Leonardo has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of Indonesia, aimed at cooperating for the supply and support of the Leonardo M-346 F “Block 20” aircraft to meet Indonesian Air Force operational requirements. This has occurred at Singapore Airshow 2026.
The LOI has followed the selection of the M-346 by the Indonesian MoD to respond to Indonesia’s training and combat capability needs. The program will provide a contribution to the MoD pursuing an aircraft fleet modernisation plan leveraging on the M-346 advanced technology and performance to replace ageing types, such as the Hawk, among others.
The LOI has also included the localisation of a range of support, maintenance, overhaul, training capabilities as well as human capital development. The parties will now move into the next stage of discussions, intended to achieve a procurement contract signing in the near future.
The new M-346 F “Block 20” light fighter configuration standard will be equipped with cockpits featuring a Large Area Display (LAD), active electronically scanned radar, a Link 16 data-link, electronic countermeasures, and new weapons systems.
Leonardo's platform simultaneously will offer a complete, integrated advanced flight training system - including a GBTS (Ground Based Training System), combined simulated elements and scenarios with real flights according to a Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) logic - with additional light combat capabilities for air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, enabled by advanced mission systems, equipment and sensors, also including aerial refuelling capability.
The M-346 is the core element of an advanced flight-training system that has logged around 150,000 hours in flight.
According to Leonardo, 20 countries train their pilots on the M-346 – including those using Italy’s I International Flight Training School - or have chosen this aircraft, in the fighter version, as a light multirole fighter.