Indonesia in talks for around 40 JF-17 fighter jets plus killer drones from Pakistan
January 14, 2026
Indonesia is in talks to purchase around 40 Sino-Pakistani CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder (called FC-1 Xiaolong in China). This comes amid a boom in interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 and as Indonesia builds an impressive menagerie of fighter jets.
Indonesia in talks to purchase Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets
Reuters reported that Indonesia is in talks to purchase Sino-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets, citing three unnamed security officials.
Indonesia’s Defence Ministry and Pakistan’s military confirmed that the meeting between Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu did take place. Indonesia’s spokesperson spoke in generalised terms about the meeting, adding that the talks have not yet led to concrete decisions.
The deal being discussed also includes “killer drones” designed for surveillance and striking targets, possibly GIDS Shahpar drones.
The publication stated that sources suggest the number of jets under discussion is around 40 JF-17s. No indications of timelines or the number of years the proposed deal would span were given.
Indonesian air force future fighter lineup (uo concept) pic.twitter.com/t1Btb5iHgx
— AlphaNovember (@_alphanovember) October 16, 2025
Reuters wrote, “One additional security source with knowledge of military procurement talks said Pakistan was discussing the sale of JF-17 Thunder jets, air defence systems, training for junior, mid-level, and senior Indonesian air force officials, and engineering staff.”
Get the latest aerospace defence news here on AGN.
Flurry of interest in JF-17 Thunder
This comes amid a recent flurry of export interest in the JF-17 lightweight fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan. It has already been exported to Azerbaijan and Nigeria.
Recently, it was reported that Pakistan would export the aircraft to the Libyan National Army led by warlord General Haftar and the Sudanese army. There have also been surprising reports of Saudi Arabia looking to purchase the jet as part of debt forgiveness.
Bangladesh is also in talks to sign a defence pact with Pakistan that could include JF-17s and Super Mushshak training jets. Meanwhile, Bangladesh is also in talks to become the first non-European country outside of the Middle East to purchase the Eurofighter Typhoon.
IT'S OFFICIAL 🇮🇩⚡ 🇵🇰
— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) January 13, 2026
Press Release via Pakistan Air Force has confirmed that Indonesia is interested in the procurement of JF-17 Thunder & Indonesian defense ministry has entered in advance negotiations with PAF for the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder Block-III. pic.twitter.com/JQVePHW1hD
Reuters notes that the Pakistani military’s weapons development programme has surged since its fighter jets took part in a short conflict with India in 2025. India was caught by surprise by the range of the Chinese-supplied PL-15 air-to-air missile, which saw at least one Indian Rafale and at least one Su-30MKI shot down before India adapted and changed tactics.
Indonesia’s shopping fighter jet spree
Typically, most mid-sized air forces want to have around two types of fighter jets to simplify logistics (e.g., F-35 and Eurofighter or F-16). Non-aligned countries sometimes prefer to purchase military equipment from a wider source of suppliers to minimise dependence on any one country.
Indonesia is a non-aligned country, but it is taking the latter point to an extreme. The Indonesian Air Force currently operates US-made F-16s, Russian Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets, and has received South Korean KA-50 light fighters/trainers.
Indonesia has placed orders for 42 French Rafales, 48 upcoming Turkish KAAN fighters, and is in talks to purchase Chinese J-10s and US F-15EXs. Indonesia is also playing a minority role in developing the KAI KF-21 Boramae (48 aircraft expected).
Indonesia is known to have asked to purchase the F-35, only to be rebuffed by the US. It also wanted to purchase more Russian fighter jets, but was curtailed by the US CAATSA Act.
Indonesia is also negotiating to purchase the retired Italian aircraft carrier, the Giuseppe Garibaldi. This deal could include a squadron of the Italian Navy’s AV-8B Harrier II jump jets.
With Indonesia now reportedly interested in the JF-17, it almost seems like it’s missing the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, F/A/18, and Indian Tejas to complete its collection.
Featured image: Okonkwo john / Wikimedia
