BAE Systems 57mm Gun Systems Indonesian Navy’s Fast Attack Vessels

The Indonesian Navy or Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) has selected BAE Systems’ Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun system for the country’s KCR-60 fast-attack vessel programme. The initial contracts with state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia include four 57 Mk3 gun systems.

“This most recent contract with PT PAL Indonesia signifies the nation’s continued trust that BAE Systems naval guns consistently meet quality requirements and capability needs,” said Ulf Einefors, director of Weapon Systems Sweden at BAE Systems on Aug 20.

With a length of 60 meters, the KCR-60 was designed to quickly deploy guided anti-ship missiles against surface combatants and then rapidly and safely withdraw into the region’s archipelagos. Three KCR-60 vessels are currently in service with the TNI-AL, with a fourth ship scheduled to be operational in 2021.

Two of the new 57 Mk3 systems will be for two KCR-60 vessels currently under construction, while the remaining two guns will be integrated onto two existing KCR-60 ships. The gun systems will be produced at BAE Systems facilities in Karlskoga, Sweden. The first unit is scheduled for delivery in 2020 and the final unit in 2021, a company statement said.

The Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun system fires four rounds per second and can  switch immediately between ammo types, including smart 3P all-target ammunition. This delivers seamless targeting of air, land and sea-based threats and ensures the future development of the gun and its 3P ammo to deal with future threats.

In the littoral scenario the gun must have the capability to engage threats that were impossible to engage with conventional gun systems. Survivability in such an environment requires an extremely flexible weapon system.

The Bofors 57mm naval gun is designed to address surface, air, and land threats in the littoral environment, and is already in service with a wide range of navies and coast guards, including those of the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Mexico.

Known in US service as  the 57mm Mk110,  it is the deck gun of choice for the US Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter and offshore patrol cutter classes of ships, as well as for the US Navy’s LCS ships. 

The Bofors 57 Mk3 is also the main gun for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Maharaja Lela -class of littoral combat ships.  Earlier configurations of the naval gun — the  Mk1 and Mk2 — is in service with many naval forces in the region including Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.