Indonesian Defense Chief Prabowo in Austria for Purchase of Typhoon Jets

Prabowo’s trip to the United States to meet with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper October 15 to 19 was just as stormy.

The stop met opposition from the Indonesian and US branches of Amnesty International and groups, and politicians like US Senator Patrick Leahy who voiced concerns about Prabowo’s past human rights violations.

However, Esper voiced his support for Indonesia’s bid to modernize its armed forces. The two also signed deals for the education and training of Indonesian officer cadets, and the repatriation of the remains of US servicemen who died in Indonesia during World War II.

Prabowo also expressed interest in the F35 Joint Strike Fighter. Officials have yet to disclose whether discussions on the fifth generation jet took place.

(Writer: Achmad Nasrudin Yahya | Editor : Kristian Erdianto)

Sources:

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/10/21/09452111/prabowo-bertemu-menhan-austria-bahas-rencana-pembelian-eurofighter-typhoon?page=all#page2. 

https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1795601/menteri-pertahanan-ri-berkunjung-ke-austria