Indonesia to deploy Sukhoi fighters in Exercise Pitch Black

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is sending its four front-line Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets for a multinational air defence exercise, code named Pitch Black 2012 (PB12).
The excercise is scheduled to start later this month in Northern Territory of Australia.
Indonesian Defence Ministry spokesman, brigadier general Hartind Asrin, was quoted by Jakarta Globe as saying that the training marks a latest development in a series of defence exercises between the two countries.
''This is a new era and we have never had such good relations with the Australian military,'' Asrin added.
TNI-AU spokesman colonel Agung Sasongko Jati told Sydney Morning Herald that the jets are being sent to Australia, with the aim of training its pilots in flying the aircraft, prior to deployment in the joint exercise.
The Indonesian SU-30 fighters' participation is considered a step forward in improving the bilateral relations between the two countries, following past disagreements on the East Timor region.

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