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November 23, 2011 – As part of the agreement to co-sponsor a plan with Indonesia to coordinate regional responses to natural disasters, Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard, has pledged that Australia will donate four C-130 Hercules to Indonesia. The said aircrafts are worth an estimated $30 million.

The four RAAF Hercules aircrafts are intended to be used for disaster relief and humanitarian work.

While the Australian Prime Minister was attending the East Asia Summit in Bali, Indonesia, Prime Minister Julia Gillard struck an agreement with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The first military swap of its kind between the two countries, the said agreement marked a series of new strategic partnerships in what appeared as a peace offering to soothe tensions about Australia’s deal to host more US troops on Australian soil.

Deployment of three high-speed Australian naval vessels to patrol Indonesian waters and launch an offensive against people smugglers is also part of the agreement. These smugglers smuggle people without visa to Australia into the country. Smuggling people without Australia visa has been used by people who do not qualify for visa Australia or to any of the ways for immigration to Australia.

The pledged aircrafts, which need about $25 million for it to be restored to airworthiness, were due to be sold on the open market as Australia upgrades its fleet. However, following a request for additional resources to boost disaster relief across the region, the Australian Defense Force has agreed to give the said aircrafts to the Indonesian military.

According to Prime Minister Gillard, the said aircrafts play a vital role in the movement of people and equipment and food in times of difficulty.

In a move to further strengthen military ties, Australia will provide support for an Indonesian armed forces peacekeeping centre.
Meanwhile, plans to sell 24 refurbished F-16 fighters were announced two days earlier by the White House.

source:
blogs.abc.net.au