Indonesia might potentially be poised to acquire three cutting-edge weapons systems from China, including a multi-role fighter aircraft (J-10), a missile boat, adn an anti-ship missile.The development comes as Jakarta, under President Prabowo Subianto, has kicked off an aggressive push to modernize its military to combat challenges. “The world is full of uncertainty, and even if we dislike war, wars are happening everywhere,” Mr Prabowo said alongside senior commanders and political allies.
Indonesia has been steadily diversifying its arms purchases to avoid over-reliance on a single supplier. It states that the pragmatic, non-aligned defense strategy reflected in Indonesia’s procurement plan provides the country with considerable flexibility to seek military agreements with a variety of partners.
In line with that strategy, Indonesia’s defense Minister, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, recently announced that the country could acquire J-10 fighter jets from China. “They will be flying over Jakarta soon,” Sjamsoeddin stated, without disclosing more specific details.
The disclosure came months after the Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto announced that China had offered the J-10C jets to the country.
The Minister said the government was examining whether the aircraft, widely used by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), could meet operational requirements and be integrated with existing Indonesian platforms.”This is just an offer,” Taufanto had said at the time, indicating that the discussions were in a very nascent stage.”We have had talks with China and they offered us a lot, not just J-10, but also ships, arms, frigates.”
The recent decision suggests that the talks and assessment have progressed faster than previously anticipated and include more than just the J-10 fighter jets.
Indonesia’s Arms Purchases From China
The Indonesian Ministry of finance (MoF) approved plans for the country to use foreign loans to finance the purchase of three defense systems from China, according to a report by Janes.
As per the documents, including a letter from indonesia’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) to its Ministry of Defense (MoD) that were provided to Janes, a total loan amount of USD 3.1 billion has been approved,particularly for the purchase of J-10B multi-role aircraft,the Houbei fast attack craft,and the CM-302 coastal anti-ship missile.
In fact, the report states that Indonesia has already started looking for lenders to back the proposal.
Indonesia’s Future Purchase Of J-10
The MoD has been authorized to source up to USD 1.6 billion in foreign loan## Indonesia Considers Chinese J-10 Fighter Jets and Type 22 missile Boats
Indonesia is reportedly considering the acquisition of both J-10 fighter jets and Type 22 Houbei class fast attack craft from China, signaling a potential deepening of defense ties between the two nations. While a deal for the J-10s seemed imminent earlier in the year, recent statements suggest the purchase is still under evaluation.
simultaneously occurring, Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, head of the Ministry of Defense’s facts bureau, told the media that the Indonesian Air force is still evaluating the suitability of the J-10 for the service.
“The J-10s are under review by the Air Force.We want only the best platforms for our defense needs,” he said. if true, this could mean that the purchase is not set in stone, after all.
## The Houbei (Type 22) Fast Attack Craft
The Type 22 is a class of fast, agile, stealthy, and powerful missile boats operated by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
The missile boat was designed to operate in China’s littoral zone and conduct coastal patrols. It has a capacity for 12 crew members and is equipped with eight anti-ship missiles, making it a formidable threat.
Built over a catamaran design, the Type 22 houbei Class stealth missile boats provide the Chinese PLA Navy with a low observable missile launch platform against enemy vessels, along with air defense capability.The Type 22 missile boat is just over 200 tons, but provides high mobility, high stealth capability, and strong firepower. These boats carry the YJ-83 subsonic anti-ship cruise missiles and a licensed copy of the AK-603 6-barrel 30mm Gatling gun.
Chinese military affairs specialist Wang Yunfei earlier told a state-owned publication, Global Times, that the Type 22 missile boat was created and constructed about 20 years ago, when the PLA Navy had few major ships but was tasked with significant coastal defense responsibilities. It performed the role well, as it could sail at roughly 50 knots and carry anti-ship missiles on marine attack missions.
Nonetheless, it can still play a meaningful role even though the PLAN has transitioned from purely coastal defense to a combination of coastal and far seas defense after commissioning large warships like aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.
Wang noted that the Type 22 can easily outperform warships of similar sizes from other nations. “The water is shallow near islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and boats like the Type 22 can move flexibly when larger vessels would need to worry about hitting the rocks,” he asserted.
In October 2024,the ship chased a Philippine vessel conducting maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea,near first Thomas Shoal or Bulig Shoal,as reported by the EurAsian Times. It also targeted a BFAR jet with lasers three times while it was performing patrols-a first for its profile.
The potential acquisition of the Type 022 would provide Indonesia with a relatively low‑cost platform capable of delivering anti‑ship missiles against larger adversary surface vessels.