Indonesia to Acquire Chengdu J-10 Fighter Jets from China
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia is set to bolster its air defense capabilities with the arrival of Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China, part of the government’s ongoing military modernization effort. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed that the Chinese-made jets will soon touch down in the country.
“They’ll be flying in Jakarta very soon,” said Minister Sjafrie, as quoted by state news agency Antara on Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the Ministry of Finance has approved funding of around US$9 billion for the procurement, which will be financed through the 2025 defense budget. The delivery schedule now awaits confirmation from the manufacturer.
“About US$9 billion, maybe a bit more—I don’t recall the exact figure. But it’s been approved, so everything should be ready,” Purbaya told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has completed a technical evaluation of the Chengdu J-10C, with the results showing that the aircraft aligns well with Indonesia’s operational needs. Defense Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang said the fighter will significantly enhance the Air Force’s readiness across the region.
Manufactured by AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, the Chengdu J-10C—nicknamed “Vigorous Dragon”—is a lightweight, multirole fighter comparable to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and Saab Gripen.
It features an AESA radar, fly-by-wire controls, advanced avionics, and can carry both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. The jet has been combat-tested by the Pakistan Air Force during its border skirmishes with India, where it was deployed for air defense and precision strike operations along the Kashmir frontier in 2024.
Indonesia’s decision to purchase the J-10C follows President Prabowo Subianto’s recent official visit to China in September 2025, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping to expand defense and technological cooperation.
The visit resulted in a series of agreements covering joint training, industrial offset projects, and research collaboration on aerospace technology. Jakarta’s decision to source fighter jets from Beijing is widely seen as a continuation of that strategic partnership.
The move is also consistent with Indonesia’s broader policy of diversifying its arsenal and reducing dependency on any single supplier. It comes after Jakarta finalized the purchase of Rafale fighters from France, positioning Indonesia as a regional power with a balanced mix of Western and Eastern defense technologies.
Analysts believe the J-10C acquisition will not only boost Indonesia’s air combat capabilities but also cement its status as an emerging defense partner for China in Southeast Asia.