Australian and Indonesian Air Forces train air combat skills in AUSINDO 23 exercise.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is deploying six F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters to Indonesia for the first time, as part of Exercise Elang AUSINDO 23. Held at Manado in North Sulawesi from 18 to 28 September 23, Exercise Elang AUSINDO 23 involves 150 RAAF personnel training alongside 160 Indonesian personnel. The Indonesian Air Force is deploying F-16 fighters for the air combat mission.

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  Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lighting II (Picture source: RAAF/Australian DoD)

Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, Air Commander Australia, said the exercise marks the first time Australia has deployed the F-35A to Indonesia: “Exercise Elang AUSINDO is a regular combined training activity to increase our capacity to work together. Through this exercise, we can build mutual cooperation, trust and understanding, both at the aviator level and more broadly between the Australian Defence Force and Indonesian National Armed Forces. We are fully committed to a strong bilateral partnership with Indonesia; this important exercise allows our air forces to develop deeper relationships and enhance cooperation.”

Exercise Elang AUSINDO 23 is seeing Australian and Indonesian personnel plan and execute air combat exercise missions including offensive and defensive counter-air missions; basic fighter manoeuvres and air combat manoeuvres and air-to-air refuelling with a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport.

First held in 1993, Exercise Elang AUISINDO is part of a series of air cooperation exercises with Indonesia that includes Albatross AUSINDO (for maritime surveillance) and Rajawali AUSINDO (for tactical airlift).