Di Balik Gagahnya Jet Tempur KF-21 di Langit Sacheon, Ada Tunggakan yang Belum Dibayar RI (2)

25 Juli 2023

Prototipe pertama pesawat tempur KF-21 Boramae (photo : ROKAF)

Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) sempat bertemu dengan Menteri Pertahanan (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto untuk membicarakan isu pertahanan di Istana Kepresidenan, Jakarta pada Senin (10/7/2023) lalu.

Presiden Jokowi mengaku tidak membahas tentang pelunasan jet tempur KF-21. Namun dia akan menanyakan hal ini kepada Menteri Keuangan (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani.

"Tidak berbicara mengenai itu. Mengenai KFX nanti saya tanyakan ke Menteri Keuangan statusnya sampai di mana," ujarnya kata Jokowi dalam keterangan pers di Sumedang, Selasa (11/7/2023).

Sebelumnya, Menhan Prabowo Subianto telah buka suara terkait komitmen Pemerintah Indonesia dalam pembayaran proyek jet tempur KF-21. Dia memastikan bahwa Indonesia akan memenuhi komitmen yang telah disepakati.

"Ya itu memang akan kita negosiasi terus sama mereka, pokoknya kita akan penuhi komitmen-komitmen kita," kata Prabowo di Kompleks Istana Kepresidenan, Jakarta, Senin (26/6/2023).

Kemudian pada Kamis (6/7/2023), Prabowo kembali mengatakan bahwa pelunasan tunggakan KF-21 akan dilakukan dalam waktu dekat.

“Ya saya kira ini akan kita selesaikan dalam waktu dekat,” katanya usai penyerahan pesawat C-130J Super Hercules ke TNI AU di Lanud Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta Timur.

Dia mengatakan akan menyinkronkan dengan Kementerian Keuangan (Kemenkeu) terkait anggaran pembayaran jet tempur KF-21 Boramae dengan Korea Selatan.

“Karena ini suatu keputusan presiden, jadi saya kira nanti kami akan sinkronkan antara Kementerian Keuangan dan Kementerian Pertahanan (Kemenhan),” tuturnya.

Prototipe keenam pesawat tempur KF-21 Boramae (photo : KAI)

Siap diproduksi massal

Pada Rabu (28/6/2023), Administrasi Program Akuisisi Pertahanan Korea Selatan (DAPA) mengumumkan bahwa prototipe jet tempur KF-21 Boramae nomor “006” sukses melakukan uji terbang.

Prototipe nomor 006 ini diterbangkan oleh dua pilot Angkatan Udara Korea. Jet tempur tersebut lepas landas pada pukul 15.49 waktu setempat.

Setelah mengudara selama 33 menit, jet tempur jenis tandem itu mendarat pada pukul 16.22 waktu setempat.

Untuk diketahui, prototipe pertama sukses diuji terbang pada 19 Juli 2022. Lalu, prototipe kedua berhasil uji terbang pada 10 November 2022. prototipe ketiga mengudara pada 5 Januari 2023.

Sementara prototipe keempat berhasil terbang pada 20 Februari 2023. Kemudian prototipe kelima berhasil uji terbang pada 16 Mei 2023. Prototipe keenam merupakan yang terakhir dalam pengembangan jet tempur KF-21. Keenam prototipe tersebut akan terus menerus dites. Mulai dari uji penerbangan supersonik, kecanggihan sistem eletronik dan kinerja peralatan perangnya.

Setelah keenam prototipe berhasil diuji coba maka jet tempur KF-21 siap diproduksi massal.

“Semua prototipe telah diuji terbang dan siap untuk produksi massal. Dan akan dikerahkan ke Angkatan Udara Korea mulai tahun 2026,” kata Sekretaris Pertama Kerja Sama Industri Pertahanan dan Akuisisi Kedutaan Besar Korea Selatan di Indonesia, Kim Hyun-wook.

Kim mengatakan jet tempur tersebut juga bisa dikerahkan ke Indonesia jika telah memenuhi segala kewajiban yang disepakati sebelumnya. “(Jet tempur) ini bisa dikerahkan ke Indonesia dalam waktu dekat jika bisa berpartisipasi sesuai dengan kesepakatan, seperti pembayaran dari skema pembiayaan,” tuturnya.

See full article Kompas

Di Balik Gagahnya Jet Tempur KF-21 di Langit Sacheon, Ada Tunggakan yang Belum Dibayar RI (1)

25 Juli 2023

Pesawat tempur KF-21 Boramae (photo : KAI)

SACHEON, KOMPAS.com – “Wow”, itu lah kata yang terngiang di kepala ketika menyaksikan langsung uji terbang prototipe jet tempur KF-21 Boramae dengan nomor “004”.

Pada Jumat (2/6/2023), Kompas.com berkesempatan mengunjungi kantor Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) di Kota Sacheon, Provinsi Gyeongsang, Korea Selatan (Korsel) bersama rombongan Indonesia Next Generation Journalist Network.

Indonesia Next Generation Journalist Network on Korea merupakan program kerja sama Korea Foundation dan Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI).

Tetapi, momen mengesankan itu tak bisa diabadikan di ponsel pribadi lantaran larangan mengambil foto dan video. Bahkan, saat tiba di kantor KAI, rombongan langsung mendapatkan label untuk menutup kamera ponsel.

Langkah tersebut demi kerahasiaan, mengingat KAI merupakan produsen alat utama sistem pertahanan (alutista) di Korsel.

KAI juga perusahaan yang bekerja sama dengan Pemerintah Indonesia untuk mengembangkan jet tempur KF-21 Boramae.

Cuaca di Sacheon kala itu memang sangat cerah. Langit begitu biru dan matahari terasa terik. Keringat pun tak berhenti mengucur di badan kami yang sedang menunggu prototipe jet tempur KF-21 Boramae “004” keluar dari hanggar.

Beberapa saat kemudian “burung besi” berwarna abu-abu itu berjalan perlahan. Tampak jelas simbol bendera Indonesia dan Korea Selatan di badan pesawat. Bunyi mesinnya pun terdengar cukup kuat di telinga. 

Rombongan diberi tahu bahwa salah satu sosok yang berada di kursi pilot merupakan warga negara Indonesia (WNI), yakni penerbang dari TNI AU, Letkol (Pnb) Ferrel "Venom" Rigonald. 

“Ada dua pilot Indonesia yang terlibat (dalam uji terbang KF-21. Salah satunya terbang di pesawat nomor 004. Satu orang sedang bekerja di tempat lain,” ungkap Senior Manager & Chief KFX Joint Development Management Team KAI, Lee Sung-il.

 

Sebelum pesawat berbelok ke landasan pacu atay runway, kedua pilot yang berada jet tempur itu tampak melambaikan tangan. Rombongam membalas melambaikan tangan sambil tersenyum kagum.

Deru mesin pesawat kemudian terdengar semakin kencang dan tak lama kemudian prototipe jet tempur KF-21 Boramae “004” terbang ke langit Sacheon. Jet tempur yang tampak gagah itu pun hilang dari jangkauan mata dan hanya terdengar suara mesinnya.

“Sayang banget enggak bisa direkam ya. Padahal menarik,” celetuk seorang jurnalis dalam rombongan.

Prototipe keenam pesawat tempur KF-21 Boramae (photo : KAI)

Korsel tagih pembayaran

Setelah menyaksikan uji terbang prototipe KF-21 Boramae nomor “004”, rombongan jurnalis mendapat penjelasan tentang perkembangan pengembangan jet tempur tersebut oleh Senior Manager & Chief KFX Joint Development Management Team KAI, Lee Sung-il.

 

Lee menjelaskan, pengembangan KF-21 Boramae merupakan proyek kerja sama antara pemerintah Indonesia dan Korea Selatan.

Dia mengatakan sebanyak 30 WNI saat ini terlibat dalam pengembangan KF-21. Dua di antaranya merupakan pilot dari TNI AU.

“28 insinyur PT DI (Dirgantara Indonesia) sedang bekerja di area produksi dan pengembangan,” tutur Lee.

Rencananya pemerintah Korea akan membeli 128 pesawat KF-21. Sedangkan Pemerintah Indonesia sebanyak 48 pesawat.

Seperti diketahui, dalam pengembangan KF-21, akan ada transfer teknologi dari KAI kepada Indonesia. Sehingga nantinya Indonesia bisa memproduksi jet tempur secara mandiri.

Lee menyebut dari pengembangan tersebut Indonesia nantinya bisa mendapatkan keutungan hingga 10 miliar dollar AS. Selain itu juga akan membuka lebih banyak lapangan pekerjaan. 

“Indonesia akan mendapatkan keuntungan ekonomi. Sebagai contoh, akan ada 27.000,” katanya. 

Total nilai proyek pengembangan KF-21 sebesar 8,8 triliun won atau sekitar Rp 100 triliun. Sementara untuk skema pembiayaan, pemerintah Korea Selatan sebesar 60 persen, Pemerintah Indonesia 20 persen dan KAI 20 persen.

Lee mengatakan, Pemerintah Indonesia hingga kini belum melunasi pembiayaan tersebut. 

“Pemerintah indonesia sudah membayar 17 persen, tapi 83 persen belum dibayar.

 Pemerintah Korea Selatan membayar sebagian besar cost share dari tahun 2016-2022,” tuturnya.

Dia mengatakan pihaknya sangat berharap Pemerintah Indonesia bisa segera melunasi pembiayaan tersebut.

“Kami kesulitan karena masalah pembiayaan. Sehingga kami berharap Pemerintah Indonesia dapat membayar proyek ini,” katanya.

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Thai and Chinese Air Forces Complete Falcon Strike 2023 Combined Exercises

25 Juli 2023

PLAAF and RTAF aircrafts participated in Falcon Strike 2023 

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) completed FALCON STRIKE 2023 air exercises with a closing ceremony on July 20, 2023 at Wing 23, Udon Thani.

Mixed practice FALCON STRIKE 2023, from 9-21 July 2023, is the sixth exercise. Since the first practice FALCON STRIKE 2015, the second time FALCON STRIKE 2017, the third time FALCON STRIKE 2018, the fourth time FALCON STRIKE 2019 and the fifth time, FALCON STRIKE 2022, with a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 epidemic situation, the Thai Air Force and the People's Liberation Air Force have brought many aircraft to be trained at the 23rd Airborne Division, Udon Thani.

PLAAF J-10C (photo : 4Aviation flightline)

The Royal Thai Air Force has deployed fighter aircraft type SAAB Gripen C/D Squadron 701, Wing 7 Surat Thani, Airborne Control and Warning Aircraft Type 1, B.C. 1 Saab 340B ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Squadron 702 Wing 7 and attack aircraft type Dornier Alpha Jet TH, Squadron 231, Wing 23, participated in the Falcon Strike 2023 exercise. 

As in the past exercise, the Royal Thai Air Force will not bring US-built aircraft such as fighter aircraft type F-16A/B to participate in the exercise with China at the request of the United States.

PLAAF JH-7A / JH-7AII (photo : 4Aviation flightline)

The People's Liberation Air Force (PLAF) took part in the exercises of the Chengdu J-10C and J-10S twin-seat fighters, which are fighters regularly participating in Falcon Strike exercises, equipped with Russian Salyut AL-31FN turbofan engines.

Falcon Strike 2023 is also the second year that the PLAAF has deployed Xian JH-7A/JH-7AII fighter-bombers. Participated in training after being deployed to the 23rd Airborne Division For the first time in Falcon Strike 2022 exercises between 14-24 August 2022.

PLANAF J-11BH (photo : 4Aviation flightline)

A Shenyang J-11B fighter jet and a J-11BS two-seat fighter are pictured. It is a version of the J-11BH and J-11BSH twin-seat fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF).

It can be seen that the fighter jet J-11BH/J-11BSH Using Chinese insignia and characters, it clearly indicates that it belongs to the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and is equipped with Chinese WS-10 turbofan engines and Chinese weapons and avionic systems.

PLAAF KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) (photo : 4Aviation flightline)

It also includes the Shaanxi KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), Shaanxi Y-9 four-engine transport aircraft and Xian Y-20A four-engine transport aircraft supporting Exercise FALCON STRIKE 2023 at Wing 23.

It can be seen that during the Falcon Strike 2023 exercise in Thailand this year, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has demonstrated its ability to deploy a large number of its own aircraft for overseas training.

PLAAF Y-9 transport aircraft (photo : 4Aviation flightline)

Falcon Strike 2023 exercises with China also take place at the same time that the Royal Thai Army (RTA) organizes Exercise Hanuman Guardian 2023 with the US Army and Exercise Panther Gold 2023 with the British Army.

(AAG)

Closing Ceremony of Joint Exercise Hanuman Guardian 2023 Thai-U.S. Army

24 Juli 2023

Exercise Hanuman Guardian 2023 officially concluded in Lop Buri. For two weeks, USA & THAI allies worked together to ensure our safety and prepare for the security threats of tomorro (all photos : AAG)

Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX: Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise) at the Closing Ceremony of Hanuman Guardian 2023 between the Royal Thai Army (RTA) and the United States Army (US Army) on July 20, 2023 at the Army Tactical Training Center, Ban Dee Lang, Phatthana Nikhom District Lopburi Province.

This includes joint training between units using the Stryker 8x8 Thai-US wheeled armored vehicle. For the Thai Army, this is the third joint training with the US Army. And it was the first training as a battalion-level unit by Stryker RTA ICV (Infantry Carrier Vehicle) 8x8 from the 1st 112th Infantry Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Division, 1st Army Area, of the Royal Thai Army.

The U.S. Army also brought an Armored Combat Engineer Vehicle, based on the M113 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier), to participate in training for the first time. To practice destroying obstacles and minefields in the training grounds.

The Stryker RTA ICV 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle is still equipped with a .93 M2 .50cal heavy machine gun, maneuvered by a sniper in fire support, sending infantry from the vehicle to attack the target. However, it is said that the next batch of vehicles to be delivered will be equipped with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS).

25th CAB: 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, of the United States Army Together with the Aviation Regiment, the Army Aviation Center of, the Royal Thai Army has also organized its own helicopters to participate in training.

Including the US Army's Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter. and attack helicopters, Bell AH-1F Cobra, 3rd Aviation Battalion of the Royal Thai Army, practice using weapons to attack targets.

Airborne Company, Lieutenant Sor Sor from the 3rd Infantry Battalion 31st Infantry Regiment King's Guard , 1st Division King's Guard practiced parachute jumping with Static Line for the first time.

From a general purpose helicopter, Sikorsky UH-60M Balck Hawk, 9th Aviation Battalion of the Royal Thai Army and the US Army, in the Hanuman Guardian 2023 exercise held between 10-22 July 2023 also participated in the exchange of food culture and tourism in Thailand for the US Army personnel as well.

(AAG)

Australia will Purchase 20 New C-130J Hercules

24 Juli 2023

RAAF currently operates 12 C-130J Hercules aircraft (photo : AusDoD)

Multibillion dollar investment in new C-130J Hercules aircraft

The Albanese Government will purchase 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force for $9.8 billion. This will provide the Air Force with state of the art C-130 Hercules to meet the air transport needs of the future.

The new acquisitions will replace and expand upon the 12 Hercules aircraft currently operated by Air Force with delivery of the first aircraft expected from late 2027.

There will be significant benefits for Australian industry from the expanded fleet size, with opportunities to construct facilities and infrastructure and to sustain the aircraft.

The Australian Defence Force relies on the C-130J Hercules aircraft for the deployment of personnel, equipment and humanitarian supplies. The iconic aircraft is regularly used in search and rescue missions, disaster relief and medical evacuation.

The C-130J has been involved in almost every major Defence operation in recent decades, from Bougainville assistance and Timor-Leste peacekeeping through to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. More recently the aircraft supported Australia’s response to COVID-19 in the region, delivering vaccines and medical supplies, as well bushfire and flood response.

The C-130J Hercules are made by Lockheed Martin and are being purchased from the United States. The aircraft will continue to be operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond in NSW.

(Aus DoD)

India Hands Over Missile Corvette to Vietnam at Cam Ranh Port

24 Juli 2023

INS Kirpan (photo : Indian Navy)

India handed over its decommissioned small corvette to Vietnam on July 22 at Cam Ranh port, according to an announcement from the Indian Defense Ministry on the same day.

The announcement was quoted by Indian media as saying, Indian Navy Commander - Admiral R. Hari Kumar will preside over the dismantling ceremony of INS Kirpan and then the handover ceremony to Vietnam at Cam Ranh port.

Admiral Kumar will also visit the headquarters of the Vietnam People's Navy in Hai Phong, meet the Navy Commander - Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, and meet with Defense Minister Phan Van Giang.

The INS Kirpan has 32 years of service in the fleet of the Indian Navy. The ship weighs 1,350 tons and can carry medium-range guns, 30mm short-range guns, rocket launchers. The ship left the port in India on June 28 and arrived at Cam Ranh port on July 8.

On June 19, during Minister Phan Van Giang's visit to India, Indian Defense Minister Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh announced to give Vietnam the INS Kirpan patrol ship.

India's donation of frigates to Vietnam is said to be aimed at increasing the defense capabilities of the Vietnamese Navy, which is facing increasing challenges from neighboring China in negotiating over sovereignty in the East Sea.

Last year, India also handed over 12 high-speed patrol boats to Vietnam during the visit of the Indian Defense Minister to Hanoi.

Previously, in 2016, India offered to provide Vietnam with a defense credit of USD 500 million to buy weapons.

(RFA)

DND Mempelajari Opsi untuk Mengembalikan Uang Muka P1.9 B untuk Kesepakatan Helikopter Rusia yang Batal

23 Juli 2023

Helikopter Mi-17V5 buatan Rusia (photo : Hindustan Times)

MANILA, Filipina — Departemen Pertahanan Nasional (DND) sedang mempertimbangkan kemungkinan opsi hukum untuk mendapatkan kembali uang muka hampir P2 miliar dari Rusia setelah penghentian kesepakatan pembelian helikopter P12,7 miliar antara kedua negara, menurut Menteri Pertahanan Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

“Kami sedang mempelajari opsi hukum kami,” kata Teodoro saat konferensi pers di markas besar Departemen Pertahanan Nasional (DND) di Camp Aguinaldo di Quezon City.

“Itu murni pertanyaan hukum … tentang pemenuhan atau tidak terpenuhinya kontrak, jadi kami harus mempelajari opsi hukum terbaik untuk ke depannya,” tambahnya.

Pada November 2021, pemerintah Filipina dan Rusia menandatangani kontrak pembelian 17 unit helikopter angkut berat Mi17 untuk Angkatan Udara Filipina.

Namun, pada 25 Juni 2022, Menteri Pertahanan Delfin Lorenzana — yang sekarang mengepalai Otoritas Konversi dan Pengembangan Pangkalan — mengakhiri kesepakatan helikopter.

Lorenzana menunjukkan bahwa kesepakatan itu bertentangan dengan Undang-Undang Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), yang diberlakukan untuk menghukum Rusia.

Mantan petugas DND yang bertanggung jawab Jose Faustino Jr. mengakui “kesulitan mengembalikan” uang muka karena pemasok telah berinvestasi dalam proyek tersebut.

(Inquirer)