TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo kick-started his working visit to East Java on Friday, March 8, by conducting an inspection of the national primary weapons system (alutsista) at the Iswahjudi Air Force Base, Magetan Regency.

Accompanying the President were Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU) Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo. The group monitored the preparedness of three fighter jets, comprising two F-16 planes and one T-50 plane.

Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo explained that the two F-16s displayed were the F-16 C/D and the F-16 AM/BM, some of which had been upgraded in avionics and structural capabilities.

“We called it the F-16 EMLU. [We plan to procure] 10 aircraft, now we have 7 aircraft,” Fadjar said before Jokowi as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau.

According to him, with the increased capability, the F-16 AM/BM aircraft would be able to carry out combat with smart munitions, guided combat, and beyond visual range. Meanwhile, the F-16 C/D aircraft is more conventional and would be upgraded.

“We really hope for this while waiting for the arrival of Rafale aircraft in 2026,” he added.

The T-50 aircraft is a Korean-made jet used to train fighter pilots at the beginning of their careers. The T-50 aircraft is quite powerful because it is equipped with radar and guns that were not available before.

"We equipped it with a radar. And the radar on the T-50 was more sophisticated than the F-16, but it will be even better after the upgrade,” Fadjar said.

Apart from scrutinizing the readiness of fighter jets, President Jokowi also observed the air performance of planes and helicopters.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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