Jakarta – The Indonesian airforce is considering fighter planes from France, Sweden and Russia as possible alternatives for the US F-16 fighting Falcons that Jakarta has refused to buy, a report said Friday.

The Indonesian airforce was considering France's Mirage-2000, Sweden's JAS-39 Grippen and Russia's Sukhoi SU-30, Airforce Chief Air Marshal Sutria Tubagus was quoted by the Suara Pembaruan evening daily as saying Friday.

"We are still studying the capabilities of those airplanes, including their sparepart support," Tubagus said, adding that "we will compare them to see which is the best for us if we really intend to buy new airplanes."

He did not elaborate.

State Minister of National Development Planning Chairman Ginanjar Kartasasmita said last week that Indonesian officials, under the orders of President Suharto, are negotiating the possible purchase of Russian fighter planes and other defence equipment.

Kartasasmita said then that the purchase could include fighter planes, radars and guided missiles.

Indonesia earlier this month cancelled its planned purchase of nine US F-16 fighter planes citing "wholly unjustified criticisms" in the United States Congress against Indonesia. Jakarta, which also withdrew from the US Expanded International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, said it objected to US criticism over the country's human rights conditions, particularly in East Timor.

Indonesia annexed the former Portuguese colony of East Timor in 1976, a move never recognized by the United Nations. Since then the Indonesian military has frequently been accused of committing human rights violations in the territory.