The Indonesian military announced on the 5th that the Indonesian government is conducting a feasibility assessment on the procurement of Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets. Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Defense Daofanto said that the move aims to enhance the Indonesian Air Force's modern combat capabilities while taking into account the cost-effectiveness of the national defense budget.
Daofanto pointed out that the performance of China's J-10 fighter jets in the India-Pakistan conflict is one of the important factors in Indonesia's consideration of this model. In addition, compared with similar Western fighter jets, the price of the J-10 is more competitive, and the technical configuration meets Indonesia's demand for "high cost-effective advanced equipment".
Daofanto revealed that at present, Indonesia is focusing on reviewing the compatibility of the J-10 with the existing defense system, after-sales maintenance support and specific procurement terms. The scope of defense procurement may not be limited to fighter jets, but also includes Chinese-made ships, frigates and other weapons and equipment.
As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has continued to promote military modernization in recent years. In 2022, Indonesia and France signed an agreement to order 42 Rafale fighter jets for US$8.1 billion, and the first batch of six are expected to be delivered in 2026.
