Rentaka - Rentaka Defence Portal

Chinese Threat, Disaster Relief Drive Asia-Pacific Acquisition

6/5/2014

Japan and Singapore are interested in acquiring V-22 Osprey. (Photo: fas.org)

By: Wendell Minnick (www.defenews.com)

Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan are seeking a variety of helicopters, including the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, to offset China’s growing maritime threat in the East China and South China seas, and to deal with other security issues, such as humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

The stronger trend in Asia appears to be toward procuring utility helicopters, but attack helicopters are also in demand.

An Apache attack helicopter crashes into building, pilots injured

24/4/2014

An AH-64E Apache attack helicopter purchased from the US is seen crashed on top of an apartment in Taoyuan County, northern Taiwan, April 25, 2014. The incident occurred at around 10am local time (0200 GMT) on Friday in the middle of Taiwan Army military training. Two pilots were injured, according to local media. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

By: AFP NEWS (http://www.nst.com.my)

TAIPEI: Two Taiwanese pilots were injured on Friday when their Apache attack helicopter crash landed on a building in northern Taiwan during a routine training mission, the military said.
The pilots were sent to a military hospital for treatment to slight injuries after crashing on top of the three-storey building in Taoyuan county but no civilians were hurt, a military official said.

To Buy or Not to Buy? A Dilemma for Taiwan’s Navy

20/4/2014

Three of Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates in 1982 picture (Photo: US Defence Imagery)

By: J. Micheal Cole (www.thediplomat.com)

As reported by The Diplomat last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing the sale of four decommissioned U.S. Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates under an excess defense article (EDA) reallocation program. Although the expected decision was hailed in some corners as a sign of healthy U.S.-Taiwan relations, the sale of — let’s be honest here — mothballed military equipment makes little sense from a military and economic standpoint. In fact, no sooner had the announcement been made than Taipei, which faces serious budgetary constraints, said it was only interested in acquiring two. This is probably the right decision. A better one yet would be to not buy a single one.

F-16 Upgrade Contenders Dogfight in Singapore

13/2/2014

Taiwan present a huge market for F-16 upgrading. ROCAF currently operates 150 F-16A/B acquired in 1992. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Chris Pocock (www.ainonline.com)

The war of words between the system integrators and radar houses that are chasing the F-16 upgrade market intensified here this week. With 3,500 Fighting Falcons still flying, at least one-third of which might be upgraded, the stakes are high. Here in Singapore, BAE Systems Inc. and Raytheon are hoping that the local Ministry of Defence will entertain their rival proposals for a contract that could be worth almost $2.5 billion, and consider them above the solution offered by Lockheed Martin (LM) and Northrop Grumman (NG).

Asian States Close In on Fighter Deals

10/2/2014

An F-35B lands at USMC Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. Singapore has the option of going ahead with F-35 procurement should CAPES is cancelled. (Photo: USMC)

By: Wendell Minnick (www.defensenews.com)
As regional powers gather at the Singapore Airshow this week, two issues will be at the forefront: upgrading their F-16s and/or buying F-35s.

Study: Asia Fuels Rise In World Defense Spending

4/2/2014

A Taiwan navy Kidd-class destroyer launches an SM-2 surface-to-air missile during a drill near the east coast of Taiwan on September 26, 2013. World defense spending will rise in 2014 for the first time in five years, a key study found Tuesday, driven by arms races in Asia and the Middle East, as well as a resurgent Russia. (Sam Yeh / AFP)

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE (http://www.defensenews.com)

PARIS — World defense spending will rise in 2014 for the first time in five years, a key study found Tuesday, driven by arms races in Asia and the Middle East, as well as a resurgent Russia.

The closely watched IHS Jane's Annual Defence Budgets Review said military budgets this year would inch up by 0.6 percent, after years of falls brought on by lower spending in the West.

"We have seen substantial increases in defense spending from countries like Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Oman over the past two years," said Paul Burton, Director of IHS Jane's Aerospace, Defence & Security.

Taiwan Unveils First JSOW

21/1/2014

New Capability: The Wan Chien improves Taiwan's ability to defeat enemy air defenses. (Wendell Minnick/staff)

By WENDELL MINNICK (http://www.defensenews.com)

TAINAN AIR FORCE BASE, TAIWAN — The Taiwan Air Force’s first joint standoff weapon (JSOW), unveiled at a ceremony last week, is intended to suppress enemy air defenses and should complicate any invasion plans China might have in mind, a defense expert said.

Dubbed the Wan Chien (Ten Thousand Swords), the weapon was displayed Jan. 16 at the airbase here in southwestern Taiwan during the inauguration of recently upgraded indigenous defense fighters under the 443 Tactical Fighter Wing. President Ma Ying-jeou attended the ceremony.

Southeast, East Asia Build Up Naval Capabilities

15/1/2014

The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning (Photo by Li Tang / for China Daily)

By German Radio (http://www.defencetalk.com)

Due to a lack of security agreements and codes of conduct, East Asian countries continue their naval arms race, increasing the risk of a military confrontation as rapidly expanding economies vie for scarce resources.

The first of six Russian kilo-class submarines arrived at Cam Ranh naval base just in time for the New Year. The sub, named Hanoi, is being hailed by Vietnam’s media and government.

According to Vietnam expert Carlyle A. Thayer, the boat’s arrival marks “a giant step forward” for the Southeast Asian nation in terms of defense capabilities. The emeritus professor from the University of New South Wales in Australia says the Vietnamese military is now capable of operating on four levels: on land, at sea, in the air and under water.

Alongside Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, Vietnam is now a member of the South East Asian club of countries with submarine capabilities. However, Thayer believes that it will take some time until the submarines are fully operational, as Vietnam still lacks overall strategic planning, trained sailors and the technical know-how. “Technical support from Russia will be needed for at least 10 years, if not longer,” Thayer said.

Taiwan gets US submarine-launched missiles: report

10/1/2014

File photo: A US-made Harpoon ship-to-ship missile is displayed at the Taipei World Trade Centre. (AFP/Patrick Lin)

By Agence France-Presse (http://www.defencetalk.com)

Taiwan has received the first shipment of anti-ship missiles which it ordered from the United States for its submarines, strengthening their attack capability, a senior official was Wednesday quoted as saying.

Taiwan ordered the Harpoon missiles in 2008 as part of a $6.5 billion arms purchase which sparked strong protests from Beijing.

The island already has Harpoons installed on its frigates and F-16 fighter jets.