Indonesia eyes F-5E replacement options

Indonesia is assessing fighters to replace its obsolescent Northrop F-5E fighters, with a decision possible before 2015. Official news agency Antara quoted defence minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro as saying that Jakarta has received proposals from several companies for the 16 aircraft requirement.

He adds that Jakarta has ‘at least five or six” options, and that hopes to include the acquisition under Jakarta’s next strategic plan, which will run from 2015 to 2020. An Indonesian officer quoted in the story says Indonesia has looked at a range of types, such as the Sukhoi Su-35, Boeing F-15, Lockheed Martin F-16, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen.

Note: Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database shows Jakarta as operating six F-5Es. It also operates seven F-16As and 16 Su-27/30 fighters*.

Flight Global

* Since 2003, Indonesia has purchased from Russia five Su-27SKM and 11 Su-30MK2 fighter jets.