Indonesia Preparing National Air Operations Command

Indonesian military is preparing to launch a new command structure- the National Air Operations Command (NAOC)- which will be responsible for air defense within the archipelago.

The formation of the NAOC is a follow up to the formation of the Joint Defense Area Command (Kogabwilhan), which oversees the existing combat units of all three military branches, Air Force chief of staff Marshal Yuyu Sutisna during the force’s 74th anniversary ceremony at its headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Thursday.

"Our main priority in this particular stage is to replace our Alutsista (equipment), especially our jet fighters, radars and missiles,” Yuyu said addressing the assembled officials and soldiers, Indonesian publication kompas.com reported.

He said the Air Force was working on the fourth phase of its strategic plan, which is expected to be completed by 2024. The Air Force would complete its ‘grand plan’ under the 15-year-old weaponry modernization program, the Minimum Essential Force, he added.

Editorial comment: Indonesia has detailed plans to buy 8 Su-35 fighter jets and 10-12 F-16 jets in the recent past. While both Moscow and Jakarta have not commented on the lack of progress on a 2018 contract to purchase the Su-35s in a cash-barter deal, the F-16 purchase plan is yet to see any concrete action such.