According to a press release received in Jakarta on Monday, Assistant for Operations of the TNI AU Chief of Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Suliono, presided over the dialogue, which gathered representatives from both forces.
Head of the TNI AU Information Office, Air Commodore I Nyoman Suadnyana, noted that the two sides expressed eagerness to collaborate on various initiatives, including establishing a coordination and capacity-building platform called the Su-30 Forum.
The Su-30 fighter jets, manufactured in Russia, are still in service with both the TNI AU and the IAF.
Suadnyana further stated that the 6th Air Staff Talks also paved the way for an air-to-air refueling drill program, which is set to involve IAF tanker aircraft and TNI AU fighter jets.
“The two air forces are also committed to mutually strengthening their interoperability and combat readiness,” the TNI AU officer said.
He went on to describe the agreed cooperation as highly strategic and beneficial for Indonesia, highlighting its potential to bolster TNI AU’s defense capabilities.
On that note, Suadnyana expressed confidence that the expanded collaboration would enhance TNI AU’s combat posture and ultimately solidify the security and integrity of Indonesia’s airspace.
He added that the strengthened air defense partnership would further deepen the long-standing bilateral relations between Indonesia and India.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, cooperation between the TNI AU and the IAF dates back to February 28, 1956, when both governments signed an agreement to advance air defense collaboration.
This partnership has since evolved through various initiatives, including a series of Air Staff Talks, with the fifth edition held in New Delhi in 2024 and the fourth in Jakarta in 2022.
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Translator: Walda M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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