Indonesia has announced a landmark deal to procure at least 42 Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation—its first-ever purchase of combat aircraft from a non-Western supplier. The move marks a historic shift away from Jakarta’s decades-long reliance on Western and Russian defense partners.
The Indonesian Defense Ministry confirmed the deal on October 15, with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stating that deliveries will begin soon, though further details remain undisclosed. The Finance Ministry later approved a budget exceeding $9 billion for the acquisition. The purchase aligns with Indonesia’s broader military modernization strategy, which also includes orders for 42 French Rafale and 48 Turkish Kaan fighters, alongside joint development of the KF-21 with South Korea.
Defense analysts view the deal as a major geopolitical signal. Beny Sukadis of Indonesia’s Defense and Strategy Institute noted that while Indonesia maintains a non-aligned policy, the large-scale arms purchase from Beijing reflects a clear tilt in strategic orientation and underscores China’s expanding influence in Southeast Asia. He also warned that the move could heighten regional sensitivities given China’s claims in the South China Sea.
The acquisition demonstrates growing confidence in Chinese aerospace technology. The J-10C features advanced systems such as digital fly-by-wire controls, composite airframe materials, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar—capabilities comparable to leading Western fighters. Indonesia’s procurement follows Pakistan’s induction of the J-10CE and reports that Bangladesh is considering a similar purchase by 2027, highlighting China’s accelerating rise as a key player in the global defense market.
Source: Sputnik News, October 16, 2025
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