Australia Invests for Australian Army Capabilities

23 April 2024

Army Aviation will operate 40 UH-60M Black Hawks, 29 AH-64E Apache and an expanded fleet of 14 CH-47F Chinooks (photo: Northrop Grumman)

Preparing Army to deny adversaries

Littoral manoeuvre, land-based strike and battlefield aviation are among the Australian Army capabilities to receive large investment commitments under the newly released Integrated Investment Program. 

The spending will enable Army to deny a potential adversary’s freedom of action, as outlined by the National Defence Strategy, released on April 17. 

Direct investments in the amphibious-capable combined-arms land system total about $36 billion to $44 billion. 

18 medium and eight heavy landing craft to be based in Queensland (photo: Aus DoD)

Additional investments include about $3.9 billion to $4.9 billion for land-based strike, about $5.2 billion to $7.2 billion for land command systems and more than $9 billion for Army’s estate and infrastructure.

The funding will help optimise Army for littoral manoeuvre in Australia’s northern approaches and includes the development of long-range land and maritime strike systems.

About $7 billion to $10 billion will be set aside for 18 medium and eight heavy landing craft to be based in south-east Queensland, north Queensland and Darwin, and $5 billion to $7 billion for supporting infrastructure. The landing craft will be built in Australia and delivered between 2026 and 2037.

42 HIMARS will equip Army (photo: Aus DoD)

Land-based strike funding includes the accelerated acquisition of 42 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with precision strike and guided multiple launch munitions. After the first long-range fires regiment is established, missile stockpiles will progressively increase.

Investment also includes new land-based radar networks to improve Defence’s ability to detect and track approaching threats. 

In battlefield aviation, $9 billion to $10 billion will fund 40 UH-60M Black Hawks, 29 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and an expanded fleet of 14 CH-47F Chinooks.

The Integrated Investment Program beds in funding for previously announced acquisitions such as the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, M1A2 Abrams main battle tank and Huntsman self-propelled howitzer.

Redback IFV (photo: Aus DoD)

Between $1.6 billion and $2.1 billion is earmarked to modernise special operations capability, enabling continued reconnaissance, targeting, strike, technical operations and enhanced engagement.

The restructure of Army's divisions, commands and formations began in 2023. The new structure includes specialised combat and support brigades, and a new dedicated fires brigade and littoral manoeuvre group.

The public National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program is available on the National Defence Strategy website.  

(Aus DoD)

KRI Dewa Kembar 932 Ditugaskan Untuk Kegiatan Operasi Survei dan Pemetaan Hidro-oseanografi

23 April 2024

KRI Dewa Kembar 932 (photo: Antara)

Danpushidrosal Tekankan Prajurit KRI Dewa Kembar-932 Pertahankan Kondisi Teknis Kapal agar selalu siap dukung Opssurta Hidros

Jakarta --- Komandan Pusat Hidro-Oseanografi TNI Angkatan Laut (Danpushidrosal) Laksamana Madya TNI Budi Purwanto menekankan kepada seluruh prajurit pengawak KRI Dewa Kembar-932 agar mempertahankan kebersihan dan kondisi teknis kapal agar siap mendukung tugas-tugas Pushidrosal, utamanya dalam kegiatan Operasi Survei dan Pemetaan Hidro-oseanografi (Opssurta Hidros).

Kunjungan Kapushidrosal ke KRI Dewa Kembar 932 (photo: Pushidrosal)

Demikian disampaikan Danpushidrosal Laksamana Madya TNI Budi Purwanto saat mengadakan kunjungan ke KRI Dewa Kembar-932 saat bersandar di Dermaga Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) 2 Pelabuhan Tanjung Priok, Jakarta Utara, Kamis (18/4/2024).

Kunjungan yang didampingi Wadanpushidrosal Laksamana Muda TNI Rony saleh, Asopssurta Danpushidrosal Laksamana Pertama TNI Dyan Primana Sobarudin, Aslog Danpushidrosal Kolonel Laut (T) Sidyk Wahono, Dansatsurvei Kolonel Laut (P) Hendi Suhendi, Kadisharkap Pushidrosal Kolonel Laut (T) Cok Bagus Alit dan Kadisveranautikas Kolonel laut (E) Trijoko tersebut di terima langsung oleh Komandan KRI Dewa kembar-932 Letkol Laut (P) Mustika Ari Wibowo.

Dalam kunjungannya Komandan KRI Dewa Kembar memaparkan kepada Danpushidrosal beserta pejabat Pushidrosal yang mendampingi tentang pelaksanaan tugasnya dalam melaksanakan operasi survei dan pemetaan hidro-oseanografi (Opsurta Hidros) yang sedang dilaksanakan KRI Dewa Kembar-932 saat ini guna menjamin keselamatan pelayaran di perairan Indonesia.

Diakhir kunjungannya, Danpushidrosal beserta pejabat Pushidrosal mengecek secara langsung KRI Dewa Kembar-932 yang tengah melaksanakan Opssurta Hidros setelah selesai dalam masa pemeliharaan perbaikan tingkat depo diantaranya perbaikan pemeliharaan sistem bangun kapal, dan sistem pendorong kapal.

(Pushidrosal)

The Launch Ceremony of Inimitable – Singapore Navy's Fourth Invincible – class Submarine

23 April 2024

The launch ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s fourth Invincible-class submarine Inimitable (photos: RSN)

Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean Officiates the Launch Ceremony of Inimitable – Singapore Navy's Fourth Invincible – class Submarine

Senior Minister (SM) and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean officiated the launch ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s fourth Invincible-class submarine, Inimitable, at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) shipyard in Kiel, Germany on 22 April 2024. The submarine was launched by SM Teo's sister Ms Teo Swee Lian, who was the Lady Sponsor. The ceremony was also witnessed by Federal Minister for Defence Boris Pistorius, Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How, Chief of German Navy Vice-Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, RSN Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Sean Wat, CEO tkMS Oliver Burkhard, and senior defence officials from both countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, SM Teo highlighted the importance of Singapore's submarine capability. He said, "Singapore sits astride a focal point of international shipping routes. Close to 90,000 ships pass through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore each year, accounting for a third of global trade. The port of Singapore handled 39 million containers in 2023. The RSN plays an important role in ensuring the safe and secure passage of ships through the waters around Singapore… Our new submarines will enhance the RSN's ability to fulfil her mission of protecting the sea lines of communication in our region. All countries stand to benefit when our seas are safe and secure." He added, "Our submarine journey began in the late 1980s. The RSN recognised then that developing its own submarine capability was critical for it to achieve the strategic mission of protecting vital sea routes and securing Singapore's access to the seas… I have watched with tremendous satisfaction the great strides our submarine community has made."

Conceptualised and engineered jointly by the RSN, Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and industry partner tkMS, the Invincible-class submarines are customised for operations in Singapore's shallow and busy tropical waters, and they possess longer endurance and higher payloads. The launch of the RSN's final Invincible-class submarine marks a key milestone in the RSN's submarine modernisation journey and underpins the SAF's long-term and sustained commitment to building up its capabilities in order to meet future challenges. Following the launch, Inimitable will undergo a series of sea trials before delivery to Singapore. Impeccable, which was launched in 2022, returned to Singapore last year and is currently undergoing a series of local sea trials and working up towards full operationalisation and its commissioning later this year.

RSS Inimitable fourth Type 218 SG (photo: Ng Eng Hen)

Ahead of the launch ceremony today, SM Teo and Mr Heng also met Mr Pistorius, where they conveyed Singapore's appreciation for Germany's support for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s training in Germany since 2009, and for the bilateral collaboration on the RSN's Invincible-class submarine programme and training. Both sides reaffirmed the strong and substantive defence relations between Singapore and Germany, which continues to grow significantly across multiple domains. Singapore and Germany's defence relationship is underpinned by the signing of the 2018 enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, and both countries co-operate and interact widely through high-level visits and dialogues, military exchanges and training, cross-attendance of professional courses, and collaborate in areas of mutual interest, such as in defence technology and cyber.

(Sing Mindef)

Australia Injects Fund to Boost Navy Capability

22 April 2024

Hobart class destroyer will received Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block II and SM-2 and SM-6 missiles (photo: Aus DoD)

Funding injection to boost Navy capability

Conventionally armed, nuclear‑powered submarines and infrastructure will receive $53 billion to $63 billion over the next decade as part of Australia’s investment in developing a Navy with enhanced maritime, air and land strike capability. 

This is one of the commitments in the newly released 2024 Integrated Investment Program, which sets out spending priorities that will be central to the National Defence approach outlined in the National Defence Strategy. 

Investment in infrastructure in Western Australia out to the mid-2030s will support the transition to a sovereign Australian nuclear-powered submarine operating base. 

Australia will receive three Virginia class nuclear powered submarine from US before the first boat of the SSN AUKUS class delivered to RAN (photo: US Navy)

The Government will also allow $4 billion to $5 billion for upgrading and sustaining the current fleet of six Collins-class submarines, which underpin the transition to the new submarines.  

To complement crewed undersea warfare capabilities and the Navy’s surface combatant fleet, $5.2 billion to $7.2 billion will be dedicated to subsea warfare capabilities and new autonomous and uncrewed maritime vehicles, including through AUKUS Pillar II Advanced Capabilities.

Planned investments include the development and acquisition of large and extra‑large uncrewed and autonomous underwater vehicles to undertake stealth missions in high‑risk environments, alongside the continued acquisition of Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels for persistent maritime surveillance. 

Three extra large underwater vehicles will undertake stealth missions in high‑risk environments (photo: Aus DoD)

About $51 billion to $69 billion will fund maritime capabilities for sea denial, and localised sea control operations will expand the Navy’s surface combatant fleet. 

An expanded fleet of 36 MH‑60R Romeo helicopters, costing $2.4 billion to $2.7 billion, will support the additional major vessels in the fleet. 

The Navy’s long-range strike capabilities will be enhanced through the acquisition of the Tomahawk weapon system from the United States. 

Total 36 fleet of MH60R helicopter will equipped Royal Australian Navy (photo: ADF)

The next-generation Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block II and SM-2 and SM-6 missiles will also be acquired for the Hobart-class destroyers, Hunter-class frigates and general-purpose frigates. 

Additional funding for maritime capabilities includes about $12 billion to $15 billion for sea-based strike, $2 billion to $3 billion for elements of the electronic warfare capabilities and $810 million to $910 million for maritime command systems. These investments will allow the Navy to hold targets at risk for longer ranges, providing greater capacity to target adversary aircraft and missiles. 

The National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program are available on the National Defence Strategy website. 

(Aus DoD)

KSAL Paparkan Daftar Tambahan Prioritas Alutsista TNI AL 2025-2044

22 April 2024

Usulan penambahan sejumlah alutsista TNI AL untuk pembangunan postur kekuatan pada periode 2025-2044 (photo: Pasmar1)

Jakarta, IDM – Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut (KSAL) Laksamana Muhammad Ali menyampaikan gambaran sejumlah alat utama sistem persenjataan (alutsista) yang dibutuhkan dalam rencana pembangunan postur kekuatan TNI AL 2025-2044.

Hal tersebut disampaikan oleh Ali saat menghadiri kegiatan silaturahmi dan halal bihalal para KSAL dari masa ke masa serta para keluarga besar TNI AL, Jakarta, Jumat (19/4).

Gambaran usulan sejumlah alutsista TNI AL dalam paparan Kasal (photo: Pasmar1)

Tampak sejumlah alutsista yang bakal diprioritaskan untuk pengembangan kekuatan TNI AL dalam 20 tahun ke depan, di antaranya kapal selam Scorpene, kapal patroli multiguna atau Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) PPA dari Italia hingga rencana penambahan kapal perusak (destroyer).

Pada daftar alutsista tersebut, juga terdapat pesawat nirawak pengintai atau Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) ScanEagle yang dilengkapi dengan kamera optik dan inframerah, sistem pertahanan pesisir (coastal defence) hingga pesawat patroli maritim multi-misi (MPA) P-6.

Pesawat patroli maritim P-6 MPA muncul dalam paparan Kasal (photo: PAL Aerospace)

Tak hanya itu, rencana belanja alutsista untuk kekuatan TNI AL juga meliputi pesawat nirawak bersenjata atau Unmanned Combat Aircraft Vehicle (UCAV) Bayraktar Akinci jenis High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) dan UCAV Bayraktar TB-2 jenis Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) dari Turki.

Kemudian, tercatat daftar keinginan TNI AL untuk mempunyai kapal perang Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) hingga penambahan kendaraan tempur (ranpur) untuk Korps Marinir.

HIMARS sebagai sistim pertahanan pesisir/coastal defence muncul dalam paparan Kasal  (photo: Lockheed Martin)

Ali mengatakan, tahap penyusunan postur kekuatan TNI AL 2025-2044 telah dimulai secara paralel.

“Diharapkan dengan postur tersebut, perencanaan pembangunan kekuatan TNI AL akan dapat diwujudkan untuk mendukung visi Indonesia emas 2045, yaitu mewujudkan negara maritim yang berdaulat, maju, dan berkelanjutan,” kata Ali, dikutip dari keterangan Pasmar 1, Minggu (22/4).

LHD Juan Carlos/Anadolu muncul dalam paparan Kasal (photo: Daily Sabah)

Sebelumnya, beberapa waktu terakhir ini TNI AL resmi akan diperkuat dengan penambahan sejumlah alutsista baru, yakni pembangunan dua unit kapal selam Scorpene Evolved dari Prancis hingga kedatangan dua unit kapal OPV kelas Thaon di Revel (PPA) dari Italia.

Ali sempat mengungkapkan, pembangunan dua unit Scorpene Evolved sesuai dengan kebutuhan TNI AL, terlebih kapal selam tersebut merupakan generasi terbaru alias kapal terbaik yang dibuat Naval Group, Prancis saat ini.

Type 052D Luyang-III Class Missile Destroyer muncul dalam paparan Kasal (photo: SinodefenceI

“Ya, sudah sesuai dengan kebutuhan. Jadi, kami sudah beberapa kali rapat dengan Naval Group, Prancis, dan mereka memberikan kemudahan-kemudahan dan meyakinkan kapal yang diproduksi itu canggih. Jadi, bukan Scorpene yang biasa, melainkan Evolved, generasi terbaru,” ungkap Ali, beberapa waktu lalu.

Tak hanya Scorpene, TNI AL juga menantikan kedatangan OPV kelas Thaon di Revel pada Oktober 2024 dan April 2025 untuk memperkuat tugas keamanan dan pertahanan kedaulatan perairan Indonesia, khususnya di jalur Alur Laut Kepulauan Indonesia (ALKI) I.

Kendaraan pendarat amfibi ACV 8x8 muncul dalam paparan Kasal  (photo: BAE Systems)

Pangkoarmada I Laksamana Muda Yoos Suryono mengungkapkan rencana untuk mengajukan kajian akademis kepada Markas Besar TNI AL (Mabesal) terkait kebutuhan penempatan OPV PPA dari Italia tersebut untuk di wilayah kerja perairan bagian barat.

Ia mengatakan alasan membutuhkan penempatan unit OPV kelas Thaon di Revel itu dikarenakan konsentrasi geografi dan luas wilayah kerja Koarmada I, terlebih di perairan Natuna Utara hingga banyaknya kegiatan ilegal yang terjadi di Selat Malaka.

“Dari konsentrasi geografi dan luas wilayah yang jadi tanggung jawab Koarmada I, terlebih lautan Natuna Utara dan ancaman juga di utara, pengungsi Rohingya dan banyak kegiatan ilegal di Selat Malaka, tentu sangat perlu,” katanya.

(IDM)

Kapal PPA TNI AL Akan Dilengkapi Rudal Aster 15/30

22 April 2024

Perbedaan spesifikasi kapal PPA (image: istimewa)

Sistem rudal permukaan ke udara (Surface to Air Missile /SAM) Aster 15/30 beserta peluncur vertical DCNS Sylver A43, akan menjadi salah satu persenjataan kapal perang Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) untuk memodernisasi TNI Angkatan Laut.

Rudal permukaan ke udara (Surface to Air Missile /SAM) Aster 15/30 (photo: MBDA)

Rudal ini dirancang untuk menghadapi ancaman pesawat tempur, helikopter, pesawat tanpa awak, rudal jelajah, hingga rudal anti-kapal yang terbang rendah, dan memiliki kemampuan siluman, manuverabilitas, kecepatan, serta daya tembak tinggi.

Spesifikasi rudal Aster 15/30 (image: MBDA)

Rudal Aster 15 dan 30 yang merupakan salah satu pertahanan udara terbaik di dunia saat ini, memiliki desain dan teknologi yang sama, tetapi berbeda dalam ukuran, berat serta jangkauan. Aster 15 memiliki jangkauan lebih dari 30 km, sedangkan Aster 30 lebih dari 100 km.

(Kemhan)

HLS Australia Bersiap untuk Mendemonstrasikan Pesawat Bertenaga Scramjet DART

21 April 2024

DART pesawat bertenaga scramjet sebagai hipersonic testbed untuk US DoD (images: HLS)

Hypersonix Launch Systems (HLS), yang berkantor pusat di Brisbane, sedang membangun kendaraan uji hipersonik untuk program kemampuan pengujian high-cadence testing capabilities (HyCAT) milik Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) bagian dari US DoD. DIU mengeluarkan permohonan untuk proyek tersebut pada bulan September 2022. Hypersonix Launch Systems mendapatkan kontrak untuk pelingkupan pekerjaan pada bulan Maret 2023, dan kontrak peluncuran pada bulan September 2023, kata Matt Hill, CEO Hypersonix Launch Systems, kepada Janes pada tanggal 9 April di pameran maritim global Navy League Sea-Air-Space 2024 di National Harbor, Maryland.

Program tersebut memerlukan kendaraan uji lintas udara “yang dapat mempertahankan kecepatan di atas Mach 5 dengan profil penerbangan yang dapat bermanuver/non-balistik dan durasi penerbangan setidaknya tiga menit dengan kondisi penerbangan yang hampir konstan”, menurut pernyataan DIU pada bulan April 2023.

Pembangunan kendaraan udara DART pertama sedang berlangsung, dan Hypersonix Launch Systems baru-baru ini menyelesaikan tinjauan desain awal tingkat komponen, kata Hill. Rocket Lab akan menyediakan kemampuan peluncuran sistem untuk uji terbang awal.

DART dibangun berdasarkan penelitian selama lebih dari 30 tahun di bidang hipersonik oleh salah satu pendiri perusahaan Michael Smart, kata Hill. Hypersonix Launch Systems didirikan pada akhir tahun 2019, dan pengembangan DART dimulai pada saat itu. Beberapa hibah pemerintah Australia telah mendukung upaya ini, sehingga membatasi kebutuhan untuk meningkatkan modal dalam jumlah besar, kata Hill. Fase penelitian ini telah memungkinkan Hypersonix Launch Systems untuk mematangkan sistemnya, termasuk pengujian terowongan kejut yang signifikan, katanya. Peluncuran pertama diharapkan terjadi pada akhir tahun 2024 atau kuartal pertama (Q1) tahun 2025. Hypersonix Launch Systems berencana untuk melakukan dua peluncuran DART lagi pada tahun 2025. Hill mengatakan bahwa ia memperkirakan teknologi tersebut akan memasuki fase penerapan dalam dua hingga empat tahun ke depan.

(Jane's)