Indonesian Aero News

[swerve]

Electronics don't last forever, & things like RWRs get out of date: radars improve. I've seen Sky Guardian 200 described as a 'legacy' product, dating from the late 1980s.

The new RWR is designed as a drop-in replacement & can re-use existing antennae & wiring. It's been bought by other Sky Guardian 200 users. Described by the makers thus "SEER provides Sky Guardian 200 users with a cost-effective means of improving their RWR performance whilst lowering life-cycle costs. "

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Electronics don't last forever, & things like RWRs get out of date: radars improve. I've seen Sky Guardian 200 described as a 'legacy' product, dating from the late 1980s.

The new RWR is designed as a drop-in replacement & can re-use existing antennae & wiring. It's been bought by other Sky Guardian 200 users. Described by the makers thus "SEER provides Sky Guardian 200 users with a cost-effective means of improving their RWR performance whilst lowering life-cycle costs. "

Thank you for your explanation Swerve!

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

I just wonder, do the Grob G 120TP and KT-1B completely replace all the older aircraft like the SME MD3-160, As-202, SF-260 and T-34C?

And how about the S-58T？

 

[Ananda]

Grob G120 and KT-1B are to replace all trainers you have mentioned. Frm what I gather they already did that. Saw an article in Angkasa on line on farewell flight on AS-202..Also T-34C I believe already being replaced by KT-1B as the sq that operated T-34C already transsioning to KT-1B.

However the ex Singapore AF SF-260 is another matter..when the Singaporean give it to TNI-AU as surpluses..seems they not using it as As-202 complement..but using it to give flight hours to pilots that are having difficulty to maintained their flight hours on regular fleets...
At least that what I read in some article..however the servicability of those SF-260 is doubtfull frm what I heard.
Remember the Singapore AF give those at times when Indonesia still strugling the effect of 1998 economic crisis plus political turmoil after Soeharto step down. It's the era of 3 short-term President of Habibie, Gus Dur and Megawati (2002-03 or Megawati era to be precise)...you can say 'dark and Chaotic' era for Indonesia.
Thus the AF has many unflyable aircrafts due to economic conditions plus western embargoes..which made the Singaporean surpluses SF-260 is welcomed to keep some of the pilots flying hours..and not being used as trainers.

As S-58T they already being phased out close to a decade..at the SBY 1st term if not mistaken.

 

[SASWanabe]

Another Indonesian C-130 has crashed.

Indonesian air force plane crashes into mountain during training exercise, killing all 13 people on board - 9news.com.au

 

[Ananda]

12 Air Force personnel, one technician die in Papua plane crash - National - The Jakarta Post

The hercules C-130H A-1334. According to info that I gather, it's one of the ex RAAF 1st batch.
The location, Wamena is mountainous region with the airport has limited instrumentation (only radio). The Aircraft is supposedly landed on different approach, but change the runway approach to find break in fog. At the time the ground visibility only 2km. 2 other aircraft that's also supposedly went to Wamena, turned back to Papua capital Jayapura.

The Aircraft cargo mostly building materials including cement. This is common to remote region in Papua where building materials has to be flown, due to limitation on ground transport infrastructure in Papua's remote/mountain area.

 

[Ananda]

From Rotorblur website Westland Helicopters and Agusta formed EH Industries in 1980 to undertake the joint development of a new anti-submarine helicopter.

This photo showing Merlin AW 101 in Indonesian AF livery creates bit commotion in local forum. This due bit controversional nature/drama on Merlin procurement. Where DI/IAe try very hard to cancel the procurement for the benefit of Caracal which being locally modified by DI with Airbus Military support.

No confirmation on this Merlin deal yet, from Mindef. Rumours says it will be up to 6 Helicopters to form AF Heavy Lift Helicopter sq. The deal comes as AW must find new customers from 101 that supposedly goes to India.

 

[Feanor]

2 sq of non-american/western components is what they aimed for..which I mentioned before is rationale move to balance your portfolio..
However what they should do 'rationally' is to have 2 sq of similar aircraft to simplified your logistic foot print. Thus rationally is 2 sq of SU-30..instead 2 sq of mix Su-27/Su-30 and handfull of Su-35..

There are upgrade packages if you want to make Su-30 to be comparable 'relatively' in avionics capabilities with the like of Singaporean F-15SG or Ausies F-18F Shornet..
That's what they logically should do..instead 'all the way' make every argument just to have handfull of Su-35.
If they still want to have Su-35..then make a deal to trade in all existing Su-27SKM/Su-30MK2 for Su-35..However if you don't have enough money for all 2 sq of Su-35 then come down to get 2 sq of Su-30..

Again the game is to simplyfied your logistics foot print..thus you can operated those flankers more efficiently and effectively..or you're going to have those 'fancy' bird fly once a month at most..

They could upgrade their 1-seater flanker fleet to a common standard, comparable to the Su-35S without requiring a trade-in deal. But Indonesia doesn't seem to place much value in standardization or fleet commonalities.

 

[tonnyc]

They could upgrade their 1-seater flanker fleet to a common standard, comparable to the Su-35S without requiring a trade-in deal. But Indonesia doesn't seem to place much value in standardization or fleet commonalities.

That is correct. The Indonesian military has "factions" for lack of a better term, who each has a particular defense item they champion. The factions are more interested in "winning" the fight for their slice of the budget than in standardization or networking or anything like that. There does not seem to be a common vision within each service, much less inter-service.

At this point the civilian side of the government probably has a better vision of what is needed for defense, but of course the military insists that civilians could not possibly know anything about defense, because the military are the professionals while the civilians are mere amateurs. Meanwhile the military remains obsessed with getting their toys, while it is the civilians bureaucrats who are actually concerned with the logistical side.

 

[Ananda]

https://m.detik.com/news/berita/338...langgar-uu-tni-au-perbandingan-apple-to-jambu

Frm Detik on line..this is just an example of what's brewing in Indonesian media on continous controvertional debate on AW 101 procurement. The above article shown what the politician in one hand continue accused AF of disregarding regulation on Armed Forces procurement, that aimed to benefits local industry.

The Politician uphold the DI possition that they already have similar products in the form of EC 725..While the Airforce stated that EC 725 is not 'orange to orange' comparison with AW 101.. but rather like comparing 'orange to guava'..in such both are different class of Helicopters, thus the AF did not violate regulation..since DI did not have comparable products.

Whatever the arguments it's clearly shown that in Indonesian Armed Forces procurements they are many 'pressure group' or 'factions (like tonnyc mention) which making more planned and logistical based procurement have to 'sailed' against that..

Seems 'diverse' portfolio with 'limited populations' items will continue to marked Indonesian Armed Forces procurement for some time in future..despite the talk frm this administrations to moved more 'logically' on defense procurement..

 

[40 deg south]

Indonesia approves acquisition of five Airbus A400Ms for USD2 billion | IHS Jane's 360

Indonesia has approved a sum of USD2 billion for the acquisition of five Airbus A400M Atlas multirole aircraft to boost the country's military airlift capabilities, multiple sources from within Indonesia's government and defence industry confirmed to IHS Jane's on 18 January.

Gents
Any inside word on this latest development from our Indonesian regulars? The possibility of Indonesia buying the A400 has been floated a few times over the years, but this latest news sounds a lot more definite.

Having more aircraft of this type active in the Asia/Pacific may be considered a positive by NZ government when selecting our C-130 replacement.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Thanks for sharing, but no contract has been signed yet....
I expect IF we get these five A400M for $400.000.000 a piece, its including training and spare parts for the next 20 years or so...because its much more than the standard unit costs of €153.000.000...
It's in my opinion quite stupid to spread 5 aircrafts over two squadrons. That means that both squadrons has to operate 2,5 A400M besides the collection of L-100/C-130B/C-130H/C-130H-30 they have...instead of collecting all C-130s in one squadron and all the A400s in the other one...
But hey, its not even sure if we get these things....just look at the acquisition of the replacement of the F-5s....

 

[Ananda]

For this deal, seems the AF already learn their lesson..and pursue political approval frm the Parliement first. With strong ties between Airbus Military and IAe/DI...seems this deal goes more smoothly against political hurdles..

The devil in detail..like SU-35 deal..the political support already there..but the detail on Tech Transfer and Payment Installment seems put the deal in quandrum so far..
Some rumours even indicating F-16V can take away the deal from the Russian..since again 'rumours' LM provide better installment scheme and tech transfer packages compared to the Russian..well will see about that..

On this deal..the budget already circulated for Heavy Transport item..and A-400M is always leading candidates..even though the Mindef also bring C-130J and IL-76MD to the table..but many local sources put that DI relations with the Airbus will tip the balance. Similar thing happen during C-295 and C-27J..where in the end Airbus clinch the deal due their strong relations with DI.

Reading the line..the deal will be similar with C-295 where DI got some job for final fitting on C-295. Again, the detail on deal can be a breaker..but considering Airbus relations with DI, and learning frm C-295 deal..seems Airbus do have more leverage compared to other suppliers.

 

[Ananda]

@Sandhi Yudha..The AF already prepared 3rd Heavy Transport sq in Makasar AB to augment existing Sq in Halim AB Jakarta, and Abdurahman Saleh AB Malang.

Frm what I read and heard, the plan is for new Makasar sq will consist of 8 Ex RAAF C-130H plus 4 ex Malang C-130B (upgraded to H standard). Halim sq Herc (frm latest count consist of 10 C-130H and 2 L-100)..will be transfer to Malang AB.

Whille the new heavy transport will then all put in Halim AB. There are some talk that LM offered 8 C-130J on the same budget for those 5 A-400M. Then like I said previous post..if this goes through..it shows how strong Airbus-DI leverage on Indonesian AF transport procurements.

 

[Ananda]

https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2017/...Minister-AW101-Chopper-Purchase-still-Unclear

Geeezz....this administration procurement policy really a joke..whether you buy it..or don't buy it..just make up your mind..

A Minister of Defence can say one thing..and then retract it on other occasion..really bizarre planning fiasco..

 

[tonnyc]

The current defense minister is the worst in Indonesia's history. But look at the bright side, we now have debunked the belief that the defense minister ought to be filled by a soldier instead of a civilian.

 

[Ananda]

The current defense minister is the worst in Indonesia's history. But look at the bright side, we now have debunked the belief that the defense minister ought to be filled by a soldier instead of a civilian.

Juwono Sudarsono era of 04-09..already shown more 'orderly' planning regime..eventough he's the first civilian that handle the post..and his era marked with much less budget compared current condition.
He's diplomat..and I guess he's needed to give friendlier face to the 'west'..especially at the time when SBY need to get 'residual' western sactions relieved.

Off course many of the Generals are 'bitching' on that..and not being help with SBY replaced Juwonomo on his 2nd term with another civilian..
This administration need more support frm the 'old and venerable' Generals..compared relatively to SBY admin..seems thus the reason why this 'old' General stay in his post..eventough Jokowi already reshuffle his cabinet 3 times..

 

[Ananda]

Yonhapnews Agency - Mobile

Further development on KFX/IFX development. Basically the joint mgt office for the program create to smooth last phase of designing, and follow the development on prototypes which schedduled to fly 2021-22.

The difference on KFX and IFX will be mostly on some sub-system. Rumours that Indonesia now try to build it's own datalink which then able to comunicate between Russian and US/Western origin system perhaps bases for some of the differences.
This close the arguments frm some fanboys in local forum that IFX will have better range than KFX due differences on fuel system/storages. That argument will increased the cost substantially, thus it's logical the differences between both version mostly on sub-system.

 

[Ananda]

Revisiting military and industrial relations - Opinion - The Jakarta Post

ANTARA News : Portal Berita Indonesia

Some of Articles and opinion on continuing saga of AW 101 purchase. This spark out again when after controversy of buy or cancel procurement contract..one of AW 101 already landed in Halim AB in Jakarta.

This procurement really become 'JOKE' for Indonesian Armed procurement policy. Despites this present administration image building that they want to significantly improved defence procurement contract..the latest development continue shown the defence procurement condition become more confusing and worsen compared to previous administration.

The Indonesian defence procurement really made Indian defence procurement (that considered by many international contractors as 'notoriously' confusing)..as 'sane'..

Both Indonesia and India current administration and parliement continue provide political support for 'domestic' defence industry.
However on this AW 101 case, the term of 'domestic industry' is in my opinion 'warped' by some local contractors (in this case DI/IAe). DI continue talk publically that procurement of AW101 is hindering their manufacturing capacity which (on their claimed) already got license for Cougar/Carracall from Airbus Military.

Not acknowledging that they actually only got final fitting and system integration work, whille the complete airframe of Carracall/Cougar still come frm Airbus facility in France.
For that, some on the AF defend their insistance on AW101 procurement, saying the Cougar/Carracall is not manufactured locally anyway.

Whatever the reasoning, this shown the policy for domestic industry involvement in defence procurement is not defined properly, thus in such it can only benefitted certain Interbational contractors that already have relation with local agent/contractors. The definition as local players involvement as agent or 'real' contractors are not clearly defined.

Again..this is really become..a 'joke'..

 

[Ananda]

Continuing saga on AW 101 procurement by Indonesian AF (TNI-AU).

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...livery-perplexes-indonesian-defence-o-433985/

ANTARA News : Portal Berita Indonesia

This case now tend to shown a scandal in making. Both Minister of Defence and TNI (Armed Force) Chief of Staff continue saying publicly that they do not know why the procurement can go ahead.

Simply put, they look to set asside the blame to Air Force Chief of Staff. Something that if it is true shown increasing 'Joke' management of armed forces procurement policies and procedures. How come those two especially the Minister of Defence can't known AF procurement, when every procurement has to come to 'his' office ??

Nobody says Indonesian Armed Forces procurement already perfect and clean, but current administration practices really 'set back' any improvement in procurement management and practices..instead improving it..as this administration claim to be..