Brendan Sobie / Singapore
Indonesia is considering bolstering its Lockheed Martin F-16 fleet as an alternative to acquiring another batch of Sukhoi fighters. Sources say Lockheed and Indonesian air force officials met last month to discuss the potential reactivation and upgrade of grounded F-16A/Bs, as well as the purchase of additional new or used fighters.
The manufacturer and the US government are now waiting for a response from the air force, but are concerned Jakarta will instead acquire further Su-27/30s.
Indonesia purchased two Su-27SKs and two Su-30MKs in 2003, but its proposed acquisition of a further 14 Su-30s to form a complete squadron has since been delayed by budget constraints, a change in the administration and a shift in priorities following the December 2004 Asian tsunami.
Sources say Indonesia is now in advanced talks with Moscow to acquire at least six additional aircraft, and that a deal could be concluded within the next few weeks. They suggest the air force would prefer to bolster its F-16 fleet, but fears Washington could later re-establish a partial arms embargo that was lifted last November.
The restrictions were imposed for 11 years to prevent Indonesia acquiring spare parts, although its air force was able to keep up to four of its 10 F-16A/Bs flying by acquiring parts from third parties.
Jakarta has included F-16 parts and engines as part of a package of US equipment it seeks to acquire using $13 million in foreign military financing funds frozen during the embargo, but the air force must secure additional money if it is to restore its original F-16 fleet.
The service has also expressed interest in acquiring new F-16s, but Indonesia is believed to lack the funds to cover a required down payment and Lockheed has rejected a request to provide a 30-year loan.
Source: Flight International
