Indonesian Aero News

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Question is whether US will authorize Turkey to export those upgrades. The US has always been selective in allowing such national upgrade programs from being exported in competition with US upgrade programs.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
They already got this quite far on preparation, and so far seems without US objections, at least that we (public enthusiasts) know off. I suspect they already got green light from US and LM. Guess either Turkiye already got clearence to offer their Ozgur upgrade toward F-16 customer, or Indonesia already offer something else to LM.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

DI deliver the 6th of 9 NC-212i for Indonesian Army. Just like the 5th, it is already using new 5 Blade composite propeler. It's been talk that propeler will be retrofit later on toward other NC-212i when Times for propeler replacement come.

DI also offering from what I heard to their other existing NC-212i customer like in Thailand for that configuration set up. For sure this set up also being offer as standard NC-212i set up for next customers.

FB_IMG_1730250065100.jpg
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group


Few days old, but still no official explanation on what DI and Embrear aim on this collaboration scope. Thus raise some speculation, but personally I speculating on 3 sectors:
  1. DI become agent to do MRO and parts provider for existing Embrear products in Indonesia. TNI AU for example already complaining toward Embrear on support for their Super Tucano parts,
  2. MRO center for E series, as Embraer also try to break Southeast Asia market,
  3. Potential DI as part of C390 supply chain.
The third ones shown more traction on C390 from C130 users, even J ones. TNI-AU from what I heard shown interest on C390 after learning operation experience from current users.
 
Last edited:

Ananda

The Bunker Group

This is not related to Indonesian AF, however perhaps related to potential bargain with US and Boeing.

Thohir is prioritizing Boeing aircraft purchases, aiming to balance trade relations with the US and strengthen ties between Indonesian SOEs and the American market.
The idea of getting US Fighters always (for Indonesia case) also related to Geopolitics and Trade relationships. It is long shoot, but in latest Bali Airshow, Boeing doesn't bring any F-15ID mockup (as they used too on Indonesian show). However focus on 737MAX, just like Airbus focus on A330 Neo and A400M. The only delegation that bring Fighter mockup is Dasault with Rafale.


Boeing booth in 5:25-6:15

Perhaps the rumours that Frenchie Salesman put around on potential more deal for Rafale has some base ? As always in Indonesia it is always fluid and depends on Lobbying. However with latest procurement coming from French, Italy, Turkiye, ROK and Brazil, shown potential shift on TNI defense suppliers items.

Could SOE Minister order for all three SOE Airlines to focus more on Boeing procurement related to that ? TNI ditching Boeing but they got civilians airliners order as compensation. Off course this is just part of guessing base on latest trends. However just got sense Frenchie, Turkiye and on smaller portion Italian, ROK and Brazil got potential more defense order, in expense of US, China, and Russia.
 
Last edited:

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Pelita and Citilink were moving towards Airbus, and specially Citilink was almost 100% switched to Airbus. Because of decreasing demand, the fleet of Garuda was also trimmed down from over 100 to around 70 aeroplanes now, so suddenly ordering hundreds of Boeings will not make sense. But maybe the current 737NG and 777 fleet from Garuda can be replaced this decade. Together with ordering something like 10 P-8s, 10 737 AEW&C and 10 C-130J-30, he doesn't need to worry anymore about trade inbalances.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Because of decreasing demand, the fleet of Garuda was also trimmed down from over 100 to around 70 aeroplanes now, so suddenly ordering hundreds of Boeings will not make sense. But maybe the current 737NG and 777 fleet from Garuda can be replaced this decade.
Garuda fleet being decreased not because of the demand. Yes Covid matters, but Garuda Failed Management matter more. All Airlines grounded most of their fleet in Covid, but Garuda not only grounded but lost most its fleet due to financial misshap.

The demand in Industry begin to return, but now getting new Airliners is also racing games. All Airlines scramble to get new Airliners. While the Duopoly have problem on supply chains to produces and Boeing got additional quality problems. So the back log to get new Airliners means Garuda even if they manage to reorders their previous 'delayed' orders to Boeing, have to wait by later half of this decade to get them.

Looking to Boeing Indonesia sites for Bali Airshow, they seems want Garuda to revive previous hold orders of 787-9 and Max 8. Although I heard rumours Garuda prefer either Max 9. Question remain if Garuda book already healthy enough to revive those orders.

Together with ordering something like 10 P-8s, 10 737 AEW&C and 10 C-130J-30, he doesn't need to worry anymore about trade inbalances.
That's the question, if Government seems want to order more Airliners to Boeing for their Airlines, will TNI still be push to buy Boeing, or more precise American ? The trend so far shown Frenchie Aero Industry seems getting more traction then US ones (except some order for LM for J's and Blackhawk).
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
20241223_160120.jpg20241218_131519.jpg

This two photos being circulate in Indonesian enthusiasts online forums (X and FB). The first one shown F-16A/B MLU with Sniper ATP. This is part of MLU that enable them to operate as Blk52+.

Second photo is a Rafale on Dasault line that's being claim will be the first Indonesia Rafale from Batch 1 of 6. As previously being talk, the Indonesia order will be divided into Batch 1 of 6, Batch 2 of 18 and Batch 3 of 18.

The F-16 MLU development is interesting to watch as it will determine how long the type will be retain by TNI-AU. The present MLU only give Blk52+ capabilities and it is being envisage to last toward middle of next decade. This is going to relate whether they want to invest more on upgrade F-16 package or use them only as interim fighters until new one come along.

As the new one, rumours now milling around that potentially Dasault offer assembly line in DI, thus persuade Indonesian government to drop KF-21 and switch it for more Rafale. While LM and Boeing have their own competition with LM seems dropping F-16V to F-35A against Boeing F-15ID (EX base).

If that happens then something unexpected (after chaotic procurement process) happens. Indonesian MinDef actually could be settling with only 2 type of Fighters. Imagine that.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
View attachment 52122View attachment 52123

This two photos being circulate in Indonesian enthusiasts online forums (X and FB). The first one shown F-16A/B MLU with Sniper ATP. This is part of MLU that enable them to operate as Blk52+.

Second photo is a Rafale on Dasault line that's being claim will be the first Indonesia Rafale from Batch 1 of 6. As previously being talk, the Indonesia order will be divided into Batch 1 of 6, Batch 2 of 18 and Batch 3 of 18.

The F-16 MLU development is interesting to watch as it will determine how long the type will be retain by TNI-AU. The present MLU only give Blk52+ capabilities and it is being envisage to last toward middle of next decade. This is going to relate whether they want to invest more on upgrade F-16 package or use them only as interim fighters until new one come along.

As the new one, rumours now milling around that potentially Dasault offer assembly line in DI, thus persuade Indonesian government to drop KF-21 and switch it for more Rafale. While LM and Boeing have their own competition with LM seems dropping F-16V to F-35A against Boeing F-15ID (EX base).

If that happens then something unexpected (after chaotic procurement process) happens. Indonesian MinDef actually could be settling with only 2 type of Fighters. Imagine that.
In mid next decade, the 10 F-16AM/BM will be around 45 years old, and worn out. I don't expect they will give these things a second Mid-Life-Update/Three Quarter Life Update. But maybe they will do that with the 23 F-16C/Ds.

Until now there are no signals that the Indonedian government takes the KF-21 program serious, so also in this case i don't expect the KF-X will join TNI-AU's fleet, or maybe only a handful just for air shows.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
But maybe they will do that with the 23 F-16C/Ds.
Actually those F-16C/D Blk 25 few years older then those F-16 A/B Blk 15+. Those A/B Blk 15+ is build around 1989/90 for export and have similar attributes with C/D Blk 25. This is one of reasons that Indonesia choose to refurbished C/D Blk 25 a decade ago. They have similarities with Blk 15+. Either way both are in similar age and characteristics.

Those C/D already have MLU before send to Indonesia. From what I gather, it will not take much upgrade to reach within STAR MLU standard. However before the plan is to upgrade those C/D toward V standard and now to Turkiye Ozgur standard.

Considering both batches actualy are similar in age, I do hope refurbished only toward STAR MLU standard, just to keep them fying for another decade. Don't waste in my opinion resources to get them within V or even Turkiye Ozgur standard.

This is why I suspect that all chaotic nature of procurement by TNI, some aspects of commonalities will come out. Still realistically there also going to be some sporadic procurement for limited numbers of odd systems. Just to give some rooms for political factions bargaining room.
 
Last edited:

Ananda

The Bunker Group

TNI-AU finally answer which UAV going to be station in Natuna AB directly facing LCS. It is the TAI ANKA that going to be station there. While CH4 including seems the next batch will be move back to stationed in Pontianak AB. The Israel (but officialy Philippines) made Aerostar will taken out from Pontianak and being station in Tasikmalaya AB as UAV training squadron.

This seems answer some critics on previous placement of Chinese made CH-4 in Natuna AB.
 
Last edited:

Ananda

The Bunker Group
FB_IMG_1735691499110.jpg

From DI FB, Photo of CN235 for TNI-AL and NC-212i for TNI-AU. The hangar facility is left offer from IPTN era, and that's the problem with DI. They have limited commercial success that can justify Investment for enlarging their production line facility.

In such they are stuck with 12-16 plane production line annually so far. The new facility for N-219 supposed will double that capacities to enable them working toward 24-32 plane annually. However so far the government only provide base production Investment and DI as company has to come out from their own money to enlarge that.

This is when situation got stuck, as their own financial base so far only provide working CAPEX capabilities, and even that barely. Thus this company continue has to rely on Government further capital injection for further investment. From all government owned (SOE) MIC, DI is also consistent need injection to survive.

Let's see if new year will bring new financial prospect for them to work out as profitable independent Aero Company.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Indonesian MinDef X account shown talk between defense Minister and TNI-AU Chief on begin sending pilots to France to begin Trsnsition traning in France for Rafale. The schedule begin in July. Seems they are really aiming end this year or early next year, initial batch of Rafale can begin to enter operational.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Indian sources claim that Indonesia already officially begin process for Brahmos acquisition.


While another Indian sources claim India asside Brahmos, India offer Tejas. Rumours say India willing to help set up missile development JV in Indonesia, if Brahmos deal goes in. As for Tejas, well it is worth try marketing effort by India. But with their own AF Chief still complaining on delivery track record from HAL, don't see that being good campaign so far.

 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Airbus X account put Video on manufacturing process for TNI-AU first A400M. The talk/rumours saying that the option for another 4 A400M will be taken. However no official yet on that. As being stated before this batch of A400M will have both Tankers and Transport capability. Not sure whether if the option 4 more being taken also with that capability.

FB_IMG_1737368167158.jpg
 
Last edited:

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member

Airbus X account put Video on manufacturing process for TNI-AU first A400M. The talk/rumours saying that the option for another 4 A400M will be taken. However no official yet on that. As being stated before this batch of A400M will have both Tankers and Transport capability. Not sure whether if the option 4 more being taken also with that capability.

View attachment 52228
Good news, because the sole KC-130B is undoubtedly at the end of its life.


Here we can find some photos of the Aruna 45 (an UAV made "by the children of Indonesia"!) undergoing tests from the
KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat (992). Wasn't this a chinese UAV designed for Thailand?
Drone Aruna 45 Sukses Uji Terbang
Drone Aruna 45 Sukses Uji Terbang

It is remarkable that they tested the UAV at the roof, and not on the helicopterdeck.
 
Top