Indonesia has agreed to buy 10 Russian - made fighter jets of the Sukhoi Su-35 model, according to the Indonesian press. The General Ryamizard announced in September 2015 that the decision to buy the Russian jets had been firm. "The decision was made to cancel a possible purchase of F-5 Tiger fighters and buy Russian airplanes that perform better in flight," he said general. The Indonesian news agency, ANTARA, quoted a speech of defense minister, "The purchase will be made gradually, according to the government's financial possibilities of our country."
Indonesian Defense Minister General Ryamizard Ryacudu, will visit Moscow in March to sign the final agreement, and in April to set delivery parameters. The agreement between the countries includes, in addition to 10 high-performance aircraft, pilot training and knowledge transfer through a military exchange program. Since September 2015 is being defined as technology transfer, since there is a law in the Indonesian establishing at least 35% of technology transfer to the defense agreement.
The Indonesian Air Force currently operates 12 F-16A aircraft / B, six F-5E / F, 5 Su-27 and 11 Su-30, along with 15 Hawk 209 for pilot training. The purchase of more aircraft of Russia is an Indonesian alternative way to escape the US embargo, which has recently limited the supply of parts for maintenance of their fighters, it is expected that the SU-35 from the place of the F-5E / F In the next years.
