BY : Enews

Six Sukhoi fighter aircraft which Indonesia has bought from Russia are expected to arrive in the country before October 5, 2008, Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Subandrio said here Monday.

"We hope we can put the new Sukhois into service before October 5, Indonesian Defense Forces Day, so we can fly them on the day," Sobandrio said.

The new Sukhois were expected to be fully armed, unlike a number of other Sukhois which were delivered to Indonesia without weaponry previously, he said.

"With the arrival of the six new Sukhois, the Indonesia Air Froce will have a fleet of 10 Sukhoi fighter planes," he said.

The Air Force would propose the procurement of more warplanes to the government through the defense ministry, Soebandrio told reporters after leading a ceremony marking the transfer of duties from outgoing Air Force Academy chief Rear Marshal Imam Sufaat to his successor, Air Commodore BS Silaen. (Antara)