Indonesia’s Air Force (TNI AU) plans to expand its national radar network as part of a wider effort to improve airspace monitoring and defence readiness. The programme aims to consolidate 30 radar units across the country by 2029, combining new installations with replacements for ageing systems currently in service. According to official reporting, the initiative is intended to strengthen Indonesia’s ability to track aerial activity and close existing coverage gaps across its vast archipelago.
Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Tonny Harjono announced the plan during a press conference at Air Force Headquarters in Jakarta. He said the service expects the full network to be operational by 2029, providing broader national surveillance capability and supporting air defence operations.
Expanding Radar Coverage Across the Archipelago
At present, the Indonesian Air Force operates 20 radar units across the country under the Air Force Operation Command (Koopsau). Several of these systems, however, are ageing and require replacement to maintain reliable monitoring capabilities.
The expansion plan includes the acquisition of 25 new radar installations. Some will replace existing units that have remained operational despite their age, while others will be deployed in areas currently considered radar blind spots.
By combining replacement and new installations, the Air Force expects to achieve a total of 30 operational radar units nationwide by the end of the decade.
Strengthening National Airspace Monitoring
According to Marshal Harjono, expanding radar coverage is essential for improving the military’s ability to detect and track aircraft entering Indonesian airspace, including foreign aircraft. Indonesia’s geographic scale and dispersed island territories make consistent airspace monitoring a complex operational task.
The additional radar infrastructure is expected to enhance situational awareness and enable faster responses to potential airspace violations. Improved monitoring also supports broader national security planning and complements ongoing digital and technological development across the country.
Technology Development and National Resilience
The radar expansion forms part of Indonesia’s broader efforts to strengthen technological capabilities and national resilience. The country has increasingly focused on building robust digital and communications infrastructure, as highlighted in initiatives aimed at expanding 5G connectivity and digital talent.
These developments are occurring alongside wider policy discussions on maintaining technological readiness and resilience, including strategies outlined in Indonesia’s approach to balancing AI growth with national preparedness. Together, such initiatives reflect the government’s focus on integrating digital capabilities with national security and infrastructure priorities.
Installation and replacement work on the radar systems is already under way. Once completed, the expanded network is expected to significantly strengthen Indonesia’s ability to monitor and safeguard its airspace.
