Rahman echoed this view and said Indonesia was likely to face critical issues in integrating and maintaining the new systems, questioning how the KAAN aircraft would operate with the Russian Sukhoi Su-30 and American F-16s that the Indonesian Air Force are still using.
He added that another issue could be the cost of maintenance, with these budgets often overlooked by Malaysia and Indonesia.
“Many aircraft or expensive platforms could not even operate optimally in the long run when they are not well-maintained,” he warned.
Lam added that another factor to consider when it comes to maintenance is that many of the critical parts in Turkish weapons, such as avionics, engines, and radar systems, are still dependent on suppliers from the US, United Kingdom, and Europe.
He questioned if the Turkish companies would be able to provide support for these components or there would be a need to go back to the original equipment manufacturers.
Jamil said that legitimate concerns are already influencing how deals are viewed and structured.
He pointed out that the KAAN fighter jets – which made its maiden flight in February 2024 – remains in the prototype phase and full operational deployment is expected later in the decade.
He said potential buyers are likely to insist on phased deliveries, demonstration of performance in relevant conditions, strong support packages, and warranties.
He added that there’s also risk around reliance on non-indigenous components such as engines, which could be subject to licensing or export restrictions.
“These factors could cause some countries to hedge – keeping older systems in service or acquiring proven alternatives alongside KAAN (jets) until its reliability and maintenance burdens become well understood,” he said.
Khairul said that because the KAAN jet was not yet tested, countries besides Indonesia would be cautious and look at its real-world performance before making any commitment to purchase them.
“In contrast, systems that have been proven on the battlefield, such as the Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci UAVs, are more easily accepted. So, in the short term, I think countries in the region will prefer proven systems while continuing to monitor new projects like KAAN (jet) for the long term,” he said.
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