RI to spend $308m on more Sukhois

JAKARTA: Air Force chief Marshal Chappy Hakim said on Wednesday the country would need US$308 million to buy eight more Russian jet fighter Sukhois.

Speaking to visiting members of House of Representatives Commission I for defense and political affairs, Chappy said the arrival of the new warplanes would enable the country to have a squadron of sophisticated jet fighters, following the purchase of four Sukhois earlier this year.

He said the Air Force expected the purchase could materialize in the next one or two years.

The Air Force has proposed the purchase of two Sukhoi SU-30 MKs at a price of $96 million and six Sukhoi SU-27SKs, which cost a total of $212 million.

"The squadron will replace the two squadrons of old, U.S.-made A-4 Skyhawks, which have entered their rundown period," he said.

Chairman of House Commission I Ibrahim Ambong said the lawmakers would stand behind the Air Force in pressing the government to buy more Sukhois to improve the country's defense system.

"Buying the warplanes is the price we have to pay if we want to maintain our sovereignty," he said. -- Antara

;JP;AMD; ANPAa..r.. Scene-integrity-survey Lemhannas studying separatism trend JP/4/SCENE

Lemhanas to study separatism trend

BATAM, Riau: The National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) has send a team to study the perception of nationhood among bureaucrats, local public officials and nongovernmental organization activists in selected provinces.

The research is aimed at finding out about the motivation of people in some regions to separate from the Unitary Republic of Indonesia. Batam, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara and Central Sulawesi have been chosen for the study, which will be carried out via interviews.

"We are wondering how far people in the areas understand the concept of nationhood," Lemhannas director of evaluation and validation Sumarman said on Wednesday.

The research was inspired by the growing trend of people in certain provinces like Aceh and Papua to break away from the country, and the recurring sectarian violence that might affect national integrity.

The results of the research will be submitted to the President as input for government policy formulation. -- Antara