TNI: Sukhoi SU-35 Meets the Indonesia`s Defense Requirements
18 May 2016 18:42 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, said that the decision to acquire Russian-built Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets was based by on a recommendation that was produced by series of meeting that preceded a symposium involving all stakeholders within TNI. The recommendation that was then forwarded to the Defense Ministry is based on the vision of the Indonesian government to form a strong, global, maritime axis.
"What needs to be made clear is that TNI did not make the purchase [of the jets]," said Gatot at TNI's Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. "We only provided the recommendation and participated in the discussions about the specifications of our defense systems to the Defense Ministry, which then made the purchase."
That said, Gatot refused to elaborate when he was asked about the date and the details of the symposium that he was referring to. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, however, said earlier on in May 2016, that President Joko Widodo will be visiting Russia on May 19 and 20 to seal the deal on the purchase of the Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets, as well as to attend the Russia-ASEAN Summit, which will take place in Sochi.
In his earlier statement, Ryamizard had said that Indonesia will be purchasing eight units of SU-35 jets - which Gatot neither denied nor confirmed. To date, Indonesia already has 24 units of both SU-27 and SU-30 jets.
General Gatot did say that the symposium had decided that SU-35 jets meets the specifications that will enable the government flex its military muscles as a maritime nation - as it will definitely help Indonesia to monitor and surveil its maritime borders - and that the procurement of the fighter jets is prioritized over other multifunctional aircrafts.
"We are sure that the procurement of the jets will ensure that our defense system will be one of the best," he said. "We have to monitor every inch of our borders - both land and sea - so we need the best defense systems that will enable us to address a possible threat as soon as it surfaces."
YOHANES PASKALIS
