Recently Pakistan Army tested Ukrainian T-84 Oplot M MBT. Sources said that military authority was quiet unsatisfied with performances of this tank in several weather & landscape condition of Pakistan. Last week the experimental sample has been sent back to Ukraine.
Military sources added that they're also testing new Chinese Type 99Z MBT & MBT-3000. When and in what number new MBTs will be acquired it wasn't clear yet.
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) received the first 6 of its 24 Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced trainers from Russia on September 17. Bangladesh ordered the aircraft in January 2014 in a contract that was originally supposed to include 24 aircraft, initially 16 will be supplied.
The Yak-130 is an advanced jet trainer (alternatively known by some as a lead-in fighter trainer or LIFT) produced by Yakovlev. It was originally a joint-program between Yakovlev and Italy’s Aermacchi, and it saw its first flight in April 1996. While the Yak-130 was designed to prepare pilots for modern multirole fighter aircraft such as the Su-35 (among many others), it is also a capable combat aircraft in its own right. With a maximum payload of 3000kg and 7-9 hardpoints can be equipped for precision air-to-surface strikes as well as short-range air defence duties (using within-visual-range air-to-air missiles or WVRAAMs).
Given the relatively large number of Yak-130s on order (16 plus a possible 8 if brought to original fleet requirements), it is possible that the BAF is acquiring the Yak-130 to serve as a trainer as well as combat aircraft. The BAF has 8 MiG-29s and 49 F-7s (a modern Chinese variant of the venerable MiG-21) of various types in service (Flight Global Insight World Air Forces 2015). Given the investment needed to induct new aircraft types, it is possible that the BAF’s Yak-130 fleet will grow substantially in the coming years, and possibly even replace some of the F-7s currently in service.
That said, the Bangladesh Air Force does have a requirement for modern fighter aircraft to supplement its existing MiG-29 fleet. Given that the BAF does operate the MiG-29, and thus possesses the necessary maintenance and operations infrastructure, it is possible that the MiG-29 (or a variant such as the MiG-35) are the primary forerunners for this requirement.
Russian aircraft manufacturer Irkut has lined up orders with the Russian Defence Ministry and Algeria for the delivery of 22 Su-30 heavy multi-role fighter jets over the next two years, Russian officials said this week.
Sergey Chemezov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of Russia's state defense technology holding Rostec, announced Friday that Russia has signed an agreement with Algeria for the delivery of 14 Sukhoi Su-30MKI multi-role fighter jets.
The Su-30 is classified by the Russians as a generation 4+ fighter, and is a less advanced derivative of the Soviet-designed Su-27 flanker than the newer Su-35 multi-role fighter, which is marketed as a generation 4++ fighter jet, sporting Russia's latest electronics and weapons.
The price of the Algeria contract was not disclosed, but the reported cost of an Su-30MKI fighter is 2 billion rubles (US$30 million). The MKI is an export variant of the Su-30, and over 200 of the planes are in service with the Indian Air Force. Algeria has 44 of the aircraft already.
Chemezov said Algeria's new Su-30MKI fighters would be delivered between 2016 and 2017 — the same time frame for delivery as a contract for eight of the more recent Su-30SM variant of the fighter jets signed by Irkut and the Russian Defence Ministry on Tuesday.
Deputy Defence Minister for Procurements Yury Borisov said Tuesday that the eight planes were being purchased for the Russian Navy, which operates the Su-30 as a maritime strike aircraft out of Crimea, but that a larger 75-fighter contract was teed up for the air force.
That contract will be signed by the end of the year and “will give additional orders to the Irkut Aviation Plant, and secure its corresponding economic stability,” Borisov was quoted as saying in an Irkut news release Tuesday.
Irkut is one of Russia's three largest airplane manufacturers, which include MiG and Sukhoi. All three are owned by the United Aircraft Corporation, a massive Russian state-owned aviation holding company.
Rostec's Chemezov, speaking at the 2015 Russia Arms Expo held Sept. 9-12 in Nizhny Tagil — home to tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod — said that Irkut was expected to produce 60 aircraft this year, setting a post-World War II record for the aviation plant.
Irkut is in the final stages of completing deliveries under a 2011 contract with the Russian Defence Ministry to deliver 60 Su-30SM fighter jets. The new contract for 75 of the fighters will see 20 to 25 of the planes roll off Irkut's assembly line over a period of three years.
The Russian Navy is also interested in future orders of the Su-30SM. In August, the head of Russia's naval aviation branch, Maj. Gen. Igor Kozhin, said the navy would procure around 50 of the aircraft by 2020, bringing the total number of Su-30SMs in service across all branches to 160.
While the Defence Ministry is preparing to sign a contract for more Su-30 fighters, it is also gearing up to sign a 100 billion ruble (US$1.5 billion) contract for 48 Su-35 fighter jets by the end of the year. Sukhoi manufactures the Su-35 itself and is expected to complete a similar 48-fighter contract this year.
Analysts are generally skeptical at present of reports Pakistan and Russia are engaged in negotiations for the delivery of a number of Su-35 Flanker E fighter aircraft, though there is a potential requirement for such a heavy fighter.
The reports, first published in Russian media, cited Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying both sides were negotiating for the delivery of an unspecified number of Su-35 jets alongside the Mi-35M "Hind E" helicopter gunships that have recently been agreed upon.
However, no word on any such negotiations was received from the Ministry of Defence Production in Pakistan when asked for comment on the issue. The agency also handles acquisition.
Experts are generally skeptical of any Su-35 being acquired by Pakistan.
Author, analyst and former Australian defense attache to Islamabad, Brian Cloughley, said he "would be most surprised if there were to be any arrangement for provision of Su-35s."
"The Indians would be extremely upset, to the point of a major diplomatic rift," Cloughley said.
Though India is actively seeking to diversify its source of equipment from reliance on Russia, and the latter is seeking a new customer that includes limited defense sales to Pakistan, the Indo-Russian relationship is still very strong as evidenced by the co-development of the next generation PAK-FA stealth aircraft.
Analyst, author and former Pakistani Air Force pilot Kaiser Tufail is also unconvinced at present that negotiations for the Su-35 are actually underway.
"To me it seems more like an offer by the Russians, more than anything else," he said.
Many analysts have considered the current Pakistani plan to carry on investing in the JF-17 Thunder program, and acquire further new or surplus F-16s if possible, to be the optimal way of modernizing its air power as well as reducing combat types. A role for such a heavy fighter as the Su-35 has not generally been envisioned.
However, Tufail says there is a possible need for something in this class on two accounts: diversification and to support naval operations.
The Su-35 "being a twin-engined aircraft with vast range (and endurance), it would help us to have a significant and potent presence in the Arabian Sea, something that the puny, aging Mirage squadron is ill-suited for (as is the JF-17 from the range point of view)," he said. "Given the changing geo-politics and the Chinese investment whose trade terminus is Gwadar, there is definitely going to be a need for a long-range fighter. So essentially, I see it as a guarantor of maritime security as far as the airspace is concerned."
Pakistan has never operated such a twin-engine fighter aircraft, but Tufail says this has been a shortcoming.
"This has been a yawning gap in [the air force's] capabilities. These fighters would also allow unhindered patrolling by the naval [long range maritime patrol aircraft], as well as providing top cover to our fleet at sea," he said.
He does not see this as a departure from the established defense posture, but recognition of an existing shortcoming.
"All of this may sound like a sudden switch from continental strategy to a maritime one, but it is high time that we paid serious attention to this aspect in the fast changing geopolitical scenario."
Pakistan's air power over the Arabian Sea already received a boost this month when No. 2 'Minhas' Squadron based in Karachi was re-equipped September 6 with the JF-17 Block II after surrendering its Chengdu F-7P fighters.
Speaking at the time, Tufail said this was overdue: "The re-equipment of [No. 2 'Minhas' Squadron] was due as they had the oldest lot of F-7s. The JF-17 was the obvious replacement."
However, he did not believe it would take over the anti-shipping strike role from the Mirage 5, which he flew during his air force career, even though the JF-17 can carry the C-802A/CSS-N-8 Saccade or the supersonic CM-400AKG.
"This, however, does not necessarily imply that it will immediately take over the maritime attack role. The Mirage-5PA2/3 is still a capable aircraft, though long in the tooth by now. Most likely, the replacement of these Mirages would have a maritime role, so it could be a couple of years before we see a newer capability," he said.
Whether that replacement is the Su-35, however, remains to be seen.
China and Russia are close to finalizing an agreement to jointly develop a heavy-lift helicopter next year, according to senior Chinese helicopter designers.
“The project is progressing smoothly, and we are discussing with our Russian counterparts terms and clauses in the agreement. The negotiations should conclude before the end of this year and the development will start next year,” said Wu Ximing, chief helicopter designer at Aviation Industry Corp of China, at the Third China Helicopter Expo, which opened on Wednesday in Tianjin.
The new helicopter’s production will be based in China, he said, adding it will use the Ukraine-made Lotarev D-136 turboshaft engine at the initial mass-production stage.
“Our existing turboshaft engines’ maximum output power is about 1,000 kilowatts, not powerful enough to propel the heavy-lift helicopter. The Chinese engineers are developing a 5,000-kilowatt turboshaft engine that can be used by the aircraft in the future,” he said.
Lin Zuoming, AVIC’s chairman, said on Tuesday that he expects the helicopter to conduct its first flight around 2020.
Huang Chuanyue, deputy chief engineer at Avicopter, AVIC’s helicopter branch, said that China realized in 2008 that it needs a heavy-lift helicopter following a devastating earthquake in Sichuan province. The lack of such aircraft made it very difficult for relief forces to transport urgently needed materials to mountainous areas affected by the disaster, he said.
China then decided to cooperate with Russia, which has experience and know-how in the helicopter industry, to develop a heavy-lift helicopter to serve mainly civilian purposes.
After several years of negotiations, AVIC and Russian Helicopters signed a cooperation framework agreement on the project in Moscow in May.
“The helicopter will use China’s world-class avionics systems and advanced materials, while Russia will be responsible for the aerodynamic design, transmission gear and de-icing equipment,” Huang said.
According to AVIC, the aircraft will have a maximum takeoff weight of 38.2 metric tons and a maximum cruising speed of 300 km/h. It will be capable of flying at altitudes up to 5,700 meters and have a range of 630 km.
Huang said it will be able to carry 10 tons of cargo, or more than 100 people inside the cabin, or 15 tons in an external sling.
“Compared with Russia’s Mil Mi-26, now the largest helicopter used in China, the new aircraft will be more adaptable to plateaus and tropical regions,” he said. “This is very important because China has vast plateau areas and mountainous terrain, as well as many islands that are difficult to access by other means. That has been an extremely serious problem because China is often hit by natural disasters.”
The aircraft will also be of value for building infrastructure in mountainous terrain and on islands.
Huang said China will need at least 200 heavy-lift helicopters within the coming 30 years, and the international market’s demand will reach about 2,000 in that time.
“We expect this helicopter will corner about 25 percent of the international market for this type,” he said.
Currently, heavy-lift helicopters in use include the United States’ Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion and Russia’s Mil Mi-26 series. The US and Russia continue to upgrade these types and aspire to maintain their joint dominance of the heavy-lift helicopter market, observers said.
In total for Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney, F-35 Production Industrial Participation opportunities for Turkish companies are expected to reach more than $12 billion.
Below are details on the 10 Turkish companies who have supported the development and/or production of F-35 / F135.
•Alp Aviation has been supporting the program since 2004 and currently manufactures F-35 production airframe structure and assemblies, production landing gear components and over 100 F135 production engine parts to include titanium integrated blade rotors.
•Aselsan is developing manufacturing approaches for advanced optical components, which are part of the F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System. They are also working with Northrup Grumman on the F-35 CNI Avionic Interface Controller and will initiate full scale production activities in the near term.
•Ayesas currently is the sole source supplier for two major F-35 components – missile remote interface unit and the panoramic cockpit display.
•Fokker Elmo manufactures 40 percent of the F-35 Electrical Wiring & Interconnection System (EWIS) and will also deliver and support TAI with all center section wiring systems. Fokker Elmo is also developing the EWIS for the F135 engine, for which a major share is produced in Fokker Elmo Turkey in Izmir.
•Havelsan has been supporting the F-35 training systems since 2005. Additionally, Havelsan has been instrumental as the Turkish lead for developing the construct of the future Turkish F-35 Integrated Pilot and Maintenance Training Center (ITC) and associated training systems in Turkey.
•Kale Aerospace has been supporting the F-35 since 2005. In conjunction with Turkish Aerospace Industries, they manufacture and produce F-35 airframe structures and assemblies. Kale Aero also supports Heroux Devtek as the sole source supplier for all three variants landing gear up lock assemblies. Additionally, Kale Aerospace has also established a joint venture in Izmir with Pratt & Whitney and is manufacturing production hardware for the F135 engine.
•MiKES has supported the F-35 Program during SDD delivering F-35 aircraft components and assemblies for BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman.
•ROKETSAN and Tubitak-SAGE are the Turkish joint leadership team who strategically manage the development, integration, and production of the advanced precision-guided Stand-off Missile (SOM-J) which will be carried internally on the 5th Generation F-35 aircraft. Additionally, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has partnered with Roketsan, through a teaming agreement, to jointly develop, produce, market and sell the advanced, precision guided Stand Off Missile – Joint Strike Fighter (SOM-J).
•Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has been strategically supporting the F-35 Program since 2008. The company currently supplies production hardware that goes into every F-35 production aircraft. In conjunction with Northrup Grumman, TAI manufactures and assembles the center fuselages, produces composite skins and weapon bay doors, and manufactures fiber placement composite air inlet ducts. Additionally, TAI is strategically manufacturing 45 percent of the F-35’s including Air-to-Ground Pylons and adapters which is Alternate Mission Equipment (AME).
Additionally, Turkish Industry are going to have significant Industrial Participation role supporting Lockheed Martin and Pratt and Whitney for F-35 aircraft sustainment and F135 engine production and sustainment. Turkey has been given the approval to build its own F135 engines and was also selected to have the first European Regional F135 Engine depot overhaul capability. Both the engine production and overhaul will take place at the 1st HIBM in Eskisehir. Additionally, TAI has also been assigned to represent the organic depots of the Turkish Armed Forces within the Autonomic Logistic Global Sustainment (ALGS) system and Havelsan has been assigned as the Turkish Integrator for the National Integrated Training Center (ITC).
The X-band multifunction radar (MFR) testbed being developed by Ankara-based systems and sensor house Aselsan for Turkey's future TF-2000 air-defence frigate programme will achieve a key milestone in the coming months with the completion of its critical design review (CDR).
The CAFRAD (Çok Amaçli Faz Dizinli Radar) demonstrator is being built under a contract awarded by the Turkish Ministry of Defence's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (Savunma Sanayii Müstesarligi - SSM) in May 2013.
Speaking to IHS Jane's at the IDEF exhibition in Istanbul on 5 May, an Aselsan spokesperson said the demonstrator, a scaled prototype that will serve to de-risk and demonstrate MFR technologies for the future TF-2000 air-defence frigate, began its CDR phase in September 2014 and this would complete in August.
Domestically developed Pakistani UCAV system Burraq was used for first time in Operation Zarb-e-Azb against TTP terrorist near about Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This combat uses "Burq" missile which is also developed simultaneously for use in the "Burraq" system.
Last Sunday Pakistan Armed Forces launched an intelligence based drone attack on abominable terrorist organization TTP which is now pocketed at Shawal Valley near the Afghan border. 3 terrorists killed in the attack and it was a "pinpoint accurate" strike. By this successful attack Pakistan joined the elite club Combat Drone Manufacturers & Users countries.
Capabilities like this attack, Pakistan could be able to retreat against any terror acts on it's soil which are originated from Afghan territory.
The contract on the delivery of four Russian Mi-35 helicopters to Pakistan could be expanded, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Second Asia Department Zamir Kabulov said Tuesday.
"It all depends on money. Pakistan has stated that it has the financial means for 10-12 helicopters of this type, but negotiations are ongoing," Kabulov told RIA Novosti.
Moscow and Islamabad are discussing possible supplies of Russian defensive weapons to Pakistan, Kabulov added.
"Pakistan has an interest in other Russian weapon systems. Negotiations are underway. We are talking about defensive systems," Kabulov told RIA Novosti.
In March, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain announced Islamabad's intention to expand military-technical commerce with Russia with the purchase of Mi-35 gunships.
In August, a contract for four Mi-35M transport and attack helicopters was signed by Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and Pakistan's Ministry of Defense, according to a spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in Islamabad.
The Mi-35M (NATO Designation Hind-E) is an upgraded export version of the Mi-24V multipurpose assault helicopter, developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.
According to the Russian military news network reported on December 1,2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh Army in the country before his speech at the ceremony said the government would purchase a large number of various types of weapons and equipment for the protection of its exclusive economic zone, to participate in UN peacekeeping action. China has been a major arms supplier to Bangladesh, the procurement of most of the weapons may be in the favorable financial conditions or military assistance to China within the framework of supply.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that the government is drafting a large number of weapons and equipment import contract, plans to purchase modern tanks, artillery, air defense missile systems, fighter aircraft and helicopters. British ” Defence Industry” magazine reported that Bangladesh had purchased 140 armored personnel carriers, have all been received and the armed forces.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Government of Bangladesh will also increase the cost of training military personnel, while Cox’s Bazar improve air base infrastructure, strengthening patrolling the waters of the Bay of Bengal, in the Mill Pool will also be set up 37 anti-aircraft regiment.
Now the leadership of Bangladesh attaches great importance to non-traditional security threats, including piracy, natural disasters and the Bay of Bengal waters, increasing competition for energy. In addition, Bangladesh and Myanmar, also, the Indian territorial disputes, mainly some countries with large oil and gas resources in the territorial ownership of the continental shelf. Myanmar, Bangladesh, 2008 6 vessels accused, including two warships, violating the exclusive economic zone of Bangladesh. Both sides insisted that a large number of oil and gas resources with the Bay of Bengal as its territory in the disputed region.
Bangladesh military budget after only 15 billion dollars. Baoji, Shaanxi Province in recent years in China, Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. has been providing credit to Bangladesh within the framework of 4×4 wheeled armored personnel carriers supply ZFB05 type. The end of 2009 the company announced that it is with Bangladesh to negotiate a new batch of equipment supply. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group in 2007 to Bangladesh supply 12 F-7BG the type, 4 FT-7BG two-seater fighter, currently being negotiated and Bangladesh Air Force JF-17 and the more modern F -10 fighter supply. According to unofficial information, Bangladesh Navy from China have been two, “Jiang Wei” class Ⅱ type (053H3) frigates.
Bangladesh had purchased three British naval vessels on active service, including a hydrological observation vessels and two offshore patrol vessels. In addition, the Bangladesh Navy and the Italian Augusta Westland has signed a two AW-109 light twin helicopter purchase agreement.
Hindustan Aeronautics has carried out hot-and-high flight testing with its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
The work took place recently from the northern Indian city of Leh, and saw the helicopter conducting flights at elevations ranging from 3200-4800m, says Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).
Tests saw the aircraft operating “under extreme weather conditions at different altitudes.”
The aircraft involved was the third LCH prototype, designated TD-3, and temperatures experienced during the tests ranged from 13-27C. During the trials the helicopter was configured with a electro optical pod, rocket launchers, its 20mm cannon turret, and air-to-air missile launchers.
HAL adds that the LCH was able to take off and land at high altitudes carrying “reasonable amounts of weapons and fuel.”
Given India’s diverse geography, the LCH has been tested in a number of environments, including high-altitude cold weather conditions, sea level tropical conditions, and hot and dry conditions.
HAL expects to produce 179 examples for the Indian military, but the programme has suffered from delays.
With a maximum take-off weight of 5.8t, the LCH is a development of HAL's Dhruv advanced light helicopter. France's Turbomeca helped develop the helicopter's twin Shakti engines.
Key features include low observable characteristics, a glass cockpit, armour protection, crashworthiness and the ability to operate at night. Mission systems include a helmet-mounted sight, electronic warfare system, directional infrared countermeasure/laser transmitter, a datalink and an infrared suppressor.
According to HAL, the helicopter will be able to carry missiles for a variety of missions, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-radiation.
Indonesia has reiterated its desire to order 16 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters to replace its aging fleet of Northrop F-5Es.
Defence minister Ryamizard Ryacudu says the air force’s familiarty with the Su-27, of which Jakarta has 16, was a key influencer in the air force’s decision for the Su-35. His comments were carried by state news agency Antara.
He adds that the acquisition will take place “gradually” and depends on the availability of funds. Jakarta will also require technology transfer as part of the any order, which is still contingent on government approval.
In January 2014, Ryacudu’s predecessor as defence minister said that Indonesia was looking at several types of fighters to replace the F-5Es. Types considered include the Boeing F-15, Lockheed Martin F-16, Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Su-35.
Flightglobal’s MiliCas database shows that Indonesia’s fixed wing combat aircraft fleet includes eight Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucanos, six F-5Es, eight F-16s, 14 BAE Systems Hawk 209s, and 16 Su-27s.
Longer term, Jakarta hopes to obtain 80 Korea Aerospace Industries KFX fighters. The KFX is a developmental twin-engined fighter that will be developed by South Korea. Seoul, which wants to buy 120 KFXs, has an 80% share in the programme, and Jakarta 20%.
The Su-35 has yet to lock down its first foreign customer, but China is also interested in buying 24 examples.
Pakistan has successfully deployed its domestically developed unmanned combat aerial vehicle equipped with a laser-guided missile in the country's northwestern tribal region near the border with Afghanistan, killing three militants in the process.
Pakistani military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa wrote on its Twitter account on Monday that the drone, named Burraq (flying horse), “hit a terrorist compound in Shawal Valley, killing 3 high-profile terrorists.”
The Shawal Valley, which lies in the embattled North Waziristan region, has witnessed fierce skirmishes between Pakistani forces and pro-Taliban militants ever since army units mounted the full scale offensive Zarb-e Azb, or "The Strike of The Prophet's Sword," there in June 2014.
On March 13, The Pakistani army said the Burraq drone successfully hit stationary and moving targets with its Barq (lightning) laser-guided missile with “impressive pinpoint accuracy.”
The advanced combat drone deployment comes as the United States has been carrying out controversial assassination drone strikes in Pakistan’s mountainous northwestern tribal region since 2004.
According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has carried out 420 drone strikes in Pakistan since 2004, frequently prompting outcry from the government and civil groups.
Islamabad has repeatedly condemned the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but the raids continue unabated.
The United Nations and several human rights organizations have identified the US as the world's number one user of "targeted killings," largely due to its drone attacks in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan.
With Burraq, Pakistan joins the club of countries with armed drones, helping it in its campaign against al-Qaeda, Taliban and other militants along its lawless northwestern border with Afghanistan.
In November 2013, the Pakistani military announced that it had developed an unarmed drone to be used only for surveillance purposes. The military officials said they have no plans to arm the craft.
