About The F-35 Fighter That Prabowo Wants To Buy, Member Of Commission I DPR: There Has Been No Official Discussion With The Ministry Of Defense

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - It was reported that Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto had his eye on the advanced F-35 fighter with stealth technology made in the United States. The news was revealed when he visited the United States to meet with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper in October 2020.

Commission I member Effendi Simbolon said there had been no official talks between Commission I and the Ministry of Defense regarding the purchase of the F-35 fighter jet. In fact, he said, Prabowo had not attended a working meeting with the DPR (House of Representatives) for a long time.

"Officially, the government of the Minister of Defense (Prabowo Subianto) has never conveyed it. Because it has been 6 months since he has never attended a work meeting at the DPR", he said, when contacted by VOI, Monday, April 26.

Effendi said bringing the F-35 to Indonesia was not that easy. Apart from the budgetary problems that Indonesia must have, some stages must be passed and take quite a long time.

"Whether America wants to give it? It's not that simple. There are many considerations because there are all long procedures, and can take 10 to 15 years. Whether the congress will approve we don't know yet", he said.

"America (has) a system of strategic weapons sales procedures, all countries in the world have to go through extraordinary stages. The stages are very complicated, it's not that simple", he continued.

Furthermore, he said, F-16 fighter jets can be brought into the country. However, for the F-35, he admitted that he had doubts. In fact, Singapore's neighboring country alone to get the F-35 went through a very long process.

Regarding Prabowo's desire to accelerate the modernization of defense equipment, Effendi explained that the process of building a country's defense system cannot be rushed.

"It does not necessarily mean that it does not have to go through stages and in-depth studies carried out by the TNI Headquarters and the three military elements (Navy, Air Force, and Army) as components in our country's defense system", he said.

Actually, said Effendi, so far Indonesia already has a strategic plan or blueprint related to soldiers' combat equipment. However, until now it has not been fulfilled.

"Up to now, this has never been fulfilled by the state. So what development system, what is meant by Prabowo, we do not know. Because he has never explained it openly and formally. He has never explained (about the modernization of defense equipment). During the work meeting, I asked him (the Minister of Defense) to be open in the work meeting", he said.

Nothing in the TNI plan

Contacted separately, military observer Connie Rahakundini Bakrie highlighted Prabowo's desire to bring in an F-35 fighter jet. This is because the main equipment of the defense system (Alutsista) is not included in the TNI purchase plan.

In fact, Connie said buying anything for the modernization and rejuvenation of defense equipment is a legitimate thing. However, he said, what is not allowed is buying outside the plan or not according to the wishes of users or users, namely the TNI.

"The TNI never plans to buy because we know we are not an alliance of the US. We are a non-aligned country. The Minister of Defense does not know", he told VOI.

Previously, Connie questioned where the F-35 fighter Prabowo targeted would be used. Moreover, he said, there was no clarity or roadmap regarding the clear purpose of purchasing the defense equipment.

"Our Defense Minister (Prabowo Subianto) suddenly wanted to buy an F-35. Come on, we are not an alliance of the United States, what are we doing to buy an F-35. Where are we going? Who do we want to come to? never mind take care of the F-35, just taking care of their staff could drown (KRI Nanggala-402) without being clear", he said in a virtual discussion, Sunday, April 25.

Not long ago, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto admitted that he planned to modernize the TNI's defense equipment. This will be carried out in three dimensions of the TNI, namely the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

"We will do it with a comprehensive and efficient effort, maybe (because) we wanted to have a reliable TNI", he said in a press conference at I Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Badung, Bali, Thursday, April 22.

Currently, Prabowo said, his party is formulating more orderly and more efficient management of defense equipment procurement. Therefore, rejuvenating defense equipment needs to be done.

"I am sure that soon we can modernize the three dimensions of land, sea, and air, but I underline it so that the people also know, the struggle of our children to protect the country's sovereignty is very challenging, they face dangers every day", he said.

For your information, Prabowo Subianto's wish will be difficult to materialize. This is because there are a number of requirements that must be met by Indonesia in order to get the F-35.

Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi, who at that time served as Indonesian Ambassador to the US, said that Indonesia must first have 4th and 4.5 generation aircraft.

"To get to the F-35, we must have an F-16 Block 72. This is the latest F-16 before we can get an F-35 fighter", Lutfi said, Monday, November 2, 2020.

Lutfi said the US will provide the latest offers for Indonesia. This is to get around the long waiting time to get a fighter plane. "They will give the best without reservation", he said.

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin, a manufacturer of aircraft and military equipment from the United States, revealed the reasons behind the Block 72 F-16 aircraft offer for Indonesia. According to Lockheed, the F-16 Blok 72 is a suitable fighter for Indonesia because it is the cheapest in its acquisition cost and has the latest technology from the 4.5 generation aircraft.