U.S. Navy alarmed at Beijing’s ‘Great Wall of sand’ in South China Sea

China is building a “Great Wall of sand” through an unparalleled program of land reclamation in the South China Sea, raising concerns about the possibility of military confrontation in the disputed waters, according to U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Satellite images show rapid construction on various coral reefs and rocks controlled by China within the disputed Spratly Islands, including harbors, piers, helipads, buildings and potentially at least one airstrip, experts say.
China has created 1.5 square miles of artificial landmass in recent months.
China is building artificial land by pumping sand onto live coral reefs — some of them submerged — and paving them over with concrete, in a region known for its beautiful natural islands, he said.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea as its territorial waters, but its claims overlap with those of Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
Last month, Chinese Foreign Minister said that the country was merely carrying out “necessary construction on its own islands and reefs” and that it would continue to uphold freedom of navigation in the busy shipping waters of the South China Sea
washingtonpost

Brunei confirms Black Hawk transfer to Malaysia

Brunei confirmed its intention to transfer its S-70As Black Hawks to Malaysia on 28 January.
In a statement titled 'Defence Co-operation between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia', the Brunei Ministry of Defence said that the transfer of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) S-70As to Malaysia would take place in September when the RBAF's S-70i Black Hawks become operational.
The ministry did not state how many helicopters would be transferred, but the RBAF has four S-70As in service.
The statement ended by saying that the transfer would contribute to the capabilities of the Malaysian armed forces and to the efforts of the two countries in maintaining regional peace and stability.
janes

China building airstrip-capable island on Fiery Cross Reef-Spratly Islands

China is building an island at least 3,000 m long on Fiery Cross Reef that could be the site for its first airstrip in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
Satellite imagery of the island taken on 8 August and 14 November shows that in the past three months Chinese dredgers have created a land mass that is almost the entire length of the reef.
Fiery Cross Reef lies to the west of the main Spratly island archipelago and was previously under water; the only habitable area was a concrete platform built and maintained by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The new island is more than 3,000 m long and between 200 and 300 m wide: large enough to construct a runway and apron. The dredgers are also creating a harbour to the east of the reef that would appear to be large enough to receive tankers and major surface combatants.
The existing structure on the reef's southwestern edge was home to a PLAN garrison and had a pier, air-defence guns, anti-frogmen defences, communications equipment, and a greenhouse. The concrete structure is currently not attached to the new island, but if previous Chinese land reclamation projects in the Spratlys are any guide, it is only a matter of time before it is joined up.
The Spratly Islands are claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. All but Brunei occupy islands or have built structures on reefs and shoals to assert their claims.
China has been at a distinct disadvantage compared with other claimants in the Spratly Islands as it is the only claimant not to occupy an island with an airfield. Taiwan has Itu Aba (Taiping) island, the Philippines has Pagasa island, Malaysia has Swallow Reef (a reef on which it reclaimed land and built an airstrip), and Vietnam has Southwest Cay.
The work at Fiery Cross thus brings parity but is likely to cause alarm among the other claimants. China has previously shown it is willing to spend blood and treasure to assert its territorial claims in this region. Given its massive military advantage over the other claimants in terms of quantity and quality of materiel, this facility appears purpose-built to coerce other claimants into relinquishing their claims and possessions, or at least provide China with a much stronger negotiating position if talks over the dispute were ever held.
janes.com

Brunei could operate C-130J

Brunei has requested a sale of 1 C-130J aircraft, 6 AE2100D3 turboprop engines (4 installed and 2 spares), Government Furnished Equipment, communication equipment, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. .
dsca

Brunei Accepts Four Sikorsky S-70i™ BLACK HAWK Helicopters for Regional Security Missions

Brunei International Defence Exhibition has accepted two Sikorsky S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopters into the Royal Brunei Air Force following an unveiling attended by His Majesty the Sultan. Two more Sikorsky S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopters are currently undergoing the process of acceptance at the Royal Brunei Air Force. Equipped with a suite of advanced avionics and sensors, the multirole aircraft can perform a variety of missions over land and water, including search and rescue, humanitarian relief, anti-piracy, troop transport and medical evacuation.
Brunei ordered 12 S-70i BLACK HAWK aircraft, all of which are set to arrive by the end of 2014.
The first batch of four aircraft arrived November 27 via Antonov transport plane from Sikorsky’s BLACK HAWK completion center in West Palm Beach, Florida, two months ahead of schedule.
sikorsky.com