TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko claims the recent United States’ military grant, taking form in the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Bell 412 helicopters, will not come with its drawbacks.

Other than Indonesia, other recipients of the US military grant are Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines which is the US’ maritime security initiative program for Southeast Asian countries.

“There are no drawbacks,” said Moeldoko at the Presidential Office in the North Medan Merdeka street in Central Jakarta on Thursday, February 26, to curb the arising negative public perception regarding the weaponry grant.

He also assured that it will not change the government’s plan to purchase the Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighter for Indonesia’s airforce fleets.

“This will not affect our purchase on Sukhoi jets. This is a normal event in a good bilateral relation,” said Moeldoko.

The United States Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) program has granted 14 ScanEagle UAVs and three Bell 412 helicopters. The UAV is developed and manufactured by Boeing’s subsidiary Insitu Inc.

EGI ADYATAMA