TEMPO.CO, Jakarta- The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has turned down the offer of a donation of a squadron of F-5 fighter aircrafts (16 fighter jets) from South Korea. "Because the specifications differ from our aircrafts," stated TNI AU Chief of Staff, Chief Air Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia, yesterday.
Putu explained that both the avionics and weaponry of the Indonesian F-5 aircrafts have been modified. Meanwhile, the aircrafts offered by South Korea lack modification. Currently, the Air Force has one F-5 squadron at the Iswahyudi Airbase in Madiun. "If the specifications differ, it will be difficult to maintain," added Putu. He stated that the TNI AU already informed the Defense Ministry of their decision.
Head of the Defense Facilities Agency at the Defense Ministry, Rear Admiral Rachmad Lubis, said his department has already received the Air Force’s response to this offer from South Korea. However, up until now the Ministry is still considering the offer.
INDRA WIJAYA