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By APD writer Aditya Nugraha
Indonesia Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshall Yuyu Sutisna said the nation planned to acquire F-16 Viper Block 72 fighter jets as part of 2020-2024 strategic with acquisition process was expected to commence early next year.
"We will buy two squadrons of the fighter jet as part of our strategic plan for 2020-2024. We will buy the latest type of Block 72 Viper," Yuyu said in an Indonesia air forces base on Monday.
“We expect that the process to acquire the fighter jets can commence in January 1 2020 so as to quickly improve our military might. If we possess those planes, we are part of countries operating the F-16 fighter jets with the most sophisticated technology,” he added.
Indonesian air force currently operates 33 F-16 fighter jets from various types, stationed in air force bases in Riau and East Java provinces. The F-16 fighter jets remain an ultimate fleet in Indonesian air force to safeguard the nation’s vast airspace.
Cited the popularity of the F-16 fighter jet with around 3,000 units operated by air forces in the world at present, Yuyu said that it was part the consideration to acquire the F-16 Viper Block 72.
“With more population it proves that the fighter jet has a good airworthiness,” he added.
The F-16 Viper Block 72 produced by the United States defense industry of Lockheed Martin made its initial appearance in 2012 Singapore Airshow.
Apart from the plan to acquire 2 squadrons of F-16 Viper Block 72, Yuyu said that process to acquire Sukhoi 35 multirole fighter jets from Russia is underway at present.
Indonesia has signed contract to acquire 11 Sukhoi 35 Super Flanker planes to replace its F-5 E/F Tiger II fighter jets.
Delivery of Sukhoi 35 Super Flanker would complete the Flanker fighter jet series already in service with Indonesian air force which currently operates 5 Sukhoi 27 and 11 Sukhoi 30 from various types, stationed in several key air bases in the country.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
