The Indonesian Air Force, or TNI-AU, is acquiring a dozen Pilatus PC-24 twin-jet aircraft for roles such as transport pilot training, light air transport and liaison. Announced by Pilatus on 30 March, the contract was signed with PT E-System Solutions Indonesia, a defence contractor representing Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence.
The agreement, of indeterminate dollar value, includes ground support equipment, tools, spare parts, training and technical support from Pilatus, as well as an option for additional aircraft.
Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, commented: “We appreciate the trust placed in Pilatus by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. This programme marks the beginning of a long-term relationship, and our priority is to support Indonesia in putting the fleet into service smoothly.”
The Swiss aircraft company said it will provide an integrated support programme to ensure maximum fleet availability and efficient maintenance.
Pilatus said in a statement: “The PC-24 was developed for exceptional operational flexibility and is certified for single-pilot operation. It is equipped with a standard cargo door and is approved for use on unpaved runways.”
It added, “Above all, however, its ability to take off and land at short airfields and operate from unpaved runways, which increases accessibility to more remote islands in the 17,000-island nation, was a decisive selection criterion.”
Because the TNI-AU can rapidly reconfigure its PC-24s, this allows the air force to field a platform that can perform varied military tasks without needing separate specialist fleets. Able to land on rough runways, it will link isolated bases across the Indonesian archipelago.
A pair of Williams International FJ44-4A turbofans gives the PC-24 business jet a cruising speed of 440kt and a range of 1,182nm with a maximum payload of 1,134kg. Its service ceiling is 9,145m.
The only other known military operators of the PC-24 are France and Qatar.
Ioannis Papachristofilou, Vice President of Government Aviation at Pilatus, remarked: “The selection by the Indonesian Air Force emphasises the growing interest of government operators in our PC-24 Super Versatile Jet. We remain focused on supplying solutions to facilitate various missions ranging from training to transport.”
On the same day as the PC-24 contract was announced, Pilatus revealed that a letter of intent had also been signed for the supply of 24 PC-21 trainer aircraft to the TNI-AU. This potential package would include ground-based training equipment, spare parts, ground support equipment and technical support.
The TNI-AU currently depends on basic trainers like the Grob G 120TP and the KT-1 trainer from Korea Aerospace Industries, so a trainer like the PC-21 with its digital cockpit and mission simulation system could greatly improve the pilot training pipeline and ease the transition of pilots into fighters.
Indeed, this Indonesian PC-24 contract and interest in the PC-21 solidifies the presence of Pilatus in Asia-Pacific, with Australia’s and Singapore’s air forces both flying the PC-21 as their trainer.
In other TNI-AU news, the air force is receiving nine NC212i light transport aircraft from PT Dirgantara Indonesia. The fifth NC212i was handed over on 28 October 2024, and the sixth in February 2025. The seventh unit was delivered on 4 December 2025 as a dedicated navigation training aircraft.
The TNI-AU also has two new Dassault Falcon 8X business jets that it uses for logistical and command operations. The first arrived in country on 8 November 2023, and the second on 29 August 2024. They are operated by the 17th Squadron based at Halim Air Force Base in East Jakarta.
The acquisition of this pair of Falcon 8Xs was connected to the Indonesian Air Force’s purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, for which deliveries are ongoing.
Elsewhere, the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) recently procured four Vulcanair AP.68TP-600 A-Viator twin-engine aircraft for light utility and multi-sensor surveillance roles. A preliminary contract was inked in December 2023, and it came into effect on 29 January this year after financing had been approved by Jakarta.
Production of these aircraft is now under way in Italy.
by Gordon Arthur
