INDO - ADPR Consultadprconsult.com.my/indo-aerospace-defence.pdf · INDO DEFENCE and INDO AERO-SPACE 2008 exhibition at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base. Or-ganised by PT Napindo

Measured ApproachTony Davis - Tiger Aviation

AIRLINES & AEROSPACEASIAN

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Welcome to IDA 2008!President Susilo Bambang Yudhoy-

ono will be officially inaugurating the INDO DEFENCE and INDO AERO-SPACE 2008 exhibition at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base. Or-ganised by PT Napindo Media Ashata-ma, the exhibition is supported by the relevant government bodies and trade associations of Indonesia, such as the Department of Defence, Department of Trade, Department of Industry, In-donesian Air Force and Indonesian Exhibition Companies Association.

This is the third INDO DEFENCE exhibition to be held and this year it is expected that there will be some 400 exhibiting companies from 37 differ-ent countries and that some 20,000 official and trade visitors will be at-tending. Major companies from Eu-rope including EADS, Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems, Thales and MBDA are exhibiting. Bearing in mind the $1 billion defence package under nego-tiation between Indonesia and Russia, it is no surprise that Rosoboronex-port are here at the show, along with other Russian companies such as Su-khoi and Kazan Helicopter. There is also major participation from Korea, including companies such as Korea

Aerospace Industries (KAI), Rotem, Doosan Infracore, Hyundai, Hanjin and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).

Other international presence comes from Turkey, Poland, South Af-rica, India’s Brahmos Aerospace, Sin-gapore and other countries. There is also significant Indonesian industrial participation including major mem-bers of the ‘strategic industries’, in-cluding PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT PAL and PT Pindad amongst others.

In reality it is two co-located ex-hibitions, one with a defence focus and one with an aerospace focus. On top of this there are two important seminars being staged at the exhibi-tion: ‘Harnessing Defence Technology Capabilities’ and ‘The Future of Aero-space - Opportunities and Challenges’ which are expected to attract over 300 decision makers from both the government and commercial sectors from within the region and around the world.

Indonesia remains in many re-spects an undiscovered market in regional terms, yet as visitors to the exhibition will doubtless experience there is so much untapped potential

in Indonesia. The national economy is still growing, though not as fast as eve-rybody would like, and that growth is expected to continue into 2009. There is much to learn about Indone-sia’s growing defence and aerospace markets at INDO DEFENCE and INDO AEROSPACE 2009!

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

INDOSUPPLEMENT

AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

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Information is key to survival and prosperity in the current fast-paced business environment. Backed by over a decade of experience in the Asian market, ADPR Consult produces the ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE (AA&A) and ASIAN DEFENCE & DIPLOMACY (AD&D) magazines that are distributed throughout the region and beyond. We also produce the SHOW DAILY at selected Aerospace and Defence exhibitionsin Asia, featuring news from the events and analysis of current technology and policies in the region.

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Measured ApproachTony Davis - Tiger Aviation

AIRLINES & AEROSPACEASIANVolume 16 Nov/Dec 2008


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K D N : P P 8 0 3 8 / 0 5 / 2 0 0 9 ( 0 2 1 7 6 9 ) M . I . C . A ( P ) N O : 1 5 2 / 0 8 / 2 0 0 8 I S S N : 1 3 9 4 - 1 7 9 8

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RJ Market Gets Crowded

MRO Goes ERP

3

19 - 22 November 2008 INDOSUPPLEMENT

AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

INDONESIAN DEFENCE PROGRAMMES AND POSSIBILITIES

The sheer magnitude of the task facing the Indonesian Armed

Forces (TNI) in defending Indonesia only becomes truly understandable if you look at the geographical data. This is a country with a population of over 237 million people; it is an archipelagic nation of 17,508 islands of which 6,000 are inhabited. Indone-sia has a total land area of 1,826,440 square kilometres and a coastline of 54,7126 km, it has land boundaries of 2,830 km with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.

As the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) puts it in their ‘World Fact Book’ publication, “ Indonesia straddles the equator: strategic loca-

tion astride or along major sea lanes from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean”. To summarise, this all means that the TNI have a vast area to pro-tect against external threats and that the strategic location of the country further complicates the situation.

On top of protecting the country against external threats the TNI has other complications to consider in its threat matrix. These other compli-cations include insurgency, terrorism and piracy, plus the need to provide humanitarian assistance is case of natural disasters. From this we can see how varied the roles and mis-sions of the TNI are in the current environment.

One of the many legacy armoured ve-hicles in use with the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) - an AMX-13 tank. The TNI-AD has large numbers of armoured ve-hicles acquired in the early 1960s that desperately need replacing. (Photo: via SVT)

With over 300,000 personnel the TNI would appear to have the manpower resources necessary to discharge the majority of its tasks. However, the problems of the TNI are not with its people, the problems are with funding. Put simply, Indone-sian has never spent the money re-quired to enable the TNI to meet all of its requirements.

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Obviously military expenditure cannot impose an unsustainable bur-den on a national economy, yet it would be hard to argue that Indo-nesian military expenditure has been such a burden. When you can see what neighbouring states such as Ma-laysia and Singapore are prepared to spend on defence, the relative pov-erty of the TNI becomes apparent. For this reason the Indonesian mili-tary has found itself making the best of the equipment that it already has in service. With the situation made worse by the fact that both the US and the European Union imposed an arms embargo on Indonesia from 1999 to 2005.

The armoured vehicle holdings of the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) illus-trate the prevalence of legacy equip-

The Legacy Trap

Using constant 2005 US dollars as a comparison tool and looking at mil-itary expenditure as a percentage of GDP provides us with a methodology to evaluate defence spending in Indo-nesia. Back in 1988 Indonesian mili-tary expenditure was $1,885 million, equivalent to 2% of the GDP, by 1998 it had risen slightly to 2,079 million but this was only equivalent to 1.1% of GDP. The next year, 1999, saw mili-tary expenditure drop to $1,710 mil-lion equivalent to 0.9% of GDP. Be-tween 1988 and 2002, the high point for military expenditure was 1996 when military expenditure amounted to $2,840 million. It was only in 2003 that budget growth started in finan-cial terms and the military budget continued to grow through 2007.

To put these figures into context, NATO believes that its member na-tions should be spending a minimum of 2% of their GDP on military ex-penditure. Since 2000 Indonesia has spent nothing like this figure. Since 2002, Indonesian military expenditure has been fluctuating between and 1% and 1.4% of the GDP. In comparison

One of the first two Sukhoi Su-30MK aircraft delivered to the Indonesian Air Force in 2003 drawing a curious crowd. The second batch order for three Su-27SKM and three Su-30MK2 aircraft still has to yet be properly resolved. (Photo: via SVT)

in the same period, Malaysian military expenditure as a percentage of GDP ranged from 2.2% to 2.8%, while in Singapore it ranged from 4.7% to 5.1%.

ment. Armoured vehicles delivered in the early 1960s such as the AMX-13, AMX VCI, Saracen, Ferret and BTR-40 remain service, although many have been modernised. In the end these vehicles must be replaced and one possible solution would be to acquire the indigenous Panser 6x6 Pindad from PT Pindad, which is already en-tering service, in large numbers. That of course requires money and there lies the problem, the TNI-AD and the other services can procure new equipment but never in the numbers that they need, they can only make an incremental dent in their legacy sys-tems.

Another service with a legacy problem, although it is improving is the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL). Indo-nesia needs to have an effective naval

THALES PRG4 F@STNET:THE NEW WORLDWIDE REFERENCEWhile protection against hostile interfer-ences, interception or follower jammersremains a crucial point for tacticalcommunication, Thales has developed inconsequences the concept of differentoperational modes reflecting the realsituation of troops in a battlefield.Through a close collaboration with itscustomers, Thales has improved yearafter year the PR4G F@stnet productline transforming the latter in a realworldwide success.

With more than 130,000 radios in operationall around the world (in over 43 countries),the PR4G F@stnet product line is withoutdoubt the VHF reference in tactical radio area.

Thales PR4G F@stnet capacities

Perfectly adapted to the modern combatsituations in various surroundings (desert,jungle, forest, city…) the PR4G F@stnetradio supports the advanced 64 kbpswaveform whilst keeping the fast frequencyhopping and anti jamming modes thatmade its earlier reputation.

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Transfer of experience and technology tothe country through local ventures,allows local partners to progressively

acquire the know-how to build and developradio systems & solutions. In fact, thelong standing PR4G experience is beingshared amongst many countries. Ten ofthem are currently producing Thalesradios or have been able to develop newbusiness from this tactical radio know-how.In several cases, new radio featuresdeveloped locally have been incorporatedinto Thales catalogue.

In Indonesia Thales is developing a longterm partnership with “PT LEN Industri”regarding the transfer of production forthe PR4G F@stnet VHF radios.

LEN Industri is a state-owned company inIndonesia that focuses its business onelectronics for integrating military platforms,defense systems, creating advancedtechnology solutions that reach acrossbusiness units, and arranging solutions for

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PUBLI_1_210x275_uk 12/11/08 17:41 Page 1

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The new Sigma class units have a displacement of 1,700 tonnes, they are equipped with the Thales Tacti-cos command systems and the Thales Netherlands MW08 3D radar. Weap-ons include a 76 mm Oto Melara gun, MBDA Exocet anti-ship missiles and the MBDA Tetral air defence system.

The TNI-AL has also added other capabilities; in 2003 it received an LPD from Korea, KRO Dr. Suharso, which was then converted into a hos-pital ship and disaster relief unit. Sub-sequently it has acquired two more units of the same class, known as the Makassar class by the TNI-AL, for the pure LPD mission and two fur-ther units are in build at the PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya. It is also receiv-ing patrol craft and OPVs from local yards such as Fasharkan.

These are all positive develop-ments, but the TNI-AL needs much more if it is to properly fulfil its mis-sions. The same logic goes for the TNI-AD and the TNI-AL as well. The $1 billion defence package with Rus-

New Options

A Type 209 submarine of the Repub-lic of Korea Navy (ROKN). There have been a number of proposals from Ko-rea on modernising the two Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) Type 209 submarines or supplying more Type 209 submarines direct from Korea. (Photo: via SVT)

capability, yet of its 12 frigates, the six Ahmad Yani class are former Royal Netherlands Navy Van Speijk class frigates. Turning to corvettes, the TNI-AL has 16 Kapitan Patimura class in service that were delivered between 1993 and 1996, these are former East German Navy Parchim class corvettes and they should really be replaced.

The TNI-AL is well aware of the limitations of its surface combatants and in 2002 had developed a ‘National Corvette Programme’ that called for the acquisition of between 30 and 40 new corvettes by 2017. There has been some real progress on the cor-vette front, with the decision to pur-chase four Sigma class corvettes from Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in the Netherlands. KRI Diponegoro (365) and KRI Hasanudin (366) are in service, with the third unit KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda having recently been commissioned and the last unit KRI

Frans Kaisiepo to be commissioned next year.

sia covering 22 helicopters, 20 BMP-3F armoured vehicles (now 18 vehi-cles) and two Project 636 Kilo class submarines is another positive devel-opment. Yet much will depend on the ability of the Indonesian economy to grow to allow the Indonesian govern-ment to increase the resources it can devote to defence expenditure.

Swiss image intensification and night vision device manufacturer Vectronix will be displaying their new TARSIUS16 Miniature Night Vision Monocular at INDO DE-FENCE 2008. They describe the system as “the world’s smallest and lightest MIL-SPEC night vision monocular”. The system weighs 250 grammes and uses a 16 mm image intensifying tube; competi-tor systems use an 18 mm tube and in consequence weigh 30% to 45 more than the TARSIUS16, ac-cording to Vectronix.

The system can operate for up to 55 hours using commercially available batteries, and features auto-gating and manual gain con-trol to provide better image qual-ity and extended tube life. Flex-ibility is the key to the system; it can be used as a handheld device or quickly attached to a helmet. A 3x magnification lens can be added to the system to increase detection range.

Considering the importance of effective night vision capability in modern combat conditions, the TARSIUS16 should generate a lot of interest at INDO DEFENCE. Stopping by at Vectronix would appear to be a sensible move.

NEW VISION FROM SWITZERLAND

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THE KOREAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY – WORKING WITH INDONESIA

In August of this year the Re-public of Korea (ROK) Defense

Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) stated that in 2006 Korean defence exports amounted to $850 million and that for 2008 the Korean defence industry would export more than $1 billion of defence products for the first time. This is a really sig-nificant achievement for the Korean industry.

There was a time when the de-fence products that Korea was capa-

ble of exporting were very limited in scope, small arms and less sophisti-cated natures of artillery ammunition, spare parts for US equipment and even uniforms. Today the situation is totally different; Korea is capable of supplying advanced technology equip-ment for a wide range of applications in the air, ground and naval sectors.

The Korean government sup-ported and promoted the establish-ment of a national defence industry as a means of increasing self-reliance

and also because they believed that defence technology would stimulate other areas of Korean industry. The Korean government continues to promote the capabilities of industry,

The K1A1 will remain in production at Rotem until 2010 to meet the needs of the ROK Army, in 2011 production of the new XK2 Black Panther tank will then commenc. Since starting their national tank programme in 1980, Ko-rea has developed three generations of main battle tank. (Photo: via SVT)

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through bodies such as DAPA and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). Major local players have also emerged in the shape of Doosan In-fracore, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Rotem, Samsung Techwin, Sam-sung Thales, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now owned by Hanwa), Hyundai Heavy Industry, Hanjin and the Poongsan Corporation amongst others.

One of the key programmes that demonstrates the sophistication of the Korean defence industry is the Altay tank programme for the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC). Ro-tem in Korea had developed the XK-2 Black Panther tank for the ROK Army (see below) and the technologies de-veloped for this programme provided the ability for the Korean company to become the key technology part-ner for the Turkish tank programme in competition against proposals from many of the traditional tank building countries.

Turkey has proven to be a very successful market for the Korean

defence industry. The TLFC had de-veloped a requirement for a modern 155 mm self-propelled gun system, which could then be modified with Turkish equipment to meet their ex-act needs. Samsung Techwin won the tender with its K-9 Thunder system which was then modified into the Fir-tina configuration for TLFC featuring systems from Turkish companies such as Aselsan. The Turkish Air Force has also turned to Korea, acquiring the KT-1 training aircraft from KAI.

The Doosan Infracore K-21 New In-fantry Fighting Vehicle (NIFV) demon-strating its amphibious characteristics and firepower. Developed for the ROK Army, the NIFV is yet more proof of how sophisticated and capable the Korean defence industry has become. (Photo: ROK Army)

Tank developments in Korea show how the capabilities of the Korean defence industry have evolved. In the 1970s the ROK Army was looking for

Developing Capability

a new tank that would meet its exact operational requirements under the name of ROKIT (ROK Indigenous Tank). In 1980 they negotiated an agreement with Chrysler (now Gen-eral Dynamics Land Systems), who had designed the M1 Abrams tank, whereby the US company would de-sign a tank to meet the ROKIT re-quirements and then transfer the technology to Korea to allow local manufacture. The ROKIT prototype was completed in 1983 and went into production at Hyundai (now Rotem) in 1984 as the K1 tank.

Rotem would manufacture in ex-cess of 535 K1 tanks, as well as a fam-ily of special vehicles based on the K1 chassis including a recovery vehicle and a bridgelayer. This set the stage for the next evolution in the ROK tank programme with the development of the K1A1 tank. Work on the K1A1 programme started in 1991 with the aim of providing the ROK Army with a tank that offered increased firepow-er (the 120 mm M256 44-calibre gun was selected) and more protection, the fire control system of the K1A1 was developed in Korea by Samsung Thales. The tank will remain in pro-duction through 2010.

The evolution from the K1 to the K1A1 saw the evolution of tank de-sign and building skills in Korea, this was a true indigenous tank. Equally important was the development of Korean capabilities at the systems and sub-systems level. This further enhanced the local technology base and provided the basis for future growth.

Future growth was definitely on the agenda in Korea, in 1995 work started on a next generation tank at ADD that would eventually lead to the XK2 Black Panther. The prototype XK2 was displayed in March 2007 by ADD and Rotem and the tank is on

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AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

Note should be made of another new armoured vehicle developed in Korea by Doosan Infracore – the K-21 New Infantry Fighting Vehicle (NIFV). Doosan started in armoured vehicles by producing the US AIFV design un-der license in numerous different ver-sions for the ROK Army as the Ko-rean Infantry Fighting Vehicle (KIFV). The K-21 is an authentic Korean de-sign developed to meet ROK Army requirements; the vehicle is amphibi-ous and has a turret-mounted 40 mm cannon. Doosan have also been suc-cessful in export markets, selling 111 K-200A1 KIFV to Malaysia and more recently its Barracuda armoured per-sonnel carrier to Indonesia.

As previously mentioned KAI sold its KT-1 trainer aircraft to Turkey, and

Developing Capability

course to enter ROK Army service in 2011. The XK2 Black Panther is a true state-of-the-art main battle tank fea-turing a 120 mm 55-calibre gun fed by an automatic loading system, the tank has a crew of three and protection is provided by a Korean-designed mod-ular and composite armour system.

The Korean tank programme il-lustrates how the government, the military and industry have worked together to create national capabili-ties in key technology areas. At the start they went to a top rank foreign supplier to obtain a design, in paral-lel with this they built the indigenous infrastructure to produce the system in Korea. By the second phase Ko-rea had a tank programme knowledge base to exploit in order to develop a design that truly met ROK Army needs. By the third phase Korea had developed a complete tank design, development and production capabil-ity allowing them to develop a true national solution.

Indonesia has also become a custom-er for the aircraft with the TNI-AU acquiring 12 KT-1B aircraft. KAI is at the centre of some ambitious aero-space efforts in Korea, including the Korea Helicopter Programme (KHP) to develop a new utility helicopter with 245 to be acquired by the Ko-rean military. Work is also getting underway on the new Korea Attack Helicopter (KAH) programme. KAI are also developing new versions of the T-50/A-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft, includ-ing the FA-50 combat aircraft that will replace aircraft such as the F-5E in ROK Air Force service.

Finally we should mention ship-building. Korean yards such as DSME, Hyundai and Hanjin have become ma-jor players in the most sophisticated sectors of commercial shipbuilding. In parallel with this they have grown their capabilities to meet the increas-ingly sophisticated requirements of the ROK Navy. For the military mar-ket these yards started building for-eign designs and then developed their own skill sets. Proof of this comes with the KDX destroyer programme,

which evolved from the KDX 1 into the more complex and capable KDX 2 and now into the KDX 3, which mounts the Aegis combat system. Into the future Korea will be designing and developing a new class of submarines, KSS-3, building on license product ef-forts with German Type 209 and Type 214 designs.

Korea is also continuing to devel-op its relationships with Indonesia. A good example of this is the Makassar class LPD for the TNI-AL; this pro-gramme will see the acquisition of four LPDs by Indonesia. The first two units were built Korea, with the next two being built by PT PAL in Surabaya (the first has already been launched). To make this a reality Korea had to transfer technology and assist PT PAL with the building programme.

ROKNS King Munmu The Great (976) was built at Hyundai Heavy Industries and was the second KDX 2 destroyer to enter ROK Navy service. The 5,000-ton displacement KDX 2 class followed on from the original KDX 1 class and is now being built in tandem with the much larger, 7,000-ton displacement, KDX 3 destroyer class. (Photo: via ROK Navy)

19 - 22 November 2008

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THE INDONESIAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY – AN EVOLVING CAPABILITY

The foundations of the Indonesian defence industry were actually es-tablished during the colonial period. In 1920 the German company Fritz Werner established the Pindad fac-tory to manufacture small arms and ammunition in the then Netherlands East Indies (NEI). PT Pindad is still manufacturing small arms and ammu-nition for the Indonesian Armed Forc-es (TNI), as well as armoured vehicles and other systems.

Apart from that, after the inde-pendence struggle Indonesian was able

to take control of a number of other facilities that would prove useful in a defence industry context. For exam-ple, the naval dockyard at Surabaya and aircraft repair facilities. The basis of an indigenous Indonesian defence industry had actually been laid dur-ing the anti-colonial struggle, when in 1946, six gliders were constructed from locally available materials to help train pilots for the TNI-AU.

Following independence Indone-sia decided to establish an aviation industry, an effort led by Nurtanio Pringgoadisuryo, who also acted as the designer and test pilot. A number of light aircraft were designed and built, many based on foreign designs, and then in 1964 licence production of the PZL-104 Wilga aircraft com-menced, with 39 aircraft being built through 1975. Nurtanio was killed

during a test flight in 1966, but his legacy was the basis for an Indonesian aerospace industry.

Then came what we might call the ‘Habibie period’ for the Indonesian defence industry. B.J. Habibie was a highly qualified aerospace engineer and on his return to Indonesia be-came a technology advisor to the In-donesian government. In 1976 he was responsible for the formation of the aerospace company PT Nurtanio that eventually became IPTN (today it is known as PT Dirgantara Indonesia). Eventually Habibie created what be-came known as the ‘strategic indus-tries’ by bringing the management of IPTN, the PT PAL shipyard and Pindad amongst others under one roof.

For almost 20 years the Indone-sian aerospace and defence industry would find itself lavished with con-siderable attention. Investment in fa-cilities and major license production programmes in areas such as aircraft, helicopters and surface combatants followed, even the design of indig-enous aircraft. Yet with the end of the ‘Habibie period’ and the onset of democratic government times be-came hard for the Indonesian defence industry.

Today the industry has managed to bounce back and can demonstrate some impressive capabilities. PT PAL has launched the first of two Makas-sar class LPDs for the TNI-AL, which are built to a Korean design, and has also developed very useful commer-cial shipbuilding skills. PT Pindad has developed the Panser 6x6 Pindad armoured vehicle, inspired by the French VAB, which is entering service with the Indonesian military. While PT Dirgantara Indonesia is deliver-ing MPA, transport aircraft and heli-copters to Indonesia. There is still an immense amount of potential in the Indonesian defence industry.

The CN-235 continues to be an ex-tremely important product for PT Dir-gantara Indonesia, having been sold to the Indonesian military and overseas. The TNI-AU CN-235 shown here has just completed a parachute mission. (Photo: PT Dirgantara Indonesia)

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RUSSIA AND INDONESIA – A NEW BEGINNING

The perils of become overly dependent on a narrow group

of suppliers was brought home to In-donesia in 1999 when it found itself hit with a defence equipment supply embargo, firstly by the US and then by the European Union countries. The embargo was to last six years only be-ing lifted at the end of 2005.

For Indonesia to consequences of this embargo were severe. The Indo-nesian Air Force (TNI-AU) provides conclusive proof of this fact. At that time the prime combat aircraft as-set of the TNI-AU was the fleet of seven Lockheed Martin F-16A Block 15 OCU and three Lockheed Mar-tin F-16B Block 15 OCU aircraft. By the time the embargo was lifted the F-16A/B fleet had been reduced to four flyable aircraft. The TNI-AU

fleet of 20 Lockheed Martin C-130B, KC-130B, C-130H and C-130H-30 transport aircraft provides another example of the effect of the embargo, by the time the embargo was lifted, the C-130 fleet was down to some six flyable aircraft.

The six year long embargo im-pacted on all areas of the Indonesian military and these harsh lessons dem-onstrated that supplier base diversity made tremendous good sense. That

A Sukhoi Su-30 showing its distinct pro-file. In 2003 the TNI-AU received two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK aircraft. It is currently awaiting the delivery of three aircraft out of its second order for three Su-27SKM and three Su-30MK2. The eventual TNI-AU Sukhoi require-ment is in excess of 16 aircraft. (Photo: Sukhoi)

19 - 22 November 2008

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discovery was not rocket science. The only problem was finding alter-native suppliers across the complete spectrum of defence equipment from the high to the low end. What Indo-nesia needed first and foremost was a credible source of combat aircraft, helicopters, surface ships, submarines, armoured vehicles and other sophis-ticated equipment. In the end such a source was found in the form of Rus-sia.

All of which was somewhat ironic, as for a period in the late 1950s and early 1960s up to 1965, the Soviet Union was the leading supplier of de-fence equipment to Indonesia. To put that statement into context, Soviet

military aid turned the TNI into argu-ably one of the most significant mili-tary powers in Asia. Soviet military as-sistance was just enormous in scope. The TNI-Al received a Sverdlov class cruiser, seven Skory class destroyers, seven Riga class frigates, 12 Komar class missile craft along with 25 P-15 (Styx) anti-ship missiles, 14 P6 fast at-tack craft, eight Kronstadt class patrol craft, 18 BK patrol craft, six T-43 mine-sweepers, an Atrek class support ship, a Don class support ship, two Bunju class tankers and three Type 577 Uda class oilers. On top of this came 12 Project 613 Whiskey class submarines (SSK), with two more supplied from Poland.

The situation as regards the supply of aircraft and helicopters was equally as impressive. Systems included 26 MiG-21F-13 aircraft plus 156 R-13S (AA-2 Atoll) air-to-air missiles, 35 MiG-19, 30 MiG-17 (ex-Czech), 40 MiG-17PF (Polish LIM-5P), 15 MiG-15UTI (ex-Czech), 18 Aero L-29

(ex-Czech), 44 Ilyushin Il-28/Il-28T/Il-28U bombers (some ex-Czech), 24 Tupolev Tu-16 bombers plus 96 KS-1 (Kennel) air-to-surface missiles, 28 Ilyushin Il-14 transports (Czech Avia produced), nine Antonov An-12 transports, eight Mil Mi-1 (Polish SM-1 version) helicopters, 36 Mil Mi-4A/Mi-4M helicopters and eight Mil Mi-6T helicopters.

As if that were not enough an S-75 Dvina (SA-2) air defence mis-sile system along with 24 missiles was supplied, S-60 57 mm and M1939 37 mm anti-aircraft guns, 10 BRDM-1, 30 BTR-152, 100 BTR-40 and 66 BTR-50 armoured vehicles and 50 PT-76 light tanks, other tanks, K-61 amphibious transport vehicles, BM-14 140 mm multiple rocket launchers, other artil-lery systems and much else besides was delivered.

Soviet military aid to the TNI was, as the above listing shows, immense in scope. Yet after 1965, and the break in relations with the Soviet Union, this

The Mi-17 helicopter (shown here in service with the Chinese PLA) is in serv-ice or on order with 14 Asian nations. Kazan Helicopters delivered three Mi-17 helicopters to the TNI-AD in July of this year, with three more on order. (Photo: via SVT)

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vast inventory of defence equipment gradually degraded in many cases to become worse than useless. Some equipment was sustainable, for exam-ple the PT-76, BTR-40, BTR-50, K-61 and the air defence guns for example. As for the remainder, some resides in museums around Indonesia and the rest was scrapped.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new states such as Russia from the wreck-age, there was a new set of defence industry players entering the regional marketplace. However, with the ex-ception of a few small purchases of small arms and parachutes in the 1990s, Indonesia proved less than re-ceptive to the possibilities offered by the Russian defence industry. Arguably there was also no need from the In-donesian side to entertain purchasing Russian equipment, as it would have been incompatible with existing TNI equipment and operational practices.

Then in 1997 there appeared to be a real programme in prospect, with significant interest being shown in the acquisition of up 20 Sukhoi Su-27 combat aircraft. Eventually this potential contract collapsed for po-litical and financial reasons, but it was an indication that Russia and Indone-sia were moving closer to a supplier-client relationship.

It was the embargo instituted at the end of 1999 that would really change Indonesia’s perception of Rus-sian defence equipment. Shortly after this, talks started on the supply of de-fence equipment and in particular on the supply of Sukhoi combat aircraft. One of the many difficulties encoun-tered in turning these talks into ac-tion was the fact that Indonesia had such a small defence budget, in 1999

The New Beginning

military expenditure was only 0.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), that same year Singapore’s military expenditure as a percentage of GDP was 5.4%! In real terms Indonesia was spending less on defence in 1999 than it did in 1988.

Eventually real progress was made on the Sukhoi acquisition during the Megawati Sukarnoputri admin-istration and in 2003 a contract was signed covering the acquisition of two Sukhoi Su-27SK and two Sukhoi Su-30MK combat aircraft and two Mi-35 attack helicopters. The value of the contract was some $195 million, of which $26 million was paid in cash and the rest in countertrade with pri-mary commodities, including palm oil. The aircraft and the helicopters were delivered later in 2003.

Building on this first contract proved harder than expected, one sig-nificant factor being a change of gov-ernment and the election of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2004. Then at the end of 2004 came the tsu-nami disaster and other matters were on the mind of the Indonesian lead-ership. The significant development in 2005 was a decision to purchase

One element of the major defence package being negotiated with Russia is the supply of up to 20 BMP-3F ar-moured vehicles for the Marines. The BMP-3, a standard version of the Cy-prus National Guard is shown here, is notable for its high level of firepower and will be an ideal addition to Indone-sia’s armoured vehicle fleet.

six Mi-17B-5 helicopters from Kazan Helicopters for the TNI-AD. The first three of these were delivered to In-donesia in early July this year.

Moving into 2006 there were on-going negotiations on the acquisition of more Sukhoi aircraft, but this has become subsumed into a much larger and more complex discussion. Indo-nesia and Russia had started talking about an ambitious defence equip-ment package covering the supply of combat aircraft, helicopters, ships, submarines, armoured vehicles and other equipment. The stumbling block was funding such a programme, an issue that appeared to be resolved when the Russian side indicated that it might be willing to arrange a funding package to cover the purchases.

Real progress appeared to be made in 2007. In July of that year it was an-

19 - 22 November 2008

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nounced that Indonesia would be purchasing Russian corvettes, in Au-gust the purchase of a second batch of Sukhoi aircraft was confirmed and then in September the then President Putin visited Jakarta. One of the key issues of the visit was settling the de-fence package and the financing issues surrounding it. All of these outstand-ing issues appeared to have been re-solved and it was also stated that the second batch of Sukhoi aircraft con-sisting of three Su-27SKM and three Su-30MK2 would be delivered from October 2008 through to 2012.

December 2007 was notable as it saw the rectification of an important

deficiency in the TNI-AU Sukhoi fleet - the aircraft were delivered with no air weapons. A separate contract was required to resolve this and in De-cember 2007, R-73 and R-27 air-to-air missiles, Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, Kh-31A anti-ship missiles and Russian iron bombs were delivered. Prior to this the only external stores available to the Sukhoi aircraft were the result of TNI-AU technicians rigging a multi-ple ejector rack that could accommo-date NATO-standard bombs on the wing hardpoints of the aircraft.

By the time all of the talking had been completed, the size of the Rus-sian defence systems package had sta-bilised at 22 helicopters, 20 BMP-3F armoured vehicles and two Project 636 Kilo class submarines. This would be funded by a $1 billion line of credit arranged via Russian banks. The Sukhoi contract would not be part of this package and would be funded separately. The arrival of the

first three of the second batch of Su-khoi aircraft has been delayed, due to financing problems and obtaining par-liamentary approval – a situation that still awaits resolution.

As things stand at present, the funding package with Russia still has to be solidified although this is antici-pated shortly. It is believed that that the BMP-3F purchase from Kurgan-mashzavod is now down to 18 vehi-cles and that part of the helicopter order will include six Mi-35 attack helicopters. Bearing in mind the in-ternational financial situation, negoti-ating any major line of credit will be considerably more complex than it was a mere six months ago. Despite this there is confidence that the Rus-sian defence package will go ahead.

This billion dollar package will demonstrate that Russia has become a key equipment supplier to Indo-nesia. However, this relationship has even more potential. In terms of the Sukhoi combat aircraft, there will be a requirement to upgrade the exist-ing Su-27SK/Su-30MK fleet to the Su-27SKM/Su-30MK2 standard. The outline TNI-AU requirement calls for a mixed squadron of some 16 Su-27SKM/Su-30MK2 aircraft – indicat-ing a need for six more aircraft. In re-ality the TNI-AU would need to have considerably more Sukhoi aircraft to meet its true requirements, but that will inevitably be a function of fund-ing.

In the long term Indonesia prom-ises to become a very important mar-ket for Russian defence equipment. The evolution of the relationship be-tween the two countries also shows the growing sophistication of the Rus-sian defence industry; back in 2003 they were taking payment in cash and countertrade, now they are capable of providing billion dollar financial pack-ages.

A Project 636 Kilo class submarine of the Chinese People’s liberation Army Navy (PLAN) underway. The Rubin-de-signed Kilo class SSK will be a welcome boost to the submarine capabilities of the TNI-AL, which currently consist of two Type 209 class boats. (Photo: via SVT)

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AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

INDONESIA’S EXPANDING SUPPLIER BASE - POLAND

In recent years Poland has be-come a significant supplier of

defence equipment to Indonesia, with the most important contract be-ing the acquisition of the Kobra Very Short-Range Air Defence (VSHO-RAD) system. It should be remem-bered that Poland was also a supplier to Indonesia in the Sukarno era from the late 1950s onwards.

At that time Poland was a satellite of the Soviet Union and when the So-viet Union decided to back Sukarno, Poland was expected to do its part. This saw the supply of two Project 613 Whiskey class conventional sub-marines (SSKs) to the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) and a range of aircraft and helicopters to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU). The aircraft supplied included the Polish LIM-5P version of the MiG-17PF and the SM-1 version of the Mil Mi-1 helicopter. When the LIM-5P fighters were supplied many were even flown by Polish pilots, while their Indonesian pilots were trained.

After 1965 links between Poland and Indonesia ended, with much of the equipment supplied eventually being scrapped. The first part of the story between Indonesia and Poland was over and it was only after Poland had achieved freedom with the col-lapse of the Soviet Union, that links between the two countries could be resumed.

In 2003 talks started between the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) and Rad-war, part of the Bumar Group, on the acquisition of a new air defence sys-tem that would supplement the exist-ing Rapier SHORAD systems in use with Indonesia. Eventually in 2005 a

contract was signed between Indone-sia and Poland, one of the reasons for the extended negotiation period was arranging a financing package for the deal. In the end Indonesia would fund 15% of the purchase price, worth some $5.25 million, with the Polish government providing a loan of $29.75 million to cover the remainder of the $35 million contract value.

The Kobra VSHORAD system that the TNI-AD would be receiving would equip two air defence batteries. The central element of the Kobra system is the Mobile Multibeam Search Radar (MMSR), a 3D S-band system. The ra-dar is linked to the WD-95 command post vehicle, one per battery, with radar data being transferred through Radmor RRC-9500 VHF radios.

Each Kobra battery consists of six ZM Tarnow ZUR-23-2KG-1 twin 23

Kobra In Detail

The Kobra VSHORAD air defence sys-tem consists of the S-band MMSR 3D radar system, two WD-95 battery com-mand post vehicles, four Poprad vehi-cles (shown here), each with six Grom missiles, and 12 ZUR-23-KG-1 twin 23 mm guns, each fitted with two Grom missiles. The system entered service in Indonesia in November 2007. (Photo: via SVT)

mm guns, with each mount also be-ing equipped with two Grom missiles. The Grom system was developed by ZM Mesko and entered service with the Polish Army in 1995. This infrared-homing system has a minimum range of 400 metres and a maximum range of 5,500 metres; height coverage is from 10 metres up to 3,500 metres. The ZUR-23-2KG-1 mounts are linked to the WD-95 battery command post vehicle by fibre optic cable through which they receive targeting and en-gagement data, each mount can be up to a kilometre from the command

19 - 22 November 2008

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Bumar, whose subsidiary compa-nies are responsible for the Kobra system, have become a significant player in the Asian defence market-place in recent years. In March 2002 it was announced that Bumar Labedy,

Success In Asia

Each Kobra air defence battery has six ZUR-23-2KG-1 twin 23 mm gun systems, which are also fitted with two Grom missiles. These gun/missile sys-tems are linked to the WD-95 battery command post vehicle via fibre optic capable. In total 14 ZUR-23-2KG-1 systems were purchased as part of the first Kobra order. (Photo: via SVT)

post vehicle. The gun system is based on the old ZU-23 twin 23 mm, but is far more advanced and equipped with a sophisticated fire control system.

The other major component of the Kobra battery is two Poprad ve-hicles and these carry a mounting for six Grom missiles. The Poprad can re-ceive targeting data from the WD-95 battery command post or direct from the MMSR radar, in both cases data is transmitted by RRC-9500 VHF radios, as a result Poprad can be deployed up to 40 km from either the battery command post or the MMSR radar.

The radar, the battery command post and the Poprad system are all mounted on the Hussar vehicle, which is in fact the Land Rover Defender 110. The Team company in Wroclaw, Poland modified the Land Rover ve-hicles for the Kobra application. The Land Rover is already in service with

the TNI-AD and there is an exten-sive Land Rover spares and support structure around the region.

In total the first purchase of the Kobra system for Indonesia con-sisted of a single MMSR radar, two WD-95 battery command post ve-hicles, four Poprad vehicles and 14 ZUR-23-2KG-1 mounts (two are for training use). A total of 74 Grom missiles were acquired, as well as a significant quantity of 23 mm am-munition. Indonesia also acquired the TR-23-2 training system for the ZUR-23-2KG-1; this training sys-tem consists of a gun mount plus an instructor station, with targets being injected into the fire control system to allow for engagement training.

The first complete Kobra sys-tem has been delivered to Indone-sia and was accepted into TNI-AD

service in November 2007. A sec-ond purchase of the Kobra system is underway, which will again pro-vide the TNI-AD with two air de-fence batteries and an MMSR radar.

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AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

the armoured vehicle manufacturing subsidiary of the Bumar Group, had been awarded a $368 million con-tract by the Malaysian government to supply 48 PT-91M tanks, six WZT-4 armoured recovery vehicles, three MID-M armoured engineer vehicles and five PMC-90 armoured bridgelay-ers with the KMW Leguan bridge to the Malaysian Army.

The PT-91M tank supplied to Ma-laysia is based on the PT-91 Twardy in service with the Polish Army but modified to meet Malaysian require-ments. Changes include a new gun, fire control system, battle manage-ment system, communications, engine and transmission. In Malaysia Bumar Labedy are working with MMC De-fence who will be responsible for lo-gistic support of the PT-91 fleet and who are installing Malaysian-specified equipment into the vehicles prior to their delivery to the Malaysian Army.

The victory in Malaysia was espe-cially significant for Bumar as it was won against significant international opposition, including tanks from Rus-sia, the Ukraine and Sweden. Bumar Labedy have been building tanks at Glewice in Poland since 1951, with models including the T-34/85, T-54, T-55, T-72 and PT-91, as well as build-ing specialist variants based on these models. It is believed that the Glewice facility of Bumar Labedy has produced more than 10,000 tanks since 1951!

Bumar have also become a signifi-cant supplier of equipment to India over the years. In 2001 they won a contract to supply 42 WZT-3 ar-moured recovery vehicles, based on the T-72M1 tank chassis, to the Indian Army. Then in 2003 this was followed by another order for 80 WZT-3 vehi-cles, after which in 2004 came a $202 million contract for 228 WZT-3 vehi-cles. The Indian marketplace contin-ues to offer great potential for Bumar,

with a number of major contracts un-der discussion.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Bumar were in discussion with India over a range of contracts that had a combined value in the region of $1.2 billion. Amongst the system under discussion were 200 more WZT-3 vehicles, 100 Loara self-pro-pelled anti-aircraft guns, based on the PT-91 chassis with twin 35 mm Oer-likon guns, Kroton demining vehicles and 110 self-propelled guns. Also al-legedly involved in this Indian package was Bumar taking a major part in the Indian Army programme to upgrade its T-72M1 Ajeya tank fleet.

In fact Poland has played a role in previous Indian efforts to modernise the Ajeya fleet, supplying a number of Drawa fire control systems. This

The Bumar Loara self-propelled anti-aircraft system is attracting attention in India, where it has been reported that up to 100 are required as a part of a major $1.2 billion contract. In the past few years Bumar has achieved sig-nificant success in India with its WZT-3 armoured recovery vehicle. (Photo: via SVT)

new modernization effort could see Bumar supply, through its PZL-Wola subsidiary, up to 1,000 new tank en-gines to replace the existing V-46-6 diesel engine of the T-72M1, which offers 780 hp (582 kW) of power, with higher performance alternatives. Bumar could provide the S-12U as used in the PT-91 in Poland which of-fers 850 hp (634 kW) or the S-12R as used by the PT-91M, which offers 1,000 hp (746 kW) of power.

19 - 22 November 2008

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INDONESIA’S EXPANDING SUPPLIER BASE – CHINA & EASTERN EUROPE

Over the past few years Indo-nesia has broadened its ho-

rizons in the search for effective de-fence equipment for the TNI. One of the reasons behind this was a search for affordable solutions, there was also the legacy of the various supply embargos that had been imposed on Indonesia – supplier diversity was a very important consideration. On top of this the political situation had changed both in Indonesia and abroad, opening up a host of new possibilities.

For many years Indonesia had very negative relations with China, for a variety of different reasons. Yet China was another one of those countries that had supplied Indone-

sia in the Sukarno era. At that time China was part of the Soviet bloc and responded to the Soviet Union’s decision to aid Indonesia, supplying somewhat elderly and well used La-votchkin La-11 fighters and Tupolev Tu-2 bombers, and far more useful MiG-17 fighters.

Today, China’s growing econom-ic strength and its emergence as a

potential regional superpower, has seen Indonesia forge new diplomatic and trade relationships with Beijing. These new links have also resulted in the TNI purchasing Chinese de-fence equipment and at a political level there have been discussions on further strengthening defence coop-eration between Jakarta and Beijing, with issues such as missile develop-ment being mentioned.

In terms of equipment from Chi-na, all three Indonesian services have found something to interest them. The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) has acquired the C-802 (YJ-82) anti-ship missile which it is installing on its Todak class of locally built FPB57 NAV V large patrol craft replacing time expired MM38 missiles. Each of these patrol craft will receive two C-802 launch canisters.

The first Todak class unit to re-ceive the Chinese missiles was KRI Layang (805), with the installation completed at the PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya. Next came KRI Hiu (804), with KRI Todak (803) and KRI Le-madang (806) to follow. The C-802 missiles were successfully tested in a major military exercise in June of this year. The C-802 is a very attrac-tive option to the TNI-AL, as it will provide them with an affordable so-lution to fit a large number of patrol craft and other units with anti-ship missiles.

Another Chinese system that has been widely adopted in the Indone-sian military is the QW-3 manporta-ble air defence system (MANPADS). The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has acquired some 26 QW-3 sys-

China has become an important de-fence supplier for Indonesia. Air defence systems such as the QW-3 MANPADS (shown here) have been adopted by the Marines and the TNI-AU, while the TNI-AD has acquired 18 Giant Bow twin 23 mm gun systems. For the TNI-AL the C-802 anti-ship missile has also proved attractive. (Photo: via SVT)

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AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

tems, along with a substantial quan-tity of missiles. The Indonesian Ma-rines have also acquired QW-3, using the system mounted on a 4x4 vehicle. The Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) has also acquired Chinese equipment in terms of 18 Giant Bow twin 23 mm air defence gun systems. Since then there have been talks on the acquisi-tion of further Chinese air defence systems.

Slovakia allowed the Marines to im-prove their firepower and mobility with the acquisition of the BVP-2 IFV. In 1998 six of these vehicles were ac-quired and were delivered the same year, a second purchase in 1999 cov-ered a total of 11 more BVP-2 vehicles, which were delivered in 2000. (Photo: via SVT)

In the 1990s, the collapse of the Soviet bloc saw the emergence of numerous new nations, many with very capable defence industries, and

Searching For Bargains

the reality of a vast amount of mili-tary hardware that was surplus to requirements. In Indonesia, it was the Indonesian Marines who took advantage of the opportunity to acquire some enhanced capabilities at what were considered extremely affordable prices.

The Ukraine was one of the earliest ports of call and in 1996 the Marines were able to acquire three BREM-2 armoured recovery vehicles, based on the BMP-2 chas-sis, and some 34 BTR-50 armoured personnel carriers. The BTR-50 was an important acquisition, in the early 1960s Indonesia had received 66 of these vehicles from the So-

viet Union, and the Marines were still using the survivors. Obtaining more BTR-50s built up the strength of the fleet and also provided a use-ful pool of spare parts. The BTR-50 is an extremely useful vehicle for the Marines and there have been numerous upgrade programmes to keep them in service and add capa-

19 - 22 November 2008

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AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

bilities.Slovakia presented the Marines

with another opportunity to en-hance their armoured vehicle fleet in the late 1990s. Here the prize was a number of BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), or to be more pre-cise the BVP-2 version used by the

The Czech Republic was the source for a very important acquisition by the Marines in the form of the RM-70 122mm calibre multiple rocket launch-er system. In 2002 a total of six RM-70 were acquired and delivered in 2003, a further three systems were delivered in 2007. (Photo: via SVT)

former Czechoslovak Army. In 1998 Indonesia acquired nine BVP-2, which were delivered the same year, and in 1999 followed that up with a second purchase of 11 BVP-2, which were delivered in 2000.

The Czech Republic also proved to be interesting for the Marines, in the form of surplus RM-70 122 mm calibre multiple rocket launchers. These systems were an ideal solu-tion to the requirement for more artillery firepower and due to the fact that they use the same calibre rocket as the widely used BM-21 system, ammunition is readily avail-able. In 2002 an order was placed

for six RM-70 systems and these were delivered in 2003, with an ad-ditional three systems being deliv-ered in 2007.

One of the great advantages that came with the ability to acquire systems in Eastern Europe was that parts for many of the legacy vehi-cles and equipment delivered dur-ing the Sukarno era could finally be obtained. Although Indonesia has shown an incredible ability to keep these legacy vehicles running and in many cases has conducted modern-ization programmes, the fact that it can get original spares is an impor-tant and welcome development.

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AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

A NATIONAL CHAMPION

The Turkish defence indus-try continues to grow in

size and sophistication to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. One of the national champions in the Turkish defence industry and arguably the most successful Turk-ish company in export markets is FNSS.

The story of FNSS goes back to the 1980s, when Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) were searching for a new Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and in the end the competition came down to the US AIFV versus the British Warrior system. In the end TLFC opted for the AIFV and their requirement called for the ve-hicle to be manufactured in Turkey. This resulted in the establishment of FNSS, a company 51% owned by Nurol Holding of Turkey with the re-maining 49% owned by BAE Systems (obtained through the acquisition of United Defense).

To produce the AIFV, FNSS was provided with state-of-the-art facili-ties and then went on to manufac-ture the vehicle, now called the ACV, in large numbers in a range of dif-ferent variants for Turkey. The suc-cess of the programme with TLFC allowed the company to enter the export market and this resulted in an export order from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces who acquired some 133 ACV vehicles.

FNSS then went on to achieve a really significant ACV sale in Malay-sia, where the vehicle is known as the ACV-300 Adnan. The first batch Adnan order covered a total of 211 vehicles, comprising of 31 with 25 mm cannon equipped Sharpshooter

turret, 72 with a 12.7 mm M2 HB in a turret, 13 with a turret mounted 40 mm AGL, 10 81 mm mortar carri-ers, eight with the Baktar Shikan an-ti-tank missile system, 24 command vehicles, 25 ambulance vehicles, 13 signals vehicles, seven fitter vehicles and eight recovery vehicles.

Earlier this year, FNSS and Deftech, their Malaysian partner, re-ceived an order for an additional 48 ACV-300 Adnan vehicles from the Malaysian Army. Malaysia also be-came the first customer for a new version of the ACV in the form of the ACV-S, essentially a stretched variant of the standard vehicle. A total of eight ACV-S vehicles have been ordered and these will be equipped with the TDA 2R2M 120 mm mortar system.

The ACV and the ACV-S are a

highly competitive family of vehi-cles capable of meeting a multitude of requirements, as the number of different variants in service with the Malaysian Army demonstrates. Other variants of the vehicle family have been developed including a lo-gistic load carrier based on the ACV chassis and there are also numerous possibilities with the larger ACV-S chassis, including a dedicated recon-naissance variant.

FNSS was originally established to manufacture the ACV IFV for Turkish Land Forces Command. Since then the company has gone on to sell ACV vehi-cles to the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. Malaysia has 211 ACV-300 in service (one is shown here) and has just ordered another 48 plus eight ACV-S mortar carriers. (Photo: via SVT)

19 - 22 November 2008

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AEROSPACE& DEFENCE

Spare parts supply has also prov-en to be a very significant area for FNSS. Apart from the ACV in TLFC, the UAE and Malaysia, FNSS also supply spares for the M113 family of vehicles and for earlier versions of the AIFV that were manufac-tured in Belgium and the Nether-lands in large numbers. Customers include the US, Australia, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and the Philippines. The Philippine Army is also reported to have acquired a single ACV armoured recovery ve-hicle from FNSS in 2004 to add to its existing AIFV fleet. A complete M113 upgrade and modernization package has also been developed using ACV technology.

FNSS is developing new vehi-cles and systems to meet evolving requirements. TLFC developed an

Spares And Wheels

outline requirement for a new fam-ily of wheeled armoured vehicles to replace the significant numbers of BTR-60 and BTR-80 vehicles that it had acquired over the years. In response FNSS developed a new wheeled armoured vehicle family in the form of the Pars (Leopard) sys-tem. Three variants are available, 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8.

Dimensionally the vehicles have the same 2.17 metre height and 2.7 metre width, in terms of length

they differ with the 4x4 being 6.06 metres in length, the 6x6 being 6.56 metres in length and the 8x8 being 7.96 metres in length. Different powerplant options are available for each vehicle and FNSS have de-veloped a flexible design that can accommodate specific customer requirements in terms of systems and equipment. The 4x4 Pars has a combat weight of 13,608 kg and a crew of 6-10, the 6x6 Pars has a combat weight of 18,144 kg and a crew of 10, with the 8x8 Pars hav-ing a combat weight of 24,494 kg and a crew of up to 14.

In 2006 as a part of a Malay-sian Army evaluation programme in pursuit of a requirement for 98 wheeled armoured vehicles, the FNSS Pars was trialled in competi-tion with the Bumar Rosomak (the Polish version of the Patria AMV) and the Mowag Piranha IIIC. There has been no subsequent progress on the Malaysian Army wheeled ar-moured vehicle requirement, pri-marily for budgetary reasons. The Pars programme did provide FNSS with an unexpected bonus when they won a $130.8 million con-tract in 2007 to supply TLFC with a number of Mobile Amphibious Assault Bridges (MAAB). The plat-form for the MAAB system will be based on the automotives of the Pars vehicle.

From its inception to meet the requirements of the TLFC for a new armoured vehicle less than twenty years ago, FNSS has gone on to make remarkable progress. Selling armoured vehicles in Asia and the Middle East is only part of the story, they now have a world-wide customer base including North America and South Amer-ica, Asia, the Middle East and even Australia.

The Pars family of vehicles was de-veloped in response to a Turkish Land Forces Command requirement for a new generation wheeled armoured vehicle to replace the BTR-60 and BTR-80 vehicles currently in service. Three variants, 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 have been developed. Pars automotives pro-vide the foundation for the Turkish Mo-bile Amphibious Assault Bridge (MAAB) system. (Photo: via SVT)

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