Indoneisa to buy more fighter jets from Russia

Indonesia will buy from Russia eight more Su fighter jets so as to form a full squadron.

According to the national news agency Antara, Indonesian Air Force Chief-of-Staff Chappi Hakim announced the intention as he spoke at a dress rehearsal for celebrations of the AF's 58th anniversary in the capital of Jakarta Thursday.

Hakim said the deal was expected to be struck before the end of this year and announced plans to import two more Su fighter squadrons in the longer term.

The contract for the supply by Russia of two Su-27 SK and two Su-30 MK fighter jets was signed April 24, 2003.

The Indonesian Air Force Commander has repeatedly praised the Su fighter plane for its combat capabilities while emphasizing that the purchase of Su's by Indonesia is not motivated politically.

The Indonesian Commander-in-Chief, Endriartono Sutarto, agrees with the AF Commander. He believes that Su jets fully meet the requirements of Indonesia's armed forces and that the wide spectrum of tasks they are able to perform will make it possible for the Indonesian Air Force to raise its combat efficiency spectacularly.