According to a May 14 report on the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post website, Indonesia's high-priced procurement of French Rafale fighter jets is facing质疑. Previously, Pakistan claimed to have shot down three Indian Air Force Rafale fighters. This news has raised questions in Jakarta about the cost, capability, and strategic logic behind the $8.1 billion deal. The controversy erupted on May 7 when the Pakistani military announced that it had shot down five Indian aircraft in an air battle, including three Rafale fighters. New Delhi has not yet confirmed this claim, but recently, Indian Air Marshal A.K. Barty told reporters, "Losses are part of combat." However, he did not provide further details. This incident has alarmed Indonesia: last year, Indonesia ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from French aviation giant Dassault Aviation. When Indonesia first proposed this order in 2022, a spokesperson for the French Ministry of Defense told reporters that the deal was worth $8.1 billion. Last year, Indonesia also ordered two Scorpene-class attack submarines from Naval Group France, with the specific contract amount undisclosed. After Pakistan claimed to have shot down Indian Rafale fighters, some Indonesian social media users questioned whether purchasing the Rafale was wise. An X platform user said last week, "As an Indonesian, I regret that we are buying Rafale fighters after learning that cheaper alternatives can counter them." Indonesian Parliament First Committee member responsible for defense affairs Laksono defended the government's decision to purchase Rafale fighters, stating that "unverified claims from conflict areas cannot be the sole basis for evaluating the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of a specific weapons system." Laksono said in a statement sent to Asia Weekly, "In modern military history, even the most advanced jet fighters - such as F-16s, F/A-18s, and F-22s - have been shot down or crashed due to certain tactical conditions. Therefore, the performance of the Rafale fighter cannot be measured solely by one event, even if it is not fully substantiated." However, Laksono believes that Pakistan's claim of shooting down the Rafale fighter provides a "justified and constructive" reason for "evaluation." Experts pointed out that the air battle between Pakistan and India provided Indonesia with lessons, including how to determine the "position of the Rafale fighter in Indonesia's overall defense strategy." Military expert and researcher Adi Priyamarizki of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore said, "The Rafale fighter is currently one of the best jet fighters in the world. The key point is that jet fighters have specific functions, which is actually an aspect that the Indonesian military must focus on and consider comprehensively when equipping them." "Indonesia has many areas that need improvement, especially in maintaining the combat readiness of its armed forces. This is not only about purchasing advanced weapon platforms, but also mastering the technical knowledge to operate these platforms." Air Chief Marshal Yanto, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, said earlier this January that some Indonesian pilots would receive training from French Air Force instructors in July. He said that at the Rafale fighter base in Riau Province, the air force also equipped simulators, smart hangars, and renovated flight facilities. Laksono said that the Rafale fighter is necessary for the modernization of Indonesia's air power because their combat capabilities enable Indonesia to protect its vast archipelago region. Indonesia's purchase of Rafale fighters also highlights closer defense relations with Paris. After Australia canceled its agreement to purchase combat submarines from France in 2021 and instead purchased nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and Britain, France is eager to improve its relationships with Asian countries. In addition to the Rafale fighter jets, Indonesia also signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. manufacturer Boeing in 2023, planning to purchase up to 24 F-15EX fighters. This is part of Indonesia's effort to transform its current air force, which mainly consists of outdated U.S.-made F-16s and Russian-made Su-27s and Su-30s. (Translated/Compiled by Zheng Guoyi) Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504878244525638183/ Disclaimer: The article represents the author's own views. Please express your attitude by clicking the "thumbs up/thumbs down" button below.