The Indian Air Force and Indonesian Air Force concluded their sixth bilateral Air Staff Talks on Oct. 10, agreeing to establish a coordination forum for their Su-30 fighter fleets and develop a joint air-to-air refueling training program.
Photo: IAF
The talks, held in Bali from Oct. 7 to 10, were co-chaired by Air Vice Marshal Sundaramani Krishnan of the Indian Air Force and Air Vice Marshal Suliono of the Indonesian Air Force. The meeting produced agreements aimed at strengthening interoperability and operational readiness between the two forces.
Central to the agreements is the establishment of the Su-30 Forum, a platform for coordination and joint training involving the Russian-made fighter aircraft operated by both nations. India operates approximately 272 Su-30MKI aircraft, which form the backbone of its fighter fleet, while Indonesia maintains 11 Su-30MK2 fighters in its inventory.
The air forces also agreed to develop an air-to-air refueling training program that will involve Indian tanker aircraft supporting Indonesian fighter jets. Air Commodore I Nyoman Suadnyana, Head of the Indonesian Air Force Information Service, described the cooperation as strategically significant for enhancing Indonesia’s primary weapon systems and combat capability.
“Both air forces are committed to strengthening interoperability and enhancing operational readiness,” Suadnyana said in a statement released Monday. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would improve the Indonesian Air Force’s ability to secure national airspace.
The staff talks represent the latest development in defense cooperation between the two nations, following the visit of Indian Navy vessel INS Kadmatt to Makassar from Oct. 3 to 5 for operational engagement and professional interactions.
Earlier in 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited India, where both countries held comprehensive discussions on defense and security cooperation. During that visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Subianto welcomed the ratification of the Agreement concerning Cooperation in the field of Defence and expressed confidence it would deepen bilateral defense ties.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, air defense cooperation between Indonesia and India dates to Feb. 28, 1956, when both governments signed an initial agreement. The partnership has since evolved through various initiatives, including the series of Air Staff Talks. The fifth edition was held in New Delhi in 2024, while the fourth took place in Jakarta in 2022.
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