Indonesian Aero News

koxinga

Well-Known Member
If it is the "C" variant, I can understand the attraction, compared with previous rumoured "B" variant.

The Flankers (27/30) are older and would likely be the first to go, bur the the F-16s still have some life in them (early 2030s) without upgrades?
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Whether B or C variance still rumours as no concrete info yet from Indonesia or China officials. However MinDef already talk that they want Gen 4.5 with AESA radar in media several times. For that the C variance become the rumours as variance being offer.

As for F-16, if no further MLU being done, then the C/D will go first and AM/BM version will be last one. Just my personal assessment base on when C/D being arrive in 2015-17, they are being talk can operate up to 15 years.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
If it is the "C" variant, I can understand the attraction, compared with previous rumoured "B" variant.

The Flankers (27/30) are older and would likely be the first to go, bur the the F-16s still have some life in them (early 2030s) without upgrades?
After modernisation the 23 second hand F-16C/Ds were delivered from 2015 to 2017, the 10 F-16A/B Block 15OCU newly delivered in 1989-1990 are recently upgraded. (Maybe 2 or 3 aircrafts still in upgrading process).
So yes, it is to be expected that they can stay operational until the 2030s, if the US is willing to keep selling spareparts.
The Su-27/30s are newer, so also they should be able to fly until the 2030s.


Edit:
I just read Ananda's reply, but it is actually the same...
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
To Add:

There are two AB in Eastern Indonesia that few years ago has been upgrade from B class to A class. Those Kupang in West Timor and Biak in Papua. A class AB means AB that has organic squadron and supporting facilities. It is been expected those two AB will be getting organic squadron soon. The expectation's will be fighter sq.

Previously it is expect both will hosted Mirage 2000 (ex Qatar and UAE). However again rumours talk China willing to offer near new PLA standard (not export standard) J-10 at much discount price. Thus if 42 J-10 as Intelligence Online put really is the offer, it is then basically 3 sq to fill Kupang and Biak AB plus potential replacing Flankers at Makasar AB.

So J-10 is seems being offer at similar price of the Interim Fighter program and F-16 MLU program. Because MoF does not want (from what I gather from finance guys) to add more budget then what already been alocated. MinDef must reallocate programs, and China has to offer on that prices.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
already has an operational squadron, SkU 27, and it is equipped with the CN235.
Yes I forgot about Sq 27th, I should be more clear is the plan to increase the number of Fighter squadrons in Eastern Indonesia. Flankers sq at Makasar AB is the only Fighter Sq at Eastern Indonesia at this moment. Planning for 3 fighters sq at Makasar, Kupang and Biak AB is the plan that TNI-AU already do the study since a decade ago.

thought there was also a plan to add a third C-130 squadron, and if im not wrong, they plan to base it somewhere in the eastern part of Indonesia. Please correct me if i'm wrong .
It is already being add. Squadron 33rd in Makasar AB being created in 2019 mostly use ex RAAF C-130H. Hasanuddin Makasar AB is example of Class A Air Base should look like. The AB home to several Sq plus supporting ground training, logistics and maintenance support.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
1757460561973.png1757460633167.png

TNI-AU air and ground crew already in preparation to bring back first A400M from Airbus Military seville facility.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
There are increasing rumours that talk Prabowo's administration will ditch F-15EX. The money then will be use for:
  • Suplus Chinese Destroyer,
  • AH-1Z for Marines,
  • Surplus J-10C or
  • Additional batch of Rafale.
While S-70 plan for Army seems potentially going to continue as replacement for Mi-17. Well sometimes rumours if continue being talk give indication on negotiation that happening. Seems Prabowo's administration get confidence to drop F-15EX as Trump administration willing to accept more Boeing commercial orders.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
20250911_231327.jpg

Photo that give thousand meaning. USD 1.6 bio for two squadrons with mostly air superiority missile (PL-15). Well that's the rumours on the package offering.
 

x100 XKR

Member
View attachment 53487

Photo that give thousand meaning. USD 1.6 bio for two squadrons with mostly air superiority missile (PL-15). Well that's the rumours on the package offering.
Interesting indeed ....... It's just that every time CN systems were bought, there were always something happened post sales .... mis-fires on C705, Giant Bow AA guns exploding, TD2000 system which turned out to be old S60 mixed w v-SHORAD ...... just ended up like waste of $ in the end, at least that's my own personal perspectives ..... but what do I know ....

More Rafale seems logical.

Even F-15EX seems rational. As long range missile/bomb/PGM truck, nothing else comes close IMO, but knowing how Indo does procurement the AF might end up with just a token squadron and an even lesser amt of ordnance .....

Perhaps donate the F-16 and Flanker to Ukr, in exchange for quick stock of Rafale and F-15?
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
More Rafale seems logical.
Well that's still an open option, and from what I gather the budget allocation for this term for more 4.5 gen Fighter already being allocated and being prepare for MoF approval. If the budget is only USD 1.6 bio then the question will back to quantity. 12 Rafale vs 32 J-10C.

42 Rafale already effective contract, the question now whether additional budget for 4.5 Gen Aircraft going to be allocated to more Rafale or temptation of other cheaper Gen 4.5 Fighters prevailing.


Even F-15EX seems rational.
It is considered too expensive, and seems this administration believe Trump already satisfied with more Boeing commercial orders. Thus no need for F-15EX. The rumour now talk ditching F-15EX for other projects for Navy and AF. For me I already talk about budget reality for long time. Indonesia simply can not afford both Rafale and F-15EX without sacrifices other projects.

Personaly I prefer Rafale and F-16 combo with existing fleet being upgrade to V and getting at least one sq of brand new F-16V. Still seems there are lobbies to also ditch F-16 for J-10C, and make it Rafale and J-10C combo. Thus politics will play in here. I prefer more Rafale and let Flankers and F-16 fight for few more years. It is logical both on operational and Geopolitics consideration in my opinion. Frenchie is preferable middle ground in my opinion.

Still timing is important, the sales lobby for J-10C argue more Rafale can not be provided until next decade. J-10C can be ready within this decade, again with lower costs. Pakistan J-10C performance at latest border skirmish also become factor.
 
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Ananda

The Bunker Group
This is already circulate online:
20250913_100453.jpg
Credit to Swidersk Maciejka.

The first Rafale B clearly for TNI-AU, not clear on second one as it is not painted yet.

Add:
Closer look seems the second one is for French as seems there's already roundel painted.

20250913_105842.jpg
 
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Ananda

The Bunker Group

Put it here as by increase the defence budget to USD 11.6 Bio, means also increase the allocation for credit payment, aka allocation for credit line increasing. For Air Force the allocation that's seems already having green light is USD 1.6 Bio for 4.5 gen Fighter.

In previous post I state from rumours that this can be for Additional Rafale or J-10C. Frenchie salesman just goes livid in his video channel as it is clear now that money goes to J-10C. Just like any loosing salesman he goes ranting on Indonesia Non Block principle, as naif and mistaken policy. He is really lossing it.

The choice for J-10C basically due to:
1. It is cheaper then other 4.5 gen competitor,
2. Indonesia try to balance China relationship,
Still it does not mean additional plan for more Rafale already canned. Frenchie salesman just behaving as poor looser.

Asside China, Turkey also seems got contract for their Ozgur F-16 upgrade. Thus my prediction that the Ozgur upgrade will be put on hold as F-16 going to be winding down, seems not correct.

The question now if they go ahead with J-10, will US want at least one defense procurement MoU being activate ? Will either F-15 EX or S70 Blackhawk being activate ? Boeing still fight for F-15, but all indications so far not supporting that.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Just confirmation that 6 Rafale of first batch will come first half of next year. With 3 on February-March and another 3 at April on ward. The schedulle then will go on untill all 42 come by end of this decade.
 
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