Indonesian air forces are willing to replace outdated F-5 jets (USA) with Su-35S “4++”-generation multi-role fighters, Interfax-AVN reports with reference to the Commander-in-Chief of Indonesian Air Forces, Agus Supriatna, and ANTARA news agency.
“We hope that the government will meet the needs of our air forces and purchase Su-35S fighters. We are willing to operate state-of-the-art “4++”-generation fighters,” Agus Supriatna told ANTARA. During a meeting held by the Commander-in-Chief he said that Su-35 jets meet all the requirements of the national air forces, said in the statement. He expressed hope that the government will agree to purchase a batch of Su-35 jets in order to strengthen the national security.
“We hope that our technical specialists will have no problems connected with maintenance of these jets,” he added.
At present the Command of the Indinesian air forces is considering several jets that may replace F-5: Su-35 (Russia), Eurofighter Typhoon (EU), SAAB JAS-39 Gripen (Sweden) and F-16 Block 52+ (USA).
Indonesian air forces also operate Su-27SK and Su-30MK2 fighters. It was reported earlier that Indonesian Ministry of Defense and Rosoboronexport signed a contract worth $470 million for purchase of six Su-30MK2 multi-role fighters in December 2011.
Under this contract the first two jets were delivered to Indonesia in February 2013. Two more Su-30MK2 fighters were delivered to the country in May 2013. The final batch comprising two Su-30MK2 multi-role fighters were delivered from Russia to the Sultan Hasanuddin air base located on the Sulawesi Island (Indonesia) in September 2013. Thus the contract was implemented.
The jets are operated by 11th squadron of Indonesian air forces; its fleet comprises 5 single-seat Su-27SKM and 11 two-seat Su-30МК2. Earlier in 2003 - 2010 Indonesia purchased five Su-27SK and five Su-30MK2 jets.
Su-35, Su-27SK and Su-30MK2 fighters are manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur aviation plant (part of Sukhoi Holding Company and United Aircraft Corporation).
