Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has confirmed that Jakarta will acquire China’s J-10 fighter jets, marking the country’s first known purchase of Chinese-built combat aircraft.
“They will be flying over Jakarta soon,” Sjamsoeddin told Antara news agency on Wednesday, without specifying the number of jets, delivery timeline, or contract value.The deal introduces Chinese equipment into Indonesia’s diverse defense inventory, which currently includes platforms from the United States, France, South Korea, and Russia. The announcement may also affect Indonesia’s plans for additional purchases of the French-made Rafale and the U.S. F-15EX fighters, both of which remain under consideration.
In June, Reuters reported that Indonesia was evaluating the J-10 alongside the F-15EX, focusing on system compatibility, after-sales support, and pricing. Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto at the time said the review aimed to ensure the best fit for Indonesia’s long-term modernization goals.
The J-10C, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, is a single-engine, multirole fighter designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Its export version has been adopted by Pakistan, and the latest sale indicates growing interest in Chinese combat aircraft among Asian air forces.
Jakarta’s decision follows a $8.1 billion agreement with France in 2022 for 42 Rafale jets, with the first six expected to arrive next year. The new procurement reflects Indonesia’s continued approach of balancing defense partnerships across multiple suppliers.
Beijing has not officially commented on the reported sale. In July, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin said China maintains a “prudent and responsible attitude” toward arms exports, adding that Beijing is “willing to share the achievements of China’s equipment development with friendly countries and contribute constructively to regional and global peace and stability.”
