That was one of my question, Indonesia has started FAC project with chinese-russian systems but later signed contract with a ae Danish company for combat suite (morelikely due to radars) and adopted their fire control -surface search radar. It wasn't possible to integrate a Chinese missile with their CS and radar. It will be quite odd to see Chinese missiles on sigma class another reason why Exocet is used in Indonesian navy.
Actually we also have local companies capable to make the system like radar, CMS, and others. But they are mostly used for modernizing old vessel like Van Speijk Class frigates. New vessel uses imported system and this trend is also criticized by our defense journalist above.
I know Indonesia was once close to sign a deal on this (licensed production), what has changed the tides?
As I said in my previous post, our official is not interested in assembling work. This is what I read some years ago since I was also quite enthusiast with the program and following the news about it.
My message was clear, Chinese EEZ claim overlapped with Indonesia's is tiny compared to Malaysia-Philippines or Vietnam's. Easier to defend and control and China didnt harass your sea borders as in the case of Philippines.
Yup, quite true although I dont agree with the words tiny since their encroachment area is not small either, but because our sea territory is very large, so it looks quite small from the map looking point of view.
Has Indonesia changed the decision after malfunctioned C705s, after China started to disturb the EEZ or Chinese combat suite hasn't performed well? I know first batch of KCR 60 has suffered major issues, design flaws, not meeting the demands set by navy but it is expected for the first experience.
Can be those accumulative problems that you mentioned that trigger the change of the system.
KCR 60 second batch has already addressed the issue and so far there is no complaint from Navy. The maker, PT PAL, has also joined the tender to make OPV for Indonesian Navy using their owned design.
Producing under a license so far means that, assembly after delivery of critical parts among the ones you can build-construct. One step beyond is establishing a production line for critical parts for your and foreign demands as well once your orders has saturated. Not to look down on it, even assembling teaches you a lot.
If you prefer you can quote further replies in Indonesian defense forum it would be more convenient.
I believe Indonesian defense industry which was involved in the project, PTDI, understand the situation better. They also have made several under license weapon like torpedo and FFAR rockets. And so far it is the company which manufacture our home grown Rhan122 m rocket, together with Pindad. As I have stated previously, our engineers only want the know how to make critical part like engine and guidance system for cruise missile. They are not interested with assembling work.
Our planners, as I observe, prefer to do research by ourselves regarding cruise missile. It is the only way getting the know how since many cruise missile maker dont want to share critical technology, just like what we experience with Chinese. It is why we have initiated our cruise missile program, starting with the engine and guidance system by our state university and just start at this year they have made consortium on cruise missile program with PTDI become the lead consortium and already get the contract from defense ministry office. Other research institution like LAPAN (space agency) and BPPT also have their cruise missile research and for LAPAN they have tested it several times.
