Indonesia Strengthen Air and Sea Defense

Indonesia continues to strengthen its maritime defense capabilities in the Western region, which includes the South China Sea with the launch of two new Navy patrol boats in Batam.

The Chief of Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI AL - Indonesia Navy) Admiral Ade Supandi announced that new patrol boats - the KRI Torani 860 and KRI Lepu 861 - will be deployed with the Western Fleet to patrol the Strait of Malacca, as ordered by President Joko Widodo.
The Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait are among the world's busiest sea routes.

The TNI-AL now operates 19 patrol boats and plans to increase the number to 42 for deployment spread across its 14 naval bases.

A day earlier, the Indonesia Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara) announced plans to strengthen its aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities by expanding its fleet of maritime patrol aircraft.

Lieutenant-Colonel Akal Juang briefed news reporters in Makassar, South Sulawesi that the air force will enhance it's support for naval operations against illegal fishing, smuggling and border incursions.

The Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron currently has five military aircraft with high-resolution cameras and other equipment for air reconnaissance missions. These are Boeing 737 MPA (four) and CN 235 MP (one).

TNI AU's F-16 and Hawk on static display at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, on March 26. (Antara/Rony Muharrman)

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China's New LHD

China is building its biggest ever helicopter carrying amphibious assault ship. The new Type 075 LHD (Landing, Helicopter, Dock) amphibious assault ship is able to deploy and house up to 30 armed helicopters. Six helicopters will be able to take off from the flight deck at the same time.

SCMP 

Japan Aims At Asia For Military Aircraft Export

Japan is marketing two capable military aircraft aimed at cliche markets in Asia. The Kawasaki Heavy Industries' P-1 will be very attractive for countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand which need a very capable maritime patrol aircraft. P-1 is comparable to the ageing Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion and even the newer Boeing P-8A Poseidon but is more affordable.

New Zealand has recently requested cost and availability information from the United States for the P-8A as a possible replacement for its 6 P-3K Orion.

Another cliche capability on offer is the ShinMaywa Industries US-2 amphibious aircraft. Japan faces competition from Russia and China in this area but the US-2 should compare favorably in term of design and built quality.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries P-1

Indonesia Air Force Modernisation Starts With A400M

The Indonesian Air Force, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI AU), will modernise its airlift assets through the purchase of 5 Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft. 3 of the aircraft are expected to be assembled by the state-owned PT Dirgantara in Bandung as part the technology transfer requirement for the US$2 billion purchase. Since 2000, 5 of TNI AU's ageing C-130s have been destroyed in unfortunate air crashes. One of the destroyed aircraft was a second-hand purchase of C-130 decommissioned by the Royal Australia Air Force.



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