RAWALPINDI – July 16, 2025: Indonesia’s Defence Minister, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, led a high-profile delegation to Pakistan’s General Headquarters on Tuesday, holding important discussions with Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The visit focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, regional security, and military-to-military relations between the two countries.
According to the Pakistan military’s media wing, the meeting reaffirmed the long-standing strategic partnership between Jakarta and Islamabad. Field Marshal Asim Munir emphasized the importance of expanding defence collaboration for the sake of regional peace and stability, while the Indonesian delegation expressed admiration for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism successes.
Indonesia’s Growing Interest in JF-17 Thunder
Defence observers believe Indonesia is evaluating Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet for its next-generation air fleet. Sources familiar with the matter suggest Jakarta is exploring options to diversify its defence procurements, with the JF-17 offering a cost-effective and capable solution.
The JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Group, is rapidly becoming a popular fighter jet among developing nations. With advanced features like AESA radar, beyond-visual-range missiles, and modern avionics, the latest JF-17 Block III variant is considered a 4.5-generation multirole platform at a fraction of the cost of Western alternatives.
“Indonesia and Pakistan already have an MoU signed in 2018 for defence industry cooperation, which includes technology transfer and potential co-production of defence hardware like the JF-17,” a defence official said on condition of anonymity.
Why the JF-17 Could Appeal to Indonesia
Indonesia is actively modernising its military, balancing its procurement strategy between Western and non-Western sources. With ongoing investments in Turkey’s KAAN 5th-generation project and previous engagements with South Korea’s KF-21 program, Jakarta is reportedly seeking a reliable, affordable fighter jet to complement its future fleet.
Potential Factors Favoring the JF-17:
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Affordability: Estimated at $25 million per unit, the JF-17 is significantly cheaper than Western or 5th-gen fighters.
Export Success: Pakistan has already sold JF-17s to Nigeria, Myanmar, Iraq, and Azerbaijan.
Local Production Options: Pakistan has expressed willingness to partner on joint manufacturing.
Balanced Capabilities: Modern radar systems, electronic warfare suites, and long-range missiles.
Indonesia is expected to evaluate the feasibility of integrating the JF-17 into its existing defence structure while maintaining ongoing commitments with other suppliers.
Regional Defence Dynamics
The potential sale of JF-17s to Indonesia would further boost Pakistan’s growing defence export market, especially after its recent landmark deal with Azerbaijan. For Indonesia, it offers an opportunity to enhance airpower without overextending its defence budget.
