Indonesia Mulls J-10C Purchase From China

ACCORDING to senior defence officials in Jakarta, Indonesia is seriously considering the acquisition of the Chengdu J-10C fighter aircraft from China, citing the aircraft’s relatively cheaper price and cutting edge capabilities.

Media reports quoted Indonesian deputy defence minister and former Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto on China’s offer of warships, weapons along with the J-10C to the country. “We have had talks with China and they offered us a lot, not just J-10, but also ships, arms, frigates.” He added that the J-10C is being evaluated for its pricing, system compatibility and after-sales support. Furthermore, the minister said the J-10’s performance would also be taken into account, referring to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) J-10s shooting down multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) jets recently, widely reported to have included at least one IAF Dassault Rafale.

Additionally, the TNI-AU Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono also did not rule out the prospective procurement, explaining that it would have to pass through several stages before being reviewed by the Defense Equipment Determination Council, adding that the government would assess all factors, including its impact on political relations with other nations, emphasising that Indonesia’s non-alignment allows them the flexibility to purchase materiel from any nation.

In the meantime, Indonesia is also considering to finalise its purchase of the American-made F-15EX jets from Boeing as well as the possibility of additional Rafales from Dassault. Minister Donny said the F-15’s capabilities were well recorded but suggested that the US$8 billion price tag for 24 jets remained in question while ACM Tonny said the first six Rafales are slated to arrive in January 2026.

Just before May ended, Indonesia and France signed several cooperation deals during the French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Indonesia, including a letter of intent (LOI) which could lead to additional orders on Rafale fighters, Scorpene submarines and light frigates from Naval Group, as well as more Caesar self-propelled howitzers (SPH) from French-German group KNDS.

France has been a major driving force behind Indonesia’s military modernisation as the country committed to acquire two Scorpene evolved diesel-electric attack submarines in 2024, 13 long-range air surveillance radars from Thales a year before and 18 more CAESAR SPHs in 2017. Indonesia is also awaiting the impending arrival of its first of two Airbus A400M airlifter ordered in 2021.

With defence acquisitions in the region continuing its hot streak, major defence firms from across the globe are set to convene this June 11-14 in Jakarta’s JIExpo for Indo Defence 2024 Expo & Forum. Indonesia is also poised to showcase the prowess of its domestic defence industry to the world at the event and foster more cooperation in defence and the industry.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:CHINAMIL)