Prajurit Yonkav 8 Kostrad Asah Kemampuan Menembak Senjata Ranpur

30 Juli 2020

Latihan menembak dengan senjata ranpur (all photos : Kostrad)

Jakarta. Satuan Batalyon Kavaleri 8 Kostrad menyelenggarakan Latihan Menembak Senjata Ranpur (Latbakjat Ranpur) di Pusat Latihan Tempur (Puslatpur) Marinir TNI AL Situbondo, Jawa Timur. Jumat (17/7).

Latbakjat Ranpur diselenggarakan dengan tujuan untuk membekali, memelihara dan meningkatkan profesionalisme prajurit  Yonkav 8 Kostrad yang meliputi pengetahuan, keterampilan dan penyelenggaraan latihan menembak senjata Ranpur.

Latihan dilaksanakan mulai tanggal 14 hingga 17 Juli 2020 melibatkan 96 petembak senjata Ranpur  Yonkav 8 Kostrad, meliputi 41 orang petembak kanon Leopard/Coax, 9 orang petembak Marder, 38 orang  petembak PSU (Penangkis Serangan Udara), dan 8 orang petembak SMS (Ransus transporter).

Pada kesempatan Latihan menembak ini, Yonkav 8 Kostrad juga melatihkan menembak malam dengan memanfaatkan perangkat Thermal Imaging yang ada di Ranpur Leopard sehingga dapat membidik sasaran yang mengeluarkan panas pada kondisi gelap atau malam hari. Selama pelaksanaan latihan, mekanisme kegiatan dapat berjalan aman dan lancar. 

(Kostrad)

BRP Jose Rizal Sails for RIMPAC in Hawaii

30 Juli 2020

BRP Jose Rizal FF-150 departs for RIMPAC naval exercise (all photos : PN)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday formally deployed its first missile-frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), for the two-week "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC) naval exercises which will run from August 17 to 31 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In a statement, Navy public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, said the send-off ceremony for the BRP Jose Rizal and its crew, the Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.5, took place at Alava Wharf in Subic Bay, Zambales.

NTG 80.5 is commanded by Captain Jerry Garrido, Jr., the commanding officer of BRP Jose Rizal, and is complemented by surface, services, and support components.

Also aboard was an AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" naval helicopter.

Before their departure, NTG 80.5 underwent rigorous health and safety protocols prior to boarding the participating PN vessel in order to ensure the safety of everyone amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

"Our participation in these exercise marks the beginning of a new era of naval operations as we build up our capabilities for modern warfare," said PN chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, who served as presiding officer and keynote speaker for the send-off ceremony.

BRP Jose Rizal is the PN's first warship in the inventory that is equipped with multi-dimensional warfare capabilities.

Through this year's RIMPAC, the PN will be able to simulate and test the capabilities of this newly acquired platform and provide BRP Jose Rizal a venue to test the proficiency of Filipino naval personnel as they integrate into a wider range of operations.

Bacordo also urged the contingent to seize the opportunity to hone their skills and talents as they conduct operations in a joint and combined environment and later share their experiences with their colleagues.

"This will boost your team training and increase your operational readiness. But all of you need to observe safety protocols. In these challenging times, it is imperative to work together, learn together and be safe together," he added.

In light of safety protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Roxas said exercises will be an at-sea event only.

"To ensure safety of all the contingents from different military forces, shore-based activities are minimized," she added.

RIMPAC is a United States-led naval exercise hosted by the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet and held biennially.

Described as the world’s premier and largest joint and combined naval exercise, RIMPAC is geared towards building trust and partnership with other navies, understanding the capabilities of other navies and enhancing inter-operability.

"The Navy’s participation in this exercise trumpets its commitment in promoting multi-lateral cooperation leading to the strengthening of relationship and cooperation among regional and extra-regional navies," Roxas said. 

(PNA)

NZDF Trials Emerging Technology with UBCO Bikes

30 Juli 2020

UBCO 2x2 utility bike (photo : elektrek)

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) are running battle-lab experiments using the UBCO 2×2 Utility Bike, Portable Power Supplies and Accessories for use in reconnaissance, surveillance, and other applications. Branches of the NZ Defence Force will each trial the fleet under various simulations to assess the vehicles. The trial is part of the Defence Force’s wider programme towards a more sustainable operation, which also fits with the Government’s goal of having 64,000 EVs on New Zealand roads by the end of next year.

LtCol Brad Gallop, Land Combat Group Lead, Capability Branch, New Zealand Defence Force says “There have been dramatic changes in technology over the last few years with electric vehicles a key emerging technology that the NZDF has been monitoring. After investigating a range of options, the NZDF selected UBCO for a trial in 2020”.

The Defence Force sustainable framework of Tuku Iho (“to pass on what you’ve received in at least as good as, if not better than, what you receive it in”) aims to enhance and protect the Defence estate’s natural, financial, manufactured, intellectual, social and human capital.

LtCol Brad Gallop talks about the program and how it fits into NZDF “I think technology has changed dramatically over the last five years; we need to look at alternative sources. EV is an emerging technology that we need to look at and to see how applicable it is on the battlefield.

UBCO 2x2 utility bike (photo : stuff)

“We are doing a detailed evaluation of EV Bikes. We’re looking for an alternate energy patrol bike, particularly for reconnaissance and surveillance but it has many other applications. I think this is about understanding emerging technologies and where it fits in the NZDF construct.

“I was talking to the team around what emerging technology we can take a look at. Our location in the world means that we have to come up with quite adaptive technologies”

UBCO developed its Electric Utility Vehicle and Portable power platform originally for off-road use and has certified it for dual purpose (on road) use globally in a wide range of high duty applications.

“The collaboration with the NZDF allows UBCO to rapidly learn how the 2X2 can operate across Army, Navy and Airforce. Globally, defense is a very controlled industry, so this collaboration is hugely valuable to learn quickly for UBCO” says Timothy Allan, CEO of UBCO.

Hayden  Robinson, Joint Experimentation Manager – Land Capability Branch, NZDF says “Electric vehicles offer some advantages over fuelled vehicles. They are quiet, don’t give off exhaust or heat, and aren’t powered by highly flammable liquids. They are simple to maintain and onboard computers will be able to record a range of information about how the bike is used.”

The aim of the evaluation is not only to look at the capability of the bike itself but also how it fits in the NZDF Operations. Both NZDF and UBCO are keen to understand the potential of the bikes, both on and off the battlefield.

(UBCOBikes)

Yonko 465 Paskhas Terima Rantis APC Turangga 4X4

29 Juli 2020

Kendaraan taktis Turangga 4x4 (photos : Paskhas)

Pontianak (27/07/20). Kendaran Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) Turangga 4x4 tiba di Markas Batalyon Komando 465 Paskhas untuk kemampuan operasional Batalyon Komando 465 Paskhas yang membutuhkan mobilitas dan kecepatan di medan operasi. 

Sebelum diterima Batalyon Komando 465 Paskhas Rantis APC Turangga 4x4 menjalani sejumlah uji coba dan pemeriksaan kelengkapan di Mako Korpaskhas Bandung.

Komandan Batalyon Komando 465 Paskhas Letkol Pas Jhoni Imanuel Laimeheriwa pada saat melakukan pemeriksaan dan kelengkapan APC Turangga 4x4 di Yonko 465 Paskhas menyatakan Rantis APC Turangga 4x4 di gunakan operasional Batalyon Komando 465 Paskhas untuk mendukung dalam melaksanakan penyerbuan cepat dan pengawalan konvoi serta patroli pengamanan bandara. 

Dengan adanya Rantis APC Turangga 4x4 diharapkan dapat meningkatkan moril dan kepercayaan diri prajurit dalam melaksanakan tugas operasi. Kepada personel yang akan mengawaki dan merawat Rantis APC Turangga 4X4 agar dalam pengoperasiannya dilaksanakan sesuai dengan prosedur dan mengaplikasikan segala sesuatu apa yang telah di dapatkan pada saat mengikuti pelatihan operasional Rantis APC Turangga 4X4.

(Paskhas)

Anggota DPR Minta Kemhan dan TNI Tak Terprovokasi Medsos

29 Juli 2020

Pembahasan alokasi anggaran hingga satuan 3 (tiga) yakni mulai dari unit organisasi, fungsi, program, kegiatan, hingga jenis belanja memang menjadi kewenangan eksekutif (photo : Pyotr Gryzowski)

AKURAT.CO, Kementerian Pertahanan (Kemhan) atau TNI diminta untuk tidak terprovokasi oleh media sosial (medsos) terkait kebijakan pemenuhan alat utama sistem persenjataan (Alutsista) yang akan diambil.

Hal itu disampaikan oleh Anggota Komisi I DPR RI, Bobby Adityo Rizaldi, terkait polemik rencana Kemhan yang akan membeli membeli jet tempur bekas Eurofighter Thypoon milik Austria.

Bobby mengungkapkan bahwa idealnya Indonesia memang membeli Pesawat tempur baru, tetapi Kemhan atau TNI AU lebih memahami postur pertahanan udara yang dibutuhkan.

"Menurut saya Kemhan atau TNI AU lebih paham yang dibutuhkan saat ada kekosongan postur pertahanan udara saat ini," ungkapnya di Jakarta, Selasa (28/7/2020).

Menurut Bobby, terkait urgensi postur pertahanan, Indonesia memang perlu peremajaan Pesawat tempur pengganti F-5E Tiger, dan secara teknis perlu Pesawat bermesin ganda untuk menjaga wilayah Indonesia yang luas di bagian Timur.

F-5 Tiger TNI AU telah dipensiunkan sejak 2017 setelah mengabdi selama 35 tahun (photo : intisari)

Bobby mengatakan, periode Kekuatan Pokok Minimum (Minimum Essential Force/MEF) II yang ideal ada pengadaan Su-35 yang baru, namun sepertinya tertunda karena adanya embargo dari Amerika Serikat melalui Undang-Undang Penentang Lawan Amerika Melalui Sanksi (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act/CAATSA).

"Soal Eurofighter belum pernah dibahas di Komisi I DPR RI. Lalu terkait polemik Pesawat baru dan bekas, untuk membeli Pesawat baru membutuhkan waktu sedangkan kita perlu Pesawat tempur pengganti F-5E," katanya.

Bobby menyarankan agar publik menyerahkan sepenuhnya kepada Kemhan atau TNI untuk memutuskan. Namun, menurut Bobby, tetap dipastikan tahapan-tahapannya harus layak pengadaan melalui peran Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan (BPK).

Politikus Partai Golkar itu mengungkapkan bahwa DPR RI tidak bisa terlibat membahas satuan 3, dan dalam pengadaan Alutsista yang paling paham adalah Kemhan atau TNI.

"Jangan terprovokasi hal teknis dari sosial media atau internet, Kemhan atau TNI pasti punya perhitungan strategis selain soal baru atau bekas," ungkapnya.

Sebelumnya, Indonesia dikabarkan berminat membeli 15 Pesawat tempur buatan konsorsium Eropa, yakni Eurofighter Typhoon, yang saat ini dioperasikan oleh AU Austria.

(Akurat)

Vietnam Agrees $348 Million Japan Loan to Build Six Patrol Vessels

29 Juli 2020

Six patrol vessel to be delivered by 2025 (photo : VoV)

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to borrow 36.63 billion yen ($348.2 million) to build six patrol vessels, state media reported, amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

The vessels, to be delivered to the Vietnam coast guard by October 2025, would boost the country's maritime capability, Nhan Dan newspaper reported. It did not provide details of the vessels to be built.

Vietnam and other Asian states have for years been locked in maritime disputes in the South China Sea. China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich waters but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claim to parts.

The vessels are "aimed at strengthening law enforcement and maritime rescue operations, ensuring security, maritime safety and freedom of navigation in Vietnam", said the newspaper, an official outlet of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Australia last week joined the United States in stating that China's claims in the South China Sea do not comply with international law.

Last year, the United States announced it would provide Vietnam with another coast guard cutter for its growing fleet, in addition to at least 18 "Metal Shark" patrol boats it provided to Vietnam in the last three years.

The 40-year loan has a grace period of 10 years, Tuesday's report said, adding that the vessels would be built by a Japanese contractor.

(Reuters)

Perkuat TNI AL, KRI Posepa-870 dan KRI Escolar-871 Resmi Diluncurkan

29 Juli 2020

Kapal Patroli Tipe PC-40 KRI Posepa-870 dan KRI Escolar-871 (photo : TNI AL)

TNI Angkatan Laut meluncurkan dua kapal perang baru jenis Patroli Cepat (PC-40 M) yakni KRI Posepa-870 dan KRI Escolar-871 yang diresmikan oleh Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut (Kasal) Laksamana TNI Yudo Margono, S.E., M.M., didampingi Ketua Umum Jalasenastri Ny. Vero Yudo Margono, bertempat di Halte Slipway PT Caputra Mitra Sejati, Banten, Senin (27/7/2020).

Kapal PC 40 M ini, memiliki spesifikasi panjang 45,5 meter, lebar 7,9 meter dan bobot 220 ton. Kapal tersebut mampu melaju dengan kecepatan maksimal 24 knot, kecepatan jelajah 17 knot dan kecepatan ekonomis 15 knot, serta memiliki ketahanan (endurance) dalam berlayar selama enam hari. Kapal perang ini juga dilengkapi dengan dua unit radar dan senjata meriam 30 mm serta diawaki 35 Anak Buah Kapal (ABK).

Dalam acara shipnaming dan launching tersebut, Kasal mengatakan bahwa sebagai negara maritim yang memiliki konstelasi perairan yang cukup luas, TNI AL bertanggung jawab terhadap kedaulatan dan stabilitas keamanan maritim di seluruh wilayah yurisdiksi Indonesia. Sebagai konsekuensinya kebutuhan kapal patroli merupakan suatu keharusan bagi negara kepulauan.

“Pembangunan kapal patroli 40 M ini, merupakan bagian integral dari pembanguan kekuatan TNI AL dan wujud dari kemandirian industri pertahanan. Pemenuhan kebutuhan alutsista TNI AL juga turut memberikan kontribusi bagi peningkatan perekonomian bangsa dan kesejahteraan rakyat Indonesia”, ujar Kasal.

Galangan kapal PT Caputra Mitra Sejati, Serang, Banten (photo : Caputra)

Tidak hanya itu, Kasal juga menambahkan bahwa peluncuran KRI Posepa-870 dan KRI Escolar-871 ini, akan memasuki tahap pengabdiannya sebagai bagian dari unsur patroli di bawah Kotama Operasi karena kedua unsur ini memiliki performa yang jauh lebih baik. “Saya berharap seluruh pihak mampu menciptakan inovasi baru dan kita tunjukkan bahwa kita dapat mengejar ketertinggalan yang sudah terjadi selama ini. Bangsa Indonesia harus menjadi bangsa yang kompetitif dan mampu bersaing di tataran Internasional termasuk dalam industri perkapalan”, tambahnya.  

Alutsista TNI Angkatan Laut ini, merupakan kapal perang karya anak bangsa yang diproduksi PT Caputra Mitra Sejati Banten. KRI Posepa-870 rencananya akan memperkuat Pangkalan Utama TNI AL (Lantamal) V Surabaya, sedangkan KRI Escolar-871 akan memperkuat Lantamal VII Kupang. Peluncuran Kapal perang tersebut ditandai dengan pemotongan tali dan prosesi pemecahan kendi oleh Ny. Vero Yudo Margono sebagai “Ibu Kandung Kapal” dan dilanjutkan dengan pemberian cinderamata berupa miniatur kapal PC 40 M.

Turut mendampingi Kasal pada kesempatan tersebut para Pejabat Tinggi TNI AL diantaranya, Irjenal, Asops Kasal, Aslog Kasal, Pangkoarmada I, Pangkolinlamil, Kadismatal, Kadislaikmatal, Kadisadal, Kadislitbangal, Danlantamal III Jakarta, Dirut PT CMS  Kris Pramono dan jajaran Direksi PT CMS Banten serta Satuan Tugas Yekda Dalam Negeri (Satgas Yekda DN) PC 40 M.

(TNI AL)