Indonesian Aero News

[Ananda]

Presiden saksikan 27 MoU diteken saat Indo Defence, nilainya Rp33 triliun - ANTARA News Jambi

Presiden Prabowo Subianto menyaksikan penandatanganan 27 dokumen nota kesepahaman (MoU) kerja sama senilai Rp33 triliun pada hari pertama Indo Defence Expo ...

jambi.antaranews.com

Well it is still MoU, however the fighter program that getting MoU is KAAN.



Photo from CNBC Indonesia. Well this with Rafale procurement in my opinion already say what Indonesian Administration think on KF-21 involvement as future on Indonesian fighter program.

KNDS France KNDS Group got MOU focus on large calibre ammo production. Including 20mm calibre ammo for Aero Assets.

Kemenhan RI dan KNDS Prancis Teken 5 MoU Sektor Pertahanan saat Indo Defence

KNDS mendukung penguatan basis industri pertahanan dan teknologi dalam negeri atau Defense Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) Indonesia.

www.liputan6.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Presiden saksikan 27 MoU diteken saat Indo Defence, nilainya Rp33 triliun - ANTARA News Jambi

Presiden Prabowo Subianto menyaksikan penandatanganan 27 dokumen nota kesepahaman (MoU) kerja sama senilai Rp33 triliun pada hari pertama Indo Defence Expo ...

jambi.antaranews.com

Well it is still MoU, however the fighter program that getting MoU is KAAN.

View attachment 52988

Photo from CNBC Indonesia. Well this with Rafale procurement in my opinion already say what Indonesian Administration think on KF-21 involvement as future on Indonesian fighter program.

KNDS France KNDS Group got MOU focus on large calibre ammo production. Including 20mm calibre ammo for Aero Assets.

Kemenhan RI dan KNDS Prancis Teken 5 MoU Sektor Pertahanan saat Indo Defence

KNDS mendukung penguatan basis industri pertahanan dan teknologi dalam negeri atau Defense Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) Indonesia.

www.liputan6.com

Spending billions on other jetfighters makes it already unbelievable that "Indonesia does not have the budget to invest money in the KF-X Program, and is forced to put more transfers on hold temporarily..."

But after this MoU for the KAAN, it is too obvious to lie anymore about lack of funds. There was no intention at all since the replacement of SBY as president to continue with the KF-X.

 

[Ananda]

https://x.com/RTErdogan/status/1932726635649720653

Sultan Erdo X Talk about 48 KAAN as part of Indonesia plan. That's the number of Indonesia Procurement for KF/IF-21. So yes, the tendencies now seems Indonesia move from partner in KF-21 to KAAN. Is that the case ?

I believe not as clean cut like that. Indonesia still maintain 7% involvement (down from 20%), but i definitely don't think the procurement of KF-21 by Indonesia will happen. I suspect some deals with KAI either for KT-1 or TA-50 production will be negotiate as part of 'save facing' compensation deals.

Then again this KAAN deal will streach 120 months from now, and for Indonesian politics landscape anything can happen in that 10 years. Also KF-21 already in production line and KAAN has not reach that, and I suspect still need few years down the road.

Thus for me, what kill KF-21 future with Indonesia are two thing:

1. Dispute on tech access, which already sour partnership relationship. Turkiye seems guarantee Indonesia will get more access with them, then what Korean willing to give.
2. Rafale, it is not in my opinion KAAN and TAI that take away deals from KF-21 and KAI, but it is more taken by Rafale and Dasault.

PTDI Sepakati Penjualan 6 Helikopter AW189 ke Kemenhan

Kontrak itu, bukan hanya sekadar pengadaan, tapi juga membuka peluang besar bagi PTDI dalam memperluas kapabilitasnya di bidang helikopter,

money.kompas.com

DI sell 6 AW189 to Indonesia MinDef. This is the similar deal that DI done before with Caracal (H225M). Means DI become agents from AW tp conduct final instalation of the helicopters before being inducted to TNI operation.

I just don't see how AW189 being call Heavy Lift Helicopters, when H225M consider as Medium Lift helicopters before. AW101 is the heavy lift ones in AW stables. Why they choose AW189 as heavy lift helikopter rather then AW101 is beyond me.

 

[Ananda]

This is the fighter that can wreck havoc to those plan of additional Rafale and interim Fighters (whether Mirage 2K or J-10C). Boeing come big at IndoDefence but so far asside KAAN no additional commitment yet for F-15EX.

The last signing was already at MoU level, so if they go ahead with F-15EX, then it is going to be effective contract stage. With that price, 24 F-15 EX more likely going to close any other effective contract for fast jets in this term. Everyone understand this, that's why all other brokers try to scuttle Boeing.

Honestlly in my opinion, only deal with Trump that can save F-15EX deal in Indonesia. All back to Politics, and not what AF/Users wants.

 

[ADMk2]

If as reported the TNI-AU acquires the 48x Kaan fighters, will they be replacing the current Russian fighters and the Hawks, or are they looking at an F-16 replacement as Turkey is?

Probably a translation issue as well, but is this an actual production order, or an MOU or “intent” to purchase these aircraft?

Additionally, does this rule out additional Rafale purchases, or is the additional 18x Rafale aircraft deal still proceeding as reported a few days back? Somewhat hard for the rest of us to keep up, there are so many announcements flying around…

In any case, a force comprising (up to) 60x Rafales and 48x Kaan, plus whatever other aircraft remain, is certainly quite impressive on paper. We’ll see what sort of enablers they receive as networking them is going to be an issue, refuelling and weapon inventories will be as well…

Diversification might be important, but a fighter force that can actually be supported and have a reasonable level of readiness, surely has to be the most important consideration…

 

[Ananda]

Probably a translation issue as well, but is this an actual production order, or an MOU or “intent” to purchase these aircraft?

It is still MoU. There's debate whether in Indonesian procurement process LoI or MoU that have more advance stages. I tend to see LoI is the early stage and MoU next stage. After that they sign procurement contract and last stage of DP payment to make it effective.

So MoU is in my opinion strong intention to proceed the process but not yet effective. Afterall Indonesia have MoU for Su-35, F-15EX and S-70 Black Hawk but yet still on that stages for years. On other hand Rafale move on from MoU stage to effective DP and Early payment less then 3 years.

So I tend to see this KAAN MoU is just part of that strong intention. The process can take to 10 years, and anything can happen down the road. Will see if this "partnership" can move on smoothly or become troublesome like KF-21.

does this rule out additional Rafale purchases, or is the additional 18x Rafale aircraft deal still proceeding as reported a few days back?

Additional Rafale still LoI so just like this KAAN still in intention and need further negotiation. However that LoI are for additional batch on existing assets in contracts or already operational (Rafale, Scorpene and Ceasar SPH). I have more confidence on that deal against KAAN. KAAN is deal that will be executed by next President, while the LoI between Macron and Prabowo slated for his current term.



This photos taken by Keris X account and some other Enthusiats at IndoDefence. I'm still hoping Dasault and LM combo that prevail for TNI-AU new fighter down the line at later part of this term. 60 Rafale plus 40+ F-16V can happen if they ditch 24 F-15EX. That's what beimg rumours that the USD 8+ bio can give 24 F-15EX or combo 40+ F-16V and 12-18 Rafale

That combo plus 30+ Refurbished F-16 can replace all Flankers and Hawk 200. Still temptation for "interim fighters" of Mirage 2000 and J-10C going to be strong. All depends on Political and Sales Lobby Interest. LM knows their chances to scuttle Boeing is playing on procurement package costs. So who knows.

 

[Ananda]

Well Indonesia MinDef manage to confuse everyone. As yesterday they signed MoU for KAAN, and today they sign agreement for enhancing co-op between KAI and DI on KF-21.

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So why not both KF-21 and KAAN, they are still open to compete. Or it is safe facing deal for KAI? Somehow I suspect the later one.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Well Indonesia MinDef manage to confuse everyone. As yesterday they signed MoU for KAAN, and today they sign agreement for enhancing co-op between KAI and DI on KF-21.

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View attachment 53004

So why not both KF-21 and KAAN, they are still open to compete. Or it is safe facing deal for KAI? Somehow I suspect the later one.

|"This long-term deal would be in the USD 10 billion realm."|

Indonesia may be in the market for 48 TAI Kaan aircraft

Indonesia may be in the market for 48 TAI Kaan aircraft On Wednesday 11 June 2025, during the Indo Defence Exposition in Jakarta, Turkish president Erdogan declared that Indonesia ...

scramble.nl

Well, we will see if this KAAN-program will end up like KF-21.


We are really good in ceremonies, the whole package of signing papers, handshakes, posing for the cameras/press and proud announcements.

"sign agreement for enhancing co-op between A and B" --> you can do that with everyone and multiple times, with empty promises and without a real budget.


Some real good news:
The first A400M for TNI-AU is already completed and is expected to be sent to Indonesia end this year.

 

[Ananda]

Boeing dan GMF Aero Asia Jajaki Program Perawatan dan Rantai Pasok F-15EX

IndoAviation Plus – Boeing, dan PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk (GMF) resmi menjalin kemitraan strategis. Kedua perusahaan menandatangani nota kesepahaman (MoU) untuk menjajaki k…

indoaviation.asia

Boeing sign agreement with GMF for F-15EX MRO. Seems Boeing on process to begin off set deals in securing F-15EX.

are really good in ceremonies, the whole package of signing papers, handshakes, posing for the cameras/press and proud announcements.

KF-21, KAAN still what if projects. The money trails from last term has gown to Rafale. This term either goes to F-16 Ozgur upgrade program and Interim Fighters (Mirage 2K or JF-10) or they sacrifice that for new jets.

New jets either Additional Batch of Rafale and or new US ones. All signs shown to F-15EX, but i'm still not sure on availabilities of money trails. Thus either some deals with US overide 'special' budget consideration, or they sacrifice other projects. Like I said before, some projects has to give if F-15EX still goes ahead.

 

[Ananda]

IndoDefense 2025: Indonesia and South Korea sign new deal for delivery of 48 KF-21 jets and preservation of joint production

IndoDefense 2025: Indonesia and South Korea sign new deal for delivery of 48 KF-21 jets and preservation of joint production

armyrecognition.com

This is why I say KF-21 and KAAN for Indonesia still what if programs, eventough both just signing MoU (KAAN) and deal restructuring (KF-21). Both on paper shown commitment 48 fighters each, but with still huge caveat that potentially scuttle the deal:

1. KAAN, still 10 years down the road program. The details on implementation for payment, for Industrial collaboration still not being set yet. Thus any agreement that still put the details in future talks, means still have many obstacles to cross. After all the devil always in details.
2. KF-21, when the payment being open for trade barter agreement that's can still provide big obstacles. This trade 'barter' is only name only. This means ROK has to find those private entities parties in ROK to export certain commodities indirectly tied in to the deals. Indonesia basically has to find domestic commodities owner, pay them first while waiting for ROK buyers to pay the export. This means complex trade financing scheme, where the final beneficiary are those who produced KF-21 (that actually not related with commodities export). It is not easy and before with Russia Su-35 deal practically being drag down negotiating this trade payment exchange. The dragging down take so long until the timing coincide with US CAATSA.

Using commodities as trade payment is only good on paper but complex to negotiate. You pay using commodities export that have no direct payment scheme against scheme on importing another unrelated defense products. It is open to arbitrary financing and basically raise potential gray area disclosure deals.

So on paper using commodities barter financing scheme good in reducing your sovereign leverage exposure. However will take more time to iron out the details. Historically it can drag down after Prabowo's current term, thus facing potential political changes.

For that I still put more Rafale or J-10C (as interim fighters) and even the exorbitant pricy F-15EX have more chances to be inducted on TNI-AU inventory then both KF-21 and KAAN.

 

[Ananda]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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This MinDef video shown booth of Republikorp, the rising private owner MIC in Indonesia. This company development is quite exponential for the last decade. Branching from Land Based to Naval Based (Palindo Shipyard already part of their group) and now branching to Aero Based.

Most now with Turkish partners altough before also have some Euro partners. This is the company that signed agreement with Aselsan, Roketsan for missiles and sensors, Bayktar for UAV. For that there are significant presences of Turkish products in their booth.

This shown tendencies of Indonesia defense procurement and Industry involvement in near future. Partnership with established partner and become part of the Global Chains.

 

[Ananda]

Indo Defence 2025: KAI proposes assembly line for KT-1B in Indonesia

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has proposed to set up an assembly line for the KT-1B Woong-Bee trainer in Indonesia, which would produce airframes for global customers...

www.janes.com

Indo Defence 2025: KAI to partially carry out upgrades of Indonesian KT-1B in-country

A contract to upgrade the Indonesian Air Force's KT-1B Woong-Bee trainer aircraft will be partially executed in-country as part of efforts to transfer technical...

www.janes.com

Jane's contributors in IndoDefence wrote two article related to KT-1 in Indonesia:

1. Is KAI offer to DI in setting up assembly line for KT-1B. This already heard for some time as KAI want to kill two bird with one stone. KAI want to move KT-1 assembly line outside to make room for more FA/TA-50 assembly line, while also want to secure more KT-1 order from Indonesia,
2. Is the workshare of already sign contract to refurnished and upgrade 12 TNI-AU KT-1B airframes. This to increase flight hours of those KT-1B. The workshare so far is 10 being done at KAI facility and 2 at DI facility.

Seems KAI offer this as they know TNI-AU use KT-1B as replacement for T-34 as primary trainer and TNI-AU used to operate more then 40 T-34 (2 Training Sq) at one time. Thus they know in the end TNI-AU need for more primary trainer is still there.