While Donald Trump’s tariff plans have led Canada and some European nations to reconsider buying the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jet, Indonesia is thinking along different lines. Jakarta, which is keen to ensure that its US$20 billion export market to...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
While Donald Trump’s tariff plans have led Canada and some European nations to reconsider buying the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jet, Indonesia is thinking along different lines.
Jakarta, which is keen to ensure that its US$20 billion export market to the US grows or at least stays intact, is thinking about expediting the purchase of US-made defence equipment to avoid being hit with tariffs. In an April meeting with Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reportedly directed senior officials to identify the weapons for import from the US.
Major defence deals involving Indonesia and the US are that of Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters and F-16 Fighting Falcons. Jakarta has also mulled purchasing more F-16s to bolster the capabilities of its air force. Defence ties between the two countries have been on the upsurge recently, especially since the signing of a Defence Cooperation Arrangement (DCA) in November 2023. A major focus of the enhanced cooperation is to strengthen Indonesia's military cyber defences and space capabilities.
High on the priority list for the Indonesian Air Force is the potential purchase of F-15EX jets. It was in August 2023 that Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing for the potential purchase of 24 F-15EX jets; the deal is worth up to US$8 billion. One of the major attractions of the potential deal for Jakarta is that the aircraft will have 85 percent domestic components. Boeing’s commitment is significantly higher than the minimum local content that Indonesia insists for arms imports - 40 percent.
The 4th-generation fighter lacks stealth capability, but the aircraft has significantly modernized avionics and sensors compared to previous F-15 models. According to Boeing, the F-15 EX can carry a significant payload, including up to 12 AMRAAM missiles or other large ordnance. The aircraft, designed to be an affordable platform, has lower operating costs compared to other fighter aircraft.
The choice of the F-15 EX is, however, not set in stone. Reports suggest that Indonesia is also evaluating the potential acquisition of China’s J-10 fighter jet. The aircraft, which is comparable to F-16 and Swedish Gripen in terms of capabilities, was recently in the news because of its use by Pakistan in its air confrontation against India. A factor that might work in favour of the J-10 is its cost; the aircraft is reportedly significantly less expensive compared to western fighter jets.
The move to acquire more weapons from US defence contractors comes at a time when the country is trying to diversify its arms supplier base. In addition to spreading its net wider for its defence acquisition needs, Indonesia, which was at the receiving end of a US arms embargo between 1999 and 2005, is also intensifying efforts to enhance the capabilities of its domestic defence industry.
Indonesia and South Korea have a growing relationship in the defence sphere, with Jakarta regarded among Seoul’s major defence customers in in Southeast Asia. Apart from acquiring submarines, armoured vehicles, and military aircraft from South Korea, Indonesia is also involved in the KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development. Jakarta’s ties with Türkiye are surging as well, as can be seen from the deal Indonesia signed on the opening day of the ongoing event to procure 48 fifth-generation Kaan Combat Aircraft.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence is preparing to launch an international tender in October 2025 for the procurement of two Multi-Role…
Cebu Pacific, the country's largest budget airline, now operates a 100-strong fleet following the arrival of its latest aircraft, the…
Boeing and Gulf Air has signed an agreement for the purchase of 12 787 Dreamliner jets with options for six…
Lufthansa Technik and Air Canada have extended multiple exclusive agreements for technical aircraft services ahead of schedule. The agreements cover…
The first Belgian aircrew has completed training to operate the MQ-9B SkyGuardian. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), designer and…
BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and MBDA UK, together with the UK Ministry of Defence, have revealed the design of the UK’s…
ZeroAvia has been awarded nine new patents this year so far, with many critical to the company's roadmap for scaling…
Batik Air will introduce direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Palembang starting 12 September 2025, expanding the airline's network in…
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has signed a new contract with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to accelerate the serial…
Terma has signed a contract with the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) to supply 32 new coastal surveillance…
CAE has been awarded a contract by the Italian Air Force to supply the MQ-9A Block 5 Predator Mission Trainer…
Lockheed Martin has tested an AI-enabled radar system that aims to improve the automatic detection and classification of maritime targets.…
Airbus Defence and Space and US-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have announced a partnership centred on the Kratos XQ-58A…
The Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) Naval Region 2 Headquarters (MAWILLA 2) has taken delivery of four G2000 MkII Fast Interceptor…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has taken delivery of four M Solar-X unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Thai Aviation…
The U.S. Army flexed its muscles in the ongoing Australia's largest-ever military drills on Wednesday by sinking a maritime target…
Washington, Manila's long-time ally, plans to build a facility on the western coast of Palawan, an Island facing the South…
Manila has sent a delegation to Australia for the largest-ever warfighting drills, which officially opened last Sunday. The country's delegation,…
Global shipbuilder Austal USA has delivered the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) to the U.S. Navy, marking the second ship…
Lockheed Martin has successfully delivered the first Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) shipset comprised of four AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar antennas to…
Terma has partnered with Sperry Marine, manufacturer and service provider of marine navigation systems, to deliver the SCANTER 4603 and…
IMCO Group has secured an order from a global leader in drive (engines & transmissions) solutions to the world armored…
ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft plan to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel. The companies will cooperate on…
Senior navy officials from Japan, the United States, and Australia have signed a logistics cooperation deal to boost maritime collaboration…
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) has announced the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to…
Rheinmetall has delivered a fourth mobile rescue station to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Düsseldorf-based company also conducted training…
Malaysia Airlines has been named the Official Airline Partner for the Travel Madness Expo (TME) 2025, one of the Philippines’…
The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has awarded Airbus Defence and Space, alongside co-contractor Neverhack, an eight-year framework contract…
Asia Pacific carriers posted a combined net profit of US$7.3 billion in 2024, according to preliminary financial results released by…
Australia has pledged to provide the Philippine Coast Guard with additional state-of-the-art drones to strengthen maritime domain awareness and support…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.