Robert Go, Jakarta – Indonesia took delivery of its first two Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets yesterday as officials declared that the arms embargo by the United States and its allies would drive them to search for alternative suppliers.

The jets are part of a controversial deal, worth nearly US$200 million, inked in April. Russia will deliver two more Sukhoi jets on Sunday and two assault helicopters next month.

There was opposition to the arms purchase in Parliament. Members charged President Megawati Sukarnoputri's government with violating the purchase procedure. It bypassed the Defence Ministry and used a barter scheme, involving the Trade and Industry Ministry and state-logistics agency Bulog, to pay for the aircraft.

The Parliament has formed a special committee to look into Sukhoigate – as the scandal is locally known. Its probe is ongoing, but MPs themselves admitted the exact ramifications of the current government's actions remain unclear.

The deal with Moscow is also a clear departure from Indonesia's previous reliance on Western arms suppliers. Future purchases from Russia and other suppliers are possible, said top generals.

Political analysts said there have been increasing signs that Jakarta wants a return of the close relationship it enjoyed with Moscow during the Sukarno era.

Military chief Endriartono Sutarto told a press conference that the latest purchase was "just the beginning". He said Indonesia needed two fighter squadrons or 24 planes. "If we want a force to support our territorial integrity, there have to be more than four planes," he added. "We are seeking alternatives for getting new equipment to avoid being dictated to over something that we purchase but cannot fully use."

Reports say only 40 per cent of Indonesia's fleet of about 90 military aircraft, most of them American and British made, are operable due to shortages of weaponry and spare parts.

Last year, senior Air Force officials blamed the situation on Western governments' restrictions on military sales to Jakarta. They were imposed after alleged human rights violations by soldiers in Timor Leste, then known as East Timor, and other regions.

The US Congress has linked resumption of full military ties with Indonesia to the results of an investigation into the deaths of two Americans in Papua last year.

Britain has also protested against the use of its Hawk jets in Indonesia's ongoing campaign against separatist rebels in Aceh province.

But in the eyes of Indonesian politicians, diversifying the country's list of military-equipment suppliers makes sense, given what is perceived here as Western governments' hypocrisy when it comes to arms sales.

MP Joko Susilo, a member of the Sukhoigate committee, argued it is silly for the West to sell arms but expect buyers not to use them. He said: "This is our response to the US and other Western countries. As long as they place such embargoes, why should we buy weapons from them? They are not the only ones who can provide defence equipment. There are many other suppliers who offer good quality at good prices."