Indonesia is allocating a $9 billion finances for the J-10C, with officers saying the jets will arrive quickly, though it’s unclear if a contract has been signed already.
Indonesia has permitted a $9 billion finances to acquire China’s Chengdu J-10 single-engine delta-wing fighter, Jakarta’s Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadhewa informed journalists on Oct. 15, 2025. This might make Indonesia the second nation on this planet (the primary being Pakistan) and the primary in southeast Asia to accumulate the plane.
The J-10 had gained prominence after the Pakistan Air Drive J-10CE’s duel with Indian Air Drive jets on Could 7, 2025, which included Rafales, MiG-29s, Mirage 2000s and Su-30MKIs. Indonesia can also be a future Rafale F4 operator, with 42 jets, anticipated to be delivered from February 2026.
The Indonesian Air Drive (TNI Angkatan Udara -TNI AU) operates an eclectic mixture of U.S. F-16s, Russian Su-27SKM, Su-30MK2, South Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, and is a future person of the KF-21 Boramae and Turkish Kaan fighter. It even has an MoU with Boeing for twenty-four F-15EX fighters, “topic to U.S. authorities approval.”
The J-10 acquisition is certain to forged a cloud over that program, particularly provided that Jakarta has been reported contemplating the Chinese language fighter since early June, in response to Reuters. The report quoted Deputy Defence Minister and retired Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto: “We now have had talks with China and so they provided us quite a bit, not simply J-10, but additionally ships, arms, frigates. We’re evaluating J-10,” Taufanto mentioned.
Jakarta was additionally “reviewing system compatibility and after-sales help in addition to pricing.” Reuters moreover quoted Taufanto saying that the American price ticket of $8 billion for the F-15EXs additionally “remained in query.”
The Indonesian protection minister mentioned on Wednesday that the nation is ready to accumulate J-10 fighter jets from China, in response to Indonesian information company Antara. A Chinese language knowledgeable mentioned that the J-10 is an plane with sturdy capabilities and excessive cost-effectiveness, extensively believed… pic.twitter.com/1bUonx4vUf
— International Instances (@globaltimesnews) October 15, 2025
What Indonesian reviews mentioned
CNBC Indonesia quoted Sadhewa: “[…] US$9 billion, if I’m not mistaken, or extra. I overlook the precise determine. Nevertheless it’s been permitted, so every thing needs to be prepared.” The information outlet additionally mentioned Protection Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin “confirmed the acquisition of the Chengdu J-10 by the Indonesian Air Drive (AU) by means of the Ministry of Protection (Kemenhan).”
“The fighter jets are reportedly set to reach in Jakarta quickly,” CNBC Indonesia added. Antara subsequently quoted Sjamsoeddin who equally mentioned the J-10s can be “flying over Jakarta quickly.”
Nonetheless, it’s unclear if a contract has been signed, with most sources solely mentioning the finances’s approval. The variety of fighters Indonesia would procure from China will not be clear, with sources stating 42 jets are on the desk.
The variant may very well be the J-10CE, the export model of the latest J-10C. Different claims have mentioned Jakarta has chosen the J-10B.
The service can also be anticipated to accumulate a full-range of air-to-air missiles, together with the PL-10, PL-12 brief and medium-range methods, and the PL-15 BVR missil. Some photos from Pakistan Air Drive have proven PL-15s mounted on two dual-racks on every of the wings of a JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter. The potential can also be built-in with the PAF’s J-10CE, as seen in one other picture.
Su-35, KF-21, and F-15IDN gape within the nook… (melongo di pojokan)
J-10 to Fly in Jakarta Quickly, Finance Minister Purbaya: Buy Price range Authorized, Over 9 Billion USD pic.twitter.com/UmrqXO9FmR
— Roni Sontani (@Roni_Sont) October 16, 2025
International Instances, whereas quoting Antara, additionally quoted China’s Ministry of Nationwide Protection spokesperson Jiang Bin: “We’re prepared to share the achievements of China’s tools growth with pleasant international locations and contribute constructively to regional and world peace and stability.” GT nonetheless clarified that the Chinese language facet was but to make a proper announcement in that regard.
Indonesian Air Drive present fleet
The TNI AU presently operates roughly 30 U.S.-made F-16s, 5 Russian Su-27SKM and 11 Su-30MK2 Flankers. The nation additionally operates 21 British-made BAE Hawk 200 as mild assault plane.
Moreover, the nation has signed up for future procurement of each the South Korean KAI KF-21 Boramae and the Turkish TAI Kaan. It additionally operates six KAI T-50 Golden Eagles, designated T-50i, and, on Jul. 20, 2021, signed one other $240 million contract for six extra.
The nation may also obtain 42 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters. The primary, a twin-seat jet, just lately made its first maiden flight from Dassault’s manufacturing facility at Bordeaux-Mérignac, as seen in photos that appeared on-line on the night of Sep. 19, 2025.
Dragon incoming! A unbelievable view of a Pakistani J-10CE in olive-green and gray scheme – echoing the squadron’s Mirage 5PA legacy and highlighting the jet’s twin air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Btw, no prizes for guessing the missiles on these twin racks. pic.twitter.com/ILlEiQIOvT
— Air Energy (@RealAirPower1) September 9, 2025
Of the 42, 16 are dual-seat seat jets, whereas the remaining 26 are single-seat jets, and can be operated by the service’s sixth Air Wing. The twelfth Air Squadron at Roesmin Nurajdin AFB, one of many sixth AW’s constituent models, would be the first one to function the French jet.
TNI-AU’s Chief of Workers Marshal Tony Harjono had mentioned on Sep. 13 that the primary batch of three Rafales is anticipated between February and March 2026. This can be adopted by a second batch in April 2026, till the supply of 42 airframes is full.
J-10’s rising prominence
Following the results of the Indian and Pakistani conflict on Could 7, China had mounted an enormous propaganda marketing campaign in regards to the superiority of their J-10Cs to the Rafale. Nonetheless, as we defined in context of Taiwan’s curiosity within the Rafale, the end result of aerial fight between two jets, particularly of the identical Era – on this case 4.5 – doesn’t discredit both one.
Which jet prevails can also be decided by the tactical scenario, mission planning, help infrastructure, the standing of situational consciousness and typically even intelligence. Nonetheless, the Indonesian budgeting for the J-10 does communicate to the shifting geopolitics in south and southeast Asia, particularly after the PLA Air Drive held the large Falcon Strike 2025 train with the RTAF (Royal Thai Air Drive).
Beside no less than seven J-10Cs, the drill noticed PLAAF J-16 and JH-7A maritime strike fighters exercising with RTAF Saab JAS-39 Gripen C/Ds. The 2024 iteration of the Falcon Strike drill had seen the participation of the Y-9LG airborne standoff jammer.
The Pakistan Air Drive started inducting the J-10CE in March 2022 and by September 2022 had no less than 12 plane operational, following the supply of a batch of six extra. It had signed an order for no less than 25 of the sort on Jun. 25, 2021, and reviews say the quantity is anticipated to rise to no less than 36, matching the variety of Rafales within the Indian Air Drive.
The J-10CE was additionally meant to exchange the PAF’s older Dassault Mirage III/5 fleet, and is assigned to the No. 15 Squadron “Cobras”. That unit beforehand flew Mirage IIIs and 5s from the PAF Base Rafiqui.
