Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Chief
Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, revealed that he was in the process of
investigating the purchase of the AgustaWestland (AW-101) VVIP
helicopter.
The investigation team was currently preparing documents related to the
procurement plan for the purchase of the helicopter, which was
manufactured in the UK and Italy, Tjahjanto noted here, Wednesday.
"We are preparing supporting documents, and reports containing details
of the planning process until it is currently here will be submitted to
the TNI commander," he remarked.
Tjahjanto did not set a time frame for the investigation since he did
not want to rush with the process in order to be on target.
Tjahjanto said he was unclear on what should be done with the existing
helicopter, which was procured during the period of the earlier Air
Force chief of staff Air Chief Marshall Agus Supriatna since the
authority came under Military Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo.
Tjahjanto asserted that the AW-101 helicopter was purchased by utilizing
the Air Forces budget for meeting the initial requirement of a VVIP
vehicle for President Joko Widodo.
"Earlier, the helicopter was ordered for the president, but he
disagreed, as it was too expensive. Hence, we cancelled the order," the
former inspector general of the Defense Ministry noted.
The procurement of the AW-101 VVIP helicopter has triggered a polemic,
as both Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Military Chief General
Gatot Nurmantyo were unaware of its purchase.
The helicopter, which had arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, is reportedly worth U$55 million (Rp741 billion).
In November 2015, the Indonesian Air Force had expressed willingness to
procure three AW-101 helicopters for VVIP transport missions. However,
the following month, President Widodo axed the deal on grounds of high
costs.
However, through a letter sent to the Ministry of Defense on July 29,
2016, the Air Force proposed to purchase an AW-101 helicopter, saying it
was not for presidential purposes but for military use and search and
rescue missions. (WDY)
Related News
Rektor Unud diperiksa Kejati selama delapan jam
Thursday, 6 April 2023 22:21
Di Bali, dua jenazah WNA Ukrania dinyatakan negatif COVID-19
Thursday, 30 April 2020 20:24
The Indonesia takes firm stand on saying no to foreign rubbish
Wednesday, 10 Juli 2019 8:23
Police intensifified security arrangements around Constitutional Court building
Wednesday, 26 Juni 2019 11:54
Mt. Agung erupts with incandescent lava flowing for 3 kilometers
Saturday, 25 Mei 2019 4:05
Nine policemen die while securing Indonesia's elections
Saturday, 20 April 2019 6:49
Smoke two thousand meters high, Mt Agung's eruption sends ash
Thursday, 4 April 2019 13:11
Garuda flight forced to emergency landing in Sri Lanka
Wednesday, 3 April 2019 20:04
Family buried in buleleng landslide
Tuesday, 29 Januari 2019 11:07
Landslide claims two lives in Karangasem
Monday, 28 Januari 2019 17:01
Finance Minister gives incentive funds for Bali on plastic limitations
Monday, 31 Desember 2018 23:46
Rescuers evacuate five landslide victims in Bali
Sunday, 9 Desember 2018 7:28