Indonesian Aero News

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Philippines has an aborted contract signed during President Durete's time for Mil-17V but cancelled/stopped due to CAATSA. At least one or two was built but never delivered.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Circulate online, as seem one of the squadron personel take photo on the Mi-17. It is look new one or fully refurbished. TNI-AD current Mi-17 got MRO in Belarus, thus seems the one from Kazan is not present inventory.

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Well the uploader clearly indicating this is new capability. Wondering with new comers Mi-17V, will this administration going to execute S-70 contract. Rumours say there will be new S-70 coming, but some claim part of that will be second hand assets. Perhaps that's what they are doing now, combo of new and second hand helicopters to catch up with Prabowo's target.

Add:
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Seems now Keris FB claim the IL-76 bring new parts and take the helicopter back to Kazan for MRO. Seems there are conflicting informations circling around. It is also not inline on previous info that Mi-17V being MRO in Belarus instead Russia.
 
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Ananda

The Bunker Group

MinDef spokeperson claim that Indonesia sovereign rights in the end that determine which and from where the imported defense items will be source. However he also admitted that his bos the Defence Minister told US Ambasador on Maritime Survailance need.

I suspect this is also why US demand on getting contract on maritime survailance. Could Be P-8 or MQ-9B, but seems it is also confirm that Indonesia seems negotiating more on ISTAR assets with US rather then Fighters.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
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It is reported that first flight of Batch 1 Rafale already landed in their new base at Pekanbaru AB. However unlike other arrival, the Air Force still not shown official photo or video. Some speculate this as Air Force still waiting on The President or Defence Minister to head official welcoming ceremony.

However not stoping civilan photo's begin shown up online. This one of example from X account for uploader with ID as name in photo.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member

Indonesia MinDef spokesman acknowledge that 3 Rafale already landed on Pekanbaru AB. This is practically first official confirmation on the arrival of first flight of Batch 1.
Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Writing by Fransiska Nangoy and Gibran Peshimam; Editing by David Stanway and Kate Mayberry
Now we found out @Ananda 's second name... and Ananda seems to be a woman...

And also Kompas confirms the arrival of the three Rafales.
Indonesia Terima 3 Jet Tempur Rafale Perancis, Langsung Ditempatkan di Pekanbaru
 
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Ananda

The Bunker Group

KAAN contract getting many critics in here because two thing:
  1. Coming from Turkiye that being consider not proven yet for high end fighters development,
  2. The cost (USD 10-15 bio) consider too high for unproven fighter.
Granted those critics being circulate and enhance by Frenchie Salesman and his followers on online media and forums. Critics coming from his loosing ground on some projects from Turkiye Salesman.

However as I mention before, there's legal clause in contract that Indonesia only going to engage only if TAI can produce ITAR Free KAAN. This is also now being confirm by Turkish sources.

In sense this is more longer term project then say KF-21. KAAN being talk as going to replace heavy fighter capabilities of Flanker, while KF-21 aim as replacement for medium multirole capabilities of F-16. The new capabilities actually come from Rafale, while new LCA as Hawk 209/109 replacement being rumour still 'lobby' between JF-17 and FA-50.

F-15EX being talk and rumours not in latest Indonesia-US trade deal. The place now increasingly being negotiate for other Boeing product like Commercial Airliner plus potential P-8 or even E-7. Well at least that what I heard from finance guys rumours.
 

Arji

Active Member
KAAN contract getting many critics in here because two thing:
  1. Coming from Turkiye that being consider not proven yet for high end fighters development,
  2. The cost (USD 10-15 bio) consider too high for unproven fighter.
If they're waiting until all aircraft component is ITAR free, I hope this means we won't have to financially commit to this program for quite a while, at least until the political wind shifted out of favor of unproven Turkish experimental weapons.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
I hope this means we won't have to financially commit to this program for quite a while,
Depends on detail financing commitment that being talk going to be finalise this year. We still don't know if Indonesia going to be partner as Junior Partner with further industrial co-op later on as in KFX agreement, or just being buyers with some Tech Transfer agreement. Both scenarios stages going to have stages of financial commitment base on project progress. However the first one usually means some early commitment needed.

I take rumours from online forums and media and combine it with rumours from finance guys. One thing that I heard several times from multiple sources on how Indonesia dissapointment on KF-21 tech transfer due to ITAR issue and ROK beureucracy. Either way, this is something that Sultan Erdo convince Prabowo will not happen in Indonesia involment with KAAN.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Another rumours, on changes of Trainer to LCA configuration:
  1. Begineer/Introductory Trainer: Grob 120TP (no changes),
  2. Basic Trainer: KT-1B (no changes),
  3. LIFT: T-50 and Hawk 109 will be change to M346.
  4. LCA: Hawk 209 will be change to FA-50.
FA-50 will come from existing T/TA-50i being upgrade to full FA-50 standard. What's still not clear is whether the standard going to be with basic Block 10 or more multirole Block 20.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

That's why Indonesia so far working with Turkiye Anka and Bayraktar, instead buying more Chinese CH series. From what I heard,buying US drones can be accepted, but US demand to share intelligence from those Drones survailence, is the 'no' clause for Indonesia.
 

Arji

Active Member
Another rumours, on changes of Trainer to LCA configuration:
  1. Begineer/Introductory Trainer: Grob 120TP (no changes),
  2. Basic Trainer: KT-1B (no changes),
  3. LIFT: T-50 and Hawk 109 will be change to M346.
  4. LCA: Hawk 209 will be change to FA-50.
FA-50 will come from existing T/TA-50i being upgrade to full FA-50 standard. What's still not clear is whether the standard going to be with basic Block 10 or more multirole Block 20.
So whatever happens to JF-17? cancelled I hope.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
whatever happens to JF-17? cancelled I hope.
It can still be come out as surprises turn, as some one influential bring JF-17 on lobby table. If that happen means the LCA FA-50 upgrade packages will become victim. From what I heard it is back on how much cost to upgrade T-50 to FA-50, compare to buying JF-17 including opetational costs. Off course the lobby war behind the door.

That's why the talk on 40 JF-17 coming from Pakistan sources, and never being acknowledge by Indonesian sources. In the end not all 'influential' pic lobby can get through.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Walk down memory lane four decades ago to Indonesia Airshow 1986.

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What could have been, Dasault Mirage 2K as one of two contender for MRCA.
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F-16 A/B become the winner, and four decades later Dasault come back with Rafale beating F-16V.

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Another what could have been, F-20 Tigershark. In the 80's there's serious talk between IPTN (DI predecessor) with Northorp for Industrial cooperation to license building for F-20. However when USAF decide not to back F-20, Northrop pull the plug on the project. Habibie as head of IPTN and Tech minister then approach BAe for Hawk 200. The initial plan to procure directly 40 Hawk 100/200 as first phase and later on assembly and license up to 60 in IPTN facility as second phase. Only first phase happening, while East Timor and Asian Financial crisis make sure the second phase never happen.

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Fourty years ago, Dasault already offer First generation Falcon BBJ for VIP. Indonesia then choose bigger Bae 146 operate by Pelita Air for Presidential plane.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

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This is the Linked In that cause uproar within Indonesian Enthusiasts forums. The M346 already being rumours for some time, While Pilatus PC-24 now being talk for Multi Engine Trainer. As the numbers, I have doubt on PC-24. I suspect it will be on a dozen at best. Although there could be some of them will not be use as trainer but on special purpose aircraft.

There are potential some of them will not be operate by TNI-AU, but by contractor that handle training regime. The model of financing coming from Gulf State company (just like Istif Frigate finance by Qatar entity), could be pattern to come.
 
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tonnyc

Well-Known Member
I'm very skeptical that the purchase of M-346 and PC-24 will go through. The money just isn't there. I don't doubt that someone was asking around. The various people in the Air Force all have their own preferred aircraft and systems and they will ask for quotes and demonstrations and signs MoUs. Funding though remains limited and I just don't see how they can squeeze an M-346 purchase into the budget.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
I'm agree and also sceptical with PC-24 being use as multi engine trainer. So far for that purpose TNI-AU use NC-212 and even CN-235 as transition to C-130 and now A-400M. So why they need turbofan BBJ as trainer ? However M346 still plausible especially if this actually operate by contractor.

The LinkedIn post talk about this UAE company ESS going to procure the aircraft for Indonesia purpose, but also provide maintenance and support for the aircraft fleet being procure. This is not clear enough yet as; Is this means this ESS will act as contractor provider for Training regime? Is this means they are only contractor for financing and support, while the aircraft register as TNI-AU assets ?

There are other financing method to acquire aircraft. If MinDef decided to get third parties provider as Training Contractor, means the budget switch from Procurement to Operational Vendor fee.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Farewell F-15EX, the sign already there for sometime. The aircraft also not included in US-Indonesia trade negotiation, shown even Washington not pushing it. Boeing has to accept deal on commercial aircraft.

Question will be if this mean more Rafale ?
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member

Farewell F-15EX, the sign already there for sometime. The aircraft also not included in US-Indonesia trade negotiation, shown even Washington not pushing it. Boeing has to accept deal on commercial aircraft.

Question will be if this mean more Rafale ?
Very, very good news. Yes, hopefully the budget we don't need to spend on the F-15EX can be used for more Rafales or T-50s (and not M346, JF-17 or J-10!), more AH-64E, more C-130J-30, AEW&C aircrafts or 737-2X9 Surveiller replacement.
 

Arji

Active Member
Very, very good news. Yes, hopefully the budget we don't need to spend on the F-15EX can be used for more Rafales or T-50s (and not M346, JF-17 or J-10!), more AH-64E, more C-130J-30, AEW&C aircrafts or 737-2X9 Surveiller replacement.
Instead, it looks like it's going to a dozen VVIP jet masked as trainer instead :D
 
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