Russian jet fighters set to strengthen Indonesian air defense
Agencies, Jakarta
Indonesia has moved to end its long-standing dependence on U.S. military aircraft with the arrival of four Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters in September and another 44 fighters in the next four years.
The first batch consists of two Sukhoi-27, two Sukhoi-30 and two assault Mi-35 helicopters, which will be publicly displayed during the Indonesian Military's anniversary celebration on Oct. 5.
TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Wednesday in Moscow that the initial purchase of four Sukhoi fighter planes, called Flanker by NATO, was part of a plan to buy a total of 48 Sukhoi jet fighters in the next four years to modernize Indonesia's air defense system, which has suffered from the military embargo imposed by the U.S.
"We have decided to buy these jet fighters and ideally, we need four squadrons of 12 planes each, or a total of 48 planes, a process we expect to complete in four years," Endriartono said as quoted by Antara.
He is among President Megawati Soekarnoputri's entourage in the five-day landmark visit to Russia which aims to build military cooperation between the two countries and enhance bilateral ties in other areas.
The purchase of the four planes and two helicopters, which will cost Indonesia US$197 million, is to be signed before Megawati leaves Russia for Poland on Thursday.
It is common practice in purchasing jet fighters that the price only covers the basic specification of the planes. If the Sukhoi is fully equipped with arms and combat technology, each plane would be worth around $100 million.
Endriartono said that $21 million or 12.5 percent of the total would be paid by the state-owned Bank Bukopin as a down payment, while the balance would be settled through a counter trade of 11 commodities.
Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Suwandi, also part of the entourage, said the 11 commodities for the trade-off would include rubber, crude palm oil, tea, coffee, cocoa, textiles and bauxite.
One squadron of 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons, one of 24 F-5E Tigers and one of 12 A-4 Sky Hawks, all U.S.-made aircraft, form the backbone of Indonesia's air defense system. However, only half of the aircraft are fit to fly due to the military embargo imposed by Washington following the East Timor human rights violations in 1999.
Under founding president Sukarno, Megawati's father, Indonesia possessed the best-equipped Air Force in Southeast Asia in the early 1960s, with 100 Russian-made Mig-17 jet fighters.
In Jakarta, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Chappy Hakim denied allegations that the purchase of the Sukhois had bypassed the House of Representatives' authority.
"The purchase is the result of the Air Force's annual performance appraisal and an intensive study since the 1990s. We almost realized the purchases in 1997," Chappy said.
"So, if some parties are shocked by the purchase, I would have to say that this did not happen all of sudden because the study and decision had been made a long time ago," he added.
Chappy was speaking at Monday evening's launch of 35 books penned by Air Force squadrons, held at the Halim Perdanakusuma executive club.
He said the U.S.' failure to lift the embargo was among the reasons why Indonesia decided to acquire the Sukhois.
The Air Force originally planned to park the Russian-made jet fighters at an air base outside Java, but due to their small number, the four fighters will be parked at the Iswahyudi main air base in the East Java town of Madiun.
Chappy said six to eight pilots would be sent for training in Russia and study the technology of the new planes.
Meanwhile, aviation expert Ninok Leksono hailed the government's choice, saying the Sukhoi was compatible with the country's archipelagic geography.
"Not to mention, its technology which is better than the F-16. The Sukhoi is very suitable for Indonesia's geographic condition because with an operational range of about 3,500 kilometers, the fighter can reach most parts of Indonesia easily," he said.