Indonesia’s New X18 Combat Boat Begins On-Water Tests

Indonesia's X18 Combat Boat program is moving towards first delivery, John Cockerill Defence (JCD), which is supplying the armament, told Naval News. A protoype has been put in the waters on April 28 in Banyuwangi Waters.

Nathan Gain  07 May 2021

Formerly known as the "Tank Boat", the Combat Boat was developed for the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and will be known locally as "Antanesa".

« The boat will undergo builder trials to check all of its functions on the water. The boat is expected to support TNI operation in swamp, river, coastal and sea as well as coast guard duties », PT Pindad said on its Facebook page.

The X18 Combat Boat  is a program launched by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. Formerly known as « Tank Boat », it is executed by a consortium in which PT Pindad is the lead integration in collaboration with PT Lundin (North Sea Boats), PT Len Industri (Persero), and PT Hariff. These boats are intended for the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and will be known locally as “Antanesa”.

This « APC » variant of the Combat Boat is primarily designed  for troop transport tasks. It will be capable of carrying up to 60 troops, 5 tons of cargo, drones and will be manned by a 5 strong crew.

« Equipped with 30mm RCWS and two 12,7mm machine guns, the boat is prepared to protect Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial waters, » PT Pindad adds.


The X18 Combat Boat has been launched on April 28 in Banyuwangi Waters (PT Pindad picture)

The vessel integrates John Cockerill Defense’s (JCD) Cockerill 3030 unmanned turret. The Belgian company also made engineering and construction improvements in regards to the marine environment and the specificity of the catamaran composite material.


The Combat Boat will deploy quadcopter drones for ISR taks.

The APC variant will have further enhancement, such as missile firing capabilities, JCD added. Drones integration, for example, is currently being tested. Provided by NORTHSEADRONES, a cooperation between Norway and Indonesia, the drone will be linked with the boat and turret and will be used for surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

Sea trials will last until the end of May. The Factory Acceptance test (FAT) step, as well as the site acceptance test (SAT) and harbor acceptance test (HAT), will all happen in May 2021. At sea live firing tests will begin next month. The delivery to the TNI-AD has not been decided yet, but could occur likely around September 2021.

Joint production of ships with Indonesia Strengthening security cooperation for the JMSDF prototype

2021.5.11 22:27
Political policy

Prime Minister's Office = Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo It was revealed on the 11th that the Japanese government is aiming to receive orders for ships from Indonesia using the "joint production" method based on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ships. Under the three principles of defense equipment transfer formulated in 2014, "export" can only be permitted for equipment used for rescue and alert surveillance, and in order to transfer a escort ship capable of killing, it must be joint production, not export. This is because it is difficult to admit. It will be the first time if joint production of ships is realized.

Japan, Italy and Turkey are competing for orders for the relocation of ships to Indonesia. If Japan receives an order, through joint production, it will be possible to strengthen security cooperation with Indonesia, which is a major power of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and is exposed to the intimidation of China in the South China Sea.

The first ship to be prototyped in joint production with Indonesia is the JMSDF's new escort ship "FFM", which is scheduled to be commissioned in March next year. In addition to anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, and naval battle, it also has anti-aircraft warfare functions.

In the three principles of defense equipment transfer that paved the way for overseas transfer of equipment, it is assumed that exports can be permitted for equipment for the purposes of (1) rescue (2) transportation (3) vigilance (4) surveillance (5) minesweeping. ing. The air defense radar contracted with the Philippines as the first domestically produced "finished product export" in August last year applies to vigilance and surveillance. For ships, rescue ships and transport ships can be allowed to be exported, but escort ships equipped with naval artillery are not allowed.

19 MAY 2021

Allison announces involvement in Indonesia's Harimau project

by Jon Grevatt

US company Allison Transmission has confirmed its inclusion in the Indonesian programme to build the Harimau medium tank for the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

Allison Transmission said on 18 May that it has recently collaborated with other key contractors on the Harimau programme to integrate its “cross-drive transmission technology” onto the 30-tonne tank.

The transmission, it said, provides propulsion, steering and braking capabilities and is manufactured under licence by Caterpillar Defense in the United Kingdom.

“Most recently Allison Transmission has collaborated with Caterpillar Defense, [Turkish firm] FNSS, and [Indonesia’s] PT Pindad to provide a new medium tank to the Indonesian Armed Forces known as the Harimau,” said a press release.

18 MAY 2021

Japan looks to introduce finance system for defence exports

by Jon Grevatt

The government of Japan is reportedly looking into the possibility of supporting defence exports through the provision of low-interest loans.

The plan would involve the state-owned Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) providing credit to potential customers.

Government sources cited by Japanese media said the loans would enable developing countries with a shortfall in funding to procure defence equipment from Japan. The government’s official export credit agency, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), would support the loans.


Japan is understood to be seeking to establish a framework that can provide financial support for defence exports, including a potential sale of Japan’s 30FFM-class frigate (pictured) to Indonesia. (Mitsui E&S)

Contacted by Janes, JBIC and NEXI have not commented on the reports.

However, Janes understands that the potential move is aligned with a Japanese government effort to introduce a formal framework to financially support defence exports.

MAY 19, 2021

US Issues Export Licenses to Turkey to Sell T129 Attack Helicopters to Philippines

Turkey obtained the necessary export permits from the USA in order to export the T129 ATAK Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter to the Philippines. With the completion of the necessary approvals, a total of 12 ATAK exports will be made to the Philippines, 6 in the first batch and 6 in the second.

Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement to the press on 07 December 2018, Turkish Aviation and Space Industry Inc. (TAI) produced the T-129 ATAK Assault and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter and announced that 6-8 units would be purchased in the first place.

However, the sale in question did not come to life for a while due to awaiting export permission for US manufactured parts such as the engine in the T129 ATAK helicopter. In fact, the United States offered to sell AH-64 Apache and AH-1Z Viper helicopters to the Philippines in the meantime, but this offer was not accepted by the Philippines.

According to the information in Defense Industry; TUSAŞ Corporate Marketing and Communications Director Serdar Demir stated in his statement at the Defense's Star Shines event that the USA gave the necessary export permits for ATAK exports to the Philippines. 

A total of 12 ATAK exports will be made to the Philippines, 6 in the first batch and 6 in the second.

Indonesia Close to Signing Rafale Contract: French Media

Our Bureau  
08:44 AM, May 19, 2021  2981


Rafale jets @Dassault Aviation

Indonesia could become the latest customer for the French Rafale fighters with an agreement expected to be signed soon.

The contract is awaiting Indonesian presidential acceptance to route money from the Ministry of Defense account to buy the jets, LA Tribune reported today.

Indonesian Air Force plans to buy at least 36 Rafales. During a visit to Paris in October 2020, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto reiterated his keen interest in the Dassault Aviation fighter plane.

The two countries have initiated a strategic dialogue this year with the objective of quickly signing a cooperation agreement in the field of defense.

This jets was RMAF favorite for MMRCA. Indon get it first.

Meeting Parly and Subianto in the coming weeks?

According to a source familiar with the matter, the Indonesian Defense Minister should meet in "the coming weeks" his counterpart, Florence Parly, who mentioned last December an order for 36 Rafale by Jakarta. For his part, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier mentioned last January an order of between 24 and 40 aircraft. "The industrial proposal and the contractualization have come to an end," we told La Tribune.

French manufacturers (GIE Rafale) submitted their offer in early December. The ball is therefore in Joko Widodo's court. And everyone is now waiting for the engagement authorization, which must be given by the Indonesian president. Which will be the fifth country between Croatia (12 second-hand Rafale), Switzerland (from 30 to 40 aircraft) and Indonesia, to acquire the tricolor combat aircraft. Suspense.

Japan Offers to Jointly Build Warship with Indonesia

If the project materializes, it would strengthen Indonesia’s ability to deter Chinese intimidation in the South China Sea, and reinforce Japan’s cooperation with ASEAN.

Published 10 hours ago on May 21, 2021
By The Sankei Shimbun 


December 2020 launch of Japan's new 'FFM' type frigate, JS Kumano

The Japanese government hopes to enter into a contract with Indonesia for joint manufacturing of maritime vessels based on the design of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer, it was learned on May 11. 

Under Japan’s 2014 “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology,” the transfer of defense-related equipment for purposes such as surveillance and rescue operations is permitted, but the transfer of vessels such as frigates, which have lethal potential, is not. 

However, joint production provides a legitimate path for assisting Indonesia with its needs for maritime monitoring vessels. The envisioned Japan-Indonesia joint production of a destroyer, if materialized, would be the first of its kind.

Japan, Italy, and Turkey are competing for defense-related vessel contracts with Jakarta.

Indonesia, a major power of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has also been exposed to intimidation from China in the South China Sea. If Japan is successful in winning the joint manufacturing contract, it would expedite the strengthening cooperation with Indonesia and help hold China in check.

The prototype for the joint production proposal is the latest model of MSDF multi-mission frigate (FFM), currently scheduled to be commissioned in March 2022. In addition to anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, and naval battle abilities, this model also has anti-mine capabilities.

There are five categories of activity for which the transfer of defense equipment and technology is allowed under the three-point principles of 2014: rescue and relief; transportation, patrol, surveillance; and minesweeping.

The Multi Role Support Ship is the one which is offered to RMN MRSS project, isnt it?
It wont be the same as TNI Makassar class.

21 MAY 2021

France begins Rafale F4 flight trials

by Gareth Jennings

France has launched flight trials of the latest F4 standard of the Dassault Rafale combat aircraft, the Ministry of the Armed Forces announced on 20 May.


Two F4-1 standard Rafale combat aircraft took part in flight trials in April, flying realistic tactical scenarios alongside other French aircraft types. (Ministry of the Armed Forces)

The tests of an F4-1 configured Rafale took place out of Istres airbase in southern France from 26 to 29 April. They were conducted under the stewardship of the Directorate General of Armament (DGA).

“Eight complex missions representing 50 aircraft sorties were carried out by test crews from the DGA, the French Navy, the French Air and Space Force, and Dassault Aviation,” the ministry said, adding the trials saw two Rafales configured to the F4-1 standard operate as part of a wider aerial component of up to eight aircraft, performing realistic tactical scenarios.

News of the commencement of flight trials came some two-and-a-half years after the Rafale F4 upgrade was formally launched. As noted by Dassault in January 2019, the F4-standard will include enhancements to the Thales RBE2 active electronic scanned array (AESA) radar, the Thales TALIOS long-range airborne targeting pod and the Reco NG reconnaissance pod; upgrades to the aircraft's communications suite; improved pilot helmet-mounted displays; a new engine control unit; and the ability to carry new weaponry such as the Mica Next-Generation (NG) air-to-air missile and 1,000 kg Sagem Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM) modular air-to-ground precision weapon.

INDONESIA TO SIGN AN ORDER FOR 36 RAFALE

Thursday 05/20/2021 at 9:38

The contract with Indonesia for the sale of 36 Rafale to Indonesia is reportedly on track. According to La Tribune, it was signed by the Minister of Defense and is only awaiting a presidential decree.

Home straight for the signing of a new Rafale contract. According to La Tribune, Indonesia would be "very close to boarding" the French fighter plane. According to "corroborating sources", the contract would have been initialed by Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense, and only awaits the approval of President Joko Widodo to validate the financing of the contract.

A source even suggests that Prabowo Subianto should meet in "the coming weeks", Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces to formalize the order.

If this signing materializes, it would confirm the optimism of Florence Parly. Last December, on BFM Business, the Minister of the Armed Forces mentioned this contract which would cover 36 aircraft and that it was on track. For his part, Eric Trappier, remained vague on the number of devices by speaking of 24 to 40 devices. The amount of the contract would be around 4 billion euros.

5 submarines and two corvettes

This signature, if validated by a presidential decree, would once again confirm the success of Dassault Aviation's fighter plane. The Rafale posted a score of 144 aircraft sold for export in addition to the 192 aircraft of the French armies.

The last order was signed on April 26 with Egypt and covers 30 devices. Other contracts could be signed this year. Tenders are underway with the United Arab Emirates (36 aircraft), India (110), Croatia (12), Finland (64) and Switzerland (40).

Indonesia is a regular customer of France in terms of armaments. Ranked 12th in terms of exports, the French sold it for $ 1.62 billion between 2010 and 2019. 

At the start of 2021, in addition to the Rafales, discussions began on five Scorpène submarines armed with the Exocet SM39 missile and two Gowind corvettes of 2,500 tonnes.