Low Priced Sukhoi SU-35 Attracts Indonesia’s Attention

Indonesia has been eyeing  low cost Sukhoi SU-35 fighters to replace its F-5 Tigers.

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) head Yuri Slyusar told Interfax in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday, "Indonesian colleagues are interested in buying this plane. The negotiations are at their beginning".

Antara news agency had reported in February that the Indonesian Air Force wished to replace outdated US made F5  fighters with Russian  with new generation Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighters.

Quoting Air Chief Marshal Agus Supriatna the report said Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft fully meet the Indonesian Air Force demand for front line fighters. He further added that he was not expecting Indonesian technicians to have problems servicing those aircraft.

The Sukhoi Su-35 is currently in operation with the Russian and Indian Air Forces. The powerful twin-engine fighter is an advanced derivative of the original Soviet-era Su-27and is flies high, fast and carries an enormous weapons and sensor payload. Currently the aircraft  costs $65 million approximately compared to the the Eurofighter and Dassault Rafale which cost nearly three times more.

Currently, Indonesia operates two types of Sukhoi jets, the Su-27 and Su-30 MK2.