WASHINGTON - The US Department of State has approved the sale of US$2 billion worth of military equipment, including eight MV-22 Block C Osprey aircraft, to the Indonesian government.
In addition to eight Osprey aircraft, Indonesia has requested to purchase other military equipment including missile warning systems, airborne navigation systems, and machine guns and technical support to be used by the National Armed Forces.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of an important regional partner that is a force of political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region,” the US Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in an official statement on Monday (6/7).
“It is vital to US national interest to assist Indonesia in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability.”
In addition, the DSCA also stated that the potential sale will enhance Indonesia’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations. Two companies will serve as the prime contractors in this sale, namely Bell Textron Inc and The Boeing Company. (MS)