Indonesian Air Force Chief Strengthens Defense Cooperation with Dassault Aviation

October 13, 2023 by Admin

In a significant move to enhance Indonesia’s defense capabilities, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, S.E., M.P.P., CSFA, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, embarked on a productive factory visit to Dassault Aviation in Bordeaux, France, on October 10, 2023. This was no ordinary visit; it entailed a direct inspection of the production center responsible for crafting the Rafale fighter aircraft, which will soon become a vital part of the Indonesian Air Force. The objective of this visit was to fortify the collaboration between the Indonesian Air Force and the esteemed aircraft manufacturer, Dassault Aviation. During the visit, the Chief of Staff engaged in a symbolic exchange of mementos with Hugues Chambonniere, the Director of the Merignac Plant at Dassault Aviation.

This visit bore witness to the presence of several distinguished officials, including the Assistant Intelligence of Kasau, the Head of the Defense Industry and Facilities Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Defense, the Indonesian Attaché for Defense and the Indonesian Attaché for Air Force Affairs in Paris, and representatives from the French Embassy in Indonesia. Their participation underscored the significance of the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and France, particularly in the realm of defense cooperation and state-of-the-art aerospace military technology. The Indonesian Air Force’s quest for state-of-the-art defense capabilities is evident in this factory visit to Dassault Aviation, a company renowned for its expertise in crafting advanced fighter aircraft.

The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. The Rafale is referred to as an “omnirole” aircraft by Dassault. Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy. The Rafale has been marketed for export to several countries, and was selected for purchase by the Egyptian Air Force, the Indian Air Force, the Qatar Air Force, the Hellenic Air Force, the Croatian Air Force, the Indonesian Air Force and the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

In February 2021, Indonesia’s Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto announced that the purchase of 36 units, as part of a large procurement programme including A330 tankers and complementary American products, was planned and that funds had been secured for its finalization. On 7 June 2021, Indonesia signed a letter of intent to buy 36 Rafales and associated weapons and support. On 20 January 2022, Prabowo Subianto confirmed, that Indonesia completed the negotiation of the contract pending activation of the formal agreement by France. On 10 February 2022, Dassault stated that Indonesia had officially signed an order for 42 Rafale F4, consisting of 30 single-seat and 12 double-seat. The first tranche for six Rafales came into force in September 2022. On 10 August 2023, Dassault Aviation announced that a contract covering a second tranche of 18 Rafale fighters for Indonesia had come into force that day, bringing the total under contract to 24.

Whilst more than a 1000 troops were in the US for exercise forging sabre 2023, close to 5000 troops were simultaneously in Australia for exercise wallaby 2023.

Key point amomgts others: Sgs SAF competence in logistics.

The automatic refuelling system reduces air-refuelling operator workload, improves safety and optimises the air-to-air refuelling transfer rate in operational conditions to maximise air superiority

The Indonesian company, Republikorp, participated in ADEX 2023 and successfully established a strategic cooperation contract on the first day of the exhibition with the South Korean company LIG Nex1. Both parties are committed to producing and transferring technology for various types of missiles, such as the Raybolt missile made in South Korea.

According to LIG Nex1 President Lee Hyeon- Soo, the newly signed agreement aims to formalize cooperation between the two parties in the field of strategic technology exchange, including those related to Korea's Raybolt anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system. Collaboration on the ATGM system will amount to about 35 billion won ($26 million).

"LIG Nex1 looks forward to a strategic partnership with Republikorp, and our company will make best efforts to achieve more positive results in the near future with the aim of strengthening Indonesia's armed forces and defense industry capabilities," he said.

DND gives ‘green light’ to acquire 3 new transport planes

By Priam Nepomuceno
October 17, 2023, 3:49 pm

MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday said it has issued the Notice to Proceed for the acquisition of three brand-new Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 “Super Hercules” aircraft that will greatly enhance the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s tactical and transport capabilities.

“The acquisition started in 2021, as part of the Second Horizon of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. The project was awarded to Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace, arms defense, information security, and technology corporation,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

The first C-130J is scheduled to be delivered in July 2026 and the second one in October of the same year.

Meanwhile, the delivery of the third plane is in January 2027.

Defense observers said the contract for the three aircraft is worth PHP22.2 billion.

“The additional cargo space of the C-130J-30, coupled with the reliability of C-130 aircraft we have in our current fleet, will provide our Air Force with greater operational flexibility,” Andolong said.

He added that these features of the C-130 aircraft will allow the PAF to meet the demands of the AFP’s tactical missions more effectively.

The Philippines Announces The Acquisition Of Three C-130J-30 Super Hercules Tactical Airlifters

Philippines Air Force crews will operate these new C-130J-30s, set to deliver in 2026

MARIETTA, Ga., Oct. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of the Philippines Department of National Defense announced the acquisition of three new C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) through a Direct Commercial Sale. In choosing the C-130J, the Philippines joins 21 other nations that rely on the Super Hercules to support tactical airlift mission requirements.

The tactical mission profile requires a proven aircraft that delivers known operational results and capabilities when operating in challenging environmental and geographic conditions. The C-130J-30 provides these attributes and more to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), which will operate these new Super Hercules. All three aircraft are scheduled to deliver in 2026.

The Philippines is a long-standing C-130 operator, receiving its first Hercules in the early 1970s. The PAF currently operates a mixed fleet of legacy C-130s to support critical humanitarian, military and natural disaster relief missions throughout the Indo-Pacific region. PAF crews will operate the C-130J-30, the stretch version of the C-130J that offers an additional 15 feet (5 meters) of cargo space. The Super Hercules' increased power, range, integration, space and capability will support PAF crews in meeting complex and evolving tactical mission requirements.

"Philippine Air Force crews have long demonstrated what the C-130 is designed to do: go everywhere — in any condition — to deliver hope and help where it's needed most," said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business. "It is an honor to continue serving the Philippines with the most advanced and capable C-130 ever produced. The Super Hercules provides the Philippine Air Force with unmatched interoperability and capability, supporting challenging mission requirements across the Pacific region."

With its new C-130J fleet, the Philippines is part of a global network of Super Hercules operators and offers the PAF unmatched commonality among allied partners, access to a robust international support community, an active supply chain, an innovative block upgrade program and training opportunities with other C-130J operators across the world.

The PAF's existing knowledge of the Hercules aircraft and existing infrastructure also offers a seamless transition between airframes as compared to introducing an entirely new aircraft variant into a fleet, which requires significant time and investment that can prolong fleet readiness.

The C-130J Super Hercules is the proven standard in tactical airlift, providing a unique mix of versatility and performance to complete any mission, anytime, anywhere. To date, 26 operators in 22 nations are part of the C-130J global fleet. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 525 C-130J Super Hercules in 10 mission variants.