10 November 2018
Indonesia's Martadinata-class frigates will receive launchers for the VL MICA missile in 2019. Delivery paves the way for an eventual procurement of effectors for the air defence system (photo : Jane's)
The Indonesian Navy's (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) pair of Martadinata (SIGMA 10514)-class guided-missile frigates will each receive a set of 12-cell launchers for the VL MICA air defence system in 2019, an industry source has confirmed with Jane's at the Indo Defence 2018 exhibition in Jakarta.
A contract to deliver the launchers has been concluded, and installation of the weapon systems will be undertaken at state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL's premises in Surabaya, in collaboration with Damen and MBDA, the source added.
The SIGMA 10514 frigates, KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata (331), and KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332), were commissioned in April 2017 and January 2018 respectively. Both ships were delivered to the TNI-AL in the 'fitted for but not with' (FFBNW) configuration for its major weapon systems including point-defence missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, and a close-in weapon system (CIWS).
VL MICA naval air defence system with max range 20km (photo : air cosmos)
However, both frigates have each been armed with one Leonardo (Oto Melara) 76/62 Super Rapid gun in the primary position.
The VL MICA is a vertically launched point, and close area air-defence system that provides protection against a wide range of airborne threats including hostile aircraft, and precision-guided munitions. The system does not require dedicated sensors nor consoles, and can be fully integrated into the SIGMA 10514's existing combat infrastructure.
While a contract for the launchers has been concluded, Indonesia has yet to confirm acquisitions of the missiles, although the industry source Jane's spoke to at Indo Defence 2018 posits that a deal for the missiles will follow through eventually. "A contract for the missiles will follow logically, and we hope it will happen soon," he added.
(Jane's)
The Indonesian Navy's (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) pair of Martadinata (SIGMA 10514)-class guided-missile frigates will each receive a set of 12-cell launchers for the VL MICA air defence system in 2019, an industry source has confirmed with Jane's at the Indo Defence 2018 exhibition in Jakarta.
A contract to deliver the launchers has been concluded, and installation of the weapon systems will be undertaken at state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL's premises in Surabaya, in collaboration with Damen and MBDA, the source added.
The SIGMA 10514 frigates, KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata (331), and KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332), were commissioned in April 2017 and January 2018 respectively. Both ships were delivered to the TNI-AL in the 'fitted for but not with' (FFBNW) configuration for its major weapon systems including point-defence missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, and a close-in weapon system (CIWS).
However, both frigates have each been armed with one Leonardo (Oto Melara) 76/62 Super Rapid gun in the primary position.
The VL MICA is a vertically launched point, and close area air-defence system that provides protection against a wide range of airborne threats including hostile aircraft, and precision-guided munitions. The system does not require dedicated sensors nor consoles, and can be fully integrated into the SIGMA 10514's existing combat infrastructure.
While a contract for the launchers has been concluded, Indonesia has yet to confirm acquisitions of the missiles, although the industry source Jane's spoke to at Indo Defence 2018 posits that a deal for the missiles will follow through eventually. "A contract for the missiles will follow logically, and we hope it will happen soon," he added.
(Jane's)