"We rejected the grant as the specifications of the F-5 fighter jets owned by South Korea are different from those of ours," Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has turned down South Korea`s offer to grant F-5 Tiger fighter jets on the ground they do not meet the desired specifications.

"We rejected the grant as the specifications of the F-5 fighter jets owned by South Korea are different from those of ours," Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia said after attending the conclusion of the 68th General Assembly and Congress of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) here on Thursday.

The F-5 fighter jets of the TNI AU had been modified very much, both their armament and avionic systems, while those of South Korea had been a little modified, he said.

"The different specifications are a burden for their maintenance cost. We want airplanes which are the same as ours," he said.

Ida Bagus Putu said the TNI AU had submitted the results of its study of the South Korean offer to the Defense Ministry.

Earlier, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he was still considering the offer as he still had to wait for a decision from the TNI AU as the user of the fighter jets.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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