The Jupiter Aerobatic Team of the Indonesian Air Force performing during the Bali International Airshow at Ngurah Rai International airport in Badung, Bali, on Sept 19, 2024. - AFP
JAKARTA: An aerobatic performance by the Air Force’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team (JAT) marked the start of the 2024 Bali International Airshow at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali on Thursday (Sept 19).
The four-day airshow is Indonesia’s first in almost 30 years. The last international airshow held in Indonesia was the 1996 Indonesian Air Show at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said the event was historical as a revival of Indonesia’s aviation industry.
“After 28 years, an international airshow finally returns to Indonesia," he said at the opening ceremony.
More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony, including visiting ministers, defence officials and industry leaders from over 20 countries, such as Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey and the United States.
The airshow will become a biennial event, taking place every odd year. It is jointly hosted by Luhut’s office, the Transportation Ministry and the Air Force.
Luhut said that the event represented Indonesia’s readiness to welcome the future and lead global collaboration.
"This airshow demonstrates our fortitude to compete and become a prominent global player in the aerospace industry. It also underscores our effort to chart a brighter sustainable future for the aviation sector," he said.
He added that the enhancement of Indonesia’s aerospace sector was imperative for the future of Indonesia.
"This is not merely a strategic necessity but a pivotal driver of our nation’s economic and social progress.
As the largest archipelagic state stretching over 5,000km, our investment in the aviation sector will ensure seamless connectivity, foster trade in goods and services, boost our tourism sector and advance economic growth,” Luhut said.
“More importantly, as a nation with strategic geopolitical significance, the robustness of the aerospace industry will dictate our air defence readiness in safeguarding our national sovereignty and maintaining regional stability."
The airshow is also a platform to strengthen the bilateral and multilateral relationships between Indonesia and other nations. The airshow features 16 static displays from commercial aircraft to military aircraft, along with cutting-edge technologies that define the future of aviation.
The static displays include aircraft of the Air Force's fleet: an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter, C-130J Super Hercules heavy transport, NC-212 Aviocar light transport, EC725 heavy helicopter and EMB-314 Super Tucano counter-insurgency aircraft.
Two countries also sent their aircraft to the airshow. The Royal Australian Air Force sent two F-35A Lightning II stealth jet fighters while the German Air Force sent an A400M Atlas strategic transporter. There are also unmanned aerial vehicles and flying taxis being displayed.
In addition to the JAT, which flies KAI KT-1B Wong Bee trainer aircraft, the Navy’s Neptunus Aerobatic Team is also scheduled to perform aerobatics using Beechcraft Bonanza G36 aircraft. One Australian F-35 is also scheduled to perform a solo flying display.
The flying displays are scheduled to fly four times daily. The public can visit the airshow on Saturday by purchasing entrance tickets.
The N-219 light transport aircraft developed and manufactured by state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia in cooperation with the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) is also on display.
During the event, the government launched the Road Map and Action Plan for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which has been developed collaboratively by all relevant stakeholders and will serve as a guiding framework for achieving the goal of securing Indonesia’s future.
“This strategic road map not only highlights our dedication to reducing carbon emissions but also positions Indonesia at the forefront of the global push toward greener skies,” Luhut said.
In addition to a trade show, the organisers will also hold various dialogues and forums on Asia Pacific air transportation, regional air and space, global and regional collaboration on SAF, Indonesia’s advancement in the air defence industry, Indonesia’s ascent to becoming a leading global aviation market and harnessing Indonesia’s natural resource endowment for global SAF feedstock. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
