Government Sets up Team to Study Planned Procurement of Sukhoi

Jakarta, MINA — The Indonesian government has agreed to set up a team to study the planned procurement of 11 Russian-made Sukhoi SU-35 planes and the subsequent process of developing Korean Fighter Xperiment/Indonesian Fighter Xperiment (KFX-IFX), Antara News reported.

“I have just set up a small team to discuss technically (the planned procurement) in details. Hopefully, the team will be able to conduct studies to produce a systematic plan,” Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said after holding a coordination meeting to discuss the planned procurement of SU-35s and the program of developing KFX/IFX jet fighters in Jakarta on Friday,

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Also present at the meeting were Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Vice Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Wieko Syofyan and the Inspector General of the National Defense Forces (TNI) Lt. Gen. Muhammad Herindra.

Wiranto made it clear that the team will study the planned procurement from all aspects, including the types of the planes, equipment and engines. It will also study the budget needs and technological transfer.

“Buying the military`s armament system is not as easy as buying other goods. There are a lot of side things that must be reviewed in details,” he said.

He said he wanted the National Defense Forces (TNI) to upgrade its equipment all the time. However, it is not easy to do so because it relies on the state budget.

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The realization of cooperation to develop KFX/IFX ran slowly not because of pressure from the legislative body to get these aspirations fulfilled. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)