Indonesia set to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets amid push to modernise military
Indonesia’s top defence official says his country is set to acquire China’s J-10 fighter jets, possibly making it the second foreign military to operate the model after Pakistan.
Once finalised, the deal would also mark the first purchase of Chinese-made warplanes by Indonesia as part of its military modernisation plans.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said Indonesia would soon buy the J-10 fighter jets from China as part of Jakarta’s plan to modernise its military, according to Indonesia’s national news wire Antara.
“They will be flying over Jakarta soon,” Sjamsoeddin said, although he did not provide any details regarding the purchase timeline or the expected delivery date of the aircraft.
Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa also confirmed on Wednesday that his ministry had approved a nearly US$9 billion budget for the purchase of the Chinese aircraft, but added that it must be “double-checked” when the jets would be delivered to his country’s military.
“So, everything should be ready,” Sadewa told reporters. “But I have to double check when those aircrafts will arrive in Jakarta from Beijing.”
Jakarta will buy “at least 42” of the jets, according to Associated Press.
The plan to buy the J-10s was revealed last month by Indonesian defence ministry spokesman Brigadier General Frega Wenas who said Jakarta wanted the “best military weapons”. It followed a statement in June by the deputy minister of defence, Donny Ermawan Taufanto, who said Indonesia had considered buying the jets after China had offered to sell them.
According to local media, the Indonesian Air Force was in the process of reviewing the Chinese-made fighter jets to ensure their acquisition would effectively strengthen Indonesia’s air defence capabilities.
First developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation as China’s third-generation fighter jet, the J-10 series has been upgraded to 4.5-generation aircraft in recent years, named the J-10C, which has been one of China’s major defence industry products.
It is equipped with a more advanced engine and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, as well as PL-15 active radar-guided long-range air-to-air missiles.
Pakistan is the only known operator of J-10C fighters outside China. In 2020, it ordered 36 of the export version of the J-10C, along with 250 PL-15E air-to-air missiles for the models’ use. There are now 20 of the J-10C jets in service in the Pakistan Air Force.
The J-10C was reportedly used by the Pakistani air force to shoot down India’s fighter jets, including at least one French-made 4.5-generation Rafale fighter jet during the Kashmir conflict in May, which would mark the Chinese fighter jet’s first known air-to-air kill recorded in live combat, as well as the first loss of a Rafale jet in combat.
Cairo also appeared to show interest in the model as it seated a pilot in a twin-seat variant of the J-10 in a joint drill in Egypt earlier this year.
Once finalised, Indonesia will become the third confirmed operator of the J-10C fighter jets, which would also be the country’s first Chinese fighter jet operating in its air force.
Jakarta has recently been choosing between various countries’ fighter jets amid efforts to modernise its military arsenal. The Indonesian Air Force currently has fighter jets, such as the American F-16 and Russian Su-30, but these aircraft have been ageing and require upgrade or replacement.
In July, Jakarta signed an agreement with Turkey to acquire Turkish fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets, still in a development phase, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement that his country would export 48 units of the aircraft to Indonesia.
Indonesia also signed an order for 42 French Rafale fighter jets in January 2024, with the first delivery expected early next year.
Jakarta is currently co-developing the KF-21 4.5-generation fighter jets with South Korea. However, the amount of technological transfer that it receives from Seoul is expected to be reduced after Indonesia cut its financial contribution to the development project.
Source – Bangkok News
