December 17 2012: The four-hour meeting at the Hilton Hotel, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, at the end of September was the first sign that the Indonesian Army's wish to own heavy-body main battle tanks would materialize soon. The team headed by Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Budiman has the important job; to bring home the main battle tanks type Leopard 2A6.
A Tempo source who was in the meeting said that Jo Fick, Head of Marketing and Sales of the Dutch Defence Ministry, was very enthusiastic in explaining his major weapon system sales plan. "Jo Fick offered quite a lot that time," he said.
In addition to battle tanks, the Netherlands also wants to sell off its F-16 fighter jets, Fokker 50 planes and Cheetah armored vehicles. However, the discussion finally focused on the purchase of Leopard 2A6 tanks in line with the offer made by the Dutch government to the Indonesian government last July.
The Dutch government is indeed in the process of reducing its weapons as required by the EU. Offered in their letter of last July were 150 units type 2A6 Leopard tanks complete with maintenance service and ammunition.
Budiman said that an agreement has been reached with the Dutch Defense Ministry at the meeting to realize the transaction soon. However the Dutch government has one important demand; the transaction is to be made between the governments without brokers. "We agreed to it right away," related Budiman. "This is in line with the instruction from General Pramono Edhie Wibowo (Army Chief of Staff).
Pramono confirmed this. "We want to eliminate the role of broker from the weapons deal," he stressed to Tempo, Thursday two weeks ago.
As a main battle tank, the Leopard has long been the Indonesian Army's dream weapon. Main battle tanks (MBT) are usually used by cavalry units. "Just imagine, all this time, our cavalry units never owned a heavy tank," quipped Pramono Edhie. Currently the army owns 100 units of Scorpion tanks manufactured in the 1980s. Scorpion is a British-made lightweight tank. In the meantime, neighbor Malaysia owns 48 units of Ukraine-made T-91 MBT and Singapore 196 units of Leopard 2A4.
The brother-in-law of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono continued that the army decided on Leopard after taking into consideration technicality and superiority. He considers Leopard the best battle tank in the world. "It is being used in 15 countries," Pramono elaborated.
Although they are secondhand tanks, Budiman ascertained that the tanks are in good condition. "They have never been used in war or serious training," he assured. The tanks purchased by the Dutch government in 2003 are well maintained in a hanger.
Budiman stressed that the purchase transaction is almost complete although they are still negotiating the price. "We are almost reaching an agreement on the price," he informed. He expects the tanks to arrive in Indonesia next year.
The Tempo source added that this was the first time in a decade that a foreign arms purchase is made without the involvement of brokers. Consequently, the deal will likely face rejection at the domestic front. "There are talks that old players who usually brokered arms deals are visiting the House (DPR)," he said.
Coincidentally, criticism began to emerge from Senayan. Salim Mengga, of the House Defense Commission of argued that Leopard was not suitable for Indonesian geographical conditions. "The heavyweight Leopard is not suitable for the landscape full of hills, rivers and lakes," remarked Salim, Wednesday two weeks ago.
Budiman rebutted this. "I've already tried Leopard. Fuel efficiency and mobility are its best characteristics. Even Abrams (the US-made tank) could not match it," he maintained. When necessary, the tank can even pass through a tree by smashing it at high speed.
Bridges in rural areas may not be strong enough for the tanks, "But Leopards can submerge underwater up to 100 meters," he added.
The 62.5-ton weight of the tank indeed attracted criticism lest bridges and overpasses in Jakarta not withstand it. However, according to Pramono Edhie, there is no ground for such fear. "I've already checked with the road developers and was assured it would not be a problem," he claimed.
The commander of Cavalry Weapon Headquarters, Brigadier-General Purwadi Mukson explained that the tank tracks measure 0.6-0.8 meters in width and 5.8-6 meters in length. If the tank's weight is divided by the two front measurements the pressure it produces is not more than 1 kilogram per square centimeter. "The maximum pressure is just 7.64 tons per square meter or 0.764 kg per square centimeter," he elaborated.
The army plans to keep all 100 units on Java island. A senior army official disclosed that 38 tanks will be stationed in the Regional Military Command and the rest will be allocated to the battalion cavalries at the Army Strategic Reserves Command in Jakarta, Malang and Pasuruan, and for training use in Baturaja and Padalarang. "Meanwhile the old tanks will be moved to Bengkayang, West Kalimantan and Bulungan, East Kalimantan," he concluded.
Leopard 2A6
Specifications
- Weight: 62.5 ton
- Maximum speed: 68 km/h
- Power: 1,500 HP
- Total production: 832 units
Anti-airstrike weapon:
- 4,700 bullets of 7.62 caliber
- 360-degree rotation
- Remote control weapon system (RCWS)
Arms and ammunition:
120 mm caliber gun, L55 smoothbore barrel, complete with DM11 capability equipment
Type of ammunition:
DM33, DM38/48, DM12, DM18, DM53A1, DM63, DM11, DM58, DM31
Description
Commander's brake: A newly developed control system to ensure the tank can be stopped by the commander of the tank in case of emergency.
RCWS: Use anti-airstrike weapon controlled by joystick and optronic visual sensor.
DM11 capability: Latest sophisticated high explosive with the concept where explosion can be programmed in line with desired distance and height.
Source: Asia Views
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