Indonesia to buy $1b of Russian weapons
INDONESIA has agreed to buy weaponry worth one billion dollars from Russia over the next five years to beef up its military capability, said Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono.
The five-year plan was approved by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at a cabinet meeting on Thursday and will take effect from 2007.
"We have agreed that the main weaponry system from Russia is needed, especially strike force" equipment for Indonesia's army, navy and air force, Mr Sudarsono said.
Payments for the deal are to be strictly government-to-government. He cautioned that his department would monitor for possible cost "inflation" by Russian officials.
The plan includes the purchase of eight Sukhoi jets, two submarines and up to four assault helicopters, in line with government efforts to build a squadron of 10 Sukhoi jets.
Indonesia was forced to look for new arms suppliers after the US imposed restrictions on military sales and cooperation over concerns about rights abuses committed by the Indonesian armed forces in East Timor in 1991.
The US, eager for Indonesia's assistance in fighting terrorism, lifted arms restrictions and resumed full military ties in November 2004.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...005961,00.html
INDONESIA has agreed to buy weaponry worth one billion dollars from Russia over the next five years to beef up its military capability, said Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono.
The five-year plan was approved by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at a cabinet meeting on Thursday and will take effect from 2007.
"We have agreed that the main weaponry system from Russia is needed, especially strike force" equipment for Indonesia's army, navy and air force, Mr Sudarsono said.
Payments for the deal are to be strictly government-to-government. He cautioned that his department would monitor for possible cost "inflation" by Russian officials.
The plan includes the purchase of eight Sukhoi jets, two submarines and up to four assault helicopters, in line with government efforts to build a squadron of 10 Sukhoi jets.
Indonesia was forced to look for new arms suppliers after the US imposed restrictions on military sales and cooperation over concerns about rights abuses committed by the Indonesian armed forces in East Timor in 1991.
The US, eager for Indonesia's assistance in fighting terrorism, lifted arms restrictions and resumed full military ties in November 2004.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...005961,00.html
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