AS Nyatakan Siap Dukung Alutsista Indonesia
US Ready to Provide Military Equipment to Indonesia
Reporter : Rizki Saleh
Editor : Cahyani Harzi
Translator : Dhelia Gani
Jakarta (B2B) - Amerika Serikat siap memenuhi keperluan Indonesia akan peralatan perang, termasuk atas wacana penggantian satu skuadron F-5E/F Tiger II.
Staf Khusus Menteri Pertahanan AS untuk Kawasan Asia Pasifik, David B Shear, di Jakarta, Jumat, mengaku tidak mengerti secara detil mengenai rencana penggantian F-5E/F Tiger II itu.
Kendati demikian, dia mengatakan Amerika Serikat selalu siap dan berkeinginan membahas kesempatan kerja sama di masa depan pada bidang militer masa dengan Indonesia.
Sebelumnya TNI berencana mengganti F-5E/F Tiger II dengan beberapa pilihan, yaitu SAAB JAS-39 Gripen (Swedia), Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker (Rusia), Eurofighter Typhoon (Airbus Military-konsorsium Eropa Barat), dan F 16 Fighting Falcon Block 60 asal AS.
Indonesia juga telah menerima lima dari 24 F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 25 hibah dari AS pada 2014.
Yang terkini, Pusat Penerbangan TNI AD akan diperkuat helikopter serang AH-64D Apache Longbow.
Rencananya, sejumlah helikopter tersebut akan didatangkan pada 2018 hingga 2021 secara bertahap.
"Sulit bagi AS untuk melakukan embargo kepada Indonesia sebagai mitra yang amat kuat," kata Shear .
Shear melawat ke Indonesia selama empat hari sejak 20 Januari 2015 dan telah menemui beberapa pejabat pertahanan Indonesia, antara lain Panglima TNI, Jenderal TNI Moeldoko (22/1) serta Menteri Pertahanan, Ryamizard Ryacudu, Jumat ini. (Ant)
Jakarta (B2B) - The United States has expressed willingness to fulfill Indonesias military equipment needs following the latter's plan to replace its old F-5E/F Tiger II jet fighters.
"I am not familiar with the details of the F-5 replacement plan, but we are always ready and eager to discuss our future opportunity with our Indonesian counterparts," US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David B Shear said here on Friday.
According to Shear, Indonesia and the US share comprehensive defense cooperation, including military exercises, sales, trade, and high-level defense meetings.
The developing military relationship between Indonesia and the US has been based on the common values and interests of both countries, which were established long time ago, Shear added.
According to Shear, the US has no plans to impose an embargo on spare parts to the Indonesian Military.
"It's hard for me to imagine the US placing such an embargo that will affect Indonesia, which is a strong partner," the Assistant Secretary remarked.
He noted the US government will do everything to ensure reliable support, commitment, and parts of military equipment for Indonesia.
"We have important agreements on F-16 jet fighters and Apache helicopters," Shear added.
The Indonesian government has been planning to replace its old F-5E/F Tiger II jet fighters with other options such as Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker, Saab JAS-39 Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, and F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 60.
Meanwhile, Indonesia has received 5 of the 24 F-16 Fighting Falcons granted by the US in 2014. The Indonesian Military has also decided to buy Apache combat helicopters from the US.
Eight AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters are expected to gradually enhance the Indonesian defense from 2018 to 2021.
