These two aircraft are the command control aircraft for the leadership element.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto handed over two units of type aircraft Dassault Falcons 7X and 8X to the Indonesian Air Force (AU). The two aircraft will reinforce 17th Air Squadron, 1st Air Wing, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta.

Prabowo said the presence of these two planes was important enough to facilitate the mobility of the leaders in carrying out their duties. “Today we are proud there is an additional strength for the Indonesian Air Force,” he said as the two planes were handed over at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta. Wednesday 28/12/2022, in a press release.

“The two planes that we call Kodal (Control Command) planes are for the leadership elements so that they can move quickly in the performance of their leadership duties,” Prabowo said.

On this occasion, Prabowo expressed the importance of a strong defense to maintain national sovereignty. For this reason, he pointed out, the Ministry of Defense is committed to continuing to increase the strength of the TNI, including the Air Force.

“We need a strong TNI, we need a strong air force because our country is very big, our country is the size of Europe. Europe is 27 countries. We We are one country. So we really need very strong air defense,” Prabowo said.

“So, as Minister of Defense, I have been instructed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia to plan and build the strength of the TNI,” he said.

The aircraft handover ceremony began with a special tribute, in the form of a Water Salute for Falcon Plane 7X as a welcome symbol at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta. Next, Defense Minister Prabowo directly inspected the cabin of the Falcon 8X aircraft accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Air Force (KSAU), Field Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo.

Also present at the examination, namely the Secretary General Department of Defense TNI Air Marshal Dony Ermawan and National Air Operations Command (Pangkoopsudnas) Commander TNI Marshal M Tonny Hardjono. Next, key officials from the Indonesian Air Force and other key officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.

The aircraft registered A-0707 and A-0808 are TNI Air Force VIP/VVIP transport aircraft. The aircraft is manufactured by Dassault Aviation France.

Falcon 7X and 8X aircraft are types of jet aircraft that have a number of advantages. Among other things, a long range with a range of 10.5 hours (Falcon 7X) and 12 hours (Falcon 8X) with a maximum range of 5,950 Nm and 6,450 Nm. This aircraft is also capable of landing or landing on short tracks.

Both aircraft are powered by Canadian-made PW307A and PW307D engines that are capable of flying at a height of 51,000 feet or feet and a maximum operating speed of 370 knots/0.9 Mach. Falcon aircraft can carry a maximum of 14 passengers, plus three crew members such as pilots, co-pilots and flight attendants.

Prior to the arrival of the aircraft, the Indonesian Air Force had prepared personnel to man the aircraft and conducted a number of trainings in France. They are made up of four pilots, four technicians and six cabin crew members/stewardesses.

The pilots completed simulator training at CaE Burger Hill London, UK, for two months. Then flight training of eight sorties with 25 flight hours for each pilot at the Dassault Le Bourget factory in Paris, France for one month. Pilot training will continue at the national level with Dassault instructors.