MoD: Pilatus PC-24 Jet Purchase Still in Preliminary Discussions
Head of the Defence Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that there has been no final decision regarding the plan to purchase Pilatus PC-24 jets. He said the process is currently still in the preliminary discussion stage.
The Ministry of Defence, he added, is also still assessing the operational needs aspect in the plan to procure the Swiss-origin jet. “There is no budget allocation yet,” he said in his statement on Monday, 6 April 2026.
Despite this, the government has pressed ahead with a contract to procure 12 Pilatus PC-24 jets by partnering with PT E-System Solutions Indonesia as the contractor or third party. This was done on 31 March 2026.
The government has also signed a letter of intent for the procurement of 24 trainer aircraft from the same company, namely the Pilatus PC-21. The package includes ground-based training devices, spare parts, support equipment, and technical support.
On the official Pilatus Aircraft website, the Ministry of Defence stated that the Pilatus PC-24 jet type was selected to support various operational activities. These include transport pilot training, air transport missions, and liaison in the Indonesian National Armed Forces Air Force environment.
This Swiss-made Pilatus PC-24 jet can be operated by one pilot and carry four passengers. The aircraft is equipped with a cargo door and has the capability to take off and land on short or unpaved runways.
The price of the Pilatus PC-24 jet is estimated at US$11.2 million to US$13 million, or equivalent to Rp178-200 billion per unit. The price depends on the jet’s components.
Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher said the cooperation in procuring the Pilatus PC-24 jets marks the beginning of a long-term relationship with Indonesia. “Our priority is to support Indonesia in operating the fleet smoothly,” he said, as quoted from the official Pilatus Aircraft website on Sunday, 5 April 2026.
Meanwhile, Pilatus Vice President for Government Aviation Ioannis Papachristofilou said the selection of the Pilatus PC-24 reflects the growing interest from Indonesian government operators in the aircraft for various missions.
Military expert Connie Rahakundini assessed that the plan to procure 12 Pilatus PC-24 jets is not urgent. Because, she said, the role of that business jet is not a top priority in strengthening national defence.
The Pilatus PC-24 aircraft, she said, only serves as a support in military operations, such as intra-regional mobility, medical evacuation, and instrument-based flight training. “The priority (for defence strengthening) remains on combat platforms,” Connie said on Sunday, 5 April 2026.
Moreover, she said Indonesia’s defence budget allocation is relatively limited. Connie warned that the defence budget should be used for procurements that are truly urgent.
“The risk of waste arises if assets are not optimally utilised or are more expensive than other alternatives,” she said.