Russia and Indonesia sign $54 million arms deal

[News_Editor]

Russia and Indonesia sign $54 million arms deal

2010-11-11 00:24:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Russia and Indonesia on Wednesday signed a $54 million deal for the delivery of munitions for Sukhoi-family fighters to Indonesia, Russian media reported.

The deal was agreed during the first day of the Indo Defense 2010 Expo & Forum in Jakarta. The arms show is hosting over 400 exhibitors from 38 countries from November 10 to 13. Russia is represented by nine defense companies that are exhibiting various types of sophisticated weaponry.

"Russia's arms exporter Rosoboronexport signed a contract on the delivery of munitions for Sukhoi-family fighters in service with the Indonesian armed forces," said Mikhail Pukhov, deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.

In 2007, Russia signed a $300 million contract on the delivery of three Su-30Mk2 and three Su-27SKM fighters to Indonesia. Previously, the Asian nation purchased two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK fighters from Russia in 2003.

Sixty years ago, Indonesia and Russia established diplomatic relations and ten years later, the two countries signed agreements that set the basis for the development of full-fledged military technical cooperation. Such cooperation flourished in 1960-1962 as the then Soviet Union (URSS) supplied destroyers, ASW ships, submarines, auxiliary vessels, long-range bombers, fighters, helicopters, artillery systems and armored vehicles.

By the end of the 1960’s the military technical cooperation decreased and was restored in 1999 when Indonesia became one of Russia’s main weapons buyers after the United States tightened an embargo on arm sales over alleged human rights violations.

Rosoboronexport is the sole enterprise in Russia authorized to export the whole range of defense and dual-use products, technologies and services. Rosoboronexport is presenting the advanced aircraft Yak-130, a two-seater combat trainer selected by the Russian Air Force as a main vehicle for pilot training.

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