Russia Plans to Offer Advanced Su-35 Fighters for Indonesia Tender

Russia has announced plans to compete for an Indonesian Air Force contract to purchase fighter planes; it hopes to export Su-35 jets.

Russian-made Su-35 fighters are due to compete for a forthcoming tender; the Indonesian Air Force is considering purchasing these multi-role aircraft to replace its aging fleet of US-made jets, according to Sergey Kornev, a spokesman for Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

He made the statement during the 2015 Le Bourget Airshow, which is currently underway near Paris, France.

"We are waiting for the tender, and we are going to participate in it", he said, stressing the necessity of developing the export potential of the Su-35 fighters.

Representatives of Indonesia have repeatedly expressed interest in buying the Su-35s. In February, Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Agus Supriatna signaled his readiness to replace the country's outdated US F-5 fighters, which are currently in service, for the sophisticated Su-35s. Even so, purchase agreements have yet to be signed. 

Developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (part of United Aircraft Corporation), the Su-35 Flanker-E is a "4++"-generation super-maneuverable multi-role fighter. The fifth-generation technology being used during the development of this plane grants it superiority over other fighters of this class.

The Su-35 is equipped with a state-of-the-art avionics suite based on a digital information-control system, new radar with phased antenna, and new engines with increased thrust vector control.

Last year, the US magazine National Interest heaped praise on the aircraft's advanced avionics, which the magazine said "makes the Su-35 an extremely dangerous foe to any US fighter, with the exception of the stealthy Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor."