Indonesia has earmarked a $9 billion budget that includes the acquisition of J-10C fighters, and officials have indicated the aircraft will be delivered soon, although it is not yet clear if a contract has been finalized.
Indonesia has approved a $9 billion budget to acquire the Chengdu J-10 single-engine delta-wing fighter from China, Jakarta Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadhewa told reporters on October 15, 2025. This would make Indonesia the second country in the world (with Pakistan being the first) and the first in Southeast Asia to acquire the aircraft.
Despite what some media outlets have reported, the budget Indonesia has set aside covers a broader procurement plan that includes J-10 fighters used alongside other weapons systems. The actual cost of the new J-10 is expected to be significantly lower than that figure.
The J-10 had gained prominence after the Pakistan Air Force’s J-10CE dueled with Indian Air Force aircraft on May 7, 2025, which included Rafales, MiG-29, Mirage 2000 and Su-30MKI. Indonesia is also a future operator of the Rafale F4, with 42 aircraft expected to be delivered from February 2026.
The Indonesian Air Force (TNI Angkatan Udara -TNI AU) operates an eclectic mix of American 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 the Turkish Kaan fighter. It even has a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for 24 F-15EX fighters, “subject to US government approval.”
The J-10 acquisition will surely cast a shadow over that program, especially given that Jakarta has been reported to be considering the Chinese fighter since early June, according to Reuters. The report quoted Deputy Defense Minister and retired Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto: “We have had talks with China and they offered us a lot, not only J-10, but also ships, weapons and frigates. We are evaluating the J-10,” Taufanto said.
Jakarta was also “reviewing system compatibility and after-sales support, as well as pricing.” Reuters Additionally, it quoted Taufanto as saying that the US price of $8 billion for the F-15EX also “remained in doubt.”
Indonesia’s defense minister said Wednesday that the country will acquire J-10 fighter jets from China, according to the Indonesian news agency Antara. A Chinese expert said that the J-10 is an aircraft with strong capabilities and high cost-effectiveness, which is widely believed… pic.twitter.com/1bUonx4vUf
– Global Times (@globaltimesnews) October 15, 2025
What the Indonesian reports say
CNBC Indonesia quoted Sadhewa: “[…] 9 billion dollars, if I’m not mistaken, or more. I forget the exact number. But it has already been approved, so everything should be ready.” The media outlet also said that Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin “confirmed the purchase of the Chengdu J-10 by the Indonesian Air Force (AU) through the Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan).”
“Fighter jets reportedly arriving in Jakarta soon.” CNBC Indonesia aggregate. Antara He later quoted Sjamsoeddin, who similarly said that the J-10s would “fly over Jakarta soon.”
However, it is unclear whether a contract has been signed and most sources only mention budget approval. The number of fighter jets Indonesia would acquire from China is unclear, with sources claiming 42 aircraft are on the table.
The variant could be the J-10CE, the export version of the more recent J-10C. Other claims have said that 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 missile. Some images of the Pakistan Air Force have shown PL-15 mounted on two double 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 to Jakarta soon, Finance Minister Purbaya: Purchase budget approved, more than 9 billion dollarshttps://t.co/ziQzts1mkT pic.twitter.com/UmrqXO9FmR
—Roni Sontani (@Roni_Sont) October 16, 2025
Global timeswhile dating Antaraalso quoted Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin: “We are willing to share China’s equipment development achievements with friendly countries and constructively contribute to regional and global peace and stability.” G.T. However, he clarified that the Chinese side had not yet made a formal announcement in this regard.
Current fleet of the Indonesian Air Force
The TNI AU currently operates approximately 30 US-made F-16s, five Russian Su-27SKMs and 11 Su-30MK2 Flankers. The country also operates 21 British-made BAE Hawk 200s as light attack aircraft.
Additionally, the country has signed up for future acquisitions 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, as of July 20, 2021, signed another contract of 240 million dollars for six more.
The country will also receive 42 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters. The first, a two-seat aircraft, recently made its first inaugural flight from the Dassault factory in Bordeaux-Mérignac, as seen in images that appeared online on the night of September 19, 2025.
Dragon incoming! A fantastic view of a Pakistani J-10CE in an olive drab and gray color scheme, echoing the squadron’s Mirage 5PA heritage and highlighting the aircraft’s dual air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. By the way, there are no prizes for guessing the missiles in those double racks. pic.twitter.com/ILlEiQIOvT
— Air Power (@RealAirPower1) September 9, 2025
Of the 42, 16 are two-seat aircraft, while the remaining 26 are single-seat aircraft and will be operated by the service’s 6th Air Wing. The 12th Air Squadron at Roesmin Nurajdin Air Base, one of the constituent units of the 6th AW, will be the first to operate the French aircraft.
TNI-AU Chief of Staff Tony Harjono said on September 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 aircraft is completed.
The growing prominence of the J-10
Following the outcome of the clash between India and Pakistan on May 7, China had organized a massive propaganda campaign about the superiority of its J-10C over the Rafale. However, as we explained in the context of Taiwan’s interest in the Rafale, the result of the aerial combat between two aircraft, especially of the same Generation – in this case 4.5 – does not discredit either of them.
Which aircraft prevails is also determined by the tactical situation, mission planning, supporting infrastructure, situational awareness, and sometimes even intelligence. However, the Indonesian budget for the J-10 speaks to the geopolitical changes in South and Southeast Asia, especially after the PLA Air Force conducted the massive Falcon Strike 2025 exercise with the RTAF (Royal Thai Air Force).
In addition to at least seven J-10Cs, the exercise involved PLAAF J-16 and JH-7A maritime attack fighters exercising with RTAF Saab JAS-39 Gripen C/D. The 2024 iteration of the Falcon Strike drill featured the participation of the Y-9LG aerial standoff blocker.
The Pakistan Air Force began inducting the J-10CE in March 2022 and by September 2022 had at least 12 operational aircraft, following the delivery of a batch of six more. It had signed an order for at least 25 of this type on June 25, 2021, and reports say the number is expected to rise to at least 36, matching the number of Rafale in the Indian Air Force.
The J-10CE was also intended to replace the PAF’s aging Dassault Mirage III/5 fleet, and is assigned to No. 15 “Cobras” Squadron. That unit previously flew Mirage III and 5 from PAF Base Rafiqui.
