Air Force wants Rp 2.7t

JAKARTA: The Air Force hopes to receive Rp 2.7 trillion (US$3 billion) in additional budgetary funds to improve its capability.

Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshall Djoko Suyanto said the extra funds would be spent to purchase spare parts to enable dozens of its Hercules carriers to fly.

"Currently, only eight of our 20 carrier planes are airworthy. Instead of buying two more carriers, we'd rather fix our old ones," Djoko announced ahead of the force's 59th anniversary, which falls on April 9.

As part of its anniversary celebration, the Air Force will launch five books on the history of Indonesia's aerial defense.

The Air Force initially planned to purchase two Hercules C-130 carriers worth US$120 million from the United States. -- JP.