- By Stingray, Thai Intel’s national security journalist
As Thailand is reeling from the flood damage, to the extent that the Thai Navy made statements, that its ambitious submarine program, to acquire up to six used submarines from Germany, will be put on hold-as the Yingluck government have made a 10% cut in every Thai ministry’s budget for money to address the flood damage-Indonesia and Singapore are responding to the China’s challenge.
- The following is from the Defense Up-Date Blog:
- China’s Aircraft Carrier Begins Second Sea Trial
November 29, 2011: China’s first aircraft carrier began its second sea trial after undergoing refurbishments and testing. The 300-metre (990-foot) ship, a refitted former Soviet carrier called the Varyag, underwent five days of trials in August that sparked international concern about China’s widening naval reach. “After successfully completing its first sea trial in August China’s aircraft carrier platform returned to the shipyard as planned for further refitting and testing,” the defence ministry said in a brief statement. “The work has been carried out and it set sail again on November 29 to carry out relevant scientific and research experiments.”
- Singapore Navy Commissions The First Archer Submarine
December 2, 2011: The first Archer-class submarine was inducted into Singapore navy service with the formal commissioning of the new submarine. Two Archer class submarines were acquired from the Royal Swedish Navy in 2005. RSS Archer (formerly HMS Hälsingland) was launched on 16 June 2009 in Karlskrona, Sweden. The second submarine, RSS Swordsman (ex-HMS Västergötland) was launched a year later and is currently undergoing sea trials in Sweded. The Archer submarine arrived in Singapore on 17 August 2011. Under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Jack Nyeo the Archer successfully conducted system verifications and sea trials in local conditions, prior to the official commissioning. With the enhanced capabilities and combat system such as the Air Independent Propulsion and advanced sonar systems. The diesel electric submarines were built by the Kokhums Swedish shipyard in 1986-1987. Both submarines employ Stirling AIP engines, enabling the submarines to have longer submerged endurance and lower noise signature, enhancing the stealth capability of the submarines.
- Indonesia to Spend over 1.5 Billion Shopping for Surplus Weapons
November 25, 2011: Indonesia intends to buy surplus weapons from NATO countries that have reduced their military forces in recent months. Among the equipment being considered are Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks to be procured from German Army surplus, and Apache attack helicopters which could be acquired from the Netherlands, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has confirmed in Jakarta. Other countries considered as used arms suppliers include France, Spain and Italy. The Army chief of staff, Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, said previously that the Indonesian Army was given a special allocation of about US$1.53 billion (14 trillion Rupiah) to buy weapons, including 100 2A6 Leopard tanks and eight Apache helicopters. The Indonesian Army also expects to be able to get multiple rocket launching systems and 155mm howitzers, possibly from France. Several Bell 214 helicopters are also on the Jakarta’s shopping list.
- Second Air Surveillance radar Deployed in Eastern Indonesia
November 15, 2011: ThalesRaytheonSystems has delivered a second air defense radar station to Indonesia. Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) The first radar station was successfully commissioned by Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) in March 2011. Located in the Eastern part of Indonesia, the new radars will feed air surveillance data to TNI-AU’s command and control center in Jakarta, where airspace surveillance, interceptor tasking and control are performed. The system provides air space protection over the country’s 17,000 islands and across 33 provinces.
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