Indonesian Aero News

[koxinga]

If it is the "C" variant, I can understand the attraction, compared with previous rumoured "B" variant.

The Flankers (27/30) are older and would likely be the first to go, bur the the F-16s still have some life in them (early 2030s) without upgrades?

 

[Ananda]

Whether B or C variance still rumours as no concrete info yet from Indonesia or China officials. However MinDef already talk that they want Gen 4.5 with AESA radar in media several times. For that the C variance become the rumours as variance being offer.

As for F-16, if no further MLU being done, then the C/D will go first and AM/BM version will be last one. Just my personal assessment base on when C/D being arrive in 2015-17, they are being talk can operate up to 15 years.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

If it is the "C" variant, I can understand the attraction, compared with previous rumoured "B" variant.

The Flankers (27/30) are older and would likely be the first to go, bur the the F-16s still have some life in them (early 2030s) without upgrades?

After modernisation the 23 second hand F-16C/Ds were delivered from 2015 to 2017, the 10 F-16A/B Block 15OCU newly delivered in 1989-1990 are recently upgraded. (Maybe 2 or 3 aircrafts still in upgrading process).
So yes, it is to be expected that they can stay operational until the 2030s, if the US is willing to keep selling spareparts.
The Su-27/30s are newer, so also they should be able to fly until the 2030s.


Edit:
I just read Ananda's reply, but it is actually the same...

 

[Ananda]

To Add:

There are two AB in Eastern Indonesia that few years ago has been upgrade from B class to A class. Those Kupang in West Timor and Biak in Papua. A class AB means AB that has organic squadron and supporting facilities. It is been expected those two AB will be getting organic squadron soon. The expectation's will be fighter sq.

Previously it is expect both will hosted Mirage 2000 (ex Qatar and UAE). However again rumours talk China willing to offer near new PLA standard (not export standard) J-10 at much discount price. Thus if 42 J-10 as Intelligence Online put really is the offer, it is then basically 3 sq to fill Kupang and Biak AB plus potential replacing Flankers at Makasar AB.

So J-10 is seems being offer at similar price of the Interim Fighter program and F-16 MLU program. Because MoF does not want (from what I gather from finance guys) to add more budget then what already been alocated. MinDef must reallocate programs, and China has to offer on that prices.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Manahua Airbase/Frans Kaisiepo Airport already has an operational squadron, SkU 27, and it is equipped with the CN235.
KSAU resmikan operasional pertama Skadron Udara 27 Biak
But i thought there was also a plan to add a third C-130 squadron, and if im not wrong, they plan to base it somewhere in the eastern part of Indonesia. Please correct me if i'm wrong .

 

[Ananda]

already has an operational squadron, SkU 27, and it is equipped with the CN235.

Yes I forgot about Sq 27th, I should be more clear is the plan to increase the number of Fighter squadrons in Eastern Indonesia. Flankers sq at Makasar AB is the only Fighter Sq at Eastern Indonesia at this moment. Planning for 3 fighters sq at Makasar, Kupang and Biak AB is the plan that TNI-AU already do the study since a decade ago.

thought there was also a plan to add a third C-130 squadron, and if im not wrong, they plan to base it somewhere in the eastern part of Indonesia. Please correct me if i'm wrong .

It is already being add. Squadron 33rd in Makasar AB being created in 2019 mostly use ex RAAF C-130H. Hasanuddin Makasar AB is example of Class A Air Base should look like. The AB home to several Sq plus supporting ground training, logistics and maintenance support.