The Indonesian government is seeking to acquire advanced 4.5 generation Dassault Rafale and Boeing F-15EX Eagle II aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force, officially excluding the Sukhoi Su-35 of the jet tender.
Chief of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo confirmed on Dec. 22 that the government has abandoned its plans to acquire the Russian combat aircraft Su-35, primarily because of its budget. The Ministry of Defence is looking to acquire more aircraft in the same budget to equip two to three fighter squadrons of the Indonesian Air Force, he added.
Regarding the F-15EX Eagle II, the Indonesian Air Chief said that he received a delegation from Boeing and that has informed that if Jakarta signed the agreement for Eagle II, the aircraft would be delivered from 2027. Earlier, Prasetyo had hinted at Indonesian MOD’s intention was to induct 36 Dassault Rafale and 8 F-15EX in Air Force from 2024.
Even though the Indonesian air chief did not provide details on why the Russian deal fell through, analysts believe the main reason behind the decision could be the disputes with Russia over counter-trade terms and concerns. It is anticipated that if Jakarta acquires Su-35 from Russia, the United States can impose sanctions on the country under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Negotiations on the SU-35 deal have already been stalled. Indonesia in February 2018 signed a provisional deal with Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport to acquire 11 Su-35s for USD1.14 billion. But An Indonesian official told the media in May 2020 that country had dropped the deal after CAATSA became law in July 2017.
Market data forecasts suggest that the TNI-AU is now seeking to acquire new fighter aircraft to replace the retired Northrop F-5E Tiger II combat aircraft and the aging BAE Systems Hawk MK109/209 Strike aircraft for an estimated total requirement of 72 aircraft.