Once finalised, the deal would also mark the first purchase of Chinese-made warplanes by Indonesia as part of its military modernisation plans.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said Indonesia would soon buy the J-10 fighter jets from China as part of Jakarta’s plan to modernise its military, according to Indonesia’s national news wire Antara.
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What do we know about China’s two next-generation aircraft?
What do we know about China’s two next-generation aircraft?
“They will be flying over Jakarta soon,” Sjamsoeddin said, although he did not provide any details regarding the purchase timeline or the expected delivery date of the aircraft.
Indonesia’s finance minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa also confirmed on Wednesday that his ministry had approved a nearly US$9 billion budget for the purchase of the Chinese aircraft, but added that it must be “double-checked” when the jets would be delivered to his country’s military.
“So, everything should be ready,” Sadewa told reporters. “But I have to double check when those aircrafts will arrive in Jakarta from Beijing.”
Jakarta will buy “at least 42” of the jets, according to Associated Press.
