several years of study and planning under the Defense Reform Commission. One of the major objectives was the reduction of military manpower and weapon systems within the armed forces. Manpower reductions would decrease the current force of 690,000 to 500,000 by 2020. Major beneficiaries of the future force structure are the ROK Air Force and Navy-Marine components. For the ROK Navy and Marine Corps as a whole, the reduction in manpower will only be from roughly 67,000 to 64,000 – less than 4,000 personnel lost. The bridge on the KD Pahang, Kedah (MEKO 100RMN) class GUY TOREMANS Towards Regional Force GUY TOREMANS The international market will shortly see three modern corvettes built by BAE Systems Scotstoun (Scotland) shipyard, and known commonly as the “Yarrow 95-meter” design, being made available. Built for the Brunei navy, they have been the subject of extensive contractual dispute with eventual submission to the International Court of Arbitration last year. Brunei says the ships do not meet contractual design specifications; BAE Systems says otherwise. As a result, it is expected by the end of this year the ships will be formally handed to Lurssen Werft (Germany) who will act as sales agent for them on behalf of Royal Brunei Technical Services. The ships displace 1,500-tons standard, and 1,940-tons full loaded. Technically up-to-date, they are fitted with the GEC-Marconi Nautis II combat management system, single 76.2mm Oto Melara Super Rapid main gun, two single 30mm DS-30 AA mounts, with provision for eight MM.40 Exocet SSM. Their electronics include a BAE Systems AWS-9 (3D) air surveillance and Thales Scout navigation radars, Cutlass 242 ESM, and Thales TMS 4130C1 hull-mounted MF sonar. The ships were each contracted for at US$323 million. Several Asian navies maybe interested in this rare opportunity to scoop up three modern light frigates The Malaysian KD Pahang The naval budget has doubled in the last five years, rising from about US$3 billion in 2000 to US$6 billion in 2005. This is a clear indicator of the priority being assigned the naval service by Seoul, and an sign of the importance attached to the navy in future force planning. Out of a total of about US$7.4 billion in armed services procurement, the navy received roughly US$2 billion in 2006. Though the current year funding is not completed, the naval budget is estimated at about US$6.5 billion, with slightly over US$ 2 billion for new construction and procurement programs. Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced in May 2006 that a new frigate design (Frigate, Escort or FE-X) would be built. Final design is likely to be selected by October this year, with the first contracts expected in October 2008. All three major shipyards (HHI, DSME, HHIC) are likely to take part in the program, just as the Ulsan (HDF 2000) frigates and Pohang (KC-X) corvette programs were shared by several shipyards. The first nine ships of the program has been allocated about US$2.25 billion in funding, specifically to replace the Ulsan class ships. Unit cost would be about US$250 million. Specifications are likely to include: displacement: 2,950-3,100-tons; dimensions: 101 x 12-metres; machinery: CODOG, consisting of single GE LM2500 and two Tognum 16V 538 TB82 diesels; speed: 29-30-knots. A CEROS CMS will likely control 8 (4x2) Nex1Future (formerly-LG Innotek) SSM-700K Sea Star SSM, one 76-mm/62 WIA gun, one or two Daewoo Nodong twin 40-mm DP or single 30-mm Goalkeeper CIWS and/or Mk.116 RAM (21-cell) SAM system. Final choice of weapons may be based in part of costs: the Goalkeeper / RAM combination would be more costly than the Nodong twin 40-mm fitting, which may determine final selection. Electronics would likely include the Nex1Future-built MW08 air surveillance radar, or upgraded radar promoted over this last year by the firm. Either Atlas Elektronik DSQS-21 or -23 sonar is likely, along with 32.4cm TT for K745 Blue Shark ASW torpedoes. A Nex1Future SLQ200(V) SONATA EW suite is likely, along with EADS/Lacroix Dagaie Mk2 expendables chaff system (the combination seems to be preferred on other designs). One helicopter (Super Lynx) accommodation will be provided with landing pad and hangar aft. DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 21 FRIGATES & CORVETTES CHINA New-Generation Type 054A By no means do China analysts agree on the scope and threat presented by Chinese naval modernisation. Whatever the analysis, in peacetime and wartime operations, the PLAN will place a major protection role for its frigates and corvettes, whether operating in the littoral waters along the Chinese coastline or more distant escort and protection operations to protect oil and other commodity imports vital to maintaining China’s industries. The PLAN currently includes 77 principle surface combatants, including two Type 054 (JiangkaiI) and 30-plus Jianghu/Jiangwei-series frigates remain in commission. It is the naval leaderships objective to replace all 30 Jianghu frigates with the new Type 054 (two) and current Type 054A (Jiangkai-II) missile frigates. First two Type- 054A were assigned construction at Hudong-Zhonghua (Shanghai) and Huangpu Shipyard (Guangzhou). Since, the second Type 054A launched in 2003, four further hulls have been identified as under construction in the two shipyards. Type 054A is listed as 3,450-tons standard, 3,850-tons full load. Most important of the new series innovations is adoption of a vertical launch system (VLS) for the 9M317ME/SA-N-12 Shtil1 based on the Russian START Research-andProduction Enterprise (Yekaterinburg) 3S90E VLS starter (TEL) for using a powder gas generator for launching the 9M317ME (export-version) Shtil1 stand-off missiles. Shtil 9M317E SAM offers a range of 3.5 to 32-km, in conjunction with Luoyang Electro-Optics Development Center (EOTDC) VLS based on the Russian START 3S90E1 system (delivered with the Project 956EM design). Main gun system is the newly adopted Russian AK-176M 76-mm/69cal automatic gun system. Close-in-air defence is provided by two 30mm Type 825 (formerly Type 730) seven-barrel Gatling mounts, with TR-47C radar with a new 26 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA ball-shaped EO director mounted on a podium atop the turret roof. Electronics onboard the Type 054A is believed to have ZKJ-4B/6 – a Chinese fourth variant from the original ZKJ-1 combat management system. Air surveillance includes a Russian-built SALYUT Design Bureau 2-channel E-band MAE-5 (FregatMA/Top Plate) planar array antenna is similar to the Russian-used M2EM and includes IFF capability. Russian Mineral (Band Stand + Light Bulb) are fitted are part of the missile FCS. The mainmast podiums contain two new variants of the Type 923-1/RW-23-1 (Jug Pair) ESM antenna variant of the Nakat-M (Watch Dog) produced by CEIEC and seen on Chinese warships since the Eighties. Chinese shipyards are expected to build 28 to 30 of the Type 054A over the coming decade, though later ships (next decade) may incorporate some design changes. In other frigate developments, Huainan (FF-540) began conversion as likely test ship for LN-60 SAM VLS. Forward twin 3.9-inch, with both twin 37mm and HQ-61 SAM launchers removed and replaced in bow area by five VLS circular canisters. This is likely intended to test LN-60 VLS for Pakistans F-22P frigates. LieYing-60 is a naval version of the PL-11 AAM, developed from Italian Aspide SAM acquired in 1980s. Early naval development included fitting two six-cell box launchers on a Jiangwei-I (Type 053H2G) frigate. System uses semi-active radar guidance, with 1-18-km slant range at Mach 4.0 speed. Three Pakistan Amazon (Type 21) frigates have been fitted with LY-60 sixcell VLS-launch SAM forward of bridge. Two other conversions are noteworthy of older Jianghu class ships. Zhaotung (FF-555) (JianghuII) was converted to test gun/missile anti-air mount, consisting of 37-mm Type 76 and two PL-9 SAM rails, referred to as Type 715-II system. Newer ZTJ1 FCS was added and other ship improvements made. Jiujiang (FFS-516) was converted to an offshore fire support ship (FFS or FSV), with new low visibility twin 100mm main guns, installing five trainable 50tube 122mm MRL, and fitting new Type 603 Optronic FCS system (while removing two YJ-1 SSM and after AA mounts). Three ships are now believed in service with this configuration: Nantong (FFS-511), Jiujiang, and Shantou (FFS-520). Up to 300-troops can now be accommodated for theater area operations. It is not clear if the PLAN will undertake more of these specialized conversions as the Jianghu-series reach the end of designed life cycle. VIETNAM Slow Expansion Vietnam’s navy includes five Petya II/III (Project 159A/159AE) frigates, one ex-USN Barnegat class patrol ship and new Project 1241RE (Tarantul I) and BPS 500 / Project 12418) missile patrol combatants (PGG). The navy has significant requirements to increase deep water capability, if only to protect its growing investment in offshore petroleum resources. Russia’s Northern Project Design Bureau (SPKB St. Petersburg also known as Severnoye) has completed preliminary design work on its KBO 2000 (Project 2100) frigate for Vietnam. The 2,000tonne corvette will feature the SS-N-25 Switchblade SSM, SA-N-9 Gauntlet, a 100mm gun, two 30mm guns and torpedo launchers. A helicopter landing platform has also been incorporated in the design. The vessels are under construction at the Ho Chih Minh shipyard. Vietnam late last year did apparently sign a contract for two Project 11661 Yastreb (Gepard) class light frigates, designed by Zelenodolsk Design Bureau. Despite the report, none of the KBO-2000 ships have emerged and it appears the project has been abandoned or indefinitely delayed for unknown reasons. It is probably the reason Vietnam pushed to acquire the Project 1241RE ships and has begun the smaller BPS 500 PGG ships as an interim solution until new Gepard ships could be delivered. DCN becomes DCNS. Integrated teams. New force. New identity. A European leader in naval defence with proven mastery of the complexity of integrated warships. Globally recognised expertise in naval architecture, systems engineering, shipyard management, through-life support and mission-critical systems and equipment. Our strategic vision, flair for innovation and shared passion ensure customer satisfaction and mission success on all seas. www.dcnsgroup.com design dragon rouge - photo: C. Chamourat Now hear this. New force on all seas FRIGATES & CORVETTES PROJECT 20382 Length overall 93.9 m Length at WL 84.6 m Beam at deck 13.0 m Depth at the fore 9.4 m Depth amidships 7.8 m Depth at transom 7.8 m Full displacement ab.1900 t Maximum speed 26-27 kn Range at 14 kn cruise speed with full fuel stores 4000 nm Endurance with maximum fresh water and provision stores 15 days Crew, including helo team 90 PROPULSION SYSTEM Twin shaft CODOG system, comprising: 2x10,000 kW gasturbines 2x3650 kW diesel engines ELECTRIC SYSTEM Basic power supply AC 380/220V, 50 Hz. 4 x 630 kw diesel gensets. ARMAMENT 8x YAKHONT anti-ship missiles in 2 vertical launchers 6x MEDVEDKA-VE antisubmarine missiles in one vertical launcher A190 gun mount 100mm caliber 2 x KASHTAN-M close-in AA missile-artillery system 2 x MTPU pedestal mashine gun 14.5 mm caliber SENSORS Observation and target designation radar system Attack missile target designation radar system Artillery fire control radar system Two optronic fire control systems for AA close-in weapons ECM Radar system Chaff and decoy launcher system with four launchers CO’s electronic commamd console Sonar system with hull mounted and towed arrays Anti-diver sonar system Steregushchiy FF-530 Project 20280 INDONESIA - Adding Project 20382 to the Fleet The Indonesian navy (Tentara Nasiona or TNI) is in the early stages of a fleet expansion that is planned over the coming decade. The fleet expansion is to be supported by a US$1.95 billion expenditure over the period from 2004-13. Some early frigate and corvette acquisitions in this effort include the order to Schelde Naval Shipbuilding for four new “Sigma”class missile corvettes and the new order for two Project 20382 (Tiger) export version of the Steregushchiy class of the Russian navy. Current fleet frigates include six aVn Speijk (modernised Leander) FF, four Claud Jones light frigates, and, one training frigate (Hajar Dewantara, FFT-36 4). Corvettes include three Fatahilah (1,16 0tons), armed with MM.38 Exocet and a range of 4,250-nm at 29.5-km/hour. Rosoboronexport State Corporation in June 2007 signaled a contractual agreement on the design and construction of corvettes for the Indonesian navy. The agreement envisions further cooperation on the design and construction of corvettes modeled on Project 20382. Both sides agreed to sign an official contract on the corvette construction in the near future. The contract stipulates that the first vessel will be built in Spain and later fitted with weaponry and electronic 28 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA equipment at a shipyard in St. Petersburg, Russia. The 1,850-ton design in all cases is fitted with a helicopter landing pad aft for a single medium helicopter, and has a maximum speed of 26 knots. All designs have four K olomenskiy 16 D49 diesels (33,188-bhp each) with drop-down electric azimuthal bow-thruster, fuel of about 96 0-tons, and endurance of 15-days. General range is on the order of 3,6 00-nm at 15kts cruising. Anti-ship missiles are eight (4x2) K h-35 Uran). Inclusion of K h-35 adds another missile type to the inventory. Anti-submarine weapons include four (2x2) 53.3cm TR-203 fixed launchers and provision for any light or medium helicopter. Russian ships of the class are estimated at US$120 million per ship but recent export variants offered come closer to US$150 million per ship. Russia is hoping sale of the Project 20382 will open the door to its selection under the longstalled “National Corvette Programme”, currently under-funded, with final design remaining to be selected. The 24 ships – plus new helicopters – including the two ‘T iger’ frigates and four ‘Sigma’ class corvettes – will be difficult to fully attain under current funding plans of about US$2 billion, if the majority are new ships. Russia’s Project 20382 (Steregushchiy) frigate design cost alone is about US$350 million (with suitable spares and training package included), one can ascertain how quickly available funds would disappear with more than a two-ship order is envisioned, without further funds being made available in the second half of the ten-year modernisation and expansion plan. MALAYSIA Stalled MEKO 100 RMN Programme Malaysia operates two Yarrow Project 2000 (Jebat) and two Type FS-1500 (K asturi) frigates, along with two Musytari patrol ships, and a number of still-to-commission MEK O 100 RMN patrol ships (1,6 50-tons). The new MEK O 100 ships are largely comparable with light frigates in several other navies, and are classed as such (not as patrol ships). Armed with one 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid main gun, single 30mm OTO Melara-Mauser and two single 12.7mm MG, and provision for a light or medium utility or ASW helicopter, the ships can perform traditional corvette missions. The first FRIGATE & CORVETTES ship, RMN K edah (PS-171) was to commission in 2006 , but remains uncompleted, as are the other hulls laid down at PSC Naval Dockyard Sdn. Bhd., due to its financial collapse. Malaysian authorities are trying to get operations going full speed again but delays represent a significant setback for the overall programme of building up to 26ships of the class. Malaysia might, thus be a leading contender to buy the Brunei “Yarrow-95” ships, soon to be available on the international market. INDIA Modernisation & Expansion Current fleet forces include three Project 11356 (Talwar), three Project 16 A (Bramaputra), three Project 16(Godavari) and four Nilgiri (Udaygiri/ Leander) general-purpose frigates, and eight Project 25/25A (K hukri & K ora) class missile corvettes. Three additional, modified-Talwar class have been ordered from Russia to fulfill urgent needs to expand overall fleet numbers that cannot be met by India’s domestic construction capacity. Two major projects are underway: the Project 17 (Shivalik) frigate; and, unnamed Project 29 corvette not yet ordered. Details of each project include: Project 17 (Shivalik) Frigate: First three ships were ordered in 1999, under a US$56 2 million contract with MDL (Mumbai). Some of the equipment for the first three ships is covered under separate contracts with Russian and Indian contractors, thus, the final acquisition cost is on the order of US$300 million per ship. A series of 12 ships is planned with construction likely to continue to about 2030. Overall appearance appears as a modified version of Project 11356 (Talwar) and adopting the stern and helicopter arrangement adopted with Project 15 (Delhi) class. Engineering plans is a CODOG arrangement featuring HAL/General Electric LM2500 gas turbines and two K irloskar-SEMT-Pielstick 16PA 6STC diesels to be license-built. The 4,6 00-ton design has much of the same equipment of the Talwar class, with some exceptions, including: a] V LS launch system with eight cell Novator K lub-N (SS-N-27) SSM; b]Oto Melara 76 mm/6 2cal Super Rapid automatic gun; c] two twin DTA 53-956 53.3cm torpedo tubes for SET 6 5E or Shyena ASW torpedoes; d] BEL TAV ITAC combat management system, with DCN as prime contract integrator; e] BEL / Thales Naval Netherland RAWL/LW-08 air surveillance radar; f]Thales Sintra derivative ATAS; with the HUMSA sonar and two HAL Dhruv multirole helicopter accommodated. Project 28 (unnamed) Corvette:With conclusion of the last four K ora class (Project 25A) corvette design, a lapse of construction of the type has The PLAN’s Xiangfan occurred. A new design is in final approval stages, under overseeing by Garden Reach Shipbuilders &Engineers (GRSE). Final contracts may release before end-of-this year or early-2008. Design objectives are likely focused on an anti-submarine warfare frigate costing no more than US$120 million per ship. The new design is likely about 1,750-1,800 tons, with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare, offering the navy what the smaller four PaukII patrol craft cannot in open water ASW. With hangar aft, possibly based on the Talwar design, the ship can also accommodate two Dhruv or Helix ASW helicopters. PAKISTAN Meeting Requirements Pakistan maintains a standing requirement for nine major surface combatants, which it has had great difficulty maintaining, since the lease on the ex-USN ships was withdrawn and the navy the continual difficulties in obtaining more frigates to supplement (and eventually replace) the eight ageing ex-RN Amazon (Type 21) light frigates. Pakistani authorities believe they are “first in line”to obtain the older four K ortenaer (Elli) class frigates due to retire from Greek naval service, 2008-09. One ex-RN Broad-beam Leander (PNS Shamsher) has been retained for mostly training purposes. First three F22P class frigates ordered from China in 2006 , are under construction, with the first reported laid down at Shanghai Hudong Shipyard last October, and the second laid-down in February this year. A third may have been laid down in June. Current contracts valued at US$750 million cover the first four ships. Pakistan’s K arachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (K SEW) is to begin indigenous construction of the class in 2009. Extensive Chinese technical support and equipment is likely to be delivered to K SEW for assembly. A decision is expected in 2009 whether to extend the construction in Pakistan, which can be made after Islamabad can be sure of acquiring the K ortenaer class. Recent models of the design would appear the class is more based on a Type 054 hull than earlier Jiangwei-II – or an enlarged variant of the latter. The class is to be armed with eight C-802 (4x2) Strike Eagle (CSS-N-8 Saccade) SSM, air defence provided by a rotatable 8-cell Hong Q ian-7 (HQ 7) (Crotale Modulaire), with likely storage for 16 missiles. Main gun will be a Chinese-license built AK -176 M 76 -mm automatic mount (as on Type 054A frigates). Two modified Type 730 CIWS will be fitted port and starboard on the aft helicopter hangar. Anti-submarine warfare provisions include a Atlas Elektronic MF hull mounted sonar and a Z .9C (Dauphin 2) helicopter with K LC-1/Agrion 15 radar and provision for Yun-7 or Mk.46ASW torpedoes (already onboard P-3 and Atlantic I aircraft). Several navies are expanding rapidly – India, South K orea and China – and others are struggling to meet requirements and financial demands (Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Pakistan). Demands for ASW warfare capability in the littoral arena will continue to place growing demands on capable surface platforms in the coming decade – the forte of the frigate and corvette type. Q DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 29 CARAT EXERCISE By Kevin Shreves USN sailors on the guided missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis’ Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team, demonstrate personnel restraint techniques for members of the Royal Malaysian Navy. T 30 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA events, as well as medical, dental and engineering civil action projects. With resumption of military ties with the United States in 2005, Indonesia rejoined the CARAT series and participated in CARAT 06 . First exercises were with the Philippines, when a crew of 11 US Navy divers attached to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One (MDSU-1) Detachment 11, embarked aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), departed for the Philippines on 28 May to conduct underwater diving training with the Philippine Navy and followed by small scale amphibious raid exercises with the Philippine’s 6 th and 8th Marine Battalion Landing Teams on Pilas Island. Second phase exercises began 19 June with ceremonies at Sattahip Naval Base, Thailand, with the presence of RTN V ice Adm. Sombat Augsomsri, CoS, Thai Fleet and Rear-Adm. Witoon K umpeerapana, director general, Thai forces. Events included a small scale amphibious operation by USMC III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Special Operations Training Group (III MEF SOTG) and Royal Thai Marine Corp on Had Yao Beach. RTN (HTMS) ships participating included Narusuan (FFG-421), Rattanakosin (FSG441), Tapi (FS-431), Sichang (LST-421) and Lat Ya (MHS-6 33). Joint operations with Thai forces concluded 27 June at RTN Lam Tien Naval Base. The third phase began 3 July, during which Adm. Burke noted regional threats. “Many of these threats cross international borders, requiring like-minded maritime forces to co-operate and share real-time information to keep the region’s waterways safe. The maritime security skills exercised through CARAT directly benefits current initiatives to counter threes threats.” Singapore’s participation began 17 July with exercises staged out of Changi Naval Base, and included the newly-commissioned Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) frigate RSS Formidable, with a total of 1,500 personnel and 13 ships participating in fleet exercises. RSN’s Fleet Commander, Rear Adm. K .H. Tan, reaffirmed the partnership of the two nations. “Our professional cooperation and mutual understanding has deepened over the years, and our two navies are engaged in many other bilateral and multinational exercises and interactions together,” C in C of the Royal Thai Fleet, Admiral Vichai Yuwanangoon, left, with the US Navy’s Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific and Task Force 712, Rear Admiral Kevin Quinn, centre and COMDESRON One’s Operations Officer Lt. Miguel Inigue. USN he 13th Annual Cooperation Afloat and Training 2007 (CARAT-07) exercise series began on 22 May this year with arrival of the command staff of US Navy Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON 1) at Okinawa. Task Group (TG) 73.5 consists of three US Navy ships, headquartered onboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and under the command of Captain Al Collins (USN), who serves as commander, DESRON 1, based in San Diego. TG 73.5 consists of the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), the guided missile frigates USS Ford (FFG 54) and USS Jarrett (FFG 33), and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43. Command, TG 73 is under the command of Rear Admiral William R. Burke (USN), CARAT-07 executive agent for these events. CARAT-07 took place over a three-month period and consisted of a series of bilateral military exercises involving the US Navy and the armed forces of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. In addition to military operations (visit, board, search and seizure (V BSS) exercises have gained new importance with navies practicing antiterrorism and anti-piracy operations, along with small scale amphibious events, diving and salvage bilateral events, and small craft force protection tactics designed to enhance the cohesiveness between participating forces in areas of mutual benefit. CARAT also focuses on building relationships between its participants through community service and social USN 13TH ANNUAL CARAT EXERCISES 2007 CARAT EXERCISE US and Philippine Marines guide their assault boat to sea after departing from the stern ramp of dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry LSD during an amphibious assault exercise near Pilas Island, Philippines. A 76mm round leaves the barrel of the 76mm gun mount aboard the guided missile frigate USS Curts (FFG 38). Tan said. “We have our predecessors in previous CARATs to thank for the high level of interoperability our two forces currently enjoy, and I believe that CARAT will continue to be a highlight in our annual exercise calendar for its depth and breadth of professional richness.” The final segment of events US-Brunei events involved only the USS Jarrett (FFG-33) and involved a number of shore sports activities to foster closer links between the Americans and local residents of Brunei. Two more ships: USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Ford (FFG 54) were simultaneously taking part in other US Navy operations in the region. ■ MALAYSIA’S FIRST SUKHOIS ARRIVE By Dzirhan Mahadzir alaysia has received its first batch of Sukhoi Su-30MKM and PT-91M main battle tanks and now is in the process conducting operational conversion and training for units designated to operate the aircraft and tanks. Six PT-91M tanks arrived in Malaysia on 18 August and were displayed to the public at Malaysia’s National Day parade on 31 August. The remaining 42 tanks ordered, will be delivered in batches with deliveries to be completed by 2008 to the 11th Royal Armoured Corps Regiment, which will operate the tanks, becoming operationally ready shortly after. Six Su-30MKMs have been delivered with the first two aircraft arriving on 18 June, [see DRA June issue Su-30MKM delivery report]. A ceremony to mark the fighter aircraft delivery to Malaysia was held on 10 August where the flight logbooks for the aircraft were presented to Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak by Rosoboronexport Deputy Director-General Victor Komardin. The six Su-30MKMs are currently stationed at the Gong Kedak Royal Malaysian Air Force Base, on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and under the supervision of Russian instructors, pilot and weapon system operator training is being conducted at No.5 Squadron, which will operate USN M Rosoboronexport’s Deputy Director-General Victor Komardin presents the flight logbook for the Su-30MKM to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak. the aircraft. Deliveries of the remaining 12 aircraft are to be completed by 2008 with the squadron targeted to be operationally ready by the end of that year. While training is going smoothly, both Russian and RMAF sources have acknowledged problems exist with the avionics and weapon systems integration, while they expect these problems to be resolved shortly. Meanwhile helicopter manufacturers are gearing up for an expected requirement of up to 20 medium lift helicopters to replace the RMAF’s aging S-61 Nuri helicopters. A recent crash on 13 July in which all six RMAF personnel onboard were killed, has prompted the Malaysian government to announce that the S-61 fleet of more than twenty helicopters which have been in service since the 1970s are to be replaced within three years. No formal tender for the replacement has been issued yet though one is expected to be issued shortly before the upcoming Langkawi Aerospace and Maritime Exhibition to be held in December this year. Several helicopter manufacturers have already been actively marketing their designs to the RMAF as potential S-61 replacements. These include the AgustaWestland EH101, Boeing CH47, Eurocopter Cougar and NH90. ■ DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 31 INDONESIA By John B. Haseman US MILITARY RELATIONS RETURNING TO NORMAL he military relationship between Indonesia and the United States is slowly expanding but is far from the robust ties that flourished in the early 1990s. However, compared to the past 15 years, when education and training funds were drastically reduced in 1992 and virtually all military ties frozen in 1999, the situation today is much improved. Both sides are committed to improving the military-to-military relationship, but are expanding those ties slowly and carefully because of political constraints in both countries. In 1992 the US Congress halted the long-running International Military Education and Training (IMET) Program for Indonesia after out-of-control soldiers killed and wounded dozens of civilians in Dili, East Timor. Some limited training exchanges continued under programmes not subject to Congressional review. However in 1999 the US froze all military sales and training and education programmes with Indonesia because of outrage over militarysupported militia violence in East Timor. After the terrorist attacks in the US on 11 September 2001, the American policy on military ties with Indonesia was reconsidered. Conscious of Indonesia’s important role in the worldwide war against terrorism, the US resumed a cautious programme of military-to-military contacts. When President Megawati visited Washington shortly after those attacks, President Bush ended the ban on commercial sales of non-lethal military equipment. The US also extended education and training assistance to Indonesia through the Department of Defense Counterterrorism Fellowship program, which brought Indonesian officers to the US to attend management and policy-level courses dealing with the general subject of counterterrorism. The US policy on security relations with Indonesia was further tested in August 2002, when two American teachers were killed in an ambush near Timika in Papua Province. While the Indonesian authorities sought to blame local separatists for the attack, there were suspicions in the US that elements within the TNI were also involved. In June 2004 the US Justice Department indicted an alleged Papuan separatist leader for those murders. This signaled a slow resumption of military-to-military relations. In March 2005 US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that Indonesia could once again qualify for IMET T US military personnel from all services work with their Indonesian counterparts in seminars and mobile training teams in the Mil-toMil conferences. 32 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA funds. In May 2005 the US removed the ban on non-lethal foreign military sales. In November the US announced that it would resume all military sales to Indonesia, and also restored Indonesia’s eligibility for the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme (which provides low cost or no cost defence equipment). The US emphasises that its military assistance programmes are designed to meet its own security interests and policy objectives as well as those of partner countries. With Indonesia those US objectives include promotion of democracy and civil-military reforms, maritime security, counterterrorism, professionalism of the armed forces of Indonesia, international peacekeeping, disaster assistance, and interoperability, particularly through increased professional and personal familiarity with each other’s military services. Since May 2005 US military assistance to Indonesia has expanded steadily. The Counterterrorism Fellowship (CTF) programme, the longest standing of programmes started after 2001, is the only one to show a slight decline – reflecting the impact of funding provided by other programmes. CTF funding in fiscal year (FY) 2005 was over US$885,000; approximately $700,000 has been allocated for FY07. Anti-terrorism funding from the State Department (the programme’s abbreviation is NADR-ATA), which many feel has had the most impact on security in Indonesia, included funding for the national police counterterrorism unit, Detachment 88. Graduates of this programme have been involved in the arrest and prosecution of over 100 terrorists, including those responsible for terrorist bombings in Bali, the Marriott Hotel and Australian Embassy attacks in Jakarta, and tracking down and killing terrorist leader Azahari Husein. The first relaxation of the 1999 arms embargo took place in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, when the US lifted the ban on sale of spare parts for transport aircraft and helicopters. Since then the Indonesian government has spent more than US$17 million on spare parts and maintenance support for their C-130 transport aircraft fleet under the US Foreign Military Sales (direct government-to-government) program. Since the US ended the embargo on sale of lethal defence items in 2005, Indonesia has allocated more than US$5 million in FMS INDONESIA contracts to repair and upgrade its F-16, F-5, OV10 and C-130 fleets. Besides the FMS sales contracts, which Indonesia pays for, the US has allocated over US$7 million in Foreign Military Funding (FMF) grants to Indonesia, a considerable part of which is also allocated to support of the C-130 fleet. The FY07 FMF (formerly called grant assistance) allocation for Indonesia was over US$6 million, and the FY08 request to Congress is more than double that amount. If approved, a large portion of the FY08 request would cover communications and surveillance equipment designed for maritime security as well as a professional survey to assess Indonesia’s integrated maritime security needs. A parallel programme run jointly by the US State and Defense Departments (called the “1206” programme after the number given to it in the text of the law) provided more than US$18 million in FY06 to bolster the high priority for maritime security. Most of the funds went to coastal radar stations and equipment along the Strait of Malacca. Besides efforts to upgrade Indonesia’s military hardware, considerable joint programmes are focused on the “software” – the professionalism of its military personnel through education and training. Since 2005 the US has provided almost US$3 million in IMET Program funds to cover the cost of Indonesian attendance in the US military schoolhouse. IMET students attend courses focused on defence reform, professional military education, civilian control of the military, human rights in military operations, and core management processes. Prior to the 1992 cut in IMET funding, Indonesia had been one of the world’s largest participants in the programme. More than 6,000 Indonesians have attended US courses and conferences under the IMET programme. The US Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), started during the Bush administration, provides funding to assist other countries to participate in worldwide peacekeeping operations, mostly under the United Nations auspices. Indonesia received US$1 million in GPOI funds in FY06. Those funds include training for peacekeeping operations, refurbishment of Indonesia’s training centres, and for training aids and equipment. In addition the US underwrote much of the cost to deploy Indonesia’s battalion-size task force and equipment to the UN peacekeeping operation in Lebanon, at a cost of US$2 million. Both the US Department of Defense and the US Pacific Command in Hawaii, and its component service commands, have resumed a wide-ranging programme of conferences and joint training exercises with Indonesia; Indonesia again participating in several region-wide military conferences with US sponsorship. These soldierto-soldier, airman-to-airman and sailor-to-sailor training events are particularly welcome in Indonesia because they allow military personnel to compare their expertise with their American counterparts and to improve their professional capabilities by learning from their peers in the US military. The US military benefits also, by experience in training in a tropical environment, by learning about regional military expertise and operations, and in gaining new skills from their Indonesian counterparts. Despite the many advances in restoring a robust military-to-military relationship between Indonesia and the US, the effort is not without problems. There remains a small but powerful group in the US Congress that strongly opposes ties between the US and Indonesia. Much of this opposition is based on the influence of human rights organisations on members of congress and their staff. A major impediment to smooth military relations is the demand by Indonesia’s critics in congress for prosecution and punishment of military officers involved in human rights violations during the violence in East Timor in 1999. This, despite the decision by the governments of Indonesia and East Timor to focus on reconciliation and friendly relations in the future rather than dwelling on the violence of the past. In part to address congressional human rights concerns, the State Department vets all nominees for IMET Program courses to assure than nobody implicated in human rights violations is admitted to the programme. While a laudable compromise between the human rights concerns of congressional watchdogs and the administration’s policy to expandmilitary-to-military relations, there are problems that cause resentment in Indonesia and frustration among US advocates of expanded military relations. Overzealous vetting has been applied against Indonesians who served in conflict areas in regions where human rights violations took place in the past (such as Aceh, East Timor, or Papua) even though the officers concerned were not themselves involved in violations. It is certainly fair to exclude known human rights abusers from US programmes – Australia has a similar programme in its bilateral training and education programs with Indonesia – but applying blanket punishment against personnel merely because they were assigned in an area of conflict is not right. Rejections of otherwise qualified officers from participation in classes and conferences have angered senior Indonesian officials, many of whom are among the strongest supporters of US-Indonesian military cooperation. The national interests of both countries intersect in this part of the world, where bilateral and multilateral cooperation is needed to manage the threats of terrorism, piracy and other forms of transnational crime. Both Indonesian and American defence officials feel that it is important for policy-makers in both countries to understand the stakes involved, and to muster the creativity and the political will to forge a mutually beneficial military relationship. Q DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 33 ASIAN NEWS XXX Swedish air force Saab Gripen Thailand to buy JAS-39 Gripen Rumours persist that Thailand is close to concluding a deal to acquire an initial six Saab-BAE Systems JAS-39 Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft. While no deal has been struck as of early August, sources in Bangkok are sure a deal is forthcoming, and will eventually involve a total of 20 aircraft. Thai officials have been negotiating with Saab since 2004 over this deal, only being slightly interrupted by the ousting of the Thaksin Shinawatra government in September 2006. The Thaksin government was very close to closing a deal, but may have been swayed by the Thai air forces preference for the Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker. Non-government officials in Thailand say the aircraft would be used to replace ageing F-5E Tiger II and early-variant F-16s, though Tiger II aircraft have recently been overhauled and modernised, as have the F-16A/B Block 15 Falcon jets. P rogramme unit costs are in the order of US$76 million per aircraft. In June 1997, the Swedish government awarded contracts for 64 Batch 3 aircraft. The P olish contract for 48 aircraft was 3.15 million Euros (US$3.78 BN), with about 30 percent of contract cost for spares and support equipment, plus 25 percent for Europe’s aVlue-Added Tax A (VT) –resulting in a procurement cost of US$68.9 million per aircraft. Q Admiral Keating on PLAN US Navy Admiral Timothy Keating, commander, P acific Command A (PCOM)during a session of the Center for Strategic and International Studies on 24 July, observed that the US could rapidly move forces in defence of Taiwan and could defeat any challengers to its sea supremacy. “I don’t loose sleep at night over our ability to respond to any crisis anywhere, including the Strait of Taiwan. We have ways of watching developments and doing better analyses –much better than before. So, in the Strait of Taiwan (formerly-Strait of Formosa), in particular, we could get a large number of forces there in relatively short order.”During the days of 34 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA the former-Taiwan Defence Command (TDC), the USAF jointly-operated the Shulinkou electronic intelligence site, located in the hills southwest of Taipei, from which was derived important COMINT/ SIGINT intelligence. Long since turned over to the Taiwan military forces, other sources have replaced the one-time important facility. Taiwan’s president Chen Shui-bian continues pushing the controversy over a referendum for independence from the mainland. The admiral said [Chen’s] “rhetoric isn’t entirely helpful,”when asked if tensions in the strait were getting better or worse in view of the modernising of China’s military forces. Q Chinese Missile Mystery at Delingha Analysts are debating whether the new transporter-erector launchers (TEL) vehicles seen at Delingha in central-north China are DF-21, improved DF-25 or even DF-31 surface-tosurface missile systems. Recent satellite imagery indicates the launch pads for older Dong Feng 4 (DF-4) ICBM are undergoing renovation and maybe upgrading to allow the new 10-meter diameter DF-21 MRBM to be launched. Some analysts have suggested the new deployment may be intended to enhance targeting at either Russia or northern India. Speculation is rampant in the academic community with regard to what purpose the DF-21, or improved DF-25 (some thought it was discontinued in mid-90s), might have in being deployed at Delingha missile field. China’s ballistic missile forces follow a ‘counterforce’ doctrine, not being accurate enough for any other strategic strike doctrine. John Lewis, Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation noted, “I don’t think that the deployment of DF-21 missiles will produce considerable policy implications for Russia or India. India has developed land- and air-based missiles more powerful than DF-21. Q SAAB SYSTEMS ASIAN NEWS Pakistan renegotiating Saab AEW Contract Pkistan and Saab have been a in renegotiations for several months over the Saab 200 Erieye airborne early-warning aircraft (AEW) contract, confirmed by Saab in May. a Pkistan needs to reduce the number of aircraft in the order because of financial constraints. The new contract reduced the order by US$191.85 million and this likely means akistan will now get five, not P six aircraft as planned under the original contract. The u J ne 2006 contract was valued at US$1.16 billion. Q Saab 2000 ERIEYE AEW&C USS Buffalo joins SSN 713 & 705 Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Buffalo (SSN 715) and her crew departed Naval Station P earl Harbor permanently 8 July for her new homeport at Naval Base Guam. Buffalo will join USS Houston (SSN 713) and USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) as the forward deployed submarine force in the P acific. Buffalo was commissioned 5 November, 1983 in Norfolk, and was transferred to the P acific Fleet Submarine Force in 1984. The submarine has been home ported in Naval Station P earl Harbor. “We want to have three submarines forward deployed in Guam. We’re a lot closer to areas of concern in the Western P acific and it gives the commanders in the P acific another forward deployed asset that’s readily deployable,” said Cmdr. Brian N. Humm, Buffalo’s commanding officer. “There’s a lot of action going on in the P acific right now and it’s important that we have forward deployed forces that can respond to anything that may come up,”said Lt. Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, Buffalo’s executive officer. The Q uadrennial Defence Review 2006 resulted in a shift of six attack submarines from the Atlantic to P acific fleets, by 2010. This shift will put 60 percent of the USN sub force in the P acific –about 30 submarines, up from one-half of the fleet prior to Q DR 2006. lans of the Indian Air Force to contract for six P Lockheed Martin C-130 JSuper Hercules aircraft moved forward on 25 May with US Congress notification of the pending sale, to be handled by Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) Congress has 30-days to object and as of late-J uly, the deal appears to have cleared congressional review. If all options are taken, the deal would be valued at US$1.059 billion. Included in the deal would be four spare RollsRoyce AE2100D3 turbofan engines, eight AAR47 missile warning systems, eight AN/ALR-56M advanced threat warning receivers, eight AN/ ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems, eight ALQ -211 suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasures and eight AAQ -22 Star SAFIRE III special operations suites. aVrious other spares and equipment for training include two ARC-210 SINCGARS radio systems, secure voice V HF/ UHF radios, and one KIV -119 communications/ COMSEC system, aircraft spares, support, integration and training. Off-set agreements are anticipated in association with the sale but are not included in normal DSCA notifications. Q DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 35 INDONESIAN ANALYSIS By Peter La Franchi NEW INDONESIAN SUKHOI DEAL HIGHLIGHTS STRATEGY CHALLENGES A poster of a Su-30MKK in Indonesian colours at Defence Expo in Jakarta. Indonesia is acquiring three Sukhoi Su-27SKM and three Su-30MK2 fighters in a $US300 order with the Russian Rosboronexport corporation announced at Moscow’s MAKS-2007 airshow 21 August. The deal increases Indonesia’s Sukhoi fleet to ten aircraft, underwriting continued air force interest in modernisation despite ongoing national budget pressures. Ongoing discussions between the two countries have included a Russian financed follow on armaments package that would include additional fighters and new naval vessels. The latest Sukhoi deal follows a 2003 order by Indonesia for two SU-27SK and two SU-30MKK aircraft, this coming almost a decade after initial acquisition plans were first made public. Indonesia’s air force has suffered considerable difficult in sustaining its existing squadron of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters as a result of rolling US arms embargos on the country linked directly to congressional assessments of its long term human rights record. Initial Indonesian plans flagged in 1997 were based on a major fleet 36 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA “ buy, sparking moves by Australia and Singapore to explore new generation fighter programmes to offset any potential shift in regional air power balances. The proposed Australian programme saw restricted tenders for a 24 aircraft buy released to Boeing and BAE Systems for their respective F/A-18F Super Hornet and EF2000 Typhoon types, however that requirement was allowed to lapse in early 1998 when it became clear the Indonesian programme would not be proceeding as announced. Singapore however, also facing pressures from Malaysia’s introduction of the MiG-29 into service, pressed ahead with requirements that have now seen firm orders placed for the Boeing F-15S configuration fighter. Australia in turn re-instated its requirement late in 2006 resulting in orders for 24 Super Hornets with these to enter service in 2010 amid a government assessment that the regional air power environment faced key changes in the medium term. Indonesia’s latest acquisition is unlikely to have any immediate regional fall-out given the limited size of the deal., but will generate stepped up monitoring of how the air force now prepares to accept the aircraft into service and integrate them into its operational concepts, particularly if a follow on deal does emerge. Does a ten aircraft fleet in four different configurations constitute capability? configurations of aircraft given the time lags between their manufacture and entry into service. In a ten aircraft fleet this may well necessitate upgrades to the initial aircraft, however this again remains subject to the availability of funding. It may well be that Indonesia chooses to allow the initial aircraft to attrit in favour of achieving a common fleet build standard with a larger fleet buy, rather than embark on any piecemeal efforts to achieve commonality in the near term. If this is the case the latest six aircraft purchase needs to be assessed from the same perspective. It would suggest that unless it is followed up by a near term fleet purchase the Indonesian air force will face an ever expanding supportability challenge that would significantly impede the service regardless of its eventual size. There is room for an alternate analysis here however, one that would appeal to the aspirations of western fighter manufacturers but also present a bigger challenge to the air power status quo. If the Indonesian air force was resigned to accepting a long term view in fulfilling its air power aspirations, there is merit in an deliberately phased approach that allowed it to use the extraordinarily low cost of the Russian aircraft as a means of exploring the operational parameters of 4th and 4.5 generation fighters. That does not in itself mean an end state based around Russian solutions, but instead a highly informed buyer who can approach the world market in its own terms if and when the finances for a fleet buy become available. The benefits from such a strategy are immediately obvious in the offsetting of the risks of generational change for the air force, but with the ongoing risk that if the money never does become available, it will be left with a mixed heritage fleet of aircraft with limited operational value. Russian interests are also a factor here, with the question continuing to linger of whether its aerospace industry is better served by piecemeal opportunities, Q “ The four existing Sukhoi’s have experienced problems with serviceability and maintenance support. Expansion of the fleet may provide a basis to develop more significant in country capabilities, with Indonesia having also previously explored the potential for leveraging Indian air force infrastructure as an alternative to reliance on Russian industry. If improved in country arrangements are progressed, the first challenge they will face is how to maintain four different CHINA WATCH SINO-RUSSIAN PEACE MISSION 2007 China and Russia have continued again this year the “Peace Mission” series of exercises, as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) anti-terrorism agreements between the two countries. Exercises were conducted between 8 -17 August, and included units of Russia’s 34th Motorized Rifle Division, stationed near Chebarkul. The Chebarkul Base is about 70-km from Chelyabinsk in the Volga-Ural MD. In total, about 2,000 Russians were involved. Chinese participation includes about 1,700 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) members, a significant number being from the PLAAF. Deployments during exercises included six IL-76D transports, eight JH-7A fighter-bombers, a squadron (16) of JG-9W and a second helicopter squadron composed of Mi-17 Hips. The PLA ground contingent arrived by rail to Chelyabinsk and deployed for the exercises from there. CSO members include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgistan, all of whose leaders were in observance of the exercises. Senior officer Guo Wenhui, PLA General Staff, stated, “It is a practical way to improve the Chinese army’s capability to tackle terrorist threats.” Major-General Wang Haiyun (Ret.) of the Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies has noted the exercises should be perceived from two aspects: 1] it displays the firm resolve and new thinking of the SCO member states in clamping down on the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and 2] it goes beyond any doubt that the exercise will deter effectively the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, generate positive influence on regional peace and stability, and make great contributions to anti-terrorism in the world. Q Scenes from Peace Mission 2007. DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA 37 BOOKSHELF Reviewed by Nicholas Merrett Clausewitz’s On War A Biography by Hew Strachan niversity of Oxford military history professor Hew Strachan’s biography of Karl von Clausewitz successfully explains the origins of Clausewitz’s thoughts, providing information on his personal background to shed light on how he came to think about war in his own time rather than through incorrect interpretations of Clausewitz’s ideas and his famous treatise, On War, from others living during his era. Once this approach is taken, as Strachan has done, he says it becomes possible to see what specific elements of Clausewitz’s thoughts appealed to those who were later influenced by him. Strachan also maintains that those who reject Clausewitz’s ideas today - like those who did so in the past have done so on the basis of selective U reading, only reading a small part of his total work, which is vast and which was never finished. Strachan argues that On War’s state of incompleteness is what has made it subject to interpretation and continually drawn upon, generation after generation through mankind’s evolution of military thought, always just when Clausewitz’s ideas seemed dead and buried. Strachan says Colin Powell, who described On War as a ‘beam of light from the past’ used Clausewitz’s writings to explain what had gone wrong in Vietnam, believing that the soldier, ‘for all his patriotism, valour and skill, forms just one leg in a triad. Without all three legs engaged, the military, the government, and the people, the enterprise cannot stand’. Another rule of Clausewitz’s expounded by Powell was that ‘political leaders must set a war’s objectives, while armies achieve them’. Tommy Franks, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Central Command, believed he was refining not rejecting Clausewitz when subscribing to his maxim of massing ones forces at the enemy’s “centre of gravity” during Desert Storm as the key to victory. Caspar Weinberger, the Secretary of Defense in Ronald Reagan’s administration also found inspiration from On War when in 1984, speaking on the use of American troops abroad, said, “As Clausewitz wrote: No one starts a war without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by that war, and how he intends to conduct it.” Strachan provides fascinating examples of mostly European political and intellectual leaders back to Clausewitz’s time that were influenced by the Prussian soldier (who attained the rank of Major General) and military theorist. Clausewitz’s description of ‘total war’ being ‘a form of human intercourse, part of man’s social existence’ and the inevitability of combat and death, have been blamed for the level of destruction involved in both the first and second world wars, assertions Strachan dissects with clarity. The limit of Clausewitz’s theories, Strachan also shows, do not account for human passion and present day asymmetrical wars waged by insurgents and non-state actors using terrorism and ambush tactics. Q SUBSCRIBE Asia has become one of the largest and most demanding defence markets in the world. This complicated and demanding environment demands a new type of regional defence magazine offering objective and unbiased coverage of the defence issues that matter to the region. The magazine that meets this critical requirement is Defence Review Asia. 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Ph: +61 2 9526 7188 Fax: +61 2 9526 1779 Email: [email protected] 38 DEFENCE REVIEW ASIA FLY YOUR FLAG at The Pacific 2008 International Maritime and Naval Exposition will be a unique marketing, promotional and networking forum. Pacific 2008 will be a comprehensive showcase of the latest developments in naval, underwater and commercial maritime technology. Pacific 2008 will also feature a number of timely and highly informative industry conferences and seminars. NAVAL DEFENCE Pacific 2008 will be the most comprehensive industry event of its type ever staged in the Asia Pacific region and will provide a focused and informed business environment. Contact Bob Wouda Head of Sales Pacific 2008 Telephone: +61 (0)3 5282 0500 Email: [email protected] www.pacific2008.com.au NAVIGATION SYSTEMS WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY Land Warfare Weapon Systems Excalibur • Javelin • NLOS Launch Systems • Stinger • TOW Missile System On the ground we set the standard. 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