Indonesia Plans to Buy Sukhoi SU-35

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian government plans to buy 11 Sukhoi SU-35 Flanker fighter jets to strengthen the countrys air defense, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said.

"We have just (discussed a plan) to buy Sukhoi and then drone. The other issue is cyber regulation," Ryacudu said after attending a limited cabinet meeting on military armament system at the Presidential Office here on Wednesday.

"We have negotiated on the purchase for two years," he stated.

Asked to comment on a plan to buy drone, he noted that the government is looking for a drone manufacturer which sells quality drone at affordable price and offers transfer of technology to help the country achieve self-reliance in defense industry.

"We will buy (drones) in small number and later develop them. Tomorrow, I will ask a drone manufacturer to come here to demonstrate its drones. As such, we will see which one is good," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Defense Facilities Board Rear Admiral Leonardi said the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) needs drones with aircraft qualifications which can detect, identify, and attack something.

He added that the government plans to buy six drones with three batteries.

"Only China can sell drones to us and the others cannot. We have explored (to buy drones) under G-to-G scheme, with their specifications from the TNI AU," he said.

President Joko Widodo remarked at the meeting earlier in the day that the government must optimize the purchase of military armaments to help the country achieve self-reliance in defense industry.

The president explained that Indonesia has received a number of offers from other countries to cooperate in developing military armament system.

Indonesia plans to buy Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO: Flanker E) to replace F-5E/F Tiger II at the TNI AUs air squadron 14. (*)