Planned Acquisition of F-15 Jets by Indonesia May Be Cancelled

The Indonesian government's plan to buy F-15 fighter jets from the United States is likely to fail. A source familiar with this matter in the US revealed that the deadline for signing the acquisition agreement is mid-December 2022. However, until now, the two countries have not signed a sale and purchase agreement. "Cost was the reason. Too expensive," she told D-Insights.

In February last year, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the US State Department and Congress approved the potential sale of Boeing F-15ID fighters and related equipment to Indonesia in a deal valued at up to US$ 13.9 billion or around Rp. 200 trillion. The total number agreed is 36 aircraft, equipped with advanced equipment such as Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, all-digital Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability Systems (EPAWSS), Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS), and Advanced Targeting Pod ( ATPs).

During the visit of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to Jakarta in November last year, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto stated that the two countries were still discussing financial matters. He was confident both parties could agree on the package. However, he left the final decision to the Indonesian government.

Indonesia's Defense Ministry and Boeing Representatives in Indonesia didn't respond to a request for comment.