RI to spend $308m on more Sukhois

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

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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