Top Indonesian and American air force officials met here Friday for talks on bilateral defense cooperation, which may lead to the purchase of U.S.-made F-16 jet fighters and Hercules personnel carrier.
The Indonesian Air Force said in a press release Air Force chief Vice Marshal Subandrio received United States Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Bruce S. Lemkin for a meeting aimed at efforts to boost cooperation on the procurement of new defense equipment for Indonesia, particularly combat and personnel carrier planes.
We'll consider purchases for the 2010-2014 period," Air Rear Marshall Soenaryo said as quoted by Antara.
He said the latest version of F-16 jet fighters was a necessary replacement for the Air Force's aging fleet. He said the Air Force would be able to save maintenance fees allocated between 2008-2019 by having the new jet fighters.
Financial constraints have prevented Indonesia from modernizing its defense equipment, a condition exacerbated by the U.S. decision to put an arms sales ban on Indonesia in 1999 due to its poor human rights record.
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