From Submarines To C4ISR: Southeast Asian Naval Procurement Continues To Increase

Naval procurement in Southeast Asia continues to grow as countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand forge contracts to better equip their naval forces.

Vietnam has recently entered into an agreement with India to receive training for up to 500 submariners. The two countries are also negotiating for Vietnam to purchase the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, pilot training and upgrading port facilities in the south-central port of Nha Trang.

The provision of used Indian patrol craft is also under discussion, according Indian press reports.

Hanoi has year took delivery of two Gepard class guided-missile frigates equipped with anti-ship missiles with a range of 130 kilometres and two Svetlyak class missile patrol boats from Russia.

As well as the first four of 20 more Su-30 jet fighters with advanced anti-ship cruise missiles and second Bastion ballistic missile system to buttress Vietnam's coastal defences arrived in 2013.

In 2012, Indonesia announced it was planning to expand its submarine fleet to twelve by 2020.

The Indonesian Navy plans to acquire 24 guided-missile fast boats to be deployed in shallow waters and attack craft, according to the Ministry of Defense. The navy also recently upgraded six Ahmad Yani class frigates.

Indonesia currently has an order for three U-209 submarines that are being built in South Korea by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in cooperation with PT PAL Indonesia which are to be delivered in 2016.

Jakarta is reportedly considering an option to buy and modify used Kilo-class submarines from Russia or new submarines from South Korea. A decision on this purchase is expected soon, according to local media reports.

In December 2013, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) for the design and build of eight new vessels.

However the company withheld the value of the contract as well as a possible date of delivery.

At the same time, the navy awarded Tognum AG's (a Singapore subsidiary) to supply diesel engines for use on littoral patrol vessels for eight vessels being built by Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd.

In late November Singapore signed a contract with Germany-based ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the purchase of two new Type 218SG conventional submarines with the Air Independent Propulsion system.

In 2012, Singapore awarded Insitu a contract to procure a number of ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems to enhance its seagoing ISR capabilities.

The procurement contract provides for systems integration on board the navy's Victory-class corvettes together with training, logistics and in-country maintenance support, the United States-based company said.

Earlier this month, Thailand awarded local shipbuilder Marsun a contract several M58 large patrol boats that will be powered by three Caterpillar 3516C diesels for a top speed in excess of 24 kt, while its range is 2,500 n miles. Armament comprises a 76/62 Oto Melara main gun, an MSI 30 mm cannon, and two 0.50-calibre heavy machine guns with fire control by a Thales Mirador electro-optic director.

In August 2013, The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to procure the first of two multipurpose frigates.

The RTN said the contract is valued at USD468 million and the delivery of the frigate is expected in 2018.

 In addition, Saab has signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Korea, for development and integration of combat management and radar systems on a new frigate for the Royal Thai Navy, according to an official statement.

Saab will also upgrade the command and control system on the aircraft carrier H.T.M.S. ChakriNaruebet. The company will also supply data-link equipment to the ship, which will allow communication between the ship and the Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen fighter aircraft and the airborne radar system Erieye, carried by the Saab 340 AEW.