Recent Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Luat) Development

Submarine Force


On 24 March 2016, South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the first of three diesel-electric submarines ordered by Indonesia. The 61 metres long DSME 1400 design or Chang Bogo-class is a development of the Type 209/1200 licensed to DSME by Germany's HDW (now ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems). Delivery is planned for March 2017. The third submarine will be built in Indonesia by the state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL.


The facility for building submarine in Surabaya, Indonesia is currently under construction and is expected to be finished in September 2016.


Fast Attack Craft

Indonesia has ordered a KCR-60M (Kapal Cepat Rudal 60 metre) Fast Attack Craft, missile (FAC-M). This is the fourth FAC-M of this class to be acquired by the Indonesian Navy. Delivery of the first three FAC-M was completed in Sep 2014. Back then, TNI-AL had expected to procure a fleet of at least 16 KCR-60M. This programme apparently took a back seat for the last few years to the Klewang-class stealth attack craft programme. The first of the 63 metres wave-piercing trimaran was launched in 2012 but was destroyed in a fire a month later. The replacement vessel was due to be delivered in early 2016 (total order for four vessels) but the programme was indefinitely suspended last year. The original plan was for a fleet of around 20 vessels to patrol the littoral waters of Indonesia. 

Indonesia Launching Low Cost Competitor to Twin Otter

Indonesia's state-owned PT Dirgantara (PTDI) is launching the N219, a 19-seater twin propeller passenger aircraft later this year. It is attractively priced and is set to make a splash in the small passenger aircraft market segment. It's main competitor will be the popular DHC-6 Twin Otter. PTDI has produced under license many types of aircraft including the NC-212i, CN-235-220 and Super Puma helicopters. However,the N219 will be the first locally developed aircraft. Being an archipelago, the local market should provide a strong base for this type of aircraft.

CNA

PTDI

Philippines Upgrades Air Surveillance Capability Amidst Rising Tension In South China Sea

Philippines has confirmed the purchase of three IAI Elta Systems ELM-2288 air defense and air traffic control radars. The first system is expected to be delivered by Nov 2017 with the rest in May and November 2018. The radars will be operated by the Philippines Air Force. Typical fighter detection range is more than 300km for the medium range, transportable version and more than 480km for the extended range fixed installation version. The new radars will bolster Philippines' air surveillance capability of its air space and over the contested South China Sea.

Philippines lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal which is disputed by China. Other overlapping claims in the South China Sea include Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. The disputed areas also overlapped the EEZ claimed by Brunei and Indonesia. In recent weeks, both Indonesia and Vietnam have arrested Chinese fishermen and detained their vessels. On 19 Mar, the Chinese Coast Guard intervened in the Indonesia incident by ramming the detained fishing vessel. The Indonesian disembarked from the fishing vessel to defuse the tension but the fishermen were arrested. On 4 Apr, Vietnam seized a Chinese fishing boat which it claimed was illegally intruding into Vietnam territory waters.



IAI Elta

Arthur, G. (2016, March). "Manila finally confirms Israeli radars". Digital Battlespace, 8(2), 2.

Singapore Airshow

Aircraft model display showing almost all the manned aircraft types in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). A good mix of high end fighters, helicopters and support aircraft, as  well as force multipliers in form of tankers and AEW. 

See if you can identify these aircraft - F-15SG, F-5S, F-16C, F-16D+, M-346, KC-135R, C-130, F50, G550 AEW, CH-47SD, AH-64D, S-70B, AS332M, EC-120.

Guess which manned aircraft is not represented? 

Singapore Airshow: US Marines F-35 Combat Ready

Lieutenant-General Jon Davis, Deputy Commandant for Aviation,  HQ Marine Corps, declared that the Marines' F-35B are combat ready despite various reports criticising the performance of the troubled aircraft.

“We have developed workarounds to get around any deficiencies we have seen out there. Right now, operating capabilities and advantage we get from this airplane far outweigh any deficiencies.”

“We are operating the airplane, training in the airplane, making us ready to deploy to the Pacific.”

The US Marine Corps will be deploying one of their first F-35B unit to Japan in January 2017. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan within a year. VFMA-121 “Green Knights,” was declared Full Operationally Capable in August 2015. It is currently operating from Yuma AZ and is scheduled for rotatio to Marine Corps Air StationIwakuni. An initial deployment of pilots alongside 10 aircraft will be relocated first , with another six scheduled for July 2017.

Full-scale mock up of the F-35 Lightning II at the Singapore Airshow 2016

CNA

Bloomberg

Singapore Airshow Opens

The most important airshow in Asia run from 16 Feb to 21 Feb 2016 in Singapore. Visitors can view the F22 Raptor, F-15SG, Block 52 F-16C in the Black Knight aerobatic team colors, Block 52 F-16D+, F-18F, G550 Airborne Early Warning, AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, A-400M transport, C-17 Globemaster, just to name some of the aircraft on static display. In the air, the Royal Malaysian Air Force Su-30 amazes with its aerobatics alongside the Rafale, F-16, F-15SG, AH-64D and T-50.

OSMINT will be highlighting some of the exhibits over the next few days.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean speaking at the opening ceremony of the Singapore Airshow

US Pacific Command Mull Basing of Logistics Support Vessels in Singapore

The Pacific Command want to base some of its Logistics Support Vessels (LSVs) in Singapore by late 2016 or early 2017.

The LSV is essentially the equivalent of a navy landing ship but operated by the US Army. It is a heavy watercraft used for transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies.

Currently, the United States is allowed to rotate up to four of her Littoral Combat Ships to operate from Singapore. A P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft was also deployed to Singapore for a short detachment recently.

Photo of US Army LSV. Image from www.globalsecurity.org

CNA