08 Juli 2025

RTAF Successfully Tests Locally Produced Kamikaze UAV

08 Juli 2025

After Navy, RTAF also successfully tests suicide drone (photos: RTAF)

Kamikaze UAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle designed for suicide attacks with explosive force on targets with precision.

This research and testing was conducted by the cooperation of the Navamindradhiraj Air Force Academy, the Air Force Ordnance Department, and the Air Force Engineering Department. It passed the test by attacking and destroying medium-range targets with a high-destruction explosive warhead with an error value of less than 5 meters (target destroyed).

This success will be an important step in promoting the Kamikaze UAV project into production and into service to increase the capability with modern equipment to protect the sovereignty of the nation and the peace of the people.

"National security cannot be bought with money - it must be built by our own hands."

(RTAF)

Anggaran Pertahanan 2025 Melonjak Jadi Rp245,2 T di 2025

08 Juli 2025

Boeing F-15EX menjadi incaran pengadaan oleh Kemhan (photo: Boeing)

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia-Pemerintah melalui Kementerian Keuangan telah menyerahkan Laporan Pelaksanaan Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara (APBN) Semester I 2025 kepada Badan Anggaran Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR).

Berdasarkan dokumen yang diterima CNBC Indonesia, Jumat (4/7/2025) ada beberapa pagu belanja yang berubah. Salah satunya anggaran pertahanan yang melonjak tajam.

Prognosis belanja pemerintah pusat hingga akhir tahun mencapai Rp2.663,4 triliun, atau turun dibandingkan pagu awal yang sebesar Rp2.701,4 triliun.

Anggaran pertahanan yang tadinya sebesar Rp166,1 triliun berubah menjadi Rp245,2 triliun. Realisasi selama semester I-2025 mencapai Rp102,2 triliun (61,6%).

Besarnya kenaikan tersebut ditujukan untuk pengadaan alutsista, pemeliharaan alutsista, pembangunan rumah dinas prajurit dan pengadaan sarana dan prasarana pertahanan.

Kenaikan juga terjadi pada anggaran pendidikan dari sebelumnya Rp285,2 triliun menjadi Rp309,5 triliun.

Sementara itu anggaran pelayanan umum mengalami penurunan signifikan menjadi Rp730,3 triliun dari sebelumnya Rp850 triliun.

Berikut ini rinciannya.
Prognosa belanja semester II 2025 (infographic: Kemenkeu)

07 Juli 2025

Australia to Procure Additional AIM-120 Missile

07 Juli 2025

Australia to procure additional stocks of AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs, the announcement comes nearly three months after the US State Department's approval of a proposal, in April 2025, to sell Australia up to 200 AIM-120C-8 and 200 AIM-120D-3 missiles (photo: LM) 

Albanese Government enhances national security with major investment in air defence and aerial strike

The Albanese Government is investing up to $2.12 billion in additional stocks of advanced medium-range missiles to strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s air defence and aerial strike capability. 

These AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 missiles can precisely strike targets at extended range, providing a significant deterrence to potential adversaries. Enhancing the ADF’s strike capability is a key priority of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. 

The AIM-120D-3 variant is a supersonic air-launched tactical missile, used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft as well as the F-35A Lightning II aircraft. It is designed to counter threats at extended ranges.

The AIM-120C-8 variant is launched using the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS), and is being brought into service by the Army’s new 10th Brigade and will significantly boost ground-to-air capability against aerial targets. 

The Albanese Government is acquiring these missiles through the United States Government’s Foreign Military Sales Program. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“This is a major investment in the security of our nation and underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe.

“The ADF’s credible strike and long-range capabilities support our strategy of denial, which aims to deter any conflict before it begins.

“These additional missiles will help to ensure the ADF’s ability to protect Australians against aerial threats.”

(Aus DoD)


Malaysia Plans to Purchase Military Assets from Italy to Strengthen Maritime Security

07 Juli 2025

Model of ATR72MPA for TUDM displayed at DSA 2024 (photo: NavalNews)

ROME: Malaysia intends to purchase maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, and naval vessels from Italy to bolster its national security capabilities, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.

The acquisition will include two maritime patrol aircraft designated for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Additionally, Malaysia also plans to procure 28 Leonardo AW149 helicopters, while the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is expected to supply multi-role support ships (MRSS) and littoral mission ships (LMS).

After AW 139, Malaysian Armed Forces will be equipped wirh Leonardo AW 149 helicopters (photo: Leonardo)

These defence assets will help strengthen Malaysia’s longstanding bilateral ties with Italy, renowned for its advanced military industry, Anwar said at his exit press conference at the conclusion of his three-day official visit to Italy.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who accompanied the prime minister on the visit, added that details of the procurement would be finalised to ensure Malaysia benefits from areas such as centralised training and other cooperative opportunities.

Initially, operations for the maritime patrol aircraft are expected to be based out of Batu Berendam Airport in Melaka, he noted.

Fincantieri proposed FCX20 a 95m OPV for LMS batch 3 program (image: Fincantieri)

Mohamed Khaled also said Malaysia has proposed that the acquisitions be carried out through government-to-government (G2G) agreements.

“This approach will help us secure better pricing and asset guarantees directly from the Italian government,” he explained.

The Ministry of Defence has also recommended exploring new areas of collaboration between the two countries in the defence sector, including artificial intelligence (AI) and underwater security command centres.

Fincantieri proposed San Giorgio class Amphibious Transport Dock LPD for MRSS program (photo: CruisingEarth)

Anwar arrived here on Tuesday for a maiden official visit at the invitation of his Italian counterpart, Georgia Meloni. This is part of Anwar’s three-nation visits to Italy, France and Brazil, which form part of Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic cooperation at the global level.

Anwar will later depart for Paris, where he is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron during his two-day stay there.

Subsequently, Anwar will attend the 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Japan to Transfer All Six Used Abukuma-class Destroyer Escort Ships to the Philippines

07 Juli 2025

Abukuma-class destroyer escort of JMSDF (photo: J-Navy World)

It has been learned that the governments of Japan and the Philippines have agreed to transfer a used Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer escort. If the export of a used destroyer escort is realized, it will be the first such case. The export of the destroyer aims to improve interoperability with the Philippine military and jointly strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against China, which is unilaterally advancing into the ocean.

This was revealed by multiple Japanese government officials. Defense Minister Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro confirmed the export of used destroyer escort ships during a meeting in Singapore in early June. The exports are expected to consist of six Abukuma-class destroyers of the MSDF. The Abukuma-class destroyers escort have been in service for over 30 years, and due to a shortage of SDF personnel, they are being gradually retired in order to be replaced by new ships with fewer personnel.

Abukuma-class destroyer escort of JMSDF (photo: Japan MoD)

According to sources, the Philippine military is scheduled to inspect the Abukuma-class destroyer eascort this summer and will check their equipment, such as main guns, and their maintenance status, among other things, to finalize preparations for export.

The Philippine military is under pressure to respond to the Chinese military's increasing activity in the South China Sea, and securing the number of ships is an urgent task. According to the Military Balance 2025 edition by the British International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Chinese military has 102 surface combatants such as destroyers, while the Philippines has only two frigates.

Abukuma-class destroyer escort of JMSDF (image: Wiki)

The operational guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment limit the equipment that can be exported to five types: rescue, transport, alert, surveillance, and minesweeping, and destroyers with high offensive capabilities cannot be exported as is. However, it is possible to export equipment with high offensive capabilities if it is jointly developed, such as the next-generation fighter jets that Japan is developing with the UK and Italy, and the new ship based on the "Mogami-class" destroyer that Japan is proposing to Australia. The direction is to proceed with exporting second-hand destroyers by modifying their specifications, such as by incorporating the equipment and communication facilities required by the Philippines, and developing them jointly. In the future, the plan is to also export new destroyers.

Japan and the Philippines are deepening their security cooperation and moving forward with building a relationship as "quasi-allies." At their summit meeting in April, the two countries agreed to enter into discussions toward concluding an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which would allow the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military to share food, fuel, and other items.

Abukuma-class destroyer escort of JMSDF (photo: Japan MoD)

The Philippines and China have territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and Japan is also facing Chinese maritime expansion in the East China Sea. If the Philippine military operates Japanese-developed destroyers, it is expected to improve joint response capabilities, and a senior MSDF official hopes that "we will be able to check the movements of the Chinese military."

Akubuma class destroyer escort

"Abukuma-class" destroyer : 109 meters in length, standard displacement 2,000 tons. It has a crew of about 120 people. It is equipped with anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, but cannot carry helicopters. It is smaller than other destroyers and is responsible for patrol activities in the waters near Japan. A total of six ships were commissioned between 1989 and 1993.

(Yomiuri)

06 Juli 2025

Indonesia Could Buy up to 24 Additional Rafales

06 Juli 2025

Jakarta is now reportedly looking to acquire 24 Rafale jets adding 42 units that have been previously ordered (photo: Defense Studies)

Indonesia is no longer seeking a dozen Rafales, but rather 24 fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation, according to concordant sources. The contract could be signed during the visit to Paris of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, France's guest of honor for the 14th of July celebrations. 

The Indonesian head of state will arrive with approximately 450 soldiers, who will parade down Paris's famous Champs-Élysées avenue. Following Emmanuel Macron's visit to Indonesia in May, this will be a new opportunity for Jakarta and Paris to strengthen the already very close bilateral relations between the two countries.

Additional Caesar SPHs
Other contracts could be signed on July 14th, or even come into force, such as the one for Naval Group's two Scorpène submarines. KNDS France could also finalize a new sale of Caesar self-propelled howitzers (up to 36 additional systems), while Naval Group could sign an order for frigates. For now, it seems that nothing has been definitively finalized, as is often the case just days before the Indonesian president's arrival in Paris.

PMC's MBLT-8 Joined Archipelagic Coastal Defense Preparedness Exercise

06 Juli 2025

APEX-ACERO 04-25 conducted in Ilocos Norte province - namely Badoc, Currimao, Pasuquin, and Burgos, Philippines (photos: PMC)

The Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 (MBLT-8), under the operational control of the 4th Marine Brigade (4MBDE), actively participated in the Archipelagic Coastal Defense Preparedness Exercise (APEX-ACERO) 04-25— a unilateral coastal defense exercise of the Philippine Marine Corps held from 17 to 29 June 2025.


Conducted across key locations in Ilocos Norte—namely Badoc, Currimao, Pasuquin, and Burgos—APEX-ACERO 04-25 tested and enhanced the Corps’ archipelagic coastal defense capabilities and developed the leadership, command, and operational readiness of the 4th Marine Brigade, its maneuver units, and its combat and service support elements.


Students from the Marine Corps Force Development Center (MCFDC) were also embedded with various units as part of their field training exercises. Key training events included Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI), Seaport Seizure, Airport Seizure, Camp Retake, Beach Landing Site (BLS) Counter-Landing, and Live Fire Exercises.


The Philippine Marine Corps has twelve regular Marine Battalions. Three battalions are assigned to each of the four maneuver brigades and a single battalion is rotated back to the Marine headquarters for refit and retraining for at least six months up to one year before redeployment to operational areas in the southern Philippines. Each of the twelve battalions (from Marine Battalion Landing Team/MBLT from 1 to 12) is organized into three rifle companies and a headquarters and service company. 

(PMC | Wiki)