Indonesian Air Force Will Arrival T-50 Fighter Jets Made In South Korea In 2025

Illustration of fighter jets. (Unsplash-Bing Hui)

JAKARTA - Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono said his party would receive several units of T-50 fighter aircraft made by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) in 2025.

"I have seen for myself the KAI, Korea Airspace Industry, very good and we have also used this aircraft, and we will get it again starting from its arrival in 2025-2026," said Tonny when opening a discussion forum at Air Force Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta (Jaktim), Monday, December 30, confiscated by Antara.

In his remarks, Tonny did not explain how many aircraft units would come in the period 2025-2026 later.

Tonny also did not explain in detail the value of the contract for the purchase of the fighter aircraft. He only explained that the plane was presented to be placed on several squadrons to strengthen Indonesia's air defenses.

Furthermore, not only T-50 fighter aircraft, Tonny said the Indonesian Air Force would also receive several aircraft units within the next few years.

Some of the upcoming units include Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation in 2026.

The Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan) has purchased 42 units of French manufacturer fighter jets after the third-stage purchase contract for the last 18 units was effective.

In addition, the Indonesian Air Force will also receive 12 units of Anka unmanned aircraft purchased from Turkish Aerospace this year.

In the cooperation contract that has been signed by the Ministry of Defense this year, it is explained that six aircraft will be assembled in Indonesia while the rest will be sent for 32 months after the contract takes effect.

With the addition of the main weapon system, Tonny hopes that Indonesia's air defense will be stronger.

Has purchased T-50

Previously, the Ministry of Defense had signed a contract to purchase T-50 aircraft in 2021. The aircraft was purchased with a contract value of 240 million US dollars to be used as a training aircraft for Indonesian Air Force fighter pilots.

If based on the approved contract between the Ministry of Defense and KAI at that time, aircraft deliveries will be carried out in stages from December 16, 2021 to October 30, 2024.

The purchase was not the first time the Indonesian government had made this purchase. In 2011 the government has also purchased 16 units of fighter aircraft from the country with a contract value of 400 million US dollars.