TNI AU’s
Su-27 aircraft (photo : Kaskus Militer)
In a move
that will significantly shore up bilateral military ties, India has agreed to
train and support the Indonesian Air Force in operating its fleet of Russian
Sukhoi fighter jets. It will shortly send a high-level team to work out the
details of a support package.
While India
had a similar agreement with Malaysia that also operates the fighter jets, the
decision to cooperate in training, technical help and spares support with
Indonesia has been taken during the ongoing visit of Defence Minister A K
Antony to Jakarta.
The
Indonesian Air Force currently operates both the Su 27 and Su 30 fighters and
will eventually have 16 of them in service, if more orders are not placed.
In the past,
Jakarta has had a pact with China to train its pilots and provide technical
support for the fighter fleet.
Given that
India also operates the fighters and will have one of the largest fleets in
service once all the 272 jets enter service, Jakarta has been interested in
seeking New Delhi’s assistance for technical support and training.
In his
interaction with top Indonesian officials in which the issue came up, Antony
has said that a “high-level Indian Air Force team would be sent to finalise
details of training and spares support package”. The team, Antony conveyed,
will be sent across “once the Indonesian Air Force firms up its requirements”.
While the
details will be worked out, the package is likely to involve a maintenance
contract for the aircraft to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is
producing and maintaining the Indian fleet of the fighters. In 2007, India had
embarked on a similar deal with Malaysia to train its pilots and weapon
operators on their Su 30 MKMs.
Besides the
Air Force cooperation, India and Indonesia deliberated on several issues of
mutual interest and decided to “significantly enhance their defence
cooperation”, a defence ministry spokesperson said. “The two sides exchanged
views on issues relating to regional and global security, bilateral exercises
involving Services, training, co-production of defence equipment and
ammunitions and visits at high levels,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu
Kar said.
During his
visit, Antony spoke at length on ‘power rivalries’ in the Indian Ocean Region
and said that although conducted in local theatres, their impact is felt in the
wider regional arena too.
“Our view is
that all countries should exercise restraint and resolve the issue through
dialogues according to principles of international law,” he commented on the
South China Sea dispute.
Antony is
leading a high-level delegation to Jakarta that includes Defence Secretary
Shashikant Sharma, CISC Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, C-in-C Andaman & Nicobar
Command Lt Gen NC Marwah and DG Ordnance Factory Board SK Beri.
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