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By Prashanth Parameswaran
Diplomatic spat could cause Jakarta to rethink procurement of Brazilian equipment.
Indonesia may reevaluate defense deals with Brazil as bilateral ties between the two countries deteriorate over the execution of a Brazilian for drug offenses, local media reported earlier this week.
According to ANTARA News, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Monday that the Indonesian government was rethinking the procurement of a squadron of 16 Brazil-made Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft for Indonesia’s air force as well as an order for Astros II multiple launch rocket launcher systems.
“We are reconsidering our plan to purchase weapons [from Brazil],” Kalla reportedly told the media.
The Post also reported Tuesday that the House of Representatives commission that oversees defense and foreign affairs had said that Indonesia could turn to other countries including Russia to procure weapons systems. Tantowi Yahya, a lawmaker, had earlier said he would hold a meeting with the defense ministry on the broader relationship.
“I think Brazil needs us more than we need them. We have an emergency situation with drugs and we don’t need to be afraid of pressure from Brazil…,” Tantowi said on Sunday.
Read the full story at The Diplomat