JAKARTA: Indonesia will buy Chinese-made Chengdu J-10C fighter jets, its defense minister has said, marking the country’s first non-Western aircraft purchase deal.
Southeast Asia’s most populous country has in recent years embarked on efforts to modernize its aging military hardware and strengthen its defense industry. This includes an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets worth $8.1 billion, with the first delivery expected early next year.
Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters earlier this week that the Chinese fighter jets “will be flying over Jakarta soon.”
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has also confirmed that his ministry has agreed to a budget of around $9 billion for the aircraft purchase.
“It’s been approved, so everything should be ready,” he told reporters in Jakarta.
The Chinese fighter jets recently drew international attention after Pakistan reportedly used the aircraft to down several French-made Rafale jets of the Indian Air Force during the India-Pakistan conflict in May.
Indonesia’s plan to buy the J-10s first circulated last month, with initial reports putting the number of purchases at 42. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to Arab News’ request for confirmation.
Defense expert Connie Rahakundini Bakrie said that Indonesia is practicing its “free and active” foreign policy with its first non-Western aircraft purchase deal.
“For Indonesia, this is not about shifting alliances … This is about expanding strategic options,” she told Arab News on Saturday.
“This is about independence of decisions … the ability to engage with all sides, with China’s side, with Russia’s side, with the US, or even European side. So, to cooperate in any field and to defend national interests without being trapped in this great power rivalry.”
Indonesia’s move may also indicate caution over potential developments in the contested South China Sea.
“I believe the South China Sea is going to be the hot spot again … (And) the Indo-Pacific (can become) the most contested region; in our sea lanes, in our skies, in our digital environment,” Bakrie said. “So, of course, Indonesia’s approach must always be balanced.”
