F-16 Block 52 Upgrade Programme Approved for Singapore

F-16 of the RSAF (Source: US Air Force)

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2015 - The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore for the F-16 Block 52 Upgrade Program and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $130 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 5, 2015.

"Sea Row Overtakes All National Security Concerns"

MANILA, Philippines, May 8 -- With threats from communist and Muslim rebels significantly reduced, preserving the Philippines’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea is now the country’s biggest security concern, the government’s top security adviser told a Senate panel yesterday.

National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia made the observation during a hearing by the Senate committee on national defense and security on China’s island building activities in the West Philippine Sea.

AIM-120C7 AMRAAM Missiles Approved for Malaysia

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2015 - The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Malaysia for AIM-120C7 AMRAAM Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $21 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Indonesia Getting AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Air to Air Missiles

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2015 - The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Indonesia for AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $47 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

TNI to Set up Joint Special Operations Force Command

Jakarta, May 5 -- The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) plans to set up a joint special operations unit comprising elite forces of the army, navy and air force. 

"What we are going to set up is not a special force but a joint special operations command," TNI Chief General Moeldoko said after dedicating a TNI museum at the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Tuesday. 

Indonesian Navy Ship 'KRI Rigel' Visits Kochi

KRI Rigel (Source: Indian Navy)

A Hydrography Vessel of Indonesian Navy, KRI Rigel (993) is on a three day visit to Kochi from 29 April to 2 May 15. On 29 April 15, the Commanding Officer, KRI Rigel Lt Cdr Muhammad Wirda Prayogo called on Rear Admiral RB Pandit, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command.

Battle of Plaman Mapu Remembered

April 28 -- Fifty years on, veteran Paratroopers have returned to the scene of a battle in Borneo to remember those who lost their lives.

The Battle of Plaman Mapu, 50 years ago yesterday (27 April 1965), saw 36 members of B Company 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), on operations in Borneo, defend their company location from 400 elite Indonesian soldiers who attacked the camp on the Malay border with Indonesia in a dawn raid.

Remember Jabidah Massacre? Historical Marker Unveiled in Corregidor 47 Years After

The Mindanao Garden of Peace, a memorial for the Moro soldiers killed in the Jabidah massacre, in Kindley Airfield, Corregidor. TRICIA AQUINO/InterAksyon.com

CORREGIDOR ISLAND, Philippines -- On 18 March 1968, between 14 and 200 young Moro soldiers secretly trained to retake Sabah were massacred here. The tragedy served as a catalyst of the Moro independence movement in Mindanao with the establishment of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), triggering decades of internal conflict.

On Wednesday, 47 years after the largely forgotten tragedy, a historical marker commemorating their sacrifice was unveiled. 

US Ambassador Helps Open National Coast Watch Center to Enhance Philippine Maritime Domain Awareness

April 30 -- US Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip S. Goldberg, cut the ribbon inaugurating the National Coast Watch Center in an action that underscores the US commitment to helping the Philippines manage and secure its maritime domain.

The US has provided $20 million (880 million Philippine Pesos) to date for the center that provides critical information fusion and 24 hour operations to support enhanced awareness of the Philippines’ maritime domain. Future incremental improvements are planned to fully realize the potential of the center.

Fort Worth Departs Singapore After Scheduled Maintenance

CHANGI NAVAL BASE, Singapore, April 30 -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) departed its maintenance and logistics hub in Singapore April 30, after a five-day preventative maintenance availability (PMAV) and a two-week long repair availability (RAV).

The RAV was the first extended maintenance availability for the ship during its 16-month rotational deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific.