The Indonesian Air Force Expands Its Fleet with M-346F Light Fighters
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Indonesia is set to diversify its air force capabilities with the acquisition of a dozen M-346F Block 20 light fighters from Leonardo. This move marks another addition to Indonesia’s varied military aircraft inventory.
Leonardo’s CEO and General Manager, Lorenzo Mariani, remarked, “The introduction of the M-346F in Indonesia provides clear evidence not only of the aircraft system’s inherent quality, but also of the country’s continued and yet growing trust in our capabilities across domains.”
The agreement with Leonardo includes not just the jets but also the development of local support services, maintenance facilities, and training programs, aiming to boost human capital in Indonesia.
The M-346F, built in Italy, is well-known for its advanced training capabilities, but the F variant serves as a multirole light fighter. It boasts features such as an active electronically scanned array radar, Link 16 data link, aerial refueling capability, and electronic countermeasures system, with seven hardpoints for armament.
Deliveries of the M-346Fs to Jakarta are expected by 2030, making Indonesia the 23rd operator of the M-346 and the first in Asia to receive the latest Block 20 version.
Leonardo noted, “Just eight months after the first order, strong and rapid global demand for the latest version of the aircraft clearly demonstrates it is meeting customer requirements,” with the M-346 accumulating over 170,000 flight hours.
Currently, Indonesia’s air force is integrating Dassault’s Rafale fighter alongside an eclectic mix of aircraft, including American F-16s, Russian Su-27/Su-30s, and Korean T-50is.
Jakarta has invested in the Korean KF-21 project and expressed interest in the Turkish Kaan, although these have yet to proceed to production contracts. The defense minister has also shown interest in China’s J-10.
If Indonesia’s ambitions come to fruition, it could manage one of the most complex aircraft fleets globally. Alban Sciascia, director of PT Semar Sentinel Indonesia, commented on the challenges, stating, “It’s no secret that Indonesia has been focusing on procuring different equipment from different countries, as part of its diversification strategy, and that its joint operations concept is limited because of the relative inability to get all this equipment interoperating on the battlefield.”
In addition to the fighter jet deal, Leonardo, PT ESystem Solutions, and the Indonesian Ministry of Defense have signed a letter of intent concerning the potential acquisition of Leonardo AW149 medium helicopters for the Indonesian Navy. “If followed by a contract, this could lead to the supply of AW149 helicopters for search and rescue and disaster relief, for both land-based and embarked operations,” Leonardo stated.
The Indonesian Navy, currently operating eleven Airbus AS565 Panther helicopters, has a growing need for additional shipboard helicopters to oversee the vast archipelagic waters of the nation.
