Latest news with #militarymodernization
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Indonesia signs contract with Turkiye to buy 48 KAAN fighter jets
JAKARTA, July 29 — Indonesia has signed a contract to buy 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkiye, the Indonesian defence ministry said today, sealing the latest purchase by the Southeast Asian nation aimed at modernising its ageing military hardware. In order to strengthen its air force, Jakarta also ordered 42 French Rafale jets worth US$8.1 billion (RM34.3 billion) in 2022. It is also considering ordering China's J-10 fighter jets and continues talks to purchase the US-made F-15EX jets. Indonesia and Turkiye 'signed an implementation contract' last Saturday on the sidelines of the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, defence ministry spokesperson Frega Wenas Inkriwang said in a statement. He did not provide details of the contract value or delivery dates. KAAN is Turkiye's first national combat aircraft and it completed its first flight in February last year, but serial production is not expected to begin until 2028. Turkiye's defence ministry called the jet a fifth-generation aircraft and said it will be powered by two General Electric F-110 engines, which are also used in the fourth-generation Lockheed Martin F-16 jets. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeedin witnessed the agreement signing, Frega said, adding the contract signing reaffirms the commitment of both governments to strengthen joint technology development and expand Indonesia's defence industry capacity. Indonesia also signed an MoU with Turkiye's TAIS Shipyard to purchase two Milgem Istif class frigates during the defence fair in Istanbul, according to a social media post by Sjafrie late yesterday. The defence ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' question about details of the frigate deal. — Reuters
Arab News
04-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Indonesia weighing buying Chinese J-10 fighter jets
JAKARTA: Indonesia is weighing buying China's J-10 fighter jets, given their relatively cheaper price and advanced capability, as it also considers finalizing a purchase of US-made F-15EX jets, a senior official said on Wednesday. Southeast Asia's most populous country has in recent years embarked on efforts to modernize its aging military hardware. In 2022 it bought 42 French Rafale jets worth $8.1 billion, six of which will be delivered next year. 'We have had talks with China and they offered us a lot, not just J-10, but also ships, arms, frigates,' said Deputy Defense Minister and retired Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto. 'We're evaluating J-10,' Taufanto said, adding that Jakarta was reviewing system compatibility and after-sales support as well as pricing. A potential purchase has been considered for over a year, before the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, but Taufanto said Indonesia would factor in reports that a Pakistani J-10 plane shot down multiple Indian jets last month. Jakarta also continues to consider whether to proceed with the next step for its purchase of F-15EX fighters, he said, following the defense ministry's deal with planemaker Boeing for the sale in 2023. Taufanto said the US jets' capabilities were well recorded, but suggested the offered price of $8 billion for 24 planes remained in question. French President Emmanuel Macron said after meeting Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta last week that they had signed a preliminary defense pact that could lead to new orders of French hardware including Rafale jets. 'We're considering (France's) offer. We're considering our own budget, we're evaluating, especially given we have other options like J-10, F-15,' Taufanto said.
Bloomberg
04-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Thailand to Buy 12 Swedish Gripen Fighters in Modernization Push
The Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire 12 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets as part of a broader plan to modernize its military. The air force announced Wednesday it has chosen the Gripen E/F jets from maker Saab AB to replace its aging fleet of US-made F-16s, with the acquisition to occur over three phases in a 10-year period.
Reuters
04-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
India File: Turning military might into big business
(This was originally published in the India File newsletter, which is issued every Tuesday. Sign up here to get the latest news from India and how it matters to the world.) The deadly India-Pakistan conflict last month showcased the military might of the South Asian foes, putting on display their modern fighter jets, missiles and drones. For India, military modernisation is about more than just holding its own against neighbouring rivals, as it seeks military self-reliance and, eventually, a place among the world's big arms exporters. That's the focus of our analysis this week. And India's central bank meeting this week is expected to cut rates for a third time in a row despite strong growth in the January-March quarter. Scroll down to our "Market Matters" section for more on that. ** China's factory activity cools in May as US tariffs hit ** South Koreans vote for president in hope of restoring stability after martial law crisis ** Europe bristles at US proposals at Asian gathering ** TSMC says tariffs have some impact but AI demand robust ** Work on $1 bln Trump Tower in Vietnam could start next year India's defence production and purchases were already on a fast growth track before last month's armed conflict with Pakistan, as the government sought to modernise the military, ease equipment shortages and boost domestic manufacturing. Now that campaign has gone full throttle. Within days after the fighting, India approved $4.6 billion in emergency procurement funds to acquire more military equipment. It also moved ahead with plans for a stealth fighter jet and the procurement of up to $470 million worth of drones. Just weeks earlier it approved the purchase of 26 Rafale naval fighter jets worth $7 billion. The objectives are twofold: to expand India's military industrial base - and the manufacturing jobs and exports that go with it - and to ease its dependence on foreign arms suppliers, which could be a vulnerability in times of conflict. India already has the world's fourth-largest military and is the fifth-biggest spender on defence, as it steadily builds up defences against neighbours China and Pakistan while diversifying its forces beyond predominantly Soviet-era fighter jets and military equipment. It has also been the number-one importer of arms globally throughout the last decade, taking in an estimated 10% share. Recent purchases have included modern fighter jets from France, transport helicopters and planes from the U.S., an advanced air defence system and aircraft carrier from Russia, as well as missile systems, radar equipment and drones from Israel. Washington wants a further increase in military sales to New Delhi with President Donald Trump even offering F-35 stealth fighter jets, as defence cooperation takes a central role in deepening India-U.S. ties. In recent years, however, India has stressed manufacturing more defence equipment and platforms at home, with global firms pushed to produce in India - either on their own or in collaboration with domestic partners - while increasing their exports of India-made equipment. India had already been making plenty of its own weaponry, from fighter jets and helicopters to warships, submarines and missiles. Private-sector entrants, often working with foreign partners, have also brought fresh energy to a sector long dominated by less-nimble state firms that often delivered behind schedule. India's military exports - including missiles, missile-related systems, munitions, small aircraft, patrol vessels and electronics - jumped 12% in the fiscal year to March to $2.76 billion. Five years back, they totalled just $1.07 billion. But foreign competition is stiff, both from high-tech producers such as France, Israel and Russia, and from low-cost rivals such as China and Turkey. A May report by Jefferies said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise for how Indian equipment performed against Pakistan "points to further domestic manufacturing focus". The outlook for Indian defence firms, it added, looks bright with the rise in global military spending, up 9.4% in 2024 and the highest since the end of the Cold War. Europe could be a particularly good source of business as it considers sharply increasing defence spending while tensions mount with Washington. But there are challenges ahead. A KPMG report published last week listed budgetary constraints, red tape, dependence on imports and a shortage of skilled workers among the obstacles to growth in the arms sector. "Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning, increased budget allocations, streamlined procedures, robust policy frameworks, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors," the report said. Can India reduce its dependence on imports and become a major global defence supplier? Write to me at opens new tab Global makers of surveillance gear have clashed with Indian regulators over new security rules that require manufacturers of CCTV cameras to submit hardware, software and source code for assessment in government labs. The security-testing policy has sparked industry warnings of supply disruptions and added to a string of disputes between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration and foreign companies over regulatory issues and what some perceive as protectionism. Don't miss this report. Markets will be closely watching a meeting of the Reserve Bank of India's rate-setting panel on Friday after economic growth surpassed estimates in the January-March quarter. GDP growth hit 7.4% versus a year earlier but the central bank is still expected to cut rates for a third consecutive meeting, given subdued inflation that is expected to hold near the RBI's 4.0% target. Read here to catch up on growth in the January-March 2025 quarter and here for a Reuters poll on the expected outcome of the monetary policy review.
Wall Street Journal
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Taiwan's Military Plans New Drone Units in Preparation for Potential China Invasion
TAIPEI—Taiwan will commission its first-ever army drone units this year and introduce sea drones to its naval forces, part of its efforts to modernize its arsenal with cutting-edge technology to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said in an interview. The steps fit into a shift from a focus on traditional forces to building up its capabilities intended to make China think twice before attacking. Taiwan's marines have already transformed some tank and artillery battalions into drone squads, according to Koo.
