National

Defense Budget to Be Revised Following Lifting of Weapons Embargo
Monday, 28 November, 2005 | 23:26 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian Military (TNI) defense budget will likely be revised following the lifting of the military embargo against Indonesia by the United States Government.

“We’re still studying this matter,” said TNI commander General Endriartono Sutarto during a consultation meeting between political, legal and security officers with the House of Representatives (DPR) defense commission on Monday (28/11).

The budget revisions, Sutarto said, would be made taking into consideration that the TNI could now either refurbish existing equipment or purchase new equipment from the USA.

As priorities, Sutarto said, F-16 and F-5 fighter planes, Hercules transportation planes and Oviten planes will be refurbished.

“However, changes still can be made,” stated Sutarto.

Regarding the purchase of weapons from countries other than the USA, the TNI commander went on to say that the planned cooperation to be carried out in the 2006 contract might be cancelled.

However, Sutarto added, any contracts that have already been signed could not be cancelled.

Following the lifting of the embargo, the TNI commander said, several equipment made by the USA, including much owned by the Indonesia Air Force, could be refurbished.
“The cost will be cheaper rather than buying new ones,” he said. (Fanny Febiana-Tempo News Room)