Ministry Of Defense Purchases 12 Former Qatar Mirage Fighter Jets, Observer: The Right Strategy In Accordance With The Constitution

Illustration of the former Qatar Air Force (AU) fighter jet of the Mirage type 2000-5. (Between)

JAKARTA - Military observer Apep Agustiawan assessed that the purchase of the main weapon system (alutsista) by the Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan) was the right strategy to strengthen Indonesia's defense.

"The purchase of defense equipment is the right strategy and is in accordance with the constitution. Purchase of defense equipment is a tangible form of the Ministry of Defense in carrying out the function of developing the strength of the TNI, even this function is a mandate of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia," said Apep in a written statement, Sunday, June 18, which was confiscated by Antara. The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, he continued, has regulated that the goals of the Indonesian state, among others, are to protect the entire Indonesian nation and all of Indonesia's blood and participate in carrying out world order.

Most recently, the Ministry of Defense purchased 12 units of former Qatar Air Force (AU) fighter jets of the Mirage type 2000-5. The purchase contract for dozens of fighter aircraft costs IDR 4.7 trillion. According to Apep, the value is ideal.

"The result (price) is still very ideal, especially if we look at how important it is for security and functional needs," he said. Previously, Defense Minister (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto conveyed that the reason for buying the 12 former Qatar Air Force fighter jets was to meet the needs of Indonesian warplanes.

He also said that currently many fighter jets owned by Indonesia are old and must be updated (refurbished). On the other hand, Indonesia has also ordered the Dassault Rafale type aircraft, but the arrival process is quite time-consuming. "We have ordered, Rafale, 42 (units) from France, but we signed only a few weeks ago, how many months ago). The first arrival will be 3 years away, the fastest. Later the squadron will be operational maybe 5 years to 6 years away," he said. Therefore, said Prabowo, Indonesia needs fighter jets to meet the readiness of the Indonesian Air Force's combat.