Indonesian Navy to acquire 16 ASW helicopters

The Indonesian Navy has chosen the AS565 Panther helicopter for its ASW requirement. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen

The Indonesian Navy (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) is to acquire 16 AS565 Panther anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, it announced on 28 April.

"The contract is in the final stages of being approved by the defence ministry. However, we are not able to give a timeline as to when the helicopters will be delivered", said Vice Admiral Untong Suropati, the TNI-AL's head of communications. He added that the aim is to embark the aircraft on vessels such as the SIGMA 10514-class guided-missile corvettes.

According to the TNI-AL, the decision to purchase the AS565 was made at the recommendation of aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), which will be involved in the production of the aircraft. PTDI has previously worked with Airbus on the manufacture of CN235 medium transport aircraft.

A PTDI spokesperson told IHS Jane's on 2 May that the company will be working with Airbus Helicopters in manufacturing the airframes and dipping sonar equipment. PTDI and Airbus Helicopters may produce all 16 aircraft in Bandung. Details for any joint production arrangements will be finalised once the contract has been confirmed by TNI-AL.

 Comment  The navy's ASW helicopter requirement is one element of Jakarta's ongoing programme to develop what it calls a 'Minimum Essential Force' (MEF), which also includes the development of a defence industrial base through transfer of technology (ToT), joint production and joint development.

Divided into three phases - 2010-2014, 2015-2019, and 2020-2024 - the navy's procurements include the ASW helicopter; the phased mid-life modernisation of two corvettes for an estimated USD100 million; two hydrographic and oceanographic research ships (USD100 million); a new sail training ship (USD80 million); and two CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft (USD60 million).

The naval air arm is organised into two wings: Udara 1 at Juanda (the main training base) and Udara 2 at Tanjung Pinang. The most modern helicopters in service are four Bell 412 EP helicopters delivered in 2012. In 2011 the navy said that the Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite was a contender for the helicopter requirement; this was likely due to the availability of SH-2Gs that were ordered and then cancelled by Australia - these aircraft have since been purchased by New Zealand.

The requirement for ASW helicopters reflects the increase in subsurface fleets in Southeast Asia. Singapore is expanding its submarine fleet from four to six boats with the procurement of two Type 218SGs from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, while Vietnam recently received the first two of six 'Kilo'-class boats from Russia. Indonesia itself is purchasing three Chang Bogo-class diesel-electric attack submarines from South Korea, while China's ongoing naval build-up includes attack and ballistic missile submarines.

  ★ IHS Jane's