Indonesia is allocating a $9 billion budget for the J-10C, with officials saying the jets will arrive soon, although it is unclear if a contract has been signed already.
Indonesia has approved a $9 billion budget to procure China’s Chengdu J-10 single-engine delta-wing fighter, Jakarta’s Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadhewa told journalists on Oct. 15, 2025. This would make Indonesia the second country in the world (the first being Pakistan) and the first in southeast Asia to acquire the aircraft.
The J-10 had gained prominence after the Pakistan Air Force J-10CE’s duel with Indian Air Force jets on May 7, 2025, which included Rafales, MiG-29s, Mirage 2000s and Su-30MKIs. Indonesia is also a future Rafale F4 operator, with 42 jets, expected to be delivered from February 2026.
The Indonesian Air Force (TNI Angkatan Udara -TNI AU) operates an eclectic mix of U.S. F-16s, Russian Su-27SKM, Su-30MK2, South Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, and is a future user of the KF-21 Boramae and Turkish Kaan fighter. It even has an MoU with Boeing for 24 F-15EX fighters, “subject to U.S. government approval.”
The J-10 acquisition is sure to cast a cloud over that program, especially given that Jakarta has been reported considering the Chinese fighter since early June, according to Reuters. The report quoted Deputy Defence Minister and retired Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto: “We have had talks with China and they offered us a lot, not just J-10, but also ships, arms, frigates. We’re evaluating J-10,” Taufanto said.
Jakarta was also “reviewing system compatibility and after-sales support as well as pricing.” Reuters additionally quoted Taufanto saying that the American price tag of $8 billion for the F-15EXs also “remained in question.”
The Indonesian defense minister said on Wednesday that the country is set to acquire J-10 fighter jets from China, according to Indonesian news agency Antara. A Chinese expert said that the J-10 is an aircraft with strong capabilities and high cost-effectiveness, widely believed… pic.twitter.com/1bUonx4vUf
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) October 15, 2025
What Indonesian reports said
CNBC Indonesia quoted Sadhewa: “[…] US$9 billion, if I’m not mistaken, or more. I forget the exact figure. But it’s been approved, so everything should be ready.” The news outlet also said Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin “confirmed the purchase of the Chengdu J-10 by the Indonesian Air Force (AU) through the Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan).”
“The fighter jets are reportedly set to arrive in Jakarta soon,” CNBC Indonesia added. Antara subsequently quoted Sjamsoeddin who similarly said the J-10s would be “flying over Jakarta soon.”
However, it is unclear if a contract has been signed, with most sources only mentioning the budget’s approval. The number of fighters Indonesia would procure from China is not clear, with sources stating 42 jets are on the table.
The variant could be the J-10CE, the export version of the most recent J-10C. Other claims have said Jakarta has chosen the J-10B.
The service is also expected to acquire a full-range of air-to-air missiles, including the PL-10, PL-12 short and medium-range systems, and the PL-15 BVR missil. Some images from Pakistan Air Force have shown PL-15s mounted on two dual-racks on each of the wings of a JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter. The capability is also integrated with the PAF’s J-10CE, as seen in another image.
Su-35, KF-21, and F-15IDN gape in the corner… (melongo di pojokan)
J-10 to Fly in Jakarta Soon, Finance Minister Purbaya: Purchase Budget Approved, Over 9 Billion USDhttps://t.co/ziQzts1mkT pic.twitter.com/UmrqXO9FmR
— Roni Sontani (@Roni_Sont) October 16, 2025
Global Times, while quoting Antara, also quoted China’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin: “We are willing to share the achievements of China’s equipment development with friendly countries and contribute constructively to regional and global peace and stability.” GT however clarified that the Chinese side was yet to make a formal announcement in that regard.
Indonesian Air Force current fleet
The TNI AU currently operates roughly 30 U.S.-made F-16s, five Russian Su-27SKM and 11 Su-30MK2 Flankers. The country also operates 21 British-made BAE Hawk 200 as light attack aircraft.
Additionally, the country has signed up for future procurement of both the South Korean KAI KF-21 Boramae and the Turkish TAI Kaan. It also operates six KAI T-50 Golden Eagles, designated T-50i, and, on Jul. 20, 2021, signed another $240 million contract for six more.
The country will also receive 42 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters. The first, a twin-seat jet, recently made its first maiden flight from Dassault’s factory at Bordeaux-Mérignac, as seen in images that appeared online on the evening of Sep. 19, 2025.
Dragon incoming! A fantastic view of a Pakistani J-10CE in olive-green and grey scheme – echoing the squadron’s Mirage 5PA legacy and highlighting the jet’s dual air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Btw, no prizes for guessing the missiles on those dual racks. pic.twitter.com/ILlEiQIOvT
— Air Power (@RealAirPower1) September 9, 2025
Of the 42, 16 are dual-seat seat jets, while the remaining 26 are single-seat jets, and will be operated by the service’s 6th Air Wing. The 12th Air Squadron at Roesmin Nurajdin AFB, one of the 6th AW’s constituent units, will be the first one to operate the French jet.
TNI-AU’s Chief of Staff Marshal Tony Harjono had said on Sep. 13 that the first batch of three Rafales is expected between February and March 2026. This will be followed by a second batch in April 2026, until the delivery of 42 airframes is complete.
J-10’s growing prominence
Following the result of the Indian and Pakistani clash on May 7, China had mounted a massive propaganda campaign about the superiority of their J-10Cs to the Rafale. However, as we explained in context of Taiwan’s interest in the Rafale, the outcome of aerial combat between two jets, especially of the same Generation – in this case 4.5 – does not discredit either one.
Which jet prevails is also determined by the tactical situation, mission planning, support infrastructure, the status of situational awareness and sometimes even intelligence. Nevertheless, the Indonesian budgeting for the J-10 does speak to the shifting geopolitics in south and southeast Asia, especially after the PLA Air Force held the massive Falcon Strike 2025 exercise with the RTAF (Royal Thai Air Force).
Beside at least seven J-10Cs, the drill saw PLAAF J-16 and JH-7A maritime strike fighters exercising with RTAF Saab JAS-39 Gripen C/Ds. The 2024 iteration of the Falcon Strike drill had seen the participation of the Y-9LG airborne standoff jammer.
The Pakistan Air Force began inducting the J-10CE in March 2022 and by September 2022 had at least 12 aircraft operational, following the delivery of a batch of six more. It had signed an order for at least 25 of the type on Jun. 25, 2021, and reports say the number is expected to rise to at least 36, matching the number of Rafales in the Indian Air Force.
The J-10CE was also meant to replace the PAF’s older Dassault Mirage III/5 fleet, and is assigned to the No. 15 Squadron “Cobras”. That unit previously flew Mirage IIIs and 5s from the PAF Base Rafiqui.
