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Indonesia on major defense spending spree
Indonesia's fighter jet shopping spree spotlights a growing arms race in the Indo-Pacific region, while local analysts await a clear explanation about the pandemic-era purchase plans.
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An Israeli F15 fighter jet is pictured near two Greek F16s during an exercise at the Ovda air force base, Israel, on November 11, 2019. (AFP/Jack Guez)
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ndonesia made major purchase announcements of fighter jets from United States and French manufacturers this week in the biggest military buying spree in recent years, raising concerns over government spending as the nation rations funds to recover from COVID-19.
The procurement plans spotlight a growing arms race in the Indo-Pacific region, following the surprise announcement last year of a security partnership between the US, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), an agency under the US Department of Defense, announced the possible sale of F-15ID aircraft and related equipment to Indonesia in a deal valued at up to US$13.9 billion on Thursday, just hours after Indonesia and France signed a purchase agreement for the first six of 42 Rafale fighter jets as part of a contract worth of $8.1 billion.
“The proposed sale will improve Indonesia’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling it to provide increased deterrence and air defense coverage across a very complex air and maritime domain, the DSCA said in a statement published on Thursday.
Boeing is the principal contractor for the F-15 jets, the Pentagon’s cooperation agency said in a statement. The package would include 36 jets, spare engines, radar, night vision goggles training and technical support.
The DSCA notified the US Congress of the possible sale on Thursday. Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a binding contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.
An Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesperson confirmed the latest update from Washington, but added that the purchase was still in the “exploratory” stage.
