Defense Minister Says Indonesia Has Yet to Confirm Chengdu J-10 Fighter Jet Purchase

5 hours ago 2

October 22, 2025 | 09:57 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that the plan to purchase Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China is pending President Prabowo Subianto's decision. According to him, the purchase of strategic primary defense equipment (alutsista) can only be done by following the existing regulations, namely the president's regulation.

"I cannot provide any certainty about strategic alutsista," said Sjafrie at the Ministry of Defense office on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Sjafrie mentioned that as an assistant to the president, he should comply with the authority and rules made by the head of state. He welcomed public comments on the plan to purchase Chengdu J-10 fighter jets. However, he will still adhere to President Prabowo's decision.

"The strategic decision made by the President as the highest commander is what I obey," said the former Commander of the Jakarta Raya Regional Military Command.

Previously, on Wednesday, October 15, Sjafrie hinted that Indonesia would soon see the Chengdu J-10 fighter jets flying in the Jakarta sky. Rumors about the purchase of fighter jets from China first surfaced during the visit of Indonesian Air Force Chief Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono to an air show in the country.

During the visit, the Chinese government offered Indonesia Chengdu J-10 fighter jets, said Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan. However, he said, Indonesia could not immediately purchase the alutsista.

Donny said that the government is still assessing the plan to purchase the Chengdu J-10. This is because Indonesia is a non-aligned country.

The Chengdu J-10 is a fighter jet produced by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) in China. Beijing instructed the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute to design the J-10 in 1988.

The J-10 aircraft is made of composite materials and can carry a 7,000-kilogram payload on 11 hardpoints. The jet is also powered by the Saturn AL-31FN (and AL-31FN3) turbofan engine, imported from Russia. The AL-31FN provides the J-10 with a thrust of 127 kN (and 137 kN in the case of AL-31FN3), allowing this Chinese-produced fighter jet to reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.2.

Dani Aswara contributed to the writing of this article

Editor's Choice: Indonesia Set to Receive China's Chengdu J-10 Fighter Jets: Here's What to Know

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Primary Education Minister Begins Research on Integrated School Design

1 jam lalu

Primary Education Minister Begins Research on Integrated School Design

Integrated schools will unite the levels of elementary, junior high, and senior high school or vocational high school within one integrated educational area.

Expanding Wildfires Threaten Indonesia's Climate Targets as COP30 Looms

3 jam lalu

Expanding Wildfires Threaten Indonesia's Climate Targets as COP30 Looms

Madani Berkelanjutan suggests that the expansion of wildfires will impact Indonesia's emission reduction targets, with COP30 in Brazil drawing near.

Prabowo to Build 7,000 Integrated Schools Beginning in 2026

4 jam lalu

Prabowo to Build 7,000 Integrated Schools Beginning in 2026

The government formed a special task force to develop an integrated school program.

Indonesia Eyeing to Build 30 Incinerators by 2027 for Waste-to-Energy Megaproject

5 jam lalu

Indonesia Eyeing to Build 30 Incinerators by 2027 for Waste-to-Energy Megaproject

Zulkifli says that other countries have been using waste incinerators for 20 years.

Indonesia Aims to Halt Industrial Salt Imports by 2027

7 jam lalu

Indonesia Aims to Halt Industrial Salt Imports by 2027

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said that the government will stop importing all types of salt by 2027.

President Cyril Ramaphosa Invites Indonesian Ministers to South Africa

7 jam lalu

President Cyril Ramaphosa Invites Indonesian Ministers to South Africa

South Africa has expressed interest in collaborating with Indonesia and the other countries in the BRICS economic bloc to promote global reforms.

Indonesian Gov't Still Seeking Funding for Giant Sea Wall Project

9 jam lalu

Indonesian Gov't Still Seeking Funding for Giant Sea Wall Project

The Indonesian gov't is still exploring funding sources for the Giant Sea Wall project to save millions of lives in the northern coastal areas of Java

AirAsia Domestic Flights Move to Terminal 2E at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

10 jam lalu