Page 14 - LIMA 2023 - DAY 2 | DAILY NEWS

GADING GROUP

FIC G2000 MK II ON SHOW

One of the highlights of this edition of LIMA is the appearance of an actual Fast Intercept Craft (FIC) in the static display area.
Malaysian firm, Gading Group is displaying a FIC G2000 Mk II. The locally built vessel has an overall length of 18m and has a
complement of five crew and eight troops. Propulsion is by two MAN V12 1650 hp engines, which allow the 28 tonne aluminium
vessel to achieve a speed of 52 knots. Gading Group quotes a range of greater than 350nm at a speed of 35 knots. The FIC
G2000 Mk II is fitted with a SENTINEL 2.0 Remote Controlled Weapon System (RCWS).

BRAHMOS PROMOTES NEW VARIANTS

BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture
between India’s Defence Research &
Development Organisation (DRDO) and
Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM)
is showcasing new variants of its Mach
3 capable supersonic cruise missile at
the show. The Brahmos Air Launched
Cruise Missile (ALCM) is now available
in an Extended Range Version, which was
successfully test fired from an Indian Air
Force (IAF) Sukhoi SU-30 MKI in December PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE
2022 against a ship target. The 2.5 tonne ORDERS 6 NC212I
BrahMos ALCM can only be carried on
the SU-30. Also now in development is The Philippine Air Force recently con-
the lighter BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) cluded a contract with PT Dirgantara
missile, which can be carried on light Indonesia (PTDI) to procure six NC212i
fighters, in addition to aircraft such as the aircraft and spares.The procurement of
SU-30 MKI. Ever since the first test launch
of a BrahMos missile took place in India the 6 NC212i units is a continuation of
in June 2001, there have been continu- the procurement of the previous 2 units
ous upgrades and improvements made. in 2014, thereby marking an almost 10
Deliveries of the supersonic missile sys- year gap between the two contracts.
tems to the Indian Army started in June
2007, and over the years, Block I, Block II PTDI will also undertake MRO work on
and Block III variants have entered service. two NC212i which the Philippines Air
The navy inducted BrahMos in 2005 and Force had purchased from PTDI in 2014.
uses them in the anti-ship and land-attack Both aircraft were slated to fly to Bandung
roles. The missile warheads have also been at the end of April 2023 for maintenance
improved, enhancing the destructive power work at PTDI’s Bandung facility.
of the weapon system..
14 MAY-24-2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS