Indonesian Air Force

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See also: List of aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force

Indonesian Air Force
Founded	1946
Country	Indonesia
Type	Air Force
Role	Defence and Dominance of Indonesia's airspace and its territory
Size	27,850 personnel 246 aircraft (44% operational)
Motto	Swa Bhuwana Paksa (Sanskrit, lit:"Wings of the Motherland")
Anniversaries	9 April 1946 (founded)
Commanders
Chief of the Air Staff	Air Marshal Soebandrio
Insignia
Roundel

The Indonesian Air Force (Indonesian: Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara or TNI-AU) is the air force branch of the Indonesian Armed Forces.

Personnel of the Indonesian Air Force total 27,850. Of its 246 aircraft, only 44% are operational.^[1]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Before Indonesian Independence (1941-1945) 1.2 Indonesian War of Independence/The Netherlands 'Police Action' (1945-1949) 1.3 Action against rebellions (1950-1961) 1.4 The Golden Era of Soviet Influence (1962-1965) 1.5 The September 30 movement and the overthrow of Soekarno (1966-1970) 1.6 Rebirth of the Indonesian Air Force (1970-1980) 1.7 The Influence of Western Products (1980-1998) 1.8 TNI-AU Today (1998 - present) 2 Squadrons 3 Aircraft Inventory 4 Indonesian Airforce Gallery 5 Commanders 6 Notes 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Before Indonesian Independence (1941-1945)

After World War II ended, Indonesia became the second country (after Thailand/Siam) in South East Asia to acquire an Air Force capability. Indonesian pilots fought against the colonial forces of The Netherlands during 1945-1949 with former Japanese aircraft abandoned at the end of World War II, as well as aircraft of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (including Curtiss P-36 Mohawk, Brewster F2A Buffalo and Fokker D.XXI fighters; Glenn Martin B-10 bombers; Fokker C.X reconnaissance floatplanes) left before the occupation by Japan in 1941.

[edit] Indonesian War of Independence/The Netherlands 'Police Action' (1945-1949)

After the Japanese surrendered at the end of WW II, Indonesian nationalist leader Sukarno declared Indonesian Independence on August 17th, 1945. Several days later, a People's Security Force (Badan Keamanan Rakyat) was formed to undertake security duties. The Air Division of this force was also formed, using ex-Japanese planes scattered everywhere, especially in the island of Java, including Bugis Air Base in Malang (Established on 18 September 1945). The most numerous of these airplanes were the Kawanishi K5Y1 Willow (Curen) trainers, which were hastily used to train newly recruited cadets. At the time of the founding, there was only one Indonesian holding a multi-engine pilot license from the pre-war Dutch Flying School (but never had had no opportunity to fly during the 3.5-year Japanese occupation). He was assisted by a few Japanese pilots who decided to stay in the newly born country. The new roundel was created simply by painting white on the lower part of the Japanese Hinomaru, reflecting the red and white of the Indonesian flag. The People's Security Force was then re-organized to form a formal armed force. This marked the birth of the Indonesian Air Force on April 9th, 1946. However, tensions rose as the Dutch tried to re-claim their former colony and launched an assault in July 21st, 1947, destroying most of the planes on the ground. Some planes survived though and were hidden in remote bases.

July 29, 1947 was date of the first air operation by the newborn air force as three surviving aircraft, comprising two Yokosuka K5Y "Willow"(Curen) and a Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia" (the fourth aircraft, a Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" (Hayabusha), should also have been involved in the raid, but as of when it was launched, the aircraft was not airworthy) conducted air raids at dawn on the Dutch Army barracks in Semarang, Salatiga and Ambarawa, dropping incendiary bombs. Tactically, these raids did not have any effect on the Dutch positions, but psychologically, it was a great success as it proved that the Indonesian Air Force still existed. The Dutch had previously claimed the destruction of Indonesian Air Force in their assault before and they never expected any attack from the sky. Dutch Curtiss P-40E Warhawks tried to find all the guerrilas' planes, but they were too late to find those "ghost" aircraft which landed quickly in Maguwo Air Base, near Yogyakarta (now, Adisucipto International Airport). Indonesian pro-independence guerrillas tried to save captured aircraft in a number of remote areas, including examples of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen "Zeke", Aichi D3A "Val", and Mitsubishi G4M "Betty".

Under pressure from the United Nations, the Dutch finally agreed to acknowledge Indonesian independence. Following the 1949 Round Table Conference, sovereignty was officially transferred to the United States of Indonesia. The Dutch armed forces left (but remained in West Papua until 1963) and the airplanes were handed over to the Indonesians. These comprised, among others, North American P-51 Mustang, North American B-25 Mitchell, Douglas A-26 Invader, Douglas C-47 Dakota and Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, which served as the main forces of the Indonesian Air Force for the following decade. During this era, Indonesia received its first jet aircraft; De Havilland DH-115 Vampire. It was also during this era that the national roundels were changed to the red & white pentagon.

[edit] Action against rebellions (1950-1961)

Political instability meant that the Indonesian Air Force saw action against several regional rebellions in Indonesia, such as PRRI-PERMESTA, Darul Islam-Tentara Islam Indonesia (DI/TII) and the Republic of South Maluku separatists. Several Indonesian pilots scored their first kills, including Capt. Ignatius Dewanto with his P-51 Mustang, who shot down a PRRI-PERMESTA A-26 Invader over Ambon. Its pilot, an American CIA agent named Allen Lawrence Pope, was captured and put on trial in Jakarta, thus revealing the significant involvement of CIA in the rebellion. The most famous Indonesian fighter pilot during this time was Rusmin Nurjadin, who became Chief of the Air Staff from 1966 to 1969. He also commanded MiG-21 squadrons from 1962 to 1965 and founded an acrobatic team in 1962 that flew the MiG-17F/PF Fresco over some cities in Indonesia. Little numbers of Indonesian Air Force's pilot gained their reputation as aces in this era.

[edit] The Golden Era of Soviet Influence (1962-1965)

The rise of the communist party in Indonesia (Communist Party of Indonesia) drew Indonesia closer to the Eastern Block. Several Soviet-built aircraft began to arrive in the early 60’s. In 1961, Indonesia became the second country to receive and operate the new Tu-16 Badger bombers. Around 25 Tu-16KS missile strike Badgers were delivered complete with AS-1 'Kennel' air-surface missiles. One crashed at the end of 1962.^[2][3] Several kinds of MiG also arrived comprising MiG-15UTI Fagot, MiG-17F/PF Fresco, MiG-19S Farmer and F-13 Fishbed, in addition to Il-28 Beagle, Mi-4 Hound, Mi-6 Hook and An-12 Cub.Indonesia also received La-11. Some Tupolev Tu-2 from China also arrived, intended to replace the B-25, but they never reached operational status. These aircraft served along with the remaining western aircraft such as B-25 Mitchell, A-26 Invader, C-47 Dakota, and P-51 Mustang. It was during this period that the Indonesian Air Force became the largest air force in the southern hemisphere.^{[citation needed]}

This era also marked the last confrontation with the Dutch in Papua, before the Dutch, again under pressure of the United Nations, left in 1963. The Indonesian Air Force at this time had more modern and greater numbers of aircraft than Dutch.^{[citation needed]} Several missions of USAF Taiwan-based Lockheed U-2s from 35th Squadron (Black Cat Squadron in Taiwan) flew over Maluku (Mollucas) and reported to Dutch military that there was a big possibility that Dutch would lose their air superiority over Papua if they continued the war. Although Indonesia won this conflict in a diplomatic way, several P-51,MiG-15,MiG-21 and C-47 were downed in this short conflict.^{[citation needed]}

In this period, Indonesian Air Force also took part in the confrontation with the Malaysian Federation (backed by the United Kingdom) along the border of Kalimantan, the Malacca Strait and near the Singapore Border. However, Indonesian lost more aircraft than had been shot down in the conflict in Papua.

[edit] The September 30 movement and the overthrow of Soekarno (1966-1970)

The coup attempt lead by the 30 September Movement in 1965 changed everything and a new anti-communist regime from the Army, led by Major General Suharto, took power. Ties with the Eastern block countries were cut, and thus support and spare parts for the planes became short. By August 1968 the situation was critical. The MiG force made its farewell flight with a flypast of Jakarta in 1970. The relatively new MiG-19s were sold to Pakistan. By October 1970, only one Tu-16 was still flying, but after an in-flight engine failure, it too was grounded.^[4] The largest air force in the southern hemisphere slowly but surely became one of the smallest. In this period, the Indonesian Air Force bought 16 Rockwell OV-10 Bronco for counter-insurgency purposes. The Indonesian Air Force also took part in the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor (now Timor Leste).

[edit] Rebirth of the Indonesian Air Force (1970-1980)

Indonesia recovered soon by receiving ex-Royal Australian Air Force CAC Sabres to replace their MiG-21's.

Indonesia then purchased BAe Hawk Mk 53s from United Kingdom in the 1970s.

[edit] The Influence of Western Products (1980-1998)

In the early 1980s, the Air Force, needing modern strike aircraft, organized Operation Alpha to clandetinely acquire ex-Israeli Air Force A-4 Skyhawks. Air Force personnel were sent in secret by different routes and eventually Indonesian received 32 aircraft^[5].

In 1982, Indonesia purchased 16 Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II from the United States to replace their Sabres. These were upgraded in Belgium from 1995.

During 1986–88, there was a tight competition for the contract to provide a new fighter bomber, between the Northrop F-16 and Dassault Mirage 2000, (especially after the Indonesian Air Show in 1986). Indonesia ordered 12 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon Block 15 OCU as a new fighter to strengthen the Indonesian Air Force in 1989. A follow-up order for 9 more F-16A Block-15 OCU was cancelled in favor of 24 Su-30KI Flankers^[6], this order was also cancelled due to the ASEAN Economic Crisis. The Indonesian Air Force had originally planned to acquire 60 F-16s to cover and defend its 12 million square kilometers of territory.^[7]A total of 10 F-16A and F-16B are still in service with Indonesian Air Force: 2 planes crashed in two different accidents. However, only a few of these are still serviceable.

The Indonesian Air Force ordered eight BAe Hawk Mk 109s and 16 Mk 209s in 1993. The last of these was delivered by January 1997.

[edit] TNI-AU Today (1998 - present)

In 1999, the Indonesian Military staged a military intervention following the East Timor's referendum. The result was that more than 1,500 were civilians killed and 70 percent of Dili's infrastructure razed. In response, the United States and the European Union both imposed arms embargoes. Although, The European Union chose not to renew its ban in 2000, The United States did not lift its embargo until November of 2005. During this embargo the Indonesian government turned to Russia to supply them with arms including fighters, helicopters, missiles, radars and other equipment.

In 2002, Indonesian Air Force continued to use all of its assets against local separatists, such as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM)). In the conflict with GAM in Aceh, the Indonesian Air Force utilized OV-10Fs for counter-insurgency actions along with BAe Hawk 53 and 209 with great success.

By 2005 the Air Force was experiencing a logistical crisis. The F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-4 Skyhawk, which accounted for 80% of its air combat assets, were at the minimum or nil level of combat readiness.

In July 2003, the Air Force managed to scramble two fully armed F-16 to intercept five U.S. F/A-18 Hornets maneuvering over Bawean Island off the Eastern coast of Java island. The incident ended peacefully through a Friend or Foe hand signal. A US spokesman said the naval aircraft had sought permission to enter Indonesian airspace while escorting a US aircraft carrier, but the request arrived too late at the air force defense headquarters in Jakarta due to red tape. ^[8]

In that same year, the Air Force received two Su-27 Flankers and two Su-30 Flanker-Ds from Russia. The fighters were partly paid in Indonesian palm oil. The purchase, however, did not include any weaponry. Unbeknown to most Seven KT-1b Korean Basic Trainers were also purchased.

Furthermore, in 2006, the Indonesian Air Force ordered three Sukhoi Aerospace Su-27SKM Flankers and three Sukhoi Aerospace Su-30MK2 Flanker-Gs to complete a full squadron. It was also made public that the four aircraft procured in 2003 are inactive and awaiting upgrade of their communication systems, because they were incompatible with the Indonesian systems in use. The additional aircraft will be ordered with systems complying with the Indonesian and international standards and would also include new weaponry for all variants.^[6] A further 12 KT-1b Korean basic trainers were also ordered in 2006.

Future plans, if the military budget permits, include purchasing six new F-16 C/Ds Fighting Falcon to strengthen the F-16 squadron, upgrading the current fleet of C-130 Hercules to modern C-130Js and buying newer C-130Js to supplement the inventory, purchasing newer advanced trainers and light attack aircraft for COIN operations, purchasing new radars and receiving new logistical equipment from both Western and Russian manufacturers. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense also expressed it interest in buying approximately two squadrons of refurbished Dassault Mirage 2000-5 from France, complete with Matra Magic II and MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles. France recommended the Dassault Rafale to Indonesian Air Force, since Dassault had decided to stop the production of Dassault Mirage 2000. The Indonesian Air Force is also showing interest in the newly made Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon and JF-17 Thunder from China, and also the SAAB JAS-39 Gripen from Sweden, as some options to succeed their aging Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II. In March 2008, Indonesian Air Force ordered 16 Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano from Brazil to replace its Rockwell OV-10F Bronco.^{[citation needed]}

To date, the Indonesian Air Force has only acquired four types of missiles - the AS-1 Kennel (KS-1 Kometa), AIM-9 Sidewinder, AGM-65 Maverick and AA-2 Atoll (Vympel K-13). There are plans to purchase more advanced air-to-air missiles, such as AA-10 Alamo (Vympel R-27), AA-11 Archer (Vympel R-73), AA-12 Adder (Vympel R-77) and AA-X-13 Arrow (Vympel R-37), as well as other air-to-ground missiles (AS-14 "Kedge" (Kh-29), anti ship missiles (AS-17 "Krypton" and AS-13 "Kingbolt"), general purpose bombs and cluster bombs from Russia, to be carried by their Flankers. At this time, Indonesian Flankers are armed with Indonesian made (US licensed) Mk.82 bombs. There is a possibility that Indonesian Air Force will also purchase extremely long range air-to-air missile Novator KS-172 AAM-L, after the Indonesian Army evaluated and showed their interest in purchasing S-300PMU "Grumble" and SA-17 "Grizzly" missiles.

[edit] Squadrons

Note Squadron list is not complete ^[9][10]

Squadron	English Translation	Base	Aircraft	Logo	Notes
Trainer Squadron
Skadron Pendidikan 101	Education Squadron 101	Adisucipto International Airport	AS/SA 202-18A T-41D
Skadron Pendidikan 102	Education Squadron 102	Adisucipto International Airport	T-34C KT-1B
Fighter Squadron
Skadron Udara 1	Air Squadron 1	Supadio Airport	BAE Hawk Mk. 109 BAE Hawk Mk. 209
Skadron Udara 12	Air Squadron 12	Sultan Syarif Qasim II International Airport	BAE Hawk Mk. 109 BAE Hawk Mk. 209
Skadron Udara 3 Elang Biru	Air Squadron 3 Blue Falcon	Iswahyudi Airport	F-16A Block-15 OCU F-16B Block-15 OCU		Also the Air Force's aerobatics squadron
Skadron Udara 14	Air Squadron 14	Iswahyudi Airport	F-5E F-5F
Skadron Udara 15 Team Jupiter	Air Squadron 15 Team Jupiter	Iswahyudi Airport	BAE Hawk Mk. 53		Also the Air Force's aerobatics squadron
Skadron Udara 11	Air Squadron 11	Hasanuddin International Airport	Su-27SK Su-30MK A-4E TA-4H TA-4J
Logistics and Transport Squadron
Skadron Udara 2	Air Squadron 2	Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport	CN235-110M F27-400M
Skadron Udara 17	Air Squadron 17	Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport	B707-3MIC F27-400M F28 Mk 1000/ Mk 3000 L100-30 C-130H-30 NAS332L-1
Skadron Udara 31	Air Squadron 31	Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport	L100-30 C-130H-30
Skadron Udara 4	Air Squadron 4	Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport	NC212M-200
Skadron Udara 32	Air Squadron 32	Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport	C-130B KC-130B C-130H		Aerial Refuel is also assigned in this squadron
Helicopters and Non Fix Winged Squadron
Skadron Udara 6	Air Squadron 6	Atang Sanjaya Airport	S-58T NBo105CB Bell206 H-500 BK-117
Skadron Udara 7	Air Squadron 7	Suryadarma Airport	Bell 47G-3B Bell 204B EC.120 Colibri
Skadron Udara 8	Air Squadron 8	Suryadarma Airport	SA330J NSA330L

[edit] Aircraft Inventory

^[10][11]

See also: List of aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force

Fighter / Trainer Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Role	Versions	In service	Notes
Trainer Aircraft
AS/SA 202 Bravo	Italy  Switzerland	Basic Prop Trainer	AS/SA 202-18A	40
KAI KT-1	South Korea	Basic Prop Trainer	KT-1B	7	12 on order
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor	United States	Basic Prop Trainer	T-34C	14
Aermacchi SF.260	Italy	Basic Prop Trainer	SF-260M/W	15	19 were donated by Singapore
BAe Hawk	United Kingdom	Basic Jet Trainer Advanced Jet Trainer	Hawk 53 Hawk 109	18 8	Only 2 Hawk 53s are serviceable
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk	United States	Advanced Jet Trainer	TA-4H TA-4J	2 2
			Total	106
Fighter Aircraft
BAe Hawk	United Kingdom	Light Atack Aircraft/COIN operations	Hawk 209	32
Rockwell OV-10 Bronco	United States	Light Attack Aircraft/COIN Operations	OV-10F	0	0 operational of original 16 Fleet grounded as of 2005 as a result of a crash[10]
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk	United States	Ground Attack Fighter	A-4E A-4H	0	33 Retired / In Reserve
Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon	United States	Multirole Fighter	F-16A Block-15 OCU F-16B Block-15 OCU	6 4	Indonesia had a total of 12 F-16 aircraft in 1996 but 2 were lost during different incidents.[7] Requesting approval to purchase six new F-16C/Ds and to modernize its old F-16 fleet.[12]
Northrop F-5E Tiger II	United States	Multirole Fighter	F-5E	2	Further 14 Retired / In Reserve
Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker	Russia	Air Superiority Fighter	Su-27SK Su-27SKM	2 0	3 Su-27SKM variants were ordered in 2006 [6]
Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker-C	Russia	Air Superiority Fighter	Su-30MK Su-30MK2	2 0	3 Su-30MK2 variants were ordered in 2006 [6]
		Total	Operational Retired / Reserve Total	48 63 111	(Not including the 6 new Flankers)
Tactical Airlift, Transport, Maritime patrol
Boeing 707	United States	VIP Transport	707-3M1C	1	Replaced by the Boeing 737 2Q8
Boeing 737	United States	VIP Transport Maritime Reconnaissance	737 2Q8 737 2x9 Surveiller	1 3	Fitted with SLAMMAR (Side-looking Multi-mission Airborne Radar)
de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo	Canada	Tactical Airlift	DHC-5D	3
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	Tactical Airlift/Transport Aerial Refuel	C-130 B/H KC-130B Hercules	8 2	8 operational of 24 Plans of upgrading or possibly buying newer variants
Fokker F-27	Netherlands	Tactical Airlift/Transport	F27-400M	7	7 operational of 8
CASA CN-235	Spain  Indonesia	Tactical Airlift/Transport	CN-235 110/220M CN-235 MPA	6 0	† 3 CN-235 MPA Variants were ordered in 2007
Fokker F28	Netherlands	Transport	F-28 Mk 1000 F-28 Mk 3000	5
CASA C-212 Aviocar	Spain	Transport	NC-212-100 NC-212-200	28 0	† Upgrading to NC212-200 versions in the near future
Douglas C-47 Skytrain	United States	Transport	C-47	3	Soon to be retired
			Total Operational	68
Helicopters and Non Fix Winged Aircraft
Bell 47	United States	Multirole Light Helicopter	Bell 47G-3B	12	Replaced by the Eurocopter EC 120 Colibri
Eurocopter EC 120 Colibri	France	Light Utility Helicopter	EC-120B	11	Replacing the Bell 47
Sikorsky S-58 Choctaw	United States	Utility Helicopter	S-58T		Currently Being phased out due to service life & lack of spare parts
Aérospatiale Puma	France	Troop Transport	NAS 330J	11	†
Bell 412	United States	Troop Transport	NBell 412S NBell 412HP	4 4	†
Bell 204	United States	Troop Transport	Bell 204B
MBB Bo 105	Germany	SAR Missions	NBO-105 CB NBO-105 CBS	6 1	†
Eurocopter Super Puma	France	SAR Missions/Troop Transport VIP Transport	NAS-332 Super Puma NAS-332 Super Puma VVIP	7 2	† A total of 16 has been ordered since 1998
			Total	60	Exact numbers not known since some data are missing

^† Note that aircraft with that symbol means they are locally produced by IPTN, now Indonesian Aerospace

[edit] Indonesian Airforce Gallery

B-25 Mitchell bombers of the AURI in the 1950s

Su-30 MK of the TNI-AU(Indonesian Air Force)

Javanese engineer closes one of the gun bay doors on a Dutch Buffalo, January 1942.

Team Iswahjudi flying over a Javanese coast

[edit] Commanders

The following have served as Chief of the Air Staff:

No	Name	From	To
1	Soerjadi Soerjadarma	9 April 1946	19 January 1962
2	Omar Dani	19 January 1962	24 November 1965
3	Sri Mulyono Herlambang	27 November 1965	31 March 1966
4	Roesmin Noerjadin	31 March 1966	10 November 1969
5	Soewoto Sukendar	10 November 1969	28 March 1973
6	Saleh Basarah	28 March 1973	4 June 1977
7	Ashadi Tjahyadi	4 June 1977	26 November 1982
8	Soekardi	26 November 1982	11 April 1986
9	Oetomo	11 April 1986	1 March 1990
10	Siboen Dipoatmodjo	1 March 1990	23 March 1993
11	Rilo Pambudi	23 March 1993	15 March 1996
12	Sutria Tubagus	15 March 1996	3 July 1998
13	Hanafie Asnan	3 July 1998	25 April 2002
14	Chappy Hakim	25 April 2002	23 February 2005
15	Djoko Suyanto	23 February 2005	13 February 2006
16	Herman Prayitno	13 February 2006	28 December 2007
17	Subandrio	28 December 2007	present

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Aero-News Network. "Indonesian Air Force Grounds OV-10 Bronco Fleet," July 25, 2007 ^[1]
• Angkasa (Sky) magazine, Gramedia, Jakarta No. 7 Year XVII April 2008
• F. Djoko Poerwoko (2001) My Home My Base: Perjalanan Sejarah Pangkalan Udara Iswahjudi 1939-2000, Publisher - Iswahjudi Air Force Base, No ISBN
• Indonesian Embassy, Ottowa: US to help RI in repair/refurbishing 15 of 24 RI's C-130 transport ^[2]
• Grodin, Yefim & Rigmat, Vladimir (2004) Tupelov Tu-16 Badger , Aerofax, London ISBN 1-85780-177-6
• Scramble Magazine. "Indonesian Air Arms Overview" ^[3]
• Willis, David (Ed). Aerospace Encyclopedia of the World's Air Forces. Aerospace Publishing, London, 1999 ISBN 1-86184-045-4

[edit] Further reading

• Carlo Kopp, 'Indonesia's Air Capacity of Critical Concern to Australia,' Australian Aviation magazine, April 1993, pages 32-41

[edit] External links

• Official Website of TNI-AU (Air Force)
• Indonesian Air Force