TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Army is seeking for more fire power, as it keep an eye at two American choppers, the notorious Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and Boeing CH-47 Chinook. "The purchase is a recommendation from the Army Chief of Staff to the Defense Ministry," the Head of Information Department of the Army Brigadier General Andika Perkasa told Tempo.
He added that the proposal requests 17 units of Black Hawk and three units of Chinook using export credit scheme. However, he is yet to ensure either the chopper will be bought first or second hand. He claimed that the ministry is assessing the proposal into the main shop list 2015-2019.
Andika stated that the two choppers will not be for combat purpose only, instead it can be used for non-combat missions such as for disaster management or other humanitarian designation. Tempo source at the ministry mentioned that the purchase of the 20 choppers will cost over Rp3 trillion, and that they likely be retrofitted second hand units.
INDRA WIJAYA