Lockheed Martin to supply parts to resurrect grounded aircraft for relief efforts
Indonesia has re-established ties with Lockheed Martin to help with reactivating several C-130 transports required for rehabilitation efforts in areas of the country devastated by last month's tsunami.
Industry sources say only four of Indonesia's 18 C-130s are now flying, but that additional aircraft will be placed into service following the acquisition last week of parts from Lockheed.
Indonesia had not acquired any aircraft parts from Lockheed for several years, although C-130s are not part of the partial weapon sales embargo the USA has imposed on the country since 1999.
Indonesia has been acquiringC-130 parts from third-party vendors, but a lack of funds and organisation has prevented the air force from keeping most of its fleet active. The first batch of Lockheed parts will arrive in Jakarta early this week, along with a team of engineers from the manufacturer's aircraft logistics centre in South Carolina.
Sources say three or four of Indonesia's C-130s only require minor work and should be reactivated in about a month. But the other aircraft require heavy maintenance and, until a full assessment is completed, it is unclear how long this work will take.
The assessment will also determine whether the modifications can be conducted in-country. Indonesia's current inventory includes a mix of C-130B/Hs and commercial L-100s.
The US Air Force, which has based four C-130s in Jakarta since the tsunami, will also assist with reactivating Indonesia's aircraft. The US government has helped to accelerate delivery of the C-130 parts after receiving a request from the Indonesian embassy in Washington. But the contract is strictly commercial and does not involve any financial assistance from the US government.
The re-establishment of ties between Indonesia and Lockheed could open the door to further deals. Indonesia's new defence minister was already planning to visit the USA in March to discuss lifting the arms embargo, which has prevented the sale of spare parts for its 10 Lockheed F-16A/B fighters and other US-sourced combat aircraft including McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks and Northrop F-5s.
* In a separate development, the USA last week approved the use of military equipment and services worth $65 million to assist the tsunami-affected nations.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
