Tanks for sale but nobody can have them

Leopard 2. (Photo: KMW)

January 31 2012: But what the government wants to earn snapping the sale of old Armament. Only properly to those countries that want our tanks, the Chamber will not lose them.

Overcome Sales Tanks

Dust to dust flies next to a rolling Leopard 2A6 main battle tank on a picture in a brochure of Defense. For 119 of these tanks is the cabinet-like Rutte euros cheer. Potential buyers have already been reported, but it's not that simple. Take Indonesia. Both under the cheese cover and in the country's 245 million inhabitants, this debate erupted.

The Jungle

What should an archipelago with many jungles with such heavy tanks - a tank weighs as much as fifty Volkswagen Golfs - MPs want to know. Even more worrying our MPs to human rights. Papuans, the original inhabitants of New Guinea, should it suffer. Late last year were twelve deaths and hundreds of people arrested in riots. According to human rights organizations are still sentences to 20 years imprisonment, based on old Dutch colonial laws. To include SP, PvdA and Christian Union GroenLinks reason not to sell tanks. The PVV see that in a country where 86 percent is Muslim, not sitting.

But where should it go Dutch cast-offs? For years, saw no objection Netherlands to deliver tanks to Saudi Arabia and armored vehicles to Egypt and Bahrain, but now sees a majority in Parliament that would not sit. And even in countries like Yemen and Turkmenistan are "pretty strong reservations.

No wonder, because on 14 February, exactly a year ago that the Netherlands embarrassed by images of vehicles in the uprisings of the Arab Spring that suspiciously resembled the old Dutch Band radios. In response to parliamentary questions from Green MP Arjan El Fassed, was Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal recognize that the Netherlands' surplus defense materiel has repeatedly delivered to Bahrain. "There were also 35 M-113 and 25-YPR armored vehicles to" know the VVD minister.

Large Supplier

"In Egypt, when Maspero incident where in October of 27 deaths, tracked vehicles are used," says Christian Union MP CU. Fat chance that there were in our cast-offs. Netherlands are large supplier of armored tracked vehicles. Alone to Egypt between 1996 and 2006 there were over a thousand sold. Together with the Dutch treasury Bahrain Egypt spekte above 200 million euros.

The same amount would now Indonesia for the tanks have been reserved. And those pennies can Defence Minister Hans Hillen, who must cut 1 billion euros, or use it, even put a CDA-minister his "morality" for the side. PvdA MP Martijn van Dam, who was unsuccessfully attempted delivery of tanks to Egypt to stop: "The countries that want to buy tanks, we do not give. Look at the countries which we have made, there are few democratic countries. "

Source: Depers

Indonesia Has Decided to Buy 60 BMP-3F

BMP-3F Indonesia marine corps. (Photo: Indonesia Navy)

January 30 2012, Moskow: Indonesia has decided to buy a floating armored vehicles, abandoned by the Russian military

Kurgan sell Indonesian infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-3F), who refuses to buy the Russian Defense Ministry. As told "Izvestia" a source in the military-industrial complex, in the next two years to Asian countries will take about 60 cars worth more than $ 100 million

The exact parameters of the deal, according to a representative of Rosoboronexport, including her final amount will be determined by February 10 at the time of signing the contract. But before the end of this year, Indonesia will receive at least 20 cars.

At the Kurgan explained that Indonesians will collect a separate party of BMP-3F, able to withstand a three-point storm.

- Cars will be completely out of Russian components. The only thing that there will not be produced in Russia - the Belarusian weapons guidance system, - said the representative of the plant.

According to him, the Indonesians have chosen one of the most complete sets of simple machines. However, even in this scenario the driver gets a broad overview of the BMP and the shooter may conduct aimed fire at all times. Thus the representative of the Kurgan explained that the Russian troops last delivery of BMP-3 was in 2010 - since the Defense Ministry does not buy these cars.

In 2010, then-Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments, Vladimir Popovkin, who now heads the Federal Space Agency, has publicly criticized the BMP, calling them "coffins" in which "nobody wants to go." These words have cost Russia a contract with Greece for 420 cars and provoked a strong criticism of the leadership of the country, including from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The cost of supplies was estimated at $ 1.5 billion

As told "Izvestia" a source in the military and political circles, the Greek military has lost interest in the Russian track car, but revised the terms of the contract. In which way have changed the conditions of the contract, the source said is difficult.

- In Greece, exchanged a few ministers of defense, but negotiations continue. The Greeks have carried out additional testing of the BMP-3, and again assessed the value of the contract - the source said.

In addition to the Greek interest in the BMP-3 showed some countries in Africa and Latin America, particularly Venezuela.

According to the head of analytical department of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis Alexander Khramchikhin, the refusal of the Ministry of Defence BMP was logical and clear:

- The concept of BMPs obsolete. The machine has a weak defense of mine, as well as protection from the sides of the RPG and small arms bullets from small distances. In addition, BMP-3 is poorly designed layout of the troop compartment - infantryman awkward to get out of the car.

Chief Editor of "Arsenal" Victor Murakhovski contrast, said that the BMP-3 is in great interest abroad.

- The United Arab Emirates BMP-3 is involved in the tender along with American and British Bradley Warrior. As a result, the UAE military chose BMP-3. Now Emirates 700 Russian vehicles - an example Murakhovski.

According to him, BMP-3 was designed for large-scale battles and is not intended to patrol dangerous areas. Most of the deaths of soldiers in it was due to the disruption in home-made land mines. At the same time the men were traveling on top - on the armor of BMPs to control the environment around the road.

Source: Izvestia

Indonesian military defends plan to buy Dutch tanks

Leopard 2. (Photo: KMW)

January 30 2012, Jakarta: Indonesian Military Commander Agus Suhartono on Monday defended the military plan to purchase 100 Leopard tanks from the Netherlands saying that the tanks could not be produced by local firm while the army badly needed such weaponry to boost strength.

The plan was made as the Indonesian military seeks to modernize its weaponry to make them in par with the strength of neighboring countries.

The commander said that the military would abort the plan should the weapon could be produced by an Indonesian company.

"If we can make the tank by ourselves, we will purchase it from the domestic firm, but if we do not, we should cooperate with other countries," said Suhartono.

Some lawmakers had expressed their disagreement to purchase Leopard tanks because they do not conform with the geographical condition of Indonesia.

"The tanks have met the requirement, the specification needed by our military. We will meet what our army requires," Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said.

Indonesia had hoped to buy the tanks from Netherlands with lower prices as the country was trimming its budget for weaponry that might lead it to reduce its military equipment.

Indonesian army had been also negotiating with several countries in Europe on weaponry purchase, Army Chief of Staff General Pramono Edhie Wibowo said.

Indonesia has allocated about 14 trillion rupiah (some 1.54 billion U.S. dollars) to support the weaponry modernization plan for 2011 and 2012, he said.

Terrorism and separatist movements are among the main threats being faced by the Indonesian army.

Source: XINHUA

Indonesia bid to buy tanks under rare scrutiny

Leopard 2 Bundeswehr. (Photo: Bundeswehr)

January 26 2012, Jakarta: Indonesia’s ambition to modernize its ageing military hardware at a time when its economy is powering ahead has hit a temporary roadblock from an unlikely quarter: its MPs.

The parliamentary commission overseeing defense and foreign affairs, which has tended to be supportive of such ventures, was this week sharply critical of the army’s proposals to buy 100 secondhand Leopard tanks from the Netherlands.

At a hearing on Tuesday, its members grilled Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and military chiefs on whether the Dutch were serious about the sale, if enough was being done for the country’s sea and air defenses, and whether the large German-made tanks — which many Asian countries already have — were really the best buy for the sprawling archipelago’s defense needs.

They were also concerned that the purchase would hinder efforts to develop Indonesia’s own defense industry.

“These tanks that weigh 60 tonnes are not suited for Indonesia’s terrain, 70 percent of which is sea,” said Susaningtyas Kertapati of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura), who added that many of the roads were in too poor a shape to accommodate the weight of the tanks.

Commission deputy chairman Tubagus Hasanuddin took a more nuanced line, saying: “There is no question that we need main battle tanks. What we need to study, though, is whether the Leopard is the best item for our needs.”

In response to the barrage of fire, armed forces (TNI) commander Agus Suhartono stressed that the proposals to buy 100 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks — for which $280 million had been allocated — were just that for the moment.

“It is not a final decision,” he said. “There are many other tanks that are also under consideration.”

The latest debate comes a week after Purnomo unveiled plans to modernize the country’s military hardware following a decade of relative restraint in its spending.

But the planned purchase of the Leopard tanks from the Netherlands, which bought them 10 years ago, is unique in that the Dutch insisted it would strictly be a government-to-government arrangement, and that no middlemen, fees or commissions would be involved, army chief of staff Pramono Edhie Wibowo said last month.

On Tuesday, Lieutenant-General Pramono noted that negotiations with the sellers were ongoing, and that the Dutch government had given the assurance that it would see to the sale if the Indonesians were willing.

Some Dutch MPs have pressured their government not to sell the tanks to Indonesia for fear that they will be misused, citing the military’s checkered past and continuing concerns over its role in human rights violations.

Lieutenant-General Pramono said the Leopards would be Indonesia’s first main battle tanks, and having them would allow its own defense industry to benefit from technology transfers.

The purchase would also help support Indonesia’s joint military exercises with neighboring countries, which have largely welcomed the planned purchases, he added, citing Singapore as an example.

“Indonesia is one of a few countries in Asia that do not have the Leopard,” he said, citing East Timor and Papua New Guinea as countries without such a tank. Singapore has some 100 Leopard 2A4 tanks.

Last year, Indonesia’s military purchases included six Su-30 Sukhoi fighter aircraft from Russia, three submarines and 16 T-50 Golden Eagle fighter aircraft from South Korea, and eight Embraer counter-insurgency aircraft from Brazil.

Its equipment list for this year — main battle tanks aside — includes multiple launch rocket systems, assault and attack helicopters, fast patrol boats and a guided-missile destroyer, as well as grants of 24 F-16s from the United States and four C-130s from Australia.

Noted defense group Jane’s in a recent report: “There is a strong will in Indonesia to deter future threats to its abundant energy resources, and to protect itself from natural disasters and terrorism.”

The matter is likely to come up for discussion again in a few months’ time.

Tubagus, who is from the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle, told The Straits Times: “It is clear that the purchase of the Leopard is not finalized yet.

“Ideally, we should look to buy medium tanks first so we can produce good ones of our own suited to our conditions,” he said. “After that, say from 2014, we can then talk about main battle tanks.”

Source: the Straits Times

German leopards with Indonesian spots

Leopard 2A6 Bundeswehr. (Photo: Bundeswehr)

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

Indonesia plans to buy 100 Leopard tanks from Netherlands

MBT Leopard 2A6 Bundeswehr. (Photo: Bundeswehr)

January 20 2012, Jakarta: Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said on Friday that the governments of Indonesia and Netherlands have completed talks on Indonesia's plan to buy 100 Leopard tanks from Netherlands and are waiting for approvals from respective parliaments.

The plan was made as the Indonesian military seeks to modernize its weaponry to make them in par with the strength of neighboring countries.

The defense minister said that the Leopard tank 2A6 was suitable with the specification of weaponry needed by the Indonesian army.

"The tanks have met the requirement, the specification needed by our military. We will meet what our army requires," Yusgiantoro said.

Nevertheless, both governments of Indonesia and Netherlands had to convince their parliaments which seemed to oppose the plan.

Several Indonesian lawmakers have said that the tanks were not suitable with the geography of Indonesia, while the parliament in Netherlands voiced concern that the tanks could be used for military operation against human rights by Indonesian military.

Minister Yusgaintoro said that his ministry was to discuss the plan with the parliament in a hearing on Tuesday.

"A hearing with lawmakers on Commission One (in charge of politics and defense) in parliament building on Tuesday is discussing about the purchase plan," he said at the police academy here.

Indonesian military has sought to buy weaponry with higher quality and lower prices. Indonesia had expected to be able to buy the tanks from Netherlands with lower prices as the country was trimming its budget for weaponry that might lead it to reduce its military equipment.

Indonesian army had been also negotiating with several countries in Europe on weaponry purchase, Army Chief of Staff General Pramono Edhie Wibowo said.Indonesia has allocated about 14 trillion rupiah (some 1.54 billion U.S. dollars) to support the weaponry modernization plan for 2011 and 2012, he said.
Among the equipment to be bought were tanks, helicopters for combat and transport, anti-war plane equipment and others, said Wibowo.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that the government sought to purchase military equipment from European countries suffering from the economic crisis and might want to trim their weaponry, from which the president expected Indonesia could buy them at cheaper prices.

Terrorism and separatist movements are among the main threats being faced by the Indonesian army.
 
Source: Xinhua

Navy expects new submarine by 2015

Chang Bogo submarine. (Photo: US Navy)

January 20 2012, Jakarta: Navy chief Admiral Soeparno has said the first of three submarines built in South Korea will be finished by 2015. He said the procurement contract had been signed by officials from the Indonesian Defense Ministry and South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering in December.

“The first submarine will be completed by 2015,” he said on the sidelines of military leaders meeting at the Indonesian Military (TNI) headquarters on Wednesday.

Soeparno said the first submarine would completely be built in South Korea while the two others would be a joint production by Indonesians and South Koreans.

Earlier, Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the contract mentions that there will be a transfer of technology in the construction of the submarines. “Indonesian shipbuilding company PT PAL will send 50 technicians to South Korea,” the former Jakarta military commander said.

In the construction of the second submarine, he said, the Indonesian technicians are expected to have played roles.

Source: the Jakarta Post

Korea eyes tenfold growth in defense exports

T-50. (Photo: KAI)

January 16 2012, Seoul: As the global economy continues to struggle, countries around the world are increasingly seeking to tighten military spending.

Top officials at the state-run Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), however, see it rather as an opportunity for South Korea to increase its global market share in the defense industry.

In fact, the country last year exported a record amount of defense goods worth $2.4 billion as high-tech military products such as T-50 training jets successfully entered the foreign market, exceeding its $1.6 billion goal.

They point out that South Korean defense companies armed with advanced technology, quality and attractive pricing will continue to expand their territories overseas at a time when everyone wants to get “better value for their money.”

“DAPA set a goal of nearly doubling exports to $3 billion this year, compared to its 2011 export target of $1.6 billion,” said DAPA commissioner Noh Dae-lae in an interview with The Korea Times Friday.

“I believe DAPA can exceed its goal once again as export deals worth $5 billion are currently under negotiations.”

The DAPA chief said South Korea may seal new foreign sales deals for T-50 high-end trainers, propeller-driven KT-1 basic trainers and military support ships in the first half of the year.

Korea’s growing dominance

Noh said South Korea will become a major player in the global defense market, overtaking nearly all competitors, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

“South Korea can boost its annual volume of arms exports to $10 billion,” said the former head of the Public Procurement Service.

Only the United States signed contracts for weapons worth more than $10 billion in 2010, according to the Global Defense Market Year Book 2011 by the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality.

The United States sealed deals for weapons worth $21.2 billion, taking up 52.7 percent of the global export market that year, followed by Russia with $7.8 billion, or 19.3 percent.

The United Kingdom, France and Germany, which sold more than $3 billion worth of weapons on average over the past several years, only managed to sign deals worth $1.4 billion, 1.3 billion and $100 million, respectively in 2010.

South Korea’s arms exports reached a new high of $1.17 billion in 2010, despite the global economic slowdown

Laying foundation for tenfold growth

Noh said South Korea’s export volume of arms products will see a significant leap in the next few years as it has successfully laid the foundation for stable demands last year.

“Unlike other commodities, defense products require at least 20 to 30 years of maintenance and support from manufacturers,” he said.

“Once we gain trust in foreign markets, more contracts are certain to follow.”

He said the price of weapons manufactured here will significantly drop as the country’s defense firms continue to increase exports and enjoy economies of scale.

South Korea signed a $400 million contract with Indonesia to sell 16 T-50s in May last year, becoming the world’s sixth country to export a supersonic aircraft.

It also won a $1.12 billion deal to supply three 1300-ton, Type-209 submarines to the Southeast Asian country.

Seoul is currently carrying out the final round of a feasibility study for a new jet development project, codenamed KF-X, in partnership with Indonesia, which has expressed a willingness to buy 50 jets and shoulder 20 percent of the $5 billion development funding.

Turkey has also expressed its intention to invest funds worth 20 percent of the KF-X project.

He said the country's defense industry will soon turn into an export-oriented one, given that the local defense market amounted to $7 billion last year.

“South Korea’s defense products have a competitive edge over those from other countries as developers here take into account all possible threats from North Korea,” he said.

He stressed that he will make extensive field tests mandatory prior to deploying them from this year in an effort to ensure zero-defect products.

Mutual benefits with allies

Noh said a significant portion of arms deals with South Korea have been made with the country’s blood allies that fought to defend democracy on the peninsula during the 1950-53 Korean War.

He noted that DAPA is ready to offer a generous technology transfer especially to its allies and those who participated in the Korean War.

“We had to acquire technologies in a very humiliating way,” Noh said. “We do not want our allies to go through the same ordeal that we had to go through.”

“It is not desirable to think of only maximizing profits in dealing with defense exports,” he said. “I think defense exports can be undertaken for mutual benefit and in partnership, which helps our allies deter possible threats from other nations with conflicted interests.

Korea designated the defense industry as one of the country’s new growth engines of the economy in 2009.

Who is Noh Dae-lae?

Noh Dae-lae is the sixth commissioner of the state-run Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The 55-year old has a straightforward personality and extensive experience in financial planning and budget management.

He spearheaded a number of crisis management measures, such as job creation, when the nation was hit by the global economic downturn in 2008.

The seasoned bureaucrat studied law at Seoul National University, completed a doctoral course on finance and economics at the University of Cologne in Germany and earned his Ph.D. in public administration at Kyungwon University.

Noh entered public service after passing the examination for higher civil service in 1979. He is known for getting things done and making decisions in a rational manner.

The DAPA chief worked at the Economy Planning Board until 1993 and headed the public administration coordination division under the Prime Minister’s Office from 1994 through 1996.

He served as a finance and economics advisor at the Korean Embassy in Frankfurt and later as a finance and economy counselor at the Korean Embassy to the United States.

Noh was also a director general for the policy coordination bureau at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, assistant secretary at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and an administrator at the Public Procurement Service. 

Source: Korea Times

House says TNI’s priorities wrong in Leopard tank procurement

Leopard 2A4 SAF. (Photo: Mindef)

January 18 2012, Jakarta: Lawmakers from the House of Representatives’ Commission I overseeing defense said that the TNI had lost its focus in the country’s defense strategy by planning to spend lavishly on main battle tanks for the army and spending too little on the navy and air force.

Long considered obsolete, the country’s weapons systems will see a major refurbishment after Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro confirmed on Monday that the government would earmark Rp 150 trillion (US$16.41 billion) for modernizing the TNI’s weaponry.

The TNI is under fire for planning to procure 100 Leopard 2A6 tanks from the Netherlands, which has phased out its armored divisions to cut its defense budget due to the European debt crisis.

Many have viewed the German-made Leopard tank as unsuitable to Indonesian terrain, which is dominated by thick forests and riverbanks.

The tank is regarded as more suitable for arid battlefields such as those in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Leopard, which reportedly costs $5 million per tank and is considered one of the most expensive tanks in the world, also has relatively high operating costs as each unit boasts a twin turbo-charged V-12 diesel engine under its hood.

House Commission I chairman Mahfudz Siddiq said on Tuesday that the procurement of the state-of-the-art tanks was unnecessary and thus should not be on the TNI’s shopping list.

“The issue has been raised by my colleagues from this commission. In the context of land defense, is [this type of tank] really needed? What is needed may not be a main battle tank like the Leopard, but rather a mid-level tank,” he said.

The commission chairman said that the TNI should instead focus on spending more on high-tech ships or jet fighters.

Mahfudz said that if necessary the TNI should spend more on naval vessels as he thought the Indonesian Navy had a “more vital role than ever” at present.

“The first priority for the TNI is to buy more equipment for the navy, because 70 percent of Indonesian territory is open water. The area most prone to external threats today is the sea. Look for example at the recent tensions in the South China Sea,” Mahfudz said.

Mahfudz, however, agreed that modernization of TNI’s military hardware was necessary for the country to cope with developments in the Asia-Pacific region.

“If the tensions [in Asia-Pacific] turn into military conflict, Indonesia must be able to respond,” he said.In a meeting with Commission I lawmakers on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that the price tag on the new weapons systems was commensurate with the improved standing of Indonesia in the Southeast Asian region.

“The country’s foreign policies, whether through diplomacy or defense, are complimentary to each other,” Marty told lawmakers.

He said that the improved weaponry would strengthen the country’s defense.

“The government has implemented the defense policy [to modernize TNI’s weapons systems] and it will certainly strengthen and support us,” Marty said.

Marty, however, downplayed fears that the TNI’s decision to modernize its weaponry was in anticipation of the prospect of escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region this year.

“This is not directly related to any regional threats. Indonesia is very open and transparent in conveying this plan to countries in the region and they understand it very well,” he said.

Source: the Jakarta Post

Indonesia In Dark On Dutch Tank Purchase

Leopard 2A6. (Photo: ©Bundeswehr/Trotzki)

January 14 2012, Jakarta: Legislator Tubagus Hasanuddin said the House of Representatives had been surprised by media reports on the Defense Ministry’s plan to purchase 100 Leopard tanks from the Netherlands at a cost of nearly $600 million.

“So far, we have not received any official statement from the ministry indicating that they would be buying the tanks,” said Tubagus, a deputy chairman of House Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs.

The lawmaker from the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said the commission would not issue a decision on the planned purchase until it had more information.

According to Tubagus, the ministry had invited commission members on a visit to the Netherlands a few weeks ago, which the lawmakers had declined.

“The ministry’s invitation to join them on the visit should not be seen as our endorsement of the planned purchase,” he said. “If we wanted to make the visit, we would have done it at our own expense.”

Commission members will explore a possible probe into the political aspects of the procurement, he said.

The planned purchase has been dogged by criticism since being announced a few months ago. Most of the legislators on Commission I have spoken out against it and called on the government to rethink it.

Commission member Yahya Sacawirya, from the Democrats, cited two concerns: the technical specifications of the tank and the procurement process itself.

“We need to consider the use and benefits of such a weapon system and whether it is suitable for conditions here,” he said.

Yahya also warned the Defense Ministry against making the purchase without first receiving the approval of the House. “We need to hear the details behind the plan,” he said.

Source: the Jakarta Globe

RI to spend big on military

Leopard 2A6 Bundeswehr. (Photo: ©Bundeswehr/Trotzki)

January 17 2012, Jakarta: Indonesia will begin the process of modernizing its military hardware after a decade of internal reform riding on the back of an improving economy, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro told reporters on Monday.

“The Indonesian Military [TNI] has been involved in internal reform, such as disengagement from political and business activities,” he told a press conference after a leadership meeting at the ministry.

“All this time, the TNI has refrained from procuring major weapons systems.”

Also attending the press conference were Defense Deputy Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono, Army chief of staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Navy chief of staff Adm. Soeparno, Air Force chief of staff Marshal Imam Sufaat and ministry secretary-general Vice Marshal Eris Heryyanto.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Suyanto attended the leadership meeting and delivered a speech to the participants.

Purnomo said most of the procurement could take a long time to realize from planning to delivery as there were various agencies involved in the process.

“Each individual service will describe their needs to the TNI headquarters, which will submit the request to the ministry,” he said.

“Once agreed, we have to talk with the National Development Planning Board [Bappenas] and the Finance Ministry to find the appropriate funding.”

He said that because most procurement processes required a long time to realize, the funding usually involved a multiyear system.

Purnomo said the ministry had Rp 150 trillion (US$16.41 billion) to spend over five years to procure major weapons systems.

“Rp 50 trillion will be used to accelerate achieving the Minimum Essential Force, Rp 55 trillion for procurement and Rp 45 trillion for maintenance and repair.”

As Indonesia enjoys improving economic growth, the defense budget has gradually been increased over the past few years. This year the budget is Rp 64.4 trillion almost triple that of the Rp 23.92 trillion in 2006.

The ministry’s Defense Facilities Agency chief Maj. Gen. Ediwan Prabowo said most of the shopping list would be sealed in the first half of this year.

“We are still currently looking for candidates for each weapons system. So we have not yet decided the model and pricing,” he told the press conference.

Previous reports have, however, indicated preference among the end users. For the main battle tank (MBT), the Army is said to procure the German-made Leopard 2A6 from the Netherlands, which is abolishing its armored divisions to cut its defense budget due to the global crisis.

Pramono said neighboring countries already have MBTs, including Malaysia, which had the Polish-made PT-91 and Singapore, which had the upgraded Leopard 2A4. “The Army only has light tanks so far and we do need MBTs.”

He admitted that there were other MBTs on the market and that representatives from other countries had offered their own MBTs.

“But we have to buy what we can afford and it has to be battle proven,” he said, adding that the Leopard was used by a dozen other countries.

The plan to purchase MBTs has been criticized, with some saying they would be too heavy for road infrastructure here, with a Leopard weighing some 60 metric tons. Observers have also said that such MBTs do not fit well in Indonesian geographic conditions.

“If we are at war, why would we need roads? Leopards can cross rivers up to 4-meter deep, so there is no problem,” Prabowo said.

Other than MBTs, the shopping list also includes various types of helicopter, howitzer, multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), various types of ship and anti-aircraft missile.

Source: the Jakarta Post

RI ready to modernize its weaponry

AH-1 Apache.

January 16 2012, Jakarta: Indonesia will start modernizing its military hardware after a decade of internal reform riding on the back of an improving economy, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro told repoters Monday.

“The Indonesian Military has been involved in internal reforms, such as disengagement from political and business activities,” he told a press conference after a leadership meeting at the ministry.

“All this time, the TNI has refrained from procuring major weapons systems.”

Also attending the press conference were Defense Deputy Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono, Army chief of staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Navy chief of staff Adm. Soeparno, Air Force chief of staff Marshal Imam Sufaat, and ministry secretary general Vice Marshal Eris Heryyanto.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Suyanto attended the leadership meeting and delivered a speech to the participants.

Purnomo said most of the procurement could take a long time to realize from planning to delivery as there were various agencies involved in the process.

“Each individual service will describe their needs to the TNI headquarters, which will submit the request to the ministry,” he said.

“Once agreed, we have to talk with the National Development Planning Board [Bappenas] and the Finance Ministry to find the appropriate funding.”

He said because most procurement processes require a long time to realize, the funding usually involves a multiyear system.

The ministry’s Defense Facilities Agency chief, Maj. Gen. Ediwan Prabowo, said most of the shopping list would be sealed in the first half of this year.

“We are currently still looking for candidates for each weapons system. So we have not yet decided the model and pricing,” he told the press conference.

The shopping list includes various weapons systems for the three services including various types of helicopters, howitzers, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), various types of ships and anti-aircraft missiles.

Indonesia ended 2011 with large procurements, including six Sukhoi Su-30MKK from Russia worth US$470 million; three submarines from South Korea worth almost $1.1 billion in cooperation with state shipyard PT PAL; nine NC-295 medium transport from Spain worth $325 billion in cooperation with state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia; 16 KAI T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainers, worth $400 million, from South Korea; eight Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano counter-insurgency aircraft from Brazil; and Grob G 120TP primary trainer from Germany.

Indonesia’s shopping list in 2012

Army
1. Main battle tank (MBT)
2. Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)
3. Howitzer 155mm
4. Air defense missile
5. Assault and attack helicopters
6. Anoa armored personnel carrier

Navy
1. Searider rigid-inflatable boat (RIB)
2. Fast patrol boats
3. Guided-missile destroyer
4. Hydro-oceanography vessel
5. Barque tall ship to replace the existing KRI Dewaruci
6. Various auxiliary vessels, including fuel and landing ship tank
7. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter

Air Force
1. Anti-aircraft missile
2. EC-725 Cougar helicopter
3. 24 units of F-16, grant from the United States, to be retrofitted
4. 4 units of C-130H heavy transport aircraft, grant from Australia, to be retrofitted

Source: the Jakarta Post

Indonesia to buy six more Sukhois

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Mr. Alexander A.Ivanov took part in the ceremony of assignation of three new Russian-made Sukhoi multi-purpose fighters Su-30 MK2 to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, February 2, 2009. (Photo: Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Indonesia)

January 14 2012, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan: Indonesia plans to buy six more Sukhoi fighters until 2014 to bring the total number of Russian-jets in its possession to 16 or a squadron.

"In addition , we also plan to acquire three submarines and more F-16 jet fighters so that by the end of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s term , our defense forces will be strong," Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said at Semayang port here on Saturday.

Purnomo was here to close the Saka Bahari Nusantara sail that was held since the end of December 2011.

He said "our economy is very strong and we have a defense budget of Rp150 trillion."

He said the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) at present already had 10 Sukhoi fighter aircraft since the period of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri.

At the time, he said, the government only targeted one mini-squadron consisting of 12 Sukhoi SU-27 and Sukhoi SU-30 aircraft.

He said all the forces including the submarines would be assigned in the Indonesian eastern region especially to safeguard the second archipelagic sea lanes (ALKI II) namely from the northern border with Malaysia and the Philippines, the Makassar Strait to Nusa Tenggara islands in the south.

"It takes only an hour for Sukhoi to fly normally from Makassar to the Malaysian border in Sabah. Meanwhile a Sukhoi plane could fly up to Mach-2 or twice the speed of sound," the chief of the Squadron XI Wing 5 at the Sultan Hasanuddin airbase in Makassar, Lt Col Tonny Haryono said on a separate occasion.

The procurement of more Sukhoi planes would also be accompanied by procurement of more F-16 fighters.

By 2014 TNI-AU will get 24 F-16 Block 32s which will be retrofitted to Block 52 so that the former USAF aircraft would have the same combat capability as the new ones.

The minister said the Rp150 trillion budget would also be used for purchasing parts for TNI weapons including the army, the navy and the air force.

"Our mission is returning our power as one of the world`s big countries," he said.

Source: ANTARA News

Indonesia to Receive Super Tucano in March

EMB-314 Super Tucano. (Photo: Embraer)

January 10 2012: Indonesia will receive its first four Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano trainer/light attack aircraft in March 2012.

The aircraft will be based at Abd Saleh air force base in Malang, on Indonesia's main island of Java, where support facilities have been set up for the Brazilian turboprop, said a report by official Indonesian news agency Antara, quoting Indonesian air force colonel Novianto Widadi.

The report added that 12 pilots have been trained for the aircraft, which will perform a flying display at the air force's anniversary celebrations in April.

In November 2010, Jakarta announced that it would acquire 16 Super Tucanos to replace its Rockwell OV-10 Broncos. The aircraft will be used both as trainers and in the light ground attack role. Widadi added that the aircraft will also be used for border patrols.

According to Embraer, the Super Tucano can carry a payload of 1,550kg (3420lb) and, with external tanks, has an endurance of up to eight hours. It can take off and land on an airfield of just 900m (2950ft).

It is armed with two .50 caliber machine guns in the wings with 200 rounds each.

"In addition to its two internal machine guns, the Super Tucano can be configured with additional underwing armament, such as two 20mm gun pods or .50 caliber machine guns, thereby significantly increasing its firepower for missions requiring air-to-ground saturation," said Embraer.

It added that the aircraft can also carry air-to-air missiles such as the Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder class, rocket pods, and conventional or guided bombs. The OV-10 has seen extensive combat service in Indonesia. It was used extensively in the former Indonesian province of East Timor, and also conducted anti-guerrilla operations in the low-level insurgencies that Indonesia has periodically suffered in its provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya.

Source: Flight Global

Indonesia Signs $500 mln Contract to Buy Six Sukhoi Jet Fighters

Sukhoi Su-30MK2 jet fighters. (Photo: RIA Novosti/Mikhail Tsiganov)

January 10 2012, Moskow: Indonesia has signed a $470 million contract with Russia to buy six Sukhoi Su-30MK2 jet fighters for the Indonesian Air Force, The Jakarta Post daily has reported.

The deal was confirmed by Russian defense-industry and diplomatic sources, but the Sukhoi aircraft maker and arms exporter Rosoboronexport declined to comment.

Deliveries will start after 2013.

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said his office had handed over the contract to Rosoboronexport on December 30.

“We have another contract still in progress,” Sjafrie said.

The Indonesian Air Force currently has 10 Sukhoi jetfighters - six Sukhoi SU-27SKMs and four Sukhoi SU-30MK2s. The Air Force plans to place one squadron of the jetfighters at Hasanuddin Airbase in Makassar.

Russia recently completed a $300-million contract signed in 2007 on the delivery of three Su-30MK2 and three Su-27SKM fighters to Jakarta in addition to two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK fighters purchased in 2003.

Source: RIA Novosti

Surplus Hercules to be given to Indonesia

C-130H Hercules A97-007 from No. 37 Squadron (37SQN) prepares for take off at RAAF Base Richmond. The aircraft was loaded with equipment and personnel bound for Exercise Air Warrior in the United States of America. (Photo: Australia DoD)

January 05, 2012, Canberra: AUSTRALIA will hand over four unneeded C-130 Hercules transport planes to Indonesia.

The Royal Australian Air Force transports are understood to have been in storage.

The RAAF's inventory has been boosted by the purchase of six giant C-17 Globemaster II transports, so the smaller and older Hercules are no longer needed. The C-130Hs that will go to Indonesia have been largely superseded in the RAAF by the more powerful J model.

According to the Jakarta Post, Indonesia's Defence Ministry confirmed this week that representatives from the two countries would meet later this month in Jakarta to discuss the handover.

Indonesian officials will visit Australia to examine the aircraft.

As the country of origin of the Hercules, the US has also approved the arrangement.

In 2009, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised to increase the military budget after the crash of a C-130 in East Java that killed more than 100 people.

That crash highlighted the urgent need for a boost to the military budget to enable more rigorous aircraft maintenance.

Western security analysts in Jakarta said at the time that the Indonesian Air Force had about 28 Hercules in the early 1980s, but no more than nine were in flying condition at the time of the crash.

Military commentator John Macbeth said: "It's a very small number and they were hugely embarrassed at the time of the 2004 tsunami because they couldn't provide the airlift capability to get aid into Aceh."

The four-engine Hercules has been in almost continuous production for more than 50 years.

Source: the Australian

Govt to Build 24 Fast Missile-Armed Ships until 2024

KRI Clurit-641.

January 4 2012, Batam: The government has set itself the target of building 24 fast ships equipped with guided missiles over the next 12 years until 2024, the Indonesian Navy`s top planning officer said.

After completion, the 24 fast ships would operate in western Indonesia and North Sulawesi waters, Rear Admiral Sumartono, assistant for planning affairs to the Navy Chief of Staff, said here Wednesday.

The fast ships were needed to patrol Indonesian seas where the waves were usually low, he said.

At present, the Navy already had two such fast ships, namely the KRI Clurit-641 and the KRI Kujang-642, which were made by national ship-builder PT Palindo Marine.

Sumartono was in Batam to accompany Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to witness a sail-past by the KRI Kujang-642 from Batam island to Bintan island at a speed of 20 knots per hour.

PT Palindo wass at present building the third guided-missile carrying fast ship and was expected to complete six more units of the same type of ships by 2014.

Source: ANTARA News