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Residents were given the opportunity to see the T-50i Golden Eagle fighter jet and the C-130 Hercules at El Tari Air Force Base in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. Photo: Antara.
Indonesian Air Force Takes Part in Multinational Exercise in Australia
Fajar Nugraha • 16 July 2026 11:46
Jakarta: The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has deployed four T-50i Golden Eagle fighter jets to Australia to participate in the multinational Exercise Pitch Black 2026.
The exercise will run from July 20 to August 7, 2026, and aims to strengthen defense cooperation and interoperability among participating countries.
Indonesian Air Force pilots will engage in a range of training scenarios, including joint fighter jet maneuvers.
Commander of El Tari Air Force Base in Kupang, Air Commodore Somad, said the aircrafts are due to depart on Thursday, July 16.
In addition to the four fighter jets, the TNI AU will also deploy one C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
To mark the deployment, El Tari Air Force Base announced that it would host an open base event for the public.
“We want to give everyone the opportunity to see our fighter jets up close,” Somad said.
The event will run from Wednesday through Thursday, July 16, beginning at 8:00 a.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Time). Somad encouraged residents to take full advantage of this unique opportunity.
(Jonathan Sianto)