Jakarta and Moscow agree on sale of 11 fighter jets

The two countries agree on trading palm oil, coffee and tea for Russian fighter jets. Forced by international sanctions, Russia seeks new markets, whilst Indonesia wants to develop the bilateral partnership in tourism, education, energy, technology and aviation.

Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Indonesian government has signed an agreement to buy 11 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter planes (pictured) from Russia.

The contract, signed by both countries' representatives in Jakarta last week (14 February), is worth a total US.14 billion, Indonesia defence ministry spokesman Totok Sugiharto said.

"Two units of Sukhoi jets will be delivered in August 2018," he told the media. Another six will be delivered 18 months after the contract comes into effect, and the final three a further five months later.

The deal involving Russian-made jets for the Indonesia Air Force comes after two years of protracted negotiations, which Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu announced on 26 July 2017.

A few days after the minister's statement, Indonesian state trading company PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia and Russian state conglomerate Rostec signed a preliminary deal to trade the planes for commodities like palm oil and coffee.

Indonesia’s Trade Ministry added that it wanted to capitalise on international sanctions against Russia over its annexation of the Crimea.

In fact, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that sanctions could be good news for his country, since they were forcing Russia to look for new markets.

Indonesia, which had a US$ 411 million trade surplus with Russia in 2016, wants to expand its partnership in a number of sectors, including tourism, education, energy, technology and aviation.

• indonesia
• russia
• trade
• sukhoi su-35
• jets
• sanctions
• palm oil
• coffee
• tea