15-6-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia confirmed on Wednesday its purchase of 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar, defending the nearly US$800 million deal as a swift solution to upgrade the air force. Lawmakers had raised concerns about the age of the planes, but the Indonesian defence ministry defended the purchase, emphasizing the need for quick modernization.
The deal, valued at €733 million ($792 million), was signed with Excalibur International a.s., a subsidiary of Czech defence company Czechoslovak Group (CSG), in January. The delivery of the nine single-seat jets and three double-seat jets is expected within 24 months of the signing date.
Indonesian media initially reported the deal, quoting lawmakers who expressed doubts about the purchase of used and old jets. Lawmaker Tubagus Hasanuddin questioned the urgency of the acquisition, stating, “What is so urgent that we had to buy used and old jets?”
While the defence ministry did not disclose the age of the jets, manufacturer Dassault Aviation’s website indicates that the model was first launched in 1967. However, the ministry assured that the jets would come with three years of support service and pilot training.
Edwin Adrian Sumantha, spokesperson for the defence ministry, explained, “Indonesia needs fighter jets that could be delivered quickly to cover for the decline of combat readiness in the Indonesian Air Force’s fleet.”
Indonesia has long been committed to modernizing its ageing air fleet, which currently includes US-made F-16 and Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 jets. The plan to replace F-5 Tiger jets with Su-35 from Russia has been impeded by US sanctions on Russia. Jakarta has alternative plans for fleet upgrades, but implementation will take time.
In 2017, Indonesia announced its intention to purchase 11 Su-35 jets from Russia using cash and Indonesian commodities. Additionally, the country secured a deal in February to procure 42 Rafale fighter jets for $8.1 billion. The purchase of F-15 fighter jets is also in the advanced stages and awaits final approval from the government, according to defence minister Prabowo Subianto’s statement last year.
