Center for Indonesian Air Power Studies
Jakarta, 5 April 2025
In an era increasingly defined by competition and the mastery of strategic technologies, aerospace has emerged as one of the most dynamic and consequential frontiers in modern civilization. It is within this realm that nations and communities converge—not only to display aerial and spacefaring prowess, but also to forge cross-cultural collaboration, articulate long-term visions, and celebrate human aspiration. One of the world’s most iconic stages for such convergence is the Zhuhai Airshow in China—a biennial event held since 1996 in even-numbered years¹. Echoing this spirit from across the globe, Indonesia now presents a promising counterpart: the Pangandaran Air Show, first held successfully in October 2023 and scheduled to return on 18–20 April 2025, with a vision to become an annual hallmark in every odd-numbered year².
Zhuhai and Pangandaran: From Fishing Villages to Aerospace Hubs
Zhuhai and Pangandaran share a symbolically resonant origin story. Both are coastal towns rooted in fishing traditions, founded by communities familiar with venturing into the unknown in pursuit of sustenance and progress. Yet beneath their maritime heritage lies a shared, forward-looking transformation: the recognition of air and space as vital frontiers of national resilience and global innovation.
Zhuhai has evolved into China’s grand aerospace showcase, hosting twelve cutting-edge exhibition halls that display a full spectrum of aviation and space technology—from fighter aircraft and unmanned systems to orbital platforms and defense diplomacy³. The event is not merely an aviation fair; it is a strategic assertion of China’s technological sovereignty and global influence, reflecting a civilizational ambition to lead the aerospace future.
A parallel momentum is building in Pangandaran. The Susi International Beach Strip, a uniquely positioned seaside airstrip owned by former Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, has become a vibrant gathering place for Indonesia’s aerospace community—from military and civilian aviators, researchers and students, to everyday air and space enthusiasts. The 2023 Pangandaran Air Show demonstrated that aerospace ambition is not confined to superpowers or massive industries; it can take root wherever there is shared vision and civic determination⁴.
As Susi succinctly put it, “Without mastery of our airspace, we will never possess strong defense or complete sovereignty”⁵—an insight that links maritime and aerospace domains into a unified geopolitical continuum. In embodying both, Susi bridges the world of oceans and skies, elevating Pangandaran from a coastal retreat into a beacon of national purpose.
Visionary Communities: Air and Space as Humanity’s Horizon
What fundamentally unites Zhuhai and Pangandaran is the presence of visionary communities—people who refuse to define the future within the narrow cycles of electoral politics, and instead view the sky and cosmos as limitless arenas of exploration, development, and survival. These are the scientists, strategists, engineers, educators, and thought leaders who understand that aerospace is not a luxury—it is a prerequisite for national resilience and human continuity⁶.
The Pangandaran Air Show has captured the imagination of Indonesia’s leading aerospace figures, including Air Chief Marshal (Ret.) Chappy Hakim, who has long emphasized the inseparability of airpower and sovereignty. “We can never claim to be sovereign unless we control our own airspace,” he writes⁷—a statement that crystallizes why airshows are not mere spectacles, but strategic declarations of readiness, resolve, and relevance in the modern world.
Toward an Annual Rhythm: Pangandaran 2025 and Beyond
Given their shared momentum and strategic clarity, it is entirely plausible that a mutually reinforcing rhythm will emerge: Zhuhai in even years, Pangandaran in odd years, following a model similar to Farnborough–Le Bourget or Singapore Airshow–LIMA. This alternating cadence would not only guarantee continuity and visibility, but would also serve as a regional platform for aerospace diplomacy, industrial collaboration, and knowledge exchange⁸.
Indonesia is poised to seize a golden opportunity. With its central location along the equator and at the intersection of major global air routes, the country possesses immense geopolitical leverage. The upcoming Pangandaran Air Show (18–20 April 2025) is set to cement Indonesia’s role as a new aerospace node in the Indo-Pacific. It will be a platform for showcasing indigenous capability, fostering next-generation aerospace talent, and amplifying Indonesia’s strategic voice in international aviation and space policy.
From Zhuhai to Pangandaran, the world is increasingly connected by a singular ethos: the belief that the sky is not a limit, but the threshold of infinite possibilities. From humble fishing villages have emerged new centers of imagination, innovation, and aerospace culture. That is the true power of the airshow—not merely a pageant of machines, but a reflection of humanity’s enduring dream to rise, explore, and build a better future.
As Elon Musk aptly said, “I want to die on Mars—just not on impact”⁹—a reminder that our pursuit of the skies is ultimately about the survival, evolution, and dignity of our species. Let us, then, embrace and sustain the Pangandaran Air Show as the natural partner of Zhuhai, and as a testament that great things can take flight not only in global capitals, but also in vibrant local communities with global vision. From the shores of Pangandaran, let us look to the skies—and walk boldly into the future.
Footnotes
- The Zhuhai Airshow was first held in 1996 and continues to take place in even-numbered years as part of China’s aerospace strategy.
- The Pangandaran Air Show 2023 was held at the beach runway developed by Susi Pudjiastuti and attended by diverse national aerospace communities. The next show is scheduled for 18–20 April 2025.
- See: China Daily, “Zhuhai Airshow: A Showcase of Aviation Power,” November 2022 edition.
- Media Indonesia, “Pangandaran Air Show Strengthens National Aerospace Enthusiasm,” October 2023.
- Statement by Susi Pudjiastuti in an interview with KompasTV, November 2023.
- See NASA (2021): The Future of Air and Space in Civilizational Sustainability.
- Chappy Hakim, Indonesia’s Air Sovereignty: Challenges and Solutions, Kompas Publishing, 2020.
- Aviation Week & Space Technology, “Alternating Airshow Strategy in Asia: Benefits of Annual Rhythm,” 2023.
- Elon Musk in an interview with The Guardian, 2016.
