Indonesian Air Force
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| Indonesian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Image:Id-airforceflag.gif | |
| Active | |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Size | 28,329 personnel 250 aircraft |
| Motto | Swa Bhuwana Paksa (Sanskrit, lit:"Wings of the Motherland") |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Air Staff | Air Marshal Herman Prayitno |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | Image:Roundel indonesia.svg |
The Indonesian Air Force (Indonesian: Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara or TNI-AU) is the air force branch of the Indonesian Armed Forces.
Personnel of the Indonesian Air Force total 28,329.
[edit] Before Indonesian Independence (1941-1945)
After World War II ended, Indonesia became the second country (after Thailand/Siam) in South East Asia to acquire an Air Force capability. Indonesian pilots fought against the colonial forces of The Netherlands during 1945-1949 with former Japanese aircraft abandoned at the end of World War II, as well aircraft of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (including Curtiss P-36 Mohawk, Brewster F2A Buffalo and Fokker D.XXI fighters; Glenn Martin B-10 bombers; Fokker C.X reconnaissance floatplanes) left before the occupation by Japan in 1941.
[edit] Indonesian War of Independence/The Netherlands 'Police Action' (1945-1949)
After the Japanese surrendered at the end of WW II, Indonesian nationalist leader Sukarno declared Indonesian Independence on August 17th, 1945. Several days later, a People'a Security Force (Badan Keamanan Rakyat) was formed to undertake security duties. The Air Division of this force was also formed, using ex-Japanese planes scattered everywhere, especially in the island of Java, included Bugis Air Base in Malang (situated in 18 September 1945). The most numerous of these airplanes were the Kawanishi K5Y1 Willow (Curen) trainers, which were hastily used to train newly recruited cadets. At the time of the founding, there was only 1 Indonesian holding a multi-engine pilot license from the pre-war Dutch Flying School (but never had any opportunity to fly during the 3.5-year Japanese occupation). He was assisted by a few Japanese pilots who decided to stay in the newly born country. The new roundel was created simply by painting white on the lower part of the Japanese Hinomaru, reflecting the red and white of the Indonesian flag. The People's Security Force was then re-organized to form a formal armed force. This marked the birth of the Indonesian Air Force on April 9th, 1946. However, tensions rose as the Dutch tried to re-claim her former colony and launched an assault in July 21st, 1947, destroying most of the planes on the ground. Some planes survived though and were hidden in remote bases.
July 29th, 1947 saw the first air operation by the newborn air force as 3 surviving aircraft comprising 2 Kawanishi K5Y1 Willows (Curen) and a Mitsubishi Ki-51 Sonia (the fourth aircraft, a Nakajima Ki-43 Oscar (Hayabusha), should also have been involved in the raid, but as of when it was launched, the aircraft was not airworthy) conducted air raids at dawn on the Dutch Army barracks in Semarang, Salatiga and Ambarawa, dropping incendiary bombs. Tactically, these raids did not have any effect on the Dutch positions, but psychologically it was a great success as it proved that the Indonesian Air Force still existed. The Dutch had previously claimed the destruction of Indonesian Air Force in their assault before and they never expected any attack from the sky.
With the pressure from the United Nations, the Dutch finally agreed to acknowledge Indonesian independence following the 1949 Round Table Conference, sovereignty was officially transferred to the United States of Indonesia. The Dutch armed forces left (but remained in West Papua until 1963) and the airplanes were handed over to the Indonesians. These comprised, among others, North American P-51 Mustang, North American B-25 Mitchell, Douglas A-26 Invader, Douglas C-47 Dakota and Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, which served as the main forces of the Indonesian Air Force for the following decade. During this era, Indonesia received her first jet aircraft; De Havilland DH-115 Vampire. It was also during this era that the national roundels were changed to the red & white pentagon.
In this period, the Indonesian Air Force also fought against several local rebels in Indonesia, such as PRRI-PERMESTA, Darul Islam-Tentara Islam Indonesia (DI/TII) and the Republic of South Maluku separatists.
[edit] The Golden Era of Soviet Influence (1962-1965)
The rise of the communist party in Indonesia drew Indonesia closer to the Eastern Block. Several Soviet-built aircraft began to arrive in the early 60’s. Indonesia even became the first non-Soviet country to receive and operate the new Tu-16 Badger bombers. Up to 25 Tu-16 Badgers arrived and gave a great deterrent power when facing rebellions and confrontations. Several kinds of MiG also arrived comprising MiG-15UTI Fagot, MiG-17F/PF Fresco, MiG-19S Farmer and F-13 Fishbed, supported with Il-28 Beagle, Mi-4 Hound, Mi-6 Hook and An-12 Cub.Indonesia also received La-11. Some Tu-2 from China also arrived, intended to replace the B-25, but they never reached operational status. These aircraft served along with the remaining western aircraft such as B-25 Mitchell, A-26 Invader, C-47 Dakota, and P-51 Mustang. It was during this period that the Indonesian Air Force became the largest air force in the southern hemisphere. This era also marked the last confrontation with the Dutch in Papua, before the Dutch, again under pressure of the United Nations, finally left in 1963.
In this period, Indonesian Air Force also took part in the confrontation with the Malaysian Federation (backed by the United Kingdom) along the border of Kalimantan, the Malacca Strait and near the Singapore Border.
[edit] The September 30 movement and the Overthrow of Soekarno (1966-1970)
The coup attempt lead by the 30 September Movement in 1965 changed everything and a new anti-communist regime from the Army, led by Major General Suharto, took power. Ties with the Eastern block countries were cut, and thus support and spare parts for the planes became short. By the early 70’s most of the Eastern block planes were either grounded or scrapped. The largest air force in the southern hemisphere slowly but surely became one of the smallest. In this period, the Indonesian Air Force bought 16 units of OV-10 Bronco for counter intersurgency purpose. The Indonesian Air Force also took part in the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor (now Timor Leste)
[edit] Rebirth of the Indonesian Air Force (1970-1980)
Indonesia recovered soon by receiving ex-Royal Australian Air Force CAC Sabres to replace their MiG-21's.
Indonesia then purchased BAe Hawk Mk 53s from United Kingdom in the 1970's.
[edit] The Influence of Western Products (1980-1998)
Indonesia received 25 ex-Israeli A-4 Skyhawks in 1981. In 1982, Indonesia purchased 16 Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II from the United States to replace their North American Sabre's. After a tight competition for a new fighter bomber with Dassault Mirage 2000 from France during 1986 to 1988 (especially after the Indonesian Air Show in 1986), Indonesia bought 12 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon Block 15 OCU as a new fighter to strengthen the Indonesian Air Force in 1989. A total of F-16A and F-16B are still in service with Indonesian Air Force: 2 planes crashed in two different accidents. However, only a few of these are still serviceable. The Indonesian Air Force bought BAe Hawk Mk 209 in the 1990's.
[edit] Back to Russian Products, the Indonesian Air Force Today (1998-until now)
In 2005 the Indonesian Air Force experienced a logistics crisis, especially in regard to the F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-4 Skyhawks that accounted for almost 80% of the total number of Indonesian combat aircraft. The supply of spare parts for these aircraft from the United States was stopped due to an embargo imposed on Indonesia following a number of violations against civil and human rights in East Timor. This led to the grounding of most of the Western-made fighters.
In response to this embargo, in 2003 the Indonesian Air Force bought two Sukhoi Aerospace Su-27 Flankers and two Sukhoi Aerospace Su-30 Flanker-Ds from KnAAPO, Russia. However, there was no money for any weapons for these aircraft. In 2006, The Indonesian Air force agreed to purchase three Sukhoi Aerospace Su-27SKM Flankers, three Sukhoi Aerospace Su-30MK2 Flanker-Ds From KnAAPO.
To date, the Indonesian Air Force has only acquired four types of missiles - the AS-1 Kennel (KS-1 Kometa), AIM-9 Sidewinder, AGM-65 Maverick and AA-2 Atoll (Vympel K-13). In the future, Indonesia will purchase more advanced air-to-air missiles, such as AA-10 Alamo (Vympel R-27), AA-11 Archer (Vympel R-73), AA-12 Adder (Vympel R-77) and AA-X-13 Arrow (Vympel R-37), as well as other air-to-ground missiles (AS-14 Kedge), anti ship missiles (Zvezda Kh-31 and Zvezda Kh-59HK), general purpose bombs and cluster bombs from Russia, to strengthen their 5 Su-27SK and 5 Su-30MK2.
In order to modernize their F-16A/B, the Indonesian Air Force also plans to upgrade their F-16 version to F-16C/D standard. It also plans to replace their OV-10F Bronco, F-5E/F Tiger II and BAe Hawk Mk-53 before 2008 with new airplanes. The possible replacements are still under evaluation, and include the K-8 Karakorum from China, Yakovlev Yak-130 from Russia, Aermacchi MB-339A from Italy and L-159 Alca from Czech Republic to replace the Hawk Mk-53; Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano from Brazil and KO-1 (Armed KT-1) from South Korea to replace their OV-10F Bronco. As a replacement for the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II, military analysts predict that they will evaluate the F-16C/D Block 50/52 from USA, SAAB JAS 39C/D Gripen from Sweden, A-50 from South Korea, Chengdu J-10 (imported as F-10 Vanguard) from China and other products from Russia, (Possible including the MiG-35E (MiG-29OVT) Fulcrum) .
The Air Force also plans to modernize its C-130A and C-130B Hercules to C-130J standard and will purchase C-130J Hercules before 2020.
Military analysts also predict that the Air Force will need more than 50 units of Su-27s variants (Su-27SKM, Su-30MKI as a refurbished variant of Su-30 to replace their F-16A/B if necessary and Su-30MK2) and they will modernize their Su-27s to the same capabilities as Chinese, Indian and Malaysian aircraft (essentially similar to the Indian Su-30MKI's requirement) Su-27s and Su-30s (with thrust vector control (TVC), canards, improved radar and fuel system).
In 2002, Indonesian Air Force fought against local separatists, such as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM)). In the conflict with GAM in Aceh, the Indonesian Air Force often used OV-10Fs for counter-insurgency actions along with BAe Hawk 53 and 209.
[edit] Aircraft inventory
The Air Force operates 250 aircraft, over 70 combat jets and 63 helicopters.
[edit] Commanders
The following have served as Chief of the Air Staff:
| No | Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soerjadi Soerjadarma | 9 April 1946 | 19 January 1962 |
| 2 | Omar Dani | 19 January 1962 | 24 November 1965 |
| 3 | Sri Mulyono Herlambang | 27 November 1965 | 31 March 1966 |
| 4 | Roesmin Noerjadin | 31 March 1966 | 10 November 1969 |
| 5 | Soewoto Sukendar | 10 November 1969 | 28 March 1973 |
| 6 | Saleh Basarah | 28 March 1973 | 4 June 1977 |
| 7 | Ashadi Tjahyadi | 4 June 1977 | 26 November 1982 |
| 8 | Soekardi | 26 November 1982 | 11 April 1986 |
| 9 | Oetomo | 11 April 1986 | 1 March 1990 |
| 10 | Siboen Dipoatmodjo | 1 March 1990 | 23 March 1993 |
| 11 | Rilo Pambudi | 23 March 1993 | 15 March 1996 |
| 12 | Sutria Tubagus | 15 March 1996 | 3 July 1998 |
| 13 | Hanafie Asnan | 3 July 1998 | 25 April 2002 |
| 14 | Chappy Hakim | 25 April 2002 | 23 February 2005 |
| 15 | Djoko Suyanto | 23 February 2005 | 13 February 2006 |
| 16 | Herman Prayitno | 13 February 2006 | present |
[edit] Further Reading
- Carlo Kopp, 'Indonesia's Air Capacity of Critical Concern to Australia,' Australian Aviation magazine, April 1993, pages 32-41
[edit] External links
- Official Website of TNI-AU (Air Force)
- Indonesian Air Forcefr:Armée de l'air indonésienne
id:Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara ms:Tentera udara Indonesia nl:Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU)
