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Indonesia Acquires Russian Mi-35M Gunships

September 15, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

Indonesia acquired two Russian Mi-35M attack helicopters.
The helicopters will operate alongside American AH-64E Apache Guardians.
The acquisition strengthens Indonesia's rotary-wing strike capability.
The deal signals Jakarta's enduring ties with Moscow.

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Strategic Implications

This acquisition may indicate Indonesia's desire to maintain a diversified defence-industrial ecosystem, which could reduce its reliance on any single great-power patron. The deal suggests that Russia's defence exports remain viable in the Indo-Pacific despite sanctions pressure, and may signal a shift in regional defence dynamics.

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What Happened

Moscow Maintains Defence Footprint in Indo-Pacific

Indonesia has acquired two Russian-built Mi-35M attack helicopters, expanding its rotary-wing strike capability and preserving Moscow’s defence-industrial foothold in the region. The helicopters will operate alongside American AH-64E Apache Guardians, creating a unique force structure. The acquisition is seen as a strategic move by Jakarta to maintain ties with Moscow, while also operating American, French, and Turkish systems. This was first reported by Defence Security Asia.

Source | Originally Published: September 1, 2026

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