HASANUDDIN AIRBASE GETS TWO NEW SUKHOI FIGHTER PLANES

Makassar, S Sulawesi, Dec 26 (ANTARA) - Two of six Russian-made Sukhoi fighter planes ordered by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) arrived at the Sultan Hassanuddin airbase here on Friday.

The two Sukhoi SU-30MK2s were part of six Sukhoi aircraft bought by Indonesia using export credits, the project manager of the TNI AU's Sukhoi procurement, Col Mahandono, said.
The other Sukhoi SU-30MK2 would arrive at the airbase early in January 2009 and three Sukhoi SU-27SKMs would be delivered in stages until 2010, he said.
"As such, by 2010 we will have 10 Sukhoi aircraft to strengthen the squadron of the TNI AU's fighter planes," he said.
The Russian Sukhoi company announced last year the sale of six fighting aircraft to Indonesia worth US$355 million. The six Sukhoi aircraft consists of three Sukhoi SU-30MK2s and three Sukhoi SU-27SKMs.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the procurement of the six Sukhoi planes was signed during the Moscow aerospace exhibition in August 2007.
The TNI AU now has four Sukhoi aircraft bought in September 2003.
The Sukhoi jet fighters will replace A-4 Skyhawk planes of Squadron 11 at the Hasanuddin airbase in Makassar, South Sulawesi.