Southeast Asia Arms Itself Up

choi

(1) Russia, Vietnam to Jointly Manufacture Anti-Ship Missiles. RIA Novosti, Feb 15, 2012
http://en.ria.ru/world/20120215/171330093.html  
("'We are planning to build facilities in Vietnam for the production of a version of the Russian Uran [SS-N-25 Switchblade] missile in a project that is similar to joint Russian-Indian production of the BrahMos missile,' [head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Mikhail] Dmitriyev said [on Wednesday, Feb 15]")

Note:
(a) For Uran (Uran [SS-N-25 Switchblade), see Kh-35
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh-35
("The Zvezda Kh-35U is the jet-launched version of a Russian subsonic anti-ship missile. The same missile can also be launched from helicopters, surface ships and coastal defence batteries with the help of a rocket booster, in which case it is known as Uran ('uranium'; SS-N-25 'Switchblade'; GRAU 3M24) or Bal ('whale'; SSC-6 'Stooge';GRAU 3K60). It is also nicknamed Harpoonski for its similarity to the AGM-84 Boeing Harpoon")
(b) For "NPO Mashinostroyenie 3M55 Yakhont (SS-N-26)", see P-800 Oniks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-800_Oniks
("The P-800 Oniks, also known in export markets as Yakhont (Russian: Яхонт; English: ruby or sapphire), is a Russian/Soviet supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya as a ramjet version of P-80 Zubr. Its GRAU designation is 3M55. Development reportedly started in 1983, and by 2001 allowed the launch of the missile from land, sea, air and submarine. The missile has the NATO reporting codename SS-N-26")
(c) GRAU
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GRAU
(d) SS-N stands for Surface-to-Surface, Naval. See
List of NATO reporting names for surface-to-surface missiles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lis ... to-surface_missiles
(NATO reporting name for SS-N series naval surface-to-surface missiles (fired from ships and submarines), with Soviet designations)

(2) Leithen Francis, SE Asian Nations Seek Improved ASW, AEW. Aviation Week, Feb 17, 2012.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/g ... 2012_p28-414011.xml

Quote:

"The Philippines has had no fighter aircraft since 2005 when it retired its last Northrop F-5.

"Singapore uses Fokker 50s for maritime patrol and has one of the most advanced AEW capabilities in the region, thanks to its Gulfstream G550s fitted with AEW mission equipment from Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta Systems. For ASW, it has Sikorsky S-70Bs, but industry executives say is also planning to buy fixed-wing ASW aircraft (see p. 23).

Note:
(a) For AEW, see Airborne early warning and control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_early_warning_and_control
(AEW&C) (or more commonly and historically an AWAC)
(b)
(i) Fokker 50
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_50
(a turboprop-powered airliner; built by Fokker in the Netherlands)
(ii) Fokker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker
(a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its [Dutch] founder, Anthony Fokker; started out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moved to the Netherlands in 1919)
(c)
(i) Gulfstream G550
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulfstream_G550
(ii) Gulfstream Aerospace
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulfstream_Aerospace
(established by Grumman in late 1950s; named after the Gulf Stream, the current that flows along the coast of Florida, which was a favored vacationing spot for Grumman executives; purchased by General Dynamics in late 1990s; Headquarters Savannah, Georgia)
(d) Elta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elta
(ELTA Systems LTD is subsidiary of [state-owned] Israel Aerospace Industries)

(3) The above report refers to

Leithen Francis, Singapore Seeks Tankers, Tranports, ASW. Aviation Week, Feb 17, 2012
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/g ... 2012_p23-414017.xml

Quote:

"The 2011 defense budget was SG$12.1 billion ($9.6 billion), accounting for 26% of the government budget and about 5% of gross domestic product (GDP). Some analysts estimate that Singapore, with a population of about five million, spends more on defense per capita than any country but Israel.

"Aerial refueling tankers are at the top of the list because the air force needs to replace its four Boeing KC-135Rs. An important requirement is that the new tankers be able to assist the air force’s Boeing F-15SGs flying between Singapore and its overseas detachment at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

"The A330MRTT’s 111,000 kg (245,000 lb.) of fuel is stored in the wings and horizontal stabilizer, leaving the main fuselage for a passenger cabin that can seat up to 380 people. In terms of air cargo, it can transport up to 26 military cargo pallets. Having the ability to transport passengers and cargo on a longer-range aircraft, such as the A330MRTT, would certainly be useful. Airlift is one of the other requirements Singapore lists. Presently the air force operates five Lockheed Martin C-130Hs, aircraft that only have the range to travel within Southeast Asia. But Singapore’s military needs to carry personnel and equipment farther afield to places where it does training, namely: Australia, Taiwan, France and the U.S. Singapore’s military has been chartering commercial aircraft from SIA [Singapore Airlines] and for military equipment it has been chartering Antonov heavy-lift aircraft. It is understood that Singapore is also considering the Airbus Military A400M and the Boeing C-17.

"This [Singapore's ASW] procurement is in response to the growth of submarine fleets among Singapore’s neighbors.

Note:
(a) CIA World Factbook (2011 estimates):
(i) Singapore GDP: official exchange rate $266.5bn/ PPP 314.5bn billion  
(ii) Taiwan GDP: official exchange rate $504.6bn/ PPP 758.6bn
(b)
(i) For Boeing KC-135R, see Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_KC-135_Stratotanker
(Introduction  1957; Retired  2009; Status  Active service)

Quote: "When the KC-135Q model received the CFM-56 engines, it was redesignated the KC-135T model, which was capable of separating the main body tanks from the wing tanks where the KC-135 draws its engine fuel. The only external difference between a KC-135R and a KC-135T is the presence of a clear window on the underside of the empennage of the KC-135T where a remote controlled searchlight is mounted. It also has two ground refueling ports, located in each rear wheel well so ground crews can fuel both the body tanks and wing tanks separately

(ii) KC-135 Stratotanker. US Air Force, Dec 29, 2011 (Factsheet)
http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=110
("Of the original KC-135As, more than 415 have been modified with new CFM-56 engines produced by CFM-International. The re-engined tanker, designated either the KC-135R or KC-135T, can offload 50 percent more fuel, is 25 percent more fuel efficient, costs 25 percent less to operate and is 96 percent quieter than the KC-135A")
(iii) KC means "tanker/cargo."

list of military aircraft of the United States
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lis ... f_the_United_States
(section 3.3 Cargo, 1924-1962: "C"; section 5.17 Tanker: "No specialised types have been acquired to receive a stand-alone 'K for Tanker' designation")

(c) Mountain Home Air Force Base
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Home_Air_Force_Base
(d) Boeing KC-46
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_KC-46
(developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner; In February 2011, the tanker was selected by United States Air Force (USAF) as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace older KC-135 Stratotankers)

This report later talks about "Airbus Military A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)." Please note that in 2011 a modified MRTT (called KC-45) lost out to Boeing KC-46 in a bid to become next US tanker.
  
EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EADS/Northrop_Grumman_KC-45
(The EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a proposed aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the Airbus A330 MRTT)

(e) The report states, "Australian air force officials told DTI at the LIMA air show in Malaysia in December" 2011.
(i) Defense technology international
http://www.defensetechnologyinternational.com/about.htm

in the right column please find "AVIATION WEEK GROUP LAUNCHES DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL (DTI)" in 2005.
(ii) Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan ... ritime_and_Air_Show
(LIMA)
(f) Stabilizer (aircraft)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabilizer_(aircraft)
(g) The report finally remarks Singapore "has explored the option of using the smaller catapult-launched Boeing ScanEagle UAV on-board its vessels."

Boeing ScanEagle
http:://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_ScanEagle
(Introduction 2005)