Ministerial Negotiations End With Hercules Sale

C130 Hercules TNI AU 

Indonesia is to buy five of Australia's second-hand C-130 Hercules military planes after discussions between defence ministers.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Defence Minister Stephen Smith held talks in Jakarta with their Indonesian counterparts.

Australia had already gifted four of the heavy-lift planes to Indonesia and last September Mr Smith told Indonesian defence minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro a few more were available.

Mr Purnomo says Indonesia wants to buy them, with Australia offering what it calls bargain prices.

Indonesia has embarked on a big military modernisation and expansion, buying fighter jets, missiles and building its own attack ships.

But Mr Purnomo says military modernisation should not be confused with an arms race.

Asylum seeker cooperation was at the top of the agenda of the talks, including the possibility of joint sea patrols.

However, there was no major announcement on asylum seekers.

In a media release written in Indonesian for local media, the defence ministry said the main reason Australia considered Indonesia a partner is because of illegal immigrants - the term often used locally for asylum seekers.

  ● ABC