Indonesian F-16s, Super Tucanos practice on civilian road
Exercise comes as Jakarta contemplates renewal for its eclectic fast jet fleet.
Indonesian combat aircraft have conducted an exercise where they landed and took off from a civilian toll road in east Java.
The effort involved two Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters and two Embraer EMB-314/A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, according to the Indonesian air force.
Prior to the effort, which took place on the toll road between the towns of Pasuruan and Probolinggo, the surface conditions were inspected, and portable runway lights were deployed.
Footage posted on social media shows both aircraft type’s landing and taking off on the road, passing a pavilion set up for observers.
“This test provides material for evaluation to refine procedures, enhance personnel readiness, and strengthen air operation support,” says the air force.
“The use of toll roads as alternative runways remains limited and situational, while still prioritizing safety and the toll road’s primary function for the public.”
Indonesia’s 33 F-16s – of which 10 are F-16A/Bs and 23 are F-16C/Ds – and 13 Super Tucanos are part of an eclectic fixed-wing fighter fleet that also includes five Sukhoi Su-27s and 11 Su-30MKs, as well as 28 older BAE Systems Hawk 100/200s.
The highway exercise comes as the air force contemplates a decade of change as Southeast Asian neighbors also consider new types. In May, it inducted the Dassault Aviation Rafale. At that time, it had received six examples out of total deliveries of 42.
Jakarta also has firm orders for 48 Turkish Aerospace (TAI) Kaan fighters that are planned for arrival from 2032 onwards. Jakarta could also order 16 Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 fighters, a programme in which it has footed development costs, but has yet to support with a firm order.
There have also been persistent reports that Jakarta might order the AVIC Chengdu J-10C.
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