Pakistan demonstrated the effectiveness of Chinese-made weapons, particularly its J-10 fighter jets during clashes with India, which influenced Indonesia’s interest in the same aircraft. This military performance has shown Indonesia that China’s arms are not just budget options but credible, high-performing assets, leading to a potential $9 billion deal for J-10C jets. This move is viewed as a pragmatic decision for Indonesia to balance its military partnerships while also acknowledging China’s technological advancements in defense.
- Demonstrated battlefield credibility: During a 2025 confrontation with India, Pakistan used its J-10C fighter jets, which were armed with Chinese missiles, and their performance was a key factor in deterring Indian incursions.
- Shift in perception: This battle-tested performance challenged the perception of Chinese arms as being lower-end and demonstrated their capability to compete with Western and Russian equipment.
- Influenced Indonesia’s decision: Indonesia’s interest in the J-10C grew significantly after this event, with many analysts citing the Pakistani performance as a reason for the potential deal.
- Pragmatic choice: Indonesia’s decision is seen as a pragmatic move to diversify its sources of military equipment, not necessarily an ideological alignment with China. The deal is also influenced by factors like potentially faster delivery times compared to other options.
- Geopolitical significance: Acquiring Chinese jets is a sign of Indonesia growing more comfortable with China as a defense partner and is seen as a way to balance its relationships with both Western and Chinese powers.