Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA2355
2008-12-31 08:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
DECOMMISSIONED AUSTRALIAN BELL HELICOPTERS: THE
how-toVZCZCXRO7732 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #2355/01 3660850 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 310850Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1105 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 3461 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEHML/USPACOM REP PHILIPPINES MANILA RP PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 3382 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2903 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5282 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5778 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2554 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 1547 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1534 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002355
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, T, PM, EAP/MTS, PM/PPA, EAP/MLS
SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/AP DASD CLAD
USPACOM FOR ADM KEATING
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR ID AS
SUBJECT: DECOMMISSIONED AUSTRALIAN BELL HELICOPTERS: THE
CASE FOR INDONESIA
Classified By: DCM John A. Heffern, reasons 1.4(b+d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002355
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, T, PM, EAP/MTS, PM/PPA, EAP/MLS
SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/AP DASD CLAD
USPACOM FOR ADM KEATING
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR ID AS
SUBJECT: DECOMMISSIONED AUSTRALIAN BELL HELICOPTERS: THE
CASE FOR INDONESIA
Classified By: DCM John A. Heffern, reasons 1.4(b+d).
1. (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see para 9.
2. (C) SUMMARY/RECOMMENDATION: Mission recommends that the
USG support the transfer of decommissioned Australian
Iroquois helicopters--originally sourced from the U.S.--to
Indonesia. The transfer would meet critical Indonesian
disaster-relief and counterterrorism needs, and send a strong
signal of U.S. support in areas that are top priorities for
Indonesia. Mission would use FMF or 1206 funds to upgrade
the helos, enhancing 1206 capabilities at reduced cost.
Competent Indonesian partners could do the upgrades
in-country, thereby making Indonesia a partner in a
trilateral cooperation arrangement rather than merely a
recipient of security assistance. END SUMMARY/RECOMMENDATION.
AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL
3. (C) The Government of Australia is considering the
transfer of decommissioned Australian Defence FORCE (ADF)
UH-1H Iroquois helicopters, originally sourced from the
United States, to either Indonesia or the Philippines. The
Australian Embassy in Jakarta recommended transfer of the
helicopters to Indonesia. This Mission strongly supports
transfer to Indonesia. The Australian Embassy in Washington
will seek USG views on the transfer of the aircraft to either
Indonesia or the Philippines.
IDEAL FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND MORE
4. (C) Mission believes that the USG should press for the
helicopters to go to Indonesia. The Bell helicopters are
ideally suited for humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief (HADR),top priorities for Indonesia nationally and
within the ASEAN context, and an area where its capabilities
remain far below what the country needs.
5. (C) The helicopters would also strengthen Indonesia's
counterterrorism capabilities, a second key area where
Indonesia is a key U.S. partner in the region. As such, it
could complement the CT-related assistance provided under
Sections 1206 and 1207.
SENDING A POSITIVE SIGNAL TO THE GOI
6. (C) Politically, USG support of such a transfer would
send a clear signal to Indonesia of the seriousness of the
U.S. commitment to help Indonesia rebuild its defense
capabilities. It would also provide us with an opportunity
to work with Australia--a key regional ally--in pursuit of
this goal. In discussions with the Ambassador and senior
visiting U.S. defense officials, DefMin Sudarsono has
repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing
Indonesia's severely degraded air-lift capability and
expressly welcomed U.S. assistance in that effort. This
potential transfer presents an ideal opportunity to respond
to his request.
UPGRADES WITH FMF AND 1206 FUNDING
7. (C) Mission proposes to use Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) or NDAA Section 1206 funding to modify the helicopters
to Huey-II configuration, as has been done in Colombia,
Pakistan, and Iraq. The Huey-II upgrade would greatly
enhance the aircraft's performance and capability, while
lowering operating costs by 30-percent. Acquisition of these
helicopters would support Mission's plans for 1206 by giving
Indonesia the airframe it needs to receive the more
comprehensive Huey II upgrade package with lower operating
costs. Mission notes that Australia will not provide support
JAKARTA 00002355 002 OF 002
or maintenance after the transfer.
8. (C) This arrangement would be an excellent example of
U.S.-Australia-Indonesia security cooperation. Australia
would donate the helicopters, U.S. FMF assistance would
purchase Bell Helicopter-sourced Huey-II upgrade kits, and
Indonesia would perform the upgrade installation work.
Indonesian defense firm PTDI in Bandung (West Java),on
behalf of the TNI in late 2007 submitted a request to Bell
Helicopter for a Huey-II price quotation. Previously
licensed to manufacture Bell 412 helicopters, PTDI already
has a proven track record with Bell Helicopter and is fully
capable of completing Huey-II installation upgrades to
standard. Mission Jakarta would work closely with the
Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) to ensure the upgrades were
completed satisfactorily. PTDI has reportedly made a similar
request to Russia for MI-2 helicopters.
ACTION REQUEST
9. (C) For the reasons cited above, Mission recommends that
the USG support the Australian inclination to transfer the
Iroquois helicopters to Indonesia. Mission understands that
J-4 BG Richardson plans to be in Jakarta in the first week of
January. We look forward to discussing this matter with him.
HUME
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, T, PM, EAP/MTS, PM/PPA, EAP/MLS
SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/AP DASD CLAD
USPACOM FOR ADM KEATING
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR ID AS
SUBJECT: DECOMMISSIONED AUSTRALIAN BELL HELICOPTERS: THE
CASE FOR INDONESIA
Classified By: DCM John A. Heffern, reasons 1.4(b+d).
1. (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see para 9.
2. (C) SUMMARY/RECOMMENDATION: Mission recommends that the
USG support the transfer of decommissioned Australian
Iroquois helicopters--originally sourced from the U.S.--to
Indonesia. The transfer would meet critical Indonesian
disaster-relief and counterterrorism needs, and send a strong
signal of U.S. support in areas that are top priorities for
Indonesia. Mission would use FMF or 1206 funds to upgrade
the helos, enhancing 1206 capabilities at reduced cost.
Competent Indonesian partners could do the upgrades
in-country, thereby making Indonesia a partner in a
trilateral cooperation arrangement rather than merely a
recipient of security assistance. END SUMMARY/RECOMMENDATION.
AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL
3. (C) The Government of Australia is considering the
transfer of decommissioned Australian Defence FORCE (ADF)
UH-1H Iroquois helicopters, originally sourced from the
United States, to either Indonesia or the Philippines. The
Australian Embassy in Jakarta recommended transfer of the
helicopters to Indonesia. This Mission strongly supports
transfer to Indonesia. The Australian Embassy in Washington
will seek USG views on the transfer of the aircraft to either
Indonesia or the Philippines.
IDEAL FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND MORE
4. (C) Mission believes that the USG should press for the
helicopters to go to Indonesia. The Bell helicopters are
ideally suited for humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief (HADR),top priorities for Indonesia nationally and
within the ASEAN context, and an area where its capabilities
remain far below what the country needs.
5. (C) The helicopters would also strengthen Indonesia's
counterterrorism capabilities, a second key area where
Indonesia is a key U.S. partner in the region. As such, it
could complement the CT-related assistance provided under
Sections 1206 and 1207.
SENDING A POSITIVE SIGNAL TO THE GOI
6. (C) Politically, USG support of such a transfer would
send a clear signal to Indonesia of the seriousness of the
U.S. commitment to help Indonesia rebuild its defense
capabilities. It would also provide us with an opportunity
to work with Australia--a key regional ally--in pursuit of
this goal. In discussions with the Ambassador and senior
visiting U.S. defense officials, DefMin Sudarsono has
repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing
Indonesia's severely degraded air-lift capability and
expressly welcomed U.S. assistance in that effort. This
potential transfer presents an ideal opportunity to respond
to his request.
UPGRADES WITH FMF AND 1206 FUNDING
7. (C) Mission proposes to use Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) or NDAA Section 1206 funding to modify the helicopters
to Huey-II configuration, as has been done in Colombia,
Pakistan, and Iraq. The Huey-II upgrade would greatly
enhance the aircraft's performance and capability, while
lowering operating costs by 30-percent. Acquisition of these
helicopters would support Mission's plans for 1206 by giving
Indonesia the airframe it needs to receive the more
comprehensive Huey II upgrade package with lower operating
costs. Mission notes that Australia will not provide support
JAKARTA 00002355 002 OF 002
or maintenance after the transfer.
8. (C) This arrangement would be an excellent example of
U.S.-Australia-Indonesia security cooperation. Australia
would donate the helicopters, U.S. FMF assistance would
purchase Bell Helicopter-sourced Huey-II upgrade kits, and
Indonesia would perform the upgrade installation work.
Indonesian defense firm PTDI in Bandung (West Java),on
behalf of the TNI in late 2007 submitted a request to Bell
Helicopter for a Huey-II price quotation. Previously
licensed to manufacture Bell 412 helicopters, PTDI already
has a proven track record with Bell Helicopter and is fully
capable of completing Huey-II installation upgrades to
standard. Mission Jakarta would work closely with the
Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) to ensure the upgrades were
completed satisfactorily. PTDI has reportedly made a similar
request to Russia for MI-2 helicopters.
ACTION REQUEST
9. (C) For the reasons cited above, Mission recommends that
the USG support the Australian inclination to transfer the
Iroquois helicopters to Indonesia. Mission understands that
J-4 BG Richardson plans to be in Jakarta in the first week of
January. We look forward to discussing this matter with him.
HUME