In a statement the Pentagon said, the U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of F-15ID fighter aircraft and related equipment to Indonesia in a deal valued at up to $13.9 billion.

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said, Indonesia plans on purchasing 42 Rafale fighter jets worth $8.1 billion, including parts in a series of agreements which also includes the development of submarines.

Indonesia has been seeking to overhaul its ageing air force, consisting of US F-16s and Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 jets, for a while and aims to buy more than 70 jets from France.

The deal includes 36 jets, spare engines, radars, night vision goggles training and technical support, said the Pentagon.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency had notified the US Congress of the possible sale on Thursday.

Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.

Categories: Creativity, Entrepreneurship, HR & Organization, Strategy

Tags: Air Force, Defense Minister, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, F-15ID, fighter aircraft, fighter jets, Indonesia, overhaul, Pentagon, Prabowo Subianto, Rafale, sale, State Department, upgrade