| Indonesian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Type | Air Force |
| Role | Defence and dominance of Indonesia's airspace and its territory |
| Size | 34,930 personnel 110 combat aircraft |
| Motto | Swa Bhuwana Paksa (Sanskrit, lit:"Guardian Wings of the Motherland") |
| Anniversaries | 9 April 1946 (founded) |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Air Staff | Air Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Roundel 1946-1949 | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Su-30, A-4, Hawk Mk. 209 |
| Fighter | Su-27, Su-30, F-16, F-5 |
| Patrol | 737-2X9 Surveiller, CN235MPA |
| Trainer | KT-1, Hawk Mk.53/Mk.109, T-34, TA-4H/J, AS/SA-202, SF.260 |
| Transport | C-130, CN-235, F-27, F-28, DHC-5, C-212, 737-2Q8 |
The Indonesian Air Force (Indonesian: Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara, TNI–AU) is the air force branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
The Indonesian Air Force has 34,930 personnel equipped with 110 combat aircraft including Su-27 and Su-30.[1]
After World War II ended, Indonesia became the second country (after Thailand) in South East Asia to acquire an air force. 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 Hawk (P-36 Mohawk), Brewster F2A Buffalo and Fokker D.XXI fighters; Martin B-10 bombers; Fokker C.X reconnaissance floatplanes) left before the occupation by Japan in 1941.
After the Japanese surrendered at the end of WW II, Indonesian nationalist leader Sukarno declared Indonesian Independence on August 17, 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 Yokosuka K5Y1 Willow (Cureng) 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 did not have an 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 9, 1946. However, tensions rose as the Dutch tried to re-claim their former colony and launched an assault on July 21, 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 K5Y1 Willow(Cureng) 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 guerrillas' 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.
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, Allen Lawrence Pope, an American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent, was captured and put on trial in Jakarta, thus revealing the significant involvement of the CIA's Operation Haik 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.
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 1960s. In 1961, Indonesia became the second country to receive and operate the new Tu-16 bombers. Around 25 Tu-16KS missile strike Badgers were delivered complete with AS-1 air-surface missiles. One crashed at the end of 1962.[2][3] Several kinds of MiG also arrived comprising MiG-15UTI from Czechoslovakia, MiG-17F/PF, MiG-19S and MiG-21F-13, in addition to Ilyushin Il-28, Mil Mi-4, Mil Mi-6, Antonov An-12 and Avia 14 also from Czechoslovakia. Indonesia also received Lavochkin 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 first Air Force in Southeast Asia which acquired the capability of strategic bombing by having Tu-16, before the acquisition of Ilyushin Il-28 by Vietnam People's Air Force.
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 acquired many first examples of Soviet aircraft. Several missions of United States Air Force (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.[4] During the Operation Trikora against Netherlands' position over Papua, the air force stationed their units in :
1. North American P-51 Mustang, with seven P-51D based at Laha airbase, Ambon. One aircraft piloted bt Second Air Lieutenant Prasetyo lost due to engine failure during the ferry flight from Makassar to Ambon. The pilot, Second Air Lieutenant Prasetyo, died after bailing out from the aircraft and landed in a high-tide seas and couldn't be rescued by the Air Forces' PBY-5 Catalina due to the extreme weather after Prasetyo's accident [5]
2. 40 MiG-17F/PF aircraft on three airfields; Morotai (in northern Maluku), Amahai (in Seram) and Letfuan (in Banda islands, located in the southwest of Papua). The aircraft have long been stationed in Morotai before Operation Trikora for their air skirmish against PRRI-PERMESTA and the Republic of South Maluku separatists. The primary role of these aircraft were to provide air cover for the airlift and logistic dropper aircraft during the early infiltration to Papua.[6] If the war broke out, these MiG-17F/PF will provide the air cover for the anti-shipping missiles mission of Tu-16 and bombing mission of Ilyushin Il-28,[7] also for intercepting Netherland's Hawker Hunters based in Numfor, Biak.[8]
3. Four North American B-25 Mitchells and two Douglas A-26 Invaders at Letfuan airbase. Their primary role during the Operation were for transport and providing air cover for the airlift, mostly when P-51 Mustang and MiG-17F/PF had not been in the air yet.[6] Dutch Lockheed PV-2 Neptunes were known as the strongest rival for these Letfuan-based units.[9]
4. Eighteen Ilyushin Il-28s stationed first at Laha airbase, but then moved to Amahai airbase, due to the shortness of runway at Laha for the landing of the aircraft.[10]
5. Twenty-six Tupolev Tu-16s were stationed in Iswahyudi airbase near Ngawi, Jawa Timur in 41st and 42nd Squadron. Six aircraft were scrambled to Morotai airbase for the operation. USAF intelligence reconnaissance unit based at Taiwan, Lockheed U-2, flew over Iswahyudi airbase. The U-2 mission provides the evidence to the Netherlands to prove that Indonesian Air Force have had the capability of strategic bombing, which will threaten the Dutch forces in Papua.[11] These units' plan for the Operation, were to endanger the Dutch naval fleet in Papua, mostly to threaten HNLMS Karel Doorman (R81), the only aircraft carrier of the Dutch naval fleet with the brand new AS-1 missile.
6. Twenty-four Douglas C-47 Dakota s stationed at three airfields; Laha, Amahai and Letfuan. One aircraft piloted by Air Captain Djalaludin Tantu and co-pilot Second Air Lieutenant Sukandar, was downed by a Dutch Neptune.[6] All crews bailed out safely from the aircraft, but soon captured by the Dutch forces after hiding in Papua[9]
7. Ten Lockheed C-130 Hercules s stationed at Halim Perdanakusumah airbase at Jakarta. Despite the warning from United States to not use the aircraft for the operation, it soon scrambled over the Papua for the airlift mission, due to the critical problem of losing more C-47 Dakotas, it was used extensively for the Operation and were intercepted by Hawker Hunters and Lockheed P-2 Neptunes. Hercules had the advantage of not being overwhelmed by any Dutch aircraft due to its high altitude flying capability up to 33,000 feet.[6]
8. Six Douglas DC-3s and one Convair 240, under Wing Garuda 011. The aircraft were modified from civilian use to airlift operation, mostly to the cabin.[10]
9. Six anti-submarine Fairey Gannet AS.4s and several PBY-5 Catalinas and two Grumman HU-16 Albatross (UF-1 variant). These aircraft belonged to the Indonesian Naval Air Force, but supporting the air forces for the Operation. Aircraft were stationed in Liang airbase at Seram, then moved to Morotai airbase. One Gannet AS.4 was lost due to an accident when it crashed into a mountain in Seram island, killing three crews inside the aircraft.[10]
There are also several Bell 47s, Bell Jet Rangers, Mil Mi-4 and Mil Mi-6 helicopters which were planned to be used for the operation, but were still unprepared during the early phase of inflitration of the operation.[10] Indonesian MiG pilots received training to fly their fighter aircraft in Egypt before the inflitration campaign.[12] During the infliltration of the airlift campaign, the air forces' special forces, Pasukan Gerak Tjepat (PGT) (now known as Paskhas) landed in Klamono-Sorong, Papua.[13]
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.
The coup attempt led 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, and in early 1970, the Air Force Chief-of-Staff, Suwoto Sukandar, said that the spare parts situation meant that only 15 -20 percent of aircraft were airworthy.[14] 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.[15]
Indonesia recovered soon by receiving former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) CAC Sabres — an Australian re-design of the F-86 Sabre — to replace their MiG-21s. The Sabre was used by the TNI-AU until 1982. In 1973, the United States supplied military assistance including T33s trainers and UH-34D helicopters in exchange for four old MiG-21 F-13s. Over the next three years, the US supplied 16 Rockwell OV-10 Broncos counter-insurgency aircraft and F-5E/F Tiger II fighters, in exchange for which the Indonesian Air Force handed over the majority of its remaining MiG-21 F-13s, which were used to form a US Air Force Aggressor squadron.[16] The Indonesian Air Force also took part in the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor. Indonesia also purchased BAE Hawk Mk 53s from United Kingdom in the 1970s.
In the early 1980s, the Air Force, needing modern strike aircraft, organized Operation Alpha to clandestinely acquire ex-Israeli Air Force A-4 Skyhawks. Air Force personnel were sent in secret by different routes and eventually Indonesia received 32 aircraft.[17]
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 General Dynamics 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-30 MKK,[18] this order was also cancelled due to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. The Indonesian Air Force had originally planned to acquire 60 F-16s to cover and defend its 12 million square kilometers of territory.[19] 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 32 Mk 209s in 1993. The last of these was delivered by January 1997.
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 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.
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 that the naval aircraft had sought permission to enter Indonesian airspace while escorting a US aircraft carrier, but that the request arrived too late at the air force defense headquarters in Jakarta due to red tape.[20]
In that same year, the Air Force received two Sukhoi Su-27s and two Sukhoi Su-30s from Russia. The fighters were partly paid for in Indonesian palm oil. The purchase, however, did not include any weaponry. Unbeknown to most, Seven KT-1b Korean basic trainers were also purchased.
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.
To respond to the crisis, in 2006, the Indonesian Air Force ordered three Sukhoi Aerospace Su-27SKM and three Sukhoi Aerospace Su-30MK2 to complete a full squadron. It was also made public that the four aircraft procured in 2003 were inactive and awaiting an upgrade of their communication systems, as 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.[18] A further 12 KT-1b Korean basic trainers were also ordered in 2006.
Future plans, military budgets permitting, include purchasing new F-16C/D Fighting Falcons 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 an 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, all suitable options for succeeding the aging Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II. In March 2008, Indonesian Air Force ordered 8 Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano from Brazil to replace its Rockwell OV-10F Bronco. .[21] Up to 16 more Super Tucano may be acquired eventually.[22]
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.
Local weapons are being developed such as P-100 air-to-ground bomb manufactured by CV Sari Bahari Malang, East Java. P-100 has been successfully tested in Su-27 and Su-30 for ground attack missions. Further massive production is subject to approval from Ministry of Defence.
In the visit of US President Barack Obama on November 9–10, 2010 in Jakarta, TNI-AU Force was offered 24 ex-USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 32 for free.[23] In October 2011, the House of Representatives has approved the grant. The fighter jets will be upgraded similar to the latest Block 50/52 variant with payment.[24] TNI-AU also progressing in reactivation of the entire 10 units of F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 15 OCU, which resulted in the reactivation of TS-1606, TS-1609 and TS-1612 recently.[25] To replace Fokker F-27, TNI-AU will also finalize their choice to whether buy 6 units of Italian Alenia C-27J Spartan or 12 units of Spanish CASA C-295 with 6 units will be shared to another Indonesian governmental institution and joint production with PT. Dirgantara Indonesia. TNI-AU will also buy new variants of Eurocopter EC-725, plans to purchase 9 - 12 units of Lockheed C-130 variant J, finalize their choice for the replacement of F-5E/F Tiger II with either 18 units of Chinese-Pakistan made JF-17 Thunder, Russian Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker or Swedish JAS-39 Gripen. New unmanned aerial vehicle will also be purchased to strengthen TNI-AU aerial observation in Supadio Air Force Base, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat.
On other occasions, Minister of Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro stated that TNI-AU will gradually purchase a total of 180 Su-27 and Su-30 to complete the needs of 10 squadrons.[26] India also offered TNI-AU Indian-Russian made BrahMos missiles to equip its Su-27 and Su-30 Flankers.[27]
Indonesia cooperated with South Korea to jointly develop and procure KFX jet fighters. Indonesia financed 20 percent share of the project and will receive 50 jet fighters while South Korea will get 200 jets. Defense ministry spokesman claimed that the jet fighter would be higher in class than F-16 but lower than F-35. The project was started in 2009 and the first prototype will roll out in 2020. Indonesia has also signed an MOU with China to produce C-907 missiles which will arm the Sukhoi jet fighters.[28]
In January 2010,[22] Indonesia announced the selection of the Super Tucano as the replacement for the OV-10 Bronco in the counter-insurgency role. The final contract was signed in June 2011[29] with the the first of four arriving by March 2012.[30]
In April 2011,[31] Indonesia confirmed that it will buy 16 supersonic trainer jets KAI T-50 Golden Eagle from South Korea for up to $400 million after an evaluation of the Yakovlev Yak-130, Guizhou JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle and Aero L-159 ALCA. It will replace BAE Hawk MK-53 trainer jets.
In August 2011,[32] Indonesia announced that it would acquire the Grob G120TP for its basic trainer requirements which would likely replace the FFA AS-202 Bravo and Beechcraft T-34 Mentor trainers.
On December 29, 2011 Indonesia had committed to purchase 6 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 jet fighters in a procurement contract signed by the Defense Ministry and Russia's JSC Rosoboronexport.[33]
The Indonesian Air Force is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. However, its Order of Battle is split into two Air Force Operational Commands (KOOPSAU) (east and west regions) but most of its airbases are located on the island of Java.[36] The Indonesian Air Force also has its own elite unit, called Air Force Special Forces Corps (Paskhas)
Note:
| Aircraft | Origin | Role | Versions | Inventory | In service | On order / Will be Deliver | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainer Aircraft | |||||||
| FFA AS/SA-202 Bravo | European Union Switzerland |
basic prop trainer | AS/SA 202-18A | 40 | 28 | ||
| KAI TA-50 Golden Eagle | South Korea | advanced jet trainer / light fighter | TA-50 | 0 | 0 | 16 | Role as Advanced Trainer and Light Ground Attack, Up to 16 ordered at a cost of USD $400 million on 25 May 2011. To be assembled by PT Dirgantara Indonesia from CKD.[38] |
| KAI KT-1 Wongbee | South Korea | basic prop trainer | KT-1B | 12 | 11 | 17 | Further five were ordered in 2008.[39] One unit crashed in Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar during exercise.[40] |
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor | United States | basic prop trainer | T-34C | 14 | 14 | ||
| Grob G-120 | Germany | basic prop trainer | Grob G120TP | 0 | 0 | 18 | Contract announced in August 2011. Up to 18 may be acquired.[32][41] |
| Aermacchi SF.260 | Italy | basic prop trainer | SF-260M/W | 19 | 15 | 19 were donated by Singapore | |
| BAe Hawk | European Union | basic jet trainer
advanced jet trainer |
Hawk 53
Hawk 109 |
20
8 |
10
8 |
Hawk 53 to be replaced with T-50 Golden Eagle. Two units were lost in two different accidents, one with tail number TT-5304 crashed at Bendo in 1991 and another one with tail number TT-5307 crashed at Wonogiri in the same year with TT-5304.[42] | |
| Total | 115 | 78 | 51 | ||||
| Combat Aircraft | |||||||
| BAe Hawk 209 | European Union | light ground attack/COIN (counter-insurgency) | Hawk 209 | 32 | 29 | ||
| Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano | Brazil | light ground attack/COIN (counter-insurgency) | A-29A | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 ordered;[21] Up to 16 expected to be ordered to replace OV-10, expected delivery in 2012 |
| Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon | United States | multirole fighter |
F-16A Block-15 OCU F-16B Block-15 OCU F-16C Block 52 (from Block 25) F-16D Block 52 (from block 25) |
7
3 0 0 |
7
3 0 0 |
24 | Indonesia had a total of 12 F-16 aircraft in 1996 obtained under the Peace Bima Sena program but 2 were lost during different accidents. One aircraft with tail number TS-1604 crashed at Trenggalek, in 1992. The pilot ejected successfully. Another aircraft with tail number TS-1607 crashed at Halim Perdanakusumah airbase, in 1997, killing the pilot. Indonesia is set to receive 24 F-16 C/D Block 25 from the United States Air Force inventory with F-16 A/B OCU Block 15 currently upgraded to the latest version. The shipment will follow the approval from the United States Congress.[43][44] |
| Northrop F-5E Tiger II | United States | multirole fighter | F-5E/F | 16 | 15 | 8 F-5E and 4 F-5F were upgraded by SABCA of Belgium under the Modernisation of Avionics Capabilities for Armament and Navigation or MACAN project from the mid to late 1990s. One aircraft with tail number TS-0504 crashed at Goreng Gareng in 1981.[42] Retired since 2005 but are in reserve in case of future use. | |
| Sukhoi Su-27 | Russia | air superiority fighter | Su-27SK
Su-27SKM |
2
3 |
2
3 |
||
| Sukhoi Su-30 | Russia | strike fighter | Su-30MK
Su-30MK2 |
2
3 |
2
3 |
6 | 3 Su-27SKM arrived in September 2000. The aircraft have no weapons.[1] Contract for additional 6 more Su-30MK2 signed on 29 December 2011.[45] |
| KF-X | South Korea/ Indonesia | multirole fighter | KF-X/I-FX | 0 | 0 | 50 | Estimated to enter services by 2020, production date unknown |
| Total | 62 | 49 | 88 | ||||
| Tactical Airlift, Transport, Maritime Patrol Aircraft | |||||||
| Boeing 737 | United States | VIP Transport
|
737-2Q8
737-4U3 737-2X9 Surveiller MPA |
1
2 3 |
3
3 |
The -400 series are ex-Garuda Indonesia, donated to Air Force[46] Fitted with Motorola AN/APS-135 SLAMMR (Side-looking Airborne Modular Multi-mission Radar)[47] |
|
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules | United States | airlift/transport
|
C-130B/-H/-H-30
KC-130B Hercules |
24
2 |
8
2 |
Contract for upgrading of 4 C-130B awarded to ST Aero in 2008.[48] Further upgrades to 6 C-130Bs were awarded to ARINC in July 2010 and Jan 2011.[49] One C-130H crashed in May 2009 in Magetan, Java. | |
| Lockheed L-100 | United States | transport/ VIP Transport | L-100-30 | 8 | 6 | ||
| Fokker F-27 Friendship | Netherlands | airlift/transport | F27-400M | 7 | 6 | To be retired and replaced by EADS/CASA C-295, 1 crashed | |
| CASA CN-235 | European Union Indonesia |
airlift/transport
|
CN-235 110/220M
CN-235 MPA |
16
3 |
16
3 |
0
3 |
† For minimal maritime defense till 2014 |
| CASA C-295 | European Union Indonesia |
airlift/transport
|
C-295 M
C-295 MPA C-295 AEW&C |
0
0 0 |
0
0 0 |
3
3 3 |
† Indonesia agree for license C-295, 40% spare parts from Indonesia. Indonesia build role of transport aircraft, MPA, and AEW&C [50][51] |
| Fokker F28 Fellowship | Netherlands | airlift/transport | F-28 Mk 1000
F-28 Mk 3000 |
5 | 5 | ||
| CASA C-212 Aviocar | Spain | airlift/transport | NC-212-100
NC-212-200 NC-212-400[52] |
28
|
28
|
†
Upgrading to NC212-200/-400 versions in the near future |
|
| Total | 88 | 69 | 12 | ||||
| Helicopters and Non Fix Winged Aircraft | |||||||
| Eurocopter EC 120 Colibri | European Union | light utility helicopter | EC-120B | 11 | 11 | Replaced the Bell 47G-3B | |
| Sikorsky S-58 | United States | utility helicopter | S-58T | 12 | 8 | Currently being phased out due to service life & lack of spare parts | |
| Aérospatiale AS 330 Puma | France European Union | troop transport | NAS 330J | 11 | 11 | † | |
| Bell 412 | United States | troop transport | NBell 412S
NBell 412HP |
4
4 |
4
4 |
† | |
| Bell 204 | United States | troop transport | Bell 204B | 5 | 4 | ||
| MBB Bo 105 | European Union | SAR missions | NBO-105 CB
NBO-105 CBS |
6
1 |
6
1 |
† | |
| Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma | European Union | SAR missions/troop transport
|
NAS-332 Super Puma NAS-332 Super Puma VVIP |
7
2 |
7
2 |
7 | †
A total of 16 has been ordered since 1998 |
| Total | 63 | 58 | 7 | ||||
† locally produced by Indonesian Aerospace
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 | 7 November 2009 |
| 18 | Marshal Imam Sufaat | 7 November 2009 | present |
In July 2011, the Indonesian Air Force has already had 18 radars from the ideal number of 32 radars. The rest will be deployed gradually in East Indonesia such as Merauke and Timika.[58]
The Air Force uses the following missiles:
- Air to Air [59]
- Air To Ground [59]
Indonesian Air Force will deploy one squadron of Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with at least 6 UAVs at Supadio Airport at December 2011 - January 2012, West Kalimantan. The UAVs may be bought from South Africa.[59][60]
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