Indonesia to add Chinese J-10Cs to its eclectic fighter jet collection
October 16, 2025
Indonesia has announced a deal to purchase fourth-generation Chinese J-10Cs as it seemingly goes around the world purchasing fighter jets. The move is part of a bid to modernise the aircraft it has in its extremely diverse fleet.
Indonesia announces plans to purchase Chinese J-10Cs
Indonesia announced it plans to purchase at least 42 Chengdu J-10Cs from China. Currently, the only export country to operate the type is Pakistan, although it’s unclear if Egypt has also ordered it. Iran showed interest in the jet after being hammered by Israeli and US airstrikes in 2025.
The Associated Press reported the Indonesian Finance Minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, as saying that Indonesia had a budget of around $9 billion to acquire the Chinese jets.
The J-10C’s development is reported to have benefited from the sale of Israeli technology after it cancelled the development of its domestic IAI Lavi in 1987.
So after MoD now 🇮🇩 FinMin confirms allocating > $9B for 40ish J-10 Fighters
— Hûrin (@Hurin92) October 15, 2025
Definitely not just J-10B even the 40 J-10C won't cost that, something else is also being procured or simply more J10C (>60)
Also rumours of 052D Destroyers But I think an AEW&C would be more apt https://t.co/BGKPXaA96r pic.twitter.com/Xlwpx0rknH
The aircraft looks somewhat superficially similar to the US F-16 Fighting Falcon (with canards), and they reportedly played a leading role in Pakistan’s counter to India’s airstrikes in May 2025. They are widely credited for shooting down one Indian Rafale along with other aircraft.
Indonesia’s bizarre air force collection
Currently, Indonesia’s air force’s frontline fighter jet capability is made up of US-supplied F-16 Fighting Falcons and a limited number of Russian/Soviet Su-27/30 Flankers. Light fighters include South Korean KA-50 Golden Eagles, ageing British BAE Hawks, and Brazilian Embraer EMB-314s turboprops.
The country is seeking to modernise its air force, and so in the last few years, it has gone on a shopping spree, seemingly purchasing aircraft from everyone. Indonesia reportedly asked the United States to purchase the F-35, but was declined as the US is selective about who it sells its prized jet to.
Indonesia had tried to purchase Russian Sukhoi Su-35s, but this became untenable after the US passed the CAATSA Act in 2017. Indonesia gave up on the acquisition in 2021.
Instead, in 2021, Boeing announced Indonesia was purchasing 24 modern F-15EX fighter jets. Indonesia also joined the South Korean-led KF-21 Boramae fighter jet program with a 20% share. While its role has been scaled down, Indonesia is still planning to purchase around 50 of the jets.
🇮🇩🇮🇹 #Indonesia approves $450 million loan to acquire ex-Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldihttps://t.co/rrAWtbM43k
— Navy Recognition (@NavyRecognition) September 20, 2025
Indonesia has become one of the largest export customers for the French Rafale, ordering 42 in January 2024 with first deliveries expected in 2026. It may increase the order by another 24 units.
Then, in mid-2025, Indonesia signed a deal to purchase 48 examples of Turkey’s upcoming KAAN fighter jet.
But even this may not be the end. According to Zona Militar, Indonesia is in the process of buying the ex-Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. This may include some of Italy’s retiring fleet of 30 AV-8B Harrier II jets, although the flattop could be reconfigured for drones.
Why Indonesia has a menagerie of military equipment
Indonesia is an example of a large non-aligned country, and like India, its air force is packed with military equipment from a large range of suppliers from across the geopolitical spectrum.
Most militaries want to specialise in a limited number of platforms and suppliers to boost standardisation, increase cross-military interoperability, and reduce the logistical burden.
However, as a non-aligned state, Indonesia does not want to become overly reliant on the equipment from any one country and so seeks to diversify. That said, its air force is emerging as a perplexingly extreme example.
Just hours after confirming deal for #Rafale, #Indonesia has been approved to buy a variant of @BoeingDefense's Advanced Eagle, the F-15ID. A $13.9 billion package includes 36 aircraft, engines, pods, but no weapons. https://t.co/6AmpryoG7c pic.twitter.com/gPiuYikQaG
— Tony Osborne (@Rotorfocus) February 10, 2022
Separately, India found it had become overreliant on Russian equipment and so is attempting to diversify by purchasing French Rafales and other aircraft.
While India is a geopolitical rival to China and would not consider purchasing Chinese gear, Indonesia is different and has no problem adding China to its list of suppliers.
