Leonardo and PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia today announced the signing of a contract to provide the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of Indonesia with 12 Leonardo M-346F Block 20 multirole light fighter aircraft to meet Indonesian Air Force operational requirements. The contract, which follows the Letter of Intent (LOI) announced in February this year, includes the localisation of a range of support, maintenance, overhaul and training capabilities as well as human capital development. Deliveries are expected to start in 2030.
The programme will provide a major contribution to the Indonesian MoD’s aircraft fleet modernization plan, leveraging the M-346 advanced technology and performance. The M-346F Block 20 will provide multirole combat capabilities and enable advanced training for Indonesian pilots. The strong partnership with PT ESystem confirms Leonardo’s commitment to establishing solid, enduring collaborations, and to supporting the Indonesian aerospace and defence industry with significant localised benefits.
Lorenzo Mariani, Leonardo CEO and General Manager said: “The introduction of the M-346 F in Indonesia provides clear evidence not only of the aircraft system’s inherent quality but also of the country’s continued and yet growing trust in our capabilities across domains. We’re here to stay and further expand our contribution and engagement, in both established and new sectors, to deliver the level of technology the country requires in its long-term aerospace and defence development roadmap.”
Indonesia will be the 23rd user of the Leonardo M-346. The contract also introduces the new “Block 20” standard in Asia, following Europe and North America. Just eight months after the first order, strong and rapid global demand for the latest version of the aircraft clearly demonstrates it is meeting customer requirements. The new M-346F “Block 20” light fighter configuration standard will be equipped with cockpits featuring a Large Area Display (LAD), active electronically scanned radar, a Link 16 data-link, electronic countermeasures, and new weapons systems. It offers a complete, integrated advanced flight training system, including a GBTS (Ground Based Training System) – combined simulated elements and scenarios with real flights according to a Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) logic – with additional light combat capabilities for air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, enabled by advanced mission systems, equipment, and sensors, including aerial refuelling capability.
The M-346 is the core element of a cutting-edge and continuously evolving advanced flight-training system that has already demonstrated its effectiveness: a success story that has logged over 170,000 hours in flight with over 170 aircraft ordered to date, enabling several air forces worldwide – including Asia – to train pilots for flying high-performance, latest generation fighters and to prepare transition towards the next-generation of ‘combat air systems’. The M-346 system has been selected by 23 users to train their pilots, including at Italy’s International Flight Training School. It is also used to perform tactical operations as a light multirole fighter. Thanks to its high-performance capabilities and manoeuvrability, the M 346 has also been chosen by the Italian Air Force as the future aircraft for the “Frecce Tricolori”, Italy’s national aerobatic team.
