‘Balancing China’: why Indonesia is on a multibillion-dollar spending spree for US and French fighter jets
- US$8.1 billion for 42 Dassault Rafales from France, US$13.9 billion for 36 F-15EX fighters from the United States. What’s Indonesia planning – and can it afford it?
- Jakarta’s need to modernise its forces is made more urgent by China’s maritime claims. But it must convince the public it’s a good use of Covid-battered state coffers
On February 10, Jakarta secured a US$8.1 billion deal to purchase 42 French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets, with the two countries having already signed the first contract for the purchase of six fighter jets that are expected to be delivered in 56 months. Indonesia also wanted to buy two Scorpene-class submarines from France, Defence Minister Florence Parly said.
A few hours later, the US Department of State approved the sale of 36 F-15EX fighter jets worth US$13.9 billion to Indonesia. These may include the sophisticated Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), a tool that could boost the pilot’s situational awareness as it detects all kinds of threats to the jets. The US deal will require congressional approval.
The deals will boost Indonesia’s waning capability, particularly in air defence, as the Southeast Asian nation currently operates only US-made F-16 fighters and two Russian Sukhoi jets, the Su-27s and Su-30s.
