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 COVER STORY

31 st

YEAR EDITOR’S NOTE

CREDIT

LINE The Place to Be

The presence of all the major defence companies at Asia’s most influential
aerospace and defence event is not only testament to the stature of the
EDITOR-in-CHIEF event but also the opportunities for growth that abound in the region. With
Vittorio Rossi Prudente
vittorio.prudente@gbp.com.sg countries in the region loosening their purse strings and eyeing major arms
purchases, companies are showcasing the full range of their products and © Boeing
Editor capabilities at the Show that has, thankfully, returned at full strength.
Jay Menon STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
jay.menon@gbp.com.sg A common feature linking the military plans of Southeast Asian countries is
the focus on modernisation of their air force. Although the way they have
Managing Editor
Arun Sivasankaran gone about doing it is different, they have all combined upgradation of
arun.sivasankaran@gbp.com.sg old-generation aircraft with procurement of modern aircraft. Adding air Even as large, unmanned aircraft systems prove their mettle in battle,
power is of critical importance for countries in the region because of the way
Technology Editor militaries eye smaller and less expensive drones to complement them
Atul Chandra in which China has been ramping up its military strength.
atul.chandra@gbp.com.sg
Meanwhile, the trend of militaries slowly moving away from manned systems
ASEAN Correspondent to unmanned assets continues. This is especially true when it comes to the By ARUN SIVASANKARAN
Yulian Ardiansyah
yulian.ardiansyah@gbp.com.sg naval domain, where countries are increasingly using unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS) to complement their maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet.
Art Director However, the recent sale of 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft and related equipment he vital role played by 30,000 ft (9,144 m). The air vehi- international customer for the
Sudheesh Kularmunda for US$$5.9 billion to Canada and Germany’s decision to buy the aircraft T military drones in Ukraine cle is 8.6 m long, has a wingspan SeaGuardian, but the MQ-9B
sudheesh.kularmunda@gbp.com.sg
prove that MPA will remain an integral part of any naval fleet. resistance against Russia of 17.5 m, and has a maximum SkyGuardian has found takers.
Web Director is proof, if any was needed, that take-off weight of 1,700 kg. It can First customer deliveries of MQ-9B
Elmer Valencia The use of simulation and synthetic environments for training is increasingly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) be flown beyond line of sight as it began in 2022 to the U.K. Royal
elmer.valencia@gbp.com.sg in vogue as militaries across the world try to find const-effective ways to are revolutionizing modern warfare. features a satellite communications Air Force, and contracts have been
replicate the multiplicities of current and future conflict zones. A perfect
Director of Sales The high-profile success that antenna. signed with Belgium and the U.S.
Akshay Satyamurthy example is Singapore, which is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to train Air Force. The Japan Coast Guard
akshay.satyamurthy@gbp.com.sg soldiers in a simulated environment. Singapore Navy is using digital twins of Ukraine had in using the Turkish is currently operating the MQ-9B
its battle ships and submarines to impart virtual training to their seamen. Bayraktar TB2 military drone to Crowded Market
Cover Image Credit destroy Russian military assets in for maritime operations, and the
Boeing GBP Aerospace & Defence is at Singapore Airshow, reporting live. Please the early days of the conflict has Turkish drones have not been the Japan Maritime Self-Defense
visit www.gbp.com.sg for the latest news, unfiltered and unbiased, not just amplified the hype around the drone only ones to hit the headlines. In Force (JMSDF) has also selected
from the event but from the world of defence. and even forced militaries to rethink December last year, Canada signed the UAS for its Medium-Altitude,
Advertising Contacts: their arms procurement plans. Such a contract to purchase a fleet of Long-Endurance (MALE) RPAS
Trial Operation Project. MQ-9B has
MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely
marketing@gbp.com.sg Editor is the growing international demand Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) also supported various U.S. Navy
Asian Defence Technology for the drone that Baykar plans to
build a TB2 factory inside Ukraine.
Europe & Americas from General Atomics Aeronautical exercises.
and all other countries: Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The order Israel Aerospace Industries’ Heron
Global Communications sas includes the associated Certified
Tel: +39 049 723548 Another Turkish drone that is TP, a multi-role, advanced, long
Ingrid@global-communications.it attracting attention is Turkish Ground Control Stations and sup- range Medium Altitude Long
Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) Anka port equipment from GA-ASI. The Endurance (MALE) Unmanned
Japan UAS. In October 2022, Malaysia first delivery is expected in 2028. Aerial System (UAS) for strategic
Visionworks To deliver the drone to the Royal
Jerry.Suppan@gmail.com announced that it would acquire missions, is in demand internation-
Global Business Press Pte.Ltd. three Anka-S drones that have Canadian Air Force, GA-ASI has set ally. At last year’s Paris Airshow, the
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
India + South East Asia been operational with the Turkish up Team SkyGuardian Canada, a company showcased its Heron Mk
Akshay Satyamurthy 30 Cecil Street, Air Force since 2018. The UAS coalition of leading Canadian busi- II, which is operational and capa-
Mob: +919980080246 #19-08 Prudential Tower, Singapore 049712 nesses that include CAE, MDA Ltd.,
akshay.satyamurthy@gbp.com.sg Tel: +65 6850 5269 | Fax: +65 6438 2436 has a cruise speed of 204 km/h, ble of operating at an altitude of
Email: enquiry@gbp.com.sg | Web: www.gbp.com.sg endurance of 30 hours with a 350 and L3Harris Technologies. 35,000ft. Heron Mk II is a successor
kg payload, and a service ceiling of GA-ASI is yet to find an to the Mk I. At the same event, Elbit
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY is a bi-monthly publication for diplomats and professionals in the defence, security and academic fields.
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