Indonesian Aero News

[Sandhi Yudha]

So this 737 with turboprop can be
1. A highly secret program of a 737 AEW&C with STOL-characteristics still in development, and KOMPAS is the first to know about it.
2. A piece of top level journalism using "artistic impressions".

 

[Ananda]

Well, the video created by MinDef PR team, Thus it is worse then some Journo's case. Not all Journo's have good knowledge on military assets. However MinDef PR staff? Either it is deliberately aim to confuse as they don't want to shown what's still negotiate or they are simply doing sloppy job by don't do enough study first.

 

[koxinga]

Interesting information about the third party involved in the Qatar Mirage deal.

Not sure why these type of purchases have to go through this type of shady middle man. The purchase of the ex RBN light frigates went through an agent based in Singapore no less.

Who Is Behind the Mysterious Sale of Qatari Mirage Planes to Indonesia?

Recently, a transfer of 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar to Indonesia had begun. These aircrafts, part of the Qatari fleet, were sold following French approval. They prepared for transportation by Defense Conseil International (DCI), a French-owned private company based in Qatatr, and...

www.israeldefense.co.il

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The Satria 1 communication satellite was launched on 19 june 2023 with a Falcon 9 rocket.

Indonesia's Satria-1 VHTS is built by Thales Alenia and is already on its way to its geostationary orbital slot.

Indonesia’s Satria-1 deploys solar panels ahead of geostationary trip

Indonesia’s Satria-1 broadband satellite deployed its solar panels after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 to geosynchronous transfer orbit over the weekend, manufacturer Thales Alenia Space said June…

spacenews.com

The full launch until the return of Stage 1.

 

[Ananda]

Japan mulls exporting engines of retired F-15 jets to Indonesia, Jiji reports

Japan is considering providing the engines of retired F-15 fighter jets to Indonesia as it weighs up revising its guidelines on the export of defence equipment, Jiji news agency said on Monday.

www.reuters.com

This Reuters report on Japanese plan to sell surplus PW F-100-220 engine to Indonesia, is English language confirmation from Yomuri Shimbun report that I put in Sunday. Indonesian enthusiasts forums full speculations whether this also means Japan going to sell some of their surplus F-15J to Indonesia.

Personally I don't see that way, as F-15J that Japan decide to sell are part of their fleet being consider not economically viable to upgrade. Which is why Japan decided to only upgrade half F-15J in their inventory. However if Indonesia add more surplus ex F-15J engine, it could potentially looking for surplus F-16 C/D airframes. Engine and electronics is big part of upgrade packages, if Indonesia try to get surplus airframes to upgrade.

On the side of TNI-AU and USAF co-op relationship:

B-52 Bombers Arrive In Indonesia For The First Time

Two B-52s arrived at Kualanamu International Airport yesterday, marking the first deployment of the strategic bombers to Indonesia.

www.thedrive.com

This is already been talk in Indonesian forums for couple days. The Drive also use tweet for some Indonesian enthusiasts tweeter. B-52 in Indonesia is part of Cope West exercise betwen USAF pacific command and TNI-AU.

 

[Ananda]

How serious is Indonesia, when it comes to developing a local capability to make its own SRBMs/MRBMs?

@OPSSG I believe your question more appropriate being answer in this thread.

This video I believe quite complete on compiling media information on this subject. So Indonesian Indigenous SRBM will be based on this RHAN 450. The rocket itself based on LAPAN (Indonesian Space Agency) Sonda Rocket RX450 that supposedly design for Booster and First Stage of LAPAN SLV 1 (Satellite Launch Vehicle).



LAPAN SLV1 will used 3 RX420 (later on RX 450), with two as booster and one as stage one. This is the design they make under SBY era in 2012/13, but as usual new administration then review the projects. Perhaps they consider that as too ambitious, then presently they revise that as RHAN 450 as Indonesia balistic rocket studies.

So in paper they are quite serious. By end of last year they already assign Dahana as SOE that specialise on propelant and explosive materials to further develop their propelant to double the range from 100-200Km.

Kolaborasi Kemhan-Dahana-BRIN, Berhasil Uji Statis Roket RHAN 450

PT DAHANA bersama dengan Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN), serta Balitbang Kementerian Pertahanan RI kembali menggelar uji statis Roket Rhan 450. ...

m.antaranews.com

But again it is in paper, which personally for me I still don't see them give enough budget allocation for this. As basic design actually come by a decade ago, it can be said it is moving but in very slow pace.

Dahana it self on propelant use tech partner from China before, but their new propelant facility using French partners. So again there's some movement toward propelant tech, which will be essential toward missile tech asside tube materials and sensors.

Kementerian Pertahanan Republik Indonesia

www.kemhan.go.id

Kementerian Pertahanan Republik Indonesia

www.kemhan.go.id

Whether this is enough? I don't believe it is. Which is seems this Turkiye Bora/Khan come to equation. I do see MinDef hoping to get tech partners from Turkey as seems China co-op not developing much. Could be Indonesia being careful with partnering with China on missile, or the other way around.

Still all back to how much money this administration and next ones willing to invest on Rocket and missile RnD. Looking on LAPAN side where they keep pushing back target for their SLV, I still say they're not giving enough priority on this sector.

 

[Ananda]

Pictures from Indonesian MinDef FB pages, shown Prabowo in Dassault booth in Le Bourget. Perhaps he's checking the model of Rafale in TNI-AU livery. This 42 Rafale procurement is after all his big political achievement. Bringing Frenchie as major defense partner that so far seems acceptable for Indonesian political factions, is shown as part of his political abilities reaching factions on compromising.

 

[Ananda]

Indonesia MinDef social media (Tweeter and FB) now full throttle on Rafale campaign. Shown the mock up of Rafale in Indonesian livery and now more posters (like above), seems shown the achievement of 42 Rafale procurement is already a done deal.

This I suspect part of MinDef act to counter criticism on Mirage 2K procurement. This way it is bring case that the main deal is brand new Rafale, and emphasize Mirage 2K is interim deal that part of overall packages. Packages that need to be done to keep Indonesian Air Force continuous development.

Anyway if the armament on Rafale poster above is also the actual armament deal on Rafale packages, then the packages is quite complete end to end coverage. It is not the usual packages deal in any Indonesian defense procurement. So it is still big doubt whether those Rafale will come on complete armament packages as "hinted" on the above poster.

 

[Ananda]

2nd TNI-AU C-130J already left for Indonesia, schedule to come by next Wednesday. Photo from MinDef FB. The last one on this batch will come schedule in October.

TNI-AU C-130 legacy inventory being calculate still in 30 number. However some other report (which I tend to agree more) talk around 24 that actually still operational. This include 8 C-130H ex RAAF, 6 C-130B already ungrade and converted to H standard, and 10 C-130H/L-100 that's being upgraded in with new avionics and new center wingbox.

Thus with 3 Sq of C-130, the legacies ones most likely can equip 2 Sq and the 3rd ones will be J's. However so far no option being inform yet on additional J, while A-400M being talk as 2firm+4option.

Could the 3rd sq can be mix J and A400M? Interesting sq if that's come out as combo J and A400M.

 

[Ananda]

C-130J #40 just arrive in 31st sq complex at Halim AB in Jakarta. The 3rd plane will come next month, fourth in October and last one will be early next year. This picture I took from TNI-AU Airmen video channel in You Tube

Those J's using dark grey livery which is different then TNI-AU green camouflage livery on the older C-130H. Ex RAAF C-130H also come first in dark grey liveries, but later on change to TNI-AU trademark green livery.

Rumours say TNI-AU now going to keep this dark grey livery for the J's. However will see about that. Some brass in TNI-AU seems adamant that TNI-AU transports need to be in green livery.

 

[Ananda]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02KwBMHdJ8aiNvQv5wo1s13dwyaYmwPFe34mrXhw5Ed5fjm1JCrYCLi9R8q8uhaYdwl&id=100064529056448&mibextid=Nif5oz

This is about two weeks old actually. Bit under the radar, as TNI-AU seeks didn't want too much exposure on this. However the aim is to conduct MRO for their Flankers in their home squadron 11, at Makasar AB.

Some local bloggers speculate it will be as extensive as EMLU Falcon Star program being done toward F-16 investories. However personally I doubt it, more reflection toward budget being prepared for MRO of Flankers and Hawk 200/100. More likely to standardise all inventories toward Flankers SM Mk2 standard as being speculate before. The MRO then just to keep them operational until end of Decade or early next ones, where Rafale being consider fully operational by then.

Still TNI-AU and MinDef being close lip on whose the Partner for this Flankers MRO. I suspect it is still either Russian or Belarusian, but they will arrange more through third parties as proxy. That third parties will act as main contractor while hiring other parties that employed Russian or Belarusian technicians and tech support provider.

It will be more expensive to do, but considering situation, it is doable.

ADD:

Pesawat Tempur Rafale Pesanan Prabowo Bakal Ditempatkan di Pekanbaru - Indonesiadefense.com | Informasi Berita Terkini dan Terbaru Hari Ini Hankam Dan TNI %

Pesawat tempur Rafale pesanan Menteri Pertahanan (Menhan) RI Prabowo Subianto rencananya akan ditempatkan di wilayah Pekanbaru, Riau.

indonesiadefense.com

More on time table for Rafale. Prabowo hinting that it will take at least 4 years to make Rafale first Sq operational. If the planning for 42 Rafale come as plan, potentially it is 14 per squardron of 3. This for all 3 fully operational it will take time by early next decade.

Seems Rafale first Sq will come to Pekanbaru AB, and plan for 3 indicating they are aiming to replace 2 Sq of Hawk 200 and later on the Flankers.

Contrary to believe that F-5E sq is not yet has replacement, actually they have been replaced by F-16C/D. However the replacement not full making on 12-16 # yet. This creating speculation whether another sq of Refurbished F-16 will come.

However I do sense it will not, as Prabowo already hinted in Media his ministry effort to get more refurbished F-16 seems got problem, as refurbished F-16 whether ex Europe or US potentially being prepared for Ukrainian. This why they choose to get Mirage 2K.

So I suspect the F-16 in Pekanbaru AB can be move to Iswahyudi/Madiun AB, especially if they also able to get both Qatar and UAE Mirage 2K. This centralised F-16 operation in Madiun AB, and Mirage 2K will be in Pontianak and Pekanbaru AB (facing SCS). This Pontianak and Pekanbaru AB potentially centralised on using French made fighters.

This in line with the logistics plan by TNI-AU that being talk in media before. To shorten logistics foot print, they will centralised operation base on manufacturer on certain AB. Thus centralised also the maintenance support.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Alright, so in short, the end plan is to spread the 3×14 Rafales over SkU 12, SkU 1 and SkU 11 (Pekanbaru, Pontianak and Makassar) to replace the Hawks and Sukhois next decade, and not one squadron of Rafales to replace the retired F-5s of SkU14, because all the F-16s will be centralised at Iswahyudi, having the Mirages 2000 replacing the F-16s of SkU16.
Its surprising, but it makes logistically sense.

 

[koxinga]

Still TNI-AU and MinDef being close lip on whose the Partner for this Flankers MRO. I suspect it is still either Russian or Belarusian, but they will arrange more through third parties as proxy. That third parties will act as main contractor while hiring other parties that employed Russian or Belarusian technicians and tech support provider.

TNI-AU used JSC 558 from Belarus in the past and they should be the leading candidate since Russia will be a complicated option. Would India/HAL be an option?

However I do sense it will not, as Prabowo already hinted in Media his ministry effort to get more refurbished F-16 seems got problem, as refurbished F-16 whether ex Europe or US potentially being prepared for Ukrainian. This why they choose to get Mirage 2K.

I think the issue is beyond Ukraine's demands.

There are several countries in the market for used F-16s, Philippines notably (on top of their MRF program, under the broader US assistance), and Colombia, in for used Danish F-16s which saw some movements in the latest Congressional Record of June 5, 2023

“CN – Department of State RSAT 22-8784. The transaction described in the attached certification involves the permanent transfer of up to six F-16 Block 10 and up to 30 Block 15 fighter jets, support equipment and technical/maintenance data from the Government of Denmark to the Government of Colombia Air Force. This transfer is consistent with the security assistance goals of the United States.”

https://www.congress.gov/118/crec/2023/06/05/169/97/CREC-2023-06-05-pt1-PgH2738-4.pdf

 

[Ananda]

Its surprising, but it makes logistically sense.

It is speculation base on the hits so far on how they are going to deploy Rafale and Mirage 2K. Also base on the talk in TNI-AU workshop (that allows to the public), when they are going to centralised maintenance on their Aircraft base on manufacturer. This to shorten logistical foot print.

Then again this is Indonesia and TNI-AU we are talking about. Changes on operational deployment can happen on the whims.

 

[Ananda]

Would India/HAL be an option?

It could be, it could also be Vietnamese (as they already established Flankers MRO. It is also possible for HAL (if being chosen) work with Russian as subcontractors. Indonesian Flankers now being talk to standardise toward SM MK2. This is different configuration with Indian MKI.

Just got feeling though they are going to work with local company that act as Russian or Belarusian providers proxy. It is not first time they are doing it.

think the issue is beyond Ukraine's demands.

The Ukrainian demand for F-16 is what Prabowo's explanation in media. This is also being talk again by MinDef spokesman in press conference.

Yes the demand for refurbished F-16 will not come from Ukrainian alone. However it is good scapegoat on why choosing Mirage 2K and not F-16.

Doesn't mean there are not going to be F-16 as potential interim MRCA (their term for 2nd hand Fighters). From budget final plan (this is plan and not yet firm allocation), there're USD 1.0 bio that's slooted for 'unknown' intererim MRCA. Usually the plan already call what kind MRCA they are aiming for, as the others already talk MRCA Rafale, MRCA F-15ID and Interim MRCA Mirage 2K. However according to defense insiders (aka salesman) and I also got hinted from Finance guys, there are one Interim MRCA allocation that are not yet firm on the type.

So this if being got firm allocation, can be use for multiple potential MRCA types. Got to love Indonesian budgeting languages, open to interpretation. Useful for explanation later on with Audit Trail

 

[koxinga]

It could be, it could also be Vietnamese (as they already established Flankers MRO. It is also possible for HAL (if being chosen) work with Russian as subcontractors. Indonesian Flankers now being talk to standardise toward SM MK2. This is different configuration with Indian MKI.

I discounted any ASEAN MRO, because no airforces here are willing to send their frontline combat jets to the regional countries (Vietnam and Malaysia has capabilities) for such work. Malaysia playing up themselves as potential hub for FA-50 MRO sounds divorced from reality.

 

[Ananda]

Prabowo lapor Presiden: PT DI mampu produksi 8 CN-235 per tahun - ANTARA News

ANTARA - Menteri Pertahanan Prabowo Subianto melaporkan perkembangan bidang pertahanan kepada Presiden Joko Widodo di Istana Kepresidenan, Jakarta, Senin ...

www.antaranews.com

Prabowo inform Jokowi that DI CN 235 production line capacity manage to double increase from 3-4 to 8 plane annually. This is still below target of 24 annually that Prabowo hope for DI CN-235. This target set last year, as part to rejuvenate DI capacity back to their heyday in early part of 90's.

Kala Prabowo Ingin PTDI Bisa Produksi 24 Pesawat CN-235 Setahun...

Prabowo mengatakan, beberapa negara telah menyatakan minat terhadap pesawat CN-235.

nasional.kompas.com

This is shown this administration still pursue DI/IAe to focus on CN-235, NC-212i and N-219. All the investment still push in there, and not much talk on IFX/IF-21 or Fighter Production line investment.

This last two months also shown progress on N-219 which doing aerial demo in Riau Archipelago province for market capabilities proving, and NC-212i delivery to Thailand that represent the 10th of that type being delivered there.


all photos from DI FB pages

In sense so far it is more realistic move relative on DI/IAe capacity. Focusing on this three types actually is already ambitious enough on DI current situation.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Agree.
"This last two months also shown progress on N-219 which doing aerial demo in Riau Archipelago province for market capabilities proving..."
I actually don't see any progress in the N219 project. Both prototypes start to fly around long time ago, and i dont see any signs that the N219 production line will start soon.

 

[Ananda]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0TUncq7cjBsca5P8Zkg7Ppp1mCoKi96g7kAcVeP43ayn95sCkrMzR3wGqQVbKGX3Hl&id=100034744016794&mibextid=Nif5oz

They (DI/IAe) recently shown Parliament members their N219 production line facility. On media they claim the facility will be geared for 4-8 planes manufacturing annually. By third year will be 24-30 annually.

This hinted they already got investment on that. However as like you I also going to say difinite capacity already there, if the production line already begin production.

 

[Ananda]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1682883010822303745

Can't help my self to comment in here. This shown that the Tweeter Guy, despite all his talk in tweeter or You Tube channel on how budget work, he still doesn't know the basic.

If you use credit line to procured something, means the installment has to be allocated to the budget, simple as that. So if the credit line being use by one department on their procurement, means the loan installment has to be allocated to their budget.

So he is talking 'sh**t' about budget not to be increase proportion to GDP, but just increase the credit line ? Well where those installment will be allocated to? To increase loan allocation for defense procurement, means the defense budget need to be increase to allocated the loan installment.

That's why this salesman opinion often are garbage. Just put it here, cause he claim already knows how budget work, clearly he doesn't. If you want to increase credit line for defense, means defense budget need to increase, including it's proportion to GDP. Honestly sometimes his tweet reveal his only good is his insider information. The rest is mostly garbage.