STRATEGIC DRIVERS OF FLIGHT SAFETY PERFORMANCE IN THE INDONESIAN AIR FORCE

Abstract

Driven by the escalating complexity of military aviation operations, this study evaluates the impact of strategic safety leadership, organizational culture, and digital transformation on flight safety performance within the Indonesian Air Force. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative structural equation modeling with qualitative thematic exploration to provide a robust analysis of safety dynamics. The findings reveal that leadership, culture, and digital maturity exert significant positive influences on the effectiveness of the Safety Management System (SMS), which in turn drives superior flight safety performance. Crucially, the mediation analysis identifies the SMS as the vital link through which strategic inputs are converted into operational safety outcomes. These results underscore the necessity of a holistic safety framework and provide a strategic foundation for evidence-based policy formulation. This study advances military aviation safety theory by highlighting the synergy between human factors, governance, and technology in high-stakes defense environments