TNI wants a squadron of Sukhoi jets next year

TNI wants a squadron of Sukhoi jets next year

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Following the arrival of two Russian-made Sukhoi jets on
Wednesday and another two this weekend, the Indonesian Military
(TNI) plans to purchase at least another 10 next year to build a
complete squadron of Sukhoi warplanes.

TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Thursday that the
new squadron will provide TNI with adequate air defense.

"We want the government to allocate the funds for next years
purchase of Sukhois, so we can have one squadron of 12 or 16
warplanes," Endriartono told reporters after seeing off President
Megawati Soekarnoputri at Halim Perdanakusumah airport.

Megawati is visiting Malaysia and Thailand.

Endriartono, however, did not further specify the Sukhois that
would be purchased next year.

Two Su-27MK jets arrived at Iswahyudi airbase in East Java on
Wednesday, while the other two Su-30Sk jets are expected to
arrive either on Saturday or Sunday.

Endriartono also said TNI was currently discussing details of
the purchase with other departments, including with the Ministry
of Industry and Trade.

His statement came amid the current furor between the
government and the House of Representatives regarding the
purchase of the four Sukhoi jets.

The purchase became controversial as it involved the State
Logistics Agency (Bulog), which provided a downpayment for the
purchase.

The House established a special inquiry team within the
Commission I on defense and foreign affairs, alleging that the
government had violated the budget law and other regulations in
purchasing the jets.

In spite of the domestic debacle, the US$192.6 million Sukhoi
deal -- involving a counter trade with dozens of Indonesian
commodities -- went ahead uninterrupted.

Endriartono contended that the government continued with the
deal as the House had earlier suggested TNI improve its defense
system.

"We bought the planes because the House supported the idea
that we have to empower our defense capacity," the general
said.

TNI has been suffering from arms embargoes by the United
States, its major source of weapons in the past three-decades.

The U.S. House recently rejected a proposal to lift the
embargo, citing last year's lethal ambush against American
citizens in Timika, Papua province, allegedly involving TNI
members.

Meanwhile, the House's inquiry into the Sukhoi deal, which
started last July, will continue its investigation by questioning
Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi on Sept. 1.

The inquiry team is expected to publish the results of its
works and recommendations on Sept.3.

Inquiry team chairman Ibrahim Ambong of Golkar Party faction
refused to disclose a preview of the results and recommendations.

But, team member Effendy Choirie of the National Awakening
Party (PKB) revealed that the team would recommend the government
punish those involved in the controversial deal.

A member of the House's budget committee, Ridwan Mukti,
meanwhile said that, until today, the legislators had not
approved the demands of the government -- to use the state budget
for the procurement of Sukhoi jet fighters.

Ridwan said that he would not care if the total payment for
the four Sukhois was settled by Bulog.