High-tech defence equipment at Bridex

VISITORS and delegations to this year's Brunei International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Bridex 2009) will be able to see top defence and security companies from all over the world showcasing their high-tech products and expertise that range from command and control systems and software, data and intelligence systems, missiles and weapon systems right up to warships and aircrafts.

The exhibition, which is organised by Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) with the full support of the Ministry of Defence, is scheduled to be held from August 12 to 15, 2009, at the yet-to-be-named new exhibition centre at Jerudong.

RBTS officials say that Bridex 2009 can serve as an ideal platform that will be able to promote and develop economic opportunities for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and also to spur the country's private sector to venture into the Sultanate's defence industry.

"Bridex 2009 will also be able to serve as an excellent platform for building vital alliances, forging partnerships and capturing new business opportunities in a fast growing Southeast Asian region, as well as for networking, sharing ideas and knowledge, discussing technology advancements and industry developments," said the organiser, RBTS.

Some of the world's top defence and security companies in fact are eager to showcase a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art solutions and expertise in land, naval and aerospace systems to senior officials and decision makers from the tri-services of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Royal Customs and Excise, Immigration and National Registration Department, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau and other government agencies as well as the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC).

The first Bridex exhibition which was held from May 31 to June 2, 2007, attracted just over 100 participants from 14 countries. Bridex 2007 was hailed as a resounding success as it successfully attracted over 500 international visitors during the three-day event.

One of the exhibitors is Bell Helicopter which is one of the world's leading helicopter and tiltrotor manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. A division of Textron, Bell manufactures military helicopter and tiltrotor aircraft in Fort Worth as well as in Amarillo, Texas, and commercial rotorcraft products in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada.

One of the company's products is the AH-1Z Viper which is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W Super Cobra. Described as an integrated weapons platform by its manufacturer, the AH-1Z incorporates new rotor technology and is fitted with upgraded military avionics, weapons systems and electro-optical sensors. With this equipment, the attack helicopter has improved survivability and can find targets at longer ranges and attack them with precision weapons.

The AH-1Z can be armed with both Raytheon BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-to-command-Link) missile, AGM-114 Hellfire anti-armour missiles and Maverick missiles. The Raytheon BGM-71 TOW missile has a range of more than 3km and the AGM-114 Hellfire missile has a range of 7km.

The AH-1Z was the first attack helicopter qualified to carry both the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the Sidearm anti-radiation missile. Both missiles can use the same LAU-7 rail launcher. Sidearm has a range of more than 15km. The AIM-9L Sidewinder is a short-range, air-to-air missile produced by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The missile has a range of 15km.

The AH-1Z is currently in service with the United States Marine Corps. On March 27, The United States Navy awarded a new production contract worth US$288 million ($431 million) to Bell Helicopter for the purchase of Lot Six of the H-1 Upgrade Programme.

The 16 helicopters in Lot Six include five AH-1Z Viper twin-engine attack helicopters and 11 UH-1Y twin-engine medium size utility helicopters. All 16 aircraft will be built at Bell's Military Aircraft Assembly Centre in Amarillo, Texas, with deliveries of completed Lot 6 helicopters scheduled to begin in 2011.

Bell is now on contract to produce a total of 65 upgraded H-1 helicopters for the US Marines comprising 17 AH-1Z attack helicopter and 48 UH-1Y utility helicopters. So far, the company has delivered 23 upgraded H-1 helicopters that include six AH-1Zs and 17 UH-1Ys.

Another product from Bell Helicopter is the V-22 Osprey which it co-produces with Boeing. The Osprey is a multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. It is designed to perform missions like a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.

Another exhibitor that will make an impact at Bridex 2009 is Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), which is the largest defence industrial complex under Pakistan's Ministry of Defence Production. The company produces conventional arms and ammunition according to international and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) standards. POF was established in 1951 as part of a sprawling complex of 14 mainstream industries and six commercial subsidiaries.

POF's main manufacturing facilities are located at Wah Cantt, which is a cantonment city located in the Punjab province and situated about 45km from Islamabad.

POF's range of products include a variety of NATO calibre infantry weapons and ammunition for tanks, artillery, aircraft and anti-aircraft as well as rockets, bombs, pyrotechnics, mortar shells, grenades and a number of ordnance and commercial products. In addition to meeting the demands of Pakistan defence forces, POF products are in service with over 30 countries.

POF also provides specialised training in courses related to armament production in its Institute of Technology which is equipped with some of the latest simulation and training aids. (ALA)

The Brunei Times