Australia unveils ‘massive’ increase in defence spending

Operation FIJI ASSIST 2016. Source: Australian DOD

SYDNEY: Australia unveiled a massive new investment in the nation’s defence capabilities on Thursday to address what Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called “high stakes” and “momentous times” in Asia.

Citing increased defence spending around the region and potential flashpoints in the South China Sea and the Korean peninsula, he said the government was committed to combating the most challenging strategic environment “we have faced in peacetime”.

“These are momentous times. The stakes are high. And as the opportunities expand, so does the cost of losing them,” Turnbull said in launching a new Defence White Paper in Canberra.

Australian submarine makes surprise appearance in Penang

HMAS Sheean

GEORGE TOWN: An Australian-based submarine made an appearance in Penang waters this morning, to the awe of hundreds of ferry passengers. The HMAS Sheean submarine will berth at the container terminal in Butterworth before sailing off again on Oct 2. 

A spokesman from the Royal Malaysian Navy said the submarine was here for a break. HMAS made a courtesy call on the Resident Naval Officer here. 

The submarine will make an operations call on Sabah from Oct 8 to Oct 12 for training with KD Tunku Abdul Rahman on Oct 12 and Oct 13 respectively. HMAS Sheean is the fifth Collins Class Submarine built by the ASC in Adelaide, Australia. (New Straits Times)

Thai Navy Petitions Govt to Buy Submarines

Then-Navy chief Admiral Narong Pipattanasai observes the remains of Thailand's last submarine during a visit to the headquarters of the Navy's submarine division on 7 July 2014 (Source: Thai Navy website)

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Navy has formally submitted a request to the government to buy submarines for its submarine division, which has lacked a single vessel for the last 64 years.

Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich, commander of the Thai navy, said he hopes the cabinet will deliberate on the request soon, because submarines are needed to bolster Thailand’s armed forces.

US Navy Submarine Group 7 Strengthens Ties with the Indonesian Submarine Force

Submarines of the COMSUBGRU 7 (Source: US Navy)

FLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Rear Adm. William R. Merz, Commander, Submarine Group 7 (COMSUBGRU 7), met with representatives from the Indonesian submarine force in Surabaya, Indonesia, on April 14 in order to strengthen a dynamic working relationship between the two navies.

The primary focus of the staff talks was to establish routine periodic regional engagements and operations to integrate the Indonesian submarine force as a partner and ally in the Pacific.

BHIC Gets Additional Contract for Submarine Maintenance

Scorpene submarines of the RMN (Source: DCNS)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 - Boustead DCNS Naval Corp Sdn Bhd, a 60 per cent-owned unit of Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC), has received an additional contract with a ceiling value of RM531.2 million from the Malaysian government.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, BHIC said the contract was for the in-service support (ISS) for two units of Prime Minister's class submarines for the Royal Malaysian Navy. 

India Wants to Lease Another Russian Nuclear Submarine

Project 971 submarine (Source: TASS)

The project 971 Kashalot-class submarine may become the second submarine that Russia transfers to India for lease

MOSCOW, March 24 - India has asked Russia to transfer another nuclear submarine for lease, a high-placed source in the system of Russia’s military and technical cooperation with foreign countries said on Tuesday according to Russian news agency TASS.

The project 971 Kashalot-class submarine may become the second submarine that Russia transfers to India for lease, the source said.

DCNS to Showcase Gowind 2500 and Gowind 1000 at LIMA 2015

RMN Scorpenes at sea (Source: DCNS)

DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovator in the energy sector. As a naval prime contractor, systems integrator and shipbuilder, DCNS combines resources and expertise spanning the naval defence value chain and entire system lifecycles. DCNS delivers innovative solutions from integrated warships to strategic systems, equipment, services and new energy solutions. DCNS will participate to LIMA exhibition in Langkawi (Malaysia) from 17 to 21 March 2015. It is a chance for DCNS to showcase its expertise in this key export market and to meet key players.