Article Posted on : - Sep 28, 2010

The Su-27 fighter. A Sukhoi photo.

JAKARTA (BNS): Indonesia, which received its last three Sukhoi fighters from Russia on Monday, plans to acquire six more such aircraft to form a complete fighters squadron, the country's defence minister said.

“Our strategic plan for the 2010-2014 period is to buy more Sukhoi fighters so that we could have a squadron of them,” Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said after three SU-27 SKM fighters arrived at Makassar, South Sulawesi on Monday, The Jakarta Post reported.

Russian manufacturer Rosoboronexport delivered the last three fighters to Indonesia.

The country had inked a deal worth $300 million with Russia in 2007 to acquire six Sukhois – three SU-30MK2s and three SU-27SKMs. It had received the three SU-30MK2 fighters in December 2008 and January 2009.

Earlier in 2003, the country had acquired four Sukhois from Russia.

With the induction of the new aircraft on Monday, Indonesia now has a fleet of 10 Sukhoi fighters.

Indonesia’s Air Force Chief Air Marshall Imam Sufaat said the Russian fighters had been able to perform beyond satisfactory level and therefore suited the air force in carrying out its duty to safeguard both the country’s air and land territory.

Indonesia plans to equip the new Sukhois with guided missile systems.

“The weaponry system is sold separately from the aircraft. But this will be no problem for us since now we have been able to manufacture almost all of the aircraft’s weaponry systems. We are still in the middle of developing its missile,” the Air Force Chief was quoted as saying by the newspaper.