Rostec is forging ahead with efforts to sell advanced combat aircraft on the international market, although US sanctions present a challenge.
Rostec is forging ahead with efforts to sell advanced combat aircraft on the international market, although US sanctions present a challenge.
The Russian defence conglomerate has offered both the Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-57 to Turkey, according to chief executive Sergey Chemezov.
“As soon as they make a decision, we will be ready to sell both the Su-35 and Su-57,” he says.
Washington bumped Turkey from the Lockheed Martin F-35 programme over its acquisition of the Russian Almaz-Antey S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system. US defence officials were concerned that the presence of the S-400 in Turkey would compromise the US fighter.
Chemezov, speaking to reporters at the Rostec stand, offered a cryptic view on Indonesia’s plans to acquire the Su-35.
“The agreements are signed and all the formalities have been fulfilled, so we are expecting the contract to start… It doesn’t depend on us. It’s as soon as the Indonesian side decides.”
In 2017, Jakarta said it would buy 11 Su-35s for $1.14 billion; a cash and barter deal that would likely include a mix of local farm products such as palm oil and coffee.
In late August, a Rostec official said that the US Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) has made some countries, including Indonesia, wary of buying Russian equipment.
Despite CAATSA, Chemezov said overseas defence sales are on an upward trend, and he is also optimistic in areas such as transport aircraft.
“This shows that our products are of higher quality, more competitive, and reliable,” he says. “As a result of our state programmes of armament, we have new samples we can offer for export, and importantly we have never, ever linked [sales] to any political issues. So, the supply of armaments is never linked to political expediency or conditions.”
In addition, Chemezov dismissed reports that China plans to add additional Su-35s beyond the 24 it has received.
“If there is a [Chinese] request, of course we will be ready to sell more, but so far a request is not yet there,” he says.
