Flying Higher and Farther
Even though Indonesia is in a relatively peaceful area, as a tool of the state in the field of defense, the Air Force must still be prepared to face all forms of threats that may occur at any time.
The Indonesian Air Force's C-130 J A-1339 Super Hercules aircraft touched down at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base on Monday (6/3/2023).
The plane arrived after a long, 34-hour cargo flight from Marietta, the United States. One pilot and one Indonesian Air Force technician took part in the 18,475-kilometer flight.
Two days later, on Wednesday (8/3/2023), Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto officially handed over the aircraft to Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Admiral Yudo Margono, as witnessed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and several other civil and military officials.
The arrival of the aircraft, made by Lockheed Martin in the United States, not only brings new energy, but also new hope. The stages of strengthening the defense equipment system are getting progressively more advanced. The C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft has been long awaited to strengthen the role of the Indonesian Air Force in carrying out its duties. Both in the context of War Military Operations (OMP) and Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP).
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Its ability to carry up to 20,000 kilograms of logistical equipment, carry 98 troops with full equipment or 128 combat troops, as well as a series of sophisticated avionics make the C-130 J the right choice to operate in Indonesia's vast territory and geographical archipelago.
In 2023, the Indonesian Air Force will also receive a number of new pieces of defense equipment, such as the Caracal H-225M helicopter, radar and others. Some of the defense equipment has already arrived in Indonesia and is entering the initial stages of operation, including a number of missiles. Meanwhile, the Dassault Rafale generation 4.5 fighter aircraft, whose purchase has been agreed to by the Ministry of Defense and the French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, will follow in the next three years.
Ten Indonesian Air Force F-16 aircraft are undergoing the e-MLU program.
At the same time, the Falcon Star e-MLU (Enhanced Mid Life Update) program for the Indonesian Air Force's F-16 fighter aircraft is also continuing. The F-16 e-MLU is a major program to upgrade F-16 fighter aircraft to Block-52 class. This is a strengthening program to improve aircraft capabilities in terms of avionics, or aircraft structure.
All work was carried out at the Iswahjudi Air Base by Indonesian Air Force personnel, as a form of trust to be able to work on the structure of the F-16 aircraft up to the manufacturer's level. Through this project, the capabilities of the F-16 aircraft have greatly increased so that they are capable of fighting beyond the visual range (BVR) and have even had joint exercises with other countries.
Ten Indonesian Air Force F-16 aircraft are undergoing the e-MLU program. It is estimated that all will be completed by the end of 2023.
An inevitability
The arrival of the several pieces of Indonesian Air Force defense equipment above illustrates how the Air Force is currently performing, as well as modernization efforts to strengthen its role as a defense force for national air sovereignty.
The modernization of the Indonesian Air Force's defense equipment is indeed a necessity in responding to various challenges and potential threats that are constantly changing, along with the development of a very dynamic and unpredictable strategic environment.
Even though Indonesia is in a relatively peaceful area, as a tool of the state in the field of defense, the Air Force must still be prepared to face all forms of threats that may occur at any time.
The Indonesian Air Force must also be able to detect and respond to any conflicts that occur in the national territory or crises that occur in the regional area.
Currently, the Air Force continues to build strength and capabilities. This is in line with its vision of realizing a professional, modern and resilient force toward the concept of a respected Air Force in the region. From there, the Indonesian Air Force is expected to be able to carry out the duties mandated in Law No. 34/2004 concerning the TNI.
The expected air defense posture must, of course, represent the strength and capability of the Indonesian Air Force which has high deterrence and mobility and is able to protect and support the achievement of national interests and objectives. In addition, the Indonesian Air Force must also be able to detect and respond to any conflicts that occur in the national territory or crises that occur in the regional area, as well as be able to be present to respond to the need to maintain national interests.
More broadly, the Indonesian Air Force also plays a role and contributes to supporting, maintaining and guaranteeing regional and global security. The existing and future defense equipment represents the latest technology and is also capable of interoperability. Procurement of new defense equipment is also equipped with initial spares, GSE, testers, tools and comprehensive maintenance support equipment to ensure it is maintained properly for operation.
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Aviation support infrastructure such as hangars, shelters, taxiways and other supporting facilities are always included in every defense equipment procurement contract. Their construction is also aligned with the schedule for the arrival of new defense equipment so that the new defense equipment can be directly operated optimally.
The Indonesian Air Force also requires the availability of a number of radars that have the capability of covering the entire territory of the Republic of Indonesia. Apart from being sufficient in quantity, the radars operated by the Indonesian Air Force must also be integrated with civilian radars at all airports in Indonesia and entered into a monitoring center through Air Situation Data Transmission (TDAS).
Through the program to procure 1 medium range radar sets, 25 GCI radar sets will be allocated to replace 12 radar units with the newest radar units as well as build 13 new radar units. With this program, all Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) airspace can be monitored optimally.
In addition to modernizing the defense equipment, the availability of professional human resources is also the most important thing in realizing the TNI’s goal of building a more respected Air Force in the region. The availability of superior human resources is an important asset because no matter how sophisticated the defense equipment is, it still depends on the people who operate and maintain it.
Through various educational and training programs, it is hoped that the availability of superior human resources will be sufficient so that personnel are able to answer the challenges of present and future assignments.
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A decade after independence, the nation's founding fathers emphasized the importance of building a modern air force to protect and maintain national sovereignty.
The 1960s was the beginning of the triumph of the Indonesian Air Force. The dozens of pieces of Eastern Block defense equipment that filled the depots of the Indonesian Air Force at that time made it the largest air force in the south. Almost all of the most sophisticated war equipment at that time was owned by the TNI, especially the Air Force.
Reflection of 77 years
Entering its 77th year, the Indonesian Air Force's dedication to the nation and state is manifested in every performance of its duties as the front guard, not only in War Military Operations but also in Military Operations Other Than War like helping to deal with Covid-19.
Still fresh in our memories are the efforts and role of the Air Force in dealing with the nation's problems. Apart from the pandemic, the Indonesian Air Force has also handled various natural disasters at home and abroad, the evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Afghanistan and Ukraine, as well as humanitarian operations for earthquake victims in Turkey.
Apart from the pandemic, the Indonesian Air Force has also handled various natural disasters at home and abroad.
The occasion of the 77th Anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force is certainly the right time to reflect on all the tasks that have been carried out for the nation and the state, as well as what must be maintained and improved in the future as the guardian of the national airspace for the glory of the nation.
On its 77th anniversary commemoration, the Indonesian Air Force is again carrying out a number of activities. The peak event was held on 9 April, 2023, and was centered at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta.
In addition to the main activities in the form of ceremonies and a parade, the highlight of the 77th anniversary commemoration of the Indonesian Air Force Day also featured a number examples of the latest defense equipment. This activity was a form of accountability of the Air Force to the Indonesian people.
Long live Indonesian Air Force.
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Fadjar Prasetyo
Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo, SE, MPP, CSFA
Chief of staff of the Air Force
This article was translated by Kurnia Siswo.
