Indonesia Looking for Trainer/Attack Aircraft
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Indonesia is looking to replace its fleets of BAE Hawk Mk.53 trainer jets, and OV-10 Bronco forward air control/ counterinsurgency aircraft, as part of a more general modernization effort. That competition appears to be split in 2, and Brazil’s Super Tucano appears to be Indonesia’s choice to replace the OV-10s.
In 2007 the Indonesian Air Force purchased Russian SU-27SK and SU-30MKK fighters. The Flankers would supplement and/or replace fleets of F-16A/B and F-5E/F Tiger II fighters, whose condition was harmed by a long arms embargo imposed in response to widespread repression and genocide in East Timor. New fighters will need new trainers, and light attack/ forward air control/ surveillance aircraft are a high priority for a huge country with pockets of separatist unrest. First, however, the Air Force must secure the budgets to do so.
- Potential Replacements [updated]
- Contracts and Key Events [updated]
Potential Replacements
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East Timor became independent in 2002, and the American embargo on military supplies to Indonesia was lifted in 2005. Nevertheless, the effects of foregone maintenance can be lasting, and the experience was firmly etched into Indonesia’s military consciousness. Subsequent incidents, such as the UK’s injunctions against using British-made Scorpion light tanks against Aceh’s separatist revolt, only deepened the determination of Indonesia’s military and political leaders to deal with a different set of military suppliers. In the fall 2007 Indonesia signed a $1B+ defense credit agreement with Russia as the next step under that policy.
In January 2010, Indonesian air force commander Air Marshal Imam Sufaat identified 5 contenders for the trainer/ light atack replacement roles: Aero Vodochody’s L-159B from Czecheslovakia, Alenia Aermacchi’s M-346 Master from Italy, its Yakovlev Yak-130 counterpart from Russia, Chengdu’s FTC-2000 from China, the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 family. Later in January, Sufaat indicated the Air force’s desire to split the competition, designating Embraer’s EMB-314 Super Tucano as the preferred replacement for the OV-10.
The Czech Republic has been trying to sell up to 47 of its L-159 light attack aircraft on the global market. Meanwhile, South Korea’s T-50/ TA-50/ F/A-50 family of supersonic trainers and lightweight fighters has been growing. Indonesia’s 16 F-5 lightweight fighters have been out of operation since 2005, and some members of this family could effectively succeed those lightweight fighters for air policing as well.
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The Yak-130 was developed as a joint project by Alenia Aermacchi, and Russia’s Yakolev Design Bureau. The partners ended up going their separate ways, fielding 2-seat aircraft with similar lines but different internal equipment. By 2006 the aircraft had beaten the MiG-AT and Sukhoi’s S-54 to be selected as Russia’s next advanced jet trainer, and has also been sold to Algeria. There are also reports that Libya has 6 on order.
While Alenia’s M-346 Master emphasizes its role as an advanced trainer and aerobatic jet, the similar Yak-130 can also be heavily armed for air policing patrol, or counter-insurgency/ ground attack missions. Its NIIP Zhukovsky Osa radar offers adequate performance, and its 8 hardpoints can carry up to 3,000 kg/ 6,600 pounds of weapons. These reportedly include Western equipment like AIM-9L/Magic 2 short-range air-air missiles (SRAAM) and AGM-65 Maverick precision strike missiles; as well as Russian weapons like the advanced R-73/ AA-11 Archer SRAAM, a Platan targeting pod, the Vhikr and KH-25ML laser guided missiles, the KAB-500Kr guided bomb, 23mm or 30mm gun pods, or rockets and unguided bombs. The Yak-130 is powered by a pair of AI-222-25 or Povazske Strojarne DV-2SM (export option) turbofans.
The Yak-130 offers similar capabilities to Indonesia’s 8 existing Hawk 109 trainers, and may be actually more comparable to its 29 single-seat Hawk 209 light attack aircraft. Unlike the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara’s (TNI–AU, Indonesia’s air force) 20 Hawk Mk.53 trainers, which were ordered in 1980-81 and reportedly have few operational planes left, these 1990s-era Hawk attack fleets remain operational, and are expected to remain in service with the TNI-AU.
China National Guizhou Aviation Industry’s JiaoLian-9, known as FTC-2000 Shanying (Mountain Eagle) when exported, is derived from China’s JJ-7 trainer. Which was, in turn, derived from Russian 2-seat MiG-21s. Visible enhancements include a raised cockpit that greatly improves visibility for both pilots, a correspondingly larger dorsal “spine”, a cranked delta wing to improve handling characteristics, and moving the engine intake from the plane’s nose to a pair of small side intakes.
The JL-9 uses a Chinese WP-13 or WP-14 turbojet engine, and carries Chinese electronics, and weapons. It reportedly packs an internal 23mm cannon, and has 5 stores stations that can carry up to 2,000 kg/ 4,400 pounds of fuel tanks, short-range air-air missiles, or rocket launders and unguided bombs. Its derivation from the MiG-21 gives it questionable suitability as a ground attack aircraft, but they could be used effectively for secondary air policing, especially if equipped with SELEX Galileo’s Grifo S7 radar.
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While Indonesia could have made a unified choice to replace its OV-10 FAC light attack and Hawk Mk53 trainer fleets with a multi-role jet, the demands of forward air control and counterinsurgency wars give slower and more stable platforms an advantage. The USA’s A-10 Thunderbolt/Warthog is Exhibit A in this respect, but it is no longer in production. Propeller-driven options are emerging as the preferred choices beyond the USAF, and Embraer’s EMB-314 Super Tucano trainer/ FAC/ light attack turboprop has built a strong global lead with sales to its home country of Brazil (99), as well as Colombia (25), Chile (12), the Dominican Republic (8), and Ecuador (24). Indonesia appears to have chosen it as well, and interest has even been reported in US SOCOM, and in Britain.
One potential wrinkle for the predominantly Islamic country of Indonesia could involve the fact that to date, the aircraft has been produced with a dedicated avionics and weapons management suite from Israeli firm Elbit Systems, via its Brazilian subsidiary AEL. Indonesia could decide that the general Islamic boycott of the Jewish state doesn’t apply, on the grounds that the equipment is in fact from Brazil. It could also decide to order the plane with an avionics and weapons management suite from a different manufacturer, such as Rockwell Collins or Thales. If their choice hasn’t already been integrated and tested in the Super Tucano, however, the need to take those steps would likely increase the cost of their order.
There are conflicting reports regarding the presence of a signed Super Tucano contract. If there is no contract, and the Super Tucano sale falls through for any reason, Indonesia would have several options. They could default to a common jet solution for the Hawks and OV-10s, or begin work with a foreign country like China or South Korea to modify an existing aircraft as their OV-10 replacement, or buy a ready-made Super Tucano alternative. Other propeller-driven FAC/COIN options already in the market include Hawker Beechcraft’s AT-6B (modified T-6 trainer, in development, tentatively ordered by Iraq), and the cheaper, sturdier AC-802u Air Tractor (modified and armored crop duster/ firefighter, prototype produced). Both are American products. Korea’s KO-1 Woong Bee armed derivative of its KT-1 trainer is reportedly in limbo, but a Jan 26/10 release casts doubt on those reports. Indonesia has reportedly already bought some KT-1s; if true, this could make the KA-1/KO-1 a joint development or purchase option.
Contracts and Key Events
Jan 26/10: The Jakarta Post quotes Indonesian Air Force Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat, who says that Embraer’s Super Tucano trainer/ FAC/ light attack aircraft as “the suitable and affordable choice” to replace their aged OV-10 Broncos: “We have proposed the purchase to the government with the hope that they will grant the funds.” He declined to mention aircraft numbers or budgets. If OV-10 replacement funds are approved this time, a firm contract can be signed with the Brazilians.
On the other hand, Investe Sao Paulo reported in October 2009 that Indonesia had already signed a contract for 8 Super Tucanos. See Oct 16/09 entry.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto was quoted as saying that Indonesia was looking into the possibility of buying weapon systems, including warplanes, from China, and forging bilateral cooperation in weapon systems development.
This has obvious implications for the Hawk Mk53 trainer replacement effort, and could affect Indonesia’s FAC/COIN aircraft efforts if the Super Tucano sale falls through for some reason.
Jan 14/10: Flight International reports that Indonesia’s military is about to renew a request for funds to finance its purchase of trainer and attack aircraft. The service submitted requests to replace its OV-10s in 2008, and 20 Hawks in 2009, but the government did not approve the budgets. A faster-than-expected economic recovery may offer a new opportunity, and Indonesian air force commander Air Marshal Imam Sufaat has reportedly said that the OV-10 replacement has been approved, while the Hawk replacement remains under discussion.
Nov 13/09: The Jakarta Post quotes newly sworn-in Indonesian Air Force chief of staff Vice Marshal Imam Safaat, who says that Russian Yak-130s and Chinese FTC-2000s would replace Indonesia’s 20 remaining British Hawk Mk.53 trainer jets (2 reportedly operational), and remaining American OV-10 Bronco turboprops (0-8 operational).
At this point, this is pre-budget intent, and not a contract. The age of Indonesia’s Hawk and Bronco fleets, and the importance of training, will add urgency to this request. Imam said that these aircraft are “expensive” and would be bought with the help of foreign aid.
The new TNI-AU chief added that the service also plans to replace its 16 F-5E/Fs (4 reportedly operational) by 2013.
Indonesia’s economy has performed well in recent years, and the TNI-AU budget is expected to increase by 25%-75% over the next year, adding $105-320 million. Nevertheless, a verdict that even the Yak-130 and FTC-2000 are expensive could suggest these very aircraft for the F-5’s roles. Both designs are capable of handling those roles at comparable performance levels, and the shrinkage of Indonesia’s front-line combat fleet makes a large array of single-focus trainers a dubious proposition, unless ample money is available for more front-line fighters as well. The flip side of that choice is that beyond the Yak-130’s strong close air support capabilities, these 2 choices would not be competitive with modern fighters.
Alternatively, Indonesia could cast a wider net, and look to purchase both replacement trainers, and low-budget dedicated fighters like the Chinese/Pakistani JF-17 Thunder, India’s Tejas, or South Korea’s TA-50 Golden Eagle to replace its F-5s. A more ambitious effort might even examine higher-end lightweight fighters like the Russian MiG-29/35, Chinese J-10, or the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen flown by nearby Thailand. Of these lightweight fighter choices, the Russian MiG-29/35 and Chinese JF-17 or J-10 are the only options that would be immune to future western military sanctions. All of the other choices currently fly with General Electric turbofan engines, and are slated to continue using western designs.
Oct 16/09: Investe Sao Paulo reports that Embraer has closed the sale of 8 Super Tucano aircraft to the Air Force of Indonesia:
“The information was disclosed yesterday by the Air Force commander, Brigadier Juniti Saito, during the certification event for the VSB-30 sub-orbital rocket and the test of the engine of the VS-40 sounding rocket, at the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA, in Portuguese) in Sao Jose dos Campos. Asked by Valor [Economico], Embraer informed through its spokesperson it would not make any announcements on the operation.”
