Defense Minister Prabowo To Buy 42 Fighter Planes From France, DPR: We Hope It Is Well Planned, Not Carelessly

Defense Minister Prabowo/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto purchased 42 fighter planes and 2 submarines from France to strengthen the scope of defense cooperation. After Indonesia and France signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in Paris on June 28, 2021. Member of Commission I DPR Sukamta confirmed that the purchase of the main weapon system equipment (defense equipment) was part of the Phase II Minimum Essential Force (MEF) target. . "The purchase of 42 fighter aircraft and other defense equipment is part of our plan to strengthen our defense equipment in order to fulfill the Minimum Essential Forces (MEF) target," Sukamta told reporters, Monday, February 14.

However, the Deputy Chairman of the PKs Faction reminded that the purchase of defense equipment must also be accompanied by strengthening the domestic defense industry. "We hope this purchase will be followed by strengthening the domestic defense industry," said Sukamta.

Furthermore, the member of the defense commission explained, in accordance with the mandate of Law No. 16/2012 on the Defense Industry (UU Inhan), every purchase of defense equipment from abroad must be followed by technology transfer. Moreover, the budget that must be issued by the state reaches Rp. 68 trillion.

"Considering the large number of purchases, we hope that this technology transfer is well planned, detailed, and mature, not carelessly. Moreover, the cost that reaches Rp 68 trillion is not a small amount," he explained.

"Moreover, we are all facing a pandemic which also requires huge costs for recovery," continued Sukamta.

In the future, Sukamta assesses, there must be some fighter aircraft that can be produced domestically. The reason is, the state already has PT Dirgantara Indonesia which has been involved in cooperation in the manufacture of KIX/KFX.

"And this is a good start-up capital. If some of the batch orders are made at PT DI, it will certainly be a tremendous leap in the acquisition of fighter aircraft technology," said the Yogyakarta electoral district legislator.

Sukamta hopes that Defense Minister Prabowo can realize this strategy in every cooperation agreement. "Hopefully Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto will include this strategy in the cooperation in buying and selling planes and others," he said.

"Many other countries can provide the scheme, so the choice of purchasing the aircraft from France is an important and strategic step for the wider national defense interests," continued Sukamta. F-15 fighter jets to Indonesia worth USD 14 billion or around IDR 200 trillion. Which is currently still in the negotiation stage.

"Therefore, it is important once again for us to emphasize that the government must be serious in its alignment with advancing the domestic defense industry. A budget of that size can stimulate our defense industry, don't keep buying and selling, its orientation is the same as growing the economy of other nations," he explained.

Sukamta reminded Defense Minister Prabowo to detail the budget before deciding to buy the defense equipment, which is a fantastic amount.

"Shopping for defense equipment with a large enough budget must be done carefully so that there is no security dilemma that triggers arm races in other countries, because it is certain that the procurement of defense equipment in large quantities will cause a deterrent effect for other countries," he said.

As previously reported, the government ordered 42 fighter planes from France. The government also purchased two Scorpene-type submarines from France. This purchase is part of a research and development collaboration with PT PAL, a company engaged in the shipbuilding industry, with the Naval Group.

This includes a cooperation agreement on the maintenance, repair and overhaul of French-made fighter aircraft in Indonesia through Dessault and PT Dirgantara Indonesia. The government also signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of telecommunications and the manufacture of large-caliber ammunition.

Then, the US State Department has also approved the potential sale of F-15ID aircraft and related equipment to Indonesia in a deal worth up to $13.9 billion, or about Rp. 199.435.81 billion, the Pentagon said on Thursday, February 10.