Sunday, 27 October 2019

Russia offers Project 11356 Admiral Grigorovich Class Frigate to Royal Thai Navy รัสเซีย ไทย ร่วมกันต่อเรือรบ พร้อมถ่ายทอดเทคโนโลยี - YouTube

Admiral Essen - Viter59 @goodfon.com

 รัสเซีย ไทย ร่วมกันต่อเรือรบ พร้อมถ่ายทอดเทคโนโลยี - YouTube:

This news was also reported in Military Armed Forces FB page 

 Pacific Fleet’s ships arrive in Thailand from Russia 

 The ships are expected to stay in Thailand until October 20

 VLADIVOSTOK, October 17. /TASS/. A group of the Pacific Fleet’s ships consisting of the Varyag missile cruiser and the Admiral Panteleyev large anti-submarine ship arrived to the main naval base of Thailand, Sattahip, the fleet’s press service told journalists.

 "Today a group of Pacific Fleet’s ships consisting of the Varyag guards missile flagship of the Nakhimov order and the Pechenga middle sea tanker under the flag of the Pacific Fleet surface ship group’s commander, Captain 1st rank Alexander Shvarts, has arrived on a business visit to the main naval base of the Kingdom of Thailand, Sattahip," according to the statement.

 The Russian ships are expected to stay in Thailand until October 20.

 The group of the Pacific Fleet ships set off from Vladivostok for a three-month voyage on October 1.
Source: tass.com

The Project 11356 Admiral Grigorovich Class Frigate is not cheap in 2018 India signed $1 billion for 2 Frigate

Project 11356 Admiral Grigorovich: Details
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Saturday, 26 October 2019

Why China's Y-20 Is a Threat to the U.S. Military

Xinhua

 Why China's Y-20 Is a Threat to the U.S. Military: 

 Warrior Video Above: New Technology Brings New Electronic Warfare Attacks

 By Sebastien Roblin, The National Interest

 As China rises to the status of a global superpower, it is looking to acquire assets on a scale possessed previously only found operated by the United States: a huge fleet of gigantic, globe-spanning cargo planes. Indeed, its new Y-20 “Chubby Girl” transport is the largest aircraft in production since the U.S. completed production of the C-17.

 The U.S. Air Force currently operates nearly six hundred C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster and C-5 Galaxy cargo planes. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force only as around 145 transports according to figures from Flight Global, of which 43 are Y-7s only capable of lifting six tons. For global ‘strategic’ lift capability, the PLAAF relies on twenty-two Il-76MD jets purchased from Russia which can lug 53 tons of cargo in their portly holds. For example, after the outbreak of civil war in Libya in 2011, the PLAAF mustered four Il-76s to evacuate its citizens.

 Today, China increasingly needs to sustain military deployments to Africa as well as bases and allies in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. But the desire for strategic airlift capability can also be explained by factors much closer to home. After the devastating 2005 earthquake in Sichuan, the PLAAF struggled to deploy cargo planes to the disaster zone.

 Just a year later, the Xi’an Aircraft Corporation began work on a new strategic airlifter. Previously, nearly all Chinese transports were clones or imports of Soviet designs, and Xi’an indeed turned to the Antonov design bureau for assistance. The Ukrainian company offered a scaled-up, jet-powered derivative of its An-70 turbobrop transport. The design had to be further revised, however, as China developed a heavier 64-ton Type 99A main battle-tank.

 Development was eventually handed off to Tang Changhong, the designer of the JH-7 fighter-bomber. Under his leadership, the development team adopted design techniques first implemented on the Boeing 787 jetliner and Airbus A400, insisting that the new cargo jet be entirely designed using 3D-modeling (or Model-Based Definition), and use 3D-printed composite materials. He also used relational-design technology, in which the ‘skeleton’ of the plane is modeled, so that if one aspect of the geometry is modified, the other parts are automatically adjusted. This approach reportedly cut stages of the aircraft’s development and assembly time by 30 to 75 percent, resulting in a flying prototype by January 2013.

 The four-engine aircraft’s broad fuselage give it a distant resemblance to the larger C-17 and led to its popular appellation Pàng niū (“Chubby Girl”) rather than its official title of Kunpeng, a mythical far-flying bird. Heavy tires on the 110-ton jet’s low-hanging belly allow it to land on rough, unpaved airstrips close to the frontline, and it reportedly can take off from a strip as short as six hundred to seven hundred meters long. However, the Y-20 would also have long reach, able to fly 2,700 miles with maxed-out payload, or 4,500 to 6,200 miles carrying medium or light loads, traveling at a maximum speed of 575 miles per hour.

 In theory, the Y-20’s capacious four-meter tall hold can lift up to 72.5 tons, making it superior to the Il-76, but still behind the C-17’s 85.5-ton maximum payload. Still, that’s enough capacity to carry a Type 99 tank, or multiple lighter armored vehicles—including at least three parachutable ZBD-03 airborne fighting vehicles.

 However, there’s a catch—and as with most Chinese jet aircraft, that catch has to do with domestically-built turbofans. The Y-20s are currently powered by Russian Soloviev D-30 turbofans also used on the Il-7j--j6 and the H-6 strategic bomber, limiting lift capacity to around fifty-five tons. However, top performance figures assume the use more powerful domestic Shenyang WS-20 high-bypass turbofans with thrust increased from twenty-four thousand to twenty-eight thousand pounds.

 However, the WS-20 is a high-bypass derivative of the WS-10A Taihang engine used on the J-11 jet fighter—which has suffered infamous performance and reliability shortfalls. That it may take a while for the WS-20 to be ready is hinted at by the reported introduction on the Y-20 of an interim turbofan, the WS-18, reverse-engineered from the D-30 and modestly enhanced with more thrust and lower fuel consumption.

 The PLAAF introduced its first two Y-20s into service with the 12th Transport Regiment based in Chengdu, Sichuan Province on July 6, 2016, christened under the arc of two fire hoses. More recently on May 8, 2018, a Y-20 conducted its first paratrooper and cargo parachute drop (footage here.)

 Besides strategic airlift, it is nearly certain that China will deploy Y-20 variants to serve as aerial tankers and airborne early warning AWACS planes. The former could especially prove a potent force multiplier, as a Y-20 tanker’s range and payload capacity could sustain China’s air-refueling capable H-6K strategic bombers to deliver strikes across the Pacific Ocean.

 The Y-20’s long range may also make it ideal as an maritime patrol plane with anti-submarine capabilities, or an electronic warfare or spy plane—though it may actually be larger than necessary for some of these roles. One shortcoming, however, is that the Y-20 does not yet appear capable of receiving aerial-refueling for now.

 Beijing has also talked up using Y-20s to rapidly deploy satellites into space using solid-fuel rockets, which would have many civilian and military application. Some also speculate it would make a sensible test platform for an airborne laser to shoot down ballistic missiles. Xi’an also intends to build a civilian freighter version, and is seeking to export the Y-20 abroad. Sri Lanka has already expressed interest in acquiring some to serve in a military-run airline.

 Just how many Y-20s the PLAAF has ordered remains a mystery—at least eight are known to have entered service by 2018. The Y-20’s cost also remains obscure, with numbers ranging from $160 to $250 million floated.

 In 2016, AVIC official Zhu Qian raised eyebrows by claiming that China would need at least one thousand Y-20s—more than the number of heavy cargo jets in service around the world! Of course, Zhu spoke on behalf of the manufacturer, not the Chinese military. An earlier published study by the National Defense University posited a still staggering requirement for four hundred Y-20s.

 However, Chinese defense analyst Xu Yongling told People’s Daily that Beijing might not order more than a hundred Y-20s, claiming that a more advanced third-generation transport design was likely to follow in five to ten years. Qian’s statement also revealed an intent to build even larger transports comparable to the United States’ C-5 Galaxy—or Antonov An-225, the largest operational plane on the planet (max payload of around 275 tons!) one of which China has purchased from Ukraine.

 In some ways, the Y-20 and its possible successors may prove more important to projecting China’s military and political might than attention-grabbing new stealth fighters and aircraft carriers. The latter systems only perform at full potential when combatting hi-tech enemies in a high-intensity conflict—or deterring one. But a large fleet of cargo planes offers a capability more routinely applicable to China’s rise as a superpower—the ability to rapidly deploy, and sustain military forces or humanitarian missions across the globe. That has implications for “hard” military power confrontation, but also China’s capacity to participate in the sort of “global governance” missions abroad formerly performed in large part by the United States and Europe.

 Sébastien Roblin holds a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. He has also worked in education, editing, and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. He currently writes on security and military history for War Is Boring. This first appeared in September 2018.

Y-20 aerial refueling variant is now under development
Video: China's Y-20 heavy transport aircraft conducts first airborne, air delivery training
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US Air Force officially buying light-attack planes

By Força Aérea Brasileira (Brazilian Air Force) @flickr

 US Air Force officially buying light-attack planes: 

 The service is buying a few each of the AT-6 Wolverine and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.

 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force is officially putting down its money to buy two different models of light-attack aircraft.

 The service will purchase two to three aircraft each of the Textron Aviation AT-6 and Sierra Nevada Corporation/Embraer Defense & Security A-29 aircraft. The handful of planes will be used to support “allies and partner capacity, capability and interoperability via training and experimentation,” according to an Air Force announcement.

 The A-29 Super Tucano contract should be awarded before the end of the year, with the AT-6 Wolverine contract coming in early 2020.

 The plan to buy a handful of planes was previewed earlier this year by Air Force officials, but the companies will likely breathe a sigh of relief now that the deal is done. The purchase provides a much-needed show of confidence in the project. The two companies have invested internal funds on the Air Force’s light-attack experiment over the past two years and remain hopeful the service moves forward with a bigger buy of light-attack aircraft in the future.

 The missions and basing for the planes will be different.

 The AT-6s will go to Air Combat Command at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for “continued testing and development of operational tactics and standards for exportable, tactical networks that improve interoperability with international partners,” according to the Air Force announcement. The A-29s will go to Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and will be used to “develop an instructor pilot program for the Combat Aviation Advisory mission, to meet increased partner nation requests for light attack assistance,” per the release.

 “Our focus is on how a light attack aircraft can help our allies and partners as they confront violent extremism and conduct operations within their borders,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said in the statement. “Continuing this experiment, using the authorities Congress has provided, gives us the opportunity to put a small number of aircraft through the paces and work with partner nations on ways in which smaller, affordable aircraft like these can support their air forces.”

 Experiments will continue with a focus on creating a joint architecture and information sharing.

 The Air Force has said that funding for the initial AT-6 and A-29 buys will come out of the estimated $160 million in unspent funds that Congress appropriated for the effort in previous budgets. Congress has appropriated $200 million in total for the effort since it was announced in late 2016.

 Valerie Insinna contributed to this report.
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Turkey, Russia close to deal for Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets

Laith Jobran @flickr - Cropped

 Turkey, Russia close to deal for Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets: 

 Moscow and Ankara are close to reaching a deal on a sale of Russian-made Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets to Turkey, and for some of the components of the planes to be co-manufactured.

 Turkey’s relationship with the US has moved towards breaking point, over plans from Ankara to buy state-of-the-art Russian jets.

 Moscow and Ankara are close to reaching a deal on a sale of Russian-made Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets to Turkey, and for some of the components of the planes to be co-manufactured.

 The revelation comes two months after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the International Aviation and Space Salon aviation show near Moscow.

 During that visit Erdogan was shown the Su-35 fighter jets.

 Turkey could buy as many of 36 jets.

 Turkey has been at odds with the United States over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, which Washington says are not compatible with NATO defences and poses a threat to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 ‘stealth’ fighter jets.

 The United States has also expelled Turkey from the F-35 program, but Ankara has so far dismissed the warnings.

 That news comes after a fresh disagreement between Erdogan and Donald Trump broke out.

 New York Post reports, Erdogan demanded President Trump “hand over” the leader of a Kurdish militia who has been invited to testify before Congress, as the crisis in war-torn Syria deepens.

 “He is a terrorist with the code name Mazloum,” Erdogan told state broadcaster TRT late on Thursday, according to Bloomberg. “America needs to hand over this man to us.”

 Erdogan made the demand on Turkish state television just hours after Trump praised the head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi.

 “I really enjoyed my conversation with General @MazloumAbdi. He appreciates what we have done, and I appreciate what the Kurds have done,” Trump tweeted Thursday. “Perhaps it is time for the Kurds to start heading to the Oil Region!”

 The SDF was a key ally in the U.S. battle against ISIS in northern Syria in recent years, but Erdogan considers them a threat because they have links to Kurdish separatists fighting for their own homeland in Turkey.

 Leading Democrats and Republicans have fiercely criticised Trump’s October decision to have American troops stand aside and allow Erdogan to launch an offensive targeting the Kurds.

 Despite Trump’s decision, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are trying to maintain America’s ties with the Kurds.

 A bipartisan group of senators have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to help secure a visa for Abdi to visit the U.S. and discuss the way forward in Syria.

 Part of this report originally appeared in the New York Post and are republished here with permission.
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Su-35S Flanker-E: Details
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Friday, 25 October 2019

France cuts steel for first FTI frigate

Naval Group

France cuts steel for first FTI frigate | Naval Today: 

 French shipbuilder Naval Group has hosted a steel-cutting ceremony for the French Navy’s first Fregate de Taille Intermediaire (FTI) frigate at its Lorient site.

 The lead ship in the class, to be named after the French sailor and general Pierre-Alexis Ronarc’h, is scheduled to be delivered in 2023.

 The 4,500-tonne front-line frigates, equipped for anti-submarine warfare with widened self-defense and commando-projection capacities, are being built under a contract from April 2017. They will measure 122 meters in length and feature an inverted bow design for greater stability at high speeds.

 FTI ships bridge the gap between the 2,500-ton Gowind corvettes and 6,000-ton FREMM frigates offered by Naval Group.
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FTI Medium-Size Frigates: Details
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Serbia Buys Russian Pantsyr-S Air Defence System

Sputnik

 Serbia Buys Russian Pantsyr-S Air Defence System: 

 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said he will soon inspect a Russian-made Pantsyr-S surface-to-air missile/gun system after Belgrade has placed an order for it
BELGRADE, (BM) – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said he will soon inspect a Russian-made Pantsyr-S surface-to-air missile/gun system after Belgrade has placed an order for it, learned BulgarianMilitary.com, quoting TASS.

 “An S-400 [long-range air defense missile system] is in our country because of the drills. And tomorrow I will go to look at it. Also, I am going to examine a Pantsyr-S system on Saturday [October 26]. We have placed an order for it,” the Serbian president said.

 Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that a battalion of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and a battery of Pantsyr-S anti-aircraft missile/gun launchers had redeployed to Serbia to take part in the drills for the first time on the territory of a foreign state.

 “The Russian air defense units with S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and Pantsyr-S anti-aircraft missile/gun launchers have been airlifted by Russian military transport planes to the territory of Serbia to take part in the second stage of the Slavic Shield-2019 joint Russian-Serbian air defense exercise,” the ministry said.

 The S-400 battalion and the Pantsyr battery will “take part in the drills on the territory of a foreign state for the first time,” the ministry emphasized.

 The S-400 and Pantsyr-S air defense missile systems will be deployed at the Batajnica air base in Serbia and will join the Russian-Serbian air defense grouping of forces. The Russian and Serbian air defense troops will practice detecting, tracking, identifying and destroying the entire range of a notional enemy’s air targets.

 The Slavic Shield-2019 Russian-Serbian drills are running for the first time and consist of two stages. The first stage took place in September at the Russian Aerospace Force’s combat training center in the southern Astrakhan Region. The second stage is running in Serbia on October 23-29.

 The Serbian Defense Ministry reported earlier on Thursday that the drills were running at two practice ranges and “numerous firings” were planned during the maneuvers.

 The Pantsyr-S1 (NATO reporting name: SA-22 Greyhound) is a ground-based self-propelled surface-to-air missile/gun system designed to shield military and civilian facilities, including long-range air defense systems, from all modern and future air attack weapons.
Pantsir-S1 / S2 / SM: Details
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Greece seen closer to acquiring French frigates

Naval News

 Greece seen closer to acquiring French frigates | News | ekathimerini.com: 

 A letter of intent signed earlier this month by the defense ministers of Greece and France paves the way for Athens acquisition of two navy frigates but also seems to signal a broader cooperation framework in the area of defense.

 Seen by Kathimerini, the letter signed by Greece’s Nikos Panagiotopoulos and France’s Florence Parly speaks of the intention to “develop and reinforce” their relationship in the domain of naval capabilities as well as of an “exclusive defense partnership” that would enable Greece to acquire the two Belh@rra frigates.

 However, it also stresses that a “distinct and specific arrangement” would be needed to define the parameters of any agreement, as the letter of intent is not legally or financially binding.


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