Indonesia has officially asked Russia if it could buy more of its weapons, Russian media reported, signaling what an analyst said was an aim to diversify its sources of arms while retaining its non-aligned status.
Vladimir Bulavin, head of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, who is also a senator, was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying that Indonesia’s request for weapons and military equipment from Russia over the 2025-2030 period was “under review.”
The official did not disclose details of the request but Indonesian security analyst Khairul Fahmi said Jakarta “is likely to focus on less politically sensitive purchases, such as armored vehicles and short-range defense systems, while deferring high-profile acquisitions like fighter jets or advanced missile systems to minimize geopolitical fallout.”
Indonesia began receiving arms and military equipment from the Soviet Union in the late 1950s but relations between the two countries cooled during the Cold War.
According to Bulavin, Indonesia’s arms acquisition resumed in the 2000s, marked by significant contracts, including the delivery of Su-27 and Su-30 fighters and BMP-3F armored vehicles.
The first arms delivery from Moscow to Jakarta was in 1958, of 100 GAZ-69 military cross-country vehicles.
From 1992 to 2018, Russia delivered weapons worth more than US$2.5 billion to Indonesia. They included BTR-80A armored personnel carriers and BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles, 100th series Kalashnikov assault rifles, Su-27SK and Su-27SKM, Su-30MK and Su-30MK2 planes, Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters, and other weapon systems and military hardware, according to Alexander Mikheyev, CEO of the state arms exporter Rosoboronexport.
Indonesia reportedly wanted to buy 10 Su-35 multirole fighters to replace outdated U.S. F-5 Tiger aircraft that had been in operation with its air force since 1980 but it is unclear whether there has been any progress on the purchase.
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‘Cost-effective solution’
Fahmi, co-founder of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, told BenarNews, an affiliate of Radio Free Asia, that Indonesia’s decision to procure military equipment from Russia reflected a strategic effort to diversify its defense procurement while maintaining a non-aligned foreign policy.
Fahmi pointed to practical and strategic factors driving the purchase, noting that Russia’s military technology was known for its reliability and affordability compared with Western alternatives.
“Russia offers a cost-effective solution that allows Indonesia to maximize its defense budget. Additionally, their flexible payment terms, including commodity barter deals involving palm oil and rubber, make these acquisitions more feasible,” he said.
The analyst dismissed suggestions that deepening defense ties with Russia signal a shift in Indonesia’s foreign policy.
“Indonesia’s non-aligned stance remains firm. Partnerships with Russia or any other nation are driven purely by strategic needs and are not indicative of bloc alignment,” he said.
Indonesia’s military modernization priorities include fighter jets, submarines, air defense systems, and attack helicopters but it is believed to be seeking other suppliers for big-ticket items.
Yet the Russia-Indonesia military ties seem likely to grow, especially in the maritime domain. This month, the two countries conducted their first joint naval exercises, titled “Orruda-2024,” in Surabaya.
Pizaro Gozali Idrus in Jakarta contributed to this report.
Edited by Mike Firn.