From Rafale Killer to Regional Contender: Indonesia Considers China’s J-10C Fighter Aircraft

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Indonesia is actively evaluating China’s 4.5-generation J-10C multirole fighter jet as a potential addition to its airpower arsenal, signaling a possible strategic pivot in the country’s future defence posture.

Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto confirmed that the offer from China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is currently under serious review by Indonesian defence planners.

“If, based on our assessment, the aircraft performs well and meets the criteria we’ve set—and considering its reasonable price—then why shouldn’t we take it into consideration?” said Donny, as quoted by Indonesia’s national news agency, Antara.

The offer comes amid growing regional attention to the J-10C’s combat performance, particularly after Pakistan’s reported use of the aircraft in recent skirmishes with India, during which six Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters were allegedly shot down.

Among the aircraft claimed to have been neutralised by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) J-10Cs were three Dassault Rafale jets, a Su-30MKI, a MiG-29, and a Mirage 2000, with PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles reportedly used in the engagements.

If the claims are substantiated, it would mark one of the most significant air combat validations of Chinese aerospace technology in modern military history, catapulting the J-10C to global prominence.

Indonesia’s potential acquisition of the J-10C was first raised following the visit of Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono, to a defence exhibition in China where the platform was offered as part of a bilateral engagement.

“We were offered the aircraft, and it is currently being evaluated as one of several options for future force enhancement,” Donny added.

Indonesia’s traditionally non-aligned and independent foreign policy provides it with the flexibility to explore a diverse range of defence partnerships, including arms procurement from non-Western sources such as China and Russia.

However, Donny stressed that technical interoperability with existing TNI systems remains a key requirement, alongside operational performance parameters.

“We will also evaluate the aircraft’s operational capabilities—its combat range, weapons payload, and other performance metrics—which are all integral to our assessment,” he explained.

Reports surfaced in May suggesting that Indonesia may be looking to acquire 42 second-hand J-10C fighters from China, reviving interest in a deal that had once appeared unlikely due to Jakarta’s stalled Su-35 procurement.

The speculation comes in the wake of the J-10C’s reported combat success in South Asia, where the fighter’s performance has elevated it to contender status in global export markets traditionally dominated by Western and Russian platforms.

While no official confirmation has been issued by the Indonesian government, defence portal Alert 5 stated that a formal announcement could be made during the Indo Defence and Expo 2025, scheduled from June 11 to 14 in Jakarta.

Parallel to the potential J-10C acquisition, Indonesia is also considering resuming the previously delayed purchase of the Su-35, which had been hindered by regulatory, financial, and political complications.

The J-10C’s recent surge in global attention has had tangible market consequences, with CAC’s stock reportedly gaining traction while shares of France’s Dassault Aviation declined amid concerns over Rafale’s battlefield vulnerability.

At the recent LIMA 2025 exhibition in Langkawi, Malaysia, a full-scale model of the J-10CE—the export version of the J-10C—was prominently showcased at China’s pavilion, attracting interest from defence delegates and analysts across the Asia-Pacific.

“The J-10CE, which has demonstrated real combat success, became the highlight of the Chinese display at LIMA 2025 and captivated foreign delegates and defence analysts eager to assess its capabilities,” Global Times reported.

China’s defence export agency, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), is leveraging the J-10CE’s battlefield reputation to challenge the Western-Russian duopoly in the international combat aircraft market.

The aircraft is now being positioned as a high-performance yet cost-effective alternative for air forces in Southeast Asia and beyond, including nations like Malaysia and Bangladesh currently undergoing fighter fleet modernisation.

Chinese defence experts assert that the J-10 fighter family reflects a strategic leap in China’s defence industrial capacity, reshaping global perceptions of Beijing’s ability to produce advanced, battle-tested weaponry.

Since its formal induction into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2006, the J-10 series has become a cornerstone of China’s airpower strategy, with the J-10C representing its most sophisticated iteration.

The J-10C incorporates a host of next-generation technologies including a fully digital fly-by-wire control system, indigenous WS-10B turbofan engine, and a highly integrated avionics suite for real-time situational awareness.

Its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar provides improved tracking, jamming resistance, and multirole targeting capabilities—bringing it closer in performance to fifth-generation fighters in certain mission profiles.

The aircraft’s aerodynamic layout, featuring a canard-delta configuration, enables high maneuverability and versatility across air superiority, interception, and ground-attack roles.

A major selling point remains the PL-15 long-range BVR missile, which is believed to have a range exceeding 200 km, placing it among the longest-reaching air-to-air missiles currently fielded.

Additional weapons options include the short-range PL-10 IR missile, KD-88 precision land-attack missile, and YJ-91 anti-ship/anti-radiation missile, making the J-10C suitable for multi-domain combat operations.

Electronic warfare capabilities include a radar warning receiver (RWR), chaff and flare dispensers, infrared search and track (IRST), and advanced electronic countermeasures (ECM), providing enhanced survivability in contested airspace.

With 11 hardpoints and a high payload capacity, the J-10C supports both high-end combat and extended strike missions, with external tanks and jamming pods available for deep penetration operations.

As of 2025, the PLAAF operates approximately 220 J-10C aircraft, solidifying its role as a key tactical asset in China’s rapidly modernising air force.

The development of the J-10C not only reinforces Beijing’s regional power projection but also signals its intent to be a major player in the global fighter export market.

In an era of shifting alliances and rising geopolitical tensions, Indonesia’s potential embrace of the J-10C could mark a new chapter in Southeast Asia’s airpower landscape—and a quiet but profound recalibration of its strategic alignments.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA