Indonesian Aero News

The talk of J-10 is continue increasing. After Allan Warnes tweet in his X, Military Watch also talking on Indonesia Defense Minister doubling the order.

The talk on this related to Indonesia stay back from Su-35 also increasing. Personally I'm still incline to believe it will not be CE version but B upgrade to CE version (call it BCE). My reasoning:

• B is right now in storage situation (at least that's what the rumours in Chinese media), and China actively offer them to export. Thus it is readily available.
• AL-31 is big factor, it is reported it will be operate from 2 Sulawesi AB where the infrastructure to support AL-31 already set up in Makasar for existing Flankers.
• B and C basically sharing similarn airframe, thus it is very doable to upgrade B current sensors to C/CE standard.

If the question why the need of J-10, is again related why the need of Flankers. All related to 'political' idea to diversifies defense assets toward different geopolitical spectrum (well that the official stands, unoffcially I already 'speculate' at post #3,669).

Maybe the J-10 deal can help to satisfy the non-Western part of the geopolitical equation.

Geopolitically speaking, Russia is less and less powerful and relevant on the economic front and even military front, they are falling behind. Politically, there is also way too much baggage to get too involved with Russia now. If we are forward looking to 2030s/2040s, China is ascendant, while Russia will continue to descent. It also open the door for the Chinese 5th gen like J-35 in the future.

koxinga said:

Maybe the J-10 deal can help to satisfy the non-Western part of the geopolitical equation.

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Definetely it will create some satisfaction in some part of local political factions that China & Russia defense brokerage coming from. Also It will give China some assurance that Indonesia defense build up is not aim entirely to them.

koxinga said:

Politically, there is also way too much baggage to get too involved with Russia now.

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Except for Prabowo 's camp getting involve with Russia is aim more for Energy Security, wherther Hydrocarbon or Nuclear ones.

After decades only producing 70mm FFAR rockets, DI and it's local partner developing 70mm WAFAR (Wrap Around Fin Aerial Rocket). This make possible to make it more compact launcher. This is first step before making it laser guided rocket for SHORAD defense with one of focus against drones swarm.



Also LIG Nex 1 visit location that will be used by them and DI to build guidance systems and other missile sensor:



DI also put slide on BUMN (Indonesia SOE) meeting, one potential Helicopter that going to have project with them:


Guess the US project that being stagnant and droo is F-15EX.

Photos from Yudi S and Keris FB.

circulating on enthusiast online forum already, picture of TNI-AU CH-4B Male Drones. Super Tucano in back ground, perhaps it is already in Malang AB.

That S-70M description of product is probably directly taken from Sikorsky's sales brochure.

Ananda said:

View attachment 55033
circulating on enthusiast online forum already, picture of TNI-AU CH-4B Male Drones. Super Tucano in back ground, perhaps it is already in Malang AB.

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I thought the Pesawat Nirawak Pria CH-4B were already delivered years ago, 6 pcs right? Weren't they stationed at Pontianak or Natuna?

thought the Pesawat Nirawak Pria CH-4B were already delivered years ago, 6 pcs right? Weren't they stationed at Pontianak or Natuna?

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Funnily enough, this was posted today.

ComradeVortex said:

Funnily enough, this was posted today.

JATOSINT (@Jatosint) on X

Rare photos of Indonesian Air Force #TNIAU CH-4 UCAV flying low to/from Natuna Island @ChannelNewsAsia Insight (published on YT in April 2025) https://t.co/IaaqdCvZ7J

x.com

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Ah yes, screenshots from "CNA Insight (published on YT in April 2025)".

It is actually funny that we bought those UAVs from china, and then we use them to guard North Natuna Sea.

Sandhi Yudha said:

actually funny that we bought those UAVs from china, and then we use them to guard North Natuna Sea.

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They are being move away from Natuna when enough Anka and Bayraktar already enter services.



This is the Gulf financing back up to get more Turkiye assets.

Add:


This sole AW-101 due become more active recently. It's the sign more AW will come ?

Ananda said:

They are being move away from Natuna when enough Anka and Bayraktar already enter services.

View attachment 55046

This is the Gulf financing back up to get more Turkiye assets.

Add:
View attachment 55047View attachment 55048

This sole AW-101 due become more active recently. It's the sign more AW will come ?

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Well, at least this is the sign that they know the press has forgotten about this scandal/corruption case.

If i'm not wrong, the plan in the past was ordering at least 3 EH-101 in VIP configuration, because these helicopters were from a cancelled order from India.
2013 Indian helicopter bribery scandal - Wikipedia

The EC725 is more affordable at US$40 million per unit, has lower training, maintenance and operational costs, and it would boost local employment because many components are made by IPTN in Bandung.
(According to the article below.)
https://jakartaglobe.id/news/air-force-slammed-choice-presidential-helicopter

But hey, looking to past, it is almost sure that more EH-101s will come.

Is this why the reason Indonesia clossing in the deal for both M346FA and Kizilelma ?