Indonesian Defense Minister Plans 80 CN235/CN295 Aircraft Procurement, Reviews F-16 Upgrade

Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced plans to procure 80 CN235/CN295 aircraft by 2029 during his visit to PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) in Bandung on March 27, 2025.

The visit focused on reviewing key defense programs, including the Indonesian Army’s multipurpose helicopter, the F-16 upgrade, and the development of the N219 aircraft and its amphibious variant.

"I also highlighted the importance of accelerating procurement, including the procurement plan for 80 CN235/CN295 units until 2029, and encouraged PT DI to study cooperation opportunities as a concrete step towards the independence of the national defense industry," Sjamsoeddin stated.

The CN235, developed jointly by CASA of Spain and Indonesian manufacturer IPTN, is a medium-range, twin-engine transport aircraft. The C295, originally designed by CASA and now part of Airbus Defence and Space, serves as a tactical transport aircraft used by multiple air forces worldwide.

Sjamsoeddin also examined Indonesia’s ongoing F-16 upgrade efforts. The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has been upgrading its F-16A/B fleet under the Falcon STAR (Structural Augmentation Roadmap) enhanced mid-life upgrade (eMLU) program. The upgrade, conducted by PTDI engineers under Lockheed Martin supervision, extends the operational life of the aircraft by up to 8,000 flight hours and enhances avionics, weapon systems, and structural integrity.

Indonesia currently operates over 30 F-16s, including 24 F-16C/Ds upgraded through a U.S. Air Force program completed in 2017. The country previously outlined plans to procure two squadrons of F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft as part of its Minimum Essential Force (MEF) modernization efforts.