Boeing sells the Apache AH 64E for about $48M AUD.

This week Indonesia took delivery of 8 of them - not far shy of $400M in one order.

It's a bit galling to know that Australia will send Indonesia about $320M in foreign aid this year - the US gives about half that amount.

But Boeing executives are popping the champagne corks, Indonesia's TNI is thrilled, the US embassy people couldn't be happier - and poor old Australian taxpayers are left shaking their heads.

Here's Indonesia's TNI with their media statement:

(Puspen TNI). The Army received eight units of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters made in the United States. The acceptance, marked by the handover of AH-64E Apache helicopters symbolically from the Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu to TNI Commander Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto, SIP Represented Aslog Commander TNI Laksda TNI Ir. Bambang Nariyono, MM, held in Army Air Force Army Ahmad Yani, Semarang, Central Java, Wednesday (05/16/2010).

Meanwhile, the signing of the news report of the handover of eight Apache units was done by Kemhan RI Kabarahan Laksda TNI Agus Setiadji, SAP, Aslog Commander TNILaksda TNI Ir.Bambang Nariyono, MM, Aslog Kasad Major General Irwan, and Danpuspenerbad Maj. Gen. Stephanus Tri Mulyono witnessed by the Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, General Chief of TNI Mulyono and Deputy Chief of the United States Government Representative. Closing the sequence of acceptance of the eight Apache, was carried out symbolically by Minister of Defense RI, Aslog Commander of TNI and Kasad, by watering flowers to the airframe.

ENDS

The US is doing pretty well out of the deal!

The United States is deeply committed to the continued success of the @TNI_AD’s Apache Aviation program and we will maximize every opportunity to assist Indonesia in sustaining and advancing the capabilities of its Apache fleet. @Puspen_TNI @DeptofDefense pic.twitter.com/w8DseNjNtJ

— U.S. Embassy Jakarta (@usembassyjkt) May 16, 2018

The United States is proud to be Indonesia’s largest military engagement partner, and the addition of eight United States Apache helicopters is a testament of our robust and growing Strategic Partnership. @TNI_AD @Puspen_TNI @DeptofDefense pic.twitter.com/TIqgNqTUMd

— U.S. Embassy Jakarta (@usembassyjkt) May 16, 2018

RT P3nj3l4j4h: Kemhan_RI membeli 8 unit helikopter tempur jenis Apache untuk menambah alat utama dan sistem persenjataan TNI dari Amerika Serikat.

Perlu di Catat "pembelian ini lgsg antar 2 negara Indonesia dan Amerika TANPA Perantara menghindari MarkUp… pic.twitter.com/svYEEO3GfK

— ridwan (@ridwan22387635) May 18, 2018

And it's hard to resist the comparison between the money we send to Indonesia and the money Indonesia sends to Boeing - who needless to say think Indonesia is just great!