The Defense Ministry is still waiting for Finance Ministry approval to a budget allocation for the replacement of two types of Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) warplanes, namely the OV-10 Bronco and Hawk MK-53, a defense ministry official said.
The defense ministry`s director general for defense facilities Eris Herryanto said here on Tuesday his ministry had conducted an assessment on the technical specifications and operational requirements for the planes that could be bought to replace the Broncos and Hawks.
"Because the finance ministry has not yet approved the proposed budget allocation, we have not been able yet to decide the types and country of origin of the jet-fighters that will be purchased to replace the aging Broncos and Hawks," he said.
Earlier, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Subandrio had said the Broncos and Hawks needed to he replaced urgently. .
"There should be no delay in replacing the outdated warplanes. They must be replaced as soon as possible," he said.
He said the Indonesian Air Force had decided to purchase Super Tucanos from Brazil as substitutes for the Broncos, and the defense ministry was now still discussing the matter.
To replace the Hawks, he said, the Air Force was still considering different types of warplanes, among others, warplanes from Italy, China and the L-159B from the Czech Republic.
According to the Air Force chief, the replacement of the two warplanes should be carried out immediately.
"Despite the fact that the 2009-2014 Strategic Plan will be revised, the replacement of the two warplanes must go on," Subandrio said. (ANTARA News)
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