Jakarta: In an effort to improve Indonesia's defence system, the Indonesian government purchased 12 drones from Turkish Aerospace for $300 million, according to a written statement from the Indonesian Defence Ministry on Wednesday.

With the contract signed on February 3 with Turkish Aerospace, which has its headquarters in the capital city of Ankara, Indonesia hopes to increase the variety, quantity, and quality of its military defence equipment. Before November 2025, it is anticipated that the 12 ANKA drone units will be delivered.

Indonesia signed a new agreement in January to pay $805 million for 12 cutting-edge Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets that were previously owned by the Qatari air force. The purchase was criticised for the outdated nature of the machinery, which was made by the French company Dassault Aviation. 

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However, the Defence Ministry stated that due to the ageing of many of the nation's current aircraft, Indonesia needs fighter aircraft defence equipment that can be delivered quickly to cover the decline in combat readiness of its air force. During the protracted wait for the delivery of freshly ordered aircraft, some of them are being upgraded, overhauled, or repaired.

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Additionally, 42 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft will be purchased by the defence minister Prabowo Subianto in February 2022. In January 2026, Indonesia is anticipated to receive the first three of six twin-engine Rafale fighters.

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