09:32 GMT, December 29, 2008 MOSCOW | The Russian News Agency RIA Novosti confirmed that Sukhoi/ ROSOBORONEXPORT delivered the first two of three super-manoeuvrable multi-role fighter jets to the Indonesian armed forces Friday as part of a $300 million contract. The first two Su-30MK2 fighter jets were delivered to the Indonesian Air Force for its 11th air force squadron at its base on the island of Sulawesi, the agency reported.
The $300 million contract signed in 2007 consists of three Su-27 SKM and three Su-30MK2, in addition to two Su-27SK single-seat and two Su-30MKK twin-seat fighters, supplied under a 2003 contract worth $192 million (see:
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/3910/).
"Indonesia has prepared all the infrastructure necessary to accommodate the Russian-made fighters, including a separate hangar," Sukhoi said in an official statement. "Pilots and technicians are also available for the servicing of the aircraft."
The official transfer of custody is scheduled for some time in January.
Indonesian officials confirmed to defpro.daily that the country needed at least one squadron equipped with 16 Sukhoi fighters to replace part of the outdated fleet of U.S. F-16 fighters.
Russia, meanwhile, said it approved production at facilities in the Far East for development of its Ka-52 attack helicopter.
The Ka-52 Alligator is similar to the American AH-64 Apache helicopter. The Alligator is a twin-seat version of the Ka-50 Black Shark attack helicopter, though designed for intelligence missions.
Ответить с цитированием
