Indonesian Air Force Sukhoi Fighter Order

21/03/2013 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

The Indonesian Air Force is getting at least 12 more Russian-built Sukhoi combat jets, it's emerged.

The acquisition represents an apparent u-turn on a statement made last August, in which Indonesian defence officials said no more Sukhoi fighters would be acquired. However, as was confirmed today, at least 12 Su-27 air superiority fighters, Su-30 multirole fighters or a mixture of both have been ordered, as part of Indonesia's wider plan to upgrade its armed forces.

In particular, Indonesia - the largest economy in Southeast Asia - wants to look after its maritime boundaries, ports and shipping lanes and, since 2010, it's been in the position of having to increase its defence spending or face getting left behind by China, Singapore and other nations.

Indonesian Sukhoi Fighter Order

The new Indonesian Sukhoi fighter order comprises 12 aircraft, according to one official, while another has put forward another figure - 16 - along with 17 new patrol vessels and an unknown number of missiles and tanks.

The Indonesian Air Force currently has five Su-27s and five Su-30s in service. These are all export variants, specifically Su-27SKs, Su-27SKMs, Su-30MKs and Su-30MK2 versions. Recent sorties for the Indonesian Air Force have included 2012's Exercise Pitch Black, during which its Su-30MKs flew alongside Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG Strike Eagles and Royal Thai Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Indonesian Air Force Sukhois

Besides Sukhois, the Indonesian Air Force is also equipped with F-16 Fighting Falcons. Previously, it was said that, with more F-16s on the way, they'd be no follow-on Su-27 or Su-30 deliveries.

"We are waiting for 24 F-16s from the USA", Indonesian Defence Ministry Secretary General, Air Marshal Eris Herryanto, told Flight last year. "With those, we will have enough aircraft in our fighter inventory for the next 20 years. And that means we have enough Sukhoi fighters for now. Indonesia has also invested in South Korea's K-FX program, which will produce fighters to replace aircraft like the F-5s and F-16s.

"We aim to buy enough K-FX fighters for three squadrons of 16-22 aircraft each. That will cover our long-term requirements."