They will be flying over Jakarta soon..Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has confirmed that Indonesia is set to acquire Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China.
“They will be flying over Jakarta soon,” Sjamsoeddin told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.
However, he declined to provide details regarding the purchase timeline or the expected delivery of the aircraft.
The plan to procure the Chinese-made J-10s was first disclosed last month by Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Public Relations Bureau at the Ministry of Defense.
On September 18, Inkiriwang stated that the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) was still reviewing the J-10s to ensure the aircraft met Indonesia’s defense and operational requirements.
He noted that the review was part of the ministry’s effort to ensure the purchase would effectively strengthen Indonesia’s air defense capabilities.
Inkiriwang also confirmed that discussions regarding the budget allocation for the procurement have not yet taken place.
Speculation about the deal has circulated since early September, when the Instagram account @isds.indonesia reported on September 2 that President Prabowo Subianto planned to purchase 42 Chengdu J-10 fighter jets.
The post cited the French intelligence outlet Intelligence Online, which stated that the contract had previously been delayed due to funding issues. According to the report, the deal is now progressing under a payment scheme facilitated by China.
Meanwhile, on September 13, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono, announced that three new Rafale fighter jets from France are scheduled to arrive in February 2026.
“The plan is to receive the first batch of three aircraft between February and March next year,” Harjono said.
He added that the incoming Rafale jets will further enhance Indonesia’s air defense capabilities, which are currently supported by several other aircraft, including the T-50, Hawk 100/200, Sukhoi Su-30, and F-16.
Related news: Indonesia to receive new T-50i jets from S Korea in November
Related news: Indonesia to receive first three Rafale fighter jets in February 2026
Related news: Indonesia buys 48 KAAN fighter jets in major defense deal with Turkey
Translator: Agatha Olivia, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
