RSAF's Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft now fully operational

Lim Min Zhang
PUBLISHED APR 20, 2021, 5:00 PM SGT



SINGAPORE - The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) next-generation A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is now fully operational, able to carry out missions such as transporting personnel across large distances and extending the range of fighter jets.

Other than refuelling RSAF's F-16 and F-15SG fighters in mid-air, it can also refuel another MRTT, enabling the refuelled A330 to travel further or stay in the air longer on a single flight.

The MRTT is also now ready for aeromedical operations, including in the event of mass casualty evacuations or the transfer of patients with infectious diseases such as Ebola.

With the flexibility to be configured for different operations, the MRTT is meant to improve the Singapore Armed Forces' ability to take part in international humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions or peace support operations.

On Tuesday (April 20), a ceremony to mark the MRTT attaining full operational capability status was held at Changi Air Base (East), where the 112 Squadron, which operates the MRTTs, is located.

At the ceremony, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that the MRTT marks another step up in efforts to extend the range of RSAF's planes.

Prabowo: Now It Is Urgent, We Must Modernize The Defense Equipment Faster

22 Apr 2021 15:32


DOK ANTARA / Prabowo Subianto

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto emphasized the urgent situation to accelerate the modernization of the main weapon system (alutsista). The acceleration of defense equipment modernization is related to the loss of KRI Nanggala-402.

"Now we urge us to modernize our defense equipment even more quickly and we are sure, I am sure, that in the near future we can modernize our equipment for the three dimensions land, sea and air," said Prabowo at a press conference with the TNI Commander, Thursday, April 22.

Prabowo emphasized that the modernization of defense equipment is a priority. According to him, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered the preparation of a master plan to ensure the strength of national defense.

"(Compilation) of the master plan (span of) 25 years which gives us a totality of defense capabilities, we are currently finalizing. We are working on it, we are working on it, God willing, in 2-3 weeks we will complete it together with the TNI Commander and the Chief of Staff and we will convey it to the President, "he said.

Prabowo admitted that efforts to improve the welfare of TNI members are difficult to go hand in hand with the modernization of defense equipment. But the rejuvenation of defense equipment is encouraged to be prioritized.

"We are currently formulating the management of defense equipment procurement to be more orderly, more efficient. But we do need to rejuvenate our defense equipment. Many of our defense equipment are indeed due to compulsion and because we prioritize the development of our welfare, we have not modernized it faster, "added Prabowo.

Prabowo also mentioned the procurement of 3 new submarines from South Korea. Currently the submarine is being tested.

"Indeed, we plan to add more submarines, but I want to always underline, let alone the problem of this submarine operation, this is one in the whole world, is an operation or a field of warfare which is the most complex, the most difficult, and the most dangerous," said Prabowo.

Does Indonesia have any submarine rescue vessels?

Given the number of submarines it has in service and more on the procurement pipeline, I'm wondering whether it already has submarine rescue vessels in service or whether they have one on order.

Berdasarkan sumber yang dapat dipercaya, Kementerian Pertahanan telah mengalokasikan anggaran USD 87 juta (Rp 1,2 triliun) untuk pengadaan satu submarine rescue vehicle systems pada periode anggaran 2020-2024.

29 APRIL 2021

Indonesia looks to restart work on KF-21 project

by Jon Grevatt

Aerospace engineers from Indonesia could soon return to South Korea to recommence work on the development of the KF-21 fighter aircraft, Janes understands.

More than 140 Indonesian personnel returned home in March 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic but their return to South Korea could soon be facilitated through government-level talks between the two countries, official sources confirmed to Janes.

However, a stumbling block to co-operation could be funding and the scope to which Indonesia agrees to support the KF-21 development programme (also named KF-X) going forward.

Indonesia has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the programme and talks on its repayments are scheduled to start in the next two months.

President Jokowi and Defense Minister Discuss Modernizing 'Alutsista'

Translator: Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana

29 April 2021 13:03 WIB



TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday, April 29, held a meeting with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta. The private meeting reportedly discussed updating Indonesia’s primary weapons defense system or Alutsista.

This was confirmed by the Defence Ministry’s spokesperson Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak on Thursday “One of the [discussion] is the roadmap on modernizing the alutsista.”

This issue was expressed publicly by Prabowo Subianto himself after the tragic sinking of the Indonesian naval submarine KRI Nanggala 402 in Bali strait just last week. The Nanggala that ended up sinking 838 meters below the ocean surface was a German built submarine produced in 1977.

Subianto asserted that modernizing the alutsista in the National Armed Forces’ Army (TNI AD), Navy (TNI AL), and Airforce (TNI AU) during the press conference that officially announced the sinking of the submarine.

The former Army Special Forces (Kopassus) general said President Jokowi had ordered him and TNI leaders to create a master plan on Indonesia’s defense for the next 25 years, which he said will be formulated in 2-3 weeks.

Ismail Sabri: Cabinet to decide on fate of littoral combat ship project

By Zahratulhayat Mat Arif
April 26, 2021 @ 8:02pm

LUMUT: The delay in the delivery of the Royal Malaysian Navy's littoral combat ships (LCS) will be brought to the Cabinet to ascertain the best solution, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said that the matter is crucial to determine the future of the project as well as the fate of 10,000 workers and vendors who are affected due to the delay.

"We will bring the matter to the Cabinet to get solutions. There are two options, the first of which is for Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) to have a new direction that will be presented in the Cabinet to enable the project to continue.

"If this does not obtain Cabinet approval, a new company will be appointed. So far, we are leaning towards the first option," he said.

30 APRIL 2021

Indonesian consortium launches ‘tank boat' prototype

by Ridzwan Rahmat

An Indonesian consortium led by state-owned arms manufacturer PT Pindad launched a prototype of the ‘tank boat’ fire support vessel on 28 April in waters off Banyuwangi, East Java.


A full-sized mock-up of the tank boat at Indo Defence 2016. A prototype of the vessel was launched in waters off Banyuwangi, East Java, on 28 April. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

A concept for the 18 m vessel was first revealed by Indonesian boatbuilder PT Lundin in 2014. Other Indonesian companies that have since joined the project include PT Pindad, state-owned electronics company PT Len, and privately owned engineering firm PT Hariff. A full sized mock-up of the vessel was made public for the first time at the Indo Defence 2016 exhibition in Jakarta.

The tank boat can accommodate up to 60 passengers and five crew members, according to specifications provided by PT Pindad in a statement on 29 April. The catamaran-hulled vessel has a top speed of 40 kt and a maximum range of about 600 n miles at 9 kt, the company added.

However, unlike the full-scale mock-up that was displayed at Indo Defence 2016, the prototype has been armed with what appears to be a 30 mm gun mounted in a remote-controlled weapon station instead of the Cockerill 105 mm high-pressure gun that was initially planned.

“It is hoped that the tank boat can support the Indonesian Armed Forces in conducting patrols along Indonesia’s seas, rivers, and coasts, and also take on operations associated with the coast guard,” said PT Pindad in its statement, adding that the programme is being supported by the Indonesian defence ministry.

sar concluded
both ships is heading home

Govt agrees to continue Littoral Combat Ship project, says Ismail Sabri

Saturday, 08 May 2021 8:09 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The government has agreed that the Boustead Group will continue with the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project that has been delayed since 2019 with conditions to be complied with by the company, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Defence Minister said this was decided at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (May 5).

He said the continuation of the construction project would protect 1,600 local workers from losing their jobs and more than 400 vendors comprising Bumiputera SMEs.

"If the construction of this LCS is not continued, it will have a negative impact on the workers and the Bumiputera vendors involved.

"It will also affect the Armed Forces Fund Board, which is a shareholder in Boustead Holdings Bhd," he said in a statement Friday (May 7) night.

Ismail Sabri also said that if the project was not continued, it would indirectly affect the contributors who are military personnel and the bank that gave the loan to this project would also suffer losses because Boustead Naval Shipyard could not afford to pay the loan.

Challenger 3 - the British Army's new main battle tank is coming

A major upgrade of the British Army’s main battle tank featuring extra firepower and cutting-edge protection systems will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of tank design, poised to respond to future global threats and challenges.

07 May 2021 10:29

A contract with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) to deliver 148 Challenger 3 tanks will extend the platform’s out of service date to 2040. It will provide 200 skilled jobs at RBSL, including 130 engineers and 70 technicians. A further 450 jobs will be established throughout the wider supply chain across the West Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Isle of Wight.

It will offer export opportunities and will support the case for the UK participation in any future international tank programmes.

The overhaul will include:

• a new 120mm smoothbore gun which uses the most advanced globally available ammunition

• a new suite of sights providing tank commanders with enhanced day and night targeting abilities

• new modular armour

• an active protection system

• a turret that can be fitted to the tanks of allies and global partners