Politics

PM Modi’s aircraft escorted by F-16 and Sukhoi-30 jets as Indonesia rolls out grand welcome

PM Modi received a grand aerial welcome in Indonesia as F-16 and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets escorted his aircraft into Indonesian airspace

PGurus Newsdesk

July 6, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft was escorted by Indonesian Air Force F-16 and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets as it entered Indonesian airspace

PM Modi’s aircraft received a ceremonial escort from Indonesian Air Force F-16 and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets as it entered Indonesian airspace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a ceremonial aerial escort from two Indonesian Air Force fighter jets—an F-16 and a Sukhoi-30—as his aircraft entered Indonesian airspace ahead of landing in Jakarta on Sunday. The gesture marked the beginning of his three-nation diplomatic tour covering Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

Visuals released after the arrival showed the two fighter aircraft flying in close formation alongside the Prime Minister’s aircraft before escorting it into Jakarta, reflecting the significance Indonesia attached to the visit. The F-16 is an American-origin multirole fighter, while the Sukhoi-30 is a Russian-built combat aircraft. Indonesia operates both platforms as part of its air force, and India also flies the Sukhoi-30MKI variant.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi just landed in Jakarta. Fighter jets from the Indonesia Air Force accompanied PM Modi’s plane from the time PM entered their air space. President Prabowo Subianto welcomed him at the airport. pic.twitter.com/DIrI0BYepH
— NDTV (@ndtv) July 6, 2026

Upon landing, PM Modi was personally received by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the airport. Describing the reception as a special gesture, the Prime Minister thanked the Indonesian President in a post on X, saying he was “touched” by the warm welcome extended to him.

Modi’s visit is expected to focus on strengthening the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with discussions likely to cover defence cooperation, maritime security, trade, digital connectivity, critical minerals and Indo-Pacific collaboration.

Indonesia is the first stop on the Prime Minister’s six-day, three-nation tour, after which he will travel to Australia and New Zealand for bilateral engagements aimed at expanding India’s strategic and economic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

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