I remember reading an article on the the TNI-AD many years ago [I think it was in 'Military Technology'] in which the writer said the lack of any interest in getting 155mm guns and other equipment was driven not only by the state of finances but also by the need to focus on low intensity/counter insurgency threats rather the slim possibility of state on state high intensity threats. No doubt things have changed; the TNI-AD now has MBTs, MLRSs, 155mm guns, etc - to be expected given that times have changed and that one of the TNI-AD's main roles after all is to safeguard the country against external threats. Still, in the minds of TNI-AD planners my feeling is that although they see the possibility of a state on state conflict; a much more likely scenario is a non state threat. Even if a state on state conflict occurs it will more likely be a limited one confined to border areas rather a protracted high intensity one taking place at various points on the map.
Personally I don't see the need for a 90mm armed vehicle - especially given that there are MBTs in service and that 90mm guns are good for use against bunkers/fortifications but not against other types of targets - but I guess it depends on ones operational requirements and threat perceptions. A 90mm gun will be great for use against a bunker or a lightly protected vehicle but against a lightly protected vehicle a 30mm auto cannon can do the job just as well if not better. Some armies see the need for 105/90mm armed platforms in scenarios where vehicles have to be deployed by air to places with a poor road infrastructure and in scenarios where MBTs are not needed against the types of threats faced; other armies don't see a need for such vehicles.
Precisely as I also heard from some of the officers. The younger ones trend to make suggestions to the older higher ranks for IFV with fast firing 20mm - 30mm guns as more beneficial on modern infantry
Whether it's a 30mm auto cannon or a 90mm medium pressure gun; both have their respective merits. Sure 90mm guns are more useful for creating holes in buildings and for dealing with bunkers but even without a 90mm gun, there are other ways to create holes in buildings and to destroy bunkers. In a fluid engagement where opponents are maneuvering, a 30mm auto cannon will be much more useful in taking out IFVs. I suppose the solution is making a trade off based on what one thinks is needed based on threat perceptions, either that or have a bit of both.
During the Suharto era there were active insurgencies in Aceh and East Timor. The situation is changed now; GAM has stood down, East Timor is independent and there is no insurgency in Aceh. The West Papuan independence movement neither has the external support or the necessary means at home to create a situation that would actually enable them to gain independence. In short, based on various factors, the circumstances or conditions that allowed something like Marawi to happen or for a full a blown insurgency to develop; simply do not exist in Indonesia. A much larger threat IMO is that posed by groups like IS and others like it.
This makes sense given that not all situations will call for a Leopard and that at times; deploying a wheeled vehicle will be a more practical solution given the terrain, the need to air lift those vehicles and smaller logistical footprint of those vehicles.[/QUOTE]
It's a logical choice. the BT-3F was practically developed for Indonesia.
Indeed a good and logical choice, this is also a proof that the Korps Marinir is really happy with the BMP-3 platform.
The BTR-90 is not in production and would require a very large scale purchase to make it worth while to start up production. The Bumerang is under development and nowhere near completion. Even the further along tracked platform is only slated for experimental deployment in 2021-2022. I expect that if Indonesia wanted to, they could participate in the development, but it would be expensive, and Indonesia has been buying very small batches of Russian weapons. I don't think that either one is feasible at this time. If anything the BTR-87 is a better bet, it's a reworked BTR-82 with rear doors and various combat module options.
Hmm if there's truth on this my suspicion is they are selling design.
