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The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) had initially announced the purchase of the Mirage 2000-5s in June 2023, as a temporary measure to fill the gap in its fleet until the arrival of 42 Rafale fighter jets from France. However, the deal was met with criticism from some quarters, who argued that the Mirage 2000-5s were too old and expensive.
In a statement released on January 2, 2024, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense said that the decision to cancel the purchase was made after careful consideration. The ministry said that it had identified other, more affordable options to fill the gap in the TNI-AU's fleet, including the refurbishment of existing F-16 and Sukhoi fighter jets.
The ministry said that the refurbishment of the F-16 and Sukhoi jets would be carried out by local contractors, which would help to boost the Indonesian defense industry. The ministry also said that the refurbishment would be completed within the next two years.
The cancellation of the Mirage 2000 purchase is a significant setback for the Indonesian Air Force, which has been struggling to modernize its fleet in recent years. The TNI-AU currently operates a mix of aging fighter jets, including F-16s, Sukhois, and MiG-29s.
The cancellation of the deal is also likely to have implications for the Indonesian defense industry, which had been hoping to benefit from the sale of the Mirage 2000-5s.
#Indonesia #Mirage2000 #Rafale #F16 #Sukhoi #AirForce #Defense #Industry
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