South East Asia Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Singapore designed armoured fighting vehicle impounded by Hong Kong Customs

According to a report by FactWire, a watchdog news organization in Hongkong, states that Hong Kong customs have held a batch of armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) that was shipped into Hong Kong, and said to have explosives found along with it.

It is unknown how did the AFVs enter Hong Kong but this incident has been widely discussed among Hong Kong social media due to photos that were leaked.

A self-proclaimed custom officer told Oriental Daily News that the vehicles were found by customs on Wednesday night (23 November) and currently held at Kwai Chung harbour.

FactWire had reported earlier that nine AFVs were spotted at the Kwai Chung harbour at 10am via aerial photo, the vehicles that have been impounded by the customs. The vehicles were covered with blue, grey canvas and placed onto low beds, and surrounded by cargo containers with at least two customs officers on guard.

It is also reported that according to FactWire's sources, Hong Kong customs discovered twelve AFVs during their inspection at Kwai Chung harbour and also explosive materials amongst the goods. The items were impounded as there is a suspicion of arms trafficking.

The twelve AFVs was found on a ship that was travelling towards Singapore from Taiwan. When it reached Hong Kong, it had no intention of unloading its goods, but merely transiting through the harbour. But when the customs investigated the ship via a tip off, there is no data of where the AFVs were exported from, who the AFVs belonged to and other documentation info.

Based on another photo that was released, it can be said that the AFVs are likely to be Singapore designed AFV, Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle, which is produced by Singapore Technologies Kinetics.

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Airbus Helicopters delivers first three AS565 MBe Panther to Indonesia

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first three of the 11 AS565 MBe Panther helicopters to Indonesia, ahead of contract schedule, at a ceremony at Airbus Helicopters’ headquarters in Marignane, in the presence of representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence and the Indonesian Navy.
This follows the contract signature in late 2014 with PT Dirgantara Indonesia for 11 AS565 MBe helicopters. The delivery of the remaining helicopters will run through to 2018.

“We are excited to witness the handover of the first three AS565 MBe helicopters to our partner today”, said Janick Blanc, Head of the Panther programme at Airbus Helicopters. “The AS565 MBe has been developed using state-of-the-art processes and this enhanced variant of the Panther will benefit from an increased maximum take-off weight at 4,500kg. This will provide increased mission capabilities, specifically for the anti-submarine warfare missions these rotorcraft are expected to perform”, he added.

Under the agreement, Airbus Helicopters will supply the AS565 MBe helicopters to its Indonesia industrial partner PT Dirgantara Indonesia, who will reassemble and outfit these rotorcraft in-country, acting as the design authority. This will notably cover the installation of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite which includes a dipping sonar and torpedo launch systems, allowing the Indonesian Navy to carry out its most demanding missions.

This Indonesian MBe Panther programme is the latest of a long-standing relationship between Airbus Helicopters and PT Dirgantara Indonesia, who celebrated their 40 years of strategic partnership earlier this month. The two companies have delivered more than 190 helicopters together, through joint programmes over the last four decades.

“We have been working with Airbus Helicopters on numerous projects for many years by now, and this milestone today further illustrates the commitment both companies have towards this programme”, said Budi Santoso, CEO and President of PT Dirgantara Indonesia. “We look forward to receiving these green helicopters in Bandung, as we ready to start the installation of the mission equipment, and the subsequent qualification and certification of our future anti-submarine warfare helicopters”, he added.
 
Recognised as one of the world’s most capable light/medium anti-submarine warfare platforms, the AS565 MBe is equipped with two Safran Arriel 2N engines, which enhance the helicopter’s performance in high and hot conditions, while enabling it to achieve a top speed of 165 kt and a range of 780 kilometres. It also boasts a new main gearbox, the latest-generation tail rotor and a 4-axis autopilot that reduces crew workload and makes the most demanding missions easier to perform.

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FORBIN said:

Indonesia Panther AS565 MBe ASW 11 in order
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Jura said:

Sep 28, 2016

the most recent is:
South Korean HHI to build two frigates for the Philippines

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The letter of credit (LOC) for the country's first two missile-firing frigates, whose contract was won by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), is now being finalized, Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command, Vice Adm. Roland Joseph Mercado has said.
"As far as I know, they are now finalizing the terms in the LOC, for the frigate project. That's the only update I could give for now," he said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
An LOC is a letter from a bank guaranteeing that a buyer's payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. In case the buyer is unable to make payment for the purchase, the bank will be required to cover the full or remaining amount of the purchase.
Mercado is the same officer who headed the technical working group that came up with the specifications of the country's first-ever missile-capable frigates.
On Oct. 24, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana formally inked the contract for the Frigate Acquisition Program, together with officials and delegates from South Korea's HHI. The signing ceremony took place at the PN's headquarters in Naval Station Andrada, Roxas Blvd., Manila.
The project involves the construction and delivery of two missile-firing frigates to the PN.
The signing of the contract signals the start of the construction and is the culmination of the long and tedious procurement process for the project.
As background, the Notice of Award was approved, issued and was duly conformed by HHI on Sept. 13 with the amount of USD336,912,000 or PHP15,744,571,584.
The project is worth PHP16 billion with another PHP2 billion allocated for the acquisition of assorted weapon systems and munitions.

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