Indonesia to buy US, French warplanes as Paris boosts Asia alliances
US has approved the sale of F-15s and other military equipment worth an estimated US$14 billion. (AFP pic)
above photo not F-15 but that of F-35. F-15 below (see shape and size of air intakes and tail fins):
JAKARTA: Indonesia on Thursday ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from France and may acquire two French submarines, while the US approved Jakarta’s potential purchase of 36 F-15s in the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific.
Indonesia’s first order for French warplanes comes as Jakarta replaces an ageing fleet — consisting mainly of American F-16s and Russian Sukhois — as concerns grow about rising US-China tensions in Asia.
The Rafale agreement was announced as Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta.
Subianto confirmed a deal had been struck for the purchase of the jets, with a contract signed Thursday relating to the first six.
France’s defence ministry said the contract for the 42 aircraft and their weapons was worth US$8.1 billion.
Spokesman Herve Grandjean said the two countries also signed a letter of intent for research and development with a view to Indonesia ordering two Scorpene submarines.
Meanwhile, the US State Department said it had approved the potential F-15s sale along with other assorted military equipment for an estimated US$14 billion.
The proposed sale will improve “the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region”, said a statement, adding that it “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”.
It did not mention China, whose rise Washington is seeking to counter in the region, and gave no indication when the sale could be concluded.
The Rafale deal is the latest sign of warming ties between Jakarta and Paris, as France rethinks its alliances in the region following the collapse in September of a multibillion-dollar Australian submarine deal.
Paris was left furious by the debacle, saying it had been given no warning that Canberra was negotiating a new defence pact with the US and Britain.
Australia is now obtaining nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new defence alliance, named Aukus, which brings together Canberra, Washington and London to counter a rising China.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Indonesia’s decision to choose “French industrial excellence”, writing on Twitter that the Rafale deal would “strengthen our partnerships”.
In November, France and Indonesia strengthened a strategic partnership agreement during a two-day visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to the vast Southeast Asian archipelago.
‘Technical excellence’
In Jakarta, Parly told reporters that Indonesia had chosen a warplane known for its “technical excellence”, which had demonstrated its “operational capabilities on numerous occasions”.
Eric Trappier, CEO of manufacturer Dassault Aviation, said the contract marks the start of a long-term partnership that will see Dassault Aviation rapidly step up its presence in the country.
“It also demonstrates the strong bond between Indonesia and France and reinforces the position of the world’s largest archipelago as a key power on the international stage.”
The president of ship and submarine manufacturer Naval Group, Pierre-Eric Pommellet, accompanied Parly in Jakarta and signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia’s PT Pal, according to a source within the French company.
The agreement included technology transfer, but “everything remains up for negotiation” regarding the Scorpene submarines, the source added.
Scorpenes are conventional diesel-electric attack submarines. They are capable of carrying 18 torpedoes and Exocet anti-ship missiles and navigating to a depth of 350m, according to Naval Group.
Indonesia is also participating in a South Korean programme to develop a warplane.
Arms race fears
Since the Australian submarine deal collapsed, France has been bolstering ties with long-time partners including Japan and India, as well as turning to Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia.
Indonesia is one of several Asian countries that expressed concerns about the Aukus pact, with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi warning it could trigger a nuclear arms race in the region.
The Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft, which entered service in 2004, has proved popular in the international market despite competition from American and other European manufacturers.
The UAE signed the biggest ever order for the jets in December, with a deal to buy 80 for €14 billion.
Other foreign clients include Qatar, India, Egypt, Greece and Croatia.
Indonesia’s first order for French warplanes comes as Jakarta replaces an ageing fleet — consisting mainly of American F-16s and Russian Sukhois — as concerns grow about rising US-China tensions in Asia.
The Rafale agreement was announced as Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta.
Subianto confirmed a deal had been struck for the purchase of the jets, with a contract signed Thursday relating to the first six.
France’s defence ministry said the contract for the 42 aircraft and their weapons was worth US$8.1 billion.
Spokesman Herve Grandjean said the two countries also signed a letter of intent for research and development with a view to Indonesia ordering two Scorpene submarines.
Meanwhile, the US State Department said it had approved the potential F-15s sale along with other assorted military equipment for an estimated US$14 billion.
The proposed sale will improve “the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region”, said a statement, adding that it “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”.
It did not mention China, whose rise Washington is seeking to counter in the region, and gave no indication when the sale could be concluded.
The Rafale deal is the latest sign of warming ties between Jakarta and Paris, as France rethinks its alliances in the region following the collapse in September of a multibillion-dollar Australian submarine deal.
Paris was left furious by the debacle, saying it had been given no warning that Canberra was negotiating a new defence pact with the US and Britain.
Australia is now obtaining nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new defence alliance, named Aukus, which brings together Canberra, Washington and London to counter a rising China.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Indonesia’s decision to choose “French industrial excellence”, writing on Twitter that the Rafale deal would “strengthen our partnerships”.
In November, France and Indonesia strengthened a strategic partnership agreement during a two-day visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to the vast Southeast Asian archipelago.
‘Technical excellence’
In Jakarta, Parly told reporters that Indonesia had chosen a warplane known for its “technical excellence”, which had demonstrated its “operational capabilities on numerous occasions”.
Eric Trappier, CEO of manufacturer Dassault Aviation, said the contract marks the start of a long-term partnership that will see Dassault Aviation rapidly step up its presence in the country.
“It also demonstrates the strong bond between Indonesia and France and reinforces the position of the world’s largest archipelago as a key power on the international stage.”
The president of ship and submarine manufacturer Naval Group, Pierre-Eric Pommellet, accompanied Parly in Jakarta and signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia’s PT Pal, according to a source within the French company.
The agreement included technology transfer, but “everything remains up for negotiation” regarding the Scorpene submarines, the source added.
Scorpenes are conventional diesel-electric attack submarines. They are capable of carrying 18 torpedoes and Exocet anti-ship missiles and navigating to a depth of 350m, according to Naval Group.
Indonesia is also participating in a South Korean programme to develop a warplane.
Arms race fears
Since the Australian submarine deal collapsed, France has been bolstering ties with long-time partners including Japan and India, as well as turning to Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia.
Indonesia is one of several Asian countries that expressed concerns about the Aukus pact, with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi warning it could trigger a nuclear arms race in the region.
The Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft, which entered service in 2004, has proved popular in the international market despite competition from American and other European manufacturers.
The UAE signed the biggest ever order for the jets in December, with a deal to buy 80 for €14 billion.
Other foreign clients include Qatar, India, Egypt, Greece and Croatia.
*********
kt comments:
It's not so much the short range Rafales that will change the strike potential of Indonesia, but rather the F-15 Strike Eagles which have the range and carrying capacity to inflict mucho damage to countries like Australia.
Today Australia no longer operates its long range strike capability in the F-111. It will suffer enormous disadvantage with an Indonesia possessing 36 F-15's or even more.
BTW, Singapore has 48 F-15's.
The F-15 Strike Eagles are purposed by Indonesia to neutralise China's armed artificial Islands on Mischief Reef and FireCross Reef, and even as far as the Paracels, as well as the PLA Navy, if need be.
ReplyDeleteAs always, American arms sales come with strict End Use conditions and restrictions... which is why Mahathir abhorred buying weapons from the Yanks.
20 years later Mahathir's choices became an albatross burden on Malaysia's defences. The Wankee F/A-18 s are ageing but very much serviceable, with strong backing from Boeing, while the Mig-29s and SU-30MKM are a heap of junk.
Don't try to artificially concoct an Indonesian threat to Australia.
But knowing that you are a PRC propagandist....wakakaka... not surprising...
Monster I believe you know nuts about Australian fears - it has always been Indonesia. China as a punching bag has only been recent time following PM Morrison's bodek-isation of US's accusation of China's Wuhan lab as the source of Covid. It's next door Indon with 270 million people that most Aussies have been shivering about
DeleteThis old moneyed mfer isn't only nut about Oz nationalistic fear, it is also trying to fart about its know-nothingness about SCS territorial disputes!
DeleteIndonesia has very little interest in the SCS maritime disputes.
Mischief Reef and FireCross Reef, and even as far as the Paracels, r all have nothing to do with Indonesia. More so with the pinoy!
Indonesia knows very well that the military buildups on Mischief Reef and FireCross Reef by the Chinese r within the geopolitics of the Asia - to counteract the 1st, 2nd & 3rd defensive island chains of the Yankee.
Ooop… it has NEVER heard of those island chains!