Infoglobal I-22 Sikatan is an Indonesian 4.5th/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, In English it would be Infoglobal I-22 Ficedula.[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 with fully Internal Weapons Bay (IWB).[5]
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, The sharp lines that extend from the nose to the wing (chine) function to break up turbulence while reducing the Radar Cross Section (RCS), the tilt angle of its vertical fins is designed to throw reflected radar waves sideways, rather than back toward the enemy radar source.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8][9]
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.[10] The aircraft also includes a Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), an Integrated Electronic Standby Display (IESD), and day/night operational modes. The I-22 is projected to use an AESA Radar and Data Link system that allows this aircraft to fight "silently" without having to turn on an active radar that can be detected by the enemy.[9]
Infoglobal plans to use the engine from the Hawk Mk.209 for their first prototype, but there is speculation in the future about the potential use of a reverse engineered jet engine.[11]
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.[12]
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