Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle, Aug. 2011

(c) DJ Elliott

DJ Elliott is a retired USN Intelligence Specialist (22 years active duty) who has been analyzing and writing about Iraqi Security Forces developments since 2006. His Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle is an open-source compilation that attempts to map and detail Iraqi units and equipment, as their military branches and internal security forces grow and mature. While “good enough for government use” is not usually uttered as a compliment, US Army TRADOC has maintained permission to use the ISF OOB for their unclassified handouts since 2008.

This compilation is reproduced here with full permission. It offers a set of updates highlighting recent changes in the ISF’s composition and development, followed by the full updated ISF OOBs in PDF format.

Up to $246M for 6 Royal Thai Navy MH-60S Helicopters

Thai MH-60S

In April 2006, Thailand made an official request to buy up to 6 MH-60S Seahawk helicopters, making them the 1st country to request this updated naval utility rotorcraft. They offer a number of advances over previous SH-60B/F machines, but they replace those helicopters’ anti-submarine equipment with advanced day/night surveillance sensors, ground-attack weapons capability, and a more explicit utility/cargo role.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $246 million, but Thailand became the type’s 1st export customer with a smaller 2007 order for just 2 machines. So, why the MH-60S? And what’s the status of the order?

Rapid Fire 2011-08-09: Thai Deliveries

• Boeing and Siemens form a strategic alliance to develop ‘smart grid’ technologies to improve energy access and security for US military installations.

• Teal Group’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems – 2011 predicts that global UAV expenditure will increase from $5.9 billion to $15.1 billion over the next decade.

• Turkey’s defense companies are set to be among the major beneficiaries of Ankara’s $5 billion expenditure on materiel throughout 2011.

• Kawasaki’s XP-1 maritime patrol aircraft develops cracks during ground testing, prompting uncertainty over its entry into service.

• Sikorsky follows up its recent sale of its S-70i Black Hawk to Mexico with the announcement that it has delivered three S-70is to an undisclosed customer. Turkey is the S-70i’s 1st and biggest customer to date.

• Enstrom delivers the first batch of 480B light turbine helicopters to the Royal Thai Army. The aircraft form part of a contract signed in 2010 for 16 480Bs, to be used for training purposes. Thailand is also getting set to receive 2 MH-60S maritime utility helicopters.

• China’s Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) temporarily shifts attention away from its aircraft carrier program with the launch of its second Dalao-class submarine.

• So, does Burma/Myanmar have a contract for 20 more MiG-29 fighters or not?