Five New TNI AU Defence Systems Deployed in Joint Military Exercise

Five new primary weapon systems belonging to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) were deployed in an integrated joint exercise involving the three branches of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in Dabo Singkep, Riau Islands, on Wednesday. The assets included four Rafale fighter jets and one A400M, the largest transport aircraft in the TNI AU fleet. In a press release photograph, the A400M was seen flying between two Rafale fighter jets positioned at its rear right and left sides. Head of the TNI AU Information Service, Air Commodore I Nyoman Suadnyana, stated that the exercise was held to strengthen the integrated defence of the TNI across all branches. He added that deploying the new defence systems also aimed to test the capabilities of both the aircraft and their crews. Beyond the new systems, the TNI AU also mobilised other key combat assets, including unmanned aerial vehicles, C-130 Hercules aircraft, reconnaissance planes, and the Air Force’s Rapid Reaction Corps (Korpasgat). The Hercules aircraft were used to transport paratroopers for a simulated airborne assault. Suadnyana confirmed that the entire joint exercise proceeded safely and smoothly, expressing hope that the training would further strengthen the TNI AU’s defence system to safeguard national sovereignty.