{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1806101,
        "msgid": "indonesia-to-sign-m-346-aircraft-purchase-contract-in-july-2026-replacing-f-16-1781603519",
        "date": "2026-06-16 16:12:58",
        "title": "Indonesia to Sign M-346 Aircraft Purchase Contract in July 2026, Replacing F-16",
        "author": "Erik Purnama Putra",
        "source": "REPUBLIKA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Defence",
        "summary": "Indonesia is set to finalise a contract in July 2026 to acquire up to 36 Leonardo M-346F light combat and trainer aircraft, having selected the Italian jet over Turkish and South Korean competitors. The deal, initially outlined in a letter of intent signed in February 2026, forms part of a broader modernisation of the Indonesian Air Force. Domestic defence contractor PT E-Systems will support maintenance and integrate locally developed systems, including a self-protection jammer and indigenous data links.",
        "content": "<p>Manufacturer Leonardo currently has three customers for the M-346F\nBlock 20 aircraft, as reported by EDR Magazine on Monday (15\/6\/2026).\nThe International Test Pilot School Canada will receive six advanced\nM-346T jet trainer aircraft, with an option for six more, for use at the\nInternational Tactical Training Centre in North Bay, Ontario; that order\nwas announced in May 2026. Austria, meanwhile, ordered 12 M-346F light\nfighter aircraft in December 2025 to serve both training and national\nairspace defence roles. Indonesia selected the M-346F for light combat\nand pilot training in late 2025, and signed a letter of intent at the\nSingapore Air Show in February 2026 with Leonardo to acquire 18 units,\nsubsequently increased to 36 M-346F aircraft. The twin-engine Italian\njet was chosen by Indonesia over competitors from TAI Hurjet and Korean\nAerospace Industries FA-50. Modernisation is underway within the\nIndonesian Air Force (TNI AU), largely through defence aerospace company\nPT E-Systems, which has been tasked with acquiring the new-generation\ntrainer aircraft in its role as a defence contractor. PT-E Systems\nSolutions will support maintenance, logistics, and tactical flight\noperations as part of the TNI AU Air Warfare Centre currently being\nestablished. According to a senior management source at PT E-Systems,\nthe company will also integrate an indigenously designed Self Protection\nJammer, integrate and qualify the Diehl IRIS-T short-range air-to-air\nmissile, integrate a domestically produced data link for targeting and\ncue distribution, and incorporate the locally made MK-V Delta light\ncruise missile.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-to-sign-m-346-aircraft-purchase-contract-in-july-2026-replacing-f-16-1781603519",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}