Indonesia is interested in purchasing Russian Su-35 fighters, a corresponding tender will be issued soon and all the matters related to it must be solved by the end of 2016, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the Ambassador of Indonesia to Russia Djauhari Oratmangun.

“The interest was confirmed on the highest level and funds for purchase of the fighters have already been allocated in 2015-2016 budget. The number of vehicles to be purchased will depend on results of the tender and the winner of this competition,” Djauhari Oratmangun said.

According to him, the most important thing for Indonesia is the fact that “Su-35 is the latest model fitted with state-of-the-art equipment”. “As far as I know, the tender has not been issued yet, because a tender for purchase of strategically important products is being carried out using a special procedure; a thorough analysis of all the documents is required. Of course the procedure differs from the one used for purchasing other products. I hope it will be issued soon,” the ambassador said.

According to him, decisions related to purchase of aircraft by Indonesia must be taken and implemented by the end of 2016. “I am confident that the matter will be resolved by the end of the next year, because the funds allocated in the budget must be used, otherwise, there will be certain difficulties within the government,” he said. “The only problem I see is the appreciation of dollar against not only ruble, but also Indonesian rupee; the national budget is formed in the national currency,” he explained.