Indonesian Aero News

[Ananda]

It is going to be behind schedule as the 6 PAF NC212i contract and work order behind TNI-AU 9 NC-212i. TNI-AU all delivery for 9 Aircraft supposedly done this year. However by year end, only 7th delivered. The 8th schedulle by 1st quarter 2026 and the last one by first half. Pinoy order behind it, thus best prediction by later part of next year or a year behind schedulle.

DI officially call Covid as main reason of delay especially between 2021-2023 or first four of TNI-AU order. However by 5th order they also change to propeler to MTV-27 made by Germany MT Aero. This I suspect also contribute to some schedulle time adjustment.

 

[Ananda]

Never understand why the procurement program for 6 AW-189 classified as Heavy Weight Helicopters, as firstly they are Medium Helicopter at best and secondly AW-189 is civilian version of militerise AW-149.

Still on yesterday visit to Leonardo facility by Deputy Chief of TNI-AU, it is clear at least one of the six will be VIP configuration. Perhaps this is why they are looking for AW-189 instead AW-149.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

View attachment 53980View attachment 53981

Never understand why the procurement program for 6 AW-189 classified as Heavy Weight Helicopters, as firstly they are Medium Helicopter at best and secondly AW-189 is civilian version of militerise AW-149.

Maybe just to justify the procurement of the AW-149/189. If they call it Medium Helicopter, people will ask why TNI-AU not just order more Eurcopter EC-725s, and then some people will not get their bonuses.

After the EH-101 case (failed attempt of corruption), this is maybe the last chance for some people to get a lot of money on their account.

 

[Ananda]

After the EH-101 case (failed attempt of corruption), this is maybe the last chance for some people to get a lot of money on their account.lp

EH-101 case is too blatant and crude and rough business process deviation. The brokerage they are using very unprofessional. Thus easy to be sniffed by the internal inspector. "Clean" corruption need to use better lobbying practices and more smooth process. The percentage margin also is just too much for one second hand EW-101, shown amateur greedy corruptors. Greed make you sloopy and careless.

This time "they" buy directly to Leonardo, and off course some middle man lobbying will got margin. I suspect like remiliterise civilian standard AW-189, instead directly using Military standard AW-149. That's why I suspect why at least they contract one from six as VIP conversion. Justifying AW-189 choice thus higher costs on conversion. You need better justification in order to get better margin lobby.

Lobby fee afterall quite legit business process for middle/sales/broker team. Corruption on that level is how to hide lobby fee margin among legitimate contract and business transactions.

In the end, those proffesional lobbyist ussualy know that in order to sustain their 'business' for long game, they need to be more subtle and avoid greediness. I do suspect that's what being played on this transactions.

 

[Ananda]

Prabowo: Tahun Depan Kita Akan Datangkan 200 Helikopter ke RI

Presiden Prabowo Subianto mengumumkan rencana mendatangkan 200 helikopter ke Indonesia mulai Januari 2026.

news.detik.com

Hadapi potensi bencana, Prabowo hadirkan 200 helikopter tahun depan - ANTARA News

ANTARA - Presiden Prabowo Subianto, Kamis (5/12), menyebut bahwa pemerintah kembali mendatangkan 200 helikopter mulai Januari tahun depan. Menurutnya, ...

www.antaranews.com

Prabowo defend his policy for increase defense procurement especially the dual functions items like Transport Plane and Helicopters. He claim that present flood and land slide disasters in Sumatra has shown Indonesia assets are already more available compare to Tsunami times. He claim at this moment TNI and other Agencies able to send 50 helicopters to disasters area.

Still the disaster shown more still needed. Thus Prabowo says he want to acquire another 200 Helicopters. I believe this will not only for TNI and Police but also for other agencies like SAR and Disaster Relieve.

I also see this is already part of the plan, and this latest natural disaster give him more 'case' the political factions in supporting him on the matter. I also believe it will be combine of Brand New and used Helicopters.

Aside from usual suppliers like Airbus and Bell, Leonardo getting new contract. Talk also being hold with Boeing and Sikorsky. However I also see Turkish Gokbey as AW129 derivative can back on contentions. While use Ka-32 and Mi-17 also being sought, as potential Chinese Z-20 and Z-9.

One thing for sure the marketing battle between salesman increasing. The Frenchies salesman already getting much bitter against Chinese and Turkish assets.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Prabowo: Tahun Depan Kita Akan Datangkan 200 Helikopter ke RI

Presiden Prabowo Subianto mengumumkan rencana mendatangkan 200 helikopter ke Indonesia mulai Januari 2026.

news.detik.com

Hadapi potensi bencana, Prabowo hadirkan 200 helikopter tahun depan - ANTARA News

ANTARA - Presiden Prabowo Subianto, Kamis (5/12), menyebut bahwa pemerintah kembali mendatangkan 200 helikopter mulai Januari tahun depan. Menurutnya, ...

www.antaranews.com

Prabowo defend his policy for increase defense procurement especially the dual functions items like Transport Plane and Helicopters. He claim that present flood and land slide disasters in Sumatra has shown Indonesia assets are already more available compare to Tsunami times. He claim at this moment TNI and other Agencies able to send 50 helicopters to disasters area.

Still the disaster shown more still needed. Thus Prabowo says he want to acquire another 200 Helicopters. I believe this will not only for TNI and Police but also for other agencies like SAR and Disaster Relieve.

I also see this is already part of the plan, and this latest natural disaster give him more 'case' the political factions in supporting him on the matter. I also believe it will be combine of Brand New and used Helicopters.

Aside from usual suppliers like Airbus and Bell, Leonardo getting new contract. Talk also being hold with Boeing and Sikorsky. However I also see Turkish Gokbey as AW129 derivative can back on contentions. While use Ka-32 and Mi-17 also being sought, as potential Chinese Z-20 and Z-9.

One thing for sure the marketing battle between salesman increasing. The Frenchies salesman already getting much bitter against Chinese and Turkish assets.

With such large amounts of planned new transport/SAR helicopters, it is not more than logic to build them under licence. In the past IPTN built the NBO-105, NBell 412 and NAS-332. What can be done in the past can be done now, as long there is a political will.

 

[Ananda]

Airbus definetely will increase their long time lobby for joint production with DI. This is the photo on DI and MinDef team visiting Airbus H145, as part of 4 H145 procurement order. DI also still working with Airbus Helicopter for H225 fuselage.

The chances are there, it is just I don't see all 200 can come from one or two supplier only. Also budget reality means significant portion will be second hand Helicopters, especially if Prabowo wants to get all of them within his term.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

View attachment 53984

Airbus definetely will increase their long time lobby for joint production with DI. This is the photo on DI and MinDef team visiting Airbus H145, as part of 4 H145 procurement order. DI also still working with Airbus Helicopter for H225 fuselage.

The chances are there, it is just I don't see all 200 can come from one or two supplier only. Also budget reality means significant portion will be second hand Helicopters, especially if Prabowo wants to get all of them within his term.

Agree, looking to the recent past, Indonesia will likely order small amounts of many different models, from many different manufacturers from all over the world.

BTW, do you have more information about this, is it correctly that a Mi-26 will come soon? And if so, is it ordered some time ago, just ordered because of the current natural disaster on Sumatra, plans to order in the near future, or just leased for a short period like the CH-47 for BNBP?

Prabowo Datangkan Helikopter Terbesar di Dunia Bantu Bencana di Sumatera |Republika Online

Tanggap Bencana Sumatera, Presiden Prabowo Ingin Datangkan Mi-26, Helikopter Terbesar di Dunia.

 

[Ananda]

BTW, do you have more information about this, is it correctly that a Mi-26 will come soon? And if so, is it ordered some time ago, just ordered because of the current natural disaster on Sumatra, plans to order in the near future, or just leased for a short period like the CH-47 for BNBP?

I believe if they want to send it ASAP, then it will be on lease to BNPB just like this Ka-32 for water bombing. BNPB not only lease this, but also as you say CH-47 and UH-60.

However for longer term it is been circulate from TNI-AD sources, that asside S-70 they also want to get more Mi-17. However as S-70 consider similar class of capacity with Mi-17, then there's talk to change it for Mi-26.

Like I said before, this 200 Helicopter talk will be combine between new and second hand ones. It is also very potential some will be leased for contract projects bases. BNPB clearly shown record on that.

 

[Ananda]

From Armee de'l Air X account, shown 4 TNI-AU pilots that's part of First batch trainers. They will be part of Fighter Pilots that going to acompany French Pilots bringing TNI-AU first batch to Indonesia.

The first three will be double seater, and seems the second three also double seater. This shown further batches of TNI-AU pilots mostly will be train in Indonesia.

 

[Ananda]

6.4K views · 361 reactions | Uji Coba Terbang Pertama (Maiden Flight) Pesawat A-400M MRTT | KERIS reborn

Uji Coba Terbang Pertama (Maiden Flight) Pesawat A-400M MRTT

www.facebook.com

From Keris FB, on first flight of TNI-AU second A400M. Prabowo already said that he wants to exercise option for another four. Still it is back to next year budget allocation.

 

[Ananda]

First single seat TNI-AU Rafale photo already circulate online. Seems the speculation of all 6 of the first batch will be double seater could be wrong.

 

[Ananda]

There are rumours that TNI-AU thinking to upgrade those T-50i as LCA standard (FA-50), while Lift duties will be using M346 as Hawk 109 replacement. In this scenario FA-50 going to be replacement for Hawk 209 LCA.

Currently Rafale seems going to replace Hawk 209/109 both in Pekanbaru and Pontianak AB. However looking on TNI-AU activities like visiting Leonardo facility for M346 and further discussion between KAI with DI, the indication so far shown potential M346 as LIFT/FLIT and FA-50 (mostly from T-50i upgrade) as LCA.

Can T-50 stay as LIFT and get more FA-50 for LCA ? It is still open talk. It is back again to marketing lobby war between Leonardo vs KAI on LIFT.

Indonesia: No Decision Yet on Italian M-346FA Jets Acquisition

Indonesia's Ministry of Defense stated that the discussion regarding the M-346FA fighter jets is still in the early stages.

en.tempo.co

This article from Tempo seems acknowledge the rumours couple months ago on the interest from TNI-AU on M346. However it is the LCA version they are interest with on, not the LIFT version. Means they are looking on M346FA as alternative to FA-50.

Previously it is been stated by TNI-AU source that they are still interested for LCA replacing Hawk 200. Just like before where all LIFT and LCA coming from BAe Hawk family, then the plan also to put LIFT and LCA coming from KAI T-50 familiy.

This interest toward M346 shown TNI-AU seriously thinking using LIFT and LCA from different type. Rumours say Leonardo potentially want to give more industrial cooperation with DI on M346FA, compare to KAI on FA-50.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

A little bit late to post, but on 1 December 8 new EC725 Caracals/Super Cougars were handed over to TNI-AU.
- YouTube

This is probably one of the reasons many EC725s are active in Sumatra, besides the NC212i, C-130J-30 and A400M.

 

[Ananda]

https://www.idnfinancials.com/id/news/59955/tiga-jet-tempur-rafale-f4-tiba-dari-prancis-pada-januari-2026

Dasault give more information that from 42 Rafale F4 order consists of 12 double seater and 30 single seater. While IDNfinancials article indicating that the negotiation for up to additional Rafale still on going.

Rumours talk the low end is 6 unit and high end 24. All depends on Dassault Tech transfer negotiation with DI and support Industry. Also whether Indonesia commitment to KAAN, KF/IF-21, F-15EX or J-10 still pursue. There's also rumours that talk Indonesia will step back from G-15EX and back to F-16V.

 

[Ananda]

From flight global 2026 World Air Forces directory
2026 World Air Forces directory

https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841

Few day old and put print screen the part of Indonesian AF only. This is related to the negotiation on KF-21, KAAN, F-15EX and Su-35.

The rumours are (from various sources including finance guys), Prabowo try to bargain with US on how to ditch F-15EX. The options:

• Bargain for GE-F414 engines export rights for KF-21,
• If US Trump still insists on US fighters, then ditch F-15EX to F-16V,
• More Rafale negitiation still on going,
• Budget for Su-35 will be directed for PLAF J-10B in storage. It's preference then newly build J-10C.

On transport side 2 converted A330 MRTT and exercising option for 4 A400M also on table with Airbus. However less talk priority on MPA and AEW&C. The budget more on Fighters, Transports (both Aircraft and Helicopters) and Tankers.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

View attachment 54109

From flight global 2026 World Air Forces directory
2026 World Air Forces directory

https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841

Few day old and put print screen the part of Indonesian AF only. This is related to the negotiation on KF-21, KAAN, F-15EX and Su-35.

The rumours are (from various sources including finance guys), Prabowo try to bargain with US on how to ditch F-15EX. The options:

• Bargain for GE-F414 engines export rights for KF-21,
• If US Trump still insists on US fighters, then ditch F-15EX to F-16V,
• More Rafale negitiation still on going,
• Budget for Su-35 will be directed for PLAF J-10B in storage. It's preference then newly build J-10C.

On transport side 2 converted A330 MRTT and exercising option for 4 A400M also on table with Airbus. However less talk priority on MPA and AEW&C. The budget more on Fighters, Transports (both Aircraft and Helicopters) and Tankers.

The Flight International World Air Forces overview is (and was never) really accurate. In the past they put aircraft types in the list which were in fact retired for years, the numbers were incorrect or like this year, more than 130 aircrafts are not really on order. (Just "there are plans too/on the wish list"). Also, as far as i know, at least three out of eight Hawk Mk.109 are crashed.

 

[Ananda]

In the past they put aircraft types in the list which were in fact retired for years, the numbers were incorrect or like this year, more than 130 aircrafts are not really on order. (Just "there are plans too/on the wish list").

The one in active list, more or least quite accurate, but off course their data have discrepencies. 32 Hawk 209 and 8 Hawk 109 total 40 fighters delivered by BAE. According to them only 28 left operational thus put attrition of 12 fighters.

From the data on TNI-AU it is implied 16 Hawk 209/109 stationed in Pekanbaru AB and 12 Hawk 209 in Pontianak AB. Thus the total Hawk available seems in line with 28 numbers, but the composition different. Other types in operation seems in line with inventory.

As for ordered list, the one with (*) is actually talk about in interest or negotiation. Those without (*) already have serious intention or effective.

Rafale already effective contract thus it is without (*). KAAN already have purchasing contract but not yet effective. From what I gather KAAN will be effective related to availability of Turkey TF35000 engine. Which is why Turkiye order for 80 F110 engine is for their own Batch/Block 1 order.

 

[Ananda]

Meninjau Program Akuisisi Jet Tempur Indonesia Tahun 2026

Kementerian Pertahanan merencanakan belanja US$28 miliar untuk akuisisi jet tempur 2025-2029. Rencana ini masih menyimpan banyak ketidakpastian dan pilihan.

www.cnbcindonesia.com

Frenchie/Euro salesman claim in fact not much difference then what I post at #3,476 from flight global and finance guys rumours. More Rafale and KF-21 are clossing in on negotiation, Prabowo's administration still want to find ways on ditching F-15EX.

While that activation of Su-35 contract, well it is already a contract for several years. However it is not CAATSA that hold the payment, it is no appropriate credit line available. No Financial Institution either domestic and foreign that have found ways to circumstance US and Euro market in financing this deal, with MoF acceptable rate.

J-10B potentially use the budget as China sources willing to finance it. KAAN most likely use combo Domestic anf Gulf financing sources. His 'cynicsm' against Turkiye defence items is not secret anymore, and for me close to grumpy admision of loosing deals to competition. Either way, the KAAN contract also specifically put condition precedent of working TF35000 engine for activation. It is not his claim that Indonesia wiling to accept KAAN without engine.