Indonesian Air Force – History – Inventory – Strength

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is one of Indonesian Military power. Its a branch of the armed forces which is part of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. It is responsible for the air defense operations of the Republic of Indonesia. Indonesian Air Force was formed on 9 April 1946 along with the establishment of Indonesian Armed Forces.

According to the neighbor countries like Malaysia and Australia, Indonesian Air Force is a great and respected air force due to its troops and equipment.

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History and Duties

Indonesian Air Force was born simultaneously with the founding of the People’s Security Force (BKR) on August 23, 1945.

At that time the formation of the Air Force was expected to strengthen the air fleet which at that time lacked aircraft and other facilities. Then on April 9, 1946, Indonesian Air Force was inaugurated and then commemorated as the birthday of Indonesian Air Force along with Indonesian Armed Force. On July 29, 1947, Indonesian Air Force managed to bomb the Dutch strongholds in Semarang, Salatiga and Ambarawa. (see also: Indonesian Democracy)

At that time they used planes which were taken from Japanese soldiers such as Cureng, Nishikoren, and Hayabusha. Then after a few years later, the Air Force received Dutch air force assets including aircraft, hangars, maintenance depots, and other logistic depots. (See also: New Years in Indonesia)

In accordance with the legal basis in Indonesia, the Indonesian Air Force is tasked for:

Carry out Indonesian Armed Force air defense tasks in the field of defense,
Uphold the law and maintain security in the air territorial of national jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of national law and international law that have been ratified,
Carry out the duties of Indonesian Armed Force in the development and improvement of air dimension,
Implementing the empowerment of air defense areas. (see also: Fasting in Indonesia)

As already mentioned above, the Indonesian Air Force is respected for its troops and equipment. These two elements are the strength source for Indonesian Air Force. And further information, we will discuss more about these elements below. (See also: Surabaya War)

Troops Strength

Indonesian Air Force is currently strengthened by two forces who both have different duties and functions that consists of:

1. Air Force Troops Strength

a. Paskhas Corps (Korps Paskhas)

The orange beret troop that used to be very famous by the name of the Fast Movement Corps (PGT) is a qualified army for Para-Commando. It is an offensive combat troop air of Indonesian Air Force which consists of:

Bravo Detachment 90 anti-terror unit. (see also: Papua Cultures)
Paskhas Escort and Protocol unit (Satwakol Paskhas) – Indoneisan Air Force HQs.
Paskhas Matra Detachment (Denmatra Paskhas).
Paskhas Air Defense Detachment (Denhanud Paskhas). (See also: Indonesian Beliefs and Values)
Para-Commandos Troop (461th-469th Commando Battalion).
Paskhas Combat Support Regiment (Menbanpur Paskhas). (see also: History of Jakarta)
Paskhas Education and Training Centre (Pusdiklat Paskhas).

b. Air Force Base Defense and Security Unit (Defensive)

These troops had previously existed in every main air-base throughout Indonesia whose members were formed by taking staffs from every base with an officer as Head of Air Force Base Defense and Security Unit. In the future, these internal units will be formed into an Air Force Military Police (POM-AU). The unit consists of:

Base Defence Company (Kompi Hanlan) consists of Paskhas personnel equipped with 12.7 mm weaponry.
Base Security Company (Kompi Hanlan) which is the Tactical Company of the Air Force base consists of Air Force base organic personnel equipped with Anti-riot and water cannon.
Air Force Military Police Security Forces Battalion (Ton Paspam Pomau).
Air Force Military Police K9 dog Brigade Battalion (Ton Brigan Pomau).

Air Combat Operations Command

The operation of combat air force is a combination of air attack command, air defense command, and air support command which are combat elements owned by Indonesian Air Force which are Aircraft, Radar, Missile, Corps Paskhas, Air-base.

In the future is ship for radar deployment that is located in the mid-ocean that there is no island and also to mobilize personnel and equipment to remote radar units that cannot be landed by aircraft.

All of these form a unity that cannot be separated in the implementation of an air operation. The implementations of Air Combat Operations Command are:

a. Air Assault Command (Komando Serangan Udara)

Airstrike Division. (See also: Indonesian Theater)
1. Strategic Air Combat Squadron.
2. Tactical Air Combat Squadron.
Paskhas Quick Reaction Assault Troops.
1. 1/2/3 Paskhas Commando Brigade. (See also: Traditional Music of Indonesia)
2. Paskhas Combat Support Regiment.
3. Paskhas Bravo Detachment 90 Unit.
4. Paskhas Matra Detachment 1/2/3. (See also: Hijab in Indonesia)

b. National Air Defense Command (Kohanudnas)

100th Wing Paskhas Mid/Long Distance Air Defense.
200th Wing Radar Unit.
300th Wing Air Combat Assault Squadron. (See also: Indonesian Art Gallery)
400th Wing Paskhas Short Distance Air Defense.

c. Air Assistance Command (Kodukud)

Aircraft Element (Transport, Reconnaissance, Helicopter)
Main Air Force Base and Air Force Base Elements (See also: Buddhism in Indonesia)

Inventory

Indonesian Air Force orders some the main equipment of new weapon system (Alutsista) in recent years and will show it to the public on the anniversary of the Indonesian Armed Force on 5 October.
Qualitatively the needs of defense equipment and its deployment are arranged based on the tasks to carry out the air operations in order to uphold sovereignty on land and at sea, therefore it should ideally have:

1. The Air Beater Strength

Attack aircraft that is capable of carrying out strategic and tactical air operations for destruction of terrestrial and aquatic targets up to the opponent’s prep area.
Advanced Early Warning (AEW) aircraft that is capable of carrying out air combat management. Electronic war to interfere the ability of electromagnetic waves from the enemy and ensure the smooth use of electromagnetic waves themselves.
Tanker aircraft that is capable of carrying out Air Refeuling support for attack aircraft that has planned to operate far beyond ZEE.
Command aircraft that is equipped with K3I facilities and have adequate coverage and capability as a leader to control and monitor the running of operations required by Kodal aircraft.

2. Air Reconnaissance strength

Strategic reconnaissance aircraft, for surveillance to beyond the ZEE boundary.
Tactical airborne aircraft, for detailed surveillance of battle areas of both manned and unmanned aircraft.

3. Airborne Strength

Strategic Airplanes that is capable of transporting Corps Paskhas Airborne Battalion to the trouble spot areas.
Tactical Airplanes and Helicopters. (See also: Indonesian Heritage)
Special VVIP / VIP Transport Aircraft either fix wing or rotary wing.