UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
01 Mar 21. MoD Spares Framework Agreement worth £149m expected on August 29th. Sources close to BATTLESPACE suggest that 13 companies have been shortlisted for selection for the UK MoD Vehicle Support Capital Spares Multi-Supplier Framework Agreement Major Spares programme worth £150m a year – REFERENCE No. 700007835. The requirement is for the establishment of a Framework Agreement under which the Authority may procure Capital Spares in support of the DE&S Vehicle Support Team (VST) portfolio of wheeled and tracked platforms. Individual Call-Off contracts that may be placed under the Framework Agreement shall be subject to a competitive process between those Tenderers admitted to the Framework, noting that the Authority shall have no obligation to order or buy anything under this Framework Agreement. The anticipated date for the contract award decision is 30 June 2021. This is an indicative date and may change.
List of Tenderers Invited to Submit a Tender for ITT No. 700007835
AME AUTO Ltd, Aviation Spares And Repairs Ltd, Babcock Land Defence Ltd, Carwood Motor Units Ltd, EXSEL Design & Integration Ltd, GDUK, Hobson Industries Ltd, LEONARDO MW Ltd, NAVISTAR Defense LLC., NP AEROSPACE Ltd, RBSL, SUPACAT Ltd and TVS.
22 Aug 21. The Ministry of Defence has issued a ‘Request for Information’ to industry looking for British shipyards to participate in the Fleet Solid Support Ship programme. The RFI states: “The Authority is interested in expressions of interest from UK shipyards who are capable of making a meaningful contribution to the manufacture of three (3) Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and Royal Navy (RN) by 2032. In line with the Contract Notice for the FSS Procurement published on 21st May 2021, one of the Authority’s Procurement Objectives is that integration of all FSS ships and installation of sensitive systems subject to national security restrictions will be carried out in the UK.”
The request also states: “The Procurement Kick-Off event will mark the start of the Competitive Procurement Phase (CPP) with Bidders and UK shipyards, and is scheduled to take place at the Aztec Hotel, Bristol on 1 September 2021. UK shipyards will be invited to attend from 12.00 midday for the networking segment of this Kick-Off Event. The opportunity for UK shipyards to become involved formally in the Procurement will be via Bidders in the FSS Procurement, representatives of whom will be present at the Kick-Off event following the award of CPP Contracts. Agendas for the Kick-Off event will be provided as part of the formal invitation.”
What are the Fleet Solid Support Ships?
Earlier this year, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace launched a competition to build three new Fleet Solid Support Ships to provide vital support to Royal Navy operations across the world.
The vessels will provide munitions, food, stores and provisions to support the UK Carrier Strike Group at sea.
DE&S’ Director General Ships, Vice Admiral Chris Gardner, said previously:
“The launch of the Fleet Solid Support competition presents a really exciting opportunity for the shipbuilding industry to support the design and build of a new class of ship that will primarily resupply our Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. It is also another step in implementing the National Shipbuilding Strategy and increasing our domestic maritime construction capacity and capability alongside the Type 26 and Type 31 programmes already underway. The FSS ships will join the QEC Task Group, carrying out replenishment at sea to supply stores and ammunition to sustain operations, which is essential to meeting the UK’s defence commitments. To do this the ships will be able to transfer loads of more than two tonnes at a time while at high speed.”
What’s the status of the programme?
The Fleet Solid Support Ship project has been given an “amber/red” rating by the Infrastructure Project Authority, warning that the cancellation and resumption of the competition to build the vessels placed the £1.6bn project at significant risk.
The project was suspended in October 2019 following suggestions that efforts were being made to relaunch the project with a requirement that the ships be built in the UK. The competition was later relaunched,
(Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
EUROPE
23 Aug 21. Bulgaria requests LOA for eight more F-16s. Bulgaria has released a letter of request (LOR) for a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) for a second batch of eight F-16 Block 70 multirole fighters, Defence Minister Georgi Panayotov told a parliamentary hearing on 20 August. He said the request is also for an air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons package, as well as logistics, training, and aircraft maintenance equipment. Panayotov expected the US response within the next six to eight months, explaining that this is the only way to obtain a specific offer from Washington with a firm and fixed price, payment schedule, and delivery schedule. Bulgarian legislation requires a structured investment plan for each defence procurement project exceeding BGN100m (USD60m). This plan requires government and parliamentary approval before an actual deal can be reached, including an agreement with a binding signature. Panayotov said that a response to a previous LOR for prices and availability was received in February but that the information was not specific enough. He was invited to a parliamentary hearing after it emerged earlier last week that the Ministry of Defence intends to release a LOR for an LOA for another batch of eight F-16s. Part of the reason Panayotov gave was because the final decision on the fighter procurement will be made by parliament and so the current caretaker government in Sofia does not exceed its powers. Bulgaria signed up for eight F-16C/D Block 70 fighters in July 2019. The Bulgarian Air Force’s current development plans call for the fielding of a single squadron equipped with the type. (Source: Jane’s)
USA
23 Aug 21. USAF moves NGAT programme ahead with new RFI. The US Air Force (USAF) is looking to invest in a Next Generation Aerial Target (NGAT) designed to affordably replicate the performance, signatures, and countermeasures of adversary fifth-generation aircraft. A market survey activity laying out high-level requirements was instigated by the Aerial Targets Program Office (AFLCMC/EBAY) of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Weapons (AFPEO/WP) on 20 August with the release of a request for information (RFI). The USAF is targeting a development effort costing less than USD300m and a NGAT unit production cost below USD10m. The RFI release comes less than a year after a Fifth Generation Air Target (5GAT) demonstrator was lost during initial flight testing. Design and development of the 5GAT full-scale low-observable target was funded by the Pentagon’s Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) to prototype an aerial target that is able to adequately represent current and future threat aircraft characteristics. According to the NGAT RFI and supporting documentation released by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the requirement for a next-generation target suite to support test, training, and tactics development is being driven by the twin dynamics of a varied and proliferating threat set, and increasing downward pressure on budgets. (Source: Jane’s)
23 Aug 21. Navy Poised To Issue RFP For Afloat Network Overhaul. The competition will bring in multiple companies to compete for work to maintain the Navy’s afloat network for the next 10 years. The Navy will soon publish a competitive solicitation for the program of record that seeks to overhaul the service’s afloat networks — and provide multiple contractors a chance at a 10-year long contract to help upkeep the fleet’s infrastructure at sea. The service, according to an Aug. 16 public notice, will issue its request for proposals later this year and host a full-and-open competition for Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services’ full deployment contract. Also called CANES, the program is the backbone of the Navy’s efforts to modernize the afloat C4I and cybersecurity systems onboard its ships. The afloat network that CANES will consolidate and refresh will play an integral role in the Navy’s efforts implementing its vision for distributed maritime operations, which the service has been testing out in recent days during Large Scale Exercise 2021. Sailors’ ability to command and control unmanned vessels from traditional warships — a concept Navy brass have often discussed as a part of DMO — will rest on the modernization performed through CANES.
Rob Carey, a former Navy CIO and deputy DoD CIO who now works for Cloudera Government Solutions, told Breaking Defense the contract is an “expected” but “necessary” move.
“The concept of Distributed Maritime Operations requires pervasive and trusted information dominance…secure trusted C2 across the fleet with both manned and unmanned vessels, along with joint forces operating in space, air, and land domains to support national security objectives,” said Carey. “CANES can be the system that enables the Navy to become a data-centric force.”
A contract award is expected roughly one year after the RPF is published; Naval Information Warfare Systems Command is managing the acquisition.
CANES will “replace and modernize existing afloat networks with the necessary hardware, software and enterprise services infrastructure to enable information warfare from and within the tactical domain,” according to the Navy’s fiscal 2022 budget justification book.
“CANES provides complete infrastructure inclusive of hardware, software, processing, storage and end user devices for the Unclassified, Coalition, Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) enclaves to a wide variety of Navy surface combatants, submarines and Maritime Operations Centers,” the budget books continue.
The contract itself will be a multiple award, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract with a 10-year ordering period. In other words, the Navy plans on establishing a long-term contracting vehicle open to a large pool of companies that can compete for work to provide CANES production units, develop software, perform maintenance and provide spare parts. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
27 Aug 21. Russia to offer India to modernize Talwar-class guided missile frigates. The Indian Navy currently operates six Project 11356 Talwar-class guided missile frigates. Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport (part of the state tech corporation Rostec) intends to make an offer to India to upgrade Project 11356 Talwar-class guided missile frigates built by Russia for the Indian Navy, Rosoboronexport Chief Alexander Mikheyev told TASS at the Army-2021 international military-technical forum.
“The Russian side earlier made offers for the modernization of the supplied warships during their repairs. Rosoboronexport and the USC [United Shipbuilding Corporation] are preparing to deliver their joint offers to our partners in 2021. But, of course, it is up to the Indian side to make a decision,” the chief executive said.
As the Rosoboronexport head said, “the experience of the operation of the Project 11356 warships accepted for service in the Indian Navy has proven their high reliability and efficiency.” “The contracts that have been signed and are being implemented on their additional construction in Russia and on organizing their construction in India are the best proof of this,” Mikheyev added. The Indian Navy currently operates six Project 11356 Talwar-class guided missile frigates. (Source: News Now/TASS)
24 Aug 21. Optus to lead joint bid with Raytheon and Thales for ADF’s JP9102 tender. The bid team, referred to as Team AUSSAT, will respond to the tender to deliver a sovereign military SATCOM solution.
Satellite owner and operator Optus is set to lead a joint bid with Raytheon Australia and Thales Australia to respond to the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) JP9102 tender.
The JP9102 programme is aimed at delivering a fully sovereign military satellite communications (SATCOM) system that will enable the joint command and control of deployed joint task forces.
In leading this bid team, which is referred to as Team AUSSAT, Optus is expected to use its experience in operating seven telecommunications satellites to deploy software-defined satellite Optus 11 in 2023 for Australia and New Zealand.
Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said: “The bid team, Team AUSSAT, has a unique proposition being the only team with an unrivalled history of owning and operating satellites in Australia, by Australians, for Australians – drawing synergies from two partner companies with their exceptional pedigrees in building and delivering world-class defence capabilities.”
Raytheon will leverage its expertise in delivering certified and integrated space systems and Thales will draw on its experience in supplying advanced secure communication solutions.
Raytheon Australia managing director Michael Ward said: “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Optus and Thales Australia to provide a next-generation satellite technology solution, and we look forward to offering our global space surveillance and operation capabilities to the Australian Government through this important partnership.”
Team AUSSAT will be competing against several other contractors, including Airbus, Boeing Defence Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia for JP9102 tender. Australia’s Optus has launched ten satellites, operated 13 spacecraft, and provided support to more than 100 international space programmes since 1985. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
25 Aug 21. Over a dozen Denel contracts with SANDF under threat. Denel has over a dozen product and support contracts with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) but these are under threat from the group’s liquidity and other challenges, although Denel is confident its new turnaround strategy can put the state-owned conglomerate back on the right path.
Briefing the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises and Select Committee on Public Enterprises on Denel’s turnaround and financial challenges on Wednesday morning, Acting Group CEO William Hlakoane revealed that Denel has multiple contracts with the SANDF.
On the landward side, Project Muhali is for the obsolescence upgrade of 15 of the SA Army’s G6 self-propelled howitzers. Although due for completion in June 2021, Muhali has been delayed until 2023.
Project Topstar covers a gun laying and navigation system for the South African Army’s G5 and G6 artillery systems and 127 mm multiple rocket launchers (MRLs). The system will provide laying, navigation, orientation and fixation functionalities and is in the ‘production and transition phase’.
Denel Land Systems’ biggest project is Hoefyster, to supply Badger infantry combat vehicles to the South Africa Army. The R1.2 bn first phase is ongoing to December 2022 while the R8.4 bn second phase ins ongoing to March 2029. Denel is to produce 244 Badgers in five main variants.
Other Denel Land Systems contracts include various product support contracts for legacy products, including spares for vehicles, and Samil 100 truck maintenance and upgrades.
Under Project Biro, Denel Land Systems is supplying three GI2 cannons for the SA Navy’ three new inshore patrol vessels.
Project Sable is for ground-based air defence system (GBADS) support for two years while Project Fellowship (also with Denel Dynamics) is for the design and development of a mobile air defence system (MoBADS).
Other Denel Dynamics projects include supporting the SA Navy’s Umkhonto surface-to-air missile systems; developing a low-cost target drone demonstrator (Project Loki); Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle support; A-Darter air-to-air missile industrialisation and production (Project Kamas); and developing an all-weather air defence missile demonstrator (Glow II).
On the aviation side, Denel Aeronautics is supporting a number of South African Air Force (SAAF) aircraft, including Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters. These support contracts are worth a combined R2.2 bn over three years.
C-130 Hercules support is worth R350 m over three years while Hawk jet trainer ground support and test equipment support over three years is worth R18 m.
In his presentation, Hlakoane, citing the National Defence Industry Council, warned that the liquidity challenges facing Denel have the potential impact of compromising South Africa’s national security; collapsing the entire defence industry irretrievably; and exposing South Africa to a mass exodus of skilled personnel; as well as losing critical defence capabilities, including sovereign and strategic capabilities.
He said Denel’s current state is “not a rosy picture,” with the company running at a loss and unable to meet operational requirements. Denel owes employees more than R600 m and suppliers R900 m. The group has a negative cash flow of around R600 m.
“If we do not do anything in the industry and don’t assist Denel to operate efficiently, we will become a technology taker and adopt technology developed by other countries,” Hlakoane warned, meaning South Africa will have to import technology at high cost and be unable to compete on the global market. “The nonexistence of Denel will collapse the entire industry,” he said.
Turnaround plan
Efforts are underway to try and rescue Denel, with an intergovernmental team working to come up with financial support for Denel and to ensure there is a pipeline of work that is directed towards the company. “The Department of Defence and Treasury have joined us in that effort. The first hurdle has been to ensure government guaranteed debt is taken care of and we get the capital required to restructure Denel,” Hlakoane said.
The new turnaround plan that Denel is implementing should help reposition the company and Hlakoane said he is confident it will help Denel become self-sufficient and not dependent on the public purse for support.
The new operating model will hold divisions to account and assist with delays and cost overruns. Other turnaround efforts include exiting division Denel Gear Ratio as it is unsustainable; evaluating the best use of property; and exiting joint ventures including Hensoldt Optronics, Barij Dynamics and Rheinmetall Denel Munition to address immediate liquidity issues. Denel will also partner with local entities like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
A key tenet of the turnaround strategy is the diversification of capabilities into other industries, including the automotive, rail, maritime, mining, construction, energy generation and rapid prototype and industrialisation sectors. Denel’s integrated systems, UAVs and other capabilities will be adapted to employ military bred capabilities towards a more commercial and competitive environment in the national security domain outside of the SANDF, the company said.
Denel is working with Armscor on commercialising intellectual property (IP), namely its data packs and is currently auditing this with Armscor.
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
25 Aug 21. Two New AOPS Milestones for the RCN – Powered by GE.
- As the lead ship in Canada’s program to acquire eight Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy, HMCS Harry DeWolf, was commissioned into the RCN on June 26th, 2021.
- The second of the class, the future HMCS Margaret Brooke was delivered to the RCN, July 2021.
- As the AOPS Program Propulsion System Integrator (PSI), GE’s Power Conversion business is delivering the integrated diesel engines, generators, switchboards, transformers, main propulsion drives, electric propulsion motors and shaft lines.
- GE strives to bring this unique Canadian program experience to Canada’s other fleet renewal programs under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, and indeed, to other programs around the world.
- For the third in class – the future HMCS Max Bernays – GE full scale commissioning of the propulsion system is scheduled to start September 2021.
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has achieved two new milestones in 2021 in meeting its mission to defend Canada’s interests at home and abroad, in all three oceans that border Canada. On June 26th Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf was commissioned into service with the RCN, and during July 2021, the second of Canada’s AOPS, the future HMCS Margaret Brooke, was delivered to the RCN by Irving Shipbuilding Inc., builder of Canada’s warships. Earlier this year AOPS successfully completed all harbor and sea trials, highlighting the successful relationship between Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and GE Power Conversion, the Propulsion System Integrator (PSI) and supplier of the AOPS integrated power and electric propulsion system.
As a propulsion system integrator, GE Power Conversion defined the entire power and propulsion system from “fuel in, to thrust into the water”. GE combined skills from GE business units in the UK, France, the US, and Canada to integrate the complex system of equipment and software. To satisfy the RCN’s requirements for Polar Class 5 ice performance using commercially available equipment, GE selected the MV7000 variable frequency drive in combination with robust induction motor technology as the heart of the propulsion system. With four diesel generators, high voltage switchboards, and GE’s sophisticated power management and propulsion control technology, the entire system has met or exceeded all performance requirements whether in Arctic Ice or open water.
Regarding GE’s contribution to Irving Shipbuilding Inc.’s AOPS program, Irving’s President and CEO, Kevin Mooney commented: “Our AOPS build program has hit its stride, with two ships delivered, a third to be launched this fall, the fourth in our construction hall and we have cut steel for the fifth ship. As the program expands to an eight-ship order, the largest multi-ship program under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, we will continue to count on the strong leadership from within our own Irving team and from our key first-tier suppliers like GE Power Conversion. To be successful, shipbuilding, especially for multi-year multi-ship programs, really is a team activity where the shipyard and key suppliers work cooperatively to achieve their common goal for Canada. We are pleased to have GE in our team.”
The AOPS power and electric propulsion systems are part of a large user base. Other ice class vessels within this user base include South Africa’s SA Agulhas Antarctic research and supply vessel and the Chilean Antarctica ship now under construction by ASMAR. In a current US project, GE incorporates the same family of equipment in the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). A total of five vessels are planned for the NSMV Class. GE’s contract as the NSMV Propulsion System Integrator (PSI) includes the integration of the diesel engines, generators, switchboards, transformers, main propulsion drives, propulsion motors, and auxiliary support systems.
“Since contract award in 2012, GE’s entire AOPS team has focused on providing the most responsive support possible to our customer, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.” said Gagan Sood, CEO, GE Power Conversion Americas. “As the sole Propulsion System Integrator with responsibilities to power the largest single ship class to be delivered under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy so far, we are looking forward to earning similar responsibilities with Canada’s other shipyards to help build the future fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canada’s Coast Guard.”
20 Aug 21. Manila selects torpedo, countermeasures suppliers for PN’s José Rizal-class frigates. The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) disclosed on 10 August that it has selected suppliers for the torpedo and countermeasure systems meant for use by the Philippine Navy’s (PN’s) two José Rizal-class guided-missile frigates. The DND issued a ‘Notice of Award’ (NoA) to South Korean company LIG Nex1 for the planned procurement of an undisclosed number of torpedoes for PHP766.3m (USD15.9m). The move is meant to provide the multirole frigates with an additional anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability alongside that provided by the Leonardo AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopters set to operate from the vessels. While the selected torpedo type was not disclosed, a company official told Janes on 20 August that the proposed deal is for K745 Cheong Sangeo (Blue Shark) lightweight, anti‐submarine torpedoes. This is the same torpedo type that is set to be deployed with the Lynx Wildcat helicopters. Each of the two frigates is equipped with two triple 324 mm torpedo launchers. The department also issued two more NoAs, both of which involved the procurement of countermeasure systems. One of the notices states that the Rheinmetall Denel Munition joint venture was selected to provide PHP348m worth of chaffs, while the other pointed to the selection Naval Group to provide acoustic decoys worth EUR6.3m (USD7.4m). No further details were provided about the countermeasure systems. The PN commissioned its first frigate of the class, BRP José Rizal (FF 150), in July 2020, while the second, BRP Antonio Luna. (Source: Jane’s)
23 Aug 21. Lockheed Martin Australia partners with Clearbox Systems for JP9102. Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) has integrated Clearbox Systems’ Foresight ESM software application as part of its campaign to build a sovereign satellite communication system for Defence under Joint Project 9102.
The integration effort has seen engineers from both Lockheed Martin Australia and Clearbox Systems, a leading Australian defence and space SME, working together to minimise technical risk and maximise technical readiness to assure execution of the project on schedule and budget.
“We’re very proud of this milestone”, said David Ball, Regional Director for LMA Space. “This integration project is a core element of our approach for JP9102; working hand in glove with Australian industry, mitigating risk, ensuring seamless delivery of world-class, sovereign satcom solutions on a timeframe that allows Defence to meet the growing pressures in Australia’s strategic environment.”
The integration of Clearbox’s proprietary Foresight ESM software has also been used to demonstrate the agility of LMA’s satcom control segment, which serves as the crucial link between the satellites and ground stations in Defence’s future sovereign satcom system. Based on modular, open architecture software, LMA’s control segment is specifically designed for rapid integration of third-party, best-of-breed software products.
Foresight ESM is a sovereign Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (ESM) application born out of Clearbox’s bi-lateral collaborative research and development agreement with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), and is key to Defence satellite communications. The software provides ADF operators with the ability to efficiently plan, coordinate and use the electromagnetic spectrum in ways that optimise operational performance by limiting interference.
In 2020, Clearbox was the inaugural graduate of LMA’s Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP). The MPP encompasses best practices in program management, human resource processes, business ethics, product management, competitive intelligence, and cyber security readiness and is part of LMA’s commitment to strengthening Australian industry by readying high-calibre SMEs for work with Defence and prime contractors alike.
Only a month before, Airbus also added Clearbox Systems as its second partner as part of its bid for the JP9102 programme.
Designated Team Maier, the teaming arrangement is designed not only to deliver a sovereign military SATCOM solution for Australia, but to grow the country’s defence and space eco-system for the long-term.
Team Maier will benefit from Clearbox’s experience in supporting the ADF’s control segment for its current military wideband SATCOM, commercial wideband SATCOM, and military narrowband SATCOM systems. An integral component of the SATCOM system, the control segment manages a network of devices, sensors, signals and payloads to ensure successful transmission. Clearbox will be upgrading the current systems to the JP9102 requirements, including ongoing sustainment.
Airbus has been responsible for delivering all secure beyond line of sight communications to the UK MOD for 18 years, owning and operating the Skynet military communications satellite fleet. (Source: Rumour Control)
19 Aug 21 HHIC joins DSME in bid for RoKN’s aircraft carrier project. South Korean companies Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) have joined forces to bid for the design, development, and construction of a light aircraft carrier for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).
The companies announced on 19 August that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the expectation that the combination of the two shipyards’ capabilities and resources will lead to not only securing the order for the RoKN’s ‘CV eXperimental’ (CVX) project but also to synergies and the economic revitalisation of the regions where the shipyards operate.
HHIC, which has built the RoKN’s two Dokdo-class landing platform helicopter (LPH) amphibious assault ships, noted that the two companies will first focus on winning the contract for the carrier’s basic design.
The announcement comes after DSME and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) displayed competing designs for the CvX programme – which is expected to formally begin next year – during the 9–12 June International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition 2021 (MADEX 2021) in Busan.
DSME showcased a 1:125 scale model of its proposal featuring a twin-island arrangement but no ‘ski jump’ ramp. The model displayed reflects the design that had been seen in promotional material released by the RoKN since January. (Source: Jane’s)
20 Aug 21. India’s HAL to bid for Malaysia’s light combat aircraft programme. Malaysia seeks to procure 18 jets under the Fighter Lead-in Trainer and Light Combat Aircraft (FLIR-LCA) requirement. Indian aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to place a bid for Malaysia’s light combat aircraft programme.
According to The Indian Express, HAL will respond to a request for proposal (RFP) next month by proposing 18 LCA Mk1 A fighter aircrafts for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Notably, Malaysia launched a tender process in June this year for 18 jets under the Fighter Lead-in Trainer and Light Combat Aircraft (FLIR-LCA) requirement.
HAL chairman R Madhavan told the publication that Malaysian authorities have shown interest in its LCA Tejas Mk-1A aircraft.
He told The Indian Express: “There are many countries which are showing interest in LCA Mk-1A. Malaysia has issued the RfP and we are responding to it. It has to be sent in the third week of September.
“We stand a very good chance. There are eight more contenders including the US, China and Russia.”
The LCA Mk-1A is a fourth-generation fighter aircraft. It is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and an electronic warfare (EW) suite. It is also capable of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) and firing advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles.
Earlier this year, the Indian Government signed an Rs480bn ($6.57bn) deal to procure 83 Tejas MK1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Deliveries will begin in 2024.
Recently, HAL placed a $716m order with GE Aviation for 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines that will power the Tejas jets. The deal also includes the delivery of other associated services. (Source: airforce-technology.com)