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.