The Republic of Indonesia has marked its intention to purchase 24 F-15EX aircraft from Boeing.

“We are pleased to announce our commitment to procure the critical F-15EX fighter capability for Indonesia,” stated Minister Subianto.

The decision, however, still awaits U.S. government approval.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed at Boeing’s St. Louis facility by Air Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, Head of Defense Facilities Agency, Indonesia Ministry of Defense, and Mark Sears, Boeing Fighters vice president and program manager. The MoU ceremony took place after a tour of the F-15EX production line.

The F-15EX model is touted as the most sophisticated variant of the F-15 ever produced. It boasts of features like digital fly-by-wire flight controls, a new electronic warfare system, an all-glass digital cockpit, and cutting-edge mission systems and software. Presently, seven countries worldwide operate the F-15.

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Lisa West
Lisa West
Lisa has a degree in Media & Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University and works with industry news, sifting through press releases in addition to moderating website comments.

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37 COMMENTS

  1. Also.

    Indonesia has signed a heads of agreement (HOA) for the procurement of 24 Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopters.

    The HOA was signed by Sikorsky and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD). The MoD said the defence industry agreement “is related to the procurement of … the Black Hawk helicopters to strengthen the TNI helicopter fleet”.

    • I would imagine that it’s getting very difficulty to obtain spares to keep them flying due to the ongoing sanctions against Mad Vlad and his lot. Might well be the reason why they have decided to buy these as well as some French Rafales.
      If nothing else it will give the PRC something to mull over, as well as AUS I shouldn’t wonder.

      • That is a very interesting point, Deep32

        Anyone investing in Russian systems must wondering
        1. Was it a good buy?
        2. How do we get spares?

        Must be a huge market opening up now for Western kit.

        • There are some 15-20 countries still operating Mig29/Su30 aircraft in their various guises and numbers of aircraft, mostly in SE Asia and Africa, mainly not what you might call pro western either.
          So, probably a bit of a bonus for all their neighbours.

        • Anyone buying Russian hardware will be wondering
          1. Why did I buy this junk at high cost when it isn’t even 50% as good as comparable Western aircraft.
          2. Why do these aircraft bomb their own country?
          3. Why does the terrain following guidance system only have accuracy to within 50 miles

      • India might be able to provide spares for Su30 and Su27. India do their own maintenance on their Su30 MKI jets so I imagine it could be quite a nice little revenue earner doing maintenance and overhaul on foreign Su30 series jets. they probably have their own spares suppliers for the most common items.
        Russia even before the war started was a very unreliable supplier of spares and servicing.

        • Im sure that they aren’t the only ones who might be able to provide spares, but, it is becoming increasingly difficult to source components to manufacture spares without someone becoming aware.
          I would imagine the more high end spares that are required will be the most difficult to source!

    • I would not be surprised if we see an early retirement. You are probably aware Indonesia also purchased circa 12ex Qatar Mirage 2000-5 as in interim measure. I imagine these will replace the F16As, which are very tired by now.

    • At the same time Indonesia announced the Rafale purchase in 2022, it announced its intention to buy the F-15EX. This is that intention although the final order is a reduction in the number of aircraft. It’s quite clear that the US put enormous pressure on Indonesia to buy US fighter planes. Also, I think Indonesia recognizes that the US is the big kid on the block and complete reliance on France, which has virtually no Paciifc presence beyond some constabulary troops and a couple of frigates is foolhardy. It’s called hedging your bet.

      • It does make sense. US presence is strong in the Pacifique ocean. Though France is investing 13 Bn euro for it’s Pacifique Ocean forces. We deploy every year Rafales forces in this Ocean and numbers are rising. The network of bases enables France to increase numbers when needed by air operations with Rafale, A330 MRTT and A400-M. Numbers are on the rise and it did not get unnoticed by local allies like Indonesia and EU partners. Next year, the challenge is to bring EU partner forces in Asia, for training with allies. I hope that UK prestigious RAF will be able to fly along our squadrons with the Typhoon long range fighters. That would re assess the importance of freedom of navigation and open sea’s to all political actors in the area. USA alone will not be able to handle the rising pressure. All the seas that US navy is no longer able to patrol should be patrolled by EU fleet. (UK fleet involvment would be very important as well of course). All the airspace US air force cannot cover should be handled by EU forces and very welcomed’ly RAF, though we all know that UK is independant.
        I hope we don’t loose time and show enough presence now, in order to avoid any silly mistakes and bloodshed. Being aware now, increasing military engineering, production capabilities and budget now is the best way to avoid major conflict tomorow due to error of understanding in some foreign capitales.
        Indonesia will fly Rafale F4. May be in 2030, they will buy the combat drone, counterstealth, combat cloud, AI and SEAD capabilities with Rafale F5, but this still have to be developped and negociated. 15 Bn € are spent on the développent of this new version.
        I hope our brothers in arms from UK will not miss this opportunity to fly with us! Have a good day!

  4. Given the fisticuffs ongoing between Phillipinea and Chinese Coastguards at the moment, an interesting lecture given by an American financier on China weaponising her economy, and with Taiwan due for kick- off next April, May or August (high tides), Asia must feel like shitting bricks.

    Task and Purpose pointed out that the F15EX is a missile truck which given the preponderance of Chinese fast air, is probably needed… now.

    • Believe that F-15EX capabilities (w/ robust munitions load out) may well prove to be adequate for Indonesian requirements, on an interim basis. Presumably, even PLAAF will take note of the upgrade.

      • Adequate…?

        USAF, what would you suggest was Good, and would be Excellent?

        …Adequate… walks off shaking head…

        • I would always put adequate in the “good”. Anything below adequate is by its nature not good…but then I always do my wife’s head in by saying pretty much everything is “not bad”…what do you mean by “not bad”….well umm “good” I say….

          • Thankfully, Yougov just ask to give them 1 – 10.

            Given every question they ask is related to marketing and chuff all to do with politics, when asked about the survey I give 1 – pants is not an option provided.

  5. Such a big weapons platform, loved watching F15s thanking off in pairs, the power was bone shaking, I bet this variant can hold its own.

  6. Wonder how F15EX would perform against Typhoons or Rafales ,or SU35s not that any of us want to find out about unfriendly one on the list ?

      • Sadly in the real world, the Rafale definitely beats the Typhoon and probably the F15 even though the roles aren’t similar

      • Nagh it would be typhoon, Rafael, F15EX then last SU35. I don’t believe any Russian bluster about their aircraft capabilities. The proof is in the pudding, they are the puddings.
        SU35 has acheived precisely bugger all in the Ukraine air war.

        • I know they are, choke… cough… splutter… fffffFrench, but, clutches throat, the fffffffffffFrench, would have a, ahem, good chance. Spppttt.

    • Hehehe… Rafale on top, like in all joint exercises or RFQ 😄 Well, it will be at least a bit of pilote skills. Rafale in air to air load will detect F15 first and shoot first due to better sensor, missiles, Spectra and RCA, but we all know that « it depends of the parameters of the training, pilote skills and so on. Even if Rafale comes with a clear advantage over all these plateformes, you cannot dismiss easily the excellent pilote skills of US and UK pilotes. They can do marvels and we all know it. Besides, even though it is not really relevant, F15 and Typhoon can fly very high and very fast. It will not be of great help against Rafale Spectra, resuced RCS and Radar, but it is still an edge 😉

      • Well I guess the USA would never buy Typhoon or Rafale so there came up with F15EX as F22 to Expensive. Cheers for your post 🍺

  7. Would be interesting to know what the Australians think about this? It was not long ago when Australia viewed Indonesia as a potential adversary.

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