The CNBC Indonesia writer is a hack who has pulls speculations out of his ass (or her, I didn't bother checking the name). CNBC Indonesia has long adopted a clickbait strategy and writes to maximize the number of clicks received, prioritizing speed over research and bombast rather than analysis.
Budgetary document shows that Indonesia plans on acquiring 4 aircrafts this year. This document is not available to the public but the bit about four aircrafts are legit. Multiple reporters gave a summary of the documents. But jumping from there to fighter jets is a wild leap of imagination. Which CNBC Indonesia is happy to indulge, I suppose.
The current fighter jet plan is to acquire F-16s. The Su-35 is still in the backburner, to be acquired if a waiver can be acquired. But the number for Su-35 is 11 and for F-16 it could vary between 12 to 24 but certainly not 4. Rafale is not being seriously considered. If the Su-35 is officially dropped, then let's speculate. But until the Su-35 is dropped, talking about Rafale is just wish-listing with no realistic chance.
If we want to speculate about which four aircrafts will be acquired, we can look at older acquisition plans that have not been exercised. My personal belief is that the four aircrafts refers to two recon aircrafts and two tanker aircrafts or maybe some other combination of the two.
Indonesian Air Force has been planning on acquiring two tanker aircrafts for years. They have also been looking to supplement (and eventually replace) their three SLAMMR-equipped Boeing 737-200 Surveiller. Check out the old news about plans for AEW&C aircrafts. I realize that this adds up to five rather than four, but this makes far more sense that speculating about 4 fighter jets. The fighter jets will be at 12-24 F-16 and maybe 11 Su-35 if a CAATSA waiver can be acquired.
Budgetary document shows that Indonesia plans on acquiring 4 aircrafts this year. This document is not available to the public but the bit about four aircrafts are legit. Multiple reporters gave a summary of the documents. But jumping from there to fighter jets is a wild leap of imagination. Which CNBC Indonesia is happy to indulge, I suppose.
The current fighter jet plan is to acquire F-16s. The Su-35 is still in the backburner, to be acquired if a waiver can be acquired. But the number for Su-35 is 11 and for F-16 it could vary between 12 to 24 but certainly not 4. Rafale is not being seriously considered. If the Su-35 is officially dropped, then let's speculate. But until the Su-35 is dropped, talking about Rafale is just wish-listing with no realistic chance.
If we want to speculate about which four aircrafts will be acquired, we can look at older acquisition plans that have not been exercised. My personal belief is that the four aircrafts refers to two recon aircrafts and two tanker aircrafts or maybe some other combination of the two.
Indonesian Air Force has been planning on acquiring two tanker aircrafts for years. They have also been looking to supplement (and eventually replace) their three SLAMMR-equipped Boeing 737-200 Surveiller. Check out the old news about plans for AEW&C aircrafts. I realize that this adds up to five rather than four, but this makes far more sense that speculating about 4 fighter jets. The fighter jets will be at 12-24 F-16 and maybe 11 Su-35 if a CAATSA waiver can be acquired.