Indonesia is looking into buying two aerial refuelling tankers and evaluates Boeing KC-46A and the Airbus A330 MRTT airframes, Jane's reported on 18 January. In order to expand the Indonesian Air Force's aerial refuelling capabilities, the country plans to establish a formal acquisition programme for two airframes by 2024.

Issues that will be scrutinised in the study include suitability for Indonesian operational requirements, compatibility of refuelling methods with the TNI-AU’s fleet of aircraft, interoperability with existing and future assets, and life-cycle costs.

Also to be considered are possible local and foreign funding options that can be tapped upon, and potential for transfer-of-technology arrangements with local companies such as state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTD), said the TNI-AU official.