MQ-28 Ghost Bat Akan Diuji Bawa Rudal

28 Maret 2025

MQ-28 Ghost Bat (photos: Boeing)

AVALON, Australia—penjabat kepala Boeing Defense, Space and Security Steve Parker mengtakan bahwa Boeing berencana untuk menembakkan rudal udara-ke-udara dari pesawat tempur tak berawak MQ-28 Ghost Bat akhir tahun ini atau awal tahun depan, sebagai bagian dari upaya untuk mempercepat pengembangan sistem.

Boeing kini telah menerbangkan 102 misi dengan sistem yang telah dirancang dan dibangunnya di Australia. Sistem ini "benar-benar matang," kata Steve Parker kepada wartawan di Avalon Australian International Airshow.

Boeing tidak mengidentifikasi rudal yang rencananya akan ditembakkan. Boeing mengatakan akan mempertimbangkan untuk menembakkan senjata udara-ke-darat nanti. Uji terbang MQ-28 melibatkan penilaian jamming dan radar payloads, serta kinerja wahana udara.

Boeing memiliki dua versi Ghost Bat Blk. 2 yang sekarang sedang diproduksi dan berharap memiliki 11 MQ-28 Blk. 1 dan Blk. 2 akan terbang standar pada akhir tahun. Boeing tahun ini juga berencana untuk mendemonstrasikan MQ-28 yang dipadukan dengan sistem peringatan dini udara E-7 Australia dan pesawat tempur F-35.

Blk. 2 mengambil pelajaran dari uji terbang sejauh ini untuk membuat sistem lebih tangguh, kata Amy List, yang mengelola Boeing Defense Australia (BDA). "Mereka meningkatkan sejumlah peralatan di pesawat untuk memastikan bahwa pesawat siap untuk misi yang dibutuhkan," kata Amy List. Salah satu contohnya adalah membuat sistem navigasi lebih tahan terhadap jamming, tambahnya. Penyesuaian lain sedang dilaksanakan untuk membuat sistem lebih mudah diproduksi dan dirawat. "Ada sejumlah perubahan struktural yang sedang kami lakukan," katanya, untuk menyiapkan produksi pesawat.

Perusahaan sudah menjalankan perangkat lunak Blk. 2 pada Blk. 1 MQ-28, kata Boeing. (Aviation Week)

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Notches Up 100-Flight Milestone

MELBOURNE, Victoria — Boeing [NYSE: BA] Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force have achieved a major milestone in the MQ-28 flight test program, completing the 100th flight.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security interim President and CEO Steve Parker made the announcement at the Avalon International Air Show in Australia saying, “This milestone demonstrates the maturity of our program in a growing market and is a testament to Boeing’s groundbreaking lead in developing collaborative combat aircraft capabilities for current and future applications.”

The flight test program will culminate in a series of demonstrations later this year which will include MQ-28 aircraft teaming with crewed assets, such as E-7 and F-35, to complete operationally relevant missions.

The 100th flight block showcased the operational paint scheme which is on display at Avalon Airshow for the first time. (Boeing)

Thai Gripen Maintain Readiness to Remain Unbeatable

28 Maret 2025

JAS-39 Grpen of Squadron 701, Wing 7 at Surat Thani AFB (all photos: RTAF)

The Royal Thai Air Force, by Squadron 701, Wing 7, has trained the readiness of the Gripen aircraft unit to maintain its capability to perform interception missions, air combat reconnaissance, air defense pressure, etc., and practice air attack tactics by using the skills of the operators and the capabilities of modern technology to be ready to respond to national security situations quickly and efficiently, as posted by RTAF on March 22, 2025.

Surat Thani Air Base is an air base located in Phunphin district, Surat Thani Province, Thailand. It is located 21 km west of Surat Thani, and is the base of RTAF's 7th Wing. Surat Thani has one paved runway.

7th Wing 7 is the home base of 701 Fighter Squadron with JAS-39 C/D nicknamed "Ferocious Shark of the Andaman" and "House of Gripen" as they fly Gripen aircraft. A total of 12 Gripens were delivered (4 Gripen D and 8 Gripen C), replacing F-5E/F. One Gripen C crashed in Songkhla province in 2017 during an air show.

7th Wing is also the home base of 702 Squadron with Saab 340 AEW and Saab 340 aircraft. Royal Thai Air Force operates two Saab 340AEW aircraft delivered in December 2010 (70201) and in October 2012 (70203). The other five Saab 340 aircraft, 70206 were designated as SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) aircraft while the other four (70202, 70204, 70205, and 70207) were for other functions and as transport aircraft.

Anggaran Pertahanan Malaysia Butuh 1,5% GDP Menjelang 2030

28 Maret 2025

Armoured Engineering Vehicle (AEV) Tentera Darat Malaysia (photo: TDM)

Peruntukan pertahanan perlu 1.5 peratus KDNK negara menjelang 2030

KUALA LUMPUR – , Kementerian Pertahanan akan mencadangkan agar peruntukan perbelanjaan pertahanan negara diunjurkan sebanyak 1.5 peratus daripada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) menjelang tahun 2030 bagi memastikan kejayaan pelaksanaan Kertas Putih Pertahanan (KPP).

Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, untuk makluman, Malaysia kini memperuntukkan kira-kira 1.1 peratus daripada KDNK negara untuk tujuan pertahanan.

“Cadangan meningkatkan perbelanjaan pertahanan ini adalah seiring dengan pendekatan negara-negara jiran yang memberi keutamaan tinggi kepada sektor pertahanan bagi melindungi kepentingan negara yang berdepan cabaran yang semakin kompleks pada masa kini dan masa hadapan.

“Dalam aspek mempercepat pemodenan Angkatan TEntera Malaysia (ATM) bagi menghadapi ancaman tidak dijangka pula, terdapat beberapa langkah dan strategi yang telah dan sedang diusahakan oleh kerajaan antaranya melalui KPP telah menetapkan hala tuju yang jelas bagi menjadikan ATM sebagai Angkatan Masa Hadapan (AMH) yang lebih bersepadu, tangkas dan berfokus menjelang 2030,” katanya di Dewan Negara.

Beliau berkata demikian bagi menjawab pertanyaan, Senator Amir Md Ghazali yang ingin tahu adakah kerajaan mempertimbangkan untuk meningkatkan bajet pertahanan atau mempercepatkan pemodenan ketenteraan dalam menghadapi ancaman yang tidak dijangka.

Tambah Mohamed Khaled, selain memastikan perolehan aset-aset strategik dilakukan dengan cara yang memenuhi keperluan ATM, proses pemodenan ATM turut diberikan perhatian dengan meneliti keperluan-keperluan baharu.

“Ini termasuklah meneliti keperluan mempunyai angkatan siber yang khusus, lengkap, dan berkeupayaan menghadapi ancaman siber dan misinformation campaign.

“Ketiga, Institut Penyelidikan Sains dan Teknologi Pertahanan negara iaitu STRIDE, telah menyenaraikan bidang-bidang fokus kritikal untuk diterokai dan diberikan perhatian agar sektor pertahanan negara berupaya berhadapan dengan perkara-perkara seperti cyber warfare, unmanned warfare, drone warfare dan Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Warfare,”katanya.

(Kosmo)

Bombardier Defense Announces Order of Two Challenger 650 Aircraft Destined for ISR Missions in Australia

27 Maret 2025

Challenger 650 ISR aircraft (photos: Bombardier)

Bombardier Defense is pleased to announce that Principle Finance, a renowned provider of customised operating lease for aircraft in Australia, has acquired two Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft destined for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Australia. The delivery of both aircraft is planned for 2026. 

“This purchase represents a major milestone for Bombardier Defense, increasing our presence in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Our aircraft are the platform of choice not only due to their reach, persistence and performance, but also due to the large accessibility of our services and support ecosystem in the country,” says Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales & Bombardier Defense. “This represents an undeniable advantage and flexibility to operators.”  

“We are excited to integrate the Bombardier Challenger 650 into our fleet, leveraging its exceptional performance and reliability, which will play a crucial role in our future operations. This platform allows us to enhance our surveillance reach and effectiveness, ensuring we stay ahead in the rapidly evolving defense landscape,” says Harrison Langrell, Managing Director of Principle Finance. 

Bombardier’s high-performing Challenger 650 aircraft are appreciated for their outstanding short-field performance and proven reliability in the mid-sized jet category. The aircraft configured for business jet use can achieve an endurance of up to 11 hours, with a dispatch reliability of over 99.9% and an impressive range of 4,000 nm (7,408 km). Challenger 650 aircraft are also considered an ideal choice for ISR missions by flying higher, faster and farther than legacy airborne platforms ensuring the coverage of expansive territories, and offering performance comparable to large maritime patrol aircraft at fractions of their purchase and operating costs. This aircraft offers the right flexibility to complete missions in challenging environments, with an optimal payload capacity for customized mission specific equipment, a strategic advantage for next-generation solution development. 

Bombardier’s Australian footprint has seen a considerable increase over the past few years.  The company recently announced a new Line Maintenance Station (LMS) in Perth, bringing the total worldwide LMS presence to 10. The services and support ecosystem in the country began with the opening of the Melbourne Service Center in 2022, allowing the company to better serve the existing fleet in the region. In May of 2024, Bombardier Defense opened its first international office in Adelaide, Australia, to provide an enhanced level of service to its special mission customers in this important Asia-Pacific market. 

On top of providing exceptional platforms, Bombardier Defense has dedicated in-house engineering and support teams available 24/7 worldwide. Bombardier Defense’s teams also have the ability to incorporate modifications tailored to the customers’ needs with complete certification capabilities across the full spectrum of civilian, military and hybrid operations. Bombardier brings decades of experience working with special mission operators and renowned mission systems integrators to adapt its proven platform for critical operations worldwide.  

To promote the expanding presence in the region, members of the Bombardier Defense and Bombardier Customer Services and Support teams are attending the Avalon Airshow and will be present at the Chalet #E22 in Avalon, Australia, until March 30th, 2025.   

(Bombardier)

US will Deploy Additional Units of MRC Typhon Missile Systems to the Philippines

27 Maret 2025

Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile systems (photo: LockheedMartin)

AFP anticipates possible US missile deployment to PH

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed reports that the United States will be deploying additional units of Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile systems to the Philippines.

A report by US-based Defense News posted May 18 said “the U.S. Army’s 3rd Multidomain Task Force unit is standing up its long-range fires battalion over the next year, including readying its Typon battery, for deployment in the Pacific theater,” quoting unit chief Col. Michael Rose.

"This is a welcome development for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We can say that the more, the merrier. So the more assets we have, the more that we are able to train more personnel on our part," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

In the same media conference, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said having additional Typhon units will greatly help in the training of soldiers who would be tasked to handle similar weapon systems in the future.

Rose said in the same Defense News story that they are “always looking for opportunities to do live-fire with the system.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said they welcome all opportunities to train using modern weapons.

He clarified that the defense posture of the Philippines is done as an action of a sovereign state and not aimed or designed against any country.

The first MRC Typhoon missile system was deployed to the Philippines last year. It was used for training purposes during the 2024 iteration of the "Salaknib" and "Balikatan" exercises and initially stationed in Northern Luzon. 

(PNA) 

Mawilla 4 di Sarawak Berpotensi Sebagai Transit Kapal Selam – Panglima TLDM

27 Maret 2025

Pada mulanya Mawilla 4 dicadangkan untuk dibina di Samalaju, Bintulu namun dipindahkan ke Muara Tebas atas pelbagai faktor (photo: ATM)

KUCHING: Markas Wilayah Laut 4 (Mawilla 4) menempatkan pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) yang akan dibina di Muara Tebas mampu beroperasi sebagai lokasi strategik transit kapal selam, kata Panglima Tentera Laut Laksamana Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain. 

Beliau berkata ia berikutan aspek kawasan perairan di tapak pangkalan berkenaan yang sesuai serta strategik iaitu tidak landai dan mempunyai kedalaman laut 14 meter secara semula jadi.

“Untuk masuk sebagai transit kapal selam, boleh tiada masalah. Namun, untuk kita aturkan kapal selam itu dari sini sebagai pangkalan operasi hadapan, saya boleh katakan ada kemungkinannya.

“Untuk pelabuhan kapal, kita memang akan tengok kesesuaiannya sama ada kita boleh berlabuh untuk ulang bekal dan sebagainya…,” katanya pada sidang media selepas melawat tapak projek Mawilla 4 di sini hari ini.

Zulhelmy berkata kedalaman laut dan keluasan lokasi berkenaan turut membolehkan kapal yang berukuran 100 hingga 120 meter panjang untuk berlabuh.

Pada awalnya, Mawilla 4 dicadangkan untuk dibina di Samalaju, Bintulu namun dipindahkan ke Muara Tebas atas pelbagai faktor.

Muara Tebas, Kuching, Sarawak (image: GoogleMaps)

Zulhelmy ketika mengulas mengenai kajian kebolehlaksanaan pembinaan markas itu berkata ia akan dijalankan oleh Perbadanan Pembangunan Ekonomi Sarawak (SEDC) selaku tuan tanah tapak projek berkenaan, dan dijangka siap suku pertama tahun depan.

“Kajian kini sedang dilaksanakan SEDC dan untuk proses pembinaan ia memakan masa kira-kira tiga tahun selepas mendapat kebenaran daripada Kementerian Pertahanan.

“Kita perlu selaraskan dengan perbelanjaan Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMK13) dan ini menjadi projek keutamaan kepada ATM… Sekiranya mendapat kebenaran awal, kita boleh mula pembinaan lebih awal lagi,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Zulhelmy berkata berdasarkan pelan cadangan asal projek, tiada perpindahan akan berlaku melibatkan penduduk di Kampung Goeblit serta kawasan sekitarnya.

Beliau berkata pembinaan Mawilla 4 tidak akan mengganggu penempatan di kawasan itu, sebaliknya ia membawa kemakmuran kepada rakyat.

Turut hadir Panglima Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Jeneral Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar dan Pengerusi SEDC Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Hussain. 

(Bernama)

LEN Tinjau Fasilitas Produksi UAV di PT DI

26 Maret 2025

Direksi PT LEN kunjungi prototipe drone Elang Hitam dan Wulung (photos: LEN)

Bandung - Direksi PT Len Industri (Persero) melakukan kunjungan strategis ke PT Dirgantara Indonesia dalam rangka memperkuat sinergi antar sesama anggota DEFEND ID.

Kunjungan ini mencakup diskusi serta peninjauan fasilitas produksi Pesawat Terbang Tanpa Awak (PTTA) Wulung dan Elang Hitam yang dikembangkan PTDI.

Sebagai bagian dari Holding BUMN Industri Pertahanan, Len Industri dan PTDI terus berkomitmen menghadirkan inovasi pertahanan buatan bangsa yang kompetitif di kancah global.

Kolaborasi ini diharapkan semakin memperkokoh industri pertahanan Indonesia dalam menciptakan produk unggulan yang bermanfaat bagi negeri.

(LEN)