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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 0096.PDF
MStM defined need for an AEW platform to enhance the coverage of the 13,000-island archipelago, but also faces a shortage of cash. One possible low-cost solution being exam ined for maritime surveillance is fitting the locally produced Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) CN-23S with the Ericsson Erieye electronically scanned phased-array radar (Flight International, 13-19 December, 1995, P23). A similar system, fitted to either the Fokker 50 or Saab 340, has been proposed to Singapore to supplement its E-2Cs. Proposals by regional navies to add sub marines to their fleets has had the knock-on effect of prompting greater interest in anti submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime- patrol aircraft (MPA). SINGAPORE SUBMARINE Singapore is poised to become the second country in South-East Asia to acquire a sub marine, with the announcement in September of its purchase of a 30-year-old A 12-class boat from Sweden for training. Indonesia already operates two German-built 209-type sub marines, and both Malaysia and Thailand are looking to follow. The RSAF has already acquired five Fokker Maritime Enforcer Mk2 patrol aircraft, equipped with a Fokker/Dornier TMS-250(V) mission system, Texas Instruments APS-134 radar and GEC-Marconi forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) system. The aircraft are intended primarily for surface strike and over- the horizon targeting for the Singapore navy's Harpoon missiles, but may also be fitted with acoustic processors. Consideration is also being given to acquir ing around 12 naval helicopters in 1998, as part of a wider programme to replace the RSAF's fleet of Bell UH-ls. Singapore has already fitted one of its AS.332 Super Puma with a dipping sonar for trials. Further north, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has moved to upgrade its ASW capa bility with the purchase of five ex-US Navy Lockheed Martin P-3As. The USN modified two of the aircraft to P-3T specification, which includes an AWG-19 HACLCS Harpoon control. The RTN has ordered six Sikorsky S-70 Seahawk helicopters for deployment aboard its new light carrier HTS Chakrinarubet in 1997. It has also purchased three AlliedSignal Bendix/King AQS-13F dipping sonars to equip two of its helicopters for ASW, with a third set kept as spare. Malaysia recently modernised its MPA fleet with the delivery of four Beechcraft B200Ts, each fitted with a Telephonies APS-143 pulse- compression radar and FSI 2000HP FLIR. The navy, in the meantime, hopes to secure funding in the next five-year plan to purchase an initial six naval helicopters to equip two new frigates. Additional helicopters will need ed for its planned fleet of up to 27 offshore patrol vessels (Flight International, 13-19 De- The Philippine Air Force uses the MDSOO series Defender in its helicopter fleet cember, 1995, P25). Elsewhere in the region, Brunei has finally begun to move ahead with a longstanding plan to purchase three IPTN-built CN-235 MPAs, with its recent selection of ARGOSystems as mission integrator. The Indonesian navy, in the meantime, has taken over responsibility for its own CN-2 3 5 MPA programme from the air force. It hopes to begin the programme in 1996 with funding for three aircraft. The Philippines, in response to Chinese moves in the nearby Spratly Islands, is pushing ahead with plans to buy six-to-eight new MPAs. It has stipulated a need for a multi- engine turboprop, equipped with a 360° radar, FLIR, electronic-support measures, acoustic processor and magnetic-anomaly detector. As an interim measure, the air force wants to upgrade its two Fokker F27 MPAs. Air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft have traditionally been a low priority for many of ASEAN's inward-looking air forces. With a growing requirement to project power out over the South China Sea and the regions increasing involvement with overseas peace keeping operations, each mission has taken on much greater importance. Malaysia, in particular, has taken a lead within ASEAN to contribute troops to United Nations forces deployed in Somalia and, more recently, Bosnia. To relieve the strain on the RMAF's logistical support arm, an additional five Lockheed Martin C-130H-30s have been purchased, while six CN-2 3 5s are being obtained from IPTN, in exchange for locally built SME MD3-160 trainers and Proton cars. Two of its C-13 OHs are to be converted into tankers to support the RMAF's probe-and- drogue-equipped Hawks. Thailand has also recently bolstered its mili tary lift with the delivery of six Alenia G222s. The RTAF, in addition, operates eight C-13 OHs and has had a longstanding require ment for a further four. Earlier consideration had been given to converting three surplus Thai Airways International MDC DC-10- 30ERs into tankers, but the proposal was sub sequently vetoed by the US State Department, and the aircraft returned to commercial service. The RSAF maintains a relatively modest force of ten C-130s, including four elderly KC-130Bs. Singapore plans to replace the air craft with two jet-powered tankers, but has delayed final selection of an aircraft until April. Competing for the order are Airbus and Boeing with proposed tanker/ transport ver sions of the A310 and 767, MDC with con verted KDC-10-30s and Israel Aircraft Industries with modified Boeing 707s. HELICOPTERS One of the region's most keenly contested competitions is the Malaysian requirement for an initial 12 attack helicopters, between six and ten logistical-support helicopters and between five and nine single-engine scout helicopters. Denel of South Africa has been pushing its Atlas Aviation CSH-2 Rooivalk attack heli copter, and has signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysian company Airod to provide in-country manufacturing and sup port should the Rooivalk win the Royal Malaysian Air Force order. Denel faces strong competition from MDC, offering the AH-64D Longbow Apache, Eurocopter, with its Tiger, and Bell, which having lost out in the UK attack-helicopter competition in 1995, is anx ious to land orders for its Super Cobra. • 42 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 10 -16 January 1996
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