True, the twin-barrelled guns have been replaced with the traditional Russian CIWS solution in the shape of two AO-18 Gatlings, but the sensors (EO and radar) as well as missiles are taken from the Pantsir-S1. Most importantly though, the title of the spec sheet quite unequivocally reads Pantsir-ME 😉

And apart of that title, what does your mk1 eyeball tell you when you compare that pic to the pic of Kashtan ‘light’ (which originally came from the KBP website – though it isn’t there no more today) ? It is still present in the July 2005 issue of the journal Hvratski Vojnik, which discusses a Kashtan M variant that employs electro-optical fire control and guidance only.
http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/0502005/kortik.asp

http://balancer.ru/forum/punbb/attachment.php?item=230997&download=1

Do want.

Modernized Kashtan, beefed up Palma or altogether new system?

That Hong Kong Commercial Daily report is so full of BS. Take e.g.:

“An unidentified Chinese military official told the Hong Kong daily Wednesday that the Varyag — the Russian name of the aircraft carrier that China purchased from Ukraine — will not be launched as previously scheduled on June 30 because some of its parts and components need repair and maintenance.

Why, they’ve been REBUILDING and FINISHING her for years. WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE’?!

No Kirov this is a new 10,000 T destroyer and interestingly its nuclear powered.

Coupled to a new, possibly nuclear powered carrier …?
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110630/164924604.html

What do Argentina need an airforce for if its not to defend its borders and fighting wars. They can just buy Super Tuccanos or some trainers with light attack if it only needs border policing.

If they are spending millions on fighters they should be capable in an event of War, and military planners do tend to think much further than their civilian coutner parts, for example the current govt. may want a peaceful resolution on the Falklands, a future one may just go for a conflict, in which case the Airforce would do much better with something like the Rafale/Su 30 than a Block 50/52.

Also discussion of the use of weapons in war is part and parcel of millitary aviation.

Uhm, I think the point of having a military is to ensure that you won’t actually have to go and fight (as that is rather a destructive, disruptive and expensive proces).

Source: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/east-hampshire/naval_officer_found_dead_on_hms_edinburgh_1_2795052

Korea looks like it could have a big regional surrogate role to play here if the other states would tolerate that. For the very near term 6 ROKN Po Hang class corvettes are due to decomm between now and 2016 last I read anyway. Would seem like a perfect fit for Phillipino requirements and would provide a baseline, sustainable, capability.

The Korean FFX Incheon Class boats would, ultimately, seem to offer a suitable platform for standardisation across several fleets in the immediate region and shared costs, plus regionally-based based manufacturer support, would seem the ideal solution. US overview and financial support would be about the only requirement and could even be shared with the Koreans.

Phillippine navy has already received 1 ex-USCG Hamilton class cutter, which is helicopter capable and has Phalanx, two MK38 25mm chain guns and 76mm controlled by the MK 92 Fire Control System (and used to have Harpoon, ASW torpedoes, sonar etc). Supported by US foreign military aid, some refitting of the equipment mentioned might well occur. Another country to receive one has been Nigeria. You might well see some more of the 12 of these 3000+ ton vessels built go to the Pacific. Makes for a good interim solution. In addition to the 2 mentioned, 2 decommed this FY and would be available on short notice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_class_cutter.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/whec-378-specs.htm

In 1988, Hamilton completed a three-year fleet renovation and modernization that provided the ship with modern weapons and electronics systems. All spaces and machinery were also completely overhauled and refurbished. The new technology enables Hamilton to operate seamlessly with the United States Navy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Hamilton_(WHEC-715)#cite_note-Hist-0

Between 1985 and 1992 all Hamilton-class cutters underwent FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) which entailed the upgrading and standardization of the ship’s propulsion systems, the replacement of the original 5″/38 gun and Mk 56 fire control system with a more modern Mk 75 3″/62 cannon and Mk 92 fire control system, and the replacement of the SPS-29 air search radar with the SPS-40 air search radar. In addition, the flight deck and hangar were modified to accommodate an HH-60J Jayhawk SAR helicopter. In addition, during the FRAM refit several units were equipped with Harpoon ASM launchers and a single Mk 15 Phalanx 20mm CIWS (close in weapon system), with all ships eventually having the CIWS installed by 1993. To improve the Hamilton’s ASW capabilities, SQR-4 and SQR-17 sonobouy signal receivers and passive signal processing systems, while the ship’s defenses were augmented with the addition of a SRBOC (super rapid blooming overhead chaff) launcher. In late 1993 it was decided to refocus the ship’s mission on more traditional Coast Guard duties and all ASW, sonar, missiles were removed. This refit was accomplished by 1994. In addition, the original Mk 67 20mm cannons were replaced by improved Mk 38 25mm cannons. Currently all 12 members of the class are in active service, with 2 assigned to the Atlantic Ocean, and 10 assigned to the Pacific Ocean.

http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/89165/hamilton-class-high-endurance-cutter.html