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Jakarta. Following the alleged success of Chinese J-10C fighter Jet in the air struggle between India and Pakistan, China is now trying to sell this jet to Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country. According to reports, Indonesia is considering this proposal, but many questions are being raised about this deal, especially when India has termed the claims being made about Chinese weapons as ‘misinformation’.

Indonesia Deputy Defense Minister Doni Eraman Taufanto said during a public discussion in Jakarta on Wednesday that China has offered Indonesia to J-10 fighter jets. Doni Taufanto said that the proposal is still under preliminary evaluation and Indonesia has not sent any technical team to China so far. He clarified, “This is just an offering.”

According to a Bloomberg News report, he said that the proposal came to light during the visit of Indonesian Air Force officials to China. The government is currently investigating whether these aircraft meet the country’s operational requirements and can they be integrated into existing military systems.

India-Pakistan conflict and J-10C claim
During the aerial struggle between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, Pakistan claimed that it killed several Indian Air Force aircraft using its Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets, including French Rafale Jets. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in Parliament that J-10C destroyed several Indian jets including three Rafale. However, India dismissed these claims, calling it ‘rumor’ and ‘misinformation’. The Indian Ministry of Defense and Air Force officials clarified that reports of the damage were exaggerated, although General Anil Chauhan confirmed some aerial loss.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, China broadcast a two-part documentary on its state media CCTV on the origin of J-10C and its ‘Siddha’ abilities. The documentary claimed that the J-10ce (Export variant) won the ‘first win’ in the recent war. This step was not only to promote China’s military technology, but also an attempt to strengthen its status in the global weapon market.

Why offer Indonesia special

This offer comes at a time when military expenses are increasing worldwide due to global conflicts like Russia-Ukraine War. The dialogue also indicates that Indonesia is trying to diversify the defense supply sources under its campaign for military modernization led by President Prabovo Subianto.

J-10 is designed by China’s AVIC Chengdu aircraft company Limited, a single-engine, multirol fighter jet. It was inducted by Pakistan in its Air Force in 2022, when India bought the French Rafal Jets. Now Rafal Jets Indonesia is also buying under a separate deal.

Although Indonesia has previously purchased some defense equipment such as weapons and air surveillance systems from China, this will be the first time to buy fighter aircraft. If this deal proceeds, it would be a sign of significant depth in defense relationships with Beijing. China is currently the largest trading partner in Indonesia and also a major source of investment.

Military cooperation with new countries
During Prabovo’s tenure, Indonesia has searched for military cooperation with traditional defense partners as well as new countries. The country is a partner in the development of KF-21 supersonic fighter jet with South Korea and recently President Prabovo has also shown interest in the fifth generation fighter fighter jet ‘Kaan’ being developed by Turkey.

Prabovo has also instructed the defense officers to re-check out the old plans to buy F-15 EX fighter aircraft from American company Boeing. Donny Taufanto said that Indonesia’s defense procurement policy is practical and non -aligned, giving it freedom to make defense agreements with various countries. He said, “If we feel that this aircraft performs well, fulfills our needs and the price is also right, then why not? We are not bound by any coalition, so we can buy weapons from any country- even if it is China.”