Russia presented samples of aviation and other equipment at an exhibition in Jakarta.
Russia traditionally participates in the Indo Defense Expo & Forum defense exhibition in Indonesia. This state has long-standing traditions of military-technical cooperation. What new Russian weapons were presented by Rosoboronexport and what are the prospects for resuming negotiations between Moscow and Jakarta on the supply of Russian aircraft to Indonesia?
What kind of equipment can Indonesia buy from Russia
As part of the Indo Defense Expo & Forum 2025 military exhibition, which ends on June 14, Russia is offering to return to the supply of Su-35 multirole fighters. For the modern Air Forces of the countries of Southeast Asia, this machine is an absolutely relevant multi-mode fighter that can perform the tasks of gaining air superiority, patrolling long sea and land spaces, as well as striking at ground and surface targets.
The X-31 aircraft missile on the suspension armament of the Su-35 multirole fighter
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
The Su-35 can carry a wide range of precision-guided missiles and bombs. Including those who have been tested by a special military operation. The aircraft is capable of taking on board any air–to-air missiles, including the ultra-long-range R-37M, as well as all means available for front-line aviation to destroy ground or surface targets.
In conditions of naval combat, the Su-35 can carry anti-ship missiles such as the X-31, X-35U and X-59M with different guidance systems. The combat range of the Su-35 combination and the anti-ship missile can be up to 1,500 km. And, of course, the aircraft can be adapted to the requirements of the Indonesian Air Force, taking into account the specifics of the local climate, as well as any other specifics.
But that's not all. The Russian offer includes an option to supply the most modern Russian fifth-generation fighter, the Su-57. These aircraft will be exported in 2025. Algeria became the first buyer.
A Russian Su-57 fighter jet at the XV International Aerospace Technology Exhibition Aero India 2025 at the Indian Air Force Elahanka Airbase
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Nina Padalko
The Russian delegation held negotiations on supplies within the framework of the Indo Defense Expo military-technical forum. Of course, the demonstration of Russian models at such a large forum is intended not only for Indonesia, but also for all other countries in the region that are interested in modern aircraft and military equipment.
Moscow is ready to help Indonesia in the rearmament of the army and air force. Future cooperation may include the modernization of the current fleet of Su-27 and Su-30 of the country's Air Force, as well as potential new deliveries of combat aircraft.
Russia is ready to offer Indonesia submarines, ships, fighter jets and air defense systems, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev said earlier.
In particular, the Kh-31PD and Kh-35UE guided missiles, Il-78MK-90A tankers, Ka-52E and Mi-17 helicopters, and UAVs. It also offers a light floating tank "Octopus" and BMP-3F, submarines and ships of the coastal zone, the latest air defense systems.: The S-400 Triumph and S-350E Vityaz air defense systems, Pantsir-S1M air defense systems, Verba MANPADS and anti-drone weapons.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Timkiv
Image source: iz.ru
Among the samples presented are the Project 636 submarine, Bastion coastal missile systems with Yakhont and Rubezh—ME anti-ship cruise missiles. A patrol ship of project 22160 and a small patrol ship of project 20382 "Tiger" are proposed for operation in the coastal zone.
The history of military cooperation between Russia and Indonesia
The history of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Indonesia dates back to the 1950s, when the USSR provided military assistance to the government of the young leader Sukarno. Under Nikita Khrushchev, the Pacific state received ships, submarines, and Tu-16KS missile bombers with KS-1 cruise missiles. In the summer of 1961, for the first time, aircraft of this class were supplied by the Soviet Union to a developing state. Two squadrons of missile carriers prevented the escalation of the 1962 international crisis around Indonesia into a hot war.
Following the Tu-16 in 1962, Indonesia received two squadrons of MiG-21F-13 fighters with combat training MiG-21U. But then, in the mid-1960s, relations between the USSR and Indonesia deteriorated, and by the early 1970s, Soviet aircraft were decommissioned. Some of the machines were even sold by Indonesia to the United States for study and testing. A period of cooling in relations between our countries followed, which lasted until the 1990s, when modern Russia began supplying arms and military equipment to Indonesia again.
Su-27 multirole fighter
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Nevar
In the late 1990s, Indonesia became interested in supplying Su-27 fighter jets. Being one of the best in their class, the super-maneuverable machines had outstanding combat capabilities and a long range. Given that Indonesia stretches about 5,000 km from west to east, the capabilities of the Soviet long-range fighter turned out to be an extremely important advantage.
In 2003, the first two Su-27SK fighters were delivered to the country, an export version of the Su-27 produced in the 1990s. The planes were armed with short-range (R-73) and long-range (R-27) air combat missiles. For the Indonesian Air Force of that time, these were the most modern fighters.
There were more deliveries of the Su-27SK, but almost at the same time Indonesia received two Su-30MK and nine Su-30MK2. This is an even more advanced multi-purpose technique that can be used equally successfully in aerial combat and to defeat targets on the ground. All delivered Sus are still successfully operated by the Indonesian Air Force. Although they are adjacent to the American F-16 and other Western models supplied in the 2010s as part of the "multinational" Indonesian Air Force.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Anna Selina
Image source: iz.ru
In 2018, an agreement was signed for the supply of 11 Su-35 fighters, estimated at $1.14 billion. Russian 4++ generation fighters were planned to replace the outdated F-5E/F. The delivery of aircraft was repeatedly postponed due to US sanctions pressure, and as a result, Indonesia cancelled the deal in 2020 under external pressure. A similar story happened with the delivery of the Su-35 to Egypt — for this country, the aircraft were produced and stored for a long time at the aircraft factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, even in the appropriate camouflage paint. As a result, the delivery to Egypt also did not take place.
Dmitry Kornev
