WASHINGTON - The Pentagon announced on January 25 the awarding of a firm-fixed-price foreign military sales (FMS) contract to Boeing for the production of eight AH-64E Apache attack helicopters ordered by Indonesia. The contract awarded is for $295 million. The new Apaches will be assigned to the Indonesian Army, which has a requirement for a supplement to its fleet of 10 Mi-35s attack helicopters acquired from Russia between 2003 and 2008.
An initial FMS agreement between Indonesia and the Pentagon was announced back in September 2012, but cost concerns over rising unit-prices associated with the Apache 'D' Block III Longbow variant prompted Indonesian officials to reconsider its options and look at alternatives such as the AH-1 Super Cobra or possibly an armed version of the UH-60 Black Hawk.
A delegation from Indonesia's armed forces was then sent to a Boeing production center in Arizona in August 2013, where it viewed the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter firsthand and reported back favorable observations to the government. A sale of the E variant was then approved by the U.S. later that same month.
The estimated completion date for the new Indonesian Army AH-64E Apaches is February 28, 2018. Once these are brought into service the Indonesian Army will increase its firepower mobility capabilities and be able to support littoral naval missions within bi- and tri-service operations.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense
Associated URL:
http://www.defense.gov/Contracts/Contract.aspx?ContractID=5465
Author: D. Darling, Asia Analyst
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