A Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M in Langkawi. Indonesia is now examining whether the aircraft type is suitable for its air refueling and military transport needs. (Janes / Ridzwan Rahmat)

Indonesia has re-examined its plan to acquire an Airbus A400M fleet to improve its military airlift capabilities. However, she is currently in talks to decide whether the airframe can also meet the air-to-air refueling needs of its Air Force.

Documents sent to Janes reveal that the issue was discussed in a virtual meeting between the Defense Potential Directorate (DDP) of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and representatives from Airbus Indonesia on October 1.

Also present at the meeting were officials of state-owned defense electronics company PT Len, Bandung-based aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), aircraft maintenance company PT GMF AeroAsia and directors overseeing compensation issues at the DDP office.

As reported by Janes in June 2021, the Indonesian Ministry of Finance (MoF) authorized the country to obtain up to $ 700 million in foreign loans for the purchase of two tanker planes for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) .