Indonesia to purchase more Sukhois

Why has the Mig-29SMT had no success on the export market? How much does it cost compared to a Sukhoi-27? I suppose the price difference is not enough to justify the performance difference?
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Date Posted: 07-Jan-2004

JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – JANUARY 14, 2004

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Indonesia seeks more Sukhois
HENRY IVANOV JDW Correspondent
Moscow

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking to acquire six Sukhoi Su-27SK and two Su-30MKK fighters from Russia this year, pending funding approval.

These, together with the two Su-27SK single-seat air-defence and two Su-30MKK two-seat multirole fighters delivered in September 2003, would form a full-strength squadron. Further procurement – bringing the inventory to around 24-32 aircraft, allowing the formation of a second Su-27 squadron – is planned.

The initial deal, through Russia’s Rosoboronexport armament export organisation, is worth $192 million and includes two Mil Mi-35M attack helicopters. So far, eight Indonesian pilots and 18 ground crew have trained at the Sukhoi flight-test base in Zhukovsky near Moscow.

Indonesia’s acquisition plans are made difficult due to the shortage of hard currency. All recent weapons contracts with Russia were paid in a large part by Indonesian goods, such as palm oil and natural resin.

While confirming that Indonesia has officially applied for extra fighters, Sukhoi officials are pessimistic about the prospect of future sales unless Indonesia agrees to decrease the element of barter. “We are happy with Indonesia willing to become our dedicated customer but we do need cash to build aircraft,” a Sukhoi official told JDW.

The official also said that assembly of the fighters in Indonesia, although desired by the customer, is unlikely to be approved by Russia because of the relatively low number of aircraft involved. However, it is expected that the two parties will approve licence-production of spare parts for the Su-27/-30 family by Indonesian industry.

Sukhoi is negotiating with Indonesian and Malaysian companies to set up a joint venture on assembly of its civil designs, notably the Be-103 twin-piston amphibian and Su-80 utility aircraft that may have a military application.

The Indonesian MoD is requesting the government provide extra funding for acquisition of weapons from Russia. It says that only one-third of the US- and UK-built aircraft in service with the air force are airworthy. Such low-readiness is attributed to a lack of spares.

Indonesia is also looking to acquire from Rosoboronexport additional Mil Mi-17-1V helicopters, Igla shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles and Metis anti-tank missiles.

The modernisation of older Soviet weapons in the inventory of the Indonesian army and navy is also desired, such as an upgrade to the PT-76 amphibious light tank.