Speculation about the acquisition of 42 Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon fighter jets has intensified, especially after Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin admitted that the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), through his ministry, would purchase Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China. Sjafrie even confirmed that the 4.5th-generation fighter jets would soon arrive in Jakarta.
Quoting from Republika.co.id (10/15/2025), "It will be flying in Jakarta soon," said Sjafrie in response to Republika's questions at the Ministry of Defense office, Central Jakarta. However, Sjafrie did not explain the specifications of the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) fighter jet.
From Sjafrie's brief statement, two points can be discerned: that the procurement of this fighter jet will proceed quickly, given the phrase "It will soon be flying in Jakarta." Furthermore, there is no clarity regarding the specifications, perhaps referring to the variant. Currently, the manufacturer is only producing the latest (most advanced) J-10C/CE variant (the export version), specifically to meet domestic demand and active orders from Pakistan.
- Official statements from Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) and Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) officials have consistently referred to the study of purchasing the J-10C fighter jet, which is the latest version, not the earlier J-10A or J-10B variants.
Although the J-10C is the target, several media reports, particularly from external sources, have suggested that Indonesia may be considering second-hand J-10s from China. The rationale behind this is that second-hand aircraft taken from the Chinese Air Force inventory can be delivered more quickly than ordering new aircraft that would require a production queue.
Acquiring second-hand aircraft [even if they are relatively new J-10C variants] typically offers a much more competitive price, an important factor for Indonesia.
The J-10C variant is relatively new. The Chinese Air Force itself continues to operate and produce these aircraft and has not yet begun retiring J-10Cs in sufficient numbers to be sold as "second-hand" on the scale Indonesia requires [allegedly 42 units]. If China were to sell used J-10Cs, it would have to remove the aircraft from its active fleet, a rare practice for a still-vital front-line fighter.
If Indonesia were to purchase J-10s, they would likely be newly manufactured J-10Cs, offered at competitive prices by China.
Meanwhile, if the aircraft offered is truly second-hand, it is likely a modernized J-10A, although this would conflict with the Indonesian Air Force's [TNI AU] requirement for the most advanced 4.5-generation platform.
- The only J-10 variant actively offered by China on the export market and recognized for its sophistication internationally (after its entry into service with Pakistan) is the J-10C [with the export designation J-10CE].
Reports and studies from the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) and the TNI AU consistently cite the J-10C's specifications, such as its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the ability to carry advanced long-range missiles like the PL-15, features not found on the J-10A or J-10B, which are early 4th-generation aircraft.
So far, the only J-10 operator outside China (Pakistan) has also directly acquired the new, built-to-order J-10C variant. China has no history of selling its used J-10As/Bs to other countries.
Pakistan signed a contract to purchase 25 J-10CE fighter jets from China in June 2021. The first batch of six J-10CEs was delivered to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Minhas Base in Kamra in March 2022. This means the timeframe from contract signing to delivery and official induction of the first batch was approximately eight months.
This delivery speed, especially for an advanced 4.5-generation fighter jet like the J-10CE, is considered exceptionally fast in the global defense market and is often cited as one of China's strong points. This speed indicates China's substantial production capacity and readiness to prioritize strategic export sales.
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