Jakarta –
The third 2023 presidential debate touched on the use of fighter jets as the main weapon system (alutsista). One of them questioned the policy of the Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo regarding the purchase of the Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet.
“So, the weapons of war are approximately 25 to 30 years old, airplanes and warships and so on. So, it’s not a question of used or not used, but after use, they are young. Airplanes, for example the Mirage 2000-5 in Qatar, which “We plan to acquire it, its useful life is still 15 years,” said Prabowo during the presidential candidate debate, Sunday (7/1/2024).
News of the purchase of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from the former Air Force (AU) fleet was announced on June 15 2023. Prabowo announced Indonesia’s plans to acquire 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets belonging to the Qatari Air Force. The procurement is stated in the Sales and Purchase Contract Number: TRAK/181/PLN/I/2023/AU.
The purchase of the aircraft had a contract value of 733 million euros (Rp. 11.83 trillion) which was assisted by an intermediary company from the Czech Republic, Excalibur International, AS. A total of nine Mirage 2000-5 units are single seat type and the rest are double seat type. The purchase contract includes spare parts, technology transfer, training for TNI-AU fighter pilots, and insurance.
Even though it is used, the Mirage 2000-5 still has only 30 percent flying hours and 70 percent remaining. However, most recently, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s spokesperson, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, revealed that the purchase of the Mirage 2000-5 aircraft was postponed. The delay in purchasing used Qatari fighter aircraft was due to limited fiscal capacity.
“Firstly, this is because our fiscal capacity is limited, so it was postponed. In fact, to be honest, this cost is of course our wish, right? This was originally intended to cover the gaps in guarding our airspace, right? While we were waiting for the Rafale Dassault Aviation which might just be brought to Indonesia, right? “That’s the next 5 years. So, because our fiscal capacity is limited, it has finally been postponed,” said Dahnil when met in South Jakarta, Friday (5/1/2024).
Apart from the Rafale and Mirage 2000-5, Indonesia is also interested in bringing in a US-made fighter jet, the F-15 EX. Although currently it is only at the stage of discussing the offer letter, considering that the purchase process is through a scheme foreign military sales (FMS).
Reported AFP, The United States (US) Department of State approved plans to sell F-15 fighter jets to Indonesia. There are 36 US-made Boeing fighter jets and other defense equipment worth US$14 billion which were approved Thursday, Thursday (10/2/2022).
Furthermore, Prabowo uploaded the moment of signing the MoU on his social media account, Tuesday (22/8/2023). Prabowo was seen standing next to Ministry of Defense officials who were signing the purchase of 24 F-15EX fighter jets.
“Signing of MoU commitment to purchase 24 F-15EX fighter aircraft,” wrote Prabowo.
For new aircraft, Indonesia will buy 42 Dassault Rafale fighter jets. In 2022, Prabowo has signed the purchase of 6 aircraft in advance.
What type of fighter aircraft does Indonesia have?
Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense Marshal TNI Donny Ermawan Taufanto said that currently Indonesia only has 49 fighter aircraft, including Sukhoi. Even then, he said the majority were 20-30 years old.
“Indonesia currently only relies on 33 F-16 AM, BM, C and D aircraft which are more than 30 years old, as well as 16 Sukhoi 27 and 30 aircraft which are almost 20 years old as main combat aircraft,” said Donny in February 2022.
Watch the video “This is the crash location of the US F-35 stealth fighter jet that was lost”
(riar/day)
2024-01-09 03:39:42
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