Indonesia Explores Chinese J-10C Jet Option

Our Bureau - : Jun 11, 2025 - : 3:00 am

Indonesia is weighing an offer from China to sell its J-10C fighter jets as part of Jakarta’s ongoing efforts to modernise its air force, Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto confirmed on Wednesday (Jun. 4). Taufanto said the offer, which...

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Taufanto said the offer, which emerged during a recent visit by Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Mohamad Tonny Harjono to a Chinese defence exhibition, is still under preliminary review. He emphasised that no technical team has been dispatched to China to evaluate the jet or pursue the offer further.

“This is just an offer,” Taufanto stated, highlighting that any potential acquisition would depend on whether the aircraft meets the Indonesian Air Force’s operational requirements and can be integrated into existing systems.

The J-10C, developed by Avic Chengdu Aircraft Co Ltd., is a single-engine, multirole fighter that recently saw combat service with Pakistan during clashes with India over Kashmir. Pakistan inducted the aircraft in 2022, reportedly in response to India’s acquisition of French Rafale jets — the same model Indonesia is already procuring under a separate contract for 42 aircraft signed in 2024.

Taufanto underscored that Indonesia’s non-aligned defence policy allows it to consider purchases from a wide range of suppliers. “If we find that the jet performs well, meets our criteria, and comes at a good price, why not?” he said.

Indonesia’s interest in the J-10C comes amid a global rise in military spending, driven in part by conflicts including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Under President Prabowo Subianto, Jakarta is pursuing a broad modernisation of its air and naval forces while seeking to diversify suppliers.

In addition to discussions with China, Indonesia has been involved in South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet development programme and has expressed interest in Turkey’s planned KAAN fifth-generation fighter. There are also confirmed reports that Indonesia is revisiting plans to purchase F-15EX jets from Boeing.

While Indonesia has previously acquired munitions and air surveillance systems from China, it has yet to buy fighter jets from the country. A potential J-10C purchase would mark a significant deepening of defence ties with Beijing, which is also Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a key source of foreign investment.

Taufanto stressed that beyond political considerations, technical factors such as integration with existing systems, performance, range, and weapons capacity will be critical in determining whether Indonesia moves forward with the J-10C offer.

“We’re not bound by any alliance, so we can source weapons from any country, including China,” he said.

Indo-defence / J-10c /

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