Douglas Barrie/LONDON
Indonesia is to acquire 12 Sukhoi Su-30Ks from Russia as replacement Ìghter aircraft following its abortive attempts to procure additional Lockheed Martin F-16s from the USA.
The country is also to acquire eight Mil Mi-171M Hip helicopters, according to reports from the country. Details of the delivery schedule for the aircraft, and the associated weapons, have not been made public.
The Su-30K is an export derivative of the Su-30 long-range interceptor understood to have been developed initially to meet a Russian air-defence force requirement. Indonesia also considered the MAPOMIG MiG-29 and Dassault Mirage 2000.
The standard arms package associated with the Su-30 includes variants of the Vympel R-27 medium-range air missile, fitted with semi-active and infra-red seekers.
Russian sources, however, indicate that Vympel's R-77 (AA-12) active-radar-guided air-to-air missile (AAM) may also be offered. This would require modifications to the Su-30's N-001 radar to take full advantage of the R-77. China, India and Malaysia are also potential operators of the R-77.
The introduction of an active-radar guided AAM into the region would also see some countries approach the USA for the release of the Hughes AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile.
Sukhoi's Irkutsk production plant has already built several Su-30s. A handful of aircraft have been delivered to the air-defence force, while India has also received eight Su-30s. The machines intended for India will be modified to the Su-30MKI standard.
It is conceivable that the Indonesian aircraft will be delivered from a stock originally intended for the air-defence force.
Indonesia has welcomed the UK Government's decision to approve the controversial sale of a further 16 British Aerospace Hawk 200 light combat aircraft. The $265 million deal was concluded in 1996, and follows on from the 1992 sale of 16 tandem-seat Hawk 100 trainers and eight 200s (Flight International, 3-9 July, P9).
Source: Flight International
