The Indonesian Navy is undergoing a renaissance. Jakarta is executing its plan to develop a Minimum Essential Force in three phases between 2010-2024. (Source: Janes reporting, 01 May 2014) Based on international reporting, we surmise Indonesia seeks to: * Enhance maritime surveillance operations and improve security within the EEZ, * Develop a credible Sea Denial capability that supports a long-standing claim of restrictive Sea Lanes of Communication within the archipelago, and * Develop a latent capability to assure Indonesian sovereignty in times of tension and low-level conflict The following materiel procurements and enhancements have been reported in recent times: 1. KCR-40 Fast Attack Craft (Missile) (5 in-service + 4 in-build) * Trialling a new Close In Weapon System (the AK-630) as a precursor before potential whole-of-class introduction * Installation of the C-705 anti-ship missile system (variant unknown) * Operationally deployed to patrol Indonesias Exclusive Economic Zone 2. Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) surface search radar installation into both the Ahmad Yani and Kapitan Patimura classes * 10W maximum power output * Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave transmission * Approximately 24 nautical mile range 3. New Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Electronic Support (Measures) equipment installation into two Ahmad Yani-class ships * High sensitivity * Stated capability permits geo-location of an emitter from a single equipment set 4. Construction of new naval base in West Kalimantan (Borneo Island) * Adjacent international maritime border dispute with Malaysia * (Forward-)basing of Indonesian military, air and naval resources closer to potential scenes of action focused on the South China Sea 5. Procurement of new Offshore Support Vessels * Reinvigoration of geospatial data collection operations 6. Procurement of AS656 Panther Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters * To be embarked in the Sigma-class guided missile corvette * Specific capabilities to be announced We wonder if Jakarta has suitably considered, and resourced, the sustainment activities of new procurements and upgraded materiel. Jakarta has demonstrated poor form in this domain over the last few decades, resulting in the gradual decay of its naval materiel capabilities. Without resourcing sustainment appropriately any new materiel will quickly degrade beyond the OEMs warranty period and leave the TNI-AL with relatively new toys that no longer work as specified, leaving a Navy that might fail in its tasks as we suggest at the beginning of the post. The next ten years will be interesting to observe, and then the five-seven years following that as sustainment comes to the fore.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:08:55 +0000
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