Another Sukhoi fighter jet arrives
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 09/16/2010 10:07 PM
A Sukhoi Su-27SKM2 arrived in Makassar airbase on Thursday evening to complete Indonesia’s purchase of 10 Russian-made fighter jets since 2003.
Sultan Hasanuddin airbase commander Commodore Agus Supriatna said the new fighter jet would strengthen the Squadron 11, which is based in Makassar.
An Antonov 124-100 cargo plane carrying the Sukhoi landed at 8:10 p.m. local time after a flight from Russia, Antara news agency reported. The jet will be assembled and undergo a series of tests before it can fully operate.
Arriving with the fighter jet were three Sukhoi warranty technicians, who will replace their three colleagues who died over the weekend due to ethanol poisoning.
The Sukhoi fleet is being prepared for a performance during the 65th anniversary of Indonesian Military on Oct. 5.
Indonesia purchased two Sukhoi Su-27s and two Sukhoi Su-30s in 2003 as it desperately sought new suppliers of war machines following an arms embargo imposed by the United States in 1999. In 2007 Indonesia bought another six Sukhois, which were delivered in stages between 2008 and 2010.
