Indonesia confirms plan to acquire 42 Chinese J-10 jets amid U.S. F-15EX uncertainty
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Indonesia has confirmed plans to buy 42 Chinese-built Chengdu J-10 fighter jets as part of its 2026 airpower program, while negotiations for the U.S. F-15EX remain under review.
Indonesia has confirmed plans to buy 42 Chinese-built Chengdu J-10 fighter aircraft under a defense modernization program scheduled to begin in 2026. The announcement was made in Jakarta on October 15, 2025, following months of technical evaluations and budget verification by the Ministry of Defense. Officials said the deal aligns with Indonesia’s airpower strategy while talks over the U.S. F-15EX purchase continue.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Chinese experts, such as former deputy chief designer Xie Pin, have described the J-10 as a mature platform that remains relevant due to continuous subsystem upgrades. (Picture source: Weibo/@陈如是说)
Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, confirmed that the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) will acquire Chengdu J-10 (or J-10C) fighter jets from China, officially marking the country’s first major combat aircraft procurement from Beijing in over a decade. The announcement followed President Prabowo Subianto’s official visit to Beijing in September 2025, where defense cooperation and the potential purchase of 42 J-10 “Vigorous Dragon” aircraft were discussed with Chinese leaders. During a press briefing at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Jakarta on October 15, 2025, Sjafrie stated that the aircraft “will soon be flying in Jakarta,” without providing technical details or specifying the expected delivery date. The confirmation coincided with remarks by several senior officials who indicated that technical evaluations and budget verifications are still in progress. The Defense Ministry’s spokesman, Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, said the acquisition is being reviewed within the framework of the Perisai Trisula Nusantara strategy, which aims to strengthen Indonesia’s layered air defense posture while ensuring compatibility with existing systems.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa acknowledged that a $9 billion budget allocation proposed by the Defense Ministry has been approved as part of the national expenditure plan for fiscal year 2026. However, he clarified that he must verify whether this allocation directly covers the purchase of J-10 fighters or a broader category of modernization projects. He explained that the funds have been approved but require confirmation regarding import schedules and procurement phasing. According to his statements to national media on October 15, 2025, the Defense Ministry’s funding requests “have been fulfilled,” although the timing of disbursement and the method of payment, potentially involving a Chinese financing arrangement, remain under verification. As previously reported by Army Recognition, the announcement followed several months of negotiations, beginning with Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono’s visit to China’s Air Show in May 2025, where Chinese officials presented the J-10 to Indonesian delegations. Following that visit, the Air Force initiated internal assessments focusing on combat range, payload capacity, maintenance requirements, and integration potential within Indonesia’s operational network.
The Ministry of Defense has emphasized that the procurement process aligns with Indonesia’s long-standing policy of non-alignment, allowing acquisitions from any nation capable of meeting the armed forces’ technical and operational requirements. Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto explained that Indonesia’s autonomy in defense sourcing ensures flexibility in responding to changing regional conditions and technological developments. He added that system compatibility, pricing, and after-sales support are key considerations in evaluating Chinese offers, which also include proposals for additional military equipment such as frigates. Indonesian officials noted that discussions on the J-10 had previously stalled due to budgetary uncertainties but have resumed under the current leadership, potentially through a direct state-to-state financing mechanism. Reports from early September 2025 indicated that the deal could be announced at an upcoming Indo Defence Expo, pending final government review. The acquisition, if finalized at 42 aircraft, would make Indonesia the only country to operate both the Rafale and the J-10 concurrently, creating one of the most diverse fighter fleets in Southeast Asia.
Developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the J-10C is a multirole fighter of the 4.5-generation category. Its export variant, the J-10CE, has been offered to several nations under China’s foreign defense cooperation framework. The aircraft employs a delta-wing and canard aerodynamic configuration, measures approximately 16.9 meters in length, and has a maximum takeoff weight of around 19 tons. It is powered by a single AL-31FN or WS-10B Taihang turbofan engine, providing up to 132 to 142 kN of thrust and enabling speeds up to Mach 1.8 at altitudes above 18,000 meters. The J-10 is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of detecting targets within a 200-kilometer range and includes 11 external hardpoints for air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and electronic warfare pods. The aircraft’s radar-absorbent coatings and modified air intake geometry contribute to a lower radar cross-section compared to earlier Chinese designs, while its digital flight-control system provides high agility at extreme angles of attack.
According to comparative analyses, the J-10C demonstrated notable advantages in radar detection and missile engagement capability during simulated exercises against Russian-origin Su-35 and J-16 aircraft from 2019 to 2021. The platform reportedly achieved favorable kill ratios in beyond-visual-range scenarios due to its smaller radar signature and integration with the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile and PL-10 short-range missile. The J-10’s versatility allows both air superiority and precision strike missions using targeting pods and guided munitions. While the Indonesian government has not disclosed whether it will purchase new or second-hand aircraft, previous assessments suggested that the units could be drawn from existing People’s Liberation Army Air Force inventories to ensure faster delivery timelines. This approach would reduce manufacturing delays and provide Indonesia with an immediately deployable fighter capability while the first batch of Rafales undergoes assembly in France.
The current combat aircraft inventory of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is composed of one of the most heterogeneous mixes of combat aircraft in the world, comprising Western, Russian, Brazilian, and Asian aircraft accumulated through successive procurement phases since the 1980s. The fleet includes 33 F-16 Fighting Falcons, divided between older F-16A/B Block 15 OCU aircraft acquired from the United States and a later batch of 19 F-16C/D Block 52ID units delivered under the “Peace Bima-Sena II” program between 2014 and 2017. Indonesia also operates a combined fleet of 16 Russian-built Sukhoi fighters, including five Su-27SK and 11 Su-30MK2 aircraft, stationed primarily at Hasanuddin Air Base in South Sulawesi. Complementing these high-performance platforms are approximately 21 British Hawk 209, 16 South Korean T-50i Golden Eagle, and 13 Brazilian EMB 314 aircraft used for close air support and advanced training.
Older aircraft, such as the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II, were fully retired in 2016 after more than three decades of service, creating a capability gap leading to the pursuit of multiple parallel aircraft acquisitions over the past decade. The 2015 plan to purchase 16 Su-35 Flanker-E fighters from Russia was reduced to 11 units before being canceled in 2021 due to the risk of U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Indonesia later signed a 2022 contract for 42 Rafale F4 fighters valued at $8.1 billion, of which 24 have been formally ordered, and signed a memorandum in 2023 for 24 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, expected to be designated F-15IDN in Indonesian service, valued at up to $13.9 billion.
Indonesia also signed agreements for the South Korean KF-21 Boramae, through PT Dirgantara Indonesia, expressed interest in Türkiye’s Kaan project, and considered an interim purchase of 12 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from Qatar, but this latter plan was abandoned after the government shifted focus toward longer-term acquisitions. The J-10 acquisition, therefore, provides an intermediate solution to maintain readiness before the gradual induction of Rafale and F-15 fleets. By combining fighters from the United States, France, Russia, South Korea, Türkiye, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and China within a single Air Force, Indonesia now stands among the world’s most uniquely diversified air powers, operating one of the broadest mixes of combat aircraft ever assembled by any nation.
But the decision to purchase the J-10 also comes from Indonesia’s broader diplomatic and industrial relations with China, particularly after joining the BRICS grouping in January 2025 and expanding bilateral trade to $135.17 billion in 2024. China is now Indonesia’s largest trading partner and principal investor, with $8.1 billion in investments last year. Defense Minister Sjafrie’s confirmation of the deal on October 15, 2025, marks a new step in this strategic relationship. While neither Beijing nor Jakarta has disclosed the contractual timeline, the Defense Ministry has reiterated that operational assessments are underway and that pilot training will likely take place in China before the aircraft’s deployment. The acquisition will reinforce Indonesia’s medium-weight fighter segment and provide operational continuity while the country transitions to newer-generation aircraft.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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Indonesia has confirmed plans to buy 42 Chinese-built Chengdu J-10 fighter jets as part of its 2026 airpower program, while negotiations for the U.S. F-15EX remain under review.
Indonesia has confirmed plans to buy 42 Chinese-built Chengdu J-10 fighter aircraft under a defense modernization program scheduled to begin in 2026. The announcement was made in Jakarta on October 15, 2025, following months of technical evaluations and budget verification by the Ministry of Defense. Officials said the deal aligns with Indonesia’s airpower strategy while talks over the U.S. F-15EX purchase continue.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Chinese experts, such as former deputy chief designer Xie Pin, have described the J-10 as a mature platform that remains relevant due to continuous subsystem upgrades. (Picture source: Weibo/@陈如是说)
Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, confirmed that the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) will acquire Chengdu J-10 (or J-10C) fighter jets from China, officially marking the country’s first major combat aircraft procurement from Beijing in over a decade. The announcement followed President Prabowo Subianto’s official visit to Beijing in September 2025, where defense cooperation and the potential purchase of 42 J-10 “Vigorous Dragon” aircraft were discussed with Chinese leaders. During a press briefing at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Jakarta on October 15, 2025, Sjafrie stated that the aircraft “will soon be flying in Jakarta,” without providing technical details or specifying the expected delivery date. The confirmation coincided with remarks by several senior officials who indicated that technical evaluations and budget verifications are still in progress. The Defense Ministry’s spokesman, Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, said the acquisition is being reviewed within the framework of the Perisai Trisula Nusantara strategy, which aims to strengthen Indonesia’s layered air defense posture while ensuring compatibility with existing systems.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa acknowledged that a $9 billion budget allocation proposed by the Defense Ministry has been approved as part of the national expenditure plan for fiscal year 2026. However, he clarified that he must verify whether this allocation directly covers the purchase of J-10 fighters or a broader category of modernization projects. He explained that the funds have been approved but require confirmation regarding import schedules and procurement phasing. According to his statements to national media on October 15, 2025, the Defense Ministry’s funding requests “have been fulfilled,” although the timing of disbursement and the method of payment, potentially involving a Chinese financing arrangement, remain under verification. As previously reported by Army Recognition, the announcement followed several months of negotiations, beginning with Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono’s visit to China’s Air Show in May 2025, where Chinese officials presented the J-10 to Indonesian delegations. Following that visit, the Air Force initiated internal assessments focusing on combat range, payload capacity, maintenance requirements, and integration potential within Indonesia’s operational network.
The Ministry of Defense has emphasized that the procurement process aligns with Indonesia’s long-standing policy of non-alignment, allowing acquisitions from any nation capable of meeting the armed forces’ technical and operational requirements. Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto explained that Indonesia’s autonomy in defense sourcing ensures flexibility in responding to changing regional conditions and technological developments. He added that system compatibility, pricing, and after-sales support are key considerations in evaluating Chinese offers, which also include proposals for additional military equipment such as frigates. Indonesian officials noted that discussions on the J-10 had previously stalled due to budgetary uncertainties but have resumed under the current leadership, potentially through a direct state-to-state financing mechanism. Reports from early September 2025 indicated that the deal could be announced at an upcoming Indo Defence Expo, pending final government review. The acquisition, if finalized at 42 aircraft, would make Indonesia the only country to operate both the Rafale and the J-10 concurrently, creating one of the most diverse fighter fleets in Southeast Asia.
Developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the J-10C is a multirole fighter of the 4.5-generation category. Its export variant, the J-10CE, has been offered to several nations under China’s foreign defense cooperation framework. The aircraft employs a delta-wing and canard aerodynamic configuration, measures approximately 16.9 meters in length, and has a maximum takeoff weight of around 19 tons. It is powered by a single AL-31FN or WS-10B Taihang turbofan engine, providing up to 132 to 142 kN of thrust and enabling speeds up to Mach 1.8 at altitudes above 18,000 meters. The J-10 is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of detecting targets within a 200-kilometer range and includes 11 external hardpoints for air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and electronic warfare pods. The aircraft’s radar-absorbent coatings and modified air intake geometry contribute to a lower radar cross-section compared to earlier Chinese designs, while its digital flight-control system provides high agility at extreme angles of attack.
According to comparative analyses, the J-10C demonstrated notable advantages in radar detection and missile engagement capability during simulated exercises against Russian-origin Su-35 and J-16 aircraft from 2019 to 2021. The platform reportedly achieved favorable kill ratios in beyond-visual-range scenarios due to its smaller radar signature and integration with the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile and PL-10 short-range missile. The J-10’s versatility allows both air superiority and precision strike missions using targeting pods and guided munitions. While the Indonesian government has not disclosed whether it will purchase new or second-hand aircraft, previous assessments suggested that the units could be drawn from existing People’s Liberation Army Air Force inventories to ensure faster delivery timelines. This approach would reduce manufacturing delays and provide Indonesia with an immediately deployable fighter capability while the first batch of Rafales undergoes assembly in France.
The current combat aircraft inventory of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is composed of one of the most heterogeneous mixes of combat aircraft in the world, comprising Western, Russian, Brazilian, and Asian aircraft accumulated through successive procurement phases since the 1980s. The fleet includes 33 F-16 Fighting Falcons, divided between older F-16A/B Block 15 OCU aircraft acquired from the United States and a later batch of 19 F-16C/D Block 52ID units delivered under the “Peace Bima-Sena II” program between 2014 and 2017. Indonesia also operates a combined fleet of 16 Russian-built Sukhoi fighters, including five Su-27SK and 11 Su-30MK2 aircraft, stationed primarily at Hasanuddin Air Base in South Sulawesi. Complementing these high-performance platforms are approximately 21 British Hawk 209, 16 South Korean T-50i Golden Eagle, and 13 Brazilian EMB 314 aircraft used for close air support and advanced training.
Older aircraft, such as the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II, were fully retired in 2016 after more than three decades of service, creating a capability gap leading to the pursuit of multiple parallel aircraft acquisitions over the past decade. The 2015 plan to purchase 16 Su-35 Flanker-E fighters from Russia was reduced to 11 units before being canceled in 2021 due to the risk of U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Indonesia later signed a 2022 contract for 42 Rafale F4 fighters valued at $8.1 billion, of which 24 have been formally ordered, and signed a memorandum in 2023 for 24 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, expected to be designated F-15IDN in Indonesian service, valued at up to $13.9 billion.
Indonesia also signed agreements for the South Korean KF-21 Boramae, through PT Dirgantara Indonesia, expressed interest in Türkiye’s Kaan project, and considered an interim purchase of 12 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from Qatar, but this latter plan was abandoned after the government shifted focus toward longer-term acquisitions. The J-10 acquisition, therefore, provides an intermediate solution to maintain readiness before the gradual induction of Rafale and F-15 fleets. By combining fighters from the United States, France, Russia, South Korea, Türkiye, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and China within a single Air Force, Indonesia now stands among the world’s most uniquely diversified air powers, operating one of the broadest mixes of combat aircraft ever assembled by any nation.
But the decision to purchase the J-10 also comes from Indonesia’s broader diplomatic and industrial relations with China, particularly after joining the BRICS grouping in January 2025 and expanding bilateral trade to $135.17 billion in 2024. China is now Indonesia’s largest trading partner and principal investor, with $8.1 billion in investments last year. Defense Minister Sjafrie’s confirmation of the deal on October 15, 2025, marks a new step in this strategic relationship. While neither Beijing nor Jakarta has disclosed the contractual timeline, the Defense Ministry has reiterated that operational assessments are underway and that pilot training will likely take place in China before the aircraft’s deployment. The acquisition will reinforce Indonesia’s medium-weight fighter segment and provide operational continuity while the country transitions to newer-generation aircraft.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
