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Embassy of India


Jakarta


 Press Release


 Visit of Indian Air Force Planes (Sukhoi-30 and Transport Aircraft) to Indonesia – Expert Level Talks Held in Kupang, Indonesia (19-24 July 2018)


Six aircrafts of the Indian Air Force (four Sukhoi 30-MKIs, one C-130J, and one C-17) along with 130-member IAF team comprising pilots, navigators, and support engineering staff made halts at Surabaya and Kupang in Indonesia from 19-24 July 2018 enroute for Exercise Pitch Black in Australia.



2. It may be noted that during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indonesia, leaders of both countries took note of the increasing cooperation between the two Air Forces with the inaugural Staff Talks held in July 2017 and the decision to hold bilateral joint exercises between their Air Forces.


3. Before this visit there have been Subject Matter Expert exchanges between the two Air Forces in areas of mutual interest such as aerospace safety. As a follow up, another round of Subject Matter Expert talks on aspects of flying and maintenance of Su-30 aircraft were held at Kupang on 21 July 2018.


4. Detailed discussions were held to identify specific areas for enhancing cooperation including training of pilots in India as well as deputing instructors for training of pilots in Indonesia. The IAF contingent also held an interaction with Mr. Jefirstson Riwu Kore, Mayor of Kupang. The second round of experience sharing and discussions on best practices was held between the pilots and maintainers on 23 July 2018. Children from the local Indonesian Air Force school were also invited to view the IAF aircrafts on 23 July 2018.


5. Recent years have witnessed an all-round deepening of cooperation across the three wings of the Defence Forces with Indonesia. Further follow up on deepening defence exchanges with Indonesia is expected to be discussed during the upcoming 6th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting to be held between India and Indonesia in New Delhi in August 2018.


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Jakarta


24 July 2018