Indonesia to buy five additional Australian C-130H Hercules

Australia and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Sale for five C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, Defence Minister Stephen Smith and his Indonesian counterpart Purnomo announced in a statement on Friday.

This offer was in addition to the four C-130H aircraft that Australia is currently in the process of transferring to Indonesia.

Speaking at a press conference in Perth, West Australia, Stephen Smith said the sale of these additional aircraft and associated equipment reflects the strength of the bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia, and the close ties between their defence forces.

Smith said that during his visit to Jakarta in April this year, the Australian government reiterated its willingness to sell five C-130H aircraft, along with a simulator and spare parts, to Indonesia at a discounted rate.

"The sale of a further five C-130H transport aircraft will further enhance Indonesia's capacity to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crisis," he said. "Australia is pleased to continue to assist the development of Indonesia's airlift capability, which will support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations," he added.

The Memorandum of Sale was signed by Australia’s Chief of the Defence Force, General Hurley, and Indonesia’s Head of Defence Facilities Agency, Rear Admiral Lubis.