Indonesia Tests Own Bombs for Sukhoi Fighter

Sukhoi fighter jets from the Indonesian Air Force have successfully tested two types of bombs developed and built by domestic manufacturers, Indonesia’s Tribunnews said on Friday, according to RIA Novosti. 


At least three Su-family fighter jets from the 11th Air Squadron at the Hasanuddin Air Force Base in Makassar, South Sulawesi, were used to test BTN-250 and BLA P-50 bombs produced by the Army's Industrial Center (PINDAD), the newspaper said citing an Air Force statement. 


“The tests were aimed at assessing the bombs' explosive power and their accuracy in destroying the targets,” the statement said. 

“It is expected that we can supply bombs and armaments for the Sukhoi fighter jets in our fleet without having to be dependant on foreign suppliers,” the document said. 


Russia recently completed a $300-million contract signed in 2007 on the delivery of three Su-30MK2 and three Su-27SKM fighters to Jakarta in addition to two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK fighters purchased in 2003. 

Deliveries of another six Su-30MK2 jet fighters for the Indonesian Air Force under a new $470-million contract with Russia are expected to start in 2013. 


Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said in October 2010 that his country needed a full-size squadron of 16 Su-family fighters. The Su-30MK2s are optimized as naval strike fighters.

Jakarta became one of Russia's main arms buyers in 1999 when the United States tightened an embargo on arms sales to the country over alleged human rights violations.