T

he Defense Ministry says a plan to purchase 11 Sukhoi SU-35 jet fighters from Russia through a barter deal was progressing smoothly and predicts that the first two aircraft might arrive in Indonesia next year.

“If the contract becomes effective in August, two units will arrive next year, but if not, the schedule is likely to be delayed,” Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Totok Sugiharto said on Thursday, as quoted by Antara.

The contract will take effect once the down payment is done.

Previously, the Trade Ministry’s director general of international trade, Oke Nurwan, said the United States had expressed its disappointment about the ongoing process to buy the 11 Sukhoi jets — which will replace the retired F5-E Tiger jet fighters.

Totok shrugged off the US stance, saying, “We do not make enemies. We are good with Russia, the United States and other countries.”

Totok also said there might be a possibility to buy five Hercules military transport aircraft from the US to strengthen the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) weaponry systems.

Indonesia has agreed with Russia to purchase the 11 Sukhoi jet fighters worth US$1.14 billion through a barter scheme.

Through the agreement, Russia is required to buy commodities like palm oil, coffee, rubber and tea from Indonesia with a total import value of at least $570 million.