Indonesia has signed a contract with Russian United Aircraft Corporation to acquire 11 Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker E super maneuverable fighte...
Indonesia has signed a contract with Russian United Aircraft Corporation to acquire 11 Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker E super maneuverable fighter jets to replace its ageing fleet of Northrop Grumman F-5E Tiger II fighter jets.
The aircraft will be delivered from 2018, and will make Indonesia, the second export customer for the type after China.
The deal is being financed through a counter trade agreement, in which Russia will import Indonesian made products.
The Flanker E is the most capable fighter jet in the world, second only to the American F-22 Raptor Stealth fighter, largely due to latter's stealth characteristics.
Equipped with thrust vectoring capability, the Su-35 can perform insane maneuvers and beats the Raptor in terms of maneuverability.
Indonesian Air Force already operates the Flanker family aircraft including five Su-27 and eleven Su-30 mulit-role fighters.
Powered by two Saturn 117S turbofan, each rated at 142 kN (32,000 lb) of thrust with afterburner, the Flanker E can reach a top speed of 2,500 kmph and have a flight range of 3,500 km on internal fuel.
The Su-35 can carry a weapon payload of 8000 kg in its 12 under wing and fuselage weapons stations.
