Indonesia, Pakistan Offer One Another Defence Equipment

Indonesia has offered to sell defence equipment including CN-235 transport aircraft, Anoa armoured vehicles and assault rifles, to Pakistan while the latter is keen on Jakarta getting interested in its Super Mushak trainer and JF-17 Fighter.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto offered to sell defence equipment to Pakistan during the Pak Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Rashad Mahmood's visit to his country, Antara reported Wednesday.

Informed sources from Indonesia told Defenseworld.net that Pakistan is keen to include Jakarta as possible buyer for the JF-17 given its low cost and the huge demand that Indonesia has. Pakistan may be open to including Indonesia within the manufacturing eco-system of the JF-17. Indonesia has partnered with South Korea as a development partner in Seoul's next generation jet but needs light fighter aircraft in the interim period to preplace ageing Western and Russian origin fighters.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operates four CN-235s in the light utility transport role, particularly in areas requiring the CN-235’s short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities, such as the Northern Areas.

As a very widely adopted platform in armed forces as well as civilian markets, the PAF should comfortably be able to depend on the CN-235, and in time, perhaps expand the fleet. This is perhaps the most likely product Pakistan may be interested in procuring from Indonesia, at least in the short-term.

The Pindad Anoa is a 6×6 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC), which could be of potential interest to Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, which utilizes light armoured wheeled vehicles to transport personnel.

The Pindad SS2 assault rifle is the current standard issue rifle deployed with the Indonesian armed forces. Introduced in 2005, the Pindad SS2 is a 5.56x45mm NATO design.

Another is Dragoon 4×4 APC, which is produced under license by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT). PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) was one of the initial development partners of the CN-235 program, and as such, it currently manufactures the aircraft under license from Airbus.

PTDI is also a licensed producer of Airbus’ H215 Super Puma and Bell 412EP utility helicopters.