Malaysia to order CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from Indonesia

Malaysia to order CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from Indonesia
By Leithen FrancisAerospace CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft.

Air force officials, including chief of staff Rodzali bin Daud, have been negotiating with Indonesia's state-owned aircraft-maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia for the purchase, say industry sources.

The two sides hope to sign a letter of intent at the Defence Services Asia show in Kuala Lumpur in late April, they add.

Malaysia needs maritime patrol aircraft because its air force has been relying largely on four Beechcraft Super King Airs that it received in 1994. One of these was recently upgraded with a Thales radar and a second is to undergo the same work in the coming months.

The air force wants the CN-235MPAs to widen its operations and improve payload performance, say industry sources. The service already operates CN-235 transports, so Indonesia's offering provides some fleet commonality.

Malaysia has considered other types, such as a version of the Fokker 50. Fokker Services Asia had pushed the model as a cheaper alternative, and made a proposal to have some commercial Fokker 50s recently phased out by Malaysia Airlines converted for the maritime patrol mission by national maintenance, repair and overhaul firm Airod. Malaysian government investment firm Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad owns the retired aircraft.

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India Navy on aggressive acquisition; plans to have fighter planes

NEW DELHI: Indian Navy plans to take up aggressive acquisition programmes in aviation including induction of fighter planes and multi-role
India's fighter jets
helicopters for its fleet, its Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma has said.

"We are acquiring our ships, aircraft and submarines in accordance with the Navy's current Maritime Capability Perspective Plan. There are presently 40 ships and submarines on order," Verma said.

He said in addition, Navy has aggressive acquisition programmes in aviation including induction of Mig 29K, the acquisition of Boeing P8I MPA aircraft, additional Kamov 31 helicopters and new multi-role helicopters.

"We would also by then have our indigenous strategic submarine force fully operationalised," the Chief of Naval Staff said in an interview to recently published 'Manas Defence Year Book'.

"The linking of all our platforms through ongoing efforts in data linking will realise the creation of a truly network centric force that is tomorrow ready. In sum by 2020, I see a modern and powerful Navy with a large indigenous component, manned by a highly tech-savvy manpower ready to meet the transformational changes," Verma said.

To a question on expanding reach of Chinese Navy in Indian Ocean, he said the force views it with respect and not in confrontational terms.

"We appreciate that the economy of China, like that of India, is highly growth-oriented and, consequently, highly dependent upon energy. Thus, to sustain her economic growth, China -- like India -- must rely increasingly upon external sources of energy and raw materials.

"The principal sources of supply for both countries, lie either in the Indian Ocean, or (they) must travel across the Indian Ocean... Indian Navy views the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy with respect and does not see it in confrontational terms," he said.

Verma said as for the expanding reach of the PLA Navy impacting India's security, "we must remember every nation has the right to establish friendly and beneficial relations with others, in accordance with its own national interests.

"We have confidence in our own national and maritime capabilities not to feel threatened by any country's legitimate relations with another," he said adding that the Navy is constantly working at capability enhancement and capacity building in pursuance of the country's strategic requirements and doctrinal necessities. (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/)

OLS: The MiG's Eyes

OLS or Optical Locator Sensor

The OLS, a new development from space technologies, incorporates a helmet-mounted target designation system providing targeting solutions for both ground and air targets in the forward and aft hemispheres of the aircraft. The most vital difference from the previous IRST sensor is that the new device provides not only a better operation range but also offers manually switchable display options of IR view, TV mode or a mix of both that significantly improves man-machine coordination. The OLS on the nose serves as the IRST while the OLS under the right air intake serves as the ground strike designator.

In air combat, the optronic suite allows:

  • Detection of non-afterburning targets at 45 km range and more;
  • Identification of those targets at 8 to 10 km range; and
  • Estimates of aerial target range at up to 15 km.

For ground targets, the suite allows:

  • A tank-effective detection range up to 15 km, and aircraft carrier detection at 60 to 80 km;
  • Identification of the tank type on the 8 to 10 km range, and of an aircraft carrier at 40 to 60 km; and
  • Estimates of ground target range of up to 20 km.

The defensive system equipment consists of radar reconnaissance, electronic countermeasures, and optical systems — notably the laser emission detector on each wingtip — which are able to detect and evaluate the approaching danger and operate decoy dispensers to counteract the approaching threat in the radar and infrared ranges.

Nuri's TUDM make emergency landing

Nuri helicopter belonging TUDM made emergency landing in Tampin at 08.0 o'clock this day. The emergency landing was caused by engine failure, there is no report on victim. In recent years, TUDM face the problem of their helichopter operation.TUDM so plan to replace the Nuri helicopters.

Arms Imports Increased Greatly, Southeast Asia Threatened

Arms Imports Increased Greatly, Southeast Asia Threatened

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, KOMPAS.com - A research institute based in Sweden, Monday, said the import of weapons on a large scale by the countries of Southeast Asia last five years could threaten the stability of this region.

Institute of the Stockholm International Peace Research (SIPRI) said in its annual report that the import of weapons by Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia jumped 84 percent, 146 percent and 722 percent respectively between 2005 and 2009, compared with the previous five years. "A wave of acceptance (the weapon) Southeast Asia today can make it unstable region, endangering several decades of peace," said Siemon Wezeman, SIPRI Asian experts, in the report.

Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia this month has increased sea patrols in the Malacca Strait, an important shipping lane, after Singapore Navy stated that they had received indications of a terrorist group was planning attacks on oil tankers. According to the research institute, the increase in the purchase of fighter aircraft and long-distance by a third warship has affected the country's business plan to get the (weapons) from neighboring countries.

Last year, Vietnam became the last South East Asian countries who book long-distance aircraft and submarines. Singapore is the first member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, since the end of the Vietnam War, which will be included among the 10 important importer of weapons, SIPRI said.

Institute of Sweden, who do independent research on safety, weapons and international disarmament, said the global arms transfers in the last five-year period rose 22 percent, with Asia and Oceania as the largest recipient with 41 percent of the total. Europe followed with 24 percent, then the Middle East 17 percent.

U.S. remains the largest exporter of military equipment on the world, which is responsible for 30 percent of arms sales abroad during the period. Almost 40 percent of U.S. shipping, was sent to Asia and Oceania and the same amount to the Middle East


source: www.kompas.com

Malaysia navy : Malaysia will buy 3 LPD ship (Dokdo class)

LANGKAWI: The Government intends to make reservations three vessels SokonganPelbagai Function (MRSS) to replace the ships replacement Military LautDiraja Malaysia (RMN) that burned recently, in masaterdekat.

Defense Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, berkatapenilaian will be made based on a large ship belonging to the same type Koreadikenali Dokdo who joined Five in 2009 this time.

He said the shipbuilding MRSS take 48 months (empattahun) and booking is expected in the middle of next year, selepastender issued.

"The ship will follow the design Dokdo, but meet the needs of design and measurement ship Navy.
"If the reservation is made, we will ensure that one of dibinadi overseas while two more have been developed in negaraini," he said at a press conference after attending meals tengahhari with the media on board KD Lekiu here, just a moment.

Jamaran , Iranian Indigenous Frigate succesfully on Noor missile test fire

Iran's navy successfully test-fires Nour missile
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:48:09 GMT
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In February, Iran's Navy launched the first indigenously designed and developed guided missile destroyer Jamaran in the presence of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The Iranian Navy has successfully test-fired a new missile from its first indigenously-built Jamaran destroyer in the waters of the Persian Gulf.

The surface-to-surface Nour missile successfully hit its target at a distance of 100 kilometers in the test-fire on Tuesday.

However, military officials announced plans to build an upgraded version of the missile with a range of 300 kilometers.

Jamaran, a multi-mission and guided-missile destroyer, has been launched by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in February.

The Mowdge Class vessel has a displacement of around 1,420 tons and is equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities.

It can carry 120-140 personnel on board and is armed with a variety of anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles.

The Iranian Navy plans to add a second home-built destroyer to its fleet within the next two years.

The Iranian Navy also announced that with the successful testing of the Nour missile, the Jamaran destroyer is all ready to engage in peaceful missions in international waters.
src:www.presstv.ir

Indonesian Missile Destroyer Escort Tender will be begin in next week

JAKARTA - MI: Ministry of Defense estimates that the procurement process corvette type missile destroyer escort (PKR) will enter the process in Kemenhan of next week. Three countries have registered for making long-ship that is 105 meters.

"There are three candidates who had registered on TNI AL pending. There are Dutch, besides Italy and Russia, which could make a corvette's cooperation in PT PAL," said Director General of Defense Facilities Laksda Kemenhan Gunadi in Jakarta, Tuesday (9 / 3 ).

Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Agus Suhartono previously said that production of PKR could be expected this year. PKR-making will be implemented in cooperation with other countries as part of technology transfer. The government has allocated some 700 million dollars for making one PKR.

Gunadi confirmed alutsista ( defense system) not be all produced in the country. Technological constraints to be one obstacle to alutsista BUMNIS to produce high-tech. However, he insisted that the government would be as much as possible to leverage domestic capabilities.

"We make as much as possible produced in the country, but can not be held entirely in the country. For example, we create a sophisticated combat aircraft and only needed two squadrons, for now its imposible to build by myown , must work together with other countries. But, we make sure the industry in country gets the work, or we call ToT, "he said. (DM/OL-03)
src: mediaindonesia.com

Pak-Da : Russian answer of B-52 American Bomber




To enhance combat capability and maintain status as a super power and maintain the military balance between Russia and the USA, Putin called for a strategic bomber program soon realized a new generation.
Russia is developing the 5th generation of strategic bombers. Program bomber named Pak-Da.Pak-da are expected to have stealth capability as bomber B-52's USA.
Pak-development platform to be taken from Da Tu-160 bombers that have the ability at least equivalent kinematic Tu-160. It is expected that this program is completed in the year 2025.
Here's an excerpt from the Pakda (from wiki):
he Russian Air Force has tactical and technical requirements for a new generation of strategic bombers, as reported by Interfax. According to some sources, the PAK DA will be based on the supersonic Tu-160 bomber.[2] Later references to the new bomber, including a televised address from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, seem to imply the aircraft will be an entirely new design. Some speculation suggests that it might follow the stealthy design of the America B-2 Spirit bomber, but there is little public evidence to support tha

Thailand will buy black hawk

Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the The Government of Thailand of three Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment and logistic support for an estimated cost of $150 million.
US to sell UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters to Thailand
US to sell UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters to Thailand


The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with six T-700-GE-701D engines with C controls, AN/APX 100 (V) Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII Transponder Set or suitable substitute/commercial equivalent, warranty, internal hoist kits, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistic support.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally.

Thailand needs these helicopters to fulfill its strategic commitments for search and rescue and self-defense within the region without being dependent upon assistance from other countries. This proposed sale will upgrade its air mobility capability and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces. Thailand, which already has UH-60s in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of one contractor representative to Thailand for two years.
src:http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?n=US%20to%20sell%20UH-60L%20Black%20Hawk%20helicopters%20to%20Thailand&id=3431

China launched Military reconnaissance satellite launched



Military reconnaissance satellite launched by China
BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: March 5, 2010

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China successfully launched another Earth observation satellite from the Jiuquan space base Friday, according to state-run media outlets.

The Yaogan 9 spacecraft blasted off from Jiuquan on a Long March 4C rocket at 0455 GMT (11:55 p.m. EST Thursday), or 12:55 p.m. local time. The three-stage rocket successfully delivered the secret payload to orbit, the state-owned Xinhua news agency reported.

The Jiuquan launch site is located in the Gobi desert near the border between China's Gansu and Inner Mongolia provinces. Jiuquan has hosted the launches of all three Chinese human spaceflights to date.

Yaogan 9 is the newest member of a series of satellites believed to harbor optical and radar military reconnaissance capabilities.

The satellite "would be used to conduct scientific experiment[s], carry out surveys on land resources, forecast grain output and help with natural disaster-reduction and prevention endeavor[s]," state media reports said.

But most experts believe the Yaogan series includes two variants with high-resolution electro-optical cameras and cloud-piercing radars designed to see targets through inclement weather or darkness.

In the past, optical Yaogan satellites launched from Jiuquan and radar-equipped spacecraft were shot into orbit from the Taiyuan space center in northern China's Shanxi province.

Before Friday's mission, analysts believed China had orbited three electro-optical Yaogan satellites and five radar payloads.

Previous Yaogan launches from Jiuquan used the less powerful Long March 2D booster. The Long March 4C launched Friday includes a restartable third stage to increase payload performance. Chinese officials did not address the change in rocket, but the more powerful launcher could indicate the mission carried an upgraded Yaogan satellite.

Official Chinese media did not announce the launch until Thursday, a typical communications procedure for closely-guarded military space missions.

Friday's launch was the second orbital flight of Chinese rockets this year, and it marked the ninth space launch to reach orbit worldwide so far in 2010.
src:http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1003/05longmarch/

Due to financial contrain 10th Five Year Plan (2011-215) Malaysia defense buget maybe will not include new MRCA procurrement in list


The Malaysian government has announced that it will continue to operate 10 of its 16 MiG-29N interceptors until 2015, reversing plans to decommission the aircraft by the end of 2010. A plan to replace the MiG-29s with a new fighter aircraft has been delayed by the economic downturn.
However, maintaining the aircraft will impose burdens of its own since the aircraft’s engines need to be overhauled every year and the weaponry for the fighter jets has reached the end of its life span.
The 10th Five-Year Malaysian Plan (2011-1015) is expected to propose procurement and development funding of MYR7 billion ($2.07 billion) for the entire defense and security sector, with approximately MYR5 billion being allocated for defense proper.
Nearly half of this funding will be allocated to replenish war stocks (missiles, bombs, and ammunition), with relatively little money being left for new procurement efforts.
source:http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?id=4232&h=Malaysia%20to%20operate%20MiG-29N%20interceptors%20till%202015

China : China increase their budget defense almost 7%

BEIJING — China on Thursday announced its smallest increase in defense spending in more than two decades, a likely result of both financial constraints and growing concern over perceptions of Beijing as a regional military threat.

The planned 7.5 percent boost in defense spending in 2010 follows at least 20 years of double-digit increases in the budget for the People's Liberation Army — the world's largest standing military with more than 2.3 million members.

Rapid military modernization and the acquisition of cutting-edge jet fighters, warships and submarines have aroused suspicions in Washington, Tokyo, New Delhi and elsewhere over China's intentions, further fueled by Beijing's growing diplomatic assertiveness and booming economic might.

The increase will be used to enhance China's ability "to meet various threats," said Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for China's parliament, the National People's Congress, at a news conference held on the eve of the opening of its annual legislative session.

"China is committed to peaceful development and a military posture that is defensive in nature," Li said.

He said this year's defense budget of 532.11 billion yuan ($77.9 billion) remained relatively low, particularly in relation to the country's vast territory and population. Li said Chinese defense spending has accounted for about 1.4 percent of gross domestic product in recent years, as opposed to more than 4 percent in the United States and more than 2 percent in Britain, France and Russia.

The increase over actual military spending in 2009 was 37.12 billion yuan, Li said. Defense expenditures account for 6.3 percent of China's total budget, a decline from previous years, he said.

Officials say about one-third of China's spending goes to salaries and improving living conditions for soldiers, with the rest split between replacing equipment and military research and development.

However, many overseas analysts believe the official figure accounts for only a part of actual military spending, with estimates on the total amount ranging up to twice or more what Beijing claims.

Figures provided by China's Cabinet show the country's last single-digit percentage in defense spending was in the 1980s.

The smaller rise in spending is due in part to the hit China's economy, especially the crucial export sector, has taken from the global financial crisis, prompting the government to rein in some expenditures, said Ni Lexiong, a defense analyst at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

Meanwhile, the leadership has realized that large increases are generating concern and suspicion among China's neighbors, potentially sparking an arms race, he said.

"The decline shows that China does not want to be seen as an aggressive military power," Ni said.
Thursday's announcement follows repeated protests recently by Beijing over the U.S. sale of weaponry to Taiwan. Those sales are driven by threats from China to use force to bring the island under its control, backed up by an estimated 1,300 Chinese ballistic missiles positioned along the Taiwan Strait.

Communist-ruled China split with Taiwan amid civil war in 1949 and continues to regard the self-governing democracy as part of its territory. Beijing has warned of a disruption in ties with Washington if the sale goes ahead, but has not said what specific actions it would take.
Li, the congress spokesman, accused some foreign countries of backing Taiwan to thwart China, calling that unacceptable interference in China's internal affairs.

Washington's announcement in January that it intended to sell Taiwan $6.4 billion in helicopters, air defense missiles and other military hardware was especially unwelcome because it came amid a warming trend in Beijing's relations with the island, he said.

Taiwan relations are less a factor in Beijing's defense spending than economic stress and worries about appearing overly aggressive, said defense scholar Wang Kun-yi of Taipei's Tamkung University.

"China's defense budget is not specifically linked to cross-strait developments, but rather it is more related to the country's global positioning," Wang said.

Defense spending is among budget items to be approved at the end of the National People's Congress' session, which begins Friday and runs through March 14.

This year's session is expected to see a shift in spending priorities toward affordable housing, education, health care and other social programs.

Li said the full assembly this year would amend a law on how deputies are selected, correcting a disparity that gave urban Chinese greater representation than their more numerous rural neighbors.
(Associated Press)

Pakistan has extended defence ties with Indonesia and China

CN-235 of the Pakistan Air Force (photo : XAirforces)

Pakistan has extended defence ties with Indonesia and China as part of its strategy to diversify military suppliers and industrial co-operation partners.

Statements issued by the Pakistan government on 25 and 26 February said that meetings between Pakistan defence officials and representatives from Indonesia and China would strengthen strategic relations.

The focus of meetings between Indonesian and Pakistani defence officials in Islamabad on 25 February centred on "resolving maintenance problems" with the CN-235 transport aircraft that the Pakistan Air Force purchased from Jakarta in 2004. Closer industrial collaboration on other projects was also discussed, said the statement.

Talks with Chinese officials took place in Beijing a day later as part of the 30th anniversary of the formation of state-owned Chinese defence prime China North Industries Group (Norinco).

A statement said that Pakistan and Norinco had entered "joint venture and joint production projects" in recent years, such as the production of the Al Khalid main battle tank.

Masood Khan, Pakistan's ambassador to China, said that Pakistan and Norinco were also "investing into areas of exploitation of mineral resources, petroleum, defence products, marketing, and research and development".

Pakistan's ties with Indonesia are indicative of an emerging trend that has seen Islamabad establish close defence relations with a number of largely predominantly Muslim nations over the past few years. Similar ties have been forged with Brunei, Jordan, Malaysia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

China, meanwhile, remains Pakistan's closest industrial partner with joint collaboration continuing on a number of platforms, including the Al Khalid tank, the JF-17 fighter and F-22P frigates.

Defence diversification is regarded as an important defence strategy in Islamabad because it remains wary of its relationship with the US, from which it currently procures the majority of defence equipment. The US has previously imposed sanctions on Pakistan throughout the 1960s and again in the 1990s.

Indonesia:Navy said it had proposed the procurement of missile destroyer escort to be realized this year


JAKARTA - MI: Ministry of Defense expressed readiness to realize the budget for compliance alutsista in 2010. Army Navy said it had proposed the procurement of missile destroyer escort to be realized this year. TNI AL optimistic this ship will be ready to be produced in the same year.

This was conveyed by the Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Agus Suhartono to Media Indonesia, in Jakarta, Tuesday (2 / 3).

"That was the Ministry of Defense. Maybe next week there TEP (Implementation Evaluation Team) to determine who is doing," said Agus.

It filed a crew for the beginning of PKR. Shipbuilding budgeted 170 million euros worth of this will be done by PT PAL that will work with other countries through cooperation. There are three countries that proposed a co-worker, the Netherlands, Italy, and Russia. The third option would be determined by the ministry. He estimates that production will be completed ship in 2012.

"We filed this option but we only assess the technical level of operations. The rate transfer of technology, the loan agreement, political issues, etc. It Kemenhan. Thus, it held an item of which is very complex, not only technical issues and operational requirements," he said .

TNI AL also being arranged for procurement contracts of two submarines could be completed in 2010. He said he would ask the three countries as an option for the ministry. He hopes the end of KiB II, two submarines are needed to operate in Indonesia.

"We have not (set). Still in the process," he said. (DM/OL-7)

Thailand army will buy 480B training helichopter from Enstrom

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation would like to announce that they will be providing 16 480B advanced turbine training helicopters for the Royal Thai Army.
The 480B was selected in a competitive bidding process that included aircraft from 7 different major manufacturers. In October Enstrom hosted a delegation of officials from the Royal Thai Army led by Major General Pittaya Krachangwong, who came to Menominee to inspect Enstrom’s manufacturing facilities and fly the different models of Enstrom helicopters.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with the Royal Thai Army,” said Jerry Mullins, Enstrom’s President and CEO. “The 480B turbine helicopter was originally designed for military instruction, and although it has had great success in the commercial market, it’s nice to see it being recognized as a great training ship as well. The Royal Thai Army’s visit has given them the confidence to go forward with Enstrom, now and in the future.” Along with General Pittaya, three other experienced Royal Thai Army pilots flew the Enstrom 480B and piston powered F28F. “The said it was almost too easy to fly,” commented David Blake of Blake & DeJong Ltd., Enstrom’s Managing Representative in Asia. “None of them have ever flown the 480B before, but they were able to take the controls and immediately felt comfortable enough to fly a number of maneuvers. This will be a great training helicopter for the Royal Thai Army.”

source :http://www.defenseworld.net

Sweden Launches Next-Generation Submarine Project

Sweden Launches Next-Generation Submarine Project

Kockums AB, part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, has signed a contract with FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration), concerning overall of the design phase of the next-generation submarine.

This confirms the intention to develop Sweden’s submarine capability. Kockums is prime contractor for the order.

The Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces has emphasized the importance of acquiring the next-generation submarine on a number of different occasions.

The next-generation submarine features several advances in the development of underwater technology and marks the adaptation of submarines to meet current and future threats and to conduct the international mission now required. This refers particularly to the submarine’s role as an information gatherer.

Next-generation also refers to further refinements in terms of stealth technology. The submarine will be able to see and hear everything over a wide area, while itself remaining undetected. It will be designed to be efficient in the Baltic and other littoral waters.

“This is an important first step, not only for Kockums, but for the Swedish Armed Forces as a whole. We shall now be able to maintain our position at the cutting edge of submarine technology, which is vital in the light of current threat scenarios. HMS Gotland demonstrated what she is capable of during two years of joint exercises in the water off the USA. This next-generation submarine marks a further refinement of technology,” states CEO Ola Alfredsson, commenting.
source :http://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-next-generation-submarine-project-24473/

India conducted military exercise