Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, explained the purpose of the purchase of 48 Kaan fighter jets from Turkiye by the Ministry of Defense is not intended for war. He referred to Indonesia as a large country with more than 300 million people, which requires a strong defense, including completing the armament and combat equipment.
According to Prasetyo, there is nothing wrong with the contract for the purchase of fighter jets, even though the government is currently enforcing budget cuts to support the economy. "Efficiency does not mean we stop spending. Strengthening defense using defense equipment is something that we need," said Prasetyo at the Parlement Senayan Complex, Jakarta, on Monday, August 4, 2025.
Prasetyo mentioned that efficiency measures are indeed being carried out in several aspects of the government that allow it. For example, cutting the cost of official trips abroad and reallocation of unproductive activities to be more beneficial. "In essence, this can be considered something better," said Prasetyo.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the purchase of 48 Kaan fighter jets from Turkiye in July. The contract implementation was signed between representatives of the Indonesian government and Turkey in the presence of Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as part of the International Defense Exhibition (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
"This signing is a follow-up to the previously signed government-to-government (G2G) agreement on June 11, 2025," said Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Information Office of the ASEAN Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense, as quoted by Antara, on Monday, July 28, 2025.
Kaan is the first completely manufactured fighter jet by the Turkish defense industry. This fifth-generation fighter jet is developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries with technical collaboration from BAE Systems, the UK-based defense contractor and manufacturer.
This fighter jet has high maneuverability, can be equipped with Stand-Off Missile (SOM), and long-range cruise missiles with a range of over 250 kilometers. The Kaan fighter jet's sensors also use the Murad radar, an active electronic scanner (AESA). The radar system provides multi-mode functions, allowing simultaneous tracking of multiple airborne targets, high-resolution ground mapping, and integrated electronic warfare capabilities such as jamming and signal interference.
– Dian Rahma Fika contributed to the writing of this article.