Prabowo Escorted by F-16 Fighter Jets to Sleman
The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) fleet escorted the presidential aircraft carrying President Prabowo Subianto to Sleman, Yogyakarta. The presidential aircraft departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta to Adisutjipto Air Base in Sleman Regency on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
During the flight, the presidential aircraft received an escort from four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets and two KAI T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft. According to the Presidential Secretariat, this air escort constitutes VVIP security provided by the TNI AU.
This escort forms part of the series of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the TNI AU, which falls on 9 April. On this occasion, President Prabowo conversed with TNI AU pilots via the aircraft’s communication channel. Prabowo conveyed congratulations and appreciation to all TNI AU personnel from inside the presidential aircraft.
“Foxtrot Five. Indonesia One. Thank you. I am Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, once again on behalf of all the Indonesian people, we are proud of our air force, we are proud of our young eagles. Happy Anniversary to the TNI Air Force. Swa Bhuwana Paksa,” said Prabowo, quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s statement.
Meanwhile, the TNI AU pilots expressed thanks for Prabowo’s support and attention. “We request your prayers and blessings so that we are always granted strength in carrying out our duties of service to the nation and state,” said one of the pilots escorting Prabowo’s aircraft.
The moment of the TNI AU escorting the presidential aircraft took place as part of Prabowo’s visit to Magelang, Central Java. Prabowo first landed in Sleman before continuing his journey by car.
Cited from Antara, the 80th anniversary commemoration of the TNI AU carries the theme “Unbounded Service, TNI AU is Effective, Indonesia Advances.”
The Chief of Staff of the TNI Air Force (KSAU), Air Marshal TNI Mohammad Tonny Harjono, on this occasion urged his ranks to improve the quality of main weapon system equipment (alutsista) and human resources to strengthen national defence.
Tonny, in his address at the 80th TNI AU anniversary ceremony in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Thursday, stated that the TNI AU is currently introducing many new alutsista. Ranging from fighter aircraft and transport aircraft to the deployment of new early-warning radars in radar units.
All these new alutsista are ensured to possess advanced and renewable technology, making them suitable as primary air defence tools. Nevertheless, according to Tonny, alutsista will not function optimally without support from quality human resources.