Indonesia says German tank purchase a done deal
Indonesia‘s purchase of 150 battle tanks from Germany has been completed and delivery was expected to start this year, the Defence Ministry said Tuesday.
Indonesia has bought 100 Leopard 2A4 and 50 Marder tanks from the German defence company Rheinmetall AG for 280 million dollars and the deal has been approved by German authorities, Deputy Defence Minister Syafrie Syamsuddin said.
He said the tanks were currently in production and delivery was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.
"These tanks are new, so they will all be ready for use when they arrive in Indonesia," he said. "There will be no need for refurbishments or upgrades."
Asked about opposition from leftist parties in Germany, he said, "The German government‘s commitment is clear as conveyed by Chancellor Angela Merkel when she visited Indonesia earlier this year."
"The purchase falls under defence cooperation, so all the requirements regarding licensing from the country of origin have been completed," Syamsuddin said. dpa apa lns Author: Ahmad Pathoni
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