Infoglobal I-22 Sikatan is an Indonesian 4.5th generation multirole combat aircraft development program carried out by Infoglobal Teknologi Semesta.[1] The aircraft is being designed as a twin-engine, twin-seat light fighter featuring modern avionics and high-performance features, intended to function both as a capable combat platform and as an advanced pilot training platform.[2]
The designation I-22 is derived from the manufacturer, Infoglobal, and it having been unveiled at the 2022 Indo Defence Expo & Forum. The name sikatan is taken from the common name for the species of a genus of Southeast Asian flycatchers.[3]
Design
The design concept for the I-22 Sikatan was developed by Infoglobal in collaboration with local aerospace design firm Vimana Litbang & Rekayasa, headed by former commercial UAV pilot Sunanto Adjidarmo.[4] At the exhibition, Sunanto described the I-22 Sikatan as a twin-engine fighter aircraft concept with a design inspired by the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. He added that it features a reduced radar cross-section design and uses mostly composite materials to enhance its stealth characteristics.
The I-22 Sikatan has compact dimensions with a length of 12.5 meters, a wingspan of 7 meters, and a height of 3.5 meters. This aircraft was deliberately designed with a small size because it will be used as a main fighter aircraft and can be used for long-distance patrols.[5]
The concept has two variants, one a conventional tailless delta (9.6m wingspan) and the other a canard delta (9m wingspan). A 90% scale mock-up of the canardless variant was put on display at Indo Defence 2022.[4]
Development
The development program will be carried out in three phases. The first phase focuses on developing the aircraft as a training platform. The second phase will serve as a demonstration stage, and the final phase will deliver a fully operational system.[6]
Infoglobal initiated the I-22 Sikatan program with the aim of mastering fighter aircraft technology and targeting market potential by utilizing its experience and skills in system design/production system cost-effective aircraft.[citation needed]
Mockup of the I-22 Sikatan Fighter Jet with Mockup of the Wani-23 Unmanned Aircraft by PT.Infoglobal Teknologi Semesta
At the Indo Defence Expo & Forum held at JIExpo Kemayoran November 2022, the company unveiled the first mockup of the I-22 Sikatan.[2] In Indo Defence 2024 (held 11–14 June 2025), Infoglobal presented further progress, including a full-scale cockpit model and a flight simulator.[7][8]
The cockpit and full-scale demonstrator of the I-22 Sikatan fighter aircraft on display at the Indo Defense 2024 exhibition.
The demonstrator showcased advancements such as a modern cockpit with fly-by-wire controls. Most avionics functions are integrated into a single 25-inch panoramic display featuring Communications, Navigation, and Identification (CNI), map-based navigation, engine and fuel monitoring, Integrated Caution and Warning System (ICAWS), and weapon system interfaces. The aircraft also includes a Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), an Integrated Electronic Standby Display (IESD), and day/night operational modes.[8]
Controversies
The I-22 Sikatan is often viewed negatively, especially by South Korean and Chinese military observers. The I-22 Sikatan's design is often seen as similar to South Korea KF-21 Boramae and China J-20. Even some South Korean military observers suspect leaks of the core technology of the KF-21 to Indonesia because the timing of the introduction of the I-22 was too 'coincidental' amidst the arrears of the Indonesia is in arrears on Indonesia's debt in the KF-21 project and suspects that Indonesia will withdraw from the KF-21 project with accusations of stealing KF-21 data, although this has been denied by Indonesia itself.[citation needed]
Chinese military observers have also accused Indonesia of plagiarizing the design of the J-20 fighter jet.[9]
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