Today I learned: Indonesians purchased 25 Tu-16 "Badger' bombers way back in the 1960s, in preparation for war with the Netherlands over West Irian

Ever since independence in 1949, Indonsia has always coveted the territory of West Irian. Under president Sukarno, Indonesian military forces continually raided the territory, which was then was still ruled under the Dutch colonial government. This culminated in the breaking off of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In 1961, the Indonesians launched 'Operasi Trikora' to capture West Irian from the dutch authorities. In 1962, Indonesian incursions into the territory in the form of paratroop drops and the naval landings of guerrillas were used to step up the Indonesian Foreign Minister Subandrio's diplomatic confrontation with the Dutch.

Operation Trikora was to unfold in three phases, infiltration, exploitation and consolidation, all under cover of the Indonesian Air Force. The plan called first for the insertion of small bands Indonesian troops by sea and by air drop who would then draw Dutch forces away from areas where the exploitation phase would stage full scale amphibious landings and paratroops operations to seize key locations. The consolidation phase would then expand Indonesian control over the whole of Western New Guinea.

The Indonesian Air Force began to fly attack missions in the area from bases on surrounding islands. Meanwhile amphibious raids by the Indonesian Navy and Marines were intensified.

By the summer of 1962, the Indonesian military had begun planning a large-scale amphibious and air assault against Biak, the Netherlands' main power base in West Irian. This operation would have been known as Operation Jayawijaya ("Victory over colonialism") and would have included a substantial task force of 60 ships including several which had been supplied by Sukarno's Soviet and Eastern Bloc allies, including the heavy cruiser KRI Irian (ex-Ordzhonikidze) along with 16,000 soldiers and Marines. This force was to be commanded by General Suharto (the future president).


KRI Irian

To strengthen their hand, Indonesia purchased 26 Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger' heavy bombers along with a number of KS-1 'Kennel' Anti Ship missiles . These were ordered to sink any Dutch naval vessels trying to resist the planned invasion, especially the light carrier HMNLS Karel Doorman, with its jet-powered Sea Hawk naval fighters, which was identified as a major threat. The Karel Doorman was at that time docked in Frematle, Australia ready to be deployed.


A TNI-AU Tu-16 heavy bomber, armed with two KS-1 missiles

On 15 August 1962, the Netherlands, unwilling and unable to wage a protracted war on the other side of the world, agreed to meet Indonesian officials. They later signed the New York Agreement in which the Netherlands ceded the territory of West Irian to a UN administrative state, with a view of later integration with Indonesia. Due to this agreement, Operation Jayawijaya was called off. Indonesia occupied West Irian in 1963 and renamed in 'Irian Jaya'.

indon powerful strongest in the region

Indonesian Navy back then also had the most submarines in the region operating 12 units Whiskey Class submarines.

Indonesian Navy Whiskey Class submarines during Operation Trikora:



This post has been edited by azriel: Sep 28 2016, 06:28 PM

France Unveils Its Defense Strategy in the South China Sea and Beyond





The Diplomat

Tu-16 in my hometown Jogja, in an aviation museum. Two KS-1 Komet missiles can be seen on both wings. There are also MiG-21, MiG-19 and dozens of other vintage military aircrafts in the museum.

Rub this giant many times during my multiple visits, gives me a tingling sensation each time I do that.

where tingling?

Walk under it, while rubbing its belly....a hint of old metallic and oil scent....it does tingle inside.

Duterte says upcoming Philippines war games with US will be the last



HANOI: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said that an upcoming military joint exercise with the United States would be the last between them but he pledged to honor existing treaties.

Speaking in Hanoi to the Filipino community, Duterte said there would be no chance of joint navy patrols with Washington and that the notion that there was conflict between the Philippines and China was "more imaginary".

"I am serving notice to the United States that this will be the last military exercise," Duterte said referring to the next month's joint marine exercise with the U.S.



(Reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

BTR-4M photo : Defence Military



Read more: http://defence-blog.com/army/indonesia-tak...om-ukraine.html

Sadly the TNI-AU couldn't maintain the Badgers for long though. The 30th September 1965 coup and the policy of realignment to the western world by president Suharto subsequently cut off Indonesia from Soviet supply and maintenance experts needed to maintain the Badgers. All Tu-16s were grounded in 1968 and they were finally decommissioned in 1970. They were barely in service for a decade.


A TNI-AU Tu-16 Badger test-firing the KS-1 'Kennel' Anti-ship missile

Seriously though, back in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s when Malaysia had barely an armed forces, Indonesia had many very modern military assets at the time.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 29 2016, 07:57 AM

Indonesian Air Force by Life Magazine during Operation Trikora.

I found an anecdote about a Tu-16 ordered to do an overfly of KL as a show of force. It was detected by the RAF and was jammed all the way until it was forced to return to Medan.


sos

cost & capacity

Kawasaki C-2 are cheaper with same capacity (vs A400M).

This post has been edited by pcboss00: Sep 29 2016, 09:49 AM

range? y20?

from open source, A400M slightly better due to better fuel consumption. Y-20 still new. but 2nd largest with 66t capacity .

also A400M have better tactical capability due to turboprop engine。it more like tactical airlift with some strategic airlift capability。 well C2 cargo airlift with some tactical capability。
actually currently Y-20 only have about 52-55 tons capability due to old engine they have to wait few year more until new more power full engine to carry over 60 tons is ready。

This post has been edited by waja2000: Sep 29 2016, 11:26 AM

confirm China pao dy

lol RT
that "al Nusra" guy is already being called out for wearing a gold ring
Russia scared rebels receive MANPADs? Sorry I have no sympathy considering what Russian-supported rebels did with their BUK elsewhere

almost no one buys Japanese stuff because its heavily customised and not sure about their aftermarket service
they also sell MPA and AWACS, but no foreign buyers