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Panglima TNI Menyampaikan Rencana Pengembangan TNI

03 Oktober 2011

TNI akan menambah satu armada khusus untuk wilayah tengah (photo : Kaskus Militer)

Armada Baru Disiapkan oleh TNI Angkatan Laut

TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta - Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) akan berfokus mengembangkan sumber daya manusia dan pembangunan alat utama sistem persenjataan (alutsista) sampai 2014 mendatang. Panglima TNI Agus Suhartono mengatakan dua hal itu menjadi agenda yang mendesak dilaksanakan. Untuk mewujudkan hal tersebut ketiga matra TNI akan menambah divisi dan batalion.

"Postur dan struktur TNI yang dikembangkan ke depan bercirikan peningkatan profesionalisme TNI. Itu diwujudkan dengan memusatkan diri pada tugas-tugas pertahanan," katanya usai memimpin gladi resik upacara peringatan HUT ke-66 TNI di Markas Besar TNI Cilangkap Jakarta Timur, Senin 3 Oktober 2011.

Komando Cadangan Strategis TNI Angkatan Darat (Kostrad) akan menambah satu divisi linud, satu batalion armed, dua brigade infanteri, dan dua batalion infanteri. Satuan tempur setingkat brigade dan batalion juga akan dibangun di beberapa Komando Daerah Militer (Kodam).

Sementara itu, di bawah koordinasi TNI Angkatan Laut juga akan dikembangkan tiga armada, dari sebelumnya hanya dua armada dan tiga pasukan marinir. Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Laut Laksamana Suparno mengatakan Armada RI Kawasan Tengah akan dibentuk melengkapi armada kawasan timur dan barat.

"Karena ada tiga alur laut Indonesia dan tiga daerah rawan di setiap armada yang memerlukan pengawasan," kata dia. Pembentukan armada baru juga bertujuan agar alutsista lebih merata. Sedangkan pelaksanaan pembentukan armada akan dilakukan bertahap.

Tak ketinggalan, TNI Angkatan Udara juga akan membentuk empat skadron baru, terdiri dari berbagai pesawat dan helikopter serta tiga satuan radar dan tiga detasemen khusus. "Juga mengembangkan pasukan khas (paskhas) dan pembentukan beberapa pangkalan udara," kata Panglima Agus.

(Tempo Interaktif)

New Era in RNZAF Advanced Pilot Training Signalled

03 Oktober 2011

RNZAF Beechcraft King Air B200 (photo : NZFF)

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, has announced moves to develop a new advanced pilot training capability for the RNZAF. This will include new advanced trainer aircraft.

“In future pilots will train on fast and manoeuvrable aircraft which provide much more rigorous and realistic training. This will prepare them effectively for the demanding military flying they will be called upon to perform in service,” said Dr Mapp.

“The upgraded P3 Orion and C-130 Hercules aircraft and the NH90 helicopter are frontline military aircraft that are routinely flown well beyond normal civil parameters.

“Currently advanced pilot training is done using King Air B200s. These twin-engine civilian planes are limited in the power, manoeuvrability and cockpit visibility needed for training at this level.

Comparison with Australia and Canada (photo : Beehive)

“They are also not equipped with the modern generation electronic instruments, communications and situational awareness aids that are important features of our new and upgraded aircraft and helicopters.”

Dr Mapp said last year’s Defence White Paper was clear that pilot training needs to match the full range of operational demands made on aircrew.

“A Request for Information from industry has been released today, covering provision of suitable aircraft as well as different training options including the use of simulators.”

“The Government is open to either leasing or purchasing aircraft, and innovative ways of managing the support and operation of new aircraft. We will be encouraging industry to work with the RNZAF to introduce this new training capability as quickly as possible.

“The project exemplifies the Government’s openness to working with industry to develop innovative solutions that deliver better services more efficiently.”

Dr Mapp noted the King Air fleet would still be needed for multi-engine and continuation training and utility transport tasks. A project to upgrade or replace the current King Airs, for which the lease expires at the end of June next year, is underway.

(Beehive)

See Also :

Defence Capability Plan launched

03 Oktober 2011

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, today launched the new Defence Capability Plan.

“This plan sets out how Defence will carry out the Defence White Paper strategies over the next decade,” said Dr Mapp.

“It will guide our decisions on shaping frontline units and on the equipment and capability they will have. It takes into account affordability, resources and defence priorities”.

“The plan is not just a list of projects and equipment. Capability for the Defence Force is about transporting and sustaining a deployable Defence Force here and overseas. It is about using modern technology to give the entire defence force a common operating picture. And it is about ensuring our men and women in uniform are equipped to meet all the challenges they face, from combat through to disaster relief.”

The plan includes new projects covering the next decade, including upgrading or replacing the Seasprite helicopters, a systems upgrade for the ANZAC frigates, a Special Forces Battle Training facility, and a land transport capability programme.

“An important project is a new pilot training capability, including finding advanced training aircraft to replace the current King Air B200s,” said Dr Mapp.

There are also plans for network-enabled systems which are interoperable across the Defence Force and multinationally.

Dr Mapp said the plan signals good opportunities for local industry.

“Industry is a key partner in delivering new and upgraded equipment, and in maintaining it. We already work closely with a number of companies, and there will be many more opportunities for industry, particularly in infrastructure and information technology projects.”

He said the projects in the Capability Plan could be funded for the next ten years from accumulated depreciation, with no need for extra capital. Any increase in costs would be met by reallocating existing resources within Defence.

(The Defence Capability Plan can be found at http://www.defence.govt.nz/pdfs/reports-publications/defence-capability-plan-2011.pdf).

(Beehive)

Defence White Paper 2011 Strengthens RBAF's Future Capability & Credibility

09 Juli 2011

Pilatus PC-7 of the Brunei Air Force/Angkatan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (photo : Scramble)

Bandar Seri Begawan - The primary fundamental responsibility for any government is to provide and ensure the security of its country and the safety of its people by putting its young men in uniform and arming them with the best weapons and machines available with which to defend and protect its sovereignty, its way of life, its culture and its values.

For only by ensuring that a stable environment can be maintained could its people prosper to pursue happiness and prosperity, and, more importantly, decisions be made without fear of external coercion.

Traditionally, the conventional concern for any military force has been to protect its borders and its interests against the possibility of attack or coercion by other foreign powers.

However, today that prospect, while still not unthinkable, is considered less likely thanks largely to the growing interdependence, transparency and interconnectedness of almost every country in the world, which has often been referred to as a global village.

But within every military thinking, there can be no room for complacency as the current and future security outlook is still wide-ranging and often opaquely complex.

Issues such as international terrorism and its links to extremist groups within the immediate region remain a serious concern.

The illegal movements of people, drugs, arms and finance challenge the integrity of national borders and the domestic stability of countries.

CN-235 of the Brunei Air Force (photo : Scramble)

Competition for, and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, present significant challenges to a country's sovereignty, whether in remote border areas or adjacent maritime zones.

The increasing reminders of the frequency and ferocity of natural disasters that always leaves behind a miserable trail of devastation and destruction continues to be a grim reminder that despite all our best efforts.

Nature does not respect national boundaries.

The double-edged sword that is the information revolution, whilst producing substantial benefits in communication and efficiency, also carries with it the shadow of information or cyber warfare by generating the ability to disrupt an entire country without firing a single shot.

Despite all these newly-emerging threats potentially lurk over all our horizons, other more traditional security considerations still prevail.

With technological advancements and increasing developmental growth, many countries have begun to introduce and add more advanced military systems to its arsenals in a bid to ensure their own security as a legitimate demand and right to self-defence.

Bell 212 of the Brunei Air Force (photo : clickandrender)

But despite the best efforts at promoting transparency by diplomatic engagement, total trust is not always completely unattainable and inherent suspicions will continue to remain.

Against the backdrop of the global economic meltdown, as some parts of the region recover and regain economic growth, some rebalancing of the roles of the major Asia-Pacific powers appears likely, and although everyone of them share a common vested interest in this shift to occur peacefully and constructively, the possibility of tensions arising over specific issues still cannot be pragmatically ruled out.

One such instance is the issue over the South China Sea.

While the strengthening of the regional security dialogue provides important opportunities for any disputes that do arise to be settled peacefully at the conference table, it is important that several outstanding issues, such as the development of the South China Sea, as well as the future of the Korean peninsula, continue to be confined within this framework.

Similarly, in everyone's shared interest of sustaining regional growth, providing secure sea lines of communication has become even more essential to both access to resources and towards maintaining robust international trade.

Given Brunei Darussalam's modest size, it has long become apparent that a constructive and collaborative approach to all these challenges is key, as has been often mentioned and repeated by the highest echelons of the government.

Brunei clearly cannot go about it alone but since it does also share many of these security concerns with its neighbours, an effective response would depend upon closer cooperation, both politically and militarily, as well as with civil enforcement agencies.

Scorpion light tank of the Brunei Army (photo : Military Vehicle)

It was thus with these principles and issues in mind that the latest Defence White Paper was created. At its very core, 'Defending The Nation's Sovereignty: Expanding Roles In Wider Horizons' reaffirmed that the essential building block for every country to have is its inalienable right and ability to provide for its own security - by ensuring its own stability, responding independently to any more immediate challenges to the integrity of its land borders and interests in adjacent maritime areas and to be willing and able to contribute further a field to crisis management, stability and peace operations.

Furthermore the new Defence White Paper improved upon the important foundations that had already been first laid out in the country's inaugural Defence White Paper in 2004 and its subsequent update in 2007.

The policies that it sets out and the actions and capabilities it proposes have two important objectives: (1) To ensure that Brunei Darussalam is not only able to provide for its own security but also to be able to make a robust contribution to promoting a stable regional environment; and, (2) To be able to maximise the operational effectiveness and flexibility of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) across the vast myriad of new security agendas.

Similarly, in the international perspective, the White Paper underscores the importance of regional security cooperation in responding to the new security challenges by strongly continuing to endorse the current efforts, already underway, to establish the Asean Political Security Community and the close professional cooperation being fostered by the Asean Defence Ministers' Meetings. It further documents the importance of the willingness of all the countries in the region to contribute to crisis response, stability and peacekeeping.

As it stands, the primary focus of the Defence White Paper is, quite rightly, on how Brunei should further develop its own capacity to protect the country and its people, as well as promote its interests, which are more often than not shared with its neighbours, in this increasingly complex world.

Four essential qualities have been identified as crucial to this development.

The first is 'knowledge'.

The Defence White Paper simply explains this as the need to promote the greatest possible transparency of developments in both the country's strategic and operational environments, which is essential to the early identification of issues, the RBAF's ability to take the initiative and, where appropriate, for a timely and measured response.

Developing the RBAF's maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities and its capacity to monitor activities in more remote border areas has been accorded the highest priority.

The need to progressively strengthen control of the national airspace has also been acknowledged.

At the more strategic level, the White Paper aims to enhance the links between policy and intelligence to support national decision-making.

The second quality is 'integration'. The 2007 Defence Update had given much priority to networking the armed forces through advanced command, control and communications and establishing the RBAF Joint Operations Centre.

KDB Darulehsan (photo : Stephane Saisssi)

Developing a common operational picture and linking deployed forces to both each other and to strategic-level command was essential to maintaining the initiative, achieving military outcomes matched to national objectives, and the most optimum use of resources.

Further strengthening the comprehensiveness of the available information and developing joint force planning and the habits of cooperation would further make integration a defining quality of the RBAF's operations and it would also facilitate closer cooperation with other national agencies and, whenever appropriate, the country's security partners, which the latest Defence White Paper had set out for the establishment of a new Joint Planning Committee to oversee these developments.

`Speed' is the third quality where the ability to deploy rapidly in response to intelligence and to be able to manoeuvre within the area of operations is essential to responding to crises, preventing or deterring possible incidents and being able to maintain the operational initiative.

The demanding operational terrain in much of the country places a premium on movement by air or water. As such, important initiatives will include the replacement of the Royal Brunei Air Force's medium lift helicopters and the Royal Brunei Navy's (RBN) landing crafts, as well as the acquisition of fast, manoeuvrable shallow water craft.

The Royal Brunei Land Forces' protection of mobility, essential in stability and peacekeeping operations, will also be upgraded; whilst the RBN's new fleet will provide a flexible response capability for the maritime environment.

The fourth and final essential quality is 'weight', which carried with it two considerations. Firstly, security operations, by their very nature, carry a significant element of risk, even in lower level theatres of hostilities, thus making it important for deployed forces to have the necessary protection and firepower to be able to accomplish their missions.

Secondly, closely matching the level of force deployed to the mission will often be important to a successful outcome, which demonstrates resolve but also the objectives being sought.

Thus, further development of the RBLF with more potent short-to-medium range direct firepower to complement its enhanced mobility protection would make it a much more flexible national instrument, making it able to contribute more effectively across a range of contemporary operations, as well as provide the basis for the protection of national assets and infrastructure should circumstances deteriorate at any point in the future.

Progressive development of the country's air defence capability is also one of the focuses of the White Paper to strengthen control over Brunei's immediate approaches.

Maximising the operational effectiveness of the RBAF along these guidelines can only be accomplished with a comprehensive and integrated approach to planning, which the White Paper also addresses.

The four most important elements are: (1) Significant strengthening of the Ministry of Defence's policy, joint operational and joint capability planning processes; (2) Providing guidance on force preparedness, the smart use of technology and personnel development; (3) Developing close coordination with civil _agencies that share responsibility for responding to the new security agenda, and; (4) A clear articulation of how the RBAF would be best able to draw upon its fundamental strengths to make an increasingly effective contribution to regional security cooperation.

As it reaches its half-century mark, the RBAF has undoubtedly come a long way since its inception as a small infantry force 50 years ago.

The new Defence White Paper is set to ensure that the RBAF continues to evolve as a modern, balanced force that is well matched to the country's security priorities, whilst armed and equipped with the flexibility to protect and promote Brunei's interests in this complex world.

(Borneo Bulletin)

See Also :

Sharpen Maritime, Land Watch
07 Juli 2011

THE Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) will cooperate with other government agencies to enhance its capability in the monitoring of national interests, particularly its natural resources, within the country's maritime and land borders.

The army's Defence White Paper (DWP) 2011, launched yesterday, stipulated developing a "comprehensive recognised Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) picture" as one of its "more immediate priorities".

"This should seek to capture the full range of external activity impacting upon the nation's control of its territory and boundaries and enhance domain awareness on land, air and maritime."

A document summarising the DWP said that aside from the "illegal" exploitation of natural resources, competition presented significant challenges to a nation's sovereignty, particularly when such activities take place in remote areas close to the borders or in adjacent maritime zones.

Increasing transparency of the operational environment would help the RBAF identify any security challenges early and issue a quicker response, the DWP said.

The procurement of the two Darussalam Class offshore patrol vessels, KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulehsan, commissioned in May, supported the navy's efforts to maintain a "continuous presence in adjacent waters".

To further develop that capacity, the military planned to acquire surface surveillance radar "to provide continuous, all-weather surveillance of movements in the more immediate maritime approaches".

More fixed-wing aircraft, equipped with enhanced sensors, were also in RBAF's procurement plans. The new aircraft "will transform the maritime surveillance capability currently provided by the (Royal Brunei) Air Force's CN-235", the DWP said.

Speaking to The Brunei Times, Defence Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) Hjh Suriyah Hj Umar said the propeller-driven CN-235 transport plane has "limited capabilities" and thus, the forces were on the lookout for new maritime patrol solutions.

"But that is something we need to study first," she said.

"With our new patrol vessels, it's (the KDB ships) been working very well. (They are) something to complement the eyes from the sky."

Hjh Suriyah noted the solutions had to be capable of Brunei's 200-nautical mile EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).

Other capabilities included fitting "modular sensor suite" on new medium-lift helicopters, that the air force will procure to replace its ageing fleet.

The sensor suite would include infra-red and thermal imaging capabilities to strengthen the capacity for helicopters, particularly those patrolling over land.

"Coverage of potentially illegal activities across the nation's land borders is made difficult by their remoteness, the difficult terrain and the jungle canopy. A consistent high level of ISR needs to be provided, closely integrated with land force patrols," the DWP said.

The activities included illegal logging and trespassing, while on water, surveillance would be stepped up to prevent poaching of fish stocks, acts of piracy and other transnational crimes.

However, the RBAF assured that the responsibility of enforcement will remain "primarily with civil agencies".

(The Brunei Times)

Indonesian Air Force Projects 10 Fighting Squadrons

11 April 2011

Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) will have 10 fighter sguadron by 2025 (photo : Detik)

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian Air Force is projecting to improve its military force by 2025, but the plan is hampered by budget issues. Although it has tried to improve the budget, the increase has not been significant.

Indonesian Air Force expert staffer Marshall Parulian Simamora, said the target was to have 10 fighting squadrons, 7 carrier squadrons, 1 VIP/VVIP squadron, 3 strategic spy squadrons, 6 helicopter squadrons, 4 training squadrons, 1 tanker squadron, and 1 PTTA/UAV squadron and military equipment by 2025.

In 2011, the Indonesian Armed Forces was given a Rp44 billion budget, while the Air Force was given Rp7.4 trillion, Rp4.2 trillion of which was used to improve existing military equipment.

Which such budget, the military hopes the national industry can maximize the development of the military and defense equipment industry. Indonesian Air Force chief of staff Marshall Imam Sufaat said a strong local defense industry could reduce dependency on foreign aid.

Imam said the local industry he referred to was not only the plane, rocket, satellite and air balloon manufacturing industry, but also the aviation system industry or airplane component industry. Besides the industry sector, air defense must also be supported by the aviation service, such as air transportation, telecommunication services, flight safety, and maintenance.

PT Dirgantara Indonesia’s Aerostructure director Andi Alisjahbana, said the need for fighting and defense equipment did not always rely on foreign producers. Maintenance and repairs are needed to generate the component industry.

Dirgantara has developed a specific aircraft for the past two years. This year, PT Dirgantara plans to send four aircrafts to South Korea. The four aircrafts, valued at US$100 million, were ordered by the Korean Coast Guard.

(Tempo Interaktif)

China Release Defence White Paper

05 April 2011

Chinese combat engineer army (photo : Army Recognition)

China moves towards networked force

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China is moving towards becoming an ‘informationised force’, according to its ‘China's National Defence in 2010’ white paper released on 31 March.

The paper said that significant progress had been made in building information systems for ISR, command and control, and ‘battlefield environment awareness’.

‘A preliminary level has been achieved in interoperability among command and control systems, combat forces, and support systems, making order transmission, intelligence distribution, command and guidance more efficient and rapid,’ the white paper said.

China plans to raise its defence budget by 12.7% to 601 billion Yuan (US$91.5 billion) in 2011. Although this is up from the 7.5% increase that was reported in 2010, the growth rate of defence expenditure has decreased.

‘In the past two years, the increase in the defence expenditure has been used to improve support for troops and accomplish diversified military tasks, ranging from earthquake rescue and effort operations in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia,’ Beijing’s official press service said in a statement.

‘In view of the upward trend of purchasing prices and maintenance costs, China has moderately increased funding for high-tech weaponry and equipment.’

The government said that the total length of the national defence optical fibre communication network had been increased by a ‘large margin’, forming a new generation transmission network with optical fibre communication as the mainstay, and satellite and short-wave communications as secondary.

‘Information systems have been widely applied in logistics and equipment support,’ the statement said.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) issued its own report on the Chinese military’s capability in 2010, which said the PLA was pursuing the dual ideas of mechanisation and ‘informatisation’ (the application of information technology to military operations).

‘As a consequence, and in recognition of the high costs of force-wide refitting with state-of-the-art weapons systems, the PLA is selectively acquiring new generation technologies in some areas, while deferring new acquisitions in others in favour of upgrading older, but capable, systems for networked operations,’ the DoD said.

(Shephard)

New Zealand Defence White Paper Launched

02 November 2010

Royal New Zealand Navy personnel in an ANZAC frigate operations room (photo : NZ DoD)

WELLINGTON (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Tuesday launched the Defence White Paper, the first comprehensive defence review in 13 years.

"This delivers on a promise we made prior to the 2008 election and provides a framework for reform, particularly how we can get the best value for money from our defence budget," Key said.

More frontline soldiers, sailors and airmen are the key to New Zealand's defence future but there is not much in extra money, a defence white paper has revealed Tuesday.

The long-awaited New Zealand Defence Force white paper says there will be more investment in front-line personnel for all three branches of the military as many uniformed personnel are freed from roles to be taken over by an increasing number of civilians working within the military.

Defence Minister Dr. Wayne Mapp said the last white paper was 13 years ago and the world had changed considerably since then.

On the quarterdeck of the multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury at the Devonport naval base in Auckland, he said the white paper outlined the Government's defence objectives for the next 25 years.

While New Zealand was unlikely to face a direct military threat, there were growing pressures on maritime resources and an increased possibility of illegal migration, he said.

"The outlook for the South Pacific is one of fragility."

While the focus would be on the South Pacific it did not mean New Zealand would do less elsewhere.

The combat effectiveness of the army would be enhanced and the navy's two Anzac frigates would be upgraded to ensure they could continue to work effectively with New Zealand defence partners, he said. Short-range search and rescue aircraft would be introduced to free up the costly Orion maritime surveillance aircraft for other core duties.

More elite troops would be added to the Special Air Services to reduce the strain on an internationally recognized force in considerable demand.

Mapp said changes in the distribution of resources within the defence force would free up to 300 million NZ dollars (228 million U.S. dollars) a year for more front-line capabilities.

The army would be restructured to increase its combat capability so that up to 800 soldiers could be sent offshore every year for three years in six-monthly rotations.

(Xinhua)

Full white paper: Defence_White_Paper_2010.pdf

General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman Compete for JOC System in Brunei

21 Agustus 2009

US Northern Command - a modern Joint Operation Centre System (photo : Northcom)

General Dynamics UK & Northrop Grumman picked as suppliers for Brunei Joint Ops C41

Brunei’s Ministry of Defence has zeroed in on two candidates – General Dynamics United Kingdom (GD) and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems International Inc (NG) – after assessing their pilot systems, for setting up the Joint Operations Centre C41.

This was announced yesterday by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, at the 2nd Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Bridex) held at its centre in Jerudong.

He said, in line with the Brunei Government’s Defence White Paper Update 2007 entitled “Shaping the Force Today” and its strategic objectives, the Ministry of Defence invited interested vendors to submit their proposals to design, develop, manufacture, procure, assemble, install, integrate, test, deliver, provide and successfully commission a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) based on the concept of a Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C41) system, collectively known as the JOC C4I, which is fit for purpose and meets the requirements of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

With this, a total of 14 potential vendors from around the world participated in the tender. Three of the candidate vendors have just completed a demonstration of their pilot systems in Brunei.

The defence permanent secretary added that the Ministry of Defence intends to enter into contract negotiations with GD and NG with a view to announcing a contract award in the third quarter of this year.
According to General Dynamics UK Limited, the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) will provide the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and Ministry of Defence (MinDef) with a facility to deliver command and control capability for military commands and civil organisations at both a national and international level and be interoperable with its NATO and Asean allies and coalition partners.

General Dynamics is committed to providing an enduring capability based on Brunei’ Vision 2035, said Andrew Browne Vice President C4I Systems of General Dynamics UK for C4I.

General Dynamics UK is the Prime Contractor and Systems Integrator delivering the UK’s flagship C4I system across the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force; and the latest enhanced version was used successfully in a British exercise in Brunei recently. General Dynamics UK is also delivering similar systems to other customers worldwide.

The core of the General Dynamics solution for the Brunei JOC is a low-risk Microsoft Windows based solution using best-of-breed products enabling ease of use and local sustainability. General Dynamics will provide both support and training packages tailored to meet the needs of the RBAF.

General Dynamics UK is teamed with Systematic UK for the Brunei JOC. Systematic UK recently won the contract to provide its SitaWare product to be the core software around which the United Kingdom’s JOC will operate over the coming years, thus providing a single unified Common Operating Picture (COP). This same product is at the core of General Dynamics UK’s Brunei JOC proposal.

Welcoming the announcement, Andrew Browne, Vice President C4I Systems, said: “General Dynamics UK is very pleased to have been selected for the next stage of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces’ JOC programme, after a rigorous demonstration and assessment of our technical solution and capabilities. Customers worldwide trust us to deliver. We are confident that our bid, which offers both technical excellence and superb benefits in knowledge transfer for the Bruneian ICT business sector, and also leverages our experience in developing international education partnership programmes, will provide Brunei with the best JOC solution. Our unique experience as the UK MoD’s premier communications partner supports our proven track record, delivering interoperability for key programmes of national importance for Britain and its military partners globally.”

Northrop Grumman Information Systems Europe said it is proud to be selected as one of two companies to enter into negotiations for supply of Brunei’s JOC.

A press release from Northrop Grumman Information Systems Europe stated that this is an important enhancement to Brunei’s defence capabilities, providing not only protection to its people and natural resources, but also allowing RBAF to become a lead nation in regional and coalition activities.

“Our C4I system (I-JOCCS) is deployed and will support international operations. We are proud to work with local companies and emerging technologies and are fully committed to working with the RBAF for the full life cycle of this program,” it further stated.

Paul Davison, vice president and managing director for Northrop Grumman’s Information Systems sector in Europe said, “We are strongly committed to growing our business in South East Asia and Brunei is an important market in which we have considerable capabilities to offer.”

Their proven range of information system solutions across the company are well matched to meeting Brunei’s defence and national security requirements and Bridex provides an excellent platform fro building alliance, forging partnerships and capturing new business opportunities in this fast growing region, he added.

(Brunei FM)

India Launches Soldier-Gear Effort

23 Juli 2009

F-INSAS : Futuristic Infantry Soldier As A System (image : Bharat Rakshak)

India plans to to develop weapons and gear for individual soldiers through a public-private effort called Futuristic Infantry Soldier-As-A-System (F-INSAS), Defence Minister A. K. Antony told Parliament on July 22.

"Integrated Management System with Public-Private-Partnership is contemplated in order to produce cost-effective system in large quantity," Antony said.

The gear will improve soldiers' firepower, communications, and mobility.

A July 22 ministry statement said, "The Qualitative Requirements for F-INSAS is being finalized together by the developer and army, identifying critical technologies requirements."

One ministry official said two critical technologies will be designed and developed by the state's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) - a multicaliber individual weapon and an air-bursting grenade.

Other arms and gear will include anti-tank guided missiles, thermal sights and launchers; bulletproof vehicles; anti-materiel rifles; advanced carbines; surveillance radars; ground sensors; secure communications; guided ammunition; laser rangefinders; and light clothing and bulletproof jackets.

New clothing will include nuclear-biological-chemical protection.

(Defense News)

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces' Development Plan

06 Juli 2009

Brunei interest with CN-235MPA for maritime patrol aircraft (photo : TNI-AU)

Brunei Darussalam is no exception to the current global financial crisis. The repercussions of this crisis beg the need for prudent government spending and investment. In this vein, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) as the nation's first line of defence will continue, through smart acquisition, to modernise and develop its forces and capabilities in order to respond to and sustain in the ever-changing environment, as well as to overcome the various security challenges. As outlined in the Defence White Paper Update 2007, the RBAF's key requirements include an effective Command and Control mechanisms set up, land force flexibility maximisation, aerial and maritime surveillance and response capabilities enhancement and force elements mobility and sustenance logistics support network.

The complexity of security and operational challenges have emphasised the importance for a joint force approach to operations, which requires interoperability not only within the RBAF, but also between the RBAF and other government agencies. Thus, for the purpose of creating effective Command and Control throughout the organisation, the RBAF has established its Joint Force Headquarters in early 2008, which is to be equipped with a new Combat Net Radio system and a C4I system, currently at the implementation and procurement stages respectively. These capabilities are also expected to provide the RBAF connectivity and interoperability with its foreign counterparts, thereby enabling Brunei Darussalam to participate in any cooperative operations in the international theatre.

The Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) has been focusing on acquiring a comprehensive suite of equipment to maximise the flexibility, mobility and effectiveness of its operations. Amongst others, these include enhancing its weaponry, replacing its mobility assets, acquiring gap-crossing bridges, tactical communications and immediate area day-night surveillance. In tandem with these capability enhancements, the RBLF is also currently planning to create a mechanised infantry battalion, a second engineer squadron and a reconnaissance platoon.

In defending and preserving the nation's maritime interests, safety and security, the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) is looking at acquiring patrol vessels and fast patrol boats to replace its current assets. These new vessels not only would provide the capability for the RBN to sustain maritime presence in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), but would further contribute towards the nation's ability to cooperate with its neighbours beyond the nation's EEZ, both in combating transnational security challenges and conducting humanitarian relief operations.

Complementing the maritime surveillance capabilities, the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) is also looking at expanding its current aerial surveillance envelope through the acquisition of additional maritime patrol and fixed wing transport aircrafts.

In addition to these, in the medium and long term, plans are being drawn up to acquire UAV capability and to replace older helicopters to ensure the RBAirF's overall operational effectiveness.In addition, the Ministry of Defence is also looking at privatising some of its work and outsource some of its needs, such as cook houses, small arms simulator and vehicles servicing and repairs. They offer business opportunities to the services sector, both locally and outside the country. Consultancy work is another area which the Ministry will continue to require in many of its major projects.

The timely acquisition and operational availability of key capabilities is an essential component in achieving the nation?s security objectives. With such big plans for capability development, MINDEF looks at defence exhibitions, and particularly BRIDEX, as an important part of the procurement process as it seeks cost effective solutions for operational requirements of the RBAF.

(Asian Military Review)

3rd Generation SAF Taking Shape, Says DPM Teo

2 Juli 2009

Mr Teo in a BIONIX II Infantry Fighting Vehicle, observing as 2nd Lieutenant Lim Ming Liang explains the networked capabilities of the Battlefield Management System. (photo : Mindef)

It has been five years since the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) embarked on its 3rd Generation journey, and the key building blocks are all in place.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean shared this with the media during an interview on 26 Jun, ahead of SAF day celebrations on 1 Jul.

"You can now see the shape of this 3rd Generation SAF," he added.

Highlighting the three key elements of this transformation, Mr Teo said the SAF is now a modernised, networked force, capable of carrying out a wider spectrum of operations, and manned by committed people.

Commenting on the SAF's evolution into a modernised force, he cited examples of its upgrading of second-hand equipment, such as the recently launched RSS Archer submarine, and the replacement of its E2C early warning aircraft and SW1 armoured tanks with G550 AEW aircraft and Leopard 2A4 tanks respectively.

Other recent additions to the SAF's arsenal include the Formidable-class stealth frigates, the Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) first F15SG fighters.

The SAF's edge lies in the networked capabilities of these machines, which provide more speed, precision, mobility and combat power.

"They are able to exchange information with one another and...call upon the total capabilities of the SAF," said Mr Teo, who witnessed UAVs, artillery systems, Apache helicopters and F-16s operating as one integrated force during Exercise Wallaby in Australia last year.

Complemented by such hardware, the SAF is now capable of carrying out a wider spectrum of operations, which include contributions to multinational anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

A Landing Ship Tank (LST) with two Super Pumas on board, was deployed to the Gulf of Aden in April this year, while various medical, construction and engineering teams have been sent to the Oruzgan and Bamiyan provinces in Afghanistan since 2007.

These missions have been good operational experiences for servicemen, said Mr Teo. Although such deployments are not without risks, he expressed his confidence that all SAF servicemen are well-trained to handle such situations.

To mitigate risks like rocket attacks in Afghanistan, the SAF is prepared to contribute UAVs for surveillance and a Weapon Locating Radar to provide early warning.

Re-organisation within the SAF has helped widen its scope of operations. A UAV Command, formed through the RSAF's revamp in 2007 from a geographically-based structure into five distinct commands, "reflects...the operations we expect the 3rd Generation SAF to undertake," said Mr Teo.

Part of the SAF's modernised hardware, the Hermes 450 UAV, has improved detection capability and communication systems to transfer images to control stations in real time.

The SAF has also undertaken a multi-Service and multi-agency approach, with the formation of Island Defence Headquarters in 2001 and Maritime Security Task Force in January this year.
This July, the SAF will unveil a Special Operations Task Force, combining all the special operations forces in the SAF, "so that they can work together much more cohesively...and much more effectively," Mr Teo said.

As the SAF transforms, people who are committed and capable of handling the SAF's current and future capabilities and operations are needed.

The rising importance of small unit leaders, coinciding with more well-educated, able young people serving National Service, "enables us to give them more meaningful things to do, and draw upon their capabilities to build a much more capable SAF," he said.

In May, new human resource schemes were rolled out, including the extension of officers' retirement age from 45 to 50, more opportunities for personal and professional development of Warrant Officers, and the introduction of a new 3rd Warrant Officer rank.

The MSTF in action, featuring a Police Coast Guard vessel (front) and a Republic of Singapore Navy's Anti-submarine patrol vessel (back) closing in on a small boat, suspected to be a threat.

Besides reflecting the desire of some officers to stay longer in the SAF, such initiatives also "recognise the capabilities of the type of people that we want to take in for the Warrant Officer Corps to be the backbone of the SAF," shared Mr Teo.

Also, the introduction of a Military Domain Experts Scheme in May reflects the SAF's need for competencies in specific areas of engineering, technical and intelligence. Under this scheme, regulars can experience progression and continuous learning till they are 60.

Acknowledging that the SAF still has some way to go before its transformation is complete, Mr Teo concluded: "It's not finished yet...but you can now see the shape of this 3rd Generation SAF. There's still much work to be done over several more years.

"The SAF will continue to look at new technologies and new capabilities "which allow us to do things better - more effectively, more efficiently, more cost-effectively."

About The 3rd Generation SAF :

Capable of a Spectrum of Operations

The 3rd Generation SAF will possess the capabilities to fight decisively in war and respond flexibly in peacetime for counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and humanitarian aid.
Holistic Advancements

Besides fighting strength, the 3rd Generation SAF will also see improvements to administration, training, human resource management, planning and logistics.
Focused on People and Values

The 3rd Generation SAF will continue to rely on the dynamism, will and competence of its people. It will remain steadfast to the core values that have nurtured our people.
Technologically Advanced

The 3rd Generation SAF will continue to employ state-of-the-art technology to gain an asymmetric edge over its potential adversaries, such as in areas of precision strike, advanced networks and unmanned systems.
Integrated and Networked

Forces operating on land, in the air and on/under the sea would be interconnected and able to fight co-operatively.

(Mindef)

Singapore’s Blue Water Aspirations (2)

18 Juni 2009

RSS Steadfast (photo : FYJS)

These Formidable vessels carry a formidable array of sensors and armaments. MBDA Aster-15 and Aster-30 15-km (8-nm) and 30-km Thales Herakles multi-function radar, a Terma Scanter E/F and I/J-band navigation and surveillance radar, and a ITT Corporation Model 997 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sonar. Amazingly, thanks to the utilisation of technology, these ships have a complement of 60 crew compared to the 141 crew on the French La Fayette vessels. The low staffing levels are an important consideration given the manpower pressures that the RSN suffers due to the country's small population.

RSS Steadfast (photo : FYJS)

The frigates will bolster the RSN's surface fleet which also includes the six Victory class corvettes which entered RSN service from 1990 and which comprise the navy's 188 Squadron. The RSN's Victory and Formidable-class vessels are also joined by the twelve Fearless-class patrol vessels designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) which comprise 182/189 Squadron.

The RSN's amphibious assets fall under the responsibility of the service's 191 Squadron. By the mid-1990s the force had been reoriented away from its erstwhile mission of assisting Army training deployments abroard, and for the provision of Midshipman Sea training, to become a naval rapid reaction force. To this end, the RSN received the RSS Perseverance; a former Royal Navy ‘Sir Lancelot’-class Landing Ship Logistics in 1994. Two years' after the Perseverance's arrival two new Enduranceclass LSTs were ordered from ST Marine. These are the largest ships ever operated by the RSN. A total of four ships; Endurance, Resolution, Persistence and Endeavour comprise the class, and their entry into service has allowed the ex- US Navy ‘County’ class LSTs, acquired in the early 1970s, to be decommissioned. The lead ship in the Endurance-class, RSS Endurance, made history in 2000 as the first RSS vessel to circumnavigate the globe. Endurance class vessels have also assisted humanitarian operations during the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia.

RSS Victory (photo : Keypublishing)

Moreover, the RSN's mine warfare capability has experienced a substantial modernisation. In 1995, the Navy acquired the first of its four ‘Landsort’ class mine countermeasures vessels which form 194 Squadron. The Landsort ships were acquired to replace the two ex-US Navy ‘Bluebird’ class minesweepers which had been acquired in 1975. All four of the ships of the Landsort class were acquired by the RSN by 1996, and were deployed with COSCOM. These vessels are equipped with a Northrop Grumman MAINS mine countermeasures and navigation command and control system, along with Remotely-Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for mine disposal. These ships are instrumental in ensuring that the country's SLOCs remain clear of any mines.

Looking towards the future, over the next year, the RSN's Formidable class frigates will be enhanced with the arrival of six Sikorsky S- 70B naval helicopters. The RSN has no organic naval aviation and these aircraft will be operated by Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) personnel. The helicopters will be equipped to perform anti-surface and ASW, while also acting as an over-the-horizon reconnaissance and surveillance platform for the ships. All six of the helicopters are expected to be delivered to the RSAF by the end of this year.

Protector unmanned surface vehicle (photo : Mindef)

In recent years, the RSN has been a trailblazer in the use of Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USVs) Along with the Heil HaYam HaYisraeli (Israeli Sea Corps), the RSN has acquired Protector USVs. In 2003, a number of Protector craft were despatched to the Persian Gulf, along with the RSS Endurance, to assist multinational peacekeeping efforts in the Persian Gulf. These small, but able, craft demonstrated their abilities to perform up to eight hours of surveillance per day. The RSN is now reportedly interested in acquiring a rotary-wing Unmanned Air Vehice (UAV). No acquisition programme has been publicly announced, although the navy is said to be interested in the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter as a possible solution. In terms of surface craft, one capability that the RSN currently lacks is underway replenishment. The procurement of vessels that could fulfil this function would give the RSN a valuable means of enhancing its self-sufficiency, and also of projecting its power further east into the South China Sea. However, the acquisition of such a capability is not without risks, and could be seen by some of Singapore's neighbours as the RSN adopting a more aggressive posture. The country's acquisition of its Challenger class submarines was said to have provoked a mini-arms race in the south east Asian region with Malaysia deciding to acquire its ‘Scorpene’ class boats in 2006, and Indonesia also in the market for submarines. On the other hand, these two countries also have important maritime security concerns visa- vis piracy; arms and drug trafficking, and the security of their SLOCs. The submarine acquisitions could be as much about addressing these concerns, as responding to Singapore's naval modernisation.

In terms of amphibious capabilities, the procurement of the Endurance class LSTs could receive a further enhancement with the acquisition of hovercraft to support amphibious operations. The RSN performed some experiments with a locally-built ST Engineering Tiger-40 hovercraft in the early 1990s. The RSN may decide to acquire a large Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) style hovercraft of a similar design to the Textron Marine vehicles used by the United States Marine Corps to move heavy equipment, and large numbers of troops, from ship to shore.

Endurance class LPD (photo : Mindef)

As the RSN looks to the future, it will have several maritime security challenges to address. Arguably the most important is the security of its port facilities. The country has the world’s biggest port in terms of total shipping tonnage, and is also home to the world’s busiest container port. Any attempt to close the port by terrorism or by an act of war, even for a day, could have a serious effect on Singapore's economy.

Acts of sabotage below the waves around Singapore's locale could also play havoc for the island. A dark portent of possible disaster was shown in December 2000 when a trunk cable carrying electronic communications under the Strait of Malacca was damaged. The result was massive disruption to internet services in Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. Along with its port, Singapore's other big earner is financial services. A similar loss of internet connectivity in the future caused by the sub-sea sabotage of such a cable could cause expensive disruption to the country's financial services industry, and also a loss in confidence in the security of the country as a base from where such business can be conducted.

Naval UAV (photo : Militaryphotos)

China's maritime claims will also continue to be a cause of concern for the RSN. Since 1995, the government in Beijing has claimed the Spratly, Paracel and Senkaku archipelagos in the South China Sea; claims contested by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan. China's claims on the South China Sea region is a cause for concern given that around 25 percent of the world's total shipping trade travels through this area each year. As well as being heavily reliant on the security of its port. Any disruption to either the island's port facilities or its shipping by military action in the South China Sea related to territorial claims or counter-claims could have a serious economic impact on the island.

Closer to home, the RSN also has to contend with the regional menace of maritime piracy. Singapore is positioned at the south east tip of the notorious Strait of Malacca. Any increase in pirate attacks on merchant shipping in the Strait could have a serious impact on Singapore's port business. There is arguably no other areas of modern military operations so tightly connected with the flow of trade and commerce than naval affairs. Like every country with a coastline (and many without) Singapore's economic prospects and inextricably linked to her maritime security, and any disruption to this security could have a major impact on Asia’s eighth biggest economy. A point driven home by Shanmugam Jayakumar, the country's former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, who stated that; “freedom of navigation through the Malacca and Singapore Straits as well as the South China Sea is fundamental to the continued survival and prosperity of Singapore.” (Tom Withington)

(Asian Military Review)

Singapore’s Blue Water Aspirations (1)

18 Juni 2009

RSS Formidable (photo : ImdexAsia)

On 23rd February the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), was announced as the latest member of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), a coalition of nations under the command of US Navy Rear Admiral Terence McKnight tasked with anti-piracy patrols around the Gulf of Aden. The RSN is due to send one ‘Endurance’ class Landing Ship, Tank (LST) to CTF-151 in support of efforts to combat maritime piracy in a region notorious for these modern day brigands. The deployment to CTF- 151 illustrates that, in less than forty years since its formal establishment as an independent arm of the Republic of Singapore armed forces, the RSN has become a potent bluewater force able to project power far beyond its home shores.

Despite a population of only 4.6 million, and a land area of 682.7 square kilometres, Singapore has one of the most capable and modern navies in the Asian region. The force can trace its routes back to 20th April 1934 when the British Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve established a presence in the British colony of the Straits Settlements with two patrol craft. The force was known as the Straits Settlement Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (SSRNVR). By 1941, the SSRNVR had become the Singaporean component of the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (MRNVR). During the Second World War, the MRNVR and SSRNVR would form a component of the Royal Navy's presence in Southeast Asia. The MRNVR was renamed the Royal Malaysian Navy in 1952 as a recognition of its wartime actions. The SSRNVR was subsequently renamed the Singapore Division of the Royal Malaysian Naval Volunteer Reserve. When Singapore declared its independence from Malaysia in 1965, the Singapore Division was renamed the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF) and inherited two ships from the Royal Malaysian Navy, notably the Republic of Singapore Ship (RSS) Panglima and the RSS Singapura; a ‘Ford’ class patrol craft, and an ex-Japanese minelayer which had been captured by the British, respectively. The SNVF also had the RSS Bedok, a former police patrol craft as part of its fleet. However, the SNVF was renamed the People's Defence Force (Sea) under the authority of the Sea Defence Command (SDC) in September 1967. The SDC was later renamed the Maritime Command (MC) in 1968.

No sooner was the modern RSN taking shape than it had to deal with a subtle yet important shift in regional geopolitics. In 1971, the British Conservative government of Prime Minister Edward Heath announced that the Royal Navy would vacate all of its naval bases east of the Suez Canal, alongside the other services in the British armed forces, as part of an accompanying reduction of the UK's military presence throughout Asia. The MC was suddenly faced with a maritime security vacuum triggered by the British withdrawal. Fortunately, two years' before Mr. Heath’s announcement, the MC had received its first new vessel, the patrol craft RSS Independence. Independence would later be joined by RSS Justice, Freedom and Daring; the staffing of the MC also received a boost in 1969, with the first 160 cadets graduating from the School of Maritime Training. It was on 1st April 1975 that the modern RSN came into being.

RSS Archer-newest submarine of RSN (image : The Strait Times)

Today's modern force began to take shape from 1983 with the government deciding that the RSN had a vital role to play in securing the country’s Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC). Today, seven percent of Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is derived from the country’s maritime activities including shipping and port services. In 1988, the government launched the 'Navy 2000' plan which stipulated the acquisition of new submarines, amphibious support ships, maritime patrol aircraft, patrol vessels and mine warfare craft. In tandem with the ship and aircraft acquisitions, the RSN would also modernise its existing fleet with Surface-to-Air (SAM) and Anti-Ship Missiles (AShMs).

Changes also occurred at the organizational level with the establishment of Coastal Command (COSCOM) in 1988, tasked with ensuring the security of the Singapore Strait and its approaches. COSCOM is comprised of the RSN’s 181, 182/189 and 194 Squadrons. Also under COSCOM's jurisdiction are five Saab Giraffe-100 100-km (53-nautical mile) range radar systems. One year after the formation of COSCOM, the RSN was organised into two additional formations namely the 1st Flotilla, comprising 185 and 188 Squadrons, and the 3rd Flotilla with 191 and 195 Squadrons. In wartime, the 3rd Flotilla would also operate with the Reserve 192 and 193 Squadrons using requisitioned civilian vessels.

The current Chief of the RSN is Rear Admiral Chew Men Leong, who reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff. Below the Chief of the Navy (CNV) are the five RSN formations: Fleet (including the 1st and 3rd Flotillas, 171 Squadron which operates submarines, and also the Base Defence Squadrons) and Coastal Command (COSCOM), the Naval Diving Unit (NDU), Naval Logistics
Command (NALCOM) and the RNS’s Training Command (TRACOM).

The NDU is responsible for a number of missions including underwater demolition, mine clearance, combat diving and explosive ordnance disposal. NDU includes the Diving School, Clearance Diving Group, Combat Diving Group and Underwater Demolition Diving Group and is headquartered at Sembawang Camp in the north of the island. NALCOM is tasked with performing maintenance on the RSN's vessels at its bases at Tuas and Changi (see below). The logistical and materiel needs of the RSN are met by NALCOM's Naval Material and Transportation Base, and the Base Medical Squadron provides medical care for the RSN' s personnel. Comprising the Institute of Maritime Warfare, and the Institute of Maritime Operations and Systems, TRACOM fulfils the RSN's training needs with tactical training aids and simulators.

RSS Challenger (photo : Cyberpioneer)

As stipulated in the Navy 2000 plan; the RSN's surface combatants received a major enhancement of their missile capabilities. In terms of AShMs, the RSN's 'Victory' class corvettes, which form 188 Squadron of the 1st Flotilla had already operated the 36-km (19.4-nm) range Israel Aircraft Industries Gabriel AShM, and were later upgraded with the Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon, 315-km (170-nm) range weapon. This latter missile was also carried by the forces' 'Sea Wolf' class missile gunboats which were retired from service on 13th May 2008. In terms of SAMs, the RSN received from 1993 the Matra (now MBDA) 5.3-km (2.8- nm) range Mistral which were fitted to the 'Fearless' class patrol vessels of COSCOM’s 182/189 Squadron and also the Endurance class LSTs of the 3rd Flotilla’s 191 Squadron. The Victory class ships would also receive the Rafael Barak-1 10-km (5.3 nm) range SAM system from 1996.

The RSN has three major bases in Singapore. Tuas Naval Base, located on the west of the island, was opened on 2nd September 1994. Tuas followed Brani Naval Base; located on the south of the island which was the first facility operated by the RSN. Tuas was developed to provide more space for the growing fleet and more recently Changi Naval Base was opened on 21st May 2004 on the east of the island. Changi is home to the RSN's submarine, frigate and amphibious support ships, and also RSS Panglima, the RSN's training base.

It was in the mid-1990s that the RSN began to build its submarine force. In 1995, the force acquired the first of its 'Challenger' class diesel electric boats (SSKs) from the Marinen (Royal Swedish Navy). The submarines were former 'Sjoormen' class vessels and were extensively modified to make them suitable for operations in the warmer tropical waters surrounding Singapore. This improved their resistance to corrosion and also their air-conditioning. By 1997, RSS Challenger, the lead ship of the class, was in service and was joined in 1999 by RSS Conqueror, the final two vessels in the Challenger class, RSS Centurion and RSS Chieftain were commissioned in 1999 and 2001 respectively. All of the vessels organised into 171 Squadron.

Along with the submarine acquisition, one of the most dramatic modernisation efforts by the RSN has been its acquisition of six 'Formidable' class guided missile frigates (FFGs) from French shipbuilder DCNS. These ships are closely based on the Marine Nationale (French Navy) 'La Fayette' class frigates. The Formidable class ships replace the Sea Wolf vessels which had been in RSN service since 1968. The lead ship of the class, RSS Formidable, was built by DCNS in France; although the remainder will be constructed by Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) at the company's yard on the island. All six ships will be commissioned into RSN service by 2009.

(Asian Military Review)

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