U.S. to sell Indonesia 8 Apache helicopters

[xtemujin 0]

UPDATE 1-U.S. to sell Indonesia 8 Apache helicopters

20 September 2012 Thursday | 3:08pm EDT

 

 

(Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday it will sell Indonesia eight AH-64/D Apache helicopters to strengthen security ties with the largest country in Southeast Asia and the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.

 

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking during a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in Washington, said Congress had been notified of the intent to sell the aircraft.

 

"This agreement will strengthen our comprehensive partnership and help enhance security across the region," Clinton said.

 

President Barack Obama's administration has sought to buttress defense ties with Indonesia as it refocuses its attention toward the Asia-Pacific following long years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

The United States has stepped up military cooperation with traditional allies such as the Philippines and Australia, and joined regional efforts to press China to accept a multilateral framework for solving flaring territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

 

The United States has stepped up military cooperation with traditional allies such as the Philippines and Australia, and joined regional efforts to press China to accept a multilateral framework for solving flaring territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

 

Clinton did not reveal an estimated cost for the Apache deal, which Indonesian media have reported has been in the works for months. The attack helicopters, used by militaries around the world, are made by Boeing.

 

The United States last year announced it was giving Indonesia two dozen second-hand F-16 fighter planes, with Jakarta covering the estimated $750 million needed to refurbish the late-model fighters and overhaul their engines.

 

U.S. officials say the delivery of U.S. hardware will improve cooperation and information-sharing between the U.S. and Indonesian militaries as they face common security threats.

 

The announcement of the helicopter sale came as Clinton and Natalegawa wound up the third regular U.S.-Indonesia joint commission meeting, with both saying that ties between the two countries had grown stronger.

 

Clinton, who visited Indonesia this month as part of an Asia-Pacific tour, said trade topped $26 billion last year and that the United States would invest $600 million over the next five years in Indonesian clean energy development, child health and nutrition programs and government transparency initiatives under its Millennium Challenge aid program.

 

Indonesia has been among the nations hit by violent anti-American protests over the past week to protest against a U.S.-made video seen as critical of Islam.

 

Clinton said that the United States had decided to temporarily close its diplomatic facilities in the country on Friday in case further protests erupt. But she praised Jakarta for its response to the crisis.

 

"We are very grateful for not only the cooperation and the protection that has been provided to our facilities, but also for the strong statements condemning violence," Clinton said.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/20/indonesia-usa-idUSL1E8KKBRK20120920

 

[Cire 0]

In my opinion, Malaysia too should consider having this very potent attack helicopter or perhaps for cost wise, the S.A's Rooivalk

 

Should there be a threat or political spill over from the troubled southern part of our northern neighbor, the warfare would surely be a jungle/landed one.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Cire

[Radzi 2]

In Malaysia, the most likely threat will be small land -based forces such as pirates, insurgents and the likes. An attack helicopter will be the most suitable weapon against such threat.

 

However with the current internal political climate, I shudder to think about the price of such a purchase. 1 for the price of 5?

[xtemujin 0]

The South Africa Rooivolk is a POS, only a few working in South Africa.

 

Better getting the TAI A129 or Eurocopter Tiger.

[flee 5]

Yes, Eurocopter is a better bet cos they already have service and support facilities here. But as Capt Radzi said, in Malaysia there are lots of hidden costs!

[Cire 0]

yup... the evil hidden cost that is on about anything under the sun that the ruling government buys... sigh...

 

[Cire 0]

grrrr..... mean looking bird..

[Amirul Mazlan 0]

It's easier to milk more from the Treasury since defense contracts procurement always not up for scrutinize record, considering 'Nasional' security

Edited September 21, 2012 by Amirul Mazlan

[zeqa 1]

I like the MIL.24/35- 2 in one chopper- can be an attack chopper & a troop carrier.

[xtemujin 0]

The Hind became just an attack helicopter from the Afghanistan experience of the Soviet forces.

 

I like the MIL.24/35- 2 in one chopper- can be an attack chopper & a troop carrier.

[Hakan 2]

Very interesting US government policy! Turkish goverment/army wants to AH64 Apache at least 10 years but US congress never gives permission to sell that attact helicopters! As you know, we are fighting kurdish terrorist at the southeast Anatolia borders. there is very huge location,high altitude, extremely winter and summer conditions,high mountains.....! Border security is very important for us becouse of terrorists are comes from Iraq and Syrian borders by using deep valleys, mountains where can't steps lands. So, the best chance to defending our country, petrolling by air and helps to ground forces. Turkish army using Huey AH1P or S Cobra which are older version and newest AH-1W Supercobra which are however US congress gave the sold permission after many hidden negotiation behind the closed doors! Still AH64 Apache requests denied, also resigned from Turkish Army attack helicopter producing tender ( 150 helicopter) by some reasons thats are not convincing.

 

3 countries interested with Turkish Army offers; South Africa with Rooivalk, Russia with KA-50/52 Blackshark and Agusta Westlang A129 Mangusta.

 

DEfence Ministary and Turkish Army, eleminated Rooivalk becouse of not compatible existing systems and it hasn't got much experience. KA50/52 BlackShark was very impressed and continued to challenge until the end but Russian systems was not preferable on NATO standarts. Agusta already had some relation with Turkish army and government. BEfore that TAI (Turkish Aircraft Industrie) has been joined some productions or assemble projects with Italian companies. Finally, 3-4 years ago Agusta won the offer. A129 Mangusta developed with Turkish Army requests and TAI engineering, renamed T129 ATAK (attack). Modified new engines,new avionics and new generation weapon systems compatible by national defence systems and missiles thats are producing in Turkey. ALso "knowhow " agreement has been completed and after a few production, T129 mangusta will be producing in TAI manufacture.

 

What will be happening AH64 requests? US congress never give permission in future (many political reason). Well, we see who they are "allied" in NATO countries!

[xtemujin 0]

US plans $1.4-billion arms package for Indonesia

By Jim Wolf | 22 September 2012 Saturday | 12:12am IST

 

* Includes 8 Boeing Apache AH-64D attack helicopters

 

* Apaches to help free flow of ships in Malacca Strait

 

* US to supply state-of-art Hellfire missiles

 

WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The Obama administration is proposing a potential $1.4-billion arms package for Indonesia, including eight Boeing Co Apache AH-64D attack helicopters, in a fresh tightening of security ties in a region rattled by China's growing territorial assertiveness.

 

The deal would include fire control radars, common missile warning systems, radar signal detecting sets and 140 state-of-the-art Lockheed Martin Corp Hellfire II AGM-114R precision-strike missiles, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notice to the U.S. Congress published Friday.

 

Indonesia is Southeast Asia's most populous country and the world's most populous Muslim-majority state. Plans for several U.S. arms transfers to it have been announced since late last year that would make Jakarta a more militarily capable regional partner.

 

Indonesia would use the twin-engine Apache helicopters to defend its borders, conduct counterterrorism and counter-piracy operations, "and control the free flow of shipping through the Strait of Malacca," the security agency said in its memo.

 

The proposed sale would provide Indonesia assets vital to deterring external and other potential threats, the Pentagon agency said.

 

The narrow and congested waterway is a potential choke point linking the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean. The shortest sea route between the Middle East and growing Asian markets, it washes the shores of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, and carries about 40 percent of the world's trade.

 

Piracy, including attempted theft and hijackings, is a constant threat to tankers, though the number of attacks has dropped following stepped-up patrols by the littoral states.

 

REGIONAL SECURITY

 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who announced the planned Apache sale on Thursday without providing details on the rest of the arms package, said it would boost a comprehensive partnership with Indonesia and enhance security across the region.

 

She spoke in Washington during a meeting with visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

 

Indonesia represents just part of an increasing U.S. emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region for national security planning as China presses its claims on disputed territory, notably in the South China Sea.

 

The United States is also building Guam as a strategic hub, deploying up to four shore-hugging littoral combat ships on a rotational basis to Singapore and preparing a 2,500-strong Marine Corps task force rotation as part of a growing military partnership with Australia.

 

The arms and services called for under the $1.4 billion Indonesia package will provide key elements required for "interoperability" with U.S. forces, the security agency's notice said.

 

Also included are "Identification Friend or Foe transponders," 30mm guns and ammunition, communication equipment, tools and test equipment, simulators, generators, personnel training and logistics support services, the agency said.

 

The Hellfire II, included in the package, is the primary air-to-ground precision missile of its size for U.S. armed forces as well as the Central Intelligence Agency's paramilitary capabilities and many U.S. allies.

 

The notice of such a sale is required by law. It does not mean that a deal has been concluded.

 

President Barack Obama announced in November plans to give Indonesia 24 decommisioned Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, with Jakarta paying up $750 million to upgrade them and overhaul their engines, which are made by United Technologies Corp's Pratt & Whitney unit.

 

The Pentagon moved in August to supply Raytheon Co AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground guided missiles and related gear valued at $25 million for Indonesia's growing F-16 fleet.

 

http://in.reuters.co...E8KLBCU20120921

Edited September 22, 2012 by xtemujin