The Indonesian government plans to order six more Russian-built fighter planes according to statements made by the country’s air force Chief of Staff. Indonesia already has 10 of the aircraft, which are not enough to cover the country’s airspace. Indonesia’s acquisition of Russian weapons systems revives memories of the era when Indonesia had the largest navy and the most powerful air force in Southeast Asia, all provided by the Soviet Union. Indonesia retains many links to the US armed forces and has much US-supplied equipment. Having both US and Russian systems ensures something will be flyable irrespective of international political considerations.

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