Somehow since I've open his Twitter few times, Google algorithm keep pushing his Twitter to my attention. I put his Twitter as example seems he's part of people in domestic Defense circle that now conducting 'subtle' campaign against US made Fighters. Looking at his Twitter like above, he's indicating procurement of US Fighters will need 'approval' from neighbors, or other Twitter that stating since US only offering single F-16V then MinDef will look to other twin engines offer from Euro suppliers. His tweet got many retweet from his followers that seems shown agreement that US will only offer 'second class' Defense equipment to Indonesia.
I just want to put here to remind Indonesian that read and follow this forum. TNI-AU has potential to go all French on the Fighters during Soeharto era, from Mirage IIIe if choose instead F5 E/F, Mirage 2000 if choose instead F-16, or Super Etandard if choose instead Hawk 200 (as A-4 replacement). The French even offered more advanced version from what Marine Nationale used with upgrade avionics that Segam will developed for Indonesia need, if IPTN agree in joint project with Dasault on manufacturing Super Etandard instead going with BAE for Hawk 200.
However Indonesia choose US and British fighters instead due to operating cost factors (eventough BAE also used bit shady deal by using Soeharto Children company as agent for Hawk). US give F-16 to Indonesia not because 'neighbors' approval (as his hinted), but more because Mirage 2000.
I remember in Indonesian Air Shown 1986 (looking at Alman profile he's still in elementary school or kindergarten, while I remember it more since already in High School), Soeharto climb to Mirage 2000 cockpit and gives thumbs up. Meanwhile the F-16 people watch it nervously (this according to media people that also watch them), on Soeharto's sign. The fact that F-16 and Mirage 2000 are the only fighters in display shown how tough those two compete for the deal. Thus US offer F-16 at that time was to countered Mirage 2000 offer, not due to some neighborhood lobby as his hinted.
Yes, there're talk circulate that Moerdani talk with the neighbors on Indonesian plan for modernisation of the Air Force. However it's not to get their approval, but more to give assurance that the modernisation will not aim for them. It's understandable as 20 years before, Indonesian Mig 21 and Tu-16 was being used to potentially aim at the neighbors.
There's also talk in online media (not from Him, but others that bit anti US Fighters), that the neighbors also make US only offering one sq of F-16 while give Singapore more. That's also misslead as US actually already agree to give at least 3 sq of F-16 to Indonesia. US already give permission for Indonesia to take all 28 F-16 that should go to Pakistan, however Indonesia that negotiate only taking 9 first. Until 1996 it's still in negotiations, however Asia Financial crisis, Soeharto downfall and Indonesian debacle on handling East Timor referendum (that being given by Habibie in the surprise of US and Australia), is the thing that stop it.
This thing of double engine vs single engine due to operational and range is also misslead in the case of F-16V. F-16V already capable of similar range of double engine competitors due to it's conformal tanks. Something that being omitted by those who represents double engine competitors, when taking on F-16 range.
Well that's my ranting, I only put this just to remind that US Fighters being choose over French fighters before due to operational costs, although US lobby is tip the scale.
LM also already talk in media before, that F-35 is not being offered to Indonesia due to Indonesia need to get improve the learning curve with more advance Gen 4 fighters before getting to Gen 5. However Indonesia after that will still be in the potential as F-35 users.
Some in Indonesian forums shown US shown double standard as offering F-35 to Switzerland which's neutral non NATO nation's, while Swiss also only operating similar Gen Fighters as Indonesia. Forgetting that Swiss F-18 continue being upgrade, and Indonesian F-16 only being upgrade now. Thinking that Swiss AF have similar stage of learning curve as TNI-AU is also highly misslead.
US continue offering F-16V perhaps also due one thing that many Indonesian Defense enthusiasts forgot. It's the type that TNI-AU continue put as their preference.
