The Asian Defence News (2025)

19/09/2023

Indonesian Air Force plans to acquire Airbus A330 MRTTs

The Indonesia Air Force is in the process of acquiring at least two Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transports to enhance its in-flight refueling capabilities.

Recently, the Indonesian Air Force has been trying to improve its operational flexibility with the new aircraft, as it prepares to integrate new combat planes, including 42 Rafales and 24 F-15EXs, into its fleet.

The exact number of A330 MRTTs to be acquired was not specified, but Indonesian media reports that the country is likely to purchase two of these aircraft.

The A330 MRTT is capable of transferring up to 50 tons of fuel over a range of 2,000 km with a 4.5-hour on-station time. It can also carry 40 tons of cargo over a distance of 7,000 km and has the capacity to accommodate 272 passengers.

19/09/2023

Philippine Navy commissions two ex Cyclone class patrol vessels

The Philippine Navy (PN) inducted two ex-US navy Cyclone-class patrol vessels which were rebranded as the Alvarez-class patrol vessels.

Originally known as the USS Monsoon (PC-4) and USS Chinook (PC-9), they were procured by the PN under the Excess Defense Article (EDA) program.

These ships have a displacement of 331 tons, 174 feet in length, showcasing a beam of 25 feet and a draft of 7.5 feet.

These vessels are powered by four Paxman Vallenta 1600 MPDE engines and designed to carry a 7-meter Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat.

These vessels are equipped with formidable weaponry. They sport two M242 Bushmaster MK38 Mod 2 chain guns, further complemented by two Mk19 gr***de launchers. These ships also have two. 50 M2HB machine guns, eight AGM-176 Griffins missiles.

06/03/2023

Indian Navy test fires BrahMos

Indian Navy successfully test fires a BrahMos missile with a designed Indigenous Seeker & Booster on March 6, 2023.

The BrahMos missile is a result of a joint venture between India and Russia, and it is named after two rivers, the Brahmaputra in India and the Moskva in Russia.

The missile is capable of being launched from various platforms including submarines, ships, aircraft, and land-based launchers. It is known for its speed and maneuverability.

The BrahMos missile is based on the Russian P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, but it has been modified and improved to meet the specific requirements of the Indian armed forces.

The missile's guidance system includes a combination of inertial navigation, GPS, and an active radar seeker for terminal guidance. It is also equipped with advanced features such as supersonic speed, low radar cross-section, and high accuracy.

The BrahMos missile has the capability to attack surface targets by flying as low as five meters in altitude and up to a maximum altitude of 15,000 meters.

Its diameter is 70 cm and wingspan is 1.7 m, and it has a maximum range of 650 km. The ship-launched and land-based missiles can carry a 200 kg warhead, while the aircraft-launched variant (BrahMos A) can carry a 300 kg warhead.

03/02/2023

Bangladesh Army test fires TRG-300 MLRS

Bangladesh Army has conducted a test-fire with Turkish made TRG-300 Tiger MLRS into the Bay of Bengal.

The TRG-300 Tiger multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) system is a MLRS developed by Turkish weapons manufacturer Roketsan based on Chinese WS-1 with a maximum range of 120 km.

WS-1 was marketed to a number of countries and regionally, both Thailand and Myanmar operate locally assembled WS-1B with a maximum range of 180 km.

02/02/2023

Thailand plans to acquire a new frigate

The Royal Thai Navy plans to spend 15 billion baht over the next five years to acquire a new DW-3000F frigate from South Korea.

Thailand already acquired the first ship of the DW-3000F frigate, the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2019.

The ship has a full load displacement of 3,700 tons and a length of 124.1 meters.

She is powered by two diesel engines, a gas turbine, and four ship service power generators.

The ship has a maximum speed of 33.3 knots and an endurance of 4,000 nautical miles at 18 knots. The crew complement consists of 141 officers.

The frigate is equipped with a variety of sensors, processing systems, and electronic warfare systems.

The armament includes a 76/62 Super Rapid stealth shield, two MSI Defence DS30M Mk.2 guns, a Phalanx Block-1B CIWS, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

28/01/2023

Myanmar to purchase Indian BrahMos missiles for new frigate

According to information published by Tass, Myanmar is in the process of negotiation for the purchase of Indian BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles.

Myanmar intends to equip its new multi-purpose frigate, which is 135 metre long and being bult at the Myanmar Navy Dockyard, with the BrahMos missiles.

Recently Myanmar also received a pair of Ka-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters.

India has also given away a Kilo class submarine to Myanmar in 2020.

According to open source intelligence, the Myanmar Navy already has five types of anti-ship cruise missiles: the Chinese-made C-801, C-802, C-802A, HY-2, and the Russian-made Kh-35U.

28/01/2023

Thailand Navy launches tugboat

The Thai commissioned the tugboat HMS Tachai at the Asian Marine Engineering Limited shipyard in Samut Prakan province.

HTMS Tachai is a medium-sized tugboat, based on the Ramparts 3200 SD model, has a length of 31.50 meters, a width of 12.60 meters, a ship depth of 5.40 meters, and a draft of 4.50 meters.

The operating range is at least 2,500 miles at a speed of 8 knots at full water propulsion.

The ship is able to approach and push large ships and submarines safely, and has a tugging capability with a pulling power of at least 55 metric tons.

She can operate in ports and on the coast both day and night, and can withstand sea conditions up to level 3.

The tugboat is also equipped with fire extinguishing capabilities, as well as the ability to remove oil slicks in the sea in port and company areas. Additionally, she can support other missions such as towing targets in weapons training.

The propulsion system includes a diesel engine with a power output of at least 5,000 horsepower, a propeller system, and steering gear for safe and efficient maneuvering.

28/01/2023

Royal Navy's River class OPV HMS Tamar trains with Bangladesh Navy

According to information published by the UK MoD, the Royal Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Tamar joined the Bangladeshi Navy for joint training in the Bay of Bengal, cementing relations between the two countries after a week-long visit.

The patrol vessel became the second Royal Navy warship in 16 months to foster naval, political, and economic ties after frigate HMS Kent visited the Commonwealth nation in 2021.

Divers from the Royal Navy’s specialist Diving and Threat Exploitation Group flew out from the UK to conduct joint training with their Bangladeshi counterparts.

Those links were reinforced with a combined sweep through the northern Bay of Bengal when Tamar sailed with Bangladeshi patrol craft BNS Durjoy and Nirmal.

18/01/2023

Indonesia to receive new fast attack craft

According to the Indonesian MoD, the Indonesian Sampari class fast attack craft KRI Panah has completed her acceptance trials.

The Sampari-class fast attack craft are a class of domestically designed and built fast attack craft operated by the Indonesian Navy.

The ships are also known as KCR-60M and all ships built by local company PT. PAL in Surabaya.

These ships are made with composition of aluminium and high-tensile steel in hull parts which are also a domestic product obtained from state-owned foundry PT. Krakatau Steel in Cilegon.

The fast attack craft have a length of 60.3 m (197 ft 10 in), a beam of 8.1 m (26 ft 7 in), and a displacement of 460 tons. They can carry a complement of 43 sailors.

The first two of the Sampari class vessels are equipped with four C-705 anti-ship missiles.

The later batch of this class are expected to be fitted with Exocet MM40 Block 3.

18/01/2023

Iran Air Force to get 24 Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets

Iran expects to take delivery of Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets from Russia this year.

Besides the Su-35s, Iran has also ordered a series of other military equipment from Russia, including air defense systems, missile systems and helicopters, most of which will be received soon.

The Iranian minister of Defense has confirmed in September that Iran will receive the original order of 24 Su-35SE Flanker-E fighter jets for the Egyptian Air Force (EAF).

The Su-35s produced for the Egyptian Air Force are currently parked in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

The aircraft will be diverted to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).

14/01/2023

India commissions Rajshree class patrol vessel

The Indian Coast Guard commissioned the Rajshree class patrol vessel ICG Kamla Devi at Kolkata on January 12, 2023.

The Rajshree-class patrol vessels are a series of eight inshore patrol vessels built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for the Indian Coast Guard.

They have a displacement of 303 tons and are 48.9 meters in length.

At economical speed of 16 knots, they have a range of 1,500 nautical miles.

The ships are equipped with a 30 mm CRN 91 Naval Gun, which is gyro-stabilized with an electro-optical fire control system.

10/01/2023

Pakistan set to receive two more Type 054A frigates

The Pakistan Navy will receive two more Type 054A/P frigates from China in 2023.

The first two ships of this class were inducted into the Pakistan Navy in December 2021 and June 2022 respectively, while the remaining two ships are also on track to join the Pakistan Navy Fleet in 2023, according to the Pakistan Navy.

The Type 054A/P is one of the latest multi-role frigates of Chinese originand the frigates have a length of 134 m, a 16 m, and a displacement of 3,963 tonnes. They have a range of 3,800 nautical miles at 18 knots.

The Asian Defence News

19/09/2023

19/09/2023

06/03/2023

03/02/2023

02/02/2023

28/01/2023

28/01/2023

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18/01/2023

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14/01/2023

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