- REUTERS/USAF/Staff Sgt. Greg L. Davis/Handout/Files
VIVAnews – The House of Representatives Commission I gave the nod to US offer of 24 F-16 jet fighters that have been provided in the form of so-called "grants".
Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro also met with his U.S. counterpart, Leon Panetta, in Nusa Dua, Bali, October 23, 2011. According to RI Defense Ministry’s official statement, Thursday, in the meeting Purnomo said he hoped for Panetta’s support to realize the grant of F-16 with an upgrade equivalent to Block 52. The House approved this grant under the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) payment scheme.
The Indonesian government, in particular the Air Force, still needs additional primary defense equipment.
“This very much affects the professionalism level of the combat pilots as well as the flight safety level,” said Purnomo. However, TNI Air Force’s wish to increase the primary defense equipment adequately is hampered by the state’s financial capacity, bearing in mind the new primary defense equipment is expensive.
In the future the F-16 fighter aircrafts will be upgraded from Block 25 to equivalently Block 52. The aircrafts will also be equipped with aerial combat (dog fight) weaponry for short and long distances as well as air-to-land weaponry.
Purnomo also conveyed his highest appreciation for U.S.’ support to Indonesia in modernizing TNI’s primary defense equipment. For the time being, the modernization is necessary for TNI.
“Since the reform era in 1998, the Indonesian government has been putting emphasis on TNI reform, covering depolitisation and removal of TNI from business affairs,” said Purnomo.
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