The Indonesian Air Force (Tentera Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU) will buy four Russian Beriev BE-200 aircraft for its armed forces and for cloud seeding to extinguish forest or land fires.
This was publicly stated Chief of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Agus Supriatna after meeting with Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla at October 30, 2015.
He noted that the Beriev BE-200 aircraft is ideal for conducting water bombing operations in areas affected by fires. With additional Beriev aircraft being deployed to conduct cloud seeding operations, we would also be able to complete the operations quickly, he added.
The twin jet powered Be-200 can scoop up to 3,300 gallons of water and cruise at 348 mph at 26,000 feet. It has a ferry range of 2,051 miles with a one-hour reserve.