"The United States will provide the combat aircraft as an aid in an effort to improve the military equipment of the Indonesian government," he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 4th meeting of the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), Marciel said the US government had been providing F-16 fighter aircraft to many countries that needed them. This time the grant was to be given to Indonesia.
"Our government has agreed to provide the 24 F-16 fighter aircraft as a grant, Six additional units can be taken to provide spare parts for the 24 aircraft`s maintenance," the ambassador said.
The F-15 fighter aircraft were to be be handed to Indonesia soon, Marciel added.
"But further talks need to be held by the Indonesian government with us. When these talks have been completed, the aircraft will be immediately dispatched to Indonesia," he said.
Alluding to the benefit of the US grant compared with buying new aircraft of another type, Marciel said the F-16s were a much cheaper proposition in terms of cost price as well maintenance expenditures.
"We think the maintenance cost for F-16 fighter aircraft is much lower than for any new product," he said.
He said Indonesia should have advanced fighter aircraft because its territory was very vast and strategically located.
"It should have good combat equipment to maintain and defend its national and territorial integrity," he said.
(T.KR-LWA/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
