Indonesia might buy more Chiron MANPADS systems from South Korea.

South Korea could provide Indonesia with additional surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). LIG Nex1 sold the Chiron SAM to Indonesia in 2012. Now, South Korea could expand the number of systems in service with the Indonesian Air Force which acquired and has been operating Chirons since 2014, integrated with Oerlikon Skyshield 35 mm anti-aircraft gun system.

Indonesian air force Chiron MANPADS and other air defense elements on display during 2016 Angkasa Yudha Exercises (Picture source : Wikipedia)

The KP-SAM Shin-Gung, or Shin-Kung, (Chiron) is a South Korean shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile manufactured by LIG Nex1. It is marketed internationally as the Chiron. While the missile system externally resembles a French Mistral, the entire missile system including the seeker, control section, warhead and motor were developed and manufactured in South Korea. The missile features integrated IFF systems, night and adverse weather capabilities, a two-colour (IR/UV) infrared seeker to aid in negating infrared countermeasures (IRCM) and a proximity-fuse warhead. During development tests the missile scored a 90% hit ratio. The missile is said to be superior to the American FIM-92 Stinger or the French Mistral in hit probability and portability. It had been involved in a missile test where the Shingung's missile made impact on a low-flying target as high as 3.5 kilometers with a speed of 697.5 m/s (more than Mach 2.36) and a distance range of 7 km.

The Shin-Gung was designed and manufactured to protect South Korean troops in the forward area, which started in 1995 under the direction of LIG Nex1. In late 2003, the delivery of the Igla SAMs from Russia in payment for Russian debts to Korea appear to have solved the problem momentarily. The KP-SAM began production in 2004 with extended trials in early 2005. In late 2005, the KP-SAM Shingung entered service with the South Korean Army, after being in development for nearly 8 years. The South Korean Army has ordered some 2,000 units to be delivered in the near future. Indonesia is the only export customer for this missile system.