Indonesia's Prabowo Invites Russian Military Delegation to Indo-Defense 2024 Show

Indonesian President-Elect and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto invited Russia to send a military delegation to the Indo-defence exhibition to be held this November.

After meeting with Russian President Putin in the Kremlin yesterday, Prabowo noted, "I would like to invite the Russian delegation to our defense conference and defense exhibition in November 2024." The minister added, “We consider Russia as a great friend.”

Prabowo expressed his intent to continue a partnership in defense and nuclear energy.

Russian defence companies are barred from exhibiting in several defense exhibitions in Europe and Asia due to the West's sanctions and arm-twisting of countries trying to buy arms from Russia.

Indonesia had signed up to buy some 10 Su-35 fighter jets but the deal had to be abandoned due to the threat of secondary sanctions by America. Indonesia has since signed a MoU with Boeing to buy the F-15 but has kept alive with plans to buy advanced Russian jets.

The Indonesian ambassador to Moscow said in a recent statement that the Su-35 deal had not been abandoned but could be revived if the political situation becomes conducive to such a deal.

Indonesia is also a candidate for upgrading its Su-30 fighter jets. Russia has recently developed an improved version of the Su-30 called Su-30SM2 with upgraded engine, radar and avionics which provides Su-35-like performance at a lesser price.

Indonesia may also become the second country to buy the Russo-Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, after the Philippines, in a deal worth at least $200 million.