36 French Rafales Immediately Strengthen Indonesian Air Force
Indonesia has to make a difficult choice to determine what aircraft will strengthen the Indonesian Air Force, among 3 options namely the Russian Su-35, French Rafale, and the United States (US) F-15 EX.
Before considering the French Rafale and the United States F-15 EX, Indonesia had actually held serious talks with Russia to propose the Su-35 for the Indonesian Air Force.
But now, the plan to purchase the Russian Su-35 has stalled without clarity due to the CAATSA threat from America, so the French Rafale and F-15 EX are considered to strengthen the Indonesian Air Force. Quoting from Airforcemag, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Marshal Fajar Prasetyo spoke at a meeting of the Indonesian Air Force leadership. Indonesian air force that Indonesia will buy 36 new French Rafale fighters and eight F-15EX fighters in May 2021. Indonesia has a fleet of around 72 fighters, including 33 F-16s—a mix of A/B and C/D models—five Su-27, 11 Su-30, and 23 Hawk 200. All aircraft are from the 1990s or earlier, but 10 of the oldest F-16s have been updated.
Most recently, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Marshal Fajar Prasetyo, said that Indonesia would gradually purchase several defense equipments in 2021-2024. Dassault Aviation France. Recently, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense delegation has been observed visiting the Rafale 'cage' at Base 113 Sant Dizier France. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense delegation's visit to Base 113 Sant Dizier which is the French Rafale air base, October 5, 2021. French military officials and representatives from Indonesia pose in front of a fighter plane.
They were standing in an enclosed space that appeared to be an airplane hangar.
36 Rafale units are expected to immediately strengthen the Indonesian Air Force, who would have thought that the tiny French plane has a flying speed that can be compared to the Su-35 and F-15 EX. We will see the performance of the aircraft including speed, maximum altitude, range, and carrying a capacity weapon.
In terms of maximum speed, Rafael has the lowest speed of 1912 km per hour or Mach 1.8. While the Su-35 has a maximum speed of 2400 km per hour or Mach 2.25.
The F-15 EX has a top speed of 2656 km per hour or Mach 2.5.
But the maximum speed is obtained by turning on the afterburner ignition of the afterburner quickly drains fuel and shortens the life of the engine. So it cannot be used for a long time.
If without turning on the afterburner, the Rafale has the advantage of Supercruise capability. The Rafale can be driven up to Mach 1.4 speed without turning on the afterburner. Sukhoi 35 also has Supercruise capability with Mach 1.2 speed.
While the F-15 EX is not yet known to have Supercruise capability.
If you refer to the F-15 E Strike Eagle, then its cruising speed is only 925 km per hour," said Lycma Mil Tech's YouTube channel in his video. Indonesia became the international media spotlight after deciding to buy the advanced Arrowhead 140 frigate from the UK and FREMM from Italy.
Later the use of Arrowhead and FREMM frigates will be placed in Natuna and Indonesian maritime security.
In fact, Indonesia was called the giant of Asia by the Italian media Rivista Italiana Difesa after deciding to buy Arrowhead 140 and FREMM from his country. Quoted from Rivista Italiana Difesa, Tuesday 28 September 2021, it was because of the purchase of these two frigates that Indonesia was called by the Italian media a giant Asian country. This is because Indonesia is conducting a massive modernization of its military defense equipment.
"The Asian island giant is, in fact, continuing modernization efforts that began in the 2000s and already materialized with the purchase of South Korean submarines and amphibious ships, and the SIGMA family light frigate/corvette from the Netherlands' DAMEN, and which on June 10 culminated in a maxi contract. with Fincantieri for the procurement of 6 FREMM-ASW frigates, plus 2 reconditioned MAESTRALE as gap fillers," wrote Rivista. Not only the Italian media but neighboring Malaysia was also amazed by Indonesia's decision to take the step of purchasing FREMM. After reports of an agreement between Indonesia and France to sign an initial contract for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, a statement emerged from the Fincantieri company that Jakarta had agreed to buy six Bergamini-class FREMM frigates.
Indeed, Indonesia is on a shopping spree (shopping) defense equipment. For Malaysia, at least the Ministry of Defense has agreed to continue the project to build six Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), after being delayed for several years.
In addition to the six FREMM frigates for Indonesia, Fincantieri also said it wouldIn addition to the six FREMM frigates for Indonesia, Fincantieri also said it would sell two Maestrale-class frigates that will end their service in the Italian Navy to Indonesia.
