Indonesia expects first Chinese J-10 fighter jets by April 2027

Indonesia may receive its first batch of Chinese-built Chengdu J-10 fighter jets around April 2027, according to reports from Indonesian news outlet Republika Online. If the delivery proceeds, Indonesia would become the first operator of this fighter jet in Southeast Asia, joining Pakistan and Uzbekistan as international users of the aircraft.

Specific details regarding the acquisition remain unconfirmed by official sources. While some reports suggested an order for 42 J-10CE fighters with a $9 billion budget in October 2025, Indonesian Defense Ministry officials previously denied the existence of such an agreement. Various figures, including 12 and 24 aircraft, have been cited in different reports, but a final number has not been publicly verified.

There is also uncertainty regarding whether the nation will acquire new J-10CE export models, which feature advanced AESA radar and PL-15E missiles, or older, second-hand J-10B variants. Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono has declined to provide specific details on the timeline, advising the public to “just wait” for the aircraft's arrival.