Russian-made fighter successfully passes tests in Indonesia

[tigershark]

Russian-made fighter successfully passes tests in Indonesia
25.01.2009, 15.36


   
   

KUALA LUMPUR, January 25 (Itar-Tass) - A Su-30MK2 fighter, brought to Indonesia from Russia on January 17, has smoothly passed flying tests, the Antara news agency reported on Sunday.

According to information, received from commander of the 5th squadron, deployed at the Hasanuddin air base in Makassar (south of Sulawesi Island), Colonel Arif Mustofa, the first flights passed successfully.

Tests were made by Russian pilots Demchenko and Tarakanov in order to check all the plane’s systems whose smooth operation was confirmed during a one-hour flight.

Two Su-30MK2 fighters, brought to Indonesia from Russia On December 26, 2008, passed successfully test flights at the Hasanuddin air base back on January 6.

Three Su-MK2s is the first batch of six warplanes which were purchased by Indonesia on credit and a contract on which was concluded in August 2007 after an aerospace show, staged in Russia. Along with Su-MK2s, Russia brought to Indonesia land equipment and technology, necessary for the operation of the aircraft.

Three fighters Su-27SKM will be brought to the insular republic within this year. Specific dates of deliveries of these vehicles will be agreed upon with producers when the Indonesian Finance Ministry issues a letter of credit to the Defence Ministry, and the latter will hold talks with the Russian Rosoboronexport.

Thus, the Indonesian Air Force will have ten fighters by 2010, manufactured in Russia by Sukhoi firm enterprises. Four planes of ten had been already purchased in September 2003. The Russian fighters will replace Skyhawk A-4 planes, now stationed at the Hasanuddin air base, whose service life is already over.

Source
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=13510840&PageNum=0

[Webmaster]

Three Su-MK2s is the first batch of six warplanes which were purchased by Indonesia on credit and a contract on which was concluded in August 2007 after an aerospace show, staged in Russia.

That's what the media made us believe, but like I suspected from some more conservative statements from Rosoboronexport/Sukhoi that it was a Memorandum of Understanding, the sale wasn't concluded.

Funding was the problem, which was finally secured from the French Natixis bank on September 5, 2008, covering 85% of the $300 million deal. Then it still had be approved by the House of Representatives. So on credit yes, but not Russian credit as they make it sound. Although Russian state loan to Indonesia is in the making for additional arms purchases (incl Mi-17/Mi-35) for $1 billion, I guess that it will also cover the repayment to Natixis. Anyway, seems like Indonesia actually still hasn't got the funds to buy these things.

It was finalized on November 12, 2008.

So it is a quick delivery... Su-30MK2 production maybe wasn't suspended following the last FAV example... perhaps the 15% was good for the first. AFM's explanation for the fast deliveries is that the deal had been certain for some time. But I don't know, maybe these are reworked examples? previously destined for the PLAAF?

[F-111 C/C]

I can't think of a more drastic change from 40+ year old A-4s to Brand new Su-30MK2s! Wow!

[tigershark]

And the $50 million dollar aircraft had it's 1 hour test flight and did well.