Russia set to export Sukhoi Su-35 jets to Indonesia.

Russia is set to supply to Indonesia a batch of Su-35 multirole jets despite the pressure exerted on the country, Spokeswoman of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) Valeria Reshetnikova told TASS at MAKS-2021 airshow.

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Su-35 armed with bombs, R-77 and R-73 air-to-air missiles (Picture source: Military Watch Magazine)

"The project to deliver to Jakarta 11 multirole Su-35 fighter jets has attracted global attention since the very beginning. The Indonesian side faced major pressure after signing the contract from a number of countries. They insistently recommended to Jakarta to abandon the project. However, we are sure to say that the Russian side is set to implement the contract," she said. The contract on the delivery of 11 Su-35 to Indonesia was reported in early 2018 but has not been implemented so far.

The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defense fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant.

The type was originally developed by the Soviet Union from the Su-27 and was known as the Su-27M. It incorporated canards and a multi-function radar giving it multi-role capabilities. The first prototype made its maiden flight in June 1988. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union Sukhoi re-designated it as the Su-35 to attract export orders. Fourteen aircraft were produced and used for tests and demonstrations; one example had thrust-vectoring engines and was, in turn, redesignated the Su-37. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was also built in the late 1990s that resembled the Su-30MK family.

In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to serve as an interim aircraft awaiting the development of the Sukhoi PAK FA (Su-57) program. Also known as the Su-35, this version has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system and features thrust-vectoring engines in place of the canards. The type made its first flight in February 2008. Although it was designed for export, the Russian Air Force became the launch customer in 2009, with the production version designated Su-35S. China's People's Liberation Army Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force have also placed orders, the latter being set to receive its first ones.