Prabowo's Plan to Buy Used Fighter Jets Contrast to Jokowi's Wish: Expert

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A military observer from Paramadina University, Anton Aliabbas, argued that the plan of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to buy 15 secondhand Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets did not suit with President Jokowi's orders.

“Jokowi asks for prioritization of state spending on domestic products and put the brakes on spending overseas. This (plan) is clearly spending abroad,” Anton said in a discussion with the Indonesia Corruption Watch or ICW and human rights watchdog Imparsial on Monday, July 27.

Anton suggested Prabowo explain the plan to purchase the Austrian Air Force’s secondary fighter jets, such as the offered contracts and mandates in the Law on Defense Industry that could be accommodated from the purchase.

Based on the Law No. 16/2012, the procurement of the main weapon system or Alutsista from abroad must meet several requirements, including the obligation of technology transfer and countertrade.

If the government insists on buying the used fighter jets, they should have good plans, Anton hoped. “Do not just buy good, pricey jets and are predicted to still have 13 years left in their lifecycle, and then in less than five years, they are placed at the Satria Mandala Museum,” he added.

The Satria Mandala Museum exhibits a vast collection of the Indonesian Armed Forces’ (TNI) equipment and weapons.

The Defense Ministry reportedly intended to purchase 15 Eurofighter Typhoon jets owned by the Austrian Air Force. The plan was revealed after an Austrian media The Kronen Zeitung published the offer made by Minister Prabowo to his Austria counterpart Klaudia Tanner on July 18, 2020.

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FRISKI RIANA