What is clear is that I will only implement the strategic plan."Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) will go ahead with its plan to purchase Hercules aircraft of type J to replace its aging fleet, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Yuyu Sutisna stated.
"The old Hercules aircraft will gradually be replaced with the newest ones of type J," he noted after inaugurating graduates of the Air Force Academy here on Thursday.
The plan to procure the newest transport aircraft is in line with TNI AU`s third strategic plan, he revealed.
The type J Hercules aircraft is one of the three types of heavy-duty transport planes that the TNI AU is considering to buy. The others are Antonov and Airbus.
Although the plan to purchase heavy-duty transport aircraft has not been finalized, detailed consideration to choose Hercules aircraft will save the state budget funds, he remarked.
"What is clear is that I will only implement the strategic plan. The procurement of heavy-duty transport Hercules aircraft has not been approved, as we still have other choices. As the infrastructure for Hercules aircraft has been in place, why should we look for other types of planes?" he questioned.
The plan to procure heavy-duty transport aircraft is also in line with the plan to build another air squadron in the territory of the Air Force Operation Command III. Currently, air squadrons 31 and 32 are still operating Hercules aircraft of types B/BT and H/HS.
(Reported by Luqman Hakim/Uu.S012/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: Suharto
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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