Indonesia may barter for Russian fighters
Indonesia may barter for Russian fighters
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's decision to buy jet fighters and
other military hardware from Russia now appears to hinge only on
financial arrangements, including the possibility of a barter.
The state minister for national development planning,
Ginandjar Kartasasmita, said the government was still trying to
find ways to solve the payment question.
The Air Force's chief of staff, Marshal Sutria Tubagus, has
said Indonesia's air force was technologically able to use
Russian fighters.
Sutria inspected Russian fighter jets at last month's Paris
Air Show.
"Russia does not provide export credit like Western countries,
so we are considering the counter-purchase system," Ginandjar
said.
He did not say what products Indonesia might barter for
Russian military equipment.
"The potential is there, but the deal could also be carried
out using funds from other sources," said Ginandjar, who is a
retired Air Force Vice Marshal.
He said there would be no problems getting spare parts for the
jets because Russian fighters were used by many countries
including Vietnam, China and India.
"We have taken the issue of spare parts into consideration,"
he said.
Indonesia has expressed its interest in buying Russian Sukhoi-
30 and MiG-29 fighters, as well as radars, guided missiles and
helicopters.
Several Indonesian delegations have visited Russia to follow
up on the negotiations which started in February when a Russian
team came to Jakarta with the initial offer.
Negotiations with Russia gathered momentum after Indonesia
canceled its plan to buy nine F-16 fighters from the United
States in May.
The decision, taken by President Soeharto, was in response to
U.S. congress criticism of Indonesia over human rights and East
Timor.
The Indonesian Air Force's fighter fleet includes F-16s, F-5s,
and recently acquired Hawks.
In 1986, Indonesia chose the F-16 over French Mirage-2000
fighters after Washington provided attractive export credit to
finance the deal.
As part of the deal Indonesia's state-owned aircraft company,
PT IPTN, has received orders to build parts for F-16 planes.
IPTN's president, B.J. Habibie, is reportedly planning to
visit Moscow this month to further assess Russia's military
equipment. (06)