Friday, November 3, 2023

Former Malaysian PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad with Pukul Habis

 

When a friend sent me this picture today, I first thought it was photoshopped. 

Really really pleased to see Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia and the federation's longest serving PM, with my book, Pukul Habis. Dr M was PM during the real Eksesais Pukul Habis airdrop in August 1991 - an event which inspired the title of my book - so seeing him with the fictional war story made my day. Hope Dr M finds it interesting!



PUKUL HABIS
Books Kinokuniya Singapore has stocked Pukul Habis (ISBN 9789811861499). Please visit its main store in Ngee Ann City or Bugis Junction, or check the Kinokuniya online store here.

If you are in Malaysia, get the book from Books Kinokuniya's store at Suria KLCC. Kino will also mail it to any location in Malaysia. Please click here for details. For readers elsewhere, please check Amazon sites for your location. "Look Inside" function on some sites shows sample pages.

Singapore: https://bit.ly/3XJzInH

Australia: https://amzn.to/3ViaX0i

United Kingdom: https://amzn.to/3EZ6clA Look Inside

USA: https://amzn.to/3Ui3Eo1 Look Inside. When ordering from Singapore, click on the "Shipping to Singapore?" button. Ignore the "Temporarily out of stock" notice on the Amazon.com page OR get it from Kino in Singapore/Malaysia while stocks last.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Singapore navy Endurance-class LST shows full load of landing craft

Republic of Singapore Navy tank landing ship, RSS Resolution, seen underway off the coast of Queensland, Australia, during Exercise Wallaby 2023. Of interest is the full load of fast landing craft, known as Fast Craft Equipment Personnel (FCEPs) on davits flanking Reso's superstructure. This is believed to be the first official photo showing an Endurance-class LST with its max load of FCEPs (assuming another five on the portside). Had to wait 25 years since the Endurance-class were commissioned in batches from 1998 to see this official photo of an LST with all FCEP davits filled.

With 10 FCEPs embarked and four larger Fast Craft Utility (FCU) landing craft in the LST welldock, this class of ship can land an infantry battalion plus support vehicles in a single wave. The large number of landing craft shortens exposure during the critical ship-to-shore phase of amphibious operations, thus reducing the window of vulnerability to enemy action. At time of commissioning, the Endurance-class could carry the most number of landing craft ton-for-ton compared to other LST classes. Senang Diri believes this record still stands.

There's something else that can be fitted to the LST that makes her special - a self-propelled pontoon that can be linked to form a floating platform. Maybe we wait another few years for the official photo? LOL

P.S. My book, Pukul Habis, has a fictional account of the LSTs in combat.

Pix: Ministry of Defence, Singapore

Sunday, October 1, 2023

See RSAF Republic of Singapore Air Force Super Pumas enjoying their retirement


Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Super Pumas photo bombed the Singapore Army's Instagram post on Commando parachute training. Now retired, RSAF Super Puma medium-lift tactical transport helicopters appear to have had their main rotors removed and are now stored in a hangar at Sembawang Air Base. Used by the RSAF since 1985 for troop-lift and search and rescue, the Super Ps have been replaced by the more powerful Airbus Helicopters H225M.

The old Super Ps are found in a number of fight scenes in the fictional war story Pukul Habis (Total Wipeout), where they are engaged by Malaysian Army GBAD.



PUKUL HABIS
Books Kinokuniya Singapore has stocked Pukul Habis (ISBN 9789811861499). Please visit its main store in Ngee Ann City or Bugis Junction, or check the Kinokuniya online store here.

If you are in Malaysia, get the book from Books Kinokuniya's store at Suria KLCC. Kino will also mail it to any location in Malaysia. Please click here for details. For readers elsewhere, please check Amazon sites for your location. "Look Inside" function on some sites shows sample pages.

Singapore: https://bit.ly/3XJzInH

Australia: https://amzn.to/3ViaX0i

United Kingdom: https://amzn.to/3EZ6clA Look Inside

USA: https://amzn.to/3Ui3Eo1 Look Inside. When ordering from Singapore, click on the "Shipping to Singapore?" button. Ignore the "Temporarily out of stock" notice on the Amazon.com page OR get it from Kino in Singapore/Malaysia while stocks last.

Friday, September 29, 2023

Republic of Singapore Air Force RSAF Gulfstream G550 AEW makes long trip to Davis-Monthan AFB, same base where new USAF EW was showcased



The crew of this Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning (AEW), tail number 010, from 111 Squadron, landed safely this week at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tuscon, Arizona, USA.

Bearing callsign SINGA72, the RSAF G550 made a direct flight to Tuscon from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Hawaii.

Davis-Monthan is home to the USAF's specialised electronic warfare unit, the 55th Electronic Combat Group. On 17 August, the unit hosted the first visit by a new model of the Compass Call EW aircraft, designated the EC-37B. The new Compass Call is based on the G550 and has conformal sensors on the right and left side of the forward fuselage, similar to the RSAF's configuration.

An interesting coincidence...

Pictures of RSAF G550 "010" from DMAviation (@cay89455610 on X, formerly known as Twitter)

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Special vehicle for mobile satcom at RSAF Paya Lebar Airbase

 



Interesting vehicle with what appears to be a satellite dish on its cabin, seen at the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Open House at Paya Lebar Airbase.

This looks like a 2.4m C or Ku-band antenna for transmitting and receiving voice, video or data to and from a communications satellite. The satellite cabin and generator (blue box at the rear) are mounted on a Hino truck. I guess this is quite a capable antenna. It could pack the capability equivalent to a TV broadcasting studio on that truck.

Nothing says "network centric" better than seeing one of these vehicles. I have so many questions.... LOL

I guess I am not the only one who has a thing for specialised vehicles?

Today is the last day of the RSAF Open House, held to mark the air force's 55th anniversary! Free entry. For more: https://www.rsaf55oh.sg/

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Republic of Singapore Air Force RSAF anti-drone radars and jammers at Paya Lebar Airbase


The 1950s era airport buildings from the former Singapore International Airport at Paya Lebar appear to have been updated to deal with 21st century situations involving Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Rooftop anti-drone sensors seem to have been installed on buildings now used by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) at Paya Lebar Airbase. These sensors are believed to serve as anti-drone radars (sensor closest to the right corner), RF jammer (flat face array with vertical antenna), and a drone detection camera at the left corner. All sensors offer all-around coverage, by day and by night.

The anti-drone radar looks similar to RAFAEL's Drone Dome counter-UAS system, which was previously showcased in a 2020 Facebook post by then Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung. The Drone Dome system in that Facebook update was apparently installed at Changi Airport.

The RSAF Open House, held to mark the Singapore air force's 55th anniversary, is open to the public from today and tomorrow at PLAB. Entry is free. For more: https://www.rsaf55oh.sg/

Friday, September 8, 2023

Republic of Singapore Air Force RSAF reveals Python 5 AAM for first time


Always read the info boards of Singapore Armed Forces assets! Spot anything new?

RSAF 55 Open House
Paya Lebar Air Base
Saturday 9 Sep to Sunday 10 Sep 2023
9am to 6pm (The event is Free)