STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT. The U.S. State Department announced the $13.9 billion sale of 36 new F-15 fighter jets built by the Boeing Company and other related equipment to Indonesia while Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Australia to underscore the U.S. determination not to allow China free rein in the Pacific. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region,” the department said in a statement.
“It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Indonesia in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability,” it said. The U.S. Air Force took delivery of its first EX models last year; its current plan calls for 144 of the jets with an option for a maximum of 200. The U.S. Congress will review and probably approve the sale within 30 days. The decision also marks a surge in spending by Indonesia for newer military aircraft. Earlier on Thursday, Indonesia signed a contract with Dassault Aviation SA for 42 Rafale fighters, a deal valued at $8.1 billion.
Indonesia has signed a deal to buy six Rafale fighter jets from France in its initial purchase of a larger contract of a total 42, the government announced on Thursday, as bilateral ties between Jakarta and Paris reached an all-time high. The deal was signed during the visit of French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly to Jakarta, where she met her Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto. It is part of Prabowo’s latest push to modernize Indonesia’s primary weapons system, as he proposed spending over $100 billion in the next three years to upgrade its military arsenal.
The Air Force stated that the government had narrowed its choice to buy more modern 4.5 generation Rafale and U.S.-made F-15 jets, abandoning the existing contract to purchase Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35, also a 4.5 generation fighter. “Indonesia’s choice to use the Rafale aircraft shows Indonesia’s trust in France and is proof that the strategic partnership between the two countries is very strong and dynamic,” Parly said as quoted in a statement from Prabowo’s office.
In a meeting with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta on Thursday, French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly emphasized the importance of Indonesia’s role in the region. She also conveyed the French government’s commitment to continue to strengthen bilateral relations with Indonesia. On this occasion, Minister Retno also highlighted the issue of discrimination against Indonesian palm oil. She said Indonesia hopes for fair treatment in carrying out trade. Indonesia hopes that there will be significant developments in the negotiations between the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) during the French presidency.
State-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia and French Naval Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on submarine building and research programs to fortify Indonesia’s maritime defense. The MoU was signed at the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta and witnessed by Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, the CEO and members of the PAL BoD, French Minister of Defense, Florence Parly, the CEO of the Naval Group, and several other stakeholders. Prabowo affirmed that the research and development cooperation on submarines would lead to the purchase of two Scorpene submarines, with AIP technology and weapons.
President Jokowi on Thursday received a visit from French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta to discuss a number of issues and sign several memorandums of understanding on defense cooperation, including MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) cooperation, submarine development, satellite procurement, and the production of large-caliber ammunition. Jokowi hopes that defense cooperation between the two countries will not be limited to defense equipment purchase. (Red/many sources)
