by Gordon Arthur in Singapore
Boeing officials met with representatives from Indonesia on 16 February, and Shephard understands Jakarta has asked the US for a letter of offer. However, the exact number and requirements are not yet delineated.
Boeing will continue producing Chinooks until at least the mid-2020s.
Referring to the suitability of Boeing’s military portfolio to Asia-Pacific, Jeff Kohler, vice president global sales, told media ahead of the show, ‘We see a very viable market for us here going forward.’
Other potential sales are ‘a few more’ Ospreys for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF), in addition to the 17 it already wants, according to Kohler. A foreign military sale (FMS) was notified to the US Congress last May.
Japan is buying a configuration similar to the MV-22B of the US Marine Corps, although they will have a different radio fit. The US Osprey fleet has now surpassed 300,000 flight hours.
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