...
By Micah McCartney
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Indonesia has confirmed it will purchase fourth-generation J-10 jets from China, as the country with the world's largest Muslim population continues to upgrade its aging fighter aircraft fleet.
Why It Matters
Indonesia, under President Prabowo Subianto, has ordered or is reportedly considering major weapons purchases from several countries as part of a military modernization push.
Read More on World
The fighter jet deal would likely make Indonesia the third country—after China and Pakistan—to operate the J-10. China, the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, has been actively marketing the fourth-generation fighters for export.
Newsweek reached out to the foreign ministries of Indonesia and China by email for comment outside of regular office hours.
...
What To Know
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed the deal on Wednesday.
“Very soon, the J-10C will be flying in Jakarta,” local media quoted him as saying.
Discussions reportedly progressed after Indonesia’s air force chief of staff, Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono, visited China, according to Indonesian news agency Kompas.
Indonesia’s last major fighter jet purchase was 42 Rafales from France, in a deal worth $8 billion.
As more advanced Chinese aircraft like the fifth-generation J-20 enter service with the Chinese air force, the fourth-generation J-10C has increasingly become a platform marketed for foreign buyers.
Pakistan, China’s closest military partner and currently the only foreign operator of the J-10C, claims its aircraft shot down Indian jets during a five-day conflict in May. India denied the claim, and Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier said a single Indian Rafale was lost following a technical malfunction, according to French news outlet Avion De Chasse.
Other countries have reportedly expressed interest in the supersonic J-10. Earlier unconfirmed reports suggested Iran was in high-level talks to acquire the aircraft following its brief conflict with Israel earlier this year.
What People Are Saying
Zhang Junshe, a researcher at the People's Liberation Army Naval Military Academic Research Institute, told China's state-run Global Times that the J-10’s reputation had “improved significantly” following Pakistan’s recent clash with India. He added that the aircraft was cost-effective and equipped with “an excellent radar system and air-to-air missiles.”
Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Defense, told reporters in July: “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.”
What Happens Next
China has not publicly commented on the reported J-10 sale. It remains unclear how many aircraft Indonesia will purchase, though Wednesday’s confirmation followed earlier reports that the air force was evaluating a potential purchase of 42 J-10s.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines