Indonesia is interested in purchasing the latest Russian multi-role Su-35 fighter; the negotiations have already been started, Interfax reports with reference to President of United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slusar.
“Indonesian partners show interest in purchasing the jet. The negotiations are at the initial stage,” Slusar told Interfax in Ho Chi Minh City. It was reported earlier that Indonesian air forces are going to replace the outdated US F-5 fighters with the state-of-the-art Russian “4++”-generation Su-35 multi-role fighters.
“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.
According to him, Su-35 jets meet all the requirements of the national air forces. “We hope that our technical specialists will have no problems connected with maintenance of these jets,” he added.
At present Indonesian air forces are operating Su-27SK and Su-30MK2 fighters. 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.
Su-35 was developed by Sukhoi design bureau (part of United Aircraft Corporation). It is a “4++”-generation super-maneuverable multi-role fighter. The fifth-generation technologies have been used during development of the fighter granting its superiority over other fighters of this class.
Su-35 is fitted with state-of-the-art avionics suite based on digital information-control system, new radar with phased antenna array with increased acquisition range and increased number of simultaneously tracked and attacked targets, new engines with increased thrust and thrust vector control.
According to experts, Su-35 outmatches its analogues operated by foreign countries in terms of aircraft performance and its equipment allows carrying out a wide range of missions. The jet outmatches all the 4 and 4+-generation European fighters like Rafale and Eurofighter 2000, upgraded US fighters like F-15, F-16 and F-18. Su-35S is also able to react against fifth-generation fighter F-22A.
Russian Ministry of Defense is the launch customer for Su-35; it signed a state contract for delivery of 48 Su-35S jets in 2009.
