RI opts for Russia's Sukhoi-30K
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)