September 2 (Jane’s) The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected the Sukhoi Su-35 ‘Flanker-E’ multirole combat aircraft to replace the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI-AU’s) ageing Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighters, Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on 3 September.
Ryacudu said in comments published by state-run news agency Antara that the MoD has “agreed to buy a squadron of Su-35s” to replace the F-5Es, which entered TNI-AU service in 1980 and are expected to be withdrawn from service by the end of the decade.
The programme represents the first export order of the Su-35. The Russian Air Force has ordered 48 of the type, with deliveries commencing in December 2012.
September 3 (TASS) – Indonesia intends to sign a contract with Russia in September to purchase 16 Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) fighter jets, the Indonesian news agency ANTARA reported on Thursday.
“A decision was made to decommission US F-5 Tiger fighter jets and purchase Russian aircraft instead of them,” the agency quoted Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu as saying.
“The purchase will be made gradually, depending on the financial possibilities of the country’s government,” he said.
Therefore, “the Indonesian Air Force will operate aircraft made by China, Russia and the United States,” he added.