Indonesian Air Force to Procure New UAV Squadrons

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Mohammad Tonny Harjono confirmed that there will be a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to complement the national weapons system (alutsista).

Tonny explained that unmanned aircraft will use satellite technology to support beyond-visual-range (BVR) or long-range air combat.

“We can operate it from outside the area that we want to monitor, for example in Papua or any other area, we can fly it from outside Papua,” Tonny said after the 78th anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force at the AAU Aerospace Field in Bantul, Yogyakarta, on Monday, April 22.

Tonny explained that the UAVs being imported include the CH-4, Anka, and Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Bayraktar drones.

“Let’s pray that the Air Force will be adaptive to follow technological developments and changes in national, regional, and global situations,” he remarked.

According to him, these modern drones are part of the new defense equipment aircraft being imported to strengthen the Indonesian Air Force's capabilities.

In 2026, he revealed that the government plans to procure 42 Rafale fighter jets and undertake radar modernization, further enhancing the Air Force's operational capabilities. 

Additionally, Tonny said that the Indonesian Air Force will have an Airbus A400M transport aircraft, an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, and a refueling aircraft (tanker) or a tanker or multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft.

Tonny further stated that these aircraft will augment the existing national defense equipment, including civil transport aircraft from CASA, helicopters, and Falcon VIP military transport aircraft.

ANTARA

Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo: It's Time to Prepare for the Future

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News