Jokowi pledges ambitious arms spending

Ina Parlina
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | February 24 2016 | 7:00 AM

In a move to enhance support for the Indonesian Military (TNI), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promised on Tuesday that he would allocate more funds to it if the economy got better this year.

Arguing that primary weaponry systems (Alutsista) were essential for building a professional TNI, Jokowi said he would put as much as 1.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) into the defense budget, about Rp 250 trillion, if economic growth reaches above 6 percent.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician said that the TNI budget is currently set at about 1.1 percent of the country’s GDP. In comparison, the average military budget between 2005 and 2014 was 0.82 percent of the country’s GDP, while the average between 2000 and 2004 was 0.78 percent.

“This plan [to allocate 1.5 percent of the GDP] should be prepared now. It means that there should be comprehensive and detailed planning so that the budget can be used appropriately and efficiently,” Jokowi said during a limited Cabinet meeting.

Aiming to reduce imports by developing the domestic defense industry, Jokowi also ordered any future plans to involve the use of Indonesian military products.

Jokowi expressed an aggressive plan for military spending in his election campaign in 2014, during which he vowed in front hundreds of retired military and police generals that it would be raised if economic growth stayed at least at 7 percent.

At that time, he unveiled his programs on defense and security issues that included the modernization of Alutsista and increasing the numbers of military and police personnel.

In his pledge, Jokowi also said that he would gradually increase the defense budget from US$7.2 billion in 2014 to $20 billion in 2019 and he intended to procure new jet fighters, radars and military transportation aircraft, as well as to improve border security.

Friday, 26 February 2016 | MYT 2:00 PM

Cops: Engine failure forced RMAF plane to make emergency landing

by nicholas cheng

KUALA SELANGOR: A case of engine failure forced the crashed Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) aircraft to attempt an emergency landing on a swampy beach here Friday morning, say police.

The twin-engine plane left the Subang Air Force Base at about 8.30am for a routine training session and issued a mayday about 10 minutes into the flight.

The crew, led by pilot Major Mohd Azri Yacob, 41, then made an emergency landing in shallow waters in a swampy beach area near Taman Malawati Utama.

A fire broke out in the mid-section of the light plane upon impact.

Co-pilot Major Ahmad Syazwan Mohammed, 32, broke his left arm during the incident, while the rest of the crew escaped without major injuries.

Kuala Selangor OCPD Supt Ruslan Abdullah said that a fisherman drowned while trying to help them out of the CN235 aircraft.

He said that the fisherman, part of a group around the area at the time who rushed to give help, drowned because his foot got stuck in the mud.

Those on the plane were Major Muhamed Afizan Jaafar, 32; Capt Nurul Azrie Rofdi, 32; Leftenan Meor Ahmad Ali Meor Abdul Wahab, 26; Warrant Officer 2 Muhd Sayfull Neezam Abdul Manan, 35; Sergeant David Tonge, 35 and Sergeant Suhaila Pathil, 33.

The crew and the deceased fisherman were brought to the Tanjong Karang Hospital and the RMAF officers were flown back to the Subang base.

"RMAF are investigating the cause of the accident and will remove the plane from the crash site, which has become stuck in the sand.

"It could take up to two days. The police and Bomba will remain here to render any help to RMAF," Supt Ruslan said.

Taman Malawati Utama resident Zulkifli Mat Sakam, who lives about 500m from the crash site, said RMAF jets flying over his neighbourhood was a common sight.

"I was in my house at about eight in the morning when I heard a very strange noise – not an explosion but more like an object hitting the ground.

"Then I went out and I saw a lot of smoke coming from there.

"I was shocked when I heard it was a plane! They fly here everyday – even when it is raining – and there have never been any accidents before," said the 36-year-old teacher.

sharing is caring brah~

Sunday, February 28, 01:28

Japan seeks defense deals with Indonesia, Malaysia

The Japanese government says it is working to conclude an agreement to transfer defense equipment to Indonesia and Malaysia. This comes as China is increasing military activity in the South China Sea.

Japan and the Philippines have already decided on an agreement promoting the transfer of defense equipment and technological cooperation. The Philippines is at odds with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. It will be the first ASEAN member to sign a defense deal with Japan.

The government has been negotiating to strike similar accords with Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia is reportedly showing interest in a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force search-and-rescue amphibious aircraft.

China has been building radar systems and airstrips on reclaimed islands in the Spratly chain.

The Japanese government hopes to deepen security cooperation with countries facing the South China Sea in a bid to keep in China in check.

Tentera Darat Akan Terima 56 Buah Kereta Perisai AV-8 Tahun Ini

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Feb (Bernama) -- Tentera Darat akan menerima 56 buah lagi unit kereta perisai 8x8 (AV-8) secara berperingkat tahun ini, kata Panglimanya Jeneral Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

Beliau berkata buat masa ini, pihaknya mempunyai 27 AV-8 yang ditempatkan di Tawau, Sabah.

"Aset yang akan diterima ini juga akan diletakkan di Sabah bagi memudahkan kawalan dibuat selain memperkukuhkan pertahanan di kawasan itu.

"Jumlah keseluruhan yang kita akan ada, adalah sebanyak 83 buah kereta AV-8 tahun ini," katanya.

Raja Mohamed Affandi berkata demikian kepada pemberita dalam sidang media Khas Sempena Hari Tentera Darat ke-83 di Kem Perdana Sungai Besi di sini, Jumaat.

Kereta perisai beroda lapan itu dibangunkan dengan teknologi Turki dan dikenali sebagai 'Pars'.

Malaysia membuat pelaburan RM8 bilion beberapa tahun lepas dengan Turki untuk membangunkan AV-8 dengan perolehan pertama berjumlah 257 kereta perisai pelbagai varian.

Beliau berkata pasukan itu juga dijangka akan menerima empat buah helikopter Black Hawk daripada Brunei tahun ini.

"Kami dari Tentera Darat ucapkan terima kasih kepada Brunei kerana sudi memberikan helikopter berkenaan," katanya.

Sebelum ini, Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein dilaporkan berkata empat buah helikopter Blackhawk milik Brunei akan diserah kepada Malaysia bagi memantapkan pertahanan di perairan kedua-dua negara.

Dalam perkembangan sama, Raja Mohamed Affandi berkata beliau berkata pihaknya mahu memperbanyakkan lagi aset udara milik Tentera Darat dalam memantapkan lagi pertahanan negara.

"Selain itu, kita alu-alukan cadangan untuk membuat kawalan di kawasan sempadan menggunakan dron, ia satu idea yang bagus," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

RI pushes back deadlines after delay on submarine infrastructure

Nany Afrida and Wahyoe Boediwardhana
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya | February 29 2016 | 9:02 AM
   
The government is still working on the infrastructure needed to accommodate three new submarines from South Korea, with the project scheduled to be completed in December.

Based on the procurement contract between the government and Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering (DSME), the submarines were scheduled to be delivered last year and this year.

Now, the Defense Ministry has revealed that South Korea will be ready to deliver the three submarines by September, however, as Indonesia has yet to complete the necessary infrastructure, the delivery has been postponed until December.

“The government has disbursed Rp 1.5 trillion [US$112.1 million] to PT PAL for building the submarine infrastructure, including hangars and floating equipment,” Rear Admiral Leonardi, chief of the Defense Ministry’s procurement center told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta recently.

It was reported that the Defense Ministry and DSME signed the contract for the three Chang Bogo-class submarines in 2011. The contract was worth $1.07 billion.

Under the contract, two submarines would be built in South Korea in cooperation with state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL, while the third submarine would be built at PT PAL’s facilities in Surabaya.

Leonardi said that besides infrastructure preparation, Indonesia also needed to train the crew members and operators who would be building the submarine in Surabaya, East Java.

“We’re confident all plans are on track, because we have already pushed back the deadline,” Leonardi said.

That optimism is also shared by PT PAL production director Edy Widarto, who said that the development was still on track and would be accomplished in December.

According to Edy, PT PAL’s new submarine infrastructure will have the capacity to build or restore two submarines at once.

“We can even use the same infrastructure to build a surface warship, such as missile destroyer warship [PKR], which we will build with Dutch shipbuilder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding [DSNS],“ Edy told the Post in Surabaya on Wednesday.

Edy acknowledged that there was a delay in the plan due to budget disbursement issues. However, he asserted that submarine modules would be delivered from South Korea in December, and that PAL would start to assemble them in January 2017.

Edy said PT PAL would assemble the modules under the supervision of DSME’s experts.

“Our technicians are ready. We have good quality people. We have the necessary experience to assemble warship modules quickly and accurately,” Edy said.

PT PAL is an experienced ship builder, the company having built several warships for the Indonesian armed forces (TNI) and also products for sale overseas.

In addition to Chang Bogo-class submarines, the Indonesian Navy has revealed its plans to purchase another two new Kilo-class submarines from Russia to expand its fleet. The procurement is part of a strategic plan for 2015 to 2019.

However, the Navy has yet to decide on which type of Kilo-class submarines to order.

Submarines, with their stealth capacity, are regarded as effective deterrents and Indonesian needs at least 12 such vessels to protect its territory.

The Navy currently operates two German-made submarines, the KRI Cakra (401) and KRI Nenggala (402), which were built in the 1980s. The vessels are due to be decommissioned in 2020.

Bell Helicopter and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) sign an Industrial and Commercial Agreement to Expand Indonesian Business

02/29/2016

Louisville, Kentucky (February 29, 2016) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today an expanded Industrial and Commercial Agreement with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) (PTDI) that will enable the two companies to expand their support and services in Indonesia to Bell Helicopter operators.

Both companies signed the agreement at Bell Helicopter headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, USA on November 30, 2015:


From Left to Right: Front Row: Mr. Budi Santoso, president and CEO of PT Dirgantara Indonesia and Bell Helicopter’s president and CEO Mitch Snyder; Back Row: Executive Vice President of Integrated Operations, Gunnar Kleveland; Mr. Irzal Zailani, vice president of Business Development, PTDI; Mr. Sutjipto, president and CEO, Kalimasada Pusaka, Bell-authorized independent representative and customer service facility; Bell Helicopter’s Executive Vice President of Commercial Business Matt Hasik; Executive Vice President of Customer Support and Services Glenn Isbell and Commercial Program Director Chad Sparks.

Bell Helicopter and PTDI had an agreement in place from 2012 and this extension further solidifies PTDI’s customization and delivery work for Bell 412 platforms and allows PTDI to enhance its relationship with other Bell Helicopter customers and for additional Bell commercial aircraft models. Indonesia’s armed forces have long been served through the Bell Helicopter and PTDI relationship and this agreement will allow Bell Helicopter and PTDI to continue to meet the defense and parapublic needs of the nation and its citizens.

“We are very pleased to continue this agreement with PTDI and expand our operational capabilities in Indonesia,” said Bell Helicopter’s President and CEO Mitch Snyder. “The region represents a significant growth opportunity for sales and operations, and we are pleased to continue our investment in the Asia Pacific market.”

“PTDI and Bell Helicopter have been maintaining its cooperation for a longtime; nowadays both companies see growth with the Bell 412 market in Indonesia, so this cooperation is mutually beneficial to both companies,” said Mr. Budi Santoso, president director PTDI.

Bell Helicopter has had a presence in Indonesia for more than 50 years and currently fields over a hundred aircraft which are supported by a Bell-authorized customer service facility and two dedicated full-time customer service engineers located in Jakarta, as well as through our Singapore service facility that supports regional customers.

PTDI is one of the indigenous aerospace companies in Asia with core competencies in aircraft design and development, aircraft structure manufacturing, aircraft assembly and aircraft services for both civilian and military aircraft. Since 1976, in addition to producing PTDI’s owned products (for example CN235 series, NC212 series), PTDI has established cooperation with several leading aircraft companies, including Bell Helicopter. By having an Industrial and Commercial Agreement, the two companies have agreed to extend the cooperation for the next 5 years that allows PTDI to conduct joint sales and marketing, customization, aircraft delivery, aircraft component manufacturing and aircraft maintenance.

Selamat Jalan Fulcrum, Part II

Marhalim Abas February 29, 2016 Malaysia - RMAF

SHAH ALAM: IN my previous posting – Selamat Jalan, Fulcrum A Photo Tribute – I stated that the future of RMAF Fulcrums remained uncertain as there was no official word on its future. Recently, the decision to award the squadron colours to the sole Fulcrum unit – No 17 Skuadron – however do indicate a lifeline.

Unfortunately, even as the colours presentation ceremony was postponed indefinitely – RMAF Colonel in Chief the Sultan of Pahang was unwell – the fate of the Fulcrums is now somewhat more clearer. According to RMAF chief Jen Roslan Saad, the Fulcrums was under a draw-down.

He declined to be more specific as in previous occasions but it is likely that Fulcrums will not see past its 21st year in service with RMAF. RMAF reluctance to state the exact date of the retirement has been covered here.

Asked why the squadron was awarded the colours even though the aircraft was to be retired in the near future, Roslan said “The squadron deserve the colours, they had done their duties.

Roslan was met after a Press conference at the Subang airbase where the colours ceremony was to be held. Apart from the No 17, three other flight squadrons, No 16, No 18 and No 20 together with the RMAF Regiment (Paskau) were supposed to be awarded their colours at the ceremony today.

No 16 Sqdn flies the Beechcraft B200T MPA, the 18th the Hornets and the 20th, the Hercules.

Meawnhile, Roslan told the press conference that the FDR and CVR of the CN235-220M MM44-07 which ditched near Kuala Selangor on Friday, have been recovered. Both devices – better known as black boxes although they are usually finished in bright orange – are in a good condition and the RMAF expected to get a valuable insight into what led into the mishap.

Roslan said the black boxes will be sent to the Indonesian Aerospace later today for further inspection and recovery of the data. The inquiry into the mishap had already started with interviews with some of the eight crew members . The aircraft was part of the fly-past rehearsal for the Colours ceremony.

Checks on two of the CN-235s from the 1st Squadron showed no anomaly which could explain the Friday’s mishap, according to Roslan. With the mishap, RMAF is left with 7 CN-235 in its book.

Indonesian parliament passes laws on defense cooperation with China, Germany

Tuesday, 01 March 2016 | 16:25 WIB

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has given its approval to forge defense cooperation respectively with China and Germany.

"Can these two bills be passed into laws?" Deputy House Speaker Fadli Zon questioned during a plenary meeting of the parliament here on Tuesday.

The bills were passed into laws after all legislators attending the meeting voiced their consent to the establishment of the defense cooperation.

The new laws are respectively on Approval for Agreement between the Indonesian government and the People's Republic of China on Cooperation in Defense Activities and a memorandum of understanding between the defense ministries of Indonesia and Germany on defense cooperation.

Deputy Chairman of DPR's Commission I Asril Hamzah Tandjung emphasized the need for defense cooperation to protect the country's sovereignty, to develop the state, and to participate in the world order.

Defense Minister Ryamizad Ryacudu noted that the defense cooperation respectively with Germany and China have been established and strengthened on the basis of mutual benefits.

It is also based on the principles of equality and respect for the territorial borders of the respective countries in order to promote world peace.

The new laws are needed as a legal umbrella for establishing defense cooperation with Germany and China, according to Ryacudu.