Indonesia has made a surprising bid to acquire all of Austria's 15 Eurofighter Typhoon, twin-engine, multirole fighters as it seeks to rapidly improve its capability to defeat invading enemy aircraft.
Indonesia has identified China and, to some extent, Australia, as external threats to its national security.
Indonesia's focus on bolstering its air defense lies in the 15 Eurofighter Typhoon operated by the Austrian Air Force. Each is optimized for dogfighting in air-to-air combat situations.
The proposal to purchase Austria's Typhoon fleet was made by Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto in a letter to Klaudia Tanner, Austria's Minister of Defense. In his letter of July 10, which was published by Indonesian media, Prabowo sought to start negotiations to buy all 15 Luftstreitkräfte Typhoons. He told Tanner the potential purchase will assist in his aims to continue modernizing the Indonesian Air Force (IAF).
"As I was always impressed by European technologies and know-how, I would kindly ask your support for the following proposal, which hopefully leads to a mutual benefit for our two countries," wrote Prabowo.
"To achieve my target of modernizing the Indonesian Air Force, I would, therefore, like to propose to enter into official deliberation with you, your Excellency, on purchasing all 15 Eurofighter Typhoons from Austria for the Air Force of the Republic of Indonesia."
In July 2017, Austria's Ministry of Defense announced a plan to replace all its Typhoons by 2020. Austria received its first Typhoon in 2007 and paid $2.28 billion for the entire lot.
The IAF has no air-to-air fighter as agile as the Typhoon. Designed as an air superiority fighter, the Typhoon features canard wings that enhance its high-speed maneuverability. It has a maximum speed of 2,500 km/h and a combat range of 1,400 kilometers.
For armament, the fighter carries a 27mm Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon with 150 rounds. Its 13 hardpoints can carry payloads in excess of 9,000 kilograms.
Indonesia has long wanted another true dogfighter to complement its fleet of 33 aging Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon multi-role jets. IAF dogfighters also include five Sukhoi Su-27 fighters and 11 Sukhoi Su-30 twin-engine, two-seat fighters. Both Russian fighters are highly maneuverable.
Indonesia's interest in the Typhoon will mostly likely end Russia's bid to sell it Sukhoi Su-35 air-defense fighter of the same class as the Typhoon. The IAF operates 110 combat aircraft.
