16 Oktober 2019
KF-X fighter (photo : Joongboo)
More than 100 engineers from Indonesian aerospace company PT Dirgantara (PTDI) remain involved in the project with South Korea to develop the next-generation Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) fighter aircraft despite growing concern about the Southeast Asian country's financial involvement in the programme.
Industry officials told Jane's at the 2019 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) that ties between PTDI at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which is leading the KF-X programme, remain strong even if the South Korean and Indonesian governments have yet to reach an agreement on how - and how much - Jakarta will pay towards the development project.
"We have 114 engineers working on the KF-X in Korea," said one official from KAI. "They are mainly working on the design of the aircraft but also on manufacturing processes." PTDI told Jane's that its engineers' involvement in the programme is intended to support the company's long-term development and its ability to apply acquired skills across a range of platforms.
Industry officials would not comment directly on government-level talks intended to enable Jakarta to fund its involvement in the programme, which it refers to as IF-X. These talks started in October 2018 after Indonesia said that due to a lack of funding it wanted to renegotiate the financial arrangements that were agreed in 2015. Renegotiations were initially expected to be concluded within 12 months but have yet to be finalised.
Under the original KF-X finance agreement Indonesia is committed to pay for 20% of the total development costs of the aircraft, which are estimated at about USD8 billion. The South Korean government is committed to pay for 60% of costs, with KAI covering the remaining 20%.
(Jane's)
16 Oktober 2019
HMAS Brisbane and USS Preble conducting Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres (photo : RAN)
On the eve of her Combat System Trials, the crew of HMAS Brisbane have used the passage and time alongside San Diego to fully prepare for this important milestone, which are the culmination of a concentrated combat system preparation and training period which has been running for nearly twelve months.
In the months prior to deploying, Brisbane embarked a team from the United States who have worked alongside the ship's company to optimise the combat system and conduct operator training.
During the transit, Brisbane has also had the opportunity to work with US Navy Destroyer Squadron 31 including USS Preble (DDG-88) in Hawaii, and also alongside in San Diego to supplement and enhance this training.
For Commanding Officer, Commander Josh Wilson, Interoperability with the United States Navy has been a driving factor during the preparation phases of the weapons firings.
“Having the US Navy Project Team on board and working with Destroyer Squadron 31 in Hawaii provided an excellent opportunity for the crew to be exposed to complex training scenarios that have enhanced our knowledge of the Aegis Combat System,” Commander Wilson said.
“We share a long and proud history with the US Navy and our officers and sailors work well together.
HMAS Brisbane DDG-41 (photo : John Wilson)
“With the introduction of Aegis we will be able to work closer and better integrate into joint exercises and operations.”
The journey has been significant for Deputy Electrical Engineering Officer, Lieutenant Michael Whanslaw, who has been a part of the Air Warfare Destroyer Program since 2013.
“I joined the program in Adelaide when Brisbane was still blocks in the shipyard,” he said.
“Since forming the crew in early 2017, the test and trials of the combat system have been our ultimate goal to progress the Destroyer capability.
“It is exciting that we have reached the culmination of 12 months of planning and hard work.”
For Combat Systems Supervisor, Petty Officer Neale Merrick, the training required in preparation for the upcoming missile firings included courses in Moorestown, New Jersey, covering theory and practical training in the management and operation of the Aegis Combat System.
“The training provided by the US Navy has prepared me to operate the combat system to its full capability.
“Since returning from the United States I have been able to put the skills into practice in an Australian Warship and develop training scenarios for Combat System Operators and the Electronics Technicians,” Petty Officer Merrick said.
HMAS Brisbane is in the United States completing her Combat System Trials and is due to return to Australian in December.
(RAN)
16 Oktober 2019
Sejak tahun 2017 UAE sudah menyatakan minat dengan kapal LPD buatan Indonesia (photo : BUMN)
Sederet Investasi Uni Emirat Arab Bakal 'Keroyok' RI Bulan Ini
Jakarta - Menteri Koordinator Bidang Kemaritiman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan membeberkan deretan investasi dari Uni Emirat Arab (UEA) yang bakal masuk bulan ini. Investasi tersebut merupakan tindak lanjut pertemuan Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) dengan Putra Mahkota Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, dan juga kunjungan kerja Luhut ke UEA beberapa waktu lalu.
"Kerja sama dengan UEA sekarang berkembang empat. Karena, Crown Prince-nya sangat luar biasa. Sama Pak Jokowi begitu dekat, sehingga saya whatsapp-an, dan Presiden juga," kata Luhut di kantornya, Jakarta, Jumat (11/10/2019).
Investasi Lahan Pertanian di Kalimantan Tengah
Adapun investasi yang bakal diteken oleh UEA di Indonesia yang pertama yakni investasi lahan pertanian di Kalimantan Tengah seluas 100 ribu hektare (Ha). Ia mengatakan, besok, Sabtu 12 Oktober 2019, UEA akan mengirim timnya untuk menindaklanjuti kesepakatan tersebut.
"Mengenai pertanian di mana mereka masuk 100.000 Ha, timnya akan kemari, besok sudah datang, jadi betul-betul semua cepat. Jadi besok tim pertanian mereka akan melihat kedua kali lahan yang ada di Kalimantan Tengah. Mereka sudah melakukan riset pohon apa yang bisa ditanam di sana," terang Luhut.
Pembelian 3 Kapal Amfibi
Kedua, soal kerja sama di bidang pertahanan, tanggal 23 Oktober nanti pihak UEA akan menyelesaikan transaksi pembelian kapal pendarat tank (LST) dari Indonesia.
"Sementara kemarin mereka sudah mengirim tim angkatan laut untuk menjajaki perjanjian tiga kapal pertama LST buatan kita. Pak Fred kemarin mendampingi ke Lampung, Surabaya, dan Sorong. Mereka sangat puas dan mereka akan mengimpor pertama kali tiga kapal itu," kata Luhut.
Pembangunan Masjid Raya Solo
Ketiga, yakni pembangunan Masjid Raya Solo yang akan mereplika Grand Mosque di Abu Dhabi. Dalam proyek ini, Pertamina juga akan memberikan dana hibah ke Pemda Solo untuk menunjang pembangunannya.
"Dan Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi itu oleh Crown Prince replikanya dibangunkan di Solo. Ini ada dua skemanya, pertama dari Pertamina yang dihibahkan ke Pemda Solo. Sekarang prosesnya sedang dijalankan tim dari kita akan berkunjung ke Abu Dhabi dan dia juga ke sini," imbuh Luhut.
Luhut menjelaskan, nantinya Masjid Raya Solo yang mereplika Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi tersebut akan dijadikan sebagai Islamic Center.
"Dan itu jadi Islamic Center di sana juga di mana Abu Dhabi membantu untuk mentrain ulama-ulama kita, dan juga mengajak ulama-ulama dari mereka ke kita," jelasnya.
Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)
Selain itu, Luhut mengatakan pendanaan abadi (Sovereign Wealt Fund/SWF) dengan UEA juga bakal diteken pekan depan.
"Sovereign Wealth Fund sudah sangat maju. Minggu depan timnya akan datang kemari untuk bicara dengan tim kita. Kemenkeu dari awal sudah terlibat, Pak Luki dan Pak Edwin dari PT SMI. Jadi kita mau melakukan ini, karena Presiden Jokowi mau, sejak Crown Prince kunjungan kemari ini sudah bisa ditanda-tangani," terang Luhut.
Luhut menjelaskan, delegasi Indonesia telah berdiskusi dengan Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) dan beberapa pejabat tinggi di Abu Dhabi tentang SWF.
Nantinya, SWF tersebut bisa menggunakan dua mekanisme, misalnya implementasi investasi ADIA sekitar US$ 1 miliar atau sekitar Rp 14,14 triliun (kurs Rp 14.100). Rencananya, dana tersebut akan masuk pada proyek properti, real estate, dan pengembangan destinasi wisata dan proyek-proyek swasta lainnya.
Skema lainnya, yakni pemerintah bisa juga membentuk Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund yang akan menjadi pooling dana investasi dari berbagai negara, termasuk UEA.
Sehingga, investasi ke Indonesia dapat ditingkatkan menjadi US$ 5-10 miliar dan seterusnya secara bertahap. Nantinya, dana tersebut bisa digunakan untuk pembiayaan proyek-proyek infrastruktur atau investasi secara umum.
Sebagai tambahan, Luhut menjelaskan, pemerintahan Abu Dhabi juga akan segera menyediakan lahan untuk membangun Kedutaan Besar Indonesia di Abu Dhabi.
"Dan juga mereka menyediakan lahan tanah Kedubes kita di Abu Dhabi. Jadi kita berharap ini bisa segera. Dan beliau juga menyampaikan kerja sama dengan Pertamina semua bisa dirampungkan dealnya ketika Presiden Jokowi ke sana," paparnya.
Luhut mengatakan, seluruh kerja sama dengan UEA ini adalah hal yang sangat baik dalam implementasinya, dan masih sesuai target.
"Jadi kalau kita melihat semua agenda ini too good too be true, ini semua on track," tutupnya.
(Detik)
16 Oktober 2019
PMC's AAV (photo : US Embassy)
MANILA – Troops of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) handled well the newly-acquired amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) during the amphibious landing phase of the ongoing ‘KAMANDAG 3’ exercise.
This was disclosed by PMC spokesperson, Capt. Felix Serapio on Monday when asked on the performance of the Marines picked to operate the new vehicles.
"They are good. The (amphibious) exercise is the culmination of years of training with forces fluent with the said capability. Our crews were also trained overseas for that (AAV handling)," he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
Four of the eight newly-acquired AAVs were deployed in Saturday's amphibious landing exercises which took place at the Marine Base Gregorio Lim off Ternate, Cavite.
Serapio said the four AAVs, which were acquired from South Korean defense manufacturer, Hanwha Systems, were supported by another four AAVs from the US and Japanese contingents participating in the maneuvers.
USMC's AAV (photo : Indopac Command)
"The landing is the culmination of the amphibious combined inter-operability training between the three amphibious forces as this further develops the capabilities of our Marines in conducting similar operations," he added.
Serapio said the PMC's new amphibious capabilities will boosts the Marines’ capabilities to respond to counter-terrorism scenarios and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and territorial defense operations.
"KAMANDAG", short for "Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat" scheduled from October 9 to 18, is a Philippine-led military exercise with American and Japanese units.
The AAVs were also used during September's "DAGIT PA" exercises where it participated in ship-to-shore exercise off Subic Bay, Zambales.
"DAGIT-PA" is short for "Dagat-Langit-Lupa" is a joint exercise with Air Force, Navy, and Army units and ran from September 16 to 27.
JGSDF's AAV (photo : motor-fan)
The first four AAVs were delivered last May and activated during the 121st founding anniversary of the Philippines which took place June 17 at Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite.
After its arrival last August, the second batch of four AAVs was activated during short ceremonies at PN headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Sept. 23. The AAV contract is worth PHP2.42 billion.
The amphibious vehicles are armed with .50-caliber machineguns, 40-mm grenade launchers and smoke launchers and will be used for amphibious landing operations. They are based aboard the two strategic sealift vessels of PN which are the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602).
Acting Philippine Navy public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, earlier said the four AAVs form part of the recently activated Assault Amphibian Company under the Assault Armor Battalion of the PMC.
“These amphibious landing vehicles allow our Marine Operating Forces to assault any shoreline from decks of Navy ships and provide them with armor protection, surface mobility for amphibious and mechanized operations, communications and projection of the 'anvil' force coastal defense,” Roxas said.
(PNA)
16 Oktober 2019
The advanced cockpit of the KF-X mode on (photo : FlightGlobal)
The KF-X cockpit will have a full-panel touch screen that is integrated with the pilot’s helmet and the aircraft's heads-up display.
A mockup of the new cockpit for the developmental figther at the company’s stand depicts a full, single-panel touch display in place of traditional multi-function displays.
The display offers a full-range of tactical information including radar tracks, weapons status, engine status, and other key data.
The advanced cockpit of the KF-X mode off (photo : bemil.chosun)
Unlike the touch screens found in smartphones and tablets, the screen's buttons will require greater pressure for inputs, says KAI. This helps reduce tracking errors stemming from smudges and scratches.
Further, the cockpit will feature HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) functionality. This allows the pilot to operate key aircraft functions from the sidestick control column and throttle. This improves situational awareness, as it enables the pilot to keep his or her attention focused outside the cockpit.
KAI plans to roll out the first KF-X prototype in early 2021.
(FlightGlobal)
15 Oktober 2019
New hangar for 36SQN (photo : RAAF)
A dedicated new maintenance hangar for No. 36 Squadron’s (36SQN's) fleet of C-17A Globemaster aircraft was formally handed over to Defence at RAAF Base Amberley during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
With 5000 square metres of floor space, the hangar can accommodate either a C-17A or a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport.
It also has a logistics warehouse and maintenance workshop for the squadron, replacing legacy facilities elsewhere at RAAF Base Amberley.
Following project approval in 2015, construction of the hangar began in March 2017 and has been one of many significant infrastructure projects underway on base regularly awarded to local Defence Industry partners.
Group Captain (GPCAPT) Steve Pesce, Officer Commanding No. 86 Wing, said the hangar is a welcome addition.
“It’s hard to image a squadron without a hangar of its own, and a facility likes this makes the job of supporting eight C-17As much easier for 36SQN,” GPCAPT Pesce said.
“Until now, C-17A maintenance has been conducted inside the KC-30A hangar at RAAF Base Amberley, or on the tarmac in the open air.
“Having a hangar, maintenance workshop, and logistics warehouse under one roof makes the job of supporting the C-17A more efficient, and ensures the aircraft are more available for Defence tasking.”
The hangar also features a telescopic docking system which allows technicians to safely access the exterior of a C-17A, or other large aircraft that can be accommodated in the hangar.
(RAAF)
15 Oktober 2019
TNI AL membutuhkan 3 Kapal Bantu Rumah Sakit (photo : BUMN)
Surabaya – Produksi Kapal BRS kedua TNI AL (W000302) memasuki tahapan keel laying atau pemasangan lunas kapal. Keel Laying dilaksanakan pada hari Senin, 14 Oktober 2019 bertempat di Grand Assembly Divisi Niaga PT PAL Indonesia (Persero). Acara tersebut dihadiri oleh Asisten Logistik KSAL Laksamana Muda Moelyanto didampingi Direktur Utama PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) Budiman Saleh, disaksikan para pejabat TNI AL beserta jajaran Manajemen PT PAL Indonesia (Persero).
Tahapan keel laying ini penting karena nantinya usia kapal akan dihitung sejak pertama kali pemasangan lunasnya. Kapal BRS kedua TNI AL ini memiliki panjang 124 meter, lebar 21,8 meter. Kapal tersebut mampu mengakomodasi pasukan, kru dan pasien sebanyak 651 orang. Kapal tersebut memiliki berat 7300 Ton dan dapat melaju dengan kecepatan maksimal 18 knot serta endurance 30 hari, kapal tersebut mampu untuk menampung 2 unit helikopter di dek dan 2 unit ambulance boat. Hingga tahapan keel laying Kapal BRS kedua telah mencapai 27% dari keseluruhan tahapan pembangunan dan tepat waktu.
Keel laying seremoni di PT PAL (photo : PAL)
Proses pembangunan dilakukan dengan 6 starting point pada 6 zona pararel dengan pendekatan modular sistem untuk mempersingkat waktu pembangunan kapal. Dalam pembangunan tersebut PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) menggunakan fasilitas utama Graving Dock Semarang di Divisi Kapal Niaga, juga akan mengoptimalkan kapasitas yang ada seperti pembangunan blok-blok atas dilakukan di Divisi Kapal Perang, beberapa perlengkapan kapal seperti turning table dikerjakan di Divisi Rekayasa Umum.
Fungsi Kapal BRS sangat pas dengan karakteristik dan wawasan maritim Indonesia. Indonesia sebagai negara kepulauan sebagai negara yang terletak dalam kawasan ring of fire memiliki kerentanan bencana alam seperti gunung meletus, gempa bumi yang dapat diikuti oleh bencana sekunder seperti tsunami dan lainnya. Kapal BRS juga memiliki fungsi pengabdian masyarakat, dapat digerakkan ketika masyarakat membutuhkan, seperti ketika Peristiwa Wamena di Papua. Dengan situasi tersebut, Kapal BRS bersifat mobile dan dapat digerakkan kapan saja ke wilayah terdampak bencana alam atau bencana kemanusiaan yang membutuhkan untuk melaksanakan kegiatan tanggap darurat bencana. Kapal BRS dilengkapi dengan berbagai fungsi medis hingga tindakan medis. Fasilitas medis yang dimiliki setara dengan sebuah rumah sakit, hingga julukan sebagai rumah sakit mengapung layak diberikan pada Kapal BRS.
(PAL)
