Reports from Defence Blog reported that Algeria, Egypt and Indonesia have pulled out hands from the purchase of Russian Su-35 fighter aircraft amid economic discouragement against Moscow. In addition to targeting the oil industry, defense industries, dual-use goods and sensitive technology imports from the US, Europe, and Israel are also part of the sanctions.

It has resulted in a suspension of the import of modern components for producing the Su-35. In particular, scanned array radars and avionics have not been replaced. Algerian plans of acquiring the Su-35 have been reported on numerous occasions; however, it now appears the nation wishes to make changes in its Su-30MKAs to Su-35 technology while waiting to obtain the more advanced Su-57.

“The Russian defense industry lost three large orders for its Su-35 fighters at once due to the failure to replace scanned array radar and avionics, which were previously imported from a number of European countries and Israel,” sources told Defence Blog.

It was originally planned that the Egyptian Air Force would become the first buyer for the Su-35 in the Middle East region. However, questions have been raised concerning the Su-35's Irbis-E radar. Fadjar Prasetyo, commander of the Indonesian Air Force, has confirmed that Indonesia will abandon its deal for the Su-35 aircraft. Whether to purchase the Dassault Rafale or the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II is now being considered by Indonesian government.

The Egyptian and Algerian governments have not yet confirmed their positions. Likewise, Jakarta officially confirmed that its plans to acquire Su-35s had been abandoned. In an interview with the local media in Jakarta, Indonesian Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo confirmed this.

He was quoted by BenarNews as saying, “Regarding the Sukhoi Su-35, with a heavy heart, yes, we have abandoned that plan. We can’t just keep talking about it.”

Soon after Moscow's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, declined to comment on the report on Monday, News Agency reported that Russia is prepared to sell Su-35s to Iran. A 20-year bond on military and strategic cooperation between Iran and Russia will be made official by Tehran next month, according to the News Agency. Iran will purchase Russian weapons worth $10 billion through the agreement, including S-400 missile systems, satellites, and ex-Egyptian Su-35 fighter jets.

Image source: Eurasian times