Key facts
- Indonesia is expected to receive its first Chengdu J-10CE fighter jets in six months.
- The nation confirmed an order for 42 of the 4.5-generation fighter jets.
- The approved budget for the J-10CE fighter jets is US$9 billion.
- The first delivery is anticipated around April.
- Indonesia's Air Force Chief of Staff requested public patience regarding the arrival of the jets.
- A member of Indonesian Parliament supported the purchase, citing the need to strengthen national defense.
Indonesia is expected to receive its first Chengdu J-10CE fighter jets in approximately six months, according to Indonesian media reports. The nation confirmed an order for 42 of the 4.5-generation aircraft, known as Vigorous Dragons, last October, with an approved budget of US$9 billion. The first delivery is anticipated around April, though the exact number of aircraft to be delivered remains undetermined.
Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono has asked the public to be patient regarding the arrival of the Chinese-made jets. Meanwhile, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives' Commission I, Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono, expressed support for the Ministry of Defense's move to purchase the J-10 fighter jets, stating that acquiring 4.5-generation aircraft from China would bolster Indonesia's defense capabilities.
Reports suggest that Indonesia has been considering various fighter jet options, including the French Rafale, US F-15EX, and South Korean KF-21, alongside the Chinese J-10. The country has also officially procured 42 French Rafale jets, with the first deliveries in early 2026. This approach of maintaining multiple supplier options is seen as a strategy to secure better pricing, financing, technology transfer, and logistical support.