I kinda wish they modeled it after the IHQ F-5THs. More for an aesthetic reason currently, as the W6 LEX doesnt give the increase in maneuverability like it did in real life (to my knowledge) at the moment, but also for the future when they inevitably nerf the F-5s, as the IHQ ones would be able to maintain some of that earlier maneuverability
F-16A OCU (Thailand) — KGGB guided bombs and the corresponding modification have been added. The GBU-10 modification now requires researching the KGGB modification first.
I was thinking what would an expanded Japanese - ASEAN Founders helicopter subtree would look like and I know there have been multiple instances on this and technically the Mi-35P is to branch out of the AH-1E but still I feel like this has potential:
The Philippine Air Force operates A109Es with guided APKWS justifying its 8.0 BR and technically the PH Navy also operates the type (altho I dont think they have APKWS).
The AH-6i isnt really a naval helicopter and is just there because it would be too awkward to fit into the dedicated attack helicopter line.
Then theres the SH-60J, K, and L (which for the L is still yet to be mass produced afaik). Then we can have a Thai skin for the SH-60J since I think they also operate the type.
The Main Line is left untouched, although we could add the AH-2, the planned attack variant of the OH-1 Ninja.
Then theres the ASEAN Line starting with the AS550 from Singapore with TOW Missiles.
Then the Mi-35P from Indonesia that we will get in the next update.
Then the T-129B Atak which technically the Philippine Air Force doesnt have ATGMs equipped, only APKWS and similar rockets installed but as per Gaijin’s policy, if the weapon can be fitted on the platform, then it is within their own discretion if they would add so (the UH-1B is actually similar as it never had rocket pods).
Then topped off with the Indonesian AH-64E.
The Malaysian Rooivalk Mk.1 is a premium since iirc it was never acquired by Malaysia but it was tested by them and marketed heavily to them so…
We really do need to add the Naval Line as its one of the few helicopters that we can add that is domestic to Japan. Even with just 4x ATGMs, we could still balance them with lower SP cost.
This really contextualizes everything with the recent shift to the Kaan. The Indonesians learns everything they can from the KF-21 project even if no further orders were bought, they can prepare the domestic industries for the eventual manufacture of stealth composites for the Kaan.
Pretty sure thats how the Turkish companies do it as well. They learned from their time manufacturing parts for the F-35.
The Indonesian Navy Is Trying to Acquire an Italian Carrier to Strengthen the Navy’s Fleet.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) is working to acquire the aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, formerly owned by the Italian Navy.
This step is said to be part of strengthening the fleet while expanding the operation of the Navy in the sea. Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali revealed that the acquisition plan is still in the discussion with the Italian side.
“The Aircraft Carrier, later can be asked to the Italian side, but we try to acquire the aircraft carrier that was once owned by the Italian Navy, namely Garibaldi, and later on hope can strengthen our ranks,” said Ali, when met on the deck of KRI Brawijaya-320, which leaned on the Dermaga 107, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Monday (8/9/2025).
Ali said the ship would be used in military operations other than war (OMSP). However, according to him, it also does not rule out the possibility of being used for war military operations. This acquisition plan is inseparable from the TNI AL’s interest in small aircraft carriers owned by Italy and Turkey.
Records Kompas.com, in May 2024, KSAL Muhammad Ali even had the opportunity to visit ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi who was carrying out exercises as part of the Naval Diplomacy. Ali’s arrival at that time was welcomed directly by the Deputy Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto.
ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi was the first aircraft carrier built for the Italian Navy and functioned to operate a fixed-wing aircraft. The ship began to be operated since 1985, with a length of 180.2 meters, a speed of 30 knots, and a range of power of up to 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 kilometers). Shortly after the visit, three Italian Navy warships made a return visit to Indonesia on September 14, 2024.
One of them is the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour C-550, a Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) type aircraft capable of operating F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier fighters with vertical take-off landing (VTOL) capabilities.
Meanwhile, Another Naval news, KRI Brawijaya has officially docked in Indonesia. The ship spent several weeks conducting missions abroad so this is the first time it has ever officially entered Indonesian waters since its purchase. Excluding Thai’s HTMS Chakri Naruebet carrier, the KRI Brawijaya Frigate is now the largest of surface combatants in service in South East Asian navies.
Dont believe the “superiority fighter” moniker, its supposed to be the J-10. Originally 42 to be bought but now w/ limited budget could be around 1 squadron only (roughly around 12-24). Again this budget is separated from the other Rafales and KAAN.
Dont know which variant will come, most likely J-10A considering the budget
Unfortunately I dont think the KF-21 is there guys. F-15 is also a long shot. Su-35 is apparently dead in the water since rumors that they dont know how to finagle through CAATSA (Mirage is also screwed), so new jets most likely:
J-10
Rafale
KAAN
KF-21 (Maybe??? this me coping)
Hawks will be retired
Havent heard clear news about the F-16C
Sukhois will most likely be retired as well
lowkey fine with the J-10 if its placed in the east. Again my only problem is that if its the J-10A and we also dont get the PL-15 then what are we doing here?
The joint development for the turkish AWACS also has no news recently which is also a cause for concerns.
Today the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Philippines and Japan formally takes effect. Nothing big planned for the immediate future but next year’s Balikatan Exercises is probably gonna be joined with a significant Japanese contingent, probably a signal to turn the Balikatan into a Trilateral Exercise between US, PH, and Japan (the Philippines and the USA also has the same Visiting Forces Agreement that allow the Balikatan). Currently, there is a PH contingent in Japan to be trained in HADR ops.
A few days ago, Leonardo confirmed that it actually joined the Philippines’ MRF Acquisition Program offering 32 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 5 as the budget for the MRF program was revised from an initial requirement of just 12 MRFs to 40 MRFs, and while no official budget has been released, it is rumored that the budget is about ~ $7.5 Billion with the revised program (from the initial ~ $1.2 Billion). No word yet from the Philippine Air Force or the Dept. of National Defense but it should be noted that forecasts within the Phil. Defense Community is still with the Gripen E considering that the DND announced its plans to fit some A&EWC aircraft on the MRF budget, which only Saab can offer.
Funding for the budget still seems to be the biggest hurdle with the MRF program and it seems the Philippines will have to rely on loans to get enough funding for its MRF program. PH ambassador to the US confirmed that the Philippines is “pausing its consideration” for the F-16V due to budgetary constraints and as the US offer is through FMS scheme (no loans afaik) it looks like the F-16V is not gonna be considered. This leaves Saab as the only viable option considering that last year, Saab confirmed that Swedish Credit Export banks are willing to give the Philippines 100% long term loans for the MRF program.
Yesterday, the PH Navy’s Technical Working Group also has sent their recommendation for the Abukuma class after their recent inspection of the hulls last August, its yet to be seen how many of the Abukumas the Philippine Navy will accept and what will the “joint development” entail to allow for its transfer. Additionally, Mitsubishi radars are once again being offered for the Phase 3 of the Air Surveillance Radar Acquisition Program. Phase 2 of the program had 3 Mitsubishi J/FPS-3ME and 1 mobile J/TPS-P14ME radars being acquired by the Philippine Air Force which all became online just last year.
Lastly, rumors were leaked from South Korean and Philippine sources that the PH Navy is set to pen an additional order of 2 HDF-3100 frigates (Miguel Malvar class) or an improved variant on it before the year ends. The second Miguel Malvar class frigate - BRP Diego Silang also arrived in the Philippines back in Sept. 9 - about the same time as Indonesia received KRI Brawijaya.
BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) greeted BRP Gabriela Silang of the PH Coast Guard (Diego Silang and Gabriela Silang were husband and wife btw)
Thank you for bearing with this very long update. Enjoy the first live firing of the Spike NLOS from the Philippine Navy’s AW-159 Wildcat as a treat (they had a recent exercise yesterday).
No Harriers, purely Drone & heli carrier, to primarily be used for OMSP (operations missions other than war). Republikorp company is entrusted with this & the J-10, so their lobbying power is quite large.
On another note:
Cope West 2025 exercise marks the first the an F-15 touched down in Indonesian Soil (but not ours, US ones)
