TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said that President Joko Widodo has agreed on the purchase of Russian fighter jet, Sukhoi SU-35. The purchase, however, will be carried out in several phases. “We have to confirm the price; final decision will be made during my working visit to Moscow, Russia. It will be clear [by then],” Ryamizard said at Defense Ministry Media Center, Central Jakarta, Friday, March 4, 2016.

Regarding the quantity of the purchase, Ryamizard said that the previous plan is unchanged. “The government will only buy 8 to 10 units of Sukhoi SU-35 first. We will prioritize the maintenance of the existing assets,” he said.

The number will be sufficient for now, acknowledging that the requirement of one squadron of the National Air Force is between 14-16 units of aircraft. SU-35 will replace the obsolete F-5 Tiger interceptors. “It [F-5 Tiger] has been used for 30 years. Pilots have been hesitant to fly [with it], ‘will it crash?’” Ryamizard joked.

The minister will visit Moscow, Russia, at the end of the month. He will be a speaker in an event and sign purchase contract with Sukhoi SU-35 manufacturer.

A number of defense artillery websites cited that the price of one unit of Sukhoi SU-35 is around US$50-70 million, or around Rp680 billion to Rp952 billion with exchange rate of Rp13,600 per US dollar. Sukhoi SU-35 is an advanced anti-radar fighter jet from Russia.

YOHANES PASKALIS