BOEING UPS THE ANTE IN TNI-AU F-15EX EAGLE PROCUREMENT.
Boeing agrees to Indonesian Defence investment program to secure deal for F-15EX Eagle II contract.
Article: Jaryd Stock
Images: USAF, Boeing
Boeing Southeast Asia President Penny Burtt has enhanced the company’s offer to Indonesia regarding the purchase of F-15EX fighter jets by committing to an 85% local content requirement set by the Indonesian government.
The pledge made last week at a press briefing in Indonesia aims to align with the countries national defence and industrial priorities, particularly under the Indonesian Defence Ministry’s IDKLO (Indigenous Defence Capability and Offset) program, which the Indonesian government mandates a substantial local involvement and investment in the local defence industry be made with any foreign military manufacture procurement.
The F-15EX deal, valued at approximately $14 billion, is part of Indonesia’s broader efforts to modernise its military capabilities and modernise the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU/ Indonesian Air Force).
Back in 2023 the Indonesian government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing for its desire to acquire 24 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft to replace its ageing aircraft notably the Russian made Sukhoi Su-27SKM/ Su-30 Flankers which operate in the strike role with the TNI-AU.
When the MoU was signed back in October of 2023, the media release stated that the F-15 EX which will be now designated as the F-15IDN if procured by the TNI-AU would greatly enhance operations and enhance defence modernisation.
There are four natural maritime chokepoints around Indonesia which is a vast archipelago with around 17,000 islands in its territories. The F-15EX’s capabilities make it a compelling option for Indonesia’s strategic needs with the aircraft’s long range and heavy payload capacity well-suited to patrolling the countries expansive maritime borders.
The press release nearly two years ago also stated that the F-15IDN would greatly enhance abilities to control airspace, deter aggression, support ground operations and be able to gain better interoperability in conducting training with key allies to be a combat ready asset for the TNI-AU.
The F-15EX is a 4.5 generation fighter jet with open mission systems architecture which allows for rapid integration of new system Block upgrades during the aircrafts lifespan, ensuring adaptability in evolving combat environments which is constantly changing in the Indo-Pacific region.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2.5, a combat range of approximately 2,200 kilometres, and the ability to carry up to 29,500 pounds of payload across 23 weapon stations, the F-15EX is a versatile platform for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Its conformal fuel tanks extend its operational reach, and its compatibility with hypersonic weapons positions it as a bridge to next-generation warfare.
The F-15EX comes with a sophisticated electronic warfare and sensor suite designed with the Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) specifically, it utilises the AN/APG-82(V)1 radar which will add a significant enhancement in the capabilities already in service with the Indonesian military.
However the MoU agreement does face some challenges due to politics between Indonesia and the United States and generally in the region itself. Indonesia copped a 32% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on Indonesian imports in early April, as part of the “America First” economic agenda apart of a much broader trade .
Maj Benjamin “Torch” Naumann and Maj Mark “Smack” Smith from the 40th Flight Test Squadron flying the F-15EX Eagle II prepare to fire an AIM-120D missile during a test mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla, Jan 25, 2022. The F-15EX can hold up to 12 AIM-120D missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. John Raven)
Another hurdle is Indonesia already committing to the Dassault Rafale fighter jet in which it plans to operate 42 of the aircraft and will see deliveries to the TNI-AU start from February 2026 with an initial six aircraft. Indonesia has also ordered two of the Airbus Defence A400M aircraft which is slated to be delivered by end of this year.
These obstacles has raised concerns internally about the economic feasibility of the F-15EX deal and wether or not the Indonesian government can afford to procure the F-15IDN variant of the Eagle.
It could be said in response to the above mentioned hurdles, Boeing committing to a substantial locally produced deal with Indonesia, is seen as a smart strategic move to mitigate the impact of those hurdles and strengthen bilateral ties between the U.S. and Indonesia, ultimately the decision lies with the Indonesian government which is currently waiting to give its final approval for the F-15EX acquisition.
Boeing’s outside of the box initiative underscores the company’s adaptability in navigating the complex trade dynamics currently in effect, while supporting Indonesia’s defence modernisation objectives by supporting local academia and local defence industry by investing infrastructure which would help the company and the United States politically gain a bigger foot hold in South East Asia, an area which has seen a lot of attention by key players in the Indo-Pacific region and threats constantly evolving.
Penny Burtt, president, Boeing Southeast Asia, and Rob Novotny, executive director, Fighters Business Development, Boeing Defense, Space & Security at last week briefing in Indonesia.
Artists rendition of the Boeing F-15IDN Eagle II in TNI-AU markings.- Boeing
Jaryd Stock is based in Sydney Australia. He has been a die-hard aviation enthusiast from a young age when he was chauffeured around by his father to various airshows and airports around Australia. At his first Airshow he witnessed the awesomeness of a General Dynamics F-111C and immediately fell in love with aviation.
Jaryd picked up a camera at a young age and has never looked back. He now combines photography and writing to highlight “Downunder” aviation; especially U.S. DoD units. Jaryd uses Nikon cameras and lenses.