Whereas Indonesia itself has been hoping Su-35 into the ranks of its air power. But what power, Indonesia is more afraid of losing billions of US dollars than buying Su-35s.
Yes, Indonesia was threatened with CAATSA sanctions by the United States so that the Su-35 was canceled.
These sanctions if they fall, Indonesia will lose the value of its trade with the US.
Just imagine in January-September 2021, bi.go.id the value of Indonesia-U.S. trade surplus of 25.07 billion US dollars, almost touching 354 trillion rupiah in a year!
This number will continue to grow in 2022 until the following years.
While the purchase of Su-35 only cost 1.14 billion US dollars, far from the value of trade in atas.AS itself is not without risk, they also have to lose money in January-October 2021 because the value of exports to Indonesia deficit of 14.192 billion US dollars due to Jakarta's exports blindly in uncle Sam's country.
If the U.S. imposes CAATSA sanctions, they won't suffer any losses. But Indonesia will buy a variety of weapons from Russia until U.S. influence is certain to run out in Southeast Asia.
You could say this country is hurt because the Su-35 failed to be purchased because the U.S. as the culprit.
Benjamin Bland, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney, said the U.S. was wrong to rule out Indonesia in its role in Southeast Asia.
Bland said that the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Jakarta some time ago to persuade Indonesia to lean towards Washington.
"He will try to convince Indonesians and Indonesians about the U.S. and its commitment to the region and Indonesia, scmp.com in particular," Bland said.
Because in the administration of President Donald Trump, the U.S. instead ruled out the role of Indonesia.
"Indonesia is not on the agenda because the U.S. has been so focused on competition with China, and Indonesia is wary of this great power competition. In Southeast Asia, Washington is most actively engaging with those who are more enthusiastic about U.S. counterattacks against China, such as Singapore and Vietnam," Bland said.
Moreover, the U.S. is increasingly realizing that Indonesia's role is very important to stem China's influence in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia seems to be aware of U.S. interests in Southeast Asia.
But Jakarta also needs China's role.
It is as if Indonesia is swimming between two U.S. and Chinese interests because Jakarta wants to reap the benefits of both.
Director of the American Studies Center at the University of Indonesia, Suzie Sudarman acknowledged that Indonesia is pushed into U.S. influence but also needs money from China.
"The U.S. is now reading tea leaves, they are trying hard to push Indonesia into the realm of their influence, but Indonesia also still needs capital and money from China," Suzie said.
Apparently the value of U.S.-China trade volume with Indonesia can indeed make Jakarta excited.
With the U.S. alone this year reached 27 billion U.S. dollars. China has $71.4 billion.
If broken then the results are really hundreds of trillions per year and continue to increase.
However, Indonesia is also worried about China's activities in Natuna.
"On the other hand, Indonesia is worried about China's activities in Natuna, so I hope the Commander-in-Chief asks Blinken to hold joint exercises in Natuna if Indonesia feels threatened," Suzie said.
Su-35 failed to be owned but Indonesia managed to rake in hundreds of trillions of rupiah per year, a business that is not bad.
