On Monday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the deal was included as part of the President`s agenda during his visit to Darwin that has been scheduled between Monday and Wednesday.
"This evening, there will be a meeting between the Indonesian and the Australian Defense Ministers. There will be (a deal for) five C-130 Hercules from Australia, in the form of a grant, with some cost (borne by) Indonesia," said Yudhoyono in a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, East Jakarta.
Yudhoyono also explained that Indonesia needs newer transport airplanes, following a Fokker crash that resulted in the grounding of similar aircrafts. Earlier, the Indonesian Air Force was preparing CN 295 aircrafts, which had a bigger capacity, as a substitute for Fokker 27. Nevertheless, President Yudhoyono said that the Air Force would redevelop C-130 Hercules, once owned by Indonesia.
During his visit to Darwin, the President and the First Lady Ani Yudhoyono are also scheduled to visit a joint hospital that was built for the victims of natural disasters of both countries. The President will also witness a disaster management rehearsal and its emergency response, which will be carried out by the Australians.
Indonesia and Australia, said Yudhoyono, would continue to increase bilateral cooperation as both were members of G-20, Asia-Pacific Economics Cooperation (APEC) and East Asia Summit. This bilateral cooperation is expected to be beneficial for both countries.
The President was also accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affair Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for Political Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, State Secretary Minister Sudi Silalahi, Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm. Agus Suhartono and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam.
A number of governors were also part of the visit including Balinese Made Mangku Pastika, East Nusa Tenggara Frans Lebu Raya and West Papua Abraham Ataruri.
(F013/INE/O001)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
