The Indonesian government has decided to postpone the purchase of used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar, citing fiscal limitations. The issue was later on brought to public by Presidential Candidate Number 3, Ganjar Pranowo, during the third presidential debate session on Sunday.
Ganjar believes that the French-made Dassault Aviation fighter jets do not meet Indonesia’s current defense needs. “We can no longer talk about defense needs and buy used planes,” said Ganjar.
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto had initially planned to buy Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar, one of the variants of Mirage 2000. The goal was to fill the gap in the combat readiness of the Indonesian Air Force caused by the expiration of the operational lifespan of many of its fighter jets. However, this plan has been delayed.
“Our fiscal capacity is limited and cannot yet support this purchase,” said Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, the spokesperson for the Indonesian Defense Minister.
The plan to purchase 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets has sparked controversy, with some questioning the acquisition of these used Qatari Air Force aircraft.
Mirage 2000-5 purchase controversy
Retired General Andika Perkasa, Deputy Chairman of the Ganjar-Mahfud Election Winning Team, questioned the suitability of Mirage 2000-5 as a fighter jet to fill the gap or the air force’s readiness during the waiting period before the arrival of newly ordered fighter jets.
“The presence of Mirage 2000-5 will complicate the adaptation for pilots and mechanics in ensuring the operational readiness of the new aircraft. It means starting from scratch,” said Andika.
Moreover, Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Mirage 2000, has ceased the production of Mirage 2000, including the Mirage 2000-5 variant. This would make it difficult for Indonesia to maintain the fighter jets as spare parts availability for maintenance would be very limited.
According to Andika, if Indonesia insists on buying 12 Mirage 2000-5 from Qatar, the maintenance costs would be high. Indonesia would have to look for spare parts on the black market or in countries still using these fighter jets.
Availability of spare parts on the black market is costly, and countries still utilizing these aircraft will prioritize their own military’s spare parts supply.
Responding to these concerns, Dahnil stated that the Ministry of Defense had discussions with Qatar and Dassault Aviation. He explained that the technical obstacles raised by Andika had already been addressed through discussions with Qatar and Dassault.
The postponement of the Mirage-5 purchase is solely due to Indonesia’s current fiscal capacity not being sufficient to buy the fighter jets, according to Dahnil. Quoting Kompas TV, Anton Aliabbas, the Head of the Center for Intermestic and Diplomatic Engagement (CIDE) at Paramadina University, said the postponement of the Mirage 2000-5 purchase indicates a lack of precision in the planning of the defense equipment procurement process.
According to him, the government should have considered all aspects, including user needs (the Indonesian Air Force), risk management, and budget readiness before submitting bids.
Mirage 2000-5 belongs to the Dassault Mirage 2000 variant family, which is a fourth-generation aircraft. Specifically, Mirage 2000-5 is an advanced version developed after operating earlier models. This version integrates more modern avionics and weapons systems, including the Radar Doppler Impulse (RDI), enhanced air-to-ground attack capabilities, and integration with more sophisticated air-to-air missiles.
Developed by Dassault Aviation, the fighter jet first flew in 1991, marking a significant milestone in France’s air combat capabilities. Equipped with advanced avionics and weapons, the Mirage 2000-5 played a vital role in various historical conflicts, particularly the Mirage 2000-5F variant.
In general, Mirage 2000-5 has strong multirole capabilities, meaning it can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air surveillance missions effectively. Besides being used by the French Air Force, Mirage 2000-5 has been exported to several countries, including Greece, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, becoming a significant part of the air force capabilities of these nations for decades.
The development of Mirage 2000 began in the late 1970s to replace ageing Mirage III and Mirage V aircraft. Mirage 2000 was designed as a versatile fighter aircraft with high air-to-air and air-to-ground attack capabilities. The first prototype flew on March 10, 1978, and Mirage 2000 entered service with the French Air Force in the early 1980s.
Over time, different Mirage 2000 models were developed to meet the needs of various international customers, including Mirage 2000-5. As technology continued to advance and operational requirements evolved, Mirage 2000 production was gradually replaced by the more advanced and versatile Dassault Rafale.
Reasons Dassault stops production of Mirage 2000
Dassault Aviation did not specifically stop the production of Mirage 2000-5, but the entire Mirage 2000 variant. The decision to cease Mirage 2000 production, including Mirage 2000-5, was influenced by several factors:
- Technological Advancements: Military aviation technology rapidly progressed, and new-generation aircraft often incorporated advanced avionics, radar systems, stealth capabilities, and overall performance improvements. While Mirage 2000 was a capable aircraft, its capabilities became outdated compared to more modern fighter jets;
- Changing Operational Requirements: Mirage 2000 was designed to meet operational requirements of its time. As geopolitical and strategic priorities shifted, air forces worldwide sought aircraft with different capabilities, including multirole functionality, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, and better interoperability;
- Market Demand for Newer Dassault Aviation Models: Like other aerospace manufacturers, Dassault responded to market demand. The company introduced Rafale, a more advanced and versatile multirole fighter jet, to replace Mirage 2000. Rafale combines state-of-the-art technology and is designed to meet the current and future needs of air forces;
- Focusing on Rafale production, Dassault Aviation shifted its focus to produce and promote this new fighter jet. Rafale has become Dassault’s flagship product, adopted by the French military and exported to several other countries. The decision to discontinue the Mirage 2000 model, including Mirage 2000-5, is part of the broader trend towards using more advanced and versatile fighter jets to maintain modern and capable air forces.
