Indonesian Defense Minister: To Procure Chinese J-10 Fighter Jets

According to reports from Antara News Agency and The Jakarta Globe, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto confirmed on Wednesday (15th) that the country will procure Chinese J-10 fighter jets.

"J-10 fighter jets will soon appear in Jakarta," Subianto told reporters that day. However, he declined to disclose details such as the specific timeline or quantity of the procurement.

The Jakarta Globe mentioned that Subianto's spokesperson had previously told the media that the Indonesian Air Force was still assessing the possibility of purchasing J-10 fighter jets. "We want to equip our military with the best weapons," the spokesperson said.

On June 5th local time, according to Indonesian military sources, the Indonesian government is conducting a feasibility assessment on the procurement of Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets. Indonesian Vice Minister of Defense Muhammad Herindra stated that this move aims to enhance the modern combat capabilities of the Indonesian Air Force while considering the cost-effectiveness of the defense budget.

It is reported that as the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has been continuously advancing its military modernization in recent years. In 2022, Indonesia signed an agreement with France to order 42 Rafale fighter jets for $8.1 billion, with the first batch expected to be delivered in 2026. Additionally, earlier this year, Jakarta signed a contract to procure 48 Turkish-made Kaan fighter jets. Indonesia is also jointly developing the KF-21 fighter jet with South Korea.