Navy to buy choppers from Russia

SURABAYA: The Navy will purchase 10 MI-2 and MI-17 helicopters from Russia, four nomad patrol planes from Australia, a training plane from France and a Casa plane from state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), to strengthen the force, says Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Kent Sondakh.

"Purchase of the Russian helicopters will be concluded by December at the latest while that of planes from France, Australia and PT DI will be completed in the near future," Sondakh said after the commemoration of the 46th anniversary of the Navy's air fleet at Juanda airport in the city on Monday.

He said the planes were expected to strengthen the Navy's maritime patrol unit.

He declined to explain where the Navy had obtained the funds to purchase the new planes and helicopters.

The government is considering the purchase of weapons from Russia and China in the wake of the U.S.' embargo on Indonesia following alleged human rights abuses in East Timor. -- Antara