Indonesia Air Force Visits US Space Command
An Indonesian Air Force delegation toured US Space Force Space Systems Command in Los Angeles to study military space capabilities.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Space
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Air Vice Marshal Purwoko Aji Prabowo led an Indonesian Air Force delegation to Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base on October 27, 2026. The visit covered satellite launch access, satellite communications, positioning, navigation and timing, and military space control systems.
Why it matters
The exchange reflects Indonesia's effort to strengthen its own space unit and build defense capabilities in the orbital domain. It may inform how Indonesia develops satellite tracking, space situational awareness and secure military communications.
The source provides no quantitative metrics for this visit, so the story rests on the stated scope of the delegation's briefings. Details of any follow-up cooperation between the two air forces have not been disclosed.
The players
Space Systems Command
The U.S. Space Force command responsible for developing, building and modernizing the service's space capabilities.
Indonesian Air Force
The air arm of Indonesia's armed forces, which has a long history of civilian satellite operations and aerospace manufacturing.
The details
The Indonesian delegation, including Colonel Hery Stiawan, commander of the newly established Air Force Space Unit, was received by SSC Deputy Commander Col. Andrew Menschner and Executive Director Natalie Riedel. Briefings covered orbital access through satellite launch systems, commercial data, satellite communications, and positioning, navigation and timing, along with the US military's space-based command, control, communications and intelligence capabilities.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Delegation visits Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Big Picture
The visit places Indonesia's newly formed Air Force Space Unit in direct contact with the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command, the body that builds and modernizes American military space systems. It reflects a wider pattern of partner air forces seeking access to American orbital expertise as satellite-based military communications and tracking become central to defense planning.
The delegation's briefings covered satellite launch access, commercial data, and positioning, navigation and timing services. These are the systems that underpin satellite-based communications and navigation used by militaries and civilians alike.
The takeaway
Partnerships between national air forces and established space commands are becoming a practical route for developing orbital capabilities. Watch for whether this visit leads to formal cooperation on satellite tracking or secure communications.
Further reading
For broader coverage of orbital defense and satellite programs, see Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indonesiabusinesspost.
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