Defence

Indonesia plans to reactivate its grounded Lockheed Martin C-130 transports and F-16A/B fighters following a warming of relations with the USA, which could also help advance the proposed sale of Bell 210 utility and Boeing CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters.

Washington late last month lifted a partial embargo on Indonesia that had restricted its purchase of F-16 parts and other combat equipment. Jakarta has indicated that it wants to restore its full fleet of 10 F-16A/Bs to service. Its air force was able to keep four F-16s flying despite the embargo, but now plans to reactivate two a year if funding is approved.

The embargo did not block the sale of C-130 spares, but Indonesia’s active Hercules fleet has shrunk over the past six years to just four aircraft because of budget constraints. The Indonesian air force earlier this year reactivated two C-130s after $3 million was made available to buy spare parts from Lockheed following the December 2004 Asian tsunami. Sources say Jakarta last month filed a request with Washington to purchase $15 million worth of parts and that this should be approved shortly.

Indonesia wants to restore its original fleet of 24 C-130s, but sources say it will have to acquire additional aircraft because its eight C-130Bs cannot be reactivated. The air force has so far failed to source suitable secondhand aircraft.

Bell earlier this year requested US State Department approval to offer the 210 to Indonesia (Flight International, 12-18 April) and removal of the embargo could accelerate this process. Indonesia’s army has an initial requirement for 18 helicopters, but has yet to receive technical information or secure funding. It could also buy four to six surplus Chinooks from Boeing for $60-90 million.

BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE