Some additional info for ID stuff:
- 24 M-346FA/FI (we already know this), but an option for +12 more units is also available
It is preparing to acquire 24 M-346 light fighter jets from Italy’s Leonardo, with an option for 12 more.
This purchase is doubled by another, for 24 PC-24 business jets from the Swiss Pilatus, also with an option for 12 more, for training purposes.
- the M-346 will have the Q600 Grifo AESA radar (Grifo-E maybe) as well as an active Jammer DRFM (presumably the BriteCloud) which can work against pulse doppler radar
"Rumors about the M-346 appeared last December. They are confirmed.
It will be a particularly advanced version: AESA Q600 Grifo radar and electronic warfare suite with active jammer DRFM (which can decoy a radar by sending it ghost images)."
- ESS FZ (UAE) is the one heading the deal. ESS is our number 1 broker for everything (the Turkish broker only gained some standings relatively recently). They’re the one responsible for obtaining it on behalf of the ID gov. They also do maintenance & training for it as well.
“At the heart of the deal is the company E-System Solution FZ, whose parent company was founded in the UAE a decade ago, and which has been operating in Indonesia for 5 years.”
“ESS will this time be responsible for acquiring the M-346 and PC-24 on behalf of the Indonesian government, and it will provide maintenance, training and support to the 2 fleets.”
- ESS helped with the training of new ID pilots for the Rafale, J-10 & Su-30MK2s (J-10 mentioned again here)
“More recently, ESS has set up an Air Warfare Center, coupled with a center specializing in electronic warfare, and provided a training unit for pilots of the new Rafale, J-10E, and SU-30MK2 aircraft.”
- Official announcement seems to be at the Singapore Air Show
“The official announcement seems imminent. The Singapore Air Show is due to open at the end of the week, which could be an opportunity for the Indonesian government.”
EDIT:
comment from the CEO of ESS in that post:
“Hello. Indonesians are known to sign MoUs that lead nowhere. The KF21 was launched by another government, and the current one is not very interested in renewing or buying equipment from this country for specific reasons. For Boeing, nothing will happen, also for budgetary reasons. There will be purchases in the US, but not for this type of equipment.”
Of course take it with a grain of salt, it could very well be just him not wanting to prop up rivaling companies





















