A Russian alternative

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.