A Russian alternative

Tuesday's announcement that Indonesia intends to buy 12 Sukhoi-30K jet fighters and eight MI-17-IV helicopters from Russia seems to have put an end to weeks of speculation. There had been uncertainty over which aircraft the Indonesian Armed Forces was going to acquire after the country canceled its planned purchase of nine F-16 fighter aircraft from the United States.

Indonesia scrapped the F-16s from its shopping list in June after a minor spat over allegations made in the United States Congress about human rights abuses in Indonesia.

As State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita announced on Tuesday, a choice has been made in favor of the Russian-made aircraft, which he said was "technologically and economically ... the most appropriate aircraft to complete our fleet".

If the official assessment is correct, the Russian aircraft would indeed be suitable to serve Indonesia's defense needs. The Indonesian archipelago, which consists of roughly 17,500 islands, spans a distance almost equal to that between America's east and west coasts. Air and sea communications provide the only means of access to many of the country's more isolated regions, where most of its strategic resources, such as oil and natural gas, are found.

The SU-30Ks, which according to our Air Force military experts have a range of 3,000 kilometers without refueling, could quickly and easily reach any corner of the archipelago. The MI-17-IV helicopters, which each carry 30 troops, could serve as tactical vehicles and be equipped with rockets and bombs as well as machine guns.

In any case, since the plan has been publicly announced, the choice appears to have been made. Delivery of the fighters could probably be made in three years and the helicopters within two years. It may however be noted that, at least for the present, the deal is by no means concluded.

Negotiations are still under way over details concerning, among other things, payment, technology transfer, spare parts guarantees and, of course, the cost. At US$34 million each, $4 million more than the asking price for an American-made F-16 fighter, the SU-30Ks do not come cheap.

Obviously, though, the pros and cons of the plan have been suitably weighed. Critics, for instance, have noted that operating costs for the Russian planes are likely to be higher than those for the American or British aircraft already acquired. This is because there can be no pooling of maintenance services and the Russian planes have higher fuel consumption and overhaul needs. Also, special training will have to be given to Air Force personnel put in charge of flying and maintaining the aircraft.

It could be that political considerations have contributed, to some degree, to the decision. After all, no self-respecting country likes to be dependent on a single country, or block of politically and ideologically related countries, as the source of its military needs.

Whatever the case may be, one question that remains to be answered is why the government has found it judicious to announce its purchase plans at such an early stage. After all, the deal is far from concluded. One would think that by withholding the information the door could be left open for other options in case unforeseen snags arise.