Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Threat of War in South China Sea

The territorial dispute in the South China Sea is a flashpoint of a major conflict waiting to happen. Key players in this territorial spat -- Vietnam, China, and the Philippines -- are beefing up their armed forces to all new heights. Is this a threat to the region's stability?

For instance, Vietnam ordered half a dozen Kilo class submarines and a Sukhoi aircraft from Russia a year ago. And this year, the two countries agreed to jointly develop anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. These are all in addition to the more than a dozen frigates and corvettes Vietnam plans to purchase within the next decade, and the eventual production of a local variant of the Kh-35 Uran missile, a weapon its missile boats already wield. Since 2002, Vietnam's defense spending steadily increased to its current level, $3.1B.

Meanwhile, the Philippines defense budget soared more than a hundred percent this year to $2.9B from $1.2B in 2010, and the procurement of big ticket items -- such as a multi-role vessel, fighter jets, attack helicopters, a long range patrol aircraft, among others -- are expected to start rolling out this year. Within a few years, these items would be in its armed forces' arsenal. And continued support from the United States expedites the Philippine navy's much needed modernization; a corvette was received in 2011, a second one is expected to arrive by the end of 2012, and another one in 2013, according to an anonymous source. The source asked not to be named because of ongoing negotiations.

However, China's defense budget dwarfs both Vietnam and the Philippines combined. At $106B, which historically doubles every 5 years, China is the official juggernaut. While its neighbors squeeze their budgets to acquire new and/or used armaments developed in other countries, China is venturing out with the big boys to build 21st century technologies -- such as its own modern aircraft carrier, interballistic missiles, 5th generation aircrafts, submarines, and advanced radar systems -- locally.

China is the sole nuclear power among the three countries. The Philippines enjoys US nuclear umbrella protection through the Mutual Defense Treaty. Vietnam, on the other hand, continues to warm up relations with key regional players, including Russia, the United States, and Singapore in order to rebalance the Chinese might.

Deadly confrontations have already happened in the past between China and Vietnam. While in recent years, intrusions have significantly increased between the Philippines and China. As each country beefs up its armed forces, the inadvertent dangers accompanied with military build up amidst ongoing tensions continue to linger: The threat of war. Is it worth it?

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Under the Microscope: C-130 "Hercules" B/H

PAF's C-130, courtesy of the Philippine Department of National Defense

Overview: The C-130 is a global airlift that, according to the U.S. Air Force's website, "is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas."

Cost: P1.7 billion in 2011 (Upgraded C-130H) (2)

Inventory: 1 operational, 7 stored as of October 2011 (2)


Specifications:





Power Plant
4 Allison T56-A-15 Turboprops
4,591 shp



Speed
366 mph / 318 ktas / Mach 0.52

Ceiling
23,000 ft with 42,000 lbs / 20,227 kg
Maximum Load
6 pallets or 74 litters or


16 CDS bundles or


92 combat troops or


64 paratroopers




Maximum Take-off Weight
155,000 lb / 69,750 kg

Maximum Payload
42,000 lb / 19,090 kg

Maximum Cruise Speed
335 ktas / 660 km / hr

Landing / take-off roll
1,500 ft / 457 km




Range at Maximum Normal Payload
1,208 mi. / 1,050 n. mi.

Range with 35,000 lbs Payload
1,496 mi. / 1,300 n. mi.




Length
97 ft 9 in / 29.3 m

Height
38 ft 10 in / 11.9 m

Wingspan
132 ft 7 in / 40.38 m

Horizontal tail spain
52 ft 8 in / 6.05 m

Cargo Compartment
40 ft / 12.31 m



Sources:
(1) C-130 Specs
(2) Internal Documents

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Under The Microscope: PZL Swidnik W-3A Sokol

Philippine Inspection, courtesy of Timawa.net


Overview: The PZL W-3A Sokol is a twin-engine medium utility helicopter that is manufactured by PZL Swidnik, a Polish company. It boasts an all weather capability, and a low parts count for cheaper operational and maintenance costs. With its twin-engine and integrated inlet particle separator, it features exceptional reliability as well as high damage tolerance in combat conditions, and beats the Bell 412, Sikorsky S-76, Westland Lynx, and ALH Dhruv in 5 critical areas, namely: maximum useful weight,  maximum range, maximum power, maximum continuous power, and maximum tow (4).

Inventory: 8 (to be delivered in November) (2)

Cost: $9 million (2010) (2)

Specifications: (1, 3)


Crew
2
Passengers
12



Propulsion
2 Turboshaft Engines
Engine Model
PZL-Rzeszow TWD-10W
Engine Power (each)
662 kW
880 shp



Speed
256 km/h

  159 mph
Service Ceiling
6.000 m
19.685 ft
Range
745 km
402 NM
463 mi.



Empty Weight
3.300 kg
7.275 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight
6.100 kg
13.448 lbs



Rotor Blades (main/tail)
3-Apr
3-Apr
Main Rotor Diameter
15,70 m
51,5 ft
Tail Rotor Diameter
3,30 m
10,8 ft
Rotor Disc Area
193,6 m²
2084 ft²
Length (Fuselage)
14,21 m
46,6 ft
Length
18,50 m
60,7 ft
Height
4,10 m
13,5 ft
Weapons

*none



Instruments
Rockwell Collins Search Radar

Bendix/King Radios and Intercom

Tacan**


GPS


Radio Compass


IFF***




Notes:
*Weapons to be locally installed by an unnamed US company. (2)
**Tacan is a ultra-high frequency navigation system.
*** IFF is a secondary radar.

Source:
(1) PZL Sokol Spec
(2) Internal Documents
(3) Sokol Versions
(4) Aeronet - Sokol Comparison

National Defense Budget of Spratly Claimants

Map of China, courtesy of Google Maps
China - $91,500,000,000 (2011)


Map of China, courtesy of Google Maps
Taiwan - $15,000,000,000 (2011)

Map of Malaysia, courtesy of Google Maps
Malaysia - $3,500,000,000 (2011)

Map of Vietnam, courtesy of Google Maps
Vietnam - $2,600,000,000 (2011)

Map of The Philippines, courtesy of Google Maps
Philippines - $2,439,510,000 (2011)

Map of Brunei, courtesy of Google Maps
Brunei - $43,000,000 (2011)

Sources:

South Korea's Po Hang-class Corvette (PCC-758)


PCC-758's sister, the PCC-757, courtesy of Viggen's blog
Overview: The PCC-758 is one of four ASuW type Po Hang class corvettes in the Republic of Korea Navy. Its primary mission is to patrol the coast and to support internal operations.

Cost: $30 million in 2010 (estimated) (5)



Specifications: (1,4)



Size
88x10x3
Displacement
1,300 tons
Maximum Speed
32knots
Cruising Range
4,000 nm (15knots)
Crew
95 (+10 officers)
Propulsion
Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG)


Armaments


2 Exocet SSM

76mm cannon

2 Emmerson 30mm AA guns


Electronics

Surface Search Radar
Raytheon SPS-64 surface search radar
Fire Control Radar
Signaal WM 28 fire control radar
ECM, ESM
Thorn EMI or NobelTech intercepter/jammer
Combat Information System
Signaal SEWACO ZK Combat System
Chaff
4 Mel Protean Chaff Launcher
Optronic Director
Signaal LIOD (Lightweight Optronic Director)
TACAN
SRN 15 TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation)


Notes:

Awaiting official confirmation (3)
PCC-758 (6)

Sources:
(1) Korean Navy - Po Hang-class Specs
(2) Po Hang-class Types
(3) South Korea offers Po Hang-class Corvette
(4) ASUW and ASW Specs
(5) Po Hang Cost
(6) Internal Documents

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Under The Microscope: Hamilton-class High Endurance Cutter

WHEC 378' Hamilton class, PF-15
Overview: The Hamilton class High Endurance Cutter is a highly versatile and capable ship that can operate throughout the world's oceans. Equipped with a helicopter flight deck, this ship has the ability to conduct a wide variety of missions including long range search and rescue operations, ocean research studies, and national defense operations.

Cost: P450 million ($13.18 million in 2011)* (1)

Inventory: 1** (1)

Specifications: (4,6,7)






Length
378ft


Beam
43ft


Draw
20ft


Displacement
3,050 tons






Capacity
19 officers



148 enlisted






Top Speed
29 knots (gas engine engaged)



11 knots (diesel engine)






Range
14,000 miles on diesel






Engine
2 Pratt & Whitney FT4A-6
36,000hp






2 Fairbanks-Morse
38TD8-1/8-12
7,000hp


12-cylinder diesel engines







Bow Thrusters
350hp





Electronics

UHF/UVF communications




SPS-73 short-range I-band surface search and navigation radar (removed)










Armaments

Mk 75 3"/62 compact gun system




2 Mk 38 25mm bushmaster cannons (removed)

Mk 36 SRBCC




Mk 15 Phalanx 20mm CIWS system (removed)

25mm chain gun

6 50-caliber mounted guns

20mm cannons



Notes:
*Original Cost: $16-$20 million in 1968 US$ (5) ($104.16-$130.20 million in 2010 US$) (3).
**2 more planned (2).

Sources:
(2) Anonymous





Monday, October 10, 2011

Under The Microscope: M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier

Soldiers on top of an M113, courtesy of Militaryphotos.net

Overview: The M113 is a light armored personnel carrier that provides troop protection and mobility. While its main function is to safely transport soldiers, the Army has also used it move supplies in and out of the battlefield.

Inventory: 133* as of 2010 (3).

Cost: US$300,000 per vehicle in 2003** (2).



Specifications:



Capacity
2 crews, 11 soldiers


Combat Weight
27,180 lbs.
Maximum Weight
31,000 lbs.
Net Weight
23,880 lbs.
Air Drop Weight
22,128 lbs.


Fuel Capacity
360 liters (95 gal.)


Performance

Speed on Land
66km/h (41m/h)
Speed in Water
5.8km/h (3.6m/h)
Cruising Range
483km (300 miles)
Turning Radius
Pivot to infinite
Slope
60%
Side Slope
40%
Vertical Climbing
24 in.
Braking
40 ft.


Engine

Make and Model
Detroit Diesel 6V53T
Displacement
5.2L
Fuel
Diesel
Rated Horsepower
275 hp
Gross HP to Weight Ratio
20.2hp/ton


Transmission

Make and Model
Allison X200-AB
Type
Hydrokinetic
Steering
Hydrostatic
Brake Type
Multiple wet plate


Suspension:
Torsion Bar
Shock Absorbers:
3 per side


Generator

Amperes
200, 300 optional
Volts, dc
28
Batteries
4


Armament:

50 cal MG
2,000 ready rounds


Armor

Basic Hull
5083 Aluminum
Bolt-on Armor kit
Steel Armor
Mine Armor
Steel Armor
Gun Shield Kit
Steel Armor
Spall Suppresant
Composite Panel


Notes:
*Operational, unknown.
**the Philippines benefits from the FMS program, thus the sticker price may not reflect the actual price paid by the Philippine Government.
**add US$100,000 to US$500,000 to upgrade communications system with digitized instruments (US$ in 2003) (2).

Sources:
(1) M113 Specs
(2) M113 Cost
(3) Stockholm International Peace Institute Database