Page 23 - ADT JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 Online Magazine

PROLIFERATION it and forcing the missile off-course
away from the aircraft.
OF MANPADS
THREAT IN Once the preserve of U.S. Armed
Forces and close allies, DIRCM sys-
INDO PACIFIC tems are now available to customers
in the region, with Leonardo’s Miysis
GENERATING DIRCM being part of the U.K. MoD’s
DIRCM DEMAND Next Generation Air Survivability
(NGAS) approach to aircraft self-pro-
tection. Leonardo is currently
International defence tech- exhibiting the system at Singapore
nology provider Leonardo is Airshow, stand B-H39. Having already [ SINGAPORE AIRSHOW SHOW PREVIEW ]
responding to the proliferation of inex- delivered Miysis DIRCM to the U.K.
pensive-yet-deadly man-portable air MoD and a number of other NATO
defence systems (MANPADS) across and non-NATO nations, Leonardo
the Indo Pacific, which is generating is expecting to hold discussions in
strong regional demand for counter- Singapore with a range of interested
measures known as DIRCM (Directed regional governments and armed missiles. Meanwhile, the system’s
Infra-Red Counter Measures). Both forces looking to modify and equip integrated multiple-head installation
state and non-state actors (such as their aircraft with protection against ensures complete spherical protec-
pirates and terrorists) are operat- infrared-guided missiles. Designed tion around the aircraft, even during
ing MANPADS in a variety of flash and produced in the U.K., Miysis manoeuvres. This contrasts with the
points in regional area disputes, this DIRCM is readily exportable. more basic single-head systems on
highlights an alarming threat to trans- the market, which suffer from blind
port aircraft, helicopters and other Unique to Leonardo, decades of expe- spots when the aircraft is not flying
platform types, crew and cargo. rience in laser and precision targeting straight and level. Extensive analysis
Miysis DIRCM offers life-saving pro- enables the Miysis threat defeat and live fire trials by U.K. and interna-
tection from this threat by shining a process to happen at lightning-fast tional customers has confirmed that
high-powered laser onto an incoming speed, meaning it can defend against Miysis DIRCM can defeat 100% of
missile’s targeting system, ‘dazzling’ multiple, simultaneous incoming incoming infrared missiles.
PTDI TO DEVELOP CN-235 PTDI’s plan to develop CN-235 air-

craft into firefighting and medical
TO FIRE FIGHTING, evacuation versions, both to be used
domestically as well as to meet the
MEDEVAC VERSIONS international market’s demands. The
Indonesian Defence Ministry has also
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero), put a new order for ten CN-235s
with an option for a yet-unspecified
also known as (PTDI) the Indonesian number of the aircraft. However, it’s
state-owned company in air- still unknown whether this order is
craft manufacturing, has signed a solely for the transport version or
Memorandum of Understanding whether there will also be other ver-
(MoU) for CN-235 sales and devel- sions in the mix.
opment with Jet Investment Group
SARL, a Limited Liability Company
based in Genèva, Switzerland. The CN-235 is a medium range, twin
MoU was signed in February in turboprop transport aircraft jointly
Bandung, West Java. “CN-235 is one developed and produced by
of our products that I think is very Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA
successful,” said Indonesian Minister in marketing PTDI’s products, espe- (CASA) of Spain (now Airbus Military)
of Defence, Prabowo Subianto, who cially the CN-235, to the international and PTDI in the early 1980’s. Since
was witnessing the event, said. market,” he added. its first flight in 1983, it has been
“Hundreds have been used all over exported to no less than 35 countries.
the world. Many countries want to Prabowo has also set the target for The aircraft has also been developed
buy it and finally we have cooper- PTDI to expand its CN-235 produc- into various versions such as mari-
ated with Jet Investment to market it tion capacity six-fold from 4 to 24 time patrol, anti-submarine and light
together. I fully support cooperation aircraft per year. This is in line with gunship.

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