Yes, that's why I put in this thread few years back, that Soeharto's regime Air Defense (practically all defense) framework line was actually more detail and structure, compare the 'democratic' regimes after him. I sometimes laughing on those know it all millenial kiddos that blame everything on TNI-AU condition with Soeharto's era neglect.
On paper TNI-AU have 8 Fighter sq, 2 LCA (Hawk209/109), 4 MRCA (F-16, Flankers and F-5), 1 LIFT/LCA (TA-50), and 1 COIN (Super Tucano). Thus with F-5 already retired close to 7 years ago without replacement ready yet, on paper they still have 7 sq of fighters. However if the definition of fighter only cover LCA and MRCA then yes, they only have 5 operational sq.
The early 80's era was where US still reluctant to release F-16 other then to NATO or Non NATO major allies (just like F-35 at this moment). Just like F-35 they are always 'diplomatically' package the response on matter of Affordability and Tech Preparation.
For that matter, this is the era they (US) try to offer F-20 for those interested with F-16 and already use F-5 or other 2nd gen US Fighters. Thus why F-20 being marketed quite vigerously in ASEAN region. In sense I do see F-20 as connotation (on US marketing side) as F-16V marketing effort this time around. They also toying with the idea of F-16-79 (F-16 downgrade version with J79) concept, which not getting much market attention.
Back to Soeharto's era, by 90's Habibie's as most influential minister that time (in sense like Luhut thid time around), talk in media for the need of 300+ fighters inventory for TNI-AU. This is reflected of plan 20 sq for TNI-AU which basically being plan since the 80's. This shown Soeharto's regime actually have more ambitious plan then current 11 sq the "democratic" administrations plan.
However realistically in my opinion, even if Habibie plan get underway smoothly, TNI-AU will get around 10-12 sq by early 2000 at most. In 1996 Indonesian Aerospace, Habibie teams talk the plan of licensing Hawk 200/100. With 40 build by BAE (this come to fruition) and 60+ build under license by IPTN. Hawk 200 as LCA will augmented plan of 4 F-16 blk15+ OCU (which by early 90's only one sq got implemented).
East Timor and Economics problem (after 97) shoot down all the plan, and what TNI-AU doing up till this moment is to catch up with plan that being prepared by Soeharto regime. In fact many development projects outside defense (including infrastructure), actually modifications toward blue print planning that being prepared by Soeharto's regime. I got colleugues in Bapenas talk few years back how they are rewriting and modifued many old blue prints plan from Soeharto's era. This because their plan actually quite details and reasonable structured.
Well just to shown those Jokowow millenials on on line forums are talking nonsense if they think Jokowi's administrations planning everything.
