Russia offers aircraft

JAMBI: A Russian aerospace company offered multipurpose aircraft to the Jambi government on Friday in order to help in the fight against forest fires.

The BE-200 aircraft can carry 12 tons of water to be dropped on the fires, Jambi administration officials were told by Vladimir Sautov, the deputy president of the IRKUT aircraft manufacturing concern. "The aircraft are also seaplanes, and so can take off from bodies of water," said Sautov, who was accompanied by the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Michael Bayley, during the one-day visit.

Besides being capable of helping fight forest fires, the aircraft could also be used for patrol purposes and transporting cargo.

Nine BE-200s have been produced to date, with seven of these now being used by a Russian ministry.

Acting Jambi governor Sudarsono said that his administration welcomed the offer. "But, whether we will actually buy the planes or not depends on our financial situation," he said. -- JP