Defense Minister Prabowo Explains The Reason For Buying 12 Former Mirage 2000-5 Fighters

BANDUNG - Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto explained the reasons behind the purchase of 12 Mirage 2000-5 units, the former Qatar Air Force fighter aircraft, namely to meet the needs of Indonesian warplanes.

"Yes, so as is known, we must build our defense strength, our determination, the strength of the deterrent," Prabowo said in an interview with the media crew after The 1st DEFEND ID's Day event at the PT Dirgantara Indonesia Hangar, Bandung, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 15.

Prabowo said that currently many warplanes owned by Indonesia are old and must be updated. On the other hand, Indonesia has also ordered a Dassault Rafale aircraft, but the arrival process is quite time-consuming.

"We have ordered, Rafale, 42 (units) from France, but we signed just a few weeks ago, how many months ago). The first one will arrive in three years, the fastest. Later the squadron will be operational maybe five to six years away," he said.

Therefore, continued Prabowo, Indonesia needs warplanes to meet the readiness of the Indonesian Air Force's combat. Regarding this, the Ministry of Defense assesses that Mirage 2000-5 is the most potential fighter aircraft.

"We need the so-called interim determinant for the time of three to five years, soon we need the ability, yes. Well, that way, we'll see the potential is Mirage 2000-5," Prabowo explained.

The Minister of Defense said that the procurement of the 2000-5 Mirage was also not easy because many countries were eyeing the plane.

"And it's difficult, many countries want to take it, thank God with our good relationship with Qatar, they love us," said Prabowo.

He explained that Mirage 2000-5 is still in good condition and relatively sophisticated, even though the plane is a former Qatar Air Force. This is becauseQatar is a small country so that the flight time is still small.

"So, we can still use maybe at least 15 years, 20 years, and the technology is very sophisticated and will lead to Rafale. So, these are our pilots, we will train them at Mirage. Once Rafale arrives, he will transition to Rafale," said Prabowo.

The Defense Minister said the Ministry of Defense is currently in the process of negotiating with Emirates airlines to acquire Mirage 2000-9.

"And we are also negotiating with Emirates. They also have Mirage 2000-9. We are negotiating with this again, hopefully we can also acquire it. This is to protect now until five years. Until our new full-made aircraft are in us," he explained.

Prabowo also said his institution has a program with South Korea, which is related to KFX 4.5 generation fighter aircraft. On the other hand, the Ministry of Defense is also negotiating with the United States about the purchase of the F-15 Super Eagle fighter aircraft.

"We also certainly have a program with Korea, KFX. We are also negotiating with America, F15," he said.

Not only that, the Ministry of Defense is also working on exploring the cooperation between PT Dirgantara Indonesia and Turkey. "And we are also negotiating and exploring the cooperation between PT DI and Turkey, developing fifth-generation aircraft," said Prabowo.