Australia to Grants Four Hercules Planets to Indonesia

Jakarta - The Australian government is expected to grant four C-130 Hercules planes to Indonesia as the technical teams from the two countries may meet in the middle of this January, Spokesman for the Defense Ministry, Hartind Asrin, told ANTARA here Tuesday. The two teams are expected to discuss technical matters on giving the grant, he said, adding that the grant was earlier expected to be given in 2011, Hartind said. Besides in Jakarta, the teams would also meet in Australia to directly inspect the four Hercules aircraft. The Australian grant has been approved by the US as the producer of Hercules, Hartind said. Meanwhile, planning assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff, Rodi Suprasodjo, said the Indonesian Air Force needs 30 units of Hercules aircraft and now it has only 21. The grant will bring the existing number and the rest will be met by buying the aircraft. "The 30 Hercules planes will include two units of aircraft tanks, two units of VIP aircraft and 26 operational aircraft for two battalions," he said. Rodi said the one that will be granted is Type H which will be used by the Indonesian Air Force to replace Type B which has become already too old. (*)