Indonesian Air Force Ready to Provide Manpower and Infrastructure for New Fighter Jets
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU) Marsekal TNI Mohamad Tonny Harjono has assured that the TNI AU is prepared to provide infrastructure and human resources (HR) to support the operations of new fighter jets.
Tonny made this statement in response to questions about the Ministry of Defence’s (Kemhan) plans to purchase the KF-21 fighter jet from South Korea and the KAAN from Turkey.
“Whatever the aircraft, as mentioned earlier, we are preparing the infrastructure and then preparing the human resources,” said Tonny during a press conference at the Air Force Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Thursday.
According to Tonny, all matters related to the procurement of defence equipment fall under the purview of Kemhan.
Not only acting as operators of the defence equipment, Tonny explained that the TNI AU is also responsible for ensuring that all crew members, in this case pilots, are trained and possess high technical knowledge.
Therefore, they ensure that all TNI AU personnel have undergone rigorous training during their education as prospective pilots.
Tonny stated that they not only encourage TNI AU personnel to become pilots but also open opportunities for civilian pilots to become Air Force pilots.
“The opportunities are wide open for pilots, especially civilian pilots, and we have recruited them through the short-term voluntary service personnel programme (PSDP). We are also changing the pattern of pilot development, with some inputs for becoming pilots through the Air Force Academy,” explained Tonny.
With this readiness, Tonny hopes that all new defence equipment that will become the property of the TNI AU can be operated maximally by its ranks.
Previously, the Ministry of Defence had commented on the plans to purchase the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet.
“We need to convey that the plans regarding the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet are currently still in the exploration stage. There has been no final decision on the quantity or procurement scheme,” Rico told ANTARA in Jakarta on Thursday (2/4).
Nevertheless, Rico did not rule out the possibility that they would sign a purchase contract for the aircraft resulting from the collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea in the near future.
As for the KAAN purchase, Rico confirmed that they have already signed an initial contract.
“For the KAAN, there is already an initial contract in a limited quantity, which is currently in the activation process through the foreign loan mechanism (PLN) together with the Ministry of Finance,” said Rico.
This also confirms that Indonesia has officially signed a contract to purchase the fighter jet produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries.