Ministry of Defense Claims Purchase of 12 Used Combat Aircraft Realistic Steps

The Ministry of Defense's decision to purchase 12 used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar sparked controversy. A number of parties questioned this policy because the President had ordered not to buy used defense equipment.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A number of domestically produced main weapons systems (alutsista) were showcased at The 1 Defend ID's Day event in PT Dirgantara Indonesia hangar, Bandung, West Java, on Thursday (15/6/2023). The event, attended by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, celebrated the first anniversary of five defense industry companies in Indonesia joining under the Defend ID umbrella. The five companies are PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Pindad, PT PAL, PT Len, and PT Dahana.

BANDUNG, KOMPAS — The purchase of 12 used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar is claimed to be the most likely step to fill the air power gap in the next five years. Even though it is old, the Mirage 2000-5 technology is said to be approaching a new generation so that its use can be a transition towards using Rafale aircraft. Although admittedly realistic, observers warned that the purchase of used fighter planes would not cause new problems in the future.

The Ministry of Defense's decision to buy 12 used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar previously caused controversy. A number of parties questioned the policy of purchasing the main weapons system equipment (alutsista), which Qatar first obtained in 1997. This is because President Joko Widodo often advises Indonesia not to buy used defense equipment.

Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto said the purchase of Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft from Qatar was the most likely effort to fulfill the operational needs of the Indonesian Air Force while waiting for the arrival of the previously purchased Rafale aircraft. Although it is estimated that it will arrive in three years at the earliest, the operational preparation for using the Rafale will take even longer so that the total waiting time is still around five years. In the midst of that waiting period, the majority of existing fighter aircraft are old and need repair.

The purchase of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar is the most viable effort to fulfill the operational needs of the Indonesian Air Force while waiting for the arrival of the previously purchased Rafale jets.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto delivered his speech at The 1 Defend ID's Day event in the hangar of PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Bandung, West Java, on Thursday (June 15, 2023). This event is a celebration of one year since the merger of five defense industry companies in Indonesia under one parent company, Defend ID.

Also read: Risk of Procurement of Used Defense Equipment

”To face these five years, we need interim deterrent (temporary deterrence force). We'll see the potential is the Mirage 2000-5," Prabowo said when met after attending the celebration of the first birthday of Defend ID, holding the state-owned enterprise (BUMN) for the defense industry, at the PT Dirgantara Indonesia hangar, Bandung City. , West Java, Thursday (15/6/2023). The event entitled The 1^st Defend ID's Day was also attended by the leaders and employees of Defend ID member companies, namely PT Len Industri, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Pindad, PT Dahana, and PT PAL Indonesia.

Prabowo added that before buying the Mirage 2000-5, he had also tried to purchase F-16 fighter aircraft from several countries, such as Greece, Egypt, and the United States. However, no country was willing to sell used aircraft because the war in Ukraine was still ongoing. "So, we had to buy a new one. But if it's new, it will only become operational in five years," he said.

Although purchased in a used condition, according to Prabowo, the Mirage 2000-5 produced by Dassault, a factory that also produces the Rafale, has advanced technology. In fact, its technology leads to the technology used in the Rafale. Thus, the transition of the use of these two aircraft will be smoother.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto drove a Maung combat vehicle made by PT Pindad on his way to the location of The 1 Defend ID's Day event at PT Dirgantara Indonesia hangar, Bandung, West Java, on Thursday (15/6/2023).

According to Prabowo, the flight hours of Qatar's Mirage 2000-5 aircraft are still low. Therefore, it is estimated that the aircraft can still be used for the next 15-20 years. The purchase is also claimed to be accompanied by technology transfer, ranging from training, maintenance, to spare parts.

Not only buying from Qatar, the Ministry of Defense is also exploring the possibility of purchasing Mirage 2000-9 from the United Arab Emirates. Cooperation with South Korea, Turkey, as well as negotiations with the United States are also ongoing. "So, this is what we are doing, to maintain the defense capability for the next five years," said Prabowo.

Domestic

In addition to the purchase of defense equipment from abroad, the development of defense capabilities is also continuously being carried out by optimizing the domestic defense industry. Prabowo mentioned that the Ministry of Defense has increased the contract for the purchase of tactical vehicles from PT Pindad from 2,800 units to 7,000 units. Even after being reported to the President, the order was requested to be increased to 10,000 units.

"We have already contracted 7,000 units, but we will increase it to 10,000 units. So, we are looking for funding and negotiating with Bappenas. If we reach 10,000 units, it means that the machines can be made in Indonesia," said Prabowo.

We have already contracted 7,000 units, but we will increase it to 10,000 units. Therefore, we are currently seeking funds and negotiating with Bappenas. If we reach 10,000 units, it means that we can produce the machines in Indonesia.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Employees of state-owned defense industry companies who are part of Defend ID welcomed Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto at The 1 Defend ID's Day event in the hangar of PT Dirgantara Indonesia, in Bandung, West Java, on Thursday (June 15, 2023). Prabowo also expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the workers of each company that is part of Defend ID. In addition, he also emphasized the importance of continuing to improve quality through innovation going forward.

The CEO of PT Len Industri and also the CEO of Defend ID, Bobby Rasyidin, stated that since its inauguration last year, they are optimistic that Defend ID can meet the targets set by the government. This is because by 2022, the total contract of Defend ID is expected to reach IDR 84 trillion, which is the highest compared to PT Dirgantara Indonesia and PT PAL Indonesia since they were established in the 1960s and 1970s.

In the same year, Defend ID also ranked 70th in the global defense industry. The Indonesian government has set a target for Defend ID to become one of the top 50 defense industry companies in the world.

"Insha Allah, in 2024 we will fulfill our promise to rank 50th in the world," said Bobby.

Aga "tricky"

Contacted separately, Director of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) Khairul Fahmi agreed that the purchase of used Mirage 2000-5 from Qatar was a realistic step to meet the operational needs of the Indonesian Air Force while pursuing the target of meeting the Minimum Essential Force (MEF). By the end of 2024, MEF fulfillment is targeted to reach 100 percent. However, until now the MEF achievement has only been 65 percent.

The reason for filling the gap or power gap seems a bit tricky, to save reputation from the shadow of failure to meet MEF targets.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A number of Super Puma helicopters are part of domestically made military equipment showcased at The 1 Defend ID's Day event at PT Dirgantara Indonesia's hangar in Bandung, West Java, on Thursday (15/6/2023).

Of the three branches, the development of the air force is at its lowest achievement. This is the impact of the slowing down and stagnation of development due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the F5-E Tiger and A-4 Sky Hawk planes have been retired.

Also read: DPR Questions the Urgency of Purchasing 12 Used Combat Aircraft by the Ministry of Defense

In that context, according to Fahmi, ideally the Ministry of Defense should buy new defense equipment. However, budget constraints and the length of time needed to buy new defense equipment make buying used defense equipment an option. "The reason for filling the gap or gap in power seems a bit tricky, to save reputation from the shadow of failure to meet MEF targets," he said.

Fahmi reminded that instead of solving the problem, purchasing used military equipment has the potential to only transfer the problem. Because, besides the issues of effectiveness and efficiency, budget limitations can have an impact on the maintenance, upkeep, and combat readiness of the purchased aircraft.