SAF Band - "Tomorrow's Here Today"

 

SpearUAV - Ninox UAS

 

NZDF Supporting Pacific Fisheries

 

Fisheries contribute approximately US$1 billion annually to the economies of Pacific countries and generate about 25,000 jobs. Fisheries revenue is particularly important at the moment due to the significant reduction in tourism revenue for many Pacific Island countries (all photos : NZDF)

Our maritime surveillance patrols in partnership with Pacific nations and other agencies are operating well within the new normal of COVID-19 considerations.

With border closures and other restrictions in place as a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns about illegal fishing activity.

Crew on our Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft covered more than 735,000 square nautical miles on Pacific patrols including over the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Fiji, Niue, the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands, with further patrols to come. 

Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Otago was recently on patrols with Republic of Fiji Navy ships in Fiji. A Seasprite helicopter on board the ship provided aerial support, in addition to surveillance by the Orion. 

The opportunity to work with our Pacific partners and other agencies safely in a COVID environment has been a real success. The safety, security and prosperity of the Pacific is important to us.

Royal Thai Army Starts to Deploy Spike MR Into Service

 

The long overdue Anti-Tank Missile program to replace the Dragon of the RTA began a decade ago when they were selected the Spike as a winner. But budget shortfall see the project postponed year after year until RTA received the budget to procure an initial batch of the Spike MR.

SPIKE Precision Tactical Guided Missiles Family is the highly reliable, multi-purpose missiles strike with the utmost accuracy, incorporating advanced technology, high reliability and low LCC. SPIKE'S broad deployment enables customers to collaborate with full commonality and interoperability between all the NATO and EU user groups on operational and logistics levels.

There are 33 user nations worldwide. The missile was developed by the leading Israeli defense company Rafael who was a familiar face inDefense and Security 2021.

Indian Air Force - From Ouragan To Rafale - The French Legacy

 

Italian Eurofighter

 

Australia Invests in New Unmanned Aircraft Systems Development Program

Defence plans to acquire new UAS with 25 to 300kg in weight and equipped with maritime surveillance (photo : Global)

The Morrison Government is investing up to $1.3 billion in a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) development program to enhance situational awareness across Australia’s vast maritime environment.

The Maritime UAS Continuous Development program will ensure Defence maintains leading-edge maritime surveillance capabilities.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Defence requires leading-edge maritime surveillance capabilities to better understand and adapt to the complex and rapidly changing maritime domain.

“As detailed in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, launched by the Prime Minister and I in July, Australia is at the centre of a dynamic strategic environment,” Minister Reynolds said.

“Now, more than ever, Defence requires an agile acquisition strategy to take advantage of state-of-the-art technology.

“This acquisition heralds a new intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting capability for Defence to ensure Australia keeps pace in this rapidly developing technology domain.”

Through this program, Defence plans to acquire air vehicles between approximately 25 to 300kg in size that will enhance the situational awareness and response options of Royal Australian Navy ships.

To keep pace with rapidly developing technology in this domain, Defence will adopt a five yearly investment cycle to upgrade the Maritime UAS capability commencing in 2024.

An Invitation to Register will be released for industry to investigate the capability and capacity of Australian industry to deliver all elements of the Maritime UAS, including air vehicles, sensor payloads, integration, training and sustainment.

 

“Developing sovereign industrial capability through projects like this is critical to enhancing Australia’s industrial base and maritime security,” Minister Reynolds said.

“To ensure we are positioned to respond to future challenges, the Morrison Government will continue to invest in Australia’s UAS industry through Defence Innovation and Technology initiatives.

“This program will provide opportunities for Australian industry to innovate, develop and grow.”

Detailed advice on the Invitation to Register will be released on AusTender in August 2020.

 

Thai Cabinet Approved Budget to Improve Capacity of C-130 Aircraft

Thai Enquirer said that the cabinet meeting on August 4 approved a budget of 952 million baht earmarked for 2020-2022 to improve capacity of C-130 aircraft.

Last year RTAF update its C-130H transport fleet with the Rolls-Royce T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade. The Series 3.5 upgrade allows T56 engines to operate at greatly reduced temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22 per cent. It is available for installation on T56 engines powering either C-130 or P-3 legacy aircraft.

The Series 3.5 upgrade will help the Royal Thai Air Force to reduce operational costs due to reduced maintenance requirements and potential fuel savings exceeding 12 per cent. It will also enable the fleet to remain in service until at least 2040.

No details about this year's C-130 improvements, it is expected that it could be a structural upgrade or other necessary improvements.

According to World Air Forces 2020 data Royal Thai Air Force operates 12 C-130H aircraft.