RI opts for Russia's Sukhoi-30K

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia opted yesterday to buy Sukhoi-30K jet fighters from Russia, in preference over fighters from other countries.

The decision was announced by State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, ending weeks of speculation about which aircraft the government would go for.

The announcement came two months after President Soeharto wrote to U.S. President Bill Clinton on Indonesia's decision to cancel an order for nine F-16 fighters. The F-16 sale was put on hold by the U.S. Congress over its criticism of Indonesia's human rights record.

Besides SU-30K, the government considered other European alternatives, including the French-built Mirage 2000 and even Russian MiG fighters.

Indonesia will buy 12 SU-30Ks and eight MI-17-1V helicopters, although prices and terms still have to be negotiated, Ginandjar said.

"Technologically and economically, SU-30K and MI-17-1V are the most appropriate aircraft to complete our fleet," Ginandjar, a vice air marshal, told journalists at his office.

Soeharto sent a team of experts to the Paris Air Show in June to look at some of the fighters on display, including the Mirage and the new array of Sukhoi planes, he said.

Some officials were later sent to Russia to study the country's weaponry. The Russian offer for equipment and weaponry was first made by President Boris Yeltsin, who sent a special envoy here in February.

Rear Marshal Richard Haryono, the Air Force chief of staff's assistant for planning and budgeting, said Russia was asking US$34 million for each Sukhoi, $4 million higher than the asking price of an F-16.

Ginandjar said, however, that the price was still negotiable.

Negotiations were underway over cost, payment, technology transfer and spare part guarantees, he said.

The deal would include Indonesia sending about 20 officers for training in Russia for up to eight months.

As payment, Indonesia would exchange palm oil, coffee and rubber, Ginandjar said.

Indonesia hoped the fighters would be delivered within three years and the helicopters within two years, he said.

The SU-30K could quickly reach any corner of the archipelago because it has a range of 3,000 km without refueling, and can be refueled in the air, Haryono said.

The MI-17-1V helicopters, which can carry 30 troops, can be used either as a tactical vehicle or an ambulance, and can be equipped with rockets and bombs as well as machine guns, he said.

The SU-30K fighters would be stationed in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, primarily to provide protection to Indonesia's strategic Natuna gas fields in the South China Sea, while the eight helicopters would be used by the Indonesian Army, he said.

Separately, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, told reporters after the Ginandjar announcement was made that he did not think the SU-30K was superior to other alternatives considered.

"The Russian economic mechanism does not encourage high- quality products. It's not geared toward market forces," Habibie said after meeting President Soeharto at Bina Graha.

Habibie, who traveled to Russia to look at the military equipment last month, listed various Sukhoi shortcomings, including a shorter lifespan compared to American and European aircraft, a shorter period between overhauls and a higher fuel consumption rate.

"If we buy something, we should not only look at procurement costs, but also operational costs," Habibie said.

The SU-30K may have a longer range, but it is not faster than smaller-built MiGs, he said.

"Each plane has a different mission," he said.

The Indonesian military must decide on its mission, he said, adding that his job was only to give his opinion on technology aspects and to carry out whatever policy has been decided by the President.

"We have to realize that we want to win every battle in a war. What's the use of choosing something cheap to save money and lose? It's better to opt for something expensive, but win the war.

"These are factors that we have to take into account," he said. (imn/prb)