Bringing In 25 Air Defense Radars, KSAU Mohamad Tonny Ensures All Aircraft Movements Are Monitored

Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal TNI M. Tonny Harjono (central) gave a press statement at the Dirgantara Field complex of the Air Force Academy (AU), Yogyakarta/DOK ANTARA

YOGYAKARTA - Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono ensured that all aircraft movements passing through Indonesian territory were monitored by air defense radars. "In the future, there will be no more areas of Indonesia that cannot be covered by radar. All aircraft movements entering Indonesian territory will all be visible on radar," said Tonny at the Dirgantara Field complex of the Air Force Academy (AU), Yogyakarta, as reported by Antara, Monday, July 29. Tonny stated that the Indonesian Air Force will install new radars in areas that have not been reached by air defense radars. The Indonesian Air Force plans to bring in 25 air defense radars, 13 of which are made by Thales, France, and 12 other units made by a Czech company, "Of these 25, some will replace the existing radar, which is considered to have started to lag behind the technology," he said. Tonny emphasized that the Indonesian Air Force will continue to modernize the main weapon system tools to deal with the complexity of the increasing modern war challenges due to global geopolitical dynamics, as well as the increasingly rapid development of disruptive technology. In 2023, he said, the Indonesian Air Force had received eight H225 Caracal aircraft and five C130 Super Hercules C130 type J transport aircraft. "Boeing planes are still in the process of getting two, for the next H225 helicopter there will also be another VIP configuration. So the eight configurations are for cargo and the next one is for VIP," said Tonny. Next, the Indonesian Air Force will gradually visit French-made Rafale fighter aircraft from early 2026 to even 42 aircraft. In addition, a number of Chinese-made CH-4 unmanned aircraft and Turkish-made Anka will also come. According to Tonny, to increase combat strength, the Indonesian Air Force has updated various types of fighter aircraft, including the F-16 and Sukhoi. "Hopefully by the end of this year all aircraft have been upgraded," said KSAU.