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Indonesia looking to buy second hand F-16C/D aircraft from the US

This article from the Jakarta Post reports that Indonesian Air Force officers will travel to the US to acquire second hand F-16C/Ds that are currently stored in the aircraft boneyard in Arizona. The details of the purchase are:

The 30 aircraft will come free of charge. But six of them will be cannibalized for their parts. The Indonesians are expected to spend US$400 million to US$600 million equipping the rest with advanced avionics and weaponry and buying 28 Pratt and Whitney engines.

On the face of it this seems to be a good deal. Yes, Indonesia will still need to integrate the weapons and avionics but it has had US aircraft for a while so hopefully this upgrade work will not be technologically difficult. Where the news starts getting a bit more questionable is talk of politicians wanting the air force to avoid getting reliant on US weaponry again. This has been an ongoing Indonesian ambition since the Leahy provisions were passed into US law about ten years ago. The rationale is that if the Indonesian military becomes overly reliant on the US for weapons, including spare parts, then Indonesia will be vulnerable to another US arms embargo. The problem is the flip side, over diversification of Indonesian weapon systems. The SU-27s and SU-30s are still without weapons and there are reports that their electrical systems are incompatible with existing Indonesian systems. Indonesia has British, US, Russian and South Korean aircraft. Who would want to be an Indonesian logistics officer.

Another interesting paragraph in the article is where critics, not further defined, give a good list of alternates for acquisitions.

Critics question why greater priority is not being given to maritime reconnaissance aircraft, ocean-going patrol craft and transport planes, but protecting a nation's air space is a source of pride for a military - and a president - concerned about national sovereignty.

Worth a read.

Ancient Chinese copper sword discovered in Jiangxi Province

(Source: www.china.org.cn)

A well preserved warring states sword has been found in East China according to this article:

A copper sword dating back more than 2,200 years has been discovered in east China's Jiangxi Province, local archaeologists said.

The design and shape of the sword indicate that it was forged during the Warring States Period (475 BC - 221 BC), according to Li Guoli, curator of the Nanchang Museum, where the sword is currently being stored.

Still worried about China's new ASBM, the untested one

The DF-21D (Source: www.china-defense-mashup.com)

The word capability is a very over-used term in military circles, especially amongst analysts and journalists. Just because a country acquires a new weapon it does not mean that the country has a new capability. True, a badly used bomb is still a bomb but it may not deliver to its full potential if it is not used properly. An untested weapon is also not really a capability. This is all just a long introduction to explaining why I am bemused about all the hype surrounding the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) supposedly being developed or even deployed in China. This article at the East Asia Forum is more restrained than most but it is still painting the untested DF-21D as a game changer for the US Navy when operating in the Pacific Ocean:

Chinese military planners, without even fully testing the ASBM system, have placed US forces in a challenging position. Even if General Chen’s statement was an exaggeration or a theoretical range, this debate demonstrates the difficulties US strategists face in dealing with this new weapon. And now with the possibility of a larger range, US planners will need to ponder long and hard if and how they might use surface combatants in the Pacific Ocean during a conflict.

The neighbours are still worried about China's military

A read of the Channel news Asia website today showed that politicians in both Japan and Taiwan remarked about their respective concerns over China's military growth. In Japan, the new Japanese Prime Minister told the Japanese Diet of his concerns about China's military:

Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Wednesday he was concerned about China's military build-up, urging his giant neighbour to act as a "responsible member of the international community".

While on a visit to the the US the new Taiwanese opposition leader talked of her plans to strengthen Taiwan's defense posture:

Taiwan's opposition presidential candidate on Tuesday assured the United States she would not whip up tensions with China if elected but pledged to boost defense spending to counterbalance a rising Beijing.

These similar statements are probably more about the similarities in the respective politics of Taiwan and Japan rather than about any new issues with China. Both countries are concerned about China's military but there has been no recent specific trigger. The calls by themselves are not unique and were probably targeted at domestic audiences rather than China.

The US DoD's annual report on China is out, as is the Chinese reaction

The annual report for 2011 by the US Department of Defence (DoD) on China's military developments has been released. The report covered off on the latest military developments of interest to the US, including China's new aircraft carrier and the reported development of an anti-ship ballistic missile. The report seemed balanced and continued to push the theme that China is developing and should be more transparent in what its military policy is. Not surprisingly the report was written from the perspective of US concerns and so focused very much on maritime issues. Two of the three special topics were maritime focused and there was also a chapter on China and Taiwan. The carrier received prominent mention even though it has only conducted a single sea trial. The anti-ship ballistic missile rated discussion but there have been no tests of this capability. The land component of China's forces received less coverage and a land focus was also not prevalent. The report mentioned Central Asia as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) but these topics did not gain much prominence. A report on the current US military would no doubt talk about counter-insurgency but this report mentioned that term once and that was in relation to a Chinese need to combat a Taiwanese insurgency should China ever invade the island.

Some quick links, Wednesday 24 August 2011

- The MILF have confirmed that they rejected the latest peace proposal from the Philippines Government but it does not mean negotiations are dead.

- They have also asked for 10 days to sort out their splintering faction, the BIFF.

- The full details on the proposal have not been released but apparently the MILF were requesting two senatorial positions be reserved for the Bangsamoro 'sub-state.'

Still awaiting the US DoD annual report on China's military capability

While many people in the world were awaiting the final installment of the Harry Potter saga, a small group of keen China defence watchers were being kept on the edge with the ongoing delay to the release of the annual US DoD report on China's military capabilities. The Wall Street Journal blog quoted one US Republican who was keen to have a read. He also showed his displeasure at the delay back in May as well. That same article had a good list of what people would hope to see in the report. Last year the report was also released around this time of year despite being due in March. Apparently the report will be out this week. It may not be Harry Potter but there will be people awaiting it with almost as much 'excitement.' I think the Chinese themselves will be amongst that list.

 Some people are having trouble coping with the delay

A tale of two ships - one from Vietnam and one from the Philippines

The last few days have seen news stories about the latest additions to two regional fleets, but the similarities of the intent of the announcements highlights the differences. Vietnam has seen the arrival of its second newly built Gepard Class Frigate while the Philippines has publicised the arrival of the largest vessel in the navy, a 44-year old former US Coast Guard Hamilton Class Cutter. The difference is stark given that both have had recent 'disputes' with China over incidents in the South China Sea.

 Vietnamese Gepard Class Frigate (Source: Defpro.com) 

 Philippines Hamilton Class Cutter (Source: PhilStar) 

Atmospheric picture of the Black Flag Army in Vietnam

 
Black Flag Soldiers lying in ambush, 1883 (Source: Flickr)

I am reading Colonial Armies in Southeast Asia at present and I am halfway through a chapter about the French Colonial Army in Vietnam. The chapter discussed the Black Flag Army, which was a Chinese force of former Taiping rebels who had crossed over in to Tonkin to avoid the mopping up by the Qing Imperial Army. The Tonkin Rulers found them useful as a means to combat the French in the 1880s and eventually to draw the Chinese into the war against the French.  In having a quick hunt around the net I came across the picture above that appears to have been done to illustrate a 19th century magazine or paper. If you like the above style then I recommend the Flickr account of Huongdieu, the source of the picture, as it has a number of similarly themed pictures. 

The Mongolian Honour Guard have a cool uniform

 Source (and more photos): Seattle PI

It may be just me but I think that the Mongolian Honour Guard have a cool uniform. Genghis Khan might not have been a fan but they beat some of the other bland uniforms out there.

Some quick links, Monday 22 August 2011

- North Korea has seized South Korean assets at the Mt Kumgang resort and given the South Koreans there 72 hours to depart...that won't go down well.

- The Philippines largest warship, a former USCG cutter has arrived in Manila Bay.

- Nothing says law and order control like deploying sharp-shooters around East Java to keep the Idul Fitri exodus under control.

A new peace deal on the table for the MILF

 Source: Channel News Asia article

The Government of the Philippines is reportedly offering another autonomy deal to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This is after a previous autonomy deal was scrapped because of a Supreme Court decision that said the deal interfered with traditional land ownership rights.

"This proposal presents the possibility of a more empowered, more workable and thus, more genuine autonomy of a Bangsamoro (Filipino Muslim) region," the government said in a statement summarising its offer.

The details are not clear but the hints from the government are that the basic idea is that this deal would expand the Autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM Official Website). The ARMM has not been a great success due to poor government funding and also because of mismanagement by the ARMM leadership. A poor deal would not bring peace but would probably see the MILF splinter as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) did because of factions that were unhappy with the the original ARMM deal. 

Media reports claim South Korea is close to being chosen to supply submarines to Indonesia

There are South Korean media reports claiming that Taufik Kiemas, the Speaker of Indonesia's Upper House of Parliament, informed Daewoo Heavy Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering officials that their company is almost certain to be chosen to supply submarines to the Indonesian Navy. I blogged about this acquisition program recently.

"Indonesia will likely pick Korea as the preferred bidder for its submarine acquisition program, worth $1.08 billion, industrial sources said Thursday. ..“France has been practically eliminated from the race,” an official of Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine (DSME) said, asking for anonymity." (Korea Times)

"Indonesia is close to picking Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering as the priority negotiating partner for a submarine project worth US$1.08 billion...A senior government official said Taufik Kiemas, the speaker of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, told Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik on Wednesday morning that Daewoo is virtually certain to get the nod for the project. "There still are some more processes to follow, but the deal will be struck, unless something comes up," the official said." (Chosun Ilbo)

It will not be surprising if Korea picks this contract up because Indonesia and Korea have developed a strong relationship in the defence industry arena. Indonesian submarines were repaired in Korea and two years ago there was talk of a counter trade deal between the two countries as involving Korean made submarines and Indonesian made CN-235 aircraft.

Indonesia's population expected to double by 2045 - can Indonesia cope?

I was listening to Australia's ABC radio program Connect Asia and they had a story discussing some of the results of the 2010 Indonesia census. The key result was the projected population growth in Indonesia.

"Indonesia is being confronted with a rapidly growing population, projected to double to 450 million by 2045.  The Indonesian Government faces a serious challenge in dealing with a potential population boom that could result in one out of every 20 people in the world being Indonesian."

A historic picture on the threat from Asia - the Yellow Peril

I was listening to the New Books in East Asian Studies Podcast on Michael Kevaak's Becoming Yellow: A short history on Racial Thinking. It was interesting to hear the development of the colour 'yellow' being used to describe Asians and then how this also emerged as the 'Yellow Peril.' Kevaak discussed a picture that was created on the orders of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in 1895. It showed St Michael with a group of armed women, including Britannia, peering from a cliff top at an approaching, menacing Buddha. The picture was reproduced in Harper's Weekly thus reaching a wide audience.

 
Peoples of Europe, guard your dearest goods (Source)

FPRI's scholar's testimony on Taiwan before the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs

Taiwan is unfortunately not a place that I know much about. I am trying to rectify that situation as I can understand that Taiwan has significance to the Chinese strategic view of East Asia. I have generally seen the Chinese strategic view towards Taiwan as being passive, that is willing to wait for political negotiations to achieve unification rather than resorting to war; as long as Taiwan did not declare independence.' However, according to the FPRI's Dr June Teufel Dreyer's testimony (link) before the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs the mainland Chinese actually have a far more aggressive plan for Taiwan:

"...the Chinese military has been a focus of my research efforts for the past several decades. In this capacity, I regularly read military journals from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) dealing with defense matters. The militant tone of the articles contained therein is striking, as is the way Chinese strategists view Taiwan—not as an end in itself, a terra irredenta that must be possessed, but as a stepping stone for reaching China’s larger goals of controlling the regional sea lanes and beyond. Chinese analysts concentrate on the importance of Taiwan to the PRC’s strategic future. The inability of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to break out of the first island chain into the Pacific without first taking Taiwan is standard commentary in Chinese journals."

The next paragraph follows in a similar vein:

"Another supposition that is noticeable in the journals is that the PLA navy can attain decisive command of the seas by projecting power eastward from Taiwan. One commentator states that Taiwan is currently a shackle but that, if possessed by the PRC, would be the key to the open ocean. Since the island occupies the mid-section of the first island chain, PRC strategists reason, its capture would cut the chain in two. Chinese fleet and naval aviation units could use Taiwan as a major base. Sea and air combat radii from bases on the island would reach the flanks of Japan and the Philippines."

Emergency decree in Southern Thailand extended for another two months

The outgoing Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, held his final cabinet meeting today in Bangkok. There were a number of routine actions to complete and the government also extended emergency rule in the three southern provinces (Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala) by two months, as opposed to the usual three months.

Mr Abhisit said the 60-day extension was proposed instead of the usual three-month extension because the new government would be in charge by then. This would allow the next administration to make its own decision, he said.

 11 Jul 11 roadside bomb in Yala (Source: Bangkok Post)

Reports of a Taiwanese missile firing from a submarine are false

Defense News carried a report a few days back that the news that a Taiwanese Navy Dutch built HAI LUNG Class submarine had fired Hsiung Feng 2 anti-ship missile were false. The definitive statement was:

Taiwan's Hai Lung's have "absolutely no capability" of launching anti-ship missiles from their torpedo tubes, said a former Taiwan Navy official who worked with ordnance used on the submarines. "This is common sense since they still have problems with just launching torpedoes with the old fire control system."

 Hai Lung Submarine cutaway (Source: Dutchsubmarines.com)

Brunei Darussalam releases its 2011 Defence White Paper, the third since 2004

The Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam released its 2011 Defence White Paper on last Wednesday, 06 July 2011 at the opening of the 3rd Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BRIDEX 2011). The White Paper was formally released by the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, which makes sense as the Sultan concurrently serves as the Defense Minister and the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Unfortunately, the full text is not up on the web yet but a lengthy accompanying media statement was printed in the Borneo Bulletin. The policy has been titled,  'Defending The Nation's Sovereignty: Expanding Roles In Wider Horizons.'

 (Source: Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Defence)

Martial Arts Groups and implementing domestic security in Malaysia and Indonesia

This recent article in The Malaysian Insider gives the impression that the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Sei Najib Razak, is endorsing the concept of using a national martial arts organisation as  'third line of [national] defence' primarily against internal unauthorised political movements.

“I believe if there are evil enemies who want to attack the country from without and within, ‘anak-anak lincah’ [the members of this martial art] will rise to fight them.”

The context of the remark was that it was said at a meeting of the Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia (PSSLM or Malaysian Silat Lincah Martial Arts Organisation) during which the Grand Master of the organisation, Tan Sri Omardin Mauju, commented:

“We maintain our stand to go to ‘war’ if they still want to proceed with this illegal rally. If it happens, I cannot guarantee I can control the emotions of my members because they have been taught to act when faced with opposition.”