Indonesia signals F-16V intention

The Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU) is planning to procure two squadrons of Lockheed Martin's F-16V (Viper) Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft, TNI-AU’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Yuyu Sutisna, has said.

The procurement is planned to coincide with the third and final phase of the TNI-AU’s modernisation programme – called Minimum Essential Force (MEF) – that runs from 2020 until 2024. During this phase, the TNI-AU also plans to finalise its planned procurement of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia, ACM Sutisna confirmed.

The chief of the Indonesian Air Force has outlined an intention to procure two squadrons of the Lockheed Martin F-16V fighter (pictured here) from the early 2020s. (Lockheed Martin)

“We will buy two squadrons in the next strategic plan 2020–24,” ACM Sutisna said in comments reported by the state-run Antara news agency. “We will purchase the newest type of Block 72 Viper.”

He added, “[The F-16 procurement proposal] is expected to be processed as of 1 January 2020. [The aircraft] will increase our strength. If we have them, we will be among those having sophisticated F-16s.”

Commenting on the potential procurement, a spokesperson from Lockheed Martin told Jane’s on 5 November, “Lockheed Martin is committed to supporting the Indonesian Air Force and stands ready to support their future defense needs.”

Jane’s understands that the F-16V has been identified by the TNI-AU as a replacement for its BAE Systems Hawk 109/209 strike aircraft, which have been operational within the service since the mid-1990s. The TNI-AU currently operates about 30 Hawks. The TNI-AU plan to procure two F-16V squadrons would encompass 32 aircraft.