Pakistan to Sell JF-17 Fighter Jets and Shahpar Killer Drones to Indonesia; Multi-Billion Defense Deal in Discussion

Islamabad: Indonesia’s Defence Minister, Lieutenant General (Retired) Safruddin Shamsuddin, recently met Pakistan Army Chief General Aseem Munir in Rawalpindi to discuss enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. The talks also included Pakistan Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Sidhu.

While no official announcement has been made regarding the weapons deals, sources indicate that Indonesia is exploring the acquisition of Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets and Shahpar unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

According to Reuters, security officials familiar with the discussions said that Indonesia is keen to reach an agreement on the multi-role JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Additionally, Indonesia is reportedly interested in Shahpar drones, designed for both surveillance and precision strikes.

Deal Negotiations at Advanced Stage
Sources suggest that talks are at an advanced stage, with several key points already finalized. Reports claim that Indonesia may soon place an order for over 40 JF-17 jets. Pakistan is also negotiating training programs for Indonesian Air Force personnel and engineering staff as part of the deal. Retired Air Marshal Asim Suleman told Reuters that the multi-billion-rupee deal is in the pipeline.

Boosting Indonesia’s Air Power
Indonesia has focused on strengthening its air capabilities in recent years. In 2022, the country procured Rafale jets from France, and last year it signed a deal with Turkey for KAAN fighter jets. Currently, Indonesia is considering additional acquisitions, including China’s J-10, the U.S. F-15EX, and Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder.

The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, all-weather, multi-role fighter jet, produced jointly by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), with Pakistan manufacturing 58% of the aircraft and China 42%. Pakistan remains the primary seller of the JF-17.

No timeline for the proposed deal has been disclosed. Both Pakistan and Indonesia emphasized enhancing bilateral defence cooperation without confirming any finalized agreements. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had also visited Pakistan last month to discuss defence and strategic ties.