INDONESIAN AIR FORCE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 11

INDONESIAN AIR FORCE

U.S. Aircraft, Arms Wanted (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) JAKARTA, February 18. Indonesia’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Suryadarma, said today that the Indonesian Air Force had. asked the United States to supply five squadrons of aircraft, together with armaments and electronic equipment. He also said Indonesia wanted to buy Australian aircraft and electronic equipment. The Indonesian air chief said the air force needed planes and equipment to maintain internal security throughout the archipelago. “In view of the air force's development programme we need a decision as quickly as possible,” he said.

He had instructed air force officers who accompanied the Foreign Minister (Dr. Subandrio) on his tour of Australia to collect information on Australian, planes and equipment, he said. The size of an Indonesian fighter squadron is about 30 aircraft, according to military sources. Air Vice Marshal Suryadarma gave a list of requests from the United States, as aircraft for five squadrons, armament for five squadrons, anti-aircraft batteries equipment for five battalions of airbased troops and electronic equipment. The. air force is known to want large quantities of radar equipment for normal operational purposes.