Indonesia: No Decision Yet on J-10 Fighter Purchase, Contrary to Chinese-Pakistani Reports

Indonesia has officially denied reports that it plans to purchase Chinese J-10 fighter jets, clarifying that the aircraft remains just one of several options under evaluation as the country looks to modernize its air force capabilities.

“It’s still being analysed and reviewed. At the moment, we are considering all platforms that can fulfil our need to help guard our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, spokesman for Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence.

The denial comes amid what defense analysts describe as a coordinated disinformation campaign by Chinese and Pakistani media outlets, which had claimed Indonesia decided to acquire the Chinese fighters based on their purported performance during a recent aerial engagement between Pakistan and India known as “Operation Sindoor.”

These reports attempted to portray the J-10, when equipped with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, as having demonstrated superior capabilities against India’s Rafale fighters. However, defense experts have questioned the accuracy of these claims, suggesting they form part of a broader information warfare strategy.

The J-10, nicknamed the “Vigorous Dragon,” is manufactured by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and has been aggressively marketed by China as a cost-effective alternative to Western-made fighter jets. Classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, it features advanced avionics, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and can be armed with the PL-15 missile, which China claims has a range exceeding 200 kilometers.

Indonesian defense analyst Muhammad Fauzan Malufti has dismissed suggestions that Jakarta’s interest in the J-10 was primarily influenced by its alleged performance against Indian aircraft. “Even if it played a role, I don’t think it is the main factor behind the decision,” he stated.

For Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic nation with over 17,000 islands spanning three time zones, maintaining air sovereignty presents unique challenges. The country currently operates a mixed fleet including American F-16s, Russian Su-27/30 variants, and South Korean T-50 trainers, many of which are aging and require replacement.

Defense procurement experts point out that Indonesia’s consideration of Chinese equipment reflects broader strategic calculations beyond just military performance metrics. Cost considerations play a significant role for the Southeast Asian nation, which has historically been constrained by defense budget limitations.

“Indonesia’s approach to defense procurement has always been pragmatic and focused on diversification,” said a regional security analyst who requested anonymity. “They prefer not to be overly dependent on any single supplier, which gives them greater strategic flexibility and insulates them from potential sanctions or export restrictions.”

The potential acquisition of Chinese fighters would also have geopolitical implications, potentially signaling a shift in Indonesia’s strategic alignment at a time of increasing competition between China and Western powers in the Indo-Pacific region.

China has made significant inroads in arms sales throughout Southeast Asia over the past decade, offering competitive financing terms, technology transfer arrangements, and fewer end-use restrictions compared to Western suppliers. Several ASEAN nations, including Thailand and Malaysia, have already incorporated Chinese weapons systems into their arsenals.

For now, Indonesia maintains that its fighter jet acquisition process remains open, with European, American, and Russian alternatives still under consideration alongside the Chinese option. The final decision will likely balance operational requirements, cost factors, and strategic considerations as Jakarta seeks to enhance its aerial defense capabilities while navigating complex regional dynamics.

The incident highlights the increasingly blurred lines between military procurement decisions and information operations in today’s contested media environment, where perception management has become an integral component of great power competition.