Indonesia Acquires Follow-on Batch of Skyshield Air-Defence System

10 November 2018

Indonesia has signed a second contract for the Skyshield air-defence system with Rheinmetall. Deliveries, which are scheduled to begin in 2019, will bolster the air force’s base-defence capabilities (photo : TNI)

The Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara or TNI-AU) is scheduled to begin receiving its second batch of Oerlikon Skyshield air-defence effectors and sensors from late-2019, a representative from Rheinmetall confirmed with Jane’s on 8 November at the Indo Defence 2018 exhibition in Jakarta.

The equipment will be delivered under a contract that was signed by the Indonesian government in mid-2017, but became effective only in 2018. It is Indonesia’s second contract for a similar air-defence system with Rheinmetall, and the disparity between its signing date, and its effective date was due to funding issues, said the company.

Rheinmetall has declined to reveal the number of effectors and sensors that have been acquired under the second contract, citing customer confidentiality issues.

The Skyshield air-defence system is operated by the TNI-AU’s special forces ground corps known as the Korps Pasukan Khas (PASKHAS). The system, which was first acquired by the Indonesian government in 2009, is deployed primarily for protection of airstrips, and other critical infrastructure.

Jane’s understands that TNI-AU infrastructure currently utilising the system are the Supadio, Halim Perdanakusuma, and Hasanuddin air bases.

Skyshield is a short-range air-defence system that can engage low-level threats from air-launched weapons, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and ground attack aircraft.

The system’s typical setup includes a tracking and surveillance radar unit, a remote command post, and 35 mm revolver gun mounts that fire the programmable Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition rounds.

(Jane's)