Japan is currently contemplating the export of its used Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan engines to Indonesia, as reported by The Yomiuri Shimbun on June 18. The engines in question will be sourced from Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15s that are scheduled for retirement.
Balon Greyjoy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The request for the export of these engines came from Indonesia itself, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. In March 2021, the governments of both Japan and Indonesia signed an agreement pertaining to the transfer of defense equipment and technology, which paves the way for this potential transfer.
These particular engines from the F-15 aircraft are being considered for installation in Indonesia’s F-16 fighter jets. The decision is based on the fact that there are similarities between the engines of the F-15 and F-16 aircraft, enabling Tokyo to respond to Jakarta’s specific request.
It is important to note that the operational guidelines of Japan’s Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology currently impose restrictions on the overseas transfer of defense equipment, limiting it to purposes such as rescue, transportation, vigilance, surveillance, or minesweeping. However, parts are not currently included within the scope of these guidelines. In the past, the export of parts was permitted in cases of international joint development with the United States. Therefore, the potential export of these engines to Indonesia may prompt discussions on the need to revise these guidelines to facilitate the active export of various equipment, including parts, the news report says.
During an earnings briefing on May 9, Hiroshi Ide, President of IHI Corporation, told reporters that approximately 200 Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engines mounted on the Mitsubishi F-15J fighter will have to be disposed of when they are retired.
Japan has 200 F-15s in operation and half of these were not delivered with the Multi-Stage Improvement Program (MSIP) that allows these fighters to have wiring support to fire newer air-to-air missiles. Therefore, these jets will be decommissioned from service and replaced by the F-35.
Ide says his company has held talks with the ruling party on how to get rid of those fighter jets’ engines. One way is to export these engines to another country.
Indonesia signed a contract in January 2012 for the procurement of 24 ex-USAF F-16C/D Block 25 airframes. These were modified to Block 32 standards before being delivered to Indonesia. These jets uses the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan engines as well.
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