The first of five C-130J-30s ordered by Indonesia conducts its first test flight on 27 October 2022. (Lockheed Martin)
The first of five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s ordered for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has conducted its first test flight, and the aircraft is being prepared for delivery in 2023.
Lockheed Martin told Janes that the first aircraft (serial number A-1339) is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2023. The remaining four aircraft will be delivered through 2024, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said. The company added that the first aircraft conducted its maiden test flight on 27 October.
Indonesia has been considering augmenting its existing C-130 fleet for several years. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense did not respond to Janes query for information about the contract details or the acquisition at the time of publication.
The company has since confirmed to Janes that the first aircraft are being sold to Indonesia as part of a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS). Janes assesses that the deal was likely signed in 2019.
The existence of the contract was disclosed by Lockheed Martin in September 2021. This was made following the release of a photo of the cockpit section of the first TNI-AU-intended C-130J-30 at the production line. The photo showed the current Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, next to the cockpit section. A 2020–21 UK Export Finance report revealed that Indonesia was provided a buyer credit guarantee of GBP74.59 million (USD88.62 million) for the acquisition of the C-130s.
It is likely that all five C-130J-30 aircraft will be operated by the TNI-AU's Air Squadron 31. According to Janes
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