Reuters reported today, February 11, that Indonesia has abandoned plans to buy Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets worth 733 million euros (19,284 billion VND) previously used by Qatar.
"There is no purchase of Mirage jets. Although it was planned, it was canceled, meaning there is no contract in effect," Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak announced late on February 10.
A Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet of the Qatar Air Force
Last month, Indonesia's defense ministry said a deal to buy 12 fighter jets had been delayed due to financial constraints and the military would instead propose retrofitting existing Sukhoi and F-16 aircraft.
The plan sparked controversy when it was announced last year, with many lawmakers saying the planes were too old. Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, a leading candidate in the February 14 presidential election, has been criticized by his opponents over the deal, according to The Jakarta Post.
At the time, Mr. Subianto defended the deal, saying that the planes, although used, would still be good for another 15 years and were needed while the country waited for newer fighters.
Mr Prabowo has overseen military efforts to modernise its ageing fleet, including the purchase of Rafale fighter jets from France, drones from Turkey, and fighter jets and transport helicopters from US companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
Polls show Mr Subianto could win a landslide victory with votes from nearly 205 million voters at more than 800,000 polling stations across the country.
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