Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA
The Indonesian air force is exploring the acquisition of portable electronic warfare systems as part of an ongoing all-services programme to counter sophisticated electronic intelligence gathering capabilities within South-East Asia. Indonesia's action is driving Australian defence requirements.
The proposed Indonesian deal is based on a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) electronic warfare system transportable in a light vehicle or air-portable aboard the air force's Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. The system would be optimised to operate against VHF and UHF aircraft communications, including signal reception, analysis and coherent jamming.
The potential acquisition follows an Indonesian navy deal for shore-based DRFM based jamming equipment delivered in mid-1999. The equipment was used late last year for selective jamming of a Royal Australian Navy flotilla sailing through Indonesian waters.
That incident led to the creation of a major monitoring operation of Indonesian electronic warfare systems development programmes by the Australian Defence Signals Directorate.
Indonesia is the second South-East Asian nation to turn to DRFM based electronic attack technology as part of its post-1997 currency crisis force development planning. Singapore has been developing an extensive array of operational DRFM based electronic attack systems over the past three years including land, airborne and sea-mounted units.
The rapid introduction of low-cost DRFM technology into the region signals the emergence of a far more sophisticated electronic threat environment than anticipated by defence planners in Australia or the USA.
The trend is likely to affect Royal Australian Air Force plans for its Air 6000 fighter programme by strengthening emerging arguments for the project to include dedicated electronic attack aircraft.
In February, senior officials from the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation told an electronic warfare conference in Adelaide that future RAAF requirements would need to include a capability to operate at a distance against sensor and launch platforms, not just terminal threats.
The officials also suggested that upgrades to the RAAF's Project Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft could include the fitting of a stand-off electronic support system.
Source: Flight International
