Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Air Force will soon retract some warplane components which have been held in some countries like New Zealand, South Korea and the United States as a consequence of the US military embargo on Indonesia imposed six years ago, its chief of staff Marshal Djoko Suyanto said here Tuesday.
The decision was made in a bid to prioritize efforts to improve the readiness of such jetfighters as F-5s and F-16s from 40 percent to an average of 70 percent in the next three years, he said after the commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the civil servants corps (Korpri) which was held at the TNI AU headquarters.
However, he said, the plan totally depends on the availability of funds needed to improve the Indonesian Air Force s weaponry system notably jetfighters.
Djoko said there was no problem with the components in spite of the embargo.
"We always check the condition of the components every time. So there is no problem with that," he said.
Meanwhile, Planning Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff Rear Marshal Supriyanto said the components being held overseas including bodies and wings of F-5s, as well as Hawk 109 and Hawk 209 were repaired in the U.S.
He also said the engines of A4-Skyhawk and F-16 were also detained in New Zealand and South Korea.
The United States lifted the six-year arms embargo on Indonesia last Nov 23 to help the predominantly Muslim nation fight terrorism. (*)
Source
http://www.antara.co.id/en/seenws/?id=7439/* I didn't know they F-5 and F-16 readiness is only 40%... so chia lat. */
