Indonesia’s government said it was prepared to accept a US offer for 24 surplus F-16s, reported The Jakarta Post, Wednesday. This announcement came on the heels of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s visit to the country on Sunday during his tour of Southeast Asia. According to the newspaper, an Indonesian parliament defense oversight committee approved the deal, albeit with a set of conditions. “All the planes have to be upgraded from Block 25 to Block 52; all components needed for the upgrade have to be produced here in Indonesia; and the upgrade must be procured through the foreign military sales scheme,” said Yorrys Raweyai, a committee member. Indonesia will reportedly bear the cost of the aircraft refurbishments. The Southeast Asian nation already operates some older model F-16s.
Multiple B-21s are undergoing ground tests and being prepared to join the two aircraft now in test flight, and the Northrop Grumman is negotiating with the Air Force about how expanded production for the bomber could be accomplished, president and CEO Kathy Warden said Oct. 21. She also suggested a…
