Combat aircraft from Indonesia and Australia will train together from October 16 to 27 for Exercise Elang AUSINDO 17, launched yesterday at RAAF Base Darwin.

The Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara, or TNI-AU) will join Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel from the Number 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal to participate in the bilateral air training activity.

TNI-AU will deploy six F-16 fighter aircraft for the exercise, while RAAF will send up to eight F/A-18A Hornets into the exercise.

Wing Commander Michael Grant, Commanding Officer of Number 75 Squadron, said the purpose of Exercise Elang AUSINDO 17 is to enhance, develop and promote the international engagement between TNI-AU and RAAF.

“Our squadron has enjoyed a close working relationship with the Indonesian Air Force through Exercise Elang AUSINDO,” Wing Commander Grant said.

“Routine engagement such as this ensures that the relationship between our air forces is fostered at the individual level, as well as between our organisations.”

First held in 1995, Exercise Elang AUSINDO has been hosted previously in Darwin in 2009 and 2013.