Indonesia’s defense minister said the country has not finalized any agreement to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets, tempering earlier expectations that Jakarta was close to a deal.
“Not finished — we are window shopping,” Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told Bloomberg News on the sidelines of a regional security conference in Kuala Lumpur when asked Friday about the possible purchase.
“As a country free and active, we can go everywhere to see which one is efficient, not expensive — and no requirement,” he said. “We are still considering.”
We are aware that the J-10 is not as good as its Western counterpart, but it is a cheap option we explored, but did not want to buy this jet, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told Bloomberg.
The comments follow earlier signals that Indonesia was nearing a decision to acquire the Chinese-built J-10, a multi-role fighter widely used by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Indonesian defense officials had described the aircraft as a potential addition to the country’s modernization plans, though details about pricing, delivery schedules, or quantities have not been disclosed.
Sjamsoeddin’s remarks suggest that discussions remain exploratory and that Jakarta is continuing to evaluate competing options to update its air fleet. The country’s mixed inventory — which includes American F-16s, Russian Su-27 and Su-30 jets, and South Korean-made T-50 trainers — reflects a broader effort to maintain strategic balance and flexibility in procurement.
When asked to confirm the status of the proposed sale, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said during a regular press briefing on October 30 that Beijing approaches arms exports “with prudence and responsibility.”
Zhang stated: “China has always taken a cautious and responsible attitude toward the export of military products. We are willing to share the new achievements of equipment development with peace-loving countries and jointly safeguard international and regional peace and stability.”
His statement avoided confirming any pending sale to Indonesia, suggesting that talks, if underway, have not reached an advanced stage.
For Jakarta, the interest in Chinese aircraft reflects both practical and geopolitical calculations. The J-10, equipped with modern radar and weapons systems, offers a lower-cost alternative to Western fighters. But Indonesia’s leadership has repeatedly stressed its “free and active” foreign policy — one that avoids aligning too closely with any single power bloc.
Indonesia’s decision will carry implications beyond its own modernization efforts. A purchase of the J-10 would mark a deepening of defense-industrial ties between Southeast Asia’s largest nation and Beijing at a time when regional governments are weighing how to manage relations with both China and the United States. Conversely, a delay or rejection of the deal would suggest Jakarta remains cautious about depending on Chinese weapons systems, especially as it continues to cooperate with Western partners on naval and aerospace programs.
While China is actively marketing its defense technology across the region, countries like Indonesia are balancing cost, capability, and political risk. Jakarta’s hesitation highlights the enduring influence of U.S. and allied systems in regional force planning — and the limits of Beijing’s defense exports despite aggressive promotion.
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