World military today (April 28): Egypt buys Type 4 submarine...

* Egypt buys Chinese Type 039A submarine?

According to Tactical Report, Egypt and China have entered advanced negotiations to purchase the diesel-electric Type 039A submarines known for their stealth capabilities and advanced air-independent propulsion systems.

Talks are now focused on technology transfer and localization, reflecting Egypt's ambitions to boost its naval capabilities.

The Type 039A, designated Yuan-class by NATO, was designed by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation and first entered service in 2006. The submarine is equipped with an air-independent propulsion system, a technology that allows the submarine to stay submerged for two weeks without surfacing.

Type 039A submarine reaches a speed of 37km/h, with an operating range of about 12,000km. Photo: nationalinterest.org

The ship is about 77.6m long, 8.4m wide, has a displacement of about 3,600 tons when submerged, a speed of 37km/h, and an operating range of about 12,000km. The ship has a double hull, and its hull is coated with a sonar wave absorbing layer, helping to reduce the possibility of being detected.

In terms of weapons, the Type 039A submarine is equipped with 6 533mm torpedo tubes mounted on the bow, capable of launching Yu-6 wire-guided anti-submarine torpedoes with a range of 45km and Yu-4 passively guided torpedoes to destroy surface targets. This submarine is also equipped with YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles. In addition, the Type 039A submarine can deploy mines, with the ability to carry 24 to 36 mines, through the torpedo tubes, to prevent the enemy from approaching strategic waterways.

According to Bulgarian Military, the Type 039A submarine's stealth and endurance make it ideal for covert patrols, intelligence gathering and rapid response to maritime incidents.

* Estonia will build a factory to produce 600 tons of RDX explosive per year

The Estonian government has announced plans to establish state-owned company Hexest AS to build a military explosives factory near Pärnu with a capacity of 600 tons of RDX explosive per year. Bulgarian Military said this is a bold move that could reshape the future of European defense.

Estonia will build a factory to produce RDX explosives - the main explosive in 155mm artillery shells. Photo: OSINTtechnical (account X)

RDX is a white crystalline substance prized for its stability, strength, and rapid detonation. Developed during World War II, RDX has become the basis of modern munitions due to its ability to deliver devastating power in a compact form factor.

RDX, also known as hexagon, serves as the primary explosive in 155mm artillery shells, the NATO standard ammunition used in howitzers such as the US M777, French CAESAR, and German PzH 2000. Each 155mm artillery shell typically requires between 6 and 10kg of RDX, depending on the design and intended use of the shell, which can be high-explosive, extended-range, or precision-guided.

Unlike older explosives like TNT, RDX has a higher detonation velocity of around 8,750m/s. RDX's chemical stability allows it to be stored and transported safely, while its versatility allows it to be used in everything from mortar shells to missile warheads.

With 600 tonnes of RDX, the Estonian plant will be able to produce between 60,000 and 100,000 artillery shells a year, or around 1 million 81mm mortar shells. The plant, which is expected to be operational by 2028, will not only supply Estonian ammunition manufacturers but also provide raw materials to European allies, bolstering the continent’s defense industrial base.

* Norway integrates joint strike missile onto F-35A fighter jets

According to Army Recognition, today (April 28), at Ørland Air Base, Norway will celebrate two important achievements in the modernization of its military forces: Marking the delivery of all 52 F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft that Norway ordered and the first delivery of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) - an advanced air-launched cruise missile - to the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The JSM missile was developed by the Norwegian company KDA. The combination of the fifth-generation stealth fighter F-35A and the JSM allows Norway to independently attack high-value targets such as enemy naval vessels, radars and command centers at long distances without relying on allied support.

In 2021, the Norwegian Armed Forces completed the first test launch of a joint strike missile from an F-35A aircraft, marking an important milestone in the process of operational integration. Photo: Norwegian Ministry of Defense

Each F-35A can carry six JSM missiles: two internally in the weapons bay and four externally on underwing pylons. The JSM missile itself has an advanced dual seeker system, combining an imaging infrared seeker and a GPS/INS guidance unit, allowing it to automatically detect, classify and engage targets even in GPS-free environments. The missile is equipped with a two-way data link, providing real-time updates and targeting capabilities, enhancing mission flexibility.

One of the strengths of the JSM is its impressive range and flexible flight configuration. When launched in the high-high-low flight configuration, the missile can reach a range of about 555km; in the high-low-low configuration, the range is over 275km. In the low-low-low penetration configuration, it can strike targets 185km away. The missile's maximum speed is estimated to be Mach 0.9 (about 1,112km/h), making it a formidable weapon for long-range engagements. The JSM carries a 120kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead, optimized to cause severe damage to both sea and land targets.

The missile has the ability to follow terrain at low altitude, minimizing the risk of detection and interception. Combined with its precise and flexible targeting capabilities, it can penetrate dense air defense networks to attack both fixed and moving targets, ensuring mission completion in complex battlefield conditions.

MAI HUONG (synthesis)

* Today's World Military column on the People's Army Electronic Newspaper sends readers the latest information on world military security and defense activities in the past 24 hours.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/quan-su-the-gioi-hom-nay-28-4-ai-cap-mua-tau-ngam-type-039a-cua-trung-quoc-250805.html