Indonesia Is Teasing Its New Medium Tank To The Philippine Army
Via FNSS.
The recent IndoDefence 2018 held in Jakarta from November 7 until 10 served as a showcase for the country’s growing catalog of military products. Foremost among the land systems that appeared at the show was the “Harimau,” the name bestowed to the medium tank produced by a joint venture between state-owned manufacturer PT Pindad and FNSS from Turkey. Rather than a locally designed tank, the Harimau is an amalgamation of parts from several sources.
So bullish is PT Pindad’s management on the Harimau’s prospects, however, they’re convinced the Philippine Army might want to buy it too.
Bahrain Is Spending Billions On US Weapons
Via Wikimedia Commons.
The tiny oil-rich kingdom off Saudi Arabia’s coast is now on track to spend more than $2 billion for cutting edge US-made weapon systems. As 2018 draws to a close Manama announced three crucial acquisitions approved by Washington, DC, that will enhance its military and even give it limited offensive firepower. These span what appears to be a full squadron of F-16V multirole fighters; a dozen AH-1Z attack helicopters; and a substantial order for ATACMS ground-launched ballistic missiles.
These orders aren’t too out of the ordinary for Bahrain, whose armed forces are mainly equipped with US-made weapons, at a time when gargantuan arms deals are in the works among its GCC neighbors. But they do represent a major leap in capabilities for a Gulf state whose own military buildup is quite modest.
IndoCertes Is Trying To Corner Military Simulations In Southeast Asia
IndoCertes is currently promoting its simulator for M113 APCs in regional arms shows.
An Indonesian technology startup is doing its best to establish its reputation as a provider of high-end simulators for Southeast Asian militaries. During the recent IndoDefence 2018 arms show in Jakarta IndoCertes displayed its simulator for the M113 APC. This is barely two months after IndoCertes were in Manila for ADAS 2018 hoping to raise the company’s profile. Aside from the M113 APC, considered by some as one of the most prolific armored vehicles ever made, IndoCertes can assemble an immersive training solution for the M109 self-propelled howitzer.
Turkey Is Finally Buying Altay Tanks For Its Army
Via Otokar.
Last week the Anadolu Agency broke the news the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), the government office that controls military R&D, signed a contract with vehicle manufacturer BMC for 250 Altay tanks. The Altay is a decades-long effort by Turkish industry to develop a third-generation main battle tank that eclipses the army’s Leopard 2’s and M60 Pattons. Deliveries of the Altay to the Turkish army are scheduled for 2020 but further orders haven’t been announced yet.
The choice of BMC as the main contractor is an interesting one. The Altay used to be a pet project of Otokar, a manufacturer with a renowned military portfolio, whose track record for exports raised the possibility the Altay could be bought by other countries soon.
Embraer Is Bullish On Its Prospects In The Philippines
Brazil’s aerospace giant scored a minor victory in the Asia-Pacific last year when six of its Super Tucano propeller-driven attack aircraft were ordered by the Philippines. The Super Tucano is a variant of the lightweight prop trainer but armed with .50 caliber machine guns on its wings and meant for close air support in counterinsurgency operations. The Department of National Defense (DND) announced the acquisition in December last year and the Super Tucanos are expected to augment the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) aging fleet of OV-10 Broncos and SIAI-Marchetti trainers.
During the recent ADAS 2018 arms show in Manila, Embraer were participating again with a small booth tucked in between the larger pavilions occupied by Israel and Turkey. The company isn’t fazed by its competition, however, since it expects to sell more of its Super Tucanos to the PAF in the coming years.
Here Are The Most Dangerous Risks For Large Companies In Asia
Via Wikimedia Commons.
Asian economies are still poised to grow in the coming decades. The 10-member ASEAN in particular is expected to attract serious amounts of foreign investment and venture capital as the region’s technological footprint deepens. If this isn’t motivation enough for multinationals to start scouting for new office space and maybe a factory in an economic zone, middle class lifestyles and rising incomes will open vast opportunities previously unheard of.
But there’s always a downside when doing business in markets where local regulations and the rule of law aren’t as entrenched as in the West. (Singapore is the exception here.) For decades, boutique security providers like Adsum Risk Consulting (ARC) have assisted companies large and small when navigating the pitfalls of the Asian business environment. ARC believes these are the greatest threats to any organization’s bottom line and reputation.
Look At These Amazing Photos From Interpolitex 2018
Via Bizon/Interpolitex 2018.
The largest homeland security and law enforcement exhibition in Russia concluded in Moscow last week. The 22nd installment of Interpolitex took place from October 23 until 26. The annual event is a showcase for local Russian companies who supply the emergency services, interior ministry, police, and the army’s special forces. Although some foreign exhibitors to participate, the scope and scale of Interpolitex 2018 was dominated by Russian brands.
This year’s event featured the official launch for “Security of the Future” Forum to promote best practices and high technology solutions in the public and private sectors. Here are a selection of photos from the show floor. 21st Century Asian Arms Race (21AAR) is a media partner for Interpolitex 2018.
A bigger selection of images taken at the event can be found at the Interpolitex 2018 photo gallery.
India Is Still Buying The Best Russian Weapons
In the span of a month Delhi signed arms deals with Moscow worth several billion dollars. The huge sum covers entire regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system, which were already being negotiated two years ago, and a quartet of Talwar-class frigates. The latter are based on an upgraded Krivak III renamed the Admiral Grigorovich-class and the consensus on their deployment is to equip the Indian Navy (IN) with more BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
Although the timeline for deliveries of the S-400’s are unclear, the new Talwar-class frigates will arrive in separate batches. The first two hulls assembled in Russia can be launched by 2020 while the next two are built in a local shipyard.
Interested In Rebuilding Iraq? Go Visit SSPEX 2018
From December 4 until 6 the Baghdad International Fair will host the largest homeland security and post-conflict reconstruction event in Iraq. The three-day fair was created by the organizer Business Glory as a venue for government agencies to interact with both global and local firms. SSPEX Iraq is already being sponsored by the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Industry and Minerals.
SSPEX Iraq is still accepting sponsorships from companies who want to enhance their visibility in a major trade event. These are available in silver, gold, and platinum categories with each having a set of perks. 21st Century Asian Arms Race (21AAR) is a media partner for SSPEX Iraq.
The Mysterious Origins Of A New North Korean Howitzer
The intriguing self-propelled howitzer at the 2018 parade carried the usual combination of auto-grenade launchers and MANPADs on its turret, for some reason. North Korea’s army have 122mm, 130mm, 152mm, and 170mm self-propelled guns in their arsenal.
When news agencies around the world hailed the absence of ballistic missiles during North Korea’s military parade on September 9 this meant less scrutiny for the hardware shown at the event. A particular weapon system that stood out among the vehicles in Pyongyang that day was a self-propelled howitzer–a company of them, in fact–that shared no resemblance to other artillery pieces used by the North Korean army.
While early comparisons to its rival from across the DMZ were helpful, the mystery weapon in Pyongyang had no clear links to any of its suspected analogs. But a comprehensive survey of mobile artillery in use today did reveal a few clues about its origins.
These Advanced Weapons Are Made In Iran
Via Wikimedia Commons.
This year saw the US confront its geopolitical adversaries like never before. As Washington, DC initiated a trade war against China, took on a more conciliatory approach with North Korea, and breathed down Russia’s neck everywhere, it has shown the Islamic Republic of Iran no quarter. When President Trump announced his administration’s withdrawal from the JCPOA in May it was quickly followed by crippling sanctions designed to foment domestic unrest against the current leadership in Tehran
Other jabs at the arch foe in the Middle East span multibillion dollar arms deals with Gulf states and giving ultimatums to Iranian forces in Syria to leave or else. Are these the first steps to another war? If only the anti-Iran coalition knew how big a punch their adversary is packing, then a lasting peace might be on the table. So here are eight locally made weapons that will prove a nightmare for anyone planning to attack Iran today.
Five Sure Signs Your Onsite Security Sucks
Via Wikimedia Commons.
The longer any company stays in business, the bigger the threats it will face. But it’s important to differentiate the trouble brewing in any organization–much of it happens from within–and the trouble waiting to pounce from outside, which is rarer. When people aren’t the cause then it might just be a case of vital information (names, passwords, release dates) slipping from the office to the world beyond the office. With the threat environment for businesses becoming more and more complicated as time goes by, how are organizations everywhere supposed to cope?
The first crucial step is making sure these mistakes don’t ever happen. And if they do, fix them!
