The US and Indonesian Presidents issued a joint statement recently from Bali, Indonesia, reaffirming their deepening engagement and announcing the planned transfer and upgrade of 24 excess defence article F-16s to the Indonesian Air Force. US President Barack Obama was participating in the East Asia Summit.

Obama’s joint statement with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono noted the two leaders affirm the summit is the region’s premier forum for leaders to discuss strategic political and security issues.

According to a White House fact sheet, Indonesia’s addition of 24 F-16s will allow that nation’s government to significantly bolster air defence capacity without compromising the defence budget and other national priorities.

Pentagon spokeswoman Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde said the transfer demonstrates the growing partnership between the two nations and their military forces. “Indonesia is an important US partner and a leader in Southeast Asia. The Department of Defense is working to support the Indonesian military in their efforts to modernise the force,” Hull-Ryde said. “The refurbished F-16s support that end and contribute to interoperability with the United States.”