News Story: New Zealand issues RFT for NH90 helicopter simulator

RNZAF NH-90 (Image: Wiki Commons)

By: Nick Lee-Frampton

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence has issued a request for tenders for a simulator to train pilots to operate the NH90 medium utility helicopters flown by 3 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The service operates eight of the TNZA variant of the NH90 helicopters from the Ohakea air base located north of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. The Air Force anticipates an annual “flying“ rate for the simulator of between 1,500 and 1,900 hours.

A minimum requirement for the simulator’s software and hardware is meeting the NATO Helicopter Management Agency’s final operating configuration, including five multifunction displays — and level-three standards as detailed in European Aviation Safety Agency certification specifications for helicopter flight simulators; however, the MoD said that “a full-motion simulator is also acceptable.“

The timeline from when a contract is signed to delivery to New Zealand will be approximately two years. The RFT closes Sept. 28, 2017.

A request for proposals for simulator services was awarded in September 2016 to Helicopter Flight Training Services GmbH. This, the MoD told Defense News, was done to allow interim access to simulation training while a decision was made on potential procurement of a simulator for operation within New Zealand.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

AUS: Defence tests capabilities on both sides of Australian continent

Army AsLAV off loading from HMAS Canberra onto an LCM

THE Australian Defence Force is demonstrating its ability to concurrently deploy on both sides of the Australian continent for Exercise NORTHERN SHIELD in Western Australia and the SEA SERIES exercises in North Queensland.

The Australian Defence Force’s highest readiness soldiers conducted a mass, short notice deployment from Brisbane to Exmouth yesterday to join the simulated fight on Exercise NORTHERN SHIELD.  

In the east, Australia’s newest military capability, the Amphibious Ready Element (ARE), has been training for the three-part SEA SERIES exercise under the oversight of the Amphibious Task Group (ATG) since mid-August and is about to enter its third and final exercise to achieve joint certification.

The Ready Combat Team (RCT), currently from Brisbane’s 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), responded to a simulated enemy threat by moving from Amberley to Learmonth in Air Force C-17 Globemaster, C-130J Hercules and KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft.

Editorial: Australia's Emerging Amphibious Warfare Capabilities

NUSHIP Canberra arrives in Sydney (File Photo)

By Peter Dean

Australia’s new Landing-Helicopter Dock (LHD) amphibious ships will be a game changer for its ability to project force.

In mid-1987, troops from the Australian Army’s Operational Deployment Force stood off shore from Fiji spread amongst the warships HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Sydney; the supply ship, HMAS Success; and the Royal Australian Navy’s one and only amphibious ship, HMAS Tobruk. These troops were there as part of the Australian government’s response to the May 1987 Fiji coup by elements of the Royal Fiji Military Forces, led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka.

While the Australian Defense Force (ADF) was to maintain this force for seventeen days, it quickly demonstrated the poor state of joint capability at the time, including: inadequate doctrine, poor communications between services, shortage of amphibious ships and craft, and the absence of operating concepts. The operation was, in the end, a “sobering demonstration of the limits of Australian military power in the late 1980s.”

At the time, the ADF had been structured around the Defense of Australia (DoA). DoA focused on concentrating air and sea power to defend the air-sea gap to Australia’s north. This sea denial strategy placed little emphasis on the ability to project force in Australia’s near region and left Australian policymakers with precious few options in the region when events such as the military coup in Fiji occurred.

Operation Morris Dance was, however, the starting point of the development of the modern day ADF amphibious capability. A development that took its greatest leap into the future with the arrival of the first of two new 27,000 ton Landing-Helicopter Dock (LHD) amphibious ships in its new home port of Sydney on March 13 of  this year. 

Read the full 2 page story at The Diplomat

AUS: Royal Australian Navy - International Fleet Review (2013)

© Australian DoD (Click to Enlarge)

The 2013 International Fleet Review was launched today in Sydney by Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC. 

From 3–11 October 2013 the International Fleet Review will offer a spectacular program of naval events to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet arrival in Sydney Harbour on 4 October 1913.

On this day, the flagship HMAS Australia led the new Australian Fleet of seven cruisers and destroyers (HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra) into Sydney Harbour for the first time.

The program will include: a tall ships parade; warships arrival; ceremonial fleet review; naval gun salutes; fixed wing and helicopter flypasts; aerial acrobatic displays; Sydney Harbour fireworks and light show; ships open to visitors; combined naval march through the streets of Sydney; military band concerts; Freedom of Entry parade in Parramatta; religious and memorial services; and sporting competitions.

Vice Admiral Griggs said the International Fleet Review would be the nation’s most significant commemorative naval event in the past 100 years.

The Royal Australian Navy will be represented by at least 17 ships and submarines from across the Navy.

A significant naval aviation component is also planned with more than a dozen current and former naval aircraft types represented, including the Australian Fleet Air Arm’s current Sea Hawk, Squirrel, Bell 429 and MRH90 helicopters alongside historic aircraft from Navy Historic Flight.

Tall ships from around the world will embark on an exciting journey to Australia to help celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet entry into Sydney Harbour. Australian and foreign tall ships will visit Fremantle, Melbourne and Hobart prior to gathering in Sydney on 3 October 2013 then take part in a special regatta race to Auckland, New Zealand.

International tall ships expected to participate include: Libertad (Argentina), Gloria (Columbia); Dewaruci (Indonesia); Bark Europa, Oosterschelde and Tecla (Netherlands); Spirit of New Zealand (New Zealand), and Lord Nelson (UK). Local tall ships include: Lady Nelson and Windeward Bound (Hobart); Enterprize (Melbourne); Coral Trekka and South Passage (Queensland); Bark Endeavour, James Craig, Soren Larsen, Southern Swan and Young Endeavour (Sydney).

“We are delighted to welcome so many foreign navies and tall ships to Sydney for this exciting event and I thank the Federal and NSW Governments and the City of Sydney for their support. I am sure everyone involved will take away some fantastic memories of their involvement in this very important historic occasion,” Vice Admiral Griggs said.

Many of the Australian and international warships will participate in Exercise TRITON CENTENARY off the east coast of Australia and visit other Australian ports before and following the International Fleet Review.

Additional information on the International Fleet Review is available HERE.

AUS DoD

AUS: Minister for Defence visit to Brussels

Stephen Smith, Minister for Defence

I visited Brussels on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 October for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Afghanistan.

The Ministerial meeting in Brussels followed on from my visit to Afghanistan earlier in the week with Secretary Lewis and General Hurley.

Ministers discussed progress in implementing the 2010 Lisbon Summit agreement to transition to Afghan led security responsibility by the end of 2014. Today seventy-five percent of the Afghan population lives in areas under transition to Afghan security lead.

Ministers agreed to commence the detailed planning for the post 2014 mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) agreed to at the Chicago Summit in May. Ministers also discussed the need to establish the funding mechanism for the international community’s contribution to the sustainment of the ANSF.

Ministers discussed the recent insider or “green on blue” attacks. Whatever the motivation for these attacks, the Taliban tactic is to claim them as their own for propaganda purposes. These attacks cannot be allowed to deflect the international community from the agreed transition strategy and post 2014 commitment.

I met with the newly confirmed Afghan Defence Minister Bismillah Khan. Minister Khan conveyed Afghanistan’s condolences for the recent Australian fatalities in Afghanistan and expressed his countries’ gratitude for Australia’s ongoing contribution and commitment.

I congratulated NATO Secretary General Rasmussen on the extension of his tenure. Secretary General Rasmussen is a good friend of Australia and signed the Australia-NATO Strategic Partnership Declaration with Prime Minister Gillard during his visit to Australia in June.

I met Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Admiral Stavridis, Commander ISAF General Allen and Commander ISAF designate General Dunford. I thanked Admiral Stavridis for his service and congratulated General Allen and General Dunford on their nominations as the next SACEUR and COMISAF respectively. I also met the newly appointed NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Jochems.

I have every confidence in the ability of the new NATO/ISAF leadership team to deliver on the transition and post-transition strategies in Afghanistan.

I discussed with Secretary Panetta our collaborative work on a range of issues, including the recently concluded first rotational deployment of United States Marines to Darwin.

I met Belgian Defence Minister De Crem and discussed the forthcoming Belgian trade delegation to Australia led by the Belgian Crown Prince.

I discussed the MRH-90 and Tiger Helicopter projects with French Minister Le Drian.

I met Spanish Defence Minister Eulate and discussed progress on the Landing Helicopter Dock project and the impending arrival of LHD1 in Australia.

I discussed our mutual interests in submarines with Swedish Defence Minister Enstrom.

I met Turkish Defence Minister Yilmaz and discussed planning for our shared commemoration of World War One.

I also met a range of NATO Defence Ministers, including Danish Defence Minister Haekkerup, Dutch Defence Minister Hillen, Finnish Defence Minister Haglund, Norwegian Defence Minister Strom-Erichsen and Polish Defence Minister Siemoniak.

I was accompanied by Australia’s Ambassador to NATO, Dr Brendan Nelson, the Secretary of the Department of Defence, Mr Duncan Lewis and the Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley.

My visit to Brussels was a good opportunity to introduce Australia’s Ambassador-designate to NATO, Mr Duncan Lewis, to his NATO colleagues and to thank Dr Brendan Nelson for his excellent service.

AUS DoD

News Story: (New Zealand) Successful NH90 trial onboard Canterbury

Australian NH-90/MRH-90 (File Photo)

The Air Force's newest helicopter, the NH90, has successfully completed its first landing on the Navy's multi-role vessel, HMNZS CANTERBURY.

The interface trial is the first stage of a process intended to integrate helicopter and ship operations - an important step towards the New Zealand Defence Force goal of establishing a Joint Amphibious Task Force (JATF) by 2015. While the JATF will be structured for the deployment of combat forces, the most likely contingencies it will be used for are disaster relief and conducting exercises in our region in support of nation building.

HMNZS Canterbury (File Photo)

"The NH90 is a complex helicopter with significant capability and sophisticated systems and it will form an important part of the Defence Force's new Joint Amphibious Task Force," said Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell, Chief of Air Force.

Read the full story at Voxy

News Story: Slight Reduction in New Zealand’s 2012-13 Defense Budget

Protector/Otago  class OPV (Wiki Info)

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

Wellington New Zealand — New Zealand’s Defence Force (NZDF) has done relatively well with only a slight reduction in its overall budget for 2012-2013, according to released budget figures.

As usual, the Army takes the largest slice of the overall 2.9 billion New Zealand dollar ($2.2 billion) defense budget, down from 2.91 billion New Zealand dollars from the previous year. Last year, the Army’s budget was 832 million New Zealand dollars and this year rises to 845 million New Zealand dollars.

However, the Royal New Zealand Air Force enjoys a more than 5 percent budget increase, from 670 million New Zealand dollars to 790 million, while the Royal New Zealand Navy saw its funding fall by more than 4 percent, to 6.62 billion New Zealand dollars.

Although the overall defense budget has diminished slightly, most NZDF capabilities will enjoy more funding.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Australian Aerospace to offer Helicopter Aircrew Training System Solution

Australia’s leading helicopter producer, Australian Aerospace, will bid as prime contractor on the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Project AIR9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) tender. The HATS program will provide an aircrew training capability for Army and Navy to meet the future rotary wing training needs of the ADF. 

Australian Aerospace will offer an innovative, low risk and cost effective aircrew training solution based on parent-company Eurocopter’s EC135 platform. 

Dr Jens Goennemann, CEO Australian Aerospace announced the bid, highlighting: “Australian Aerospace’s proposal will build on the Company’s training systems design capability, its extensive Australian civil and military aircraft support infrastructure and the superiority of the EC135, the industry’s reference twin-engine training and light utility helicopter.” 

“Australian Aerospace has a proud history of developing and implementing Army and Navy aircrew and technical training solutions for the ARH Tiger and MRH90 and has worked closely with Army to support the development of its pilot training framework. Our experience on these programs, coupled with the extensive training capabilities of the Eurocopter Group, allows us to provide the ADF with an optimised and effective training system” said Dr Goennemann. 

Discussions are proceeding with a number of potential industry bid subcontractors. 

More than 1000 EC135 aircraft are flying worldwide and have amassed over 2.2 million flight hours to date. The helicopter is used in many military training programs including by the German Army and Japanese Navy. In Australia, the Victorian and New South Wales police forces also operate the aircraft. The EC135 offers aircrew an ideal introduction to modern combat and multi-role helicopters including MRH90 and ARH Tiger.” 

“Australian Aerospace’s bid maintains our Company’s commitment to long-term in-country support of the Australian Defence Force. If selected, we will offer a complete and comprehensive aircrew training capability for the long-haul, utilising our international experience to build on our local expertise and industrial footprint”, said Dr Goennemann. 

Australian Aerospace

News Story: (AUS) Delays, mechanical problems put Defence chopper project on concern list

Brendan Nicholson

THE plan to re-equip the army and navy with 46 high-tech European helicopters worth $2.6 billion has been added to Defence's "projects of concern" list because of long delivery delays and mechanical problems.

Announcing the listing of the multi-role helicopter, Defence Minister Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare said the project was running two years behind schedule and there was a risk of further delays.

Being added to the list brings a major review of the performance of the company providing the equipment.

The MRH 90 is built by European giant Eurocopter and assembled in Brisbane by its subsidiary Australian Aerospace.

Read the full story at The Australian