Viking submarine

The aim of the VIKING project is to develop and acquire coastal submarines for Denmark and Sweden and to co-operate also during the in-service phase.

By June 30th 2003 the VIKING project group had completed the detailed description and the projecting of the earlier chosen basic model under the Project Definition Phase part 1 (PDF 1). An agreement concerning execution of the PDF 2 was signed between Denmark and Sweden on May 21 2003.

Due to changes in the national programming of future submarine procurement, Norway has withdrawn from the active work in the VIKING project group by the end of the PDF 1. Norway continues as an observer in the next phase. Consequently Denmark and Sweden continue the work in PDF 2 in order to obtain political approval to enter into contract concerning construction and production of submarines in 2005.

The industrial organisation will be streamlined, as Kockums AB is planned to be chosen as lead supplier with Odense Staalskibsværft A/S as sub-supplier. All other suppliers will be chosen by open competition. The planned duration of PDF2 is until the 30th March 2005 and partial deliveries of results will ensure continous basis for decisions about the construction and building phase.

The participating nations are Denmark and Sweden with Finland, Norway and Singapore as observers.

WAFF

REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE NAVY'S FRIGATE PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION

In March 2000, MINDEF signed a contract with Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) of France for the construction of six frigates for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). DCN is a reputable shipyard that designed and built the French Navy's low signature La Fayette-class frigates. Under the technology transfer arrangement, DCN will design and build the first ship while the remaining five will be built locally by Singapore Technologies Marine. The six new frigates will replace the RSN's Missile Gunboats which would have been in service for more than 25 years.

SHIP'S CAPABILITIES

The new frigates are highly capable warships designed to be stealthy and are equipped with advanced combat systems. They also have greater endurance and are able to stay at sea for longer periods of time. With a length of 114m, the frigates possess better sea keeping qualities. Each frigate is powered by four MTU1 diesel engines that can provide speed in excess of 25 knots. Stealth technology has been incorporated in many features of the ship's design. This ensures that the frigates have low radar cross section signatures and increased survivability. Each frigate is designed to carry a medium-class helicopter capable of complementing the ship in Anti-surface and Anti-submarine warfare.

By leveraging on a high level of automation and enhanced work processes, each frigate will only require a crew of 71. The Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and the Ship Management System (SMS) incorporate many advanced features to enable safe and effective monitoring and control of the various machinery and systems onboard.

The frigates will be equipped with advanced state-of-the-art combat capabilities allowing them to perform a wide spectrum of missions and to deal with various threats in all dimensions of naval warfare ¨C surface, air and underwater. Surveillance is provided by the Thales Herakles Multi-function Radar (MFR). As a three-dimensional search and fire control radar, the MFR is able to perform all round, long range air and surface surveillance, while simultaneously controlling weapons against hostile targets. The MFR is integrated with the Aster Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system. Supplied by MBDA2, the Aster SAM System is designed to meet the air defence needs of the frigate against aircraft and sea skimming anti-ship missiles. The Aster is a two-stage missile with a powerful thrust and aerodynamic control to enable high agility and manoeuvrability.

The Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability of the frigate is provided by the EDO3 Active Low Frequency Towed Sonar (ALOFTS) system and the Eurotorp A244S torpedo. The Active Low Frequency Towed Sonar system provides the ship with long range underwater detection and classification capabilities, while the A244 lightweight torpedo is designed to counter submarine threats operating in the littorals.

The frigates will also be equipped with the Harpoon anti-ship surface missile system and the OTO Melara 76mm naval gun. Both systems are currently in service onboard other RSN ships. The Integrated Communications System (ICS) is provided by CET of Singapore Technologies Electronics.

Command and control of the various sensor and weapon systems onboard each frigate is achieved via an indigenously designed Combat Management System (CMS). Developed by DSTA and in close co-operation with RSN and DSO-NL, CMS is the first system designed with embedded intelligence for track management, identification and weapon alignment functions. All combat systems will be operated using Standard Operating Common Consoles supplied by SES of Singapore Technologies Electronics. These operating consoles are located in the Combat Information Centre of the ship, where the command team will direct and orchestrate all warfare activities.

The platform characteristics, the combat systems configuration and a computer-aided design picture of RSN's new frigates are detailed below.

PROGRAMME STATUS

The frigate programme is progressing smoothly. All six frigates are in various stages of construction today. The first of its class, RSS Formidable, is currently completing her outfitting phase at the DCN shipyard in L'orient, France , and would be undergoing harbour and sea trials soon. RSS Intrepid, the first of the locally-constructed ships, will be launched on 3 Jul 04. DPM and Minister for Finance, Mr Lee Hsien Loong will officiate at the event, and Mrs Lee will launch the ship. The launching ceremony for the third frigate is expected in early 2005.

In parallel to the construction activities, the combat system integration effort has also gradually intensified over the course of this year. The Shore Based Integration Centre (SBIC) h as been set up in Changi Naval Base to allow the combat system suppliers, using the actual equipment and software, to test and demonstrate that they could exchange messages correctly over the local area network, similar to the one onboard the ship. The laboratory environment of the SBIC would allow the integration team to run all the necessary sequence of tests in order to do trouble shooting and rectification before testing onboard the ship. Through the use of simulators, the systems are put through the various operational scenarios for extensive testing.

The frigate programme represents the continuous effort of the RSN to improve its capabilities in order to complement and enhance the operational effectiveness of the SAF.

1MTU Friedrichshafen is a business unit of DaimlerChrysler. It is a worldwide leading manufacturer of large diesel engines and complete drive systems.

2MBDA is a missile company that was formed after the merger of Matra Bae Dynamics, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Aerospatiale Matra Missiles and Alenia Marconi Systems.

3EDO is an American military defence company that was formed in 1925.

PLATFORM DESIGN AND SYSTEMS CONFIGURATION

Dimension
Length
Beam

114 metres
16 metres

Displacement 3,200 tonnes
Speed
In excess of 25 knots

Range/Endurance > 3,500 nautical miles
Platform Systems
Propulsion System
Electrical System

4 x MTU 20V 8000 M90, 8200 kW (CODAD Configuration)
4 x IFM V1708 with AvK alternator, 800kW

Helicopter/
Ship-Heli Interface
Support 1 Medium-class helicopter
Heli-Visual Approach System

Complement 71 crew
+ Air detachment of 15 personnel


FRIGATE'S COMBAT SYSTEMS CONFIGURATION

Multi-Function Radar
Thales Herakles Multi-function Radar (MFR)

Navigation Radar
Terma Electronic Navigation Radar

Surface-to-Surface Missile
Harpoon Surface Missile System

Surface-to-Air Missile
MDBA Aster Missile System

Naval Gun
OTO Melara 76mm Gun

Sonar
EDO Active Low Frequency Towed Sonar (ALOFTS)

Torpedo
Whitehead A244S System

Communications
ST (Elect) CET Integrated Communications System

Gun Fire Control System
EADS4 Gunfire Control System

Command and Control
DSTA in-house developed Combat Management System (CMS)

Standard Operating Common Consoles
ST (Elect) SES

:)i hope sooner when the phillipines has recovered their economy they can afford to buy frigates from us!

when i was there, i saw some posters for military recruitment.
heres my question.

is military service high among the people in Singapore?

and your national guard, is it part of the army or a separate service, is it a reserve force. what is its purpose/missions?

Military manpower
-Availability males age 15-49: 1,392,740 (2003 est.)

-Fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,012,498 (2003 est.)


Military expenditure
-Dollar figure SGD4.47 billion (FY01 est.)

-Percent of GDP 4.9% (FY01)

-Introduction

Singapore relies primarily on its own defence forces, which are continuously being modernized. The SAF was formed after the British pulled out of Singapore in December 1971. The defence budget accounts for approximately 28% of government operating expenditures (or 5% of GDP). A career military force of 20,000 is supplemented by 55,000 men on active National Service for a term of 2 to 2½ years (reduced to 2 years from 1st Dec 2004) depending on educational level and assigned military vocation. Service is compulsory for all able-bodied young men who has reached 17½ years of age and not on deferment for educational reasons. Another 225,000 reservists who have completed active National Service and are placed on a 13 years stand-by period. These reservists, also known as NSMen, are liable for up to 40 days of active service every work year. The SAF engages in joint training with all the ASEAN nations and with the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of China (Taiwan), and India.

Source: US Department of State (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2798.htm)

-Foreign Defence Relations

Singapore is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangement together with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. Designed to replace the former defense role of the British in the Singapore-Malaysia area, the arrangement obligates members to consult in the event of external threat and provides for stationing Commonwealth forces in Singapore.

Singapore has consistently supported a strong U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. In 1990, the U.S. and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which allows the U.S. access to Singapore facilities at Paya Lebar Airbase and the Sembawang wharves. Under the MOU, a U.S. Navy logistics unit was established in Singapore in 1992; U.S. fighter aircraft deploy periodically to Singapore for exercises, and a number of U.S. military vessels visit Singapore. The MOU was amended in 1999 to permit U.S. naval vessels to berth at the Changi Naval Base, which was completed in early 2001.


-Training

All combatant troops go through a 3-month Basic Military Training (BMT). This is where they will learn field craft, basic jungle survival, camouflaging, operating their personal weapon and basic marksmanship. After which, potential officers and specialists are selected to go through either a 9-month officer cadet course or a 21-week infantry specialist course, while the rest are posted to various units and schools to continue their vocational training till their operationally-ready date (ORD), when they will be put into reserve units and continue their civilian lives.

-Technology in the SAF

The SAF also utilises technology as "force-multipliers". It is widely recognised that the SAF is probably the most advanced force in Asia, in terms of C4I integration which will enable its CAD to fight in an integrated manner. The army, airforce and navy are linked via advanced datalinks and networks to enable coordinated attacks and support for various units and forces. It also possess the most capable military manufacturing industry, having built a 28-ton AFV, various self-propelled 155mm artillery, modernised all its fighter jets, built naval vessels and communication electronics. This enables the SAF to operate customised equipment designed for its unique requirements.

-Special Forces

Singapore is also well prepared for sub-conventional warfare such as terrorism. The army consists of at least one active commando battalion and an unknown number of Special Operations Force (SOF) members. The SOF is an elite unit, and its exact order of battle and personnel are highly classified. Little is known of their training, but many ex-SOF personnel can be spotted wearing airborne badges of various countries and some are trained by the US Navy SEAL.

Besides the SOF, the Naval Diving Unit is a Marines version of the SOF. Highly trained in air/land/sea operations, they are capable of diving/infiltrating for special operations. Most of them wear the prestigious US Navy SEAL badge, and in year 2000, a Singaporean trainee topped the US Navy SEAL course in his cohort.

-Intelligence

Intelligence in the SAF is well covered and little is known of the method of intelligence collection. However it is well-known that the SAF is probably the most advanced in SIGINT and imagery intelligence. Probably with the help of satellites or other technology. The Air Force also operates Israeli manufactured UAVs, equipped with thermal and optical sensors.

-Weapons

Army


Infantry:

-M-16S1,
-M-16 Carbine,
-Ultimax SAW,
-MATADOR LAW,
-ARMBRUST LAW,
-SAR-21,
-FN-GPMG,
-CIS 40mm AGL,
-SPIKE ATGM,
-84mm and 106mm Recoiless Guns.

Armour:

-350 Modernised AMX-13SM-1 tanks,
->80 Modernised Centurion Main Battle Tanks,
->700 Modernised 25mm / 40mm AGLM113 APC,
-~500 Bionix 28-ton AFV (25mm / 40mm AGL)

Artillery:

-FH-2000/52-calibre (155mm towed/SP howitzer),
-FH-88 (155mm towed howitzer),
-M-71S 155mm Howitzer,
-SSPH-1 Primus (155mm Bionix-based SP Howitzer),
-120mm Super-Rapid Mortar,
-other infantry mortars and 105mm Reserve Artillery

Air Force

-8 F-16 Block 15OC Upgraded A/B (Transferred to Thai AF WEF Dec 04)
-62 F-16Block 52 C/D
-60 A4SU Upgraded SkyHawk
-45 F-5 S/T Upgraded Tiger II
-8 RF-5S Upgraded Tiger II
-4 E-2C AWACS
-4 KC-135 Air Refuelling/Transport
-5 Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol (armed with harpoons and torpedoes)
-4 Fokker-50 Transport
-10 C-130B/H and KC-130
-20 AH-64D Apache Longbow
-8 Boeing CH47 SD

Navy

-5 ex-Sjoormen class submarines(1 reserve)
-6 Formidable class stealth frigates
-6 Victory class missile corvettes
-6 Fearless class anti-submarine warfare patrol vessels
-6 Fearless class patrol vessels
-4 Endurance class landing ship tanks
-4 Landsort class mine counter-measure vessels

hope you are contented with this info groundpounder :thumb:

Very impressive ORBAT singa lion.

and how do you play with your hitech toys singa ro do you keep them in the closet? :demon:

5 percent of GDP, is not that on the hgih side already, and 28 percent of the budget? Is not that quite large also, couldn't that money be better spent on social services like health care or education, or perhaps additional infrastructure? :dontgetit: I think that among the countries with your income level, your country is the one that spends the most as a proportion of the size of your economy, even the US or China does not spend that much. :crawling: And your military spending figure is way higher than the EU average.

Singapore publicly announced the existance of another special forces unit.





S'pore launches elite maritime anti-terrorist assault unit


Singapore launched on Wednesday an elite police maritime unit to increase security of the Republic's busy commercial shipping lanes and ports against potential terrorist attacks.


The unit has specialised skills and equipment to board vessels, engage the enemy in close-quarter combat and conduct assault diving, Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee said at the commissioning ceremonies here.

Officially labelled the 'maritime assault capability' of the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) Unit, Professor Ho said it had been created as part of a broader programme to beef up security for Singapore waters.

He said the new force would augment efforts of the police coast guard and the Singapore Navy.


http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/sub/lat...,144064,00.html?


:pistols:

Excellent move by Sinagapore on that one. :thumb:

Maritime traffic in Singapore is one of the world's healthiest.

Are these guys equipped with choppers and fast assault craft too?

Can you show us some photos?

BTW, the link you gave requires the reader to log-in. :dunno: You must use other links that wont give us that kind of hassle.

of course this unit use choppers for fastroping to suspect ships at sea, fast craft too ..it is very well equipped and supported as any singaporean force


:armygrin:

Singapore is probably most famous for its quick capture by the Japanese in early 1942. At the time, Singapore was thought to be impregnable. This tiny country is almost akin to the old city-states. It is primarily urban (only 1.6 percent of its land is suitable for farming), and relies on external delivery of fresh water (this was the reason the Japanese quickly took Singapore – the defenders simply had no water). The country is small, about 250 percent larger than Washington D.C. It also is in a prime piece of strategic real state. Singapore sits near one of the world’s major maritime chokepoints, the Strait of Malacca. The result, is that this country of roughly 4.4 million needs to have a very strong military for its size.

Singapore’s military, for the most part, fits that requirement. The military has a total active force of 54,000. This force accepts volunteers 16 or older, although Singapore also uses conscripts older than 18 (about 40 percent of the force consists of conscripts). These conscripts are in service for 24 months (this is a reduction from 30 that was effective as of December 2004). Singapore spends about $4.5 billion a year on defense. Much of this is spent on modern equipment (mostly air and naval units).

The Republic of Singapore Army consists of three divisions (the 3rd, 9th, and 6th), plus two People’s Defense Force units (in essence a reserve force) that traces its origins to the Singapore Volunteer Corps during the time Singapore was a British colony. The armed forces run on a “Total Defense” concept in which every person in Singapore is involved. The People’s Defense Force is a militia, similar to the systems used in Israel, Switzerland, and Sweden.

Singapore does not offer much in the way of terrain suitable for armored warfare, so Singapore’s best tank is the AMX-13SM1 light tank. The AMX-13 is a French design, carrying a 75mm gun with 32 rounds. The Singaporean versions have been rebuilt with a new transmission, and boast a top speed of 60 km per hour, with a range of 450 kilometers. Singapore also uses the M113 armored personnel carrier. The baseline versions are familiar, having been in American service for a while. However, Singapore has upgraded this old, but versatile system with a combined 40mm grenade launcher and .50-caliber machinegun (the CIS 40/50 Twin Weapon Station). Singapore also has the Bionix 40/50, a more modern APC with a top speed of 70 kilometers per hour.

Singapore is also in the process of replacing license-built M16A1s (the M16S1, a 5.56mm rifle with a 30-round magazine) with the SAR-21. The SAR-21 is a bullpup design firing a 5.56mm round and has a 30-round magazine. Singapore has also designed the Ultimax 100, a 5.56mm squad automatic weapon with a 100-round drum magazine. Singapore also manufactured the SAR-80 (a licensed copy of the AR-18) and the SR-88 (which often found its way to the export market).

Singapore’s infantry have a mix of anti-tank weapons: The Armbrust, a disposable one-shot weapon similar to the American LAW, is their light anti-tank weapon. The RSA also uses the Milan – a wire-guided French anti-tank missile with a range of two kilometers and a speed of 720 kilometers per hour. The Milan is arguably one of the premier weapons systems, having been exported to numerous countries (including many in NATO). Singapore’s heavy anti-tank missile is the Israeli SPIKE, a missile system that has also been acquired by Poland. SPIKE has a range of four kilometers on a clear day, and a range of three kilometers in bad weather. SPIKE uses fiber-optic guidance, and is able to demolish many tanks.

Ultimately, Singapore’s Army and militia are the forces in that country’s military that serve as the last line of defense. If Singapore’s Army is fighting, this small country is probably in serious trouble.

When your country is dependent on sea going commerce for food and raw materials, it is a good idea to be able to secure the routes used to deliver the raw materials and food. Without food, the population of Singapore starves. Without raw materials, the manufacturing stops. Singapore also is dependent on exporting high-tech items manufactured in this country. Most of these products, raw materials, and food travel by sea.

Ensuring the safety of these arrivals is the job of the Republic of Singapore Navy. This force is expanding its capabilities with numerous new vessels. In the last ten years, Singapore has built twelve 500-ton patrol boats to replace six older Vosper craft. The Fearless-class is a fast (65 kilometers per hour) boat equipped with a 76mm gun, Mistral surface-to-air missiles, and two triple 12.75-inch torpedo tubes. Six of these boats have been built, and can work with other assets to kill submarines near Singapore.

A second class of patrol boats, the Resilience-class, is based on the Fearless-class. This class is armed with six Israeli Gabriel anti-ship missiles. The Gabriel is a medium range (60 kilometers) anti-ship missile that has been proven in combat in the various Israeli-Arab wars. The Gabriel uses infra-red guidance, which is quite useful in the cluttered area of operations in the waters surrounding Singapore. The Resilience-class patrol craft also use a 76mm gun, Mistrals, and four 12.7mm machine guns. Singapore’s six old Sea Wolf-class patrol boats remain in service, carrying Gabriel and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The six Victory-class corvettes (which carry Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Barak surface-to-air missiles, and two triple 12.75-inch torpedo tubes) are also still in service, but have had some problems.

In the last six years, three major ship classes have entered service with Singapore. In 1997, Sweden leased Singapore a Sjoormen-class diesel-electric submarine. After personnel were trained, three more subs of that class were purchased. These are small (1,400 tons) subs with a top speed of 37 kilometers per hour, and only capable of diving to 150 meters. They don’t need to dive much deeper than that, since the waters are quite shallow. These vessels are equipped with four 21-inch torpedo tubes and two 15.75-inch torpedo tubes. A total of twelve weapons (eight 21-inch and four 15.75-inch) can be carried by these submarines.

Singapore’s other new naval class of six patrol frigates based on the French LaFayette class. These stealthy frigates will be slightly smaller than the French vessels (3,000 tons compared to 3,700 tons; 360 feet long compared to the 407.5 feet), but will be faster (65 kilometers per hour compared to 46.3 for the French versions). This vessel is to carry a mix of Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and either ASTER 15 or Barak point-defense surface-to-air missiles. It also has four 21-inch torpedo tubes. This is a heavier torpedo battery than most surface warships get (Russian designs use 21-inch tubes, most other navies use 12.75-inch tubes, but some use 15.75 or 16-inch tubes). This frigate also has a 57mm gun. It will be a large class of modern frigates, and will make Singapore’s navy one of the most powerful around the Strait of Malacca. Singapore also has been building a class of four LSD type amphibious ships. These LSDs, the Endurance-class, are 8500 tons, have a speed of 27.78 kilometers per hour, and each can carry 18 tanks.

Singapore has also taken note of the effectiveness of mines. As a nation reliant on maritime trade (and with over 900 merchant ships flying its flag), Singapore has invested in a force of four modern mine-countermeasures vessels. These are the same as the Swedish Longsort-class minesweepers, and are 155.8 feet long, displace 600 tons, and equipped with modern sonars and ROVs for use against the most modern mines.

Singapore’s navy is arguably the best Navy in Southeast Asia. Most of the major units have been commissioned after 1990, is designed to fight in the waters around the small country, and it trains hard. Anyone who tries to cut Singapore off will have a huge fight on their hands. – Harold C. Hutchison (hchutch@ix.netcom.com)

:rifle:

SINGAPORE (AFP) Feb 22, 2005
Technology-savvy Singapore unveiled a master plan Tuesday to combat the rising threat of cyber-attacks by terrorists and hackers against government facilities, infrastructure, businesses and homes.

Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan said the three-year program would cost 38 million Singapore dollars (24 million US) and was a vital step in ensuring the city-state's globalised economy ran smoothly.

"We cannot afford to treat the threats from cyber-terrorists, cyber-criminals and irresponsible hackers lightly," Tan, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence, said at an information and communications (infocomm) seminar.

"It is no exaggeration to say that the nation's infocomm infrastructure has become the nerve centre of Singapore's economy."

Tan said areas such as finance, energy, water resources, telecommunications, health care and transport had become increasingly reliant on technology and any disruption in one sector could paralyse the entire economy.

"(Cyber-strikes) can seriously damage a country's economy if they are able to penetrate and attack critical infrastructure like the navigational systems, the country's stock exchange or the telecommunications networks," he said.

Tan said the plan would develop Singapore's capabilities to protect the country's infrastructure from such threats and respond swiftly to recover after a strike takes place.

It involves raising awareness within government, the private sector and general community about the threats and implementing appropriate security measures, he said.

It also aims to develop a pool of "capable and qualified security professionals" to combat cyber-attacks.

One project is the establishment of a national cyber-threat monitoring centre. A more secure authentication process is also being developed to protect parties to online transactions.

Howard Schmidt, a former White House advisor on cyber-security who spoke at the infocomm seminar, called for a coordinated response among government agencies as well as governments worldwide in the fight against cyber-attacks.

He said cyber-criminals were now targeting not just governments and big corporations but also small businesses and Internet home users.

Samuel Varnado, director of the Information Systems Centre at US-based Sandia National Laboratories, said Singapore was more vulnerable to disruption because of its small size, unlike in the United States where a cyber-attack in one state would not necessarily affect another.

http://www.spacedaily.com/2005/050222104638.7okv2obb.html

Cyber attacks are situations not to be taken for granted. It can disrupt banking operations and incur millions if not billions of dollars of damage. The most chilling is if this geeks can infiltrate into military installations, it can trigger war by the click of a mouse.

for every shield put up someone always creates a crack

agree but the trick is to be a step ahead of crackers and hackers :rifle:

well Microsoft failed in that strategy.

There will always be hackers challenged for the thrills sometimes just for fun or prove something. Remember the "love bug"? Heard that guy was hired by Bill Gates now.

ya thats why even me self is not using microsoft technology, i use linux, open office and firefox browser all open source software

Well how can SG be ahead of hackers and crackers as Singapore don't really have a good crack or hack out in the open. How do you measure that you are ahead?

So, what OS does hackers usually used to attack Bill Gates' Microsoft ?

unix or any of its variants

Someone who truly understands the problem posed by malicious hackers (properly called "crackers") won't brag about being ahead. Such arrogance only attracts attention, and consequently more penetration attempts.

The truly dangerous "crackers" are the ones who successfully compromised systems, and had never been caught. How do you know that your systems haven't already been compromised -- rendering all your new initiatives useless?

Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter Typhoon
By Geert De Clercq

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet from a $1 billion-plus warplane order, setting the stage for a duel between French Dassault's Rafale jet and Boeing Co.'s F-15.

The Singapore order, expected to include 20 jets, is pivotal because Boeing needs orders for the F-15 to ensure continued production while Dassault is hunting for its first export order.

The Rafale is the more modern plane. But Boeing's F-15 is a combat-proven jet that went into production in the 1970s yet is crammed with the latest electronics.

Analysts say the Chicago-based maker of civil and military aircraft can offer Singapore jobs and investment, and it benefits from Singapore's close links with the United States. It also has a price advantage because of the weak dollar against the euro.

But Boeing is not a shoo-in.

"Although politics always plays a role in these competitions, the quality of the aircraft will probably be the determining factor," Robert Karniol, Bangkok-based Asia-Pacific Editor of Jane's Defence Weekly, told Reuters.

Boeing won a previous showdown against Dassault when South Korea opted for the F-15 in 2002.

"The Americans have exceedingly strong political influence in South Korea, which they do not have in Singapore," Karniol said.

The Rafale has yet to win its first export order after Dassault also lost out on orders from Norway and the Netherlands.

Singapore is known as a sophisticated arms buyer, and its choice could influence other countries considering new fighters.

"They are both very different aircraft and both have their strengths. It will depend on what the Singapore air force's needs are," said Audrey Tan, head of communications for Singapore Technologies Aerospace, a unit of ST Engineering Ltd.. ST Aerospace provides support for Singapore's fleet of aircraft.
Global community watching Singapore's search for new-generation combat aircraft
By Channel NewsAsia's US correspondent Malcolm Brown

Singapore's search for a new-generation combat aircraft is being closely watched by the international community.

This is because Singapore has a reputation as a demanding buyer and its choice will influence other buyers.

With the Eurofighter Typhoon out of the running, it is now a dogfight between the American F-15T and French Rafale for the contract worth more than US$1 billion.

However the American Aerospace Industries Association says history and strategic considerations favour the US fighter.

Under the rules governing Singapore's procurement process, Boeing cannot and would not comment.

But supporters of its offer to sell an advanced version of the F-15 say the so-called 'Strike Eagle' is the "logical" choice.

Joel Johnson, Vice President for International Affairs, Aerospace Industries Association, said: "The US Air Force will be flying the F-15E for twenty to thirty years and they don't like to have second best."

That is what you would expect to hear from someone whose job is to help American aerospace firms compete in the global marketplace and Boeing is a member of the association Joel Johnson works for.

That said, he argues there are a number of good reasons why Singapore should buy American.

Mr Johnson said: "We've produced somewhere around 1,500 F-15's, of which some 250 are F-15E's. That means you are going to have parts, you're going to have upgrades, for a long time."

Then there's the fact that the F-15 is a combat-tested fighter, which is also designed to strike deep behind enemy lines.

Mr Johnson said: "That basically means not only are you an air superiority airplane that will knock down any other airplane that's up there, but it also has a ground attack capability; to use precision munitions to take on ground targets."

The F-15's backers believe strategic considerations, like Singapore's close military ties with the US and the potential need to operate alongside American forces, support their case.

Mr Johnson said: "The US is the only major power that could be called upon in a time of need in East Asia. You're very unlikely to find very many French air force or navy in the Southeast Asian region in a time of crisis. You do find the US there all the time."

Other perceived advantages for Boeing include Singapore's history of buying sophisticated US weapons systems, like the Apache attack helicopter and the republic's participation in the US programme to develop the next generation Joint Strike Fighter. - CNA /ch

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 April 2005 2309 hrs

MINDEF has dropped Eurofighter from fighter competition

: report By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia

Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration as it prepares to announce the winner of an order for fighter aircraft, says Jane's Defence Weekly, a military publication.

Jane's Defence Weekly reported that pricing was one of the issues that derailed the Eurofighter's bid. The Eurofighter Typhoon was one of the frontrunners to bid for the more than US$1 billion contract.

The report backs up an article earlier this week in a French newspaper that Singapore had dropped the Eurofighter from a short-list of contenders.

Now with the Eurofighter out of the running, Singapore is left with two contenders - the American Boeing F-15 and the French Rafale.

The winner will replace the RSAF's A-4SU Skyhawks and the F-5S/T.

The Defence Ministry has refused to comment on Jane's Defence Weekly's report and has also refused to confirm if the Eurofighter bid has really been dropped. - CNA /ch

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore delivers blow to Eurofighter

By Peter Spiegel in London
Published: April 20 2005 19:02 | Last updated: April 20 2005 19:02

The four-nation Eurofighter consortium was dealt a heavy blow last week when Singapore's defence ministry told the group it had uncovered problems that could prevent the government buying the jet.

According to people familiar with the decision, Singapore has stopped short of dropping Eurofighter from a three-way competition. But it has raised detailed questions about the ability to fit Singapore's advanced weapons on the jet, a stumbling block that may make it impossible for Eurofighter to win.

Just over a year ago Eurofighter was selected by Singapore from a group of six aircraft to compete for the order. Three jets, including one made by Lockheed-Martin, were dropped at the time. The other two aircraft that remain in the competition are the F-15 Eagle, built by Boeing of the US, and Rafale, made by France's Dassault Aviation.

A winner is expected to be selected this summer, and the new Eurofighter concerns make the F-15 and Rafale the favourites.

Although the potential order is relatively small eight jets with an option to buy 12 more Singapore is considered a “reference customer” that is closely watched by other nations since it has a transparent and rigorous acquisition process. A win by Eurofighter would have been a big boost for the programme, which has yet to secure a customer outside Europe.

“This would have been a real breakthrough order,” said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace consultant with the Washington-based Teal Group. “Even though the numbers are small, it would have been a powerful endorsement.”

BAE Systems, one of three prime contractors building the jet and the company responsible for marketing Eurofighter to Singapore, has pushed hard to win in the city state, and the Royal Air Force has helped, flying two RAF Eurofighters to Singapore last year. Industry experts said the recent efforts were believed to have significantly improved Eurofighter's chances, which originally were seen as slim thanks to an equally-strong push by Boeing and the US air force.

BAE declined to comment on its discussions with Singapore, and a Singaporean defence official said her government was not speaking publicly about the status of the competition.

Other industry officials said they believed the setback meant Eurofighter had been dropped from the competition, but people briefed on the talks said negotiations between Eurofighter and Singapore were continuing in an attempt to resolve the problems. The setback in Singapore comes after the Greek government last year backed away from a commitment to buy 60 Eurofighters, making 18 jets ordered by Austria the programme's only sales outside its four home countries: Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Such export orders are key to Eurofighter hopes of making the programme profitable.

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Thu 21 Apr 2005 6:22pm (UK)

No BAE Systems Lay-Offs Despite Singapore Setback

By David Stringer, PA

BAE Systems today confirmed there will be no impact on its workforce after Singapore dropped the Eurofighter Typhoon from a list of three jets vying for a £1 billion military contract.

The British aerospace giant admitted it was “disappointed” with the decision, but insisted it was continuing to seek further deals for the often criticised aircraft.
“We were reassured by Singapore’s recognition of Typhoon’s inherent capability and we are currently working on deliveries of 630 of the most advanced swing-role combat aircraft in the world,” said BAE Systems spokesman Richard Coltart.
“We are enthusiastically working to make the Typhoon the aircraft to meet the requirements of airforces worldwide.

“Obviously there is some disappointment about the Singapore contract, but it will have no effect on the workforce.”

Recent deals have be stuck to deliver 18 of the jets to Austria and Mr Coltart said it is hoped that Greece will also soon order a Typhoon fleet.

However, the Singapore Ministry of Defence said the Eurofighter’s “systems did not meet the requirements of the Republic of Singapore Air Force“.

Defence minister Teo Chee Hean confirmed that the city-state will now choose between the US-made F-15 Strike Eagle and the French Dassault Rafale.
Singapore had shortlisted the manufacturers and the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium to replace 20 of its ageing A-4 Super Skyhawk jet fighters.
“We are proceeding with our evaluation. We’ll do a thorough evaluation and we’re not under any time and pressure to decide,” said Mr Hean.

The Typhoon was originally hit by technical glitches during the development process and the British section of the project weighed in at £2 billion over budget.
BAE workers produce components including the aft fuselage, the vertical stabiliser and forward fuselage cockpit assembly for the aircraft as part of a four-nation consortium with Germany, Italy and Spain.

Critics have labelled the fighter a “white elephant” which will be out of date by the time it is in service, but the RAF maintain it is an “amazing aircraft” and the first of the jets are now stationed at RAF Conningsby.

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Fri 22 Apr 2005

Singapore dents Eurofighter hopes

COLIN DONALD

SINGAPORE’s ministry of defence yesterday dealt a humiliating blow to the troubled Eurofighter Typhoon project by eliminating the aircraft from a three-way beauty contest for an order worth at least £521 million.

Singapore stressed that the decision to narrow its competition down to a choice between the French Dassault Rafale jet and Boeing’s F-15 was not intended to reflect a judgment on Eurofighter’s capabilities, rather an expression of its timescale needs.

However, defence analysts suggested yesterday that the unusual step of branding the European aircraft as a loser before declaring a winner made the task of filling Eurofighter’s order book even harder.

Singapore has a reputation for discernment in defence procurement and its choices are closely monitored by other countries.

"Losing Singapore is a big loss of kudos," said Bob Hewson, the editor of Jane’s Air-Launch Weapons.

The Typhoon, whose capabilities are highly rated by the Ministry of Defence, is being built by a four-nation consortium, including Franco-German Airbus parent EADS, Britain’s BAE Systems and Italian Finmeccanica’s Alenia, with production lines in each of those countries. The plane is also manufactured in Spain. A single aircraft carries a price tag of around £57m.

Yesterday’s announcement in Singapore further narrows the field of potential buyers for the Eurofighter to Greece, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, which are collectively in the market for up to 190 new planes.

Austria is the only country outside the manufacturing consortium that has agreed to buy the Eurofighter, with delivery of 18 aircraft promised for 2007.

Other countries with current procurement needs that have rejected the Typhoon include Australia, South Korea and India.

Sources close to BAE Systems yesterday suggested that the company remained highly optimistic about the project, despite the Singaporean rebuff. "They wanted new planes quickly. Setbacks like this are inevitable in export competition," one said.

The Eurofighter Typhoon’s Captor radar system is manufactured by BAE Systems Avionics in Edinburgh, where 2,000 people are employed.

Italy’s Finmeccanica is taking a 75 per cent stake in the Edinburgh plant, which has a £500m contract to produce radars for the second tranche of 236 Typhoons ordered by the manufacturing countries.

I have a strong hunch thatits the F-15 thats gonna come out the winner.
After the Yank's influence is still quite strong in Singapore.

This topic is also discussed on an international forum here:

World Armed Forces.com

cool, what does that orb do?, i mean its too large a surveillance eqpt compared to fiber optics and can easily be seen by the bad guys ..

Surveillance Ball
Small and lightweight, this ball has a wireless camera inside that can scan the surrounding with unlimited 360 degrees rotation.

The ball is thrown into an enclosed space, say a room, and using a remote viewer and controller (above), you can scan the room for hostile personnel before deciding on further action.







Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Even when they are one to three kilometres away from the area of operations, soldiers can now have a bird's eye perspective of the location with the live images shot with a camera mounted in the model helicopter.

Commanders can thus plan ahead and deploy their men more efficiently.



Portable ladder
Light and compact, this ladder can be easily extended to about three metres or one storey high in less than a minute, allowing soldiers to access higher levels quickly and easily.





Round Corner Firing System
A small camera mounted on the SAR 21 rifle and a viewer allow the user to see and fire at the enemy around corners. Since only the barrel of the gun protrudes out, the user's hands and head remain safely behind the wall, unexposed to enemy fire.

AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED GROUND SYSTEM [AUGS]


What is it?

AUGS is a new initiative of Unmanned Robotics Systems, based around an Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (AUGV) which is commanded and controlled from another vehicle. The AUGS enhances the survivability of soldiers to send the AUGV out to the battlefield from a relatively safe location.

What can it do?

Spearheaded by the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA), this new operational concept leverages on unmanned systems technologies such as stereo vision, obstacle detection, path planning, Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Navigation System (INS) and man- machine interface.

It can be operated in the following modes:

Tele-operated (Full control by operator)
Semi-autonomous (Partial control by operator with limited sensor capability)
Autonomous (Minimum or no supervision by operator to perform autonomous navigation and movement over long distances)

AUGS can be deployed for hazardous applications such as unmanned ground reconnaissance & surveillance and unmanned mine-clearing, thus enhancing the survivability of our soldiers in the future battlefield.

In addition, the AUGV can carry out the various functions of a manned platform such as the BIONIX and BRONCO, pending the payload it is integrated with.

"We have successfully implemented the tele-operation, semi- and fully autonomous (limited) modes on a prototype in our earlier phase of development. The present phase of development is to fine-tune the autonomy of the AUGV and the man-machine interface, which is the key focus of the AUGS," said DSTA's Programme Manager (Robotics) of the AUGS, Ms Tey Hwee Choo.

ADVANCE COMBAT MAN SYSTEM [ACMS]


What is it?

The ACMS will be a soldier-centric system-of-systems: one whose future warrior's fighting capabilities will be enhanced by unmanned systems, sensors, vehicles, firepower as well as support from other operating units. The resulting future warrior system will have superior knowledge (the ability to analyse information leading to sound decisions) and precision engagement (communication with, and access to, support from other units during operation) capabilities. These capabilities are core towards addressing the growing emphasis on urban operations.

What can it do?

ACMS provides a quantum improvement in soldiers' fighting capabilities through the enhancement of:

Situation Awareness of thebattle space situation in real-time, thus enabling the future warrior to make informed decisions and coordinated actions at any phase of a battle.
Lethality that includes a more effective personal weapon and a wide range of modern anti-armour weapons.
Mobility through the use of navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Survivability through protection against small arms, as well as improvement in camouflage, especially in urban terrain.

"The ACMS prototype was developed in 2002 for the purpose of front-end feasibility studies," said DSTA's Programme Manager for the ACMS, Mr Choo Hui Wei.

"Taking into consideration the cost, maturity of technology, and the ability to meet future operational capabilities, results of the studies have been encouraging. We have since moved forward to a full-scale prototype demonstration of the ACMS."

At each stage of the development of the full-scale prototype, soldiers were asked to provide input, especially in areas such as weight, user-friendliness, reliability, durability and aesthetics.

The next phase will be the delivery of several such systems for test trials. The findings will then be incorporated to improve the design as well as to explore further enhancements to the system.

Nice.

How about combat testing those gizmos in the Philippines? :demon:

40MM AIR BURSTING AMMUNITION SYSTEM [ABMS]

What is it?

The 40ABMS was developed to enhance the operational capabilities of the 3G SAF in the future battlefield, including urban warfare. Jointly developed by the Singapore Army, DSTA and ST Kinetics, the system can be installed on the existing 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) to enable it to fire and program rounds to engage targets under cover.

The 40ABMS is the first operational system in the world that allows the munitions to be programmed to airburst or detonate upon impact. It represents the next generation of programmable weapons, which provide greater firepower in terms of enhanced accuracy, lethality and versatility for the 3G SAF, enhancing the SAF's urban warfare capabilities in the future battlefield.

What can it do?

The 40ABMS is six times more effective than conventional systems which fire 40mm high explosive rounds.

Multiple firing modes allow for the engagement of targets in both open and closed terrain, making the weapon system highly versatile and lethal. It offers the 3G SAF the flexibility to innovate new operational concepts for the future battlefield.

The 40ABMS is equipped with state-of-the-art Fire Control System (FCS), Ammunition Programmer (AP) and Air Bursting Munitions (ABM), to provide greater firepower with enhanced accuracy, versatility and lethality.

The FCS is equipped with a laser range finder to locate the target's exact position, and provides the user with a computed aiming point. The time for the projectile to air-burst at the target position is also computed by the FCS and transmitted to the AP. The AP, installed on the gun muzzle, will detect and automatically program the "time-to-burst" information into the Electronic Timer Module (ETM) of the air bursting rounds to allow precision strikes.


The 40ABMS allows users to pre-select firing data for different operational scenarios such as targets in alleys, behind windows, low walls or rooftops.

When the air-burst mode is selected, the rounds can also be programmed to fire a single round, multiple bursts at the same point, or a "string-of-pearls": multi-round-burst at set intervals. It also enables the engagement of targets without premature detonation, unlike conventional rounds, where detonation may occur upon contact with foliage. The innovative use of dense preformed tungsten spheres improves lethality against body armour.

The 40ABMS has self-destruct and self-neutralisation features for enhanced safety. In the event that the round misses the target or does not detonate as planned, the self-destruct feature will automatically detonate the round after a stipulated time.

The firing data is programmed at the muzzle instead of the chamber, that is, the round is 'live' only after it reaches the muzzle. This is to eliminate the risk of activating an armed round before an actual launch.

"The full-scale development of the 40ABMS was completed in 2003. The users are currently conducting their operational trials on the system. The decision for equipping will be taken once the trials have been completed," said DSTA's Programme Manager for the 40 ABMS, Mr Tan Wee Chye.

as long as those gizmos paid for by the philippines, why not....

Thanks...all those topic discuss in World Military News and Issues is also discussed on an international forum too. :armycool:

Eurofighter considers new bid for Singapore contract

By Mark Huband in London and John Burton in Singapore

Published: April 22 2005 03:00 | Last updated: April 22 2005 03:00

The Eurofighter consortium is considering resubmitting a bid to provide Singapore with combat aircraft, in spite of the Asian government's decision yesterday to drop the company's Typhoon fighter from the selection process.

Singapore's defence ministry said the Typhoon had been dropped because it could not meet the schedule of the state's air force. But the consortium, comprising BAE Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica, was holding discussions yesterday on whether to make a new bid.

Just sharing another place where I saw the same discussion man.

Peace.

try these one, just found it, lots of picture.....http://www.militaryimages.net/

With the increasing emphasis on counter-terrorism capabilities that deal with warfare in urban settings, we also have to consider the possibility that these technologies could be misused.

As a country that went through martial rule and went through a number of coup d'etats, we are very cognizant of how military power can be turned inward against the very people they were meant to protect. Many of us actually feel that the dismal state of our armed forces is partly (with emphasis on partly, there are of course other factors) tied to excessive fear about this matter.

Affluent countries are racing to provide its soldiers with enhanced capabilities like weapons that can shoot around corners, and proxy soldiers in the form of robots. Aren't you guys worried that all these new fangled toys can be used against you in your own homes?

Related discussion: At what point does the state become too powerful?

Haven't you heard of defense contractors offering their products for free evaluation?

Its to test whether those gizmos really function in longterm battlefied conditions,not just in PR pictorials.

Good luck with your new technology.

If you can throw a camera into a room, why not throw a grenade instead?