Lockheed Martin: US Will Approve if Indonesia Buys Full Package of Latest F-16 Jets

BY :HERU ANDRIYANTO
MAY 29, 2021

Jakarta. Defense and technology company Lockheed Martin has confirmed that the United States government will not stand in the way if Indonesia acquires the latest version of F-16 fighter jets and their advanced weaponry system.

The Indonesian Air Force has been operating F-16 for decades and another procurement of the multi-role jets will be much more cost-effective for the country’s long-term defense program, according to Mike Kelley, the company’s director for F-16 business development.

Lockheed Martin is offering Indonesia F-16 Block 72 jets, the latest version of the F-16 with “cutting-edge technology in the most advanced F-16 configuration on the market today”. 

“If Indonesia chose an aircraft other than the F-16, it would be much more costly to build up that new ecosystem to support another platform, from infrastructure on the ground, to training of pilots and maintenance crews,” Kelley said in a recent interview with a number of Indonesian media outlets including The Jakarta Globe. 

“With the F-16, that infrastructure and knowledge is already there. This saves significant cost as well as time it takes to get up to speed.”

He said the US government remains the decision-maker in arms exports and in this case Indonesia has been given the green light.

“Indonesia has been approved by the US government to receive all advanced Block 72 capabilities and weapons requested by the IDAF [Indonesian Air Force], including the advanced AESA radar,” he said, adding that Lockheed Martin is not part of that decision-making process.

Indonesia looks to triple submarine fleet after Chinese incursions

Jakarta focuses on state of navy following death of 53 crew at sea

Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala-402 was lost at sea in April. The tragedy has spurred the country to beef up its fleet.   © Reuters

KOYA JIBIKI, Nikkei staff writer
May 30, 2021 02:24 JST

JAKARTA -- Indonesia aims to expand its submarine fleet by as much a triple its current line up to 12 vessels, multiple defense sources here say, just a month after one of its subs was determined to be lost, killing its entire crew of 53.

The move comes in response to repeated Chinese incursions into its waters. Jakarta will also beef up its fleet of corvettes.

The country had deployed five submarines, but lost one, the KRI Nanggala-402. Indonesia ranks third in the world with the area of waters that fall under its exclusive economic zone, but the size of its submarine fleet pales in comparison to countries such as Japan, which ranks sixth and has 20 vessels.

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has indicated that the country will step up investment in military equipment in the wake of the sub accident. As for submarines, Indonesia is pursuing a joint production agreement with South Korea, while France, Russia and Turkey have offered to export the vessels. Japan is exploring the idea of selling submarines to Jakarta.

The lowest ratio in region

https://www.statista.com/statistics/810421/...-gdp-indonesia/

The Ministry Of Defense Says That President Jokowi Has Agreed To The Presidential Decree On Major Weapons Procurement

Reporter: Egi Adyatama
Editor: Syailendra Persada

Saturday, 29 May 2021 20:49 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Defense said that President Joko Widodo or Jokowi had agreed to the Presidential Regulation regarding the procurement of the main weaponry system equipment (alutsista). Coordination with related Ministries / Institutions and the DPR continues.

"What is clear is that the minister has reported to the president. The president has agreed, has coordinated with the Ministry of Finance, they have determined which ones can be supported," said the Defense Strategy Director of the Ministry of Defense, Major General Rodon Pedrason to Tempo, Saturday, May 29, 2021.

USD $125 bn for 2020-2024? I thought for 2022-2044 as you said earlier?

OMG...where ID got the money?
Spending $57 bn in 3 years is unbelievable. Sorry, I will take it with a pinch of salt.

OTOH, no wonder your menhan looking for hardwares with big punch.
Any particular security reason on this decision?

"US $ 125 billion is not all at once. This year there is already US $ 12 billion [in] 2021, if I'm not mistaken, in 2022 there will be an additional US $ 21 billion," Tamliha told CNNIndonesia.com, Saturday (29/5).

ID signature is placing at the bow a cannon and oerlikon CIWS same as your sigma 105.
I think ID should pick Thales NS200 to stay using Tacticos which already used by the sigma.
I guess ID will use mica/aster/sea ceptor but not SM-2 like Danish iver

China plane was intercept and escorted out by the RMAF yesterday.

01 JUNE 2021

Indonesia reveals USD125 billion military modernisation plan

by Jon Grevatt & Andrew MacDonald

A draft regulation from Indonesia’s presidential office has outlined the requirement for investment of USD125 billion in military modernisation through to the mid-2040s. The funding proposal is indicative of Indonesia’s military ambitions and its growing concerns about regional security.

The draft regulation – entitled ‘Fulfilling the Defence and Security Equipment Needs of the Ministry of Defence and Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) 2020-24’ – was issued recently but requires various approvals from ministries and the House of Representatives before enactment. The investment plan also highlights Indonesia’s continuing dependency on foreign loans.


Indonesia has stated a requirement for funding worth USD125 billion in military investment through to the mid-2040s. The country’s modernisation requirements are thought to include Lockheed Martin F-16V fighter aircraft. (Lockheed Martin)

The proposed regulation details the requirement for USD124.9 billion for TNI modernisation funding over a period of five ‘strategic plans’ each lasting five years. The first strategic plan runs 2020–24 and coincides with the final phase of the TNI’s Minimum Essential Force (MEF) programme, while the last will be 2040–44.

The document proposes funding of USD79 billion for defence equipment during this 25-year period, USD32.5 billion for sustainment, and the remaining USD13.4 billion for interest payments on foreign loans.

The regulation prioritises sourcing TNI modernisation requirements from local industry. However, it states, “In the event that domestic products cannot be [procured], then foreign products can be used.”

$5 billion a year....

it could start from $3 billion per year, then around $8 billion per year in 2040

So, probably just allocation of regular budget. It remains to be seen if this will be followed up by future presidents. Jokowi and ryamizard terminated SBY's MEF program, so there's no obligation for future presidents.

"US $ 125 billion is not all at once. This year there is already US $ 12 billion [in] 2021, if I'm not mistaken, in 2022 there will be an additional US $ 21 billion," Tamliha told CNNIndonesia.com, Saturday (29/5).

We'll see...

but at this stage, a few billions USD worth of acquisition each year from regular defence budget is more believable to me.

Prabowo to Hold Meeting with Commission I

Sri Utami - 02 June 2021 11:52 WIB

Jakarta : The Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) is scheduled to hold a meeting with Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto and National Armed Forces (TNI) leaders today.

Previously, the minister was not able to attend a meeting with the Commission. 

"There will be a meeting with Defense Minister and it is possibly closed from public," said Deputy Chair of Commission I DPR Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, as reported by Media Indonesia.

"(The meeting is) closed, because we will be discussing working plans and budgets of the ministry/institution (RKAKL)," he said.

Other than that, the meeting will also discuss other, including the country's primary weapons defense system (alutsista).

DND reportedly submitting proposal to procure Saab’s Gripen

Gerald Santos 3rd June 2021

The Department of National Defense (DND) is reportedly submitting a proposal to procure the Saab JAS-39C/D MS20 Gripen fighter aircraft for Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s Multi-Role Fighter Acquisition Project, MaxDefense Philippines said in an update June 2, citing sources from PAF.

MaxDefense said the DND is serious with the said project with National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana personally pushing for the project to progress.

“Up until early this year, the PAF was pushing for the acquisition of the F-16 Block 70 Viper in which 12 brand new units were offered by the US to the PAF.” MaxDefense said. However, it added that “because of financial reasons, the PAF was left to choose between moving their MRF acquisition to the next Horizon 3 phase, or select a cheaper alternative. Cheaper alternatives include acquiring a 2nd squadron of KAI FA-50, or going with the Saab’s Gripen.”

1 JUN, 16:20

Five Southeast Asian states eye Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter — Rosoboronexport

Negotiations being held with several countries

MOSCOW, June 1. /TASS/. Five Southeast Asian countries show their interest in Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation multirole fighter, CEO of the state arms seller Rosoboronexport Aleksandr Mikheyev said on Tuesday. 

"We are holding negotiations with several countries. We see requests and interest. Southeast Asia, four or five countries [show their interest]," the chief executive said.

Issue dated 04/06/2021

Kamerman eyes Pretoria's submarines to help TKMS land Indonesian order

TKMS's export chief Jonathan Kamerman is cooking up an audacious plan to make the German shipbuilder indispensible to Jakarta.

June 5, 2021 11:02

People Want State-Of-The-Art Weaponry, Observer: Jokowi-Prabowo Deserves Thumbs Up

The government's efforts to modernize the outdated TNI defense equipment are increasingly visible. Moreover, after the incident of the death of 53 soldiers in the tragedy of KRI Nanggala 402.

Moreover, currently the TNI is considered not to have adequate combat readiness where the number of defense equipment and ammunition is limited. Some of the defense and security guards are considered old and unable to operate optimally.

Executive Director of the Indonesian Institute for Defense Studies and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), Rizal Darma Putra, said that the commitment of President Jokowi and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto in an effort to modernize the defense equipment system by drafting a presidential decree on the rejuvenation of the defense equipment system deserves praise.

This commitment, he said, will provide certainty for the renewal of defense equipment in the future. "President Joko Widodo and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto's attention deserves thumbs up in this regard," he said in a written statement, Saturday (5/6).

Rizal agreed that the strategic design for accelerating the rejuvenation of the defense equipment, which is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Defense, will have security investment for up to 25 years.

"Things that have never been done before. I agree with what the government is currently planning, namely the procurement system that has been shifted forward, which will be carried out in 2021-2024," he said.