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uly 19, Online

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty signed an agreement to grant four C-130 type Hercules aircraft to Indonesia, on Friday.

'€œOne of the aircraft, with tail number A97-006, is ready to be delivered,'€ said Purnomo after the signing of ceremony at the Defense Ministry on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat in Jakarta.

Three other aircraft with tail numbers A97-001, A97-003 and A97-009 still need to be renovated before being delivered to Indonesia.

'€œAfter renovation, the three aircraft will be delivered in stages starting from October this year to December 2014,'€ said Purnomo.

Your comments:   

I believe if the state budget was maintained and allocated well, Indonesia would not be that poor. We don'€™t need to rely on the pity of our neighbors to get aircraft.

If we are really limited, why don'€™t we go for lower specs? Or buy from our own aircraft industry? It should be cheaper. If we can'€™t get a luxury sports car, why don'€™t we buy a family van?

It'€™s not that I'€™m against being helped, but to receive such help might make them ask for rewards in the future. It'€™s better to stand on our two feet and not let any foreign interest dictate to us.

We will survive even with limitations. Don'€™t live beyond our means.

Rio Rivai

The Royal Australian Air Force used to operate an air base in Butterworth, northern Malaysia, close to the border with Thailand.

They fly Mirage fighter jets and Hercules C-130 there and as far as my knowledge is concerned, the Australians maintain their aircraft very well.

I should know, I study with the kids of the Aussie airmen in a school in Georgetown, Penang (Dalat International School) as my Dad sent me there for five years so that I could learn English.

The Hercules C-130, known as Charlie 130, are transportation aircraft. They last for decades. They can be refurbished and used for a long time. US$63 million for four aircraft is dirt cheap!

Do you know how much a new Charlie 130 costs? With the rupiah now nose-diving, do you think Indonesia can afford to pay for four brand new Hercules? Please talk with some sensibility.

Malam

It'€™s like giving four old Jaguars to us. We have to buy very expensive parts and they drink lots of fuel and are very expensive to maintain. Four new Hyundai will do the job much better.

It'€™s better to get newer and cheaper ones. We do not need Ferraris. Hyundai will do. Old junk, rejected by Australia, will cost more to maintain.

Mailifu

The C130 is an icon among aircraft. It quickly established itself as a reliable and versatile workhorse after its debut in the 1950'€™s, a reputation that has not lost its shine even today.

The ones given by the Australian government will have been stringently maintained and if that level of care continues, they will last for many years yet.

Ian Modjo
 
These aircraft are junk! Indonesia doesn'€™t need these types of aircraft. Why does Australia always give Indonesia junk?

Sos Misf