Indonesia to soon receive 24 US F-15EX Eagle II fighters jets.

According to Bisnis on June 10, 2024, Boeing is nearing the completion of 24 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets ordered by Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. During a media briefing, Zaid Alami, Boeing Indonesia's Country Managing Director, confirmed that the company is in the final stages of fulfilling the Indonesian government's order for these advanced aircraft, which was placed by Prabowo, who is also Indonesia's elected president.
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The F-15EX, derived from earlier models such as the F-15 Eagle along with the F-15E Strike Eagle and incorporating advancements from international versions like the F-15SA and F-15QA, was introduced to modernize the fleet and supplement the US Air Force's capabilities. (Picture source: US Air Force)

The production of these fighter jets, designated locally as F-15IDN (formerly F-15ID), is being carried out at Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis, Missouri. Alami did not disclose the financial details of the purchase. He mentioned Boeing's aim to expand its partnerships within the Indonesian aviation sector, including potential collaborations in training, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and advancements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

On August 21, 2023, Indonesia finalized an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 24 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, becoming the first export operator of this advanced fighter jet, designated as F-15IDN in Indonesian service. The deal, cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding signed during Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto's visit to the United States, followed a potential US Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of up to 36 F-15EXs to Indonesia, making the approval process largely procedural. This acquisition is part of Indonesia's broader effort to modernize and diversify its air force, complementing its existing fleet of Russian Su-27s, Su-30s, and Su-35s with upcoming deliveries of Rafale jets from France and potentially KF-21 fighters from South Korea to phase out older aircraft.

The F-15EX Eagle II, developed by Boeing, is an advanced variant of the F-15 series, originally designed by McDonnell Douglas. The F-15 series began with the F-15 Eagle, introduced in the 1970s as an air superiority fighter. The F-15E Strike Eagle, developed in the 1980s, added dual-role capabilities for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The F-15EX, derived from these earlier models and incorporating advancements from international versions like the F-15SA and F-15QA, was introduced to modernize the fleet and supplement the U.S. Air Force's capabilities. The first flight of the F-15EX took place in February 2021, with the first aircraft delivered to the USAF in March 2021.

Powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, providing a combined thrust of 59,000 pounds, the F-15EX can reach speeds up to Mach 2.5 and operational altitudes of 60,000 feet. (Picture source: Boeing Defense)

The F-15EX is equipped with advanced systems and weaponry, designed to enhance its operational effectiveness. It features the AN/APG-82(V)1 AESA radar, which provides improved situational awareness and target tracking. The AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) enhances the aircraft's defensive capabilities. The F-15EX also includes modern avionics, such as a digital cockpit with large area displays and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) for both the pilot and weapons systems officer. Powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, providing a combined thrust of 59,000 pounds, the F-15EX can reach speeds up to Mach 2.5 and operational altitudes of 60,000 feet. The aircraft has a combat radius exceeding 1,270 kilometers without refueling and a service life of up to 20,000 flight hours.

The F-15EX Eagle II is armed with a 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan six-barreled Gatling cannon, capable of firing 500 rounds of either M-56 or PGU-28 ammunition. The aircraft features multiple hardpoints, including four wing pylons, fuselage pylons, and bomb racks on conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), providing a total of 23 hardpoints. These hardpoints allow for a capacity of 29,500 pounds (13,400 kg) of external fuel and ordnance. For air-to-air combat, the F-15EX can carry AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, with 12 dedicated hardpoints for these missiles. The AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) is planned to be integrated in the future. For air-to-surface missions, it can be armed with AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), and AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). Additionally, it can carry GBU-31 or GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs for precision strike capabilities.