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Australian and Indonesian fighter jets have shared the skies over Sumatra last month as the Royal Australian Air Force deployed six F-35A Lightning II aircraft, a KC-30A MRTT and 150 personnel to Pekanbaru for Exercise Elang Ausindo 2025.
The bilateral exercise, which pairs the RAAF’s fifth-generation F-35A fighters with the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI-AU) proven F-16 Fighting Falcons, officially opened on 21 August with a patch-exchange ceremony between pilots and a welcoming address by Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base Commander, Air First Marshal (Marsma) Abdul Haris.
Marsma Haris told participants the activity was about far more than tactical manoeuvres and aerial skills.
“More than that, this exercise is a symbol of friendship, solidarity and commitment of both nations to continue strengthening cooperative relations in the field of defence,” he said.
For Australia, it was a return to familiar territory. Defence attaché Brigadier Micah Batt noted it had been 32 years since Elang Ausindo was last conducted in Sumatra, and the first time it had been staged in Pekanbaru.
“In 1993 we were very grateful to be hosted by TNI-AU in Sumatra, and since then we’ve worked in various locations across the Indonesian archipelago. It’s terrific to be back for this year’s exercise,” BRIG Batt said.
Over the course of the activity, pilots from both nations planned and flew a series of missions, including offensive and defensive counter-air, basic fighter manoeuvres and dogfighting drills. Air-to-air refuelling was also a feature, with the RAAF’s KC-30A providing fuel to both F-35As and F-16s in mid-air, a practical test of interoperability between the two forces.
The exercise gave the RAAF an important opportunity to operate its newest fighters in a regional environment without direct US support, while offering the TNI-AU valuable exposure to fifth-generation aircraft tactics.
For both sides, however, the emphasis was as much on relationships as it was on capability.
“Through this exercise, we not only hone our technical skills but build trust, strengthen brotherhood and lay the foundation for future cooperation,” Marsma Haris said.
“It’s important to reflect on these common bonds and to build a common focus to strengthen the security of our region. Exercise Elang Ausindo is a tangible example of that – two partners working closely together for our common security interests.”
Part of a long-running series of bilateral air cooperation activities, Elang Ausindo has become a key fixture in the Australia–Indonesia defence relationship.
For the personnel of No. 77 Squadron and their Indonesian counterparts, the common ground found in the common skies over Sumatra was clear: shared security, trust and a commitment to working side by side into the future.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
