KF-21 Prototype Unit 4 with a golden arrow pattern on a black background. KAI plans to choose the one that looks the most inconspicuous and cool in the air after different base paints and patterns for each prototype.

Indonesia awaits ‘contract activation' for Rafale multirole fighters

25 January 2022
by Ridzwan Rahmat


A French Navy Rafale M, seen here on aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle while it was in Singapore. Indonesia has plans to procure 36 units of the aircraft type. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has moved ahead with a plan to procure Rafale multirole fighter aircraft from Dassault Aviation.

In his response to questions at the MoD's annual leaders' rally for 2022 on 20 January, Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto told reporters that negotiations for the programme have been completed, and that the “contract” is now “awaiting activation”. He did not provide further details.

However, in response to queries, Janes was informed on 25 January by a source close to the Indonesian MoD that a preamble contract worth EUR5.8 billion (USD6.56 billion) was signed with Dassault Aviation on 7 June 2021.

The contract, which stipulates a delivery of 36 airframes to the Indonesian Air Force, is not yet active given the lack of clarity over funding. Janes also understands that Indonesia is in the process of seeking a foreign lender to fund this programme.

The Indonesian MoD has outlined an ambition to procure up to 36 Rafale airframes in a programme to fulfil the gap left by the retirement of its Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II fleet. The older aircraft type was formerly operated by the Indonesian Air Force's Aviation Squadron 14.

Defense Acquisition and Program Administration (DAPA) showcased the KF-21 Boramae 001 ready for flight testing.

001 aircraft will reportedly conduct engine testing in February, taxiing test in March, and flight test on the 2nd week of June.

The test was originally scheduled for July but was moved ahead to June because protype assembly and flight preparations went smoothly.

Around 2,241 test sorties are expected to be conducted over the course of 4 years using 6 aircraft. 17 ROKAF test pilots and 10 ROKAF technicians were selected for this purpose.

Currently, 001 aircraft is said to be fully equipped for testing while 002 aircraft had its engines installed. 003-004 aircraft have completed airframe assembly and 005-006 are being assembled. 001-004 aircraft are single seat variant and 005-006 aircraft are tandem seat variants.

You recall this conversation we had regarding (lack of) German influence in NATO?

The latest hoohah is that many NATO countries not least US and UK, the lead Anglos, are pouring in urgent military aid to Ukraine as Russia has increased its forces posturing on the border... while Germany has done nothing so far.

See what I mean? It is things like this which erode European confidence in Germany's ability to be the Continental Big Brother, never mind what the Germans try to pretend

Kuwait already knows since lama dah as we are actually the 3rd country that asked for the Hornet (2 country backs off after awhile)
right now the talks are is not with the Kuwait but rather the US!

if US gives us the green lights then we will make a formal request to Kuwait
lebih kurang macam tu la

I assume US rejected the former 2 request since both has sufficient money to buy new jet rather than to take in used jet?

In eastern Europe probably.

Most of The western Europe likely shared the same position as Germany. Ie just let putin do whatever he wants since annexation of Ukraine is a Turkish & Poland problem not theirs?

not to the Anglos, French, Nordics, even Spanish - everyone has sent weapons and combat units to the front

Germans sent a... field hospital

this whole episode is really shining a spotlight on Germany's lack of backbone

Always wonder if Germany doesn't have a backbone or just pretending not to have one.

They shut down their nuclear reactor, commission Nord stream 2, overly reliance on Russia then terkejut Pikachu kena blackmail.

They seem to be jumping here and there like Indonesia.

No doubt the politics of the situation are far more complex, but to simplify greatly; I see them as having monkey fist problem, or eyes bigger than stomach - they want to be big boy, don't actually have what it takes, and remain in denial

nuke shutdown - kononnya mau super green to layan diehard anti-nuke environmentalists, kantoi lack of power

Russia - kononnya mau reach out hand of friendship, kantoi Putin backstab

NATO/EU - kononnya mau jadi Continental big boss, kantoi backbone 404

Personally it seem to me it's not the lack of a backbone more towards them behaving like a headless chicken.

The are overly reliance on the anglos for even their own defense but are reluctant to give the anglos the leadership roles & just be a followers. They wanted to be the leader but are scared of showcasing responsibility of being a leader due to history & are desperate to showcase that they are harmless nice dude whose friends with everybody.
Of course being a headless chicken is something we are an expert on, the lack of a national ideologies means we too can't even decide what is right or wrong.

to me, it's not that they are headless ie lack leadership

Merkel was an effective leader who catapulted the Germans to the forefront of the EU - at least so I think. At least she seems better than the whole crop of Brits and the French

but they are unwilling to suffer the consequences of hard decisions. even Merkel was no Thatcher - now there was truly an Iron Lady even her enemies these days are unable to say much against her

27 JANUARY 2022

Indonesia, TKMS discuss HDW Class 209, 214 submarines for navy's requirements​

by Ridzwan Rahmat


A Portuguese Navy Tridente (Type 214)-class submarine. Indonesia has held another round of talks with TKMS for the latest variant of this submarine type. (TKMS)

Officials from the Indonesian Navy and the Ministry of Defence have held another meeting with German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

This time, it was to discuss the HDW Class 209/1400mod submarine for Jakarta's underwater warfare requirements. The meeting was held virtually on 12 January, a source close to the discussions has informed Janes.

The matters that were discussed include the HDW Class 209/1400mod's mission profiles and if it can undertake missions required of the Indonesian Navy including conventional submarine warfare, and other operations such as intelligence gathering and special forces insertion.

The HDW Class 209/1400mod is the most recent version of TKMS' 209 family of diesel-electrically powered submarines. The vessel has an overall length of 62 m, a pressure hull diameter of 6.2 m, and it displaces about 1,450 tonnes when surfaced. The vessel is equipped with eight weapon tubes and can accommodate a crew of 30.

Also rediscussed during the meeting was TKMS' Class 214 family, which can be equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems.

This is the second known formal meeting held between Indonesian defence officials and TKMS. As reported by Janes in March 2021, a TKMS delegation was in Jakarta that month to brief Indonesian defence planners on the company's Class 214 offerings.

China to give second-hand submarines to Thailand

27th January 2022 - 23:53 GMT | by Sompong Nondhasa in Bangkok


This is a Song-class submarine of China’s navy. Beijing is donating either two Ming- or Song-class boats to Thailand for training purposes. (SteKrueBe, Wikimedia)

China will give two submarines to Thailand so it can train more effectively as it awaits the delivery of its first new boat.

China is offering military assistance to Thailand by giving two second-hand submarines to the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for training, since its S26T submarine on order is unlikely to be completed on time.

China will supply a pair of either Type 035B Ming-class or Type 039 Song-class boats, with both models still in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

Currently, the RTN is preparing facilities to support submarines. The availability of these two boats in the near future will allow them to train and learn to operate submarines while waiting for S26T submarines.