Tellumat-Supplied IFF System Operating on Indonesian Navy Corvette

04 Juli 2019

KRI Fatahillah corvettes (photo : Jane's)

Tellumat has successfully completed a three year contract for the supply of an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system for the Indonesian Navy, providing one of its warship’s with the ability to safeguard itself by responding to interrogations from other friendly vessels or aircraft and preventing friend-on-friend incidents.

Tellumat’s Defence & Security business unit, a South African manufacturer and supplier of defence solutions, provided the PT-2500 naval IFF system to UK-based Ultra Electronics – prime contractor for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of Indonesian Navy corvette KRI Fatahillah.

Brian Ferguson, Key Accounts Manager at Tellumat Defence & Security, said Tellumat was contracted in December 2013. A period of system engineering and implementation followed until handover, whereupon it was installed, commissioned and accepted into service.

The warship was handed to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia in December 2016. In 2017, the Indonesian Navy had the system in hand, enabling necessary trials and checks, the favourable outcome of which culminated in the end of a successful project.

The IFF system is a key part of the KRI Fatahillah’s new combat management system and sensors, replaced along with the ship’s re-powering and general overhaul, Tellumat said.

Ferguson said of the strategic value of this contract to Tellumat. “Not only has it seen the netting of a new customer in Ultra Electronics, but also a new end-user – the Indonesian Navy – as well as the opportunity to integrate the naval IFF system with a new platform type.”

Tellumat is a reputable and longstanding supplier of defence systems, he said. Part of the reason for this is the company’s flexibility and willingness to customise systems, provide full project management and client interaction.

“We are a niche and stable supplier with the flexibility to provide more personal service, including technology transfer, which larger suppliers struggle to accomplish,” he said.

“Being from a non-aligned country speaks volumes for our flexibility and independence,” Ferguson said.

The upgrade effectively adds at least 15 years to the life of the Fatahillah, which is currently 40 years old.

“We are delighted to be recognised with this prestigious contract from Ultra Electronics and the Republic of Indonesia. We have demonstrated our hands-on collaborative style and our flexibility and non-aligned status. It’s with a matter of great pride we were able to meet the respective needs of client and end-user and we look forward to further opportunities to develop this and similar relationships in time to come.”

(DefenceWeb)