Indonesia Orders 12 Leonardo M-346F Block 20 Light Fighter Jets
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) is preparing to welcome a new fleet after Leonardo officially announced a deal this week for the procurement of a dozen (12 units) of the M-346F Block 20 light combat aircraft. The move will further enrich the variety of fighter jets operated by Indonesia.
Leonardo’s CEO and General Manager, Lorenzo Mariani, said the agreement marks an important milestone in the relationship between the two parties.
“The introduction of the M-346F in Indonesia provides tangible proof not only of the intrinsic quality of the aircraft system, but also of the ongoing and growing trust that the country places in our capabilities across various fields,” Leonardo said, as quoted by Defense News.
Leonardo added that the value of the sale covers not only the aircraft units, but also the localisation of various support, maintenance, repair and training capabilities, as well as human resource development in Indonesia.
Although the Italian-built M-346 family is better known as an advanced jet trainer, the ‘F’ variant ordered by Indonesia is a formidable multi-role light combat aircraft.
The variant is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, Link 16 datalink, seven weapons hardpoints, air-to-air refuelling capability, and electronic countermeasures systems.
The first M-346F unit is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta in 2030. The deal makes Indonesia the 23rd operator of the M-346 in the world, as well as the first customer in Asia to use the latest Block 20 variant.
“Only eight months after the first order, the strong and rapid global demand for the newest version of this aircraft clearly shows that it meets customer requirements,” Leonardo said in an official statement. To date, the M-346 family of aircraft is reported to have logged more than 170,000 flight hours.
The arrival of the M-346F will add to the already lengthy list of Indonesia’s highly varied air force inventory. The TNI AU is currently in the process of integrating French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets, complementing an existing mixed fleet that includes American F-16s, Russian Su-27s and Su-30s, and South Korean T-50i aircraft.
In addition, Jakarta remains involved as an investor in the development of the KF-21 fighter jet with South Korea and has previously expressed interest in Turkey’s Kaan project, although neither programme has yet progressed to a production contract.
Recently, Indonesia’s Defence Minister has also signalled interest in procuring China’s J-10.
If all of these procurement plans and aspirations are realised in the future, Indonesia will certainly operate one of the most complex and diverse fighter aircraft fleets in the world.
According to Detik and Euroasiatimes, the M-346 fighter jet is capable of reaching speeds approaching Mach 0.95. The aircraft is fitted with modern avionics and an advanced glass cockpit design that presents flight information optimally to the pilot.
Apart from Indonesia, M-346 operators around the world include Italy, Israel (where it is designated the M-346 Lavi), Singapore, Poland, Qatar, and Austria — which has also recently ordered the Block 20 variant.