News Story: Malaysia Again Says It Will Boost Maritime Surveillance

ATR-72MP

by Chen Chuanren

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has made the acquisition of maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) its “number one priority,” according to Maj. Gen. Kamalruzaman bin Othman, assistant chief of staff, operations and strategy division. Responding to the requirement, Leonardo brought one of the ATR-72MP aircraft that it recently delivered to the Italian air force to last week’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) show. However, a previous Malaysian defense minister made the same declaration four years ago, with no action taken since.

“With the current situation in Sabah and Sarawak, it requires a lot of maritime surveillance,” said Kamalruzaman. He was referring to the repeated pirate attacks on shipping in Sulu Sea, including the kidnapping of sailors and tourists. But the RMAF currently operates just three MPAs. These are Beechcraft B200T Super King Airs, two of which are fitted with the Thales Airborne Maritime Situation and Control System (AMASCOS). A fourth B200T was written off last December, adding to the RMAF’s urgent need for an MPA.

Industry sources said that the RMAF is looking for an MPA focused on surveillance capabilities, rather than an armed platform. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), which is responsible for policing duties in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), is also scouting for a light maritime surveillance aircraft. It currently flies just two CL-415 amphibians in this role.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: Malaysian defense - Budget hinders military asset procurement

By: Mike Yeo

MELBOURNE, Australia — Malaysia’s military continues to struggle to implement plans to recapitalize its assets, as the government’s budget is battered by slow economic growth mainly due to falling oil revenues. 

As a result, major procurement programs for the Malaysian Armed Forces have mostly been put on hold even as existing platforms rapidly approach obsolescence. For the Royal Malaysian Air Force, this means that badly needed fighters, trainers, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft will unlikely be acquired in the short to medium term.

Situated alongside the vital maritime trade routes and the hotly disputed islands of the South China Sea of which it partly claims, Malaysia faces a unique geographical challenge, as its territory is split by the South China Sea into two separate landmasses 365 miles apart at its narrowest point.

This has had the effect of spreading the RMAF thinner, with the service recently moving a squadron of BAE Hawk 108/208 light attack aircraft to eastern Malaysia in response to continuing unrest and lawlessness in neighboring southern Philippines. This has spilled over into Malaysia on a number of occasions in the form of kidnappings and even an armed insurrection in 2013 that necessitated a military operation, including airstrikes by RMAF aircraft, to it put down.  

Malaysia’s $3.6 billion 2017 defense budget represented a 13 percent drop from 2016’s budget. And it represents 1.2 percent of gross domestic product, taking defense spending in real terms down to 2002 levels. 

The budget includes $104 million to the RMAF for procurement, but as Malaysian defense analyst Dzirhan Mahadzir told Defense News, this will be used to pay for ongoing programs rather than new acquisitions.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Indonesia offers defense equipment to Pakistan

Anoa APC (Image: Wiki Commons)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto met with the commander of Pakistans armed forces, General Rashad Mahmood, here on Tuesday to discuss defense cooperation, including the exchange of information and defense equipment.

"We have also offered our defense equipment to them, including the Anoa armored vehicle, assault rifle and CN-235 aircraft," Wiranto said at his office.

The cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan has been ongoing for years, marked by exchange of staff school students and commanders of the army, navy and air force, as well as staff members of the National Defense Institute (Lemhanas).

Read the full story at Antara

News Story: Airbus Delivers Final C-295 to Philippines

Spanish Air Force C-295 (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Andrew Chuter

SINGAPORE — Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the third and final C-295 medium transport destined for the Philippines Air Force, the company announced at the Singapore Airshow Tuesday.

The aircraft was ferried recently from the Airbus Seville, Spain, assembly line to Clark Air Base to take up airlift duties.

The Philippines joins Vietnam and Indonesia as a C-295 customer in the region.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: S. Korea, RI aerospace firms sign KFX cooperation deal

A model of one of several possible designs for the KFX

Novan Iman Santosa

South Korea and Indonesia are set to elevate their strategic partnership by signing a strategic cooperation agreement on the joint development and production of KFX/IFX jet fighters.

The agreement was signed on Friday by Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. president and CEO Ha Sung-yong and his counterpart PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) president director Budi Santoso.

Witnessed by Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and South Korean Ambassador to Jakarta Cho Tai-young at the Defense Ministry, the agreement represents the second phase of the KFX/IFX program, the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase.

Ryamizard said that aircraft technology was not a simple process but was something that needed support and commitment from all parties including the sharing of expertise, knowledge and technology.

“The agreement is a strategic early step for bot defense industries, especially PT DI, to develop production and technology capabilities, especially jet fighters,” he said, expecting the jet fighter to become Indonesia’s leading product.

Ryamizard revealed that the agreement would lead to production, maintenance or sustenance, modification and upgrade of the jet fighter.

Read the full story at The Jakarta Post

Editorial: Tough Times Ahead for the Indonesian Navy?

CGI of the Sigma 10514 Frigate for the Indonesian Navy

By Koh Swee Lean Collin

The Indonesian Navy may struggle to meet its Minimum Essential Force targets by 2024. A rethink may be needed.

Almost a year has elapsed since Indonesian President Joko Widodo revealed his Global Maritime Fulcrum vision. Since then, Jakarta has undertaken several initiatives aimed at fulfilling the five pillars of the vision: maritime culture, marine resources, maritime infrastructure and connectivity, maritime diplomacy, and maritime defense.

The last of these pillars is essentially an enabler of the other four pillars and not standalone. When Widodo came to power, he effectively inherited his predecessor’s legacy of modernizing the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut, TNI-AL for short). The challenge is to continue and sustain that modernization.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Industry: Finmeccanica – Selex ES to provide SAGE Electronic Warfare System to Indonesia

Indonesian Air Force CN-235 MPA (Image: Wiki Commons)

>> SAGE can identify and geolocate RF emitters, from a single platform providing situational awareness and intellingence

>> The system will be integrated onto an Indonesian Air Force CN-235 aircraft

>> SAGE has been developed for easy integration on any platform types including helicopters and Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems

This is the first time that the SAGE ESM has been chosen for a fixed-wing maritime patrol requirement. It will be used by the Indonesian Air Force for maritime patrol missions

Finmeccanica – Selex ES has signed a contract with US-based prime contractor Integrated Surveillance and Defense Inc. (ISD) to provide a SAGE 600 digital Electronic Support Measure (ESM) system for the Indonesian Air Force. The system will be delivered in September for integration onto a maritime patrol mission system for an Indonesian Air Force Airbus CN-235 aircraft.

Editorial: US, Indonesian Navies Conduct Air Patrol Exercise in South China Sea

A US Navy P-3C Orion (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Ankit Panda

The United States and Indonesia carried out an air patrol exercise over the increasingly tense Natuna Archipelago.

On Thursday, the the U.S. and Indonesian navies carried out a joint maritime air patrol in the waters around the Natuna archipelago.

The patrol involved 88 personnel overall. The United States committed a P-3C Orion fleet comprising four ships and 21 personnel. In terms of Indonesian hardware, the Indonesian navy committed CN-235 and NC-212 short take-off and landing (STOL) maritime patrol aircraft in addition to a BO-105 helicopter.

The air patrol exercise focused on a variety of operational scenarios. In broad terms, it covered maritime domain awareness, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

The Jakarta Post reported that the “Indonesian Navy’s Aviation Center and the US Navy held a joint sea surveillance exercise in the Malaka Strait and around Natuna Island, located in the South China Sea, to improve security as well as [sic] Pacific rebalance.” 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Brunei: LATMA BRUNESIA VI/2014 LAUNCHED

TARAKAN, NORTH KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA, Tuesday 28 October 2014 – The opening ceremony of LATMA BRUNESIA VI/2014 between Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) and Tentera Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI AU) took place today at Bandara Juwata, Tarakan, North Kalimantan, Republic of Indonesia.

The ceremony started with a parade consisting of personnel from the two exercise contingents. 

On hand to jointly officiate the opening ceremony was Lt Col (U) Matyussof bin Haji Matyassin, RBAirF Base Commander and Let Kol PNB Tiopan Hutapea, DANLANUD Tarakan.

In his speech, Let Kol PNB Tiopan Hutapea hoped that the personnel involved in the exercise would gain more experience and knowledge than the previous exercises. He also emphasized that the personnel are to practice the highest standard of safety in every activities carried out as well as following the Standard Operating Procedures as mutually agreed by both Air Forces.

Editorial: Exercise Pitch Black Concludes in Darwin

By Mike Yeo

What was once a modest air defense exercise continues to grow in scale.

For three weeks in August, the skies over Northern Australia – known here as the Top End – reverberated to the roar of military jet engines as the biennial Exercise Pitch Black was staged out of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Bases Darwin and Tindal; the two main military airports in Australia’s Northern Territory.

This year’s exercise, held between August 1 and 22, saw up to 110 aircraft and more than 2,300 personnel from seven countries taking part. Host Australia was joined by aircraft of Pitch Black regulars the United States, Singapore and Thailand, while the United Arab Emirates and French also sent flying contingents and New Zealand contributed ground support personnel.

Named after the moonless nights in the sparsely populated region, Exercise Pitch Black has grown from a small-scale air defense exercise between host Australia, the U.S. and Singapore when it began in the late 1980s into a complex, multinational wargame considered by the RAAF to be its premier air combat exercise. Encompassing a full spectrum of scenarios that make up modern air warfare, participating air forces use the opportunity to provide realistic, high-end air combat training for their air crew, while at the same time building and cementing professional and personal friendships among the participants.

The main draw of the Northern Territory for such an exercise is the vast expanses of airspace with few flying restrictions and the world-class facilities that make up the Delamere Air Weapons Range and Bradshaw Field Training Area. In the words of RAAF Group Captain Micka Gray, Exercise Director of Pitch Black 2014, “We have very few limitations to where we can fly in the Northern Territory.” Coupled with the excellent weather for flying during the Northern Territory’s dry season, the exercise makes for a very attractive proposition to international participants like Thailand and particularly land-scarce Singapore, both of which lack that kind of airspace or favorable weather at home. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: Indonesia to Conduct Massive Military Drill

By Zachary Keck

Indonesia is preparing for a large, joint military drill in East Java that will begin next month.

Indonesia is preparing for a large-scale military drill involving all of its military branches. According to Indonesia’s state media outlet, Antara News, General Moeldoko, the commander of the Indonesian military (TNI) said that the military joint drill of 2014 will includes forces drawn from each of Indonesia’s three military services: the Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force.

“The military drill is held to keep the synergy among the military corps in tactical, technical and doctrine tests,” General Moeldoko said. “We also want to improve the combat power in each branch of the force and create strength.”

General Moeldoko is inaugurating the drill this week at the Peace Mission Center in Sentul in Bogor, West Java Province. He is joined by Army Chief of Staff General Budiman, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia and Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio. The drill will take place from June 1-5, 2014, in Asembagus of Situbondo in East Java Province, in the southern Indian Ocean and in Bali. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: Upgrades Slated for Pakistani Hercules Aircraft

By USMAN ANSARI

ISLAMABAD — An upgrade package for Pakistan’s aging C-130 Hercules transport aircraft fleet has been welcomed, with analysts saying it will allow the venerable transports to function until eventual replacement.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a proposed US $100 million Foreign Military Sales upgrade package for Pakistan’s Hercules transport planes. The notification states Pakistan has requested “avionics upgrades, engine management and mechanical upgrades, cargo delivery system installation, and replacement of outer wing sets on six aircraft. Also included are spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.”

In the face of “airworthiness and obsolescence issues,” the notification states the upgrade package “should ensure continued viability for an additional 10-15 years.”

Read the full story at DefenseNews

NOTE: The “Possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for a C-130 Fleet Upgrade Program” Link in the above was added by PacificSentinel for clarity & context. 

News Story: Indonesian Air Force Draws Up Shopping List

Indonesian Air Force Su-30 (Image: Wiki Commons)

By ALAN WARNES

Boasting one of the fastest growing economies in the world is allowing Indonesia to invest much-needed funds in its military. After years of stagnation caused by the 1997 financial crisis, leading to most of Indonesia’s military acquisition programs being cancelled, the situation deteriorated further when the U.S.imposed an arms embargo in 1999 that lasted until 2005.

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) entered into only one major acquisition program during that period, procuring Su-27 and Su-30 Flankers from Russia to bolster its aging fighter fleet. The TNI-AU had never ordered Russian aircraft after the failed communist coup in 1965 but it was left with no option after Western companies stuck to the arms embargo.

This deal led to a pair of Su-27SKs and two Su-30MKs being delivered to SkU 11 [Skadron Udara (SkU)–air squadron] at Hasanuddin, Sulawesi, in August/September 2003, followed by three Su-30MK2s in late-2008/early-2009 and a trio of Su-27SKMvariants in 2010. 

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: Indonesia receives first CN-235 patrol aircraft

Spanish Air Force CN-235 maritime patrol/SAR (Image: Wiki)

JAKARTA, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- The Indonesian navy took delivery of the first of three CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from state aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia.

The handover was made at the PTDI facility in Bandung, in West Java province on the island of Java, The Jakarta Post reported.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the aircraft will be used to patrol for people-smuggling boats carrying illegal migrants headed for waters around Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island.

The navy operates the smaller NC-212 MP aircraft, also made by PTDI at its facility in Bandung, the Post said.

Read the full story at UPI

Editorial: America Pivots to Asia; Europe Arms It

Australian A330 MRTT (KC-30A) Tanker Aircraft (File Photo)

By Robbin F. Laird

European firms are providing their Asian customers with some core capabilities.

A neglected aspect of the analysis of the evolution of Asian defense and security is the contribution of the European defense industry. Major players in Europe (and in the United States) are seeking global markets to remain viable and to evolve over time. Defense and security is not a static business; it is highly competitive and modernization is always a key element of the equation. Global customers are a crucial element for U.S. or European defense firms to remain on the cutting edge and to be viable in challenging economic conditions.

European firms provide capabilities in many areas of interest to Asian customers, notably military aerospace, weapons and naval systems. The military aerospace and weapons part of this equation warrants particular note, as does the dynamics of change in the Asian market for these products. The point is simply this: European firms are providing core capabilities for Asian customers and are an important part of the military equation in region.

Kongsberg - Warship based NSM & F-35 based JSM (Wiki Info)

Perhaps governments will follow as well. Notably, last month the United Kingdom signed agreements with Japan creating a legal framework for defense and security cooperation between their two countries. focusing on defense and security issues.

During the signing of the agreements, U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “Japan is a key ally of the U.K. and we work closely together on many issues of global foreign and security policy. This is a groundbreaking agreement, which will enable joint research, development and production of defense equipment.”

Read the full 4 page story at The Diplomat

News Story: (Philippines) DND plans to purchase Indonesian spy plane

CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Wiki Info)

By Jaime Laude

MANILA, Philippines – The government plans to procure a spy plane from Indonesia and a troop transport aircraft from Italy, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesman, said the long-range maritime patrol and surveillance plane is manufactured in Indonesia under a joint venture agreement with Spain.

“On our shortlist is the Indonesian aircraft,” he said. “The long-range patrol aircraft would be devoted solely to conducting maritime surveillance.”

The DND is also scouting for a medium lift aircraft from other European countries at a lower cost, Galvez said.

Read the full story at The Philippine Star

News Story: PT DI delivers last CN-235 to Korea Coast Guard

CASA/IPTN CN-235 (Wiki Info)

By Arya Dipa and Novan Iman Santosa

State-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) dispatched on Friday the fourth CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft for the Korean Coast Guard (KCG) from its plant at the Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung.

The aircraft is making a ferry flight from Bandung to Kimpo Airport in Seoul after a ceremony attended by, among others, Defense Deputy Minister Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Industry Deputy Minister Alex Retraubun and South Korean Ambassador to Jakarta Kim Young-sun.

Sjafrie said the delivery proved that Indonesian defense production, especially aircraft, had been accepted at a regional level and was preparing to gain acceptance at an international level.

Read the full story at The Jakarta Post

GE and IPTN Sign CT7 Engine Overhaul Agreement

CT7/T700 being shown at
the Paris Air Show 2007 (Wiki Info)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA -- In a ceremony in Jakarta, GE and PT. Nusantara Turbin Dan Propulsi (NTP) signed an overhaul support agreement covering CT7 engines that power CN235 turboprop aircraft. This further expands the successful collaboration between the two companies on the CT7 program that dates back over 20 years. NTP is a subsidiary of PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), formerly IPTN.

Under this agreement, NTP will provide overhaul services for in-service and future CN235 engines (CT7-5/CT7-7/CT7-9 models) at its Indonesia facility. GE Aviation will continue to manufacture, assemble, inspect and test CT7-9 engines for CN235 orders at its Lynn, MA, facility. The CN235 is currently built by both Airbus Military and PTDI.

 

Handry Satriago, CEO of GE Indonesia, remarked, "We are pleased to again enter into an arrangement with NTP. Their proven experience with the engine and existing relationships with CN235 customers should prove beneficial."

 

Supra Dekanto, NTP's President Director, said, "This agreement will ensure product support of PTDI's CN235 aircraft, and reinforce NTP's commitment to supporting GE's CT7 engines."

 

"Our longstanding relationship with GE is a clear sign to our customers and partners that NTP remains serious in its commitment to the CT7. Thanks to GE for its support throughout this period, including the assembly of CT7 at NTP's facility in Bandung, Indonesia, and their continued support for the maintenance overhaul of the engines," he added.

 

The primary roles of the twin-engine CN235 include maritime patrol, surveillance and air transport. Top country customers include Turkey, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Spain, France and Indonesia.

 

The 1,900-shaft-horsepower CT7 turboprop was certified in 1983 and entered service as a regional airliner powerplant in June 1984 on the Saab 340. Later that decade it was chosen as the engine for the CASA/IPTN CN 235. In all, more than 1,200 CT7 turboprop engines have been delivered worldwide.

GE Aviation