they have made an initial step to improve coverage. they ordered some surface wave radar last year. more or less a static AWACs solution.Big-E said:
What if TNI switched to China for it's aircraft and parts... any thoughts?Aussie Digger said:Indonesia needs to consolidate on a single platform or at most 2. It currently operates F-16's, SU-27/30, F-5 and Hawk 200's all in combat roles...
For guaranteed supply, I wouldn't discount America. America may withhold supply of parts etc, for political reasons, but IF you remain in their good books, your laughing. Russia from all reports has trouble maintaining supply of spare parts and the serviceability of their aircraft is pretty ordinary from all accounts as well.
I would therefore recommend Indonesia concentrate on a force of F-16's. Numerous second hand variants are available, for quite reasonable prices. They also provide known high levels of capability, plus Indonesia already has the advantage of extensive corporate knowledge of the type, having operated it for 15+ years.
Given the reasonable price of second hand F-16's, Indonesia may be able to afford enough to replace it's whole fleet.
Upgrades which keep it near the top of worldwide fighter capabilities are also widely available and are performed by any number of companies. F-16 is one of the few platforms that Indonesia has been able to maintain in-service, despite US sanctions. It wasn't even able to maintain it's C-130's...
The Su-27/30 purchase has been a serious waste of limited monies IMHO. It smacks of "Generals" with "dreams beyond their means" to me. Even in late 2005, TNI was "hoping" to receive enough funding to be able to even ARM their existing ones...
They are an expensive fighter to buy AND an expensive fighter to maintain and offer little capability advantages over late model F-16 variants, IMHO. The cost appears to outweight the benefits in this instance. They are also a "pig" when it comes to servicing and sortie rates from all reports.
Mig-29 variants might also be another option, but again could Indonesia afford to fund enough aircraft to replace it's existing fleet? If so, great a new fleet of MiG-29's would rejuvenate Indonesia's combat capability and give Australian force planners, something to chew on...
I don't think Indonesia would be overly keen to do that. I don't think Chinese aircraft offer the "status symbol" element that Indonesia seems keen on. Chinese fighter aircraft (without intending to insult anyone) often seem a "last resort" for Countries that are unable for whatever reason to acquire aircraft made by other Countries.Big-E said:
They could, but they still have some territorial disputes to resolve first.Big-E said:
How could China claim Natuna when they are 1,200km from Hainan her nearest Chinese neighbor. They have no sphere of influence. Just looking at a map it's clear they should go to either Maylasia or Singapore, Singapore needs more space, give it to them!gf0012-aust said:
:exactly,I agree with that, but the problem is how about the maintenance? Indonesian's Dirgantara Factory only capable to support f-16 in some parts (except Arsenal). I think to build other maintenace facilities will take more time. Another thing, we have to think that TNI-AF's base is spreading all over Indonesia with far distance between them, so I think we need a long range Fighters. BTW, how bout purchasing bombers?dreamwarrior73 said:MiG-29 SMT would be an ideal choice for TNI-AU. It's multirole and it's cheap. TNI-AU can buy it in large number with no strings attached.
Disagree guys. Indonesia should not loose it's land again. Natuna is a good place with plenty of resources u know. And if we loose natuna, surely Gosong island will go to the malaysian.Big-E said:How could China claim Natuna when they are 1,000nm from Hainan her nearest Chinese neighbor. They have no sphere of influence. Just looking at a map it's clear they should go to either Maylasia or Singapore, Singapore needs more space, give it to them!
I think you'll find that Big-E is actually supporting the Indon claim - he's not arguing in favour of Chinas claims at all.marxist_command said:
if spare parts and range and requirement of bombers are the issue. then Su-27/30 is the right solution at lower cost because:marxist_command said:
Given Russia's desperate need for more exports, I wouldn't be surprised if it proposed to Indonesia to build a local facility for maintenance of MIG-29 SMT or SU-30.marxist_command said: