Update: Indonesian Air Force tests BNT-250 munition

This infographic shows Indonesia's domestically developed BNT-250 low-drag general purpose munition. The BNT-250 is intended to replace the US-made Mk 82 bomb, which is in widespread service with the Indonesian Air Force. (Janes)

The Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU) has conducted the final operational testing of the country's domestically developed BNT-250 free-fall general purpose (GP) munition to support the bomb's certification and entry into service.

According to TNI-AU, the munition was involved in a series of tests at Iswahyudi Air Base and the Pandanwangi Air Weapon Range (AWR) on 18 November. “This trial was part of a series of testing activities to ensure the readiness and operational feasibility of defence equipment before being used by [fighter] units,” the air force said on 19 November.

The BNT-250 is a low‐drag GP munition produced by PT Sari Bahari to replace the TNI-AU's stocks of imported US-built Mk 82 bombs. Barring a modified tail, the BNT-250 has similar characteristics as the Mk 82.

According to First Marshal (Marsekal Pertama) TNI Muchtadi Anjar Legowo, commanding officer of Iswahyudi Air Base, the trial aimed “to obtain technical data” to assess the “feasibility and operational utilisation” of the munition by the air force.

Fitted with standard NATO (356 mm) spaced suspension lugs, the BNT-250 has been integrated with the TNI-AU's fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter and Embraer EMB‐314 Super Tucano advanced trainer/light attack aircraft. “The trial was conducted to measure the function, accuracy, and integration of the BNT-250 bomb on the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft of Air Squadron 3,” the TNI-AU said.

According to Janes orders of battle, Air Squadron 3 operates several models of F-16s, including F-16AB Block 15 and F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft.