Su-30 of the Vietnam People Air Force (photo : Jetphotos)
Interfax-AVN - Russia successfully carried out a contract to supply Vietnam 12 multifunctional fighters Su-30MK2.
"In accordance with the timetable agreed with the customer next four Su-30MK2 posted on Friday from Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Vietnam," - said a source in the military-industrial complex.
He recalled that the delivery of the first four aircraft were delivered in June this year.
(Interfax)
Airbus Military A330 MRTT (photo : Aus DoD)
The fourth Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport for the Royal Australian Air Force has been formally handed over to the service, leaving just one aircraft of its order still to be delivered.
Known as the KC-30A in RAAF operation, this particular aircraft is the only one for the RAAF to have been converted from the basic A330 in Madrid, the others having been converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane, Australia. It took part in the A330 MRTT development programme and has been extensively renovated prior to delivery in Madrid.
Following the handover the aircraft will remain in Spain for continued test work and will be transferred to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland later in the year. The fifth and final aircraft will be delivered in the third quarter of the year.
The A330 MRTT recently underwent successful refuelling trials in Australia with a RAAF F/A-18 fighter and earlier this month was displayed by the RAAF at the LIMA Airshow in Malaysia.
It is the world’s most advanced air-to-air tanker and the only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft in existence. It will substantially increase the aerial refuelling and logistical capabilities of the RAAF.
In RAAF service, the aircraft are equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft are equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.
Dengan pesanan 6 Su-30MK2 maka skadron Su-27/Su-30 akan genap menjadi 16 unit (photo : Kaksus Militer)
Jakarta, DMC - Kementerian Pertahanan Republik Indonesia memastikan membeli enam unit jet tempur Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 dari Rusia sebagai bagian dari rencana strategis untuk memenuhi kekuatan udara pesawat tempur Sukhoi hingga satu skuadron atau setara 16 jet tempur.
Kepastian tersebut ditandai dengan penyerahan kontrak pengadaan Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 antara Kementerian Pertahanan Republik Indonesia dengan JSC Rosoboronexport Rusia, Kamis (29/12) di kantor Kementerian Pertahanan RI, Jakarta.
Dalam acara penyerahan kontrak tersebut, pihak Kemhan diwakili oleh Kepala Badan Sarana Pertahanan (Kabaranahan) Kemhan RI Mayjen TNI Ediwan Prabowo, sedangkan pihak Rosoboronexport Rusia diwakili oleh pejabat perwakilannya di Indonesia Vadim Araksin.
Hadir menyaksikan serah terima kontrak tersebut sejumlah pejabat di lingkungan Kemhan dan Mabes TNI AU antara lain Kepala Pusat Pengadaan Baranahan Kemhan Laksma TNI Ir. A. Djonie Gallaran, MM, Asrena Kasau Marsda TNI Rodi Suprasodjo, S.IP dan Kadisadaau Marsma TNI Achmad Zainuri. Hadir pula Duta Besar Rusia Untuk Indonesia Alexander A. Ivanov.
Pengadaan enam unit jet tempur Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 ini untuk melengkapi 10 Sukhoi yang kini sudah dimiliki TNI AU sehingga nantinya genap menjadi satu skuadron yang ditempatkan di Pangkalan Udara (Lanud) Hasanuddin, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan.
10 Shukoi tersebut terdiri enam unit Sukhoi jenis Su-27 SKM dan empat unit Sukhoi jenis Su-30 MK2. Dengan penambahan enam unit jet tempur Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 tersebut diharapkan dapat menambah kekuatan tempur TNI AU dalam menjaga kawasan udara Indonesia.
Kabaranahan Kemhan RI dalam kesempatan tersebut menyampaikan ucapan terima kasih kepada pihak JSC Rosoboronexport Rusia yang telah menunjukkan kerjasama yang baik dan saling menguntungkan dengan Kementerian Pertahanan Republik Indonesia sehingga realisasi pengadaan Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 dapat terpenuhi.
Realisasi pengadaan Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 menjadi salah satu perkembangan positif dari hubungan kerjasama yang saling menguntungkan antara kedua negara di bidang pertahanan terutama kerjasama pengadaan Alat Utama Sistem Senjata (Alutsista).
Kabaranahan Kemhan RI berharap, di masa mendatang Pemerintah Indonesia dapat mencapai kebutuhan Alutsista khususnya pesawat tempur yang dapat menjaga wilayah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia dari ancaman baik internal dan eksternal.
Mengakhiri sambutannya, Kabaranahan Kemhan RI mengatakan, dengan telah diserahkannya kontrak pengadaan Sukhoi Su-30 MK2, maka kedepan kedua belah pihak memiliki tanggung jawab untuk melanjutkan proses pengadaan Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 seperti yang telah direncanakan dan Kemhan RI berharap dapat selesai tepat pada waktunya.(BDI/SR)
(DMC)
Master Corporal John Richards, a member of 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, commands a LAV III Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) around the Sydney airport airfield talking visitors to the show for a 5 min ride.
Canadian Forces vehicles drive southbound on Highway 1 towards Kandahar Airfield in the last CF convoy from Camp Julien in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Members of the QRF ensure the readiness of their equipment for the next call out. (Photo: Canadian Army)
In a training simulation, a Canadian patrol is attacked using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while passing through the village of Ertebat Shar during Exercise MAPLE GUARDIAN at the Fort Irwin National Training Center in California.
Two Amphibious Assault Vehichles (AAVP7 RAMRS) prepare to board HMAS Kanimbla with a Landing Craft Air Cushion in the background. Crewman of the AAV 112 are Corporal Burbage, Sergeant Guerrero and Lance-Corporal Sanderson. Mid Caption; Fox Company Embarked Forces consisting of United States Marine Corps, Royal Candian Regiment and Indonesian Marine Corp disembarked from HMAS Kanimbla via Amphibious Assault Vehichles (AAVP7 RAMRS) with a successful return of all AAVs to HMAS Kanimbla as part of the second phase of Exercise RIMPAC 2010. The Australian Defence Force’s largest international maritime exercise, Exercise Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 has commenced in Hawaii. RIMPAC is designed to test interoperability with 14 Pacific Rim nations. Approximately 1200 ADF personnel will be participating. This year marks the 22nd RIMPAC. It will be hosted by the US Third Fleet over a five weeks. (Photo: Australia DoD)
AAVP7 Amphibious assault vehicle carries Australian soldiers and Unites States Marines to the weapons range at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii for the "live fire" phase of the amphibious assault. Members of 2 RAR (BCoy) take part in a mechanised assault at Kaneohe Bay to wrap up the amphibious evolution of RIMPAC 2010. The Australians came ashore from USS Cleveland before travelling to the range in Amphibious Assault Vehicles driven by the US Marine Corps. (Photo: Australia DoD)
United States Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) travel from HMAS TOBRUK to the beach during RIMPAC 2008. The Amphibious Task Group conducted AAV beach landing exercises from HMAS TOBRUK to the beach on Kauai in Hawaii during the exercise. (Photo: Australia DoD)
HMAS Kanimbla and the Combat Assault Company, a unit of the United States Marine Corps successfully launched and recovered Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVP7 RAMRS) whilst anchored off the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. This is the first time an amphibious vehicle of this type has been launched from an Royal Australian Navy Landing Platform Amphibious ship. The AAVP7 RAMRS joined HMAS Kanimbla whilst alongside in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii prior to the sea phase of Exercise RIMPAC 2010. Mid caption: HMAS Kanimbla is currently operating off the coast of Hawaii as part of the Exercise RIMPAC 2010 sea phase. Infantry and Marines from Canada, the United States and Indonesia are embarked on the ship for the first phase of the exercise. The Australian Defence Force’s largest international maritime exercise, Exercise Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 has commenced in Hawaii. RIMPAC is designed to test interoperability with 14 Pacific Rim nations. Approximately 1200 ADF personnel will be participating. This year marks the 22nd RIMPAC. It will be hosted by the US Third Fleet over a five week period, finishing on the 1st August 2010. (Photo: Australia DoD)
An Amphibious Assault Vehicle disembarks the ship from the stern door onboard HMAS TOBRUK heading out into the harbour towards the USS Missouri. United States Marines load up their Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) with their equipment and packs on the tank deck of HMAS TOBRUK, before loading personnel and disembarking through the stern door. HMAS TOBRUK berthed alongside Hotel Pier at Pearl Harbour Naval Station to disembark United States Marine AAVs and personnel as part of the sea phase of exercise RIMPAC 2008. (Photo: Australia DoD)
An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) launches from the ship's well deck during a mock amphibious landing. The landing is part of Exercise Foal Eagle, an annual joint and combined field training and maritime exercise between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) armed forces. The exercise is designed to strengthen relationships and improve interoperability between the two nations through real world training scenarios. *U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class James Davis/RELEASED)
Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) pilot an amphibious assault vehicle towards the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), not pictured. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)
An amphibious assault vehicle assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) disembarks the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9). Denver is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)
An amphibious assault vehicle assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) disembarks the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9). Denver is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)
An amphibious assault vehicle assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) enters the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)
Amphibious assault vehicles from Marine Battalion Landing Team 12 (BLT 12) transit to the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during amphibious assault vehicle training operations. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group is conducting training exercises in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis J. Kuykendall/Released)
An amphibious assault vehicle assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit enters the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)
An amphibious assault vehicle assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Makin Island is underway for routine operations off the coast of Southern California in preparation for the ship's first operational deployment later this year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Douglas Bedford/Released)
An amphibious assault vehicle exits the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) to transport Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force to Matuntugo, Columbia to support Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Childs/Released)
Marines from the Assault Amphibious Schools Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., practice maneuvering amphibious assault vehicles into the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme RIchard (LHD 6). (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane/Released)
30 Desember 2011, Banyuwangi (ANTARA News): Tiga dari empat pesawat angkut Cassa NC212 milik Skuadron Udara 600 Wing Udara-1 Puspenerbal, melakukan terbang formasi, di atas Samudra Indonesia wilayah Banyuwangi, Jumat (30/12). Terbang formasi tersebut, merupakan satu kesatuan pergerakan pesawat angkut logistik dalam setiap Operasi Militer Perang (OMP) maupun Operasi Militer Selain Perang (OMSP), di wilayah NKRI. (Foto: ANTARA/Eric Ireng/pd/11)
Menhan Purnomo Yusgiantoro (kiri) berbincang dengan Wamenhan Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (kanan) sebelum memberikan keterangan pers rapat evaluasi akhir tahun 2011 di Kemenhan, Jakarta, Jumat (30/12). Menhan menyampaikan sejumlah hasil yang telah dilaksanakan Kemhan selama tahun 2011 diantaranya penyerapan APBN, pembentukan Komite Kebijakan Industri Pertahanan dalam merevitalisasi industri dalam negeri serta proses legislasi seperti RUU Revitalisasi Industri Pertahanan, RUU Kamnas dan RUU Rahasia Negara. (Foto: ANTARA/Widodo S. Jusuf/Koz/pd/11)
Panglima TNI Laksamana TNI Agus Suhartono (tiga kanan), Kapolri Jenderal Polisi Timur Pradopo (empat kanan), Kasau Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat (Kanan) dan Kasad Jenderal TNI Pramono Edhie Wibowo (lima kanan), memakai baret ungu Korps Marinir, di Mangga Dua, Pusat Latihan Tempur Karangtekok, Situbondo, Jawa Timur, Kamis (29/12). Penyematan dan pengukuhan baret ungu untuk ketiga perwira tinggi berbintang empat sebagai warga kehormatan Korps Marinir TNI AL. (Foto: ANTARA/Seno S./Koz/mes/11)
Panglima TNI Laksamana TNI Agus Suhartono (kiri), Komandan Korps Marinir Mayjen TNI (Mar) M. ALfan Baharudin (dua kiri) dan Kapolri Jenderal Polisi Timur Pradopo berada diatas kendaraan amfibi LVT - 7, usai pendaratan di Pantai Banongan, Asembagus, Situbondo, Jawa Timur, Kamis (29/12). Pendaratan amfibi tersebut dalam rangka latihan Pemantapan Brigade Pendarat (Lattap Brigrat), latihan kesenjataan terpadu dan pembaretan atau pengangkatan Kasad Jenderal TNI Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Kasau Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat, Kapolri Jenderal Polisi Timur Pradopo sebagai warga kehormatan Korps Marinir. (Foto: ANTARA/Seno S./Koz/mes/11)
Dua kendaraan tempur amfibi melakukan pendaratan di Pantai Banongan, Asembagus, Situbondo, Jawa Timur, Kamis (29/12). Pendaratan amfibi tersebut dalam rangka latihan Pemantapan Brigade Pendarat (Lattap Brigrat), latihan kesenjataan terpadu dan pembaretan atau pengangkatan Kasad Jenderal TNI Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Kasau Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat, Kapolri Jenderal Polisi Timur Pradopo sebagai warga kehormatan Korps Marinir. (Foto: ANTARA/Seno S./Koz/mes/11)
Seorang prajurit Kops Marinir melakukan terjun static dari pesawat Casa NC212 dari Skuadron Udara 600 Wing Udara-1 Puspenerbal, di atas Puslatpur Korps Marinir TNI AL Baluran, Karangtekok, Situbondo, Kamis (29/12). Penerjunan 70 prajurit Korps Marinir tersebut, dalam rangka Latihan Kesenjataan Terpadu dan Pemantapan Brigade Pendarat Marinir serta Pembaretan KSAD, KSAU dan Kapolri sebagai Warga Kehormatan Marinir, yang digelar di Puslatpur Marinir Baluran Karangtekok Situbondo. (Foto: ANTARA/Eric Ireng/Koz/mes/11)
KRI Cakra 401 (photo : Antara)
Medan - Menteri Pertahanan Purnomo Yusgiantoro mengatakan, pemerintah belum menentukan lokasi pemanfaatan tiga kapal selam yang diproduksi di Korea Selatan untuk mendukung kekuatan TNI Angkatan Laut.
"Masih dipikirkan lokasi penggunaannya," katanya ketika tiba di Bandara Polonia Medan, Rabu.
Menurut Menteri Pertahanan (Menhan), pihaknya telah memiliki beberapa pilihan lokasi untuk pemanfaatan tiga kapal selama itu.
Namun dalam perkembangan terakhir, pihaknya belum dapat memutuskan lokasi pemanfaatan kapal selam yang masih dalam proses pembahasan tentang mekanisme alih teknologi dalam pengadaan benda tersebut.
"Ada beberapa pilihan tetapi belum diputuskan," katanya tanpa menyebutkan lokasi-lokasi yang menjadi pilihan itu.
Mantan Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral itu menyatakan, kapal selam yang diproduksi di Korea Selatan tersebut dipilih karena memiliki sejumlah kelebihan dalam mendukung kekuatan TNI Angkatan Laut.
"Kapal itu pengembangan lebih lanjut dari jenis U-209," katanya tanpa menjelaskan lebih rinci.
Sebelumnya, Wakil Menteri Pertahanan Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin menyatakan, pemerintah Indonesia dan Korea Selatan masih membahas mekanisme alih teknologi dalam pengadaan tiga kapal selam baru tersebut.
Ketika mengunjungi PT Pindad dan PT Dirgantara Indonesia, di Bandung, Selasa (20/12), ia mengatakan, proses pengadaan kapal selam tersebut telah selesai pada tahap penentuan produsen dan kontrak.
Dalam kontrak tersebut ada ketentuan mengenai mekanisme alih teknologi mulai dari awal hingga akhir pengadaan selesai seluruhnya.
Proses pengadaan tiga kapal selam tersebut diadakan dari Korea Selatan. Sebelumnya untuk pengadaan kapal selam TNI AL ada beberapa negara yang menjadi pilihan seperti Jerman (U-209), Korea Selatan (Changbogo), Rusia (Kelas Kilo), dan Prancis (Scorpene).
Setelah melalui tender dan disesuaikan dengan spesifikasi teknis dan kebutuhan operasional serta anggaran yang ada, akhirnya diputuskan pengadaan dilakukan dari Korea Selatan.
(Antara)
U-boats may be on navy's shopping list
Australia's ''future submarine'' could be a super U-boat built by a German company that made many of the submarines that nearly brought Britain to its knees in World War II.
HDW has released details of a concept design, designated the Type 216, for a long-range conventional submarine.
Experts say the design, based on the successful Type 214, is specifically targeted at Sea 1000 - Defence's future submarine program.
Rex Patrick, a former submariner and the director of Acoustic Force, said yesterday the information available indicated Type 216 would meet the requirements spelt out in the 2009 Defence white paper and there was no reason the submarines could not be built in Adelaide.
''I think they [HDW] have been working on the Type 216 for some time with candidates like Australia, India and Canada in mind,'' he said.
Another HDW design, the Type 209, is the basis for three submarines Indonesia is buying from Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering.
The $1billion contract for the three, two of which will be built in South Korea and one in Indonesia, was signed on December 20.
Defence has been considering a number of European submarines, including the HDW 214, the Spanish Navantia S-80 and French DCNS Scorpene, as replacements for the trouble-plagued Collins for some time. It has confirmed ''requests for information'' are to be sent to the three manufacturers.
Defence has also signed a contract with Babcock to research a land-based submarine propulsion test facility and a ''Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan'' is being prepared.
While Defence has acknowledged the European vessels offer proven designs and shorter delivery times than an Australian-designed submarine, the concern is they are too small to meet Australia's broad needs as outlined in the 2009 white paper.
The ''supersized'' HDW Type 216 may change that. It is more than twice the size of the three submarines that have just been commissioned by Indonesia.
Designated the Type 1400, the Indonesian boats will still be very capable. The first is expected to be in use by 2015 with the second scheduled for delivery in 2018.
There is grave concern delays in the Government's decision making process means there is no longer sufficient time to design and build an ''evolved'' Collins class boat by the 2025 deadline.
Former ASC chief executive officer, Greg Tunney, is on the record as having said ''serious concept work and definition studies'' should have begun in 2010.
HDW's Type 216 concept, the subject of a special report in the current edition of Jane's International Defence Review, overcomes the shortcomings of small European submarines and would take less time - and money - to build than a ''son of Collins'' analysts claim. At almost 4000t, 89m long and with an extendable minimum range of 10,400 nautical miles (19,240km), it outclasses the existing Collins in every way.
The evolved 216 would come with air-independent propulsion giving it a nuclear submarine-like ability to linger underwater in choke points such as the Straits of Malacca for weeks on end. It would have the ability to launch cruise missiles, carry a ''swimmer delivery vehicle'' for special operations and be extremely quiet thanks to propulsion design parameters and an outer shell that absorbs sound.
ROKS Chang Bogo (SSK 61). (Foto: U. S. Navy/Photographer's Mate 1st Class David A. Levy)
Airborne Low Frequency Sonar for MH-60R ASW helicopters (photo : Raytheon)
Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I. is being awarded an $80,830,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-11-C-0077) to provide for the procurement of 25 MH-60R AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems for the Royal Australian Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program.
Work will be performed in Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France (68 percent), and Portsmouth, R.I. (32 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
(US DoD)
Tank BMP-3F Marinir TNI (photo : Antara)
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. Texas completed her maiden deployment to the eastern Pacific Ocean and operated under the tactical control of Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, South from May to Aug. 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) is guided into port by local tugboats near Port Canaveral. The second boat in her class, Texas is able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other naval forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, special forces delivery and support, mine delivery and minefield mapping. Texas will be commissioned on Sept. 9, 2006 at the Port of Galveston piers in Galveston, Texas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Roadell Hickman/RELEASED)
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) is guided into port by local tugboats near Port Canaveral. The second boat in her class, Texas is able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other naval forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, special forces delivery and support, mine delivery and minefield mapping. Texas will be commissioned on Sept. 9, 2006 at the Port of Galveston piers in Galveston, Texas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Roadell Hickman/RELEASED)
The Virginia-class submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing her maiden Western Pacific deployment . (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)
An EC225 helicopter lands Sunday morning at Vung Tau Airport in the southern province of Ba Rai-Vung Tau. (all photos : Tuoi Tre)
Commander of the Vietnamese Navy Admiral Nguyen Van Hien (2nd right) and other delegates at Sunday morning's ceremony to receive two EC225 helicopters at Vung Tau Airport in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
Inside the cockpit of the EC225
One of the two EC225 helicopters flies over Vung Tau sky this morning in an exhibition flight.
