.png)
Jakarta, May 31 - Indonesia is making a major change to its defense strategy by sending air force pilots to China to train on the Chengdu J-10 fighter jet. This decision could mean Indonesia is shifting where it buys military equipment and who its allies are. This development follows reports from May 2025 indicating that the Indonesian Air Force has given preliminary approval to acquire 42 J-10 jets from China, a decision that could see these aircraft operating alongside French-made Rafale jets already ordered by Indonesia. The J-10, often dubbed the “Rafale Killer” due to its reported combat performance, represents a cost-effective yet capable addition to Indonesia’s air force, which is grappling with the challenge of modernizing its aging fleet amid regional tensions and budgetary constraints.
.gif)
The J-10, developed by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, is a single-engine, delta-wing, 4.5-generation multirole fighter designed for air superiority and precision strikes. Equipped with advanced avionics, including an active electronically scanned array radar and an infrared search-and-track system, the J-10C variant boasts a combat radius of approximately 1,200 miles and a top speed of Mach 1.8. Its ability to deploy the PL-15 air-to-air missile, with a reported range of up to 182 kilometers, has drawn attention, particularly after claims of its effectiveness in recent aerial engagements. Priced at roughly $40 million per unit—significantly less than the Rafale’s $193 million—the J-10 offers Indonesia an affordable means to bolster its air capabilities, especially as regional powers like China, Australia, and Singapore field advanced platforms such as the J-20 and F-35.
Indonesia’s move to train pilots in China reflects a pragmatic approach to addressing immediate defense needs. The nation’s current fleet, reliant on aging F-16s and Russian Sukhois, struggles to meet the demands of modern aerial warfare. The decision to explore Chinese jets comes as Jakarta navigates the high costs and logistical complexities of integrating the Rafale, part of an $8.1 billion deal for 42 aircraft signed with France. Deliveries of the first six Rafales are slated for early 2026, with pilot training in France set to begin in July 2025. However, the potential inclusion of J-10s suggests Indonesia is hedging its bets, seeking a balance between Western and Chinese technology to maintain flexibility in its defense posture.
This strategic pivot also carries geopolitical implications. Indonesia has historically maintained a non-aligned stance, but tensions in the South China Sea, particularly over fishing rights near the Natuna Islands, have strained relations with Beijing. By engaging with China’s defense industry, Indonesia may be signaling a willingness to deepen military cooperation, potentially as a counterbalance to its Western partnerships. The J-10s, if acquired, would be stationed at strategic bases like Pekanbaru and Pontianak, enhancing Indonesia’s ability to monitor its vast archipelago and respond to regional challenges. This move underscores Jakarta’s ambition to assert greater sovereignty over its airspace while navigating the complex dynamics of global arms markets and regional security.
