Indonesia has finally scrapped moribund plans to order 12 Sukhoi Su-30K Flanker fighters and eight Mil Mi-17-IV helicopters from Russia, following the recent appointment of a new air force chief of staff.
Negotiations with Rosvoorouzhenie have been in limbo since the start of the year as a result of the Indonesian economic crisis. Jakarta had been seeking to underwrite some 70% or more of the $600 million arms deal through counter trade using coffee, palm oil and rubber, rather than currency.
A clampdown on Indonesian spending ordered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the rise to power of President Bacharuddin Habibie in May, a known critic of the proposed Su-27 purchase, effectively killed any prospects of the deal going ahead. "Its now official," says a local defence observer following reported comments by air force chief Maj Geb Hanafi Asana.
Indonesia turned to Russia after abandoning a planned purchase of a further nine embargoed Pakistan Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs in the face of US Congressional opposition. The air force is now left with 11 surviving Block 15 F-16A/Bs, 12 Northrop Grumman F-5E/Fs and 40 recently delivered British Aerospace Hawk 100/200s.
Source: Flight International
