REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono asked the public to be patient regarding the arrival of Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China. "Just wait," Tonny said with a smile to Republika at the TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Monday (5/10/2026).

According to information obtained by Republika, the fighter jets nicknamed the Vigorous Dragon are expected to arrive in Indonesia six months from now. However, the number of units arriving in Indonesia for the first time next year is still unknown.

At the same location, member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono supported the Ministry of Defense's (Kemenhan) move to purchase J-10 fighter jets. He considered that purchasing 4.5-generation fighter jets from China could strengthen the defense of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"We also look at global conditions, threats, we see that even in Southeast Asia there are still conflicts, ASEAN countries among themselves, so for us it is important to have capable combat equipment that can intercept those threats," Dave said.

According to him, Commission I of the DPR also has no issue if the Indonesian government ultimately chooses defense equipment from China. For Dave, the quality of defense equipment from Western countries and China is now the same. "No problem, no problem, as long as the supply chain, training, and supporting units are sufficient, no problem," Dave said.

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