REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING - Indonesia was currently finalizing initial plans to build a Sukhoi simulator by evaluating the list of countries, which may be involved in the project, Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin noted.

"Currently, we are looking at countries, which can be involved in the development of the Sukhoi simulator for the Sukhoi pilots of the Indonesian Air Force. We will study the compatibility of specifications offered by the applicant countries. Then it will be decided if their specifications are in accordance with those set by the Indonesian Air Force," the Indonesian deputy defense minister stated on Tuesday.

Several countries such as Russia and China have submitted their proposals to develop the Sukhoi simulator both as producers and users of Sukhoi jet fighters. Of the eleven countries that have submitted a proposal, China, Canada, and Slovakia have met the technical specifications set by the Indonesian Air Force.

To ensure the compatibility of the required technical specifications and operations, an Indonesian team is now visiting the three countries to evaluate the concerned companies.

"The team has already visited and evaluated two companies in Canada and Slovakia. It will visit China in the near future," Sjamsoeddin said.

The pilots of Indonesian Air Force's Sukhoi fleet have, so far, taken part in Sukhoi simulator exercises in China since 2007. They have upgraded their training skills from basic to combat simulations. As of now, eight Sukhoi pilots of the Indonesian Air Force have honed their skills in China.

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