Indonesia Confirms $9 Billion Deal With China For J-10 Fighter Jets

Indonesia has confirmed plans to acquire the Chengdu J-10 fighter jet from China in a deal worth an estimated $9 billion, representing the country’s largest single military acquisition ever and its first major order for Chinese military equipment.

This will make Indonesia the second foreign country to fly the J-10 after Pakistan. With existing commitments for the Boeing F-15EX, Dassault Rafale F4 and fifth-generation Turkish KAAN fighter jets, Indonesia is taking a diverse approach to modernizing its fighter fleet.

Indonesia Firms Up J-10 Order

Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the J-10 would be “flying over Jakarta soon” after confirming the $9 billion procurement this week. Although the particulars have not been finalized, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadhewa said the deal could involve up to 42 J-10 jets to join the country’s rapidly evolving air force.

According to Janes, Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance has cleared up to $1.6 billion in foreign loans for the first tranche. A ministry letter states that the funding would be used for the J-10B variant, an upgrade on the base J-10 model but lacking advanced systems found on the J-10C. The procurement is likely to include armaments, including the PL-10, PL-12 and PL-15 missile systems.

Fleet Modernization Efforts

Currently operating a mixed fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, Russian Su-27SKMs and Su-30MK2s, British BAE Hawk 200 light attack jets, and South Korean KAI T-50i Golden Eagle trainers, Indonesia is pumping billions into upgrading its air capabilities. Along with the J-10, the country has commitments for the F-15EX, Rafael F4 and Turkey’s Kaan stealth fighter, and it is participating in South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae program.

In 2023, Boeing and Indonesia signed an MoU for 24 F-15EX fighters worth an estimated $8 billion, while its deal for 42 Rafale F4 fighters was also valued at the same. With Indonesian officials suggesting earlier this year that it was reconsidering the F-15 commitment, Boeing has pledged up to 85% of production will take place locally to sweeten the deal. However, this deal remains subject to US government approval, with the entire process likely to take six or seven years.

Although the J-10 acquisition falls in line with Indonesia’s balancing of ties between Europe, the US and Asia, the overlap of so many different aircraft programs could prove a major challenge for Indonesia. As for its French-made Rafale jets, Indonesia expects to receive the first three aircraft in 2026, possibly as early as February.

China Eyes Growing Exports

Pakistan became the first foreign operator of the J-10 after taking its first deliveries in 2022 to replace its aging Mirage fleet. This J-10CE export variant features AESA radar, modern avionics, and PL-10, PL-12, and PL-15 missile capability. Pakistan deployed the jets against India earlier this year, reportedly shooting down multiple Indian Rafale fighters.

This also marked the first time the J-10 had been involved in an active combat situation, and it performed exceptionally well for its price range. China is the world’s fourth-largest military exporter, although more than half of its exports go to its longstanding ally Pakistan. It was previously in talks with Iran for up to 150 J-10 jets, but the deal fell through due to pricing disagreements.

On the commercial front, China has attempted to challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly through its Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), which has developed the in-service C909 and C919 commercial jets. The C909, formerly known as the ARJ21, found its first foreign operator in Indonesia’s TransNusa, although the C919 is currently restricted to flying in Chinese airspace only.