Indonesia is one of the countries that adopts multi-vendors in the procurement of military radar. However, from various radar vendors, the one that deserves to be named as the main player is Thales from France. It is called the main vendor because Thales has supplied radar for the three TNI dimensions and has existed in Indonesia since the early 80s.
Having been present in Indonesia for more than 40 years, Thales currently has supplied at least 32 radar units for the needs of the Indonesian Air Force, Indonesian Navy and finally the Indonesian Army. In line with the provisions on technology transfer (ToT) in the procurement of defense equipment in Indonesia, Thales cooperates with the domestic state-owned company PT Len Industri, such as the latest plan to procure 13 Ground Controlled Interception (GCI) radar units ordered by the Ministry of Defense. And from the summary of several articles that we have published, here are some types of Thales production radar that have been used by the three TNI dimensions.
TRS 2215/2230 was Thales' first debut when it entered the radar market in Indonesia in 1980. TRS 2215/2230 is here to strengthen the elements of the Radar Unit (Satrad) under the National Military Command.
There are three variants used by the Indonesian Air Force, namely the Thomson TRS-2215 R, which was used in 1981 and stationed in Ranai, Kupang, Dumai, and Lhokseumawe. Then there is the Thomson TRS-2215 D which was put into use in 1986, stationed in Cibalimbing, Sabang, and Sibolga.
Then there is the Thomson TRS-2230, put into use in 1987, stationed in Tanjungkait. The armyrecognition.com website states that the Indonesian Air Force has 2 Thomson TRS-2215 radar units and 12 Thomson TRS-2230 radar units.
The TRS 2215/2230 radar functions as an Early Warning (early detection) and GCI (Ground Control Intercept) radar, with 3D capability, replacing the old Polish Nysa radar which is only 2D capable. If the TRS-2230D radar is fixed, the TRS-2215 radar has a mobile capability. The TRS-2215 radar platform is designed using a towed system, meaning the wheeled radar structure can be towed by truck.
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| Thomson TRS 2215 radar |
In the 1990s, there were four units of the Indonesian Navy's FPB-57 Nav V (Todak Class) fast boat equipped with Thales' Variant radar. The variant is a surface and air reconnaissance radar that is present on KRI Todak 631, KRI Lemadang 632, KRI Hiu 634 and KRI Layang 635.
Quoted from thalesgroup.com, Variant is included in the 2D (two-dimensional) radar group. Its role is mainly for helicopter direction, surface gunfire support, and ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures). Radar Variant operates in dual band frequencies, namely G-band and I-band. From the aspect of detection capability, air targets can reach a distance of 120 km and targets on the surface at a distance of 70 km. While the minimum detection range is at a distance of 25 meters.
This radar is also equipped with the IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) feature, as a result, operators at the Combat Information Center (PIT) can immediately find out the identity of each target in the air being monitored.
Entering the early 2000s, the Indonesian Navy operated four SIGMA – Diponegoro Class corvettes made in the Netherlands. The MW08 runs on the G-band frequency with a power (peak) of 50 kW and is fully operational in all weathers.
The antenna stabilization on this radar uses a hydraulic system, to detect targets, the radar rotation speed reaches 27 rpm. What about the detection range of this advanced radar? There is no definite information about the range, but referring to the SMART-S radar type which has specifications similar to the MW08, it is likely that the medium range target detection range can reach 150 km.
In 2005 – 2007, the Indonesian Air Force was strengthened with five Master-T radar units. This radar adopts a three-dimensional system (altitude, distance and azimuth) with a more compact design (solid state) and operates at a bandwidth of 400 Mhz. Previously, this radar functioned as an Early Warning (EW).
Quoted from the website Kohanudnas.mil.id, it is stated based on the letter of Pangkosekhanudnas I Number B/338-10/01/01/Kosekhanudnas I, September 30, 2008 regarding the Change of Radar Function from EW to Radar Ground Control Interception (GCI).
In terms of range, the radar can scan an area as far as 444 km, while the minimum range is 8 km with 360-degree coverage. As for the detection height can reach 100,000 feet (30.48 km).
With elevation coverage of up to 20 degrees, the radar can detect the presence of small aircraft from a distance of 390 km. Specifically for detection of objects in the form of fighter aircraft that have high speed and maneuverability, detection accuracy in the range of 30 meters to 200 meters at an altitude of 2,000 feet (0.6 km) with an effective monitoring distance of 100 nautical miles (185.2 km).
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There are two Smart-S radar units operated by the Indonesian Navy, namely KRI Martadinata 331 and KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai 332. According to the specifications, Smart-S MK2 is a radar with 3D (three-dimensional) capability that operates in the E/F frequency band. (S-band).
With the multi-beam concept, the radar can produce maximum performance in long-range operations with minimal maintenance. The adoption of pulse Doppler technology allows the radar to capture small targets moving at high speed, even being said to be able to sniff out targets in the form of planes and surface ships that use stealth technology.
In operation, Smart-S is equipped with two main modes. Simultaneously the Smart-S MK2 is able to sniff out targets on the surface and targets in the air. The range of radar detection air targets reaches 250 Km, specifically for scanning targets in the form of stealth-capable missiles, the radar system can detect from a distance of 50 Km. As for target detection on the surface up to a distance of 80 Km.
The TNI AD is the newest user of the Thales radar in Indonesia, since 2020, there have been nine GM200 radar units that complement the hanud system on the Starstreak missile battery on the ForceSHIELD platform. Reconnaissance radar mounted on a MAN TGS 8×8 truck mount, operating in the S band frequency.
About the detection range, for surveillance mode up to 250 km and engagement mode up to 100 km. In one rotation (40 RPM), the radar is able to reach elevation angles from -7 to 70 degrees in full time 3D coverage. Thales said that this radar has the advantages of high data renewal rate, enabling short reaction time and fast track acquisition and real digital stacked beam. The detection height on the target can reach 25,000 meters.
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| SHIKRA at Exercise Wallaby 2014, in Queensland, Australia |
Interestingly, apart from being known as the GM 200, this radar is also known as SHIKRA. Some call the SHIKRA Label based on the name of the bird (Shikra) which is widely available in Singapore. Shikra in Indonesia is better known as the Eagle Alap.
However, SHIKRA can also be interpreted as a System for Hybrid Interceptor Knowledge of Recognized Air (SHIKRA). Although not a Starstreak user, the Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is known to have operated this radar since 2012. At the order of Singapore, it is reported that Thales has made modifications so that this radar system can be ideally operated in tropical climates.
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