Will Indonesia Choose US-made Fighter Jets to Ward Off Tariffs?

Our Bureau - : Jun 13, 2025 - : 12:31 am

While Donald Trump’s tariff plans have led Canada and some European nations to reconsider buying the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jet, Indonesia is thinking along different lines.

Jakarta, which is keen to ensure that its US$20 billion export market to the US grows or at least stays intact, is thinking about expediting the purchase of US-made defence equipment to avoid being hit with tariffs. In an April meeting with Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reportedly directed senior officials to identify the weapons for import from the US.

Major defence deals involving Indonesia and the US are that of Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters and F-16 Fighting Falcons. Jakarta has also mulled purchasing more F-16s to bolster the capabilities of its air force. Defence ties between the two countries have been on the upsurge recently, especially since the signing of a Defence Cooperation Arrangement (DCA) in November 2023. A major focus of the enhanced cooperation is to strengthen Indonesia's military cyber defences and space capabilities.

High on the priority list for the Indonesian Air Force is the potential purchase of F-15EX jets. It was in August 2023 that Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing for the potential purchase of 24 F-15EX jets; the deal is worth up to US$8 billion. One of the major attractions of the potential deal for Jakarta is that the aircraft will have 85 percent domestic components. Boeing’s commitment is significantly higher than the minimum local content that Indonesia insists for arms imports - 40 percent.

The 4th-generation fighter lacks stealth capability, but the aircraft has significantly modernized avionics and sensors compared to previous F-15 models. According to Boeing, the F-15 EX can carry a significant payload, including up to 12 AMRAAM missiles or other large ordnance. The aircraft, designed to be an affordable platform, has lower operating costs compared to other fighter aircraft.

The choice of the F-15 EX is, however, not set in stone. Reports suggest that Indonesia is also evaluating the potential acquisition of China’s J-10 fighter jet. The aircraft, which is comparable to F-16 and Swedish Gripen in terms of capabilities, was recently in the news because of its use by Pakistan in its air confrontation against India. A factor that might work in favour of the J-10 is its cost; the aircraft is reportedly significantly less expensive compared to western fighter jets.

The move to acquire more weapons from US defence contractors comes at a time when the country is trying to diversify its arms supplier base. In addition to spreading its net wider for its defence acquisition needs, Indonesia, which was at the receiving end of a US arms embargo between 1999 and 2005, is also intensifying efforts to enhance the capabilities of its domestic defence industry.

Indonesia and South Korea have a growing relationship in the defence sphere, with Jakarta regarded among Seoul’s major defence customers in in Southeast Asia. Apart from acquiring submarines, armoured vehicles, and military aircraft from South Korea, Indonesia is also involved in the KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development. Jakarta’s ties with Türkiye are surging as well, as can be seen from the deal Indonesia signed on the opening day of the ongoing event to procure 48 fifth-generation Kaan Combat Aircraft.

Indo-defence /