RI AIR FORCE TO BUY WARPLANES FROM BRAZIL

Yogyakarta, Jan. 23 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) would buy 'Super Volcano' warplanes from Brazil this year to replace OV-1s, Air Force Chief Vice Marshal Imam Sufaat said here Saturday.

"We plan to buy 16 'Super Volcano' planes or a squadron. We have submitted the budget to the government for the warplanes' purchase, hopefully it will be approved," Sufaat said at the Air Force Academy (AAU) here on Saturday.

The plan was part of the Air Force's efforts to rejuvenate its weaponry especially its war planes and to enforce the country's Air Force strength, he said.

In addition to Brazil-made planes, TNI AU is expected to receive three Sukhoi jet fighters from Russia.

"Hopefully the three Sukhoi jets will arrive before October 2010. With the additional three Sukhois, TNI AU will have a total of 10 Sukhoi jets," he said.

TNI AU has submitted a total budget to buy 16 Sukhois or one squadron. However, its realization took time and needed funds, he said.

"The procurement of Sukhois need a big amount of funds because they are expensive. However, we hope that the government could realize the procurement in order to strengthen the Air Force," he said.

He also said that TNI AU has had a road map of zero accident to prevent plane accidents in the future. However, he added, the most important thing that all Air Force personnel should apply 'safety first culture'.

In line with the instruction of the Indonesian Defense Force headquarters, TNI AU has also intensified patrol in border areas, according to him.

Russia`s Sukhoi aircraft making company on August 21, 2007 announced the sale of six Sukhoi jetfighters consisting of three Sukhoi SU-30MK2 and three SU-27SKM to Indonesia worth USD300 million.