The government is exploring the possibility of integrating state-owned aerospace manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) into the global supply chain for the Boeing F-15EX fighter jet, according to a senior official at the Defense Industry Policy Committee (KKIP).

KKIP’s Staff for Technology Transfer and Offset, Sena Maulana, said at a defense industry forum during the Indo Defence 2024 Expo & Forum in Jakarta on Thursday, June 12, 2025 that the plan would be pursued once a procurement contract between Indonesia and the United States for the F-15EX becomes effective.

“We’re hoping that when the contract for the F-15EX becomes official, we can push PT DI to be included in the supply chain as early as possible,” Sena said.

The inclusion of PT DI in the F-15EX program is seen as a strategic step to foster knowledge transfer and technological development within Indonesia’s aerospace sector. “This would be a valuable learning experience for PT DI in terms of fighter jet manufacturing,” Sena added.

He emphasized the mutual benefits of the potential partnership. “Boeing also stands to gain from enhanced presence in Southeast Asia. So, we are aiming for a win-win solution,” he noted.

Indonesia’s ambition to procure the F-15EX, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter aircraft, took a major step in August 2023 when the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the planned purchase of 24 units. The signing took place at Boeing’s headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, and was witnessed by President Prabowo Subianto, then serving as Minister of Defense.

The aircraft, tailored for Indonesian use, will carry the designation of F-15IDN, marking a customized configuration approved by the United States.

The move to include PT DI in Boeing’s production ecosystem is consistent with Indonesia’s broader policy of increasing domestic industrial involvement in defense procurement. Under President Prabowo’s leadership, defense agreements are increasingly tied to industrial offsets, technology transfer, and local value creation.

If realized, PT DI’s involvement in the F-15EX program would mirror similar arrangements pursued by countries like South Korea and India, where local aerospace firms benefit from assembly, component manufacturing, and maintenance work in collaboration with major defense contractors.

Such efforts are part of Indonesia’s long-term strategy to build a self-reliant defense industry while strengthening international defense partnerships.