Indonesia Orders 12 Leonardo M-346FA Jets for Training and Light Combat
Envanter Rapid News
Indonesia has agreed to acquire 12 M-346FA Block 20 aircraft from Italy’s Leonardo, with deliveries expected to begin in 2030.
- 12 M-346FA ‘Block 20’ light combat/training jets
- Seller: Leonardo with local partner PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia
- First delivery from 2030
- Indonesia becomes the 23rd M-346 operator worldwide
Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence announced on 22 July 2026 that it will procure 12 M-346FA (Fighter Attack) Block 20 aircraft from Italian aerospace group Leonardo. The deal covers a dual-role platform used both for advanced jet training and light combat missions.
Leonardo said the aircraft will provide Indonesian pilots with ‘multi-role combat capability and an advanced training platform.’ The programme runs through local partner PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia, signalling an industrial-cooperation element to the purchase.
Inside the Deal
The contract value was not disclosed. However, a comparable 12-aircraft order signed by Austria in late 2025 was valued at 1.5 billion euros (about 1.7 billion dollars), offering a reference point for the scale of the Indonesian buy.
The M-346FA is the armed derivative of the baseline M-346 advanced jet trainer. It can carry air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, positioning it as an economical option for light attack and border security. Indonesia will be the 23rd operator of the type; more than 170 M-346s have been ordered globally.
Jakarta’s Air Power Modernisation
The order is part of Indonesia’s broader air force renewal. In 2022 the country signed an 8.1 billion dollar contract with France’s Dassault for 42 Rafale fighters. The M-346FA will fill the pilot-training and low-cost mission tier alongside those heavier fighters.
Indonesia also signed a letter of intent for Leonardo AW149 multi-role helicopters for naval operations, underscoring Jakarta’s move to diversify procurement toward Western European manufacturers.
Why It Matters
Indonesia is a strategic Indo-Pacific actor by population and geography. Its choice of a dual-role trainer/light-combat jet reflects the cost-effectiveness sought by mid-sized regional air forces — the same market segment targeted by emerging platforms such as Turkey’s Hürjet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What missions can the M-346FA perform?
Beyond advanced jet training, it carries air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons for light attack, reconnaissance and border security roles.
When will deliveries begin?
According to Leonardo, first deliveries are expected from 2030.
Sources
- The Defense Post — birincil haber, 22 Temmuz 2026
- Leonardo (üretici) — M-346 ürün ve müşteri bilgisi
