First P-15A / Kolkata Class Destroyer Commissioned in India

The Indian Navy has commissioned the first of its latest P-15A class destroyer, the INS Kolkata. Two more, the INS Kochi and INS Chennai, have been launched to make a total of three units for the P-15A class, with the P-15B class in the works.

The P-15A class has been plagued by numerous delays and cost overruns. The Kolkata itself was laid down back in 2003 and launched in 2006. This gives the P-15A class the distinction of having one of the most drawn out development ever witnessed for a surface warship.

Further more, despite being formally commissioned into service, the ship still has yet to be fully fitted. Among other things, it still lacks the Barak 8 surface-to-air-missile that is being jointly developed by Indian and Israel and which also has seen extensive delays during development.

Even so, the introduction of the P-15A class marks a major milestone for the Indian Navy as it gives it capabilities that it did not possess before. This is sorely needed as India comes up short in terms of warships, both in terms of quantity and quality.

Qatar Commits to Patriot SAM Batteries, Javelin Missiles and Apache Attack Helicopters

Qatar has committed itself towards purchasing over $11 billion worth of arms from the United States. Around $7 billion will be spent on Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile Air Defense Systems, another $3 billion on Apache attack helicopters and the remainder towards Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Around 10 batteries of Patriots with over 350 missiles are expected to be delivered and will include both Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) and PAC-3 variants. The PAC-3 variant was designed specifically to intercept incoming ballistic missiles, including those that Iran could potentially use in a conflict.

Qatar will join Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as countries in the region that have all acquired the Patriot system. Qatar's addition is another step towards a regional missile defense network using common equipment.

All four countries will also operate the Apache with Qatar's decision to acquire 24 AH-64 attack helicopters. Qatar will join Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by purchasing 500 man-portable, fire-and-forget Javelin missiles.

However, Qatar has yet to make a decision on which fighter aircraft it will acquire. The F-15, F-18, Typhoon and Rafale are all competing to replace the French Mirage fighters that are currently being used by Qatar.


http://www.dsca.mil/news-media/news-archive/us-qatar-sign-letters-11-billion-helicopters-defense-systems

By Los688 [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Sweden Opts For New Gripen E Fighter Aircraft Instead of Remanufactured Ones

The Swedish parliament has voted in favor of amending the existing contract for the delivery of 60 Gripen E fighter aircraft. Originally, the aircraft were to be converted from existing Gripen C currently used. The Swedish Air Force will now receive completely new aircraft instead of remanufactured ones.

This change comes shortly after the Gripen program suffered a setback when the public in Switzerland voted against the purchase of 22 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft. Switzerland had been expected the become the first export customer for the latest variant of the Gripen and Swiss pilots had already taken active part in the testing and development of the Gripen E/F.

If Switzerland does not purchase the Gripen, production of the Gripen E/F would almost certainly be affected and very likely raise the cost of the aircraft. This raises the importance for Sweden of finding a new partner, the most obvious one being Brazil, which selected the Gripen E/F as its new fighter. A contract with Brazil would help lessen the loss in Switzerland.

The Swedish decision to go for new aircraft also means that there will be many more used Gripen aircraft available that could be leased to other Air Forces. Used Gripen aircraft are currently being leased to Hungary and the Czech Republic. South Africa and Thailand are the other users besides Sweden itself.

By Staff Sgt. Joshua Strang [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

UK Launches Third Astute Class Submarine

Artful, the third of the Astute class of nuclear attack submarines, has been launched and is expected to be commissioned in 2015. The previous two submarines, Astute and Ambush, were commissioned in 2010 and 2013 respectively.

The Royal Navy will have a total of seven Astute class submarines. The remaining four, Audacious, Anson, Agamemnon and Ajax, are expected to be commissioned between 2018 and 2024.

The Astute class submarines will join the Trafalgar class submarines, seven of which were commissioned between 1983 and 1991. Of these two have already been decommissioned, with one more expected this year in 2014.

Australia Opts For 58 Additional F-35 Fighter Aircraft

Australia has decided that it will purchase 58 additional F-35A fighter aircraft on top of the 14 it had already approved to buy earlier. While not a firm contract, this bring the total number of F-35 aircraft it has committed to buy to 72.

While this number is still less than the 100 Australia had originally planned to buy when it became one of the eight partner countries in the F-35 program, the move is welcome news for the F-35 program as there had a slight possibility that the number would have been even less.

The F-18E/F was suggested by some as a viable candidate to replace some of the F-35 aircraft. This would have reduced the number of F-35 to be build and that would in turn raise the cost of the F-35, which is already troubled by escalating costs and other technical problems during development.

Barring future costs increases, the aircraft are expected to cost around $11.5 billion and this makes it the largest commitment to the F-35 program, outside of the United States. The first aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in 2018 and should enter operational service in 2020.

Qatar Buys Boeing 737 AEW&C, AH-64E and NH-90 Heicopters

Qatar continues to strengthen its armed forces with new acquisitions worth over $20 billion. The latest deals includes three airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems mounted on Boeing 737 aircraft, making it the fourth country to select the type after Australia, South Korea and Turkey.

The aircraft were originally developed for Australia under project Wedgetail and feature a non-rotating radar in contrast to the rotodome found on E-3 Sentry aircraft. They will join the C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft that Qatar previously acquired from the United States.

Qatar has significantly boosted its helicopter fleet with the purchase of 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing and 22 NH90 helicopters from NH Industries, consisting of 12 NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) variant and 10 NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) maritime variant.

Brazil Buys Swedish RBS 70 VSHORAD Missile System

Sweden's SAAB has signed a $12 million contract for the delivery of the RBS 70 Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) missile system to Brazil starting this year. This makes Brazil the nineteenth country where the RBS 70 will enter service.

The purchase is another win for Sweden and comes after Brazil had previously selected Sweden's Gripen as its preferred choice for fighter aircraft over candidates from France and the United States, the Rafale and F/A-18 respectively. The RBS 70 in turn was selected over other candidates such as the Russian SA-18/24.

Besides the RBS 70 launchers and MK II type missiles, the contract includes simulators, night vision equipment, spare parts, test and maintenance equipment, training and other related support. The RBS 70 can come in several configurations such as mounted on various vehicles or dismounted on a tripod.

The MK II version features several improvements over previous versions which began entering service during the late seventies such as increased speed, longer range and a new shaped-charge warhead with a proximity fuse. A more updated and improved system is known as the RBS 70 NG.

Philippines Agrees on Deal to Buy 12 FA-50 Fighter Aircraft From South Korea

South Korea and the Philippines have agreed on a $422 million deal for the purchase of twelve FA-50 light fighter aircraft. Barring any unforeseen issues, an actual contract could be signed a few weeks from now in March.

A deal for the FA-50 had been hoped for as early as last year, but a deal could not be agreed upon due to differences on the terms of the contract. A natural disaster in the Philippines caused by a Typhoon further complicated agreement on a contract.

South Korea wanted more upfront payment and less after sales support. The Philippines wanted the opposite, but both sides were able to meet each other half way to work something out.

If a contract is signed in March, the first FA-50 are expected to be delivered 18 months later in the second half of 2015. The Philippines would the become the second export customer for the FA-50 after Iraq and South Korea itself.

Saudi Arabia Orders Armored Vehicles and Proceeds With Typhoon Fighter Aircraft

After several years of finding the right candidate, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS), the Canadian division of general Dynamics from the United States, has received a $10 billion contract from Saudi Arabia for armored vehicles. With options included, the contract increases by another $3 billion.

The vehicles are to be a new design, but in order to enter production in 2016, the vehicles will likely have to make use to a certain extent of existing designs. GDLS currently manufactures the eight-wheeled Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) for Canada, which is derived from the Swiss Piranha family of armored vehicles.

In addition, GDLS manufactures parts for the American Stryker, which in turn is based on the LAV. The four-wheeled Ocelot is produced for the United Kingdom. The vehicles can be fitted with a range of weapons such as the TOW missiles which Saudi Arabia will have in large quantities.

Regardless, the vehicles will be designed and developed to meet Saudi Arabia's specific needs and local conditions. To cover the vast distances of flat, open and undeveloped terrain, the vehicles will need to be fast and relatively light with good off-road capability, sufficient range and able to deal with hot, dusty desert conditions.

Russia Starts Upgrading Project 1144.2 Orlan (Kirov Class) Missile Cruisers

After some delay, Russia has begun upgrading the Admiral Nakhimov, one of its Project Missile 1144.2 Orlan (Kirov class) nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers at the Sevmash shipyard. There are a total of four Project 1144.2 cruisers:

• the Admiral Ushakov, commissioned as the Kirov in 1980
• the Admiral Lazarev, commissioned as the Frunze in 1984
• the Admiral Nakhimov, commissioned as the Kalinin in 1988
• the Pyotr Veliky, formerly the Yuri Andropov was commissioned in 1998

Of these four, only the Pyotr Veliky is currently in active service. All four are scheduled to undergo an extensive upgrade.

Although quite old, the Kirov class cruisers remain the most heavily armed ships in service and will continue to have this distinction after modernization is complete. Some of the changes to be made include:

• Replacement of the P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) with the P-800 Onyx (Oniks) long-range supersonic anti-ship missiles
• Replacement of the naval S-300 with the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile complex
• Replacement of the AK-630 and Kashtan Close-In Weapon Systems with the Pantsir system

Work on the Admiral Nakhimov is expected to be complete by 2018.

Oman Buys NASAMS Air Defense System

Oman has signed a $1.28 billion contract for the purchase of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). It was selected over a competing offer from Europe's MBDA and included in the contract are ground support equipment, training and technical support.

The short-to-medium range surface-to-air missile defense system is able to defend against a range of aerial threats such as aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and high precision munitions.

Initially developed by Raytheon in the United States and Norway's Kongsberg to meet Norway's defense needs as its launch customer, it has since been marketed to other countries and has been adopted by the US, Netherlands, Spain and Finland.

The system was the first application of the surface-launched version of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (SL AMRAAM), but it's also compatible with other surface-launched missiles such as the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) and the Sidewinder Missiles.

China Building Additional Aircraft Carriers

According to several Chinese media reports, Wang Min, the Communist Party leader of the province Liaoning stated that the port city of Dalian in his province is now building an aircraft carrier for the Chinese Navy with at least two more being planned.

Dalian is the place where the former Varyag or Liaoning, currently China's only aircraft carrier, was refurbished after being bought from the Ukraine. The shipyard is also in the process of building two Type 052D destroyers to become the second shipyard to build the type, next to Shanghai where four Type 052D destroyers are under construction or fitting out.

While the reports are officially unconfirmed, there can be no doubt that China will eventually have additional aircraft carriers next to the Liaoning. China has already developed its own J-15 aircraft, which is roughly similar to an improved Su-33, for service on carriers, not to mention other supporting infrastructure on land.

That kind of heavy investments would not have been made if there was no intent to build their own aircraft carriers. What remains to be seen are in the details, such as how many aircraft carriers are to be build by China, the time schedule for inducting them into service and their exact configuration.

Russia Commissions First Project 885 Yasen Class Nuclear Submarine

The first Project 885 Yasen class (or Graney class) nuclear submarine has finally been commissioned in the Russian Navy, long after it was originally planned to enter service during the nineties. The Severodvinsk was laid down in 1993 with work continuing on and off over the next two decades.

The nineties saw the Russian Navy experience hard times due to financial difficulties which effected the building of new warships, including the Project 885 submarines. However, the improving Russian economy in recent years has allowed Russia to spend more on defense that wasn't possible before.

A total of eight ships are to be build and the next seven will be modified to the improved Project 885M Yasen-M standard. The submarines will be armed among others with the 3M-54 Kalibr and 3M-55 Onyx (Oniks) missile systems.

The P-800 Onyx is finally starting to enter Russian service after export versions of the missile have already done so in other countries years before. The Yakhont has been exported to Syria, Indonesia and Vietnam and the Brahmos is in service in India.

Type 032 Diesel-Electric Submarine in Chinese Service

The Type 032 class diesel-electric submarine has succeeded the Type 031 (Golf) class submarine as a test platform for weapons and other submarine technology in the Chinese Navy. A single unit with pennant number 201 was launched in 2010 and commissioned into service in 2012.

This makes it the largest conventionally powered submarine in naval service today with its maximum submerged displacement of around 6600 t and a length of 92.6 m. The hull can withstand pressure up to a depth of 200 m. The submarine has an endurance of 30 days with a standard complement of 85. The endurance is reduced when the crew needs to be enlarged to conduct tests and other experiments.

The Type 032 includes an escape pod for the crew similar to certain Russian nuclear attack submarine (SSN) such as the Sierra class. The submarine can carry a Chinese version of a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) externally on the hull, which can hold a crew for special operations and for rescue operations of submarines in need.

The Type 032 is compatible with a wide range of weapons such as vertically launched ballistic missiles, cruise and other types of missiles that can strike at targets on land, on the surface and even against airborne aircraft in a manner somewhat similar to the IDAS missile in development for the German Type 212 submarine.

Brazil Selects Saab JAS39 Gripen E/F or NG Fighter Aircraft

Brazil has selected Saab's Gripen E/F or Gripen NG from Sweden for its F-X2 program and will now begin contract negotiations for 36 aircraft, worth an estimated $4.5 billion. That is expected to last one year, followed by deliveries after four years.

The contract is expected to include technology transfer that Brazil is looking for to allow for instance the integration of Brazilian missiles and weapons. Besides technology transfer, local assembly and joint fighter development, Sweden submitted the lowest bid and agreed to help finance the deal.

The Swedish Gripen beat Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Dassault's Rafale after an extended selection process that lasted over a decade and was marked by repeated delays and setbacks. It will replace the Mirage 2000C and F-5 in service with the Brazilian Air Force.

The win for Saab came on the same day it was awarded a 16.4 billion Swedish Krona or $2.5 billion production contract from the Swedish government to modify 60 JAS39 Gripen C/D fighters to the Gripen E/F standard.

Iraq Buys 24 F/A-50 / T-50IQ Aircraft From South Korea

South Korea has sold Iraq 24 F/A-50 light multi-role aircraft for about $1.1 billion to be delivered in 2015 and 2016. Another contract to be signed later for related training and other services could raise the value to $2.1 billion.

The F/A-50 was selected over the Hawk 128, Yak 130 and L-159 and is the first time the type has been exported after entering service earlier with South Korea. Other interested countries in the F/A-50 include the Philippines, although no contract has been signed so far.

The F/A-50 is based on the T-50 Golden Eagle trainer aircraft, a joint project between Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin, with an intermediate version known as the T/A-50. The latter added attack capabilities to the training role of the original, while the F/A-50 can also function as a light fighter.

The T-50 and T/A-50 had previously been exported to other countries such as Indonesia. In Iraq it will enter service as the T-50IQ, where it will complement the F-16C/D bought from the United States.

Iraq has ordered 36 F-16IQ aircraft in two batches to be delivered starting in 2014. Also to be delivered soon are 40 Mi-28 and Mi-35 attack helicopters, of which the first four Mi-35 were received from Russia last November.


http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2013/12/12/63/0301000000AEN20131212005100315F.html

By Tech. Sgt. Lee Osberry [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Possible Sale of Over 15000 TOW Missiles to Saudi Arabia

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the United States Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) for Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) 2A/2B Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles to Saudi Arabia, which includes:

• 9650 BGM-71 2A TOW RF missiles
• 4145 BGM-71 2B TOW Aero RF missiles
• 91 TOW-2A Fly-to-Buy missiles
• 49 TOW-2B Fly-to-Buy missiles

The contract is worth $900 million and includes associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The DSCA has reported a second FMS to Saudi Arabia, which includes:

• 750 BGM-71 2B TOW missiles
• 7 Fly-to-Buy TOW 2B missiles
• 1000 BGM-71 2A TOW missiles
• 7 Fly-to-Buy TOW 2A missiles

This contract is worth $170 million and includes associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The TOW missile family from Raytheon is suitable for long-range, precision anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious use. In Saudi Arabia, the TOW missiles are destined for the Royal Saudi Land Forces and National Guard.

Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350 Missiles to be Integrated with Typhoon Aircraft

The first test of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft has now taken place that should result in the eventual integration by 2015 of the Storm Shadow missile from MBDA. This will allow Typhoon aircraft to strike at ground targets from stand-off ranges in a way that it's currently unable to.

The Typhoon is now limited to carrying smart bombs and is for the most part an air superiority platform, but is expected to become a true multi-role platform able to conduct the full range of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

It will be able to carry missions that are currently restricted to Tornado aircraft, which can carry the Storm Shadow. Other upgrades scheduled include the replacement of the Captor radar with a Selex AESA radar. The long-range ramjet-powered Meteor BVRAAM from MBDA is also set to be integrated.

The Storm Shadow is a fire-and-forget, high-precision, long-range, low-observable, low-flying turbojet-powered cruise missile, which supports way point planning and can be used in day or night and all-weather conditions.

Russia to Deliver 18 Used Su-30K Fighter Aircraft to Angola

Russia is to deliver 18 used Su-30K fighter aircraft to an unspecified African country, which is presumed to be Angola. Twelve aircraft will be delivered initially, followed by another batch of six.

The Su-30K aircraft in question formerly belonged to the Air Force of India and were part of the initial aircraft supplied as part of the Su-30MKI deal agreed to in 1996 between Russia and India.

At the time of signing, the Su-30MKI did not exist, but was a paper design that would have to be developed. Basically, the Su-30MKI is a modified version of the Russian Su-30MK, but with certain Russian components such as the avionics replaced by western or Indian parts.

It also incorporated features found in the more advanced Su-35 / Su-37. Unlike the basic Su-30MK, the Su-30MKI features canards as in the Su-35 and thrust-vectoring engines as in the Su-37.

According to the 1996 deal, 40 Su-30 aircraft would be build in Russia and delivered to India, which was later increased to 50 when India bought another 10 aircraft in 1998.

India Receives the Former Admiral Gorshkov Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya From Russia

After several years of protracted delay and development, Russia has now handed over the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to India. The INS Vikramaditya was formerly known as the Baku in the Soviet Union and later renamed as the Admiral Gorshkov.

The Admiral Gorshkov was the fourth and last member of the Project 1143.4 or (Modified) Kiev class of heavy aviation cruisers that carried fixed-wing aircraft such as the Yak 38. Specifications of the Baku included:

• Length 273 m
• Beam 32 m
• Draught 9.4 m
• Maximum displacement 44500 tons

Despite belonging to the same class, the Baku incorporated a number of differences compared to its sister ships, such as:

• Replacing the 4K60 Shtorm (SA-N-3 Goblet) and 9K33 Osa (SA-N-4 Gecko) with the 3K95 Kinzhal (SA-N-9 Gauntlet) surface-to-air missiles.
• Four additional P-500 Bazalt (SS-N-12 Sandbox) long-range supersonic anti-ship missiles for a total of 12 missiles.
• Replacing the 76 mm guns with 100 mm guns.
• Installation of the latest electronics and other systems.

The Baku was laid down in 1978, commissioned in 1987 and withdrawn from service in 1996. In 1994, the ship suffered an explosion in the boiler room which had to be repaired.