Pindad Promise to Complete 94 Remaining Panzer in 2010

PT.Pindad promised to seek the settlement of 94 panzer from 154 panzer ordered by the Indonesian government in 2010.
"The remaining orders will be completed until the end of 2010," said the Head of Public Relations PT. DI, Timbul Sitompul in Bandung.
Panzer 6x6 APS is a transporter panzer that can attach by two types of heavy weapons in the front and back. It’s also equipped with communication technology that is quite powerful for the task was revealed in the field.
According Timbul, panzer contract procurement with Department of Defense is the first time made. "We are working maximum to produce the panzer in large numbers," said Timbul.
The body of APS panzer is designed with steel made which blast-resistant and also equipped with Renault engine technology and gearbox from Europe.
Panzer order is one of the realization of the self-made main tools of weapons systems (Alutsista) as well as optimization of strategic state-owned enterprise (BUMN).
Meanwhile, besides giving 40 unit panzer order from Department of Defense, PT. DI also held "Security and Defense Technology Perform".
"Pindad will exhibit all the products starting from panzer, weapons and other” said Timbul.
Pindad during the time produces the grasp fire arms and long-barrel arms. One of the main weapons products is the SS-1 and SS-2 which currently being distributed and used by the military and police.

Military Weapon Products Will be Free from Import Tax

Minister of Finance set new rules free of import tax for weapons and defense import products. This regulation was listed in the Ministry of Finance Tax Regulations number 107/PMK.04/2009 dated 12 June 2009.
In this rule set that free of import tax exemptions on imported arms, ammunition, military and police equipment. Including the exemption was also applies to spare parts, materials used to produce goods that is used for the purpose of defense and state security.
Imported goods that receive the exemption tax was the material and goods that used by a particular industry that is set by the government. This industry can play a role as producers of goods for the purpose of defense and state security
Exemption also applies to the goods and material that imported by the presidency, the Department of Defense, Headquarters of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Headquarters of the National Police (Polri), the State Board of Intelligence (BIN), and State Intelligence Institution.
Requirement to obtain exemption tax, institutions and / or third parties must apply the letter of intention to the Head of Customs Office where the goods was enter to this country.
While for the industry that appointed as a producer of goods for the purpose of state defense and security must apply the exemption to the Director General of Customs and Tax

PT DI to build CN-235 anti-submarine aircraft

State-owned Indonesian aircraft industry PTDI is to develop a CN-235 anti-submarine airplane which would be a new variant of its CN-235 turbo-prop aircraft, PTDI president director Budi Wuraskito said.
Wuraskito said here on Saturday Indonesia already had the needed technology and qualified human resources. "They have the experience to assemble and modify aircraft of that type," he said.
He said PTDI had enough human resources to produce anti-submarine aircraft.
About 40 PTDI engineers had been involved in the production of anti-submarine airplanes in Turkey, he said.
He said they returned to Indonesia four months ago after completing their assignment in Turkey. "We already have the technology for the production of such aircraft," he said.
PTDI was now able to design and produce the CN-235 MPA, a maritime patrol aircraft which had become one of PTDI`s most salable products.
He said PTDI would soon develop the CN-235 anti-submarine plane. A number of countries had already expressed interest in purchasing PTID`s anti-submarine products. One of them was Malaysia.
The state-owned company was also producing Bolkow-105 or NBO-105 helicopters.
Bolkow-105 or NBO-105 helicopters built by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) are considered very suitable for combat.
Not only is the sound of the aircraft relatively low, the choppers each with a capacity for five persons, are equipped with machine guns and missiles.

source: antara.co.id

Indonesian Military Budget Increase in 2010

Indonesian Government will improve defense budget continuously starting from 2010. Related to strategic plan of defense, it also will be developed the stand by forces and center for peace keeping forces.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono affirm this thing after witnessing taking over 40 panzer 6x6 made by PT.PINDAD to the Minister of Defense, Juwono Sudarsono and Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander in Chief, General Djoko Santoso at PT. Dirgantara Indonesia hangar of CN-235 in Bandung.
Taking over of 40 panzer represent the part of purchasing 150 panzer 6x6 and 4 reconnaissance panzer production of PT.PINDAD with amount of Rp 1,12 billion
President explain, in scheme of Indonesian National Budget (APBN) for 2010, government propose to the House of Representative (DPR) to increase defense budget more than 20 percentage from Rp 33,6 billion at 2009 becoming Rp 40,6 billion at 2010. “Continuously, year by year, we will be going to the number required to reach minimum strength that needed between Rp 100-120 billion," President says.
In this time Minister of Defense and head of TNI had owned blue print for national defense but that must be updatable. President SBY reminds that improvement of defense budget really used precisely and there must be an audit system for it. This intended so that weapons and equipment system is according to the existing standard because this problem concerning soldier life in battle field.
President also enhance, Indonesia will have stand by force which was readily move everywhere for the duties of peace with self-made panzer which not fail its quality with other nations made.

Airborne Operation during Operation Dwikora

Within the framework of the confrontation with Malaysia, the Indonesian Air Force conducted numerous operations. These included Operation Terang Bulan 1 and 2, Saputangan, Waspada, Kawal, Kelelawar, Antasari 1, 2, and 3, Rembes, Nantang, Tanggul Baja, Pindah, Panca and Geser.
Along with mobilizing air craft, the air force also prepared the PGT (Air Force para-commandos) to combine with volunteer forces in an effort to infiltrate into Malaysia. Before that, PGT members had helped distribute leaflets over the north Kalimantan-Sarawak border from C-130 aircraft.
The infiltration of PGT took place by sea, land and air. Different from Trikora campaign or PRRI/Permesta exterminate operations, this time PGT act as airborne solo performer without any support from Indonesian Army Airborne unit.
On 2 September 1964, three PGT platoons – two of them from Lieutenant Soetikno’s company (Bandung) and one from Lieutenant Soeroso’s company (Jakarta) – departed Halim Perdanakusuma airbase aboard three C-130 transports. However, one of three – with tail number T-1303, which was carrying Soeroso’s platoon – never arrived at its destination and did not return to base. Also on this plane was PGT Liutenat Colonel Sukani, Lieutenant Soeroso and flight captain Major Djalaludin Tantu. All died aboard this missing aircraft together with 47 PGT members, 10 Malaysian-Chinese defectors including 2 girls. This tragedy was the first Hercules C-130 B accident in the world.
Lieutenant Colonel Sukani was an important officer in the PGT at that time. He was commander of the PGT’s Regimental Combat Team. He was known for his bravery, showed constant dedication to duty and was popular with his troops.
Before this accident, a single platoon under Sergeant Sadikin infiltrated by sea on 16 August 1964 from Tanjung Pinang to Pasir Panjang, the to Pontian Kecil in Malaysia’s Johor stated. Within this platoon, a member named Soekardi was captured and condemned to hang by Malaysian authorities.
After landing on the beach at Pontian Kecil, the platoon was hit by Malaysian security forces and broke into small groups. Given the difficult situation, they were forced to hide by day and maneuver by night. However, in the end they were captured by the Malaysians and interned, at which time they met other PGT troops that had been caught on different infiltration missions.
Preparations for the first PGT infiltration by sea, in fact, had taken place back in April 1964 when two companies under Lieutenant Soetikno and Lieutenant Soekimin departed for a staging base at Tanjung Balai Karimun by motor-boat. On 17 August 1964, a second seaborne platoon under Sergeant Soeparmin headed for Malaysia. Almost the entire PGT member that infiltrate was captured by Allied forces because mostly of this infiltration mission was being spread out to the British and Malaysian authorities. Four PGT member that was safely return to Indonesia given a “Bintang Sakti” honorary medal from the Indonesian government together with other personnel that was died during the missions.
The Labis air-drop and Pontian landings nearly provoked a British air strike to Jakarta from Singapore. However, these landings were intended as far as possible to established the possibility of further Indonesian parachute and seaborne landings like Pontian and Labis.
In the book “Triwarsa Kopasgat” it states that in Operation Dwikora, PGT lost only 83 personnel and 117 personnel was captured. This is slightly less than the number of PGT para-commandos killed in Operation Trikora in West Irian, which amounted to 94 men.

Taifib mission in Comoro, Dili

Finally, the Joint Task Force of the Seroja operation decided that Sunday morning, December 7th 1975 as the D-Day to liberate East Timor from Fretilin. To secure beach for the amphibious landing, the Amphibious Task Force Command sending one team from the Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Taifib) lead by Marine Captain Arthur Solang.
In pitch darkness of the early morning hours, Captain Solang with five of his subordinates left KRI Ratulangi by a rubber boat and then swam to shore and clears mine and install signs on the beach in preparation for the amphibious landing. They were supposed back to ship. Due to the strong currents that morning, Captain Solang decided to remain on the beach along with one of his team and wait for the arrival of the Landing Team Battalion with which he would hook up with. They did not have prior knowledge that the Amphibious Task Force unit would bomb the LZ, during the bombardments from the warships both of them was hidden out in some secure area of the Comoro beach.
Four other member of the Taifib team who were swimming back to the KRI Ratulangi was swept away by strong currents toward Alor island about 40 km away. Private 1st Class FHA Suyono swam three days and three nights heading for Alor. On the second day, he saw a Dakota from the Indonesian Air Force. The Private who had been floating in the strong currents and in open sea waves for more than 20 hours began to signal by waving his hands for assistance. But the C-47 Dakota was flying too high to spot him.
While swimming his ankles were attacked by fishes several times, causing lacerations. Luckily those wounds on his ankles from which he was suffering did not attract any sharks. Still, smaller fishes were nibbling on his feet, when he tried to fight them off and was buffeted the sea waves. He finally succeeds in making it to beach of the Alor island.
While totally exhausted, his energy drained and still having to defend for himself to survive. The indigenous islanders who surrounded him were hostile. Private 1st class Suyono was suspected of being a Fretilin member who had escaped from East Timor. Seeing the indignant looks on their faces, and realizing that they were planning to harm him, Private Suyono threatened them with a grenade. Finally the misunderstanding was settled in an amicable way when the islanders discovered another stranded Taifib Marine.
Both of them had to travel four days on foot to the nearest military post to report, before he was picked up by a Navy warship that was on patrol. Two others Taifib members, namely Sergeant Major Slamet Supriyadi and Corporal Supardi, who were swimming with them, were declared lost at sea in the official exercise of their duties.
While on the Comoro beach, Captain Solang and one of his subordinates then join with the Marine 5th Landing Infantry Battalion which was landing there and lead by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Sediono. After that the Marine moved towards to linked-up with Army unit on the Fatuhada street to the north of the Dili Airport. The Marine forces hold at this position.
Tragically, Marine Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Solang the Marine Taifib commander from 1977-1982 and commander of Denjaka (Navy Special Forces) from 1982-1985 died in the free fall accident in Serpong, West Java on November 22nd, 1985.

Hendro Subroto (Eyewitness to Integration of East Timor, Pustaka Sinar Harapan, 1997)

Space Agency Launches RX-420 Rocket

The country’s space agency successfully launched an unmanned rocket on Thursday, one small step in a plan to get a satellite into orbit by 2014, one of its executives said.

Toto Marnanto Kadri, the head of the Aerospace Electronics Technology Center at the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan), said the RX-420 rocket successfully blasted off into space on Thursday at around 8 a.m. from a launch pad in Pameungpeuk, several kilometers from the town of Garut, West Java.

“This is an experimental rocket. We launched it to measure our work and record information such as rocket trajectory data, height, launch position and so on,” Toto said. “This is part of our efforts to develop rocketry.”

He said data from the launch would be particularly valuable for the agency’s efforts to build its first satellite-deploying rocket, which is scheduled for liftoff in six years.

In a statement on the agency’s Web site, Lapan Chief Adi Sadewo Salatun said the launch had gone well. He stated that Lapan had managed to gather all of the key data from the launch’s first 10 seconds, information referred to as the “golden data.”

Toto said the rocket, with a diameter of 42 centimeters at its widest point, is the thickest rocket launched in the country so far. He said it fell to Earth after just a few minutes after blasting off, when its fuel ran out at a peak height of about 50 kilometers.

The 6.2-meter rocket carried a GPS device, an accelerometer and a temperature sensor.

He said that the launch was also a key advance for other components of the agency’s research program, such as a plan to send its first satellites into orbit in 2010. That project would carry remote-sensing surveillance and amateur radio communication equipment.

Lapan carried out a stationary test on RX-420 on Dec. 23 in Tarogong, West Java. Last year, the agency launched two smaller 32-cm diameter RX-320 rockets, also from the base in Pameungpeuk. The Lapan A-2 and Lapan-Orari satellites are to piggyback into orbit on an Indian rocket slated for launch in April. Lapan expects to finish those satellites by February.

source: jakartaglobe

Indonesia Turns Down Mirage Grant

The government has turned down a grant offer of 10 Mirage 2000 jet fighters from the Qatari government due to a lack of funds for maintenance, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said.
Juwono said Qatar offered the jets six months ago through Indonesia’s ambassador in Doha. The government needed only to send a letter requesting the aircraft.
“I have not sent a letter,” Juwono said. “But had I sent one, I would have told them that our state budget is focused on infrastructure and improving the people’s welfare. The military’s procurement of equipment must give way to those programs.”
Stopping short of disclosing maintenance costs for currently operated aircraft, Juwono said that the military’s budget did not allow for maintaining additional planes.
The Air Force was tempted by Qatar’s offer, Juwono said, but “I have told them that it is the maintenance costs that made us think twice about accepting the offer.”
The minister said there was no guarantee that French company Dassault Aviation, the maker of the Mirage fighters, would maintain its position in the international aviation industry in light of the current global recession.
“We do not want equipment that cannot be used for the long term,” he said.
Juwono said instead of acquiring more weaponry, the government had decided to focus on obtaining the best military technology. He said the recent purchases of Russian Sukhoi jet fighters and transport-attack helicopters, along with four Sigma-class corvettes, would help modernize the country’s military.

source: asiadefence

Indonesia Looks To Russian Submarines

The government is set to purchase at least one Kilo class Russian-made submarine, a legislator said. “There’s always been a plan to purchase submarine and I’ve surveyed a few submarine workshops in Moscow, Russia. This submarine is to display our naval strength and also anticipate any armed conflicts,” deputy speaker of the House of Representatives’ Commission 1 on political, security and foreign affairs, Yusron Ihza said, as quoted by Antara news.
Ihza added that due to the global economic downturn, the purchase would be made in stages.
“It’s not necessary to own many submarines since they are expensive, just three state of the art units suffice to safeguard the integrity of our waters,” Ihza said. He added that the country’s economic power needed enhancement as it correlated to the country’s defense and security.
If the country’s economy lies in the balance, so is our defense, Ihza said. “My colleagues and I at the House have fought for an increase in defense spending, yet unfortunately this isn’t possible now,” he said, adding that only a third of the proposed budget was approved.

source: asiadefence