Why Does Indonesia Need Apache Gunships?

Why has Indonesia decided to purchase a helicopter that is designed to attack other gunships and low-flying aircraft? According to Ristian Atriandi Supryianto, the answer lies somewhere between Jakarta’s capabilities upgrade program and a desire to boost the country’s defense industry.

By Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto for Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)

The recent visit by the US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to Indonesia was concluded with a decision to sell eight Boeing AH-64 Apache Longbow gunship helicopters worth US$500 million to the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD). The package includes pilot training, radars, and maintenance. However, arguments surrounding the purchase echo concerns about Indonesia’s decision to buy 100 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks. The Apache gunships are primarily designed to attack other gunships, slow low-flying aircraft, or are used for ground attack and as anti-tank strikes. It simply doesn’t make sense when Secretary Hagel says that they ‘will help Indonesia respond to a range of contingencies, including counterpiracy operations and maritime awareness’. So why did Indonesia buy them?

Similar to the Leopard purchase, there seems to be a sense of ‘catch-up’ with the region in Indonesia’s Apache decision. As one analyst notes, Indonesia’s military procurement strategies seem to be emotionally driven, with a desire to keep up with neighbouring countries. But there are other reasons too.

The Army has been eyeing gunships for some time under the so-called ‘Minimum Essential Force’ (MEF). As per President Yudhoyono’s decree, the MEF is a capability upgrade program for TNI to be achieved in three stages by 2024. Moreover, Indonesia’s Defence Minister said that the TNI should have more modern capability, which it has lacked for the last 20 years. In March 2007, the Army revealed its 25 year plan to acquire around 135 helicopters to form eight squadrons. The plan started with the purchase of Mi-35 gunships in 2003 and 2008. Other than the Apache, the Army also intends to procure Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec light military helicopters.

Ambisi Angkatan Udara Thailand Menjadi Yang Terbaik Di ASEAN

 

Angkatan Udara Kerajaan Thailand (RTAF) berambisi untuk menjadi kekuatan tempur udara terbaik di ASEAN. Hal ini terkait dengan pengadaan jet tempur Gripen untuk RTAF, Kantor Berita Thailand (TNA) melaporkan.

TNA mengutip pernyataan panglima tertinggi Thailand Jenderal Thanasak Patimapragorn yang mengatakan hal ini pada hari Rabu lalu, ketika ia mengucapkan selamat kepada RTAF atas pengintegrasian sistem pertahanan udaranya (Gripen).

Jenderal Thanasak yakin bahwa RTAF akan menjadi kekuatan udara terkemuka di ASEAN pada 2019, seperti yang sudah direncanakan.

Jenderal Thanasak mengatakan kepada wartawan bahwa negara-negara lain telah memuji pengadaan jet tempur Gripen oleh Angkatan Udara Thailand, yang mana hal tersebut akan terintegrasi dengan sistem informasi dengan Angkatan Darat dan Angkatan Laut Kerajaan Thailand di masa depan.

Menurut Thanasak, pengadaan jet tempur Gripen ditujukan untuk pertahanan nasional terhadap ancaman di masa depan dan di masa damai.

Pangarmatim : Kapal Selam Adalah Alutsista Strategis

Panglima Komando Armada RI Kawasan Timur (Pangarmatim) Laksamana Muda TNI Agung Pramono mengatakan kapal selam merupakan alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) strategis yang dimiliki TNI AL untuk melaksanakan tugas operasional.

"Baik pada masa perang maupun masa damai, kapal selam adalah alutsista yang sangat strategis," kata Pengarmatim dalam sambutan yang dibacakan Komandan Gugus Tempur Laut Koarmatim Laksma TNI Ari Soedewo saat peringatan HUT ke-54 Korps Hiu Kencana di Surabaya, Kamis.

Menurut ia, dalam peperangan, kapal selam adalah kapal perang yang sulit untuk dideteksi sehingga dapat menjadi ancaman terhadap setiap pergerakan kapal musuh, selain kemampuannya yang mampu menyusup hingga ke garis belakang pertahanan musuh dan menghancurkannya.