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Indonesia is set to buy at least 42 Chinese-made Chengdu J-10C fighter jets, marking the country’s first non-Western aircraft purchase, marking a significant shift in the country’s defense strategy.
Defense Minister Sjafri Sjamsoeddin confirmed the impending deal in Jakarta on Wednesday, saying it is part of a broader military modernization program. However, analysts warn that the agreement could raise regional sensitivities and have significant geopolitical implications.
“They will soon be flying over Jakarta,” Szamsoeddin said. He declined to provide further details about the purchase.
The plan to purchase the J-10 was first revealed last month by Defense Ministry spokesperson Brig. General Fraga Venus. Local media had reported that the Indonesian Air Force was still reviewing the Chinese-made fighters to ensure that their acquisition could effectively strengthen Indonesia’s air defense capabilities.
Finance Minister Purabaya Yudhi Sadeva confirmed on Wednesday that his ministry has approved the budget for the purchase of the aircraft. China Which reached more than 9 billion dollars.
“So, everything should be ready,” Sadewa told reporters, “but I will have to double-check when those planes will arrive from Jakarta.” Beijing,
Indonesia has launched a campaign to upgrade and modernize its military arsenal and strengthen its defense industry under President prabowo subiantoAdministration of. Since being appointed defense minister in 2019, Subianto has traveled around the world, visiting China. France, Russia, turkey And the US is seeking to acquire new military weapons systems and surveillance and regional defense capabilities.
The Indonesian Air Force currently has fighter aircraft from countries including the US, Russia and Britain. Some of these aircraft need to be upgraded or replaced.
President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan Announced in June that his country would export 48 of its KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia. Those jets will be manufactured in Türkiye and exported to Indonesia, Erdogan said in an ex-post.
Indonesia finalized an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft in January 2024, with first deliveries expected in early 2026. Southeast AsiaThe largest economy also announced the purchase of two French Scorpene developed submarines and 13 Thales ground control interception radars.
Benny Sukadis, a defense analyst at the Indonesia Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies, said that despite being politically non-aligned, the government should not underestimate the geopolitical implications of its choice.
After relying on Western suppliers for decades, a major arms purchase from Beijing “could be read as a shift in Indonesia’s security orientation amid China’s growing military and diplomatic influence in the Southeast Asia region,” Sukadis said.
He warned that “the move could inflame regional sensitivities over the South China Sea, where China has direct interests.”