Jakarta – Indonesia Air Force Chief, Marshal Subandrio said that the substitution of two types of Indonesian air force jets OV-10 Bronco and Hawk MK-53 is postponed due to limited budget.  "We have proposed the substitution of the two jets, approaches to some producer countries have also been done.  However the budget has been decided at certain amount, additional budget is not allowed,” he said, answering ANTARA in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Being met with after official meeting with Commission I of House of Representative, the Air Force Chief said that previously the substitution of the two jets would be allocated with Export Credit facility 2004-2009.  However, due to limited budget, procuring of the two air force jets shall be done in the scheme of Export Credit 2010-2014, added Subandrio.

Regarding absorption acceleration of remaining budget from Export Credit 2004-2009 valued at USD 1.2 billion, the Chief said, the Air Force will still continue to procure a number of main battle equipments such as anti-aircraft defence units, three Sukhois SU-27SKM, armament for seven Sukhois having been purchased by the Air Force, revitalization of nine units C-130s, and the finishing of seven helicopters Super Puma from PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) and its partner from France.

The Air Force currently has seven Sukhois from its planned to form a squadron.  The remaining three units of Sukhoi SU-27SKM are scheduled to arrive in mid 2009 and early 2010.  Meanwhile among nine units of C-130 Hercules B type, the Air Force has done revitalization to four units of heavy-load aircraft made in the US and will be finished in 2010.

Regarding Super Puma helicopter from PT DI, out of 16 units ordered, only seven units were finished and PT DI is just able to finish three more units.  The other six units will be modified into Super Puma II or "Cougar", which is a joint-production between PT DI and Eurocopter.

(Source: www.dephan.go.id, 19 February 2009)