Swedish defense and security giant Saab AB has signed two technology cooperation agreements that will mainly help foster the defense and aeronautics sectors in Indonesia.On Thursday, Saab chief technology officer Pontus de Laval signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) which was represented by deputy chairman for industrial technology design and engineering, Erzi Agson Gani.
Under the terms of the MoU Saab and BPPT will cooperate broadly on defense technology such as aerospace, naval and sensor technology. The collaboration will also create projects that support autonomous development of defense technology in Indonesia, the company said in a media statement.
Saab is employing the Triple Helix Model, in which the company and Sweden in general have extensive experience, in the MoU with BPPT.The Triple Helix Model calls for a strong alliance between academia, the business sector and the government.
De Laval said Saab’s development of combat air systems was one example of the implementation of the Triple Helix Model.“Efficient development of new capabilities driven by customer demands would not be possible without the cooperation with academia and government,” de Laval said.
“This cooperation will strengthen both parties and contribute to innovation.”Earlier on Wednesday, de Laval signed another MoU with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), which was represented by Rector Kadarsah Suryadi.The MoU with ITB will create cooperation within innovation and entrepreneurial development. The agreement also includes supporting scientific cooperation within areas such as aeronautics, logistics, transportation, infrastructure, “Smart City” programs and urban development.
De Laval said that Saab was happy to share its Triple Helix Model experience with ITB.“It also gives the parties an opportunity to meet, which encourages new ideas that could benefit everyone involved,” he said.In late June, Saab also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Indonesian Defense University (Unhan).The cooperation with Unhan focuses on academic collaboration in innovation, research and development, as well as knowledge exchange.Indonesia already uses a number of systems made by Saab such as the RBS70 short range air defense missile and the G40 Giraffe Radar.
Saab has also offered its light, single-engine JAS39 Gripen to replace ageing, American-made Northrop F-5 E/F Tiger II planes operated by the 14th Squadron, based at the Iswahjudi Air Force Base in Madiun, East Java.
Other contenders are the Eurofighter Typhoon, made by a consortium consisting of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK; the French-made Dassault Rafale; and the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35, which are heavy, dual-engine jet fighters. Another contender is the light, single-engine American-made Lockheed Martin F-16.
Each contender has offered a significant industrial participation scheme to sweeten the deal.
In addition to industrial participation, Saab has also offered its multirole Erieye airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) to improve Indonesia’s air defense capacity. The radar system can be installed on Saab 340 and 2000 twin turboprop regional aircraft as well as the Embraer regional jet.
Saab has also sealed cooperation deals with state-owned land system maker PT Pindad to modernize RBS 70 missiles and with shipbuilder PT Lundin Industry Invest to work on stealthy Fast Attack Craft
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