Fussing Over Fighter Jets

Ahead of President Joko Widodo's visit to Russia two weeks ago, the Indonesian embassy in Moscow hosted frequent visits from top Rosoboronexport officials. The Russian company, which is the nation's sales agent for defense equipment, sent seven representatives to meet Ambassador Wahid Supriyadi and bring him an important message.

One government official said they urged him to get the signing of the Sukhoi-35 fighter aircraft purchase included as one of the items in a memorandum of understanding to be signed in the presence of President Jokowi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Their request was very odd as, from the outset, such an agenda was never discussed," he said.