Vice President Offers Congratulations and Hopes for the Indonesian Air Force's 80th Anniversary

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, extended congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force and urged it to strengthen its role as an aerial force safeguarding Indonesia’s sovereignty.

In a post on the official TNI AU social media, quoted from Jakarta on Thursday, Vice President Gibran offered congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force.

“Over eight decades of service, the Indonesian Air Force has demonstrated high dedication, loyalty, and professionalism in maintaining the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia’s airspace, protecting all Indonesian people, and carrying out various operational tasks,” said the Vice President.

The Vice President stated that with the spirit of the theme “Boundless Dedication, Effective TNI AU, Advancing Indonesia,” the TNI AU is expected to strengthen its role as the guardian of Indonesia’s skies.

“I hope the Indonesian Air Force can further strengthen its role as a resilient aerial force and a sturdy protective wing in safeguarding the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Gibran.

Previously, the 80th anniversary commemoration of the TNI AU, observed on 9 April 2026, adopts the theme “Boundless Dedication, Effective TNI AU, Advancing Indonesia.”

On this occasion today, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU), Air Marshal TNI Mohammad Tonny Harjono, asked his subordinates to enhance the quality of main weapon system equipment (alutsista) and human resources (HR) to strengthen national defence.

Tonny, in his address at the 80th TNI AU anniversary ceremony in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Thursday, said that currently the TNI AU is introducing many new alutsista, ranging from fighter aircraft and transport aircraft to the deployment of new radar units.

All these new alutsista are ensured to have advanced and renewable technology, making them suitable as primary air defence tools.

However, according to him, all such alutsista will not function optimally without support from quality human resources.