The Indonesian Air Force will include five additional C-130 Hercules transport aircraft into its fleet over the next two years, air force chief of staff Admiral Imam Sufaat has said.
The five new additions will be among the nine aircraft to be procured from several countries by 2014, according to the Jakarta Globe.
Air force spokesman First Admiral Bambang Samoedro said that the US, Norway and Australia have already offered C-130Es, C-130Hs and C-130Js with special discount and added features.
“We are currently in the process of looking at whether to get them through a grant or a soft loan, because this is strongly related to the country’s budget,” he added.
The air force will have a fleet of 30 C-130s once the nine aircraft are received and will be used for refuelling and transporting VIPs and troops.
Indonesia is also purchasing 24 used F-16C/D fighter jets from the US, which is due for approval by US lawmakers.
