Antara News, Monday, December 21, 2009 23:01 WIB
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Russia has committed itself to delivering as early as possible the three Sukhoi jet fighters ordered by Indonesia, Indonesian Air Force spokesman Air Commodore FH Bambang Soelistyo said.
"We will help speed up the delivery of the three Sukhoi jet fighters for the Indonesian Air Force," Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Alexander. A. Ivanov was quoted by Bambang as saying on Monday.
Ivanov disclosed his government`s commitment at a closed-door meeting with Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Imam Sufa`at at the latter`s office.
Bambang said the delay in the delivery of three SU-27SKM Shukoi fighters was merely caused by technical and administrative problems and the Russian government had vowed to solve them soon.
Russia was supposed to deliver the three jet fighters in December 2009 and January 2010. But because of the problems the delivery had been postponed until October 2010.
"We do hope that they will be delivered earlier than October 2010. Three more Sukhoi jet fighters are enough to give the Indonesian air force deterrent capability. And the Russian government highly understands this," he said.
In 2003, Indonesia bought two SU-30MKs and two SU-27SKs from Russia. It signed a US$300 million deal with the Sukhoi manufacturer in 2007 for the supply of six Shukoi fighters.
The six consist of three SU-30MK2s and three SU-27SKMs. The three SU-30SKMs were delivered in December 2008 and January 2009.
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