Indonesian Air Force: Fuel Rationing Will Not Reduce Air Surveillance Activities

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU), Marshal TNI Mohamad Tonny Harjono, has assured that the fuel rationing being implemented by his organisation will not reduce the activities of fighter aircraft in monitoring Indonesia’s airspace. “The Air Force is very adaptive in adjusting to government policies, and we are also adapting to the global situation. However, we are not lowering the quality of safety or the professionalism of our pilots,” Tonny said during a press conference at the Air Force Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Thursday. Tonny acknowledged that his ranks are currently endeavouring to limit fuel use in accordance with orders from the central government. One of the measures is combining fighter aircraft manoeuvre training activities with air patrols. In addition, Tonny stated that his side will not reduce the portion of training and flying hours for pilots of fighter and transport aircraft. “The fuel utilisation that we are reducing, and some training methods that we are combining into one, which were previously separate trainings. This is being made into one sortie (flight) for several trainings,” he explained. Not only air operations, Tonny assured that his side will also adjust ground operational activities to align with the government’s fuel rationing initiative. With these efforts, Tonny hopes that TNI AU personnel can utilise fuel effectively for maximum air operation results.