Indonesia to buy more Sukhoi fighters from Russia
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-19 15:42

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono plans to visit Russia in June with an agenda that includes the planned purchase of more Sukhoi fighter jets from Moscow, a top government official said on Thursday.

Doubts arose after a Russian defence official said last year Indonesia was likely to ditch a planned order for at least six warplanes because the money had been diverted to tsunami relief.

But Indonesia, which has bought four Sukhoi fighters from Russia, did not announce any plans to cancel. Jakarta has said it will strengthen its squad to 12 fighters.

"Indonesia wants to buy more Sukhoi jets from Russia. President Yudhoyono will visit Russia in June to discuss economic cooperation," State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra told reporters.

"The price and the payment mechanism will be discussed in Russia when the president is there."

An air force official said Indonesia had 12 U.S.-made F-16 fighters, but fewer than two-thirds are fully functional.

Jakarta turned to Russia and East European countries for weapons several years ago when it was under an arms embargo by the United States.

The United States has fully restored military ties and lifted the arms embargo on Indonesia as a reward for Jakarta's cooperation with Washington's war on terrorism.

Washington cut back military ties after Indonesian troops shot demonstrators in East Timor in 1991, killing dozens, when the tiny territory was ruled by Jakarta.

Ties were severed after pro-Jakarta militias backed by elements in the military sacked East Timor in 1999 when the territory voted for independence.