Russia offers aircraft

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