Indonesia to buy $1b of Russian weapons
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Indonesia to buy $1b of Russian weapons*
From correspondents in Jakarta
November 18, 2006 01:44am
Article from: Agence France-Presse
INDONESIA has agreed to buy weaponry worth one billion dollars from
Russia over the next five years to beef up its military capability, said
Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono.
The five-year plan was approved by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at
a cabinet meeting on Thursday and will take effect from 2007.
"We have agreed that the main weaponry system from Russia is needed,
especially strike force" equipment for Indonesia's army, navy and air
force, Mr Sudarsono said.
Payments for the deal are to be strictly government-to-government. He
cautioned that his department would monitor for possible cost
"inflation" by Russian officials.
The plan includes the purchase of eight Sukhoi jets, two submarines and
up to four assault helicopters, in line with government efforts to build
a squadron of 10 Sukhoi jets.
Indonesia was forced to look for new arms suppliers after the US imposed
restrictions on military sales and cooperation over concerns about
rights abuses committed by the Indonesian armed forces in East Timor in
1991.
The US, eager for Indonesia's assistance in fighting terrorism, lifted
arms restrictions and resumed full military ties in November 2004.