BUFF 8 Posted February 17, 2008 17-02-2008 Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Air Force will consider a US government offer to sell multi-role Block 52 F-16 Fighting Falcon and heavy transport 130-J Hercules planes to Indonesia, a spokesman said. "We will consider buying the planes under our procurement plan for 2010-2014," Vice Air Marshal Soenaryo, chief of the Air Force`s Material Maintenance Command, said here Friday. Speaking after accompanying Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Soebandrio at a meeting with visiting US Under Secretary of the Air Force for Internatinal Affairs Bruce S Lemkin, Soenaryo said the F-16 fighter planes were needed to increase the Air Force`s capacity and deterrent capability as many of its combat aircraft were approaching the end of their service time. Also, procurment of F-16s would fit in with the Air Force`s plan to reduce the variety of its aircraft to economize on maintenance and servicing costs in the 2008-2019 period, he said. The multi-role F-16 Fighting Falcons could replace the force`s F-5E Tiger fighters which had been in service for almost 25 years. "We will possibly build up an F-16 squadron gradually in the 2010-2014 budget years. The interest to acquire the aircraft must first be thoroughly considered at Air Force Headquarters level with due account being taken of the limited amount of state funds available. After approval has been obtained at Air Force Headquarters level, we will submit the plan to the Defense Ministry for acquisition," Soenaryo said. Apart from discussing the US offer to supply F-16 aircraft, the Air Force chief and Lemkin also agreed at their meeting to intensify cooperation between the two countries` air forces in the fields of education, training and spare parts supply.(*) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 19, 2008 Yet another country to join the F-16 club...if only GD had any idea when they won that competition over 30 years ago... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,883 Posted February 19, 2008 Think they are already a member with older types. GD couldnt even see it in 1990 about when they decided to sell to LM Still i suppose hindsight is a great thing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nesher 628 Posted February 19, 2008 why not wait a bit and buy the F-35's... it's kinda late to be reminded to buy F-16's..IMHO thanks.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BUFF 8 Posted February 19, 2008 Think they are already a member with older types. GD couldnt even see it in 1990 about when they decided to sell to LM & then iirc didn't LM get outbid by Boeing to actually build a pile of them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,883 Posted February 19, 2008 Cant believe there are still articles floating about on the subject http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EK...v38/ai_13077535 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
