Farnborough 2026: Leonardo secures Indonesian M-346 contract

Indonesia seeks 12 Leonardo M-346 F Block 20 trainer and light combat aircraft to replace its ageing BAE Systems Hawk aircraft. (Leonardo)

Leonardo and PT E-System Solutions (ESS) Indonesia have signed a contract to supply the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) with 12 Leonardo M-346 F Master Block 20 multirole combat and trainer aircraft.

The contract, signed at the Farnborough International Airshow on 21 July, follows a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed by the two companies and the MoD in February.

The contract, whose value was not disclosed, is intended to meet the training requirements of the Indonesian Air Force, according to Leonardo. It also includes plans to localise support, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and training capabilities, alongside workforce development initiatives, Leonardo added.

Separately, Leonardo and ESS signed an LoI at Farnborough covering the potential supply of AW149 naval helicopters to the Indonesian Navy.

M-346

Deliveries of the M-346 F aircraft are likely to start in 2030, Leonardo said. The contract will introduce the new Block 20 standard in Asia, following its introduction in Europe and North America, the company said.

Unlike older M-346 variants, the F Block 20 is equipped with a Link 16 datalink and a Large Area Display (LAD) in the cockpit. The aircraft also incorporates an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a weapon system interface unit capable of managing different armaments, and additional weapons systems for air-to-air and air-to-surface operations, according to Leonardo.

The platform also features an integrated advanced flight training system, including a Ground Based Training System (GBTS), which combines simulated scenarios with live flights using a Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training approach.