STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN AIRPOWER STRATEGY TO SUPPORT NATIONAL DEFENSE SYSTEM

This study investigates how strategic leadership can strengthen airpower strategy to support Indonesia’s national defense system. Indonesia’s geostrategic position in the Indo-Pacific exposes it to airspace incursions, cyberattacks on radar and communications, and the employment of drones for espionage and sabotage, underscoring the need for an adaptive and integrated airpower posture. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data were gathered through interviews with Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) leaders, operational observations, and analysis of defense documents. Data were analyzed with Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña’s interactive model, and credibility was reinforced through source- and method-triangulation. Findings indicate that visionary leadership acts as a catalyst for defense modernization, organizational reform, and professionalization of personnel. Cross-agency collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, BRIN, and the national defense industry (DEFEND ID) accelerates mastery of UAVs, passive radar, and C4ISR systems. AI- and big-data–enabled innovations enhance detection speed and response effectiveness against multidomain contingencies, while a whole-of-government approach strengthens societal legitimacy and support for airpower. Comparative lesson-drawing suggests Indonesia can adapt the U.S. acceleration doctrine, South Korea’s research–industry synergy, Turkey’s pursuit of defense industrial autonomy, and Singapore’s Total Defense framework. The study concludes that integrating strategic leadership with a modernized airpower strategy is foundational to an adaptive, responsive, and highly deterrent Indonesian air defense system.