Two Russian jet fighters arrive in Indonesia
JAKARTA (Agencies): Two Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters purchased by the government via a controversial countertrade deal arrived at Iswahyudi air base in Madiun, East Java on Wednesday.
On hand to receive the fighters was Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Chappy Hakim.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri concluded the purchase of four Sukhoi jet fighters and two Mi-35 assault helicopters worth US$192.6 million in a countertrade deal in April.
The Sukhoi deal, however, turned into a controversy for Megawati when politicians and members of the House of Representatives raised questions about the transparency of the purchase, saying the deal had violated the current state budget guidelines.
The House has set up a working committee to investigate the case.
The presence of the Sukhoi is likely to reduce the country's dependence on the United States and its allies, which had imposed a military embargo on Indonesia since the bloody violence in East Timor in 1999.
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