Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Air Force will soon
retract some warplane components which have been held in some
countries like New Zealand, South Korea and the United States as a
consequence of the US military embargo on Indonesia imposed six
years ago, its chief of staff Marshal Djoko Suyanto said here
Tuesday.
The decision was made in a bid to prioritize efforts to improve the
readiness of such jetfighters as F-5s and F-16s from 40 percent to
an average of 70 percent in the next three years, he said after the
commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the civil servants corps
(Korpri) which was held at the TNI AU headquarters.
However, he said, the plan totally depends on the availability of
funds needed to improve the Indonesian Air Force s weaponry system
notably jetfighters.
Djoko said there was no problem with the components in spite of the
embargo.
"We always check the condition of the components every time. So
there is no problem with that," he said.
Meanwhile, Planning Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff Rear
Marshal Supriyanto said the components being held overseas
including bodies and wings of F-5s, as well as Hawk 109 and Hawk
209 were repaired in the U.S.
He also said the engines of A4-Skyhawk and F-16 were also detained
in New Zealand and South Korea.
The United States lifted the six-year arms embargo on Indonesia
last Nov 23 to help the predominantly Muslim nation fight
terrorism. (*)
Source
http://www.antara.co.id/en/seenws/?id=7439
/* I didn't know they F-5 and F-16 readiness is only 40%... so chia
lat. */
