KFX remains paper jet fighter
Anton Aliabbas, Jakarta | Opinion | Sun, June 09 2013



Image: Teknologi Indonesia dan Dunia Terkini


Indonesia’s dream of operating a fleet of sophisticated jet fighters it helps build will not come true anytime soon. Under the new administration, South Korea has postponed the joint project to develop KFX/IFX jet fighters.

The project was initiated on March 9, 2009, after the governments of Indonesia and South Korea signed a letter of intent. At least US$5 billion was to be spent over 10 years on this project. Indonesia was to cover only 20 percent of the cost, while the rest was to be paid by South Korea. Although only contributing 20 percent of the cost, Indonesia is committed to being involved in any single process including technology development phase (TDP), engineering and manufacturing development phase, joint production and marketing.

After three years into the TDP, engineers from the two countries produced a KFX-IFX design. According to the Indonesian Defense Ministry, the government spent at least $2.7 million in 2011 and $7.3 million in 2012.

But a House of Representatives lawmaker from Commission I overseeing defense, Tubagus Hasanuddin, presented different data, revealing that Indonesia disbursed about Rp 1.6 trillion ($164.8 million) on the project (The Jakarta Post, May 16).

The postponement came after the Defense Ministry received a letter from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), stating that the engineering and manufacturing development phase should be indefinitely postponed as the new government of South Korea had to wait for the parliament’s consent.

Indeed, since the beginning, the KFX/IFX project has been quite problematic. Several times some members of House’s defense commission questioned the feasibility of this project. They claim the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has never discussed the KFX/IFX project with the House. Despite the House’s criticism, the joint project went ahead.

The project actually sent a clear message that the government preferred developing the KFX aircraft to buying US-made F-16 or any other sophisticated jet fighters. It cannot be denied that Indonesia needs something to be proud of now that the country is grappling with rampant corruption and horse-trading among politicians.

At least two implications may arise after the joint project was rescheduled. First, who will take responsibility for the $10 million the government has spent if the project is permanently discontinued?

Will it be the South Korea administration, Yudhoyono, the defense minister or who? Of course, the amount is not small as it could cover the purchase of 14 2A4 Leopard tanks from Germany, which costs $700,000 each.

Second is the matter of credibility. Indonesia has considered purchasing military vehicles from South Korea, such as three submarines and T-50 trainer jets. The deferral of the KFX project, of course, has impaired the credibility of South Korea as an emerging military equipment manufacturer.

Will other contracts be suspended or unilaterally canceled? What will the South Korea government do to ensure that there is no postponement or cancelation of arms sales? Or, is there any guarantee that the KFX project will remain on track after the temporary suspension?

There are at least two steps that Yudhoyono can take in response to the delay. First, the government should evaluate the KFX/IFX project documents to determine whether the postponement was anticipated before the project agreement was signed, and whether there is a clause allowing the South Korea administration to decide at will to postpone the agreement and which party should bear the responsibility if the project is permanently terminated.

Second, the President could reconsider all military purchasing plans involving South Korean products. The unilateral postponement of the jet fighter project of course has disrupted Indonesia’s bid to develop a sophisticated combat plane.

Reviewing the plan to purchase South Korean military equipment such as T-50 jets and submarines, and exercising an option to upgrade Hawk trainer jets and procure submarines from Russia would be understandable and justifiable.

In an effort to achieve a minimum essential force, the Indonesian Military is taking military capability development seriously, either through imports or the purchase of national defense industry products. But it is time for Indonesia to demonstrate dignity and send a clear message to arms producers. After all, the KFX/IFX remains a paper jet.


Source: The Jakarta Post

TNI Borong Rudal Anti-Tank Buatan Amerika Serikat
Senin, 10 Juni 2013

VIVAnews - Angkatan bersenjata Indonesia memborong peluncur rudal anti-tank (ATGM) canggih buatan Amerika Serikat. Rudal ini mampu mengunci sasaran dan mengikuti kemanapun target berjalan dengan daya ledak yang luar biasa.

Anti tank baru bernama Javelin ini dipamerkan dan diperagakan penggunaannya usai pembukaan latihan gabungan Garuda Shield TNI Angkatan Darat dengan Tentara AS di Pasifik (USARPAC), Senin 10 Juni 2013.

Letnan Satu TNI Bonny Octavian yang memperagakan penggunaan Javelin mengatakan, jarak tembak rudal ini mencapai 2,5 kilometer. Javelin dilengkapi dengan pelacak canggih yang mampu mengunci dan menembak sasaran yang bergerak. "Waktu reload rudal ini cukup cepat, yaitu 40 detik saja," kata Bonny.

Bonny mengatakan, TNI telah memesan 25 alat pembidik dan 189 rudal anti tank Javelin buatan perusahaan Raytheon dan Lockheed Martin ini. Namun senjata ini masih dalam tahap produksi dan belum dikirim.

Selain canggih, alat ini sangat ringan dan dapat ditempatkan di bahu penyerang. Menurut laman Inetres.com, rudal Javelin berbobot 11,8 kilogram sementara alat pembidik dan peluncur hanya 6,4 kilogram. "Senjata ini selain canggih juga simpel dan ringan," kata Bonny.

Senjata ini telah dikembangkan sejak tahun 1998 oleh perusahaan Raytheon dan Lockheed Martin dengan nama proyek Javelin Joint Venture. Produksinya sendiri dimulai tahun 1994 dan dikirimkan ke barak militer di Fort Benning, Georgia pada tahun 1996.

Laman army-technology.com menuliskan, Javelin digunakan tentara AS dan Australia pada perang di Irak antara Maret dan April 2003. Saat ini, senjata ini digunakan di Afganistan. Lebih dari 2.000 rudal Javelin telah ditembakkan AS dan tentara koalisi di negara ini.

Negara asing pertama pembeli Javelin adalah Inggris pada Januari 2003 dengan pemesanan awal sebanyak 18 peluncur dan 144 rudal. Negara lainnya yang telah menggunakan ini adalah Taiwan, Lithuania, Yordania, Australia, Selandia Baru, Norwegia, dan Irlandia. Beberapa negara lainnya tengah mengantre untuk mendapatkannya.

Inetres.com memaparkan, satu buah peluncur dan pelacak Javelin dibanderol US$126.000 atau sekitar Rp1,2 miliar, sementara rudal Javelin satuannya seharga US$78.000, setara Rp756 juta. (umi)

Source: Viva News

They like to publicise their procurement...whereas our military have purchased many assets which outside world don't even know

Secretive items would be mostly for....Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance....SIGINT,ELINT,ESM,ECM,ECCM....I think fair enough for national security

From what I know...the Koreans put on hold their joint development with the Indons...but now they are still going ahead with their own KF-X program...in fact just recently EADS stated that if South Korea selects its Eurofighter Typhoon as the winner of the K-X program, they will invest $2 billion into program.....it's like KFX yes....IFX no



This post has been edited by noavatar: Jun 10 2013, 11:43 PM

Indonesia to build infrastructure for submarine production
ANTARA News, Wed, June 12 2013 00:30


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Indonesia will soon build infrastructure for the production of submarines.

The infrastructure will be built by state shipbuilding company PT PAL in Surabaya, Purnomo said after a session of the Committee for the Defense Industry Policy here on Tuesday.

He said the country is expected to have the infrastructure ready in the next two to three years.

The session of the Committee, which is chaired by Purnomo, also discusses a plan to produce jet fighter planes in the country.

Purnomo said legal umbrella would be needed before any step taken to build the war plane and submarine infrastructure.

"Support from the House of Representatives would be needed to provide a legal basis for the project," he said.

Indonesia as the world`s largest archipelago, would need strong navy and air force to protect its thousands of islands.

Indonesia has agreed with South Korea to cooperate in building the infrastructure for the production of submarines. The cooperation will include in license, engineering manufacturing and production of prototype.

Cooperation is already implemented in design technology and in the next two years cooperation is expected to be implemented in engineering manufacturing and prototype.

Indonesia and South Korea also agreed on transfer of technology in the construction of submarines.

Earlier, the government said development of modern factory to produce submarine would be implemented in 2016-2017.

The first submarine to be produced under the cooperation agreement in Korea will be completed in 2014.

Construction of the second submarine will involve Indonesian technicians and production of the third unit will be in Indonesia by PT PAL.

The submarine bases will be built in the Palu bay, Central Sulawesi to be commissioned by the end of this year. All units of Indonesian submarine will be stationed in the Palu bay including the new one produced in Korea.


Source: ANTARA News



View of PT PAL, Surabaya

Eurocopter’s X3 hybrid helicopter achieves speed record



The X3 during its speed record-setting flight. (Eurocopter)


The Eurocopter X3 hybrid helicopter attained a speed milestone of 255kt in level flight on June 7, surpassing the unofficial speed record for a helicopter.

The aircraft achieved the speed at an altitude of around 10,000ft during a 40-minute test flight over southern France. It marks the latest in a growing list of achievements for the X3, which is Eurocopter’s technology demonstrator for an advanced, cost-effective vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) transportation system that offers the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft and the full-flight capabilities of a helicopter.

The X3 uses a pair of RTM 322 turboshaft engines to power a five-blade main rotor system with two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings.

“This concept is well suited for missions requiring long transit flights at high speeds, while retaining full vertical lift and hover capabilities – all at a very affordable cost,” Eurocopter said. The company envisages a wide range of potential applications for its hybrid configuration, including in long-distance search and rescue (SAR) operations, coast guard missions, border patrol flights, passenger transport and off- shore airlift, along with inter-city shuttle services.


Source: australianaviation

Rafale memang bermati matian kena cari pasaran...sbb deal dia ngan India pun bermasaalah

This post has been edited by noavatar: Jun 15 2013, 11:59 PM