REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- Two amphibious aircraft Beriev Be-200 from Russian arrived in Palembang, Wednesday (21/10), 10:55 am. The aircraft were used to extinguish land and forest fires in South Sumatra.

The aircraft landed at the cargo terminal of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Airport with 20 personnel from Russia. Commander of the air base (Danlanud) Palembang, Lieutenant Colonel Pilot MRY Fahlefie, said the aircraft landed in Palembang related to the preparation of water bombing operations in Malaka Strait.

"This amphibious aircraft will take water in the Malaka Strait, so it will be at Pangkal Pinang Airports," he said, Wednesday (21/10).

Fahlefie stated that the aircraft were placed in Pangkal Pinang, because the area was not constrained by bad visibility. The aircraft targeted to be operated until 31st October 2015.

"Unfortunately, the aircraft can only be operated during the day. It is able to fly 7 to 8 times with a transport capacity of 12,000 liters of water," he added.

Previously, water bombing aircraft from Malaysia and Australia had returned to the country on 19th October 2015. Currently, the air operation in South Sumatra were still using 11 units of helicopters and aircraft for water bombing and cloud seeding.

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