Preparations under way for Sukhoi arrival in September

Preparations under way for Sukhoi arrival in September

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite alleged irregularities in the purchase of Russian made
Sukhoi jets and helicopters, the Indonesian Air Force insisted
that it is making preparations to take delivery of the high-tech
aircraft this September.

Air Force spokesman Commodore Sagom Tambun said that all the
preparations needed for the operation of the warplanes, which are
equipped with sophisticated technology that differs from that of
U.S.-made aircraft, were almost completed.

"Our airmen are still in Russia undergoing special training
for the planes, while our preparations here are continuing as
planned," Sagom told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"Until there is an order from the House of Representative to
cancel the plan, we will continue with the original schedule,"
the officer underlined.

A special committee established by the House defense
commission is still investigating the alleged irregularities in
the deal.

The committee says it has identified irregularities in the
banking procedures as the down payment of US$26 million for the
purchase was taken from the Bukopin Bank under an arrangement
involving industry and trade minister Rini Suwandi and the
National Logistics Agency (Bulog).

The committee also says it is suspicious as the deal was
conducted over the head of defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil.

The government decided to purchase the Russian warplanes
through a counter-trade deal involving around 30 commodities when
President Megawati Soekarnoputri made her official visit to
Russia in May.

The US$197million deal includes four Sukhoi-29 and 30
aircraft, and two Mi-35 assault helicopters.

Rini led Indonesia's team in the negotiations, while according
the regulations such a deal should have been conducted by the
defense minister.

However, the probe has been halted for the time being as the
House is now on recess. It will resume during the next sitting in
August after the People's Consultative Assembly ends its annual
session.

Despite the domestic furor, the contract remains binding as
the first installment for the planes has been paid and several
commodities are still being exported to Russia as part of the
deal.

Under the original schedule, the four Sukhois are expected to
be delivered from Russia and publicly displayed during the
Indonesian Military (TNI)'s anniversary on Oct. 5.

Sagom said that currently there were 18 technicians and six
pilots undergoing training in Russia to operate the aircraft.

"We want to be ready when the planes arrive. But off course,
we will not be able to do anything should the House recommend the
cancellation of the purchase," he remarked.

The committee's chairman, Ibrahim Ambong, said that the
contract would remain effective as along as the payment of the
installments did not interfere with the state budget.

"Until we issue a recommendation regarding the deal, of course
the schedule will continue as it is," Ibrahim told the Post.

However, he warned that the government should calculate the
possible losses should the deal be finally canceled unilaterally
by Indonesia.

"This kind of thing should not be repeated again in the
future. That is why we are conducting the inquiry," the
legislator said.

Regarding the furor, Sagom said that the Air Force preferred
to stay on the sidelines, but stressed that the force was in dire
need of the new aircraft.

"The public know how weak our air defense is, and we were very
happy when the government decided to buy the new warplanes for
us," he remarked.