Indonesia is buying eight Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. However, both the countries are still negotiating the terms of procurement and are yet to sign a deal.
Indonesia wants to acquire Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) multirole combat aircraft, which is a twin-engine, highly manoeuvrable multirole superiority fighter.
Though Jakarta is pressing Moscow over terms of price, technology transfer and localised production, Russia wants Indonesia to buy more to that to happen, IHS Jane's Defence Weekly reported.
Indonesian Air Force (TNI–AU) is replacing TNI-AU's Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighters with Su-35. Russia might provide Indonesia with long-term loans to aid it in buying the jets, like it did earlier.
But why does Indonesia need this expensive aircraft? Whom does it have to fear?
Indonesia has been critical of China's claim in the South China Sea, especially near the waters surrounding the Natuna Islands. The Natuna Islands belong to Indonesia and are rich in resources.
China had previously included it in its territorial map and treats it as part of its exclusive economic zone.
Indonesia has 15 Embraer EMB 314 for light attack, counter insurgency roles, 6 Northrop F-5E in the light fighting role, 16 F-16A/C in multirole, 15 Hawk for light multirole, 16 Sukhoi Su-30 for air superiority and the interception.
It is also interesting to note that the only other country to buy Su-35 is China, which has ordered 24 fighters.
