Indonesian Aero News

the road runner said:

So they are looking at the Battlehawk ,version.Seems like a very flexible platform for Special Forces ,one that can be tailor made for most missions they would face.

Sikorsky - S-70 Battlehawk Helicopter [480p] - YouTube

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That's my predictions. The special forces previously want Mi-35 due to their Armed capabilities while in the same time can drop special units in the field. However based on several indications that show they're not really satisfied with Mi-35, then at same time this news on Black Hawk as alternative for Apache, I predict they want the Armed S-70 or like you said known as Battlehawk.

By putting Apache, Super Cobra and Black Hawk as their alternatives for attack helicopters, the Army seems since beginning seems in my mind did not put Anti Armor capabilities as their main concern, however Special Ops seems come my mind when they put their 'wanting' list like that. On some interview from Minister and Army Chief when they've been asked by Media, why Apache, and some indications that seem constant from those interviews is the capabilities for night covert operations.

Which then I can only digress that if they can not get Apache on the budget they prepared (plus the quantity they want), they will try to get second alternatives. As the second alternatives come out turn to be Black Hawk and not Super Cobra, again in my mind put what they really want is something for Special Ops capabilities.

After all look what US statement says when they approved possible sale of Apache to Indonesia: Help Indonesian forces in securing illegal incursions and terrorists activities. That's means more to Special Ops.

Then again personally like my previous posts, I do have question on logic having Black Hawk and Mi-17 at same time. Understand the need, but not really an efficient way to build your Helicopter fleet.

Add:
My opinion little bit different from when the time the news of Indonesia possible procurement of Apache come out, few months ago. Well, with different insight that come out, seems more in my opinion indication Special Ops considerations will be more determining rather than Anti Armor or others. Mi-35 and Mi-17 will still found uses with TNI-AD, but more to other regular operations.

What seems to me is that the Army wanting western made equipment, but the politicians wanting eastern made equipment, possibly giving them an ability to suppress any future insurgencies without the risk of another embargo. To me, if they are so hard balled for Special Operations they should go with the MH-6X. If we are planning on buying AH-64E's it would give their UAV capabilities some use...

On a side note, I've recently found this while looking at the other threads: http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2013/2/13/1524/

I know it's awhile ago, but due to the lack of the news for the Sukhoi's is it any indication that the Sukhoi deal might have stalled for good?

Do any of the Indonesian members know of Angkasa magazine? There is an article called 'Apa Kabar KFX / IFX?' on the website.

And apparently there will be more information in the actual magazine for this February. Can anyone pick this up for scanning/translation?

(Also can anyone summarize the internet article? I get an idea but google translate sucks)

DNAz said:

Do any of the Indonesian members know of Angkasa magazine? There is an article called 'Apa Kabar KFX / IFX?' on the website.

And apparently there will be more information in the actual magazine for this February. Can anyone pick this up for scanning/translation?

(Also can anyone summarize the internet article? I get an idea but google translate sucks)

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Haven't seen the printed editions (already more than a year haven't bought one, and rellying more to internet sources and other media). However in short the article says:

1. Indonesia and ROK still committed with KFX/IFX program, and the time line still aimed toward 2020+. The KFX/IFX will still be designed as 4.5 gen Fighter, wich incorporated LO technology. The target to have more capability then the latest Viper (F-16 block 60).
2. The program have 5 stages, where 2 (feasibility studies and technical development stages) already finish. The next stage, Engineering and Manufacturing Development stage (EMD) should begin early this year. However the Korean side decided to postpone it for 1.5 year.
3. The reason for postpone is because Korea now in the process on choosing their 5th gen Fighter (FX-III). Korea hope that the deal will also provide additional tech transfer that can be used for KFX program.

On other site the Angkasa Readers Community site, there also an article of interview with Mindef R&D dept. In short the interview confirm the other article and added EMD stage need to be postpone since at this stage will be determined which Technology will be used by KFX/IFX, and thus more negotiations with potential supplier first. For that EMD can be potentially the longest stages.

The ARC article also stated that the final configurations for KFX and IFX will have some differentiation due to different needs between Indonesia and Korea.

Good news!
The first two Su-30MK2 from the order of six arrived two days ago (on friday).

Nice Paint sceeme. What kind of engine is attached? the AL-31FP?

It seems both Vietnam and Indonesia are building further upon their Flanker Fleet.
Any chance to get a glimse of their cockpit would be nice.

Cheers

Haavarla said:

Nice Paint sceeme. What kind of engine is attached? the AL-31FP?

It seems both Vietnam and Indonesia are building further upon their Flanker Fleet.
Any chance to get a glimse of their cockpit would be nice.

Cheers

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The engine will still be AL-31F variance that being used on previous batch. Rosoboron sources also confirm this deal for 6 SU-30MK2 also followed with unconfirmed numbers of spare AL-31F.

This deal was being planned two years ago, and it purpose only to equiped existing sq to full 16 fighters. No additional flankers being plan. TNI AU now focus more on getting additional refurbished F-16 plus upgrading their existing F-16.

Ananda said:

The engine will still be AL-31F variance that being used on previous batch. Rosoboron sources also confirm this deal for 6 SU-30MK2 also followed with unconfirmed numbers of spare AL-31F.

This deal was being planned two years ago, and it purpose only to equiped existing sq to full 16 fighters. No additional flankers being plan. TNI AU now focus more on getting additional refurbished F-16 plus upgrading their existing F-16.

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There is some information from Dubai Expo that they sealed contract to China and Indonesia for SU-35.

Do you have information regarding this?

There's an upgrade contract for the Su-30MK and Su-27SK, probably to the MK2 and SKM standard.

bmpd -

There's an upgrade contract for the Su-30MK and Su-27SK, probably to the MK2 and SKM standard.

bmpd -

Saracens said:

There is some information from Dubai Expo that they sealed contract to China and Indonesia for SU-35.

Do you have information regarding this?

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Ahhh..bet that talked come from this article Sukhoi SU-35 pour la Chine et l

There are also some talked on local forum and media, however if you translate that article, it's just a claim that Indonesia is interested with SU-35. The done deal is only for this additional 6 SU-30 MK2.

China seems the one that already conclude the deal for SU-35. Considering 2014 is already in the corner, I don't think this Administrations will conclude another Fighter deal except that already being done. Any additional procurement will be conducted by the next Administrations. And that depends on who will be the next President.

Still if any fighter deal will be conducted by the presentnadministrations, personally I think will be additional ex USAF F-16 airframes that will be fully refurbished just like current 24 ex USAF deals. Getting refurbished ex USAF ones will get them more Airframes in quantity on less time frame. Those Airframes after refurbished will potentially provide 6000 flight hours, and can still be used as nice stop gap for at least 15 years.

Current thinking more on stop gap since they (Mindef) planners still wait on the development of KFX/IFX. I do believe any interest on SU-35 will be used as alternative, if KFX/IFX development is not moving as they hope.

Feanor said:

There's an upgrade contract for the Su-30MK and Su-27SK, probably to the MK2 and SKM standard.

bmpd -

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Thanks for the info. It's been around for some time here that the Air Force want the first batch on 2 SU-27 SK and 2 SU-30 MK being upgraded to SKM and MK2 standard. This will provide them with uniformed logistics.

DI CN-235 with winglet

Got it from local forum. Speculation this is the new CN-235 DI/ IAe version for MPA. No technical confirmation yet. There is also speculations this will be developed as CN-235 NG that DI has put the concept some time ago.

DI/IAe delivered 6 new under license Bell 412 EP : TNI AD Terima Enam Helikopter Angkut - KOMPAS.com

This part of 24 Bell 412 EP deal with Bell Textron through PT. DI/IAe which has been signed last year. This is the first EP version being used by Indonesia Army (TNI-AD) which before mostly used Bell 412 SP which also being manufactured under license by DI as NBell-412.

Latest SIPRI report (1sr quarter 2013), show that by 2012, Russia already delivered AA-12, AS-14, AS-17, and AS-18 missiles for TNI-AU flankers. According defense-studies blogspot, previous SIPRI report indicated by 2011 TNI-AU already received AA-11. However domestically TNI-AU never admitted or acknowledged the existance of missiles on their Flankers, yet.

Reuters quoted Indonesian Defence Minister that implied plan for more Flankers:
Indonesia to buy more Russian jet fighters, patrol ships | Reuters

However refering to his quotation on local Media, it's not clear whether he's refering to plan having equiping existing Flankers to full sq as the on going program, or additional flankers on top of that.

What's clear is that on this present 5 years term, this administrations plan from 09 -14 spending USD 15 bio for modernising Defense Assets. This is part of overall budget, but indicating more on part of the budget that can be used for procurement until 2014.

Ananda said:

Reuters quoted Indonesian Defence Minister that implied plan for more Flankers:
Indonesia to buy more Russian jet fighters, patrol ships | Reuters

However refering to his quotation on local Media, it's not clear whether he's refering to plan having equiping existing Flankers to full sq as the on going program, or additional flankers on top of that.

What's clear is that on this present 5 years term, this administrations plan from 09 -14 spending USD 15 bio for modernising Defense Assets. This is part of overall budget, but indicating more on part of the budget that can be used for procurement until 2014.

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It's definetly an interesting mix Indonesia is running forward with. Seams like it will even out to be a nice balance between F-16's and Sukhoi's.

It would be very interesting to know how they perceive both elements and if they pit them against each other in opposed training exercises which ones come out on top more often?

King Wally said:

It would be very interesting to know how they perceive both elements and if they pit them against each other in opposed training exercises which ones come out on top more often?

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From what TNI-AU have said in media or talking with some of it's personnel, the SU-30 Mk2 being treated in TNI-AU for missions that reflecting what USAF done with F-15E. It's not entirely simmilar, but in sense for TNI-AU those Flankers will conduct somewhat different agenda than F-16.

Ananda said:

Got it from local forum. Speculation this is the new CN-235 DI/ IAe version for MPA. No technical confirmation yet. There is also speculations this will be developed as CN-235 NG that DI has put the concept some time ago.

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Thanks for posting, at last some good news about themodernisation of the CN235 and the development of the CN235NG.
Indeed according to some posters at Indoflyer, its the first CN235MPA for the Navy (TNI-AL) out of the order of three.
And.."Rencanya ini juga sekaligus sebagai ekperimen untuk blended winglet yang akan digunakan pada CN-245 / N-245 (Versi sipil dari CN-235, dg penambahan winglet & perubahan penampang rear fuselage tanpa ada ramp door). "
But this CN235MPA is still using the same CT7-9C engines.

Ananda said:

Latest SIPRI report (1sr quarter 2013), show that by 2012, Russia already delivered AA-12, AS-14, AS-17, and AS-18 missiles for TNI-AU flankers. According defense-studies blogspot, previous SIPRI report indicated by 2011 TNI-AU already received AA-11. However domestically TNI-AU never admitted or acknowledged the existance of missiles on their Flankers, yet.

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Hmmm..quite sensitive information (although its almost unreadable), even the amount of missiles are written in this report.
Its also telling that the four UAVs ordered by our government are not originated from the Philippines ..... which is not a surprise!

But also the order of the 22 Black Fox IFV is interesting, this order isnt reallly exposed in local media. Maybe because its very close to what Pindad can produce....
But its also confusing, because other source says that Indonesia has ordered 22 K21 IFVs..