China Media : Vietnam is Considering the Purchase of 28 T-90MS Modern Tanks from Russia

04 Juni 2016

T-90MS main battle tanks (photo : russarmy)

Online media Sina (China) recently reported that the People's Army of Vietnam is considering the purchase and equipping of the Russian T-90MS, the original plan was to buy 28 units. According to the current demand, the armored forces Vietnam needs at least 200 new tanks.

Sina network that Vietnam Military Army for years not focused on modernization. This due to the fact that Vietnam should focus equip the navy and air force, while budget difficulties. So towards the army is not strong investment.

Therefore, the force increase - armored Vietnam until the present time mainly use the T-54/55 and T-62 is considered outdated in the world. Not only that, the Vietnam tank backward when compared to neighboring countries such as Thailand - the country has imported tanks T-84-T Oplot of Ukraine, China, it has equipped the Type 99 tank is considered the world's leading modern.

To partially offset gaps in the armored forces, Vietnam has a solution to upgrade a number of tanks T-54/55. But still can not meet the requirements of modern warfare.

In the early 2000s, Vietnam is said to have intention to buy 150 tanks T-72M1 - export version of the T-72 for the Eastern European countries, no armor ERA, downgraded fire control system. However, this plan did not succeed.

Some information says that Vietnam will equip T-90MS tanks to units stationed in the northern region.

T-90MS is the upgraded version of modernization on the basis of T-90S tanks for export. Compared to the old T-90S, T-90MS is equipped with a more powerful engine with a capacity of up to 1,130 horsepower, price controls equipped automatic weapons mounted guns UDP 7,62mm T05BV-1, equipped with reactive armor eRA explosive new type of electronic system and more modern. In particular, the ammunition in the vehicle was redesigned to increase survival for crews if blasting enemy bullet inside.

(DatViet)

India plans to offer HAL’s Dhruv and LCH to Vietnam

HAL Light Combat Helicopter (photo : Visal Jolapara)

Supersonic BrahMos Cruise missile is not the only weapons system which India plans to Export to Vietnam well informed and highly reliable sources close to idrw.org and now Defence Ministry plans to allow HAL and DRDO officials to hold further talks with Vietnam officials to explore export of other defence weapons to Vietnam. 

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to revive previously held discussions with Vietnam officials on sale of Advanced Light Helicopter “Dhruv” Helicopters and also plans to offer Light Combat Helicopter which is still under development but lately has been generating lot of interest from various countries due to its cheaper price tags and its ability to perform exceptionally well in higher altitudes. 

HAL also plans to explore the possibility of collaboration on training crews and supply of spares for Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter fleet operated by Vietnam . DRDO on other hand wants to offer indigenously developed Ground level radars , communication , Surveillance equipment along with many Naval Types of equipment developed by its associated labs for equipment in warships. 

India and Vietnam recently discussed the sale of Mobile Coastal Battery equipped with BrahMos missile for use against sea-based targets .

(IDRW)

Rheinmetall Lynx Infantry Vehicle Targets Australian Market

Rheinmetall new Lynx infantry fighting vehicle (photos : Rheinmetall)

PARIS — Rheinmetall took the wraps off it’s new Lynx infantry fighting vehicle at the Eurosatory show in Paris on Tuesday, signaling not just the entry of a new contender in world export markets for this type of platform but that Australia was one of the German company’s main early sales target.

“As we launched it in Australian camouflage it’s a pretty good indication that we are targeting it as one of the key starting markets for the Lynx,” said Ben Hudson, the head of Rheinmetall’s vehicle systems division.

The company is already expecting to hear in the next few week whether its Boxer 8x8 armored personnel carrier bid has been successful as part of Australia’s Land 400 requirement.

Hudson said the vehicle was already generating considerable interest among potential infantry fighting vehicle purchasers other than Australia.

“Several potential customers in Europe are already discussing it with us,” he said.

In partnership with Krauss-Maffai Wegmann, the company already produces the Puma infantry fighting vehicle for the German Army but its high-end requirements help make it a costly machine compared to the Lynx, which is planned to be a more affordable and flexible offering for export customers.

The Lynx comes in two tracked variants. The KF31, which was revealed at Eurosatroy on Tuesday, can carry six troops and three crew members, while the KF41 is able to carry eight soldiers and three crew members.

The vehicle revealed Tuesday had a 35mm cannon, but Rheinmetall offers a 30mm weapon as an option. The KF31 also had an anti-tank missile launcher holding two Spike LRs (Long Range).

The KF31 weighs up to 38 tons. KF simply stands for Kettenfahrzeug, or "tracked vehicle," in German.

The platforms can be configured for command-and-control, armored-reconnaissance, repair-and-recovery, and ambulance operations.

"Lynx is an advanced, new modular family of vehicles that offers our customers the highest levels of survivability, mobility, lethality and capacity while utilizing proven technologies to deliver a compelling value proposition for our global customers," Hudson said.

(DefenseNews)

Australia Selects Raytheon ELCAN Weapon Sight for Land Forces

ELCAN Specter® DR 1-4x dual role weapon sight (photo : snitactical)

PARIS/PRNewswire/ -- Australia's Department of Defence has selected Raytheon's ELCAN Optical Technologies division to supply the ELCAN Specter® DR 1-4x dual role weapon sight. The $54 million contract award followed an open competition.

The ELCAN Specter® dual field-of-view (1X and 4X) sight will replace the ADF's standard 1.5X magnified sight on the new Enhanced F88 rifle in the Land 125 Phase 3C program. The dual magnification provides both long-range targeting and short-range rapid aiming in a single package.

"Our Specter DR 1-4x sight will significantly enhance the soldiers' ability to observe and effectively engage targets," said Cameron Perry, vice president Sales, Marketing and Business Development at Raytheon ELCAN. "We look forward to delivering this critical capability to Australia's land forces."

As part of the contract, Raytheon ELCAN will begin deliveries later this year.

About Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies 

Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies, a thought and technology leader in the global optics industry, specializes in technologically sophisticated and superior-quality optical solutions that meet strict military and commercial specifications. Raytheon ELCAN offers superior design and engineering capabilities, proprietary production technologies and fully integrated manufacturing to provide custom, turn-key solutions.

Raytheon ELCAN also offers ELCAN Specter® rifle sights – a complete line of battle-tested, premium-quality military tactical weapon sights. Well over 600,000 ELCAN Specter® Sights have been fielded with allied forces around the world. For more information about Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies, visit www.raytheon.com/ELCAN.

(Raytheon)

Inilah Rahasia Kehebatan Tank Leopard 2RI TNI AD

Leopard 2RI saat debarkasi di Tanjung Priok. (photo : Pussenkav)

Dari sosok luarnya, Leopard 2RI sudah nampak berbeda dibandingkan dengan Leopard 2A4 yang sudah terlebih dahulu datang. Jika Leopard 2A4 tampil mengotak dengan garis-garis tegas, maka Leopard 2RI tampil dinamis dengan modul-modul AMAP menghias hull dan kubah.

Jika setelah sekian lama hanya bisa menduga-duga, selubung misteri Leopard 2RI kini terbuka sudah, dari sosok penampilannya kita bisa menduga opsi kit apa saja yang akhirnya dipilih TNI AD. Tidak semua paket upgrade Leopard Revolution dipilih, hanya yang benar-benar diperlukan saja yang dipasangkan ke tubuh Leopard 2A4 untuk mengubahnya menjadi Leopard 2RI.

Inti dari perlindungan Leopard 2RI adalah lapisan blok komposit AMAP (Advanced Modular Armour Protection) buatan IBD (IngenierBüro Deisenroth)-Deisenroth. Konsepnya adalah perlindungan 360 derajat, dimana Leopard 2 Revolution harus bisa dilindungi dari segala sisi. Hal ini menyesuaikan dengan tren dimana tank digunakan dalam situasi urban, ancaman senjata seperti roket dan rudal antitank jauh lebih mengemuka. IBD Deisenroth membuat proteksi pasif alias proteksi balistik sangat canggih.

Bobot keramik nano ini saat dikonfigurasikan menurut standar proteksi NATO STANAG 4569 Level 3 atau 4/ AEP 55 Level 3. Keping AMAP dibangun dan disusun menjadi blok AMAP-B (Ballistic) yang dipasangkan ke side skirt, glacis, dan keseluruhan kubah termasuk sisi atas dan pangkal laras Leopard 2RI. Panel-panel ini didesain dengan fitur engsel untuk memudahkannya dibuka, dilepas, dan dilakukan perawatan sekaligus penggantian secara terbatas.

Leopard 2 RI (photo : Pussenkav) 

Biarpun bentuk panel AMAP mengotak, sesungguhnya isinya kosong. Ruang kosong memungkinkan energi dan inti panas dari hulu ledak HEAT yang menghantam AMAP untuk menyebar dan tidak menembus kulit asli tank. Lampu sorot depan Leopard 2RI mempertahankan bentuk aslinya yang membulat dan dipasang di atas glacis, beda dengan paket Revolution yang menggunakan lampu LED dan sudah ditanam di glacis.

Di atas glacis terpasang kotak SAS (Situational Awareness System) berupa kamera dengan fitur night vision agar pengemudi dapat mengendalikan kendaraan dengan mudah, tidak lagi mengandalkan blok prisma yang terbatas kemampuannya.

Uniknya, pemasangan AMAP-B tidak diteruskan sampai ke belakang. Pada Leopard 2RI dibiarkan kosong, hanya dipasangi kit track cadangan di sebelah kiri. Paket Revolution menyediakan slat armor alias pagar untuk menangkis RPG-7, tetapi opsi ini tidak dipergoki pada Leopard 2A7. Mungkin karena sifatnya yang sederhana slat armor ini dapat dipasang kemudian oleh PT Pindad sebagai bagian dari ToT alias Transfer Teknologi, sama seperti kontrak yang diterima PT Pindad untuk memasang sistem pendingin udara pada Leopard 2A4.

Di sebelah kanan terdapat kotak yang diduga merupakan inlet dari APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) berupa mesin diesel cadangan yang dapat digunakan memutar kubah. Leopard 2RI dapat beroperasi secara senyap saat mengintai mangsa, mematikan mesin utama dan mengandalkan APU yang suaranya lebih tenang sehingga heat signature Leopard 2RI menurun drastis dan lawan tidak bisa mendengar suara Leo 2RI sampai semuanya sudah terlambat. Varian Leopard 2SG yang diugrade ke standar Evolution oleh Krauss Maffei Wagmann tidak memiliki fitur APU tersebut.

Leopard 2A4 TNI AD (photo : Merdeka)

Untuk sistem senjata, Leopard 2RI tetap mengandalkan meriam 120mm L44, yang tidak diubah. Yang dimodifikasi adalah sistem turret drive yang kini sudah sepenuhnya elektrik, menawarkan keunggulan lebih aman, lebih ajek, dan lebih senyap.
Sistem kubah remote tidak terlihat terpasang pada Leopard 2RI. Juga tidak terpasang pada Leopard 2RI adalah sistem ROSY (Rapid Obscuring System).

Pada dasarnya sistem ROSY merupakan gabungan integral antara IR Jammer/ decoy dan pelontar granat asap, yang bisa memicu pelontaran granat asap secara otomatis apabila terdeteksi adanya rudal antitank atau ancaman lain yang mendekat.

Leopard 2RI masih mengandalkan sistem pelontar granat asap konvensional yang dipasang di kiri-kanan kubah belakang. Paling penting dari sebuah tank adalah, kenyamanannya. Untuk itulah Leopard 2RI sudah dilengkapi sistem pendingin udara yang dipasang di belakang bustle, dengan inlet udara dari sisi atas yang dilindungi kawat baja.

Untuk kamera panoramik, komandan Leopard 2RI masih akan mengintip dari sistem kamera PERI R-17, dimana Leopard 2RI kelihatan tidak mengambil opsi kamera panoramik SEOSS yang ditawarkan dalam paket Revolution.

Leopard 2RI tiba di tanah air pada Senin (23/5) di dermaga Tanjung Priok. Rencananya kedelapan Leopard 2RI akan menghuni Batalion Kavaleri 1/ Tank Badak Ceta Cakti di Cijantung, menggantikan tank mini Scorpion-90.

(Angkasa)