Years after an initial announcement, Boeing confirmed today that it has terminated plans to sell its F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet to Indonesia. The decision marks the end of a major potential acquisition, with Jakarta ultimately opting for a different strategic direction in modernizing its air force.
The American planemaker previously aimed to sell Indonesia up to 24 F-15EXs, designated as the F-15ID, following an agreement announced by both parties in 2023. Although the U.S. State Department cleared the sale in 2022, the memorandum of understanding signed at the time lacked specific timelines or concrete price tags for the deal.
An Announced Deal, Never Formalized
For over two years since the initial announcement, the Indonesian government never formalized its plans to procure the aircraft. This inaction apparently led to Boeing’s decision to completely abandon the negotiations. A company spokesperson confirmed to Breaking Defense today that the „Indonesia campaign is no longer active.” Bernd Peters, vice president of business development and strategy for Boeing’s defense unit, disclosed that the F-15 bid is now „defunct” during a briefing at the Singapore Airshow, according to Aviation Week.
Historical Ties and F-15EX Production Challenges
The relationship between Boeing and Indonesia is not new; prior to the F-15 campaign, Indonesia had purchased eight AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from Boeing, with deliveries completed in 2018. Boeing has also marketed other defense products to Jakarta, such as the CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
Recently, F-15EX production hit significant snags, including a strike by workers at Boeing’s St. Louis site, resulting in months of halted work. The strike ended in November, and the U.S. Air Force celebrated the resumption of deliveries the following month.
F-15EX: A Bright Future, Even Without Indonesia
The F-15EX is an upgraded version of the legendary F-15, boasting significant enhancements, such as a modernized electronic warfare suite. Boeing prides itself on the jet’s capability to carry more payload than any other fighter.
Following years of fluctuating fleet plans, the F-15EX program received a significant boost from the Trump administration, whose fiscal 2026 budget disclosed plans to buy up to 129 of the fighters. Boeing is currently ramping up its production rate to two dozen jets per year by FY27, according to an Air Force report, which stated that additional funding for facilities could expand that rate to 36 aircraft annually. According to Aviation Week, despite the collapse of the Indonesia deal, Boeing officials are confident that the jet „will continue to have a very bright future in the region.”
Indonesia Reshapes Its Fleet with Turkish Assistance
Meanwhile, Jakarta has not been idle. Last year, Indonesian officials inked a deal with Turkish representatives to procure 48 KAAN fifth-generation jets from manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries. This transaction represents the first successful major international sale of the KAAN aircraft, marking a significant achievement for the Turkish defense industry and a notable shift in direction for Indonesia.
