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The first Airbus Military C295 development aircraft fitted with an airbone early warning and command (AEW&C) rotodome. Photo: Key.aero
Pacific Scoop:
Report – By a special correspondent in Singapore
Indonesia has signed a $325 million contract with Airbus Military for nine C295 transport planes to be used for defence, logistical and humanitarian purposes.
The first plane will be sent to the country – which is waging a repressive military campaign in West Papua – this year, with the remainder scheduled for delivery by 2014.
“This is a proud moment for our country as well as for the Indonesian aerospace industry,” said Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, at the signing of the deal at the Singapore Airshow.
“The C-295 provides the ideal capacity to respond to Indonesia’s current and future military and humanitarian transport needs,” he added.
The model is a medium-sized transport plane which can be configured for different operational purposes such as ground surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue operations.
The planes will be used for “a variety of roles including military, logistical, humanitarian and medical evacuation missions,” according to a statement.
Yusgiantoro did not rule out future purchases of the C295, saying other branches of the armed forces were interested in the plane.
Air Force order
“The police for instance… are also interested in this. And you know that [the] 295 version that we ordered now is for the Air Force, and probably the army is also interested,” he said.
The deal includes a collaboration between state-owned aviation firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Airbus Military, with Indonesia manufacturing parts for the C295.
The partnership will allow the Indonesian firm to “grow its aerospace business as a tier-one supplier,” said PTDI chief executive Budi Santoso.
“This will position PTDI on the global aerospace scene and allow us to enhance our skills and workforce,” he added.
Indonesia’s defence budget totalled $6.39 billion in 2011, ranking second in Southeast Asia behind Singapore.
Source: Space War/AFP
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$6.39 BILLION ! on the military & peasants in the fields. Maybe they could spend some of the money on their poor citizens & maybe even re settle some of the boat people instead of shipping them off to Australia in leaky boats ! But then Muslim countries aren’t known for their compassion.
Indonesia Goverment have take a act wich really crime . Becouse long time them (Indonesia Military ) have killing many Papuan people untill now being go to Genocide proces .
And if , Indonesia just now buying 9 Airbus jets so them will doing more action to killing all West Papua People.
I think, states support like AS, New Zeland, Australia which often joint work in relation Militery much responsible on all Indonesia Militery action toward the of Papuan Local live.
Hi Indonesia Militery You Stop, stop and Stop kiling Papuan People
hey please thinking realistic and don’t blame others country , let them buy aircraft because they know what they needs. Don’t involve Papua issue with purchase of the aircraft.