The defense of the islands of Indonesia depends, among other things, on the work of a powerful state-owned enterprise, which supplies weapons and equipment for a fairly large army and marines of this country
The Indonesian TNI AD (in Indonesian - Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat) is a large and fairly well-equipped army of about 300,000 people. Historically, the army has been primarily focused on national counterinsurgency operations. With the current absence of external threats, the army, navy and air force currently give preference to operations carried out outside the conditions of war. For example, these are peacekeeping operations, disaster relief, border protection, maritime security and protection of natural resources.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards increasing the mobility of army units in order to fill gaps in the defense of the Indonesian archipelago as part of the government's "minimum force" policy. However, the transfer between the islands also depends on aviation and military / civilian ships, and this is often hampered by poor operational reliability of equipment. Analysts say the military's capabilities in combined arms and combined forces remain limited.
The government is targeting at least 1% of GDP for defense over the next few years, although it is not yet clear if this is achievable. Funding limits the scale of modernization of the armed forces, which in turn forces to keep outdated weapons in service. The government increased the 2016 defense budget by 9.2% to $ 8.28 billion. Most of the additional appropriation will be spent on the procurement and modernization of military bases, including the Natuna Islands (Bunguran Archipelago) in the disputed South China Sea.
Although Indonesia is not directly involved in the embarrassing territorial dispute, it strongly opposes the illegal activities of Chinese boats and other fishing vessels near the Natuna Islands. Indonesia is in the process of strengthening its military presence in the region and plans to deploy AN-64E Apache helicopters, fighters, drones and Oerlikon Skyshield anti-aircraft systems. Jakarta also plans to acquire a communications satellite from Airbus Defense and Space and launch it in 2019.
Heavy metal
After the Netherlands rejected an Indonesian application for the purchase of surplus Leopard 2 tanks, in December 2012 it ordered 61 Leopard 2 RI tanks and 42 Leopard 2+ tanks, 42 modernized Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles and 10 specialized vehicles (4 Buffel armored vehicles, 3 bridgelayers Leguan and three engineering vehicles) for $ 280 million. Indonesia became the second Asian country to adopt the Leopard 2 tank after Singapore, although doubts remain about the correct decision to buy such heavy vehicles, given the many islands, bad roads and continuous jungle.
Rheinmetall completed these deliveries by the end of 2016. All the transferred Leopard 2+ tanks are a Leopard 2A4 variant with a modified air conditioning system.
The first eight Leopard 2 RI tanks arrived in Indonesia in May 2016. Tanks with the "RI" index are a 2A4 variant, taken from the presence of the German army and modernized by Rheinmetall by adding a modular AMAP armor kit from IBD, while the electro-hydraulic turret and cannon drives were replaced with electric ones. An auxiliary power unit of 17 kW, an air conditioning system and other systems are installed, the driver has a rear-view camera.
Modification of the 120-mm smoothbore gun with a barrel length of 44 caliber and the corresponding sights allows you to fire programmable high-explosive fragmentation projectiles DM11. The Indonesian state-owned enterprise RT Pindad cooperates with the German Rheinmetall for the production of ammunition and technical support for the Leopard and B MP Marder tanks.
The Indonesian Marder infantry fighting vehicles have been upgraded with a power unit, suspension and ballistic protection, and an air conditioning system. The hull roof is raised by 300 mm in order to increase the volume of the troop compartment. A Pindad spokesman said that "we are currently discussing with the army the possibility of contributing to the Marder modernization program, which will transform the vehicles from the second batch into different options: command, ambulance and supply."
In February 2014, Indonesia also received three protected Bushmaster 4x4 armored vehicles from Thales Australia as part of an intergovernmental deal worth $ 2 million, which entered service with the Indonesian special forces KOPASSUS. The army also operates 22 Black Fox 6x6 Doosan DST armored vehicles purchased in 2009. These South Korean vehicles are equipped with CMI Defense CSE 90LP turrets with a 90 mm Cockerill cannon.
Firepower
The artillery systems of the Indonesian Armed Forces are gradually being updated. For example, it has been confirmed that Indonesia will buy 20 used BAE Systems M109A4 self-propelled howitzers, mainly from Belgium.
Earlier in 2012, the artillery troops purchased 37 155mm Nexter CAESAR self-propelled howitzers mounted on Renault Sherpa 6x6 truck chassis. In addition, in the same year, 36 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of Brazilian production Avibras ASTROS II were ordered. They, along with the corresponding command posts and shell replenishment vehicles, are sufficient to replenish two regiments. In 2014, the army received 18 towed 155mm 39 gauge WIA KH179 from South Korea.
In January 2014, Jakarta announced that it had selected Thales' ForceShield integrated anti-aircraft system, which includes Starstreak missiles and a ControlMaster 200 radar station. In the same year, Saab was awarded a contract to work with Pindad to modernize 40 portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS) RBS 70. The Indonesian army also has Chinese QW-3 MANPADS.
First of all, Pindad is promoting its Badak (rhino) 6x6 armored combat vehicle, which was shown at Indo Defense 2014. The Badak armored vehicle, based on a new hull with a ballistic protection level corresponding to STANAG 4569 Level 3, successfully passed firing tests of its main 90-mm armament at the infantry test center. A company spokesman commented that "Badak has passed qualification tests … We are preparing the production lines and the machine will soon be on the market."
On this project, Pindad is working closely with the Belgian CMI Defense. Its two-man Cockerill CSE 90LP turret with a low-pressure cannon will be produced in Indonesia under a technology transfer agreement signed at the end of 2014. In this regard, Pindad engineers have been trained in the manufacture of an aluminum alloy tower. The company will manufacture this turret not only for the Badak armored vehicle, but will also "act as a dedicated turret manufacturing center for the neighboring region." In January, the Army ordered the first 50 units for about $ 36 million, but rumor has it that the Army wants several hundred Badak vehicles. The serial production plans envisage the production of 25-30 towers per year, the first deliveries of which were to begin at the end of last year. The power unit of the Badak armored vehicle consists of a six-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 340 hp. and automatic transmission ZF. An independent suspension is installed on the machine, which not only improves cross-country ability, but also helps to cope with the rollback forces when firing a cannon; the armor can withstand a hit of 12.7 mm bullets. A Pindad spokesman hinted: "We will continue to develop new versions of this type of armored vehicle."
Production Line
Pindad began production of the Anoa-1 6x6 armored personnel carrier in 2008, and the next model, Anoa-2, appeared in 2012. This model incorporates the refinements needed to carry out peacekeeping operations in Lebanon; its options include armored personnel carriers, commander, supply, evacuation, ambulance and mortar complex. A Pindad spokesman said some 300 Anoa armored vehicles have been manufactured to date and have participated in UN peacekeeping operations, including Darfur and Lebanon. The newest floating version has already passed certification tests. In addition, Pindad shipped Anoa to an unnamed country in the Middle East for testing last year.
In November 2014, Pindad and the Turkish FNSS signed a memorandum on joint cooperation and the development of a new modern MMWT medium tank with a 105 mm cannon for the Indonesian army. Development began in 2015 and two prototypes should be ready in 2017. The new platform should replace the old AMX-13 light tanks, which are still in service with the army.
In addition, Pindad manufactures the 5, 8 ton Komodo 4x4 family of tactical armored vehicles. Their production began in 2012, only in 2014 about 50 cars were produced. Among the options for the Komodo armored car are ambulances, armored personnel carriers, counter-terrorism, command, communications, reconnaissance and missile systems (with Mistral surface-to-air missiles).
About the medium tank project read more
The Indonesian RT Pindad and the Turkish FNSS Savunma Sistemleri have revealed the details of the project for a modern medium-weight tank MMWT (Modern Medium Weight Tank), which these companies are developing jointly.
Under the terms of this joint development program, which began two years ago, two prototypes are being manufactured, one in Indonesia and one in Turkey, which are scheduled to be ready by 2017 at the latest. One additional hull for ballistic and mine testing will also be manufactured.
The main objective of the MMWT will be more likely to combat light and medium armored combat vehicles (AFVs), such as reconnaissance platforms, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and combat support vehicles, than to combat heavier and heavily armed main battle tanks (MBT).
The MMWT tank will also be used in direct fire support missions, operating in the same battle formations with dismounted and motorized infantry with similar tactics used by MBTs in Afghanistan and Iraq. In many tactical situations, the task of supporting the infantry will be the primary one for the MMWT.
The MMWT layout is traditional, the driver sits in front, the turret is installed in the center of the hull, and the diesel power unit is in the rear of the vehicle. The hull is welded, made of plates of armor steel with additional modular composite armor and an anti-mine kit on the bottom.
Based on the results of the competition, the two-man CT-CV tower of the Belgian company CMI Defense was selected, since it has already been sufficiently developed and tested on a variety of platforms, both tracked and wheeled.
This turret is armed with a 105-mm rifled gun with a thermo-casing, an ejection (for blowing out the barrel bore) device, a muzzle brake and a system for aligning the axis of the gun with the optical axis of the sight, which allows the gunner to check the aiming line without leaving the vehicle. A 7.62 mm machine gun is coaxially mounted with the cannon.
The shells for this gun are supplied by an automatic loader installed in the aft niche of the turret. The cannon can fire all standard projectiles, including armor-piercing sub-caliber, high-explosive fragmentation, cumulative and armor-piercing high-explosive projectiles with a crumpled warhead, the latter being especially effective when firing at shelters and long-term firing structures.
The vehicle is equipped with a computerized control system, the commander's and gunner's workplaces are equipped with a stabilized day / night sight with a laser rangefinder.
The commander is on the left and the gunner on the right; a panoramic sighting system is installed at the commander's workplace, which allows you to work in a search and strike mode.
The armament drive system is completely electric, the tower rotates 360 °, the vertical guidance angles are from -10 ° to + 42 °, such a large angle is very useful when operating in urban areas.
Suspension system of torsion type, on each side there are six double rubberized road wheels, support rollers, the drive wheel is located at the rear, the steering wheel is in front. The upper part of the undercarriage is protected by armored screens, and the steel tracks are connected by double pins.
The aft mounted power pack consists of a diesel engine, digitally controlled automatic transmission and an advanced cooling system that includes a programmable hydraulically driven fan for optimum torque and fuel economy.
Power density depends on the level of protection, but, according to the FNSS company, it usually hovers around 20 hp / t with a combat weight of 35 tons. The tank develops a maximum highway speed of 70 km / h and has a cruising range of 450 km.
According to available information, the tank is 7 meters long, 3.2 meters wide and 2.7 meters high. As for driving performance, according to available data, NIMWT is able to overcome a ford with a depth of 1.2 meters, a moat 2 meters wide and a vertical wall with a height of 0.9 meters.
The key feature of the MMWT tank is that it can operate in a temperature range of -18 ° to 55 °. Therefore, an air conditioning system is installed as a standard, as well as a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction and an automatic system for detecting fire and fire extinguishing.
Standard equipment includes a 360 ° camera system, intercom system, navigation system, information management system and laser devices that are connected to smoke grenade launchers on each side of the tower.
An auxiliary power unit is installed, which ensures the operation of key subsystems when the diesel engine is turned off, which reduces fuel consumption and acoustic signature. In addition, the MMWT tank is equipped with a modern battery monitoring system in order to optimize energy consumption.
Weapon
During a ceremony at the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Pindad unveiled four new models of small arms: 7.62mm SS3 assault rifle, 5, 56mm SS2-V7 Subsonic assault rifle, 9mm RM-Z submachine gun and 9mm automatic pistol G2 Premium.
The SS3 is a modification of the existing SS2 assault rifle. Pindad said in a statement, "The SS3 fires 7.62mm bullets and was designed as a high-end marksman's rifle for use by assault teams that require high accuracy." The former vice president of Pindad said that the KOPASSUS special forces evaluated the SS3 rifle for possible adoption. Weapons weighing 5, 1 kg and a magazine for 20 rounds were first presented at Indo Defense 2014, where three variants were announced - standard, for special forces and long-barreled (for snipers) with a declared range of 950 meters.
Pindad produces about 40,000 SS2 rifles annually. The Indonesian police ordered over a million third-generation 5, 56mm SS2-V5 rifles with folding stock and Picatinny rails, but this particular model was not widely adopted by the Indonesian army. The barrel length of this rifle is 725 mm, and the weight is 3.35 kg (without magazine), and therefore it is more suitable for vehicle crews and airborne troops.
SS2-V7 Subsonic is the newest member of the family. With a silencer and a subsonic cartridge, according to the manufacturer, "it is suitable for special operations that require the use of silent special forces." SS2-V7 has a magazine for 30 rounds and a declared effective range of 150-200 meters.
According to Pindad, the 9-mm PMZ submachine gun operating by exhausting gases "was conceived for close-range operations, hostage rescue and urban combat."The weapon with an interpreter for setting the type of fire operates on the principle of an automatic blowback and is a development of the existing PM2 model. It has a folding stock and a front grip. The actual firing range is 75 meters, and the rate of fire is 750-850 rounds per minute.
Finally, the last model of the four is the 9mm G2 Premium pistol, it weighs 1, 05 kg, has a 15-round magazine and an actual fire range of 25 meters. Premium is a further development of the G2 Combat 9x19 mm pistol, which is the standard standard weapon of the Indonesian armed forces and national police. “The market is showing great enthusiasm for the G2 Premium, especially for the Indonesian army and police. We are also offering this new weapon to foreign customers,”a company spokesman said.
Export intentions
Along with sales to the Indonesian military and police, Pindad is looking forward to exporting its new small arms, especially to developing countries. The Minister of Defense commented on this: "The ability of Pindad to produce high quality weapons has been tested, so it has responded positively to the government's request to achieve greater capabilities and become as advanced as the military industry of developed countries."
Pindad also makes sniper rifles. The SPR-3 7, 62x51 sniper rifle is a bolt action rifle, while the SPR-2 is a 12.7 mm large bore sniper rifle. Both of these rifles are in service with the Indonesian special forces. The SPR-3 rifle (length 1.25 meters and weight 6.94 kg) has an actual range of 900 meters, while the SPR-2 range is declared by the manufacturer to be 2000 meters; rifle length 1.75 meters and weight 19.1 kg.
Pindad also manufactures a variety of ammunition, including the lead-free 12.7mm MU-3 cartridge, which the manufacturer calls BLAM and refers to the armor-piercing incendiary cartridge. With a mass of 118 grams, the cartridge is designed to combat light armored vehicles and is designed specifically for the 12.7 mm SPR-2 sniper rifle.
Marines
The Indonesian Marine Corps has a significant number of armored vehicles and weapons systems. In a land of more than 13,000 islands, the marines play an important role in the defense of Indonesia. The corps with a total number of 20,000 men, subordinate to the command of the fleet, consists of two groups (three battalions in each) and one independent brigade.
The amphibious means of the corps include 54 BMP-ZF, but the newest platforms arrived in 2016 from Ukraine, these are BTR-4M 8x8 armored personnel carriers in a tropical version. Some of them are equipped with the Parus remote-controlled combat module, armed with a 30-mm ZTM-1 cannon, a 30-mm automatic grenade launcher and a 7.62-mm machine gun. On other BTR-4Ms, a simple turret is installed, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun. The Indonesian order is 55 amphibious vehicles, which will replace the outdated BTR-50 and complement the proven BTR-80A, since many of them took part in the peacekeeping operation in Lebanon.
In addition, in June last year, the infantry conducted operational tests of the new RM-70 Vampir multiple launch rocket system. The hull received eight systems from the Czech Republic to equip two batteries. In the summer of last year, Indonesian infantrymen underwent training on these 122-mm MLRS. MLRS RM-70 Vampir is an upgrade of the standard MLRS RM-70, which was carried out by the Czech company Excalibur Army.
The rocket launcher is based on the Tatra T815-7 8x8 chassis. The installation is serviced by a crew of 4 people, all launchers are connected to a digital fire control system. The system is ready for launches in 2.5 minutes after taking positions, 40 missiles can be launched from the launch container one at a time or in salvos. The truck also carries a container of 40 missiles that can be manually reloaded within a minute.
Indonesia manufactures R-HAN 122B missiles at its own facilities, while successful tests of the improved version were carried out in August 2015. The missile of this type was developed by a consortium of Dahana, Dirgantara and Pindad, also with the participation of various government agencies. The R-HAN 122B rocket has a length of 2.81 meters, the propeller is an ammonium nitrate rocket engine with a burning time of three seconds. This allows a rocket with a 15 kg warhead to fly 30.5 km away.
In addition to the MLRS, Indonesia received a battalion of command vehicles, two ammunition delivery vehicles, an evacuation vehicle and a tanker.
The contract also provided for the supply of two Alligator 4x4 armored vehicles and Tatrapan T-815 6x6 armored personnel carriers from the Slovak manufacturer Kerametal. Indonesia received nine second-hand RM-70s from the Czech Republic in 2003, so the military was already familiar with a similar system.
The Marine Corps is also receiving new Chinese-made air defense systems. One system, purchased from Norinco, includes four Ture 90 twin towed 35mm anti-aircraft guns, AF902 fire control radar and four mobile power units. The first test firing of the system at the drone was carried out in August after the July delivery, and additional orders may follow for these installations.
Future growth
Pindad Vice President Abraham Mose spoke about his state-owned enterprise, which he heads: "We are at the forefront of the defense industry, as defined by the law on the national defense industry." The law provides for the priority of local industry in the purchase of equipment and weapons for Indonesia. He acknowledged that "however, the defense market is highly competitive and requires a comprehensive strategy to support our growth." However, the company showed a record increase in volume sales in 2015, by more than 70%. Indeed, Pindad is counting on a further 20% increase in revenue in 2016 to $ 216 million in the bottom line.
He explained that the company's plans revolve around a dual strategy of new products and global partnerships with the goal of “sustaining and even growing in the future … Pindad is seriously focusing on three core products - weapons, ammunition and armored vehicles. Our capabilities in the field of weapons have been recognized in the world market."
He cited the example of the Rifle Requirement for the Australian Army, for which the SS2-V4 assault rifle had won competitions for nine consecutive years. "As a winner, we have successfully confirmed the superior performance of our weapon in comparison with other recognized brands of assault rifles from well-known manufacturers."
"We also develop our product lines in close collaboration with global defense companies." Mose cited the example of the Belgian company Cockerill / CMI Defense, whose 90mm and 105mm turrets are licensed by Pindad and installed on locally made platforms; Saab and MANPADS 70 MANPADS, as well as a completely new complex RBS 70 NG; Rheinmelall and its large-caliber ammunition production lines; and cooperation with BAE Systems in the field of modernization of armored vehicles and cyber defense.
Mose said the company is not going to rest on its laurels. "Pindad continues to improve in various areas: increasing human resource competence, product quality, on-time deliveries, new product development and increasing production capacity."
Pindad also expects to increase its export potential. "Our products have been exported to various countries in Southeast Asia and Africa," Mose said, "mainly weapons and small-caliber ammunition." But the company has ambitious plans. “In the near future we will enter the Middle East. We have partnered with local firms to set up a Pindad office in the UAE to help us better understand the needs of potential customers in the region.”
