
Indonesia's Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has confirmed that Indonesia is set to acquire Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China, Indonesian news agency Antara reported on Wednesday.
"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, according to the Antara report.
Back in June, Reuters reported that Indonesia was weighing buying China's J-10 fighter jets while also considering finalizing a purchase of US-made F-15EX jets. The report quoted the country's Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto as saying that Jakarta was reviewing system compatibility and after-sales support as well as pricing.
Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the J-10 has gained international recognition, particularly after the India-Pakistan clash.
The J-10 is a cost-effective option with outstanding radar detection capability, powerful air-to-air missiles, widely believed to have been combat proven, Zhang said, noting that the Chinese aircraft should be able to fulfill the needs of Indonesia.
In 2022, Indonesia bought 42 French Rafale jets worth $8.1 billion, six of which will be delivered next year in efforts to modernize its ageing military hardware, according to the Reuters report.
According to Zhang's analysis, it would be a reasonable approach to procure weapons and equipment from multiple sources to better safeguard its national security, not putting all eggs in one basket. He also highlighted a good bilateral relationship between China and Indonesia. - By and Liang Rui, global times /star
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