Russia Export Sukhoi SU-27, Sukhoi-30MK Aircraft And MI-35 Helicopter To Indonesia

It was the embargo instituted at the end of 1999 that would really change Indonesia’s perception of Russian
defence equipment. Shortly after this, talks started on the supply of defence equipment and in particular on
the supply of Sukhoi combat aircraft. One of the many difficulties encountered in turning these talks into action
was the fact that Indonesia had such a small defence budget, in 1999 military expenditure was only 0.9% of
the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), that same year Singapore’s military expenditure as a percentage of GDP
was 5.4%! In real terms Indonesia was spending less on defence in 1999 than it did in 1988.

Sukhoi Su-27SK

 Eventually real progress was made on the Sukhoi acquisition during the Megawati Sukarnoputri administration and in 2003 a contract was signed covering the acquisition of two Sukhoi Su-27SK and two Sukhoi Su-30MK combat aircraft and two Mi-35 attack helicopters. The value of the contract was some $195 million, of which $26 million was paid in cash and the rest in countertrade with primary commodities, including palm oil. The aircraft and the helicopters were delivered later in 2003.

Sukhoi Su-30MK

Mi-35 Attack Helicopters

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