An anonymous source told Reuters that the United States had agreed on selling eight Apache attack helicopters to Indonesia for USD500 million. The source, who is a state defense official, had also said that both countries are working on the details of the deal, which will also include radar, maintenance and training.

The announcement of the sale was done during US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's visit to Jakarta. The trip was a his second of his four country stops in Southeast Asia which started Saturday. Hagel said, addressing to media on site, "Providing Indonesia these world-class helicopters is an example of our commitment to help build Indonesia's military capability."

Earlier, representatives from the state's army visited a production center of airplane maker Boeing to view the helicopters. Indonesia had been bidding for more than a year to purchase the helicopters, said Boeing.