October 30, 2025 | 08:49 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Russia has confirmed that the contract for the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets by Indonesia has not been canceled. The Moscow government stated that the $1.14 billion agreement for 11 fighter jets is still awaiting an official decision from Jakarta.
"The situation remains the same. This agreement has not been canceled. It's still pending," said the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei G. Tolchenov, at a press conference in the Kuningan area, Jakarta, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Tolchenov added that Russia is still awaiting further steps from the Indonesian government to continue negotiations.
Previously, the contract for the purchase of the Sukhoi Su-35 was signed in February 2018. However, its implementation has been delayed while Indonesia considers the risk of U.S. sanctions for purchasing military equipment from Russia. In 2021, the Indonesian Air Force announced that it had shifted the procurement of fighter aircraft to the Rafale from France and the F-15EX from the U.S.
Defense Spending in the Prabowo Era
The statement from Russia comes amid President Prabowo Subianto's efforts to strengthen the Indonesian Air Force. In his first year in office, Indonesia signed a contract to purchase 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey, with a reported value of around $10 billion. These fifth-generation aircraft are still in the development phase and scheduled to undergo their first test flight in April 2026. The agreement also includes the opportunity for component production in Indonesia.
Additionally, Jakarta has ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from the French company, Dassault Aviation. The first three units will be delivered in February 2026, followed by the second phase of delivery in April of the same year. The rest will arrive gradually in the coming years.
Chinese Fighter Jets Added to the List
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin hinted that Indonesia will soon acquire Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China. "In a moment, the (J-10 C) will be flying in Jakarta," he said when met at the Ministry of Defense office in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. He did not specify the number of units or the arrival time of the aircraft.
Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan previously mentioned that the government is considering the use of J-10 within the national defense system. According to him, Indonesia, as a non-aligned country, is open to cooperation with various nations.
The Ministry of Finance has allocated a budget of $9 billion (around Rp 148 trillion) for the purchase of defense equipment. "I am still double-checking whether the imports will be next year or when," said Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.
The Chengdu J-10 is a fighter jet claimed to be on par with the F-16 Fighting Falcon made by Lockheed Martin. In addition to China, this jet is also used by the Pakistani Air Force.
Dani Aswara contributed to the writing of this article
Editor's Choice: Defense Minister Says Indonesia Has Yet to Confirm Chengdu J-10 Fighter Jet Purchase
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