TSAMTO, April 5. Indonesia is close to signing a contract for the supply of up to 20 UH-60 "Black Hawk" multi-purpose helicopters from the American Sikorsky, and is also considering the possibility of acquiring other American-made aircraft.
According to the Asia Times, citing sources in the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, the cost of one UH-60 "Black Hawk" is estimated at $ 21 million per unit. Also not removed from the agenda for the purchase of heavy transport helicopters CH-47F "Chinook".
At the same time, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto rejected Boeing's proposed acquisition of the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, which was promoted by SV Chief of Staff General Andik Perkas, due to the high cost of $ 71.3 million per unit, as well as high maintenance costs.
In this regard, the publication cites the example of the recent purchase of eight AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, criticized by the Indonesian military, for about $ 700 million, which are very whimsical in maintenance and have rarely appeared in public since their delivery in 2017.
According to the Asia Times source, P. Subianto also preferred the new F-15EX multirole fighter of the American Boeing to the Rafale aircraft of the French Dassault. The project is in the initial stage of discussion.
In addition, the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia is considering the possibility of acquiring the basic patrol aircraft P-8 "Poseidon" of Boeing. However, the high cost ($275 million per unit) may force the country's military leadership to purchase several more CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft of its own production in addition to the six available aircraft of this type.
