In a bold move that has sparked debate, Indonesia’s parliament green-lit a proposal on Thursday to accept a donated corvette from South Korea, despite concerns from its defence committee about the vessel’s age and the hefty $85 million maintenance bill. The decision, driven by Defence Minister and incoming president Prabowo Subianto, marks a significant step in his mission to modernize Indonesia’s military. Prabowo, who has been fervently advocating for upgrades to Indonesia’s outdated military arsenal, aims to channel billions into new jets and submarines. However, his strategy of acquiring second-hand equipment has met with resistance, evidenced by the recent scrapping of a plan to purchase used fighter jets from Qatar, deemed too antiquated by critics.
The corvette in question, the 36-year-old Bucheon 773, measures 88.3 meters in length and is expected to bolster Indonesia’s naval capabilities. Nonetheless, the substantial maintenance costs required to make the vessel operational have sparked a heated debate within the parliament. Deputy Defence Minister Herindra addressed these concerns, emphasizing that while acquiring a new corvette would be ideal, the immediate availability of the Bucheon 773 presents a more practical solution given the current circumstances. “Ideally we buy a new one but it will take a long time … This is better than we have nothing at all,” he asserted, noting the vessel’s potential to serve the navy for the next 10-15 years, compared to the $300 million to $500 million price tag of a brand-new model.
Despite Herindra’s reassurances, members of the parliamentary commission overseeing defence matters remain skeptical. This donation comes on the heels of a resolved financial dispute between Indonesia and South Korea over their joint KF-21 fighter jet project, valued at a staggering $6 billion. As Indonesia navigates these complex defense procurement decisions, the acceptance of the Bucheon 773 symbolizes both the urgency of modernization and the intricate balancing act of cost, capability, and strategic partnerships.
(Source: The Korea Herald | US News & World Report | Economic Times)
