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Bakamla buys Pindad machine guns for patrol vessels
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he Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) marked a historical milestone by ordering 12.7-millimeter machine guns from state-owned arms maker PT Pindad in a contract worth Rp 26.5 billion (US$1.78 million) for 20 machine guns and ammunition.
Bakamla chief Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia said the contract was historic because the contract was Bakamla’s first weapon acquisition after receiving permission from the Defense Ministry in June to buy military-grade weapons.
“We hope the acquisition will improve Bakamla in performing its duties,” Aan said in a contract signing ceremony at Bakamla headquarters on Wednesday.
“Bakamla is the launch customer for Pindad’s 12.7 mm machine guns. I hope there are no problems during the production and utilization stages.”
Aan conceded that Bakamla was relatively late in arming its patrol ships because most coast guard units in the region had already had weapons on their vessels.
“The contract is also helping the government’s program to support strategic industries,” he said.
“We are satisfied with Pindad products, which have a good track record.”
The contract was signed by Pindad president director Abraham Mose and the head of Bakamla’s Facilities and Infrastructure Bureau, Cdre. Amrein.
The contract consists of Rp 12.7 billion for SM-5 machine guns and Rp 12.9 billion for ammunition for various types of firearms.
Aan said the 12.7 mm machine guns would be installed on Bakamla’s 48 meter, 80 m and 110 m patrol vessels. Each patrol ship will get two 12.7 mm machine guns.
Abraham said the company was ready to support Bakamla's needs.
“Please convey to us if there are any complaints, notes, inputs or corrections,” he said.
“We are preparing a team that is ready to be deployed to support Bakamla in setting up and maintaining [the machine guns].”
Abraham emphasized that Pindad would always innovate in producing weapon systems, such as remote-controlled weapon systems (RCWS) and other forms of weapon automation.
Pindad said in a statement that the SM-5 machine gun used 12.7 mm by 99 mm bullets with a range of up to 1,830 m and a rate of fire of 400 to 600 bullets per minute.
As for the ammunition contract, Pindad said it was for various calibers including handheld guns, rifles, sniper rifles, submachine guns and 12.7 mm machine guns.
Both Bakamla and Pindad also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on utilizing resources to increase maritime security. The MoU covers the potential for Pindad products to support Bakamla’s weapon system needs, research and development, training and other forms of cooperation.
When asked about whether Bakamla would acquire weapons with a bigger caliber, Aan said he decided to limit the caliber to 30 mm.
“Our weapons are purely for self-defense, although other coast guard units are deploying 57 mm or even 76 mm guns,” he told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the signing ceremony.
He also said Bakamla had conducted a study and found that 80-meter class patrol vessels were the most effective as they were not too small nor too big.
“The 80 m patrol vessels can still go to our Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said, adding that all the decisions were included in Bakamla's strategic plan until 2030.
“We are also looking into having our own aviation unit to serve as the eyes and ears of our patrol vessels.”
However, Aan said those plans would have to wait due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the government’s current focus.
