Spain Joins the Competition to Arm Indonesia

By Arientha Primanita on 11:06 pm Feb 25, 2015

Jakarta. Spain has submitted a tender to supply Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to the Indonesian government, entering a bidding war with other producers of combat aircraft as the country seeks to beef up its military strength.

Indonesia has dedicated 7 percent of budgetary spending to defense over the past two years in an attempt to regenerate an aging military arsenal to both match regional powers and to secure the vast archipelago.

“The competition the Eurofighter is entering is for the replacement of the regular old combat aircraft that you [Indonesia] have,” Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia Francisco Jose Viqueira Niel said on Wednesday.

The Eurofighter, whose primary users are the Spanish, German, British and Italian air forces, faces serious competition from Russia’s Sukhoi and Sweden’s Gripen aircraft.

The latter, produced by Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab, opened a representative office in Indonesia last year to seek opportunities for cooperation with the government.

“We thought the door was closed for Eurofighter. But after we went public saying we wanted to participate, we are now in the game,” Viqueira said.

The ambassador has met with senior officials including Defense Minister Ryamirzard Ryacudu, Industry Minister Saleh Husin and Indonesian Military Chief Gen. Moeldoko.

Indonesia’s military spending has risen 3.3 percent to Rp 97 trillion ($7.8 billion) in the 2015 state budget, with 40 percent of that amount dedicated to weaponry and equipment.

Viqueira said the Typhoon cost more than its competitors, but declined to name a figure, saying that it would be disclosed in government-to-government meetings between Indonesia and Spain.

Saab announced last October that Brazil had agreed to  buy 36 Gripen NG jets at a total price of 39.3 billion Swedish krona ($4.7 billion), putting the plane’s unit cost at around $130 million.

Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea interested in ATK’s gunship conversion kit

An official from ATK told Jane’s that a few countries in the Asia Pacific region is keen on the company’s gunship conversion kit.

“Australia is very interested in the MC-27J; Indonesia has shown interest in the CN-235 and C-295 gunship conversions; the Philippines recently bought C-130Ts, which we have briefed about converting; and we have briefed South Korea on gunship applications for the CN-235,” said John Scheiner, vice-president for International Pacific-Rim.

http://alert5.com/2015/02/26/australia-ind...conversion-kit/

Army orders 84 advanced helicopters over the last month worth a total of $1.1 billion

February 24, 2015
By John Keller
Editor

THE MIL & AERO BLOG, 24 Feb. 2015. The past month has seen the U.S. military on a buying spree for advanced helicopters designed for a wide range of tasks from reconnaissance to attack. Since late January U.S. Army aviation authorities have announced orders for 84 helicopters worth about $1.1 billion.

The three separate orders are for 35 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for the U.S. Army; eight AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for the government of Indonesia; and 41 UH-72A Lakota light helicopters for the U.S. Army.

It's rare to see such substantial helicopter orders coming out of the Pentagon in such a short time period. The Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security segment in Mesa, Ariz., makes the AH-64E, while Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Herndon Va., makes the UH-72A.

These orders are good news not only for Boeing and Airbus, but also for the many subcontractors that contribute to these military rotorcraft.

On the AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter, for example, General Electric makes the engines; Lockheed Martin makes the targeting system; Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin make the radar; Intevac Photonics makes image intensifier cameras; and Elbit Systems of America makes the helicopter's mission processor as well as its integrated helmet and display sight system (IHADSS).

On the UH-72 Lakota light helicopter, Raytheon is providing the helicopter's radios, CAE is building the cockpit simulators; Sagem Avionics provides the automatic flight control systems; Thales North America is building the avionics suite with glass cockpit; Turbomeca USA assembles the UH-72A's Arriel 1E2 engines; and Wulfsberg Electronics provides the UH-72A’s navigation and communications systems.

The AH-64 Apache is a multirole combat helicopter with integrated avionics, weapons, and digital communications. The E-model Apache Guardian features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding, and reduced operating and support costs, Boeing officials say. The AH-64E Apache is being delivered to the U.S. Army and has been selected by several international defense forces.

Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, the AH-64E Guardian has improved digital connectivity, the joint tactical radio system (JTRS), more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), new composite rotor blades, instrument flight rules (IFR) capability, and improved landing gear.

Spain: Eurofighter Typhoon the best choice for RI

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Fri, February 27 2015, 8:21 AM

Spain stressed on Wednesday that the Eurofighter Typhoon jet fighter is the best choice for Indonesia to modernize its air force when it comes to technical capabilities and the transfer-of-technologies offer.

Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia Francisco José Viqueira Niel said that the Typhoon might be more expensive than its competitors, but it offers a better operational cost over the jet fighter’s life cycle of some 30 years.

“The competition is for the replacement of the F-5. There are many serious competitors,” Niel told journalists on Wednesday.

“The main thing is that our product is better. The Typhoon is built with engines to last the entire life cycle.”

Niel said that although the Typhoon was slightly more expensive, in the end it was much cheaper because there was no need to replace the engine.

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) made it public that it wanted to replace its ageing F-5 E/F Tiger IIs with Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35s, the latest model of the Flanker family. Currently, TNI AU operates a mixed fleet of single-seater Su-27s and double-seater Su-30s in the 11th squadron based at the Sultan Hasanuddin Air Force Base in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Engines for the Flankers, however, have a very short lifetime when compared to Western-built jet fighters.

Another strong contender is the single-engine Swedish-built SAAB Gripen, while both the Flanker and Typhoon are twin-engine jet fighters.

Niel said Gripen was a good fighter, but not the best for Indonesia considering the vast airspace and maritime space to be covered.

“With the Typhoon’s range of operations, you can cover the entire Indonesian air space, including the 200-kilometer exclusive economic zone, with the two existing air bases,” he emphasized.

Another interesting reason to pick the Typhoon, Niel said, is the transfer-of-technology package.

“We have the know-how. The Eurofighter package is quite interesting as almost all of it can be used in IFX,” he said, referring to the KFX/IFX jet fighter development being pursued by South Korea and Indonesia.

Even if Indonesia decided not to buy the Typhoon, Niel said the avionics and electronics can be acquired to be used in the indigenous jet fighter program.

The Swedes and Russians are also offering various types of transfer-of-technology packages to sweeten their deals.

Spain’s long relations with Indonesia in the aerospace sector has given it the appointment as the representative of the four-country Eurofighter consortium, which also includes Germany, Italy and United Kingdom.

Niel said the cooperation started between PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio (IPTN) and Construcciones Aeronauticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in the 1970s to build the C-212 Aviocar light transport aircraft. The aircraft is licence-built and was given the designation NC-212 in Indonesia. Now the production of this type is located solely in Bandung as the Spaniards are focusing on bigger aircraft types.

PT IPTN is now known as PT Dirgantara Indonesia, while CASA is now part of Airbus Defense and Space.

On another note, Niel said there were plenty of other opportunities other than the defense sector to be explored.

He said the bilateral trade between the two countries stood at ¤2 billion (US$2.27 billion) in 2014, which could have been higher considering the potential both countries have.

“We can cooperate more in the infrastructure and of the world’s top 10 construction firms were from Spain.

“Two Spanish companies, Tecnica Reunidas and Centunion, built the Dumai refinery in the 1980s at about the same time with the cooperation between IPTN and CASA.”

Niel said that more investment in the infrastructure sector, especially ports, railways and highways, would help Indonesia grow even faster, up to 10 percent.

Have the possibility to beat Su-35 and TNI-AU forced to use Typhoon, if government considers the overall lower operational cost and PT DI can build final assembly line.

But, PT DI is still busy with R&D of KFX and N-219, I don't think it still has enough remaining resources to absorb and implement Typhoon's technology

while state aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) suggested the Eurofighter Typhoon — manufactured by a consortium of three companies: BAE Systems, Airbus Group and Alenia Aermacchi. PT DI suggested that the consortium would be willing to transfer their technology while producing the aircraft.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/11...do-defense.html

Naming of South Korean submarine is ‘provocation’, says conservatives in Japan

Navy to honour activist Yu Gwan-sun who died in 1919 uprising against Tokyo's colonial regime

PUBLISHED : Monday, 02 March, 2015, 11:28pm
UPDATED : Tuesday, 03 March, 2015, 2:55am

Conservatives in Japan have dismissed the naming of a new South Korean submarine after a student activist who died after an uprising in 1919 against Tokyo's colonial regime as "just the latest little provocation."

Yu Gwan-sunThe South Korean navy announced on Sunday that it would name its sixth Type-214 attack submarine Yu Gwan-sun, in honour of the female student who was instrumental in the Korean independence movement, which is marked each year on March 1.

Sentenced to seven years in prison for her part in the uprising, Yu died in prison after apparently being tortured.

The vessel is presently under construction and is scheduled to be delivered in November 2016, navy officials told Yonhap News, and is the first in the history of the service to be named after a woman.

The navy's announcement coincided with President Park Guen-hye using the anniversary to again call on Japan to apologise to the women forced into sexual slavery for its military in the early decades of the last century and for Tokyo to halt efforts to whitewash its history.

"Like Germany and France, who were able to overcome animosity in the past to take the lead in building a new Europe, we hope that Japan can sincerely recognise historical truths and hold hands with Korea," Park said.

"Korea has taken many calculated steps recently, and this is just the latest little provocation," said Yoichi Shimada, a professor of international relations at Fukui Prefectural University.

"And I believe it is ironic that the South Korean navy has to name this submarine after a teenage girl because that just goes to show how shallow the independence movement was," he said. "The vast majority of Korean adults were cooperating with the Japanese during the occupation era because they were not unhappy."

Professor Shimada similarly played down the likelihood of President Park's demands being met.

"It is absolutely impossible for Japan to apologise for the military abducting young girls to serve as 'comfort women' because it never happened, " he added.

Russia ready to transfer Sukhoi technologies to RI: Envoy

Bagus BT Saragih

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | March 05 2015 | 9:38 PM
 
Russia reiterated its readiness on Thursday to comply with the transfer-of-technology scheme required by Indonesia should the latter opt to buy Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 jet fighters to modernize its air force.

“I talked to Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu a couple of months ago. We are fully aware of Indonesian government regulations on transfer-of-technology and industrial-offset schemes,” Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Mikhail Galuzin told journalists at his residence in South Jakarta.

“We are ready and open for further discussion with our Indonesian partners on the feasibility of procuring Su-35s,” the 54-year-old diplomat added.

The statements came amid fierce competition from the world’s top jet fighter producers to supply replacements for the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI-AU) ageing F-5 E/F Tiger IIs.

Last week, Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia Francisco José Viqueira Niel claimed that Eurofighter Typhoon jet fighters were the best choice for Indonesia to modernize its air force when it comes to technical capabilities and the transfer of technology.

The Eurofighter consortium involves four countries, namely Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK.

Another strong contender is the single-engine Swedish-built SAAB Gripen; the Flanker and Typhoon are both twin-engine jet fighters.

But Galuzin talked up Russia’s military aircraft technology, claiming it was among the best in the world.

This year, he added, Russia would host three international military events to showcase its advanced military technologies and capabilities.

In June, the Russian Defense Ministry will host the “ARMY-2015”, an international military technical forum. About a month later, St. Petersburg will exhibit the 2015 International Maritime Defence Show.

“In August, the MAKS 2015, or the 12th International Aviation and Space Salon, will be held in Moscow,” Galuzin said.

Currently, the TNI AU operates a mixed fleet of single-seater Su-27s and double-seater Su-30s in the 11th squadron based at Sultan Hasanuddin Air Force Base in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

In January, 2015, Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Djundan Eko Bintoro said that, during Galuzin’s meeting with Ryamizard, the envoy had also offered Kilo Class Type 636 submarines and Mi-17 helicopters to bolster the Indonesia’s maritime defense system. (nvn)(++++)

MRCA: And Then There Were Five?

Marhalim Abas
March 8, 2015

SHAH ALAM: JUST when I thought that the MRCA programme will be delayed indefinitely due to the economic uncertainties, something came up out of the blue.

Yes it may just be another PR blitz for LIMA 15 but I have been told that the MRCA programme has a new suitor, the Lockheed Martin F-16 Falcon. A suitor? Simply because there is no official word that it had been accepted as a candidate for the programme which is currently under abeyance.

Details remained sketchy but I am told that the variant offered to RMAF is the F-16V – Viper the latest generation Falcon which is fitted with an AESA radar. According to the Lockheed Martin website, the Viper is available as a new production or as an upgrade programme.

“The F-16V provides pilots with enhanced situational awareness and increased combat capability, by including features such as an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced mission computer, and Centre Pedestal Display.”

For the record, LM did not enter the F-16 for the MRCA programme when it was initially launched some two or four years ago ( based on who you asked). The recent overture I believed is more likely due to the sudden availability of newly-build F-16s originally ordered by Egypt and Iraq. As delivery for these airframes are problematic due to various reasons, they need to find options. These Falcons need to be upgraded first to be called Vipers with the above items of course.

It is likely that the offer will include new built F16s and second-hand airframes which will allow for a greater number of aircraft and more palatable to the bean counters. Furthermore I am told that the offer comes together with a financing and off-set package that may be used as a reference for the MRCA programme even if the aircraft itself is not selected.

For the record, the official MRCA candidates are the Boeing Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen.

Like the Super Hornets, the F-16 factory is set to close down within the next year or so as orders had dwindled considerably within the last few years. The only new build F-16s currently on the shop floor are those meant for Iraq which looking less likely to be delivered day-by-day.

It is projected that current F-16s will be retired by 2030.

Ah, the uncertainty things, perhaps even the Russians will make a last minute pitch for more MKMs!. The only thing certain for now is that it is unlikely that we will know the fate of the MRCA programme during LIMA 15.

F-16V wor.. most advanced production f16 to date (minus custom israeli f16)

For sure expensive as hell too

It is likely that the offer will include new built F16s and second-hand airframes which will allow for a greater number of aircraft and more palatable to the bean counters.

wait... we are considering the F-16 now?

i thought we (always?) favor twin-engine planes up till now

Published: Tuesday March 10, 2015 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday March 10, 2015 MYT 7:37:00 AM

‘Limited defence spending at LIMA’

by nicholas cheng

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may not sign any new deals on defence and security during the 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in light of the present economic conditions, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He hinted that Malaysia’s defence spending at LIMA this year would be limited while the ministry waits for the 11th Malaysia Plan rollout.

“In the present economic climate, Malaysia will have to base its spending needs on the threats it may have to face and whether the purchases are at the expense of more urgent procurement. There’s a limited amount of money for us,” he said at Wisma Pertahanan yesterday.

Hishammuddin said the ministry needed to be “creative” by sharing equipment as well as information with neighbouring countries to help maintain security in the region, especially in the Sulu Sea and the Strait of Malacca.

“We can not only share information, but also our assets to secure our own region. That’s the best way to do it and it’s a win-win for us. This is the message that I have passed on to my Asean colleagues and they are agreeable to it,” he added.

He also proposed that Asean members purchase new assets as a group.

“A single entity also makes better economic sense as companies may give all of us in Asean better deals. And Asean is one of the most populated regions in the world, with 600 million people,” he added.

Hishammuddin said during LIMA 2015, Malaysia would head talks on security in the Asia-Pacific region during the Asean Defence Minister’s Meeting (ADMM) on March 15, with the Islamic State threat expected to be the main agenda.

He also said defence ministers from the 10 Asean members were also expected to sign a new defence cooperation on dealing with humanitarian crisis under the “Asean Ready Group”.

The ministers would also address the possibility of having a joint Asean Peacekeeping Force to solve ongoing internal conflicts in the region.

This year’s LIMA exhibition marks the biggest defence expo in the event’s history, with more than 510 aerospace and maritime companies from 36 countries participating.

A total of 113 aircraft and 65 maritime vessels will be on display from March 17 to 21.

The Russian navy will be setting an international record by sending three ships here.

The event will also mark the first performance from China’s aerobatic team outside the republic.

Boeing Looking To Forge Partnerships With Industrial Players In Malaysia

Howard BerryBy Farhana Poniman & Massita Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- The Boeing Company, which again will have a big presence at the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition, is committed to being in Malaysia for the long-haul by teaming up with industrial partners to bring about mutually beneficial outcomes.

Vice-President, F/A18E/F International Sales, Global Strike, Defense, Space and Security, Howard Berry, said the aircraft manufacturer was aware that merely offering a capable and affordable product was no longer adequate.

"We recognise the advantages of doing business in Malaysia and this is why sales in the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme here are that more exciting for us.

"The Malaysian industry will benefit by getting the technology, job creations, interactions with major corporations and become part of the Boeing supply chain," he told Bernama in an interview recently.

"It is not enough anymore to merely offer a capable or affordable product."

"While those are the essentials, it is becoming more important to bring industrial benefits together with your offerings because governments are looking to make politically smart decisions and spending their money most wisely," he said.

Governments, he said, were not only putting out dollars to make important defense acquisitions but it is also for them to reap benefits industrially as well as generate jobs for the populace.

"I often view Malaysia as this big market that's not fully tapped, it is a good and affordable place to do business."

Malaysia is also doing a good job in very quickly becoming more and more technically advanced so we get the best of both worlds here in terms of affordability and capability and this allows for the opportunity to make further investments."

"We believe Malaysian industry benefits by getting the technology, job creations, interaction with major corporations and they get to become part of the Boeing supply chain," he said.

Berry said Boeing also planned to leverage on LIMA which would be held from March 17-21, as a platform to broaden its dialogue within potential customers in the Southeast Asia region.

Some of the assets Boeing would flaunt at the biennial exhibition include two Super Hornets, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA), P-8 Poseidon, B-52 Stratofortress and F-15 Strike Eagle.

During the exhibition, Boeing would also bring images and models of its new AH-6i 'Little Bird' light attack/reconnaissance helicopter, which would suit the Royal Malaysian Air Force's needs, particularly given its porous borderline.

Berry said Boeing was optimistic that the Malaysian military would give the asset a keen consideration for acquisition.

When asked on any potential collaboration in engineering between Boeing and Malaysia, Berry did not discount the possibility given that the country was quickly becoming technically advanced and it was ready to climb up the value-chain.

"We have discussed with a number of Malaysian industrial entities on how we can bring Malaysian engineers to the United States for training as well as provide support for Boeing," he added.

He reiterated LIMA 2015 would yet be another opportunity to engage key customers in Southeast Asia and expose them to our products and services.

-- BERNAMA