C-130 Hercules USAF. (Photo: U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)June 11, 2011, Jakarta (AFP): A total of five units of transport aircraft C-130 Hercules will immediately strengthen the TNI Air Force, said Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal TNI Imam Sufaat here on Saturday.
BETWEEN encountered after leading the transfer of function TNI Commander Air Force Operations Command I, rafter Marshal Imam Sufaat said five C-130 transport aircraft will arrive in Indonesia within the next two years gradually.
"We need nine Hercules aircraft, in two years may be filled with five first. With the addition of nine units, then the TNI Air Force will have 30 units," he said.
Thirtieth Hercules unit, continued the priest consisted of tanker aircraft as much as two units, two units of VIP aircraft, and operational aircraft to transport two battalions totaling 26 units.
He said, to meet the nine units of Hercules in the future then it has been exploring several offers from several countries.
"From some of the offer, we select the best," said rafter.
Until now at least three states that offer grants transport plane C-130 Hercules to Indonesia, such as the United States, Australia and Norway.
Government of the United States and Australia offer six transport aircraft Hercules C-130 type E and J with special discounts to the government of Indonesia in 2012.
Six grants from the U.S. Hercules aircraft that was previously reserved for the three countries in Asia and Africa. However, all before being passed to Indonesia has undergone improvements and modifications.
U.S. promises aid procurement of six C-130 transport aircraft Hercules type H and J to Indonesia. Assistance in the form of discounts by using facilities Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and help spare parts for Hercules heavy transport aircraft.
While the Government of Norway offers four units of transport aircraft C-130 Hercules type H to Indonesia, which has been used in the Norwegian Air Force.
Before being passed, Norway agreed to do first rejuvenation of their cost. Four units of type H has to offer Hercules the overall worth 66 million U.S. dollars.
While Australia offers Hercules Type A, according to the Air Force Chief of Staff visit Australia in early 2011, then Australia will soon be handed over to Indonesia hibahnya.
