News Story: China to hold naval drills in South China Sea

BEIJING (PTI): Striking a combative posture amid deepening row over the South China Sea, China announced naval exercises in the Western Pacific asserting that its lawful rights including navigation should not be hindered.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval fleet will go for routine training in the Western Pacific in late November, the Chinese Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Read the full story at Brahmand

News Story: Indian Navy pilots to go to Russia for carrier-based training

NEW DELHI (PTI): Ahead of proposed induction of Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier by end of next year, the Navy will be sending a team of 10 pilots to Russia for training in operations of MiG-29K fighter aircraft from the warship.

India had signed a deal with Russia in 2004 for purchasing the carrier along with 16 MiG-29Ks.

Read the full story at Brahmand

AUS: RAAF gear up for East Coast Exercise



F/A-18F Super Hornet



Royal Australian Air Force personnel will play an important role as fighter jets take to the skies for the East Coast Air Defence Exercise (ECADEX 11) next week.

The exercise will commence on Monday 28 November and will run until Friday 9 December, with essential work-up training being conducted this week.

Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Mel Hupfeld, said, “ECADEX 11 is a vital training exercise for Air Force personnel, to maintain operational capability and to practice key air defence skills.

“The exercise also provides an opportunity for Air Force personnel to practise their skills at maintaining the integrity of Australian airspace and protecting vital infrastructure, such as a shipping port or an airfield.”

The majority of the aircraft assets and personnel will be operating out of their home bases at RAAF Williamtown (NSW) and RAAF Amberley (QLD) for the duration of the exercise.

Exercise flying will be conducted in the east coast military training area off the central coast of New South Wales with some exercise flying occurring inside the promulgated Williamtown low flying area.

The exercise scenario is designed to test both passive and active air defence capabilities where a ‘Blue’ or friendly force will protect the integrity of Australian air space and vital infrastructure against attack from a ‘Red’ or opposing force.

Up to 30 military aircraft from Amberley, Williamtown and Tindal (NT) will participate in the bi-annual exercise, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, F/A-18 Classic Hornets, Mk127 Hawk lead-in fighters and a Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.

Exercises such as these provide vital training for crew and ground personnel in preparation for domestic and overseas operations. ECADEX will also provide the opportunity to further develop integration of Air Force’s new capabilities, such as the Wedgetail and Super Hornets.

“Air Force is committed to minimising the impact of ECADEX on the local community, whilst still achieving essential training objectives in preparing our personnel to support Australia’s operational commitments and preserving the nation’s security,” Air Commodore Hupfeld said.

“We appreciate the ongoing community support for our need to conduct this vital training.”

AUS DoD

News Story: Russia Refuses to Sell Arresters for Chinese Carrier

Construction of the first Chinese aircraft carrier faced new unanticipated problems; it turned out that the former Soviet carrier Varyag was not equipped with arresters, and it is unclear where China could get them.

In 2007 news agency Kanwa exclusively reported from St. Petersburg that China would buy 4 arresters designed by Marine Engineering Research Institute and made by Proletarsky Zavod plant which produces all Russian arresters and arresting hooks. Earlier on, China had contacts with this plant purchasing constituent parts for Project 956E/EM destroyers.

Kanwa reported referring to a source in the plant that the Chinese had visited it many times and declared intentions to purchase at least 4 arresters (the source used the term "purchase"). The talks took place in the office of Rosoboronexport; negotiators of Proletarsky Zavod presented their production, and the Chinese requested for technical information.

Read the full story at RusNavy

News Story: Chinese Navy Commissioned Copy of Russian Fighter

Russian SU-30MK2

China demonstrated fighter J16 to the press at aircraft factory Shenyang Aircraft Co; it is a copy of Russian Su-30MK2, reports Hong Kong military magazine Kanwa referring to a Chinese authoritative military source.

This airplane is a copy of Russian fighter Su-30MK2, the batch of them was sold to China early in 2000's, reports Interfax citing the source.

Read the full story at RusNavy

Philippines: PN, RAN conducts Maritime Training Activity

By: LTCOL OMAR L TONSAY PN(M)(GSC)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

25 November 2011- Today, ends the 11th Annual Maritime Training Activity (MTA) between the Philippine Navy(PN) and Royal Australian Navy(RAN) dubbed as “MTA LUMBAS 2011”. It is a four day extensive and comprehensive training activity hosted by the Philippine Navy.

MTA LUMBAS 2011 is a simulated scenario based exercise designs to test the response capability to a realistic situation that will probably developed in real time. It is focused on Anti-Terrorism, Trafficking and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response involving the Philippine Navy and the Australian Border Protection Command (BPC).

BPC is a multi-agency operational authority in-charge of border protection and maritime security which is pertinent to Naval Coast Watch System Project spearheaded by the Philippine Navy. Thus, the exercise serves as an avenue to enhance the core competence of PN in maritime security, surveillance and interdiction.

The exercise envisions to strengthen the defence relationship of both countries in counter terrorism and maritime security encompassed to the Memorandum of Understand (MOU) on cooperation to combat International Terrorism and an MOU on Combating Transnational Crime 2003.

The training activity is also being participated by other government agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration, NBI, PDEA, BFAR and other government agencies.

PHILIPPINE NAVY

News Story: Lockheed Martin UK offers Vigilance AEW system to Malaysia

By: Craig Hoyle

Malaysia's long-held requirement to field an airborne early warning (AEW) capability will see Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems formally launch a product in the country in December.

Dubbed "Vigilance", the system combines mission equipment developed for the UK Royal Navy's AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HM2 multi-role helicopter upgrade with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar technology provided by Northrop Grumman.

Read the full story at FlightGlobal

Editorial: Why India Should Shun F-35

F-35C

By Laxman K Behera

The recent Pentagon report on U.S.-India Security Cooperation, which suggests the possible sale of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to India, has created a hubbub in the Indian media. Some observers have even suggested that New Delhi scrap its ongoing, half decade-long, effort to procure 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, and instead buy the F-35 – the only fifth-generation fighter that’s available for international customers.

However, a careful look at the possibilities shows that the F-35 isn’t actually an ideal choice for India for a variety of reasons, ranging from the delay in its development schedule, the tight production line and prohibitive cost, to India’s own efforts to jointly develop and produce a fifth-generation fighter with its traditional supplier, Russia, as well as the few technological or industrial benefits that would accrue to India from the F-35 purchase.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: Aussie navy getting KBR training system (for LHDs)

Future Australian LHD

HOUSTON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Sailors serving on the Australian navy's Landing Helicopter Dock ships will receive virtual training from a system by KBR.

The Houston company said the contract to develop and deliver the system came from BAE Systems.

"It is an honor to support BAE Systems and the Defense Materiel Organization in the development of this training system for the Australian (military)," said Andrew Pringle, president of KBR's International Government and Defense and Support Services business.

Read the full story at UPI

News Story: Indian Navy launches Request For Proposal for 4 amphibious vessels (LHD type)

DCNS Mistral class

The Indian Navy has launched a request for proposal to build four large projection vessels with dual helicopter carrier and amphibious role. Indian shipyards were consulted but they had no design to propose. Indian Navy is therefore contacting foreign partners to for proposals.

Several international groups should answer the request for proposal. French shipbuilder DCNS with its Mistral class (BPC) already serving with the French Navy and soon with the Russian Navy, the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri with its Multifunctional Ship (MS), Spain's Navantia will likely offer the Buque of Proyecciones Estratégica (BPE) and South Koreans shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries could offer their amphibious assault ship from Dokdo class.

 

Read the full story at Navy Recognition