New Indonesian Air Force Equipment Assigned to Multiple Squadrons

Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) Rafale fighter jets, Airbus A400M MRTT aircraft, and Falcon 8X planes handed over by President Prabowo Subianto to the TNI will be assigned to several air squadrons.

The aircraft arrived in the country in mid-May 2026, adding to the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI AU) equipment inventory. For instance, six Dassault Aviation French-made Rafale fighter jets will be operated by the 12th Air Squadron, also known as Black Panthers, based at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, Riau.

‘The six MRCA Rafale fighter jets will be stationed at the 12th Air Squadron,’ said TNI AU Public Information Office Chief Air Vice Marshal I Nyoman Suadnyana to Tempo on Saturday, 30 May 2026.

Meanwhile, the Airbus A400M MRTT transport aircraft will be assigned to the 31st Air Transport Squadron. This Heavy Transport Squadron operates under Wing 1 at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta.

The Falcon 8X aircraft will be stationed at the 17th Air Squadron, a special VIP/VVIP unit of the Indonesian Air Force, based at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base.

‘In addition to the aircraft platforms, MBDA Meteor missiles and HAMMER smart weapons will form an integral part of the MRCA Rafale’s weapon system,’ Nyoman added.

President Prabowo Subianto previously handed over the military equipment at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base’s Base Operations in East Jakarta on Monday, 18 May 2026. The assets included six Dassault Aviation MRCA Rafale aircraft; four Dassault Falcon 8X planes; one Airbus A400M Atlas; a GM403 Ground Control Intervention (GCI) radar; and HAMMER smart weapons and Meteor missiles. Indonesia had previously received two Falcon 8X aircraft and one Airbus A400M.