U.S. lifts ban on lethal weapon sales to Indonesia

Indonesia's Defense Ministry confirmed that the United States has completely lifted an embargo on weapon sales to the Indonesian Military, the Jakarta Post quoted an official as saying on Monday.

The Defense Ministry spokesman Wayan Midhio made the statement to quell public confusion on the state of Indonesia's military relations with the U.S.

In its first clear statement on the embargo's end, he said that Indonesia could procure any type of weapon from the U.S. because there was no longer an embargo.

"The U.S. embargo on the sale of any type of weapon to Indonesia ended completely in 2005," said Midhio over the weekend.

"After the embargo ended, there were no more distinctions to be made between lethal or non-lethal weapons sales," he said.

Indonesia can now purchase lethal weapons from the U.S. and there is no "partial prohibition" of arms sales to Indonesia, as was previously reported, he added.

Indonesia reportedly planned to purchase American-made F-16 jet fighters, which are categorized as lethal weapons, and C-130H Hercules cargo jets, which are not considered lethal, if the U.S. lifted its embargo.

Source: Xinhua