Slot Skadron Tempur RI untuk Pesawat IF-X/KF-21

27 Juli 2021

Model jet tempur IF-X (photo : Defense Studies)

Pada bulan April 2021 lalu Menteri Pertahanan Prabowo Subianto menghadiri peluncuran pesawat tempur KF-21 Boramae, nama definitif untuk pesawat KF-X/IF-X hasil kerjasama Korea-Indonesia. Pada kesempatan tersebut Prabowo menyatakan bahwa Indonesia akan meneruskan kerjasama proyek KF-X/IF-X ini bersama Korea, hal ini dapat diartikan bahwa Indonesia akan membayar tunggakan pembayaran setoran atas proyek ini yang nilainya sekitar USD 1,5 bio. 

Ternyata, spesifikasi pesawat tempur yang dibutuhkan Indonesia dalam program KF-X/IF-X ini akan ada sedikit perbedaan dengan Korea Selatan. Versi Indonesia atau yang dikenal sebagai IF-X akan dilengkapi dengan drag chute, external fuel tank 480 gallon, dan juga ada perbedaan pada persenjataan & sensor.

Pada bulan Mei lalu Indonesia menanda-tangani Letter of Intent pembelian 36 jet tempur Rafale, sedangkan pada Rapim TNI bulan Februari 2021 lalu juga disinggung niat TNI AU untuk membeli 8 jet tempur F-15EX, wajar timbul pertanyaan dari Korea tentang komitmen Indonesia untuk membeli pesawat KF-X/IF-X  ini.

Rencana 11 skadron tempur TNI AU (image : Istimewa)

Kebutuhan skadron tempur Indonesia hingga tahun 2029

Untuk mengetahui slot skadron tempur IF-X kita harus melihat kebutuhan pesawat tempur TNI AU hingga tahun 2029 karena KF-21 akan masuk jalur produksi paling cepat pada tahun 2026, sedangkan masa jabatan pemerintahan sekarang akan berakhir pada tahun 2024.

Program Minimum Essential Force (MEF) yang akan berakhir pada tahun 2024 memberi amanat kepada Kementerian Pertahanan untuk :

1. Menambah 3 skadron tempur baru untuk wilayah timur yang terdiri dari Sam Ratulangi (Sulawesi Utara), El Tari (Kupang), dan Manuhua (Biak),

2. Menyelesaikan penggantian 1 skadron tempur pengganti F-5E/F,

3. Melakukan penggantian 1 skadron Hawk 100/200 TNI AU yang akan memasuki usia 30 tahun pada tahun 2025 nanti (Pesawat Skadron 1 diganti baru, pesawat yang masih mempunyai sisa jam terbang dikumpulkan di Skadron 12), 

4. Tambahan skadron tempur baru penjaga Ibu Kota Negara (IKN) bila pemerintah jadi memindahkan ibu kota ke Kalimantan Timur.

Jadi hingga tahun 2024 diperlukan 5 skadron tempur baru, dan opsi tambahan 1 skadron tempur penjaga IKN.

Setelah MEF berakhir pada tahun 2024 skadron tempur TNI AU juga akan dimekarkan lagi, berapa jumlahnya masih belum ada rilis resmi dari Kemhan atau TNI. Seperti juga yang berlaku di TNI AL setelah tahapan kekuatan Minimal (MEF) ada tahapan kekuatan Standar (SEF) dan kekuatan Ideal (IEF) yang akan dicapai pada perayaan 100 tahun kemerdekaan RI  (2045). Untuk tahapan 2025-2029 secara konservatif dapat diasumsikan ada tambahan 3 skadron tempur baru sebagaimana tahapan 2020-2024. Pada sisi lain skadron Hawk 100/200 di Skadron 12 juga memerlukan penggantian. Jadi pada periode ini diperlukan 4 skadron tempur baru.

Jadi hingga tahun 2029 dibutuhkan 9 skadron tempur dan opsi 1 lagi skadron tempur untuk menjaga IKN.

Sekarang kita lihat bagaimana Menteri Pertahanan mengalokasikan kebutuhan skadron tempur untuk tahun 2024.

1. Kemhan telah menanda-tangani LoI pembelian 36 unit Rafale (3 skadron @12 pesawat), operasional skadron dengan 12 pesawat pernah dilakukan TNI AU di Skadron Udara 3 dengan pesawat F-16A/B,

2. Kemhan telah menanda-tangani kontrak pembelian 11 unit Su-35 dengan Rusia pada tahun 2018, realisasi kontrak terganjal sangsi CAATSA, dimana pelobi yang digunakan Kemhan ditengarai juga digunakan untuk permintaan waiver CAATSA kepada AS,

3. Kemhan berusaha memenuhi kebutuhan 1 skadron pesawat tempur F-15EX (kemungkinan 8 unit adalah pesanan tahap pertama menyesuaikan dengan budget yang ada).

Terlihat bahwa dari kebutuhan 5 skadron plus opsi tambahan 1 skadron telah ada progres untuk 5 skadron, sedangkan 1 skadron penjaga IKN memang masih menunggu kepastian dari Pemerintah berikut pendanaannya. Dari 5 skadron yang sedang diproses tersebut, jika lobi permintaan waiver CAATSA gagal maka peluang IF-X muncul, namun karena harus menunggu waktu yang lama, bisa jadi Kemhan justru akan minta tambahan pesanan pesawat Rafale/F-15EX.

Untuk tahun 2025-2029 Menteri Pertahanan penggganti Prabowo Subianto akan mendapatkan amanat untuk 4 skadron tempur. Secara normal, jumlah pesawat dalam skadron tempur terdiri dari 16 pesawat. Jika Indonesia berkomitmen untuk membeli 50 pesawat tempur IF-X maka ini setara dengan kebutuhan 3 skadron, menyisakan 1 skadron non IF-X.

Yang jadi pertanyaan adalah apakah 3 skadron tempur TNI mendatang akan diisi oleh IF-X ? Pada saat itu kebutuhan pesawat tempur Gen 5.0 sudah muncul, demikian juga perlu melihat rasio pesawat tempur bermesin 1 dan 2 di skadron tempur. Jika itu dilakukan maka pada tahun 2029, jumlah skadron tempur bermesin 2 (setelah dikurangi pesawat LIFT dan CAS) berjumlah 10 skadron sedangkan 3 skadron bermesin 1. Kondisi ini disadari atau tidak akan menaikkan biaya O&M TNI AU.

Hal lain yang juga patut diperhatikan adalah pada tahun 2024 jumlah skadron tempur TNI AU akan melampaui Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam dan Thailand serta menyamai Australia, pada tahun 2029 jumlah skadron tempur TNI AU akan melampaui Myanmar sehingga akan menjadi kekuatan terbesar di kawasan.

(Defense Studies)

RMN, UKCSG 21 Complete Sea Exercise

26 Juli 2021

Passage exercise between RMN and CSG 21 (photo : RMN, Steve Moorhouse)

LUMUT: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the United Kingdom Carrier, Strike Group 21 (UKCSG 21) strengthened their defence cooperation through "Passage Exercise" (Passex) which was held in the Straits of Melaka yesterday.

The RMN's western command armada base corporate communication division said the exercise involved three RMN assets, namely KD Lekiu, KD Jebat and a Super Lynx helicopter.

The statement said the UKCSG 21 consisted of four naval ships and several aircraft from the United Kingdom, United States and the Netherlands.

"The warships involved were HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Kent, USS the Sullivans and HNLMS Evertsen. This is the maiden voyage of HMS Queen Elizabeth, an aircraft carrier, to the region.

"Apart from being committed to maritime security and national defence cooperation in the region with friendly navies, the RMN welcomes such exercises to enhance inter-operability and understanding in the field," the statement read.

(NST)

Dua-KRI dan Satu Pesawat Udara TNI AL Laksanakan Latihan di Perairan Karang Unarang

26 Juli 2021

KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai 332 (photo : TNI AL)

Dua KRI Dan Satu Pesawat Tempur TNI AL dibawah kendali operasi Guspurla Koarmada II yaitu KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332, KRI  Singa-651 dan Pesawat Udara U-6212 melaksanakan Latihan Bersama di Perairan Karang Unarang, Kamis (22/07).

Latihan ini bertujuan untuk menjaga profesionalisme prajurit dalam melaksanakan Operasi, sehingga selalu siap, sigap dan responsif menghadapi segala kemungkinan yang terjadi di daerah Operasi.

KRI Singa 651 (photo : TNI AL)

“KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332  telah berlatih dan bergabung dengan KRI Singa-651 dan Pesawat Udara U-6212 selama beberapa hari untuk meningkatkan kerjasama taktis antara KRI dan unsur udara serta merefresh kembali taktik unsur dalam formasi dalam rangka menegakkan kedaulatan di wilayah perairan yurisdiksi Indonesia”, terang Komandan KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332.

Latihan yang dilaksanakan diantaranya Tactical Maneuvering, Air Joining Procedure, Air Defence Exercise dan RAS Approach. Pesawat Udara U-6212 disimulasikan sebagai unsur kawan dan juga berperan sebagai musuh yang mengancam konvoi KRI GNR-332 dan KRI SNA-651. Kedua KRI melaksanakan aksi area defence sebagai aksi terhadap ancaman udara. Latihan berjalan dengan aman dan lancar, seluruh unsur serta personel yang terlibat memahami tugas dan tanggung jawabnya sesuai pos tempur masing-masing.

Pesawat Udara U-6212 (photo : TNI AL)

Ditempat terpisah Danguspurla Koarmada II Laksma TNI Hersan, S.H., M.Si. berharap dengan latihan ini profesionalitas prajurit serta unsur-unsur KRI dan pesawat tempur jajaran Koarmada II selalu terjaga sehingga siap apabila dibutuhkan dalam tugas operasi.

Sementara itu Pangkoarmada II Laksda TNI Dr. Iwan Isnurwanto, S.H.,M.A.P.,M.Tr (Han) berharap melalui latihan ini diharapkan para prajurit KRI dapat  menguji kemampuan dan ketangkasan mereka sekaligus latihan ini juga untuk menguji kondisi teknis kapal. Hal ini juga agar setiap unsur operasi senantiasa meningkatkan profesionalitas pengawak KRI dengan melaksanakan latihan-latihan baik saat berada di daerah operasi maupun di Pangkalan sekaligus melaksanakan program prioritas Kasal Laksamana TNI Yudo Margono bidang pembangunan sistem pembinaan kekuatan dan kesiapan Ops yang bersinergi dan mempunyai interoperabilitas tinggi.

(KoArmada2)

Debut for RAN's Camcopter in Talisman Sabre

26 Juli 2021

HMAS Ballarat’s embarked MH-60R and S-100 Schiebel Camcopter on the flight deck during Exercise Talisman Sabre (photo " Aus DoD)

Camcopter has eyes in the sky during Talisman Sabre

Apart from an MH-60R helicopter, HMAS Ballarat also carries an S-100 Schiebel Camcopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle that offers enhanced surveillance capability at sea.

A small detachment from 822X Squadron at the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Air Arm is conducting trials with the 3.1-m long rotorcraft as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS21).

Remote Pilot Warfare Officer Lieutenant Jack Parsey said the S-100 provided Ballarat’s command team with a highly flexible intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability in real-time.  

“The S-100 can be used for a number of activities, such as search and rescue, tactical maritime operations, and overwatch for the ship’s boarding party,” Lieutenant Parsey said.

“A major advantage of the S-100 is that the vision it captures can be live-fed straight back to the operations room providing a real-time tactical picture.”

Attention is also being paid to how the S-100 can operate in conjunction with the MH-60R to multiply overall aerial capability. 

“Manned/unmanned teaming is the phrase that has been given to this sort of aircraft-to-aircraft partnership,” Lieutenant Parsey said.

“For instance, the helicopter may spot a vessel of interest while on patrol, the details of which can be relayed to the ship, at which time the S-100 can be deployed to take over the surveillance.

“The S-100 can then stay on-station for longer than traditional aircraft, thanks to its endurance capability.”

Commanding Officer Ballarat Commander Antony Pisani said TS21 had been a good opportunity to inject the S-100 into a sea combat environment.

“One of our tasks during Talisman Sabre has been to hunt submarines in our area of operation to disrupt the enemy force within the exercise,” Commander Pisani said.

“Our MH-60R is designed for that purpose, but the S-100 boosts our ability to search for submarines and track their periscopes until the helicopter can respond.

“That additional situational awareness makes us a more potent unit overall and increases our fighting edge.”

(Aus DoD)

CSB 8021 has Safely Arrived in Vietnam

26 Juli 2021

Vietnam Coast Guard's CSB 8021 (photos : USCG)

Welcome home, CSB 8021! Earlier this month, Vietnam Coast Guard’s second high-endurance cutter and its crew arrived safely to its homeport.  

The U.S. government donated this ship to exemplify the strong maritime security cooperation between the two countries and to help ensure a rules-based order in the East Sea.

The trip from Seattle, with stops in Hawaii and Guam, marks the longest sail ever made by a Vietnam military vessel.

Congratulations to the Vietnam Coast Guard crew for achieving that historic milestone and welcome home!

(US Embassy in Hanoi)

Naval Shipyard Tugboat Serving Philippine Navy Again after Repairs, Drydocking

25 Juli 2021

Yard Tug YT271 assist BRP Bagobo (photo : NSSC)

The Philippine Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NSSC) has said that Yard Tug YT271, “one of the most reliable floating assets of the Naval Shipyard made its presence felt once again as it kicked off its first tug assistance on 15 July to BRP Bagobo (LC293).”

NSSC said that the activity transpired following the tugboat’s successful completion of its Drydocking and Other Related Repairs (DDORR) and operational test with a satisfactory result on July 9.

“The tugboat provided towing services anew to LC293 during the conduct of operational test for its main propulsion diesel engine,” NSSC said. “This new development signals the start of more tug assistance to PN vessels from the said tugboat in the future as the unit continues to endeavor in improving its provision of quality services to its stakeholders.”

“YT271 serves during the maneuvering, docking/undocking, and repositioning of PN vessels. It plays a vital role in the fulfillment of the unit’s mandated mission of ensuring the operational readiness of the Philippine Navy,” it explained.

(Mintfo)

RSN's USV Passed Test as MCM Role

25 Juli 2021

RSN operates two types of MCM USVs - one with the EMD system, and the other with sonar equipment (photo : DSTA)

Singapore navy's unmanned surface vessels pass test to detect and neutralise sea mines

SINGAPORE - The Republic of Singapore Navy's unmanned surface vessels (USVs) have proven their ability to neutralise sea mines, and are now mission-ready.

Using such platforms is expected to yield a significant reduction in human labour, as well as time taken to detect, and dispose of, sea mines.

The two USVs - with an expendable mine disposal (EMD) system controlled remotely from shore - successfully neutralised an underwater target on Jan 29 in waters off the Southern Islands.

Ms Siow Chengxin, a senior engineer from the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), told reporters on July 16 that the firing exercise was one of the final steps to verify that the USVs could perform well.

"It's a significant milestone validating our engineering effort on executing control of the K-STER C vehicle... wirelessly and safely," she said.

K-STER C refers to a lightweight EMD vehicle from French manufacturer ECA Group. It is loaded in a canister that is mounted on an USV.

The validation means that the USVs used for mine countermeasure (MCM) operations can now identify and neutralise underwater threats, a world-first capability.

The Republic of Singapore Navy's unmanned surface vessel used for mine countermeasure operations (photo : Sing Mindef)

Colonel Wong Chng Tong, commander of the 6th Flotilla, which leads the development of unmanned capabilities for surface and underwater craft, said the use of unmanned systems is the next frontier for maritime operations.

The deployment "enables navies to conduct operations more effectively with less manpower and at lower cost", he added in an e-mail interview.

It also reduces servicemen's exposure to threats, such as underwater explosives or improvised explosive devices, he noted.

Col Wong said sea mines laid by aggressors were the primary underwater threat that impeded safe transit in the past. The dangers have evolved to include improvised explosive devices that can be easily deployed by terrorists.

The Singapore navy began experimenting with the deployment of USVs more than a decade ago. The USVs with the EMD system were introduced in 2018, with the ability to identify but not neutralise mines.

The EMD system on manned MCM vessels needs a crew of 33, but the USV needs only two - one operator to control the vessel, and the other the EMD system console.

The manned Bedok-class MCM vessels are still in service, after completing a mid-life upgrade in 2014.

The navy operates two types of MCM USVs - one with the EMD system, and the other with sonar equipment, called the towed synthetic aperture sonar system.

K-STER C Expendable Mine Disposal Vehicle (EMD) (photo : ECA)

A third USV variant is used for coastal patrols.

These USVs can be operated remotely, either on shore or potentially on another ship.

Typically for mine countermeasure missions, a USV with the sonar system is deployed to conduct underwater scans.

Once the threat is located, another USV with the mine disposal system is activated. The EMD system is lowered into the water to close in on the threat for identification and neutralisation.

Ms Siow, 36, who is from DSTA's Naval Systems Programme Centre, said the operation of the K-STER C is almost instantaneous.

With just the press of a button, an operator can launch it from its canister, she added. On a manned MCM vessel, it takes four people about an hour to deploy the K-STER C into the water - from a storage area to an open deck, and then by a crane.

The project was not without its challenges, including those from the Covid-19 pandemic. It took four months to prepare for the live firing day, said Ms Siow, who has been with DSTA for 13 years.

"I still can recall the moment when we successfully fired off the second shot. We were all overjoyed, and felt our efforts had paid off and were worth it," she added.

(Straits Times)