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 Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam have all
been seeking information from suppliers, trade sources said, as
maritime patrol aircraft and intelligence gathering platforms become
more of a priority.
Some of the kit is needed for traditional activities such as
counter-piracy, fisheries protection or disaster response, but
China's growing assertiveness in the region's seas is looming
increasingly large in the thinking of defense planners.
"They did not know that China was building artificial islands," said
one industry source who regularly talks to the region's navies.
"They did not know that it had built a runway or put in missile
launchers. They want to fix this."
China has been building runways and other infrastructure on islands
it controls in the South China Sea, where it has a series of
overlapping territorial claims with its neighbors.
The rising tensions in the region are fuelling demand for advanced
radars, sensors and other equipment known in defense jargon as "ISR"
- intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
"People don't trust their neighbors, resource and territory claims
require a keen knowledge of what the other guy is going, and
military operations other than war demand strong situational
awareness," said Richard Aboulafia, vice-president of analysis at
Teal Group, a U.S.-based aerospace consultancy.
"And of course, societies, militaries, and non-state armed groups
are electronically more noisy than ever, meaning countries need ISR
to keep tabs on them."
LEAN BUDGETS
Manufacturers displaying their wares in Singapore included
traditional players such as Airbus and Boeing, alongside newcomers
from Indonesia and Japan.
Sweden's Saab unveiled its "Swordfish" maritime patrol and
anti-submarine system, which can be based on a Bombardier business
jet or a turboprop aircraft, at the show.
Lean defense budgets, however mean that many countries are after a
lower-cost option.
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Boeing offers a stripped-down version of its P-8 Poseidon - the most
advanced marine spy plane on the market - called the Maritime
Surveillance Aircraft, which is based on a Bombardier business jet.
PT Dirgantara Indonesia, the country's state-owned aerospace firm,
offers a maritime patrol version of the Casa CN235 military aircraft
that is produces under license from Airbus.
Several are in service with the Indonesian navy, which is expected
to acquire more, and talks have been held with Malaysia and other
countries in the region.
The company is working with French firm Thales to provide maritime
surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities, but it is open to
countries customizing their requirements.
"We are not selling any of the equipment," said Ade Yuyu Wahuna,
vice-president of business development and marketing at the company.
"We are the integrators and if anyone wants to choose their own kit,
we can integrate that onto the aircraft."
(Reporting By Siva Govindasamy; Editing by Alex Richardson)
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