Indonesia considers options to replace fighter jet

JAKARTA - Indonesia is considering to procure warplanes to replace its F-5 Tiger multirole fighter jets that are about to be decommissioned due to their very long service periods, an official said Tuesday.

"There have been many options we have been considering whether they would be Russian, American, European,"Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said in his office here.

The minister said fighter jets put under considerations were those with higher capability than the F-5 Tiger planes that have already been 30 years in service with Indonesian air forces.

"I expect that the replacement fighter jets have the capability to carry long-haul missiles,"the minister said on the sidelines of a meeting attended by top brasses of the country's military.

Indonesia bought 12 F-5 Tiger multirole fighter jets from Northrop, the United States, in early 1980s.

Purnomo expected a swift decision in opting for the most eligible fighter jet so that procurement on those replacement planes can be conducted during the second strategic plans (Renstra) program period from 2015 to 2020.

Indonesian Air Forces Commander Marshall Ida Bagus Putu Dunia said in the event that the air forces is expecting to operate 16 fighter jets, or one squadron, of the replacement planes.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Military Commander General Moeldoko said that the military has considered fighter jets consisted of Russian- made Sukhoi 35, American-made F-15 and F-16 and another fighter jet from Sweden.