Indonesia Intends to Purchase in the U.S. 24 Fighter Aircraft F-16C / D Block 25"

TSAMTO, November 18. Agency for Defense Security and Cooperation (DSCA) U.S. Department of Defense has notified Congress of November 16 of the planned delivery of Indonesia under the "Foreign military sales" 24 fighter aircraft F-16C / D «Block-25," "Fighting Falcon".

Given the reconstruction and modernization of machines and related to the contract the supply of equipment, spare parts and services, total contract value could reach 750 million dollars.

The Indonesian government has asked the United States with a request for the purchase of 24 fighter jets reconstructed and modernized F-16C / D «Block 25" and 28 engines F100-PW-200 or F100-PW-220E of the number of unnecessary weapons the U.S. DoD.

The request includes the supply of the following major systems and components: launchers LAU-129A / A, alarm system receivers of radar irradiation ALR-69, VHF radio AN/ARC-164/186, onboard computers, control systems by means of electronic countermeasures AN/ALQ- 213, automatic shooting infrared traps and corner reflectors AN/ALE-47, cutters, communication systems for situational awareness, improved detection and warning systems on the location (EPLRS), inertial navigation systems LN-260, the container system targeting AN/AAQ-33 "Sniper" or AN/AAQ-28 «Laytening" tools, support and test equipment, technical documentation, repair and restoration, parts and assemblies, conducting staff training, supply of training equipment, logistical support by the U.S. government and the contractor.

Indonesia takes on F-16 fighters under the modernization program of the Air Force. Been in service with the F-16 "Block 15" and F-5 does not allow to effectively carry out combat missions and expensive to operate.

Contractors of the modernization program and restore the aircraft selected 309 rd wing maintenance and repair (A / B "Hill" items. Utah) and the company "Pratt & Whitney."

BACKGROUND TSAMTO

In October of this year, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro of Indonesia announced that it purchased in the U.S. destroyers will be upgraded to the version of "Block 52". The aircraft will be transferred as a grant. Indonesia will bear the cost of their maintenance and modernization. Supply of F-16 is likely to begin in 2014 and will take about 2-3 years.

Currently, the Air Force Indonesia has 10 older F-16 A / B, of which only six are in the state of airworthiness.

The decision to purchase U.S. aircraft is likely to reduce the purchase of Russian fighters Su-27/Su-30. Now armed with the Indonesian Air Force consists of 10 planes of this type, there is an agreement to supply six more cars.

In September 2010, Indonesia's defense minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro made a sensational statement of intent to purchase for the Air Force over the next 15 years and 180 combat aircraft company "Sukhoi".

Purchase of F-16s from the U.S. Air Force calls into question these "grand plans", but does not imply a complete rejection of the fighters in Russia.

In 1999, the U.S. declared an embargo on arms supplies to Indonesia, which caused problems with repairs already purchased F-16s. The embargo was revoked in November 2005. With this experience, the leadership of Indonesia's policy to diversify suppliers of arms. In particular, together with the Republic of Korea, Indonesia intends to develop by 2020 a new generation of fighter KF-X. Under this program, Indonesia expects to receive a technology design and production of combat aircraft, as well as in the long term (approximately 2025) to acquire about 50 KF-X for its air force.