Indonesia Reveals Details of Chinese Sensors Installed Onboard KCR-60M Vessels

30 Juli 2018

Parallel with the installation of Type 630 30 mm close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets,vIndonesia has installed Chinese-made fire-control, search radars on two of its KCR-60M fast attack craft. Equipment provides vessels with a more potent defence against hostile aircraft and precision-guided munitions (photo : TNI AL)

In line with the installation of Type 630 30 mm close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets, the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) has also equipped two of its KCR-60M fast attack craft with Chinese-made sensors, consoles, and combat information systems.

Details of the systems, which were revealed on 22 July by a TNI-AL source at the service’s headquarters in Cilangkap, have been corroborated with Indonesian industry sources in Surabaya who are familiar with the matter.

Three KCR 60M class (photo : defence.pk)

Jane’s first reported in January 2018 that the TNI-AL had removed missile launchers and installed the Type 630 CIWS on its lead KCR-60M vessel, KRI Sampari (628), as part of wider plans to reconstitute the class. The CIWS turret is now situated at stern, where a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) used to be positioned. Since then, sister vessel KRI Tombak (629) has been modified in a similar manner.

The Type 630 CIWS is a variant of the Russian-developed AK-630 that has been marketed by China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) as the “NG-18 30 mm six-barrelled naval gun”. The weapon can engage low-altitude aircraft at distances of up to 2,500 m, sea-skimming projectiles at up to 1,300 m, and can fire between 4,500 and 5,000 rds/min.

It has now been confirmed that the Type 630 CIWS set-up on both Sampari and Tombak include the Type 347G ‘Rice Bowl’ short-range fire-control radar and its associated fire-control console. This sensor has been installed in the aft section of the ships’ superstructure, and can track targets at up to 6 n miles away.

(Jane's)