JAKARTA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The purchase on 11 Sukhoi 35 fighter jets from Russia was conducted on counter trade scheme, obliging the Russian side to buy Indonesian commodities and defense components, an Indonesian minister said.
"The creation of counter trade was under the supervision of respective governments, implemented in the trade of 11 Sukhoi 35 with Indonesian export commodities among others comprised of coffee, tea, palm oil and defense industry products," Indonesia Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in a statement released on Friday.
The counter trade scheme was mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document of the plane purchase, signed by related officials from Indonesia's state-run trade firm of PPI and Russian state agency of Rostec, the minister said.
The minister expected similar scheme with Russia can be further applied in wider sector, not only in defense sector.
Delivery of Sukhoi 35 planes to Indonesia would commence next year.
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on July 26 that Indonesia decided to purchase 11 Russian-made Sukhoi 35 fighter jets as negotiations over the deal had already been finalized.
"There will be 11 planes. After two years, it was finally finalized," the minister said in the presidential palace.
The Russian-made aircraft were intended to replace F5 E/F Tiger II warplanes, which have been in service with the IndonesianAir Forces since 1980s.
The Su-35s would join the Flanker-family fleet of the Indonesian Air Forces, which now operate 11 Su-30s and five Su-27s respectively.
