Two Russian jet fighters arrive in Indonesia
JAKARTA (Agencies): Two Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters purchased
by the government via a controversial countertrade deal arrived at
Iswahyudi air base in Madiun, East Java on Wednesday.
On hand to receive the fighters was Indonesian Military (TNI)
Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Air Force Chief of Staff
Vice Marshal Chappy Hakim.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri concluded the purchase of four
Sukhoi jet fighters and two Mi-35 assault helicopters worth
US$192.6 million in a countertrade deal in April.
The Sukhoi deal, however, turned into a controversy for Megawati
when politicians and members of the House of Representatives raised
questions about the transparency of the purchase, saying the deal
had violated the current state budget guidelines.
The House has set up a working committee to investigate the
case.
The presence of the Sukhoi is likely to reduce the country's
dependence on the United States and its allies, which had imposed a
military embargo on Indonesia since the bloody violence in East
Timor in 1999.
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