Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – Indonesian Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto said that the flying hours of the 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft purchased by Indonesia from Qatar were still 30 percent.
This means that the flight hours of the 12 Mirage 2000-5 units purchased by Indonesia still have 70 percent remaining.
“Actually, the flying hours are still long. So, the Mirage 2000-5 still has a useful life of around 15 years, because it has only been used for about 30 percent of its flying hours,” Prabowo said during a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta, Thursday.
On the same occasion, Prabowo again explained that the purchase of 12 Mirage 2000-5 units from Qatar was an effort to ensure the combat readiness of the Indonesian Air Force, considering that several Indonesian Air Force fighters were undergoing rejuvenation, maintenance and repair.
Meanwhile, the new fighter aircraft purchased by Indonesia from the French company Dassault Aviation, namely the Dassault Rafale, will arrive in Indonesia in about 36 months or around 2026, while for operations we still have to wait until approximately 48 months or around 2027.
“That’s what we mean by looking for an interim (combat) fighter that we can immediately use. And indeed, of course the Mirage 2000-5 aircraft is not as sophisticated and modern as the Rafale. This is the latest Rafale technology, but (Rafale and Mirage) are both made by Dassault,” said the Indonesian Defense Minister.
He also received an explanation that using the Mirage was part of the adaptation to operating the Rafale, both of which had technology from France.
“So, we use (Mirage). One, for deterrent power, for interim, as well as to familiarize our pilots with French technology,” said Prabowo.
Therefore, he is also surprised if there are parties who “sneaky” at him for buying Mirage 2000-5.
“Incidentally, there are indeed many who seem to be sarcastic, as if they want to make various judgments that talk about used aircraft, used aircraft. Yes, we are often forced to buy planes that are not new,” said the Indonesian Defense Minister.
Indonesia purchased 12 units of Mirage 2000-5 and its supporting equipment from Qatar in a Sale and Purchase Contract Number: TRAK/181/PLN/I/2023/AU which was signed on 31 January 2023.
The purchase price of the aircraft was 733 million euros or around IDR 11.83 trillion, with a company from the Czech Republic, Excalibur International A.S.
“The contract materials include 12 MIRAGE 2000-5 Ex. Qatar Air Force (9 Single Seat And 3 Double Seat, 14 Engine and T-cell, Technical Publications, GSE, Spare, Test Benches, A/C Delivery, FF & Insurance, Support Service (3 Years), Training Pilot And Technician, Infrastructure, and Weaponary,” said the Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha in a written broadcast last month.
Delivery schedule for 12 Mirage 2000-5 units 24 months after the contract is effective and will be placed at Air Squadron 1 Supadio Air Force Base, Pontianak, West Kalimantan. (mhn/bbs)
Comment